Chapter Thirteen
~Fight-of-the-Fierce~
"I told mom I want to be a medicine cat and you know what she told me?" Aspenkit meows, curled up in the curve of Fiercepaw's body. The black and silver apprentice is watching her friend with a fond look in her silver eyes as she shakes her spiky dark head, the silver on her nose and ears flaring under the rippling sunlight.
"No, what did she say?" Fiercepaw meowed and Aspenkit paused for dramatic effect before blurting it out.
"She said she already knew! It completely ruined the surprise!" Aspenkit pouted, shaking her small head in disapproval at her mother. Fiercepaw held in her laughter, releasing a soothing rumbling purr to settle her younger friend.
"That's pretty mean." Fiercepaw meowed and Aspenkit nodded eagerly.
"That's what I said!" Aspenkit meowed and Fiercepaw laughed, rolling over and stretching her dark belly towards the sun, the flat sun rock warming her back. "It's taking so long for me to get my apprenticeship; I don't know how much longer I can wait!" Aspenkit mewed crossly.
"A moon and a few sunrises longer?" Fiercepaw meowed teasingly and Aspenkit rolled over, her sharp little fangs fastening in Fiercepaw's ear as she placed her small cream colored paws on Fiercepaw's shoulders and tugged playfully. Mrowing, Fiercepaw shook her head, softly batting at her friend, careful to keep her claws sheathed.
"Why is Smolderpaw staring at you guys?" Goldenpaw meowed, padding over and joining them, flopping down and slitting her emerald green eyes against the glare of the sun.
"What?" Fiercepaw meowed, raising her head and spotting the tom watching the three of them from his spot beside Talonstrike. He blinked his reddish-orange eyes slowly at Fiercepaw, pulling his lips back in a playful smirk.
Fiercepaw's fur heated up and she shrugged, looking away from the tom and laying her head back down, her silver-dipped paws curled into her chest.
"I don't know." Fiercepaw meowed.
"Maybe he wants to be your mate!" Aspenkit piped up, her clear blue-grey eyes wide. Goldenpaw and Fiercepaw exchanged a silent look before bursting into laughter, rolling around on the sun rocks until they laughed themselves out.
"No way!" Fiercepaw mrowed, shaking her head with laughter. Goldenpaw couldn't speak, she was laughing so hard, curling into herself.
"There's no need to laugh!" Aspenkit mutters, shoving Fiercepaw's shoulder. The black and silver apprentice slowly tapered her laughter off, pushing with her paws so she was sitting, her legs curled under her.
"Sorry but there's no way I would choose a rouge as a mate." Fiercepaw meowed, a hint of her pureblood snobbishness showing. She didn't see anything wrong with it though, flopping back down beside Goldenpaw and turning her furry head to the sun.
"What if he wasn't a rouge anymore?" Aspenkit meowed and Fiercepaw shook her head.
"I don't like him; there is just something about Smolderpaw that is…" Fiercepaw trails off, unsure how to phrase it. There is just something about the tom that makes her always want to bristle when she is around him. Fiercepaw doesn't trust him.
"Hey, did you hear? I heard NightClan and BrookClan had a battle last night under the silverpelt!" Goldenpaw meowed eagerly and Fiercepaw perked up, rolling over so she was on her belly, kicking her legs out behind her and tucking her silver paws into her chest.
"What? Why? They live on opposite ends of the lake!" Fiercepaw exclaimed and Goldenpaw nodded smugly, pleased with the attention she is receiving.
"Apparently a tom from NightClan mated with a she-cat from BrookClan and he snuck over there to steal her away to his Clan. They almost made it out with anyone knowing but a patrol stumbled on them and the tom escaped, rallying his Clanmates by telling them he was attacked." Goldenpaw meowed.
"How do you know?" Aspenkit meowed curiously and Fiercepaw nodded in agreement, looking at her golden friend.
"Mintleaf was visiting over there with BrookClan's medicine cat when this all happened. She told father and I was with him last night so that's how I know." Goldenpaw meowed, her green eyes wide with excitement.
"I wish I had been the cat chosen to go with Mintleaf." Goldenpaw meowed wistfully before perking up. "I'm surprised Blueflame didn't tell you. He was the one that accompanied Mintleaf." Goldenpaw meowed and Fiercepaw's eyes widened.
"Was he hurt?" Fiercepaw meowed and Goldenpaw nodded. "I think he got a cut on his shoulder-" Fiercepaw scrambled up, racing over to the medicine cat's den, her usual grace returning while she was running. Skidding to a stop right outside of the den, Fiercepaw peered anxiously into the den, carefully creeping forward.
