"Fox-dung!" Bloodpaw hissed as the thrush flew into the air moments before he could grasp it. He stumbled clumsily as his paws hit the ground, looking up irritably as the bird flapped and disappeared into the trees.

It had been several days since the gathering. His apprenticeship was going well. He'd spent this time training with Brownstripe and collecting moss for the elders with Swiftpaw. He enjoyed having his own nest in the apprentices den and talking to Swiftpaw late at night without having the queens tell them to go to sleep. However, it wasn't fun sharing the den with Revengepaw. The massive tom consistently growled and twitched in his sleep, as though he dreamed of battle. It was unsettling to Bloodpaw. Swiftpaw never said much about it.

He heard Brownstripe approach and looked back, feeling disappointed in himself. Great, what'll he think of me? This is the third time I've tried to catch a bird! But his mentor didn't give much away. He looked at Bloodpaw calmly, his ear twitching. "Good try. Why don't you try for a mouse or a frog instead?" He suggested.

A mouse or a frog, he says! Bloodpaw thought crossly. He'd mastered mice and frogs. They were easy! It was birds that were more difficult. It's harder to catch something when it can fly away from you!

"Over there," Brownstripe pointed his muzzle toward a tree. "There's usually some among the roots."

"Why can't you just show me how to properly catch a thrush?" Bloodpaw asked.

The tabby didn't respond, looking distracted. "There's mice over there. Go on."

Bloodpaw sighed and headed toward the tree Brownstripe had pointed out. He'd never actually given him advice when he missed a catch, or even point out what he was doing wrong. In addition to that, he seemed very distracted. Bloodpaw assumed that it was because his mate, Rosebreeze, had moved into the nursery yesterday. She wouldn't have her kits for a few moons, but Brownstripe still seemed to think about her and his future kits constantly. Bloodpaw couldn't blame him, but still felt that he deserved his mentor's attention. he's supposed to be training me!

I don't want to catch another stupid mouse! He paused beside the roots, glancing over his shoulder at Brownstripe. He was looking aside at some trees, lost in thought again. An idea popped into his head. I will catch a thrush! He decided determinedly. Maybe that will impress you. He raised his head and peered into the branches above. He spotted one perched on a branch, almost camouflaged against the tree. Bloodpaw narrowed his eyes. It was very high up. But it looked fat and easy to catch. That one's mine! He leaped at the base of the tree, grunting as he dug his claws into the bark.

Alright! He thought, pulling himself up onto a branch. This isn't so bad... He continued to climb up the tree, slowing his pace as he neared the thrush. There! As he settled the branch, he accidentally brushed against a branch of pine needles. Several jabbed into his side, and he shifted away. It hurt, but he held his tongue. Ow!

He looked down and tensed, immediately digging his claws into the branch. Great StarClan, I'm high! He began to feel dizzy and quickly turned his attention to the thrush several fox lengths ahead. It was cleaning itself, poking its beak under its wing. Bloodpaw swallowed. Okay... I'll catch it, and then jump over to that tree beside it... I'll climb down there. He began to carefully shift himself along the branch toward the bird. He lowered his body against the branch, fixing his yellow eyes on the speckled creature. I've got you now! He sprang at the thrush, claws outstretched, but the bird heard and immediately ascended from the branch.

"No!" Bloodpaw felt his paw brush feathers for a heartbeat as it flew away. He prepared to land, only to find open air under his paws. He'd missed the branch. His heart exploded with panic. I'm going to die! He let out a terrified yowl as he plummeted downward, facing a fury of pine branches. He thudded to the ground, letting out a small cry. I'm alive!

He breathed hard, his heart racing from shock. He was sore everywhere. But it could have been a lot worse. Thank StarClan the branches broke my fall! A shadow cast over him, and he scented Brownstripe. He tensed, looking up at him. Great! I failed to catch the thrush and disobeyed him. He's going to be mad at me. But Brownstripe didn't look angry. Only startled. "Are you alright?"

He's not mad? Bloodpaw warily started to his paws, wincing in pain. His shoulder hurt from the impact. But it wasn't serious. He decided that the pain would go away quickly. "I'm fine." He shook pine needles from his fur.

Brownstripe raised his head to look up at the tree Bloodpaw had fallen from. "You climbed that?"

"Yes." Bloodpaw shifted his paws.

"Wow." He sounded impressed. "I've never seen an apprentice climb a tree that high, let alone fall from one without a broken leg."

"Really?" Bloodpaw's pelt burned with pride. I've finally managed to impress him! "I-I was trying to catch a thrush."

Brownstripe looked away from the tree to Bloodpaw. "And you missed it?"

"Yes." He admitted.

"Hmm." His mentor looked thoughtful. "Come on." He turned away, waving his tail in signal for him to follow. "I'll show you how it's done." Bloodpaw's ears perked eagerly, and he followed.

***

The sun was setting by the time they returned to camp. Bloodpaw led the way, holding a thrush in his jaws. He felt very satisfied with himself. Brownstripe had shown him how to properly catch birds and hunt safely in trees. They'd practiced over and over until Bloodpaw had learned how to do it. He'd caught a huge one all by himself, and Brownstripe had caught three while demonstrating. Bloodpaw proudly padded across the clearing and rested his thrush on the fresh kill pile.

"Bloodpaw!" Flameheart padded over to him, his green eyes lit with warmth. "Did you catch that by yourself?"

