The Three of StarClan: Book 1: Finding Night

Chapter 4

Gingerpaw couldn't believe her mentor's words! "Well.." Ashface spat. "Attack me!" Gingerpaw stared at the gray tom. "I-I'm not supposed to attack my own mentor!" She stammered. It was completely absurd for her to be suddenly attacked like this. "Dou you want to be a warrior!?" The gray tom screeched. Gingerpaw opened her mouth to say something, but she knew that if she spoke, Ashface would only scold her again. The ginger tabby wrestled with the young tom, trying to fling him off. But it was no use. There was no point in her attacking beacause her attacks were taught by her mentor himself. Ashface would know all the tricks..She thought, beginning to give up on fighting. A force of pain was forced into Gingerpaw as Ashface dug his claws harder into his shoulders. Gingerpaw yowled in pain. She felt the warm trickle of blood running down her orangish-red fur. Gingerpaw gritted her teeth at the horrible pain. She manage to mutter a few words as the sharp stabs of pain worsened. "Y-you can't use unsheathed claws!" Gingerpaw looked Ashface directly in the eyes. Her hazel eyes were nothing but tiny slits as fear and pain had shocked her. Ashface didn't speak. He just flicked his tail and gave a small grunt. Ashface ripped his fang-like claws out of Gingerpaw's shoulders. With another loud hiss of pain, Gingerpaw felt dizzy. She layed there, unable to believe that her own mentor would attack her like that. Her fur was ruffled and stood on end, looking at the tom-cat who had tried to hurt her. Ashface simply watched Gingerpaw clumsily stand back up on her paws. He gave another loud his of fury. "You're weak!" He spat. "You will never become a warrior like this!" Gingerpaw opened her mouth to protest, but, before she could Ashface continued on with his speech. "No wonder your own father hates you!" There was nothing but coldness in his voice as Gingerpaw kept trembling in fear. "You should just go back to the nursery and play with the little kits!" "Stop it!" Gingerpaw wailed. "My father loves me and I am not a kit!" Ashface was about to scream at the helpless she-cat again when the shrubs rustled. Barkpelt, Dovefur, and Goldenstar jumped through the grassy undergrowth. "I'm sure this is where I heard those yowls." Dovefur mewed. The three cats stared at Ashface and his scratch-covered apprentice. "Ah, Goldenstar, thank Starclan you came!" The gray Tom mewed with anxiety in his voice. Gingerpaw's hackles raise in anger. What is he doing?! She was about to literally scream at her mentor when she stared at Barkpelt. She couldn't make a scene in front of her own father. Even if she had screamed for mercy and tell the horrifying story that had happened moments ago, they would all think that she had gone mad! Ashface stepped in front of Gingerpaw, who was crouched back in pain. Ashface began taking in short, rapid breaths as he spoke to CreekClan's leader. "A rogue...attacked..!" Gingerpaw's fur immediately stood on end in fury, her eyes wide and blazed with anger as she looked up at him. A rogue!? Does he honestly think that they'll believe him? Goldenstar raised her chin. "A rogue you say..." Her voice filled with intrigue. "Well then, I believe that an extra patrol is in order." "Wait!" The voice was Dovefur's. Her muzzle was held high to the clouds. "I don't smell any rogue, in fact, I don't even smell any fresh scents." Goldenstar flicked her ears back in confusion. "Ashface," She mewed, turning to the gray Tom. "Are you for certain that it was a rogue who attacked her and not something else?" Gingerpaw narrowed her eyes at him. Yeah, try explaining that! "Of course it was a rogue! I saw a glimpse of it myself." His mew toned with a fake concern for the young apprentice. "Also, why bother using an elder to determine any sen whatsoever?" Gingerpaw heard a growl come from Dovefur. "How dare you tell me that my senses are going dull!" She hissed. "Back when I was a warrior, I had one of the best noses in the clan!" She was face to face with the gray tom. There was a small scowl from Ashface, and he looked like he was about to pounce on the elder. Goldenstar stepped in between them. "Wether it was a rogue or not, I shall make a few extra patrols in case we indeed have some unexpected visitors." Her voice was firm as she cast her eyes on all three cats. Gingerpaw kept silent. I've already caused enough trouble, maybe there's someone who'll believe me...someone who thinks I'm right... "Alright, Gingerpaw, perhaps you should get patched up." The ginger cat lifted her head up to the CreekClan leader. "Yeah. I probably should." She slowly lifted herself up off the grass and stood on all fours. "Ashface, Dovefur, you two go on ahead. I need to speak with Gingerpaw." The apprentice felt like crouching back down again. Great StarClan! What did I do? Dovefur turned and stalked back towards the bushes. Ashface gave the she-cat a long stare before giving a curt nod, and dissapearing moments after Dovefur. Gingerpaw slowly lifted her hazel gaze to her leader. She admired the texture of the she-cat's fur. It was fluffy, almost like kittypet fur. It made Goldenstar look twice as big as all the leaders! At least, that's what she heard from others who are old enough to go to Gatherings, that is. "I've noticed that aren't an apprentice of many words." Goldenstar began. Gingerpaw gave a soft nod, and let her continue. "While a silent apprentice is a usual relief, you seem to be afraid to speak than wanting to." Gingerpaw stared at her feet. She felt that somehow it was the truth. "Well,..I-...erm.." She tried to gather the words for a response. She suddenly felt something soft on her shoulder. It was Goldenstar's fluffy tail. "You do not have to be afraid, communicating is a great skill for groups." Her voice was soft. Gingerpaw knew she was right. She needs to speak more in order to be a great warrior someday. "Yes, of course, I will work on my speaking skills." Gingerpaw mewed with determination. Goldenstar gave a little smile and nodded. "Shall we head back to camp?" The leader of CreekClan mewed. Gingerpaw nodded and followed after her leader.