She hasn't been back in this den since after she lost Silverpaw.
A few mouse-lengths into the den, Fiercepaw saw Blueflame curled in a nest lined with rabbit fur, Swanfang sitting at his head while Mintleaf gently prodded his wound. Fiercepaw's eyes widened and she stepped closer, worry for her mentor making her feel sick.
"Fiercepaw!" Blueflame meowed and Swanfang jerked back.
"I'm not Fiercepaw-" She began but Blueflame shook his head as Fiercepaw crawled closer, pressing low to the ground, her usually spiky dark fur plastered to her body and making her seem even smaller.
"No, I see Fiercepaw." Blueflame explained and the white she-cat turned, her amber eyes a little frosty.
"Are- are you going to be okay?" Fiercepaw meowed quietly, hating how small her mew was. Blueflame nodded, struggling to get to his paws.
"Don't you dare!" Mintleaf snapped, turning around with a poultice in her paw. "Fiercepaw, get over here so this stubborn tom with settle down and let me do my job." Mintleaf meowed crossly and Fiercepaw jumped before hurrying over to Blueflame's side.
She stared at the long, deep wound on Blueflame's shoulder. The edges of it were red and sore looking, the fur around it matted with blood. Ducking her head down, Fiercepaw began to clean it with long, soft strokes. Blueflame sighed, his lithe body relaxing as he dropped his head down, letting her do her work.
Swanfang drew back, a little hurt.
When she had tried to do the same thing, Blueflame had protested the entire time, making it so difficult for her that she had quit. He had given Mintleaf the same treatment and the medicine cat had been about to claw his ears off with frustration.
A soft purr started up in Blueflame and Swanfang averted her eyes, feeling as though she were the one intruding. Which is mouse-brained! She is the one he has been sniffing after for a mate, so why does she feel so hurt right now?
"I'm going to go, I have to take Goldenpaw for some training." Swanfang meowed. Mintleaf and Fiercepaw glanced up as she turned and padded away, a little confusion in Fiercepaw's eyes. It was weird, Goldenpaw hadn't mentioned that to her.
"You are doing a good job, Fiercepaw." Mintleaf meowed gently, not wanting to startle the blue tom. "Once you are done, you can help me put this poultice on the wound and wrap it with cobwebs so it doesn't get infected." Mintleaf meowed, keeping her voice at a soothing timber.
Fiercepaw nods, almost finished cleaning Blueflame's wound.
His orange eyes were slitted and he looked like he was seconds away from falling asleep. When Fiercepaw finished, Mintleaf shuffled forward and gently smoothed the poultice on, accepting the pawful of silver cobwebs from Fiercepaw. Mintleaf moved carefully and confidently, never hesitating in her treatment of the tom and for the first time, Fiercepaw could understand why someone would want to become a medicine cat.
Helping heal your Clanmates like this could create a long and fulfilling life.
"There, all done." Mintleaf meowed softly, backing away from the tom. "When he wakes up, if he feels too much pain, I can give him a poppy seed or two but for now, he is fine." Mintleaf meowed and Fiercepaw began to get up. "You don't have to leave; I have often found that the cats I treat are often better when they have someone here so they don't feel so restless once they wake." Mintleaf explained.
Fiercepaw didn't hesitate to settle back down, curling up against his back and laying her head across his stretched out neck. Mintleaf smiled a little at the adorable sight, turning away and sorting her herbs out, figuring which ones she needs and which ones she doesn't.
The soft sound of her muttered mews slowly lulled Fiercepaw into sleep.
~Fight-of-the-Fierce~
The next few sunrises were hard ones for Blueflame. He was confined in the medicine cat den and only settled down when he had someone other than Mintleaf in there. He was a stubborn tom when he wanted to be and though it wasn't his intention, Blueflame made Mintleaf's job harder than it had to be.
"Fiercepaw!" Lionstar called, in the middle of organizing a patrol. "Are you going to visit with Blueflame?" Lionstar asked and Fiercepaw nodded, dipping her head respectfully to her leader.
"Yes, Lionstar. I was going to take him some fresh kill." Fiercepaw explained, flicking her ears down at the crow she had been carrying.
"Excellent, Talonstrike and I will come with you." Lionstar meowed. Fiercepaw's eyes widened at the honor of walking with her leader and she bowed her head again, picking up the crow and trotting to the medicine cat den with her head held high with pride.
"Lionstar!" Blueflame meowed, surprised to see their leader entering the den with his apprentice and her father. "What did you do?" Blueflame asked Fiercepaw, his mew exasperated. Fiercepaw dropped the crow at his paws, shaking her head.
