Lillyheart's Secret

Bonus 2: Thunderclan

It was quiet in the forest.

Not the silent kind of quiet, the one that takes over and steals your breath away, but more the one that fills you with ease, that soothes away any worries you might have.

This was the quiet of the forest, the loud and noisy kind that says all is right in the world. Bugs hummed in the trees, coupled with the sound of leaves and wind and all stung together into the normal sort of quiet.

Then Shadepaw ran by, breaking that quiet.

His paws slammed onto the leaf cluttered ground with an insistent beat, the sound of his panting drowning out any other noise as he ran. His claws dug into the dirt as he pushed himself forward, up into the air and onto the rough, scraping bark of an oak tree.

He skittered up it with two pushes of his hind claws, tail swinging to balance himself as he jumped next to a branch, the bough dropping and swaying under his new and sudden weight. Each step caused the branch to sway until he jumped to the next one, lungs burning and legs aching, claws dug in tight to keep from falling.

The ground was so far below the dark apprentice, it could hardly be seen in the dark. Nor could Shadedpaw truly be seen from those below, though there were three sets of eyes that watched his shadowy figure with keen intent.

His paws were slipping as he fixed himself to descend this second tree, and, feeling his weight start to fall away, he jumped the final length, rolling when he hit the ground, before firing back up into a swift run.

He had only to make it to the stream now, and he would be finished. Shadepaw could hear the sound of paws running behind him now, and it only served to push him further, their presence urging him onwards.

Then, finally, startlingly, the trees and forest fell into nothingness, and Shadedpaw fell face-first into the creek.

The water was cold and soaked deep, shocking his lungs as they spasmed from the sharp sensation, his nose flaring as he struggled to kick himself back into standing. The creek was abnormally high for this time of year, and this specific spot chosen for it's depth, leading to the full plunging he had just experienced.

Teeth grabbed onto his scruff and hauled him out of the water and into fresh, breathable air, the heat of it making him dizzy.

Or perhaps that was the notable lack of breathing he was doing.

His lungs burned from exhaustion, but it was followed by the soothing feeling of air as it slipped down his throat, life springing into his paws once more.

Shadepaw coughed, pushing himself through the water until he scraped against the pebbly feeling of shore, flopping out on the sensation of dry land, water dripping from his pelt.

Voices clamored and cried around him, other apprentices who had been watching with such anxious intent, and were now also able to breathe themselves.

"Shadepaw, I can't believe you already did the entire course! That's a warrior course, and even some of the newer warriors can't do it at all!"

Shadepaw pushed himself up to sitting, giving Leafpaw a tired grin. "Just because they can't do it doesn't mean I shouldn't try."

The three of them jostled around him, crowing their disbelief and astonishment, until Shadedpaw caught sight of yellow eyes staring out from just inside the edge of the forest. He pushed out of the throng, leaving their energy behind him, his paws scuffing as they trailed over leaves and dirt.

"Buttyflypaw," he said quietly, ducking his head. "I can't believe you actually came out to watch me."

The pale ginger she-cat shrugged, looking away. "Someone had to make sure you didn't drown."