THUNDERCLAN
LEADER BIRDSTAR-small compact brown and white she-cat with dark green eyes.
DEPUTY PANTHERTAIL-jet black tom with broad shoulders and light green eyes.
APPRENTICE, PANDAPAW
MEDICINE CAT DOVEWING-fluffy white she-cat who never really lost her kitten fluff.
APPRENTICE, QUICKPAW
WARRIORS (toms and she-cats without kits)
FLOWERHEART-red and black tabby with large yellow eyes.
APPRENTICE, COWPAW
BRAKENFOOT-a young brown tabby tom with black stripes and yellow eyes.
SWIFTTREE-a small black and white she-cat.
LIGHTENINGBEAR-black tom with bright yellow eyes and long legs.
APPRENTICE, DARKPAW
BRIGHTCLAW-a white tom with one black patch on his nose.
APPRENTICE, TAILPAW
LONGLEAF-a long limbed stormy gray tabby tom with black stripes running down his back.
APPRENTICE, ROOTPAW
FLUFFEAGLE-soft white and gray fluffy she-cat with
striking blue eyes and a surprisingly fierce attitude.
APPRENTICES ROOTPAW-dusty red tom with blue eyes, brother to
Darkpaw, Tailpaw, and Quickpaw.
DARKPAW-mottled black and brown tom with shy brown
eyes, brother to Rootpaw, Quickpaw, and Tailpaw.
TAILPAW-friendly ginger tom with black streaks, brother to
Darkpaw, Rootpaw, and Quickpaw
QUICKPAW-grumpy ginger she-cat born with a twisted
paw, sister to Tailpaw, Darkpaw, and Rootpaw.
COWPAW-handsome black and white tom with dark green
eyes, brother to Pandapaw.
PANDAPAW-pretty white she-cat with large black spots,
dark green eyes, and sister to Cowpaw.
QUEENS DAISYFLOWER-mottled white and red she-cat mother of
Icekit, (tiny white she-cat) and Foxkit, (strong ginger tom.)
MOSSFLOWER-pretty white she-cat with blue eyes who
decided to stay at the nursery after Pandapaw and Cowpaw
became apprentices.
CREAMPELT-she-cat with a ginger and black swirled pelt
with one cream colored patch who decided to stay in the
nursery after Tailpaw, Rootpaw, Darkpaw, and Quickpaw
became apprentices.
ELDERS BROWNSTRIPE-old battle scarred brown tabby tom.
SLASHSWIPE-light gray tom with unusually long claws.
DAPPLEPELT-red and brown tortoiseshell she-cat with a
scarred muzzle and soft amber eyes.
SHADOWCLAN
LEADER COLDSTAR-ugly scarred black tom.
DEPUTY RAVENSLASH-handsome young black tom with amber
eyes.
MEDICINE CAT LEAFPELT-three legged brown she-cat with dark green
eyes.
APPRENTICE, SNAKEPAW
WARRIORS DENTFOOT-white tom with an oddly shaped foot.
SPOTTEDOAK-pretty tortoiseshell she-cat.
APPRENTICE, TANSYPAW
LEAPSTEP-young amber eyed brown she-cat.
SNAGFOOT-black and brown tabby tom.
APPRENTICE, SPIDERPAW
HIGHBOULDER-show off young white and brown tabby.
SHARPSTONE-pure white tom with a black tail.
QUEENS FLOWERFALL-pretty blue-ish she-cat with three kits,
Shadowkit, (a small black tom) Sunkit, (a black she-cat with
a golden chest) and Swipekit, (a blue-ish she-cat.)
ELDERS FALLENFOOT-skinny frail brown tabby tom.
MOUSECLAW-mousey brown she-cat.
WINDCLAN
LEADER SWIFTSTAR-swift black and white she-cat
DEPUTY SWALLOWFLIGHT-brown tortoiseshell she-cat.
MEDICINE CAT STOMPFOOT-grumpy old white tom.
WARRIORS DEERLEAP-pretty light brown she cat with white spots.
STAGFOOT-handsome stony gray tom with deep blue
eyes.
REDFUR-sly fox like she-cat with deep green eyes.
