Loyalty Or Love??

[Smallfoot98]

Prologue-
Why is love so painful?

Why is love so hard?

We are hurt by love... yet, we can't live without it.

We wouldn't be here without a mothers love, yet how often is a mother pained with panic or sorrow over her kits?

But this isn't me story to tell. I'm just a bystander. Listening in the shadows.

I'll let the ones in the story tell their tale. But Im warning you. Not all stories have happy endings. Especially this kind of story. I think that happy endings only exist in kits tales, but I can never be sure. Relax,make yourself comfty. This is no short tale. This is a tale with tradegy, sorrow. Yet there is always a light in this story. It all started with two young kits...

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Chapter One-
I padded forward, tasting the air. The tall grass crushed slightly under my paws. My ears pricked at the sound of a tiny heartbeat. Instinct took over and I crouched down. My pelt was gleaming under the sunlight. Slowly I pressed my paw down and spotted a small brown animal nibbling on a stem. It was a mouse!

Swiftly I pounced forward and hooked the mouse with my claws. It landed on the ground with a thump. Dazed the mouse scrambled to its paws and tried to run. I quickly pounced on it again. A loud wail came from behind me and I spun around with wide panicked eyes. I knew who's wail that was. It was my mothers. I blinked open my eyes with a start.

"Not my kit!!!!!" A tabby wailed. I scrambled to my paws. A tabby kit layed limp on the ground. I nosed the limp kit with wide eyes.

"Runningkit?" I mewed hopefully. The kit just layer there, as if she was sleeping.

"She's with Starclan now." A voice murmured from behind me and I twisted to see silver she-cat licking my mother comfortingly. Overwhelmed with grief I plopped to the ground. That was the second littermate to die. I was probably next. Why couldn't it be me instead? I thought mournfully. I just stared at the dead cat that used to be my littermate. Runningkit was dead, so was Redkit. And I was alive. I swallowed the bile that rose in my throat and looked at Blossomwing with sad glazed eyes.

"Dewflight, that’s my second kit... she can't be dead!!!" Blossomwing moaned. A silver cat slid through the entrance with wide anxious eyes. His eyes flickered to Runningkits motionless body. Instantly grief clouded his gaze. He had lost a kit too.

"Blackclaw... she's dead." Blossomwing mewed sadly. Blackclaw sat down and sniffed his dead kit. He slowly licked her pelt and layed down next to Blossomwing, their pelt pressing against one another.

"We still have Moonkit," Blackclaw reminded his mate. His eyes flickered to me as he said my name. I sat up straight. For Runningkit and Redkits sake I'd be the best warrior.

I'd be the most loyal, brave and fierce warrior this clan has ever seen.


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Chapter Two-
"Sunkit!!" A voice mewed loudly! My eyes sprang open to see a tortoiseshell staring at me with her amber eyes. Groggily I sat up and began grooming myself.

"Sunkit!!!" The tortoiseshell mewed urgently. I sighed and stood up.

"What Ivykit?" I yawned showing my teeth. Ivykit cuffed me lightly on the ear.

"We're becoming apprentices today!!” she squealed, her paws kneading eagerly into the soft moss that covered the nursery ground. I straightened, my sleepiness gone in my own eagerness. Instantly I plopped down and began grooming myself.

"I'm going to look my best for my apprentice ceremony!" I mewed excitedly between licks. A tongue rasped me over the ear and I looked over my shoulder to see a pair of blue eyes that were exactly like mine staring at us. Pride was undisguised in my mother’s gaze.

"I would hope so!" Sweetpool mewed. Ivykit had down the same and her pelt gleamed in the nursery's dim light. I purred and nuzzled my littermates shoulder playfully. Ivykit purred.

"Soon we'll be 'paws! I wonder who my mentor will be. I want Cloverstar!" I chirped. Sweetpool licked my eat affectionately.

"Cloverstar will choose your mentors. She will choose what is best." She mewed. Ivykit nodded. She was prancing excitedly in a circle. A small light gray she-cat peered out of the nest. Her yellow eyes were glazed with sleep.

