Orchidfrost's Trials

Chapter 16

    A half a moon later, Orchidpaw sat with Tumblepaw and Nettlebreeze at the entrance to the medicine cat den. She was now able to limp short distances, but both medicine cats were very strict with how far they allowed her to roam. She still wasn't permitted to fetch her own fresh-kill.

    There was a certain buzz to the air that afternoon. Tonight would be the half-moon gathering, and though it had yet to be said outright, Orchidpaw knew that this was the gathering that Tumblepaw would receive his full medicine cat name. His pelt was immaculately groomed, his golden-tabby-and-white fur glowing in the sunlight. Looking at him made Orchidpaw's heart ache with a strange mix of love, envy, and fierce pride.

    Both her and Tumblepaw had been apprenticed on the same day. It felt... odd, to know his training would be completed before hers. Yet, at the same time, she knew he deserved this. He'd worked so hard for this, for moons, and he was finally reaping the rewards.

    Tumblepaw nudged Orchidpaw's shoulder affectionately with his head. "Just because I'm getting a fancy name doesn't mean my training's over," he said reassuringly, blinking his green eyes at her. "This old fleabag still has loads to teach me," he added, flicking his tail at Nettlebreeze.

    Nettlebreeze reached over and cuffed Tumblepaw affectionately over the ears. "Don't worry, Orchidpaw. I'll be sure to name him something awful."

    Tumblepaw ducked away, moving to Orchidpaw's other side. "Something truly grotesque, I'm sure," he teased back.

    Orchidpaw's whiskers twitched with laughter as she watched the two of them, but a pang once again went through her heart. This time, however, it was for a much different reason. She could see the love and mutual respect shining in both apprentice's and mentor's eyes, sense that special bond this system was supposed to create, and yet, she couldn't help thinking of Pansyswirl. She had to suppress a shiver at the memory of her last visit.

    Nettlebreeze glanced up at the sky then nodded to both her and Tumblepaw. "We'd best be off soon, if we want to be there on time. I'll be waiting at the camp entrance," he added with a knowing glance at his apprentice before turning and padding off.

    Orchidpaw turned to see a look of anxiety settle over her brother. "Hey..." she murmured softly, rubbing her muzzle against his, "You-you'll be fine."

    She knew it wasn't just the naming ceremony that made Tumblepaw nervous. It was the task set forth to him by that ancient medicine cat.

    "Yeah..." Tumblepaw mumbled noncommittally.

    "Look on the-the bright side," Orchidpaw continued, "You're following the will of StarClan. It-it's not like they can say no to our war-warrior ancestors!"

    Tumblepaw gave her an appreciative look, then rasped his tongue between her ears. "Thanks, Orchidpaw. I'd better go. Nettlebreeze will have my fur off if I keep him waiting too long," he mewed, padding off in the direction of his mentor.

    "May-may StarClan light you pa-path!" Orchidpaw called after him.

    Both medicine cats waved their tails in parting as the slipped through the entrance to the camp and disappeared from sight.

    It could not have been more than a few heartbeats later that Twilightpaw came yowling triumphantly into camp, Pansyswirl and Raccoonmask following close behind, the former with a look of indifference, and the latter with a look of quiet pride, both laden heavy with prey, including a rat.

    Orchidpaw quickly limped back into the shadows of the medicine den, so Twilightmask couldn't see her. Since making her decision to leave ShadowClan as soon as she earned her warrior name, she'd done her best to avoid him. She felt a strange prickling in her pelt whenever she looked at him, and she just couldn't bear it.