{^}***{The Beginning}***{^} Warrior Cats Super Edition {^}[[*** Jadefur && Maplepelt with Brightspirit**]]

[kathryn236]

This is approved -- MissGnomie
{T.H.A.N.K y o u!}

Greetings all Warrior Cats, Welcome to the Gathering.

We will tell the story about the beginning of the Clans . . . . . .

The Beginning
A Warrior Cats Story
*I made the banner-no takie!*

Cats of the Clan
*Thunderstar*Riverstar*Shadowstar*Windstar*
Click Spoiler for the Clan Cats

Spoiler: show

ThunderClan

LEADER Thunderstar – dark gray tom with fierce yellow eyes

DEPUTY Rockpelt – gray-black tom

MEDICINE CAT Berryleaf – white she-cat with a bright pink nose,
warm green eyes
Apprentice, Mosspaw

WARRIORS
Eclipseclaw – dark brown she-cat with amber eyes
Apprentice, Sunpaw

Black-Eye – black tabby tom with one blue eye
Apprentice, Gorsepaw

Stripetail – small black tom with striped white tail
Apprentice, Robinpaw

Dustwind – pale brown tom

Grayfur - Gray-silver tom with blue eyes

Firestorm – White she-cat with dark ginger paws
and crooked blue eyes
Apprentice, Rainpaw

Dawnfur – reddish brown she-cat with
Apprentice, Moonpaw

Jaytail – brown tom with white tail and black splotches on his back.
Apprentice, Icepaw

Petalfur – tortoiseshell she-cat with splotches like
petals on her pelt

Thrushfeather – sandy colored tom with amber eyes,
thin, feather-like tail

Owlflight - white she-cat with blue eyes and flecks of
brown around her eyes

Sandheart – white she-cat with ginger ears and around her eyes

Featherflame – light ginger tom with black blotches

APPRENTICES
Sunpaw – light ginger she-cat
Robinpaw – black and gray tom
Icepaw – silver she-cat with big blue eyes
Rainpaw – dark tabby tom with light gray paws
Mosspaw – Light silver-gray she-cat with ginger
ears and muzzle
Moonpaw – Silver she-cat with silver eyes that look
like moons
Gorsepaw – dusky brown tom with green eye

QUEENS
Rosethorn – light tan she-cat with small ears
Gingerpool – black she-cat with a ginger pool on her back and amber eyes


ELDERS
Badgerfur – tortoiseshell and white she-cat and
small amber eyes
Wildfern – black and white she-cat with green eyes
Meadowlark – tortoiseshell she-cat, oldest queen

ShadowClan

LEADER Shadowstar – black tom with green eyes

DEPUTY Blackwind – black she-cat with one white ear
Apprentice, Pepperpaw

MEDICINE CAT Juniperleaf – small tabby she-cat

WARRIORS
Graywave – gray tom, his fur looks like waves
Apprentice, Spotpaw

Redfrost – reddish brown and white she-cat

Nightpool – light brown tom with black legs and white tail
Apprentice, Emberpaw

Amberblaze –tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes

Aurorashadow – white she-cat with flecks of black, brown, and ginger
Apprentice, Endlesspaw

Sagepelt – brown and ginger tom with black tail

Fangfall – broad shouldered tom with brown fur and unusual long teeth
Apprentice, Goldenpaw

Darkheart – white tom with brown sreak across his back, brown paws

Greengaze – black tom with huge sharp green eyes
Apprentice, Whiskerpaw

APPRENTICES
Pepperpaw – black she-cat with brown specks all over her
Emberpaw – tabby she-cat with ember eyes and ginger paws
Endlesspaw – light brown tom with black legs and dark brown tail
Goldenpaw – black and white she-cat with ginger specks
Whiskerpaw – ginger tom with long whiskers
Spotpaw – spotted tabby tom with huge paws


QUEENS
Eaglegaze – gray tabby she-cat with big green eyes
Iceshadow – frosty gray she-cat with dark blue eyes
Specklefur – dark tabby, oldest queen


ELDERS
Echoyowl – dark gray tom with beady green eyes he forgets things a lot
so is always echoing what he just said
Poolwatcher – gray and white she-cat with blue eyes,
She is blind in her right eye
Windsinger – brown and gray she-cat with a loud voice

WindClan

LEADER Windstar – white she-cat with green eyes

DEPUTY Briskpelt - light gray she-cat with piercing blue eyes and white stomach

MEDICINE CAT Flareeyes – brown tom with blue eyes

WARRIORS
Swiftheart – dark tan tabby she-cat with stunning green eyes.

Shadowwhisper – large-built white tom with dark ember eyes,with a hint of green.

Cloudstorm – White and gray she-cat
Apprentice, Wingpaw

Specklespots – black she-cat with brown and white spots

Frogclaw – tabby tom with green eyes
Apprentice, Breezepaw

Misteeker – tortoiseshell she-cat

Silentsoul – ginger tom with white ears
Apprentice, Wildpaw

Windleaf – tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes
Apprentice, Runningpaw

Nightwind – black and white tom

Dusknose – black she-cat with amber eyes

APPRENTICES
Breezepaw – silver-gray she-cat with amber eyes
Wingpaw – white tom with brown tail tip
Wildpaw – dark striped brown tom
Runningpaw – Gray she-cat with blue eyes

QUEENS
Berryheart – light tabby she-cat with ginger splotches
Stemtail – ginger and brown she-cat with a very long, striped tail
Crystalgaze – white and black she-cat with an icy silver gaze
Swiftfeather – golden she-cat with tan markings

ELDERS
Talldawn – ginger she-cat
Coldstep – brown tabby tom
Withertail – tortoiseshell tom with a light brown tail

RiverClan

LEADER Riverstar – Blue-gray she-cat with icy blue eyes

DEPUTY Lightpelt – white she-cat with ginger ears and muzzle

MEDICINE CAT Fishtail – gray tom with green eyes
Apprentice, Leafpaw

WARRIORS
Dustfur – tortoiseshell with dark blue eyes
Apprentice, Brownpaw

Ant-tail – brown with dark gray tail

Twigfur – light brown she-cat with amber eyes

Volefur – light brown she-cat
Apprentice, Yarrowpaw

Littlefall – black tom with blue eyes, very clumsy like his mother

Daisyspring – light ginger she-cat
Apprentice, Fogpaw

Whitepool – tortoiseshell she-cat with a white oval on her stomach
Apprentice, Hailpaw

Puddlestep – black and brown tom with green eyes

Pebblestream – gray and black tom with blue eyes

Lilyfoot – small tortoiseshell she-cat with long claws


APPRENTICES
Leafpaw – gray she-cat
Brownpaw – black tom with brown tail, ears, and muzzle
Yarrowpaw – completely black tom with yellow eyes
Hailpaw – brown tabby tom
Fogpaw – light gray fur with a black spalsh on her back and blue eyes

QUEENS
Waterslapsh – dark tabby she-cat, oldest queen
Icetail – clumsy white she-cat with small paws and a short tail

ELDERS
Redear – white tom with one ear dark ginger
Poppyfrost – once-pretty light tabby she-cat with white flecks and paws
Gorgefur – dark brown tom

<~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~>
*Prolouge*

StarClan has made the four Clans of the forest. ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan. StarClan has picked the Clan leaders to lay down the Warrior Code and pass down the tradations of StarClan. Each Clan is triving, particularly ThunderClan. There is plenty of prey in their forest, Warriors, and new kits. But the peace will not last long. Berryleaf, the ThunderClan medicine cat has recived a omen from StarClan in the clouds: two kits facing ten enemy Warriors. Thunderstar, the ThunderClan leader can only hope it is a good sign. The next moon two tiny kits are born. Thunderstar worries these are the helpless kits from StarClan’s omen. And he is right.

~^*^~*~*^*~*~^*^~

Warriors The Beginning

Chapter One

Spoiler: show

Petalfur yawned, blinking sleep out of her eyes. Tonight was the Gathering, but I can’t go! She thought, looking down at her swollen belly.
“Awake?” grunted Meadowlark, the oldest queen. Petalfur sighed; Meadowlark was always grumpy as if she never got enough sleep. A loud crash brought Petalfur out of her thoughts.

“Sorry! So, sorry.” Gorsepaw, the newest apprentice tumbled into the nursery. He was very clumsy. Gorsepaw set down a rabbit and two mice. “The hunting patrol just got back,” he announced, “They caught tons!”
Rosethorn shifted in her nest. Raising her head, Rosethorn said “Thank you for the fresh-kill, Gorsepaw,” then flashed a look at Meadowlark for being so rude to the apprentice. Meadowlark would be joining the elders some time. Maybe today, reflected Petalfur. Petalfur had just moved into the nursery when she learned she was excepting kits.

“Let all cats old enough to cat their own prey join beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting,” Thunderstar’s yowl rang out.
Gingerpool, the first queen awake herded her kit out of the nursery, flicking her tail for Petalfur to follow. Petalfur stood up, screeched and walked silently out. Gorsepaw stumbled out and bounced to his den mates. Sandheart was sitting by Thunderstar with her two kits: Icekit and Mosskit. Both of them looked like their father, except Mosskit had her mother’s ginger ear fur. He was standing proudly beside ThunderClan warriors.
“Today we will name two new apprentices,” Thunderstar mewed.

After the naming ceremony all three apprentice went out with their mentors. Sandheart purred the loudest for her kits. Petalfur sighed, walking back to the nursery. She couldn’t wait to have her own kits, but it would be a long moon before then were born. Petalfur gave her chest and anxious lick. “Aren’t they going to be great warriors?” Sandheart asked, half to herself. “Of course, Sandheart! Why would you think otherwise?” grumbled Meadowlark. It was her last day as a queen. She was going to join the elders tomorrow. Petalfur rolled her eyes, she was very annyoned with Meadowlark.

Gingerpool pushed her head through the bracken and pushed her kit inside. “It’s chilly out there,” she meowed, flopping down in her nest. "Is not!” argued Heatherkit. She wasn’t even one moon old and thought she could beat of a ShadowClan warrior. Rosethorn snorted saying, “Oh yes, and I’m an apprentice!” Heatherkit glared at Rosethorn. “Heatherkit!” Gingerpool sighed. Heatherkit bowed her head and snuggled closer to her mother. Rosethorn just gave Gingerpool a look. “It’s a beautiful day, don’t you agree Sandheart?” Petalfur said, flicking her ear. Sandheart caught on to changing the subject and replied, “Yes, I agree. A rather nice day for hunting.” Sandheart would be going back to the warriors den, and for the rest of her kitting Petalfur would miss her company. Gingerpool just shook her head clearing guessing what they were succeeding at. Rosethorn just brighten up, oblivious to the silent argument. “Oh yes! I’d love to be out in the forest!” “Well, it won’t be long,” Petalfur meowed.

Over the next moon Meadowlark retired to the elders’ den, Rosethorn finally moved out after being forced by Berryleaf and Sandheart also moved back into the warrior’s den. Now it was just Gingerpool and Petalfur. It feels so empty, she thought.
Petalfur stood up saying, “Oh, my stomach. . . .I’m going to Berryleaf,” But when she got there Berryleaf was out collecting herbs with her new apprentice, Mosspaw. Great! She thought lying down by Berryleaf’s den to wait her return.

Berryleaf squeezed out of the undergrowth and groaned saying, “Mosspaw, get that catnip under there,” she obeyed bringing out the biggest jaw full Berryleaf had ever seen. “Now put it in the pile and we’ll dig up some burdock roots-we’re out.”

Berryleaf was trotting back to camp, jaws full, with her apprentice. She glanced at the sky making sure it was clear, and no sign of rain. She stopped and dropped the herbs she was carrying.
“StarClan help them!” Berryleaf wailed. Mosspaw jumped up from where she sat and bounded over to her mentor.
“Berryleaf!” she exclaimed staring wide-eyed and the sky. Berryleaf shook herself and meowed hastily,
“We have to get back to camp! Now!”

Thunderstar whipped out of his den and ran over to the gorse tunnel, where Berryleaf burst through.
“Thunderstar,” Mosspaw yowled, “Berryleaf saw a-” Berryleaf flicked her tail over the apprentice’s mouth and signaled toward Thunderstar’s den. He gave a short nod and they went to his den.
Firestorm poked her head out of the Warrior’s den. “What was that about?” she asked her gaze flicking to Sandheart, her sister. “I have no idea!” Sandheart mew, “I just hope-” Grayfur cut her off saying, “Mosspaw is fine, it’s Berryleaf who looked upset,” Sandheart nodded and looked great fully at her mate. Firestorm, clearly not please with his answer rolled her eyes, and went back to sleep.

“An omen, Thunderstar, from StarClan,” Mosspaw said quietly nudging her mentor back to awareness. “Ah, yes, thank you Mosspaw. It was a very interesting omen, quite frightening actually.” Berryleaf murmured her intense green gaze boring a hole into Thunderstar. Thunderstar shook his head and sighed asking, “What was the omen Berryleaf? Wh-what did it mean?” she glanced at the ThunderClan leader giving to explanation and flicking Mosspaw’s ear with her tail.
“Two kits surrounded by ten enemy warriors, we don’t know what it means. Only danger to come.” Mosspaw explained dramatically.

Chapter Two

Spoiler: show

Thunderstar cleared his mind from last night’s discussion with Berryleaf. He tried to think about taking care of his clan and being a leader. And not the mysterious omen.