APPRENTICE, HAREPAW
PADFOOT-deep black old tom with a cut off tail.
APPRENTICE, RABBITPAW
WINDFUR-pretty brown and white mottled she-cat.
BREEZEFLY-young white tom with friendly amber eyes.
APPRENTICE, FAWNPAW
LEAFFALL-brown, gold, ginger, and white tortoiseshell
tom.
OUEENS RUNNINGFOOT-silver she-cat with sapphire blue eyes,
and has four kits, Starrykit, (tiny silver she-cat) Whitekit,
(looks just like his father, Breezefly) Dashkit, (handsome
mottled silver and gray tom) and Silverkit, (small silver kit.)
QUICKFOX-ginger and black tabby. Pregnant with
Leaffall's kits.
PATCHFUR-black and white she-cat, mate is Padfoot, kit is
Badgerkit, (a small black, white, and brown tom.)
ELDERS TOOTHCLAW-old brown tabby tom.
RIVERCLAN
LEADER PEBBLESTAR-agile fair gray tom with wise brown eyes.
APPRENTICE, STONEPAW
DEPUTY STREAMCLAW-pretty silver-blue she-cat.
MEDICINCE CAT BERRYNOSE-flame colored tom with amber eyes.
APPRENTICE, WILLOWPAW
WARRIORS STONEFACE-dark gray tom with gray eyes.
MISTYTAIL-pretty fire colored she-cat with eyes like mist.
APPRENTICE, RUSHINGPAW
BANKFOOT-dark gray, almost perfect blue chubby tabby
tom.
STREAMSILVER-silvery gray blue eyed she-cat.
APPRENTICE, OCEANPAW
WAVERUNNER-spunky brown tabby tom with a silver
muzzle.
APPRENTICE, SEAPAW
SANDYFUR-sandy she-cat with dazzling green eyes.
ICEFOOT-ice white tabby tom with black stripes and eyes.
RIPPLESTONE-pretty silver-blue she-cat
APPRENTICE, LAKEPAW
QUEENS SKIMMINGPEBBLE-golden tabby, mate of Icefoot,
pregnant.
ELDERS SMALLFEET-small mousey she-cat with brown fur.
SHELLCUT-strong looking white tom.
DAPPLESTREAM-tortoiseshell she-cat.
CATS OUT SIDE CLANS
SILVER-apprentice age silver tom loner
Prologue
A small brown and white she-cat sat quietly on the High Cliff staring questioningly at the stars. "Please Starclan, you warned me that Shadows are growing stronger but you didn't tell me what will stop them!" she cried desperately into the night sky.
"Birdstar, Starclan will speak to you when they are ready," said a soft voice. Birdstar jumped. "It's just me, Dovewing," said fluffy white she-cat, joining Birdstar on the High Cliff.
"I'm worried, Dovewing. Starclan has presented us with a problem but no answer. What if there is no solution?" Birdstar said, lashing her tail.
Suddenly Dovewing's eyes glazed over. "The kit born on the full moon with a pelt like the night sky and stars in her eyes is the answer. She will know even the Shadow's thoughts," intoned Dovewing in a unfamiliar, deep voice.
Dovewing shook her head. "I got a prophecy!" she cried breathlessly.
"Yes you spook it aloud," Birdstar said excitedly. Suddenly both she-cats froze. "The full moon is tonight!" yelped Birdstar.
"To the nursery!" hissed Dovewing. Just then a cry ran out of the nursery. The she-cat's sprinted to the nursery. They found Mossflower convulsing inside. Dovewing found her supply of emergency herbs and got to work. "Get her mate," she hissed to Birdstar.
Birdstar nodded numbly and dashed out into the night and into the warriors den. "Panthertail!" she hissed. Her deputy sleepily raised his giant black head.
"What Birdstar?" he replied tiredly.
"Mossflower's giving birth!" she hissed. He cried out in surprise, banging his way out of the den. He muttered a quick "thanks" before dashing towards the nursery. Birdstar stopped him. "Your only allowed to go in once they're born," she informed him. He let out a cry of anguish as she went in without him.
