A/N: I really don't know what to say... this is almost the end...

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Chapter 24 | Cleaning Up

The moment Hollypaw and Lightningstar returned to camp, Hollypaw was hugged in a flying tackle by Honeypaw while Lightningstar was smothered in licks by Frostfur. The other warriors streamed out of their dens, chanting, "Lightningstar! Lightningstar!"

Once Honeypaw finally got off of Hollypaw, Frostfur was already telling Lightningstar, "I don't mean to be pushy, Lightningstar, but you've got to choose a deputy before moonhigh and it's already twilight. I can't believe you spent so long at the Starpool!"

"We had… complications," Lightningstar replied. At this, a stab of pain shot through Hollypaw's heart. Would she ever see Swiftbreeze again? Oakfur and Silverflame had implied that Swiftbreeze would return to WaterClan, but the Frost Forest's attack might have left her too weak to return for a long while. Maybe even so long that Hollypaw would be dead by that time.

Honeypaw murmured anxiously, "Who do you think will be deputy?"

Hollypaw tore her thoughts back to the present and let herself be washed in the pleasant talk. "I don't know… Yellowtail maybe?"

"She's a lion though," Honeypaw pointed out. "I'm not sure Lightningstar would make a lion deputy in a Clan of wolves. I mean, all the Clans are all wolves, except for Sandcub." She smiled indulgently at the little she-lion.

"Good point," Hollypaw said, "and it won't be Riverclaw either, since he was suspicious with Frostfur."

Then another apprentice dashed over. Hollypaw's littermate, Dustpaw, squealed, "Lightningstar chose the new deputy and I know who it is!"

"Who is it?" gasped Honeypaw.

"You'll just have to wait and see like everyone else," Dustpaw replied, eyes glittering.

"That's diabolical!" Hollypaw laughed. The three littermates settled down on the flat rocks with fresh-kill in front of them.

Falconpaw climbed up the rocks with a sparrow in his mouth. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all!" Honeypaw quickly told him in an unnaturally high-pitched voice. She let out a nervous giggle.

Falconpaw turned a bright shade of red. "Um…"

"Do you want to sit here?" Honeypaw asked, turning a fiery shade of crimson. She scooted over so she was hanging off the rock, leaving an enormous space for Falconpaw.

He looked even more uncomfortable. "Uh, thanks, but you don't have to, uh… move over so much."

Hollypaw and Dustpaw burst out in cackles. "Oh, you two like each other," Hollypaw laughed, "just admit it."

Honeypaw slipped off the side of the rock onto the ground below, clearly embarrassed.

"I, uh," Falconpaw stammered, looking at Hollypaw's and Dustpaw's faces, "um…" He jumped off of the rock and fled into the apprentice's den.

Honeypaw climbed back onto the rock. "Where'd he go?"

Her littermates couldn't stop laughing.

()()()()

At a few hours before moonhigh, Lightningstar jumped onto Highrock and called, "Let all wolves old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

"I wonder who the deputy will be," Honeypaw commented to Hollypaw, before noticing the diabolical gleam in her littermate's eye. "What are you planning?" Honeypaw asked suspiciously.

"Nothing," Hollypaw said quickly. "Come on, let's sit over here." She steered Honeypaw towards the middle of the crowd of wolves (and two lions).

Falconpaw muttered to Dustpaw, "Why are we going over here?" Dustpaw was steering him towards the center of the wolves.

"There's a better view here," Dustpaw replied vaguely. "Besides, Hollypaw's here."

"She's your littermate, not mine-"

"I'm your friend and she's your medicine wolf. Now shut up and listen to Lightningstar."

The wolves were still getting situated for the first official Clan meeting, so Hollypaw and Dustpaw had plenty of time to execute the plan they'd worked out earlier on the flat rocks.

They sandwiched Falconpaw and Honeypaw together so that they couldn't escape. Falconpaw's littermates helped keep them there; Falconpaw was a very good fighter.

