A Dark Path

[Wolfstar]

This story, is.... AMAZING!!!

[Featherstar]

Thanks! But anyways, before I write the next chapter, I will add the elder's den part.

[Featherstar]

(Sorry about the lack of paragraphs, but I can't figure out how to make them. )

~Chapter 6~

Featherpaw woke up, relieved she didn't have the same strange dream again. She had no idea what to do about the dream. She almost completely forgot about it the day before. She was too excited about her apprentice training. But, today it hung in her mind like fog, causing her to feel nauseous. Should I tell anyone? Maybe Rosestar, but I don't think I want to bother her. She's already done so much for me! Featherpaw thought and sighed, and remembered that she had apprentice training today. I better try and find Amberfang, she is probably looking for me. Featherstar thought. And with that thought, Featherpaw padded out of the den and looked around. Amberfang was at the fresh-kill pile, lying down and waiting. "Sorry, Amberfang, I overslept." Featherpaw mewed, as she walked towards Amberfang. "That doesn't matter, it happens. We all aren't perfect. Well, how's your paw?"Amberfang responded, cheerfully. "My paw?" Featherpaw pause for a moment, remembering the accident, "Oh... I can't even feel any of the pain anymore! I forgot about it. What do you have planned for me today?" Featherpaw couldn't keep the uneasiness out of her voice, she was still thinking about her dream. "I was planning on giving you a tour of the camp. But, is anything wrong?" Amberfang mewed, clearly with thought in her mind. "It's just... Nothing. I just feel tired. I couldn't sleep well last night, some of the apprentices snore." Featherpaw mumbled, not trying to give anything away about her dream. Amberfang thought and then meowed, "Well, you can rest and have the day off today, if you want. There's no hurry." Featherpaw shook her head and responded, "I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired, after all. Also, this seems fun!" Amberfang nodded, and then they both stared padding towards the forest.

---

At camp
"Rosestar! Rosestar! Snowbreeze was attacked by foxes! I can't carry her back to the camp, she's too heavy! I need help, now!" Ivyfoot, Snowbreeze's mate, screeched, tears running down his face. "Ivyfoot, it will be ok. Go get Stormpool and lead us to her." Rosestar calmly mewed. What was Snowbreeze doing outside of the camp when her kits could be due at anytime?! Rosestar thought, following Ivyfoot. At Stormpool's den, Rosestar explained the situation quickly to Stormpool, while she gathered herbs. "Please! We have to hurry!" Ivyfoot sobbed, his tears growing heavier. "It will be alright! Just stay strong and show us to her." Stormpool mewed soothingly. Ivyfoot nodded, and ran off in the direction of his injured mate. When they arrived, they found Snowbreeze laying limp on the ground, but still breathing. She had two deep wounds, but the other wounds weren't too deep. "I think she will be fine," Stormpool mewed, applying herbs to Snowbreeze's wounds. After all the herbs were applied, Ivyfoot and Rosestar carried Snowbreeze to camp. At camp, Stormpool moved Snowbreeze to the medicine cat's den. She will definitely be ok. Ivyfoot is calmed down, now. Stormpool thought, as she watched the rise and fall of Snowbreeze's chest. Rosestar knew that Amberfang and Featherpaw were in the forest, so she went to find them. She padded through the forest, following their scent trail. When she found them, she told them what happened, and that they should go back to camp. They obeyed her and soon found themselves in the camp. Featherpaw immediately found herself in her den, and asleep. Rosestar checked on Snowbreeze, Ivyfoot, and Stormpool. They all seemed fine, so she ended up in her den, too. Amberfang was the only one who didn't go to her den, instead she went to the forest.

---

That night, Featherpaw had the strange dream, again. She woke up frightened, but then excited, for she knew she had training. She went out of her den to look for Amberfang, but she couldn't find her. Then Rosestar walked up to her, with sadness hung in her eyes. "Featherpaw... Amberfang is dead..."

