Chapter Two, Part Four

That proves it. Sorreltail and Brackenfur spend so much time together, he’ll be just like her! Poppyfrost and Cinderheart will be fretting over kits with their obnoxious mates, grown or unborn, Seedpaw spat to herself. I’m leaving. Wasn’t there a tribe somewhere?

            Seedpaw ran up into non-Clan territory before gazing up at the towering mountains, outlined blue against the darkening sky. I’m going up there, and no one can stop me!

*          *          *

            Back in camp a sunrise later, there was no sign of Seedpaw. A search party was sent out to look for the apprentice in all ThunderClan territory.

            WindClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan territory were searched as well, much to the dismay of the rival Clan cats.

            Patrols went as far up as non-Clan territory to find her, but it was too late. Seedpaw was already treading in the mountains.

            Seedpaw roused with only one thing on her mind: her destination. She wanted to see that waterfall the cats that had visited the mountains described. She wanted to walk the same paths the warriors traveling on the Great Journey had taken. At some point, Seedpaw was pretty sure she glimpsed a faint paw print from long ago. Or perhaps, she wondered. Perhaps it’s a sign I’m close to the Tribe of Rushing Water?

            She trotted out of the forest she slept in, never feeling as light and happy as she did at the moment. Seedpaw was content and pleased to be away from her Clan. She knew for a fact that the tribe was much different from the Clans. Maybe, just maybe, I’ll like it better there!

            The forest she stopped at would be the last forest Seedpaw would lay her ornery eyes on for a good moon. And as Seedpaw trotted away, relieved to not be around any other cats, she had no idea of the future.

            The ginger apprentice glanced up at the sky. It was pale blue, and clouds were streaked and smeared across the sky, predicting a clear day ahead. Good.

            Life seemed great at the time. Seedpaw wasn’t aware of her fate. The Tribe of Rushing Water cats were nice cats, but they were having a battle of their own: cats were disappearing from the great cave, from kits to cave-guards to prey-hunters.

            It wasn’t good at all.

Chapter Two, Part Three

Seedpaw stormed through the thorn tunnel, which still wasn’t completely revived after the Dark Forest attack barely three seasons ago. She could hardly believe that dumb old cat actually trusted Amberpaw’s fake, flea-brained statement that Seedpaw was a kit again. I’ll get her back, I will. I bet she’s one of Lilypaw’s friends.

            The ginger apprentice reached the Ancient Oak in record time. She gathered moss and stuck a pointy thorn in it. Seedpaw confirmed that the thorn was embedded in the moss. That’s my revenge to Graystripe.

            Seedpaw walked back to the camp as slowly as she could, wanting Graystripe to be uncomfortable as long as possible.

            She hated Lilypaw. She hated Graystripe. She hated Amberpaw. She hated Brightheart. Is there anybody to like these days?

            Seedpaw arrived back at camp sooner than she wanted to. She dropped the moss off at Graystripe’s den, and then shuffled off to her own den to what she knew would be an unsettled sleep.

            “Seedpaw. Seedpaw, it is me, Honeyfern,” the creamy tabby said once Seedpaw dozed off.

            “Hi, Honeyfern!” Seedpaw greeted the StarClan cat excitedly, stepping up and touching noses with the young warrior.

            Honeyfern dipped her head. “I will be your second mentor. Your mentor at night,” she explained.

            Seedpaw cocked her head. “My mentor? Will you teach me battle and hunting moves?”

            The brown she-cat shook her head. “I’ll lecture you about life,” she replied with a flick of her tail.

            “What?” Seedpaw was unimpressed. “Life? What part of life?” she inquired, soul dropping inside instantly.

            But Honeyfern disappeared. Seedpaw figured she’d have her first lesson on “life” tomorrow, but she always wondered why dead cats never answered questions right away.

         “It’s snowing!” the shrill cry awoke Seedpaw from her abruptly-ending dream. She jerked up and shuffled to the den exit. Dewpaw stood next to her, and his amber eyes widened happily.

            The owner of the voice, young and new warrior Cherrystem, pranced and rolled around happily. Her brother Molefoot joined her right away.

            A thick coating of white covered the clearing and still was falling to the earth. Seedpaw and Dewpaw stepped out into the snow, and she felt a chill run up her legs and down her spine. So… c-c-cold…

            Teeth chattering, the cats of ThunderClan padded out into the frozen water. Senior warriors’ eyes shined with memories as they watched the kits romp and play in the snow.

            “I’m named after it!” called Snowpaw as he, Lilypaw, and Amberpaw scampered around Cherrystem and Molefoot.

            Seedpaw couldn’t hold back a chuckle. Snowpaw’s fur completely blended in with the snow except for some dusty smudges and his amber gaze. The late mid-day sun cast a bright glow on all white things as Snowpaw snuck up on Larchkit and Smokykit. “Hey!” the two little toms exclaimed, and before long Snowpaw was covered in a swarm of kits and Hazeltail trying to pull her sons off the apprentice.

            All cats with white pelts, like Cloudtail, Whitewing, and even Icecloud, tromped around in the snow. Icecloud looked like a living glacier as she moved around.

