The entire time hunting, Flintshade was distracted by what Blackmouth had told him. He knew in his heart that she was telling the truth, but he doubted it was the whole truth. He was unsure as to what to do about it, but did not have anyone that he could really talk to about it. He would go to Velvetrabbit, but she seemed so distracted recently it was pointless to try to talk to her. Brindlethorn was another option, but he has already burdened the already worried warrior with enough of his problems.
Flintshade pulled himself out of his thoughts just in time to see a mouse scurry away from him. Bring this distracted made it hard for him to accomplish anything. Thankfully, the rest of the patrol had caught things, so it was not a total loss. He quietly followed them back to camp.
Tanagerpaw and Barkclaw dropped their prey on the pile before trotting off to sleep. Most of the camp was already asleep by the time the hunting patrol had gotten back, so there was no point in anything other then retiring themselves as well.
~THE NEXT DAY~
Jinxstar awoke to loud noises coming from the clearing. He walked out of his den to see that Frecklekit was playing with Barkclaw. Stormkit was busy watching Flintshade demonstrate a proper hunting crouch, and Ashkit was glaring jealously at his siblings from the shadows. Jinxstar walked over to meet with Blackberry, to talk to her about what to do with Ashkit.
"What kind of condition is he in?" Jinxstar asked, worried about what to do with the frail kit.
"Well, he is all in one piece, if that is what you are asking." Blackberry snarled at Jinxstar, "It is not like he is some kind of crow food that you need to decide if you are starving enough to try to eat, you know. He is a small, frail kit that shows extreme intelligence and an amazing memory. He already has a third of the herbs memorized just from how often he is in this den. I am honestly thinking that his best place to be is as my apprentice, at least then he is still being useful to his clan and will not be put into a position that could easily get him killed."
"But hoe does he feel about it?" Jinxstar asked, not wanting to upset the kit.
"He is not at all happy with it, but he knows that it is his only choice if he wants to be useful and not a burden." Blackberry sighed.
Neither of them wanted to break the news to the kit, but Jinxstar knew that it was his responsibility, the kits would be apprentices soon, and they needed to know what was going on. Just then, Skydapple led Ashkit into the medicine den, wanting Blackberry to look at him one more time before she went out on her duties.
"Hello, Ashkit, how are you feeling this morning?" Blackberry asked as he took a seat in front of her.
"Oh, you know, the usual. Tiny and useless." He grouched as he looked from his leader to Blackberry and back again, "You were talking about me, weren't you? Yes, I know what will happen. I will be stuck in this stinking den with Blackberry, memorizing plants and losing all sense of smell and taste."
It was obvious that Ashkit was no where near happy about it, but he had resigned himself to the duties. Skydapple sighed and gently swatted her kit behind the ears.
"Show some respect for your leader!" She scolded him, while all he did was look at his paws grumpily.
"It is alright, Skydapple, he has a point. Being a medicine cat is the only place that he will be useful, unless he wants to go straight to the elder's den and be stuck with the name kit his entire life." Jinxstar pointed out.
"You wouldn't!" Ashkit squeaked as he looked at Jinxstar with fear in his eyes, "You seriosuly would not do that! momma!"
Ashkit looked wildly from Jinxstar to Skydapple and back again. Skydapple said nothing, not sure where Jinxstar was going with this.
"It is the only other place we could put you." Jinxstar said, "That is what happens to the cats that let their handicaps consume them. You can either go there and remain Ashkit for the rest of your days, or you can use your exceptional mind and memory to help save the lives of your sick and injured clan members."
"Medicine Cats do more then just play with plants all day." Blackberry chimed in, "Medicine Cats maintain the health of their clanmates. They make sure that things like wounds do not get infected, they make sure that cats do not get sick, they also make sure that queens and kits do not die when they are born. Medicine Cats are the only line between Starclan and the clan without the leader constantly traveling to the Moonpool. We interpret signs sent to us from Starclan in our dreams and in the omens that we find on a day to day basis. We are the ones that are first warned of danger and interpret that warning for the rest of the clan to prepare for. Medicine Cats are much more then most cats even realize."
As Blackberry finished her speech, it was obvious that Ashkit was now at least interested in his destiny. Skydapple gave her a grateful smile as she herded him out of the den. Jinxstar smiled at her and gave her a respectful nod before leaving the den.
By the time he reached camp he saw that the rest of the clan had awoke and were getting ready for the day. He took this chance to call on a couple of his warriors.
"Flintshade, Barkclaw! Come here, please." Jinxstar called as he approached his perch.
"What's up?" Barkclaw asked as he bounded towards his leader, Flintshade following silently behind.