"What's going on?" She mumbled as she was joined by two toms. One of them was dark red with green eyes. The other one was dusty brown with blue eyes. I puffed out my chest. Brackenkit, Applekit, and Littlekit were just litter a quarter moon ago.

"We're being apprenticed today!" I bragged gleefully.

"Really?" Applekit huffed. His jealousy was not disguised.

"All Cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath High Rock!" A yowl rang out through the camp. I bounded towards the entrance excitedly.

"You will walk out there; you’re apprentices, not kits anymore." Sweetpool mewed sternly.

"Yes, Sweetpool!" I mewed barely paying attention. This is my day!

I padded out of the nursery my paws itching with excitement. A silver cat was standing on a huge rock. Her blue eyes flashed as she saw me and Ivykit.

"Today is a important day in clan life. Ivykit and Sunkit have reached their sixth moon and it’s time for them to become apprentices. However at the moment we have more apprentices than warriors." Cloverstar paused as a ripple of surprise and anxiety spread through the cats. A flash of anxiety spread through me like a wildfire. Is she going to keep us as kits?

"So I have decided to take in my own apprentice." Cloverstar continued and only the anxiety calmed down.

"Ivykit!" The leader called my littermate. Ivykit stepped forward. Is Ivykit going to be her apprentice? I thought in disappointment.

"Ivykit you have reached your sixth moon. From now on until you become a warrior you will be called Ivypaw, Jayleaf you have shown you are fierce and clever, and you will mentor Ivypaw. I hope you pass all that you know onto her!" Cloverstar announced. Ivypaw stood up and padded over to Jayleaf. They touched noses lightly before, Ivypaw sat down next to her new mentor. Her eyes were shining.

"Sunkit!" Cloverstar called me. I stepped forward my head held high.

"You have reached your sixth moon. From now on until you become a warrior you will be called Sunpaw. I will mentor you and pass everything I know to you." I felt a flash excitement go through me. I'm going to be the clan leader’s apprentice. I thought excitedly. I padded forward and touched Cloverstars nose lightly. I then bounded down and sat down next to Ivypaw.


"Someone is coming!" Adderpelt yowled just as a white tom with amber eyes burst through the tunnel.
His pelt was matted with blood.

"Cloudstorm what's wrong?" Cloverstar asked the deputy who was also my father.

"Riverclan is invading Sunning Rocks!" Cloudstorm gasped.

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Chapter Three-
I always wanted to close my eyes as my clan called my name. I wanted even the older apprentices to come up to me to congratulate me. I dreamed about that many times. Yet it seems I will never get that. I watched Cloudstorm skid to a halt just in the camp and strip all of that away.

"Riverclan is invading Sunning Rocks!" Cloudstorm gasped out of breath. His sides heaving with the effort. His once handsome white pelt was matted with blood-whether it was his or a Riverclan cat I did not know- and dirt. The cool breeze seemed to carry his yowl across the camp. I pressed against my littermate shocked. Just a moon ago, Riverclan had tried to the same thing with no prevail. Thrushpelt had moved to the elders den after he had accidently killed the deputy Raggedheart. Ever since that Riverclan had been fairly quiet, until now. I kneaded my paws anxiously waiting for Cloverstars reply.

"Adderpelt, you will lead, Greypelt, Darkpaw and Mousepaw around the aide and attack them from there! Cloudstorm, you will take Sweetpool, Hawktalon and Bramblepaw and wait for my yowl at the top of the ledge. Attack them from there. I will take Jayleaf. Ivypaw and Sunpaw and attack then upfront.” She mewed quickly. I looked at her shocked. We were in the main patrol? We were just made apprentices! For Starclans sake we only knew what Bramblepaw had taught us!

"Cloverstar! They were just made apprentices!" I heard Hawktalon yowl. His outrage clearly not disguised. Even Cloudstorms-he was also my father- voice was outraged. He had never shown much attention to us, only Sweetpool.

