The moon hung high in the dark sky. The green leaves on the trees bordering the ShadowClan camp rustled in the soft breeze. The cats of the Clan of darkness were gathered around the Dark Rock, all eyes focused on Nightpaw as she stepped forward. Her dark blue eyed shone with excitement. The time was finally here.

Shadestar dipped his head. "I, Shadestar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard in the ways of your noble code, and I commend her as a warrior in return. Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Nightpaw stared at her leader, her gaze unwavering. There was no going back. "I do." She responded, voice steady.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Nightpaw, from this moment on, as you have requested, you will be known as Nightfeather. This is to signal that you have overcome certain challenges. StarClan honors your bravery and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."

Cheers rose from the crowd behind her. Nightfeather turned around to face her Clan, pure happiness on her face. Wolffur stepped forward and touched noses with her again, his white and gold fur smoothed for the ceremony. Although she couldn't speak, their touch held a thousand words.

Sparrowwing curled his tail around her, touching a nose to her forehead. "I'm so proud of you," he murmured.

Nightfeather smiled and closed her eyes, breathing in his scent. Pine and leaves greeted her. She didn't want to ever let go.

Sparrowwing smiled and padded away. Most of the warriors were already settling into their nests, except for one. Snowstripe sat at the entrance of the camp, staring into the woods. Slightly unnerved, Nightfeather padded over.

"Are you alright?" She asked, her tail flicking nervously.

Snowstripe's eyes didn't move. "Do you remember this day? When they brought you into camp? When I died inside? When you slipped from my grasp? Did you know how much I cared? And if you did, would you care too?" She whispered, her eyes empty and tired.

Nightfeather quickly relaized she was talking about Dawnpaw. Snowstripe had spoken about the former apprentice as though she was her daughter. Nightfeather glanced back uncertainly, and spotted Shadestar. He gave her a nod.

She could break her silence.

Nightfeather settled her self next to the black she-cat and curled her tail around her. "What was she like?" She whispered.

Snowstripe didn't move her gaze. "She was calculated and cold. But I wouldn't blame her. Her mother barely paid attention to her as a kit. She was always worried about Foxpaw. Dawnpaw would sob about it to me. Do you relaize how much it hurt her?" Her voice took on a bitter tone. "She began to develop feelings for Sparrowpaw. And she was rejected. She hated you for it. She hated you for stealing his heart. Rosefeather began to speak with her more and more. Dawnpaw, in a final act of desperation, buddied up to Duskpaw until he finally fell for her." She gave a cold laugh. "She was clever. She knew how to hurt you, and she did."

Nightfeather stared at Snowstripe, shocked. She hadn't seen any of this. She hadn't relaized how close they had been.

"It's alright," she mumbled awkwardly, unsure of what to say.

"No it's not! She's gone! And I'm still here." Snowstripe gave a sigh and got up, padding away.

Nightfeather stared after her, unable to stop the tears from coming. Why didn't she see it earlier? Her mind buzzing, she took her place in the camp entrance.

》》》》》》》》》

Nightfeather yawned as she padded towards the fresh-kill pile. It had been a long night, but it had been a good opportunity for thinking. Sparrowwing appeared beside her, whiskers twitching with amusement.

"How's my warrior? Tired, I see?" He rumbled.

Nightfeather tiredly cuffed him over the ear. "Shut up, Sparrowwing," she giggled.

Sparrowwing pretended to give a sniff. "Well, I guess I can just throw this thrush I caught you away."

"No!" Nightfeather purred.

Sparrowwing laughed and set it in front of her. Nightfeather tore into it, her belly rumbling with hunger. Sparrowwing watched her eat, eyes shining.

Nightfeather studied him, smiling. "Hey," she purred, "I need a favor. Would you do me the pleasure of helping?"

Sparrowwing gave her ear a lick. "Depends on what it is." He grinned.

"Well... I want to look for Dawnpaw and Duskpaw. Just around the territory." She dug her claws into the ground and stared at him.

