Hello, Marrowfrost is here with chapter 19! But first:
Reviews:
DappedleafTheBootiful - 1) I like some mean characters too, but River is just not doing it for me. 2) I'll add in your OC.
Whitespirit - 1) Well thank you! I'm trying my best. 2) River is mainly a jerk towards Firegaze and Dylan, so there's another reason why Firegaze and Dylan would be uncomfortable in a relationship. River keeps sticking his nose in everyone else's business. 3) I will try to add your OC in!
Pudgyfluff - 1) I know Firepaw and Graypaw weren't completely annoying or brats, but usually when I write them in the story, Wasppaw is around. And they don't really see eye to eye that often, plus the fact that it's in Wasppaw's PoV most of the time. 2) Thank you for the praise! Honestly I'm not so sure about my writing skills.
Blaze padded alongside Firegaze, her pelt pricking with irritation. Jayson could not have assigned the worst cat to help me find herbs! Firegaze's fur was bristling, probably in anger that she had to search for herbs with Blaze. You think I like this? I hate it! The rain clouds were starting to form, and that was evidence enough that they needed to leave soon.
"I think I smell some marigold!" Firegaze whispered aloud.
Blaze shot her a stern look. "In ThunderClan territory, not SkyClan. It's not like we can go wherever we want!" Firegaze growled at her, but said nothing. "Anyways, we don't need any of that. I want to stock up on some catmint while it's more common to find."
"It's not even Leaf-fall! Well, barely, but still!" Firegaze hissed.
"You don't collect or use herbs anyways, so who do you think you're talking to?" Blaze growled. I don't care if she's my Clanmate, she gets on my nerves! "Come on, let's look over here."
Firegaze narrowed her eyes, agitation flaring in them. "No. I'm not coming."
"Oh? And why is that?" Blaze's snarl was barely a whisper. Firegaze sat back on her haunches in defiance.
"I'm just a stupid warrior apprentice, remember?" Firegaze gritted through her teeth. "I'm not coming." She dug her claws into the dirt to make a point. "I'd rather sit in the rain and wait for you to come back." Firegaze then muttered underneath her breath, "Snake-tongue." Just ignore her, Blaze, it'll be better in the long run.
Blaze growled at her for a heartbeat, and then walked over to the border. Maybe something good is over there. She heard soft pawsteps creeping up to her. Firegaze. I guess she was bluffing. Blaze turned around to see no one behind her. Must've been my imagination…right? Blaze looked back in front of her to see three toms, one gray, one a ginger tabby, and the last a skinny black tom. Wait a minute…I remember them! They must be Graypaw, Firepaw and Ravenpaw! But why would they be here?
"Aren't you guys ThunderClan apprentices? Are you lost?" Blaze asked gently. Please don't get them upset.
Firepaw shook his head. "No…actually, we meant to come here." Then you're trespassing! "L-Look, we know what you're thinking. And you're right. But please, just hear us out."
Blaze's ears pricked forward. "Okay then. What is it?"
"Well, Ravenpaw isn't safe in ThunderClan…" Firepaw sighed. So I was right. "So we were wondering if Ravenpaw could stay in SkyClan to stay safe."
"I'm certainly not Violet, but I think me, her and our deputy Hazel can work something out." Blaze murmured. "But why come to SkyClan for help?"
"You were the closest to our Clan, and you're not one of our enemies right now. It made sense." Graypaw explained. Okay, that's good enough for me. He looked at Ravenpaw with a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Are you sure?" Ravenpaw nodded.
"Goodbye, Ravenpaw." Firepaw whispered, his tail drooped. The black tom murmured a goodbye to his Clanmates, and turned away slowly. This so sad, Blaze thought. I wish they could stay together. Blaze could tell Graypaw and Firepaw had now left. We might as well go now.
Blaze gestured for Ravenpaw to follow her as her paws treaded upon the same ground as before. He came along swiftly, not wanting to be left behind. Oh yeah…Firegaze. She quickly checked for Firegaze's scent, and sure enough, it was still in the same place. I can't believe she was serious about that. Blaze soon ran into Firegaze, who was still sitting on the ground.
"Blaze! Who's that?" Firegaze hissed, her neck fur bristling. "He shouldn't be here!"
"Don't you remember him?" Blaze asked, puzzled. I'm pretty sure Firegaze would remember Ravenpaw. Firegaze shifted her paws uncomfortably. "It's Ravenpaw, remember? I'm taking him to see Violetstar."
"Why? He's an apprentice, for one. And why does he need to see our leader?" Firegaze grumbled. Blaze resisted the urge to cuff Firegaze's ear.
"Not everything needs to involve you, Firegaze." Blaze growled. She turned to face the camp's direction. "Let's go."
"A-Are you sure that Violetstar won't get mad?" Ravenpaw whispered.
Blaze nodded. "It's not as likely with you. Both Violetstar and Hazel will get mad at me, anyways. And Violetstar's in one of her more negotiable moods today." They padded into the camp entrance, trying not to grab any attention. Blaze noticed a white tabby tom rushing towards them. Dylan.
"Hi, Firegaze!" He greeted the dark ginger tabby apprentice. Dylan licked her cheek. "Are you ready for battle training yet?" Wow, they sure seem affectionate.
"Oh no, I forgot!" Firegaze squeaked, her fur bristling wildly.
Dylan let out a purr. "It's okay. We all forget stuff!" Firegaze smiled, her amber eyes gleaming with cheerfulness.
