The Darkest Moons (Warrior Cats)

11. A New Friend

     All Scorchpaw could think of was how much he loathed Echopaw. More accurately, how much he hated her actions. The bite in his shoulder had been meager, yet she had made too big of a deal over it for there to be no consequences. When Blackstar had heard, he had forced Redwing to take extra patrols and required her to bring in prey like an apprentice. 

     "You may not eat with warriors until everyone is fed," were his words. 

     Redwing was furious, and her claws had nearly met Scorchpaw's skin again. Of course, she thought better of it, but that didn't mean she would leave him alone. His punishment happened to be her own: he would have to bring extra prey and go on her patrols with her. Nobody knew but them. 

     The air had become chill again, and all prey was in hiding. Scorchpaw had sniffed at every mouse nest he could remember. He had visited the WaterClan border to search for voles and stalked along the most southern border's edge. Nothing would show itself, the scents of any available prey stale. Everything was tucked into its nest except for him as the sun was beginning to rise.  

     There's nothing out here! Scorchpaw huffed and jumped onto a stump, sitting and curling his tail around his paws. Frustrated, he gave his chest a few licks to smooth his long fur, and he shivered as the cold air brushed against him. He listened to the creak of the trees around him, their old branches twitching in the wind. He yearned to hear the rustle of bustling leaves again, but he would have to wait until Newleaf. Then, I could catch all of the prey Redwing could ever want. 

     Slowly, the sun crept higher and higher into the sky, turning it into a dull blue. Clouds were starting to drift across the emptiness, puffy and full of snow. Scorchpaw shuddered as he watched them, dreading their arrival. It's going to snow soon, and Redwing will probably drag me out into it because of this dumb hunt. Maybe I can try along the WaterClan border again. He hopped down, his paws barely thumping against the crumpled grass, and he began walking east. Redwing is especially fond of voles, so maybe she'll accept one as a peace offering.  

     The river was calm when he emerged from the trees, glittering in the pallid sunlight. The reeds along the bank quivered here and there as small creatures darted in and out from the grass. Finally, they had emerged to find food, and Scorchpaw's pelt prickled with new excitement. It won't be such an unsuccessful hunt after all! He dropped low and began to stalk towards the reeds, taking careful pawsteps. A water vole poked its small brown head out from hiding and sniffed around for a moment before its small, beady eyes landed on Scorchpaw. It gave out a squeak of alarm, and Scorchpaw dove after it. The rodent quickly disappeared, and Scorchpaw skidded to a halt before his knows could touch the stalks before him. 

     Foxdung! Scorchpaw lifted his head and snarled angrily. Anything nearby would have heard my dumb paws. He raked at the ground and turned right, padding alongside the undergrowth. As he wandered alongside the reeds, he tasted the air and listened to all of his surroundings, but nothing reached his senses. Redwing will really have my ears now. 

     An unfamiliar voice made Scorchpaw's fur fluff out in surprise. It came from the forest, and had no reply, and he froze beside the reeds and stared into the woods, and heard the crackle of branches beneath heavy paws. A rabbit burst from behind a tree, and behind it was a powerful she-cat. The muscles beneath her orange and black tabby fur bunched, and she launched herself at her prey, slamming a paw against its back and snapping at its neck. It gave a shrill cry and writhed in the cat's jaws before going still, and she stepped away from it and looked to Scorchpaw. He shuddered under her green gaze that was all so calculating, and he forced his fur to bristle and crouched. 

     She's huge!  

     The she-cat gave way to a snort and glanced at the rabbit. "You don't have to be so hostile."