Mistpools secret

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Leader
Birchstar- A black tom with green eyes

Deputy
Hazelstorm- A dark brown she-cat with a white underbelly and amber eyes.

Medicine cat
Willowsong- A light grey silverish tom with glistening green eyes (Apprentice- Mistpaw)

Warriors
Nightstripe- A black tabby tom with silver stripes running along his pelt with amber eyes. (Apprentice- Pinepaw)

Smokepelt- A smoky colored tom with amber eyes

Jayfur- A blueish blackish tom with blue eyes (Apprentice- Spottedpaw)

Rowanpelt- A light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes. (Apprentice- Whisperpaw)

Amberhaze- A orange tom with green eyes (Apprentice- Greypaw)

Hollypelt- a black she-cat with amber eyes

Cloudstrider- A white tom with grey stripes and light grey eyes (Formerly Cloudpaw)

Briarfox- A dark brown she-cat with amber eyes.

Streamglint- A light grey she-cat with light blue eyes

Bramblestorm- A light brown tom with yellow eyes (Apprentice-Cloudpaw)

Winterfur- A white she-cat with amber eyes and light grey paws. (Apprentice- Ashpaw)

Sleetshadow- A dark grey tom with black patches and deep blue eyes. (Apprentice- Sunpaw)

Froststorm- A grey she-cat with dark blue eyes. (Apprentice- Fernpaw)

Heatherflight- A dark brown she-cat with golden stripes and green eyes. (Formerly Heatherpaw)

Pinefur- A reddish tom with blue eyes. (Formerly Pinepaw)

Fernshine- A silver she-cat with emerald eyes. (Formerly Fernpaw)

Ashtail- A dark grey tom with fern colored eyes. (Green) (Formerly Ashpaw)

Sundew- A golden tom with green eyes. (Formerly Sunpaw)

Greyleaf- A light grey tom with green eyes. (Formerly Greypaw)

Apprentices Edit
Mistpaw- Grey she-cat with white underbelly and black patches with ice blue eyes.

Spottedpaw- Sandy colored she-cat with white patches and amber eyes.

Whisperpaw- Silver she-cat with light blue eyes

Greypaw (Now Greyleaf)

Sunpaw (Now Sundew)

Ashpaw (Now Ashtail)

Fernpaw (Now Fernshine)

Heatherpaw (Now Heatherflight)

Pinepaw (Now Pinefur)

Wishpaw- Black she-cat with green eyes

Sleetpaw- Dark grey tom with blue eyes

Rowanpaw- Dark brown tom with amber eyes

Dewpaw- Blueish she-cat with green eyes

Queens
Bluefang- Blueish grayish she-cat with amber eyes. (Mother of Rowanpaw, Wishpaw, Sleetpaw, and Dewpaw.)

Echoshade- Light grey she-cat with ice blue eyes. (Mother of Spottedpaw, Whisperpaw, and Mistpaw.)

Rosetail- Light brown she-cat with golden eyes

Kits
None currently

Elders
Spidertail- Black she-cat with a long tail

Mallowear- Brown tom with several nicks in ear

Leader
Wolfstar- Dark grey tom with emerald eyes

Deputy
Emeraldheart- A silver tabby she-cat with emerald eyes

Medicine cat
Nightleaf- A black cat with yellow eyes (Apprentice- Molepaw)

Warriors
Feathermist- A silver she-cat with emerald eyes. (Wolfstars daughter) (Apprentice- Maplepaw)

Ivorywhisker- A cream colored tom with amber eyes

Sunclaw- A golden tabby tom with light green eyesCedartail- A dark brown cat with darker paws and amber eyes

Jayfoot- A dark grey tabby tom (Apprentice- Birchpaw)

Dawnstream- A pale golden she-cat with amber eyes

Mosstail- A dark grey tom with light green eyes

Scorchheart- A black tom with yellow eyes

Eagleclaw- A brown tom with green eyes

Aspenlight- A golden she-cat with pale green eyes with flecks of grey (Apprentice- Silverpaw)

Hickorystep- A brown she-cat with yellow eyes (Apprentice: Lightpaw)

Stoneblaze- A light grey she-cat with amber eyes

Oakwing- A small tabby she-cat with light blue eyes

Stormbird- A dark grey tom with black paws and black rings around his tail with dark blue eyes

Apprentices
Silverpaw- A silver she-cat with pale blue eyes with grey flecks

Birchpaw- A pale brown tom with green eyes

Maplepaw- A lithe she-cat with emerald eyes

Lightpaw- A golden she-cat with amber eyes

Molepaw- A dark brown she-cat with dark blue eyes

Queens
Hiddenfeather- A black she-cat with yellow eyes (Currently mothering Larkkit, Honeykit, and Pebblekit.)

Kits
Larkkit- A light brown she-cat

Honeykit- A pale golden tabby she-cat with light blue eyes

Pebblekit- A silver tom with emerald eyes

Elders
Smokeheart- A pale grey tom

Swallowstream- A light brown mottled she-cat

Leader
Shinestar- A friendly black she-cat

Deputy
Swanfeather- A white tabby with pale grey rings around her tail, pale grey paws, and a pale grey underbelly. (Apprentice- Lightningpaw)

Medicine cat Edit
Froststream- A white tabby she-cat with glistening emerald eyes

Warriors
Honeywillow- A kind golden tabby she-cat with pale green eyes

Icestep- A white tabby she-cat with ice blue eyes

Lightsky- A beautiful golden tortoiseshell with eyes the color of the sky

Treeclaw- A brown tom with green eyes

Cindermist- A dark grey she-cat with amber eyes (Apprentice- Glimmerpaw)

Batshadow- A black tom with amber eyes

Ravensong- A dark tabby tom

Smokewhisker- A dark tom with green eyes

Foxleap- A russet colored tom with amber eyes and a white underbelly (Apprentice- Icepaw)

Streamtail- A light grey she-cat with pale blue eyes

Hazelfur- A brownish she-cat with green eyes

Dawnflight- A pale golden she-cat

Mosswing- A silver tabby she-cat with dark green eyes

Icestrike- A pure white she-cat with ice blue eyes. (Formerly Icepaw)

Apprentices
Lightningpaw- Black tom with a golden muzzle and yellow eyes

Glimmerpaw- A light tabby she-cat with golden eyes

Icepaw- A pure white she-cat with ice blue eyes. (Now Icestrike)

Queens
Bluemist- A blueish looking she-cat with pale grey eyes and pale grey paws (Mother of Ravenkit, Silentkit, Stormkit, and Robinkit)

Kits
Ravenkit- A jet black she-cat

Stormkit- A dark grey tom with dark blue eyes

Robinkit- A brown she-cat with ginger patches of fur and amber eyes

Silentkit- A pale grey she-cat with white paws, a white muzzle, and white rings around tail, that doesn't speak often

Elders
Pounceberry- A white she-cat with ginger patches

Leader
Lionstar- A small brown tabby she-cat

Deputy Edit
Dovefeather- A pale grey she-cat with a white muzzle

Medicine cat
Dawnstripe- a mottled sandy colored tom

Warriors
Ashwind- An ash colored she-cat that is the fastest runner in Windclan

Prairierunner- A light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Flowershade- A darker she-cat with green eyes

Emberstorm- A tabby tom with amber eyes

Wolfspirt- A dark grey tom who's fur always seems to be ruffled or messy

Crystaltail- A pale white and grey she-cat with light blue pale eyes

Fallingleaf- A ginger colored tom

Splashstorm- A pale white and grey tabby tom

Birdfire- A light tortoiseshell tom

Ravenblaze- A darker tom with amber eyes

Mintflight- A pale grey she-at with mint colored eyes

Sedgewhisker- A darker tortoiseshell she-cat

Poppysong- A dark brown she-cat

Apprentices
Sandpaw- A sandy colored tom

Maplepaw- a dark red she-cat with light blue eyes

Queens
None currently

Kits
None currently

Elders
Quietmoor- A light brown she-cat

Chapter One ~ Introduction
Echoshade sat in the shadow of the aspen tree, enjoying the warm sunshine. She wrapped her tail neatly around her swollen belly and paws. She watched as her clanmates padded by happily. She watched as a cluster of apprentices padded by her talking and laughing. One of the apprentices called Pinepaw went over to his mentor, Nightstripe, and asked him something. The black and silver striped tabby bent over to hear him.

Her mate, Smokepelt then emerged from the cats milling around, and bounded over to her. "Echoshade, what are you doing out of the nursery? Your kits will be due any day now!" he demanded looming over her.

She laughed. "Im just enjoying some of this sunshine! Its the only warmth we have had for days now." It was true, it had been raining heavily for many days. Smokepelt sighed and then meowed "Alright. But be careful, and if you feel any pain whatsoever go to Willowsong immediately!" Willowsong was their medicine cat. Then he padded away and disappeared in the warriors den.

Bluefang, Echoshades best friend bounded over to her. "Hi Echoshade!" she exclaimed. Echoshade smiled and responded "Hello Bluefang. Where are your kits?" Bluefang was another queen at the moment her kits a moon old. "They're in the nursery, I left them of a minute so I could fetch you."

"Fetch me? Why?" Echoshade asked her friend. "Well Willowsong wanted me to come get you and have you rest in the nursery as your kits are so near to coming." Echoshade sighed and nodded reluctantly standing up. She then padded to the nursery her tail swaying, following Bluefang.

Chapter Two ~ The three kits
Echoshade woke with a gasp, feeling excruciating pain. "Bluefang! Fetch Willowsong!" she cried. Bluefang immediately understood and dashed to the medicine den. Willowsong returned moments later carrying a bundle of raspberry leaves and a sturdy looking stick.

Smokepelt paced back in front of the nursery, waiting for Willowsong to tell him he could come in. The waiting was horrible but he knew he had to do it. He winced as he head a shriek come from the nursery but immediately relaxed as Willowsong told Echoshade in a comforting tone "Alright your done. Eat this," Smokefoot turned to stare at the nursery, eyes wide with panic. Willowsong then emerged from the nursery, looking tired but relieved.

"How is she? Is everything okay?" He exclaimed rushing over to her. Willowsong smiled and nodded. "you have three healthy daughters."

Smokepelt beamed and rushed into the nursery where Echoshade and three kits were lying. One was a pale almost silver cat, another a dark grey cat, and the last a sandy tortoiseshell. Echoshade looked up at him and meowed sleepily "Hi Smokepelt" He responded quietly "Hi". Echoshade then told him that she had decided what they would be called. "this one is Whisperkit" she mewed placing her tail on the silvery grey she-cat. "This one is Misktkit" she told him placing her tail on the dark grey she-cats head. "And this last one is Spottedkit" she meowed placing her tail on the sandy tortoiseshell. Smokepelt smiled down at all of his kits whispering to them "Hi Whisperkit, Spottedkit, and Mistkit. Im your father, Smokepelt and this is your mother Echoshade.

He then padded out off the nursery and Echoshade fell asleep. But one of her kits was awake. Mistkit lifted her head blinking open huge shimmering icy blue eyes.

Chapter Three ~ The first time
Mistkit toddled out of the nursery followed by her sisters, Whisperkit and Spottedkit. "Wow every things so big!" Mistkit exclaimed. It was the first time the kits had been out of the nursery. Echoshade followed them watching their every move. Smokepelt bounded over to his kits and mate. He lapped at his mates head affectionately between her ears. "The kits are finally out of the nursery!" He exclaimed. "I know," meowed Echoshade looking fondly at her kits.

Mistkit looked around at the warriors of Thunderclan surrounding her. Spottedkit and Whisperkit were staying close to Smokepelt and Echoshade but Mistkit walked up to one of her freinds, Greykit who was a larger kit and five moons old. "Hi everyone!" She meowed to the cats surrounding her. Willowsong stepped forward and smiled at the kit. "Hello Mistkit" he mewed to her. "Hi Willowsong!" Mistkit exclaimed. "Your the medicine cat, right?" Willowsong nodded and Mistkit beamed up at him. Suddenly a loud coughing came from the medicine den. Willowsong turned and frowned. "I have to go, but it was nice to meet you Mistkit." He told the kit and bounded to the medicine den. Mistkit looked at her, eyes wide in awe "He's amazing" she breathed to herself.

