Wild Shadows (Book Two; Series One)

Chapter 7

 Branchstalk walked back into camp, seeing the kits playing in the clearing, tackling and biting each other. But, Badgersight hadn't returned. He headed into the medicine cat den, seeing his sister sleeping in a nest. "Silvermoon.." He murmured. She stayed asleep, her chest rising and falling. At least she was getting some good sleep. "Branchpaw.." A voice whispered. He turned around, seeing his leader. "I-It's Branchstalk now.." He replied. "What do you need?" The newly made medicine cat asked. "Well, usually Badgersight helps me assign mentors to the apprentices.. Badgersight was the one who assigned Spidercatcher to Silvermoon.. I wanted you to help, since you're new." Multistar mewed. "Sure.. I think I could help.." Branchstalk forced out. What if he messed up? 

 When Branchstalk walked into the den, he saw Redsnow there as well. His blue eyes pierced through Branchstalk's soul. Flashbacks to his father's death filled his head, but he sat down, next to his kin, Multistar. How could he have been so distracted..? "Alright, so I think Silvermoon should definitely get an apprentice." Redsnow meowed. "Yes, agreed." Multistar replied. "I think an apprentice will get her out of her funk." Branchstalk added to the conversation. "Yes, because she's done nothing for moons besides mope around like a depressed bird." The deputy growled, his fur pricking. "Redsnow, she went through a lot at such a young age. If I recall, you acted like her at one point." Multistar suddenly replied, lashing his multi-colored tail. Branchstalk didn't want to listen to this argument. "What if we gave Smallkit to Silvermoon?" He suggested. "That is a good idea.. maybe we could give Bearkit to Cloudtuft, so they can train together." Multistar meowed. "Yes.. good choice Branchstalk.." The deputy growled. "Redsnow, I'll give you Tigerkit, he reminds me of you." Multistar purred. Branchstalk felt his fur prick in nerves. Poor Tigerkit.. "Bramblekit should go to Tumbleweed." Redsnow replied, ignoring Multistar's comment. "Mosskit should go to Goosewing." The deputy also added. "Why her? Goosewing isn't exactly nurturing.. she left Smallkit in the nursery.." Branchstalk argued hesitantly. "Agreed.. I wish we could punish her for that, but it's not exactly against the Warrior Code." Multistar replied. It was true, sadly. "Fine, how about Blazefur? He's an honorable and brave warrior." Redsnow replied. "That's a good choice. And Duskfoot can get Rowankit," Multistar purred. Redsnow and Multistar looked at Branchstalk for the last suggestion.  "And Snow-whisker can get Hopkit." Branchstalk murmured. "Good. It's decided. Redsnow, you sort out the evening patrol. Branchstalk, you get back to work.."

 There was nothing to do but wait.. wait.. and wait. Badgersight returned in the middle of the night, but no Pebbleheart. Her green eyes were lidded, and she had a scar over her eye. Was she.. dead? "I don't know.." Badgersight murmured, as if she could read his mind. "I shouldn't of been so harsh on her.. It's not like she wanted this role." The elderly medicine cat sighed, sitting down and staring up into the dark sky. He'd go to half-moon tomorrow.. with Badgersight.. but  no Pebbleheart to lighten the long journey. "What're we going to do..?" He asked. "Carry on. We carry on and continue life.. What else can we do?" She sighed, getting to her paws and curling up in her moss nest.

 The gentle morning aroma filled his nose. It was early morning, just a bit after the sun had risen and the sky changed from a beautiful arrangement of colors to juts a pale blue. Multistar had called a Clan-meeting. Branchstalk padded out, seeing his sister walk about, surprisingly happy. This was the first time in a while he'd seen a genuine smile straight in the morning. He padded over to her, brushing his tail along her flank. "So, what's got you so cheery?" Branchstalk asked. "I heard I might get an apprentice!" Silvermoon purred. He smiled. "Why are you smiling, do you know?" She asked hopefully. "Patience young one." Branchstalk soothed. "I was born first! Plus, you were the runt!" His sister laughed, gently pushing him. "I know, just sit and watch." Branchstalk smiled.

