Warriors: Burnttail's Regret (Complete)

Chapter 9

 Three days passed since Burntpaw received two more scars and since Snakepaw and her family left to spend time together. A while after he came back to camp from ThunderClan's territory, Snailstar came to ShadowClan to speak with Bumblestar about what Burntpaw did, and now the apprentice was punished. Similar to Jaggedriver's punishment, he got a long scolding from the leader, and he was only allowed to leave camp in order to patrol and to train for half a moon, and he had to take care of the elders daily. All of his wounds had healed, and now Burntpaw had three scars. One on his left eye, one on his left shoulder, and one on his right side.

 Burntpaw followed Needlerose back to camp, carrying a squirrel and lashing his tail tip with irritation. He padded toward the fresh-kill pile and dropped the prey in the pile. He looked toward his mentor, but she avoided his gaze. After a few heartbeats, she sighed.

 ''You're going to become a warrior soon, Burntpaw. But if you'll continue going in ThunderClan's territory for no reason at all, you won't become a warrior, or even be a real one.'' Needlerose warned, twitching her tail.

 Burntpaw's eyes widened in surprise and he opened his jaws to say something, but Needlerose turned around and padded away before he had a chance to. The dark ginger tom looked after her and he turned around. As if she ever got a scar for no reason! She doesn't know how I feel.

 Burntpaw looked through the fresh-kill pile and grabbed two fat crows. He then turned around and stomped toward the elders' den, twitching his gray tail with irritation. He padded underneath the thick branches and looked around.

 ''Oh, hello Burntpaw!'' Brokenflower's voice came from somewhere near him. Burntpaw turned his head and saw the ginger-brown elder look at him from right next to him. ''Sorry, I've moved my nest near the entrance. I know that leaf-fall is nearly over, but I like the colder nights and I don't want to move my nest farther into the den.''

 Lightskip huffed. ''Brokenflower, you're going to get sick, for StarClan's sake!''

 ''I won't.'' Brokenflower rolled her eyes.

 ''Well, don't blame me when I'll have to tell Fawnwhisper and Flintdusk to treat you after you get sick.'' Lightskip snapped, then looked at Burntpaw. ''Anyway, what do you want?''

 Burntpaw blinked. ''Well, I came to check on you. Here.'' The tom dropped a crow near Lightskip's paws, then he turned and dropped the other one near Brokenflower. He stepped backwards to let the elders eat.

 ''Thank you!'' Brokenflower dipped her head and lowered her head to eat. Lightskip simply nodded and quickly began eating her prey.

 ''Is there something else you want me to do?'' Burntpaw asked, then hesitated. ''I could check for ticks.''

 ''Well, for one, I'm fine.'' Lightskip nodded. ''Thank you, though.''

 Brokenflower dipped her head. ''I'm fine as well. Thank you for the prey, Burntpaw. But you know, I was just like you when I was younger. Adventurous and careless. But that can be dangerous. Look where that got me.''

 Burntpaw blinked. ''But didn't you say that a fox attacked your patrol? How could that be your fault?''

 ''It did! But that's not the thing. It was my fault I lost my leg, I took way too many risks that day.'' Brokenflower meowed and looked up at him. ''I just went straight for the fox and fought carelessly, not thinking about the consequences. I lost my leg that day, yes, but I might also have saved my Clanmates' lives. Be careful on what choices you make, Burntpaw. All choices have consequences, but not all of them end badly.''

 Burntpaw blinked in surprise, and dipped his head. ''Thank you, Brokenflower. Anyway, I should go. Snakepaw might come back today, and I want to be there to greet her.''