Unknown Mystery (Warrior Cats Fan Fiction)

Chapter 8

This morning, it was time for Leafpaw's warrior assessment. Leafpaw after waking up, jumped to her paws quickly and out of the apprentices' den. For the first time since Maplepaw's death, she was excited...a lot. She would fulfill one of her dreams.

To her surprise, Embershade wasn't waiting for her. Instead it was Eaglestar. Eaglestar looked warmly at her as she met his gaze. Eaglestar beckoned her with his tail.

Leafpaw padded over to him and Eaglestar saw her confused look. "Embershade went to check the NightClan border," Eaglestar explained then his eyes darkened. "We scented them in our border. Those mouse-brains!"

"You're going to assess me then?" Leafpaw asked, blinking at him excitedly. It was a huge honour to have the leader of LeapClan assess her.

Eaglestar's ears twitched. "Yes," Eaglestar confirmed with an edge to his voice. "You'll be hunting. You can go anywhere in our territory," Eaglestar added. "But I'll be watching you, remember that."

Leafpaw nodded, but her heart sank as she realized something. She remembered what Maplepaw had said before dying in front of her. Beware of Eaglestar.

"Why not a normal warrior assess me?" Leafpaw questioned, glancing around for another warrior.

"They're all busy," Eaglestar replied, looking impatient and irritated. "Anyways, are you going to go? I don't want to be here all day." Eaglestar glanced at the sky.

Leafpaw dipped her head. "Can't like Silverpool assess me?" Leafpaw suggested, ignoring her leader's question. "She lost her apprentice, so maybe-"

"Enough!" Eaglestar interrupted, his eyes blazing. "Do you want to be a warrior or not? You'll have me and me only."

Leafpaw stared blankly into Eaglestar's green eyes. "Fine," Leafpaw muttered hesitantly. Only because I want to be a warrior.

Leafpaw raced out of camp and she knew Eaglestar was closely following her. Leafpaw paused to sniff the air. She scented squirrel, mice and even a stale scent of fox.

Leafpaw let her nose lead as she followed a squirrel trail. Leafpaw spotted the squirrel and easily caught it with a swift bite to the squirrel's neck after stalking it with no problem.

Leafpaw looked around after burying her prey, scanning for Eaglestar's ginger pelt, but there was no sign of him in the undergrowth.

Leafpaw headed toward the NightClan border, wanting to see Embershade and the patrol, but saw...no one. It was empty and no sign of anybody being here for a while.

Leafpaw tipped her head. Why wasn't Embershade and the patrol here?

Leafpaw hesitated, her mind racing, but that didn't last long as a quiet yowl of triumph came behind her and paws thumping against the ground.

Leafpaw jumped backwards immediately and paws slapped on the ground behind her, dirt spluttering onto Leafpaw's back. She knew the cat had missed their pounce.

Leafpaw let out a snarl of defiance and turned around. She thought it was maybe a NightClan cat, but Leafpaw was startled to see Eaglestar, crouched in an attack stance, gazing at Leafpaw with faint amusement.

"I've been waiting for this moment," Eaglestar growled, his tail lashing side to side. "For me to kill you."

Leafpaw was shocked. Eaglestar? "You were the one who pushed off Leafnose from the cliff!" Leafpaw exclaimed, backing up. "Killed Maplepaw and almost Rosesplash."

"You're smart, Leafpaw," Eaglestar praised then his eyes narrowed and his head tilted slightly. "I wish you weren't my victim because you would've made a good warrior and maybe deputy, but it's time for blood to spill."