Synopsis

Six Moons have passed. Lionpaw and Hollypaw are now warriors and Jaypaw is the new medicine cat. Tensions run high as Leopardstar demands payment for long ago when RiverClan let ThunderClan shelter in their camp from the fire, and question what really happened to Hawkfrost, and how he ended up dead on their territory.

Chapter One: A Joyful Morning

Lionclaw padded into the clearing with a crimson robin dangling from his mouth. Sorreltail padded beside him, with her apprentice, Icepaw. Sorreltail carried a Grey squirrel, which she dropped into the fresh-kill pile. Icepaw proudly placed a large rabbit beside Sorreltail's squirrel.

"Good job." Sorreltail purred to her apprentice. "Check that the queens and elders have been fed and then get something for yourself."

Brightheart padded up with Foxpaw by her side. "Sorreltail, do you think our apprentices could practice some fighting moves together?"

"I don't know," Sorreltail glanced back at Icepaw. "We just went hunting"

"Can I? Please?" Icepaw begged.

"If you're sure."

"I am!"

"Okay." Sorreltail nodded to Brightheart. "We'll go."

As they left, Sorreltail rolled her eyes and said to Lionclaw, "Apprentices! Where does all their energy come from?"

Lionclaw purred in agreement. Hollywhisker bounded up to him. "Do you want to see Whitewing's kits?" she asked, her eyes shining brightly.

"Okay." Lionclaw shrugged. But he couldn't help but feel excited as he crossed the clearing towards the nursery.

Daisy and Squirrelflight were already in there, admiring the kits. Whitewing was beaming with happiness and Ashfur, the father, stood by, his chest swelling with pride.

Whitewing's two kits were tucked beside her. Jayfeather was nearby, his blue eyes staring at them, and Lionclaw wondered what his brother was thinking. Jayfeather then asked Whitewing gently, "What have you named them?"

"Well, the ash-colored tom is named Coalkit, and the pearlish-gray she-cat is Blizzardkit."

"They're beautiful." Daisypetal purred.

"I guess so." Lionclaw murmured.

Squirrelflight glanced up at him and let out a mrrr of laughter. "You were once that small, Lionclaw."

"What? Lionclaw was never small. When he was born he was as big as a badger. " Hollywhisker teased.

Lionclaw chose to ignore the comment. He thought that Coalkit looked strong and adventurous and yet Blizzardkit seemed to be the more sensible of the two. He soon found himself smiling in spite of himself.