Warrior Cats: SkyClan Returns #2

Chapter Twenty

Hazelpaw blinked her eyes open. Weak morning light filtered through the patchy bush. Hazelpaw raised her head, and from what she could see in the dim light, many cats were still sleeping. She shook the morning dew from her whiskers and stood up, careful not to wake Robinpaw or Batpaw.

Fernpelt was standing half-hidden behind a tree. Her head was bent over. Hazelpaw heard her mentor let out a loud, retching sound. The vile smell of vomit met her nose.

"F-Fernpelt? Are you okay?"

Hazelpaw whispered. Fernpelt looked up, her eyes drooping with exhaustion. The cream warrior's fur was a mess.

"Hazelpaw! I'm fine. It's just a little sickness. I'll see Suntail later, when the new camp is set up,"

Fernpelt said, but turned back around to the tree and threw up again. Hazelpaw tilted her head to the side, concerned. Hailforce padded out from under the bush. His nose was screwed up in disgust.

"Fernpelt? What's wrong?"

The cream she-cat forced a smile.

"It must have been something I ate. I think that sparrow I had yesterday was a bit stale,"

She glanced at Hazelpaw for a moment, then back to Hailforce.

"Can you take Hazelpaw hunting?"

Fernpelt asked. Hailforce gave a brisk nod, before leading the ginger and white apprentice into the trees. Hazelpaw tried not to be too concerned for her mentor, but worry crept into her mind. The two cats walked past unknown trees and bushes. Hailforce nudged the young apprentice, pointing his muzzle to a high-up branch. In the pale light, Hazelpaw could make out a bird, a magpie, sitting on its nest. Maybe there are eggs in there. Hazelpaw thought excitedly, beginning to forget about her ill mentor. Hailforce jumped up the trunk of the tree, and the magpie squawked, taking flight. The cream and grey warrior chased after it, leaping into the branches of the next tree, but couldn't escape Hailforce's claws. Hazelpaw scrambled up the first tree to where the magpie's nest was. Struggling to get a grip, she peered into the nest. Three eggs sat inside. Hazelpaw's belly rumbled, but she ignored it. I have to feed the Clan first.

"Hey, Hailforce!"

She called. Hailforce raised his head, the magpie hanging limp from his jaws. Hazelpaw nodded to the nest.

"Three,"

Hailforce's green eyes lit up. He dropped his magpie at the roots of the tree and climbed up to where Hazelpaw was standing. Hazelpaw watched as the senior warrior bent his head down and picked up two of the eggs. Hazelpaw took the other, careful not to break it as she leapt down the tree trunk.

When the two cats returned, they dropped their findings beside the bush. Hazelpaw purred as she remembered how silly Hailforce had looked, trying to carry his bird by holding it on top of his paw.

It was lighter now, and more cats were up. Hazelpaw noticed Spiderweb, Batpaw, Snowtail and Greysquirrel heading out to hunt. Sleekfur was next to a berry bush, grooming Fernpelt's fur. The cream she-cat still looked very tired. Sandystar sat high in a tree, looking out over her new territory. Greybird and Leafspots were chasing each other around the bush like kits. Hazelpaw twitched her whiskers. I didn't know there was something going on between them. Hazelpaw thought, wondering for a moment what other gossip she was missing out on.

A cool breeze hit Hazelpaw's face. It'll be leaf-fall soon, Hazelpaw told herself. She sighed. She enjoyed the warm green-leaf air and plump prey.

The breeze blew at her muzzle once more, but this time, carried a semi-familiar scent.

"ThunderClan!"

Hazelpaw murmured. Several cats ears pricked. I wonder what they're doing here. She thought. Then her heart began to race. I wonder if Ringpaw's with them.

Only moments later, a group of cats padded through a clump of ferns. Mintstar was out in front, followed by a silver she-cat, and the same tom as yesterday. Hazelpaw remembered his name to be Brackenfall. Then came a large tortoiseshell and two apprentices. Excitement pulsed through Hazelpaw's body as she noticed Ringpaw.

Sandystar jumped from her branch to greet the ThunderClan leader.

"Here so early?"

She asked. Mintstar dipped his head.

"We figured that you'd want to find a camp as soon as possible. I've brought some of my warriors to help you build your dens, if you like,"

He offered. Sandystar nodded.

"Yes, please. And thank-you, Mintstar. For everything you've done for us,"

Mintstar dipped his head again, before turning to his warriors.

"You've already met Brackenfall,"

He meowed, waving to the bracken-coloured tom.

"And Featherwing and Wildstep are the best builders in the Clan,"

The silver queen and tortoiseshell tom dipped their heads in turn.

"And of course, we have Mothpaw and Ringpaw to help gather moss and stuff for nests,"

Mothpaw opened his mouth to protest, but Featherwing slapped her tail over it.

"We will wait for you to be ready,"

Mintstar meowed. Sandystar nodded.

"As soon as Ashleaf gets back, I will take her, Stoneclaw, Snowtail, Fernpelt and Hazelpaw to look for a camp,"

Ringpaw lead the other apprentice over to Hazelpaw. The dark tabby tom looked curiously at the fresh-kill pile.

"Eggs?"

He asked, a hint of amusement in his voice. Hazelpaw purred.

"They're actually delicious!"

She asserted. Mothpaw just stared at the eggs in disgust. Ringpaw nudged the cream and brown cat.

"Hazelpaw, this is my brother, Mothpaw,"

He meowed.

"Mothpaw, my friend, Hazelpaw,"

Hazelpaw stifled a purr. We're proper friend already! Mothpaw snorted.

"You can't just go making friends with cats in other Clans, just because they're pretty!"

He snapped. Hazelpaw and Ringpaw both were taken aback, but something else stuck to Hazelpaw's mind. Am I really pretty? Ringpaw cuffed his brother over the ear playfully, as though he was trying not to be hurt.

"It's not just because she's pretty. And besides, we're not hurting anyone,"

Ringpaw meowed. Mothpaw grunted.

"Not yet,"