Berryleaf trotted to the nursery carrying various herbs for Petalfur. Petalfur needed to be strong before her kitting so Berryleaf had to make sure Petalfur’s terrible stomach ache went away. Berryleaf pushed through the small apprentice-sized nursery entrance and went straight to Petalfur. She was sound asleep and it was sunhigh. Queens, she snorted. Gingerpool sat up alert. “What is it Berryleaf?” Berryleaf flicked her tail at the ginger queen informing her, “Petalfur has a nasty ache and a bad cough.” As soon as she said it Petalfur gave a chocking chough and shook her head. “Berryleaf?” she meow her voice barely more than a whisper. “I’m here Petalfur, you going to be just fine,” she mewed comfortingly. Berryleaf fed Petalfur herbs, water, and wouldn’t let her eat any fresh-kill. Petalfur groaned lowering herself to her warm mossy nest. “Here eat this and drink some water to wash it down,” Berryleaf instructed. Petalfur just looked at the Medicine cat, a pleading, sad look. Berryleaf shook her head and pushed the herbs in front of her nose. Petalfur obediently lapped up the bitter herbs and refused to drink anymore water. Berryleaf grunted disapprovingly and left. Petalfur sighed saying, “I already feel like I’m going to burst with all this water!” Petalfur except a loud outburst form Gingerpool but she was asleep. Petalfur just closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Mosspaw was leaning over Petalfur with a grim expression on her face. She hated to wake the queen and moonhigh, when Petalfur should be resting. “Oh well. Berryleaf’s just to tired.” Mosspaw reassured herself. Mosspaw poked Petalfur on the shoulder. Petalfur let out an irritated mew and shifter in her bed. Mosspaw prodded her again on the shoulder, and Petalfur woke up. “Mosspaw?”She muttered. “Here, eat these,” Mosspaw purred, pushing them toward Petalfur with a kind gleam in her eyes, and padded out. “Yuck,” Petalfur mewed eating the herbs and a few poppy seeds. She immediately fell back asleep, the bad stomach ache forgotten.

Gingerpool woke up Petalfur with her loud meow. “Petalfur!” she said loudly. “Wh-hat is it Gingerpool?” Petalfur asked not fully awake. “My kits!” she purred. Petalfur looked so confused. Gingerpool doesn’t have kits yet. . . Her KITS! She thought. Petalfur purred looking at her kits. “When did they come?” Petalfur asked, upset clouding her eyes has she wasn’t there for the kitting. Gingerpool purred again, “At moonhigh when you were asleep!” declared Berryleaf. The kind medicine cat was not one for ‘slackers’. Mosspaw looked over Petalfur and went over to her. “What are you doing?” asked Petalfur to the young apprentice. “Inspecting your ears, ah, their fine. But I don’t know how you could’ve slept through the kitting, Gingerpool makes the worse sounds!” she snorted. Mosspaw was just like her mentor. Though Berryleaf had a sharp tongue when she was irritated, she really was very kind and sympathetic. Petalfur moved closer to Gingerpool to see the kits. “Just two little bundle of perfect!” Gingerpool sighed, licking a light black and ginger she-cat. The bracken russled as someone tried to get in but Mosspaw was sitting at the entrance. “Mosspaw, you stay here and make sure to give Gingerpool those herbs, water, and go fetch her some fresh-kill. I have to go give some herbs to Smalltail.” She flicked her tail and stalked out. Mosspaw hurridly went to get a rabbit for the queens.

The next night Petalfur had her kits! Berryleaf had sent Mosspaw to bed after the hard work on her Apprentice. Berryleaf licked the queen’s head saying, “Get some rest, you’ll need it.” Petalfur sighed watching her sister leave. The nursery entrance shuddered as a cat should’ve their way through. Jaytail had come to see the kits. Petalfur purred watching him come in. Jaytail was her mate, she didn’t think anyone knew that, but she was wrong. Mosspaw came in right after Jaytail and gave the queens some food. She flicked her tail at Jaytail with that mysterious sparkle in her eyes. After Mosspaw left Jaytail sat down by Petalfur, “What are we going to name them?” he asked. Petalfur had thought about names when there nothing else to do. Looking at the little brown tabby she-cat that looked nothing like either of them. “She looks like my mother,” Jaytail said nosing the tabby she-cat. Petalfur let out a mrrw of laughter. Jaytail looked at his kits thoughtfully, put his tail on the brown tabby she-kit and said, “This one will be Jadekit,” Petalfur smiled and mewed, “And this one will be Maplekit.”

Chapter Three

Spoiler: show

Jadekit woke up happily rolling over on her sister. “Ugh, get off me!” Maplekit squeaked. Jadekit giggled meowing, “You squeak like Moonpaw!” Petalfur nosed her off Maplekit “Moonpaw will be a Warrior soon; she doesn’t squeak.” Jadekit looked unconvinced. “Yeah but ‘soon’ isn’t ‘now’!” Petalfur sighed. Jadekit was smart but Maple kit was strong. Jadekit squeaked ‘like Moonpaw’ when Maplekit jumped on her. Maple kit refused to get off her. “Petalfur? Can we go outside? Please!” she asked. “Only if you get off your sister and get an apprentice to go with you.”


Jadekit and Maplekit bounced out of the nursery with Moonpaw, the only apprentice willing to go out with the kits. Moonpaw sat down a few fox tails from the nursery. “Okay, here we are ThunderClan camp,” she meowed. “But, it’s so big!” Jadekit gasped. “No,” said Jaytail, “You’re just very small.”
Maple kit giggled and determined to be bigger than her sister; she fluffed out her fur and argued, “I’m not small!” Jadekit rolled her eyes, and asked Moonpaw “What’s that?” Jadekit hopped over to a den peering in.
“This is the apprentices’ den for apprentices.” Sunpaw growled.
Jaytail snorted and went out on the dawn patrol.
“Why can’t we go?” Maplekit looked up at Moonpaw. “Your not apprentices yet.” She flicked her tail and they went to the warriors’ den.

“This is the warriors’ den. Do not go inside whatsoever unless you’re a warrior!” as soon as she said it Heatherkit bounced out and landed on her belly. She scrambled away and ran to the nursery.
“That was mean,” Firestorm mewed. “Yeah well,” Grayfur put in,
“They shouldn’t wander into the warriors’ den."
Mrrws of laughter echoed from the den. Moonpaw scooted the kits away.
“That’s the fresh-kill pile,” before they could protest she added,
“You can eat prey after Petalfur says.” Maplekit grunted loudly out of protest. “Come on, Maplekit,” Jadekit chided, “Not now.” Maplekit glared at her sister.

“ShadowClan!” she squeaked. Jadekit turned around, being fooled, and Maplekit pounced on her sister. Jadekit squealed trying to shake of her heavier sister. Moonpaw was completely content in letting them play-fight. Jadekit rolled over, putting all her weight on the left side. Maplekit fell off and jumped up shaking off the dirt. Jadekit rolled again and knocking over her sister, play-bit her back leg. Maplekit was bigger so she jumped on the other kit again and put all her weight on Jadekit’s back. Jadekit flopped on the ground, playing defeat. As soon as the weight slacked, Jadekit kicked up her back legs. Sending her sister flying, Maplekit fell right in front of Thunderstar. She landed on her paws and Jadekit was laughing. “You thought I gave up!” she mewed.

Then she saw Thunderstar. Jadekit straightened up and meow, “Hi, Thunderstar.” he shook his head and guided them back to the nursery.
Moonpaw went out on a hunting patrol. Jadekit asked him a load of things in the short walk to their mother. Maplekit was silent, embarrassed. Thunderstar lead them to the entrance and made them go in. “But Thunderstar we’re not tired!” Jadekit mewed. Thunderstar pushed them into the nursery, and pushed his head through. Petalfur straightend up at her leader, “Thunderstar,” she dipped her head in, “Have my kits caused a problem?” Gingerpool snorted, making Heatherkit sit down. Thunderstar nosed the kits farther in and said, “No, just some noise. They were getting a bit rough.” He looked down and Jadekit. “By 'they' you mean Jadekit, right?” Heatherkit asked.
Maplekit stepped on her paw. “Ow!” she squeaked, Heatherkit jumped behind her mother. Thunderstar addressed the queens, “How is your kit?” he asked Gingerpool. “Oh, she’s just fine.” Gingerpool mewed bringing Heatherkit out. Thunderstar nodded, giving to kits one last look and walked out of the nursery.

“What were you thinking?” exclaimed Petalfur. “I was a ShadowClan warrior!” Jadekit informed her mother, dropping into a crouch. Gingerpool snorted again, trying to go to sleep. “I can’t wait until we’re Apprentices,” meowed Maplekit. “Then warriors!” Jadekit murmured. They fell asleep soundly.

Gingerpool yawned, saying “Five moons and Maplekit is huge.” Petalfur shook her head ignoring the other queen. Jadekit jumped up went to get her mother a piece of fresh-kill.
“Usually the apprentices do that,” Icepaw meowed, “And I have to do it, but you can carry it.” Jade kit nodded and Icepaw showed her how to carry the squirrel without dragging it. She stopped a few paces away from the nursery, “It so heavy,” she complained. But Icepaw nudged her on. Jadekit pushed through the brambles and shoved the squirrel in front of Petalfur. She flopped down beside it. Icepaw said, “I let her carry it.” She bounded out hearing her mentor calling. Petalfur purred waking up Maplekit.
“fresh-kill!” Maplekit mewed excitedly. Gingerpool woke up and took a huge bite. Heatherkit had already eaten as she didn’t like gray squirrels only brown. Jadekit and Maplekit waited until the queens finished and ate the rest. Jadekit groaned,
“I ate to much!” and her sister was asleep.

And after a while everyone feel asleep and the moon started rising. Jadekit got up and feeling her way around the entrance she went to Berryleaf’s den. “Berryleaf,” she called in the gloom. The medicine cat eyes sparkled just like they did every time she laid eyes on the two kits. Jadekit went up and sat down in the medicine cat den. “What is it Jadekit?” Berryleaf asked. “My belly!” she groaned. Mosspaw rolled some berries toward her, “Did you have too much squirrel? Eat these.” Mosspaw went back to bed and Berryleaf ran her tail down Jadekit’s spine, she talked soothingly until the kit fell asleep.

Petalfur purred when Jadekit hopped back in the nursery, Mosspaw making sure she went inside. Petalfur beckoned her kits over, they were almost six moons.“Jadekit, Maplekit, I have some news,” she mewed, Jadekit’s eyes were bright with excitement and Maplekit was kneaded the ground in anticipation. “Thunderstar has spoken with me. Tomorrow you will be apprentices!” Jadekit and Maplekit exchange glances.
“Apprentices!” Maplekit meowed.

Chapter Four

Spoiler: show

Thunderstar stood in front of the newly named apprentices. “Jadepaw! Maplepaw!” the cats cheered. Maplepaw stood by her mentor, Owlflight. Jadepaw also stood by her mentor overwhelmed by the cheering. Petalfur look so proud, and so did their father.

After the noise died down, Rockpelt organized the patrols.
“Right, dawn patrol, Thunderstar’s heading it; Firestorm, Rainpaw and Grayfur go with him. Dawnfur are you going out with Moonpaw? Okay, Featherflame lead a hunting patrol take two cats. I want another patrol on the ShadowClan border, Sandheart scented them there, Sandheart you’ll lead take any other available cats, and I’m coming.” Rockpelt jumped down from the Highrock to join the patrol. Maplepaw watched all this with much interest while her sister watched birds fly over camp. Jadepaw bounced over to Thrushfeather. “Are we going to go out? Now?” she asked, anxious. Thrushfeather nodded as Owlflight walked over. “We’re going to give you a tour of ThunderClan,”

Maplepaw and Jadepaw scrambled up the ravine having to be helped the whole way. They got to the top and Jadepaw slipped and fell back down the ravine. Thrushfeather let out a mrrw of laughter a jumped down, they took an easier route. “Don’t fall again,” muttered Maplepaw with a playful gleam in her eyes. “I won’t,” Jadepaw promised.
Owlflight lead them to the Training hollow. “This is where most of your training will be taking place,” informed Thrushfeather. They stood and watched Moonpaw defeat Sunpaw. Owlflight was giving out helpful pointers to the apprentices. Maplepaw nodded watching intently on the fight while Jadepaw zoned out and started kneading the ground. “….and those would be very helpful for a warrior that’s bigger than you,” Owlflight finished. Jadepaw looked up and nodded vigorously as if you had heard everything. Thrushfeather looked at his apprentice like he knew she hadn’t been listening. No he doesn’t! She thought, but still aware of her mentor’s gaze as she trotted into Pine Trees. Owlflight stopped plucking a pine needle out of her pad; she showed Jadepaw and Maplepaw how. Maplepaw did hers fine but Jadepaw just couldn’t listen to talk.

Thrushfeather and Owlflight took them to the Thunderpath and Jadepaw was delighted to do some exploring. Jadepaw sniffed the air ignoring her sister and Owlflight. She crept through the brambles and sniffed the road, a monster zoomed past and she squealed, being yanked back by Thrushfeather. He let go of her after he pulled her back behind the brambles and some heather. “What were you thinking?” he exclaimed. “Didn’t you listen to Owlflight?” Jadepaw looked down shifting her paws; she was shaking badly and was still terrified. She shook her head in answer. Thrushfeather sighed and stroked her fur with his tail, smoothing down the fur. “Jadepaw, that’s called the Thunderpath. Those things on them we call monsters, they will kill a cat and keep going. You must say away from it. Only cross it with an experienced warrior.” Jadepaw tipped her head to one side. “Like you?” she asked. He didn’t answer. Thrushfeather walked back to Owlflight who had rushed to his side as soon as she heard the screech. “What happened?” she exclaimed, checking on them. “Are you okay?” Maplepaw asked her sister, amber eyes wide. Jadepaw shook her dark fur, looking great fully at Thrushfeather, “I’m fine.”
Owlflight taught them the scent of ShadowClan and RiverClan. Then went to Snakerocks.
Jadepaw shuddered, “Are adders really bad?” Owlflight nodded almost as bad as monsters. Thrushfeather nudge her shoulder; he could tell Jadepaw was still shaken up.
When they got to Sunningrocks Maplepaw bounded on top of a rock and plopped down in the sun. “Wow, that was tiring,” she mewed. “We still have the run home, Maplepaw,” Owlflight reminded. Jadepaw lay down on the ground with her paws in front of her. Thrushfeather lay next to her testing her on scents. “Very good,” he purred after she got them all correct. Maplepaw was attacking her mentor, so Owlflight could get a good idea on where they need to work and how soon. Owlflight grunted as Maplepaw jumped on her refusing to let go. Even when Owlflight put all her weight on Maplepaw, the apprentice didn’t let go. “Okay!” Owlflight mewed, “I surrender.” Yeah right, thought Maplepaw, and sure enough got thrown back as soon as her grip slackened. “Never trust an enemy warrior!” instructed her mentor. Thrushfeather yawned, looking at the sun. It was sinking below the horizon. “Owlflight, you having entirely too much fun with that apprentice,” he meowed eyeing her teasingly, “Besides, we have to go.” Owlflight laughed, getting of the apprentice.

