Silverpelt shone brightly with clusters of faint and bold stars cast out into the wide expanse of the inky sky. The moonlight splashed down its watery white-silver glow onto the Clans, bathing them, illuminating them. In the distance the trees were silhouetted against the deep velvety sky. Hawkpaw watched the cats mingling on the island, no spark of interest in her for the Gathering. She would have preferred to stay at camp and rest so she could train with Thistleclaw, but Flareheart insisted that she go since it would only be her second time and she should try to get to know more apprentices. Hawkpaw recognized Pebblepaw's silver coat and slipped through crowds of pelts to reach him. As she burst through she became aware that he was talking with a long-haired gray tom who was built solidly, his muscles quivering beneath his pelt.

She started backing up when Pebblepaw saw her and meowed cheerfully, "Oh, Hawkpaw! Good to see you again. This is my Clanmate, Sharkpaw, he's nearly a warrior and a good friend of mine." The large tom looked down at her for a moment.

"ThunderClan, I'm surprised you snake-hearts haven't taken in any kittypets lately!" He spat the word kittypet scornfully, then turned and stalked off.

"Sorry about that, he's been in a mood lately but is usually pretty nice." Pebblepaw apologized as she stared at him. I can't believe those two are friends, they're like complete opposites. Pebblepaw is kind and friendly, but Sharkpaw is the definition of fishfur. She shrugged and glanced around.

"Are there other apprentices here tonight?"

"Yup, I saw Brownpaw and Maplepaw earlier." Hawkpaw stiffened at the mention of Maplepaw, the cat whom she battled with three moons ago when Fallengaze died.

Trying to shake off the memory she asked, "Who's Brownpaw?"

"He is an apprentice in WindClan, who's mentor I'm pretty sure is Crowfall. You can probably guess from his name that he's a plain brown tom," Pebblepaw laughed.

"Oh, did you meet my brothers yet?" He tilted his head in confusion and she guessed not. "Come, I want you to meet them, although only Snakepaw is here with me tonight." She guided him to her littermate who was talking with a speckled brown tom that reeked of fish.

Pebblepaw twitched his ear, "Hi, Troutfur." The warrior craned his neck around and grunted in response.

Snakepaw looked over quizzically, "Who's that, Hawkpaw?"

"This is my friend, Pebblepaw." She faced him and pointed at her brother, "that's Snakepaw, one of my two brothers." Pebblepaw nodded and inclined his head respectfully.

"Hello, nice to meet you." Hawkpaw held back a laugh, he's so formal.

Snakepaw must of been thinking the same thing because she saw his whiskers twitch with amusement before mewing, "You too."

The chatting died down as Morningstar leapt onto the oak tree and yowled for silence. Hawkpaw seated herself beside Pebblepaw and Snakepaw, watching her leader begin the Gathering.

"Thunderclan is well, prey is plentiful and Daisypelt has had a litter of two kits. With greenleaf here, we're expecting the nursery to fill up shortly. Sadly, we are mourning the death of Sorrelbreeze, a noble warrior and great mother." Morningstar slanted his gaze over to Inkstar. "We found her corpse by the ShadowClan border and hope she made it safely to StarClan." Most of the cats below murmured soft prayers for her mother, but the ShadowClan warriors bristled their fur up in aggravation.

Morningstar slunk back and Inkstar stepped forward, his jet-black pelt slightly spiked up. "ShadowClan is thriving. We have a new warrior, Russetclaw." Meows of shock erupted among the Clans as ShadowClan warriors glanced at one another uneasily. Hawkpaw heard a lot of growls of uncertainty.

"I don't remember a ShadowClan apprentice named Russetpaw, how is that possible?"

"Did I miss something? I didn't know of any Russetpaw or Russetkit."

"This is strange. Do you think ShadowClan took in a kittypet?"

"No way! ShadowClan despises those pampered Twoleg fiends."

"What about a rogue?"

Hawkpaw extended her neck to try to look over the sea of heads, straining her eyes and spotted a shaggy, ginger clouded tabby tom with white socks, a tail tip, and muzzle. He caught her gaze and glared back, his amber eyes glowing. She gulped and slumped back down.

