The sounds of the forest filled the cool air as a lean brown warrior slid through a gap between two bushes, her jaws wide open and her ears perked up for hunting. This night in early NewLeaf promised a forest of rich prey. Small scuffled movements were seen out the corner of her eye, but when she turned to look there was nothing but thick plant growth.

Suddenly, she stepped into a small clearing and looked around, confused about where she was. She couldn't remember being anywhere like this before. Soft grass stretched out towards a smooth stone where another cat was sitting. Their fur was lined with the shimmer of starlight and her eyes glowed like two full moons.

The young warrior's eyes got big and round as she recognized who the cat was. "Cloudstar, is that you?" She asked, her voice full of disbelief and bewilderment.

Cloudstar nodded. "Come here, young one," she meowed. "I need to give you a message from StarClan."

Still shivering with disbelief, the brown she-cat padded closer to Cloudstar until she could sit down before the starry leader. She looked up into Cloudstar's eyes, seeing nothing but joy and calmness.

"I am here, miss," she mewed.

Cloudstar briefly looked up to the skies, then returned her gaze to the young warrior. "A troubling time is on its way to the forest," she told her. "A prophecy has come. You and three other cats have been chosen to fulfill it. The moon will guide you - be sure to listen to and follow it."

"But what do you mean?" The young cat asked. She felt a prickle of fear shuffle down her spine. "What trouble could there be? And why . . . no . . . how would the moon help?"

"You will find out," Cloudstar replied. "I have faith in you; so does the rest of StarClan."

Her voice faded, and so did she. The moonlight grew dimmer until it was pitch black. The only sounds were the rustle of the leaves and the young warrior's hard breathing.

"No... what's happening? Don't leave!" She cried out into the darkness. She let out a terrified yowl as she was engulfed in the darkness, wildly thrashing her paws and tail.

"Slimtree, stop it!"

Slimtree's eyes flew open. She was staring straight up at a lean gray warrior. He scuffled away, moss bedding clinging to his shaggy fur.

Cloud watched the gray tom leave. "He's a weird one, aye?" She meowed. She sat down and began grooming her chest. "So Slimtree, why you be dancing in your sleep?" She asked between licks. "You be kicking my nose."

Slimtree sat up straight, parting her jaws to let out a large yawn. "Sorry," she apologized. "I guess I was just happy or something. Anyways, it was just a dream. Dreams don't matter."

"Just a dream!" Grunted a new voice.

Slimtree turned her head to see a golden warrior, Lionsnap, heave himself out from a mossy nest. "Honestly, I don't know how you're a warrior," Lionsnap continued as he stretched. "You'll never earn a place in a Clan called DreamClan if you don't think dreams are important."

Slimtree twitched her ears. What he said was true. Would she have to eventually pay attention to dreams?

Lionsnap shook his coat sending scraps of moss everywhere. He slipped out of the den, flicking his tail towards a sleeping warrior. "Wake that one up," he ordered as he left.

Cloud padded over to the dozing cat. "Wake up, ya furball!" She yelled, prodding him in the side. He jumped up, suddenly wide awake. "Go join a patrol or sometin," she ordered.

The tom scurried out of the den, eager to get away from Cloud. She looked over at Slimtree. "You should go, too," she suggested.

"Right," Slimtree agreed. As she padded out of the den, she couldn't help remembering her dream. Cloudstar's ominous message echoed in her mind. Maybe Lionsnap was right. This could be important. Slimtree stopped to think for a moment, then shook her head. "Nah," she meowed out loud. "Too much fresh-kill, I guess."

The sun was barely peeking up from the wall of plants that surrounded the camp, but it felt hot on Slimtree's thick fur. She saw Littlepaw, one of the youngest apprentices, stretched out. He was basking in the little sunlight, not a care in the world.

Slimtree could hear loud gulping and she looked over at the fresh-kill pile, thinking it was a raccoon or large squirrel. But it was Lionsnap finishing off a plump vole. Slimtree noticed thaf the fresh-kill pile was a bit low, but then she reminded herself that the hunting patrols were just about to go out.

She was just about to join a small hunting patrol when Littlepaw bounced up and bounded towards her.

