Dawnkit's Journey

Chapter Seventeen-

~time lapse of 2 days~

"Goldenpaw, you have been a great apprentice, so I make you a warrior in your turn. Goldenpaw, do you promise to live by the warrior code, to protect your clan at all costs, even with your life?" Mintstar looked down on Goldenpaw. He stared at her, eyes glowing.

"I do." He yowled. Dawnpaw watched him, pride in her eyes.

"Very well. By the powers given to me by StarClan, as leader of JadeClan, I hearby name you Goldenthorn, in honor of your quick mind and your sharpness in battle. Welcome to JadeClan." Mintstar called. The clan called his name, getting louder and louder every moment. Goldenthorn puffed his chest and followed the pride in the voices. Dawnpaw yowled the loudest of them all, for she was pushing down the guilt rising in her stomach.

~•~

"Bluewhisker!" Dawnpaw purred as she saw the familiar blue pelt. He turned around, happiness making his eyes glow. He stood and tipped his head.

"Dawnpaw." He replied. She dropped the mice she had been holding by the tails at his paws. He nosed a vole and a small blackbird. He sneezed, blowing a feather away. Dawnpaw mrowwed in laughter. He narrowed his eyes, and leaped at her playfully, claws still in. She let herself be pushed over, eyes alight with laughter.

"You laughing at me?" He growled. Dawnpaw nodded. His eyes met hers. She looked away first, burning. He coughed and let her up, turning away. His tail brushed her cheek as she stood. She noticed how his ribs were less visible. He grabbed a Mouse, and laid down, already digging in. Dawnpaw took the blackbird, plucking the feathers off the bird. Once the meat was exposed, she ripped a piece off. They continued eating in silence.

"So, Dawnpaw." Bluewhisker began. Dawnpaw perked her ears, raising her head from his shoulder. Cold air stung her cheek from where she was once warm. She felt his chest rumble against her side as he spoke.

"When do you want to meet again? If you do, that is..." he added quickly. She looked up, and closed her eyes.

"Five nights after the gathering?" She suggested. The gathering was only two sunrises away. He nodded.

"Sure." He agreed. She rested her head back on his shoulder, content. He placed his head on hers.

~•~
"Where were you?" Goldenthorn appeared in front of Dawnpaw as she was sneaking in the camp. She jumped back, startled. Guilt pricked her pelt.

"I-i...uh..." she stammered. "I was...out...hunting."

"Where's prey?" Goldenthorn narrowed his eyes in suspicion. Dawnpaw forced her fur to lie flat. She glanced away.

"Couldn't find any. Bad hunting." She lied. Goldenthorn brushed past her.

"Come." He commanded. Dawnpaw followed, worried.

"Shouldn't you be doing vigil?" She asked. He shook his head.

"Mintstar told me to look for you." He replied. Dawnpaw pinned her ears back. They crept further into the forest, not to a certain place. Finally, Goldenthorn stopped.

"I can smell him on you, you know." Goldenthorn murmured. Dawnpaw froze in fear. Goldenthorn turned around, eyes round.

"Come out!" Goldenthorn snarled. Nothing answered. Dawnpaw glanced around. "Now!"

"How did you know I was here?" An unknown voice asked in surprise. A small red tom slid out from a bush. His eyes were green, burning. Dawnpaw let out a small sigh of relief when she saw it wasn't Bluewhisker. She sniffed her own pelt. Sure enough, an unknown scent covered up Bluewhisker's scent. The tom let his claws slide out.

"You can beat two warriors?" Goldenthorn scoffed. The tom sniffed.

"I'll try." He snarled. He pounced, claws flying. Dawnpaw slid to the side, clawing his flank as he flew past. He screeched in rage, and threw Goldenthorn over. Goldenthorn snarled, and sliced the tom's stomach. The tom didn't hesitate, he stretched his neck out, and clamped his jaws around Goldenthorn. Goldenthorn threw the tom off, sending him spinning into Dawnpaw. Dawnpaw shrieked as she was pushed over. She writhed around as he clawed out tufts of fur. She clawed his sides, and bit his paw. He shook the pain away and smacked her muzzle. Goldenthorn leaped onto the tom, and let himself fall back. The tom fell back also. Dawnpaw threw herself forward, landing on the tom. She clawed his chest, feeling proud when blood welled from his wounds. He coughed blood. Dawnpaw jumped off, letting the tom slide down. He stared at Goldenthorn. His eyes gleamed.

"Who are you?" Goldenthorn demanded.

"Red." He spat. He glanced at Dawnpaw, then at Goldenthorn. "Oh, I see. He doesn't know."

"What?" Dawnpaw hissed. The tom coughed for a while.

"This one here...she's been..." Dawnpaw leaped at him, and sliced his neck. Red gurgled, then died. A simple, painful death. Goldenthorn stared at Dawnpaw, wide eyed.

"What was he saying?" Goldenthorn asked quietly. Dawnpaw looked at Goldenthorn.

"He's talking about who I like." Dawnpaw didn't lie, it was technically the truth. Goldenthorn sniffed.

"Who?" He asked. Dawnpaw pushed down any trace of guilt and answered with half truth.

"You."