Hawkstar's Clan

Chapter 13

The warrior den was huge.

Hawkhope found himself a new spot to make his nest, though there were already some pre-existing moss and leaves from his fellow warriors as a welcome gift. He felt his heart rise at the gesture. He looked around him and at all the other sleeping or waking warriors. It was definitely a lot bigger than the apprentice den. He definitely had a good sleep after his vigil, yet when the brown tabby tom awoke, a coldness struck him. He looked around.

Berrypaw was nowhere around because she was not a warrior yet. That was the loneliness feeling to Hawkhope. He got up, his tail twitching. He could wait few more moons until she joined him. Then they would be able to sleep with each other again like they did when they were apprentices.

All good things come with patience, he reminded himself.

He pushed himself out of the den and into camp.

The camp was full of activity as he emerged. Cats were sharing tongues, sharing prey, and Brightwater and Duckpad's kits were running about, playing their games. Hawkhope could hear them as he came out to enjoy the warmth of the sun.

"Can't catch me!" one of the kits, a gray tom with white spots, mewled.

"We'll see about that, Snowstink!" another kit, a black she-kit, said. "Goosepounce, Pigeonwing, attack the WinterClan trespasser!"

Hawkhope recognized the black she-kit as Ravenkit, one of Duckpad's kits. Her siblings, Goosekit--a gray she-kit--and Pigeonkit--a light gray tom--, pounced at Snowkit, one of Brightwater's kits and Duckpad's half siblings, and tumbled around. Snowkit squealed as he tried to get them off.

"Ack! Get off ThistleClan rats!" Snowkit said playfully.

"Only if you surrender!" Goosekit mewed.

"Never!!!"

"You mess with Snowpelt, you mess with us!" another voice shrieked. That was Firekit, a flame pointed she-kit and another of Brightwater's kits. She and Petalkit, an orange tabby tom, rushed in to "save" their littermate. They all squealed and rolled around, drawing the attention of the other Clan cats. The brown tabby tom couldn't help himself from mrowing at the lively kits. It reminded him of himself when he was a kit. He noticed something off right away; only Firekit, Petalkit and Snowkit were present. Hawkhope looked for the last of Brightwater's kits. He knew the red spotted tabby she-cat had 4 kits so where was the other one?

He caught Brightwater on a patch of grass next to Peppersneeze, intently licking a chocolate classic tabby kit in her paws. There she was. Applekit.

The chocolate classic tabby she-kit stared at her siblings. Hawkhope blinked. Was she sad she couldn't play with them? Or did she not want to play at all? She soon swiveled her head over to where Crowcloud was speaking with Shadowstorm. There was a certain spark in her and she smiled. Hawkhope tilted his head. Did she want to be a medicine cat? That would be good to the Clan. Crowcloud would feel lot less pressured knowing she had an apprentice.

"Mama, Mama, can I go see Crowcloud again?" Hawkhope heard Applekit mewl in excitement. "Please, please, pleeeeease!?"

Brightwater purred. "Let's get you cleaned up first. Then I'll take you to her."

Applekit closed her eyes when Brightwater ran her tongue over her head. She looked content that she wasn't playing with her siblings, she was more intent at wanting to hang out with Crowcloud.

His heart swelled; he was proud of his Clan.

He got up and headed to the fresh-kill pile. He was starting to feel the hunger. The kits tumbled around a bit until Snowkit collided with Hawkhope's legs. The brown tabby was caught off guard at her kit colliding into him. All the kits froze temporarily as they hushed. They backed away, a little intimidated.

"Woah." Hawkhope laughed, stopping and lifting up his paw. "You okay there, Snowkit?"

The gray tom looked up at him. "Ah! Sorry Hawkhope!" he squeaked.

"Hey it's all good," the brown tabby tom responded, tapping his nose. "All I care is your safety and that you have fun."

"We're having loads of fun!" Snowkit said excitedly, bouncing up and fluffing out his kit fluff. "Firekit, Petalkit and I are really kicking Ravenkit, Goosekit and Pigeonkit in the rump! We are going to be great warriors!" He looked over to his mother, his gaze landing on Applekit. "I just wish Applekit could join us. But she's insistent on not wanting to play fight. I think she's weird."

"There's nothing weird about it," Hawkhope said. "Has she spoken about wanting to be a medicine cat?"

Snowkit nodded. "Brightwater takes her to see Crowcloud sometimes then she comes back talking about herbs and berries and all sorts that I can't be bothered to listen to. She does it before we sleep too. It's annoying."

