Feathermist's Hardship

Chapter 4

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"Featherpaw, Goldenpaw, Flintshine, Mintfur, Ottersplash, Gorsemist, Quickshine, Minnowpaw, Dustwhisker, Blizzardstream, and Silverwish. You will all attend tonight's gathering, I'd suggest to eat up and rest. And remember what we talked over." Shellstar said as he passed his gathering cats.

"Pfft, he's mouse-brained if he thinks bringing a rogue to a gathering is a good idea. Only clan blood should be allowed." Minnowpaw snickered.

Featherpaw was startled at Minnowpaw's rudeness. But she knew she wasn't clan blood and never would be, if only she hadn't been in the river, she would probably be safe with her mother and father.

Goldenpaw opened his jaws to say something when Dustwhisker answered first. "You're lucky you have a strong clanmate along you and your clan! So what if she's not pure clan blood, she's a perfect example of a warrior, even if she's just an apprentice." he snarled. Featherpaw could see Goldenpaw roll his eyes in annoyance.

"Watch your manners Minnowpaw! No apprentice of mine will have such rudeness." a dark gray tom came up to Minnowpaw. Featherpaw assumed it was his mentor, Rainbelly.

"Fine." Minnowpaw mumbled, he padded away from the group and went inside the apprentices's den.

"That ought to keep him shut for a while. I'm sorry you had to hear that." Dustwhisker said.

"It's fine, I'll learn to live with it. Even though it's true." Featherpaw murmured that last part. Dustwhisker gave a nod and went over to Mosswater to share tongues. Goldenpaw then seized this opportunity to sit next to Featherpaw.

"Don't listen to him, he's just jealous a younger apprentice is better than him." he said calmly.

"Doesn't seem that way to me." Featherpaw suddenly said in a growl. She quickly turned her head to Goldenpaw and saw his eyes clouded with sadness. He got up and padded towards the apprentices's den. She sighed. She was probably ruining one of the only friendships she had. She got up and went to Quickshine.

"Can we have train right now?" Featherpaw quickly asked.

Quickshine looked taken aback at Featherpaw's request, but just nodded.

They padded alongside each other and went away from the camp. Right ahead of her, she could see the familiar outlines of the beech trees. This was the Beech Copse, where she learned how to hunt mice and whatnot and her battle moves. She sheathed her claws knowing her mentor wouldn't approve of unsheathed claws. She needed to let out her stress on something but not physically hurt anyone.

"Shall we start?" Quickshine asked. Featherpaw nodded, concentrating on Quickshine's movements. Taken by surprise she was pinned down by Quickshine. She immediately, with her sheathed claws, clawed at his belly. Quickshine jumped back which made Featherpaw back in control. She then brought her paw to his head, making sure not to hurt him though. Quickshine suddenly turned around and kicked her with his hind legs.

She felt tired but she wouldn't give up. She stayed limp on purpose, waiting for Quickshine to go near her.

"Featherpaw? Are you all right?" Quickshine worriedly asked. This was her time to strike. She quickly jumped and gave Quickshine a front paw blow. He fell to the ground but he quickly got up and purred delightfully.

"I think I've taught you well." he said.

"I know you have, we should get back now, we're going to have to travel to the gathering soon." Featherpaw meowed as she looked at the sky. It was going to be Sundown soon. They ran quickly to camp. Sure enough, the gathering cats were snoozing a bit. Featherpaw could see Dawnswoop and Shellstar sharing tongues. She hadn't been going on patrols lately which was weird since a lot of cats called her 'the patrol cat' and it was true, Featherpaw could bet a moon's worth of patrols that Dawnswoop would be on every patrol.