Chapter 24
"Welcome Home, (Question Mark?)"
4/8/17 - 4/9/17
Okay, Nightpaw admits that it wasn't the most heartwarming comment from her great-uncle, and probably the angriest she's seen him. And she suspects that he will kill her before she reunites with her parents. But Nightpaw is still glad to see Darkstar.
Littlefalcon is standing next to him, staring at her with pale amber eyes filled with relief, Ivyheart is shifting her paws in a restrain not to run over to Nightpaw and nuzzle her, lick her ears, and cuff her ears.
Nightpaw sees Fishpaw, Morningpaw and Acornpaw. Her brothers were pleased with her return, except for Acornpaw, who looks irritated.
Rosefoot's blind gazes hasn't wavered from Snowpaw, and Windstorm is conflicted with relief to see her back, and angry for her leaving and wondering why a RiverClan tom is so close to her. Snowpaw sees her littermates staring at her with uncertainty.
Featherpaw and Berrypaw were with the warriors, and Snowpaw wonders if they became warriors already.
If so, then why is Petalpaw not with them? She sees Petalpaw standing with Nightpaw's littermates, and the pale tortoiseshell looks excited about her return.
Beechpaw ignores Olivestar's judgemental glare at finds his parents and brother in the knot of RiverClan cats. Silversnow looks ready to cry, Darkwater is stone faced, and Bearpaw… Bearpaw looks reluctant to welcome him, and that is completely unusual for the carefree brother Beechpaw knows and loves.
Spiderpaw's Clanmates were skeptical about his return, and he isn't surprised by their hostility towards him, and he basically ignores Cheetahpaw's presence. However, he notices a missing face he expected to break through the crowd and welcome him with open paws.
Where's Duskcloud? Spiderpaw finds Softpaw with Hazelheart. His medicine cat sister looks relieved to see him unharmed (he is hoping the wound on his shoulder has healed properly and isn't noticeable), he also sees how tired she is and ruffled.
What happened when I was gone?
Owlpaw feels the resentment toward him. He refuses to buckle, and twitches his ear to make sure the feather is still there. Owlpaw looks in the crowd and sees his siblings, Mosspaw and Swiftpaw, but no Splashpelt. He hardly cares since he isn't ready to confront her. He also isn't blind to the WindClan cats. Grassclaw is staring at his ShadowClan son while WindClan is distracted by Spiderpaw. Owlpaw doesn't return the acknowledgment, and notices a black wall of fur block his vision.
"You came back!" Swiftpaw cheers. "Dewpaw said you ditched us, but what did that idiot know? We knew you'd return!"
The four Clans slowly pad in the center of the respective apprentice. While their families greeted them, Nightpaw and Snowpaw didn't miss the suspicion in their Clanmates eyes.
Rainstorm frowns, Blazefrost narrows his ice blue eyes, Gingershine and Timberclaw whisper to each other while glancing over to them. The only positive thing is that their denmates.
"Welcome back!" Mistpaw said.
"Your parents were worried sick. Where did you go?" Raccoonpaw asks them.
"And why do you smell so nasty?" Petalpaw gags.
Darkstar broke through the chatter with a growl. "I'm sure Snowpaw and Nightpaw have plenty of time to tell us."
They heard it as a command, and shiver with dread. Spiderpaw pads to Softpaw and whispers, "Where's mom?"
"You'll know soon enough." Creekstar growls, stalking past Spiderpaw. Cheetahpaw looks at him in contempt.
"Just so you know, she is better off where she is. I wish the same for you."
Before Spiderpaw could growl, Softpaw raises her paw. "Look at this." She said, waving her paw. "Did you forget that this paw can heal you?"
Cheetahpaw bristles her fur and quickly runs from the medicine cat apprentice. Spiderpaw looks at his sister, impressed. "Have you been doing that since I left?"
"I had to. Cats were looking for some cat to blame."
Spiderpaw blinks at what she said as she follows Hazelheart toward the medicine cats.
Instead of climbing up the tree, Darkstar, Creekstar, Olivestar and Rabbitstep sit in front of it. The four Clans form a huge circle around the Prophesied Five. Nightpaw suddenly feels like they are being put on trial by their own Clans.
She looks up at the full moon, the sky is clear, and she wills for StarClan to step in like they did three moons ago.
"Start talking." Olivestar ordered.
Nightpaw quickly looks at Beechpaw with a "what can we say?!" look. Beechpaw gives her a calm, "We say the truth." look right back. Nightpaw nods and looks at Darkstar, but before she could speak anything she hears an accusing hiss.
"Why should we let them speak?!" Demands Bouldertooth of RiverClan.
"Yes, look at how they communicated! They're traitors!" Patchflower growls.
Owlpaw didn't crumble under Patchflower, instead he glares at her, which was a new thing for him in the eyes of his Clanmates, and Swiftpaw and Mosspaw were surprised to see that.
"They left us willingly, we should just throw them out now!" Hawkflight of WindClan exclaim.
Every cat in the four Clans were shouting their own opinions.
"Be quiet!"
Nightpaw looks at a furious Littlefalcon. "One of your leaders asked these young cats to speak and you're drowning them out!"