But as he thrashed, he couldn't get out without hurting Honeypaw. "What's going on here?" he demanded.

Hollypaw smiled gleefully. "Falconpaw, this is Honeypaw. You like her."

"Honeypaw, this is Falconpaw. You like him," Dustpaw cackled.

"Now admit it," demanded Hollypaw.

"Same with you, Honeypaw," Dustpaw added.

"I, um…" Honeypaw looked so uncomfortable that Falconpaw announced, "Why?"

" 'Cause everyone's watching," Dawnpaw cackled. Indeed, the whole Clan was watching the apprentice drama instead of Lightningstar.

Falconpaw subtly turned around, and then kicked his captors out with his hind legs.

"We'll get you sometime," Hollypaw giggled like an evil genius, rubbing her front paws together as she flew through the air.

"If all the drama is done," Lightningstar called when the apprentices landed, "it's time for me to announce my choice for deputy."

The Clan waited with bated breath. This would be the point when WaterClan became a real Clan at last, with a leader, deputy, medicine wolf, warriors, queens, and cubs.

Lightningstar puffed out his chest slightly and stepped to the front of the rock. "I say these words before MoonClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice."

The warriors waited eagerly, Falconpaw and Honeypaw's drama forgotten.

"The new deputy of WaterClan is…"

Hollypaw hoped that Swiftbreeze would like Lightningstar's choice of deputy.

"Firefoot."

The camp was silent in surprise for a heartbeat, and all heads turned towards the former IceClan warrior. Then they cheered, "Firefoot! Firefoot!"

"I like Firefoot!" Falconpaw howled in excitement.

"Duh!" Dustpaw laughed. "He was your mentor!"

"Firefoot is a great choice!" Hollypaw commented. "He-"

A sudden howl of pain from Quietrain erupted from the nursery. Hollypaw dashed over and yelled, "The cubs are coming!" Growlthroat raced over to the nursery. Lightningstar looked on.

Lightningstar hurried over to the nursery, but didn't go in. He, of course, was far too terrified to enter (like every male in the Clan).

Growlthroat paced the entrance. His fur rose when he heard a howl of pain from his mate.

Finally, after what seemed like moons, Hollypaw's voice rang out, "The cubs are born!" Growlthroat padded excitedly into the nursery. Lightningstar followed, anxious to see the newest members of his Clan.

Inside, Growlthroat was standing over Quietrain, licking her ears. Two she-wolves and one sturdy male were at her belly. Lightningstar watched as Quietrain murmured, "I think we should name the little male Eaglecub."

Growlthroat nodded and answered, "Good name. I think the she-wolves should be called Lilycub and Duskcub."

Lightningstar whispered, "Congratulations!" Then he ducked through the bramble entrance.

Lightningstar bounded up onto Highrock and howled, "Let all wolves old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock for a Clan meeting!" All the apprentices and cubs looked up, except for the three newborns. Lightningstar said, "Thunderpaw, Stormpaw, Falconpaw, Dawnpaw, Poppypaw, Dustpaw, and Honeypaw, please come here."

The apprentices all bounded up to the base of Highrock.

"It is time for you all to become warriors."

Warriors! thought Honeypaw. She couldn't believe it. The goal of "warrior" had seemed so far away until it had actually happened.

"Although you did not have a final assessment," Lightningstar continued, "you all fought valiantly in the IceClan War and that is enough of an assessment for me." He looked to the apprentices' mentors. "Mentors, have your apprentices fulfilled the requirements in the usual final assessments?"

They all nodded.

"Then the apprentices are ready to become full warriors of WaterClan."

Honeypaw thought, I wonder if Falconpaw will like me more if I have a pretty warrior name.

Lightningstar looked to the bright moon and announced, "I, Lightningstar, leader of WaterClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn."

He looked to the apprentices. "Thunderpaw, Stormpaw, Falconpaw, Dawnpaw, Poppypaw, Dustpaw, and Honeypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

For a second Honeypaw wondered what would happen if she didn't say "I do." It didn't matter, though, since she would. "I do," she vowed.

