CHAPTER 4

A shocked silence came from the Clan so you could hear every heartbeat.

Sootfur staggered slightly. His whole side glistened wet with blood that flowed from the deep gash on his side. "We m-m-met five WaterClan warriors beside the river, not far from Sandy beach." He went on, "Lionstorm was among them."

"Lionstorm!" Berryfur gasped. "He is the WaterClan deputy. He's one of the greatest warriors in the forest. Lucky, Sootfur! Wish it could have been me. I'd have really-" Berryfur got silenced by a fierce glance from the old gray she-cat who had sensed Sootfur's return.

Heatherfur turned her attention back on Sootfur.

"Nightfire warned Lionstorm to keep his hunting parties off of DawnClan territory. He said the next WaterClan warrior to be found on DawnClan territory would be killed, but Lion…. Lionstorm did not and would not back down. He said his Cl-Cl-Clan had to be fed whatever we threatened." Sootfur paused to wheeze for breath. He was still bleeding heavily, and he staggered awkwardly to stay up.

"That was when the WaterClan cats attacked. It was hard to see what was happening for the fight was vicious. I saw Lionstorm had pinned down Nightfire, but Nightfire…" Suddenly Sootfur's eyes rolled into his head and lurched sideways. He scrambled off the Dawnrock and collapsed on the ground below.

A golden-brown queen rushed over toward him and crouched at his side. She licked his cheek then called out, "Dustpelt!"

Out of the branch shaded corner trotted the hansom gray tom Heatherfur had seen beside Berryfur. He bounded over to Sootfur's side and meowed for the queen to stand back. Then he used his pink nose to turn Sootfur over to examine the wound. He glanced up and meowed, "It's alright, Thornheart, his wounds aren't fatal. But I'll need to fetch some cobwebs to stop the bleeding."

As Dustpelt sprinted back to his den, the hushed silence in the clearing was broken by a mournful howl. Every eye turned in the direction it had come from.

A massive black cat staggered through the entrance tunnel. Between his sharp teeth the warrior held no prey, but the lifeless body of another cat. He dragged the tattered cat into the center of the clearing.

Heatherfur craned her neck and glimpsed a flash of a light gray paw hanging limply in the dust.

Shock rippled through the Clan like a chill breeze. Beside Heatherfur, Berryfur dropped into a crouch as grief swept over her. "Nightfire!"

"How had this happened, Jayfeather?" Flamesky demanded from his position on Dawnrock.

Jayfeather let the scuff of Nightfire's neck fall from his mouth. He looked steadily at Flamesky. "He died with honor, struck down by Lionstorm. I couldn't save him in time, but I managed to take Lionestorm's life while he was still gloating over his victory." Jayfeather's voice was calm and deep. "Nightfire's death was not in vein, for I doubt we'll see WaterClan hunters on our territory again."

Heatherfur glanced at Berryfur. The apprentice's eyes were dark with sadness.

After a moments pause, several cats padded forward to lick Nightfire's bedraggled fur. As they groomed they purred hushed phrases to the dead warrior.

Heatherfur whispered into Berryfur's ear. "What are they doing?"

Berryfur didn't take her eyes off the dead warrior as she answered. "Nightfire's spirit has gone off with SkyClan. They are sharing tongues with him one last time."

"SkyClan?" Heatherfur echoed.

"It's a Clan of heavenly spirits that watch over us. You can see them in Silverpelt."

Heatherfur was even more confused, and Berryfur continued, "Silverpelt is the band of stars you see every night stretching across the sky. Each star is a SkyClan warrior. Nightfire shall be among them this night."

Heatherfur nodded. Berryfur stepped forward to share tongues with the dead warrior.

Flamesky had remained silent while the first few cats came up to pay their respect. Now he leaped off the Dawnrock and slowly walked up to Nightfire. The other cats quickly retreated and watched their leader crouch down to share tongues with his old comrade.

When he finishes he raises his head and spoke. His voice was low and think with grief, and the Clan listened in silence. "Nightfire was a brave warrior. His loyalty to DawnClan could never be doubted. I always relied on his judgment, for it bore witness to the needs of the Clan, and was never swayed by self-interest or pride. He would have made a fine leader."

Then he lowed himself onto his belly, his head bowed, his paws stretched neatly before him, and silently he grieved for his lost friend. A few other cats came and lay down beside him, their bowed head and hunched backs copying his mournful pose.

Heatherfur watched. She had not known Nightfire, but she couldn't help feeling moved as she witnessed the Clan morn.

Berryfur came and stood beside her again. "Hazelfur will be sad," she remarked.

"Hazelfur?"

"Nightfire's apprentice, that cream cat over there. I wonder who his new mentor shall be?"