            Bramblestar and Squirrelflight, along with a few other warriors, dug out important things such as the fresh-kill pile. One hunting patrol was sent out, and they only came back with a dim-witted squirrel that had attempted to look for nuts and acorns under the snow.

            For once, Seedpaw took her mind off other things, and she capered around with Lilypaw and Amberpaw in the snow, screwing around and continuously surprising Cinderheart as she rested on the snow-dusted smooth boulders. The gray queen didn’t seem to mind, although Lionblaze always gave the apprentices the evil eye when they bothered the expecting queens. It was as if he was the father of both future litters.

            At one point, Seedpaw tripped Amberpaw for fun, but the gray she-cat’s face rose back up out of the snow with a nose covered in blood. “Thanks a lot,” the hot-headed she-cat muttered as she barged to the medicine den, Briarlight taking her in blandly. Lilypaw shot a glance at her sister and followed Amberpaw.

            Seedpaw sat down on the ground hard and licked her numb paws thoughtfully. Is my personality being bad? Is that my talent? She froze and wondered. Was it?

            Shrugging, she got up and picked her way through the snow, past Spiderleg and Graystripe chatting, past Birchfall and Whitewing pouncing around in the snow with their daughters. Everyone is in pairs or groups lately, and I’m the loner. Maybe I should leave the Clan? They obviously don’t need me- I’m a useless piece of crumbled dirt.

            The ginger apprentice cast a longing look at the medicine den. Amberpaw’s little “trip” had been Seedpaw’s revenge on the gray she-cat, but of course Amberpaw had to overreact and make it seem as if she was going to die. Just a stupid bloody nose. And I’ll be hearing about it for a long time, Seedpaw realized to herself. Lilypaw’s her best friend forever, and Brightheart is her mother. Ugh…

            Seedpaw recognized that her paws were yearning to walk right out of the camp forever, but what would her mother think? Hey, perhaps I could talk to Sorreltail. Even Brackenfur, Cinderheart, Poppyfrost… Seedpaw trailed off in her mind as more names and faces popped into her head. Not everyone’s against me yet.

            She placed her paws in a new direction and trotted over to where her mother and Poppyfrost played. It was funny to see the two older tortoiseshells leaping all over the mashed-up snow like kits. Seedpaw quickly allowed a paw in the snow, then out. In the snow, then out. She couldn’t risk permanent blue pads- that would not be fun.

            “Oh, you…” Sorreltail spat in a friendly way, fixing an obviously fake glower on Poppyfrost, who must have beaten her at one of their games.

            “Hi!” Seedpaw called, and she moved swifter to her mother and sister. The pair stopped moving and turned to the apprentice.

            A smile struck Sorreltail’s face. “Seedpaw! How wonderful it is to see you!” As Seedpaw approached, her mother lapped at her ruffled fur. “Where’s Lilypaw?” Sorreltail asked between licks. “I haven’t seen her in a while, and I last saw her with you and Amberpaw.”

            Poppyfrost nodded and grinned, as if she were approving the sisters’ bonding.

            Seedpaw felt relief wash over her like a wave at the lake’s shore. Sorreltail missed Amberpaw’s fall. Good. That’ll help.

            “Hm, I don’t know,” Seedpaw replied, staring innocently at her mother.

            Sorreltail blinked. “I guess I just thought… you two would be closer by now,” she murmured with a sigh. “Poppyfrost and Cinderheart have a very strong bond, especially since Molepaw and Honeyfern’s deaths.”

            “Can I talk to you?” Seedpaw suddenly asked, not really caring about bonding with Lilypaw at the moment. It’s all about Lilypaw.

            Sorreltail nodded, and they departed from Poppyfrost with a wave of their tails to be polite and not abrupt. “’Bye!” Poppyfrost meowed back.

            “What is it, little seed?” Sorreltail questioned once she and Seedpaw were in a private area- behind the warriors’ den. Only cats resting in the far back of the den could hear them, but almost every cat was out in the snow.

            “I…” Seedpaw hesitated, and then continued after a boost inside. She’s your mother. She’ll understand anything. “I feel left out, like I don’t belong here in the Clan.”

            Sorreltail blinked and stared at her daughter in surprise. “Really? You looked like you were having so much fun with the others…” she trailed off, thinking. “How can I include you more? I’d be happy to.”

            Not exactly what I was aiming for. Hastily Seedpaw shook her head. “I just do not seem to get along with other cats.”

            Her mother sighed. “You’re doing fine with me right now. Can you name the cats that you can’t agree with?”

            Seedpaw was now frustrated. Not. Helping. At. All! She thought through gritted teeth. “Lilypaw, Amberpaw, Graystripe, Brightheart, and you! You’re hopeless!” With that she stomped away.

            The tortoiseshell stood in her daughter’s tracks, legs wobbly, Seedpaw’s words scarring deep wounds in her heart. Sadly Sorreltail ducked her head and turned away, dusty snowflakes and specks dropping onto her splotched pelt.

