Daypaw's quest

9-Separation

The ground felt unsteady under the golden she-cats paws.

"What?" Daypaw hissed. "You're lying!" Daypaw looked frantically around. "He's lying, right?"

After no reply but solemnly dipped heads, Daypaw trembled. She whipped around to face Silverpelt. "You knew?" 

The silver queen winced, nodding her head.

Daypaw stared at Rosestar. "You knew too?" she growled. 

"Yes, "Rosestar replied, shrinking back from the angry apprentice. 

Daypaw hissed. "You knew?" she spat at Leaffoot. "And you?" she whirled around to face every cat, growing angrier every time. 

Finally, she gave Skyheart a stony look. "Did you know?" fury shook her voice.

"Daypaw, I-" Skyheart started, but Daypaw cut her off. 

"You knew?" she roared. "I thought I was normal. I believed I was clan-born, and you fueled this lie?" She hissed at the entire clan gathered up in front of her. "You all fueled this lie!"

Robinfur reached out a paw, trying to comfort Daypaw, but Daypaw smacked it away, leaving little scratches in it. "You let me believe I was your daughter!" Daypaw cried. "I loved you, and would protect you no matter what!"

Robinfur bristled. "I still love you! I love you like you're my kit, even though you're not." The brown warrior faced Willowpaw. "And the same goes for you."

Daypaw spun on Willowpaw. "And you knew too?" she asked, her anger draining away. 

Willowpaw shook her head vigorously. "If I did, I would have blurted it out to you by now."

Daypaw stared at her. "Aren't you angry?"

Willowpaw glanced at her paws. "No."

Daypaw staggered away. 

Skyheart seemed to wilt. "Daypaw, I-"

"No." Daypaw blurted. "I need to be alone. I need to think." and with that, she dashed out of the camp. She had barely gotten to the training ground when a paw caught her.

"Leave me alone!" she yowled at Eagle.

"Oh, no." he purred icily. "I just want to offer what I offered Willowpaw. Extreme power. Being feared by all enemies." he glanced at her trembling paws and added, "And the downfall of all who lied to you."

Although Daypaw would never admit it, the offer tempted her. She wanted ThunderClan to pay, but not in the way that Eagle had in mind. 

"And you can have a beautiful family and kits." Eagle continued.

Daypaw gave him a look. "I'm a medicine cat apprentice." she meowed softly. "I can't have a mate or kits." 

Eagle laughed. "You won't be a medicine cat apprentice when you live with me." he drew a paw over his ear. "That Kestrelpaw ... he has some heart for you."

Daypaw scrunched up her face. "What? Ew! No...!"

Eagle gave her a look. "Now. What is your answer?"

Daypaw hit him hard in his face with her paw. "No! You threatened to kill me, and you killed Ro-My mother!"

Eagle rubbed his jaw. "Then you've made a mistake." 

Daypaw snarled. "Leave the territory of the clans. Now." she ordered.

Eagle growled. "I will, but I wont stay away. I'll be back, and I promise  you will pay."

He dashed through the trees.

Daypaw sat down. Did I make the right decision? she wondered. Did I throw away my best chance at living a full life? 

She scented Willowpaw behind her. "Hey." she mewed. 

"Hey." Willowpaw replied. "I told everyone to leave you alone, because it is getting late, so you should get some sleep."

Daypaw shook her head. "I'm going to sleep out here tonight."

Willowpaw lowered her head, but said nothing. "Okay. I'll see you tomorrow."

Daypaw watched as Willowpaw disappear into the ferns.

"I don't need anyone." she murmered, lying down in a clump of soft bracken. "They all lied to me. They don't care about me. I'll survive on my own. All I need, is separation."

(Sorry for the emotion in this chapter ...

Sowwy :(

-Goatflower30)