Disclaimer: I, KatieK101, do not own Warriors.
Five Truths About Birchfall
i.
He is very young when Hollykit, Larchkit, and Shrewpaw die. Perhaps that is why no one thinks to reassure him that those deaths are not his fault.
And yet, at three moons old, he develops survivor's guilt.
ii.
On the Great Journey, he befriends Applekit, Marshkit, and Toadkit of ShadowClan. On the journey he is most interested in the brothers, but,
At his first Gathering,
It is Applepaw and her bright green eyes that demand his attention.
iii.
They meet up in secret as apprentices, until one night, they are caught by Spiderleg.
Birchpaw's older brother is jaded for such a young warrior, but he promises to keep their secret to himself under one condition: they must quit their secret meetings.
And that is the first time Birchpaw ever has his heart broken.
iv.
It does not take him long to recover, though.
When Whitepaw loyally pushes her warrior ceremony back so that he is not alone in the Apprentice Den, Birchpaw thinks that he wants her by his side forever.
v.
He grew very close to his uncle and mentor, Ashfur. They often hunted and patrolled together as warriors.
He was crushed when the truth came out.
(Bonus i.)
He trains in the Dark Forest because survivor guilt can be buried, but it does not go away.
When he is confronted with the opportunity to become so strong that he can protect everyone he loves, he leaps at the chance.
I thought this chapter would be easier to write… the only truth I really had planned, though, was the one about survivor's guilt. I'm not thrilled with this chapter but since this ficlet is supposed to be a lighthearted outlet, I'm going to stop staring at it and just upload it.
Also, friendly reminder that I will *not* be writing about any main characters in this series… sorry, but no Leafpool or Brambleclaw!
Birchfall was requested by DappledleafTheBootiful and Viridian1435.