Gilafang's Resentment (Book 4)

Chapter 7

Gilapaw watched from his den as the rain subsided, leaving the burn marks scarring the foliage from when the lightning struck the camp. He saw Lemurtail looked at Brokenjaw, and smile, stepping up to the blo- highrock. "Who will be our leader?" She called out clearly, casting a worried glance at Fishfang, imprisoned for her traitorous actions.

Brokenjaw smiled back up at his mate, after the clan murmured for a moment among themselves. They nodded to Brokenjaw and he turned to Lemurtail. "Well, Lemurtail... The clan is hoping you would..." He began. Lemurtail stared at the clan in shock, blushing slightly.

"Oh... Uhm, I'd be honored... But only if..." She paused, staring straight at Brokenjaw. "Only if Badgerfang will serve as my deputy." Who's Badgerfang...? Gilapaw wondered in confusion. Brokenjaw looked around, confused.

"Brokenjaw, step forward. By the powers of StarClan, I call down on my great ancestors to free you of your cruel name. Brokenjaw, I give you a name not meant to shame you with your imperfections, but meant to frame your perfections for all to see. I name you Badgerfang." Lemurstar finished. Badgerfang gave a loving look at Lemurstar and purred.

"I'd be honored to lead alongside you, Lemurstar."

*****

It had been three moons. Gilapaw was now 9 moons, and Lemurstar's kits 3. Fangscar had been training Gilapaw hard as he could, from sunup to sundown, and Gilapaw was exhausted. He still insisted on claws-out training, even though Lemurstar had told him off multiple times for it. Fangscar was fed up, and spent his extra time ranting to Fishfang in hushed voices.

Whatever time he wasn't spending training, Gilapaw spend with Wishkit, the pretty silver tabby in Lemurstar's litter. They would play games, eat together, talk, he was inseparable from the beautiful she cat.

Gilapaw yawned and stretched as he padded outside. Today was his free day from training, as promised. His muscles ached and his scratches stung as he trotted over to his honey colored sister. His cheerful mood dissolved as he saw his sister's face.

"What's wrong?" He asked. Sheflattened her ears guiltily and stared down at her paws.

"Gilapaw I-" she was broken off as Lemurstar called from the highrock:

"All cats old enough to swim against the mighty current gather to hear my words!" Sunsetpaw jumped, and sighed. Gilapaw stared in confusion at her.

"What in StarClan are you moping about?" He wondered.

"Today, with great joy, I shall name the new medicine cat apprentice. Sunsetpaw, please step forward."

Gilapaw gasped and stared at Sunsetpaw. "What?" He whispered. She avoided his gaze and picked her way to the top of the rock, where Lemurstar was stepping back to give her father some room. He was old now, the grey streaks on his muzzle growing. He'll be retiring soon. Gilapaw thought with a jolt. He needed an apprentice.

Splashflight touched his nose to each of Sunsetpaw's shoulders before lifting his chin to the sky. "I call upon my starry ancestors to blaze through this apprentice. She has chosen the ways of your noble code, and wishes to follow the path of stars." He began. "Sunsetpaw, is it your wish to heal your clan with everything you have, even at the expenses it costs?"

Sunsetpaw had a determined look on her face, setting her small, gentle jaw, and lifting her chin. Her response rang clearly in the chilled leaf fall air. "I do, Splashflight." She called confidently. Gilapaw smiled.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I name you Sunsetpaw, medicine cat apprentice of DewClan." Sunsetpaw turned proudly, her eyes sparkling with pride as the clan cheered her name happily. Gilapaw cheered the loudest for her, happy his sister finally belonged somewhere. She deserves it. He thought with a wide, proud smile.

Sunsetpaw bounced off the Highrock and nuzzled Gilapaw. "You're not mad?" She asked, her eyes still glittering. Gilapaw purred and licked her nose.

"Of course not, sis. I love you."

*****

Gilapaw lifted his nose from under his tail, his ears swiveling around. He sniffed, and his eyes flew wide with alarm. He smelled lots of new cats, and they definitely didn't sound friendly.

Gilapaw crept out of the apprentices den, he was the only apprentice inside. Poking his head out cautiously, he saw Fangscar walking inside. A pang of anger surged through him. He was on guard duty!!!

Famgscar looked around for spies, before making a beeline to the rocks where Fishfang sat, sleeping in her nest. A tight vine bound her front paws.

Gilapaw tore his eyes away from his traitorous mentor, staring at the nursery. It was all the way across the clearing from his den, and there were two murderers loose and running freely in the camp. There was no doubt that they wanted to kill both Lemurstar and her kits.

Gilapaw took a deep breath. I can make a run for it now and not be caught! He thought to himself. Fangscar and Fishfang were busy chatting. If he pelted fast enough, he could maneuver around them.

Taking a deep breath, he crouched down on his haunches, rocking back for momentum. Uttering a silent prayer to StarClan, he shot out, his paws flying across the grassy clearing. Fishfang shouted something indistinct, and so did Fangscar. Gilapaw could feel their thumping paws behind them. They were hard on his trail and determined to catch him.

"Lemurstar!!" Gilapaw screamed, trying to sound an alarm. "We're under attack!" He was tail lengths away now. I'm gonna make it!

Just as the thought flickered across his mind, deep claws ripped his haunches and tore him to the ground, and Gilapaw turned to see Fishfang snarling over him, pinning him tightly.

"You are a dead cat, son!" She growled in his ear, hatred bathing her mew. "That was a big mistake!"