Warriors of the Lake - The Four Powers

This story is from the point of veiw of four cats- Forestpaw (ThunderClan), Trailpaw (ShadowClan), Birdpaw (RiverClan), and Harepaw (WindClan). Together they are four chosen cats to bear the fate of their Clans by being able to contact StarClan- and each one of them has a special power. Sometimes cats with different points of view will come into the story. The different points of veiw will be in blue. Obviously, the story is not finished. I update it whenever possible and sometimes I will change something. So look for updates! This is what I think will happen in the future of the Warriors series. Don't take this story seriously! I hope you like it! And say what you think of it on the Discussion page! (You cannot edit, you don't have any permission!) Anyway, Enjoy!

Chapter 1

 * Hollystar spoke. "From now on, until you have earned your Warror name, you will be known as Forestpaw."


 * Forestpaw wiggled with excitement at his new name- I'm not a kit anymore! he thought.


 * He turned his attention back to Hollystar, who was meowing, "I will be your mentor."


 * Forestpaw jerked his head up, stunned. I'm the Clan leader's apprentice! he thought excitedly.


 * Other cats were murmering around him- "What an honor!" or "He's so lucky!"


 * Hollystar was meowing again, now to Skykit, his sister. "Skykit, from now on, until you have earned your Warrior name, you will be known as Skypaw. Icewing, you are ready for an apprenitice. You will be Skypaw's mentor."


 * Forestpaw walked forward to touch noses with Hollystar, and Skypaw did the same with Icewing. As they retreated, Skypaw hissed, "You are so lucky!"


 * Forestpaw felt his pelt growing hot. He liked that other cats were jealous of him- but he didn't want his own sister to be jealous of him! He just wanted to lead a life as normal as possible and to be the best he could be. But he couldn't be with Skypaw jealous of him. He turned to Skypaw. "It's a coinsidence." he mewed solemnly. "Let's go find nests in the apprentices den!"


 * They raced off the the den. Forestpaw quickly found a spot in the back of the den. This will keep me warm even in leaf-bare! he thought. He looked over at Skypaw, who had found one not far from the entrance of the den. Forestpaw shook his head. "Skypaw," he began, not sure what to say, "Make one closer to the middle- it'll be warmer in leaf-bare!"


 * "Ooh, good idea!" Skypaw raced over to him, messing up some of the nests in her way. "Mine will be next to yours!"


 * Forestpaw could only shake his head in laughter. "You might want to clean those up!" he mewed.


 * Skypaw looked back at the path she had taken across the den. She winced. "That might be a good idea." she meowed.


 * Olivepaw came to the den's entrance. She shook her head dispairingly. "Not again! Waterpaw messed the nests up yesterday!"


 * Skypaw looked embarrassed. "I'm going to clean them up."


 * Olivepaw nodded. "I have nothing to do- I'll help."


 * Forestpaw mewed, "I'll bring some moss in for our nests, okay?"


 * Skypaw looked up. "You don't know where any moss is!"


 * Forestpaw was already scanning the clearing. "I could probobly turn this into a session with Hollystar."


 * "Go ahead!" Olivepaw encouraged. "It doesn't look like she's busy!"


 * "Okay." Waving his tail at Olivepaw and Skypaw, Forestpaw padded quickly across the clearing.


 * Hollystar looked up. "I was just about to call you for a training session!"


 * "And I was just about to ask if you could show me the territory. I need some moss." Forestpaw replied. She could teach me so much about being a warrior! Forestpaw thought.


 * "Okay," Hollystar said. "I just need a report from this patrol, and then we'll go. Meet me at the tunnel."


 * Forestpaw run accross the clearing to where Skypaw and Olivepaw were cleaning. "I'll be back with the moss later!"


 * Olivepaw looked up. "Okay. See you!"


 * Skypaw mewed, "Bye!"


 * Forestpaw ran over to the tunnel. Hollystar was already there.


 * "Let's go!"

Chapter 2

 * Harepaw silently crept up on his prey- a rabbit. I'm going to catch it! he thought. A couple more steps...


 * Suddenly a cat erupted out of the bush beside him and startled the rabbit. "Gotcha!" he mewed proudly.


 * "What was that for?" Harepaw snarled. "I could of gotten that!"


 * The cat turned around. "This is my name!"


 * "Rabbitpaw!" Harepaw was still angry, although he wasn't very surprised. "I thought you were confined to camp!"


 * "Strongstar can't hold me back!" Rabbitpaw snarled. "He shouldn't be leader of WindClan- he's a fool!"


 * Harepaw gasped. "Strongstar is a strong, smart leader! That's why StarClan changed his name from Breeze to Strong! They did that for a reason, you know!"


 * "Whatever." Rabbitpaw picked up the still-warm rabbit and bounded across WindClan territory. "Race you to camp!" he yowled.


 * Harepaw bounded across the grassy moor and passed Rabbitpaw easily. He beat him to camp, and sat down to catch his breath.


 * "Good... race." Rabbitpaw panted. "You're.. really... fast!"


 * Harepaw purred. "You'll get better, don't worry. You're the youngest apprentice!"


 * "Not for long! Molekit is going to be apprenticed today!" Rabbitpaw purred. "I wonder if he's going to be Falconswoop's apprentice?"


 * Molekit doesn't seem very interested in medicine cat stuff." Harepaw mewed. "He's always asking us and the warriors to show him fighting moves."


 * "Good point." Rabbitpaw mewed. "The ceremony's about to start!"


 * Strongstar was already standing on the Largehill, a rise in the ground where all the WindClan cats could see him. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here near the Largehill for a Clan meeting!" he yowled. Most cats were already there, but a couple padded out of the nursery to hear what Strongstar had to say. Molekit's tiny brown tail was lashing in excitement, and he was running around in circles.


 * "Today, Molekit has reached his sixth moon." Strongstar began. "It is time for him to become an apprentice." He beckoned Molekit forward with his tail. Molekit scampered forward, to the amusment of many of the warriors.


 * "From now on," Strongstar mewed, "until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Molepaw."


 * WindClan cheered. "Molepaw! Molepaw! Molepaw!"


 * Strongstar turned to Rushingwind, the Clan deputy. "Rushingwind, you are ready for an another apprentice. You will be Molepaw's mentor."


 * Molepaw scampered up to Rushingwind and touched noses with her. The ceremony was over.


 * Harepaw padded over to Molepaw. "Congratulations!" he purred, pussing his muzzle into Molepaw's flank. "You're going to make a great warrior with Rushingwind as your mentor!"


 * "Where's the apprentices' den?" Molepaw asked. Harepaw pointed his tail at the entrance, and Molepaw scampered off.


 * He will make a great warrior. thought Harepaw. But will he be better than me?

Chapter 3

 * Birdpaw sat with her paws at the ready, claws out, over the river that ran near RiverClan's camp. She was starting to get bored, but she knew that she had to catch at least one fish, or the elders would "starve". She wished she was a warrior already, so less cats could boss her around!


 * "Hey Birdpaw!" Birdpaw turned around to see Jaypaw running towards her. "I don't see any fish!" he called.


 * "You'll startle them!" Birdpaw mewed. "Be quiet!"


 * Jaypaw stopped aruptly in his tracks. "Oh. I'm sorry!" he mewed. "I was wondering where you were," he began, "and I wanted to tell you that Yewtail is looking for you. She wants to do some battle training!"