His yellow eyes narrowed. "Well, I think it's a bad idea. But I'm all for those anyway. Maybe we can wait until after the gathering?"

Nightfeather curled his tail around him. "Alright then."

Sparrowwing got up, shaking out his fur. Nightfeather studied his build, a bubbly feeling rising in her. She felt light on her paws when she was with him.

Sparrowwing glanced across the clearing and gave her an apologetic lick on the head. "Sorry, but I promised Rainheart I'd go on patrol with him. See you later!"

Nightfeather waved her tail after him, watching as he dissapeared into the camp entrance. She flicked her tail, thinking about Ashpaw. Guilt coursed through her. What would Sparrowwing think?

Nightfeather sighed and got up. Maybe some hunting would clear her mind.

Echowing was standing by the camp entrance. She spotted Nightfeather and waved her over, smiling.

"So," she began, "Looks like you've stolen my son's heart." She gave a purr.

Nightfeather stared at her. "U-um," she stammered. What was she supposed to do? Yeah, I'm totally in love with your son. Let's have kits now!!!!!

Echowing laughed. "Don't worry, you don't have to say anything."

Nightfeather gave her a nervous frown. "Alright then. I'm going out to hunt. Bye, Echowing." She darted away, her ears hot.

Nightfeather's pace relaxed a bit when she was in the forest. Surrounded by the calming noises and scents, serenity filled the air. She closed her eyes, tasting the air. Nothing unusual. Her nose wrinkled in disgust. But the faint scent of fox was definitely there.

"Nightpaw!" A voice whispered. She jumped and turned to her right, immediately recognizing the voice. Ashpaw.

The gray tom smiled as soon as she entered the clearing.

"What are you doing here?" Nightfeather hissed. What was he, mad?

He pouted and flicked his tail. "Well, I just wanted to see you." He padded closer to her, trailing his tail over her. "It's been ages since we've talked."

Nightfeather sighed. "I can't talk now, Ashpaw."

"It's actually Ashcloud now," he responded proudly. "How about you?"

"Nightfeather. Ashcloud, we need to talk. This... thing we have between us..." she struggled to find the right words, "It's based on nothing! You barely know me!"

Ashcloud frowned. "I don't need to know everything about you, Nightfeather. I know enough. And I know I love you."

Nightfeather closed her eyes. "But what if I don't love you?" She whispered.

"Do you?" Ashcloud stepped closer, his breath stirring her ear fur. "Do you love me?"

"I don't know!" Nightfeather wailed, voice laced with misery. "I just don't know."

Ashcloud gave a weak smile. "Then let's get to know each other. What did Shadestar say about you in your warrior ceremony?"

"He said I was intelligent and brave. And you?" She flicked her tail. Maybe she should just give this a chance.

"Mine were determined and loyal. What's your least favorite Clan and why?"

Nightfeather took a few moments to think, her nose wrinkling. "RiverClan. They're a bunch of wet rats." She sighed. "This is against the warrior code. And I don't think it's working out."

Ashcloud gave her ear a lick. "Just give us a chance," he murmured. "Are you willing to do that?"

Nightfeather shrugged. "Fine. I have to go, hunting." She got up and began to pad away. "Oh, and Ashcloud?"

The gray tom stared at her. "Yes?"

"Get off my territory."

》》》》》》》》》》》

Nightfeather laughed out loud, her tail waving from side to side. She was chatting with Rainheart and Sparrowwing under the willow tree. They had all been informed that they were going to the gathering. Nightfeather spotted Shadestar padding out of camp and got up. "Come on, let's go. They're going to leave without us."

Sparrowwing purred and got up, followed by Rainheart. They all sprinted towards the camp entrance, laughing. Nightfeather smiled to herself when they began walking with the patrol. Sparrowwing and Rainheart always lightened the mood with their jokes.

Foxfang appeared next to Nightfeather, her gaze grim. "Hey, can I talk to you?"

Nightfeather shrugged and nodded. "Alright." She made her way to the back of the patrol, followed by the russet she-cat. "Yeah?" She meowed when they were alone.

