Chapter One:
Joykit watched as Whirlwind limped up, followed by Followriver and Tinyfoot. All three of the other cats had funny looks on their faces. Whirlwind looked like his paw was bothering him.
The clans were settling down with tired and relieved expressions.
"Whirlwind," Joykit meowed. "Is everything all right?"
Whirlwind looked surprised.
"Papa, your paw is bothering you," Jewelpaw mewed, trotting over and sniffing his paw. "Tinyfoot, did you not notice?"
Tinyfoot didn't reply, in fact he seemed like he totally ignored his apprentice and trotted away. Waterwing took his place and helped Whirlwind bandage his paw with leaves.
"Whirlwind, what happened?" asked Waterwing.
"I twisted it," mumbled Whirlwind.
"Mighty bad twist," Waterwing meowed. "What's wrong with Tinyfoot? Why isn't he over here?"
Whirlwind looked away. Followriver licked his cheek gently. "Waterwing, their prophecy is fulfilled. Lilyflower went in place of Whirlwind," meowed Followriver quietly.
Waterwing finished bandaging Whirlwind's paw, and licked his forehead warmly. "Lilyflower was a good cat. I hope you all realize the reason for the hard life that you've had to struggle with."
"The out of clan love must stop," Whirlwind growled.
Waterwing nodded her head. "Yes. Thank you, you and your siblings have proven a lot of important things."
Followriver rubbed her head against Whirlwind lovingly, gently.
"Attention, all clans!" announced Streamstar loudly, attracting the attention of everyone. "I am pleased to announce that it is time for our eldest apprentice, Graypaw, to be named a warrior."
Graypaw's fur fluffed up with happiness. He trotted over to Streamstar.
"Graypaw, you have been ready for a long, long time. You have proven your loyalty and kindness and bravery, and so do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your clan at all times?" Streamstar meowed.
"Yes, I do, Streamstar," Graypaw replied, tense with eagerness.
Streamstar purred at him. "Then I name you Graystrike."
Joykit was the first to rush up to him. "Congratulations!" she purred happily. "Congrats! I'm so glad you got your warrior name!"
Graystrike purred at her and rubbed his head against hers. "Thank you, Joykit."
She smiled at him shyly before stepping back to stand next to Hawkpaw.
Graystrike turned away to talk to Tinyfoot and Streamstar.
"You like him," Hawkpaw whispered to her, nudging her to catch her attention. Joykit whirled to him in shock.
"How'd you know?"
Hawkpaw laughed and tackled her playfully. "Hmm...I don't know. Maybe it's called...googly eyes? Or maybe you were drooling?"
"I was not!" she exclaimed indignantly, flipping him over.
He laughed at her, and she loosened up a bit and laughed a little too.
"He doesn't like me," she said with an air of disappointment. Then she straightened a little to pretend like it didn't bother her. "But it doesn't matter, Hawkpaw. He likes Rainlight."
"They aren't allowed to love each other, Joykit," Hawkpaw mewed as they rolled around in a play fight. "I'm sure once he gets over her, he'll love you, and you'll be happy."
"I'm plenty happy without him," she meowed snappishly.
"Happy without him?" Hawkpaw laughed at her, causing her to get more mopey.
She pouted, "You're not very nice."
He pawed at her head, causing her to dive into his chest and knock him backwards. "I know! But my good looks make up for it," he said with an egocentric grin.
"I will be happy without him. Jewelpaw is happy, even though she has to be without anyone," Joykit replied, then realized it may have been the wrong thing to say to him.
Hawkpaw looked away from her and rolled over until he was lying down facing his sister sadly. "Jewelpaw is...she's just Jewelpaw, she's not you Joykit, you don't need to be..."
"Be what?" Joykit asked. She lied down next to him. "You're the one that hurt her feelings."
"What did I do wrong?" he practically shouted, jumping up and glaring at her. "What did I do? I went to help another cat that needed help, Joykit! I was trying to be selfless, I was trying to help everyone and make everyone happier, and I managed to hurt the cat that I loved so much. I have no idea where I belong." his voice had softened, and his eyes were sad. "My family and loved ones are in LakeClan, but my best friends are in SkyClan, and both need me to some extent."
"It's too late now," Joykit stood up and licked his ear. "You've done what you need to, and now you must like with the consequences." She tried to smile at him comfortingly. "I know it's hard. But Papa loves you, now matter what. And I love you, even when you're far away."
"Hey, if I'm not there to take care of you, Graystrike loves you," Hawkpaw teased.
Joykit smiled shyly. "I don't know..."
Hawkpaw lied down to put his chin against his paws. "Joykit, do you think that..."
"Think what?" Joykit asked when he lapsed into silence.
"That she would leave the apprenticeship for me?"
Joykit stared at him in shock. "She can't," she mewed numbly. "She can't..."
"Would she?"
She ducked her head, racking her brain for the answer. Finally, in a soft voice, she whispered, "No. I don't think she would."
"Joykit," Followriver touched her forehead gently. "Come, Streamstar wanted to talk to you. She wants to know if you're ready to be an apprentice."
Joykit jumped up with excitement. Hawkpaw hit her playfully with his forehead. "Go, sis. You're ready."
