Skypaw crouched down, her ears flat against her head.
"Why did you give him poppy seeds?" Jayfeather was spitting. "Don't you know anything? He'll probably die now, and it'll be all your fault!" Skypaw pressed herself even lower to the ground, more out of shock than fear. She knew Jayfeather could be a little bit grumpy sometimes, but she had never known just how sharp his tongue could be. With her head down she slunk out of the den.
"Skypaw, come here," Skypaw could hear her sister calling her gently. "Come here. Now follow me into the forest." Skypaw was too upset to object to anything, so she brushed against Dawnpaw as she led them deeper and deeper into the forest. Skypaw could feel pangs of unhappiness coming off her sister in waves.
"Dawnpaw, what's wrong? Has something happened with you and Redpaw?" Skypaw demanded. Just as Dawnpaw was about to object, Skypaw put in, "I know you didn't just come out here because I was upset!" Dawnpaw sat down and Skypaw could barely make out her voice, it was so muffled.
"No, it's not that…" Skypaw felt the air stir as her sister looked up at her. She continued miserably, "Firestar told me that Redpaw and I are going to warriors tomorrow at sunset, but not today, because we needed to rest first. And I must tell you something…" Skypaw could hear some relief in her sister's voice, but it was mostly drowned by the sadness and fear.
But despite her sister's feelings, Skypaw couldn't help feeling cheered by the news.
"Well, why are you so upset, then?" Skypaw asked. Dawnpaw bowed her head and Skypaw felt shame coming off Dawnpaw in waves. She pressed herself comfortingly against her sister.
"Because," Dawnpaw whispered. "Because I don't think I'm ready."
"Oh, Dawnpaw!" Skypaw murmured. "Complete your dream. It's what you have always wanted."
"You should be there with be." Dawnpaw pointed out. "It was your dream, too."
"But the clan doesn't accept blind cats." Skypaw meowed bitterly. "Especially Tallpaw. He's always teasing me. I'd say he doesn't like you, either, because I'm your sister. And if you have kits, he probably won't like them, either. But being a medicine cat is better than I expected. And Jayfeather and I are kin!"
"How?" Skypaw sighed. Dawnpaw could be a mouse-brain sometimes.
"Well," she explained patiently. "Firestar and Sandstorm are kin of Squirrelflight and Leafpool."
"Duh, tell me something I don't know!" "Leafpool and Crowfeather of WindClan hare kin of Jayfeather, Lionblaze and Hollyleaf, right?"
"That's correct, but I don't know if I've ever seen Hollyleaf." Skypaw let out a small hiss of annoyance. "Don't you ever listen to elders' tales? Hollyleaf died when she chased a rabbit into the tunnels just before we were born! Next, Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw are kin of Duskpelt, and Duskpelt and Stonefoot are our parents!" "Oh." Dawnpaw sounded disappointed. "I don't know if I want to be related to such a grumpy c-" "My mentor is NOT grumpy!" Skypaw interrupted. Then she remembered giving Shallowpelt poppy seeds and her mentor's performance afterwards, and immediately fell silent. "He is," Dawnpaw ventured quietly. "Because I heard your argument before about poppy seeds." Skypaw gasped. "Don't tell anyone, please, please don't tell!" She begged. "Not even Redpaw!" "Well, alright. But could you please leave me here for a while, leave me here alone?" Skypaw turned around and trotted happily back to camp. Everyone was rushing around, and Redpaw bowled her over. "Sorry," She muttered. "Have you seen Dawnpaw?" Redpaw asked, urgency in his voice. "What's going on?" "Shallowpelt is worse, and Dawnpaw and I need to hunt for the elders one last time."At this, Skypaw turned and raced over to the medicine den. "Wait, where's Dawnpaw?" Redpaw called after her. "She near the lake!" Skypaw called over her shoulder without slowing down. As soon as she entered the medicine den she had to strain her ears to hear Shallowpelt breathing. Her breath was coming in short, rasping gasps; obviously the juniper hadn't worked at all. "No, it didn't." Skypaw jumped as she heard Jayfeather's voice behind her. "Don't do that, don't read my mind! I try not to do it to you, and I don't like it when it happens to me!" She spat crossly. "Shallowpelt is dying." Jayfeather said in a dangerously soft voice. "And I need to get some more thyme. We used it all up on Firestar and Shallowpelt, but…" Skypaw was could hear Jayfeather's unspoken words as he turned away and raced out of the den. But it was probably a waste now that he'll almost definitely die.