[Featherstar]

~Chapter 7~

Featherpaw was unable to talk, and all she did to respond was cry. I can't believe she died! Now what will happen? Will I get a new mentor? But, I don't want a new mentor! She was the only one that really seemed like she wanted me in Leafclan! This is unfair! Featherpaw thought, continuing to cry. "H-How did s-she die?" Feathepaw mumbled, finally being able to speak. Rosestar sadly mewed, "She was killed by a fox, probably the same fox that attacked Snowbreeze. We will all mourn her death greatly tonight. I will also send out a patrol tomorrow to drive out the fox." Featherpaw nodded, and then remembering that she had no mentor, she asked, "Wait, I don't have a mentor now..." "Oh, right. I will make the decision and announce who will be your new mentor before we mourn for Amberfang." Featherpaw nodded once again, and padded to her den. I don't have anything to do right now... I think I will go see if Stormpool needs any help. Featherpaw thought. She padded out of her den, heading for the medicine cat's den, hoping for something to do. "Hello, Stormpool. Since I don't have a mentor at the moment, I wanted to see if you had anything for me to do." Featherpaw asked. "You can go out into the forest and collect some herbs with Honeypaw, my apprentice, if you like. Many cats have been getting hurt lately. Our supply of herbs is low. She's at the entrance of camp, waiting for me. But, I need to keep taking care of Snowbreeze right now. You can go instead." Stormpool mewed, talking fast. "Ok, thanks. I didn't want to be stuck in camp all day..." Featherpaw padded off, eager to meet Honeypaw. Hopefully she will like me! I don't have any friends... She spotted Honeypaw and ran up to her. "Hi, Honeypaw. Stormpool said that she needed to take care of Snowbreeze, and that I could go with you to collect herbs, if that's ok." Featherpaw meowed, a bit shyly. "Hi! I know you! I saw you at your ceremony! I'm glad you could join our clan, I don't know why some people didn't like you... We should go now, before it gets too late." Honeypaw meowed, clearly excited to meet her. "Ok, thank you for letting me help you!" Featherpaw exclaimed, as they headed into the forest. "Hey, we shouldn't go out too far in the forest. There could be that fox... But I'm still sure that we can find the herbs that we need. I think we should split up to search for any herbs we can find! And yell if something happens." Honeypaw mewed. "Sounds like a good plan. I'll go over there, you should stay here." Featherpaw mewed, and they departed. Featherpaw glanced over at Honeypaw, to see her gathering a leaf. Hm... I should do that, too. I think it is to carry the herbs? Featherpaw thought, as she picked a leaf up off the ground. She scented something she hadn't smelt yet. She padded in the direction of it to find a strange plant that had a strange smell. "Honeypaw! I think I found something!" Featherpaw mewed, as Honeypaw raced over. "Catmint! Wow! We'll need this since leaf-bare is soon!" Honeypaw, mewed enthusiastically. She carefully picked the catmint and put it on her leaf. "We should keep looking, we should try to find some poppy seeds. Stormpool is running low on them." Featherpaw nodded and continued to look for poppy seeds. But instead of finding poppy seeds, she found cobwebs. She grabbed a stick lying on the ground and wrapped the cobweb around it. (I don't really know if this is how they would get cobwebs. xD) "I found some poppy seeds! Oh, you found some cobwebs! We should get back to camp. Me and Stormpool usually find more herbs than this, but you aren't a medicine cat. It is harder for you to find herbs, since I know the scents of a lot of them." Honeypaw mewed, and carefully picked up her leaf that had poppy seeds and catmint on it. Featherpaw followed Honeypaw back to camp, with the stick in her jaws. They headed to the medicine cats den, and dropped of the herbs they found. Honeypaw went to the fresh-kill pile and got a plump mouse. She and Featherpaw happily ate it together, Featherpaw had almost forgot about Amberfang's death. As they finished eating, Rosestar yowled, "All cats old enough to catch their own prey join here for a clan meeting." The clan gathered together and looked up at Rosestar. "As we all know, a great warrior has fallen. Amberfang will be greatly missed, but before we start the vigil, I must appoint the newest apprentice, Featherpaw, a new mentor. Your new mentor will be Darkstorm, my deputy. Darkstorm, you have show great courage and strength. I hope that you will pass your warrior skills to Featherpaw." Featherpaw padded up and touched her nose to Darkstorm's nose. "Now, we must have vigil for our beloved warrior, Amberfang." Rosestar mewed, grief filling her eyes. Featherpaw was the first cat to get to Amberfang's body, and she laid her head on Amberfang's cold body. Grief clouded her eyes, as she tried to stay calm. Starclan, please accept her and let her hunt freely in the stars... Featherpaw thought, as the long vigil begun.

