Graystripe heads into the entrance of Bluestar's den. She was right where he left her. Looking at her cave wall, and her blue eyes in a haunted daze.
"Bluestar," he mews, respectfully dipping his head, "I have chosen Darkstripe and Dustpelt to be mentors. They are good warriors and I know they will be up to the task."
Bluestar responds "Okay."
"Shall I notify them when they are back from patrol?" He asks.
Suddenly he regrets saying that, as Bluestar's eyes widen from fear. Her fur stands up and she asks, "How many warriors are gone?"
"Darkstripe, Runningwind, Dustpelt and Sandstorm are on patrol checking our borders. Brackenfur is out hunting now that Yellowfang has declared him healed, with Mousefur, Thornpaw, and Brightpaw. And Longtail is training Swiftpaw and Cloudpaw right now."
"So only you and Whitestorm are the only warriors in camp! We could be attacked at any moment and though Whitestorm is an experienced cat and you an able fighter the queens and elders won't be much help in an attack from Tigerclaw. From now on I want at least three warriors in camp at all times." Bluestar mews, fear laced thick in her mew.
"As you wish." Graystripe meows, dipping his head.
"I will send Dustpelt and Darkstripe to come to your den when they are back so you can tell them the news."
Padding out of the den, he knew Bluestar was fearful, but fearful to the extent of limiting hunting and border patrols that he didn't know. And with so few warriors, the apprentices will have to do extra hunting to help them keep up with Bluestar's stupid rule. But greenleaf is plentiful and prey are usually lax during this time. Feeding off of nuts and berries makes them fat and slow.
Still his pelt prickles with unease. Where was the confident Bluestar he knew? The one who made decisions for herself and for her clan. She never relied so heavily on Tigerclaw, Lionheart or even Redtail when they were deputies. Looking back at the den, he thinks, what does this mean for Thunderclan as a whole? Will Bluestar retire and make him leader sooner than any cat anticipated? Or will she remain in a daze, and make him do all the work?
Knowing Bluestar wouldn't want to retire because of her stubbornness, he sighs and lays down on the grass in front of the warriors den. What will the clan think if Bluestar continues to act like this? The only strong decision she made after Tigerclaw's exile was when she reaffirmed that his kits belonged to Thunderclan and not Riverclan.
Just then he hears the crashing of cats outside the camp entrance. His nose identifies the familiar scent of Sandstorm and her patrol. He springs to his paws in relief. Bluestar won't have to worry about the camp being unguarded.
Bounding to the patrol as he sees Sandstorm's pale ginger pelt, he meows, "How did it go?"
Sandstorm responds, "No trace of the other clans except their scent markers, so it was pretty quiet. And no sign of Tigerclaw either."
Dustpelt growls, "Good thing too. I would have ripped him to shreds for what he's done if we found him."
"Well," he mews, changing the subject, "Dustpelt, Darkstripe Bluestar would like to see you in her den."
As they head towards Bluestar's den, Sandstorm asks, "New apprentices already?"
"That obvious, huh?"
"Well what else would Bluestar want them for?"
"Good point."
Seeing Sandstorm's saddened gaze he mews, "Don't worry, with five kits still in the nursery, Bluestar will be bound to pick you to mentor one of the kits when they reach their sixth moon."
"I know, I know. I just hoped I would mentor Fernkit or Ashkit. To teach them in the ways of the clan…..But it seems I'm always behind you or Fireheart. You got a second apprentice before I got my first."
Sandstorm lashes her tail.
"You won't always be. Besides when I do become clan leader sometime I will be too busy to train apprentices."
"Is that so? I bet Bluestar will choose you to mentor one of Tigerclaw's kits once they come of age," Sandstorm mews, moving closer to him.
"Perhaps, but there's still Snowkit, one of Goldenflower's kits, and my kits."
Sandstorm sighs, "You're right. I shouldn't be worried, but I am. I want to do more for the clan than just being a good hunter."
"And when the time comes I'm sure you'll train your apprentice to take over for you mighty huntress," he teases her, lowering himself to the ground to bow to her.
She smirks, "Of course. I am the best huntress in all of Thunderclan."
"Can the mighty huntress hunt prey as well as she can fight?" He asks, before pouncing on her, catching her unawares. He smirks, and then bounds off before she can react.
"Hey!" Sandstorm mews, racing to catch up to him.
Running out of the entrance, he scrambles up the ravine. The sun high in the sky warming his pelt. Looking over he smiles as Sandstorm races to catch up to him, clearly offended by his surprise attack.