Skypaw turned around as a cat entered the den. It was Firestar. "W-where's Jayfeather?" He stammered hoarsely. Skypaw rushed forwards as Firestar slithered to the ground. "Firestar, what's wrong?" She asked worriedly. "Jayfeather told me after you use a life StarClan heals the wound or sickness that killed you, but surely you're stronger after that and only need to rest?"
"I-I didn't," He rasped.
"Hush, don't try to talk, it will only make the pain worse." Skypaw soothed. But Firestar took a deep, shuddering breath and continued,
"According to Sandstorm, I had fainted. But that doesn't mean that I won't still lose a life." Skypaw nosed her injured leader into a nest, and gave him two juniper berries, careful not to include a single poppy seed. Then she started licking his pelt, trying to sooth him and make his breathing easier. She stopped abruptly as she heard an amused purr from Firestar. "Err- um, I'm sorry." She stammered. "I-I know I'm not your mother, but-but its- its instinct." Firestar gave another purr of understanding, so Skypaw started licking again. Soon Firestar's shallow, fast breathing became long and slow, which told Skypaw that he was asleep. Skypaw lay there all night, listening to the soothing sound of the two cats' breathing deeply in their sleep. At about moon-high Jayfeather entered the den and, without a word, slipped into his nest, curled up and went to sleep. Skypaw got up and stretched her muscles. Skypaw stopped mid-stretch. It had only just occurred to her that Firestar shouldn't have been in the battle at all. He must have disobeyed her, and went along with the others to fight. Disobedient fur-ball! She thought fondly.
Just before dawn Firestar stopped breathing. Skypaw jumped up at the sudden silence, only broken by the steady breathing of her mentor. She nosed Shallowpelt, but no reply. She tried to rouse Firestar, but he didn't stirr. "Oh, no!" Her loud wail woke Jayfeather. "What is it?" Jayfeather meowed urgently. "What's happened?" Skypaw took a deep breath, and announced sadly, "Shallowpelt annd Firestar are dead."
Skypaw braced herself for Jayfeather to hiss at her and say how hopeless she had been, but, much to her surprise her mentor remained calm.
"Inkheart," He called. "Inkheart, come here, I have a very important job for you." The warrior bounded into the den, only to stop and gasp.
"Shallowpelt, brother! No! What have you done to him? You mangy excuses for medicine cats!" She turned and stormed out of the den without waiting for a reply.
"Well, we won't get much help from her." Skypaw commented.
"Thornclaw, come here please." Jayfeather said, impatience making his meow brisk.
"Yes, what is it?"
"Don't be angry like Inkheart, will you? Shallowpelt is dead. We gave him thyme, but there was nothing more we could do. He was in the paws of StarClan…" Skypaw pressed herself against him to show him how grateful she was that he hadn't mentioned the poppy seeds and he flicked her with his tail. "…so could you please lay him in the clearing?" Thornclaw whisked past them and dragged Shallowpelt's limp body into the clearing for everyone to mourn. Skypaw turned away and plodded into the forest, her heart as heavy as stone. Her shoulders were sagged, her tail dragged on the ground; losing Shallowpelt and Firestar all in the one night was hard. She lay down and rested her chin on her paws. A bird fluttered above, chirping an alarm call. Skypaw sat up immediately, ears pricked. A cat was prowling towards her. She tasted the air. WindClan! Skypaw opened her mouth to alert someone, but common sense won. She clamped her jaws shut and ducked under a heather bush. The WindClan cat brushed past her.
