Beechpaw paced anxiously outside Iceflower's den. Hazelclaw and Poppyflower had immediately taken the young apprentice, Coalpaw, in for a checkup. Iceflower admitted he was in very bad condition, and would need the strength of fire to pull through. Still padding to and fro, Beechpaw waited for the report from the medicine cat.
The beautiful white she-cat soon appeared from her den. Beechpaw immediately stopped padding anxiously and looked expectantly at Iceflower. The she-cat gave a tiny nod and sat down. Good news? Beechpaw didn't dare hope.
Iceflower's flat expression soon turned to an amused smile. "He's quiet alright," she purred. "He just has a broken paw. He'll be fine."
Beechpaw felt the world spin around her as she heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank StarClan," she murmured.
"Do you wish to see him?" the medicine cat meowed. "He's awake at the moment."
She nodded enthusiastically and followed the white cat past the bramble screen to the den. Coalpaw lay there on his side, facing away from the entrance, but when Beechpaw's scent reached him he turned and smiled.
"Beechpaw!" he purred.
The ginger apprentice bounded to his side and gave his head a few good licks. "Are you alright?" Before he could answer she swept on. "I was so worried! I saw the fox and you run under and I tried to warn you but it was too late! I was horrified when I saw you there, your paw all twisted and your head bleeding I thought for sure you wouldn't be able to train anymore!" She stopped as she felt her throat choke up.
Coalpaw let out an amused purr. "Calm down, Beechpaw," he meowed soothingly, "I'm here now, and Iceflower says I'll be training in a moon."
Beechpaw nodded slowly. She hoped so. He was her best friend! Though born from a different litter, she felt like he was the brother she never had. Her sister, Eaglepaw, thought otherwise. "Toms are mouse-brains," was all she'd say.
"Are you sure you're alright then?" she asked one last time.
Coalpaw nodded. "I'm fine. But visit me some time!" he called as Beechpaw turned to go.
Acknowledging him with a farewell flick of her tail, she slipped out around the bramble screen and looked around. The fresh-kill pile was well stocked up, and the sunhigh patrol had just returned. Remembering she had been assigned to a hunting patrol the day before, Beechpaw hurried to Appletail and Brownclaw who were waiting at the brambles for Brackenshadow.
"Sorry," she huffed. "I nearly forgot." Taking a quick glance around, she added, "Where's Poppyflower?"
Appletail stared at Beechpaw a moment before flicking his ears. "You're not coming, Beechpaw," he meowed. Beechpaw opened her mouth to protest but he cut her off with a sweep of his tail. "You, Poppyflower and Hazelclaw aren't going on any patrols until next sunset. Lionstar wants you all to rest."
Beechpaw nodded dully, disappointed she was not to go on the hunting patrol. Turning, she meowed a greeting to Eaglepaw who hurried to her mentor, Appletail, and the patrol set off. Swallowing her envy, she forced herself to trot to the elders' den. Perhaps a story would cheer her up?
As she scrambled into the den, she heard Lilytail, a pretty white she-cat with luminous yellow eyes, scolding Orangefoot as if he were still an apprentice.
"Honestly, do you expect StarClan to accept you when you can't even bother to grab that tick?" she rasped. "It's on your leg for StarClan's sake! It'll only take a moment."
But the ginger elder would not give in. "This is what apprentices are for!" he complained. "Elders are supposed to be cared for each and every moon accordingly."
Knowing she would have to take the tick out if she entered, Beechpaw strode into the elders' view. Orangefoot's flame-colored eyes glowed. Shooting Lilytail a meaningful glance, he purred, "Welcome Beechpaw! I don't suppose you're busy enough to not get this tick here?"
Shrugging good-naturedly, the apprentice combed through Orangefoot's fur quickly, pulling out the ticks as gently as she could. "Are you well now?" she meowed.
The elder nodded his head. "Thank-you, Beechpaw. But I don't suppose you intend to get out without a story?"
Beechpaw smiled and nodded. "I have nothing else to do."
The two elders mewed sympathetically before beginning a story. "This one is popular among all you apprentices," Lilytail said. "I suppose this new generation hasn't heard it of yet."
Beechpaw crouched down and shuffled until she was comfortable on a bunch of moss and pricked her ears intently on the two cats. Lilytail cleared her throat and began, "In the generation before mine, when my mother, Fernfeather, had her last litter, there was a cat named Gingerleaf. She was a beautiful cat, much like you in fact. Same mixed eyes and pale fur."
The elder continued speaking, Orangefoot putting in a remark or two, until dusk was approaching. The sun had lost it's extreme heat, and the cats beyond the den were soaking up the last few warm rays. Beechpaw quietly thanked Lilytail for the story, and excused herself before the elder could start yet another.
"Come back again sometime!" Orangefoot called after her as she departed.
Beechpaw yawned, suddenly tired. Maybe the fox attack was finally taking it's toll on her. Not wanting to waste any brainpower, she padded to the apprentice den, skirting around Duskpaw and Brindlepaw who were sharing tongues, and sat down. She gave herself a quick and hasty wash before curling up happily and drifting into sleep.