Alright! I'm back for another chapter. How are all you guys? You as excited as I am? Well, only one way to find out, I suppose.
Let me know what you think of the cameo in this chapter!
~Tiger
"Hey, Blazepaw, you awake yet?"
Blazepaw groaned and opened her eyes to see her sister. "I am now. What is it?"
"Littlefur wants us to go hunting. Come on!"
Blazepaw stood up and shook out her fur. "What about Flamepaw?"
Robinpaw grinned. "Stormwolf wants him to take care of the elders today. It's just you and me."
"And Redleaf and Littlefur," Blazepaw pointed out.
Robinpaw rolled her amber eyes. "Way to be a party pooper. We'd better go, though. They're waiting for us."
Blazepaw nodded and dashed after her sister to the main cave entrance where their mentors stood. They mewed a greeting to one another before making their way out of the cave, and down a little path weaving around the mountain. There was a warm breeze blowing, and the sun was finally peeking out from behind the clouds. Blazepaw smiled. Newleaf really was here.
"Are we hunting anything specific today?" Blazepaw asked.
Redleaf nodded. "Ravenwing reported a family of mice living in the roots of the Great Pine yesterday. I thought we could catch them today."
A family? For some reason, the thought of harming young mice turned her stomach. "Couldn't we hunt something else?" she asked quietly. The patrol stopped and stared at her. "I – I mean, it seems a little cruel to kill such young mice, especially a whole family of them."
Littlefur looked a little confused as he gazed at his apprentice. "Prey is prey, Blazepaw."
Blazepaw's ears warmed in embarrassment. "I know. But I really don't see it that way." She felt more apprehensive with each heartbeat and she ducked her head so they couldn't see how shaken she was. "Sorry if I've caused you any trouble," she mumbled.
Littlefur's voice was soft with sympathy. "I understand. Why don't we go down near the waterfall and hunt voles then? I know they're Firestar's favourite."
Blazepaw perked up. "Okay." She managed a hesitant smile, meeting Littlefur's eyes.
The four cats turned around and made their way to the waterfall a little way away from the cave. There they caught voles and even a stray rabbit before carrying their load back home. No one mentioned Blazepaw's reluctance to hunt the mice. It didn't seem relevant.
"How was hunting?" Firestar asked, padding over.
"Great!" Blazepaw answered. "We caught voles!"
Firestar smiled. "That's my favourite."
Blazepaw beamed. "That's what Littlefur said."
"Redleaf also caught a rabbit," Robinpaw told her father. "It seems newleaf is here at last."
Firestar cuffed her affectionately over the ears with one paw. "Look at you talking like a senior warrior. You haven't even seen newleaf before!"
Robinpaw's eyes twinkled with amusement. "No, I haven't, but it's nice to go outside without freezing my paws off."
Blazepaw smiled as she watched the two interact. Feeling a bit like a third wheel, she discreetly ducked away and went to the medicine den.
Once there, she peeked her head through the opening. "Can I come in?"
Flowerpaw, who was arranging some leaves, looked up and smiled. "Sure! Mintheart went to look at how the herb growth is coming. Is something wrong?"
Blazepaw sat down out of Flowerpaw's way. "What makes you think something's wrong?"
"You usually only visit the medicine den when you're lonely." Flowerpaw faced her. "You can tell me, Blazepaw."
Blazepaw shrugged. "To be honest, I'm not sure what is wrong." Flowerpaw remained silent, waiting. Blazepaw sighed. "Me, Robinpaw, and our mentors went hunting earlier and Redleaf told us about a family of mice we were going to hunt." Blazepaw paused again, her gaze on the stone floor. "I couldn't do it. The thought of killing a family made me sick, and I'm still not sure why. I told the patrol, and Littlefur said we could hunt voles instead." Blazepaw finally met Flowerpaw's blue eyes. "That isn't weird, is it?"
Flowerpaw shook her head. "Of course not. I'm sure several apprentices are hesitant to kill young prey as well. I'm sure you'll get used to it."
Blazepaw shivered. "I don't know if I want to get used to hurting anything, prey or otherwise. Every life is worth it."
Flowerpaw tipped her head to the side. "You're right. You sure don't hear that very often. Hold onto that belief, Blazepaw. It will serve you well."
Blazepaw didn't quite understand Flowerpaw's seriousness of the matter. "Okay, thanks. Do you want any help in here?"
"I appreciate the offer, Blazepaw, but you're a warrior apprentice, not a medicine cat apprentice. You should get something to eat before seeing what Littlefur wants you to do next."
Blazepaw was a little hurt at her friend's curtness, but she was right. The medicine den was no place for a warrior. She dipped her head in a quick goodbye before making her way to the fresh-kill pile as Flowerpaw has suggested.
Badgerheart came streaking across the cave to the medicine den, and Blazepaw had to leap away so as not to be run into. Badgerheart ignored her, rushing into the cave to her left.
"Flowerpaw!" he gasped. "You have to come quickly. It's Featherstorm's kits; they're coming."
"But I've never delivered kits by myself!" Flowerpaw sounded panicked. "I suppose Featherstorm couldn't wait till Mintheart gets back?"
"No." Badgerheart's tone was to the point. "She needs your help now."
Flowerpaw took a breath. "Okay. Just give me some time to gather herbs. You can make yourself useful and get a stout stick for Featherstorm to bite on. Is someoem with her now?"
"Yes, Oakleaf."
"Good. Then she'll be fine for a few minutes while I get ready."