(Finally, I finished this chapter! Also, for anyone who is confused, Featherpaw most likely be a warrior if she had stayed in the clan since she was a kit. So, she's not just a cat that is 6 moons old and has a mate and kits. xD)

[Featherstar]

Hopefully going to write the next chapter tomorrow.

[Featherstar]

~Chapter 8~

Featherpaw watched as the sun was barely visible. It had been a long night, and she was tired. She got up and stretched, and went over to Darkstorm. "When will training start?" Featherpaw asked, drowsy. "It will start tomorrow. You should get some sleep, that vigil took away a lot of your energy. I'll expect you to be working hard tomorrow." Darkstorm mewed, and yawned. Featherpaw nodded and went to the apprentices den. She lay down in her nest, and put her head on her paws. I'm really tired, but I don't know if I'll be able to go to sleep... Maybe I will... she thought, turning in her nest to get comfortable. She eventually dozed off, and slept well.
********
Featherpaw awoke in the middle of the night. She wasn't tired anymore, and didn't want to go back to sleep. I shouldn't be out in the forest alone... But I want to take a walk. I'll be very careful. she thought, and got up from her nest. She got up, careful not to wake up any of the other apprentices. She made it out of the den, and headed out of camp. She decided to take a slow paced walk. She padded around in the forest, careful not to run into a patrol. She scented the air, and found a strange scent. A border! I better be careful... she thought, as she looked across the border. This is Shadeclan. I remember Stormpool telling me about the scent of it when I was in the Medicine cat den! She suddenly saw movement in a bush. A black cat jumped out of the bush. The cat looked at her. "A Leafclan cat? What are you doing this close to the border? And in the night?" the cat mewed. "I was exploring, I couldn't sleep." Featherpaw mewed, cautiously. I should be careful of what I say... She thought. "Oh... Well, I'm Nightpaw!" he exclaimed. "I'm Featherpaw. You look big for an apprentice." "Well... I got injured greatly when I was a kit. I had to be held back from my training for a really long time. You also look big for an apprentice..." "I-I used to be a loner... I just joined Leafclan..." Featherpaw muttered, ashamed. "That's okay. You seem friendly! I like you!" Nightpaw mewed, sniffing at her. "That's good! I'm glad to hear that you like me. My clan mates don't seem to like me too much..." "That's sad to hear, but I'm sure they'll like you soon!" "I should be going... I shouldn't have talked to you..." Featherpaw mewed. "Ok... I probably won't see you anytime soon. Bye!" Nightpaw mewed, disappointed. He then turned and ran away. He looked back, though. Why did he look back? We are from different clans... He shouldn't have feelings for me... She ran back into the forest, and into the camp. It was beginning to be dawn, and cats should be stirring soon. She went to her den and lay down. She closed her eyes, but couldn't fall asleep. While trying to go to sleep, her stomach growled. She got up, and went to the fresh-kill pile. She grabbed a vole off the almost empty pile. She sat down by a tree that was in camp and quickly ate the vole. She waited under the tree and watched the warriors den to wait for her mentor to wake up. Soon after, Darkstorm padded out of the warriors den. Featherpaw got up and went over to her mentor. "Hi, Darkstorm, what are we going to do today?" she mewed, enthusiastically. "You will be learning the hunting crouch today." Darkstorm mewed, still drowsy from his sleep. "Ok!" Darkstorm padded out of the camp, a little bit away from the camp, with Featherpaw on his tail. "Ok, I'll show you how to preform the hunters crouch. Then you try." Darmstorm mewed. He bent all of his legs, his belly fur touching the ground. He kept his tail low, and then stayed completely still. Featherpaw studied how his body looked, and then Darkstorm got up. "You try now." Feather nodded. She bent her legs, and made sure her belly fur was touching the ground. She put her tail on the ground. Then, she lost her balance and fell over. Darkstorm couldn't help but to suppress a laugh. "You did good, but make sure to raise your tail a little bit higher than you did. And, try your best to keep your balance. Try again." Featherpaw practiced her hunting crouch all afternoon, until Darkstorm finally mewed, "Ok, that's enough. I think you have it mastered now. Tomorrow we will practice stalking, and you might get to try and hunt." So, Featherpaw and Darkstorm headed back to camp. Darkstorm went to talk with Rosestar, and Featherpaw went to the apprentice den. She found that the only apprentice in the den was Icepaw. "Hey, Icepaw, do you want to share a mouse with me?" Featherpaw mewed, trying to be friendly. "Uh... Sure! I was just resting from my training. " Icepaw explained, getting up. They padded over to the fresh-kill pile, and Featherpaw pulled out a fat, juicy mouse. They ate the mouse together, and talked until dusk. "Thanks for spending time with me, nobody really seems to like me that much. But, I should be going to my nest, I have another day of training tomorrow." Featherpaw mewed, yawning. Icepaw nodded and they both headed to the apprentice den. Icepaw seems really nice. Maybe I can train with her sometime! Featherpaw thought, as she settled down in her nest. She soon fell asleep.

