Chapter six
"What!" Meadowpaw winced from within the apprentices den as Bisonpaw exclaimed from outside, "That is way too harsh!"
"Cleaning the elder's den for a month is not that bad, and it is plenty deserved for hurting a fellow clanmate." Shadedbramble scolded sternly, "Now get some rest, you'll need to wake up early and get your duties done if you want time for training tomorrow."
"Fine." Bisonpaw grumbled, then Meadowpaw could hear her plodding towards the apprentices den.
Bisonpaw sulked past him, her blue and silver fur brushing against his tabby pelt. She dropped down into the nest next to him, letting out a loud grunt.
"Keep it down, Giant!" Firepaw turned his head towards Bisonpaw. His pelt was littered with small patches of cobweb.
Meadowpaw shook his head, I can't believe she attacked him.
"I said don't call me that." Bisonpaw hissed back, her lip curled.
She really hates him. Meadowpaw realized, as he watched Bisonpaw with a frightened expression.
"Mhm, whatever you say, Giant." Firepaw shifted his back towards her.
Bisonpaw looked back at Meadowpaw, her amber eyes full of hatred. Meadowpaw could tell she was holding back a retort.
"Why'd you attack him?" Meadowpaw blurted.
Bisonpaw looked puzzled for a moment, "He just doesn't know when to stop." Bisonpaw finally mewed hoarsely, her voice barely a whisper.
"Well, that isn't his fault, is it?" Meadowpaw's voice was gentle.
"I guess not." Bisonpaw said thoughtfully, then looked up to meet his gaze, her amber gaze was dull, hurt filing her eyes like rain in a puddle, "Am I weird? Am I giant?"
"It depends, is that a good thing or a bad thing?" Meadowpaw asked jokingly.
Bisonpaw sniffed, and let out a small laugh.
"You're such a mousebrain." She head-butted his shoulder.
"You're such a toadbrain." Meadowpaw snorted, "Now go to bed. Like Shadedbramble said, you've got a lot of boring stories and old moss to deal with in the morning."
"Alright," Bisonpaw sighed, "but the Elder's stories aren't boring!"
"Whatever you say." Meadowpaw rested his head in his paws.
Soon, Meadowpaw's breathing slowed, and he faded into the dark realm of sleep.
…
Meadowpaw watched Bisonpaw clean the elder's den with amused eyes. She was huffing and puffing about, piling up old moss to make way for new bedding.
Meadowpaw let out a mrrow of laughter when Bisonpaw got a piece of moss stuck on her claw. She tried to get it off by shaking her paw vigorously, and failed. She then got annoyed and tore the moss up in frustration.
"Having a hard time?" Meadowpaw finally asked, holding back an amused snort.
Bisonpaw turned to glare at him, "Very."
"Let me help—" Meadowpaw started towards Bisonpaw.
"No," Bisonpaw held up her paw, her tail twitching, "I can handle myself. Why aren't you training with Yellowivy?"
"Well, I asked if I could help you." Meadowpaw shrugged.
"Go, don't waste your time on me. I'll join you when I'm done." Bisonpaw waved him off.
"Fine, you stubborn toad-brain." Meadowpaw mumbled before padding out of the den.
He glanced around camp, searching for Yellowivy. The camp was relatively empty since it was sunhigh, and all the hunting and border patrols were out. Squirrelpaws, a white she-cat with gray paws, was sitting outside the nursery, her belly slightly swollen. Meadowpaw purred at the idea of new kits in camp. Spidermountain was heading out of camp, slipping through the thorn entrance.
Meadowpaw padded over to Squirrelpaws, nodding a greeting to her, "Have you seen Yellowivy?"
"I believe she's out on patrol, why?" Squirrelpaws sat up, tilting her head, her ginger tail twitching curiously.
"I was going to tell her that I'm ready to go train, since I'm done helping Bisonpaw with the Elder's." Meadowpaw meowed, looking behind him at Bisonpaw who was still busily working.
"I see. I'll tell her when she gets back, if I see her before you." Squirrelpaws nodded.
"Thank you, Squirrelpaws." Meadowpaw meowed gratefully before walking away.
He stood for a moment, looking around for something to do. Then, Meadowpaw saw Darkriver walking over to the the Elder's den. Meadowpaw's ear twitched, and he padded slowly over to listen.
"Hello, Bisonpaw." Darkriver greeted cheerfully, "How are you today?"
"Not great, I'm stuck doing chores." Bisonpaw huffed, "I thought I'd be able to get it done before sunhigh, but it feels like I'll be here all day!"
"Would you like me to help?" Darkriver offered.
"Sure!" Bisonpaw accepted gratefully.
She wants his help and not mine? Meadowpaw let out an annoyed hiss.
"What do you want me to do?" Darkriver asked.
What are you thinking, he's just being nice! Meadowpaw scolded himself, shaking his head. Besides, he joined the clan a quarter moon ago. He can be trusted.
"Meadowpaw!" Meadowpaw heard a voice call behind him.
He turned, and saw Yellowivy padding towards him.
"Squirrelpaws told me you finished helping Bisonpaw?" Yellowivy looked behind him, presumably at Bisonpaw and Darkriver.
"Yeah, she told me to go do what I wanted." Meadowpaw spared a glance behind him.
The duo was still working.
"Alright, follow me." Yellowivy signaled for Meadowpaw to follow her.
Meadowpaw turned back and followed, venturing out of camp and into the pine forest, the sun hanging over him and pine needles under his paws.
This chapter was really just a filler, there's nothing very important about it. We do see a bit of the darker, more jealous side of Meadowpaw, so no, he's not perfect.
I'm not very proud of it, but I hope you liked it.
—Theoneandonlylonelypotato