Bright Forest

Chapter 12

Finally, new-leaf came around, and the heaviness of leaf-bare wasn't so bad for the last moons. Glistenfall was able to be cured, and training was starting again.

He learned new moves, but sometimes questioned what Branchpaw did wrong: he was supposed to be a warrior some time ago, but something happened. Any time he tried asking someone they'd respond with "it's too complicated" and only on one night could he get a glimpse of what happened, as he asked Marigold.

-It's StormClan's greatest sin.- she responded. -...it would've never, ever happened if it wasn't for... I'm getting ahead of myself. Go bring these herbs to Rainingbud.

He also knew why ever since Flakekit was born without siblings Branchpaw would treat her with slight restrain: it was a myth between the clans, that having a single kit was a bad omen or bad luck, and since she was born in a snowstorm in the middle of leaf-bare, it would've been easy of him to assume that she would bring bad luck for the entire clan.

But the kit was strong, often helping other cats and the medicine cats. She was active and playful, and would often budge around the apprentices, bothering them. Sometimes she'd beg them to take them outside camp, but Branchpaw was too lazy to do that, and Rustpaw and Spottedpaw didn't want her nor them to get in trouble. Flakekit was also the only one who didn't care about his collar, only asking him once about it.

He returned to camp with two mice dandling in his jaws as the collar bell rang beneath them: this wasn't his only catch, as Glistenfall followed him with two shrews, a small mouse and a crow.

In camp, Rainingbud was sitting outside the nursery, chatting with Deerleap and watching Flakekit twirl around the clearing and Poolspring was sitting in a spot of sunshine near the Great Tree.

Rustpaw took one of the mice and curled up near the apprentices' den. Spottedpaw came out:-How was the patrol?

-Lots and lots of prey!- he said. -Some scent of fox, but it's old.

The calico apprentice took a thrush and sat near her friend: they both watched Flakekit frolic around the clearing.

-Sometimes I wish I could have kits...- mumbled Spottedpaw. -It's kinda hard being a medicine cat, but it's for the good of the clan, I guess.

Rustpaw took a bite out of his fresh-kill:-I'd rather not, actually. It's... only now that I'm realizing that I've never been interested in having kits nor a mate.

The calico apprentice laughed:-How so? Everyone's been excited about it.

-Well, I don't really care.- he sighed. -Kits are nice and all, but I prefer to not have small kits screaming at me... and I don't think I can take on a mate. Just not interested.

-If that makes you happy, so be it!- she purred.

After a while, Branchpaw and Gemwing returned: the apprentice took the crow and sat a bit distant from Rustpaw.

-Hi, Branchpaw!- meowed the medicine cat apprentice. -How was training?

-It's the same thing as it always was.- he answered, glaring at Rustpaw.

-I feel sorry...- suddenly Spottedpaw whispered. -To... let you do this.

But Branchpaw laughed:-Sorry? You're not at fault. It's him!

From the other side of camp, Rustpaw could very clearly hear Deerleap say:-Here we go again...

The brown apprentice's fur bristled:-So? Aren't you going to say sorry, kittypet?

-For what?- the other hissed back.

-For coming into our clan... if it weren't for you, I would've become a warrior by now... until...