Reedstar's Journey

Prologue
''Our clan. It's in danger. ''The words ran through the warrior's mind as he looked at his kits. The young kits nuzzled beside him and shivered in the cold, snow began piling up at the cave's entrance. "There isn't much I can do for them, Foxwind." He sighed, looking out the cave's entrance, all he could see was white. White had never seemed so dark before, nor so scary. His eyes began to water with tears of joy as one of his young kits opened his eyes, blinking several times. "Welcome to Snowclan, my dear." He smiled as the kit reached up with it's small paw, pawing at his pink nose.

He waited in silence for each to open their new eyes, and each one sucessfully did the same. The three opened their eyes and began to circle the dark cave, occasionally rolling onto their backs, before they would scramble back to their small paws once again. "Oh, Foxwind would be proud." He looked over at the flame-furred she, her white muzzle stained with blood from a battle that had happened just moments ago. "I hope that rogue doesn't come back." The tom purred, nudging his mate with his nose.

"Me too." The she winced, her sapphire blue eyes gingerly opened as Wolfpool licked the corner of her eye. She raised her head and watched as her young grey tom pinned the white she-cat down. "Wolfpool, where did our little brown tom go?" Her spine ached as she scanned the cave.

"Right there," He replied, whisking his tail at the kit's back. The kit gulped and began to wail.

"Wolfpool! Look at what you did!" Foxwind hissed, using the little strength she had to stand up.

Wolfpool stared at her with wide eyes, and bristled his fur. Turning his head, he watched as the blank, white snow hit the ground. "We have to leave this cave." He told her. "We are the only ones left." He poked his head out of the cave and shivered as the snow hit his forehead. The figure of another cat stood still in the distance. "Foxwind, we have to leave this cave." He repeated, watching as the she-cat rolled her eyes.

"Stop worrying, my love." She smirked, nuzzling her grey kit. "It might just be another Stoneclan Cat," She shrugged. "They come very close to our terrotory sometimes. That one cheeky apprentice is always hunting on our territory and stealing from our kill pile." She chuckled, looking down at her kits. "Ill name this grey one Snailkit, because his markings resemble to the ones on a snail's shell. I will name our ginger-and-white she Foxkit and the brown-ish red tom," She looked down. "Wolfpool, you name him." She winked, not knowing her mate was stressed and on his toes.

"Foxwind, you aren't listening." He whispered, irises were slits. "There's someone out there." He picked up two of his kits and ran out of the abandoned nursery, the clan seemed to be, abandoned. The apprentice den. Empty. The warriors den. Empty. He shivered as the two kits looked up at him. "I don't understand." Wolfpool looked the other direction, ears swivelling in both directions, trying to capture the sound of the wind. A hollow yowl came from the nursery and the tom ran back inside, looking at a white she-cat, her collar studded with teeth and brown-red eyes piercing. ''It's her again. ''The tom thought, his back arched. "Oh no." He peeked in, Foxwind lay limp in a pool of blood beside Snailkit. "No, no." Tears blurred his vision and he ran the other direction, the wind howled in his ears.

His two remaining kits dangled from his jowls, their limps tucked close into their stomachs. ''Just run. Don't think. ''He told himself, not daring to look back. Wind howled at his ears, the cold air hitting his muzzle with a striking blast. "We might make it." His eyes were locked on the fallen branch across the river. "I'm taking you to Stoneclan." He panted, taking longer strikes, arching his back and extending his paws forwards.

We're going to make it! He smiled triumphantly, hoping he hadn't spoken to soon. He craned his neck, looking back. The mysterious cat wasn't behind him, but what it gone? What if there were more?

Chapter 1
''The smell of molting moss filled the Stoneclan nursery. ''A cool breeze swept through, and Reedkit pressed against his mother's stomach for warmth, shivering. "Lillyfoot, he hasn't opened his eyes yet?" He heard a queen's purr from the far side of the nursery.

"It's no rush, is it Swanstream?" He felt his mother move, and the moss shifted beneath his body. "Beechkit has already opened hers, but she's older. And Minnowkit woke her up." She added with a smile.

"Well, I don't blame him. Minnowkit's been antsy to go out and greet the clan." Another queen pitched in. "Lavenderkit already ventured out, Duststrike told me that she had tried to venture off with her and Bluestripe to try hunting." She chuckled. "Have your kits gone outside yet?" She asked, and Lillyfoot straightened.

She stood up, and Reedkit yelped, falling onto the moss. His eyes still shut, he squirmed to his paws, and his legs began to quiver. Sniffing the air, he followed Lillyfoot's instinct scent. His paws clumsily stumbled over one another and his fluffy kit pelt stuck up. "Lillyfoot?" He mewed worriedly, slowly openining his eyes into a squint. A golden hue shone across the cave's walls, the dark brown bramble glowed a light green-brown. He opened his eyes fully, looking up at the grey she-cat, her markings were dark grey and her paws were splashed with white. "Lillyfoot?"

Lillyfoot turned towards Reedkit, crouching down in front of him. "Reedkit! You opened your eyes!" She purred, touching her pink nose to his. "I'm so proud," she added, licking her paw, plastering Reedkit's fluffy red-brown fur down. He purred loudly, sniffing Lillyfoot. His ears flicked up as a tan she-kit pounced up, rolling on top of him.

He yelped, flailing his paws. "Hi Reedkit!" The she mewed. "It's me, Beechkit!" Her brown eyes met his. "Your sister!"

''My sister? ''He thought. ''I haven't met you yet. ''A grin spread on his face as she climbed off, her tail flicking quickly. "How about we go and explore the camp? Meet some apprentices and mentors," Beechkit suggested. "Go get something to eat?" She smiled, shifting from one paw to the other. "All the other kits are going out sooner or later, so let's just go out now!" She sprung onto her hind paws, landing back on all fours with a light thud. "Let's go before Lillyfoot sees us." She whispered, dropping to a crouch and slithering into the shadows.

Reedkit smiled, trotting up after her. He felt a paw press his tail to the ground and he yelped in annoyance. He twisted his head to see Lillyfoot, amber eyes glowing. "Where are you going?" She asked, gently latching onto Reedkit's scruff. She narrowed her eyes, swiftly leaping towards Beechkit and gently whisking her back with her tail. "I didn't say you could." She added, knowing the two were desprate to leave the cave.

Beechkit scambled to her mother's side, curling her tail around her forepaws. "Well, we were going to go outside." She snorted, licking her paw and running it over her ears. "Aren't Lavenderkit and Minnowkit out there right now?" She asked, turning towards a ginger-and-white queen. "Right Dawnfrost?"

"Yes, Beechkit. But they are at least a moon older than both of you." Dawnfrost added, grooming her scruff's fur. "Minnowkit and Lavenderkit is going to become an apprentice in about four moons." She mewed, closing her eyes. "Kits are such hard work. I'd rather be out hunting; the cave is so enclosed and cramped." She rolled onto her side.

With a long silence, Lillyfoot gently set Reedkit on the ground. He looked up. "Really?" His eyes wide, as Lillyfoot smiled back nervously.

"Yes, go have fun." She nudged him forewards as Beechkit squirmed out from under Lillyfoot's tail. "And don't leave the camp!" She added as Reedkit and Beechkit sprinted into the camp. "Stay safe." She whispered, her tail dropped.

Dawnfrost craned her neck, looking at Lillyfoot. "It's hard to let them go the first time, but it will be the best day of their lives." She purred, crystal-blue eyes gleamed. "Get some rest, they'll be back before the sun sets tonight." Dawnfrost nodded, sitting up and spreading her moss bed. "Beechkit is responsible, she can keep a good eye on Reedkit."

Lillyfoot smiled at Dawnfrost, crouching on the moss bed. "I hope you're right, Dawnfrost."

Reedkit stood in awe, looking at the camp. A small breeze whisked through the snowy camp, icicles hung from the cave entraces and crevices of the mountain and rocks. Small patches of grass poked through the white snow. He padded forwards, his nose touching Beechkit's tail tip, as she had instructed. "Is it always Leaf-bare?" He asked, he bristled as the chilly breeze swept past again.

