"This is so unfair!" Eaglekit yelped. Silverpaw sighed in response. She understood how it felt to want to be an apprentice and Eaglekit obviously was taking it harder than most kits. Unfortunately, Blizzardstar pushed back their apprenticeship until he was able to perform it.
"Blizzardstar promised he'd hold the ceremony when he could." Silverpaw said, "You've got to give him a chance to recover."
It had been three whole days since the gathering. Silverpaw had been confined to camp due to her wounds. Her eye wounds were almost healed but her ear was still a little fleshy. In her spare time Silverpaw would treat the elders and visit the nursery to see her old denmates. She also made a habit to see her sister since she was very close to kitting. Silverpaw couldn't wait for her sister to have her kits.
"Our father will recover in good time. Until then you should enjoy being a kit." Snowfrost said as she squeezed out of the nursery. Whisperwind was right behind her and helped Snowfrost settle in a quiet shady corner.
"Silverpaw, don't you think it's time to get your wounds checked again?" Whisperwind asked. Silverpaw ran a paw over her ear to find the medicine had come off. Her mother swept her away to the medicine den.
"There, you should be good till later tonight." Willowleaf said, washing her paws in the steam. Mistkit poked her head out of the herb store.
"Willowleaf, should I make Silverpaw another treatment?" Mistkit asked. Willowleaf nodded and Mistkit turned back into the medicine den.
"Mistkit seems to be taking a liking to this medicine cat stuff. Are you going to take her on as an apprentice?" Whisperwind asked. Willowleaf shrugged.
"I'm hoping too. She shows a lot of promise. But I think I'm going to scare her with all the ruled and such." Willowleaf sighed.
"I'm sure it won't scare her." Whisperwind said.
Silverpaw pricked her ears when she heard cats enter the camp. Silverpaw quickly put her ears back down. She was getting a little nervous at the power of her senses. Her sense of hearing and scenting were stronger than normal. In fact, Silverpaw didn't even have to prick her ears to know cats had just entered the camp. She could hear them easily already.
Silverpaw excused herself and went to greet the cats. Her heart leaped when she saw Hollowpaw carrying a plump rabbit in his jaws. Silverpaw couldn't believe he'd managed to catch one. With Silverpaw's absence from training, Hollowpaw had taken it upon himself to hunt for Silverpaw and even bring her, her favorite meals. She met Hollowpaw at the entrance of the apprentice's den.
"You wouldn't believe what I went through to get that." Hollowpaw purred. He plopped down next to Silverpaw and continued purring. His pelt was caked in dust so after Silverpaw finished the rabbit she busied herself by cleaning Hollowpaw up.
"What did you have to do?" Silverpaw asked when she was cleaning his ear.
"Well, I chased it over a stream, through some bushes and over a pile of leaves. Then it went into a log so I leaped on it when it came out, causing me to roll down a hill. Bluejay insisted she wash me before going back to camp, but I refused." Hollowpaw explained. Silverpaw couldn't help but purr in amusement as she thought of Hollowpaw rolling down a hill just to get a rabbit for her.
"Well, it was very delicious. Thank you for catching it for me." Silverpaw said. She licked Hollowpaw's cheek in affection which caused him to smile and remove his green gaze from her.
"Aw, it was nothing. Anything for you while you're confined to camp." Hollowpaw purred. She smiled to him and flicked his ear to show she was done grooming him.
"Thanks. I feel much better now." Hollowpaw purred as he stood. He bent slightly to touch his nose to Silverpaw's.
Ashcloud padded up to the duo and greeted both apprentices.
"Silverpaw, Blizzardstar wants to speak to you in his den." Ashcloud informed Silverpaw. Silverpaw nodded and excused herself from Hollowpaw.
When Silverpaw entered her father's den, she noticed how gloomy it was. Blizzardstar was a huddled heap in his nest. He looked so defeated, so ashamed. Silverpaw didn't understand why. It wasn't his fault Breezeheart was doing what he was. Once he got better he'd sort things out like he always did. And if things did come to war, Thunderclan was strong.
"Blizzardstar? You asked to speak to me." Silverpaw bowed her head in respect and her father looked up.
"Yes. I need to speak to you a few things." Blizzardstar said. He stood up awkwardly and rested his gaze on Silverpaw.
"Your face. Is it healing?" Blizzardstar asked. Fatherly concern flashed across his face for a moment. Silverpaw shifted her paws and nodded slowly.
"Yes. Willowleaf has created a treatment for me. It's worked wonders. She says I'll be able to go back to training by tomorrow."
