Chapter One

Hollypaw's golden-striped pelt blended perfectly with the dried-out reeds of leaf-fall. She knew the mouse wouldn't be able to see her, and thankfully was downwind of her so it would be unable to scent her as well. Still, she didn't dare even flick her tail; every kill was important at this time of season. Leaf-bare was near, and ThunderClan needed all the fresh-kill it could get to support its warriors through the long, harsh season.

Suddenly, from a few tail-lengths to her side, a light-footed blur exploded from the rustling rushes and pounced on the mouse, taking its life with one well-aimed bite to its throat. The big tom turned to face her, and through a mouthful of mouse meowed, "How was that for good timing, eh Hollypaw?"

The apprentice glared at the tom grumpily. "That's not fair, Jaypaw, and you know it. I was stalking that mouse. You probably didn't even see it until right before you stole it from me."

But the cocky young cat simply turned his tail to her and pranced away, paws hardly touching the ground in a display of agility that seemed perfectly fitting of his body – athletic and lean, with long legs that weren't gangly but yet seemed to fit his body perfectly. His eyes were sky blue, and he always seemed to float when he walked, muscles flexing without effort. The apprentice was no doubt the most talented hunter in ThunderClan, and even Hollypaw, who was his sister, didn't possess that much preciseness when it came to stalking prey. Jaypaw was also a respectable fighter, but though he could hold his own he was no match for Hollypaw and their brother, Lionpaw.

"You do realize that I'm out here on my assessment?" Hollypaw meowed after watching Jaypaw's shenanigans for a while. "After I messed up on the last one, going into ShadowClan's territory and all, I can't afford to make any mistakes. Berryspots could even be watching me right now." She referred to her mentor reverently, as she had been fortunate enough to be assigned one of the most admired warriors in ThunderClan for her teacher.

Jaypaw rolled his eyes in response to his sister's comment. "Yeah, I know. I'm being assessed, too. It's not like I have to try, or anything. I'm the best prey-hunter in the Clan as it is. I'll be getting my warrior name-"

"Oh, give it a rest, Jaypaw. We'll all be getting our warrior names soon. It's no secret. We've been apprentices for two moons now, and already we're ready to become warriors."

"Hello, Hollypaw."

Hollypaw opened her mouth to retort cheekily to the voice she assumed was Jaypaw teasing her with some mundane joke, but when she caught his glance his eyes were bewildered and almost embarrassed. He quickly put his mouse down and dipped his head respectfully at the handsome brown tabby emerging from the reeds directly behind Hollypaw. The apprentice whirled around to come face to face with none other than Brambleclaw, the ThunderClan deputy and her, Jaypaw, and their brother Lionpaw's father. She immediately dipped her head as Jaypaw had done, then meowed, "What are you doing out here?"

Brambleclaw stepped into the clearing by the lakeshore as he explained, "Just helping Berryspots and Mousepelt out with your assessments. We're short on warriors to do hunting patrols, so Firestar himself went out with the mid-day hunting group. I didn't have anything else to do, and I figured Mousepelt would appreciate the help."

"And what about Berryspots?" Hollypaw inquired.

"He refused to have me help him," Brambleclaw meowed, a hint of amusement creeping into his voice as the conversation turned to his first apprentice. "He's just excited to have an apprentice. He takes it very seriously, you know. I know the feeling – I didn't get an apprentice until Berryspots, and I was a warrior for four seasons when he was apprenticed."

Hollypaw sighed. "Where is he now, then?"

"I sent him back to the camp. Or rather, I ordered him back to the camp. He's been on two straight patrols, plus training with you yesterday and this assessment today. Even I don't do that much. He only got a tiny bit of sleep last night, because he was on the evening and dawn patrols."

"Is he sleeping now?" Jaypaw chimed in. Brambleclaw nodded. Jaypaw flashed a relieved glance at Hollypaw to signal that he thought Brambleclaw hadn't heard their cockiness about their warrior ceremonies.

Then the deputy spoke again. "I've been talking to your mentors, and Lionpaw's. We all think you're ready to become warriors. We all talked to Firestar this morning before he went on patrol, and he says that if you perform your assessments well, then he will personally assess your fighting skills. When you pass those assessments, you will become warriors. The ceremony is set for tomorrow, and your assessments will take place shortly before sunset today. I have already informed Lionpaw as well, as he is on patrol with Firestar's group."

Hollypaw's eyes had been steadily widening as Brambleclaw spoke, but now she rushed forward and rubbed herself against her father, purring loudly. "Really?" was all she could get out in her excitement. Suddenly she felt a jolt ripple through her muscles – she staggered back and glanced furtively at Jaypaw. The other apprentice was standing proudly, his muscles bursting like his pride. Hollypaw was gripped by an overwhelming feeling of excitement, and suddenly a bloodlust to prove herself. She flexed her claws involuntarily, but then the feeling was gone as if it has been washed away by an invisible tide of water.

Jaypaw lowered his head and stepped over to Brambleclaw. "Where is the assessment to take place?" he meowed simply. Hollypaw was still trembling behind him – he had shouldered past her to stand in front of Brambleclaw.

"The grassy knoll above the ThunderClan camp," Brambleclaw replied to his son, beckoning with his tail in the direction of the hollow where the Clan made its home.

Jaypaw nodded curtly and turned away. Hollypaw straightened and looked after her brother, wondering what had caused the sudden change in his demeanor.

Is it the combat test? I didn't think he was that ambitious. I thought he got the best of both of our parents – obviously he inherited his father's ambition as well. Oh well – you still love him, Hollypaw. Just remember that he's your brother and you will always love him, even if you see a side of him you don't like so much

THE SIGHT