When Owlpaw opened her eyes she was in a starry forest. Toadstools grew around her and it smelled like prey, namely her favorite food: frog.
She licked her lips.
An amused our came from behind. "Well, if you want to spend your first time in StarClan thinking of frogs then so be it."
Immediately Owlpaw turned around and dipped her head, "sorry!"
"Yes, indeed. Well, what are you waiting for, catch one."
Confused, she obeyed the cat. She was a longhaired tabby with piercing green eyes and her voice was sharp and raspy. She caught a frog with ease.
"Very good, now eat it."
Owlpaw did so. It tasted so good. Like the best frog ever created.
"Well, then, now that you can concentrate, would you like to know who I am?"
"Yes please."
"My name isGreenmint."
"Okay. Did you ask to be the cat to welcome me here or did someone tell you?"
She ignored the question. "My name is Greenmint."
Owlpaw was confused. "I know, you just told me."
"Haven't you ever heard of me?"
"Was I supposed to? Maybe one of the elders mentioned you…are you Deepstar's mother?"
Deepstar's mother! Didn't Icicleheart ever mention me?"
"No, never."
"Never! Honestly, stubborn young cat. I trained hr for more seasons than there are foxes! Moons and moons of that and she never mentions me to her new apprentice!"
"You're her mentor?"
"That's right."
"She never spoke of you. Well she did, but not by name."
"What did she say?"
"She said that you didn't give her a proper ceremony at the Moonpool."
"Well I've got to be tough with her! And besides, Dark….whatever her name was gave her one. Funny, Dark…whatever was my best friend."
Some friend!
"Anyway, welcome to StarClan. Hope to see many times blah, blah, blah."
"Can I meet my mother?" she asked hopefully.
"No. Now, make sure you watch over Icicleheart, you go that. And while you're at it, your sister too."
"Why can't I see my mother?"
"Because you're here to learn, not have family reunions!"
"I- I want to meet her."
"Stubborn, persistent…annoying. Just like Icicleheart. Okay, maybe next time if you get Icicleheart to mention me. Got it?"
"Yes Greenmint."
"Well, at least you have got respect, if only a little of it. I'm done here. Goodbye."
Owlpaw woke, mildly confused and rather annoyed that she had to do something to see her mother. Icicleheart had never spoken of Greenmint before. And for good reason!
"So Owlpaw, did you meet your mother?" Icicleheart asked.
"No," Owlpaw replied, trying not to let her disappointment show.
"Oh, that's alright though. Who met you there?"
" Greenmint."
Icicleheart stared at her. "Say again."
"Greenmint, your old mentor."
At that moment Benttail woke up. "Well, that's just dandy! Why, that has got to be the…oh, sorry, girls. Don't mind me, I'm old and crazy."
Owlpaw couldn't help smiling at Benttail.
"See, you Benttail, we must get going. Tell the others we've gone." Icicleheart said way too quickly.
Icicleheart ran through the forest like she was being chased by a hungry fox.
"Icicleheart, wait, please!"
Icicleheart stopped suddenly.
"Why didn't you mention her before?"
"Mention who? Greenmint? Why do you think I never spoke of her? She's mean, she hurt everyone she spoke to, and she doesn't have a kind thing to say to anyone! She let your mother die, Owlpaw! She let her die because she was crazy enough to think that she was evil. You and your sister a bad omen. Why do you think I hate that flea-bag?"
Owlpaw was taken aback by her mentor's sudden flare in attitude.
"Owlpaw, please forgive me for that. Tomorrow, go hunting with the other apprentices. I need to relax."
For once, Owlpaw was quiet. So quiet you could hear a mouse rummaging for food amongst the dry leaves.
"What was Greenmint like in terms of actually healing cats?"
"One of the best medicine cat the forest has ever seen. She could heal any sickness, close any wound, make any kitting painless but she couldn't be a good mentor. Kind to others but not to me. If you cut your paw and there wasn't any herb we knew of around, she would find some alternative, like a beech leaf or something to try stop it bleeding."
"Is that the only reason you wanted to be her apprentice?"
"I wanted to become a medicine cat, and at first I was proud to help Greenmint. I always helped her, until the very end."
"You didn't answer my question. Is that the only reason you wanted to be her apprentice? Because you she was a good medicine cat and it seemed like a good path to follow?"
"I don't understand. I wanted to heal my clanmates, so I'd be her apprentice anyway."
"Didn't you want to because she helped you before?"
"She never did help me, don't get a medicine cat as a mentor just because they helped you in the past. Surely you are my apprentice because you want to heal?"
Before any more was said between them, Ferretfang burst through the trees. "Shallowpoppy's kitting," she said heavily. "She needs help."
Owlpaw looked at Ferretfang in alarm but Icicleheart was already streaks ahead of her.
"Hey, Owlpaw, you don't want to miss your first kitting do you?" Ferretfang urged her.
"Right, thanks!"
She raced after Icicleheart, Ferretfang at her side.
What if shallowpoppy turns out like Prettycloud? Can I really do this?
The camp was just ahead. She put on a final burst of speed and ran beside the nursery. Inside was Shallowpoppy and the cat who must be the father. She shook her head she looked to see who it was. She almost fainted.
I think it's shorter than it should be and not as good as it should be! Oh, and who is Shallowpoppy's mate? I'll quickly mention those who reviewed 'cause I got space for it. Let's see…
Cricketstep- is awesome!
Anonymous- if you wernt anonomous, I'd have you all over this story for that comment (I mean it in a good way)
PikaNerd6- medicine cats are very much awesome
Silverstar the ice princess- you think she's feisty now? She's going to get feistier!
