Warriors-Secret of the Realms-#1 Dark Tunnels

Chapter 7

Leopardpaw

Leopardpaw blinked away the sleep from her eyes. Not only was she blinking away sleep, she was adjusting to the warm sunshine that was blinding her.

She felt a paw prodding her. She turned her head and saw a shiny white paw poking her head. "Wake up" she heard the silky mew of
Bluepaw, his blue eyes shining with pride.

"What's happening?" She asked him, pushing herself to her paws lazily. "Flowerkit is becoming an apprentice." He replied eagerly. "Wait-Owlkit too, right?" She asked curiously. "Of course! They'll be apprentices together."

Happiness pierced her heart. Owlkit had waited his extra moon to be an apprentice. She still didn't believe he had scarred Flowerkit. But the leaders word was law.

She leaped out the apprentices den and bounced over to the entrance of the nursery "Owlkit!" She screeched in joy. "What? Is Ridgeclan attacking? Is Snowcloud alright? What about Violetpaw? Are you alright?" He asked warily. Eyeing her up and down.

She noticed he hadn't asked about Reedpaw. He probably thinks Reedpaw is capable enough. "Everyone's fine" she snorted. "But, you're going to be an apprentice!" His rolling eyes stopped and they widened in excitement.

"Me? An apprentice?" He asked. "Yes!" She bounced on her paws. "This is great!" He squeaked. He leaped on top of her. "Get out! Traitor! I will save my clan!" He squeaked angrily. For a second she thought he was serious then she snorted in relief when she realized it was a game.

Owlkits weight surprised her. She forced her legs to collapse under her. "Oh, mighty warrior. I surrender! I will never set foot on territory again!" She Mewed

"Great! I'm the best!" He scurried off her. She licked her fur where is was ruffled. She noticed a cut along his muzzle. "What happened here?" She bent over it. He flicked his tail in recognition. "Must've snagged it on a thorn"

"No you didn't, we're seeing Nettlepatch right now." She said with authority. "Nettlepatch? I think you mean Nettlepaw" he said. "Have you been living under a rock?" She snorted. "If you've seen the nursery, yes I am." He replied with amusement

She flicked her dismissively. "Whatever, you should get it fixed up for your ceremony. Unless you want everyone to think you have been fighting Flowerkit." His ears pricked and he stiffened at her words.

"Not that you have been.." she fumbled. "Right, I'll see Nettlepatch" he said, stumbling out the nursery. Snowcloud immediately lifted her head at the commotion. "Where's Owlkit going?" She asked. "To the.. medicine den" she replied

"Why?" Asked Snowcloud. "Because, he had a scratch on his muzzle. It looked nasty so I sent him to get it cleaned" she answered, turning her head to the exit. "You have a good sleep, mother." She twitched her whiskers in amusement. "I'm leaving the nursery today. What good am I going to be if I'm sleeping all day?"

Leopardpaw felt a surge of pride for her mother's humour. I'll be like her! She thought, padding out the nursery.

Stormpaw padded into the nursery and bumped into her. "Watch it, mouse brain!" He snarled at her. She snorted. "You're the one who bumped into me!"

she braced herself for a clever retort but his mentor Graywhisker called him from the elders den. "Come pick out the elders ticks! I heard Rainstorm has got a nice, big fat one that's been bothering him. It's on his back. You better hurry!"

Leopardpad snorted in amusement. Stormpaw shivered. "Ok Graywhisker" his tail drooped and he headed to the medicine den to get mouse bile

Leopardpaw headed to the fresh kill pile. She picked out a meager looking mouse. I'll save the best prey for the hunters she decided. She bent her head and took a mouthful of the mouse. It looked like it could've been finished in three mouthfuls.

"Leopardpaw! Come here!" Yowled Willowwhisker. She obediently walked to her mentors side. "What do you think about hunting tonight? You need to learn hunting in the darkness. So me and Leopardtail set up a course for you and Violetpaw."

Leopardpaw pricked her ears at he mention of Violetpaw. Willowwhisker clearly saw because they exchanged amused glances. Violetpaw came into the clearing and stared at them with wide eyes.

She glanced questionably at them and Leopardtail beckoned her towards them. "What's happening?" She asked, tipping her head to one side. Leopardtail responded.

"We're setting up a midnight course for you two, you'll have to gather as much prey as you can. But you'll need hunting practice first, follow me" She jumped to her paws and led them to the entrance of the clearing.

"Here, there'll be enough space to learn about your hunting preferences and which prey you'll be best at." Said Leopardtail, swishing her tail on The ground, making it smooth.

Leopardpaw flicked her tail excitedly and tensed, waiting for her mentors command. She pricked her ears to hear for the command but all she could hear was find the pool of blood, for only it can see behind the shadows