Long and Lost

~Prologue~
Willowstalk slipped the oak leaves in between the cracks of the log. 
Sleetpaw had just finished putting the comfrey when he turned towards his mentor excitedly. "When will we go to the moonpool?"
"I already told you," Willowstalk answered calmly, "when the full moon rises tonight, we will travel to the moonpool and you shall be granted your full medicine cat name."
"It feels like I've been an apprentice forever," Sleetpaw groaned.
"Well, you had plenty to learn," Willowstalk told him. She scanned their assortment of herbs in a thoughtful manner. "Sleetpaw, where does the nearest catmint bush grow?" she questioned.
"Uh- I believe near the Oakclan's river." Sleetpaw's ear twitched. "Do we need more?"
"Looks like it," Willowstalk said, eyeing their stock of catmint. She beckoned her apprentice with her tail and they headed outside of the den. They told Whiteleap's patrol where they were headed off, since they just came back from hunting.
Whiteleap sent Adderstrike and her apprentice Cedarpaw to go with them.
"Why are we stuck with medicine cat duties?" Cedarpaw complained. 
"We are not "stuck" with them," Adderstrike said, rolling her eyes. "We are protecting them. Whiteleap's patrol reported that an owl was near the Oakclan border where they are going." She shook her head and nudged Willowstalk lightly with her nose. "I swear, I'm getting too old to mentor."
Willowstalk smiled. "You're the best mentor we have right now," she said truthfully. "How are your kits?"
"Pearlpaw and Longpaw will be becoming warriors in a few days," Adderstrike said, raising her chin in a haughty manner. "Heronpaw still has ways to go," she added.
"I can't wait to become a warrior," Cedarpaw said. "Graypaw and I will become the greatest warriors ever seen!"
The four wove around the slim trees that had branches as long as the trunks, blocking out the sun. Willowstalk enjoyed every bit of the forest. She couldn't understand why anyone would want to live on a moor or near water. The shade was perfect and kept everyone cool during Greenleaf.
"The river is up ahead," Sleetpaw announced and Willowstalk listened for the sound of a gentle stream.
"Over there!" he exclaimed and suddenly veered to the right. He bounded towards a fresh pile of growing catmint. Willowstalk came to join him.
This is a perfect amount! Willowstalk thought with joy. She and her apprentice gently tore off the leaves and headed back towards Adderstrike and Cedarpaw.
"We have all we need," Willowstalk said. 
"Good." Adderstrike swished her tail. "Let's head back."
But before Willowstalk began to move, something caught her eye. High up in a tree, sitting on a branch was an owl. She didn't move, though her heart began to pound. There was something about the owl that interested her. It was a unique color; it had brown spots but orange speckles and the roundest, most beautiful brown eyes that matched the color of a hawk's feathers. The bird almost gave her peace and, for a moment, she swore they had locked gazes.
Suddenly, the owl swooped down with a screech and snatched Cedarpaw. In a flash, the bird had him in its talons. It flew about four cat-lengths away from Adderstrike. 
"Cedarpaw!" the she-cat yowled in fury and she bunched her muscles, ready to jump.
"Stop!" Willowstalk shouted and ran in front of Adderstrike.
"Move!" Adderstrike snapped. "That bird has Cedarpaw-!"
"I know." Willowstalk said simply. "Don't attack it just yet." She turned to look at the owl that had the squealing and thrashing apprentice.
Willowstalk was caught by surprise when the owl locked eyes with her. She felt a sudden sense of ease and tranquility wash over her like a wave. But why? Why did a bird make her happy? 
Is this a sign . . .? 
Before she had any further thoughts, they were interrupted by Cedarpaw's shriek of agony as the owl suddenly lifted its feet and sliced its talon across Cedarpaw's throat. 
Willowstalk froze as the blood gushed out of the wound and the owl disappeared without her even noticing. She wanted so desperately to move and help Cedarpaw, but something was stopping her. Her heart pounded and she wanted to scream, but it was silent. 
