Fishleap's Fate- The Unwanted Destiny. Fishkit tries to be an ordinary kit. But that's kinda hard when she rarely gets tired and often stays up late. She also faster than an average kit, but, then again, she is a Windclanner, born to one of the fastest cats in the clan and a rogue. Her clan doesn't care about her hereditary, only how well of a warrior she will be. Her leader and the medicine cat believe she is destined for greatness, but all she wants is a normal life with a normal family.

I have decided that rather than being 20 years after Path of Stars, it will be in a time period where none of the founder cats are alive, nor any cat mentioned in the DotC series, or any cats in Cloudstar's Journey and Thunderstar's Echo.

ALLEGIANCES-

Windclan-

Leader: Sandstar- elderly light brown tom

Deputy: Nettlewhisker- mottled brown tom with white spots and green eyes

Medicine Cat: Swiftfeather- black and silver tom, Needlefrost's brother

Apprentice: Amberpaw- pretty light brown she-cat

Warriors:

Briardawn- light brown tabby she-cat with reddish paws and amber eyes

Gingerfrost- ginger she-cat, Rosefrost's mother

Heathercloud- gray she-cat with green eyes, Sleekwhisker's sister

Apprentice- Hawkpaw- dark brown tom with amber eyes

Sleekwhisker- silver-gray she-cat

Cloudyeye- bright white tom with milky grey eyes and black ears

Rosefrost- orange-red and silver she-cat with blue eyes,

Apprentice: Stormpaw- mottled gray tom with black spots

Wolfsong- dark gray tom with silver swirls, amber eyes, and a melodic mew

Aldernose- light brown tom with green eyes, Honeycloud's brother

Blossompool- mottled light brown she-cat with dainty paws, pink nose and sky blue eyes

Ivyfrost- silver she-cat with ice blue eyes

Hootowl- dark gray she-cat with white paws, tail-tip, darker stripe down back, blonde ears, lighter gray swirls, a reddish tail and huge blue eyes

Tailfeather- mottled black and brown tom with a plumy tail, father of Stormpaw, Amberpaw, Hawkpaw and Orangewhisker's kits

Apprentice: Otterpaw- small brown she-cat with darker paws, darker flecks covering her back, large, blue-silver eyes, and a scar over a heart-shaped spot on her shoulder

Whiskerflight- mottled brown and white she-cat with a plumy tail, Tailfeather's sister

Foxskip- dark red tom with amber eyes, Slatewing's brother

Slatewing- sleek, thick-furred dark gray tom with wide golden-amber eyes, ripped ears and a pink scar running across his stomach (standing in as Ebonygaze's mate)

Silverwind- silver tabby tom with faint white stripes and dark blue eyes

Larksong- brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes

Fuzzycloud- black tom with spiked up fur and cold amber eyes, Fallingfeather's brother

Fallingfeather- light gray she-cat with sky blue eyes and spiked fur

Icedapple- pretty white she-cat with silver tabby stripes, blue eyes, and light silver splotches

Snowseed- fluffy white tom with green eyes, Icedapple's brother

Cedarfern- dark ginger tom with amber eyes and lighter legs, white-tipped tail, Honeycloud's and Aldernose's younger brother

Brindlefrost- mottled brown and black she-cat with white paws, tail-tip, pink nose and blue eyes, Honeycloud's and Aldernose's younger sister

Scorchbreeze- small glossy-furred pale silver tabby she-cat with smoky black swirls, lighter coloured toes and ear-tufts, long, plumy tail and large orange eyes

Queens:

Orangewhisker- light brown-orangeish she-cat with amber eyes, mother of Stormpaw, Amberpaw, Hawkpaw and Tailfeather's kits (Featherkit- black she-kit with silver plumy tail and green eyes, Harekit- light brown tom with amber eyes, and Flykit- small black-she-kit with dark blue eyes)

Needlefrost- dark gray she-cat with icy blue eyes, mother of Silverwind's kits (Rabbitkit- light gray she-cat with silver paws and light blue eyes, Heatherkit- dark gray she-kit with faint brown stripes, silver chest fur and light green eyes)

