Poll still in profile for Ravenpaw's warrior name vote for it.
OK I redid this chapter purely because I forgot that Sparrowpaw use to be a kittypet and I thought to myself "shouldn't there be more conflict about her becoming a medicine warrior? There was a ton of conflict about Mothwing becoming a medince cat and she was a rogue; so shouldn't there be conflict about Sparrowpaw becoming a medicine warrior?" and that thought is what brought on the changes in this chapter. Let me know what your thinking
Chapter 3
Sparrowpaw followed Spottedleaf to her den, once inside Spottedleaf lead her to a spotted in her den that was full of herbs and berries. As Sparrowpaw walked through the den she saw a black furry shape in one of the nests and new it was Ravenpaw; the tom was still sleeping. Sparrowpaw put her bundle of comfrey down where Spottedleaf indicated.
"Thank you Sparrowpaw, I was wondering if you could do one more thing for me?" asked Spottedleaf. Sparrowpaw nodded.
"Sure what do you need me to do?" she asked curiously
"Can you chew up some of this dock and put the poultice on Ravenpaw's scratches?" Spottedleaf meowed softly. "I want to finish storing the rest of these herbs and berries away, but I know Ravenpaw's wounds are bothering him, can you do that for me?"
"Okay I can do that," Sparrowpaw replied, she then began to chew the dock leaves into a poultice then carried it over to Ravenpaw. Finding a nasty scratch along his flank she gently dabbed at the wound with the poultice. Ravenpaw stirred a little and looked at her as she treated his injuries.
"Your one of the new apprentices aren't you?" he breathed quietly. Sparrowpaw nearly jumped, as she hadn't expected Ravenpaw to wake up.
"Yes I am, my name is Sparrowpaw; my brother, Firepaw, and I joined ThunderClan together." She purred softly.
"Are you Spottedleaf's apprentice?" he asked quietly. Sparrowpaw blinked in surprise because of his question, then gently shook her head.
"No, she asked me to help her carry her herbs, then she asked me to look after you while she sorted her herb supply. " Sparrowpaw explained.
"That's odd, Spottedleaf doesn't normally let any cat help her with her duties," Sparrowpaw looked at him in shock.
"She never lets anyone help her?" Ravenpaw shook his head slowly.
"Well she might borrow an apprentice to help her gather herbs, but she's never let one help her with a patient before." Sparrowpaw took all this in wondering what it all meant.
"Is that why you thought I was her apprentice?" she asked softly.
"Well that and only a medicine cat or medicine warrior could apply a poultice on a wound so calmly and gently that it doesn't hurt the patient." Ravenpaw purred. Sparrowpaw's ear's twitched in embarrassment.
"I should go and let Spottedleaf know you're awake," Sparrowpaw meowed quickly and moved in the direction she last saw Spottedleaf.
"Spottedleaf, Ravenpaw's awake." She told the tortoiseshell.
"Okay, I'll go check on him now, you should go get something to eat and rest. Thank you for helping me out." Spottedleaf meowed gratefully.
"No problem, I didn't mind." Sparrowpaw purred. "Bye Spottedleaf" with that she meowed, she turned and head for the entrance to Spottedleaf's den meowing a quick goodbye to Ravenpaw as she left.
She found her brother and Graypaw , talking to two other apprentices in front of the apprentice den. One of which she recognized as Dustpaw the other was a pale ginger she-cat, who she guessed was Sandpaw.
"We're going to the gathering to night, don't worry will tell you all about it when we get back." Meowed Dustpaw, haughtily. Sparrowpaw wanted to whip the look of his face. Just then Bluestar called for the cats going to the gathering.
"Well see you three later, enjoy your quiet evening at home." Meowed Sandpaw over her shoulder as she and Dustpaw joined the other cats.
"Have you been to gathering Graypaw?" Sparrowpaw asked curiously.
"No not yet I haven't been training that long." he explained "I'm sure it won't be long till I do go to one though, maybe we'll go together." Sparrowpaw purred gently and nodded her head in agreement.
