Disclaimer: I do not own warriors. Erin Hunter does.
Ok, heres the next chapter!

Chapter six

Hammerclaw locked his eyes on Mintpaw.

He had been prepared to kill the apprentice swiftly, but she had done that herself. A sudden wave of relief swept over him, but was soon replaced by anxiety. Before she died, had Mintpaw told Ricepaw about the patrol? If she did, then Hammerclaw knew what Tigerstar would want him to do. Kill Ricepaw immediately.

But she was a Medicine cat apprentice, the only thing worse would be to murder the leader! And there was only a small chance that Mintpaw had regained consciousness and had enough breath in her to relay the story of the patrol to Ricepaw.
But Hammerclaw knew Tigerstar would not think that way. The great tabby would not take any chances in becoming a leader. He would do anything to keep the path to power clear, even kill his own kin. Especially that. But the situation swept him out of this thoughts.

"Hello Ricepaw." Hammerclaw meowed expressionlessly. "How is Mintpaw?" "S-she died." Ricepaw mewed startled. "Mintpaw woke for a bit, but there was nothing I could do." she finished. "I'm sorry." stated Hammerclaw. "Should I tell Nightstar?" he asked. "Sure, that would be great." Ricepaw meowed. "I'll go get Palmtail." she skirted out of the den, white tail pluming behind her, whiskers brushing the side of the den. Hammerclaw followed her, his mind buzzing. So Mintpaw had woke up! he thought. Then there was a chance that Ricepaw knew about Tigerstar and the patrol. He would have to consult the dark tabby on what to do next.

Dawn was beginning to creep over the trees when Hammerclaw found Nightstar. She was stepping out of the nursery, tail held high. "Nightstar, could I speak with you?" he meowed.

"Sure. I'll meet you in my den." Nightstar nodded acceptance. "I'm going to pick up a piece of fresh-kill on the way."

Hammerclaw made for the leaders den. Inside there was a large, soft bed of moss provided by the apprentices. The dark, stone walls were speckled with mica, so when sunlight shone on them, they looked like stars in Silverpelt, Starclan themselves had be come part of the decor. The vines at the front of the den parted to revile Nightstar carrying a vole in her jaws.

"Yes Hammerclaw?" she mrowed. "Mintpaw has died." Hammerclaw mewed with remorse. "Ricepaw was with her." "Does the clan know? Nightstar asked. "I think so, Ricepaw went to tell Palmtail" Nightstar nodded. "Hammerclaw, I'm going to apprentice Cheetaspots kits today. I need you to understand that you would be a good mentor, but you do not have quite the expireance of a full warrior yet." Nightstar meowed. "I understand." said Hammerclaw. Yet he did not. He had been given his warrior name almost a moon ago, wasn't that long enough? And a apprentice was the one thing that kept him away from being a candidate for Deputy. "I have not been a warrior for long." he meowed slowly. "Then let us go, it is time." his leader said.

Sunlight dazzled Hammerclaw's eyes as he followed the Fireclan leader out of his den, vines of the entrance brushing past his tail.

"Let all cats old enought to catch their own prey gather under Highstump for a clan meeting!" Nightstar called.

Cheetaspot emerged from the nursery den, pushing her kits forward. Rabbitkit pulled ahead eargerly, Hammerclaw could tell she had been looking forward to this moment for a long time. The other two hung back a little, but exitment gleamed in their eyes.

"Since Irishearts death, one apprentice has been left with out a mentor, Rainpaw." Nightstar stated. "Your training should not be neglected, so I appoint you a new mentor. Darkhawk, you were a exelant mentor for Mintpaw. Had she survived, she would have made a fine warrior. You will finish Rainpaws training."

The clan yowled their aproval. Mentor and apprentice both greeted each other, Nightstar had made a good choice. Both had lost a valuable cat.

"And now for all you." Nightstar meowed kindly. "Rabbitkit, Cloudkit, and Silverkit step forward. From this moment on, you shall b known as Rabbitpaw, Cloudpaw, and Silverpaw. Rabbitpaw, you mentor shall be Lilacstone. Cloudpaw, your mentor shall be Wildnose.

"And I will mentor Silverkit myself."

A gasp rose through the gathered cats, including Hammerclaw. It had been many moon cycles since Nightstar had last had an apprentice. Birchfall had once told him that Nightstar had an apprentice when he was a young warrior, but that was a long time ago. Silverpaw looked as surprized as any cat could be. The poor apprentice! Hammerclaw thought. I bet she was just expecting a plain old warrior! The clan began congratulated the newly made apprentices, especially Silverpaw.

Can anyone guess what the prophecy means? If you guess right, you win a Mintpaw plushie that says "Hammerclaw." when you squeeze it.