Chapter 21
Ashpelt and Slitherpaw walked towards moonstone. Ashpelt kept glancing at Slitherpaw. Slitherpaw wasn't the most observant cat, but he knew something was up. "What is it Ashpelt?" He asked.
"Nothing." Ashpelt turned towards him, then he smiled. "Actually, it is something. But it's a surprise."
Slitherpaw nodded slowly. "Okay." He muttered.
They reached moonstone. This time they'd left early, and were the second group there. The only other cat around was Goldenglow. "How'd you beat us?" Slitherpaw wanted to know, a little astonished.
"I live right next to it." Goldenglow replied with a shrug.
They waited for everyone else to show up. Then Ashpelt cleared his throat. "I have an announcement to make." All the other medicine cats turned towards him. "Lizardpaw recently became a warrior, and I think it is time for Slitherpaw too, to get his name. His medicine cat name."
Slitherpaw's eyes lit up. He turned towards Emberheart in excitement, since she'd gotten her medicine cat name the last time they were here. Emberheart gave him a nod and a slight smile.
"Slitherpaw, you have proven an excellent medicine cat, probably better than I am. So from now on, you will be known was Slitherstep."
Drizzlepaw bounded into the medicine den, where Owlpaw was recovering and Tigerpaw was looking over her. "I told Fallenstar you were attacked by Death Trap!" Drizzlepaw declared.
"You did?" Tigerpaw breathed. Drizzlepaw nodded eagerly.
"Good." Owlpaw said, before Tigerpaw could speak again.
Drizzlepaw came a little closer and knelt down by Owlpaw. "Is there anything else I can do?"
Owlpaw shook her head. "I just need to rest right now."
Drizzlepaw nodded. "Okay." He got up and headed towards the exit.
"Hey Drizzlpaw!" Owlpaw called after him. Drizzlepaw turned around. "Thanks for, saving me."
Drizzlepaw smiled. Then he turned and walked out of the den.
Once he was gone Tigerpaw turned back to Owlpaw. "I'm so sorry. I didn't think she'd. . ."
"What, you didn't expect her to try to kill me?" Owlpaw snarled irritably. "All Death Trap talks about is killing cats."
"I-I just thought. . ." Tigerpaw stammered.
"You thought because she liked you, she wouldn't kill me?!" Owlpaw demanded. "Well let me tell you something. She's only nice to you because she needs you for her plan. She doesn't care about you at all!"
"And neither does this clan!" Tigerpaw hissed back. He had to keep his voice down in case Sliverstripes came in. Owlpaw looked up at him in surprise. "I haven't seen anything in this clan that makes them better than Death Trap and the rogues."
"You mean, aside from Death Trap trying to kill me?" Owlpaw wanted to know. She no longer sounded angry.
Tigerpaw sighed. "I can't do this." He admitted, shaking his head at the ground. "I can't pick."
"You have to." Owlpaw pushed.
Tigerpaw took a little while to respond. Then he looked up with purpose in his eyes. "No, I don't. I can go live as a loner."
Owlpaw gasped. "Tigerpaw. . ." She started.
Tigerpaw shook his head. "I can't decide what to do Owlpaw. I'll just end up feeling guilty over my choice anyway." He turned around walked towards the exit. "Good bye Owlpaw." Then he left. But unlike Drizzlepaw, Owlpaw knew he wouldn't be coming back.
(So that last chapter was longer than usual, this one is shorter than usual.)
