Shadows of Stars

Chapter 7: Training

Sunlight filtered through the den, bathing the sleeping cats in dappled sunlight. Firepaw blinked sleepily, dazzled by the brightness. Around him, cats were beginning to stir. Greypaw sat up and yawned.
"Mornin', sleepyhead!"
"Well, you would be if you had to sleep next to a cat with thunder for a snore," he mumbled sleepily.
"Hey! I don't snore!" Greypaw said indignantly
"Yes, you do." Firepaw stretched, shaking sleep from his limbs. Then a paw knocked him flat.
"Oooff! Greypaw!"
"Sorry!"
He looked up into his friend's grinning face.
"No, you're not," A swipe bowled the grey tom backwards. "Now you are!"

"Oi! Cut it out, mouse brains!" Greypaw came flying back, propelled by a spitting she-cat. Both trouble makers scarpered before the rest of the den woke up.

"What do you reckon we're doing today?"
Tucked away in the bushes next to the apprentice den, the two best friends finished their meal. Greypaw burped indulgently.
"I dunno," he gazed across the clearing "Though we're probably going to find soon. Look, here comes Tigerclaw!"

The warrior in mention was stalking towards them, growling to himself in an obvious foul mood.
"Somebody's grumpy!"
"More than usual you mean,"
"Greypaw!" Firepaw suppressed a grin "Don't talk like that about our seniors!"
They subsided into respectful silence as the tabby neared hearing range.

                ~~~Soulblaze~~~
It initiated super spy mode, staring through narrowed eyes at its target. While outwardly the cat showed no physical sign of the strange possession thing/split personality he had portrayed a few sunrises ago, it did not mean it had never happened. Small, subtle hints could be concealed in the way he interacted, or walked. Unfortunately, it had not managed to spot such signs previously, but today could be the day. The target did seem more on edge...

"Where is that useless apprentice of mine?" Tigerclaw spat in their direction
Greypaw answered first, flicking his tail towards the den.
"I think he's still inside"
He growled. "That lazy piece of mousedung. RAVENPAW!!"

There was a yelp, a loud scuffling, and a skinny black and white tom shot out of the apprentice den. Wide-eyed he stopped, trembling, in front of Tigerclaw.
"S-s-sorry Tigerclaw! I didn't mean to...."
"This is the third time this moon you have slept in! What use are you to your clan sleeping?! Nothing!"
The tom's fur was fluffed up with rage.
His cruel eyes looked his apprentice up and down.
"Not that you are any use anyway," he muttered under his breath, though loud enough to be audible. Ravenpaw flinched back and looked utterly miserable. Firepaw pricked his ears back in surprise. He had never heard such venom in a cat's voice, never thought it possible.
"Come on, we're going hunting. " He turned his broad back and padded away, not even bothering to check if his dejected 'paw was following.

                  ~~~Soulblaze~~~
Hmmm. The target did seem overly hostile and aggressive towards his apprentice, a trait which only seemed to be displayed by him. Perhaps the apprentice has found out about something he shouldn't have. Many deductions could be made, but first it needed some background information. Time for some questions...

"Does Tigerclaw always treat Ravenpaw like that?"

Greypaw shrugged "Pretty much. Tigerclaw thinks he is StarClan's gift to ThunderClan. He's insulted because he thinks he was given the weakest apprentice because Bluestar didn't reckon he could cope. That's a load of mousedung. Though, he does seem more on edge than usual, I can't imagine why. "

                  ~~~Soulblaze~~~
Fascinating. So the tom was displaying uncommon behavioural traits, which could be the result of possession, which meant that sudden change of appearance did happen, so there must be another spirit-y thing in the Clans! Furthermore, the spirit would be on edge as it had revealed itself potentially by accident to Soul, which would cause the spirit worry that Soul was on to it, who could have the potential ruin its (evil)  plans. Satisfaction coursed through Soul's veins. It had successfully discovered something through sheer observational skills and deduction. Being a detective was fun!

"Wow. I feel so sorry for Ravenpaw, it must be terrible having to be around him all day," meowed Firepaw sympathetically.

"He manages, Ravenpaw is tougher than he looks"

At that moment, Lionheart came padding over.
"Have you two finished gossiping yet? This clan won't run itself!" He rumbled good naturedly.

The apprentices scrambled guilty to their feet. "Yes Lionheart! Of course, Lionheart!"

"Come on then, let's practice your hunting technique."

Firepaw almost bounced with joy. His first day training! He couldn't wait!

Yes. Why did Tigerclaw seem more on edge? It reckoned it could think of a few good reasons.