Warriors: a path by the stars #1

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Ivypaw crouched low in the dry grass, her eyes locked on a vole scurrying across the sun-baked sand. Her heart thumped in her chest, excitement rushing through her veins. She held her breath, waiting for just the right moment. In one swift movement, she sprang forward, landing squarely on the unsuspecting creature. The vole wriggled for a brief second before going limp in her grasp. Ivypaw stood tall, a triumphant gleam in her eyes as she admired her catch.

But her moment of pride was short-lived. Pawsteps approached, and she turned to see her mentor, Greyfeather, padding toward her. His gaze flickered over the vole before he let out a low grunt, his expression unreadable.

"Mhm," he muttered, flicking his ear as though her catch was barely worth noting.

Ivypaw's chest tightened. "That's it?" she thought, her tail flicking in frustration. She had worked hard to catch that vole, but Greyfeather hardly seemed to care.

Before she could voice her thoughts, Kestrelwing—a sleek warrior with a kind smile—emerged from the shadows of the nearby trees. He padded over, his eyes warm and friendly as he addressed her. "Oh, don't mind Greyfeather, Ivypaw. He's always been a bit of a thorn in the paw."

Greyfeather's ears twitched, and he shot Kestrelwing a sharp glare. "What are you doing here?"

Kestrelwing let out a purr of amusement. "Just checking on Ivypaw's progress. I heard she's been working hard."

Ivypaw blinked in surprise. Kestrelwing's presence felt like a breath of fresh air compared to Greyfeather's usual sternness. The two warriors stood side by side, yet they couldn't have been more different. Kestrelwing's easygoing nature was a stark contrast to Greyfeather's rigid demeanor. For a fleeting moment, Ivypaw wished she had Kestrelwing as her mentor instead.

Gathering her courage, she hesitated before asking, "Do you think I could bring this vole to Sleekwish? She just had her kits, and I thought..."

Kestrelwing's eyes softened, his whiskers twitching with approval. "That's a thoughtful idea, Ivypaw. I'm sure Sleekwish would appreciate the gesture. She's been through a lot lately."

Ivypaw glanced at Greyfeather, silently hoping for a word of approval from him too. But her mentor simply turned away and padded ahead, offering no words of encouragement. Ivypaw felt a growl rising in her throat, though she swallowed it down. "Why is he always like this?" she muttered under her breath.

Kestrelwing's ear twitched as he heard her. "Greyfeather's tough on you because he sees potential," he said, his tone reassuring. "He wants you to be the best warrior you can be."

Ivypaw sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. "I know... but sometimes it feels like he's just looking for things to criticize. I want to prove myself, not just do menial tasks like cleaning the elders' den."

Kestrelwing nodded sympathetically. "It's hard, I get it. But every task has its purpose, even the ones that seem small. Patience is one of the greatest strengths of a warrior, and you're learning that with each passing day."

Ivypaw considered his words, though a part of her still bristled at the thought of spending more time cleaning when she could be out hunting or fighting. "I suppose you're right... I just wish I could show what I'm capable of."

"You'll have your chance soon enough," Kestrelwing promised. "Just keep at it, and the Clan will see how skilled you are."

With that, the two warriors began to head back toward camp, Ivypaw following close behind. Her mind whirled with thoughts of Greyfeather's coldness and her growing desire to prove herself. The vole in her jaws felt like a small victory, though her heart still yearned for more.