 * Birdpaw jolted. "Um... can she wait?"


 * Jaypaw looked confused. "Why? Every apprentice loves battle training!"


 * "I still need to catch a fish!"


 * "Are you having trouble?" Jaypaw asked.


 * "Yewtail never taught me how to fish! Only how to catch a mouse!" Birdpaw wailed.


 * "You're overreacting!" Jaypaw soothed. "Did she actually tell you that you have to catch a fish?"


 * Birdpaw stopped wailing. She only told me I had to catch something, she thought. She replied to Jaypaw's question. "No."


 * "Good." he suddenly stiffened. "There's a mouse over there!" He waved his tail in invitation for her to get it.


 * Birdpaw smelled the mouse too, and she started to creep up on it. The mouse quickly tried to make its escape, but Birdpaw pounced. Holding the mouse in her jaws, she mewed, "Let's go."


 * Birdpaw and Jaypaw padded back to camp together, side by side. Birdpaw noticed how close Jaypaw was to her, without actually brushing pelts. Does he like me? And then she answered herself. Yes.


 * "Whatcha thinkin' about?" Jaypaw asked.


 * You. "Nothing." Birdpaw answered.


 * A cat appeared on the horizon. It seemed to be running towards them. Suddenly it stopped. Its tail bristled, and it burst into veiw as it lept on Jaypaw.


 * "Get away from her!" the cat spat.


 * "She's mine." Jaypaw growled.


 * "She loves me more!" spat the other cat.


 * "Stop!" Birdpaw yowled. The two cats broke apart, spitting and panting. Now Birdpaw could see who the other cat was. "Fishpaw, what were you thinking!?


 * "About you!" Fishpaw spat back. "Jaypaw knows to stay away from you! You're mine!"


 * "I don't want to be any of your mates if you fight over me!" Birdpaw spat, overwelmed. "Fishpaw, you have no right to decide who I mate! I don't even like you!"


 * Jaypaw looked up hopefully from where he had been shamefully staring at his paws.


 * Birdpaw found that she couldn't spit at Jaypaw that she didn't like him either- he was so nice! He didn't deserve it. So, she mewed, "Jaypaw was only bringing me a message from Yewtail that I needed to meet her for some battle training. He had nothing to do, so-"


 * Fishpaw cut her off. "He caught that mouse for you?"


 * "No!" Birdpaw spat, unable to contain herself. "He walked with me back to camp!"


 * "Oh." Fishpaw mewed. "I'm sorry. To both you and Jaypaw." He turned to his littermate. "Jaypaw, are you okay?"


 * "I'm fine." Jaypaw mewed. "Next time, get the story before you attack me, okay?" he purred.


 * "I have an idea!" Birdpaw mewed.


 * A couple of heartbeats later, the three cats walked back to camp, with Birdpaw in the middle.

Chapter 4

 * Trailpaw trudged back to camp in the marshy territory of ShadowClan. When they made the Great Journey, why didn't they claim better territory? His paws kept on sticking in the mud, and more than once he startled a bird with a loud splash as he pulled it out.


 * A cat yowled in the distance. I recognize that yowl! Trailpaw trudged as fast as he could, but he didn't seem to be going fast enough. He heard the yowl again, but it was closer than he thought it would be.


 * An eagle swooped down out of the sky just as Trailpaw saw dry land ahead of him. He trudged faster. He made it onto the dry land and started to run. Finally!


 * The eagle swooped past Trailpaw and more to the right- he turned- and he saw a horrible sight. The eagle was going to capture his sister, Milkkit! Milkkit yowled again and Trailpaw bounded into action. He struck the eagle with his claws and brought it down easily, and killed it with a bite to the neck, almost like he was killing a mouse.


 * Milkkit lay, huddling under a tree staring at first Trailpaw, and then the eagle. "How did you do that?" she asked.


 * Trailpaw opened his mouth, about to answer when he realized he didn't know how. "Just pure luck, I guess." he mewed. "I had to save you, and I guess that was the best way to do it."


 * Milkkit shuddered. "Whatever you say!"


 * Trailpaw suddenly remembered something. "Hey, Milkkit! Do you know when your apprentice ceremony will be?"


 * "It was supposed to be today..." Milkkit began. "But I'm not sure after this."


 * "I'll bring you back to camp, and I'll get in trouble and say that you wanted an adventure and I gave it to you!" Trailpaw offered. But he knew it was a waste- Applestar was one of the smartest cats at the lake.


 * But Milkkit agreed. "It might work!" she mewed enthusiastically.


 * So Trailpaw grabbed his littermate, and they traveled together through ShadowClan territory. Milkkit wasn't looking around, and Trailpaw thought he knew why. When Trailpaw was a kit, he had been sick with greencough. Flamepelt, the Clan medicine cat, had insisted on Trailpaw staying in the nursery. While he was there, Milkkit and Trailpaw's other littermate, Oakkit, had decided to go on an adventure. The Clan noticed they were gone and quickly sent out search parties. Milkkit and Oakkit were found, and as punishment for leaving against the warrior code, their apprenticeship had been delayed. Their ceremony, according to Milkkit, should of been today, but now, according to the circumstances, might be delayed more. Trailpaw was glad that at least Oakkit was being apprenticed- it was lonely being the only apprentice!


 * When Trailpaw and Milkkit arrived at camp, Applestar rushed over immediately. "You found her!" he mewed. He raised his voice. "Trailpaw found Milkkit!"


 * Milkkit sat, shivering, obviously awaiting a cruel punishment. Trailpaw leaned down and murmured, "Applestar is not cruel. He is a fair, trustworthy cat. That's why he's the Clan leader!"


 * Applestar heard. "I will not delay your apprenticeship, Milkkit. Instead, you will be confined to camp as an apprentice. I hope dearly that it will teach you a lesson!" He paused. "It is time. Come, Milkkit. You are going to become an apprentice."


 * Applestar padded slowly over to the branch hanging over his den, where he made announcements. Trailpaw thought it looked very high up, but Applestar climbed it easily, and yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own tree gather here below the Thickbranch for a Clan meeting!" Most of the Clan was already there, but a couple of cats slid out of dens.


 * Applestar mewed, "Milkkit has been found. And she will be punished"-Milkkit shuddered- "as an apprentice." There were a couple of yowls of disbelief, but one yowl of great happiness sounded above the rest. It was Oakkit.


 * Applestar continued. "Milkkit, Oakkit, come here please." Milkkit and Oakkit quietly padded over, and Applestar leaped down from the tree. "Milkkit," he began, "until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Milkpaw." Milkpaw jumped up. "And your mentor is..." he took a deep breath- "Flamepelt."


 * Milkpaw turned around happily and touched noses with Flamepelt. "I will be the best medicine cat ever!" she promised.


 * Applestar turned to Oakkit. "Oakkit, from now on, until you have earned your warrior name, you will be known as Trailpaw. And..." he took an even bigger breath- "I will be your mentor."

Chapter 5

 * Forestpaw quietly padded through the forest with Hollystar. Hollystar's black pelt blended in with the shadows of the trees. Forestpaw wished that his gray pelt could do that. A couple of times Hollystar caught a mouse, and ate it with Forestpaw. But Forestpaww would not be happy until he caught a mouse of his own.


