The next day the sun poked through the clouds and the air was clearer, but thin gray clouds still hung overhead. Iceshadow complained that she was hot, the kits—Hazelkit, Larkkit, Rabbitkit, and Thistlekit—said that they were cold. I was busy all day, telling Daystar about Dawnflower's apprentice and Hawkpaw, Smokepaw and Fernpaw and tending to my mother and ordering Littlepaw around. She mourned like Windpelt had died, and sat by her side most of the day, rushing off to the stream to get drenched moss if Windpelt even hinted that her throat was dry.
Littlepaw attended the other elders too, so as not to look idle, but I could tell that it was my mother that she was there for. I kept telling her that Windpelt was lucky to live long enough to move into the elder's den—there are far more kits every year than elders—but she wouldn't hear it. In Littlepaw's mind, Windpelt had some sort of age disease, and she was a medicine cat.
Icetail finally came for a hunting session, and, seeing that she would lose this battle, Littlepaw finally slunk off.
Windpelt sighed. "Honestly, I feel sorry for her. But I made my choice, and she needs to make hers."
I nodded, understanding. It was hard. But it would be okay. Mosspaw and Badgerpaw weren't dawdling on their mother. They were having fun with their new mentors. Littlepaw needed to do the same.
"Dawnflower's getting an apprentice," I offered.
Windpelt's face lit up. "Wonderful! She is getting old. She's kin, you know."
"Really?" This was news to me.
"Yes. She was—is—my aunt."
"Wow!" So that was where she got her gray coloring.
"I know," my mother said.
Suddenly I heard Daystar's voice. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under Highrock for a clan meeting!"
I twitched my tail at my mother. She nodded and began a terse conversation with Aspenleaf. I padded out of the den and went to sit next to Smokepaw, who had been playing with Sagepaw.
"Good day?" I whispered. She nodded.
"Sorry I didn't get out with you," I began, but then Daystar began to speak, and silence swept over the clan.
"Cats of ThunderClan," she began, "today we acknowledge three new warriors and two new apprentices. Smokepaw, Fernpaw, Hawkpaw, please approach." The three apprentices slid forward and sat at the base of Highrock.
"Hawkpaw, do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend your clan at the cost of your life?"
Hawkpaw nodded. "I do."
"Then I give you your warrior name. Hawkpaw, from now on you will be known as Hawkheart. ThunderClan honors your bravery and courage."
Hawkheart turned to face the clan, grinning.
"Fernpaw, do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend your clan at the cost of your life?"
"I do," Fernpaw said calmly.
"Then I give you your warrior name. Fernpaw, from now on you will be known as Fernpelt. ThunderClan honors your loyalty and dedication."
Fernpelt joined Hawkheart. I saw Redstripe and Blackclaw watching their former apprentices with pride. I looked hopefully at Smokepaw, who was now wriggling with excitement.
"Smokepaw, do you promise to follow the warrior code and defend your clan at the cost of your life?"
"I do," said Smokepaw, bouncing eagerly.
"Then I give you your warrior name. Smokepaw, from now on you will be known as Smokefur. ThunderClan honors your courage and enthusiasm."
I smiled to myself as Smokefur, too, turned to face the crowd of cats that were now chanting, "Hawkheart! Fernpelt! Smokefur! Hawkheart! Fernpelt! Smokefur!"
Enthusiastic? Well, that was one way to put it. Smokefur bounded up to me, touched noses with me, then raced off to find her mother. Seastorm padded up.
"They grow up so fast," she said affectionately.
"Yes," I agreed, but before I could say any more, Daystar signaled for quiet, and silence spread through the clan like a wave. Seastorm pricked her ears up.
"Today, we also welcome two new apprentices. Hazelkit, Larkkit, come up here." The kits wandered over, their tails waving excitedly.
"Hazelkit, from this moment on, until you get your warrior name, you will be known as Hazelpaw. Your mentor will be Rosesky. Rosesky, your mentor was Redheart. I hope that you will pass on what you learned from him to this young kit."
The throng of cats cheered as Hazelpaw went to meet her new mentor. Larkkit waited dutifully at the base of Highrock, but even from a distance I could see exhilaration shining in her eyes.
Daystar turned to face her gravely. "Larkkit, you will take on a more severe role," she began. Larkkit looked as though she expected this but at the same time felt excitement pulsing through her veins. "From now on, Larkkit, you will be a medicine cat. You will share tongues with StarClan, heal the wounded, and read the signs. You will be the official apprentice of Dawnflower. Your name will be Larkpaw, until you receive your medicine cat name. Welcome."
Dawnflower nuzzled Larkpaw.
Smokefur ran back to me. "Thanks for everything, Rainpath," she said solemnly, then padded off to see Seastorm.
Blackclaw trotted up to me shyly, and I noticed Hawkheart making dreamy faces behind him. I stuck my tongue out at him, and he high-tailed it out of here.
Blackclaw looked startled. "Excuse me?" he asked.
"Oh, sorry, Hawkheart was being a know-it-all. What were you saying?"
"Oh, just that I thought we could hang out together more. I mean, because we don't have apprentices anymore," he stammered.
"Okay," I purred. I noticed Seastorm flash me a knowing look, and turn away. "I-I promised I'd visit Windpelt after and tell her what happened. I'd better go," I stammered, wishing everyone would just stop.
Blackclaw nodded. "I understand. You better go, or Littlepaw will beat you to it!"
I nodded, smiling with relief, and bounded off. Littlepaw was headed toward the elder's den too, and I ran harder. Littlepaw saw me out of the corner of her eye and it became a race. Littlepaw had a bit of a head start, but I had longer legs and could run faster.
Windpelt opened one eye and saw both of her daughters running full-speed at her. "Oh!" After she had recovered from the initial shock, she began to laugh. "I have ears, you know. I heard the whole thing," she said.
I screeched to stop. Littlepaw slowed to a walk and sat down with a thump. "Really?" she asked increndulously.
"Yes. I'm not deaf," she snapped. Then she sighed. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just annoyed. My paws itch to run and hunt again."
Littlepaw got a strange, sad look in her eyes. I nodded understandingly.
"Well, aren't you happy?" Littlepaw asked anxiously. Windpelt nodded vigorously. "Of course. I just wish I could feel real stream water over my tongue again and experience the pride of catching a plump mouse again."
Littlepaw trembled. I wasn't sure how much more she could take. But Windpelt was on a roll now.
"All that water tastes like moss. The food is considered fresh-kill, but how can you call it fresh if it was brought to you by an apprentice? This bedding? I haven't even the chance to make the way I like it. Every day Owlpaw or Sagepaw or Elmpaw will tromp right in and make it for me. I feel so helpless!" she wailed.
Suddenly Littlepaw burst out, "How can you say that? It's like Rainpath told me, you're lucky to live long enough to make it to the elder's den. I can't believe you!"
And with that, she trotted off, disappearing into the apprentice's den. Windpelt sighed.
Suddenly the dawn patrol came rushing through the bramble entrance.
"ShadowClan!" Rockfur gasped. "They're preparing for attack!"