✔️ Warriors | On the path | Book #1

Chapter 11

Leafpaw dipped her head respectfully and looked at Darkpaw, Darkpaw was already on his paws and following after Leafpaw as she led him in the medicine cats den. Flowerstar signaled with her tail for Brightpaw to follow her, Brightpaw followed after her leader, leaving Moon and Sunny behind who were still standing beside each other, looking around the cats uncomfortably, probably because of the looks her Clanmates were giving them. Brightpaw felt bad for leaving them like that, they seem confused but she has to explain everything to Flowerstar first. Pushing through the leaders den after Flowerstar, Brightpaw watched as Flowerstar sat down in her nest and faced Brightpaw. Brightpaw sat down in front of her leader in silence. "Tell me everything. Why did you go and who are these cats? Why did you bring them with you?" Flowerstar asked. Brightpaw knew she couldn't lie to her leader, and she won't. She will just tell her the truth, even if it means she will have to look after Poppystripe for a whole moon, or even until her apprenticeship.

"We noticed Frostpaw went missing, Darkpaw found out her scent let out into the wild, outside of pure territory so we decided to follow it." Brightpaw started, Flowerstar was listening in silence, her whole attention focused on Brightpaw. "On the way we got attacked by the foxes but three barn cats chased them off, they were Sunny, Mist and Shark. They led us to their barn and treated Darkpaw, we didn't have time to waste so I went to search Frostpaw by myself." Brightpaw said. Flowerstar still didn't react and Brightpaw grew a bit nervous as she continued. "S-so, when I went to the Twoleg place, there weren't many of Twoleg dens, and I met a kittypet named Moon. He led me to Frostpaw, but Frostpaw didn't want to go back so she stayed with her parents. I went back to barn with Moon to get Darkpaw, Sunny wanted to come with us so four of us set back to camp." Brightpaw finished. Flowerstar lashed her tail in anger but kept her fur smooth and her face didn't reveal much. "And why do you think it's a good idea to bring these strangers here? What good can they do?" Flowerstar challenged, Brightpaw could tell that this is all on her. If she doesn't say the right thing, Moon and Sunny will go back home and won't ever return.

She has to be careful with the words she'll choose or else there will be consequences. "Sunny, Mist and Shark chased off a fox, it didn't take them long and I could tell by that, they were very experienced and good enough to be in DawnClan." Brightpaw said, Flowerstar seemed a little calmer now but she still looked annoyed. "And Moon's father was a DawnClan cat, so he has a Clan blood! He can be a warrior!" At Brightpaw's words Flowerstar's ears pricked in surprise, her annoyed expression dropped to a questionable one, Brightpaw wondered if she said something wrong. "Did he say who his father's name is?" Flowerstar asked, Brightpaw shook her head in response. Flowerstar blinked before she grew calm again. "Flowerstar, I know what I did wasn't right, I had to ask before leading them here, but..." Brightpaw trailed off, she looked outside of the leaders den at her Clanmates. "Flowerstar, there isn't enough cats to keep this Clan protected. We need more warriors." Brightpaw said. She doesn't know why but her Clan seems rather small, if there were six fox's attacking the camp, they might survive but it will be hard.

She doesn't know why there's so less cats, but she never asked anyone. They do need more warriors, they won't survive like this. Flowerstar grew quiet before she got up on her all four paws, Brightpaw looked up at her leader. "Very well, Brightpaw. They may stay to prove their courage and strength, but if they're not built to be a warrior, if they're bad at hunting and fighting." Flowerstar's eyes locked with Brightpaw's. "They will go and never return." Flowerstar said. All Brightpaw could do was dip her head respectfully at her Clan leader. Flowerstar padded out of the leaders den, Brightpaw followed after her and watched Flowerstar climb a rock. "Cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the high-rock for a Clan meeting." Flowerstar's yowl rang around the Clan. Most of the cats were already in the clearing, they settled down on the ground and so did Brightpaw. Darkpaw watched from the medicine cats den as Leafpaw treated his wounds, her mentor helping Leafpaw and watching her closely.

