New path ( Mapleshade AU)

Chapter 8: Training , troubles and Patchpaw's ceremony

A/N: I don't own Warriors. Erin Hunter does. I just play with the characters.

" Speech"

Thoughts, dreams, visions

' Flashback'

The next day, Mapleshade was woken up in the warrior's den by some cat poking her with their claw.

" Mapleshade, wake up. It is time for your first training session. " She heard the voice of Darkstar mew. As the tortoiseshell and white she-cat opened her eyes she saw the face of the RiverClan leader half of a whisker length away from her face.

" Training? For what?" She asked.

" I'll teach you how to fish and possibly a few easy water fighting moves, since I know that you can swim. You got used to swimming surprisingly quickly for a drypaw. " The leader told her.

" Drypaw? What does that mean?" Mapleshade asked.

" Drypaw is a cat who doesn't like swimming. " Darkstar explained.

Mapleahade nodded. " I see. "

As the two cats padded closer to the river Mapleshade could feel the nervousness starting to settle in. What if I can't catch any prey?

Darkstar noticed the way Mapleshade eyed the waves lapping the shore.

" You will be fine. This part of the river is shallow so catching fish is easy even from the bank of the river and there are no strong currents that could suck you in. " The leader assured her.

As Mapleshade got closer to the river she could nearly feel the waves tugging at her fur, dragging her beneath the surface, away from her kits and the new life she knew. No, it's not real! We are all safe in RiverClan! The river isn't flooding, because it hasn't rained recently.

Darkstar waited patiently for the former queen to get her thoughts under control.

After calming down Mapleshade padded into the water, trying not to splash around.

" You are doing extremely well, for a former ThunderClan cat. " Darkstar purred.

Mapleshade nodded. " Birchfoot and his sisters have taught me and my kits how to swim. "

The leader purred. " I see. You seem to be close to them, and Hollymist. "

Mapleshade nodded, purring. "They are all good friends of mine. Especially Birchfoot. He's in a way a father figure for my kits. " Who knows, maybe one day he will be more than that.

After the hunt was over, Mapleshade managed to catch a few small minnows and a water vole. That water vole was a lucky catch , because it would have hidden in its hole.

As Mapleshade and Darkstar padded back into the camp Mapleshade noticed that Reedshine was glaring at her. What is her problem?

Later that day Mapleshade was sharing small carp with Birchfoot when she heard screeching coming from the path near the camp. What is going on?

After a few heartbeats Petalpaw ran into the clearing, her pale brown fur fluffed up and yowling in pain which attracted the attention of Bristleflight.