A Moonless Night || Chapter Nine

Instructions

A Moonless Night Chapter Nine ____________________________________________ The soft songs of awakening birds was only a whisper as the walls of the apprentice's den protected the sleeping, young cats inside. Melodic winds ruffled the leaves with a stingily-joyful essence to them that brought great peace and emptiness to the churning camp. The annual birdsong went along splendidly- just until a young jay went a slightest note out of place. The discourteous vocalization promptly waken. Shaking the sleep out of his eyes, Jaguarpaw scrambled to his feet. Bluepaw had unknowing had her arms around Jaguarpaw's tail as she slept. Creeping away from the other apprentice's, Jaguarpaw's claw cracked a twig, making Bluepaw and Blazepaw wake up. “S-Sorry, Bluepaw! You can go back to sleep...” Jaguarpaw apologized, dipping his head. The pretty gray she-cat shook her head. “No thanks. I'd rather go on dawn patrol with you and Deathclaw.” She yawned, getting up and grooming her silky, long fur. Jaguarpaw nodded and went out of the den to prepare for the morning separately. “Hey, Jaguarpaw!” Deathclaw said, trotting over to him. Deathclaw was Jaguarpaw's mentor, a black tomcat with blazing amber eyes. He was also the deputy and thought very highly of himself, rarely caring for other cats. The thing that Jaguarpaw hated the most about Deathclaw were the fact that he was Jaguarpaw's mother, Gingerstripe's, mate. Jaguarpaw had grown very close to his mother because after Celestialstrike and Inferno had left, Gingerstripe was the only family he had left. //Deathclaw doesn't love her, and he hates me! All he cares about is himself and power.// Jaguarpaw thought. It was unbearably terrible to have Deathclaw play such an important role in Jaguarpaw's life. The other side that made it worse was that Jaguarpaw was also related to Deathclaw by blood. Deathclaw was Inferno's littermate. He was his deputy, mentor, uncle, and step dad. “I have some great news.” The warrior boasted, his head held high proudly. Jaguarpaw rolled his bright green eyes in annoyance. “What?” “You have to check the elders, queens, and kits for ticks today.” He said smugly. “That's /not/ good news!” the golden-brown apprentice hissed. “That wasn't it, mouse-brain!” Deathclaw growled. “You're mother is expecting a litter of kits. /My/ kits, so don't think they'll be...” he looked at Jaguarpaw from head to toe. “Scrawny little... brats- ew...” Deathclaw put his large paw near his mouth, making it look like he'd vomit and moment now. Narrowing his eyes, Jaguarpaw turned around and stalked into the den. “Oh- and, Jag'paw! Don't forget to congratulate my mate on her news!” He called after him. “Whatever.” Jaguarpaw said, well aware that Deathclaw couldn't hear him. Jaguarpaw sat in his nest, his eyes unfocused gloomily. “Was I ever enough for Gingerstripe? I can't believe she thinks he's even capable of being a father! He can barely keep his rank as deputy, anways...” He said, speaking his mind. “Huh?” Bluepaw asked. “You heard that? Fox-dung! Sorry... Gingerstripe and Deathclaw are having kits. I'm not that stoked about it. I mean- I'm happy for her. But I doubt Deathclaw's capability of being patient with kits.” he sighed. Bluepaw brushed her tail across his shoulder. “It'll be fine. Besides, if Deathclaw's not a great father, you and I could always pitch in and play with the kits!” Bluepaw said. Her warm smile brought an abrupt hopefulness and joy to Jaguarpaw. He grinned back at her, blinking slowly. “Thanks, Bluepaw...” He purred, licking her ear. “Let's get ready for dawn patrol, okay?” Her face was clearly flushed, Bluepaw nodded and went out of the den. “I wonder where- AHH!” Jaguarpaw screeched as Blazepaw rammed into him, coming into the camp out of the blue. Blazepaw and Jaguarpaw rolled across the packed dirt until Blazepaw put his paw out to stop them from barreling along. “Ahhhh!” Blazepaw screamed, though they were no longer rolling. “Ahhh- oh... Heh, I didn't realize we stopped rolling around for a moment there.” Blazepaw said, getting off of Jaguarpaw. “What was that-” as Jaguarpaw spoke, Blazepaw was already trying to catch a butterfly that was right above Jaguarpaw's head. Blazepaw stumbled forward and fell down on the other apprentice again, only to quickly get up again with a nervously embarrassed look on his face. “Gah- SORRY!” He apologized. Jaguarpaw only sighed and shook his head slowly as Bluepaw said, “Same ol' Blazepaw, always tumbling into camp on a hurry for no real reason. You did that yesterday!” she laughed. After playfully bantering with his friends, Jaguarpaw, Bluepaw and the rest of the patrol went out of camp. ____________________________________________ End of Part!