Chapter 1

"Eagleclaw don't worry many kits don't open their eyes on the first two days." Mumured Crowstar. Looking up with hopeful eyes Eagleclaw saw Dapplesong walk in with a rabbit dangling from his jaws. Dropping the still warm prey he looked down at his three kits Dawnkit, Fangkit and Cometkit. Dawnkit was a she-kit with a fiery orange pelt, Fangkit was a tom and had a pelt that seemed to gleam like a fang in the moonlight, and lastly there was Cometkit who was an orange and white dappled she-kit. Opening her mouth she let out a small wail. She had lungs like her dad Dapplesong.

Dapplesong had been a warrior now for six moons and was named deputy once Patchpelt the old deputy died from a fox attack. Patchpelt had been a senior warrior and about to join the elders when we were attacked. Nightstar the old leader had been killed along with his mate Rainstorm when he had welcomed two Darkclan warriors into his clan. They were Robinpelt and Winterpelt. They had followed him through the woods then killed him and his mate. Nightstars daughter Wavedancer and her mate Leaffang had gotten mad and found the two murderers and killed them then threw their bodies over the waterfall never to be seen again.

"Hey, look Fangkit opened his eyes." Dapplesong stared down at the silver kit. He had bright green eyes. They looked just like his fathers. He had his mothers long shinny tail. He wrapped it around himself as a gust of wind blew through the nursery.

Fangkit prodded his sister's side as she squirmed away and let out a small yowl. Drawing back Fangkit opened his mouth and tasted the air. Smelling his father walking in he jumped up and bounced around him as he placed a honeycomb down for him. "Thanks dad. You're the best!" Bending down he licked his kits ear. Ducking away he ran to the corner to eat the honey. Chuckling he purred as he turned and headed out into the clearing.

Dapplesongs POV

Breathing in the scents I closed my eyes. The forest seemed to spin around me as I heard leaves rustle and cats sharing the news of the day. Then a particular scent caught my attention. Spinning around I noticed Silverstreak glaring at me through slits of eyes. A while back we had fought over Eagleclaw. In the end I had won for she had loved me more. Silverstreak and I never really liked each other and now we hated each other. His eyes watched me with an almost glaze of hatred covering them. What Silverstreak hadn't noticed was that Sweetpaws sister Wolfpaw seemed to follow him everywhere. Turning away I noticed Fernpaw and Oakpaw walking into camp side by side with each a good amount of prey in their jaws. They had become close after Oakpaws brother had been killed by a monster. His name was Deathpaw he was a pitch black tom with a frown always on his face. Fernpaw was the one who had been there to comfort Oakpaw. The death had pierced Oakpaws heart and he wasn't the same cat that he used to be.

"Oakpaw, nice hunting." I called out. His only reply was a gruff "thanks." Rolling my eyes I gestured with my tail for him to follow me into the woods. Pausing for a moment he turned his head toward Fernpaw then he followed me. Once we were far enough into the woods I turned and sat down. "Well, why did you want me?" he asked plainly. Taking in a deep breath and slowly letting out I began. "Don't blame yourself for Deathpaws death. It wasn't your fault." Turning his attention toward me he ruffled his fur. Through clenched teeth he replied "I could have been with him, but no I wasn't. I was with Fernpaw. Deathpaw had asked me to go hunting but instead I ran off with Fernpaw. I could have been there to save his life!" His voice echoed through the woods. Seeing his fur lie flat again I walked over and pressed my fur against his. He didn't move away he just sat there. I looked at him and I noticed tears starting to weal up in his eyes. Noticing a flash of black in the corner of my eye I turned my head and saw Deathpaw. I saw that Oakpaw had noticed his brother sitting there to. "Deathpaw… I…I'm so…sorry. It's my entire fault your dead." Oakpaw stuttered. "No brother it was my destiny. Even if you had come I would have died either way. You see Starclan sets a path for each cat when they are born. I died so you could live. If I didn't die you would be dead as well. Now I want you to promise me one thing." Deathpaw said coolly as Oakpaw nodded. "I want you to stop blaming yourself and open your eyes and see the one who loves you will always be there for you." as Deathpaw began to fade he called out "Goodbye brother may Starclan light your path."

Tears streamed down the young apprentices cheeks as he watched the last bit of his brother fade into air. Pressing closer I dried his tears with the end of my tail. Oakpaw pushed me away then stood up straight he looked just like a leader. "I will live on strong and happy." He paused and choked out the last words. "For Deathpaw." "He would like that." I murmured under my breath before turning and heading through the undergrowth back to camp. He followed me as he trailed at my paws.