Jadepaw stood up on sore paws, and followed Thrushfeather back into the shelter of the trees. Rain started pouring down as they headed home in the dark. Owlflight lead giving the apprentices pointers about the dark, Thrushfeather and Jadepaw followed. Jadepaw looked up at the canopy of leaves, “What are we going to do tomorrow?” she asked. “Practice a hunting crouch, and do some hunting,” Thrushfeather replied without hesitation. “But, it doesn’t look like Maplepaw and Owlflight will be joining, they’re going to do battles moves!” said Jadepaw playfully.

They went through the gorse tunnel where Jaytail was keeping watch. “Your back late,” he comment dryly. “Oh yeah,” Maplepaw meowed, “they kept us busy.” She went strait through and, forgetting food trotted to the den. Thrushfeather and Owlflight went into camp. Jaytail tipped his head to one side, “How was training?” Jadepaw sat down. “It was amazing! We got a whole tour of ThunderClan territory. And we went to Sunningrocks and Snakerocks and it was so cool.” Jaytail nodded and flicked his ear toward camp, “Better get some rest, Thrushfeather doesn’t play around.” He narrowed his eyes. “Right,” She mewed sarcastically. Jadepaw brushed her tail along his flank and trotted into camp. Petalfur came to greet her. “Did you have fun?” her mother asked. “Loads of fun,” Jadepaw yawned. Petalfur blinked warmly at her kit and said, “Mosspaw put some being in the Apprentices’ den for you and Maplepaw, sleep well.” She gave Jadepaw a lick between the ears and went to the warrior’s den.

Jadepaw plopped down in the apprentice’s den after thanking Mosspaw for the bedding.
Robinpaw nosed her side. “What?” Jadepaw asked blinking. Robinpaw set a mouse in front of her, “I thought you’d be hungry, you sister already ate,” he mewed. Jadepaw breathed in the aroma of the mouse. “Thank you Robinpaw,” she purred, gulping down the mouse he nodded and went back to his bed. At dawn the Maplepaw woke up Jadepaw and they trotted out of the den. “Thrushfeather is taking my hunting!” Jadepaw exclaimed shifting her paws. “Owlflight wants to do some battle moves!” Maplepaw giggled. “Just in case,” she added. Jadepaw and Maplepaw chatted by the gorse tunnel until their mentors woke up.
Thrushfeather yawned ignoring Owlflight. Owlflight pushed hard on his shoulder, waking him up completely. “Okay, okay I’m awake,” he mewed blinking in the dawn light. “Surely our apprentices won’t be up?” he asked her. Owlflight rolled her eyes, “They’ve been up for moons!” Thrushfeather shook his head and stalked to the gorse tunnel. “Hey, Thrushfeather, ready yet?” Jadepaw asked with a cocky look in her eyes. Maplepaw nudge her shoulder and look up from her grooming. “Is Owlflight up?”
“Yes,” mewed Owlflight. Maplepaw jumped, looking alarmed her mentor was so silent. “Have you eaten?” she asked the paws. Both sisters shook theirs heads, Jadepaw flicked her tail toward the entrance and hopped on her paws. “Can we train now?” Maplepaw cocked her head. Owlflight nodded heading out of camp. Thrushfeather took a different route heading deeper into the forest while Maplepaw went to the training hollow.
The tom stopped by a tree tilting his head, “What can you smell?” Jadepaw shuffled her paws against the newleaf ground and tasted the scents on a fresh, dew covered forest.
“Mouse,” she said eagerly. He nodded and dropped into a crouch. “Watch me,” he demonstrated. Thrushfeather stalked the mouse silently, tail just above the forest floor, ears pricked, mouth open, claws unsheathed. His balance was perfect; he lunged killing the mouse in a kick bite. “Get it?” he asked, “It’s a balance of your crouch and your scent. You must be downwind to catch prey or else it’ll smell you.” Jadepaw nodded and dropped into a crouch. “How’s this?” as soon as she said it, her balance went of and she toppled over. “Try putting more weight on your left side, most of it’s on the right. And, keep your back paws read to pounce, front, more stable,” he advised. She hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes, but gone as soon as it appeared. Jadepaw tried again but fell over on her left side. “Focus on a thing in the forest, lunge when you feel ready. But just for practice. When you’re stalking you cannot hesitate to long or you will lose the prey.”
After they had been at for an hour, “Let’s take a break. We need to work on your balance first.” Her mentor said. She headed off to the stream by the hollow remembering it by scent. She took a long drought and they went to the Training Hollow.
“Keep your back legs ready to leap, but keep stable, don’t tense your muscles,” Thrushfeather walked around her straightening out her balance. “Try it on me, if you can land squarely on my back, you’ll have to have good balance” Jadepaw tried again and again, she could tell her mentor was impatient.
Jadepaw tried once more, kicking up her back legs and leaping toward Thrushfeather.
She did it, “I did it!” she gasped. Her pelt was hot with the heat of the sun. Jadepaw leaped off of her mentor plopping down on the ground. Jadepaw felt embarrassed when her sister came from the front of the hollow with a vole in her jaws. They had practiced hunting and some other training. And Jadepaw didn’t do anything but her crouch. “I want to go hunting now, could we/?” she asked Thrushfeather. He looked skeptical saying, “You’re already tired as it is... We can go tomorrow.” Jadepaw sat up looking at the cat with big pleading eyes, “I’m not! I just want to catch a mouse or a bird or something.”
He looked at Maplepaw, back at Jadepaw and sighed, defeated. “Okay, one piece of prey. We’re going at sun down.”

Jadepaw and Thrushfeather walked into came at sundown with prey in their jaws. Actually, Jadepaw skipped with a small blackbird but was happy with her small catch.
Sunpaw looked from the clearing eating his vole. “A bird? You were out all day and come back with a bird?” he smirked, ignoring the temper flaring from Jadepaw. His mentor shoved him hard in the shoulder, murmurs quietly in his ear. Sunpaw flicked his tail and went to the elders’ den. Jadepaw snorted then got berated by Thrushfeather, “Even if he was rude to you we don’t go along happily because another cat was punished.” he sighed grabbing his mouse and going over to the Warriors. Jadepaw put down her bird then looked at the rest of the pile, and took the bird to the queens, who hadn’t eaten yet. Gingerpool was in there with her pore Heatherkit and Petalfur was keeping Gingerpool company ever so often. Jadepaw pushed through the bracken and proudly set down her catch. Gingerpool purred and took a bit of the blackbird. “You caught this?” asked her mother. Jadepaw nodded proudly, and got a lick from her mother. Shrugging off Petalfur she went over to Heatherkit. Jadepaw sat down and Heatherkit looked up. “Jadepaw!” she said, her voice cracking. “I’m glad you came. How was training?” Heatherkit asked wistfully. “You’ll love it. Just wait another few dawns. You’ll be fine, I promise.” Jadepaw told the sad kit. She had a lot of sympathy for her, Heatherkit should be an apprentice. She will be, soon, Jadepaw thought.


“I can’t reach it!” croaked Wildfern. “I have it, I have it!” grumbled Maplepaw, pressing mouse bile on his ticks. Gorsepaw wrinkled his nose setting down the fresh-kill and running away from the smell. A loud crash signaled Gorsepaw and tripped over Berryleaf, again. “Watch where you’re going mouse brain!” called Mosspaw. Jadepaw poked her head through, “Wildfern can Maplepaw do your ticks later? Rockpelt wants her.” After a few moments of Wildfern grumbling and the other elders mewing her out Maplepaw left. “Night patrol!” she told her sister excitedly. Maplepaw gasped, she had never been out on night patrol. Rockpelt nodded to them and said, “Night patrol with Thrushfeather, Owlflight, and Dustwind.” He flied his tail at the older warrior, giving Dustwind head of the patrol. The five cats met at the tunnel. “Okay, ShadowClan’s been checked on the sunhigh, a patrol was taken through Pine Trees; kittypet activity, at dawn.
We’ll check RiverClan border.” Maplepaw licked her chest anxiously then said, “How about we make out way down from Four Trees? We could make good time if we crossed through the training hollow.” Dustwind nodded, pleased. “Good idea, Maplepaw.” He flicked his tail at Owlflight. Jadepaw stayed close to Thrushfeather keeping her eyes open, ears pricked, and mouth open to scent. As they mad their way to Four Trees, Maplepaw stopped and sniffed the air. She had an uneasy feeling, a scent. No cat I know has that scent, she thought, shoving away the idea.

Jadepaw brushed Maplepaw, a signal to keep walking. “StarClan!” Jadepaw breathed, looking up at the four trees in the Greenleaf night. The clouds were covered, so Jadepaw couldn’t look at the comforting star of Silverpelt. Maplepaw nodded besides her gazing up at the trees with a mixture of fright and awe. Thrushfeather called them back down to the border, sniffing it tensely. RiverClan medicine cat has been here, some juniper berries that had been left on the ground, two far from the bush to have rolled off. “Why wouldn’t they just ask Berryleaf?” Jadepaw asked curiously. “I don’t know, it is our territory. We’ll inform Thunderstar. But, since it’s the medicine cat we should let if slide,” Dustwind mewed. Thrushfeather twitched his tail, it lashing out angrily. “They did this last Greenleaf, Dustwind. And we didn’t have enough to go around. RiverClan needs to get their own herbs and berries.” Maplepaw flicked her tail against Thrushfeather’s agreeing. And Owlflight just shook her head as if ridding a thought.
Dustwind lead the patrol to Sunningrocks. Jadepaw stiffened. “Dustwind!” she meowed softly. He cocked his head, being silent as she. “RiverClan,” Jadepaw hissed. “They’ve been here.” Maplepaw came up behind him, bristling. “They have their own territory,” she spat, regarding RiverClan border with mean eyes. Owlflight stopped and said, “Maybe we should head back, I could take Maplepaw, and we could-”
A yowl broke the air, eight five RiverClan warriors swam out of the river pelts dull in the small light of the barely visible moon.
“Attack!” yolwed the biggest.

RiverClan wants Sunningrocks, thought Jadepaw,
well you’re not going to have it.
She unsheathed her claws.

Chapter Five

Spoiler: show

Maplepaw watched in horror as the seven RiverClan warriors bounded toward them. Owlflight flicked her ears toward Dustwind. He nodded and swiftest cat in ThunderClan went for reinforcements. Maplepaw’s terrified gaze watched her mentor shoot through the trees. Thrushfeather’s yowl snapped Maplepaw out of her thoughts.
“This is our territory,” said the RiverClan deputy, “And, StarClan knows it!”
Lightpelt lunged on Dustwind, knocking him to the ground. Dustwind writhed under her greater weight, struggling for breath. Owlflight shoot through the trees, as the swiftest cat in ThunderClan, they’d have reinforcements soon.

Lightpelt was thrown off by Dustwind; he had kicked up his back legs. She winced at the deep cuts on her chest. Squaring his shoulders, Dustwind jumped behind her, soaring through the air he raked his claws down her back. Lightpelt bit his back leg when he landed. Dustwind yowled in pain, flipping around so fast he knocked the deputy to the ground. Lightpelt refused to be defeated, but as soon as she got up was attacked by Thrushfeather. Lightpelt broke free from his grasp turning around to bite him, but she stopped and looking at Thrushfeather, shot back to RiverClan territory limping. Was that hope in her eyes? Thought Jadepaw. Though, the leader left a new wave of RiverClan cats jumped out of the river. “We’re dead!” screamed Maplepaw, shaking off a RiverClan tom. Owlflight leaped out of the trees. Eclipseclaw, Firestorm, Jaytail, Black-Eye, and Sunpaw following.

Jadepaw leaped back into battle a new strength seemed to guide her paws. Maplepaw, right beside her knocked over a she-cat, then pouncing. Maplepaw sank her claws into the cats back hanging on for dear life. Jadepaw nipped the cat, Whitepool’s, legs. Whitepool screeched, and turned over on her stomach trying to shake off Maplepaw. Jadepaw clawed Whitepool’s belly, the she cat howled in pain and ran for the border. Maplepaw’s eyes soared with victory but Jadepaw was worried. Black-Eye had run for the trees, so had Sunpaw. Firestorm had claws over her face and Jaytail was fighting off a she-cat while Eclipseclaw lay behind him, her flank barley rising. Maplepaw bounded over to Firestorm and dragged the warrior off her; she screeched being clawed by the cat, Littlefall. Firestorm was guided back to the border by Maplepaw. Jadepaw watched as her sister came back, blood across her back. Jadepaw shuddered, being snapped back to reality and as Daisyspring hurled into her side. Jadepaw lashed her tail in anger, leaping over Daisyspring and landed on her back,
Just like training, she thought, except this time my claws are unsheathed.
The she-cat obviously knew this move, as she flipped over forcing Jadepaw underneath. Jadepaw was too late to jump away, as a heavy weight crushed her stomach. The apprentice scrambled halfway out. Thrushfeather came to her rescue her. He bit down hard on Daisyspring’s tail, making her leap up off of Jadepaw. Thrushfeather sent Daisyspring back to the border. Dustwind howled in triumph, when all RiverClan cats retreated to the border.
Maplepaw added her voice to the yowl but it faltered when she saw her sister leaning heavily against Thrushfeather. “Jadepaw!” she meowed. Maplepaw rushed over to where her sister stood. Jadepaw’s eyes were ominous moons in the dark.
“StarClan,” Jadepaw whispered, and she was unconscious.