The second she entered Mossflower's first kit was born. It was a small black and white Tom. "His fur looks like the night sky," gasped Birdstar.
"The prophecy said the kit was a girl," remembered Dovewing. Birdstar sagged. Then out popped an exact look a like of the first kit only it was a girl. "Examine her eyes," instructed Dovewing. Birdstar did but then remembered that kits were born with closed eyes.
Just then the tiny she-cats eye lids flew open revealing two burning green eyes that shone like stars in the dark of the nursery. "The prophecy has come true! This kit is our savior!" breathed Birdstar.
Apprentices
"Pandakit! Cowkit!" called the two kit's mother, Mossflower, from the entrance of the Thunderclan nursery. The two kits black and white kits bundled over to her, the smaller she-cat bumping right into her! "Sorry!" Pandakit squeaked, green eyes wide.
"It's fine," soothed the sleek white she-cat, bending down to bump noses gently with her kit. "What is it?" the larger one, Cowkit, mewed impatiently. "Your father wants to have a word with his kits!" Mossflower said mysteriously.
Pandakit exchanged puzzled glances with her brother. The two ran across the sunlit dirt until they reached the high cliff. There was a hole carved into the base of the tiny hill forming the leaders den. Lichen was draped across the entrance to give a cat protection.
The jet-black deputy, Panthertail sat conversing with the leader, Birdstar, a light brown she-cat with green eyes, who looked like a kit herself as she trembled with energy. They sat beneath the high rock talking in low tones.
"Panthertail!" the kits exclaimed racing up to their father. Cowkit pinned down his father swishing tail and Pandakit jumped up and clung to her father's chest like a burr with needle sharp claws. "Hello kits!" their father said with a grin.
"Birdstar can I finish speaking to you later?" Panthertail said, while trying to ward of his daughter and son's attacks. "Actually, can we finish now?" Birdstar said in a low tone. "If we don't know the mentors these two can't know our little secret," the leader finished with a brighter tone.
"Uh… okay… um you two. Wait one second kits, go play with Quickkit, Tailkit, Rootkit, and Darkkit. Pandakit dropped off her father's chest with a sigh. Her father never had time for her and her brother even when he himself had summoned them. She waited for her brother to dejectedly clamber off Panthertail's tail before padding back to the nursery.
"Hey!" called a shout. A second later Pandakit was bowled over. Rootkit's scent filled her scent glades and she pushed the older ginger tom off. He was her best friend besides Cowkit. Pandakit leapt at the ginger tom her hiss filling the air.
Her small paws pushed Rootkit over. While he was getting back up she slipped under him. Rootkit looked around, confused. "Pandakit?" he called crouching down. When he hit her his paws splayed out from underneath him. Pandakit rocketed up throwing him off her. Rootkit flew through the air and landed in a little heap. Yowling in victory Pandakit leapt on top of him.
"That's my girl!" said a warm voice. It was Pantherheart! Pandakit flushed with pride. Cowkit, Tailkit, and Darkkit sat next to the great deputy, mouths hanging open. Ouickkit of course sat in an unmoving scowling ginger heap, her twisted paw pushed awkwardly in front of her. Her father gave her a quick lick and then opened his mouth to say something but was interrupted by Birdstar.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high rock for a clan meeting!" yowled Birdstar. Pandakit watched enviously as the other cats filed towards the high rock. She couldn't wait to be an apprentice!
Pandakit stared in surprise as Rootkit and his siblings followed. "What are you doing?" she hissed. Rootkit gave her an odd look. "Its our apprentice ceremony," He mewed. "Lucky!" came Pandakit's gasp of surprise. "Yours too," he said confused. "How do you know?" she said with further surprise. "My father told me of course," Rootkit said with a frown.
Pandakit hurried after Cowkit. They walked side by side, pelts brushing. Rootkit hadn't meant to be mean, his comment had just been careless. "What do I care if Lighteningbear spends time with him," Pandakit thought, "Panthertail tried to tell me. He- he just had stuff to do," she reasoned with herself. "Hey, did Panthertail tell you we were going to be apprentices?" Cowkit said uncomfortably. "No," Pandakit said shortly stopping next to their mother, who in vain, tried to flatten their fur and make them look presentable.
