Chapter 47
Jaysong padded through the entrance of ThunderClan's camp, two mice dangling from her jaws. The mice were scrawny and probably wouldn't satisfy one cat in greenleaf, but for leafbare it would have to do. Jaysong wondered if the other hunting patrols she sent out earlier had anymore luck then she did. As she stood by the entrance musing over her deputy responsibilities, Jaysong saw Bumblethroat pad towards her from the direction of the warriors' den. Even though Jaysong had been deputy for four moons now, Bumblethroat still hassled his deputy about her ability to assist their Clan leader. Jaysong remembered the days that Bumblethroat and her had been good friends. Those days were over. Stopping in front of Jaysong, Bumblethroat demanded, "Oh great deputy, have you sent out the dawn patrol?"
"Yes, Bumblethroat. Briarcloud is leading it. I would've asked you, but you seem so tired annoying me lately that I thought I'd let you get some rest," Jaysong answered cooly, her tail twitching in annoyance at Bumblethroat's desire to make everything difficult for her. Jaysong purred silently as Bumblethroat flattened his ears at the thought that Briarcloud- the gray warrior's sister- accepted their new deputy. Bumblethroat though wasn't done with Jaysong. "What about the hunting patrols, hm? It's leafbare and we need more than those tiny mice you call prey. And what about the sunhigh patrol?"
"Toadflower's patrol got back a couple seconds ago if you were paying attention while Poppyfrost and her group are still outside. I've chosen Cinderheart to lead the sunhigh patrol and Lionblaze offered to lead the moonhigh one incase you were wondering." Leaving Bumblethroat in the center of camp, Jaysong padded over to the freshkill pile and dropped her mice down where they sat alone with a rabbit. Seeing Bramblepaw and Turtlepaw, Jaysong flicked her tail to them and asked, "Would you two mind taking the mice to the queens and giving the rabbit to the elders? If Poppyfrost's patrol catches anything you two can share something."
Bramblepaw nodded and he and Turtlepaw picked up the freshkill, hurrying towards the nursery first. Jaysong felt a cat approach and turned, catching Firestar's dark green eyes. Firestar nodded to Jaysong and meowed, "Bramblepaw and Turtlepaw are ready to become warriors. I'll have a talk with Thornclaw and Brightheart and we're hold it before Featherkit, Dovekit, and Ivykit's ceremony." Seeing the surprised look on Jaysong's face, Firestar explained, "Featherkit has reached her sixth moon and Dovekit and Ivykit are close enough. When I was deputy for Bluestar, she allowed me to pick Ferncloud's mentor. You can do the same for these three, okay? Especially because you know Featherkit more than any other cat." Jaysong blinked in surprise and watched as Firestar padded towards where Thornclaw was sharing tongues with Brightheart.
"Jaysong!" A bunch of high pitched mews echoed from the nursery and Jaysong turned to see a large group of kits hurl themselves toward her. Featherkit- the eldest- was in front of Whitewing and Stripepool's kits while Avalanchekit, Airkit, and Bluekit- Squirrelflight's three kits- scurried after them. Avalanchekit was a dark brown tabby like Brambleclaw, but he had Squirrelflight- and Firestar's- dark green eyes. Airkit was a tiny copy of Squirrelflight with the same dark ginger fur, but his green eyes were much paler than those of his mother and brother. Bluekit was the odd cat in her family with blue-gray fur and icy blue eyes. Squirrelflight had named Bluekit for Bluestar, the leader of ThunderClan. Jaysong wondered if Squirrelflight thought her daughter would be as famous as Bluestar.
"Jaysong!" Featherkit squealed again, halting in front of Jaysong. "We're going to become apprentices today!" Jaysong purred with amusement as Featherkit did a little jump with joy. Jaysong almost wished that she could mentor the friendly gray kit, but didn't want her mentor responsibilities to interfere with her deputy responsibilities. Maybe she would be more experienced when either Stripepool or Squirrelflight's kits were ready for their mentors. Jaysong turned at the sound of pawsteps sounded nearby and the golden brown deputy watched as Applefrost raced out of the nursery, his green eyes frantic. Then Applefrost spotted the kits and his fur flattened, but he padded over to them with narrowed eyes.
"Great StarClan! I had only gone to check on Squirrelflight and you kits are out here gossiping with our Clan deputy! Your mothers are frantic!" Applefrost snapped, glaring at the group of kits, "I would go in there and tell them you're sorry." Featherkit- her gray head bowed- led the way back to the nursery even though Brook- her real mother- lived in the mountains near the Clans. Once the kits were gone, Applefrost relaxed and meowed, "Kits! Do you remember when we were in the nursery? I remember the day you became an apprentice and Stripepool, Ashgaze, and I tackled Brack- the senior warriors." Jaysong nodded glad that Applefrost knew not to say Brackenfur's name.
