City of Polaris (Warriors, Book 1)

Chapter 5

"Deadhare was a cranky, yet funny cat. I still remember me and him fighting side by side in the battle that cost him his warrior rank. He lived an honorable life as a warrior, and died as a brave elder." Whitestar spoke, the salty smell of tears filtering through the air. Ravenpaw dipped her head in respect, but really didn't care much. "May StarClan light his path."

The other cats repeated, their voices sad. "May StarClan light his path."

"May StarClan light his path," Said Ravenpaw quickly, trying to sound like she actually cared and DIDN'T cause his death.

As the cats slowly departed away to the fresh-kill pile, the two remaining elders, Swiftrunner and Duskflower, none other than Ravenpaw's parents lifted up Deadhare's body, their then padded out of camp, judging by how their scent drifted away.

Ravenpaw hooked a vole with her claw, tossed it on the ground, then crouched down and bit it. It felt warm and meaty on her tongue, and within a few gulps, it was gone.

"Ravenpaw."

The mew made Ravenpaw whip around. The scent of Boldyowl was there, his voice sadened. "I won't make you train today," He promised, "But tommorow, once everything has settled down, I'll take you out hunting. And then," He added quickly. "I know its really early, but you fight as well as an expierienced warrior. Your hunting could be... improved. But I talked to Whitestar, and he said that you'll train for three more moons, and if your doing perfect by the time your five moons he'll make you a warrior early."

"Really?" Asked Ravenpaw.

Boldyowl spoke with exhaustion. "Yup."

Ravenpaw puffed out her chest. She couldn't wait to go brag about it to Dunepaw, Cactuspaw, and Sunkissedpaw! Only two moons old and I'm already dominating like a badass! She thought excitedly.

She nodded, then skidded off to the apprentices' den. She smelled Dunepaw, Cactuspaw, and Sunkissedpaw, but also... Moonkit and Blossomkit?

The disabled kits were now five moons old, and were more rambunctous and annoying than ever. One time Ravenpaw had found them in her nest, and they said, "Were apprentices! Grr!" Ravenpaw might've killed one of them if Whitescruff hadn't charged in and shooed them out. But it was SO ANNOYING you don't even know.

"...then you crouch down, your tail flat so the prey can't hear you swishing up leaves." It was Cactuspaw's voice.

"Yes, Cactuspaw!" Answered two squeakly voices.

"WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE?!!" Yowled Ravenpaw, her fur bristling. Her tail lashed back and forth. I swear, I'm going to murder one of them! No wonder their at the top of my Kill List! She thought, her claws sliding out.

"Er," Said Dunepaw's voice. "Go on, kits."

The kits squeaked in terror and must've scurried away. "Anyways," Said Ravenpaw, her chest puffing out. "Whitestar might make me a warrior early."

"And why would he do that?" Sunkissedpaw asked.

Ravenpaw spat. "Because I'm stronger and smarter than all of you."

Dunepaw spoke, his mew soft and annoying as usual. "Well," he said. "I'm not sure anyone is smarter and stronger than anyone else. I think were all equals here. I'm not an expert, really, but I'm pretty sure if we all use our strengths we can turn WindClan into a peaceful, beatiful place. Thats my goal in life."

"Wow." Said Cactuspaw.

Sunkissedpaw chimed in. "That was deep, dude."

"Aw, thanks." Said Dunepaw, sounding emberassed.

Ravenpaw rolled her eyes. "You're all mushy clumps of nonsense!" But her whiskers twitched with amusement. She shook it away. Their on my kill list! Stop liking them!

***

"NO! Wrong again!"

Ravenpaw adjusted her crouch. "Thats not the problem!" Snapped Boldyowl again. "If you unsheathe your claws WHILE stalking the rabbit, you'll make noise!"

"Then why can't I unsheathe them once I pou-" Ravenpaw suggested.

"No, no, no!"

"just let me try it!" Ravenpaw pleaded, getting annoyed and frustrated. She and Boldyowl had been training for a whole three moons now, and he kept saying that her only problem was that she needed to unsheathe her claws, then one millisecond later pounce. Ravenpaw didn't understand why she couldn't just unsheathe them once she pinned the rabbit. At first she had kept her mouth shut, but now she was getting frustrated.

Boldyowl snapped. "Fine. Go get a rabbit."

Ravenpaw growled angrily, then stalked off. She crouched low to the ground, keeping her position. She tasted the air with her tongue. Wind, grass, prey, dirt, Boldyowl... She thought. Oh! Rabbit! The rabbit's scent was close but a little far, probably near the gorge. Okay, I can't mess this up...

She kept stalking closer and closer, until finally she jumped. The wind rushed through her pelt. Her claws slid out just as she landed on soft fur. Then, she drew back her lip and bit down on the rabbit's spine.

It went limp.

Ravenpaw purred, satisfied. This'll show Boldyowl! She thought.

"Well done."

The mew came from Boldyowl, who was probably standing behind Ravenpaw. "I guess your method worked af-"

"MOONPAW!"

Oh gosh, Thought Ravenpaw. What trouble is that idiot getting into? Moonkit and Blossomkit and become apprentices only last moon. Firepaw, too, only a week ago.

Then, Ravenpaw heard a squeal of fear and a sudden splash! sound.

Then, a scent rushed over to she and Boldyowl. It was Cinderfoot, Moonpaw's mentor. "Moonpaw fell in the gorge!" She breathed.

Ravenpaw froze. She'll drown, She realized. Then, she got an idea. If I save her, I'll earn respect from my clanmates. They'll trust me again. I can get rid of suspicion... Ravenpaw whipped around, running at full speed, then leapt.

She hit icy water, and lifted her chin to stop herself from going under. Ravenpaw sniffed the air, then bobbed under. Water rushed up her nose, and she rose to the surface again, taking a gulp of air. Then, someone bumped into her. Moonpaw... Immiedatly, Ravenpaw snapped at where she thought Moonpaw was. Thankfully, she bit down on a scruff. She struggled to get to shore, but when she felt the dirt against her claws, she hauled the smaller apprentice to shore like a kit.

Ravenpaw dug her claws into the dirt, but was too tired to haul herself up. Then, suddenly, she slipped!

She let out a yelp as her head vanished under the water. Freezing water dragged her down, down, down to the bottom of the rushing river. Then, suddenly she fell. NO NO NO NOT THE WATERFALL! Her mind raced.

Suddenly, teeth hooked her scruff.

She felt herself get lifted away from the water and dragged onto the surface. She collapsed onto her side, falling on the ground and panting.

Ravenpaw was alive.

***

"Let all cats enough to run the moors gather beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting."

Ravenpaw darted out of the apprentices' den, and hurried to sit in the clearing. My warrior ceromony! She thought excitedly.

"Cats of WindClan," Whitestar spoke, his mew happy. "Moonpaw was recently saved by a hero apprentice named Ravenpaw. I cannot make her a warrior, yet," Ravenpaw's heart sank, but she kept listening. "but I've spoken with Boldyowl, and he said that he's happy to hold her final assessment. But first," Whitestar added. "there is a gathering to attend. The cats who'll go with me will be Falconwhisker, Stoatfur, Cinderfoot, Ravenpaw, Moonpaw, Blossompaw, Dunepaw, Cactuspaw, Sunkissedpaw, Boldyowl, Whitescruff, and Soilfur."

Beaming, Ravenpaw sat up quickly, then charged out of the entrance, side by side with her clanmates.