StarClan's Wrath

Chapter 2

The whole Clan gasped. Brightkit shrunk back until he was under the branch. Sootstar and Birchpad stared at Brightkit. Oh no! he thought. I'm horrible! I can't be like this in front of the entire Clan! I'm a traitor already! I haven't even been officially apprenticed! The thoughts in his head were interrupted when he saw Sootstar's perplexed look. "But why not? Birchpad would love to have you as his apprentice." He nodded to Birchpad, who put his tail around Brightkit. 

"I-I guess so... but I can't keep peace! I'm too peppy! Give this duty to Weedkit instead!" Brightkit protested. "She's a lot more calmer than me!"

"StarClan sent Birchpad a dream, and you were chosen to be the medicine cat by them. It's your destiny, whether you like it or not," Sootstar growled. "Now, regardless. Let's get back on track." While Sootstar cleared his throat, Brightkit could hear the nervous murmurs among the Clan. His mother looked at her mate with uneasy eyes, but he still looked down at Brightkit. "StarClan knows best, and can see the perfect qualities in this lovely cat. Cats of ShadowClan, your new medicine cat will be Brightpaw."

Birchpad stepped forward once again. "At the half-moon, we shall travel to the Cave of Whispering Spirits to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats."

Brightpaw reluctantly tried to look like he was proud. He knew the entire Clan could smell his fear. "Anyways, Weedkit and Stubbykit. From this day on, until you receive your warrior names, you will both now be known as Weedpaw and Stubbypaw. Weedpaw, your mentor will be Willowtree."

Willowtree stood up and marched to the front to greet his apprentice by touching noses. Brightpaw knew Willowtree was a fairly young warrior, and showed great leadership. No wonder Sootstar would choose him as a mentor! "Willowtree, I know with my mate, Honeydrop's excellent training, you have had excellent mentoring skills. You've helped out Whitethistle when he was an apprentice when Ivystem was ill, and managed to juggle three kits at the same time around their first few days in the nursery." 

"As for Stubbypaw, your mentor will be Beestripe." Beestripe padded toward Stubbypaw and greeted him. Interesting how Sootstar chose two cats with unique patterns. Willowtree was a tortoiseshell tom, and tortoiseshell toms were rare. There was no way he would be having kits. Beestripe was well known for his yellow coat topped with black tabby stripes. He could easily be spotted in a crowd of cats. "Beestripe, I know it's been seasons since Spikepaw died. I feel like I have forgotten about you, and you're almost considered a senior warrior. Seasons ago, you were a brand new warrior, fresh from the apprentice's den. But today marks the change."

Brightpaw, Stubbypaw, and Weedpaw stood together and listened to the Clan cheer their names. "Brightpaw! Stubbypaw! Weedpaw!"

Sootstar hopped down from the hazel branch. "Clan dismissed!" He walked over to Honeydrop, who still had a look of concern in her eyes. "Isn't it exciting to be a regular deputy again?" he asked her. Brightpaw could barely hear what he said next. "And our kits will soon be the top cats in the Clan!" After that, the two cats went to their den again.

Weedpaw and Stubbypaw came up to Brightpaw. "I didn't know that was going to happen," Weedpaw frowned. "Why does StarClan have to force us to be what we don't want? I--" She was immediately interrupted by Willowtree as he put his tail over her mouth to hush her.

"StarClan probably know what they're doing. Do not question them." Willowtree growled. "It's up to Birchpad and Sootstar if they choose to switch you."

Brightpaw huffed in disappointment. He remembered meeting three cats in a dream. Perhaps they were the StarClan cats who chose his life for him! But in his second dream, he eavesdropped and saw a fourth cat. Immediately he thought it was the first leader of ShadowClan, but the voice was not like a she-cat's. His thoughts were blockaded when Birchpad rest his tail on his shoulder. "I'm sorry you didn't get to be what you wanted," he said. "You'd make a great warrior if you could."

Stubbypaw was already hopping around his mentor. "Can we go learn some battle skills?" he asked. Then, he stumbled and fell flat on his face. Weedpaw and Brightpaw couldn't help but stifle mrrows of laughter. "It's not funny!" he protested.

"It seems like a good idea," Beestripe remarked. "We should all go. A good way to cheer up and get some fresh air."

"And on the way, we can get some feverfew by the lake," Birchpad remarked. "Let's go."

The six cats ventured out of the camp, walking through the pine trees and watching the prey run through the trees. "Could we go hunting later?" Stubbypaw asked. He crouched down and shook his short tail, but before he could leap, another cat burst in and snatched the prey he was about to claim. "Frog dung!" he spat. "Stupid trespassers on our territory!"

The cat looked up. His eyes were dazed, and he tilted his head. Immediately, he broke into a run when Stubbypaw began chasing him. Stubbypaw was fast, but the cat was faster. Weedpaw and Brightpaw ran after Stubbypaw. "Wait!" Weedpaw called. "Come back! I don't think it's worth it!"

"But that mangy piece of crowfood stole my prey!" Stubbypaw wasn't giving up. He went faster and faster.

That mouse-brain! Brightpaw thought. Just let it go! It's just a piece of prey! After what seemed like forever, Stubbypaw looked like he was about to catch up. Then, he tripped and fell over again, flat on his face. Immediately, he stood up and let out a loud yowl.

"That's the second time today!" He got up and kicked the ground with his hind paws, cursing under his breath.

.   .   .

The sun was going down, and Brightpaw's mouth was stuffed with goatweed and feverfew. Stubbypaw and Weedpaw were introduced to the apprentice's den, while Brightpaw had to sleep in the medicine cat's den with Birchpad. He placed the two herbs down and separated them from each other.

"When's the half moon?" Brightpaw asked.

Birchpad thought for a moment. "Tomorrow," he mewed. "Now, I have a few other herbs. Let me tell you what they do. The ones you picked up first. Feverfew," he pointed with his tail to small soft leaves and daisy-like flowers. "will reduce the body temperature for cats with fever or chills, hence the name. It also is a great remedy for headaches. As for the goatweed," he then pointed to the ovate leaves. "it helps with anxiety. You give both to the cats to eat."

Brightpaw held back an annoyed remark. He wasn't going to memorize even one of these herbs! When Birchpad finished, Honeydrop came in with a rabbit to share. "Hi, Brightpaw. How was your first day?"

"He was well behaved," Birchpad mewed. "I'm sure he'll be able to be a great medicine cat..." There was reluctance and sympathy in his voice. Honeydrop understood Birchpad's expression and looked over at Brightpaw. He had a slight crossed look on his face. "I don't want to force this on you." Birchpad mewed. "I would much rather see you follow your heart than follow your pre-set life."

"Me too," Honeydrop mewed. "It breaks my heart to see my kits unhappy. Sootstar is content on having your prophecies come true though... but I have an idea." Brightpaw immediately perked up. His tail rose and his eyes brightened. "Your eyes are like a fire," she commented, being thrown off track. "Anyway, greenleaf is coming in just a half-moon. On the first day of greenleaf, the leaders go on an expedition to meet with the Tribe of Rushing Water. The time they come back varies. Sometimes they will be gone for a quarter moon, sometimes a half moon, and once they were almost gone for the entire greenleaf. During that time, I will switch yours and Weedpaw's duties."

Birchpad nodded. "You are a lively apprentice. I believe you would make a great warrior. But for now, maybe my mentoring could serve as a slight convenience for later moments in life."

"Thanks, Birchpad! Thanks, Honeydrop!" Brightpaw purred. This was great! He was going to be a warrior apprentice soon! But it would take time. Time to fulfill my real destiny.