Ripplecurrent's POV

With the sound of little groans and grunts echoing throughout the nursery, I couldn't try to sleep any longer. I lifted my head off of my paws to check out what was going on. I just woke up, could you be any louder? I wanted to snap at Lionkit and Pebblekit when I found out they were the ones tumbling around and making all the noise.

Blossomfrost's litter had been part of the issue before, but I understood they didn't know any better. But these two sure do! I wanted to yell.

Sighing, I decided to be nice and keep my mouth shut.

I sat up and began cleaning my ruffled up fur. It's thick waves were stuck up and knotted in several places, annoying me even more.

It had been three moons since Shadowflower had come back, shaking with surprise, from her journey for catmint. The catmint, by the way, didn't do anything for my mate or the poor, weak soul of Fireflywing... Meaning her scary trip was, literally, all for nothing. Fireflywing's death wasn't entirely missed by any cat, really, other than her very effected sister. Mistnose was now - more - distant and cold than before.

It had been three whole moons of nothing but seemingly endless snow storms and empty bellies. The constant groan of my Clanmates made my heart twist with shame and sadness because I knew, in the end, my kits and I would always get the first, and sometimes even the only, prey. I acted careless though so no one would reassure me that "it was okay". I knew very well it was less than okay. I had done just fine without reassurance thus far, so why would I need their pitiful glances now?

Just as I got the last knot out, I noticed Hollowkit wasn't with his step-siblings. "Pebblekit, Lionkit," I got their attention, their tiny heads glancing over at me. "Why isn't Hollowkit playing with you? He is your brother, after all!" They shrugged, uninterested, and turned away.

Rolling my eyes, I left the nursery. Dreampaw, like most mornings, was showing Hollowkit how to hunt and fight. How didn't I know? I purred to myself. The little black tom was a bit off balanced and a tad too loud, but he was doing well after three moons of "training". It brought them closer together, and I could practically already see their future together.

Sparkdust hurried out of the camp as Tigerstripe and Foxtuft came in. All three carried their own personal thick, sharpened stick to protect themselves and our territory. So far the sticks - ordered by Silverstar - had been helpful, the three had reported.

The sun was just making it's way up the dim sky. Small, white clouds blew across the grey sky, bringing wind into the clearing and ruffling up my fur the wrong way. A growl crept up my throat. I just did-

"Ripplecurrent, how was your sleep?" Stormcloud rasped, padding from the medicine den. He was lanky and patches of his thick, grey fur were missing from his pelt. I pitied him, wanting to help him all I could but the catmint was the only effective thing. Even that didn't seem to be doing much more then make him smell nice.

I touched noses with him. "It was great," I meowed. "Do you feel any better?"

He seemed to hesitate whether to be straight forward or to say what I wanted to hear. "Um, I'm not sure. I feel a bit more of myself... But it's hard to say, really." Stormcloud nuzzled me. Of course he wouldn't tell me straight up that nothing had changed. I lashed my tail and narrowed my eyes.

Crowflight came to stand in the center of the clearing to set up patrols as Shadowflower ordered my mate to go to the den before the chilly air killed him. After a sly nudge and a cute wink, he staggered away to the stuffy den.

"With leafbare coming to a hopeful end, I expect that fresh-kill pile to be full!" Silverstar warned. "Keep a sharp eye on StreamClan, too... Report everything while on patrol!"

Crowflight rolled his eyes behind his leaders back. I didn't blame him. Silverstar was a terrible leader. Power-crazy was a perfect word to describe her.

"Plus, I think it's time Ripplecurrent's litter became apprentices. They may be only almost five moons, but they are healthy and full of good spirits... We need apprentices and they seem just perfect for the role!" Silverstar announced, whisking her tail toward her.

My three kits hopped proudly toward their leader. What? I suddenly felt the urge to protect my litter as if I were a she-fox with her kits. I could sense the rest of the Clans shock, too.

Stormcloud went against Shadowflowers orders to stand beside me and watch our kits become apprentices. "They look horrible!" I gasped, licking their fur clean as best as I could before Silverstar began to glare at me with impatience.

