Streamtail's Desicion

Chapter 8: Facing Reality

   Streampaw's eyes fluttered open a a dim ray of sunlight hit her face. She felt warm moss underneath her body, and warm,humid air surrounding her. She could barely remember exactly what had happened. All Streampaw could remember was the training session, and her hysterical outburst as she saw Robinpaw and Sandpaw practicing their battle moves on one another. She has only just become friends with the apprentices in the den, so she had no idea why she had had such a horrid reaction. Ok, just put the pieces together Streampaw, and just relax, she told herself silently.

   She lifted her head slowly and glanced around. "Where am I?" she whispered hoarsely. There was the sound of gentle paw-steps behind her, and Streampaw turned her head. It was Flowerfur. The medicine cat looked sullen, but her voice was filled with relief. "Thank StarClan your alright." she mewed soothingly. Streampaw staggered as she tried sitting up in the mossy nest. "What happened to me?" she asked, her voice quivered with sadness.

   Flowerfur laid her ginger tail on Streampaw's shoulder, and looked straight into Streampaw's vivid, bright, sky blue eyes. Streampaw froze. She could almost feel the intensity of the deep stare the medicine cat was giving her with her big amber eyes. It was as if the medicine cat was staring into her soul, and reading her thoughts. "Is-is it something serious?" Streampaw finally stammered after a long stretch of awkward silence. Flowerfur snapped out of her trance and shook her head.

   "No, it's just that you got a bad fright from... from the training session?" she meowed. Streampaw wasn't sure if Flowerfur was asking her or telling her about the training. Flowerfur glance down at her paws and mumbled something to herself. "Streampaw," she said as she lifted her amber gaze towards Streampaw. "Why did you get so scared when you saw Robinpaw and Sandpaw practicing?" The question took Streampaw by surprise and she winced. "I...I'm not really sure. I guess I got scared of...something."

"Are you absolutely sure you want to be a warrior's apprentice!?" Flowerfur shouted instantly.

   Streampaw only looked at her paws. "Why do you keep asking me that!?" she shouted back. Flowerfur's eyes blazed with a strange intensity as she stood up in front of Streampaw. "I have my reasons! Do you even know if this is the path that StarClan has chosen for you? There is another destiny set in the stars for you!" Suddenly, there was the sound of rustling leaves as someone entered the den. Birdstar's gray and white pelt was standing at the entrance. "Flowerfur, may I speak to you? Please." she mewed sternly, as she glanced at Streampaw. Flowerfur gave a timid nod and hastily padded out of the den. Streampaw watched as the two she-cat's walked away, leaving her in the warm den.

   I'm not sitting here waiting for them to get back, I'm getting to the bottom of this, Streampaw decided. She got out of her nest and squeezed through the entrance. The sun was being blocked out by dark gray clouds and ominous thunder. A cool drop of rain hit Streampaw's nose as she weaved her way through the back of the nursery, and picked her way through the thistle covered barrier that surrounded the camp.  "Stop pricking me you dumb brambles." Streampaw growled under her breath as a bramble tore at her fur.

   She suddenly froze as she heard faint whispering ahead. Streampaw crouched down an stalked the noise until she saw three cats sitting in a group in front of her. Lionclaw,Flowerfur,Fawnleap, and Birdstar were there. Streampaw could only just make out what they were all saying.

   "...she yowled and then she just collapsed though!" Lionclaw mewed gruffly. "How can she defend her Clan in a real battle!?" Fawleap's creamy pelt was bristling. "She's only just recovering from that attack by Oakclaw and his patrol! She just started her training!" she screeched angrily at Lionclaw. Birdstar stood between both of the angry cats. "Yes, we all know that Fawnleap. But Streampaw is a sensitive,young cat, she might have been scared for life due to that experience." Streampaw winced as Birdstar described her. Am I really scared for life? Flowerfur stood up next. "The experience has really shaken her up. Can you blame her?"

"Speak for yourself Flowerfur! The poor she-cat doesn't even know about the prophecy that hangs over her own head!" Lionclaw spat. "Have you even told her what it's about!?" The group stared at the timorous medicine cat with wide eyes. Flowerfur looked down at the ground and whispered, "All she's told me is that she's heard voices telling her the same thing. And I think she saw an omen." Lionclaw let out a low growl. "Enough!" Birdstar hissed. "Flowerfur, we must tell her sooner or later." Fawnleap sat in silence as she watched her leader rebuke Flowerfur. "At this rate, it's very clear that she won't ever be a warrior's apprentice."

Streampaw's heart stopped. "What..." she whispered. Without even turning to see if the cats had heard her eavesdropping, Streampaw turned and tore through the brambles. She listened to the thunder and rain roaring in her ears as she raced down the tunnel that led to the camp and ran across the rain swept moor.

Birdstar's words rang in her ears like an eagles chilling cry. "She won't ever bee a warrior's apprentice..."