 * A stick snapped. Pawsteps sounded behind Forestpaw and Hollystar, and they whirled around to see that Skypaw and Icewing were running behind them. Icewing called, "Wait up!"


 * When Icewing and Skypaw caught up, they set on again. This time, it was more loudly and happily as Forestpaw waas reunited with his sister. "Did you clean out the den?" he asked Skypaw.


 * "Yes, I did! We finished almost as soon as you left, and then Icewing took me out to explore the forest. She taught me how to track scents, and I found yours, and now we're here!"


 * "Good job!" Forestpaw purred enthusiastically. "Was it hard?"


 * "Not at all!" Skypaw purred. "Icewing says I'm a natural!"


 * Forestpaw wished Hollystar could of taught him something like that. Is she hesitating? Why?


 * Skypaw mewed, "What have you learned so far?"


 * "How to stay quiet. As if I'll ever trek onto enemy territory!" Forestpaw growled. He continued, "I mean, we've been exploring the territory all morning, but when are we going to do something interesting?


 * "It sounds like you need to learn patience." Hollystar mewed coolly. Forestpaw flinched- he didn't know that Hollystar and Icewing had finished their talk about prey.


 * "You need to learn how to wait." Icewing agreed.


 * "Why should it matter?" Forestpaw spat. "It's my first day- I want to learn something!"


 * Hollystar mewed, "Okay then, Forestpaw. Why don't you... lead us back to camp?"


 * Forestpaw instantly spun around, and started to trek back the way he came. The other three cats followed him. "Make sure you know the way!" Hollystar called.


 * Forestpaw took a big sniff of the air. Inhaling scents was wonderful, but he needed to find the right one. He inhaled again. Mouse! He recognized the scent from the times he had eaten one. According to the scent, the mouse was nearby. A bush rustled next to him, and he smelled the mouse. He saw it, and pounced. His claws sunk into raw flesh, and the mouse was killed. He picked it up in his jaws, and came up victorious.


 * "Good job, Forestpaw!" Skypaw congratulated. "It looks like our play-hunting actually caught on!"


 * Hollystar came up. "Good job, Forestpaw. And after no training?" she asked.


 * "I guess." Forestpaw agreed.


 * Hollystar turned to Skypaw. "There's a mouse over behind that bush." She flicked her tail at a bush not far off. "Try and catch it."


 * Forestpaw watched as Skypaw ran off and disappeared behind a tree. He sat absentmindedly flicking his tail across the ground while Hollystar and Icewing talked about RiverClan.


 * And then he heard a yowl. "MEOW-ROW!"


 * Forestpaw saw a white pelt thrashing around in the air. "Skypaw!"

Chapter 6

 * Harepaw was chasing a rabbit. It rushed around in WindClan territory, then crossed the stream bordering ThunderClan territory. He followed it, and the rabbit lost him outside of what seemed to be ThunderClan's camp. Should I go in?


 * A cat emerged from a place in the brambles. It was gray, with forest-green eyes. A second cat followed. She was solid black, with green eyes. Hollystar! The gray cat was bouncing around like an apprentice about to explore the territory for the first time. Hollystar meowed, "Forestpaw, calm down! We're only looking at the territory, you don't need to be bouncing around like a startled rabbit!"


 * Forestpaw stopped bouncing around. "Yes, Hollystar." he meowed obediently. "I'm excited to learn about what you have to teach me!"


 * He must actually be an apprentice about to explore the territory.! Suddenly Harepaw realized he recognized the young apprentice. He had been a very young apprentice when he had been assigned to take a message during a battle with RiverClan and ShadowClan to ask for ThunderClan's help. Forestpaw, then Forestkit, had been one of the overexcited kits about to explode with amazement, it seemed.


 * He rushed over to Forestpaw and Hollystar. "Hi!" he mewed. "Recognize me?" he asked.


 * But Forestpaw and Hollystar did not seem to notice him.


 * Harepaw tried again. "Hi!"


 * Nothing. No sign of happiness to see him, or annoyance, or anything. I must be dreaming! Harepaw realized. I should see what the ThunderClan camp is like so I can lead my Clan into battle one day!


 * "You may not." A voice sounded behind Forestpaw. He spun around, growling, to see a cat he had not seen before. "Who are you?" he spat.


 * The cat sat calmly. "Young Harepaw, calm yourself. I am Onestar, the leader before Strongstar."


 * Harepaw let his fur fall flat and his claws sheathe. "How are you still alive? A deputy only becomes a leader after the old one dies!"


 * Onestar purred before going on. "You are dreaming." he meowed. "I am a member of StarClan."


 * And Harepaw understood. "Why am I here?"


 * "There is no reason why you are here." Onestar began. "You have chosen to come here, you followed your own will." He paused and took a breath. "Unless a StarClan cat led you here."


 * "No, Onestar."


 * "Then you have come here of your own accord. Tell me, what made you come here?"


 * "A rabbit." Harepaw answered. "I was chasing it and it came into ThunderClan territory."


 * "Well, you must leave. I think you will have a very pleasant surprise tomorrow, when you wake up."


 * "How do I get back?" Harepaw asked, suddenly worried. What if I can't get back?


 * Onestar answered his unspoken question. "You can get back."


 * "Thank you, Onestar." Harepaw bowed his head respectfully, and bounded away.


 * He found the WindClan camp and his den. and his nest. And saw himself. He quickly bounded over. I'm on the morning patrol!


 * He woke to a cat prodding him with a foreclaw. "Harepaw, wake up! Strongstar just called a Clan meeting!"


 * Molepaw circled around him. "Come on Harepaw! It's important! Strongstar even delayed a patrol!"


 * Harepaw sat up and licked his chest fur, he knew what was coming. He silently padded out of the den and a whole bunch of cats whispered, "Here he comes!" or "There he is!"


 * Strongstar was already on the Largehill. He meowed, "Harepaw, you have served the Clan well as an apprentice. The Clan would like to see how you would do as a warrior."

Chapter 7

 * Birdpaw flung herself at Yewtail, claws sheathed. Now was a perfect time for a training session, when two cats loved her!


 * Yewtail dodged neatly out of the way. "Birdpaw," she began, "are you thinking about something else other than this training session? I know you're hungry-" Birdpaw's stomach growled- "but you need to get over that!"


 * "Birdpaw didn't know what to do do. So she replied, "Yes, Yewtail."


 * "Now," Yewtail began, beginning to sound more brisk, "I want to teach you something new. You might as well fling yourself at me with a purpose."


 * Birdpaw sat with her attention fully on Yewtail.


 * "I want you to try and attack me. With your claws sheathed." she added. "Go!"


 * Birdpaw leaped up and threw herself at Yewtail, paw out. Yewtail, however, did something that she did not expect. Using her muzzle, Yewtail knocked Birdpaw's paws out from under her and neatly rolled over onto her back. She thrust out with her back legs and sent Birdpaw flying across the clearing. Birdpaw skidded across the grass, trying to come to a stop.


 * Yewtail mewed, "Now you try, Birdpaw."


 * Yewtail leaped at Birdpaw. Birdpaw knocked Yewtail's legs out from under her with her muzzle and rolled onto her back. Yewtail's legs were flailing, and Birdpaw got slightly scared that she could break one by accident. And with a mighty gasp of breath, Birdpaw realized that Yewtail was on top of her. Birdpaw struggled furiously, trying to get out from underneath Yewtail, but Yewtail held strong. Birdpaw noticed that Yewtail's claws were out. What is she doing? And Yewtail lunged, teeth bared, claws aimed a Birdpaw's face. Birdpaw felt claws rake her soft underside. Mouse-dung! Fight BACK! And with a yowl, Birdpaw unsheathed her claws and leapt at her mentor.