"It wasn't me!" She protested and Talonstrike purred with amusement, glad to see Fiercepaw and Blueflame are still doing well with each other. He couldn't have asked for a better mentor for his daughter.
"She is correct." Lionstar meowed, sitting back on his powerful haunches. "I came to talk to you, Blueflame."
"What for, Lionstar?" Blueflame meowed respectfully, sitting up and wincing a little at the painful tug on his shoulder. Mintleaf gave him a cross look for ignoring her no moving rule but let it drop, allowing her leader to speak.
"Well, Fiercepaw has not been training or hunting or even going out of camp at all since you have been injured." Lionstar began. "I do not want her falling behind in her training so I want to assign her a temporary mentor while you heal up." Lionstar meowed and Blueflame bristled, narrowing his orange eyes protectively.
"Who would you choose?" He meowed reluctantly, shifting over so Fiercepaw and sit closer in the nest.
"Actually, that is why I have brought Talonstrike along. He will be taking over with Fiercepaw's training for the next few sunrises- just until you heal enough that Mintleaf says you can leave camp for long periods of time." Lionstar meowed, watching how Fiercepaw glanced uncertainly at Blueflame.
"But Talonstrike already has an apprentice. Shouldn't someone without an apprentice be a better choice?" Blueflame meowed and Lionstar shook his head.
"I want Fiercepaw to work with Talonstrike as well as Smolderpaw. Hopefully she can instill some of the values behind our warrior code into the stubborn tom. He constantly challenges Talonstrike on the code and I don't want him to cause any problems. This could just be the solution, the elders have told me that Fiercepaw knows and understands our warrior code deeply and that she would be the best choice for this kind of assignment." Lionstar meowed, rising to his paws. "Once Fiercepaw is ready to go out today, she will be going with her new temporary mentor. Get well soon." Lionstar meowed to Blueflame, nodding respectfully to Mintleaf and padding out.
"Be ready to go in a few minutes, Fiercepaw, I just have to go and get Smolderpaw then we are going to the squirrel tree." Talonstrike meowed.
"Yes, Talonstrike." Fiercepaw meowed reluctantly. "Are you going to be okay, Blueflame?" Fiercepaw whispered to her mentor, not wanting Mintleaf to overhear and go off on a tangent.
"Of course, you better get going. You don't want to keep your father waiting." Blueflame meowed and Fiercepaw sighed, nodding and climbing to her paws. "Do good out there today and be careful around Smolderpaw." Blueflame instructed worriedly.
"I will, I promise." Fiercepaw meowed before trotting out of the den and over to where her father and Smolderpaw are waiting by the entrance.
"Ready? Let's go." Talonstrike meowed, turning and disappearing through the tunnel.
"After you." Fiercepaw meowed, narrowing her silver eyes at the tom. Smolderpaw grinned, flicking his tail at her.
"You first." He taunted and Fiercepaw bristled.
"That wasn't a question." She growls.
"Neither was mine." Smolderpaw teased, his reddish-orange eyes gleaming. They were in a stand-off, both of them refusing to look away first.
"If you two don't follow then I am going to put you both on nest cleaning duty!" Talonstrike meowed sternly, poking his head back through. "Now let's go!" He ordered and Fiercepaw jumped, hurrying through, side by side with Smolderpaw. Their pelts brushed together and Fiercepaw wrinkled her nose, pressing against the entrance tunnel and stepping away from him the moment they got into the forest.
"Haven't you ever heard of grooming?" Fiercepaw snapped angrily at the tom, her pelt shivering with revulsion. "I can already feel the fleas jumping off of your pelt and onto mine!" She snapped, twisting her head around and snapping at a flea, crunching it firmly between her teeth and spitting it out.
"Why should I? I'm only going to get dirty again." Smolderpaw meowed, shrugging and trotting after her father. Fiercepaw shot Smolderpaw a disgusted look and sped up, irritated when he sped up, easily matching her pace.
"It's called self-pride!" Fiercepaw snarled, shooting him another icy glare, the fur on the back of her neck bristling subconsciously. He doesn't act at all like a Clan cat and it unsettles Fiercepaw, a cat who has only ever been around Clan cats. This is new territory for her and Fiercepaw doesn't really know where to go from here.
"Hurry up, you two!" Talonstrike called and Fiercepaw huffed, speeding up and leaping easily over a large log. She glanced back in time to see Smolderpaw easily soar over the log, landing lightly on his paws and using that as momentum to push himself faster. Fiercepaw's eyes widened and she turned her head away, keeping her father within her sights until they reached the squirrel tree.
