Whisperbreeze's POV

"I, Wildstar, leader of StreamClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Wildstar paced around the front of the group, facing us with a high chin. For once, the small Clan of ours was beaming with pride. Finally we were getting stronger, one warrior at a time. Chippaw sat at the front of the small crowd, his back straight and his tipped ears even straighter. He seemed to be handling his excitement well, unlike his father who couldn't sit still. I couldn't help but purr as Wolftail sat behind Wildstar, fidgeting with eagerness. 

"Chippaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" The leader looked into the toms' eyes. 

He gave her one stern nod and replied, "I do." 

"Then by the powers of SoulClan, I give you your warrior name. Chippaw, from this moment on you will be known as Chipear. SoulClan honors your humor and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of StreamClan." The calico she-cat rested her muzzle on his head as he licked her shoulder. He immediately turned to face his Clan, satisfaction glowing in his eyes. StreamClan, as one, cheered his new name, "Chipear! Chipear!" 

I hobbled up to the new warrior and shared my congratulations. Meanwhile, Wildstar stayed at the front with Wolftail at her side, suggesting that they weren't done talking. After everyone settled, she gathered everyone together again. "Chipear, you will be a half-time day guard. We need all of the protection we can get. Thornfall has offered to be the half-time night guard, as well." A few cats murmured, but no one spoke up to argue. My brother straightened his back with gratification.

"As for the traps, I was thinking we should all brainstorm some new ideas. Any recommendations?" Wildstar glanced around hopefully. Cats exchanged glances but no one said anything. I racked my brain for any idea, but I couldn't think of anything new. "I thought maybe we could all think about it instead of Wolftail and I coming up with the ideas," She continued after an awkward silence.

Blackwind was the first to speak her mind. "What if we had some kind of Twoleg rope to tie around two trees in front of the holes? That way, Twolegs would trip on their own instead of the warriors having to lure them toward it." I turned to Smoketail and mumbled, "She has a good point." He nodded with his eyes narrowed but said nothing.

Wildstar was pleased, "Awesome idea." 

Ghostglow chimed in next. "I think the sharp wire they use would be even better. It's all over the tops of the Twoleg fences." Cats murmured their agreements, but Crescentmoon didn't agree. 

"The Twolegplaces are probably infested with the infected, Twolegs and dogs especially. It would be too risky." She stated and her left ear twitched. "We would have to peek over the fences to make sure it's clear and safe, and if not we won't even bother." Ghostglow replied. Wildstar nodded but let the warriors have their debate. 

The trees above danced in the breeze, rusty red and golden leaves fluttering down to the ground. The wind was chilly and the sky was grey. What if we used sticks to defend ourselves? I wondered. "I have another idea," I called, standing up on my three good paws. Every face in the Clan turned to me as if to say, We're waiting. 

"Go ahead," Wildstar insisted when I hesitated. 

"Well, I was thinking... What if we sharpened limbs from trees to kill the infected easier? We could practice stabbing them in the head." Almost every cat nodded, but Crescentmoon remained skeptical. "How would a stick jab through a cats skull, let alone a dogs?"

I didn't know how to respond, but luckily Smoketail saved me from having to say anything. "Actually, the Twolegs, dogs, and cats with the infection are still slowly decaying. At one point, if everyone can avoid their bites, I presume that each infected creature would keep rotting until their bodies cannot move anymore, meaning the infection would die out. Therefore, at this point, sticks could do the job." 

Wildstar seemed satisfied, "Good point, Smoketail. I think we have enough ideas for today. Wolftail, if you would set out the patrols?" The large black-and-brown tom dipped his head and picked the cats out for each patrol. 

As the small patrols headed out to hunt and check out the territory, I felt myself yearning to go out and help the Clan. Usually I would dread getting out of bed to do duties, but now that I had nothing exciting to do, I realized how good it was to be a warrior. Helping Smoketail was generous and all, but it certainly wasn't adventurous. I glanced down to my wrapped paw. Smoketail had lathered my ankle in a poultice made of elder leaves with two small sticks to hold it in place. He used bindweed to hold it together. I wondered how much longer it would take for it to heal...

Ghostglow was already in the warriors den after his long night patrolling, while Chipear and Crescentmoon headed out to scope out the territory before they settled to guard. Thornfall, Wolftail, and - to my surprise - Amberthroat were picked out to search for rope and wire in the Twolegplace. 

