Nightclouds Heartache

Chapter eleven

  Nightpaw stomach rolled around in a nervous sort of way. For once in her life she was the first one awake. This morning she was just too excited to sleep in. Three moons had passed since Nightpaw's first gathering. Today was no normal day. Today was Nightpaw's assessment to see if she was qualified to be a warrior. Before she started her test she had to wait for the clan to wake.
Nightpaw sat in the middle of the camp, gazing at the sky. Oh, Breezeheart, are you watching me now? What will you think if I fail? Nightpaw, lost in thought, jumped at a tap on her shoulder. When she turned around she was shocked to see Barkface. Ever since the day her mom died and she had yelled at him, Barkface had been stiff around her. Not wanting to speak first, she waited for him to break the early morning silence. After what seemed like a moon, he spoke.
"You're up early." Barkface commented. Bitterness that had once filled her heart for him, suddenly came back. It was him that had failed to save her mother. She glared at him, but said nothing.
"Times are changing, I can feel it." gazing at the sky, he murmured softly, more to himself then to her.
"What do you mean times are changing?!" Nightpaw snapped. Could this have something to do with Crowpaw? Looking down at her, Barkface slowly blinked.
"I remember you as kit, such a bundle of joy. How much a cat change can in time." He said the last bit more quietly. Knowing he was talking about her, She opened her mouth to retort. Before she could reply, Barkface cut her off.
"Nightpaw I have some thing important to tell you." Barkface meowed seriously.
"Going to apologize?" Nightpaw asked coolly.
"Nightpaw, your future will be.... complicated. But the most important thing is to remember is to follow your heart." Barkface meowed, gazing down at her. Before she could ask him what she meant, Mudclaw padded up.
"I can see your nervous." Mudclaw commented gruffly. The knot in her stomach tightened.
"I'm not nervous! I just couldn't sleep!" Nightpaw retorted, but failed to sound convincing.
"Don't lie to me, I can smell your nervous scent." Mudclaw replied, clearly amused. Deciding not reply she gave him a pouting look.
"Don't worry you'll do great." Mudclaw said comfortingly. That took Nightpaw by surprise. It wasn't like Mudclaw to comfort someone.
"Any apprentice of mine would." He added sounding more like himself. Before Nightpaw could reply, more cats started stirring. Pretty soon most of clan was awake. Nightpaw took no notice, as she was to busy worrying. She halfheartedly tried to eat a field mouse but couldn't manage to finish it.
"You gonna eat that?" Owlpaw asked, padding up.
"No, I guess not." Nightpaw said with a sigh. Owlpaw's face turned from eager to concerned.
"Are you okay?" Owlpaw asked, looking at her. Normally Nightpaw wouldn't have told him, but her aching heart took over. She spilled it all out to Owlpaw. Everything tearing at her heart bubbled out in a rush. She told him about missing her mom, her dad disappointed in her, her fights with Pinetail, how nervous she was for her assessment, her dislike for Mudclaw, and how much she missed Crowpaw.
When Nightpaw had finished, she heaved a heavy sigh. It felt good to get it all out.
"Wow, that's a lot to have all to yourself," Owlpaw commented, though his voice sounded oddly tight. Is that anger in eyes? Nightpaw opened her jaw to ask him what was wrong, but he cut her off.
"You shouldn't worry about Crowpaw. He's probably dead. No use crying over rotten prey." He said, his voice cold.
"D-dead?" Nightpaw shuddered. Owlpaw had just said the one thing Nightpaw had been trying not to think about. Her throat tightened, as if to keep the odd, bubbling sensation starting in her stomach in. She felt numb, but at the same time overcome with a mix of anger and grief.
"W-well, I'm sorry I t-told you about that. Don't worry I wont make you listen to me mourn over 'rotten prey', I can see that's what you think Crowpaw is!" Nightpaw said through tears. Before Owlpaw could say anything she stalked off towards the apprentice den.