This chapter doesn't really have Nightfrost's point of view.
From Kits to Apprentices
As Fireheart crossed the clearing, he saw Graystripe emerge from the warriors' den with Ravenwing and approach the fresh-kill pile. Darkstripe overtook him before he reached it and shouldered him aside to snatch up a rabbit. Dustpelt, already choosing his own meal, gave Graystripe a hostile glare and the gray warrior hesitated, unwilling to go any closer until the other two warriors had withdrawn to the nettle patch to eat. Ravenwing meowed to Graystripe.
Quickening his pace, Fireheart came up beside his friend. "Ignore them," he muttered. "They keep their brains in their tails."
Graystripe flashed both of his friends a grateful glance before picking a magpie out of the pile. Ravenwing choose a mouse.
"Let's eat together," Fireheart suggested, choosing a vole and leading the way to a sunny patch of ground near the warriors' den. "And don't let those two worry you," he added. "They can't stay hostile forever."
Graystripe did not look convinced, but he said nothing more, and the three warriors settled down to eat. Across the clearing, Tawnykit and Bramblekit were playing with Willowpelt's three kits and Redkit, his icy-blue eyes playful. Fireheart couldn't help but note the eyes were just like his brother's.
"I can't get over how much that kit looks like his father," meowed Graystripe after watching them for a moment.
"Just so long as he doesn't behave like his father," Fireheart replied.
"It must be time he was apprenticed," remarked Graystripe. "He and Tawnykit are older than—" He broke off, and a distant, sorrowful expression clouded his amber eyes.
"Yes, it's time I was thinking about mentors," he agreed. "I'll ask Bluestar if I can mentor Bramblekit myself. Who do you think would—"
"You'll mentor Bramblekit?" Graystripe stared at him. "Is that a good idea?"
"Why shouldn't I?" Fireheart asked, feeling his fur start to prickle. "I haven't an apprentice, now that Cloudtail has been made a warrior."
"Because you don't like Bramblekit," retorted Graystripe, with Ravenwing nodding. "I don't blame you, but wouldn't he be better off with a mentor who trusts him?"
"My mind's made up," he mewed curtly. "I wanted to ask you who you think would be good for Tawnykit."
"You know," Ravenwing started, licking his muzzle. "I've been thinking I should mentor Tawnykit."
"What?!" Both Fireheart and Graystripe mewed loudly, surprised. "You were scared stiff back at Sunningrocks."
"I was going to face Tigerstar sooner or later anyway. I know I coudn't help but to freeze at the time. That was where Redtail was killed by Tigerstar. Isn't that why you sent me for help instead of Swiftfoot or Cloudtail, Fireheart?"
Fireheart could only nod. The orange deputy can remember how still his friend was before the battle happened
"Then all the more reason not to-" Graystripe started but was stopped by Ravenwing continuing.
"Tigerstar is the leader of Shadowclan, and while he does have to worry about his clan's 'well-being'...He's going to attack Thunderclan in some way. I'll have to be ready when the time comes."
"You want to mentor Bramblekit?" asked Bluestar. Fireheart stood in her den. He had just raised the question of the new apprentices, suggesting that they should hold the naming ceremony at sunset.
"Yes," he mewed. "And Ravenwing to mentor Tawnykit."
"Fireheart, you are one of the only two cats I can trust in this clan. But I must ask, why are you training a traitor's son?" Bluestar asked with an edge in her mew.
"It's for the clan's loyalty, Bluestar," Fireheart meowed carefully.
Bluestar signed. "Loyalty. Just where is loyalty in this group of rogues?" Bluestar asked, almost to herself.
"Bluestar, Thunderclan is still a clan and we will follow you to the end. You are still our leader," Fireheart mewed, trying to assure her, "Tigerstar was the only one to have ever gone against you."
"No, I do not trust them, only you and Whitestorm, Fireheart. Only you and Whitestorm," Bluestar repeated, shaking her head. Fireheart blinked and dipped his head, knowing he cannot help his leader anymore then what he already has.
Goldenflower came out of the nursery, flanked by her two kits, both well groomed. Tawnykit's ginger fur glowed like a flame in the dying sun, and Bramblekit's dark tabby pelt had a glossy sheen. As they approached the Highrock, Tawnykit bounced around with excitement, but Bramblekit seemed calm, padding forward with his head and tail held high.
Bluestar called both kits forward to stand beside her at the foot of the Highrock, looking more alert than usual.
"Ravenwing," she began, "Fireheart tells me that you are ready for your first apprentice. You will be mentor to Tawnypaw."
Looking nearly as excited as his new apprentice, Ravenwing stepped forward, and Tawnypaw ran up to meet him. "Ravenwing," Bluestar continued, "you have shown yourself to be a warrior of loyalty and dedication. Do your best to pass on these qualities to Tawnypaw."
Ravenwing and Tawnypaw touched noses and withdrew to the side of the clearing, while Bluestar turned to Fireheart.
"Now that Cloudtail is a warrior," she went on, "you are free to take on another apprentice. You will be mentor to Bramblepaw."
Bramblepaw padded toward his mentor, and Fireheart went to meet him in the middle of the circle of cats.
"Fireheart, you have shown yourself to be a warrior of rare courage and quick thinking," meowed Bluestar, her eyes narrowed, questioning. "I'm sure that you will pass on all you know to this young apprentice."
Fireheart bent his head to touch noses with Bramblepaw. As he led the new apprentice back to the side of the clearing, near where Nightfrost is. The black tom could hear Bramblepaw asking excitedly. "What do we do now, Fireheart? I want to learn everything—fighting and hunting and all about the other Clans…."