Rising Mist || 1 || Warrior Cat's Fan Fiction ✔️

Chapter Six

I wondered if Amberstorm was watching me right at that moment, hiding in the trees nearby. I could certainly smell her. Sunmist had taken to the nursery with Tigerpearl's kits so Amberstorm was also assessing me. My heart sped up as I scanned the undergrowth eagerly and my eyes fell on a rabbit. 

What was a rabbit doing here? 

I eyed the Windclan border warily as I flattened myself to the ground. If it was here, it would mean the rabbit was not close to it's burrow. So it couldn't get away that easily. 

Besides, if I caught it, it would be pretty impressive. As I crept towards it, I heard paw steps nearby. Amberstorm's watching me! I pounced, closing my claws around it's neck and killing it in one bite before it had time to react at all. My mouth watered at the succulent smell of prey.

"Hey! That's not yours!"

I whirled around, eyes widening as I saw a Windclan patrol snarling at me. Harepaw, a younger apprentice I'd chatted with at gatherings paced behind the older warriors. 

Larkwing puffed up his tail and mewed maliciously, "Apprentice, give that rabbit to us. Be good."

My fur shook incredulously and I held his gaze, one paw over the rabbit, "I caught this with my own paws and skill in MY territory. How is it not mine?"

Wrenflight explained, slightly more patiently, "We were chasing a rabbit. We think yours is the one."

I snapped, "Well, if it is, looks like you weren't skilled enough to catch it and I was."

Larkwing took a step forward and Harepaw hurried to copy him. Wrenflight raised her hackles.

"Mistypaw! Stop!"

A golden-brown she-cat jumped down from a tree, pelt ruffled. I protested, "But, Amberstorm! I caught the rabbit!"

Amberstorm flicked her tail, "I know, but it's not worth fighting over. Just give it to them."

I flattened my ears but picked up the rabbit and tossed it over the border and into Windclan's land.

Larkwing snarled as Harepaw picked it up, "This wasn't the first time Skyclan had stolen our prey. I led a patrol here yesterday and we smelt Skyclan scent in our territory."

It was a daring accusation that could lead to a scuffle but Amberstorm merely dipped her head calmly, "Green-leaf is generous to all; prey is plentiful both in the forest and in the moors. We would have no reason to steal from Windclan."

Wrenflight took a step forward, changing the subject, "What's an apprentice doing by herself, anyways?"

I puffed out my chest, "I was in the middle of my warrior assessment!"

Suddenly, I realised that I was supposed to be hunting and shifted my paws awkwardly, glancing at Amberstorm, "I didn't pass, did I? Because I caught another Clan's prey?"

She purred, "You did exceptionally well, Mistypaw. It may not have been our prey, but that rabbit never even heard or smelt you. Anyway, if you go catch a squirrel now, you'll pass for sure. Go on."

I turned and bolted into the forest, only mildly concerned about how Amberstorm might confront the Windclan patrol. Making sure to step lightly, I parted my mouth to taste the air. There was a mouse hiding somewhere to my right and a thrush was pecking at the forest ground a little further in front of me. 

And - there!

 A squirrel nibbled on an acorn by the base of the tree to my left. I changed direction and quickened my pace, heading towards the squirrel eagerly. It's ears suddenly perked up and it stilled. I pounced as it darted up the tree trunk. Not willing to give up, I jumped up and batted the squirrel off of the tree and it landed on it's back. 

Quickly, I pinned it down and killed it. 

I added, triumphantly, "Thank you, Starclan, for this prey."

In the moon that followed, there would be a climbing assessment and a fighting assessment. I had a little time in between to prepare for each one. 

Starclan forbid that I fail!

A/N

Did you know that Sootfur was killed the same was as his mother? 

It's a rather gruesome but low-key touching connection, IMO. 

- quill