Honeycloud- light brown she-cat, mother of Nettlewhisker's kits (Oakkit- light brown tom with white paws and tail-tip and green eyes, Reedkit- orange and white tom with one black paw and an all white ear, Ripplekit- mottled brown tabby she-cat with a white left front paw and two black hind paws, white dots above eyes, white ears and tail-tip, also has black dots on stomach, Mountainkit- light brown she-cat with a white tail-tip, ear-tips, paws and white dots on back and above her blue eyes, Pebblekit- gray-brown spotted white tom)

Ebonygaze- black she-cat with amber eyes, mother of Rascal's kits (Maplekit- tortoiseshell and white she-kit with amber eyes, Timberkit- brown tabby tom, Fishkit- silver she-kit with blue eyes and tufted ears)

Elders:

Nightsky- black tom with dark blue eyes, Ebonygaze's father

Owlshade- dark brown tom with wide amber eyes, Slatewing and Foxskip's father

Rowanleaf- dark red tom with fading green eyes, nearly blind

Deerheart- reddish light brown tabby she-cat with green eyes, Rowanleaf's sister

Riverclan-

Leader: Scarletstar- Fluffy rust-coloured she-cat with darker brown tabby stripes and amber eyes

Deputy: Sedgefrost- light sable-cream she-cat with ice blue eyes

Med Cat: Pondfrost- silver and gray patched she-cat with green eyes

Apprentice- Duskpaw

Warriors:

Poppysnow- orange and white tom

Shrewfeather- light brown and black tom

Berryfern- orange and creamy gray tom

Bramblecloud- brown and gray tom

Salmonclaw- light ginger tom with amber eyes and long claws

Cinderleaf- gray she-cat with green eyes

Ripplestream- dark gray tom with odd black swirls and blue eyes, father of Slatepaw

Apprentice- Honeypaw

Grayfeather- dark gray tom

Bluestorm- gray-blue tom with green eyes

Dappleshine- golden she-cat with a silver underbelly

Sunpool- yellowish tom with darker paws and gray ears, blue eyes, Wolfjaw's brother

Wolfjaw- gray tom with black paws and blue eyes, broken jaw and long fangs

Newtheart- long-haired sandy-coloured tom with soft brown eyes

Aspengorse- light brown-yellowish tom with green eyes, Crookedmuzzle's brother

Crookedmuzzle- light brown tabby tom with scars littering his whole body, broken jaw, bright amber eyes, darker stripes and a white-tipped tail

Wavecloud- dark gray tabby tom with a lighter foam-coloured underbelly, paws, and bright green eyes

Splash- black and white she-cat with piercing green eyes

Dewdrop-light gray tom with ice blue eyes

Raindrop- small black and white she-cat with amber eyes

Apprentice- Slatepaw

Mistysky- light gray tabby she-cat with white patches and deep green eyes, Slatepaw's mother

Apprentice- Alderpaw

Foxtail- dark russet tom with a fluffy, white-tipped tail

Flintgaze- black tom with amber eyes

Drizzlefall- gray, black and white she-cat with amber eyes, Cherrywillow's sister

Cherrywillow- silver and red she-cat with light brown paws, Wolfjaw's younger sister

Juniperfall- long furred blue gray she-cat with leaf green eyes

Stormyeyes- red and white tom with dark blue eyes

Briarthorn- fluffy dark brown tom

Bluestripe- blue-gray tom with sparkling blue eyes

Apprentices:

Duskpaw- small black tom with white chest, paws, tail-tip and green eyes

Alderpaw- dark brown tom with amber eyes

Honeypaw- light brown she-cat with amber eyes

Slatepaw- white tom with gray spots and blind dark blue eyes

Queens:

Lilyflower- reddish-silver she-cat with one gray paw and green eyes, expecting Grayfeather's kits

Goldenpool- golden she-cat with blue eyes, mother of Bluestorm's kits (Stormkit- blue-gray she-kit with blue eyes and Gorsekit- golden tom-kit with blue eyes)

Acornnose- light brown she-cat, mother of Thorntail's kits (Valleykit- silver tabby she-kit with a yellowish tail and green eyes and Rainkit- dark gray she-kit, tinted slightly blue and dark green eyes)