"Quiet! We are also lamenting for our warrior Berrypelt, who died only recently and had an unexpected death." Inkstar glowered at Morningstar. "He was found in his nest with multiple wounds and scratches, and my warriors detected ThunderClan's scent on his shredded pelt."

Morningstar roared furiously, "do you dare to blame ThunderClan for your Clanmates death?"

"I don't know, you tell me why your Clan's filthy stench covered him!"

"He was probably the cat who murdered Sorrelbreeze and was still bathed in her scent."

"Are saying my warriors kill without reason?"

"They seemed to have had that mindset when you attacked our camp and murdered Fallengaze!" Tension sparked between the Clans and her Clanmates began spitting at ShadowClan.

"You fleabags! Good riddance that he died, that cat was a fox-heart to begin with."

"Don't you mock Berrypelt, he was a noble and young warrior!"

"So was Fallengaze and Sorrelbreeze!"

Hawkpaw shrunk back in her pelt, terrified. What if they find out it was me who killed Berrypelt? They can't, right? The stars and the moon seemed to cower behind a dense layer of cloud that rolled in all of a sudden. All of the cats in the clearing looked up and stopped fighting.

"Look, you made StarClan angry! This Gathering is over!" Yellowstar yowled. The Clans began to disperse and Hawkpaw frantically looked for the group of her Clanmates. She saw Lightningmask and jumped towards him, thankful to be out of the suffocating swarm of cats.

"Hey, are you okay?" he asked seeing her distressed face.

"Yeah, I'm fine now. Just startled."

He rubbed against her, "Come on, let's not be left behind." She noticed that their Clan was leaving already and she bounded after them, Lightningmask beside her. Hawkpaw caught up to her mentor and trotted next to her.

"Why was ShadowClan accusing us?"

"Because they are mouse-hearted and don't take responsibility for themselves, and always blame everyone else for their problems. No one likes ShadowClan except ShadowClan," She snarled. Hawkpaw stifled a laugh figuring it wasn't a good time to try to make light of the situation. Back at the camp, the Clan was slumbering already.

Flareheart yawned and meowed to Ravenpelt, "Do you mind to guard the entrance tonight?"

"Sure, goodnight." Flareheart bowed and headed for the warriors' den while the sleek, black tom sat beside the tunnel. Hawkpaw flopped down on her nest, careful not to disturb Rabbitpaw or Applepaw. She almost immediately fell asleep.

"Hello again, little one." Thistleclaw purred. "The Gathering tonight put you in a dangerous position, you did well to remain undetected. I'm very proud of you, now we can move on to more formidable moves."

Hawkpaw flexed her claws excitedly, "Like what?"

"The killing bite. It's a death blow to the back of the neck, quick and silent. The Clan cats consider it dishonorable and use it only as a last resort, but they're just afraid of such a powerful technique. Now, watch closely."

Her eyes widened, "you're going to show me?"

"Of course, pay attention." Hawkpaw screeched in shock as Thistleclaw slammed into her, knocking her sideways. Two heavy paws clamped down onto her shoulders, and iron jaws closed around the back of his neck. "Murr-oww!" she grunted. If he were to sink his fangs too deep, it would all be over, but Thistleclaw moved back allowing her to get up. She shook out her pelt and screwed up her face.

"That seems hard."

"Don't complain," he growled.

She tossed her head back, "I'm not." He snorted with disbelief and flicked his tail.

"Go on then." She copied him to the best of her ability, feeling pleased when she had concluded it.

"Not bad, keep going."

After a while she had to stop and held her head low, wheezing for breath. "I need a break. I'm too tired to continue."

"Do you think an enemy will give you a moment to let you catch your breath?" he snarled.

"I don't think any cat in theit right mind would fight this long," she retorted.

"Alright, then we'll carry on tomorrow night and I'll make sure you train twice as hard than today."

"What? That's not fair!"

"War isn't fair," with that he faded from her dream and she awoke abruptly. Her muscles screamed from the intense conditioning and her pads were cracked badly.

"Great," she muttered. It was already morning so she padded out to the medicine cat's den and was surprised when she nearly tripped over Fuzzykit who was sniffing some herbs. "What are you doing in here, Dazedkit? Duckfeather will get upset if he finds you." She only blinked innocently at her just as the medicine cat entered the room. He glanced down at Fuzzyit but didn't say a thing and only meowed:

"What do you need, Hawkpaw?" Her jaw dropped open. Duckfeather wasn't mad that a kit was going through his herbs?

