Thornheart's Acceptance

Chapter 15

 Thornpaw watched as the warriors bustled around camp. A little while ago Brokenear had come to wake them up and said that Brackenstar had made his decision on if they were going or not.

Next to Thornpaw was Timberpaw, he still hadn't said anything to her but unlike yesterday he did look at her and smile every so often. After him was Owlpaw, who avoided making eye contact and just sat looking out on the warriors. Then there was Poppypaw, and after last night's talk Thornpaw thought she would still be tearing up at the thought of her father, but instead she sat there with her claws digging into the dirt and her jaw clenched. Thornpaw set up when she heard some cat walking over. When she saw it was Brackenstar and the other mentor she straightened up more.

Frostfur, Antpelt, and Brokenear stopped a little before reaching the apprentices leaving Brackenstar in front. He looked at each of the four apprentices in the eye then looked at Frostfur with a nod, "The decision has been made to have the two of you go on the patrol and the other two to stay in camp and wait to see if we need reinforcements. The two cats that are on patrol will not be in the patrol when we confront WindClan. They will be in the underground ready to run back to camp if needed. They are not to engage unless necessary, is that understood?" he asked looking at each apprentice.

"Yes, Brackenstar." they all said at once with determination.

"The other mentors and I have talked in excess amounts, this morning and last night, about who should go on the patrol. It was decided that Timberpaw," At his name Timberpaw snapped up straighter making Owlpaw look over in surprise, as well as having Poppypaw send a glare, "and Thornpaw, will be the ones to go on the patrol."

It was now Thornpaw's turn to look up in surprise. She had expended Brackenstar to choose Poppypaw. After Timberpaw she was the fastest out of the four apprentices.

"Brokenear has offered to stay back with Owlpaw and Poppypaw." Brackenstar said looking at the two apprentices, " We could need reinforcements at any moment, so be ready." He then turns back to Timberpaw and Thornpaw, "As for you two, find something to eat and get ready to go and be quick about it." he finished and walked off with Frostfur.

The four apprentices set there a moment before Brokenear caught their attention, "What are you doing?" she asked, making them look at her, "You all heard Brackenstar. Now get to it."

Both Timberpaw and Thornpaw tensed at her command then ran off to the fresh-kill pile. While walking back Timberpaw said the first thing he had said since yesterday while playing in the snow, "I can't believe he chose me to go on the patrol." He looked at her with a small mouse in his mouth.

Thornpaw turned to him with her head tilted in confusion, " What do you mean?"

"I mean, I thought Brackenstar would pick Poppypaw first...."

"You're faster than Poppypaw though." Thornpaw interrupted, "You still don't give yourself enough credit. You have always been faster than Poppypaw."

Timberpaw stopped for a moment, before starting to walk back in step with Thornpaw, "Oh, I didn't know cats thought I was the fastest out of the four of us."

"Cats don't think you are the fastest out of the four of us, they know you are the fastest. Because you are." She said confidently. She looked at Timberpaw and smiled, the fur on the back of his neck was starting to bristle with embarrassment.

"Well there's no question as to why he chose you for it through." he said trying to lighten the mood, "Well at least the reasoning is obvious."

Thornpaw rolled her eyes at his attempt to change the subject, "Whatever the reason was it doesn't matter now."

"After the way you fought those ShadowClan apprentices, no cat should be surprised."