Chapter Seven
Two moons had passed since their fight. In those two moons, encounters with LeafClan were getting more frequent. Twice already they had fought over territory. LeafClan nearly won until Brightpaw returned with reinforcements during the battle. Foxpaw fought like a warrior from StarClan, as Splashfur would continue bragging about. Ashstar's kits had opened their eyes and were now exploring the camp as often as they could, getting under everyone's nerves.
The first snowfall had arrived a few nights ago, covering the forest in a blanket of white and cold. All the streams were frozen, and everyone tried to stay warm by huddling together. Everyone that was, except for Rosepaw. She stayed far away from them, her long fur keeping her warm and sheltered from the rest of the world.
At long last it was time for their assessments. Ashstar took it seriously and had given Rosepaw someone different to work with. That someone happened to be Mothpelt, who was gentle and kind towards Rosepaw, despite Brightpaw's fear. Mothpelt had approved of Rosepaw's training and passed her with flying colors. Foxpaw had also passed with Raintail's approval, and finally Brightpaw passed shortly after. Once their assessments were over, it was time for their warrior ceremonies.
"I, Ashstar, leader of DarkClan, call upon my warrior ancestors so that they may look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Foxpaw, Brightpaw, Rosepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend this Clan, even at the costs of your lives?"
They all said I do almost at once. Rosepaw's voice was the softest as she stood farther apart from them. She had been keeping her distance from Brightpaw like she promised. Brightpaw had never felt more miserable than now as she turned to see Rosepaw. Rosepaw only looked away, leaving a pit of despair in Brightpaw's stomach.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Foxpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Foxwhisker, in honor of your father, and of your bravery in battle, and we welcome you as a full member of DarkClan."
Foxwhisker beamed at the prospect of being named after their father. Brightpaw could only guess where that idea had come from. She rolled her eyes when she saw Mudwhisker raising his chin proudly at the sight of his son licking Ashstar's shoulder.
"Brightpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Brightfire, in honor of the fire that burns in your heart, and we welcome you as a full member of DarkClan." Brightfire found herself trying her new name as she gave Ashstar a respectful lick on the shoulder. Hope flared within her when she stepped back.
I'm a warrior now, she thought proudly. She was shocked though when Ashstar ended the ceremony than and there.
"Foxwhisker! Brightfire!" The Clan cheered their names, oblivious to the fact that Rosepaw had been ignored once again. Brightfire glared at Ashstar when he looked at her in confusion.
"You're forgetting about Rosepaw," she spat. "What happened to giving everyone a 'fair' ceremony?" For a moment Ashstar was stunned that she would defy his orders. Then he narrowed his eyes and lowered his head dangerously.
"Fine," he growled before turning to glare at Rosepaw. Rosepaw didn't even flinch at the sight. By now she had gotten used to being glared at by everyone. "Rosepaw, from this moment you will be known as Rosescar. I'm sure everyone can figure out why."
Anger burned within Brightfire when everyone laughed at Ashstar's remark. Rosescar simply lowered her chin as he stepped back.
"I would have been better off without a name," she heard the silver she-cat whisper.
Brightfire lowered her gaze as they padded over to the camp's entrance to stand vigil. By now the cold air had finally gotten to her, and she had to ruffle out her fur in order to get warm. She wasn't sure how Rosescar could stand it. She stood tall and proud despite the cruel name Ashstar had given her. Brightfire turned and saw Foxwhisker struggling to keep his head up as the night dragged on. She rolled her eyes when she realized it wouldn't be long before he was asleep. It was going to be a long and cold night for all of them.
...
"Alright you two, you can move now." Relief washed over Brightfire when Mudwhisker approached them. "You might as well keep standing since you didn't get an 'official' warrior ceremony," he added to Rosescar. Brightfire only glared at her father in response.
"You can move," she whispered when he left with Foxwhisker. "Rosescar, won't you at least talk to me?"
"I'm afraid I can't," Rosescar retorted. "I've nothing left to say."
She ran before Brightfire could say anything else, kicking up snow in the process. Brightfire let out another sigh as she watched her old friend disappear into the forest. She knew that things would never be the same between them. She had tried so many times just to make things right. Yet each time Rosescar would only push her away.
Brightfire padded across the clearing and was given the chance to pick out a nest in the warrior's den. She looked around and didn't miss the fact that there were no empty nests for Rosescar. Something told her that Rosescar wouldn't be joining her.
"Here, you can sleep next to me," Eagleheart suggested, revealing an empty nest beside him. "Alderfern moved into the nursery, so her nest is available."
For a moment, Brightfire was reluctant to join him. Alderfern would want her nest back, right? Yet exhaustion was creeping over Brightfire. She resisted a yawn and gave in. She welcomed the warmth Eagleheart provided, and was eventually lulled into a blissful sleep.
...
Cold air squeezed at Rosescar's chest. She didn't stop running until she was deep enough in the forest for no one to find her. When she skidded to a halt she was greeted by her reflection in the frozen stream. Rosescar couldn't help but flinch when she saw an ugly creature staring back at her.
