I walk to Mothstar's den, still tense from the Gathering. Even though it had been a week ago, I can't stop thinking about the cat I met. Moonpaw. Her name was Moonpaw.

I bit my lip, feeling blood well up, determined to get the image of the cat, who appeared, at least to me, sorry, out of my mind. Shaking my head, I wander out into the clearing again, disappointed. Mothstar was nowhere to be seen.

I see the plumy tail worm it's way under the bushes. Smiling, I run after, hoping to talk to my leader and hopefully get some instructions on how to spend the day.

When I get to Mothstar, panting happily, Mothstar's talking to another cat. She looks to be about my age, and is a bright dusty brown. The cat turned around, her bright green eyes glistening like jewels.

"Hello?" I ask, somewhat curious. My nose wrinkles up at her scent- rogue. Disgusting. "Mothstar, who is this?"

"This is Lily," She says, "She's interested in joining the clan."

"She's a rogue!" I protest.

Mothstar shoots a dirty look at me, snarling. "She will be treated like any other apprentice."

I say nothing, still appalled that we're taking in this... thing. I'd rather have Moonpaw in my clan!

Then again, I think, maybe we could be friends. If she's new, maybe she just needs someone to show her around. I try to be warm and welcoming, and say, "Would you like me to show you around?"

She looks confused for a second, but relents and says, "Why not?"

Mothstar smiles at me, proud, and says, "Thank you."

I walk through the camp, Lilypaw at my side. She looks at all the cats, taking in their scents. Even though she's trying to keep cool, I can tell she's scared. She better be! Real warriors could tear a rogue to shreds in moments.

Then again, she's one of us now. Even if I don't like it, I'm not tearing her to shreds anytime soon.

I walk to the nursery, where Hawkkit is playing by himself. There are no more kits, now that Firepaw is finally an apprentice. Everkit- wherever he is- is probably one too. My eyes well with tears when I think about Cinderpaw, so I flatten my ears and keep walking.

Lilypaw walks to Hawkkit. "What's wrong?" She asks.

The little kit looks up at her, his eyes gold and beautiful as the day I found him. "Nothing." He says.

Lilypaw smiles. "You want to play?"

"Really? You wanna play with me?" He pounces on her, and she laughs.

I feel a tug of jealousy, but I push it away. He's happy and so is she. Mission accomplished.

Firepaw runs up to me. "Hey, Flintpaw and I wanted to know if you could teach us some moves?"

"What about Littlepaw?" I ask, thinking about my little brother.

"Haven't seen him all day." Firepaw responds. I shrug it off, and go to Mothstar.

"Mothstar, can I teach Firepaw and Flintpaw some moves?"

"Yes. Go ahead." She says, distracted. I frown. It's not like Mothstar to brush someone off so quickly.

We walk to the forest, just Firepaw, Flintpaw and I, and I teach them my favorite moves. "This is the slash catch." I show them the dive, hooking my claw around Firepaw and bringing him towards me, and then I've pulled him up to my face. He's blushing under all that fur, even though you can barely tell under all the fur.

We train until the moon comes up, Flintpaw watching from the side, giving me a really weird expression.

When we're alone in the apprentice den, I ask my brother, "What's with the face?'

"He's quite nice, isn't he?"

"Who?"

"Firepaw, you mouse-brain."

"Yes, yes he is."

The next day, I go to Mothstar for my training. "Can we train, Mothstar?"

"I'm busy right now."

Lilypaw rushes up to her. "Are we going?"

Mothstar nods. "I'll be with you later, Icepaw."

I know exactly what's going on, and immediately betrayal floods me. "Have FUN!" I hiss, the sarcasm in my voice choked out by the sound of Lilypaw whining.

"She's not just your mentor. Do you need her all to yourself?"

Mothstar says nothing, just flicks her tail and heads into the forest. Lilypaw follows.

Days can roll on like this. Bring them. I don't care anymore.

Firepaw pads up to me, and whispers, "I'm on a hunting patrol. Want to come?" I turn to him, knowing that even if Cinderpaw's gone, I at least have a new friend now.

Flintpaw looks up at me from a distance, tears in his eyes. "What's wrong?" I call.

Bitterly, he replies, "Littlepaw is gone."

Blazefur, his mentor, walks up to the three of us. "Before you go on your patrol, I think you and Flintpaw will both want to hear this."

I nod, "Go on..."

"We've scented your brother at the edge of the territory. The bad news is that his scents were mingled with other cats, both rogue and clan cats."

"How many?" I ask.

"About ten. One of them..." I know that he's about to say, and no matter how much I want to cut him off, it's better that I hear it. That I know of her betrayal. "Was Cinderpaw."