"Let's get some prey, I'm starving" meowed Graypaw leading the two over to the fresh-kill pile. Sparrowpaw sniffed at the pile and pulled out a mouse. Firepaw pulled out a vole to eat. Graypaw also pulled out a vole and lead the three back to the front of the apprentice den where they began to eat their prey.
"Hey Sparrowpaw you spent a lot of time with Spottedleaf, what were you doing?" asked Firepaw.
"Oh well after I took the herbs to her den, she asked me to help her treat Ravenpaw's wound while she sorted and stored her herbs." Sparrowpaw explained. Graypaw choked on a piece of mouse meat he had been about to swallow. After coughing the piece back up and taking several deep breaths he stared wide eyed at Sparrowpaw.
"She let you help her treat Ravenpaw's wounds?" asked Graypaw astonished.
"Umm…yeah she had me chew up a poultice and apply it to his wound." She meowed squirming uncomfortably under Graypaw's gaze. "Why is that such a big deal? Haven't you done that before?"
"It's a big deal because Spottedleaf never lets anyone help treat a patient unless there has just been a huge battle and she can't treat everyone at once." Graypaw explained.
"What does that mean?" Firepaw asked looking worriedly at his sister.
"I think Spottedleaf might want to make Sparrowpaw her apprentice." Graypaw explained watching Sparrowpaw's reaction.
"No I don't think that's the case, maybe she just wanted the help, she seemed like she was busy." Explained Sparrowpaw.
"I guess so, but I wouldn't be surprised if she does want you to become a medicine cat." Graypaw meowed. Sparrowpaw looked at the mouse in her paws and devoured it in a few famished mouthfuls. She yawned and headed into the apprentice den. Firepaw followed after her curling into his nest beside her nest.
Sparrowpaw opened her eyes and found herself out in the forest. Prey scent surrounded her as she breathed in deeply.
"Hello again young one," meowed a voice. She whipped around and saw Featherwhisker.
"Umm hello," Sparrowpaw meowed confused 'why do I keep dreaming of this cat?' she thought Featherwhisker purred to her.
"I came to show you these," he meowed point his tail at a plant that has round, yellow leaves, and has a very sweet and strong scent. "If you find these, give some to Spottedleaf she'll be grateful." Sparrowpaw was even more confused. 'This dream is stranger then the last dream.' She thought.
"What is special about that plant?"
"It can help with a deadly illness that comes in the time of leaf-bare." Featherwhisker explained.
"I don't really understand, but I'll do it." Sparrowpaw promised.
"Good it's time for you to wake up now."
Sparrowpaw opened her eyes and saw the gray light that appeared before dawn. She stretched out of her nest and nudged her brother.
"Come on Firepaw wake up, we should head off to the training hollow." She meowed softly in his ear. Firepaw yawned and opened a bright emerald eye.
"Okay let's wake up Graypaw," he meowed
Once Graypaw had been awaken. They headed for the sandy hollow none of them bothering to wake Sandpaw and Dustpaw. Once there they waited patiently for their mentors to show up. They were surprised when Ravenpaw showed up looking no worse for wear. Ravenpaw seemed happy to see them, but there was a haunted and sad look in his eye. 'This will be his first training session without his mentor.' She thought sadly. Graypaw seemed to notice too.
"Hey Ravenpaw you going to be okay?" asked Graypaw
"Yeah, I'm alright."
"Is your shoulder bothering you?" Sparrowpaw asked with some concern.
"No, I'm fine and I promise to let you know if it hurts again you took good care of me yesterday." Ravenpaw purred. Sparrowpaw twitched her ears again in embarrassment and glared fiercely at Firepaw who was snickering at her. They caught their mentor's scent getting closer and began to quiet down as they approached. Lionheart and Mistflower emerged from the bushes and into the clearing followed surprisingly by Spottedleaf and Nightsong. The apprentices watched them curiously
"Well, it's good to see you all here bright and early." Meowed Lionheart in approval. "Spottedleaf has asked to join us today." He added noting their curious stares.