The only thing she could focus on was Adderstrike, who stared into her eyes and thrusted her muzzle into Willowstalk's face as she snarled, "Look what you've done!" 
Burning hatred roared like a fire in the warrior's eyes. Willowstalk stood speechless, all but one thought leaving her mind. 
Sign . . it was a sign . . 
* * *
(Polarclan cats)
Shadestar - Jet black tom with unusual blue eyes (Leader)
Fallenfeather - Dark tabby tom with white paws (Deputy)
Willowstalk - Thick-furred brown-and-gray she-cat (Medicine cats)
(Apprentice - Applepaw - White tom with ginger stripes on his tail and ears)
Sleetclaw - Lighter gray tom
Petalfall - Very pale ginger she-cat (Warriors)
Berrymask - White tom with black splotches
Brindlepool - Dark brown she-cat
(Apprentice - Mottlepaw - Brown she-cat with lighter stripes)
Heronflight - Brown-and-white tabby she-cat
Longcloud - Lean white tom
(Apprentice - Cragpaw - Gray tom with a white belly with green eyes)
Cedarjaw - Short-furred gray tom with green eyes with a scar around his throat
Graythroat - Black-and-gray tom with a white chest and throat
Beachstripe - Gold she-cat with creamy stripes
(Apprentice - Owlpaw - Large calico she-cat with brown eyes)
Leopardstep - Unusually spotted golden she-cat
Marshpelt - Dark gray tom
(Apprentice - Nimblepaw - Small black tom)
Pearlfeather - Delicate white and gray she-cat (Queens)
(Mother to - Tigerkit - Tabby tom-kit/ Milkkit - Brown she-cat with white patches)
Sandflower - Light-colored she-cat
(Mother to - Birdkit - Pale tabby she-kit/ Duskkit - Gray tom-kit/ Snowkit - White she-kit)
Violetclaw - Calico she-cat (Elders)
Birchfang - Brown spotted tom with white hind paws
Whiteleap - Very old white tom with black ears and paws
~Chapter One~
A brilliant burst of color flooded the sky at dawn.
Owlpaw gazed up at it in awe. She wished that the tattered clouds would be swept away by the wind so she could see the rest of sky and all of its beauty.
"Hurry up, Owlpaw!" Beachstripe, her mentor called.
Indulged in her own daydream, Owlpaw ignored the sounds outside of it.
Suddenly, she felt a rough tug and then she was flipped on her side, being dragged like a piece of prey, collecting all the dirt and dust off the ground.
"Mottlepaw! " Owlpaw hissed as she caught a glimpse of the apprentice hauling her.
Mottlepaw dropped her and Owlpaw scrambled onto her paws, hissing.
"Honestly, Owlpaw," Beachstripe growled, "you act like a kit who just saw a butterfly for the first time."
Owlpaw stared at her paws. She could feel the other apprentices and mentors staring at her. Stop it! She wanted to yell.
"Get your head out of the clouds and focus on today's lesson." Beachstripe spat.
Owlpaw didn't respond.
"Are you even listening to me?"
"Yes!" Owlpaw exclaimed out of annoyance.
She lifted her head and watched as Beachstripe whirled around, groaning, "Then please hurry up and stop sulking."
I was not sulking! Owlpaw held her tongue, knowing that arguing wasn't going to make it any better.
"You really need to work on not being distracted," Mottlepaw mused.
"You think I haven't tried?" Owlpaw hissed.
"Just trying to help," Mottlepaw responded coolly.
Owlpaw watched the mentors in front of the apprentices speak in low voices. She heard her own name and her ears perked, trying to listen better. Their probably talking about how dumb I am, Owlpaw sighed at the thought.
The hunting patrol went towards Thornclan's border and stopped.
"Okay," Brindlepool began,"remember we are hunting. There are a lot of voles and shrews around here, oh - and Nimblepaw, please try not to get lost this time."
The black apprentice shrank in his fur, hot with embarrassment as Mottlepaw and Owlpaw gazed at him.
"Try not to cross the border either - Cragpaw." Brindlepool eyed the gray apprentice.
