Wolf and Moon

Chapter 5: Hollyfrost

  Crosswind had told Hollyfrost about the news. More kits! How fun. But none of Crosswind's other litters will be my favorite like her first litter.

Whenever Cherryfang was asking Mooncross out on a walk to tell him something, Hollyfrost sent a message to Mooncross, telling him everything. What he said to Cherryfang about Hollyfrost made her feel bad about choosing Hawkfeather over him, and that Mooncross was the one, but she forced herself to not regret choosing Hawkfeather. Ever since he rejected Cherryfang, he's been quieter than usual. When Hawkfeather was out doing something, Hollyfrost and Mooncross would talk and laugh together, just so that it wouldn't make Hawkfeather jealous if he saw them together.

The night that Thunderstorm and Cloudstar went with Earthpoppy and Diamondpaw to The Star Rock, she and Hawkfeather snuck out of camp and walked to the lake's shore together, watching out for anything that may be listening. The only light around them was the faded light from the moon in the sky and the stars around it. It's nice to be out here alone with Hawkfeather. She wished they could be alone more often.

"I notice that you really enjoy playing with Crosswind's kits. You're really good with them, even though they are about your size," Hawkfeather looked down at her, his eyes sparkling.

"Yes, they are fun to play with. Except that Crosswind always gets jealous that they like me so much," Hollyfrost laughed.

"Since you're so good with kits, maybe you could have some of your own," Hawkfeather looked deeply into her eyes.

"I just don't know how to even raise kits. I'm afraid that many things would go wrong. If I did have kits, I'd want them to have a happy and healthy life. I would just want the best for them, including my mate."

"You're so sweet," Hawkfeather licked her ear. "I'm sure our kits will do just fine."

Hollyfrost felt embarrassed when he said our instead of just your. "They'll be beautiful."

After Hawkfeather and Hollyfrost had some time to themselves, Hawkfeather brought up Thunderstorm and the others going to The Star Rock.

"They're almost there. We could watch the ceremony if you'd like," He laughed.

"Watch? We're not going to The Star Rock and spy on them."

"We don't have to move a muscle," Hawkfeather had the look of mischief on his face. "You can go into my thoughts while I watch them, so then you can see it, too, if that makes any sense."

"I guess so," she focused on him and eventually reached his thoughts. The Star Rock was behind the waterfall where they all had Gatherings at. It was inside of a cave that went underground. The cave was glowing from the reflection of the moon on the puddles of water scattered across the rocky cave-floor. She saw Thunderstorm looking around it with amazement and wonder.

The Star Rock was at the very end of the cave. It was a tall, but skinny stone with a ray of moonlight shining on it. The four cats gathered around the rock and knelt down with the tips of their noses touching the base of the stone. She saw their muscles relax as if they were falling into a deep sleep. But then the image faded away.

"This is all I can see. I can't see into others' minds like you can. So you can go into one of their thoughts and tell me what happened afterwards," Hawkfeather told her. She decided to focus into Thunderstorm's thoughts while Cloudfog received his name and his nine lives. There were many starry, faded figures in front of them. She recognized only one cat: Burngaze. Earthpoppy stepped forward to speak.

"Before we have Cloudfog's ceremony, I would like to make my apprentice an official healer. She has been patient with me and is a very good healer. I know that she is ready."