"I wanted to keep an eye on Ravenpaw and make sure he doesn't over do it." Spottedleaf explained.
"And I'm here to assist on your training," meowed Nightsong looking like she wanted to be somewhere else. Sparrowpaw narrowed her eyes at her.
"Okay let's work on stalking shall we?" asked Lionheart looking at each apprentice. "Okay what's the difference between stalking a rabbit and stalking a mouse?"
"A rabbit could smell you before he sees you and a mouse will feel your pawsteps before it would smell you." Meowed Graypaw.
"Well-spoken Graypaw," meowed Lionheart, "So what must you do when stalking mice?"
"Step lightly?" asked Firepaw
"Yes, very good Firepaw, you'll need to take your weight onto your haunches, so your paws don't impact on the ground." Lionheart explained "Now try let's try it." Sparrowpaw and Firepaw watched as Graypaw and Ravenpaw dropped into the crouch.
"Well done, Graypaw." Purred Lionheart approvingly.
"Ravenpaw shift your weight a little and lower your rear some. That's better" called Mistflower
"Yeah he doesn't look like a duck anymore." Hissed Nightsong. Mistflower gave her sister a disapproving look.
"Now you two try it." Meowed Mistflower toward Firepaw and Sparrowpaw. The two into a hunting crouch, Firepaw fell into the crouch instinctively, but Sparrowpaw had some trouble getting the crouch right. Mistflower quickly corrected her, telling her what she was doing wrong and helping her fix her position.
"Okay now try creeping." Meowed Mistflower. Firepaw started forward but he was slow and his movement was awkward, which Nightsong was quick to point out.
"Your twolegs aren't here to feed you, you look like a lumbering kittypet, do you expect the prey to dive into your paws when they see you coming?" she sneered. Sparrowpaw felt her blood boil wanting to say something to the black warrior, but Spottedleaf beat her to it.
"That's enough Nightsong, you know this is his first lesson, he did his crouch excellently his movement and pace will come later." She meowed a little harshly herself.
"Sparrowpaw have a go at it." Spottedleaf told her, while ignoring Nightsong's glare. Sparrowpaw took a deep breath and stepped forward. Creeping gently and quickly.
"Well done," meowed Lionheart. "Your crouching still needs some work, but your stalking was excellent."
"Why not let them try catching some real prey?" asked Mistflower
"That's a wonderful idea Mistflower," meowed Lionheart. "Okay Ravenpaw try for prey near the Owltree, Graypaw check that bramble patch not far over there, Firepaw follow those rabbit tracks over there they should lead to a stream and Sparrowpaw try near those juniper bushes up ahead. I want each of you to catch something and bring it back here." Once he had finished the apprentices headed off to their assigned area. Sparrowpaw found the nearby juniper bushes and began to scent the area for some prey. She caught the scent of a vole nearby and started into her crouch. She could tell she was a little off and fixed her crouch stalking forward carefully. She could see the vole munching on a seed she kept her weight on her haunches moving swiftly till she was close enough then she sprang forward trapping the rodent between her paws. She deliver a vicious bite to its throat. She then picked up the prey keeping her head and tail high. She paused when she spotted something yellow in her peripheral vision. She looked and saw with disbelief that it was the plant she had seen in her dream. Just as the thought came to her, she could hear Featherwhisker's voice again.
"If you find these, give some to Spottedleaf she'll be grateful." Sparrowpaw stared at the plant for a long time wondering what she should do. 'I'll just take a few leaves, I can always say I was just curious what they were because I hadn't seen them before.' She reasoned with herself. She pulled off a few leaves and picked up her vole again carrying them back to the training hollow.
When she got back Firepaw had already returned with a mouse in front of his paws. She purred in delight, happy in the knowledge that her brother had caught something. Lionheart and Mistflower congratulated her on her first catch as she placed down her vole. She took her leaves and brought them to Spottedleaf.
