Reedstar's Journey

Prologue
The leader looked at his clan, his claws unsheathed and covered in blood. His hazel eyes glaring intensly at the tom he had just killed. Kicking the body aside angrily, Reedstar hopped through the forest, hissing loudly as he encountered a Shadowclan she, her ash-black fur stained in blood and dirt. "You won't be getting past me." She hissed as she struck the tom with her thorn-sharp claws.

Dodging the attack, the brown tom swiped his paw at her. "Lay a claw on me and you won't be leaving Stoneclan alive." He growled back, his hazel eyes narrowed as he beared his sharp teeth. "It was foolish for you to come here, Mirage!" Reedstar shoved the she into a rock, the edge digging into her shoulder as she hissed in pain and fear; desperately trying to escape. "I will never forgive your cats, they took her life! When you could have taken mine!" He growled, pushing her into the rock harder so she began to cry loudly, he could hear the teeth in her collar begin to decay and fall off of the orange collar.

"Again, it was his orders!" She meowed, staring at him, panting. The blood ran from her mouth and onto the grey rock. "You wouldn't do this." She stared at her again.

He held up his paw, claws unsheathed and then he looked at her, those green eyes. Filled with fear. "Go." He looked at her, sheathing his claws and pushing her aside.

"Reedstar, I honestly expected more from you." She looked at him and ran into the forest. With a grumble, Reedstar curled his tail around his paws and stared at the lake. HIs hazel eyes reflected the water, and his auds were up. The forest was quiet as he looked back at all the Shadowclan cats, lying dead in pools of blood on his territory. Closing his eyes, he kicked a white cat, the body hitting a tree and remaining completley emotionless.

Chapter 1
Huh?

Reedkit lashed his tail angrily, feeling the weight of another cat on his small body. "His eyes aren't yet, Lilyfoot?" A she's voice mewed, the tone sounded slightly annoyed.

"It's no rush, is it, Dawnfrost?" Reedkit's ears perked up slightly and pressed himself closer to the queen.

"He's smaller," A kit's voice perked up, it was the voice of a young tom. He glave a light growl and scrunched his nose. "He's really small." The voice snickered.

"Oh stop, just because he's smaller than you are, Minnowkit, he's younger than you are." The she scolded ad Minnowkit hissed under his breath.

Reedkit opened his eye slowly. ''I'll show him, I'm small. So what? ''Reedkit looked at the blurry surroundings, feeling slightly frightened. Blinking his eyes, he rubbed his head with his large paw, another paw batted his ear gently, the weight on top of him.

''Oh, dear. Beechkit. ''

His fur bristled and he looked up at the tan she above him. He felt the bedding of moss shift under his paws, then suddenly woke with a start. "Reedkit! You opened your eyes!" A grey tabby she with clear, soft green eyes smiled warmly at him. Dawnfrost raised her head, slowly narrowing her her amber eyes and looking back at her own kit, licking his head with her rough pink tongue.

"Let's get out of the nursery!" Beechkit mewed hurriedley, tugging on Reedkit's brown fur with her teeth. "Come on, come on!" She mewed before Thorntooth quickly scolded her. "Well, are you coming?" She whispered, batting her paw angrily at his tail. "Reedkit, don't you want to go outside? And explore the camp, meet the clan, oh, come on!" She dragged his brother out of the cave's entrance. He yowled, and kicked out his hind legs clumsily.

"Alright, alright. Just, stop dragging me around," He wriggled out of her grasp. ''Mousebrained she-cat. ''He thought, his fur bristled and he scrambled to his paws, wobbily walking towards the cave. He squinted his eyes, the sunshine dappled his reed-brown fur. I can walk by myself. With a motherly mew, Lillyfoot picked up Beechkit and Reedkit by their scruffs.

"And where are you two going?" She raised an eyebrow and looked at her kits. Beechkit only smiled, and looked at Reedkit, his irises were slits. "Did I say you could go outside?" She mewed.

"Oh, Lillyfoot. Let the two go outside. They know well, I assure you, they probably wouldn't step off the boarder." Dawnfrost smiled, looking at Reedkit and Beechkit.

"Alright, Dawnfrost." Lillyfoot replied, her eyes shone brightly. "Beechkit, stay with Reedkit. I don't want you two getting seprated. And please remember to stay on Stoneclan territory." She gently let her kits down. "Beechkit, please do me a favour. Straighten those whiskers! Reedkit, groom your fur please, it looks like you just came out of a moon long training session!" She joked, scrunching her nose and a small smile appreared on her face.

Reedkit smiled, looking at Lillyfoot, then back at Beechkit. "Goodbye, we will be back before sundown!" He mewed and looked at the camp.

There was a large pill of freshly killed rodents and animals in the centre of the camp, he was licking his jowls, feeling drool drip from the corners of his mouth. He quickly campered to towards a den, the one closest to the nursery. He slowly padded in and watched a tom pick up some leaves and place them on a injured cat's large wounds. He watched in awe, as the injured cat flicked her tail and smiled weakly at the medicine cat tom. Walking out, he met Beechkit who was turned the other way, her ears flicked up and her tail lashing wildly. "What?" Reedkit asked, his eyes glazed over as he looked where Beechkit was looking. "Oh," His eyes narrowed to see she was watching two apprentices, a golden furred she and a flame-red tom. The two were throwing themselves over each other, springing into the air and the she wrapped her paws around the tom's neck.

"It's Honeypaw and Flamepaw." She breathed in awe as Reedkit rolled his eyes, scraping his small claws against the dirt ground. The flame-pelted tom rolled up and turned his head towards Reedkit and Beechkit, nodding his head at the golden-pelted she.

Chapter 2
Reedkit lashed his tail nervously as the two apprentices walked closer. "Hello," the tom smiled, his green eyes shone softly as his ears flicked lightly.

"Hello!" Beechkit mewed before Reedkit could open his mouth. "I'm Beechkit, and this is my brother Reedkit." She dipped her head to the apprentices.

"Flamepaw and Honeypaw." The golden pelted she smiled, bowing her head to the two kits. "First time out of the nursery, correct?" Beechkit nodded and looked over at Reedkit, who nodded slowly then looked down at his white toes. "Well, if it's your first time, today will be your first adventure." She smirked at Flamepaw, who gave a dangerous smile back. Reedkit gave a small gasp, as Beechkit pushed past him, a large smile on her face.

"Yes please!"

"Then follow us." Flamepaw flicked his paw towards the High Rocks, nudging Reedkit and Beechkit along. Reedkit's brown-red fur bristled angrily. ''Only Lillyfoot can shove me around. Not a mousebrained apprentice. ''He hissed in his head, shoving away from Flamepaw with a sharp turn. "Oh, come on Reedkit! Don't be the mousebrained spoiler!" He hissed playfully, scrunching his nose.

