Disclaimer: I don't own the Warrior Cats series!
Title: Resilience
Summary: With a harsh Leaf-bare on the horizon, the Clans are in a bad way. Petalkit is growing up under the stern gaze of her father, Ravenfur, when suddenly everything changes. Stuck in RiverClan until WindClan can produce enough catmint- something no Clan has in these temperatures- she does what any kit would do. She adapts.
...
i need help (July 9)- That it was! =)
Amberstorm233- Hi again! Believe me, I enjoy the spam. It's always so appreciated when somebody is willing to review every single chapter. =)
-Ravenfur is a bit backwards, yeah. He likes to think Petalpaw took after him the most, seeing how she has his pelt and shape, but she's her own kitty.
-"She's really cute and sweet" Thank you! I kind of regret not making her description more detailed in the first chapter, honestly, since I forget to mention that she's got one paw that's more white than the others. The back right one, to be precise. It goes all the way up her ankle/knee joint. (IDK, I just thought it was a cute idea)
-Deja-vu dreams are very confuzzling, definitely
-"What she's doing is wrong, she shouldn't be holding a kit hostage to get herbs. But at the same time, it's clear she regrets it and feels like there's no other way to get the herbs." Yup! Beetlestar and Graystar have two very different leadership styles- Graystar carries out what her Clanmates vote on, whereas Beetlestar tends to take the decisions more on her own shoulders.
-Graystar is my favorite to write, leader-wise! I'm glad people have enjoyed her so far!
-I'm really into the idea of trans Cherryfur, tbh. Ravenfur isn't gonna be pleased that his daughter went off and became a medicine cat in another Clan, even if it's only temporary. Yay for Lionpaw, Sedgepaw, and Petalpaw!
Hand Knit- Thank you! =)
...
Petalpaw had feared she wouldn't sleep well without Littlepelt's familiar pelt next to her, but her first night in the medicine den went smoothly. Stonebird broke into random coughing fits, but Petalpaw hadn't expected anything less from the sick elder. Whitestripe's snore woke her up once or twice, but otherwise it was decent. She still missed the sensation of heather, no matter how used to reeds she was becoming.
She found herself awake before Whitestripe stirred, watching from the den as Volespring assigned patrols. I guess, when you're a medicine cat, you don't really have to worry about patrols. I'm just in the habit.
Petalpaw returned to her nest, but before she could lay down Stonebird reached a paw out to catch her attention. He looked a bit more lucid than he'd been the night before. "Would you mind getting me some fresh-kill? I'm starving."
Oh, right. That's my job now. Petalpaw hesitantly nodded. "Sure. I'll be right back."
Most cats had already left on patrols, so the camp was practically silent. Swiftmist was slowly picking apart a carp by the elders' den. There was a gray patch beginning around her muzzle. We haven't really spoken before, have we? Oh well. Now that I'm an apprentice, I'll be bringing her prey every day. Off to the side the new mentors and apprentices were eating their own bits of fresh-kill. Tallblaze waved her tail in greeting as Petalpaw passed. We'll all be going to see the territories. Then again, I've already technically seen a good chunk of RiverClan, haven't I? She'd been so panicked, she could hardly remember.
"I'm bringing Stonebird some prey," she informed them, feeling a bit proud despite herself. I'm bring an elder prey! Raintail will be so proud.
"Take some to Blackstorm while you're at it," Hawktail meowed. "She must be exhausted."
Petalpaw nodded and padded over to the fresh-kill pile, ignoring the rumble in her belly when the smell of freshly caught fish hit her nostrils. I can't believe I'm starting to like this stuff. She bit into the scaled skin and lifted one carefully off the pile, tail flicking.
Littlepelt frantically waved a paw to her as Petalpaw entered the nursery, gesturing to Blackstorm. The gray and orange calico was fast asleep, her new kits curled snugly against her belly. She nodded to show she understood and set the fresh-kill at the white queen's paws, whispering; "I was hoping to give this to her."
"It's alright, dear. She needs her rest more." Littlepelt placed a gentle lick to her head. "Oh, look, Hollykit is stirring."
The orange and white kit lifted her muzzle off Blackstorm's belly, nose twitching. Her eyes weren't even open yet. Petalpaw took a step forward, still whispering. "Hello, Hollykit. Don't mind me."