"Spottedleaf do you know what these are?" she asked. Spottedleaf examined the leaves and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Where did you find these?" Spottedleaf asked her almost urgently.
"I found them near where I was hunting, why what are they?" she asked looking at the leaves again.
"They are tansy leaves. I've been looking for them for a while now, the spot I normally find them has dried up and the tansy no longer grows there. They are useful against greencough." Spottedleaf explained.
"What is greencough?" Firepaw asked
"It is a deadly disease that has caused many deaths, it usually only occurs during leafbare." Spottedleaf told him. Sparrowpaw was once again experiencing shock. 'Just like Featherwhisker told me in my dream.'
"You must show me where you found the tansy so that I may come and collect some for later." Spottedleaf stated. Sparrowpaw nodded though she was slightly dazed and led Spottedleaf to where she found the tansy.
After the apprentices had finished their lesson they headed back to camp, Sparrowpaw was confused the entire journey back to camp. Once they were back in camp the apprentices were lying outside their den listening to Sandpaw and Dustpaw brag about the gathering; Mistflower approached the group and looked straight at Sparrowpaw.
"Sparrowpaw, Bluestar wishes to see you in her den." Mistflower spoke softly. Sparrowpaw gazed anxiously from her to the leader's den.
"Do you know why?" she asked worriedly. Mistflower shook her head.
"No I don't but it's best not to keep her waiting." She replied.
"Can I come too?" Firepaw asked clearly not wanting his sister to face Bluestar alone.
"No she only asked for Sparrowpaw," meowed Mistflower. 'What did I do? Did Bluestar change her mind and decide I'm not worth training as an apprentice?' she shakily got to her paws and moved slowly toward the leader's den. Her pawsteps felt heavier the closer she go to the entrance. She called a greeting into the den, which was answered and she stepped into the den. Once inside she sat upon the sandy ground and was surprised to see Spottedleaf with her in the den.
"I'm sure you're wondering why I've called you into my den." Bluestar meowed. It was clearly a statement and Sparrowpaw nodded her head. "I believe Spottedleaf should tell you." The blue-gray leader turned her attention to Spottedleaf who was watching Sparrowpaw carefully.
"Sparrowpaw, how much do you know about medicine cats?" she asked curiously. Sparrowpaw blinked slowly wondering what the question had to do with her, but answered anyway.
"They treat wounds and any sickness a warrior might have and the talk to StarClan," she summarized what Graypaw had told her the other day. Spottedleaf nodded approvingly.
"Yes we do all those things, StarClan spoke to me recently and told me that there would be a cat that was worthy of being my successor, that would come to ThunderClan. I believe they were speaking of you." She finished. Sparrowpaw gaped at her.
"What that can't be right, if this is about those herbs that was nothing anyone could have found them." Sparrowpaw nearly yowled in hysteria.
"But what made you bring them to me?" asked SPottedleaf.
"I just had a strange dream and some cat told me to bring the tansy to you. I thought it was just a dream." She murmured. Bluestar and Spottedleaf looked at each other then turned their attention back to her.
"Who is the cat, does the cat have a name?" asked Bluestar
"I don't know who the cat is, just that his name is Featherwhisker," Sparrowpaw expected them to look at her like she was crazy, but was surprised to see Spottedleaf's eyes shining brightly and Bluestar was staring in surprise.
"Featherwhisker was my mentor," Spottedleaf explained "He died a few seasons ago. I believe he sent you a vision" Sparrowpaw's eyes widened in fear and she shivered a little.
"Y-You mean I-I wasn't dreaming?" she asked with a tremor in her voice.
"You were dreaming, it's how medicine cats share tongues with StarClan, but your dreams were special because he sent you a message." Bluestar explained to her, placing her tail on Sparrowpaw's shoulder attempting to calm her down.
"Is this the first time you've dreamt of him?" Spottedleaf asked her.
"No there was one other time, but that I'm sure was just a dream it made no since at all, and all I remember was something about Fire and the Clan" she half-lied looking at the two of them.