Chapter Two, Part Two

“Seedpaw, up! You’re on the dawn patrol today- you know you have to work extra hard. Get up,” Brightheart whispered in her apprentice’s ear the next morning.

            Holding back a groan, Seedpaw got up and clumped over to where three other cats were gathered- Sorreltail, Cloudtail, and, of course, Brightheart.

            “Let’s go!” Sorreltail, the patrol leader, cheerily mewed just before trotting out of camp like a gleeful kit. Seedpaw was disgusted. This cat is my mother?

            Cloudtail rolled his eyes and shared a disturbed glance with Seedpaw. “Okay…” he muttered, shaking his head. Seedpaw could just picture what he was thinking in his fluffy white head: She-cats, she-cats, she-cats!

            Brightheart was ahead of them, bounding joyfully beside Sorreltail. “And she’s my mate,” Cloudtail sighed, indicating Brightheart, his round blue gaze unimpressed.

            Seedpaw shrugged and thought back. When she and Lilypaw had first become apprentices, Brightheart was still in the nursery with her kits, Amberkit, Snowkit, and Dewkit. Lilypaw always had Millie as a mentor, but Seedpaw’s original trainer was Hazeltail until Hazeltail moved into the nursery. Brightheart took over her training once her kits were ‘paws.

            The patrol moved onward, and Seedpaw caught her second bird ever- a blue jay. And I’m the failing one? She thought that with a quick, safely hidden grin- Seedpaw remembered Lilypaw telling her that on one hunting patrol she was on, she hadn’t caught anything.

            Before long, Cloudtail was the only cat without something captured. His lips twisted in frustration, the long-furred white tom stalked around the bushes, soft pink nose twitching as it took in small sniffs of prey-scented air. “Aha!” he exclaimed, and Cloudtail disappeared into the brush.

           

            In his mouth, Cloudtail proudly displayed a nice and fat vole as Seedpaw’s patrol reentered the camp.

            “Wonderful catch!” purred Cinderheart with a smile. The queen shuffled up and gently asked if she could have his vole. “Larchkit and Smokykit are hungry too, and Hazeltail says they can try their first solids today!” Cinderheart continued with a wink. “How would you like to volunteer your vole for this special job?”

            Cloudtail laughed a deep laugh. “You’ll be a great mother. I suspect you’re genuinely excited,” he replied, dropping the vole off to her.

            “’Sure am!” Cinderheart answered before turning back around, and Seedpaw observed that her belly was slowly swelling with Lionblaze’s kits.

            Brightheart and Cloudtail padded off to a rare sunny spot in the clearing and groomed themselves. Sorreltail lapped at Seedpaw’s ears for a few heartbeats before ambling off to the nursery to help.

            Seedpaw screwed up her face intentionally. Before leaving, Brightheart had ordered for her to fetch fresh moss for the lone elder, Graystripe.

            Flinching at the thought of carrying an old tom’s used moss, she footslogged over to the honeysuckle bush that made the elders’ den.

            “Hello, Graystripe?” Seedpaw asked, poking her head inside the highly-scented flower bush.

            “Ah, an apprentice to bring me new bedding? Wonderful. Come, sit down, I might as well tell you a short story while you’re here.”

            Without looking at the gray tom, Seedpaw settled down and waited for Graystripe to stand up. She snatched the moss from under him and threw it at the exit, disgusted at the rank, musky smell that wafted around it.

            “What… is this…? Seedkit? Oh, you… silly kit. Back to the nursery you go,” Graystripe said quite sharply, gently prodding Seedpaw away. “Go tell your sister to come to me, will you?”

            Seedpaw’s stomach did a back-flip. “I’m an apprentice, Graystripe,” she snapped, scowling into his yellow eyes. “My name is Seedpaw.” It was hard for her to contain her anger, but she knew she had to show respect for the elder.

            If ‘sister’ means Lilypaw, I will kill him, steamed Seedpaw to herself. She knew he could mean Poppyfrost or even needy Cinderheart, but she and Lilypaw were more often known as the two close sisters, same for Poppyfrost and Cinderheart as a pair. They weren’t from the same litter, after all.

            Seedpaw continued to think as Graystripe pursued to hesitate, sinking in what she said. Also, he needs to keep up with the Clan activity. Does he think we just arrived here from the Great Journey? Does he think my father was just born? Who does he think our leader is, Thunder?

            “Sorry,” Graystripe mused, cutting into Seedpaw’s frustrated thoughts. “Please forgive me. There’s a rumor I heard from Amberpaw that you moved back down to the nursery. She changed my moss a few sunrises ago.”

            Seedpaw bristled. “What?” she hissed, exasperated. That stupid mouse-brain’s mad at me because I “yelled” at her and Lilypaw the other time. I have a new victim to murder…

            “Well, it’s not true,” Seedpaw explained stiffly, turning to leave. “You know what, forget the story. I’m leaving.”

            As she padded out, Seedpaw swore she heard Graystripe say, “Welcome back to being an apprentice again!”

Chapter Two, Part One- Seedpaw POV

All Seedpaw saw around her sister anymore was red.

