A/N: I'm still trying out a few different ideas for a good Warriors story so if this story isn't well received I'll probably move onto another idea. I don't own Warriors.
A slender black paw touched the small pool, causing ripples to break apart the starlight that gathered on the surface. The cat sat quietly in the darkness, her green eyes searching the waters as if expecting to be greeted by someone. When no one rose from the starry waters the she-cat let out a deep sigh and twitched her ears sadly. She had always thought that even though she wasn't a medicine cat she would too feel closer to her ancestors at the starry pool. But, all the beautiful sight did was make her feel more alone than ever.
The she-cat stayed there until the stars began to fade, hoping to see some sign of who she was looking for. Finally admitting defeat she rose to her paws, ignoring the weariness that seemed to sink into her limbs during the long, cold night. Without even sparing a second glance at the pool she padded out of the hollow.
A strong wind blew from over the moors and ruffled her fur, making her mood even fouler. A whole night of much needed rest was wasted, and all for nothing. There was no sign of comfort that she wasn't alone after all.
Instead of returning to her camp she raced to the edge of the lake to watch the first rays from the sun bounce off of the water. This was where she came when she needed to get away from her clanmates, but today all she wanted to do was to get away from herself.
Her ears pricked as she heard the leaves behind her begin to rustle. Whipping around, her eyes widened in alarm as she faced the intruder. The rustling grew louder as a small gray paw slowly emerged from the bracken. The she-cat let her fur lay flat as she recognized the sightless blue eyes that always seemed to pierce her fur.
"You startled me, Jayfeather," she meowed sharply. "Though I'm not sure why I'm surprised with the way you storm through the forest like a grumpy badger."
Jayfeather narrowed his eyes and dismissed the comment with a flick of his tail. "You shouldn't be alone out here Hollyblaze," he growled. "You know that Bramblestar has forbidden you from leaving the hollow by yourself. You may not agree with his words, but I do."
Hollyblaze growled and turned her back to her brother who just happened to be the medicine cat. "I can take care of myself," she snarled. "I'm not going to be scared by a little prophecy like the rest of the Clan. How do you even know that it talks about me? How can I be a part of two prophecies?"
"The Holly Will Catch Ablaze, Taking The Entire Forest With It," Jayfeather meowed as he settled himself next to his sister. "Bramblestar is just being cautious, which is wise."
Hollyblaze sighed and curled her tail over her paws. "I know very well that the prophecy concerns me," she said softly. "But I don't understand how I could possibly destroy the entire forest. I've worked my whole life to uphold the Warrior Code, and now it doesn't mean anything."
Jayfeather gave his sister's ears a comforting lick, trying hard to keep his jealousy hidden. Ever since Jayfeather had received this strange new prophecy he had felt jealous of Hollyblaze. This prophecy seemed to promise Hollyblaze a new kind of power that he would never feel himself. Jayfeather prided himself on being the most powerful of his siblings with his ability to walk in other's dreams and his power as a medicine cat, but now that meant nothing.
"Jayfeather," Hollyblaze mumbled, turning her brilliant green gaze on him. "I'm afraid of what I'm going to do. No one in the Clan trusts me now that word has spread, and now I'll never get an apprentice or become deputy. I want to protect my Clan, and maybe the best way to do that is for me to leave the lake."
"And go where?" Jayfeather challenged. "To live with the Tribe? To live as a Rogue? You need your Clan, and your Clan needs you."
Hollyblaze lowered her gaze in shame, unable to answer Jayfeather.
Sensing that he had only upset her more, Jayfeather ran his tail down Hollyblaze's flank and purred softly. "Let's get back to camp. Bramblestar will claw your fur off if he finds that you disobeyed a direct order."
"He'd have to beat Squirrelflight first," Hollyblaze joked weakly.
Hollyblaze heaved herself to her paws; feeling tired beyond her years, and followed her blind brother back to the hollow. The sun had already risen high in the sky by the time they reached their camp and cats were already beginning to stir. Spiderleg, who was on guard duty at the thorn tunnel, stiffened when he saw Hollyblaze but didn't say anything after he saw that she was with her brother.
Hollyblaze stiffened with anger at the sight of the long-legged warrior for it was Spiderleg who had overheard Jayfeather discussing the prophecy to Bramblestar, and Spiderleg had made sure that every cat in the Clan knew of it before the day was up. Spiderleg had been punished, but that didn't make the feelings go away.
"Good morning, Hollyblaze," he said coolly, his voice betraying his mistrust.
"Don't talk to me you piece of fox-dung," Hollyblaze snarled, her green eyes blazing with anger.
Spiderleg's fur began to bristle, but he didn't respond. Jayfeather practically pushed his sister through the tunnel to keep her from attacking the moody warrior. Once they were through the tunnel Jayfeather quickly made his way to his den, beckoning with his tail for Hollyblaze to follow. He could tell by her paw-steps that she was reluctant to follow him, but she didn't have much choice in the matter.
