Bisexual
𝒳𝒶𝓎𝒶𝒽 ♥
"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵."
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Post by 𝒳𝒶𝓎𝒶𝒽 ♥ on Apr 29, 2017 18:13:42 GMT -5
WARNING. MAY BE GRAPHIC TO SOME READERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
Prologue
Clouds covered the moon, leaving the sky gloomy and dark. A thunder made the silence worse, and tiny raindrops fell from above. Honeystar laid in the nursery, her teeth rubbing against each other, showing the queen’s pain.
“Embersky!” She hissed, her ears flattened. “Embersky..” Honeystar kept muttering. The tabby she-cat looked hopefully over to her den-mate, Redlake.
“Hush Honeystar,” the fellow queen murmured. “Concentrate on your pain, and I’ll go fetch Embersky, alright?” Honeystar nodded, watching as Redlake got up, and left her two mewling kits behind. “Embersky!” She heard her call. “Hurry!” Hurriedly, Redlake followed the medicine cat back into the nursery.
“They’re arriving now?” Embersky asked with wide eyes. Wafts of stress filled Honeystar’s
nostrils as she sniffed the tabby tom, and then she nodded. He sighed.
“Give me a moment Honeystar. Hang in there.” Quickly, he turned and ran with lots of effort to
his den to get herbs and a stick. Tears escaped Honeystar’s amber eyes, and Redlake scooted closer to her while letting her kits suckle. “Shh,” she kept mewing. “Take deep breaths and close your eyes.” The leader obeyed, breathing heavily. Embersky entered the nursery at that moment with a wrapped up beech leaf hanging from his jaws. He set it down at Honeystar’s paws, and it unbundled to reveal two sticks and two poppy seeds. “I know I shouldn’t be giving you poppy seeds, but it soothes your pain and they’re not enough to make you sleep. Luckily.” he meowed. “Now, eat the seeds and if you feel pain, bite down on one of the sticks. I brought two in case you broke one.”
Honeystar nodded in respect, then gasping for air as she felt a kit coming. “Thank you Embersky..” She wheezed, quickly licking up the poppy seeds. She let out a relieved sigh, but bit down on a stick moments later. “Poor Honeystar,” Redlake muttered. “You must really hurt. I just don’t know why.” The queen licked Honeystar soothingly between the ears, whispering comforting words to her as well.
Embersky watched as a red tabby tom with a white chest, underbelly, muzzle, paws, and tail-tip emerged from Honeystar. The leader squealed with pain as another kit started coming out. “Clean him.” Embersky ordered, nosing the tomkit over to Honeystar’s paws. She quickly licked off the blood and liquid off of the kit, and then nosed the mewling tom to her stomach. He started suckling, and Honeystar smiled, watching him for a few minutes before more pain shot through her body, coursing up her spine. A brown she-kit plopped out in an instant, and Embersky nosed her to her mother, and Honeystar repeated her licking process.
“Embersky.” She meowed, panic coating the word. “What?” The medicine cat was focused on the next kit, but looked at her with curious eyes. “She’s not breathing.” Honeystar started panicking, and her breathing sped up. “What?” Embersky repeated. He nosed the brown kit, but she didn’t move. Sorrow clouded his eyes.
“I’m sorry,” he said, focusing on the next kit again. “Do you mean she’s..” Before Honeystar could continue, Embersky nodded. “Dead.” Honeystar teared up again, but more pain seared through her. “Urnh!” She yowled, and another tomkit, this time a gray kit with a white chest, underbelly, muzzle, paws, and tail-tip emerged. Embersky nosed him to Honeystar, and she licked him off again, then letting him suckle.
“I feel no more pain.” Honeystar sighed in relief, her head dropping to her paws. “I thank you Embersky. You’re an excellent medicine cat.” Embersky dipped his head respectfully at the leader. “Anything to serve you and your Clan.” He promised, then picking up the beech leaf and padding out of the den.
“You did amazing for your first birth,” Redlake meowed. “I’m impressed.” She had moved back to her original nest, watching Honeystar with a slight smile. Now a gray tom entered the nursery, purring with happiness. “I heard from Embersky that you did a great job.” He nuzzled Honeystar, then looked down at his two kits and his dead kit. “I also heard one of them had died..” He trailed off, and his eyes looked at the brown she-kit.
“It’s alright. We still have two beautiful tomkits.” Honeystar said, nosing the she-kit away. “I
want the red tabby to be Kestrelkit.” Greypelt nodded in agreement. “The gray tomkit should be Driftkit.” The couple agreed on the names, and Greypelt slept with his mate in the nursery for the night. |
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Bisexual
𝒳𝒶𝓎𝒶𝒽 ♥
"𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵."