"Er, my pads are cracked."

"Does it hurt?"

"Not terribly."

He turned to the kit, "fetch some marigold and dock. Do you know where they are?" Fuzzykit nodded and scuttled away to the back of the cave to Hawkpaw's astonishment. She came back with the plants and dropped them at his paws. Duckfeather chewed them up before saying in a gruff voice, "give me your paw." He applied the poultice to her sores.

She examined them, "thank you." Duckfeather flicked his ear and took the leftover herbs back.

 She walked outside when a shrill screech pierced the air, "Attack!" A flurry of soft paws pounced on her and she staggered dramatically, wincing as she felt tiny claws prick her skin. Collapsing under the weight of Daisypelt's two kits, she sank grunting to the ground and writhed like a captured snake. The kits squealed as she flung them back and forth, tugging her fur in an effort to cling on.

"I surrender, please spare me!" she begged.

"I don't know, should we, Cherrykit?" Softkit, a cream she-cat with a dark brown face, ears, paws and tail mewed.

"Never!" The calico she-cat bit her ear, and Hawkpaw groaned in fake pain.

"Okay you two, leave poor Hawkpaw alone." Daisypelt called from the nursery and her kits grumbled as they climbed down her.

"Hawkpaw, can you tell us a story?" Cherrykit squeaked.

"Yeah! I want to hear one!" Softkit chimed in. Fuzzykit wandered over then and stared up at her with her big eyes. She scowled at her but agreed nonetheless.

"Let's go in the nursery at least so we don't bother anyone."

"Okay!" She squeezed in after the eager kits and laid down, tucking her paws underneath her body.

"Now this story is about a foolish apprentice." All of the kits were listening attentively. "This apprentice was not satisfied with the life he had in his Clan, you see," meowed Hawkpaw. "Instead of being with his Clanmates, fighting and hunting, he wanted to do something else."

"What did he want to do?" asked Cherrykit.

"He wanted to fly," Hawkpaw raised her paw and drew it in an arc in the air.

"But that is impossible only birds can do that," Softkit cheeped indignantly.

"The apprentice knew that only birds could fly so he came up with a plan," mewed Hawkpaw. "While he was out hunting in the forest he spotted a pair of crows."

"Did he kill them and bring them to feed his Clan?" Cherrykit inquired.

"He should have, but instead he walked up to them and asked them a question."

"You can talk to crows?" Fuzzykit interrupted.

No, only in stories you can." She sighed in irritation, must they keep talking over me?

"What did he ask?"

"He meowed, 'Hey crows, can you help me fly? I have seen you do it.'"

"What did the crows say?"

"If shut up you'd know," Softkit hissed at her sister and she purred.

"The crows immediately saw that this apprentice was an unwise one. But they decided to humor him. They said, 'Sure, what do you want us to do?' The apprentice instructed the crows to grab on each end of a stick thick enough so it wouldn't break under his weight. The crows did as they were told seeing the apprentice wouldn't kill them. The apprentice then bit down on the middle of the stick and told the crows to flap their wings as hard as they could," Hawkpaw meowed.

"Did he do it? Did he really fly?" Fuzzykit leaned forward.

"Yes, he did," explained Hawkpaw. "The apprentice felt himself being lifted off the ground and into the air, going high into the sky, higher than any other cat had ever gone."

"Wow," mewled Cherrykit.

She continued, "a passing thrush caught sight of the unusual scene. The songbird chirped in surprise at the apprentice, 'Well this must certainly be the leader of all cats!' Feeling a bit proud at his accomplishment, the apprentice opened his mouth to boast of the fact that he was the leader, but as he did so he suddenly found himself plummeting to the ground because he had let go of the stick."

"Oh, no!" said all the kits in unison.

"See what this teaches us? You must not brag of even the greatest of your achievements; and I can see that you guys will accomplish a lot when you all grow up and become warriors." Although I do have the most impressive destiny of all. "Now, go to sleep, little ones."

"Aww, but we're not tired," Softkit tried to escape but Daisypelt came in then.