"I've seen your apprentice teaching them battle moves, Hawktalon! They learn quickly! If you had let me finish, they will take on no enemy alone! They fight together!" She hissed. Her blue eyes flashing, commanding their silence.

"Isn't that right Sunpaw?" She mewed to my littermate. Sunpaw's golden head bobbed eagerly. I felt Cloverstar's eye light up with satisfaction and she turned her icy gaze to me.

"Ivypaw?" She pressed. I echoed my littermates nod.

"Let’s go then!" Cloverstar yowled and lept down from High Rock. She flicked her tail and we-her patrol- gathered around her. My claws itched. We were fighting today!

I followed Cloverstar bounding next to me littermate as we headed into our first battle...

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Chapter Four-
My fur bristled with excitement and unease. I was racing swiftly for the first time through the trees. Leaping over logs and weaving around trees. Ivypaw was running swiftly beside me, just as graceful. I kept close to my mentor’s tail. My claws were unsheathed and dug into the ground whenever we stopped. My tail flicked side to side anxiously. I fouls feel Ivypaw trembling beside me. I took a deep breath and looked around. Cloverstar was crouching against the ground tasting the air. I tipped my head in curiosity and tasted the air. An overwhelming scent of fish made me curl my lip in disgust.

"Yuck!" I spat my lip curled. How could they smell like that?

"Quiet! Do you want the whole of starclan to know we are here?" Jayleaf hissed crouching down beside her apprentice. Ivypaw shot a look of annoyance towards her mentor.

"Crouch down! When I yowl then we attack!" Cloverstar hissed her ice blue eyes watchful through the dense bushes.

"Yes Cloverstar." Me and Ivypaw mewed quietly. Just barely audible. I shuffled my paws uneasily; a sudden wave of anxiousness and nervousness came over me. Suddenly all I can think of is me going into battle. Was I ready? Would I remember the moves? All of Bramblepaws training faded and fear washed over me.

"Calm down! I could smell you fear scent across the forest!" Jayleaf growled. Her own paws kneading the ground anxiously. Suddenly Cloverstars ears pricked. She gathered her haunches and launched letting out a fierce battle cry. I rushed after her, my fear was gone as the first wave of cats came upon us. A blue-gray tom lept in front of me. His blue eyes were bright. I lept back with fright.

"Do I dare attack kits?" The tom taunted. I hissed with frustration.

"I'm an apprentice!" I snarled. A soft pelt brushed against mine. I looked to see Ivypaw nodding at me. A look of determination.

"Attack him!" She hissed. I nodded and lept at him. Satisfaction surged through me as my claws dig into his pelt. Ivypaw slashed at him, missing him by a whisker. I lept on his back feeling pride as he screeched. I was thrown off in an instant to be replaced by Ivypaw. He growled and screeched as I raced forward. I felt my claw slice his nose as he thrust Ivypaw off. She flew through the air yowling. Hitting a nearby tree with a sickening thump. I froze as I heard a familiar screech of terror as my mother bounded towards my unmoving sister.

Oh Starclan! Please don't come for her yet!!

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Chapter Five-
All of the angry yowls died down as everyone gazed in the direction of my limp sister. My paws were frozen as I gazed in shock as Sweetpool lapped frantically at my littermate. The world was spinning around me as I stumbled towards my littermate. Grief washed over me erasing all shock. She's dead... Isn’t she? I thought miserably. I dipped my head and sniffed Ivypaw cautiously. Watching her closely I could just see the rise and fall of her flank.

"She's alive." Sweetpool mewed the relief overwhelming in her mew.

"I think it’s best if you take your injured and leave." Cloverstar snarled to Otterstar. I couldn't help but turn to peer curiously at the Riverclan leader. A light brown tabby dipped her head in response.

"Very well Cloverstar, since one of your apprentices have been injured I will retreat this one time but we'll be back." She hissed the last few words of her threat then turned.

