Nightpaw gasped as she woke up yet another time in the middle of the night. The other apprentices, even Duskpaw, slept soundly, their breathing even. So why couldn't she? Groaning and closing her eyes, she drifted into yet another restless slumber.

》》》》》》》

Nightpaw stood in the center of camp, eyes horrified as the very Clan she had grown up in mocked her.

"You idiot!" A nightmarish version of Fawnfur cackled.

Sparrowpaw and Rainpaw doubled over while Rosefeather padded towards her apprentice.

"You are an embarrassment to ShadowClan! Get out! We never want to see you again!"

Nightpaw let out a horrified screech. "No! Please! I promise I can do better, give me a chance! Please... please... please..."

》》》》》》

Nightpaw awoke with a start, her pelt bristling with horror from the horrible nightmare. She breathed a sigh of relief when she realized she was back in reality, back with her Clan and the soothing scents of camp.

She ducked her head through the den entrance, pleased to see the sky beginning to light up with milky pink hues as the sun began to rise. It was beautiful.

Rosefeather was sorting out dawn patrols. Nightpaw was surprised to see how naturally she did it. The russet she-cat pointed to different cats with her tail, calling out orders.

"Border patrol will be lead by Shadeclaw. Take Birdsong, Echowing, Wolffur, and Pebblepelt. Make sure to check the ThunderClan border extra carefully." She meowed.

Shadeclaw nodded, padding out of camp with the large patrol close behind.

Nightpaw noted how big the patrol was. Rosefeather clearly wasn't taking any chances with ThunderClan. She admired her mentor's determination,
but wondered if it was worth it to waste so many warriors. Oakstar seemed to approve.

Nightpaw felt a shiver run down her back as Rosefeather's blue eyes landed on her. She was relieved to find they were warmer than last night. The russet she-cat finished off the hunting patrol and approached her apprentice.

"Up early, I see?" Rosefeather greeted the black she-cat.

Nightpaw grinned. "Yeah. I guess I'm just excited for my first day as an apprentice."

Rosefeather nodded in approval, curling her tail around Nightpaw.

Just like Fawnfur, Nightpaw thought.

"Nightpaw, are you listening? I asked if you wanted to explore the territory or train, " Rosefeather meowed, slightly irritated.

Nightpaw shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. "Sorry. Um, training sounds nice."

"Alright then. We won't be training with your brother. Instead, we'll be training with Dawnpaw." Rosefeather informed her as she lead her apprentice out of camp.

Nightpaw had to clamp her jaws shut to suppress a meow of wonder. The forest was beautiful. Pine trees rose high while the scent of prey was prominent within the forest. "Where are we going?" She questioned Rosefeather, hoping they wouldn't leave this place any time soon.

Rosefeather let out a purr of amusement. "I remember my first time out here. I was just as awed as you." She stopped, pointing towards a clearing beyond a clump of fern. "We're going to battle train over there. Let's hope Snowstripe and Dawnpaw have arrived already."

Nightpaw nodded, exhilaration coursing through her paws. Her first battle training session! Dawnpaw was a bit advanced; she was approaching her assessment, but Nightpaw wasn't worried.

Snowstripe raised a black tail in greeting. Rosefeather trotted over, most likely to discuss the session, leaving the two apprentices alone.

Dawnpaw eyed Nightpaw strangely, as if she was a piece of prey the cream she-cat still hadn't caught. "So you're Nightkit?"

Nightpaw bristled. "Actually, it's Nightpaw." She corrected the she-cat stiffly.

Dawnpaw sniffed. "Aren't you a little too small to be an apprentice?"

Nightpaw hissed. "Aren't you a little too snotty to become a warrior?"

Dawnpaw growled, but stopped when Snowstripe laid a tail on her back. "Use that rage in the battle training, Dawnpaw."

Rosefeather nodded. "But don't forget, claws sheathed. I don't need any more injuries."

Nightpaw mumbled an angry 'ok' before taking her place at the end of the clearing.

Rosefeather raised her tail for their attention. "I just want to see your level. Its simple. Pin your opponent down." She narrowed her eyes. "Go."

Nightpaw watched as the cream apprentice raced towards her and remembered a move she had watched Sparrowpaw and Rainpaw practicing. Once Dawnpaw was just a tail-length from her, she leaped into the air.

But Dawnpaw had predicted her move. She turned quickly, bringing a paw up. Nightpaw gasped as her paw connected with her belly, causing her to fall. Dawnpaw jumped on top of her, placing a paw on the back of her neck.

Snowstripe nodded. "Good job, Dawnpaw!"