"Of course you'd defend those-!"
Littlefalcon glared into Violetbloom's direction. "Those, what? Say it, I dare you."
The dark silver WindClan she cat looks prepared to say something when Hawkflight hisses at her, and she forces herself to clamp her mouth shut. Her father is the smallest cat in his Clan, but Nightpaw knew he was a deputy for a reason, and nobody inside or outside the Clan knew not to underestimate him.
Darkstar gives Littlefalcon a nod of approval. Rabbitstep looks at the five apprentices.
"You can speak. And whoever interrupts them can expect to be sent back!"
Every cat remains silent and glare at the Prophesied Five in an attempt to intimidate them.
Beechpaw spoke first. "We left because… We were told that the Tribe of Rushing Water needed our help."
"The Tribe?" Olivestar asks, bewildered. "You mean they still exist?"
"Yes, they're very much real." Beechpaw replies.
Creekstar narrows his eyes. "You left your Clan, your family and friends-."
You better not be be referring to Cheetahpaw as my friend. Spiderpaw wrinkles his nose.
"What gives you the right to leave?"
"StarClan told us." Owlpaw said.
"StarClan?" Marshfoot scoffs. "Why would they chose inexperienced apprentices and not strong, experienced warriors?"
The majority of warriors murmur in agreement, however, the other apprentices look offended by the insult.
Marshfoot was always so obnoxious. Why does this surprise me? Owlpaw thought.
"StarClan is wise." Hailstone retorts to the ShadowClan tom. "They know what they are doing, otherwise these young cats would have died moons ago."
"How do we know they didn't just leave because they couldn't handle the pressure, like kittypets?" Dewpaw shouts.
Thistlefang glares at the ShadowClan apprentice along with Hawkfeather and Maplecloud.
"How dare you accuse our sister of being disloyal?!" He growls.
"Nightpaw wouldn't abandon us!" Hawkfeather put in.
Hailstone looks at Duskshade with permission. The pale brown tabby looks at the crowd nervously.
"StarClan spoke to them, and us, before they all left the lake. We gave them the herbs for the trip before they left."
Creekstar looks at Hazelheart. "You knew?!"
"I did." Softpaw says, meekly. Spiderpaw heard obscenities being called to Softpaw, and his anger intensified as he realizes what she meant before this whole debacle started.
They've been harassing her! I wasn't around to jab at, so they go after my sister - a medicine cat! That is just despicable and cowardly!
"We all knew." Sootdust said. "StarClan sent a prophecy about these young cats that had to be fulfilled."
Darkstar sighs and Nightpaw hears him muttering. "Why does StarClan keep doing that?"
Nightpaw's great uncle always had a comment it seems…
"Do you know what they said?" Rabbitstep asks.
"Duskshade received it first." Kestrelwing said.
"Of course it's the perfect ThunderClan!"
"For crying out loud, why can't it be some other Clan besides theirs?!"
Duskshade suddenly becomes uncomfortable when the doubt settles in the air.
"Go on." Darkstar says gently.
Duskshade takes in a deep breath. "Snow of the rose and night of the falcon, spider woven in web of lies, a restless owl and a towering beech. All must go to the mountain and fight the ancient enemy of cats or risk the fall of the Clans forever."
Now every cat is mystified and nods to each other, but Dewpaw glares at the ThunderClan medicine cat apprentice.
"What ancient enemy?"
"Wolves." Spiderpaw replies bluntly.
"You mean the wolf?" Olivestar asks.
"No. Not a wolf. Wolves, plural."
Olivestar lashes her tail. "I know what you meant! Ivystar talked about them, the ancestors of dogs!"
"Ancestors? Like ours? They shouldn't exist then." Larkflight said.
"Yeah! I mean, where's the wolf? Did they come with you, or did you just make it all up?" Cheetahpaw demands.
"No, we didn't." Beechpaw said, glaring at her.
"Prove it then. I bet you don't have any!"
Spiderpaw could expose his wounded shoulder, but it healed and his fur grew over it.
"StarClan sent us visions, and they showed us what wolves look like. So much so, that some of the cats in or outside the Clan turned into them." Snowpaw said.
"They were even attacked by some of us because of how real it was."
Nightpaw feels eyes boring into her fur, and glances over to see Acornpaw glaring at her. Is she still bitter about the attack?
"And when the last Gathering we were at had the lightning strike, StarClan communicated with us. We knew it was time for us to go, and so we did." Snowpaw finished.
The four Clans allow the information to sink in. Some of them were still skeptical about their intentions and a few don't seem to believe it.
"So you expect us to reward you by giving you your warrior names?" Olivestar growls. "You abandoned your Clan! This is considered treason! We have carried the weight of everyone while you five were off on a mindless journey!"
"StarClan told us to go!" Spiderpaw protests.
"So you say. And a cat has died because you weren't there." Creekstar growls.
Spiderpaw sees Softpaw gasp and glare at Creekstar in outrage. His heart grew cold when he realizes what he meant, and why Duskcloud isn't here.
She's dead. H-How? What happened? Wasn't she supposed to be guarded?
