Post by ｒｏｓｅ on Aug 30, 2016 12:39:21 GMT -5
Hollypaw is an apprentice of RowanClan. Her and her sister, Dawnpaw, live normal lives. But Hollypaw is blind. She has never seen what the sky looks like, never seen the blazing sun, and never seen the world. But she dreams. She dreams of things she doesn't know are real. She dreams of things she's never seen. She tells herself what she's seeing is fake. Because to Hollypaw, it means nothing. She's learned to accept she'll never be like her sister. She's learned to accept the other apprentices will tell her she'll never become a warrior. She brushes it off like nothing has ever happened. But at night, she weeps thinking of it. She doesn't know that what she's seeing in her dreams, even the worst of it, is real.
Author's Note
Hewwo :3 This is my little 'fic called 'Coloring the World'. No, it is certainly not the best, but I haven't gotten to any of the exciting parts yet. And, as I think it is only fair, please don't try to spoil too much in the replies. I'd like of you to add a spoiler warning, if possible. This story was transferred from WCF, so some people may have read and/or seen it already. But, I have updated it, and I will continue to do so.
<3 Rose
Allegiances
RowanClan
Leader
Silverstar- Silver she-cat with bright blue eyes
Deputy
Oakstorm- Ginger tabby tom with green eyes
Medicine Cat
Poppypetal- Ginger she-cat with bright green eyes
Apprentice, Echolight (White she-cat with gray paws)
Warriors
Thornflight- Dark tabby tom with blue eyes
Apprentice, Hollypaw
Flamestripe- Ginger tabby tom with amber eyes
Apprentice, Dawnpaw
Creamtail- A cream tabby tom with green eyes
Apprentice, Whitepaw
Hawkflame- Light brown tom with amber eyes
Badgerstripe- Black tom with a dark brown underbelly and paws. Has amber eyes
Apprentice, Shadepaw
Heathermist- Light gray she-cat with blue eyes
Stormshade- Huge black tom with white paws and greens eyes. Has a nick in his ear.
Apprentice, Stagpaw
Mousestripe- Small dusky gray tabby tom with green eyes and a white tail tip.
Skytail- White tom with black paws and green eyes
Apprentice, Creekpaw
Cloudstorm- Cloudstorm has a long fluffy coat that is pure white. His eyes are a forest green
Lightpelt- A fluffy white tom with cream paws and amber eyes
Apprentices
Shadepaw- Dark gray tom with a black tipped tail and green eyes
Dawnpaw- Golden she-cat with blue eyes
Hollypaw- Black she-cat with blue eyes
Stagpaw- A solid dark brown tom with amber eyes
Whitepaw- A pure white she-cat with blue eyes
Spiderpaw- Dark brown tom with darker brown paws, ears, and dark green eyes.
Creekpaw- Light gray tabby tom with a white underbelly and blue eyes.
Queens
Blossomcloud- Plain white she-cat with green eyes
(Mother of Patchkit: A white she-kit with ginger patches and green eyes, and Brightkit: A golden she-kit with green eyes)
Elders
Pinepelt- A pure dark brown tom with amber eyes
Featherheart- A light gray she-cat with green eyes
Chapter 1
Hollykit awoke to a paw prodding her side. She scented her sister, Dawnkit, and quickly scrambled up.
"What happened?" Hollykit asked.
"Nothing, silly! But it's about what's going to happen that's exciting." Hollykit nodded for her to go on. "We're becoming apprentices today!" Hollykit imagined the happiness on her sister's face.
"When does that h-" her words were cut off by Silverstar, RowanClan's leader.
"Let all cats old enough to catch prey, gather to hear my words!" she called.
"It's time!" Dawnkit squeaked excitedly. Heathermist, their mother, came up behind the two kits, nudging them softly. Dawnkit placed her tail on Hollykit's flank, as to guide her to highrock. Hollykit sniffed, and smelled other cats came out of their dens, and she heard them yawning. Heathermist flicked her tongue across Dawnkit's pelt, cleaning it. "I can do it myself!" Dawnkit mewled, wriggling away. Heathermist gave a small laugh, and continued smiling, as she went on to cleaning Hollykit.
"Dawnkit, please come here," Silverstar meowed, gesturing for the kit to come up with a flick of her tail. Hollykit smelled her sister pad away, hearing her paws thud against the earth. She could picture Dawnkit sitting proudly on highrock, ready to become an apprentice and take on her new name. "Dawnkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Dawnpaw. Your mentor will be Flamestripe. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you." Hollykit listened as she heard a cat's paws leave the ground, and she assumed it was Flamestripe, leaping onto highrock. Again, Silverstar spoke. "Flamestripe, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Robinflight,and you have shown yourself to be strong and determined. You will be the mentor of Dawnpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her. Hollykit-" she mewed. Heathermist nudged Hollykit onward, making her stumble and fall. She got up quickly, running straight ahead of her.
