Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 10

Emberpaw jolted awake, green eyes narrow. He pushed himself up and gazed around, it was night, the almost full moon painting the cave silver. It was the same day, he relaxed and moved outside, noticing Rumblethroat was talking to Willowcoat, his eyes soft. 

The she-cat seemed to be pleading with him, her eyes filled with pain. She mewed a few silent words that Emberpaw couldn't hear but he froze when he saw Rumblethroat gaze at her teary-eyed. He was such a strong warrior to see him gazing at this she-cat helplessly, on the verge of crying was.. jarring. 

Rumblethroat smiled at her before he turned, leading her back to the Warriors den, mumbling something that Emberpaw couldn't catch. He backed up in the shadow of the Apprentices den and watched as they padded past before their scent faded.

The tom listened to their pawsteps before all went quiet. He hesitantly crawled out, looking around. They were gone and he could scent them over the smell of herbs from the Medicine den between his den and the Warriors den. 

He eyed the entrance of it before he shrugged and padded towards the entrance.

Redflare was putting a burr out of her paw.

"Emberpaw." She greeted quietly, "Can't sleep?"

Shaking his head he nodded to Swiftwhisper who dipped his head back. He rushed up the slope and ran into the territory. Cold air swept through his fur, making him shudder as he ran. He slowed to a stop when he made out shadowy shapes, crouching near the Fallen Rocks. He opened his mouth, familiar scents flooding into his mouth. 

"Elmstripe, Amberheart, Pikesky! What are you guys doing out here?" He yowled, trotting up to them.

The group turned, fur bristling before they all visibly relaxed as his scent flooded over them. 

"Emberpaw," Amberheart flexed her claws in a stretch, "I could ask you the same thing." She purred, amber eyes shining.

Elmstripe rolled her green eyes, "She has a point. However the answer is obvious, you can't sleep right?" 

Emberpaw nodded as Pikesky butted him. 

"Then come join us in a night hunt!" He purred, "There are some ducks near the lake!" His blue eyes shined in the moonlight and Emberpaw managed a crooked smile. 

"Sure, couldn't be too hard right?" Emberpaw felt excitement and anxiety bubble inside him. "But how do you night hunt?" Deertail had never taught him as he normally was so tired out from training. 

"It's sorta difficult." Amberheart started, "Especially with the moon out."  She gazed around. "And ducks have a watch system so the group stays safe. So we'll have to sneak up from uphill." 

Emberpaw nodded and followed as she led them to the lily patch near the lake. He crouched in the white flowers and crawled forward a little, peering over the hill leading down to the tall grass that divided the rest of the territory from the lake. 

He saw the white birds laying down, all seemingly asleep however the two on the ends of the line they slept in only had one eye closed. They're fat brown bodies made Emberpaws mouth water as he thought about how they tasted. Ducks were always a good meat but they were incredibly hard to catch and only available during the hot seasons. Emberpaw knew that these ones were resting before they continued to fly elsewhere for warmth but he was glad they stayed. Though he knew catching them wouldn't be easy it took precision and speed, something that Emberpaw knew he could do as he was the fastest apprentice. However being quick was only one part of the battle.

The warrriors flushed out around the apprentice, his tail-tip quivered with excitement but he forced it still as Amberheart spoke in a hushed tone to the hunting party.