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Post by 𝒳𝒶𝓎𝒶𝒽 ♥ on Apr 29, 2017 18:13:58 GMT -5
Chapter 1
Kestrelkit pounced on his unsuspecting brother’s tail, mewling with amusement as he turned around, surprised. “Hey! What was that for?” Driftkit mewled. Kestrelkit’s brother’s fur was sleek and well-groomed by their father, Graypelt. Their mother hadn’t groomed them because she was the leader, and the cat who was about to announce them as apprentices. “Just having a little fun before our apprentice ceremony.” Kestrelkit replied, snickering non-stop. “Be good now,” Graypelt scolded. “I want you two to look your best for your mother, and the Clan of course.” The tom was swiping his tongue over Kestrelkit, who squirmed in his grasp. “Hey! What did I just tell you?” Graypelt growled. “That you want me to look my best for our apprentice ceremony..” Kestrelkit recited with a frown. He quickly sat still, flinching whenever his father’s tongue had come across a burr or a knot in his fur. “There. You both are ready. Just in time, too.” Graypelt said, looking out of the entrance of the nursery to see his mate leap up onto the highledge. “All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under the highledge for a Clan meeting!” Honeystar announced, pride sparkling in her eyes. Driftkit didn’t need to hear his mother twice. He smiled with sheer excitement, bouncing to his paws. “Take your time. I want both of you to look proud of yourselves.” Graypelt reminded behind the two brothers. Driftkit puffed out his chest, turned his head up, and closed his eyes. “Like this, dad?” He asked, holding in his breath to look even more majestic. “Very good.” His father answered, nodding. Driftkit let out his breath, then smiling with bright green eyes. “My sons, wherever you are, come forward.” Driftkit heard his mother call. “This is our time!” Kestrelkit mewed excitedly. Driftkit bounced ahead of his brother, then strutting out of the nursery with his chin up. He heard Kestrelkit’s pawsteps behind him, and he puffed out his fluffy chest. He also felt dozens of stares burning into his pelt, and Driftkit felt hot. Once the two kits were directly in front of the highledge, Driftkit opened his eyes to look up and smile at his mother. “Driftkit, Kestrelkit, you both have reached the age of six moons, and it’s time for both of you to become apprentices,” Honeystar began. “From this day on, Driftkit, you will be known as Driftpaw. Troutwhisker will be your mentor. I hope she passes all she knows on to you.” Driftpaw spun around to face his new mentor, and the she-cat touched noses with him, then leading him away. “Kestrelkit,” Honeystar continued. “From this day on, you will be known as Kestrelpaw. Your mentor will be Tinypelt. I hope he passes all he knows on to you.” The tiny tom padded up to Kestrelpaw, and the two touched noses before Tinypelt led his new apprentice over to Troutwhisker. Now that I compare the two, Kestrelpaw looks as big as Tinypelt. Driftpaw thought with amusement. “I’m proud of you, my two sons. I hope you will train hard and become fine warriors.” Honeystar smiled down at the two toms, pride and profoundness gleaming in her eyes. “Driftpaw! Kestrelpaw! Driftpaw! Kestrelpaw!” The Clan cheered. Embarrassment flooded over Driftpaw as his name was called, and he crouched down with a sheepish smile. After a bit, the crowd of cats stopped cheering and they broke up to do their own duties. “So Driftpaw, what would you like to do first?” Troutwhisker had asked him once the meeting ended. He stood in the clearing. I haven’t actually thought about that. He thought. “It doesn’t matter to me,” he mewed. “I’m just glad to be an apprentice now.” His mentor’s eyes sparkled with relief. “Usually the apprentices I’ve had in the past, which are only two, always hated things like cleaning out the elders’ bedding or gathering moss.” Troutwhisker meowed. Huh. Cleaning out bedding doesn’t seem that bad.. Driftpaw thought. “Huh. Those tasks don’t seem bad at all.” He shrugged. “But maybe that’s just me.” The sleek she-cat smiled. “You’re different. I like that.” She said. “In that case, lets go explore the territory.” That’s exciting! Exploring the territory on the first day. Nice. Driftpaw followed Troutwhisker over to his brother and Tinypelt. “Hey Tinypelt,” the she-cat greeted. “I’m going to go show Driftpaw the first half of the territory; do you and Kestrelpaw want to tag along?” Driftpaw watched as his brother turned to his mentor, hope gleaming in his eyes. “No thanks.” Tinypelt replied. “I’m going to show Kestrelpaw where to find moss and how to retrieve it.” Kestrelpaw sighed, his shoulders slumping. Driftpaw padded over to him, swiping his tongue in between his ears. “It’s okay, bro,” he whispered in his ear. “Next time, I’m sure you’ll explore the territory.” Driftpaw felt sympathy for him. His brother did