Burrfleck's Demise

Chapter 3

        The territory tour had lasted until sundown -- Willowpaw and Burrpaw explored from the open moors to the forest that separated WindClan with ThunderClan. Burrpaw hadn't ever felt more alive -- who knew there was so much more to explore outside the nursery? When they returned to camp, Cloudstorm instructed Burrpaw to go and get something to eat before resting up. He and Willowpaw would need all of their energy for what him and Batsong had planned for the two new apprentices.

"Today was great, huh?" Willowpaw had inquired to her brother as the two shared a squirrel.

"Yes," Burrpaw agreed, taking a bite out of the furry creature. WindClan didn't see many squirrels -- their meat was a tad bit too tough for him, but he didn't quite mind. Willowpaw used to go on and on about how amazing squirrel was when she was a kit, so Burrpaw could handle it every once in a while, so long as it put a smile on Willowpaw's face.

"Perhaps tomorrow we could go out with Stormpaw and Frostpaw. It would be good to get to know our fellow apprentices."

"Aren't they like... nine moons old? They'll be warriors way before us!"

"So? Since when has that stopped us from making friends before? You know that Batsong and I used to play mossball for hours when he was an apprentice and you were fast asleep, Burr!"

"I suppose you're right..." Burrpaw trailed off, flicking an ear. "Well, If we're gonna sit here daydreaming about tomorrow, let's finish up this squirrel and go to sleep! I for one could use--" Burrpaw broke off into a yawn, before continuing -- "I for one could use some rest... The sun is already setting, Willow. Cloudstorm and Batsong even said we should rest up for tomorrow."

"Alright, alright," Willowpaw rolled her eyes playfully and nudged her brother. "Let's go to sleep then, boring old elder. I know you love your beauty rest..." Willowpaw rose to her paws and glanced over to where Batsong and Cloudstorm were sitting for just a heartbeat before bounding towards the apprentices' den. Burrpaw smiled warmly after his sister and rose up as well, burying the squirrel's remains before trailing after her to his own nest. As the moon just began to rose up, the young tom drifted off to sleep, wondering what could possibly be in store for them tomorrow.

***

Burrpaw parted his eyes groggily, lifting his head to look out of the den. The sun was just beginning to rise, and Willowpaw was still sound asleep next to him. Burrpaw carefully got up and stepped around his sister to make his way outside, where he was greeted with a light leaf-fall breeze. The grey tabby moved slowly towards the fresh kill pile, where he picked up a rabbit from the top and brought it to the edge of camp where he stared at the apprentices' den intently. Willowpaw would probably like it if I waited for her to share, Burrpaw thought, curling his tail around his paws.

After a little bit of waiting and watching the apprentices' den, a shape emerged from the den, but not the shape of Willowpaw like Burrpaw was expecting. Instead, the white pelt of Frostpaw made its way out of the den entrance, her blue eyes sparkling as she trotted towards the fresh kill pile. She was about to pick a small sparrow off the top before she lifted her head to meet Burrpaw's gaze, where she smiled in greeting and bounded over to him.

"Hi!" The white apprentice greeted, sitting across from Burrpaw. "You're Burrpaw, right? One of the new apprentices? I'm Frostpaw. I don't think I've properly introduced myself yet. Do you mind if I share this rabbit with you? Or are you waiting for someone?"

"Yes, I'm Burrpaw," Burrpaw responded slowly, crossing his paws gently. "It's nice to meet you, Frostpaw... No, I don't think we've formally met. It's good to meet you." At her next question, Burrpaw frowned slightly. "Actually, I was sort of waiting for--"

"Great! Thanks!" Frostpaw cut him off and began to dig into the rabbit, to which Burrpaw just let out a sigh. He didn't really feel like arguing with the older apprentice right now. Willowpaw could just get her own piece of prey from the pile, he supposed. "So, how are you liking apprenticeship so far? I loved my first few days of training. But... Soon, you'll have to start doing the boring chores. Like cleaning out the elders' bedding, helping Asterflight collect herbs, you know, that sort of thing..."

