Warriors: Burnttail's Regret (Complete)

Chapter 8

 A few moons passed since Ebonyheart's new kits were born and since Stormfleck and Prickleshadow became warriors. Both Burntpaw and Snakepaw were almost ready to take their assessments, and they were very excited for their warrior ceremonies.

 Burntpaw followed Needlerose back to camp, carrying a frog and a lizard. He approached the fresh-kill pile and dropped the prey, looking at it. There's a lot of prey in the pile. We'll eat well today!

 Needlegaze approached him and looked at him warmly. ''If you continue like this, you'll become a warrior very soon! Well done!''

 ''Thank you!'' Burntpaw dipped his head toward his mentor, then he looked around, surprised that Snakepaw didn't come greet him when he entered the camp. He didn't see her anywhere, either. He blinked. ''Where's Snakepaw?''

 ''Oh! Well...'' Needlerose murmured, flicking her tail. ''She... Well...''

 ''She what?'' Burntpaw looked at his mentor, his heart aching at the thought of what Needlerose might say.

 ''Well... earlier this morning, Snakepaw left with her parents to spend some time together, and they said they'll be back soon.'' Needlerose looked at her paws, looking hesitant. ''They took Bluekit, Cloudkit, and Breezekit too, and even though it's dangerous for them to be out of camp, Sootblossom said that their family sometimes spends time together for a few days away from camp.''

 ''What?'' Burntpaw's face went pale with shock, his heart beating rapidly against his chest. ''And they didn't invite me?''

 ''Well... you're not exactly part of the family...'' Needlerose murmured, although she instantly seemed to realize what she said. ''Wait, I didn't mean... I meant... I'm sure Ebonyheart and Sootblossom love you like a son, and Snakepaw didn't look happy that they didn't invite you, either.''

 Burntpaw lashed his tail, scowling. Oh, I'm not part of the family, then?

 ''And when will they be back?'' Burntpaw asked, twitching his ears irritably.

 ''They didn't say exactly when, but they shouldn't take more than a couple of days.'' Needlerose meowed, then sighed. ''Listen, Burntpaw, I know you're probably upset about this, and I'm sorry for what I said, but-''

 ''Drop it.'' Burntpaw growled and stalked out of camp. ''I've heard enough.''

 Needlerose opened her jaws to say something, but then she closed them and sighed, padding away with her head lowered.

 Burntpaw stomped toward ThunderClan's territory, baring his teeth. Sootblossom and Ebonyheart may love me like a son, but obviously not enough to invite me to their ''alone family-only thing''. That's so toad-brained! Who came up with this?

 Burntpaw raised his head to look at ThunderClan's territory, growling. He stepped on the Thunderpath, anger surging through his fur. He quickly crossed the Thunderpath and trespassed into ThunderClan's territory, deciding to take his anger out on them. He let out an irritated hiss and unsheathed his claws, digging them in the dirt. I don't understand! I'm still part of their family, even if I'm not their biological kit! Or am I... not good enough?

 Burntpaw suddenly paused, looking at his paws and trembling. Maybe they don't think I'm good enough to be part of their family. And that's why they didn't invite me, so they don't have to put up with me any longer.

 ''You again?'' 

 Burntpaw raised his head and growled with annoyance when three ThunderClan cats approached him. He recognized Blazesong, although he didn't know who the other two cats were.