"Thunderclan, six kits have reached their sixth moon and are ready to become apprentices. Starclan I ask you to guide these kits paws until they are ready to become Warriors. Cowkit, until you earn your Warrior name your name will be Cowpaw. Flowerheart, you are this kit's mother's sister. Train him well," Birdstar paused as Cowkit stepped forward to touch noses with his mentor, a red and black tabby who was also his aunt.
"Tailkit," Birdstar started. Pandakit blinked. Had Birdstar forgotten her? "She's saving the best for last," said a snake like voice in her head. She pushed the thought away. "You have also reached your sixth moon. You will be Tailpaw until you earn your full name. Brightclaw, you are young but you are also clever and brave. I hope you pass these quality's on to your new apprentice," Birdstar paused again. Tailpaw, a friendly ginger tom with black streaks bounced forward to touch noses with Brightclaw, who was pure white not counting the small black patch on his nose.
"Darkkit, until you get your Warrior name your name will be Darkpaw. I don't usually have parents mentor their kits but your father Lighteningbear will be your mentor," Birdstar stopped. Darkpaw padded shyly forward, (he was a shy, mottled brown and black tom,) and touched noses with his jet-black father, Lighteningbear. Love shone in Lighteningbear's bright yellow eyes and Pandakit looked away. Why couldn't her father look at her like that?
"Rootkit," began Birdstar. Pandakit swelled with pride for her friend. "You will be Rootpaw until you earn your rightful Warrior name. Longleaf, you are swift and agile, pass these qualities onto your apprentice," Birdstar smiled. A long limbed, stormy gray tom padded forward to touch noses with his new apprentice. Rootpaw grinned and joined the other new apprentices.
"Quickkit," said Birdstar. Pandakit was panicking now. What about her? "You were unfortunate and born with a twisted paw. You are brave and strong but won't be able to become a Warrior so please dedicate your talents to becoming a good, strong, medicine cat. Dovewing will be-" Birdstar was cut off by two outraged yowls.
"My daughter is not going to be apprenticed to- to her!" cried a beautiful she-cat, called Creampelt. Creampelt's pelt was a lovely swirl of black and ginger. She had one creamy patch on her chest. Right now her black eyes were narrowed and angry. The other shout was from Quickkit her self. "I am not going to be a medicine cat!" she argued hotly.
"A medicine cat is what failed to save her!" shrieked Creampelt hysterically. Dovewing a fluffy she-cat flinched. "Your daughter is alive," Birdstar said coldly. "But- but she has got that!" Creampelt hissed, tail flicking towards her daughters paw. Now it was Quickkit's turn to flinch. "Quickkit do you wish to train as a medicine cat?" Birdstar said sternly. "Noo-o but I-I will," Quickkit whispered, quailing. "Good. Quickkit your name will be Quickpaw until you receive your full name. Dovewing will be your mentor," Birdstar finshed.
Dovewing hesitantly touched noses with Quickpaw. "Now finally, Pandakit. Your name will be Pandapaw until you receive your full name. Panthertail will be your mentor," Birdstar finished, her cheery face gone. She eyed Pandapaw intensely. Only the other apprentices and her mother gave her a small smile. Pandapaw padded forward gazing at all the shocked faces around her from the outburst. Panthertail grinned down at her and gently bumped noses. Warmth spread from the top of Pandapaw's ears to the tip of her tail. Panthertail loved her!
"Pandapaw, Cowpaw, Rootpaw, Tailpaw, Darkpaw, Quickpaw! Pandapaw, Cowpaw, Rootpaw, Tailpaw, Darkpaw, Quickpaw!" the other cats cheered, not very cheerfull. But Pandapaw didn't care. Panthertail loved her and that was all that mattered…
A strange gift
Pandapaw groggily raised her head sunlight blinding her. She squeezed her black eye lids shut trying to deny the existence of morning. She just wanted to burrow back into the soft moss of the… apprentice den! It hit her like a bullet. "I'm an apprentice!" "Pandapaw! Get up!" hissed a familiar voice. Cowkit, no, Cowpaw!
"Panthertail's waiting," continued the other black and white apprentice. Pandapaw scrambled to her paws and hurried out of the den. She gazed around the camp. She never got tired of the view. Many MANY years ago the clans had lived in the forest. Then they moved to the lake because two-legs tore down the forest. Then Starclan had warned the clans of a flood that would destroy the area around the lake. So they moved here.
"Here," was the seashore. Riverclan dwelled on in the shrubbery on the dunes and the short beach itself. The shrubs turned into a forest father out. Thick and teaming with life this was where Thunderclan had settled. Part of the dunes had been given to Windclan since Riverclan had the beach as well. Part of the forest was pine trees and this was Shadowclan's home.
Thunderclan camp was hidden. In one place in the forest the trees started thinning out, like it was the end of the forest. Also there was a fallen log to high for any cat to jump brambles. There was a tunnel under the bushes into the log. A cat would have to turn left, walk a few paw steps, turn right and poof! You were on the other side in the Thunderclan camp.
"Earth to Pandapaw?" purrred an amused voice. Pandapaw jumped. Her father was sitting behind her! "We are going to start with a tour of camp," Panthertail mewed. Pandapaw's tail drooped. "But I already know camp," she protested. It was true. Desperate for adventure and confined to camp as kits she and Cowpaw had explored every nook and cranny of camp.
"Well I'll just have to show it all to you again," decided Panthertail. Pandapaw padded after him as they swept around the circular camp. The leaders den was a hill at the head of camp. The apprentice den was a cozy hollow in the side of the camp for the camp itself was a dip in the ground. The nursery was in a circle of bramble. There was a second floor to it under ground. Panthertail let Pandapaw peek into the warrior's den, which was under a pile of fallen boulders. Most of the warriors were still sleeping. Panthertail didn't need to show her the elder's den, which was a fallen hollowed out log.
"Time for the outside world!" cried Panthertail. Pandapaw shook with excitement. "Finally," she thought excitedly. Pandapaw followed her father out of camp memorizing every paw step. Some day she would lead Thunderclan!
Panthertail showed her everything. The Tall Oak was first. It was the border between Shadowclan and Thunderclan. It was a great look out spot and a great spot for hunting birds. Then there was the Center Rock. It lay in the center of Thunderclan territory and was always hot with sun because it was in a clearing. The pair of them spent about ten minutes there. Their border with Windclan and Riverclan was a long stretch of grass. Sometimes a few rabbits wandered onto the stretch Panthertail had explained. After a long day the returned to camp…
That night Pandapaw and Cowpaw shared their first mouse. Pandapaw ripped into the flesh. It was like nothing she had every tasted before. The flavor sang of spring and flowers and rolling meadows. It was thick and salty tinged with a quiet sweetness.
Pandapaw watched as her kit hood friends returned from grueling days of training. Tailpaw returned eyes shining like stars and told the siblings of his climb to the top of the Tall Oak. Cowpaw exclaimed over Flowerheart's superior battle skills and Darkpaw returned with his tail wrapped in his father's. Pandapaw was awed as Rootpaw burst into camp jaws swinging with five mice. Longleaf followed close behind mouth clamped over a giant rabbit. He dropped it in the fresh kill pile and proudly declared, "Rootpaw caught the rabbit too!"
Rootpaw noticed Pandapaw and ran up purring. He pressed hard against her pelt nuzzling her happily. Pandapaw drew back, shocked at the affectionate gesture. But Rootpaw didn't notice. He rambled on. "So picture this. I was stalking this giant mouse when all of a sudden-" he stopped interrupted by a drawling voice. "I doubt Pandapaw wants to hear your fox story again," somecat leered. It was Quickpaw.
"Fox story?" mewed Pandapaw. "Are you okay?" "I just told you the story. Are you even listening?" mewed Rootpaw, hurt. "Of coarse she's not. Who would want to listen to you?" Quickpaw sneered. "Losers," she sniffed sweeping off toward the underground medicine cat den. She padded through the tunnel of ferns and
disappeared underground. Pandapaw turned around. "Listen I'm sorry, I'm just tired," Pandapaw mewed. "Yeah right, Mousedung!" Rootpaw snarled. Pandapaw drew back shocked. "Dad says I shouldn't hang out with you and Cowpaw because you to are stuck up because your Dad is deputy. Your Dad doesn't even hang out with you! You should be HONORED that I still hang out with you!" Rootpaw yelled spinning around stalking off. "Honored that I get to be in the presence of a hair ball? Fat chance!" screamed Pandapaw to his back. Everyone was staring. Then everything went black…
She was Rootpaw. She could see his ginger feet striking the ground below. She could feel his anger. Thoughts that were not hers raced through her- no Rootpaw's mind. "Why didn't I just listen to her. She was TIRED. Starclan, I can be sooo stupid. Now I have ruined any chances of-" she was slipping out of his body. She tried to hold on to hear his last thought but it was like holding onto air. His last thoughts echoed through her as a whisper. "Of her liking me. Oh Starclan she just fell down! What did I do? Do, do, do, do, do….
Mate or friend?
Pandapaw woke up in the medicine cat den, blinking groggily. She was in a soft pile of moss with sunlight streaming down on her. She sprang up. "Why am I here?" she yowled. "You fainted," said a smooth voice. Dovewing swept through the tunnel of ferns. "Yeah, well I'm fine now," hissed Pandapaw. She tried to spring through the fern tunnel but Dovewing blocked her with surprising quickness and Pandapaw was caught between her claws in an instant.
"You will go no where," Dovewing mewed firmly. Pandapaw sat back on her haunches, frustrated. A few minutes later Panthertail swept in. "How are you?" he questioned, concerned. "Perfectly fine," she snapped. Panthertail looked at her confused. "But you fainted!" "I know!" Pandapaw yelped angrily. Panthertail stared at her in surprise.
"But what happened?" her father pressed. Pandapaw supposed she should be happy that her father was showing concern but she couldn't help feeling irritated. "I was tired okay? Where's Rootpaw?" she meowed. Panthertail let out a chuckle. "That young fellow has been by your side three days straight mumbling about how it was his fault. I finally sent him off to his nest and he's been asleep for 10 hours straight. But I'll send him in when he wakes up," Panthertail meowed, amused. With that the great black warrior padded out.
Pandapaw sighed. She couldn't even see her best friend. Cowpaw barreled in through the ferns. Pandapaw almost leaped out of her nest. "Mousebrain!" she hissed. "Who barked up your tree when you were sleeping?" Cowpaw meowed indignantly. "You, you stupid furball," she snapped. With a yowl he leaped at her. She crashed out of the way. Her sudden movement sent an explosion of pain down her temple.
"Mreeeeeow!" she yelped. Cowpaw stopped his assault, concerned. Dovewing stomped in angrily. "Get out! Your disturbing my patient!" she hissed. "We were just playing," Cowpaw objected. "Out!" she screeched. With a yelp he dashed out. "Are you okay?" Dovewing asked gently, turning to Pandapaw. "Now that he's gone, yes," Pandapaw lied. The truth was that her head hurt horribly. "You can go then," Dovewing sighed. Pandapaw scampered out joyfully. The pain in her head soon subsided.
"Pandapaw!" some cat meowed. She turned and recognized Rootpaw easily. Pandapaw tensed, expecting yesterdays fight to resume. "Yes?" she replied coolly. His shoulders sagged. "I just wanted... to... make sure... that you were okay!" he stuttered. Pandapaw's heart leaped. But then she remembered what happened after she fainted. Her pelt became hot. "Listen, Rootpaw, I need to talk to you. Privately," she meowed quietly. The two loped out of camp into a deserted clearing.
"Rootpaw when I fainted, I... I heard your thoughts," Pandapaw said. All the blood drained from Rootpaw's face. "Let's test it. What did I say?" he meowed hastily. "Umm... Well first you said that you were stupid and should have listened to me and then... and then.. You said that... You had ruined any chances of being my mate!" Pandapaw blurted out. Her face grew hot. Rootpaw's fiery ginger fur turned even redder. "Yep," he confirmed quietly, "That's what I said."
