ωαяяισя ¢αтѕ // Mintpool's Venom

Chapter 32

Mintpool trotted through the woods, her paw steps sure and steady. The trip to EarthClan's border was one she could make in her sleep. Spotfrost padded behind her, a little bounce in each step, seeming extremely happy to be spending time with the gray tabby.

No, Mintpool didn't agree to this journey to spend time with Spotfrost. She decided to come because she wanted to visit some old friends, the term "friends" used loosely. Cloverleaf and Leafwhisker. Cloverleaf was still somewhat Mintpool's friend, but Leafwhisker... Now, that was a different story.

So why would Mintpool want to see them? To catch up with Cloverleaf? No, the gray tabby had no interest in that at the moment. What she really wanted to see - or, who she really wanted to see - was Leafwhisker. To see how he was doing.

She was in now way checking up on him. If anything, she wanted the satisfaction of seeing him shunned by his Clanmates as she would've been if she wasn't exiled. She wanted the satisfaction of his life going terribly. After all, it was why hers had wound up as such.

Although my life at the moment isn't too terrible, Mintpool thought wryly. Perhaps I should thank the stupid tom instead.

Glancing back at her, the gray tabby checked to make sure Stormpaw and Fernpaw were following. She'd decided to bring them along. To help carry herbs, she'd told Spotfrost. But truthfully, all she wanted to do was to flash them in Leafwhisker's face, as to say Ha! They're on AirClan's side!

No, Mintpool cared nothing for AirClan. But she still felt something driving her into this decision.

Raincloud greeted Mintpool and Spotfrost. The dark gray tom dipped his head politely. "Greetings, Mintpool, Spotfrost. It's good to see the two of you again."

"You, too," the gray tabby replied. "We've brought the yarrow." She flicked her tail, indicating for Stormpaw to step up, showing the bundle in his jaws.

Raincloud dipped his head. "Good! Come to the medicine den, Cloverleaf will have everything prepared there."

With that, the five cats trotted into the camp. Mintpool's eyes scanned the camp, trying to find the cat she was searching for - aha! There. Leafwhisker.

He was gulping down a mouse by himself at the corner of the camp, raising his head in curiosity as the AirClan cats padded in. Leafwhisker's eyes widened as he spotted Mintpool, and stretched out even further as he saw Stormpaw and Fernpaw fan out behind her.

Raincloud blinked, seeing Leafwhisker pad over to them. "Oh! Mintpool, you and Leafwhisker were good friends, right?"

The gray tabby forced a smile. "The best."

"Well, then, I'm sure that you two would like to catch up!" Raincloud meowed. "Spotfrost, you come along with me, we'll get the catmint. Oh, and I'll send Cloverleaf out to say hi later!" And with that, the pair disappeared into the medicine den, leaving the four cats in awkward silence.

"Hi." Leafwhisker's voice was small, tentative. "How are you doing?"

"Fine, thank you." Mintpool spoke curtly. "Leafwhisker, this is Stormpaw and Fernpaw."

The brown tom winced, ducking his head. "Hello."

"Hi!" Fernpaw chirped. She flicked her tail, eyes widening with interest, seeming to have no memory of the EarthClan tom at all. Mintpool saw how it hurt him, how his eyes flashed with pain knowing that. Good. "Cats keep saying that you're our father. Is that true?"

"I-" Leafwhisker didn't seem to know what to say, glancing at Mintpool for help. 

The gray tabby sat down, wrapping her tail neatly around her paws, lifting her muzzle. You're on your own.

"No," Leafwhisker meowed at last. "No, I'm not. It's all a rumor."

Mintpool stifled a scoff. He's still not brave enough to own up to it. "Fernpaw, Stormpaw, why don't you two go to the medicine den to see if Cloverleaf, Raincloud, and Spotfrost need any help."

"Okay!" Fernpaw chirped, bouncing towards the den. Stormpaw, however, followed much slower, giving Leafwhisker a suspicious look before disappearing into the den.

"They've grown into fine young cats." Leafwhisker spoke, his voice tinged with pride.

"With no help from you," Mintpool snapped, earning another wince from the brown tom. "Why didn't you tell them you were their father? Still too cowardly to admit it?"

Leafwhisker shook his head, unable to give an answer.

The gray tabby scoffed, flicking her tail. "Okay fine, don't answer. How's your life here at EarthClan? Everything going alright?"

"Actually, yes!" Leafwhisker looked pleased at the change of subjects. "Prey's getting better as the warm weather's approaching. Yesterday I caught a sq-"

"I don't care," Mintpool hissed. She knew she was being mean, but she couldn't find it in her to apologize or care. "No cat's shunning you?"

"No." Leafwhisker looked confused. "Why would they be?"

"Because you're Stormpaw and Fernpaw's father!"

"They don't know that!"

"But you told me cats have suspected it." Mintpool lashed her tail. "No cat has acted differently towards you because of it?"

"No. They've got no proof."

Mintpool gritted her teeth. Perfect. Just perfect. They had little to no proof I was the mother, either, yet I was exiled. Cats of AirClan are listening to Robinflight's gossip, and I'm shunned. Yet Leafwhisker's doing perfectly fine. The gray tabby's ears pinned to the back of her head. Just another reason to destroy the Clans.

"Mintpool!" Cloverleaf's voice echoed through EarthClan's camp; the brown-and-white she-cat bounded out of the medicine den, her green gaze ablaze with excitement. "Hi!"

A purr rose from the gray tabby. "Hello!" She rubbed her muzzle in greeting with the EarthClan medicine cat's, tail held up high. "How are you?"

Mintpool liked how Cloverleaf ignored Leafwhisker. Both medicine cats didn't bother acknowledging the brown tom's presence.

"Oh, great!" Despite her words, Cloverleaf looked anxious.

"What's wrong?"

"Haven't you heard?" When Mintpool simply blinked at her with a confused expression, the brown-and-white she-cat supplied, "The leaders have decided to move the attack date earlier. They want to attack two moons from now."

"Two moons?" Mintpool's ears flicked with surprise. "They moved the date forward by three moons!"

"I know. But Tigerstar was saying he couldn't wait out any longer." Cloverleaf shuffled her paws. "Raincloud and I have been collecting herbs nonstop. Spotfrost said you went out and did some collecting yourself. I just hope we can get everything settled before the attack."

"Mintpool, let's go!" Spotfrost called from across the camp, waving her tail. Fernpaw and Stormpaw stood besides her, each carrying a portion of catmint.

With a dip of her head in farewell, the gray tabby bounded across the camp to the black-and-white she-cat. Her mind was racing, but one thought burned through her brain: I need to tell Cobrastrike.

დ

Word Count // 1113

Not Edited

It's getting closer and closer to the final battle!! You guys don't even know how excited I am, haha. I cannot wait! But, with the final battle, means the end of this book. Although I am rather sad that it'll be finished, I am quite proud to be finishing it!! Don't worry, though, a novella will be coming out after this, and who knows, maybe I'll be writing another fanfic. But no promises for that yet!

Also, if you celebrate it, Happy Thanksgiving!! A little filler chapter of Mintpool interacting with old "friends" to celebrate that! Cloverleaf's picture is at the top. Bye!!