Ugh! So much has happened with my life! I got out of my STAAR Math class when I passed the STAAR test. Sang a solo for my Choir at a Fine Arts Showcase, performed Bohemian Rhapsody and selections from The Dark Knight for Band and I have been so tired lately that I passed out at 9:30 P.M. and woke up at 10:00 A.M. the next day. I have also been meaning to post this chapter but the internet and computer have not been working with me. I am sorry for the long wait and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Chapter 9: Healing

Cold Leafbare sunlight shone on Flowerpaw's cream and white stripped fur. One whole moon has passed since Nightpaw arrived in the clan and he has adjusted well. Most of the clan have accepted him and treat him as though he was a natural-born apprentice. There were some that don't trust him at all. Lizardkit and his sister Snakekit mostly and they take every opportunity to make sure he wont forget it. Greencough had also settled in the clan. Patchfoot, Leafstar, and Foxtail have been infected with it and Sandclaw has tirelessly treated them with Moonkit to help him.

Flowerpaw stretched and stood up from her nest in the Medicine Cat den and jumped down from the low ledge onto the sandy ground below, wincing as her hind leg banged against the ground. She padded over to the fresh-kill pile and picked out a small rabbit and dragged it over to the Nursery for the Queens.

Windkit and Snowkit, now five moons old, were wrestling in the dim light of the Nursery and were cuffing each others ears with their small paws.

"Hello Flowerpaw." Tuliptail greeted with a swish of her light brown tail when Flowerpaw entered the den.

Flowerpaw nodded to the Queen and set the small rabbit down in front of her. A sigh was heard and Flowerpaw looked at purple eyed gaze of Twilightsong.

"Thank you Flowerpaw. But I worry that it wont be enough to keep the kits from getting sick." She said her black fur bristling.

"I'm sure the kits will make it. And if the kits get sick, Sandclaw and Moonkit will help them." Flowerpaw replied, her bright green eyes gleaming in the dim light of the cave.

Twilightsong nodded and took the small body of the rabbit and put it next to the kits and they started to tear into it as Flowerpaw left the cave. Flowerpaw shook her head and padded back over to the fresh-kill pile and picked out a scrawny robin for herself. She sat down and teared into the hard cold flesh of the robin and warmed it up in her mouth before swallowing. Flowerpaw heard a cat calling her name and looked up to see Nightpaw running over to her with a smile on his face.

"How has your leg been doing?" He asked once he reached her.

"Sandclaw said that I should be able to go back to training in about half a moon." Flowerpaw responded with a glance to her hind leg. "That is if I don't do anything reckless."

"You will get better! I know it!"

"Thanks Nightpaw."

"Nightpaw!" A loud call came from the direction of the Warriors cave.

The two apprentices looked up at the black and silver tabby pelt of Crowwing as he padded up to Nightpaw.

"We are going to be working on your battle moves."

With that said, the black tabby padded up the trail leading to the sandy clearing with Nightpaw behind him. Flowerpaw let out a sigh and looked up the trail longingly.

"Why did I have to break my leg? I want to be a warrior and at this rate Jaypaw and Robinpaw will be warriors before me." Flowerpaw thought with a flick of her black ears.

"Flowerpaw?"

Flowerpaw looked away from the trail and turned to see her brother Jaypaw looking at her.

"Are you alright?" Jaypaw asked, his amber eyes sparking with concern.

"No. I want to be training with you. And Robinpaw and Nightpaw. I don't want to be stuck in camp every day until my leg is healed."

Jaypaw sat down next to Flowerpaw and laid his tail on her shoulders.

"I want you to be training with us too. But you can't until you're better and we need you to be." He smiled reassuringly at her. "I don't know what me and Robinpaw will do without you."

Owlpool soon called Jaypaw over to go on patrol with him, Treeheart and Pigeontalon. Flowerpaw ate the rest of her robin in silence and went back to the Medicine Cat Den soon after where Moonkit was helping Sandclaw sort through herbs.

"Glad you're back Flowerpaw." Sandclaw mewed while sorting through the herbs. "have you done your exercises?"

Flowerpaw mumbled a 'no' and started doing the exercises Sandclaw told her to do while she was recovering. They were unbearable and Flowerpaw could barely stand the pain that came with it.

The rest of the day passed on with no excitement and the moon, now a thin claw scratch in the sky, shone its silvery light down on the gorge. Flowerpaw sank into an uneasy sleep.

The fog covered moor filled Flowerpaw's dreams and she struggled for the reason she would be here again. Echosong padded out of the fog and fluffed out her soft silver fur.

"I'm sorry you have to go through this." Echosong mewed simply when she reached the young apprentice.

"Why does it have to be me? Why does it have to be now?" Flowerpaw asked desperately.

"I can't tell you now. You will have to figure that out on your own." Echosong began to fade from view as the fog thickened.

"Please! Don't leave me alone!"

Her pleas went unheard as Echosong faded completely and Flowerpaw was plunged into darkness.

Authors Note:

Phew! It's finally done and I am pleased with that fact! With nothing else to say I leave you all until next time!

P.S. Please review! Your input gives me a positive attitude whether it's good or bad.