            Oh, how I hate her, Seedpaw thought of Lilypaw as she watched the dark tabby and Millie march out of camp.

            “Seedpaw, over here!” called a voice. Seedpaw whipped around, fur bristling. It was Brightheart, motioning with her ginger-striped tail for Seedpaw to help clear the fallen tree.

            Seedpaw trudged over, glaring at her dusty paws. Why couldn’t I have been killed by this stupid tree, and not Firestar? Then my life would’ve been a whole lot easier in StarClan.

            Any warrior that wasn’t chosen to attend the Gathering was helping remove dead, brittle branches and stalks of bracken that had collapsed along with the lightning-struck tree.

            Hazeltail, Icecloud, and Cinderheart took turns gently singing the two kits to sleep. However, Smokykit kept opening one eye and letting out the shrill wail of, “Where’s Foxleap?” He’d wake up his brother, and the process would start all over again.

                Seedpaw squeezed in between Dewpaw and Rosepetal, heaving a loud, obnoxious sigh. She pricked her ears, taking in her surroundings and desperately trying to listen for sounds from the Gathering. But it was no use- the Island was way too far away.

            Night had already closed in on the cats of ThunderClan. Seedpaw was tickled to see Lionblaze, the camp guard, attempting not to fall asleep.

            Seedpaw dragged one last moistened limb over to a pile the cats had formed on the side of the clearing. The branch she added to the heap had a smoky black strike on it; Seedpaw figured it had been in the lightning bolt’s target area.

            “You can sleep if you’d like,” Brightheart told her. “Wake up to hear the Gathering news. Or, feel free to eat before you go to your nest.”

            The ginger she-cat decided to have a quick snack ahead of her nap. Seedpaw clomped over to the fresh-kill pile and stared at her choices. Eventually Seedpaw picked out a skimpy mouse. It’s good enough, she thought.

            Crunch. Chew. Munch. Seedpaw enjoyed the whole thing, and when she swallowed the final leg bone, Seedpaw rose and stomped over to the apprentices’ den.

            “All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath me to hear the Gathering news!” Bramblestar’s yowl rang in Seedpaw’s ears, and she jumped up, meeting wild gazes with Amberpaw and Dewpaw for a heartbeat. Then they darted out of their den, Seedpaw feeling excited for the first time in a while.

            The Gathering cats had settled in the first row, and Seedpaw secretly glowered at Lilypaw behind her littermate’s back.

            “First,” Bramblestar interrupted any extra conversations, and his tail whisked back and forth, waiting for the excess talking to stop. Then he said, “ShadowClan’s news: Two new elders, Applefur and Toadfoot. One death: Littlecloud. Two new warriors, new medicine cat Mistcloud.

            “WindClan: Ashfoot had to speak for Onestar, as he is under the weather. Kestrelflight’s new apprentice is Moorpaw. Finally, RiverClan- Mistystar is dead.” Seedpaw could hear quiet sobs from cats that knew Mistystar well.

            “Reedstar is the new leader of RiverClan. His deputy is Graymist, and RiverClan has one new kit, Beetlekit, the son of Troutstream and Mintfur.”

            Seedpaw shrugged. That’s it? Wow, I guess I didn’t miss much after all. She rushed back to the apprentices’ den, determined not to be caught by Lilypaw.

            But her sister was ahead of her plan wise.

            “Seedpaw! Hey, Seedpaw!”

            Seedpaw gritted her teeth and moved faster, racing to the den. She skidded into it and slammed her body down on her nest, sending it flying across the den. Seedpaw clenched her teeth harder and stole Lilypaw’s nest. She evened her breathing and pretended to have fallen asleep.

            “I know you’re awake.” Lilypaw’s voice said with a hint of a purr. “If you don’t listen to me, that’s fine. But if you do, here’s what I have to say.”

            Seedpaw’s ears perked up, but she made sure it wasn’t too noticeable. Fine, I’ll listen, Lilyperfect.

            Lilypaw commenced to talk, but it was drowned out by the sound of another cat speaking. “Don’t listen to herrrr… you mustn’t listen to herrrrrr…”

            The pale ginger apprentice screwed up her face, frustrated. Who are you? You sound familiar… hey, the same cat from when you told me to ignore Lilypaw’s prodding and poking the other time…

            Yes, it is me. I am Honeyfern, your deceased older sister. Do you know me?

            Seedpaw smiled as she silently replied over Lilypaw’s muffled meowing. Yes. Poppyfrost and Cinderheart told me and Lilypaw a lot about you and Molepaw when we were kits.

            A faint figure appeared before Seedpaw, shimmering with shiny little stars. Ah, but you must listen to only me now, Seedpaw. When Lilypaw wants to “talk to you”, ignore her. Create a swift excuse, or do anything to get away from her.

            Er… okay, Seedpaw replied, though one question of hers needed to be answered first: Why can’t I speak to her?

            However, Honeyfern had disappeared. Seedpaw sat up, searching madly for her starry companion, but the mysterious she-cat was gone.

            “Seedpaw? Are you listening to me?” Lilypaw questioned as a sharp paw rammed into Seedpaw’s flank.