"Ow!" she yelped, as she bumped her head on highrock. She felt the ground disappear from underneath her, making her scramble with worry. She could smell Heathermist around her, and she realized she was being carried. Knowing what was happening, she calmed down, making sure not to kick her legs and make it difficult for her mother. She was placed down on a smooth surface gently, the material cooling her paws.
"Hollykit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Hollypaw. Your mentor will be Thornflight. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you." Hollypaw knew a cat was now right next to her, and she guessed the cat was Thornflight. She didn't know the scent of a lot of warriors, being blind just making everything harder. "Thornflight, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Ivywing, and you have shown yourself to be brave and willing. You will be the mentor of Hollypaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her."
"Dawnpaw! Dawnpaw! Hollypaw! Dawnpaw!" the Clan cheered. The black she-cat realized only a few of them were cheering for her, the rest cheering for only her sister. I've messed everything up, she thought dreadfully.
Chapter 2
Dawnpaw awoke slowly. She had just spent her first night in the apprentices' den, and she was eager to train.
"Hollypaw, wake up!" she mewed. Her sister woke up drowsily.
"What?" she asked.
"You should go see Thornflight. He probably has some important duties for you."
"Can you take me to him? I don't want to bump my head like I did yesterday." Dawnpaw nodded, forgetting she couldn't see it. She placed her tail on her sister's flank, padding out of the den and looking around for the dark tabby.
"Hollypaw, there you are," he meowed. "The first thing I need you to do is check the elders for ticks." Dawnpaw knew Hollypaw was upset over what her first task was. Maybe it's like this for all the new apprentices,Dawnpaw thought. Thornflight placed his tail on his apprentice's flank, guiding her. Dawnpaw followed them, not knowing what she should do. "No, Dawnpaw. It's only Hollypaw who's doing this. Flamestripe is going to show you around the territory," Thornflight meowed, looking back at her.
"But-" she started to protest.
"Go on."
"Bye, Hollypaw," she whispered, before backing out of the den.
"There's my apprentice! Come on. We're going around the territory," Flamestripe meowed, padding towards her.
"Can I come, too?" Shadepaw, another apprentice asked.
"Well, I don't see why not. As long as Badgerstripe's okay with it." Shadepaw nodded.
"He is. I mean, he is still asleep, so I don't have anything to do." Flamestripe nodded, flicking his tail for the apprentices to follow. "So, your sister, Hollypaw. She's blind, right?" Shadepaw asked. Dawnpaw nodded. "What is she doing right now?"
"Checking the elders for ticks," Dawnpaw replied. "She'll probably get shown around the territory tomorrow, while we check the elders." Shadepaw shook his head.
"You realize she'll never get shown the territory, right? Showing it to her would just be wasting time. Whether she knows the territory or not, she'll never be able to see it. So, since he's smart, Thornflight won't ever show her the territory. After all, he is my father." Dawnpaw gave a small gasp at the harshness of his words, and she wanted to defend her sister, but something kept her from doing so. Everything the tom said was true. Whether she wanted to believe it or not.
"This is the training hollow," Flamestripe meowed, coming to a halt. "It's where you will be training." Dawnpaw nodded.
"Is there a source of water anywhere near by?" she asked.
"We're going over there now." With the flick of Flamestripe's tail, they kept going.
"How is she even going to fight?" Shadepaw asked.
"I- I don't know," Dawnpaw stuttered. She hated saying such things about her sister, but she didn't have anything else to say.
"This is the stream where we get water from," Flamestripe meowed. Dawnpaw nodded. "Let's get back to camp. We'll patrol the borders tomorrow. Shadepaw, you can show her the rest of the territory later. Dawnpaw, go eat some prey. I want to do some battle training with you," Flamestripe meowed.
"Baderstripe and I were going to do some battle training today. Maybe I can come along, too," Shadepaw meowed.
"Okay, ask him later." With the flick of Flamestripe's tail, the two apprentices went back to camp.
Chapter 3
Hollypaw grumbled as she killed the last tick. "Is that it?" she asked. She hadn't been able to see the creatures, so she had relied completely on the elders guiding her to where a tick was.
"I think that's it, Hollypaw," Pinepelt, one of the elders meowed. Hollypaw nodded, and padded out of the den. She scented a cat in front of her, but didn't stop soon enough, and bumped into Hawkflame.
"Watch where you're going," he growled.
"Sorry," Hollypaw whimpered, quickly padding towards the apprentices' den.
"Hollypaw! Come play moss ball with the kits," Heathermist meowed, putting her tail on her daughter's flank. Hollypaw followed her, eager to play with the kits.
"No! I don't want to play with Hollypaw!" she recognized the voice of Patchkit.
"Can't Dawnpaw play with us instead?" Brightkit asked.
"Kits," Blossomcloud meowed. "Dawnpaw is doing things. And even if Hollypaw is blind, you can still play with her."
