"Flintpaw! Hold on!" Ebonypaw tried to run to her brother, but her paws felt heavy and stuck to the ground like the roots of a tree. The four rogues surrounded Flintpaw, slashing and clawing at him, sending blood and tufts of orange fur flying.

Her brother looked at her, his yellow eyes wide and lit with despair. "Help me!" He pleaded. "Please!"

"I'm coming! I'm trying!" Ebonypaw struggled to run, but she was moving as slow as a snail. "Hold on!" She wailed.

The silver tabby, Castiel, lunged at Flintpaw's neck, and she let out a screech as blood pooled heavily through his fur and soaked the grass. "Let him go! Flintpaw!" He went still, and she let out a screech.

"NO!"

***

"Ebonypaw!"

Flintpaw! Her eyes snapped open, and she gasped sharply, her fur bristling. Her heart pounded rapidly in her chest as she jerked her head around, taking in her surroundings. She was in the apprentices den. The light of dawn shone through the roof of the den.

"Ebonypaw?" A dark red tabby stood in the entrance of the den, his yellow eyes filled with concern. "Are you okay?"

She drew in a deep breath, her fur slowly flattening along her spine. "I-I'm fine, Bloodfur..."

Her mentor studied her. "I hope so," He meowed. After a moment, he looked around the den and let out a small purr. "You know, just because you have the den to yourself doesn't mean you can make a mess of it."

"What?" Ebonypaw blinked and looked around, startled to see scraps of moss surrounding the remnants of her nest. It looked as though it had exploded around her. "Oh, sorry... I-I guess I was moving around a lot in my sleep." She looked at him anxiously. "Do you want me to clean it up?"

Bloodfur looked sympathetic. "You should, but it can wait until later." He turned and flicked his tail. "Are you ready for a training session? We're going hunting today."

"That sounds great." Ebonypaw yawned. "I'll be out in a minute." Bloodfur nodded and turned away to go into the clearing.

She sat up and shook bits of moss from her fur. She began to stretch, only to flinch and stop, looking down at her stomach. She shivered as she remembered the claws of the white rogue splitting open her skin. She had remained in the care of Creamheart, the ShadowClan medicine cat, for over a moon. Ebonypaw was sure that she was going to join StarClan with Flintpaw, but she had pulled through. Though her wound had healed, the scar across her stomach would remain there for the rest of her life, a constant reminder of the brutal attack she'd suffered.

Despite Creamheart assuring her over a moon ago that she could now move freely without the risk of opening the wound, Ebonypaw couldn't help but be cautious. The thought of the scar in her stomach opening again, blood pouring out, her vision spotty and fading away into darkness, terrified her. She could not experience that again. She knew it was mouse-brained to think such a thing could happen to a healed wound, but she couldn't help it.

Her nightmare replayed itself in her mind, and she felt sadness wash over her. This hadn't been the first one. Ever since the attack five moons ago, she had been having nightmares about Flintpaw. Each time, she would try to get to him and save his life. And each time, she would fail and have to see her brother die all over again. She looked down, her heart aching. I'm sorry, Flintpaw... She closed her eyes. It should have been me instead... She gave her pelt a shake, blinking away sleep as she stood up and slowly padded out of the den.

Many cats were hanging about the clearing. Spiderfang and Foxflower were crouched by the fresh kill pile, sharing a mouse. Tinylark padded up to them and dropped a frog onto the pile, purring a greeting.

By the meeting rock, the deputy, Cobratail, stood arranging one of the first patrols of the day. "I'll need a patrol to leave fresh scent markers on the ThunderClan border," He was meowing to the cats around him. "Bloomfire, would you lead one?"

"Of course," The orange and white she-cat meowed and looked behind her, waving her tail. "Boost, Honeyrose, would you like to join me?"

The two warriors meowed their consent, and Boost twitched his tabby tail happily. "I've been dying to get out of the camp."

As the three cats left, Ebonypaw looked around and spotted Bloodfur. She started toward him, then hesitated. He was standing by the thorn tunnel speaking with Mistybreeze and Coldpebble.

"Leaf-bare is coming early," Coldpebble was meowing, looking up at an oak tree hanging over the camp. Some branches were splotched with red and orange leaves, while other branches were bare and naked. "I'm freezing!" He shuddered.

Mistybreeze tilted her head, giving her brother an amused look. "Well, your name is Coldpebble."

She and Bloodfur laughed together, while Coldpebble snorted and gave her a playful shove. All three warriors looked content, purring to one another. Ebonypaw hung back, reluctant to interrupt their conversation.

But Bloodfur turned and spotted her. "I have to go train Ebonypaw," He quickly told his companions. His gaze rested on Mistybreeze. "I'll see you later."