            “Ouch. No… I mean, yes,” Seedpaw winced and shuffled farther away from her sibling. “I was. Just leave me alone right now, alright?”

            Lilypaw’s shoulders fluttered up then down again, and she sighed. “Fine. But one thing before I leave you: can I have my nest back, please?”

            Seedpaw couldn’t help but grin a tiny smidge as she heaved herself out of Lilypaw’s nest and nosed it to her sister. “Sorry. Good night.”

            “’Night!” Lilypaw responded while Seedpaw retrieved her nest and dragged the moss and ferns back over to her and Lilypaw’s side of the den.

            Soon, soft, average breathing could be heard from Lilypaw’s nest. Seedpaw, though, couldn’t sleep. She tried closing her eyes and not opening them for anything, not even a yawn from the night watch, Brackenfur. Seedpaw relaxed all of her tensed muscles completely. I have to sleep tonight, or I’ll be a wreck tomorrow.

            Eventually sleep overtook Seedpaw’s active mind.

Chapter One, Part Five

The ThunderClan patrol reached the fallen tree bridge at practically the same time as the RiverClan patrol. Bramblestar padded over to the RiverClan leader, Reedstar, and dipped his head to the young black tom. “Your first Gathering as leader, I see,” the dark brown tabby said, ducking his head respectfully. “ThunderClan grieves for the loss of Mistystar.”

            Reedstar sighed. “She will indeed be missed.” Then his head bobbed up and down, allowing Bramblestar and ThunderClan to pass first.

            As Lilypaw balanced by the RiverClan cats, she saw faces staring at the ground, mourning for their fallen leader. Lilypaw hardly knew Mistystar- the gray she-cat must have had a terrible disease that made her lose the rest of her many lives. The dark tabby knew that Mistystar still was a newer leader. She also knew that Reedstar, formerly Reedwhisker, was one of Mistystar’s sons.

            Then Lilypaw looked down at the slippery surface her paws were sliding cautiously on. The long-dead tree had killed Mudclaw, the former WindClan deputy such a long time ago. It showed that the current WindClan leader, Onestar, then Onewhisker, was meant to be the true leader of that Clan.

            But enough with the history, Lilypaw thought, grabbing onto Millie’s tail for support after she swiftly accepted the she-cat’s offer of help. Now more of the present.

            ThunderClan and RiverClan, molded into one large group, entered the Gathering area. ShadowClan was already there, and WindClan was yet to come.

            The three Clans settled and chatted in groups of cats from three different Clans, two separate Clans, or just one Clan.

            Lilypaw found herself bustled into a group with Snowpaw. She and him were nose-to-nose with Redpaw from ShadowClan and Streampaw from RiverClan.

            “Hi,” Redpaw greeted them stiffly, his black-patched pelt gleaming in the faint light of the full moon.

            Streampaw stared at her white paws, shuffling them in the marshy grass. “Hello,” she said, voice barely a whisper.

            Lilypaw dipped her head and Snowpaw waved his tail. “Any news in your Clans?” Lilypaw tried, looking from Redpaw to Streampaw.

            Redpaw proudly yet hastily explained how he and his mentor Owlclaw chased a fox out of Clan territory last sunrise, his chest puffed out far. “It was mostly me that made it flee, though,” he concluded with a toothy grin.

            The RiverClan she-cat had nothing much to say. “Just a new kit,” Streampaw muttered.

            Oh, how exciting you are, Lilypaw thought flatly, exchanging a bored glance with Snowpaw.

            She and Snowpaw turned away from the rival Clan cats, watching WindClan creep warily into the Gathering area. Their deputy, Ashfoot, was at the lead. Where’s Onestar? Lilypaw wondered. What a first Gathering for Snowpaw and I!

            The gray WindClan queen leaped up onto the Great Tree, the branch she chose shaking under her weight.

            Bramblestar cleared his throat, the noise filling the silent, dry air. “Well,” the dark brown tabby started, “It looks like everyone is here. Let’s begin. Ashfoot?” he offered, stepping back on the thick limb.

            Ashfoot descended forward, blue gaze raking the Clans. “Onestar is ill,” she announced glumly, and Lilypaw noticed that dark rings had settled beneath the she-cat’s eyes. Is Onestar on his last life?

            “So, I am here to take his place, as he is too sick to attend this Gathering, but he should be able to come next time…” Ashfoot trailed off, her gaze looking beyond the cats gathered below her. “Anyway,” Ashfoot continued, seeming to be rejuvenated by a prod from Rowanstar. “Moorpaw has switched from his warrior training under the mentorship of Harespring to be a medicine cat, under the mentorship of Kestrelflight.”

            Lilypaw contemplated a small, young pale brown tom rise beside Kestrelflight, WindClan’s medicine cat. Harespring rose too, ducking his head in respect. “WindClan wishes luck to their future medicine cat.” Ashfoot finished, sitting back down on her haunches, trembling in the chill breeze.

