Fawnleap's Heart [Warrior Cats]

Chapter 5

Fawnpaw woke the next morning earlier than usual, the sky still dark, with only light small hues of yellow fading into the darkness. She felt weirdly energized for some reason. Looking around the den she noticed the three other apprentices asleep, Fogpaw as usual was splayed out, his paws draping over the sides of his nest, Mousepaw was curled into a neat ball, and Lionpaw was practically unseeable in the very corner of the den, only a glimmer of his flame-colored pelt was noticeable.

The calico she-cat shoved herself to her paws, lightly shaking the sleep from her pelt, waking herself up fully.

She could hear murmurs outside of the den, and it sounded like half of the clan was already up, even though the dawn light barely broke through the trees.

The light whistles of songbirds could be heard from above, the wind was calm and brought a sent of dirt and grass with it, and it was warm. It was the perfect morning. Fawnpaw knew that today was foreshadowing the coming new-leaf, not even a moon away now and it would be in full swing. Foxnose told her how the prey was plentiful, but how the rivers could sometimes run dry, and this meant that they had to go to the pond in the north area of their territory, but DewClans rivers ran deep, so they wouldn't have to walk far for water, but AshClan in some cases would need to leave their territory to go to the unclaimed river that cut through the other two territories.

She padded out to greet the new morning, looking around the camp to see Lakeberry sitting by the nursery with Branchstar. The brown tabby's face was painted with worry as Lakeberry talked to him in hushed tones. Fawnpaw didn't go close, she wasn't the type to listen in on other clanmates' business.

Lionpaw then came out of the apprentices den, walking up next to Fawnpaw and greeting her with a flick of his tail. His gaze turned towards Lakeberry and Branchstar, every few seconds they would both glance to the nursery as if they were waiting for something.

"Rainpelt is going to be kitting soon." Lionpaw said, his gaze not leaving the two cats.

"Really? I didn't realize that much time had gone by. That must be exciting!" Fawnpaw thought to herself of one day having her own kits, her tail flicking over her stomach. How could kits even grow in there? She thought to herself, trying to shake the thought of kits from her mind.

Lionpaw looked down at her, noticing her weird movements, and her tail curled across her orange and chestnut pelt.

Suddenly a low wail came from the nursery, Doveglade ran out, straight to Lakeberry and Branchstar. "It's time!" She cried out loud, nudging Branchstar to his paws. He looked shocked and nervous, a soon to be father.

Fawnpaw took a step closer, she didn't mean to, but it felt as if something was pulling her to the nursery. Something forceful and powerful. She struggled to regain control of her feet but before she knew it she was peering in, with Lionpaw calling out from her from behind. She could barely hear him over the ringing in her ears.

"Stop!"

She immediately was jerked from her deep thoughts. Lionpaw stared with a concerned expression into her yellow eyes.

"Fawnpaw... are you okay?" Lionpaw asked softly, his tone barely audible.

"I... uh." Fawnpaw looked down to her white toes, her paws shuffling nervously.

"Lets go get some moss." Lionpaw turned and trotted towards the entrance.

Fawnpaw was noticing that Lionpaw hadn't once waited for her response. But she bounded after him anyways, wanting to forget about what just happened.

"So... what's the moss for?" Fawnpaw asked lightly, still looking down. Too nervous to look at him in the eye.

"For Rainpelt. I'd assume that kitting is a lot of work, she might be thirsty, and it wouldn't be good for the kits to not have the milk they need." Lionpaw stated.

"Since when were you so concerned with kits?" She teased, flicking him with her tail, all nervousness leaving her body as she looked at him.

"Well obviously I'll be the mentor of one of them, so I'd want my apprentice to be strong, like me."

Fawnpaw snorted, stopping mid-step. "You? Why would Branchstar choose you? You're just an apprentice yourself."

Lionpaw suddenly seemed to stand a lot taller than Fawnpaw as he looked down at her, his eyes unblinking. "Me because I'm the best choice to help shape the future warriors."

"But you are a future warrior!" Fawnpaws pelt bristled.

"Yeah? Do you think that you'd get to mentor one of them? Don't be mouse-brained. Branchstar would only pick the best for his kits." Lionpaw glared at Fawnpaw now, the warmth from earlier fading into anger and confidence.

"I am a good choice! I will be a great warrior. Learn how to be humble Lionpaw. Like I said, you're okay when you aren't showing off and being too cocky for your own good." Fawnpaw hissed.

"Unlike me you're never okay. Always weak and annoying. I will be the mentor he chooses." Lionpaw glared hard at Fawnpaw one last time, turned, and stalked away into the undergrowth.

Good riddance. Fawnpaw thought. She was starting to believe that Lionpaw had come down with some sort of sickness, to have actually shown some kindness to her in the past moon.

Fawnpaw did as she planned to do, scraping moss from under a tall oak tree, and then walking to the stream along the edge of their border. It had not yet been hit with the heat of green-leaf. She dipped her moss in and carried it back to camp.

I'll show you Lionpaw. I'll be the best I can be.