𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗦𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗘𝗧

> Six <

Acaciapaw awoke in a soft mossy nest, lined with wool. WhisperClan reek washed over his senses, along with the tangy scent of herbs.

Sandstone's, the WhisperClan medicine cat's gaze flicked to the injured apprentice. "You're awake! Thank StarClan."

Acaciapaw stretched out his paws, wincing at a burn in his shoulder. Most of his ragged body was covered in herbs and cobwebs.

Sedgebriar trotted into the den carrying a mouse. "Eat this. Acaciapaw, yes?"

Acaciapaw felt a twinge of curiosity at the WhisperClan warrior's strange accent. "Y-yes, I'm Acaciapaw of BrineClan."

Sandstone eyed him curiously. "How did you get in a fight with a rogue?"

"I was hunting with my mentor and heard a yowl, so I ran over and saw his body, then I ran after the rogue that killed him and attacked him."

Sandstone's eyes softened. "What a brave apprentice you are," she meowed softly, gently brushing her tail down his spine.

Sedgebriar dropped the mouse at Acaciapaw's nest, sat down and wrapped his tail over his paws. "You've caused quite the uproar, Acaciapaw," he commented lightly. "Apricotstar sent a patrol to inform your Clan where you are."

Acaciapaw lowered his head and began to nibble at the mouse. The magpie he'd shared with Applepaw seemed moons ago. Homesickness clenched his heart.

"You'll be back soon," Sedgebriar promised. "I'd say a moon or two."

"A moon?" Acaciapaw's eyes widened in dismay. "A whole moon?"

Sandstone blinked at him sympathetically. "Don't worry. I'm sure Apricotstar will assign you a mentor while you're here, so you don't miss out on training."

Feeling numb from herbs and pain, Acaciapaw lay his head down.

Excited whispers sounded outside the den.

"Is that him?"

"The BrineClan apprentice?"

"Shh! He'll hear us!"

Sedgebriar rolled his eyes. "Come in, you four."

Four apprentices tumbled into the den. At the head was a golden tom with a black ear and amber eyes; just beside him stood a violet-eyed black tom; behind the black tom hesitated a brown mackerel tabby with wide, curious green eyes, and at the very back was a pale grey she-cat with black flecks and blue eyes.

"Move up, Coniferpaw!" Mewed the brown tabby crossly.

"Shut up for once, Asterpaw, you never stop fretting." The golden tom - Coniferpaw - huffed, but shuffled closer to the slim black tom. "Sorry, Callapaw!"

Asterpaw moved forwards, leaving more room for the pale grey she-cat to slip to Coniferpaw's side. "Is that really him?"

"It is, Fempaw." Coniferpaw's eyes glowed as he turned to Acaciapaw. "Hi!"

"Uhm, hi." Acaciapaw raised his head painfully. "I'm Acaciapaw."

"I'm Coniferpaw, and this is my sister Fempaw. Asterpaw is back there, and the skinny weirdo is Callapaw."

"I'm no weirdo!" Callapaw snapped, lashing his tail. The tip collided painfully with Asterpaw's nose, and the apprentice sprang back. "Ow!"

Callapaw shot him an apologetic look, but glared at Coniferpaw.

Asterpaw gave a quiet hiss, rubbing his nose with a paw; it clearly still stung.

Acaciapaw rose to his paws. "I'm Acaciapaw."