Spiderfang gives me a gesture with her tail to follow her, then starts walking deeper into the forest. Maplepaw shoots me a last, annoyed look before trotting after her. I bound after them as they walk quickly though the underbrush, the black she-cat glancing over her shoulder occasionally, to check if I was keeping up.

After a little while, the trees start to thin out and I can hear the sound of rushing water in the distance. The forest eventually gives way to a wide clearing with a small, clear stream running through it.

Cats were milling around. In the middle of the clearing, I see an odd tree that had been hollowed out and shaped into a sort of den. Sitting in front of it was a silver she-cat, who was grooming.

"That's our leader, Silverstar," Spiderfang whispers to me. "Let me do most of the talking."

I nod and then follow as Spiderfang leads me towards the silver coated she-cat. When Silverstar notices us approaching, she lifts her head and her eyes narrow with suspicion.

"Spiderfang, who's this?" she demands.

The black she-cat stepped forward. "Silverstar, this is a kittypet, named Soot. I found him chasing a rabbit. He wishes to join RootClan."

Silverstar's expression hardens at the mention of
'kittypet' and she looks me up and down distrustfully, opening her mouth.

Spiderfang continues before Silverstar can say anything. "However, I believe he has potential. He has a hunter's instincts and he didn't back down from a fight."

The she-cat leader looks unconvinced, her green eyes boring into me.

I shuffle my feet, staring down at my paws. I didn't know what to say. Maplepaw shot me a look that said I told you so.

Silverstar turns her cold gaze back to Spiderfang, still skeptical of my presence. "Every kittypet we've encountered has been utterly useless. Always pampered and weak, not to mention cowardly. What makes this one any different?"

Spiderfang pauses as she thinks about her response.

Maplepaw speaks up from her side, a snippy tone in her voice. "Yeah, look at him. He probably can't even catch a mouse."

Silverstar glances at the young apprentice and takes in my nervous form. She shakes her head and starts to turn away. "You've wasted my time, Spiderfang," she says. "We don't need a useless kittypet here. We have enough mouths to feed as it is."

"Then teach me." I say determinedly, stepping forward. "Teach me how to hunt, how to fight, how to be a warrior."

Silverstar stops and turns back at my words. She eyes me seriously for a moment, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. "Why should we waste our time teaching you? You're just a kittypet. You wouldn't last a day in our conditions."

"Yes I would!" I say, hurt.

Silverstar scoffs at my words, her eyes narrowing further. "You don't know what Clan life is like, kittypet."

Maplepaw chimes in again, her tone cold.
"You're pampered and weak. Too soft to survive out here. Plus your collar will alert all the prey in the forest that you're there!"

I glare at her. "I... I'll tear it off!" By now the cats in the clearing were watching silently.

Silverstar let out a dry laugh and looked at me like I was a naive kit. "With those blunt claws of yours? I doubt it. You wouldn't know how to tear through moss, let alone that thick Twoleg stuff!"

My fur bristles at her doubt. "Watch me," I growl. I unsheathe and manage to hook a claw under the leather material. I begin sawing and tugging at the collar until it fell to the ground with a jingle. I look up and stare at Silverstar defiantly.

Spiderfang looked at me, eyes wide with surprise. Even Maplepaw seemed impressed. Silverstar, on the other hand, is not amused. Her expression hardens, and she stands there silently, watching me. Finally, she speaks.

"Fine. If you're so determined to become a warrior, then I'll give you a chance. One chance. But you'll have to work hard. You'll have to prove yourself worthy to the rest of my Clan. Are you sure you're up for it, Soot?"

I nod. "Yes," I say confidently.

Silverstar's gaze bores into me, searching for any hint of hesitation. When she finds none, she nods sharply. "Good. Then you'll start your training immediately. Spiderfang, take him to Leafglow. He'll be his mentor until further notice. I believe Leafglow is with Hollyshade."

Spiderfang nods at her leader's orders and gestures for me to follow her. As I turn to follow, I hear Maplepaw mutter something disapprovingly.

"That kittypet won't last a minute..."