The Sight/Chapter 12

==Chapter description==
:It is almost dawn as Hollypaw follows her Clanmates back to the hollow from the Gathering, and as they arrive, Cinderpaw asks how the Gathering was. Firestar and Graystripe meow that she should be asleep, and she apologizes that she could not do so until the cats in the camp heard about the Gathering. Graystripe is amused, and he remarks to Firestar that they would have done the same when they were apprentices. Cinderpaw asks who the gray warrior is, and Firestar tells her that he was ThunderClan's deputy before she was born. Cinderpaw guesses that it is Graystripe, and she calls Cloudtail's name. She announces to her mentor that Graystripe has returned, and many cats excitedly greet him. When Mousefur asks how he found them, Sandstorm softly says that it can wait until the morning since he and Millie are exhausted. Mousefur asks who Millie is, and he explains that Millie is his new mate; Hollypaw thinks about how warriors are not supposed to take non-Clan mates, but Mousefur only dips her head to Millie. Hollypaw then glances at Firestar, thinking that the most important thing is that Millie proves herself as a warrior.
:Hollypaw notices Jaypaw emerging from the apprentices' den; Lionpaw runs to him, announcing that Graystripe is back. He looks at Graystripe and asks who is with him, and Cinderpaw explains that Mille is his new mate. He tells her to let Leafpool know that he can smell Millie's infected wound. Firestar tells Brambleclaw to find nests for the two cats. The others murmur amongst themselves; Whitewing uneasily asks Squirrelflight who the deputy will be. Firestar replies that nothing will change yet, and they should just be grateful for Graystripe's return. Brambleclaw states that there is no room for two nests, and Graystripe replies that it does not matter. Firestar promises they will expand the den anyway, and Graystripe says that he and Millie want to sleep separately from the others until they get used to being in a Clan again. Brightheart suggests the alcove behind the warriors' den, and the gray tom agrees.
:Hollypaw knows it is her responsibility as the medicine cat apprentice to take care of the new cats, and Brackenfur, Cloudtail, and Brambleclaw start moving the brambles. Cinderpaw asks if she can help, and without waiting for a response, she runs over and accidentally falls. Brackenfur purrs, saying that she reminds him of Cinderpelt. Cinderpaw then goes to help Cloudtail. The den is finished by dawn, and Graystripe and Millie walk inside. On the other side of the clearing, the dawn patrol leaves and Hollypaw stays with Leafpool outside the makeshift den, admiring their work. Leafpool mews that the moss Hollypaw had collected will keep Graystripe and Millie warm; she had shaped the moss into a nest for them. She offers to fetch herbs because Jaypaw smelled that Millie had an infected wound. Hollypaw tries to think of what herb to get, but her mentor tells her that they will do that later, as Graystripe and Millie need to rest. Hollypaw stifles a yawn, and Leafpool suggests they sleep. Hollypaw follows gratefully, looking forward to curling up in her nest and closing her eyes.
:When Hollypaw wakes up, she thinks of Graystripe; Firestar had said nothing would change yet, and she wonders if it means that Brambleclaw would eventually be replaced. She stands up, belly rumbling. Leafpool says that she thought Hollypaw would sleep longer, and she admits that she is hungry. The medicine cat tells her that there is fresh-kill. Hollypaw quickly eats, and she asks if they can check on Graystripe and Millie but Leafpool tells her to let them rest for longer. Leafpool goes through the herbs and tells Hollypaw to fetch borage from the lake. She asks if Leafpool will wake them before she returns, thinking about how she had been looking forward to actually treating a patient, and the medicine cat replies that she will not as long as Hollypaw is quick. She then pauses and asks Leafpool if the Clan sat vigil for Graystripe. When she answers that they did, the apprentice asks if it means he's dead in the eyes of StarClan. Leafpool dryly replies that StarClan will have noticed Graystripe was alive. She again asks if he's officially dead according to the warrior code, and if he is alive, then he must still be the deputy. Leafpool states that their role is to heal, and tells her to get the borage; Hollypaw then leaves.