The apprentices stared at each other for a moment. "Can we at least be friends?" pleaded Rootpaw. "Of course! I'll always be your friend. But let's take the mate thing slowly Rootpaw, I'm only an apprentice and I'm not even sure I like you," Pandapaw said, feeling her fur grow hot again.
"Why do you think you did that?" Rootpaw asked seriously. "Dunno. Maybe it's a gift from starclan," Pandapaw suggested. "Ooooh! Maybe there's a prophecy about you too!" Rootpaw gasped. Pandapaw's eyes lit up. "Yeah and your my loyal sidekick," she laughed. "No way! Your my sidekick!" Rootpaw protested playfully. The two apprentices pondered this new turn of events quietly for a second.
"Yeah whatever. Well we should get back in time for Brackenpaw and Swiftpaw's warrior ceremonies." Rootpaw changed the subject. "They're having their ceremonies today?" gasped Pandapaw. "Yeah. They're so lucky," Rootpaw said jealously. "Soon it will be us but for now we should concentrate on getting back to camp," joked Pandapaw. She and Rootpaw dashed back to camp. While they running Pandapaw grinned at the red blur that dashed so close to her that their pelts were brushing. She had her best friend back!
Shadowclan attacks!
Pandapaw and Rootpaw arrived quickly back at camp, just in time for the ceremonies. Brackenpaw and Swiftpaw sat side by side, pelts brushing. They weren't littermates, they had just fallen in love at a very young age. "That could be me and Rootpaw," mused Pandapaw. Brackenpaw was a stunning young Tom with dark brown fur and black stripes. Swiftpaw was plain but very fierce, with her short wind blown black and white fur.
"These two Apprentices have worked very hard and have respected the warrior code through thick and thin. Fluffeagle, do you believe that your apprentice Swiftpaw is ready to become a warrior?" Birdstar questioned. "I do," replied Fluffeagle steadily. "And myself trained Brackenpaw in the ways of the warrior code and I believe he is ready," continued Birdstar.
"Do you two promise to respect the warrior code and protect this clan with your life?" asked Birdstar. "I do," they replied in unison. "Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior names. Swiftpaw from this moment on you will be know as Swifttree, honoring your courage and loyalty that is as steadfast as any tree. Brackenpaw, you will be known as Brackenfoot. Starclan admires your bravery and kindness and I welcome you as full warrior!" Birdstar meowed proudly to her former apprentice.
"Swifttree! Brackenfoot! Swifttree! Brackenfoot!" cheered the clan. Pandapaw padded shyly up to the two new warriors. "Congratulations!" she meowed softly. "Hey thanks!" grinned Swifttree. "Want to share a mouse with us?" asked Brackenfoot. But Pandapaw wasn't listening. Everything had gone terribly quiet. She sank to her paws as voices echoed.
She was a black Tom, stunningly handsome with sharp amber eyes. "Stupid brambles!" she thought, no he thought. He pushed his way through the brush, acutely aware of the horde of Shadowclan cats that followed close behind. "We're here! You flea brains know what to do!"
Pandapaw leaped to her paws shrieking, "Shadowclan's attacking!" Just then a horde of cats leaped through the tunnel entrance. All the cats leaped to attention but Pandapaw was worried. She hadn't had any battle training with Panthertail yet! Then she remembered how easily fighting came to her when she kit. "How hard can it be?" Pandapaw thought. She launched herself into the battle. Creampelt and Mossflower were fiercely guarding the nursery which housed Daisyflower and her two kits Icekit and Foxkit. Longleaf and Lighteningbear stood side by side snarling at any warrior who dared enter the Elders den.
Pandapaw easily found an apprentice her size. He was small and black and white like her. "Hi forest-crowfood!" he sneered. "Pinecone brain!" she shot back. She slashed at him with her claws unsheathed, raking down his face. He yowled and shot back a tail length. "Didn't think I knew how to fight?" Pandapaw taunted. The young apprentice snarled and launched him self on top of her. She wriggled out and used sheathed claws to roll him onto his back. She raked down his exposed belly and he yowled pain. She gave another rake.
