Chapter Five

“So, how is the race going to go?” Bloodpaw asked upon sitting in front of the others. On his way back here, he had taken the time to notice the other clans were also in deep discussion. ‘No doubt they are planning their own strategies.’ He thought with a slight smirk on his face as excitement started to pump through his body.

“The other clan leaders figured that all apprentices will be racing as one,” Mewled Smokestar as he busied himself in cleaning off his pelt. “It would help us watch for any signs of potential warriors that way, and it also paves the way to correct any mistakes in an apprentices’ posture in hunting.” Licking the underside of his right fore-paw, Smokestar peered at the cats gathered around him. “And to be honest, none of y’all have shown me that potential. So please, show me.”

That put a little damper on every cat’s spirit gathered around. Even so, and taking a peek towards Sagepaw, Bloodpaw noticed that he wasn’t as fazed as the rest of them. ‘Of course he isn’t.’ Bloodpaw thought with a bit of bitterness. “Don’t worry, Smokestar,” He began mewling with as much conviction as he could muster. “I promise in the hearts of Starclan, we won’t fail you.”

He could hear a light snicker coming from behind him, probably Sagepaw rolling his eyes, but his words were true. This only gave him a ghost of a smile from Smokestar and that made him a little bit glad. Just as he was about to say something else, movement from the corner of his eye made him flick his head to the right. Thinking it was that she-cat from earlier, what Bloodpaw saw almost made him dismiss things. It was a large crow that had decided to roost upon the drying branch of a large oak just a few rabbit hops away. But, the young ginger apprentice didn’t pay it no heed and thought nothing of it.

However, he could have sworn that the crow was staring directly at him. Not in a curious way either. It felt like it was actually observing him intently. Shivering despite the warmth, Bloodpaw turned his attention as Smokestar was beginning to speak to them again. “It would appear as though Lightpaw is about to announce the race.” He was speaking as a large snow white tortoiseshell tom with a single black patch over his right eye, slowly walked to the center of the area where he could be seen and heard clearly. 

Leader of Thunderclan, and the voice of reason amongst the four clans, Lightpaw might have been slender and lithe; but his pelt was long and bushy enough to make him appear bigger than he already was. Especially when he started to make his fur bristle when he was pissed. “Welcome to our annual race here in Thunder Gorge.” Lightpaw mewled with earnestness and appreciation that every cat was present for this event. “It has been many moons since we last gathered for such an event.

I’m glad our new generation of apprentices’ could make it this time around. I’m sure that their leaders are absolutely delighted for them to have a chance to prove themselves as future warriors.” Smokestar merely scoffed at the words, and Bloodpaw kind of gave an awkward smile. “But, I shouldn’t dwell on these matters for much longer. I’m sure you all are anxious to get started on this, so I shall not delay any longer. 

Would all the apprentices from every clan make their way down the gorge’s path? Leaders, please take your spots along the edges to keep watch over your clanmates. We don’t want any accidents to happen or any violence being made.” Upon finishing speaking, every apprentice from the four clans began making their way towards the far left side of the gorge where the path that led up and down it was located.

It wasn’t a steep path though, and wide enough for around three cats to walk side by side comfortably. Bloodpaw, however, was unfortunately walking next to; or at least behind, Sagepaw and Creampaw. And he could hear the conversation they were talking about. “This is crazy.” Sagepaw was saying quite low to Creampaw who, once again, hung onto every word he was speaking. Like it was the most entertaining she ever heard in her moons. “Why do we need to prove ourselves to be warriors, in a race?

And the way Smokestar spoke about it, you would think he’d have more faith in us. Well, in me anyways. Graypaw always looks like he could faint if a butterfly landed on the bridge of his nose. Bloodpaw, I don’t know about him. He doesn’t look that athletic anyways. And he’s always looking at you, Creampaw. Makes me feel very uncomfortable the way he stares like that.” Giving the look like he was uncomfortable, Sagepaw flicked his eyes in the direction of Creampaw.

“I think you’re being a little bit too hard on Graypaw.” Mewled Creampaw with a soft look in her eyes. “He just needs a confidence boost, you know. I think this race could give him that.” Sagepaw just merely rolled his eyes at that, which Creampaw ignored completely while continuing to talk to him. “About Bloodpaw though, he’s just looking out for me. After all, we were kind of raised together since he was brought here as a kit. The way he holds himself up despite all the talks about him, I don’t know it just makes me want to push myself as well.”

Behind them, Bloodpaw was a little bristled at how Sagepaw always seemed to mock and put down Graypaw. Sure, the gray tom had some problems confronting things; but that didn’t mean others could just make fun of him like that. Which only made him smile inside when Creampaw stood up for the both of them. Sagepaw, however, merely scoffed at her a bit. But, he remained quiet through the rest of the walk down until they were lined up with the other apprentices.

Lowering his body as close to the ground as he could, Bloodpaw flicked the tip of his tail a little while breathing slow and hard. The rest of the apprentices’ were in the process of doing the same posture, which was perfect since this was to show the clan leaders how much they’ve practiced getting into hunter stances. Bloodpaw could hear Graypaw from the other side of Sagepaw to the left, start muttering beneath his breath. No doubt trying to keep himself calm and confident. However, Sagepaw was not doing a thing to help with it. Sliding his eyes towards them, Bloodpaw was miffed that Sagepaw was not trying to help Graypaw calm down. 

There was nothing he could do about it, unfortunately, he just prayed to Starclan that nothing bad happened during this race and asked them to give Graypaw the strength to get through this. “BEGIN!” Shouted Lightstar, and like ghosts darting across the field, all of the apprentices’ dashed forward at various speeds. The ones from Windclan, however, were mostly the ones up in front. The only cat that was keeping up with them, barely though, was Sagepaw who was huffing hard. But the determination was etched across his entire muzzle. Coming up from behind him around five rabbit hops, were the other apprentices from the remaining clan and Creampaw. So, where was Bloodpaw and Graypaw?

The moment that the race had begun, Graypaw had hesitated to even take a single step forward and was cowering in a tight ball. Mutters of ‘I can’t do this’ and ‘I’m too scared’, escaping from his muzzle. Bloodpaw, who had only taken a paw-length of steps ahead, had noticed his hesitation and had decided to drop back. Now, he was trying to give Graypaw an emotional boost of confidence. “Come now, Graypaw. It’s just a race. There’s no need to worry about what others are going to say about you.” He was saying in soft mewls and purring to give more reassurance.

“If anyone tries to talk about you behind your back or in front of you, I’m gonna make sure that they never do. And I put my heart and paw in a promise to Starclan.” He finished with a soft smile. That must have given Graypaw the confidence he needed. He knew that Bloodpaw was a cat of his word, and shaking as he got up; the dark silver tom nodded his head once. That’s when the both of them dashed across the gorge as fast as their legs could carry them. They knew already that the race had finished, they could hear the cheers from the onlookers as most of the apprentices crossed that line; but they didn’t care. Not at that moment.

“Do you think Smokestar is going to be mad at us?” Mewled Graypaw beneath his breath as he panted hard next to Bloodpaw. 

“Uh,”