His irises turned to slits and his nosestrils flared angrily. "I am not a mousebrained spoiler!" He snapped, his small un-developed claws slowly unsheathed. Beechkit gasped and crouched lower to the ground. "And why do you think you can shove me around?" He retorted angrily, his fur bristled so he looked larger, the size of a apprentice.

Flamepaw smirked and quickly nipped at the kit's scruff, and Reedkit let out a shocked yelp, long limbs flailed in front of him as he tried to release himself from the tom's grasp. "Stop!" He gasped, clawing at Flamepaw's pelt, tearing out a small clump of red fur from his shoulder. Flamepaw released his grip, and winced as his pink skin peeked through his fur.

"You are a mousebrain." Flamepaw hissed, staggering upwards and unsheathing his claws.

Beechkit looked at both toms angrily, then flicked his tail at Reedkit. "Reedkit! Run!" She yowled, as Honeypaw quickly stood in front of her, bristling her fur, in an effort to protect the she-kit from the enraged toms. Reedkit gasped, his auds up as he ran into the rocks, Flamepaw right behind him, teeth beared and eyes blazing angrily. Flamepaw snapped at Reedkit's tail, missing by a section. Reedkit yelped, scampering onto the high rocks, breathing heard and looking back at Flamepaw.

Flamepaw smirked, jumping onto the rock behind Reedkit and hoping onto the uneven terrain after him. "Stop, Flamepaw! Stop!" Reedkit sqeaked, jumping onto a large flat rock and hiding behind one, for a moment. He closed his hazel eyes, catching his breath, stomach rising and lowering. He slowly peeked his head out and looked for Flamepaw. ''No sign of him. ''He thought, auds up.

A loud chuckle followed by a deadly hiss eminated from behind a rock and Reedkit gasped. "Found you." Flamepaw hissed, grabbing the kit's scruff.

"Put me down!" Reedkit screeched, wincing as Flamepaw tightened his grip. "Just leave me alone!" He hissed, eyes open wide.

"No." Flamepaw hissed, his eyes scanned the mountians and he quickly gasped, throwing Reedkit down and crouching down, as if bowing. Reedkit hissed, and dusted off his pelt, covered in scrapes and small bruises. "Get down." Flamepaw hissed, his tail lashing in annoyance.

"Stop telling me what to do!"

"No, seriously. Get down." He hissed in reply, fur bristled. "It's Chinook." He whispered. "Chinook of the Mountians." He yanked Reedkit down into a crouch. "H-H-He's leader of the Tribe." His voice trembled.

"Tribe?" Reedkit whispered, his eyes scanned a shadow, creeping closer and closer. "L-Let's just get out of here!" His irises still slits.

Flamepaw hesitated then nodded, getting up from the uncomfortable position. "But we have to hurry." He nudged Reedkit along, fur bristled as the shadow grew larger. "Hurry, hurry, hurr-*" he was cut of by the awful sound of claws against the rocks. The two turned to see a grey tom with black tipped ears and emotionless grey eyes.

"C-Chinook!" Flamepaw immediately dropped into a bow. "I'm so sorry, it was an accident, we didn't mean to come onto your territory!"

What?

Reedkit stared at Chinook, and quickly scanned the rocks behind him, spotting young cats and older cats. He watched as a ginger-and-white she tossed herself onto a ginger-golden pelted she and the two laughed. "Ahem, eyes here kits." Reedkit quickly turned his head back to Chinook. "What were you doing trespassing on my tribe's territory?" He asked coolly. Flamepaw glanced at Reedkit, who shot back a nervous glance. "Well, are you going to stand there like two deer on the Thunderpath?" He hissed.

"N-No, Chinook. We were just 'playing'." Reedkit stammered, glaring at Flamepaw. "We are so sorry, Chinook." He lowered his head in shame. Chinook raised his eyebrow, and glanced at Flamepaw.

"And this isn't a lie?"

"No Chinook." The two toms stammered.

"Get off of my territory. Now. Before I share tongues with Oakstar about this." The grey tom turned and disappeared behind the rocks.

Chapter 3
Flamepaw trudged back to the camp, Reedkit followed behind him. Honeypaw greeted them harshly, her fur bristled as she spoke. "Where were you?" She asked, walking away with Flamepaw. Reedkit looked down at his paws. ''But, but it was my fault. No, it was his fault!'' He thought to himself, angrily kicking at rubble and dirt. "And Reedkit?" He looked up and Honeypaw was glaring at him. "Lillyfoot. She wants to talk to you. I'd recommend you go. Go now." She hissed. Reedkit nodded and slowly walked to the nursery, his tail between his shaking legs.

"Lillyfoot?" He mewed, stepping into the cave, then slowly shrinking back as he saw Beechkit angrily pawing at the cave ground.

"I told you to look after him!" Lillyfoot bellowed, her tail fluffed.

"And I was!" She snapped back, her tan fur filled with sweat and dirt. "I gave you my word, that I wouldn't let him out of my sight range!" She retorted, lifting her nose and turning her back to Lillyfoot. "Hey!" She yelped as Lillyfoot firmly grabbed onto her scruff and picked her up.

Reedkit watched the two bicker from the shadows until a she called out his name, and he quickly froze. "Reedkit?" It was Dawnfrost, the plump queen was licking her paws as she looked up at Reedkit. Foxdung! He thought, quickly stepping out as Beechkit, Lillyfoot and a few other queens gave him quick glances before turning back to their kits.

"Reedkit!" Lillyfoot gently put down Beechkit, who squeaked and ran behind Dawnfrost. "Dear Starclan! I had no idea where you'd gone, or when you'd come back!" She fretted, then touched her moist nose to his pelt. He stuck out his tongue, eyes piercing angrily.

"I was fine." He pushed her away. "I was with Flamepaw." He muttered, licking his paws slowly, keeping one eyes on her, the other closed. "And why were you yelling at Beechkit?" He looked over at his sister, who was playing with the dirt, her head lowered in guilt.

"It was nothing." The two both said at the same time.

"Well, it doesn't matter anymore." Beechkit spat out. "It's all over now." She raised her nose as she groomed her claws, picking out dirt and small rubble. "Reedkit, you look a little, pale." She mewed, getting up and pressing her forehead against his. "I'm sorry, did we scare you? When you came in?" She looked at Lillyfoot. "I'm sorry Reedkit."