Beechkit shook her head. "Not always," Her paws left deep prints in the snow. "It's just we live closer to the mountains, so it's always kind of cold." She added, suddenly stopping. "Be careful, the ground is iced over." She took slow but steady pawsteps across the sleek ice.

Reedkit nodded, unsheathing his claws and digging them into the ice as he took sturdy steps. ''Just step where Beechkit steps. ''He kept his eyes locked on the tan she-cat. ''Careful. ''He furrowed his brows. "Just imagine running on this." He muttered, yelping as two apprentices skidded past, a warrior following close behind. His paws slipped and he felt onto the ice, freezing his stomach. "Hey!" He snapped as Beechkit latched onto his scruff, dragging him to his paws.

"Sorry!" The flame-furred apprentice called over his shoulder.

"You should be the one saying sorry!" The young dark-grey warrior snarled, his claws digging into the ice, and he halted to a stop. Reedkit stared at them, his face burned with embarassment. What had he done wrong? They were the ones who knocked him over! "You were in the way." He stood up, shaking icy water droplets off his pelt. Reedkit looked at the red apprentice, who pressed his lips together, shuffling from paw-to-paw. "I didn't know kits could be so rude." He snorted, his ears flicked. Beechkit stepped in front of Reedkit, she bristled. Ashwhisker glared at her, his blue eyes blazed with anger, hackles raised.

The golden she-cat rammed her head into the warrior's side, her amber eyes burned. "Get away from them!" She yowled in anger, watching as the tom stumbled, but quickly regained balance. The tom hissed, his fur flattened. Reedkit crouched, looking past Beechkit.

With a grumble, Ashwhisker looked at the apprentice then to Reedkit. "Fine. I'm sorry." He groaned, pushing through Beechkit and Reedkit. Reedkit scrunched his nose, the tom stenched of burning wood. His additude was hardly acceptable for a humble warrior, if he was even. ''Rude. Mousebrained piece of dung. ''He smirked, his puffed out his chest, feeling a false sense of bravery. He wasn't going to let anyone push him around.

"We're sorry." She dipped her head, looking at Ashwhisker. "He's been somewhat restless." She shrugged. "He's usually not like that, but his mother Whispertalon just travelled to Starclan. It's been a moon since her death, but it's shaking him hard." She sighed, looking over at the other apprentice.

He glanced at both kits, licking his wet fur. "Have you two ever tried ice diving before?" He raised an eyebrow.

Chapter 2
Reedkit panted as he trudged up the snowy hill, white flakes stuck to his brown pelt. "Are we there yet?" He stopped, his stomach rising and collapsing. "How much longer?" He groaned, fighting the urge to stop and rest.

The flame pelted tom looked back, his red paws were caked white with snow. "Almost there," He heaved himself up, playfully shoving his muzzle in the snow. "Oh, I never asked you for your names." He purred with a smile.

Beechkit smiled at him, her brown eyes flickered with joy. "I'm Beechkit and this is Reedkit," She flicked her tail towards Reedkit, who gave a small smile back. "We're Lillyfoot's kits." She bristled as a tabby apprentice went sliding down the icy hill. "Who are you to?" Her ears swivelled as she trotted through the snow.

"Honeypaw and Flamepaw." The two apprentices said in unisin, before bursting into laughter. "I'm Flamepaw, she's Honeypaw the buzzard-face." He chuckled as Honeypaw scrunched her nose, swiping at his ear. "Snowytail is my mentor." He puffed out his chest. "She's stronger than any other mentor there is."

"Is not!" Honeypaw retorted playfully.

"Yeah she is!"

The two mewed on, and Reedkit rolled his eyes. ''Such bubbly apprentices. ''He grinned as the two batted at each other, falling into the snow. "Hey! I can see the top!" He mewed, speeding up the hill as he saw the line of apprentices, kits and young warriors. "I'm so excitied!" His tail lashed quickly as Beechkit trotted up behind him. "Look, hey Minnowkit, Lavenderkit." He looked at the two kits, his smile widened.

"Reedkit! You opened your eyes!" Lavenderkit smiled, lifting a paw. He nodded back, puffing his chest out.

Minnowkit rolled his eyes. "We opened ours at least four moonrises ago." He smirked, preparing to go slide down the ice. The warrior watching over nudged Minnowkit forewards, curling his tail around his white forepaws. "I'm ready, Panthertooth." He raised his hindquarters, swinging his tail around quickly. ''It sticks up like a twig. ''Reedkit snickered. ''A big, grey twig. ''He kept in his laughter.

Panthertooth nodded, his amber eyes flickered. "Here are the rules: claws unsheathed at all times, in case you have to come to a quick stop; use your body to steer; and keep your eyes out for clanmates and rocks. I haven't had any injuries yet, and I don't plan to." The warrior flicked his tail, and licked his sleek, black fur. "Whenever you're ready." He nodded towards Minnowkit. Minnowkit nodded, unsheathing his claws and pushing off the snow with his strong, hind legs. It was slow at first, but he began to slide down the ice, quickly transfering from a seated position to his stomach. His thrilled mew began to die away as he turned a corner. Reedkit stared at Panthertooth, then back to Minnowkit.

"Go, Minnowkit, go!" Lavenderkit yowled, rearing up onto her hind paws.

"Hush, Lavenderkit." Panthertooth scolded, his eyes locked on the kit. He stood up, flicking his tail twice. The kit replied with a swift flick of his tail. "Alright, he's made it down safely." He gave a sigh of relief. "Who's next?" He mewed, looking at the small crowd of kits and apprentices.

Reedkit sprung up, his paws flailed in the air. "Me!" He called out deprirately. "Me please, Panthertooth!" He pleaded, his ears pressed down. Panthertooth narrowed his eyes, and nodded his head slowly.

"Alright, but let me go over the...." He was cut off by Reedkit taking a running start, skidding down the ice. "Wait!" He growled, claws unsheathed in anger. "One of you, try to stop him." He ordered three cats: Stoneshore, Smokebelly and Snowdrop. "He's going to get hurt," He added with a growl. "That mousebrained kit!"

Beechkit gave a look of horror, her jaw hung open. "I'm coming too!" She kept her eyes locked on Stoneshore. "I have to come, he's my brother. If he gets hurt, I'm the one to blame."

"It might not be safe." Smokebelly hissed, sprinting down the hill. "You stay here!" He ordered, Stoneshore and Snowdrop followed close behind. The wind roared at the warriors, snow blowing into their fur. "Stoneshore, try to catch up to him!" He yowled over his shoulder, looking at the white tom, grey-tinted paws and muzzle stuck out against the brisk snow. "Snowdrop, do your best to get him off the ice." He narrowed his eyes as the she-cat sprinted along side Smokebelly, before spreading herself onto the ice, slithering down through the trees.

Reedkit laughed as the ice reflected the sun, and he was picking up speed. "Yeah!" He felt the wind rustle his fur and he squirmed as snow hit his muzzle. His hazel eyes widened as he looked at the river, it was getting closer and closer. Unsheathing his claws, he tried to dig into the ice, but it was too late. He had lost balance, splashing into the mountain water. He flailed his paws, trying to find something, anything to hold onto so he could drag himself to shore. "Help!" He yowled, the water pulling his under the water. "Somebody help!" He coughed as his head went under, his body shivered and he cycled his paws. ''No! I'm less than a moon! Oh Starclan, help! ''He coughed, spitting out water. ''I can't die yet! ''

''"Don't worry, it will be okay, I promise." ''He opened an eye to see a Starclan cat, hovering beside him in the water. ''"Move your paws, keep your chin up." ''The cat instructed, bobbing beside the kit. Reedkit began to move his paws, as if running. ''"That's very good." ''The cat began to disappear, fading into the mist. Reedkit's yowl rung out as his head surfaced the water.

