Nightclouds Heartache

Chapter nine

  The bright, full moon shone into the sky lighting Nightpaw's pelt. Nightpaw had felt that this was the only good thing that had happened to her in weeks. After Nightpaw came back from hunting, instead of thanking her, Mudclaw commented that the rabbit she got was bony. Nightpaw walked at a steady pace at the back of the clan. When she was a kit she had dreamed of her first gathering. Though, so far, it was nothing like she had thought it would and they hadn't even reached the four trees yet. In her mind she had imagined herself walking with her parents. Her Dad telling what to do and her mom fussing over her fur. But Nightpaw's mom was dead and her father wanted nothing to do with her. I'll show him! She closed her eyes as she walked, enjoying the peaceful silence. Her ears twitched as she heard a paws thud beside her. Great, Owlpaw here to bug me again. She blinked open her eyes, to her surprise it was not Owl but Pinetail.
"Hello." Pinetail said warmly. That's new. Nightpaw stayed silent waiting for her to continue.
"I thought you would like to know about the gatherings. Thought you might want a few pointers." Pinetail declared after a couple heart beats. This touched a nerve. At the bottom of her heart, Nightpaw knew Pinetail was trying to be kind but it reminded her of her mother, bringing the memories of her death, and with them a wave of fresh grief. It should be my mother asking this!
"Well, you thought wrong! I don't need your help! After all your not my mentor! Or have you forgotten?" Nightpaw meowed struggling to keep her voice down. Nightpaw searched Pinetail's face, looking for anger, grief or shock. But her face was unreadable.
"Nightpaw, I wont quarrel with you any more! I try to help you but you just push me away. You push every cat away!" Pinetail meowed in a hushed but high voice.
"I do not push away every cat!" Nightpaw growled.
"You pushed away your own father." Pinetail meowed. Nightpaw was so shocked by this she gasped. Her voice became very low and dangerous.
"You think I pushed away my father? My father told me and my mom we were skinny and worthless! He told us he deserved better! He pushed me away I didn't push him! Don't go spatting stuff you don't know!" With that Nightpaw stormed up to the front of the group. She ignored Pinetail's desperate pleads for her to come back. She was so mad she didn't even notice that she had padded beside Tallstar. Embarrassed she started to walk a bit slower.
"No, no, stay up here with me. I'd like a word with you." Tallstar meowed, surprising her. Hesitantly and still burning with anger she padded closer to him.
"So how are you Nightpaw?" Tallstar asked. Nightpaw twitched her ears in annoyance. The last thing she wanted was Tallstar nosing in on her business.
"Fine." Nightpaw meowed flatly.
"How are you doing with Mudclaw as a mentor?" Tallstar asked concerned.
"Fine." Nightpaw repeated.
"I know he can be a bit pushy at times-" Nightpaw cut him off,
"Like I said, I'm fine." Nightpaw said trying to speak calmly.
"Alright, you better get back. Were almost there." Tallstar meowed, though he look displeased. Nightpaw nodded and stepped back. As they approached the four trees Nightpaw's eyes widened. For a few moments she forgot her anger. There was so much to see! There were so many cats! Before she could head into the crowd a big jet black cat called a beginning to the meeting.