Warriors: A New Beginning #1: The Beginning

Chapter 13

Wavepaw dodged Flamepaw's swipe and leaped over him. As she was in the air, she pummeled his back with her hind legs, then landed, facing the ginger apprentice. When Flamepaw turned to attack her, Wavepaw was ready. She slid under him as he turned, jumped on him, and went limp. Under her weight, Flamepaw crumpled to the ground.

"Wow!" Speckledfur was impressed. "I liked the pummeling move. Where did you get that from?"

"I don't know." Wavepaw shrugged. "My instincts told me to."

"Well, your instincts are pretty great!" Flamepaw exclaimed from under her. "Can you get off me now?" He was grinning.

"Why, yes, I will." Wavepaw got off, letting him sit up. "You fought well."

"Both of you did," Thorntail meowed. "In fact, that's good enough to become a warrior."

"We're going to become warriors?" Wavepaw asked excitedly.

"Going to," Speckledfur intervened. "Not right now, but soon."

Wavepaw turned to Flamepaw, whose eyes were glittering with excitement. "I can't wait!"

***

"Where's Wheatpaw?" Wavepaw asked Curlyfur.

"Wheatpaw?" Her mother shrugged. "I don't know."

Wavepaw felt worried for her sister. She really wanted to tell her that they would be warriors soon, but she couldn't if she didn't know where Wheatpaw was!

"I'll ask Bearfur," she decided.

Curlyfur nodded. "Okay."

But Wavepaw couldn't find Bearfur either. I've checked everywhere...except for one place. Wheatpaw hasn't been feeling well lately...let's hope for the best.

***

"Greencough."

That was Mintleaf's one word.

"What?" Wavepaw stared at Wheatpaw and Bearfur. "No. They can't have it! They're pretty much all I have left..."

"They'll be fine," Curlyfur comforted her. "And you still have me, remember."

"I know." Wavepaw mewed. "But Wheatpaw's my sister! We were about to become warriors! Will she ever be a warrior?" She gazed sadly at Wheatpaw. Her sister was sleeping, and her breathing was rough and shallow.

"You should stay back," Mintleaf advised. "I don't want anyone catching it."

Wavepaw looked at Wheatpaw one more time, then left the den.

"Wheatpaw and Bearfur have greencough," she told Tussledpaw.

"They seemed fine the other day!" Tussledpaw's eyes widened.

"I know." Wavepaw stared at the ground. "What if I lose them, Tussledpaw? I've already lost Wolfpaw. I can't lose them, too! Curlyfur will be the only family I have left..."

"I'm your family." Speckledfur nuzzled Wavepaw. "I'm your mother's sister. You have me, too. I'm sure that Wheatpaw and Bearfur will be fine."

"I hope so..." Wavepaw looked up at the grey sky. Did StarClan want Wheatpaw and Bearfur? Or did they not?

***

"I have exciting news for you," Speckledfur told Wavepaw.

"What?" Wavepaw perked up.

"You only have one thing left to do before your final assessment: visiting the Moonstone."

"The Moonstone?" Wavepaw felt a surge of excitement. Tussledpaw, Flamepaw, and Wheatpaw had already made the journey. "When are we leaving?"