            Bramblestar still ensconced as he spoke. “ThunderClan is pleased to announce three new apprentices: Amberpaw, Snowpaw, and Dewpaw under the mentorships of Berrynose, Foxleap, and Toadstep, respectively.” Snowpaw and Foxleap stood up, and then hunkered down again. “Also, two new litters of kits are on the way, and ThunderClan is thriving,” Bramblestar concluded.

            Silence engulfed the atmosphere again until Rowanstar of ShadowClan alleged. “Our two respected, helpful, and brave warriors Applefur and Toadfoot have retired to the elders. Please wish them many more moons of restful life.” Some cats were still chanting Amberpaw, Snowpaw, and Dewpaw’s names quietly, but quickly the area was clogged with Applefur and Toadfoot’s names.

            Rowanstar also revealed two new warriors, the death of Littlecloud, and their brand-new medicine cat, Mistcloud, who was named after him.

            Reedstar from RiverClan began his long line of announcements. “Mistystar lost her last few lives from a severe case of greencough just after the previous Gathering,” Reedstar told them. “I am now Reedstar, leader of RiverClan. My deputy is Graymist.” The cats yowled Reedstar and Graymist’s names to the dark sky.

            “Troutstream and Mintfur have one precious new kit, Beetlekit, named after our fallen warrior Beetlewhisker.” With that, Reedstar summed up the Gathering.

            The cats commenced to mingle together and chat, catching up on personal news the leaders didn’t bother to announce. Lilypaw followed Snowpaw around and wondered how Seedpaw was getting along back in camp.

Chapter One, Part Four

“Catch anything?” Brightheart’s calm and content mew lurched Lilypaw out of her dark thoughts.

            Leafpool quietly answered, “No.”

            Thornclaw shrugged. “If that’s what you’re cross about, you’ll live.”

            “Let’s head back to camp,” Brightheart, the patrol leader, decided thoughtfully, flicking her tail at the daydreaming Lilypaw. “It’s alright. Thornclaw and I caught a squirrel each, so Graystripe will have something too.”

            When they arrived back at camp, they found Bramblestar arranging the group of cats to go to the Gathering early.

            “Millie, Lilypaw… Foxleap and Snowpaw… Spiderleg, Birchfall, Whitewing… Ivypool, Dovewing, Bumblestripe… and Blossomfall. Squirrelflight, Jayfeather, Briarlight too of course.”

            Lilypaw smiled at hearing her name. She couldn’t wait to go to her first Gathering! It almost made her forget all about the issue with Seedpaw.

            Speaking of Seedpaw… Lilypaw thought, glancing around. Millie had told her she could eat anytime now that the sky was darkening, and the queens, kits, and elder had eaten from the days’ catches. However, Lilypaw decided to wait and finish off more important matters first.

            The dark tabby stuck her head inside the apprentices’ den, craning her neck to see in the dim light. “Seedpaw?” she asked uncertainly, padding in more.

            Lilypaw could make out an aphotic, shaded figure sitting on its haunches and sobbing silently, body shuddering. Its pointed ears and the whiskers growing out the sides of its face indicated that the form was indeed a cat.

            “Seedpaw, it’s Lilypaw. Please speak to me,” Lilypaw insisted, advancing nearer to the cat, who she confirmed to be her sister because of the familiar scent that bathed her tongue.

            But Seedpaw didn’t respond, not even from a prod. “Seedpaw, are you alright? Seedpaw, talk to me! Please!” Lilypaw cried in alarm, shoves getting harder and voice rising with each word.

            Suddenly, another blackish, caliginous silhouette appeared beside Seedpaw. It ambulated toward Lilypaw, and as it approached closer to her, she noticed stars glimmering and shimmering in its fur- this was a cat too.

            “Lilypaw.” A voice spoke, and the starry cat paced to face her. Lilypaw saw it was a spirit from StarClan. The cat’s smell was very recognizable, but Lilypaw didn’t recall seeing this cat before. Only one description she had been told of before matched this she-cat’s- it was Honeyfern!

            “Lilypaw, you need to leave Seedpaw alone right now,” Honeyfern rambled on, voice soft and soothing like honey going down a warrior’s sore throat.

            For some reason, Lilypaw didn’t even bother to protest- she didn’t feel like objecting. In fact, she was starting to feel quite sleepy.

            Honeyfern padded at her, and Lilypaw realized lazily that she was backing into her nest. Her older sister lashed her tail, and that forced Lilypaw to plop down in her nest. Honeyfern stared at her, and Lilypaw’s eyelids became heavy and started to droop very low.

            “You will sleep. Leafpool’s advice will not work at this time- you can talk to Seedpaw later. Sweet dreams, Lilypaw,” Honeyfern finished before blackness surrounded Lilypaw and the creamy tabby returned to StarClan.

            Lilypaw and Millie bounded, side by side, out of camp, sandwiched between Snowpaw and Spiderleg.

            “I see you took a pre-Gathering nap,” Millie remarked at the dark tabby’s yawns, simpering slightly as she and her apprentice trotted onward. Snowpaw snorted next to Lilypaw, and Spiderleg simply stared straight ahead at the back of Birchfall’s tabby-striped head.

