ωαяяισя ¢αтѕ // Mintpool's Venom

Chapter 9

Mintpool's paws crunched softly on the snow as she trailed after the patrol. As soon as they neared the Gathering clearing, her paws led her easily, for she'd walked the path a thousand times.

The patrol padded to the very edges of the clearing, as close as they can get without entering it. Frost shot a look towards Mintpool, as though she expected the gray tabby to leap into the clearing and betray them, yowling that there were rogues in the bushes, before giving her orders, her voice in a hushed whisper. "Hide under the bushes. Listen to everything you can and try to remember everything. If we get caught, it's every cat for themselves. Also, hide your scent in the snow."

Mintpool nodded, wiggling underneath the bush, feeling cold snow clump on top of her, a shiver running down her spine. She twitched her tail-tip, now settled and out of view, seeing sets of paws shuffling from outside of the bush. She couldn't begin to guess who they belonged to. Pricking her ears, she heard Thistlestar's voice travelling towards them.

"Our medicine cat, Mintpool, is no longer a member of AirClan," he announced. "Unfortunately, we have made a terrible mistake. But, we see that we've done something we shouldn't have and are trying to fix it instantly. If any cats see Mintpool, we ask that they pass on the message we would like her back in the Clan."

Low murmurs filled the clearing, although the gray tabby caught onto some that was right outside of her bush. 

"Why did AirClan even exile Mintpool in the first place?" The gray tabby recognized that voice instantly. Cloverleaf. A shiver ran down her spine at the voice of her friend. 

"We thought she broke the Warrior and medicine cat code and had kits," Echoleaf replied, her meow ashamed. 

"But didn't you know she wasn't carrying kits?" This mew, Mintpool could barely figure out who the owner was. Realization struck her when she realized it was Foxpaw, Nightstrike's apprentice.

"I was being a mouse-heart," Echoleaf mewed. "I didn't say anything. I only confirmed she wasn't carrying kits after she was exiled, Foxcloud."

Oh, so he's Foxcloud now. Mintpool's ears pricked with interest, ignoring the leaders' announcements.

"Why would you do that?" came Ravenleaf's meow.

"I just..." Echoleaf broke off. "Well, I had this dream... a long time ago, when Mintpool was just a kit. Cloudpool came to me in that dream, and warned me, showing me a scene with dead bodies, only the scent of mint covering them."

The gray tabby's ears pricked with surprise. That's the dream I had, too! She was glad that the other rogues had disappeared to different edges of the clearing; she wouldn't want them to hear this.

"I thought the dream referred to Mintpool, and that she was going to become evil in the future," Echoleaf continued. "So... I thought it would be better if she left the Clan." 

Well, you only pushed me more on that path when you didn't speak up! the gray tabby thought with a lash of her tail. And I feel no regret for stepping on that trail. 

Protests from the other medicine cats arose as Echoleaf spoke quickly. "I know, I know, I was wrong! If I could go back and fix that moment, I would. I just hope we can get Mintpool back." 

"Yeah..." Rainpool's voice was soft. "With the battle coming up, it is good to have more than one medicine cat. And you don't even have an apprentice!"

A noise of agreement came from Echoleaf. "Yes, but Spotkit's been showing some interest in herbs, recently," she purred. 

The gray tabby's ears pricked up. Spotkit? She'd almost forgotten about her! She remembered how the little kit resembled Snowfrost so greatly. A sudden surge of anger roared inside her. Adderclaw didn't stand up for me, and Flowershine wanted me gone! Spotkit's family is horrible. She felt her tail lash as Echoleaf's voice continued.