think exploring was more fun. “Driftpaw! Let’s go.” Troutwhisker called. “Oh. I have to go. I’m sure you’ll have fun.” Driftpaw meowed, then bounded away to join his mentor. “Okay Kestrelpaw, watch me closely.” Tinypelt said. Kestrelpaw didn’t take notice of his mentor though, as he was too busy thinking furious thoughts. Your new mentor will be Tinypelt. His mother’s words rang in his ears, and blood pulsed through them, making Kestrelpaw only hear the roaring of the blood. All of Tinypelt’s words were drowned out by Honeystar’s six words and the roaring in his ears. Suddenly, bad anxiety flooded over Kestrelpaw’s body, sending a shiver up his spine. How DARE mother give me a mentor who’s as small as a flea! Kestrelpaw felt his body temperature rise, and he yowled in agony, his hips starting to hurt. His vision also blurred, and in moments, before the apprentice knew it, he had collapsed into the grass, out cold. “Are you sure he’ll be okay?” Kestrelpaw had heard his brother’s voice, though it was faint because he was still half asleep. “I’m sure, Driftpaw,” Kestrelpaw also heard Embersky’s voice. “Somehow, he just passed out. It’s been a while though, and I’m a bit worried. He hasn’t awoke yet.” Whispers and mutters were exchanged through the den that smelt of herbs. It was as if the whole Clan had packed themselves into the medicine den. “You’re the finest medicine cat I’ve ever had, Embersky. Surely he’ll be okay.” Honeystar murmured, and Kestrelpaw felt eyes burn into his fur. “My son,” another voice cried. “My son, is he okay?” Pawsteps approached Kestrelpaw, and he groaned as he smelled Graypelt, who nudged him moments later. “Leave him be,” Embersky snapped. “Let him wake up on his own.” Graypelt’s presence backed away, and Kestrelpaw forced his green eyes open. “When am I?” He asked, groaning a second time as he tried to sit up. “Don’t get up.” Embersky meowed. “And don’t you mean, ‘where’?” The medicine cat approached him, sitting at the edge of his nest. “No, I mean when. I want to know how long I was sleeping.” Kestrelpaw hissed. “You fainted at approximately at sunhigh, and it’s dusk now. So quite a while, young one.” Embersky replied. “Is he free to go?” Honeystar asked behind the tabby tom. “Hold on,” Embersky answered, touching his nose to Kestrelpaw’s forehead. “No, no, far from it. He’s burning up.” Pain seared through Kestrelpaw’s forehead, a bad headache hitting him all at once. “Ah!” He clenched his teeth, shaking his head violently. “What is it?” He could hear Graypelt, and Embersky crouched down to meet his gaze. “Are you alright? What’s hurting?” Kestrelpaw’s headache grew worse, and his hips burned. The tom screamed in agony and pain, and tears streamed down his face. His vision was getting blurry again, and he yowled, “my hips! And.. and my head! I feel like I’m dying.” After he had spoken, Kestrelpaw’s hips burned even more the more he moved. “Ahh!” He screeched. “What’s happening to my brother?” Driftpaw demanded, and Kestrelpaw could hear his brother’s heart beat like crazy. The sound filled his ears, blocking out anything else. He screamed again, his yowls drowned out by the heart beating, and he wriggled in his nest, making his hips seem like they were falling off. Driftpaw stared helplessly at his brother. I want to help him! “That sound..” Kestrelpaw muttered. “That sound is killing me!” The red tabby kicked at his nest, and Driftpaw looked over to Embersky. The medicine cat got to his paws, grabbing a beech leaf and putting several herbs on the leaf. “What exact herbs are you giving him?” Driftpaw stared hard at the herbs, wanting to remember them just in case Embersky wasn’t around and Kestrelpaw had another one of these fits. “Well, I’m giving him Goatweed for potential anxiety or grief, Feverfew for his fever, Fennel for his hip-pain, and dandelions to ease his pain.” The medicine cat replied. Driftpaw studied the four herbs, and watched as Embersky took the beech leaf in his teeth with all the herbs, and dropped it at Kestrelpaw’s paws. “Eat these. Now.” Kestrelpaw’s pain worsened, and his screaming grew louder. The heart beating sound had gone, however. “Eat these. Now.” Embersky growled. The apprentice obeyed, quickly lapping up the herbs. “I almost forgot.” Embersky meowed, turning back to his herb store to pick up two seeds. “Eat these too. They’re another painkiller, and they’ll help you sleep so you can rest.” Kestrelpaw never protested, licking up the seeds out of Embersky’s paw. Soon enough, his hip pain had eased, although they still felt sore, and his headache had gone. “Thank you Embersky,” Honeystar meowed. “Really. My son would’ve probably died if it weren’t for you.” Kestrelpaw sighed in relief, and sleepiness swept over him like a wave. “You’re very welcome. This is one of the many reasons I became a medicine cat. To help others.” Embersky said. Driftpaw