"Pebblekit, step forward." My splotched daughter stepped forward as I backed away. "Though you are younger than most, you and your siblings show much loyalty and confidence. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and fight for your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" She nodded eagerly, "I do!"

"Then from now until you become a warrior you will be known as Pebblepaw. I trust Foxtuft will show you the proper ways of the warrior code. This means Foxtuft is now just a warrior, no longer a guard."

This went on twice more, with Hollowpaw getting Silverstar as a mentor and Lionpaw getting Snowfern. Silverstar actually mentioned Snowfern had to start acting like a warrior, not a kittypet, or she would be thrown out of the Clan. No one dared to protest other than her loyal daughter. Dreampaw had to be held back by Tigerstripe so she wouldn't attack the leader.

"That's my mother you're talking to!" She had snapped. "If you think I wouldn't throw you out with your mother, too, you're wrong," Our leader had replied.

What is this Clan coming to? I wondered, shaking my head.
***
With the shortage of warriors and having a night-guard, the entire Clan went to the Gathering silently. The moon was full and the stars were out, twinkling brightly. Of course, Stormcloud, Blossomfrost, her kits, and a camp-guard (Tigerstripe), were left behind.

I wasn't used to the long walk. It was my first time going to a Gathering since my pregnancy and litter. Now all four of us were going. Sadly, Stormcloud was sound asleep in the medicine den, unable to come due to his elevating temperature. My two kits and my foster-son were rushing ahead, ecstatic to go to their very first Gathering. Too bad Stormcloud couldn't be here... I sighed quietly as I trekked through the melting, wet snow. Silverstar, of course, was at the head of our Clan, with her chin high and eyes wide.

We padded along the shoreline. I noticed the lake was thinning, the small rocks no longer had ice between one another, and the air was just a touch less chilly. I could actually feel the frozen pebbles in between my toes this time, unlike the other times when I had gone out for short walks to the lake.

RockClan finally came to the steep hill we called our Gathering. Obviously StreamClan was already there; their calico leader was sitting up straight on a jagged boulder sticking out of the hill. Silverstar stalked up the hill, hopping onto the boulder to stand next to Wildstar. They bowed heads to each other. My three kits ran over to Thornpaw and Whisperpaw. I watched eagerly. I wondered if we could trust them and if they changed.

Smoketail hurried over to Shadowflower, who was later joined by Zinnia, Jinx and Lark met up with Crowflight, and Snowfern bumped into Dawnflower - who, to be honest, looked like she died two days ago. The elderly she-cat looked old, tired, and depressed.

I looked over to my three kits again. Chippaw had joined the crew, as well as Dreampaw. I overheard that Thornpaw was now Thornfall, Whisperpaw was now Whisperbreeze, and how mad Chippaw was at his father for becoming mates with Blackwind. Apparently, she was expecting his kits. No wonder she isn't here, I thought.

Within heartbeats of me being quiet and observant of the Clans, the two leaders called us forward. The Clans didn't separate like they would back in our first territory. Instead they stayed put and gazed up at Silverstar and Wildstar. Ever since the infection the two Clans had gotten closer.

"I will go first," Silverstar decided, stepping over to the edge of the boulder.

"For RockClan, we have only grown stronger and more independent. I am leading my Clan well; this harsh leafbare was just a small test. We have three new apprentices as of today, and they are strengthening and becoming great fighters." Hollowpaw, Lionpaw, and Pebblepaw puffed out their chests as their eyes gleamed with pride. I purred. "The loss of Marshstar was hard and sudden, but we are managing greatly. RockClan has become a new and improved Clan after I became leader," the silver leader announced. I rolled my eyes.

I sensed someone sit beside me. Glancing over, I realized it was Ghostglow. He didn't look much better than Dawnflower, but at least he wasn't depressed looking or as dead looking. "Silverstar is quite the character, isn't she?" He purred. I nodded and kept my eyes on our leader. She finished her announcement and then Wildstar stepped forward.

"You have no idea," I replied.
***
There's chapter one everyone <3 Hope you enjoyed! Leave a vote and a comment if desired and have a great weekend!
P_A83 out!