Warriors: Ebonypaw's Loss (SOB Mini Story) (COMPLETE)

Chapter 3

The sun was setting by the time Ebonypaw and Bloodfur returned to camp. They had spent the entire day hunting, and Ebonypaw couldn't help but feel happy with herself. Bloodfur had showed her a lot of hunting techniques that Revengeheart had never even mentioned to her, and she felt that she had a strong understanding of them. His constant praise and encouragement made her certain of this.

She padded into camp, carrying a couple frogs by their legs, while Bloodfur held three mice. They deposited their prey on the fresh kill pile, and she looked up at him happily. "Did I do well?" She asked hopefully.

Bloodfur purred. "Very! I'm proud of you."

You are? Ebonypaw's heart swelled with happiness. Revengeheart never said that to me..! A cat approached, and she turned to see Cliffshade approaching them. "Cliffshade," She purred happily to her father, gesturing to the fresh kill pile with her paw. "Look, I caught some frogs today."

"That's great." Cliffshade nodded his approval before he turned to Bloodfur, narrowing his eyes. "Bloodfur."

Ebonypaw grew uneasy. She knew that her father was one of the cats who still did not trust Bloodfur. Her mother, Greenpine, hadn't either for some time. She remembered being herded back into the nursery with Flintkit whenever the red tabby warrior entered the camp, and how Cliffshade constantly warned her to stay away from him. Greenpine seemed to be on good terms with Bloodfur, but Cliffshade certainly was not.

She looked at her mentor uneasily, but he remained calm, dipping his head. "Hello, Cliffshade," He meowed steadily.

A growl rumbled in the gray and brown warrior's throat. "I can't believe Depthstar gave my daughter a traitor as a mentor," He growled.

Bloodfur narrowed his eyes. "I'm not a traitor anymore," He growled back, looking like he was struggling to keep his fur flat. "She's a great apprentice, and I'm training her to become a great warrior of ShadowClan."

"I see." Cliffshade's eyes darkened as his tail lashed. "If I remember correctly, you killed your last apprentice."

Bloodfur stiffened, mingled hurt and anger blazing in his eyes. "I-"

"Bloodfur," Mistybreeze suddenly ran between the two warriors, casting Cliffshade a glare. "Ignore him. He's trying to stir up trouble."

As Cliffshade bristled, the dark red tabby looked at her miserably, then let out a sigh, slowly flattening his fur. "You're right."

"Come on," Mistybreeze murmured and gently nudged him toward the warriors den. "You must be tired."

As the couple padded away, Ebonypaw turned to her father uncertainly. He was staring after Bloodfur, his eyes narrowed to slits. After a moment, he looked at his daughter. "Ebonypaw, if you feel unsafe with him at any time, let me know and I'll have Depthstar give you a new mentor," He growled.

"Bloodfur is great!" Ebonypaw jumped to her mentor's defense. "He's really nice, and I trust him."

Cliffshade studied her, looking uncertain. "You need to be careful who you trust," He meowed quietly. "I don't want you getting hurt again."

Ebonypaw let out a small purr. Her father was a good cat, but he didn't like to show his emotions of love and care often. Only times like now, when he was alone with her or Greenpine. "I won't," She promised, rubbing her muzzle against his shoulder.

Cliffshade let out a small purr, then cleared his throat, stepping back. "Why don't you visit your mother and tell her about your day?" He suggested. "She's missed you."

"Okay." She nodded and turned away, heading for the nursery. When she entered the den, she saw Greenpine laying in her nest of moss with her chin on her paws. Her stomach was huge. Ebonypaw guessed that she was very close to kitting.