Ghosts of the Clans (COMPLETED)

Chapter 12

"I'm so happy that you're here," whispered Swallowpaw as he settled beside her. "Well, I have no choice, do I? There's a hole in the roof of the warrior's den." replied Antpelt good-humouredly.

Both of them tried to sleep, but it was evident that none of them could. Finally, Swallowpaw rose to her paws and Antpelt followed her out of camp using the dirtplace. They reached the lake, which surface shone in the moonlight. Swallowpaw sat down, curling her tail neatly over her forepaws. "I want to show you a good place," she murmured, then took off, sprinting across the moor. "Wait for me!" called Antpelt, pelting easily alongside the dark gray apprentice later.

They pulled into a stop by a small stream with some stones beside it. When Antpelt reached out a paw to touch them, he discovered that they were warm! Seeing the pleasantly surprised look on his face, Swallowpaw explained, "I found them while training. I think they absorb warmth from the sun."

Antpelt nodded, relaxing. The feel of warmth from the stones, together with the softness of Swallowpaw's pelt, soothed him...

"Antpelt! It's dawn already!" gasped Swallowpaw. Jerking awake, Antpelt blinked the sleepiness out of his eyes and scrambled to his paws, racing back to camp with Swallowpaw at his tail. They skidded to a halt in front of Willowclaw. "Oh there you are!" she mewed. "Where were you?"

Panting slightly, Swallowpaw lied, "I woke up just before dawn and asked Antpelt to help me train." Leaf-green eyes narrowed in suspicion, Willowclaw finally relented, "Alright. Have some fresh-kill, then we're going to hunt. I hope that you're not too tired." "I'm not, don't worry," Swallowpaw reassured her mentor, then dashed away to join her sister, Sedgepaw.

Now, Willowclaw faced Antpelt, her leaf-green eyes sparkling with amusement. "I don't suppose you'll tell me the truth, will you?" "Swallowpaw was telling the truth!" protested Antpelt, shuffling his paws awkwardly. His mother let out a sigh, half amused and half annoyed. "Seriously, Antpelt! Every cat in the Clan can see how close you two are."

Not wanting to continue with the conversation, Antpelt dipped his head to the gray she-cat and padded away, his pelt pricking. "Hey, Antpelt! Wanna share prey together?" it was Dewspots. The spotted gray she-cat was crouched over a skinny hare. Leaf-bare is coming, Antpelt realised as he joined her.

"So, I've noticed that you don't really have much friends," she commented with her mouth full. "Yeah, because cats think that I'm not good as Leaftail!" he hissed, frustration spilling out of him. "Wow, that's tough. But to be honest, both of you are great cats!" Dewspots sympathised, looking at Antpelt kindly through her dark green eyes.

As if their words had called him up, Leaftail appeared with Emberfoot and their apprentices, Thistlepaw and Sunpaw. Dropping a small mouse onto the fresh-kill pile, the dark ginger tabby tom sighed, settling down beside them. "Not much prey running today." "Yeah, but at least you caught some," Dewspots comforted him, laying her tail across his shoulders.

His belly full, Antpelt muttered, "Uhh... I've got to go," then awkwardly got up and left. "Ashfoot, may I join a patrol?" he asked the gray she-cat. She nodded and told him, "Lead a patrol, then. Heathertail and Weaselfur will join you."

The light brown tabby she-cat and ginger tabby tom got up upon hearing her command. Antpelt felt a thrill of pride. I'm leading a patrol at last! But his confidence wavered when Weaselfur questioned, "Which border are we going to patrol?" "Uhh... the ThunderClan one." replied Antpelt. His green eyes narrowed, but Weaselfur did not say a word.

The patrol went well, and they did not encounter any ThunderClan patrols on the way. Heathertail even managed a vole that literally scurried into her waiting claws. Shivering at the chill that struck his bones, Antpelt knew that leaf-bare was coming fast. The Clan would have to hunt more to prepare for leaf-bare, he thought.

"All well?" inquired Onestar, who was sitting at the entrance with his thick tail curled around his paws. "Yes, Onestar. I'm just worried about leaf-bare," Antpelt confessed to the pale brown tabby tom. His amber eyes glimmered as he reassured him, "It's what we Clan cats experience every season. Sure, we lose some cats, and that's devastating, but it's a chance for the land to grow." Thankful for his leader's wise words, Antpelt let out a short purr and headed off to his nest beside Swallowpaw's. 

He was ready for training in the Dark Forest tonight. Anything to help my Clan!