Larkpaw's eyes widened so much that he thought they would bulge out. Everything he dreamed of! Given to him just like that! He could save his clan! 

"No! You can't!"
A Riverclan apprentice, who he assumed to be Snowpaw, padded to their side and towards Thrasherpaw, who's eyes were still on the leaders on Great Rock, eyes wide with surprise. 

Larkpaw turned his head towards his brother sharply, anguish flooded Thrushpaw's eyes. "You can't go! Say no! Please Larkpaw!" Larkpaw felt his ears flatten and his fur bristle, this was his chance to show the clans how strong he was and his brother was just telling him to throw it all away!

 "No Thrushpaw! I'm going! I accept my invitation," His loud yowl echoed throughout the entire hollow. Thrushpaw let out a horrified wail "Don't you see?" The darker tom's voice shook, "It's impossible! You'll die!" His voice became softer with each word until it was barely a whisper, "Say you change your mind, or-or say you feel sick.. Please stay here with me, I don't want to lose you.. please Larkpaw.." The two toms stared at each other, Thrushpaw was shaking so badly he reminded him of the tree he had to cross. 

"I'm sorry Thrushpaw.." Larkpaw dipped his head, the end of the conversation seemed to bring even more silence. Oh. he realized. Thrasherpaw hasn't accepted yet. He looked back at the Windclan apprentice. Sympathy tugged at his heart at the confused expression draped across her face. She hasn't been in Windclan long and she's already being sent on a journey that could end up moons away from her home. He blinked back at the leaders, would they choose a new cat?  Thrasherpaw raised her head, "I accept my invitation."
Purrs and meows of delight burst around the apprentices

 "Go Larkpaw!"

 "I believe in you three!"

 "You can do it!" 

"Snowpaw! Larkpaw! Thrasherpaw!" Chanting of their names soon erupted over the yells of glee, no dark muttering, no skeptical and uncertain looks. Larkpaw raised his head to bask in the praise and encouragement when claws hooked into his fur. He stumbled back and blindly lashed out at his attacker, brown fur raced past his vision in a blur 

"You are not going! I won't let you even if it means I have to fight you to make you realize it!"

 His brother's shrill voice sounded on-top of him, Larkpaw felt fury go aflame in his stomach. He flipped over and pushed against his brother's stomach with his hind paws, the weight of his attacker was lifted off him and was followed with a loud thud. Larkpaw scrambled up only to be knocked aside by Thrushpaw. Larkpaw winced as claws pressed his face into the dirt, he opened an eye to see sadness and anger swirling in battle with each other in his brother's eyes, with a flash of claws shining with the moonlight. Larkpaw dragged his unsheathed set across his own brother's face, with a cry and gasp of pain, shock and betrayal. Thrushpaw staggered off. 

"How dare you fight at a gathering!"

 Larkpaw's eyes widened at Goosestar's loud yowl, he got up swiftly to see the old leader stalking towards Thrushpaw. Silverstar and Chervilstar looked on with narrowed eyes. "Gathering are a time for truce, not fighting!" Goosestar snarled. Thrushpaw opened and closed his mouth before looked at Larkpaw with an unspoken plea for help. Larkpaw closed his eyes and looked away.

***

Larkpaw blinked back tears, he was in camp again. Goosestar had ordered all the chosen apprentices to go back home and say their goodbyes to their loved ones. Larkpaw's eyes fell onto the nursery, he felt like it took moons to finally stagger over to the den, "M-mothers," He meowed into the den, feebly, "There's our little warrior!" Larkpaw winced at his mother's, Oakleaf, soft meow, "Larkpaw!" His other mother, Rookberry, purred. "How was the gathering?" The pretty tortoiseshell asked, " I-It.. It was great. I was chosen." The smiles faded from his mother's faces. " That's great.. But you know I won't see you for many.. moons?" Oakleaf whispered sadly, as if she was anticipating his leaving. Larkpaw swallowed hard and nodded his head. Oakleaf and Rookberry looked at each other and they both let out a sigh, "Alright Larkpaw, well.. good luck." The two she-cats gave their kitten licks of encouragement, Larkpaw held back tears and padded towards the apprentice den. He looked at the brown shape huddled at the very back of the den, "Bye, Thrushpaw," Larkpaw said softly, he waited and when the mound didn't budge he let out a sigh and padded towards the leader's den to get his instructions.   

"Bye Larkpaw.. please, be safe,"