Chapter 23: Like or Hate
The garden Purdy told us to wait in wasn't all that bad. It was unseasonably green. There were plenty flowers and other flora I had never seen before. There also was a sizable patch of catmint. I couldn't help smiling at the sight. I couldn't help muttering jokingly that Father would hate it here. I never really understood his hatred of the stuff. Sure, it has a strong scent, but it wasn't intolerable. On the other paw, I never cared much for the plant either. It just wasn't tantalizing to me. I still remember a certain prank Squirrelpaw and I did on Father so long ago. We snuck a bunch of catmint into Father's nest when he slept. He was furious, and we almost got grounded for a full moon. I was so glad when Dad (Ravenfeather) talked him out of punishing us. Of course, Father got the last laugh when he snuck a bit of mouse bile into both my and Squirrelpaw's nests.
Tawnypelt caught me smiling, so she decided to ask the question. "What's got you smiling?"
I shook my head dismissively. "Oh, nothing. Just remembering a prank Squirrelpaw and I did on my father long ago. We put catmint into his nest."
Crowpaw scoffed at the idea. "Weak! That wasn't even a prank. All you did is make him smell nice."
Squirrelpaw interjected at that. "Then you don't know Smudgefoot. He hates the stuff."
"How?! Everyone loves catmint. Mudfur actually has to hide his supplies to keep us from getting into them. You've got to be lying. No cat alive dislikes catmint." Crowcaw yelled back.
Brambleclaw padded over, having overheard the conversation. "It's true. Despite all logic, Smudgefoot just doesn't like catmint. On top of that, he can sense it better than the rest of us. Cinderpelt actually sends him to find some when she runs low because he'll find far more than she could."
"I mean, I don't care all that much for the stuff. It's just a smelly plant. I really don't understand the appeal." I commented, getting a sharp look from the others.
"Something is seriously wrong with your family. Are you even cats?" Crowpaw mewed somewhat jokingly.
Stormfur and Feathertail came trotting over, curious about what we talking about. "What's going on over here?" Feathertail mewed.
"Please, in the name of Starclan, do not tell me that you Somehow dislike catmint." Crowpaw begged toward the pair.
"I mean, yeah, I like the stuff. It smells good. Why?" Feathertail answered.
"It does have a pleasant smell, but I wouldn't go out of my way for it." Was Stormfur's answer.
"Darkpaw somehow committed the heresy of disliking catmint." Crowpaw announced.
"Woah. Woah. I didn't say I hated it. I just don't see the appeal. They don't particularly smell good or bad to me, just strong. It's my father who hates them." I countered.
"How?!" Feathertail clamored.
Meanwhile Stormfur nodded acceptingly. "I get it. I'd take the scent of a fresh caught fish over the scent of catmint any day."
Feathertail whirled at Stormfur's answer. "What?! How could someone of my own blood say something so utterly preposterous?"
"It's not that big a deal. The plant is useful, so it is pleasant to catch its sent and know that a patch resides nearby. Now a freshly caught fish's scent at least promises a tasty meal soon." Stormfur countered back.
"Unbelievable! How did I never catch that you've got a broken nose?" Feathertail jokingly argued back. "Brambleclaw, Tawnypelt, Squirrelpaw. What are your thoughts on catmint?"
"I don't really care how it smells. I just like how much it irritates Smudgefoot and that it's a good way to convince my dad not to ground me." Squirrelpaw answered.
"I'm going to have to side with Feathertail here. Catmint does in fact smell good." Brambleclaw mewed.
"Same." Was Tawnypelt's response.
"Alright then. Let's leave these catmint haters here and go chat over there." Feathertail mewed, leading Crowpaw, Tawnypelt, and Brambleclaw away.
"Abandoned by my own sister." Stormfur mewed with a small laugh. "What brought up the subject of catmint anyways.
"Oh. Darkpaw was telling Tawnypelt about a prank where we snuck some into Smudgefoot's nest because he hates the stuff." Squirrelpaw answered.
Stormfur let out a little chuckle before mewing. "Reminds me of the time I snuck a week old fish into Feathertail's nest when we were apprentices. She didn't notice and woke up smelling like rotted fish. She was so mad." Stormfur regaled, laughing at his own recounting.
"Reminds me of when I snuck a thorn into Brambleclaw's nest not that long ago." I mewed back.
"How long ago was it then, and what made you do it?" Stormfur inquired.
"He called me Squirrelpaw's lackey." I answered, somewhat cross that he never actually apologized for the insult.
"Sounds like he deserved it." Stormfur agreed.
"Yeah. Just because Darkpaw likes to stick around me to make sure I don't get in trouble doesn't mean he's my lackey or anything. If anything, we're partners. Admittedly, I drag him into a lot, and sometimes I don't listen to his advice and get him in trouble. It's also usually me that starts anything…" Squirrelpaw mewed, going quiet the longer she went on. Finally, after a moment of quiet pondering, she asked. "Am I a bad friend?"
"You're a perfectly fine friend. I wouldn't be dragged along if I didn't like you. You're my best friend. Why would you ever doubt that?" I consoled, knowing perfectly well that when she got an idea stuck in her head, she tended to spiral with it. I shot Stormfur a pleading look to try and help me on this.
"What Darkpaw is trying to say is that in every friend group, there usually is a cat that's the leader. You just happen to be it in this case. You two definitely have a fine and healthy friendship. If you're really worried that you abuse Darkpaw's friendship, then just be more mindful in whatever hijinks you get up to. Maybe ask Darkpaw before you launch into a scheme." Stormpaw soothed.
"Thanks Stormfur. I'll try to be more mindful." Squirrelpaw mewed. I meanwhile just gave Stormfur a nod of thanks.
Dawn's light was starting to peek through the horizon, so it was time to bed down for the day.