            Lilypaw shrugged, stealing a gasp of crisp, fresh air from the mountains to power her aching muscles. She wasn’t about to tell her Clanmates how Honeyfern put her to sleep. It was strange- according to stories told to her and Seedpaw by Cinderheart and Poppyfrost, Honeyfern was a nice, sweet, lovely cat, but the way that her older sister had lured Lilypaw into the dream world was strange and ominous- exactly the opposite of the tales.

            Perhaps she is angry deep down inside and wants revenge for her death? Honeyfern died almost instantly when she was bitten by a snake a while ago before Lilypaw and Seedpaw were born. Honeyfern was protecting Briarkit, now Briarlight, who later got injured anyway. The creamy tabby and Berrynose were in love, and soon after she died, Berrynose took another mate, Honeyfern’s sister Poppyfrost, and they had kits: Molefoot and Cherrystem. Lilypaw was told that Honeyfern and Berrynose were planning to have kits around the time of her death.

            Lilypaw pushed it away when Millie murmured in her ear, “There it is.”

            The dark tabby glanced up and felt excitement pulse in her paws and the blood roar in her ears. How truly awesome the Gathering Island was! Trees dotted the distant lone chunk of land near the banks of the lake, but one great tree was the most distinctive part of the Island.

            “It’s amazing,” she breathed in reply to her mentor.

            Millie nodded. “I’ve been here before, but it looks especially interesting at this time of night. We’re here a little bit earlier than usual.”

Chapter One, Part Three

The camp darkened quickly, much to Lilypaw and her Clanmates’ dismay. A chilly breeze weaved through the air every once in a while, and ThunderClan was forced to shelter inside their dens. Squirrelflight organized night patrols in the warriors’ den- the assigned cats ran out and checked borders as fast as they could. Hunting patrols from earlier bounded into the den quickly, shivering and fur cold. Mates or friends would groom them and warm them. No cat went on patrol twice that evening.

            At one point, the deputy stuck her head inside the den and called, “Any apprentices want to check the ShadowClan border?”         

            Lilypaw and Seedpaw were trembling from the freezing air, and they hastily shook their heads no. At least we have our day off as an excuse, she thought with relief.

            However, poor Snowpaw was lumbering out of the den to go on patrol, as he was told to sharply by his mentor, Foxleap. “He’s always nice around his kits,” the white tom muttered angrily as he left.

            Lilypaw forgot most of the rest of the night. Outside of the apprentices’ den, she heard some faint murmurings, with paws pounding on the earth as patrols returned and as they departed. At some point, just when the sky had streaks of light in it, Lilypaw noticed some cats sneaking out to steal dead prey for the kits, queens, and elder from the fresh-kill pile.

            She licked her lips and watched Cloudtail drag a half-frozen squirrel away, his teeth cracking through the thin layer of ice over the cold body. It was from last night, but to Lilypaw it would easily top off her quick meal of a sparrow.

            Then, pawsteps crunching on the slowly thawing sheet of ice over the ground sounded near Lilypaw’s den.

            Lilypaw’s eyes perked up to the noise as it got closer. Finally she could see gray tabby paws and white and ginger paws. Oh, no! Millie and Brightheart! They’re late…

            “Seedpaw, Seedpaw!” Furiously Lilypaw prodded her sister awake.

            “Mmph, what is it?” Seedpaw groaned and rolled onto her back, belly rising and falling softly with each breath she took.

            Lilypaw felt the panic level inside her rising. What if it’s me? Oh, it can’t be me! “Brightheart and Millie are here. We have to be prepared.”

            In a heartbeat Seedpaw was up and grooming herself, Lilypaw doing the same.

            Millie and Brightheart were getting closer by the instant. Soon enough Brightheart poked her head inside the entrance. “Lilypaw, Seedpaw, just who we wanted to see,” the scarred warrior said with a slight purr, nodding a brief greeting to Dewpaw, who was the only cat that remained of his siblings, who were outside.

            Lilypaw and Seedpaw shuffled closer to each other, Seedpaw biting her lip and Lilypaw feeling sick to her stomach.

            “Come on out,” Millie said, stepping aside to let them pass. Once the four were out of the den, the mentors led their apprentices over to the side of the clearing. Lilypaw shivered in the nippy cold as it scampered through her fur continuously.

            Brightheart and Millie explained very nicely and carefully that they would first say the name of the sister that was doing alright. So I should be mentioned first, Lilypaw confirmed to herself.

            Millie took a deep breath, and then announced, “Lilypaw.”

                What? By instinct, at first Lilypaw thought she was the failing apprentice. Then she remembered: Millie told us that the name said first belongs to the winning cat. Holding back a smile in spite of herself, Lilypaw backed into her den.

            She turned to Amberpaw, who was alone in her and her brothers’ corner of the den, licking down a patch of spiky fur on her chest. “Amberpaw,” Lilypaw whispered, deciding that the gray-and-white she-cat could be her closest friend at the moment.

            “Oh, hi, Lilypaw,” Amberpaw mewed, glancing up from her strong breast. “What’s up?”

