Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I do have an excuse though, I went on a trip to the lake district with my class for a week. But I'm back with a fairly boring chapter. I don't know if you'll enjoy this, but I hope you do.

Chapter Twenty-four

Ivypool crouched and stilled the tip of her twitching tail. She eyed the shifting leaf in front of her. Ivypool could just detect the faint scent of vole. She crept forward, being careful to stay downwind of the creature. Just as she lunged forward, her paws barely brushing the ground, another cat darted out towards the same vole. Ivypool skidded back in surprise, alerting the vole, which scampered back to the safety of its den. Ivypool hissed under her breath, and looked up, ready to reprimand the cat that had ruined her hunt. She opened her mouth to scold them, but when she realized it was Toadstep, she couldn't seem to find her breath. Toadstep shuffled his paws, looking as embarrassed as she felt.

"Hey, Ivypool." He mewed awkwardly. She glanced down at her paws as Toadstep spoke again. "I'm sorry." Ivypool knew he was sorry for more than just the vole, and she decided to forgive him. She stepped forward and nuzzled him.

"That's okay Toadstep. Want to hunt together?" his eyes brightened cheerfully.

"Friends?" he asked. Ivypool nodded.

"Friends." She confirmed. Toadstep tipped his head to the side.

"Hey, what's that?" Ivypool turned towards the direction Toadstep had indicated and listened carefully.

"I hear it too. Come on." Ivypool parted her jaws to scent the way. After a while, Toadstep took the lead and led her into a clearing. Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Dovewing were sitting and conversing. Well, maybe it was more like arguing. Lionblaze was glaring at Jayfeather, and Jayfeather was lashing his tail.

"You told Bramblestar, why, exactly?" Dovewing asked Jayfeather calmly. The blind medicine cat shrugged.

"I had to tell him about the prophecy, or he would kick Thunder out." Jayfeather said reasonably. Dovewing turned to Lionblaze.

"You see? I told you Jayfeather had a good reason." Ivypool announced her and Toadstep's arrival by coughing quietly. Dovewing glanced up and purred.

"Ivypool!" she cried, sounding quite pleased. Ivypool licked Dovewing's ear. Jayfeather nodded to Toadstep, then left. Dovewing hurried away as well, and Lionblaze followed, leaving Ivypool and Toadstep alone again. Ivypool lowered her head in embarrassment.

"Race you back to camp!" she blurted.

Jayfeather shooed Shadekit out of his den for the third time that morning. This time, she'd brought Stormkit and Thistlekit with her.

"Fernkit's almost better, and when she is, you two will be made apprentices." He told the energetic kit. Birchfall, Poppyfrost, and Sorreltail had joined Millie and Fernkit in the abandoned twoleg nest. Jayfeather was a little worried that so many cats were falling ill, but he knew that more would get sick before leafbare was through with them. As he scooped up some catmint to treat the sick cats, he noticed how low the stores were getting. He made a mental note to collect some on the way back from camp. But as soon as he stepped into the clearing, Bramblestar stopped him.

"Jayfeather, I've been looking for you." Jayfeather glanced up at the sound of his leader's voice. "Squirrelflight's been complaining about some pains." Jayfeather scented the air. Squirrelflight's scent was faint in the nursery, and her nest was cold.

"Where is she?" Jayfeather wasn't about to deal with a queen who was out hunting. Bramblestar turned.

"She's in my den." Jayfeather followed Bramblestar to his den. Squirrelflight was curled up on the floor. Jayfeather grunted.

"Well? What's the matter?" he snapped. Squirrelflight pulled herself to her paws.

"It just hurts, I don't know what's wrong." Jayfeather rolled his eyes.

"Alright, well since poppy seeds aren't recommended for queens, I'll give you dandelion leaves. I'll be right back." Jayfeather returned to his den and grabbed a mouthful of dandelion. As he was heading back into the clearing, he heard a yowl, and Fernkit tumbled into the clearing. Shadekit raced out of the nursery and leapt on her sister. Jayfeather sighed and began to put away his herbs so the kits couldn't get them when they inevitably came into his den.

Lionblaze sat in by the fresh-kill pile, sharing a finch with Thornclaw. Foxleap and Seedfall were sharing a mouse and Purdy was telling a story to Quickkit and Flowerkit. It seemed like such a good morning. Bramblestar bounded out of his den and stopped in front of him.

"Lionblaze, come to my den, I need to speak to you." Lionblaze followed Bramblestar to his den without hesitation. Squirrelflight was just leaving when he arrived. Bramblestar sat across from him on the floor of the den.

"Now that Fernkit is better, it's almost time for them to become apprentices. We still have time, but I'd like to get a head start on assigning mentors. Who do you think would be a good choice?" Lionblaze sat back, surprised. It wasn't everyday that the leader asked the deputy to help with assigning mentors. He was pleased with the honor.

"Well, we have a lot of kits, and more on the way, so we'll need lots of mentors soon. I was thinking Blossomfall for Shadekit, and Brightheart for Fernkit." Lionblaze watched as Bramblestar considered his contributions.

"I like Blossomfall, she hasn't had an apprentice yet, although, are you sure she's ready? She's a bit young." Lionblaze nodded.

"I'm sure she's ready for the responsibility." Bramblestar nodded as well.

"Very well, Blossomfall. But are you sure about Brightheart? I know that she's proved herself many times, but she clearly couldn't train Jayfeather well." Lionblaze thought seriously. Bramblestar was right, but Brightheart deserved an apprentice.

"Like you said, she's proved herself over and over again. And even Leafpool had trouble with Jayfeather; he's quite a handful. You know he didn't leave his training because of her; he was destined to be a medicine cat. Brightheart is a competent warrior, and I'm sure she'll be an excellent mentor." He said fiercely. Bramblestar purred.

"Do you really think Brightheart will be a good choice?" Lionblaze nodded firmly. "Alright then. We'll hold the ceremony tomorrow at sun-high. Let the mentors know." Lionblaze dipped his head respectfully and exited the den.

Hmm. I just realized how short my chapters are. Maybe I'll make them longer. (Don't get your hopes up) Anyway, like I said, boring. R&R!