eternal: hyacinth || warrior cats

chapter 4

mintkit

~~~

MINTKIT ENDED UP SPENDING most of the day sleeping. Her brothers were out doing chores with Clearfrost, and if she even looked at Frozenkit and Sweetkit the wrong way, Featherflight would be there to give her a scolding. It was easier to simply avoid the two.

So, with no friends and nothing to do, why not sleep?

By the time Mintkit woke up, the sun was already beginning to set, golden rays painting the sky a beautiful color. The gray tabby padded out of the nursery, jaws parted in a yawn, ready to fall back asleep in a few hours again.

ShadowClan seemed at ease. Though they were still in an ongoing war with RiverClan, neither side had made a move to attack in a long time. With leafbare fading away into greenleaf, the cats were hoping that the fighting would end, and they'd move into a happier era with peace and prosperity.

And that seemed to be the scene before Mintkit. Warriors were chatting with friends, eating prey, and lazily sharing tongues with each other. Ivorystar was laughing for the first time in how long, the stress of war off her shoulders for that moment, and the elders had come out to tell stories.

Even Featherflight seemed more relaxed and less tense, watching idly as Frozenkit and Sweetkit tossed a moss ball around.

Suddenly, this peace was disrupted. No, not by an attack or fighting of any sort, but rather a loud groan of complaint.

And Mintkit knew exactly who the groan belonged to; her brothers had returned.

Viperkit and Snakekit dragged themselves through the barrier tunnel, each carrying large bundles of herbs. Clearfrost trotted after them, her tail whisking as she nodded at the two. "Go put those down in front of the medicine den, and get something to eat. Quickly. Then we'll sort the herbs."

Mintkit watched as her brothers trotted over to the boulder next to the Clanrock, ducking inside and soon reappearing herb-less.

They spoke no words to her as they passed by to the prey pile; Viperkit glanced at her, but didn't say anything.

Fine, Mintkit thought angrily. If that's how they want to play it, then that's how it'll go. She stalked over to the prey pile, grabbed the mouse that Snakekit was reaching for, and padded over to where Clearfrost was eating a vole.

"You look upset," the medicine cat noted.

"I am," Mintkit grumbled in response, sitting down.

Clearfrost didn't ask if she wanted to talk about it. She never did, she just wasn't that type of cat. Though Mintkit loved Clearfrost, she felt lonely sometimes in this aspect. Viperkit and Snakekit could always just talk to each other; she had nobody.

Viperkit and Snakekit found themselves a nice spot under a pine tree to eat their meal, and that was the spot that Mintkit shot deadly look after deadly look, feeling her anger grow inside of her.

Her rage only flourished when she saw Frozenkit and Sweetkit approaching the two. "Hey," Mintkit heard Frozenkit meow. "How was collecting herbs?"

"Horrible," Snakekit drawled loudly. "Maybe it could've been avoided if someone"- his head whipped toward Mintkit, acknowledging her for maybe the first time that night -"didn't overreact and talked to Clearfrost for us."

Mintkit growled lowly, her fangs sinking deep into the mouse. Whatever Frozenkit replied was drowned out by her growing frustration; however, when the white she-kit spoke again, Mintkit heard it loud and clear:

"Can Sweetkit and I sit with you guys?"

Snakekit was quick to respond. "Of course."

Mintkit gazed upon the scene, outraged. Viperkit and Snakekit hated Sweetkit! Yet they were still willing to sit with her rather than Mintkit?

As if he could hear her thoughts, Viperkit looked up from his prey, and waved his tail. "Hey, Mintkit, do you want to-"

"She doesn't, Viperkit," Snakekit interrupted with a sneer, giving Mintkit another glare. "She's over there eating with Clearfrost, too busy being the favorite."

Mintkit felt her pelt prickling with heat as Frozenkit and Sweetkit's attention turned to her as well. Clearfrost, however, calmly ate on, finishing the rest of her vole and swiping her tongue across her jaws before moving on to clean her paws.

"Well, I think Snakekit and Viperkit have had enough rest time, don't you?" the medicine cat mewed, pushing herself to her paws. 

"Yes," Mintkit responded, plastering a smile onto her face. "Those herbs won't sort themselves."

Clearfrost paused. "Why don't you join us? It'll be a good chance to get accustomed to the different herb types."

Mintkit's stomach dropped. She knew Clearfrost was pushing for her to be a medicine cat, but she really wasn't interested. But she didn't want Clearfrost to get mad at her; she was the only one who would hold a conversation with Mintkit at the moment.

Yet, glancing sideways, the gray tabby spotted Snakekit staring at her with a challenging look in his eyes. He'd heard Clearfrost's words, and he was taunting her.

"Have you told Clearfrost about your career plans, then? I'm sure she'll be thrilled."

"Mark my words, you're becoming a medicine cat, whether you like it or not."

Her brother's words circled around her head, and she suddenly felt a strong want to prove him wrong.

"Actually, Clearfrost... I don't think I'll really need to know the different herb types."

Clearfrost gave her a pointed look. "Of course you are. You can't be a medicine cat without knowing herbs."

"I know, but I don't really..." Mintkit took a deep breath. "I don't want to be a medicine cat."

Clearfrost's ears twitched, and her eyes became cold. "I see."

"Don't be mad," Mintkit implored, twitching her pelt anxiously. 

"I'm not mad," Clearfrost responded, gazing over at where Viperkit and Snakekit were sitting. "I'm just disappointed."

Mintkit didn't know what to say, simply following the medicine cat's gaze over to the four kits. They were all laughing at some joke Viperkit had told, their purrs echoing through the camp.

"You won't ever be able to be part of them, Mintkit, can't you see?" Clearfrost spoke. "The way the other kits act and hold themselves are different from you. You're different from them. You're unique, that's why I picked you."

What might have been meant as comforting words (probably the most comforting things Clearfrost has said in moons), didn't appear to Mintkit that way. All she could hear was the medicine cat saying she was different.

"You won't ever be able to be part of them."

"You're different from them."

Those words drummed in her head, again and again, making her feel lonelier than ever. Maybe she was meant to live the life of a medicine cat, sleeping by herself in the medicine den, not being allowed to have a mate and kits, a family of her own.

"I'm disappointed you aren't able to see how special the role of a medicine cat is, and how exceptional you'd have to be for that job," Clearfrost continued. "But if being a warrior is what you want, then suit yourself."

The gray she-cat whisked her tail, calling, "Viperkit! Snakekit! Let's go!" before padding toward the medicine den.

Mintkit watched her go, feeling despair sink in her stomach. "Clearfrost, wait," she mewed. When the medicine cat halted to look at her, Mintkit bounded forward. "I- I changed my mind. I actually think it's a good idea for me to get accustomed with the different herbs."

Clearfrost nodded; maybe Mintkit imagined it, but she saw the briefest of smiles fly across the gray she-cat's face as they made their way to the medicine den. "Good. That's more like it."