Warrior Cats: Shadow Propechy (ENG VER.)

CHAPTER 13

With extreme dexterity, Treestripe dug his paws firmly into the ground, kicking up dust and bits of grass as he ran across the fields. In just a few heartbeats, his fangs were already buried in the neck of the rabbit he was chasing.

Without any effort, he carried the thin animal back to camp, ignoring the strong wind that brought cold drops of rain.

It had been weeks since Sharpear created the new hunting plan. It was going well; Treestripe liked to go out alone, even though he missed Sunnypaw most of the time. The apprentice also seemed to adapt well to the change, but Treestripe followed her every time she went out, sneaking into the shadows to make sure the apprentice was safe.

The other warriors were thin, but well. Disease still lingered in the camp, but even Brokenfang was improving. The only one who was still sick was Wolfstar.

The Field leader seemed increasingly weak, but he still struggled to get out of his den and communicate with his Clan.

Treestripe released the rabbit into the pile of fresh prey, which, even with the Clan's tremendous effort, was still sadly low. He looked around the camp, finding Amberleaf's kits outside the nursery. A small brown-furred tom jumped on his brother, biting his soft ear, while the gray-and-white sister watched ants on the floor.

Treestripe's heart seemed to calm down at the sight of the little kits. They were small and innocent. Their fur was still fuzzy and cute, and their claws soft. Treestripe approached, looking around. "Isn't Amberleaf with you?"

The little brown tom jumped towards the warrior, his eyes shining. "She went hunting."

"And left you here alone?"

Treestripe heard a grumble, and when he turned around, he came face to face with Snakefang, clearly irritated. "I'm taking care of them."

"Yes! Mommy said Daddy would take care of us" The black kit took a step forward, pointing with his tail in the direction of Snakefang.

Who would have thought that Snakefang would become a father!

"That's good," Treestripe meowed, ignoring Snakefang's discordant murmurs.

"Yes, Daddy told us that we will become apprentices!"

"Yes! Apprentices!" The brown kit agreed with his brother, and soon they were jumping up and down while squealing. "Apprentices! Apprentices!"

Treestripe stared at Snakefang, who clearly wasn't enjoying his job as a father. Treestripe purred, amused by the gray warrior's tired grimace.

"Really," Treestripe meowed as he sat down next to her. "They already look old enough to become apprentices."

"I've already spoken to Sharpear" Snakefang turned his face and looked at Wolfstar's den, where the deputy was. "He said that Wolfstar will name them as soon as the rest of the hunters return."

Treestripe twitched his whiskers, hesitant. Wolfstar couldn't even get up, much less appoint new apprentices. Maybe he got it wrong, he thought.

Treestripe shrugged. He wondered which warriors would be appointed to mentor the apprentices. The two male kits jumped and screamed as they ran around the nursery, while the single she-cat still watched the ants on the ground with frightening concentration.

Snakefang stared at the Siamese warrior at his side, noting that he was paying attention to the small she-cat. He craned his neck forward. "Pigeonkit," he called out to his daughter, who murmured, not taking her eyes off the ants. "Did you hear what I said?"