"Hey Applefrost, I need some help," Jaysong mewed suddenly, remembering that she was in charge of deciding the eldest kits' mentors. "Firestar asked me to choose Featherkit, Dovekit, and Ivykit's mentors. It's a huge honor, but I'm not sure who to pick. I don't want to be biased and pick my friends." Jaysong glanced towards the warriors' den where Icestorm was talking to Birchfall and Berrynose, her tail twitching back and forth. By them, Millie pushed herself out of the warriors' den, flanked by Hazeltail and Rosestripe. Jaysong wondered if Millie was taking a hunting patrol out even though she hadn't been asked.
"That's a huge honor, Jaysong. Although its odd. Usually the Clan leader decides who should mentor the apprentices," Applefrost paused and then added, "Anyway, I'll be happy to help you. Let's start with Featherkit." Applefrost paused again and continued, "Featherkit is very courageous even for a kit and no cat can deny that she is a true friend. Plus her gray pelt would blend in the mountains well, but not here in the forest so she will have to rely more on stalking. Her pelt is even more conspicuous than Bumblethroat! You're going to need to pick a cat who shares this with her so they can mentor her better."
"Millie?" Jaysong suggested. There was no denial that Millie was a good warrior even though she was born a kittypet. Millie also had a conspicous pelt. Applefrost shook his head and meowed, "I don't think Millie would be the best choice. Featherkit is Stormfur's kit and that makes her kin of Graystripe. I think that would make Millie depressed if she had to mentor her mate's kin. Especially since Stormfur was the kit of Graystripe and Silverstream. I also wouldn't suggest any of Millie's kits since we don't know how they would react to their half-sister. What about Icestorm?" Applefrost then suggested.
"Icestorm?" Jaysong let the thought flood her mind. Icestorm had earned her warrior name before Jaysong was even out of the nursery so she had enough experience to pass on to an apprentice. Also when Jaysong had been given an apprentice, Icestorm didn't show any jealously that a younger warrior had been given the title of mentor before her. Also Icestorm had mentored Brackenspot when Jaysong had gone to the mountains. Turning to Applefrost, Jaysong mewed, "Icestorm would be a good choice. What about if we gave Millie Ivykit?" When Applefrost didn't protest, Jaysong continued, "Now Dovekit."
"You really have to ask me that, Jaysong? The choice is obvious!" Applefrost meowed and Jaysong blinked in confusion. Staring at Jaysong with impatient green eyes, Applefrost explained, "If Icestorm receives an apprentice then surely a warrior who was older than her should deserve one too." Jaysong was still confused. There were plenty of warriors older than Icestorm who hadn't received an apprentice: Birchfall, Berrynose, Cinderheart. Jaysong somehow didn't think it was any of those since none of them were obvious choices. Jaysong looked around camp and suddenly a familiar scent wafted over her. The cat didn't say anything, but it made the choice clearer.
*
"Firestar?" Jaysong called from outside her leader's den. There was a welcoming meow and Jaysong padded in to see Firestar sharing tongues with Sandstorm. Nodding to Sandstorm, Jaysong explained, "I have three mentors I think should train Featherkit, Dovekit, and Ivykit. I'd like to share them with you if its okay." Sandstorm blinked in surprise and Jaysong knew that the senior warrior was thinking the same thing Applefrost had been thinking earlier that day. Why was the Clan deputy choosing mentors for the upcoming apprentices when that was the Clan leader's responsibility? Jaysong was thankful when Sandstorm didn't say anything.
"Go on," Firestar mewed and Jaysong listed off her suggestions, "I was thinking Icestorm for Featherkit. She is a warrior with tons of experience and she also trained Brackenspot when I went to the mountains." Firestar shook his head and meowed, "I was actually thinking of Millie for Featherkit's mentor. She was Graystripe's mate so she has some relationship with Featherkit and also they have the same gray coat." That's what I was saying! Jaysong thought angrily to herself, That just shows how much Applefrost knows. Millie will be a great mentor. Now I just need to pick one for Ivykit... Then the idea came to her.
"Okay, how about Berrynose for Ivykit? He is a good warrior and had a fine mentor in Brambleclaw. Sure he is a little mousebrain sometimes, but which of us isn't? I think having an apprentice would make Berrynose a much wiser warrior." When Firestar didn't protest, Jaysong offered her last suggestion. The one that he helped her with. "I think Dovekit's mentor should be Lionblaze."
