Dawnstar's Trouble {COMPLETE}

Chapter 9

Rain fell lazily from the sky, but it hadn't stopped in days and the forest and all its inhabitants were soaked. Dawnpaw had enjoyed her few days off from training since the AshClan patrol attacked her and the other apprentices. Most of them were injured to a point where they couldn't train. Lionpaw and Cinderpaw were the only exceptions, and Fawnpaw had already been taken off her apprentice duties. Meanwhile, Yarrowpaw was the only one who had to actually stay in the medicine cat den for his wounds. Dawnpaw visited him from time to time, and knew he was recovering quickly but with a few scars. Pebblepaw enjoyed having him around, Dawnpaw knew that much.

Dawnpaw wished she could hide inside the apprentice den all day to avoid the rain, but she did have a few apprentice duties that she still had to attend to. She grabbed a large rabbit from the fresh-kill pile to take to Willownose and her kits. She was currently the only queen, and her kits had lots of room to play. Dawnpaw enjoyed visited the kits, they were very fun and playful.

When Dawnpaw reached the nursery, she noticed that the kits were playing inside while Willownose rested in the far corner of the den, keeping a close eye on them. Flamekit was the first to notice her, and her eyes sparkled. "Dawnpaw!" She exclaimed and bounded over to the apprentice, Brackenkit and Heatherkit close on her paws. "Is that for us?" She questioned.

Dawnpaw nodded and looked over at Willownose. "And for your mother, I figure it's big enough to feed all of you."

Willownose stood up from her nest in the corner, gave a hearty yawn and padded over to the rabbit. "Thank you, Dawnpaw." She purred.

"What's it like being an apprentice?" Heatherpaw asked as she took a large bite of the rabbit.

"It's fun." Dawnpaw purred, watching the kit's faces light up. "But it's also hard work, there's a lot of training. It's worth it, though."

"I want to be an apprentice." Brackenkit mewed, holding his head high. "I'd be the best apprentice!"

"Not if you trip over those big, clumsy paws of yours." Flamekit gave him a playful shove. Brackenkit stuck his nose in the air and Dawnpaw let out a purr of amusement. Dawnpaw was enjoying watching the kits when she heard Thornpelt's mew behind her, she turned to see her mentor standing outside the nursery. She wasn't supposed to be training yet, what did he want?

"Flowerstar wants to speak with you." Thornpelt mewed, his eyes going to the kits for just a moment.

"Flowerstar?" Dawnpaw echoed, why did she want to talk to her? Regardless, Dawnpaw stood up, bid farewell to the kits and exited the nursery. "What does Flowerstar want to talk to me about?" She questioned.

"You'll see when you get there." Thornpelt replied curtly, Dawnpaw flicked her ears and walked with her mentor to the SunTree. She looked inside and saw that it wasn't just Flowerstar, but Lionpaw, Goldenpaw and Turtlepaw. Even more confused, Dawnpaw stepped inside.

"Good, everyone's here." Flowerstar nodded at Dawnpaw and Thornpelt, Dawnpaw sat down between her brother and Lionpaw. "As you may know, every apprentice takes a trip to the Moonstone sometime before they become a warrior. Lionpaw and Goldenpaw will be warriors soon and they haven't been there yet, so I decided that along with them, Dawnpaw and Turtlepaw could come along as well."

Dawnpaw's eyes widened slightly, the Moonstone? Her paws tingled, she had only heard small stories about the Moonstone, the sacred place where the Clan cats spoke with their warrior ancestors.

"That sounds exciting." Goldenpaw purred to her brother and Lionpaw's eyes lit up like the sun.

"It's quite the experience for any apprentice." Flowerstar mewed softly. "And I spoke with Poppyfur, you're all cleared for the journey but you'll have to get some travelling herbs from her, it's a long journey."