[★Leopardstar★]

Its great so far ^_^

[Featherstar]

~Chapter 9~

Featherpaw awoke in a strange forest. It was really foggy, and she couldn't tell where she was. This isn't Leafclan... Featherpaw thought, scared. "Be careful of who you talk to, and to whom you befriend. Some friendships can bend loyalties..." A black cat mewed. "W-what does that mean?! Who are you?!" Featherpaw yowled as the hole place started turning white. "Come back, I need to talk to you!" Featherpaw opened her eyes, startled. "Can you keep it down? Some cats are trying to sleep!" Acornpaw, a light brown tom, growled. "Uh... Acornpaw... It's morning." Mosspaw, his twin, purred. Mosspaw couldn't help laughing when Acornpaw moaned and slowly sat up. Featherpaw ignored the two toms as her mind swirled in thought. Who was that strange cat? What did he mean? Featherpaw thought, confused. Then, the black tom appeared in her mind. What if that cat meant Nightpaw...? "Featherpaw? Is something wrong?" Icepaw mewed. Featherpaw's thoughts got interrupted, and she realized she was staring at nothing. "Uh...Yeah. I'm fine. I should probably get to training, though." Icepaw looked thoughtful and curious. "Hey, do you mind if I ask Flowervine if I can train with you and Darkstorm today?" Featherpaw nodded. "Sure! Let me go ask him. You should go and ask Flowervine." Icepaw nodded and they both padded out of the apprentices den and started looking for their mentors. Featherpaw found Darkstorm resting in the shade of an old oak tree. She padded up to him and asked, "Is it ok if Icepaw trains with us today?" Darkstorm just nodded. He seemed like he was thinking about something, and Featherpaw was feeling curious. "As long as her mentor says its ok." was all Darkstorm mewed. Featherpaw turned to look for Icepaw, but she was standing right there. "Flowervine says it is alright. She is really tired and she can't come..." Icepaw mewed. "Well, it's time to go! Icepaw, have you learned how to properly hunt?" Icepaw nodded, and mewed, "Of course! I'm only being taught by the best!" "Well... Can you go right outside of camp and help her learn to stalk? I'll be there soon." Icepaw nodded. "Come on, Featherpaw!" Icepaw purred. Icepaw ran to the entrance of camp and Featherpaw raced after her. They stopped barely outside of camp. "Something seemed wrong with Darkstorm..." Featherpaw mewed, curiously. "Well, it's his own business and I am here to help you learn how to stalk. So that is what I shall do." Icepaw mewed, "First you have to get into a crouch. Then, you creep forward, very carefully. You have to make sure not to make any noises, or the prey will be alerted. Then, you pounce!" Featherpaw nodded, a bit disappointed she was being taught by a cat that was younger than her. "Give it a try!" Icepaw mewed. "Sure." Featherpaw got into a crouch. But then, she started thinking about the dream she had. I can't stop thinking about Nightpaw... What is wrong with me?! Featherpaw thought. She lost balance as she was thinking, and she toppled over. "Featherpaw? I thought you knew how to crouch!" Icepaw mewed, confused. "I-I do. Sorry. I'll try again." Featherpaw mewed, still thinking about Nightpaw. She got into a crouch, perfectly balanced. "That's it!" Icepaw encouragingly mewed. Featherpaw then started creeping forward, but then she stepped on a stick. "That's too bad. Don't give up! Try again." Icepaw instructed. Throughout the day, Featherpaw practiced stalking. She kept messing up a lot, though. Featherpaw seems so distracted... Just as they were about to go back into camp, Darkstorm finally appeared. "How's it going with stalking?" Darkstorm asked. "I've almost perfected my stalk!" Featherpaw purred, proud of herself. But Nightpaw was still on her mind... "That is always good to hear. You both should go back to camp, you've worked hard." Featherpaw and Icepaw dipped their heads in thanks and they all padded back into camp. "Oh, and by the way, you have both been selected to go to the gathering tomorrow!" Darkstorm purred. "Really?!" Icepaw and Featherpaw mewed at the same time. Darkstorm nodded and headed to Rosestar's den. "This is the best! And we both haven't been apprenticed that long!" Icepaw purred, clearly excited. "We should head off to rest, especially if we want enough energy for going to the gathering." Featherpaw mewed, also excited. Icepaw nodded and they both walked to the apprentice den. "Goodnight!" They both mewed, as they curled up in their nests. Featherpaw fell asleep, but she opened her eyes. She found herself in the same foggy forest she was in last night. "You must be careful of who you befriend..." was all Featherpaw heard before she woke up. It was in the middle of the night. She sat up and groomed herself. I need to stretch my legs... She thought. She stood up and carefully dodged around all of the other apprentices. She then headed to the camp entrance.