            Lilypaw bounced over and smiled into Brightheart’s daughter’s amber eyes. “I’m not failing in my training!” she exclaimed, tail lashing excitedly. All of a sudden, Lilypaw’s whole body sagged, and in respect for her sister she bowed her head and stared at her paws sullenly for a couple heartbeats. “But Seedpaw is dropping low. I guess I’ll have to cheer her up.”

            It appeared Amberpaw only cared about the first piece of news. “That’s awesome!” she cried once Lilypaw was finished speaking.

            The dark tabby apprentice was shrugging just as Seedpaw entered the den, sulking at the ground.

            “Seedpaw?” Lilypaw shuffled forward, Amberpaw by her side.

            “What?” Seedpaw snapped, neck jerking up to reveal an enraged gaze. “Don’t even talk to me. I’m being held back in my training for a moon. A moon, Lilypaw! While you become a proud warrior- how about with the name Lilyperfect- I stay as a stupid apprentice with the younger cats!”

            Lilypaw staggered, taken aback by her littermate’s words. Amberpaw stumbled back to her nest, feelings hurt.

            Those were the last words for the entire morning.

            “All apprentices come to be assigned to a patrol with a mentor!” Squirrelflight’s yowl echoed around the camp, and right away mentors, apprentices, and warriors slowly removing a newly fallen tree piece by piece rushed over to the deputy.

            Lilypaw walked confidently next to Millie, watching the pouting Seedpaw stomp behind Brightheart.

            Soon Lilypaw, Brightheart, Thornclaw, and Leafpool were walking out in the forest, eyes peeled for any prey as well as the WindClan border, which they were checking.

            “Sh!” Thornclaw silenced Brightheart and Leafpool, who were chatting, and he froze, ears pointing straight toward the tree tops. “A stray rabbit from WindClan territory,” he muttered. The golden brown warrior inched to the left, green eyes quietly wild as he listened.

            The three she-cats stood and waited, the air deadened without their voices added to it. Nostrils flared, Thornclaw disappeared into the bushes, brush shaking behind him. As a holly leaf fluttered to the ground, Lilypaw heard a shrill cry that was cut off abruptly. Thornclaw had killed the rabbit before a bird could sound its alarm to the rest of the forest.

“Two in one!” Thornclaw haughtily annunciated, returning to the small clearing they had stopped in. Leafpool and Lilypaw attentively dipped their heads to the older warrior, and Brightheart congratulated her brother with a smile. “Hazeltail and Icecloud will appreciate those!” she purred, taking the larger rabbit for Icecloud.

            The four cats walked along a bit more. Just when hints of WindClan scent hit Lilypaw’s nose, Leafpool asked if they could split up. “I’d like to take Lilypaw and hunt with her privately, if you don’t mind,” she requested to Brightheart, who allowed her with a nod.

            Once Thornclaw and Brightheart had vanished into the undergrowth, Leafpool spun and faced Lilypaw. Lilypaw knew that Leafpool was distant kin of hers, and worry shined in the tabby’s eyes. Can she feel my emotions? Lilypaw wondered.

            “What’s on your mind?” Leafpool inquired, stepping a pace forward to lick Lilypaw’s cheek. “Please tell me… you can trust I won’t tell anyone else, not even Squirrelflight, and I’m very close to he…”

            “Well,” Lilypaw cut in, staring at her paws instead of deep into the former medicine cat’s amber eyes. Lilypaw knew that Leafpool had broken the warrior code once by falling in love with a WindClan tom, Crowfeather, and having his kits, who happened to be Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and the late Hollyleaf. At this moment Lilypaw felt hauntingly close to the WindClan border. Leafpool’s fur was bristling too, as if she feared a patrol consisting of Crowfeather and his mangy son with Nightcloud, Breezepelt, would come.

            Still not completely trusting of Leafpool, Lilypaw told her the whole story: Seedpaw’s behavior toward her, and then Seedpaw having to stay as an apprentice for an extra moon.

            “I feel terrible,” Lilypaw admitted in conclusion. “Now I’m sure that Seedpaw hates me even more than she did before.”

            Leafpool sighed softly and Lilypaw let the tabby’s long tail trail along her flank. “I ask of you, don’t worry. When Squirrelflight and I were apprentices, we had minor skirmishes like this all the time.”

            Lilypaw furrowed her barely visible eyebrows. “But, Leafpool! This isn’t minor. This is major. She despises my guts, my every move, I tell you! What can I do?”

            The tabby hesitated, clearly thinking hard as her pupils rolled to the treetops. “You must talk to her,” Leafpool settled on that answer, refocusing her gaze to meet Lilypaw’s delicate face. “Don’t acquiesce your thoughts overtake the truth.”

            “Fine. I’ll try to speak to her. But I’ve tried before, and we’re either interrupted, or Seedpaw doesn’t listen. How about just checking the border and forgetting we ever had this conversation?”

            Lilypaw’s outburst intensely silenced Leafpool during their trot to the border. For the rest of their partnership alone, Lilypaw and Leafpool did not meow a thing to each other.