"It was an accident!" Cragpaw blurted.
Brindlepool rolled her eyes and she continued shortly after. "We are trying to catch prey together with our mentors." She told the apprentices.
"Aw - come on!" Owlpaw muttered, a bit louder than she planned.
Beachstripe shot her a dangerous glare that made Owlpaw cringe. I'm so stupid! Why did I say that out loud? 
Brindlepool's whiskers twitched. "I hope most of our mentors and apprentices work together."
Longcloud and Cragpaw went near the thunderpath, north of Thornclan and Polarclan."Come on, Nimblepaw." Marshpelt said, gesturing towards down the hill, near the lake.
Beachstripe snorted. "How come Marshpelt gets such a calm and nice apprentice? He's younger than me by four moons!"
"Just be lucky you have an apprentice," Brindlepool said, padding away with Mottlepaw.
"Yeah, but Owlpaw is as smart as a mouse." Beachstripe grunted.
Beachstripe's insensitive comment made Owlpaw flinch.
"Come on," Beachstripe growled, "we will head down the hill near the lake with Marshpelt and Nimblepaw."
Owlpaw followed her mentor silently. I'm not as stupid as a mouse! Owlpaw wanted to retort, but her guilt was out-weighing her anger. She did get distracted a lot, and she knew it too.
When the two she-cats were at the lakefront, they headed in the opposite direction from Marshpelt and Nimblepaw.
As the two walked, Beachstripe sniffed the air. "Smell that?" She questioned her apprentice.
Owlpaw tasted the air. "Rabbit?" she guessed.
"Yep."
Owlpaw followed Beachstripe closely as she stalked through deep fern fronds. She halted, looked over her shoulder and dipped her head to the left. When Owlpaw peered through the fronds, she saw a plump rabbit, feasting on the tasteless grass.
"You go left. Wait for me to drive it towards you." Beachstripe whispered. Owlpaw nodded and she stalked left of the ferns, into more intense shrubs, at least four fox lengths away from the rabbit's haunches.
Beachstripe crept along the ferns, her eyes never leaving the rabbit.
The rabbit's ears twitched a couple times before it stopped and blinked at the golden she-cat.
Beachstripe stayed perfectly still, not a single muscle or whisker twitching. Her paws were placed neatly in front of each other, her hind-quarters tucked beneath her for a longer spring. Owlpaw admired her mentor's skill as she watched carefully at each of her movements.
Beachstripe's tail flicked as a signal and at that moment, she was off her feet, pouncing at the rabbit.
The rabbit kicked its hind legs and it spun around, scraping up dust. It ran blindly towards Owlpaw, its heart set on only escaping the she-cat behind it.
Owlpaw readied herself for the moment.
Owlpaw jumped forward, hooking her claws on the rabbit's haunches as it tried to backtrack when it saw her. Her paws skidded across the ground as she pulled the rabbit closer to her, ignoring the rabbit fidgeting beneath her. She gave the final blow to its neck, not letting go until it fell limp.
"Good job, Owlpaw," Beachstripe said from behind, "however, you could have landed that jump a bit better."
Owlpaw's throat tightened as she tried to swallow her retort. You can never just praise me, can you? "Will we be doing anymore hunting?" Owlpaw asked instead, through gritted teeth.
Beachstripe, seeming oblivious to her anger, looked away and said, "We will still hunt."
The two later on caught two mice and after that they went back to Thornclan's border to meet up with their hunting patrol.
"Find anything near the thunderpath?" Beachstripe asked Longcloud as he appeared through the trees.
Longcloud flicked his tail towards his apprentice, Cragpaw, who was hauling a massive hawk between his jaws.
"Whoa!" Mottlepaw exclaimed as she and Brindlepool got back from hunting. She dropped her two voles at Brindlepool's feet and inquired, "How did you catch that?"
"He stayed completely focused," Longcloud answered proudly.
"He is the best apprentice at focusing on hunting," Beachstripe commented, her eyes narrowing towards Owlpaw.
