The Dad I Never Had (Closed)

Finally, out of the medicine cat den, Fernpaw followed her mentor almost without a limp. The young she-cat insisted to be let go earlier and after bickering for days with the medicine cat, she was out. And best of all, Kestrelchirp was with her! Fernpaw hasn't had to chance to meet him very well since her ceremony. For the last moon, she has been trying to learn from other apprentices and get knowledge from patrols. It wasn't like she resented him. The odd-eyed she-cat knew that warriors were very busy cats and he couldn't be there for her all the time. For now, Fernpaw was grateful to have this day with her mentor and hopefully learn more of him.

Kestrelchirp was happy his apprentice was finally healed. He felt guilty leaving her in there, but with Coyotegrin demanding a lot of his time in the tunnels, he had stopped by when he could. But finally, she was cleared for recovery. With a charming smile, he glanced down at her as he lead her through the territory. "How are you liking the moors? It's beautiful out here, isn't it?" He looked out across the grasses gently flowing in the wind. The same wind buffeting his orange fur as he breathed in the sense of peace. It was so far into the season, that even with his tall height the grass was nearly at his shoulder in some places. He looked back down to Fernpaw as they crested a hill and frowned. "I'm sorry for not visiting you more in the den. With tensions so high, my mother wanted me working on the tunnels. I should have made more time for you and I'm sorry. I promise from this day on, I'll never abandon you again." They neared where Kestrelchirp had marked in his brain for battle training - on top of a hill where the grass had not grown as much and the territory could be seen beneath them. Slowing to a stop, he flicked his tail and sat. "We'll train here after you catch your breath from the walk."

Fernpaw's ear lifted at the question and she lashed her tail excited. "I love them! So much freedom to run and jump. I especially like the Flower Fields, with all the blooming flowers there." She purred as the small apprentice followed the older cat. The molly noticed Kestrelchirp concerned expression, but before she could ask he spoke again. Fernpaw was surprised to hear him apologize but at the same time... she felt a warm feeling in her chest when the warrior expressed his concern and care for her. The short she-cat didn't have her parents for long, joining the stars before she could even remember their faces correctly. Fernpaw never felt too bad about it; after all, she didn't honestly know them. Thus, she didn't have someone older, nor a parent model or an older sibling, that would look after her. It was always her against the world. The odd-eyed Windclanner took a few seconds to think about this new, unknown feeling before talking again. "It's fine, really. I get it, a warrior is always working to protect their clan and respect that. But... thanks. I would like to have you around... you know? To guide me..." The usually confident and feisty cat now acted bashfully, fidgeting her paws. It wasn't like her to ask for help and it felt strange. She felt... vulnerable.

They both remained quiet for the rest of the walk. Fernpaw almost had to trot to keep with Kestrechirp's pace and when they finally arrived, she let out a long sigh. The apprentice took a look at the view of the top of the hill and despite still trying to catch her breath, her eyes shimmer with excitement and determination, ready to start working. "I'm ready!"