Jaywatcher's Love [Old, DISCONTINUED]

∆ chapter 18 ∆

The ShadowClan warrior's stomach twisted with fear as she walked up to Redstar.

Hopping onto the Clanrock towards Redstar's den, Jaywatcher was thinking of the worst. What if this is about Leafpaw? Did Cedarfall snitch?

As she passed the mossy entrance, Redstar's eyes said nothing as he settled into his nest.

"What's wrong?" Jaywatcher asked, trying to stop her voice from cracking.

Redstar spoke quietly. "Where have you been going at night?" He asked.

Jaywatcher shuddered silently, her mind whirling for an answer.

"I prefer late-night hunting." She meowed confidently. "It's quieter. I can hear prey better."

Redstar narrowed his eyes as if he didn't believe her, but shook his head and looked at his paws. "Ah, it's just my old mind catching up to me..." He muttered.

Jaywatcher tilted her head, but stayed silent as Redstar peered up at her again. It was only then that Jaywatcher saw that Redstar's paws were shaking and his muzzle was gray with age.

"Is...there anything else you'd like to say?" Jaywatcher prompted the old cat.

"Oh, yes...ThunderClan have been a pain in the tail. I need a spy." Redstar mewed.

"And you want me to spy?" Jaywatcher asked. Spying on ThunderClan sent a shiver down her spine.

"With a friend." Redstar stood shakily and padded out of the den, onto the Clanrock. Jaywatcher padded out too, stepping down from the Clanrock to give Redstar his space.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather at the Clanrock for a Clan meeting!" Redstar rasped.

Jaywatcher stood by the Clanrock silently. What did Redstar mean by 'With a friend'?

Badgerheart left the nursery, her eyes tired. Violetkit, Mousekit, Dewkit and Toadkit all followed, squeaking with excitement.

"It's time!" Violetkit squealed.

"Who'll be my mentor?" Dewkit asked.

"I hope I'm mentored by Mistwind!" Toadkit jumped up and down on his paws.

"Mouse-brain, Mistwind's already an elder!" Scolded Mousekit.

"Now, now...Settle down." Badgerheart sighed, leading the kits to the front of the clearing.

Mousekit sat in the back, with Violetkit, Dewkit and Toadkit all right in front of the Clanrock.

Redstar stooped down to see the four kits. "We have four brave, of-age kits that will become apprentices today."

Redstar rested his gaze on Violetkit. "Violetkit, step forwards."

As her littermates stumbled back, Violetkit scampered forwards. Jaywatcher admired the little she-kit's pride.

"Violetkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Violetpaw. Your mentor will be Sageleaf. I hope Sageleaf will pass down all she knows on to you." Redstar recited the ceremony.

Jaywatcher basically knew the ceremony herself, remembering it from her own apprenticeship.

Sageleaf padded up to her new apprentice, lightly tapping Violetpaw on the nose. The new apprentice's paws were shaking.

Violetpaw and Sageleaf bounded back over to the crowd as Redstar spoke again. "Mousekit, step forwards."

Mousekit nervously padded up, and Redstar smiled fondly at the kit.

"Mousekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Mousepaw. Your mentor will be Pinewhisker. I hope Pinewhisker will pass down all he knows on to you."

Pinewhisker's tail tip twitched in surprise and the senior warrior touched noses with his new apprentices. Mousepaw whispered something to him that Jaywatcher couldn't hear.

"Toadkit. Step forwards." Redstar rasped. Toadkit jumped up and ran forwards, skidding to a stop.

"Toadkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Toadpaw Your mentor will be Ivyberry. I hope Ivyberry will pass down all she knows on to you." Redstar spoke quickly.

Ivyberry looked down at her apprentice with a smile and Toadpaw smiled back up as they both touched noses.

Jaywatcher pondered a quick question. Who would be Dewkit's mentor?

"Dewkit." Redstar's voice mewed. "Step forwards."

Dewkit padded up quickly, his eyes darting around the camp.

Dewkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Dewpaw Your mentor will be Jaywatcher. I hope Jaywatcher will pass down all she knows on to you."

Jaywatcher stifled a mrrow of surprise. She didn't expect that. She'd only been a warrior for 6 moons! She felt a nudge and looked back.

Smokeflame was looking back at her, nudging Jaywatcher forwards to touch noses with Dewpaw.

Jaywatcher snapped back and padded forwards, her paws carrying her to Dewpaw. She bent down and touched her nose to Dewpaw's nose.

Dewpaw looked up at her nervously, and his eyes were shining sadly. "What's wrong?" Jaywatcher asked as they walked back.

"I'm...not gonna see my littermates anymore..right?" Dewpaw squeaked.

Jaywatcher pondered what he said. "You won't...not see them..you'll just not see them very often. It's not that-"

"Dewpaw and Jaywatcher." Redstar's voice echoed. "Come here."

"Did we do something wrong?" Dewpaw stuttered as the two cats padded up the Clanrock and into Redstar's den.

"No. Just wait." Jaywatcher shushed her apprentice.

"I have a mission for you." Redstar mewed.

"Already?" Dewpaw interupted. "I only just got out of the nursery!"

Jaywatcher shushed her apprentice by putting her fluffy tail over his face. "Shush."

Redstar continued. "I'll give you a couple days to learn territory and apprentice duties. Meet me here on the night of the Gathering the day after tomorrow."

Jaywatcher nodded quickly. "Of course, Redstar."

Dewpaw kept silent until they were out of the den and off the Clanrock. "A mission?" He fretted.

"It'll be fine." Jaywatcher assured. "Are you ready to learn the territory?"