Warrior Cats #1: The Battle of Thorns

Chapter Eight

Lionpaw struggled to keep pace with HawkPelt, frustration rippling through his veins. "This is the Cloud Current. This place is warriors only. No apprentices, and definitely no kits." He meowed, his voice nearly inaudible by the strong sound of the rushing current.

Lionpaw padded over to the bank of the current and peeked over at the clear water. It looked so peaceful, yet he could tell it was dangerous enough. Suddenly, a vision flashed through his sight. Water, streaming through his nostrils and filling his ears. Blocking out his senses.

Fear of the unknown overwhelmed him and he frantically stepped backwards. HawkPelt stepped forward and brushed his pelt against his apprentice's flank. "Are you ok, Lionpaw? You look upset, maybe we should get back to camp..."

Lionpaw shook his head. "N-no, I-I'm fine, HawkPelt. We should probably move on, though..."

HawkPelt nodded and padded on, his thoughts jumbled in confusion. "I-is everything alright?" He asked, looking at his apprentice as they padded through the trees. Lionpaw shook his head.

"Not really. I just... I don't know what's going on." He replied, and looked off at a bird nearby.

HawkPelt noticed the sudden change of interest and stopped. "Let's talk about that later, for now I think it would be best if you showed me what you know." He flicked his tail towards the bird, perched on a low tree limb.

His thoughts now focused on the hunt, Lionpaw crouched under the limb. Slowly, he made his way up the tree. It was a low branch, and he found himself perched directly under the bird. In one quick movement, he swung his paws into the air. Hawkpelt noticed how precisely he did this, almost as if he had been taught already. Instantly Hawkpelt realized just what he was dealing with. Lionpaw definitely was no Loner. He had a family, and a father that taught him very well. Hawkpelt remembered a cat that looked surprisingly similar to Lionpaw. When he was an apprentice, he had watched the cat get named deputy of the clan. Surely this wasn't the son of BirdClaw.

Lionpaw snatched the bird easily in his claws, snapping its neck and catching it in his jaws. As soon as he touched the ground, he noticed Hawkpelt's face. Something was different, his expression gave it away. "Anything wrong?" He asked, his voice muffled by the bird. Hawkpelt considered asking if this really was the son of Birdclaw, but thought it better to stay silent until further notice. Stonestar needed to know first.