The three of them slowed down and came to a stop, looking up at the large, sturdy tree. The leaves rustled loudly in a gust of wind, another reason why this has been chosen as the climbing tree. The branches are thick enough they can hold a cat's weight but light enough but any cat climbing is forced to use hone their balance every time a gust of wind blows and causes the branch to sway.
The leaves are noisy so the cats have to be careful to be extra silent when they walk around in the branches and keep their sense razor sharp in case a squirrel goes racing by.
"Okay, up you go." Talonstrike meowed. Fiercepaw trotted forward and crouched, leaping up and unsheathing her claws so she could nimbly climb up the trunk. Clawing onto a branch, Fiercepaw glanced down to see Smolderpaw right behind her.
Rolling her eyes, Fiercepaw turned and leapt silently onto another branch, it barely moving under light landing. There was a crash and Fiercepaw whipped around in time to see Smolderpaw hit a branch and tumble from the tree, yowling with shock.
Fiercepaw gripped the branch underneath her with her claws, her heart pounding as she peered down at the startled tom.
"Are you okay?" She meowed worriedly, forgetting for a moment that she was not supposed to like the tom.
"I'm fine!" He snapped crossly, shaking himself off and clawing his way up the tree.
"While you two are climbing around up there, I want you to recite the warrior code to me!" Talonstrike meowed out and Fiercepaw flicked her tail challengingly at Smolderpaw.
Turning, she slid easily along the branch, leaping up to another one while she meowed.
"Defend your Clan-" Fiercepaw meowed, ducking under a branch. "-even at the cost of your own life. You may have friendships with cats from other Clans-" Fiercepaw landed a little roughly on a different branch and scrabbled to keep her balance while Smolderpaw watched her a few mouse-lengths away on a different branch. What must it be like to live like a rouge? Fiercepaw wondered for a moment. It must not be a very good life if you didn't care about grooming or helping other cats when they need it. "-but your loyalty must always remain with your Clan, as one day you may meet those supposed friends in battle and jeopardize a Clanmate by hesitating." Fiercepaw recited and Talonstrike nodded.
"Excellent, now you, Smolderpaw!" Talonstrike meowed. Smolderpaw narrowed his orange-red eyes and lashed his tail, blundering around the trees loudly.
"I don't remember." Smolderpaw meowed, sharpness to his mew. Fiercepaw rolled her eyes, shaking her head.
"Even Aspenkit knows the warrior code!" Fiercepaw meowed indignantly. "It isn't hard to learn and the ideals are true and pure of heart-" Fiercepaw meowed heatedly, not noticing when Smolderpaw flinched at her use of the word 'pure'. "-so you can be proud of the ideals we uphold!" Fiercepaw finished.
"Well said, Fiercepaw!" Talonstrike meowed proudly. "Now you, Smolderpaw. We just went over these this morning. I know you remember at least one." Talonstrike's meow had a hint of derision in it and Fiercepaw paused for a moment, startled.
Smolderpaw hesitated, narrowing his orange-red eyes.
"A warrior rejects the soft life of a kittypet." Smolderpaw ground out, flailing in his leap over to another branch.
A dark grey squirrel leapt onto the tree, scurrying down with an acorn in its mouth before freezing. Its nose was twitching as it scented the air. Fiercepaw parted her jaw, her muscles locking together while she stared hungrily at the squirrel.
Her ears rose, tilting forward, the silver tips glinting brightly under the sunlight.
Fiercepaw slowly crept forward, keeping her paws steps light as she drew herself forward, paw by paw. She drew closer, almost right behind the clueless squirrel. Gathering up her muscles, Fiercepaw leapt, her small form gracefully arching down and landing on the branch. Before the squirrel could do anything, Fiercepaw snaked her neck out and snapped her jaws shut on its neck, killing it instantly.
The acorn tumbled free of the squirrel's slack jaw, bouncing off the branches until it fell straight to the ground.
Fiercepaw straightened, holding her head high proudly, the squirrel swinging from her jaws while she trotted along the branch, bypassing Smolderpaw, who was watching her with wide eyes.
"Are you slack-brained?" He exclaimed, clutching fearfully to the branch below him as he slowly followed her. Fiercepaw glanced over at him with confusion, still trotting along the branch. "You could have fallen and died!" Smolderpaw snapped and Fiercepaw snorted, shaking her head and turning, leaping easily from branch to branch until she jumped from the last one, soaring down and landing lightly on her paws, trotting over to Talonstrike and proudly setting the squirrel down at his paws.
Talonstrike nodded in approval, pride gleaming in his crimson eyes. Fiercepaw swelled with pride, her silver eyes gleaming with happiness.
