Nightpaw quickly woke up when he felt a hard bop on his head. He look up into Turtlepaw's smug face.
"Not so nice to be woken up like that right?" Turtlepaw mew. There is a mischievous glint in her blue eyes as she lick a paw. He can only growl, knowing he deserved it for doing the same thing to her earlier. She left the den as he begin to clean himself before leaving. Blinking his eyes, he purr as he felt the cool night air. Looking up, he saw it was moonhigh and the camp is relaxing. Brokenstar was chatting with yellowfang and scorchwind, Badgerfang was whispering to Hopeheart with his tail on her shoulder. Blackfoot was sharing tongues with Hollyflower and that when he noticed that they kinda look alike in their body shape. Turtlepaw prod his side to get his attention.
"Here you go. Gullpaw and Mousepaw is already out with Fernshade and Applefur." She mew as she drop a blackbird in front of him. She had a lizard in front of herself, begin to eat as he look to see where Gingerpaw was. He saw her with Runningnose, talking to him as she deliver some prey to him. Russetfur, Deerfoot and Tangleburr went to eat with him as Gingerpaw join them.
"Hey Gingerpaw, are you excited for tonight?" Turtlepaw asks as she was finished. Nightpaw took his time as he is busy observing the camp with one ear turn towards the conversation.
"Of Course. Love learning about the differences between day and night hunting. While the other clans sleep at night, we get to explore and see things they never know about. Like how quiet owls are. At least that what Ratscar told me." She mew as she start to clean herself.
"Nightpaw? Are you paying attention? Hello?" Turtlepaw walk towards him as he was busy eating. He place his tail against her mouth when she was close enough.
"You can learn a lot if you observe. Yes I'm excited as well. Besides Night hunting should be more interesting since we can't see without the moonlight. How do we sneak up on prey if they can smell us coming? The wind is cooler than the day and doesn't blow as much." Nightpaw wonder as he move his tail.
"Very good observation Nightpaw. Maybe you got some sense in that kittypet head of yours." Swampcloud was walking by. He sat down by them. His neck fur bristle as he finish his meal. He was going to open his mouth to respond but Gingerpaw was faster.
"Swampcloud, he been with us for close to three days. His kittypet scent had faded by now. He was ready to die by rogues. Besides you know there are half kittypets around so knock it off! Stop being a mousebrain because it is getting tiring." She was nose to nose with him, her tail lashing.
Swampcloud look taken aback by Gingerpaw defensiveness. He look and saw Turtlepaw glaring at him as well. He watch as Nightpaw stood with Gingerpaw.
"I'm not going to apologize for where I was born. No cat can help with where they are born. I will do everything to prove to you and everyone that I'm not going anywhere. I will become a warrior that you would be proud of calling your clanmate." Nightpaw hiss softly so only they can hear it.
"I would be watching and waiting for you to run once it gets too tough. Bet you be leaving once leafbare starts. Sure it easy to say that when the prey is running." Swampcloud gave a smirk as he walk off.
"Can't believe I'm related to him." Gingerpaw huff as she sat down. Both Nightpaw and Turtlepaw stare at her. Noticing this, she told them that Dawncloud had another mate before Ratscar but he died against rats in the Carrionplace. It also how Ratscar got his scar and patchy tail. She only knows because as a kit, she overheard them talking about it when they thought she was sleeping. So they share the same mother and at least Blossomsky is nicer.
"At least you know your parents. I was lucky to run across Charlie and that was only because he lived around the corner. This clan is a big family and I see that now." Nightpaw's mew is bitter as he went to get rid of the bones of his meal. Badgerfang came towards them, telling them it was time as Nightpaw return.
They walk through the thorn tunnel, seeing Flintfang's patrol ahead of them. Soon they stop at the marsh as Flintfang's patrol continue to WindClan tunnel.
"As you can tell, it's going to be harder to hunt at night. Can anyone tell me why that is?" Badgerfang mew as an owl hooted.
"Because we aren't the only ones hunting? Don't owls eat mice too? Also foxes and badgers are night creatures as well. " Nightpaw asks as he glance at the others.
"The wind barely blows at night compare to day. Also it is dark." Turtlepaw said as she notice this with her whiskers twitching.
"There not enough prey that is awake at night too. Aren't they all sleeping?" Gingerpaw mew with a shrug.
"All correct. So now I'm going to show you a ShadowClan secret." Badgerfang went towards the marsh water and duck until it cover him to his shoulders. Nightpaw frown as he realize he could only smell the marsh now.
"Disguising our scents works wonders during night hunts. As you can scent, you can no longer smell Badgerfang. Now all of you do the same." Hopeheart mew. Her whiskers twitch in amusement as she saw the expressions on the apprentices.
Nightpaw can feel the muck touch his belly as he walk deeper until he is covered. Looking at Gingerpaw, he saw she had a look of disgust on her face. Same with Turtlepaw on his other side. He was still scared of getting stuck but he went to the shallow end. After getting out, he was not looking forward to cleaning himself.
