With the coming leaf-bare came less prey and herbs, but also sickness. HazeClan's medicine cats Stormcloud, Ashfang, and Twigstorm did their best on making sure the rest of the clan stayed healthy. Often going out to gather herbs then checking on the clan before repeating it all over again the next day. However this leaf-bare seemed to be harsher than any others, bringing death to the camp for the first time since Lionfang's passing. The clan's most grumpiest tom-cat, Hickorryburr passed away during the night. Found by his den mate Sunray, the orange tom quickly made his way out of the elder's den and made his way to Hazestar. "Hazestar!" cried Sunray, the elderly tom's voice cracking as he called out for the leader.
Upon returning to camp after injuring himself on a patrol, Hazetsar was on his way to the medicine cats' den when he heard some cat call out for him. Hearing the worry and sadness in the voice, the gray tabby paused in mid-step and turned to see who was calling him. A moment after turning, a large orange mass crashed into the tom, causing him to stagger back a bit. "Sunray, whats wrong? You shouldn't be out here in this cold." Hazestar meowed.
Giving a small shake of his head the orange tom pressed closer to Hazetsar, his body shaking. "Hickory-Hickoyrburr... he's gone." Sunray managed to choke out. Hazetsar's eyes grew wide and gave a small nod of his head. Catching sight of Juniperclaw, the tom gave a small flick of his tail as he motioned for the she-cat to join them. "Juniperclaw, please take Sunray to the nursery with you and the others...Hickoryburr... has joined the Dark Forest." the leader whispered to the queen. Giving a small nod of her head, the tough she-cat guided Sunray to the nursery where the rest of the queens and their kits comforted the orange elder.
Hazestar watched as Juniperclaw and Sunray disappeared into the nursery before signaling for Owlstorm, Shadowripple, Aspencreek, and Tigerleap. Once the small group of cats made their way over Hazestar explained the situation to them before leading them to the elder's den. "With it being so cold out we will take him out and bury him now. Then we shall hold a small vigil after the apprentice ceremonies today." Giving a small nod, the group of cats gently grabbed Hickoryburr and lifted him up, carrying him out of the camp and to the small clearing just near by. There they had decided to bury their dead, Lionfang already being buried there. "He shall join Lionfang now. They both will continue to protect HazeClan, but through spiritual guidance." Hazestar meowed softly.
---
Back at camp after burying Hickoryburr instead of making the call form the High Rock, Hazestar stood on the ground and called for a clan meeting the tom didn't want to further tear his cut. "Let all cats old enough to catch their prey join in front of the High Rock!" Hazestar called out. The clan slowly filtered out of their dens, sitting down in front of the High Rock. In the back of the group sat Bearclaw and her six kits, the fluffy brown she-cat smiling proudly at her kits. "Alright you guys, now you know how these go. You have to wait for Hazestar to call you up." With that, Bearclaw gave each of her kits a quick lick before focusing her attention back on the leader. Upon finishing up with her kits, the leader signaled for the six kits to join him at the front of the group. Starting with Tansykit, Hazestar made his way down the line, speaking to each apprentice.
"Tansykit, 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 Tansypaw. Your mentor will be Oakfang. I hope Oakfang will pass down all he knows on to you."
"Willowkit, 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 Willowpaw. Your mentor will be Dappledwillow. I hope Dappledwillow will pass down all she knows on to you."
"Wolfkit 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 Wolfpaw. Your mentor will be Barkheart. I hope Barkheart will pass down all she knows on to you."
"Whispkit, 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 Whisppaw. Your mentor will be Sootpelt. I hope Sootpelt will pass down all he knows on to you."
"Maplekit, 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 Maplepaw. Your mentor will be Hayfur. I hope Hayfur will pass down all he knows on to you."
"Nettlekit, 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 Nettlepaw. Your mentor will be Haunt. I hope Haunt will pass down all he knows on to you."
With that Hazestar smiled proudly at the newly appointed as the clan chanted their names. With a small nod the tom cat dismissed the clan meeting, letting the new apprentices go off with the mentors and the others to go off and do their own thing.
---
The death of Hickoryburr shook most of the clan, making them all realize once more how short life really was for them. Badgerstrike sat quietly by himself, lost in deep thought. He came to HazeClan as a lost and some what scared apprentice, but quickly grew into a strong and determined tom. However if it wasn't for Swivelspear's constant pestering and teasing to strive him forward, Badgerstrike would have remained that timid tom he once was. The black and white tom cat had a rivalry going with the black and white she-cat, always pushing himself to do better then she. In the end Swivelspear still ended up beating Badgerstrike still, but was more respectful in away, offering to help him from time to time.
Now that they where warriors and more mature, Badgerstrike still felt like that they had that rivalry, but more on an even playing field. Not once did he look at the she-cat in a loving way, but with everything moving around so quickly the tom came to realize that not only did he get frustrated with Swivelspear for her beating him, but for her being her head strong beautiful self. Letting out a frustrating hiss the tom gave a small shake of his head and then sighed. "You got to be kidding me..." he muttered.
