New
"Ow, my head. Why did Cinderkit have to land there?" muttered Nightfrost, rubbing his head where the kit had landed on. A flicker of light caught from the edge of his eye and the warrior turned to see Yellowfang, amused.
The medicine cat dropped leaves and placed them into separate piles. "I see you're awake now. Are you alright in the head?"
Nightfrost stared questioningly at her before remembering he was bringing catnip to her. "Yes, I'm fine now. Although, what happened after Cinderkit landed on me?"
Yellowfang checked her medicine stock as she answered. "You bit into the catnip you were carrying and started to do strange things..."
"What strange things?"
"Let's see...You spoke to cats you never talk to and you almost clawed the deputy into shreds," Yellowfang meowed, not taking her eyes off the piles. Nightfrost nodded and yawned, making her turn to him with a sharp glare. "And since you seem well enough to even yawn, don't laze in my den. Get out and hunt or whatever your warrior duties are!"
The black tom swiftly nodded and hurried out of the den. He almost bumped in Fireheart, who was leaving with Greystripe. "Nightfrost. How was the catnip?" the orange tom purred, laughter in his eyes.
Nightfrost stopped himself from rolling his eyes. "Awful, I don't even remember anything." The small warrior looked around him and whispered. "So how was it?"
Fireheart looked at the sky and turned to him. "I'll explain when I get back. I need to meet up with someone now."
Nightfrost nodded in agreement and turned to a call. "Nightfrost, you're in the noon border patrol!" The deputy yowled out, not even asking where Fireheart and Greystripe were going, as the tabby promptly glared at Nightfrost for the catnip incident.
Frostfur mewed to her kits, their coats shining even in the dim light.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!" Frostfur follow the kits to their places below the Highrock. She sat a distance away as Bluestar prepare for the ceremony. A strong fox stink wafted over as Fireheart padded next to Sandstorm.
"Fireheart! Where have you been? You smell like a fox that's been dead for a moon!"
The orange tom seem disgruntled as he murmured to her. "Well, stay away from me till it wears off!" Sandstrom snapped and padded away from him, though a bit hesitant. Nightfrost snarled as Tigerclaw padded from behind his brother.
"And clean yourself up before you come into the den," the deputy growled, "I'm not going to sleep with that stink in my nose!"
Fireheart dipped his head, the orange fur fluffed in embarrassment as Tigerclaw looked up as Bluestar began to speak.
"We are gathered today to give four clan kits their apprentice names." Bluestar glanced at Frostfur, her eyes flickered an odd, longing emotion, as if wishing kits of her own were here at the Highrock and her, a queen in their place. Cinderkit and Thornkit sprang up impatiently from their spot.
"Yes, come forward, all four of you."
Thornkit dashed forward while Cinderkit followed a bit sedately with excitement in her steps. Brackenkit and Brightkit padded behind her.
"Mousefur, you have told me that you are ready to take on an apprentice. You will be mentor to Thornpaw."
The brown she-cat stepped forward to stand next to Thornpaw, as the kit scampered to meet meet her.
"Mousefur," Bluestar went on, "you have shown yourself a brave and intelligent warrior. See that you pass on your courage and wisdom to your new apprentice."
While Bluestar spoke, Mousefur looked just as proud as the newly named Thornpaw. The two of them touched noses and withdrew to the edge of the clearing. Nightfrost chuckled as he could hear Thornpaw meowing eagerly, already plying his mentor with questions. The three other kits waited eagerly.
"Whitestorm," Bluestar announced, "you are free to take a new apprentice now that Sandstorm has become a warrior. You will be mentor to Brightpaw."
The big white cat, who had been stretched out at the front of the gathering, stood up and padded over to Brightpaw. She waited for him with her eyes shining. "Whitestorm," meowed Bluestar, "you are a warrior of great skill and experience. I know that you will pass on all you know to this young apprentice."
"Certainly," Whitestorm purred. "Welcome, Brightpaw." He bent to touch noses with her, and escorted her back to the assembled cats.
Bluestar continued. "Longtail, you were Darkstripe's apprentice. He taught you well, and you have become a fierce and loyal warrior. I hope you will pass some of these qualities on to Cinderpaw."
Cinderpaw bounced to the silver tabby, who twitched his whiskers somewhat amused. The grey kit was about to smack into Longtail before she padded to him with dignified steps, copying Brightpaw and Brackenpaw. The two touched noses and Bluestar spoke again.
"Graystripe, you will train Brackenpaw. Our lost friend Lionheart was your mentor. I hope that his skill and wisdom will pass through you to your new apprentice."
Graystripe lifted his head high at Bluestar's words, and for a moment a gleam of pride showed in his eyes before lowering his head a bit, his ears drooped. He stepped forward and touched his new apprentice's nose with his own. Brackenpaw returned the touch politely.
The other cats began to gather around, congratulating the two new apprentices and calling them by their new names. Frostfur joined them, purring. A particular scent joined them, making every cat turn to the source. Nightfrost twitched his whiskers in amusement as the stinky fox-scent padded to him.
"What did you find out?" questioned the black warrior as they headed to the stream.
"It seems like what Ravenpaw said may be true. Oakheart wasn't killed by anyone but died in a rockfall. I had gone to Riverclan to confirm it and it was true. I intend to go to Riverclan tomorrow again for more information."
"I see...So that's why you reek of fox dung, to hid your scent. By the way, how were Barley and the others?" Nightfrost asked the orange form in the water. Fireheart was cleaning himself of the fox scent and padded from the stream. He shook himself of the cold water and licked himself.
"Barley and the others are doing well. Oh, and Violet gave birth to two kits. A grey she-cat with white paws called White and another she-cat with pure, black, feathery fur is Night. She's named after you, Nightfrost."
Nightfrost twitched his ears, surprised. "I didn't expect them to name their kits after me."
"Well, they were rather thankful at the fact you helped them. By the way, what did they mean to warn you about Bloodclan fighting each other for a leader position? I didn't know there is one more clan."
Nightfrost narrowed his eyes. "That Barley..." he muttered and looked to see Fireheart watching him curiously. "It's something you shouldn't worry about right now, with Tigerclaw and all. And Bloodclan was never a clan anyways, only a group of rogues that only live for the stake of their own selves. They live in the Twolegplace, so they would never come here due to the rumors of forest cats."
Fireheart simply nodded with an 'okay' and a look as if he wanted ask more but kept silent as they padded back to camp.
Found and got an online book to continue writing. And a thank you for Leafdragon117 for some of the information.