glanced over to his brother who was now sleeping soundly. “Embersky,” the apprentice said, and the tom looked over to Driftpaw. “Yes?” “Do you have any idea what Kestrelpaw just went through?” The medicine cat was hiding something, Driftpaw just knew it. “Not really, no.” A worried expression swept across his face, though, as if he was thinking, they musn’t know yet or they might be heartbroken. “Your brother just went through lots of pain. Anyways, you should go and check up on your mentor. She must be worried about you both.” Embersky’s eyes flickered to Kestrelpaw, then back to Driftpaw. “Okay..” Driftpaw quickly bounded out of the den. What does Embersky know that I don’t? Was all that he was thinking the rest of the night. Chapter 2
Driftpaw woke up, his eyes fluttering open instantly. He hadn’t forgotten what had happened yesterday. His brother had a mysterious breakdown, but he didn’t think it was mysterious. He knew Embersky knew what happened. At least, Driftpaw was one hundred percent sure that the medicine cat knew what was going on with his brother. “I need to go check on him,” he muttered. “On who?” Driftpaw jumped, swiveling his ears to the right before looking. It was just Wolfpaw. Letting out a sigh of relief, Driftpaw blinked. “Well, on my brother. I don’t know if you know what happened, but it was pretty bad.” “Of course I heard,” Wolfpaw meowed. “I feel so bad for your family.” She dipped her head respectfully to him, and Driftpaw’s eyes widened in surprise. “Don’t dip your head to me.” He said. “Really, you don’t need to feel pity for me.” He got to his paws, stretching. “I need to go—” “Driftpaw!” Troutwhisker called from outside. Driftpaw whipped around, his ears pricked. “Yeah, I need to urgently get to my mentor. See you around, Wolfpaw.” The she-cat nodded. “I understand. See you.” Driftpaw smiled a little, then padded out of the apprentices den. “Troutwhisker!” He called, walking over to her. “Can I see Kestrelpaw before we start training?” He asked. “Of course,” she replied. “Just be quick. Aspenpaw and her mentor, Darkflank, are going to practice hunting strategies and moves with us once you’re done.” “Alright.” Driftpaw said, turning away to bound over to the medicine den. As he entered, he saw Embersky going through his herb store, and Kestrelpaw was still asleep soundly. Without bothering the medicine cat, he padded over to his brother, his head down as he studied Kestrelpaw’s peaceful structure. Whatever is wrong with you, I’m going to help it. “Ah, Driftpaw, I expected to see you here,” he head Embersky meow. “I can’t stay long, I have to go train.” “Of course.” Embersky said. “I just wanted to let you know that I’m setting out the herbs I used yesterday on Kestrelpaw because it’s the half-moon tonight, and if he has another one of those episodes, I want you to give him them.” Driftpaw looked to him, nodding. “Okay.” Embersky went on. “They’re laid out by my nest.” Driftpaw nodded again, turning his head to see the four herbs laid out neatly on a beech leaf. “Okay,” Driftpaw said. “I should go.” He looked longingly at his brother, wanting to stay longer, but Troutwhisker was probably already impatient. “Alright. Have fun training.” Embersky called after him as Driftpaw exited the den. “There you are Driftpaw,” Troutwhisker meowed from the camp entrance. “Aspenpaw and Darkflank are waiting for us at the training hollow.” Driftpaw blinked. “I’m ready.” He remembered Troutwhisker showing him the training hollow yesterday. It was lined with moss, and a pretty place to train, as shade was provided from a willow tree. “Let’s go.” Troutwhisker burst into his thoughts, then took off out of the camp. Driftpaw’s long legs quickly caught up to her, although he was slacking behind a bit. “Do you remember the way to the training hollow?” Troutwhisker asked. “Yes,” Driftpaw replied. “Quite clearly.” “Lead the way.” She said, slowing down a little so the gray apprentice could speed up and overtake her. He leaped over a fallen tree, then swerving to the right, his paw pads gripping the grass so he could quickly drift to the left, dodging a rock. In the distance, he saw the training hollow, and sped up even more, panting. When he reached the willow tree, Driftpaw skidded to a halt, almost knocking himself into Aspenpaw. “Oops. Sorry.” He apologized, dipping his head then to Darkflank, who had a skeptical look plastered onto his face. “We were in the middle of practicing how to stalk a squirrel,” he spat. “Until your apprentice almost ran into mine.” The black tabby’s posture was straight, and his eyes were slitted, making Darkflank look creepy. Driftpaw gulped, looking to his mentor, who looked mad. “Don’t be grumpy, Darkflank,” Troutwhisker hissed. “It’s Driftpaw’s second day of training. Be nice.” At this, Darkflank blinked, then was silent. “So Driftpaw, you know how to at least stalk a