The Ebony Jury (Warriors, Book 2)

Chapter 6

Hauntedpaw stared at Flamestar. He was sitting on Highrock, his orange pelt glowing in the sunlight. A day had passed since the attack. After Flamestar had managed to take a life from Boldstar, the cats had retreated. Hauntedpaw had recieved a scar on his neck and shoulder. The medicine poultice stung like fury. Flamestar had recently called a Clan meeting, and was speaking now.

"Bubblepaw, Darkpaw, Ironpaw, Willowpaw, and... Hauntedpaw, fought well in the battle," Flamestar was mewing. "I hereby name them Bubbleheart, Darkfur, Ironfur, Willowshade, and Hauntedmind."

Not many cats cheered for Hauntedmind. Hauntedmind blinked at Flamestar. I'm a warrior now. But whats that has to do with anything? I'll always be labled as a killer. Just because of my mother.

He felt Treepaw nudge him. "Hey, don't look so sad." She purred.

Hauntedmind smiled. "All right. I think this makes sense, though. I do have a lot of nightmares. Fitting name."

Treepaw's whiskers twitched. "Well, Hauntedmind, I do believe you have a vigil to be on." She said, changing her voice to a formal, Emberstep-like voice.

"Oh, my pleasure." Purred Hauntedmind. He looked over to Bubbleheart, Darkfur, Ironfur, and Willowshade, who were already gathering at the exit. Blinking gratefully at Treepaw, Hauntedmind joined them.

***

A couple of moons had passed since that day.

Good news had happened, however. The five kits had been apprenticed; Sandpaw and Echopaw to Treepool, the new medicine cat, since Emberstep had died of starvation after the hard leaf-bare, Blackpaw had been given to Flowerpelt, and, suprisingly, Flamestar trusted Hauntedmind with Whitepaw.

Now Hauntedmind led his apprentice across the territory for the second day out.

"This is the Great Sycamore." Hauntedmind told Whitepaw, flicking his tail towards the tall tree. Its bark was pale, with only a few branches sticking out of it. The leaves on top were just growing back, no more than buds or some clinging dead leaves. "There is good squirrel hunting here, but never climb too high." He warned, trying his best to sound like a mentor.

Whitepaw nodded and they continued along the trail, the cold yet warm sun beating down on their pelt. Wind twitched their whiskers and ruffled their fur as they navigated their way to a small patch of dirt with not much undergrowth or trees to block the wind. Beyond it was the wretched thunderpath. The yellow and white streaks were slowly chipping away, meaning twolegs were going to come soon with their strange, thick liquid. Even beyond that was Twolegplace, which might as well be KittypetClan. Twolegs mostly stuck in their houses there, but sometimes patrols could see them walking or cats sitting on fence posts. Or waisting their time pouncing on birds only to let them go.

"This is the thunder-" Started Hauntedmind, only to be interrupted by the loud boom of a monster. It zoomed past, its round legs rolling on the ground, and in only a short second, it was gone. "-path." Finished Hauntedmind.

"What was that?!" Whimpered Whitepaw. His shaking legs seemed to make the whole ground tremble.

"Thats a monster. They never leave the path, and twolegs get in their belly and they take them places." Hauntedmind said. When Whitepaw looked at him like he was insane, he added, "I have no idea why, though. Any creature sane enough to be scary, imprison cats, and walk, should know not to allow themselves to get eaten by a metal monster."

Whitepaw giggled. "Your funny, Hauntedmind."

I am? Thought Hauntedmind, grinning. In what universe?

They continued the tour, Hauntedmind showing Whitepaw the best spots to find mice, where they learned night hunting, and finally, they arrived at the Sandy Hollow. "We'll train here," Explained Hauntedmind.

Whitepaw pirked up. "Now?"

Hauntedmind's whiskers twitched with amusement. "I think you should get yourself a nest and have a good night's sleep." He advised, pointing his muzzle towards the setting son.

"Oh," Whitepaw mewed. "Good idea."

***

Hauntedmind poked around through the pines, searching for a flower called the persian violet. It grew under pine trees. Hauntedmind brushed some dead leaves aside with his tail. Nothing. Then, a flash of purple caught his eyes. He jerked his head towards it, letting out a purr of delight as he spotted the violet bush. Three little flowers grew on it, small stems sprouting from the dirt, pushing their way through a few leaves. Hauntedmind stepped over the other plants and flowers, then knelt down and picked a violet up from the stem. He lifted it up triumphantly, then began to weave through the undergrowth and back to camp.

He skidded quickly past the edge of the Sandy Hollow, and after a few more paces, he was gazing into the entrance of the ThunderClan camp. He trotted in casually, until he burst back into sunlight. It beat down on his pelt and made him realize; greenleaf was almost here.

Hauntedmind looked around. Whitepaw was joining his apprentice group, and they were chatting and giggling. Freckletail was laying by the elders' den, eating prey with the senior warriors. And- Flowerpelt! The pretty molly was laying by the warriors' den, grooming herself. This is my chance!

Taking a deep breath, Hauntedmind approached the silver she. She immediatly looked up from her grooming. "Hey, Hauntedmind! Whats up?" She asked.

"Well, I-" Stammered Hauntedmind. You can do this. "I brought you a flower, and I was wond-"

"Hauntedmind! Hauntedmind!"

The mew came from Whitepaw, who was bounding across the clearing. "Will you teach me hunting tommorow? Blackpaw caught a squirrel! I want to beat him in our prey competion!" Flowerpelt nuzzled Hauntedmind. "See to your apprentice. I won't get in your way." She murmered.

***

Dreams drifted into Hauntedmind's sleep as easily as a turtle coming out of its shell. He was dreaming of chasing prey in a clearing, besides Flowerpelt. Their pelts brushed against each other as they darted through soft grass. Flowerpelt started to stand on her hind paws a little, then she leapt. Hauntedmind followed her, pouncing on the rabbi-

It all went dark.

Hauntedmind blinked again. Light seeped into his vision. "Flowerpelt?" He called, looking for the pretty silver tabby.

Suddenly, Hauntedmind's paws stepped on something damp and fluffy. He looked down to see the bloody body of a silver tabby, their wonderful blue eyes open. "Flowerpelt..." Gasped Hauntedmind.

He jolted awake.

FLOWERPELT? His mind immediatly raced.

Hauntedmind looked around the den he was in. The warriors' den. It had been only a nightmare. As he glanced over to the otherside of the den, Flowerpelt's silver flank was rising and falling softly. None of that was real. Hauntedmind realized, setting his head back down on his soft moss nest. Flowerpelt is safe. It was just a dream...