Chapter Eight- Surprises
Hollywhisker woke up that morning, the sunlight striking through the warrior's den and forming pools of warmth on the den floor.
Hollywhisker pushed herself to her paws; she stretched and yawned. She poked Berrypelt in the ribs. "Come on, you lazy badger. Let's go on dawn patrol."
Berrypelt rolled on his side and mumbled, "Don't wanna."
Hollywhisker rolled her eyes and left the warrior's den. She noticed Brookstorm sprawled outside of the nursery, looking content.
"Brookstorm!" Hollywhisker called joyfully, padding over. "You sure look happy."
Brookstorm nodded. "My kits are being made apprentices today." Hollywhisker thought she saw a quick gleam of sadness in her eyes. "I'm going to miss them being so close to me though." She added.
"I'm sure they'll be fast learners." Hollywhisker purred to her.
"They certainly are fast growers." Brookstorm said with amusement in her voice, just as Whisperkit, Streamkit, and Stonekit came scrambling out of the nursery.
"Hollywhisker!" Streamkit said brightly. "Guess what? We're going to be apprentices today!"
Hollywhisker smiled at her. "I know, I think that's great!"
Stonekit turned around to face his brother and sister. "I wonder who are mentors will be."
Whisperkit looked thoughtful, but Streamkit dove straight in, "I want Hollywhisker to be my mentor!"
Hollywhisker laughed uneasily. She didn't like being picked as favorite. "I don't know; I was just made a warrior only about two moons ago." She pointed out.
Streamkit looked upset, so Hollywhisker said, "Maybe my mother could mentor you. She's a lot like me."
Streamkit didn't look as put out anymore, and Stonekit said, "I want Thornclaw to be my mentor! He's so brave."
Streamkit refused to be outdone. "But Squirrelflight is even braver. She traveled all the way to sun-drowned place! And she fought off that badger, remember?"
Hollywhisker marveled at the way Whisperkit was so calm and thoughtful. He reminded her of Brackenfur or Birchfall.
"Okay, kits." Brookstorm said in her smooth accent. "Let's go inside the nursery so that I can groom you before the ceremony."
All the kits, including Whisperkit groaned. Hollywhisker let out a small laugh.
"It's nice to hear you laugh." Said a tired voice. Hollywhisker spun around to see her brother, Lionclaw standing a few fox-lengths away.
He looks awful! She thought, her eyes widening. His fur was ruffled and his eyes were dark and haughty, as though he hadn't slept in days.
He took a few unsteady steps towards her. "I haven't heard a laugh in so long. Just yowls and screams."
Hollywhisker looked at her brother with scared eyes. He wasn't being himself.
"What are you talking about?"
Lionclaw looked away. "Nothing."
Hollywhisker narrowed her eyes.
"I've just been having these nightmares." He said, shrugging, but there was a frightened gleam in his eye.
"Maybe you should see Jayfeather." Hollywhisker told her brother cautiously.
"No!" He snapped, and Hollywhisker cringed.
"I'm fine. I don't need help." Lionclaw said, leaving his ruffled sister standing by the nursery.
Lionclaw angrily tore away at the trunk of a tree, taking all his rage out against it. It's all Jayfeather's fault, he thought. Ever since he told me about that prophecy, I've been having those nightmares.
Brackenfur dead.
Firestar dead.
Hollywhisker dead.
Mental pictures of them lying on their sides, bleeding to death flashed in front of him. Lionclaw felt hot tears filling his eyes and he began blindly taking his anger out on the old oak tree again.
Jayfeather sat at the edge of the crowd of ThunderClan cats. Where is Lionclaw? He thought. He knows that they will be apprenticed today.
Just as he was about to slip off into the woods and go searching for him, Firestar yowled from the top of High-ledge.
"Today, we gather here to welcome three kits as apprentices." He said proudly, and the clan cats shouted their approval. Jayfeather smiled. Brookstorm's kits were popular among his clan-mates for their being smart and friendly.
Jayfeather glanced back among the trees. Lionclaw, hurry up. He thought.
"Streamkit, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Streampaw. Squirrelflight will be your mentor."
Streampaw squealed, "Yes!" And then ducked her head in embarrassment as everyone laughed. She stepped forward nonetheless and Squirrelflight and Streampaw touched noses.
Jayfeather felt slightly saddened. He had been hoping for Streampaw to be his apprentice.
"Squirrelflight, you have learned much from Dustpelt, including bravery, I expect you to pass this onto Streampaw." Squirrelflight's eyes glistened.
Firestar then beckoned for Stonekit to come forward. "Stonekit, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Stonepaw. Thornclaw will be your mentor."
When they had touched noses and moved back into the crowd, his mother prodded Whisperkit forward.
"Whisperkit, until you have earned your medicine cat name, you will be known as Whisperpaw. Jayfeather will be your mentor."
Excitement surged through him. I have an apprentice after all! He gently touched noses with Whisperpaw and then they both stepped back.
"Streampaw! Stonepaw! Whisperpaw!" The clan cheered, and Jayfeather felt Whisperpaw feeling embarrassed by the attention.
"Don't be ashamed." Jayfeather told him. "You have every right to be proud."
Jayfeather suddenly sensed Whisperpaw's movement as he lifted his head higher and stared at his new mentor gratefully.
Okay, I promise that Lionclaw is not crazy. He's just having really bad nightmares.