Lost Stars

Chapter fifteen

Blizzardclaw licked Otterkit's head before heading outside the nursery and rounding up his apprentice. It was a quarter-moon ago when Otterkit had been sent to the medicine den to be treated for whitecough. Along with Whiteheart. Both had been given catmint, although a small dose as greencough would soon come.

He saw Stormstar, Adderfrost and Eaglestripe waiting for him with their apprentices. He padded over and saw Redpaw giving Weaselfur a lick on the head. He had became a father figure to her since Berryfoot left and Heronstar died. She soon came and waited.

"You all are having your assessment today. You still have a while to go before you're full warriors of CloudClan though." Whitepaw and Redpaw both nodded while Antpaw and Applepaw closely stood next to one another.

"I'll be a warrior by the next gathering!" Whitepaw declared.

"I like your attitude but remember I can hold your warrior ceremony off." Stormstar scolded his apprentice gently. She scoffed before looking down feeling embarrassed being told off in front of the other apprentices' and older warriors. Then he moved out the camp entrance.

Blizzardclaw chuckled softly as he nudged Redpaw and filed behind Eaglestripe and Antpaw. Adderfrost behind him with Applepaw who eyes looked everywhere constantly.

Blizzardclaw knew they were going to the LeafClan border first then head to WillowClan's and finally FireClan's.

The sun shone overhead and the clouds were parting slightly. A change in the air and a scent filled his nostrils. The scent of an rabbit. He saw the other's look where he was but none of them prepared to go after it. "The hunting will come later. As for now, let's get to Eagle's Hollow and go from there." Stormstar mewed before continuing on his walk.

Blizzardclaw had to admit that ever since Milo and Stormstar had that talk their leader had taken the training down a bit. Blizzardclaw found himself agreeing with Milo though. Hard training around leaf-bare was dangerous considering that the Clan needed everyone to contribute.

Adderfrost, Blizzardclaw thought, was a fierce and loyal warrior who protected his Clan at all times. Eaglestripe was the same but instead of that undying loyalty that his brother had, he put that in hunting.

Stormstar on the other hand was the perfect warrior for CloudClan. He was loyal and showed dedication every day. But on the surface of that facade, the tom had a secret that only Blizzardclaw knew in CloudClan. Their leader had a secret kit in FireClan.

Blizzardclaw then shook his head. He couldn't really say anything about secret kits. Redpaw was the only who knew. Well besides Stormstar. Eagle's Hollow approached and Blizzardclaw saw his leader falt and signal with his tail for his warriors to stop. "You four will mark the border and check the scent-lines. Go on now." The gray-pelted Stormstar mewed sharply as he watched Whitepaw take over and ordered the other apprentices around.

Blizzardclaw found himself watching Adderfrost once again. The black tom was watching the horizon with a far-away look in his eyes. Blizzardclaw had to admit that the tom was a great big brother to his siblings. Even though he had a hard way of showing it.

The morning was crisp and clear. The dew from the short grass felt cold on Blizzardclaw paws. He heard the cry of the majestic eagle and craned his neck to see where it was. He heard Eaglestripe mutter an, "wow."

The brown and white animal swooped down over the river and in an instant, it had a wriggling fish in its claws, clamped firmly. Then it was gone. The apprentices padded over swiftly after that and huddled closely to their mentors. Even Whitepaw was pressed close to Stormstar who chuckled softly before taking off and going to the WillowClan border.