Duskflower's Story

Chapter 6: The Truth About Berrytail

When she woke up that morning she had a sudden surge of positivity and energy.

Willowheart will be ok and she will come to me and wrap her tail around me and we will talk. I can't wait.

She was practically jumping when she was going towards the medicine cat's den.

" Hello Tansyleaf."

" Hi Duskpaw, you seem in a good mood."

" Of course I am, Willowheart promised me a few days back that we will go hunting after she gets well."

" When I don't want to keep you waiting so Willowheart you are ready to go."

" Oh thank StarClan. I was fed up sitting in this den." Said a relieved Willowheart.

" Come on Willowheart, let's go hunting. Remember you said that you would come and we would hunt after you feel better.

" I'm so sorry Duskpaw. I already told Mousetail yesterday that we would mark the borders together." Apologized Willowheart.

" It's ok, I think Stormheart wants me for training anyway. How about we go eat fresh kill right now?"

" Sounds like a plan."

" Bye Tansyleaf." Said Willowheart leaving the den.

The two cats went down to the fresh kill pile and choose a plump pigeon.

" So how is training going?" Asked Willowheart.

" It's going great! I'm learning so much and today Stormheart said that we can learn how to fish from our stream. I'm really excited!" Said Duskpaw.

" That's wonderful." Said Willowtail, her gaze warming up.

I knew Willowheart would make me feel better.

The two ate the pigeon and talked for a while until Moustail arrived.

Mousetail arrived and nuzzled Willowheart.

" I'm so glad you're ok!"

" It's not like I came back from StarClan or something, I just had a bellyache, why is the whole Clan treating me like an elder?!"

" I am sorry my sweet but it's almost leaf bare and everyone was wondering if you had a problem that's all."

" Anyway, you said we would go remark the borders."

" Of course let's go. Also Duskpaw Stormheart was saying you're doing really well. I'm proud of you my kit."

" Thank you so much Mousetail. Do you think they will make me a warrior soon."

Mousetail purred and said " You are doing well but you still have a lot to learn."

" I am going to be the best warrior in the Clan!"

" Of course you will but not if you don't go for training. Stormheart was calling you."

" Ok, bye Willowheart, bye Mousetail." Said Duskpaw as she ran off.

Duskpaw went to the other side of the camp to the small river and she saw Stormheart waiting.

" I know you are excited to see Willowheart but that gives you no excuse to come late for training."

" I am very sorry." Apologized Duskpaw.

" Hmph, after training, clean out the bedding of the kits, elders and queens."

" Yes Stormheart."

" Now let's get to training. Today you are going to learn how to fish. We are very lucky to have a river right in our camp."

Stormheart demonstrated and caught a minnow.

" That was great!" Meowed Duskpaw.

Duskpaw and Stormheart spent the rest of the morning practicing until Duskpaw caught 5 minnows and Stormheart caught a bunch of minnows and a carp. 

"When will I be a warrior?"

" You still have a lot to learn and you still haven't went to the Moonstone. I will ask the leader if we can go there soon."

"Thank you Stormheart." 

"Go eat prey and tomorrow we can see if we can go to the Moonstone."

" Ok bye Stormheart."

She went to the other side of camp where the fresh kill was. She looked around for her parents and littermates but they weren't there. She saw Hailpaw and Fallpaw sitting looking very worried. She grabbed a carp and approached the two nervous apprentices.

" Hi Hailpaw, Hi Fallpaw."

" Hi Duskpaw." Said a timid Fallpaw.

" Why do you both look so nervous?"

" We  just had our assessment. Mosspaw also had his."

" You three are great apprentices and you will be even greater warriors!"

" Thanks Duskpaw but only StarClan knows." Said Mosspaw as he looked up as if asking his ancestors. 

Duskpaw finished her mouse and left the two apprentices who were discussing about their assessment. She went to the apprentice's den where she decided to take a quick nap. 

"Hello little kit." Said the soft soothing voice of Berrytail.

"What do you want!" Yowled Duskpaw.

" Now now, there's no need to shout. I just want to talk." Said Berrytail using her most silkiest smoothest voice. 

" I won't trouble you, I just want to clarify some of the rumours about me. You only know the side where I am the evil cat. Willowheart said I killed my daughter. LIES! They did this to me. I fell in love with a cat from another Clan. So what! If love is a crime then every cat has done crime. My kit and mate were my everything. LightningClan took it all away from me. In the battle my daughter was fighting and a tom tried to kill her. I rushed and when I killed, to my horror, lay the body of my daughter. Darkheart killed me, thinking I killed our kit, then killed himself. Its been moons since I have seen my sweet. The StarClan cats have forbad my daughter from seeing us. So now you tell me, was I wrong? 

Duskpaw thought for a long time. She was so confused. She didn't know what to say. 

"If what you said is true, which I am not sure about, then you weren't wrong but you still didn't do the right thing."

"That's all I needed to hear. Goodbye Duskpaw."

"Wait don't leave I need to ask you something." 

"Duskpaw, Duskpaw. Wake up!" Yowled Blossompaw.

" Sorry I dozed off. What happened?"

" Mosspaw, Hailpaw and Fallpaw are getting their warrior name. Come on!"

The two cats hurried away to see the ceremony.