Once he had his sister settled on a nice bed of moss in his den, Jayfeather made his way to Bramblestar's den. Without even bothering to announce his arrival, Jayfeather pushed his way through the den to find his father sharing tongues with his mother, Squirrelflight.
"Good morning, Jayfeather," Squirrelflight mewed.
"What can I do for you?" Bramblestar asked, sensing the anger that was coming off of Jayfeather in waves.
Jayfeather growled and sat down heavily on the sandy floor, ignoring the stab of pain as he caught a whiff of his grandfather's scent that still lingered on the walls. During a patrol Firestar had discovered a new badger set in the territory, but before he could send for help a large badger had emerged and attacked the ThunderClan leader. When Firestar awoke in Jayfeather's den a day later he only had one life left, but when greencough struck the camp Firestar was too weak to fight it off and went to stand in his rightful place in StarClan.
"Jayfeather?" Bramblestar growled as his son stalled.
Flicking his tail irritably Jayfeather sat straighter as he addressed his father. "I want you to stop the Clan from treating Hollyblaze like a disease. She's a loyal warrior and doesn't deserve to be treated like this."
"Just because you're our medicine cat doesn't give you the authority to order me around," Bramblestar snarled. "Mind your leader."
Jayfeather's fur began to fluff up out of anger so much that he looked twice his size. "Hollyblaze is your daughter," he snarled back. "And all you did by making the decision that she needs an escort at all times is make sure that she's treated differently."
"And what would you propose I should do?"
Jayfeather flicked his tail as if he thought the solution was simple. "Make Hollyblaze feel like she's still a part of the Clan. All she wants is to be the best warrior that she can be, and I don't think that you're being fair to her, I agree with making sure that she isn't alone, but all the other cats are doing is treating her like a traitor instead of a Clanmate."
Bramblestar unsheathed his claws and dug them in the floor of his den as he fought to control himself. "I want nothing more than to treat Hollyblaze like the great warrior that I know she is," he meowed sadly. "But I can't just ignore this prophecy. You're right though, Jayfeather. I think I know just the thing to do to remind herself and the rest of the Clan of her rightful place here. Where is Hollyblaze now?"
"In my den resting," Jayfeather mewed sharply at the suspicious tone in Bramblestar's voice. "Being judged by the entire Clan can be draining physically as well as emotionally. I wanted to keep an eye on her for a little while."
Bramblestar shook himself and stood up. "I'm about to call a meeting and I want her to be there. Would you go make sure that she attends?"
Jayfeather dipped his head politely, ignoring the resentment that he still felt for his father's suspicious tones. Without another word he turned around and bounded back to his den to find Hollyblaze grooming herself.
"How are you feeling?" he asked her in the gentlest tone that he could muster.
"I've felt better," was the curt reply.
Before Jayfeather could make a sharp retort he heard Bramblestar yowl, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather underneath the High Ledge for a Clan meeting!"
"Come on," Jayfeather growled, jabbing Hollyblaze sharply in the ribs with his paw. "You need to attend this meeting."
"Why? So we can discuss another way to keep an eye on me?" Hollyblaze snarled. "I'd rather stay here."
"Too bad, Bramblestar ordered me to make sure that you attend. And you know very well that the Warrior Code tells us to obey our Leader's orders."
Hollyblaze wouldn't argue against the Warrior Code. With a sigh she followed Jayfeather out of the den and sat at the edge of the cats. Their brother Lionclaw was sitting outside of the nursery, not wanting to be too far from his mate, Honeywing. He gave Hollyblaze a sympathetic glance that told her that he knew that she was nervous about what this meeting was about.
Bramblestar was standing on the High Ledge with his tail held high proudly, and he gave his deputy, Brackenfur, a small nod before he beckoned someone forward with his tail.
Hollyblaze turned to see Millie and Graystripe's kits Briarkit, Blossomkit and Bumblekit come forward, their fur neatly groomed.
Of course, Hollyblaze thought in relief. Today's their apprentice ceremony.
Bramblestar looked down at the three kits and beckoned the biggest kit, Bumblekit, forward. "Until this cat has earned his warrior name he will be known as Bumblepaw. Cloudtail, you mentored Cinderstep and she is a credit to the Clan, you will be mentor to Bumblepaw." He paused a little bit to give Bumblepaw a moment to touch his new mentor's nose before continuing. Next he beckoned Blossomkit forward. "Until this apprentice has received her warrior name she will be known as Blossompaw. Sorreltail you are a cat who has known great suffering and great strength. I expect you to pass this onto Blossompaw."
Sorreltail's eyes shone with pride and grief for all that she had lost as she touched noses with her apprentice. Blossompaw looked equally excited at the idea of having such a brave warrior as her
mentor. Finally only Briarkit was left. He was smaller than his littermates, but what he lacked in physical strength he made up for in courage and intelligence. The entire Clan gasped in surprise as Briarkit's mentor was revealed.
"Until this apprentice has earned his warrior name he will be known as Briarpaw, and your mentor will be Hollyblaze."
A/N- So…good? Bad? I'm very open to constructive criticism, but if you flame me just to be mean I'll bite back :-D REVIEW!!