Fun Fact: Poisonberry was originally meant to be Featherstar's evil daughter, but I like the FadeClan story better.
Three moons have passed since Tidalflower's freak out and Minnowkit had grown closer to Tidalflower and Kinkfoot. He visited them often and Troutkit teased him that he would be the next medicine cat of FeatherClan. Willowkit and Sprucekit would encourage Minnowkit to be the cat he wants to be. At this point, Willowkit and Sprucekit were Minnowkit's best friends and the two brothers weren't as close anymore.
Minnowkit scampered from the Nursery early that morning, avoiding Troutkit like Greencough. He ran up to Kinkfoot's den to find Tidalflower sleeping in one of the nests. "Tidalflower?" Minnowkit mewed. Kinkfoot was sorting herbs with his good paw and turned to look at Minnowkit. "She's resting," he told him. Minnowkit sat down quickly. "Why?" Kinkfoot sighed. "She's dying," he answered. Minnowkit shot up and ran up to her for a snuggle. "She can't die!" he wailed. Kinkfoot limped over and sat down next to him and rested his striped tail on Minnowkit's shoulders. "Tidalflower is depressed and old," he murmured. "But she will be happy that you paid respects to her. She hasn't had family since Owlsight died." Minnowkit untucked his head from Tidalflower's fur. "I'm a good cat," he mewed. "All cats deserve respect!" He remembered how Owlsight was Tidalflower's mate and he died five moons ago. "She will walk with Owlsight in StarClan," he murmured.
Tidalflower's breaths were long and shallow. Minnowkit stroked her fur as his friends Willowkit and Sprucekit padded in. "Tidalflower!" they wailed. Minnowkit sidestepped out of the way as the two younger kits barreled into her to cry. Minnowkit looked up at Kinkfoot. "Can I help with anything?" he asked. Kinkfoot gazed warmly at Minnowkit. "I guess you can sort these juniper berries," he mewed. Minnowkit smiled and dived into a pile of purple berries and kicked out the duller, older ones.
Willowkit sighed and turned to Minnowkit. "Did you hear that Troutkit is going to be the next leader?" Minnowkit stared at Willowkit. His fur prickled uncomfortably. "Mapletuft is furious," Sprucekit mewed. She must feel betrayed, Minnowkit thought. He looked at Kinkfoot. "I'm nearly six moons old," he began. "May I be your apprentice?" Kinkfoot stared at him in shock. "I-I thought you wanted to be a warrior," he stammered. "I don't," Minnowkit continued. "I want to care for my Clan." Minnowkit glanced at Tidalflower. Just for you, he thought. Kinkfoot smiled. "We'll have to talk to Featherstar then," he replied. "Featherstar won't mind," Minnowkit mewed. "He never does!" Minnowkit caught Willowkit giving him a sad look as Minnowkit padded out of the Medicine den wiith Kinkfoot.
The two cats entered Featherstar's den. Featherstar looked the two toms over. "Is this one causing you trouble?" he growled, glaring at Minnowkit. Kinkfoot shook his head quickly. "Oh no, Featherstar!" he mewed. "Minnowkit wants to be my apprentice!" Featherstar looked almost stupid as he narrowed his eyes at his son. "Out," he mewed. Kinkfoot looks at his leader with shock. "But," he mewed. Featherstar glared at him. "Fox dung to all that! No son of mine is going to be a medicine cat!" Kinkfoot seemed to shrink within his pelt. "I need an apprentice," he murmured. Featherstar rolled his eyes and let out a huff. "Take Sprucekit then!" he snapped. "You will not train my son!" Minnowkit was glaring at his father. "I don't want to be a warrior!" he snapped. Featherstar glared at him. "Now, Now, son. Is that a good way to speak to your leader?" Minnowkit nodded, much to Featherstar's surprise. "Yes," he mewed. "Especially when you're so stubborn! I want to be Kinkfoot's apprentice and I refuse to be anything else!" Featherstar stood up and swiped Kinkfoot's ear. Minnowkit saw blood spewing from the medicine cat's ear. "Out kittypet! Go sort some herbs!" Featherstar snarled. He turned to Minnowkit. "You too, kit! I need to talk to your mother."
Minnowkit scampered out of his father's den quickly. Dust flies from his hind paws. "Mama!" he wailed. Hollowmoon rams out of the Nursery with a sleepy Troutkit following. "Minnowkit?" she mewed. Minnowkit runs behind his mother and crouches there. "Featherstar wants to see you," he whimpered. Hollowmoon sighs. "Jaggedmoon," she calls. "Yes," a loud mew sounds from the Nursery. "Keep an eye on my kits," Hollowmoon mewed. "Sure thing!" Hollowmoon pushes her kits in the direction of the Nursery and enters Featherstar's den.
Minnowkit hid in Jaggedmoon's white-striped tail fur. He sobbed quietly. He noticed Troutkit pull on his tail. "I'm the next leader!" he declared. "Don't be a coward! Be a warrior!" Minnowkit ignored him. "I don't want to be a warrior," he mewed quietly. Troutkit grew quiet. "You just want to help, don't you?" he mewed. Minnowkit looked up at his brother. "Yes," he mewed. "I'm not a fighter; I'm a healer." Troutkit nodded slowly. "I can be the leader and you can be the medicine cat!" He jumped up and down. He doesn't know, Minnowkit thought. "Featherstar doesn't want me to heal," he mewed, sadly. "What!?" Troutkit mewed. "You are amazing though!" Minnowkit shook his head. "I think Tidalflower was right," he told Troutkit. "Featherstar is evil. He clawed Kinkfoot's ear!" Troutkit nodded and sat next to Minnowkit under Jaggedmoon's tail. "Where's Willowkit and Sprucekit?" he asked. Minnowkit shrugged. "I saw them last in Kinkfoot's den," he replied. "They were mourning Tidalflower." Troutkit tilted his head in confusion. "Why?" he asked. Minnowkit sighed. "She's dying." Troutkit shook his head sadly. Minnowkit yawned and the two brothers fell asleep together.
Minnowkit woke up cold. He slowly opened his eyes to find himself being carried. He could smell the river nearby. He wiggled slightly to see who was carrying him. It was Featherstar! "Dad?" Minnowkit mewed. "Don't call me dad, kit!" his father huffed. Minnowkit whimpered. "Where are we going?" he asked. Featherstar snarled. "To your end!" Minnowkit wiggled roughly as he was carried closer to the river. "I don't want to die!" Minnowkit wailed. Featherstar growled. "I don't care, kitty!" Minnowkit wailed as loud as he could. "Mama!" Featherstar shook him roughly. "Shut up, mouse-heart!" he snarled. Minnowkit whimpered quietly as Featherstar stopped by the river. "Now you're fish-bait." Featherstar swung Minnowkit backwards and he landed in the river. "Nooooo!" he mewed as he went under the water.