Ch 3-Story of Three-Kotapaw

Notes & Credits

3-Kotapaw The sun blazed down on ThunderClan’s training grounds as Kotapaw and her mentor, Thornstar, approached. Kotapaw tumbled down into the training grounds and shot up again when she remembered her mentor was the leader. When Kotapaw looked back, she saw the warm green gaze of Thornstar watching with a smile, and only a moment later did he roll down the sides of the clearing. He shook the bracken and dirt out of his golden fur. “What a feeling to be young again!” He purred. The ThunderClan leader let Kotapaw to the middle of the clearing. “Anyways, today is your first day of training!” He meowed, “Exciting, is it not?” Kotapaw nodded enthusiastically. *My mentor is Clan leader!* She scolded herself. *Act normal!* Kotapaw sat down, nodding. Thornstar smiled. “Today, we’ll be working on a hunter’s crouch, like this,” The tom sort-of stooped, his tail flicked back and forth, and his front legs were stretched out. Without thinking, she shook her head. “You’ve got it all wrong, you’re too high up on your legs, which should have more pressure on your back legs, and you need to keep your tail low, but not so low as it’ll stir up the dust or leaves wherever you're hunting. If you were to stalk a mouse with your front legs splayed out like that, the mouse will know exactly—” Kotapaw caught herself and remembered that Thornstar was not only older than her, but was also Clan leader! “Oh, StarClan!” She exclaimed. “I’m sorry! I just have this—” Thornstar stopped her and smiled again with approval. “It was a test, Kotapaw,” he assured her. “I just wanted to see how much you knew already, so I don’t waste time teaching you things that you already know!” A rush of relief passed through Kotapaw. “Can I try the position now?” She asked. When Thornstar nodded, she got into position and earned a purr of approval from her mentor. “Now,” he gestured at the bushes, “I want you to find a prey animal, catch it, and bring it back to camp on your own. You seem more than capable of that. When you return, you can have the rest of the day free.” Kotapaw nodded and set off into the bushes. Not long after, she thought she smelled...magpie? Her favourite. Too bad she probably wouldn’t get to eat it... Kotapaw stalked onwards. When she was only steps away from the black and white bird, the bird lifted its head, flapped its feathers, and started to take off. But not before Kotapaw jumped, caught one of its feet, and dragged it back down to earth. She realized she had never practiced the killing bite on real, living prey, but she would have to try. She pinned the magpie down and bit into its neck, the warm taste of blood in her mouth. Once she was sure the magpie was dead, she picked it up by the back and trotted back to camp. Kotapaw knew the way home by heart, as her mother and father, Daisybranch and Heathclaw, had taught her and brought her outside many times before. When she had finally made it home to the sandy ravine, Kotapaw placed her magpie on the fresh-kill pile and went to find Thornstar. He was heading to the medicine den when she found him. I could bring Rosepaw the magpie. She thought. Rosepaw was the hardworking medicine apprentice, and would often go days without eating, to preserve food and water for patients. She always said, “Better to be hungry and your family healthy!” It was kind of unnecessary, as ThunderClan usually had more food than they needed, especially around newleaf. Kotapaw rushed back to the fresh-kill pile and grabbed the magpie, then scampered back to the medicine den. Sure enough, Rosepaw’s skinny frame was inside, rummaging through the herb store. “Hi, Kotapaw,” she mewed distractedly. Thornstar was lingering in the corner of the den, shaking his paw. “Kotapaw!” He purred, surprised. “You aren’t hurt, are you? I only got a thorn stuck in my paw, ironically.” “Yeah, wasn’t your warrior name like, Thornleaper or something?” Called Rosepaw sarcastically. Thornstar sighed without a reply. Rosepaw withdrew a few leaves from the herb store and began to chew them up. The three were silent for a few seconds as Rosepaw spread the poultice over Thornstar’s paw. When she was done, Thornstar began to limp around the medicine den. “Stay off that paw for a bit, at sundown, come see me again.” Rosepaw ordered. Thornstar nodded and left the den. Kotapaw suddenly remembered why she was there. “Oh, uhm, Rosepaw, I caught a starling and wanted to bring it here because there’s more than enough prey on the pile and—” “Thank you, Kotapaw,” Rosepaw cut her off with a rare smile. “That was kind of you.” Kotapaw smiled back, then turned and went back to the main camp. *Maybe I will make friends here.*