Chapter Six
“You two must be the most mouse-brained apprentices that have ever been born!” Mewled and sputtered Longsky as she glared icily at the two apprentices that were sitting hunched in front of her and Smokestar, the latter to whom was deathly silent and still. Pacing back and forth with her tail flicking erratically behind her and her ears flattened to the sides of her head, the soft sandy brown tabby looked beyond pissed off. “I can’t believe that you….urgh! Especially you, Bloodpaw!!” Sending a glower towards the blood red ginger, who tried to stare back at her defiantly, Longsky muttered beneath her breath while trying to find the right words to express her deep disappointment.
Luckily for them, or was it a misfortune for them, that Smokestar decided to speak up finally. “Thanks to you two little hare-brains,” He started in a silky voice, with Bloodpaw taking a deep gulp, “Shadowclan is now the talk of the four clans. You, Graypaw,” Eyes flicking hard to the dark silver tom who immediately shrank away from his gaze, “It has been MOONS, and you’re still acting like a scared kit. I don’t need warriors who are lacking in the confident section and are afraid of their own shadows. Tighten those nerves of yours, and start acting more brave around here.
As for you, Bloodpaw,” Bloodpaw kind of had to hold his breath. “I understand that you want to help your fellow clanmates out. Especially when they are lacking in some areas, but sometimes others need to learn how to build up their own confidence and strength. Learn how to find and forge their own bravery on the paths they choose.
That’s what I seek from my warriors in Shadowclan.” Smokestar finished with a light purr. There was still anger dwelling in his tone, but Bloodpaw felt rather than heard the underlying tone of admiration for what he did. It made him feel relieved, if only for a fraction, and gave him hope for the future. Though, and looking towards Graypaw, he couldn’t help but feel guilty for Graypaw.
“Now don’t you think you’re out of the woods just yet, you two.” Mewled Longsky which brought Bloodpaw’s attention back to her. “You’re still going to be punished for your actions earlier. But since this is only a scolding and not an actual lecture from Smokestar, the both of you will spend the remaining day taking care of Joltbear’s and Honeyshadow’s kits. Don’t you dare try to protest unless you want something much harsher.” Irises thinning as both apprentices’ tried to give out their opinions, which they both fell silent under the wither of her gaze, Longsky glanced towards Smokestar to see if he agreed with her.
The dark silver tom merely inclined his head a bit in acknowledgement, before he picked himself up from where he was sitting next to the High Rock, and headed back for the camp with Longsky following suit behind him. This left Graypaw and Bloodpaw alone out on the moors, the wind causing the tall grass rubbing against their paws and flanks. Nothing stirred nor made any noise, well besides the wind and the occasional insects droning by. “Thank you for trying to stick up for me, Bloodpaw.” Mewled Graypaw as he turned his attention to his only friend in the entire clan. “Kind of saved my tail back there. I’m not sure if I was going to be able to even start the race, you know.”
“Listen, Graypaw,” Began Bloodpaw as he kept his focus upon the sky as his eyes began to lift upwards, “Maybe we should worry about building ourselves up to be more confident. Smokestar is right in a way, we can’t always rely on each other to have each other’s backs. What if there comes a time when we’re not around for each other? Then what? What I’m trying to say is….hmm.” It was hard to get the words out just right. Scrunching his face, Bloodpaw then looked towards his paws where he instinctively began flexing his claws in and out of their sheathes.
“I hope you don’t take it the wrong way though. I’m not entirely sure if I can protect everyone here if I’m too worried about protecting you. There are things that are gnawing at my mind, and it is hard to focus like that.”
“Bloodpaw, you don’t really need to explain yourself.” Mewled Graypaw as he began walking ahead of the ginger tabby. “I know that I need to work on defending myself, even if it takes me moons to do so. But I promise my ancestors that I will improve and work on my confidence. “ Giving Bloodpaw a reassuring smile, in what he hoped was a reassuring smile, Graypaw trotted off towards camp as well. Which only left the blood-red ginger to his own thoughts.
Just as he was about to head back as well to start his punishment, an echoing squawk caused Bloodpaw to hesitate into taking a step forward. Right ear flicking itself backward, the ginger apprentice would glance around the moors to determine where the source of the squawk had come from, but found nothing there. Unfortunately, there was no sign of a crow or any bird for that matter. Not in this part of the day. ‘Calm down Bloodpaw,’ He told himself while smiling tightly as he began walking forward again, ‘ You’re just imagining things now. So get a grip on reality or you’re going to lose it for sure.’