Snowpaw bristles her fur. "If any cats have died that is out of our control. You have no right to blame us because StarClan called them to their ranks."
"Oh, we don't?" Creekstar challenged.
"No, we don't." Hazelheart says, narrowing her eyes on the mottled grey WindClan leader. "StarClan called Duskcloud when she died, and it's wrong to blame others for it."
"What happened, happened. There is nothing we can do to change the past." Sootdust puts in.
The leaders were displeased with the answer. Nightpaw begins to feel her paws turn cold with nervousness.
"If that's all we have to say… Let's start the Gathering." Darkstar said.
To the Prophesied Five, it felt strange being apart from each other. Under the suspicious glares of their Clanmates, they wait for Darkstar to begin his report.
"ThunderClan is blessed to have more kits born in our ranks. Spottedberry has given birth to three kits two moons ago, two she cats and one tom. Sunkit, Emberkit and Leopardkit."
Nightpaw and Snowpaw look at each in shock. So she was expecting kits! They both thought.
"And that is all ThunderClan has to report." Darkstar steps down. Acornpaw stares at him in shock and seethes while glaring in Nightpaw's direction.
Oh great. What did I do now? Nightpaw thought, rolling her eyes.
Olivestar pads forward. "We have new apprentices with us tonight. Minnowpaw and Carppaw, the kits of Birchfang and Berrystripe. Minnowpaw is training under Willowfall, and Carppaw is training under Bouldertooth."
Beechpaw blinks as he looks at the two new faces with his brother. One with a sand brown pelt and a grey one with light grey stripes, Beechpaw remembers them from the nursery.
They were staring at him as if he is a stranger.
I probably am. They were still newborns when I left, I hate to think what I am to Applefoot's kits.
"That is all RiverClan has to report."
Olivestar turns around and glares at Rabbitstep taking her place. Owlpaw inwardly sighs when he realizes that the conflict between his Clan and Beechpaw's Clan didn't subside.
"ShadowClan is strong." Rabbitstep announces. "Heatherstar has given birth to two she cats and one tom three moons ago. Juniperkit, Mallowkit and Chestnutkit. Splashpelt has also given birth a moon ago to two toms and one she cat. Shrewkit, Smokekit and Fernkit."
Owlpaw is almost knocked off his paws and looks at Swiftpaw for an explanation. "Yeah, that was our reaction, too." Swiftpaw whispers to her.
"Are you sure we aren't half-siblings to them?"
"Splashpelt assures us that we have the same father, but it's weird how she's so sure about it."
Owlpaw can believe she's telling the truth. He sneaks a look at Grassclaw, he looks proud to hear Splashpelt's kits.
Suppose the kits look like him? How is she going to explain it?
Swiftpaw's paw touches his left ear, where the grey, hawk owl feather sits.
"What's this thing?"
"You can ask him when we get back, shut up and listen to the report!"
Owlpaw isn't fazed by Patchflower's hiss as he turns around and glares at her, Swiftpaw glares, too.
"You should take your own advice, Patchpaw, Frostpool is watching!"
The dark tortoiseshell growls and falls back. Owlpaw looks at Swiftpaw quizzically.
"Patch-paw? What…?"
"I'll tell you later. You'll love it." Swiftpaw says. Owlpaw nods and looks at Rabbitstep.
"That is all ShadowClan has to report."
Rabbitstep steps down for Creekstar takes his place.
"Violetbloom and Goldentail's kits are growing strong. We have lost Duskcloud when a falcon tried to steal Softpaw, and is killed by it. She is a brave mother and warrior, and WindClan will mourn her."
Liar. Spiderpaw still remembers how they treated Duskcloud like blackcough, shun her and belittle her, and Spiderpaw stupidly pushed her away. He didn't even try to forgive her before he left.
I hope she died before she hit the ground. Please tell me she didn't suffer…
"WindClan has nothing more to report."
"I guess the Gathering is done. ThunderClan, let's go." Darkstar calls.
Nightpaw feels a pang in her chest as she sees Spiderpaw give her a look. She turns around and sees Acornpaw's lashing tail and angry face.
"You're with us, don't do anything to make them distrust you even more."
Nightpaw hears the accusations in her tone. "What is it, Acornpaw-?"
"It's Acornfall. I became a warrior yesterday and Darkstar was supposed to announce it tonight but you…"
Nightpaw blinks in realization. "Acornpaw - Acornfall, I'm sorry…"
"Sure you are." Acornfall said sourly. "Everyone's favorite cat returns from the big journey, to think I thought I had the spotlight on me."
Acornfall turns around and leaves Nightpaw with her loneliness. Snowpaw stares at Featherwing and Berryheart.
"So… You're warriors?"
"Yes." Featherwing replies, curtly. Snowpaw didn't miss the caution on her brother and sister's faces.
"Uh, congratulations."
"Thanks." Berryheart replies. "We have to go, see you tomorrow."
Featherwing and Berryheart quickly pad away from Snowpaw. Before guilt could reach her, Snowpaw feels blunt force of two paws hit her flank.
"Our hero is home!" Petalpaw cheers, prancing around Snowpaw with glee. She pokes at the leaf bundled contraption on Snowpaw's back.