Hollykit squeaked. Petalpaw and Littlepelt both jumped, then exchanged an amused glance. Her task of spooking them accomplished, Hollykit nestled back in, squirming closer to Poppykit. Littlepelt laughed at the impudent kick the tortoiseshell gave her sister, breaking off into a dry cough.
Petalpaw blinked at her, alarmed. "Are you okay?"
"It's just a tickle in my throat," she rasped.
She put a white paw on the queen's shoulder. "You should go see Whitestripe when you're done eating."
"It's not that big a deal."
"Yes, it is. Greencough is already in the camp; we don't need it spreading. The sooner you're treated, the better."
Littlepelt purred and nodded. "A day out of the nursery and you're already telling me what to do. Alright, Petalpaw, I'll go."
"It's my job to tell you what to do," she reminded her sheepishly. Petalpaw said a quick goodbye before grabbing another fish for Stonebird, who thanked her profusely. Sedgepaw had only eaten half of his, and she finished it. Prey should never be wasted.
"We'll head out when Whitestripe is ready to join us," Tallblaze decided, whiskers quivering. Petalpaw thought she looked fairly excited.
Petalpaw straightened. "It might be a good idea to just go without her. She's been worrying more than she's been sleeping."
The two warriors exchanged looks. Hawktail nodded. "We were planning on giving you all a hunting lesson anyway, so that's probably for the best."
"I thought we were going to see the territory?" Sedgepaw asked, head cocking to the side.
"We are, but we'll have time after." Tallblaze stood up, shaking out her brown and white pelt. "We'd better take a quick dip before we go. It's time to get the nursery smell out of your fur."
They jumped into the stream and headed out, the two warriors leading the group. They showed them the ShadowClan border first, pointing out the Greenleaf Twolegplace and the Halfbridge, which lay curled up on the shore. "It sits out on the water, usually," Hawktail told them, "but they take it out for Leaf-bare."
"Why?" Lionpaw asked. His long white fur was prickling.
"I have no idea," he admitted. "Fluffywing might know. He was a kittypet, once."
"He's a loyal warrior," Tallblaze interjected, eyes slightly narrowing.
Hawktail blinked at her. "I never said otherwise."
Sedgepaw stared at his mentor, green eyes stretched wide. "Fluffywing was a kittypet? I didn't know that."
"Where else would he have gotten a name like Fluffywing?" She shrugged dismissively. "He wandered into our territory one day and ended up staying."
Next came the WindClan border, though they kept well enough away. Petalpaw could see the Horseplace rising in the distance, waves of heather fluttering in the cool breeze. Longing ripped through her heart anew. I could sprint and be home. But what then? Graystar would never let all this be for nothing. I'd cause a war. She could see, plain as day, the white pelt of Redeye creeping along the edge. He was probably on a patrol, though the other warriors blended in too well to see. No matter how hard she squinted, she couldn't see Raintail or her brothers.
They trailed farther up, slipping through grass. The ground was wet and moldable under her paws, most likely from the cold morning dew. It's a shame the kits aren't ready to leave the nursery yet. They would've had so much fun, building and chucking mud at each other.
"You see that chunk of land in the water?" Tallblaze waved her tail to gesture. Trees rose from the island, giving it a wild look. "That's where we have our Gatherings. We get to it from the tree-bridge."
"You'll be going there someday soon," Hawktail added, nudging Lionpaw encouragingly. "You excited?"
Lionpaw gave a little bounce. "You bet!"
"That does sound nice," Sedgepaw agreed, tail swishing. "I've always wanted to see the tree the leaders sit on up close."
The idea of going to a Gathering- and seeing her family again- made Petalpaw perk up. I need to stop moping. My job is to keep cats healthy, no matter where I'm at. Lionpaw brushed against her side and glanced at her worriedly, silently asking if she was okay after seeing her home. She purred and nodded, then picked up speed to keep up with the warriors.
They came to a rest on a hill. Petalpaw settled down next to Sedgepaw with a sigh, feeling exhausted. I've never walked so far in my life! Lionpaw seemed full of boundless energy, tapping his front paws on the soggy ground. Tallblaze and Hawktail waited quietly for them to catch their breath. They didn't even seem winded.
"Well, we got the semantics out of the way, so it's time to get into the actual training," said Tallblaze crisply. "We're going to teach you how to hunt birds."