Laying outside of the medicine den, I tried to get as much of the warm sun as I could before the clouds rolled in. I was jolted - literally - from my thoughts as the deputy mentioned my name. "Whisperbreeze, I was thinking you could watch the kits so Amberthroat and Blackwind could go on a short patrol. Would you like to teach their kits the basics of fighting? They can never start to learn too early with... the rivals." Wildstar dipped her head in approval. My ears perked up. Train kits? This should be interesting. 

I nodded gratefully and limped up to the tumbling kits. "I would love to. It will keep me motivated and occupied!" I purred. Spiderkit and Bonekit were chasing each other; Bonekit snapped at the black toms tail as Spiderkit ran in circles. How are they not dizzy? I wondered.

As the last of the patrols headed out, I sat the kits down to begin. Spiderkit and Morningkit sat with their eyes wide, seemingly impatient. Bonekit slumped, his eyes showing that he was less than interested. Brookkit's tail flicked and she kneaded the ground with her claws. Meanwhile, Cherrykit sat and looked around the camp. When she noticed Brookkits tail twitching, her muscles stiffened as if she were getting ready to pounce.

"Okay, kits, today you will be learning the basics of fighting!" I chirped. Spiderkit and Morningkit let out a squeal, Bonekit grunted, while the other two did their own thing. "What happened to your paw?" Cherrykit mewed, tilting her head to the side. I let out a purr, "I tripped. Anyways, let's get started."

I stood up and lifted my injured paw, keeping the good one firmly on the ground for balance. Swiping the air, I asked, "Do you know what that move is called?" The kits remained still and quiet, except for Spiderkit, Morningkit, and Cherrykit - I managed to catch her attention - who shook their heads. "It's called the front paw blow! You bring your front paw down as hard as you can on your opponents face or body with your claws, but right now we will keep them sheathed!" They all nodded, even Bonekit. He was actually sitting up by then, his eyes fixed on me. 

"Now, you can try it on each other. Remember to keep your claws away." I told them. Spiderkit and Bonekit, Morningkit and Cherrykit all paired together. Since Brookkit seemed timid and had no partner, I stood in front of her. "Cherrykit and Bonekit, attack your partner and then switch! Try to dodge them, Morningkit and Spiderkit!" 

They each let out little yowls as they dodged their small paws and tried to bat their opponent. Brookkit swiped, but she kept closing her eyes, so she barely got close enough to even touch my legs. I took a step forward and meowed softly, "It works better with your eyes open." 

Bonekit was learning quickly; he had hit Spiderkit several times before the black tom managed to learn to dodge. Cherrykit pounced forward and hit Morningkit square in the face, so Morningkit fought back. Meanwhile, Spiderkit started matching Bonekit's hits, until Bonekit yelped, "Whisperbreeze said no claws!" The white tom backed away, displeased. 

"Okay, we can try something else now! You're all very quick learners." 

I gathered them together again and sat them down. "Now, let's say your enemy pins you down. What do you do?" I asked, glimpsing around at each of the curious kits. Cherrykit and Brookkit were confused, while the others racked their brains to figure it out. 

Spiderkit was the first to reply, "You could... headbutt them!" His eyes were wide with hope. I purred, "Close, but that would hurt you just as much as it would them! Any other suggestions?" Bonekit tilted his head to the side as well as Morningkit. 

The golden she-kit meowed next, "Scratch their belly because it's a weak spot?" I nodded in agreement, "Correct!" Morningkit straightened her stance and looked at the other kits through the corner of her eyes, obviously joyous that she had gotten it right.

I decided not to have them in the position until they were apprentices, so I got them to practice the moves on their backs. Even Bonekit and Brookkit purred with amusement at how silly they looked. "Your back legs are stronger than the front, so focus on raking their belly hard, as if you were trying to push them off at the same time!" None of them took the exercise seriously, each were kicking their legs out in sloppy circles.

After that, I placed a stick in the center of the clearing and drew a line in the dirt about two tail-lengths away. "Brookkit, you can go first! I just want you to practice jumping from this line to the stick." Brookkit wearily padded over to the line and wriggled her haunches, preparing to leap. Everyone watched as she pounced forward. She didn't make it too far, but it was still good for a small, inexperienced kit. Next was Spiderkit, her brother. He was much larger, but even with more muscle he only made it as far as Brookkit. 

