Chapter Text
Fawnpaw still couldn’t get used to the dull, lethargic hum of cats going about their day in the SunClan camp, instead of the usual lively chatter that would have been heard a moon earlier. She shook off the dust that lingered in her grey-brown pelt and walked up to the edge of the depression in the ground that was the apprentice’s den. Fawnpaw looked back to see her best friend, Wolfpaw, curled tightly around her sister Featherpaw but didn’t bother waking either of them up.
Almost a moon ago, SunClan faced one of their greatest disasters anyone could remember; two hungry servals had found their way into the camp. They had taken the lives of Brackentail - mate to the deputy Mistcloud - and Hawkpaw - Wolfpaw and Featherpaw’s brother. He was the youngest of his littermates, but he was the one who always knew what to say when an argument broke out between them, or if one of his sisters was having a bad day, he was there to crack a joke to make them feel better.
As two of the fastest cats in the clan, they had been trying to lure the servals away when Hawkpaw tripped and Brackentail had turned back to try and defend him. They were both caught. Thankfully, a patrol from MoonClan was down by the river, close to the SunClan camp, when the Quickpaws (the messenger of the clan, usually the fastest cat) Sandstreak was on their way to the MoonClan camp to ask for help. With the help of the extra cats, the huge predators were finally driven from camp and killed.
Fawnpaw padded into the centre of the camp where a few warriors were eating, looking for her mentor, Lioncall. She found him sharing a mongoose with his sister Leopardheart and her mate Duststorm.
Nice to see their family is getting along at least
As she approached the warriors, Lioncall raised his head and gave his apprentice a purr of greeting,
‘Ah, Fawnpaw. I’m nearly finished here, we are doing battle training today, surprise!’ he said with biting sarcasm.
‘Lioncall, you know Willowstar only wants to keep us prepared.’ Leopardheart chided gently.
‘I just think it’s unfair on the apprentices, battle training every other day doesn’t make learning exciting…’
Their voices faded out as Fawnpaw went over to her own littermate, Talonpaw, who was busy picking something from the fresh-kill pile.
‘Hey Fawnpaw, want to share a rat?’
‘Sure. Are Wolfpaw and Featherpaw awake yet? We could eat together.’
‘I don’t… oh look,’ he nodded towards the apprentice’s den, ‘here they come now’
Right on cue, the two apprentices stumbled wearily out of the den and made their way over to Talonpaw and Fawnpaw.
‘Hey, you feeling ok?’
They both hummed in response to Fawnpaw’s words, and followed her brother to settle down and eat with them.
Halfway through their meal, a voice came from behind them.
‘Good morning apprentices. Will you be training today Featherpaw and Wolfpaw?’
‘Good morning Willowstar. Yes, it’s our first training session back.’ Wolfpaw mewed quietly.
‘Good, take it easy. Enjoy yourselves!’
‘Thank you mother!’ Talonpaw said cheerfully.
Fawnpaw continued eating and said nothing.
‘Everything alright, Fawnpaw?’
‘Yes everything is alright, you can go back to whatever leaders do.’ She growled sharply, not bothering to look up from the rat.
Willowstar was taken aback at the remark, but quickly shook it off, sighed and walked away.
‘What was that for? She was just being nice!’ Talonpaw turned to his sister.
‘Yeah sure, she doesn’t care really, she thinks ‘’well, I’ve spoken to my kit today, now I can go back to ignoring her existence again!’’.’ She huffed. ‘You know what, I’m finished and Lioncall is probably looking for me, you can finish the rat yourselves.’
Wolfpaw and Featherpaw just stared the whole time, not having the energy to protest. Fawnpaw waited by the camp entrance for her mentor to finish eating.
Ever since Fawnpaw and Talonpaw had become apprentices, and Willowstar could finally leave the nursery and resume her full leader duty’s, Fawnpaw felt as if their mother didn’t understand her and she never had time for her kits. Talonpaw seemed fine with only the occasional check in and short interactions, but Fawnpaw felt pushed away. From there, her and her mother’s relationship got worse; whenever Fawnpaw needed Willowstar for something other than clan duties, she never had the time. Hunting together: ‘Sorry Fawnpaw, I’m going on a border patrol soon.’. Sharing a meal: ‘Not now Fawnpaw, there’s something urgent I need to tend to.’. So whenever Willowstar came to see how Fawnpaw was doing with training, or asked if she had a good day, Fawnpaw brushed her off with a snide comment and sometimes she just ignored the leader completely.
Just as Fawnpaw was about to go looking for him, Lioncall bounded up to his apprentice.
‘Sorry Fawnpaw, I got a bit carried away talking to Leopardheart. We can go now.’