There was a thump behind her and Fiercepaw turned to see Smolderpaw shaking himself off.
"I wouldn't have fallen." Fiercepaw said with a hint of ice in her mew. "-because I am a Clan cat and I have the blood of warriors running through my veins." Talonstrike watched Fiercepaw, a little bemused at her cold attitude towards the tom…but then again, he did attack her in what she thought was genuine danger.
"You think that your precious Clan cats are all perfect, don't you?" Smolderpaw spat, stalking forward and standing nose-to-nose with Fiercepaw, his ember eyes fiery with anger.
"I know they are, at least compared to the likes of you." Fiercepaw sneered and Talonstrike took a step forward, thinking she was going too far.
"I've seen a few rouges and kittypets that claim their ancestors were once Clan cats. That means that those cats either did something horrible enough that they were thrown out…or they abandoned their Clan. Does that sound like perfect cats to you?" Smolderpaw hissed triumphantly. Fiercepaw drew back, shocked before more anger flooded in.
"I don't believe you!" She spat, bristling and flashing her fangs. "And even if that is true, those cats were thrown out for a reason. The cats that stay are good cats and would never even think of betraying their leader, Clan or warrior code to live the life of a rouge." Fiercepaw sneered. Smolderpaw just shut down, his eyes cold and hard chips of orange-red.
"At least I really know how the Clan cats feel about me now." Smolderpaw said, his voice dead and emotionless. Fiercepaw shrunk back a little at the tone, realizing how far she just went and guilt churning in her.
Smolderpaw shook his head and turned, walking off.
"Smolderpaw!" Talonstrike yowled before turning to Fiercepaw. "That was uncalled for. You are here to help him become used to living as a Clan but what you just did; turning on him like that was something a rouge would do." Talonstrike said, disappointment heavy in his voice.
"But father-" Fiercepaw protested.
"No. You know what you just did and said was wrong. I expect you to apologize to him and I never want to hear you turn on a Clanmate like that ever again, no matter how new they are to our Clan. You would never say anything like that to Goldenpaw, Lightningpaw or Aspenkit so there is no excuse for saying cruel words like that to Smolderpaw. As a punishment, you are on herb hunting duty and be glad you have been confined to camp the past few sunrises or you would be on camp lock down for a few more." Talonstrike meowed, shaking his head in disappointment before turning and going to hunt down his new apprentice.
Fiercepaw winced at the look on his face, turning away and heading back to camp, her head hanging low and her tail dragging behind her.
She had really gone too far that time but there is just something about Smolderpaw that Fiercepaw doesn't like and doesn't trust. Her instincts say he is trouble but Fiercepaw can't say anything. Lionstar approved of Smolderpaw and if she says anything, she doesn't want to look like she doesn't trust her leader because she does.
It's just Smolderpaw that she doesn't trust.
Sighing, Fiercepaw pads all the way back to camp, only stopping to clumsily catch a few mice, the prey swinging from her jaws when she entered the tunnel. Fiercepaw blinked when she saw Talonstrike speaking urgently to Lionstar but she didn't try and eaves drop like she normally would. Fiercepaw doesn't want to get into trouble with her father again.
Dropping the prey at the fresh kill pile, Fiercepaw pressed low to the ground, guiltily creeping over to the nursing den.
"Fiercepaw!" Talonstrike called and she jumped guiltily, freezing before glancing over her shoulder. Her father was watching her sternly from beside her leader. "Come." He ordered and she reluctantly turned around, dragging her paws and tail, her head hanging guiltily.
"Yes, Talonstrike?" Fiercepaw mumbled, peering hesitantly from under her fringe. For once in her short life, Talonstrike was unmoved by the sad look.
"We have lost Smolderpaw." Talonstrike meowed.
"He probably went back to the rouges." Fiercepaw muttered under her breath and Talonstrike narrowed his crimson eyes.
"Do not interrupt." Talonstrike snapped angrily. Fiercepaw flinched, crouching lower to the ground, flattening her ears to her head.
"Why scold her, she's probably right." Hawkstorm meowed, padding up. Talonstrike narrowed his crimson eyes at the younger tom but didn't respond to him.
"Where would Smolderpaw have gone?" Talonstrike meowed and Fiercepaw chanced an incredulous look up. Did he really think her and Smolderpaw chatted over mice about his favorite parts of her territory?
"I wouldn't know." Fiercepaw meowed and Lionstar exchanged a disappointed look with Talonstrike. Turning, he scanned the clearing for the other apprentices. Goldenpaw and Lightningpaw were sharing a dove by the sun rocks; Honeypaw and Boulderpaw were practicing battle moves outside of the apprentice den.