Lionpaw slumped. "Birds? Blech! I want to learn how to catch fish!"
"Birds aren't that bad," Petalpaw interjected. "I'm fond of cardinals myself."
"You eat rabbits." Lionpaw snorted.
"You've never even had a rabbit." And he's certainly missing out, if you ask me.
"Ahem."
"Sorry, Tallblaze. We didn't mean to interrupt."
She stared them down a moment longer, then continued. "Favorite fresh-kill aside, RiverClan survives on land prey during Leaf-bare. It's simply logical to start teaching you how to catch it before the snows come."
They practiced their stalking for a little while, leaping at leaves. Petalpaw put too much force into her leap, overshooting the leaves at every attempt. She felt like a badger, stomping around with little grace. Ears burning, she wondered what Ravenfur would think if he saw her now. It's my first day. I'm bound to be clunky. Sedgepaw seemed naturally gifted, slipping towards his 'prey' with the grace of a breeze blowing across the moor. Lionpaw was determined but excitable, stomping on twigs and, one time, smushing his nose on the leaves he was supposed to be hunting.
"Great stun tactic, snow-fluff," Hawktail teased, but looked proud nonetheless. "Alright, let's give it a test run. I want each of you to find and stalk a bird. Remember; there's no shame in missing. We all get bad luck."
The apprentices murmured agreement and dispersed. Petalpaw slithered through the reeds, belly fur brushing the ground. She grimaced but kept going, opening her jaws to catch onto any scents. A far-flung, distant part of her prayed the warm smell of rabbit would wash over her tongue, but all she got was plants and the river, which was beginning to feel like a breath of fresh air. She skirted closer to the trees, ears pricked. A sparrow was singing.
Petalpaw found the sparrow sitting on an upturned log, cleaning its wings. She struggled not to simply sprint at it, catching it with her speed over her wit. I'm in RiverClan, and I'm supposed to hunt like a RiverClan cat. I can chase after food another day. She wriggled her shoulders, claws digging into the grass to keep a better grip. She pounced. Her back leg caught on the log, sending her sprawling awkwardly to the ground with the bird in her teeth. Petalpaw tightened her grip and the sparrow went still.
I did it!
Petalpaw trotted back to where she knew Tallblaze and Hawktail would be waiting, tail high in the air. Her chest puffed out in pride, though it was tempered by her aching back leg. She was sure it was bruised, but it would be worth it to give someone a meal. Lionpaw had a scraggly robin in his jaws when she got there. They congratulated each other and waited for the third apprentice to arrive.
Sedgepaw eventually did so, empty-pawed. He hesitantly poked his head through the grass. "Uh, Tallblaze?"
"Bad luck?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I found a bird, but..." He swallowed. "It's a big bird. I don't think I can catch it by myself."
The two warriors exchanged a look. Hawktail took a step forward. "Was it all white, or black and white?"
"All white."
"That's a swan," said Tallblaze grimly, tail waving. "Not a catch for the faint of heart."
Lionpaw bounced up, just barely avoiding the robin with a muddy paw. "It's all white, like me! We gotta catch it!"
"It would feed most of the nursery," Sedgepaw added after a hesitant pause.
Petalpaw thought of Blackstorm and Littlepelt, that tiny little squeak Hollykit had given her this morning, and stiffened her resolve. I helped bring those kits into the world. That makes them my responsibility too. The more food Blackstorm gets, the more milk she has.
"Should we allow this?" Hawktail murmured to Tallblaze. "They could get hurt."
"They have each other," the senior warrior answered patiently, "and we can watch from the distance."
"Thank you!" Lionpaw cried, pressing her head to his mentor's chest. "We'll show you our hunting skills, I promise! Mom'll be so proud of us!"
What skills? Petalpaw thought. She didn't dare say it aloud. This is literally our first day. My sparrow was probably half-deaf.
Sedgepaw led them quietly through the territory. Petalpaw suddenly realized just how exhausted she was, and, in turn, the others must be, but pushed it aside. I really should've gotten a whole fish to eat. They crossed the stream and headed closer to the lake. The sun was beginning to set on the horizon.
Petalpaw had never seen a swan before, and she wasn't sure if she was happy to see that rectified as they peered out of some tall grass. The bird was as big as a cat, with wings curled against its sides that undoubtedly only made it that much bigger. The white feathers drew up into a long neck, ending in a nasty looking orange beak tipped with black. It let out a honk and they all crouched closer to the ground. It sounded worse than any cow or horse.