:At the lake, Hollypaw wants to explore but also needs to finish before sunhigh. She begins to look for borage, and padding down the slope, she smells a familiar scent. As she nears it, she wonders if it is borage, and carefully nipping a few bitter stems, she hurries back to camp. When she returns, Leafpool stares in dismay at the stems Hollypaw places in front of her, saying that she got yarrow, not borage. Hollypaw is discouraged, and Leafpool meows that they can use marigold instead. She then follows her mentor across the clearing to Graystripe and Millie's den. Firestar and many other cats are eagerly standing outside, Graystripe and Millie among them. The two cats look uncomfortable, and Leafpool asks Graystripe if he has been awake for long. She sternly meows that she hopes no one woke them, and at her request, Firestar leads his Clanmates away.
:Graystripe and Millie are relieved as the cats leave, and Leafpool asks if there are any injuries. Graystripe points out that Millie has a cut on her pad, and Leafpool meows that there is a thorn. She tells Hollypaw to pull it out while she prepares some herbs for the infection. Hollypaw is anxious, and to her dismay, she realizes that she must pull it out with her teeth. She sheepishly backs away, offering to chew the poultice instead, and Leafpool pulls the thorn out with a calmness that Hollypaw wishes she could replicate. Graystripe says that it is good to see the Clan again; Ravenpaw instructed them about where to go, and StarClan watched over him. Hollypaw boldly asks if he was angry at Firestar for leaving. Graystripe says that although he was disappointed, he also understood. Millie suddenly leaps backward, licking her paw. Leafpool tells Hollypaw to press the herbs into the wound. She gingerly smears the juice on Millie's swollen pad. Graystripe meows Cinderpelt would be proud of them both; Hollypaw thinks that if Cinderpelt were watching her, she would know she cannot do anything right.
:Leafpool announces that they will do some battle training next; even medicine cats need to know how to defend their Clan. Hollypaw grows excited at the thought of no more herbs or wounds. At the training hollow, Cinderpaw and Cloudtail are already there. Hollypaw races ahead to greet Cinderpaw, who is practicing. Her friend asks if they can train together, but Leafpool says that she needs to teach Hollypaw the basics first, to her disappointment. Leafpool takes her to the opposite side of the clearing and instructs her to copy her movements. After Leafpool demonstrates, Hollypaw perfectly imitates. Cloudtail and Leafpool are both impressed and Hollypaw copies more moves with the same fierceness. After a while, Leafpool instructs Hollypaw to run and try to get past her in any way she can. Hollypaw focuses on a sapling behind her mentor. She darts forward, noticing that Leafpool's weight is probably on one side, so she swerves the other way. Hollypaw flashes by her mentor with a rush of triumph, but is suddenly guilty. Leafpool, Cinderpaw, and Cloudtail all compliment her, and the warrior tells Leafpool that his apprentice and Hollypaw should try training together. Hollypaw is thrilled, and he tells Cinderpaw to show her what she has been practicing. 
:Cinderpaw leads Hollypaw into the center of the clearing, and she tells Hollypaw to come at her while she tries to unbalance her. Hollypaw throws herself at Cinderpaw and before she can comprehend, she is thrown to the ground. Hollypaw scrambles to her feet, impressed, and wants to try a modified version of the move on Cinderpaw. As soon as the other she-cat rushes toward her, Hollypaw knocks Cinderpaw's forepaw away with her muzzle and thrusts her hind legs into a powerful kick that sends her friend flying. The gray she-cat tries using her muzzle as Hollypaw had done, and she finishes the move with a quick hind kick that sends Hollypaw skidding across the clearing. Cloudtail praises them, and Cinderpaw flicks her paw as she wipes away some moss—Hollypaw notes how unique Cinderpaw's paw flick is. Hollypaw asks for Leafpool's opinion, but the medicine cat is instead staring at Cinderpaw in disbelief. She is concerned, and Leafpool says that Cinderpelt used to clean her paws like that. Cinderpaw eagerly asks Cloudtail to teach her a back kick, but the white tom replies that it is getting dark and they should go back. 
:Although it is growing colder and Hollypaw is tired, she wants to further improve her moves. As she follows Cinderpaw and Cloudtail, Leafpool falls into a step behind her. She compliments Hollypaw, saying that she is impressed with her fighting skills. For a moment, she is thrilled but then realizes that Leafpool never complimented her like that as a medicine cat apprentice. Hollypaw wonders why she does not have such an affinity for herbs, but then firmly tells herself it is just a matter of time—she had chosen to become a medicine cat, and she would not let her Clan down.
==Characters==
===Major===
===Minor===
===Mentioned===
==Notes and references==
fr:Vision/Chapitre 12
Category:The Sight
Category:Chapter subpages
Category:Power of Three arc