"But she won't even know when we hit the ball to her!" Patchkit protested.
"I- I don't want to play," Hollypaw whispered.
"Are you sure, Hollypaw?" Heathermist asked softly. She nodded. Heathermist lead her back to the apprentices' den, fixing her nest. "Take a nap if you need to. Silverstar sent Thornflight on a patrol so you can't train right now." Hollypaw nodded, curling up into a ball. Heathermist left the den, making it deserted except for the black she-cat. They all think I'm worthless!she thought. My mentor didn't even show me around the territory! Will he ever let me leave camp? Even the kits think I'm no fun. What if I never become a warrior?
"Hollypaw," Hawkflame meowed. She lifted her head. "Silverstar wants me to lead a hunting patrol with you in it. Dawnpaw is coming too." Growling, he added, "Don't mess anything up for your sister. She has great potential, while you? Not so much. Ha, I doubt Silverstar will even make you a warrior." Hollypaw blinked back tears at his words.
"Hawkfire. I'm coming on your patrol," the deputy, Oakstorm meowed. "I know Thornflight hasn't taught her anything yet, so I'll take the opportunity to take her to the training hollow and teach her a few things afterwards." Hollypaw's mouth opened slightly.
"R-really?" she asked in disbelief.
"Really."
Chapter 4
The forest was alive with fresh scents of prey. Hollypaw padded behind Oakstorm, whose tail was on her flank. "Just a little bit further to the training hollow," he meowed. Hollypaw nodded, as she felt Dawnpaw get closer to her.
"Have you met the other apprentices, yet?" she asked. Hollypaw shook her head. "Me neither. Well, excluding Shadepaw who came on my tour." Hollypaw looked puzzled.
"What tour?" she asked. Tension grew around them, as Dawnpaw stood silent.
"Hey! We're almost there." Hollypaw gave an unseeing glance to her sister, before choosing to forget it.
"Remember, you two. We're hunting first, and then we're training," Hawkfire meowed. "Dawnpaw, come over here. I'll teach you." Dawnpaw broke away from Hollypaw's side, leaving the young apprentice alone.
"Do you smell that, Hollypaw?" Oakstorm asked. Hollypaw opened her jaws, scenting the air around her. She nodded.
"What is it?" she asked.
"That's a mouse."
"How do I catch it?"
"First, get into a crouch," Oakstorm mewed. Hollypaw, not knowing what to do, got into a messy crouched. "You're close, but not quite there. Lower yourself a little more, good. Now, be light on your paws. Other wise, they'll sense the vibrations before they even see or hear you." Hollypaw obeyed, believing she was doing it right. "Great! Now, the mouse is a few tail lengths ahead of you, so keep doing what you're already doing, and remember, be light on your paws." Hollypaw went forward, trying her hardest to stay in the position Oakstorm had taught her. When she thought she was close enough, she leaped, her paws landing on nothing but the earth. "You didn't close enough," Oakstorm mewed. "It was still another tail length away."
"Can I still get it?" Hollypaw asked hopefully.
"No. It heard you when you leaped. It's long gone, now." Hollypaw hung her head in disappointment.
"I'm sorry," she mewed.
"It was your first time, Hollypaw. Eventually, you'll be a great hunter."
"You really think so?"
"No. I know so." Hollypaw heard Dawnpaw pad towards her, and she felt disappointed once again when she caught the scent of a vole in her jaws.
"Where's your-" Dawnpaw stopped. "Never mind."
"Dawnpaw's going back to camp," Hawkfire meowed. "She wants to find Flamestripe to do some battle training."
"Hollypaw and I will be training in the training hollow. Tell that to Thornflight if he asks where she is," Oakstorm meowed. Hollypaw heard Hawkfire and Dawnpaw pad away. "Follow me," Oakstorm meowed, placing his tail once again on her flank. "It's not far from here."
Chapter 5
Dawnpaw blinked back sleep as she awoke. The day before, the she-cat had done battle training with Flamestripe, and finished her tour of the territory with Shadepaw. Next to her, slept Whitepaw, and on the other side of her was Spiderpaw. She was the first of the all the apprentices to wake, and she felt happy she had woken up earlier than Creekpaw, who had been assigned on an early hunting patrol. Poking her head out of the apprentices' den, she saw that not many were awake, for she only saw Silverstar, Hawkfire, and Poppypetal. "Silverstar, please! My apprentice is sick with greencough, you can't just expect me to sit back and do nothing!" Poppypetal argued.
"Poppypetal, I'm sorry. But we can't use up all the catmint for one cat. What if others catch it as well? They won't have any hope," Silverstar meowed.
"What if I die and Echolight isn't alive to be the medicine cat?"
"Poppypetal, you are young and healthy. And you have no right to argue with me about this. My word is law." Hawkfire stayed away from the conversation, but Dawnpaw knew he was listening.
