Chapter 3

"Thornpaw, have you seen Cloudpaw?" Tinyclaw asked. He had just come out of the fern tunnel and nearly run into Mousefur's apprentice, carrying two mice in his jaws.

Thornpaw balked in shock for a moment, then shook his head and went on his way. Tinyclaw felt annoyance flashing through his pelt. Cloudpaw should have been back ages ago! What was keeping her?

His tail bristled as a thought crossed his mind: What if Bluefur found her? Panic made his heart race, and he hastened to Tigerstar's den. He would tell Tigerstar his decision, then go and look for Cloudpaw. She had been gone too long, and someone had to.

Tinyclaw didn't pause to smooth his ruffled fur at the Highrock. He announced himself and padded inside when he heard Tigerstar's reply. Tigerstar was crouching just where Tinyclaw had left him not long ago – staring at a wall with his great big paws tucked beneath him.

"Tigerstar," Tinyclaw began, dipping his head respectfully, "I thought that Oakheart and Dustpelt would make good mentors."

Tigerstar worked his jaw. He glanced at Tinyclaw, almost staring right through him, it seemed, and then grunted, "Very well." He pushed himself to his haunches.

Tinyclaw felt a wave of disappointment wash over him. Tinyclaw had worked this over so well with Brackenfur, and it seemed like he could have chosen anyone to do it with how elated Tigerstar seemed. Did his choice matter at all, or did Tigerstar just not want to bother?

Despite this, Tinyclaw offered, "Shall I send for them? Oakheart is still in camp, but Dustpelt is out on patrol. Thornpaw just came back and could -"

Tigerstar's eyes widened, glowing with indignation. He interrupted Tinyclaw, growling, "Out of camp?" His whiskers twitched. "How many more warriors are 'out of camp'?"

Tinyclaw uncomfortably went over the patrol schedule for the rest of the day. With each name listed, Tigerstar's eyes widened and one more tooth exposed itself as his muzzle wrinkled. The great tabby warrior's muscles tensed, and his claws were sliding in and out of those big, pale-colored paws.

Swallowing, Tinyclaw finished, "I'm still here – and Oakheart and -"

Tigerstar's eyes flashed with flame. "Don't patronize me! I'm not some kit!" he roared. Tinyclaw shrank back as Tigerstar growled on: "Make sure you stay in camp until the next patrol comes back. We've been attacked twice this past moon, and I won't let the camp be undefended again! In the future I want at least three warriors left in camp at all times. Is that clear?"

Tinyclaw dared not meet Tigerstar's eyes, lest he be burned in them. "Of course, Tigerstar," he stammered.

"When Dustpelt returns, send he and Oakheart to me," Tigerstar snapped. "I wish to speak to them before the ceremony."

"Yes," Tinyclaw agreed, "I will."

"Now go!" Tigerstar snapped, lashing his tail.

Tinyclaw frowned, backing out of the den. He was clearly dismissed, as if his presence here was endangering the Clan. In the shade of the Highrock, Tinyclaw sat on his haunches and licked his fur smooth. What could he do now? Cloudpaw was still out there, with Bluefur possibly prowling at her heels… He couldn't leave, though; not until the patrol came back.

Almost as if his thoughts had summoned them, the thorn tunnel twitched. Runningwind and Dustpelt padded through, looking dusty and paw-sore. Tinyclaw rose to meet them. They must have sent Thornpaw ahead with his mice. Now he could leave the camp and search for Cloudpaw!

"The borders are secure," Runningwind reported as Tinyclaw faced him. "No signs of the other Clans."

"We did smell your apprentice, though," Dustpelt mewed, a grin on his face. "Near Twolegplace."

"Did you see her?" Tinyclaw asked, trying to be as casual as he could.

Runningwind shook his head. Dustpelt chuckled, "She was probably looking for a fat bird in the gardens – seems like that would be her style."

Tinyclaw ignored Dustpelt. To Runningwind he asked, "How fresh?"

"Fairly," Runningwind told him. "We didn't follow it long."

Tinyclaw nodded. At least he had a place to start. If anything, she was probably seeing if Fiona, her mother, was out and about for a chat. Despite my orders to only go and see her with me – ugh! Why won't she listen to me?

"Dustpelt," Tinyclaw meowed, "fetch Oakheart – you two are to see Tigerstar as soon as possible."

