Warriors: Falling Stars Book 1: Sunlight

Chapter 5

"Get up, you lazy furball!"

Spottedpaw shifted in her nest, blinking away sleep. "Ivypelt? It's still dark out!" She complained, closing her eyes again.

"I said now, Spottedpaw, and you'll listen to what your mentor says!"

Spottedpaw sighed and stood up slowly, carefully making her way out of the den without disturbing Mudpaw or Fernpaw, who were still asleep.

"We're going on Dawn Patrol," Ivypelt mewed hotly, licking her paw. Obviously last night's events had not been forgotten. Spottedpaw stretched and yawned, padding over to the fresh-kill pile. Ivypelt stood up and walked in her way. "No food until we know that the other clans have stayed out of StormClan territory."

Spottedpaw sighed. She knew it was no use arguing with her mentor. "Yes, Ivypelt." She replied. The she-cat followed her mentor to the entrance where a dark brown tabby tom was waiting. He smiled at the she-cats and padded up to Ivypelt.

"Are you heading on Dawn Patrol?"

"Yes, Hawkwing. Should I bring anyone else?" Ivypelt mewed.

The deputy thought for a moment. "Go get Snowspecks and Rockdust. They haven't gone on Dawn Patrol for a few days."

Ivypelt nodded and disappeared into the Warrior's Den. Spottedpaw sat down and started to groom herself, waiting for her mentor.

"So, Spottedpaw," Hawkwing said as he sat down by her. "How is training?"

"Hard, I suppose," she mewed in response. "But it's fun."

Hawkwing nodded and glanced up as two kits bounded out of the nursery. They rolled over each other and chased each other around. "Ivypelt is a good mentor," he mewed as he watched them, entranced. "Tough, but she gets things done. It may not seem like it, but she likes you a lot. She thinks you have potential."

Spottedpaw felt better hearing this. "Thanks. How did you know that?"

"Silverstripe is her sister," he replied. "And Silverstripe is my mate. They like to gossip." Spottedpaw purred in amusement. The last thing she saw Ivypelt doing was chatting with the silver tabby she-cat.

Suddenly Spottedpaw fell down with an "oomph!" of surprise.

"Spottedpaw!" A bright white kit mewed happily as he pranced on her back.

"Ouch! Hailkit, claws sheathed please!" Spottedpaw mewled as the kit accidentally dug his claws into her pelt.

"Hailkit is a mousebrain!" The other kit, a dark brown tabby mewled. She purred and sat down by Spottedpaw.

"Hello Hazelkit," Spottedpaw greeted her and licked her head. She stood up again as Hailkit leaped off her back.

"We're going to be made apprentices today!" Halikit meowed excitedly, bouncing up and down.

"It's about time," Spottedpaw mewed excitedly. Finally, her old denmates were ready to become apprentices. "I caught you two a blackbird yesterday. I left it in the fresh-kill pile, if you want it." Her eyes gleamed. "Your last meal as kits!"

Hazelkit's belly growled softly. "Let's go! Thank you, Spottedpaw!" She raced to the pile of prey with Hailkit on her heels.

Hawkwing smiled. "They're going to be great warriors." Spottedpaw realized that they were his kin, and she smiled. She watched Shadowfur, their mother, come out of the nursery and join them as Hailkit found the blackbird. "I'm going to speak with Shadowfur for a bit," Hawkwing mewed. "Ivypelt should be back soon." Spottedpaw said goodbye as the deputy padded over to his daughter.