Sunset {A Completed Warriors Fanfiction}

Chapter 1; Thrushpaw

Thrushpaw padded out of the elder's den, blinking as her purple eyes adjusted to the light. She shook her pelt gently, knowing the silver tabby's fur would have to be groomed later. The seven-moon old apprentice bounced over towards Jaggedtooth, her mentor. "What are we going to do today?" Thrushpaw asked.

"Battle training," Jaggedtooth said. Thrushpaw smiled happily. "Thornpaw and Dustylight will join us." Thrushpaw's smile melted off her face.

Of all apprentices, why Thornpaw? He was arrogant and bossy. He had to be the best and was condescending to Thrushpaw, despite being a moon younger than her. But she couldn't complain. Especially since Thornpaw was Jaggedtooth's son. She shook her head slightly. She could deal with a new apprentice. Now if only he would wake up.

She sat down and groomed her pelt as she watched Dustylight march over to where Thornpaw was still sleeping, which was under the shade of a tree. Dustylight poked her head in front of his, annoyance sparking off her pelt, and despite being across camp from the tree, Thrushpaw could hear Dustylight yell.

"Just because you are the deputy's son doesn't mean you can sleep in! I told you to wake up ages ago! Battle training! Now!" Thrushpaw smiled a little as she heard the young warrior scold Thornpaw. Finally, Thornpaw made an appearance, emerging from the shade, and they left camp for the mossy lagoon.

"Ok, so today Thrushpaw, you're going to help Thornpaw pick up tips for tricking enemies." Jaggedtooth meowed. Thrushpaw nodded with a swish of her tail. "Ok, so here is the first one. Thrushpaw, leap on me."

Obeying, Thrushpaw leaped on top of her mentor. Soon, he fell, collapsing under her weight. She swelled with pride, but soon was suddenly being lurched to the side. Jaggedtooth was rolling over, squishing her. She tried to leap away, but was trapped, being pushed into the ground.

"Ow!" Thrushpaw gasped, looking back at her leg, wedged awkwardly under Jaggedtooth. He quickly got up, noticing that Thrushpaw was hurt.

"Let's get you back to camp so Brightherb can look at your leg. Thornpaw, why don't you and Dustylight start training?"Jaggedtooth suggested, nosing Thrushpaw gently to her feet.

"No," Thornpaw dismissed the suggestion with a flick of his tail and hurried over to let her lean against him, causing Thrushpaw to blush lightly.

Why was Thornpaw being nice to her for once? Where was the gloat that she was injured fighting her peaceful clanmates with good intentions for her?

Walking slowly, they led her back to camp. Thrushpawh tried to distract herself from the pain shooting through her hind leg. She found that by studying Thornpaw out of the corner of her eyes. The dark gray tom's hazel eyes were searching back and forth for camp. Did he actually care about getting her back to camp?

No. She refused to believe it. She drew in a deep breath as she looked forward again.

Come on, this is the arrogant pest who slept in carelessly. This is the apprentice who as a kit, grew arrogant because he won a play battle when Thrushpaw went easy on him.

The kit. He had been so neglected. Thornkit had never won a play battle against Thrushkit or his cousin Oakkit. But at least he was kind, caring, and sweet.

Thornkit challenged Thrushkit to a battle, who had felt especially kind that day. She decided to let him win, leading the naive kit to believe he had beaten a kit bigger, stronger, and smarter then him.

Perhaps she would be able to talk to Oakpaw about this all later. After all, her friend was Thornpaw's cousin.

The 8-moon-old apprentice would be able to explain. Thornpaw turned as Jaggedtooth dismissed him.

"Go eat or something," Jaggedtooth mewed to his son. Thrushpaw's mentor then led her to the medicine cat's den. As she padded through camp, she spotted Oakpaw.

"I need to talk to you," she mouthed.

"Soon," Oakpaw nodded. The brown tom, now that Thrushpaw thought about it, looked nothing like his cousin. Who even were his parents? Thrushpaw never asked, she probably would be scolded.

She always assumed they died shortly before she was born. Suddenly, Thrushpaw realized she was lying on her nest. Brightherb was shuffling, prodding her here and there, and frowning.

Suddenly, she turned to Jaggedtooth, but realized he had left. Thrushpaw frowned. She was alone now, with nothing but her shadow as company.

Suddenly, a shadow was above her and Thrushpaw looked up, smiling. Greeneye was there.

"Hi Mom," Thrushpaw greeted.

"How'd you get hurt," Greeneye narrowed her green eyes.

"Training," Thrushpaw shrugged.

"Typical. Thrushpaw, you're always so... Reckless," Greeneye growled.

"Reckless? What about Lionpaw?"

"Your brother is brave, you are stupid, so don't go blaming my perfect son," Greeneye growled again.

Thrushpaw narrowed her eyes as Oakpaw entered the medicine cat's den.

"Goodbye Greeneye, it's been a pleasure," Thrushpaw's words dripped with sarcasm. Oakpaw looked at her questioningly, but Thrushpaw just shook her head a little. Greeneye growled and left.