Dustpelt frowned, but nodded and padded off to find Oakheart. Tinyclaw watched Oakheart reluctantly leave his kits with the elders to follow Dustpelt to the Highrock. Privately, Tinyclaw wondered if he'd made the right decision – but Oakheart needed something to distract him from his worries. Should I go with them? He wondered. What if Tigerstar isn't himself when they go in?

Before he decided, he spotted Runningwind and Thornpaw heading for the camp entrance. Panic raced through Tinyclaw again – if they left, Tinyclaw would be forced to stay in camp until another patrol returned. "Where are you going?" he wondered, trying not to sound frustrated.

Runningwind flicked his tail. "I promised Mousefur I'd teach Thornpaw how to catch squirrels this afternoon," he replied.

Tinyclaw shut his jaws. He couldn't bring himself to ask Runningwind to stay – Mousefur would be upset, and Thornpaw too. Runningwind and Thornpaw exited the camp, and Tinyclaw sighed heavily watching them. Thornpaw followed Runningwind so respectfully, and Runningwind wasn't even his mentor! Tinyclaw couldn't get Cloudpaw to even respect him!

What's their secret, Tinyclaw wondered, and how can I learn it?

The afternoon dragged on, and darkness colored the sky. Tinyclaw had settled himself just outside the warrior's den to watch for Cloudpaw's return – but as the sky turned a dark shade of blue, there was no sign of her. Tinyclaw was not as afraid for her as he had been before, thanks to Dustpelt's report. Even if it was a jibe, Tinyclaw liked knowing that there hadn't been any immediate threat to Cloudpaw.

The sun was almost gone when the hunting patrol returned, followed by Whitestorm and Swiftpaw, who had probably been drawn out by the smell of fresh-kill. Longtail and Brightpaw returned from hunting shortly afterward, but Cloudpaw was still absent.

As they put their fresh-kill on the pile and left, Tinyclaw saw that the pile was well-stocked. Despite that, no cat dared take food. News of the ceremony had spread like wildfire, and every cat seemed to be waiting for the excuse for a celebratory meal. Thornpaw, Swiftpaw, and Brightpaw had collected together to murmur excitedly about it – until Tigerstar appeared from behind the Highrock, and all went silent.

Tigerstar leaped onto the Highrock in one easy leap. Clearly, he had recovered from his physical wounds – yet his mind was still scarred. Why hadn't that healed as quickly? Tinyclaw didn't know, but he wished it would happen sooner rather than later. Tigerstar's chin was high, but his voice was dry from lack of use as he called the Clan together with the familiar summons.

Tinyclaw's confidence returned slightly as he joined the Clan below the Highrock. His own naming ceremony had been long ago, but he would never forget it – it was, after all, the moment he had officially joined the Clan. Proudly squaring his shoulders, Tinyclaw took the deputy's place just below the Highrock as the rest of the Clan gathered around in its shadow.

Oakheart and Dustpelt were at the front of the crowd, and Tinyclaw passed his gaze over them. Dustpelt was leering, looking upset despite the honor about to be bestowed upon him. Oakheart, on the other paw, looked determined… a lot more like his old self. Perhaps Tinyclaw had made the right decision.

"We are here today to give two kits their apprentice names," Tigerstar began formally. He glanced down at Brindleface, sitting just at the edge of the crowd with her two kits beside her. Both were groomed to a sheen, and excitement shone in their eyes. An expectant hush fell over the crowd.

"Come forward," Tigerstar commanded from above.

The mottled kits, bristling with anticipation, padded forward together. In the center of the clearing, they stood waiting.

"Dustpelt, you will be mentor to Ashpaw," Tigerstar announced.

Dustpelt padded forward to stand beside the mottled tom.

"Dustpelt," Tigerstar meowed, "this will be your first apprentice; share with him your courage and determination. You will train him well, I know, but don't be afraid to look to senior warriors for help."

Dustpelt nodded and touched noses with Ashpaw. They padded back into the crowd together, Ashpaw purring loudly.

This left Ashpaw's sister alone in the clearing, shivering anxiously. Tinyclaw longed to soothe her – but he didn't need to wait long before Tigerstar spoke:

"Oakheart," Tigerstar meowed powerfully, "you will be mentor to Fernpaw."