mouse?” Aspenpaw asked, and they looked at him. “I th-think so,” Driftpaw answered, glancing around until he spotted a leaf on the ground. He crouched down, his rear end high in the air, and his tail barely brushing the ground. “Your rear end is too high.” Aspenpaw mewed. Embarrassment flooding over him, Driftpaw lowered his rear end, and tried to make his pawsteps as light as he could. Crawling closer to the leaf, he pushed his back legs up, pouncing. Then he slapped his paws down on the leaf, pretending to slit its throat with his teeth. “Pretty good for your first try,” Darkflank muttered. “I agree.” Troutwhisker meowed. “How about you try that on real prey?” Driftpaw looked to his mentor. “Really?” She nodded. “First you have to learn how to be downwind of your prey, so they won’t scent you.” Aspenpaw said. “I know how to do that,” he replied. “I can lick my paw, and then lift it up into the air, sensing which way the wind is blowing. Then I go from there.” Driftpaw explained. “That’s one way.” Troutwhisker said. “Let’s hunt real prey now, then learn how to hunt voles, squirrels, and rabbits.” Kestrelpaw woke up from his nest, Embersky gone from the medicine den. I’m hungry. He thought, a pang of hunger making his belly rumble. Getting up slowly, Kestrelpaw padded out of the herb-scented den. He looked around at the busy camp. Foxclaw was organizing patrols, his mother was sunbathing, and his father was nowhere in sight. Kestrelpaw walked over to the fresh-kill pile, picking up a scrawny vole, and then went over to his mother, Honeystar. “Kestrelpaw?” She asked, opening her amber eyes which glittered beautifully in the sunlight. “It’s me.” He muttered through the vole’s fur. Setting the piece of prey down, he ate it quickly. “I hope you’re well enough to train today.” Honeystar worried. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, mother,” Kestrelpaw sighed. “I just don’t understand my own problems.” ***
Embersky departed from camp, ready to go to the Moonpool. The sky was cloudy, and the stench of rain filled his nostrils. Lightning flashed in the background, thunder then rumbling in the distance. His fur fluffed out, and he started running. Raindrops started falling, dampening his fur, until the rain grew worse, and wind nearly threw Embersky backwards. Coughing, he struggled through the storm, wanting to communicate with the other medicine cats. I’m not missing another half-moon. He growled in his head. When he reached the Moonpool, he saw Nightgaze from RiverClan and Deermist and Mosspaw from ShadowClan.”Where’s Lightflower!” He yelled over the thunder. “I don’t know, maybe she decided to stay in camp because of the storm.” Nightgaze replied, and the four medicine cats climbed slowly up, reaching the Moonpool soon enough. They lapped up water, and Embersky was pulled into StarClan, away from the storm. Although, StarClan looked different. The stars were dimmer than usual, and no cats appeared in front of him. A faint voice called him. “Embersky..” It was as if whoever was calling his name was whispering. Whipping around, he heard the voice again. “Embersky...” It was coming from the Dark Forest’s border. “I’m not going to be fooled by you!” Embersky hissed, fluffing up his fur. “Embersky.” He whipped around again, and a StarClan cat was face to face with him. The stars that sparkled in her fur were so dark they looked black, and her body was starting to fade. “Beware of one who lurks.” The she-cat whispered, then an ear curdling scream filled his ears, and she disappeared, black smoke rising from the spot where she had just stood. “A prophecy..” Embersky said, blinking. “What happened to you, StarClan?” Chapter 3
Embersky woke up, opening his green eyes with a gasp.
A prophecy. I haven’t heard such a prophecy in a long time.
As the medicine cat looked around, he saw Nightgaze, Deermist, and Mosspaw waking up from their own dreams. Should I tell them about Kestrelpaw . . . ? Yes. They’re the only cats I can trust.
“Kestrelpaw has Vandaytincam.” Embersky blurted out. The three medicine cats turned to look at him in shock. “You’re not supposed to tell us stuff in your dream. . .” Mosspaw mewed.
“It wasn’t a thing in my dream. He’s had it since yesterday. I just don’t know what
thoughts that were stirring in his mind to have triggered it.” He said quickly. Nightgaze started muttering to himself, and Deermist’s eyes were clouded with sympathy. She looked back at Nightgaze.
“You know the tradition,” she sighed inwardly. “Let’s get a move on to your camp and see him. This is potentially the worst disease a cat can have. We have to move fast.” Deermist turned her head back to her apprentice, nudging Mosspaw forward. Embersky led the three cats down the steep slope that opened up to a stream. He picked his way carefully down the slope, pawstep by pawstep, until his paws were safely planted in grass.
