Clans of the Forest:1: Stone and Silver (COMPLETE)

Chapter 22

Stonevoice pounced, sending all of her might down on the mouse. She killed it quickly with a nip and carried it over to Wishpool, who had a starling between his jaws. He nodded briefly at her and started walking back in the direction of the camp.

It had been about a half-moon since the gathering, and everyone was growing used to having Wickedstar as the BlizzardClan leader, although his name sounded frightening, he was actually quite kind to the other Clans and avoided fights when he could. Still, there was something off about the story of his making as leader. It was kind of strange that just-poof!-Wonderstar and Shineleaf mysteriously disappeared into the night, Youngtooth and Sunpaw soon following. A thought was creeping into Stonevoice's mind, she tried her hardest to force it out, she couldn't.

What if they had been driven out?

It was horrible, but strangely, it was believable. After everything Pinebreeze had done . . . Wickedstar was her mate, after all, he would do anything she told him, right? But this random theory had little evidence to back it up. What was their motive? Why were they doing this? Those were not easily answered questions, and Stonevoice longed to ignore the terrible foreboding inside her. All of this was happening too fast.

The ForestClan camp came into view ahead, and Stonevoice dropped her trail of thoughts and instead focused at the task at hand. When nothing could be done about BlizzardClan's mystery, it would be best just to fight and defend her Clan, not go rushing off to wild conclusions. Still, she decided to be wary.

She dropped her mouse on the fresh-kill pile, and walked over to the warriors den. "Silverpelt?" She called, poking her head inside. "Silverpelt?"

Her cousin lifted his head and turned to her. "Hi," He said, turning around. "What's up?"

"The sky," Stonevoice mewed teasingly. She padded over to him and curled up beside him, enjoying his warmth. She rested her head on her paws and closed her eyes.

"How was hunting?" Silverpelt asked casually, flicking his ear tips. 

"Good enough," Stonevoice responded lazily, her eyes still closed. "I caught a mouse and Wishpool caught a starling. Firefly didn't catch anything, but she did find some bright-eyes."

"Nice," Silverpelt murmured drowsily.

"Stonevoice! Silverpelt! Bluestar wants to see you!" Stonevoice lifted her head. Summerfruit was standing in the entrance, looking excited. 

"You hear that, Silverpelt?" Stonevoice asked, nudging her cousin. "Bluestar wants to see us!"

"Yay," Silverpelt mewed unenthusiastically. He got to his feet and stretched, yawning. Then he followed Stonevoice out of the cave. They walked across the clearing to the leader's den. What did Bluestar want with them? Had they done something wrong? Stonevoice felt nervous. 

"May we come in?" She asked cautiously, as if a bear we about to come out and get her. Behind her, Silverpelt paced nervously, tail swishing.

"Come in." Bluestar's voice called, echoing around the tunnel walls, and Stonevoice and Silverpelt pushed aside the brambles and stepped into the tunnel.

Bluestar's den was under the Highstone, enterance hidden by brambles. In order to reach it, one must walk through a short, underground tunnel. It reminded Stonevoice of the tunnels inside Mothermouth, and she let out a shiver and began walking. It was a short walk, and soon they were in the same chamber as Bluestar, a large chamber with tunnels that spread out in all directions. A small stream trickled past the leader's nest, disappearing down a tunnel.

Bluestar was sitting beside the stream, looking in. "You came," She mewed, not looking up. "Congratulations," 

"Congratulations?" Silverpelt asked, obviously shocked. "I thought we were in trouble!"

Bluestar looked up, and Stonevoice saw amusement written all over her face. "In trouble? No, the opposite. I was wondering if you would like to mentor Icekit and Snowkit."

Stonevoice was taken aback. "Really?" She asked. "Really mentor an apprentice?"

Bluestar nodded. "Really. Do you accept?" 

Stonevoice could feel her heart pounding, but in excitement and joy, not fear. "Really? Of course!"

Bluestar turned to Silverpelt. "You?" She asked.

Silverpelt nodded eagerly. "It would be an honor," He mewed, trying to sound very mature.

"Good," Bluestar mewed, getting to her feet. "I'll make the announcement now." She padded along the tunnel and out of sight.

Silverpelt and Stonevoice looked at each other excitedly, and then dashed after her.

. . .

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Hightstone for a Clab meeting!" Bluestar called, and Silverpelt and Stonevoice sat up front, glancing at each other happily. Icekit and Snowkit stumbled from the nursery, with Icetail right behind them, grooming Snowkit's back and tail. Rainstorm came out behind her.

Waterfall emerged from the elder's den, settling near the entrance probably not want to walk that far do to her inactive hind legs. Barkclaw and Summerfruit sat down together, Wishpool and Rivereye behind them. After everyone was gathered around, Bluestar spoke.

"Cats of ForestClan," Bluestar mewed, "Icekit and Snowkit have reached the age of six moons, and it time that they are made apprentices. Icekit, step forward." The white she-cat took a step closer to the Hightstone. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Icepaw. Silverpelt, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You received excellent training from Firefly, and you have shown yourself to be smart and fast. You will be the mentor of Icepaw. I hope you can train her to be just an excellent warrior as you. Snowkit, step forward." Snowkit, trembling, walked up. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Snowpaw. Stonevoice, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You received excellent training from Moonbeam, and you have shown yourself to be fierce and brave. You will be the mentor of Snowpaw." Bluestar leapt down, and the apprentice touched noses with their mentors. Stonevoice felt joy streaming through her. She had an apprentice!

"Icepaw! Snowpaw!" The Clan began chanting, their voices ringing in the air. Stonevoice turned to her apprentice.

"So, I have a few options on what to do first. Do you want to do a territory tour, collect moss, of begin basic hunting moves?"

Snowpaw paused, his head tilted. "I want to collect moss," He mewed, surprising Stonevoice.

"Really?" She asked.

"Really," He responded. "Why? Is there something wrong with that?"

"No, not at all," Stonevoice mewed quickly. "Follow me." She lead him out of camp and to the moss hollow, where she paused. "This is how you do it," She mewed. "You dig your claws under the moss, and pull it off that way. That way it comes off clean." She demonstrated. "You got that?"

But Snowpaw was already trying, pulling off an almost neat piece. "Is that good?" He asked, looking up at Stonevoice.

"That was great!" She responded."Here, try this."

After collecting a little more moss, they picked it up and headed home.