Spiderpaw sighed, re-adjusting the moss that was dangling in his jaws.

He had been sent out to collect bedding for the nursery, much to his dislike.

"Why do I have to? There are plenty other apprentices that could be doing this."He wrinkled his nose in disgust, shaking his head.

It always seemed to him, that he got all the hard jobs, and the other apprentices got easy stuff, like training and hunting.He got chores, they got fun.

Huffing, Spiderpaw hurried forward, eager to be done with this so he could train with his mentor, or eat some prey.

His stomach grumbled hungrily, and he tried to remember when he last ate.

Yesterday morning, I'd say.

He spotted Forestpaw crouched down low, watching a blackbird pecking at a nut.The brown tom's tail flicked slowly, and he licked his lips.He crept forward, one paw at a time, till finally, he lunged forward, clamping his jaws firmly around the bird's wing.

It let out a squawk of terror as the apprentice ended its life.

Spiderpaw set down his moss, meowing a half-hearted, "Good catch, Forestpaw."

Jealousy burned within Spiderpaw, but he shook his fur, picking up his bedding once again.

"Thanks!"Forestpaw smiled, trotting over with his tail held high.The bird swung in his mouth, and he almost dropped it.

"Why does Pinespeck keep making you do those kinds of jobs?"Forestpaw asked, licking his chest and paws. "Snowdropfall sends me hunting and trains with me all the time."He shrugged.

"Yeah, well, mabye Pinespeck knows I shouldn't waste my time with that stuff, because I'm already good at it."Spiderpaw grumbled, staring at his paws.

Just then, a fluffy white she-cat padded over to them, a mouse hanging by its tail in her mouth. "Hello, boys."she purred, setting down her prey.

"Hi, Snowdropfall!" Forestpaw greeted his mentor with a lick on her drooped ear. "Spiderpaw and I were just talking about how he gets stuck with all the chores."

Her eyes went soft with sympathy "Some day you'll get to train and hunt.I bet Pinespeck is just making sure you're best at carrying moss.It's probably just a test, or something."

Spiderpaw wasn't sure about that, but decided to change the subject. "So, how's your day been so far?"

Forestpaw tilted his head, his usual friendly look now an overly thoughtful one. "It's been great! Snowdropfall and I are going to go battle train after we hunt a bit more and drop this prey off, right?"

"Yes,"Snowdropfall nodded, glancing up at the sky. "Before it gets to dark."

"Well then, I should head back.I still have to eat something and see if Pinespeck wants to do anything."Spiderpaw shrugged, picking up his bedding.

"Okay! See you later!"Forestpaw waved his tail in farewell, continuing his chat with his mentor.

Spiderpaw stomped his way through the woods, making his way toward his camp.He wasn't really in the mood for energetic cats being all happy.

The world is a terrible place.

I'm not important.

He neared a stream, and leapt onto a rock, trying to jump from one to another to get across the stream.His paw slid on the smooth surface, and he felt his body falling forward.

He let out a shriek, and the moss dropped out of his mouth.His body was submerged in water, and he immediately closed his eyes, pumping his legs furiously.

He swam to the top, gasping for air as his head broke into the open.

He was swirling down the river at a tremendous speed, heading for sharp rocks.

Sharp rocks!? Since when are there sharp rocks here!?

He let out a scream, which caused water to flood into his mouth.He coughed, water burning his eyes.

"Help! Someone, anyone, help!"He wailed, clawing at rocks to try and get a grip.

He felt one of his claws painfully rip off, floating away among the water.A light red stream followed his paw, indicating his claw was bleeding.

He saw a log floating by beside him, and tried to grasp it, but only managed to get his other paw stuck in between two branches.Then it rolled, and his head went under the water.

Unable to move his paw, he was forced to have his face underwater, his breath fading and fading.

He was panicking, tugging and tugging on his paw, trying desperately to loosen it enough to yank it free.

He gave one last tug and was free of the trap, giving a heave to get his head above the water.He was never so happy for air, and took gulp after gulp of the wondrous breath of life, his paws continuing to paddle as strongly as he could manage.

