Moonstar's Path

Chapter Four

Moonpaw fished out the salmon and gave it a swift strike on its belly. "Good." Sparroweyes mewed. Sunpaw brought in a smaller salmon. His mentor Leafstream, was on a patrol with Willowfoot, Copperpaw, Ravenwish, and Riverwing. Bringing along Goldenwing to get more fresh herbs. "Shall we try again?" Sparroweyes glittered looked at the two toms. "Okay, Sparroweyes! I hope I catch something bigger. Wanna come and find the best fish?" Sunpaw questioned, looking at Moonpaw. The black tom looked at Sunpaw. "Sure, if we find more than that." Moonpaw's eyes narrowed as his paws, he looked around the stream.

"Hmm, I don't see anything Sunpa-." Moonpaw stopped as he saw a sharp ripple in the water. "Watersnake!" Sunpaw yelled as he splashed into the water. "Wait! Sunpaw!" Moonpaw came down with him. The snake hissed with anger, its eyes glittering with bloodthirst. The snake tried to strike at Sunpaw, making him squeal. No way I'm gonna watch my friend struggle! He pounced on the snake, biting its head and shook it forcingly. Sunpaw's eyes widened, he joined along by biting its body. It went limp. "What in starclan are you two doing?" Sparroweyes padded up to the two blood-pelted toms. "I saw a snake and caught it!" Smiled Sunpaw. Yea mouse-brain, I gave it the first bite. "Good job Sunpaw and Moonpaw. Be lucky it was young!" Sparroweyes meowed. "Let's go back to the clan. Everyone would get surprised by this kill." Sparroweyes smiled as they all padded towards the camp.

Moonpaw sat beside Sunpaw and yawned. "Tough day?" Sunpaw purred. Moonpaw nodded.

A loud yowl came from the outside of the den "What is the name of Starclan was that!?" Sunpaw yelled. "Let's go check it out." Mooonpaw swiftly and carefully crawled towards the sound. "Moonpaw?" Sunpaw's voice echoed through the den. "Be quiet!" Moonpaw hissed. The slowly crouched over to see. "I can't see a thing!" Growled Sunpaw. "Come on then." Moonpaw crept closer now.

A light gray and white tom jumped out to the clearing. His amber eyes wild. Copperpaw! Moonpaw raced over to check his clanmate. He noticed how much pain the apprentice was in. He was limping on three legs. Moonpaw looked closely. Copperpaw wasn't only limping on three legs... His back leg was missing!

Sunpaw gasped as he followed behind Moonpaw. Copperpaw winced. "Is something wrong?" Moonpaw looked at Sunpaw, Sunpaw looked at him shocked. He can't feel it! Moonpaw glanced at Copperpaw. Copperpaw tilted his head.

Cats started to gather out, their gazes fixed on the injured apprentice. Willowfoot came in, his jaws grasping a body. Then came Riverwing, her tail completely gone. Ravenwish came in last, carrying another body.

Cats gasped and shocked murmurs rippled through the clan like a lighting striking.

Riverstar came running down from her den, her fur prickled. "What has happened?" She demanded. "Beavers..." Willowfoot rasped as he put dropped the unmoving body.

"Beavers!" Rainstar growled. "Are they close?" Willowfoot shook his head. "We chased them off..." Stonepaw dashed down, his eyes wide. "Has anyone seen-" He looked at the unmoving body that Willowfoot set down. "Goldenwing!" Stonepaw wailed and crouched close to his mentor. Stonepaw shook her pelt softly. "Please wake up!" He hissed and nuzzled her closely. "Starclan! Why!"

Rainstar set her tail on Stonepaw's shoulder.

Moonpaw felt a pang of sympathy for Stonepaw. He lost someone he called 'mother.' Stonepaw's father became a kittypet when he learned that Cherrycloud, his mother, was expecting his kits. His mother died after giving birth to Stonepaw and his littermates, Copperpaw and Rosekit. Rosekit died sleeping. Poor kit... "Stonepaw..." Sunpaw sat down by the gray tom. "She was a great mentor to you... a replacement for your mother..." Stonepaw dug his claws in the ground but said nothing.