"As you both know, Skydapple's kits will be apprentices soon. I would like to see the two of you mentor them. I was thinking that Barkclaw could take Frecklekit and Flintshade could take Stormkit. Do you both agree?" Jinxstar asked the two warriors.
Barkclaw immediately perked up, but then his face fell again.
"Thank you, Jinxstar, I would be honored to mentor him." Flintshade said as he dipped his head to his leader.
"But, what about Tanagerpelt? She will be upset that she does not get one. Who will mentor Ashkit?" Barkclaw said, worried that his mate might be upset that she will not be a mentor.
"Ashkit has a different destiny. I will speak with Tanagerpelt." Jinxstar said as he dismissed his warriors and went to speak with Tanagerpelt.
Tanagerpelt was watching the clouds race across the sky with the stiff breeze that was pushing them, and jumped when her leader said her name.
"Yes, Jinxstar, what do you need of me?" Tanagerpelt said as she sat up and looked at him.
"As you know, Skydapple's kits are going to be apprenticed soon." He said as she perked up, "But, you will not get to mentor one of them this time." Tanagerpelt's face fell as she looked at her paws, "I do have this promise for you, though, you will be able to mentor Hollowkit when she is ready to be an apprentice."
Although it wasn't what she wanted initially, she knew that her time was coming. Barkclaw was, after all, older then her and trained longer then she did. She was happy with the decicion, Jinxstar knew what he was doing and she trusted his judgement.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather in the clearing for a clan meeting!" Jinxstar called as he jumped up onto his perch to address his clan, "Barkclaw and Tanagerpelt will go on a boarder patrol. Skydapple, Flintshade, Velvetrabbit, Brindlethorn, and Birchfeather will join me for a hunting patrol."
With that, Jinxstar led the way out of camp. Tanagerpelt and Barkclaw walked out a little bit after them. As they left, Stormkit and Frecklekit ran over to Willowbolt.
"Why aren't you going out with them too?" Stormkit asked as he slid to a halt in front of Willowbolt.
"Because I am expecting kits and I need to take it easy." Willowbolt answered simply.
"Why cant we go out with them? we are old enough and strong enough!" Stormkit said as Frecklekit nodded along vehemently, "Or, you know, at least most of us are." He finished in a snide tone as he glared at his brother.
It was back enough that Frecklekit refused to talk, but to have his brother be so useless as well, that did not reflect well on him.
"Stormkit, that is not nice! apologize to Ashkit, now." Willowbolt scolded as she watched the two brothers glare at each other.
"Why, it's true!" Stormkit said.
Frecklekit just took a step back and looked worriedly between her two brothers.
"I said apologize!" Willowbolt hissed.
"No, your not my mother and cannot make me!" Stormkit snarled.
"then go into the nursery, now, and stay there until your parents get back. I will be telling them what you said." Willowbolt said as she sat up to her fullest and glared down at Stormkit.
Stormkit huffed and slunk off, still glaring at his siblings. Frecklekit saw that her brother was now our of the picture, and trotted over to Ashkit. She grabbed a ball of moss and offered to play catch with him. He gladly excepted, soon forgetting about Stormkit and having fun.
Stormkit watched from the shadows of the nursery when he heard a quiet voice from the darkness.
"Not so much fun being left out, is it?" Blackmouth said to him, "And to think, all you did was tell the truth. That is quiet sad, actually."
Stormkit glared back at her, "What do you care, your not even my family."
"Family or not, I would never treat you that way for speaking the truth. Besides, who needs family that makes you look bad?" Blackmouth said, "I would be willing to bet that none of them will take you seriously with siblings like that. They are all going to be waiting for you to show some kind of defect, just like them."
Blackmouth knew how to play off the fears of this young cat, and to turn him to her side.
"So you really think that is true?" Stormkit said in a taught tone.
The last thing that he wanted was for his clan to think that he was useless like his siblings. He would prove them all wrong.
"I would, but then again, I know better then the rest of them do." Blackmouth said, "I have had the chance to watch you grow up and see what kind of potential you have. You will be a great warrior for this clan, with the right guidance, of course. Stay close to me and I can make that happen for you."
"How so?" Stormkit asked, thoroughly intrigued at this point.
Willowbolt watched as Ashkit and Frecklekit played with their moss, not realizing the corruption that was happening in the nursery. Blackberry came out to check her over before leaving camp to find her herbs.
[Barkclaw and Tanagerpelt - boarder patrol]
[Jinxstar, Velvetrabbit, Flintshade, Birchfeather, Brindlethorn, and Skydapple - hunting patrol]
[Blackberry - herb hunting]
[Willowbolt - watching Frecklekit and Ashkit]
[Blackmouth - nursing Hollowkit and corrupting Stormkit]
]