"I do," echoed Falconpaw.

"I do."

"I do." All the apprentices vowed they would.

"Then by the powers of MoonClan, I give you your warrior names." Lightningstar's voice shook with feeling. "Thunderpaw, you shall be known as Thunderclaw; Stormpaw, you shall be known as Stormstone; Falconpaw, you shall be known as Falconfeather; Dawnpaw, you shall be known as Dawnstripe; Poppypaw, you shall be known as Poppydawn; Dustpaw, you shall be known as Duststorm; and Honeypaw, you shall be known as Honeyfern. MoonClan honors all of your bravery and loyalty, and we welcome you all as full warriors of WaterClan."

They all stepped up to lick Lightningstar's shoulder, and he rested his head on their shoulders.

"Thunderclaw! Stormstone! Falconfeather! Dawnstripe! Poppydawn! Duststorm! Honeyfern! Thunderclaw! Stormstone! Falconfeather! Dawnstripe! Poppydawn! Duststorm! Honeyfern!" the Clan chanted.

I bet Falconfeather likes my name, Honeyfern thought. It's very pretty. She stepped up to Falconfeather and brushed her fur against him, and to her surprise he brushed back.

()()()()

One moon later, as Hollypaw retired to her nest, she was struck with an odd feeling in the dark medicine den. It seemed fuller, somehow. Hollypaw ventured further into the den and smacked into soft fur over hard muscle. Hollypaw's heart inflated. She knew that scent! "Swiftbreeze!" she cried out, overjoyed. She stepped back to let her mentor out of the den.

"Hollypaw," Swiftbreeze murmured, gazing at her apprentice with joy and love.

For heartbeats, the two just stared at each other, enjoying their company. Then simultaneously, they surged forward.

"I missed you so much," Hollypaw sobbed, burying her head into her mentor's soft chest.

"I did too," whispered Swiftbreeze quietly, resting her head on her apprentice's. For a long while, they stood together, until it was past twilight.

They silently stood and walked together into the medicine den, their shared bond between medicine lions and wolves stronger than ever.

Hollypaw began to curl up in her nest, but Swiftbreeze stopped her. "Not right now, Hollypaw." Her eyes shone with happiness. "We're going to the Starpool."

"Right now?" Hollypaw asked, surprised. "What for?"

"It's half-moon," laughed Swiftbreeze, "and it's time to meet with the other medicine wolves." Hollypaw could tell from her eyes that there was something else, but Swiftbreeze was good at hiding her emotions and the usual cool mask she used with the other Clans was slipped on, and Hollypaw couldn't read her.

They trekked up the mountains faster than usual to catch up with the other medicine wolves. However, WaterClan was the closest Clan to the Starpool, as the mountains were just outside their territory. Soon they'd made it to the Starpool, and there was only one medicine wolf who'd gotten there before they had: Dapplepelt, medicine wolf of SnowClan.

"Hello, Dapplepelt," Swiftbreeze greeted smoothly. "Nice to see you looking so well."

Dapplepelt gawked openly at Swiftbreeze for a heartbeat, as she had known that Swiftbreeze was dead. She quickly recovered, however. "Thank you. I see prey has been running well in WaterClan," Dapplepelt returned just as smoothly.

"Yes, it has. I don't know if you have met my apprentice yet. Hollypaw, this is Dapplepelt and Dapplepelt, this is Hollypaw." Hollypaw shyly dipped her head to Dapplepelt.

"Nice to meet you," she said shyly.

"Nice to meet you as well," Dapplepelt returned, smiling at her.

The next medicine wolf to arrive was Willowpaw, also of SnowClan. "Swiftbreeze, Hollypaw, this is my apprentice Willowpaw. She was running late today because of something she had to do."

"Nice to meet you," Hollypaw said shyly.

Willowpaw just smiled, obviously even more shy than Hollypaw.

