The Loner's Trial (A Shrouded Path book 2) {COMPLETE}

Chapter 4

Shortly after, Oliver returned to the Twoleg nest and Minnow decided it was time to go back to the barn and apologize. She felt bad for putting Jay and Smokey out, but knew that there had to be boundaries or else she would go crazy by the time newleaf came around. She didn't want, or need, them mooning over her the entire time she was here like she was some kind of helpless kit. For StarClan's sake, she was undoubtedly more equipped for survival alone than they were! Part of her wished she could tell them that, but she wasn't in a hurry to reveal her Clan roots, especially after Apollo's accusation. In her head, Minnow could see the smug look on his face about being right, a look she sometimes felt like clawing off. Still, she wished there was something she could say to make them quit worrying about her so much.

Minnow kicked up snow as she entered the barn, announcing her arrival. The three other barn cats were all there, laying around, and stood as she entered, looks of uncertainty on their faces. Clearly none of them knew what to say, if anything, and Minnow held back a sigh as she saw them. If there was anything she was good at, it was making messes like this.

She stopped in front of her companions and looked at her paws, absentmindedly flicking away a chunk of snow from one of her claws. "I'm sorry," she mumbled. Louder, she went on, "I'm sorry for being so rude to you. It was unfair of me. But I promise you have no reason to worry about me. I know how to take care of myself and..." she paused. "And if I ever need help, I'll ask." She finally made eye contact with her fellow cats, and waited for their responses.

Jay was the first to step forward. "We understand," he said clearly and softly. "We were a little quick to assume you were incapable of taking care of yourself."

"We know we were wrong about that," Smokey added, padding up to stand by her mate. "We're sorry. It's just in our nature to take care of each other around here."

Jay purred. "We're a family like that."

The word family cut Minnow deep, like the unforgiving claws of an enemy warrior. RiverClan had been her family, too, and over half of them had wanted her to be exiled. Some of them had maybe even wanted her dead. Her gaze dropped to the ground and sadness washed over her. She knew that it wasn't supposed to be that way, that whatever these cats had going on was genuine and true, but the prospect of becoming a part of it was unsettling, and it still reminded her of her old home in the forest. Once again, she felt a wall rising between them. And the thought of a barrier keeping her from connecting with these cats was almost comforting.

Minnow took a deep breath and let some of her feelings leave as she exhaled. "So we're clear that I don't need to be coddled?" she asked, the tiniest purr of amusement making its way into her meow.

Jay's ears twitched. "Clear," he said.

"Completely clear," Smokey echoed.

Minnow nodded at the two of them, overwhelmingly glad that this was all over. It seemed unnecessary, to have a conversation like this, but then again she was more than used to being alone and taking care of herself. Even in RiverClan, it had gotten to the point that no other cat looked out for her very much. And, Minnow thought, she was sure she preferred it that way. No cats to get hurt, no cats to hurt her.

Apollo, who had yet to offer a single word to the exchange, leaped nimbly down from his perch atop one of the giant monster's round black paws. It was unsettling how comfortable he was around the monster, considering how large, terrifying, and deadly they were. That was just something else about him that Minnow couldn't wrap her head around. The strange tom said nothing for a few moments, then opened his mouth into a crooked smirk and said lightly, "Who's up for a hunt?"

Minnow suppressed a growl. She'd actually half-expected him to supply something meaningful to the conversation, but of course that was foolish. She wondered if Apollo could ever take anything seriously, or if he had just lived his entire life as an immature, smug loner without ever feeling the pressing weight of real problems bearing down on him. Part of her hated him for that.