"I'm sorry, Reedkit. My deepest apologies, sweetheart." Lillyfoot purred, gently nuzzling his ear.

"It's alright, you two." He looked down, crossing his front paws and sighing softly.

Chapter 4
Soon, two moons passed and Reedkit was sitting in the nursery, licking his muddy paws. He had been playing with one of the newer kits, Finchkit, she was a runty white she and her paws were quite large. She would mewl often and cry when far away from Thorntooth. "She will become an amazing warrior, Thorntooth." He mewed softly to the queen, who was lying on her side, licking Finchkit's head and nuzzling her son Twistykit.

"Reedkit!" His auds flicked to the sound of his name and his sister was standing at the nursery's entrance. He smiled at her, flexing his shudders as he stood up. "Guess what just happened!" She squealed, her brown eyes shone excitedly.

"What?" He asked, putting on an equally excited tone.

"I'm an apprentice now!" She blurted out, the queens and kits all gave her looks.

"Congratulations, my dear." Dawncloud smiled.

"Who's your mentor?" Thorntooth asked, her tail lashed excitedly.

"Duststripe." She replied. "Thank you, Dawncloud." She smiled, bowing her head to the queen. "Speaking of apprenticeship," she turned to Reedkit. "Oakstar says you're ready to become an apprentice too! Tonight, at moonrise or sundown." She smiled.

"R-Really?" His hazel eyes were wide as she nodded.

"Want to go now, 'Reedpaw'? Oh! It's sounds amazing already!" She smiled, twining her fluffy tail around his skinny one. "Lillyfoot is already there, the whole clan is practically waiting!" She mewed, her brown eyes shone brightly. He suddenly stopped at gave her an upset look.

"The whole clan?"

"Yes, why?"

"No reason." He looked down and saw Lillyfoot, sharing tongues with Oakstar. The massive dark-brown Tom nodded his head, amber eyes shone dully as Lillyfoot spoke.

Chapter 5
Reedkit looked at Lillyfoot and smiled. "Hello, Lillyfoot, Oakstar." He dipped his head in respect.

"Good evening, Reedkit," Oakstar smiled, looking at him with shining eyes. "Are you ready?" He asked, glancing at Lillyfoot, who was licking her paws, her pink and black pads were rough from the stones.

With a quick nod, Reedkit followed Oakstar. "Reedkit, are you excited?" The leader asked, aud flicked as the buzzing mosquitoes buzzed around his head. The kit nodded again, but lost focus to a she cat. Her silky pelt was tinted a dark shade of grey, her violet-blue eyes slowly peeked towards him and his tall ears turned red before plastering down to his head.

"Who's that?" He asked, feeling the tingling burn in his cheeks as Oakstar turned his head an looked at the she.

"Reedkit, that's our new apprentice, Nightpaw. I'm surprised, haven't you ever seen her in the nurser-*, never mind. She would stay with her grandmother and father in the elders den." He nodded. "Yes, that's the kit." He muttered then proceeded to the highest rock, bowing his head to a she standing beside him and them looking at the clan. "Stoneclan! May I have your attention please?" His voice rang thorough the mountains. "Thank you," he dipped his head as the cats turned their heads towards him, sitting down.

"I'd like to welcome Reedkit up here with me today." He flicked his tail towards Reedkit and the brown Tom slowly padded up to beside him. "Reedkit, you have been with us for six moons now. Tonight, you will begin your training. Your mother is loyal to Stoneclan as a honest, brave queen. Your father, Whitefeather is a brave, strong warrior. May you tread in your fathers paw steps." Oakstar looked at Reedkit, his eyes reflected the moon that was high in the sky. "Reedkit, until you earn your warrior name, your will go by the name of Reedpaw and apprentice of Ravenfoot. If you are not successful, I will remove you from Ravenfoot's mentoring custody."

Reedpaw nodded, his eyes glistened.

"Reedpaw, Reedpaw!" The clan chanted and Reedpaw gave a nervous smile, puffing his chest out. He turned his head to a gentle nuzzle on his shoulder. "Oh hello!" He turned to see a black she-cat with a white dipped tail and paws, her ivy-green eyes were full of excitement.

"Hello, Reedpaw. I'm Ravenfoot." She smiled. "I'm going to be your new mentor!" She smiled, long tail lashing slowly. "We will begin Tomorrow." She mewed as she bowed her head.

"Alright," Reedpaw replied. "I'm very excited! I've been waiting my whole life for this!"

She nodded, watching as Lillyfoot and Beechpaw slowly walked up, Beechpaw grinning her devilish grin and Lillyfoot, with her kind amber eyes looked down at her soon. "Reedpaw, I'm so proud of you," Beechpaw purred, resting her chin on his head and licking him softly.

"We all are." Oakstar mewed, nuzzling Ravenfoot. "Oh, Lillyfoot? You did tell me, you wanted to chat with Reedpaw? After his apprentice ceremony?" Lillyfoot nodded, not saying a word in reply.

She opened her mouth, grey fur dappled in the dim moonlight. "Yes, I did." She looked back at Reedpaw. "Reedpaw, come with me. Beechpaw, you stay here please." She instructed her daughter as she sat between Oakstar and Ravenfoot. "Reedpaw," She began to walk down the rocks and turned behind the Elder's Den.

"Yes, mother?" He smiled. "You're proud of me, right?" He asked, tail lashed excitedly as his paws scattered in happiness. She nodded.

"Yes, Reedpaw, I'm proud. But I have something else to tell you; just please don't get upset." She sat down, tail curled around her forepaws. His ears dropped and he sat down slowly in front of her. "Reedpaw, it happened when you were very little. I saw you, you were in the river in the middle of Leaf-Bare. You could have drowned. I quickly jumped in and saved you, even though you were never my son." She sighed. "You are not my son, Reedpaw. You are adopted."

Reedpaw sat in front of her, shocked, he could feel tears stinging behind his eyes and he quickly unsheathed his claws, feeling strange doing so. "What?!" He hissed. "W-Why do you tell me now? I might have wanted to know, sooner?! Maybe?" He barked, teeth beared. "After six moons, you finally tell me, why hasn't Beechpaw told me? Or Dawncloud? Or Oakstar?" He questioned angrily.

"Reed-*" She was cut off by a quick, sharp smack along her face with his tail. "Reedpaw! Wait!"

"I'm done waiting." He hissed in reply, trudging through the camp, eyes piercing angrily as warriors and apprentices stared at him.

The black she from the ceremony looked at him and jumped in front of him. "Reedpaw, isn't it?" With a strong shove, Reedpaw sent her to the ground, and she hissed lightly. "What was that for?" She snapped, getting up and dusting the rubble out of her pelt. "Reedpaw! What gives you the right to do that? Or are you just a foxheart?" She asked before walking away.