Owlpaw frowned. Oh, just say it all ready. I'm a failure when it comes to focusing on things.
Marshpelt and Nimblepaw arrived shortly after, one water shrew and two mice dangling from Nimblepaw's jaw.
Brindlepool smiled. "I think we are ready to head back."
Owlpaw dragged her rabbit while Beachstripe took the mice. By the time they got back to camp, the sun was already hovering above their heads, crowning the clouds as it floated above.
"Owlpaw, go take your rabbit to the queens." Beachstripe ordered.
Owlpaw obeyed briskly, dragging her rabbit down into the den underneath the fallen logs.
When she brought the rabbit, she saw her mother, Pearlfeather, licking the heads of her half brother and half sister.
"I brought a rabbit." Owlpaw announced. She pushed it between the two queens as their eyes sparked with delight.
Sandflower dipped her head. "Thank you, Owlpaw."
"Can I eat it too?" Tigerkit asked. Pearlfeather shook her head. "You and Milkkit are too young."
"But Sandflower's kits are eating it!"
"That's because they were born a moon before you two." Pearlfeather replied gently. Tigerkit muttered something underneath his breath that made Milkkit giggle.
Pearlfeather and Sandflower took small bites from the rabbit, leaving some for Duskkit, Birdkit and Snowkit.
Owlpaw's whiskers twitched, waiting for her mother to ask about her training like she always did. But no word came from her mother's mouth that was spoken to her.
"I did well at hunting today," Owlpaw suddenly said, trying to get Pearlfeather's attention.
Without even batting an eye, Pearlfeather said simply, "That's good."
Owlpaw waited a few seconds before saying, "Beachstripe thinks I'm amazing at hunting, even better than Leopardstep." Even though Owlpaw lied, she just wanted to see her mother's reaction. A few silent moments. Nothing. Pearlfeather didn't even grunt as a response.
Owlpaw's whiskers twitched in frustration. Why won't she notice me as someone who is still her kit?
Sandflower, noticing her frustration, mewed, "You should probably get back to Beachstripe."
Owlpaw trotted out of the den, dragging her tail and her ears drawn back.
"Is something wrong?" Beachstripe asked, when she caught sight of her.
"Nothing," Owlpaw mumbled. 
"Owlpaw," her mentor meowed sternly. "Speak up so I can hear you."
"I said nothing is wrong!" Owlpaw shouted. 
Beachstripe's ear twitched along with her whiskers. "Fine." She padded away heading towards the prey pile.
"Hey, O-Owlpaw," Nimblepaw said timidly from behind. "Do you want to share the hawk with the other apprentices and me?"
"Sure," Owlpaw said. She liked spending time with Nimblepaw. He so small and quiet and overly nervous of everything. But that's what made him fun and cute. 
She sat by Nimblepaw's side, while Mottlepaw sat by Cragpaw's side. 
"Brindlepool said that my final assessment would be soon," Mottlepaw boasted, her face screwed into a supercilious expression. 
"So did my mentor!" Cragpaw exclaimed. "So did mine," Nimblepaw added. 
Mottlepaw blinked at Owlpaw. "Did Beachstripe say anything to you?" 
Owlpaw froze. Beachstripe never brought up the final assessment to her. She only complained about how incompetent Owlpaw was. Maybe she didn't think Owlpaw was ready. Maybe she thought she was unworthy. Would she have to continue being an apprentice forever? 
"No." Owlpaw finally answered quietly. 
The others exchanged glances of sympathy. 
They all knew how Owlpaw and Beachstripe did not get along. Almost every time during training, Owlpaw would make a mistake and Beachstripe would always correct her with a hiss. She would unusually cuff Owlpaw on the head after a while when she did not listen or got distracted. 
"Maybe she just . . forgot . ." Nimblepaw tried to reassure her that it'd be alright. 
"Or maybe she just doesn't care." Owlpaw spat. She snatched a chunk of the hawk and leaped onto her paws, only to storm off. Why was she stuck with Beachstripe? How come none of the other mentors said anything or gave any advice? 
