Chapter 58
"Jaysong!" Jaystar was practically tackled by Featherpaw as she padded through the entrance of the camp, Applefrost flanking her. "Jaysong! Or is it Jaystar now? Did you receive your nine lives from StarClan?" Jaystar nodded, feeling slightly surprised that Featherpaw- whose parents were members of the Tribe of Rushing Water- knew so much about the actions of StarClan. Featherpaw is a Clan cat now, Jaystar reminded herself. Featherpaw's parents, Stormfur and Brook, had given their youngest kit to the Clans many moons ago. Dragging herself back to the present, Jaysong watched as Featherpaw gave an excited bounce, mewing, "Cool! I'm going to tell Millie!" There was no need since Featherpaw's loud mews had attracted the attention of almost every cat in ThunderClan. Featherpaw saw all the approaching cats and meowed, "Well I guess Millie already knows now, but I can tell Dovepaw and Ivypaw. The two fleabrains have been asleep since you went to the Moonpool."
Jaystar watched as Featherpaw scurried away and then mewed, "Oh Featherpaw? I think its time you became a warrior. Dovepaw and Ivypaw too. I trust you to tell them and your mentors." Featherpaw's amber eyes glowed with happiness and she scrambled away towards the apprentices' den, her gray fur fluffed out in excitement. Jaystar then noticed her clanmates approaching her. Leafpool was hovering outside her den and Applefrost bounded forward to greet his mentor. The two medicine cats disappeared into their den, flanks brushing slightly. When Jaystar looked up again, she was face to face with Rosestripe.
"Great StarClan, Rosestripe you gave me a fright! How was the Clan while I was gone?" Rosestripe dipped her head in apology to Jaystar's surprise and meowed, "Everything was fine. Daisy gave birth to Thornclaw's daughters, two ginger-and-white kits named Bearkit and Badgerkit. Both of them look like they are going to make great warriors one day. Stripepool is getting huge so I suspect that she should begin to kit any day now. At the moment, Mousewhisker is leading the sunhigh patrol while Lionblaze is out hunting. Cinderheart's hunting patrol just returned a couple moments before you did. I also sent Heavypaw to clean out your den and if she followed instructions there should be a nice plump squirrel for you. She's going to make a good warrior. Did I hear you tell Featherpaw that she, Dovepaw, and Ivypaw are becoming warriors? About time, I'd say. The three of them have been apprentice for nearly seven moons now." Rosestripe glanced around at the other cats surrounding them and mewed, "I guess I'll let you talk to everyone else for a bit."
"Wow, ThunderClan leader," Toadflower mewed from where he was sitting beside Blossomwhisker, his fur brushing hers. Jaystar remembered Flowerpaw request and realized that maybe Toadflower would open his eyes and see that Blossomwhisker fancied him. It pained Jaystar to realize that Toadflower would be moving on from Flowerpaw, but she knew that the StarClan apprentice would want her love to be happy while she was out of his life. At least in StarClan, Toadflower and Flowerpaw would be reunited. As would Jaystar and Blackstar, but that wouldn't be for many seasons and Jaystar had to deal with her new duties as ThunderClan's leader.
*
"Featherpaw, Dovepaw, Ivypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend the Clan even at the cost of your lives?" Jaystar watched with satisfaction as Featherpaw, Dovepaw, and Ivypaw all nodded. "Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names. Featherpaw from now on you will be known as Featherfoot. StarClan honors your courage and friendship, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Jaystar rested her head on Featherfoot's and felt the new warrior give her shoulder a respectful lick. Jaystar then turned to Dovepaw, "Dovepaw from now on you will be known as Dovewing. StarClan honors your love and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Like Featherfoot, Dovewing licked Jaystar's shoulder. "Ivypaw from now on you will be known as Ivypelt. StarClan honors your serenity and reliability, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Jaystar did the welcoming ceremony once more and then stood back while her Clan welcomed their new warriors.
"Featherfoot! Dovewing! Ivypelt! Featherfoot! Dovewing! Ivypelt!" ThunderClan chorused and once the crowds fell silent, Jaystar waved her tail to gather her clanmates attention. Seeing that every pair of eyes were on her, Jaystar meowed, "Before we all are dismissed from this meeting, I must appoint a new deputy." Jaystar had thought long and hard about her decision, knowing that it might affect all the Clans by the lake. After some thought there was one clear choice of a cat who had helped Jaystar when she needed it. True the cat had made mistakes, but which cat hadn't? Jaystar knew that the lesson of the world was to learn forgiveness and to try and forget so that was what she was doing with this cat. "I say these words before Firestar so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice. Rosestripe will be the new deputy of ThunderClan." As she said Rosestripe's name, Jaysong wondered if Firestar really did approve.
Rosestripe ducked her head in embarrassment as her clanmates called out her name just as they had the new warriors. Once the cheers of approval died down, Rosestripe took a step forward and vowed, "Thank you, Jaystar. I never expected to receive this high honor. I promise you that I will fight to save ThunderClan or die trying!" All the cats yowled in approval and Jaystar nodded, accepting Rosestripe's words. The only cat who looked disappointed by Jaystar's choice was Stripepool who had never gotten along quite well with Spiderleg's daughter. Stripepool always had said that Rosestripe didn't like seeing her father with another mate, but as Jaystar watchede her new deputy greet her clanmates, she thought that her sister may be wrong.