Chapter Six

Spoiler: show

“Jadepaw!” Maplepaw cried out, letting her sister fall to the ground. Thrushfeather bounded over, his eyes shining over the defeat of RiverClan. “Maplepaw, what’s wro-” he stopped when he saw Jadepaw. Thrushfeather looked at her, and shook his head trying to push out his racing mind. Thrushfeather put his ear to her, “She’s still breathing. But we have to get her back to camp now!” all the ThunderClan cats looked up at Thrushfeather. “Who?” demanded Jaytail. “Jadepaw,” informed Dustwind. He bounded over to help Thrushfeather carry her. Jaytail’s face was a mask of horror and defeat as
the cats rushed to camp. “StarClan help her,” murmured Sunpaw, worried about his den mate.

The cats exploded into the clearing, all sore and tired. Sunpaw dashed of to Berryleaf.
Thunderstar bounded out of his den with Rockpelt close behind. “Did we win?” asked Rockpelt. “Not exactly. Where is Berryleaf?” mewed Dustwind. Thunderstar looked down at the apprentice. “Is she alive?” he asked quietly. “Barely,” meowed Jaytail.

Berryleaf trotted out of her den carrying herbs in her jaws, Mosspaw following. “Carry her to Berryleaf’s den, outside of it,” ordered Mosspaw. No one would question a Medicine cat, much less her apprentice. Berryleaf rubbed her paws against Jadepaw to make her warm while Mosspaw chewed up leaves and spit them on Jadepaw’s cuts and scrapes. “Will she wake up soon?” Asked Mosspaw.
“Of course! StarClan will help us heal her,” Berryleaf sounded so confident, but Mosspaw couldn’t help but getting the feeling they were not helping her at all.

Jaytail paced softly at a distance, listening to Dustwind talk to Thunderstar.
Thrushfeather sat with them, eyes fixed on Dustwind. Thunderstar listened to every detail, commenting occasionally. “How did Jadepaw …get hurt?” he asked. “She’s only eight moons; I haven’t taught her many battle moves.” Thrushfeather mewed, “They shouldn’t have even been in the battle.” Jaytail looked up, “But you let them,” he looked at Dustwind. Dustwind looked at Jaytail defensively “We were badly out numbered! What did you want me to do, let them run away to the trees?” Jaytail lashed his tail out in anger but made no remark.

“But what if were not helping!” demanded Mosspaw. Berryleaf would reply but has a mouth full of herbs. She lashed her tail and a ‘No! We are helping’. Mosspaw glared at the herbs and started putting some poultice on the scrapes. What seemed like dawns passed by when they finished, thought it had only been a few moments.
“If we could get her to wake up maybe we could fee her something that will help!” Mosspaw declared stalking away from Berryleaf. The cat just sighed and shook her head, watching the angry apprentice.

Thunderstar nodded silently as Dustwind finished his report. Rockpelt had said nothing through the conversation, occasionally glancing at Dustwind. “How did Riverstar know when the patrol came?” he asked. “Maybe she has spies?” Thrushfeather cautiously suggested. “I wouldn’t be surprised, but we cannot be certain.”
Jaytail kneaded the ground. “We should keep some eyes on it. Send out a cat or two tomorrow,” Jaytail said. Thunderstar nodded, “Perhaps,” he said slowly, “However, this could mean she wishes to attack us directly: camp. It sounds like Riverstar.” Rockpelt also nodded mewing, “I think it’d be wise to keep some eyes open,” he nodded toward Jaytail, “And reinforce camp, just in case.” The toms agreed to this, Rockpelt would start working the cats in the morning.

Thunderstar trotted up to Berryleaf. The medicine cat sat with her tail twitching back and forth in the air. She gazed at Jadepaw with a mixture of alarm, distrust, passion, and love.
Thrushfeather watched her gaze curiously, is that really awe? He thought. A medicine cat with special powers from StarClan looking at an apprentice with awe? Not possible.
Berryleaf looked up; her eyes were moons, like Jadepaw’s. Thrushfeather shuddered thinking about the battle. Mosspaw was asleep; she had been up tending to every cat’s wound and forcing Jaytail to eat some poppy seeds to sleep. Now it was moonhigh.
“Will she live?” Thunderstar had never seen a cat in such a serious stage.
Berryleaf shook her head solemnly, “There is nothing more we can do for her; she’s in the paws of StarClan now.” Berryleaf’s eyes were brimming with emotion,
“I don’t think she will live.” Thunderstar nodded, no trace of his mind swirling with questions about the omen, if it even was about Jadepaw and Maplepaw was the biggest.
Berryleaf fixed her moon-gaze on the Clan leader as a star shined down, illuminating Jadepaw’s body. “StarClan has spoken,” she said. Rockpelt shuddered, and left. Thrushfeather ignored him and stared at Berryleaf and Thunderstar in wonder.
“They are the ones,” Berryleaf finished. “What are you talking about?” mewed Thrushfeather. Thunderstar tensed and let out a sigh, “Why did they choose them?” he asked desperately. “StarClan knows!” Mosspaw appeared from the den. “Should we really be discussing this in front of him?” she asked, tail flicking at Thrushfeather. “Why are you three being so secretive?” he asked, annoyed. “Some knowledge is best kept secret,” meowed Mosspaw, eyes sparkling mysteriously as if she knew something the three of then didn’t. “What do you know?” asked Berryleaf curiously. “Something you don’t,” Mosspaw giggled. “Then let’s be a bit more specific: what did StarClan tell you, that they didn’t tell me?” Berryleaf demanded. Mosspaw eyes were light up in the moonless sky, “Jadepaw will live though not as she once did.” Mosspaw padded back into the den, darkness swallowing her.

Jadepaw fell into the darkness. She could only see blackness only smell musky wind, could only taste fear and she could only feel the night. Jadepaw tried to meow but found her voice would not work. She was purely only.
Jadepaw blinked away the last traces of the nightmare sitting up, in a grassy moonlight clearing. She gasped, the clearing was beautiful; icy blue-silver trees, blue grass and an unnatural silver light taking place of a sun. All around were the same icy silver trees.
“Am I dead?” Jadepaw thought aloud. Bird calls and a chilly wind was all she heard. “No, brave one. You are not,” said a beautiful she-cat voice.
“You are safe.”

Jadepaw jumped up and startled, ran blindly toward the voice. The voice was now humming softly, guiding the apprentice toward it. Go left, the trees seemed to whisper, Right, Now straight until she sings again, they told her. Jadepaw obeyed and cam to another clearing, a circular clearing paved with smooth stone, worn from many paw steps. Two trees sat in the middle about ten fox tails away from each other.
In the middle of the trees sat a beautiful white-silver cat with moons-eyes.

“I am Brightspirit”

Chapter Seven

Spoiler: show

Thunderstar sat on the Highrock with Rockpelt, gazing down at his Clan.
“ThunderClan, last night the RiverClan border patrol came back early. With battle wounds.” Stunned mews rippled through the Clan who didn’t know; queens, kits, elders, and some apprentices. “RiverClan attacked our small patrol. They want Sunningrocks back!” he mewed. “Yes, and Lightpelt said StarClan knows it!” added Dustwind Uneasy meows fill the air. “Did we win?” croaked Badgerfur, an elder. “Nearly,” Thunderstar said. “We’ve almost lost Jadepaw; she’s in the care of Berryleaf. But she’s not getting any better.”

“Working them will get things back to normal,” Thunderstar promised Rockpelt, and leaped from the Highrock, and back into his den.
“Gorsepaw and Icepaw you three go out and collect some more brambles, Black-Eye go with them. Moonpaw, Sunpaw stay at camp and help reinforces the tunnels and the entrance wall. Robinpaw and Maplepaw you’ll go hunting with Owlflight. Featherflame go and collect more twigs and sticks for the apprentices with Stripetail.
Jaytail, Grayfur, and Rosethorn patrol the RiverClan border, Jaytail you can lead.
The rest of us will stay at camp and ready it.” Rockpelt jumped down from the Highrock.

Petalfur shuddered, and went to work. Black-Eye was guiding the apprentices out the exit behind the nursery toward the best place to get brambles. Moonpaw pulled out a heap of sticks, behind the warriors’ den and her and Sunpaw started making the wall of twigs and brambles thicker and much stronger. Everyone went off to their duty and it seemed so normal. Except just outside the medicine cat den. Jadepaw lay limp, barely breathing.


“Brightspirit?” Jadepaw echoed. “Yes, Jadepaw, my Warrior name.” Jadepaw padded half way up to Brightspirit. “Warrior name, you were a warrior?” she asked.
The white-silver she-cat nodded, "I am a Warrior," and started making patterns in the grass with her long white claws. Jadepaw went up to the StarClan warrior and sat down across from her.
“Why am I here, in StarClan?” Jadepaw cocked her head. Brightspirit lifted her head eagerly, as if a question worth answering.
“A second chance.”

Maplepaw crouched stalking the obvious squirrel. Dinner, she thought. The squirrel couldn’t here the soft padding of cat paws or the claws unsheathing, before it was too late. Maplepaw hid it under some leave to collect later. She caught a rabbit and a mouse to take back. Robinpaw had caught two robins, and Owlflight came back with the biggest vole Maplepaw had ever seen, a mouse, and two rabbits. Since none of the ThunderClan cats could carry that much, they’d have to come back for the rest of it.
As the three cats headed back to camp with their nice catches, a loud crash signaled Gorsepaw and dropped something. Owlflight set down her rabbit and flicked her tail for the apprentices to stay put. “I wonder what happened,” mewed Robinpaw. “Knowing Gorsepaw, he dropped the brambles and knocked Black-Eye down the ravine,” Maplepaw joked. Robinpaw’s whiskers twitched in amusement as he pricked his ears to here the voices. “Gorsepaw! You clumsy furball, you nearly knocked me down the ravine!” it was Black-Eye. Robinpaw laughed meowing, “Nearly.” Maplepaw twitched her tail when Icepaw stalked past them, toward Black-Eye covered in brambles. “That mouse-brain Gorsepaw!” she spat. Both, Robinpaw and Maplepaw had to control their whiskers at the sight of her.

Robinpaw and Maplepaw dropped their final load of fresh-kill in the pile, re-filling it.
“Well done,” purred Rockpelt walking past the pile. Robinpaw nodded proudly. And Maplepaw twitched her tail.
“No!” yowled a voice, “You rat-bile! You’ve got it caught in my ear!”
Black-Eye purred in amusement walking to them. “Where’s Gorsepaw and Icepaw?” mumbled Maplepaw with a full mouth. “With Owlflight,” he snorted, picking up a robin and walking over to Rockpelt. Icepaw stalked into camp with a bloody ear and back leg.
She looked like she’d just rolled in brambles like it was moss. Gorsepaw walked quietly behind Owlflight, using her as a shield from Icepaw. Mosspaw looked at the she-cat, “Have thorns been dropped into you?” She asked sharply. “It was an accident,” meowed Gorsepaw. Mosspaw twitched her ears, leading Icepaw to the medicine cat den.

Berryleaf trotted into camp with Petalfur behind her. Both she-cats carried an enormous load in their jaws. Since Mosspaw had to stay at camp and tend to Jadepaw, Beryleaf had borrowed the warrior instead. “Gently,” mewed Mosspaw, “Almost done.” Icepaw screeched, and Petalfur flicked her ears at the sound. “There you are, all done. Whatever you do, do not shred up Gorsepaw, okay? Good.” Icepaw irritably left the den and went to the fresh-kill pile.

At moonhigh the medicine cat was still up, preparing for any battle to come.
Berryleaf stopped sorting her herbs to check on Jadepaw. Mosspaw had insisted they keep the young apprentice outside. Berryleaf had argued: ‘What if it rains?’ or ‘What if it gets to cold?’, but Mosspaw had won her over. The white cat padded out to her.
Berryleaf bent over Jadepaw and her heart lurched; Jadepaw had stopped breathing. Jadepaw’s whole body was still, she lay motionless, eyes closed.

“Thunderstar!” Berryleaf exclaimed waking him up. Thunderstar jumped up, claws unsheathed. “What is it?” he grumbled, “RiverClan attacking? StarClan descending?” Berryleaf shook her head sadly. “Jadepaw has stopped breathing.”

Chapter Eight

Spoiler: show

Thunderstar looked up at Berryleaf, a grieving yet unsurprised look on his face. Mosspaw shook her head from the entrance of his den where she was standing; He knew this would happen…have StarClan spoken to him? The thought kept her mind buzzing as she followed Berryleaf and Thunderstar toward, the den. “You told me she would live,” snapped Berryleaf, standing over Jadepaw. “She will!” yowled Mosspaw, looking hopefully at the other apprentice. “She’s in the paws of StarClan now,” said Thunderstar quietly, “Jadepaw will live in StarClan, perhaps that’s what the message from StarClan meant,” he finished narrowing his eyes at Mosspaw. Mosspaw shook her head, clearly unconvinced. Berryleaf was trying to control herself, eyes filled with emotion as she nosed the still Jadepaw. “Jadepaw’s gone,” Thunderstar said gently and padded away. “I’ve never lost a cat. Never,” Berryleaf mewed, explaining her overwhelming grief. A wave of guilt drowned Mosspaw in her thoughts; she had faith in me, in StarClan, in Jadepaw…. Mosspaw went inside Berryleaf’s den to smell the aromas of the herbs and shake away the thoughts. Maybe, just maybe Jadepaw will make it.

