Chapter Text
Juniperpaw has always been a prickly kit. It was kind of a family thing. Crowrunner had been rude towards the whole clan when he first joined. It was only after he became comfortable and got to know them did he finally lighten up. Breezepaw was equally snippy, though now that everyone knew about Ashfur’s treatment of him, things had started to click into place.
Juniperpaw was just prickly by default. Especially when he was named Brightheart’s apprentice.
Admittedly, Brightheart had been apprehensive of her new apprentice. Juniperpaw was blind. It was common knowledge. The she-cat had been suspicious of her leader choosing her for him.
(“I didn’t choose you for him because of your disabilities,” Firestar said with an eyeroll. “Thornclaw is your brother. Dogscar is your closest friend. You are very good at dealing with pricky cats.”
“Brackenfur is my brother too and has experience with cats with disabilities. Why not him? Why me specifically?”
“Brackenfur is a great mentor. Snowear’s success as a warrior is a testament to that. But Juniperpaw needs someone who will understand him and challenge him. Brackenfur will be too soft and does not know what it means to be different.” The orange tom bumped heads with the she-cat. “He needs you.” )
Today however he was extra moody. The apprentice was quiet. He’s never quiet. Always snapping at anyone who treats him like a kit or underestimates him. Nothing seemed different from the day before. Yet his entire demeanor had seemingly changed overnight.
“What was it you wished to discuss?” Brightheart continued to watch as her apprentice stared at the ground. He seemed nervous.
“I’m…going to ask Firestar to make me Yellowmoon and Dogscar’s apprentice.” Brightheart stared at her apprentice in shock as he continued. “I need to stop deluding myself. It would be better for everyone if I finally just gave in and just do what I’m meant to do.”
“You-You hate the idea of being a medicine cat,” the warrior pointed out when she finally found her voice. “You’ve made that very clear from the moment you learned to speak.”
Juniperpaw shrugged. Brightheart could feel rage bubble up in soul. How dare someone poison this kit’s thoughts?! Whomever they were was going to get an earful.
“You’re not quitting,” she growled. Sightless eyes glared at her. “I won’t let you.”
“It isn’t your call, Brightheart.”
“I don’t care. Being a warrior is your,” she choked on her words. Looking at Juniperpaw now, Brightheart is transported back in time. Standing in the apprentice’s place, is another gray cat with a fiery temper and a dream of being a warrior. Her leg is twisted painfully due to an accident. “It’s your dream.”
“I’ve been nothing but a thorn in your pad,” he grumbled. “I thought you’d be happy to have me gone. Why do you want me to stay?”
“Many reasons.” That wouldn’t satisfy him. She knew this. He knew this. Brightheart trudged over to the base of a tree, patting the spot next to her. Hesitantly, the apprentice followed.
“You remind of myself. And her.” His sightless eyes found her again. “Do you know the story of me and Dogscar?” He shook his head. “I won’t bore you with the details, but the two of us fought a threat we thought we could win. Our leader of the time decided to make us warriors because everyone thought we’d pass. Swiftpaw became Dogscar.” She nudged his face with hers. “And I became Lostface.”
Brightheart felt his ears twitch before he hissed in rage. “WH-?! You’re the nicest cat I know! Why would anyone do that?!”
Brightheart shrugged. “It’s complicated and I promised you I wouldn’t bore you with the details.” Juniperpaw still looked furious. The she-cat smiled. Despite his normally grumpy attitude, Juniperpaw had a good heart. Always ready to defend those who needed it, even over something that happened seasons ago.
“I wasn’t supposed to survive. Nor be a warrior,” she continued. “But I am. The only thing that makes me different from other cats is my strategies. I don’t know what it’s like to be fully blind, but I know what it’s like to be different and underestimated. And I want to help you achieve your dream.”
It was silent as Juniperpaw thought. Finally, he asked, “You said I remind you of her? Who’s her?”
Brightheart closed her eye as it started to fill with tears. “My sister. Cinderpelt.”
“Dogscar and Yellowmoon’s mentor?”
She nodded. “It was her dream too. And it was stolen from her.” Brightheart nuzzles her head into Juniperpaw’s, purring. The grouchy apprentice allows her. It’s the first time he hasn’t pushed her away. “I won’t give up on you”, she says, “and you won’t give up on me. Not until you’re a warrior. Understood?”
Juniperpaw doesn’t respond, not verbally at least. Brightheart feels him nod his head.
“Good. Now come on. We have to practice your battle stances.”
***
The day had finally come. Breezepaw, Hollypaw, and Juniperpaw’s warrior ceremony was finally upon them. It hadn’t been easy, even after their heart to heart. Juniperpaw would fight and she’d push back, but at the end of the day, she always had her apprentice’s back.
Juniperpaw was the youngest of her litter. She was to go last. From behind the three kits, Lionpaw was giddily whispering to their parents. All three of them looked so proud.
Sitting just outside the nursery, was Poppyfrost, visibly pregnant. Brightheart still remembers when her apprentice had loudly announced that she and the then Poppypaw were mates midway through their apprenticeships. Not a surprise. Anyone with a pair of ears or eyes could tell how the two she-cats adored each other.
What had come as a shock to the whole clan when she and her apprentice announced the older she-cat’s pregnancy right before dappled tortoiseshell’s warrior ceremony. Poor Poppyfrost has been a nervous wreck. Her apprentice looked a mixture of defiant and proud. Right now, the queen’s eyes glowed as she watched her mate approach their leader.
"Brightheart?” Firestar’s voice cut through her thoughts. “Has Juniperpaw learned the skills of a warrior? Does she understand the importance of the warrior code?"
"She has."
The leader and mentor share a grin as the tom continued. “Then I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in turn."
Brightheart watched as her leader and apprentice met each other halfway. Her apprentice strode confidently towards her grandfather. Pride filled the one-eyed she-cat’s heart.
"Juniperpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do," she said.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Juniperpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Juniperstep. StarClan honors your drive and resilience, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan."
The newly named Juniperstep stood next to Breezefern and Hollymoth as the clan called their names. As the chatter died down, the mentor approached her former apprentice.
"Welcome to being a warrior," Brightheart purred into the new warrior’s ear.
"Thanks for not giving up on me."
“Always, kit. Now go get some rest. You and your siblings have a long night ahead of you.” Brightheart watched the gray warrior head towards her mate. As she continue to watch, a breeze blew through the she-cat’s fur. A smell on the winds.
Comfrey.
Cinderpelt always smelt like comfrey.
Tears sprung to her good eye as a small smile graced her face. I’m sorry you couldn’t be a warrior, Cinderpelt. I know it was your choice, but you deserved to have your dream come true. Thank you for not letting hers die.
And then it was gone. And Brightheart was left alone with her thoughts.