Chapter 7
"Is it dead?" Squirrelflight asked and Jaypaw looked up in surprise. Jaypaw had been staring at dog so intensely that she didn't hear Squirrelflight pad up to her side nor did the familiar ThunderClan scent warn her that the ginger warrior was approaching. Squirrelflight had a nasty cut on her shoulder and a small river of blood was still trickling through her ginger fur. Leafpool- who was still lying on the ground, probably exhausted from the fight- had a shredded ear.
"I think so," Jaypaw meowed slowly and watched with wide gray eyes as Squirrelflight prodded the dog's side roughly. Squirrelflight nodded, confirming Jaypaw's words, and then turned to the golden brown apprentice, her green eyes warm, "You fought very well today." Jaypaw lifted her head proudly and was surprised when Squirrelflight went on, "Like a warrior."
Jaypaw felt her fur prickle and when she stayed silent; Squirrelflight padded over to Leafpool and pulled her sister to her paws by her scruff. Leafpool leaned heavily on Squirrelflight's side and Jaypaw saw that the light brown tabby was holding her paw at an awkward angle. Padding over to Leafpool and Squirrelflight, Jaypaw meowed, "Should I go fetch some cobwebs, Leafpool?"
Leafpool nodded and added, "Head back to camp and get a couple cobwebs ready. You also might want to fetch some marigold and comfrey. Squirrelflight and I will be back at camp shortly Tell a couple of other cats to go fetch the patrols. We don't want our leader and deputy out looking for a dog that has already been slain." Jaypaw nodded and was about to sprint back to camp when Leafpool meowed, "Squirrelflight was right, Jaypaw, you did fight like a warrior today."
Letting out a purr, Jaypaw raced back to camp, feeling as though she was running on air.
When she entered the hollow, Jaypaw felt her muzzle slam against the ground. Rolling to her back, her attacker gave a low hiss and the sounds of many cats filled the air.
"Bumblepaw, get off Jaypaw!" Jaypaw recognized Cloudtail's voice and Jaypaw felt her attacker be pulled of her back.
"Bumblepaw, you stupid fur ball, didn't you realize that you were attacking your medicine cat?" Thornclaw added and Jaypaw felt the golden brown warrior nudge her to her paws. Dipping her head in thanks to Thornclaw, Jaypaw felt her fur prickle at what the warrior had said. Medicine cat? She was only an apprentice. Instead of Thornclaw's words making her feel important, Jaypaw felt disappointed, almost as though she didn't want her clanmates to see her as a medicine cat.
Twisting out of Cloudtail's grasp, Bumblepaw meowed, "I'm sorry, Jaypaw. I thought you were the dog." Bumblepaw gave Jaypaw's ear a swift lick before padding over to where the apprentices were sitting, all of their eyes glittering with amusement.
Turning back to Cloudtail and Thornclaw, Jaypaw watched Brackenfur, Sorreltail, and Brightheart joined them. Remembering Leafpool's words, Jaypaw mewed, "The dog has been killed. Cloudtail, Brackenfur, will you go find Firestar's patrol and bring them back? Sorreltail, Thornclaw will you do the same for Brambleclaw's party? Brightheart," Jaypaw turned to Brightheart and saw that the warrior's one good eye was wide with terror. Jaypaw then remembered Graystripe telling her about the dog attack that left Brightheart with her scars many season ago. "If you head in the direction of the training hollow, you should come across Leafpool and Squirrelflight. Will you help them get back to camp? Leafpool has been injured and I fear she might not be able to walk back to camp."
The five cats nodded and darted out of camp. Jaypaw watched them for another second and then padded over to Leafpool's den, getting ready to prepare the herbs. Marigold to prevent infections, Jaypaw recited to herself, and comfrey for broken or twisted paws. Maybe I should also grab some poppy seeds. StarClan knows that Leafpool and Squirrelflight won't be able to get a good night's sleep if their wounds were bothering them to much.
A small cough at the entrance made Jaypaw look up and she recognized the black fur of Hollyleaf. Dipping her head to Hollyleaf, Jaypaw meowed, "Anything I can get for you?"