 * Yewtail was clearly surprised. She didn't react to Birdpaw's attack until Birdpaw had scratched her three times. Yewtail twisted,trying to get away, but this time it was Birdpaw that held strong. Yewtail yowled, and taking advantage of the shock it gave Birdpaw, she clawed Birdpaw and they got into a tussle. Neither one had the advantage for a long time, but eventually Yewtail gained it over an exhausted Birdpaw and pinned her down.


 * Birdpaw saw Yewtail leaning in to a death bite on the neck, and all Birdpaw's exhaustion suddenly faded away. She kicked up with her hind legs and Yewtail was knocked backwards. She lay, stunned by the impact.


 * Birdpaw started to dig a large pit with her claws, deep enough to keep Yewtail in.


 * Jaypaw rushed into the clearing. "She- she- she tried to kill you!" he stammered. "What are you doing, you'll get in trouble!


 * Birdpaw, for the first time, realized she was digging the pit out of instinct. She dragged Yewtail's stunned body into the pit and turned to Jaypaw.


 * "I was trying to knock her down and I- stopped- I don't know what for- and she landed on me with her claws out and started clawing me!" she explained. "So I fought back for my life and I got all tired..." and she stopped. Jaypaw knew what happened, there was no need to waste her breath on something unimportant.


 * Jaypaw started to growl, deep in his throat. "That mangy, flesh-eating-"


 * "Jaypaw, that won't solve anything!" Birdpaw interrupted. "Come on, lets go hunting!" Jaypaw got a wild look in his eyes. "Okay."


 * And they walked together scenting the air for some prey.

Chapter 8

 * Applestar is Oakpaw's mentor!


 * All around Trailpaw cats were whispering. he heard the elders' conversation. Toadfoot was whispering, "This is rare! I remember Applestar saying that he never wnated to be a mentor!" Tawnypelt replied, "Well, maybe Oakpaw showed some promise!"


 * Applestar raised his tail for silence. "It is now time for regular patrols." When the cats hesitated, staring up at him, he meowed angrily, "Well, get on with it then!" The Clan scrambled around, getting together patrols. Trailpaw's mentor, Tigerpelt, padded across the clearing to Trailpaw. "You're in the morning patrol," he mewed harshly, "and it's about to leave."


 * Trailpaw waved his tail as a goodbye to his brother, who was sitting next to Milkpaw as the elders fired questions at him. As Trailpaw passed, he heard Oakpaw mewing, "I don't know... it's only been a couple of minutes..." Trailpaw thought he sounded depressed.


 * Tigerpelt led the patrol out of the camp and up a hill. The other two cats in the patrol, Dawnfire and Ivytail were gossiping about something. Trailpaw flicked his tail in annoyance- he couldn't be bothered with a she-cat mind.


 * Suddenly Tigerpelt stopped dead in his tracks. "I hear something!" he meowed urgently. Dawnfire and Ivytail stopped whispering and purring at once. Now that they had stopped, Trailpaw could hear something too- a rustling in the bush ahead of them. A cat emerged.


 * Tigerpelt dipped his head in respect. "Emeraldstorm," he mewed, "you are always welcome at our camp."


 * Emeraldstorm's eyes widened. She mewed quietly, "I need catmint. May I come with you back to your camp?"


 * "Of course, Emeraldstorm!" Dawnfire mewed loudly. Tigerpelt looked annoyed. Dawnfire continued. "Yeah, you can come into our camp. Why don't we let every poor, lost, ThunderClan cat into our camp?" she sneered.


 * "I'm not lost!" Emeraldstorm spat angrily. Her claws slid out. "I only need catmint!"


 * "Why would we beleive that poor excuse for a story?" Ivytail spat.


 * "Emeraldstorm is a medicine cat." Tigerpelt told Ivytail and Dawnfire sternly.


 * "That's what she wants you to think!" Dawnfire spat.


 * "We will take her back to camp so she can talk to Flamepelt!" Tigerpelt spat. "Understood?"


 * Dawnfire sighed. "Yes, Tigerpelt."


 * Tigerpelt looked at Ivytail expectantly. "And... Ivytail?"


 * "Sorry!" Ivytail spat crossly.


 * "Okay, Emeraldstorm, you're cleared!" Tigerpelt meowed. "Let's go!"


 * On the way back to camp Ivytail and Dawnflame were muttering something about brothers and age.


 * When the five cats arrived back at camp, Flamepelt rushed over immediatly. Milkpaw followed cautiously. She leaned over and asked quietly, "Who is she? Her scent is something I've never smelled before!" She wrinkled her nose in disgust.


 * Trailpaw answered, "She is Emeraldstorm. She is the medicine cat of ThunderClan."


 * Flamepelt mewed loudly, cutting into Trailpaw's and Milkpaw's conversation. "Have you met my new apprentice yet?"


 * Milkpaw looked up, alarmed, and slowly padded forward to Flamepelt's side. "Hello, Emeraldstorm." she mewed quietly.


 * "Milkpaw, can you go fetch the catmint?" Flamepelt asked. "I showed you which one earlier, can you remember which one?"


 * Milkpaw nodded eagerly and raced off to the medicine den.


 * Flamepelt turned to Trailpaw. "Emeraldstorm, this is Trailpaw, Milkpaw's sister."


 * Emeraldstorm nodded a friendly hello at him. "Trailpaw," she began, "how do you like being an apprentice?"


 * "Good." Trailpaw replied. "I've been an apprentice much longer than Milkpaw and Oakpaw. They were punished as kits and their apprenticeship was delayed."


 * "Why weren't you?" Emeraldstorm asked curiously. "Don't kits usually do everything together?"


 * "I had caught greencough." Trailpaw replied.


 * Emeraldstorm nodded. "Wasn't that just one moon ago?"


 * "I think so." Trailpaw replied. "I kind of lost track of the time because I was sleeping so much."


 * Emeraldstorm nodded knowingly. "I gave catmint to Flamepelt then, he never told me what it was for!"


 * Flamepelt nodded. "Applestar wouldn't let me."


 * "Hollystar would never let me tell, either." Emeraldstorm agreed.


 * Just then Milkpaw came rushing back with the catmint. "Good job, Milkpaw!" Flamepelt praised.


 * "I need to get this back to Twistflank." Emeraldsorm meowed.


 * "I will escort you to the border." Flamepelt replied.


 * Milkpaw looked up hopefully.


 * "I'm sorry, Milkpaw, I would let you come, but you're confined to the camp, remember?" Flamepelt mewed.


 * Milkpaw thrashed her tail angrily and stomped back to the medicine den.


 * Trailpaw waved his tail as a goodbye and, shaking his head, took a mouse from the fresh-kill pile.

Chapter 9

 * "Skypaw!" Forestpaw yowled as he rushed over to the thrashing white pelt. Hollystar and Icewing were right behind him.


 * Hollystar reached Skypaw first. "She's caught in a Twoleg trap!" she wailed.


 * Icewing skidded to a halt beside Hollystar, with Forestpaw right behind her. "How do we get her down?" Icewing asked.


