Chapter 7.
StepStorm
The next morning StepStorm and SpiralClam headed down to the beach again. StepStorm was still thinking about StepClaw. She had not come back into the learner's den until very late that night and she refused to speak with them.
"Something on your mind?" SpiralClam had stopped before the huge collection of coconut trees that grew near the jumping rock, a piece of rock that jutted towards the ocean. StepStorm had learned that cats jumped from it to get into the ocean easier. Of course it wasn't something learners were allowed to do.
"I was thinking about StepClaw," replied StepStorm. She could not lie to SpiralClam. The she-cat had shown nothing but kindness to her. "About her punishment."
"Oh yes. I've heard about it," SpiralClam shook her head. "StepClaw needs to learn to control that temper of hers."
StepStorm's fur bristled. "Why are you taking SunTalon's side!?" she snapped angrily. She thought SpiralClam would understand. But maybe it was a warrior thing.
"I'm not taking his side," said SpiralClam gently. "I'm just saying from my point of view it looked like StepClaw deserved it. She does not understand what it means to be a true warrior. All she can think about is becoming a fighter."
"So?" snapped StepStorm, getting to her paws. "That shouldn't mean anything! She should be able to become a fighter if she wanted to!"
"StepStorm. You do not know our ways. A warrior has the duty to protect the tribe yes, but the warriors must also feed the tribe. Being a warrior is more than defending the tribe. If she cannot accept that then becoming a warrior is impossible for her. And I think StepClaw understands it as well. WaveWhisker gave her those punishments to remind her of that."
StepStorm looked away. Maybe it was true. Maybe she did know. But still. The fact that a tribe cat can be punished for that reason bugged her.
"Anyway. Let's begin today's lesson." SpiralClam gestured to the coconut trees above them. "Look up there and tell me what you see."
StepStorm shook her thoughts of StepClaw away and did what her mentor said. High above, within the tops of the palm trees, she saw some green coconuts. "Coconuts," she replied.
"Young coconut," corrected SpiralClam. She gestured with her tail to the coconuts on the ground. "These coconuts are ripe ones. We use young coconut as well. Well the healers do."
StepStorm tilted her head a bit. Why were they here? If coconuts were involved with healers why did she need to worry? She thought she was going to become a warrior.
"The young coconuts however won't fall from the trees," continued SpiralClam. "Because of that some learners are trained on how to climb these palm trees so we have young coconut for the healers."
StepStorm's stomach dropped. Climb a palm tree? She looked the palm tree's surface over. How was she going to climb that? Plus how would she get down? "Why don't healers do it?" she asked.
SpiralClam shook her head. "The reason is because stamina is needed for this. Stamina that a healer doesn't usually have. Plus we cannot risk the healer's life by making them climb something like this. What if the healer falls and breaks a leg?"
StepStorm looked away. What about if she broke a leg? How could warriors be so fearless like this?
"StepStorm," SpiralClam placed her paw against StepStorm's face and made the learner look at her again. "You need to understand something. You have to try to learn some of the ways of the warrior at least. I know how it must scare you. However there is no excuse. We have been patient with you but we cannot be anymore."
"What are you talking about?"
"CrashingDark along with some other tribe members are still protesting about you being within the tribe. You need to become a warrior, or try. So far you have refused to learn how to swim or do anything a normal warrior would learn." StepStorm opened her mouth to protest that she could not swim like them but SpiralClam lifted her tail. "Listen to me. You have to show you can be of some use to the tribe. Otherwise you will be thrown out. ShiningFeather has been protecting you but even she cannot do it forever. You must become a warrior. At least learn how to climb coconut trees. That would be enough to satisfy the tribemates." SpiralClam removed her paw and turned her back to StepStorm. "I'll be waiting here until sunhigh. Go and make your choice. If you come back later, I have been instructed by CrashingDark to chase you off."
StepStorm's eyes widen and she slowly backed away from her mentor. How could this be happening? She ran away, towards the jungle. She did not stop until she reached the small cave that held the Spirit Flame. Without hesitation she stepped inside. The fire was there, crackling away. The flames warmed StepStorm's fur, welcoming her inside.
She stood next to the fire, staring into its depts. Was it possible for her to talk to OceanTide and ForestRose again? They had told her she belonged. Why didn't the tribe understand she was trying her best? She shut her eyes tight. What else could she do?
She opened her eyes again. Somehow she had the feeling that she was not trying. She was trying to get a free ride. A life without trouble. Was that selfish if she was afraid? She was not strong like the rest of them. "Maybe I should leave," she thought, "They are so different."
Hearing a sound, she whirled around and came face to face to a cat she did not know, a scent of the jungle lingering on her pelt. "Who are you?" spat the cat.