Ashwings legacy

Chapter 5

   The sun shined down on the forest, its rays burned through the trees. As Firesoul lapped at the cool river water, she was thankful to be part of riverclan, having easy access to cool water even when the lake was heated by the sun. "Hey Firesoul! Don't fall behind!"
   Firesoul turned and broke into a bound, catching up to her friend Duskfur, and her apprentice, Shadepaw. "Sorry, it's just so hot today." She said with a smile as she slowed to a walk beside the brown tabby she-cat.
   "It's alright, just remember that you asked to come along." Duskfur teased.
   Firesoul herself had only been a warrior for a few moons, and was loving every moment so far. She had volunteered to help Duskfur show her new apprentice around the territory, and though she was having fun, the heat was slowly becoming unbearable. She laughed in response and watched as Shadepaw walked ahead of them, taking in her surroundings with wonder in her eyes. Firesoul reminisced in her own memories of her first time out of camp. It felt like only yesterday she was a bright eyed apprentice just like Shadepaw, eager to explore.
   The group soon approached the Windclan boarder, and Firesoul noticed Shadowpaw getting a little too close to the scent line. "Shadepaw! Watch out for the scent line, you're about to cross the boarder!" She called to the apprentice.
   Shadepaw quickly stopped and tasted the air around her. She backed away from the boarder and returned to Duskfurs side, who gave the apprentice a reassuring look. "It's alright, it's your first time." She said calmly. "You know, Firesoul strolled right across the boarder on her first time out of camp, windclan was not very pleased with her." She said with a laugh.
   Firesoul felt her pelt scorching, the heat of embarrassmed added to the already sweltering hot sun. She walked up to the scent line and tasted the air for herself, scenting a windclan patrol approaching. She looked out onto the moor as the windclan patrol walked up the hill towards them, lead by Heathertail and a few other warriors. "Speaking of windclan..." she says to the others as Heathertail dips her head in greeting.
"Greetings, Firesoul and Duskfur, right?" Heathertail says, her voice calm and friendly, with a hint of fatigue.
Duskfur dips her head. "Yes that's right, and this is my apprentice, Shadepaw." She motions for Shadepaw to say hello, and the apprentice beams with excitement. "Hello there! My name's Shadepaw and it's my first time out as an apprentice!" She says with a big grin.
Heathertail smiles warmly at the apprentice. Firesoul wasn't surprised at the she cats kindness, as Heathertail was known as one of the more tolerable windclan cats compared to the array of big egos and prickly personalities that make up most of the clan.
Firesoul noticed that Heathertails belly was abnormally large, she hesitated but since Heathertail seemed in a friendly mood she decided it wouldn't hurt to ask. "Forgive my asking Heathertail, but are you expecting kits?"
Heathertails eyes widened slightly and she immediately regretted asking. The Tom beside her bristled and hissed at her. "That's none of your concern!"
Firesoul knew him as Breezepelt. He was known for having the worst attitude out of every cat in windclan. Firesoul assumed that he's probably the father of Heathertails future kits. She took a step back at his harsh tone, but Heathertail glared angrily at him and he backed off with a scoff. "Yes I am expecting, this is my last patrol before I'm confined to the nursery." She started, giving Firesoul an apologetic smile. "I'm very excited, but I just hope they don't get their father's attitude." She said with an exaggerated glare at Breezepelt.
Firesoul heard Duskfur trying to muffle her laughter, and Breezepelt rolled his eyes as the other windclan cats chuckled at Heathertails jab. "Congratulations Heathertail, we wish you a strong and healthy litter of kittens." Duskfur said with a warm smile.
Heathertail nodded in acknowledgment. "Thank you, and good luck with your apprentice."
   They say their goodbyes to the windclan cats and continue their tour of the territory, going towards the lake. Firesoul wondered how a cat as kind as Heathertail became mates with a cat like Breezepelt. Heathertail is really kind, and Breezepelt is the most insufferable cat in all of windclan. Maybe it's true that opposites attract. She thought to herself.
Trailing behind Duskfur and Shadepaw, she heard the apprentices' meow of excitement and looked up, realizing they had made it to the lake shore. "Wow! The lake is huge!"
Firesoul smiled at the young cats reaction, as it was her first time seeing the lake. She's so full of excitement, much like I was.
