Warriors: Paws At Starlight (Outdated)

Chapter 4

The sky became a smooth milky pale blaze of the sun as it dropped into the depths of the horizon. Sunhigh was long gone, and the hunting mission had gone well- for leaf-bare at least. The group of cats had hunted all afternoon without stopping, Whitefoot had made it clear he wanted to make sure they could hunt as much as possible for the Clan. The light grey tom hadn't looked satisfied when they went back to get their buried prey to take to camp, he kept on insisting and nagging on the group to hunt for a while longer, fortunately Sandleg persuaded his friend to head back to camp.

     As Wolfpaw trailed behind the other toms, the lingering smell of fresh-kill that dangled on his jaws made him remember how hungry he was. He hadn't eaten since before sunhigh and he felt as if he would fall under the weakening feeling of his paws before he got to BlazeClan. In the time they'd been out he had caught a mouse, a vole, a chaffinch and a thrush. The rabbit that he had attempted to catch at the beginning of their mission had gotten away from him even though he chased it with all his might.

     The apprentice felt his stomach turn with pain as the effects of hunger began to hurt him. He quickened his pace with urge to arrive back to his mossy nest and rest. With a leap he overtook Whitefoot and Sandleg, they took a step back in surprise. Without looking over his shoulder to make sure he hadn't hit them; he dashed away.

     With exhaust all over his body but determination filled him, he darted through the camp entrance and slowed his pace as he came to the fresh-kill pile. He was conscious of the eyes staring at him, he somehow wanted to return their stares but there was no reason to. He left his vole and mouse, he noticed there was only two things in the fresh-kill pile. As he added to the pile and took a mouse for the elders, he could just hear Acornsky jumping aroung in the clearing. He ignored the incoming cats. Silentleaf would be proud of him! But, where was Silentleaf? He had not seen her when he dashed into the camp.

     Acornsky, Whitefoot and Sandleg all passed by him, all of them showing glancing at him quickly. They dropped their fresh-kill on the pile and then stood in front of Wolfpaw. He barely payed attention as he was caught up in his own thoughts; like where had Silentleaf gone? I didn't see Boulderspot anywhere. He said under his breath. But Fernpetal wasn't around either. They must be on patrol that's all. He made himself believe that, he didn't want to be wrong when it came to anything, and Pigeonpaw seemed to want to win the argument.

     "Wolfpaw!" Snapped Whitefoot's voice, interrupting his thoughts.

     Wolfpaw shot back a glance and retorted crossly for disturbing him. "What? I'm not deaf, I can hear ya' know!" He lashed his tail at him. He somehow felt tense and ready to swing a paw at any warrior that opposed him.

     Whitefoot growled and burned his river blue eyes into his amber eyes for a while before Sandleg meowed to break the tense silence. "Respect your Clanmates, Wolfpaw. Whitefoot didn't do anything to ruffle your fur." His tone was cool, not challenging or angry. "The best hunting and fighting doesn't help at all if you don't know how to respect those around you. Go get some rest." It was obvious he wanted no answer because he was signaling at his friends to get out of the way.

     Wolfpaw rolled his eyes uncomfortably, but he had to agree with with Sandleg; about rest at least. He gave his chest a few licks and hurried away. As he stepped out into the clearing he could see the first stars of Silverpelt shinning in the darkened sky. In the corner of his eye he saw a light grey pelt, he looked to the left where he saw Boulderspot and a patrol just arriving. His mind flooded with relief when he saw Silentleaf and Fernpetal with him. He poked his head through the apprentices den and sat on his nest with a sigh. It felt like he could sleep for a moon! The comfort of his nest made him realized just how sleepy he was. He lay his head on his stretched out paws and let his eyelids close and walk him into his world of imagination.