The Power of Four: Rewritten [Warrior Cats Fanfiction]

Chapter 4 - Pinekit

[written by vivlz6670, edited by flingring. banner art by vivlz6670.]

"Pinekit! Come here!" The tom-kit couldn't pick up the rest of what the medicine cat yowled.

"Yes?" He replied irritatedly, sneaking exhaustedly across the muddy camp clearing. What do these cats want now?

He wasn't a very talkative cat, but not really 'shy'. Pinekit preferred order and duty rather than socializing or whatever his littermates liked, but he was never afraid to talk when he had to. Toadstar was always ordering him around, it seemed more important than 'hanging out'.

"Go," Toadstar dipped his head as a signal. His father left him to get back to camp from their training session on his own. Right now he was standing outside the leader's den. Pinekit just stared in response and padded off.

"We're gonna give you a check-up, Pine!"

"Pinekit, and- wait what?" He spat with an unserious tone. Maple and Amber only looked at each other concernedly.

"There's scratches all over you, Pinekit." Amberkit explained sympathetically. "Rainstorm!"

The medicine cat emerged from the herb stores. "What? I'm fine, though?" Pinekit meowed.

"Nuh uh!" Willowkit mewed. As he emerged, Rainstorm had this weird scent that followed him everywhere, a weird herb-y smell that he found comforting. But right now, comfortable was the opposite of how he was feeling.

"This is just what happens when you train, Willowkit. Of course you wouldn't know," Pinekit tried to explain. Toadstar constantly reminded him of how lucky he was to be trained by him so early. My body may be too small to take a slash, but I can still learn, can't I? His father had told him that once.

Rainstorm didn't seem amused by his answer. "Er, I would argue you shouldn't be training at all right now, Pinekit..." He mewed, licking Pinekit's stinging injuries. Maplekit looked to her side, stumbling over a ball of moss.

"Climbing trees..? Aren't you a little too young to be taught that?" She said quietly. Pinekit felt hot from embarrassment. Suddenly there was something wrong with his training? Toadstar acted like it was fine!

"Let's go to my den. Amber can come, you two can play." Rainstorm ordered. His two sisters shrugged and continued playing together in the clearing. "Hahah, I know I just told you to start your day. You can play with them if you want to, Amberkit."

"No, it's fine. I'll help!" She mewed eagerly. Pinekit rolled his eyes. What was so interesting about medicine? A life without warrior duties made him cringe.

"How did you get all these scratches, anyway?" Her sister asked him quizzically.

Pinekit was starting to become annoyed. "I-I don't know! Why does it matter so much!"

"Hm."

Amberkit rummaged through the medicine storage. She went through all sorts of herbs and thingies that Pinekit couldn't name. Her small kit body was no match for the massive stones that held the storages.

She held her paw out for Rainstorm to take the herbs with. "Here, I'm gonna put these over the damages."

"I don't need that stuff on my body," Pinekit hissed meekly. "Besides, it'll just heal on its own! Leave me alone!" He backed away from the mushy stuff, avoiding Rainstorm's grasp like a squirming kit.

Rainstorm let out a soft growl. "Pinekit, can you please just stay still?"

The kit debated in his mind whether or not it was worth it to debate with his father's brother and decided against it. Toadstar wouldn't like it if I was rude... but I still don't need this! He could only sulk furiously while Rainstorm inspected his injuries.

Pinekit saw the medicine cat's gaze turn to his hind leg. A memory flashed in his mind of him scraping against a thick branch. He remembered crimson blood brush against his leg and the sting of pain that made him cringe. Ack!

"Is that a scratch?" Amberkit observed slowly, seemingly not interested at all, Pinekit hoped. The medicine cat was concerned too.

"No! No." He retorted immediately. Deny everything.

"No, it looks like a scratch. That's a scratch."

Pinekit could sense Rainstorms' brows furrowing. Why do I think this is such a big deal anyway? Just admit you lied!

"I-it is, but it's not a big deal, okay!"

"That looked like it hurt. Amberkit, come grab comfrey and dock, I'll place the poultice." Each second felt excruciating as the massive tom expertly slathered the mush onto his leg. Pinekit grit his teeth. "Oh no, is it infected? Wait, Amberkit, go get some honey too." Rainstorm ordered.

No it's not it doesn't even hurt it doesn't matter just shut up-! Pinekit thought anxiously, staggering.

"Is it infected now?" Pinekit asked, trying to sound as calm and aloof as he possibly could.

Rainstorm didn't reply for a few seconds. "Yes, I'm almost sure. Nothing too bad, though."

Amberkit splayed a few of the herbs onto the ground for Rainstorm's use. He began reciting some sort of lesson about herbs for her, but Pinekit wasn't listening.

I just want this to be over! He thought annoyedly. Rainstorm finished rubbing in the rest of the herbs and let go of him, Pinekit starting to pad away.

"Wait! Pinekit, eat this horsetail. It'll help with the infection." Rainstorm mewed.

He turned around in rage. "What now!?" The kit spat. "Why does that even matter! I bet I could fight off this 'infection' anyway!"

Pinekit realized he had gone too far very quickly after yelling that. Rainstorm's eyes had morphed into slits. Pinekit could sense he's had the same conversation happen to him a billion times, and he felt a big pang of guilt.

"Hey, Pinekit." He said sternly. "I've had enough of your attitude. You are a kit. You're too vulnerable. And I know you are about to become an apprentice, but you need to take your health seriously." Rainstorm's eyes clouded with grief. "Please. I've lost too many lives to this way of thinking."

"Fine." Pinekit grunted, padding back into the den and accepting the medicinal herbs. Something was bothering him. He couldn't stop himself from thinking what Toadstar might think of him after this.

Will my father think I'm weak?

ᓚᘏᗢ--✫--ᗢᘏᓗ

Pinekit stepped groggily out of the nursery. He felt too small for the world, still felt with the wonders of being a kit. But something changed within him, something to do with that training earlier that day. He could feel himself growing and becoming stronger, maturing almost. But for now, he was happy.

The camp was still dark. It was early in the day, the sun had only risen in the sky a crack.

Toadstar was waiting for him at the camp entrance. He was going to climb trees with his father again.

"Pinekit," he said nurturingly, giving him a few licks on the back. He was so massive.

"Ack, what's this on your fur?" He spat. Pinekit became small under him.

"It's poultice for my injuries, Toadstar." He mewed high-pitched meows. Anxiety filled him like cold morning air.

"Hm. Whatever. Let's go, Pinekit."

[ AUTHORS NOTE: hahah pinekit's chapter is a small one! (i guess it will always be that way). sorry for that, and also sorry this took so long.. -vivlz6670 ]