Jadepaw jumped to her paws “A second chance? What do you mean?” she mewed, tail lashing with anticipation. Brightspirit smiled, her ghostly form shimmering. “You have come to StarClan, brave one,” she mewed,
“You are dead.”
Jadepaw shook her head, looking around wildly. “I’m can’t be! I just went to Berryleaf’s, I’m fine!” Brightspirit’s eyes were blue pools of pity, “I’m sorry,” the StarClan warrior meowed, placing her muzzle against Jadepaw’s in a sisterly way. “All will be clear in time.”

Mosspaw stood up yawning from her nap. Thunderstar had told them earlier he’d tell the Clan after they ate, at Moonhigh. “It would be easier to tell them, and they could bury her with Silverpelt guiding her way to StarClan,” he had mewed. Berryleaf was suddenly standing over Mosspaw; the apprentice jumped looking at her mentor with an expression of pure craziness. Berryleaf sighed, beckoning her forth, “I want you to go collect some Marigold, we’re out. Remember that group of thorns by the tree? It’s there, on the left.” Berryleaf went to the back of the den, sorting out herbs. Mosspaw would get Moonpaw to go with her. “Moonpaw,” she mewed, prodding the sleepy she-cat. “What? Is it Sunhigh yet?” Moonpaw mewed, irritated. “No, you’re coming with me, get up.”
“Why does it have to grow by thorns? I’m going to prick myself!” Moonpaw complained still grumpy from lack of sleep. “Well, then, prick your nose! Just get them,” she snapped back. “Good enough?” asked Moonpaw, twitching her pricked nose. “That should be enough, thank you Moonpaw.” Mosspaw said, sarcastically and they headed back to camp.

Berryleaf flicked her tail as the apprentices walked in. “Do you know if the hunting patrol has got back yet?” she asked. And disturbance at the gorse tunnel and padding of warrior paws signaled a ‘yes’. Moonpaw went for a juicy mouse and brought back a rabbit for Berryleaf. Mosspaw padded to the clearing in front of the den and sat down beside Moonpaw. “Why is Berryleaf so upset?” Moonpaw asked. Mosspaw blinked a few times clearing away the grief in her eyes and meowed, “We lost Jadepaw.” Moonpaw stood up suddenly staring at Mosspaw with anger and sadness in her blue gaze. “RiverClan!” she spat sitting back down. “I thought she would live,” Mosspaw mewed turning away. “It wasn’t your fault, those RiverClan, it’s their fault. Thunderstar needs to mention this at the Gathering. Can you imagine eight moons?” Moonpaw kneaded the ground, anger rising and ignoring the food in front of her, “We should speak with Thunderstar.”

Brightspirit placed her tail on Jadepaw’s shoulder, “We will give you a second chance. I have spoken with StarClan and they approve.” Jadepaw locked gaze with Brightspirit, understanding passing to her. “If I died, then what do my Clanmates think?” Jadepaw tipped her head to one side. Brightspirit looked curiously at her before replying, “Thunderstar will think you’ve come to stay, however Mosspaw knows you will live, and Shiningheart told her. Jadepaw nodded, relieved that someone would believe in was her. “Does my sister know I’m coming back?” she asked eagerly. “Maplepaw thinks you’re gone, as do your parents.” Brightspirit glowed with understanding. Stepping back she told Jadepaw, “I will send you back now. Many cats will think you just survived. It would not be wise to tell your Clanmates about the second chance.” Jadepaw stood up also, “Brightspirit do you mean you will give me another life? Like Thunderstar?” Brightspirit’s eyes were blue happiness, “Yes, Jadepaw. StarClan grants you another life. Thunderstar and your medicine cats will know, and tell your mentor.” Jadepaw shook with excitment, her tabby pelt glowing silver. “Will you visit me often?” she asked. Brightspirit nodded, nudging Jadepaw’s shoulder. “We will be with you, always.” Jadepaw glowed pure white, a hot and cold sensation seeping through her pelt at the same time.

Chapter Nine

Spoiler: show

A tremor racked Jadepaw’s body as air rushed into her lungs. Gasping, she shakily raised her head. Jadepaw breathed in the scents around her, energy surging through her paws. She wasn’t hungry, tired, nor frightened, just excited. I’ll be the best warrior in ThunderClan, she promised Brightspirit in her heart, with Maplepaw, of course.
“Yes, you will,” a meow echoed beside her, filling her nostrils with Brightspirit’s StarClan scent. They smelled different, maybe kind or sweet. If that’s even possible, Jadepaw snorted.
The lively Apprentice shook her fur, and looked down at her. She was still glowing.
Stiflingly a startled mewed, she looked up at the moon which glowed brightly on her,
then around at her surroundings. Jadepaw sat in the middle of the whole camp, glowing as bright as Silverpelt. Shoving away the emotion of Brightspirit beside her, Jadepaw sat neatly with her tail around her front paws.
They think I’m gone, she whispered in her heart to Brightspirit, Will any cats see me, Jadepaw looked down at herself, her dark tabby fur now silver tabby, Like this?
Brightspirit nodded uncertainly, craning her neck around the clearing. Jadepaw then realized how young the she-cat looked. Brightspirit looked recently made Warrior; Jadepaw felt all the more happy to know her.
They come, Brightspirit said with a final glance at Jadepaw, Always listen to your heart, but trust your mind, also. StarClan’s cat disappeared.

Thunderstar padded out of his den, looking down sadly. Jadepaw quivered in excitement, watching Mosspaw and Berryleaf follow behind, for her burial, but no, not anymore.
Thrushfeather watched quietly from the Warriors’ den. Obviously her parents were still asleep, but not Maplepaw. She stalked out of the den tail dragging.

“Maplepaw,” Jadepaw mewed excitedly. Maplepaw pricked her ears, looking toward Jadepaw. A mask of pure pity and confusion covered her ace in the bright moonlight. “Jadepaw?” she asked uncertainly, padded over slowly. Jadepaw beamed even brighter in the light purring as her sister bounded over. “Jadepaw! Your alive……From StarClan?” Maplepaw exclaimed with a hint of disbelief in her meow. “No, no, I’m here sister.” Jadepaw looked sincerely at Maplepaw flattening her pelt.

Mosspaw and Berryleaf padded up with Thunderstar behind. As soon as they saw her all three cats were shocked, Mosspaw the first to recover jumped over and bowled into Maplepaw. “Jadepaw, you’re…..back?” the medicine cat apprentice asked. Jadepaw sighed, angry that everyone thought she was from StarClan. “Be calm,” Brightspirit mewed gently. “I’m not from StarClan!” Jadepaw mewed fiercely, trying to shake the silver glow from her pelt. Letting out her gentle mrrw of laughter, “You cannot rid your self of the pelt,” Brightspirit said. “Why not?” asked Jadepaw looking to her right, where the cat stood. Mosspaw looked wildly at Jadepaw, “Who are you talking to?” she asked. Thunderstar flicked his tail over her mouth, signaling silence.
“She is speaking with StarClan,” Berryleaf whispered.

Jadepaw twitched her tail crossly as Brightspirit went on to say, “It is your token of StarClan. Your pelt will forever shine the brightest as long as Silverpelt is visible.”
“Silverpelt, like the star’s silver pelt? And….mine?” Brightspirit laughed, “As you see it.” She mewed. “You coat will keep a shimmer, perhaps a bit brighter, but you’ll still be the darkest tabby in ThunderClan,” Brightspirit said playfully, showing her young personality. “Cats think dying makes you wiser; prove it.” Brightspirit added narrowing her eyes. Jadepaw laughed revealing unnaturally silver teeth, “Sorry, nothing we can do about that,” StarClan’s cat mewed, looking at her silver-white teeth.
Jadepaw bowed her head, fighting off fits of laughter. Maplepaw purred, blinking warmly at Brightspirit. “You can see her too?” Jadepaw mewed excitedly. “Yes,” Maplepaw said shyly, nodding at Brightspirit, “Thank you for …my sister,” she mewed, bowing her head toward Brightspirit. The she-cat nodded letting, all cats in the Clan here,
“StarClan’s pleasure.” Becoming visible to Thunderstar and the medicine cats, “Thunderstar keep an eye on this one.” She nodded toward Berryleaf and Mosspaw and then stared curiously to Thrushfeather, who clearly could see her. Nodding to herself as if she had just read his mind, she shook her head sadly, “Yes, it will.” Thrushfeather looked incredibly startled, as if he knew exactly what she meant. He backed away, warmly looking at his apprentice. Brightspirit bowed her head to Jadepaw whispering only to her, “Tell your mentor, do not speak of it to Jaytail.”
The StarClan Warrior dissipated into the glow of the moon.
“Jaytail?” she asked bewildered, “Brightspirit, wait!” Jadepaw glared up at the sky.

Why my father? She wondered.

Chapter Ten

Spoiler: show

Jadepaw jumped up excepting to be with Brightspirit, and then remembered where she was.
“Jadepaw, you okay?” Maplepaw asked. Jadepaw shook her head, her vision like smoke.
“I can’t-can’t see?” Jadepaw mewed strangely. “Will you help…” she trailed off, vision failing completely. Maplepaw hopped up, startled and guided her to Berryleaf. “What’s wrong?” the white cat asked, leaping to her feet as soon as her warm green eyes saw the apprentices. “Jadepaw can’t see!” Maplepaw exclaimed. “Oh, StarClan, come here.”

“Ow!” Jadepaw tore away from Berryleaf, “Would you stop poking my eyes? They’re gonna come out!” she mewed. Jadepaw scrambled, blind, out of the den. Thrushfeather was waiting for her at the gorse tunnel. “Jadepaw,” he asked concerned, as she had just came back last night. “Are you feeling well?” Jadepaw nodded, telling, in her heart, for Brightspirit to come. “Okay, eaten?” he asked, “Not hungry, can we go?” Thrushfeather nodded, or she thought he nodded, and he lead the way to the gorse tunnel, Owlflight and Maplepaw catching up. “I’m going to help you,” Maplepaw breathed in her sister’s ear,
“Do not let Thrushfeather know that you are blind; he’s already acting strange.”

“Jadepaw!” Thrushfeather sighed angrily at the she-cat, “What is up with you?” Jadepaw hissed at him blinking at her lighter-dark pelt, which had a faint, annoying glow in the sunlight. He rolled his eyes, mewing something at Robinpaw. “Take a break,” he ordered the apprentices, and taking the mentors aside they started whispering in low, hushed mews. Jadepaw sniffed her way over to Robinpaw, ignoring Maplepaw’s concerned pleas. Robinpaw looked up at her, and cocked his head, “What happened to your eyes?”
Jadepaw sighed, glazed eyes upset. “I can’t see,” she whispered. Robinpaw blinked pitifully at her and stroked his tail down her flank. “Mosspaw said you died,” he whispered suddenly. Jadepaw jumped up, bristling with fury. “Mouse-brain! How could she?” Jadepaw spat angrily, looking at Maplepaw, “What in StarClan’s name are you mewing about?” her sister mewed, “Be quite, your making a scene.”

Robinpaw followed Jadepaw to the creek. She sat down on a rock in the middle of the rushing late Greenleaf water. “I did,” she sighed, “From the RiverClan attack; Daisyspring finished me off.” Robinpaw sat up startled, “But I didn’t believe her,” he shook his head, confusing rising, “How did you, I-I thought….StarClan?”
Jadepaw nodded shaking her head, trying to rid herself of the glazed, blind eyes. “A StarClan cat, Brightspirit, she brought me to StarClan-it was beautiful-and she said that,” voice chocking with emotion Jadepaw managed, “She told me StarClan gave me a second chance, another life.” Robinpaw’s mouth dropped open, and before he could blurt anything out, Jadepaw bounced from the stone and covered his mouth with her tail, “Brightspirit told me not to tell anyone, can you keep a secret?”

Robinpaw crouched down amid the ferns, and lunged pining down a mouse, “You get it,” he mewed to Jadepaw. She brightened, having no success with her unseeing eyes. “Are you sure? I shouldn’t you caught it…” Robinpaw nudged her over; she bit it, hiding it under some leaves. “Can you remember where I hid it?” she asked. He flicked his tail as a yes.

“A mouse?” Thrushfeather mewed. “That’s it? You’re so good at hunting blackbirds and you bring one mouse?” he was drilling her hard, as if he expected her to be flawless at everything. “I’m not perfect,’ Jadepaw glared as best she could at him, turning away, ignoring his demands to go back.

“Miss perfect’s back so soon?” asked Gorsepaw rudely, he had been doing terribly at his training, and apparently he thought Jadepaw wanted all this attention. Robinpaw glared at Gorsepaw from where he sat grooming. Jadepaw turned around lashing Gorsepaw across the muzzle with her tail, he flinched, “You think I want this?” she asked, “You think I like all of this mouse-brained attention?” she asked. Gorsepaw started, backing up some.
“Well, how about you try doing all this training with a impatient, inconsiderate mentor who overestimates your abilities, a leader that does nothing but pity you, a medicine cat that thinks you’re a helpless kit, a father that won’t even speak to you, a rude apprentice that does nothing but glare at you, and on top off all that, being blind!” Jadepaw stormed and half stumbled out of the den, and ran for the gorse tunnel, blindly knocking over Thrushfeather at it.
Gorsepaw sunk down into a crouch slowly, swallowing, “She’s blind?”
Robinpaw shoved his way out of the den, hitting Sunpaw, who was the rude apprentice she had mentioned. Sunpaw also glared at Robinpaw and he stalked out.

“Jadepaw, get back here,” Thrushfeather shouted, shaking the dust off his coat. “No!” came the stubborn mew. He sighed and went for Thunderstar’s den.
Thrushfeather sat down, sifting his paws anxiously. “Something’s wrong with my apprentice.” Thunderstar snorted mewing in reply, “I wouldn’t be surprised after all she’s gone through. Err….Mosspaw said that she knew Jadepaw was going to live,” Thunderstar cut off Thrushfeather adding, “I knew you’d find out by yourself, that is why we didn’t tell you. Mosspaw said that Jadepaw would live, though not as she once did.”

