Where The Lost Things Go (Snowfoot & Vixenpaw)

Snowfoot got up just as the sun was setting. She stretched, yawned, and took in the view. The black and white she-cat had a plan for tonight, one she wasn’t completely confident about. Padding over to the apprentices’ den, she rehearsed her words in her mind. She poked her face into the entrance. “Vixenpaw, time to get up,” she whispered. “Grab something to eat, we’re going on a walk. I need to speak with you.”

Vixenpaw shifted in her nest. she couldn't sleep. deerleap's last words were haunting her again. she still jumped when Snowfoot poked her. she took a deep breath, and slid out of her den.

Snowfoot waited by the camp entrance for her apprentice. She thought she’d figured out how to say what she needed to to her, but she still wasn’t completely confident. She shuffled her paws anxiously. Hopefully this would work.

Vixenpaw watched Snowfoot tiredly. her mentor was fidgeting around. "Say it," she snapped, not bothering to at least act gentle.

“Vixenpaw, do you know why I have a weak leg?” Snowfoot asked, hoping to ease into the conversation. “It was broken by a dog when I was an apprentice. It’s still a bit weak, but it’s healed now. Imagine what would’ve happened if I’d been content to let my injury claim me. I would’ve laid in Basilbloom’s den day after day, letting my muscles waste away. But I didn’t. I got back up. I can’t change the fact I’ve got a weak leg, but I’ve found workarounds. It’s the same with the fact I lost my mother when I was a kit. You didn’t know that, did you? I was younger than you. Sure, it hurt, and I was angry for a while, just ask Swiftheart! But guess what? I didn’t just stew in my anger forever. I became the best warrior I could to make her proud, and now her love lives on as I raise my own kits. And you know what? Sometimes I almost feel her presence.” Snowfoot paused a moment, tearing up. “And it’s much the same with your mother. I miss her too. I mean, she sacrificed herself for the clan and that’s honorable. But still, I miss her. And it’s okay to cry. I know I did. Cry, yell, scream at her for leaving even! She’ll understand. I just can’t help but feel that she wouldn’t want anyone to just bottle up their emotions and be angry forever.”

Vixenpaw starred at her blankly. anger, she didnt know where it came from, bubbled inside her. but wasnt this what she wanted to hear? someone to comfort her? for the first time, she wondered if the anger went deeper than that. the grey she-cat took a deep breath. "I know what I want. I don't need you," she said with as much confidence as she could muster, before turning and sliding back into her den.

Snowfoot groaned and shoved her face into the dirt. That could have gone far better. Against her better judgment, she followed her apprentice back to the den. “I just want you to know I’m here if you ever change your mind. Also, you would do well to remember that I am your mentor. You don’t have to discuss your feelings with me, but you do need me if you ever want to become a warrior.” Snowfoot turned and walked away. She’d said her piece.

Vixenpaw pushed her muzzle into her flank, breathing in deeply. this was her scent. Snowfoot was wrong. she didn't need anyone.