He nodded just as Swiftpaw and Revengepaw joined them. "Nice catch!" His friend meowed.

"I'm proud of you," Flameheart purred. Bloodpaw's heart swelled with pride.

Revengepaw glanced at the thrush, twitching his tail. "I could've done better," He grunted. Bloodpaw was too happy with himself to let the aggressive apprentice get to him.

"Bloodpaw! Bloodpaw!"

He looked toward the excited yowls and let out a purr. Mistykit and Coldkit raced toward him. Their mother, Diamondrain, watched from outside the nursery, her blue eyes warm.

The kits leaped at him, and he reared on his hind paws, allowing them to push him onto his back. He suddenly realized how big they were getting. The two kits were more than half his size.

"We miss you!" Mistykit exclaimed as she balanced on his stomach and chest. "There's no one else to play with!"

"Yeah!" Coldkit added, pawing at his head playfully. "Diamondrain and Rosebreeze are no fun!"

Bloodpaw purred. "I miss you, too!" He gently pushed Mistykit off of him and nosed Coldkit away as he got to his paws. "What have you been up to?"

"Nothing!" Coldkit sighed. "Boring stuff."

"But you've been doing lots of exciting stuff!" Mistykit exclaimed, her silvery tail waving eagerly as she stared at him. "Did you catch that bird? What's training like?"

Coldkit leaned toward Bloodpaw. "What's the territory like? Have you fought any nosey Thunderclan cats?"

"Show us a battle move!" Mistykit urged.

"Slow down!" Bloodpaw chuckled. "I haven't fought anyone, or learned any battle moves yet. But I know how to hunt."

Coldkit's eyes widened. "Show us!"

"Please!" Mistykit gasped.

"Okay, okay," Bloodpaw purred. "I'll show you the hunting crouch." He lowered himself to the ground. "Crouch as low to the ground as you can." The kits tried to copy him. "Mistykit, put your tail down!" Bloodpaw meowed, amused. "You're telling every creature in the forest where you are."

She immediately dropped it. "Sorry!"

"Okay, now move forward really slowly, and-"

"Depthstar! Depthstar!"

Bloodpaw looked up sharply as Poisonedsap's yowl sounded from the thorn tunnel. A moment later, she and Blackstorm burst into the camp, out of breath and alarmed. Cobratail, who had been laying near the meeting rock, sat up sharply. "What is it?" He hurried to meet the two warriors.

Blackstorm looked at him, his yellow eyes round with anxiety. "Fetch my father!" He urged. The deputy hesitated, then quickly turned and ran to Depthstar's den.

"What's going on?" Mistykit asked from behind Bloodpaw.

Something bad. Bloodpaw thought. His stomach churned with anxiety. Something is wrong. A moment later, Depthstar emerged from his den, following Cobratail to the two warriors. "What's wrong?"

"Depthstar, there's something you need to see." Poisonedsap meowed anxiously. "Right now."

Unease flickered in the clan leader's eyes. "Alright. Cobratail, stay here." He looked around, spotting Bloodpaw. "Bloodpaw! Brownstripe! Come with us."

Bloodpaw jumped a little. Me?

Brownstripe brushed past Bloodpaw. "Come on!"

Mistykit and Coldkit stared up at him, disappointed. "But you were showing us-"

"I have to go!" Bloodpaw quickly raced after his mentor, and followed Blackstorm and Poisonedsap out of camp. He was nervous, causing the brisk air to feel even colder as they ran through the forest. What's going on? He wondered. He grew even more anxious when they neared the thunderpath. What are we doing- He broke off mid thought when he saw it.

"No..." Depthstar murmured as they reached him.

"Great StarClan," Brownstripe whispered. Bloodpaw's heart was caught in his throat. A white and cream tom lay near the thunderpath, his pale yellow eyes wide and lifeless. Blood stained the grass under him, no doubt originating from the ragged wound in his neck. Bloodpaw hadn't known this warrior very well.

"Milkblaze..." Depthstar closed his eyes for a moment, as though silently grieving. After a moment, he looked at Poisonedsap and Blackstorm. "Who did this?"

Blackstorm twitched his dark tail. "Smell him."

Bloodpaw sat down, watching as the dark blue-gray tom leaned over the dead warrior and sniffed him. His ears flattened. "ThunderClan..." He murmured.

"Yes." Poisonedsap growled. "ThunderClan has taken another one of our warriors!"

Brownstripe narrowed his eyes. "Milkblaze was Maplefur's brother." He murmured. "Coincidence?"

Depthstar was silent, and Poisonedsap approached him, her ragged tail lashing. "Surely you believe it now?" She hissed. "Strawberrystar is a liar! Her warriors are murderers! We must attack at once!"

When Depthstar still didn't speak, Blackstorm did. "Depthstar, you can't deny this! How many more warriors are to die at the paws of ThunderClan fox-hearts?"

"Something has to be done," Brownstripe agreed.

"If you'd done something about this sooner, Milkblaze would still be alive," Poisonedsap added quietly. "Who's next?" She waved her tail to Blackstorm and Brownstripe. "One of your sons?"

Depthstar remained silent. Bloodpaw stared at him, wondering what he would say. There's no doubt it was ThunderClan now! The dark tom sat up and raised his head toward the setting sun, his pelt tinted with orange. "I've been a fool." He meowed quietly. "I can't disregard this any longer. ThunderClan has taken the lives of two of our warriors, and they must pay. We shall attack ThunderClan in three sunrises."