Warriors: The Broken Heart

Chapter 7

"Applepaw! Look at what Ferretpaw caught!" Birchpaw's squeak woke Applepaw up from his snooze near the apprentices den. New leaf was finally become warm, and the sun had finally brought out the prey and WindClan had been feasting like a hungry fox.

Applepaw looked up at young Birchpaw, who had his tail sticking straight up in the air beside his sister, Ferretpaw, who held a fat sparrow in her mouth. The two littermates had been apprentices for a moon and a half, and Applepaw admired how much they loved it.

"Isn't it amazing?!" Birchpaw mewed.

Ferretpaw dipped her head in embarrassment, her folded ear covering her eyes slightly. Applepaw appreciated how much the two young apprentices looked up to him. He had been able to see how much they went through with their own mother, so he knew his kind behavior would truly make a difference.

Applepaw purred. "Looks delicious."

Tansybreeze happened to pass by, almost intentionally. He looked at her kits up and down before keeping her gaze on Ferretpaw.

"That's all you could catch?" She meowed coldly.

Before Birchpaw or Ferretpaw could protest, Tansybreeze stalked away, her tail lashing.

Applepaw shook his head, "don't pay any attention to her, Ferretpaw. I'm sure everyone will appreciate your catch."

Ferretpaw's face brightened up.

"Why don't you bring that fresh kill to Mudtail or Cranberryspots? I'm sure Mudtail's kits will appreciate it, and with Cranberryspots being so close to kitting, I'm sure she'll also appreciate it," Applepaw suggested.

Mudtail had given birth to Nightcloud's kits almost a moon ago to their two daughters Toucankit and Whispkit. Soon after, Cranberryspots found out she was having kits with Thornfoot.

Applepaw tried to avoid the nursery as much as possible. It's not that he didn't have fond memories of the place he and his littermates grew up in, but he found the idea of having kits a bit uncomfortable. He often saw Robinpaw visiting Mudtail and playing with her kits, but Applepaw often stayed back, and would rather go on patrols or hunt.

As Birchpaw and Ferretpaw trotted away towards the nursery, Applepaw rolled over on his back, letting the sun warm it. He felt peaceful in knowing that things were turning around for WindClan, and that his clan could now thrive because of the influx of prey. He felt a purr rumble in his throat.

"Applepaw, what are you doing?" Shellwhisker's mew startled his eyes open. He immediately rolled on his stomach and stood up straight.

"I was just enjoying the nice weather." Applepaw responded.

Shellwhisker closed her eyes. "Yes, it's nice to know things are finally starting to look good for us."

Applepaw nodded. "So," he began, leaning down into a stretch, "what will we be doing today?"

Shellwhisker shrugged. "We'll see what Eveningfoot decides to do with hunting and border patrols. She still hasn't assigned any."

Applepaw noticed a flash of golden fur streak behind Waspstar's den. Wolfleg was sitting off to the distance. He got up and started padding towards Applepaw and Shellwhisker.

"Hey," Wolfleg meowed a greeting.

"Hey," Shellwhisker replied, a slight purr escaping her muzzle.

"Eveningfoot put me on a hunting patrol with you, Applepaw, and Cedarspeck." Wolfleg shuffled his paws.

Applepaw glanced at Shellwhisker and Wolfleg, and he immediately noticed the chemistry between them.

I had never noticed them together before? Applepaw thought. He was always with his mentor, and if he wasn't, he knew where she was. Perhaps this is new? I'm surprised Shellwhisker would like Wolfleg, he's definitely not as skilled or respected as Shellwhisker.