Applewillow- small dark brown tabby she cat bright blue eyes, heavily pregnant with Newtheart's kits

Elders:

Streamwhisker- gray tom with light blue eyes, former deputy

Flowerfur- yellow she-cat with light blue eyes

Shadowclan-

Leader: Sparkstar- black she-cat with a white chest and front legs, and amber eyes

Apprentice- Briarpaw

Deputy: Brackenclaw- sleek, black furred tom with bright amber eyes

Apprentice- Quickpaw

Med Cat: Adderstrike- light brown tabby with darker stripes and white paws

Warriors:

Eagleflight- elderly dark brown tom with lighter stripes and amber eyes

Briarflame- dark orange she-cat with amber eyes

Reedsong- golden tom

Lakestorm- blue-gray tom with amber eyes

Petalwind- yellow, silver and black she-cat

Firepatch- dark brown tom with a fluffy orange tail

Tigerpounce- extremely dark gray tom with black splotches, long legs, and amber eyes

Apprentice: Lynxpaw

Cherrylight- mottled tortoiseshell she-cat with a reddish tail and green eyes

Willowstorm- light gray she-cat with blue eyes, Whitefern's sister

Swiftstep- gray and black tom with a silver tail and amber eyes

Whitefern- white she-cat with dark blue eyes

Stormfall- muscular, long-furred mottled dark gray she-cat with one black paw and clear amber eyes

Mossyleaf- mottled tortoiseshell tom with deep green eyes and a white tail

Apprentice- Stonepaw

Darkfoot- large white tom with black paws and blue eyes

Nettleclaw- light brown tom with white paws

Frostflower- grey she-cat with black stripes and white underfur and blue eyes

Mintfire- orange and gray tom with green eyes

Dappledmist- gray-blue, black and silver she-cat with blue eyes

Swampclaw- muscular, black she-cat with brown spots and paws, green eyes

Mudwhisker- sleek, long-furred black tom with brown paws, yellow eyes

Duckthroat- flat-faced brown tabby tom with a white chest, underbelly, legs, tail tip and green eyes

Sunstrike- dark golden tom with a black dorsal stripe

Emberfrost- Long furred pale grey she-cat with green eyes and black paws

Aspenleaf- tortoiseshell tom with green eyes and a ginger tail, Mossyleaf's younger brother

Frostclaw- white tom with long claws

Apprentices:

Lynxpaw- large, grey tom with black spots and blue eyes

Stonepaw- dark gray tom with amber eyes

Quickpaw- white she-cat

Briarpaw- tortoiseshell she-cat with pale green eyes

Queens:

Applefern- cream and orange she-cat, mother of Firepatch's kits (Forestkit- fluffy long-furred brown and white she-kit with green eyes, Darkkit- black tom with amber eyes and Brightkit- black she-kit with bright amber eyes)

Sorrelsky- dappled calico she-cat with dark green eyes, mother of Tigerpounce's kits (Leafkit-little calico she-kit with amber eyes, Longkit-ginger and black tom with one thick white dorsal stripe, two other very thin ones in the sides of it, and green eyes and Spottedkit-spotted black tabbie tom with green eyes)

Newtmuzzle- brown she-cat with a white muzzle, mother of Mossyleaf's kit (Leafkit- light brown tabby she-kit with a white muzzle and tail, and deep green eyes), adopted mother of Fjordkit (white tom-kit with icy blue eyes) and Waterkit (silver and white tabby she-kit with blue-green eyes)

Dawnstrike- Light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes, mother of Darkfoot's kits (Birdkit- Pale brown tabby she-cat with white paws and large blue eyes, Silentkit- Pure white she-cat with amber eyes) adopted mother of Lostkit (Tortoiseshell she-cat with bright green eyes)

Elders:

Nightsong- black and silver tom with blue-gray eyes

Darkfeather- brown tom with a black, plumy tail

Newttail- Brown tabby tom with a long darker brown tail

Skyclan-

Leader: Barkstar- brown tom with green eyes

Deputy: Foxcall- reddish she-cat with white front paws and black hind paws, deep green eyes

