Chap 6: Truth
It had been one moon since Poppysong and Jackalfang had gotten their warrior names, and a few of the warrior had found some scents of strange cats. Faithstar had dismissed the fact that is was probably just some rouges going though the territory, but when Goldpaw had gone on one of the border patrols she had got a whiff of Smokefur mingled with a few other cats. Luckily, the same moment Goldpaw realized who the scent belonged to the wind changed. Lionflight looked at her and she mouthed to him, "S-M-O-K-E-F-U-R." He seemed to get the message because he started to look around expecting the smoky-gray she-cat to pounce on him. But when she didn't appear they kept going.
Except for the fact of the strange cats, there was only one other thing that was bothering Goldpaw. The dream was coming almost every night now. It normally occurred right as the sun was rising and when the moon was going down. Every time, the stench of blood lasted longer in Goldpaw's mouth, and she was afraid that soon the stench would not leave. Goldpaw could tell that the other apprentices were getting worried about her because she was constantly waking up in a sweet. Yewpaw was already throwing her questioning glances when she would come in to have some poppy seeds. Goldpaw knew it would only be a matter of time before she would have to tell him about the dream. She just hoped that he wouldn't make anything of it, just some bad memories from when she was younger.
Goldpaw had just woken up from the dream and her heart felt like it was about to burst out of her chest, but after taking a few deep breaths she calmed down a little. Goldpaw looked around to see if any of the other apprentices had woken up, but none of them did, she guessed they had gotten used to her panic attacks. She padded over to the medicine den and walked in. Yewpaw was taking over more of the medicine cat responsibilities since Crystalfang got sick. She had been healed quickly, but her age was starting to show. When Goldpaw walked in Yewpaw was already up with some poppy seeds on a leaf, Goldpaw guessed he was expecting her. Normally the stench of blood was gone by the time she got there, but it was still here this time. It was time to tell Yewpaw, she decided.
"Yewpaw, I have to tell you something," When he looked at her she couldn't tell his emotion because his face was blank, dang how come he has to be so good at that? So she just started to talk. She talked about the dream of the moon covering the sun, and how blood always would flow from it to drown her, and how just recently the meows of frightened cats would reach her ear. Only once she caught a flash of amazement and fear on Yewpaw's face, but it went away as quickly as it appeared. When she finished telling of the soft voice and how it said SunClan and MoonClan would always be with her, Yewpaw looked at her with disbelief.
Yewpaw whispered something that was just loud enough for Goldpaw to hear, "So I was right, you are the chosen one." All Goldpaw could do was stair at her brother and wait for him to explain. When he seemed to have recuperated enough he looked up at his sister with pride in his eyes.
He told her how the same vision was sent to Crystalfang, and he had recently had the same dream. The only difference between the two was that the two medicine cats never heard the soft voice saying that MoonClan and SunClan would be with us. He told her how he thinks the she is the one with both Moon and Sun. One of her eyes was gold, like the sun while the other was gray like the moon. He said that there is a battle coming, and he thinks it has to do with the strange cats the clan kept scenting. At that Goldpaw stiffened up at once, Yewpaw saw the change and instantly knew she knew something about the cats.
The stare Yewpaw gave Goldpaw was all she needed to explain about Smokefur. When she was done Yewpaw gave a sigh of relief. He had been afraid that she was helping the strange cats with their plan. But Goldpaw would never do that, he should put more faith into her.
By the time all of this had been said, the sun was shining into then den. Yewpaw and Goldpaw just sat down and looked at each other, both trying to comprehend all of this. They found that they didn't have to say anything more. The truth of the matter was that Goldpaw had a feeling she was the cat who would save the clan, but she didn't want to. All she had ever wanted in her life was to help protect the clan and then retire to the elders den. Yewpaw had always been the one who wanted to be something more to the clan, that is why he became Crystalfang's apprentice.
Finally Yewpaw started to talk, "I am heading to Reflecting Pool tomorrow. Crystalfang feels like it is time for me to get my name." Pride overflowed Goldpaw. Her brother was going to become the medicine cat!
"Wow! That is great! I wonder what your name will be? What about Yewbranch? No, that doesn't sound like you…." Yewpaw just gave a meow of amusement. Goldpaw thought of a few more names when Jackalfang walked in. Goldpaw looked at him and before Yewpaw could stop her she squealed with excitement, "Yewpaw is going to get his name!"
"Congrats Yewpaw, I knew you would get your name soon. When will you leave?" Jackalfang meowed.
"Crystalfang and myself are heading there tonight. I thought that we should leave early so that we can go at a slow pace." All of the cats knew that Crystalfang didn't have much longer with MeadowClan.
Yewpaw wanted to change the subject, it was hard for him to think that his beloved mentor might join SunClan soon. "Do you need anything Jackalfang?"
Jackalfang came back to reality at Yewpaw's words, "Oh, um, Goldpaw, Lionflight needs to hang out around the camp today. He has some business to attend to with Faithstar. I was wondering if you wanted to come on a hunting patrol with Petalpaw, Owlshadow, and myself." Goldpaw have an enthusiastic nod. Chuckling Jackalfang went on, "Ok well lets get going before the sun gets too high."
He padded out of the den and Goldpaw followed. She took one look back at her brother and said goodbye. When she walked into the open camp she saw Petalpaw with her mentor at the entrance to the camp. As soon Goldpaw and Jackalfang came up to the other cats Owlshadow headed out. Goldpaw assumed that they were heading to the forest. The prey was easy to catch over there and it would give them shade from the heat. Owlshadow was in the lead, with Jackalfang right behind then Petalpaw and Goldpaw running step for step. Even though Petalpaw was younger then Goldpaw she had a fierce determination to prove that she was as good as any of the other apprentices.
When the four cats reached the edge of the forest Owlshadow stopped in his track. Goldpaw wondered why, but as soon as she reached him fear griped her stomach. Goldpaw tried not to, but she couldn't help but whisper one single word. "Smokefur."
A/N: Sorry for the long wait! But I was announced Stage Manager of my school's play so I have been really busy. I also know that I said last time it was your last chance for warrior names, but I'm adding a few more chapters before I make Goldpaw a warrior. I know what name Goldpaw will get, but I still need a little help with Yewpaw's name.
I'm going to be gone for the next few weeks because I am going to visit family out of state. I might have internet connection, but for right now I have no idea. I promise to write a lot when I am gone.
Please review!
Goldfrost (Shroomy)