“Let’s go.” Embersky meowed, then breaking into a run. While he fixed his eyes forward, focusing on the route they had taken to the Moonpool, and his thoughts wandered. I hope Driftpaw remembered where those emergency herbs were. He kept thinking over and over. I’m not letting Honeystar’s son die on my watch.
As Embersky crossed the border into ThunderClan territory with Deermist, Mosspaw, and Nightgaze trailing behind him, he skidded to a halt. Looking up at the sky through the cover of the trees, the sun was slowly lifting up into the sky, hinting the first sign of dawn.
“Let’s move slower now. If we run into camp, Honeystar might think it’s very bad. Of which it is, but we don’t want her to know that,” Embersky paused, looking behind him at his companions. “This is her son we’re tending to.” When he said that, waves of nervousness wafted off of each of the medicine cats.
“The dawn patrol will also be heading out at this time, and if we pass them, just tell them you’re here to see Kestrelpaw.” Embersky added. Nightgaze’s gaze turned into a glare, as if he didn’t like the ThunderClan medicine cat ordering him around like a newborn kit. Well, this isn’t his territory, Embersky thought. And he’ll have to deal with it.
He kept leading the group further into the forest, towards the hollow that ThunderClan’s camp was in. Soon enough, he smelt the mingled scents of his clanmates, and Embersky tried to look as calm as possible as he strutted through the camp. He nodded to Tinypelt and Icedusk, the two toms who were guarding the entrance, and kept leading Nightgaze, Deermist, and Mosspaw contently until he reached his den.
“Through here,” he instructed, pointing to the tunnel that led into the medicine cat’s den.
“Kestrelpaw should be in there. I’ll catch up with you in a moment. I need to tell Honeystar.” The tabby tom turned away from his den, and avoided his clanmates as they stared into his pelt with curiousity. Embersky leaped up some rocks, then padding into Honeystar’s den under the Highledge. The golden-brown tabby she-cat’s fur was ruffled, and she was staring at a wall, lying down on the cold stone.
“Honeystar,” Embersky spoke up, and she whipped her head to the left, staring into his soul.
“Kestrelpaw.” Was all she said, and her eyes grew wide in fear. The medicine cat looked behind him. No cats were in sight. “What?” Embersky asked.
He better not be dead.
“He almost died,” Honeystar muttered, and a tear slid down her face. “Well, he’s alive now. Anyways, Honeystar, Nightgaze, Deermist, and Mosspaw are here.” The leader’s eyes grew wider, like an owl’s. “What for? Are they asking for herbs?” Honeystar wondered, her voice frantic. Embersky blinked.
“No. . .” He replied. “They’re here for Kestrelpaw.”
“To take him away? Why? He’s my son.”
“No.” The medicine cat surpressed a sigh. “They’re helping me. Do you know what disease your son has?” Honeystar’s eyes then turned to slits.
“No.”
“He has Vandaytincam,” Embersky flinched while saying it, knowing the leader would have a huge reaction. Then he sighed, “the worst disease a cat could ever have. Ten times worse than greencough or whitecough.”
“Embersky!” A voice called from outside. “I need you to come with me.” Embersky murmured to Honeystar, as softly as a mother would to her kit. “I want you to comfort your son through hard times.” He rested his tail tip on her shoulder, and she started crying.
“Try not to let my son die,” Honeystar sobbed. “I beg you.” As Embersky led her out of the den
and into the clearing, all of their clanmates stared in curiousity at Honeystar, and they started whispering rumors to each other.
“It’s not my choice whether Kestrelpaw lives or dies now, that’s StarClan’s,” Embersky responded. “But I will promise you that I will take care of him the best I can, and will try to keep him alive.”
Kestrelpaw awoke to three faces poking his. “He is alive.” A black tom hissed. The apprentice had never went to a gathering, and didn’t recongize these cats, but he did know that one was from RiverClan, and two from ShadowClan. Kestrelpaw’s mind started to whirl.
Intruders! He thought, trying to wrestle the RiverClan cat’s foreleg. He sank his teeth into the tom’s paw, and he hissed again. “Stop it, weak apprentice,” the RiverClan cat spat, padding over to the herb store to wrap his paw in cobwebs. “Be easy on him, Nightgaze. It’s just an apprentice.” One of the ShadowClan cats mewed.
“You’re trespassers! How did you get into camp?” Kestrelpaw’s emotions started to mix, and his breathing quickened. “Calm down, Kestrelpaw,” the smaller ShadowClan cat hushed. “We’re all medicine cats. Embersky brought us here to help.”