Reaching camp I was met by a cold glare from Silverstreak. While Fernpaw gave Oakpaw a soft loving gaze before running off next to him. Passing Silverstreak I could fell his claws slide out and scrap the earth. Whirling around I yowled "What do you have against me can't you just leave me alone. We were best friends as apprentices till Eagleclaw started to hang out with me more. Ever think it might have been because you are a selfish disgrace for a clan cat. I am sick of you passing dirty looks at me and Eagleclaw and now our kits. So unless you want some scratches to match the ones I gave you as an apprentice, I suggest you stop!" I spat at him. Drawing back he turned and padded away. Hurt filled his eyes. I didn't care though I was tired of him. Padding in the opposite direction I headed to where Fernpaw and Oakpaw were sitting and talking. "Hey, Oakpaw and Fernpaw, you are both on dawn patrol tomorrow. So get some rest." I ordered as Oakpaws eyes brightened and gleamed like emeralds and Fernpaws brightened so much they looked like diamonds. It was nice to see Oakpaw happy for once. Nodding I padded off in search of Geyserstream.

I found her sitting under the old oak tree next to the elders den hearing of how Moonclan came to be. "….The battle yowls pierced the silent night as cats with all different skills poured into the clearing. A silver tabby she-cat named Moon fought alongside a tom named Fire. His pelt seemed to gleam in the moonlight. As he turned he noticed a jet black tom with hatred glowing in his eyes, he was known as Dark. Next to him stood a dusty tan she-cat named Dusk. They fought for what seemed like moons before the sky opened and reveled a star cover she-cat. My name is Star I have been killed in unneeded battle today. The gray she cat spoke softly. The battling must end and you must come up with rules and groups of cats depending on their skills called clans. You will form borders and fights will happen before peace comes. She spoke with years of wisdom then soon faded. Many cats stared up at the rock at which she had been. Then Moon jumped up and declared who should lead which clan and where they should be. Moon called her clan Moonclan and picked the forest along with forest colored pelts of cats. That could climb and hunt mice and squirrels. Dark was next and picked the darkest place over by the swamp calling his clan Darkclan. He also selected dark colored pelts and cats that didn't mind getting their paws wet and were good at fighting. Fire jumped up to a rock and picked out light colored cats that were swift and fast. He named his clan Fireclan and headed over to the moorlands. Dusk was last and picked cats that had silver and gray pelts and picked the river and lake. Those cats were known for swimming and catching fish, skills most other clan cats can't master. Naming her clan Duskclan. They decided on borders and the grounds at which they stood would be their gathering place. The four clans headed off in separate directions to start a new life. They came up with a code at which they lived by.

Defend your Clan. You may become friends with cats from other Clans, but your loyalty stays to your Clan, as one day you may face them in battle.

2. Never hunt or trespass onto another Clan's territory.

3. Elders and kits must be feed before yourself. Unless they have permission, apprentices may not eat until they have hunted to feed the elders.

4. Prey is killed to be eaten only. Thank StarClan for its life.

5. A kit must be at least six moons old before becoming an apprentice.

6. Newly appointed warriors must keep a silent lookout for one night after being given their warrior name.

7. A cat cannot be ranked deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice.

8. The deputy will become Clan leader once the leader dies or retires.

9. After death or retirement of the deputy, a new deputy will be chosen before moonhigh.

10. A gathering of all four Clans is held at the full moon during a truce that lasts for the night. A fight will not break out among Clans at this time.

11. Boundaries must be marked and checked daily. You must challenge all trespassing cats.

12. No warrior may scorn a kit in pain or danger, even if the kit is from a different Clan.

13. The Clan leader's word is the warrior code.

14. An honorable warrior doesn't need to kill cats to win his or her battles, unless they are outside the warrior code or if it is for self-defense.

15. A warrior rejects a soft life of a kittypet."

Mistfeather heaved in a big breath once her story was done. Cometkit, Fangkit, and Dawnkit sat in awe as she finished the story. Turning around Geyserstream gave a tiny jump as if she hadn't noticed me standing there. "I was wondering do you want to come on dawn patrol with Fernpaw, Oakpaw, Silverstreak, and me tomorrow." I asked politely. "That would be nice. Yes I will come." "Great, just tell Crowstar." "I already know." Came a gentle voice which made me jump then turn to meet the gentle gaze of the old black warrior. "Very well. I am going to rest now I have a lot to do." I said before padding off toward the warrior den. Settling down in my mossy nest I rested my head on my paws. Then just when I was about to drift into sleep I scented Silverstreak walk in he stopped in front of my nest. Raising my head I met his gaze which was soft now. "…I'm sorry I've been a jerk lately. It must have been because I was jealous about you and Eagleclaw." "Thank you for apologizing and if you open your eyes you will see Wolfpaw seems to have taken a liking to you." I told the warrior. "Really, do you think because she is cute and really pretty." Nodding I rested my head as he left over to his nest. My eyes closed and I drifted into sleep.