"Riverclan Retreat!" she yowled. Her yowl rang through the forest as all the smelly Riverclan cats gathered around their leader and slipped into the river, how could they get wet? I thought my lip curling in disgust. Suddenly I remembered my sister and turned to see Hawktalon helping Sweetpool carry her. Sweetpool gazed over at Cloverstar the anger in her blue eyes undisguised.

"This is your fault! I told you that they were untrained and you didn’t listen!" she snarled then padded forward carrying Ivypaw. Cloverstar did not flinch but as Sweetpool turned her tail on the leader; Cloverstar's tail drooped and dragged on the ground. I slowly followed, a tail touched my shoulder and I looked to see Jayleaf looking at me with worry.

"She'll be okay." she assured. Though I couldn't help but think that she was assuring herself more than me. We padded into camp and I heard gasp from the kits as Sweetpool carried her kit into the medicine den.

"Frostleaf? She hurt." Although she tried to disguise it, the agony was clear in her voice. I followed my mother into the medicine den to see Frostleaf sniffing Ivypaw. She sighed and turned to my mother.

"Her leg is broken..." she murmured touching her tail to Sweetpools shoulder. Sweetpool flinched her gaze filled with grief. Realization flooded over me and I sat down roughly. I couldn’t help asking.

"You mean... Ivypaw will never be a warrior?" My mew trembled as I asked the dreaded question. Frostleaf turned her gaze to me and I knew that my sister was never going to be a warrior or deputy, like we used to play when we were kits. Suddenly I wished for the warmth of the nursery, for the careless games, when we were Sunkit and Ivykit not 'paws'. We could just play and sleep and didn’t have anything to worry about. The realization hit me moments later.

Ivypaw will never be a warrior... So what will she be?

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Chapter Six-
Watching the leaf carefully I kept, landing neatly on the leaf. My claws ripped, satisfaction rippling through me. My now sleek pelt was shining in the sunlit clearing. I stopped and gave my pelt a couple of licks. My ears pricked fir the signal.

"Ready?" A mew asked behind me. I twisted to see a silver tom padding up beside me. His pale green eyes were lit with pride.

"I was ready five moons ago!" I informed. My paws kneaded the ground anxiously. Today was finally the day. I peered around Blackclaw to see a pale tabby sitting dully outside of the nursery. Her pale green eyes didn't show a flicker of recognition as I flicked my tail in greeting. After Runningkits death, Blossomwing didn't show any affection for me.

"All cats old enough to catch their own frog gather beneath Shadow Rock for a clan meeting!" A yowl echoed through the camp. I jumped to my paws and pranced in a circle.

"Calm down, you'll be out of excitement for your warriors ceremony!" A voice rasped behind. I spun surprised to see Blossomwing padding up, the old light sparked in her eyes again. My heart swelled with happiness as-for the first time- my Blossomwing and Blackclaw padded side by side behind me into full view of the entire clan. I raised my muzzle and my tail flicked proudly. A ripple of mews and murmurs spread through the clan like a wild fire as they saw Blossomwing back to her old self.

"Moonkit, you have reached your sixth moon and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From now until you are a warrior you will be called Moonpaw. Lionclaw, you have proved to be brave and loyal. You will mentor Moonpaw. May you pass all that you know onto this young apprentice." I padded up to Lionclaw, and touched his nose lightly. I found that I was quivering with excitement. I slowly sat down beside my mentor as I closed my eyes and drowned in the praises of my clan.

"Moonpaw! Moonpaw!" The clan chanted my new name.

"Onto another matter, the cats going to the gathering tonight are." He paused before continuing.

"Lionclaw, Blackclaw, Blossomwing, Larkpaw, Willowpaw." He hesitated before saying the last name.

"Moonpaw." He mewed at last. I jumped to my paws.

"I'm going to the gathering?" I asked in shock. Lionclaw purred in amusement.

"Yes, Moonpaw. You’re going!" He purred. I pranced excitedly.