Dawnpaw dug a claw into Nightpaw's neck, than stepped off her. Nightpaw got up, shaking the dust from her pelt.

The cream she-cat shot her a smug look before turning around to face the two warriors. Nightpaw rolled her eyes and faced Rosefeather.

"You put up a good fight, Nightpaw. Now, what do you think you did wrong?" The russet she-cat asked.

Nightpaw was tempted to tell her that the only mistake that was made was her thinking her new apprentice who's never even stepped out of camp before today could take on someone as experienced as Dawnpaw, but she didn't want to see nothing but Beethorn's ticks for a moon. Instead, she sighed. "I think I leaped too early."

Rosefeather nodded in approval. "Yes, that's right. How about we try that again?"

Nightpaw wailed inwardly at the thought of having to face the hostile she-cat again, but grudgingly nodded.

Taking her place at the end of the clearing again, Nightpaw's mind worked quickly, planning out her moves. She could leap later, than trick her by twisting around and leaping on top of her. But she was bigger than her. What if she broke free? Nightpaw would have to hit a vulnerable spot, somewhere she couldn't do without. Suddenly, it hit her. Her tail! She couldn't balance without it.

Dawnpaw dashed again. Nightpaw narrowed her eyes and waited until she was closer than before to her. Nightpaw leaped, quickly coming down on Dawnpaw's tail. The cream she-cat screeched.

She tried to pull away, but Nightpaw wouldn't budge.

"Stop! Good job, Nightpaw. You've won this round." Rosefeather congratulated her apprentice warmly.

Nightpaw raised her chin in pride. She had won her first battle, even if it had only been training. Fawnfur would be proud.

Dawnpaw turned around, refusing to look at Nightpaw. Nightpaw smirked in satisfaction.

Rosefeather smiled. "Let's get back to camp. You can grab something to eat, and then we can explore the territory.."

Nightpaw nodded happily. This day was turning out well after all.

》》》》》》》》》》

"And then we explored the territory. It was so cool! I'd never imagined it'd be that big! And Rosefeather showed me the best hunting spots. She said we'll start hunting tomorrow. I'm so excited!" Nightpaw bubbled to her mother about her day.

Fawnfur smiled and purred. "So do you like being an apprentice so far?" She asked.

Nightpaw nodded eagerly. "I'm learning so much! And Rosefeather said if I'm really good, I can go to the gathering tomorrow!"

Fawnfur drew her tongue over Nightpaw's ear. "I'm so proud of you,"

Nightpaw spotted Duskpaw across the clearing. He was speaking with Dawnpaw.

She hissed out loud. "I'll be right back."

Nightpaw made her way across the clearing, but was stopped by Sparrowpaw. His eyes flashed with humor.

"I heard you beat Dawnpaw! Thanks. She's so-"

"-Snotty." Nightpaw finished for him, laughing. For some reason, his presence lifted the mood. She admired how light-hearted he was. She wondered if this was the only side of him.

"Exactly! She's always trying to boss every cat around. I can't believe her and Foxpaw are related!" Sparrowpaw rolled his eyes at the thought, than signaled towards the fresh-kill pile with a hopeful look in his eyes. "Want to get something to eat?"

Nightpaw smiled at him, finding his nervous air adorable. "Sure."

She laid herself by an overhanging willow, hoping it's enclosing leaves would provide some protection from the harsh wind that had started up. Sparrowpaw trudged back with a mouse in his jaws. He laid it in front of her, brown fur ruffled.

Nightpaw let out a purr of gratitude and dipped her head to take a bite of the mouse. Her teeth sank into the tender meat. She closed her eyes, not relaizing how hungry she had been.

Sparrowpaw reflected her action, dipping his head as well. They took turns biting into the mouse until there was nothing left.

Sparrowpaw turned to her. "I'm stuffed!"

Nightpaw laughed. "Same here." She looked past him, watching as Dawnpaw and Duskpaw shared a piece of prey. She growled subconsciously.

Sparrowpaw followed her gaze. "Great StarClan, he has bad taste in she-cats," he whispered humorously.

Nightpaw let out a mrrow of laughter. She was silenced, however, as Oakstar leaped onto the Dark Rock.

"What happened?" She asked Sparrowpaw.

Sparrowpaw shrugged and began to pad towards the rock. A crowd began to grow, murmurs of confusion filling the air. Nightpaw pushed through until she was next to Sparrowpaw. He smiled at her before turning his head towards Oakstar.

Oakstar began to speak, eyes flaming. "Tonight, we attack ThunderClan and teach those snake hearts a lesson!"

Nightpaw gasped. Surely the Clan wasn't ready? Why had Oakstar changed his mind?