"Get away from me!" He whipped his head around and nipped at the she's fur. The she gave a yelp of surprise and pulled away, feeling the throb of fur that was missing. "Dear Starclan, I'm so-*" he started before the she ran away, running into the Medicine Cat den.

Chapter 6
"Reedpaw? Did she tell you?" The voice of a familiar she cat sounded and Reedpaw shook his head, angrily staggering backwards.

"Out if my way!" He yowled, standing on his hind paws and pushing her backwards it's his forepaws. "Just like that other mousebrained she, Nightpaw." He grumbled, walking past the she as she rubbed her elbow, where there was a small cut. The red blood was visible on her light pelt in the moonlight.

"Reedpaw! What has gotten into you?" Only her head was able to make out. "What's gotten you so upset? The mosquitoes? The cold breeze?" She suddenly stopped. "Oh, yeah, you're adopted. You just figured that out, didn't you, kit?" Beechpaw asked, her tone sturdy. "Well, it's not the clans fault." She pointed out and Reedpaw felt his face burn in embarrassment. "It isn't my fault. It isn't Lillyfoot's fault, nor Oakstar's or Ravenfoot's or Nightpaw's or Tangledpaw's or Dawncloud's fault or-*" She was cut off by an annoyed moan.

"I get it," he hissed. "My not-sister." He stuck out his tongue and dug his claws into the earth.

"Well, I know you aren't!" She snapped back. "But you're acting like a foxhearted mousebrain, right now." She spat. "You're being a jerk!" She added, springing up, her figure visible as she leaped up, and pinned down the apprentice. "But Reedpaw," she started before being kicked off.

He froze, an a tear rolled down his cheek. The anger in him has disappeared and he realized what he'd done. "B-Beechpaw, I'm so sorry,"

She was licking her small wound, wide-eyed. "Reedpaw, it was just so unexpected from you. I've never seen you, so, so."

"Enraged?" He finished her sentence and the she-cat nodded slowly. "I know, it's just, I'm upset how no one has ever told me before." He sighed as Beechpaw wrapped her long tail around him and purred soflty into his ear. "I'm, just so u-upset!" His bottom lip trembled as he leaned on his sister.

"It's okay, it's okay." She whispered, her paw on his back. "Reedpaw, it's okay." The warmth in her pelt flamed furociously and Reedpaw listened to the steady sound of her heart beat. The camp was silent, the moon was high. "Reedpaw, let's get to the cave." She smiled. With a weak smile, Reedpaw looked at her, silver tears rolled down his face.

"Okay, but I have to do something first." He nodded, shaking the tears out of his long, thin whiskers. She nodded and proceeded to the den. "Nightpaw? Nightpaw where are you?" He looked for the she-cat.

"Reedpaw," She replied, she was sitting in front of the medicine den, and a cobweb was attached to the patch of missing fur. Her tone of voice was emitionless, and Reedpaw couldn't figure out if she was happy to see him, or not.

Chapter 7
"Hello." He padded over to her, looking at her deep violet eyes. "Reedpaw? What happened earlier?" She asked, pawing at some rocks on the ground before looking back up into Reedpaw's hazel eyes.

''Foxdung! ''He hissed under his breath, and flicked his ear to the sound of a mosquito. "I-I was just frustrated. I found out that Lillyfoot is only my adoptive mother, and that she found me at the boarder. And some she-cat or tom had tried to drown me, by leaving me in the small brook over there during the middle of Leaf-bare." He glanced down at his paws and blushed slightly.

Her jaw hung open and she looked at Reedpaw with sorrowful eyes. "Oh, Reedpaw." She extended her paw towards the apprentice. "That's horrible!" She whispered as he nuzzled her fur. "Do, do you know who your mother was?" She asked, auds pressed down. His face turned a hue of red as she nuzzled him back gently, her black fur vibrant agaisnt his red-brown. "I'm sure we will find out someday." She smiled weakly, her tail fluffed as she got to her paws.

"Where are you going?" He asked, watching as the she walked past the apprentice dens.

"Oh, I live with the elders, and my father Brackenfur." She replied. "Goodnight, Reedpaw." Her fur dappled a light shade of grey in the dim moonlight.

"Goodnight." He purred back, heading towards his den. "Huh?" His fur bristled as a young tom walked out with another. "Who are you?" He stepped back, looking at the two toms.

"Pretty, ain't she, Windpaw?" The taller tom with the dark-tortiseshell pelt sighed, looking at the smaller tom with a light grey pelt and dark tabby markings.

"Excuse me," Reedpaw said louder.

"Yeah, Runningpaw, she looks like a nice one." The grey tabby replied. Reedpaw growled, realizing they were looking at Nightpaw.

"Windpaw, it's not about their personality. It's about their looks." The tortiseshell replied, then glanced over at Reedpaw. "Oh, hello. You're Reedpaw, aren't you?" He smiled. "The one who had their ceramony just a few hours ago." He looked over at the grey tabby. "I'm Runningpaw, this is my little brother, Windpaw." Windpaw smiled nervously before turning around and sitting down.

"Yes, I'm Reedpaw." The tom raised an eyebrow. "What are you two doing out here?"

"We could've asked you and Nightpaw the same question." Windpaw mewed back, his green eyes scanned the camp. "Well, if you must know, we were told to spread the word about the Boarder Patrol next moonrise." He explained. "It's alot of apprentice's first time out on patrol, but this will be our second." He smiled at Reedpaw. "This will be your first time correct?" Reedpaw perked up and nodded.

"Yes, I'll go tell my sister." He mewed in reply. "Goodbye Runningpaw, Windpaw." He smiled. ''What nice apprentices. ''He thought to himself as he walked to his den, the smell of clammy paws and sweaty fur filled up the small enclosed cave. His eyes glowed as he nestled himself beside Reedpaw. "Until tommorow, Starclan...." He yawned.

Chapter 8
''"Reedpaw! Wake up, wake up, wake up!" ''The sound of his sister woke him up and he angrily propped himself up on one elbow. "You're awake! Finally!" Beechstep was sitting on the other side of the cave, tearing at a plump rabbit that was sitting in front of her. "Here, eat." She pushed the dead rabbit towards him. He shook his head, pushing the rabbit back to her.

"Not really hungry." He muttered, closing his eyes, his tail fluffed impatiently as Beechpaw hissed softly. "I ate last night,"

"You did not." She retorted, pawing at Reedpaw's swishing tail as he pulled it away angrily. "Apprentices cat eat without permission." She recited what her mentor had told her. "And, we have to get ready. The patrol is only in a few tail shakes!" She mewed worriedly, gently clawing his back. With an annoyed grumble, Reedpaw rolled his eyes and stood up.