Thrushfeather padded sadly from the den. My apprentice, my first apprentice, and I’ve done terribly. Was all that was running through his head. He sighed, sitting down by the fresh-kill pile. Thrushfeather brightened, as Robinpaw and Jadepaw padded through the gorse tunnel. Jadepaw defiantly stalked over and through a blackbird at his paws, “Good enough?” she cocked her head and narrowed her eyes challengingly. Robinpaw nudged her away before any harmful words were passed between mentor and apprentice. “Your really messing up,” mewed Owlflight watching Jadepaw whisper about something. “Don’t remind me,” he groaned, bowing his head. “Something is definitely bothering your apprentice.”
“Do you think I should talke with her?”
“The only cat she’ll talk with is Robinpaw,” she purred in amusement.
“Well?”
“Give her some time, don’t take her out training tomorrow.”
“Then?”
Owlflight sighed, “Then, speak with her. You’re pushing her to hard, and she’s having a hard time seeing what you put forth for her. Go slower, especially after what she’s been through.”

Jadepaw sighed after being forced out of the den by her so called ‘friend’.
Jadepaw gave her chest an anxious lick and padded over to Thrushfeather. The apprentice looked wiser, and, of course, Jadepaw knew that.
“Time to prove it,” whispered Brightspirit. “Oh come on, my sight! What’s happened?!” Jadepaw was sick of the cat’s ‘calming’ words. “All will be clear in time.” Then she vanished. Jadepaw sat down in front of her mentor. “You’ve not done terribly with me, I have” Thrushfeather looked up from his vole. Slowly nodding he replied, “I’m sorry, I-I shouldn’t have pushed you so hard.” Jadepaw shook her head quickly, “No, no, Thrushfeather it wasn’t you, I am-m blind,” she meowed shakily.
“Blind? Great StarClan, Jadepaw why didn’t you tell me?”
“Remember how I told you, I went to StarClan? Well I didn’t just go, I kind of…went.”
His mouth dropped open, “And you didn’t tell me?”
“No! I’m not a kit, and everyone treats me like it,” she raised her chin, but it went down just a fast when she mewed, “I snapped at lot of people, I guess I could go apologize or something.” She said, and that was extremely good of the apprentice; she never apologized, at least, not much.
“Don’t worry, StarClan will give you sight back.”

Jadepaw yawned, standing up in her mossy nest. Everything seemed so eerie, in the dim sight. She prodded Gorsepaw, shuffling her paws. He sat up, glaring at her. “I’m sorry, Gorsepaw,” Jadepaw mewed. Gorsepaw looked at her like she was crazy, then nodded. “Are you really..?” Jadepaw snorted, “I couldn’t even tell if you’re sitting up,” Jadepaw padded out dragging Maplepaw behind her.

Everything was going back to normal, almost.

Chapter Eleven

Spoiler: show

Maplepaw woke up and looked around. It was raining, again.

It was the fourth dawn since Jadepaw had lost her sight. Then the next day she had got her sight back but lost her hearing. The next dawn Jadepaw could hear but couldn’t taste anything, and the next she could taste but couldn’t feel anything. Now, she had all sense back except, Jadepaw couldn’t walk. Maplepaw was so concerned for her younger sister.
“Jadepaw,” she mewed, “Get up time to train.” Jadepaw yawned, flashing her sister a grateful look. Jadepaw stood up then lost all feeling in her legs and fell back down. After several times of trying, she couldn’t get back up. Jadepaw couldn’t even sit up. She lay down staring sadly out of the den, from her back nest. Maplepaw padded out of the den with Icepaw, her friend, and the incredibly cocky Sunpaw. Thrushfeather stalked over o Maplepaw, it was clear he was losing his patience, “Is Jadepaw well enough to train?” The first time he asked, and it made Maplepaw angry, “No,” Maplepaw mewed, flicking her tail towards the den. “She can’t use her legs,” Thrushfeather sighed, “Then why did StarClan give them to her?” he asked out loud, walking away with Stripetail, who also had a sick apprentice. Jadepaw’s green eyes glowed in the dim light. She was the only apprentice in there, and nobody could come and see her. Thrushfeather would be furious, Maplepaw cared, but she had to train, Jaytail still refused to speak to her, Petalfur was on patrol so much and Robinpaw was sick. He wouldn’t come and sleep in the den without worrying about getting her sick, which to Jadepaw didn’t really matter. But then Sunpaw would complain about the smell of sickness, so he wouldn’t come.
Jadepaw heard Rockpelt, rapidly mewing out patrols; they were expecting another border fight, and really wanted one, especially after whatever happened to Jadepaw.

“How’s our apprentice?” asked Berryleaf, padding into the den. “She can’t walk,” Jadepaw said. Berryleaf nodded briefly, “Scent, feel, taste; have it all?” Jadepaw nodded and Berryleaf went out, clearly there was nothing the medicine cat could do, and Berryleaf felt so powerless. Jadepaw forced her hind legs to listen, and sat up but toppled over because her front legs wouldn’t work, and her back legs couldn’t support her weight for a long time. She sighed, Brightspirit wasn’t here, perhaps she was helping Maplepaw.

Brightspirit sat, rocking back on forth of her haunches, watching the apprentices train. “Faster, you must be quick,” Owlflight demanded. Eclipseclaw flicked her tail “If you want Maplepaw to be faster than WindClan, you have to show her.” The dark cat jumped in the air, spinning halfway and pouncing on Owlflight, she tried to hang on. Owlflight bristled her fur at the attack and, knocked the cat off then shot under Eclipseclaw, she spun upside down while under Eclipseclaw’s belly, and spun so fast, flipped the other she-cat over onto her back. Owlflight, then pounced on Eclipseclaw, and she was at Owlflight’s mercy.
“Now, that is how you do it,” mewed Eclipseclaw, ruefully looking at Owlflight.
Owlflight has taught her apprentice to be quick, nimble. But, no one in ThunderClan could match WindClan’s fastest warrior, Silentsoul. Not only did he claim to be the most silent cat in the whole forest, but the fastest, except for, of course, Windstar. Now she was fast. Owlflight had a personal issue with Silentsoul, most cats made fun of her for it, she would have to flip them upside down and have her claws over their muzzle before getting an apology. So she would teach Maplepaw how to be fast and accurate.
“I’ll try it on you, I’m bigger though, so you have to think,” mewed her mentor.
Maplepaw nodded, waiting for Owlflight to pounce. “You can’t flip her over, she’s to heavy, try making her trip,” tipped Brightspirit. Maplepaw didn’t risk looking at Brightspirit; she just flicked her tail and got ready.
Owlflight leaped up leaning left, landed on Maplepaw. Before Owlflight could get a good grip, Maplepaw nimbly darted from Owlflight’s grasp and spun around to face the warrior. Maplepaw ran straight and squeezed under Owlflight, she swiped her front paws against Owlflight’s legs knocking Owlflight over, and Maplepaw went over to her mentor, beaming, “How was that?” she asked challengingly. “Perfect!” purred Owlflight, shaking off the dust, “Who taught you that move?” asked Sunpaw, trotting over. “What move?” Maplepaw cocked her head. “The move, you completely tripped Owlflight, and she thought you were going to try to throw her off,” he mewed. Maplepaw’s eyes sparkled where Brightspirit was grooming, but Sunpaw couldn’t see her.
“Thanks Brightspirit, Owlflight was really impressed!” meowed Maplepaw. The others had already gone, Maplepaw told them she needed some time to think.
Brightspirit nodded saying, “Your welcome. It seems Sunpaw was to.” She padded away into the trees, twitching her whiskers in amusement. “Excuse you,” Maplepaw called back. “Who are you talking to?” asked a voice. Maplepaw spun round, ears twitching in embarrassment. “What?” she saw Sunpaw, Maplepaw snorted; apparently Brightspirit has been hinting that he was coming. “No one….Who are you talking to?” Maplepaw darted though the trees to find Brightspirit before he could answer. That was rude, a she-cats voice echoed in her head. “Get out of my head, Brightspirit,” Maplepaw shook her head. “Go back to camp, see your sister, she’s worried.”
Obediently she trotted back to camp, “Jadepaw, you here?” a smirking apprentice padded out of the den, “Nope, I’m here,” she mewed. Maplepaw turned around to see….nothing.
“Over here!” Maplepaw looked up at the Highrock toward the noise, nothing. “Brightspirit! Stop it,” meowed Maplepaw. “Stop what?” the she-cat was nose to nose with Maplepaw. Maplepaw jumped and Jadepaw, who was right beside her couldn’t control her whiskers. “Frightened mouse,” Jadepaw mewed playfully, getting that twinkle in her eye that meant ‘I know something you don’t’.
Brightspirit nudge her shoulder, telling her not to give anything away.
“Oh…You’re walking!” Maplepaw exclaimed, sniffing her sister’s legs. “Uh-huh, she told me it’d wear off,” Jadepaw nudge Brightspirit back. She flicked her tail, narrowed her eyes and disappeared, leaving Jadepaw and Maplepaw alone.
“Guess what?” Jadepaw mewed. Maplepaw rolled her eyes, “What?”
“Brightspirit wants you to meet her father.”
“Really, her father?”
“Yes, I’ve already met him.”
“Oh okay.”
“It’s true!”
“Uh-huh.”
“Tomorrow night, okay?”
“Okay.”

Chapter Twelve

Spoiler: show

Jadepaw walked silently among dark green trees, Maplepaw beside her. “Where are we going?” Jadepaw didn’t answer, she was walking slowly now, closing her eyes occasionally. “Jadepaw, where are we going?” she demanded. Her eyes shot open and she went into a sprint. Maplepaw sighed, running after her. “Jadepaw!” Maplepaw exclaimed bowling her over. “What?” Jadepaw pricked her ears, “Oh, to see Braveheart.” Maplepaw gasped, “You should’ve told me!” Jadepaw looked at the sky, “Couldn’t, sorry.” She started running again. Maplepaw finally slowed her down, as they had been running for a long time. Jadepaw darted to a great oak, the biggest she had ever seen. Slowly but surely the green trees started fading into blue trees, the dark brown ground turned into silver stones and the leaves on the tree became white and silver. “Holy StarClan!” murmured Maplepaw. “Literally,” mewed Brightspirit, her whiskers twitching.
Jadepaw bounded over to her Maplepaw behind. “Why weren’t you with us yesterday?” asked Maplepaw. “I had to speak with Father. But I am always with you,” she replied.
“Come,” Brightspirit flicked her tail as a beckon, as if reading Maplepaw’s mind she said, “You are in StarClan, this is the place where StarClan and ThunderClan meet. There is a place like so in every territory but only cats that are given permission by StarClan can come here.” Jadepaw padded up to the two trees, Maplepaw looked around amazed. Jadepaw had told her this is what it looked like but to see it with her own eyes was amazing. “We need to speak with you,” mewed Braveheart, Maplepaw turned around and sat down in front of them. “Hi,” mewed Maplepaw, to Braveheart. He flicked his tail in greeting, eyeing his daughter seriously. “We have a problem, Brightspirit.” Brightspirit looked up at Braveheart, “That being?..” Jadepaw’s eyes widened. “RiverClan.”

“Where is Jadepaw?” mewed Thrushfeather poking his head in the apprentices’ den. “Hunting,” supplied Robinpaw, “With Maplepaw.” Jadepaw had told him to cover for them if their mentors asked. Thrushfeather sighed, walking away. “Hunting?” Icepaw asked, “Maplepaw told me they were going on patrol.” Robinpaw’s mind was racing, “Change if plans.” He hurried out of the den. “Mouse-brain,” murmured Rainpaw. Firestorm was suddenly at the entrance, “Who?” she tipped her head left, eager for more information. “No one,” he said crossly. Firestorm rolled her eyes, making her apprentice get up. “Let’s go,” mewed Firestorm to Icepaw also. “Why?”
“Patrol,” mewed Firestorm. “Oh, I thought Maplepaw had that covered,” she smirked.

“RiverClan? What’s their problem?” Jadepaw groaned. “They are going to invade your camp.” Mewed Braveheart, “Act first,” finished Brightspirit. “Why would they do that?” asked Maplepaw. Braveheart sighed, “They want Sunningrocks back, we’ve warned Thunderstar and, he’s done nothing. You must prepare.” Brightspirit twitched her ear impatiently, “They’re only Apprentices, and maybe I should warn Rockpelt.” Jadepaw shook her head, siding with Braveheart, “He wouldn’t listen, he’d tell Thunderstar like a good kit, and Thunderstar would do nothing.” Maplepaw looked at her sister not believing Jadepaw had talked so bad about their deputy. “Be careful what you mew,” warned Braveheart, seeing Maplepaw’s face. Jadepaw flicked her tail dismissively,
“Anything else?” she was eager to kick some RiverClan tails.
“Not currently,” Brightspirit informed. Braveheart nodded, dismissing the cats. He faded away, deep in thought. “Follow me,” Brightspirit ordered, trotting out of the stone clearing. “Where are we going, Brightspirit?” asked Maplepaw, “To RiverClan territory.”
“RiverClan?” echoed the sisters together.
“Correct.”
“Why, won’t they catch us?”
“Not if we’re silent and swift.”
“What about our scent?”
“Cover it.”
“How?”
Brightspirit flicked her tail to a bundle of strong smelling plants, answering “Tansy,”
They rolled in the herbs and rubbed some of it on their pelts, the strong smell of tansy disguising their ThunderClan scent. “StarClan scent smells like everything; I need none,”
Brightspirit told them, eyeing the tansy with distaste.