Kestrelpaw paid no attention to her, as his hips started aching, and the tabby let out a high pitched whine. The RiverClan medicine cat pricked his ears and the brown ShadowClan cat turned to look at him. “What hurts?” She asked quickly.
“M-My hips. . .” Kestrelpaw could barely say the two words. His nervousness and fear grew at an alarming rate, and his hip-pain grew worse like last time. His head felt like it was being smashed open, and he gritted his teeth. “And my head. . .” His ears were ringing, and he screamed.
A faint voice spoke to him. “Control your emotions,” it was the voice of a she-cat, her tone was
soft, and when Kestrelpaw opened his eyes, he saw a faded and starry cat in front of him. The stars that sparkled in her pelt turned her fur silver, and her eyes were a deep yellow. “Don’t let fear hold you back.” Then she disappeared, and Kestrelpaw’s screaming eased down.
Who is she? He thought. Embersky had led Honeystar into the medicine cat’s den now, and his mother leaned over Kestrelpaw, rasping her tongue in between his ears.
“Try to calm yourself.” Honeystar whispered, and Kestrelpaw could hardly hear her over the pounding in his ears. Moments later, Embersky passed some herbs to the RiverClan tom, and the black tom shoved the herbs into the apprentice’s mouth. Kestrelpaw chewed them, not enjoying the bitter taste. He had not tasted the bitterness the last time he’d eaten these herbs, as he was half-asleep and he didn’t care.
“She told me. . .” Kestrelpaw trailed off, and he yawned. Honeystar tried to look into her son’s drowsy eyes. “Shush now. Rest.” She ordered. “Once you awake, you must eat and train. I don’t want to hold you back from being a warrior in the future just because of your disease.” Then the golden-brown she-cat gave Kestrelpaw one last lick behind the ears, and she padded out of the den. Kestrelpaw watched her go, and then laid down slowly to sleep.
“Good! Now duck and roll.” Driftpaw followed his mentor’s instructions as he ducked when Aspenpaw swiped her paw out, and she tried to smash them onto his shoulders, but he rolled before she got the chance. He lashed out with his foreleg, unbalancing the she-cat. Then Driftpaw darted to the side and bowled her over.
“Excellent.” Troutwhisker mewed from across the hollow. Driftpaw’s heart fluttered with pride. His mentor hadn’t complimented him so much in one day before.
“How about we watch you two freestyle?” Darkflank sneered from beside Troutwhisker.
“Where you pick moves as you go, like a real battle, but without teeth and claws.” He added, and Troutwhisker nodded in agreement. “Freestyle.”
Driftpaw crouched down, staring at Aspenpaw. She leaped at him, and he launched himself to the right. Before Driftpaw could make a clean escape, Aspenpaw pinned his tail down in the dirt with a paw and pretended to sink her teeth into his tail-tip. He growled in annoyance, and swerved around, purposely landing in the dirt like a turtle and spinning around on the ground. Aspenpaw stared at him in confusion, and Driftpaw smirked, lightly kicking her chest with his hind paws. Once she fell backwards, he staggered to his paws and beat his paws at her belly, as if he were slashing at it. Aspenpaw kicked him off with her hind legs, and Driftpaw jumped backward. Her paws caught at his chin, recoil causing him to slide back more. The gray apprentice waited until she got to her paws, and he leaped, aiming for her chest. Aspenpaw prepared to somersault backwards and kick him forwards, but when she did, Driftpaw batted at her rear end as she got up. When the two got tired, they panted in the dirt, chests heaving.
“That was like watching two warriors in battle,” Troutwhisker meowed. “Well done,
both of you.”
“Agreed. Let’s head back to camp.” Darkflank said, getting up from his spot.
Troutwhisker then stood up, following the black tabby out of the hollow. The two apprentices followed, their hearts racing with excitement.
“That was great, you did a good job,” Driftpaw complimented Aspenpaw as the brown she-cat padded beside him. She stared into Driftpaw’s green eyes. “You did better!” Aspenpaw giggled, cuffing him playfully around the ear. Driftpaw chuckled.
She’s a great friend. He thought, watching her as she played with falling leaves. The sun was high in the sky, casting rays upon the lake’s ripples. The lake was bright, and everything seemed to be perfect.
“Hey, Aspenpaw,” Driftpaw said as they neared camp. The she-cat turned to look at him with her bright greenish-yellow eyes. “Yea?”
“When we get to camp, do you want to share a piece of prey with me?” His muscles ached, and Driftpaw had to build up the last of his strength to leap over a fallen tree. “Sure!” She replied eagerly. A certain deep emotion glittered in Aspenpaw’s eyes, Driftpaw just couldn’t tell what.