 * "One of us has to climb up and chew through the rope." Hollystar replied. "But, we should make a cushioned landing."


 * "Put leaves under her!" Icewing mewed.


 * The three cats set to work, gathering leaves and putting them in a large pile underneath Skypaw, guided by Hollystar.


 * When they were finished, Forestpaw asked, "Can I climb up and cut her down?"


 * Hollystar and Icewing stared at Forestpaw, surprised. He took this as a chance to continue. "I- I just feel that- that because she's my sister- that- she would prefer it that I- that I cut her down." he stammered. "I think she would feel more comfortable if I cut her down. I think because she's my sister that she trusts me more." he finished awkwardly.


 * Hollystar straightened up and nodded, apparently thinking. Icewing just looked at her.


 * "I like- I like that idea!" Skypaw stammered from her place in the trap.


 * Hollystar looked at Forestpaw. "Go ahead!" Forestpaw flicked his tail eagerly, and leapt onto the lowest branch. He looked up and saw that the rope holding Skypaw up was tied to a thick branch. He flicked his tail in annoyance and climbed upward. Stupid Twoleg! Why did he want to trap something?


 * He reached the rope and started to chew. It was long, hard work.


 * "How are you doing?" Hollystar called up.


 * "Fine." Forestpaw replied. He paused from his work to stretch his back and find a more comfortable position. He started to chew again.


 * After what seemed like a couple moons, the rope seemed ready to break by itself. "Skypaw, you're about to be freed! Be ready!"


 * Skypaw nodded, obviously to hurt or tired to do anything else.


 * "The last bite!" Forestpaw called down. And he bit down. The rope broke, and Skypaw fell... and landed unhurt in the leaves below. Forestpaw purred happily, flicked his tail, and started down the tree. When he got down he pressed his muzzle against Skypaw's, and the four cats headed back to camp silently, Skypaw limping every other step.


 * When they arrived back at camp, the four were greeted with purrs and meows of, "We were so worried! We were about to send out a patrol!"


 * Forestpaw flicked his tail at Skypaw's injury, which she had gained during her time hanging from the rope. Mintpaw, the medicine cat apprentice, took Skypaw to the ThunderClan medicine den.


 * Forestpaw quietly padded across to the fresh-kill pile, where he took a small rabbit and started to chew on it happily. The other apprentices eagerly asked what happened. "One question each!" Forestpaw purred. "Waterpaw, you first!"


 * And so, after Waterpaw's question, Olivepaw, Emberpaw, Lightpaw, Steelpaw, Larchpaw, and Bumblepaw asked theirs. Finally, only Flamepaw was left. "Is Skypaw okay?" he asked. His eyes were fixed intently on Forestpaw, ready to absorb every word he said. This was a change of heart, because Flamepaw usually was ignorant and rude, and he liked to be alone. He loves Skypaw! Forestpaw realized with a pang.


 * "She's got a leg injury," Forestpaw began, "but she is fine, just shocked."


 * Flamepaw raced of to the medicine den, leaving his half-eaten finch behind him. Forestpaw, who had already finished his rabbit, took it for himself.


 * All of the apprentices were quietly getting ready to go to sleep, except for Forestpaw. He waited outside for a while before he went to his new nest in the apprentices' den. He felt a pang of loneliness at Skypaw's empty nest.


 * I didn't want my first day as an apprentice to end like this! And he fell into a cold, dreading sleep.

Chapter 10

 * Harepaw quivered with excitement. I'm going to get my warrior name now! After 6 moons of training, it was about to be fully realized. He looked back at Rabbitpaw and Molepaw. They both flicked their tails at the Largehill, and nodded their heads.


 * Harepaw walked slowly up to the Largehill, where he sat, staring up at Strongstar.


 * Strongstar began. "I, Strongstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." He paused, and stared down at Harepaw, taking in the last moments of his apprenticeship. "Harepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"


 * Harepaw barely managed to whisper, " I do "


 * "Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name." he paused, probably approving the name for Harepaw in his mind. "Harepaw, from now on, you will be known as Harerush. WindClan welcomes you as a full warrior."


 * Harerush padded over to Strongstar, who rested his muzzle on Harerush's head. In turn, Harerush respectfully licked Strongstar's shoulder.


 * WindClan chanted, "Harerush! Harerush! Harerush!" The ceremony was over.


 * "Tonight," Strongstar meowed, "you will sit your warrior vigil."


 * Rabbitpaw and Molepaw reached Harerush first. "Good job!" they mewed in unison. Then they looked at each other and let out small mrrows of laughter and padded away, with small glances back at Harerush.


 * Now the crowd was starting to gather, with meows of congratulations and purrs of good luck. All Harerush wanted to do was go back to sleep.


 * Rushingwind meowed, "Excellent name!"


 * Harerush had no time to reply. Crowfeather, an irritable elder, was padding over. "Good job, Harepaw." he mewed. "I mean, Harerush," he corrected. "Good job." And he padded away.


 * Now it was Voletail's turn. Harerush was obviously the love of her life, even though she never admitted it. Harerush didn't like her back. "Good job, Harerush," she purred. "You know, we have a hopeful future together. Want to go for it?"


 * "No." Harerush meowed curtly. When he saw the look of extreme hurt and surprise on her face, he meowed, "I heard that..." he hurriedly tried to think of a name, any one would do, "Lightingstorm of ThunderClan likes you!"


 * "He's already got a mate!" Voletail wailed. "And he would never cheat on her!"


 * "Oh, sorry." I get him and... Lightningstrike of ShadowClan confused." Harerush amended quickly. "They look alike to me."


 * "Okay!" Voletail meowed happily.


 * Harerush blinked, surprised. That was easy.


 * Strongstar padded over. "Do you like your new name?" he asked. "I think it fits you. You're the fastest cat in the Clan, you know."


 * "I love it!" Harerush praised his leader. I really do like it!


 * "Great!" Strongstar purred. He padded away.


 * A warrior named Trenchfoot padded over, well known for tripping over his own feet. His original warrior name had been Bigfoot, but Strongstar changed it to Trenchfoot. Trenchfoot mewed, "Good job, Harerush." For some reason, Trenchfoot sounded curt and annoyed. "Why are you called Harerush?"


 * "Strongstar probably has his reasons, but nobody ever asks." Harerush replied, wondering what was coming next. Trenchfoot was not a warrior for small talk, he usually had a reason to talk to anyone besides Strongstar or Rushingwind.


 * "Humph," Trenchfoot grunted. "Just keep in mind that I'm a senior warrior, and you just became one. So you have to listen to me."


 * Harerush narrowed his eyes. "Why?"


 * "Because I'm a senior warrior!" Trenchfoot narrowed his eyes, too.


 * "That doesn't mean you can bully me!" Harerush spat angrily. "Just leave me alone!" he stalked off to the other side of the camp. He thrashed his tail angrily. If he wants an enemy, he'll get one!

Chapter 11

 * Birdpaw walked slowly back to camp with a mouse in her jaws. I can't eat it now! I'm on a hunting patrol! But it's not official, and I am part of the Clan! She settled down to eat behind a large bush. Jaypaw was right behind her.


 * "What are you doing?" Jaypaw wailed.


 * "Eating some fresh-kill."


 * "But, this is a hunting patrol!"


 * "It isn't official, though."


 * Jaypaw thought for a little while. "Give me a bite of that mouse!"