I'm going to the gathering!
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Chapter Seven-
I sat gloomily outside of the apprentices den. The mouse I had chosen from the fresh kill pile lay on the ground in front of me. Guilt and grief washed over me for the second time today. It was all my fault. If I had a tighter grip on that mangy Riverclan cat, Ivypaw wouldn't be limping. I watched my littermate sniff through the fresh-kill pile. Slowly pulling myself to my paws I grabbed the mouse and trotted over.

"Here!" My mew was muffled by the fresh kill. Setting down the mouse I watched anxiously as Ivypaw looked me over, her amber eyes intense and dark with worry. My heart rapidly beat, it was so loud I thought the whole of Starclan could hear it. What is she thinking? Is she blaming it all on me? I knew it was my fault! I can just see the accusation in her eyes! My mind raced with each thought.

"It wasn't your fault," a gentle mew interrupted my frightened thoughts. I looked to see Ivypaw sitting down looking at me. Sadness and understanding filled her eyes.

"Yes it is, if I had held on or been stronger-" My feeble mew was interrupted be a yowl.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock!" I twisted to see Cloverstar standing boldly on the edge of High Rock. Her pelt gleamed in the fierce sunlight that covered the camp. I shuffled my white paws before turning around. Surprisingly, Ivypaw didn't sit next me. Alarm rushed through me as I glanced frantically around looking for my littermate. I caught a glimpse of her padding to sit next to Frostleaf. Why is she sitting next to Frostleaf? I thought curiously. Hurt made my fur bristle, does she not want to sit by me? Forgetting her assurance, my thoughts drifted back once again to a quarter moon ago to when the accident happened. I didn't get pulled back into the present until I watched Ivypaw stepped forward raising her head high.

"I do." She mewed, her voice trembled with anxiety and nervousness. I tipped my head curiously. What did I miss now?

"Then at half moon you will travel with me to Highrocks and I will present you as my apprentice." Frostleaf's yowl echoed through the camp. She's Frostleafs apprentice? I thought in shock. My eyes flickered to Ivypaw, her eyes were shining for the first time since the incident. Relief washed away the shock. She was happy. That's all that mattered.

"The cats going to the gathering are Cloudstorm, Sweetpool, Hawktalon, Bramblepaw, Sunpaw, Jayleaf, and Ivypaw!" Cloverstar yowled before leaping delicately off High rock.