Spottedkit spotted Mistkit staring at the medicine den and rolled her eyes. "I dont want to be a boring old medicine cat," she told Mistkit. "I want to be a warrior!" Mistkit narrowed her eyes and growled playfully, leaping on top of her littermate. Spottedkit slid out from under her sister, leaving Mistkit flailing. Whisperkit spotted her sisters fighting and raced over to join them. Greykit and his brother, Sunkit broke away from the dispersing warriors, along with a kit that was a moon older than them and ready to become an apprentice at any time, Heatherkit, raced over to join them. Greykit bowled Mistkit over, his bright green eyes glimmering in amusment. "Got you," he purred. "Not for long!" Mistkit exclaimed and slid out from under him like Spottedkit had done to her earlier. She spun quickly and jumped on top of him, arms and legs outstretched. "Oof" Greykit muttered looking annoyed but his still glittering eyes gave him away. Heatherkit bounded over to Greykit and Mistkit and pulled Mistkit away from Greykit. Just as Mistkit was turning to bat Heatherkit away, Echoshade called her back to the nursery "Aww" Mistkit muttered, but followed her sisters into the cosy and warm nursery.

Chapter four ~ Greypaw
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here under highrock for a clan ceremony!" Birchstar called, his black pelt standing out against the brown rock. Murmurings came from below as the clan gathered, wondering what the meeting was about. Mistkit glanced over at her freind, Greykit, who was about to have his apprentice ceremony with Sunkit. Heatherpaw was sitting with Pinepaw, Fernpaw, Ashpaw, and Cloudpaw, looking superiorly at the kits.

Birchstar then began to speak again when all the cats were gathered. "Greypaw, Sunpaw, come here." The two kits did so, their eyes gleaming with excitment. "Greypaw from this moment on you will be known as Greypaw until you becone a warrior. Amberhaze," he called and the bright orange warrior trotted forward, looking proud to be a mentor. Mistpaw looked enviously at Greypaw. Amberhaze was known for being a nice cat and a fantastic mentor. "Amberhaze," Birchstar continued "You have shown yourself to be a kind and brave warrior. Do all you can to pass on what you know to Greypaw." Greypaw beamed and touched noses with Amberhaze.

Birchstar called Sunkit forward, giving him the name of Sunpaw and appointing his mentor to be Rainfall.

Then he dissmissed the clan and Mistkit ran over to Greypaw. "Congratulations!" she exclaimed. Greypaw smiled and was about to reply when Heatherpaw padded over to him "Congratulations Greypaw." she meowed "You'll do a fine job as an apprentice." Greypaw looked rather confused but shrugged and meowed "Thanks."

Heatherpaw nodded and padded away. Amberhaze then waved Greypaw over with his tail and Mistkit watched as her friend bounded away, feeling a bit envious and lonely.

Chapter five ~ An apprentice. At last!
"Mistpaw, Mistpaw, Mistpaw!" the warriors of Thunderclan chanted as Mistpaw, Whisperpaw, and Spottedpaw stood in front of their clan. Mistpaw swelled with pride and excitment and went over to her mentor, Willowsong. Spottedpaw padded to her mentor, Jayfur, while Whisperpaw went to Rowanpelt who was her mentor.

"Ready to begin training?" Willowsong asked Mistpaw looking pleased. "Yes!" Mistpaw exclaimed as the clan began to leave the meeting area. Willowsong nodded and meowed "Follow me then" and padded to the medicine den which was a spacious cave with vines and bracken hanging over the entrance and ferns clustered around it. In one corner of the den a trickle of water ran down the side, pooling in an crevice halfway down the wall and in another larger crevice underneath it on the ground. Most of the herbs were stacked in neat and tidy piles and there was a ple of moss by the pools of water. There were two nests in one corner of the cave and from the other, there was a small opening, just large enough for a cat to slip through comfortably. Mistpaw padded over to it as she had not seen it before and slid through it. There was a grassy clearing with an aspen tree dappling the sunlight on the ground. By the tree there was a large supply of moss growing.

Willongsong padded through the crack and told Mistpaw "This is the medicine clearing. It's where patients can go to enjoy the sun when they are still healing. And there's a great supply of moss!" Mistpaw nodded.

Willowsong then meowed "I need to you to take some fennel to Bluefang as her hips have been feeling stiff. After that we will do a tour of the territory. Mistpaw gave a small squeak in excitment and dashed into the medicine den. She picked up a few spiky leaves of fennel and bounded to the nursery. She dropped the herbs at Bluefangs paws where Bluefang blinked gratefully at her.

"Thank you Mistpaw." Mistpaw smiled and nodded. She began to go back to the medicine den but spotted Spottedpaw padding by. "Hi Spottedpaw," she exclaimed "How do you like training?" Spottedpaw grinned. "Its great! Jayfur is an amazing mentor." Mistpaw beamed then saw Willowsong waiting for her at the entrance of the medicine den. "Oops- I have to go now. I have to get back to the medicine den for a tour of the territory." spottedpaw nodded an Mistpaw bounded over to her mentor.

"Ready?" Willowsiong asked his apprentice and Mispaw nodded. They set out of camp where there was many tress dappiling the sunlight. The forest looked cheerful as they passed through it. Willowsong pointed at a clump of coltsfoot. "A good supply of coltsfoot grows right over there. Do you know what it's good for?" Mistpaw hesitated but meowed "it's good for shortness of breath and you can make a poutice of it for cracked pads."

They passed by a large black stretch of hard road. "Whats that?" Mistpaw asked looking astonished at the apperance. She reached out to touch it but Willowsong swiftly batted her paw away. "Thats the Thunderpath." she told Mistpaw. "Thats a real thing?" Mistpaw asked, her eyes wide. Willowsong nodded sollemly as a roaring began to grow. A glitering scarlet thing appared and raced closer to them with each passing second. Mistpaw squeaked and jumped back. "That was a monster, right?" she meowed after the glittering thing had passed. Willowsong nodded again and led her away from it.

"We share a border with Windclan and Shadowclan," he told his apprentice pointing out the stream that marked the border with Windclan. They veered back into their territory passing a clump of willow trees.

Chapter six ~ The first day.
Mistpaw and Willowsong emerged from the tunnel that lead into camp after the tour of the territory. The sun was setting, and the sky was a soft orange and had a pinkish hue. Mistpaw was beaming but exhausted after walking so far. She spotted her sisters Spottedpaw and Whisperpaw waving at her with their tails. They each has a piece of prey in front of them and Mistpaw broke away to join them after getting permission from Willowsong.

"How was your first day?" Whisperpaw asked. "It was great!" Mistpaw exclaimed settling down with a vole in front of her "I got to take a tour of the territory and learn the best places to find herbs."

"Wow cool!" Spottedpaw replied "Whisperpaw and i also took a tour of the territory. We managed to squeeze in some battle training too!" Mistpaw smile and began to eat her vole in small quick bites, finishing it quickly. She watched the warriors and apprentices mingle in the camp and share tongues. "I'm so happy I live in Thunderclan" she thought. "It's the best clan ever!"

A while later after the three litter mates had talked and finished their prey Mistpaw went to the medicine den feeling full, satisfied, and tired. She went over to her nest seeing that Willowsong was sorting herbs and settled down into it.

"G'night Willowsong" she murmured and sank into a deep sleep, barely hearing Willowsongs response.

Chapter seven ~ Spottedpaw
Spottedpaw leaped into the air, lashing a paw out at her mentor, Jayfur. Jayfur slipped back and swiped a paw at her legs as she landed, causing her to fall. "Wow, that's a great move!" Spottedpaw exclaimed. Jayfur nodded and meowed "I'll teach you how to do that move and then we are going on a hunting patrol. Spottedpaw nodded and Jayfur taught her how to do it. Jayfur then leaped at her without warning lashing a paw out. Spottedpaw slipped back and knocked Jayfurs paws out from under him.

"That was great!" he exclaimed "Now time to go on that hunting patrol." Spottedpaw followed him out of the training area and padded to where Amberhaze, Greypaw, and Hollypelt were waiting. "Hi Spottedpaw!" Greypaw greeted her happily. "Isn't it great being an apprentice?" Spottedpaw agreed and Greypaw asked "So.. Hows Mistpaw doing?" Spottedpaw thought that she saw something flicker in Greypaws eyes as he mentioned the dark grey tabby's name."

"Oh she's fine. I heard that she's really loving training and she knows almost all the herbs." Greypaw nodded and turned his eyes clouding slightly. Spottedpaw wasn't sure why he seemed so crestfallen but then she realized: Oh… Greypaw probably wanted to be Mistpaws mate. Wow thats really bad luck.

Jayfur called to her. "Spottedpaw, are you coming? We don't have all day!" Spottedpaw nodded and scampered after the rest of the hunting patrol.

Chapter eight ~ The gathering
Mistpaw was sorting herbs when her mentor, Willowsong, came in. "Mistpaw," the light grey cat began. "Tonights the gathering and you are coming. So when you finish sorting those herbs you can go get a piece of prey, and when you finish it we will most likely leave."

Mistpaw almost squealed in delight but stifled it and managed a nod. Willowsong then padded out of the den. Mistpaw continued sorting the herbs, but in her rush to finish she kept on messing up. Finally, she finished and was about to leave when Greypaw came in. 'Hi Mistpaw," he greeted her cheerfully. "I've gone and gotten a thorn stuck in my paw. Can you help me?"

Mistpaw nodded "Of course." While she bent her head to examine his paw, she asked him "Are you going to the gathering tonight? I am! Willowsong just told me." Greypaw nodded "I am! Even though its my fourth gathering (Greypaw had only been chosen a few times to go) I'm still really excited and nervous- Ow!" he exclaimed as Mistpaw tugged the thorn out. "Sorry," Mistpaw meowed looking amused "Give it a good lick and come back to me or Willowsong if it starts to hurt or becomes swollen. Greypaw nodded.

"Are you going to get some prey after this?" Greypaw meowed as Mistpaw was putting away the herbs.

"Yes, I am. Are you?" Greypaw said yes and when Mistpaw finished, the two set off to the prey pile together. Mistpaw picked up a small vole, not feeling particuarly hungry, and Greypaw chose a starling. They padded over to an aspen tree and hastily ate their prey. Mistpaw kept an eye on the gathering warriors at the entrance of camp where Willowsong was waiting for her. Whisperpaw and Spottedpaw emerged from the apprentices den followed by Heatherpaw and Sunpaw. Heatherpaw glanced over at Mistpaw and Greypaw and when she saw them eating together, her eyes narrowed. "Whats got her tail in a twist?" Mistpaw wondered, but before she could think about it more Greypaw finished his vole and both of them padded to the camp entrance. immediantly Heatherpaw went over to them and began to talk to Greypaw. Feeling left out, Mistpaw went over to Willowsong and waited for Birchstar to tell them it was time to leave.

Birchstar padded over to the cats and gathered them together with a sweep of his tail. All the cats clustered around him and he led them out. As soon as all the cats chosen to go to the gathering got out of camp he broke into a run and the cats of Thunderclan dashed after him, their tails streaming behind them. Mistpaws eyes widened as they came in sight of the island. "Wow" she breathed feeling nervous and excited at the same time.They raced to the log bridge and clambered onto it. Mistpaw waited her turn and when it came she hesitantly stepped onto the log, feeling it wobble beneath her. She started out timid but gained for confidence as she went over it.

Finally she stepped off of it and gazed around the island in wonder. "Wow" she thought "It's so much bigger than I thought it would be!" Spottedpaw and Whisperpaw stepped off the log beside her and were gazing around with equal expressions of amazement. She looked around, feeling tiny beside all the other large apprentices. Spottedpaw and whisper paw had then wandered off by this time so Mistpaw was alone.

"It's bigger than you though, huh?" A voice sounded behind her. Greypaw was standing behind her, his eyes glittering with slight amusement. Mistpaw nodded, her eyes wide. "Its huge!" Greypaw laughed. "Every cat feels that way when they first see it."

"And how do you know that?" Mistpaw meowed looking slightly annoyed. Greypaw opened his mouth to reply after chuckling, but a yowl came from the center of the island. "Let all cats here for the gathering, gather here under the full moon!" Greypaw bounded toward the call, with Mistpaw close behind.

The leaders were standing on the four branches, their eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "That one is Lionstar," whispered Greypaw pointing to a small brown tabby she-cat that looked harmless. 'She's the leader of Windclan. She may look small and weak but she's very fast, cunning, and an amazing fighter." Mistpaws eyes widened. "That cat over there, next to Birchstar is Wolfstar, the leader of Shadowclan." he said pointing at a dark grey strong looking tom with shining green eyes. "He's a good leader, and an even better fighter. He's even more cunning than Lionstar though!" Mistpaw nodded and her eyes darted to the next cat which was a black cat with a kind look in her eyes. "Her name is Shinestar, the leader of Riverclan" Greypaw mewed, following her eyes. "She's very very friendly and kind. Shinestar does defend her territory fiercely though."

"Wow, everyone looks so fierce!" Mistpaw meowed when he had finished, her eyes huge. Greypaw nodded. "But don't let it bother you," he started to say when Willowsong came over to the two apprentices. "Mistpaw you need to come and sit with the other medicine cats and me."

"Oh. Sorry, Willowsong, I'm coming!" Mistpaw responded and sprang up, following her mentor. Greypaw watched her go, his eyes clouded. A purr came from behind him "Hi Greypaw." Heatherpaw meowed as she sat down next to him. "Hi Heatherpaw" mumbled Greypaw, staring sat his paws. "Whats wrong?" she asked, looking concerned.

"Nothing" Greypaw responded. "Oh I know what it is." Heatherpaw mewed her eyes flashing suddenly "Is it because Mistpaw left to go sit with the other medicine cats?" Greypaw nodded slowly. "I suppose"

Heatherpaw pressed against him "Don't worry I won't leave you." she told him. "Thanks Heatherpaw." Greypaw told her, and he sat up, feeling considerably better.

Chapter nine ~ The other medicine cats
Mistpaw padded over to the other medicine cats. "Hi!" she greeted them. The other medicine cats looked at her in a friendly way. Mistpaw smiled at them and a brown cat that looked as if she was an apprentice opened her mouth to say something. Before she could say whatever she was planning to say though, Mistpaw never heard the gathering started right then.

Shinestar looked down at all of the cats and Mistpaw saw her open her mouth to speak. "Riverclan is doing well. The river is supplying plentiful fish. We have a two new warriors tonight: Streamtail and Hazelfur." The cats of the clans called their names loudly, and Mistpaw felt nervous as she realized her name would be called in a matter of minutes. Shinestar continued "One of our senior warriors moved to the elders, Pounceberry. The clans called Pounceberries name and Shinestar stepped back and gestured to Wolfstar.

"Shadowclan is also doing well in this season. Starclan has provided us with much prey." Mistpaw looked around and saw that the cats of Shadowclan were unusually plump. "We have decided to extend our territory somewhat into the woods. We have enough warriors to do so. Shadowclan also has two new apprentices. Molepaw and Lightpaw. Molepaw has been apprenticed to our medicine cat, Nightleaf." The clans called the two apprentices names and Mistpaw saw the brown apprentice beside her sat up a little straighter, her eyes gleaming with joy and excitement. "So that must be Molepaw" she thought. Wolfstar nodded at Lionstar and took a step back.

Lionstar looked around at all the cats and began to speak. "Windclan has not had as much prey as the other clans but we have had more than expected." Heatherstars voice began to drone as Mistpaw zoned out, imagining her name being called. Lionstar finished speaking and Birchstar began.

"We have three new apprentices. Mistpaw, Spottedpaw, and Whisperpaw. Mistpaw has been apprenticed to Willowsong as an apprentice medicine cat." Mistpaw heard her and her litter mates names being called and beamed. Then... it was over. Birchstar finished and the cats began to talk and share news.

Mistpaw looked around at the medicine cats surrounding her. "Im Mistpaw she mewed to them." The medicine cats smiled at her and a tortoiseshell she cat with glistening amber eyes meowed "Im Dappledspirt. I'm the medicine cat for Windclan." Mistpaw nodded a greeting at her and a mottled sandy colored tom meowed "I'm Dawnstripe, the medicine cat of Windclan." Mistpaw smiled and the brown apprentice that was near her smiled and meowed, "Hi I'm Molepaw." Mistpaw nodded and meowed a greeting when a white tabby with bright green eyes mewed "Hi Mistpaw. I'm Froststream, the medicine cat of Riverclan." Then a black cat with yellow eyes spoke up and told her that he was Nightleaf the medicine cat of Shadowclan "And of course I'm sure you know Molepaw, my apprentice." he finished. Mistpaw nodded. "Hi everyone."

The medicine cats chatted and shared news for a while and Molepaw padded up to Mistpaw. "Hi," se greeted the brown apprentice. "Hows training?" Molepaw beamed "It's great! I already know all the herbs and I've been treating lot of things without Frostmoons help. Yesterday I helped Brackenfox with a sprain and one of Oakberries kits that got a thorn in his paw." Mistpaw smiled. "Thats great! I helped none of my friends Greypaw with a thorn to, and I gave some tansy to Emberspirt who was coughing." The two apprentices chattered and shared helpful remedies with each other until it was time to go.

"Come on Mistpaw, we have to go." Willowsong told her and Mistpaw stood up as Nightstripe called Molepaw to him. The medicine cats separated and headed off toward their clans. Thunderclan began to head home, and Mistpaw couldn't stop smiling even though she was tired after her first gathering.

Chapter ten ~ Starclan
Once the cats got back to camp Mistpaw could barely keep her eyes open. Willowsong spotted her looking tired and nudged her toward he medicine den. "Go to bed, you look like your about to fall asleep on your feet." he meowed in a comforting tone but also in a teasing way. "Okay Willowsong." Mistpaw yawned and she padded to the medicine den toward her comfy nest. Her eyes were flickering shut and her head drooping as she stepped into the nest and curled up. Bright sunlight began to filter into the den but Mistpaw was already fast asleep.

Mistpaws eyes opened as she found herself in a lush beautiful forest where a shimmering, playful, and bubbly river gurgled in front of her happily as it flowed swiftly. "Where- where am I?…" Mistpaw meowed looking around the forest. A beautiful pale brown tabby appeared before her, her pelt seeming to shine and her amber eyes glistening. Mistpaw gasped. "Leafpool!"

The brown tabby smiled and dipped her head "Yes Mistpaw, I am Leafpool."

"Wow I never thought I would actually get to meet you! This is so exciting! Am.. Am I in Starclan?" Leafpool nodded. "Yes, it is." Leafpool was legendary among most of the clan cats. She had mated with Crowfeather and had three kits, two of them saving the clans yet she still was one of the best medicine cats Thunderclan had ever seen. Or, at least she was in Mistpaws opinion. A while after the great battle with the Dark Forest, Crowfeather had left Nightcloud and his son Breezepelt to live in Thunderclan. Leafpool and Crowfeather had never technically been mates again but they had always been good friends and when Crowfeather died, Leafpool joined him in Starclan a few moons later after they both had lead healthy and successful lives. It was not a very well known fact, but Leafpool had been mates once more with Crowfeather in Starclan. Nightcloud had found a better and more loyal mate and Breezepelt became deputy with a mate and fathered a litter of kits which had softened his heart. Before he could become leader though, a group of rats attacked him and he left to go to Starclan joining his mother and father.

Leafpool looked at Mistpaw, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes as the young apprentice came out of the stories that were told in nursery stories. "Thinking about my life history?" she mewed teasingly. Mistpaw looked down embarrassed. "Well.. Maybe." she admitted. "But why are you here? Do you have a prophecy for me?" Leafpool looked at Mistpaw. "Not exactly, but Firestar did tell me that he wanted you to know that I will always be with you." Mistpaw smiled. "Thanks!"

She caught a black cat watching her across the river with a grey tabby and a golden cat. Leafpool saw her and followed her gaze. "That's Crowfeather, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather." Mistpaw smiled and raised her tail to wave at them in greeting. The three cats mimicked her their eyes gleaming. Mistpaw noticed that the vibrant river and forest were quickly fading away and a voice seemed to be penetrating her dream. "Mistpaw! Mistpaw, wake up!"

"I'm waking up," she called to Leafpool. "When will I see you again?" Leafpool yowled to her above the voice and Mistpaw struggled to stay asleep. "The next time you fall asleep! Don't worry, I will always be with you!"

Mistpaws eyes flew open and she bolted upright from her nest. "Phew" she muttered when she saw it was just Willowsong. "Mistpaw, we are going out to collect herbs." she heard and nodded groggily, beginning to groom her ruffled fur, getting scraps of moss out of her pelt.

I'm so glad Leafpool's watching over me!

Chapter eleven ~ Mistpaws first battle.
Seven sunrises later Mistpaw was sitting in the warm sunlight, watching the cats milling around. She smiled as she watched her father, Smokepelt, and Echoshade share tongues. Suddenly a yowl came from the dark forest that surrounded the camp, penetrating the cosy and enjoyable atmosphere of the Thunderclan camp.

"Shadowclan, attack!"

Mistpaws eyes widened and she jumped to her paws. She hadn't had any battle training at all! Warriors burst into the camp, their eyes narrowed and they were snarling. They stood in front of the camp entrance, crouched and ready to spring on any cat who moved. From the midst of them a dark grey cat strode into the center of the clearing. It was Wolfstar. The cunning leaders eyes gleamed in cruel satisfaction as he gazed at the shocked cats staring at him and his warriors.

Mistpaws eyes darted around franticly. Where was Birchstar!? Then she remembered suddenly: He had gone to the Moonpool with Willowsong and was not expected back for a few days at least. It was unusual for leaders to go to the Moonpool but Birchstar went every five moons so he could check on things, to be safe. But obviously, this time it wasn't so safe.

Wolfstar kinked his tail and more of his warriors spilled from the wall that his other ones had constructed, using their bodies. They spread out behind them, tensed and ready to attack. The warriors of Thunderclan slowly, their fur bristling and ears flat against their head. Mistpaw was petrified and could't move much to her great dismay. With a movement almost to quick to be seen Wolfstar lashed his tail and the warriors not part of the wall, leaped upon the other cats. A large brown she-cat with amber eyes and a scar across her chest bounded to Mistpaw, snarling. She sprung upon the small grey apprentice and Mistpaw gasped for air as she felt the crushing weight of her attacker. She's more than three times my size!

She batted her paws feebly at the tabby, claws unsheathed. But she knew little about fighting, as she had only been in play fights with her littermates and Greypaw and never had actually seen an actual battle. Suddenly the weight disappeared and she saw Greypaw standing before her his sleek pelt ruffled and his eyes full of rage. "Thanks!" she gasped, filling her lungs with the precious air that had been stolen from her. Together they clawed her, but Mistpaw more hesitantly. She didn't want to hurt a cat, but it was only necessary.

The she-cat raced away spitting insults at them, and her eyes narrowed. Mistpaw spotted her litter mates holding off Wolfstar along with Cloudstrider, a senior warrior. Oh no! she thought. They could be seriously injured! She bounded over to join them as the quick and strong Shadowclan leader was beginning to beat them back. Spottedpaw and Whisperpaw were beginning to look tired and haggard, especially Whisperpaw.

Mistpaw raked her claws down his flank, wincing as she thought of terribly hurting him. I'm a member of Thunderclan! I have to fight for my clan even if I am a medicine cat. She thought. The leader whirled upon her his eyes blazing with rage. She gulped and stepped back. He swung his paws at her and the world went black. She collapsed on the soft earthy floor of the camp hearing cries from her littermates and Greypaw, "Mistpaw! Mistpaw are you okay!? Please get up!" Faintly among the cries she heard a deep yowl come from the other worried meows and screeches.

"Shadowclan, retreat! This old clan is beaten! We do not leave out of fear but mercy! Shadowclan, retreat!"

Good. She thought before all noise became all one droning sound and she completely lost consciousness.

Chapter twelve ~ Where's Willowsong?
Mistpaw awoke, her head aching and she was squinting against the too bright sunlight. Slowly, the world came into focus. She was in her soft cozy nest in the medicine den. Why am I here? She thought. Then her memories of what had happened previously came flooding back to her. She groaned. Spottedpaw, Whisperpaw, and Greypaw must have brought me back to camp after I passed out. A sandy head poked into the medicine den. "I heard her groan!" came a call from the cat. Then Mistpaw realized it was Spottedpaw. Whisperpaw, Echoshade, Smokepelt and other members of the clan responded happily and their faces appeared in the entrance. Spottedpaw padded over to her and meowed softly.

"How are you feeling? We carried you back here and you have been out for a few hours. Whisperpaw and i weren't sure of what to do but we put cobwebs on everyones wounds, hoping it would stem the blood." Mistpaw nodded. "You did exactly the right thing" Spottedpaw looked relieved. "Good. And how are you feeling?" Mistpaw pushed herself to her paws ignoring Spottedpaws protests. "I feel better, I'm a bit dizzy but I need to treat the clans wounds, seeing Willowsong isn't here." It was true, Mistpaws headache had faded and she was feeling better. She gathered the herbs she needed and went outside where the warrior and apprentices were waiting.

She began to chew up a poultice of horsetail, marigold, goosegrass, and golden rod. She applied it to the more serious wounds and used catchweed to secure the poultice to the wounds. She bound cobwebs tightly to the wounds and chewed up another poultice that consisted of oak leaves, dock, and chervil for the less serious wounds. She applied it to the wounds swiftly using the same routine. Mistpaw noticed that Echoshade was looking particularly injured and haggard. She applied the poultice immediately giving her poppy seeds and ordering her mother to his nest. She padded over to the few warriors clustered together that had sprained their paws. She spotted Greypaw among them. She chewed up a poultice of elder leaves, comfrey, and chervil and applied it to their sprains, using more cobwebs and binding it more tightly than she had with the other wounds. She ordered the cats with more serious injuries to rest and the cats with sprained paws. She then distributed willow bark to the cats, for pain, and gave poppy seeds to the cats she had ordered to their nests.

The clans deputy, Hazelstorm, began to organize patrols using the less injured cats. "Briarfox, Sleetshadow, and Amberhaze please go on a hunting patrol. Briarfox, you lead. Streamglint, Bramblestorm, and Hollypelt please go on the border patrol for Windclan. Bramblestorm you will lead the border patrol. Winterfur, Hazelfrost, Rowanpelt, and Ashtail go on a patrol along the Shadowclan border. The rest of you go back to your nests and rest." Mistpaw yawned, feeling tired, her head drooping. Spottedpaw saw her and nudged her to the medicine den "You need to go rest." her sister urged. Mistpaw nodded, to tired to protest and padded to the medicine den, barely setting down the herbs she hadn't used and curling up in her nest before she fell into a deep sleep.

Chapter thirteen ~ Echoshade
Mistpaws eyes flew open and she found that she was in the forest again with the river in front of her. She sprain to her paws looking around for Leafpool, feeling a new surge of energy. She spotted her friend chatting with Firestar and Squirrelstar. After Bramblestar had died his mate had succeeded him and became a loyal, fair, hardworking, and kind leader. Leafpool looked around, seeming to sense that Mistpaw was in the grounds of Starclan and stood up when she saw the apprentice padding toward her. "Hi Mistpaw," she purred. The small grey cat smiled and responded, "Hi Leafpool." She dipped her head to Squirrelstar and Firestar and in response they dipped their heads back, their eyes twinkling warmly. "Hello Mistpaw," They greeted her. "Hello," she responded. Leafpool led Mistpaw away from the two ginger cats.

She sat down, out of earshot from her sister and father and waited for Mistpaw to join her. Mistpaw saw a troubled look in her eyes. "Mistpaw, something very sad is about to happen. I'm afraid there isn't anything you can do about it." Mistpaw looked up her eyes wide in fear. "What is it? Is every cat going to be okay?" Leafpool took a deep breath. "No," she admitted. "Mistpaw I'm very sorry I have to be the one to tell you this, but… Your mother is going to die."

"What!?" Mistpaw exclaimed. She had to have heard her wrong. "You can't be serious! She-she looked tired but her wounds weren't that bad!" Leafpool nodded solemnly. "She is abut to die. And I'm so sorry but you can't wake up for a little while." Mistpaws eyes filled with tears and she noticed a shimmering shape begging to take form behind Leafpool. She saw that it had Echoshades distinct grey pelt color and the tears began to spill from her eyes. Echoshade looked at her sadly and mouthed to her daughter, "I'm so sorry. I wish things could have been different."

Mistpaw bounded away from Leafpool as fast as she could and pressed her pelt against her mothers. Her mother looked down at her, her green eyes glimmering from sadness. "I'm so sorry Mistpaw. I will miss you and your litter mates and father every day until I see you again. Tell them I loved them all very very much. I will not see you as often as you and I hope, but I will sometimes." Mistpaws mother pressed against Mistpaw harder, and Mistpaw started to sob. Leafpool looked at them sadly and she wished that things could have been different.

The beautiful but seeming harsh to Mistpaw at the moment began to fade slowly but gaining speed. No! I'm waking up! She thought, choking back a sob. The world went black and Mistpaws eyes opened slowly to her sisters staring down at her. "Mistpaw.. It's Echoshade. She's-she's.. dead. Whisperpaw murmured, tears spilling from her eyes, beside a sobbing Spottedpaw. "I know." Mistpaw whispered before she went to Echoshade to begin the vigil for her kind and understand mother. Smokepelt was already waiting in the clearing, his head hanging and his eyes dull.

Chapter fourteen ~ The loner
It had been several moons since Echoshade had died and Mistpaw was progressing into an intelligent, wise, and brave medicine cat. Bluefangs kits had become apprentices: Rowanpaw, Wishpaw, Sleetpaw, and Dewpaw. Rowanpaw and Mistpaw had become good friends, and often collected herbs together or hunted. Whisperpaw and Spottedpaw were steadily growing, getting closer and closer to their warrior ceremony. Greypaw and Sunpaw would most likely become warriors in a few weeks, and Heatherflight had become a warrior about two weeks ago. Heatherflight was already acting superior to the apprentices, but Greypaw, as it seemed obvious that she wanted him as a mate. Whisperpaw was gettting close to Sunpaw and her two sisters often teased her about it. Spottedpaw did not seem to like any of the toms in the clan, except as feeinds. Mistpaw often wonndred if she was okay, or if she was sick. Spottedpaw often seemed distracted and tired, but she was bubbly and happy most of the time when Mistpaw saw her.

"Mistpaw come on! We're going to leave, and Rowanpaw will scare off all the good prey if you don;t come soon!" Mistpaw smiled and bounded to Spottedpaw, Whisperpaw, and Rowanpaw, who were waiting at the camps entrance. Willowsong had agreed to let her go hunting with her friend and littermates. The four padded into the dark forest and Mistpaw felt a shiver run down her back, as she remembered Wolfstar and his warriors bursting from the trees, and killing her mother. Then she spotted Spottedpaw waving at her with her tail, crouched, ready to spring. Mistpaw hurried over, careful not to step on anything. She drew herself closer sand closer before springing on the vole and ending it. Behind her a growl of "Mouse dung!" came. Mistpaw turned around, holding her vole. "What is it?" she asked Rowanpaw who was glaring a a tree. "The mouse heard me and it went in a hole under the tree." Mistpaw stifled a laugh as she saw the toms frustration. "I'm sorry, but I know you'll catch it sometime." she urged him.

After all of the apprentices had caught something, they went back to camp. Mistpaw was carryying her vole and a sparrow, Rowanpaw had finally caught his mouse, Whisperpaw had a vole and a mouse, while Spottedpaw was caring a rabbit. They all set their prey down and Mistpaw padded to the medicine den where Willowsong was waiting for her. "Hi Mistpaw," her mentor greeted her. "Would you take this tansy to Spiderfur? She's been coughing." Mistpaw nodded and took the tansy. she then bounded to the elders den where Mallowear, Spidertail, and Wishpaw were. Wishpaw was listening to Mallowear as he talked about all the warriors he had fought and beaten. "Wow," Fernpaw breathed, in the middle of getting ticks out of Mallowears fur. Pounceberry looked up as Mistpaw came in and gave the tansy to her. "Thank you," Pounceberry meowed, smiling at Mistpaw. "Your welcome," Mistpaw replied. "I put some honey in there to sweeten the taste." Pounceberry smiled at hr gratefully and Mistpaw went back to the medicine den.

On her way there though, a coughing broke out from the nursery where Dappledwing was resting. The young she-cat was expecting kits in two moons and her mate, Bramblestorm, fussed over her like she was a newborn kit. Mistpaw hurried in and saw that it was Dappledwing that had been coughing. "Are you okay?" she asked. "I'm fine," Dappledwing insisted but she broke into a fir of coughing. "It's just a tickle." Mistpaw wasn't convinced and she went to the medicine den to get some tansy. But to her dismay, when she went to where the tansy was stored, she found there was just a few dried leaves. I'll go out and collect some more. she decided and went to inform Willowsong. Once Willowsong agreed Mistpaw padded to the camp entrance. She saw a hunting patrol was gettting ready to go out and she padded over.

"Hi Rowanpaw," she greeted the cream and grey tom. "Hi Mistpaw," he meowed when Froststorm, a white she-cat padded up to them. "Almost ready?" she asked Rowanpaw. Rowanpaw nodded, and a fit and muscular tom padded up to them. it was Quailflight, who was leading the patrol. Behind him came Heatherflight who's fur seemed to be unnaturally fluffy that one day. Usually her fur was sleek. Quailflight then noticed Mistpaw.

"Hi Mistpaw." he mewed to her in a friendly tone. "What are you doing here?" Mistpaw dipped her head to the senior warrior. "I came to ask if I could tag along on your patrol. Willowsong and i really need more tansy." Quailflight considered it for a moment then nodded. "Sure. Just go get something to eat really quick. You should only be a few steps behind us." Mistpaw nodded and dashed to the fresh kill pile. She gulped down a mouse and hurried out of the camp entrance, after the patrol.

While she was going she saw a brown and grey cat that looked about apprentice size who was crouching behind the brambles. She saw that Rowanpaw had spotted her too and his eyes were gleaming with… What was it? Curiousity, affection, anger? Mistpaw couldn't tell.

The brown cats eyes seemed deep and full of things that no cat should have seen before. Her eyes were following Rowanpaw with the same emotion in them. Mistpaw glanced between the two cats seeming confused. She took step away from the patrol, toward the loner but before she could get any closer the cat turned tail briskly and bounded away. Mistpaw watched the tabby go, feeling puzzled. Then she sighed and shrugged. As long as the cat wash;t doing any harm, it's not really like she had to report her right? The loner probably was just passing through. Of course though, if Mistpaw saw her again she probably would have to report her, for the sake of the clan.

Mistpaw resolved that she would keep an eye out for the mysterious cat as she stood there. Maybe she could help her if the loner really wasn't just passing through.

"Mistpaw are you coming?" came a call from ahead. Mistpaw winced. She had forgotten about the patrol and that she was to collect herbs. Putting the mysterious cat at the back of her mind, she bounded after the cats. "Coming!" she called to them.

Chapter fifteen ~ Azurepaw
Mistpaw had let the brown and grey cat slip from her mind until one day when she was out on another patrol collecting more tansy, as more cats had started to cough. Mistpaw suspected whitecough, and she hoped it didn't turn into green cough. Willowsong and her only had a small supply of catmint. Suddenly she spotted the loner again, peeking through the brambles. Mistpaws eyes widened. So she wasn't just passing through! she thought. Mistpaw could tell the cat hadn't noticed that Mistpaw could see her yet. She waited for the rest of the patrol to get ahead, pretending that she had stepped on a thorn. "I'll catch up!" she called to the patrol. "Okay," called Quailflight. "We won't wait."

Mistpaw nodded and met gazes with the brown cat. The loners eyes widened as she realized that she had been spotted. Before the loner could bolt Mistpaw stepped up to her and meowed, "I'm Mistpaw, the apprentice medicine cat of Thunderclan. Um.. What are you called? And why are you here?.." The loner glared at her and growled "It's none of your business!"

Then her eyes softened slightly. "Sorry for snapping, it's hard being in a new place." she muttered staring at her paws. Mistpaw shrugged "It's fine. But, um, I have to call the patrol." The loners eyes widened. "No, please don't do that," she begged but Mistpaw already had. "Rowanpaw, Quailflight, Heatherflight, Froststorm! I've found a loner!" Before the cat could dash away the patrol had come back and surrounded them.

"Mistpaw, who is this?" Quailflight growled. "A loner I found on our territory." She responded. The cat shrank back. "Um, h-hi.." the brown and grey cat meowed, look hesitant and scared. Quailflight narrowed her eyes at the loner. "Why are you here?"

The tabby shrank back. "Well.. I lived here, not knowing that this was Thunderclans territory. I went exploring one day, leaving my mother and father. I stumbled across your camp and i have been staying here, because.. Well.. I want to join your clan." Mistpaw noticed that the cats eyes were fixed on Rowanpaw and Rowanpaws on the loners.

Quailflights eyes narrowed. "Well, we'll see about that." he told her. "Come on," he told the warriors. "Lets take her back to Birchstar." The warriors nodded and surrounded the loner. They began to go back to camp, briskly, not wanting to waste any time.

They arrived in camp, where Birchstar padded up to them. "Who is she, and what is the meaning of this?" He asked Quailflight suspiciously. Quailflight dipped his head. "Mistpaw found her and called us. We surrounded her and she said that she had been living on our territory, unaware that it belonged to a clan. She said that she stumbled upon our camp and had been watching it for a while. She wants to.. join our clan." Quailflight finished. Birchstar strode up to the loner. "do you really want to join pour clan?" he asked. The loner nodded. "I do." Birchstar narrowed his eyes. "Very well. You will begin training at once, but you will sleep away from the other apprentices and be watched unit you have been with us a moon, or until i deem otherwise." The cat nodded fervently, "Alright."

Birchstar leaped onto the High rock.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather there beneath High rock or a clan meeting!" The cats began to come to him, hearing his words. Mistpaw heard murmurs.

"What is it?"

"Why is he calling us? I was just about to eat."

"Maybe we are going to be made warriors!"

Mistpaw turned her attention to high rock, after going to sit by Willowsong. Her mentor looked down at her and murmured. "I wonder whats happening." Mistpaw didn't reply and waited for Birchstar to begin.

"Cats of Thunderclan you are gathered here because one of our patrols found a loner today. She claims that she wants to join our clan. I have decided to let her join but she will sleep way from us and be watched until a moon passes or I say otherwise." Mistpaw heard murmurs coming from the surrounding cats, but Birchstar continued.

"Step forward.. Whatever your name is." The cat stood up and went over to Birchstar. Mistpaw felt Willowsong tense beside her and his eyes widen. She looked up at him and saw his mouth form a name, but Mistpaw couldn't tell what he was saying. "You alright?" she whispered to him. Willowsong relaxed and looked down at her. "I'm good."

Birchstar continued. "Until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Azurepaw." Azurepaw looked at Birchstar and dipped her head. "Your mentor will be Quailflight." Mistpaw smiled. It looked like Birchstar had chosen a good mentor for the new apprentice. Azurepaw licked his shoulder and the clan began to chant, "Azurepaw, Azurepaw, Azurepaw!"

Chapter sixteen ~ The argument
It had been one moon since Birchstar had made Azurepaw a part of the clan. On that day Azurepaw would be able to sleep with others and stop being watched. Rowanpaw and Azurepaw had been becoming closer and more than once had Mistpaw caught them playing in some of Thunderclans more remote parts of the territory. Mistpaw stifled a laugh as she remembered the looks on their faces. It was obvious what Starclan held in their future.

Azurepaw had moved in the apprentices den and according to Whisperpaw, she was sleeping next to Rowanpaw. Mistpaw walked to the medicine den, her long tail swaying. She was going to check how much tansy they had. None of the coughing had gotten worse but it was persistent. While she was rummaging around the stores she heard Azurepaw and Willowsong arguing in the medicine clearing.

"Don't tell me.."

"But Nori.."

"I chose to live here!.."

The argument went on for a few more moments but Mistpaw couldn't catch any more. She ducked into a shady corner when Azurepaw burst into the den and strode out, looking annoyed and angry. Luckily Azurepaw didn't notice her and when Willowsong went out of the medicine den and medicine clearing, looking worn out.

What could have happened in there?…

Chapter seventeen ~ The gathering
Mistpaw was waiting excitedly by the entrance of the camp, waiting for Birchstar so they could go to the gathering. She was standing by Willowsong who was talking with Smokepelt, and on her other side was Azurepaw who was chatting with Rowanpaw. "Hi Azurepaw and Rowanpaw. Azurepaw are you excited for your first gathering?" Azuepaw nodded. "I am! Rowanpaw says that everyones so big, but you get used to it." Mistpaw nodded and before she could say anything else Rowanpaw and Azurepaw were back talking. Mistpaw rolled her eyes and let out a mroow of laughter.

It was obvious the two were going to become mates. Then Birchstar padded up to them followed by Hazelstorm. "Is every cat ready?" he asked, his green eyes gleaming in the moonlight. The warriors nodded. Birchstar smiled. "Good." Then he kinked his tail and the cats began to bound to the island. They flowed along and around the trees smoothly and swiftly. Mistpaw leaped over a small stream that was shimmering in the moonlight and as she landed on the opposite side, she flashed back to when she had seen Leafpool the other night.

The lithe brown tabby had talked with her and shared a few useful remedies. When they had finished Hollyleaf and Squirrelstar had come and hunted with them. Mistpaw smiled at the memory and remembered how she had attempted to catch a fish. She had tried to hold it between her paws and it had managed to slither out. She had been so surprisesed she actually fell into the river! Luckily the part she had been in was very shallow.

Finally she stepped onto the island. She smiled as Greyleaf stepped off the log next to her. (He had received his warrior name, along with his his brother, Sundew.) "We have a few minutes before the gathering starts." he meowed. "Do you want to go talk to other cats together?" Mistpaw beamed and nodded. "Sure." Greyleaf and her began to wander around and they stopped to talk to a Riverclan warrior that looked a moon or two older than Greyleaf. "Hi," Greyleaf greeted her. "Hows the prey in Riverclan?" the warrior smiled. It's good, thanks. I'm Dawnflight, by the way." Greyleaf and Mistpaw smiled at her. "I'm Mistpaw, and he's Greyleaf." The pale golden warrior smiled at them. "Are you two planning to become mates?" she meowed teasingly. Mispaw laughed. "No, I'm the medicine apprentice." As she said that she noticed that Greylef was staring at his paws, and sorrow had darkened his eyes. What was wrong with him?

Mistpaw nudged him. "Are you okay?" she whispered to him. Greypaw nodded. "Fine." he muttered. "Why don't you go sit with the other medicine cats?" Mistpaw was surprised by the bitterness in his tone. "If that's what you want." She replied feeling stung. Mistpaw padded off to find Willowsong and Molepaw. When she found the other medicine cats she noticed that Azurepaw was talking to Molepaw. They were laughing and Mistpaw walked up to them. "Hi you guys," she greeted them. "Whats so funny?" Molepaw told her between giggles, "Well, Azurepaw was just telling me about this one time when she was a loner and she met this fat ol' kitty pet.." Mistpaw laughed as she listened to Molepaw recount the story and when she finished Mistpaw couldn't stop laughing. "I'm glad you two are getting along so well!" she meowed looking happy.

The two cats smiled at her and Mistpaw smiled back. Then Shinestar leaped up on a branch. "Let the gathering begin!" she called to the warriors gathered below. Azurepaw smiled at them. "I had better go," she said, and padded away to sit by Rowanpaw and a wind clan apprentice called Dustpaw. Molepaw squinted at the leaders.

"Wheres Shinestar?" she muttered. Mistpaw looked at her friend and frowned. "She's right there." Mistpaw meowed. Molepaw squinted some more then relaxed. "I guess my vision just went fuzzy for a minute or two." she murmured, then fell silent as Shinestar bean to speak.

Shinestar announced that there had been an outbreak of Whitecough in camp, but that their medicine cat, Frostmoon had it under control. Heatherstar then announced that there was some coughing in Windclan but nothing serious. She talked about some of the rabbits, and two legs walking dogs on their land but nothing very serious. Wolfstar then began by saying, "Shadowclan is well and healthy. The incompetent Twolegs are bringing their dogs on our territory but it is nothing Shadowclan can't handle. One of our elders, Junipersnow, passed away peacefully in her sleep a few days ago."

Then Birchstar began. "Thunderclan is well, and we have much prey. Nothing is very worrisome or serious but Thunderclan has been coughing. Luckily, Mistpaw and Willowsong have it all under control. Recently we have allowed a loner to join our clan. She is an excellent hunter and fighter, and is learning fast. Her name is Azurepaw, and Quailflight is mentoring her. The clans began to chant, "Azurepaw! Azurepaw! Azurepaw!" Mistpaw beamed as she looked at her friend. "Azurepaw!" she shouted. "Thunderclan is strong." he finished.

After Molepaw and Mistpaw had talked for a while, and Azurepaw had joined them, Birchstar gathered his warriors with a sweep of his tail. "Thunderclan, it's time to go." he told them. Mistpaw stood up with Willowsong, and called a goodbye to mole paw. Molepaw squinted at her then waved a paw. "Bye!" she called back. "See you at the next gathering!"

Azurepaw and Mistpaw fell in step together as they padded back home to camp.

Chapter eighteen ~ The battl
Mistpaw was sorting herbs outside of the medicine den when Azurepaw, Rowanpaw, Froststorm, and Quailflight staggered into camp, covered in blood. Mistpaws eyes widened and she jumped up, bounding over to them. "What happened?!" she exclaimed, mentally assessing how bad their injuries were. Quailflight glared at Rowanpaw and Azurepaw. "We came across a loner, and attacked after he began to act hostile. Unfortunately, he put up a pretty good fight, and these two," he gestured at Rowanpaw and Azurepaw angrily as they stared at their paws. "tried to defend him, attacking me in the process."

Azurepaw glanced up as Birchstar padded over to them, followed by Willowsong. "We're sorry," she muttered. "I guess we just got confused." Quailflight rolled his eyes and looked rather exasperated but he forgave them. Mistpaw ordered Quaiflight and Azurepaw to her den as they seemed to be the worst injured. The rest sat down in the clearing, beginning to clean their wounds. Rowanpaw had a long and deep scratch running along his side, and Froststorm had a torn claw and a few scratches down her grey pelt. Mistpaw began preparing a horsetail, goldenrod, and goosegrass poultice for Quailflight and Azurepaw. She plastered it onto them, using chervil root to secure the poultice and binding cobwebs around their wounds. Willowsong tended to Froststorm and Rowanpaw briskly and swiftly, finishing almost instantly. Misypaw sighed and wondered who the loner could be. She didn't believe that Azurepaw and Rowanpaw had simply gotten confused one bit. She knew they had to have a reason for defending the loner so fiercely. But… What?

Chapter nineteen ~ Follow your heart
Mistpaw padded to the apprentices den, feeling concerned. Ever since she had got back from the gathering, the coughing had steadily gotten worse. Greyleaf, Spottedpaw, Heatherflight, and others had started coughing. It was only every once and a while, but Willowsong had ordered them all to their nests. She poked her head into the apprentices den, wrinkling her nose and the scent of sickness in the dank air.

"Hi Spottedpaw." She whispered to her sister. "Feeling alright?" Spottedpaw lifted her head, and even though she looked tired, she smiled. "Eh. I've been better." she responded in a hoarse voice. Mistpaw dropped the tansy with some honey on the leaves and instructed her to eat it. "This will help your cough," she told her. Spottedpaw nodded, and obediently ate the leaves. Mistpaw sighed, feeling sadness in her heart. It hurt her to see her once strong and healthy sister look so tired and weak.

Mistpaw backed out of the den and padded back to the medicine den. When she got there, she saw Willowsong looking distressed as he rummaged around their a stores. "There's only a few leaves left of tansy left. And we only have a few stalks of catmint, which certainly won't be enough." Mistpaw stared at him. Surely there had to be more! But apparently there wasn't. It was the middle of leaf bare too, so they couldn't go out and collect more. Willowsong sighed. "Go give this to Greyleaf and Dappledwing." he meowed, holding out the catmint. Greyleaf and Dappledwing were the sickest out of all the cats. Mistpaw did so, and when she returned, the previously setting sun had sank beneath the horizon completely and turned the sky black.

Mistpaw gazed up at the little pricks up light penetrating the blackness. She begged to her anscestors silently:

''Please help us. This cough could kill us all''.

Mistpaw curled up in her nest mournfully. What if cats died in the night, but she was asleep so she couldn't help them? What if others started coughing? What if… What if..

So many different worries crossed her mind, until she finally fell into a deep and restless sleep.

When she opened her eyes she found that she was in the grounds of Starclan. Leafpool was padding toward her. "Leafpool!" Mistpaw exclaimed, and jumped up. She went up to her and touched noses with the tabby. "It's good to see you," she purred. Leafpool smiled at her. "And you as well." she responded. "You knw a boyut the green cough, correct?" Mistpaw nodded solemnly. "I'm afraid I do." Leafpool sighed. "Sickness, the enemy warriors cannot fight with their claws and teeth." she mewed. "Anyways, I came to warn you. There are two different paths that you will have to choose from after this sickness ends. Both will bring happiness and sadness. I'm sorry I cannot prevent it." Mistpaw stared at her paws. She didn't want to have to choose!

"As an old friend once told me Mistpaw, 'Follow your heart.' ". Leafpool quoted. Mistpaw nodded still staring at her paws. "I will." she whispered. Leafpool nodded. "It is almost time for you to wake up. I suggest you go to check on Mallowear. He's very sick." Mistpaw nodded and the world surrounding her began to fade.

"Remember!" Leafpool called. "Follow your heart!"

