Dawnberry's Escape

Chapter 11

  Dawnpaw was with Whitepaw, Ivywater and Sandpelt in the training hollow, practicing battle moves.

 Whitepaw had just demonstrated a half-turn belly rake on Dawnpaw, who was thrown across the hollow. "Try it on Whitepaw. Claws sheathed." Ivywater reminded.  

  Determined, Dawnpaw leaned to one side and slipped under Whitepaw's body, raking her soft belly fur with a sheathed paw. But she wasn't able to stand back on all fours; Whitepaw had dropped and squashed Dawnpaw, pressing her face against the dirt. 

  "Get off!" Dawnpaw meowed, her voice muffled. Whitepaw hopped off, and Dawnpaw stood up, shaking the dirt out of her creamy pelt. 

  "You have to be faster than that." Sandpelt commented. "Try again, Dawnpaw." 

  They practiced the half-turn belly rake and the back kick until Dawnpaw's muscles were screaming for her to stop, and she padded wearily into camp, trailing behind. "You did well today." Whitepaw meowed. "It'll come with practice, I promise." She gave her friend a swift lick on her forehead, and ran to join Minnowpaw at the fresh-kill pile. 

  "Get something to eat." Ivywater's gentle voice sounded. "There's a Gathering tonight. You might have a chance in going." Dawnpaw's ears pricked. A Gathering tonight! She hoped she was able to go. 

 Dawnpaw joined Leafshade at the base of a willow tree. 

  “Hey.” Leafshade greeted his friend. “Do you want to share this? I really want it but its way too big for myself!” 

  “Sure.” Dawnpaw purred. They headed towards a patch of sunlight and plopped down. 

  “So how was your training so far?” Leafshade nudged the trout towards Dawnpaw. 

  “It’s very fun. Yesterday I did some elder work though. That wasn’t exciting.” Dawnpaw pushed the fish back to Leafshade.

  “They can be very ungrateful, right?” Leafshade purred. “Come on, you take the first bite!” 

  “No you picked the prey so you take first bite!” Dawnpaw hissed playfully. 

  “You’re the one doing elder chores while I went on a very interesting and relaxing patrol.” Leafshade argued, stressing the words. 

  “Fine.” Dawnpaw gave in, taking a huge bite of the fish. She was famished. 

  “Hey don’t eat the whole thing! Leave me some.” Leafshade meowed, pretending to be shocked. 

  “That’s what you get for forcing me to have first bite.” Dawnpaw taunted, taking yet another huge bite of the delicious trout. 

  Leafshade tried to lunge for the fresh-kill, but Dawnpaw swept it up with her jaws. “Hey, respect your elders!” Leafshade scolded with amusement. 

  “Oh, I’m so sorry Leafshade.” Dawnpaw gently nudged the prey to him. “I’ll go get some mouse bile for your ticks. Do you need a poultice for your aching joints? I can get Morningpaw to get you some.” Dawnpaw teased, purring. 

  “Oh Dawnpaw.” Leafshade purred, munching on the trout. He gave her a gentle lick behind the ears. “So, uh, I’m leading a border patrol tomorrow at sun-high and I don’t know who to pick, so, um, if Ivywater says yes, could you come with me?” Leafshade looked down, slightly shy. 

  “Oh.” Dawnpaw mewed, purring internally. Leafshade must think of her as a really close friend if he wants her on his patrol! “Sure I’ll go ask her now.” Before Leafshade could mew his thanks, Dawnpaw pulled the fish towards her. “Not before I have more prey!”