Me and Ivypaw are going to our first gathering!
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Chapter Eight-
I weaved around a pine tree. My black pelt was barely visible in the dense forest night. Lionclaw was a tail length ahead of me. Leaping over a log I felt my fur bristle with excitement. I was going to the Gathering tonight. A pelt brushed my mine and I looked over to see Willowpaw racing beside me. Her paws looked as if they barely touched the ground.
“Just stick close to me, I’ll show you some of the other apprentices.” She mewed, her breaths making puffs in the chilly Leaf-fall air. Gratitude rushed through me and I managed a small nod. The look of amusement in her green eyes made my ears burn with embarrassment. I looked in front of me just in time to skid to a stop, nearly sliding into Lionclaw.
“A warrior always watches where he’s going.” Lionclaw rumbled. His deep mew was quiet. I dipped my head and gave my chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks. I just couldn’t get things right! I kneaded the ground eagerly. Watching Sootstar, I pressed against Willowpaw. Her light purr made warmth spread over me.
“Remember, give say nothing that would make your clan weak when the full moon is over.” Lionclaw reminded me gently. I nodded my pale green eyes wide with awe. I couldn’t believe the gathering was only fox length away. Sootstar flicked his tail and bounded into the clearing. Looking at the four huge oaks in awe, I raced in beside Willowpaw. The four oaks towered over me, making me feel like a mouse. Is this how prey feels? I thought shivering. No wonder they ran, I would too. Glancing around I stifled a squeak of surprise. There was so many cats. A murmur of mews floated over to me.
“Thunderclan and Windclan haven’t arrived yet.” Willowpaw growled softly. I shuffled my paws anxiously. This wasn’t all of the clans? How many cats were there? Following Willowpaw like a sick kit made me curl my lip in disgust. I shook the disgust away, next time I would be able to find my own way around. Tasting the air I was overwhelmed by the smell of fish. Swiftly clamping my mouth shut I tried to block out the scent.
“You’ll get used to it.” A voice mewed. I twisted to see Larkpaw padding up beside me. Her own lip was curled in disgust. I nodded and looked around.
“Hello, I haven’t seen you here before.” A growl came from somewhere in front of me in the mass of Riverclan cats. I searched the cats confused. A grey tom stepped out and dipped his head. His amber eyes were amused.
“Hello Featherheart, this is Moonpaw. He just became an apprentice.” Larkpaw announced, her eyes were wide with respect.
“Hello Moonpaw! I am Featherheart. Riverclan’s medicine cat.” Featherheart greeted. Understanding washed over me. That’s why Larkpaw was respectful.
“Thunderclan is here!” A Riverclan she-cat yowled. I spun to see cats pouring down the hill. Fear crept over me and I dug my claws into the ground. It looked as if they were going to attack! As the cats slowed down, I relaxed and sheathed my claws. Mouse brain! They’re just Thunderclan cats! I thought angrily to myself. Embarrassment washed over me as I heard two amused purrs from behind me. My eyes flickered to see Larkpaw and Willowpaw looking at me in amusement.
“It’s not funny!” I snapped before plunging into the approaching cats.
“Wait! Moonpa-“ Willowpaw protested. I ignored her and stumbled through the wave of cats. I padded to the base of the hill to see two Thunderclan cats slowly padding down the hill. Behind them a pure white she-cat watched with anxious eyes. My eyes were drawn to the two smaller she-cats. They looked the same age as me. The tortoiseshell was limping, although her amber eyes gleamed with determination as the other one; a creamy gold she-cat helped her. Her own river blue eyes were filled with guilt and grief. The tortoiseshell took a few more paw steps before stumbling down to the bottom of the hollow. The creamy she-cat lept down and sniffed the tortoiseshell anxiously. The wounded she-cat touched the tip of the creamy cats ear in a comforting gesture. Curiosity pulled me forward. Whats wrong with her? I thought curiously. Padding towards the three cats, I managed to catch the last few words the white she-cat was murmuring.
“-go, Ivypaw. Sunpaw, find Bramblepaw. He will show you around.” She mewed.
“Yes, Frostleaf.” The creamy gold she-cat dipped her head. The tortoiseshell followed Frostleaf to where Featherheart and Mudlight were sitting. Understanding dawned on me. Frostleaf and the tortoiseshell must be medicine cats. I snuck forward to catch Frostleaf introducing her apprentice.
“This is Ivypaw.” She greeted the Riverclan medicine cat. So the gold she-cat must be Sunpaw.
”What are you doing?” a menacing his came from behind me. I spun and unsheathed my claws to see Sunpaw glaring at me. Her blue eyes pools of suspicion and hostility.
“Uhhh…” I scrambled to find the right words…
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Chapter Nine-
I weaved around the tree just to end up beside Ivypae again. My fur was tingling with excitment. In a few moments I'd be with the other clans. My eyes flickered to Ivypaw. Guilt made my fur lay flat. If only she were prancing around with me. No! I snapped angerily at myself. She was happy. Her amber eyes were shining like Silverpelt.

"Nervous?" A voice mewed next to me. I turned to see Bramblepaw glancing at me. His own eyes were shining. My breath came out in puffs of air in the chilly air.