"Well, I've gotta go talk to Violetstar." Blaze told them. "I'll let you hang out with your mate in private, Firegaze." She teased. Firegaze's eyes widened and she immediately looked away from Dylan, and Dylan looked from Firegaze as well. I couldn't resist adding that in.
Blaze walked over to Violetstar's den, and luckily no one else was in besides Violetstar. Ravenpaw followed Blaze in, still scared about how she might react. I'm honestly scared as well.
"Oh, hello Blaze." Violetstar greeted her, her amber eyes glittering. She turned to see Ravenpaw standing next to Blaze. "And who's this?" Her voice didn't seem aggravated, though. That's a relief.
"M-My name is R-Ravenpaw," Ravenpaw stuttered shakily. "I-I wanted to join SkyClan." He murmured. Violetstar's ears perked up.
"You want to join SkyClan?" Violetstar asked. Ravenpaw nodded. Violetstar checked his scent. "You smell like a ThunderClan cat to me. Why'd you leave them?"
Ravenpaw was now shaking a little more. I guess I'll speak up for him.
"He didn't feel safe in ThunderClan." Blaze explained. "So he came here. I found him on the border while Firegaze was helping me find herbs." Not going to tell Violetstar how unhelpful her daughter is…
Violetstar glanced at Ravenpaw. "You definitely do seem shaken by whatever made you feel unsafe. I can't have you join right away, but we can have you take a trial to prove your worth." She explained. "Tell me, were you a warrior apprentice in ThunderClan?"
Ravenpaw nodded. "B-But I wasn't very good at it…"
"You could try being a mediator or medicine cat." Violetstar mewed. "You might do better at one of those. And since you're on trial, we can see which one best suits you." She turned to Blaze. "You should help him out, Blaze. And Ravenpaw, we'll try the route of the medicine cat first to see if it suits you."
Both of them nodded. I'm just glad that Violetstar is considering it. Violetstar stretched her muscles, and then padded out of her den. Is she going to call a Clan meeting now? Blaze and Ravenpaw followed Violetstar out and sat in the back of the crowd. Where's Jayson anyways? She spotted a white tabby pelt next to a dark ginger tabby pelt. That must be Jayson and Silverfire. She padded over to Jayson, who was talking with Silverfire. I know he doesn't like to admit it, but he and Silverfire are best friends.
"Blaze, there you are." Jayson meowed. "And who's this new arrival? I don't think I remember him." He shrugged his shoulders. "Eh, none of my business anyways. I've got more concerning matters to deal with."
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under Perched Rock for a Clan meeting!" Violetstar yowled. All the remaining cats in the clearing gathered under the rock. "Today I must appoint a temporary mentor for one of our apprentices." Firegaze, Blaze guessed.
Firegaze's mentor Twyla had kitted three healthy kits, Quickkit, Forestkit and Funnelkit. Quickkit had gotten mauled by a dog that attacked camp, but he managed to survive, surprisingly thanks to Holly the lazy medicine cat. Twyla wasn't in the right state of mind, and Tristan was trying everything he could to help, but it didn't seem to work. I can see why Violetstar's appointing Firegaze a new mentor for now.
"Stone, you have shown great resilience and patience as a warrior, and I ask that you pass down these traits to Firegaze as you complete her training." Violetstar meowed.
Blaze turned to see Stone, who was quivering greatly at the prospect of receiving his first apprentice. He and Firegaze touched noses like tradition says, and they sat back in their places. She noticed that Stone and Firegaze were sitting next to Ivy and Dylan as well. I think Violetstar had a second intention with that pairing.
"And now, I have one more thing to do." Violetstar announced. "Today Blaze came into my den with a young cat named Ravenpaw, and he says that he wishes to join SkyClan." A couple of cats muttered something under their breath, but didn't protest. "I will give him a one week trial to prove himself. For now, I would like him to try the path of a medicine cat, and see how it goes."
Blaze felt Jayson's fur bristling. That's not good. "And who's going to be helping him?"
"Stargaze will assist and train him." Violetstar hissed. She looked over to Stargaze, who was sitting next to Dove. Dove's big fluffy tail was wrapped around him, which covered most of his body. "You heard me, right?" Stargaze sighed and nodded. "Good. Meeting dismissed." Violetstar jumped off of Perched Rock and padded over to Silverfire.
She silkily purred, now sitting next to him. "Let's take that walk now, shall we?" Silverfire smiled, wrapping his tail around her. They got up and left the camp, leaving Jayson, Blaze and Ravenpaw behind.
"I'm not going to think about the kind of walk they're taking." Jayson grunted. He turned towards Ravenpaw. "Oh yeah, you don't know your way around camp. Blaze, go get Stargaze and show him around." Jayson turned away from them and padded over towards the medicine den.
Blaze sighed. "Well, let's go to Stargaze. No doubt Dove is smothering him by now." Ravenpaw nodded and followed Blaze over to Stargaze and Dove, who were over by the mediator's den. Dove and Stargaze have gotten close these past few moons, Blaze mused. I wonder if they'll become mates or not.
"Okay Dove, you can stop suffocating Stargaze now." Blaze meowed.
Dove looked upset. "But I'm so excited that he's now a mentor!" She roughly licked his forehead a few more times. To Blaze's surprise, he didn't mind it that much.
Stargaze lightly pawed her away. "Okay, okay. But it's only for a little, so I don't get why you're so excited."
"Jayson told me and you to show Ravenpaw around camp." Blaze told him. Dove sighed in a exaggerated fashion. "If you really want to, you can come too."
QotD: What are your thoughts on Holly, the medicine cat who never really does anything. Like, at all. (Kinda random)
I like lazy cats, so I like Holly. Simple as that.