" Spottedleaf," Bluestar mewed, giving the medicine cat's shoulder a gently lick, " I'd like for you to come to this gathering." Spottedleaf nodded nervously. " Of course, Bluestar, I'm honored." Bluestar dipped her head gracefully. " Glad to hear it, Spottedleaf." she growled, narrowing her piercing blue eyes. " We will leave in a minute. Let me get the apprentices." Spottedleaf's ears stood up at once. Apprentices? She thought, heart thudding loudly. Her question was answered as soon as she saw the three friends pad over- Graypaw, Ravenpaw, and...Firepaw. Spottedleaf gave Firepaw a warm smile, and meowed, " Hello, Firepaw, Graypaw, and of course, Ravenpaw. Excited to go to tonight's gathering?" The she-cat let out a mrrow of laughter. " Always, Spottedleaf!" exclaimed Firepaw, who went over to share tongues with her. As Spottedleaf shared tongues with the apprentice in delight, she noticed Graypaw shoot Ravenpaw a suspicious glance. What did that mean? Ignoring the action, she continued to enjoy the precious moment with Firepaw. It wasn't until Bluestar cleared her throat. " Spottedleaf? Firepaw? Are we ready?" The leader looked clearly agitated, and Spottedleaf stood up straight. " Ready as ever, let's go." Bluestar turned to face the apprentices. " Boys? Are you ready? We will be late." Each cat nodded quickly, and followed behind Bluestar obediently.
When the group was almost at Fourtrees, Spottedleaf fell behind and joined Firepaw's side. " Well, how are you doing, Firepaw?" She asked casually, bending over to touch noses with him. " I am fine Spottedleaf. Yourself?" Spottedleaf chuckled. " Just fine, just fine." The truth was, that she wasn't. " Um, Firepaw, are you hurt?" she spluttered. The words came out unannounced. It felt awkward to say them, and Spottedleaf just wished she could go back in time and erase what she just said!. " No, I'm good. Why?" The apprentice answered, tilting his head to one side. The youthful she-cat looked at the ground. " I don't quite know. I worry sometimes...that something will happen." That was a lie. A white lie, though, and she was relieved to see Firepaw give her a quick lick. " How sweet of you, Spottedleaf, to worry about me. Don't though, I'll be just fine!" He reassured her happily. Spottedleaf nodded and swallowed. It wasn't like her to lie, and now she felt guilty for lying to her crush especially.
" We're here," Bluestar announced, nodding at her group of cats. Spottedleaf took a seat up front rather awkwardly, among other medicine cats. They knew her quite well; almost always cheery, positive, and very optimistic. It wasn't like her to be this depressed. " Spottedleaf, are you ok?" They asked her, clearly puzzled. " Oh! Yes, I'm fine." she answered, giving her paws a quick lick. Her deep thoughts seemed to zone out the leader's conversations; almost all about Firepaw; and before she knew it, it was time to go back. On the way, Spottedleaf noticed Bluestar approaching her. " Spottedleaf, I have been watching you, and you have never seemed more depressed. It seems to be getting worse each day, and I worry for you. It is my job to look over the cats. And yours, Spottedleaf, but, will you please lighten up? It's been a good year. Almost no problems have we run into. We have a plentiful amount of fresh kill, a surplus, and never have we been so fortunate. I hate to see you being a downer, Spottedleaf. Please try to make the best of it- whatever in Starclan is troubling you. It is none of my business-yet" Spottedleaf noticed she emphasized the word "yes" by a lot. Deep inside, she wondered if the talk with Bluestar had helped her condition at all. She would have to lighten up- for Bluestar and her clan- and to do that, she had to get what she wanted. It was time to confront Firepaw, and let out her feelings she had been holding for so long.