eternal: hyacinth || warrior cats

chapter 6

viperpaw

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WHEN THEY RETURNED FROM THE TOUR, Viperpaw and Snakepaw got to experience the less pleasant part of being an apprentice: the chores.

"Go take care of the elders' ticks," Foxstorm ordered. "Then you can grab something to eat."

Snakepaw's face wrinkled in displeasure. Seeing this, the ginger tom added, "We'll go out on a dusk patrol later, and there will be time between then and now to rest if you hurry with the ticks."

The apprentices then wasted no time bolting to the medicine den to ask for mouse bile. As soon as they neared, the strong stench of herbs drifted out, making Viperpaw's nose twitch as he resisted the urge to gag.

He didn't know how Mintpaw could stand this.

Clearfrost and Mintpaw were both in the den, rummaging through piles of leaves that looked practically identical. 

Growing up under Clearfrost, the toms knew the medicine den very well. They headed for the back instantly, where the bile was stored, and Clearfrost didn't bother to spare them a glance, her attention focused entirely on Mintpaw.

Same as always, Viperpaw supposed.

Viperpaw felt his face twitching with disgust as they neared the bile. "Gross, it stinks."

Snakepaw grabbed a stick and twirled some up instantly without hesitation. "I'd still prefer this over the smell of herbs, wouldn't you?" His voice was salty, tail-tip twitching as he glanced to the front of the den where Mintpaw was, clearly hoping his sister had heard.

Ah. He was upset about her beating him in the leaping contest, then.

At least he'd made it pretty far rather than falling flat on his face.

The two grabbed the mouse bile and headed for the elders den, wanting the chore finished as soon as possible.

Ducking inside, Viperpaw and Snakepaw saw that both elders, Tigerstrike and Frostlight, were there, chatting idly among themselves. 

"Ah," Frostlight mewed, breaking conversation when she saw the two enter. "Are you here for our ticks?"

"Unfortunately," Snakepaw muttered around his stick softly. Thankfully, the elders didn't hear.

Tigerstrike ruffled his fur. "Thank StarClan. We haven't had any apprentices around since Foxstorm and Birdfrost became warriors. These ticks have been sitting around for a while."

Snakepaw groaned, getting to work. Frostlight and Tigerstrike tried engaging the two in a conversation of some sort, though Snakepaw didn't bother responding at all. As soon as they finished, the gray apprentice stood up and marched out without saying anything to Frostlight and Tigerstrike.

Viperpaw's pelt burned with awkwardness. He felt like he should apologize for his brother's actions. "Er- sorry about him, he's had a bad day."

Frostlight shrugged. "Don't apologize for things you didn't do." She eyed him. "You seem like a very kind-hearted tom," she mewed at last. "Your brother on the other paw..."

"Just make sure to stay like yourself. Don't turn into Snakepaw," Tigerstrike finished for her. "I can tell already that he's going to be one of those arrogant warriors. Hopefully he'll mature and lose the attitude."

Viperpaw nodded, not sure how to respond. "Well- thanks. I'll see you guys later, I guess." He ducked out of the den.

Snakepaw had already returned his mouse bile to the medicine den, and was now tossing around a moss ball with Frozenkit.