"I'm over here!" He choked, waving one of his paws as he drifted down the current. He heard a splash and his ears swivelled, spotting Stoneshore. Reedkit tried to paddle towards the warrior, but he was too cold to swim. The tom caught sight of the kit, grabbing onto his scruff and hoisting him onto his back.

"You're safe now." Stoneshore paddled against the current, his ears twitched. Reedkit clung to Stoneshore's fur, his small body shivering violently. "We just need to get your warm, and make sure you didn't catch a cold." He purred, scanning the camp. "Mintdapple!" He yowled out the medicine cat's name. A white she-cat with light green eyes and a black stripe running down her back. "Mintdapple, take this kit to the medicine cat den." He ordered, taking the kit in his jowls. Mintdapple sniffed the kit's flank, gently taking Reedkit in her grasp.

"Don't worry, he'll be okay." Reedkit shivered, his eyes shut tightly. Water clogged his ears, and he could taste the salty water in the back of his thoat. He heard mutters from around him and his tail curled in annoyance. "Don't listen to them," Mintdapple purred, resting the tom-kit on a bed of moss, tucking feathers and leaves around him. Reedkit purred, the warmth of the feathers and leaves tingled his fur. His ears flicked up as Mintdapple muttered to herself, shuffling through leaves with her paws. "Redpaw! Find me some tansy please!" She called for her apprentice. A russet-furred tom looked up, quickly scrambling to his paws and digging his nose through herbs and flowers.

"Tansy, tansy, tansy..." He muttered, nosing at the flowers quickly. "Tansy, tansy, tansy!" He mewed trimphantly, grabbing the flower in his forepaws and tossing it to Mintdapple. "It's not alot, but it's all we have." He warned, quickly tending to another injured cat, placing the stretchy spiderwebs over her bleeding wounds.

"That's my apprentice," Mintdapple purred as she stripped the flower of it's golden buds. "Just take a little," She rested on her side, placing the flowers on a wide maple leaf, and pushing it towards Reedkit. Reedkit looked at the flowers, he knew he had to eat it if he wanted to feel any better. His throat felt tight, but he pulled the leaf forwards, nibbling on the petals. He purred softly, it didn't taste like anything; and it smelled delicious. He finished, his muzzle dotted with nectar. "Good kit." Mintdapple smiled, dragging the maple leaf back and licking her paws.

Reedkit smiled, his thoat felt better, and he rested his head on his paws. His shiver hadn't stopped, his whole body shook. "Reedkit! Reedkit!" He craned his neck to the sound of his name. It was Lavenderkit, Minnowkit, Beechkit, Flamepaw and Honeypaw. "C'mon Reedkit! Let's go and play!" Lavenderkit pushed past the crowd, trying to push Reedkit out of the moss bed. He squealed, eyes widened. The touch of her nose stung like ice to his heart. He was so cold, and her cold paws pressed against his flank.

"Lavenderkit!" Mintdapple growled, her tail lashed low to the ground. Lavenderkit jumped over Reedkit, her ears pressed down. "All of you, please leave. Reedkit needs to rest, and so do the other injured cats." She mewed calmly.

"Oh, alright." Lavenderkit glanced at her paws. "Sorry Mintdapple, sorry Reedkit." She dipped her head to both cats, trotting out the cave.

Minnowkit looked at Lavenderkit, his tortiseshell pelt bristled. "Not like I wanted to see him," He snorted, glaring at Reedkit. "Thanks for nothing. This was a waste of time." He whisked his tail at Lavenderkit's flank. "Let's go," The 'paws and kits followed him out of the cave. Reedkit's ears pressed down and he patted the moss down with his paws.

"Mintdapple, may I stay with Reedkit?" Beechkit stood at the cave's entrance. Mintdapple pursed her lips, then nodded slowly. A grin grew on Beechkit's face and she crouched down beside Reedkit. "You alright?" She purred worriedly. Reedkit could sense her worry, and his whiskers drooped.

"I'm fine, just c-cold." He shivered, tucking his paws under his stomach. "T-The r-river was s-s-so cold." His teeth chattered as he closed his eyes. Beechkit nodded, listening to everything he said. "A-And I saw something," He whispered, leaning towards her. Beechkit stared at her brother, wide-eyed, her tail flicked. "I-I don't want to bore you." He started, opening his eyes and giving her a worried look.

Beechkit replied with a smile. "Go on, you don't bore me." She whispered back. "I want to hear."

Reedkit nodded, his eyes flickered. "O-Okay," He shivered. "While t-the water was pulling me under, I-I saw a t-t-tom, he saved me. He told me how to stay afloat, and his eyes. They were almost hazel, like m-mine!" He mewed, his eyebrow furrowed. "He l-looked familiar. Very familiar." He looked back at Beechkit. "White paws, and a m-magnificent grey p-pelt."

"Intresting," It was Mintdapple. "It was probably a Starclan cat." She winked. "It could've been any cat."

Beechkit nodded in reply, looking at the medicine cat. "That's true." She mewed, her green eyes flickered. "Wait, can Reedkit come back to the Nursery?" She tilted her head.

"Yes, he can. Just stick together, looks like the storm is starting." Redpaw bristled, clamping his eyes shut as ice flew through the cave's entrance. "Careful!" He called out as Beechkit dragged Reedkit to his paws. Beechkit nodded, sheilding Reedkit from the snow and ice that flew at them. She felt her paws slip beneath her, and she quickly sprinted towards the Nursery, Reedkit leaning on her, shivering.

"We're almost there!" Beechkit yowled, watching as the warriors and apprentices sprinted around the camp. She yelped as Smokebelly skidded past, carrying a large water vole in his mouth. "C'mon Reedkit, just a little further!" Her eyes were locked on the Nusery and the two flung through the entrance.

Dawnfrost's aqua-blue eyes shone dimly, her fur spiked up. "Thank Starclan, you're alright. Lillyfoot, they're here!" Dawnfrost mewed to the grey tabby. Lillyfoot raised her head, scrambling to her paws and nuzzling her kits.

"Reedkit, Beechkit." She purred, gently picking them up and dropping them in the nest. "What were you doing out there?!" She growled, curling her tail around the kits. "It's a storm out there! You could've been killed!"

"But we aren't d-dead." Reedkit shivered. "B-Beechkit came to retrive me f-from M-Mintdapple..." He gasped for air. "I f-fell in the r-river." He nuzzled in beside Lillyfoot for warmth. Lillyfoot gasped, licking her kit's head.

"How?" She gasped.

"Well, we went ice sliding with Flamepaw and Honeypaw; and Reedkit forgot to listen to Panthertooth's rules. He went sliding and whoosh! Splashed right into the river!" Beechkit announced, rearing up onto her hind paws and batting at the bramble hanging from the cave ceiling. "But he survived, because a Starclan cat taught him how to swim!" She mewed, rolling in beside Reedkit. Lillyfoot narrowed her eyes, and Reedkit gingerly opened his eye.

"You mousebrained kit." She hissed.

Reedkit bristled. "Sorry." He closed his eyes and rested his head on his paws. A strong chinook ran through the cave, and all the queens sheltered their kits. Reedkit felt Lillyfoot's paw on his back.

"I was frightened when I didn't see you and Beechkit come in with Minnowkit and Lavenderkit. All they said was Mintdapple wouldn't let them in the medicine den." She purred. "We might be in the cave for quite some time." She arched her back, seeing snow whirl through the camp. Beechkit nodded, her eyes gleamed as she trotted to a empty moss bed.

"Mom? Who's sleeping here?" She asked, sniffing the moss.

Dawnfrost padded up beside Beechkit, sniffing the moss bed. Her eyes glazed as she straightened. "It smells like Whitefoot," she exclaimed. "And-" She jumped as a muscular dappled grey-and-white tom scammed through the cave's entrance, panting. "Greypatch!" She ran up to the tom and nuzzled his fur. "Oh, my love I missed you, come, come see the kits!" She purred loudly.