"Apprentices, come over here!" Lionstar called out. Honeypaw perked up, bounding over with Boulderpaw firmly at her side. Goldenpaw and Lightningpaw glanced up, their eyes widening when they saw Fiercepaw looking so guilty and submissive. Abandoning their fresh-kill, they hurried over to her, stopping at the warning look Talonstrike gives them.
"Do any of you know where Smolderpaw might have gone?" Lionstar asked, looking hopefully at his two daughters. Honeypaw wrinkled her nose at the mention of the tom, shaking her head in revulsion.
"StarClan, no! That tom is so gross; Boulderpaw and I try to stay away from him." Honeypaw meowed, Boulderpaw nodding in agreement.
"Did you know he has fleas and he doesn't groom himself?" Boulderpaw meowed, looking bewildered at the very idea. "He is starting to stink up the apprentice den." Lionstar and Talonstrike were looking more and more let down with every meow coming from the apprentices.
"What about you two, Goldenpaw and Lightningpaw?" Lionstar meowed. The two of them exchanged a look before glancing down helplessly at Fiercepaw.
"We wouldn't know, none of us really like to hang around him." Goldenpaw meowed apologetically.
"There's just something creepy about that rouge." Lightningpaw agreed, looking a little guilty even as he spoke the words.
"This should not have been going on." Talonstrike meowed sternly. "You are all apprentices and Clan cats! The code says that we help our fellow Clanmates!" He was shocked and angry the apprentices had been so cold towards the tom. No wonder he was so standoffish and cold all the time. He wasn't being welcomed as a true Clan cat should and would.
"I agree with Talonstrike. I am disappointed with all of you. If you thought he was doing something wrong, any of you could have come to me or Talonstrike, his mentor. Instead, you all iced him out, treating Smolderpaw like an outcast. I thought we had raised you five better than this. You are dismissed." Lionstar meowed, anger and disappointment heavy in his voice.
Fiercepaw flinched again.
Honeypaw, Boulderpaw, Goldenpaw and Lightningpaw began walking off. When Goldenpaw noticed Fiercepaw wasn't following them, she glanced back.
"Aren't you coming?" She asked and Fiercepaw peered up at her father. He paused before nodding.
"Yup!" Fiercepaw muttered, backing away from her father in a crawl and then leaping to her silver paws, shaking her pelt out and bounding away from him and her leader with obvious relief.
"What happened?" Lightningpaw asked quietly, shooting a glance over his shoulder. Fiercepaw quietly whispered what had happened, Goldenpaw and Lightningpaw's eyes steadily growing wider.
"-and I know I shouldn't have been so harsh but there is just something about him that I don't like." Fiercepaw muttered, shaking her head and flopping down on the sunning rocks.
"I feel the same way but still. I mean, don't you think it is a little wrong of us to be treating him like this?" Lightningpaw asked uncertainly. Goldenpaw nodded but Fiercepaw just sighed, rolling onto her side and not saying anything.
Goldenpaw exchanged a look with Lightningpaw, not used to seeing this side of Fiercepaw. It is the side that belonged with that dark possessiveness Fiercepaw was displaying the day Smolderpaw came to camp and Blueflame went out on a hunting patrol with Swanfang, making Fiercepaw stay in camp to be on elder duty. It rarely ever appears but when it does, Fiercepaw seems…broken and they can't help but wonder if this is because of how violently she lost her littermate at only three moons old.
It isn't something that normally happens with Clan cats.
Usually, when a kit or kits sneak out, they are found before anything bad can happen. The tragedy that was Silverpaw…it has rarely happened before so no one knew what to say or do. As a result, there are times when Fiercepaw is quiet and they get the feeling her mind is off, reliving that terrible night.
Fiercepaw has night terrors sometimes, where she will twitch and mewl, small cries escaping her. There isn't much they can do except go and get either Talonstrike or Blueflame so they can curl around Fiercepaw until she falls into a quiet but restless sleep. They usually leave before Fiercepaw wakes up and she never says anything to make them think she knows about it.
"Fiercepaw, what are you going to do now?" Lightningpaw meowed, his amber eyes uncertain. Fiercepaw raised her head, glancing over at the camp entrance where the search patrol has disappeared through.
"Why should I do anything?" Fiercepaw meowed, twisting so she is laying on her back, her silver paws curled into her chest, the sun warming her pelt.
"Maybe because you are the reason Smolderpaw is even missing?" Goldenpaw meowed. Fiercepaw stiffened, rolling over and narrowing her silver eyes at the older female.
