Flamepaw woke with a start. She stared at the walls of the den, and her sleeping clanmates.

I don't think I'm dreaming anymore.

Flamepaw, knowing she couldn't go back to sleep, crept out of the den. The crisp night air felt good.

Flamepaw looked at Silverpelt, searching for her mother. Greycloud, can you see me? I miss you.

Flamepaw's recent dream was still fresh in her mind. Firestar's words echoed in her head, "You are the flame. Who is the water?"

Who is the water?

Flamepaw heard pawsteps. She spun around to see Jaggedfang standing behind her. His wounds from the Shadowclan battle were healing nicely. Soon, he would be able to mentor her again.

"You're up early." Jaggedfang commented.

Flamepaw shrugged, "Couldn't sleep. What about you?"

Jaggedfang sighed, "I'm just sick of being stuck in the medicine den. I would much rather be attending to my duties as deputy."

Now you know how I felt when I was a kit!

Brackenpelt was acting as temporary deputy, while Jaggedfang was in the medicine cat den. He seemed to enjoy his duties, but Flamepaw didn't think that he would make that good of an actual deputy.

"Dappleleaf said that I could return to my duties tomorrow." Jaggedfang meowed, no emotion in his deep voice.

"Really? That's great!" Flamepaw meowed excitedly.

"Blackfrost will still act as your mentor though. Dappleleaf doesn't want my neck wound to 'open up again'." Jaggedfang mewed, imitating Dappleleaf's voice.

Flamepaw giggled. Dappleleaf was such a worrier!

The bright sun was beginning to peek through the trees. Dawn patrol would be sent out any minute.

Jaggedfang hauled himself to his feet, "Better send out the patrol."

Flamepaw nodded. Hopefully, Sharppaw wouldn't be training with her today. Flamepaw just wanted to train by herself.

Addertooth, Snowstorm, and Redstorm padded out of the warriors den, and ran into the forest.

I wish I could go with them.

Flamepaw's thoughts were disturbed by Shadowheart briskly walking past. He shared words with Jaggedfang, then padded outside of the camp.

I wonder what he's up to.

Flamepaw began to follow the dark tom, but a tail brushed her flank.

"Where do you think you are going?"

Flamepaw looked up at Blackfrost.

"Oh, uh, I was just going to take a walk in the forest." She studdered.

Blackfrost blinked disbelievingly, then replied, "Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we are going out training."

Flamepaw sighed, then dipped her head. Blackfrost flicked her black tail, then bounded into the forest.

. . . . . . . . . . . .

Flamepaw steadied her tail, then leapt into the air. She twisted, then landed on four paws.

Blackfrost nodded approvingly. Flamepaw had mastered the move that was taught the previous day. Flamepaw felt like she trained better when her sister wasn't around.

"Now, I want you to try the move on me." Blackfrost meowed, lashing her tail challengingly.

Challenge accepted!

Flamepaw, not waiting for her mentor's instructions, leaped in the air, twisted, then landed squarely on Blackfrost's back.

Blackfrost yowled in surprise, then tried to get the fiery apprentice off of her back. Flamepaw, claws sheathed, used her back paw, and tripped Blackfrost. Her mentor tumbled to the ground. Flamepaw pinned her to the ground.

"A warrior must always be ready!" She meowed, quoting Jaggedfang.

Blackfrost heaved upwards, throwing Flamepaw off. She landed with a thud.

"Oh really?" Blackfrost chuckled, her whiskers twitching with amusement.

Flamepaw stumbled to her feet, the padded forward, "Well, did I do okay though?"

Blackfrost nodded, "Oh yes! You did great."

Flamepaw felt her heart swell with pride. Sharppaw would be so jealous right now!

Blackfrost flicked Flamepaw with her tail, "Did you hear what I just said?"

Flamepaw's ears felt hot with embarassment, "Um, no."

Blackfrost sighed, "I said, if you catch two pieces of prey, we can return back to camp."

Flamepaw bounced on her paws. Maybe, she could spy on Shadowheart when she got back to camp! She was dying to see what the mysterious warrior was up to!

"Starting now. I will be watching you to see how well you do." Blackfrost mewed.

Flamepaw lashed her tail, then lightly bounded into the dense trees.

She immediately scented vole. Flamepaw dropped into her hunting crouch and carefully crept forward. The vole was sitting on a tree root, nibbling on a seed.

Quick as lightning, Flamepaw shot forward. She ended the vole's life with a quick bite to the neck.

One piece down, one more to go!

Flamepaw buried her catch. She had to find another piece of prey!

She decided to hunt near the Sky Oak. Swiftly making her way there, Flamepaw scented the air every few steps. Not only for prey, but for Shadowheart.

Finally, she arrived. Spotting a juicy pigeon, Flamepaw darted forward. Sinking her claws into it's soft flesh, she brought it down to the ground right as it was about to fly away. Flamepaw sunk her claws into it's neck, killing it.

It's definatley not the cleanest catch I've made!

Taking her catch in her jaws, she padded to where she had buried the vole. She dug it up, right as Blackfrost appeared.

"Nice job! That's a big pigeon!" She praised.

Flamepaw flicked her ears in response, as Blackfrost picked up the vole in her jaws. The two she-cats walked back to camp in silence.

When they arrived to the enterance, Brackenpelt greeted them.

"Hey, nice catch!"

Flamepaw nodded her thanks. She and her mentor dropped the kill onto the freshkill pile.

Blackfrost rested her tail on Flamepaw's shoulder, "Tomorrow, we'll do some tree training. Make sure you get good rest!"

"Okay." Flamepaw responded.

She looked around camp for Jaggedfang, and particularly, Shadowheart. She couldn't see either of them.

Goldenpaw bounced towards her, Badgerpaw at her side.

"Hey, Flamepaw!" Goldenpaw meowed as she greeted the fiery apprentice.

Flamepaw answered, "Hi Goldenpaw! What are you two up to?"

Badgerpaw stepped forward, "We are going to the Gathering tonight!"

Flamepaw's eyes widened in surprise. She had only been to one Gathering, she hardly remembered it. There had been so many cats, she didn't know who to talk to! So, she had ended up sitting right next to Greycloud. That had been when her mother had still been alive.

Flamepaw's eyes clouded at the painful memory.

Goldenpaw and Badgerpaw exchanged a glance.

Badgerpaw licked Flamepaw's ear comfortingly, "Cheer up! At least we'll be able to see Shadowclan!"

Goldenpay hissed, "Oh, if I see one of their apprentices, hold me back! I might just claw off their ears!"

Flamepaw let out a mrow of laughter. Goldenpaw could be so fiesty at times!

Badgerpaw rolled his eyes, "Okay, I'll try."

Goldenpaw cuffed him lightly on the head. The two apprentices began rolling on the ground, fighting playfully.

The happy mood was suddenly interrupted with a loud yowl.

"Jaggedfang! Jaggedfang is dead!"