Appletail's quest I Ch.5

Instructions

... -------- Appletail woke up with a yawn. She looked over to Duckpaw who was sleeping next to her. It had been a few days since the questing cats had been attacked by a dog. It had left Duckpaw only with a terrible head ache. Thank StarClan it was nothing worse. Since then they had followed Burningpelt's every order, and never complained about being hungery or tired. Duckpaw's head ache had followed him everyday but it had been getting better the past few days. Now he was asleep, and Appletail prooded him with a paw. "Duckpaw, wake up. It's time to eat." She whispered softly in his ear. Duckpaw groogily sat up and yawned. "Is it light out already?" He asked, his eyes half-closed. "Mhm." Duckpaw yawned again. "Oh well. Better go ahead and finish last nights meal." He got up and padded over to the left-overs while Appletail went to wake the others up. When they were all awake and had eaten their fill for the day, Burningpelt gathered them together and headed off. Today, it seemed as though Robinpaw had more of a bounce in her step then yesterday. When she learned that Duckpaw was okay, she had looked releaved and seemed happier each day. When ever she saw her, Appletail gussed that Robinpaw might have had a good nights sleep or a nice dream. But today, she seemed happier than usuall. Perhapes she should ask about it later. Appletail padded along side Duckpaw, their pelts brushing. "How's that head ache?" She asked, desperate for conversation. "It dosen't hurt as much now. I think it's almost gone." He said, looking at Appletail. For some reason, Appletail felt a much bigger conection to Duckpaw then just a mentor and apprentice connection. No, it felt much, much bigger... "Do you know why your sister is so happy all the time?" Appletail asked Duckpaw, glancing at Robinpaw. "No clue. But I think it's just because she's glad I'm okay." Appletail nodded. That sounded reasonable. But she couldn't help thinking that she was happy for a diffirent reason... *cue transiton scene* Appletail yawned. They had been walking for what seemed like forever, and the sun was starting to set but she didn't complain. She knew that Burningpelt would only get mad at her. But Burningpelt stoped and faced the qroup. "I think we've traveled enough for today." He said and padded over to a nearby bush and went under it. Appletail looked suprised. This was early for him to stop. Perhapes he was feeling kind and called the traveling to a stop for today. "Wait... it's early for that, isn't it?" Duckpaw asked, seeming to read Appletail's mind. "Huh. Well since we're done traveling today, I'll go ahead and hunt." Robinpaw said padding over to them. "I'll come with you." Appletail said quickly. She didn't want the apprentice to be attacked again without anyone there to help. "No no. I'll be fine. We're far enough away from the twoleg place now so there isn't a real big need for a warrior to come with me." Robinpaw told her. Even though she knew it was true, she still wanted to go with her just in case. But she reluctantly agreed, and Robinpaw padded off to hunt. Appletail and Duckpaw sat down, waiting for Robinpaw to come back with food. As they waited in silence, it was getting closer to dark, they heard a bird cry above them. They both looked up and saw a massive eagle circleing overhead. Burningpelt poked his head out from the entrance that he had made and looked up, then in a panic he called to the other two, "Get in here! Quickly!" and he ducked back in. Appletail and Duckpaw shot for the entrance and entered to see a frightened Burningpelt. "Where's Robinpaw?" he asked them. "She went hunting!" Duckpaw told him. "What!?" they all looked towards the entrance anxiously looking for Robinpaw's return. Bracken rustled and Robinpaw padded into the small clearing carying a small rabbit. "Sorry guys, this is all I could find. Guys? Where did you go?" Robinpaw asked, dropping her prey and looking around. The eagle schreeched and Robinpaw looked up just before a massive eagle swooped down and grabbed her. "Robinpaw!" Duckpaw cryed, leaping out of they're hiding place and chased after the bird. Appletail and Burningpelt shot after him, but Appletail ran faster then both of them, being half WindClan made her faster on the moor. When she got close enough, she jumped up and landed on the birds talons. She clawed at the bird but she lost her grip and fell. Appletail landed with a thud on the ground, but she quickly jumped up to her paws and watched with wide eyes as the bird caried her friend higher and higher, eventually dissapearing in the forest ahead. She heard Duckpaw and Burningpelt stopping close behind her. She heard the soft crying of Duckpaw and the soft murmur, "Robinpaw...no..." under his breath. She heard Burningpelt going over to comfort the apprentice. She heard the faint cry of Robinpaw as she slowly died in the eagles talons. Her eyes never left the place where the eagle dissapeard and tears formed in her eyes. *con bellow*