Bright Forest

Chapter 6

A ray of sunlight gently moved on Rustpaw's forehead, making him stretch out his paws. He slowly opened his eyes and looked around the apprentices' den: Branchpaw wasn't there, nor Spottedpaw.

He then looked outside, where Deerleap licked her pelt quickly and followed Poolspring out of camp.

"I wonder where they're going..." the ginger tom thought, padding out of the den.

Rustpaw took a squirrel from the fresh-kill pile and curled up in front of the apprentices' den. He had no idea where Spottedpaw rolled off to, especially since yesterday. The calico could only answer "yes" to everything, and her mentor sounded worried. But aside from that, he had a good night sleep, regardless of Gemwing's pointless complaints.

Marigold suddenly emerged from the medicine den and padded next to Rainingbud, bringing her herbs. He could hear a bit of their conversation.

-Here's your poppy seeds.

-Thank you. I think Gemwing needs those too. He's been yowling all night because of Deerleap...

-Yeah, it happens.

-I'll give them when he finishes patrol... I hope those DoveClan bastards don't return!

-Don't worry: our warriors are healthy, strong and wise, especially our deputy, who trained loyal warriors!

-Yeah... but what about...

-The catmint stock?

-Yep.

-I'll ask some of the apprentices to go get some. Greenleaf is almost ending, so we have to be prepared.

Marigold turned around, meowing:-Oh, Rustpaw!

The medicine cat whispered something to the dark she-cat and then trotted to his paws. -Rustpaw, would you mind collecting some catmint for me?

-Um, sure!- he replied.

-Good! Take Treefeather with you, she needs to practice recognizing herbs. I'll go get her!- The golden she-cat quickly ran into the darkness of her den and pulled out a Treefeather, muttering:-A'ight. You go with Rustpaw to collect herbs.

-What herb?

-Catmint.

-Oh, the good ones.

She dropped Treefeather's scruff on the ground and with a nod, gave Rainingbud a sign to follow her back to the medicine den. -Don't return without herbs!

-Hmph! We won't!- the other medicine cat mewed. -Come on, Rustpaw.

They walked into the forest, with a strangely cold wind surrounding them.

-Hey autumn's coming soon!- Treefeather broke the silence with her spunky meow.

-"Autumn"?- he asked. "How does she know that's leaf-fall? Isn't she a clan cat?".

-Leaf-fall. See? Some leaves are starting to become sort of orange!- she pointed out some leaves with her claw. They continued walking. -Ah, Marigold is always paranoid. "Treefeather, go do your work!", "Treefeather, go collect herbs!", "Treefeather, stop frolicking with your leader!"... Oh wait, Gemwing said that...

For the rest of the walk, Rustpaw listened to Treefeather's worries and troubles, claiming that everyone's "too bossy" around her.

At one point, Rustpaw stopped: they were just walking in circles.

-Um, Treefeather?

-Yeah?

-Where are we going?

-To get catmint.