Elemental Warriors: Shadowed Steps

Chapter Six

When the camp was quiet as the warriors slept in their cozy dens, silver fur dashed beneath the trees of SnowClan's forest. The young apprentice was searching for catmint, as it was always good to keep on hand and Mintflower had hoped it would brighten up Honeypuddles spirits. What they really desired was goatweed a special herb that grows only on WaterClan territory, used solely for grief to help sooth the pain of ones loss. WaterClans medicine cat Meadowpeace was a quiet, calm and kind cat whom Silverpaw had become fond of from their half-moon meetings. Since the full moon gathering was this evening Mintflower had already agreed to let Silverpaw ask if they could take some goatweed home after the gathering was over.

     A gentle buzzing pulled Silverpaw out of her thoughts as she focused on the bees buzzing around the area, glancing up she noticed the hive hidden up in the trees branches. Honey was rare to come by and a hard opportunity to pass up as it soothed many throats plus it happened to be a favorite treat for the warrior named after it. Leaning back on her hind legs Silverpaw launched herself as high up the tree trunk as she could digging her claws into the trunk she began to claw her way up onto the lowest branch. From there it was easy, every SnowClan apprentice learned how to leap from tree branch to tree branch it was important to learn as most of their territory was forest. Reaching the branch that held the hive Silverpaw dug her claws into the branch and slowly moved out towards the hive, she didn't want to alert the bees that she was there as she reached out a paw slicing her claw through the soft membrane that kept the hive attached to the branch. It took only moments for the hive to hit the ground erupting into a swarm of angry bees. Glad that it was early and no hunting patrols were out as the swarm lashed out at the nearest sound, which happened to be a squirrel startled by the falling hive.

Safe from her perch up in the tree Silverpaw waited patiently as the squirrel tore off the swarm of angry bees following before she crept back down the tree trunk. Gently picking up the broken hive Silverpaw dragged each piece over to the nearest bush pushing one underneath I'll be back for this later. Picking up the larger piece she turned and marched back towards camp, it may not have been catmint but it was the next best thing.

***

When Ashpaw woke up in his nest he was surprised to find the apprentice den was empty except for Birchpaw who was snoring softly beside him. Leaning over he gently nudged his sister awake, "Did you sleep well?" He asked as he stretched out of his nest, "did you visit that place again?" Ever since he'd woken up with Birchpaw in StarClan's version of SnowClan's hunting grounds he'd been curious to know more. Birchpaw had mentioned that she'd always wake up there when she fell asleep,

"Yes," She hissed at him, "keep your voice down I don't need the entire clan finding out I visit StarClan in my dreams." Flicking her tail at his face as she marched out of the den.

"Good I'm glad your both awake," Cedarblaze commented as the two apprentices walked out to find her sitting patiently outside their den.

"I'm so sorry did we sleep in?" Birchpaw apologized but her mentor shook her head,

"No I decided you needed some rest, you both worked extremely hard yesterday and it's important for young cats to get their rest. Don't think I'll let you sleep in all the time though," beckoning the apprentices to follow her Cedarblaze headed past the fresh-kill pile towards the camp entrance.

"Can we eat before we leave?" Ashpaw asked the smell of the first hunting patrols catch wafting up his nose caused his stomach to growl,

"We'll catch something while we're training," Cedarblaze replied, "since we're not part of a patrol we can eat our catch in the forest." Looking back at the apprentices she met their gazes with her large green eyes, "however if you both decide you want to come to the gathering tonight I expect the fresh-kill pile to be well stoked before the clan leaves."