Damaged

Chapter 12

Wolfypaw thought it was pretty obvious who the chosen apprentice was. A wolf will sniff it out and a zephyr shall protect her.

It obviously meant her and Zephyrpaw would go into the mountains and retrieve the herbs all the clans wouldn't survive.

"May the best apprentice win!" Setpaw mewed, grinning misheviously.

"That most certainly won't be you." His sister, Struckpaw teased, overhearing them.

"We'll see about that!" Setpaw mewed.

"Sure." Struckpaw purred.

"Struckpaw! Get your tail out here! Tine for training!" Her mentor, Moonstalk called.

"Welp I'd best go." Struckpaw mewed, ruefully padding out of the den.

"I'ma go see if Briarclaws wants to train." Setpaw mewed, awkwardly.

Wolfypaw nodded, lying down in her nest. She was sure she wouldn't need to train for the 'competion' considering that it was about her.

"Hey!" A rustle sounded at the entrance of the den, then Swiftypaw came through, smiling.

"Hi." She greeted.

"Excited for the competion?" He asked, sitting down beside her.

"Eh." She shrugged.

"I heard that two positions are up for grabs; one part of the competion will be the sniffing then battle training. Who's more skilled at combat."

Wolfypaw pricked her ears. "That's... Interesting." She mewed, after a pause.

"I know right. Best of luck." He wished her.

"I don't think I'll need it." She joked. He purred, bending down and gently grooming her. She felt butterflies arise in her stomach.

"W-Wont Greytooth need you?" She stuttered.

"No. He told me to rest." He continued grooming her ears.

"She-cats and toms! Kits and apprentices! Gather around to see who our chosen apprentice is!" A booming yowl came from outside the den.

"Come on." She mewed, gently. She got to her paws and exited the den, making her way to Snowydeath.

"Apprentices please step forward." Clawstone boomed from the rock ledge.

"Remember your training." Snowydeath whispered into her ear.

Wolfypaw didn't respond, stepping forward. Swiftypaw, Setpaw and Struckpaw did the same.

"We have hidden a special herb around camp. The first to find it, will be declared winner!" Clawstone meowed. "On your marks. Get set. Go!"

Wolfypaw sprinted away from the cemterbof the camp and ran to the weak den. Setpaw was running behind her but going to the medicine den.

She moved the weaks stinky bedding with her paws desperately sniffing to find something off. She heard a yowl of triumph from the medicine den. Curious, she poked her head out just in time to see Setpaw carrying marigold. He obviously thought that was the herb.

Pleased, she rushed back inside and saw a crack high up in the ceiling. She balanced on her hind legs but was still too short to reach it, but there was definitely a scent coming from it.  

She decided momentum was the easiest way to get to it. She ran at the wall, claws unsheathed, and jumped, digging her claws into the wall. She propelled herself upwards, until she reached the hole. She pushed her muzzle in and smelled the tantalising odor of catmint.