The Journey of CedarClan

Part 3: The Worries Pt. 2

I apologize for this one being short. The nexr chapter will be longer I promise!

Hopetree's POV
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Hopetree grumbled a bit to herself. How exactly was she supposed to get Crookedbite to open up? Why didn't he ask Crabfeather? She had always been good at talking. She thought as she returned to Crabfeather.

"What'd he want?"

"He just wants me to see how Crookedbite is doing. You know figure out if she's adjusting ok to being a warrior."

"Ohhh." Crabfeather's eyebrows lifted in surprise.

"I'm not sure why he asked me though."

Crabfeather thought for a moment. "Maybe because you had trouble being a warrior at first?"

Hopetree blinked. "I don't recall that."

"Come on."

"It's... Embarassing."

"No it isn't! You remember what a big head I got about being a warrior? Maybe I wasn't scared but I certainly needed to be knocked down a peg!"

Hopetree laughed slightly. "Ok fine. I'll talk to her."

"Great! While you do that I'm gonna catch a fresh rabbit to snack on. Maybe Wosteriastar would like to share it with me." Crabfeather giggled slightly her steps light as she walked away.

Hopetree rolled her eyes. Her ears twitched as she turned toward Crookedbite and began to walk. How exactly what she going to do this?

She made her way over to Crookedbite much too soon.

"Hi Hopetree." Crookedbite said looking up at her, a small bit of mouse poking out of her mouth.

"Hi. Care if I sit next to you?"

"Not at all." The younger cat replied.

Hopetree sat down, trying to think of a way to talk to Crookedbite about being a warrior. Her mind drifted, thinking about what Crabfeather had said about her own struggles.

Maybe she could stand to embarass herself a little if it mean't Crookedbite ended up alright.

She sighed and then took in a deep breath. How she wished she had the speaking skills of Crabfeather. All she could think of, was addressing it directly.

"How are you liking being a warrior?" She asked.

Crookedbite stopped her eating to think for a moment, holding a paw up to her chin.

"It's nice. Although I won't lie and say I'm used to it. I got up today and went to change the bedding! I don't have to do that by myself anymore!"

Hopetree smiled slightly. It seemed like Crookedbite was doing fine.

"Although..." The younger cat continued, then stopped. "...Nah nevermind."

Hopetree's ears perked. "What is it?"

"It's just... I was on a hunting patrol today and I was so erm..." "Nervous?" Hopetree filled in. "I couldn't even catch this old rabbit." Crookedbite sighed, looking ashamed.

Hopetree felt awkward as she tried to think of words to soothe the young cat. "Uhm... Well no one expects you to be perfect."

"I looked like a fool. Everyone laughed." Crookedbite said with an edge to her voice, plopping her head angrily on crossed paws.

Hopetree sighed, which got the attention of the young cat who slowly lifted her head. She really didn't want to have to tell this story.

"Let me tell you when I first became a warrior. It's a similar story to yours although-"

She paused before she continued. "It was my first hunting patrol. I was so excited and wanted to prove my skills. I was chasing this squirrel and I was just about to catch it! When it suddenly darted another direction and- bam. I ran right into a bramble bush. It took two other warriors to untangle me."

Crookedbite's eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. "Wow...."

"But wait. They put me on another hunting patrol a week later, after the wounds had healed up. And what do you know?"

"What?" Crookedbite asked, obviously enthralled with the story.

"Did the exact same thing." She turned, showing the scar on her shoulder. "This scar was from that. My first scar too. On something completely stupid. They didn't put me on another hunting patrol for a while."

Crookedbite laughed. She laughed so hard she wheezed having trouble breathing. Hopetree however didn't feel embarassed. She smiled.

Crookedbite wiped a tear from her eye. "Am I sure glad I didn't do THAT!"

"The point is..." Hopetree uttered, the words coming more easily now. "We all make dumb mistakes. Even when we're warriors." Hopetree placed a paw on Crookedbite's shoulder, which she hoped was comforting.

"Is this why you came over? To check on me?" Crookedbite questioned her head tilting.

"Yes." Hopetree admitted. "You did get your warrior name kinda early. Hazelfreckle was concerned how you were adjusting."

"I see." She said looking sheepish. "Was it that obvious?"

"No." Hopetree said without hesitation.