"Nice try, but Hawkpaw's right. You need a nap." Softkit huffed as her mother picked her up by the scruff and placed her in their nest, doing the same to Cherrykit who was hiding behind Fuzzykit. Hawkpaw purred and got up, bowing to the queen.

"I'm going to go now."

"Thank you for telling them that tale, it was very nice of you." Daisypelt mewed as she crept in the nest with her kits.

"Anytime. See ya!"

Outside, Hawkpaw saw Duckfeather whisper something to Morningstar in his ear, and indicated Owlpelt by casting a glance at the brown queen. Morningstar nodded and Duckfeather slunk over to Owlpelt and ushered her to the leader's den. She watched in confusion, was something happening? After a moment, the threesome came back out and Morningstar called a clan meeting, Owlpelt beaming excitedly. Hawkpaw sat down, waiting for the announcement as he yowled, "Duckfeather has something he'd like to declare. Duckfeather," the white calico stepped back as he replaced him.

"Cats of ThunderClan, as you know, I will not be around forever. So it's time I took an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown intelligence and enthusiasm to learn. Your next medicine cat will be Fuzzypaw."

Whispers of surprise were uttered from the Clan as Morningstar said, "Fuzzypaw, do you accept the post of apprentice to Duckfeather?"

"I do."

"Then at the half-moon tomorrow, you must travel to the Moonpool to be accepted by StarClan before the other medicine cats," meowed Duckfeather.

"The good wishes of all of ThunderClan will go with you." Duckfeather slowly walked down to Fuzzypaw who was frozen still and touched noses with her, the Clan erupted into congratulations and started greeting the new apprentice. Only Hawkpaw hung back, glowering at her Clanmates. So what? Have they never seen an apprentice before? Just because Dazedpaw is training to become a medicine cat doesn't make her any more special. What about me, I am going to lead all the cats one day!

Flareheart cut in the cheers, "I need three patrols to go to each Clan and tell their Medicine cats about this, so they travel to the Moonpool as well to witness her apprenticeship. Moonface will lead the first one to WindClan with Cloudchaser, Gentleleaf and Rabbitpaw. Tallwhisker will lead the second patrol to ShadowClan with Hawkpaw and Webfur, please be careful though. ShadowClan is still upset with us and we don't need any more complications. Also, I'd like Lavenderstripe to take the last group down to RiverClan with Brighteyes, Ravenpelt and Raindapple ."

Hawkpaw's head shot up at the mention of her name. She had to go to ShadowClan? She shivered at the thought, horror stirring in her. I can't go! She hurried over to Flareheart and whispered, "I am really tired, I don't think I should go on a patrol."

She gave her a quizzical look and mewed, "I want you to go since it'd be a nice experience for you to learn from. It will be the perfect test to see if you can control your anger. So you better not come back shredded," she half-joked and Hawkpaw frowned, Thank you for that, Flareheart. "If you're so tired, go ask Duckfeather for some herbs to help you stay awake. Good luck!" she crooned.

Hawkpaw sighed, this is not going to end well.

"Hawkpaw! Come on, don't waste daylight!" She stomped over and trailed behind Tallwhisker and Webfur. They stopped at the scent line and Tallwhisker bent down to sniff it. "A ShadowClan patrol has just came by here, we can still catch up to them. We'd better hurry." He picked up the speed as they traveled down the border.

They were nearing the edge of the border when a light brown tabby jumped out, hissing and spitting. "Thundercats! What are you doing so close to our territory? Trying to attack us?" His thin body was heaving as he shook with anger.

"Calm down, Raggedflame. We wish to speak with your medicine cat."

"Whitewater? Why?" He narrowed his blue eyes in disgust.

"Duckfeather has taken an apprentice and it is required that the other medicine cats journey to the Moonpool to attend their ceremony."

Raggedflame remained tense as if he were going to attack at any moment, but scoffed, "fine. My patrol will escort you," he rippled his tail and three other cats slunk out of the shadows. She immediately made out Sandfur and Brindlespots, but she didn't know the third. He was a well built tom with a black coat and white ears, spots on his rumpand tail.

"Who is that?" Hawkpaw hissed to Webfur.