Even though she was a rookie warrior, seeing Shadepaws enthusiasm made her envy Duskfur. "It sure is," Firesoul responded, "and remember, the area within five tail lengths of  the shore is neutral territory." She said, deciding to impart some basic knowledge.
   Duskgur gave her a teasingly amused look. "That is correct. It's almost as if you have two mentors, Shadepaw." She said.
   Firesoul gave a nervous chuckle and apologized. She knew Duskfur was only teasing but she still felt bad for saying what she had to Shadepaw. After all, she was Duskfurs apprentice not hers. From now on I'll let Duskfur do the mentoring. She declared silently. The trio walked along the lakeshore until they stopped to get a drink from the lake and rest for a bit. Duskfur arched her back in a big stretch before turning to Firesoul. "I think that's enough exploring for today, it's much to hot to continue right now." She said with a sigh.
   Firesoul agreed but Shadepaw seemed against the idea, huffing but not arguing with her mentor, clearly feeling the heat as well. Firesoul pitied the young she-cat, having her first day out of camp cut short like this, then she had an idea. "How about you and Duskfur come out early tomorrow morning so you can finish exploring before it gets hot again, does that sound good?" She asked them.
   Shadepaw jumped in excitement at the idea and gave her mentor a pleading stare. Duskfur chuckled and nodded in agreement. "That sounds like a great idea Firesoul, thank you." She said with a thankful smile.
   Firesoul returned her smile. "No problem. So, you two are gonna be heading back to camp now?"
   "Yea, I think it's time we ate something anyway, come on Shadepaw." Duskfur responded, motioning for her apprentice to join her. "What will you do?"
   Firesoul sat down and wrapped her tail neatly over her paws. "I think I'm gonna enjoy some time alone, I'll be back later." She said, thankful for the opportunity to collect her thoughts.
   "Alright then, don't stay too long, you don't want to get heat sickness." Duskfur said with a smile as she and Shadepaw walked back towards the river where camp was located.
   Firesoul took a deep breath and turned, looking into the lake water at her reflection. She gazed into her own amber eyes, going lower until she was staring at her front paws, watching as the water splashed over them. Being a warrior is everything I ever imagined it would be, and I want to enjoy it, but why do I feel like moving on already? Her time with Duskfur and Shadepaw had made her realize that she wanted an apprentice of her own, a young and energetic cat to impart her knowledge too. But she knew it wouldn't see happen anytime soon, so she just sighed and told herself that it will happen eventually. She stood up and began taking slow paces along the shoreline to clear her thoughts when something caught her eye up ahead. She looked harder at the object and realized it was the pelt of a cat. She ran up to it and let her gaze travel over the cats body, scanning for any sign of injury. It was a silver tabby tom, he was unconscious. She grabbed him by the scruff with her jaws, pulling him completely out of the water and pressed her ear to his flank. Still breathing, and a steady heartbeat!
Upon closer inspection, Firesoul noticed a swollen lump on the back of the toms head. Contemplating her options, she decided the best course of action was to carry him back to camp. She leaned down and wiggled herself underneath the tom and struggled to stand, underestimating how heavy this cat was. She forced her body to stand and begin walking, albeit very slowly. She had to help this cat by getting him to mothwing and willowshine as fast as she could. With a second wind, she broke into a run, trying to balance the heavy tom on her back while she weaved through trees towards camp. As she neared Riverclans camp, she felt her legs begin to ache. Come on! Almost there! She used the last of her energy to burst through the camp entrance and her legs buckled underneath her, sending her and the injured tom rolling to a stop. She didn't even have enough breath to call for help, luckily she had caused quite the scene and warriors quickly surrounded her, frantically asking her questions, she tried to catch her breath to answer but heard Mothwings voice echo above the others. "Hey! Back up, give them some space!" She said as she leaned down close to Firesouls ear. "Are you alright? Nod if yes."
   Firesoul nodded as she panted frantically and Mothwing gave her a lick on her ear. "You'll be alright, just lay there and catch your breath."
   Something about the sweet smoothness of Mothwings mew made her feel instantly better. She took a few deep breaths and allowed her heart to stop racing before standing back to her paws. Her legs ached but she managed to follow Mothwing to the medicine den. She watched as Mothwing and willowshine examined the stranger. Who are you? She thought, And how did you end up washed up on the lakeshore?