Sparks of A Fire

Chapter 47

By the time Ripplepaw finally made it back to IceClan's camp, it was nearly sunrise and all the white-and-cream she-cat wanted to do was curl up in her warm mossy nest and sleep for a moon.

The white-and-cream apprentice settled down in her nest and closed her eyes. She was asleep within seconds, but it didn't seem like she was asleep for very long when someone began prodding at her side.

Ripplepaw groaned and batted the paw away with an annoyed hiss. She turned away from the cat trying to wake her and curled up into a tight ball.

"Get up!" the grouchy male voice hissed in her ear. "We're suppose to be on the dawn patrol right now!"

Ripplepaw's eyes shot open and she quickly scrambled to her paws. "W-What? Oh! I uh... I-I'm so sorry, Hailclaw!" she meowed, yawning and rubbing her eyes with a cream-colored paw.

"C'mon, Ripplepaw!" he growled, not so gently nudging the white-and-cream she-cat. Ripplepaw groaned and opened her tired eyes.

"What for?" she tiredly asked him, yawning and rubbing her eyes with a cream-colored paw.

Hailclaw sighed in frustration and flicked his tail in the direction of the fern tunnel. Ripplepaw sighed again and slowly got to her paws. "Ok ok I'm coming!" she told him, huffing and rolling her eyes.

"Ok then," Hailclaw meowed, "let's get going, the others are waiting!" and with that the white-furred tom left the den. Ripplepaw let another heavy sigh pass her lips as she shook out her fluffy white fur.

•••

When the small group of cats finally made it to the Fish-Ice, Ripplepaw kept her eyes and ears on alert for any sudden movements.

Ripplepaw's eyes narrowed in concentration as she watched her prey from the cover of trees. Dovestar had put Ripplepaw on the dawn patrol along with Sealpaw, Cinderblossom, Snowfrost, Blizzardsky, Coldpaw, Milkpaw, and Thunderpaw.

The rushing water swirled around Ripplepaw as she weaved and dove into the sea. The frigid water felt relaxing to the yong apprentice as she scanned the water's surface for any signs of prey. It took a few moments, but a few moments passed before something moved, catching Ripplepaw's attention immediately. The white-and-cream she-cat quickly gave chase to whatever animal was darting beneath the waves.

Her blue eyes narrowed in determination and her ears flicked from left to right. I've got you now, you little fish! she thought to herself as she got closer and closer towards the unsuspecting sea creature.

After dealing the killing blow to the char's throat, Ripplepaw grabbed it by the scruff and swam back to the surface.

The white-furred apprentice resurfaced with the large silverfish clutched in her jaws.

"Oh my StarClan! Ripplepaw, that was so amazing!" Sealpaw gushed, beaming with pride as she stared at her friend. Cinderblossom nodded her head in agreement.

"I agree with Sealpaw!" the dark gray she-cat meowed, her blue eyes gleaming and her tail flicking from left to right in excitement.

Ripplepaw heard a splash, and she turned around. Snowfrost, Blizzardsky's sister, had just emerged from the water with a big silver char. Ripplepaw didn't know if she could even tell the two apart.

Blizzardsky's blue eyes lit up with amazement and pride as she stared at the large char that her sister caught.

"Wow! Nice catch Snowfrost!" the white-furred apprentice meowed, her tail held high and her fur fluffed up in excitement.

Snowfrost blushed and ducked her head, shifting her paws nervously and giving her chest fur a few licks.

Her mint-green eyes gleamed with pride though, and she meowed a quiet response to her sister. "Oh, I-I uh, u-um, t-thanks, Bliz!"

Blizzardsky blushed and ducked her head. "No problem, Snow!" she responded with a wave of her paw. "I'm proud of you, it's only our first hunt and you managed to catch a huge char! Now that's impressive!"

It was silent for a while before Cinderblossom spoke up in an attempt to break it. "Ok, I think that's enough pray for now!" she nodded to Snowfrost and Ripplepaw. "Grab your prey and let's head back to camp, I'm sure Dovestar will be pleased with our hunt."

The others all nodded and turned away from the Fish-Ice. With pray dangling from their jaws, the six cats patted back towards camp with heads held high and eyes gleaming with pride.