StarClan's Wrath

Chapter 4

Weedpaw's PoV

(A/N, this takes place shortly before Brightpaw and Birchpad left)

"No, no," Willowtree scolded. "For the third time, Weedpaw. When I attack, all you have to do is duck down, roll onto your back, then spring to your paws. It's not that hard." The tortoiseshell tom leapt at Weedpaw, who finally ducked, rolled over, and sprang to her paws. "Good, but make sure you get to your paws quicker," Willowtree informed. "Otherwise, I could have gotten you pinned on the ground again and raked my claws against your belly, which is usually a fight-stopper. Good job, though."

"Thanks..." Weedpaw said with less enthusiasm. She would most likely forget this battle move afterward. She watched the sun going down, and greeted Brightpaw, who was standing at the entrance. "Half moon?" she asked.

"Yep," Brightpaw said. "I'm actually a little excited. This kind of means when I train as a warrior, my mentor will know that I've already been to the Cave of Whispering Spirits!" He circled around his sister with joy."

Weedpaw was confused. Huh? But I thought we were going to stay like this... unless there's something I don't know. She cocked her head to the side. "What do you mean?" Then, Brightpaw started to explain the plan. While Sootstar, Oatstar, Adderstar, Harestar, and a medicine cat from one of the Clans go on the expedition to meet with the Tribe of Rushing Water, Honeydrop would switch the cats' positions. "Wow," Weedpaw mewed. "But... what will Sootstar do when he comes back?"

"I don't know..." Brightpaw admitted. "I never really considered wondering how Honeydrop and Birchpad thought that through. But maybe after we all explain, he'll be okay with it."

Weedpaw nodded. "Yeah. Sootstar can't be mad at his own kits! I'm sure he'll still be happy to know that one of them is going to become the medicine cat."

"Hey!" Stubbypaw ran up to the two cats. "I'm so lucky I didn't have to get rid of the elders' ticks after that chase. Beestripe was actually impressed with how much energy I had. Even though I keep losing my balance." His stubby tail waggled back and forth. "I guess I have to be more careful when it comes keeping a good balance when I run fast, fall, or even fight. I bet my warrior name would be Stubbytail."

The three apprentices let out mrrows of laughter. Then, Birchpad came by. "Hello, youngsters," he purred. "Brightpaw, are you ready to go?"

"Awww," Brightpaw mumbled. "Yeah, I'm ready. I'll see you guys at dawn," He waved his tail in farewell and padded out the exit with Birchpad. A wave of concern swept over Weedpaw. What if the plan fails? she thought to herself. What if you can never switch duties? I'll have to be a warrior forever! I don't want to fight cats. It's not me!

"Weedpaw?" Stubbypaw poked Weedpaw with his paw. "Are you all right?"

"I'm okay," Weedpaw mewed. "I'm just a little nervous. Anyway, how's it going between you and Bee-" She was interrupted.

"Hey, Stubbypaw!" Beepaw called.

Stubbypaw almost padded off, but looked back toward Weedpaw. "Sorry!" he said. "I'll talk to you later." Weedpaw nodded to him, and he sped toward his mentor, wherever he was. And then there was just Weedpaw.

Curiosity got the best of her. She decided to go into the medicine cat's den. She gazed at the area. There were nests for patients, two other nests for Birchpad and Brightpaw, a few crevices to store herbs, and a pool of water. Cool... she thought as she looked at the entire den. Then, she noticed the messes made. Silly Brightpaw, he's always a messmaker, she sighed. On her way to the training field with Willowtree, she had memorized some of the herbs. There were cob nuts, chervil leaves and roots, goatweed, and dandelions. Carefully, she separated and organized the herbs. Then, someone's paw steps startled her. Immediately she turned around to see Runningstream searching left and right. "D'oh, I forgot," she hissed. "It's the half moon. Hey..." She turned to see Weedpaw. "What are you doing in here, youngster?"

"I... forgot too," Weedpaw lied. "I had a bellyache. But I guess I can live with it."

"Bellyache, eh?" Runningstream mewed. "I've got this weird itch on my ear that doesn't want to go away, no matter how hard I scratch. No fleas and no ticks. It's driving me insane!" She began scratching rapidly at her itch.

Weedpaw looked at the cob nuts. "When I was a kit and had to go in because I was sick, I saw the cob nuts being used as an ointment..." She peeled the leaves which covered the nut off and chewed them up, then put the juices in beech leaves. "Put your head down for me, please?" she asked. Runningstream nodded and put her head down so that Weedpaw could access her itchy ear without having to reach. "Now..." Weedpaw immediately poured the juices onto the spot. Then, the juices began to leak and fall off. "Oh no!" she panicked. Immediately, she looked around.

"Use that burr! It's from catchweed," Runningstream suggested.

Weedpaw immediately grabbed a burr and placed it over the spot, then used cobwebs to cover the spot up. "It's not a wound, but at least that will keep you from scratching, I suppose."

"Wow," Runningstream commented. "That's pretty great, for a warrior apprentice."

I'm not going to be a warrior, Weedpaw said in her head. "Yeah," she mewed. "I'm going to see if I can go for a walk. I know I should be trying to go to sleep around now but I strangely feel... anxious."

Runningstream nodded. "Go ahead. Apprentices can leave camp as long as they have permission from a senior warrior, the deputy, or the leader. Actually, even a warrior can dismiss an apprentice. As long as they notify of their exit, and as long as they stay within the borders."

"Yeah... See you," Weedpaw nodded to the senior warrior and left the den, then walked out the exit. She carefully snuck by Highbranch, who was standing guard by the entrance.  However, she ended up stepping on a stick that was on the ground. Immediately, Highbranch whipped his head around. However, his eyes and look softened when he noticed it was just Weedpaw.

"Late night walk?" Highbranch asked.

Weedpaw nodded. "I've been feeling a little weird recently and I need to clear my head."

"That's understandable," Highbranch nodded. "Have fun and be safe. Oh, and stay inside the borders!" he called as Weedpaw was already trotting off.

Weedpaw walked around the territory. She viewed the owls hooting, listened to the crickets chirping, and the frogs singing their songs. She enjoyed the nighttime wonders and sounds that used to lull her to sleep when she was a kit. Then, Brightpaw came to mind again. Is he having fun at the Spirit Cave? she though to herself. It should have been her there! But StarClan apparently had different plans. But not after her father left for his expedition. She and her brother would be switching in no time.

Her thoughts were immediately interrupted when she noticed a familiar silhouette pop out of the bushes. Immediately, Weedpaw's fur bristled. The cat at the end did not do anything in return. Instead, he stepped forward. "Hi there!" he mewed with a friendly tone.