Wild Shadows (Book Two; Series One)

Chapter 5

 Branchpaw slept close to Badgersight. The night was cold, especially for a new-leaf night. He was laying close to his mentor. She was a nice cat deep down. Badgersight was a second mother to him. In his own mind, he pictured a possible future.. The dreams of becoming a full medicine cat danced in his head, along with having kin. His siblings having kits.. and Silvermoon as leader. But, with the way Silvermoon was feeling, that future slipped away.

 Blood splattered across snow, and a crow was bathing in it. Branchpaw widened his eyes, watching the nine stars fall from the sky and destroy all the trees. The crow flew off, flying proudly over it's destruction. Branchpaw felt his spine hurt, almost snapping. And he fell into the snow, the snow absorbing him. 

 Branchpaw jumped awake, the sun partly blinding him. The sun shone bright, and it was a promising start to a warm day. Pebbleheart stood outside the den, looking bitter and cold as always. Branchpaw walked over to her, sitting next to her. "Why are you a better medicine cat than me?" She growled, her pelt spiking. "Huh?" Branchpaw was surprised. Pebbleheart was such a good medicine cat. She could tell what herb was for what in a matter of heartbeats. Whenever cats came with scars and scratches, she was always there to help. "You're so good at memorization.. you know how to heal every little cut." Branchpaw murmured. "But you do so well with everyone! All I ever hear from elders and queens; 'We haven't had such a sweet medicine cat in awhile! Branchpaw is so gentle and sweet!'" Pebbleheart growled. "I'm just doing my job." He replied. "Maybe cats would talk about you more if you did your job." Branchpaw added. "Being nice isn't part of the job, Branchpaw!" Pebbleheart growled. "Pebbleheart and Branchpaw, be quiet!" Darkeye suddenly growled. "Great." The medicine cat mumbled, standing up. 

 Badgersight walked out, lashing her tail. "Don't talk to my apprentices like that." She grumbled. Darkeye's eyes darkened with anger. "Branchpaw is my sister's kit, and Pebbleheart is my daughter." The tom replied. Branchpaw was surprised. He didn't know Darkeye and Badgersight resented each other.  "You'll upset them. Go to the morning patrol Darkeye. You're not needed here. Pebbleheart is grown up and Branchpaw is not your son." She replied. Darkeye looked at his daughter hopefully, but she turned around. "You forced me on this path Darkeye." Pebbleheart growled. 

 Branchpaw grabbed a couple clump of herbs, organizing them into small piles. Pebbleheart was figuring out treatments for Smallkit. They were just making him vomit everyday, hoping that would help. It seemed to be working, for now. His vision lingered in his head. Nine stars.. blood covered snow.. a crow..? What could it all mean? "Badgersight.. I had a vision last night.." Branchpaw confessed. "What did it show?" She asked, looking at Branchpaw. "Blood on snow.. A crow.. and nine stars fell from the sky and destroyed the trees and forest.." He murmured. "Sounds like a lie." Pebbleheart called. "Quiet!" Badgersight growled, lashing her tail. "I.. I think it's time.." Badgersight murmured to him, resting her tail on his flank. "For what?" Branchpaw asked, his eyes meeting Badgersight's, and he understood. "For me to leave." Pebbleheart grumbled. "That's it." Badgersight's expression changed. "Get out of my den Pebbleheart!" She hissed. "You're no longer a medicine cat! I refuse to teach you anything else!" The old she-cat growled out. Pebbleheart's eyes filled with sadness and anger. "Fine! I didn't even want to be a dumb medicine cat anyway!" She hissed. "In fact, I don't want to be apart of this Clan!" The gray she-cat sprinted out of camp. Badgersight cooled herself down, her tail going from puffy from fury, to small and thin, and lowered. Her tail dragged behind her. 

 "I have to find her." Badgersight murmured. "I have to send you on your own.. to get your medicine cat name." She added. Branchpaw nodded. "Can I bring someone..?" He asked. "I guess it wouldn't hurt.. choose the person you would like to travel with." Badgersight murmured. Branchpaw sighed. He wanted to bring Silvermoon, but he remembered, today was her fun day.. Maybe.. He could bring Shinefire.

 "I'm sorry Fireshine, I can't go." Branchpaw murmured. "Aww.. Why not Branchie?" Fireshine asked, looking deflated. "Because.. Pebbleheart ran off.. Badgersight needs to find her, and I need to get my full name." He replied. "Aw, we'll miss you Branchpaw." Fireshine purred. "Can you tell Shinefire to meet me by the river.. I need to ask her something." Branchpaw asked, flattening his ears. "Of course." She replied, looking a bit upset by the request. Fireshine just wanted everyone there to comfort Silvermoon. "Good luck you two.. it'll be hard with no medicine cat here." She mewed. "I'll be the medicine cat!" Smallkit purred, attacking Fireshine's tail. Branchpaw smiled, along with the ginger she-cat. "You're just the cutest little thing! I know we can count on you Smallkit!" Fireshine smiled, pressing her nose to his. Branchpaw smiled, taking two clumps of traveling herbs for himself and hopefully, Shinefire. On his way out, Bramblekit bit his tail, trying to pull him back in. "Bramblekit we can play later.." Branchpaw murmured. "Brother, she won't show.. She won't.. don't bother. Just leave your herbs here." His younger brother warned. Branchpaw stared into his green eyes. They seemed so genuine. Concern and emotion morphing his small face. "What do you know.. your just a kit.." Branchpaw murmured. He pulled his tail away, walking off.

 He waited.. and waited.. Bramblekit was right.. She didn't show.. Branchpaw sighed. He wasted so much time.. he'll be gone all night now! He should've listened. But, he made his way, his heart breaking into pieces the whole way. Branchpaw's journey was nothing special. He crossed through the Gathering Place, and onto MossClan side he walked by the Thunder-Path. Branchpaw didn't feel like being torn to shreds by AcornClan. He approached the cave, stepping in. A bright pool lit the dark cave, and the stalagmites on the cave ceiling dripped into the pool, making gently dripping noises. Branchpaw lapped up the water, laying on his side to sleep. 

 "Branchpaw.." A voice echoed in his ears. Branchpaw opened his eyes to a gray she-cat. She was really pretty, and reminded him of his mother. "Who are you..?" He asked. "I'm Dawnsky.." She purred. "We're kin." Dawnsky mewed. Branchpaw nodded, smiling. "C-Can I see my father?" He asked. "I'm afraid not little one. She murmured. "But you will see him again.. soon." Dawnsky added. "I will give you your medicine cat name." Dawnsky murmured. She pressed her nose to Branchpaw's, and he saw brief images of his sister, her kits, and many of the future generations. He opened his eyes, staring at Dawnsky. "I, Dawnsky, resident of StarClan, give you for medicine cat name. Your new name shall be Branchstalk. Welcome to the Medicine Cat Ranks." Branchstalk smiled at his new name, before waking up.