"And?" Fiercepaw meowed, an edge to her voice that neither of them has ever heard from their bubbly friend before.
"And maybe we should go and convince Smolderpaw to come back?" Goldenpaw meowed hesitantly, not wanting to push her friend too far.
"If he's smart, he'll stay away." Fiercepaw meowed, shrugging carelessly.
"How can you say that?" Lightningpaw meowed, sounding distressed.
"What is you two's problem?" Fiercepaw meowed angrily, pushing to her paws and stalking off, lashing her black silver-tipped tail behind her. Fiercepaw pushed her way into the apprentice den, muttering angrily under her breath and flopping into her nest, her pelt still bristling with anger.
It took a while before Fiercepaw had managed to calm herself into sleeping but when she did, she found herself in StarClan, running around with Silverpaw. For the first time that day, Fiercepaw relaxed and allowed herself to have fun, purring with her littermate.
Fiercepaw and Silverpaw frolicked in the fields of vibrant green grass, rolling around and play wrestling until they were tired and could flop in the grass, panting and tired but beyond happy. Silverpaw turned his head and opened his mouth, his warm amber eyes glittering under the sun.
"I wonder if I will- wake up." Confused, Fiercepaw stared at her littermate.
"What do you mean?" She meowed, an insistent prodding on her back irritating her. Fiercepaw shifted, trying to dislodge the rock.
"Fiercepaw, I think- you need to wake up!" Fiercepaw jerked awake, freezing and staring up at Goldenpaw, narrowing her silver eyes; cross at waking up before her time was up with her littermate.
"What do you want?" Fiercepaw meowed, sitting up in her next.
"The patrol is back with Smolderpaw- apparently they found him with a group of rouges." Goldenpaw meowed.
"I knew it! He was fleeing back to his old life like a frightened kit." Fiercepaw meowed scornfully, shaking her head and climbing to her paws.
"No actually, he had gotten lost and stumbled onto the no-pelt's territory. He was just talking to the rouges to try and find his way back here- back to our Clan." Goldenpaw meowed eagerly. Fiercepaw was still suspicious though, not believing the story.
"That's likely." Fiercepaw scoffed and Goldenpaw narrowed her green eyes.
"I know you don't like him, Fiercepaw but you should give him a chance." Goldenpaw meowed, bravely standing up to her friend, even at the risk of possibly losing her.
"Why should I? I don't trust him and no one will listen to me!" Fiercepaw meowed heatedly, a little hurt hiding behind her anger.
"I listen to you and so does Lightningpaw but there isn't anything we can do until Smolderpaw says or does something to prove him to be a bad cat!" Goldenpaw meowed urgently, trying to make Fiercepaw see the reality of their situation. "We can't ice him out, just because anymore!" Goldenpaw meowed sharply. "My father and your father are taking notice and my father called a Clan meeting. He went over his disappointment in all of the apprentices for not warming up to Smolderpaw and then went on to assign us all punishments. I am on elder duty, Lightningpaw has to clean the warrior's den, Honeypaw has to clean out Mintleaf's den and collect new herbs to replace the old stock, Boulderpaw has to clean the apprentice's den and you are going to have to do the nursing den, in addition to being assigned to Smolderpaw." Goldenpaw explained, relaxing a little when she saw Fiercepaw wasn't so angry anymore.
"Why?" Fiercepaw wailed, shaking her spiky head, her fringe flopping in front of her eyes until she shook it away.
"I'm not really sure, I wasn't paying attention at that part. I actually came in here because Lionstar wants to speak with you about being assigned to Smolderpaw. Only, you aren't supposed to know about that so pretend to be really mad about that, okay?" Goldenpaw meowed anxiously.
"That won't be so hard to pretend." Fiercepaw snorted and sighed, looking at her golden friend. "I'm sorry about snapping at you and Lightningpaw earlier." Fiercepaw meowed awkwardly, not really one for apologizing. "I was just so frustrated because it seemed like no one was listening to my feeling and I lashed out." Fiercepaw dropped her silver eyes to her paws, shame flushing through her pelt.
"It's okay- well, no it wasn't okay but I do forgive you and I'm sure Lightningpaw will too." Goldenpaw meowed, leaning forward and brushing her nose against Fiercepaw's ear. Smiling, Fiercepaw nuzzled her friend back.
"Wish me luck." Fiercepaw sighed and Goldenpaw laughed a little, following Fiercepaw out of the den.
"Good luck!" Goldenpaw meowed, bounding over to Lightningpaw's side. The big white and silver tom was staring anxiously at the warrior's den, no doubt wondering how long it would take him to clean it out.