Badgerheart came back out of the medicine den and went out of the main cave entrance. A few heartbeats later, Flowerpaw ran from her den and disappeared into the nursery with a bundle of leaves in her jaws.
Flamepaw, coming from the elders' den, padded up to Blazepaw. "What's happening?"
"Featherstorm is having her kits," Blazepaw told him.
Flamepaw looked a little confused. "They weren't here already?"
"I guess not."
Firestar walked up to them. "What are you talking about, kits?"
"Featherstorm is having her kits," Blazepaw repeated. "We were confused because we thought they were already here."
Firestar shook his head. "They haven't been born yet."
"And what does that mean?" Flamepaw pressed.
Firestar looked like prey about to be caught with wide eyes and his mouth opening and closing without forming words. Luckily, Oakleaf arrived in time to rescue her mate.
"It means that it's getting late, and you and your sister should be getting to your nests. Where is Robinpaw?" Oakleaf glanced around. "Oh, there you are. Go to your beds, you three. There will be plenty of time to see the kits tomorrow."
They all wished their parets goodnight before doing as they asked. It took a while for Blazepaw to fall asleep, but she eventually did.
When she opened her eyes a few moments later, Blazepaw realized with shock that she wasn't in the cave anymore. She was in a clearing with a circle of trees around it, and the sound of a river in the near distance. Where was this? Was it StarClan?
The snap of a twig made Blazepaw whirl around. On the other edge of the clearing was beautiful, long-furred, silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes. But there was something off about her; she was so faded that Blazepaw could see right through her to the trees beyond.
The she-cat smiled. "Hello, young one. Welcome to StarClan."
Blazepaw's fur bristled. "This is StarClan? Am I dead?"
The she-cat chuckled. "No, you're still alive. I asked you to come here; though, it was called the Tribe of Endless Hunting when I was alive."
Blazepaw dipped her head to the side at the strange name. "Who are you?"
The strange she-cat's blue eyes stared right into Blazepaw's golden ones, seeming to pierce her very soul. "My name is Feathertail." She smiled again at Blazepaw's slightly perplexed expression. "I see you haven't heard of me? That's alright. I lived so long ago that only your elders' elders would remember the tales of me." Feathertail shook her head as though reprimanding herself. "But none of that matters now. I have brought you here to give you a gift."
"A gift?" Blazepaw repeated. "For me? I don't deserve such an honour."
"You do, even if you believe you do not," Feathertail told her. "There are few who value a life like you do, and StarClan would like to bestow you with this. But be forewarned." Feathertail's voice grew grave. "With this ability, you will never be the cat you once were. You will be able to understand all creatures, great and small, no matter the type. Do you wish to accept?"
Blazepaw was a little taken aback. "I get to choose?"
"Of course!" Feathertail returned. "StarClan would never force something this important on a living cat."
Blazepaw considered for a minute before facing Feathertail confidently. "I would be honoured to accept such a gift from StarClan, Feathertail."
Feathertail's smile returned. "Very well, as it is your wish."
Her eyes began to glow and she pressed her muzzle to the top of Blazepaw's head. "By all the powers StarClan has bestowed upon me, I give Blazepaw of SnowClan the ability to understand all language there is in the world. Let nothing stand in the way of her knowing the tongues of all."
Something flashed through Blazepaw, making her feel hot and cold all at the same time. She could see all the animals in her minds eye, most of which she had never seen or imagined. She was gasping for breath when she opened her eyes and found Feathertail staring at her.
"Wisdom, strength, cunning, and stealth
They must gather to be of help
For you know not where you belong
And this weakness has made you strong
Correct the wrong, and bring back hope
Then you'll find you're finally home."
Blazepaw was hurtled from the dream, the prophecy still ringing in her ears. What did it mean? Was she a part of it? And if so, how would she help three others when she was only an apprentice?
"Hey, Blazepaw, you okay?" Blazepaw turned to see Crowpaw blinking his eyes open.
"Yeah, I'm okay," she replied. "It was only a dream. Did I wake you?"
"Yeah, but it's okay," he added at Blazepaw's dismayed expression. "I should get up anyway. Frogleap wanted me for an early hunting patrol this morning. Do you want to share something with me?"
Blazepaw nodded. "Sure."
She followed her friend through the main cave to the fresh-kill pile. They shared a shrew and were cleaning up when Flowerpaw popped her head out of the nursery.
She smiled at the black and white striped tom. "You can come in now, Badgerheart. You're the father of two toms and a she-kit."
Pure happiness flared up in Badgerheart's eyes as he made his way around Flowerpaw and into the nursery. Flowerpaw looked completely exhausted, having stayed up all night. She smiled and nodded at the cats around her until Mintheart came to a stop in front of her apprentice.
Flowerpaw seemed surprised to see her. "Mintheart! When did you get back? If I had known you were in the cave, I would've let you take over Featherstorm's kitting."
"And let you miss a chance to prove how good a medicine cat you are?" Mintheart countered. "I would have let you handle it on your own either way. I'm proud how calmly you handled everything, Flowerpaw. I don't think I could've done better. Come the next half-moon, I'm going to give you your full medicine cat name."
Shock and joy fought for control over Flowerpaw's features. "Thank you, Mintheart! I won't let you down."
Mintheart smiled. "You couldn't if you tried."
Blazepaw's heart soared with pride for her friend.
The rest of the day passed without anything significant happening. It was Blazepaw's turn to take care of the elders, which the apprentice didn't find as grating as everyone made it seem. Her mind kept wandering to her dream. Did Blazepaw really have the ability to understand every animal as Feathertail said she would? Blazepaw guessed she would have to wait to find out.
