The scent of a rabbit flooded into Goldpaw's nose. She flicked her tail to signal Tigerlily, even though Goldpaw knew she couldn't smell the rabbit. It was a few fox-lengths away.
"I don't smell anything, but go ahead." Tigerlily mewed. "But remember, rabbits are fast! So, let this be a test of your speed. But don't forget, make a well-aimed leap!" Goldpaw purred and stealthfully hid in the shadows. She made sure she didn't trod on any dry leaves or twigs. She soon came to a clearing with a small pool of water. The rabbit was chewing on some of Frostpelt's herbs! She growled inwardly. Now, she had to teach this rabbit a lesson!
Goldpaw crept up toward the rabbit, her paws making no sound. She moved swiftly, though. Snap! Goldpaw froze as the rabbit stiffened and looked up. She had just stepped on a twig. The rabbit dashed and searched for its burrow. Goldpaw scrambled to catch up with it. She finally caught up with the rabbit. But, its burrow came into view also. The rabit wouldn't slow down. Almost half of leaping-distance away from the burrow, energy flowed into Goldpaw's paws. Goldpaw bunched up her muscles and sprang for the rabbit. It was about 3 whiskers away, but Goldpaw knocked it over. Dazed, it laid there.
"Thank you Starclan." Goldpaw muttered while place her paws on the rabbit. With a quick nip, she killed it. She picked it up and lugged it to Tigerlily.
"Dear Starclan, I've never seen a cat, or rabbit, run so fast!" Tigerlily gasped. Goldpaw realized that if another cat noticed, then that means something was up. Maybe there was something different about her. Goldpaw immediately pushed the thought out of her head. She needed to concentrate on the huge rabbit she just caught. Tigerlily helped her drag it into camp. The elders had their eyes on it. Goldpaw set down the rabbit to talk.
"I'm going to take this to the elders." Goldpaw mewed. "They have their eyes on it! Thanks for helping me!" Goldpaw began dragging the rabbit when Tigerlily dipped her head and went to the fresh-kill pile. A rusty purr sounded from one of the elders. Her black muzzle was tinged with gray. Her once-beautiful ragged, tan and black fur clung to her skinny body. Her name was Joysoul.
"Ah, yes!" Joysoul rasped. Even her old age couldn't steal her enthusiasm. "Thanks for this rabbit, Goldpaw! I haven't seen one this big in seasons!" Goldpaw smiled as she was praised.
"Well, thank Tigerlily for teaching me how to catch prey!" Goldpaw mewed. She couldn't take all of the credit.
"Yes, yes. Can you thank her for me?" Joysoul meowed. Then she turned to the elders' den. "Hey, Cherryheart! Harestep! Ghostpelt! Get out here and get a look at this rabbit!" A dark ginger she-cat slowly walked out of the den. Her eyes widened at the rabbit.
"Dear Starclan!" Cherryheart purred. "That'll be a great meal!" Harestep followed, more quickly than the rest. He was moved to the elder's den a few sunrises ago.
"Mmm!" Harestep licked his lips. Ghostpelt's white-ish gray fur shown in the den entrance. Goldpaw supressed a gasp. He looked as skinny as ever. His eyes were milky with fever. His legs were shaking. A wave of coughs shook his body. He was sick!
"Don't worry, little one." Cherryheart rasped. "You can't get that illness. It comes with age. In fact, Frostpelt didn't even know how to cure it. We haven't caught it. It's very strange."
"I'm afraid we're going to lose him soon!" Joysoul wailed. She trotted over to him. "It's ok, now. Come eat some rabbit! It's plump and tender! Just the way you like it." Joysoul licked her mate's ear. She led Ghostpelt, who was wobbling, to the rabbit. When he sat down, Joysoul leaned toward Goldpaw.
"Can you go get Tigerlily, Fawnlake, and Deathsoul?" Joysoul whispered. "I'd like them to spend as much time as they can with their father." Goldpaw nodded and bounded into the camp clearing in search for Joysoul's kits. Deathsoul was trotted toward the camp entrance.
"Wait! Deathsoul!" Goldpaw called Deathsoul. He looked at Goldpaw. He then excused himself from his patrol and trotted over to her.
"What is it?" He growled. "I'm going on a border patrol!"
"You need to go to the elders' den." Goldpaw mewed. "Joysoul wants you to spend more time with Ghostpelt." Deathsoul dipped his head and padded to the elders' den. She then found Tigerlily ushering Fawnlake toward the nursery.
"I can do my duties for another moon!" Fawnlake protested.
"No, you can't cause you're-" Tigerlily froze as she saw Goldpaw. "Er, hello Goldpaw. How can I help you?"
"Um, well..." Goldpaw paused. "Joysoul wants to see you. And, why are you taking Fawnlake to- No way!" Goldpaw realized what was happening! "You're having-"
"Shhh!!!" Fawnlake hissed. "I don't want to be stuck in there for 2 moons!"
"Well, everyone should notice by now that you're expecting..." Tigerlily muttered. Fawnlake growled.
"Ok, whatever. Joysoul wants you." Goldpaw mewed.
She needed to get away from the quarreling she-cats. But then again, she wanted to hear a story from the elders. Even if they may be nursery tales, Goldpaw liked them. It gave her a lot of experience.
Just when she was about to turn to the elders' den, a wail pierced the air. Goldpaw's fur birstled. It was coming from the elders' den.
YOU ARE READING
Goldstar's past
FantasyGoldstar had a rough start in her life. But she has learned from her past and will put her last breath to protect her clan. But what happens... When the enemy... is somewhere in her clan.