"Silverstar, I'll go to the twoleg garden and retrieve more," Poppypetal continued.
"I've made my decision, Poppypetal." Silverstar flicked her tail, silencing the medicine cat. The silver she-cat padded into her den, and Dawnpaw knew she was still angry.
"I won't let you die, Echolight. I won't let you die like Eaglewing," Poppypetal murmured. Dawnpaw wanted to go up to the she-cat and try to comfort her, but she knew no words could. Poppypetal would never disobey Silverstar,she thought. So I guess I won't get to see Echolight any longer.
Chapter 6
The night was still, every cat asleep in their dens, all except for Poppypetal.
The she-cat had woken up, worried about her apprentice, and wanting to see if StarClan had taken her yet. Echolight was still breathing, but it was hoarse.
"You will be okay," Poppypetal whispered. "I'll make sure of it, I promise."
The ginger she-cat stared at her small supply of catmint. I'll have to go and get more soon. She opened Echolight's mouth, putting some of the leaves inside, and used her paws to move her apprentice's jaws. She swallowed the leaves, calming Poppypetal. She and the rest of the Clan will need more, she thought desperately.
Quietly, she padded out of her den, looking at the entrance.
"I have to go get more," she muttered.
She padded out of camp, instantly regretting that she hadn't eaten any traveling herbs. Sighing, she continued through the forest.
Poppypetal knew she was getting close to the twoleg garden by the scents. There were recent scents of twoleg kits, and the horrible stench of monsters still lingered near.
Her heart raced as she started smelling the familiar leafy plant. She looked around, then started picking the herb. Lots were grown, making her happy. I'll have enough to help Echolight and the whole Clan! The thoughts filled her with joy.
She knew she had been out for a while, and the moon would begin to disappear soon. Trying to blend in with the shadows, she began moving away from the garden, her mouth holding as much catmint as it could manage.
She continued deeper into the forest, only to be met by three scruffy cats. They hissed, causing Poppypetal to shrink back in fear. One leaped on top of her, and suddenly, her vision went black.
Chapter 7
A low grumble escaped Hollypaw's throat as she was led towards camp.
Ever since Poppypetal's mysterious disappearance, multiple cats had gone out on a mission to look for her. She knew this because of the chatter that had been going on. Even Dawnpaw had left camp in search of her. Her sister had been the only cat to even tell her about the recent events.
Hollypaw had begun noticing Shadepaw's scent lingering on her sister's pelt almost daily. She knew the two trained together often, but did they train nearly that much?
Oakstorm was starting to become her 'mentor'. Thornflight never took her out to hunt nor train for battle, however that's all Oakstorm did. Hollypaw was grateful to have found a cat who actually seemed like they wanted to help her- not shun her as it felt almost everyone else was doing. Even Dawnpaw didn't speak to her as much. She had begun noticing that she spent most of her time with Shadepaw, and jealousy began to creep in. Hollypaw wasn't a jealous type, but she thought that the feeling had come because her sister had been that one cat whom she was able to go to for guidance and help, cry to, whine to- the list went on.
But now, the she-cat was being led back to camp by Hawkflame. The tom had been reluctant at first to put his tail on her flank to help her move, and she could still hear low- almost inaudible- growls. All she had tried to do was help. She was almost positive that she knew where Poppypetal was, and she knew that she should've told Hawkflame or some other cat of the location.
But she didn't.
She didn't want to. Not with how they treated her. She felt as if she had to run away, but there was one thing that was keeping her in RowanClan- Oakstorm. The tom had been the one cat who had actually believed in her, the one who actually had hope. No one else was the same. Everyone else was told about her blindness then left. Even though some chose not to vocalize their opinions, smelling their scent come close then immediately turn was enough.
Hollypaw had had enough.
She broke away from where Hawkflame's tail was, racing back towards where she believed Poppypetal was.
She could hear Hawkflame follow close behind her, his yowls becoming louder in her ears than ever. She knew she couldn't outrun him. But, she could escape him.
The black she-cat raced in between trees, dodging each and every one. She knew the territory like the back of her paw now, because even though she couldn't see it, she had been on it enough times to know where to go.
She used all of her strength and energy in running, but she knew she had done it when Hawkflame's scent was no longer near. A feeling of accomplishment went through her- a feeling she had only ever gotten when she was with Oakstorm.
Then, she slowed, and began padding towards where she believed the ginger medicine cat was.
A very dangerous place- especially for a blind cat.
Two-leg place.
Chapter 8
Chapter 1
Hollykit awoke to a paw prodding her side. She scented her sister, Dawnkit, and quickly scrambled up.
"What happened?" Hollykit asked.
"Nothing, silly! But it's about what's going to happen that's exciting." Hollykit nodded for her to go on. "We're becoming apprentices today!" Hollykit imagined the happiness on her sister's face.
"When does that h-" her words were cut off by Silverstar, RowanClan's leader.
