Windclan's Hope

Chapter 2

Stempaw touched noses with Birdnose and sat down next to Squirrelpaw as she touched noses with Lilyfrost. Ivypaw joined their mother in the medicine den as the meeting began to split. Littlewhisker padded to the entrance of camp next to Bramblestar and sat down to start the vigil. Stempaw saw Dovepaw's envious look as Littlewhisker sat down. Dovepaw was the last of their siblings to be made a warrior, failing her second warrior assessment. Stempaw saw Haresprint slip into the elder's den. Many ceremonies had taken place today, apprentice, warrior and a retirement ceremony. Haresprint had finally retired. "You coming or are you planning on sleeping outside with the warriors?" Squrrielpaw prodded his side. Stempaw turned. "Sorry, Squirrelpaw. Can we say goodnight to Ivypaw?" His sister nodded and the two padded into the medicine den. "Goodnigh- Whats wrong?" Stempaw began but paused as Ivypaw sat at the entrance. "Sparrowfeather is dead." She sighed. "Oh, we can help you grab some lavender." Squirrelpaw offered, trying to cheer Ivypaw up. Stempaw followed the two to the back of the den, grabbed lavender and followed Turtleheart out of the den. Ivypaw rubbed the lavender in the limp medicine cat's fur and backed up as the clan began to gather. "Come on, Stempaw. Lets sit vigil with her." Squirrelpaw said.
When the sun rose, he felt a prod to his side. "You fell asleep. Come on, Lilyfrost and Birdnose said we could start training at sunhigh. Lets get good sleep." Squirrelpaw yawned. Stempaw nodded and followed his sister, occasionally looking over his shoulder as Haresprint and Graytooth dragged their clanmate out of camp to bury him. As he neared the apprentice den, Dovepaw huffed and padded out, practically running him over. "Move." She growled and followed Redcall from camp.
"Whitekit you can't just barge in whenever you want!" Stempaw exclaimed, moving his tail angrily. "Go find Eaglekit or Leafkit, even Cloudkit. Not me or Squirrelpaw." He sighed. "Im sorry, Stempaw. Im just bored and they are all sleeping." Whitekit frowned. "I know, go to sleep with them. Come on, ill walk you back to the nursery then i have to go train." He turned the kit with a nudge of his nose. "What is it like to be an apprentice?" Whitekit asked. "I don't know. I haven't been out of camp." Stempaw admitted before halting in front of the nursery. Whitekit continued into the den though Stempaw heard his meow of greeting then a scolding from Briarfang behind it. He followed Squirrelpaw down the slope, stopping in front of the medicine den to check on his sister. Ivypaw was sitting next to their mother, repeating herbs and their uses. Birdnose beckoned him with a mew and flick of her tail before bounded from camp. Stempaw followed closely behind, his fur bristling at the howl of winds as they left camp. "Wind is colder than most leaffalls." Birdnose said and padded towards a loud rushing sound. "We are going to the gorge and its waterfall, tread on my pawsteps." She called over her shoulder.
Stempaw leapt forwards, his paws extended and grabbing onto the crinkled orange-yellow leaf. "You could have killed a mouse with that leap." Birdnose exclaimed. "A mighty hunter you will be." Stempaw felt his fur warm from the praise despite the wind tearing at his fur. "Lets head back, you are no match for a rabbit which is all I smell." Birdnose began back towards camp. As they entered he saw Squirrelpaw clearing the elders den and quickly went to join her. "How was training?" He asked.