Word count: 563
I know Bluestar wasn't thinking straight. Our once legendary leader hadn't been so for moons. But the name she gave me was cruel, and it has taken me seasons to fully and completely forgive her. "Lostface" she called me, a name referring to the part of me that has made kits squeal in fright and stomachs churn in disgust. It took Cloudtail, the most important cat in my life, to help me find meaning again. He saw past my mangled face to see who I really was, and taught me to see it as well.
Cloudtail taught me to fight with one eye, never letting me give up, but gave me the encouragement and determination I needed. He was never harsh, but didn't let me slack off either. To him, my face was never lost, so he refused to call me by the name Bluestar gave me. Instead, he asked Firestar to change it to Brightheart once he became leader.
I love kits, even more so since I lost my eye. They're so happy, and always bounce back with incredible vigor. It takes a lot to permanently break a kit; with enough care and love, they will almost always heal. Even kits are able to look past my scars to see who I am now, and I think it teaches them to not judge others by their appearances. But it still takes them time to do so, if not brought up seeing my face.
Kits are quick to learn, Cloudtail is blind to my scars, but everyone else feels the sickening, churning of disgust in their stomachs. Their insides wither and outsides flinch. I can not blame them; I too, jumped at the sight of my own face.
Even my friends and family flinched when they first saw me with my scars. In those first few months, I felt worthy of the name Lostface, and hated myself for it. I wanted to be happy and shrug the incident off, but I was reminded of it every time I stumbled, or someone called me by that horrid name. If Firestar had not agreed to change it, I would forever be reminded of the day Swiftpaw died and I lost my eye, every time my name was spoken.
Firestar was kind to me. He saw how much Cloudtail loved and respected me, and honored that. He was fair, and didn't hesitate to let me return to my duties as a Thunderclan warrior once he saw that I was capable. He even gave me an apprentice, but once Jayfeather became a medicine cat, I didn't get another. I understand, but I still wish I had the chance of mentoring another apprentice. Jayfeather was a difficult apprentice, and I know he resented the pity I felt toward him. He thinks he hides his emotions so well, yet I knew how he felt. He felt frustrated that he couldn't ever become a proper warrior, and sad that no one would ever respect him, even if he was made a warrior.
I knew how he felt because I felt that way. But Cloudtail was like the moon at night; he gave me another destiny, and I knew that no matter what I looked like, I would be all right. As long as Cloudtail loved me, I was no longer Lostface, but Brightheart.
AN: I know this isn't about the name, and more about how she dealt with her mangled face, but I thought it still fit. And the last two lines is a quote from Secrets of the Clans, page 14, so don't kill me please.