Warriors : A New Omen

Chapter 8 >> Aftermath

"You what?!" The old leader exclaimed. He paused from his grooming to stare incredulously at Frostpaw and Willowpaw, both of whom struggled to keep their pride under control. Frostpaw couldn't help but lift her chin and square her shoulders.

"I am very impressed by your clever thinking, this will be very helpful for the Clan," he said. "But you deliberately went against my orders. Need I remind you that my word is law?"

The two apprentices shared a guilty glance before staring at the ground. Badgerstar rose from his nest and gave his fur a shake. "I'm sure your mentors will find an appropriate punishment for the both of you. In the meantime, I must call the Clan for a meeting." He paused and stifled a purr of amusement. "It seems I am doing that quite often lately."

They exited the leader's den and found Ashpelt and Beeflight waiting impatiently for them.

Beeflight met the she-cats before Ashpelt could scold them. "Do you know where the other apprentices are? Sunpaw and I were supposed to practice hunting today."

"Uh, no. Sorry," Willowpaw lied, instantly feeling her ears burn with guilt. Beeflight drilled his gaze into her eyes. She met it without flinching.

Ashpelt stomped up. "Where have you been? Sneaking off like--" He was interrupted by Badgerstar's call.

The cats made their way to gather around Highledge, muttering in confusion to one another. Willowpaw slipped away from Ashpelt, but knew he would return to pick that bone some other time. She found her mother and joined her at the outer edge of the assembly.

Badgerstar proceeded to announce Willowpaw and Frostpaw's discovery on how to disable the traps, which aroused surprised looks and congratulatory words. Willowpaw tried - and failed- to duck away from Hollyheart's nuzzle.

"Because of this new threat, I would like to implement a new patrol. Starting next sunrise, a trap patrol will go out to ensure that any and all traps in this forest are disabled. Frostpaw will accompany the first one to demonstrate how to do so." Badgerstar finished.

Willowpaw noticed that this was met with mixed reactions. Greeneyes, Scarletfang and Foxtooth didn't seem thrilled at the idea of more patrols, whereas others quivered their tails in excitement.

"I am so proud of you, Willowpaw." Hollyheart said, and then her eyes hardened. "In the future though, don't do something so dangerous. Badgerstar knows what's best, so respect his word by following it. I couldn't imagine if something happened to you."

"Yes, mother," Willowpaw responded.

The cats had begun to dissipate and go about their duties. Hollyheart gave her daughter one last nuzzle before joining Oakfur to share tongues.

Willowpaw felt a sudden rush of joy that she of all the members in the Clan had been praised by the leader. I could get used to this! She thought, giving the already sleek fur on her chest another lick.

"So that's what you were doing at sunrise!"

She jumped a little, her previous composure somewhat ruffled. Woodpaw and his brother were standing behind her, fur spiked in curiosity. Frostpaw came trotting over to join the talk. She held her nose high and brought with her an air of superiority.

"Yeah, you always have all the fun," Sunpaw complained. His blue-gray eyes shone with envy.

"What about the fun you were having this morning?" Frostpaw countered, staring intently at the toms.

Sunpaw opened his mouth to give a stinging reply, but instead muttered, "We were hunting," and stalked away. Woodpaw shuffled his paws awkwardly and followed Sunpaw.