Heatherfur glanced over at the tom who squatted near Nightfire's body, staring unseeing at the ground. Heatherfur looked past him to the Clan leader. "How long will Flamesky sit with him?" she asked.

"Probably all night," replied Berryfur. "Nightfire was his deputy for many moons. He won't want to let him go too quickly. He was one of the best warriors! Not as big and powerful as Lilyflower or Jayfeather, but quick and clever."

Heatherfur look over at Jayfeather, admiring the strength that swelled in his powerful muscles and broad head. His massive body showed signs of his warrior life. One of his ears was split into a vee shape, and a thick scar sliced the bridge of his nose.

Suddenly Jayfeather stood up and stalked over to Sootfur. Dustpelt was crouching beside Jayfeather's wounded apprentice, using his teeth and front paws to press wads of cobweb onto his side wound.

Heatherfur leaned toward Berryfur, "What's Dustpelt doing?"

"Stopping the bleeding. It seemed like a nasty cut. And Sootfur seemed really shaken up. He's always been a bit jumpy, but I've never seen him this bad before! Let's go and see if he's woken up yet."

They made their way through the grieving cats toward the spot where Sootfur lay and settled themselves a respectful distance to wait for Jayfeather to finish speaking.

"So, Dustpelt." Jayfeather meowed with a confident meow. "How is he? Do you think you can save him? I've spent a lot of time training him, and I don't want my efforts to be wasted at the first battle."

Dustpelt didn't look up from his patient as he replied. "Yes, a pity if, after all your valuable training, he dies in his first fight, eh?" Heatherfur could hear the teasing purr in his soft mew.

"Will he live?" Jayfeather demanded.

"Of course. He just needs rest."

Jayfeather snorted and looked down at the motionless gray shape. He jabbed Sootfur with one of his front claws. "Come on, then! Get up!"

Sootfur didn't move.

"Look at the length of that claw!" Heatherfur hissed.

"Too right!" replied Berryfur with feeling. "I know I wouldn't want to get in a fight with him!"

"Not so fast, Jayfeather!" Dustpelt placed his paw over Jayfeather's sharp talon and gently moved it away. "This apprentice needs to keep as still as possible until the cat has healed. We don't want him opening his wound again by jumping around trying to please you. Leave him alone."

Heatherfur found herself holding her breath as she waited for Jayfeather's reaction. She guessed that few cats dared to give orders to the warrior like that. The big cat stiffened, and seemed about to speak when Dustpelt meowed teasingly, "Even you know better than to argue with a medicine cat, Jayfeather."

Jayfeather's eyes flashed at the small gray cat's words.

"I wouldn't dare argue with you, dear Dustpelt," he purred. He turned to leave and caught sight of Berryfur and Heatherfur. "Whose this?" he asked Berryfur; towering over them.

"She's the new apprentice." Berryfur meowed.

"She smells like a kittypet!" snorted the warrior.

"I was a house cat," Heatherfur meowed boldly, "but I'm going to train to be a warrior."

Jayfeather looked at her with sudden interest. "Ah, yes. Now I remember, Flamesky mentioned that he had stumbled across a stay kittypet. So he's actually going to try you out, is he?"

Heatherfur sat up very straight, anxious to impress this distinguished Clan warrior. "That's right," she meowed respectfully.

Jayfeather eyed her thoughtfully. "Then I shall watch your progress with interest."

Heatherfur watched Jayfeather stalk away, her eyes filled with respect and happiness. "Do you think he liked me?"

"I don't think Jayfeather likes any apprentices!" whispered Berryfur.

Just then Sootfur stirred and twitched his ears. "Has he gone?" he mumbled.

"Who? Jayfeather?" replied Berryfur, trotting toward him. "Yep, he's gone."

"Hi, there," Heather began, about to introduce herself.

"Go away, both of you!" Dustpelt protested, "How am I meant to help this cat with all these interruptions!" He impatiently flicked his tail at Berryfur and Heatherfur, and pushed his way between them and his patient.

Heatherfur realized he was serious, despite the lively glimmer in his warm green eyes.

"Come on then, Heatherfur," meowed Berryfur. "I'll show you around. See you later, Sootfur."

The two cats left Dustpelt with Sootfur and walked across the clearing.

Berryfur looked thoughtful. She was clearly taking her duties as a guide seriously. "You know the Dawnrock already," she began, flicking her tail toward the large, glistening rock. "Flamesky addresses the Clan from there. His den is down there." She lifted her nose toward a small den off the side of Dawnrock. "His den was made from many earthquakes long ago." Hanging vines draped the entrance, sheltering the leader's nest from wind and rain.

"The warriors sleepover there." Berryfur went on.

