Briarlight's Song

Chapter 1

Briarlight lay by the sunbeams in the medicine-cat den. She silently crawled out and let herself soak up the sunlight. Her busy mind cleared, and she thought she could see the crystal blue sky behind one of those animal shaped clouds.

"I think that one looks like a fox." A voice said from behind the pretty brown she-cat.

Briarlight turned around to see Jayfeather, the blind medicine-cat.

"Oh! Didn't see you there!" A small alarm in Briarlight's head went off and she started sweating, her breath came in big, short gasps.

"Are you okay?" Jayfeather asked, looking at her cautiously with his blue, sightless eyes.

"Uh-huh. I'm fine." Briarlight calmed herself, spreading her legs out wide behind her.

Jayfeather thought for a bit.

"I need to go collect some herbs, if you want, you can try and come with me." He finally said.

"That sound good." Briarlight agreed, she pushed herself up with her front paws and shot him a determined glance.

"Ready." She told him.

She began dragging herself into the woods. Jayfeather always a few feet ahead, but never out of sight.

A robin which had returned from winter chirped loudly. Most likely trying to attract a female who was rolling her eyes.

Briarlight sighed.

"I wish I could have such a beautiful song." She said sadly.

Jayfeather turned to her.

"It's not too late, you know." He said quietly.

"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.

"You could still live a normal life."

Briarlight perked up.

"Really?" She asked.

"Really." Jayfeather said.

"Really." Briarlight echoed. Like the word was a rare treasure that could be stolen at any moment.

"Wow."

Chapter 2:

Briarlight gasped for air. They had been walking for ages.

"Are we almost to the surprise you were telling me about?" Briarlight asked Jayfeather.

"Oh, it's just around this corner." He seemed very pleased with himself.

"But this corner leads to the-" Briarlight began.

"Lake..." The she-cat finished. She gaped at the sparkling blue water.

"You guessed it." Jayfeather laughed.

"You want to teach me to- swim? But *you* don't know how to swim!" She exclaimed.

"Ehhh... I know a bit." The tom protested.

Briarlight giggled.

"Yeah, right." She said, rolling her eyes.

Jayfeather turned red.

"Well, I think you're supposed to kick your paws, and then move your head up and down and then turn your tail around and then flick your ears and then..." Jayfeather's voice trailed off as Briarlight was lost in the beautiful chirps of the robin and his new mate one more.

"Hey Brairlight, still listening?" Jayfeather asked.

"No..." Briarlight admitted.

The golden sun covered half of Briarlight's face, and she squinted.

"Here, let me help." Jayfeather splashed water over Briarlight's eyes and she yelped.

"You little furball!" She exclaimed, splashing a pawful of water onto his pelt. The two laughed and played until they were both soaked, and then returned to camp with the sun almost at their paws.

"Where have you been Briarlight? I've been worried sick!" Millie yelled when they got back.

"Mother..." Briarlight moaned.

"You could have been eaten by a fox!" The grey she-cat exclaimed.

"Mother-" Briarlight began.

Millie gasped. "Or a badger!"

"MOTHER JAYFEATHER'S BEEN TAKING GOOD CARE OF ME OKAY???!!!" Briarlight roared.

Millie looked at Jayfeather in distain and sighed.

"Well as long as he doesn't try anything..." Millie started.

"Mother, shut up! He's a medicine-cat for StarClan's sake!" Briarlight turned scarlet.

Millie looked at her. It was a look one would give a lovesick teenager, and Briarlight winced.

"Will you please go away?" Briarlight pleaded.

Millie raised her eyebrows, stuck her tongue out at the two cats, and padded off. Millie might have been on the older side, but she had the spirit of a 16-year old.

Briarlight gave a breath of relief, and slumped down.

"What exactly was that about?" Jayfeather asked her.

"Don't know." Briarlight said. But honestly, she knew exactly what had happened. She had read it all in Millie's expression, and Briarlight didn't like it.

Chapter 3: