Into the Wild (Rewritten)



What do you think, should I change Firepaw's warrior name to Firepelt in honor of his fur and the prophecy or keep it as Fireheart? Fireheart Firepelt Something else (suggest it in the comments or on my talk)

A/N
This is the first one... Out of... a lot! Enjoy <3

Also I recommend to at least fly through the allegiances for new characters!

Leader
Bluestar - blue-gray she-cat, tinged with silver around her muzzle

Deputy
Redtail - small tortoiseshell tom with a distinctive ginger tail

Apprentice, Dustpaw

Medicine Cat(s)
Spottedleaf - beautiful dark tortoiseshell she-cat with a distinctive dappled coat

Apprentice, Littlepaw

Warriors
Lionheart - magnificent golden tabby tom with thick fur like a lion's mane

Apprentice, Graypaw

Tigerclaw - big dark brown tabby tom with unusually long front claws

Apprentice, Tulippaw

Nightsky - black she-cat

Apprentice, Ravenpaw

Whitestorm - big white tom

Apprentice, Sandpaw

Darkstripe - sleek black-and-gray tabby tom

Foxfoot - orange tom

Apprentice, Barkpaw

Longtail - pale tabby tom with dark black stripes

Runningwind - swift tabby tom

Willowpelt - very pale gray she-cat with unusual blue eyes Mousefur - small dusky brown she-cat

Apprentice, Elderpaw

Apprentices
Littlepaw - small yellow-brown she-cat with dark matking and white paws and chest

Dustpaw - dark brown tabby tom

Graypaw - long-haired gray tom

Ravenpaw - small, skinny black tom with a tiny white dash on his chest, and white-tipped tail

Elderpaw - dark gray tom Sandpaw - pale ginger she-cat

Tulippaw - speckled pale gray she-cat

Barkpaw - light brown tom

Queens
Frostfur - beautiful white coat and blue eyes, mother of Lionheart's kits, Brackenkit (golden-brown tabby tom-kit), Cinderkit (dark gray she-kit), Thornkit (golden-brown tabby tom-kit) and Brightkit (white she-kit with ginger splotches)

Brindleface - pretty gray tabby, expecting Redtail's kits

Goldenflower - pale ginger coat, mother of Patchpelt's kits, Swiftkit (black-and-white tom-kit) and Lynxkit (small light ginger tabby tom with black patches and yellow eyes)

Speckletail - pale golden tabby, and the oldest nursery queen, mother of Smallear's kits, Mistlekit (pale gray she-kit with dark tabby stripes with white paws and small ears) and Snowkit (deaf white tom-kit with blue eyes)

Sleekpelt - tabby queen with distinctive black markings, mother of Foxfoot's kits, Flintkit (gray-and-white tom-kit), Blackkit (night-black she-kit), Cloverkit (tortoiseshell she-kit) and Weaselkit (fluffy gray tom-kit)

Elders
Halftail - big dark brown tabby tom with part of his tail missing

Smallear - gray tom with very small ears; the oldest tom in ThunderClan

Patchpelt - small black-and-white tom

One-eye - pale gray she-cat, the oldest she-cat in ThunderClan; virtually blind and deaf

Dappletail - once-pretty tortoiseshell she-cat with a lovely dappled coat and white patches

Leader
Brokenstar - long-haired dark brown tabby

Deputy
Blackfoot - large white tom with huge jet-black paws

Medicine Cat(s)
Yellowfang - old dark gray she-cat with a broad, flattened face

Apprentice, Runningnose (small gray-and-white tom)

Warriors
Stumpytail - brown tabby tom with stumpy tail

Apprentice, Brownpaw (brown tom with small ginger mottles and yellow eyes)

Boulder - silver-gray tabby tom

Apprentice, Wetpaw (gray tabby tom)

Clawface - battle-scarred brown tom

Apprentice, Littlepaw (very tabby-and-white tom)

Nightpelt - black tom

Finchflight - black-and-white tom

Apprentice, Earthpaw (gray-brown tom)

Blackmoon - night-black tom

Morningstorm - dappled pale ginger she-cat

Apprentice, Rainpaw (dappled gray she-cat)

Queens
Dawncloud - very young and small pale ginger tabby she-cat, mother of Finchflight's kits, Blossomkit (snowy-white she-cat) and Swampkit (white tom-kit with ginger patches)

Brightflower - elderly ginger she-cat

Elders
Ashpelt - thin gray tom

Leader
Tallstar - black-and-white tom with a very long tail

Deputy
Hopfoot - black tom with a twisted paw

Medicine Cat(s)
Barkface - short-tailed dark brown tom

Apprentice, Oakpaw (beige tom)

Warriors
Mudclaw - mottled dark brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Webpaw (dark gray tabby tom)

Tornear - gray tabby tom with torn ear

Apprentice, Runningpaw (gray tabby she-cat)

Onewhisker - young brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Whitepaw (small white she-cat)

Heatherpelt - tabby she-cat

Queens
Ashfoot - gray she-cat, mother of Hopfoot's kits, Eaglekit (gray tom-kit), Adderkit (tabby tom-kit with amber eyes) and Splashingkit(gray tabby she-kit)

Morningflower - tortoiseshell queen, mother of Tallstar's kits, Gorsekit (brown tabby tom-kit) and Daykit (ginger-and-white she-kit)

Elders
Moorclaw - dark brown tabby tom

Leader
Crookedstar - huge light-colored tabby with a twisted jaw

Deputy
Leopardfur - unusually spotted golden tabby she-cat

Medicine Cat(s)
Mudfur - old long-haired mottled light brown tom

Apprentice, Salmonstream (pale gray tabby she-cat)

Warriors
Blackclaw - smoky black tom

Apprentice, Heavypaw (thickset tabby tom)

Stonefur - blue-gray tom with battle-scarred ears

Apprentice, Shadepaw (dark brown tom)

Loudbelly - dark brown tom

Apprentice, Troutpaw (silver she-cat)

Silverstream - pretty slender silver tabby

Whiteclaw - dark brown tom with one white paw

Queens
Mistyfoot - blue-gray she-cat, mother of Reedkit (black tom-kit), Perchkit (black tom-kit), Primrosekit (very pale creamy-brown she-kit with front white paws) and Pikekit (dark gray tom with dark mottled markings)

Greenflower - brown-striped she-cat with a white splash under her chin and one white hind paw, expecting Stonefur's kits

Cats Outside Clans
Rusty - handsome ginger tom, kittypet that lives next to Smudge

Smudge - plump, friendly black-and-white kittypet who lives in a house at the edge of the forest

Barley - black-and-white tom that lives on a farm close to the forest

Seed - pale ginger she-cat, expecting Barley's kits

Caramel - tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat, kittypet

Sammy - dark red tom with amber eyes, kittypet

Prologue
A pretty tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat stood over a twoleg box left within the Tallpines. A golden-blonde bundle was in her jaws. The tortoiseshell stared at it coldly, flexing her claws.

"Is this the right way Caramel?" asked her mate behind her.

"What else do you want to do? I can't take care of it. I will leave it to the wild cats and let them decide whether they take her in or kill her." She bent down and gently placed the kit into the box, covering it with a blanket. "She will be okay, don't worry. Since when are you such a careful dad, Sammy?" she teased. Sammy hesitated and gave her a glare.

"I just don't want my kit to die."

"She won't die. I'm sure the wild cats will take her." With that, she padded away, not even looking back at the box. Sammy slowly followed, giving the box one last glance before disappearing in the shadows, following Caramel back to twolegplace.

~

The stars shimmered on the crow-black sky like dew on a black pelt. Spottedleaf watched three stars that seemed to shine the brightest, certainity filling her veins. ''Swiftbreeze. Featherwhisker. Where ever you are, don't give up on us.'' She sighed, thoughts swirling in her head. The leaf-bare was cruel, and ThunderClan could barely find any prey. Thankfully nobody had caught greencough yet, but it was just question of time. Spottedleaf's claws dug into the soily earth. This was the first leaf-bare without Featherwhisker at her side. Spottedleaf's heart sank at the thought of the silver tom. Her tail twitched.

"Spottedleaf, it's late, what are you doing here?" asked a voice behind the medicine cat. Spottedleaf didn't even look behind her.

"Thinking," she responded. The cat behind her stiffened and then padded up to her.

"What about?" asked Bluestar, her clear blue eyes glowing in the moonlight. Spottedleaf let out a long sigh.

"About what had happened. Bluestar, what if I die? Who will take care of ThunderClan then? Littlepaw isn't old or experienced enough to take my place, you should know it," she hissed, shifting her paws. This was bothering her for a long time now. How could her sweet Littlepaw take responsibility of the Clan on her young shoulders?

"Why would you die?" asked Bluestar, eyes wide. Spottedleaf shook her head.

"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not saying I'm going to die. But what if?" She made a short pause before continuing. "Featherwhisker didn't expect to die either. Yet he did - what if the same thing happens to me? What will ThunderClan do then?" Her voice trailed off.

"Then I'm sure medicine cat from different Clan would train Littlepaw," Bluestar reassured her. Spottedleaf gave her unsure look.

"Fine. I guess you are right," she shrugged. She then sighed.

"How are Sleekpelt and Lynxkit?" asked Bluestar, her voice hoarse with worry.

"Better than yesterday," Spottedleaf responded. "Littlepaw is a lot of help." Bluestar nodded eyes dull.

"Good." Spottedleaf gazed up the sky. She suddenly gasped.

"Bluestar, look!" One of the stars flashed across the sky, flying through the sky until they couldn't see her anymore. Bluestar stared at the sky, her eyes large.

"What was that?" A small smile stretched on Spottedleaf's face.

"A sign from StarClan," meowed Spottedleaf, her voice beaming with new hope.

"What does it say?" meowed Bluestar, eyes wide with expectations. Spottedleaf's amber gaze landed on Bluestar for the first time.

"Only fire alone can save our Clan."

Chapter 1
Sleekpelt padded through the forest, Foxfoot's fur brushing hers. This was the first time since her kits were born that she left the camp. The little bundles of joy was all that mattered to Sleekpelt now. She would never leave them, always be there for them. Foxfoot gave her ear an affectionate lick, purring into her ear. She purred back, jumping over a fallen branch.

"How are our kits?" asked Foxfoot, following her.

"They are doing great," she purred. "They are the most adorable things ever. And Cloverkit is so sweet! And Blackkit likes to hang out in Spottedleaf's den. How sad she already has apprentice. And Flintkit wants to be leader. As for Weaselkit, he wants to be the best warrior ever, and that will most likely be his destiny." Her heart swelled with love. My sweet kits...

"That's great. I know Cloverkit is sweet, she goes arround the camp and helps everyone. She wanted to help me with going on a patrol, but she is just few days old," Foxfoot purred, and Sleekpelt could tell he loved his kits just as she did.

Suddenly, they saw something in the distance. It was brown and square, with something over it.

"What is that?" asked Sleekpelt, cautiously padding forward.

"Twoleg box," meowed Foxfoot, unamused. "Leave it there." But something pulled Sleekpelt there, excitement tingling her paws. There was something on that box. She padded forward.

"Wait for a moment," she murmured. Foxfoot, already leaving, looked back at her.

"What are you doing? It's just a box," he muttered. But Sleekpelt hopped forward, sniffing the box. There was faint scent of kittypets around, but she ignored it. She nudged the box. Something moved in it. Her eyes widened.

"Foxfoot! Something is in it!" she called. The orange tom padded to her.

"What is in it?"

"I don't know, there is blanket over it," she muttered, narrowing her eyes. Curiosity overhelmed her and she took the blanket into her teeth and pulled it off. She peeked inside the box, gasping in shock. Little golden bundle was curled up in one corner, sleeping. It didn't look as comfortable sleep though. The bottom of the box was hard, and the kit was shaking with cold.

"A kit is not what I expected," murmured Foxfoot to his mate.

"Me neither," purred Sleekpelt. "But it's good we found it. It would freeze to death our here." Foxfoot gave her a slow nod looking unsure.

"What kind of mother would leave her kit like this though?" he asked. Sleekpelt stepped inside the box, nudging the tiny bundle. The kit shivered and opened it's mouth.

"Mommy?" it wailed, pressing to Sleekpelt's leg to warm itself. Sleekpelt purred and wrapped her tail around it, licking it to warm it's tiny body. Her heart started to swell with love. But this isn't my kit, she reminded herself. The kit looked about two moons old, not an age for a kit to be alone in the forest.

"Should we take it next to camp?" asked Foxfoot, not looking too fond.

"Of course, we can't leave it here," she purred. Foxfoot closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. Sleekpelt took it into her jaws, its soft kit fur tickling her nose. "She kinda looks like Lionheart." Foxfoot blinked.

"I guess?" he growled.

As they padded through the bushes into the camp, the saw Bluestar stand under the Highrock. As Sleekpelt and Foxfoot stopped inside, her blue gaze flickered towards them. When she saw the kit in Sleekpelt's jaws, her eyes opened wide.

"What is that?" she asked, twitching her tail.

"Bluestar, we found this kit in a twoleg box at Tallpines. Will you take it in the Clan?" asked Sleekpelt, eyes big. Bluestar flicked her tail.

"I'm not heartless. Of course we will accept him-" she hesitated. "Or is it her?"

"It's her," meowed Foxfoot.

"Thanks Foxfoot. Of course we will accept her. She will be well-cared for here. When you think of a good name, tell me. We will have poppy seed ceremony at dusk," Bluestar told them and padded over to Redtail to tell him.

Spottedleaf came rushing towards them like a wave.

"Did I hear right? You found a kit? What is her name?" she flooded them with questions. "Excuse me, I will take a look if she needs any medical treatment," she added apologetically, sniffing the kit. "I guess she is okay? Now, what is her name?" Littlepaw padded to them.

"What is going on?" she asked.

"We found a kit," told her Foxfoot. "She is nameless so far."

"I think Sparkkit would suit," Littlepaw suggested.

"Hush! It's their job," scolded Spottedleaf, though her voice was still sweet as always.

"Actually, great idea," told her Sleekpelt. "It may be Sparkkit."

"Will you take care of her?" asked Spottedleaf. Sleekpelt gazed at Sparkkit for a while.

"Of course I will."

~

Three moons later...

Rusty watched the mouse munch on a nut. His eyes narrowed, tail lashing from side to side. He unsheathed his claws of a kittypet. He dug his hind claws into the earth, ready to spring.

"Rusty!"

The mouse scrambled away, leaving Rusty in his perfect position. He spun around, pelt bristling.

"Smudge! I almost caught it!" he spat.

"I came to bring you back! Sammy said the wild cats will come soon. I don't want you to get eaten!" he exclaimed, eyes wide.

"Do you really believe those kit tales? They are just cats, like us!" replied Rusty, lashing his tail. "I'm not coming back until I catch something!" He turned around, his emerald gaze searching the forest. Smudge gulped.

"Rusty! Come on!" he snapped, shifting his paws. "Let's get out of here!"

"Smudge, I'm telling you, I-"

Suddenly, rustling sounded in the bushes. Rusty stiffened. This wasn't prey. This was something bigger. Two green eyes gleamed in the darkness. Rusty took a step back, eyes huge. Smudge backed away.

"Kittypets!" spat a female voice. Rusty gasped.

"W-wild cat!" yowled Smudge.

"Get out of here, kittypets!" spat the voice. A golden-and-brown striped she-cat cannoned out of the bushes, claws unsheathed and green eyes huge. "Get out of my territory!"

Smudge yowled in terror and sprang away, tail streaming behind him. Rusty stared into the wild cat's eyes, fur bristling along his spine. Unsheathing his claws, he let out a growl, his fear being replaced by strange bravery. The cat's eyes narrowed. "Do you want to try me?" she growled.

"Any time," he spat. The she-cat let out a battle cry, launching herself on Rusty. He was shocked by her weight. He didn't expect a she-cat of his age to be that heavy. She stood over him, green eyes gleaming. He tried to wiggle free, but her powerful hind claws were dug into the earth while her front claws were in the earth next to his head. She reared and sank her claws into his soft belly flesh. Rusty groaned and kicked out with his hind legs just as the wild cat was about to rear. His opponet balanced for a while and then fell back on four. Rusty took the opportunity and scrambled away. He darted back to the twolegplace, not looking back at his attacker. Smudge was standing on the fence of his house.

"Rusty! You are alive!" he gasped. Rusty jumped on the face next to him.

"Yeah," he growled, licking his belly wound.

"How did you escape?"

"I kicked her," Rusty mewed proudly.

"No way!" gasped Smudge. "You defeaed a wild cat!"

"Not really. I just managed to escape," Rusty corrected.

"That doesn't matter!" In more serious tone, he added: "Rusty, promise me that you will never go there again!" Rusty flexed his claws, staring into the woods in front of him.

"Okay. I promise."

Chapter 2
Crookedstar watched his two daughters, Willowpaw and Silverpaw play in the little sunlight that was left in the harsh leaf-bare. Willowpaw ran after Silverpaw, her long black legs a blur. Silverpaw ducked as Willowpaw leaped. The black she-cat rolled over and landed on the ground.

"Nice," she purred to her sister. Silverpaw settled down, purring.

Crookedstar let out a sigh of happiness. They both reminded him of Willowbeeze so much.

"I know. Let's play kingdom," she told her. She then jumped on the closest stone.

"I'm queen Silverriver!" she called.

Crookedstar felt rush of anger.

"Silverpaw!" he yowled, green eyes blazing. Silverpaw lifted her shocked blue gaze to her father.

"Y-yes?" she stammered. Crookedstar picked his way to the apprentices, staring Silverpaw down.

"Do not ever use River as the end of your name! River is what gives us food and water when we need it! We need to honor it! Do you understand?" Silverpaw lifted her chin.

"But I'm a queen," she protested. "You always told me tales about queens and kings that could do everything!" Crookedstar closed his eyes and let out a deep sigh.

"Sorry Silverpaw." He opened his eyes again. "Silverpaw, Willowpaw, come with me." With that, he turned around and padded into the forest. He didn't even wait to see if his daughters were coming. He knew they would.

"Dad, where are we going?" asked Willowpaw, her amber eyes meeting her father's.

"I suppose you both know that Sunfish isn't your mother and Grasspaw your brother," he told them. Willowpaw and Silverpaw exchanged glances.

"Yes we do," responded Silverpaw, her voice soft.

"And you know I'm your real father. However, I never told you who your mother was," Crookedstar meowed. He padded to a clearing, his tail twitching. Willowbreeze, my dearest...

"What is this, Dad?" asked Silverpaw, settling down next to her sister. Crookedstar padded to a place where the dirt looked somewhat fresh.

"This is a place where your mother lies," meowed Crookedstar, gazing into the distance. "Her name was Willowbreeze. She was the kindest, prettiest and bravest cat that ever lived. She loved you dearly. She died soon after you were born of greencough," he made a pause, "and your sister as well. Her name was Minnowkit. Unfortunely she was sick and wasn't strong enough to make it." Silverpaw and Willowpaw stood there silently. Crookedstar paced forward and towered over his death mate's grave. He closed his eyes and gently touched the ground with his nose. He felt his limbs shake for the energy and fierce love that surged through him. ''One day, my love. One day we will meet in StarClan.'' Crookedstar looked up the star-filling crow-black sky. ''I made a promise. And I will keep it. Remember that.''

~

Rusty stared at the forest in front of him, his tail twitching. No. I promised I won't come back. But something pulled him there. He looked around to see if Smudge was anywhere to be seen. He couldn't see him anywhere, so with a sigh, Rusty leaped down from his fence and picked his way to the forest. He looked around the woods, his ginger coat bristling with excitement. His pelt brushed past brambles and holly bushes, his green eyes searching the lush forest. He heard birdsongs in the trees and rushing of... Wait... Was that a river? River meant fish. Fish meant food. He felt his heart jump in his chest. ''I will return with fish. I can't wait to see Smudge's face!'' He wanted to go for the river but something held him back. He stopped and realized his collar was stuck to a bramble bush. He let out a groan and tried to figure out how to get the collar out of the plant. He backed away, but the collar just stretched. Rusty closed his eyes, turned around and leaped forward. A loud snap echoed in his ears as the collar was torn. It fell to the ground, the twig it was stuck to next to it. Rusty felt a wave of relief. His collar wasn't annoying anymore.

He jumped over few stones until he finally came to the river. Its silver waves splashed against the slippery stones, glossy bodies of fish rppling in its streams. Rusty licked his whiskers and jumped on the closest stone. He unsheathed his claws, staring down into the river. Just as he was about to snatch a fish - or at least attempt to -, a voice interrupted him.

"What do you think you are doing?" It was a tabby tom, maybe a moon older than him, on the other shore. Muscles rippled under his brown fur, his eyes were blazing. "You are on RiverClan territory!" Rusty gulped and faced him. This one was much bigger than the last one, and was much plumper.

"I-I'm sorry I-"

"Back off, Grasspaw!"

Rusty spun around to see a magnificent old blue-gray she-cat behind him on the shore closer to him.

"He is on my territory Bluestar!" snapped Grasspaw.

"I know and I'm sorry. He is one of ThunderClan's apprentices. You, come with me!" she told Rusty sternly, her brilliant blue eyes staring into Rusty's soul. Rusty muttered quick 'sorry' to Grasspaw and jumped back on shore. Grasspaw studied them for a while with a stern glare before disappearing in her own territory. Rusty looked up at Bluestar in shame.

"T-thanks," he stuttered. Bluestar bristled.

"Can you imagine what could you cause? What are you doing in the Clan territory, kittypet?" she spat. Rusty gulped.

"I-I just wanted to catch something, I'm sure there is enough prey-"

"There is never enough prey in the forest," snapped Bluestar. "But you cannot imagine because you are a kittypet. Always well-fed and taken care of. Here we are wild. We live by our code, but we are free and take care of each other. Nor do we hunt on other Clan's territories." Rusty stared at her, his green eyes huge.

"There are more Clans?"

"There are four Clans in total - ThunderClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan. The she-cat you just met was an apprentice of RiverClan. I'm the leader of ThunderClan." Bluestar narrowed her eyes. "You seem concerned. Why am I telling you anyways? You are just a kittypet."

"Your life sounds amazing," breathed Rusty.

"Maybe it sounds like that, but it's hard as well. There is never enough prey, cold leaf-bares that bring greencough, and battles with other Clans." She gazed at Rusty. "You know, I feel like you would've caught that fish." Rusty's eyes widened even more.

"Really?"

"Yes. You would make a fine hunter. What a shame you were born in Twolegplace." Rusty gasped.

"Do you mean I would make a good Clan cat?" Bluestar's ears twitched in amusment.

"Maybe." She seemed lost in her thoughts. After a while, she gazed back at Rusty. "What is your name?"

"Rusty," meowed the ginger tom proudly.

"Rusty," repeated Bluestar quietly. "Tell me Rusty," she blinked down at him, standing up. "Would you like to join ThunderClan?"

Chapter 3
Rusty stared at Bluestar for a moment, his eyes huge with disbelief. This cat in front of him was wild and ruthless. She must've killed a lot of cats in her long life. This strange, wild cat in front of him was giving him a ticket to a hard life, much different than a life of a kittypet. This life was full of cold, hunger, fighting, battles where death is at every step. But he would be free. He would never need to worry about him coming home late. He would hunt where he pleased and when he pleased, while learning how to fight and protect his Clan.

"Yes," he breathed, meeting Bluestar's gaze. "I always wanted this life. A life where I can be free, where collar doesn't bite into my neck." Bluestar gave him a fond smile.

"Think about it. It's a decission that can change your life. Are you sure you want to be a wild cat? You can back away now." Rusty's mind swirled. Could he really give up his life of a kittypet and settle in with these wild cats? He raised his chin.

"I will give it a shot," he meowed. Then, more quiet, he added, "but if I want to, I can leave, right?" Just in case. Bluestar gave him a small nod.

"Just one thing. If you will doubt anything - if you doubt anything now - tell me. I don't want disloyal kittypets in my life." Rusty hesitated. She sounded as if she was speaking from experience. Rusty wondered what could've happened. He thought of Smudge and his twolegs, how much they would miss him. But he would make new friends in the Clan, right? Nothing could go wrong.

"I will. Should we now get going?" he mewed, whiskers trembling with excitement. Bluestar smiled a little.

"Very well. Follow me." The old gray she-cat walked quickly through the forest. Curiosity bubbled in Rusty's chest.

"What is the Clan life like? Do you take care of kits, sick cats and elders or do they take care of themselves?" Bluestar lashed her tail.

"Yes, we take care of them. All queens in the nursery are taking care of all of the kits, and apprentices take care of the elders. Apprentice is a kit that has over six moons and is training to become a warrior. As for sick cats, the medicine cat takes care of them. Our current medicine cat is Spottedleaf and her apprentice is Littlepaw."

"And hiw do you manage to lead the Clan alone?"

"I don't lead it alone, Rusty. I have my deputy, Redtail, and Spottedleaf to help me. Sometimes I consult my senior warriors." She stopped in front of a gorse bush. "This is the main camp entrance. I will go first, you will follow me." She slipped through the bush and disappeared on the other side. Rusty gulped and tucked his head in, slipping through. He emerged on the other side to see a clearing. Cats were everywhere. Young or old, they all chewed on pieces of prey. There were few bushes in the clearing, which Rusty guessed they were dens, a big, old, hollow tree on one side, a fern patch at the edge of the camp, and a high ivory-colored rock in the middle. The cats lifted their gazes at the new scent that flooded their nostrils. They amber, green, and blue eyes bore deep into Rusty's soul. Bluestar glanced at her Clan and climbed up the rock.

"Cats of ThunderClan!" Her strong voice echoed through the clearing. "I found a cat that is worthy of being one of us. I believe he is strong enough to make a forest cat, and me myself gave him the opportunity to join." Muffled murmurs rose in the clearing.

"He doesn't have scent of any Clan!" called a black she-cat, lashing her tail.

"Look how frail he looks. He won't make it through the leaf-bare," added a pale ginger she-cat. Her pale green gaze fixed on Rusty. The ginger tom gulped and tried to smile, but the she-cat turned around. A dark gray tom with yellow eyes stepped forward and started sniffing Rusty. The tom jumped away.

"He smells like a kittypet!" he yowled. The clearing errupted with yowls.

"Where are his twolegs?"

"He should go back to his kittypet family!"

"All his family were pampered kittypets!"

"That's not true!" yowled Rusty suddenly.

"How is that?" asked a young gray tom few tail-lengths away.

"My mother always told me about my father. He was brave. He once defeated a dog, actually. Maybe he was a forest cat." Few cats in the clearing exchanged doubtful glances.

"Do you know what his name was?" Rusty shook his head. "Do you know how did he look?" Rusty shook his head again.

"He could've been from a different Clan," pointed out a young tortoiseshell in the crowd.

"We don't want cats with different blood here," snarled a gray-black tabby tom.

"Don't be such an idiot Darkstripe," growled a golden tom. "Whether you like it or not, we all have different blood in our veins than ThundeClan."

"Wise words," meowed Bluestar approvingly. "Rusty, listen to me. You have to prove you are worthy of being a warrior. You have to prove that you are strong and brave just as any ThunderClan cat."

"I will," meowed Rusty, his green gaze flying through the crowd. Bluestar nodded.

"Very well. From now on, you shall be known as Firepaw, in honor of your pelt that looks like flames. You will train to become a warrior along with other apprentices. Nobody will go lightly on you because you because you have kittypet roots. Understood?" Rusty - no, Firepaw - nodded.

"Firepaw!"

"Welcome to Clan Firepaw!"

"Firepaw! That suits!"

Those yowls echoed through the clearing. But few cats didn't cheer. A pale tabby tom with black stripes, and the tom called Darkstripe. They stared at him with cold gaze.

"You again!"

Firepaw spun around to see a familiar golden she-cat.

"You!"

"I thought I told to stay out of our territory!" She paused. "By the way, my name is Littlepaw." Firepaw nodded and looked around.

"Hey! You! Firepaw!" Firepaw turned around to see the young gray tom. "I'm Graypaw, and this is Barkpaw," he pointed to a light gray tom behind him.

"Hey," purred Firepaw. The two toms looked friendly. The young dark gray tom from earlier settled near them and started washing himself.

"Kittypet," he growled at Firepaw. Graypaw rolled his eyes.

"Don't mind Elderpaw. His jokes are just as bad as his name." Elderpaw glared at Graypaw.

"For the last time, elder is a plant," he growled.

"Keep your fur on," growled Barkpaw.

"Barkpaw!" called an orange tom, lashing his tail. Barkpaw looked at the toms, and muttering quick 'sorry', he scrambled away.

"Do you want me to show you around?" asked Graypaw.

"Yeah," meowed Firepaw. Graypaw waved his tail.

"Let's look at the nursery first," he meowed. He trotted over to a bramble thicket and peered inside. "Come on," he muttered and slipped inside. Firepaw slowly followed. Five queens were lying or sitting inside, and kits either sucked milk or were playing on the ground. Firepaw almost stepped on a tortoiseshell kit.

"Be careful!" scolded him one of the queens and snatched her kit.

"Easy, Sleekpelt," meowed Graypaw. He glanced at Firepaw. "The pregnant white she-cat is Frostfur and the pale ginger one is Goldenflower. Her kits are Swiftkit and Lynxkit," he added, pointing to two kits rolling on the ground. "The tabby is Sleekpelt, and her kits are Cloverkit, Blackkit, Flintkit and Weaselkit. And that pale golden tabby is Speckletail, and her kits are Snowkit and Mistlekit. And that pregnant gray tabby is Brindleface." All the weird names swirled in Firepaw's mind. He knew it would take ages to memorize them all.

But soon they were going around the camp, and Graypaw showed Firepaw where he was about to sleep. Inside the apprentice's den was sleeping the pale ginger she-cat from before. Once they entered, she flickered her green eyes open.

"Don't you tell me this kittypet is sleeping with us," she growled. Graypaw looked at her.

"This is Sandpaw from Brindleface's first litter, don't mind her and Dustpaw." Firepaw nodded.

"Tulippaw!" sounded yowls from outside. The apprentices rushed outside. A young speckled gray she-cat with dark blue eyes stood under the high rock, blood streaming from a deep gash on her shoulder. Her hoarse high-pitched voice made Firepaw shiver.

"Oakheart killed Redtail!"

The clearing errupted with shocked meows.

"Redtail? He would never get himself killed!"

"This can't be!"

"NO!"

The one who screeched the loudest was the tortoiseshell - Spottedleaf - who stood up for Firepaw. She was trembling just few tail-lengths away from Tulippaw, her bright amber eyes dull. Graypaw leaned on Firepaw.

"Redtail was her littermate," he whispered. Firepaw slowly nodded, feeling a pang of sympathy for Spottedleaf.

"Then Tigerclaw jumped on Oakheart and killed him, ripping his throat," Tulippaw groaned, her legs about to collapse. She slumped to the ground, panting. Spottedleaf rushed over to her and took her gently by the scruff, pulling her into the medicine cat's den. Sandpaw and Elderpaw peered inside, worried expressions stretched across their faces.

"Why are they going there?" asked Firepaw.

"Tulippaw is their littermate," explained Graypaw. Firepaw nodded slowly, sighing. Littlepaw hopped over to the medicine cat's den and disappeared inside.

A rustling sounded nearby. A massive dark brown tabby pushed his way through the bushes. He dragged a small tortoiseshell body, and Firepaw could see bliss of fluffy ginger tail. Bluestar gasped.

"Tigerclaw!" Tigerclaw dropped the body, sighing.

"I avenged him," he growled. Bluestar nodded sadly.

"Spottedleaf!"

The medicine cat trotted out of her den.

"Yes Bluestar?"

"Please, after you are done with Tulippaw, prepare Redtail's body for burial." Spottedleaf sighed, her lithe body looking as if crushed under a large weight as she walked over to her brother's body. She stood there, her eyes fixed on him. Firepaw didn't handle it anymore and padded forward. He padded next to Spottedleaf and felt odd excitement flood him.

"I should get going," murmured Spottedleaf. Her fur brushed against Firepaw's as she left, and left the clearing. Slowly, cats started to come closer to Redtail and share their tongues with him for the last time.

Chapter 4
Firepaw trotted out of the apprentice's den, lashing his tail. Barkpaw and Sparkpaw were sharing some fresh-kill nesr the pile. He padded over to them.

"Good morning!" piped Sparkpaw, her golden fur shining in the sunlight like pure gold.

"Good morning," Barkpaw purred. "Are you going training today?"

"I hope so," Firepaw meowed as he picked a blackbird from the pile. He settled next to Sparkpaw and started eating.

"Sparkpaw!" The golden she-cat looked up to see Willowpelt waving her tail. "We are going hunting." Sparkpaw left the vole she was eating and ran after her mentor who disppeared behind the entrance. Firepaw caught a glance of her yellow eyes on him before she darted away.

"Typical Willowpelt, keeps Sparkpaw busy," purred Barkpaw in amusement." Ravenpaw appeared next to them.

"Is that vole waiting for someone?" he asked. Firepaw shook his head.

"No, Sparkpaw went hunting." Ravenpaw lied down and started eating rest of the vole. When he was finished, he shot up again.

"Yes, just enough for me. I'm going on a patrol with Nightsky, Foxfoot, and Barkpaw." He looked at the brown tom. "You should come with me." Barkpaw sighed, looking annoyed. But he heaved himself up and followed Ravenpaw away, leaving Firepaw alone with his half-eaten blackbird. Firepaw left the bird be and decided to visist Tulippaw in Spottedleaf's den.

The smell of herbs was heavy in the air as he padded inside the den. Spottedleaf was humming some melody as she separated fresh herbs from old ones. Littlepaw wasn't anywhere to be seen, and Tulippaw was peacefully sleeping in her nest. Firepaw listened to Spottedleaf's humming for few moments.

"Nice song," he purred. Spottedleaf spun at him, startled.

"Oh Firepaw, sorry, I didn't know you were there. Did you come to visit Tulippaw?" Firepaw nodded. Was that hint of disappointment he saw in her amber eyes? No, he surely just imagined it. Her eyes were as usual, with the usual lights shining in them.

"Yes I did," Firepaw meowed. "But I see she is sleeping. Where is Littlepaw?"

"Out collecting herbs," Spottedleaf responded. She turned back to her own herbs. She stopped. "Firepaw, don't tell her anything, but I think she is ready for her full name." Firepaw listened with concern.

"Do you already know what name will she get?"

"I don't know," Spottedleaf admitted. "At first I thought Littlestorm, but that doesn't suit at all."

"How about Littleleaf?"

"Why Littleleaf?"

"After her mentor of course." Spottedleaf stiffened.

"I guess it sounds nice," she murmured, not meeting Firepaw's gaze. She started humming again, her mind drifting away.

"It's really nice melody. Where do you know it from?"

"My mother hummed it to me and my littermates before we went to sleep every night," she responded, sadness clouding her voice.

"Do you think I could ever meet your mother?" Firepaw asked. Spottedleaf looked down.

"Maybe is StarClan," she meowed half-seriously. Firepaw stared at her.

"I-I'm so sorry," he stammered quietly. Spottedleaf slightly nodded and turned back to her herbs.

"It's okay." Firepaw looked down, his fur burning with shame. He wanted to say something, but Spottedleaf cut him off.

"She died. Me and Featherwhisker, my mentor, went to Moonstone at half moon to give me a full name. It was a greencough outbreak, and my mother was very sick. When we came back, Dappletail told me that she died while we were gone. I will never look at my full name proudly like other medicine cats, Firepaw. It will only remind me how my mother's death was my fault." She nudged a few leaves on a pile with her small pink nose. Firepaw stood quiet.

"I'm sorry," me murmured after a while. "But it wasn't your fault. You couldn't know." Spottedleaf spun around to face him..

"I'm a medicine cat! I always have to know!" She took a deep breath and sighed. "What about your family?" she asked more calmly. Firepaw looked at his paws.

"My mother was a kittypet, but I never met my father. My mother always told me he was the bravest cat ever. I also had two brothers and two sisters." Spottedleaf nodded. Firepaw looked over her shoulder on the herbs she was sorting out. "You are a talented medicine cat." Their fur brushed. Firepaw felt a wave of akward excitement bubble inside him.

"You should go," Spottedleaf murmured softly. "Bluestar will surely want to see you."

~

Spottedleaf sighed and lied down in her nest. She could here rushing of the river all the way from RiverClan territory, and leaves whispering in the lovely breeze. She couldn't get Firepaw off her mind.

''No. I'm a medicine cat. That's what I am. And what I will always be.''

Chapter 5
Firepaw stomped outside the apprentice's den, the morning sun turning his ginger fur into blazing flames. He started washing himself, at first back and then legs.

"Hey Firepaw!" Sparkpaw trotted over to him, a plump blackbird dangling in her jaws. "Do you want to share?" Firepaw nodded and settled next to her. A rustling sounded from the den and Barkpaw emerged outside.

"Good morning Barkpaw! Do you want to eat with us?" Firepaw asked. The older apprentice shook his head.

"No. I'm having an assesment today," he purred. Firepaw's eyes widened.

"So you will become a warrior?"

"Yes, unless I mess up my assesment."

"You are too good to do that," Sparkpaw chuckled. Barkpaw let out a small laugh.

"Thanks. I better get going, Foxfoot might not be pleased." He licked his whiskers at the smell of their blackbird but didn't stop and continued over to Highrock.

"I can't wait to become a warrior too," Sparkpaw murmured. "Well, that won't happen any time soon. I just became an apprentice." She glanced at him. "Is twolegplace nice?" Firepaw slowly nodded.

"Yes, my twolegs are also very nice." He finished his part of the blackbird right as Graypaw and Tulippaw who recently recovered stopped in front of them.

"Lionheart and Tigerclaw are taking us on a patrol," the speckled she-cat meowed. Firepaw nodded and stood up.

"Can I come?" Sparkpaw asked quickly.

"Where is Willowpelt?"

"I will go and get her!" The golden-blonde she-cat ran off. Tulippaw sighed.

"Well, we should at least go to our mentors." Tulippaw then turned around and trotted over to Lionheart and Tigerclaw standing nearby. Tigerclaw gazed at Firepaw.

"Welcome to ThunderClan," he meowed coolly. Firepaw nodded slowly. Lionheart gave Firepaw an encouraging smile. Tulippaw glanced at her mentor, and Graypaw did the same.

"Wait for us!" cried Sparkpaw, her golden legs a blur. She stopped next to Firepaw, panting. Willowpelt padded up to them, purring in amusement. They set off.

Firepaw tasted the air, fallen leaves crunching under his paws. Sparkpaw hopped next to him, and Tulippaw stayed at the very back alone. Graypaw started talking.

"We are heading for the Sandy Hollow now. We learn there how to hunt and fight," he explained. Firepaw nodded.

"I can't wait!" piped Sparkpaw. Firepaw glanced at the apprentice who hopped around, yellow eyes like two stars. They soon arrived to a sandy hollow Graypaw was talking about. Willowpelt stopped there.

"I don't think me and Sparkpaw will join you. We have to go and patrol some borders." She gestured with her tail for Sparkpaw to follow and padded off to some tall grass nearby. Sparkpaw glanced at Firepaw with an apologetic glance and followed Willowpelt. Lionheart lashed his tail.

"Alright. We will learn hunter's crouch today." He looked at Graypaw. "Show them." The gray tom nodded and crouched down, his tail at the ground. Lionheart nodded. "Good. But you are putting too much weight on one side, so you look like a badger." Graypaw nodded and tried again.

Tulippaw flickered her dark blue eyes over at Tigerclaw. The dark tabby gazed at her with cold amber eyes. She gulped and crouched down. Firepaw watched and tried to do the same.

"Almost," Tigerclaw told him. "Keep your tail at the ground. See Tulippaw? That is how you do the crouch! Are you trying to tell me that a kittypet is better than you?" Tulippaw flinched. She looked down at her paws and started trembling at Tigerclaw's harsh tone. A pang of guilt stabbed Firepaw in the chest.

"Don't be so upset," meowed Lionheart to Tulippaw, getly placing his tail on her shoulder. Tulippaw nodded and looked up, sighing.

"We better do the same as Willowpelt and Sparkpaw," Tigerclaw growled and gestured with his tail for the apprentices to follow. With that he disappeared in the forest. Lionheart followed, and so did Firepaw, Graypaw and Tulippaw. They went for a while, until they arrived to a river. Firepaw immedietely recognized the place where he met Grasspaw.

"This is the RiverClan border. The river is theirs, and so is the land on the other shore," Lionheart told them. Firepaw tasted the air, a fishy wet smell flooding his nose.

"Is that RiverClan scent?" he asked. Graypaw nodded.

"Yes." Lionheart looked up. "It will be night soon. We will have to go back to camp." Firepaw sighed, excitement bubbling. He was curious to find out whether Barkpaw had finished his assesment. They slowly got going, and soon they arrived to the camp. Cats were eating prey or sharing tongues. Bluestar glanced at Firepaw's group as they padded in. Firepaw caught a glimpse of her blue gaze as she climbed up the Highrock.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here under the highrock for a Clan meeting!" she yowled. The cats gathered, and Firepaw sat at the end of the crowd where there weren't too much cats. Spottedeaf sat at the front, and Firepaw longed to sit with her.

"As you know, my deputy, Redtail, recently died." Bluestar sighed. "So now I will choose a different deputy. Lionheart, I believe you are the one to succeed him."

"Lionheart! Lionheart!" cheered the Clan.

"But that's not all. I believe one of our apprentices is ready to become warrior." She made a short pause. "I spoke to Foxfoot about it, and he believes Barkpaw is ready to become warrior.

I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down at this apprentice. He trained hard to understand your noble code, and now he is ready to gain his full name. Barkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Barkpaw breathed.

"Then, by the power of StarClan, I give you the name Barkpelt. StarClan honors your bravery and strength. You are now full warrior of ThunderClan."

"Barkpelt! Barkpelt!" cheered the crowd. Littlepaw thrust her way to her brother and pressed her muzzle to his cheek.

"You are a warrior!" she cried. Firepaw caught a movement in the corner of his eye. It was Dustpaw, talking to Sandpaw and Elderpaw.

"We are next," he growled, jelaousy spitting in his voice. Firepaw felt a rush of anger. Weren't they at least a little happy for their former denmate? Barkpelt dipped his head towards Bluestar.

Frostfur ran at Lionheart and pressed her muzzle towards his.

"Our kits will grow as deputy's kits!" she cried softly. Lionheart pressed his muzzle on her forehead and the two twined their tails. Frostfur glanced at her swollen belly, love glowing in her eyes. Firepaw watched them, wondering if he will ever feel the same thing. He caught a glimpse of amber in the corner of his eye. He turned around. Spottedleaf sat there, her amber eyes bright like two suns. When he turned on her, she quickly looked away and disappeared in her den. Lionheart's voice echoed through the clearing.

"Nightsky, Tigerclaw, Whitestorm, Darkstripe, Mousefur, Ravenpaw, Tulippaw, Dustpaw, Sandpaw, Elderpaw, Brindleface, Barkpelt, Patchpelt and Dappletail are coming to the Gathering!" he yowled. Firepaw glanced at Graypaw.

"What is Gathering?"

"Gathering is held at Fourtrees, where all four Clans meet and discuss the news," Graypaw explained. "I want to go there, I really do. Everyone gets at the Gathering, you just have to wait."

"Aww, I wanted to go," whined Sparkpaw. Firepaw sighed and thrust his way into the apprentice's den, and lied down in his nest. Sparkpaw lied next to him, her warm fur helping him to fall alseep.

Chapter 6
Three moons passed since Firepaw joined the Clan. Spottedleaf licked her whiskers, looking up from her piece of prey at her name being called.

"Spottedleaf! Mistlekit is coughing!" cried Speckletail. Spottedleaf sighed and got up, leaving her vole. Speckletail had her daughter between her paws near the medicine cat's den.

"I'm here," she murmured tiredly.

"Finally! You are a medicine cat, you should be here when I need you!"

I'm cat just like you! Spottedleaf bit back sharp reply.

"Sorry," she muttered. "Come inside." Once they were settled down, Spottedleaf looked at Mistlekit. The small dark she-kit looked at her with big amber eyes. "So what is with her?"

"I don't know!" yowled Speckletail. "You are the medicine cat! You should know!" Spottedleaf sighed and examined Mistlekit. The kit caught a little and sneezed once. Spottedleaf glanced up.

"So?"

"Whitecough."

"No!"

"It's fine. I will give her some catmint and it will be fine." She picked a few sweet-smelling leaves off the pile and placed them in front of Mistlekit. "Here, eat this sweetie." Mistlekit gazed at the leaves. She glanced at her mother.

"Eat it sweetheart," meowed Speckletail softly. I just wish you were so sweet all the time. Mistlekit chewed up the leaves and gulped them down.

"It wasn't that bad," she squeaked. Spottedleaf smiled warmly.

"Of course it wasn't. I would never give you anything bad." Mistlekit nodded.

"Thanks!" she piped. Speckletail picked Mistlekit up and away. A "thanks" would be nice. Spottedleaf padded outside. Firepaw was talking to Graypaw and Ravenpaw outside near the fresh-kill pile. Spottedleaf's fur started to burn, and her heartbeat quickened at the sight of the flame-colored tom. She looked away and shook her head. ''No... What is wrong with me?''

She felt a pair of eyes that bore into her back. She spun around, only to see Firepaw's eyes at her. She felt blood flow in her face, making her blush. Once Firepaw saw her looking at him, he smiled. Spottedleaf dropped her gaze, blushing even more. Her heart was about to jump out of her chest. Her eyes started to water, and her vision grew blurry.

"Hey!" Spottedleaf jumped and landed on four. Firepaw stood in front of her, smiling. "You look like a hedgehog." Spottedleaf glanced at her now spiky fur. It layed flat again.

"You scared me half to death," she told him, her voice still sounding startled.

"Sorry," he meowed. "But I wanted just to stop by and say hello." His tone grew more serious. "You seem overworked. You should rest."

"Firepaw, I can't. I'm a medicine cat, I have to work."

"But you spend moons, being so kind and patient while treating your Clanmates that you love so much and don't get one 'thanks'. You need to take a break." Spottedleaf shook her head.

"I wish I could, but I chose this and I want it this way." She glanced at her den. "Now if you excuse me, I have work." She turned around and wanted to walk inside.

"Yet you still have time to look at me." Spottedleaf froze.

"What?" she whimpered without turning around.

"You seem to be nervous."

"N-no, I'm not...!"

"You are trying way too hard." Spottedleaf lashed her tail.

"Leave me alone," she growled, her eyes watering and padded into her den. She expected Firepaw to follow her, but the vines that covered her den entrance stood untouched. She settled in her nest and got resdy for sleep, even though her vision was still blurry.

~

Firepaw was just hunting in the forest, alone for once. It was his first solo hunting mission. The reason why it didn't happen much sooner was a border squirmish with ShadowClan. He sighed at that thought.

"Firepaw! Wait!" yowled Graypaw after gim from behind. Firepaw slowed down, and Graypaw caught up with him.

"Well, how are you doing so far?"

"Tow magpies, probably mates, and a squirrel."

"Nice."

"You?"

"A finch and a baby rabbit." Firepaw nodded. The two padded along for a while, quiet. Firepaw started thinking about his Clan life. Sandpaw, Dustpaw and Elderpaw were still picking on him, and Longtail and Darkstripe as well, but other cats seemed to accept him. He got to play with Frostfur's kits who were only three moons old right now, and Brindleface was about to give birth any day now.

Rustling snapped him back to reality. He unsheathed his claws and Graypaw did the same. Black fur flashed in the corner of his eye. He took a breath and spun around, and leaped on the cat, clawing its back.

"Firepaw! Stop! It's me, Ravenpaw!" The black tom looked up. Firepaw jumped back.

"That's what you get for sneaking up on us." Ravenpaw got up and gave himself a shake.

"I didn't sneak up on you. I wanted to say hello." Firepaw settled down and wrapped his tail around his paws.

"Are you doing well with your hunting?" Ravenpaw started washing.

"Pretty good."

"How about we go check the ShadowClan border?" suggested Graypaw. "Firepaw, you weren't there yet." Firepaw sighed with a nod.

"Well, I'm coming," Ravenpaw meowed.

"Alright," decided Firepaw. "Let's go." They set off, and while Graypaw and Ravenpaw chatted together, Firepaw walked behind them quietly. They soon arrived to thunderpath. A monster ran past them, and Firepaw felt its disguisting stench flood his nose. Its roar filled his ears, making him plaster them to his head. However, even after the monster passed, he could still hear its screaming. He opened his eyes, and straightened his ears. A yowl sounded in the distance, that made his fur bristle.

"What was that?" gasped Graypaw. Ravenpaw's dark eyes were huge with shock.

"NO! STOP!" The scream came from ShadowClan territory. It was a female voice, and it was pain-filled and horrified. Then, it suddenly stopped. The three apprentices stood there completely silent, their eyes wide open.

"What was that?" whispered Firepaw finally. Ravenpaw's whiskers were trembling.

"Why was the cat screaming?" he stuttered.

"More like why did it she stop screaming?" whispered Graypaw. Firepaw froze, the cold realization striking him in the face. He was chill to the bone, despite the greenleaf sun turning his orange pelt to fire. The easy explanation was hanging in the air, but mobody seemed to have enough courage to voice it.

First one to recover was Graypaw.

"Okay, we should get back to the camp," he meowed.

"You two go, I will stay a while longer and hunt," Firepaw told his friends. The two nodded and padded off into the forest, leaving Firepaw alone.

Chapter 7
Firepaw sat there for some more time, before realizing Ravenpaw and Graypaw were right. It was getting dark, and he had to get back. He returned to where his prey was burried by the stream, but then an unfamiliar stench flooded his nose. Intruder!

He couldn't tell what Clan the cat was from, but he could tell that she was old, sick, hungry, and in a bad mood. He looked around, unsheathing his claws. A screech sounded behind him. Firepaw spun around, but it was too late. Fur covered his vision as he collapsed down under the weight of another cat.

"Stupid apprentice," snarled an old gray she-cat that towered over him. "Easy prey for Yellowfang." She opened her mouth to bite down his throat, and Rusty prepared to defend himself. If she bites too hard, this is over. He went limp. Once he felt Yellowfang's teeth touched his throat, he shot forward, flinging Yellowfang off of him. She fell backwards and quickly stood up. He now finally had the chance to look at his opponet. She had tangled, long gray fur, and a flat face with two round orange eyes set deep into her skull. Her ears were sliced, and her muzzle was scarred from many battles.

"Get out of my territory," Firepaw snarled.

"Make me," she spat.

"Enough talking." Firepaw felt adrenalin surge through him. He was no longer the naive, weak kittypet that joined ThunderClan moons ago. He was wild cat, a warrior. He had to protect his territory and Clan. Yellowfang seemed to see this change made in him.

"I'm sure we can solve this somehow," she purred softly. But Firepaw was determined not to fall for her tricks. He charged forward, and so did Yellowfang. They fought and rolled around, claws and teeth gleaming in the sunlight. Yellowfang jumped away and reared, about to sink her teeth into Firepaw's neck. Firepaw quickly ducked, and Yellowfang's jaws snapped next to his ear.

Firepaw lashed out a paw and hit a side of Yellowfang's head. They were both surprised to see how much strength he had in his legs. Yellowfang jumped and shook her head ti recover. Firepaw saw his opportunity and charged forward, biting down hard on Yellowfang's hind paw. The knotted fur tasted terrible, but he refused to let go.

"STOP!" screamed Yellowfang in agony. She spun around and bit down on Firepaw's tail. Firepaw managed to get his tail out of her grip and spun around to face Yellowfang. The she-cat pressed to the ground, preparing for another attack. She shot up, but instead of jumping onto Firepaw, she slumped to the ground, panting. Firepaw cautiously padded closer to the old cat. She narrowed her orange eyes.

"Had enough?" Firepaw growled.

"Kill me," snarled Yellowfang.

"W-what?"

"Don't be scared like a kittypet!" Firepaw flinched. Yellowfang's eyes widened. "Don't tell me that ThunderClan is so desperate to take in a kittypet!"

"ThunderClan isn't desperate!"

"Then prove it and kill me! You will do me a favor."

"Wait here," Firepaw meowed.

"I'm not going anywhere," Yellowfang growled. Firepaw dashed into the woods and soon returned with a rabbit. He dropped it in front of Yellowfang. "Here. Eat." Yellowfang stared at the rabbit, but after few seconds, she started eating. In few minutes, the rabbit was almost gone. Firepaw stared at the carcass, his belly growling. He hesitated, but soon he also bent down and started eating. Soon all of the rabbit was gone. Even though Firepaw's belly wasn't full, it was better now.

Suddenly, approaching pawsteps were heard.

Chapter 8
Firepaw's eyes narrowed as a patrol consisting of Darkstripe, Ravenpaw, Willowpelt, Bluestar and Graypaw appeared in front of him.

"We were wondering where did you go," Graypaw muttered. Bluestar stared coldly at Firepaw.

"What is this?" she growled, pointing to Yellowfang. The old she-cat let out a snarl. Idiot! Firepaw thought. Show respect!

"I smell food from both of you," Darkstripe hissed. Firepaw felt Bluestar's gaze on him, and he looked down in shame. Bluestar blinked at Yellowfang.

"Hold on. This is Yellowfang, a ShadowClab medicine cat!" she exclaimed. Firepaw's head shot up in surprise. Under Yellowfang's stench it was hard for him to recognize anything. If he had known that she was of different Clan, he would've enjoyed the fight way more.

"What are you doing so far away from your camp?" asked Willowpelt Yellowfang.

"I left," Yellowfang spat back. Willowpelt nodded slightly.

"Why?" Bluestar asked.

"This cat is useless to us, Bluestar," Darkstripe meowed. "She is just a burden. We should kill her right now, and punish this kittypet that chose to feed an intruder instead of his Clan!" Firepaw flinched at those words, guilt clawing his belly.

"Be quiet," Bluestar growled. "Many cats honor her strength and skills. She can teach ThunderClan a lot." Nobody objected anymore. Bluestar glanced at Yellowfang. "Can you walk or do you need help?"

"I can walk, thanks!" snarled Yellowfang. They started walking, and Firepaw could see the pain in Yellowfang's orange eyes. Bluestar watched the medicine cat with narrowed eyes, as if she was thinking about her being trustworthy.

They finally arrived to the Clan where they were greeted by others.

"Firepaw! You're back!" yowled Sparkpaw. The golden she-cat bounced over to him. "I was wondering where have you been!" Firepaw smiled.

"Hey there. Did anything happen while I was gone?"

"Nope," Sparkpaw purred. "Who is this?"

"Apparently a ShadowClan medicine cat. A former ShadowClan medicine cat." Sparkpaw's yellow eyes widened.

"What is she doing here?"

"I caught her on our territory. We had a fight-"

"You defeated a ShadowClan cat?" Sparkpaw stared at Firepaw with huge eyes. "Awesome!" Maybe she wasn't as small and her voice wasn't so high-pitched as before, but otherwise, it was the same Sparkpaw as moons ago, beaming with energy.

Yellowfang settled under the Highrock and started licking her wounded leg. Cats gathered around her to watch, queens were tightly curled around their kits so they won't come closer. Yellowfang lifted her gaze.

"What are you staring at?" she growled.

"Mom, why is that cat so ugly?" asked Cloverkit Sleekpelt.

"Ugly? You will be ugly when I'm done with you!" roared Yellowfang in rage and shot up, charging towards the tortoiseshell kit. Firepaw watched in horror as Foxfoot shot forward and slammed his powerful orange paws into Yellowfang.

"Paws off my mate and kits!" he snarled.

"What is going on?" growled Bluestar. "Foxfoot, what are you doing?"

"She attacked Cloverkit!" yowled Sleekpelt, wrapping her tail around her trembling kit. "She wanted to hurt her!" Bluestar shot a glare at Yellowfang.

"If you want to stay here, there won't be any attacking," she growled to the old she-cat. Yellowfang returned the glare and muttered 'sorry' to Sleekpelt. The tabby queen glared at Yellowfang with her pale eyes.

"Come on, let's go back to nursery," she meowed to her kits. Foxfoot jumped off Yellowfang, claws still unsheathed. Protective father, Firepaw thought. Bluestar climbed up the Highrock.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own orey gather here under the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" she called. The cats lifted themselves and gathered under the ivory rock. "As you probably know, young Firepaw captured Yellowfang on our territory. She will stay with us for now." Murmurs rose in the clearing.

"But Bluestar! She tried to hurt Cloverkit!" yowled Sleekpelt.

"I'm aware of that, Sleekpelt. Don't worry, it won't happen again." Sleekpelt gave Bluestar a doubtful glance.

"What is going to be Firepaw's punishment for feeding her and himself?" called Longtail.

"I will take Firepaw as an apprentice so his training will go faster, and I will decide," Bluestar meowed. Murmurs of protest rose in the clearing. Bluestar waited for silence. "But that's not all. Today we went to patrol WindClan border, and we met a patrol with Tallstar. They told us that Brokenstar attacked them and attempted to drive them out, and many cats died on both sides. We need to prepare. Apprentice training needs to go faster, which is the reason I'm taking Firepaw as an apprentice," the leader explained. "Firepaw, your punishment will be taking care of Yellowfang. You will hunt prey for her and clean her. Is that clear?" Firepaw dipped his head.

"Yes, Bluestar."

"Okay. Clan dismissed."

~

Spottedleaf walked over to Yellowfang, herbs dangling from her jaws.

"Hello Yellowfang," she mewed, settling down.

"I don't need your help," snapped Yellowfang. Spottedleaf let out a patient sigh.

"Yes you do. You are wounded," meowed Spottedleaf, pressing cobwebs to her legs. Yellowfang growled.

"At least I didn't make my mother die," she murmured under her breath. Spottedleaf jumped back and gasped. It hurt. It hurt a lot.

"Hey, don't talk to Spottedleaf like that," Willowpelt snapped, overhearing the conversation. "It wasn't her fault."

"Of course it was," Yellowfang retorted. "If she wasn't so desperate to get her full name, she would be able to save Swiftbreeze." Tears gleamed in Spottedleaf's eyes. She stared down at her paws.

"Stop it," snarled Willowpelt. She looked over at Spottedleaf. "Come on," she meowed softly to her littermate and led her into her den. There she made Spottedleaf lie down in her nest.

"Willow, I'm a medicine cat, I should work," meowed Spottedleaf.

"You need to rest like any other cat," meowed Willowpelt, remembering how Spottedleaf loved to call her Willow when they were kits. Spottedleaf closed her eyes.

"But Yellowfang is right. If I wasn't so selfish-"

"Shut up," Willowpelt meowed. "It wasn't your fault."

"I wish Redtail was here," Spottedleaf sighed quietly. Willowpelt didn't reply, just nodded.

"You should sleep now," she meowed finally. Spottedleaf curled up on her nest as Willowpelt left.

Oh Featherwhisker, if only you were here.

Chapter 9
"You should check on Yellowfang," Sparkpaw meowed quietly. Firepaw stretched.

"You are right," he sighed. He padded out of the den to the fresh-kill pile. He picked a dove and padded over to where Yellowfang lied. He dropped the bird in front of her. "Here."

"I don't need your help."

"Yes you do," Firepaw growled. "Bluestar told me to."

"I'm not about to be cared for by a kittypet!" Yellowfang spat.

"Yes you will!" snapped Firepaw, losing his temper. "You will be cared for because you need it! You think it's shame to be looked after! You would think it's shame even if I was a legendary warrior! But I will tell you something. You will be cared for, whether you like it or not!" He took a deep breath after he finished. Yellowfang stared at him.

"Snappy kittypet," she growled. "Alright, go and find the pretty medicine cat you got here, okay? I need some herbs." She then proceeded to give him a list of herbs. Firepaw nodded, trying to remember it all. He then nodded and ran to Spottedleaf's den.

"Spottedleaf?"

The tortoiseshell was sleeping peacefully in her nest. Once Firepaw called her name, she hot up.

"What? Is someone hurt?" she gasped. Firepaw let out a mroww of amusement.

"No, but Yellowfang wants me to get her some herbs." He the told the list of herbs Yellowfang wanted. Spottedleaf stood there, twitching her tail as she listened.

"Fine, I will get them," she meowed as he finished and started browse her herbs to find the right ones. Once she was done, she dropped the bundle of herbs in front of Firepaw.

"Thanks," he purred.

"You're welcome," Spottedleaf responded. "Firepaw, be careful with Yellowfang. I heard some rumors about her and..." she stopped as she noticed Firepaw's look. "Don't get the wrong idea, I don't believe most rumors. In fact, I didn't believe this one before but when I saw her attack Cloverkit..." She paused. "Nevermind." She nudged the herbs toward him. "Here." Firepaw nodded and picked up the herbs.

He padded back to Yellowfang. The she-cat was lying in her nest. Once he came back with the herbs, she opened one of her bright orange eyes.

"Oh, you're back."

"Yes. Here are the poppy seeds." He watched the old cat lick up the small black dots.

Flintkit and Blackkit rolled around in the dust.

"Thee you have it, Brokenstar!" Flintkit sqeaked at Blackkit. The little black she-kit jumped on Flintkit, who used his powerful legs to shake her off. She flung into the air and slammed right into Yellowfang's shoulder.

Yellowfang sprang up, fur bristling and eyes ablaze.

"What do you think you are doing?!" she snapped at Blackkit. The kit froze and stared in fear. She then quickly turned around and sprang behind onlooking Sleekpelt. Flintkit followed and hid between the paws of his mother. Sleekpelt glared at Yellowfang through narrowed eyes.

"Back off," she snarled at her.

"Kits," growled Yellowfang, turning back on Firepaw.

"You don't like kits?" asked Firepaw in surprise.

"I hate kits," she hissed, glaring at Weaselkit and Cloverkit who played together further away. Her tail lashed from side to side, and Firepaw was getting bad vibes from her.

"Hey, I think you should go to sleep now," he meowed in amusement.

"You are right," growled Yellowfang and curled up in her nest. Firepaw let out a long, patient sigh.

~

Elderpaw paced around in the apprentice's den.

"I asked Lionheart about us becoming warriors," he meowed to his sisters.

"And?" asked Sandpaw, full of expectations.

"And he said we aren't ready if we ask," Elderpaw growled. "Idiot. I would make better deputy now than he would be in moons." Sandpaw nodded with a smirk. Tulippaw washed her paw.

"I'm patient. If Lionheart says we are not ready, we are not." She felt Elderpaw's yellow eyes on her.

"What do you mean? Of course we are ready!" he snapped. Sandpaw flexed her claws.

"We need to prove that we are worth being warriors!"

"That is exactly why I have my amazing plan," snickered Elderpaw. "They don't call me Planpaw for nothing."

"Nobody calls you Planpaw," hissed Tulippaw, rolling her eyes.

"I do," responded Elderpaw, lashing his tail. "Sometimes."

"What is the plan?" asked Sandpaw eagerly.

"It's simple. We had some RiverClan scent near the river, right?" Sandpaw nodded. "So we will go there and catch a RiverClan patrol! Beat them up and then tell it to Bluestar! She will have to make us warriors!" Sandpaw smiled.

"That is great. Maybe we should really call you Planpaw."

"Don't you think it's bit of a risk though?" asked Tulippaw. "I can't imagine you two beating up a patrol of RiverClan cats. It's a big risk. Don't do it." Elderpaw glared at her.

"Fine. If you want to be an apprentice for following seasons, it's your problem," he growled. Tulippaw sighed but didn't say anything. Elderpaw glanced at Sandpaw.

"Coming?" The ginger she-cat nodded and ran after her brother. Thunder was roaring outside, and Tulippaw simply curled up in her nest, hoping her siblings would be okay.

Chapter 10
Thunder roared outside, harshly waking Firepaw up. He shot up, pelt bristled. He quickly calmed down again, glancing at sleeping bodies next to him. He recognized Sparkpaw's golden fur in the darkness, and in flash of lightning, he could see speckles on Tulippaw's fur. He could also see Dustpaw and Ravenpaw next to each other, with Graypaw's fluffy gray coat tickling Firepaw's skin from left side. Realization hit him like punch to the face. Where are Sandpaw and Elderpaw?

Tulippaw was here, but her siblings were nowhere to be seen. He carefully walked up to her, trying not to step on any tail. He bent down and gently nudged her.

"Tulippaw?" he whispered. The pale gray she-cat squirmed.

"W-wha?" she groaned.

"Shh!" hissed Firepaw. "Do you know where Elderpaw and Sandpaw are?" Once he said it, Tulippaw shot up.

"Yes," she muttered. "Yes I do."

"Where?"

"Out to hunt on RiverClan patrol. They are convinced they have been stealing from us by the river." Firepaw twitched his tail.

"But why?"

"They want to prove they are worthy of being warriors. Lionheart told them they are not ready when they asked. So they decided to go and find the patrol." She shifted her paws and her eyes gleamed in the dark. "Now what?"

"I wouldn't go to the river in this weather! We need to find them." Tulippaw nodded and sighed.

"Are we going alone?"

"Yes, if we want to find your siblings and not get into trouble." Tulippaw nodded. Firepaw slipped out of the den, and was hit by a wave of rainwater.

"It's so cold," whined Tulippaw behind him.

"If we are cold, think of Elderpaw and Sandpaw." Tulippaw swished her tail in agreement.

Firepaw darted out of the camp, thunder roaring in his ears. He jumped over a slippery log, landing on the other side. Tulippaw wasn't so lucky though. She rolled over and fell on the ground. Firepaw stopped.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she growled and stood up, giving herself a shake - that didn't help though, as raindrops poures down on them, splattering against their thick coats. Tulippaw ran ahead of Firepaw, her pale gray legs a blur. Firepaw caughts a glimpse of her dark blue gaze as she turned on a corner and changed direction.

"Are we going the right direction?" yowled Firepaw.

"Yes! This way!" she called back as lightning flashed above their heads. She suddenly changed direction again, slipping under a low birch branch. Firepaw quickly tried to follow her, but his paws slipped on a muddy puddle. He yowled as he slid on the wet ground and hit his head against the branch. He slumped into the mud, his head spinning. Thunder roared above him, making his head shatter. His vision grew blurry.

"T-Tulippaw!" he called. He closed his eyes, and the world almost turned dark for him. A new feeling took over.

Do you know the feeling when somebody is behind you, not looking at you, but just behind you (or above you for that matter)?

Well, that feeling.

Firepaw slightly opened his eyes to see a blurry reddish-brown outline of a cat above him. He felt his body being filled with new odd energy, and the shape disappeared. He moaned and stood up, shaking his head to clear his vision.

"Tulippaw?" he called. No response.

"Firepaw?" yelled another voice finally. The speckled she-cat tumbled out of the shadows, her legs completely covered in mud. "Why did you stay behind?"

"Sorry," he muttered, deciding it was not the right time to explain.

"Well, I found the river," she meowed and spun around. She darted in the direction she came from. Firepaw followed, and soon understood why she was so muddy. Puddles were everywhere, and soon they both looked like balls of sludge.

"Is this it?" he asked as Tulippaw stopped. The river was muddy, and mainly fast. Firepaw never saw the river flowing so fast, especially not so wide.

"It's overflown," Tulippaw commented. "I feel bad for RiverClan."

"Did you find Elderpaw and Sandpaw?"

"Do you think I would be here if I did?" she retorted. Firepaw padded closer to the river.

"SANDPAW! ELDERPAW! ARE YOU HERE?" he screamed.

The answer was so faint it could be mistaken for rustling leaves, but it was certain.

"We are here!"

"Did you hear that?" yowled Tulippaw.

"Yes! It came from there!" called Firepaw back. He pointed to upstream. Tulippaw nodded and darted upstream, her tail streaming behind her. Firepaw followed, his paws sliding into the mud.

"SANDPAW! ELDERPAW!" yowled Tulippaw. "KEEP ON SCREAMING!"

As they ran the screams got closer and closer, until they can tell their voices apart. Firepaw could tell they were scared and wet. They ran and ran until the they were up the hill. Some stones in the river were placed further away. As the two apprentices padded closer, they recognized two outlines on them.

"Firepaw! Tulippaw!" cried Elderpaw's voice.

"Elderpaw! Sandpaw!" yowled Tulippaw and sprang forward, stopping on the edge of the shore. In a flash of lightning, Firepaw could see Elderpaw and Sandpaw crouched on the stones, pressed to each other, with their eyes wide, pelts soaked in water and mud and their claws digging deep into the stones.

"We will get you here somehow!" Firepaw cried and stood next to Tulippaw. The older apprentice glanced at him.

"I will go in." Firepaw stared at her.

"Are you insane? The water will pull you down!"

"Not if I do it right."

"In that case, tell me how, and I will go."

"You? I'm bigger and stronger than you," Tulippaw meowed. "No, I will go." She glanced at the roaring water and recognized outlines of other stones, creating a path. She sighed and unsheathed her claws. She carefully stepped on the first stone, clinging to the rock. She glanced back at Firepaw and then straightened, crouched again and sprang out with her hind legs. She landed on the second stone, her claws instantly digging into the slippery boulder. She then jumped on the next stone, another, and another... She was now just two stones away from the bigger rock Sandpaw and Elderpaw were clinging to. She jumped on the next stone and gazed at the other two apprentices.

"Are you okay out there?" called Firepaw.

"Yeah," called Tulippaw back. She gazed at Elderpaw. "One of you needs to go first."

"Sandpaw should," meowed Elderpaw. "She will get safe sooner than me, and there is less possibility that she will die. If anyone should die, it's me. I came up with this." His yellow eyes were full of emotion and regret.

"Don't be like that. Nobody will die," Tulippaw reassured him and glanced at Sandpaw. "Ready?" Sandpaw nodded.

"Yes."

"Okay, do exactly what I tell you. You will jump on that stone closest to you and immedietely dig your claws in it. Get it?"

"I guess," whimpered Sandpaw.

"Okay. Be careful. I will go first so if you miss the next jump, I can grab you and pull you back." Sandpaw nodded. "Now, go." Sandpaw straightened and gulped. She hesitated, before lifting herself off the rock and landing on the next stone. She quickly dug her claws in it, and stood still.

"I did it!" she cried.

"Yes! Now, do the same." Tulippaw jumped on a stone that was behind her and let Sandpaw take place at the first stone. This went on, until Tulippaw landed on the shore and Sandpaw behind her. She stood on the soily earth, her legs shaking. Elderpaw crouched on the stone.

"Good job!" he called to his sister. Sandpaw nodded towards him. Tulippaw sighed and stood on the first stone again, and proceeded to get to the rock she stopped on last time.

"Time for you," she meowed to Elderpaw. The dark gray tom nodded and leaped on the stone in front of him. His claws dug into its slippery surface. Tulippaw smiled.

"Is this right?" Elderpaw meowed.

"Yes! Just continue now."

They were slowly succeeding at getting back to surface, Tulippaw going first and Elderpaw following soon after, until Elderpaw stopped. The next rock Tulippaw was standing on was big enough for both of them to fit in, but was a about two tail-lengths away from the stone Elderpaw was standing on.

"I won't do this," he cried.

"Yes you will! Sandpaw did it, and I did it four times! You can do it!" Tulippaw yowled. Elderpaw backed a little, his yellow eyes huge. With a deep breath, he sprang forward. He flew in the air, his claws outstretched to land on the rock. Tulippaw backed so he would land safely. Just then, waves splashed against the rock, the silver drops splattering in the air. The wave hit Elderpaw in the side just when he was about to land. Tulippaw launched herself forward without hesitation and snatched her brother by his scruff. She pulled him on on the rock, backing. She released her grip and backed more to give him space.

Firepaw and Sandpaw watched in horror as she lost the stone under her hind paws. Her eyes widened in horrific realization as her hind legs disappeared under the water.

"Tulippaw!" cried Elderpaw and launched himself forward to grab her scruff. Despite Tulippaw's front claws digging into the smooth rock, the water pulled her. Elderpaw's jaws snapped in the air as she disappeared under the water with a terrified cry. Firepaw watched in horror as the waves closed above her speckled gray head.

"Tulippaw!"

Chapter 11
"TULIPPAW!" Elderpaw screeched in terror. Sandpaw stood still in shock, and Firepaw was frozen as well. He quickly recivered and shook his head, about to dive in for Tulippaw.

"Stop!" yowled Sandpaw. "Are you insane? She is gone! We don't need you gone too!" Firepaw took a deep breath and nodded.

"Elderpaw?"

"Yeah?"

"You have to do it yourself! Do you need my help?"

"No, I can do it," Elderpaw called and glanced at the stone in front of him. He took a deep breath and lifted off the stone he was crouching on, landing on the one in front of him. Be slowly succeeded to get back on surface, and soon he stood on the soily earth next to his sister.

"Tulippaw!" he cried to the darkness. He expected no response, nor he got any. He stared on the river, eyes dull. "It's my fault," he whispered.

"No, it's no-" Firepaw was cut off.

"Yes it is! If I wasn't so selfish, if I haven't come up with this stupid plan, if I didn't suggest for us to go on the stones! Then she would still be here with us!" he roared, eyes blazing with rage. Firepaw gazed at the ground, waiting for Elderpaw to calm down. The gray tom closed his eyes and took a breath in and out before turning at Firepaw and Sandpaw.

"Now what?" asked Sandpaw.

"We should get back to camp and tell Bluestar everything," Firepaw muttered, lifting his gaze. Elderpaw sighed and nodded, while Sandpaw didn't respond at all. After few moments of silence - if we ignore thunder and rain -, Firepaw turned around and slowly started padding in the direction of the camp. Or at least, where he thought it was.

"Firepaw!"

Firepaw spun around at the sound of his name being called. He frantically looked around.

"Firepaw! Here!" Two cats stepped out of the bushes, and Firepaw recognized the lean shapes of Sparkpaw and Ravenpaw.

"Sparkpaw! Ravenpaw!" he cried. Sparkpaw looked around.

"Where is the rest of you?"

"Here!" yowled Sandpaw as she cannoned out of the bushes behind Firepaw, followed more slowly by Elderpaw.

"Sparkpaw! Ravenpaw!" called a distant voice. Despite the roaring rain, Firepaw recognized Whitestorm's voice. Moments later, the white tom rushed out of the bushes, streaks of mud covering his white coat. Soon rest of his patrol emerged - Mousefur, Barkpelt, Lionheart and Runningwind.

"Here you are!" yowled Lionheart. "We were sesrching for you since Graypaw noted you disappeared!" His green gaze flew over the three apprentices. "Where is Tulippaw?"

"We will explain in the camp," meowed Firepaw. Lionheart glared at him but nodded. They slowly made their way through the forest until they arrived to the walls around their camp. The rain changed to drizzle and the storm slowly disappeared, revealing rising sun. The camp seemed dead as they arrived, except for Bluestar, sitting under the Highrock. Once she saw the patrol, she ran straight towards them.

"You're back! All of you!" she cried, her eyes shining with relief.

"Not all," sighed Sandpaw softly. Bluestar's ears twitched.

"What?" Her gaze darkened. "I should be angry. You left the camp in storm without telling anyone. Can you explain?" she gazed at Firepaw, as if saying You did it, right?

"Bluestar, let me explain," Firepaw meowed. "Elderpaw and Sandpaw asked Lionheart when are they going to become warriors. When he said no, they decided to go to search for the RiverClan patrol that was stealing our prey and chase them away. Elderpaw thought it would be good idea to go at the stones, but then they realized they can't get back. Me and Tulippaw went on search for them and Tulippaw brought them on the surface, one by one."

"Where is she then?" Firepaw gazed at his paws.

"She fell into the river. It was my fault!" yowled Elderpaw. "I should've never suggested it!" Bluestar's eyes widened in shock and disbelief. She shivered as shocked mews rippled through the cats. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She opened them again and gazed at Firepaw for a moment. Then she turned around and climbed on the Highrock.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here under the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" she yowled. Frostfur emerged from the nursery, her tiny kits pressed to her legs to shelter themselves from the light rain. Brightkit was shivering as she walked, and her blue eyes were sleepy.

"Mom, I don't want to go!" she wailed. Frostfur sighed.

"Sorry, but Bluestar called us."

"No, Frostfur. Take them back. Kits can stay inside," Bluestar meowed, giving Brightkit a sympathetic glance. Frostfur blinked gratefully at her leader. Once the cats gathered, Bluestar cleared her throat.

"Cats of ThunderClan. Tonight, four of our apprentices disappeared - Elderpaw, Sandpaw, Firepaw and Tulippaw. Elderpaw and Sandpaw wanted to prove they are worthy their warrior names and went to search for a trespassing RiverClan patrol. However, they got trapped in the middle of the river on some rocks and Firepaw and Tulippaw attempted to save them. However, while doing that, Tulippaw fell into the river." Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd.

"No! Tulippaw!" cried Brindleface, her mother. Spottedleaf glanced at her and pressed to the young queen.

"Don't stress yourself. It's not healthy for your kits," she soothed. "Tulippaw is strong, maybe she made it to the shore." Brindleface moaned.

"But how big is the possibility? Almost none!"

"We have to hope, Brindleface," meowed Spottedleaf softly. Brindleface nodded sadly, sighing.

"As for the punishment of you two," meowed Bluestar, gazing at Elderpaw and Sandpaw, "you will take care of Yellowfang instead of Firepaw. Firepaw, you will return to training as a warrior apprentice."

"Bluestar? Shall we hold vigil for Tulippaw?" called Speckletail. Bluestar gazed at her.

"No. We have to hope she is alive and that she will make it home."

~

Firepaw curled up in his nest in the medicine cat's den. He sighed as he breathed in the sweet scent of herbs that floated in the air. He had tobe checked on if he had coldor anything. Elderpaw and Sandpaw were okay, and now he just waited for Spottedleaf to tell him if he was as well.

"You seem fine to me," meowed the medicine cat. Firepaw sat up and straightened his back.

"Thanks," he purred to the pretty medicine cat.

"I'm really glad you are okay," Spottedleaf meowed, reaching out for a thick herb with her elegant white paw.

"Were you worried?"

"Firepaw, stop."

"Why do you keep denying it?" Spottedleaf didn't say anything for a while before sighing.

"I'm a medicine cat."

"And?" Spottedleaf looked stunned.

"And? Medicine cats can't have their own family. Understood?" she grabbed few leaves and dropped them in front of Firepaw. "Eat." Firepaw stared at her, his pelt prickling with odd excitement.

"You like me." Amusement sparked in his gaze. "You like me a lot." Spottedleaf felt herself blush.

"No. I don't," she growled uhder her breath. "Now, go."

"I will for now. But you have to stop denying it," Firepaw meowed and padded out of the den, his tail swishing above the ground.

Chapter 12
"You are going to the Gathering."

Firepaw stared at Lionheart in disbelief. He and his friends on a Gathering?

"Finally!" exclaimed Sparkpaw and started hopping around. "I'm going to a Gathering!"

"No way!" Graypaw purred. Ravenpaw laughed.

"Oh great, on the Gathering once again. Is Dustpaw coming?"

"No, your brother got into a trouble with One-eye again, so as a punishment, he is not coming. But you can, isn't that great?" the golden tom meowed, lashing his tail.

"Good luck," meowed a voice behind them. Firepaw turned around to see Sleekpelt, lashing her tail. The queen padded over to Sparkpaw and smiled at her. "I'm so proud of you," she told her and rested her tabby tail on her foster daughter's shoulder. Sparkpaw's eyes gleamed.

"Thanks mom."

"We should get going," meowed Lionheart, gesturing with his tail for the apprentices to follow. Firepaw padded next to Sparkpaw and Graypaw, his whiskers trembling with excitement.

"Excited?" asked a familiar voice. Sparkpaw turned around.

"Barkpelt!"

"Yup. I didn't forget about you." They former denmate padded along next to them.

"Phew, I was scared you would turn into pain in tail like Elderpaw," meowed Graypaw in amusement.

"Do you think we will get any news about Tulippaw?" asked Firepaw, his voice quivering. The group fell into silent, and everyone seemed to be lost in their thoughts. First one to speak was Sparkpaw.

"We need to hope. If there is no hope, there is no future. What are we without hope? What are we without believing the skies will clear of clouds one day and the sun will shine again?" She lifted her chin. "Hope is everything. If there was no hope, there would be no reason for living." They fell silent once again, and the rest of the group stared at Sparkpaw in disbelief. The golden she-cat blinked. "Wow, did I just say that?"

"I'm surprised to say it, but yes," meowed Graypaw, eyes wide. Firepaw was shocked as well. He never expected such wise words from the golden apprentice. Sparkpaw smirked.

"Well, maybe my head isn't on my neck just to look good."

Firepaw let out a mrrow of laughter.

~

Firepaw watched cats swarm in the clearing. Their pelts shone in the pale moonlight, and they eyes gleamed. Firepaw could see majestic Fourtrees from where they were, and a large gray rock was in the middle. Three cats sat on it, with their heads turned to arriving ThunderClan cats. Firepaw sat between Graypaw and Ravenpaw, with Barkpelt close by.

"You see the black-and-white tom with long tail? That is Tallstar of WindClan. The tabby with broken jaw is Crookedstar of RiverClan, and the dark brown tabby is Brokenstar of ShadowClan," Barkpelt explained to Sparkpaw, Graypaw and Firepaw. Bluestar climbed up the Great Rock and straightened on the surface, moonlight turning her fur silver.

"May I start the Gathering?" asked Crookedstar. The other leaders nodded approvingly. Crookedstar cleared his throat and started talking.

"Few days ago, there was a storm and the river was overflown. It flooded our camp, but thankfully we managed to get everyone including kits, queens and elders out safely without any cat dying. However, it brought something unexpected." Firepaw held his breath as the leader continued. "We found a half-drowned apprentice on our border. She carried a scent of ThunderClan."

"Tulippaw!" cried a voice in the crowd of ThunderClan cats. Firepaw recognized the voice of Brindleface.

"Yes, that's her name," nodded Crookedstar. "She was badly bruised and had a lot of water in her lungs, but she is alive. She stayed for us for a while to recover and she is now here to rejoin her Clan. Tulippaw?" The speckled she-cat stepped out of the crowd of RiverClan cats, moonlight shining on her thick sleek pelt.

"Tulippaw," meowed Bluestar, dipping her head. "We are more than glad to know you are alive. Are you ready to get back to ThunderClan?"

"Yes," Tulippaw purred, blue eyes gleaming.

"Tulippaw!" cried Brindleface and threw herself at her daughter. "My precious!" Firepaw smiled as he watched the two almost identical she-cats greeting each other. Tulippaw then seperated from her mother and disappeared in the crowd of cats. Firepaw didn't listen to the Gathering anymore as he padded after the speckled she-cat. He found her with two WindClan apprentices, telling them what happened at Sunningrocks.

"Tigerclaw fought with three RiverClan warriors at the same time. Then Redtail rushed in with blood in his mouth and yelled 'Oakheart is dead'!" Firepaw pricked his ears. That didn't sound like the version she told them moons ago. He suddenly caught a glimpse of two amber eyes shining from the crowd of cats. Tigerclaw stared at his apprentice, and he certainly didn't look happy.

"Are all cats really safe?" Bluestar's voice snapped Firepaw back to reality.

"Yes, why not? They are all safe and without any serious injury. Why are you asking?" Crookedstar responded.

"Oh, just wondering," Bluestar sighed. Tallstar flickered his gaze over the three other leaders.

"May I continue?" As the other leaders nodded, he cleared his throat.

"My camp was attacked by ShadowClan, and many warriors died. Can you explain that, Brokenstar?" he snarled. Brokenstar calmly dipped his head.

"I know you expect an apology, but I'm not giving you one. My Clan is hungry, and if I have to chase out another Clan to feed it, I will do it." Fur bristled alongside Tallstar's spine.

"Oh really? Don't be so sure. You will think twice before attacking us next time," he growled. Brokenstar gave him a calm look.

"Yes I will, Tallstar. Maybe my actions weren't good, but understand, both of my parents just died and I have to lead the Clan alone. It's hard to feed it. I might have a solution to that though. Crookedstar already agreed to give me bit of his territory to hunt on." Bluestar shot a glare at the RiverClan leader.

"I cannot sleep without the thought that innocent cats can die because of me. River feeds us enough," Crookedstar meowed almost apologetically.

"And I ask the same thing from ThunderClan and WindClan as well. Or there will be consequences. Think about it, kits can die." Tallstar gazed down, thinking. Then he lifted his gaze.

"Okay," he meowed finally. "I will give you piece of my territory. That way no more cats die." Brokenstar nodded.

"Bluestar?"

"I will think about it," decided Bluestar.

"Very well," meowed Brokenstar, even though Firepaw could tell he wasn't exactly happy. But he assumed that Brokenstar didn't want to look dishonorable so he let Bluestar decide without arguing.

"Do you want to continue, Brokenstar?" Crookedstar asked.

"Yes please. A cat, a bad cat was recently banished from our Clan. She killed two of our kits, and she might hurt yours. Don't let her into your camp, for the safety of your kits."

"He must mean Yellowfang!" gasped Sparkpaw.

"I know she was trouble!" snarled Foxfoot near them. Firepaw felt his blood turn to ice. ThunderClan was going to get rid of Yellowfang. He knew it.

I have to warn her.

Chapter 13
Firepaw ran into the camp as fast as he could, his heart racing legs a blur. He cannoned through the bushes, his heart beating in his chest. His paws were slippery from dew. He sniffed. He was alone. He needed to talk to Yellowfang before the others arrived. Slowly he padded forward, his ginger paws disappearing in the tall grass at every step.

"Yellowfang! Yellowfang!" he hissed to the sleeping ShadowClan medicine cat once he stopped in front of her den. Yellowfang opened her round orange eyes.

"What is it that you need to wake me up?" she growled.

"I came from a Gathering, others are still there. I-"

"If you are coming from a Gathering, you must've heard it." She let out a long, raspy sigh. Her ears twitched as she shifted her paws deeper into the shadows of her body. "What did Brokenstar say about me?"

"He said you killed two kits," Firepaw mrrowed. "That you hate kits and that you would hurt any that got into your sight." Yellowfang snickered in anger, but her eyes remained calm.

"Yes, I hate kits, but I would never hurt any of them. After all, we were all once kits," she growled. "Did he say anything else?"

"That if we see you on our territory, we should get rid of you as soon as possible," Firepaw breathed. Yellowfang's eyes narrowed.

"I see," she frowned. "Okay, I will let Bluestar choose what to do with me."

Just then, Bluestar and the rest of the group that went on the Gathering emerged from the bushes into the camp. Firepaw blinked at her apologetically and darted over to them, dirt and grass flying off his paws. Bluestar climbed on the Highrock.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here under the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" she yowled. The cats slank out of their dens, yawning sleepily. Goldenflower trotted out of the nursery in a brisk pace.

"Don't wake up the kits, Bluestar. Brindleface is sleeping, and even if I woke her up, she wouldn't be able to get up," the queen muttered. Bluestar nodded and faced her Clan.

"For those who don't know, Brokenstar claimed on the Gathering that he tried to chase out WindClan, and if other Clans don't give him part of their territories, he will chase them out," she spoke. Cats started gasping.

"He can't do that!" yowled Sandpaw.

"That is against the warrior code!" yelled Nightsky.

"I will rip him apart!" snarled Tigerclaw.

"Yes, I agree with you," meowed Bluestar. "We need to prepare for a fight. We need to stock fresh-kill and herbs and train apprentices faster. Understood?" Murmurs of agreement rose in the clearing.

"Don't forget what he also said," Dustpaw growled. Hissing and spitting sounded as Longtail and Darkstripe dragged Yellowfang into the clearing. They threw her at the ground.

"Thanks StarClan our kits are safe," growled Speckletail.

"Of course they are!" spat Yellowfang in rage.

"Filthy fox-heart," snarled Tigerclaw, unsheathing his long, curved claws.

"Stop it!" yowled Bluestar. "I won't let our prisoner be hurt."

"But Brokenstar said-"

"He never said the name of the cat that killed the kits," Bluestar pointed out. "Plus I'm not sure if I believe his story anyways."

"Why would he lie?" growled Frostfur.

"I don't know, but there must be a reason," admitted Bluestar. "Clan dismissed!"

"Firepaw!" hissed a voice behind the ginger apprentice. Firepaw spun around to see Spottedleaf there, her amber eyes gleaming. "I need to talk to you." Firepaw nodded and padded after the medicine cat as she lead them into her den.

"Well, what is it?" he asked.

"About Yellowfang. Look I hate to say it, but I'm starting to believe what Brokenstar said is true. I mean, she did try to hurt Cloverkit and snapped at Blackkit and Flintkit... And... And..." She didn't want to tell him about the hurtful things Yellowfang told her. Firepaw's eyes, to Spottedleaf's surprise, gleamed with anger.

"She just got angry," he hissed. "She is innocent, I know it." Spottedleaf sighed.

"I know, but-"

"But what?" Firepaw growled, turning his back on her. He quickly turned his head around to see the medicine cat as he padded out. Was that hurt look he saw in her eyes?

"Firepaw! Firepaw! We are going to the Moonstone!" yowled Sparkpaw, running to him. "And Graypaw, Ravenpaw and our mentors go as well! And Tulippaw!"

"What?"

"Bluestar just told me!"

"Awesome!" yowled Firepaw in disbelief. "That is cool!"

"I know!" Tulippaw, Graypaw and Ravenpaw darted past them into Spottedleaf's den for travelling herbs. Sparkpaw ran after them, and Firepaw just sighed. He didn't look forward to meet the medicine cat. For once. But he didn't have to, as Sparkpaw emerged from there with bundle of his herbs in her jaws.

"Here!"

"Thanks," meowed Firepaw thankfully. He bent down and swallowed the herbs. "Ew!"

"I know," Sparkpaw meowed, sticking out her tongue. "Ew."