Warriors: The New Clans

Chapter Five

    I stretch, yawning loudly. Beside me, my sister purrs loudly. Today is our warrior assesment. I shudder at the thought. Ghostsong managed to convince Lionstar I was ready to finally become a warrior. The nursery entrance rustles, and I watch as Silverdusk pads out, laden down with kits. Soulheart's kits. I unsheathe my claws, anger alight in my eyes. Turning away, I pad to the fresh-kill pile. Oakkit, Sprucekit, Birchkit, and Willowkit tumble out of the nursery, bounding towards me.

     Chuckling, I leap out of their way. Their mother, Briarlight, pads after them, her eyes full of motherly love and exasperation. I shake my head, grabbing a vole to eat. Padding to a sheltered spot in the camp, I lay down and tuck into the juicy creature. Humming, I savor the flavor. I watch the camp wake up, sighing. Soulpaw -now Soulheart- pads towards his mate. I flinch at the love in his gaze, my tail curling. Lionstar yawns, stepping out of his den. I watch as his mate, Snowflurry, pads to him.

     The two twine tails. I avert my gaze, focusing on the medicine cat apprentice, Fernpaw. The small calico stares at a few leaves resting in front of her paws. I shake my head.

"It's a wonder anyone can remember the names and uses for so many different herbs." a voice says, making me jump.

     Turning tail, I see the brown tom with silver tabby markings known as Rivercrash. Ears flattening, I nod.

"Yeah." I agree, sitting back down.

     The tom smiles warmly, touching his nose to my shoulder.

"I look forward to having you in the warriors' den." he purrs fondly, sitting closer to me.

     I dip my head, flustered by Rivercrash's words.

"Th-thank you." I say, fidgeting nervously.

     He chuckles. Resting his chin on my head, he purrs affectionately.

"Don't worry, Eclipsepaw, I'm not hitting on you. I'm just proud, that's all." he says.

      I take a breath of relief. Chuckling warmly, he pads off and towards his mate, Mintleaf. The two touch noses before padding to the fresh-kill pile together. My ears droop slightly. Turning away, I get to my paws and shake out my fur. Then, taking a deep breath, I pad towards my mentor. Ghostsong nods to me, Silentstrike by her side. My sister, Marblepaw, is bouncing around excitedly. Once I reach them, Marblepaw bounds over.

"Your assesment is to catch three mice and two birds. Eclipsepaw, you take the side of our territory by MeadowClan. Marblepaw, you take the one with PineClan. Your assesments begin... Now." Ghostsong says.

     Marblepaw and I nod before pelting out of camp. We reach the old tree stump that leads down the seperate paths towards the seperate borders. I turn to Marblepaw.

"You ready?" I ask, tail held over my back.

      The tan tabby with chocolate marbled stripes nods before turning to the left, towards the PineClan border. I sigh, turning right, towards MeadowClan. Shaking my head, I crouch down. Within a heartbeat, I've caught the scent of a mouse. As I drop to the ground and creep forward, I feel as though the entire forest is watching me. I blink, shuddering for a moment before proceeding forward. Suddenly, the small brown creature is eating a blade of grass. Slowly, keeping hidden, I stalk forward.

      Once I'm close enough, I launch through the air. Paws landing on either side of the mouse, I duck my head down and bite it's neck, killing it swiftly. Standing up, I pad to a large tree and bury the limp body in the roots before searching for another mouse. I easily find another, and within minutes, I have caught three mice thanks to the Spring season. I bury the third one with the other two before turning around and searching for a bird. However, a flash of white catches my attention.