3 moons later
"Rainpaw! Thrushpaw! Sorrelpaw! Rainpaw! Thrushpaw! Sorrelpaw!" Treeclan chanted the three apprentices name as Lilystar announced them apprentices. Rainpaw had Tigerheart, an orange and black stripped she-cat, as his mentor. Thrushpaw had Voletail, a small tabby tom, as his mentor. Sorrelpaw had Lilystem, a tortishell she-cat as her mentor.
Hollykit chanted the cats name the loudest she sat between Dapplepelt, the three apprentice's proud mother and Longtooth their father. Stormheart, Mossheart and Fawnkit sat several fox-lengths away chanting. Though Mossheart had tried Stormheart was very insistent and the pretty brown she-cat had to give Hollykit away. Though she couldn't show any outward affection toward her daughter she still loved her; she told her every night as Hollykit climbed into Dapplepelt's nest. She would curl up next to Sorrelkit and sleep with her like the sister she never had.
Hollykit finished chanting the names when the three apprentices raced over to her. Sorrelpaw ran her jaw on Hollykit's head while the brothers purred. The three stood with her, while Dapplepelt and Longtooth watched like a proud mother and father. When the apprentice's mentors beckoned them they left Hollykit with Dapplepelt. Hollykit turned and saw Dapplepelt crouch down so she could be eye to eye with Hollykit. "Hollykit?" she began, "You know that I love you, but my kits are apprentices now, and the clan needs me, I have to go back to the warriors den, I'm sorry." Hollykit widened her eyes, "But Dapplepelt, who am I supposed to sleep with?" she wailed. Dapplepelt purred, "Sleep with your own family Hollykit, I'm sure they'll accept you now." Hollykit bowed her head, "Okay, Dapplepelt."
Hollykit turned towards her family as Dapplepelt walked away. She reluctantly padded forward, stopping beside Mossheart. "Mossheart?" Mossheart turned her head and looked down at Hollykit, "Yes dear?" Hollykit glanced at her paws, "I'm going to be sleeping with you again, okay?" Hollykit tensed in preparation of the answer, "Of course Hollykit!" Hollykit glanced at her mother astonished, she began purring but out of the corner of her eye she saw Stormheart prick his ears.
The day passed very quickly and by dusk every cat was in the clearing sharing tongues or chatting and eating prey. Hollykit lay pressed up next to Rainpaw, a purr rumbled in her throat and her eyes were slits. Rainpaw purred beside her, grooming her pelt. Hollykit watched him drowsily. Sorrelpaw and Dovepaw were sharing a vole while Shadowpaw and Mosspaw shared tongues. Moonpaw walked over and leaned down to pick up a mouse from the fresh-kill pile. He suddenly stopped and looked up, right at Hollykit. He flattened her ears, "What is she doing here?" Hollykit flinched, Sorrelpaw stood up. She stiffly walked over to the tom and glared up at him with searing blue eyes. The tom stared down at her, "Do you have something to say, Sorrelkit?" Sorrelpaw didn't flinch, "I'm sorry Moonpaw, but who died and made you leader? Because if I'm not mistaken, it is a free place. Lilystar is over there and if you have any doubts go take it up with our leader. If you have a problem with Hollykit then you can leave. We were here first." She ended with a growl. Moonpaw took a step back, and glanced around wildly, "I was born first." Sorrelpaw's claws slid out. Hollykit heaved herself to her paws and pushed between the two bristling cats, "Enough! Okay! I know when I'm not wanted. I'm leaving!" Hollykit blinked away hurt and padded away before someone could protest. Hollykit padded in the nursery, though still smaller than the apprentices Hollykit was the biggest kit in the nursery, she had grown strong and lean thanks to Thrushpaw always attacking her. Sorrelpaw had taught her how to sniff and be aware of her surroundings. Rainpaw had taught her stealth and how to balance love and strength together. While Fawnkit had cherished in the love of her parents and grown soft, Hollykit had grown hard and yet compassionate.
Hollykit squeezed through the nursery entrance and blinked against the dim light. Mossheart was staring down appalled at the nest, Fawnkit was curled comfortably inside. Hollykit's curiosity pricked as she padded closer, then she realized what was wrong. The nest was smaller. Stormheart's meow came from behind, "What's wrong? Don't you like my new adjustments; I think it will be more comfortable now." Hollykit turned away, "Stormheart! How could you?" Mossheart meowed, the big gray tom only shrugged. "Hollykit, dear, I'm sorry we cant collect moss now, its to late, we can tomorrow though." Mossheart tried, Hollykit shook her head and padded out of the nursery.
Out in the clearing Bramblepelt, Voletail, Mousetooth, and Kinkfur were returning from patrol. Lilystar sat on a ledge sharing tongues with Pinetooth. While Firepelt muttered herbs under her breath. Dovepaw and Lionpaw were put in the clearing circling each other ready to play spar while Sparrowfeather watched the two. Hollykit scented the air and then turned toward the apprentice den, then padded inside. Rainpaw was inside but no one else, "Where is everyone?" Rainpaw glanced up at her, "Out night training." "Oh." Hollykit meowed. Rainpaw settled down and watched Hollykit.
Being careful Hollykit walked over to Rainpaw and curled up beside him. Rainpaw purred and wrapped his tail around her; Hollykit cuddled closer and fell asleep.
In Hollykit's dream she padded along a mysterious, misty path. Hearing cats up ahead Hollykit crouched down and snuck closer, "How do you know she's going to live! Why should we let her?" A golden spotted cat hissed,
"Why should we let her?" Because she's destined to lead the clan into many moons of peace." A brown stripped cat responded with a growl.
"Treestar! Thunderpelt!" An orange cat meowed. The brown cat, Treestar, her head,
"Sorry Blackrain, but the prophecy was set on Hollykit many moons ago, Thunderpelt doesn't believe she can handle it." Hollykit pricked her ears at the sound of her name.
"She can, and she will. She will be the greatest leader the clans have ever seen, but with her agonizing journey she will face rejection, betrayal and a forbidding love. Then will come a battle, greater than the clans have seen, and many cats will die, but out of the midst of death a great leader will arise, with her new hope and new love, and a new Clan." The cats began to fade away as Blackrain finished the prophecy, it was replaced with a raging battle, cats thrashing together, some she recognized others she did not. With horror she spotted Thrushpaw lying dead, Mossheart, Fawnkit, Sorrelpaw, Stormheart, and Rainpaw. Looking closer, her breath caught in her throat as she recognized herself, older yet there dead on the rocks with a massive orange cat standing over her shredding her pelt. Suddenly the cat looked up, straight at Hollykit. With a yowl the cat jumped off and charged at Hollykit, teeth barred and claws unsheathed.
Hollykit woke from the terrifying dream, shivering. Rainpaw was staring down at her, eyes glistening with concern. Hollykit curled closer, and Rainpaw wrapped his tail around her. She was safe. For now.