The Prophesied

Chapter 37 - Birdsong

Birdsong was sitting in the crowd of cats, watching as Thrushkit was given the name Thrushpaw. He turned as Icewhisker stood up and walked towards the new apprentice, she smiled as Lakestar announced that Icewhisker would mentor Thrushpaw. And the new apprentice and warrior touched noses and the Clan cheered the new apprentice's name. "Thrushpaw! Thrushpaw!"

Birdsong noticed some cats were sitting a little away from her, probably still scared or resented her from when her secret was uncovered at the gathering. Birdsong glared at Fogstripe and Mimicwing when she noticed they weren't calling her adoptive son's new name. And her littermates called his name half–heartedly.

"Clan dismissed!" Lakestar called, Birdsong jumped to her paws and was the first one to get to Thrushpaw. "You did so well, Thrushpaw!" Birdsong purred, Thrushpaw beamed, "I'm so excited for my warrior training!" he squealed, bouncing on his paws, "Do you promise you'll come to my first training session, mom?" he asked, "I'll be at every one you have!" she purred, "You can't get rid of me that easily!" "Ya'know Thushpaw you don't have to call her your mother, she found you, remember? She isn't your real mother." Crowthroat growled as he stalked over, "I know she isn't my real mom, but she should be! I know full well I'm not her kin but I will call her what I want! And to me she is my mom!" Thrushpaw growled, quickly standing up to his own defense.

Crowthroat flattened his ears, narrowing his eyes on the apprentice. "Choose your words wisely, kit." Crowthroat spat out the last word, this time Birdsong jumped to Thrushpaw's defense, "He's not a kit anymore! He's an apprentice! It's very immature of you to be arguing and picking fights with a cat younger than you." Birdsong bared her teeth, "I wasn't—" Birdsong cut him off, "Go eat a thorn bush, no one asked for your opinion in the first place." Birdsong growled. Crowthroat whipped around, starting to walk away, "Murderer." he muttered, Birdsong looked away. Cats who now hated Birdsong tended to try to get under her fur, trying to make her get upset so they could get her in trouble. But she had to ignore their words, no matter how much it infuriated her.

Birdsong saw Lakestar walking towards the medicine cat's den hurriedly. Probably checking on Lightstep again. Lightstep, HurricaneClan's deputy, had got a terrible wound from the battle with the foxes and she had accidentally reopened the wound while chasing a rabbit. Birdsong heard Pebbleshine tell Lakestar the wound had got infected and he and Otterpaw would try to get the infection away but Lightstep would have to try to battle it as well.

"Birdsong, what do you say joining Thrushpaw and us on his first hunting patrol?" Icewhisker asked, Birdsong turned and nodded, "How could I miss my son's first catch?" Birdsong asked. This was something her and Thrushpaw did, they would still refer to each other as family even though they weren't.

Birdsong followed Thrushpaw, Icewhisker, and Silverstream. Some cats who still trusted Birdsong fully and didn't question her. As they were walking out of camp Birdsong noticed Mochaleaf and Barktail sitting together with Fogstripe and Mimicwing. She tried to wave her tail in a friendly greeting to them but they ignored her, pretending as if they didn't see her at all. Birdsong felt a pang of regret. Why did they blame her for a mistake she made so long ago? Birdsong wished they would just get over it.

"Very good Thrushpaw!" Birdsong called as she watched Thrushpaw resurface from the water, holding a carp in his jaws. Icewhisker swam beside him, showing him how to swim and laughing. "You didn't need to catch a fish right away! I thought I was going to show you the basics!" Icewhisker laughed as she climbed onto the bank with Thrushpaw. "That's my kit for you, he is a fast learner!" Birdsong bragged, Thrushpaw smiled with embarrassment as Birdsong went on. "He will make a fine warrior when he's older!" Birdsong purred.

"Just wait till we're done with him! He'll be the best ever seen!" Icewhisker said, gesturing to her and Silverstream, who was nodding with a grin. Birdsong smiled, Icewhisker was a good choice as a mentor for Thrushpaw, she had a lot of energy and matched Thrushpaw's level of energy. Thrushpaw's training was in good paws, Birdsong didn't need to worry.