The Kits

Not Good... (Chapter 10)

She didn't know what to do when he wasn't there. Cinderpaw calmly looked around for Foxpaw but she couldn't find him. Later on before the Gathering started a Shadowclan warrior came up to her and said that Foxpaw couldn't be there because he wasn't allowed to go tonight. Cinderpaw understood and thanked the Shadowclan warrior. She then went over to Longpelt and sat down. Shortly after, the Gathering started.

~~ Time Skip ~~

 A few moons later, Cinderpaw never saw Foxpaw at any of the other Gatherings and she was starting to get worried. One night while Cinderpaw was asleep she woke up and thought about something. 'Maybe something happened to him and nobody said anything.' Cinderpaw thought quietly to herself. This thought bothered her so much that it made her get up and sneak out of camp to look for Foxpaw. On the way over to Shadowclan she heard rustling in some bushes behind her but she waved it off because she thought it was a rabbit, mouse, or bird. But one thing proved her wrong and made her heart quicken.

​​​​​​​"What are you doing out so late?"

These words made Cinderpaw freeze as her eyes widened in confusion, surprise, and shock. Cinderpaw didn't know who had spoke to her, but she didn't think she wanted to know. 

"I said, 'What are you doing out so late?'" The unknown cat that spoken before repeating their question. From the voice that Cinderpaw heard she could tell that the unknown cat was a male. "Who are you?" Cinderpaw asked the unknown cat quietly before she turned around. He hardly heard her since she spoke in the quietest voice he ever heard. "You tell me your name first then I'll tell you mine." The unknown cat said. Cinderpaw sighed and turned around to face him. She didn't recognize him since she never saw him before.

"I'm Cinderpaw. A Medicine Cat apprentice in Thunderclan." Cinderpaw told the unknown cat. He smiled and informed her about himself. "I'm Hawkpaw. A Riverclan apprentice. I'm going to become a warrior later on in my life." His smile left and he started talking again. "But that doesn't matter now. What ​​​​​​does matter, on the other paw, is why you're out here so late. Care to elaborate?"

Cinderpaw was surprised by his sudden choice of words. She didn't want to explain why she was out of her clan camp at this hour in the night. Of course, it was moonhigh. No one would be out this late. But she knew she had no choice but to explain to Hawkpaw why she was out this late. "So why are you out this late? Isn't Riverclan on the other side of the lake?" Cinderpaw questioned Hawkpaw. Hawkpaw started to fidget, "Well.... That doesn't matter! Why are you looking for Foxpaw anyway?" 

"Well, when we first met, he said we would meet at the Gathering if we could. But he hasn't been to a single one since then."" Cinderpaw explained to Hawkpaw. "I see. I think he got in trouble for helping you out that day," Hawkpaw said. "What makes you say that?" Cinderpaw asked him, tilting her head to the side saying she was confused. "Well I overheard a few Shadowclan cats talking in one of the Gatherings and they said something about it." Hawkpaw explained. "Oh... Huh. I wonder why..." Cinderpaw sounded a little disappointed and Hawkpaw caught onto it. "Hey, no need to be sad. Nothing's happened to him yet. At least that's what I heard." Hawkpaw told her. Cinderpaw sighed and nodded, "I'm not sad! I'm fine. I just wanted to know what happened to Foxpaw and I'm glad you told me! I need to get back to Thunderclan before someone notices that I'm gone. See you at a Gathering?" "Yeah. See you at a Gathering, or sooner if we meet on a patrol." Hawkpaw smiled as he said that. Cinderpaw smiled back and turns to go back when Hawkpaw realized something and stopped her then asked, "Hey, I just realized something. You're a Medicine Cat so you don't know how to fight do you?" "N-no...." Cinderpaw sighed and looked at the ground. "It's ok if you can't fight! If you don't mind, I can take you back to Thunderclan." Hawkpaw said. "Sure. I'm fine with you walking me back." Cinderpaw said as she smiled bashfully and turned to walk to Thunderclan camp with Hawkpaw following her. 

Hawkpaw then got Cinderpaw back to Thunderclan camp safely and then he went back home to Riverclan without getting caught.