Dark Sky

Chapter nineteen

Brookpaw opened her eyes. As soon as she did, bright light blinded her and pain caused her to groan. Every single part of her body ached.

"Where- where am I?", she tried to leap to her paws to get in a defensive position, but her legs weren't obeing. In fact, this increased the pain and she grunted. Come on, stupid paws, why aren't you working?

For the first time, she glanced at her paws. Oh, that's why they don't listen.

Her front paw was wrapped in coltsfoot from claws to shoulder, and two sticks were fixed on each side of it by cobwebs.

"Well, I see you're awake!", Owlwing purred. "I was worried. You slept for one day and one night."

"What?! I'm gonna fall behind on my apprenticeship!"

Owlwing gave her a pitiful gaze.

"Okay. I know that look. What's wrong with me, tell me now", Brookpaw declared. Despite her determination and bravery, deep down she was scared. What if I can't be a warrior?

"Your leg... It's bad. You dislocated your shoulder and I put it back in place but it still needs a few day of rest. But what's wrong is that you broke the same paw, and then ran on it. I don't know if it'll heal, Brookpaw."

"No"

"Listen, I did everything I could, but-"

Don't say it, please don't say it.

"I'm not sure you will be a warrior."

The words she'd always feared more than anything. You will never be a warrior. No! It's impossible.

"I will be a warrior, no matter how long it takes."

"But-"

"I will be a warrior", Brookpaw insisted. I have to hope.

Owlwing bowed her head. "Can I let your family in?"

"Yes."

As soon as she spoke, three cats ran inside the den and crouched next to Brookpaw's nest.

"Oh, Brookpaw, we were so worried!", her mother cried. Vinefoot gently stroke his tail down Redleaf's spine.

"She's alive, dear, that's all that matters."

"Bloompaw?", Brookpaw called her littermate and beckoned her with a flick of her tail. "Are the kits okay?"

"Yes, thanks to you, Brookpaw! You were so brave, so strong, so-"

"Okay, okay, calm down please", Brookpaw hated flattery.

"I'm so sorry!", her sister went on. "I should've been more attentive, I should've taken one of the kits, not let you carry them alone and hurt your leg even more!"

"No, don't be sorry. It wasn't anyone's fault exept mine."

"Hum, Brookpaw?"

"Yes?"

"Our- my assessement is tomorrow. I-if I pass, I'll-"

"be a warrior and I won't, I know. Don't pity me. One day, I'll get my warrior name."

"I could wait", Bloompaw suggested.

"No. Don't wait. You deserve your warrior name. I don't."

Brookpaw fell a hollow in her heart grow and grow at each word she said.

"Don't say that, Brookpaw! I'll do everything I can to help you!", Bloompaw swore.

"Thanks", Brookpaw purred.

--- Time skip brought to you by BBQ chips because it's the absolute best chips in this world.

"Bloompaw, from this moment you'll be known as Bloomflower. Starclan honors your respect of the warrior code and your loyalty. We welcome you as a warrior of Skyclan", Briarstar said, and rested his muzzle on Bloomflower's head as she licked his shoulder.

"Bloomflower! Bloomflower!", Brookpaw cheered from the medicine-den's entrance. She saw Yewclaw push his way to Bloomflower to congratulate her, and she noticed her sister's blush from far. Well well, looks like there'll be more kits in the nursery soon...

--- Another time skip sorry I'm lazy so it's a big one

Three moons went by, and Brookpaw was still in the medicine-den, although her paw was almost fully recovered thanks to Bloomflower, Yewclaw and the medicine-cats.

In fact, even if her sister had found a mate, Yewclaw, she'd never stopped looking for a way to cure Brookpaw.

Through Jayheart of Thunderclan, she'd learned that swimming could help. Since then, Bloomflower, often helped by Yewclaw, brought Brookpaw down to the lake every morning for a swim.

Through all those moons, she'd watched the clan grow and grow.

Embertail's kits had been apprenticed. Acornpaw was given to Sandfeather, Buzzardpaw to Yewclaw and Sappaw to Fernflower.

Moonpaw and Rockpaw were now called Moonlight and Rockpelt. Now, it was time for Rosekit, Foxkit, Fogkit and Lakekit's apprentice ceremony.

"Rosekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Rosepaw. Your mentor will be Snowstorm. I hope he will pass down all he knows to you. Snowstorm, please come foward. You are ready to take on another apprentice. You have sucessfully trained Wolfleap and Badgerstripe, and you have shown yourself to be brave and skilled. You will be the mentor of Rosepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her", Briarstar declared. The new apprentice touched nose with her mentor and the clan cheered.

After that, Briarstar assigned Foxkit to Watersplash, Fogkit to Streamflight and Lakekit to Blazeheart.

The ceremony done, Brookpaw got up and walked back to her nest.

Ravenleaf walked up to her.

"Let me examinate your leg."

After a while, Ravenleaf nodded. "Everything's clear. You can return to your apprenticeship, but it's still a bit fragile so manage it, okay?"

"Yes Ravenleaf!", Brookpaw said before running out of the medicine-den.

"Briarstar! Ravenleaf says I can go back to training", she told her mentor. He purred.

"That's wonderful! Let's go to the training hollow see if you haven't forgotten your battle moves."

--- Time skippidy

"No Brookpaw, that's not how you do it", Briarstar told her. He walked up to her and placed her paws.

"There. Now it's purrfect. Try it. Remember, this move is to confuse your oponent. Instead of leaping foward, you jump in the air and aim a blow at their nose while you fall back down. Go!"

Brookpaw jumped, but her bad leg was weaker than the others, unbalancing her, and she fell on her side with a groan.

"Okay, I see the problem. Since we can't fix your paw now, I suggest we go hunting."

"Yes Briarstar", she said, disapointement piercing through her voice.