“Isn’t spying bad?” Maplepaw whispered. “Well, if you’re with me I think its fine,” StarClan’s warrior mewed carefully, afraid of misunderstandings. Jadepaw snorted, emphasizing her objection to spying on RiverClan. Maplepaw was fine, eyes sparkling.
“Carefully and slowly,” demonstrated Brightspirit, walking along the stone path across the wide river with such grace, as if she had walked it some many times before. Jadepaw
slipped a few times, showing her disgust for wet paws. “Jadepaw,” Brightspirit silenced her annoyed companion with a flick of her ear. “RiverClan, take a long good look,” Brightspirit mewed. The reeds were numerous with a few wet trees, and soggy ground.
Where the river met the ground there were pebbles of every shape and size, littering the ground even far away from the river. There was an area of gray rock, with no pebbles on it, worn smooth from many moons of paw steps. It was wet, as if recently used. "Brightspirit cocked her head at Maplepaw, asking an unspoken question. “RiverClan cats,” Maplepaw answered, flicking her tail toward a willow tree. Jadepaw nodded, slowly following Brightspirit nervous white pelt through the reeds, avoiding a RiverClan encounter.

Riverstar paced back and forth in front of camp, “Fox-face!” she spat at a warrior, known for a temper. The warrior, Daisyspring jumped up, scrambling away behind Littlefall, and bowing her head. “You nearly killed an apprentice, what is Thunderstar going to think?”
“Riverstar?” Pebblestream piped up. “What is it?” she asked impatiently. He raised his chin, “Spies report that Daisyspring did …” he didn’t finish his sentence. “For the love of StarClan, what were you thinking!” she exclaimed, putting her icy gaze back on the she-cat. “You weren’t,” Lightpelt growled, “I told you; you were under strict orders not to!”
Pebblestream rolled his eyes at Lightpelt, his sister. She snarled at him, and Pebblestream talked off, flanking Daisyspring.
“What’s that I smell?” asked Riverstar looking at the ferns where the three cats lay hidden. “Tansy,” answered Fishtail, “It grows there well.” He answered the question quickly, as if he knew they were there. “In fact, I need to collect some,” the young medicine cat bounded over, sniffing their hiding place. Brightspirit rubbed against Maplepaw, and then smelling like tansy, “Go,” she whispered, flicking her tail toward the tree, “I’ll meet you at the border.”
Brightspirit sat up, still not visible with all the ferns. Fishtail poked his head into the small, worn down, clearing as soon as the apprentices were out of sight. “Great StarClan,” he exclaimed. “So it is,” Brightspirit said curtly. Fishtail bowed his head, “Why are you here?” Brightspirit twitched her ears, cats always had to know. “Cannot StarClan see their medicine cats?” Fishtail nodded, “But you must have a reason.” Brightspirit nodded, “Your out of Marigold, it grows better in ThunderClan territory,” she placed some o the ground in front of him and padded away. Fading into the ferns.

“Close shave,” mewed Jadepaw as Brightspirit hopped along the trees. “Yes, but I had a good excuse.” Maplepaw nodded, whiskers twitching. Brightspirit flicked her tail, playfully and lead the way back to camp. “I went back as soon as Fishtail went back to camp talking to himself. Riverstar said they were attacking at dawn. Act first.”


“Thunderstar,” mewed Maplepaw standing at the entrance, “Come in, Maplepaw.”
“Riverstar is going to attack camp at dawn,” exploded Jadepaw. Maplepaw eyed her sister curiously; she had decided Jadepaw should tell Thunderstar about RiverClan
“Excuse me?” he said. “RiverClan’s going to attack our camp at dawn,” Jadepaw mewed again, “we have to act first.”

Rockpelt stared at Jadepaw, mouth open. “You can’t believe her!” he mewed, purring in amusement. Jadepaw got right in his face “How about you ask me?” she growled.
Brightspirit nudged Jadepaw a bit hard, knocking her over, “Oh, sorry,” she said flatly.
Since Brightspirit was on visible to Maplepaw and Jadepaw, Jadepaw knew she would look like a fool but she said, “What was that for?” Brightspirit flattened her ears, strangely looking at Rockpelt. “Uh, sorry, I didn’t mean to,” she purred, flattening Jadepaw’s pelt. Rockpelt looked at Jadepaw like she was insane, they flatten his ears in anger, “I’m your deputy,” he reminded her as soon as Thunderstar turned his head to speak with Stripetail. “Well, then deputy, shouldn’t you listen to my problem?”
Rockpelt just looked at her, completely shocked he had the youngest apprentice in ThunderClan had mouthed off. “Not if you don’t ask politely,” he growled.
“Jadepaw! Stop being rude to Rockpelt,” Brightspirit whispered, “I better not warn you again, Thunderstar can see me.” Her whiskers twitched.
“Polite? Who has time to be formal when there are RiverClan cats going to attack camp?”
She yowled.

Stripetail broke off, looking at Jadepaw, “Attack?”
“Yes, you mouse-brain, and if we don’t do something we’re going to have our fur clawed off.” Thrushfeather was standing behind Jadepaw. “What’s the battle plan, Jadepaw?” Rockpelt hissed, still furious. “He’ll get over it,” reassured Brightspirit. Thunderstar snorted, turning to Jadepaw. He shot a glance at Rockpelt and they sat down, in the middle of the clearing, with the sun still bright in the sky.
“Jadepaw, what did you have in mind?” Thunderstar asked.
“Brightspirit told me we need to attack RiverClan first,” she mewed.
“Who’s Brightspirit?” asked Rockpelt. “No one,” teased Jadepaw.
He growled impatiently, glaring at her.
“We need to get all our Warriors ready and head to RiverClan.”
“And,” added Maplepaw, “We can take Mosspaw with us, she can bring some herbs, and Berryleaf can stay for any warriors that come back….early.”
Jadepaw nodded saying, “If they attack at dawn we need to attack before they set a paw in our territory.”
“We attack tonight.” Thunderstar stood up and went to his den with Rockpelt.
“Jadepaw, tell the warriors, Maplepaw inform queens, elders, and you den mates.” Rockpelt mewed, still furious with Jadepaw.
“Sorry,” mewed Jadepaw, keeping her whiskers strait.

Jadepaw dashed to the Warrior’s den. “Warriors!” she yowled, they all woke up, some sitting up other glaring at her. “What is it Jadepaw?” asked Petalfur.

“There’s going to be a battle, Tonight.”

Chapter Thirteen

Spoiler: show

Thunderstar lead his Clan across the river and through the reeds.
Jadepaw and Maplepaw followed behind him, flanking Rockpelt.
“Quite,” he hissed when Jadepaw purposely snapped a twig. Maplepaw purred in amusement, earning a quick glare from Rockpelt.

Thunderstar crouched at away where the reeds parted and the ThunderClan cats could just barely see RiverClan camp in the half-light of the sinking sun.
The entrance to the RiverClan camp shook as a group of cats trotted out. “They won’t even see it coming.” Mewed Jadepaw to Thunderstar, he nodded glancing at the two apprentices proudly, before throwing back his head and yowling the battle cry.
All the RiverClan cats stopped and started looking around wildly. Riverstar padded out the entrance her face shocked. Thunderstar leaped out of the reeds, twelve ThunderClan cats behind him. All pelting down to the outside of camp, Jadepaw kept up with Thunderstar, Maplepaw beside her with Brightspirit.

Jadepaw leaped into the patrol of RiverClan cats. Maplepaw attacked Littlefall, a small apprentice-like warrior. Riverstar was rammed into by Thunderstar and Dustwind took his chance to get Lightpelt. Jadepaw flipped awkwardly off of Puddlestep after going for him. Jaytail lunged for him before the tom could get Jadepaw back. Jadepaw jumped up, and saw her target.
Daisyspring. Brightspirit was waiting beside Daisyspring. Thrushfeather backed away from Daisyspring when he saw Jadepaw. Daisyspring screeched at the sight of Jadepaw; she had thought the apprentice was in StarClan. Riverstar swiftly turned to see the noise and looked from Daisyspring to Jadepaw she hissed at them then jumped back into battle.
Jadepaw pounced on Daisyspring’s back, raking hit with her claws. The she-cat tried to turn over but Jadepaw held fast. She then swung over to face the warrior, claws in her shoulder to hang on. Jadepaw’s paws hit the ground and she let go of Daisyspring’s shoulders. Maplepaw came around and claws her tail, making a screeching noise as she got bowled over by a RiverClan cat.
Moonpaw was struggling under Whitepool. She kicked up her backs legs, throwing off the heavy she-cat. Whitepool, injured, limped back into camp as fast as she could with Daisyspring behind her. Jadepaw whipped her head around; Thrushfeather was tackling Lilyfoot; Lightpelt was scraping up Dustwind; Rainpaw was making a apprentice, Fogpaw, run back to camp; Ant-tail was on top of Featherflame; But, Thunderstar was giving Riverstar something to yelp about. Yarrowpaw decided to attack Jadepaw at that moment. She turned around and ducked as he tried to slice her ears. Jadepaw flattened them and bit down hard on his shoulder, he clawed her chest. Jadepaw torn away, she nipped his tail, Yarrowpaw turned around, swinging his head so fast, Jadepaw smacked him in the face with some claws. He yowled, running back into camp.
Maplepaw was kicking off Icetail, a clumsy warrior. Icetail slipped as Maplepaw jumped off her back causing Maplepaw so jump even higher, acting as a spring. Maplepaw landed in front of Dustfur. The she-cat attacked and Maplepaw had barely enough time to get to her paws. Dustfur ran to Maplepaw, but slid on the frosty ground. Maplepaw ducked, tucking herself in. Dustfur slid right over Maplepaw, and the apprentice stood up as soon as Dustfur was over her. Dustfur crashed into RiverClan camp, staying there.
Owlflight had sent another tom back, and more cats were fleeing. Moonpaw limped away with Rainpaw supporting her; she was to cut to fight anymore. Thunderstar was still with Riverstar. She ducked, knocking him off balance, and Riverstar pounced on him. Thunderstar raked her face; she hit his back and tumbled off. Riverstar went limp after giving him another battle wound and he returning. She lay on the ground, cats still fighting, oblivious to their leader. Riverstar had stopped breathing and lay in peace; she had lost a life. All RiverClan cats stopped fighting, they had lost the battle. Thunderstar flicked his tail and yowled victory, ThunderClan cats yowled also, and followed behind as he lead the Clan back to camp.
“Another lost,” mewed Brightspirit

Chapter Fourteen

Spoiler: show

“Did we win?” asked Robinpaw who was waiting in the clearing with Eclipseclaw. Sunpaw bounded over and they waited until every cat that had been in the battle sat or laid in the clearing. “Yes, we won,” sighed Moonpaw contently. Thunderstar nodded to Rockpelt. “Camp is just as you left it,” the deputy reported. Thunderstar nodded slightly and turned to the cats,
“You all fought bravely, I’m proud of my Clan.” Berryleaf trotted out of her den with Mosspaw and Icepaw behind her. “Now, who wants some?”

Maplepaw made a face, “Ouch, Mosspaw that stings.” Mosspaw shook her head, “And it will keep stinging until I’m done.” Jadepaw stifled a yawn, it was Moonhigh and she had been up since dawn. Robinpaw and Sunpaw wanted all the details.
“Was Lightpelt there?” Sunpaw asked.
“Yes,” Jadepaw answered.
“Was Daisyspring shocked?”
“Yes.”
“Did Eclipseclaw fight well?”
“Of course.”
“He’s probably thinking how he fights like his mentor,” snorted Robinpaw, once Sunpaw had walked off. Jadepaw nodded peering over at Moonpaw, “I bet she’s going to get her Warrior name tonight.” Robinpaw pricked his ears, “I’m not surprised,” he mewed. Jadepaw replied, “Yes, she fought extremely well, Dawnfur is proud.”
Robinpaw flicked his tail over at Thunderstar, who was speaking to Dawnfur a few fox tails away from Moonpaw’s hearing. Jadepaw’s eyes glowed, happy for her Denmate. “I wonder what her name shall be?” she mused, tail twitching. “It looks like we’re about to find out,” Robinpaw looked up at the Highrock where Thunderstar was standing. Warriors were already there and the queens come out to see what was going on. Jadepaw flicked her ears at Moonpaw beckoning her and the three went to the Clan meeting. Thunderstar yowled the official words for a Clan meeting, making the elders poke their head out of the ferns.

Thunderstar jumped off the Highrock and mewed, “Dawnfur are you satisfied that Moonpaw is ready to become a Warrior?”
Dawnfur dipped her head in, “I am very satisfied.”
He nodded, “Moonpaw, step forward.” She obeyed quickly, eyes shining in the moonlight.
“I, Thunderstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in turn. Moonpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?”
“I will,” she promised sincerely.
“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Moonpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Moonstream. StarClan honors your intelligence and obedience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan.” Thunderstar padded up to Moonstream and placed his gray muzzle on her head. Moonstream gave his shoulder a lick and joined the warriors, sitting down by her former mentor, Dawnfur/
“Moonstream! Moonstream!” the Clan shouted.
Brightspirit added her unearthly yowl to it also, only Moonstream noticed though. Her eyes sparkled as they landed on Brightspirit but she said nothing, closing her eyes.
The StarClan warrior walked up to Moonstream and mewed, “StarClan approves.”

Chapter Fifteen

Spoiler: show

Dawnfur glanced warmly at her former apprentice from the warrior den. The first rays of started shining through the trees. “Dawnfur shouldn’t you tell her that the vigil is over?” Dawnfur jumped, glaring back at Stripetail. “I am going-” she trailed off when she seen Thunderstar speaking to Moonstream. Moonstream nodded and padded to the warriors’ den. Stripetail walked out with Rockpelt and Dawnfur showed Moonstream her new bed. “We made you this last night,” mewed Rosethorn, sitting up. Moonstream plopped down without any words and fell asleep.