Chapter twenty~ Greencough
It had been a few days after Leafpool had visited Mistpaw. Unexpectedly, the kind and wise elder, Mallowear had died. Mistpaw had checked on him as soon as she had woken up after Leafpool visited but he was just coughing slightly and seemed strong. Then one night Mistpaw had been awakened suddenly by a frantic Spiderleg. "It's Mallowear!" she had said. "He's not breathing!" Mistpaw had grabbed some coltsfoot and dashed to the elders den with Spiderleg on her heels. When she had arrived she had discovered Mallowear had gone in his sleep. He had gotten terribly sick suddenly and had passed away. Mistpaw mourned for the elder who had been kind to her and had pretended to be a fox for her and her litter mates when they were kits.

Greyleaf had also been coughing more and more. His body shook terribly with each cough, and Mistpaw feared one of her closest friends was going to die. She had been giving him special attention and moved him to the peaceful alcove where Azurepaw had slept when she had just become an apprentice. Dappledwing had not gotten worse but her cough was persistent. Mistpaw had moved her, Froststorm, and Hazelstorm to the medicine den. Other than that the clan seemed to be recovering.

Mistpaw shook her head, coming out of her thoughts. She padded to the most alcove where Greyleaf was resting and gave him the last leaves of catmint the had. "Greypaw, wake up." she murmured to him. "You have to eat this." Greyleaf opened his eyes, and Mistpaw winced at how bright they were. The frail warrior slowly began to eat the catmint, but before she could comfort him, he fell back asleep when he finished.

Mistpaw slowly padded away, feeling her eyes burn with tears. She shook her head and chided herself. She had to stay focused and not single out any cat more than the others. But she couldn't stop thinking of Greyleaf. What fun they had had in the nursery.. And when they are apprentices.. He was an amazing cat. Then Mistpaw jerked herself away. What was she thinking? Was she actually falling in love? She couldn't! It was completely against the medicine code! But Leafpool had told her to follow her heart.. She would't be following her heart if she forgot about Greyleaf. Right?…

Mistpaw sighed. Hopefully I'll just forget about him. She thought, and padded away, into the medicine den.

Chapter twenty-one ~ The confession
It had been two sunrises since Mistpaw had been to see Greyleaf and she was going back. She had delayed going to see him, and asked willow song to go check on him instead of her until she could delay no longer. She, most unfortunately, had to go, or cats would start getting suspicious. Slowly she padded over to the alcove, her paws dragging as she carried the dripping moss. Luckily, it was still early, so no cat saw her hesitate and brace herself as she stepped over to Greyleaf.

Mistpaw dropped the moss at his paws, and gently nudged him awake. "Hi," Greyleaf whispered, looking happy that she had come. He began to lap at the moss, and Mistpaw listened to his breathing. He was taking shorter and shorter raspy breaths. Mistpaw felt her heart quicken nervously. Suddenly Greyleaf fell onto the nest, his chest heaving. "Greyleaf, no!" Mistpaw cried. She grabbed the coltsfoot she had brought and forced it into his mouth. "It's okay, your okay." Mistpaw murmed into his ear as he swallowed. Greyleafs eyes seemed distant and far away as he spoke. "Mistpaw.. Is that you?" Mistpaw nodded and choked back a fresh wave of tears. "Yes, it's me." Greyleaf relaxed. "Good.. I need to tell you something." Mistpaw checked his breathing and felt it was growing stronger.

"What… What is it?" she meowed, feeling frightened, excited, nervous, and many other emotions rush through her.

"I.. I love you Mistpaw."

Mistpaw felt as if her entire world had collapsed. No no no! She thought. I'm a medicine cat! This can't be happening!!

The apprentice backed away slowly, feeling dumbstruck, and a traitor to the warrior code as she realized that she loved him too. She spun and ran way to the medicine den, leaving Greyleaf to stare after her.

Chapter Twenty-two ~ Spottedpaw
Spottedpaw concentrated on the vole she was stalking, her eyes narrowed with concentration. She got closer and closer to the plump prey, as it was scuffling around in some roots, unaware that a cat was stalking it. She pounced upon it swiftly, ending it almost instantly. Spottedpaw looked down at her prey and smiled. Her mentor, Jayfur, emerged from the ferns that were clustered around the tree. "Well done Spottedpaw," he purred. "I'm proud of you." Spottedpaw beamed and straightened up. She had passed her assessment! Spottedpaw had already passed her other assessment along with Whisperpaw. Now she was going to be made into a warrior!

"Thank you," she meowed, picking up her prey and padding back to camp, followed by Jayfur. When she arrived in camp Mistpaw was grooming herself under an aspen tree which cast dappled shadows across the camp. Spottedpaw bounded over to her. "Mistpaw, guess what!?" she exclaimers. Before her sister could answer though, she told her. "I passed my assessment! I'm going to become a warrior!" Mistpaw smiled. "That's great!" she replied. But before even a few moments had passed Mistpaw had faded back into a stupor. Spottedpaw frowned. She had expected Mistpaw to be more excited for her. She sighed. Oh well. Maybe Mistpaw is really tired or something.

Suddenly, a yowl came from high rock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath high rock!"

Spottedpaws eyes widened and she gave a little bounce. My warrior ceremony!

Quickly she looked over her pelt and gave herself a quick grooming. Luckily her pelt was already pretty clean so the extra grooming made it shine underneath the bright sunlight. She walked over to high rock, barely able to restrain the bounce in her steps. Whisperpaw fell in step beside her, her eyes shining. Spottedpaw glanced at Whisperpaw and was relieved to see that her sister also seemed to have the same excitement and nervousness that Spottedpaw felt.

Birchstar stood in front of the seemingly golden rock, his pitch black pelt standing out against it. His opened his muzzle to speak.

"I, Birchstar, leader of Thunderclan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice,"

He beckoned Spottedpaw forward with his tail.

"She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and i commend you to them as a warrior in their turn. Spottedpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect it at the cost of your life?"

Spottedpaw at first seemed to have forgotten what she was supposed to say. Come on! She thought. Then the words came to her. "I do," she responded her voice then strong and steady.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name. From this day on you will be known as Spottedstream. Starclan honors your loyalty and courage and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan.

Spottedpaw beamed. She loved her name!

"Spottedstream! Spottedstream! Spottedstream!" called the warriors. Spottedstream stepped away from her leader and sat down with the rest of her clan as Birchstar gave Whisperpaw the name of Whispershine.

After Birchstar had dismissed his clan Mistpaw stepped over to her littermayes and purred to them, "Congratulations!" Spottedstream smiled at her and cheerfully replied, "Thanks Mistpaw! It cant be long until you get your full name either!" Mistpaw smiled but Spottedpaw saw something in her eyes, like sadness and longing. Then it disappeared before Spottedstream could investigate more. Huh, she thought before padding away.

Chapter Twenty-three ~ Mistpaw
As Spottedstream walked away Mistpaw stared down at her paws, sighing. She was happy for her sisters, of course! But everything was just so confusing and hard right now.. She loved Greyleaf and he loved her. So why couldn't they be together? Mistpaw mentally rolled her eyes at herself. Of course they couldn't be together it would be breaking the medicine cat code. Mistpaw sighed and recalled a few nights ago, after Greyleaf had confessed he loved her. Greyleaf had asked her to be his mate, even if she was a medicine cat. She had not responded except for murmuring that she would think about it. Then Rowanpaw came in with a thorn in his paw and Greyleaf had to leave.

Then Mistpaw brightened up, remembering something. Tonight was the gathering! She had missed quite a few, because of the green cough, and staying with the still recovering patients. Mistpaw glanced up at the sky and her eyes widened seeing how late in the day it already was. The sun was beginning to set and birch star was telling the cats who were coming with him to the gathering.

"Spottedstream, Whispershine I want you to come… Jayfur, Rowanpaw, Mistpaw, Willowsong, Smokepelt, you too.." Birchstar called a few last names and then gathered them all together with his tail. The cats chosen to go clustered around him talking excitedly.

Birchstar led the cats out quickly, breaking into a dashh once they had all the camp. Mistpaw looked up and the stars gleaming overhead between the intertwining branches. Before she knew it, they were at the island. She stepped onto sand smiled at Molepaw her friend. She began to step over to her but was interrupted by Wolfstar calling for the start of the gathering. "Oh well," she muttered. At least she would be able to talk to her friend after they had finished.

"Cats of the clans, gather around the great oak!" Called Wolfstar again. Mistpaw slowly picked her way over to the other medicine cats, trying to avoid touching others. "Oh, sorry" she muttered as she bumped into a few elders trying to get comfortable. One of them glared at her, but Mistpaw ignored it. Finally she made her way over to Willowsong and the others, who were sitting together closely. As Mistpaw sat down she noticed that there was another cat beside Froststream. Huh. Mistpaw thought. Maybe that's Froststreams apprentice. She shrugged, knowing that she would find out soonn and gazed up at the leaders that were sitting on the branchhes. Then Mistpaw frowned. Where was Shinestar? Then she realized that where Shinestar usually sat, there was a new cat. That must be Swanfeather, the deputy! Wait.. If she's sitting up there, I suppose that means that Shinestar has passed on.. Mistpaws eyes clouded slightly. She would miss the kind leader who had led Riverclan well for many seasons. But she was sure Swanfeather, no Swanstar would be a good leader too.

Wolfstar then began to speak.

"Shadowclan is doing well this leaf-fall. One of our queens, Hiddenfeather, has had three healthy kits. Shadowclan had a small outbreak of green cough, but only a few of our cats caught it. Luckily, Molepaw and Nightleaf were more than capable to take care of it." At this point in Wolfstars speech Mistpaw glanced over at Molepaw, who seemed pleased with herself. Mistpaw caught Molepaws eye and gave her an approving smile. "The prey is beginning to disappear slowly as it gets colder but we have been easily managing."

Wolfstar then stepped back and nodded at Swanstar. The white tabby stepped forward, her eyes gleaming. "Unfortunately, Shinestar passed away recently, as she had an infected wound from a dog that wouldn't heal. Our clan continues to grow and thrive though, as Riverclan has four new apprentices. Robinpaw, Stormpaw, Ravenpaw, and Silentpaw." The clans called the four apprentices names and Mistpaw noticed that the pale grey she-cat beside Froststreams eyes glowed and she straightened up. That must be one of the apprentices.Mistpaw assumed. Swanstar then continued. "Silentpaw has been apprenticed to Froststream as the next medicine cat."

Swanstar then nodded at Birchstar and the pitch black tom stepped forward, his pelt nearly invisible in the blackness of the night.

"Thunderclan has two new warriors. Spottedpaw and Whisperpaw have become Whispershine and Spottedstream. They are both brave and strong warriors and I am proud to gave them in my clan." Mistpaw spotted her sisters who looked like they were about to burst from pride and happiness as the clans called they names. "Spottedstream! Whispershine! Spottedstream! Whispershine!" Birchstar continued after the noise had died down. "Other than that, Thunderclan has no news to report." He stepped back and Lionstar began, her voice strong and steady.

"One of our warriors has moved to the elders den: Quietmoor. She has served her clan faithfully of many moons and has decided to relax of the rest of her remaining moons. Other than that, Windclan has no news."

The gathering then began to break up and cats been to mingle and talk amongst themselves. istpaw stood up and padded toward the apprentice sitting beside Froststream who Mistpaw had guessed was Silentpaw. "Hi, I'm Mistpaw." she greeted her in a friendly tone.

The apprentice looked up at her. 'I'm Silentpaw," was all she said. Mistaw tried to talk with her some more but all the apprentice did was nod and shake her head. Finally Mistpaw gave up. I suppose thats why they call herSilentpaw.

After Mistpaw had gone to find Molepaw and talk to her a bit the gathering began to disperse.

Birchstar gathered all his cats together and they padded out quickly, not wanting to stay still in the frigid air.

Chapter Twenty-four ~ The storm
Mistpaw opened her eyes slowly, yawning. The dawn light was filtered into the medicine den, casting a pale goldenish glow around the the cave. But something seemed... different about the light. Mistpaw stood up, stretching and poked her head outside. She looked up at the sky and saw that there were heavy dark looking clouds gathering near Shadowclans territory and they were coming closer, being blown by the heavily gusting wind. The sun that was a shining brightly overhead was being swallowed up by the cloud slowly and the sky that didn't have the almost black clouds was a pale grey.

Mistpaw then saw a flash of lightning make its way down from the sky and hit somewhere outide hadowclan territory. Moments later there was a crack of thunder.

Cats around her were beginning to stir and Birchstar was already awake. "Everyone, wake up! a storm is coming!" he yowled. The cats began to move more quickly, glancing up at the sky in confusion then seeing the clouds. Mistpaws eyes widened suddenly. It was almost like the great storm that had occured seasons and seasons ago when Bramblestar was the leader of Thunderclan. Before any cat realized where she was going, Mistpaw dashed out of camp, bounding to the lake as fast as her paws would take her.

