Bright Forest

Chapter 24

Rustpaw yawned as he padded to the leaders' den. Finally, he could've told everything that Viperbite had done to him and free himself of guilt, yet he still was sleepy.

He peeked inside. Frondstar meowed:-You can come in, Rustpaw.

The ginger tom entered the cave: Frondstar was curled up in his moss bed and Viperbite was sitting in a corner.

The apprentice sat down and looked at both of them.

-So...- mumbled the leader, looking at his paw. -Care to explain what happened with Flakekit?

Viperbite looked down at the young cat, ignoring Frondstar. -Care to confess?

-I'm not the one who has to confess!- hissed Rustpaw back. -You're the one who told me to steal her!

-I'll say it again, I would never do...

-An argument is enough for a day, Viperbite. Especially if it's the same one.- the brown tom hissed.

-Well what do you plan to do?- the warrior grumbled back.

-Viperbite, it is up to you. Confess your true intentions or forfeit, it's the only choice I'll give you.

The tom narrowed his eyes, his claws scratching against the stoney floor. But the cat remained still. only stumping his tail on the floor.

-I will be honest with you.- the leader mewed, gazing at him. -This isn't the only report of your... questionable behavior.

Rustpaw kept listening, interested. Viperbite rolled his eyes. -So?

-What? Do you want me to make a list?

-Do you expect me to confess?

-Actually let's see what you have done this far: Firedusk told me that you smelled just like the rogues that live near Twolegplace once and saw you talking to someone with a collar, then an OakClan patrol caught you trespassing with Patchpaw, then you woke up with unknown scars and lastly you got accused by your current apprentice of sending him to steal kits in StormClan... I think that that's all. I decided to stay quiet most of the time, unless it involved other clans, but I did it because I had faith in you that you were a good warrior... but this is too much.

-Firedusk is a mousebrain, first of all...- Viperbite started.

-This reminds me, Bristleglade also told me you woke the medicine cats up because you kept arguing with him, right before we went to battle.

-Bristleglade hates me with every smidge of fur on her pelt.- snapped the other, looking a bit unnerved. -Firedusk too! Plus, it wasn't always my fault... especially when I get falsely accused by other cats...

Frondstar looked at him silently. -Enough is enough. I've lost my patience with our talk and clearly you should learn that accusing other cats won't get you anywhere... you'll have six moons of apprentice duties, and you're not allowed out of camp for the first three moons. How does that sound?
Viperbite was about to strike on the leader's muzzle but held himself back. -Fine.

-As for you, young Rustpaw...- he mumbled. -Despite it being enforced by your mentor, you still broke the rules. You should've told me.

-I know...

-But you have already faced a punishment, so it won't be too harsh.

Rustpaw smiled:-Thanks, Frondstar.

-Now, do you two have anything to add?

-Nope, I'm done.- Viperbite stood up and nodded goodbye to Frondstar. -I'm going to rest now.