"That's Wildthorn. He was Berrypelt's mentor, so I suspect he's not going to ever admit it wasn't us who was the cause of his death." The tom was glaring with amber eyes making Hawkpaw gulp. But it was ThunderClan who killed his apprentice.

The warriors flocked around them and she bristled, trying to look bigger. Webfur shook his head and she took a deep breath, forcing her fur to lie flat. I need to stay calm, don't make it obvious. Just act normal. The border patrol encircled them and guided them towards their camp. As soon as Hawkpaw passed the scent line, she gagged as the stench of ShadowClan overwhelmed her along with pine sap. How can they live here? It's so dark and filthy. She had to blink a few times before her eyes adjusted to the light. They were led through the shadowy forest, needles softening her pawsteps. The fresh-scented pine boughs swayed above her head. The rough, dark bark that coated its wood dripped rosin in a few places where woodpeckers had been, a few snapped branches lying around her.

Hawkpaw nearly missed the ShadowClan camp as Raggedflame dove through a thorn tunnel. She had to admit they concealed it well between the tangles of brambles and low-hanging branches. She followed him into a dip beneath the pine trees, bursting right into the heart of ShadowClan where a collection of cats awaited her Clanmates. She cowered at the sight of them, her nerves spiked up.

Raggedflame faced them and growled, "wait here." He padded under a large bramble thicket leaving herself and her Clanmates surrounded by hostile cats. Hawkpaw sighed and looked up at a hazel branch overhanging the camp.

She saw a dark gray kit poke his head out of their nursery and he squeaked in alarm, "Mommy! ThunderClan is here!"

A black-and-gray spotted queen grabbed her kit, "don't go outside, Sootkit!" She glanced over at Hawkpaw and ducked back inside with her son. Hawkpaw spotted a ginger clouded tom sitting in the corner of the camp by himself and a name ran through her head. Russetclaw. He caught her staring and narrowed his eyes. She looked away but thought, there's definitely something strange about that cat. Why is he secluded even with his Clanmates? At that moment, Inkstar appeared and leaped onto a branch hanging over his den. His cold gaze swept over her and her Clanmates.

"Why do you wish to speak to Whitewater?" Hawkpaw snarled in frustration, didn't that stupid warrior tell him the reason? Why are they so skeptical? We should be the ones who don't trust them for taking the lives of two of our warriors!

Tallwhisker bowed his head, "Duckfeather has taken an apprentice and as of custom, all the medicine cat's must travel to the Moonpool on the half-moon which happens to be tomorrow."

"Do you expect our medicine cat to be prepared on such short notice? I'm not sure if I am able to allow her to go with you." Hawkpaw gaped, he can't do that!

Just then, Whitewater prowled over from her den. She noticed that the medicine den had a sandy, hollowed-out floor covered in dried pine needles. "I will go, Inkstar. There isn't much to prepare for, my herbs are already well-stocked."

Inkstar glanced at her, "are you sure about this? You don't have to go."

"I would like to see the cat brave enough to train under Duckfeather," she snorted.

"Very well. Tell Morningstar that Whitewater will be coming along with Eaglepaw," Inkstar yowled before hopping down.

Raggedflame came back and growled, "we'll be making sure you leave." They were accompanied back to ThunderClan terrain and Hawkpaw welcomed the deciduous woods delightedly, thankful to be away from the dark pine forest. Tallwhisker led the way away from the patrol watching them leave.

"I think that went pretty well," Webfur laughed.

Tallwhisker sighed, "I don't know how a Clan can be so malicious like that."

"I think their faces got stuck with a permanent scowl on their face."

"Apparently." Hawkpaw purred and entered her own camp. Lightningmask bounded over.

"How did it go? Did you get in a fight?" He sounded excited with a hint of worry and Hawkpaw giggled.

"Oh, it was great. They were so pleased to see us after all," she joked.

"Really?"

"No! I was being sarcastic!"

Lightningmask ducked his head in embarrassment, "I knew that, I was just kidding."

"Sure," she mewed slowly. At least I wasn't discovered in the end, that would have been bad.

That night, Hawkpaw couldn't fall asleep. She kept seeing Berrypelt's maimed figure whenever she closed her eyes, his blood still on her paws no matter how much she cleaned them. She whimpered, why is that even after accepting my other half, I am still haunted by his death?