Bounding off once again, he races through the treetops, his paws skimming over the undergrowth. Suddenly he gets bowled over and he gets entangled in a ball of fur with the other cat as they somersault together for a few fox strides.
When they stop, he's lying on top of Sandstorm. Quickly he gets up but still stays over her and grins.
"Well it seems the mighty huntress isn't as good of a fighter as she is a hunter of prey." He teases Sandstorm, his face near hers.
Sandstorm playfully swipes his cheek with one of her forepaws pretending to be offended. He moves to the side and smirks, turning away. Only for Sandstorm to once again pounce on him. Making the somersault for a bit again. But through his strength he manages to pin her down.
"You are too strong for your good." huffs Sandstorm, but there's no anger in her green eyes, only mischief.
"Well, I am Thunderclan's Deputy, it would be wrong of me not to be strong." He states playfully, once again letting go. With Sandstorm once again trying to prove herself.
Their play fighting continues for hours, and he's never had so much fun since being an apprentice. Sandstorm finally manages to pin him down after lots of sparring matches.
"Looks like I finally beat the Thunderclan Deputy," She meows.
"Only because we spared for hours. I'm exhausted."
She scoffs and lashes her tail playfully mewing, "Sure, sure."
Looking up at the sky he realizes the sun is a few fox strides from setting.
"Mouse dung!"
"What?"
"Fernkit's and Ashkit's naming ceremony. It's today before we eat together as a clan. Bluestar should be starting it soon." He scrambles out of her loose grip and quickly begins to groom his pelt.
"Right."
He stops grooming and playfully tells her, "Don't worry I had fun watching the mighty huntress of Thunderclan try and prove herself as a fighter."
Sandstorm butts her head against his fur playfully," And I won."
"Only for one match." He counters, with no anger in his voice, just teasing playfulness.
"Sure." Sandstorm mews, giving him a look that says she doesn't believe him. Flicking his tail he responds, "We should get going."
They race together back to camp, just in time. Bluestar has padded out of her den. She looks more vibrant and alive looking than earlier today. She clears the leap to her post on highrock and lifts up her chin to begin the ceremony.
Sandstorm and him sit together at the front of the clearing and he wonders why Bluestar, being healed of her physical wounds, hasn't been healed of her mental ones. Tigerclaw did present a false persona but they nipped him in the bud before he could do any more harm to Thunderclan.
Her voice sounded cracked and brittle as she yowled familiar words. It eased him somewhat.
He thinks back to Fireheart's own naming ceremony. How his pelt shone and looked like a bright fire. As the clan gathered for the ceremony, he noticed Darkstripe being calm and collected, whereas Dustpelt could not contain the excitement shining in his eyes.
"We are here today to give two kits their apprentice names," begins Bluestar formally, glancing towards where Brindleface sat with her two kits, one on either side of her. Fernkit was lying her head against her mothers fur, whiskers trembling, while Ashkit stood proudly kneading his paws into the ground.
An expectant hush fell on the cats of the clan as they waited for Bluestar to continue the ceremony.
"Come forward," The kits came forward, Fernkit still nervous by the trembling of whiskers, while her brother boldly waked forward. Once they stopped in front of highrock Bluestar continued, flicking her tail, "Dustpelt, you will be a mentor to Ashpaw."
Dustpelt and Ashpaw walked towards each other, noses touching in acceptance at the other. They then together side by side.
"Dustpelt, this will be your first apprentice. Share your courage and determination with him. I know you will train him well, but do not be afraid to turn to the senior warriors for help.
Her gaze then lands on Fernkit.
"Darkstripe," she mews, a glimmer of fear in her eyes. But she blinks the doubt away as she shivers. "You will be mentor to Fernpaw."
Fernpaw's eyes widened as she spun around to see the dark tabby come towards her. Reluctantly Fernkit touches noses with Darkstripe after some encouragement from her mother.
"Darkstripe, you are intelligent and bold. Pass on all you know to this young apprentice."
"Certainly," promised Darkstripe.
He, Sandstorm and the other cats began to crowd the two apprentices and their mentors. Congratulating them and calling them by their new names. Afterwards the clan began to feast on the bounty of prey the hunting party had brought back. He purrs when he sees Cloudpaw talking energetically with the other apprentices as they feast on prey.
Settling down near the clump of ferns with a meaty squirrel, Sandstorm joins him. But his focus is on Bluestar who's haunted look has returned. She meagerly eats some pieces of a small thrush.
Worry grows in his chest as she leaves and returns to her den. Leaving the small thrush mostly untouched.