Wasppaw trudged back to camp along with his mentor. Foxpaw was also back, holding a large black crow in her jaws. "Great catch, Foxpaw!" Badgerfang meowed.
"Thanks!," Foxpaw crowed. "I did it all by myself."
"Right," Wasppaw thought. Beside her, Sandfeather snorted. "Try not to brag, Foxpaw," she muttered crossly. "All this praise is getting to your head."
Foxpaw's mentor, Appleleap, walked up to her. "You should be ashamed of yourself, Sandfeather," she snapped. "Why would you insult an apprentice who's clearly working harder than the others? Are you jealous?"
Badgerfang hissed in agreement. "Sandfeather, you can tell that Foxpaw can be an amazing warrior. What did Wasppaw bring today?" He sniffed contemptuously. "Nothing!"
"Every apprentice learns at their own speed," Sandfeather snarled. "It's not your place to single out any apprentice and mock them, let alone one who is in my care."
Badgerfang raised his voice to a sharp yowl. "Listen well, Sandfeather. Foxpaw is an amazing apprentice, and if you can't accept that, I'll-"
Suddenly a new voice rang out crisp and clear behind Wasppaw.
"Badgerfang, Sandfeather, Appleleap," Amberstar meowed. "Bickering like kits, eh? I expected better of three of my senior warriors."
Badgerfang ducked his head meekly. "My apologies, Amberstar. Sandfeather was just-"
"SILENCE!" Amberstar roared. "You are all too respected to be arguing over petty things like apprentices. One day I will need to rely on my senior warriors, and if I can't rely on you all, what will this Clan become of?"
At this outburst, many of the ForestClan warriors had gathered around the scene, eagerly watching and listening for Amberstar's next words.
"And now you've dragged the apprentices in too! They're developing your bad attitudes, bickering all around the place! They're grumpy as badgers!" Now she was seething, her eyes flashing with anger.
As Amberstar was yowling something about example and mutual respect, Wasppaw slipped away into the crowd of warriors surrounding them. Right before he made it to the entrance of the Apprentice's Den, a sharp yowl called him back.
"Wasppaw!"
Wasppaw quickly backpedaled back into the ring and looked up into Amberstar's blazing eyes.
"You and Foxpaw will be hunting with three other warriors. I expect you all to behave maturely."
"Why do I have to work with Foxpaw?" Wasppaw thought, alarmed when Amberstar addressed him. "Let alone with her but have to deal with other warriors praising Foxpaw," Wasppaw gulped as his thoughts withered under Amberstar's cold gaze.
Then she turned to their mentors and their father. "Now," she hissed. "You all seem to need a lesson on how true clanmates act. All three of you will receive the same punishment I would give to an apprentice." She let the words hang in the air for a moment. "You will work together to clear the elders' pelts of all ticks for a moon. And after this, I expect all arguments to vanish when you return. ALL arguments, understand?"
The black-and-white warrior nodded sullenly as Sandfeather let out a small meow of assent. Appleleap flattened her ears and hissed.
Amberstar flicked her tail in annoyance. "Very well," she meowed. "Get some rest, and you will start in the morning."
Wasppaw eagerly rushed towards his den as the crowd of cats dispersed, muttering among themselves. As he reached his nest, a hard paw swatted him over the head. "Mouse-brain!" Foxpaw snarled. "Because of your laziness, I'm in trouble with Amberstar!"
Wasppaw whipped around. "It wasn't my fault!"
Foxpaw hissed. "You'll pay for this, Wasppaw."
YOU ARE READING
Warrior cats : Withering Hope Book one
Fanfiction*A cold lead-bare wind blew on Wasppaw's fur. "Who would like you?" Foxpaw's look of disgust explained what she wanted to say. "I hate you!" Wasppaw shouted. "I don't care about your feelings," Foxpaw said in a cold emotionless voice. * Waspkit, th...