Oakheart stepped forward, calming the kit with his presence. He looked up at Tigerstar stolidly, and Tinyclaw wondered if they'd talked about anything beyond the mentorship.

"You are intelligent and brave, Oakheart," Tigerstar meowed. "Pass on all you know to this apprentice."

"I will," Oakheart agreed. He bent down to touched noses with Fernpaw. The she-cat seemed nervous at first, but Oakheart's warm gaze soothed her. Together they padded back into the crowd.

The Clan began congratulating the apprentices, gathering around and chanting their names. Tinyclaw joined them, offering good luck to them. As he was about to pad away, he caught sight of a flash of white at the edge of the clearing – Cloudpaw.

Tinyclaw hurried to meet her. "Where have you been?" he demanded.

Cloudpaw dropped the vole that was clamped in her jaws. "Hunting," she grunted back.

Tinyclaw glanced down at the vole – small, and that was all it was. Just a vole. Disappointment flashed through him. "You were gone all this time, and you came back with only a vole?"

"It's better than nothing," she reasoned.

"What about the pigeon?" Tinyclaw wondered.

Cloudpaw frowned. "Didn't you bring that back?" she asked.

"Of course not!" Tinyclaw hissed. "It was your catch – it was your responsibility!"

Cloudpaw sighed. Her tail kinked. "I suppose I'll have to fetch it in the morning, then?"

"Of course!" Tinyclaw meowed, exasperated, "And you can go hungry until you do! You need to learn to have some respect for others – and your prey!" He lashed his tail at the vole. "Put that on the fresh-kill pile."

Cloudpaw only sighed again. She picked up the vole and headed for the fresh-kill pile. Furious, Tinyclaw watched her go. How could she stand to be so blasé? So disrespectful to those who had given her so much?

Whitestorm was by his side a moment later. "She'll learn when she's ready," he offered quietly. "Not every apprentice is the same."

"I hope so," Tinyclaw grumbled. He forced his claws to keep sheathed. If Cloudpaw didn't learn… what would he do?

"Have you decided who will lead the dawn patrol?" Whitestorm wondered diplomatically, changing the subject.

Tinyclaw glanced gratefully at the white tom. He sighed. He'd spent the whole day worrying about Cloudpaw that he hadn't thought about patrols for the next day.

Whitestorm offered mildly, "Take your time."

"It's all right," Tinyclaw stated. "I'll lead it. I'll take Mousefur and Longtail with me."

"Good idea," Whitestorm agreed. "Shall I tell them?" He nodded to the fresh-kill pile, where cats were beginning to gather. Mousefur and Longtail were among them.

"Yes," Tinyclaw meowed, "thanks."

Whitestorm nodded and padded towards the fresh-kill pile. Tinyclaw's own belly growled, but he kept himself back so that every cat could have their deserved share. And yet… Tinyclaw frowned. Within the throng of cats, Cloudpaw was selecting a fat mouse.

Fury flashed over Tinyclaw's pelt. What did I just say to her? He seethed, digging his claws into the dirt. Yet starting a confrontation before the whole Clan would simply make him look foolish – what could he do?

Before he could decide, Whitestorm sidled over to Cloudpaw. He halted her, murmuring something urgently into her ear. Cloudpaw's tail sagged, and she dropped the mouse and sulked off to the apprentice's den, Whitestorm's sandy eyes on her the whole way.

Tinyclaw swallowed his hunger, suddenly not feeling it over the embarrassment that washed over him. What sort of mentor couldn't even get their apprentice to listen to the simplest commands? What Clanborn cat would ever show such disrespect? How could he have confronted her without starting a slew of rumors and snide comments? Shame flooded Tinyclaw. Shouldn't he know how to do all of that by now?

He glanced at Tigerstar. With Graystripe gone, Tinyclaw longed to share his worries with someone – anyone. If there was anyone would could help, it had to be Tigerstar! Yet as he looked at Tigerstar, sitting alone in the shadow of the Highrock with a thrush between his paws, Tinyclaw's heart sank.

The big, bold tom who had given Tinyclaw a home and a place here now looked hunted, his eyes darting this way and that and yet still somehow staying vacant, as if he were looking at nothing. As Tinyclaw watched, Tigerstar got to his paws and left, slipping into his den and leaving the thrush untouched on the ground.