[Featherstar]

~Chapter 10~

Featherpaw heard a voice from behind her saying, "Where are you going?" She spun around to see Icepaw. "I was going to go on a walk through the forest. I can't sleep, that's all..." It's partially true... She thought, guilty that she was keeping secrets from her friend. "I couldn't either. Can I join you?" Featherpaw knew her friend would be suspicious if she said no, so she just nodded. They headed out of camp, into the freezing cold night. I don't know where I'm going... Featherpaw thought, but she just kept going. All of the sudden Icepaw stopped. "What's the matter, Icepaw? Is something wrong?" Featherpaw asked. "Nothing's wrong with me... But I can tell something is bothering you... What is it?" Featherpaw's heart started beating faster. "I-I don't want to talk about..." She mewed, shyly. "I just want to help. Please?" "I said I don't want to talk about it!" Featherpaw hissed. Icepaw backed away, scared by Featherpaw's anger. She ran off back to camp and Featherpaw slowly padded the other way. She sighed to herself. "I shouldn't have gotten so mad..." she whispered, to herself. I should really go back to camp... She thought, as she turned the way Icepaw went. She ran back to camp and into the apprentice den. She looked around, but Icepaw was nowhere to be found. She'll be back by morning. Featherpaw thought, as she laid down in her nest. She fell into a light sleep, after laying in her nest for what seemed like moons.

---

Featherpaw awoke from the light that seeped in through the roof of the den. She got up and stretched. Today's the gathering! She thought. She padded out of the den, the fight last night completely forgotten. She looked around for Icepaw's beautiful white coat. She found her sitting at the fresh-kill pile, chatting with the other apprentices. She perked her ears to listen to the conversation. She heard Icepaw mew, "I get to go to the gathering!" The other apprentices looked jealous. "But you are a new apprentice! We have been apprentices way longer then you, and we don't get to go!" Featherpaw heard a small gray cat, Birdpaw, complain. She padded over to join them. "Oh hey, Featherpaw." Icepaw causally mewed. Oh yeah... We had that fight last night... Featherpaw thought, uneasily. "Hey, Icepaw, do you want to share a vole with me?" Featherpaw mewed, nervously. "I guess so." Icepaw mewed. Featherpaw picked a vole off the fresh-kill pile. Then, they padded into the empty apprentice den. "W-what is it?" Icepaw mewed, clearly scared. "Look, I'm really sorry about last night... I was stressed out. Do you still want to know why I have been distracted lately?" Featherpaw mewed, hoping Icepaw would forgive her. "Sure. And I shouldn't have asked... I know it's personal, so you don't have to tell me, if you don't want to." They both seemed to become more relaxed. "It's ok. It's just... I keep getting strange dreams... I just can't take my mind off of them...To tell you the truth, I'm kind of scared." Icepaw nodded. "Really? They must have been from Starclan! I don't think you should worry. Starclan will protect you." Featherpaw looked gratefully at Icepaw. "Thanks. I feel a little better after hearing that. I know you are a friend I can trust," Featherpaw mewed, as her stomach grumbled, "We should eat!" Purring, they began to eat. Finishing up the vole, they got up and went outside the den. "We probably don't have training today, but we should ask our mentors anyways." Icepaw mewed. Featherpaw nodded and looked around. She spotted Darkstorm sitting under the same tree he was sitting under the day before. Featherpaw padded up to him. "Do we have training today? Because of the gathering?" Featherpaw asked, sitting down beside him. "No, every apprentice is excused from training on the day of the gathering, even if they aren't going." "Thanks!" Featherpaw mewed, and went to find Icepaw. She stopped beside a small puddle of water, and realized how thirsty she was. She quickly lapped up some water. When she turned around, Icepaw was standing there. "You sure are fast!" Featherpaw joked. "Hey, I know we are going to the gathering and we don't have to train and all, but do you want to come and try and hunt with me?" Icepaw asked, energy surging through her paws. "Sure! It sounds fun!" "Thanks! I feel really energized. I feel like I could run all the way through Shadeclan and back!" Together, they padded out in the forest, every once in awhile stopping to scent the air. "I smell mouse!" Icepaw whispered, trying not to scare it off, "I'll try and catch it and you keep looking. I'll find you, or the other way around, after a bit." Icepaw followed the scent trail of the mouse, until she spotted it. She got into a crouch, and stalked forward slowly, not making one sound. She pounced when she was close enough, and gave it a killing bite to the neck. Triumphantly, she buried it for later. She kept scenting the air.