Suddenly she screeched to a halt, her paws skidding on the mud. The lake had risen, and quite a lot! It was lapping at the old oak tree that was several fox lengths away from the shore. "Oh great," Mistpaw mattered and turned around to dash back to camp.

"Birchstar! Birchstar!" she exclaimed once she was inside the camp walls. Birchstar came running up to her. "What is it?" he meowed sounding surprised and concerned. Mistpaw gasped air and continued. "Birchstar the lake.. It's risen! All the way up to the old oak tree and it looks like its going to go father." Birchstars eyes widened. "Oh no," he muttered. He glanced around the camp, eyes narrowed. "Jayfure, Sundew! Help the elders get up to my den! All of you apprentices, follow them! You too" he added to Mistpaw. Mistpaw sighed but began to clamber up. "Spottedstream, Whispershine, you had better go too" he told the youngest warriors. Spottedstream sighed and rolled her eyes but the two followed the others. As Mistpaw scrambled up the last steps the first drops rain began to fall.

Azurepaw and Rowanpaw were huddled together against the freezing wind, trying to keep warm. Mistpaw padded toward them and sunk down into a sitting position, trying to conserve her body heat. Spottedstream and whisper shine joined her. "Some storm huh?" Azurepaw meowed through chattering teeth. Mistpaw nodded. "I've never seen anything like it." Azurepa pressed tighter against Rowanpaws pelt and the looked into eachh other eyes. Mistpaw gav a small smile, despite the foreboding and terror that was coursing through her body. From outside Birchstar was yelling orders at his senior warriors, desperately trying to be heard over the yowling wind. "Pinefur, Heatherflight, Briarfox! Get ud and stronger sticks and try to reinforce the camp walls!" Mistaw heard more and more orders being called out, until Birchstar had done as much as he could to protect his cats from the storm. Slowly, more warriors began to trickle into the cave and Birchstars den was filled with the reek of wet fur.

Mistpaw saw Greyleaf enter the cave, his fur soaked and he was looking bedraggled. she raised her tail in greeting and he trudged over to her. She smiled at him, relieved that he was okay and he smlied back. Moments later though, he fell asleep, exhausted from reinforcing the camp walls and helping out. The day progressed and Mistpaw fell asleep, her nose pressed into Greyleafs fur, to the roar of the pounding rain outside of the cave.

Chapter twenty-five ~ Recovering and rebuilding.
Mistpaw blearily blinked open her eyes and yawned, light filtering into Birchstars den. She glanced beside her, feeling the warmth of fur against her, and saw Greyleaf beside her. Wait.. What? Mistpaw thought.

Then last nights memories came flooding back to her and she squeezed her eyes shut, wishing that it hadn't happened. Then Greyleaf stirred beside her. He looked up and smiled. Mistpaw smiled back then stood up. She padded over to the entrance of the cave, wanting to see how bad the damage was. She poked her head outside and was relived what she saw all of the dens and everything was still intact. It was true, the ground was muddy and covered in puddles that looked pretty deep but nothing was as bad as what had happened in the Great Storm all those seasons ago.

Mistpaw bounded down the boulders that led too the leaders den gracefully, wanting to check on the stocks of herbs. Whem she got to the medicine den though, she was devastated to see that most of the herbs had been washed away, except for a few stacks of chervil and willow bark that were on ledges near the roof of the cave.

A pelt brushed hers, and mist paw looked up to see her mentor standing beside her with a bundle of lambs ear and goldenrod clutched in his mouth. He dropped them into a crevice and looked up at her. "Hi Mistpaw," he greeted her. "Since the storm washed all of our herbs away, I need you to go collect a some herbs. Hazelstom sent a hunting patrol put a little while ago and they should be back soon. Go get some thing to eat and head out." Mistpaw nodded and padded into the muddy clearing to see Azurepaw and Rowanpaw bound down the rocks. "Hi guys," she meowed to them. Azurepaw nodded a hello at her but dashed out of camp, seeming worried and distracted about something. Rowanpaw followed her, shooting Mistpaw a look that said Sorry!

Mistpaw watched them go, wondering what had distracted Azurepaw so much. But she was disrupted from her thoughts as she she saw the hunting patrol come back in, carrying a few plump rabbits, one vole, and a blackbirdd. they set it down and Mistpw hurried over. She gulped down the scrawny vole, and headed out, not wanting to waste any time so she could restock the herbs.

She found a good lump of ragwort and burnet and was picking a few stalks when she heard moaning from up ahead. Confused, Mistpaw abandoned the herbs and padded over. Maybe one of the warriors had gotten hurt or a cat was in distress. Fearing for the thing that was moaning now, Mistpaw broke into a run and soon crested a muddy hill coming upon a patchy brown and grey tom that was lying on his side, covered with scratches, some of them deep and still trickling blood. Horrified Mistpaw dashed down over to his side.

The tom looked up, his eyes half closed as she approached. soon Mistpaw reached him and his eyes started to code again. Scaed of way would happen if he fell asleep Mistpaw gently shook him. 'Hey, whoever you are, don't fall asleep please! Anyways, what.. what are you called?" she asked him. T he loner opened his eyes and croaked out "My.. My name's Finn. Wheres Nori? And who are you?" Mistpaw opened her mouth to reply but just as she was going to a shout came from the hill.

Chapter twenty-six ~ Finn
"Finn! No, Mistpaw, don't hurt him!"

Mistpaws head head jolted up as she heard the voice. She whirled around to see Azurepaw bolting toward herself and the loner who was laying beside her. Behind was Rowanpaw, who wasn't running quite as fast but still pretty fast. Azurepaw skidded to a halt beside her, panting, her eyes side. She ran in front of Finn, snarling, her eyes narrowed. "Were you trying to hurt him? What happened? If you hurt him you'll regret it!" she growled. Mistpaws use widened as she took a step back, unsure of what exactly to say. Rowanpaw them arrived next to Azurepaw and laid his tail on Azurepaws back, panting. "Azurepaw, calm down. I'm sure Mistpaw didn't hurt him." he meowed in a soothing way. That seemed to make Azurepaw relax and Rowanpaw turned to Mistpaw. "Now, what happened?"

Mistpaw hesitated but began speaking. "Well, I came out here to look for herbs and heard some moaning. I ran over to it, worried that a cat might be hurt. Then I came acres him, who said his name was Finn and then you two showed up." Azurepaw relaxed. "So you didn't hurt him?" Mistpaw shook her head. "I'm a medicine apprentice remember? I would never hurt a cat without a very good reason- especially defenseless cats who are wounded."

At this point Finn looked up, his eyes half closed but they were bright. "It's true Nori, she did."

Mistpaw turned around to face Azurepaw and Rowanpaw again. "Now you two have some questions to answer. First off, who's Nori?"

Azurepaw glanced down at her paws and when she spoke her tone was soft. "Before i came to live in Thunderclan my name was Nori. Finn here," she waved her tail at the loner. "Is my brother." Mistpaw nodded. That made sense. "Well, then why is he in our territory, wounded, and Rowanpaw seems to know him?" This time both of them looked down.

"Well," Azurepaw again. "Remember when Quailflight Rowanpaw and I came back from fighting and we had attacked Quailflight and everyone thought we were just confused? Well, Quailflight found Finn on our territory while on a patrol and Quailflight attacked him. I could't just stand there, you know? Especially since Finn's my brother. So Rowanpaw helped me to defend Finn and we fought off Quailflight. On the way home, we hid Finn in a large bush so he could recover and went back to camp. Ever since, we have been helping him get back to strength, hunting for him, you get the point. So when I saw you with him and he was terribly wounded again… I guess it was just sorta instinct."

Mistpaw nodded. That made sense.

"So," Azurepaw continued. "Would you please please please not tell anyone that you found Finn?" And.. Maybe you would.. Umm. Maybe you would help us take are of him?" He's obviously wounded pretty badly and your a pretty awesome medicine cat."

Mistpaw smiled. 'I would be glad to," she responded.

Chapter twenty-seven ~ Icestrike
Mistpaw chewed up a poultice and plastered it onto Finns scratches cringing as he winced. "Sorry, I'll try to be a bit more gentle." She muttered into his ear.

Finn nodded and Azurepaw padded up to them. "How's it going?" she called. "He's doing well." Mistpaw responded as she reached them. "He needs to be careful but theres no sign of infection."

Azurepaw nodded, looking relieved. "I'm glad to hear that. We should probably go now, we're going to be keying soon for the gathering." Mistpaw nodded and shove her herbs under a nearby bush. Then she turned with Azurepaw at her side and bounded away tho camp. "Do you think Birchstar will mention the flood?" Azuerepaw panted next to her as they dodged the trees that were blocking their way to camp. Mistpaw shrugged. "Maybe. Clans don't usually talk about their weaknesses. He might mention it but not delve into it." Azuepaw nodded. "That makes sense," she meowed.

As they crested a small hill, Mistpaw caught sight of the camp. It looked like the cats were all standing at the entrance and Birchstar was pacing impatiently before them. 'Uh oh," she muttered to Azuepaw. When they burst into camp Mistpaw heard him meowing in an annoyed tone, "If those two don't show up soon we'll have to leave without him." Mistpaw ran over to the cluster of cats, Azurepaw closely following her. "We're… Here!" she gasped, tired out from her run. Azurwepaw nodded, gasping air. Birchstar narrowed his eyes at the two apprentices. "Where were you?" he asked, looking annoyed. "Went out to gather herbs," Mistpaw supplied. "But we didn't find any. We're sorry for making you all wait for us," she wowed having recovered her breath. She dipped her head at Birchstar, who's eyes were slits as he stared at her.

Finally, he nodded. "Very well," he growled. Then he flicked his tail at the remaining cats. "Come on," he meowed. Then he turned and padded out of the camp.

Mistpaw fell in step with Azurepaw. "I can't believe that!" she exclaimed. "We almost got caught." Azurepaw nodded gravely. "We'll have to be more careful," she responded.

Rowanpaw bounded over to them. "Were you two checking up on Finn?' he meowed this voice low. Azurepaw nodded, and Rowanpaw stared at her with worry in his eyes. "You need to be more careful," he meowed concern tinging his voice. "I know," Azurepaw whispered pressing her muzzle into his fur. Mistpaw smiled as she looked at them but then sadness and regret clouded her eyes. Her gaze dropped to the forest floor as she continued padding to the gathering. Mistpaw been to drift farther away from the two apprentices, deep in thought.

I'll never get to have what they have.. I could never be anything but a medicine cat but maybe I should become a warrior?.. I love Greyleaf so much.. What do I do Leafpool?

Mistpaw han't seen the starry medicine cat for moons, not since Leafpool had told her to follow her heart. Has Leafpool abandoned me? Is she angry that I love Greyleaf? Mistpaw thought miserably.

...
"Riverclan has made one new warrior: Icestrike." The clans called Icestrikes name and Mistpaw obediently rose her head and began to call Icestrikes name. The pure white warrior head was raised as she gazed triumphantly at the cats surrounding her. Mistpaw rolled her eyes to herself. Even though she didn't know the cat, she could tell that the warrior was proud of herself, so proud that she would be smug for a few days.

She was at the gathering, and Swanstar had just finished announcing her Clan news. The other leaders had already finished announcing their news, and now the cats were beginning to disperse and share tongues. Mistpaw scanned the crowd, wondering if there was any cat who could talk to. As she was doing that she spotted Icestrike talking to Greyleaf. The white warriors eyes were glimmering with something... Greyleafs eyes were not though. With a jolt, Mistpaw realized that Icestrike liked Greyleaf. Ha! Good luck with that. Mistpaw thought, feeling annoyed. Heatherflight was padding after Greyleaf for moons, and yet he never loved her.

In a tragic accident, Heatherflight had perished when a patrol had gone out after the storm. A tree had been loosened by the pounding rain, and it had fell upon the patrol. Mistpaw had rushed to the patrol, and had done her best to save the brown warrior, but the she-cat had died before she could do anything. Mistpaw had never particularly liked Heatherflight, but she grieved with the rest of her clan. Heatherflight had been a brave and strong warrior, and she was much too young for Starclan to have taken her. Mistpaw sighed then returned her thoughts back to the present world.

Chapter twenty eight ~ Half moon
Mistpaw looked up at the sky as she watched the fiery orange sun turn the sky a rosy pink. It had been half a moon since the gathering, and Mistpaw was going to the moonpool that night. Just then, Willowsong poked his head inside the medicine den, as Mistpaw had been sitting at the entrance of it.

