I haven't updated for a little while, I've been relaxing on my winter break and just finished reading Long Shadows. But here's chapter 7! (I apologize if any herbs or anything is wrong, I haven't had alot of time to read up on my old books.)


Chapter 7

I was sorting herbs in Leafpool's den, but I didn't feel focused. I was being plagued by tons of thoughts all at once. How can I love Heathertail? She's from another clan, for Starclan's sake! And I'm a medicine cat apprentice. Could this get any worse?

"Jaypaw! What are you doing?" Leafpool asked sharply, stirring me out of my thoughts.

"Wh-what…?" I muttered.

"You're mixing the watermint with the juniper berries," Leafpool sighed.

"Sorry," I apologized.

"Are you sure there's nothing wrong, Jaypaw? You've been acting…strange." Leafpool meowed cautiously.

"I'm sure." I snapped.

"Well if you're so sure, make sure everything is in it's proper place," she huffed.

I didn't reply. I'm sure she didn't know what it was like to be in love when you weren't supposed to.

"And I know a lot more than you do," she carried on, as if she knew what I was thinking.

"Oh? How?" I pressed.

"Just get back to sorting herbs," Leafpool meowed. I could sense she felt she'd said too much. I almost said something, but held it back. She already seemed flustered enough.

A sudden wailing sounded outside the den.

"What's going on?" Leafpool dashed outside, not waiting for an answer.

"I've got a thorn in my paw!" Berrynose yowled.

Great Starclan, he acts as if the world was ending! I thought.

"You act as if it's far worse than that," Leafpool sighed. "Come on. I'll give you some horsetail."

I was already chewing it up when Leafpool came back in, followed by a complaining Berrynose. Leafpool carefully pulled the thorn out with her teeth.

"Ow! That hurts," he hissed, licking his paw rapidly.

"Get over it," I told him, spreading the poultice on his paw.

"Jeez, what ruffled your fur today?" he snorted.

"Nothing that concerns you," I shot back.

"Now don't bother it. If it gets infected, come back right away." I instructed.

"Fine." Then he limped away.

"I'm going to get some fresh-kill," I announced. I didn't wait for an answer, I just hurried away.

"Jaypaw! What's the rush?" Lionblaze asked as I walked by.

I didn't reply. I ran past him and out the thorn tunnel.

I didn't stop until I was well away from the camp. I sensed a drop in front of me, and realized I was in front of the Windclan tunnels. I had a strange urge to go down there, but I hesitated. I remembered when me, Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, Heathertail and the kits from Windclan almost died down there. And yet…I wanted to go back there? I suddenly realized I wanted to see Heathertail. I couldn't…it was against the rules. But I plunged past the barrier we'd put up anyway.