|Warriors| Hunted [Hiatus]

Chapter 6: Warrior Assessment

I stand in a large meadow, the sun warm on my back, the wind causing the trees leaves to make music. I see Troutpaw disappear through the brush. I hear something else and see Stormpaw's tail tip, disappearing through the trees.

I chase after Troutpaw, wanting to talk to him. "Troutpaw, wait up!" I hear his laughter. I see him jump a stream and follow him. Suddenly Troutpaw disappears.

I turn in a circle, searching for my friend. "Troutpaw, where are you?!" The sun had vanished and storm clouds rolled in. The skies opened and rain came pouring down, soaking my pelt. I hear yowling and follow it, running quickly.

I skid to a stop, yowling in horror. Thornclaw's body was sprawled out on the grass, which is stained red with blood. His throat viciously ripped open. I flatten my ears, holding in a whimper of terror. I look down at my paws and see my claws unsheathed, covered in blood.

I look at my reflection in a puddle and see blood dripping from my jaws. I shriek in horror scrambling backwards. The gusts of wind grew more violent, whipping around me, tugging at my fur. "Murderer!" I heard Ivytail's mew, her voice cold.

"No! I didn't mean too!" I look around the clear but don't see the small white she-cat. "You're a killer!" I hear quiet whispers and they start getting louder calling me a murderer. I fall to the ground, clamping my paws over my ears trying to block out the noises. But the voices grew louder and louder until I could barely hear myself think. I open my mouth and let out a shriek.

I jolt awake in my nest, breathing heavily. I look up into the night sky. It's been a few days since the battle with ThunderClan, I've had repeated nightmares but that was the first time it was so horrific. I leave my nest and exit the camp, jumping over the small stream.

I stop at the lake shore and sit down, listening to the water lapping at the shore. I lay down, burying my nose under my paws, feeling miserable. I hear pawsteps coming toward me. I lift my head up and turn to see Troutpaw.

"Did I wake you?" He shakes his head laying down beside me. "I mean you kinda did. I noticed your absence and came to find you. Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I mew looking forward again. Troutpaw doesn't say anything just softly smooths my fur with his tail. I lay my head on my paws, the sound of the water and Troutpaw's presence soothing and lulling me to sleep.

I wake up and look around. The sky is tinged with pink. I feel Troutpaw's chin on my shoulder blade, he's sound asleep, curled up beside me. I crane my neck and nuzzle him awake. Troutpaw's eyes open and he yawns. He gets up, stretching his forelegs. I get up stretching and arching my back before shaking out my fur, scattering leaves from my pelt.

"Let's go back to camp," I mew and Troutpaw nods. Together we trek back towards camp, jumping over the thin stream and slip into camp. "Where did you two, sneak out too?" We jump at Adderfang's voice. His eyes were stern but I swear his whiskers were twitching in amusement.

"We just went to the lake shore, Adderfang." Adderfang looked into the sky. "Well since you're up you can be on the dawn patrol with Flintwhisker, Blossomheart, and Reedrunner.

Blossomheart, a calico she-cat with yellow eyes, slips out of the warriors den with the others that were on the dawn patrol. Adderfang informed her that we would be joining. "Alright, let's get going." Troutpaw and I follow behind the warriors as we leave camp.

I chat a little with Flintwhisker, but not very much. I sniff every now and then, making sure that everything is as it should be. Troutpaw appears at my side as I sniff at some tree roots. I glance at him as the patrol pads ahead.

"Are you sure, you're alright?" I return my gaze forward. "I told you I'm alright, why are you asking?" Troutpaw's gaze softens as he glances at me. "Because I've heard you whimpering in your sleep these past few nights." I nearly forget to keep moving my paws.