Broken Code

Chapter 24

"Rainpaw...I have been wanting to tell you this for a long time.. and well, I guess now is as good a time as ever..." He shuffled his paws like a frightened apprentice. "It's about your mother..."

"I already know Flamestar." And to her surprise, her voice was soft, not harsh and full of anger.

"How d-"

"I overheard you and Icestar talking in the woods." She interrupted, cutting off the pain stricken leader. Flamestar opened his jaws as if to speak, then closed them again. Rainpaw kept talking. "I'm not saying it's alright. I'm not saying everything is perfect between us. But I am saying that I forgive you. You put a thorn in my heart that no medicine cat could take out. But you're my leader and I am your medicine cat and we have to work together to guide this clan. Streamclan is not in it's prime condition and we have to work together to make it better. I forgive you Flamestar."

It was almost as if all of Starclan was waiting on this particular moment because it suddenly began to rain. Starting off as a sprinkle, then growing up into a complete downpour . Rainpaw and Flamestar ran into the medicine den and the rest of the clan dove into their dens as well. Lilacpaw, Cloudpaw, and Sootpaw trudged into the apprentice's den, their first day turning muddy and sad. Flamestar shook out his pelt.

"Stop it you mousebrain! You're getting my herbs soaked!" Rainpaw hissed jokingly.

Flamestar looked down to her and smiled. "Sorry Rainpaw." Then his smile dropped and he looked down at the ground. "For everything." The great leader couldn't hold back his surprise as the medicine cat rubbed her muzzle against his. Rainpaw looked into his amber eyes with her piercing blue ones. "Oh Rainpaw, how can I ever make this right again?"

"Oh trust me, I have a wonderful idea."

"No. I don't want to go to Grassclan." Bluepaw yowled, cats gathering around her to watch.

Cinderfoot frowned. "Bluepaw, Flowerwhisker was murdered for Grassclan to get you. What if they kill again?"

"I'm not going! Will someone please just tell me why they even want me?!"

Rainpaw padded forward, despite her hatred towards the blue furred apprentice. "I can show you." She breathed and waved her paw across a puddle in front of the two cats. A scene played out in the water and Bluepaw and Rainpaw began to watch...

"Swiftstar...I'm so sorry.. only one kit survived.." Featherflight looked down at the queen somberly. His russet fur caught all of the sunshine pouring into the den, giving the den a rather eerie vibe.

The leader cried out in despair as her mate, Stripefur, ran inside, shoving past Featherflight. The medicine cat growled but shoved it down as not to anger the parents.

"We must name her, Swiftstar." Stripefur mumbled in her ear. The she cat didn't move, her heart aching.

"How many were there?" She managed to whisper and Featherflight padded forward to her.

"There were four." He said softly, looking down at the three deceased kits. "But one of them is still alive."

"We have to give her a name my love." Stripefur mumbled again to Swiftstar and she nodded a little. "Her fur is deep grey and her eyes are striking."

Featherflight smiled a little, celebrating the new life in the clan. He watched as the two parents decided on what to name their only kit.

"Bluekit." Swiftstar suggested. "For her looks and our emotions. She will be a constant reminder on how dreary this day is." Her mate nodded his approval and Featherflight gathered up his herbs. It had been decided. The kit was to be called Bluekit.

"Bluekit. You are your mother's daughter." Stripefur whispered to his only daughter. "You are the kin of the leader, the heir to leadership. You shall be named leader after your mother joins Starclan. That is the way of Grassclan. You are destined for greatness my daughter."

The scene stopped and Bluepaw turned to look Rainpaw in the eyes, her blue ones filled with an emotion that Rainpaw had seen in many cats' eyes before: fear.

"I don't want to go to Grassclan." Bluepaw's voice cracked and was hardly above a whisper.

"And you do not have to..." Flamestar started to talk to the young apprentice and Rainpaw padded away, her work done. She recalled the scene over and over in her head. You're destined for greatness my daughter. Those words that Stripefur meowed to his newborn she kit many many moons ago.

Until as she was replaying the words in her head, she heard them aloud. And it wasn't Stripefur's voice, but this time it was Icestar's.

"You're destined for greatness my daughter."

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Ahhh wow I am very pleased with this chapter and it's actually long enough this time for me to not feel guilty about me giving you a short chapter ahahaha!!