Warriors: Divided Loyalty

Chapter Six

Nightpaw opened her eyes, tiredness from her tour around the territory yesterday still clinging to her limbs. Her paws ached as Halfthroat made her run from the GlacierClan border all the way back to camp as an exercise for her speed.

My paws could fall off and Halfthroat would say I can still run. She thought glumly as she shut her eyes, her tail over her nose as she tried to cling to the sleep that retreated from her body.

After a few moments of trying to go back to sleep but to no avail, Nightpaw sluggishly rose to her paws and stretched. It felt amazing as she stretched out each of her sore muscles and to arch her back with a yawn.

To her right, Littlepaw and Aspenpaw were curled up together while Honeypaw was bundled up in her own nest. Did something happen to the three of them? She wondered.

To her left, Reedpaw wasn't in his nest. Probably on the dawn patrol or going to the dirtplace. Nightpaw reasoned. Unsurprisingly, Dawnpaw and Songpaw were sleeping next to each other. Songpaw was on his back and leaning against his sister while Dawnpaw slept in a ball.

Nightpaw tore her gaze away from her siblings and denmates and dragged her paws towards the entrance of the apprentice's den. The light sky made Nightpaw shiver as a chill gripped her bones. What is it like in Leafbare? What does snow look like?

She scanned the clearing, trying to pinpoint where her mentor was. Halfthroat wasn't in the camp as far as Nightpaw could tell. Breathing a sigh of relief that she didn't have to be with her terrifying and strict mentor for a little while longer, Nightpaw padded towards the medicine cat den.

The growing sunlight shone on her back, slightly warming Nightpaw as she poked her head inside the den. "Mottlesong?" She called. "Blackheart?"

"Nightpaw?" Came the voice of Mottlesong from the back of the den. "What can I help you with?"

The apprentice shifted her paws, suddenly nervous to speak to the medicine cat. "Is there anything you need me to get?" She asked sheepishly, looking at her paws. "I haven't seen Halfthroat yet and I want to get something done before we start training."

Mottlesong padded towards the she-cat, her amber eyes friendly. "Not at this moment, Nightpaw. Blackheart is collecting some more marigold and horsetail by the Pointed Stones." She meowed. "You can drop by later to see if we need anything, though."

Nightpaw dipped her head, slightly glad she didn't have to collect herbs or pick ticks from the elders. "Okay, Mottlesong. I'll see you later." She meowed, exiting the den.

Outside the nursery, Wrenkit and Swiftkit were chasing leaves that were falling from the trees above them. Nightpaw purred, starting to pad over to the two kits when a sharp, commanding voice stopped her.

"Nightpaw!" Nightpaw gulped, hearing Halfthroat's call. "Get your tail over here this instant!"

Ducking her head in shame, Nightpaw hurried towards her harsh mentor. She sat down, looking at her paws with her ears flattened to her head as Halfthroat scolded her.

"Don't be too harsh on her, Halfthroat." Meowed a new voice and Nightpaw looked up to see Spiderstem padding over to them. "She's been an apprentice for a day, fresh out of the nursery, remember? You can't expect her to be on time right off the beginning of her apprenticeship."

Halfthroat dipped his head, sending a nasty look at Nightpaw. "Of course, Spiderstem." He meowed, not at all sounding apologetic.

As the deputy turned away, Nightpaw felt a paw hit her ear and she fell to the ground, looking up at Halfthroat with fear in her eyes.

"You make me look bad, you rat," he snarled under his breath. "Come on, you mouse-brained excuse of a cat, we're going training."

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