Twistpaw blinked awake to voices filtering to his nest from the camp clearing.
"Where are you going Rainfall?" That was Beechberry.
"Just out to gather herbs." came to soft reply and even Twistpaw could hear the tremor in the medicine cat's voice.
"At this time of night?" Beechberry asked and Twistpaw could imagine the she-cat's doubtful expression.
"It's the best time to find moonberries!" Rainfall snapped and Twistpaw cocked his head slightly in confusion. There were no such thing as moonberries and he would know. He had had to listen to the medicine cats prattle about herbs for the entire time he had been exiled to the medicine den.
Obviously Beechberry didn't know that and she let Rainfall pass. Twistpaw could hear the she-cat's soft pawsteps as she exited the camp.
Something isn't right. Twistpaw thought and got to his paws as silently as he could. He limped over to a small hole in the camp's barrier and managed to squeeze his way through. He shook the thorns and bits of bracken from his fur, licking at a small scratch on his shoulder as he scented the air, seeking for Rainfall's herb-like scent. He caught it soon enough and began limping after the she-cat, making sure to keep quiet and not to get too close.
What are you up to Rainfall? the young tom thought, slowly catching up to the medicine cat despite his limp. He scented the air and bristled slightly. They were nearing the FlameClan border.
A strong FlameClan scent reached Twistpaw's nose and he stiffled the urge to snarl as he hunkered down in the bushes, watching as a large gray tabby tom padded out of the bushes to meet Rainfall.
Before the adult cats could do anything the young apprentice had leaped out of the bushes to stand between the FlameClan tom and his clan's medicine cat.
"Get off of our territory!" he spat, ignoring the pain in his leg as his hackles rose, bringing him to nearly twice his size, which was sadly not very large.
The tom, instead of getting angry or even intimidated, smiled knowingly at Rainfall, "Is this him?" he asked, seeming to be amused.
Rainfall nodded, "It is him Ridgepath." She seemed... ashamed. Far from angry at the tom for trespassing on WoodClan territory. What in StarClan's name was going on?
Ridgepath laughed softly and looked back down at Twistpaw, "Feisty isn't he? Quite an attitude."
Rainfall nodded again, still looking sad and regretful.
"What's going on?" Twistpaw demanded, his anger rising, "Who is this cat?"
Ridgepath gazed at Rainfall and sighed sadly, "I should have assumed that he wouldn't know. It wouldn't have made anything easier for him would it have?"
Rainfall shook her head, avoiding Twistpaw's gaze. "It would've made everything harder." she mewed softly, her voice choked and tight.
((A/N- lol does anyone see what's coming yet?))
"What would have been harder?" Twistpaw snapped angrily.
Ridgepath glanced at Rainfall and sighed heavily, "Should we tell him?"
Rainfall continued to avoid the tom's gaze, "Might as well." she replied sadly. "There's no keeping it a secret anymore."
Ridgepath nodded soberly and turned his gaze to Twistpaw, taking a deep breath before meowing seriously, "I am your father."
Twistpaw took a step back in surprise, his eyes widening, "N-no! That's not true!" he cried, "You're lying! I'm WoodClan, not FlameClan!"
"Twistpaw calm down-" Rainfall whispered, her eyes full of hurt.
"No! No! I'm WoodClan!" Twistpaw yowled, his fur bristling. "He can't be my father!"
"I am your father Twistpaw. I'm sorry if you don't want me but I've what you've got."
"So you mated with Fogcloud? That's why she's so-so mean?" Twistpaw asked, his face full of dismay.
"Fogcloud isn't your mother." Ridgepath meowed simply. "Rainfall is."
(Insert dramatic drum beat here! Hopefully Part 7 will be posted by tomorrow or the day after depending on how much schoolwork I have to do)
