Orchidfrost's Trials

Chapter 13

    It appeared as though StarClan itself had blessed Orchidpaw that day. She'd been correct in her earlier assumption; she was the better leaf-bare hunter. In fact, she was the only one of the four of them to catch anything. Pansyswirl couldn't manage a single complaint about her fresh-kill. Albeit, this resulted in the absence of any comment from her mentor, but Orchidpaw relished in her small victory.

    When they returned to camp, for once, Orchidpaw held her head high. (While this was a symbol of pride, it was also quite necessary. Her prey was fattened for leaf-bare, and it had continued to flurry; she didn't want to drag it through the snow). She dropped her catch on the shockingly small fresh-kill pile, while Raccoonmask padded off to speak with Cottonfoot, the clan deputy, to ask about the schedule.

    "Really?? That's wonderful news!" Raccoonmask's exclamation sliced through the clearing.

    Twilightpaw and Orchidpaw ran up to them, skidding to a halt beside the two, and showering them in snowflakes.

    "What? What's so wonderful??" Twilightpaw demanded.

    "Cottonfoot and Flamesong are going to have kits!" Raccoonmask explained, "Flamesong moved into the nursery just today. I thought she was looking rather round recently," she added, with a glint of humor in her eye.

    "Don't tell her that," Cottonfoot chuckled.

***

    "Could you imagine being the kits of the clan deputy?" Twilightpaw mused as he and Orchidpaw made their way to the medicine den, "I mean, he could be leader one day! Mudpelt never visits me," he added, kicking some snow with a forepaw. 

    Orchidpaw thought it would probably be better if Aspendawn never pain attention to her, but she didn't express this out loud. She'd always been careful not to complain about her mother in front of Twilightpaw; she'd always felt guilty about it, since he didn't even have one--and it was her fault it ended up that way. Instead, she just nodded knowingly. The thought occurred to Orchidpaw that she didn't even know her father, but the idea made her uncomfortable, so she pushed it away. 

    Tumblepaw, as always, was happy to see them. Orchidpaw opened her mouth to ask if Tumblepaw had heard about Flamesong, but as if he'd read her mind, he spoke first.

    "Isn't it so exciting? The nursery's been empty for ages!" He mewed, happily bouncing in place.

    "That-that's why we-we're here! We-we need f-fresh moss for F-F-Flamesong," Orchidpaw purred.

    "Yeah," Twilightpaw continued, "Nettlebreeze sometimes has some in his stores."

    Tumblepaw considered this for a moment, "Well, he does have a little right now, but I don't think it's enough for the whole nursery-" 

    "I-I can go g-get m-more!" Orchidpaw volunteered.

    Twilightpaw headbutted her shoulder and thanked her. She touched noses with Tumblepaw and made her way out of camp.

***

    Outside camp, Orchidpaw felt herself simply breathe. Alone and away from everyone she could truly relax. There was no need for speaking, meaning she wouldn't trip over her own words. She nearly closed her eyes and allowed her hearing and smell to guide her. She found herself in a thicker park of the pine woods, where it began to give way to oaks and maples, and a stream ran through it. In simpler terms, dark and damp

    Perfect for moss

    Reaching up and stretching her muscles, Orchidpaw began slicing off chunks of moss. It was wetter than usual, probably from the recent snowfall, and would need to be laid out to dry before it could be used. She started making neat piles, getting lost in her task and her thoughts.

    "I'm glad to see you're doing alright," a deep mew sounded behind her.

    She yelped, startled, and flinched away from her tree, snagging her claw on the moss and tumbling over herself before jumping up and spinning around to meet him. How graceful, she thought as she shook debris from her pelt.

    "W-w-what are y-you doing here?" She demanded

    "I should ask you that," the ginger tom replied, "that's the border." He gestured to the stream Orchidpaw had crossed. She was on the wrong side of it.

    She bowed her head guiltily and started collecting her moss, "I-I'm s-so sorry, I-I-I hadn't realized-"

    "I was worried about you," he cut her off, "you just kind of disappeared last night. Are you okay?"

    "Fine," she responded stiffly. To prevent having to make further comment, she picked up a wad of moss in her jaws and turned away, leaping back over the stream. Now that she was paying attention, she finally recognized the ThunderClan scent markers.

    "Do you think we could meet up again?" His voice was soft, with just the tiniest hint of pleading.

    She dropped her wad, "Bearpaw, I-"

    "Please! Just give me one more chance!" He pleaded openly now, and Orchidpaw couldn't deny she was a bit flattered by it, "I don't know what I did wrong, but I promise I'll make it up to you, just, let me try one more time?"