"Briar," Stonestar's voice ran like a crisp, clean breeze through camp. "Come up." He beckoned.
A gasp of shock echoed among the Clan cats.
The gnarled branches that stooped into camp rustled softly. The evening sun shone fiercely and pierced the thick canopy of evergreens, riddling the fern-layered ground with light. Stonestar stood confidently on the hazel branch that hung low above his den.
"It's a little early," The leader's mew was hardened as he sensed the unease. "But I believe that Briar, Dogkit and Nightkit are ready for their apprenticeship."
Bearkit was still half a moon younger than them.
"I have discussed this with my senior warriors." Stonestar acknowledged several cats in the crowd. "We think Briar should be able to prove if she deserves to become a Clan member."
Some Clanmates nodded, but most scoffed with disdain.
"I'll eat my fur before that happens." Softpaw said in a querulous tone.
"Come up, Briar." Stonestar repeated, undiscouraged by his Clan's reaction, and Briar shrunk down in her own fur. She shot Nightkit a desperate look, and the black tom nodded encouragingly.
Briar lifted her chin and jumped unto the Highbranch, greatly trying to sit tall and determined. Nightkit now perfectly understood why Snaketail made him and Dogkit promise to never reveal his origin.
"Fallowstripe," Stonestar began. A pale she-cat with a single fallow line down her back came forward. "As a senior warrior I trust you will pass on your fairness and understanding of warrior life to Briarpaw, as you've done with your previous apprentices."
"I understand, Stonestar." Fallowstripe dipped her head. Briarpaw hopped off the Highbranch on steady paws, but looked lost once she landed.
"Go touch noses with her!" Bearkit whispered.
Fallowstripe offered a kind smile as Briarpaw approached her, and the two sat together once they touched noses. Hope blossomed in Briarpaw's pale blue eyes.
"Briarpaw! Briarpaw! Briapaw!"
Some, like Nightkit, cheered loudly, some none at all.
"Dogkit." Stonestar seemed glad to move on from Briarpaw's controversial apprenticeship. It was now the fidgety black tom's turn, and Nightkit held back a fond purr as he almost tripped over his own tail on his way to the Highbranch. This time the whole Clan cheered as Dogpaw touched noses with the dark gray warrior, Ashcloud.
With a prickle of discomfort Nightkit recalled that, according to Clan gossip, Ashcloud was most likely to be Dogkit's (and therefore Nightkit's) father. Snaketail had never mentioned a father, and Nightkit was glad; how awkward would it have been to interact with someone who thought they were your kin. Thankfully Ashcloud never claimed them, and Stonestar must have disagreed with the rumors in order to make him Dogpaw's mentor.
"Nightkit!" Tangletail shook Nightkit out of his daze. "It's your turn now."
With a jolt of embarrassment, Nightkit realized that the whole Clan was watching him now. Ears hot, he rushed to the Highbranch and stood well-poised.
Where is Quillheart? Nightkit could hardly distinguish individuals in a clearing that was bustling with familiar pelts. Sunlight rippled on his pure black pelt, and he could hardly believe his excitement! Below, Birdsong and Willowsong sat proudly, and Tangletail and Silentwind wore grins; no one could deny they loved Nightkit. But nowhere did he see Quillheart. He needs to be here to make me his apprentice!
"From this day forward, until he has earned his warrior name, this apprentice will be called Nightpaw." Stonestar rumbled. "Olivenose,"
The Clan chatter died down with confusion.
A young warrior came forward. Her dark, golden-brown tabby fur was well-groomed, as if she'd been expecting attention during the ceremony.
"You are now ready to take on your first apprentice, and will mentor Nightpaw."
It fell so quiet Nightpaw thought he'd hear fur shed, but he couldn't think of why. His mind was swimming. "You've shown yourself to be shrewd and capable, and I now ask that you pass down all you know to this apprentice." Stonestar twitched his ears.
Everyone stood very still. Nightpaw too, stared blankly at Olivenose. Then his eyes wandered, and there he was.