"I heard you talking to Sparrowwing about going to find Dawnpaw. Nightfeather, I'm warning you. Don't go looking for my sister. It will only bring more bloodshed." Foxfang whispered.

Nightfeather narrowed her eyes. "Incase you forgot, my brother is with her too."

Foxfang sighed. "Fine. Go ahead and kill yourself. I've warned you anyway."

Nightfeather dug her claws into the ground. "Alright then," she meowed crisply, trying to hide the anger in her voice. Why did Foxfang think it was her business? From what Snowstripe had told her, she and Dawnpaw weren't exactly close.

By the time she caught up to the patrol, the Clan was already making its way across the log. Nightfeather groaned. She absolutely despised heights. The black she-cat carefully sprinted across, watching her paws the whole time. One in front of the other. Don't slip.

She surveyed the island when she finally stepped down from the log. It was almost empty, with RiverClan being the only Clan here. The Clan of water, however, kept to themselves. They whispered in groups of two or three, shooting vicious looks at the ShadowClan cats.

Addertooth glanced at them, his eyes narrowed. "Who made dirt in their fresh-kill?"

Nightfeather shrugged. "I dunno." She studied Icestar, but even he seemed to be giving Shadestar the cold shoulder.

ThunderClan and WindClan had both showed up. Even they seemed more hostile than usual. What was going on?

Once Flamestar and Stonestar had both taken their places on the tree, Icestar gave a yowl for the gathering to begin. Nightfeather's ears pricked with unease as all eyes focused on thr RiverClan leader. Waiting.

"As you all know, Rosefeather, Dawnpaw, and Duskpaw of ShadowClan recently died. One of my patrols, however, recently found this wasn't the case. They were alive and well, and told a very... interesting story."

Shadestar tried to interrupt, but Flamestar rounded on him, russet fur bristling. "Let him finish!"

Icestar nodded and carried on. "We are offering full protection and shelter to them. And now, Shadestar, RiverClan, ThunderClan, and WindClan all feel the need to ask: Why did you lie?"

Nightfeather felt her heart drop and looked around to see her shock reflected on her Clanmates' faces. She closed her eyes and stepped forward, pushing through the crowd. "May I speak, Shadestar?"

Shadestar looked more than happy to give the burden on another cat. "Yes. Go ahead."

Nightfeather turned around and faced all of the Clans, terror rushing through her. "Cats of all Clans! Rosefeather was my mentor, and even from an early stage I noticed how horrible she was. Rosefeather is a cold, calculated, ruthless warrior who will hesitate at nothing to get what she wants. Dawnpaw was trained in her ways. I know, because they both attempted to murder me." Her voice was growing louder with every word. "RiverClan! If you offer Rosefeathers shelter, your Clan will not survive. I an warning you."

Icestar let out a growl. "Nonsense! Rosefeather told me you chased her out on your false word, Nightfeather." He spat her name out like it was an insult.

Shadestar stepped forward, eyes glowing in the darkness. "Even if what you say is true, why is it any of your buisness? ShadowClan can take care of its own problems. "

Stonestar hissed. "Obviously not. ShadowClan has lied at the expense of all the Clans."

Flamestar nodded in agreement with the gray tom. "Yes. If Rosefeather is a murderer, you would have been putting every cat in danger."

"Stop!" A voice called out from the crowd. Heads swung to watch as Cherryleaf, the ThunderClan medicine cat used her tail to point at the sky.

"StarClan is angry," Lilywish whispered.

"This gathering is over! WindClan, we're leaving," Flamestar hissed, leaping from the tree. Her cats scrambled after her.

Nightfeather stared up at the sky in dismay. Rosefeather was still among the Clans, leaving her mark in blood.

A/N: Sorry for short chapter! I know this chapter was hella boring, but I'm planniny for things to get better. ;-; Please recommend my story to your friends! Or, if you're like me, and don't have any, you can vote and comment! ♥

~ feather