Rainstep's Choice

Chapter Nineteen

As soon as Rainpaw returned to camp, she was immediately tackled by her brother.

"Hailpaw, get off!"

The gray tom wouldn't budge.

"It's been so long since we spent time together, though! And you need to spend some time with Mother and Father! Come eat with us!"

Rainpaw beamed with delight. She glanced at Ashpool, who gave an approving nod. Rainpaw mewed in excitement, happy to spend time with family.

Tawnyheart did not look like she was in any danger. Ashpool just worries too much, Rainpaw thought. She smiled at her mother and sat down next to her, with her father, Branchfur, on Tawnyheart's other side.

The tortoiseshell she-cat gave her daughter a warm smile. "We are so proud of of you, Rainpaw. You've come so far since you began training."

"Oh, speaking of training," Rainpaw began, "how's Windpaw doing?"

Branchfur grinned at Rainpaw's question. "She's doing wonderfully. I couldn't have asked for a more obedient apprentice." He then chuckled, and said, "Now, Sandpaw, on the other paw, is giving Jaggedclaw a real workout."

Hailpaw tried to suppress a grin. "Funny story 'bout that, actually," he mentioned, "you know how we've been training together and all that, me and Windpaw? Well, one day, we were practicing hunting techniques. Sandpaw was goofing off as usual, and she accidentally scared off a bird, but Windpaw didn't know. So when she started to sneak up on the nest, a whole bunch of feathers got in her nose! She was so mad at Sandpaw for the rest of the day," Hailpaw finished with a laugh.

Rainpaw joined in the laughter. She had never seen Windpaw make any sort of mistake. I've been missing so much, holed up in the medicine den all day. Maybe I should a take a day off from training or something.

Tawnyheart, seeming to read her daughter's mind, asked if she would like to go hunting with a patrol sometime. "You could use the fresh air," she meowed. Rainpaw nodded enthusiastically. 

As her family continued sharing tongues and chatting, Rainpaw gazed into the medicine den, where Flowerkit and Nightkit were playing moss-ball. Flowerkit kept missing the ball, distracted by Ashpool and one of her patients. She's clearly supposed to be a medicine cat, Rainstep thought, I'll tell Ashpool tomorrow that I want to start warrior training instead. Her gaze met Ashpool's, and she lowered her head a bit, hoping she would get the message. The silver tabby nodded and gave her a sad smile, understanding that Rainpaw has a different destiny to follow.

Once her meal was done, Hailpaw playfully swiped at her, Windpaw and Sandpaw waiting expectantly, and she gladly joined the brawl. 

                                                                                           ***

That night, after a play-fight with all the apprentices and even some of the younger warriors, Rainpaw rested in her nest, content.  As she let sleep take over, her final thoughts resounded in her head: I may make mistakes, like having a crush on a cat from another Clan, and have unanswered questions from mysterious visitors in my dreams, but somehow, I know that everything will turn out all right.

A/N: This is the final chapter of Rainstep's Choice on this platform. I hope you all have enjoyed this story, and please the next A/N chapter for more info.

Thank you all so much, and keep derpin!

~Dusky~