Apprentice: Rookpaw

Med Cat: Leafsong- light brown tabby she-cat with brilliant green eyes

Apprentice: Crowpaw

Warriors:

Ivyleaf- silver and black she-cat with green eyes, Flamestorm's mother

Cloudfall- white tom with a light gray stripe down back and light blue eyes

Apprentice: Bluepaw

Reedfire- orange and silver tabby tom with green eyes

Jaysong- dark gray tom with green eyes

Apprentice: Drizzlepaw

Flamestorm- orange-brown tabby tom with blue eyes

Dawnbreeze- cream and gray she-cat with blue eyes

Apprentice: Birdpaw

Birchsong- spotted ginger and white tom

Feathermist- light gray she-cat with green eyes and a soft white belly

Apprentice: Ravenpaw

Nightbreeze- black tom with odd silver swirls, white paws and green eyes

Blackcloud- dark gray tom with a black tail, a reddish hue, brown ears and blue eyes

Silvercreek- silver tom with deep blue eyes

Apprentice: Hollypaw

Cinderleap- dark gray tom, Shadedflame's brother

Shadedflame- dark gray she-cat with burning amber eyes, Violetcloud's sister

Apprentice: Starlingpaw

Violetcloud- light gray-blue she-cat with green eyes

Apprentice: Petalpaw

Fallowgaze- brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Ashlight- light gray tom with darker paws

Apprentice: Jackdawpaw

Graytail- gray tom

Apprentices:

Bluepaw- gray-blue tom with amber eyes

Petalpaw- yellow tabby she-cat with white paws and green eyes

Drizzlepaw- gray she-cat with white spots and amber eyes

Hollypaw- black she-cat with amber eyes

Rookpaw- black tom with brown ears

Crowpaw- dark gray tom with dark blue eyes

Ravenpaw- black tom with amber eyes, a white tipped tail, and a white paw

Birdpaw- light blue-gray she-cat with a reddish hue and green eyes

Starlingpaw- black she-cat with brown and blue-gray spots

Jackdawpaw- dark gray-blue tom with gray-amber eyes

Queens:

Lightstripe- light brown tabby she-cat, mother of Reedfire's kit (Silverkit- silver she-kit)

Blueflower- light blue-gray she-cat with a white paw, gray-green eyes, expecting Blackcloud's kits

Elders:

Brownbrook- mottled brown tabby tom

Emberheart- dark ginger tom with amber eyes, Flamestorm's father

Roseshade- dark reddish-ginger she-cat with blue eyes

Thunderclan-

Leader: Alderstar- pale brown tabby tom

Deputy: Duskfire- Thick, dark brown furred tom mixed with lighter shades and amber eyes

Apprentice- Vixenpaw

Med Cat: Lilywhisker- light gray she-cat with a white underbelly, paws, chest and tail-tip

Warriors:

Brambleheart- dark red, almost brown, tom with green eyes

Poppyshine- reddish brown she-cat with bright green eyes

Goldenfrost- bright ginger she-cat with silver paws, underbelly, chest and muzzle

Laurelclaw- Light gingery-brown tom with green eyes and a green-brown face and a white stripe around his muzzle

Apprentice- Rabbitpaw

Stormrunner- dark gray tabby tom with amber eyes, Cinderfern's brother

Cinderfern- dark gray she-cat with amber eyes, Ravenflight's sister

Ravenflight- dark gray, nearly black, tom with amber eyes

Sorrelcreek- light brown tom with blue eyes

Violetsong- gray she-cat with blue eyes

Brackenstorm- light ginger tom with blue eyes and white paws

Blackstream- strong, sleek black tom with lean muscles and amber eyes, fathering Frostheart's kits, mate to Iceblaze

Iceblaze- white she-cat with piercing amber eyes and a black paw

Honeyleaf- lithe ginger she-cat with bright green eyes, Sandfeather's sister

Apprentice: Palepaw

Sandfeather- lithe ginger she-cat, expecting Brackenstorm's kits

Leafmist- gray tabby she-cat with multicoloured eyes, one green, one blue

Shrewstripe- dark grey tom with a reddish hue/tint and a white muzzle, Leafmist's brother