*
"Let all cats old enought to catch their own prey gather underneath Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Firestar summoned his Clan. Jaysong sat underneath Highledge, next to Leafpool and Applefrost. Millie, Lionblaze, and Berrynose were all padding around Highledge, their eyes bright with anticipation. There were loud squeals as Featherkit, Dovekit, and Ivykit charged out of the nursery, Whitewing behind them. Although Featherkit was not her kit, Whitewing treated the gray kit just like her own. Bramblepaw and Turtlepaw were seated beside Thornclaw and Brightheart and with a jolt Jaysong remembered that the two apprentices were receiving their warrior names. "It's time for two apprentices to receive their warrior names. I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They tried hard to understand your noble code, and I commend you them as warriors in their turn. Bramblepaw, Turtlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even with the cost of your lives?"
"I do," Bramblepaw meowed. Turtlepaw just nodded. Firestar paused and then continued, "Then by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Bramblepaw, from now on you will be known as Brambleheart. StarClan honors your certainty and faith, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan." Firestar rested his muzzle on Brambleheart's head and the new warrior licked his shoulder in respect. "Turtlepaw, from now on you will be known as Turtleclaw. StarClan honors your endurance and hope, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan." As he did before, Firestar rested his muzzle on the newly named Turtleclaw's head. Cheers bounced off the walls of the camp. Both Brambleheart and Turtleclaw had been popular apprentices.
"Now it is time for Featherkit, Dovekit, and Ivykit to become apprentices for they have reached their sixth moon," Firestar yowled, once the calls of congratulations died down. Jaysong was one of the only cats who realized that Dovekit and Ivykit still had a couple days to go. "Please come here." Featherkit lead the way while Whitewing attempted to give her adopted kit and real kits a couple final licks. "Millie, Graystripe taught you the ways of a warrior. I trust you to teach Featherpaw everything you know."
"Gladly," Millie murmured, padding over to Rosepaw- her half niece- and touching noses. Once they were finished, Firestar continued, "Lionblaze, you had Ashfur as a mentor and trained hard underneath him. I want you to teach Dovepaw everything you learned." Something flashed in Lionblaze's amber eyes, but the golden tabby touched noses with Dovepaw all the same. Now it was Ivykit's turn. "Berrynose, you had Brambleclaw as a mentor and he was a good warrior. If he could see you today he would be bursting with pride. Make Ivypaw an apprentice you can be proud of as Brambleclaw was to you."
Berrynose touched his nose to Ivypaw's and there was pride glimmering in his green eyes. Jaysong was right. Having an apprentice was exactly the thing Berrynose needed.
*
After congratulating Featherpaw, Dovepaw, and Ivypaw as well as their mentors, Jaysong padded into the warriors' den and drifted off into sleep. What felt like a heartbeat later, Jaysong heard someone moving outside the den. Instantly awake, Jaysong slowly got to her paws, not wanting to disrupt her clanmates. Jaysong padded out of the warriors' den and spotted a brown shape hidden in the shadows. Jaysong was about to spring before she recognized Applefrost. "Great StarClan, Applefrost! You gave me a heart attack! What in StarClan's name are you doing?"
"Sh!" Applefrost mumbled and that was when Jaysong realized that the brown tabby had something in his jaws: a tiny gray kit. Jaysong instantly knew whose kit it was. The little thing was a tiny copy of Willowshine. That meant that Applefrost must be the father. Putting down his son, Applefrost explained, "I couldn't sleep so I went into the forest to look for herbs. I was by the ShadowClan border when I heard mewing. It turned out to be this kit!"
"Applefrost, don't lie to me. I know that is Willowshine's kit and I know that you are the father," Applefrost's green eyes widened, but he shook his head. Jaysong was about to snarl something at him when Applefrost explained, "You are right that this kit is Willowshine's, but you are wrong in thinking that this kit is mine. The real father is Flamecloud, but he doesn't know it. There were mates for a very short time and when Willowshine learned that she was expecting kits, they were done. Willowshine felt that she could trust me so she told me that this kit was hers and Flamecloud's. She didn't know what to do when she gave birth so I helped her through it. We aren't mates, but she said that if we were ever found out, she would say I was the kit's father instead of Flamecloud. Willowshine gave birth today."
Jaysong listened wide eyed and then suggested, "I believe you and I will keep your secret. Yours, Flamecloud's, and Willowshine's. Now we'd better get this kit into the nursery. Have you thought of a name?"
"Yes," Applefrost meowed, "This kit will be known as Boulderkit."