 * The two apprentices settled down to eat the mouse, alternating bites. When they were finished, they walked back to camp.


 * They emerged from behind a large bush that no cat but RiverClan cats knew about. The back entrance is useful!


 * Clawstar was at their side in an instant. "Where have you two been?"


 * "Hunting," Birdpaw answered. At the same time, Jaypaw answered, "Training."


 * Clawstar looked at Birdpaw. "And, where is your mentor?"


 * "She said she was going hunting on her own."


 * Clawstar nodded his head. "Okay then. Be good." He bounded away towards an approaching patrol, led by Mooneye. Her sister, Suneye, was the medicine cat.


 * Clawstar looked up from his place of deep, stern conversation with Mooneye. "No!" he yowled. "Why Yewtail?"


 * Jaypaw's eyes widened in fear, and Birdpaw felt her pelt bristle. Both apprentices quickly walked over to the apprentices' den, which was shared only by them and Fishpaw. Jaypaw grabbed a rabbit from the fresh-kill pile and finished his walk to the den in deep thought.


 * "What are you doing?"


 * Jaypaw flicked his tail to show that he had heard. When they made it to the den, he dropped the rabbit and meowed, "Getting us some fresh-kill."


 * "To make us look less suspicious." Birdpaw guessed.


 * Jaypaw nodded his head. "You take the first bite."


 * Birdpaw bit into the rabbit. Jaypaw followed.


 * Clawstar walked over to them. "Do you know anything about Yewtail?" he asked.


 * "You mean, she went out hunting?" Birdpaw asked. "I don't know where, I bounded away before she did."


 * "A patrol found her dead."


 * Birdpaw stood up, forcing her tail to fluff up and her neck fur bristle. "I'll kill whoever did it!" she growled. I can't kill myself.


 * "You didn't know anything?" Clawstar asked. "Are you sure?"


 * "Yes," Birdpaw spat, "and if I did know anything, I would tell you! I am your daughter, right?"


 * "Yes. You're my daughter." Clawstar meowed. "I believe you." He padded away.


 * "That was close!" Jaypaw hissed.


 * Birdpaw nodded. "And this is our little secret, right?"


 * Jaypaw nodded, too. "Yes."


 * How will I finish my training?

Chapter 12

 * A moon had passed. Trailpaw's training was going well, and he couldn't wait to become a warrior.


 * Oakpaw was doing well, too. He was learning complicated hunting and fighting moves, and some were even harder than what Trailpaw knew. Oakpaw purred with pride every day when Applestar complimented his skills in one way or another.


 * Milkpaw was doing well, and as a medicine cat, Flamepelt was saying that she was doing a better job than him when he was an apprentice. Milkpaw was also learning simple fighting and hunting techniques, and knew that she wasn't doing as well as her two brothers. "But then," Oakpaw commented, "you're not supposed to!" Milkpaw nodded wearily, and carried the yarrow she had been holding back to her den.


 * One day Tigerpelt padded over to Trailpaw. "Come with me on a hunting patrol. Today's the chance to see how you're doing compared to your siblings. Applestar, Flamepelt, Oakpaw, and Milkpaw are coming too!"


 * Trailpaw nodded. "Okay," he meowed. But he was unsure. There was only a quarter moon between their apprenticeships. What if they're better than me?


 * The patrol gathered and headed out of camp, leaving the ShadowClan deputy, Bushtail, in charge. When Applestar told him, he raised his head proudly and meowed, "I will serve my Clan well!" Then he glance uneasily at the nursery where his mate, Lakepool, lay waiting for her kits to be born. Neither Flamepelt or Milkpaw seemed to notice, or they didn't want to.


 * "Come on!" Applestar meowed quickly. "Let's head out of here!"


 * And so the patrol left. Almost instantly Oakpaw pounced on a vole, adding to Trailpaw's distress. But, he didn't mean for that to happen. he added. It was a coincidence.


 * Applestar praised Oakpaw, and the patrol moved on, with a small dead vole joining them. Oakpaw carried it proudly, every now and then glancing at one of the other cats in the patrol to see if they were looking. The only cat he caught, however, was Trailpaw, who quickly looked away.


 * Milkpaw killed a mouse. Tigerpelt found a squirrel, but it escaped. Flamepelt pounced on it before it managed to get out of harm's way, though, and so Tigerpelt looked sullen while Flamepelt glanced around, making sure no cat but the patrol saw Tigerpelt's mistake.


 * Finally, it was Trailpaw's turn to catch something. He looked around eagerly as they walked, and sniffed the air deeply. And, suddenly, he pounced. A mouse was trapped under his claws, now dead. Yes! Now I don't look like a kit in front of the patrol!


 * Tigerpelt managed to get some fresh-kill, although it was only a small crow. "But," Applestar commented, "at least it's fresh-kill, and it's edible."


 * "It's crow-food!" Milkpaw joked. When Applestar glared at her, she backed away slowly and looked at the ground.


 * "Let's see what you can catch, Applestar!" Oakpaw suggested boldly.


 * "Yeah!" Trailpaw added. "I want to see how well a Clan leader hunts!"


 * Applestar whirled around to his right and pounced at a bush, coming up with a small wood mouse in his jaws. "It nearly escaped," he grunted from behind the mouse, "but I got it anyway."


 * Milkpaw amazed even Flamepelt when she identified a herb that she hadn't been taught. "You told me the name once, though!" she protested. "At the beginning of training, when you showed me all the herbs!"


 * Flamepelt blinked. "I forgot." he meowed roughly.


 * When the patrol finally got back to camp, Bushtail raced over to Flamepelt. "Flamepelt!" he yowled. "Voleflank is having her kits!"


 * Flamepelt's eyes widened. "Okay," he meowed calmly, "tell everyone to get out except for her, me, and Milkpaw. Bushtail, you can gaurd the entrance, and I'll call you in as soon as possible after the birth," he added quickly.


 * He and Milkpaw raced off the the medicine den to gather a couple of needed herbs, and a couple of heartbeats later, raced towards the nursery.


 * Trailpaw stood waiting nervously in the clearing. He must of dozed off, because Flamepelt came out and announced the success of the birth way too soon. "Two she-cats and a tom!" he meowed to the Clan happily.


 * Milkpaw came out later and meowed, "They're so cute! There's a little gray one, the tom, that I hope that they call Ashkit, and a tortiseshell one that I really want to be called Nosekit. She has the cutest nose!"


 * Clan life is going so well! But how long will it last?

Chapter 13

 * Forestpaw was in a clearing, surrounded by four trees. Where am I?


 * At cat padded up to him, emerging from the shadows of bushes surrounding the clearing. He had a ginger coat, and green eyes. Like me. "I am Firestar, the previous leader of ThunderClan."


 * "Why am I here?" Forestpaw asked.


 * "Because StarClan wants you to be." Firestar answered.


 * "What is this place?" Forestpaw asked.


 * "This place is Fourtrees," Firestar answered curtly. "Back in the forest, this was the place where the four Clans gathered in peace for the full moon."


 * Forestpaw nodded. "And they didn't fight?"


 * "Not all things are worth fighting over, Forestpaw. You should know that."


 * "But why am I here?" Forestpaw asked desperately. "StarClan doesn't let you trespass on their territory for no reason!"


 * "This will eventually be your territory, too." Firestar meowed. "And there is a reason. I am the messenger."