"Your sister is brave for wanting to be a medicine cat. No other cats can see themselves locked up here in camp with sick and injured cats and speak with StarClan. It's a privilege."

The gray tom didn't look back at Hawkhope. His tiny ears twitched. "Huh," he said. "You're actually right."

He patted his head. "Well you go have fun. Just be careful where you guys tumble around in."

"I will! Thanks, Hawkhope!"

And he was off, immediately jumping into the pile with a shriek.

He let out a chuckle and padded closer to the fresh-kill pile. He found himself a nice juicy looking squirrel. As he settled down to eat, he panned his gaze over to Eaglesight, who was beginning to assign the patrols.

"Buzzardsoar, Doewatcher, Hatchwhisker, Nightfoot. I want you four to do border patrols around WinterClan. Our border with LilacClan's been secured so if we can refresh our border with WinterClan, that would be enough border patrols saved for a few moons."

The four cats he had mentioned--Buzzardsoar a pale golden tabby she-cat, Doewatcher a light fawn furred she-cat, Hatchwhisker a brown-red tom and Nightfoot--dipped their heads at Eaglesight then went off together. Hawkhope was impressed with how fast his former mentor had learned to take control of his new duties.

Eaglesight looked around before his gaze landed on Hawkhope. He smiled and padded over to him.

"Good morning, Hawkhope," he greeted. "You awoke just in time."

"I have?" he asked curiously after swallowing a morsel, licking his jaw.

"I was wondering if you'd like to lead today's hunting patrol? I know it's unusual since you're a new warrior and all, but I figured you would be able to handle it."

Hawkhope's ears twitched. "Oh! Of course, Eaglesight. I could do that."

Eaglesight smiled. "Thank you. I apologize for interrupting you but I figured you were the best cat to choose."

Hawkhope swayed his tail. "No don't worry about it. I'll assign the patrol once I finish this squirrel. It'll be fast I promise."

"Take your time. You're free to choose whoever you'd like to go with you."

He nodded then looked around camp. Who would he choose? There was one obvious answer. Hawkhope's heart leapt when he saw Berrypaw emerge from the apprentice den, stretching and shaking her head. He could ask her mentor, Flowerleaf, and have the two of them tag along. It was perfect.

Once he finished his full and buried what little he didn't finish, he began scoping out Flowerleaf. She shouldn't be too hard to recognize, for he'd seen and been with her when they patrolled together. She was a black and red spotted tortoiseshell. It didn't take long for him to find her talking with another warrior, a blue and cream spotted calico tabby tom named Minttail. The two were deep in their personal conversation, Flowerleaf shuffling her paws. She seemed a bit nervous around Minttail, smiling and looking down at her paws. Maybe she liked him?

"Flowerleaf?"

The black and red spotted tortoiseshell she-cat turned her head away from Minttail, who got to his paws and was walking away, and looked at Hawkhope. "Hello, Hawkhope," she answered. "What can I do for you?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to come with me for today's hunting patrol," he offered. "And if Berrypaw would like to join as well."

Flowerleaf's ears twitched. She licked a paw and ran it over her ear. "Of course! That sounds like a perfect opportunity for me to see if she is fit for her upcoming assessment."

Her assessment is soon?? This is great! She's finally going to be a warrior and we will be together at last again! Hawkhope kept his excitement and maintained a level head. "Great. I'll meet you by the border."

Flowerleaf nodded and got up to talk to Berrypaw. Hawkhope lingered for a bit to watch his crush, his tail still as a stick. He finally got up and looked around camp. Now he had one more cat to choose then the hunting patrol would be full for the day. He had to choose a good cat. Someone who was reliable. Not just reliable. He needed a good warrior.

A blue-gray tom passed by him, acknowledging him with a nod.

Falconclaw.

Of course. Eaglesight's brother. He was perfect. Once he talked to him, he knew the patrol was done. He met up with them at their camp border, Berrypaw nuzzling him. He wanted to return the affection but he refrained; her mentor and Falconclaw were watching, and he already felt hot embarrassment running through his veins. Berrypaw noticed his hesitation and stopped, frowning at him. The patrol headed off to find prey once everyone was ready.

"It's interesting our newest and youngest warrior is leading a patrol," Falconclaw said to Flowerleaf, not in a mean way. The blue-gray tom was right; he was the oldest out of every cat in this patrol. "Hawkhope is a determinated cat though."

"It is interesting," Flowerleaf said. "But I'm not complaining."

Berrypaw bounded beside Hawkhope. He wanted to wrap his tail around her fluffy tail but he stopped himself. That was gonna look weird to Falconclaw and Flowerleaf. He instantly pulled back his tail and let it sway. She looked at him expectantly but when she saw he was looking away, she drooped her ears.

