Chapter Four- Complicated Love
Hollywhisker gulped down her squirrel at a ravenous speed, her whiskers twitching excitedly. Brambleclaw had just called out the names of the cats that were going to the Gathering.
She was going with Icepaw, Cloudtail, Brightheart, Cindercoat, Berrypelt, Mousetail, Graystripe, Honeytail, Sandstorm, Sorreltail, and Ferncloud.
When Hollywhisker was finished, she got up to her paws and stretched, sending a tremor down her spine.
"Hollywhisker!" Brambleclaw called, motioning for her to join the group of cats clustered near the camp entrance.
Hollywhisker trotted over to where her father and the rest of the cats waiting impatiently.
"Is that everyone?" Brambleclaw asked.
"Where's Firestar?" Mousetail asked worriedly.
"He's gotten green-cough." Graystripe explained to her. "So Brambleclaw will represent Thunderclan tonight."
Hollywhisker noticed Brambleclaw give the senior warrior a nod of gratitude and realized that Brambleclaw was relieved to see that Graystripe hadn't held a grudge against him for being chosen deputy.
"Okay, let's go." Brambleclaw said, turning to leave. Cindercoat glanced around. "Where's Jayfeather?"
Hollywhisker could sense Brambleclaw's pelt prickle with embarrassment when he realized that he had forgotten his own son.
"I'm here." Jayfeather said, emerging from his den and coming to stand beside her. Hollywhisker saw mixed emotions sparkling in Jayfeather's deep blue eyes. Was it Confusion? Worry? Curiousity?
Hollywhisker didn't have long to find out, because her brother padded over towards Graystripe and Brambleclaw.
Mousetail and Cindercoat fell back into step with her. "How do you feel about coming to your first Gathering as a warrior?" Cindercoat asked, her tail flicking happily.
Hollywhisker would have gone to her first Gathering as a warrior last moon, but she had gotten a raging fever and had to stay behind in Jayfeather's den.
"Well," Hollywhisker said, her paws tingling with excitement. "I'm a bit nervous."
"You'll be fine." Mousetail commented.
"I hope." Hollywhisker replied with an uneasy smile.
"You're going to be a great warrior." Said a voice from behind her.
Hollywhisker turned around to see Berrypelt. He smiled at her, and it sent a happy shiver from her nose to her tail-tip. She had never noticed Berrypelt this way before.
It could take a kit to see that his sister was in love, but it still stunned Jayfeather.
Slowly a smile started to form, as realization suddenly came to him.
If Hollywhisker and Berrypelt ended up together, then that meant that Honeytail would be open.
Suddenly, his conscious scolded him harshly. You can't love her! You're a medicine cat!
But deep down he fought his conscious. What about all the other cats who had experienced forbidden love? Bluestar and Oakheart, Graystripe and Silverstream, Stormfur and Brook, or Leafpool and Crowfeather?
But the one thought that he kept turning over in his head was, How come Leafpool gets to go and leave him to take care of Thunderclan all by himself, while she's happily living with Crowfeather?
He wanted to be with Honeytail so much that it hurt.