"Now, let's see…" He murmured. "Past the great oak, through the draped lichen…" What in the name of StarClan is he meowing about? Skypaw froze as he stopped dead in his tracks. "H-hello? Any-anyone there?" Skypaw didn't hesitate. She threw herself on top of the trespasser and dug her claws in. Even though medicine
cats didn't have proper training sessions, they were taught how to defend themselves. The WindClan cat let out a screech of pain, and Skypaw felt him struggling to loosen her grip. Suddenly the cat stopped. "Skypaw?" He meowed, his voice a mixture of surprise and disbelief. Skypaw had no idea who this cat was and how he knew her name. She scented the air. Kestrelflight! She thought. Her stomach turned over. Oh, StarClan, why him? She knew she couldn't let her feelings get the better of her. We are medicine cats! She reminded herself sternly.
"What are you doing in my territory?" Skypaw challenged, relaxing a little.
"Well, we're a little bit short on herbs, remember…" He stammered. "So-so I thought that you of all cats might lend me some?"
"No. I don't believe you. Do you know why?" Skypaw continued, not waiting for an answer. "Because I heard you saying something about passing an oak and lichen… Where are you going?" Kestrelflight shifted from paw to paw.
"Um-well-I…" He seemed lost for words. "Well… um… I-I…"
"I will escort you to the border." Skypaw meowed defiantly.
"B-b-but-"
"No buts!" Skypaw interrupted, turning to lead him back to the border. "Unless…." Skypaw thought quickly. "Unless you can tell me where and why you're going!" "Then can I go?" Kestrelflight asked. Skypaw nodded. "Okay. Well, Onestar… Onestar is on his last life. He-he's getting better, but- wait, you mustn't tell what I'm telling you to anycat. Understand?"
"I swear it by StarClan." Skypaw promised.
"But after the battle he lost a life, and now he's got Greencough. So- so he's dying. The only place we know of that's full of catmint is in ShadowClan territory, and we have to cross your territory to get there!"
"I see." Skypaw nodded thoughtfully. "Wait here." She ordered. Skypaw pelted back to the camp.
"Dawnpaw!" She called. "Dawnpaw! Meet me at the entrance." She walked into the medicine den, grabbed some catmint and brushed past the bramble screen that sheltered the medicine den from the rest of ther camp.
"Where are you taking that catmint?" Jayfeather's voice sounded behind her. Skypaw sighed inwardly.
"Well, I was going to gather some and… um… I- I couldn't remember what-what it smelt like, uh, yeah…" She trailed off as she heard Jayfeather purr with cold amusement. "Did you know that when my sister and brother and I were apprentices we always were getting into trouble and then we got punished?" He purred. Then suddenly he growled, "So don't you make the same mistake!" Skypaw was taken aback by his sudden change of mood. She tried not to feel too unsettled. That's Jayfeather for you. She reflected.
"Are we going to go somewhere now, or do I have to wait another moon?" Her sister sounded amused.
"Sorry! Come on; follow me!" Skypaw led the way back to Kestrelflight.
"Hi, there!"He meowed.
"WindClan! Don't worry; I'll chase him out!"
"No, stop-" Her warning was cut off by a shriek from Kestrelflight. Skypaw changed forward, dragging her sister off her fellow medicine cat.
"This is Kestrelflight."
"You-you promised not to tell…" Kestrelflight wheezed, gasping for breath.
"I'll get him away…" Dawnpaw stammered hoarsely. Skypaw blocked her way. "What are you doing?"
"He's a friend." Skypaw meowed defensively.
"From another Clan? Skypaw, that's against the Warrior Code!"
"He's a medicine cat! Here, take these and go!" she told Kestrelflight.
"Thanks. WindClan is in your debt." There was a moment's pause; Skypaw guessed he was dipping his head, and then he turned and stems rustled as he bounded off towards the WindClan border.
Skypaw padded into the medicine den to find Firestar talking to Graystripe. She had just come back from giving the catmint to Kestrelflight, and the ThunderClan leader must have awoken while she was gone. He had wretched the muscle in his shoulder, and was confined to the medicine den.
"But, Firestar, look at you!" the gray warrior was insisting. "You're in no state to be coming on patrol. Skypaw! Could you tell Firestar that he must stay here and rest?" Skypaw nodded.
"Do as he says." She meowed. But as soon as Graystripe was out of earshot, Firestar scrambled to his paws. "I must make Redpaw and Dawnpaw warriors now." He panted. Skypaw pushed Firestar back into his nest.
"No." She said firmly. "You must rest."
"As your Clan Leader, I order you to stand aside while I make the announcement."