"See you, Bloodfur," Mistybreeze purred and touched noses with her mate. He purred back and licked her head before turning away.

She and Coldpebble began speaking together while Bloodfur headed toward Ebonypaw, his eyes bright. "Are you-"

"Ebonypaw!"

She jumped, startled when Cobratail called her name. She looked over to see the ShadowClan deputy padding up to her, reaching her just before Bloodfur could. "I believe Timberstorm needs fresh moss for his nest," He meowed. "Would you fetch some?"

Timberstorm had moved into the elders den just after the battle with Deserve's Army. It had taken him a long time to fully recover from the fight, and Depthstar had felt that it was best for him to retire from his warrior duties.

Ebonypaw hesitated. Taking care of the elders was one of the duties of an apprentice. And at this time, only one apprentice. She had been the only apprentice in the clan since Applefall, Heatstorm, and Foxflower had become warriors and Flintpaw had died, leaving her with a lot of work to do between training and caring for the elders.

"I was just going to take her out for a hunting lesson," Bloodfur informed the deputy, dipping his head.

Cobratail hesitated. "The elders should be cared for first. You can save your training session for later."

Ebonypaw's tail drooped. I was looking forward to training..! She had spent over a moon in the medicine den, longing to recover and get back to training. At last she could, only to have things keep delaying it. Of course, she cared about Timberstorm and didn't mind helping him, but she would much rather be hunting or battle training.

Just then, Applefall padded to Bloodfur's side, dipping her head. "I could take care of Timberstorm's nest today," She offered. "Ebonypaw shouldn't miss out on any more training."

Cobratail hesitated and dipped his head. "Very well," He meowed to the yellow tabby. "Thank you, Applefall."

"Yes, thank you," Ebonypaw added gratefully. All moon, her former denmate had been offering to help take care of some of the apprentice duties, feeling that it was unfair for everything to fall on the single apprentice. Most new warriors would have refused to go back to the apprentice duties they'd been enduring for so long, but Applefall had been more than willing to help. She was a great cat.

Bloodfur was looking at the yellow tabby she-cat fondly. "You're a great cat, Applefall," He purred, echoing Ebonypaw's thoughts. "Just like your parents."

Ebonypaw remembered that he and Applefall had both been raised by the same cats. A terrible accident had happened when Bloodfur had been kitted, and his mother had died. In grief, Bloodfur's father committed suicide, and Bloomfire and Flameheart had raised Bloodfur as their own. They later had their own biological kits: Applefall, Heatstorm, Foxflower, and Cardinalpaw. Though they did not share the same parents through blood, Bloodfur, Applefall, and Foxflower shared a bond like true siblings. Bloodfur shared prey with Bloomfire from time to time, and Ebonypaw and could see the mother and son relationship between them.

Applefall flicked Bloodfur on the ear playfully with her tail. "That makes two of us," She purred, then looked at Ebonypaw. "Have fun training!" She bounded away toward the elders den and slipped inside, purring a greeting to Timberstorm. Cobratail gave Bloodfur a nod before turning away.

"Right." Bloodfur looked at his apprentice, yellow eyes shining. "Ready to go, Ebonypaw?" She nodded, and they began heading toward the camp entrance.

"That makes two of us." She heard Heatstorm mock Applefall's words. She looked over to see the orange and white warrior sitting by the side of the clearing, watching Bloodfur coldly. "Is she crazy? Bloodfur isn't a great cat!"

Ebonypaw looked at Bloodfur as he paused, looking over at the young warrior with a troubled look on his face. "Heatstorm," He began hesitantly.

"Don't talk to me, Bloodfur!" Heatstorm spat, his fur bristling as he walked away, lashing his tail behind him. "Murderer," He hissed over his shoulder.

Bloodfur stared after him for a moment, then dropped his gaze. "Let's go," He meowed quietly, and Ebonypaw nodded, following him out of the camp.

Heatstorm was Applefall's brother, one of Flameheart and Bloomfire's kits. Like his siblings, he had admired and loved Bloodfur like a brother, until Cardinalpaw's death. Ebonypaw had just left the nursery when Bloodfur had killed his foster brother, though his intentions had been to kill Creamheart. Cardinalpaw had jumped in the way of the attack and paid for it with his life. Bloodfur was exiled from ShadowClan, but allowed back when he returned to help the clans fight against Deserve's Army.

Though Bloomfire, Applefall, and Foxflower had forgiven Bloodfur for his wrongdoings, Heatstorm refused and seemed to hate Bloodfur with every fiber of his body. Ebonypaw didn't think that anything could mend the brotherly bond they once had.

