Chapter 7

"Let all cats old enough gather around the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Firestar's yowl reached the warrior's den, and in a heartbeat Stormsong sprang to her paws.

She glanced at Squirreltail. The dark ginger she-cat looked like she was ready to burst with excitement.

I wonder which kit I'll get to mentor, Stormsong thought as she padded out of the den. Ferncloud had two kits now after Hollykit had died a couple of days ago. Though the queen was devastated to have lost her kit, she seemed to have recovered.

When they reached the clearing Stormsong's eyes widened. It was covered in a thin layer of snow. All around them snow was falling. The forest was eerily silent aside from the occasional creek of branches or pawsteps crunching in the snow. Snowpaw and Whitepaw were staring at the snow with wide eyes.

Sandstorm sat beside Dustpelt and Graystripe. Brackenfur, Longtail, Brightheart and Cloudtail were sitting together as well. Ashfur and Brambleclaw were already out of the den, and both toms were fuming with jealousy. Rainstorm and Sootpelt were the last to join the meeting.

"By naming apprentices we show that our Clan will remain strong," Firestar began. "Two kits have reached their sixth moon, and it is time for them to become apprentices. Step forward you two."

His tail flicked towards Ferncloud's kits, who tumbled out of the nursery. Both of them had well-groomed fur, much to Stormsong's surprise.

"Birchkit, until you have received your warrior name you will be known as Birchpaw. Squirreltail, you are ready for an apprentice. Dustpelt was your mentor and he has taught you well, I expect you to pass on what you have learned to Birchpaw."

Silence followed as Squirreltail touched noses with Birchpaw. Stormsong used this moment to read the young cat's thoughts, to test the powers that Spottedleaf had told her about.

I hope I can prove myself, Squirreltail was thinking. Maybe Brambleclaw won't treat me like a kit anymore.

Forcing back the urge to smirk, Stormsong looked back at Firestar. That left Larchkit as an apprentice for her to mentor. Her pelt bristled with excitement at the prospect of training an apprentice.

"Larchkit, until you have received your warrior name you will be known as Larchpaw. Stormsong, you are ready for an apprentice. Brackenfur was your mentor, and you have learned much since your days as a kit. I expect you to pass on what you have learned to Larchpaw."

The little tortoiseshell's fur fluffed up when she touched noses with Stormsong. She knew that Larchpaw would make a good apprentice.

This is the cat who tried to save my sister, Larchpaw was thinking when Stormsong managed to read her thoughts.

"This meeting is over!" Firestar's tail waved once more, and the meeting was drawn to an end.

Stormsong was left to think of what to do next. When she and Squirreltail had become apprentices their mentors showed them the territory. She knew that was what she would do with Larchpaw.

"Why don't we explore the territory," she suggested after cats began to form their respective patrols.

"Can we come with you?" Squirreltail asked when she approached. "I want Birchpaw to get the best experience he can." Birchpaw's tail curled when he greeted his sister warmly.

When Stormsong nodded in agreement the four of them padded out of camp. The snow underpaw felt strangely warm compared to what it had felt like on the mountains. Here the snow was calming and peaceful looking.

The forest itself was bitterly cold as a fierce wind picked up. Larchpaw trotted alongside her brother as the two began to chat about their ceremony.

"I can't believe we're finally mentors," Squirreltail mewed when they were out of ear-shot. "You should've seen the look on Brambleclaw's face when I told him." Stormsong smirked when she saw the image of his face in Squirreltail's mind.

"You... don't have feelings for him do you?" Stormsong knew what Squirreltail's answer would be, but it was fun to ask.

"StarClan no!" Squirreltail spat. "Why in the name of StarClan would I love someone like him? He's such a stiff furball and all he does is order me around!"

The two of them purred at Squirreltail's rant. By now they had reached Snakerocks. Stormsong was surprised that the rocks themselves weren't stained white with snow.