Leopardsnow began to pull her kits in the nursery with her tail gently. "No fair, I want to see!" Beekit protested. "Mee too!" Barkkit joined in, he tried to peek through her mother's tail but Leopardsnow let out a chuckle and urged them in the nursery. "We will watch from the entrance. You'll be allowed to watch our leader up close one day, but now's not today." Leopardsnow said gently. Beekit and Barkkit groaned in protest and annoyance but didn't argue. With their tails down, they walked in the nursery and watched the Clan meeting from afar, Leopardsnow close beside her kits. Flowerstar waited, she looked upon her Clan to see everyone was here before she lifted her chin. "Brightpaw and Darkpaw went out to search for Frostpaw." Flowerstar started. "I'm happy to say that she's alright, but she won't be returning to the Clan." Flowerstar said, immediately the Clan broke into chattering, they looked pretty much confused on why Frostpaw decided to leave and not come back. Flowerstar raised her tail for silence, immediately the voices stopped. "Frostpaw found her parents and she will be staying with them." Flowerstar said, Brightpaw could see Fluffytail who was gazing out into the forest, lost in his thoughts.

Fluffytail was Frostpaw's mentor, he must be incredibly worried for her. "As for these two cats," Flowerstar continued as she gazed down at Sunny and Moon. "They will be staying here. We need more warriors to make our Clan strong, but if they're not good at hunting nor fighting they will be chased off of DawnClan." Flowerstar said. She stared down from her rock and waited for talking to calm down again. "I was worried for a second you wouldn't convince her, Brightpaw!" Sunny whispered to her. Brightpaw didn't reply, she continued to stare up at her leader. When the noises grew down, Flowerstar continued. "We don't have much warriors, Fluffytail I would be grateful if you could mentor Moon. I heard he doesn't have any experience but we will put him on a test." Flowerstar said. Fluffytail dipped his head in reply, accepting Flowerstar's choice. "I'll train Moon and see how he improves." Fluffytail replied. Flowerstar looked down at Sunny, her gaze hardening. "Sunny will be tested by me, I will teach her everything she needs to know. And if she already is experienced, she will be made a warrior sooner." Flowerstar said.

"What about Darkpaw and Brightpaw?" Twotail's called from his spot, he was sitting beside Dustpelt. Flowerstar looked at them two. "What they did was wrong and of course they will be punished. They will be looking after Poppystripe until the end of their apprenticeship." Flowerstar said, Brightpaw sweat dropped nervously, she looked at Darkpaw who was watching from the medicine cats den, his shoulders sagged and he seemed beaten up as he groaned, laying down and turning to his right side as Leafpaw started to complain about Darkpaw not keeping in his place and that she can't focus.

"Clan dismissed." Flowerstar said, she bounded off of the rock, the Clan broke into groups and talked to each other, glancing at Moon and Sunny. Sunny was talking with Flowerstar, probably discussing what they will do. Fluffytail was talking with Moon and Moon listened carefully. "So, you've brought back strange cats huh?" Whitepaw asked, Brightpaw widened her eyes in surprise. "You were supposed to bright Frostpaw back but instead you bring back a bunch of strays. DawnClan doesn't need weak cats, Brightpaw." Whitepaw spat at her, Brightpaw flinched and took a step back, she could see Whitepaw's eyes burning with hatred. "I was just thinking-" Brightpaw started but Whitepaw cut her off. "No! You weren't thinking. You have to learn to say no, Brightpaw. What you did today was beyond stupid." Whitepaw spat. Brightpaw didn't reply and she watched Whitepaw go away, out in the forest with Redberry following after her. Brightpaw couldn't help but feel guilty for her choices, has she even made the right choice?
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Brightpaw was laying in her nest, but she couldn't sleep. She wasn't sure what to think of, maybe she did make the wrong choice. But her sisters words hurt her the most, hearing Whitepaw say it was very painful. Brightpaw sighed and she looked outside of the entrance. 'Frostpaw, I miss you... I can't do this without you, we were supposed to be warriors together. We were supposed to be inseparable.' Brightpaw thought to herself quietly, she and Frostpaw had been close but after Frostpaw disappeared it all changed. She's not with her anyone and it hurts, her best friend isn't with her anymore and she might never be. How can Brightpaw go on and pretend like Frostpaw never existed, smiling like tomorrow will be even happier day than today? The world seems different now. Brightpaw curled up and closed her eyes slowly. 'Please StarClan, watch over Frostpaw. I know I can't force her to come if she really doesn't want to go, but all I want right now is for her to be safe and happy... Even if it means breaking my own heart in two.'