ωåтєɾfåℓℓ ➳ warriors fanfic

| chapter 7 |

Cinderpaw's eyes opened wearily as she let a yawn escape from her jaws. Hawkpaw and Dawnpaw were awake, sharing tongues with one another. Hawkpaw had recovered from his injuries a quarter moon ago and had returned to his duties as an apprentice. Cinderpaw lowered her head and placed them on her paws, she was still tired from the night before. Brackenstar allowed Cinderpaw, Amberpaw, Dawnpaw and Hawkpaw go to the Gathering with their mentors. Cinderpaw had had the chance to meet an apprentice from LeafClan that had only just started out as an apprentice a moon ago, although things were still hot between the two Clans.

The apprentice from LeafClan was Breezepaw, a she-cat who seemed very friendly when someone didn't tease her or anger her. Cinderpaw shook her thoughts away from the LeafClan apprentice and yawned, stretching her limbs out in front and behind her. Hawkpaw let out a snort but when Cinderpaw turned to glare curiously at him, he was looking back at Dawnpaw. She sighed and rose to her paws. The day before, before the Gathering, Brackenstar had said to the apprentices to have a day of patrols instead of training. It was past dawn and warriors were already awake, stalking around camp.

She paced out from the den, brushing past the bushes without getting her pelt clawed by the twigs. Lionsun was sitting on the stone beside Brackenstar's den, a group of warriors around him. The four kits were playing together at the side of the camp, their mothers watching them. Amberpaw and Ripplepaw walked out from the apprentice den behind Cinderpaw, still stretching and yawning. Dawnpaw and Hawkpaw followed not long after.

"Has Lionsun began organising patrols yet?" Ripplepaw asked.

"Not yet. He's still waiting on a few warriors," Cinderpaw answered, eyes narrowed. She was still on edge after what had happened with Ripplepaw two days ago, although she tried not to be too cold.

"Alright, what is going on with you two?" Amberpaw whispered harshly, fluffing her fur up.

Ripplepaw glanced away, peering at his paws while Cinderpaw did the same. None of them spoke for a while, Amberpaw staring at them, waiting for an answer. Cinderpaw looked up but kept her eyes off the tom beside her, the like she had felt for him had melted away, but if only Brackenstar told her what her past was about, then maybe she would understand and forgive him. Ripplepaw glanced at her, but she didn't make a move to look into his eyes.

"Nothing," they both said in unison. Amberpaw flicked her tail, worried about their friendship. She sighed and led them away, joining the growing group of warriors in front of the magnificent golden tabby tom, Lionsun.

"Swiftstorm, Hazelrain, Amberpaw and Jayfrost, take a hunting patrol out. Branchshadow, Longear and Sharpclaw, when the dawn patrol returns, take their place," Lionsun continued, checking off warriors and apprentices. "Ripplepaw, Shatteredflame and Pinewater, Mossleaf is running low on catmint. Take a patrol into the almost completely deserted Twolegplace and get her some catmint." He paused, his gaze flicking over the crowd. "Hawkpaw and Amberpaw, I'll take you out for some hunting. We'll let Branchshadow rest before he takes up a patrol. The rest of you, wait until I organise patrols later."

Cinderpaw sat on her haunches, blinking at Lionsun. He hadn't called her out for anything. Cinderpaw felt strange not doing anything before sunhigh. Usually she was out at dawn training and then returned at sunhigh before taking a hunting patrol or territory patrol out with Bluemist. Lionsun seemed to have noticed and cleared his throat, making everyone stop in their tracks. Brackenstar was laying on Great Rock, watching Cinderpaw.

"Cinderpaw, when Bluemist returns from her dawn patrol, you'll-"

"I thought we discussed this a few sunrises ago," Brackenstar burst in, narrowing his eyes down at Lionsun.