So It's You (Rainpaw)

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Dappledfrost yawned as she shuffled the herbs into their correct places. The worst injuries in the Clan from the battle at Sunningrocks had been treated. No cat had escaped permanent injury. That is, except Rainpaw, she reminded herself. It hurt her heart to have to watch the apprentice struggle about, still clinging to the hope of being a warrior.

The medicine cat didn't know what would happen. It would be nearly impossible for him to recover from what he'd been through. And if he lived, what would become of him? A young apprentice like him shouldn't have to move into the elders den, or take permanent residence in the nursery or medicine cat den.

StarClan, why do you do this?

She yawned again, her eyelids getting heavier. Maybe a quick nap wouldn't hurt. The brown she-cat padded into her den, curled up, and slept.

When she opened her eyes, Dappledfrost was in StarClan territory. Sunlight shone strongly through the treetops, and birdsong could be heard from above. The medicine cat rose to her paws, taking in the scene with awe in her bright blue eyes. A familiar scent drifted toward her. Owleyes?

Her old mentor padded over to her, appearing out of thin air. His wide yellow eyes were warm and welcoming. "Greetings, Dappledfrost. You have been serving well as ThunderClan's medicine cat." The tan marked she-cat dipped her head in respect. "I've always tried to do my best to protect our Clan," she responded. The dark brown tom blinked. "And now it is time for you to begin passing on your skills to another, as I did for you." Dappledfrost's head shot up at his words. "I am to receive an apprentice?" The old tom purred. "Did you think you never would? Yes, StarClan has chosen your successor." Thoughts raced through the she-cat's head. There were many kits in the Clan now. It had to be one of them. "Who is it?"

"Rainpaw. Your apprentice will be Rainpaw."

Dappledfrost's eyes snapped open, and she found herself laying in her own nest back in ThunderClan. She could hear her heart pounding within her as she slowly stood. In a daze she padded back into the patient's section of the medicine cat's den. "So it's you," she muttered.

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Rainpaw had been in the patient's section, since that's where he would spend most of his days now, it seemed, and he was trying to stretch his sore leg muscle. His injury, though almost healed, caused him to walk an unusual stride that made him clumsy. He couldn't hunt or run very fast with it and with his size, strength wasn't an option. But he was going to become a warrior, he had set his mind on that. There was no way this would get him down. He winced as he felt something pop from the stretch, causing him to stop abruptly ad sit down, trying not to move it again. He was just about to try again when he heard Dappledfrost and he looked up in confusion, ears flickering at her voice and it's tone. "Me?"

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"Yes, you." Dappledfrost's eyes were unfocused as she turned her head towards the apprentice. The medicine cat wasn't sure- no, she knew. Rainpaw wouldn't be pleased with the news. Her eyes hadn't missed the tom's attempts to stand, nor the look on his face when he wasn't able to. But if what Owleyes said was true, then this was Rainpaw's destiny and he couldn't avoid it. "StarClan has chosen you to be the next medicine cat apprentice."

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Rainpaw was studying her curiously, wondering what was the matter with her and why she was looking at him like that. Then at those words, his expression dropped back to serious, a fowl grimace on his lips. "That's not funny. I'm not a medicine cat apprentice, I'm Riddlehawk's apprentice. Training to be a warrior." He stated this defiantly, ears flattening. "Why would they choose me anyway?"

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Dappledfrost closed her eyes and sighed. This wasn't going to be easy. She opened her eyes at last, returning his stare. "Cats are born with their destinies. StarClan chose you the moment you were born." She lifted her chin. "Medicine cats are special- we have a rare connection to StarClan. To open it, sometimes a life changing event is needed. Surely you have at least once heart of brave Cinderpelt?" The brown she-cat's tone grew nostalgic. "She was one of ThunderClan's greatest medicine cats, and followed a path similar to yours. Her leg was crippled by a monster, and she became a medicine cat knowing she could never be a warrior." Dappledfrost had been kitted seasons after the grey medicine cat's time, but she had always honored the story. "Do you think it was easy? Her dreams to be a warrior never left her, but she knew she had to follow the path StarClan had set down for her."

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"But why does it have to be me!" He got to his feet, a little unsteady but full of anger. "I'm not Cinderpelt and I can get through this. I will become a warrior, wether Starclan likes it or not!" He spat, letting his short temper get the best of him. He wasn't angry at Dappledfrost, no, mostly he was frustrated and aggravated with himself and Starclan. "And if they chose me, why haven't they spoken to me?"

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Dappledfrost blinked. "They will speak to you. You just need to keep your eyes and ears open," she mewed, trying to kept her cool. "And whether you like it or not, your leg will never be as it was before. So many little bones in there broke; It's incredible that you can even stand. However, you won't be able to stalk prey without dragging your leg through the undergrowth, nor will you be able to move quick enough in combat. The life of a warrior is out of your reach, now."

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Rainpaw was fullyl aware of these disadvantages and it just hurt more when she reminded him of them. He closed his mouth, biting back a response, too much anger and hurt in his eyes. His dream couldn't just be gone....could it? He had worked so hard, he was almost a warrior! Sinking down into the bedding, he turned away from her and laid his head on his paws, breathing deeply as he closed his eyes.