Her eye was clawed out by Raintail. There wasn't much left of either of her ears, and one of her whiskers had been pulled out by Cedarpool during a training session. But that wasn't what appalled her the most. Rosescar felt her heart sinking when she saw scars covering her legs and her paws.
Now I truly look like a monster, she thought. Rosescar let out a sigh and turned away from the frozen stream. She couldn't stand seeing herself like this. Ever since she had avoided Brightfire, a small voice kept nagging her in the back of her mind. It kept whispering promises of a better future if she just left. She was scared of what the future held for her. The Clan hated her. Everyone expected her to fail miserably as an apprentice. Maybe they were right to say that.
"Hey! What are you doing this close to the border?" Rosescar flinched when she heard the yowl carry off into the distance. She kept herself hidden in the shadows when she saw a lithe figure staring back at her. "Are you even listening to me?" the stranger demanded once again. "What are you doing so close to the border?"
"This is DarkClan's forest, not yours," Rosescar snapped. The urge to protect her Clan suddenly took over. "You don't belong here."
"It won't be for long," the voice replied in a dangerously low tone. "I suggest you leave before this gets ugly."
Rosescar flinched when he said that. For a moment she feared he was referring to her. Then she realized he meant the fight could get ugly. Her claws unsheathed as she finally revealed herself from the darkness.
"You don't know the meaning of that word," she spat. The tom's eyes widened when he caught sight of her for the first time. Instead of flinching though like she was expecting, he simply tilted his head to one side.
"Why would you say that? I don't see anything ugly about you," he meowed after a few moments of silence passed. Rosescar could only stare at him in disbelief. Never had she heard anyone say anything like that. "Besides, I think those scars look pretty cool. It shows you've been in a battle!"
She couldn't help but flinch again when he said that. The last thing she wanted was to be seen as someone who had fought in many battles. Then again she didn't want to admit that she had inflicted these wounds on herself. Some were fresh, many were old scars.
"You should know better than to hurtle insults at someone you don't even know!" she suddenly hissed. "Now get lost before I show you what I really am capable of."
The tom just stood there and watched with unblinking eyes. Rosescar rolled her eyes and unsheathed her claws to prove her point. That seemed to be enough of a warning for him. He stood up and turned back towards his territory, but not before looking over his shoulder at her.
"I'm sorry if I offended you, I really didn't mean to," he said before slipping into the shadows.
Rosescar waited until she knew for sure that he was gone. Once she was certain, she turned and padded back to camp.
That was strange, she thought with a shake of her head. No cat had ever tried to apologize to her, other than Brightfire. The tom she met at the border seemed oblivious to the fact that she was disfigured. Maybe there was hope in this forest after all.
She stopped when she realized where her paws were taking her. The old stream where she and Brightfire went out for the first time. Rosescar tilted her head to one side when she noticed that the water wasn't completely frozen. She leaned forward and lapped at the icy cold water, relishing how refreshing it felt.
"I could survive on my own, if I wanted to," she murmured out loud. "The Clan wouldn't miss me."
The only reason she had stayed for so long was because of Brightfire. It was Brightfire who encouraged her to keep going, even when she felt so defeated. But she had pushed her old friend away, for her own safety. Rosescar was afraid of admitting that she might hurt Brightfire accidentally.
"Hey look, Scarkit is back." Rosescar narrowed her eyes when she saw Shrewfang staring back at her. Shrewfang was like any other cat in the Clan, arrogant and big-headed. "I think Ashstar should have changed your name to that, it's definitely more fitting."
Rosescar only glared back at him.
"Oh, the poor kit is offended," Foxwhisker sneered. "Maybe we should leave her alone, she always was a loner at heart."
Hatred suddenly washed over Rosescar as she glared at them. She found it hard to believe that at one time, she had a crush on Foxwhisker. Now she hated him more than anything. Because of Raintail he had turned into the same, hurtful and hateful cat.
"If you had any brains at all, this wouldn't be happening right now," she muttered crossly. "Oh wait, I forgot, most of the Clan is arrogant and big-headed."
With that, she snorted at them and stalked away. Both Foxwhisker and Shrewfang were too stunned to make any retorts. Rosescar smirked as she imagined what must be running through their heads. Of course they wouldn't give it much thought when something else came up. She could still dream though.
Rosescar curled up outside the warrior's den, knowing that no cat would ever accept her in there. The only reason she had a place in the apprentice's den was because Brightfire had allowed it. Now that they had distanced themselves, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.
As she lay there she thought of what that tom had said when they met at the border. At first he was aggressive, but the more he saw her the more he changed. She was beginning to wonder if there really was more outside of DarkClan. A better life that she could live. If there was, she wanted to get away as soon as possible. Now there was nothing holding her back.
AN: So I've been looking forward to a major time-skip. And this is just one of them ;) I'm sure most people already assumed I would name Rosepaw, er, Rosescar that. And seriously, only two reviews? I'd like a bit more than that. Huge thanks to Forgetfulness can be fatal and Cloudjumper Kat for reviewing! You guys are amazing!
Cloudjumper Kat - Yeah, foreshadowing can be troublesome. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing everyone's reactions when they read future chapters. They'll definitely be in for a nasty surprise.