When the four cats got back to camp, three medicine cats from RiverClan and ShadowClan were outside of Embersky’s den. When Driftpaw went to the last gathering, he heard of two and met one. He had met Mosspaw. The pretty apprentice didn’t seemed to be involved in the conversation Nightgaze, Deermist, and Embersky were having. She was looking around camp at Driftpaw’s clanmates nervously.
“I have a rabbit we can share. I’m starving, so I can eat most of it.” Aspenpaw burst into his thoughts. Driftpaw jumped, spinning around to face her. “I’ll meet you by the mouth of the apprentice’s den in a minute.” He told her, padding over to Mosspaw.
“You seem lost,” Driftpaw purred in amusement. The brown she-cat jumped, and smiled awkwardly back at him. “I’m not used to woodland. Just pine trees.” She replied, nicer than the typical ShadowClan cat. That’s what I like about her. As a friend, of course. It’s forbidden to love cats from other Clans, let alone a medicine cat. . .
“Is my brother okay?” He asked, trying to make it sound like he was just a distressed family member, nothing more. Driftpaw watched Mosspaw’s delicate green eyes shift, hinting that she was thinking.
“Your brother. . . ? Oh, Kestrelpaw. . . You’re his brother?” Mosspaw eyed Driftpaw’s muscular shape, and he noticed a twinkle of admiration in her eyes. He coughed.
“Yes, I am,” Driftpaw tried not to snap rudely. “You probably didn’t hear my mother say that like a thousand times the last time we had a gathering together, my first gathering.”
“Of course I noticed,” Mosspaw retorted softly, as if she weren’t trying to be harsh with him. “I just thought, maybe she was talking about a different Driftpaw. Plus, I was thinking about something that night, and I wasn’t really paying attention.” She added, her words barely above a whisper. Why does she seem so shy? Driftpaw became frustrated.
“Okay,” he said impatiently. “How is my brother doing?”
Mosspaw’s eyes lit up as if she forgot he ever asked that question. “Oh, he’s coming along well.”
“Thanks,” Driftpaw said. “I have someone waiting for me. See you around, I guess.” He
dipped his head respectfully to the medicine cat apprentice, then turned and bounded away to where Aspenpaw was waiting patiently.
“What was that long conversation about?” She asked suspiciously as Driftpaw settled
down beside her. Driftpaw glanced to Mosspaw. It looked as if she was staring longingly and disappointed at him. But why?
“I asked Mosspaw if my brother was okay, but we had this big conversation about gatherings because she didn’t know I was related to Kestrelpaw,” Driftpaw shrugged, taking a bite of rabbit and swallowing it before continuing, “not a big deal.” He looked over to Aspenpaw, who looked as if she was glaring at Mosspaw. Why do they both look the same. . ? He looked from Mosspaw and Aspenpaw and back again. They had the same pelt and eye color. I don’t know if it’s just me, but they look related.
Driftpaw nudged Aspenpaw with his chin. “You alright?” She stopped glaring at Mosspaw, and her eyes turned warm and welcoming as she stared at him.
“Yes, fine, I was just thinking.”
Yes, but about what? Driftpaw thought. I’m getting suspicious.
After a while, the medicine cats left to go to their own Clans, and Aspenpaw and Driftpaw were sharing tongues by a nettle patch.
“Yeah, one time I caught a fat squirrel and couldn’t manage it back to camp.” Driftpaw chuckled. Aspenpaw seemed extra amused by every story he told. Troutwhisker approached them as Aspenpaw was grooming behind Driftpaw’s ears.
“Time for you two to head to your den,” Troutwhisker mewed. “You have another long day of training tomorrow.”
“Alright,” Driftpaw meowed. “Goodnight.” He cast a glance to the medicine cat den.
Goodnight, Kestrelpaw. Driftpaw led Aspenpaw to the apprentices’ den, and settled down in Kestrelpaw’s cold nest. The gray tom let out an exasperated sigh and sniffed at the mossy nest.
“I know what it’s like not being in contact with a sibling,” Aspenpaw mewed, her voice hardly a whisper. “Spiderpaw just never talks to me anymore, let alone looks at me.” She slunk into her own nest behind Driftpaw. Spiderpaw was Aspenpaw’s brother. Ever since Aspenpaw led him into a bramble bush by accident as kits and abandoned him there, the black tom never spoke to his sister. Because of that incident, Spiderpaw was claimed guilty for venturing out of camp, and never became an apprentice until he was seven moons.
“I just want him here,” Driftpaw whispered. “I want my brother to train alongside me.”
Driftpaw looked up at the ceiling of the den, which provided light, and he fixed his eyes on stars that were forming in the sky. Oh StarClan, will you ever help Kestrelpaw be a normal and disease-free apprentice? Tears formed in his eyes, and Driftpaw let his head slide down in between his paws. I just want my brother back.
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