Heatherfur followed her to a large rock with a bush coming out of it a few paces away from the Dawnrock. There was a clear view from here right down to the fern entrance into camp. The rock and the branches of the bush were low, but Heatherfur could see a shelter space below the rock where the warriors made their nest.

"The senior warriors sleep nearest the center, where it's the warmest," explained Berryfur. "They usually share their fresh-kill together over by that heather bush. The younger warriors eat nearby. Sometimes they are invited to join the senior warriors for eating, which is a big honor."

"What about the other Clan cats?" Heatherfur asked, fascinated, but feeling rather overwhelmed by all the traditions and rituals of Clan life.

"Well, the queens share warrior quarters when they work as warriors, but when they are expecting kits, or nursing them, they stay in a nest near the nursery. The elders have their own place on the other side of the clearing. Come on I'll show you."

Heatherfur trotted after Berryfur, across the clearing, and past the shadowy corner where Dustpelt had his den. They stopped beside a large bush that sheltered a small area of ferns. Berryfur walked inside the bush and Heatherfur followed. Crouching among the soft greenery were three elderly cats tucking into a plump young rabbit.

"Hazelfur and Foxfur would have brought them that," whispered Berryfur. "One of the apprentice's duties is catching fresh-kill for the elders."

"Hello youngster," one of the elders greeted Berryfur.

"Hello Shadepelt," meowed Berryfur, nodding respectfully.

"This must be our new apprentice. Heatherfur, right?" meowed a second she-cat. Her sleek fur was light gray, and nothing where one ear should have been.

"That's right." Heatherfur replied, copying Berryfur's polite nod.

"I'm Leafstorm," purred the gray she-cat. "Welcome to the Clan."

"Have you two eaten?" meowed Shadepelt.

Heatherfur and Berryfur shook their heads.

"Well there's enough here. Hazelfur and Foxfur are turning into fine hunters. Would you mind if these youngsters shared a mouse, Raggedclaw?"

The dark brown tabby who lay beside her shook his head. Heatherfur noticed his fur was very ragged and not kept very clean.

"What about you Leafstorm?"

The light gray she-cat with only one ear meowed, "Of course not."

"Thank you," meowed Berryfur eagerly. She stepped forward and took a large mouse from the pile of prey, then dropped it at Heatherfur's feet. "You still not tasted mouse?" she asked.

"No." Heatherfur admitted. She suddenly felt excited by the warm smells that were rising from this piece of fresh-kill. Her whole body quivered at the thought of sharing her first real food as a Clan member.

"In that case, you can have the first bite, but save some for me!" Berryfur stood back to give Heatherfur room.

Heatherfur crouched down and took a large bite from the mouse. It was juicy and tender, and sang with the flavors of the forest.

"What do you think?" Berryfur asked.

"Fantastic!" mumbled Heatherfur, her mouth still full.

"Move over then!" meowed Berryfur, stepping forward and bending her head to take a bite.

As the two apprentices ate, they listened to the elders talk among themselves.

"How long before Flamesky appoints new deputy?" asked Shadepelt.

"Huh?" Leafstorm meowed.

"I think you need a new name, with one ear you can hardly hear!" snapped Shadepelt impatiently. "I said, how long before Flamesky appoints new deputy?"

Leafstorm ignored Shadepelt's irritated reply and spoke instead to the tabby tom "Raggedclaw, do you remember the day many moons ago when Flamesky himself was appointed deputy?"

Raggedclaw meowed earnestly. "Oh yes! It was not long after his mate died and his kits disappeared."

"He'll not be happy to be appointing a new deputy." Shadepelt observed. "Nightfire served him long and well. But he'll need to make up his mind quickly. According to Clan customs, the choice has to be made before moonhigh after the death of the old deputy."

"At least this time the choice is obvious," meowed Leafstorm.

Heatherfur raised her head and looked around the fern area. Who could Leafstorm possibly mean? To Heatherfur, all the warriors look worthy of becoming deputy. Perhaps she meant Jayfeather, after all, he had avenged Nightfire's death.

Jayfeather was sitting not far off from the entrance, his ears angled toward the elder's conversation he could hear.

As Heatherfur stretched with her tongue to lick the last traces of mouse from her whiskers, Flamesky's voice called from the Dawnrock. Ngithfire's body still lay in the clearing below; dark gray in the folding moonlight. "A new deputy must be appointed," he meowed. "But first, let us give thanks to SkyClan for the life of Nightfire. Tonight he sits with his warriors among the stars."

Silence fell as all the cats looked up into the sky, which was beginning to darken as evening crept over the forest.

"And now I shall name DawnClan's new deputy," Flamesky continued, "I say these words before the body of Nightfire, so that his spirit may hear and approve my choice."

Heatherfur looked at Jayfeather. She couldn't help noticing the hunger in the big warrior's green eyes as he stared up at the Dawnrock.