"Now remember to keep your senses alert as you hunt. Try your best." Mossclaw mew as they begin to go hunt. Turtlepaw ran towards the ThunderClan border with Mossclaw.
"Bet you I get way more prey than you!" She shouted as she ran.
She won't be catching anything with how much noise she is making. He thought to himself as he open his mouth to catch a scent. The wind was barely blowing and with everyone all muddy, he couldn't scent anything. Maybe I need to go to the burnt sycamore. As he begin to pad away, he felt a paw prodding him.
"Want to hunt together? Since it be easier with two?" Gingerpaw asks when he look at her. He look over at Badgerfang and he told them they never said that they have to be alone.
"Sure. You know any good hunting spots? Was thinking the burnt sycamore but not sure. Maybe the Carrionplace but heard there was rats there and it is dangerous." Nightpaw mew as she begin to lead the way.
"The marsh is the hardest since frogs and lizards won't be out. Maybe we can scent something far from the marsh. With Turtlepaw at the ThunderClan border, we can go to WindClan tunnel. Or near it since there are cats switching out with the guards. Twolegplace is good too cuz Kittypets won't be out at night." Gingerpaw said as Nightpaw walk by her side.
Soon they smelt a mouse hiding in the grass, With a flick of her tail, she told him to circle around to block its escape. The mouse had no idea cuz of their disguises, thought Nightpaw as they crept up using the quiet step they learnt earlier. Soon Gingerpaw launch herself forward but an owl managed to grab her in midair.
"Gingerpaw!" Nightpaw yell as they ran after the owl. Hopeheart launch herself in the air but fell short. Gingerpaw let out a wail as the owl's claws held her tighter, flying up slowly due to the weight. Badgerfang launch himself and managed to grab her front paws. The owl lower itself more due to the increase of weight.
"Nightpaw aim for the wings." Hopeheart hiss as she jump for the body. Nightpaw nodded as he jump on one wing. With their combined weight, the owl fell to the ground. Nightpaw aim a bite to one wing while Badgerfang managed to claw the face. Hopeheart did a killing bite and soon the talon release Gingerpaw. There was holes where the claws dug into her flanks and she was breathing hard. Blood was pooling under her body. Hopeheart put her on her back as they ran to camp.
"Runningnose!" Badgerfang call out as they came through the tunnel. Dawncloud let out a wail as she saw the state of her daughter. She rush to her side, licking her when Runningnose came up and told them to put her in the medicine den. He kick Dawncloud out so he can focus on saving her. Dawncloud was pacing back and forth. Even hissing at Swampcloud when he tried to led her away. Swampcloud just sat nearby while she continuing pacing.
Please be okay. Was so stupid. Of course owls will be up at night. I even said it. Nightpaw thought to himself, feeling guilt as he wait close to the medicine den. He should have been looking up. Time seem to move slow until Runningnose came out.
"She made it but she won't be doing anything until those wounds heal. I give her at least a moon." Runningnose nod at Dawncloud as she rush inside. Nightpaw watch as both Blossomsky and Swampcloud went inside as well. A prick was felt in his heart as he watch her family gathered.
The camp mood was somber as he left. He first went to a stream to wash the muck off of him. He made sure no one saw him leave as he went back to the owl's body. With a loud growl, he attack the body, clawing until there was nothing left. This is all your fault! Everything was going fine until you had to mess everything up! was all that is playing in his head. He didn't know how long he was out there but he was breathing heavily as his rage left him feeling worn out.
"Feeling better?" A deep voice mew as he froze. Looking behind him, he saw Brokenstar watching him with his tail curl around his paws. He peer into his eyes, looking for some judgement but there was none.
"I...yes." was all Nightpaw can get out as he look at the ground. There was nothing he can say and it was made clear Brokenstar already knew why he is here.
"You have the same anger I had in my youth." The sun was slowly peeking out from the horizon as Brokenstar spoke.
"What do I do?" Nightpaw mew softly as he look at him. Brokenstar walk until he sat next to him.
"Channel it for the good of the clan. That rage can be a good thing but it also can lead you down a path of darkness. I should know for I step on that line. And it was very hard to hold back. My father died due to a WindClan patrol. Next time I saw that cat, I had him under my claws." At this Brokenstar swipe his paw with his claws extended. Nightpaw eyes widen as he saw how long those claws was.
"I didn't care for the code and all I can hear was my father's voice telling me to do it. But I didn't. It was the hardest thing to let him go." Brokenstar mew is soft.
"Did you regret it? If you don't mind me asking?" Nightpaw's glance at him, seeing the memories swimming in his orange eyes. Brokenstar was watching the sun rise.
"Do you regret lashing at the owl's body?" He asks with an ear twitch. "Even now I wondered. You should wash that blood off and get some sleep." Brokenstar's mew was brisk and Nightpaw realize that was the cat under the mask. He push his nose into Brokenstar's side for a second to let him know that he won't ever tell anyone about this. He gave a small smile in return as Nightpaw pad slowly back to the camp. At least he now knows he isn't the only one with anger issues. He look back, seeing Brokenstar's silhouette against the sky.