Defenders (A Warriors Fan-Fic)

Chapter 19

By: Krazy_Katrina

GoldPaw's POV

GoldPaw was pacing around the clearing waiting for the patrol, to save LarchPaw, to get back. She heard rustling in the bracken tunnel entrance and the patrol padded into the clearing where GoldPaw and most of the Pack were waiting.

"LarchPaw is safe and sound now that we killed the snake, but most of the credit goes to SpottedPaw and LarchPaw for killing it." ShadowClaw announced. To GoldPaw's ears he sounded a little jealous.

WhiteStar padded to the patrol. "Great job SpottedPaw and to the rest of you. You all returned LarchPaw and killed off the snake." He turned to face LarchPaw. "LarchPaw there are going to be consequences you know that right?" LarchPaw looked at his paws and nodded. "Okay then. Your punishment will start today and it is to clean out the moss bedding in the elders' den and put fresh moss in, and also clean ticks or fleas from the elder. This will last for three days. Hope you're ready, because you start now."

With that LarchPaw sulked away to the medicine dogs' den to get moss and bile to clean ticks and fleas. GoldPaw felt bad for him, but he caused all of this himself. GoldPaw looked over at SpottedPaw and saw that she also felt bad for him. Did SpottedPaw like LarchPaw? No that couldn't be, she loved ShadowClaw even though he was a warrior, but he was only a year older than SpottedPaw. GoldPaw cleared her mind and saw that it was midday and she had to train with her mentor, MapleLeaf, soon. She padded off to the fresh-kill pile and ate a mouse, waiting to go training. She was so excited!

*

GoldPaw returned to the camp after training, she was exhausted! She padded to the apprentice's den and curled up in her mossy bed. She awoke the next morning to shuffling in the bed next to hers. It was SpottedPaw dreaming, maybe about talking to that dog SwiftFoot again. Everybody else was waking up because of her shuffling also and DapplePaw and IcePaw complained, but LarchPaw giggled. GoldPaw looked at him and his eyes showed affection in them. GoldPaw's eyes grew wide with surprise. Did SpottedPaw know that after she saved LarchPaw's life, sort of, that LarchPaw liked her? What about ShadowClaw? Surely LarchPaw knew that SpottedPaw had a mate and that mate was LarchPaw's mentor. GoldPaw knew her answer, SpottedPaw didn't like LarchPaw, but he liked her, she hoped at least.