"Leafpool and Squirrelflight are back and are resting in the center of camp," Jaypaw's ear twitched as she wondered why Brightheart hadn't shared this information with her. As though reading her mind, Hollyleaf continued, "Squirrelflight told Brightheart to take Whitewing out and make sure there were no more dogs on our territory."
Nodding, Jaypaw realized that Hollyleaf was still looking at her, "What?"
"I just spoke to Leafpool and Squirrelflight. They said you fought like a warrior." Hollyleaf meowed, her tail twitching as she spoke.
"So?" Jaypaw meowed calmly although inside she was almost jumping for joy. She fought like a warrior! A real warrior!
"So?" Hollyleaf repeated before her voice dropped down in a low hiss, surprising Jaypaw. Usually Hollyleaf was always gentle and polite. "So, don't you think it's odd that you are a medicine cat and have the skills of a warrior? Don't you think that being a medicine cat isn't what StarClan destined you to be?"
"You sound like you are talking from experience, Jaypaw meowed coolly, confused as to what Hollyleaf was mewing about.
"Maybe I am," Hollyleaf growled and then continued, "Before Jayfeather and way before you, I was supposed to be ThunderClan's next medicine cat."
Jaypaw gasped in surprise. There was no way she could imagine Hollyleaf in anywhere, but the warriors' den. The black she-cat was the perfect warrior.
"I wanted to be important to my Clan and that clouded my judgment of where my skills could be best used," Hollyleaf padded towards the exit of the den and added, "Don't let it cloud yours." And with that, Hollyleaf was gone.
Thinking about what Hollyleaf said, Jaypaw scooped up the herbs in her mouth and padded out of the den. Spotting Leafpool ad Squirrelflight, Jaypaw trotted over to them and dropped the herbs at their paws. Silently, Jaypaw put cobwebs on Leafpool's head and covered Squirrelflight's shoulder with marigold. Jaypaw finished with the cobwebs as soon as Firestar burst into camp, followed by Dustpelt, Sandstorm, Graystripe, Cloudtail, and Brackenfur.
Firestar paused to exchange a few words with Hollyleaf, who seemed to be telling her leader that Leafpool and Squirrelflight were fine. Firestar then looked towards the fresh-kill pile and flicked his tail to Dustpelt, Sandstorm, and Cloudtail. Jaypaw was too far away to make out the words, but she guessed that Firestar was sending the cats on a hunting expedition. Jaypaw's guess was confirmed as the three cats padded out of the camp, passing Brightheart, Whitewing, Brambleclaw, and his patrol on the way out.
Nodding to his cats, Firestar padded over to where Leafpool, Squirrelflight, and Jaypaw were gathered. Touching both of his daughters on the ear, Firestar meowed, "Hollyleaf tells me that the three of you killed the dog."
Leafpool got to her paws slowly and meowed, "Actually, it's really Jaypaw who deserves the praise. Jaypaw was the one who killed the dog after Squirrelflight and I were injured. Jaypaw saved the Clan and us as well."
Jaypaw ducked her head in embarrassment at Leafpool's praise and then realized that the three cats were waiting for her to say something, "Thank you, Leafpool, but that reminds me. I would like to speak to you both. It's kind of important."
"Well, we're both here," Firestar meowed and Jaypaw nodded. Remembering Hollyleaf's words, Jaypaw began, "Today- when I was fighting the dog- I felt right for the first time in awhile. I felt like fighting was what I was made for.
"During the battle with ShadowClan, I felt this way too, but now I think I know what it means. Firestar, Leafpool, I don't think I'm cut out to be a medicine cat. I think my destiny really lies in me becoming a warrior. I'm sorry." Jaypaw ducked her head again and waited for Firestar and Leafpool's fury. When it didn't come, Jaypaw looked up in surprise.
"What are you waiting for us to scold you?" Leafpool purred, cuffing Jaypaw around the ear gently, "You found out who you really are and I'm proud of you. If you believe that being a warrior is what you were made for then I think that you should start sleeping in the apprentices' den. Also, if you don't mind Firestar," Leafpool continued, casting a quick glance at Firestar, "I think I know the perfect mentor."