"No it wasn't just another dream, this is a sign of what you are meant to be." Spottedleaf spoke. But before she could continue Sparrowpaw butted in.
"No I can't be a medicine cat, I want to hunt and fight for the Clan. I don't want to constantly be searching for herbs and medicine cats can't have mates or kits, what if I want those?" she screeched
"You won't become a medicine cat, you would be a medicine warrior. You could have kits and a mate if you wished it, but there are certain rules you would have to follow." Spottedleaf assured her speaking softly and calmly. Sparrowpaw didn't seem convinced.
"What about my brother? Will I be able to see him?" she asked
"Of course you will, we will train with the other apprentices every once in a while, but you will have to move into my den." Sparrowpaw felt helplessness begin to sit in. 'They won't budge on this will they?'
"Do I have a choice?" she sighed
"Every cat has a choice; it's whether the choice they make is the right choice in the long run." Bluestar spoke, Sparrowpaw wince at Bluestar's, words she could tell the leader was probably speaking from experience. Taking a deep breath she sighed and nodded her head solemnly.
"Okay I'll do it," she whispered softly.
"I'll call for a ceremony." Bluestar meowed rising to her paws. Sparrowpaw stopped her.
"Wait, can I tell my brother first please?" she almost begged the blue leader, Bluestar nodded her head in understanding.
"Very well, I'll call for a meeting just before dusk." She meowed and dismissed Sparrowpaw, who all but ran out of Bluestar's den to get away. She headed back to the apprentice den where she was bombarded with questions. She raised her tail for silence.
"What happened? What did Bluestar want?" asked Firepaw
"She and Spottedleaf want me to become Spottedleaf's new apprentice," she sighed "I guess Graypaw and Ravenpaw were right."
"So did you accept it?" asked Graypaw curiously, Sparrowpaw nodded slowly.
"Yes I did," she spoke quietly
"So you won't train with us anymore?" asked Ravenpaw whose voice became sad.
"I'll train with you guys sometimes but, other times I'll be looking for herbs and learning healing methods." She explained. "And I'll be moving out of the apprentice den." She looked nervously at Firepaw wondering how he'll take the news. He looked at her a long time then finally spoke.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" he asked her, it reminded her of when she had asked if he was sure he wanted to join ThunderClan.
"Yes I am," she spoke wishing she fully believed her words, but knowing she couldn't go back on her word.
"Then I'm excited for you and I know you'll do well Sparrowpaw." He purred nuzzling her softly. Sparrowpaw nearly sobbed as she felt as though a weight was lifted off her, knowing that her brother was happy for her meant everything to her. She nuzzled him back purring softly.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join underneath the Highrock for a clan meeting" called Bluestar, and cats began to gather underneath the Highrock. Sparrowpaw sat in front of the Highrock looking nervous but determined. Bluestar turned to address the Clan.
"Cats of ThunderClan, Spottedleaf has an announcement she wishes to make," Bluestar nodded to Spottedleaf. Spottedleaf stepped forward to address the Clan.
"Cats of ThunderClan recently I've been sent dreams from our ancestors for the last moon, these dreams have be inclining that I should take on an apprentice, to be my successor." The Clan began to murmur to one another. Sparrowpaw looked around in surprise. 'This must be a big deal to them,' she thought as she heard Sandpaw and Dustpaw excitedly discussing who it might be and whether one of them would be chosen. Bluestar raised her tail for silence, nodding her head to Spottedleaf to continue.
"I held off on picking my apprentice because I wasn't sure who my apprentice should be. But I asked for a sign from StarClan and just today I have received that sign." Spottedleaf paused to let her words make an impact. Sparropaw could hear the other cats almost hold their breath in anticipation.
"A sparrow feather was placed on the front of the entrance to my den, and I know from the night before and from this morning that no sparrows had been caught in the fresh-kill pile," Spottedleaf spoke confidently. "That is why I have chosen Sparrowpaw as my apprentice." The silence that filled the air was deafening and the outcry that followed was devastating.
"But she's a kittypet, she knows nothing of StarClan," hissed Nightsong loud above the other voices.
