Warriors: The Changed Clan #2: Danger Rising

Chapter Ten

"I saw one of those SkyClan cats on our territory," Dustpelt explained. "They killed a rabbit."

Tigerstar just stared at him. "And what do you want me to do about it? Walk over to SkyClan and congratulate them for being able to kill a rabbit?"

"Of course not. The rabbit was on our territory, therefore it was TigerClan's prey. I believe SkyClan should be punished for trespassing and prey-stealing. I know for sure that any other leader who existed would do that."

"It's just a rabbit. It's not like we needed it in the first place. WindClan cats eat rabbits, and we certainly aren't that desperate."

"But what if they decide prey-stealing is acceptable if they go unpunished? You growl all the time that no one steals our prey, yet you let SkyClan off like it's no big deal. I'm starting to wonder if our leader has been stolen overnight and replaced with a different cat who looks exactly like him."

"Stolen!" Tigerstar snorted. "No cat would be able to steal me, Dustpelt. Sometimes I wonder what's going on in your mind." He then let out a sigh. "You're a warrior; you can deal with our Clan's problems, can't you? Last time I remembered, you weren't an apprentice."

Dustpelt sighed. "When will my kits be apprenticed?" he then wondered, changing the subject. "They've been kits for long enough, and I feel as though they're good enough to be 'paws now."

"Apprenticed," Tigerstar murmured. "I think Squirrelkit and Leafkit should be apprentices first. Or perhaps just Squirrelkit since I've paid more attention to her, and she seems to have the heart of a TigerClan cat."

"What?" Dustpelt's voice lowered. "Spiderkit and Shrewpaw have only TigerClan blood in them! Are you saying a cat with kittypet blood is better than my kits?"

"If you want to complain, you can join the elders. Everyone knows how much they love to complain about the slightest things," Tigerstar answered. "And this is my choice, not yours. I'm the leader, remember?"

"I will not!" Anger flared up in Dustpelt's gaze. "Spiderkit and Shrewkit deserve to be apprenticed first, not Squirrelkit or Leafkit. It was a mistake to bring them into the Clan, and I blame your sons for that."

Tigerstar's gaze narrowed and he unsheathed his claws. Dustpelt immediately saw them and then dipped his head respectfully. "Sorry, Tigerstar. I should know better than to question your choices and think badly of your sons."

"You better. The next time you see a SkyClan cat on my territory, teach them a lesson they'll never forget. Now go." Dustpelt nodded and began walking away. Tigerstar began trotting over to Brackenfur, who was talking to Sorreltail, looking interested.

"Brackenfur." The golden tabby's attention was fixed on him instead of the tortoiseshell she-cat. He bowed his head slightly. "How's Featherpaw's training?"

"Good so far," Brackenfur replied. "She's starting to be as good as her brother."

"Starting?" Tigerstar didn't seem impressed. "She's been an apprentice long enough and 'starting' is all you can report to me. What have you been teaching her, how to fight like a kittypet?"

"No," Brackenfur replied. "Featherpaw's pace of learning is slower than the other apprentices. I want to make sure she knows everything, and that I can build up her fighting skills slowly. She's a better hunter than fighter."

"That's not good enough." The dark tabby looked around the clearing for Featherpaw. He then saw her with Tawnypaw and Rowanpaw. "Featherpaw!" The tabby's head rose and she then began walking over to him. "Rowanpaw!"

"What is it?" Rowanpaw questioned. "I was just showing Tawnypaw-"

"I don't want to know." Tigerstar knew Rowanpaw had an interest in Tawnypaw. The two apprentices often hung around with each other and seemed to enjoy each other's company. "Featherpaw, I hear that your training isn't good."