Destiniespaw

[*Sinister*Dreams*]

The golden tom shook his head, padding outside the leaders den. Bearing bad news and reprimand was his least favorite job, but it was part of being the PewterClan leader. He swore to protect his clan, guide them in the right direction, even if it meant doing things he didn't wish to do. With a sigh, he padded to where Destiniespaw was, finally done stalling and contemplating his thoughts. He began, not even waiting for the apprentice to look up.

"Destiniespaw, I am sure you've noticed you have not been made a warrior with your siblings. I also trust you know why. Your actions in the battle were such that had you been a warrior, you would have been exiled."

A stern glare on his part, and he blinked slightly longer than usual. It hurt him to be rude, but it hurt his clan more in the long run if he wasn't from time to time.

"If you put one claw out of line, apprentice or not, I will not hesitate to do so. You seem to have forgotten what it means to be in PewterClan. It means we look out for each other, put the clan before ourself. This is what our warriors swear when they get their name, and this is what I do not trust you to agree to in your present state of mindset. As punnishment, you will not recieve your warrior name until your mentor and I have agreed you are ready. And also..."

The final weight of what he was about to say stung a little in his mind, like removing an old scab that had ceased to bleed and begining the porcess all over again.

"...You will work with Fogberry and Aloeblossom in the medicine den for half of the time you should have been training. You are the one who caused some of PewterClan's injuries, and for such treason you will help to heal them as well. Before returning to sleep at night, you will come to my den with Fogberry and we'll discuss your work that day. If I find you have rebelled in the least against her word, you will regain the name Destinieskit and live under the rules of a kit in our nursery under the constant care of one of our queens. From there, you will wait six moons and re-do the entire cycle of your life in PewterClan. If you screw up beyond this, you will be bannished. Have I made myself perfectly clear?"

He sternly glared at the apprentice, keeping an eye on Fogberry in the distance. Was giving the apprentice a chance truly in his best interest? Of this he was unsure, but treason was the worst thing in his book. Any other warrior, and he'd be exiled. With a purr, he softened his words.

"I know what it's like to be an apprentice. I was one, and I almost led the rogues straight to camp. If you'd like to hear that story, I'd be glad to share it. The medicine cat had to save my life. Also keep Havoccrypt in mind, he was a rebel. Still is for that matter. But he's one of our finest warriors. You can change who you've become, Destiniespaw."
After glancing briefly at his son-in-law, Goldstar looked earnestly at the apprentice in front of him.

[Destiny]

Destiniespaw sat with her gaze averted, refusing to look Goldstar in the face. Or in any other part of his anatomy, either. Instead, she was looking in the near distance, daydreaming.
"...exiled."
What? She was being exiled? No, it couldn't be!
It wasn't.
As Goldstar made the ultimatum, she relaxed, though not visibly. Looking at her, it was as though Goldstar was remarking on her hunting techniques, not threatening to banish her. However, underneath, her mind was whirling.
Banished? He would banish me? That wouldn't be so great... The entire Clan would be on the lookout for me, and I wouldn't be able to get as close as I would like...
Lost in her thoughts, Destiniespaw didn't hear about when she would get her warrior name. That wasn't at the top of her priorities.
Still staring away, a group of cats caught her eye. It seemed to be a mix of new warriors and apprenticies, and she could see her sister and brother's pelts, standing out slightly.
Divinepa- Divinehope, she corrected herself mentally, with an annoyed curl of the lip, seemed different. Though she wasn't joining in with the good natured banter of the rest of the group verbally, the way she held herself and the movements she was making indicated that she was a part of the conversation.
The black-to-grey-to-white she-cat looked up and froze, her ear twisting as she caught sight of her sister staring at her. However, noticing the cat next to Destiniespaw her face broke into a grin and she flicked her tail, too far away to speak to her old mentor.
True, Divinehope owed Goldstar not just her skills, but her life.
The group moved away, presumably on a hunt, and Destiniespaw snapped back onto the conversation, figuring at length that it would be a good idea to pay attention.
"PewterClan's injuries, and for such treason you will help to heal them as well.
Oh, Starclan. The barmy leader was trying to make her a medicine cat now.
The she-cat opened her mouth to speak, but shut it and averted her gaze again when she heard the dreaded term: Destinieskit.
She had never gone by that name, having joined, with her brothers and sister, when she was six moons old - ready to be apprenticed. And the prospect of being called it now, when she should rightfully be a warrior, was horrific.
"Do I make myself perfectly clear?"
At the leaders tone, Destiniespaw at last looked up, into his eyes.
"I do."
The irony crossed her mind as she spoke, the fact that Divinehope, Forgedpromise and Falteringstride had spoken the same words not too long ago, on their warrioring. And here she was, saying the exact same. Of course, the circumstances couldn't be more different.
At Goldstar's mini story, she flicked her ears in interest. She'd never heard that before. And then, weighing up her options, she nodded.
She would try. At least for a while.