 * "You called me here to tell me that you're the messenger?" Forestpaw asked, annoyed. "I could be sleeping now, for... your sake!"


 * "No," Firestar reassured him, "I came to tell you the reason."


 * "Oh."


 * "But first, I have to show you something." Firestar meowed. He stretched out his tail until it touched Forestpaw's, and visions flashed before Forestpaw's eyes.


 * First, there was three cats. One had a brown pelt and amber eyes. He smelled of WindClan. Another was black with brown spots down his back. He smelled of ShadowClan. The third had a light brown pelt with light green eyes. She smelled of RiverClan. All of the three cats seemed to be looking at him expectantly.


 * The scene switched to a short vision of four powerful looking cats. The three cats from his last vision were all standing next to him, growling.


 * As the scene switched, Forestpaw tensed. It was a battle scene, and he saw his claws slashing at a cat, unrecognizable because he was covered in blood. It was gushing out of so many places...


 * Firestar pulled his tail away. "And now I have to tell you what this is all about."


 * "Do I even want to know?" Forestpaw asked anxiously. "Can I wake up now?"


 * "You need to know." Firestar insisted. "I-"


 * Firestar was interrupted. A cat padded into the clearing. It looked a lot like Firestar, with his same rusty pelt and green eyes. But this cat, that Forestpaw could tell was a she-cat, had one white paw. "Tell him!" she growled angrily.


 * "I was just about to, when interrupted, Squirrelflight," Firestar growled angrily, "and you can watch, but no interruptions."


 * He turned back to Forestpaw. "I am about to tell you the next Great Prophecy." he meowed. "Are you ready?"


 * Forestpaw shivered. Why me? "Yes. I"m ready."


 * "So am I!" Squirrelflight yowled from across the clearing.


 * Firestar glanced at her before speaking. His voice became hoarse as he meowed, "There are two of four the determine the four's future. Whoever wins will carry the flame."


 * "Okay." Forestpaw meowed. He wasn't sure what to think. Why am I part of this? I never wanted to be!


 * "Meet the other three cats of the prophecy at the Gathering tomorrow night. They will be waiting for you under the tree with the lowest hanging branch." Firestar instructed.


 * Forestpaw nodded. "I will."


 * "Now get a good night's sleep. I don't want you to be tired all the time because of us."

Chapter 14

 * Harerush clawed his way across the log leading to the island. Thrushfoot was behind him, and his new apprentice, Rushpaw, was in front of him.


 * Rushpaw jumped down from the log with his fur bristling in excitement and his tail waving back and forth. "You don't need me, right?" he asked Harerush.


 * "No, go explore!" Harerush replied. "Go over where those apprentices are and get to know them. Don't say much," he added, "just listen and learn. If you can, try and start a contest to see how good they are, so you can fairly judge them in battle."


 * "Okay!" Rushpaw meowed. "Bye!" He ran off.


 * Now to find that tree... Harerush walked around the clearing and saw a tree with three other cats sitting near it. That must be them! He bounded over and sat down.


 * A gray cat asked nervously, "You had the dream? With the prophecy about two of four?"


 * Harerush nodded. "I did."


 * The gray cat relaxed. "Okay. I'm Forestpaw. I"m from ThunderClan."


 * A cat with a light brown pelt meowed, "I'm Birdwing, of RiverClan. I just got my warrior name a quarter moon ago."


 * "I go mine a moon ago." Harerush meowed. "I'm Harerush."


 * A cat with a black pelt sat quietly, waving his tail silently back and forth. Forestpaw, Harerush, and Birdwing all stared at him. "Who are you?" Birdwing asked curiously. "You had the dream, right?"


 * The black cat looked up. "Of course I did. I'm Trailpaw, of ShadowClan."


 * Forestpaw nodded. "That's all of us, I think."


 * "What do we do now?" Trailpaw asked nervously.


 * "I think we should try and figure out the prophecy." Harerush meowed. "I can't figure out what it means!"


 * "Well, we're obviously 'The Four'," Forestpaw began, "but it says in the prophecy that there are two 'Fours.' Who are the others?"


 * "I know what 'carry the flame' means." Trailpaw piped up.


 * Birdwing, Forestpaw, and Harerush stared. "Tell us!" Birdwing meowed eagerly.


 * "My medicine cat's name is Flamepelt," Trailpaw began nervously, "and he has a very important position in the Clan."


 * "So we're all going to become medicine cats?" Forestpaw asked.


 * "I don't want to be a medicine cat!" Birdwing meowed. "I want to be a warrior!"


 * "Hang on," Harerush began, "it only says 'if we win.'"


 * "And," Trailpaw added, "that's only one important position. There's two left."


 * "Deputy..." Birdwing began.


 * "And leader." Forestpaw finished. "We're gong to be leaders!" he meowed excitedly.


 * "But only 'if we win'." Harerush meowed. "What if we don't?" he asked.


 * "Then something bad will happen." Birdwing meowed. "We can't let that happen. For the sake of the Clans."


 * "But what if it only affects one Clan?" Forestpaw asked.


 * "It won't." Trailpaw meowed. "One cat from each Clan got the prophecy. That's obviously a sign."


 * A yowl sounded from across the clearing. Strongstar was calling the meeting.


 * "Cats of all Clans! The Gathering is starting!"


 * The cats in the clearing settled down, stopping their interactions.


 * "I will begin." Strongstar meowed. "We have a new warrior."


 * Harerush straightened up.


 * "Harepaw has become Harerush."


 * All the cats in the clearing turned to look at Harerush. He felt the burning stares of all of them, and forced himself not to look away.


 * "We also have a new apprentice. Rushpaw."


 * The cats looked at Rushpaw, sitting with all of the apprentices.


 * "Harerush is his mentor."


 * Only a couple of cats looked at Harerush, but most of them were busy staring at Rushpaw, who was bouncing up and down on his feet.


 * "Life is good in WindClan." Strongstar finished.


 * Applestar padded forward now. "It is my turn, I think. We have three new apprentices-" he cast a meaningful look at Strongstar- "who are Trailpaw, Oakpaw, and Milkpaw. Milkpaw is the new medicine cat apprentice."


 * The cats all turned to look at Trailpaw, Oakpaw, and Milkpaw. Oakpaw was sitting near Rushpaw, and they were excitedly talking about something. Milkpaw was sitting near Flamepelt and the other medicine cats. Her tail was fluffed up and sticking up, but her eyes shone with excitement. Trailpaw slouched his back as the cats turned to stare at him.


 * Hollystar padded forward. "We have two new apprentices." Applestar shot a look of triumph at her. "Forestpaw-" Forestpaw sat up as the crowd turned to look at him- "and Skypaw." Forestpaw's sister fluffed out her cloud-white pelt and her sky-blue eyes shone.


 * It was Clawstar's turn now. "We have three new warriors, Birdwing, Jaywing, and Fishjump." Birdwing bowed her head modestly as the cats turned to look at her. She'll make very truthful warrior, Harerush thought.


 * Jaywing straightened up and tried to look strong and merciless in front of the Clan cats, but his brother, Fishjump, muttered something in his ear, and Jaywing slouched his back a little.


 * "Is there nothing else to say?" Clawstar asked. When the clearing was silent, he nodded. "This Gathering is over." He jumped down from the tree, followed by Hollystar, Applestar, and Strongstar in turn.