"Lilyflower," Flamesky announced," will be new deputy of DawnClan."

Heatherfur was curious to see Jayfeather's reaction. But the dark warrior's face showed nothing as he walked over to congratulate Lilyflower with a nudge so hearty it almost pushed the silver she-cat off balance.

"Why didn't he make Jayfeather deputy?" Heatherfur whispered to Berryfur.

"Probably because Lilyflower has been a warrior longer, so she has a lot more experience," Berryfur murmured back. "Beside they've been really good friends."

"And I've always thought it had to deal with the stronger, better warrior."

Heatherfur and Berryfur almost jumped to their feet.

"The name's Maplefur." The silver she-cat meowed.

"She's the eldest apprentice and Lilyflower's sister's only daughter." Berryfur whispered to Heatherfur.

"I will be a warrior soon!" Maplefur bloated out. "So you'll-" She was hushed by Raggedclaw, the elder.

Flamesky spoke again, "Nightfire was also mentor to young Hazelpaw. Since there must be no delay in the training of our apprentices, I shall appoint Hazelfur's new mentor immediately. Darkshard, you are ready for your first apprentice, so you'll continue Hazelfur's training. You had a fine mentor in Jayfeather, and I expect you to pass on some of the excellent skills you were taught."

The black warrior swelled with pride as he showed his acceptance with a solemn nod. He strode over to Hazelfur, bent his head, and touched noses with his new apprentice. Hazelfur flicked his tail respectfully, but his eyes were still dull with grief for his lost mentor.

Flamesky raised his voice. "I shall keep a vigil with Nightfire's body tonight, before we bury him at sunrise." He leaped down from Dawnrock and walked over to lie beside Nightfire's body once more. Many other cats joined him, Hazelfur and Shadepelt among them.

"Should we sit with them too?" Heatherfur suggested. She had to admit the idea didn't appeal to her much. It had been a busy day and she was beginning to feel tired and sleep. All she really wanted to do was find somewhere warm and dry to curl up and just fall asleep.

Berryfur shook her head. "No, only those closest to Nightfire will share his last and final night."

Heatherfur thought, doesn't last and final mean almost the same thing? She shook that out of her head to finish listening to Berryfur,

"I'll show you where we sleep. The apprentices den is over there."

Heatherfur followed Berryfur to a mossy fallen tree.

"All apprentices share their fresh-kill over there." Berryfur flicked her tail toward a rock with a bunch of branches on top of it.

"How many apprentices are there?" Heatherfur asked.

"Not as many as usual-you, me, Sootfur, Hazelfur, Foxfur, and Maplefur."

As Heatherfur and Berryfur settle themselves beside the rock, a young tom crawled out from the ferns and vines under the tree. His coat was a ginger red like Flamesky's with the same brown stripes, but he was much lighter.

"So here comes the new apprentice!" he meowed, narrowing his eyes.

"Hello," Heatherfur meowed.

The young cat sniffed rudely. "She smells like a kittypet! Don't tell me I'm going to have to share my nest with that revolting stench!"

Heatherfur felt taken aback. Since her fight with Hollyfeather, all the cats had been quite friendly. Maybe they had just been distracted by Sootfur's news, she thought.

"You'll have to excuse, Foxfur," meowed Berryfur. "I think he must have a fur-ball stuck somewhere. He's not usually this bad tempered."

"Psst!" spat Foxfur crossly.

"Hold on youngsters," The deep meow of Firestone sounded from behind the apprentices. "Foxpaw! As my apprentice, I expected you to be a little more welcoming to this newcomer."

Foxfur held his head up and looked defiant. "I'm sorry, Firestone," he purred, not sounding sorry at all. "I just didn't expect to be training with a kittypet, that's all!"

"I'm sure you'll get use to it, Foxfur," meowed Firestone calmly. "Now, it's getting late, and training starts early tomorrow. You should get some sleep." He gave Foxfur a stern look, and he nodded obediently. As he walked away, he spun around and vanished into the hanging of ferns and vines, sniffing once more as he brushed past Heatherfur.

With a flick of her tail, Berryfur invited Heatherfur to follow her, and lead the way after Foxfur. Inside the sleeping area, the ground was lined with soft moss, and the pale moonlight turned everything a delicate shade of green. The air was fragrant with fern scent, and warmer than outside.

"Where do I sleep?" Heatherfur asked.

"Anywhere, just as long as it's not near me!" snarled Foxfur, who was prodding some moss with his front paw.

Berryfur and Heatherfur exchanged glances, but said nothing. Heatherfur raked together a pile of moss with her claws. When she mattered her bed into a cozy nest, she circled until it was comfortable and settled down. Her whole body felt drowsy with content. This was her home now. She was a member to DawnClan.