"Training's been good," Replied Burrpaw, taking a few bites out of the rabbit. "Yesterday Willowpaw, Batsong, Cloudstorm and I all went on a tour of the territory... Cloudstorm told us that today, we'd be doing something exciting as well. I wonder what it is."

"Oh!!" Frostpaw lit up suddenly. "Canaryspark said the same exact thing to Stormpaw and I when we were first made apprentices. What we did was--" Frostpaw suddenly stopped talking and covered her mouth. "Oops! I almost spoiled the surprise. But you'll love it, I promise! We went all over the territory, and --"

"Frostpaw!" The voice of Redclaw echoed throughout the camp. Frostpaw perked her ears and looked towards the russet deputy. "Frostpaw, Canaryspark wants you on the dawn patrol with her! Finish up your chit chat and let's get going."

"Oh," Frostpaw said bashfully, "I better go. Thanks for talking with me, Burrpaw!"

"Yeah... It was good meeting you," Burrpaw responded, but the spunky she-cat was already rushing after Redclaw and Canaryspark, excitement practically radiating off of her. What a strange cat...

***

A little bit later into the day, when the sun hung high in the sky, Cloudstorm and Batsong emerged from the warriors' den, and a few moments later, Stormpaw and Willowpaw groggily tumbled out of the apprentices' den. Stormpaw was quickly pulled away on a patrol with Oakstream, but Willowpaw and Burrpaw were rounded up by their mentors, where they stood in the middle of the bustling camp.

"I'm sure you're both very curious to know what we'll be doing today," Cloudstorm rumbled, and Willowpaw and Burrpaw nodded in unison. "Well, it's a very fun activity, but an activity that requires very strict rules to ensure your safety..."

"Today, you'll be going on a scavenger hunt!" Batsong exclaimed, a smile crossing his features. "It's WindClan tradition to send all their apprentices on a scavenger hunt after their territory tour. I hope you were both paying attention, because some of the stuff we mentioned during the tour you will need to find! Now, Cloudstorm and I will be supervising you, but you won't even know we're there. I'll be supervising Willowpaw, and Cloudstorm will supervise Burrpaw. We're going to send you to your first location--"

"Slow down, Batsong!" Cloudstorm told the young warrior, but he smiled as he did so. "First, we must explain the rules. Under no circumstances will you go into the lake, cross into the Twolegplace or ThunderClan territory, or wander away from the location we tell you while you're waiting for the other apprentice to get there. Of course, this probably won't be a problem, because we'll be watching you, but try to steer clear of all these things. Am I crystal clear?"

"Yes, Cloudstorm!" Willowpaw chirped, and Burrpaw simply nodded.

"Alright," Batsong took over again, stepping towards the apprentices. "Your first destination is the broken halfbridge. You'll have until sunhigh to reach it. If you can't get there by then, either Cloudstorm or I will lead you there so we can get on with the scavenger hunt. Ready, set, go!"

***

The scavenger hunt certainly wasn't something Burrpaw expected, but he definitely wasn't disappointed with the outcome. Once himself and Willowpaw reached the halfbridge, Cloudstorm and Batsong sent them on a wild goose chase to find the oddest items -- an allium from the valley, a stone from a rabbit warren, a marigold petal from the hills -- but it was pretty fun, in the end. Once him and Willowpaw made it back to camp, Cloudstorm let them know that tomorrow wouldn't be as fun, but he hoped that they had a good day today.

As Burrpaw drifted off into sleep, he couldn't help but look out the den entrance at Dancingleaf who was standing by the fresh kill pile, staring right back at Burrpaw with a very odd expression on his features. Confusion? Anger? Sadness? Burrpaw couldn't exactly figure out what, but before he could think about it any longer, his father looked away, leaving Burrpaw to wonder what he was staring at him for.