Warriors- Grey Skies

Chapter two

Table sat impatiently at the foot of a massive honeysuckle bush, her tail flicking irritably. If those cats in those clans want to wait to look for her brother, then that's their problem. Table knew something was wrong. She simply couldn't wait.

Dawn sun danced across Table's eyes as she ducked out from under the bush, squealing as she stepped into a large muddy puddle. She shivered as she remembered the night before.

She had been playing, just chasing butterflies and leaves. Before she realized it, the storm had hit full force, trapping her in a tiny cave. When the storm had finally died down enough to walk around, she found that weird group of cats. They seemed nice enough, but they refused to look for Erin until the forest was "safe."

Idiots.

Table bounded down into a somewhat dry ravine, and took in her surroundings. Fall was just coming around, and it seemed as if the sky had been dipped in candles scented with whatever dawn would smell like.

The trees became deep reds and rich oranges,
Adding splashes of color to the barren brown earth below. Bushes followed their taller cousins, but instead of the brilliant colors of the sun they only managed deep dark greens and light browns.

Lavender shrubs swayed as Table pushed past them, dampening the pale brick-brown she-cat with morning dew.

The ravine was wide but shallow, and plants and flowers colored it's narrow crevices. All too small for Erin, Table thought, purring at the thought of his massive body wedged between the stones.

Table padded on, letting the calm environment comfort her. She never understood how Erin could stay in their nest, content with just the fire and his blanket.

Table craved the wild, yearned to know it's secrets. She wanted to watch the never ending sky, count the stars, follow the strange smells in the undergrowth. But of course, she always had to come back to Erin. She could never leave him forever.

At the thought of him, Table felt anger well up inside her. Anger at him, for never coming with her to explore and anger at herself, for not being careful and coming home as soon as she could.

Home!

"Table, you idiot," Table muttered to herself, excitement fizzing beneath her paws. "He probably just went home!" Comforted at the thought, Table turned back to the camp the wild cats lived at. They were probably worried. Let them be worried, I just wanted to look for my brother.

Pushing through the dying ferns, she purred to herself. "Of course he's fine."

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Table wriggled through the entrance to camp, wincing as thorns scraped her pelt.

"Table! Where were you?" A voice called.

Table looked around for the source.

Thunderclan camp was pretty, even with plants dying all around. The clearing was swarming with cats, ranging from tiny black kittens to massive tabby elders.

Bushes and trees around the clearing made hollows and dry spaces, perfect for dens. A massive tree with long branches made an almost ceiling over the camp, shielding the cats from rain and the hot sun. That was also where the leader, Palestar, a tiny long-furred silver tabby, made her announcements.

Table squinted around, and spotted her caller. It was Newtpaw, a stocky calico apprentice around Table's age. "Hello!" She smiled as the tom skidded to a halt beside her. "Sorry I was gone. I was just... going on a walk." She lied. "Did I miss anything?"

"Not really, but Smogcloud, you know, our deputy, got mad cuz he wanted to talk to you or something." Newtpaw said, licking dust off of his paws.

"Oh." Table muttered. Maybe he was going to talk to me about the search mission for Erin!

"What is a deputy again? Or medicine cat? Or... you know, all of them? I never was really told, I just got here and went to sleep." Table sat and looked at her paws, embarrassed that she didn't know this already. Come on! You've been here for a whole night! You should know this!

"It's ok!" Newtpaw said with a smile. I'll tell you. The warriors can be really busy, so I guess I'll be your mentor until you get one. Or leave." He added, not looking very happy at the thought.

Table purred and pressed her side against him. "I bet you would be a great mentor."

Newtpaw smiled again. "Thanks! Anyway, I guess I should start out with kits, since everyone starts out as a kit."

Newtpaw flicked his tail over to the nursery, a low lying bush with a warm hollow inside and thorny, protective outside. "That's where the kits and their mothers sleep, until they become apprentices. You have to be at least 6 moons old to become an apprentice though, so it gets really crowded sometimes."

He turned back to Table, his eyes shining. "You would probably be old enough to be an apprentice. How old are you?"

Table thought for a moment. "I think I turned 6 moons about a quarter moon ago." Newtpaw purred. "Definitely old enough then. You're only a little younger than me! I become an apprentice a moon ago."

Table purred. "What comes after apprentice?" Newtpaw puffed out his chest. "Warrior! Or medicine cat, I guess. Depends on what you choose." Newtpaw gazed longingly at the warriors den, a cave under the roots of a tree. "Warriors protect and hunt for the clan, and medicine cats heal wounds and talk to spirits."

Spirits? Table wondered as someone called her name. She whirled around, and nearly ran right into Palestar. "Woah." The leader chuckled, backing up a pace. "Don't run into me!" The leader beckoned Table with a flick of her tail. "I wanted to talk to you about finding your brother."

Excitement flitted through Table. Finally!

When the two she-cats reached the leader's den, Table took in a gasp. Under the tree roots, past a wall of lichen, a large cove sat, puddles lining the edge of the cavern. What made her gasp were the long stalactites like claws that hug from the ceiling, some so low they would brush the cat's fur.

After a moment of looking around, Table turned to Palestar, who gazed at Table from her nest. "You must be worried about your brother." She murmured, looking at the young she-cat in front of her with a searching expression.

"Yeah." Table mumbled, worry stabbing her like a nettles sting. He's at the house, or looking for me. I'm sure he's fine. "I'm sorry about missing this morning." Table looked at her paws, ashamed. "I was out looking for Erin."

"I understand, Table." Palestar sat back, and smiled reassuringly. "If I lost a clanmate, I would look for them too. I'm just confused. Why didn't you wait for us to help?" Palestar asked. Table felt anger boil through her blood. "What if Erin doesn't have enough time to wait for us? Wh-" she cut herself off. "What if he's dead?"

Palestar gave Table a reassuring nudge. "He's not dead. And don't worry, we'll go looking for him soon. Or he will find you. You must be patient."

Table nodded and left quickly, before she snapped again. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she sat down under a stone.

She remembered.