Warriors: Beetlestar's Path

Chapter Twenty-Three

     "So of course you can't just jump right into it, you have to take your time. You have to keep your balance, be careful of where you put your paws, okay?" 

     Minnowkit listened intently as his father instructed him. Meanwhile, Spottedkit's attention was elsewhere, and Beetlestar followed her curious gaze to a caterpillar crawling on the edge of a reed. 

     Piketooth had herded his two children outside of camp, but only to show them the stream that curled around the southern wall of the camp. Beetlestar had followed them, mostly out of curiosity regarding the warrior's parenting. As Minnowkit placed a tiny gray paw into the shallows of the creek, Piketooth guided him ever so gently with one of his own paws. 

     He's far more gentle than Brownspots. Although she had never hurt her kits, she was a stern and sharp queen with a tongue made of claws. And he knows how to keep his mouth shut. 

     It was Brownspots who had begun spreading divisive rumors about Acornpelt, and Brownspots who spoke the loudest to proclaim her disdain. Beetlestar's face burned beneath his fur at the thought. She was happy that Acornpelt left. Then again, most cats didn't seem too bothered to lose her. 

     Would they have wanted me to leave if they had known about Bean and me? Would Splashstar have let me give Sorrelclaw away; let me leave? And what about Brookstar, would she have given Ripplekit and Flutterkit away? 

     He pictured the silver tabby, small but fierce, at the forefront of her Clan. She had not cared for codebreakers, but she had been deeply loyal to her Clanmates. 

     She would have flayed Hailstar into scraps if he so much as asked about those kits. 

     In the nine days since Acornpelt's departure, his mind had dwelled on the situation, but he didn't dare to say a word. And what was done was done, and going back on his word would paint him as a rather weak leader.  

     "Spottedkit, come in! It's fun!" Minnowkit urged, up to his sides in gently flowing water. Spottedkit didn't answer, focused entirely on the caterpillar as it inched its way towards the ground. Beetlestar fought the pain in his heart, reminded of Troutpaw by the kit's innocence. Burying it as best he could, he joined Spottedkit beside the reeds. 

     "I'd bet it's looking for something to eat. Caterpillars love munching on plants." 

     Spottedkit gaped at him for a moment before leaning in to study the orange stripes on its fat green body. "It looks like its had a bit too much!" She reached up and nudged it with her paw, and as it lifted its head, she squealed and jumped backwards. 

     Beetlestar couldn't stop himself from chuckling. "It needs all sorts of food before it can become a butterfly. I don't think they can ever get enough." 

     "Wait- Caterpillars become butterflies?!" Spottedkit spun on her paws and peered up at Beetlestar with amazement. "That's so cool!" 

     "Spottedkit, come on!" Minnowkit called, and Piketooth snorted in amusement. 

     "When they're ready, they wrap up in a cocoon-" 

     "A cocoon?" 

     "Yep, like a nest that wraps all around you. And they grow wings and emerge as butterflies." 

     Spottedkit hopped on her tippy toes, giggling. "Maybe if I make a cocoon I can become a butterfly too!" 

     "Spottedkit!" 

     "Okay! Okay!" Spottedkit puffed and cast one last look at the caterpillar before meeting her brother at the edge of the water, gasping when she stepped in. "It's cold!"