"It's morning though," He smirked. "See? The sun isn't completely up yet!" He chuckled. "You're mistaken, Beechpaw." He rolled onto his back and stretched his tense shoulders. With a angered moan, Beechpaw latched onto his scruff and dragged him out the cave's entrance.

"The sun is going down mousebrain," She hissed. "So, you're mistaken, Reedpaw. Let's go!" She pulled the tom to his feet and ran into the undergrowth, Reedpaw following behind slowly.

"I don't understand." He yawned.

"You slept alot last night, you were quite tired when you finally arrived. Then you cried yourself to sleep, began asking questions to yourself; and you were talking to some one in your dream." Beechpaw jumped over a fallen tree, auds flicked slightly as she jumped onto some decaying leaves. "Here we are." She smiled, looking at the twoleg fence, apprentices and the Boarder Leader.

"You're late." The grey-black tom growled, his almost-white eyes pierced angrily, "Get in line, you worthless apprentices." He barked and the two quickly squeezed between Windpaw and Nightpaw.

"Hey," Nightpaw whispered, smiling at Reedpaw.

"Hi," He smiled back, his face bright red. "I didn't think you'd be here." He looked down, hazel eyes flashed happily.

"Of course! I may be a medicine c-*"

The tom growled and scraped his claws against the rocks. "Silence, you two in the front!" He hissed, his tail lashed angrily.

"Sorry, Ravenseer!" Nightpaw dipped her head, eyes blazing angrily at the tom. "Continue." She growled.

Reedpaw walked out slowly, watching as the apprentices lined up and bowed their heads at the tom who was talking. "Tonight is probably your first times on patrol." He said loudly. "You will not go onto other clans, you will not go onto Twoleg territory, you will not let anyone on Stoneclan territory! Have I made myself clear!"

"Crystal clear, Smokestep!" The apprentices said back in unisin.

"Repeat your rules!" Smokestep padded silently around them, his grey pelt was invisible against the unlit forest.

"Don't go onto other clans, no going on Twoleg terriotory, let no one in!" They repeated again.

"Now let's go!" Smokestep growled as the apprentices walked past him slowly. "He scares me." Reedpaw could hear the a apprentice whisper to another.

Nightpaw sat by the border, glancing over to the cats on her apposing sides; Umbrapaw and Reedpaw. Reedpaw looked to his other side and smiled at his sister, who was standing straight and tall, her claws unsheathed as she licked her jowls."Excitied?" Nightpaw called to Beechpaw. The she nodded back and stared at the border. "First time, isn't it?" Nightpaw meowed. Beechpaw looked at her and nodded again.

"I've wanted to be a warrior, ever so badly!" She meowed and looked at the twoleg house nearby. "Who do you think lives there? A kittypet?" She wondered aloud. "I want to go check it out!" She whispered and crept towards the house.

"Beechpaw! No!" Reedpaw hissed and ducked after his sister. "Beechpaw! We're going to be punished!" He shivered thinking of feeding all the queens, or grooming the elders.

"Smokestep won't figure out." She laughed, looking at the fence. Taking a gulp, she unsheathed her claws and tore a hole in the flimsy wooden fence. Slowly, she slinked through the hole, looking at the house strangely. "A twoleg den! It's so bright!" She meowed in awe, looking at the luminated house. She jumped into a bush, watching as a twoleg walked through the house, sitting at a table. "A twoleg!" She gasped, watching as a white she pounced on a table and nudged the twoleg's arm. "What is she-*?" She looked strangely at the she, walking closer to the twoleg place but a red beam appeared and began to buzz loudly. "Help!" She tried to get out but was surrounded by red beams and the awful sound.

"Beechpaw!" Reedpaw meowed loudly, jumping through the hole in the fence. Finding his sister, he lowered his auds and pasted them to his head, grabbing Beechpaw's scruff and dragging her out. "What were you thinking?" He growled at her, as she looked down at the ground. Umbrapaw looked at them nervously, and then looked at Nightpaw.

"What was that?" The smoke-grey tom was standing above them, his eyes full of anger. "What were you doing? Our second rule?" He growled at them, looking at the whole in the fence. "Did you make that hole?" Smokestep growled louder, his blue eyes full of anger as his fur bristled. Beechpaw nodded slowly, her tail between her legs. "And you, Reedpaw! You broke the rule as well." Smokestep hissed at the tom. "Our rule: Do not go on Twoleg territory! And what did you mousebrains do?" Beechpaw opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by the angry warrior. "You went on Twoleg territory!" He hissed. "I told all of you not to, didn't I?" The grey tom turned to the other apprentices. They all nodded, looking at each other nervously. "What punishment if fitting?" He looked up, thinking.

"Search the elders for ticks!" Umbrapaw called out.

"Change all the moss in the warrior den!" Redpaw smirked.

"Make 'em feed the queens!" Larkpaw meowed.

"Silence!" He scolded the three apprentices. "I choose changing all the moss in the warriors den." He smirked. "You'll be lucky if it takes you until moonhigh tommorow." He smirked as he walked away.

Chapter 9
"Reedpaw,this is all your fault." Beechpaw hissed as she kicked the fluffy moss towards the dens entrance. "If you hadn't told me not to go there, it wouldn't have happened." She glared at him as she picked up fresh moss in her jowls and dropped it on the stone ground. "If you hadn't gone onto Twoleg territory," She started before Reedpaw shot her an annoyed glare.

"It was as much my fault as yours." He hissed and dragged in some fresh moss, his auds pressed against his head as Beechpaw stuck out her tongue, she was frustrated. Angry. "Beechpaw," He dropped the moss in the other corner of the cave, not daring to go near her. "Beechpaw?" He mewed louder, looking at his paws as she walked past him, dragging the moss behind her and glaring. "I, okay, it was my fault. I was foolish, foolish as a kit and I didn't mean to get you in trouble to."

"Really, mousebrain?" She snapped back, her brown eyes reflected Reedpaw's face. "You could have told Smokestep that," She muttered and dropped the moss, coughing and shaking the dust off her tan pelt. "We could be playing with Flamepaw and Honeypaw right now, or I could be with Petalear, training." She hissed, and stopped to lick her paws. "Wait, what's this?" She stared at a small blue coloured mark on the cave's ground. "Reedpaw?" She turned to him. "You are knowledgeable about the clan, what's this?" She mewed, showing him the print. Reedpaw groaned and looked closely at the marking and turned his head, seeing a yellow one. "They're everywhere!" Beechpaw mewed, pawing at a red-brown one.

