Kitty0423

This is to get back in the contest
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Gingersplash woke up to the sunlight filtering through the orange and red coloured leaves. Steam swirled from her muzzle as she breathed out. Her red and white ear flicked as she passively got up, careful not to wake the other warriors.

Gingersplash had just earned her first apprentice from Finchstar. Gingersplash had been named Swallowpaws mentor.

The small calico apprentice had buzzed with energy the first time they had toured the territory. The she-cat had asked multiple questions about numerous objects, sounds, and animals. Gingersplash had been happy to answer them all.

But it was not time to dwindle on the past. A new day of training had arrived. And it was time for Swallowpaws first hunting lesson. Gingersplash licked her chest fur. She didn't want to look like a mouse-brained windblown PrairieClan cat.

ForestClan was already buzzing with activity in the early morning. The dawn patrol had already returned, and the hungry warriors had hunted on the way back. Gingersplash trotted over to the deputy.

"Stormbird," she started, he turned towards her, "is it okay if I take Swallowpaw out hunting?"

"Of course, she needs to learn someday," the blue-grey tom said warmly.

"Thanks," Gingersplash said back, feeling slight heat come to her ears. She scampered towards the apprentice den.

The ginger she-cat lurked around the apprentice den for a moment. "Swallowpaw!" Gingersplash called into the small den, "it's time for your first hunting lesson," the warrior heard a faint squeak as her apprentice woke up.

Swallowpaws head peaked out of the den. Her fluffy tufted ears flicking in anticipation. "What are we doing today?" The young apprentice asked as she scrambled out of the den.

"Hunting," Gingersplash replied with a bubbly tone, hoping that her new apprentice would like the idea.

"Yeah!" Swallowpaw responded.

"Come on, let's go," Gingersplash mewed and lead the small she-cat towards the edge of camp. She glanced behind her and saw Swallowpaw trailing behind her closely. Than she also saw that Stormbird was watching her fondly. Gingersplash whipped her head around quickly, and lead Swallowpaw into the forest.

The furry orange warrior opened her mouth to scent the crisp air. She picked up a slight scent of a mouse. Gingersplash glanced at her apprentice, than catching Swallowpaws eye, she gestured to behind the bush.

"Mouse," she whispered, a excited glimmer came to Swallowpaws eyes. The apprentice nodded and dropped into a hunting crouch, her tail high in the air. Her weight was balanced mostly on her right side.

A sliver of worry crept through Gingersplash, "Are you alright Swallowpaw?"

The ginger apprentice glanced around, she hesitated than nodded.

"Are you su-" Gingersplash was cut off by a bark. It sounded like one of a dog.

"RUN!" Gingersplash howled to her apprentice. The apprentice remained frozen as the older she-cat dashed up a tree. Gingersplash perched on a branch, quietly calling to Swallowpaw to come and join her. Shaking her head, and crushing under her breath, Gingersplash dashed down the tree, trying to get to her apprentice.

"Swallowpaw!" She hissed, "come with me, now!" The blue eyed apprentice turned to face her mentor, a look of terror dancing in her eyes. Another bark sounded, it was growing closer.

"Now Swallowpaw!" Gingersplash repeated. The once over zealous apprentice remained terrified to move.

Abruptly, a white and brown rabbit came racing out of the bush, it's furry white paws landed directly beside Swallowpaw, but the apprentice didn't flinch nor move. "Fox-dung," Gingersplash mewed in growing horror, just realizing what was about to happen.

Promptly, a golden haired dog bounded out of the bush, and skid to a stop when it saw Swallowpaw. It had a dumbfounded look on its face. It's pink tongue hanging from its jaws. Drool dripped down his chin, landing in the soft bed of freshly fallen leaves. 'He must have chased that rabbit all the way from PrairieClan!' Gingersplash realized, she was surprised that this mutt had the energy to do all of that.

Quickly, the dog leapt at the frozen apprentice, and grabbed her in its giant jaws."Swallowpaw!" Gingersplash cried and scrambled towards the giant dog. Hoping that it would pay more attention to her. Swallowpaw squealed in fright, her eyes where as big as a crows in front of carrion.

"Hey you lazy mutt!" Gingersplash growled as she bounded onto the dogs shoulder, claws unsheathed. Swallowpaw started to batter the dog with her paws, hoping to find a route of escape from his jaws. Her hits where getting weaker, Gingersplash realized with a fright. Blood was dripping down the mutts jaws as he shook her violently.

Gingersplash clawed at the dogs neck fiercely. Trying to distract it, she tugged at its ear as it flung her apprentice into a tree, dark blood stained his muzzle. Gingersplash grimaced and with a final effort, bounded off the dog, she felt a sharp pain in her fluffy tail. "Mouse-dung," she hissed as she was stopped in mid-air, the dog has managed to snap her tail in its foul jaws.

The dog started shaking his head, and violently. Gingersplash lost all orientation, all she could feel... Was pain. Suddenly, the dog dropped her. A call sounded, Gingersplash realized. It sounded again. The mutt whimpered and scampered away to what might have been his owner. Gingersplash gained her footing, but just barely. Her head rang, she had not sense of direction. A faint but sharp pain camp from her tail. She shook her head once, than twice, and she felt clearer.

"S-s-w-wallowpaw," she called out, hoping her apprentice had survived.

"I-I," a cough sounded, "turn around," came a faint whisper. Gingersplash did as she was told, and saw her apprentice lying on the ground, two deep teeth marks intruded her flank. The blood was bubbly and her breath was uneven.

"You can't die!" Gingersplash cried, stumbling over to her apprentices side. She was still disoriented from the brutal dog.

"I'm scared Gingersplash," Swallowpaw said, her eyes showed great terror behind their green pools.

Gingersplash gulped, she felt a hard lump forming in her throat. "D-don't worry," she mewed and picked her apprentice up by the scruff. And with that, she stumbled through the forest. Sooner or later, they ran into a border patrol, Stormbird was leading it. Swallowpaws weight had seemed to be getting heavier and heavier.

"Gingersplash!" He gasped, scrambling over to her.

"D-dog," Gingersplash managed to mutter before her muscles gave up, and the world became black.

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Gingersplash awoke in a dark den. She raised her head and saw Stormbird sleeping outside. The sharp scent of herbs told her that she was in Honeysong's den.

"S-S-Stormbird," she croaked, her voice cracked. Gingersplashs throat felt dry and her voice sounded husky. The grey tom awoke and glanced at her.

"Your awake!" He walked slowly over to her side purring.

"Where's Swallowpaw?" She asked, Gingersplash started to panic, as she realized at the apprentices familiar smell wasn't in the medicine cat den.

"I-I'm sorry Gingersplash," he mewed sadly.

"N-no," she gulped, her eyes stung.

"She died last night, her wounds she suffered where too great," he mewed solemnly.

Gingersplash tucked her muzzle into her paws in grief. "She walks with StarClan now," he mewed and laid down beside her. His vibrant green eyes looking into hers. "Everything will be alright," he mewed, getting up and shaking his pelt.

"C-can you stay Stormbird?" She asked, her voice cracking.

"Sure," he mewed, looking slightly surprised and curled up beside Gingersplash.

She heard him whisper, faintly "will you be my mate, Gingersplash?"

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Word count: 1282

Done, hope I can get back in :3

Kitty0423