𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: 𝑨 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒕 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄

CHAPTER 19

"S-Silentpaw?" Maplethorn asked, her tail vibrating with joy, still hardly believing the sight before her.

"Yes," Silentpaw smiled at her.

She launched towards her sister and rubbed her head with her sister's, licking her fur and purring uncontrollably.

"Welcome home, sister," Maplethorn purred. "You have no idea how shocked I was when I returned and realised you weren't here."

"I'm sorry for leaving you without even a proper farewell, but Dovesprig's order was for us to leave immediately, thus we couldn't complain, after all, if Dovesprig received such an auspicious prophecy, we must obey it, right?" Silentpaw meowed softly.

"How about we catch up after I report to Cinderstar about my vigil?" Maplethorn replied, eyes darkening at the mention of WillowClan's medicine cat.

"Sounds great!" Silentpaw beamed. "Wait...vigil? Are you a...warrior now, Maple..."

"Maplethorn's my new name. Do you like it?" Maplethorn asked as they leaped into camp and climbed up the path to the leader's den.

"Of course and congratulations!" Silentpaw grinned, purring even louder as she rubbed her head against Maplethorn's shoulder, "It suits you wonderfully!"

"Wait outside," Maplethorn meowed, "I'll tell Cinderstar of your arrival."

Silentpaw nodded as she stepped into the leader's den after a beckoning flick of Cinderstar's tail.

"Any news then, Maple...thorn?" Cinderstar questioned, turning around to face her as she lingered for a while before saying her new suffix, as though she regretted making her a warrior.

"Well, nothing much, apart from the fact that Silentpaw is now home with us," Maplethorn casually responded, looking directly into Cinderstar's deep blue eyes.

"She's back?" Cinderstar gasped, taken aback as her eyes widened.

"Yes. What's so surprising, dear leader? Did you believe she'd die whilst travelling there or back?" Maplethorn queried, voice controlled, biting one side of her cheek to quell the anger rising inside her.

"N-no, of course not! I was just surprised as to how short of a time frame she had returned in. Dovesprig said-" Cinderstar stammered before controlling herself and paused for a couple of seconds before speaking, "You are dismissed and may spend the rest of the night however you wish. Tomorrow, you will begin your duties as a full warrior of MistClan."

Maplethorn dipped her head in respect before leaving the den and walked with Silentpaw to the medicine cats' den.

"So, sister," Silentpaw purred. "Tell me about what happened during your exile and after you returned."

"Well," Maplethorn began. "It's a long story..."

[TIMESKIP]

"I see," Silentpaw meowed as Maplethorn wrapped up her story. "Is your shoulder alright?"

Back to our kithood then, Maplethorn internally sighed as Silentpaw clambered over her, checking her entire body for wounds or cuts.

"Well," Maplethorn continued, "I see you were sent off on a journey by Dovesprig of WillowClan?"

"Of course!" Silentpaw replied proudly, after falling off Maplethorn's back with a quiet oof, and puffed her chest out. Silentpaw was larger than Maplethorn, which wasn't really surprising, considering that practically over half of the clan stood taller than her, however, weighed lighter than a feather.

"Well, Ghostwhisper told me why you left. Since I have the whole night to spare, can I tell you my side of the story?"

"Certainly," Silentpaw purred.