WARRIORS : Calling Darkness [Book 1] Swept Away

Chapter 6

The green leaves on the branches were starting to turn a faded green color. Raindrops pattered as sprinkles fell from the sky. Leaf-fall was on its way, and would soon be turning the forest to many different hues.
In the stone hollow of ThunderClan camp, nothing stirred except for Firefeather, who shifted as she kept watch at the thorn tunnel entrance. Puddlepaw stayed as still as possible in his damp moss nest. Ryepaw's paws twitched as though he was chasing a squirrel in his dreams, and Tigerpaw didn't stir.
Redpaw had gone out with Onemoon and Goosepaw was with Dapplestar. It was early dawn, so no cat was awake in camp yet. Puddlepaw flicked his brother over the ears with his tail from where he lay.
He had formed a plan with Ryepaw, and it would take action today. Ryepaw flicked his ear, but didn't move. Puddlepaw rolled his eyes; he knew Ryepaw was a heavy sleeper. Standing in his nest, he reached over with his paws to shake Ryepaw awake.
Ryepaw blinked open his amber eyes slowly, giving a confused and slightly mad gaze. Puddlepaw bent down to whisper in Ryepaw's orange ear.
"It's time," he whispered. "Goosepaw is in the training with Dapplestar. Find her and wait until she's alone and then interrogate her how I told you."
Ryepaw gave a firm nod, scrambling to his paws in haste. Puddlepaw stoped him with his tail. "Remember, don't attack her. If she's guilty, we report to Dapplestar."
Ryepaw looked reluctant, but nodded in response before barging out of the den. Puddlepaw followed close behind. He had to get his brother out of camp without Firefeather being suspicious. Bounding, he caught up with Ryepaw.
Together, they pushed through the thorn tunnel. Immediately they were greeted by the ginger pelt of Firefeather. Her blue eyes were questioning. "Where are you two going without your mentors?"
Ryepaw exchanged a doubtful glance with Puddlepaw, but Puddlepaw had a plan. "We couldn't sleep, so we're going on a morning hunt. We want to bring something back for Darkspeck so she doesn't have to wait until training starts."
Firefeather gave a small nod. "That's very thoughtful," the ginger she-cat backed out of their way.
Puddlepaw led the way into the forest until they were out of sight of Firefeather. Puddlepaw flicked his tail towards the forest. "Find Goosepaw but stay out of sight until she's alone."
Puddlepaw turned to pad away but his brother called after him. "Where are you going?"
Puddlepaw called over his shoulder, annoyance sharpening his tone. "To hunt."
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Puddlepaw scraped loose dirt over his prey. Darkspeck would not appreciate his toad he had caught by the WindClan border stream. But he had more to worry about than that. After he had buried his prey, he stared out across WindClan territory.
The stream bubbled gently at his paws, bending and changing its current. A raindrop splattered on Puddlepaw's ear, and he flicked it away. The hills of the moor dipped and rolled as far as he could see.
Fading heather bent beneath the weight of the raindrops. A crow picked among the roots of the few trees on WindClan territory. He turned to look at the stream that winded upward, a rocky path formed beside it. Puddlepaw had wondered about secretly traveling to the Moonpool, but shook the idea off.
As much as he wanted to please his father in becoming a medicine cat, Patchwish's words rang in his head. Until I receive a sign from StarClan, I can't take you as an apprentice.
StarClan wouldn't speak to Puddlepaw if it was his destiny to become a medicine cat, they would speak to Patchwish at the half-moon gathering. And so far, the black and white she-cat hadn't spoken a word to him.
Puddlepaw scraped at the ground, uncovering his toad. If it wasn't his destiny to be a medicine cat and please his father, maybe he could follow his dreams and become deputy. One day.