She laid on her stomach under the shade near the nursery. She wanted time alone. 
She heard paw-steps to her left and looked over. Suddenly, her anger vanished for a moment when she saw Cedarjaw approaching her. "Cedarjaw!" 
The gray warrior smiled. "Hey!" he called back. He sat down next to her. "What's going on? Why aren't you hanging out with your friends?" 
Owlpaw shrugged. "I wanted to be alone." 
"Oh." Cedarjaw paused. "Should I leave?" 
"No! no, stay-please." She said hastily. She enjoyed the older tom's company. Cedarjaw had always been close friends with her mother, Pearlfeather. He often visited Owlpaw ever since her father, Sparrowclaw died. Cedarjaw usually kept her company when Pearlfeather didn't. 
"Is something bothering you?" he asked. 
Owlpaw let out a long, drawn-out sigh. "All the other apprentices have been told about their final assessment and yet, Beachstripe still hasn't said anything about it to me. I feel like Beachstripe doesn't like me or want me to pass. Am I over-reacting?" she stared up at the warrior. 
Cedarjaw sat back on his haunches. "I'm no mentor, but I think maybe she wants you to practice more. Or maybe she wants to surprise you with the assessment." 
Owlpaw considered it for a moment before her mind began to race again. "I feel like Pearlfeather has forgotten about me." 
"Hmm?" Cedarjaw grunted. "Why's that?" 
"She-she doesn't care about me anymore. She only sees Milkkit and Tigerkit." 
Cedarjaw's whiskers twitched. "Owlpaw, you have to realize that your mother has gone through some hard times." He stretched out his legs next to her. "Your father died after she had you. Berrymask rarely visits her and his kits, which isn't good for them either. Pearlfeather feels alone. Give her some time." 
Owlpaw stared at her paws. Berrymask was her step-father, but she only saw him as some old grumpy warrior. She couldn't even remember the last time she spoke to him. Her heart sank though when Cedarjaw's words finally reached her. Is Pearlfeather depressed? 
"Do you think I annoy her?" she asked. 
Cedarjaw hesitated. "I-I don't really know." He admitted. 
Owlpaw thought for a few moments. She studied Cedarjaw for a heartbeat. "How did you get that scar around your neck?" 
"When I was your age, I was attacked by an owl," he explained. 
"That's terrible!" Owlpaw shouted. "I'm surprised the owl didn't carry you off." 
"Same here," Cedarjaw said slowly, his gaze drifting to the sky. Owlpaw could tell he was recalling that day. "I was lucky that my mentor was there to save me." 
"What about the medicine cats?" Owlpaw asked. "Did they patch you up or did-" 
"Sleetclaw saved my life, too." He cut in. 
"What about Willowstalk? Was she not there at the time?" 
Cedarjaw's gaze darkened as he turned it towards her. "Willowstalk and I aren't exactly on good terms with each other." Before Owlpaw could ask another question, he hastily continued. "Yes, Willowstalk was there when the owl attacked me. But she did not want me to be saved. She looked so calm and pleased when the owl held me down and tried to kill me. She looks at me with sympathy, but it was her fault I almost died." 
Owlpaw had never seen Cedarjaw so angry before. She could feel him tense as he spoke about the medicine cat. But Willowstalk's a medicine cat! Why would she want someone to die? 
"I feel kind of guilty now that I'm named after such an awful bird," she admitted. 
Cedarjaw's anger faded and he immediately smiled. "Don't be! You were named after the bird because you look like one." He paused for a moment. "Maybe you will become as fierce as one, one day." 
"Wouldn't that be bad?" 
"Starclan, no! Being fierce and strong is what a true warrior needs to be." 
There was something in Cedarjaw's sudden mood swing and in his eyes that made Owlpaw question him, but only for a moment. "Becoming a warrior going to take sooooo long. ." she groaned. 
"Being patient is key," he said. The warrior stood up and stretched his legs. "It was nice talking to you, Owlpaw." He smiled before trotting away. Beachstripe passed him and headed towards Owlpaw. 
