Darksong's Struggle

Chapter 12

Darkpaw pushed a pawful of tansy towards Dewtail. "There's a poppy seed in there," He told the tom. "It should help you sleep."

Dewtail blinked at him, the only indicator that he had heard. Darkpaw pushed the herbs closer, and Dewtail weakly ate them, chewing quietly. The tom had been unable to speak due to sore throat, and had to be moved to the back of the nursery to get the most shade since his fever was so bad. Heatherblaze had insisted on seeing her mate, but Fennelfeather was forced to stop her, not allowing the sickness to spread.

Sharp claws pricked Darkpaw's tail, and he turned to see Quickkit digging her silver claws into his tail. He gently drew it back.

"Darkpaw! Play with us!" Pricklekit mewled, bounding forward.

The kits were only a few moons younger than Darkpaw, but as mischevious as ever. Was I like that as a kit? No wonder Willowspeck was tired. He felt a flash of affection for the little ones. The only apprentices were Jaypaw and Birchpaw, and they were too old for him to play with. He hoped Quickkit and Pricklekit would be apprenticed soon.

"I can't play," He mewed softly. "I need to take care of Dewtail."

"You're no fun," Pricklekit sulked. "You never play with us anymore."

Wow. No wonder you're named Pricklekit. The remark made Darkpaw feel a pang of guilt. "I'm sorry." He told them, fighting back a sigh.

Quickkit's tail flicked. "Whatever," She mewed.

The two sisters scurried off, and Darkpaw watched them enviously. He wished he could be a kit again. It was so much easier then, without the looming thought of the destiny he didn't want hanging over his head, as well as Brindlepaw's judging gaze. He exited the den, his tail dragging behind him.

In the clearing, the cats were gathering for their afternoon meal. Darkpaw located his brothers sharing a fat pigeon, and headed over.

Fennelfeather blocked his path. "How is Dewtail?"

"No better than last time I checked on him," Darkpaw admitted.

The medicine cat sighed. "Go eat, then clean out the elders' den."

Darkpaw sighed. Being an apprentice was nothing like how he thought it would be like as a kit. He had imagined learning how to hunt badgers and foxes, how to catch the biggest prey, and fight the strongest enemies. But instead he was running around camp doing chores. But he just nodded and sulked over to his brothers.

Webpaw spotted him and waved a paw, while Brindlepaw had his nose buried in pigeon flesh. Darkpaw settled down beside them.

"Here, I saved this for you." Webpaw pushed a mouse to Darkpaw. "I caught it myself!"

"Thanks." Darkpaw pushed back a pang of envy. When will I learn how to hunt? He supposed he'd better be happy for his brother, though. "Nice catch."

Brindlepaw drew back his muzzle; it was covered in pigeon blood and feathers. "You think that's good? The squirrel Fennelfeather took to the medicine den I caught, as well as the vole that Applemask is eating." He flicked his tail towards the dappled ginger she-cat, who was chatting with Echostar, a vole at her paws. "Where have you been? You smell like you've been rolling in catmint."

"I've been nursing Dewtail back to health," Darkpaw explained.

"How is he? Heatherblaze has been worried." Webpaw mewed. "I could hear him coughing when I got back to camp. Has he eaten?"

Darkpaw shook his head.

"Maybe you should bring him something."

"I need to clean out the elders' den after this," Darkpaw explained.