Warrior Cats: Shadow Propechy (ENG VER.)

CHAPTER 5

As they walked back to camp, Treestripe took the opportunity to take a good look around. Soon, the leaf-fall season would arrive, and the fields would be taken by the icy winds. He wanted to make the most of the sun's warmth while he could.

The hill that formed before reaching the camp wasn't very high, just a few fox tails high. The flowers gradually stopped growing the closer they got, giving way to a short grass, mistreated by moons and moons of paws walking over it.

As he climbed the hill, he could see the large and voluminous bushes that surrounded the entire camp, as well as the small tree that formed Wolfstar's den. The creek that ran past the camp was thin in this area, however it got larger the closer it got to GroveClan territory.

The entrance, hidden by bushes and thorny sticks, was large and robust, and could only be entered by using force, thus preventing an enemy attack. Treestripe approached, rabbit in mouth, and waited for his companions to enter.

Batwing had two fat rats, while Mudfur carried a huge mole that dragged on the ground. Sunnypaw had the small mice she had caught, as well as another small bird her mentor had hunted. The warrior followed the others, passing quickly through the bushes. He entered the camp, heading straight for the fresh prey pile, leaving his sturdy rabbit behind.

The camp was busy, Treestripe could see that everyone had something to do. Even the elders tended to the youngest kits in the camp, who belonged to Sparrowwing, while the queen washed herself. The oldest ones in the nursery, Amberleaf kits, were getting bigger and bigger, and soon they could become apprentices. Treestripe watched them as they played, biting and scratching at a ball of moss.

Tinypaw was with the other warriors in the camp, sitting and listening to Snakefang meow something. The apprentice, contrary to his name, was getting bigger. Its pure white fur slowly took on a larger shape, as did his body. The muscles were growing, making him look older than the other apprentices, when in fact, he was the youngest.

Sludgepaw was the oldest, and he was two moons ahead. But, unlike Flamepaw or Sunnypaw, he didn't show any interest in battles, much less was he a good fighter. The long, lean muzzle carried a slightly tense, perhaps even sheepish look. The paws darker than the rest of his body carried extreme efficiency when it came to medicine, and Treestripe wondered if Sharpear was the right mentor for the apprentice.

He looked for Flamepaw, but he couldn't find her. Since he couldn't find Nightsky either, he assumed the two had gone on patrol. Sunnypaw's sister was similar in personalities, but there were things that set them apart. Flamepaw was just as curious, but not as energetic. She was more reserved, choosing to try to solve a problem by herself rather than asking for help. Physically, she was also different; her body was almost entirely covered in black, except for the random patches in her fur, revealing an orange tabby coat just like her sister's. She was also slightly taller, and her eyes were green, unlike Sunpaw's greenish yellow.

She looked at his apprentice, who was washing her dusty fur. He purred, drawing her attention. He nodded at the pile of fresh prey. "You can get one for yourself. You deserve it."

The apprentice puffed out her chest happily. She was quick to choose the mouse she'd caught earlier. It was small, but enough to sustain her until she would head out again, perhaps later in the day.

Treestripe got to his feet, stretching out his paws. The sun was already high and the day was comfortably warm. He took the rabbit he had hunted, heading towards Morningcloud's den. Sunnypaw stayed behind, soon being greeted by her fellow apprentices.

The Siamese warrior continued his journey to the small den made of thorn bushes. His paws ached from the walk and he hoped the medicine cat could give him something to ease the pain. He meowed, hoping the beautiful she-cat would greet him.