A/N Okay, so this was long overdue. I was going to post this earlier, but I got sidetracked.
'Flamewishsamerrychristmas'- Thank you, Ashblaze is a pretty name for Ashpaw.
'Branchwing'- Thanks, this chapter will be about Ashpaw healing.
'Guest'- Huh, I was actually thinking Ashfall or Ashclaw would be a good name for her when she gets her name.
Ashpaw walked back from her training, sure, she liked catching up, but Foxstep wore her to the bone. Her burns were healing nicely, not leaving her any prettier, though. She dreaded grooming her fur each evening, because she would taste the ash flavor in her fur.
Five moons had passed since the accident, and Robinsong had given birth to Willowkit, Nightkit and Swiftkit. Willowkit had been born deaf, and the other two were very weak.
Dawnbird had plumped up, and looked like she'd give birth any day.
Havenpaw and Pebblepaw had gotten their names, Havenstripe and Pebbleclaw, Ashpaw suspected she was close to getting hers.
Pebbleclaw still wouldn't meet her eyes, he barely looked at her. This didn't help settle Ashpaw insecurities about her outward appearance at all.
Havenstripe walked up to her, Ashpaw still couldn't help but envy her beautiful light brown tabby fur, large hazel eyes, and white stomach and muzzle. It reminded Ashpaw of her old, pretty self. Havenstripe lay a hare down in front of her. "How are you?" Havenstripe asked in her silky voice. Though Ashpaw's burns had healed, her voice had not quite made the same recovery, it was still very rough.
"Fine," she rasped. It annoyed her that she sounded like an elder, even though she was still a 'paw.
"Ashpaw, I'm not stupid, I know that you're not fine," Havenstripe gently told her.
"You want to know what's bothering me?" Ashpaw asked, "just look around." Pebbleclaw was looking up, and immediately look away, as if he was scared to even look at her. Several other cats looked away when she looked at them.
"You like Pebblepaw, more than a friend, don't you?" Havenstripe asked. Slowly, Ashpaw nodded.
"And he won't even meet my eyes," she whispered.
"Well Ashpaw, Pebbleclaw isn't the same old, sweet Pebblepaw," Havenstripe said. "Though you are covered in burns and brittle fur on the outside, you are still truly my best friend, Ashpaw, as you always have been." She took a quick breath before continuing. "Pebbleclaw is the opposite, though he is handsome old Pebblepaw on the outside, he has drastically changed on the inside, he is bitter now, and he doesn't deserve you," Havenstripe said. "Now, I have to go do something."
Havenstripe slipped into the leader's den, she was in there for several minutes. Ashpaw awkwardly chewed on the rabbit, feeling better, as Havenstripe always made her feel better.
Since she had nothing else to do, she slipped into the nursery, bringing in the rest of the rabbit. She wasn't going to eat it, so maybe the queens or kits would. Willowkit tumbled over to her, though the kit couldn't speak or hear, she was adorable.
Robinsong raised her head. The queen looked absolutely worn out. "Hi Ashpaw," she said in a friendly tone, she could clearly see Ashpaw, but she seemed determined to hide any remarks of pity or horror that would certainly make her feel worse. Ashpaw appreciated it.
"Hi Robinsong," she returned the friendly tone. "Willowkit is adorable, where are the other two?"
"Right here," the queen said, gesturing to a nest with two kits in it. "The solid black tom is Nightkit, and the black and white one is Swiftkit."
Swiftkit yawned, his little pink mouth showing. He stood up, tiredly, and rubbed against Ashpaw, his fur soft and downy, purring. Ashpaw couldn't help but purr, they were adorable. Willowkit pounced, waking up Nightkit, who weakly returned the attack. Nightkit freed himself, bouncing over to Ashpaw.
"Hi! I'm Nightkit," he squeaked.
"I'm Ashpaw," she purred back, appreciating that he wasn't afraid of her burns.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting." Ashpaw bid the kits goodbye and walked into the hollow.
"Ashpaw, it's time for you to become a warrior," Oakstar said. Ashpaw's tail curled in excitement. My warrior ceremony!
Oookay, so there's chapter two for you, sorry I didn't post this earlier, I've recently been sick. Tell me what you think!
~Willow