"Hey, it's still as good as I left it! Did it come in handy?"
"It was a big help." Snowpaw replies, relieved to have one littermate talking to her.
Petalpaw places her tail on Snowpaw's shoulder. "Our mentors are probably going to send us off to sleep, so I wanna hear all about your trip when you wake up. The wolves, the adventure and the romance!"
Nightpaw watches Petalpaw chatter Snowpaw's ear off, and sees a glance of cream brown fur. Ivyheart stands in front of her, with warm amber eyes.
"I'm glad to have you home." She said, brushing her tail on her back. Nightpaw presses her muzzle on her mother's shoulder as she pads to camp, finally home.
The first thing Spiderpaw did was sleep. Sleep, beautiful sleep, that was interrupted by a bite to his shoulder, his wounded one.
He jumps up and glares at Cheetahpaw. "Are you crazy?!"
"Rise and shine, half-Clan! Creekstar is going to have someone watch you, so you won't get any ideas on leaving."
The splotched she cat stalks out of the den, leaving Spiderpaw with an aching shoulder.
Stupid she-cat.
Spiderpaw carefully pads outside and immediately becomes the center of attention. Grassclaw and Sleetfrost were glaring at him from the fresh kill pile. Falconwing and this new warrior Cloversong were whispering to each other and watching him approach the pile.
Spiderpaw feels, yet another, blow to his injured shoulder.
"Watch it." Lizardtail spat. Spiderpaw glares at him and sees his Clanmates watch him, daring him to make a move. Even Lizardtail is pushing his luck by thrusting his muzzle toward him.
"Go on, runt. I dare you."
Spiderpaw feels the heat on his face and says nothing. Lizardtail smirks in triumph and takes a rabbit and pads away. Everyone turns away and goes back to their chores, while Spiderpaw is left seething.
"Bunch of rabbit brains. You did the right thing standing down."
Spiderpaw looks at Brackenfall padding toward him. "What good is it if you become a tree to claw on? I can't even defend myself if it means I become a so-called traitor!"
"I know you didn't leave WindClan intentionally, and neither does your sister."
Spiderpaw lashes his tail. "Tell me, did they torment her while I was gone? I saw Cheetahpaw go after her, and Softpaw hasn't done anything to deserve that."
Brackenfall quietly leads Spiderpaw out of the camp.
"Since you left, everyone was confused, for a brief time, and then they became angry and turned to the next thing to take their anger out on."
"A medicine cat." Spiderpaw growls. "She's a medicine cat, and they went after her because they knew she doesn't get involved in warrior business."
"You should know by now that Softpaw isn't as soft as her name suggests. She managed to ward off her bullies by reminding them who manages the medicine and poisons. Hazelheart greatly discouraged it, but I would catch her using it.
"She even managed to get cats like Lizardtail, Grassclaw and Cheetahpaw to steer clear of her."
Spiderpaw smiles at the thought. Softpaw was always quiet and gentle, but hearing that she even put Cheetahpaw in her place made him proud of her. And wished he was there to see it.
"I know it's hard now, but they will learn to forgive you in time. They are just afraid of where your loyalties lie after seeing you so close with the other four apprentices."
"Tch, rabbit dung to that." Spiderpaw sneers. "Why should I seek forgiveness for something StarClan asked us to do? And in case you forgot I'm half-ThunderClan thanks to Pricklefrost, everyone will find some dumb excuse to blame me for."
Brackenfall flicks his ear. "Are you loyal to WindClan?"
"Yes."
The WindClan deputy nods approvingly. "Then that is their problem. You're still an apprentice, and you shouldn't have so much resentment towards you for everything that's happened. Just remember that you have me and Softpaw in your corner."
Spiderpaw falls silent, and looks at his mentor. "Did she suffer?"
Brackenfall frowns sadly, knowing who he is referring to. "Hazelheart said Duskcloud died when she hit the ground. She died as a mother protecting her kit."
"I should've just lied and said sorry."
"I'm sure Duskcloud is looking down on you, she probably already forgave you before she closed her eyes."
Brackenfall places his tail on Spiderpaw's shoulders and goes back to camp.
Duskcloud. I'm sorry. Spiderpaw thought.
Beechpaw pops his head out of the water with a big tuna in his jaws, and paddles to shore where Birchfang waits.
"Wonderful." He said.
"This is for Berrystripe and Applefoot."
Birchfang purrs. "I already told you, you don't have to do that. Just having you back is enough."
Not for everyone.
Beechpaw didn't miss the glares from the other RiverClan cats. Bouldertooth doesn't even look at him, and while Silversnow and Darkwater are glad to have him back they were still padding around him as if they are afraid to confront him for leaving.
Even Berrystripe, Birchfang's mate, openly expressed her distrust of Beechpaw when his mentor isn't paying attention, and he suspects that's why Minnowpaw and Carppaw were wary of him.
Not only that, Bearpaw is distant. He didn't greet him when he returned, and now he just leaves without looking and speaking with him. Beechpaw doesn't know what to do with him. He only interacts with Applefoot's kits, who treat Beechpaw like a stranger and run away from him.
