Chapter 51

Jaysong pushed outside of the warriors' den, her golden brown fur igniting like a brilliant flame as the sunlight grazed her pelt. Firestar was outside his den, sharing tongues with Sandstorm while Featherpaw and Dovepaw wrestled below them. Bumblethroat, Blossomwhisker, and Foxfang padded through the entrance, each one of them carrying a piece of prey. Leafpool was crouching over Stripepool who- by the way she was holding her paw- got a thorn in her paw. Applefrost was pacing nervously around them and Jaysong knew why: this was the day Boulderkit- as well as Squirrelflight's three kits- became apprentices.

Jaysong glanced towards the fresh-kill pile and spotted Lionblaze laying by it, his amber eyes searching the camp for something- or someone. Just as Jaysong was about to look away, she heard Icestorm push out of the warriors' den beside her, flanked by Brambleheart and Turtleclaw. Dipping her head to Jaysong, Icestorm took a step towards the fresh-kill pile and then- seeing Lionblaze- sat beside Ashgaze, who was already looking up at Highledge, Brambleheart padded loyally after Icestorm- ignoring Lionblaze completely- while Turtleclaw cast a sympathetic glance towards Lionblaze. Her father blinked at her and then rose to his paws, padding over to where Cloudtail sat with Sorreltail and Rushleaf.

Seeing that most of his Clan was gathered, Firestar padded away from Sandstorm and yowled, "All cats old enough to catch your own prey, gather underneath Highledge for a Clan meeting." What sometimes took several minutes was done in a heartbeat. Jaysong knew that many cats were curious to know who Boulderkit- the only kit without ThunderClan blood- would be given as a mentor. Where she was sitting underneath Highledge, Jaysong saw Brackenspot whisper something to Thornclaw. The golden brown warrior purred in amusement, but Briarcloud- who was sitting behind them- gave a low growl. Firestar paused for another heartbeat and continued, "Today is one of my favorite days as leader: the making of new apprentices. Avalanchekit, Airkit, Bluekit, and Boulderkit, please come forward." Jaysong watched as Squirrelflight guide her three kits and Boulderkit over to Firestar, giving each one a gentle lick before retreating backwards. "Cinderheart, you have been a warrior for many seasons and know the hardships of living a warriors' life. I trust you to pass on these same lessons to Avalanchepaw."

"I will do everything in my power," Cinderheart meowed padding over to touch noses with Avalanchepaw. The dark brown tabby quivered with excitement as he and Cinderheart padded away from the center of the clearing. Once they were done, Firestar continued, "Poppyfrost, you were mentor to Toadflower and he has become a credit to his Clan. I hope you make Airpaw into a warrior, all the Clans can be proud of." Poppyfrost nodded and touched noses to Airpaw. "Toadflower, you know what the costs are of a warriors' life, but you also know the rewards. I want you to pass this wisdom onto your new apprentice, Bluepaw."

"I will try my best," Toadflower mewed, touching noses with Bluepaw. Once Toadflower guided Bluepaw over to her siblings, the whole Clan held its breath. Who would mentor Boulderkit? Did the mentor who was chosen even want to mentor Boulderkit? Applefrost was glaring at his clanmates as though daring any of them to voice their thoughts. Boulderkit was sitting underneath Firestar, cowering underneath his clanmate's hostile glares. Did Boulderkit even know that he was not born in ThunderClan? Jaysong wondered if Squirrelflight would have told the silver kit. "Briarcloud, your mentor was Honeyfern and she would be proud to see the warrior you have become. It is only right that you are given Boulderpaw. This is now the greatest number of apprentices we have ever had and that means strong warriors in the future!"

Once Briarcloud touched noses with Boulderpaw, the whole Clan yowled, "Avalanchepaw! Airpaw! Bluepaw! Boulderpaw!" Even though the shouts for Boulderpaw weren't as loud as his denmates, they were there. Obviously the Clan thought that Briarcloud would be a good mentor to Boulderpaw. Jaysong's eyes drifted over to Toadflower, where he was meowing something to Bluepaw. Jaysong looked behind them and spotted a familiar brown coat. Jaysong did not do the same mistake she had when she first saw this cat in her clearing. The cat was not Foxfang, but Flowerpaw, coming down from StarClan to watch Toadflower be made a mentor.

*

Jaysong woke up the next morning to Featherpaw standing over her. Scrambling to her paws, Jaysong whispered, "Great StarClan, you almost gave me a heart attack Featherpaw! What in StarClan's name are you doing in the warriors' den?" Featherpaw flicked her tail for Jaysong to follow her and once they were outside the warriors' den, explained, "I think there is something wrong with Dovepaw. She keeps calling out in her sleep. I've tried to wake her up, but then she started muttering, 'help him.' I got scared and I didn't know what to do so I came to get you." Jaysong was about to call Featherpaw mousebrain until she saw the fear in the gray apprentice's amber eyes."

Sighing, Jaysong meowed, "Okay, I'll wake her up for you then please let me get some sleep." Jaysong padded towards the apprentices' den and pushed her way inside. Now all the other apprentices were up except for Dovepaw, who was calling out, "No! No! Slow down! Someone help him!" Dovepaw then let out a scream and her eyes flew open. Scrambling to her paws, Dovepaw asked, her eyes looking around for someone, "Where's Brownpaw? He has to get back into camp now." Featherpaw padded over to Dovepaw and mewed gently, "Dovepaw, Brownpaw is on dawn patrol with Hazeltail, Lionblaze, and Bumblethroat. You know that. They asked you if yo wanted to go."

"No! Brownpaw's hurt and we have to find him! Honeyfern told me!" Dovepaw shrieked and Jaysong did a double take. Did StarClan talk to Dovepaw and if so why? Jaysong glanced at the other apprentices and ordered, "Everyone back to sleep. Dovepaw, me and you will go out looking for Brownpaw." Dovepaw looked relieved that some cat was taking her seriously and was already out of the apprentices' den before Jaysong had even blinked. Catching up to Dovepaw, Jaysong hoped that Brownpaw, her own kin, was safe.