Berrystar's Experience

Chapter 9

     Of course, Berrypaw awoke in a weird dream again. This time, she was relieved that it wasn't the dung smelling place, because she couldn't stand the smell. A beautiful she-cat with a flower smelling scent stepped by a pond, by Berrypaw. Berrypaw looked up at the unknown cat, she had shimmering eyes, and the most beautiful glossy pelt.

     "Greetings, love. I am here to send you a message." She hung her head, then looked at Berrypaw and smiled. "You know what you have to do, and just do it. You have more capability than you know, Berrypaw." Berrypaw's eyes started glittering with surprise, her voice was so smooth and reassuring.

     Berrypaw nodded. "Y-yes. I, don't know what that means. Please explain, who are you?" Questions after questions, she used her power to silence Berrypaw. Berrypaw was shocked at first, but calmed herself down.

     "I am Featherlight. I will send you messages, don't take it personally. Just, remember what your doing, okay?" She assured her. Berrypaw nodded quickly to Featherlight. Suddenly, Featherlight passed some leaves over to Berrypaw.

     "These will help you. Accept them from your medicine cat. You would've thought I'd be a trick, I can see it in your eyes. You will learn to attach to your clan mates, and trust them. It's very important." Featherlight finished, she started fading away.

     Berrypaw wanted to wait and ask more questions. Although, then everything came suddenly dark. Berrypaw realized she was awake. She could hear the crickets screeching, and some rustling.

     She noticed the rustling came from the entrance of the medicine cat den. It was Stormblaze, the younger medicine cat apprentice. He dropped recognizable leaves from the dream. At first she felt her heart sink, but she remembered what Featherlight had said. She calmed herself and nodded silently to Stormblaze. She ate the leaves awkwardly, and headed back off to sleep. Stormblaze smiled in satisfaction, Berrypaw knew that he was smiling because Birdshade would be proud of him. Wait. How did she know that?

     Two moons had passed now, Berrypaw was a very excellent hunter. She had efficient movements, timing, and everything.

     "Come on Berrypaw! Woodheart, Dandelionpetal, Ashpaw and I are inviting you to hunting patrol!" Brackenpaw called.

     Berrypaw padded over quickly, licking her chest fur in embarrassment. "Sorry, I was finishing feeding the elders. I brought food to them." She sighed in relief that every cat was okay with that as they nodded, understanding.

     "We're hunting at the Mud Pond today, leafbare is coming soon. The Mud Pond is the best place to hunt in what, Ashpaw-" Woodheart was interrupted by his apprentice.

     "Leafbare. Yes, because the river is solid. Yes, we know." He rolled his eyes.

     Woodheart snarled, "Ashpaw, watch your manners. Have you got hornets in your head?" He asked. Ashpaw didn't give any sort of comment. They started walking towards out of camp, and towards the Mud Pond.

     Hollowstar padded up to them before they could get far. "Wait!" She called.

     Woodheart and Dandelionpetal turned around, followed by all three apprentices. "Yes, leader Hollowstar?" Dandelionpetal asks.

     "I would like to battle train when you have done hunting, Berrypaw. She is very experienced in hunting already." Hollowstar looked down at Berrypaw. "Come to my den when ready." Hollowstar nodded, then looked suspiciously at the other cats. She hung her head low and padded off. Berrypaw could tell Ashpaw wanted to comment something inappropriate, but he kept silent. 

     They walked to the Mud Pond. Berrypaw walked into the mud because she already had caught the scent of a mink. She was slowly walking in the mud, then sprang off her back legs as the mink let out a screech of alarm. As Hollowstar taught her, she positioned her jaws at the mink, she sunk her fangs in it, and killed it.

     Brackenpaw padded over. "Great catch!" He purred.

     Berrypaw licked her chest fur and purred back, "I know." Her tail flicked, she buried her piece of prey. 

     Everything was great. Berrypaw was favorited by every cat in the clan. Almost every cat. Maybe not every cat. She was very proud of herself, as well as her mother and littermate. Today, she had caught 2 minks, and a muskrat. Now, she had to train with Hollowstar. Battle skills. Her heart pounds as she enters the leader's den. 

     "H-Hi. I'm ready to battle train." She meowed shakily. Hollowstar motioned her tail to come closer. Berrypaw sat next to her. Berrypaw looked up at her friend, mentor, leader as she was going to speak.

     "Berrypaw. Have you had any dreams?" She asked, looking down at her apprentice. Berrypaw gulped. She awkwardly nodded, wondering if Starclan would abandon her now that she told Hollowstar she had dreams. Hollowstar stared at her with wide eyes. 

     "You're the one." She whispered, Berrypaw didn't quite get it. "A-alright Berrypaw." Hollowstar got up and shoved Berrypaw out by the rump. "Fetch me Birdshade, and be ready for battle training at sunrise, alright?" Without a response from Berrypaw, Hollowstar turned her back. 

     "Sheesh..." Berrypaw mumbled. She padded to the medicine cat's den. She only spotted Stormblaze. 

     "Hm? Nice to see you here. Are you feeling better?" Stormblaze turned around and asked with a friendly voice. He stared at the somewhat anxious apprentice for a moment then decided it was important. 

     "Hollowstar needs Birdshade, or you could work. Where is Birdshade anyway?" Berrypaw curiously looked left to right, and up and down. She stepped closer into the den, then squeaked when she smelt a horrible smell. Mouse bile. Berrypaw could sense Stormblaze's apologetic thinking. 

     "I'm sorry, Birdshade has been out for awhile. I'll go and speak with her instead. Oh, sorry about the mouse bile also." He apologizes. Berrypaw nodded, and left his den.

     What was Hollowstar so concerned and pushy. How did she know that I was having dreams. I feel like something bad is going to happen to me with Starclan.