Warriors: Project Star

Chapter 1 | Ferretpaw | Wishing and Fishing

Updated 24/5/23

Ferretpaw lowered himself to the ground, staying completely still. His belly was coated in the sand he was lying in, preparing to pounce.

That fish there is getting a little too close to me! Ferretpaw suddenly thought, keeping his eyes on his target.

His mentor, Kestrelwing, watched with interest as the light brown tom suddenly scooped his paw in to grab the small grey fish. Shivering as his paws got cold and wet, he watched in despair as his fish managed to get back to the water before he could deal a killing blow. This was another time he messed up. While he was still new to apprenticeship, this was apparently one of the easiest things to learn. For whatever reason, Ferretpaw didn't understand. 

"Don't worry Ferretpaw!" Kestrelwing reassured, his amber eyes sympathetic. "You'll catch a fish soon! Let's just find some other beach prey - they're much tastier than fish."

Even with the reassuring, Ferretpaw could feel Kestrelwing's slight disappointment. Almost like he wanted a competent apprentice. It was just a little twinge of annoyance, but it still made Ferretpaw's heart twist.

Ferretpaw could look after the elders just fine or catch seagulls and other prey that wasn't in the water, but when a majority of prey comes from the river that separates WaveClan from the other three Clans, AuroraClan, CliffClan, and PrairieClan, it just doesn't cut it. Even worse, Ferretpaw could barely fight. For whatever reason, he just wasn't good at it. He tried and tried yet he never got good at it.

He felt horrible for Kestrelwing, having to put up with him. He got the short end of the straw with Ferretpaw.

His depressing thoughts were interrupted by Kestrelwing's mew that there was a seagull nearby. Ferretpaw noticed some bracken - a perfect hiding spot - and could sense the seagull close to it. All he had to do was lay in wait. The seagull was a lamb to the slaughter, unaware of its demise as it hopped forward in front of the bush. It let out a squawk of terror as Ferretpaw's hind legs propelled him into the air, while his front paws encased the seagull. Ferretpaw made sure to kill it quickly, giving his thanks to StarClan.

This should do... fine for the Clan. It's not as good as river prey but oh well.

"Let's carry on hunting around the beach," Kestrelwing suggested, trying to keep a happy facade. "Later, if you're up for it, why don't we practise some fish catching?"

He could tell Kestrelwing was pushing that he would finally learn.

WaveClan had fewer apprentices than normal - then again, it was always smaller than the other Clans, but five apprentices was an all-time low.

Wolfpaw was the brilliant apprentice. He was like a shining star, showing off to everyone its radiating glory. He never froze up like Ferretpaw, and he rarely missed the prey. Emberpaw was the Medicine Cat Apprentice. Not having to compare herself to others must be excellent. Compared to Wolfpaw, she was humble. Wolfpaw's brother, Swanpaw, wasn't necessarily as brave as Wolfrun or as needed as Emberpaw, but he was still overly well-liked as an apprentice, always polite and courteous. Those three were the best of friends. Ever since Emberpaw lost her brother in the incident, she was close to Wolfpaw and Swanpaw. Their friendship grew and grew and eventually, they were like siblings. There was also Jaypaw, who was training to be a Water Watcher. He was harsh, having a strong tongue, probably a result of his twin tails. Ferretpaw found it weird. The blind yet wise elder Cloudy Skies told him it was some sort of gift from StarClan, but it seemed more like a curse. Jaypaw usually just sat with the other three, but Ferretpaw could feel a slight barrier between them.

Ferretpaw usually hung around the elders, sticking by himself and lazing on rocks. 

He couldn't bear to mingle with the other warriors. His mother, Minnowfang, was the deputy, and she never really had time for him. The only people he had were his close father, Hawkfluff, and the only elder, Cloudy Skies.

***

He carefully placed his catches down - three seagulls - and picked up Cloudy Skies's favourite fish, a small pike. The Camp was on top of a large rock pillar on a small grass patch. The back had a tall rock wall, where a ledge stuck out. Clamstar slept on it, and a small bush surrounding it sheltered her. The other dens were all made from whatever plants and sticks they could find up here, or bring up here. He headed towards the Elders Den, which was located around a small tree. He winced to himself before entering.

"Hello," He dipped his head in respect as he entered, before putting the fish down in front of her.

"Thank you," Cloudy Skies meowed, before tilting her blind head with confusion. "Where's your food?" She sniffed.

"I-I'm not hungry." Ferretpaw lied. He was hungry, so hungry, but he couldn't stomach eating. He plopped down on the ground in front of her, refusing to even look at her pike as his body turned itself inside out like it was attempting to invoke a revolution inside him. He took a deep breath. It didn't help.

"Have you caught a fish yet?" Cloudy Skies asked in between mouthfuls of pike. Ferretpaw sadly shook his head.

"I just don't understand. I do it right, but they always get back in the river. Or they notice me and go swim far away," Ferretpaw confessed, breaking eye contact as the words began to tumble out.

"You're not doing it right then," Cloudy Skies purred. "When I first moved here, I was the same as you - couldn't catch to save my life!"

"Really!?" Ferretpaw gasped. He was shocked, but if such an honourable warrior didn't know at first, maybe he could. Suddenly, he guiltily remembered his promise.

"Sorry, I promised Kestrelwing I would practise fish catching right now! I'll see you later!" Ferretpaw excused himself, as he rushed out of the den. He was embarrassed to see he had gotten Emberpaw's attention. She was sitting with Wolfpaw and Swanpaw, all sharing a big silver fish.

"Hunting? Again? You haven't eaten yet, Ferretpaw!" Emberpaw eyed him suspiciously. Ferretpaw felt as if his fur was on fire, as Emberpaw stared him down as if he was her prey. The black and orange tortoiseshell's fur was bristled. "Don't be a mousebrain! There's prey here if you want to eat with us."

"Nope," Ferretpaw mumbled as he turned around.

"Hey-" Swanpaw flicked his light grey tail lightly over Emberpaw's mouth, showing off his darker grey swirly stripes.

"He'll come back soon."

Emberpaw rolled her eyes as Ferretpaw stalked off to find Kestrelwing. He could feel Wolfpaw's stare on his back. "Fine, but I'll be watching him," She muttered. He wished he hadn't heard the last part, but for now, he was just going to ignore it.

***

The hunting session was over before it began. Ferretpaw barely missed the first fish, but for whatever reason, that finally set Kestrelwing off.

"It's a fish!" He yowled, making Ferretpaw lower himself to the ground and back away. "Just a fish! It's really not that hard!" Kestrelwing took a deep breath. "I'm gonna head back to camp. You keep practising. I want you to get it right for once."

Ferretpaw watched his mentor leave, his ears flattened and his heart rate rose. He looked towards where the fish peacefully swam as he curled up, attempting to hold his tears in and not divulge into a crying mess. "Why..." Ferretpaw choked out.

One failed attempt turned into three before Ferretpaw finally collapsed out of exhaustion, his head resting against the freezing cold sand.