"As your medicine cat, I tell you to stay and rest!" Skypaw purred, amused.
"Please?" Firestar begged.
"Fine. But only if you don't go jumping on the highrock and retching that muscle again!"It was not every day the clan leader begged an apprentice.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here…" He broke off abruptly, obviously lost for words, so Skypaw finished,
"Join here outside the medicine den to hear what he has to say!"After everyone had gathered around him, he continued,
"We come here today to make two new warriors. Redpaw, Dawnpaw, step forward."
"Us?! Right now?!"
Redpaw's voice rang in Dawnpaw's ears. She couldn't move. Her paws were stuck to the wet, moss-covered ground. Her heart was beating so fast, Dawnpaw was sure it was going to jump out of her chest. She'd only just fought in one battle and had plenty more to learn.
"You're ready," Redpaw murmured softly in her ear. "You just don't know it yet."
"But I-I'm not…" Dawnpaw broke off, staring into all the hopeful faces around her.
Her dark blue gaze moved from her parents who looked ready to burst with pride, to the apprentices who were nodding encouraging and hopefully knowing that their younger denmates had earned this right, apart from Tallpaw who spat, "Them?! They've hardly had any training! I deserve to be a warrior more than those two put together!"
Dawnpaw flinched, and gave Redpaw a quick glance to see how he had taken Tallpaw's rude remark. He stared calmly into the apprentice's eyes, finally forcing Tallpaw to hiss and back away.
"Shut up, mouse-brain!" Reedpaw growled, swatting Tallpaw with her paw. "You don't say those things in a warrior's ceremony!"
Dawnpaw shot Reedpaw a quick look of thanks and stepped forward with Redpaw right behind her. Skypaw's light blue eyes stared blankly into her own blue gaze, up and down with a glint of pleasure shining deep down inside them. But with along with that, disappoint shone barley to be seen by the weak eye. Skypaw should be standing up with her and Redpaw. You will one day, Skypaw, Dawnpaw vowed silently. I promise.
"Redpaw and Dawnpaw," Firestar's voice rang out across the camp, weak but clear. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even with your life?"
Dawnpaw's heart burst as Redpaw mewed, "I do."
Firestar looked at Dawnpaw, waiting expectedly for her to say the words. Dawnpaw glanced at Skypaw who gave her an encouraging nod. Then with a shaky voice she echoed, "I do."
"Then," Firestar continued, his voice sounding better with every meow. He was recovering quickly from his lost life.
"I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, ask StarClan to look down on these apprentices as I give them their warrior names and approve of my choice. Redpaw, from this day forward you shall be known as Redfur. Keep being brave and keep working towards being that strong and loyal warrior I know you will one day be."
Firestar padded up to Redfur, trailed closely by Skypaw and whispered something in his ear and then mewed, "Dawnpaw, come here."
Dawnpaw stepped forward feeling like her entire insides were going to come out all at once. Finally she would get to become a warrior! Her dreams and ambitions would be complete in just a few words. Firestar's green eyes were filled with warmth as he meowed, "Dawnpaw from this day forward you will be known as…" Firestar broke off, blinking thoughtfully, before continuing, "From this day forward you shall be known as Dawnflower. Keep setting a great example and being that kind, brave and understanding cat that you are, and one day you may become leader of this clan."
Firestar trotted up to Dawnflower and whispered gently into her ear, "I meant every word I said and I know you will one day become leader of ThunderClan."
Firestar pulled away from her and announced to his clan, "Let us welcome the new warriors of ThunderClan! Tonight they shall sit vigil and guard the camp in silence while we sleep. "
"Redfur! Dawnflower! Redfur! Dawnflower!"
The calls of their new names were taken up by all the cats around them. Skypaw tenderly touched her muzzle to Dawnflower's and murmured, "Well done. Dawnflower is a really nice name. I like it."
Dawnflower could sense her sister's disappointment and meowed to her hopefully, "You'll be up here one day."
Skypaw gave her a doubtful look but answered, "I hope so. Bye Dawnflower."
Skypaw dipped her head formally to Redfur and then padded to the medicine den. Dawnflower stared after her and sighed. It was only just then did she realize her sister would never become a warrior.