"That's Bloodmask's paw print." Reedpaw looked at the paw print his sister was observing. "You can tell because of these." He pointed at the small dots under the print. "She had two apprentices, one mate and two kits." He mewed and walked to a purple-blue one. "Fleetflight, the decreased deputy of Stoneclan. He had two mates, four apprentices and one kit." He smiled as his sister gave him a confused look.

"How, how did you know?" She studdered.

"I don't know, I just feel like I know it from somewhere." He shrugged. "Let's finish this, shall we?" He mewed and padded to a pile of moss, picking it up and tossing it out the cave's entrance.

Chapter 10
Beechpaw and Reedpaw came out of the den, both coated with dirt and moss. "You finished?" Smokestep was sitting outside the den, his eyes blazed as he peered inside. "Not bad, for a first time." He growled. "You two won't be going on patrol anytime soon." He glared at them as he walked towards the kill pile.

"Dear Starclan, how long were we cleaning that den?" Beechpaw yawned and curled up outside the den. Reedpaw looked at her and yawned, closing his eyes and rested his head in in paws. The two only rested for a few moments before there was a small noise from the shadows. Beechpaw's auds swivvelled up as she gently touched Reedpaw with her tail. They both looked sleepily up at the white-footed black she. "Ravenfoot?" They both mewed sleepily.

"Hello." She bowed her head and looked at them. "I heard about your little stunt, you two." Her green eyes were merely visible. "Going onto Twoleg territory."

"We know what happened." Reedpaw muttered. "Is it time for training yet?" He sprung to his feet and glanced at his sister who was with Petalear.

"Yes," She nodded and urged him to follow her to the sandpit, where the two would train until Reedpaw became a warrior.

"I'm ready." The tom nodded, unsheathing his claws as he licked his jowls. 'I'm ready, anyday.' He thought as he smirked at his mentor.

"Can you defend yourself?" Ravenfoot smirked as she unsheathed her claws, darting into the undergrowth. Reedpaw looked around wildly, his claws unsheathed as his auds flicked up, listening for the small noises from the shadows. The she suddenly sprung up through the undergrowth, her auds pressed against her head as she pinned the tom down, and nipped at his scruff. "Are you ready to give up, kit?" She taunted. "You aren't a good fighter, you'll never beat mee."

"Never!" Reedpaw hissed, kicking her off with his long hind legs and ramming her into a tree with his head. "I am going to win!" He cackled, raising his head and latching onto her black scruff, flinging her a fox-length away. "But are you ready, to give up?" He hissed, slowly linking towards her, licking his jowls. He was so keen on winning the battle, his sweet, honest personality was buried deep inside of him. The she got up and shook her head, smiling.

"Reedpaw, you are a skillful fighter but you lack sympathy." Ravenfoot explained. "I could have attacked you maybe because I needed to get something from off your clan border. You could have struck an innocent cat for nothing." She explained, her green eyes full of anger. "Do you understand?" She said quietly.

"Yes, learn to control my anger." He mumbled, staring at the wet mud under his paws. "Sorry." He blurted out. "I just haven't ever fought and I see Flamefur and Honeypool doing it all the time!" He argued. "I learn a lot from them, and they'd never let me fight! I don't know why, do they not like me?" He watched as Ravenfoot nodded slowly. "What do they see in me that's different?" He closed his eyes.

The she looked down, her paws shuffled in the dirt. "I don't know what the see in you, are you a skilled fighter?" He nodded nervously. "Are you younger?" He shook his head.

"Beechpaw is younger by a few moonrises. That's what Lillyfoot told me." He shrugged. "But I don't think it's a top priority to talk about right now." He muttered.

Nodding, Ravenfoot looked at him. "Have you ever hunted before?" She smirked. Reedpaw smiled and shook his head. "Then today will be the first time you have a freshly caught rabbit." She dove into the undergrowth.

"Wait!" Reedpaw mewed, following his mentor into the forest. Raising his nose, he sniffed for traces of animals. Crouching down he licked his jowls. "Vole." He smiled and watched it as it scampered around in a circle, squeaking softly and eating a large blueberry. He slowly crept up behind it, unsheathing his claws and pinning its head down, the vole scrambled from Reedpaw's grasp and hissed, running into the tall grass. "You aren't getting away from me!" He smirked, chasing the vole into the undergrowth, in determination. Stopping, he sniffed the air to pick up the rodent's scent. Catching it, he saw it on the Thunderpath. Looking at it angrily, he stared st the vole, who was sniffing the black road. "Wait!" He called as the vole stood up on its hind legs and ran to the other side of the Thunderpath. "You aren't getting away from me!" He mewed, looking at the rodent, it was tiny in the distance but still visible. He pushed off the the grass and stood on the Thunderpath. With his auds up, he heard a loud noise. "No!" He saw a red mechanical monster behind him. With his auds pressed against his head, he closed his eyes tightly.

In a flash, Ravenfoot grabbed his scruff and sprinted off the Thunderpath. The monster passed by them quickly, the air filled with a grey smoke. Reedpaw coughed and stared up at his mentor, her green eyes blazing with anger. "What were you thinking, mousebrain?!" Ravenfoot hissed, staring harshly at the apprentice. "Because of some puny vole you put your life at stake?" Her fur was bristled as she hissed in anger.

"Ravenfoot, you don't understand!" He replied in an equally angered tone. If Ravenfoot wasn't one of his clan members, or mentor, he wished he could tear her apart.

"I understand plenty." She hissed and padded into the undergrowth, leaving the brown apprentice alone at the Thunderpath's side. With a deep growl, he turned and stared at the vole, it was on the other side of the path and quickly scrambled into the grass.

"What is she so mad about?" He muttered and sat in the shade of a large oak. His auds pressed against his head as he scanned the forest. Quiet. Motionless. He let out a sigh and closed his eyes slowly, tired and hungry,training was hard and his muscules ached. "I was starving, yet she doesn't let me grab a small vole." He continued to mutter angrily. He yawned and rested his head on his paws, drifting into sleep.

Chapter 11
When Reedpaw awoke, the moon was high. "How long have I been asleep?" He groaned and blinked a few times.

"Reedpaw?" A worried voice sounded. "Reedpaw, it's Beechstep." With a puzzled look, Reedpaw peeked down.

"Beechpaw? You're a warrior now?" He mewed excidedly.

"Yes, just before sundown." She smiled, but it quickly turned to a frown. "Where have you been? Have you been here since the end of your training session?" He saw her worried expression and looked down.

