A Fallen Blossom (A Jayfeather x OC Story) [CURRENTLY ON HOLD]

IX

 "Good pose, Blossompaw. Make sure to keep your tail in the air so it doesn't brush the ground," Graystripe reminded her. They had gone out into the woods to see how her hunting skills were. So far, so good. Her nose suddenly twitched. Mouse. Slowly, she stalked up to it, the wind blowing in her direction. She slowly unsheathed her claws, and before the mouse could react, she pounced on it, her claws sinking into its fur. With a satisfied look, she picked it up and dropped it by Graystripe's paws. A look of surprise flashed across his face, and he peered at the mouse curiously.

"Good job. Now I will, um, take it somewhere safe in camp," His eyes were on the juicy mouse. She laughed a bit.

"Don't tell me you're going to eat it," She chuckled as his pelt turned warm. A look of fake shock was plastered on his face.

"Oh no, I would never, how could I possibly..." They both started laughing, until they heard rustling nearby. The border patrol popped out, and to her dismay, Berrypaw was in it, getting fresh air for the first time since his punishment. His tail flicked in unhidden hostility as Brambleclaw went up to Graystripe.

"What's going on-" His amber eyes flickered towards the mouse. It was at this moment that Blossompaw realized how big it was.

"Oh my StarClan, that's a big mouse," He commented. Berrypaw puffed out his cream colored chest.

"Did you catch that, Graystripe?" Berrypaw asked, accidentally scratching one of Blossompaw's paw. She didn't flinch.

"No, Blossompaw actually caught that," Graystripe said proudly. Berrypaw's attitude instantly changed. Hostility flashed on his face, but he suddenly smirked.

"Say, Blossompaw, have you ever done battle training? Probably not, since you're so tiny," He smirked. Her ear twitched in annoyance. She didn't hold anything against this cat, but he was getting on her nerves. Brambleclaw blinked.

"It would be good to see how you fight. Just so we know what level you're at," He commented. Graystripe nodded as well.

"Yes, let's go to the Training Hollow. Bring the mouse for me- I mean then fresh kill pile," Graystripe corrected himself, earning a few laughs and smirks. Blossompaw couldn't join in the laughter. It wasn't that she was bad at fighting. She was really great, actually. But the was the problem. They arrived at the Training Hollow a few minutes later, and the apprentices got into place.

"Hi Blossompaw!" Hollypaw's voice carried, and she turned to see her friend. She was on the sidelines, watching them get into place. She murmured a small hello and looked back a Berrypaw. He was bigger than her, and probably tougher as well. I have speed on my side. And I know much more moves than he does, She contemplated.

"Claws sheathed, and start!" Brambleclaw's voice carried. Berrypaw accidentally unsheathed his claws and ran at full force towards her. She ducked, then swerved to the left. He turned around and swiped with his claws, and she went to his right and jumped above him, her front paws pushing on his back. While he was in confusion, she ran under him and pulled him by the tail, making him yowl in pain. She unsheathed her claws, then stopped.

I'm not supposed to hurt him. But mother always says claws first, then words. Or no words at all. Slowly, she unsheathed her claws and turned around to see a bewildered Hollypaw and a proud Graystripe. Then Hollypaw opened her mouth, panic in her eyes, and before Blossompaw could react, she felt claws raking her pelt. Pain flashed in her flank as she saw Berrypaw look at her triumphantly. She wheezed in pain as the blood started oozing out. Hollypaw ran up towards her, anguish on her face. Brambleclaw ran towards Berrypaw, outrage on his face.

"What were you thinking? You seriously hurt her! She's bleeding!! Have you not learned anything about the warrior code?!" He was positively furious. Berrypaw looked taken aback, as if he hadn't expected that. Hollypaw looked at her, her green eyes flashing.

"We need to get you to camp before your powers heal you," She whispered the last part. Blossompaw nodded, the simple movement making her wince in pain. Graystripe hurried to her side, but Hollypaw ushered him away.

"I was once a medicine cat, I know what to do. Stay here, let me take her to camp," Hollypaw instructed. Graystripe looked a bit uncertain about leaving a wounded apprentice in another apprentices paws, but nodded. Hollypaw guided Blossompaw away from the others, and they sat down at a secluded location. Blossompaw looked to see the wound almost fully healed.

"Wow," Hollypaw breathed. Blossompaw felt a bit uncomfortable that someone was watching her do something that she usually kept a secret. Hollypaw gently poked the wound, which was already closed.

"I should get some herbs to make sure it looks like you healed naturally," Hollypaw blinked, standing up. She spotted a marigold bush and plucked the petals. Bringing them towards Blossompaw, she chewed it up until it was juice, then smeared it on the healed wound in a convincing way. Blossompaw had a headache, something her powers couldn't cure if she tried. Hollypaw glanced at her.

"You can stop that," She said, licking the marigold juice off her paws. Blossompaw blinked.

"Stop what?" She asked, her headache growing just by talking. Hollypaw pointed a claw at her.

"That. You're all tensed up. Jaypaw was right when he was talking about you, you're always worried about something," Hollypaw commented. Blossompaw froze. What had Jaypaw said about her? Before she could ask, Hollypaw flicked her tail in the direction of camp.

"Come on, we need to head back. The others will be worried," She stated, and Blossompaw stood up. The pain was almost gone, and she could properly walk without staggering. They padded towards camp, silence trailing behind them.

When they entered, Brambleclaw rushed towards Blossompaw, remorse in his eyes.

"I'm so sorry about what my apprentice did to you, I'll make sure he never does anything like that again-" His eyes trailed to her pelt, which was shining without any scratches. He turned to Hollypaw, confusion in his eyes.

"Where did your scratch-" Hollypaw pushed Blossompaw aside, trying to direct the conversation somewhere else.

"Oh will you look at the sun! It's already sunhigh? Cmon' Blossompaw, lets go," She stumbled, and the two of them rushed away, leaving a confused Brambleclaw behind them.