Emberstar's Journey

Chapter 15

"Troutpaw!" A red tom yowled, ear twitching as he heard rapid pawsteps approaching. A moment later the gray tom exploded from the reed and shrubbery, his cool amber eyes alert. 

"Yes, Emberspirit?" He panted, the apprentice had been tracking a rabbit that wandered onto the territory but judging from the blood on his mouth the deputy guessed he had caught it. This energetic young tom had been his apprentice for a moon now and it was proving to be a wonderful experience. 

Troutpaw was young but he was intelligent and had a hunger to learn and try new things. He even wadded in the shallow end of the lake to get a taste of water on his pelt. Like all DeltaClan he took to the water like a fish and was severely disappointed when Emberspirit broke the news that he wouldn't be learning water combat for two more moons. 

"Trust me, those moons will go by quickly." Emberspirit had told the despondent tom, "Besides, the water is much too cold to stay in it safely." 

Now the two were hunting, the Clan had fattened up with Sunningrocks back in there paws. DeltaClan was definitely the strongest this cruel Leaf-bare Emberspirit thought with pride.

"Troutpaw, go get your rabbit and carry it to camp. Give it to the queens immediately." He ordered, he glanced up and saw that dawn was approaching. "I need catch my patrol, would you like to come?" He asked as the tom dragged the rabbit from the reeds. 

"Sure!" Troutpaw exclaimed, eyes excited. 

Purring with amusement at the apprentices enthusiasm, Emberspirit set a brisk pace to cat, relief flooding him when he saw Wildclaw, Darkpoppy, and Hailwhisker waiting for him. 

Troutpaw waved his tail in greeting and Emberspirit felt his heart shine when he saw Hailwhisker watching her son with pride before looking at Emberspirit and mewing, "You're making a fine mentor." 

He dipped his head, "Troutpaw will be joining us," He told the cats, "I want to check on the queens, however." 

"More like you want to check on Elmstripe and Deertail." Wildclaw teased, ear flicking, "Go ahead, I'm in no hurry to go out in the cold." He rasped with a purr as Hailwhisker butted his shoulder. 

Emberspirit smiled, Wildclaw was now a fully accepted member of the Clan. He had formed a friendship with Hailwhisker as he was the one that brought her back to camp before she had her kits. The she-cat had hoped that he would mentor one of her kits but Lynxstar told her that it was too soon. It was a disappointment but that didn't stop the she-cat from affectionately teasing and bonding with him.

However, Darkpoppy was standing alone, a bit away from the two DeltaClan cats. She had been avoided in the recent moons, even by her own sons. They cast hostile looks whenever she tried to join them and she had no choice but to pad away with the little dignity she had left. 

Emberspirit knew that if this went on the she-cat would destroy herself from the inside out, but he hoped that the budding idea he had in his mind would pick up the she-cats spirit. 

He stalked over to the Nursery as Troutpaw padded out, "Deertails kits are a pawful!" The tom gasped, "They wouldn't let me leave without bombarding me with questions." Emberspirits ear twitched but he was pleased to hear only laughter and happiness in the gray cats voice.

"I think I know a scrap of fur like that." Emberspirit eyed him meaningfully and the apprentice let out a playful hiss and lashed out a gentle paw before joining his mother. 

"Don't take long!" He called over his shoulder as the deputy squeezed into the reed-woven Nursery. 

Patchfur and Elmstripe had recently kitted, a day apart. Lionscar had visited Patchfur every day since she had, checking on his kits and bringing food. Emberspirit purred as he nuzzled the tom, he was black and white like his mother, while the other was a golden-brown tabby she-cat.