Rosefeather.

The russet she-cat was looking up at her leader, eyes flashing and gaze smug.

Fawnfur stepped forward. "I thought we were going to wait until after the gathering?" She meowed, eyes narrowed.

"Leader's word is law!" Rosefeather hissed. "I will announce the battle patrols."

Oakstar dipped his head and leaped down to sit next to his deputy.

"Snowstripe, Echowing, Wolffur, Birdsong, and Dawnpaw will be on the fake patrol. You'll keep some of the warriors busy while the main patrol will move deeper into their territory. " she unsheated a claw and began tracing patterns in the sand.

Nightpaw knew she should be excited for a battle. It was a chance to prove her loyalty to the Clan. But something about this all just didn't strike her as right. It was as if something was missing.

"The main patrol will be Shadeclaw, Addertooth, Oakstar, Fawnfur, Pebblepelt, Nightpaw, Sparrowpaw and I. Every other warrior will guard our border. The rest of the apprentices will guard camp. Any questions?" Rosefeather finished.

Birdsong stepped forward. "Wouldn't it be wise to leave a few warriors at camp?"

Rosefeather shook her head. "I doubt ThunderClan will able to get past our border, let alone to our camp."

Nightpaw nodded to herself. That made sense.

Sparrowpaw turned to her, eyes bright with excitement. "We're both on the same patrol! I can't wait!"

Nightpaw nodded, trying desperately to share his enthusiasm. "Sure."

Rosefeather watched as the patrols began to split up. Nightpaw watched her, then yelped as she relaized she wasn't with her patrol. She quickly followed Rosefeather through the camp entrance.

Something, somewhere in this plan wasn't right. Nightpaw narrowed her eyes. And she was going to find out what.

》》》》》》》》

Nightpaw watched as Rosefeather creeped through a bramble thicket. Silently cursing the world, the black she-cat followed her mentor through it. The thorns hooked onto her long fur, painfully ripping off small pieces of fur. She was aware of a whole patrol behind her, and tried her best not to look like a fool in front of every cat. She pricked her ears, listening closely to some voices up ahead. They weren't too far. By the way her mentor's ears were pricked, she had heard it as well.

Nightpaw closed her eyes and readied herself for battle. Her throat felt dry with anxiety. This was her first day as an apprentice. But she knew her battle-hungry mentor wasn't going to spare her. Rosefeather raised her tail for a few moments, then lashed it. The whole world seemed to explode as the ShadowClan patrol moved forward. Nightpaw watched with satisfaction as the ThunderClan patrol turned around, letting out yelps of surprise.

Rosefeather leaped at the head of the patrol, pinning them down. Nightpaw's ears folded against her head as she was pushed deep into the battle. Looking around for an opponent, she spotted a younger gray tom. He looked like an apprentice.

She narrowed her eyes and dashed at him, hoping he hadn't seen her before. StarClan must have been in her favor, because he didn't. She bowled him over and pinned him down. He hissed and writhed, throwing her off. She felt her body connect with the rough bark of a tree. His yellow eyes flashed as he ran at her, pinning her to the floor.

She tried to struggle, but dazed, she was weak. Nightpaw felt claws digging into her. He stuck his face close to hers. "What are you doing here, ShadowClan rat?"

She closed her eyes, trying to withstand the pain. "Fighting. And are you blind? Do I look like a rat to you, mouse brain?"

Before he could open his jaws to respond, she felt a sudden surge of strength and exploded forward. The rude tom was thrown off her. She darted in and slashed at his nose before dissapearing out of range again. She had learned her lesson the first time with him. He relied on his strength, so she would have to rely on her speed.

He let out a furious hiss and dashed at her.

Nightpaw smiled. Finally, her training will come in use. She waited until he was close to her, and, just like with Dawnpaw, she trapped his tail under a paw, digging her claws into the ground. She used her other paw to rake her claws down his back. He screeched and struggled.

Nightpaw took a few quick moments to survey the battle going on around her. Rosefeather was fighting off three ThunderClan cats at once. Oakstar, Fawnfur, and Addertooth were all side by side, blocking off any exits. Nightpaw watched in admiration at her mother's expert percision as she slashed and turned, keeping all sides covered.

The tom she was holding down escaped from her grip and sprinted away. She watched him go with satisfaction. A loud yowl sounded behind her.

She turned around to find Rosefeather letting out a victorious screech. ThunderClan was retreating! They had done it!

Rosefeather padded over to her, eyes shining. "I'm proud of you, Nightpaw. You did well."

These were good words. Her mentor's pride had to be a positive thing, right? But then why did she feel so scared?