Hailstorm's Fear

Chapter Three

      "You're a natural fighter."Creampaw gushed,her eyes shining with admiration.

Thrushpaw ducked his head and gave his chest fur a couple of self-conscious licks. "I'm a very bad hunter,though."

"It's nothing special,"He stiffened as Sharppaw sauntered up to him with his eyes glittering. "If a cat can't hunt,then might as well they don't eat any prey."

Thrushpaw flattened his ears,not in the mood to be bullied around. He promptly picked up his mouse and padded to the medicine cat den.

"What a coward,"He could hear Sharppaw meowing loudly to Creampaw. "I don't know why you admire him at all."

"Everything alright?"Nightleaf poked her head out of the medicine store as Thrushpaw stomped in.

"Everything is not alright."Thrushpaw placed down the mouse and pushed it to her without a word.

Nightleaf blinked at him,but soon bent down to take a few bites. Thrushpaw was secretly grateful that his mentor had understood him and spared him all the questions.

Though I doubt that she doesn't know, Thrushpaw thought sullenly. The way Sharppaw and Stripedpaw is doing it,the whole Clan will know by now. He added darkly,before letting out a deep sigh.

"I guess something is on your mind,"Nightleaf flicked her tail. "How about you go for a walk to clear it?"

"Okay."Deciding to follow Nightleaf's suggestion,Thrushpaw padded out of the den. He dipped his head to a returning sunhigh patrol before slipping through the thorn tunnel.

The undergrowth's familiar rustle did calm his nerves. The leaves of the trees flitted towards the ground as the newleaf winds ruffled his fur. Thrushpaw decided to go to the Fourtrees,as it had been his best place for comfort,although he did not know why.

"Stripedpaw?"Thrushpaw halted as he saw the warrior apprentice padding in the opposite direction. The serenity that he felt vanished at the sight of him.

"Thrushpaw?What are you doing here?"Stripedpaw demanded.

"I'm going for a walk,"Thrushpaw angled his ears towards the Fourtrees. "I need to clear my mind."

"I'm going with you."

"What?"

"I'm going with you,"Stripedpaw placed a paw down. "I can smell the faint scent of rogues nearby,so it is my duty that you do not join them."

Thrushpaw bristled at his sentence. "I'll forever be loyal to ThunderClan!I don't need you to follow me even!"He quickened his pace,desperate to lose Stripedpaw when the apprentice followed him with normal pawsteps.

Curse tabbies and their big build. Thrushpaw sighed and deflated. Stripedpaw smirked in triumph.

"Where is Whitewillow?"Thrushpaw asked,his voice curt.

"She gave me rest after I exceeded all her expectations,"Stripedpaw puffed out his chest. "I might be a warrior soon.

That would make him even more unbearable. Thrushpaw suppressed a groan at the thought,but he stayed silent.

The great oak trees looked even bigger without cats gathered there. Thrushpaw sat in the middle of it,breathing slowly and closing his eyes.

"Hey,Thrushpaw."Stripedpaw called. He opened his eyes and stared at the other apprentice in annoyance.

"Yes?"

"You want to climb?"Stripedpaw pointed his tail to the top of the Fourtrees. "I never knew what it is like to be at the top."

Curiosity filled Thrushpaw,but concern soon replaced it as he stared at the leaves overhead. "If you fall,it might be fatal."He warned.

"I won't fall,"Stripedpaw snorted,before eagerly bounding to one tree. "Come on!We-"

"We?"

Stripedpaw stopped and rolled his eyes. "Unless you're too scared,which I'm not surprised of,"His gaze taunted him. "You'll never be a ThunderClan cat if you can't climb with confidence!"

"Fine!"Thrushpaw snapped,heading towards him. "If you fall,I won't pick your heavy body up and carry it back. You're just too fat."

"And you're just too weak."Stripedpaw shot back,before leaping. Thrushpaw's heart slightly dropped when his claws almost did not get a grip. Thankfully,Stripedpaw held on and began climbing.

"Are you coming or not,coward?"He scoffed in between pants.

"I'm just waiting to see if you fall because of your weight."Thrushpaw reared back and leaped. He stretched out his claws and sunk them into the bark. Slowly,he began to move upward.

Don't look down,don't look down. He repeated to himself as his paws started to ache. Stripedpaw had already made it to the top and was staring down at him.

"Don't slip,Thrushpaw."His tone was taunting,but Thrushpaw thought he had heard a slight bit of concern. Probably my imagina-

His grip loosened as all his paws detached themselves from the tree,and he hung by only his right forepaw. Panic blinded him as his back paws scrabbled against the oak,trying to find a grip.

I'm going to fall!