"Dawnfrost, not now," Greypatch bristled, shoving past him. "C'mon Whitefoot," He nuzzled a she-cat; two kits balancing on her back and two in her mouth. Dawnfrost watched in silence, her eyes wide as the tom walked Whitefoot to the empty bed.

"Thank you; Greypatch. It was so frightening, but having my mate by my side, just made everything seem better." Whitefoot's soft purr echoed in Dawnfrost's mind. Reedkit looked at the new queen, nuzzling against Lillyfoot. Who is that? Reedkit bristled, closing one eye.

"That's Greypatch, Dawnfrost's former mate." She whispered to Beechkit and Reedkit. "Just try to go to sleep." She purred, amber eyes locked on Whitefoot. Anger geared at Reedkit's heart. How could you do that to an innocent, loving queen? He growled, staring at Lavenderkit and Minnowkit, who were just as confused as he was.

"F-Father?" Minnowkit pressed against Lavenderkit. "I don't understand." He looked up at Dawnfrost.

Chapter 3
Reedkit snuggled in beside Beechkit, his hazel eyes widened. "Dawnfrost?" Beechkit whispered, the ginger-patched she looked at her paws and walked out of the den. "Dawnfrost!" She sunk back as Lillyfoot nudged her softly, as if saying: ''she needs some time. ''

Dawnfrost sat outside the cave, silvery tears ran through her long whiskers. Her once shining blue eyes clouded with sadness. "G-Greypatch," Her lip trembled as the strong wind whirled through the camp. "What ever happened to us?" She sunk her claws into the icy ground, snow blowing at her pelt. The grey-and-white dappled tom walked out of the cave, his amber eyes flickered.

"Greypatch, what about the kits?" Dawnfrost winced, shutting her eyes tightly as another strong wind whisked past.

"Lavenderkit and Minnowkit are with you. I'm with Whitefoot now." He added, looking off into the distant forest. "Her kits need me more than I need you." He began to walk back into the cave; but Dawnfrost hooked onto his scruff with her teeth, her eyes blazed with anger. "Let go of me, Dawnfrost!" He tried to pull away from the queen. "They aren't my kits anymore." He grunted, knocking her jaws upwards.

Dawnfrost stared at him in shock. "You're a foxheart!" She yowled, gritting her teeth. "You're a mousebrain! Neglecting the kits, neglecting me!" She sobbed, tears stuck to her thin muzzle. "I don't know why, why I ever loved you. Why I requested to be your mate. Till death would we part!" She recited. "Death, if that's when we split, now is the time." She unsheathed her claws, teeth bared.

"Lillyfoot, we have to stop them!" Lavenderkit sat in horror outside the cave's entrance. "They're going to murder each other!" Her grey fur bristled, blue eyes flashed. Whitefoot looked up, scrambling to her paws. "Can you talk them out of it?" Lavenderkit looked up desperately at Whitefoot. Whitefoot shook her head, green eyes wide.

"I-I don't think I can do anything," She mewed nervously. "It's dangerous, if any of us goes out there to stop them; we either get whisked away in the storm or killed by them." She pointed a paw towards Dawnfrost and Greypatch. "Just step back," She whisked the kit backwards with her tail.

"We can't just sit here!" Reedkit panicked. "Lavenderkit's right, Whitefoot!" He bristled, trying to push past Whitefoot.

Lillyfoot quickly ducked in, grabbing Reedkit's scruff. "No, Whitefoot is right. It's dangerous out there." She trotted back to the cave, and Reedkit could sense the fear in her voice. "I don't want you two getting even a scratch. You've all been through enough today." She set Reedkit down beside Beechkit. Reedkit kneaded his paws against Lillyfoot's stomach, fighting for a milky meal. ''I'm scared. ''He panicked as he suckled.

Dawnfrost stood tall, glaring at Greypatch. "You're as good as gone." She hissed, running towards him and leaping into the air. With a quick swoop to the right, Greypatch dodged her attack, kicking Dawnfrost back with his powerful hind legs. She stumbled backwards, her anger only growing. ''You can do this Dawnfrost. ''She thought, her tail lashing side to side slowly, and low to the ground. She leaped again, pinning him down against the ground, claws digging into the warrior's chest. He wheezed, breathing hard.

"Let me go," he choked, flailing unsheathed claws and leaving a deep gash down Dawnfrost's chest. The she winced, only pushing him down more. "Just get over it!" He gasped for air, his teeth bared and glinted in the pale moonlight. Ice scraped against his back, and pricked like nettles to his skin. Dawncloud yowled loudly, the high-pitched sound travelled through the clan.

"What on earth?" Oakstar muttered, peering outside his cave. His long whiskers went straight and his ears pressed down; seeing Dawnfrost pushing Greypatch into the ground. He straighened. He lowered to a crouch, watching as snow began to lift off the ground and swirl in a circular motion. ''Chinook. ''His eyes widened. "Stop!" He screeched, sprinting off into the empty camp. "You're both going to die before the battle has ended! Think about each other and let it go!" He spoke quickly, digging his claws into the ice as the chinook picked up. "This chinook of hail, ice and snow; possibly more!" He panted. "Get in your caves now!" His tail fluffed in anger.

Dawnfrost glared at Oakstar, her aqua blue eyes flashed. "Why should I let him live?" She questioned in anger. "Why should I give him another chance? Lavenderkit and Minnowkit should have a father, but I realized they don't need a mousebrained foxheart like you as their father!" She growled, yowling in anger and raking her talons down Greypatch's exposed stomach. He bared his teeth, gritting them at the pain. Dawnfrost smirked, watching as he gaped for air. With a loud cackle, she reared up onto her hind paws, the crismon blood glinted off her claws and dripped onto the ice. "I have won!" She declared, yelping as Greypatch's broad tail sweeped under her legs, and she landed on the ground with a thud.

Greypatch stood tall, his stomach and face dripped with blood. "It's not over yet," He panted, his legs shook. "Oakstar, send this cat away! Exile her!" He demanded, racing up to the leader, his fur stood on end. "She's the one who caused this mess." He gasped as Dawnfrost crashed into him, battering him into large boulder. He moaned in pain, scrambling to his paws as she approached again, her eyes clouded with evil. "Just get over it!" He yowled, pounding into the forest. The wind roared at his ears, and he looked over his shoulder. She wasn't following him. He gave a sigh of relief, slowing down to a trot. "She's a pyscho-path." He growled, looking into the river.

"Oh am I?"

He whipped his head around to see Dawnfrost, carrying one of Whitefoot's newborn kits in her jowls. The kit wailed loudly, kicking it's small paws. "Please, don't do this, Dawnfrost!" Whitefoot panted, Oakstar by her side. "She's mine, and I don't want to loose her!" She sobbed, burying her face in Oakstar's dark-chestnut pelt. He gently purred back, resting his chin on her head. "You really are a monster," She sobbed into Oakstar's pelt. "Give Mothkit back to me, now!" She demanded, tears dripped through her whiskers as she unsheathed her talons, snapping at Dawnfrost's flicking tail.

Dawnfrost raised a brow, turning to Whitefoot. "Hmmm, no." She snorted, the kit wailed, his pale ash-grey-and-white pelt bristled as his green eyes opened in fear. With a quick flick of her head, she tossed the kit into the rapids, and Whitefoot screamed in horror.

"Don't worry, my love! I can catch him," Greypatch pushed past Dawnfrost with a loud growl, and dove into the water.

Lillyfoot, Reedkit and Beeckit trotted in, Reedkit asleep in Lillyfoot's jowls. "What's going on?" Lillyfoot bristled, glancing at Oakstar. "Where's Dawnfrost and Greypatch?" Oakstar calmly pointed a paw towards the river, Greypatch darting past rocks and reeds, trying to get to Mothkit. Her mouth hung open and Reedkit fell onto the cold ground with a statled yelp, Beechkit lifting him to his paws and covering his eyes with her tail. "Oh Starclan, no!" She muttered as Dawnfrost sprinted alongside the river, the rapids crashed at waterfall's edge.

