Chapter 4

The light of day flooded into her eyes like a salty river. It stung. Flinching them open and close to adapt, she began to see colours and hear worried voices. "Dear StarClan! Snowpaw, are you ok?" she heard Sirentail's voice. She was so worried. Snowpaw slowly raised her head to look her distressed mother in the eyes. "Yes, I'm fine. At least I think." she reassured her looking down at her wounds. Metalclaw stalked up from behind, "Snowpaw! You are awake. We have been woried for you! Your wounds were deep." He gave Quinpaw a stern look and she looked down at her paws ashamed. "I didn't mean too!" She cried "It was Snowpaw who thought I was an intruder and attacked me!" Metalclaw and Sirentail threw their gaze back to Snowpaw. "It's true. I'm sorry Quinpaw. I just didn't recognise you, that's all. But at least we had a good fight." Snowpaw mewed. Quinpaw looked up at her then purred in amusement. Snowpaw tried to stand up but then fell back down in a whince of pain. "Snowpaw! You need to rest!" Metalclaw announced as he went to fetch some poppy seeds for her. "Snowpaw, I didn't know that I would do this! I'm sorry!" Quinpaw whinced "It was an accident. I didn't know! I didn't think..."

"Quinpaw, it's ok! Soon, I'll be simply fine, and we'll hunt together again." Snowpaw smiled "Though have you seen Moth-" Suddenly, a brown tom ran into the den. He panted and looked down at Snowpaw. "Snowpaw!" he panted "What happend?"

"Me." Quinpaw replied for Snowpaw. They were all silent and Sirentail stood up.

"Snowpaw thought Quinpaw was a ShadowClan cat, from what Quinpaw told me, and so they engaged into a fight. Quinpaw got grip on Snowpaw, but she kicked her off and in self-defence, Quinpaw held on, ending up with severe cuts that were never intended. And so, blood was lost and Snowpaw blacked out." Sirentail explained. Then she stepped out of the den. All of the apprentices were left speechless. Mothpaw shook his head and turned to Quinpaw. "What were you thinking?!" he yowled.

"Please Mothpaw, it's nothing." Snowpaw spoke softly then laid her head down again. Mothpaw looked down and lashed his tail in front of her. As if it was as protection. He let out a low growl and left, his tail trailing behind. "Just make sure it never happens again and be more careful next time." They two she-cats went silent as they watched him go. "I'm so so-"

"It's ok Quinpaw!" Snowpaw interrupted "And what's taking Metalclaw's time?" Snowpaw perked her ears up to listen for and movement. Then he came back with the poppy seeds. "Sorry about that. Must have taken quite a while if Sirentail left and another cat came who left too?" he asked as he handed Snowpaw her poppy seeds. "Yes, it was Mothpaw." Quinpaw said as Snowpaw ate her seeds.

"Oh, your brother? I wonder how he will hold up."

"What do you mean?" questioned Quinapw.

"I mean, how will he hold up know you did this to your sister."

"I feel sleepy." Snowpaw yawned. Quinpaw didn't understand since Snowpaw had just woke up. Then she realised Snowpaw ate poppy seeds. They help a cat go to sleep, reduce pain, shock or distress. Were they necessary though? Quinpaw looked back at Metalclaw as Snowpaw began to sleep. "Now that she's asleep, I wanted to give you a preposition." Quinpaw froze. She knew what he was going to ask. If at any moment, Stalewing had perished, if she would want to become his apprentice. She gulped but didn't ask about it. Instead, she nodded, "What is it, Metalclaw?"

"If in any way, you would like to be Medicine cat, do tell me."

"But I already have a mentor!" Quinapaw lashed out

"That can easily change." Metalcalw replied. Quinpaw didn't know what to say. What did he mean by 'That can easily change'? Was he going to kill Stalewing? "What do you mean by that?" she asked.

"I will tell Silverstar that StarClan wants you as a medicine cat." Quinheart could not believe it. Was Metalclaw serious? Was he going to lie about StarClan's wishes, for her? "But why for me?"

"You are special, dear Quinpaw. And no, it is not a lie. StarClan did show me. A black she-cat with green eyes. That must be you."

"I don't think so, Metalclaw. I am not the cat you are looking for. It must be Mintkit. She fits your description."

"But she's a toisrtoiseshell!" he lashed out.

"Still has black, and got green eyes. She'll make a great medicine cat." Quinoaw reported and began to leave. Metalclaw nodded and replied.

"I'm sorry. It's just been so different without Wingpaw." Quinpaw froze. Wingpaw was Metalclaw's old apprentice. She had died in an attack from ShadowClan. She managed to take two lives before losing her own. The whole Clan grieved for her. Quinpaw flinched at the sound of Wingpaw's name. She was a very good friend of hers when she was just a kit. Quinpaw turned and glared into Metalclaw's eyes before trailing out. Mothpaw was waiting for her outside. "Let me guess. You heard it all?" Quinpaw said before Mothpaw had the chance. He nodded and she looked down. Even if she wanted to be a medicine cat, Mothpaw had heard it all and would tell Silverstar the truth. But at the same time, who would believe an apprentice over an experienced medicine cat. Still, she turned her head and moved away from him. She didn't have the guts to speak to him any longer. It would just sting more. She looked around for her mentor, Stalewing. Unfortunately for her, Stalewing was the weakest cat in the forest! It was a surprise to everyone that she survived this far, Sirentail would say. Wait, Sirentail! Where did she go? Right now, that didn't matter. The sun was setting, and she was tired. She didn't have time to look for anyone. Maybe hunt a little to not seem useless?

She scented a third squirrel and caught it swiftly. She'd caught a lot of fresh-kill lately. Four doves, three squirrels and five mice. The Clan was impressed. Though she missed hunting with Snowpaw. She still had to sit in the medicine cats' den. Quinpaw felt bad for what she had done. She didn't mean to do that much damage to her sister. She padded into the apprentice den and lay there. Her thoughts flooded her mind as she let herself fall into a dark void full of dreams and despair.