"It's today!" He exclaimed, hardly able to hold still.

"What is?" Slimtree asked, blinking a few times in confusion. Surely he is too young to be a warrior now? She thought.

Littlepaw stared at her. "It's my happy day, of course!" he hurled at Slimtree. The unexpected leap knocked Slimtree to the ground, just like every kit does in their playtime.

Littlepaw's hind paws battered Slimtree's stomach, and she folded up, holding back a yowl of pain. There was no doubt that Littlepaw would probably be named Littleclaw at a warrior ceremony. Perhaps even Littlenuisance.

"Okay, okay! Get up!" Slimtree meowed playfully, though she could not hide the pain in her voice. Littlepaw got up and Slimtree looked over at where the hunting patrol was. They had just left. "You made me miss the patrol!" She meowed. "Now everycat is going to think I'm lazy!"

"Nope," Littlepaw protested. "Not if ya join the dawn patrol."

Slimtree nodded and ran off towards the patrol. She was glad to get away from him. "Wait, Slimtree!" Littlepaw called.

Slimtree turned around and sighed. "What now?"

"Well, there's still time before dawn patrol," Littlepaw meowed. "I thought you might like to see Fishleap's new kits."

Slimtree nodded. "Anything to get away from you," she mumbled under her breath. Littlepaw bounded away, not hearing Slimtree's rude remark.

Slimtree set off for the nursery, which was weaved of twigs, fern, and bramble. She squeezed through the tight entrance, careful not to get snagged by a thorn. Inside it was very warm and only the mewling of kits were heard. Fishleap was lying near the wall in a nest of moss and feathers. Her three kits were snuggled up against her, halfway hiding beneath her fluffy tail. One kit was pale gray, one was orange, and the other one was pure white. The father, Curlclaw, was orange and Fishleap was gray... but why was the last kit white? Curlclaw was sitting by Fishleap, his tail wrapped proudly around his paws.

"Hello, Slimtree," he greeted with a warm smile. His sharp teeth and claws seemed to be less threatening when he sat by his new family. "Have you come to see the new kits?"

Slimtree nodded and leaned over to Fishleap, greeting her with a nose touch. She did the same to Curlclaw. "Your kits are great! Do they have names yet?" She asked politely.

Curlclaw and Fishleap both shook their heads. "No, not yet," Fishleap meowed.

"Of course, we will be naming them soon," Curlclaw added. "There will be plenty moons before they become apprentices." Curlclaw paused for a moment before continuing. "Hey, do you mind watching Littlepaw?" He asked.

Slimtree took a step back. "Why?" She asked. When she noticed that had sounded rude, she stepped up and spoke again. "I mean... I would love to." She put on an innocent fake smile.

"Great! It will help you by feeling what it's like to have an apprentice. Besides," Curlclaw added, "it's only for today."

Slimtree knew Curlclaw was right, but she looked at Fishleap for help. The queen shook her head, as if reading the feeling in Slimtree's eyes. She sighed. "Ok, Curlclaw," she meowed. "I'll try my best."

Slimtree padded out of the nursery, a thorn prickling her leg. "Fox-dung thorn!" She hissed, kicking it away. She looked around and saw that many cats had gathered in the center of camp. Oh, Fox-fung! She thought. I missed the dawn patrol, too! This must be them.

"Hey, Slimtree! I've been lookin' everywhere for ya!"

Slimtree turned and saw a large, scrawny, dark ginger warrior heading toward him. She padded over to meet him. "Hey, Brackenfeather. How was the dawn patrol?"

"Uh... we didn't do dawn patrol yet," Brackenfeather replied. Slimtree's ears perked up. Did she just think the hunting and dawn patrol had left? "But I do need you to do something for me," he continued.

"What is it?" Slimtree asked. Anything to get away from Littlepaw :)

"I need you to go on a hunting patrol," he replied. Slimtree almost leaped for joy! "And Littlepaw must come, too," he added.

Slimtree's heart sank. "B-but..." she began to protest. This wasn't fair! Why did everycat give her the task of watching Littlepaw?

"No 'buts', just do it," Brackenfeather ordered.

