Goldstar's past

Chapter 8: "Recovery"

"She'll be fine." The words were kind of blurred together, but still understandable. "I've treated her wounds. She is young and energetic. She'll pull through, Saphirestar." The voice came into focus. Frostpelt was talking to Saphriestar! But, about who? A pelt brushed against Goldpaw's side. Then, a familiar scent filled her nose. Darkpaw! Goldpaw figured she was in the medicine cat's den. Goldpaw pealed open her eyes and squinted against the light filling in through the entrance.

She looked at her mother, who looked worried as ever. Goldpaw has never seen her mother like that. Graypaw had his back towards Goldpaw at the entrance. From the looks of it, he was reassuring someone. Goldpaw kept looking.  There was one familiar pelt she wanted to see, but she couldn't find him. Goldpaw gave her legs a little stretch, feeling really stiff. Her moss bed swished. Frostpelt and Saphirestar whipped their heads around to look at Goldpaw.

"Goldpaw!" Saphirestar sighed with relief. She ran up to Goldpaw and frantically started licking her. Goldpaw weakly flailed her paws.

"Mom!" Goldpaw squeaked. "I'm fine!" Saphirestar sat back, but when she was about to talk, a yowl of delight sounded from the entrance of the den.

"Goldpaw, you're ok!" The voice yowled. A familiar pelt darted towards her. It skidded to a halt right in front of her. "I was so worried!"

"I'm ok, Bronzepaw." Goldpaw mewed. "Where's Graypaw?" As if on que, Graypaw scrambled into the cramped den.

"Thank Starclan you're ok!" Graypaw rested his muzzle on Goldpaw's head. "What would I do without my sister?"

"Ok, everybody out!" Frostpelt ordered. "You're overwhelming her. Only one at a time, starting with Saphirestar." Reluctantly, the rest of the cats poured out. Bronzepaw had to be nudged out by Darkpaw.

"How are you, sweetie?" Saphirestar's motherly mew soothed Goldpaw. The truth was, she was getting overwhelmed!

"I'm ok..." Goldpaw yawned. "Just a bit tired, is all."

"Oh really?" Darkpaw called over her shoulder as she organized some herbs. "You almost slept a whole moon!"

"Darkpaw!" Frostpelt scolded. "It was not a moon! It was only a few days!" Darkpaw's ears folded back with shame.

"I knew Darkpaw was joking..."  Goldpaw began to defend her friend, but Darkpaw shook her head. The discussion was over. Frostpelt checked Goldpaw's wounds and renewed the cobwebs.

"She should be back in the apprentices' den in about a day or two." Frospelt meowed. "She is already regaining all of the blood that she has lost." Saphriestar sighed with relief. Goldpaw relaxed too. At least she wouldn't have to wait longer to get her warrior name.

"Well, I think Bronzepaw wants to speak with you..." Saphirestar mewed, and Bronzepaw dashed inside and sat down beside Goldpaw. "Ok then, see you later Goldpaw."  Saphirestar padded out of the medicine cat den.

"Thank Starclan!" Bronzepaw meowed. "I thought my turn would never come! I was so worried!" Bronzepaw's voice was thick with joy. Why did he care so much? And why did the touch of his fur make Goldpaw blush?

"Worried?" Goldpaw wondered. "Why so worried?"

"Well I-" Bronzepaw cut of short. He slightly blushed. "I... I don't know..." Goldpaw purred and leaned forward and licked his cheek.

"You should be worried about your mentor, Mistflower." Goldpaw purred.

"She is already better... Well, she can hunt." Bronzepaw corrected himself. "She can't teach me any battle moves yet. And Tigerlily left the medicine cat's den at dawn to go back to her warrior duties." He kept telling her everything that happened while she was unconscious. His warmth soothed Goldpaw. She wanted to stay right there forever, with Bronzepaw. Goldpaw drifted into a peaceful sleep.