 His sister sat next to him, as she chatted with Fireshine and Duskfoot, Duskfoot talking about her and Blazefur. He felt a gentle brush of a tail on his back, and turned to see Shinefire. Her green eyes looked sad and longing. "Shinefire.." He murmured gently. "Hey.." Shinefire replied. "We should.. hang out.. when your not busy.." The ginger she-cat murmured. Why hadn't she shown to walk with him..? He didn't mention it. "Of course.." Branchstalk replied quickly. The two shared a look of hope and a spark again. Who knew where this spark would lead? "Shinefire! Come look at this dove!" Tumbleweed purred, an amused look on his face. "Coming!" The ginger-she-cat giggled, following after him. 

 "Cats of AlderClan," Multistar meowed loud and strong. "We've had a great start to new-leaf! Plenty of kits and prey, New strong warriors, and a brand new medicine cat. But, before I give the good news, we must address the bad." The leader announced, his tail drooping towards the end. "Pebbleheart has gone missing, and it seems tensions are high with StoneClan all of a sudden.." Multistar sadly addressed. "Despite what they did to help Silvermoon a couple moons back, it seems they want the debt repaid now. So, later on I will send a patrol to speak with Lionstar on what he wants." He meowed. "Now, onto the good news." The leader smiled. His eyes lead to the kits standing tall and proud in front of Hollyeyes. "My dear daughter, Hollyeyes.. I'm sure it's been a hard journey for you. You lost your mate and had to raise another litter alone, and had to take in fosters. But look at them now! The next generation of AlderClan, why Smallkit, I can almost see you being a leader now!" Multistar purred. Goosewing was seen barring her teeth in secret, and Whitestripe kept his head down. But Smallkit beamed, his dark fur flat and smoothed, freshly groomed by Hollyeyes. "Smallkit, you've gone on a long and rough journey. I believe you deserve to be apprenticed first.." Multistar meowed, raising his tail in a purr. 

  "Smallkit, you've reached the age of six moons, and now you must become apprenticed. From now on, until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Smallpaw. You're mentor will be Silvermoon." Multistar called. His den-mates cheered Smallpaw on, and he padded his way up to the clearing. "Silvermoon, you've also been through a lot. You've received excellent training from Spidercatcher, and have proven your courage and ability. I hope you pass down all you know to Smallpaw." Branchstalk watched Silvermoon press her nose to Smallpaw's, and the smaller tom licked her shoulder. He called both their names as loud as he could, hoping to reach through the heavy crowd. Silvermoon smiled at Branchstalk, and lead her new apprentice to the back of the crowd. "What'll we do after this?" The tom asked, a happy smile on his deformed face. "We'll.. explore the territory!" Silvermoon purred. "Yay!!" He squeaked, before Silvermoon silenced him. 

 Tigerpaw and Rowanpaw seemed happy about their mentors. Redsnow and Duskfoot, two respected warriors. Branchstalk felt bad for Tigerpaw.. he'd be treated like Branchstalk was.. But everyone was surprised when Cloudtuft got an apprentice. "I see Bearpaw is like you Cloudtuft.. you both came here as strangers, and now you are beloved to our Clan.." Multistar purred. After everyone had been apprenticed, Redsnow sent out a patrol to show their apprentices the territory. "It's better they go together.. it'll be their last day of all just being together." He mewed. "So, Silvermoon, Cloudtuft, Blazefur, Duskfoot, and Snow-whisker, go take your apprentices out." The deputy commanded. There it was. "What about me Redsnow huh? What about me? Tigerpaw?" His brother asked. "Check the elders for ticks and moss." The deputy replied, not mean but.. not nice either. The apprentice huffed, walking into the elders's den. Poor Tigerpaw.. he'd have no choice but to stay his apprentice.. There was already three medicine cats. Or.. was there?