Chapter 5
The Gathering last night was terrible. I saw Silkshade looking mad and upset. I was happy not to have border patrol. Today Boulderfang taught me some fighting moves. We worked with Mountainpaw and his mentor, Flurrytail, was there as well. She talked a lot about how she agreed with Lightstar, which got on my nerves. Boulderfang seemed more focused on us than her. He didn't say he disagreed.
About sunhigh we came back to camp and Flurrytail was still talking about Silkshade and how she didn't belong.
"Hey, Flurrytail," Duskpelt said. "There's something I need you to do."
"What?" Flurrytail asked.
"Be quiet," Duskpelt said. "We are in a clan. We don't talk bad about our clanmates."
"In a clan we don't mate with kittypets," Flurrytail muttered just loud enough for him to hear. He ignored it.
"Mountainpaw, Deathpaw. I need you two to take care of the elders," Duskpelt said.
"Okay," I said.
"Last one there checks for ticks and fleas!" Mountainpaw said, running towards the elder's den.
I raced after him. I was gaining, but I wouldn't beat him in time. An idea formed in my head. I jumped onto his back, leapt off it, and broke into a run. He had recovered and was following. I already had beat him.
"Clever trick," Mountainpaw said. "I'll beat you next time!"
"Of all the things, I've never seen apprentices racing to take care of the elders," Darkfur commented.
"He better start running to the medicine cat den to pick up some mouse bile," I said.
...
"Flurrytail was so annoying today, talking about how you don't belong and stuff," I told Silkshade. "And then, thank StarClan, Duskpelt told her to be quiet. That stopped her for a few moments, but by then I was somewhere else."
"I'm tired of all these cats talking about me! I can hear them and I can shred them," Silkshade said.
"They can at least keep their opinions to themselves!" We heard Duskpelt complain to his sister.
Silentstorm let out an amused purr. "Like father, like daughter," she said.
Flurrytail and her brothers were walking away from the fresh kill pile. "Hi," Boulderfang said as they passed.
"Is it just me or is Boulderfang being nicer to us than usual?" Silkshade asked.
"I've noticed it too," Silentstorm said. "He's still hanging around with Flurrytail some, but much nicer all the same."
The two of them looked at me. I noticed Songheart was looking away.
"Why are you looking at me?" I asked.
"You're his apprentice," Silkshade said.
"That doesn't mean I know his personal life! Whenever Flurrytail says something he doesn't deny it, but he doesn't agree either," I said.
"Well, it doesn't matter," Songheart said. "There are much more important things to discuss than Flurrytail's brothers."
"You're right," Silentstorm said. "Flurrytail has been more annoying than ever, but what I'm worried about is SunClan."
"What's to discuss?" Silkshade said. "Duskpelt is trying to keep me away from that border. We both know that won't last forever."
"He's got good reason," Silentstorm said. "He has your best interests at heart."
"I know. If anybody knows anything about what I'm going through it's him," Silkshade said.
They were deep in a conversation I had nothing to do with. I went to find Mountainpaw. He was over with Limppaw, who I also am happy to talk to.
"Hi," I said.
"Hi!" Limppaw said. "How's your training going?"
"Fine. How about yours?" I asked.
"It's a lot of hard work. Did you enjoy the Gathering?" Limppaw asked me.
"I met a couple nice cats from the other clans. Honestly though, if every Gathering is like that I don't want to go," I answered.
"The other medicine cat apprentices are nice," Limppaw said.
"I wish I went," Mountainpaw said.
"Trust me, it was mostly Lightstar talking about Silkshade," I told him.
"Several cats seemed to agree with her," Limppaw said.
"Flurrytail is always talking about how she doesn't belong," Mountainpaw said.
"And I don't listen to a word she says," Deathpaw said. "There must be better things to talk about."
"It seems like it's all anyone ever talks about anymore," Moutainpaw said.
"Well, I for one am tired of it," I said. "I'm going to get some sleep. I'll see you both tomorrow."
"Goodnight!" Limppaw called after me as I disappeared into the apprentice den.