Cherrykit decided to go next. She took a running start and leaped forward. With her front legs extended out straight, she managed to get farther than the two before her. Her back paws were close to hitting the front prints from Spiderkit and Brookkit before her. She trotted away with her chin high. The red-brown she-kit nudged Bonekit and then Morningkit, "Beat that!"

Her siblings managed to get a bit farther than Spiderkit and Brookkit, but overall Cherrykit made it the farthest. "Good job everyone. For your first exercises, you're all doing well!" I praised them and each of them looked satisfied. 

Dawnflower was sprawled out in the sun outside of the small elders den, her hips jutting out and her fur rugged. With one eye opened she called, "Yeah, they may be rascals but they're born to be fierce warriors." Cherrykit and Morningkit bounded over to her and attacked her tail, their own tails sticking up high. 

"Hey!" The two kits hurried away. The elder hissed, sitting up, "Back off before I bite your tail." She was serious but there was a hint of humor in her voice. The ginger she-cat watched them run away with narrowed eyes.

For the final training session, I got them to practice stalking silently toward a leaf. "Imagine these leaves are prey that you're going to bring home to your Clan!" I told them as they each squatted down. Brookkit was, by far, the one in the best position. Bonekit's tail was still up as well as his ears, while Cherrykit and Morningkit's haunches were sticking up. Spiderkit's body was raised a bit too high, but he was doing good for his first try, too. 

I took my time to fix their posture, using my paw to adjust them. "Bring you bodies down so that your belly is almost touching the ground, but not quite. Your ears, haunches, and tail should be down so no one can be alerted by your presence," I told them. Cherrykit's haunches kept popping up, so I eventually just gave up after mentioning, "You'll get used to it when you're older, don't worry."

Just as they began to hunt their targets, Wolftail's patrol came in with nothing but a pigeon. I stood up straight, curious to hear what had happened. Smoketail poked his head out of his den for the first time since the morning and headed out to meet the deputy. "No luck?" He asked. 

Wolftail shook his head and sighed. "Crescentmoon was right. It is infected. We even tried to go around and find a safer way in, maybe on the rooftops, but nothing was safe." Thornfall headed to the fresh-kill pile to drop the prey in. He pressed his nose to my cheek as he passed by. Amberthroat padded in to stand beside Wolftail and added, "Some of the Twoleg dens were burnt down, some were falling apart, while the rest were too far out to get to." Her voice was cold.

Chipear came in as Smoketail responded solemnly, "Oh well, it was worth a try." Wolftail turned to face his son. He tried to have a conversation with the young tom, but he was unenthusiastic. Behind me, I could hear Amberthroats kits telling her all about their day. 

"I know how to stalk prey now, momma!" Morningkit meowed, "Watch me!" The golden kit bent down and chased a leaf as it blew through the clearing. Amberthroat met eyes with me and for once, I seen a glimpse of amusement in her amber eyes. Cherrykit chased her sister around the clearing, circling their mother. Bonekit watched them until Spiderkit came up behind him and leaped onto his back. 

As the kits played around, Wildstar and Blackwind came in with a mouse and a rabbit. The kits immediately stopped to take a look at the fat brown rabbit. "When can we eat real meat?" Spiderkit pouted, following his mother to the fresh-kill pile. "Not for a while, Spiderkit. Did you have fun training?" She purred. 

"It was fun! We learned the front paw blow and how to defend ourselves if we get pinned down!" Spiderkit announced. Brookkit looked tired as she drug her paws toward Blackwind. "I'm hungry..." She whined. Her brother yawned, too and nodded in agreement.

Wolftail met up with the leader and asked how the patrol went. "No sign of RockClan on our territory, but we still need to stay alerted for any warnings. Prey is scarce, but we can manage." Wildstar meowed, worry filling her gaze. She turned to face the Clan, "Blackwind, Amberthroat, I want you two to eat immediately. I'll bring Dawnflower that mouse I caught. The rest of you can share what is left!" The two queens picked up the rabbit and took it to Dawnflower for the three to share. Wildstar was relieved.

"Wolftail, do you mind going out again with Thornfall before he goes out to fetch more prey?" She asked the large tom. Wolftail agreed as well as Thornfall. "While you're out, get some thick sticks and we will start preparing that idea Whisperbreeze mentioned." 

Thornfall brought over the mouse Wildstar had caught and together we shared it. I savored the stringy flesh but I could only hold back my hunger for so long. My stomach was empty and I could feel my ribs sticking out. All was okay for now, but how much longer could we last with such small amounts of prey a day?