Cursed Division - Kindred Whispers book 2)

Chapter 3

CrookedTail locked eyes with Midnight. She stared at him, returning his glare for a moment before her gaze softened then hardened again.
I'll shred you, Midnight. I won't be monitored like some stupid kitten! I refuse for you to ruin my life! You were everyone's hero once, but I won't let you be a hero again. The real hero here is me and I have a plan to prove that.

CrookedTail flexed his claws, tearing at the grass as if imagining Midnight's black pelt beneath it, his claws tearing into her flesh. Suddenly a flash of white caught CrookedTail's eye. A white she-cat emerged from Althea's den. MoonPebble. MoonPebble was a blind white cat. She was usually calm and quiet. CrookedTail always thought she was beautiful. He wondered what she was doing in Althea's den. Then she noticed the white cat making her way to the Guardian's den. He was going to follow her, wondering what she had to say but thought better of it. A lot of the cats that watched him and Crow fight stared at him.
What are you mangy bone eaters staring at?!

A few moments later, MoonPebble and the Guardian emerged out of the den. The Guardian made her way to the center of the clearing and raised her tail before letting out a yowl.
"May all cats gather around? I have something to share!"

One by one, cats stopped what they were doing and made their way to the center of the clearing. CrookedTail shifted forward, brushing past some of the cats to nose his way to the front for the best view. There she was, MoonPebble, her fur smoothly groomed and her blind eyes shining as she stood tall and proud. The Guardian was beside her, tail resting approvingly on the white cat's shoulders. CrookedTail wondered what the big deal was. He sat and waited as the rest of the cats gathered around to listen to the Guardian's words.

"Iv'e good news." The Guardian began as everyone got settled. "Many seasons have gone by since we last had a healer trainee under our paws. Our current healer, Althea is excellent. She cares and tends to all cats in PeaceLeaf who needs it. Her job is big and hard to manage alone and here, one of our guard cats, MoonPebble, has taken an intrest in healing." The cats around her began to murmur excitedly. "MoonPebble is blind." The Guardian went on. "But that doesn't mean she can't make a great example of herself and become whomever she so desires. So today, she announced to me her real interest, healing. She has asked to train to become a healer and with Althea's approval, she will be so."

Althea who sat at the edge of the crowd, blinked happily. "I'd love to train her. Iv'e needed an extra set of paws for a while now and it would be a delight to have the company. My answer is yes. Yes MoonPebble, you are free to become my trainee and I promise to teach you everything I know so you too, can become an amazing healer one day and be the one to continue on once my time comes."

All around the clearing, yowls of approval rang out as MoonPebble was congratulated. CrookedTail shifted uneasily, hot from the head to the tip of his tail. It took courage, but he gathered himself and made his way over to her.
"Congratulations, MoonPebble. It is such an honor to now have you as one of our healers." MoonPebble tipped her head, a soft purr rumbling from her chest.
"Thank you. Though, I still have lots of training, I am proud to finally walk the path my paws always wanted me too and be your humble healer."

CrookedTail longed to rub his head against hers but didn't want to violate her or make her feel uneasy. He always wanted the chance to get close to her. She was beautiful and kind. Though she was blind, her eyes were still beautiful and CrookedTail so dearly wished she could see him. Perhaps when the time was right, he'd make his move, confess the feelings he's always had for her. But not today.

The Guardian spoke something softly that was only audible to MoonPebble and she whisked her tail with delight before the crowd parted and Althea led the beautiful white cat to her den. RedFeather, a sleek russet molly female cat with beautiful blue eyes like MoonPebble's. It was then CrookedTail remembered, RedFeather was her sister. RedFeather turned to CrookedTail, her eyes wide and shining.
"I'm so proud of her! It will be great to have another healer around. I knew someday we'd have another but I didn't think it'd ever be my own sister."