"Gotchya!" Greypatch grabbed ahold of Mothkit's pelt, wildly searching for something to pull himself out of the water. He kicked his legs wildly, his pelt shivered as the water began to swallow him under. "Help! Starclan, help!" He yowled, Mothkit kicked his legs and wailed loudly.

"Papa!" His green eyes flickered. "I'm too young to go to Starclan!" He panted, coughing as he swallow in the murky river water. "I don't want to go now!" He wailed louder. He gasped and looked towards Dawnfrost, who was standing on the land, extending her paw towards the grey tom.

Her aqua eyes flashed. "Grab my paw and I'll pull you out!" She pleaded, extending her paw as far as she could. The tom narrowed his eyes, his pawpad touched hers. "Just hold on," she strained, bracing herself. A smirk grew on Greypatch's face and he gave a sharp pull on her paw. She yelped, her paws slipping and she splashed clumsily into the cold water.

"Dawnfrost!" Oakstar yowled as the she tumbled into the water, disappearing down the waterfall without a sound. "Dawnfrost? Greypatch? Mothkit!" He yowled their names, looking down into the waterfall's ending pit. He squinted, straining his eyes hard; but he couldn't see anything through the cloudy mist below. "T-They must be dead." He turned towards Whitefoot and Lillyfoot. "There's nothing more we can do." He looked at Whitefoot, as she stared in shock.

"Whitefoot, if Greypatch were here, he'd want you to move on. Leave the past the way it is." Beechkit tugged at Whitefoot's tail. "It's like, my father died at least three moons ago, but I can't change a thing." She gave a weak smile, and Reedkit purred against her paw.

"Yeah, I suppose." She replied softly. "Lillyfoot, you'd better get back to the Nursery, I'm just going to, stay here by the river." She sighed.

Chapter 4
''Reedkit's ear stirred as the wind swept through the cave once again. ''He opened an eye and looked up, Lillyfoot staring into nothingness. "Lillyfoot?" He purred, his hazel eyes glowed in the dark cave. Her nose twitched and she looked down at Reedkit.

"Hush, Reedkit." She turned her head towards Lavenderkit and Minnowkit, who sat outside on the empty camp; surrounded by the snow.

"Are they alright?" He asked, nuzzling against her for warmth. "Who's going to be the queen that takes care of them?" He pressed, his tail brushed over a sleeping Beechkit. "Will they be our new littermates?" He asked, his ears swivelled. She shook her head in reply, her muzzle stayed shut. "Is something wrong?" He tilted his head, forcing his ears to stay up.

"Dawnfrost, there was no need for her to do such a treacherous thing. She was foolish, that queen. I saw in her eyes, that flare of revenge. I've never seen such a reaction from her; through all the moons I've known her for." She sighed. "I'd say the same about Greypatch, he did neglect her and their kits. And Mothkit, innocent and sweet shouldn't have been sacrificed." Her amber eyes gleamed. "Now just try to go to sleep." She whispered, watching as Whitefoot proceeded into the den, her tail dragging against the ground.

"Hello," Reedkit looked at Whitefoot as she flattened her moss bed, her kits began to mewl as she leaned onto her side.

"Hello." She echoed sadly, smiling weakly. "It's just too much to cope with." She sniffed. Lillyfoot stood up, softly running her tail down the young queen's spine. "All three of them." She sniffed. "I feel Lavenderkit and Minnowkit are having the biggest problems of all." She glanced over her shoulder and watched as Lavenderkit leaned against Minnowkit, who lapped at her fur with his tongue. "They take such good care of each other," She sighed as one of her kits wobbled on her thin legs. "There we go, Cricketkit." She purred, nudging the pale-ginger she. Cricketkit responded with a small yelp, and fell flat on her stomach.

"I can't see! That's why I fell!" She retorted, attempting to get back on all fours. "I can do it!" She mewed, wobbling back up. Reedkit smiled at Cricketkit, and her determination. ''She won't let a fall stop her. ''He watched as the she-cat pranced around Whitefoot. "I'm doing it!" She let out a triumphant cry. "I'm doing it!" She rolled onto the moss, tucking her head between her paws.

"What are your other kit's names?" Lillyfoot questioned as a grey tom-kit purred against her paws.

Whitefoot grabbed the grey kit's scruff and pulled him beside her. "This is Smokekit," She smiled as he nudged her with his nose. "Silentkit is the white she, I haven't heard a noise from her since she born." Her eyes gleamed. "Mintdapple thinks she might be deaf or mute." She sighed. "She does show the symptoms. She doesn't listen, she never speaks and she was born a weakling." Lillyfoot nodded, gently licking Silentkit.

"Well, she will still be a great warrior." She added with a smile.

Whitefoot nodded, smiling back. "Alright, Cricketkit. It's time to sleep; it's late." She cooed as he rested his paws on hers.

Lillyfoot picked up Reedkit by his scruff, he dangled from her mouth, eyelids drooping. "Lavenderkit, Minnowkit?" Lillyfoot called out, and Minnowkit turned his head towards the queen. "It's time to come back in," She smiled weakly, forcing her ears to stay upwards. "The storm might come back." She warned as the two trudged in, shaking snow off their paws. Reedkit could see that both of their eyes looked as if, painted red from all the tears. They calmly curled into the nest, and Minnowkit wrapped a paw around Lavenderkit.

"Okay, goodnight." Lavenderkit trembled as she tucked her blue-grey muzzle under her paws.

"Goodnight," Reedkit purred as Beechkit rolled in beside him. "May Starclan be with you." He mumbled as his head began to feel heavier. The wind whistled through the bramble in the cave, making a sweet echoing sound.

Chapter 5
A moon passed by quickly.

Reedkit played with Silentkit, laughing as she pawed at the reed he had hung to the ceiling. Two moons had passed since the incident and Reedkit noticed only he and Whitefoot's kits were in the cave. He furrowed his brows, thinking maybe they had left him behind. ''Where did Lillyfoot say she was going? '' His ears pressed down and he watched as Cricketkit leaped up onto Smokekit. "Gotchya! Now you have to be the rabbit!" She scrunched her nose. "I'm the almighty leopard!" Smokekit bared his teeth, holding back the urge to unsheath claws.

"That's not fair!"

"Is too!"

"Is not!"

"Reedkit!" Reedkit's ears flicked and he craned his neck, looking at Beechkit. Beechkit smiled broadly as she walked in. "Lavenderkit and Minnowkit finally have a queen to look after them!" She mewed.

Reedkit raised a brow. "Who?" He pressed. "When?" He tilted his head as Silentkit rolled in front of him.

"Lynxtail." She replied softly, resting herself down beside Reedkit. "She's coming to the den at Sunset, she's out on patrol right now." She added with a soft purr. "Look at them," she grinned as Cricketkit batted at Smokekit's tail, which swayed side-to-side tauntingly. Smokekit pulled his tail away, teasing her. "I remember when you were like that, it took you a while to wake up. Lillyfoot thought you were dead, one night because you wouldn't eat."

"Hello!" A new voice mewed. A thick-furred she with a pale-grey pelt and deep amber eyes padded in, Lavenderkit and Minnowkit following close behind. "I thought I'd end my patrol early," she explained. "Ebonstrike's got it all covered; she's one amazing deputy." She grinned as Lavenderkit pulled her towards the moss bed. Reedkit examined the she from nose to tail tip. ''Huh? ''He looked at her strange tail. It wasn't long and skinny like his, but short and bobbed.

"Tell us about when you were a kittypet!" Minnowkit pleaded. "Please?" He straightened as Lynxtail rolled onto her side.