"You're ignoring me now, aren't you?" she whispered to him.

Hawkhope looked at her. "No of course not," he whispered back. "I'm just.... It feels a bit weird since you know, I'm a warrior now and you're still an apprentice." He sighed. "I want to keep things professional between us until you become a warrior. I hope you can understand."

Berrypaw twitched her whiskers. "... You're right. I'm sorry."

The brown tabby tom waved a paw at her. "No no! Don't be sorry," he said. He felt bad now; Berrypaw looked dejected. He didn't want her to think they weren't going to be mates. He pressed his nose to her ear, secretly taking in her scent. "Let's catch something together, okay?"

The Turkish Van perked up instantly. She wore a big smile. "I'll catch the biggest prey!" she said.

Hawkhope grinned back at her. "I'd like to see you try!" he said jokingly.

"Oh yeah? Watch me!"

He smiled at her enthusiasm. He lifted up his muzzle and began tasting the air for prey. Berrypaw copyed him, which made Hawkhope a bit jittery. He was able to catch a wiff of a mouse. Berrypaw must have scented it too, for she looked to Hawkhope for directions.

It felt awkward that he was going to give her directions as if she were his apprentice but he pushed that down.

The brown tabby tom pointed with his tail, and she began stalking the mouse ever so gently. It was nibbling on the patch of grass without a care in the world, completely unaware it was being stalked. Hawkhope felt his heart race. The thrill just before catching the prey never ceased in him.

Before she could leap, his ears caught the sound of rushing paws heading towards her. He looked behind to Falconclaw and Flowerleaf, who didn't seem to hear the incoming enemy. He knew he couldn't stand by and let something bad happen to Berrypaw. He got up from his spot and bounded at Berrypaw. She looked confused as he ran to her.

"Hawkhope-" he heard Falconclaw say. He didn't pay mind to it; his attention was on Berrypaw.

"Watch out Berrypaw!" Hawkhope yowled, pushing her out of the way. He had pushed her just in time for a body to crash into him instead of her. Flowerleaf and Falconclaw finally caught on to the situation and ran towards Berrypaw, checking to see if she was okay.

Hawkhope hissed at the opposing cat, a black and white tom with a blind left eye, lashing out his claws at them. They wrestled for a while, tumbling on the ground. The brown tabby tom had an advantage and pinned the strange cat on the ground. "Who are you and what are you doing here in ThistleClan territory?" Hawkhope snarled.

The black and white tom hissed and kicked Hawkhope away from him. His eyes widened at the blow. The strength from that kick was so strong, it made Hawkhope hack and wheeze. It felt like a monster had just hit him.

"Doesn't matter who I am. I'm not here for you," the tom said. "Yet. Your friend over there is first."

Friend? He looked over at Berrypaw, who was getting into a battle stance. His heart sunk.

No...
"Get off our territory, rogue!" Flowerleaf hissed.

"Whoever you are, you're not welcome," Falconclaw said.

"Such pitiful warriors," the rogue taunted. "Thinking simple remarks will get me to leave. I thought you guys were all fight no meow. You're just a bunch of kittypets. A shame. It would make my job less interesting."

"What job?" Hawkhope growled.

"Like it's any of your concern," the rogue said with an eyeroll.

"Whatever it is, you're not going to do it!" Berrypaw spoke up.

The black and white tom perked up his ears then lunged at her. He sank his teeth onto her back in between her shoulder blades. Hawkhope froze when he heard Berrypaw yowl out in pain. She tried to roll away, tried to crush him between her and a tree. To no avail. Flowerleaf and Falconclaw both leapt after Berrypaw, trying to get the rogue off her. Combined, they were still too overwhelmed by the rogue. Berrypaw tumbled around, continuing to yowl and cry out. The rogue pinned her down with his strong paws, teeth still hooked on her. He lifted up his head and turned his gaze to her neck.

Hawkhope widened his eyes.

He was going to KILL Berrypaw!

"NO!"

Energy rushed in Hawkhope's muscles as he leapt after the rogue. The black and white tom was surprised but he didn't have time to sit on that emotion. Hawkhope tackled him off and away from Berrypaw, rolling with him on the ground and clawing and biting.

"Get out of here and never come back," he threatened the rogue.

The rogue hissed, licking his wounds before turning tail and running away. He could hear the Clan cats speaking to each other as he ran, the words muffled out by the rushing wind beating against his ears.

He wasn't ready to face him, but he knew he was going to be met with fury.