Even when Beechpaw and Birchfang were returning, they give him the stink eye and gossip behind his back. Willowfall and Fawnstep move away from him as he drops the tuna.
"Beechpaw, what a surprise."
The black tom recognizes the voice. He sees Daisypelt appearing next to him and grabbing the tuna from the pile. Beechpaw's green eyes became wide seeing her on her paws.
"Yes, you missed out on so much." She said.
"H-How are you walking again?"
Daisypelt bites into the tuna. "I am so tired of that question." She eats her tuna until she left nothing but bones. Beechpaw notices that their Clanmates were watching her, all the negative attention is transferred to Daisypelt.
"If you must know, I just stood up."
Beechpaw raises an invisible eyebrow. "That's it?"
Daisypelt's front foreleg shakes, and she grunts as she places her paw in front of Beechpaw. "It's not easy as they make it out to be. My paws feel like stone, so I don't have the luxury of walking around as I please."
Beechpaw is speechless. He was fine with seeing Daisypelt inside the elder's den where she had no mobility and is restricted in her nest. Every paw step gives him a feeling of being in danger and anxiety.
Daisypelt snickers. "It's good to have you back, Beechpaw. Your brother isn't as entertaining as you are."
The light grey tabby she-cat purrs and pads away from him. Beechpaw didn't feel flattered by her response. It unnerved him more when he thinks of her having the opportunity to meet him whenever she pleases.
Nightpaw feels all eyes on her as soon as she leaves the den and return from hunting with Thrushwing. The stares. The whispers. The glares. Nightpaw knew they still think she abandoned them willingly, she refuses to dignify their judgement.
Snowpaw's warrior littermates, Featherwing and Berryheart, still avoid her. Only Petalpaw stuck around and did what she can to bring Snowpaw's spirits up.
Nightpaw noses through the pile when she hears whispers, and dismisses it as the warriors talking about her. She continues to look through the pile when she hears the whispering again.
She looks over her shoulder and sees a silver and black tabby tom with a white underbelly, white paws and tail tip with green eyes. He's three moons old and already sizing her up.
"What's everyone fussing about you for?" He sniffs.
Nightpaw narrows her eyes. "Excuse me?"
"You're way too small. Even I can tower over you."
Nightpaw stands up and easily towers over the kit. "You were saying?"
The silver black tabby flattens his ears. "I'm telling Sweetflower!"
"Tell me what, Ripplekit?"
The tortoiseshell and white she-cat stares down Ripplekit with sharp disapproval.
"Uh, Mom! Nightpaw-!"
"Was trying to eat when you rudely interrupted her. Isn't it time for your nap anyway?"
Ripplekit groans as Sweetflower grabs his scruff and carries him off. Fishpaw pads to her and watches Sweetflower vanish inside the nursery.
"What's his problem now?" He asks her, pulling out a wood pigeon.
"This wasn't his first offense?"
"Try his tenth offense."
Fishpaw pushes the wood pigeon to Nightpaw. "Share?"
The black she-cat nods, and sits down with her brother. "It's good to have you back." He said.
Petalpaw is howling with laughter as she sprawls out on the ground in the middle of camp. Snowpaw watches her and rebuffs the strange stares from her Clanmates. She's used to it, being the sister of ThunderClan's prankster.
"So let me get this straight." She said to Snowpaw after she pulls herself together. "You found my skunk berries and threw them up the wolf's nose?!"
"Yup. It even smeared on his nose and eyes. He was so blinded he ran into a tree."
Petalpaw falls on her back laughing again. "I knew my backpack would come in handy! It will be a legend that will be passed down from generations starting with your kits!"
Snowpaw frowns. "Kits? What makes you think I'm going to have kits?"
"'Cause Thistlefang."
"What about Thistlefang?"
Petalpaw sits on her haunches and groans with annoyance. "Don't you dare play the Stealthfire game!"
"What's that suppose to mean?"
Petalpaw said, "Cloudwind told us about how Stoatfrost tried to get Stealthfire's attention. It was horrible! Stealthfire was clueless about the whole thing until the battle against RiverClan - and he almost died!"
"Your point?" Snowpaw asks.
"Thistlefang likes you!" Petalpaw exclaims. "And I don't mean like you as in 'brother sister' like. I meant like you, like you. He was running around like a pigeon with its head ripped off when we couldn't find you anywhere."
Snowpaw bristles her white fur. "Are you daft?! I was a kit when he was an apprentice, our age difference-!"
"Are you seriously pulling that?" Petalpaw snorts. "We're cats! We don't care about age differences when it comes to romance! Rosefoot even said when she-cats reach a certain age-!"
Snowpaw quickly covers her ears and screams, "La la la la la! I don't wanna hear it!"
Petalpaw scrounged her face as Snowpaw continues to cover her ears and drown her out. She hits Snowpaw on the shoulder.
"Fine. I'll shut up, but just so you know." Petalpaw points over Snowpaw's shoulder. She sees Thistlefang padding towards her.
"Snowpaw, can I talk to you?"
Snowpaw feels her ears warm up. "Sorry, but I'm talking to Petal-." She turns to look at thin air, and the pale tortoiseshell was nowhere to be seen.