"About what?" Windsong meowed. The she-cat must have just come from the warrior's den and had passed Badgerstrike on her way to the fresh kill pile. Flattening his ears in embarrassment, Badgerstrike just shook his head. "Nothing..." he muttered once more. Now curious, Windsong smiled and sat down next to the black and white tom. "No Badgerstrike, we have been friends for some time now. You know you can tell me anything." she purred.
Letting out another sigh Badgerstrike looked at Windsong, before looking down at his paws. "It's about Swivelspear..." he began, only to receive and excited meow from Windsong. "Is it finally happening!?" she exclaimed, her eyes shinning with happiness as she looked at Badgerstrike. Confused, the tom tilted his head a bit. "Oh please Badgerstrike, It wasn't hard to tell that you two had feelings for one another. Not only where you two constantly pushing one another, you where also flirting." she teased, flashing the tom a big smile. "It's about time you realized how you felt about her. I say go for it. I have been rooting for you two since the day you guys met." Windsong explained.
With a friendly push from Windsong, Badgerstrike rose to his paws and went off to find Swivelspear, pausing only briefly to look back at Windsong who smiled proudly. Smiling a bit to himself, the black and white tom padded onward, making his way over to the sunning area where Swivelspear rested. The tom gazed down at the black and white she-cat before clearing his throat softly to catch the she-cat's attention. Lifting her head up Swivelspear looked at Badgerstrike, only to roll her eyes and lay her head back down. "What?" she grumbled, as if annoyed by his presence.
Letting out a small hiss, Badgerstrike quickly shook his head no and regained focus. "Look Swivelspear we need to talk. Your gonna just lie there and listen too. No interrupting like you always do either." he stated firmly. Surprised such assertiveness from the tom, Swivelspear sat up and gave her full attention to Badgerstrike. With a nod from the she-cat, Badgerstrike spoke once more. "Look for a long time we have been picking on each other, pushing each other to be better than the other, and teasing one another. Today that all changes. I didn't realize it until Hickoryburr's passing, as it opened my eyes to the short lives we live. I like you Swivelspear, and have for a long time. I want to know if you would be my mate." he meowed, his fur fluffing up a bit in embarrassment as he spoke.
Shocked by the tom's such forwardness, Swivelspear sat there in silence, trying to fully grasp what had just happened. "Well... Say something." Badgerstrike meowed, his ears slowly beginning to flatten against his head and his determination fading. Only waiting for a brief moment, Badgerstrike turned away and began padding away defeated. "Wait!" Swivelspear called out, causing the tom to stop in his tracks. "I'll be your mate." she meowed softly nuzzling the tom's cheek, showing a more gentler and kinder side to the tom.
Across camp Windsong let out a loud happy yowl, startling most cats near by. Racing over to the pair, she jumped on them and nuzzled each of them. "I'm so happy for you two!" she meowed, loudly purring. Exchanging looks, both Badgerstrike and Swivelspear both rolled their eyes, smiling largely as they nuzzled their friend back.
---
Upon retiring to his den for the rest of the day, Hazestar made himself comfortable in his nest, waiting for sleep to take him. Moments before falling asleep a starry figure appeared in front of the tom cat. "Now Hazetsar, you can't fall asleep now. I must talk to you." the figure spoke, a familiar voice echoing in the tom's den. Lifting his head from his paws, Hazestar's eyes caught sight of Honeystar. Not just a familiar face, but a friend and ally. "Honeystar?" the tom meowed, giving a small head tilt in confusion.
The starry she-cat gave a small chuckle before sitting down in front of the tom. She gave a small nod, and a small frown before smiling once more. "I know it must be a surprise to see me here, but you knew how I was on my last life... It was my time. Before I joined my ancestors I wanted to stop by and say my good byes." Honeystar explained softly.
As the she-cat spoke more, Hazestar sat up in his nest, a frown on the tom's face. He gave a shake of his head not wanting to accept the fact that she had passed. "I-I." Hazetsra began to speak only to be cut off by Honeystar. "Now Hazestar. Please..." she meowed softly. With a small nod of his head the tom remained quiet, letting the she-cat to continue speaking.
"As I was saying, I wanted to inform you that Applenose, now Applestar will be taking over. ForestClan is in good paws with him. Although I will miss raising Beechkit, Minkkit, and Flykit. All I ask is for HazeClan and ForestClan to keep their ally-ship. You have been nothing but kind and helpful Hazestar. Now I must be going, it's time." the she-cat purred. Getting out of his nest, Hazetsar padded over to the starry she-cat and pressed his nose to hers. "Honeystar..." he meowed softly, watching as the she-cat faded away.
Now left alone once again, the gray tabby stood frozen in his spot. His heart aching at the lose of one of losing a well respected friend. Although he did not believe he StarClan, Hazestar sent a silent pray to them, hoping they could hear him wishing that they took great care of Honeystar. Letting out a heavy sigh, the tabby tom padded to his nest, curling up tightly and shutting his eyes. Leaf-bare was going to be tough this time around, but Hazestar had to remain strong for his clan. Only in moments like these could the tom let his guard down and be weak for a brief moment. "Good bye... Honeystar..." the tom meowed softly before drifting off to sleep.
