Darkfeather and I walked to the Medicine Cat's den together. I still could hardly believe that she was my mentor. As we walked, I scanned the camp for the other apprentices. I wanted to see what my new life would be like. Fogpaw and Aspenpaw were with their mentors, Dewnose and Rabbittooth. The group of cats walked out of the camp, probably training. Leafpaw and Honeywind were trailing behind them.
Wait! How come she gets to train, and I have to clean the elders?
Darkfeather must be physic. "A good apprentice must learn patience first." She meowed.
We emerged in front of the den. I remembered it from when Leafpaw, a kit back then, scratched me. My mother would not let me go to the Medicine Cat Den, but then it got infected.
Darkfeather walked in, and I followed. The sharp scent of herbs seemed to pierce my tongue. I gagged.
Gross!
In there was Tansygaze. "Ah, new apprentice," she purred. Then she dropped a load of mouse bile onto the ground. I picked it up.
"Fernks!" I mumbled through the mouse bile. Tansygaze chuckled, and gently pushed me out. Darkfeather was waiting.
"I'll see you when you've finished." She padded to the fresh-kill pile and selected a pigeon.
Soon it will be me filling that pile up!
I walked to the Elder's den. Applestar, who was walking by, gave me a nod. I lifted my tail and walked in, trying not to gag at the gross taste of mouse bile. The current elders were Rosepetal, Ivypool, and Lionblaze. I sat in front of them and spat out the bile.
"Hello young'un!" Purred Rosepetal.
"Hi!" I purred. "Yar sister was here earlier. She complained about the job 'till Honeywind took her into the forest. Stupid cats." Ivypool meowed.
Really? Rude of her!
I started to tend to a tick on Lionblaze, when the other three elders walked in. They were Dovewing, Cherryfall, and Sorrelbird.
Great Starclan! I'll be here all day!
"Ah! Amberpaw!" Dovewing called me. "Would you like to hear the story of when my friends and I destroyed the beaver dam?"
I'd heard this classic story many times, but never from Dovewing's point of view. "Yes please." I said. She began to tell her long story.
Just as she was finishing, a head poked into the den. Leafpaw!
Just my luck.
"Oooh Amberpaw! Lucky you got to check the elder's ticks. Seems wonderfully exciting!" She sneered. I felt my pelt growing hot.
The elders won't stand up for me, nobody ever does!
I guess cats can be surprising. "Stupid kit! Your sister is tons politer and more patient than you!" Lionblaze roared.
Cue the fireworks! Miracle right now!
Leafpaw looked stunned. Most cats thought she was perfect. She snorted. "Herumph!" Then she walked out. I could barely say anything. I only stared at Lionblaze. He seemed to understand. "Aw youngster, she deserved that. You go find your mentor now, pay no mind to you mouse-brained sister." He purred. I was walking out when Cherryfall called," Amberpaw!" I turned. "Do me a favor and go prove your sister wrong!" I purred.
Besides Darkfeather, I've never had anyone be so friendly.
I found my mentor waiting outside. Beside her was a pile of leaves and sticks. "I'll show you how to make a nest!" She purred.
When it was finished, Fogpaw walked in. "Hey Uglykit." I growled softly. "Dude! You're so ugly, you'd have to tie squirrels around your neck to get a dog to chase you!" I said nothing, but let my claws dig into the dirt. He wasn't done. "Oh wait! You'd never be able to catch a squirrel anyway!" He laughed. Leafpaw was just walking in. "Tell me something I didn't know!"
Just you wait. I'll be stronger than all of you!