"Mistpaw, go get a piece of prey and then we can had for the moon pool. Hurry though, the other medicine cats will be arriving soon." Mistpaw nodded and jumped up, her tail twitching happily. She bounded out of he den, and headed toward the fresh-kill pile. Once she reached it, she tugged out a small mouse, as she wasn't particularly hungry.

Mistpaw padded over to Spottedstream, and sat down, smiling at her sister. "Hi," she meowed to her littermate, and began to eat her mouse. "Hi Mistpaw," Spotttedstream responded. Spottedstream was eating a squirrel, and she finished it quickly. Mistpaw opened her mouth to speak, but just then Hazelstorm came up to the two.

"Spottedstream, can you go on a hunting patrol? I know that it's rather late, but we want to restock the fresh-kill pile."

Spottedstream nodded, and stood up, tossing Mistpaw an apologetic look. Mistpaw shrugged, signaling to her sister that it was fine, and resumed eating her mouse. Once Mistpaw finished, she padded over to Willowsong, who was waiting at the camp entrance for her. "Ready?" he asked the apprentice. "Ready." Mistpaw responded, and the two padded out.

Mistpaw waved her tail at her friend, Molepaw, who was now called Molesight. The brown apprentice had receive her name in the last half-moon gathering and Mistpaw hoped it wouldn't be long before she got hers.

Mistpaw bounded up to the other medicine cats, Willowsong on her heels. "Hi everyone," she greeted the other medicine cats, and there was a murmur of greeting.

Nightleaf looked around, his yellow eyes gleaming as the moon began to peek over the boriszon. "alright is everyone here?' he asked and everyone nodded. "Okay good. Lets get goimnh then." he meowed and the group began to pad toward the moonpool.

Mistpaw began to decend the path that was lined with jagged rocks, and caught her footing as she began to slide down the slippery path. Finally though, she made it down to the moonpool, where the others were waiting.

"Before we begin there's something I would like to do," Willowsong announced to the other medicine cats when Mistpaw reached them. Mistpaw looked at her mentor in surprise. What could he be doing?

"I, medicine cat of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her clan for many moons."

Mistpaw stared at her mentor in delight. She was beoming a full medicine cat! Willowsong beckoned his apprentice forward with his tail.

"Mistpaw, do you promise to uphold the way of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan, to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Mistpaw responded.

"Then by the powers of Staclan I give you your full name as a medicine cat. Mistpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Mistpool. Starclan honors your intelligence and kindness. Now drink from the moonpool, and may all your dreams be good ones."

Mistpool beamed and touched her nose to the water as the other medicine cats did so.

As soon as she did, she was sucked into icy blackness. Before her, was Leafpool. Mistpool gasped and bounded up to her Starclan mentor. "Leafpool! I thought you had forgotten about me!" she exclaimed. Leafpool smiled at her, her eyes full of sadness. "Mistpool I would never forget you." Mistpool smiled and Leapool touched noses with her.

Chapter twenty nine ~ Across the border
"Spottedstream! Pay attention!" Spottedstreams head jerked up as Hazelstorm glared at her. "Spottedstream this is a border patrol, not when you share tongues! " Spottedstream ducked her head as Jayfur, Amberhaze, and Hollypelt turned to stare at her. "Sorry," she muttered. "Good," Hazelstorm replied and they began to mark the Shadowclan border.

Suddenly, Spottedstream stumbled into a thorn bush and winced as a few thorns managed to stick themselves into her fur. Spottedstream winced as she backed out of the bush, leaving several scraps of her fur behind.

"Spottedstream!" Hazelstorm meowed, sounding exasperated. "You honestly seem like your somewhere else! There's no way you'll be able to concentrate. Stay here and untangle those thorns from your fur while the rest of the patrol and I finish. Go back to camp as soon as you finish with those thorns."

"Sorry Hazelstorm," Spottedstream mumbled but the deputy had already stalked away. .

A few moments later Spottedstream spat out the second to last thorn. A pile of long thorns lay in front of he Spottedstream glared at enemy thorn. It was a long barbed thing, that she had already tried to get out but it was stubbornly stuck in her pad.

If only Mistpool was here, she would know exactly what to do.

Spottedstream began to lap at her pad and it loosened a tiny bit. Suddenly a call from across the boder made her head jerk up. "Hey! Your awfully close to the border aren't you?"

Spottedstream jumped to her paws, ignoring the thorn. In front of her was a handsome golden tom with piercing green eyes. "Who are you, and what are you doing here!?" she growled.

"Relax, relax. I'm Sunclaw, a Shadowclan warrior. I haven't crossed the border, you know that as you've been sitting here untangling those thorns." He flicked a tail over the thorns in front of her.

Spottedstream stopped bristling. He did have a point. Besides, he was certainly handsome… No! What. Was. She. Thinking!? He was from Shadowclan, the enemy!

Sunclaw stepped closer to the border. "I see you have a thorn stuck in your pad.. May I help? I've gotten a lot of thorns stuck in my pads over the moons and i know how to get them out."

Reluctantly, Spottedstream stuck out her paw, revealing the thorn that was curved in such a way it looked like a claw. Sunclaw padded closer until the two were almost touching and lapped at her paw. Finally the thorn loosened and he grasped between his teeth and gave a swift pull. Spottedstream gave a sigh of relief- the pain had vanished almost instantly!

Sunclaw smiled, his friendly green eyes glittering. "Feel better?" he teased. Spottedstream smiled at him. "Yes, it's much better, thanks." Suddenly there was a call from the other side of the border. "Sunclaw, where are you!? Come on, your going to be late for the ceremony!"

Sunclaw winced. "I had better get back," he meowed. Spottedstream nodded. He turned tail and bounded away, but Spottedstream couldn't help but call after him "Thanks for helping!"

"My pleasure!" He responded, then disapeared behind the towering pine trees of shadowclan territory.

Spottedstream sighed, suddenly wishing that he hadn't had to go.

Chapter thirty ~ The prophecy
Mistpools eyes fluttered open and she looked around, suddenly finding herself in a beautiful pristine world.

Im in Starclan! She thought in delight. Mistpool noticed a lithe brown figure padded toward her and bounded over to meet it. It was Leafpool, Thunderclans old medicine cat and Mistpools Starclan mentor.

"Leafpool!" Mistpool called when she was within speaking distance. Leafpool purred. "Hello Mistpool." Mistpool brushed her muzzle against Leafpools. "How are you?" Leafpool smiled. "I'm fine. I actually am here to deliver a prophecy to you."

Mistpool beamed. Her first prophecy! "Well what is it?" She asked. Leafpool opened her mouth and began to speak in a strange voice that wasn't hers, and the prophecy echoed across the valley that they were in.

"The chosen cat

Will shine brightly

As brightly as starlight

In the midst of darkness.

She has met the silent cat and lost many loved ones

But she will come through when her clan mates most need her.

The darkness has tried to hurt her many times over, more than any

Trust the chosen cat, for she will lead her clan when it needs a saviour.

She will leave the ground she walks upon when her destiny is fulfilled but if Stream completes its own destiny and one becomes three the chosen cat shall not be gone for long

''If the chosen cat refuses to acknowledge what will happen to her silence will be the only thing that the clans know, and the brightness of light will be gone forever. "''

Mistpool looked at Leafpool in astonishment. If the prophecy was true… The clans could be doomed forever unless she found the chosen one- and soon!

Leafpools eyes were glittering in sadness. "I'm sorry to deliver this to you Mistpool. The path you walk is unpredictable and long. It carries much sadness as well. I'm so sorry."

Chapter thirty one ~ Echo
Mistpool woke from her dream in a jolt. At first she wasn't sure what had occurred, but then the memories all came flooding back in a torrent. Leafpool. The prophecy. Her destiny. Sadness. Long. Unpredictable.

Mistpool stared down at her paws. She needed to find the cat. That cat must have met one that was silent or something and her loved ones must have died. The Dark Forest- Mistpool shuddered when she thought about it. Even after the greatt battle, the dark forest lived on. Mistpool had once accidentally visited it, after Echoshade had died. Mistpool was suddenly washed into a flood of memories as she recalled what had happened in that evil place.

''She had been trying to dream herself into Starclan and when she had awoken in a dank and terrible place. Eyes had glinted around her, the only source of light and towering trees surrounded her, their bark rotting and blackened. Suddenly a black tom appeared in front of her, his amber eyes glinting ferociously. "Who are you," Mistpool growled, trying not to show her fear. The tom smiled cruelly, his eyes glittering. "My name is Crimsonstar," he snarled. Without warning he sprung at her, knocking the smaller cat over easily. He raised his paw to strike but a brown pelt flashed by them, knocking Crimsonstar over. It was Leafpool. "Run!'" she cried and Mistpool dashed away, with Leafpool on her heels. Finally Mistpool woke up.''

Mistpool winced as she dragged herself out of her memories, and began thinking about the prophecy again. The Dark Forest must have tried to kill or hurt the chosen cat at least once. that cat probably would be killed once she defeated whatever was coming but if Stream- What was Stream? Could it be her sister, Spottedstream, or an actual one? Or could it be something else entirely?

Mistpool growled and shook her head. She could figure this out later. Mistpool nosed her way out of the medicine den, noting that Willowsong was sitting near it eating a vole. Mistpool padded over to him, going to tell her mentor the prophecy. But before she could reach the silver tabby a cry came from the front of camp.

Winterfur came bursting in, panting heavily. "Theres.. a… injured cat…." she panted, her breath caching. Mistpool sprang to her paws when a dark grey cat with dark green eyes came stumbling in. At first Mistpool couldn't see anything wrong with her but then she noticed blood dripping from her neck. The cat fell, landing with a thud, and Mistpool rushed over, followed closely by Willowsong. When she reached the injured cat she parted her neck fur to reveal a terrible gash along her throat. Cats were clustering around her and Mistpool found that she could barely move, as there were too many cats.

"Everyone, stand back! I need room to work." she ordered. Mistpool helped drape the cat over Willowsong and he staggered over to the medicine den. Once he reached it, he lay the tabby she-cat in a soft mossy nest. Mistpool hurried to prepare a poultice of horsetail, marigold, and goldenrod to stop infection and to help the severe bleeding. She then smeared honey over it so it would stay in place better. Mistpool plastered it onto her throat and used catch weed to secure the poultice. Willowsong then plastered cobwebs over the poultice. Mistpool picked up a leaf of witch hazel and held it under the cats nose, reviving her.

The dark grey cats eyes fluttered open, and she saved at the two medicine cats in a hazy way, her eyes not fully focused. Mistpool bent over her, and spoke in a soft voice. "What happened?" The she-cat took a moment to regroup herself and ten responded in a faint, raspy voice.

"A cat… He was a tom and pitch black. He had amber eyes and just took me by surprise by knocking me over and slicking my throat open. Before i could do anything though, he slide back into the ferns and I couldn't hear him nor smell him after that point. There was something… odd about him. His pelt was sort of blurred around the edges and whenever he was in direct sunlight- which he avoided like a plague, I only saw him in it for a brief moment- you couldn't really see him. His scent was like rotting plants or something, and his eyes… his eyes…"

At that point she began trembling so hard she could barely speak. Quickly Mistpool gave her some thyme, to calm her, watched closely by Willowsong. "And what's your name?" she asked in soft, soothing voice. Finally the cat recovered enough to speak.

"M-My name's Echo." She was about to say something more when her voice suddenly was cut off in a strange and eerie sounding noise that issued from her mouth instead of a voice. Willowsongs eyes widened and he lifted the poultice and cobwebs up for a second. When he set them back down, his face was grave.

"The wound has damaged her vocal chords, beyond repair. She will…" Willowsog gulped, his eyes glistening with sadness. "She will never be able to speak again."

Chapter thirty two ~ The new apprentice
"Do you promise to follow the warrior code and commit yourself to learning it?" Birchstar asked Echo, as she was standing before him.

Echo nodded.

"Then from this day forth you will be known as Echopaw."

"Echopaw! Echopaw! Echopaw!" The cats of Thunderclan cheered. It had been a few weeks since the one loner had been injured. Once she had recovered enough to move around, Mistpool had seen her watching apprentices and mimicking their battle moves. Once she had told Birchstar about this, the pitch black leader had decided to ask if she wanted to join the clan. Echo had gleefully accepted and was now an apprentice.

Mistpool smiled as the grey apprentice jumped around her mentor, Greyleaf. Greyleaf looked slightly overwhelmed at the apprentices excitement but Mistpool spotted him beckoning at her. The two padded out of the camp, probably going to explore the territory.