Slimtree sighed and looked over towards the apprentice den. Littlepaw was barely visible in the shade of thick, green ferns. He sat up tall, glad that the other apprentices had gone to train and he was alone being lazy. Brackenfeather beckoned him with his tail and Littlepaw strolled over towards him, his black and white fur gleaming like shadow and light.

"You're needed on a hunting patrol," Brackenfeather explained. "Your mentor is busy today, so you will have to go with Slimtree. Make sure you both bring another cat, or else it's not really a patrol."

Littlepaw nodded eagerly and ran off to find a cat. Lionsnap was a good choice since he didn't have an apprentice.

Slimtree sighed again and padded over to Cloud. When the patrol was ready, they headed out of camp. "

"So...where should we go?" Cloud asked.

"How 'bout Shadowrock?" Littlepaw suggested.

Slimtree shook her head. "That's not a good idea."

"Why not?" Littlepaw snapped.

"It's still cold. Shadowrock is always shaded by the huge rocks, nothing would hide there," she replied. "I think we'd be more better if we hunt near Fireriver, where it's always warm and there is plenty of reeds and stones for prey to shelter in."

"Ha! 'More better'? What is that supposed to mean?" Littlepaw teased.

"I meant more successful," Slimtree huffed.

Littlepaw looked over at Lionsnap, silently begging to go to Shadowrock. Lionsnap sighed. "Let's just hunt in the forest . . . close to Fireriver," he meowed.

Littlepaw huffed, his claws raking at the ground for a moment.

Slimtree breathed a sigh of relief. She felt like she had won this battle. Metaphorically speaking, of course.

"Slimtree, you and Cloud go to Fireriver and see what you can find," Lionsnap ordered. "We will be hunting close by in the forest. Try to catch a few things, but report to us what the hunting is like. We might actually hunt by Fireriver if it's good."

Slimtree and Cloud both looked at eachother and nodded. "Let's go catch us some o' dat prey," Cloud meowed as she bounded off toward Fireriver.

Slimtree followed, though she was slightly disappointed when she saw Littlepaw have to go with Lionsnap. At least I won't have to listen to his constant chattering Slimtree thought. She bounded after Cloud, eager to finally get the chance to hunt.

/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|\/|

The sun was setting, turning the sky into fire and casting long fiery shadows from the trees. Slimtree stretched and finished off her plump vole, licking her lips and sighing with satisfaction. She was getting a bit tired from hunting all day, but atleast she was one of the first warriors to eat. The whole Clan was finishing their share of prey, and there seemed to be enough fresh-kill in the pile to last a thousand moons! The weather had been beautiful lately, resulting in an over abundance of prey.

A great day once again, Slimtree thought. She smiled to herself. Then she remembered Cloudstar's prophecy. Ha! Trouble? Mouse-brained dreams . . . .

Everycat stood up and started padding towards the front of camp. Slimtree panicked a bit, but then she remembered that it was Heatherpaw's ceremony today.

Heatherpaw had been adopted into the Clan. The cause for the limp of her leg was unknown, and that had affected her training. She had trained an extra two moons and really deserved to become a warrior today.

Slimtree padded closer to the front of camp where Talltree, a mighty meeting oak, was standing. She sat down close to Cloud and her two brothers, Thorn and Skywhisker. Skywhisker gave a friendly nod, and do did Cloud. But Thorn just glared at her. Slowdawn was sitting on the roots of the tree. He was Heatherpaw's mentor.

As Slimtree ignored Thorn, she saw Lionsnap and the medicine cat, Flyingfish, join Slowdawn at the roots of Talltree. She saw Flyingfish whisper something to Lionsnap, who gasped in return. Is everything alright over there? Slimtree wondered.

At last Kinkstar, the Clan leader, leaped onto a high branch on Talltree where everycat could see him. He was a bit chubby, but nonetheless a great leader and warrior. His glossy gray pelt stuck out amongst the setting sun's colors. Lionsnap nodded a farewell to Flyingfish and leaped up onto Talltree, his branch a bit lower than Kinkstar's but it was still high up.

"Let all those old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath Talltree for a DreamClan meeting!" Kinkstar yowled.

