The next morning, just after the crack of dawn, Foxpaw nudged me awake. I sighed, blinking my sleep away, and asked the young tom, "What is it?"

"Firestar's just called a meeting." Foxpaw explained. That woke me up. I stood up and followed him and Jaypaw out of the den and over to the

Highrock. Slowly, everyone who could attend the meeting had arrived. That's when Firestar glanced down at us.

He began, "As we all know, Brackenfur's shoulder will not be entirely healed for nearly an entire moon. I have spoken with him, and with some of the other warriors. We agree that a new mentor must be chosen for Hollypaw."

I lowered my ears a little bit as those words rang around the silent hollow. Brackenfur has taught me more then any other cat ever would; I didn't want to replace him! I knew, though, that I couldn't wait for him to get better. It's not what either of us really wanted.

Firestar continued, "Graystripe, you will take over her training. Pass onto her your wisdom and your courage."

I couldn't stop my tail from quivering with excitement. The former deputy, the mentor of my mentor, was going to complete my training! Graystripe was a strong, skilled warrior. Trying to be optimistic, I admitted to myself that I could learn a lot from him.

Graystripe and I met in the middle of the clan, and we touched noses with one another. Then everyone started to depart. Graystripe did not move, though. His kind blue eyes pinned me down and he forced a smile. I had a bad feeling about this.

He started gently, "Hollypaw, you don't have much else that you need to learn. Your and Lionpaw's ceremony shouldn't be too long from now."

Crest-fallen, I figured out why he was telling me this. Either Leafpool believed it would take longer then one moon to heal, or Firestar wanted to make Lionpaw and me warriors before thirty suns had passed. I never thought about myself walking through the clan beside a cat that wasn't Brackenfur.

Either way he would be proud of me, though. It didn't matter what warrior led me to the front of my clan and presented me as an apprentice for the last time. I nodded, "As long as Brackenfur can watch, it's okay."

He smiled and started leading me towards the tunnel. "So, Hollypaw, word has it that you're a sly fighter."

I smiled and agreed, "I guess I am."

Graystripe's eyes twinkled with mischief, "So am I."

The prospect of a challenge fired me up as I followed him to the training hollow.

Cloudtail was there with Foxpaw and Icepaw. Their mentors, Squirrelflight and Stormfur, were on a mission in RiverClan, so the other warriors were sharing the duties of keeping watch on them.

Graystripe approached the trio, and the tussling apprentices fell motionless to see what he wanted. I sat with them as the warriors began to talk, and asked the younger cats, "How has training gone so far, you two?"

Icepaw's ears perked. "Great! We were on the night patrol, and almost got to fight a fox. We couldn't find it, though."

Both her and her brother frowned. I felt a shiver run along my spine. The first and last time I saw a fox I was five moons old, and they were just kits. They were bigger then Brambleclaw! The young apprentices may soon change their mind about such a decision the first time they do battle the mean, ginger creatures.

Cloudtail announced, "We want Hollypaw to train with you two for a while. You need to experience what it's like to be put against a larger warrior."

I got to my feet as the three of us squared off, ready to take on both of them at once. Graystripe opened his mouth to tell us we could begin.

Before the first letter escaped him, Icepaw flung herself at me. I sprang out of the way. In my distraction, Foxpaw hand pounced onto my back in an attempt to unbalance me.

I dropped onto my side, squishing him between me and the springy moss underfoot. Icepaw knocked me off of him and I rolled onto my belly. The two young cats pressed their flanks together, sizing me up with narrow eyes. Neither of them was too quick to fight now, and they actually tried to assess me as an opponent.

It was my turn to be the aggressor. I sprang at them, and they each darted to the side. I landed in the empty spot they were in a moment earlier.

Foxpaw was closest to me- within striking distance. A fierce cuff to his ear sent him sprawling. Icepaw glanced over her shoulder to see if he was all right. In her distraction, I landed on her shoulders and flattened her into the ground, pinning her small body.

Cloudtail pointed out her mistake. "You must always watch the enemy, Icepaw. They don't care about your clan mates safety."

I suggested, "Why not try working together, rather than taking turns? I do it with Lionpaw."

Lionpaw was fast becoming the best fighter of ThunderClan. I may be hard to catch, but when he fights it was like trying to out match a monster. If he was angry, and the clan was in danger, Lionpaw was a wall that you were not getting past. Foxpaw was large for his age, and Icepaw moved quickly. They would balance one another out.

The three of us trained until the younger cats were tired out. Having more stamina than them, I stayed and worked with Graystripe for most of the day. I felt like I was dead on four paws by the time we returned home, shortly before sundown.

I immediately flopped by the half-rock, too tired to take another step. I briefly wondered to myself if I should go get some fresh-kill. Jaypaw and Icepaw joined me, and I flicked my ears in a non-verbal hello. Talking required energy I wasn't sure I had.

A dull thunk by my head made me open my eyes. Sitting there, tempting me with its warm scent, was a fat thrush. Ashfur stared down at me as he announced, "You looked hungry."

