Softpaw's Bravery

A New Mentor~ Chapter 2

It had been a week since Willowleaf had died. Arrowstar was his brother, and was griving. Softpaw padded silently.

"Softpaw? Are you alright?" Muddypaw trotted next to her. She raised her blind gaze to Muddypaw. He didn't waver at her gaze.

"Of course, I'm not fine!" she snapped, "Arrowstar hasn't given me a new mentor! He's probably going to stick me with Tulipsong!"

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Arrowstar called from where he was seated on the Highrock.

Softpaw pricked her ears excitedly, she would get a new mentor! She trotted to the front of the crowd.

"As we all know Willowleaf died, in a battle on our borders. He had yet to have a life in the clan. But we most honor him and give his apprentice a new mentor."

"Tulipsong, will you mentor Softpaw and teach her the ways of a medicine cat?" Arrowstar asked. Tulipsong opened her mouth to say something but was quickly cut off.

"What?! No Arrowstar!" Softpaw exclaimed, the cats around her reeled in a gasp, "I'm going to be a warrior! I don't want to be a medicine cat! You're just sending me to her because I'm blind! You probably would've sent me to her in the first place if you had your way!" Softpaw's tail lashed in anger.

Arrowstar gazed back. No one spoke for a few minutes, "If that is your wish, I shall uphold it. It's not fair of me to have you become a medicine cat without your permission."
"Dustbunny, you are strong and have helped protected our clan for many seasons. You will mentor Softpaw." He paused, "Softpaw, you were Willowleaf's last apprentice before he died. Remember anything he trained and carry it through your life to remember his sacrifice."

Softpaw nodded. The usual shouts of joy were no longer heard.

"Clan dismissed," Arrowstar leaped down from the Highrock.

Dustbunny looked her apprentice up and down. "This will be a challenge," her gaze rested on Softpaw's blind eyes.

"Of course, it will be, I can already feel your stare," Softpaw retorted.

"I think you and I are going to get along just fine," Dustbunny mewed with a smirk.

"Okay so tuck your hind legs in like this," Dustbunny explained and moved into the hunter's position.

"I can't see," Softpaw mewed.

"Right," she positioned Softpaw's legs in the hunter's crouch, "Alright, now memorize this position, feel the way your legs are ready to pounce to stalk."

"Now stand, walk a few steps, then try to get into your crouch again, remember to keep your tail stiff, and above the ground so that you don't brush a leaf," she watched as Softpaw listened carefully and repeated what Dustbunny had said.

Dustbunny trotted around her crouch, "Nice job, now open your mouth and find some prey. Once you've found some use that crouch and catch it. Make sure you know exactly where it is. I don't want to have my apprentice missing easy prey."

Softpaw growled softly, she opened her mouth to taste the air. Her ears flicked as she listened to the sounds of the forest. Blackbird. She slowly stalked towards it. She felt the bird trying to get a worm. She pinpointed the bird. She waved her hunches a little. She felt Dustbunny's gaze. She leaped onto the bird, delivering the killing bite.

"How's that for a blind apprentice?" She smiled playfully in the direction she could scent Dustbunny.

"I think you'll catch up quickly to your siblings," she replied. Softpaw purred.

"How about you carry it back to show to the clan. I think we've all had our doubts about you. You are more then you realize, Softpaw," she cuffed the apprentice over the ears softly.

Softpaw picked up her blackbird and carried it proudly in the direction of camp.

She was greeted by the gasps of the clan.

"Softpaw did you catch that yourself?" Cloudfeather asked. Softpaw nodded. She purred, "Amazing job Softpaw!"

"Do you and the kits want it?" Three kits tumbled out of the nursery, "yes please! Yes please!"

She carried it to them.

"Thanks, Softpaw!" the golden kit cried.

"Your welcome Sunkit," Softpaw purred. She finally felt welcomed by her clan. Well parts of it. She could feel some stares from other cats. But for now, she was just going to prove them wrong.