"If you insist." Lynxtail touched her nose to Minnowkit's. "Care to join?" Her tail shook and she smiled at Reedkit. Reedkit nodded, gathering Whitefoot's kits and sitting in front of Lynxtail. ''She seems nice enough. ''He thought, his tail curled around Silentkit. "As a kittypet, I lived with the twolegs; not far away from the camp. They named me Lynx, because of my tail." She raised her hindquarters, showing the kits her lynx-like tail. "And because of the rosette markings on my pelt. But, every night, I'd see the cat nextdoor. I gained the courage and lept out into the cold; to speak to him. He was young, but wise. He had the heart of a warrior, that loner. He told me to live a life, outside of a Twoleg den and in a warriors den. Not eatting that mushy cat food, but a freshly-killed squirrel. I came to the clan, and was warmly welcomed. Oakstar, was kind enough  to let me join, and my new calling was Lynxtail." She dipped her head as she finished.

"Whoa!" Beechkit pranced over to Lynxtail. "What was that loner's name? Did you really live with twolegs? How'd you feel when you left?" She pressed. Lynxtail laughed, her amber eyes shone in the sun.

"That loner never told me, but please. Keep an eye out for him. He's a handsome tom, leaf green eyes and russet-furred; large muscules and a thin muzzle." She smiled. "Twolegs are kind, but are quite loud, especially the cubs. And I never wanted to go back, I like this life, much more." She purred. "Much, much more. Would anyone else like to share?" She asked.

Reedkit sprung up. He was good at this, telling stories and making kits marvel at his tales. "Me?" He asked, his tail kinked at the end. Lynxtail nodded back, shuffling her paws. "Alright." His hazel eyes gleamed as he looked towards his paws. "Two cats, will forever remain apart. Unable to see each other again, or speak about their love. The code was broken, by two starcrossed lovers who felt, something finally needed to change." He gulped, not knowing where the origin of his story came from. "Chaos rained the two clans, and allis with the deadly clans formed. No one knows the ending of this legend, and no will will come to know." The cave was silent. His brown fur flattened.

"Reedkit, that was outstanding." Lynxtail's eyes were wide. "You have such talent, you ought to know that!" She purred loudly. Reedkit's face burned, and a small smile spread onto his lips.

"Thank you," He chuckled softly as Beechkit ran her tail down his spine.

"May I tell one?" Cricketkit asked, kicking her legs out. "Okay." She sat, squirming about. "Mothkit came to visit me in my dreams. She told me that as a clan, we have to follow the light; and remember life is only so long. She also said that when she died, she felt calm, not scared. Free. Falling a thousand of feet per second; and she was dead before she even hit the water." She sighed. "And she'll be waiting patiently." She gave a weakened smile. Lavenderkit looked down, biting onto her lip.

"D-Dawnfrost!" She yowled in agony, memories flowing back. "No! No!" She sprinted out of the cave, making sharp turns around the camp. Minnowkit scrambled to his paws, chasing after her.

"C'mon Reedkit!" He called and Reedkit obidiently followed without hesitation.

"Beechkit! Stay with Lynxtail and the kits!" Reedkit yowled, wind roared at his ears. The wind in his fur was usually relaxing and warm, but this new-leaf breeze was cold and brisk.

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. The tom cleared his throat as he walked in front of the other apprentices.

"This is probably your first time on patrol, right?" He snarled, looking at two apprentices, the two nodded nervously. "You think you have what it takes?" He growled, unsheathing his claws as he pushed roughly against Runningpaw. The tortiseshell nodded his head. "Let me remind you, you will not, and I repeat will  not go on Twoleg territory, nor our boardering clans, or there will be consequences." He growled, standing up straight and scanning the apprentices. "Do I make myself clear?" He hissed loudly, the sun was dappling his dark fur, making it look dark brown.

"Crystal clear!" Beechpaw and Windpaw mewed in unisin, then blushing at each other.

"Then let's go! Don't make me repeat myself." The tom hissed, disappearing into the undergrowth.

Reedpaw looked at the other apprentices, and he lined up on the boarder's edge, between Nightpaw and Cinderpaw. "Excitied?" Nightpaw asked, her tail lashing excitidly.

"Quite!" Reedpaw smiled, looking over at Cinderpaw. "Cinderpaw? Are you alright?" The she looked at him with her sparkling, green eyes.

"Yes, I'm fine. Just, tense." She rolled her shoulders, stepping from one paw to the other. "I'm fine." She repeated, her eyes locked on the twoleg fence. "There are twoleg's around here. One killed my mother, Lavenderstream." She sighed, looking down. "That's why I'm scared, I guess."

"Don't worry, I'm sure they have no intention of hurting us," Nightpaw reassured the young apprentice. "These twoleg's have never harmed a living clan cat." She looked at the nervous she, her white pelt bristled. "Or else, Ravenseer wouldn't let us patrol this area," She looked at Cinderpaw, a small grin on her face.

"I guess, Reedpaw, isn't that your sister?" Cinderpaw nudged him softly and looked at the tan she-cat, sneaking under the fence. "That's Beechpaw, right?" She looked over at Nightpaw nervously.

"Dear Starclan!" Reedpaw hissed, his auds pressed down and feeling sweat drip down his forehead. "Wait here!" He told Cinderpaw and Nightpaw. "Don't say a word to Ravenseer!" He pleaded, sprinting towards the fence. The large hole was big enough to fit through and a few strands of Beechpaw's fur were snagged onto the pieces of wood. With an annoyed and scared hiss, he was in the twoleg garden.

Narrowing his eyes, he watched as a small brown-red and white pelted she walked around another white kit. She looked up and Reedpaw quickly jumped into the bush, a rose petal tickled his pink nose, feeling a discomfort in his nose, he quickly ran into the sunflower bush, the yellow pollen stuck to his brown pelt. "Beechpaw?" He asked, peering out of the flowers and turning his head. "Beechpaw, don't step there!" Beechpaw was standing behind a garden figureine, pawing at it's red hat.

"Reedpaw!" She mewed, pushing the figure over and it's shovel fell from it's hand, and red beams crossed the garden. "What?!" She mewed in shock, being surrounded by a box of red beams.

"Lillyfoot told me about this, just don't touch it, don't touch the beams!" He instructed, hazel eyes blazed angrily. She nodded and carefully pulled one paw over the beams. "You're doing great, just hurry, Beechpaw!" He hissed. The she nodded, jumping over the box, but her long tail hit the red beams, and the beams turned blue; loud noises blared in her auds.

"What's going on?" Beechpaw jumped into the sunflower patch, and Reedpaw was snarling angrily, fur bristled. "Let's get out of here!" She hissed, diving through the rose bush, thorns cutting her side. With a yelp, she linked through the hole, Reedpaw following close behind, the two breathing hard.

"That was too close." Reedpaw hissed, helping the she to her paws. "He told you not to, yet you were foolish enough to do so." The tom raised his nose.

"Ravenseer didn't say a thing about that!" She retorted, pulling a thorn out of her flank, wincing as it came out, tipped with a dot of blood. "Actually, I did." It was Ravenseer, his torn ear flicked as two apprentices stood behind him. "Larkpaw, Blackpaw, it's a good thing you noticed." He acknoledged the two kits and glanced at Beechpaw and Reedpaw. "Your acts earned you a punishment." He smirked.

"Make them check the Elders for ticks!" Blackpaw scrunched his nose, glaring at Reedpaw.

"Make them change all the moss in the Warrior's Den!" Slowpaw called out.

"Make them feed the Queens!" Seedlingpaw hissed.

Ravenseer glared at them, and they instantly bowed down. "Beechpaw and Reedpaw, you two shall replace all the moss in the Warrior's Den. You have from sunrise until moonrise to complete tommorow. Now get out of my sight." He hissed, walking away. Reedpaw and Beechpaw trudged back to the camp, apprentices whispering behind them as they walked.

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 do you know these things? You've never been in the cave before." Beechpaw raised an eyebrow, stopping and licking her paw pads. "I havent even heard of the Legends." She smiled. "Tell me more." She sat in front of him, letting the young apprentice explain.