"Please! Please!" he moaned. Blood seeped from his wounds and Pandapaw leaped back away from him in horror, realizing what she had done. He sat in a bloody heap, not moving. A black and brown tabby Tom dashed over. "Spiderpaw!" he yowled. His eyes narrowed when he spotted Pandapaw. A young brown mottled apprentice hurried over and grabbed Spiderpaw on the scruff and started dragging him away. "Bring him to Leafpelt, Snakepaw," the brown and black Tom snapped. Snakepaw hurried off dragging Spiderpaw with him.
"And now for you!" snarled the Tom turning to Pandapaw. She gulped and backed up. He sprung forward catching her in long claws, ripping her fur off her pelt. She screamed in pain. Blood blinded her as she staggered to her paws. She felt a familiar pelt press against her. "I'm here Pandapaw," Rootpaw whispered in her ear.
They fought side by side pushing the Tom back with steady strokes. He glared at them and refused to retreat when his deputy called, "Retreat, Shadowclan!" A handsome young black Tom sprinted up. "Snagfoot, retreat!" he yowled. Snagfoot shook his head angrily. "No Ravenslash! Not in till she's dead. I think she might of killed my Apprentice!" Ravenslash and Pandapaw's eyes met for a second. She realized two things, 1: that he was the warrior she had been inside of. 2: He knew it.
"Fine, grab them and we'll hold them ransom." He swooped in and grabbed Pandapaw while Snagfoot hooked his fangs around Rootpaw's scruff. "Let us go," screeched Pandapaw. She and Rootpaw thrashed around for a bit. "Panthertail," yowled Pandapaw. "Longleaf!" cried Rootpaw. The two warriors appeared just in time to see their apprentices carried off by swift Shadowclan warriors.
The two heard distant shouts as Thunderclan prepared a patrol but were soon carried into Shadowclan territory. When they arrived in camp they were thrown roughly onto the ground. "I grabbed these two on my way out. We can hold them ransom in till Thunderclan repays us for the prey they've been stealing!" declared Ravenslash.
"Good job!" congratulated their leader Coldstar. He looked at the two with an unpleasant smile. "Throw them in the thorns!"
Rescued!
Pandapaw and Rootpaw were roughly shoved through a hole in a thorn bush. A rock rolled in front and everything was dark. The space was meant for one cat so they were squished and thorns dug into their sides. "Are you okay?" whispered Rootpaw. "Yes..." Pandapaw sniffled. "I'm sorry this is my fault," she added. "No way! We're in this together," Rootpaw meowed, licking her between the ears. She fell asleep against his warm ginger body.
Roopaw's P.O.V.
He stared at her sleeping body, marveling at the way it fit right against him. No cat was ever as lucky as him. Her fur was silky white decorated with black patches that almost covered her entire body. "Like the night sky," he thought dreamily. He traced patterns into her fur with his tail, dreaming about the day when he would sleep with her like this every night.
He gently rested his head on her body breathing in her sweet scent and fell asleep to the lullaby of her gentle breathing.
Pandapaw's P.O.V.
Pandapaw woke with a start when sunlight filtered down on her. Ravenslash poked his head in. She jolted away from Rootpaw causing him to wake up. "Come out you two," growled the deputy. They stumbled out into the sunlight, ignoring the hot glares of Shadowclan warriors. A patrol of Thunderclan warriors sat in the clearing. "Pandapaw!" shouted Panthertail. Her heart leaped when she spotted her father.
"Daddy!" she meowed. He started towards her but a snarling Snagfoot stopped him. "Not until we get the prey you stole." "We didn't steal anything!" yowled Lighteningbear, looking desperately at his son. "Then why have we found dead prey on the border!" Panthertail bristled. "Maybe some cat has been stealing from you but I can assure you Thunderclan is not responsible!" he hissed. Coldstar blinked. "Fine, we will let them go," he meowed quietly.
Ravenslash interjected, "Wait, the young black and white kit must have punishment! She almost killed one of Apprentices!" Panthertail cast a shocked glance at his daughter but managed a nod. Ravenslash nodded to the guards that had been flanking the two apprentices. They moved away and they flew to the Thunderclan patrol.
The patrol moved out of Shadowclan territory quickly. Pandapaw let out a sigh of relief when she felt the familiar forest beneath her paws.