(Featherpaw's POV)

Soon after Icepaw left, Featherpaw found the scent trail of a vole. She slowly followed the trail. She finally found the vole after following the scent for quite some time. It was sitting down, close to a tree root, nibbling on a small nut. My perfect chance! Featherpaw thought, getting into a crouch. She carefully stalked forward, like Icepaw taught her. She stopped, before she got close enough for it to notice her. She pounced, clumsily, but still managed to grab it with her paws and clawed at it. She managed to kill it, somehow. "My first catch!" Featherpaw mewed, loudly. She stared and her catch proudly. She heard a rustling sound and turned around to see Icepaw immerging from a bush. She dropped the mouse she was carrying and mewed, "It wasn't hard to find you... Except you probably scared away all the prey in the forest..." Featherpaw felt hot. "Yeah... Sorry 'bout that." Icepaw purred with amusement. "We should get back to camp. The gathering should be starting soon." Featherpaw nodded, excited, as they both picked up their catches and headed back to Leafclan. After awhile of walking, they sped up, scared they would miss the gathering. "We're here!" Icepaw mewed with a muffled voice. The patrol was already waiting for them. They ran over to the fresh-kill pile, and dropped their catch in the small pile. They were a bit embarrassed to be the last cats, but still happy to be going. Rosestar summoned the clan with a flick of her tail. "This is it! Our first gathering!" Icepaw mewed, trembling with excitement.

(Two chapters in one day! For the win!)

[Whitedove]

This is epic! I will read the rest of it when I return home.

[Featherstar]

Thankies! ^^

[Featherstar]