"Here's how I see it," Sedgepaw whispered, eyes flicking between them. "Somebody has to jump on its back so it can't fly off. Its so big it could probably carry off a kit if it wanted to, so we'll need that leverage. The remaining two will go for its wings and chest."
"I'll go," Petalpaw offered. "I'm the fastest."
Sedgepaw and Lionpaw both stared at her. "Are you sure?" Sedgepaw asked.
Petalpaw forced herself to nod. Her paws were shaking. "I'm WindClan. I'm built to run fast and surprise prey. You slow-slugs wouldn't get there in time."
Lionpaw touched her ear in silent thanks. "We'll go around the front. We'll give you a signal when we're there."
The two apprentices slunk away into the grass. Petalpaw crouched and waited. These are the kinds of crazy apprentice antics the warriors always talk about, she realized. Getting into danger and trouble, sometimes for the right reasons, sometimes not. It wasn't uncommon for WindClan apprentices to try and race horses. One or two might even climb the black and white sides of cows. They were harmless, true, but there was something about sitting on top of an animal that could squish a full-grown cat that is worth the plunge. At least, that's what Tinytooth had told her. I'd be doing that stuff with Beepaw and Stripepaw if I was home right now. Hopefully we can do it when I get back.
From the grass along the other side of the swan, which was glancing around curiously, a black and brown tail popped out of the foliage before disappearing once again. Petalpaw took that as her sign.
She burst through the grass at a sprint, jaws parted in a silent yell. The swan waddled away as she neared, recognizing her as a threat but not willing to treat her as such, not until she leapt onto its back, sinking all four claws into the white feathers, teeth in its scruff. The swan shrieked louder than anything Petalpaw had ever heard before and swung its long neck around to dig into her shoulder. She held fast, squeezing her eyes shut.
"Lionpaw, get the wing!" Sedgepaw roared. "It's trying to flying off!"
The apprentice didn't waste any time, catching the swan's right wing in his teeth when it flapped too close. Sedgepaw leapt onto the swan, digging his teeth where its chest met its throat. It stumbled, shrieked once last time, and slumped to the ground, onto Sedgepaw. Lionpaw hesitantly slipped out from under the wing, then nudged Petalpaw. "It's dead. You can get up now."
Petalpaw hesitantly let go, heart pounding. Her paw ached from hitting the log, and her shoulder ached from getting pecked, but they'd done it. Littlepelt and Blackstorm would be stuffed and have more left over for the elders. Or whoever else gets to it. I suppose it really doesn't matter.
Tallblaze and Hawktail were slipping out of the trees. "Is anyone hurt?"
"That was a great catch," Hawktail meowed, lifting the bird so Sedgepaw could wriggle out easier. "Sloppy, but great."
"I got pecked," Petalpaw told Tallblaze, showing where the skin had been broken.
"Birds tends to do that," she agreed. "Whitestripe'll give you some cobwebs when we get back to camp."
It took all three of them to carry it back. The bird wasn't heavy so much as it was awkward, sprawling out all over the place. Petalpaw and Lionpaw each got a wing, while Sedgepaw got the actual body, which he proudly hefted onto his back.
"Coming through!" Hawktail cried, pushing through the barrier. "We got a big'un here!"
"Whoa!" Cloudwillow stared at the trio as they came into the camp. "I've never caught a swan before! You go, kits!"
"They did what?" Carpjaw stuck his muzzle out of the warriors' den. He looked caught between impressed and wanting to disagree. "I swear, I take one little nap and cats go off on their own and do fluff-brained things. I want to see these things first-paw, guys. Don't leave the old tom out."
Whitestripe thrust herself out of her den. She examined the trio a long moment, pelt fluffed up, before finally jerking her head towards the den. "Come on, Petalpaw. You need some cobwebs."
Petalpaw glanced at Sedgepaw, who bumped their noses together and told her they'd give the prey to Littlepelt and Blackstorm accordingly. She nodded to show she understood and trailed after her mentor, feeling a bit of dread in her chest.
"Over here," she meowed, gesturing to a spot by the moss.
The black and white she-cat padded over and sat down, tail wrapping around her paws. "I'm in trouble, aren't I?"