Quillheart sat hunched by the medicine cat den, flinching once Nightpaw met his eyes.
"Nightpaw!"
Bearkit's voice broke the taut silence.
"Nightpaw! Nightpaw!" One by one, the Clan joined in and filled the air with clamor, louder and louder until Nightpaw's ears rang. It was then that Quillheart tore his eyes away from Nightpaw's and slunk away into the den. And it was then that Nightpaw felt every muscle in his body tense and his blood scorch.
"What?!" His voice, drowned out by the Clan's outcry, was filled with rage as he turned to Stonestar. The leader narrowed his eyes, and leaned into Nightpaw's ear.
"This wasn't my decision to make." His deep mew rumbled in his throat. "I'd speak with Quillheart."
"Quillheart—" Nightpaw choked out strangled words, and his stomach twisted with anger and dismay.
This was betrayal.
"I know this isn't what you wanted." Stonestar tried brushing Nightpaw's shoulder with sympathy, but the apprentice shrugged it off with spite. "However, I'll respect Quillheart's wishes. He has good reasons." Stonestar's eyes turned critical. "Go greet your mentor."
Clenching his jaw, Nightpaw leaped down from the Highbranch and stalked into the crowd, ignoring the friendly shoves and playful compliments. Olivenose was waiting for him, but he brushed past her without as much as a glance.
Olivenose's dark green eyes filled with confusion and hurt, and though the Clan was already dissipating, a few cats had watched, slack-jawed and aghast.
Ferns stroked Nightpaw's sides as he slipped into the medicine cat den, and in the corner where herbs were being left to dry Quillheart pretended to count burnet leaves.
"You worthless, lying piece of rat-dung!" Nightpaw said venomously, his eyes glittering with cold fury.
Quillheart didn't turn around, but his eyes widened a little, and the unruly tufts of fur that gave him his name stood on their ends.
Nightpaw could smell his nervousness.
"At least look at me you coward!" The apprentice's hackles bristled along his spine.
"Nightpaw!" Tangletail's rasping voice was raised with alarm. "Calm down." The old tom lightly touched his mangled tail to Nightpaw's flank, but recoiled when the apprentice whirled around.
"Don't touch me!" He snarled.
Tangletail's eyes widened.
"What's going on?" Fallowstripe peered into the den, Briarpaw, Dogpaw, and Ashcloud clustered around her. A few other cats hovered behind them, eyes hungry for scandal.
"Ask him," Nightpaw spat with disgust and lashed his tail toward Quillheart. "You know this is all I've ever dreamed of! Becoming a medicine cat apprentice..." His voice shook for a moment, and anguish flashed in his striking green eyes. But the sadness was gone, replaced by resentment. "What," The venom seeped back into his voice. "Did you find someone better than me? Did you precious StarClan show him in your dreams?!"
"I..." At he mention of his warrior ancestors, Quillheart stood up. "I c-cannot take an apprentice who does not believe in StarClan..." He stammered, seeming to regain some of his conviction.
Nightpaw was quiet, his chest heaving.
How did he know...
He looked over his shoulder and saw Dogpaw shrink, his face pulled tight with fear.
"You!" Nightpaw turned around slowly, fangs bared with menace. "You told him!"
Dogpaw cowered behind Ashcloud, looking down at his paws.
"H-he did the right thing!" Quillheart made an effort to raise his voice. "A medicine cat who cannot interpret prophecies and omens, and speak with our warrior ancestors is a danger to the Clan!"
Nightpaw flattened his ears to his skull. "Sorry for not sharing your belief in dead cats." He lowered his voice to a low growl. "But you can quit the excuses. Now I know you never meant to make me your apprentice in the first place."
The black tom gathered himself up and stalked out the den, past a crowd of onlookers that stepped back as he did.
Olivenose was stiffly waiting for him, trying to hide her mortification. She stared expectantly and, clawing the earth, Nightpaw forced himself to touch noses with her.
Did you see my tribute to Daughter's song lyrics last chapter? ;)