Robinstar's Courage

Chapter 6

 Robinstar stood tall on the high branch. He glared down at Grizzlypaw who returned the glare as he sat surrounded by his fellow apprentices. The rest of the clan had gathered and sat silently as they waited for Robinstar to announce Grizzlypaw's punishment. Grizzlypaw's parents, Spineshatter and Desertdepths watched him angrily, believing their son had done no harm. "Today Grizzlypaw was caught trying to drown Snakekit. For his punishment, Grizzlypaw will help Pathwalker take care of the elders and his warrior ceremony will be delayed until the currents kits become apprentices and have completed half of their training. I will not tolerate such behavior ever again. The next time a cat in my clan kills, they will be exiled." Robinstar finished and he jumped down from the high branch. Desertdepth and Spineshatter immediately stormed their way up to Robinstar.

"You can't be serious about that punishment, Robinstar!!" Desertdepth snarled.

"I am serious about it Desertdepth and nothing will change my mind about it." He told her calmly.

"That is too harsh!" Spineshatter growled.

"Grizzlypaw attempted to kill a kit. That is against the warrior code. Any other clan would have thrown him out no question." Robinstar said sternly.

Desertdepth and Spineshatter looked taken back but still furious. Desertdepth was just about to open her mouth to speak but she was interrupted by Beastfur who had made his way over to them with Blacksun at his side. "Robinstar is right, not even Lavastar of Moon clan would not have been this merciful towards Grizzlypaw's actions. I have been watching my grandson and this punishment will indeed teach him a few lesson he needs." Beastfur told them.

"But father-" Spineshatter started.

"Quiet Spineshatter! You and Desertdepth have sheltered Grizzlypaw long enough. He is not a helpless one moon old kit anymore. It is time he matures and takes some responsibility for his actions!" Beastfur snapped at his son.

Desertdepth turned and left with a lash of her fluffy brown tail. Spineshatter followed his mate quietly. Beastfur watched them walk away before turning to Robinstar, "I'm sorry Robinstar. My mate and I must not have raised them right." The elder sighed. Robinstar remembered when he was a kit, Desertdepth and Spineshatter were only a couple moons older than him. Their mother, Rosethorn, was very protective of them since she had lost her first litter. The two had gotten whatever they asked for from her while Beastfur tried his best to teach the two how to do things on their own.

"You and Rosethorn did your best. Every cat has their own way of raising their kits." Robinstar told the elder.

"I suppose your right. Thank you for giving my grandson a second chance, Robinstar." Beastfur bowed his head slightly before turning and walking back to the elders den.

"I'm shocked you didn't send him into exile." Blacksun meowed beside him.

"Trust me, I wanted to." Robinstar muttered.

"You want him to prove himself, don't you?" Blacksun smirked.

"Maybe", Robinstar responded. Robinstar had wanted to rip the apprentice apart when he caught him trying to drown Snakekit but ever since Grizzlypaw was a kit, he had been sheltered. Desertdepth gave the kit anything it wanted. Grizzlypaw never had to depend on himself for anything. Robinstar had hoped with Hawktalon as his mentor, Grizzlypaw would learn something. Compared to Grizzlypaw, Hawktalon had always been by himself. Growing up without his mother an father, Hawktalon matured at a young age.

Robinstar sighed and walked over to his den. The sun was almost gone and the moon had started coming into view. The sky was turning into a dark blue and star clan was starting to shine brightly. Leafeyes' kits were playing outside the den. Leopardkit was chasing Desertkit pretending to be a badger. Warriors were heading to sleep, Desertdepth and Reedshadow were on guard duty tonight. The apprentice's were already in their den. "Go inside the nursery you two!" Swiftspots called to his kits from outside the warriors den. "Yes daddy!" The two giggled as they raced into the nursery. Robinstar watching as Blacksun padded over to the warriors den where his mate, Rosewater was waiting for him. The gentle she-cat greeted her mate with a lick on his cheek. Robinstar turning and entered his den. He curled up and his nest and Robinstar quickly found himself fast asleep.