"Yes." He replied, slowly shrinking down towards the tree. "Because I was mad, at Ravenfoot." He explained. "I was hungry, so I went towards the Thunderpath to catch a vole. But I was almost hit by one of the monsters, it was red and very loud. So she, umm." He hesitated and shook his head. "It doesn't really matter." He tried to walk away before Beechstep grabbed his scruff, urging him to continue. "Fine," He grumbled and gave her a devilish look. "So, she risked her life to save me." He muttered, the his auds perked up. "Wait, she risked her life? For me?" He realized he was being a foolish mousebrain and he shut his eyes tightly. "Is she at the camp?"

Beechstep nodded slowly. "She was worrying about you all day. She was thinking you got killed by another monster. Or a rogue. Or any of the strange animals lurking through the woods." She tried to keep her voice steady, as she shivered slightly. "Come on, Oakstar is quite disappointed." She said sternly, her light-tan fur was vibrant against the dark woods.

Reedpaw looked back at the Thunderpath and then back at Beechstep. "Reedpaw?" She mewed softly, walking towards him and licking his coat. "Your ceramony is tonight, you're becoming a warrior." She exclaimed, her brown eyes met his as she smiled.

"Really?" He darted away from her and looked at the camp. "Let's go!" He mewed excidedly, jumping over the fallen trees and bushes, determined to get back to the camp and become a warrior. "Finally!" He laughed but was encountered by a large black tom. "Shadowface." He hissed and flicked his tail at the large tom, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Reedpaw," The black tom growled back, his claws unsheathed. "You had the edge to come back?" He smirked and pounced into the air, pinning down the brown tom. Reedpaw stared at Shadowface with anger and kicked him off with his powerful hind legs. Shadowface shook his head, watching as a few drops of the crismon liquid escaped his mouth. With a quick slash of his thorn-sharp claws, Shadowface knocked the apprentice into a nearby tree, laughing wildly. Reedpaw yelped in pain and glared at Shadowface.

'I will not loose, I will not loose.' He repeated in his head as he got up, his body aching as he looked over at Beechstep, her face frozen with a stunned espression, she was slowly backing away. Reedpaw glanced at her and frowned. "Beechstep, go!" He hissed as Shadowface knocked his head into the brown apprentice's back. With a loud screech, his hazel eyes met the warriors and he clawed the blace tom's face. Shadowface glared at him, his teeth beared, nostrils flared and the claw marks on his face only made him look more intimidating. "What are you trying to gain?" Reedpaw stood tall, scraping his claws agaisnt the earth. "You can gain no pride in hurting me!" He growled, crouching lower to the ground and circling Shadowface. The black tom immediately sprung up and grabbed Reedpaw, tossing him into the unlit forest.

Beechstep stood, her eyes wide and she hissed loudly, jumping into the fight and sinking her teeth into Shadowface's flank. The tom merely yelped and kicked off the she. She landed on a jagged rock and stared at Shadowface. "No one, touches my brother!" She screeched and ran towards the tom, ramming him into a large tree. "Hurt him, and you'll have to get through me, you foxheart." She hissed and continued shoving him, hearing a loud crack. The tom screeched in pain and whiped his head around, grabbing Beechstep's scruff and tossing her into the undergrowth. The she shook her head and got up, running as fast as she could through the forest, but Shadowface was still right behind her, his jowls open and he grabbed onto her tail. "Just, just leave me alone!" She hissed, her brown eyes flickered with anger. "You unworthy rogue!" She taunted and unsheathed her claws, backing up onto the Thunderpath. "You don't deserve to go to Starclan! Not even the Dark Forest!" She screeched and her auds went up.

"Your time, is up." Shadowface muttered as he crouched low to the ground, suddenly unsheathing his claws and shoving Beechstep onto the Thunderpath. He ran to her and pinned her down, smirking. "For you, and your weakling brother." He gave a dangerous smile and began to pad off the path.

"No!" Beechstep hissed, grabbing his tail and dragging him onto the path, in front of a nearby monster, the large, bright lights blinding them both. "Just for me!" She closed her eyes tightly as the monster roared by, she screeched loudly as the large wheels ran over her back, leaving large black marks on her pale-brown pelt. Her blood spilled onto the path, and she lay with a frozen espression of fear on her face, beside Shadowface, who was completely flattened, blood everywhere. It was over. The two cats, both completely motionless, only the soft wind that was blowing through the treetops sounded.

Chapter 12
Reedpaw slowly got up, his mouth was bleeding and he was covered in scars and dirt. "Beechstep? Shadowface?" He mewed, looking for the two cats.

"Reedpaw!" A familiar voice called. "Reedpaw!" He turned to see Nightpaw, who was sitting on a rock, close to the Thunderpath. "Reedpaw, what happened?" She looked at him, her violet-blue eyes filled with sorrow. "What, what happened?" Her voice shook as she urged him to sit beside her.

With a groan, he walked over beside Nightpaw and gasped. His heart pounded so loud he could hear it, and he stared at Nightpaw. "Nightpaw, I, I don't know." His eyes met the two cats, and he raced onto the path. "Beechstep!" He cried as he raced over to her, touching her ear with his nose, waiting for her to move, do something. "Beechstep, is dead." His bottom lip trembled as Nightpaw gave his a weak smile, but turned her head slowly. "And Shadowface." He mewed, he didn't like the tom, but he felt horrible for their deaths.

"Your sister, was a great warrior. She was like my sister." She mewed softly. "Shadowface, attrcious, yet having a heart of gold. I'll miss him." She mewed.

"Why?" He snapped, his claws unsheathed as she said her final words. "He was a brutle, mean, cold-blooded, heartless mousebrain!" He screeched.

"What?" Nightpaw's ear's flattened. "Shadowface was my brother." She muttered.

Reedpaw sheathed his claws and looked over at her. "I'm sorry, Nightpaw, I should've known before saying such a thing." He licked her ear before she whipped her head around and hit the apprentice with her long tail. "I'm sorry!" He repeated louder before running back to the camp, then bumping into a white she.

"Watch where you're going!" She hissed and stared angrily at Reedpaw.

"Finchpaw! I-I'm sorry!" He backed up as she tilted her head and walked away slowly.

"It's alright." She smiled and disappeared into the undergrowth. "Ah, Oakstar wants to see you." She mewed before disappearing again. "He's in the Elders Den." She added.

