Lost Stars/Chapter 5

==Chapter description==
:Rootpaw is pacing in the medicine cat den; Alderheart is encouraging him by saying it'll keep his blood flowing. The apprentice feels uneasy and doesn't understand why. Rootpaw picks up a familiar scent and notes that it is Bristlepaw. He wonders if he is feeling uneasy because he likes having the gray apprentice around and asks himself if he is sad about leaving ThunderClan soon. After the gray she-cat asks how he is doing, the yellow-furred apprentice replies that he is doing better. He then adds that it might be better for him to stay within the den for a few days, hesitant about leaving Bristlepaw. The gray cat meows that he should stay away from Kitepaw and Turtlepaw, adding to not listen to their ideas. The tom says they are older and bigger than him, however Bristlepaw tells him if he listens to them, then he'll end up in bigger trouble.
:A few moments later, pawsteps and a loud voice are heard outside the bramble screen. Rootpaw realizes that his father, Tree, has come to take him back home. Plumwillow is escorting him, who tries to get a word in as Tree questions why the cats of ThunderClan are practicing battle moves. Bristlepaw asks him if the tom is his father, to which Rootpaw replies that he is. He thinks to himself that Tree is embarrassing when he's like this. The yellow tom doesn't want any cat to think he'll end up like his father.
:When the two SkyClan cats are on their way home, Tree asks how his son is. Rootpaw replies that he is fine and tells his father he felt comfortable and warm during treatment. The older tom asks how he fell into the lake and Rootpaw responds that he thought Kitepaw and Turtlepaw would've told every cat what happened. Tree tells him that they told the Clan he fell into the lake, but didn't say how. The younger cat admits that the two apprentices were teasing him and that he ran at them because he was angry. Tree says nothing, but Rootpaw imagines he is disappointed with him. His father tells him that he has a different ancestry than the young cats of SkyClan and that there is more to life than being a warrior. Rootpaw wants to disagree with him and doesn't find the right words. He wonders why Tree doesn't try to belong and not get involved with the life of a Clan. The yellow tom then wishes he had a different father.
:The next morning, Rootpaw wakes up and, alarmed, sees he is the only cat in the apprentice den. He scrambles out to see Dewspring waiting for him. The yellow tom gasps, asking if he is late. The gray cat tells him he's not late, just that he's missed a lot of training while he was in ThunderClan. Dewspring angles his ears toward the Tallrock, where Kitepaw and Turtlepaw are in front of the Clan's leader and deputy. Rootpaw sees Leafstar's cold expression and her bristling fur as she talks to the two apprentices. Dewspring explains they are being punished for putting Rootpaw in danger. Rootpaw objects to this, however his mentor tells him they should've known better. He adds that he is disappointed in the yellow tom for his part. Rootpaw apologizes and his mentor continues his training.
:After training, Rootpaw is on his way back to camp, and feels sluggish. He thinks that he should've stayed longer in ThunderClan, before he becomes embarrassed when he thinks he is keen to be near Bristlepaw. At the entrance, Turtlepaw and Kitepaw approach him. The yellow tom tries to make friendly conversation with them, however the two apprentices brush off his attempt and stalk away. Rootpaw feels angry and embarrassed again, and walks over to Needlepaw, who is at the fresh-kill pile. His sister asks him what the matter is and Rootpaw snaps at her. The yellow apprentice soon tells her that he wished cats would take him more seriously. He also talks to his sister about having to work twice as hard to prove to his Clanmates that he's not like Tree. The black-and-white cat points out that she has the same father, but has told the other apprentices to keep out of her business. She finishes, saying if Rootpaw's true to himself, he'll prove them all wrong. Rootpaw thinks to himself he's going to prove himself a warrior through and through.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
*Jayfeather
==Notes and references==
Category:Lost Stars
Category:The Broken Code arc
Category:Chapter subpages