"Not at all!" I protested. My head held high defensively. I was going to be the best warrior! Why would a gathering scare me? My thoughts ran. Was there something I should be scared of at the gathering? A pelt pressing against me returned me from my anxious thoughts. I looked to see Bramblepaw looking at me. A wierd look in his eyes. Shyly looking at the forest ahead of me I leaned away slightly pressing agaisnt my limping littermate. Without warning, Hawkfrost stopped. Letting out a mew of suprise I halted so suddenly that I fell forward. Scarmbling to my paws, my ears burned with embarrasment. Giving my pelt a few clean licks I peered around. Looks of amusement were in the eyes of my littermtae and Bramblepaw. Behing them Frostleaf was stifling a purr. Shaking my pelt I stood up as the ThunderClan cats pour down the hill. I caught a glimsp of cats murmering with greeting. So many cats! I thought in shock. My paws were frozen to the ground as Bramblepaw pushed his way ahead of me. A pelt brushing against mine gave me my freedom back.

"Lets go." a mew softly tickled my ear fur. I looked to see Ivypaw limping down the hill. Rushing up beside her I slowly helped my sister downt he hill. The whole time guilt and grief flashing in my eyes. Frostleaf was standing behind Ivypaw. Her eyes were wary. Ivtypaw stumbled the last few steps down the hill. Alarm made my fur bristle as I lept gracefully beside her and gave her an anxious sniff to recieve a comforting touch of her nose. She was fine. Relief washed over me and my fur lay flat.

"Lets go Ivypaw. Sunpaw, find Bramblepaw.He will show you around." Frostleaf mewed. Her mew was firm. I felt no need to protest.

"Yes Frostleaf." I meweed as I dipped my head. I watched warily as Ivypaw followed Frostleaf. Her dark pelt disapearing amoung the swarm of cats. A flash of black caught my eyes. I peered curiously to see a black cat following my littermate and Frostleaf. Anger surged through me as he snuck through the cats. Can't they leave her alone? I snapped angerily. Elegantly slipping through two cats that smelt like crowfood I followed the young tom. Curling my lip as the crowfood scent. That must be Shadowclan. I thought, vagily remembering the scent from the various patrols I went out on. Slipping through the shadows I watched as the young tom crouched in the shadows. His black pelt blended in perfectly with the dark night. With my hackles raised I stepped into the moonlight.

"What are you doing?" I hissed menacingly. I watched with satisfaction as the young cat spun around to face me his claws unsheathed. My eyes were filled with hostility and suspicion.

"Uhhh..." the young tom searched for words. Stupid fish-face! I thought smugly. The wind blew my scent towards my victim.

"Haven't you hurt her enough? Can't you see that she isn't a warrior?" I snarled. Stepping closer to the tom. His pale green eyes flashed with fear. Serve's you right! I thought. This RiverClan cat stood no chance. Confusion crept into his eyes as he heard my snarl.

"Hurt her? I haven't done anything to her!" he protested.

"No, but your clan mates did!" I growled. The wind shifted directions and the full blown scent of ShadowClan weaved around me. He's not Riverclan! I thought in embarrasment. Letting my hackles fall and my fur flatten I sheathed my claws. Shuffling my paws. Understanding dawned on the young tom.

"Did you think I was in another clan? As if!" he mewed in shock. I rolled my eyes at his comment. Yep. He was Shadowclan alright.

"Sorry, it was a misunderstanding." I mewed grudingly. I hated apoligizing to other clan cats. It made me want to curl my lip.

"Thats okay." he said awkardly. He knew how I felt.

"I'm Sunpaw by the way." I mewed nervously. Slipping out of the shadows, the ShadowClan apprentice -he was to small to be a warrior- padded into the clearing. The leaders were on top of a huge rock. The Four Tree's towered over all the cats.

"Oh I kn-er I mean I'm Moonpaw." he mewed anxiously. Was he about to say I know??? How in Starclan's name would he know? Squeezing throught the cats I spotted Bramblepaw.

"Come on Moonpaw! I see a spot for us!" I mewed. He nodded and followed me through the cats. I settled down next to Bramblepaw. Glancing at Bramblepaw I saw the pleasure melt away when Moonpaw sat failry close to me. Our pelts were almost brushing.

"Windclan is here!" A yowl echoed through the camp. Moonpaw and I turned to see skiiny lean cats racing towards the group.
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[Smallfoot98]

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