"I believe none of us have met Hollypaw before," Swiftbreeze said. "It's because we've been traveling to the Starpool in daylight because of IceClan's threat. Luckily, we've defeated IceClan and so it's safe to travel at night now."

The two mentors began talking together, leaving Willowpaw and Hollypaw awkwardly silent. "Um…. Hi, Willowpaw," Hollypaw said awkwardly.

"Hi, Hollypaw," Willowpaw returned even more awkwardly. They lapsed into silence again.

"What's your favorite: deer or 'caow'?" Hollypaw burst out.

Willowpaw looked gratefully at her and said, "Deer, by a mile." Soon the two apprentices were talking normally and enjoying each other's company.

Just then, another medicine wolf arrived: Lilypond of ThornClan, who appeared over the ridge with a ferocious snarl on her face. "Don't expect me to be nice or friendly," she sneered. "I ain't gonna be." She made a rude face at Dapplepelt and then stalked to the other side of the Starpool, where she was hidden in shadow.

"What is her problem?" Willowpaw whispered, aghast.

"I bet she got punished by Claystar for botching her Lightningstar-injury thing," Hollypaw muttered back, "and then confessing it."

Swiftbreeze growled at Lilypond, remembering how badly she'd injured Lightningstar back when they were so weak, they'd had to stay at the Howl Time place.

Gorsepelt arrived soon as well, representing FrostClan.

"Hi, Gorsepelt," Lilypond said conversationally. "Where's your apprentice?"

"Cedarheart had to stay at FrostClan," Gorsepelt replied in a low-pitched, husky tone. He circled to Lilypond's side of the Starpool and didn't talk to anyone.

"Now that we're all here," Dapplepelt called, "I have an announcement to make."

Everyone went quiet to hear her.

"My apprentice Willowpaw is getting her medicine wolf name tonight!"

WaterClan cheered loudly to make up for Gorsepelt's and Lilypond's frosty silence.

Dapplepelt smiled down at her apprentice. "Willowpaw, you've earned this."

"Thank you, Dapplepelt," Willowpaw whispered, looking overwhelmed.

Dapplepelt looked to the bright half-moon and intoned, "I, Dapplepelt, medicine wolf of SnowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine wolf, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons."

As Dapplepelt finished the vows and blessings, Hollypaw thought, I wonder when my turn will be.

"Willowshine!" Swiftbreeze cheered, knocking Hollypaw out of her trance. Hollypaw cheered the new medicine wolf's name. "Willowshine! Willowshine!"

"Finally we can just get on with it," Lilypond muttered.

"But my apprentice also is ready to become a full medicine wolf," Swiftbreeze replied.

Hollypaw was shocked. "Me?" she squeaked.

"Yes, you," Swiftbreeze smiled gently. Her tone turned serious, and she repeated Dapplepelt's words. "I, Swiftbreeze, medicine lion of WaterClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine wolf, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons.

"Hollypaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine wolf, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all wolves equally, even at the cost of your life?"

Hollypaw's voice nearly shook as she made the vow that would shape the rest of her life, but it came out strong. "I do."

"Then by the powers of MoonClan I give you your true name as a medicine wolf. Hollypaw, from this moment forward you shall be known as Hollyheart. MoonClan honors your loyalty and resourcefulness, and we welcome you as a full medicine wolf of WaterClan."

Hollyheart! thought Hollyheart giddily. She really liked her new name. Swiftbreeze rested her head on Hollyheart's shoulder, and she licked Swiftbreeze's head.

"Hollyheart! Hollyheart!" cheered SnowClan. Gorsepelt grudgingly joined in, and with a prod from Willowshine, Lilypond grumbled and joined in too. "Hollyheart! Hollyheart!"

Hollyheart and Willowshine got first licks of the Starpool, as was the custom, and they curled up to sleep as full medicine wolves.

A/N: Sigh... Hollyheart is my favorite character, and I'm really glad she got her name...

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