Cougarstripe's Shock (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter 5

Cougarpaw slowly opened his eyes. His paws were sore from exploring the territory yesterday. His tail swished and he stood to his paws. Sunlight beamed down into the den and he exited, looking around. Not many cats were in camp, and he guessed they were either asleep or out on patrol.

"Cougarpaw, you're up," Clawflank purred, padding over to his apprentice. Cougarpaw nodded, looking up at his mentor. "So, what are we doing today?"

"I thought we should gather some moss for the elders," Clawflank replied. Cougarpaw's heart dropped. He had wanted to do battle training or hunting, not gathering moss for the elders!

"Do I have to? Can't we do something else... Like battle training or something?" The tan tom inquired.

"Gathering moss is just as important as everything else," Clawflank replied. "Come on." Cougarpaw sighed and reluctantly followed his mentor out of camp. He still felt small to the forest, and didn't yet know his way anywhere. The sun was creeping behind the trees and blue sky towered above them, but Cougarpaw noticed storm clouds in the distance. Rain? He hadn't ever seen rain, but it would be cool to see it for the first time!

"We're here," Clawflank meowed, stopping. Cougarpaw ran into his mentor and tumbled to the ground. He scrambled to his paws, shaking the moss off of his pelt. There was some moss around a tree and he felt a little bored already. Why did Clawflank have to make him do this? It was mouse-brained and aggravating!

"Now, this is how you gather moss." Clawflank demonstrated. "You outstretch your claws like this, and curve under and pull it out." Clawflank did this, gathering some moss. "As so."

Cougarpaw nodded slowly, watching Clawflank step back. He padded to where the moss was. It looked fairly easy. Cougarpaw unsheathed his claws and reached for the moss, but couldn't reach the trunk of the tree. He narrowed his eyes and reached his claws further, gripping the outside of the moss and clawing it away. His claws were already sore and he threw the moss off, looking at Clawflank. "There," Cougarpaw meowed, "now are we done?"

Clawflank shook his head. "No, we need enough for the elders' nests. This is hardly enough for a bird's nest."

"But my claws hurt!" Cougarpaw replied, lashing his tail.

"You'll get used to it," Clawflank meowed. "Calm down and continue."

"No! I can't calm down, I wanted to do battle training! At least something more fun!"

"There are ups and downs to being an apprentice, and everyone goes through them. Even I went thr-"

"Shut. Up!" Cougarpaw hissed. "I thought you could be a better mentor!" The tan tom turned and ran off. He didn't look back but continued running. He didn't know where he was going - he hoped to camp. His paws became sore and his claws were in pain. The one thing he hadn't noticed was how close to the border he was. Twoleg nests came into view and he came to a halt - his eyes widened. He had gone the complete opposite side of the territory he had wanted to be. Ugh... I am so dramatic, aren't I? I ran away because I didn't want to gather moss for the elders! I'm such a mouse-brain.

He heard rustling and snapped his head to the noise. His ears perked and he scented the air. ThunderClan scent and something else mixed. Suddenly, a large, dark gray tabby tom leaped from one of the white things that stuck up from the ground. He had bobbed ears like something Cougarpaw had never seen, and the tan tom jumped back to avoid the claws of this huge cat.

"What are you doing here?" The dark gray tom hissed. Cougarpaw took another step back and thought about running, but he didn't want to look like a coward. The tom stood up taller, puffing out his chest.