Warriors: A Twisted Path

Chapter 10

  Brokenkit's tail twitched in annoyance as he rolled onto his back in his nest, sighing. He's been waiting to become an apprentice for four days now, and it wasn't any fun watching his other denmates start their training. But thankfully, Dizzypaw and Acornpaw still visited him when they had the time.
  Brokenkit glanced over at Boulderkit, who was fast asleep, and smirked. At least Boulderkit had to suffer with him.
  Suddenly, he scented his mother behind him and felt her tongue run over his head.
  "Mom! What are you doing!?" He squeaked.
  "You're becoming an apprentice, so your fur needs to be clean!" Hazelfur replied, shushing him with a flick of her tail.
  Brokenkit grumbled and noticed that Boulderkit's mother was doing the same to him. He couldn't help but laugh a little when he saw the look of embarrassment on Boulderkit's face.
  "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highstone for a clan meeting!" Tigerstar voice rang around the clearing, and Brokenkit ran out of the den, his mother walking behind him.
  Brokenkit sat down, Boulderkit sitting not too far away from him. Boulderkit glanced at Brokenkit and growled, but said nothing.
  In the crowd, he could see Dizzypaw looking at him proudly. He smiled at her then turned back to Tigerstar as he began to speak.
  "Two kits are ready to become apprentices. Brokenkit and Boulderkit, please come forward." Tigerstar meowed, pointing towards an empty clearing in front of the Highstone.
  Brokenkit and Boulderkit did as they were asked, and Brokenkit looked up expectantly at his father.
  "Brokenkit, I know you are more than ready to become an apprentice, and I hope you do your best. From this moment on until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Brokenpaw." Tigerstar announced. He turned his head to Darkwillow. "Darkwillow is a brave and experienced warrior, I hope you train Brokenpaw well."
  Darkwillow dipped his head then touched noses with Brokenpaw as the clan cheered his name.
  Brokenpaw sat next to his mentor as he watched Boulderpaw get apprenticed to Hazelfur.
  He couldn't help but feel bad for his mother. I'm sorry you have to deal with that mousebrain!
  "Meeting dis-" Before Tigerstar could finish his sentence, a voice interrupted him.
  "Wait!"
  Brokenpaw turned to see Falconpaw, standing with his head up. He could feel Darkwillow's body stiffen beside him.
  Tigerstar narrowed his eyes. "What is it, Falconpaw?"
  Falconpaw took a deep breath and shifted his paws before answering. "I've decided that clan life isn't for me! I want to live as a kittypet for the rest of my life."
  Shocked gasps and murmurs rose from the clan.
  Darkwillow jumped to his paws and hissed. "Traitor! My own son, turning to the soft life as a kittypet? I can't even look at you now without getting disgusted!"
  Nightshade, Falconpaw's mother, stood beside her son. "If Falconpaw wishes to be a kittypet, then let him be! Not every cat follows the same destiny!"
  "How can we trust you now?"
  "Yeah, why don't you just go with him then?"
  "Enough!" Tigerstar shouted, and every cat shut their mouths. He looked down at Falconpaw. "I respect your choice, but is this really what you want?"
  Falconpaw nodded. "More than anything."
  "I will let you say goodbye, then you must leave. Remember, if you're caught on ShadowClan territory, you won't get any special treatment just because you were once one of us." Tigerstar said.
  "I understand, thank you Tigerstar." Falconpaw dipped his head before saying goodbye to his mother and sister.
  "Oh Falconpaw, I wish you would stay!" Darkpaw murmured, her blue eyes clouded.
  "I'm sorry Darkpaw, but I can't stay here. It's better that way." Falconpaw touched noses with his sister then turned to his father. As he walked up to Darkwillow, the dark tabby wouldn't even meet his gaze.
  Falconpaw sighed. "I hope one day you will forgive me and understand why I left." And more silently he added; "I know there's good in you, there has to be."
  Darkwillow still didn't answer, so Falconpaw turned towards the camp entrance. He walked away, and soon Brokenpaw couldn't see him at all.