"Who?" Firestar and Jaypaw meowed together and Jaypaw felt her fur prickle with excitement. She was going to have a new mentor who would train her to become a warrior!
"Well, Jaypaw is going to need a mentor who will be tough with her, especially since she missed so much training. The mentor will have to be experienced and already have to have had an apprentice before Jaypaw," Leafpool hinted, her amber eyes sweeping around camp.
"Dustpelt?" Squirrelflight meowed, one of her ears twitching, "StarClan knows he's probably the toughest mentor ThunderClan ever had. Every cat knows how hard he was with me. He also trained Hazeltail and she has become a fine warrior."
"No you stupid furball," Leafpool hissed gently, "I was talking about you!"
"Me?" Squirrelflight squeaked sounding surprised while Jaypaw jumped to her paws. Squirrelflight, daughter of Firestar and one of the best cat in the Clans, might be her mentor?!
"You are known for your sharp tongue, Squirrelflight," Firestar meowed, nodding his head in approval of Leafpool's choice. "It has bitten warriors and apprentices alike." Firestar then chuckled and added, "Brambleclaw and I know the receiving end of it too." Then growing serious, Firestar continued, "You also are tough so Jaypaw will catch up and you have already had Foxfang as an apprentice. I'm sure Brackenfur and Sorreltail will approve also."
Squirrelflight still looked surprised and nodded shakily. Turning to Jaypaw, Squirrelflight asked, "Do you want me to be your mentor?"
"Yes, Squirrelflight!" Jaypaw was as surprised as her new mentor, but excited none the less.
Squirrelflight nodded and then turned to Firestar, asking, "So are you going to call a meeting?"
Firestar blinked and then threw his head back, yowling, "Cats of ThunderClan, gather around!"
As Firestar spoke, Dustpelt, Sandstorm, and Graystripe padded into camp. Hearing Firestar's callings, they quickly dropped their fresh-kill in the pile and gathered around the small circle that was starting to form. Brambleclaw, Foxfang, Cloudtail, Brackenfur, Sorreltail, Thornclaw Brightheart, Whitewing, Hollyleaf, Blossompaw, and Stripepaw were already seated and by the expected look on their faces, Jaypaw suspected they had eavesdropped.
Spiderleg pushed his way out of the warriors' den, followed by Birchfall who went to sit by Whitewing. Their two kits- Applekit and Ashkit- played at their paws. Berrynose and Hazeltail joined the gathering cats while Rosepaw went to sit by her mentor. Mousewhisker, Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Poppyfrost sat down while Toadpaw led Briarpaw and Bumblepaw to sit by the four cats. Honeyfern padded out of the nursery with Ferncloud and Daisy and the three of them sat next to Berrynose, Hazeltail, and Rosepaw.
The elders came out last. Mousefur guided Longtail with her tail and the two of them took seats in the back of the circle forming around Firestar.
"Cats of ThunderClan," Firestar continued when all of his cats were gathered, "Jaypaw's path has changed and instead of the medicine cat she thought she was, StarClan have led her to be a warrior."
Surprised yowls sounded in the air, but they all stopped as another voice entered the air. To Jaypaw's surprise it wasn't Firestar, but Hollyleaf. "You all act surprised, but don't you remember that I was a medicine cat apprentice before a warrior? Or that Jayfeather was a warrior apprentice before a medicine cat? Yellowfang, who we all know as the medicine cat before Cinderpelt, was a warrior before a medicine cat as well! Do you yowl at us?"
The cats quieted and Brackenfur meowed softly, "Nicely said, Hollyleaf."
Firestar too nodded in approval and then continued, "Jaypaw's new mentor would be Squirrelflight!" Then as she had done with Leafpool, Jaypaw touched noses with Squirrelflight. They padded over to where Foxfang and Stripepaw were sitting and the cats cheered with approval. Jaypaw scarcely heard them though; she only cared that she was now a warrior apprentice.