He swam as hard as he could, heading for the shore, but the water kept splashing him away from it.

Wave after wave, drawing him this way and that.

He felt teeth sink into his scruff, and was lifted into the air by something strong.He breathed in relief as he smelt FalconClan cat, and dropped onto the ground, panting.

Dewmelody sat down beside him, smoothing out her fur as she watched him with curious eyes. "Is drowning a normal activity for young cats these days?"

Spiderpaw rolled his eyes, but let out a small chuckle anyway. "No, I just thought I'd take a small swim.Didn't know the current was so strong."

He lifted his paws on by one, inspecting them.

"What about your moss?"The white furred she-cat glanced down the river, where he had came from.

"I'll find more later."He shrugged. "Besides, I probably already found enough.I left some back by the trees outside of camp.Only went back for more because I thought I might need it."

"What if you do?"Dewmelody narrowed her eyes, not sounding rude, mostly amused.

"Then I'll.....find some."

"Hmmm,"She shook her fur, getting to her paws. "Well then, let's go home, shall we?"

"I suppose."Spiderpaw shrugged, shaking out his fur and coughing up the last bit of water.

His eyes still burned, his paws both hurt and his ears were clogged.His fur would dry eventually.He was just glad he was alive.He was grateful to Dewmelody for saving him.

"Thanks, by the way,"Spiderpaw mewed gently, giving his chest a couple of licks to try and dry it some. "For saving me."

"Of course,"She replied, her voice friendly. "I'm sure anyone — including you — would do the same."

"Mabye."

-/- -/-

As they entered the camp, Spiderpaw glanced at the prey-pile, frowning as he saw only one squirrel left.Forestpaw and Snowdropfall must've still been out hunting.

Magpieheart slunk out of the nursery, the last piece of prey in her sight.

She was heading straight for it, but Spiderpaw wanted it badly.

He groaned, stepping forward.

She should have it, she's nursing kits....

said a part of his mind.

But, said the other, you nearly drowned.You need it to make you feel better.

Spiderpaw knew that if he really wanted it, he could speed over and snatch it away before the queen could reach it.

But his mother had taught him to be fair, so, he heaved a sigh and let her take it.

He could take something from Forestpaw's catch.Probably.

Heading for the warriors den, he ducked his head in and spotted his mentor cleaning his fur in the corner of the den. "Pinespeck?"

"Yes?"The tom answered, glancing up with a frown.

"I got the moss.Is there anything else I need to do?"

Pinespeck narrowed his eyes in thought. "I suppose you could check with Spiritflight.You look hurt."

Spiderpaw nodded, ducking out of the den.He didn't really want the medicine cat to fuss over him, although he doubted she really would.

Stopping by the med-den, he called out, "May I enter?"

"Yes, you may."Came the soft reply of Spiritflight. "Or at least I think so."Spiderpaw thought he heard her whisper.

Entering, Spiderpaw saw Milkypaw sorting herbs in the corner, his black fur nearly blending in with the black wall beside him. "Hello, Milkypaw."He dipped his head, sitting down in front of Spiritflight.

"Hello."Milkypaw replied, he smiled, returning to his duties.

"I just ripped a claw."Spiderpaw shrugged, holding his paw out for Spiritflight to inspect it thoroughly.

"Just a ripped claw?"She snorted, her slightly bulkier body shaking due to the hearty laugh that followed her words. "Do you know how many cats complain and whine about ripped claws?"

"A lot?"Spiderpaw guessed with a mere shrug.

"Yes."She rolled her eyes. "Now sit still while I check it over."

Spiderpaw obeyed, watching with round eyes as the medicine cat nodded with relief, applying cobwebs to the paw. "Not badly torn.I put cobwebs on it to stop the bleeding, and it should be fine in a few days.But if you feel any strange pain, come to my den immediately, it could be infected."

"Thank you, Spiritflight."Spiderpaw dipped his head, staring at his wrapped paw.

Sighing, Spiderpaw left the cave, heading for the apprentice den.

Time for sleep, he thought with a yawn, his eyes drooping with sleepiness.

Nearly drowning sure does make you tired.

(Word count: 1,526)