"Be careful around here," she told the apprentices. "Adders live around these boulders, and warriors have been killed by them."

Birchpaw's eyes widened while Larchpaw stared at the rocks with horror.

"They won't be out in this cold weather," Squirreltail meowed reassuringly. "But it is best to avoid them."

Her tail curled before she led them further away from the rocks. Stormsong bounded after them with Larchpaw close to her side.

Soon they reached the Owl Tree. Stormsong explained that this was where Owlstar had learned how to stalk mice and other assortments of prey. The Owl Tree was named after him because he'd watched an owl hunt. Beyond the tree was Fourtrees, where the Gatherings were held.

"We should get back, it's getting late," Stormsong suddenly announced.

The sky was beginning to get darker, but that could have been from the clouds that refused to go away. The snow was also falling more heavily, and she could tell that the apprentices were tired from their journey. Larchpaw was fighting back a yawn while Birchpaw's eyes were half-closed.

When Squirreltail nodded in agreement the two of them led the apprentices back to camp. It felt like moons had passed before they reached the camp. Stormsong's paws felt heavy with exhaustion, but she couldn't forget her promise to Hawkfrost. Tonight they would be meeting at Fourtrees as planned.

"I'm gonna go make dirt," she announced when the apprentices joined Whitepaw and Snowpaw beside their den. Squirreltail gave Stormsong an odd look, but she didn't object.

Thankful that her friend didn't argue, Stormsong stalked past to the dirtplace tunnel. This was the best way out of camp without getting caught. Though she might get punished for sneaking out, she couldn't resist the urge that was pulling her on.

Stormsong kept padding forward until she was certain no cat was following. By now the sun had set and darkness swept over the forest. Her heartbeat quickened a little when she realized just how sneaky she was being.

She didn't stop moving until she reached Fourtrees. Her heartbeat was beating quicker than ever as she gazed up at the sliver of moonlight that shown through the clouds.

A dark figure stood in the center of Fourtrees. It reminded Stormsong of the time she, Squirreltail and Spiderfang left for the journey to the mountains. They had left at night, and a single cat had been at the clearing first. This was similar to that night.

Hawkfrost's pale blue eyes met her green eyes. A strange feeling bubbled within Stormsong's belly, and she suddenly felt uncomfortable. This could easily be an ambush attempt. If it was than she knew how to fight back, but could she fight him?

"I was beginning to wonder if you wouldn't come at all," he admitted when he stepped into the faint light. The clouds were beginning to drift away, revealing patches of moonlight that stained the snow silver.

"Firestar gave me an apprentice to mentor," she replied with a shrug. "I've been busy all day."

"Congratulations." The purr caught Stormsong by surprise. She gazed at Hawkfrost before dipping her head in embarrassment. "I still have yet to receive an apprentice, but I'm sure Leopardstar will give me one soon."

Stormsong tilted her head to one side before thinking of something to say.

"Have you... had any strange dreams lately?" she suddenly asked.

The dark brown tom narrowed his eyes at her sudden question. He looked at her thoughtfully before answering, "I'm not sure what you mean by strange dreams."

Embarrassment washed over Stormsong once more. She had forgotten what Spottedleaf had told her. Out of rain and sky comes the frost that falls. Spottedleaf had told her those exact words.

She closed her eyes and sighed heavily.

"Sky... could you possibly be the sky that Spottedleaf talked about?" she whispered out loud.

Now Hawkfrost looked even more confused than ever. His ears flattened and his tail flicked from side to side.

"I think we'd both better get back to our nests," he meowed. "It's getting too late."

Stormsong looked up at the sky, but it felt too soon. When she looked back she saw that he was already gone.

Irritation clawed at her belly when she realized he'd stood her up.

Well fine, she thought angrily. Next time we meet I won't feel any sympathy for you either!

Her claws scraped against the ground as she stalked away from the clearing. She wouldn't go back there unless she was invited to the Gathering. Not after what he had done to her.