Batpaw padded across the camp to the elder's den, a bundle of moss in his jaws. He remembered Brightlight's mew. Every apprentice has things they don't like. He scowled. He hated cleaning Whiskerfur's nest. He was always so chatty and nosy! Batpaw padded inside the elder's den. Whiskerfur greeted him with a flick of his ear.
"Here. Moss." He mewed, beginning to clean out his nest. Whiskerfur grunted. "Something wrong?"
"My stomach's jus' hurtin'." He rumbled, "Nothin' major. Don't ye worry about it."
"Maybe you ate a bad mouse." Batpaw joked, "Maybe it got angry and went crazy in your stomach."
"Maybe." Whiskerfur purred with amusement. "Thanks, young'in."
"Anytime."
He moved the dirty bedding aside as he finished up, before picking it up in his jaws and dumping it into the moss-place. Moss will become new soil for Berrypaw's herb-garden, He remembered. Berrypaw had always loved growing herbs near camp, keeping it practical and allowing him to just go out and get them. Batpaw had to admit, Berrypaw was smart.
And there he is.
Berrypaw was hissing his name, beckoning him with his tail.
"Is something the matter?" Batpaw asked, darting his eyes around. Snakepaw would have his head if he saw him talking to Berrypaw.
"I need someone to collect herbs with me. Can you come?" Batpaw's head drooped. "I need a big strong cat to protect me, since I'm... kind of small." He added, half-jokingly. Batpaw suddenly perked up. Berrypaw thought he was a big, strong cat!
"Don't worry, you're in safe paws-" Batpaw began, but Snakepaw interrupted him.
""What're you doing? Talking to this herb-brain?" He spat, glaring at Berrypaw, who shrunk back.
"He was begging me to go collect leaves with him. Go do it yourself, kittypet! In fact, go get your twolegs to do it for you! Lazy cat!" He squeaked, trying his best to sound angry. His heart ached seeing Berrypaw flinch. I'm sorry!
"...Okay." Berrypaw murmured, his eyes full of pain. Batpaw watched him leave, running off to Cowfur. He couldn't help feeling a pang of jealousy. Snakepaw and Iciclepaw followed him.
Cherrypaw gazed at him sympathetically, but he turned away. He hated Snakepaw. He forced him to do bad things. He made him hurt Berrypaw.
"What happened?"
"I, erm, slipped into the river."
Batpaw was fussing over Berrypaw. He was shivering, and he tried to warm him by rasping his tongue over his pelt. "Are you sure? You know you can tell me anything. You're my best friend." He mewed in-between licks.
"Yeah."
Batpaw could tell Berrypaw was lying, but he didn't say anything. He simply curled up beside him. "You need to be more careful."
"I know. It was because of a dumb leaf." He whined.
"Was that dumb leaf Snakepaw?"
Berrypaw's eyes widened. "How'd you know?"
"Iciclepaw was bragging about how strong Snakepaw was, pushing you into the river like that." He licked Berrypaw's tail, "She told the others how she lied about being mad."
Berrypaw's fur bristled in outrage. "She...!"
"Shhh. You should rest. I can ask Redtuft to bring you some... thyme?" He guessed. Berrypaw nodded shakily.
"Okay."
Batpaw's mind whirled. Snakepaw was so rude! He was ashamed of himself for not standing up to him.
If he tries anything funny...