"Well, Stoneclan was started by a young group, the group called the Questing. They were on a journey, a journey to save the four great clans; with one of the most dangerous elements. The forest fire was heading staight for us, and the twolegs were chopping down trees," Reedpaw recited, remembering what he had heard, long ago. "The leader of the group was a young cat, a she-cat named Silent Eclipse." He looked over at Beechpaw. "I'm boring you, aren't I?" He snorted slightly, walking to the cave entrance to get some fresh air.

"No, you aren't!" Beechpaw scrambled to her paws, grinning at the tom. "Please, Reedpaw. This is really intresting and please continue." Her eyes shone, giving him entusiasuim to continue.

"Alright." He rolled his eyes playfully and patting down the fresh bed of moss. "Silent Eclipse didn't do it for the safety of the clans, she actually did it for Starclan to accept her." He shrugged. "Her past could've affecred her chances of going to Starclan, and. And, she." He sighed. "She tried to drown herself, to see if Starclan would take her, but they were kind and wouldn't let the young she-cat die." He smiled. "Seems like everything ends with a happy ending." He smiled slightly as Beechpaw lashed her tail excidedly.

"Reedpaw, you know so much, it's amazing!" She smiled. "Now, let's finished cleaning this cave."

Chapter 10
Beechpaw and Reedpaw came out of the den, both coated with dirt and moss. "You finished?" Ravenseer 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 me."

"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
''Reedpaw shivered slightly as his head throbbed. He was having a dream. Or was it a nightmare? The pain was unbearable and he yelped before opening his eyes. Watching from behind a tree, Reedpaw looked at himself, the snow was under his paws, and it was freezing against his warm pads. He gasped to see his paws were almost invisible, but he quickly looked up to see a white she-cat carrying two kits in her mouth. "Wolfpool! You're never getting them back." She looked over at a grey tom, tears rolling down his round cheeks.''

''"Spare them! Spare my kits! They're my heart and soul; now that my beautiful Foxwind is gone! Because of you, Mirage!" He hissed, snowflakes stuck in his dark pelt. "Now give them back," He demanded and the kit's began to cry, for the white she was digging her jowls deep into their scruffs. Reedpaw watched in shock and stared at the scars on his own scruff, then back at the two kits. ''

''"That's me." He breathed, looking at the small kit. "But who is that?" He turned his head to the other kit, her pelt was ginger-and-white, with large hazel eyes. ''

''The she-cat stood closer to the brook's edge, loosening her grip on the kit's scruffs and realeasing the two kits into the brook, watching as the ginger-and-white one went under the water, not coming back up for air. Reedpaw quickly jumped up and looked at the brook, watching as the ginger-and-white she disappeared into the dark water. "No!" Wolfpool shrieked, clawing his head as the ginger she was unable to be seen. "My son! Use your paws and swim!" He yowled as the white she pinned him down and raked her claws down his black underbelly. The tom yowled in pain as the she-cat shook the blood off her dog claws. ''

''"I can't watch!" Reedpaw shrieked, covering his eyes with his paws and whimpering. He opened one eye and watched as the white she clawed Wolfpool's left eye and it rolled into the snow. The tom was dead, his limp body was being dragged into the undergrowth by two toms and a she. Mirage smirked and walked away, the to toms by her side. Reedpaw looked at the little kit, crying loudly. ''

''"A kit!" A voice came from behind him and he watched as a grey she-cat with green-amber eyes looked at the brook and quickly dived in, chasing after the kit, occasionally going under the water but coming back up for air. The she grabbed ahold of the brown kit's scruff and treaded to shore, breathing heavily and licking the kit, her grey pelt was scattered with small water droplets. ''

''"Lillyfur!" A voice came from the bushes. Dawncloud had Flamekit and Honeykit in her jowls. "Dear Starclan! A kit?" She said, shock filled her voice and Lillyfur nodded. ''

''"Let's take him to the camp. After all, Beechkit has always wanted a brother. I hope." She chuckled, picking up the kit in her jowls. "Ssshh, Mother is here." She whispered to the kit. ''

Reedpaw stirred, his pelt shivered as he awoke, his claws unsheathed and digging into the tree's bark. "So that's how you found me...." He sighed.

Reedpaw sat in the tree, three moonrises had passed since Ravenfoot failed him and he was too afraid to go back to the camp. What would Oakstar say? Would he be exiled? He was tired just thinking about it, thoughts bubbled in his small, apprentice mind.

While he was in the owl hole, he'd play games with the small acorns and seeds that would fall inside, occasionally, squirrels and birds would try to come inside, but he would swipe his claws at them and try to catch them. He had a small pile of acorns he'd snack on and at night he would try to hunt the song birds that sat in the high branches of the tree. He was sitting in the tree, making pictures with his claws.

Chapter 12
Reedpaw flicked his ear as his name was called. "Reedpaw! Reedpaw!" One called.

"He might not even be out here." The voice of a tom sounded.

"Well, this is where Ravenfoot said he was." The voice of a small she-cat added.

There was silence for a moment and Reedpaw didn't dare to move. Were they rogues? Loners? Or clan mates? He rubbed his eyes with his paws and scrunched his eyes, the golden sun dappling his fur. "Quickpaw, Redpaw, Finchkit. He's my brother, I should be looking for him. You two just go back to the camp, I'll meet you by the Kill Pile." He smiled to the sound of Beechpaw's voice. It was her. He thought, poking his head out of the owl's roost. The two cats had gone, and Beechpaw continued to wander. "Reedepaw! Reedpaw, come out!"

Digging his claws into the bark, he began to climb down, eyes locked on the tan she. "I'm right here." He mewed as he let go of the tree, landing gracefully on a patch of lush grass. There was sap in his fur and leaves stuck to his pelt. "I'm here now." He mewed again as Beechpaw lapped at his ear.

"I didn't know where you were!" She blurted out, her vision blurred as tears fell through her silvery whiskers. "We thought you might have been struck by a monster, or drowned in the river, or, or." She stopped and nuzzled his fur. "I was so worried." She whispered.

Reedpaw smiled as Beechpaw rustled his fur. "But we have to get you cleaned up, first." Beechpaw added with a frown. "To the riverbank." She ordered, gently pushing Reedpaw forewards. With a sharp turn, Reedpaw sprinted the oppisite direction, and scrambled into the undergrowth.

''I'm not cleaning in the river. ''He thought, fur standing stiff and on end. "I can just lick it all off, can't I?" He began and lapped at a clump of thick, sweet sap. His eyes widened as he spat out the sap, covered in fur. "Ouch!" He felt a slight throbbing, the sap had came out, with a tuft of his brown-red fur.

Beechpaw rolled her eyes and gingerly pawed at his tail. "River, now." She ordered, gently clawing his behind.

With an annoyed grumble, Reedpaw followed her, his fur flattened against his body in slight anger. No.  He stared at the crystal clear water, and pawed at his reflection, watching it ripple. He looked nervously at the water, and his memory flashed back. His sister. Himself. Wolfpool and Mirage. "Beechpaw, I can't." He yelped, stepping back from the water's edge. "I can't do it." He shot her a look.

Beechpaw looked at him wide-eyed. "You softpaw." She teased, water lapped at her paws, it was knee deep. "Reedpaw's scared of water." She chuckled, her eyes glazed. "You're scared of water." She continued, and Reedpaw stood at the water's edge, glaring at her in embarassment.

"You don't understand." He retorted, his legs shook as he stepped backwards.

"Oh, I understand." She snorted, kicking the cold mountain water at him. He let out a suprised yelp, shaking water off his head. "I know you're afraid of water!" She laughed, quickly grabbing his scruff and dragging him in backwards. Reedpaw kicked his legs, depritely trying to escape his sister's grasp. Her grip was strong, and he wouldn't take the risk of loosing fur. With a quick splash at the water, he spluttered as it got into his mouth, echoing in his ears.