Ebonypaw couldn't deny the fact that she'd been wary of Bloodfur when she'd been given him as a mentor after Revengeheart was killed in the battle. He had killed Cardinalpaw and helped Deserve's Army try to destroy the clans. He had been in a dark state of mind then, seeking revenge on the ShadowClan cats who had wronged him growing up. But he was a changed cat now, and it wasn't long before Ebonypaw realized that she could trust him.

And Bloodfur was a much better mentor than Revengeheart had been... Her mind flashed back to the day she'd been apprenticed.

***

"It's time! It's time!" Ebonykit squeaked excitedly as she dashed out of the nursery and into the clearing, her tail high in the air. She drew in a deep breath as she took in her surroundings. Cats were sitting in the clearing, gathered around the rock where Depthstar stood. Cobratail sat on a smaller rock below him, while Creamheart sat outside her den. Most cats were watching her warmly.

"We're going to be apprentices!" She looked beside her, expecting to see Flintkit, but he wasn't there. She spun and looked back to see that he was still by the entrance of the nursery, sitting between Greenpine's front legs. "Hurry up!" She called eagerly to her brother.

Flintkit hesitated, his yellow eyes wide with anxiety. "I-I'm nervous!" He exclaimed, shrinking back against Greenpine. Their mother leaned over him and licked his ear.

"Don't worry," Greenpine purred. "It'll be alright."

The little orange and gray tabby hesitated, looking up anxiously at her. "Are you sure?"

"Of course!" She promised, her green eyes warm. "You and your sister are going to be amazing apprentices."

"And even better warriors!" Ebonykit exclaimed. "Come on, Flintkit!" She turned away, and he hesitantly followed her through the crowd of cats. "Excuse me! Coming through!" She purred as she dodged their paws. I'm so excited!

When she reached the base of the rock, she sat down, looking up at the clan leader excitedly. Flintkit hurried to her side, looking a bit more at ease.

"Ebonykit, Flintkit," Depthstar began.

"I can't believe this is happening," He whispered.

Ebonykit nudged him. "Shh!"

"You have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed," Depthstar meowed, resting his blue gaze on them. "Ebonykit, from this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Ebonypaw."

"Ebonypaw! Ebonypaw!" The clan yowled.

I'm an apprentice! Her heart raced with excitement. I can't believe it! She looked back at the cats cheering for her. Greenpine watched from the nursery, looking overjoyed. She saw Cliffshade, her father, sitting by the front of the crowd, his amber eyes filled with pride as he gazed at her and Flintkit. Beyond him, she noticed a dark red tabby cat glaring at her silently, lashing his tail. What's up with him? She wondered.

The cats suddenly quieted, and Ebonypaw realized what Depthstar would say next. My mentor! He's going to give me a mentor! She scanned the crowd of warriors eagerly. I wonder who it will be?

"Revengeheart."

Revengeheart? Ebonypaw blinked. What a strange name... I've never seen or heard of him...

"What?" A startled voice rose sharply from the crowd. Many cats turned to it, and she followed their gaze to see a black legged white tom laying on his stomach by the thorn barrier, several other cats around him. That's him.

"You are ready to take on an apprentice. I expect you to pass on all you know to Ebonypaw," Depthstar meowed.

Revengeheart looked bewildered, hissing something under his breath. Unease flickered through her. He doesn't seem very happy to be my mentor... She waited for him to get up and greet her, but he didn't move.

Depthstar blinked. "Revengeheart, come forward." He urged, flicking his tail.

A silver she-cat laying close to Revengeheart gave him a nudge, murmuring something. He glared at her before huffing out a sigh and rising to his paws, his tail lashing as he crossed the clearing.

Ebonypaw stared at the broad shouldered warrior anxiously as he approached her. He looks really strong... That's good though! He'll show me how to be strong, too! He stopped in front of her, and she looked up at him hopefully, leaning forward to touch noses with him, as customary.

The white and black warrior seemed reluctant as he shifted forward and bumped his nose against hers, so sharply that it startled her a bit. After a moment, she calmed and hesitantly met his amber eyes, expecting them to be on hers, but instead his gaze was fixed on the ground.

Ebonypaw swallowed uneasily, dropping her gaze. I should say something... What do I say? She quickly gathered the courage to speak to the large warrior. "I-I hope I'll be a great warrior like you..." She meowed quietly, daring to meet his gaze again.

Revengeheart caught her eye, his amber eyes flashing with irritation. "You'll never be as great as me," He growled lowly.