"Good. You're the best hunter Thunderclan's got." Blizzardstar purred. Silverpaw smiled and gave her chest fur a few embarrassed licks. Blizzardstar rarely gave out praise, even to his kits.
"Silverpaw, the kits that were supposed to be made apprentices, are they angry?" Blizzardstar asked.
"A little." Silverpaw replyed.
"I'm taking that as a lot. I'm feeling a bit better. I'll see if I can perform the ceremony tonight. Pass on the message to Mousepelt and Nightstorm?"
"Of course." Silverpaw dipped her head.
"Silverpaw. I wanted to talk to you about… the wellbeing of Thunderclan." Blizzardstar suddenly said. Silverpaw nodded in puzzlement.
"Windclan is starting trouble. I'm worried that Thunderclan is going to be flung into war. We may look strong but we are also weakened by Leaf-Bare. I need to prepare my warriors for battle. Which also means that I need your help. I need you to prepare the apprentices and rally the warriors. Starclan destined you power so we need to test it. I trust that you'll be able to learn quickly." Blizzardstar said. Silverpaw nodded slowly.
"Yes. I promise I will do my best to prepare my fellow apprentices and rally the warriors." Silverpaw said boldly. Blizzardstar bowed his head and flicked his tail to show no more talk. Silverpaw dipped her head once more and exited the den.
Silverpaw spotted Nightstorm and Mousepelt sharing tongues and she trotted over to them.
"I have a message from Blizzardstar." Silverpaw said. They both looked curiously. "He says that he will try to perform your kits ceremony tonight."
"Oh good! They'll be so excited." Mousepelt said. Nightstorm purred in agreement. Silverpaw bid them farewell and went to join her denmates.
"So what did Blizzardstar want?" Darkpaw asked. He and Ravenpaw had just returned from battle training.
"Oh just asking if I was alright." Silverpaw lied. Fortunately, Darkpaw believed her and went back to eating his mouse.
Silverpaw went into the den and curled up in her nest. In a few moments she was fast asleep.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath the highledge for a clan meeting!" Blizzardstar's voice woke Silverpaw from a deep sleep. She stretched and smoothed down a few tufts of fur and made her way to the clearing.
Eaglekit and Shadekit stood in front of Blizzardstar, their eyes shining with excitement. Nightstorm and Mousepelt stood with their heads held high. Many cats congratulated them, which they simply muttered a thank you and went back to beaming at their kits.
"Eaglekit and Shadekit have reached the age of six moons and it is time for them to become apprentices. Eaglekit, from this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Eaglepaw. Your mentor will be Brackenflame. I hope that he will pass on all he knows to you." Blizzardstar recited the ancient words of the apprentice ceremony. He turned to Brackenflame, who was stepping forward to sit beside his new apprentice.
"Brackenflame, you are one of the best warriors Thunderclan has ever had. You are a great friend to me and I treasure your friendship. You received excellent training from Nightshadow, and you have shown yourself to be loyal and wise countless times. You will be the mentor of young Eaglepaw and I expect him to follow in your pawsteps to become a great warrior as well." Blizzardstar finished and allowed them to touch noses.
"Shadekit, from this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Shadepaw. Your mentor will be Ashcloud. I hope she will pass on all she knows to you."
Ashcloud went across the clearing to her new apprentice. Silverpaw saw that many cats were shocked to see the deputy and best warrior in Thunderclan take on apprentices. Silverpaw understood what Blizzardstar was doing though. He was trying to speed up the apprenticeship of the two so he could have strong and well trained fighters when Windclan attacked.
"Ashcloud, you have been Thunderclan's deputy for many moons. You've been my littermate all my life. I know mother and father would be very proud to see what you've become. You are brave and strong and very wise when it comes to tough decisions. I know you will pass on the qualities that Jayflight taught you, to Shadepaw." Blizzardstar finished the ceremony when Ashcloud touched noses with her apprentice.
The clan broke out into an enthusiastic cheer. Mousepelt and Nightstorm congratulated their kits warmly. Silverpaw padded forward and touched noses with her new denmates.
But even through the happy feast Silverpaw felt a chill running down her spine. When Silverpaw didn't eat her thrush, Hollowpaw asked if everything was alright. Silverpaw claimed she felt ill and went off to her nest. When Silverpaw curled in her nest she felt a warm paw prod her. She lifted her head and was met by a pair of concerned green eyes.
"Silverpaw, what's wrong? You never leave a feast early." Hollowpaw asked gently.
"It's nothing. I just feel a bit ill." Silverpaw dismissed. Hollowpaw still looked unconvinced.
"Was it something your father said?" Hollowpaw prodded. Silverpaw rose her head and glared at him.