"She's right, how can we trust her to follow our ways?" yowled Longtail from his spot beside Nightsong.
"If StarClan has chosen her then, we must accept their wishes," Whitestorm called out to the other cats. Sparrowpaw stepped forward turned to face the clan and proclaimed loudly to them.
"StarClan has sent me dreams as well this is why I know Spottedleaf speaks the truth." She called to the Clan. They became silent for a moment, but the silence was quickly broken by Nightsong.
"How do we now you speak the truth, you probably overheard Spottedleaf talking and planted the feather yourself." She sniffed haughtily. Sparrowpaw felt anger surge within herm she was about to tell Nightsong off when someone else beat her to it.
"Be silent Nightsong, your just jealous that you weren't chosen for the position." Hissed Mousefur who was currently sitting beside Whitestorm. Sparrowpaw was in disbelief, only days ago Mousefur had said she was unworthy to be an apprentice, yet now she was supporting her becoming a medicine apprentice. Nightsong spat vemonously at her and flexed her claws in retaliation. Their comments started up the argument once more and Clan continued to argue for a moment, Sparrowpaw felt fur brush against her as her brother, Ravenpaw and Graypaw came over to comfort her.
"ENOUGH," Yowled Bluestar loud above the voices of her Clanmates. The Clan quickly silenced again looking bewildered at their leader,
"What Whitestorm said earlier is true, If StarClan chose her she is to be accepted without question." She stared down the more protestant cats.
"And I never spoke with any cat about my dreams I only just spoke with Bluestar a few moments ago," Spottedleaf glared heatedly at Nightsong, who sniffed in contempt.
"If any cat wishes to go against the will of StarClan then I ask that you speak up now."Bluestar paused and waited. No one made a sound, Sparrowpaw saw all the protesters turn their heads away refusing to meet Bluestar's eyes.
"Then it's settled Sparrowpaw will be Spottedleaf's apprentice." Bluestar nodded to Spottedleaf letting her start the ceremony. Spottedleaf beckoned Sparrowpaw forward who blinked gratefully at her friends and brother before taking her place before Spottedleaf and Bluestar.
"Is it your wish to enter into the mysteries of StarClan and serve your Clan as a medicine warrior?" asked Spottedleaf looking into Sparrowpaw's eyes. Sparrowpaw took a deep breath.
"It is," she spoke unwaveringly. Spottedleaf beckoned her forward and she touched noses with the tortoiseshell.
"May StarClan light your path, young one, warriors of ThunderClan look fondly on this apprentice and teach her all you know so that she may serve her Clan to her fullest capabilities." Called Bluestar "And by the powers of StarClan I present her to you as a medicine warrior apprentice." Once finished she leaped from Highrock and touched her nose to Sparrowpaw's nose.
"Sparrowpaw, Sparrowpaw Sparrowpaw," some of the Clan chanted in excitement. Firepaw , Graypaw and Ravenpaw chanted the loudest. Nightsong, Longtail, Darkstripe and Tigerclaw were silent. As she looked among the cats present she could make out a faint starry silver-gray pelt and saw the cat give her a nod before fading away and for the first time she felt as though she was doing the right thing.
I hope you enjoyed the changes I made to this Chapter I feel better about this Chapter then I did when I first placed it.
Okay I decided to go this route with Princess aka Sparrowpaw basically because I think she'll be a good medicine warrior.
Sorry if Ravenpaw is a little OOC but I sort of did that intentionally since Redtail was supposed to be his mentor and probably would have been more patient with him then Tigerclaw was.
Okay let me know what you think of this story and Review
Now I just need to decide who Firepaw will be paired with, I'm considering making it so that Spottedleaf, CInderpaw and Sandstorm are all available for Firepaw to choose as a mate. Personally I don't care who his mate is, but you can tell me who you want; otherwise I might just draw a name out of a hat or something.
REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW feedback is necessary tell me what you think of this story, is it boring is it exciting, are you confused. Let me know.