What? Ebonypaw was startled, flattening her ears as the tom's eyes burned into hers. Did he really say that? Her heart sunk and her tail drooped, the excitement of being apprenticed fading away. She knew Depthstar had announced Flintpaw's name and given him Swiftstalker as a mentor, but she hardly heard, stunned and hurt at Revengeheart's words.

Maybe he's right... She thought sadly. I was never destined to be a great warrior... She glanced over and saw Flintpaw standing with Swiftstalker, joy lightning his eyes. But Flintpaw will be...

***

"Ebonypaw?"

She broke out of her thoughts at Bloodfur's voice. "What?" She blinked up and realized that they had reached the spot in the forest where they usually hunted. Pine needles and stray brown leaves covered the earth under her paws. Her mentor was standing a little ways ahead, looking over his shoulder at her.

"Are you okay?" Bloodfur tilted his head and turned to face her. "You zoned out for a bit."

Heat washed over her in embarrassment. Fox dung! How stupid of me! "I-I'm sorry, Bloodfur," She meowed, her ears flattening. "Were you saying something?"

He flicked his tail. "I was saying we should stop here to hunt," He meowed. "Do you smell anything?"

Ebonypaw parted her jaws slightly and drank in the air. "I think I smell frog..." She meowed hesitantly. She glanced toward the roots of a tree, the earth around it damp and muddy. "I think over there..."

Her mentor nodded approvingly. "Very good." He stepped back. "Why don't you go catch it?"

"Okay..." Ebonypaw grew uneasy as she dropped into a crouch. She felt awkward and sure she was doing it wrong. She glanced at Bloodfur, but the red tabby was silent, watching her steadily. I guess I'm doing okay... She hesitated before creeping forward, her eyes darting around for the frog. Where... Ah! She spotted the small greenish brown creature crouched in the grass by the mud, seeming unaware of her.

Well... Here it goes... She drew in a deep breath and pounced, claws outstretched, but her hind paws kicked up some dry leaves behind her, making a loud crunching sound. The frog immediately hopped away, and she clumsily landed in the mud, staggering back just before she hit the tree headfirst. She looked up at Bloodfur guiltily. "Err..." Is he going to be mad? Revengeheart would have been mad...

"That wasn't bad," Bloodfur praised, though he looked hesitant and confused as he padded up to her, sitting by the root of the tree. "You made a few mistakes though..." He hesitated. "You've been training for a long time before now... Surely you know how to hunt properly?"

Guilt and embarrassment pulsed through her. She sat down and dropped her gaze. "I-I've been trying," She meowed quietly. "Revengeheart never taught me much about hunting... He said that fighting was more important and that we should focus on that."

Revengeheart had only given her a hunting lesson once or twice. Every other time, he insisted on battle training, and Ebonypaw didn't dare argue with him. But it didn't save her any pain. In training, Revengeheart always had his claws unsheathed, and she would sometimes return to camp with scratches that she tried to hide. Luckily, it was never anything so serious she needed to go to Creamheart about it. Ebonypaw never fought with her claws though. Despite his cruelty, she refused to harm her mentor, or any cat for that matter.

An anger flickered in Bloodfur's yellow eyes at the mention of the cat he had fought with so many times, but he quickly gathered himself and took a deep breath. "Hunting and fighting are equally important," He meowed. "Revengeheart should have felt that way."

Ebonypaw hesitated. "Swiftstalker taught Flintpaw hunting techniques all the time." She looked down, remembering how envious she had been, watching Flintpaw train with Swiftstalker and learn the best hunting moves. "And he treated Flintpaw well, encouraged him, and he was one of the best hunters in the clan. I wish he'd been my mentor instead."

Bloodfur's eyes brimmed with emotion as he thought of his old friend. "He was a great cat," He meowed quietly. "A brave one, too. He sacrificed a lot for his clan."

I hope he's safe and happy in StarClan... Ebonypaw thought. Maybe he and Flintpaw are hunting together now, chasing prey and running as fast as the wind... They were quiet for a moment.

"Right." Bloodfur shook his head as if to break out of his thoughts. "Let's keep hunting." He stood up and turned away. "Try again."

"Okay." Ebonypaw straightened and hesitated. "Bloodfur?"

He looked back at her. "Yeah?"

"I'm glad you're my mentor now," Ebonypaw meowed, feeling a rush of gratitude toward him. "I was always scared around Revengeheart, but I'm not scared around you."

Bloodfur's eyes flashed with a combination of sympathy and happiness. "I'm glad I'm your mentor too, Ebonypaw," He purred and flicked his tail, motioning for her to follow him. "Come on. I might not be Swiftstalker, but I'll show you how to be a great hunter."

A purr started to rumble in her throat, but it faded quickly. A great hunter... How can I be great..? Revengeheart said I never would be...