Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 3

"So there I was me and that ol' fox. The barbarian was just asking me to claw its ears off so that's what I did- once, twice, three times! I sent that beast home with it's tail between its legs!" Emberpaw smiled slightly, though getting ticks off the elders wasn't what he expected as his first duty of being an apprentice he was thankful he got to spend the morning hearing Missingfluff recount an epic battle.

"Did it come back?" Emberpaw prompted, teeth clenching around a hard shell as he tugged it out and chewed down, breaking it.

Missingfluffs body relaxed as the tick was removed, "Haven't had a fox problem since." He said proudly, his almost bare tail patting against the ground in satisfaction. "Thank you, yeesh those buggers sure are pests." He arched his back in a stretch before stretching out lazily, his head laying on his front paws.

Emberpaw smiled at the old coot before turning to Barrentooth, "Do I need to do you as well?" He asked, ears twitching.

"No, I'm fine. Missingfluff steals all the ticks away from me." She purred, eyeing the other fondly. He let out a grumble of it not being voluntary and that the she-cat should deal with the problem like he has to but it was clear it was just old banter and nothing ill-intended.

"Emberpaw? There you are," Deertails head poked through the entrance of the old willow tree den. "it's time to show you the territory."

"Oh, okay! Bye." He shot at the elders, making Missingfluff grumble a reply and Barrentooth wave her tail as she laid her head down.

Emberpaw paused in the entrance before charging after Deertail, instantly his relaxed attitude dissipated as he saw Tigerpaw next to his mentor. It was even worse when he noticed his.. father.

His tail tip twitched as he remembered the first time he met the mean gray tom and panic rose in his chest. That morning was going so well too. He was almost tempted to rush into the apprentice's den and hide but Deertail spotted him and waved him over, making the plan useless.

His tail drooped as he shakily moved forward. "S-s-s-s-s-so are we going..." He gulped when he noticed Shadefern eyeing him intensely, "Going.. to.." His ears drooped and his eyes dropped to the floor.

He heard Tigerpaw struggling to contain his laughter and shame made his pelt burn as he shuffled in place. "G-g-going to explore?" He finally mumbled out, though it was slurred Deertail was able to make it out.

"Yep!" She said cheerfully, "Tigerpaw has been to the Island however so he's a bit ahead."

"Isn't he always." Emberpaw muttered bitterly before tensing as he saw Tigerpaw glare at him, amber eyes glittering.

"Wanna say that louder Embermouse?" He spat, fur bristling.

Fear made Emberpaw move away from the bracken tabby, hiding on the other side of his mentor as he glared back at the tom.

Tigerpaw growled and stalked forward when he let out a yowl and whipped around as Shadefern bit into his tail. "Ow!"

"Stop picking fights," He snapped, glaring at his apprentice, "Unless you want to help Heatherspirit all day."

Tigerpaws amber eyes widened in dismay and he nodded obediently, looking away from his mentor. Deertail watched the two silently before she bounded away, "Come on!"

Shadefern gave Tigerpaw a warning look, making the tom flinch before he stalked after the she-cat.

A part of Emberpaw felt bad and he moved slowly, "I-I-I-I-Is your t-tail okay-"

''Don't act all weird, leaf-eater!" Tigerpaw snarled, "This is your fault, your lucky Shadefern has your pelt." He shoved Emberpaw roughly making him stumble before he ran to catch up with the two full grown cats.