Petalpaw, I'll kill you!
Snowpaw makes herself look at Thistlefang. "What is it?"
"I couldn't find time to talk to until now. I know everyone's been hard on you and Nightpaw. Are you doing okay?"
Snowpaw nods. "Never better."
Thistlefang looks hesitant but asks, "What about that RiverClan apprentice? Beechpaw, was it?"
"What about him?"
"What do you think of him?"
Snowpaw blinks with surprise. "He's nice. He was a leader when we were out on our own, so he's pretty reliable."
Thistlefang looks away as his eyes became slits. "I see…"
"He's a good friend, though."
The dark brown tabby tom's eyes widen, and smiles at Snowpaw's comment. He straightens his face when turning to look at her.
"A friend?"
"Yes." Snowpaw replies. Thistlefang purrs and nuzzles her head, making her tense up.
"I'm glad to hear that."
From the corner of her eye, Petalpaw is smirking and mouthing a comment to her that made Snowpaw's embarrassment soar.
"Name your kits after their favorite aunt!"
The same morning, while the other four were settling into their routine, Owlpaw looks around to find Heatherstar. Rabbitstep told him she was hunting, and decides to wait near the nursery knowing she will visit her kits.
Owlpaw steals a glance inside the nursery to find his young siblings. Two toms and one she-cat. His eyes fall on the biggest tom kit, Smokekit. He was dark, smoky grey.
Just like Grassclaw.
Owlpaw prays to StarClan that Smokekit's eyes weren't amber, or have any other traits inherited from Grassclaw, or Smokekit is going to feel the wrath of ShadowClan for Splashpelt's choices.
"Don't wake them." Splashpelt pushes past Owlpaw and stares him down. "Don't even speak to them, or look at them. I don't want them to become nosy like you are."
Owlpaw glares at his mother. "You should be worried about Smokekit. He looks a lot like you-know-who."
Splashpelt huffs and goes inside the nursery. Owlpaw looks and sees Heatherstar returning with a limp frog. He approaches Heatherstar and coughs to get her attention.
"Oh, hello, Owlpaw. I'm sure you've noticed that Patchflower is… not available to become your mentor."
Owlpaw stifles himself from laughing. Swiftpaw told him everything last night, and he didn't believe it until Patchflower settles into her temporary nest, glaring at him, daring him to speak.
"Not to worry, though." Heatherstar said. "I'm assigning you an experienced mentor, someone like Marshfoot…"
Owlpaw had a mini heart attack at the mention of Marshfoot.
No! I refuse to put up with his stupid son!
"Actually. I wanted to switch mentors, and get Kestrelwing."
Heatherstar blinks. "What made you think of becoming a medicine cat?"
Owlpaw swallows. "When I was in the mountains, I ended up speaking to the Tribe's ancestors. Stoneteller even said they were calling out to me, and I told her about how much I hated-." He suddenly cuts himself off.
Heatherstar flicks her ear, "Being different?"
"Yes."
Owlpaw raises his head. "Anyway, I realize that I don't want to be a warrior anymore. My calling is to be a medicine cat."
Heatherstar smiles. "Being a medicine cat is a great honor, Owlpaw. I know you will be a good one that ShadowClan will be proud of. I'll hold a meeting and tell Kestrelwing right away, you should tell your littermates the good news."
Heatherstar pads away, leaving Owlpaw filled with pride and happiness as he sees Mosspaw and Swiftpaw near the fresh kill pile.
"Guys, guys, guys!" He calls, racing to them. Swiftpaw jumps and almost choke on a frog's head.
"What is it?" Mosspaw asks.
"I'm becoming a medicine cat apprentice."
Swiftpaw frowns at him. "What…?"
"Heatherstar is going to announce it right now. I-I feel like it's better for me to heal instead of hurt."
Mosspaw purrs. "That's great, Owlpaw."
Swiftpaw sinks his claws into the frog he was eating, and forces himself to smile.
"Yeah… Good for you."
Owlpaw looks at his brother. "Swiftpaw, I-."
"All cats old enough to hunt in the dark, meet me at the boulder for a Clan meeting!"
Owlpaw blinks apologetically and pads to the big boulder. All ShadowClan cats approaches Heatherstar with Owlpaw in the front of the crowd. Splashpelt pokes her head out with Smokekit, Shrewkit and Fernkit trying to see what was going on.
"Following the return of Owlpaw, he has told me something interesting. Owlpaw wishes to sheathe his claws and follow the path of a medicine cat."
"You're chickening out? I knew you were a coward but-!"
Swiftpaw glares at Dewpaw. "My brother isn't a coward, toad brain! Are you calling Kestrelwing a coward, because he's a medicine cat, too!"
Dewpaw falls silent, and Heatherstar waits for the crowd to calm down.
"Owlpaw, is it your wish to train under Kestrelwing as a medicine cat, and learn how to heal and share tongues with StarClan?"
"It is."
Heatherstar nods and looks at the mottled brown tom.
"Kestrelwing, you have learned plenty from Specklefoot, I trust you with Owlpaw and raise him as a respectable medicine cat."