"Let all cats old enough to catch prey, gather to hear my words!" she called.
"It's time!" Dawnkit squeaked excitedly. Heathermist, their mother, came up behind the two kits, nudging them softly. Dawnkit placed her tail on Hollykit's flank, as to guide her to highrock. Hollykit sniffed, and smelled other cats came out of their dens, and she heard them yawning. Heathermist flicked her tongue across Dawnkit's pelt, cleaning it. "I can do it myself!" Dawnkit mewled, wriggling away. Heathermist gave a small laugh, and continued smiling, as she went on to cleaning Hollykit.
"Dawnkit, please come here," Silverstar meowed, gesturing for the kit to come up with a flick of her tail. Hollykit smelled her sister pad away, hearing her paws thud against the earth. She could picture Dawnkit sitting proudly on highrock, ready to become an apprentice and take on her new name. "Dawnkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Dawnpaw. Your mentor will be Flamestripe. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you." Hollykit listened as she heard a cat's paws leave the ground, and she assumed it was Flamestripe, leaping onto highrock. Again, Silverstar spoke. "Flamestripe, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Robinflight,and you have shown yourself to be strong and determined. You will be the mentor of Dawnpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her. Hollykit-" she mewed. Heathermist nudged Hollykit onward, making her stumble and fall. She got up quickly, running straight ahead of her.
"Ow!" she yelped, as she bumped her head on highrock. She felt the ground disappear from underneath her, making her scramble with worry. She could smell Heathermist around her, and she realized she was being carried. Knowing what was happening, she calmed down, making sure not to kick her legs and make it difficult for her mother. She was placed down on a smooth surface gently, the material cooling her paws.
"Hollykit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Hollypaw. Your mentor will be Thornflight. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you." Hollypaw knew a cat was now right next to her, and she guessed the cat was Thornflight. She didn't know the scent of a lot of warriors, being blind just making everything harder. "Thornflight, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Ivywing, and you have shown yourself to be brave and willing. You will be the mentor of Hollypaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her."
"Dawnpaw! Dawnpaw! Hollypaw! Dawnpaw!" the Clan cheered. The black she-cat realized only a few of them were cheering for her, the rest cheering for only her sister. I've messed everything up, she thought dreadfully.
Chapter 2
Dawnpaw awoke slowly. She had just spent her first night in the apprentices' den, and she was eager to train.
"Hollypaw, wake up!" she mewed. Her sister woke up drowsily.
"What?" she asked.
"You should go see Thornflight. He probably has some important duties for you."
"Can you take me to him? I don't want to bump my head like I did yesterday." Dawnpaw nodded, forgetting she couldn't see it. She placed her tail on her sister's flank, padding out of the den and looking around for the dark tabby.
"Hollypaw, there you are," he meowed. "The first thing I need you to do is check the elders for ticks." Dawnpaw knew Hollypaw was upset over what her first task was. Maybe it's like this for all the new apprentices,Dawnpaw thought. Thornflight placed his tail on his apprentice's flank, guiding her. Dawnpaw followed them, not knowing what she should do. "No, Dawnpaw. It's only Hollypaw who's doing this. Flamestripe is going to show you around the territory," Thornflight meowed, looking back at her.
"But-" she started to protest.
"Go on."
"Bye, Hollypaw," she whispered, before backing out of the den.
"There's my apprentice! Come on. We're going around the territory," Flamestripe meowed, padding towards her.
"Can I come, too?" Shadepaw, another apprentice asked.
"Well, I don't see why not. As long as Badgerstripe's okay with it." Shadepaw nodded.
"He is. I mean, he is still asleep, so I don't have anything to do." Flamestripe nodded, flicking his tail for the apprentices to follow. "So, your sister, Hollypaw. She's blind, right?" Shadepaw asked. Dawnpaw nodded. "What is she doing right now?"
"Checking the elders for ticks," Dawnpaw replied. "She'll probably get shown around the territory tomorrow, while we check the elders." Shadepaw shook his head.
"You realize she'll never get shown the territory, right? Showing it to her would just be wasting time. Whether she knows the territory or not, she'll never be able to see it. So, since he's smart, Thornflight won't ever show her the territory. After all, he is my father." Dawnpaw gave a small gasp at the harshness of his words, and she wanted to defend her sister, but something kept her from doing so. Everything the tom said was true. Whether she wanted to believe it or not.
"This is the training hollow," Flamestripe meowed, coming to a halt. "It's where you will be training." Dawnpaw nodded.
"Is there a source of water anywhere near by?" she asked.
"We're going over there now." With the flick of Flamestripe's tail, they kept going.
"How is she even going to fight?" Shadepaw asked.
"I- I don't know," Dawnpaw stuttered. She hated saying such things about her sister, but she didn't have anything else to say.