"I'm very disappointed in you," she agreed, gently plastering a cobweb on her shoulder. "Watch me. You need to know how to do this."
"I cleaned it before we got back."
"I figured. That's why I didn't bother." She smoothed the web out across her shoulder with a single brown paw. "You could've been very badly hurt. Swans aren't to be messed with."
"It was Sedgepaw's idea," she insisted, feeling a stubborn twinge. I did what any other apprentice would do. "And Tallblaze and Hawktail were fine with it."
The brown and white tabby hummed but didn't look convinced. "You're a medicine cat now, Petalpaw. It's your job to keep cats safe. I want you to think about what that means. We'll go looking for herbs tomorrow."
Petalpaw hmphed and went to lie down in her nest. Irritation curdled her stomach, and her limbs felt heavier than ever. She was thankful Ravenfur wasn't here to see her falter. He'd just tell me I should've been a warrior, that this was a sign from StarClan. Maybe it was.
"I hear rustlin' close by," Stonebird meowed, sitting up. "What's the matter, Petalkit?"
"I'm Petalpaw now," she informed him, not unkindly. She didn't want to be rude to the ill elder.
The gray tabby's eyes lit up. "They do apprenticeships in StarClan? I'm glad. Always thought it wasn't fair for those poor kits to stay that way forever. Well, congratulations, Petalpaw."
Petalpaw shifted uncomfortably. After their brief but casual interaction that morning, she'd begun to believe he'd snapped mostly out of that delusion. She sat up as well, ignoring her aching leg. "Stonebird, I need to tell you something." She swallowed. "I'm not a StarClan cat."
Stonebird cocked his head to the side. "Yes, you are. What else could you be? You're far too old to be one of Blackstorm's litter, and Littlepelt only has the two. How is Blackstorm, by the way? Is she doing well?"
"She's fine, Stonebird. She has four daughters now."
"Does she? I'm so happy for her." He paused and blinked at her. "You aren't RiverClan build, either. I know a WindClan cat when I see one," he insisted. "You can't be a living cat."
How do I tell him? She thought desperately. How can I look this sick old man in the eye and tell him how his Clanmates tore me from my home? He'd be devastated. Stonebird probably wouldn't last past Leaf-bare, given his sickly condition. It didn't feel right to plague his final moons with guilt.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"No," she lied, straightening her shoulders. "Whitestripe's just mad at me for hunting a swan. She thinks I'm too small."
"You are too small," he meowed gently. "But she really shouldn't stick her nose into StarClan business. It's always been the other way around."
"I wanted to impress her, I think." Petalpaw looked down at her paws. They were muddy and damp. "Mostly, I just wanted to feed the queens. They deserve a full belly after all they've gone through."
"Amen!" He laughed, dusty fur jiggling. "Well, there's always tomorrow to do it. First impressions matter, sure, but not as much as time does."
"I'm allowed to make mistakes, aren't I?" She thought again to Ravenfur's unhappy scowl. She knew it was silly to hold his opinion so highly, but he was a deputy. Not every cat can say the same. "Or is that only for warrior apprentices?"
"Well, I can't tell you the first thing 'bout being a medicine cat," Stonebird started, shrugging, "but I remember being your age. Granted, some of the trees were still saplings back then, but I remember. Me and Carpjaw and my brother- we got it into our heads to go fight badgers one night. Only two of us came home. If you ask me, mistakes are like scars; they hurt, especially in the colder times, but they can make for great Gathering stories, so they don't hurt always and forever."
"I'm so sorry about your brother." The idea of losing Beepaw or Stripepaw made Petalpaw's throat twist. Lionpaw and Sedgepaw had quickly grown on her as well, and she recalled the panic she'd felt when Littlepelt coughed, the fear. I'm torn between two Clans now. Life is always going to be difficult.
Stonebird shook his head. "I like to think he'd prefer being remembered this way- as a fun Gathering story to tell the apprentices. Speaking of, you wanna know how I got this'un?" He shook his right shoulder.
"I think I'd like that very much," Petalpaw decided, laying back down. She thought the elder would enjoy the extra bit of company, being cooped up in the medicine den all day.
Author's Note: Swans are scary. Don't mess with swans. Barring any new plot developments, Petalpaw will probably be going to the Moonpool next chapter! Go her!
-Mandaree1