Kestrelwing nods and pads to Owlpaw and touches noses with him.
"Owlpaw! Owlpaw! Owlpaw!"
The light brown tom figures the cheers were forced, but he hardly cares. Splashpelt gives him a blank stare before disappearing in the nursery with her kits. Patchflower looks utterly flabbergasted with the loss of her apprentice.
Swiftpaw looks sad, no matter how loud he cheered.
Owlpaw will have to live in solitude while learning herbs with Kestrelwing, and he won't see Swiftpaw or Mosspaw as much as he did before, or tell them the secrets of StarClan.
I'm sorry, Swiftpaw. I hope you can understand. This is what I want, and for once I feel great.
ThunderClan Allegiance, 4/9/17
Leader - Darkstar - jet black tom with one blue eye and one amber eye
Deputy - Littlefalcon - small, black tom with a white chest, chin, underbelly, front paws and legs, with pale amber eyes.
Medicine Cat - Hailstone - light grey tom with darker grey splotches
Apprentice: Duskshade
Warriors
Windstorm - light grey tom with cream brown ears and amber eyes
Goldflame - bright gold she cat with white toes and tail tip, and dark amber eyes
Oakstorm - large, reddish brown, muscular tom with blue eyes
Cloudwind - fluffy white tom with sapphire blue eyes, and very pale grey ears, former medicine cat
Lightstripe - bright ginger, almost golden tom, with white stripes along his back and down his tail, and yellow eyes with a golden tint.
Apprentice: Fishpaw
Gingershine - ginger she cat
Apprentice: Raccoonpaw
Driftcloud - light brown tom with ice blue eyes
Apprentice: Snowpaw
Finchblaze - dark ginger tom with darker brown tabby striped and green eyes
Stormwhisker - dark blue tom with green eyes
Apprentice: Pinepaw
Lionfang - ginger tom with brown paws and amber eyes
Featherwing - long haired, light grey she cat with slightly darker tabby stripes and light blue eyes
Berryheart - cream colored tom with white toes and amber eyes
Volefang - dark brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Morningpaw
Rainstorm - dark grey tom with blue grey splotches and blue eyes
Squirreltail - brown tom with a bushy tail
Hawkfeather - dark brown tabby tom with a white underbelly, white paws and muzzle, ear tips and tail tip with darker brown almost black stripes, and icy blue eyes
Maplecloud - tortoiseshell she cat with fluffy fur, bright ginger and pitch black splotches, with black paws and golden eyes and a long scar on her right shoulder
Thistlefang - dark brown tabby tom with a white underbelly, neck, and paws and dark golden eyes
Ivyheart - brown she cat with silver paws and amber eyes
Acornfall - brown she cat with light brown ears, paws, muzzle and blaze up her nose, with dark amber eyes
Graystream - grey tabby she cat with distinctive white stripes on her back and down her tail, and clear blue eyes.
Rosefoot - small, pinkish she cat with white, petal shaped patches and pale green eyes, blind.
Ashcloud - grey tom with a long tail
Foxflame - bright ginger tom with a white chest, paws and amber eyes
Thrushwing - cream brown she cat with green eyes.
Apprentice: Nightpaw
Blazefrost - ginger tom with ice blue eyes
Sneezeclaw - dark brown tom
Dawnleaf - pale grey she cat
Timberclaw - blue grey and brown tom
Apprentice: Mistpaw
Pricklefrost - grey and white tom
Daisyleaf - cream colored tabby she cat with dark blue eyes, formerly ShadowClan
Whitefur - white tom with black ear tips and tail tip and blue eyes
Apprentice: Petalpaw
Apprentices:
Duskshade - pale brown tabby tom with faint, darker tabby stripes and pale amber eyes, one white front paw and tail tip, medicine cat apprentice.
Pinepaw - red brown she cat with light brown paws and green eyes
Mistpaw - very pale grey she cat with white stripes and blue eyes
Snowpaw - pure white she cat with pale, silver flecks, and deep blue eyes
Petalpaw - pale tortoiseshell she cat with black, dark ginger and brown patches and dark green eyes
Raccoonpaw - grey tom with a black ringed tail and amber eyes
Morningpaw - silver tabby tom with white front paws and grey eyes
Fishpaw - deep, dark blue tom with clear blue eyes
Nightpaw - small black she cat with a white stripe down her back and a short tail, with green eyes
Queens (she cats expecting or nursing kits)
Sweetflower - long haired tortoiseshell and white she cat with green eyes. Mother of Ashcloud's kits. Ripplekit, Drizzlekit, Seedkit and Creekkit.
Spottedberry - golden brown she cat with black splotches. Mother of Squirreltail's kits. Sunkit, Emberkit and Leopardkit.
