Nightclouds Heartache

Chapter four

  "Wake-up, Nightpaw we're going on the dawn patrol." Nightpaw gave a soft sigh of sleep and opened her eyes. Above her standing was Pinetail. She had been a apprentice for three moons now an it involved a lot of tick-picking and getting up early (Nightkit had never been a morning cat). Though she didn't mind because she got to share a den with Crowkit who was now Crowpaw.
Blinking sleep out of her eyes, Nightpaw slowly got up. Pinetail flicked her tail in a motion for her to follow. Nightpaw followed Pinetail out of the apprentices den feeling half asleep. When she approached the heart of the camp she found the rest of the patrol waiting for her.
"Come on, Nightpaw, hurry up!" Stonewhisker who was leader of the patrol snapped.
"Alright, alright! What's the rush anyway?" Nightpaw asked grouchily. Though her mood brightened up when she saw that Crowpaw was on the patrol too. Only once they started walking, did Stonewhisker answer her question.
"We are in hurry because last night's dusk patrol scented Shawdowclan on our territory! Now stop acting like a clueless kit and hurry up!"
Onewhisker came to walk beside her. "Don't worry about him. He's just cranky in the mornings." Nightpaw smiled. When Onewhisker went back in front of her Nightpaw slowed her step a bit so that she would walk at the same pace as Crowpaw. "I can't wait to give those Shawdowclan warriors a piece of my mind. I'm gonna rip them to shreds!" Nightpaw tried to do her fiercest hiss. Crowpaw gave her an annoyed look.
"Are you trying to start a battle?!" He hissed at her. And with that he stalked to the front of the patrol to walk with his mentor. Nightpaw's heart sank. He probably wants to avoid battle he is such a loyal cat, she thought to herself.
As they approached a little stream Stonewhisker let out an angry hiss.
"Whats the matter?" Nightpaw asked.
"Cant you smell it?!" demanded Stonewhisker, angrily. Nightpaw took a deep sniff. The disgusting taste of Shawdowclan filled her lungs.
"Yuk! I smell Shawdowclan! Evan stronger than usual!" Nightkit screwed up her nose, trying in vain to block the scent.
"Yes it is. And that's because they have set there borders on our territory!" Pinetail meowed rage deep in each word. Nightpaw was shocked.
"They cant do that!" Nightpaw meowed angrily.
"Try telling Shawdowclan that!" Onewhisker snorted angrily. Stonewhisker cleared his throat.
"As leader of this patrol, I say that we need to put our sent over theirs!" Stonewhisker announced.
"Shouldn't we ask Tallstar first?" Pinetail asked. Onewhisker nodded in agreement. Nightpaw turned around to ask Crowpaw what he thought, but he wasn't there.
"Hey, Crowpaw isn't here!" Nightpaw interrupted the warriors talking. Stonewhisker let out an annoyed hiss.
"CROWPAW!!!" Pinetail called, Onewhisker joined in. After couple heart beats of calling there was a distant reply.
"I'm coming!" Crowpaw called out. Crowpaw came speeding toward them and only stopped a tail length away from Stonewhisker.
"Watch it!" Stonewhisker hissed.
"Sorry, but while you two mouse-brains were arguing I went and checked how far the Shawdowclan markings went. They go all the way to the edge of our territory!" Crowpaw declared angrily.
"Good job, Crowpaw. Though, next make sure to tell a warrior." Onewhisker meowed.
"Before we get into another argument, some cat should warn Tallstar. Crowpaw how about you?" Pinetail asked. Crowpaw nodded.
"I'll go with him!" Nightpaw meowed quickly. Amusement in Pinetail's eyes, she nodded. The two cats dashed off.
"I can mange fine on my own you know!" Crowpaw hissed as they were running.
"I know, I just thought you might like some help." Nightpaw meowed, hurt. Crowpaw's only reply was a grunt. "You wanna race there?" Nightpaw asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Were on a mission. This isn't a game!" Crowpaw hissed.
"Are you scared of losing?" Nightpaw teased. That got Crowpaw.
"Fine, I'll race you but only to get there faster." Crowpaw meowed grudgingly. The two cats speed off. Nightpaw was surprised by his speed. Another thing that makes him great, Nightpaw thought admiringly.
"We're almost there!" Nightpaw panted.
"I'm gonna win!" Crowpaw declared. For once there was no anger in his voice on happy teasing. When they got to the camp Nightpaw stopped horror struck. Every where in the camp there was cats tussling in the dirt. Suddenly, a wall of Shadowclan's stench hit Nightpaw's nose. Together, her and Crowpaw leaped into battle.