 * "Why don't we meet on the edge of ThunderClan and ShadowClan territory in a quarter moon?" Trailpaw suggested. "I have a place that make can meet from then on, but none of you know where it is. It's usually uninhabited by any other animals, so I think we'll be fine there."


 * "Where the stream goes deep into ShadowClan territory," Forestpaw added.


 * The other three cats nodded, and walked back towards their Clans. Rushpaw ran over to Harerush and started to tell him what the apprentices did, and how they were so nice...


 * Harerush could only think only of the prophecy. What if one of us fails? What if all of us fail? He couldn't help but think that there was trouble ahead for all four Clans.

Chapter 15

 * "Birdwing!"


 * Birdwing groaned as she opened her eyes to see Jaywing standing above her. "What, Jaywing?"


 * "You're in the morning hunting patrol, remember?"


 * Birdwing sat up. "Are they leaving already?"


 * Jaywing nodded. "I'm in it, too."


 * Birdwing felt her back straighten up and her tail curl around her front paws in excitement. "Who else is going?" she asked cautiously.


 * "I think Fishjump, but it might be another cat. I'm not sure," Jaywing replied.


 * Birdwing nodded her head. "Let's go find out, shall we?" she asked smoothly. She and Jaywing padded out of the den, pausing only to stretch their backs once they were outside.


 * Clawstar called from across the clearing, "I'm on the morning patrol, too! Let's go!"


 * Birdwing and Jaywing froze. What? "Are you the only one other than us?" Jaywing asked nervously.


 * "Yes." Clawstar meowed. "Come on! Let's see if you actually deserve to be warriors of RiverClan."


 * Birdwing looked at Jaywing before she left the camp. He was trembling from head to toe, but when he saw Birdwing looking at him, he made a obvious effort to stop. "Just go, and make up a story if he asks. I'll follow up," he muttered, and padded out of the camp, and Birdwing followed.


 * Clawstar slowed down to let Birdwing and Jaywing catch up with him. "You looked spooked," he meowed to Jaywing. "Why?"


 * Jaywing shivered once before answering. "It's just that I never imagined going on a hunting patrol with you before," he answered slowly, "with you being a leader and all."


 * "Don't worry. I can punish you, and make you train in a certain area, but you will always have your warrior name unless I change it. Your name will never be Jaypaw again."


 * Birdwing shivered. I hope. Imagine kits calling their father Jaypaw. That would be weird!


 * "Let's sit," Clawstar suggested. "I know a great place!"


 * Birdwing slowed down to let Clawstar take the lead. Jaypaw followed. "What do we do?" he asked.


 * "I'll make up a story, and you follow along." Birdwing meowed, suddenly calm. Nothing will ever be wrong, with Jaywing loving me. If Clawstar banishes me, he'll banish Jaywing too, since he was involved.


 * Clawstar chose a spot surrounded by bushes. He beckoned Birdwing and Jaywing over with his tail, and they sat in front of him. Jaywing sat with his pelt brushing Birdwing. I will never feel alone. Birdwing thought.


 * "So." Clawstar glared at Birdwing and Jaywing in turn. "What is up between you two? Are you going to mate?" he asked, "because I don't mind."


 * Birdwing felt a strange anger brew inside of her. "Why do we need your approval?" she spat. "Me and Jaywing have been in love since we were apprentices! Why should it matter if you approve?"


 * "I'm your Clan leader, and your father." Clawstar answered.


 * "Well, we don't need your approval!" Jaywing spat. "It's a cat's decision alone who they mate, and we've already made up our minds. It's final." He wrapped his tail protectively around Birdwing, and unsheathed his claws. "So don't bother us!"


 * Clawstar drew back. "I'm sorry, Birdwing. And to you too, Jaywing," he added when Jaywing growled at him, "but I just feel I should protect Birdwing. She is my only kit, and I don't want to lose her."


 * Birdwing relaxed her spine. He loves me.


 * Jaywing didn't relax. "How should I believe you?" he spat. "All I see is a overprotective father in the form of a Clan leader!"


 * "Clan leaders are supposed to protect their Clans!" Clawstar spat. "You don't understand that, do you?"


 * "I do, but you're protecting Birdwing as a father, too!" Jaywing spat. "She's a warrior now!"


 * Clawstar relaxed. "I understand, Jaywing. I was being too protective. I'm sorry if I offended either you or Birdwing, and I'll jsut stop being fatherly protective of Birdwing."


 * Jaywing didn't relax. "You'd better," he growled, and swept away.


 * Birdwing caught up to him. "I didn't mind him being fatherly protective of me. I was just angry that he approved of our mating."


 * Jaywing stopped walking, and stared into Birdwing's eyes. "I know," he murmured softly, "but I wanted to show you that I could protect you if I needed to."


 * Birdwing purred, and entwined her tail with Jaywing's. "I love you," she murmured softly into his ear.


 * "I love you, too." Jaywing licked Birdwing's ear. He let go of Birdwing's tail. "Race you back to camp!" he yowled.


 * They raced off, side by side.

Chapter 16

 * Trailpaw waited in the cold darkness at the edge of his territory, waiting for the other three cats, Forestpaw, Harerush, and Birdwing. Tonight was the night where he would show them their new meeting spot, and he was looking forward to it. I'll show them that I'm smart, even if I'm only an apprentice!


 * He heard the bushes in front of him rustle, and a voice whisper, "Trailpaw? Is that you?"


 * Trailpaw meowed, "Yes, it's me."


 * Forestpaw and Harerush emerged from behind the bush. "We came together," Harerush explained, because I didn't know where the meeting place is."


 * "Hey!" Birdwing crept up from behind Harerush. "I followed you until right now!"


 * "You could of just come through ShadowClan territory and walked up the river until you found us." Trailpaw meowed.


 * "I didn't want to find the camp," Birdwing explained. "I heard it's the closest out of all the Clans to the lake, and I didn't want to find out how close."


 * "It's not within the two tail-lengths of the lake." Trailpaw meowed. It's not even close. It takes about 60 heartbeats to walk from the camp to the lake."


 * Birdwing nodded. "Okay. I'll keep that in mind next time."


 * "I'm going to show you the place we're going to meet from now on." Trailpaw meowed. "You'll find it's quite nice to eat fresh-kill there."


 * "I'm going to roll in the mud." Harerush meowed. "Birdwing and Forestpaw should do it too, because nobody should smell us in the territory."


 * Forestpaw obeyed instantly and rolled in the mud in front of him. Harerush found another place, and Birdwing waited until Forestpaw had finished until she rolled in it.


 * Trailpaw marked the boarder excessively before he lead the way to the meeting place. He didn't want the rest of ThunderClan and ShadowClan to smell Birdwing, Forestpaw and Harerush. They would think suspicious thoughts about the four Clans, and it would likely turn the relationships of the four Clans into turmoil.


 * Trialpaw showed the other three cats an abandoned Twoleg nest just inside ShadowClan territory.


 * "I don't want to meet there!" Birdwing meowed. "It's a Twoleg thing!"


 * "The scent's stale." Harerush meowed. "I like it."


 * Forestpaw agreed, and after some persuasion, Birdwing decided it was a good place to meet.


 * Trialpaw got four mice to eat out of the area, and told the three other cats, "After you!" The three cats entered the nest, followed closely by Trailpaw.