Here's the next chapter! And yes, I am very happy that this story has many reviews. Review please!
"...until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Rowanpaw. Cloudtail, you are a good tracker, as well as a terrific deputy. You will mentor Rowanpaw." Brackenstar meowed proudly, his golden brown tabby fur shining like a brand of fire in the sunlight.
"Cedarpaw! Rowanpaw! Cedarpaw! Rowanpaw!"
Grayfire smiled as Rowanpaw bounced in the air happily, finally getting his apprentice name. The sand-colored apprentice bounded over to Grayfire, his green eyes wide with happiness.
"Grayfire! I can't believe I'm an apprentice! What do you think Cloudtail will teach me first? Battle moves? Hunting? Tracking? I want to learn everything!" Rowanpaw squeaked, waving his tail.
Grayfire sighed, flicking his half-brother over the ear with his tail. "Please, stop acting like a kit. And, I would ask Cloudtail if I were you, not me. I haven't had an apprentice yet," he sighed, his eyes drifting to the kits playing at the nursery. How come Nettlewhisker got an apprentice before me? I'm older! he thought angrily, letting out a hiss of annoyance as the brown-and-white tabby talked to Orangeleaf, showing off his apprentice, Cedarpaw.
Rowanpaw frowned, "Maybe you'll mentor Amberkit, Mosskit, Shadekit, Soaringkit or Littlekit. You never know," he mewed. Grayfire rolled his eyes. Most cats in the clan still think I can't take care of myself. Grayfire shook his head.
"Rowanpaw! Wish to go out into the forest, or do you want to stay around here?" Both Grayfire and Rowanpaw turned to see Cloudtail giving them a disapproving gaze, waiting by the tunnel that lead out of camp.
Grayfire nudged Rowanpaw, giving the apprentice a lick on the ear. "Go." he mewed softly, blinking warmly at his brother. Rowanpaw gave Grayfire a last glance before running after Cloudtail. Grayfire watched as they left, awaiting until their tail-tips disappeared through the gorse.
He turned around, padding towards the warriors den. His paws churned the twigs and grass until he reached the entrance to the den. Grayfire gasped as Orangeleaf barreled him over, the littermates rolling in the dirt. Grayfire flicked his ear before letting out a hiss.
"Grayfire! I was coming to meet you!" Orangeleaf meowed, scrambling to her paws.
Grayfire shook his pelt. "Why?" he asked bitterly, turning around to lick his flank to clear the dirt and dust.
Orangeleaf rolled her eyes. "No time to explain!" she sighed, nudging Grayfire until the gray tom shuffled up to the entrance to camp, stubbornly following his sister.
Orangeleaf padded through the forest, her paws tingling with excitement. Grayfire tilted his head while walking. What was she so excited for? After they reached a clearing, and Orangeleaf made sure no cat was there, she turned to Grayfire, her green eyes full of emotion.
"I'm pregnant!" she squealed with excitement.
Grayfire's mouth gaped in shock. He found control of it, and spluttered out some words that he was dying to ask. "Is...is Nettlewhisker the father?" he asked. He already knew the answer, but he wished he was wrong.
"Of course!" she purred, licking Grayfire's cheek. Grayfire felt his spirit drop. Great. So my nieces and nephews might turn out just like Nettlewhisker. Awesome. "Aren't you happy for me?" Orangeleaf asked, her green eyes shining.
Grayfire sighed. "Yes...I'm happy for you, Orangeleaf. I...I mean, these kits will be my nieces and nephews. But...I just..." he trailed off, knowing that Orangeleaf will fret over what he wanted to say next.
"You just wish the father was a cat you approved of," she finished for him, her eyes seeming to dull with sadness. Grayfire wanted to speak, but no words would come out of his mouth. "Look, I understand that you an Nettlewhisker don't...particularly get along. But I love him. And I know he loves me. Isn't that what having a mate is supposed to be about? I don't approve of Briarclaw, but you two seem to be...more than 'just friends', as she says," Orangeleaf mewed, narrowing her eyes.
Grayfire let out a snarl. "We're not more than 'just friends'! Were not even friends!" His orange eyes burned with anger. That mousebrain!
Orangeleaf didn't seem to understand. "But...she hangs out with you a lot," she meowed, her eyes flashing with confusion.
"She stalks me, that's what she does!" he retorted, digging his thorn-sharp claws in the floor. Grayfire's throat felt rough and raspy, like he hadn't had a drink in days. Probably from shouting. he thought.
Orangeleaf immediately picked up on this. "Your voice seems...raspy. I think you should go to Jayfeather and Shrewpelt before it gets worse," she mewed, nudging him along. Grayfire let out a hiss.
So three things were wrong:
Orangeleaf would produce more mousebrains like Nettlewhisker.
Briarclaw seemed to be boasting around that Grayfire and her were together. Which we aren't!
And now he could possibly have a sore throat.
Great.