"This is the stream where we get water from," Flamestripe meowed. Dawnpaw nodded. "Let's get back to camp. We'll patrol the borders tomorrow. Shadepaw, you can show her the rest of the territory later. Dawnpaw, go eat some prey. I want to do some battle training with you," Flamestripe meowed.
"Baderstripe and I were going to do some battle training today. Maybe I can come along, too," Shadepaw meowed.
"Okay, ask him later." With the flick of Flamestripe's tail, the two apprentices went back to camp.
Chapter 3
Hollypaw grumbled as she killed the last tick. "Is that it?" she asked. She hadn't been able to see the creatures, so she had relied completely on the elders guiding her to where a tick was.
"I think that's it, Hollypaw," Pinepelt, one of the elders meowed. Hollypaw nodded, and padded out of the den. She scented a cat in front of her, but didn't stop soon enough, and bumped into Hawkflame.
"Watch where you're going," he growled.
"Sorry," Hollypaw whimpered, quickly padding towards the apprentices' den.
"Hollypaw! Come play moss ball with the kits," Heathermist meowed, putting her tail on her daughter's flank. Hollypaw followed her, eager to play with the kits.
"No! I don't want to play with Hollypaw!" she recognized the voice of Patchkit.
"Can't Dawnpaw play with us instead?" Brightkit asked.
"Kits," Blossomcloud meowed. "Dawnpaw is doing things. And even if Hollypaw is blind, you can still play with her."
"But she won't even know when we hit the ball to her!" Patchkit protested.
"I- I don't want to play," Hollypaw whispered.
"Are you sure, Hollypaw?" Heathermist asked softly. She nodded. Heathermist lead her back to the apprentices' den, fixing her nest. "Take a nap if you need to. Silverstar sent Thornflight on a patrol so you can't train right now." Hollypaw nodded, curling up into a ball. Heathermist left the den, making it deserted except for the black she-cat. They all think I'm worthless!she thought. My mentor didn't even show me around the territory! Will he ever let me leave camp? Even the kits think I'm no fun. What if I never become a warrior?
"Hollypaw," Hawkflame meowed. She lifted her head. "Silverstar wants me to lead a hunting patrol with you in it. Dawnpaw is coming too." Growling, he added, "Don't mess anything up for your sister. She has great potential, while you? Not so much. Ha, I doubt Silverstar will even make you a warrior." Hollypaw blinked back tears at his words.
"Hawkfire. I'm coming on your patrol," the deputy, Oakstorm meowed. "I know Thornflight hasn't taught her anything yet, so I'll take the opportunity to take her to the training hollow and teach her a few things afterwards." Hollypaw's mouth opened slightly.
"R-really?" she asked in disbelief.
"Really."
Chapter 4
The forest was alive with fresh scents of prey. Hollypaw padded behind Oakstorm, whose tail was on her flank. "Just a little bit further to the training hollow," he meowed. Hollypaw nodded, as she felt Dawnpaw get closer to her.
"Have you met the other apprentices, yet?" she asked. Hollypaw shook her head. "Me neither. Well, excluding Shadepaw who came on my tour." Hollypaw looked puzzled.
"What tour?" she asked. Tension grew around them, as Dawnpaw stood silent.
"Hey! We're almost there." Hollypaw gave an unseeing glance to her sister, before choosing to forget it.
"Remember, you two. We're hunting first, and then we're training," Hawkfire meowed. "Dawnpaw, come over here. I'll teach you." Dawnpaw broke away from Hollypaw's side, leaving the young apprentice alone.
"Do you smell that, Hollypaw?" Oakstorm asked. Hollypaw opened her jaws, scenting the air around her. She nodded.
"What is it?" she asked.
"That's a mouse."
"How do I catch it?"
"First, get into a crouch," Oakstorm mewed. Hollypaw, not knowing what to do, got into a messy crouched. "You're close, but not quite there. Lower yourself a little more, good. Now, be light on your paws. Other wise, they'll sense the vibrations before they even see or hear you." Hollypaw obeyed, believing she was doing it right. "Great! Now, the mouse is a few tail lengths ahead of you, so keep doing what you're already doing, and remember, be light on your paws." Hollypaw went forward, trying her hardest to stay in the position Oakstorm had taught her. When she thought she was close enough, she leaped, her paws landing on nothing but the earth. "You didn't close enough," Oakstorm mewed. "It was still another tail length away."
"Can I still get it?" Hollypaw asked hopefully.
"No. It heard you when you leaped. It's long gone, now." Hollypaw hung her head in disappointment.
"I'm sorry," she mewed.
"It was your first time, Hollypaw. Eventually, you'll be a great hunter."
"You really think so?"
"No. I know so." Hollypaw heard Dawnpaw pad towards her, and she felt disappointed once again when she caught the scent of a vole in her jaws.
"Where's your-" Dawnpaw stopped. "Never mind."
"Dawnpaw's going back to camp," Hawkfire meowed. "She wants to find Flamestripe to do some battle training."
