Paws of a Stoat

Chapter 1

A short swift she leaped over one of the fallen logs that showed they were close to the territories edge."We're out!"She declared to her fluffy speckled grey companion.

"Are you sure this is safe?"FalsePaw inquired,sniffing a leaf that was under paw with a suspicious expression."A leader died to a fox only a one moon ago!"

"Yes but,that was at sunset!"StoatPaw argued.

FalsePaw twisted around,nearly causing StoatPaw to collapse in laughter."IT'S ALMOST SUNSET!Oh Light clan!We are so dead!"FalsePaw said panicked.

StoatPaw stopped her."Alright,look,we'll go home after I catch at least on thing."She promised.Nudging her friend.FalsePaw let out a sigh.

"Fine,one mouse or squirrel or maybe even bird and we're going straight home."FalsePaw agreed.There was a pause as FalsePaw made a thoughtful expression."You know what!Race you to find something!"She exclaimed leaping over a fallen branch.

StoatPaw let out a laugh,chasing her friend."Oooh!I'ma beat ya!"She meowed,taking the lead on swift paws.Her small stature aiding in her hunt.Even tho this was a race,the two stuck together for safety.

StoatPaw raised her head at the sound of leaves shuffling in the distance.FalsePaw must've seen her do so and was dashing towards the noise.

"Oh no you don't!"StoatPaw called excitedly,her nose realized it wasn't prey before her eyes did.But she couldn't register it in time to stop herself from landing right on some innocent cat.

"Eeeeep!"Yipped a voice from below her.She dipped her head to get a closer look."I meant no harm!I promise I just got lost!"The cat below her was white with spots of red and deep maroon."I promise."He said in a smaller voice.

His fur was odd under her paws and his paws look fluffier.She narrowed her eyes at him,dipping her head to examine the not-very-threatening tom.

"Woah!"FalsePaw said catching up."That's-you found a LeapClan cat!"

StoatPaw turned back to her newly found prisoner with a ferocious snarl if she did say so herself.The tom yelped and ducked his head."I'm sorry!Please don't kill me!"

"We're not gonna kill you."FalsePaw reassured.

"We're not?"StoatPaw echoed."I'm joking!"She had no intention of killing someone who,quite frankly was kinda pathetic—or anyone really."You promise you won't run?"He Immiedently nodded.Right as she stepped off him,he dart up but didn't run.

"What's your name?"StoatPaw asked,circling him."I'm StoatPaw!That's FalsePaw.What are you doing here?HMMMMM?!"

"Dear LightClan,we can leave the interrogation to Timberstar,mouse-brain."FalsePaw laughed with a roll of her pond blue eyes."All we need is your name."

"RabbitPaw.I'm only here because I got separated from my patrol."RabbitPaw replied a gloomy expression drifting onto his face as he lowered his head.Tucking his stubby spotted tail closer and slumping.StoatPaw felt a wave of annoying guilt and empathy for this sad tom.

"Sounds rough."FalsePaw observed.StoatPaw's head shot to the north.There was thrashing and the strong scent of mountainous air coming from that direction.

"Well,looks like your patrol is getting closer."StoatPaw informed him."It was nice meeting you!"

FalsePaw jumped up to her feet and so did RabbitPaw.Tho for completely different reasons from what StoatPaw could tells.Her friend looked alarmed and ready to run and the Leap'Clan apprentice looked relieved.

"Luck with that.May LightClan guide you all that.StoatPaw,let's go!"FalsePaw nodded,padding towards the direction of the camp."The sun is setting."StoatPaw let out a sigh,waved goodbye to RabbitPaw and trotted after her friend.

They snuck back into the camp quite a bit before sundown."Where y'all been?"CrowedPaw asked,grooming her deep black fur.

"Uh,no where?"StoatPaw lied.Beside her FalsePaw groaned.CrowedPaw chuckled her dark chuckle.

"Horrible liar."CrowedPaw teased."It's gonna get you in trouble one of these days."The she cat said with deep amber eyes.

"And guess what's gonna get YOU in trouble?"LynxPaw grumbled tiredly."Waking up poor apprentices trying to sleep!"

"Oh hush!You're always trying to sleep!Anyone can tell your a pain in the tail!"Crowed paw hissed.LynxPaw let out an offended gasp.

"Will you two ever get along."FalsePaw chimed in,rolling her eyes.She settled into the nest right next to StoatPaw's.

LynxPaw huffed and turned away.Dreaming about whatever LynxPaw dreamt about.CrowedPaw rolled her eyes and laid down.Snoring quietly in moments.

Soon after,she was also dreaming her own dreams.

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While in the waking world LocustWind was restless,her dreams were equally restless.Both because of her grief and because of the images flashing in her mind,along with whispers.

"Scheming creatures stalks the shaded forest,through fallen timber that chases foxes and leaves with a false warning,the wind's whistle,and a small predator shall drop them...to save our clan."She whispered hazily.

When the flashing images she couldn't quite make out stopped,the only image in her mind was a swaying willow tree.Firmly planted.Drifting her off into peaceful sleep.