Reedpaw nodded and slowly walked towards the camp, scanning the forest to find Ravenfoot. Finally spotting her, he slowly padded around her, sneaking behind the kill pile. His tail slightly touched the unsteady pile and it topled onto the brown tom, it was smelly and he gave a quick squeak of suprise. "Help!" He mewed, pushing a large rabbit off his back. A few shes and toms rushed to help, but none of them was Ravenfoot. He coughed as he swallowed some fur and shook off the animals on top of him. "Thank you." He bowed his head towards the cats. He slowly glared at Ravenfoot, who was mewing at Smokestep. With a shake, he procedded to the elder's den, pushing the vines out of his way. "Leader Oakstar?" He meowed softly, looking at the elders slowly. Brighteyes sat calmly beside the leader, who was nibbling at a large vole. Adderfang and Hazeldream were muttering something to eachother, occasionally glancing at Oakstar and Reedstar. "Leader Oakstar?" He repeated, standing a little taller.

"Oakstar, the apprentice is here." Brighteyes mewed.

Chapter 13
"Reedpaw," He said slowly, his voice was harsh, and his eyes emotionless.

"I didn't do anything!" He blurted out, and the elders all slowly looked at him. In embarassment, he sat down, his auds pressed down. "Yes?" He gave a small smile.

"I believe you've been causing Ravenfoot, stress." Oakstar continued. "She claims you could have died. Because you were foolish enough to go onto the Thunderpath?"

"Seems like Beechstep and Shadowface were foolish too then." Reedpaw protested. "Both, died late last moonrise." He coughed. "I'm sorry, Oakstar. I truly am. But I don't feel like I'm meant to be her apprentice." He mewed.

With a suprised look, Oakstar stared at him, and rested his chin on the apprentice's head. "Reedpaw, what you did was foolish, you are going to be transferred to be Amberstrike's new apprentice. Along with Runningpaw." He stood up and left the elders den. "You are free to leave." He grumbled.

"Yes," Reedpaw lowered his head and followed the leader out the entrance of the cave. "Goodbye," He mewed to the elders before he turned the corner and looked for Ravenfoot. "Ravenfoot?" He called. "It's Reedpaw."

"Reedpaw?" Honeypaw was standing behind him, a large ferret in her jowls. "Are you looking for Ravenfoot?" She dropped the ferret in the kill pile and stared at the brown tom. With a quick nod, he stood beside her.

"You know where she is?" He mewed desperately, his eyes filled with hope as his tail flicked side to side slowly.

"In the Medicine Den."

Reedpaw bowed his head. "Thank you Honeypaw." She smiled at him and walked the oppitite direction.

The apprentice slowly padded into the den, and saw Ravenfoot leaning over a small apprentice. "Ravenfoot?" He mewed softly. The black she didn't look up, she was staring at the apprentice in shock. "Ravenfoot?" He repeated, and the she quickly glanced at him, standing up slowly. The small apprentice shook and coughed loudly.

"Don't worry, mother is here." Ravenfoot cooed, licking the apprentice's head. "Reedpaw." She turned to him. "I'm sorry, I'm no longer your mentor. You are now with Amberstrike and Runningpaw." She mewed, and turned back to the apprentice. "This is my daughter, Quickpaw." She moved slightly to show Reedpaw the small grey tortiseshell. "She might die." Ravenfoot breathed. "She has whitecough, and it's becoming greencough." She stared at Quickpaw and back at Reedpaw.

"Warrior Ravenfoot?" A quiet voice sounded, and a small flame coloured kit with a white underbelly and paws looked up at her. "I brought some moss, it's cold." He was holding a large spongey moss in his jowls and he rested it on Quickpaw's forehead, and she shivered slightly.

"I-It's cold." She coughed.

"I know, but it will lower your fever. Orangeleaf will be back with some tansy. Hopefully, that will treat it." He mewed, quickly running out of the cave. He soon came back with the brown she, who had the small stock of it in her jowls, the small yellow buds only visible in the dark cave.

"She will be alright, correct Orangeleaf?" Ravenfoot questioned nervously before the calico she plucked some of the buds off the stem, crushing them in her mouth.

"Quiet, Ravenfoot. She will be alright." Orangeleaf replied impatiently.

Ravenfoot's auds flattened and she turned her head to see the small flame-pelted kit, with a white underbelly and clear blue eyes. "What's your name, kit?" She smiled warmly as the kit rolled onto his back.

"Ashfeather calls me Firekit." He mewed in reply. "She found me beside the Thunderpath, I could have been a fresh kill!" He shuddered and looked back up at Ravenfoot. "Honeypaw is my sister." He mewed matter-of-factly.

"I'm adopted as well," Reedpaw grinned at the kit. Firekit quickly padded over to the brown tom and purred against his leg. Firekit gave a loud yawn and rested his small head against Reedpaw's forearm. "I..I'll take him back to the nursery." He nodded at Ravenfoot and Orangeleaf, gently picking up the kit by his small scruff. His fur quickly bristled as something touched his leg. He whipped his head around and stared at Quickpaw. "Yes?" He mewed.

"Please stay." The grey she spoke between coughs, her green eyes shone softly.

"Stay?" He echoed. "Most cats don't seem to enjoy my company." He looked down as he rested Firekit against his side.

"I do, Reedpaw." She smiled warmly, her tail lashed slowly as she spoke. "Adderfang, the warrior who had his ceramony never seems to talk to me. Or some of the other apprentices and kits. The only cats that have talked to me in the past moon are you, Orangeleaf, Ravenfoot and that she, Finchpaw." She mewed and closed her eyes. "That poor she-cat, always being picked on." Her auds twitched as she shrunched her nose. "A few of the older apprentices pushed her into the ice-cold stream, then pulled her out while she was wet and weary. They began tearing at her white pelt, and left her there by the stream's side, alone."

Reedpaw looked up quickly. "She's having her name changing ceramony today." Quickpaw said.

"Quickpaw, it's been lovely sharing tongues with you, but I have to get to my training session." Reedpaw stammered, slowly getting up, Firekit in his mouth. "Goodbye Orangeleaf, Ravenfoot." He glared sharply at Ravenfoot with his hazel eyes. "I should be getting to Amberstrike." He smiled at Orangeleaf. The calico she scrunched her nose playfully and began to look through some herbs laid on the cave's floor.

Chapter 14
''"Reedpaw!" ''A low voice called out. Reedpaw turned his head to see a light-brown tabby with large teal eyes. "Hello." He dipped his head in greeting.

Reedpaw bowed back slowly, but hid the gasp that ached in his throat. The tom looked almost identical to the tom, except for the markings and blue eyes. "Hello, you are?"

"Runningpaw." He smiled. "I'm your new training partner." He mewed excidedly. "Oh, who's this?" He looked at Flamekit.