Fawnstar's Return

Chapter 4

                                     

Dewpaw's stomach jumped as he raced on and on. The stinky stench of fox was hot on his tail. The fox raced after him, pursuing Dewpaw like prey. His mind was focused on keeping his paws in a controlled form. But no matter how hard he tried, his paws always seemed to flail around like a cat who just ate a rotten mouse. Suddenly, the fox caught him. Its paws came down hard on Dewpaw's tail. He let out a screech as the fox picked him up. As the fox was about to rip him to shreds, his eyes opened.

Dewpaw was in his moss covered nest. The moss was thrown around his nest when he slept. It was only a dream. But why that dream? Probably because Jaywhisker keeps scaring me with silly fox stories for kits. Dewpaw shook himself awake as his eyes started to close.

"Dewpaw!" Jaywhisker called from the medicine den. "Get over here!" Dewpaw grumbled and scurried out of the apprentice's den. Jaywhisker was sitting contemptley in front of the medicine den. "Come on," he meowed. "Patchpaw's leg isn't gonna heal all on its own."

"Fine," Dewpaw growled. Jaywhisker looked skeptical. His pale blue eyes were burning into Dewpaw's skull.

"I expect a better attitude," he meowed matter-of-factly. Then

he turned and padded into the medicine den. Dewpaw stumbled in after him. The medicine den had a strong smell of Jaywhisker on it, and a very faint smell of Frostpool, Dewpaw realized. The herbs were arranged in a different order than he was used to. Jaywhisker probably moved them around.

Jaywhisker led him over to Patchpaw's temporary nest. He lay there, his leg stretched out in an uncomfortable fashion. Patchpaw's eyes lit up when they walked in.

"Hi Dewpaw, hi Jaywhisker," he meowed cheerfully. Patchpaw eyed his leg carefully. "I think it's almost healed." Jaywhisker bent down and gave it a sniff.

"I'd say probably another half moon until you can continue your training." Patchpaw frowned.

"I don't want to let Fawnstar down. She's trained me so hard since Foxstar appointed her as my mentor," he meowed, remembering the old LightClan leader. Dewpaw had only been a kit when he died. Everyone cherished the fox-colored leader.

"You won't let her down," Dewpaw meowed encouragingly. "She would never expect you to train when your leg is in this condition." Patchpaw just sighed and let Jaywhisker tend to his leg.

"Dewpaw," he meowed. "Go fetch me some Goldenrod. We're running low." He gave a quick nod before dashing out of the den. The sounds of the forest seemed familiar as he padded through the leafy branches. Dewpaw could barely see the bright blue sky overhead. Bunches of clouds covered his view. A few

brambles tugged at his fur.

Suddenly, the sky grew dark, a clap of thunder sounded in the distance, and rain came pouring down. Dewpaw took off in the direction of the Goldenrod. The bushes grew tiny as he hurried to the SunClan border. The rain was even more fierce out here. It came down in large sheets. Finally he reached the small golden plant.

"Who's there!?" A loud meow jostled Dewpaw. "Who's there!?" it shouted again. Behind him, the bushes trembled as SunClan cats advanced. Their heads were soaked. "What are you doing on our territory?" It was Moonblaze, the Clan deputy. Dewpaw shrank back.

"I'm just gathering herbs. I'm not even on your side," he muttered quietly.

"In the rain?" Moonblaze questioned.

"I didn't know it was gonna rain," he meowed defensively. Moonblaze gave him an angry stare.

"I know that cat!" Bushfire growled. He was also part of the patrol. "That's the medicine cat apprentice of LightClan!" Moonblaze silenced him with a flick of her tail.