His announcement had woken up the few cats who weren't in attendance, and the queens stuck their heads out of the nursery.

Heatherpaw squeezed out of the nursery, careful not to get snagged. Her golden fur was freshly groomed by her mother, her whole pelt shining like the stars popping up in the sky. Slowdawn couldn't help but smile as his apprentice strolled up to Talltree.

"Slowdawn," Kinkstar began, "are you satisfied that your apprentice is about to become a warrior of DreamClan?"

Slowdawn raised his chin with pride. "The Clan will be proud of her - I know it," he replied confidently.

Kinkstar nodded and raised his gaze to meet the stars of Silverpelt. They had just begun to dot the night sky with their calm shimmer. "I, Kinkstar, proud leader of DreamClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained long - StarClan knows it - to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." He turned from the stars to Heatherpaw, staring into her eyes as he spoke. "Heatherpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Slimtree saw Heatherpaw's body shiver with excitement. She heard Cloud's faint sigh and remembered that Cloud had not been an apprentice for long. She had joined the Clan as a rogue, and so did Thorn.

"I do," Heatherpaw replied. Slimtree snapped back into focus, embarrassed that she had been thinking if something else during an important Clan ceremony.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Heatherpaw, from this moment you will be known as . . ." Kinkstar hesitated a bit, not knowing what to name her. "You will be known as Heatherflare. StarClan honors your courage and your patience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of DreamClan."

Kinkstar touched Lionsnap with his tail, who touched Heatherflare with his tail. It was like passing down the touch of StarClan. Heatherflare gave a respectful nod in return before backing away into the crowd.

The rest of the warrior gathered around her, congratulating her and calling her by her new name. "Heatherflare! Heatherflare!" Her brother and sister, Yellowcall and Goldenfur, were among the first to greet her by her new warrior name. Their eyes gleamed with unmistakable pride that their long-lost sister had finally joined them as a true Clan warrior.

Kinkstar waited until everycat was quiet before speaking. "Heatherflare, tradition states you must take your vigil tonight in pure silence and watch over the camp."

Heatherflare nodded and the cats parted as she made her way towards the center of camp. She sat up straight with her fur still neatly groomed and her tail wrapped around her paws. She smiled and looked up at the stars against the deep blackish-blue sky. Probably thanking StarClan for helping her make it this far, Slimtree thought.

Everycat was chatting about the ceremony and how Kinkstar had hesitated. They all thought the meeting was over, but Thorn knew better. "GET BACK OVER HERE!" he screamed.

Everycat turned to look at him. They realized Kinkstar had not sounded the dismissal yowl and they all sat down, embarrassed that they had accidentally ignored their leader.

Kinkstar nodded his thanks to Thorn, who sat up tall with a look of seriousness and respect on his face.

Lionsnap whispered something to Kinkstar, who gasped. "Cats of DreamClan, I'm afraid we have stumbled upon some . . . bad news," he announced. After a look of shock from the Clan, he continued. "A new prophecy, one telling of a great storm, has arrived. We must be prepared for whatever may happen, so I want atleast two cats in camp all the time. No exceptions." With that, he yowled for the meeting to end and jumped down from atop his branch.

The Clan exchanged glances between each cat, but soon went back to chatting and dozing off in dens. Slimtree stretched out, ready to head for her nest. She was stopped by Cloud, who laid her tail on her shoulder.

Slimtree turned around to meet Cloud's gaze. "What?" She whispered, already half asleep.

Cloud shuffled her paws a bit. "I-I'm sorreh I told yer dream to tha med cat," she mewed quietly.

Slimtree stood up straighter, her eyes wide with confusion as if she were wide awake. "When did I tell you my dream?" She asked Cloud.

Cloud locked her gaze. "When we was huntin' . . . remember?" She meowed.

Slimtree thought for a moment. Oh yeah! She remembered. I told her when we were alone by Fireriver. "It's ok, I forgive you," Slimtree meowed, even though Cloud really hadn't done anything wrong.

Cloud dipped her head. "Thank ya." She walked off towards the warriors den, and Slimtree followed, ready to sleep after a long, hard day of quarrels and hunting.