"Stand perfectly still. When you see a fish swim by, swipe your paw out, and flip it in the air. If it lands on the ground, it'll be much easier to kill." Snowstorm instructed Shadowpaw as they sat by the river. It was her first day of apprenticeship, but Shadowpaw was overly excited.

That moment, a huge fish came into view, "I'll demonstrate," Snowstorm said, but Shadowpaw shook her head.

"I want to try," she said. Snowstorm eyed her doubtfully.

"Alright, but don't be too disappointed when- I mean if- you don't catch it." Snowstorm gave in. Shadowpaw got into position as the fish drew nearer. When it was right in front of her, she grabbed it with claws unsheathed, and using all her strength tossed it into the air. While it fell downward, she caught it in her jaws, killing it immediately.

She tuned to Snowstorm, seeing a shocked look on her face. Snowstorm managed to choke out, "G- give thanks to StarClan," before offering to carry the prey back to camp.

By the time they got to camp, however, Snowstorm was walking proudly. They went inside, and Flamewhisker poked his head out of the elder's den, "Is that for us?" he called. He had joined the elders when she was a kit, Shadowpaw remembered, so he had no trouble dragging it in to share with Tabbypelt, Crowear, and Hazeleye.

A warning yowl from the camp entrance alerted Shadowpaw. She spun around as a cat burst through the entrance. She wrinkled her nose. He smelled like the wind- but not in a good way, "WindClan, attack!" he yowled, diving for Miststar, who was on tall cleft. Brownpelt hurried to help her.

Suddenly claws raked Shadowpaw's back. She pushed up with her front paws, knocking her attacker off. She turned and saw a red- brown she-cat her size on the ground, teeth bared in a snarl. With a yowl, the strange she-cat leapt for Shadowpaw, easily pushing her to the ground. Shadowpaw raked her claws across her attacker's belly, and she pushed away. Soon they were circling each other.

"Who are you?" Shadowpaw asked. The red she-cat thought for a moment, then answered.

"I'm Redpaw, and I'm gonna take RiverClan territory for WindClan! You smell like fish."

"Because I just killed one!" Shadowpaw was about to leap onto Redpaw when she heard a mewling coming from outside. She looked around- no one seemed to hear it except her. But when she looked at Redpaw again, the red she-cat had her ears pricked.

"That's a kit," she muttered. The two apprentices shared a glance, then ran outside. No one noticed.

"Follow me," Redpaw mewed, their fight forgotten. They had to save this kit!

Redpaw led Shadowpaw to the river, where a brown tom was flailing in the water. He was only a kit. Two tiny she-cats, both reddish-brown like Redpaw, were standing on the edge, "Velvetkit! Mudkit! Orangekit! What in StarClan are you three doing here?" Redpaw asked.

Both she-kits turned to face the apprentices. One of them let out a wail, "You have to help Mudkit!"

Without hesitation, Shadowpaw dove into the river, swimming strongly against the current until she reached the small brown tom. She sank her teeth into his scruff, and swam to dry land. He wasn't breathing, so she put her paws on his flank and pushed. He coughed up a stream of water, and started breathing quick, shallow breaths. Redpaw got on the ground and did this awkward maneuver, and soon he was breathing normally, though still unconscious.

Something hit Shadowpaw in the side- but it was purring. She turned to see Redpaw looking at her, "You saved him," she whispered, looking fondly at Mudkit, "he's my brother. I don't know what would happen if-" her breath caught in her throat, "If he died too."

Shadowpaw could sense this wasn't the time for interrogation, "Actually, you saved him," she mewed, "Where did you learn that?"

"I thought it was my destiny to be a medicine cat, but I decided to become a warrior. Being a medicine cat wasn't right for me."

Shadowpaw nodded, and then, to her surprise, blurted, "so can we be friends?"

Redpaw looked surprised, then nodded. A yowl from the camp woke them to reality. But Shadowpaw realized that she couldn't fight Redpaw's clanmates. Redpaw apparently jumped to the same conclusion, because they shared a look. Redpaw picked up two kits while Shadowpaw picked up the other. Then they raced back to the camp.

When they entered the clearing, the fighting stopped. Everyone stared as the two apprentices set down Mudkit, Velvetkit, and Orangekit.

Then the tom that had came in to fight Miststar came forward, his tail lashing, "so you stole them!"

Redpaw shook her head, "Stormstar, no. I think they came to join the fight. Mudkit would have drowned if Shadowpaw hadn't saved him.

Stormstar's jaw dropped. Miststar smiled, "Nice job. I guess that was a waste of time." Stormstar turned looking very embarrassed.

"Sorry, Miststar."

She flicked her tail over his ear, or what was left of it. It was shredded, "Leave RiverClan, and next time prey on different neighbors."

---

"Redpaw!" Shadowpaw squealed as she slid beside the WindClan apprentice. It was her first gathering, and she was excited.

"Hi, Shadowpaw," Redpaw replied looking around nervously.

"What's wrong?" Shadowpaw asked. Redpaw blinked.

"It's just... this is my first gathering as a warrior apprentice. What if some cats here get mad?"

"They won't. I'm sure this isn't the first time."

"Really?" Redpaw sat a little taller, "I'll be the best warrior ever!"

Shadowpaw was about to come up with a comeback when one of the leaders yowled, "It is time for the gathering to begin!"

"Who's that?" Shadowpaw whispered to Redpaw.

"That's Dreamstar, the leader of ThunderClan," Redpaw whispered back, "You already know Miststar and Stormstar, so the leader of ShadowClan is Owlstar. He was Cavernstar's brother."

"Who's Cavernstar?"

"He was the leader of ShadowClan six or seven moons ago. He was hit by a monster, and he was on his last life."

Gemtalon, one of RiverClan's senior warriors, flicked his tail over Shadowpaw's ear, "Shut up," he whispered, "the gathering is beginning."

"ThunderClan is doing well," Dreamstar mewed, "The prey is running well, and we have two new warriors. Dandelionpelt and Poppyear."

The clans chanted their names before Dreamstar continued, "We also chased a fox out of our territory. Be on the lookout." He stepped back, signaling for Miststar to speak.

"The river has plenty of fish, and RiverClan has two new apprentices. Shadowpaw and Coalpaw. Coalpaw will train as a medicine cat." Shadowpaw sat up a little straighter as the clans chanted her name, and Redpaw purred. Miststar stepped back, signaling for Stormstar to speak.

"WindClan is doing well," he said, "There is plenty of prey. We have a new litter named Velvetkit, Orangekit, and Mudkit. Redpaw has decided to take on the path of a warrior." Redpaw stiffened, and Shadowpaw brushed her tail over Redraw's flank. A few cats murmured, but there was no disapproval shown clearly.

"ShadowClan is fine," Owlstar said, changing the subject, "We have recovered from Cavernstar's death, and we have a new litter in the nursery, Bright-tuft's kits. They are Nightkit and Cloudkit."

Owlstar looked around before saying, "The gathering is over," and jumping from where he sat.

"Bye, Redpaw!" Shadowpaw called as she raced to join Miststar. Redpaw waved her tail in acknowledgement. Shadowpaw returned home.