Eep three chapters to go! I can't believe that I have over 130 reviews! So, this is going to be hopefully a long chapter as well. Sorry if the last one was too long, I didn't want to waste another document.
~Chapter 47~
"Let all cats old enough gather around the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Hollystar felt her paws tingle with anticapation as she used the familiar words that Bramblestar had used for so many moons.
She watched as the Clan gathered. Cinderheart, Thornclaw and Cloudtail deposited some fresh-kill on the pile and joined the group, while Dustpelt, Sandstorm and Longtail emerged from the elders' den to see what all of the fuss was about. Jayfeather and Rainshower also came out of the medicine cats' den, and Hollystar was surprised to see that Jayfeather was staring directly at her. Sometimes it seemed like he could actually see.Silverpaw and Pepperpaw emerged from the apprentices' den, their eyes shining with excitement.
"I have gathered you here for two reasons. The first is that I must appoint a new deputy," Hollystar meowed. She noticed that every cat shuffled with eagerness, and Hollystar wondered if they knew what was coming. "I say these words, before the spirit of Bramblestar, so that he may hear and approve my choice. Cinderheart will be my deputy." She gazed down at the Clan, and stared into the shocked face of her mother.
Cinderheart looked as tough she might leap out of her fur. Hollystar knew she had chosen well. Not only was her mother a loyal and strong warrior, but she always knew what to do. Hollystar purred as the Clan chanted her name, as though she were a new warrior. "Cinderheart! Cinderheart!"
The gray tabby padded under the Highledge, looking slightly embarrassed to be the center of attention. She dipped her head. "I-I don't know what to say," she murmured. "Thank you Hollystar, I will serve my Clan as well as I can."
Hollystar looked around for one face in particular. She wondered how Muskedfur would take this, after all he had done everything he could to remain a loyal mate. Hollystar was pleased when she saw that he shared just as much affection as every other cat with Cinderheart. Even the older warriors, such as Squirrelflight, Cloudtail or Thornclaw didn't seem to mind. And she knew that one day they might have their chance, no matter how much it pained her to think that.
"And now for another important roll," Hollystar called as the Clan settled down. She looked down towards the nursery and could see Leafspots' kits bouncing around. Her eyes filled with sorrow at the thought of her friend. Leafspots had died giving birth to them, because she had taken a mate from another Clan. She looked at Emberfoot, who was also watching them carefully. He was supposed to act as though he was not their father, but she suspected that he was getting closer then he should to them. "It is time for one of my favorite duties. By naming apprentices we show that our Clan will remain strong. And StarClan knows we need them. Silverpaw and Pepperpaw have been working extra hard since they're the only apprentices."
Yowls of agreement spread throughout each cat. Silverpaw and Pepperpaw dipped their heads in embarrassment as they received attention. Hollystar purred and continued. "Come forward you three," she flicked her tail towards Firekit, Tanglekit and Lilackit. The three kits squealed in excitement and bounded towards the center of the clearing. But they were immediately stopped by Icestorm, who had been keeping an eye on them.
"You're not going out looking like ragdolls," the white she-cat called as she caught Firekit by the scruff. The golden brown tabby let out a squeal as she began to lick his fur clean. Twitching her whiskers in amusement, Hollystar waited until she was done with them.
"Lilackit, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Lilacpaw." Hollystar almost burst out laughing when the little tabby-and-white she-cat tried out her new name. It was good to see them so enthusiastic. "Lynxclaw, you are more then ready for your first apprentice. You are just as energetic as Lilacpaw, and you are strong and young. I expect you to pass this on to Lilacpaw." The black she-cat burst with pride as Lynxclaw stumbled towards Lilacpaw. He clearly had not expected to receive an apprentice at such a young age. Lilacpaw touched noses with him, and he quickly led her back to the group.
"Tanglekit, until you recieve your warrior name, you will be known as Tanglepaw. Sorreltail, you are more then ready for your first apprentice. You have gone through much over the last few seasons, and I expect you to pass on all that you have learned to Tanglepaw." The tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat's amber eyes gleamed with happiness as she trotted towards her apprentice. It was about time Sorreltail trained, she would need the experience.
The last to be named was Firekit. Hollystar watched him curiously. He was the most adventurous of the three, and yet he looked strangely calm as he waited to be named. "Firekit, until you have received your warrior name, you will be known as Firepaw. I will be your mentor." Firepaw's eyes gleamed with surprise as she leaped down from the Highledge to touch noses with him.
"Lilacpaw! Tanglepaw! Firepaw!" The Clan chanted their names, just as they had done with Cinderheart when she was named deputy.
As the meeting drew to an end, Hollystar padded over to Cinderheart to see how she was fairing. Already she was organizing a patrol, consisting of Birchfall, Foxwhisker and Ivyflower. The three cats padded out of camp, with Hollystar staring after them.
"Are things going well?" She asked.
Cinderheart dipped her head, looking as though she might burst with pride. "Yes," she replied. "Hollystar, I never thought that I would be made deputy. In fact, I always thought that I would just be a warrior, striving for the best." Her words were filled with wisdom, which surprised Hollystar. Cinderheart sometimes acted as though she knew more then she was letting on, and it made Hollystar wonder.
She padded over to Firepaw, who was speaking to Silverpaw and Pepperpaw. Hollystar suddenly felt a pang of sadness for Silverpaw. Bramblestar had been her mentor, and now he was dead. Who would continue their training? But then another thought occured to her. They are ready to become warriors, she thought as she stared at them. Tomorrow I will hold an assessment for them, and then hold their ceremony. So tomorrow, there would be two new warriors in the Clan. And those warriors would be her daughters.
