"There you are. Good as new," Millie heard the voice of her daughter as she entered the medicine cat den. The strong scent of herbs filled her mouth as the silver tabby walked next to the herb stores.
She looked around and spotted her daughter next to the pool of water in the back of the medicine den with Seedpaw. The apprentice pulled her fore-paw away from Briarlight examining eyes and dipped her head before leaving.
Millie smiled and walked up to her daughter, eyes shining with admiration. "You look like you're doing great as a medicine cat."
Briarlight put some herbs that she'd had next to her while she was cleaning Seedpaw's paw and dragged herself over to the stores to put it away. "Thanks, Millie; I've been practicing hard lately," Her voice faded as she sat up to put the herbs back in their places.
"But..." Her mother knew she had more to say.
The young cat sighed. "It's just... Well, earlier yesterday morning I finished wrapping one of the elder's paws in burdock root so it wouldn't hurt so much, and Jayfeather just growled at me and told me to clean up the mess I had just made with my legs," Her eyes watered lightly and a small tear ran down her striped cheek. "Do you think he doesn't care about me anymore?"
Millie blinked, shocked. "Of course not! Don't say stuff like that; he's just busy, that's all. It's been hard for him keeping up with all these hurt and sick cats lately."
But Briarlight just snorted. "Yeah, too busy to be nice to me."
"Nonsense," Millie hushed her kit. "Every cat is on edge right now, since the fox sightings in WindClan territory. Just wait; one day he won't have to worry about you. Some young handsome tom will come and swoop you off your paws. You'll see."
Briarlight sighed and finished putting away her herbs as Jayfeather padded into the den. "Have you finished with Seedpaw's paw?" He asked, placing a few newly picked herbs in different shelves on the wall.
"Yeah," Briarlight eyed her mother carefully, and Millie kept herself from snapping back at her daughter.
After a few moments of silence, Jayfeather turned to Millie. "Are you in need of medical attention right now?"
The silver cat shook her head. "Just wanted to talk to my daughter and see how she's doing."
Jayfeather nodded. "Well, if you don't mind I would like to have a word with your daughter. Oh, and could you tell Brightheart I need her to watch the herb store tomorrow night? It's half-moon and I would like to take Briarlight with me this time," His eyes gave Millie a hint and she smiled a bit.
"Sure; she should be back from her mid morning patrol."
Dipping her head to both cats, the old she-cat padded out of the den and out into the bright air. Shaking out her fur, she padded slowly across camp to where Blossomfall lay basking in the sun on her back. Even at a few weeks of pregnancy Millie could already see her daughter's belly swelling up. Coming closer, Millie cleared her throat and sat next to her daughter.
The young she-cat looked up and narrowed her eyes. "What do you want?" she growled.
"I just wanted to say hi," Millie meowed warmly. "How do you feel, with the kits and all?"
Blossomfall closed her eyes a little. "I feel fine. What do you care, you rarely even look at me without scowling."
Millie felt a sharp pin prick at her heart as her daughter spoke, but let out a short sigh. "I-I know it wasn't right, what I did, tearing you out of the family," Her voice shook with sadness. "But I hope you'll forgive me, and maybe we could be, you know, friends?"
"Really?" Blossomfall sat up and glared at her mother. "Is that the best apology you can give me? Not only did you tear me from the family, but you hurt me. You embarrassed me in front of the entire Clan, in front of my friends." She stood up and lashed her tail. "You might as well have disowned me." Her voice broke and she padded back into the nursery.
Millie lowered her head and sighed. She stood up and padded towards the fresh-kill pile where she saw Cloudtail, Brightheart and Ivypool sharing a large pigeon.
The senior warrior dipped her head to her Clanmates and padded past them to where Bramblestar sat in the sun, gazing around at his Clan. He dipped his head to her.
"Greetings, Millie," He flicked his tail for her to sit next to him. "I've been thinking about possibly giving those two their warrior names this afternoon."
Millie followed his gaze over to where Seedpaw and Lilypaw crouched in the shade, sharing a small mouse. She agreed that they were ready; they had been training for at least seven moons and were almost old enough to lead hunting patrols. "They are definitely ready."
He nodded. "Well, might as well do it now," The brown tom stood up and leaped onto High-ledge and yowled the normal meeting words. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey meet here below me for a meeting of the Clan!"
Soon cats started pouring out of their dens. Millie saw Brightheart and Cloudtail, along with Daisy and Squirrelflight with Firekit and Fernkit close behind them. Dustpelt came out of the elder's den with Purdy who staggered to get to the meeting. Once the Clan was all there, Bramblestar began his speech.
"Cats of ThunderClan. Today we have two apprentices again ready to become warriors. Even though they are young, they have proved themselves worthy of becoming warriors of ThunderClan. They have trained for six long moons, and they have earned their names well. They learned fast, being eager to learn all the ways. Seedpaw and Lilypaw, please come forth."
The two apprentices bounced up to Bramblestar and peered up at their leader. Bramblestar looked down at them happily. "Seedpaw and Lilypaw, do you wish to uphold the warrior code, even if it means the costs of your lives.
"I do." they each meowed steadily, though Millie heard excitement in their voices.
The leader twitched his whiskers. "Then from this day forth, Seedpaw, you will be known as Seedberry. Lilypaw, from this day forth you will be known as Lilyheart. You both have shown that you are perfect warriors of ThunderClan, and StarClan honors you."
Millie smiled and watched as they dipped their heads before building up enough courage to stand up. "Wait, Bramblestar."
Bramblestar hesitated, but answered. "What is it, Millie?"
Millie looked around the Clan, seeing every cat's eye on her. "Umm, well, remember when I first came to the Clan, and you thought I should have a name?"
The leader nodded. "Go on," he meowed.
"Well, when I said I didn't have to change my name, I didn't know that to be apart of a Clan meant having a name. I wish to have my warrior name now." She mewed.
Gasps broke out throughout the Clan, but Bramblestar silenced them. "Then you shall have it. Millie, from this day forth you will be known as Silvercloud. Now you shall be seen a rightful warrior of ThunderClan under StarClan's eyes. This Clan meeting is over."
"SEEDBERRY! LILYHEART! SILVERCLOUD!" The Clan chanted the names of the new warriors, including Silvercloud's new name.