Chapter 29

"I'm so excited to be meeting with the cats from other Clans tonight. Do you think we'll become friends with any of the other apprentices, Rushpaw?" Jaysong heard Rabbitpaw ask Rushpaw. Turning her head, Jaysong saw Rabbitpaw sitting with the other apprentices, their heads close together. Cloudtail and Sorreltail we sitting close by, their eyes on their apprentices. Brackenpaw nodded in agreement with Rabbitpaw, but Rushpaw twitched her tail crossly, "We shouldn't be trying to make friends, Rabbitpaw. Tonight we should try and find out the other Clans strengths and weaknesses. One day, we might have to meet the cats we meet tonight in battle."

"Trying to take Firestar's place are we?," Lionblaze purred from where he sat with Hollyleaf and Millie, his amber eyes twinkling with amusement. Turning to Hollyleaf, Lionblaze teased, "She reminds me of a certain black apprentice." Hollyleaf flicked her tail over Lionblaze's ear in response, but otherwise remained silent. Jaysong blinked in surprise. Usually Hollyleaf was first with the jokes, but now it seemed like the black warrior had other things on her mind. Jaysong wondered if Hollyleaf was still thinking of the discovery of her real parents. Jaysong hoped that Hollyleaf wouldn't say anything at the Gathering.

As though she knew she had been thought of, Leafpool pushed her way out of the nursery, Brightheart flanking her. Seeing Jaysong sitting alone outside the warriors' den, both cats padded towards her. Jaysong dipped her head and Leafpool returned the gesture, meowing, "Upset not to be going to the Gathering?" Jaysong shrugged, she didn't really care. "I feel like something is going to happen at this Gathering. Something not that good. I pray to StarClan that I'm wrong." Leafpool's amber eyes drifted over to Lionblaze and Hollyleaf, causing the medicine cat to sigh sadly. Not saying goodbye to her friends, Leafpool padded to stand beside Brambleclaw and Applefrost.

"That was odd," Brightheart commented and Jaysong nodded in agreement. "Anyway, I was with Leafpool checking on Stripepool and Whitewing! They're getting huge! Whitewing should be giving birth in about a moon and Stripepool should be doing the same in two moons or so." Jaysong purred, happy that Stripepool's pregnancy was coming along good. "Anyway, I suspect that Bramblekit and Turtlekit should be getting their apprentice names any day soon. I wonder who their mentors will be? Both of them are great cats, especially young Turtlekit. I wouldn't say no to being her mentor."

"Then you shall have them," Firestar's meow sounded from behind them, Thornclaw beside him. Jaysong's heart sank as she stared at the golden brown warrior who looked so much like her father, Brackenfur. "I've just spoken with Thornclaw," Firestar flicked his tail towards Thornclaw. "I've asked him to take on Bramblekit and I think you would be a good mentor for Turtlekit. Anyway, you deserve an apprentice since Jayfeather-" Firestar paused awkwardly and Brightheart mewed quickly, her gold eyes flashing with embarrassment, "Of course, but that's in the past. I would be honored to be Turtlekit's mentor."

"Firestar! Brightheart!" Brambleclaw called from his place beside Leafpool and Applefrost, "The other Clans will finish the Gathering without us at the pace we're going." Firestar nodded at his deputy before padding away towards Brambleclaw. Brightheart gave Jaysong's ear a friendly lick before too following Firestar. Jaysong sighed and padded into the warriors' den where only Toadflower and Bumblethroat slept. The camp seemed empty since most of the warriors were attending the Gathering. Jaysong wondered if StarClan planned it that way or if it was just a coincidence.

"Mousebrain," Dustpelt growled as he nestled himself into his nest. Jaysong blinked her gray eyes open and saw multiple cats padding into the warriors' den. Sandstorm, Ashgaze, and Cloudtail were already sleeping while Sorreltail, Thornclaw, and Brightheart will still trying to get comfortable. Jaysong wondered what Dustpelt meant, but Birchfall answered before she could get the words out, "Keep your fur on, Dustpelt. She thought she was doing the right thing. Hollyleaf still is young and has a lot to learn." Jaysong felt her pelt prickle: what had happened with Hollyleaf?!

"I still can't believe Leafpool and Crowfeather are their parents! By the way, I haven't seen Leafpool or Hollyleaf since the Gathering. Where do you think they are?" Graystripe meowed from his spot beside Millie, his amber eyes wide with concern. Jaysong felt her pelt prickle. The Clan knew Leafpool's secret?! Suddenly Berrynose mewed, "They're probably hiding underneath a rock! They broke the warrior code! I'm surprised Firestar let Lionblaze lead the moonhigh patrol! That's a huge responsibility for a half-Clan cat." Jaysong felt her fur bristle in anger: how dare Berrynose say that about Lionblaze!

"You're one to talk, kittypet!" Foxfang snapped, his amber eyes glaring at Berrynose. Foxfang's snarl made Bumblethroat blink his amber eyes open and growl tiredly, "Great StarClan, what's all the commotion about?" Dustpelt began explaining, but Jaysong padded out of the den. Jaysong didn't want to hear the story again. She wanted to find Leafpool and Hollyleaf!"

Jaysong raced over to Leafpool's den and heard arguing voices coming from within. "Eat them!" Hollyleaf snarled and Jaysong padded into the den, her eyes widening at the scene infront of her. Hollyleaf was standing over Leafpool, trying to force the medicine cat to eat some red berries. Jaysong's brief time as a medicine cat apprentice told her that they were deathberries. Lunging into the den, Jaysong yowled, "Hollyleaf, stop!" Both Leafpool and Hollyleaf looked up in surprise as Jaysong appeared. Jaysong wasn't sure what to do: should she attack Hollyleaf, a fellow ThunderClan warrior?

"Jaysong, I'll handle this," Leafpool growled and then continued, "Hollyleaf, I've already lost the cat I love, my kits, and my call as a medicine cat. Leaving me alive would be a much worse punishment than killing me." Hollyleaf blinked and then gave a quiet hiss, stalking away from the two cats.