Warrior Cats: Sheepcloud's Sorrow

Chapter Eight

It was nearly time for Sheepkit and Icekit to become apprentices. The rest of the kits in the nursery had been apprenticed, and Applepelt had given birth to a tom - Ashkit.

Icekit was spending more and more time with Daisyfur in her den. Sheepkit was managing to keep her cool, managing to force a smile at the tortoiseshell medicine cat whenever she ran into her, but deep down, she was furious.

There was no way anyone would force Icekit into becoming a medicine cat. Sheepkit would make sure of it.

And she had a plan.

To be honest, it wasn't the smartest plan, but Sheepkit knew that she didn't have the brains to think up anything else. So here she was, outside Daisyfur's den. She knew the medicine cat wasn't busy, her only patient right now being Whitepelt, who had sprained his paw. Icekit was busy playing with Ashkit. Sheepkit didn't want her sister to have to see this.

The white she cat stalked straight into the medicine cat den confidently. She didn't intend on being rude to Daisyfur, but she did want her voice heard.

"Daisyfur!" She called out.

The tortoiseshell she cat raised her head from where she was sorting her herbs, and she looked almost uneasy at the sight of Sheepkit. "Yes, Sheepkit? Is there a problem?" She asked, exchanging a glance with Whitepelt.

Sheepkit sat down, keeping her distance from Whitepelt, who was now glaring at her. What have I done to offend you, stupid furball? "Well, kind of, yeah," she answered. "I just wanted to ask you something."

Daisyfur settled down as well, tail twitching slightly. "Yes?" She asked softly.

Sheepkit took a deep breath. "Are you going to train Icekit as your apprentice?"

Daisyfur didn't even hesitate before answering. "Yes. She's already learned a lot about herbs, and she hasn't even been apprenticed yet!" the medicine cat let out a purr. "I'm so proud of her. She's going to be a wonderful medicine cat."

Sheepkit dug her claws into the ground slightly. "Why can't she be a warrior?"

The medicine cat lowered her head slightly. "Well, you see, Sheepkit..." she paused slightly, as if trying to find the right words to answer the kit. "Your sister is deaf. You know that. If she trained as a warrior, things could end very badly. Imagine her getting hurt in a battle because she couldn't hear the warning call of one of her Clanmates. She's much safer here in the medicine cat den. Besides, she really does have a good understanding of herbs. I'd want her as my apprentice even if she wasn't deaf!" Daisyfur forced a smile, though she seemed rather uncomfortable.

There's no reason why a deaf cat can't be a warrior! Stay calm, Sheepkit...

"But she's still really good at lots of things, even if she can't hear," Sheepkit insisted. "And, um, well, to be honest..." she felt her fur prickle with embarrassment slightly as she muttered, "I think she's more ready to fight as a warrior than I am."

Daisyfur gently placed her tail on Sheepkit's shoulders, and Sheepkit let it rest there. "Oh Sheepkit, you're going to be a great warrior, just like how your sister will be a great medicine cat."

Sheepkit stared at the ground. The last thing she wanted to do was anger Daisyfur, or be rude. That would lower the chances of Icekit ever being a medicine cat.

She had to fake kindness, and hope she would never have to do it again.

"I'm sure she will be a great medicine cat," Sheepkit smiled at Daisyfur. "But I'm sure it would be a lot of hard work training her, wouldn't it? Why don't you just leave that to a warrior?"