Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 8

Emberpaws eyes narrowed against the morning dew. He gazed intently at the crystal clear water. He almost wanted to leap in and swim but it was cold and he didn't feel like eating any more herbs than he already had in his life due to his stupidity. 

The air around him was cold, making his tail tremble though he tried to stop it. Any other Clan would watch him and think that he was crazy, staring into the water as though he was in love but he knew what he was doing. 

That's when a speckled shape swam by and instantly he lashed out a paw with trained precision and hooked it with his claw. He quickly the fishes neck and tossed it in a pile of two more. They were large and one was pink while the other was speckled like the one he just caught.

"You were sure busy." Deertails voice made him turn, looking at the she-cat. Her golden eyes were tired though she remained upbeat. 

"The Clan needs to eat, besides we haven't had fish in the Fresh-kill pile in awhile." He replied with a shrug, causing Deertail to chuckle.

"Bite your words, by first quarter-moon of Leaf-bare you'll be sick of fish!" Her tail twitched in amusement before she lifted her muzzle, nose twitching. "Antbranch and Darkrunner are coming." She reported as the two toms appeared through the reeds. Both held pieces of prey, a quail and shrew, and they dropped it at the sight of Emberpaws catch.

"Nice catch!" Antbranch cried, "Maybe that'll get Crabfoot off my back about Hailwhisker needing to eat." He smiled as he thought about the tom, the two were close, best friends as far as Emberpaw could tell. "I'm happy for him." He purred, tail curling.

Darkrunner nodded in agreement, "As am I, however he's a bit overbearing." He laughed slightly as Deertail rolled her eyes.

"And you won't be when you get Nightfrost expecting." She shot at Darkrunner who blushed heavily. 

"Wha-what?!" He backed away slightly as Antbranch turned on him. 

"You like my sister?"

"N-No!" He cried before quickly adding, "Well y-yes but-" He froze when he saw Antbranch and Deertail grinning while Emberpaw offered a crooked smile and rolled his eyes. "Agh! Stop embarrassing me!" He turned haughtily and sat down.

Antbranch nudged him, "Come on, I was joking." He rolled his eyes, "I think it's cool." 

"I'm glad." Darkrunner sniffed before picking up his quail and a fish from Emberpaws pile. "Come on," He spoke through feathers and scales, "I don't want to be out here. Too cold." He turned and began to walk through the reeds. Emberpaw picked up one fish while Antbranch picked his shrew and the last fish. Deertail followed before she stopped, gazing at something on the hilltops.

Emberpaw followed her gaze and saw a fat heron sitting there, seemingly relaxed. Why the bird wasn't in a water was beyond Emberpaw but he needed to feed his Clan.

He dropped his fish and crouched low, creeping forward stealthily and quickly. He dropped when he was close enough to run and leap, shoulders flexing before a breeze caught him off guard and wafted his scent to the prey-bird.

"No!" He yowled as it spread its wings and took to the sky. He wasn't gonna let it get away that easily and sprinted as fast as he could and gave on an enormous leap, hooking his claws on the rump of the bird.

The bird gave out a cry before it turned angrily and thrusted its sharp beak into Emberpaws face making him yowl in pain and drop to the ground. He landed on his paws and watched as the bird flew off and awkwardly padded back to his mentor, shame and embarrassment making his fur hot. 

He blinked as a sting made him hiss, "That stupid bird pecked my face." He hissed before looking at his mentor. "Is there a scratch?" 

The she-cat nodded, "Between your eyes." She licked the scratch making him flinch before the pain began to subside, but it never faded. He wanted to rub at it but he refined himself and picked up his fish.