Hollystar's Rise

Prologue

*This chapter is mostly of the words of Arc 3, Dark River. Things begin to go my own way at the bolded Kaomoji*

"Intruder!" Mosspelt yowled from the tree-bridge.

Graymist instantly began herding her kits back to the island clearing. Hollypaw stiffened, scenting the air.

ThunderClan!

Hope fluttered like a bird in her chest. She strained to see through the drizzle. The dawn patrol was circling a cat on the far shore. Squirrelflight! She recognized her mother's pelt and felt the same surge of excitement she used to feel when, as a kit, Squirrelfight returned to the nursery after a spell in the warriors' den.

"You'd better come with me," Mistyfoot growled. She turned and padded back along the causeway. Hollypaw leaped after her, forcing herself not to race past the RiverClan deputy. Her paws fizzing, she trotted onto the island and followed Mistyfoot to the clearing.

Pebblepaw bounded from the undergrowth. "She's come to get Hollypaw!"

Behind him, the ferns rustled and Squirrelflight padded calmly into the clearing, flanked by Mosspelt and Beechfur. Hollypaw tensed. Squirrelflight was alone. Would Leopardstar let them leave together? She glanced nervously toward the Great Oak and saw Leopardstar squeeze out from her makeshift den among the roots. The RiverClan leader was staring at Squirrelflight; Hollypaw could see uncertainty in her eyes and her golden pelt pricked along her spine.

"Leopardstar." Squirrelflight halted in front of the RiverClan leader and dipped her head. "I have come to fetch one of our apprentices."

Hollypaw wanted to race forward and brush muzzles with her mother, but Squirrelflight hadn't even looked at her yet. She was staring steadily at Leopardstar. "I believe she staryed into your territory."

"Strayed!" Leopardstar widened her eyes in disbelief. "She came to spy!"

Hollypaw's ears burned. "I only wanted to help!" The words burst out before she could stop them.

Squirrelflight swung her head around and glared at her. Hollypaw shrank back.

Around the clearing, the RiverClan cats were watching, muscles tense, tails twitching.

"She is only an apprentice, Leopardstar," Squirrelflight meowed. "She lacks the good judgement that I hope will come with experience. I promised she'll be punished for breaking the warrior code, but ThunderClan can't allow her to remain here." Her mew was firm, the politeness only thinly masking an unspoken threat. Would ThunderClan really fight to bring her home? Hollypaw flexed her claws nervously. She couldn't believe she might end up causing a battle after all this. 

Leopardstar's shoulders stiffened as she met Squirrelflight's gaze.

( •̀ ω •́ )✧

Wait, do I really want to go back home though? Hollypaw thought suddenly. 

"Wait!" She uncontrollably shouted right before Leopardstar was about to speak. "I-I-I wish not to go back to ThunderClan. I kind of like life here. In the past two sunrises, I've been able to kind of adapt to it. I don't want to go back to ThunderClan."

Squirrelflight looked as if a statue, frozen in shock. "But we're your family- your home!" Squirrelflight began to cry hidden tears.

"Please let me stay. Leopardstar?" Hollypaw looked hopefully to the golden leader. 

The she-cat looked down onto the apprentice. "We do need new warriors- and all warriors start as apprentices..." Leopardstar thought for a second and then looked back up. "Alright. I will allow you to live in RiverClan as long as you help out as much as you can. And you must be loyal."

Hollypaw grinned excitedly. "I won't let you down, Leopardstar." The black she-cat noticed Squirrelflight soon walking back to the tree-bridge, looking defeated. 

"Anyways, I guess we need a mentor for you," Leopardstar began, soon straightening up. "All cats old enough to swim, please gather beneath The Great Oak for a clan meeting!" At this yowl, cats from all places walked over to the Great Oak.

"As you all know, Hollypaw now has decided to join RiverClan. I must issue a mentor for her as well," Leopardstar seemed to search the clearing and soon continued. "Her mentor will be Rippletail. I wish you the best of luck with your first apprentice."

She then jumped down, signaling that the meeting was over. Hollypaw noticed a dark gray tabby next to her suddenly, "Well, I guess we should work on swimming first, seeing that you ovbiously already know the territory." Hollypaw gave a small, curt nod after he said this.