"Hollypaw and I will be training in the training hollow. Tell that to Thornflight if he asks where she is," Oakstorm meowed. Hollypaw heard Hawkfire and Dawnpaw pad away. "Follow me," Oakstorm meowed, placing his tail once again on her flank. "It's not far from here."
Chapter 5
Dawnpaw blinked back sleep as she awoke. The day before, the she-cat had done battle training with Flamestripe, and finished her tour of the territory with Shadepaw. Next to her, slept Whitepaw, and on the other side of her was Spiderpaw. She was the first of the all the apprentices to wake, and she felt happy she had woken up earlier than Creekpaw, who had been assigned on an early hunting patrol. Poking her head out of the apprentices' den, she saw that not many were awake, for she only saw Silverstar, Hawkfire, and Poppypetal. "Silverstar, please! My apprentice is sick with greencough, you can't just expect me to sit back and do nothing!" Poppypetal argued.
"Poppypetal, I'm sorry. But we can't use up all the catmint for one cat. What if others catch it as well? They won't have any hope," Silverstar meowed.
"What if I die and Echolight isn't alive to be the medicine cat?"
"Poppypetal, you are young and healthy. And you have no right to argue with me about this. My word is law." Hawkfire stayed away from the conversation, but Dawnpaw knew he was listening.
"Silverstar, I'll go to the twoleg garden and retrieve more," Poppypetal continued.
"I've made my decision, Poppypetal." Silverstar flicked her tail, silencing the medicine cat. The silver she-cat padded into her den, and Dawnpaw knew she was still angry.
"I won't let you die, Echolight. I won't let you die like Eaglewing," Poppypetal murmured. Dawnpaw wanted to go up to the she-cat and try to comfort her, but she knew no words could. Poppypetal would never disobey Silverstar,she thought. So I guess I won't get to see Echolight any longer.
Chapter 6
The night was still, every cat asleep in their dens, all except for Poppypetal.
The she-cat had woken up, worried about her apprentice, and wanting to see if StarClan had taken her yet. Echolight was still breathing, but it was hoarse.
"You will be okay," Poppypetal whispered. "I'll make sure of it, I promise."
The ginger she-cat stared at her small supply of catmint. I'll have to go and get more soon. She opened Echolight's mouth, putting some of the leaves inside, and used her paws to move her apprentice's jaws. She swallowed the leaves, calming Poppypetal. She and the rest of the Clan will need more, she thought desperately.
Quietly, she padded out of her den, looking at the entrance.
"I have to go get more," she muttered.
She padded out of camp, instantly regretting that she hadn't eaten any traveling herbs. Sighing, she continued through the forest.
Poppypetal knew she was getting close to the twoleg garden by the scents. There were recent scents of twoleg kits, and the horrible stench of monsters still lingered near.
Her heart raced as she started smelling the familiar leafy plant. She looked around, then started picking the herb. Lots were grown, making her happy. I'll have enough to help Echolight and the whole Clan! The thoughts filled her with joy.
She knew she had been out for a while, and the moon would begin to disappear soon. Trying to blend in with the shadows, she began moving away from the garden, her mouth holding as much catmint as it could manage.
She continued deeper into the forest, only to be met by three scruffy cats. They hissed, causing Poppypetal to shrink back in fear. One leaped on top of her, and suddenly, her vision went black.
Chapter 7
A low grumble escaped Hollypaw's throat as she was led towards camp.
Ever since Poppypetal's mysterious disappearance, multiple cats had gone out on a mission to look for her. She knew this because of the chatter that had been going on. Even Dawnpaw had left camp in search of her. Her sister had been the only cat to even tell her about the recent events.
Hollypaw had begun noticing Shadepaw's scent lingering on her sister's pelt almost daily. She knew the two trained together often, but did they train nearly that much?
Oakstorm was starting to become her 'mentor'. Thornflight never took her out to hunt nor train for battle, however that's all Oakstorm did. Hollypaw was grateful to have found a cat who actually seemed like they wanted to help her- not shun her as it felt almost everyone else was doing. Even Dawnpaw didn't speak to her as much. She had begun noticing that she spent most of her time with Shadepaw, and jealousy began to creep in. Hollypaw wasn't a jealous type, but she thought that the feeling had come because her sister had been that one cat whom she was able to go to for guidance and help, cry to, whine to- the list went on.
But now, the she-cat was being led back to camp by Hawkflame. The tom had been reluctant at first to put his tail on her flank to help her move, and she could still hear low- almost inaudible- growls. All she had tried to do was help. She was almost positive that she knew where Poppypetal was, and she knew that she should've told Hawkflame or some other cat of the location.
But she didn't.
She didn't want to. Not with how they treated her. She felt as if she had to run away, but there was one thing that was keeping her in RowanClan- Oakstorm. The tom had been the one cat who had actually believed in her, the one who actually had hope. No one else was the same. Everyone else was told about her blindness then left. Even though some chose not to vocalize their opinions, smelling their scent come close then immediately turn was enough.