Fiercepaw trotted towards the Leader's Perch, bypassing it and pausing outside the leader's den, anxiety churning in her gut. Taking a deep breath, Fiercepaw poked her head through the curtain of lichen, peering in the surprisingly well lit den.
"Fiercepaw, come on in." Lionstar meowed, settled in his nest with Talonstrike, Blueflame and Smolderpaw gathered around him. Fiercepaw's eyes widened when she saw Blueflame and the way his breathing was labored.
"Blueflame!" Fiercepaw gasped, hurrying forward and hovering anxiously beside him. "You shouldn't be out of your nest yet! It's too soon!" Fiercepaw scolded him, gently nudging until he laid down.
"I had to, Fiercepaw. You've been causing trouble…again." Blueflame meowed wryly, shaking his sleek, large blue head at her. Fiercepaw shrunk back a little, wincing. Blueflame sighed, starting to sit up.
"Don't!" She protested, gently pushing down on his neck. Blueflame sighed again but laid down, flicking his ears in annoyance. "I am sorry I caused all this trouble-" Fiercepaw began.
"I'm not the one you should be telling this to." Blueflame meowed pointedly and Fiercepaw stiffened, refusing to look over Blueflame and past Talonstrike where Smolderpaw was sitting.
"He's sitting in the den, he can hear me." Fiercepaw muttered and Blueflame narrowed his orange eyes. If there had been more disappointment or anger, Fiercepaw would have just bristled and given a forced apology.
Instead, she saw understanding and empathy. It shamed her and Fiercepaw felt genuine guilt for being so cruel to Smolderpaw earlier.
"I'm sorry, Smolderpaw, for saying those things about rouges." Fiercepaw meowed softly, looking over at Smolderpaw. The dark grey and orange-red tom gazed at her through narrowed reddish-orange eyes, his muscles tensing the slightest bit.
Fiercepaw thought for a moment that he wouldn't accept her apology until he nodded curtly at her.
"Thank you." He meowed stiffly, as though he were unused to those particular words passing from his mouth.
"Now that we have gotten that out of the way," Lionstar meowed. "Your punishment is cleaning out the nursing den and helping Smolderpaw learn the ways of StormClan." Lionstar meowed. Fiercepaw remembered her promise to Goldenpaw and allowed a little of her anger to flash through her eyes but dipped her head respectfully.
"Yes, Lionstar." Fiercepaw meowed, staring mutinously at the ground. Blueflame flicked his tail up, stroking it down her flank.
"And as for you-" Lionstar turned to Smolderpaw and Fiercepaw raised her head curiously, not expecting the tom to get into trouble. "-You will be assigned to grooming the elders every sunrise for the rest of the moon." Lionstar meowed. Fiercepaw narrowed her eyes.
"That isn't even a punishment though!" Fiercepaw exclaimed and Talonstrike turned his head away with a sudden bout of coughing to mask his laughter.
"Fiercepaw, grooming the elders isn't usually something the apprentices are lining up to do." Lionstar meowed, amusement ringing in his voice. All of them with the exception of Smolderpaw know full well she enjoys spending time with the elders.
"I know but since I do that every day anyway, the elders rarely ever have any fleas or ticks!" Fiercepaw protested.
"That is true." Talonstrike mused, glancing at Blueflame, who nodded in agreement. "I assigned Fiercepaw with herb gathering duty for the rest of the moon, perhaps we could assign Smolderpaw to that as well? It would allow her to teach him about the herbs Mintleaf uses for her store." Talonstrike suggested. Lionstar nodded thoughtfully and Fiercepaw's heart sunk in her chest. Spending more time with Smolderpaw was the last thing she wanted.
"Then that is settled. Are there any more questions or protests?" Lionstar meowed and Fiercepaw opened her mouth. Blueflame slapped his tail over her mouth and she spit it out, glaring at him.
"Leave it be." Blueflame advised her, stiffly staggering to his paws. "You don't want any more punishments, do you?" Blueflame meowed and Fiercepaw hesitated before huffing and circling him so she could hook her shoulder under his. Blueflame leaned gratefully on Fiercepaw as she escorted him out of the Leader's den, across the clearing and back into the medicine den. "Thank you." Blueflame meowed, settling into the nest with a grateful sigh.
Fiercepaw didn't say anything back, she just curled into a ball against his back, stretching her head out across his neck and closing her eyes.
Blueflame paused and then began purring soothingly and Fiercepaw relaxed, knowing that she may be in trouble with Lionstar and Talonstrike for being so hostile towards Smolderpaw but Blueflame isn't mad at her. He just accepts her how she is.
And that comforts Fiercepaw more than she would like to admit.