Hollyleaf's Second Chance—A Fanfic

Recruitment

A/N: Sorry if this chapter is a little short and uneventful. I promise the next chapter will be longer—and more exciting! Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and comments! Also, off topic…does anyone know who this "Mapleshade" cat is that people are talking about on all the warriors forums I'm a member of? She's supposedly going to appear in Night Whispers… ********************************************************

Hollypaw stood in front of Hawkfrost, locked in an internal battle. Part of her felt honored—a StarClan cat had chosen her to train—her of all cats! She was barely even an apprentice! But another part of her felt uneasy. She couldn't explain this intense revulsion towards Ashfur, but it couldn't have just been a random feeling—it was something more. Something deep inside of her was screaming, telling her to lunge at Ashfur and tear his throat out. Could she really have this negative a reaction towards a StarClan cat? Wasn't StarClan supposed to be good?

I'll ask around the clan and see if they know anything about a cat named Ashfur, Hollypaw decided to herself. Then I'll decide what to do. "I have to think about it," she told Hawkfrost. "I'm sorry. Will you return another time and ask again?"

Something like annoyance flickered across Hawkfrost's face, but then he was calm and composed again. It happened so quickly that Hollypaw was almost sure she had imagined it. "Of course," he said coolly. "Make your decision wisely, apprentice. Many cats are never offered this chance." He nodded his head, and the ground opened up again, just like it had when Hollypaw had been talking to that other cat—Spottedleaf. Hollypaw tumbled through, feeling the air whooshing by, and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Hawkfrost flicked his tail towards the shadows. "You may come out now."

A small she-cat walked steadily out of the shadows, her blue eyes glowing eerily in the fading light. "She is stubborn, Hawkfrost. I don't see why you need her." Her voice was almost a whine. "Aren't I good enough?"

Hawkfrost turned to the she-cat, looking irritated. "Enough, Ivypaw! You know we need all the help we can get! Taking—er, defending the forest will not be an easy job. We need the best and the brightest warriors. You happen to be among them. And so does Hollypaw."

Ivypaw didn't look satisfied, but she acknowledged Hawkfrost's words with a slight nod and looked away.

"Now, I have a job for you."

Ivypaw's head shot up, her eyes filled with excitement. "A job? For me?" He hadn't asked Tigerheart to do it, or one of those other cats that was always lurking around. Maybe he really thinks I'm one of the best!

"Talk to Hollypaw. Convince her to join us. I expect to see her with you when you return tomorrow night. Do not disappoint me, Ivypaw." And with that, Hawkfrost turned and walked away, into the shadows. Ashfur, who had been sitting and observing the exchange, stood and followed. Ivypaw felt anger burning inside. So he doesn't really think I'm one of the best. He just chose this job for me because I'm closest to Hollypaw. It's a dumb job, anyway. She narrowed her eyes and lashed her tail in anger, but she knew she would do it. She wanted to please Hawkfrost—no matter what it took.

Hollypaw blinked open her eyes to find Ivypaw leaning over her. "Huh?" she stood up and shook stray bits of bracken from her fur. "I had the strangest dream…" she mumbled to herself.

Ivypaw glanced over at Wolfpaw and Dovepaw. They were both still asleep. "I need to tell you something," she hissed, urgency apparent in her voice.

Hollypaw was startled. "W-what?"

"Did you have a weird dream last night? About a StarClan cat named Hawkfrost?"

Hollypaw's eyes widened. "Y-yeah! How…how did you know?"

"Because he's been visiting my dreams, too," Ivypaw replied solemnly. "He's been teaching me a lot of things. He told me that he wants you to join us…he recognizes your talent. I think you should join him. He's smart and strong and…" Admiration crept into her voice. "He's really cool. He's way more helpful than my mentor, Cinderheart!"

Wow, Hawkfrost sounds really great, Hollypaw acknowledged in her thoughts. But what if… "Are you sure Hawkfrost didn't send you to convince me to join him?" she asked suspiciously.

StarClan's kits, she's clever! Ivypaw thought grudgingly. Luckily, she was a good liar. "Why would he do that?" she snorted. "Hawkfrost is nice. He doesn't want to force you to join him! But I think it'd be great if you went back, even just this one time. You'd learn a lot of stuff."

"Well…" Hollypaw considered it. What harm could it do to go back just once? "Okay. I'll come."
"Great!" Ivypaw said, nodding. Hollypaw realized that underneath her smile, she looked a bit annoyed. I wonder why? "See you tonight, then?"

"Yeah. See you tonight."