Sixteen Paws

Chapter 2

"...And we have two new apprentices: Snowpaw, and Meadowpaw." Onestar boasted as the other cats cheered our name.

This was Snowpaw's and Meadowpaw's first Clan gathering, and it was everything they had hoped for. And more. Thunderclan and Riverclan already spoke, talking abound boundaries and their new apprentices: Dawnpaw, Cherrypaw, and Molepaw from Thunderclan, and Moonpaw from Riverclan.

Snowpaw looked around with her chest out, she was going to be the best warrior ever and she knew it. Meadowpaw glanced at Snowpaw with a sheepish expression. He's nervous. Snowpaw laughed in her head. Too bad he won't be the next deputy.

Once the cheering settled down, Rowanstar stepped forward and cleared his throat.

"Last night, one of my warriors encountered a group of foxes close to camp."

A ripple of shock went through the cats as he spoke. Ha! Foxes? I can defeat those flea pelts in my sleep!

"But not only that, they were attacking two small kits; soon-to-be apprentices: a black she-cat, and a grey tabby tom" Rowanstar looked across the gathering with accusation.

"They will be staying in my Clan tonight until they are able to walk again, and go to their rightful Clan."

"Are you saying that we've been trespassing?" Bramblestar asked, shocked.

"No, of course not! ...Your majesty," Rowanstar sneered. Bramblestar bristled.

"I'm just saying that your apprentices aren't trained enough to stay on their side of territory; As usual."

The cats in the gathering yowled in agreement, and some in shock and disbelief.

"Did you even catch their scent? Surely they didn't come from one of us, as far as I know, my Clan doesn't even have two kits like that." Mistystar reasoned.

"Yes, Tawneypelt couldn't identify it. They were strong with fox scent. And she said they did put up a good fight."

"You mean, she just stood there while they were basically dying?!" A random cat in the crowd exclaimed. The others gasped and turned to Rowanstar in disbelief. Snowpaw could see Tawneypelt shrink back in the crowd.

Rowanstar hesitated, and glanced at each and every one of the cats. Including Snowpaw. But for some reason, his eyes met hers a while longer......

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Did you hear that?! Two new members of Shadowclan!! Well, not really members but, you know, TWO!" Meadowpaw exclaimed, bouncing, as the cats padded back to their dens.
"I mean, I guess I didn't," Snowpaw said, her words edged with sarcasm.
"I just sat there and stared off-"
"Okay, okay. I get it. You heard." Meadowpaw nudged Snowpaw playfully.
"But isn't it weird? Of all the Clans, Shadowclan. Wait. Don't they eat their kits??" He asked, his eyes as big as the lake.
"Pftftfft, everyone knows that's just a nursery tale." Snowpaw reassured, rolling her eyes.
Once they reached the apprentice's den, Snowpaw flopped down on her spot. The soft moss forming around her as a mold. Meadowpaw laid beside her and sighed contently, their scent drifting in the den. The other apprentices haven't come back from training yet, even though it was getting close to sun-down. Snowpaw couldn't quite sleep yet. She was just announced an apprentice at the gathering and witnessed an actual important meeting! Her thoughts swimming in her head, Snowpaw heard soft paw steps of coming cats entering the den.

Her sisters.

Softpaw and Gentlepaw acknowledged Snowpaw and padded to their nest. Along with other apprentices. Snowpaw stared at her two older sisters. Jealousy searing their backs by her. It wasn't fair. As much as she wanted to be deputy, later leader, as much as she wanted to be the better of the three, her sisters always stood on the top. They were older, loved more by their parents, and are already going to be warriors in a few moons. Heck, they even valued each other more than her.

Why can't anyone be happy with me? 

"Um, what are you looking at?" Softpaw asked, as she settled on the moss. Her wary eyes darting to Snowpaw and Gentlepaw. Even their names are connected.

"Nothing" Snowpaw growled as she turned on her other side, facing Meadowpaw. Their noses bumped and their paws collided. Meadowpaw purred. Snowpaw felt her pelt grow hot.

"oh, s-sorry..." She stuttered. She could feel her sisters' eyes burning on her back. Only to realize he was still asleep. Embarrassed to turn back around to see her sisters' smug faces, Snowpaw stayed where she was. After a while of shuffling in the den, and the soft snores coming off of her classmates, Snowpaw finally fell into a dreamless slumber.

Snowpaw woke up at the feeling of the sun's rays on her  back. It was almost sun high! She glanced at Meadowpaw to see if he too, had awaken, but saw that he was still curled up to her. Fighting the urge to stay with her best friend, Snowpaw climbed out of the den to see cats all ready heading off to business. Of course. Snowpaw snarled to herself. Of course I'm just made apprentice and I already blow it off. Snowpaw found Emberfoot, her mentor, and bounded up to see him. Hopefully he doesn't notice I slept in. As if answering her thoughts, Emberfoot gave her a cold stare and dropped a mouse at her paws.

"You slept in," He growled, his sharp teeth forming a snarl.

"I know but-"

"On your first day!" He snapped. Snowpaw startled back a little bit and forced herself not to give a snarky answer. She inhaled deeply, and tried again.

"I know but, I had a long day yesterday and I couldn't sleep. It was just too much." She complained. Ha! See how he can react to that! Honesty from an apprentice, he never saw it coming. But her thought was quickly brought down as he inched his face closer to hers.

"Is that an excuse?" He asked, a hint of mockery in his ton.

"N-no" Snowpaw stuttered, her pelt spiking up. She heard quick paw steps behind her and turned to see Meadowpaw racing towards Sedgewhisker, his ears back and fur fluffed up.

"I'm so sorry I-" He started but was interrupted by an amused purr.

"It's alright, Meadowpaw. It's your first day, you're bound to be delayed. Now eat up before we get going. You, me, and those two," Sedgewhisker pointed her ears to Emberfoot and Snowpaw.

"are going to see the territory." She gave a little bounce. Her enthusiasm clearly rubbed off on Meadowwhisker, and he gave a slight purr.

"Great!" he bounded off to the fresh kill pile and piked out a plump thrush.

"You," Emberfoot growled at Snowpaw, his blue eyes digging in hers.

"Eat and then join us," He turned his back, heading towards the entrance with Sedgewhisker but stopped and turned his head to Snowpaw.

"Unless, that is too much for you"