It took Owlpaw a few moments to notice that Beachstripe was in front of her. She had a wide grin on her face. 
"Are we going hunting again-?" she asked. 
Beachstripe shook her head. "No, but I have exciting news. You will be taking your final assessment tomorrow with the other apprentices." Suddenly, her expression grew serious. "Don't fail me, Owlpaw. If you don't make it, you will have to train longer." 
Owlpaw gulped with worry and happiness. "I won't fail you. I promise." 
~Chapter Two~
Owlsong felt a sharp nudge at her side. Her eyes fluttered opened and she blinked a couples times to get her eyes adjusted. 
"It's dawn," Mottlepaw said. "We are taking our assessment early." 
"Why?" Owlsong wondered. 
Mottlepaw shrugged. "I dunno." 
The two she-cats exited the den. Owlpaw stretched before sitting next to the other apprentices. 
The mentors and Cedarjaw was sitting outside with them. 
"For your final assessment, apprentices," Brindlepool began, "you must hunt on your own, with the skills your mentors have taught you. If you succeed in catching prey, you shall earn your warrior name. But if you fail, you will have to wait two to three quarter-moons to redo the test." 
"Remember, you only get one try. Once you fail at catching prey, then your assessment is over." Longcloud added. 
"Why are we up so early?" Nimblepaw yawned. 
"Cedarjaw suggested we do it at dawn for a little bit of a challenge." Marshpelt told him. 
"Don't let the challenge discourage you though," Cedarjaw said. "There will be times when you will have to hunt at dawn or at night. This will help you boost your instincts in the dark." 
Even though Owlpaw felt nervous, she was happy Cedarjaw was there. 
Beachstripe growled, "All of you, go and hunt. Now." 
Owlpaw never felt so fast before as she and the others bolted out of the entrance. As she ran, she saw such determined expressions from Cragpaw and Mottlepaw. Nimblepaw looked like he was freaking out internally, but she still felt calmer near him. 
But suddenly, Cragpaw vanished under some brambles and Mottlepaw veered off towards the lake. 
"Sorry, Owlpaw," Nimblepaw panted. "But we have to hunt alone." He sped forward and around her, going straight towards Oakclan's border. 
His black pelt blended in with the darkness under the trees. I wish I had camouflage. . . 
Owlpaw stopped running to catch her breaths. Birds chirped above her, and she could hear squirrels and other small creatures scuttling around the forest floor. Sure she could hear them, but the hard part was seeing them. She squinted, hoping something would come into view. 
She padded slowly and gingerly, keeping her belly so low that the tips of her fur touched the ground. She hesitantly peaked around trees and under bushes. But nothing was there. 
Dear Starclan, this is harder than I thought. 
She could hear strange noises from all around. Focus Owlpaw; remember, find prey, and head straight back to camp. 
Owlpaw began to crawl forward when something finally caught her eye. 
A mouse scuttled around the roots of a tree, sniffing. It was oblivious to the she-cat who crouched down, and tucked her hind quarters underneath her. Owlpaw waited eagerly for the correct time to pounce. The mouse never seemed to pause. As soon as her thought slowly started to wander, the mouse paused. 
Owlpaw exhaled and readied her pounce once more. She sprung forward swiping at the mouse. But the creature was faster and it dove out of her way and into the undergrowth. 
No! 
Owlpaw raced after it, realizing that if she lost this mouse, it would be all over. Suddenly, the mouse backtracked towards Owlpaw. It caught her by surprise but as quick as she could, she snapped her jaws at its small body. She just barely caught it by its tail and ended its life by a single swipe of her claw. 
But . . . why did it turn back around? 
Owlpaw looked all around her. The sun was almost entirely up, so she scrutinized her surroundings. But there was nothing there that would have surprised the mouse. She brushed the thought away and happily picked up her prey. 
As she headed back towards camp, she met up with Nimblepaw who also had a mouse. Soon Mottlepaw joined them with a finch dangling from her jaws. Right before the entered camp, Cragpaw came crashing through, almost choking on his thrush. 
