WARRIORS The Moons of the New Great Battles

Chapter 5

Two moons past, and Moonkit, a white tom-kit, Icekit, and Morningkit reached their six moon. Beechkit, Sweetcloud's kit, who really had been born one day after Alderkit and Morningkit. 

Birchbranch leapt onto Highledge, his voice ringing through the camp, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!"

ThunderClan cats strolled out of their dens, sitting beneath the Highledge with expectant gleams in their eyes at Birchbranch.

"The loss of Flamestar is a terrible tragedy," Birchbranch rasped, unable to keep the sorrow out of his voice, "However, the misfortune happened two moons ago, and we can not wait for him any longer. During his disappearance, I must carry on his duties as well as my own. Let us pray to StarClan that they be merciful to us and return Flamestar safely back to ThunderClan."

"StarClan please return Flamestar back!" the cats chorused, their eyes wide and serious.

"Cats of ThunderClan," Birchbranch choked, his eyes hollow with grief, "Moonkit, Cloudkit, Icekit, and Morningkit have reached their sixth moon and are ready to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you recieve your warrior names, you will be known as Moonpaw, Cloudpaw, Icepaw, and Morningpaw. Your mentors will be..."

Birchbranch turned to Dreamcloud. A wave of sympathy washed over Dreamcloud as she saw the exhausted, distressed deputy, his tail drooping. 

"I would have chosen you to be Moonpaw's mentor," Birchbranch murmured, "I didn't tell you because you're a nursing queen."

"That's okay!" Dreamcloud suggested, "I'm sure my sister Sweetcloud will be delighted if she could nurse Alderkit and Barkkit!"

"And she would be delighted!" yowled Sweetcloud.

Birchbranch raised his head, asking, "Are you sure you want to let your sister take care of your kits, Dreamcloud?"

"Yes!" Dreamcloud's voice was full of emotion as she replied.

"Very well," Birchbranch wheezed, ribs spiking out under his skinny brown frame, "Dreamcloud, Starstream, Frostshade and I am ready to take on more apprentices. We have recieved excellent training from Sparkpelt, Alderheart, Hollytuft, and Twigbranch, and are brave and loyal. We will be the mentors of Moonpaw, Cloudpaw, Icepaw, and Morningpaw."

Dreamcloud, again, felt pity stabbing at herself like a hundred thorns.

"Birchstar!" a cat exclaimed.

"No!" Birchbranch snapped. For the first time in this meeting, he had a fiery blaze in his eyes.

Cats murmured uneasily, staring at Birchbranch, their jaws stretched open, and their eyes wide.

"Have courage. Have faith in StarClan." Birchbranch advised, gazing down at the astonished cats, "They will guide Flamestar back to us safely."

Dreamcloud and Moonpaw touched noses, Starstream and Cloudpaw touched noses, Frostshade and Icepaw touched noses, and Birchbranch and Morningpaw touched noses.

"What are we going to do?" they chorused.