HeatherClan Book- Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Apprentice Woes

Fernpaw was just waking up when Willowpaw bounded over. "We're going hunting with our mentors!" she mewed excitedly.

"Great!" Fernpaw shot out of her nest. "Race you to the fresh kill pile!"

"Wait up!" Willowpaw raced after her.

Fernpaw was just picking out a plump chaffinch when Willowpaw skidded to a stop beside her.

"Share?" asked Fernpaw.

"Thanks!" Willowpaw was just about to take a big bite when she heard a voice behind her.

"What do you think you are you doing?" hissed Nightfall.

"Eating," replied Willowpaw defiantly.

"Have you ever even heard of the Warrior's Code?" Another cat spoke up.

Windflight padded over to his friend. "You can't eat until you've hunted!"

"Okay! Okay!" Willowpaw backed away.

Then Windflight saw Fernpaw. "Fernpaw! You too?" he meowed in shock and surprise. "I thought you had more sense than that!" Fernpaw tried to make herself disappear, but failed.

"Sorry," she mewed in a small voice.

"You"ll be cleaning the elders den today!" decided Moonrain, who was standing nearby.

"But..but you're not the deputy!" stammered Willowpaw.

By that time, Silverstar had already woken up. "What's going on?" she meowed, her voice ringing through the silent camp.

Somewhere, a bird chirped.

Finally, Snowbird took charge and meowed, "These two have tried to eat without hunting first!"

Silverstar's eyes widened in surprise. "Fernpaw? And Willowpaw? Come with me."

She led them across the Stone Cross to behind her den, where they wouldn't be overheard.

"Goldenfur!" Silverstar called.

"Here!" Goldenfur hurried over. "What's the matter?" she asked when she noticed Willowpaw and Fernpaw huddled together and trembling.

"Willowpaw and Fernpaw were caught trying to eat before hunting first," answered Silverstar.

"And Willowpaw talked back to a warrior. Moonrain told me," added Goldenfur. "Well, what do you think is a good enough punishment?" she prompted.

"How about checking the elders for ticks?" suggested Silverstar.

"But---"

"And cleaning their bedding?" added Goldenfur. Silverstar nodded in agreement.

"Goldenfur!" wailed Fernpaw.

"And then you can hunt," meowed Silverstar. "And eat when you get back." She flicked her tail in dismissal.

Their own tails drooping, Willowpaw and Fernpaw headed for the elders den.

"I'll go collect moss," mewed Fernpaw before disappearing into the the bramble tunnel.

Willowpaw heard soft whispers behind her.

"What do you think Silverstar did to them?" came Thistlekit's voice.

"I bet they can't eat for a moon," meowed Berrypaw, not bothering to keep his voice down.

Moonflower shushed them.

Willowpaw spun around to see all the apprentices and the kits in a huddle. They all froze immediately when they noticed her listening.

Finally, Minnowpaw padded over and asked, "What happened?"

"I have to clean the elders den and check the elders for ticks. Then I have to hunt before I can eat." she meowed glumly.

"Ooh," mewed the kits.

"Oh, well," meowed Mistypaw sympathetically. "You'd better get going."

Willowpaw nodded, then entered the elders den with a great sigh.

Meanwhile, Fernpaw was searching for moss by the river. When she came to a big clump, she pulled with all her might...and flew backwards, landing on a dead rabbit!

Sniffing the rabbit, Fernpaw found Goldenfur's scent on it.

Gratefully, Fernpaw gobbled up the rabbit and vowed not to tell her Clanmates about it.

Then, Fernpaw went on collecting moss, and she heard Goldenfur start assigning patrols.

After a while, she headed back into the camp.