~Chapter 11~

The Leafclan patrol was heading for the gathering place. "I can't wait!" Featherpaw exclaimed. I wonder if Nightpaw is going... Featherpaw thought, guilty. "Me neither! I don't know how close we are, but we must be close!" Icepaw mewed. Darkstorm overheard them talking, and said, "It won't be too long now." Featherpaw and Icepaw were both trembling with excitement when he said that. "You two seem excited. It's not too much to be happy about..." Darkstorm said, darkly. He padded up to join Rosestar. "What's wrong with him?" Featherpaw asked, surprised. Icepaw just shrugged. "Who knows? But I think that is the gathering place up ahead!" She mewed, pointing her tail at a island surrounded by a shallow creek. It had lots of cats already there. "I guess we'll have to get our paws wet." Icepaw groaned. "Yeah, but it's ok, as long as we get to go!" Rosestar and some of the other patrol started crossing the creek. "Here goes nothing..." Icepaw grunted, putting one of her paws in the water. "It's cold!" She yowled, surprised. She quickly pulled her paw out of the water. Shrewfur laughed, as if it was the funniest thing he had ever seen. "Don't want to get our paws wet, do we?" He joked, and jumped into the creek. Water splashed up and soaked Icepaw and Featherpaw. "Watch it!" Featherpaw growled, "Well, I guess we should get going. Don't want to miss the gathering!" Featherpaw carefully slid into the creek. "Brr!" She kept wadding across the freezing creek, until she reached the other side. She scrambled onto the island and waited for Icepaw. "It's not too bad, come on." Featherpaw mewed, trying to encourage her. "Ugh! Fine!" Icepaw moaned, and slid into the creek. She quickly walked across and climbed onto the island. "Happy?" Icepaw growled, and it made Featherpaw laugh. "Come on, I think we should go check out the other apprentices while Lightningclan gets here. I don't see their leader." Icepaw mewed, excitedly. "Let's go!" Featherpaw yowled and ran off towards the apprentices. Icepaw scrambled after her, and almost ran into her when she stopped. "This is going to be amazing!" Featherpaw whispered to Icepaw. When they reached the apprentices, they all just stared at them. "Uh...Hi! We're new apprentices in Leafclan! I'm Featherpaw!" Featherpaw exclaimed. "I-I'm Icepaw." Icepaw mewed, shyly. "Well, we welcome you!" A black apprentice mewed. Featherpaw froze. Nightpaw...He is here... Featherpaw thought, nervously. She grew hot. "Thank you." Icepaw mewed. Nightpaw was staring at Featherpaw, and Featherpaw knew it. I-I feel so uncomfortable... "What's goi-" Icepaw's mew was interrupted by a yowl coming from a big boulder. "That is where the leaders sit." Icepaw whispered, amazed. "Welcome to the gathering! I am Sparkstar, leader of Lightningclan! I will share information about what it going on in my clan. First of all, we have a new warrior, Owlwing!" He paused while everyone called out "Owlwing", and then continued. "We have some sad news. Grasspelt, our elder, passed away. But, other than that, everything is going well in our clan!" He backed up a bit and nodded to a gray cat. The cat then stepped up. "I am Froststar, leader of Snowclan! We have two new warriors, Wetwhisker and Dawnspirit!" She paused while cats called out their names. "We have had lots of new apprentices! This is good news for Snowclan." Froststar stepped back and nodded to a brown cat. He padded up and looked at all the cats. "He is creepy!" Icepaw whispered. Featherpaw nodded. "I am Duststar, leader of Shadeclan! And all I have to report is that Starclan has abandoned my clan!" Many cats gasped, and some cats that had the scent of Shadeclan yowled, "This is not true!" Duststar looked angrily down at the cats. "Say what you must, but it is true! Whenever I go to the moon stone, I have been sent to the Dark forest! It is a sign that they have abandoned us!" He yowled. Featherpaw glanced at an outraged Nightpaw. She then looked back a Duststar. Rosestar stepped up. "This is not true! Starclan is still here! You've been saying this for the past three gatherings! " Duststar looked exasperated. "Shadeclan, we are leaving this horrible gathering!" He yowled, but no cats moved. "Fine! Traitors!" He growled and ran off and wadded across the creek. "I'm so sorry about that, but the gathering must go on. I'm Rosestar, leader of Leafclan! We don't have much happening, but we do have two new apprentices, Featherpaw and Icepaw!" No cat yowled out their names. Icepaw and Featherpaw looked around, awkwardly. "Well, that was a nice welcome..." Icepaw grumbled. "That is all. You are all dismissed!" Rosestar mewed, and all the leaders jumped off the rocks. Everyone started to separate into their own clans. Rosestar padded up to her clan and mewed, "We must stay strong. No matter what." And then she got in front of the clan and flicked her tail. The patrol started off, heading towards the creek. Featherpaw was in the very back. Poor Shadeclan... Featherpaw thought. She tripped over a pebble. "Ow!" She growled. She got back up and started heading back to the patrol. But, before she got too far, she heard someone mew, "Featherpaw, meet me where we met the first time tomorrow night, please!" Nightpaw! Then Nightpaw turned and ran towards his own clan.

(THREE CHAPTERS IN ONE DAY?!?!)

[Whitedove]

I want more! What will happen with Nightpaw and Featherpaw???

[Featherstar]

I have to go to an orchestra that I'm in tonight, and it takes some time to get there. I'll be working on more in the car.

[Featherstar]

I will most likely have a new chapter up sometime tomorrow. ^^

[Whitedove]

Can't wait to see more! It's been so long

[Featherstar]

I know! I think I'll write a new chapter sometime today since I have no school and I can stay up as long as I want.