Characters and everything other than the story all belong to Erin Hunter~

Chapter 1

Jayfeather lifted his nose high and breathed in the sweet newleaf air. It's hard to believe Firestar died just a few moons ago. But he had. The Dark Forest had invaded Clan territories and tried to wipe them out. But we stopped them, he thought with a satisfied twitch of his whiskers. But the price had been high. Among the dead were Ferncloud, Mousefur, and Hollyleaf. Especially Hollyleaf. Whenever he thought of her, his heart would ache so hard he thought it would burst.

But still, life went on in the camp. Sorreltail's kits were apprenticed a few days ago. Graystripe, Dustpelt and Sandstorm had retired to the elder's den. Cherrypaw and Molepaw were warriors now, Cherrynose and Molefur. Briarlight still helped Jayfeather in the medicine den, and Cinderheart was expecting kits.

A rustle behind him startled him. Briarlight crept out and stood next to him. "I know what you're thinking." She pressed her flank against his. "They're all watching from Starclan now. They'll stand beside you forever."

Jayfeather grunted. "Spottedleaf didn't."

Briarlight turned her head, looking at him hard. "You know that was because of the Dark Forest."

Jayfeather nodded reluctantly and padded out into the clearing. Amberkit and Snowkit were playing outside the nursery, batting each other with soft paws. Seedpaw was trying to show them a hunting crouch without succession, and Lilypaw was trotting happily out with her mentor, Hazeltail.

Cinderheart padded over to him. "Guess what? I felt a kit kick today!"

Jayfeather's whisker's twitched in amusement. "You won't like it later on. They'll keep you up at night."

Cinderheart purred. "I wouldn't mind."

Jayfeather sighed dramatically. "You'll see soon enough."

She mrrowed with laughter and strolled back to the nursery, where Lionblaze stood.

Jayfeather strode out of camp, heading straight to his favorite patch of marigold. Ever since the great battle, his stocks of infection-fighting herbs were low, especially marigold. He found his way easily, but as he grew nearer, he scented another cat. He took a long breath. Dewkit! He raced closer to the scent. Dewkit was limping around the marigold plants.

"Dewkit! What in the name of Starclan are you doing here?" Jayfeather exclaimed. "And why are you limping?"

"I got a thorn in my paw." Dewkit whimpered. "I remembered you used marigold for Brightheart when she got hurt, so I…"

"Decided to follow my trail to the marigold?" replied Jayfeather scathingly. He shook his head. "Why not just ask me?"

Waves of awkwardness were rolling off Dewkit. "You'd laugh at me."

Jayfeather sighed exasperatedly. "Fine, I won't. Tell me."

Dewkit stared at his paws and muttered, "I wanted to show you I was good enough to be your apprentice."

Jayfeather gaped at him. "Say what?"

Annoyance sparked in Dewkit's eyes. "I want to be your apprentice…if it's okay." He added quickly.

Jayfeather considered for a moment. "Are you sure? You'll miss out on a lot. Hunting, battle training, fighting in actual battles. You won't be able to become leader. You'll be separate from other cats."

Dewkit's eyes gleamed. "But I want to be a medicine cat, even if I can't do all those things! And talk with Starclan, and the other stuff!"

Jayfeather thought hard. Dewkit had a head for herbs; he had showed that. He also had the dedication to become a medicine cat. Plus, Jayfeather thought he and Dewkit work together alright. Lionblaze had told Jayfeather he wasn't so grumpy around kits. Like it was a compliment.

"Fine. If Bramblestar approves." Jayfeather decided, and Dewkit gave an excited bounce. "Ya—I mean, thank you, Jayfeather."

"Oh, wait. I forgot about your thorn. Did you get it out?" Jayfeather sniffed Dewkit's paw.

"Yeah." Dewkit sounded proud of himself. "I saw how you took out Hazeltail's thorn yesterday."

"Good job." Jayfeather picked up Dewkit by the scruff of his neck and carried him towards camp. "You must be tired."

"Yeah." Dewkit murmured sleepily. Jayfeather finally reached camp, only to find it in chaos. It seemed that Brightheart had alerted every cat that Dewkit was missing.

"Don't worry, I've got him here!" He called, and Brightheart hurried over, Cloudtail just behind, and began to lick him over and over. "Great Starclan, where have you been? We thought a fox had taken you!"

"Dewkit decided to follow me while I was looking for herbs." Jayfeather glared his sightless eyes at Dewkit. "Never do that again, okay? The forest is more dangerous than you realize."

Dewkit scuffled his paws in embarrassment. "Sorry, Jayfeather, Brightheart."

Jayfeather turned to Brightheart. "While we were out there, Dewkit told me he wanted to be a medicine cat. Is that okay with you?"

Brightheart's good eye shone with pleasure. "He does? That's great! Cloudtail, did you hear that?"

Cloudtail looked up from cleaning his son's pelt. "Yes, I heard, and I think it's a great idea, too."

Dewkit ducked out under his father's tongue. "Really?"

Jayfeather beckoned him closer. "Let's tell Bramblestar."