All cats that had been on night patrol were asleep except Rockpelt who looked tired than ever. “I’m not tired,” he hissed at Eclipseclaw; she snorted. “’Come on everyone, just because we had a battle doesn’t mean we can’t get up!” Most of the warrior’s stalked out of the den. “Eclipseclaw, Stripetail, Sunpaw, and Featherflame, will go out on Dawn patrol which should’ve already gone out, except someone was still sleeping.” Rockpelt glanced at Featherflame. “Dustwind lead a hunting patrol. Owlflight lead the Sunhigh patrol, and I’ll lead the Night patrol. Pick three cats,” Rockpelt jumped down from the Highrock and went to the Warrior’s den. “Oh now you’re tired?” teased Eclipseclaw Rockpelt lashed his tail at her, making her laugh. “Okay well, guess I’ll lead the patrol,” the cats bounded out of camp. Dustwind sat down, “You better eat,” he flicked his tail at Sunpaw. Sunpaw nodded picking up a vole, sitting down by Dustwind.
The hunting patrol went to see what the forest had while Owlflight poked her head in the apprentices’ den. “Jadepaw,” she prodded the tabby’s side. Jadepaw sat up, yawning, “Morning already? Maplepaw wake up,” Jadepaw nudge her sister’s side: an almost invisible lump in the corner of the den. Maplepaw got up stretching, and they walked outside. Thrushfeather walked over to them, “We’re going to do some easy training today; the battle must have worn you out. Maplepaw shook her head, bouncing on her paws. Jadepaw just gave Brightspirit a look, a: you better help me out, look. Brightspirit gave a mrrw of laughter and came to stand between the sisters. “Okay! Great then, we won’t wear you out too much, because I’m bringing you three on patrol.” She led the way out of camp, with Maplepaw beside, Thrushfeather walked behind with Jadepaw. “Are you ready for some climbing?” he mewed. Jadepaw’s eyes light up, “Climbing sounds fun, but why do we have to do it? I already know how.” Thrushfeather shook his head, “The only thing you could climb is that sapling that just started growing. You have to know how to climb; it is essential in a cat’s nature, especially with getting out of trouble.” Jadepaw sighed, not want to argue. Brightspirit had disappeared and they had to climb trees.

“Here we are,” mewed Owlflight standing in front of a sapling. Thrushfeather rolled his eyes and turned around, “Here we are.” Owlflight whipped around, “I think the only thing they could climb is that,” she snorted, padding up the maple tree. “You think you could climb this, Maplepaw?” Maplepaw nodded, catching that it was a maple tree. She unsheathed her claws, and jumped up, digging her back claws in the tree and climbing upwards. “You’re a natural,” Owlflight looked impressed; she could barely climb trees if her life depended on it. Thrushfeather shook his head, “Loosen up in the back claws, I keep getting hit with bark.” Jadepaw shifted on her paws, “Can I try?” Thrushfeather nodded as Maplepaw jumped down. Jadepaw tensed her muscles, preparing to jump. She pounced, unsheathing her claws while she jumped, Jadepaw scrambled up but then fell. She sighed, excepting to get it right the first time like Maplepaw. “Unsheathed your claws before you jump, and then dig your front claws in, but lightly; we’re to trying to pelt Thrushfeather in bark.” Owlflight mewed.
Jadepaw climbed up and up until she reached the nearest branch. Jadepaw breathed heavily proving that climbing was too much. “Come down!” called Thrushfeather from the base of the tree. He started climbing up and Jadepaw shook her head. “I can get down.” Jadepaw jumped down, bracing herself. “Be careful!” Thrushfeather mewed. Jadepaw almost landed perfectly. She landed on her front, left paw, bending it awkwardly. “Ouch,” Jadepaw limped away from the tree shaking her paw. Thrushfeather dashed over, “Is it broken?” he asked. She shook her head, “Thorn.” Thrushfeather looked over her paw, sure enough there was a huge thorn stuck in it. He sighed; “I better get you back to camp. Owlflight maybe you and Maplepaw should do some more training before patrol.” Owlflight nodded, and Maplepaw looked at her sister carefully. “Okay,” she sighed. Owlflight mewed, “We’ll do some hunting, Sunhigh isn’t far away.”
“Ow,” Jadepaw yanked her paw away from Mosspaw, “That hurt!” Mosspaw shook her head, “It’s going to hurt if you don’t stay still.” Berryleaf trotted in with a mouthful of herbs. “Wosspaf,” she set down her herbs, “Mosspaw, what did I tell you?” Berryleaf glanced at the thorn. “Oh, right,” the apprentice jumped up and hurried toward the back, she came with three poppy seeds. “Eat these, then we’ll yank it out.” Mosspaw nodded when Jadepaw bent her head to lick them up. “Ready?”

“No, you’ve got to stalk it more like this,” mewed Owlflight, showing her again. Maplepaw narrowed her eyes and tried again. “Good, except you forgot to unsheathed your claws,” Owlflight sat down. Maplepaw looked at a sparrow and decided to try again. She disappeared into some bracken. After a loud noise and a bird call Maplepaw set a black bird down. “The sparrow got away,” Maplepaw sat down. “Nice catch,” her apprentice beamed, “Except,” Maplepaw sighed, “You let the bird make a loud noise. We won’t be catching any more birds today. So, stalk silently.” Owlflight got to her paws and added, “Let’s go to the stream, maybe there will be a mouse or two there. Greenleaf’s almost up, so we better get fat while we can.”

“No, I think I’m good.” Jadepaw took her paw out of Mosspaw’s reach. “Give me your paw!” Mosspaw struggled to get it and Berryleaf was behind Jadepaw, now, and carefully pulled out the thorn. Jadepaw jumped and glaring and Mosspaw, said, “Thanks Berryleaf.”

Thrushfeather stood up, “Well that took long enough: it’s almost Sunhigh, dawn patrol should be here soon.” As soon as the words were out Eclipseclaw jogged through the gorse and bramble tunnel. “Miss me?” she narrowed her eyes at Rockpelt, and he went back in the Warrior’s den. Featherflame rolled his eyes and went straight the fresh-kill pile. Nothing was fresh. “Thought it was called fresh-kill for something,” he mumbled. Dustwind came into camp with his cats, jaws full of fresh-kill. “Not much,” he mewed, “But it will have to do.” two mice, one squirrel, and a bird.
Owlflight came out from behind the nursery, lecturing Maplepaw on hunting. “Yeah, okay. Yup, I’ll remember that. Okay, Owlflight.” Maplepaw looked up at the sky, “Oh StarClan, help me.”
Jaytail came into camp nodding at Icepaw’s non-stop chatter; her mentor was sick. “Okay Icepaw! How about you get some fresh-kill and add that vole?” She nodded quickly and bounced over to Maplepaw and Jadepaw. “How was training?” she asked Maplepaw, “Good, I caught a black bird and Jadepaw got a thorns tuck in her pad.” Icepaw giggled, mewing, “Rosethorn is famous for those. Grayfur said that when she was an apprentice she got a thorn stuck in her ear and her tail and brambles stuck to her back. Thunderstar thought of the name, and apparently, everyone laughed at her warrior name for the longest time.” Maplepaw purred in amusement, and Jadepaw just sat there.

Rosethorn then came into camp as she had been their little spy for RiverClan, with Gingerpool. “What in the name of StarClan is wrong with you?” Gingerpool demanded. Rosethorn’s eyes shone with displeasure. “I have to go.” Rosethorn limped to Berryleaf’s den.
“How was training?” mewed Rockpelt, eyeing Jaytail warily. Jaytail had been a warrior for a while and was still not trusted with an apprentice, but why? Jadepaw wondered.
“Icepaw is extremely enthusiastic.” He replied carefully. “And did that hinder you?” Rockpelt cocked his head. “No,” Jaytail’s tone was icy. Rockpelt lashed his tail in warning, “Watch it.” He turned around and went to Thunderstar’s den. “And I thought I had problems with Rockpelt!” Eclipseclaw mewed in amusement. Jaytail’s gaze was serious, “You have no idea.” He sat down, gouging the ground. Without a word Jaytail got up and pelted out of camp, as if he has forgotten something. Jadepaw and Maplepaw exchanged glances. And Icepaw seemed to not notice. Thrushfeather looked over Jadepaw, as if he knew something about her father that she didn’t. “Don’t worry about him,” Thunderstar’s voice woke Jadepaw out of her thoughts. “I’m not worried,” she lied, glancing at Thunderstar. “Very well,” he turned to Owlflight then looked at the tunnel. “Oh, um, yes, Thunderstar,” Owlflight mewed swiftly, “Let’s go.” The Sunhigh patrol got to their paws and headed out the gorse tunnel. Jadepaw stopped at the entrance and looked back at Rockpelt, who had followed Thunderstar out of his den.
He met her gaze steadily, “Patrol?” Jadepaw cocked her head and turned around to follow Thrushfeather out. “That was risky,” chided Maplepaw. “It’s just Rockpelt, he wouldn’t do anything.” Jadepaw’s eyes blazed with fierce ambition t find out what was going on in her Clan. But the words Maplepaw had said echoed in her head, Rockpelt might do something, Thunderstar, the Clan, might want to prevent Jaytail's obvious 'problem' from spreading toward the other Clans, from her finding out, from the rest of the Clan finding out....

Jaytail pelted down the moorland, covering up his scent with tansy. He stopped, looking around, “Why did my paws lead my here?” he asked out loud. “I don’t know.” A voice said sharply.

Chapter Sixteen

Spoiler: show

Jadepaw looked back at the camp trying to shake off the sinking feeling. Thrushfeather fell in step behind her. “Look, Rockpelt and Jaytail have had problems for a long time,” he mewed. Jadepaw nodded, probably since they were apprentices. “Even before Rockpelt become deputy, so just ignore it.” Thrushfeather blinked comfortingly at her. Maplepaw came to walk beside Jadepaw, blinking at Thrushfeather, who nodded and walked up in the front with Owlflight. “Where do you suppose Brightspirit is?” Maplepaw sighed. “Somewhere she’s needed, mostly likely,” Jadepaw mewed
She sighed; “Maybe we just need to focus on our training a little more than Brightspirit.” Maplepaw gasped, “What? Not focusing on Brightspirit? But she,” Jadepaw flicked her tail over Maplepaw’s mouth, “I know, but I only said a little.”

Brightspirit sat on a flat rock a fox tail off the ground. She watched Jaytail dash through WindClan moorlands. “Why did my paws take me here?” Jaytail mewed aloud. “I don’t know,” a voice mewed behind him. Jaytail jumped spinning around to face the cat. “What in StarClan’s name are you doing here?” It was a WindClan warrior.
“Swiftheart,” he breathed a sigh of relief. “You really shouldn’t be here, Jaytail,” she went on, “What if Shadowwhisper had caught you here?” Swiftheart had sweet eyes but he knew her better than that. Jaytail rolled his eyes, “We’d be crow food.” Swiftheart laughed, “You’d be crow food, and then he’d take you back to camp prisoner. And then,” she smirked, “Thunderstar would fight to get his cat back, then all ThunderClan cats would blame you for their battle wounds, except the apprentices, they would love you for it.” He purred, “Well you have it all figured out. Tell Runningpaw I said hello.”
Swiftheart flicked her ear as in ‘don’t go there’. “Ah, it’s time to go,” Jaytail licked his Swiftheart’s ear with affection and padded away. “I won’t tell Windstar!” she mewed loudly. He flicked his tail in acknowledgment, “I won’ tell Thunderstar.” Swiftheart snorted, “You better not.” Jaytail pelted off WindClan territory, trusting Swiftheart to cover up his scent. He washed the WindClan scent of his pelt quickly trying to get every smell off. Jaytail trotted into ThunderClan forests and caught a rabbit to take back. He started walking towards camp but any icy chill stopped him. It was nearly Leaffall but this was Leafbare cold. Jaytail stopped watching the ground turn blue beneath his paws.
“You’ve given up that life, Jaytail, move on,” Brightspirit’s voice echoed in his head. Jaytail growled, walking on, but never got anywhere. “You must accept it,” she urged again, “Move on, Swiftheart is fine.” Jaytail looked down; his eyes filled with disappointment, and watched the ground turn back to its color.

Jadepaw crouch sniffing the border ground slowly and tasting the air. “I don’t smell anything, except.” She tasted the air again, Jaytail. “What?” Thrushfeather picked his ears, “Oh, nothing, just a mouse.” Jadepaw shivered, he was clearly convinced with her white lie.
Maplepaw gave her a look just a ‘why?’ look that made Jadepaw feel all the more guilty.
Why was Jaytail here?

<~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*>

I would like to give a special thanks to
Swimmergal20+ for helping me with names and the plot,
and MissGnomie for approving. Thank You!

<~*~*~*~*~*~*>

Thanks for reading!
If you would like to be contacted every time I update just ask.
However, you can always Subscribe to the thread, this makes
it much easier for me. If you subscried please say so in your post!

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_____________________

The Gathering is over
For now

[springerspaniel]

thats cool!!

[swimmergal20+]

AWESOME!!! It's great!!


But I read once where Sandheart was Sandstorm. Just a FYI.

[kathryn236]

Are you sure, swimmergal? I looked but didn't find it,
please tell me if you find any other mistakes !

I'm so sorry about not getting Chapter Two up yesterday. My computer was acting up.
CHAPTER TWO! It's up.

Thanks for reading.

[springerspaniel]

i would like to be added to the vm list! nice!!!

[swimmergal20+]

It's even better!!

Right here, in the first chapter:

Quote:

Over the next moon Meadowlark retired to the elders’ den, Rosethorn finally moved out after being forced by Berryleaf and Sandstorm also moved back into the warrior’s den.

Unless I missed a name...? IDK

I didn't see anymore!!

[kathryn236]

Chapter Four is up, Warriors Fans.
Please post your thoughts on this chapter, it's the longest.
And if you know anyone who likes Warriors please tell them

~Jadefur

[swimmergal20+]

I think this is the best one yet!! Good job!!

I know of some people who like it. I'll link it.

[kathryn236]

Thanks for the support, Maplepelt!
Sweet! I hope I get more than 2 people reading it! xD

[swimmergal20+]

Yeah, I posted in the Warriors club. I hope that gets people to read it!!