My stomach rumbled in response, and I felt my ears grow hot when Icepaw snickered. I smiled, "I guess I am." Clawing the bird closer, I asked politely, "Want to share?"

To my and my den mate's shock, Ashfur actually lay down beside me and started to de-feather the thrush. A warrior- a senior warrior- eating with an apprentice? How very unusual!

We took turns until the prey was more or less demolished. Swiping my tongue over my muzzle I asked, "So where did Lionpaw run off to?" I figured, of all cats, my brother's mentor should know his whereabouts.

He flicked his tail towards the elder's den. Poppyspots, Lionpaw, and Longtail were all sharing a plump rabbit and talking to one another.

With a sigh, Jaypaw reported, "I have sick cats to tend to. I'll see you in the den, okay, Hollypaw?"

I meowed, "I'll probably be asleep, but okay."

Jaypaw stalked across the camp, and Icepaw scampered over to Ferncloud and Dustpelt. Ashfur shifted closer and licked my ear once. It wasn't quick, friendly lick like I would get from my friends or brothers. It was long and tender, and accompanied by a small purr.

The emotion, the affection, in that simple gesture made me shiver. I realized he was inviting me to share tongues with him. I was thrilled! Ashfur was a strong, admirable warrior, and I couldn't see a problem with getting closer to him. Isn't that how Sandstorm and Firestar got started- the balance between affection and respect?

I purred shyly and slid my tongue across his shoulder. He seemed delighted as we started sharing tongues. I found myself getting lost in the warm, gentle, rhythm we had created. Blood rushed through my ears. I could feel the stares of many of our clan mates. It wasn't every day you see an apprentice and a senior warrior together, you know.

"Ashfur!" A sharp meow interrupted us, and we both glanced to the side. On stiff legs, Brambleclaw stalked over to us. His eyes were narrow and furious as he glared at the other tom. I wondered what he could have done to upset my father.

Ashfur was the polar opposite of Brambleclaw. He was completely relaxed, and looked calm. His voice, though, was as cold as the leaf-bare wind when he asked, "What is it, Brambleclaw?"

He didn't really ask; he more or less demanded, "Up for the sunset patrol? I need someone to lead it."

Ashfur shrugged, and then asked, "Who else is coming?"

His answer was instant. "Brightheart, Mouseclaw, and Birchfall."

Ashfur stood up, flickering his eyes back to me for a second. His bright blue orbs seemed to glow the instant he saw me. A small smile spread on his face. "I'll talk to you later, Hollypaw."

Not sure of what to say, I just nodded. Ashfur bounded across the camp to collect the rest of the patrol. As soon as he was gone, I was pinned under my father's fierce amber gaze. "What were you doing together?" he demanded.

An unexplained shock of rage coursed through me. Who did he think he was? He can't monitor my social life! I asked venomously, "Did Jaypaw inherit his blindness from you? I was sharing tongues with him. Is that a crime?"

The accusing light in his eyes made my blood boil. I realize that he's never really liked Ashfur, but why does that mean I can't?

After a few seconds my father's shoulders relaxed and his eyes grew softer. "Hollypaw," he started, "I can understand how you might be feeling right now. Ashfur is a promising warrior, and to a young she-cat he would probably seem like a very good catch."

I blinked in surprise. Was I actually having this conversation with him? Wasn't this sort of thing supposed to be Squirrelflight's job?

Brambleclaw continued, "Hollypaw, he isn't what he's trying to make you think. You don't know him the way I do. Besides, he's much too old for you."

I had been willing to listen to him when he started off. He was my father, and he did know more than I did. I was willing to try and respect his thoughts- until that last sentence.

I sprang to my feet and my tail fluffed out in anger. "You're older than Squirrelflight!"

Cats were starting to stare. I didn't care. He had no right to try and tell me how to live my life. Did I ever say I was considering Ashfur the way he seems to think? As a mate?

He was sadly mistaken. The only cat I have ever had that sort of feeling for was Mouseclaw- but it was none of Brambleclaw's business either way.

My father growled irritably, "That's different, Hollypaw. Ashfur is my age. Squirrelflight is not that much younger."

"Brackenfur and Sorreltail?" I challenged. "Spiderleg and Daisy? You never complained about the four of them."

He blinked in surprise. I knew that meant I was winning this idiot fight. He opened up his mouth but I cut him off with an annoyed hiss. "Just save it, Brambleclaw. I'm not listening to this anymore."

Slipping past him I held my head and tail high as I stalked across the camp. Hazelpelt and Thornclaw moved out of my way. Cinderfur looked at me curiously, but I just shook my head. I didn't want to talk about it.

Slithering into the apprentices' den, I flopped into my nest, burying my nose in my tail. Lionpaw lifted his head to look at me. He hadn't witnessed the spat, but he could tell something was wrong. I looked away from him, glad that he didn't pressure me with questions.

I fell asleep angry, brooding about the fight.

A/N: She is her mother's daughter, all right. xD Just had to bring that to attention.