"Sorry!" he panted. "I wanted- to make - it back- in time." 
The four of the marched forward and were greeted by their mentors and Cedarjaw. 
"Congratulations!" Brindlepool said. "You have all passed." She flicked her tail. "Shadestar will be back shortly; he has taken a border patrol." 
"You may eat your prey," Longcloud said. 
Owlpaw felt relief and joy wash over her. She would become a warrior today! She scarfed down her mouse, its sweet taste bathing her tongue. She paused. 
Why? Why did you turn back around? 
She couldn't understand why the thought bothered her so much. The mouse was running free, it would have lived, but it doubled back. What had scared it? 
Shadestar had returned from his patrol. He trotted up to the apprentices. "Having a nice meal?" 
"Yes!" Nimblepaw said with a smile. The others nodded. 
Brindlepool padded up to her leader's side. "They all passed, Shadestar." 
Shadestar smiled, his unusual blue eyes shining. "Excellent!" he looked back at the apprentices. "You have been for a long time." He padded to the Highledge and announced, "All cats old enough to hunt their own prey, gather under this rock." 
The mentors pushed the apprentices in front of the crowd of warriors. Sandflower and Pearlfeather peered from their den, along with the elders. 
 "Apprentices, step forward," Shadestar said.
 The four of them immediately came forward, with their heads held high.
 "Do you four, promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend your clan even at the cost of your life?" He asked.
 "I do!" they said in chorus.
 "Then from this day on, Cragpaw, you will be known as Cragfur; Starclan honors your humor and resilience. Mottlepaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Mottleleaf; Starclan honors your strength. Nimblepaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Nimblefeet; Starclan honors your speed and stealth. Owlpaw, from this day forward, you will be known as Owlsong; Starclan honors your willingness to do anything for the clan."
 "Cragfur! Mottleleaf! Nimblefeet! Owlsong!" the crowd cheered, their voices bouncing off the stone walls and surrounding each newly made warrior with joy.
 Beachstripe came rushing forward. "Congratulations!" she said, with happiness and with such a lively energy.
 Berrymask stepped towards her, his eyes locking hers. "I'm proud of you." He said it simply, but just hearing him, just seeing the love in his eyes made Owlsong shake.
 Before she could react, Pearlfeather's white pelt collided with hers and she licked the top of her daughter's head. "I'm so happy for you!" she sobbed. Owlsong could feel tears dropping on her pelt like a slight drizzle of rain. She stumbled beneath her mother's weight, her head spinning. Tears blurred her vision.
 She - she's happy for me.
~Chapter Three~ Owlsong stretched her lanky legs, yawning. She ducked under the entrance to the warrior's den and headed out, into the chilly, leaf-fall air. It was still dark, a little before the sun had even risen, but she wanted to be out in time for the dawn patrol. 
 Wouldn't be good if I missed my first dawn patrol as warrior!
 She met Mottleleaf at the entrance, who was also eagerly waiting for a patrol to form.
 "Berrymask is waking Marshpelt. Us four will go on a border patrol."
 Owlsong smiled brightly. This was the first time she would be without Beachstripe's help. She hoped for the best, and even sent a prayer to Starclan for safety. She couldn't thank them enough for letting her become a warrior.
 Berrymask arrived with Marshpelt at his side. "There have been some strange sightings of a tom recently," Berrymask informed the two. "We don't know which clan he is from, but our job is to chase him off our territory, understood?"
 "How long has he been wandering around?" Mottleleaf asked.
 "For about two sunrises," Marshpelt answered. "He is a lanky brown tabby with white stripes too. Sometimes the scent of blood even follows him." He shivered. "And it doesn't smell like the blood of prey."
 Owlsong twitched. "You mean-he smells like a cat's blood?"
 "We aren't sure," Berrymask growled and sent a sharp glance at the younger tom. "But there is prey in other territories that Polarclan doesn't have. Let's not get hasty and jump to conclusions."
WIPCategory:Clans
Category:Cats