Hollypaw had had enough.
She broke away from where Hawkflame's tail was, racing back towards where she believed Poppypetal was.
She could hear Hawkflame follow close behind her, his yowls becoming louder in her ears than ever. She knew she couldn't outrun him. But, she could escape him.
The black she-cat raced in between trees, dodging each and every one. She knew the territory like the back of her paw now, because even though she couldn't see it, she had been on it enough times to know where to go.
She used all of her strength and energy in running, but she knew she had done it when Hawkflame's scent was no longer near. A feeling of accomplishment went through her- a feeling she had only ever gotten when she was with Oakstorm.
Then, she slowed, and began padding towards where she believed the ginger medicine cat was.
A very dangerous place- especially for a blind cat.
Two-leg place.
Chapter 8
"Get away!" Poppypetal mewed frantically.
She had been unconscious, but when she awoke, she had been at the back of a two-leg den.
"Make us, kitty," one of the cats mewed. She had a hostile tone.
"Aw... The poor thing is scared! Look at it, Amber," another said.
"Shall we wait to kill her or just do it now?" the final asked.
"It would be quite the show right now," Amber mewed, flicking her tail. "I think Flame would be the best in this scenario."
The ginger tom that was next to her nodded his head.
"I like that arrangement," he mewed, getting into a crouch and beginning to advance towards Poppypetal.
"No! You won't kill me!" she mewed. It was pathetic. She knew she would loose and die on the spot. However, something kept her from just accepting her fate. It was a strong fire, ignited somewhere deep within her. She raised her head, taking on more of a noble position. "No. You won't kill me. Instead-" she flexed her claws. "I will kill you."
She hated the idea of killing another cat, after all, she was a medicine cat. She had chosen a life that made it so that she wouldn't have to shed blood. However, her life was now on the line. Someone would die tonight. It was either her or one of the rogues.
"Kitty thinks she can beat us!" Amber mewed. "Ha, is she wrong. Night, pin her down so that I am free to have a little... Chat, with her."
Nodding his head, the pure black tom that stood next to Amber, leaped atop of Poppypetal, taking her down easily. He's so powerful... His claws dug into her skin, but she kept her mouth silent, not wanting to show any signs of weakness.
"You aren't so brave now, are you?" Amber mewed, tilting her head. She put her face close to the medicine cat's, making it so that she could smell her breath. It smelled of crow-food. "I don't know when to kill you. Perhaps we could bring your dead body to Jet. Ah, that's what we shall do. Then he'll be proud and reward us with extra food for tonight." Her tail flicked excitedly. "I'm Jet's mate. I hold quite the bit of power. On my command, these two toms-" she ushered to Night and Flame with her tail. "Will kill you."
"No..."
"Boys. Now-"
Suddenly, a battle cry filled the air.
She had been unconscious, but when she awoke, she had been at the back of a two-leg den.
"Make us, kitty," one of the cats mewed. She had a hostile tone.
"Aw... The poor thing is scared! Look at it, Amber," another said.
"Shall we wait to kill her or just do it now?" the final asked.
"It would be quite the show right now," Amber mewed, flicking her tail. "I think Flame would be the best in this scenario."
The ginger tom that was next to her nodded his head.
"I like that arrangement," he mewed, getting into a crouch and beginning to advance towards Poppypetal.
"No! You won't kill me!" she mewed. It was pathetic. She knew she would loose and die on the spot. However, something kept her from just accepting her fate. It was a strong fire, ignited somewhere deep within her. She raised her head, taking on more of a noble position. "No. You won't kill me. Instead-" she flexed her claws. "I will kill you."
She hated the idea of killing another cat, after all, she was a medicine cat. She had chosen a life that made it so that she wouldn't have to shed blood. However, her life was now on the line. Someone would die tonight. It was either her or one of the rogues.
"Kitty thinks she can beat us!" Amber mewed. "Ha, is she wrong. Night, pin her down so that I am free to have a little... Chat, with her."
Nodding his head, the pure black tom that stood next to Amber, leaped atop of Poppypetal, taking her down easily. He's so powerful... His claws dug into her skin, but she kept her mouth silent, not wanting to show any signs of weakness.
"You aren't so brave now, are you?" Amber mewed, tilting her head. She put her face close to the medicine cat's, making it so that she could smell her breath. It smelled of crow-food. "I don't know when to kill you. Perhaps we could bring your dead body to Jet. Ah, that's what we shall do. Then he'll be proud and reward us with extra food for tonight." Her tail flicked excitedly. "I'm Jet's mate. I hold quite the bit of power. On my command, these two toms-" she ushered to Night and Flame with her tail. "Will kill you."
"No..."
"Boys. Now-"
Suddenly, a battle cry filled the air.
