REPOSTED

Instructions

“You don't have to do this, Javaheart!” Crystalleaf yelped again. “Get out! This is no place for kittypets like you!” Gingerpaw spat in anger. “Gingerpaw! Stay out of this. Go back to camp and tell Angelstar that Crystalleaf was found hunting into our territory!” Javaheart hissed. “O-ok Javaheart,” Gingerpaw murmured. Gingerpaw ran as fast as he could, scraping dirt from underneath his paws. Gingerpaw ran through the gorge and toward the camp. Mousepaw was only a few mouse lengths away from Gingerpaw. “Angelstar!” Gingerpaw yelped. Angelstar looked at him, surprised.” What happened?” she asked. “Cry-crystalleaf was hunting in our territory!” Gingerpaw said in between gasps. Angelstar gasped and ran toward the nursery. “Protect the kits, Morningwing!” Angelstar said. Morningwing nodded and wrapped her tail around the young kits, who squirmed in her soft fur. Feeling weak and tired, Gingerpaw collapsed onto his soft moss bedding. He knew he had to help get Crystalleaf out of their territory, but he wasn't sure how. Gingerpaw soon got lost in his dreams. Suddenly he could hear the screeching of cats. Gingerpaw’s eyes burst open, but every cat was quiet. “Good morning Gingerpaw,” Mousepaw said in a determined voice. Mousepaw walked toward a tree and sat down, trying to look like Angelstar, but Gingerpaw didn't notice. He was too focused on the dream he had last night. Clan cats appeared from the shadows as they stirred from their sleep. Gingerpaw watched as Icetail rose from her den. Gingerpaw stretched and walked towards Icetails den. “Good morning Icetail.” Gingerpaw mewed to the clan’s medicine cat. “Morning. Have you seen Spottedkit?” Icetail said as worry clouded her eyes. “No, is he missing?” Gingerpaw asked. Icetail nodded and walked toward the nursery. “I can find him!” Gingerpaw shouted. Icetail just nodded again; she didn't feel like speaking since Spottedkit was missing. Gingerpaw sniffed the grass, trying to search for Spottedkit’s scent. Gingerpaw could pick up a young kit scent. Soon the smell led him to Dustclan territory. Fear rose in his eyes. Could Dustclan have taken Spottedkit?! Gingerpaw hadn't even begun his battle training. But Gingerpaw felt relieved when he heard mewing. Gingerpaw found the small kit and picked Spottedkit up by the scruff of his neck. Gingerpaw trotted back to camp, but before he could reach the camp entrance, a cat jumped on his back. The cat dug their claws deep into Gingerpaw’s fur. A growl rose from Gingerpaw’s throat as he screamed in pain. Spottedkit stumbled onto the ground and started mewing; the cat bit Gingerpaw’s hind leg and dragged him against the hard rocky ground. The rock left scrapes on his tummy. Gingerpaw wiggled, trying to break free, but the cat gripped his leg tight. Suddenly a warrior from Angelclan jumped on the cat, digging their teeth in the back of their neck. “Run, Gingerpaw! Now!” another Angelclan warrior hissed. Gingerpaw picked up Spottedkit and ran toward the entrance. Gingerpaw almost got to the entrance when a vast black tom blocked his path. Gingerpaw dropped Spottedkit and bit the huge tom, but the great warrior swung him into the clearing. Gingerpaw landed on his back. He immediately got up and ran toward the huge tom, leaving Spottedkit behind. The colossal tom picked up Gingerpaw, digging his teeth in Gingerpaw’s back, and slammed him into a huge boulder. Gingerpaw tried to get up, but he was too weak. Gingerpaw passed out, and the next thing he knew, he was on a moss bedding next to Icetail. He ached all over his body; his paws ached, his head ached, everything ached. Icetail looked at Gingerpaw with worry in her eyes. “Are you okay, Gingerpaw?” the medicine cat asked. “No, not really. My body aches all over.” Gingerpaw croaked. “You broke your ribs when the cat slammed you into the boulder. You won't be able to train for a while.” Icetail murmured, loud enough for the apprentice to hear. Gingerpaw thought of how Mousepaw would be able to train, but he couldn't. Then he remembered Spottedkit. “Is Spottedkit ok?” Gingerpaw asked. “Yes, he safely went back to Morningwing,” Icetail responded. Gingerpaw couldn't help but think of how much fun Mousepaw was having while she's training. Gingerpaw saw Javaheart eyeing him suspiciously. Gingerpaw’s tail twitched uncomfortably as he watched Javaheart approach him. Icetail rose from her nest and approached Javaheart. “Gingerpaw is badly hurt, and he needs to rest. He can't have visitors at the moment.” Icetail hissed to Javaheart. “If we don't train him now, he'll never become a warrior!” Javaheart spat. Gingerpaw felt guilty about trying to fight the cat yesterday. Then Gingerpaw thought, Who was that cat? They didn't have the scent of Dustclan’s; The cat smelled like Javaheart. Gingerpaw shivered at the thought.