Kits:
Ripplekit - silver and black tabby tom with a white underbelly, white paws and tail tip with green eyes, three moons old
Drizzlekit - bluish grey tom with light blue eyes, three moons old
Seedkit - pale ginger tom with white chest and paws, three moons old
Creekkit - light grey tabby she cat with green eyes and white tail tip, three moons old
Sunkit - bright ginger she-cat with gold eyes, two moons old
Emberkit - short furred, ginger she-cat with a white chest, paws, and tail tip with amber eyes, two moons old
Leopardkit - dark brown tom with white paws, bright ginger swirls on his pelt and green eyes, two moons old
Elders
Gorseheart - grey tabby with pale blue eyes
Flameclaw - huge, dark ginger tom
Mousepatch - dark grey tom with black patches down his spine
RiverClan Allegiance
Leader - Olivestar - brown tabby she cat
Deputy - Silversnow - a silver she cat with white stripes
Apprentice: Bearpaw (black tom with dark brown patches)
Medicine cat - Sootdust - mottled grey she cat
Warriors:
Fawnstep - sandy brown she cat
Dewcloud - pale grey tom
Larkflight - grey tom with a white sock
Willowfall - white she cat
Apprentice: Minnowpaw (sand brown she-cat)
Darkwater - handsome, black tom
Ferretleap - brown tom with white paws
Birchfang - mottled brown tom
Apprentice: Beechpaw - black tom with dark brown ears and amber eyes
Bouldertooth - large, pale grey tom
Apprentice: Carppaw (grey she-cat with light grey stripes)
Berrystripe - creamy brown she cat with slightly darker stripes on her forelegs
Queens
Applefoot - yellow she cat with bright ginger stripes. Mother of Heavystorm's kits. Heavykit (big ginger and white tom) Frecklekit (yellow she-cat with white splotches) and Otterkit (dark brown she-cat with a cream brown underbelly) two moons old
Elders:
Mudfoot - dark brown tom
Nightfang - black tom
Daisypelt - light grey tabby she cat with green eyes
ShadowClan Allegiance
Leader - Heatherstar - light brown tabby she cat, also a queen and mother to Juniperkit, Mallowkit and Chestnutkit, three moons old
Deputy - Rabbitstep - pale grey tom with grey paws
Apprentice: Swiftpaw (long haired black tom)
Medicine cat - Kestrelwing - mottled brown tom
Apprentice: Owlpaw (light brown tom with green eyes and a grey hawk owl feather on his left ear)
Warriors:
Marshfoot - brown and black tom
Longfoot - tall, grey tom
Ploverfoot - pale grey and white she cat
Apprentice: Mosspaw (brown and white she cat)
Flowerpetal - light grey she cat with darker stripes
Apprentice: Dewpaw (dark grey tom)
Quailheart - very light brown she cat
Frostpool - pure white she cat
Apprentice: Patchpaw - dark, tortoiseshell she cat with black spots
Lichenfall - brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Poolpaw (brown she cat with white paws)
Queens
Splashpelt - brown and white dappled she cat. Secretly the mother of Grassclaw's kits. Shrewkit (dark brown tom with amber eyes), Smokekit (dark smoky grey, almost black tom with green eyes) and Fernkit (dark colored, pretty dappled tortoiseshell she-cat with bright green eyes), two moons old
Elders
Waspsting - yellow tom with black stripes
Harewhisker - small, light brown she cat
WindClan Allegiance
Leader - Creekstar - mottled grey tabby tom
Deputy - Brackenfall - white and brown striped tom
Apprentice: Spiderpaw (black tom with broad shoulders and green eyes)
Medicine cat - Hazelheart - dark yellow she cat with white paws and chest
Apprentice: Softpaw (pale grey and white she-cat with fluffy fur, green eyes and white tail tip)
Warriors
Grassclaw - dark grey tom
Sleetfrost - very, very light blue tom
Frogskip - dark brown tom, skinny
Hollyclaw - dark grey she cat
Apprentice: Cheetahpaw (light brown she-cat with dark brown and black patches)
Talonfang - lanky, brown tom
Twistedfoot - black and white tom with a bent front paw
Lizardtail - mottled brown tom
Hawkflight - dark ginger tom with light brown paws and muzzle
Larchleap - ginger tom
Falconwing - pretty light brown she cat
Cloversong - tan she cat with dark brown legs, face and ears with very pale blue eyes
Molefur - small dark brown tom
Rowanfoot - ginger tom with darker stripes and white underbelly and paws
Lilypool - white she cat with green eyes
Queens
Goldentail - very pale ginger she cat with amber eyes. Mother of Nutkit (brown and black tabby), Cricketkit (light ginger tom) and Mintkit (blue grey tom), three moons old
Violetbloom - pretty, silver she cat with darker stripes and dark blue eyes. Mother of Hawkflight's kits. Echokit (bright gold she cat) and Brightkit (pure silver tabby she cat), three moons old
5,370 words, excluding the allegiance list. It almost became a monster chapter, but not quite a monster chapter.
As the title says, the Prophesied Five aren't as welcomed by their Clanmates. Even when StarClan told them, they have cats questioning their loyalty, and some are taking harder (Spiderpaw).
And the changes will take some getting used to… Or in Beechpaw's case, he will have to look over his shoulder since Daisypelt developed a liking to him.
As for the wolf pack. Is that the last we'll see from them?
And I edited some stuff in here, and I swear if I went over 6 thousand words... then I seriously have a problem. A writing problem. :) ~ Kyubi