He closed his eyes, remembering his dream. ''Let your paws do the work! ''Wolfpool had said. His legs spread as he splashed upwards, his fur matted against his skin. "Beechpaw!" He growled, claws unsheathed. "That wasn't modest at all!" He added, shaking his pelt off. "You really don't understand. It's not 'cause I'm a softpaw, or because I want attention. It's how my real sister almost died." He sighed, shivering as he trudged out of the water. "Now, leave me alone." he hissed, angling his paws and narrowing his eyes, he sprinted back to the camp.

"Reedpaw!" Her angered voice trailed off into the distance. ''I'm not listening to anything you have to say. ''Tears began to well up in his eyes. With a long leap, he jumped over fallen trees, and dug through the undergrowth, his tongue sticking out of the corner of his mouth. With a gasp, his pawpad snagged onto a rosebush thorn and he yelped in slightly pain. His bottom lip trembled as tears ran through his silver whiskers.

Lillyfoot quickly ran over to him, licking his head with her rough, pink tongue. "It's okay, Reedpaw." She whispered, waiting for him to open his eyes. As Reedpaw opened his eves gingerly, Lillyfoot smiled warmly, purring loudly. "What's wrong?" She asked as Reedpaw leaned against one of her large paws. "And where's Beechpaw?" She asked and Reedpaw cringed lightly.

"She was being a total foxheart." He growled angrily in reply, tears still stinging behind his eyes.

Lillyfoot looked at him in shock and disbelief. "Reedpaw! I told you don't use those sort of terms." She scolded, unsheathing her claws. "Foxheart is not a word to describe your sister."

Reedpaw looked up at her, slowly walking away. "You don't understand what she was doing." He muttered. "Do, do you remember when you found me?" He asked, curling his tail around his paws. "In the river?" He waited for a response, and stared at her. Her jaw was hanging open and her ears were pressed down. "Lillyfoot?" The she-cat nodded, her silver pelt rustled lightly in the wind as she stood up. "

"Follow me."

"What about Beechpaw?"

"Just follow me." She repeated, whisking her tail behind him and diving into a bed of yellow flowers, only her feathered tail was visible. Reedpaw looked at the flowers and took a sniff. ''Smells like skunk! ''He choked as he followed his mother through the plants. "I know it smells bad, but just keep following." Lillyfoot replied, her soft voice became more distant. Reedpaw nodded, touching his pink nose to her tail tip. The smell started to fade away as they stood infront of a rushing riverbank, the water was a deep blue, foaming white. Mist glazed the river, and the bank with it's silvery-white hue.

"Where are we?" Reedpaw mewed, looking at the water. "Why here?" He looked up at Lillyfoot, watching as tears slowly rolled down her cheeks.

"Reedpaw," She croaked. "This is where I found you," She nodded. "The Shallow River is the river that runs through these mountians. It has killed many cats who have fallen in, you were a lucky one." She let out a small smile and lay down beside Reedpaw. "That's why we hardly get intruders. No one can cross." She added. "Oh, and this." She quickly spun her head around and pointed her nose towards a bush. "Go on." She pushed Reedpaw gently with her nose.

Reedpaw cautiously stepped forewards, slowly venturing into the bush, leaves dragged at his fur as he dug deeper, and deeper. His eyes went wide as he saw something glint in the soft sunlight. "What?" He whispered in disbelief, pawing at it until it fell off the twig.

Chapter 13
''"A collar?" Reedpaw looked at the strange object. ''He remembered hearing the warriors talk about kittypets and the way they'd wear bright bands with bells around their necks. But this collar was black, black as a raven's feathers and it didn't have a bell. It was studded with strange silver buckles and dog teeth. Reedpaw gasped, clamping his teeth around the leather and dragging it towards Lillyfoot. "Lillyfoot! Lillyfoot!" He waited for the she to look down at him. "Look at this kittypet collar!" He mewed, quickly looping it over his head. "I'm a Bloodclan warrior!" He mewed, rearing up onto his hind paws and making his fur stand on end. "Stay back, stay back!" He hissed playfully, the collar was loose around his neck, not to mention uncomfortable. "I have claws sharper than osprey talons!" He announced.

Lillyfoot glared at him in disbelief. "Take that collar off. Now." She growled.

Reedpaw stared at her wide-eyed, shaking the collar off his neck. ''I was just having fun. ''He looked at the collar and kicked it aside. "Good." She stood up and turned towards the flower field. "Back to the camp, Oakstar has been wanting to see you." She added, her paw steps gradually quickened and she bounded into the field.

"Wait!" He mewed, feeling a lump in his throat. "But I already had my apprentice ceramony." He laughed, thinking Lillyfoot was only joking. "I don't see why he wants to see me again." He shruged, following the warrior.

With a sigh, Lillyfoot looked back down at him, her amber eyes glazed. "It's not about that, Reedpaw." She slowed down, shaking the yellow pollen off her pelt. "Reedpaw, straighten your whiskers, please. I don't want the leader seeing you so messy." She raised her snout in the air. "And your pelt is still dripping wet." With a quick roll of her eyes, she disappeared behind the pile of fresh kill. Reedpaw straightened his whiskers with his paws, and plastered down his fur so it was straight and glossy. "Meet me outside the warrior's den." She poked her head out, waving a paw. "Go to the Leader's Den." She instructed. Reedpaw looked up and padded spritely towards the Leader's Den.

''A duty? A ceramony? Hunting? ''He smiled excidedly, poking his head into Oakstar's den. "Leader Oakstar?" He mewed, looking at the leader. "Lillyfoot told me you wanted to see me." Reedpaw slowly took a pawstep inside. The leader nodded, his chestnut brown fur was bristled, and that wasn't a good sign. "D-Did I do something?" He stammered, his smile faded into a frown. "D-Did I do something, wrong?"

The leader sat tall, chest puffed out. "You did." He finally spoke, his grey eyes narrowed. "I got word from Ravenfoot that you attempted to cross the Thunderpath. In an attempt to get a fresh kill." He raised an eyebrow, his tail flicking slowly.

"Well, ummmm, yes." Reedpaw looked at his paws, his face burning with embarassment. "But."

"But what?" The Leader snorted angrily.

"She told me to hunt!" He retorted, scrambling to his paws. "So I did!" He yowled.

The Leader stared at him in disbelief, irises turned to slits. "Excuse me, Reedpaw that is no way to talk to the leader." He scolded, teeth bared. "Sit down, right now."

"Okay."

"You are going to be assigned to a new mentor." Oakstar replied, a tinge of anger rung in his voice. "You will start training at sunrise tommorow." A small smirk spread to his lips. "Fail again, and you will be relieved of your duties. Permanently." His eyes flickered. "Understood?"

Reedpaw's legs trembled as he looked up at the leader. ''I'll be, killed? ''He swallowed, his claws unsheathed. "Y-Yes, Oakstar." He dipped his head, sprinting out of the den. He waited in front of the warriors den, his stomach rising and collapsing. ''Don't fail, don't fail him again. ''He gulped, breathing hard. Sweat dripped down his forehead as he leaned against the bracken cave wall.

Chapter 14
Reedpaw closed his eyes, he couldn't stop thinking about what Oakstar had said. Relieved? Permanently relieved of his duties. A chill ran down his spine as he thought. "Reedpaw!" He yelped as he was pushed down into the ground. "It's me!" He spat out dirt that got in his mouth, his eyes gingerly shut. "C'mon guess who!" It was the muffled voice of a young she-cat and he immediately knew. ''Beechpaw. ''He was still upset, and he was too mortified to fight back, or do anything at all. Reedpaw panted hard, coughing as he swallowed a mouthful of dirt.

"Stop!"

The she wrapped her jowls around Reedpaw's scruff, dragging him up. His muzzle was caked with wet earth and he his eyes shut gingerly. "There's dirt in my eyes!" He squealed, attempting to rub out the dirt. He spat as Beechpaw began to lap at his eyelids, licking off the soil.

"Is that better?" She whispered a purr. Reedpaw opened one of his hazel eyes, turning his snout the other way.