"Since when is it your business what my father and I speak of?" Silverpaw snapped. She realized she said it bit too harshly when Hollowpaw back away. "I'm sorry. I'm just a little worried about Windclan."
"Oh. Well, your father will sort it out." Hollowpaw said.
"I don't know. Have you ever had the feeling that you had to protect something and if you don't then something bad will happen?" Silverpaw asked. She was surprised to hear his next words.
"Well, yeah, but they've always been for you." Hollowpaw said shyly. Silverpaw looked away and smiled. Something inside her blossomed and she smiled at the warm feeling.
"Hollowpaw, will you stay with me?" Silverpaw asked.
"Always." Hollowpaw said confidently. He curled around Silverpaw and she went to sleep peacefully.
Silverpaw pricked her ears when she heard screeches. She leaped out of her nest and into the clearing. She swiveled her ears toward the noise. She bounded over to find Smokefur, Whisperwind, and Willowleaf huddled around the nursery. Whisperwind greeted Silverpaw as she bounded up.
"Snowfrost's kits are coming." Whisperwind informed her. Silverpaw nearly jumped out of her fur.
"Really? Can I be in there?" Silverpaw asked excitingly.
"I don't know. It's already pretty crowded." Willowleaf began.
"Snowfrost asked me to have Silverpaw there when her kits came." Whisperwind said. Willowleaf sighed and nodded. She led the way into the nursery.
"Give me reports!" Smokefur called after them.
"Okay, Snowforst, are you ready?" Willowleaf asked once she was in the nursery.
"No!" Snowfrost yelped.
"Don't worry it'll be over with soon." Willowleaf reassured.
"Willowleaf, can I help?" Mistkit asked pleadingly. Willowleaf opened her mouth to say no but Whisperwind gave her a sharp look and Willowleaf nodded instead. She instructed Mistkit to sit beside her and watch.
"Silverpaw, Whisperwind can you sit on opposite sides of her and encourage her?" Willowleaf asked. Silverpaw and Whisperwind did as they were told and began licking bite of her fur.
"Mistkit, come here. Put your paw here. Do you feel that?" Willowleaf asked. Mistkit nodded curiously.
"When you feel those it means a kit is coming."
Suddenly Snowfrost howled in pain and a wet bundle appeared in the nest.
"Whsiperwind, you know what to do." Willowleaf said, placing the bundle at her paws. Whisperwind began cleaning the tiny kit and when she finished she placed at Snowfrost's belly.
"Here comes the next one!" Willowleaf said. Almost right after another wet bundle appeared. Willowleaf gave this one to Silverpaw and she began cleaning it off.
"Mistkit, how many more do you think there is?" Willowleaf asked. Mistkit placed her paw on Snnowfrost's belly and began thinking thoughtfully. She looked up to Willowleaf hopefully and said "One?"
"I think your right." Willowleaf purred. Snowfrost gave a loud screech and the last kit was born. Willowleaf gave this one to Mistkit to clean.
Snowfrost plopped into the nest. Silverpaw purred in amusement and nuzzled her.
"Congratulations Snowfrost. Two she-kits and one tom," Willowleaf announced. She left Snowfrost and Smokefur replaced her.
"How'd it go?" Smokefur asked.
"It went well. Congratulation," Whisperwind said.
"Snowfrost… They're beautiful! This one looks like you. And… and this one looks like me. And this one is like a combination!" Smokefur purred proudly.
"What should we name them?" Snowfrost whispered.
"I was thinking, this one could be Cloudkit, since she looks like a cloud. This one Ashkit since he looks like ash," Smokefur began.
"What about this one?" Snowfrost asked. Smokefur, Snowfrost and Whisperwind shared a look of thought. Suddenly, the perfect name came to Silverpaw's mind.
"Mockingkit," Silverpaw said.
"That's perfect. Cloudkit, Ashkit, and Mockingkit." Snowfrost said proudly. She beckoned Silverpaw to come up.
Silverpaw settled down by the squirming kits. They were tiny. She couldn't believe she was once that small. She nuzzled each one in turn and told them proudly;
"Welcome to Thunderclan, little ones. I am your aunt, Silverpaw."
Why does it feel like forever since I've put an author's note? That's strange. Anyway, sorry this chapter came out so late. I had most of it completed weeks ago and never got around to finishing it. Anyway, I've been at a crossroads with this story for a while. I'm not sure if I want this to be a multiple story thing or a one shot, one story thing. If you could tell me what you would prefer that'd be great ^_^. Anyway, second question, who caught the Hunger Games references? Hehe I put two in here. Tell me if you found those as well. Anyway, next few chapters are gonna be action packed so heads up! Anyway, bahbye!