Warriors: a path by the stars #1

CHAPTER FIVE

Ivykit sighed as she scrubbed the floor of Alderstripe's den, her movements slow and mechanical. The weight of her punishment hung over her like a heavy cloak. "Do we really have to do this?" she grumbled, casting a glance at Owlkit, who was scrubbing with equally little enthusiasm.

"Of course you do," came Echoflower's firm voice from across the den. She was busy sorting through a pile of herbs, her gaze flicking over to them occasionally. "This is your punishment, after all. You should've thought of that before you went on your little adventure."

Ivykit huffed but didn't argue. She knew Echoflower was right, but it didn't make the task any less tedious. Her mind wandered to the mysterious cat who had saved them. The memory of the dark tabby's powerful strikes and the creature's retreat was vivid in her thoughts.

"I wish I knew who that cat was," Ivykit murmured to Owlkit, her voice barely above a whisper over the sound of scrubbing. "Do you think we'll ever see them again?"

Owlkit paused, his eyes thoughtful. "I don't know... maybe they'll come back to check on us. I hope they do."

Nearby, Hyenakit was quietly cleaning the bedding, his leg nearly healed. He didn't join the conversation, but his ears twitched, betraying his interest. Ivykit noticed but chose not to press him. Instead, she let her gaze wander to Alderstripe and Echoflower, who were surrounded by the scents of healing herbs. Ivykit had heard stories of how medicine cats always smelled like herbs, but she wondered if it ever bothered them.

Sensing her gaze, Alderstripe looked up and caught her staring. "Something on your mind, Ivykit?" he asked, his eyes warm and inviting.

Ivykit blinked, startled from her daydream. "Oh, um, no... just tired, I guess," she mumbled, offering a small, embarrassed smile.

Alderstripe's whiskers twitched in amusement. "A little hard work never hurt anyone," he said gently. "And who knows, you might learn something useful while you're here."

Suddenly, a loud squawk from the far end of the den startled her. Ivykit turned to see a brown owl perched on a nearby branch, its bright eyes watching them curiously. Echoflower chuckled softly. "Looks like our messenger is hungry," she said, reaching for a pile of small seeds wrapped in leaves.

Ivykit's eyes widened in concern. "They don't eat us, do they?"

Echoflower shook her head reassuringly. "No need to worry. These owls are gifts from StarClan. They help us deliver messages to other medicine cats. We don't really know why we have them really"

Alderstripe added, "They also have a knack for glimpsing the future,

Owlkit's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Really? Can they show us who the chosen ones for the prophecy will be?"

Alderstripe sighed. "I wish it were that simple. They show us what we need to know, but not always what we want to see."

Hyenakit glanced at Echoflower with a curious expression. "Hey, Echoflower... what made you want to be a medicine cat? Isn't being a warrior better?"

Ivykit nudged Owlkit. "Kind of a rude question, don't you think?"

Echoflower smiled kindly at Hyenakit. "I enjoy what I do. Being a warrior just wasn't for me. It's about finding what suits you best," she said softly. "For me, it was becoming a medicine cat. It felt like my true calling."

Ivykit sighed, reflecting on Echoflower's words. "Just like Coldkit... Maybe he'll want to be a medicine cat too."

Echoflower continued, "Everyone has to find their own path, the one that makes them happiest. For me, it was becoming a medicine cat."