Hollyshine- silver she-cat with black ears and green eyes

Rowanflame- dark ginger tom with amber eyes and a half-missing white ear

Willowfall- dark gray she-cat

Dewflower- light gray she-cat with white paws and amber eyes

Nightheart- sleek black tom with a white underbelly and green eyes

Stumpycloud- dark gray tom with amber eyes, Shrewstripe's brother

Apprentice: Eaglepaw

Ashwind- gray tom

Gingersplash- light ginger tabby she-cat with a white underbelly, green eyes, and a white and ginger striped tail, Pinebreeze's sister

Pinebreeze- ginger and silver tom with blue eyes

Leapfoot- dark gray she-cat with a white chest and paws, amber eyes

Blackclaw- black she-cat with piercing silver eyes

Apprentices:

Palepaw- creamy light orange tom with bright amber eyes and a crooked tail

Vixenpaw- lithe fox-coloured she-cat with piercing green eyes, Palepaw's sister

Rabbitpaw- tan tabby tom with unnaturally long ears, Vixenpaw's brother

Eaglepaw- dark brown tom with white paws, belly and tail-tip, dull amber eyes

Queens:

Rosedawn- reddish orange she-cat, mother of Alderstar's kits (Stagkit- dark gray tom-kit with amber eyes, Deerkit- brown tom with green eyes, Fawnkit- light brown tabby she-kit with a white belly, Doekit- light gray she-kit with brown paws)

Orangeleaf- orange she-cat with green eyes, mother of Stumpycloud's kit (Emberkit-Cloudy orange and white she-cat with green/blue eyes, Sunkit-orange tom with white paws and blue eyes, Dappledkit- dappled gray, white and orange she-kit)

Frostheart- dappled silver and white she-cat with green eyes, expecting unknown's (Donny) kits (Brokenkit-sleek, mottled dark brown tabby she-kit with green eyes and light brown paws, Dovekit- soft gray she-cat with amber eyes, Echokit- silver and black tabby she-kit with green eyes), Iceblaze's sister

Shadefern- Dark gray almost black she-cat with green eyes with lighter almost invisible gray tabby markings, mother of Rowanflame's kits (Thrushkit- brown and black tom with green eyes, Nightkit- jet black she-cat with piercing green eyes, and Duskkit- dark gray she-kit with green eyes)

Elders:

Rowanleap- russet coloured she-cat

Hazelstreak- light brown she-cat with amber-green eyes

Rogues and Loners:

Rascal- brown tom with a white underbelly and ear-tips, and a gray tabby tail, tufted ears

Blue- gray-blue tom

Bailey- black and white tabby she-cat

Thunder- small, lithe ginger tom with amber eyes

Stormie- light gray tom with black tabby stripes and amber eyes, Thunder's brother

Finnie-

Hazel- short haired light grey she cat with lighter grey markings on her head, belly, chest, and tail, emerald eyes

Willow- gray tabby she-kit with green eyes

Sky- short-haired gray tabby she-kit with lighter markings and emerald eyes

Coal- pure black tom-kit with blue eyes

Kittypets:

Mittens- pretty black she-cat with white paws

Donny- light brown tom with amber eyes

Nora- light brown she-cat with blue eyes and a white underbelly, paws and muzzle

Now to the story-

Read and Review! No flames!

Ebonygaze stared at her mate-no, her exmate. "What?" she asked in disbelief.

"I-I don't think I love you anymore." Rascal looked away, his amber eyes sparkling with sadness. He couldn't bare to leave her, but he didn't want her to get hurt.

"Rascal? Is that you?" A neatly shaped black head appeared from a gap in a twoleg nest. Pretty green eyes stared down at the quarreling cats, the pink nose twitched. "It is you! I've missed you!" The cat squeezed out of gap and ran to meet Rascal, purring. Ebonygaze's eyes narrowed in disbelief.

"So this is why you're leaving me!" she spat angrily, back arched, fur bushed. "Our kits will never know of their father now. You unworthy piece of dog dung! You. You. You crow-food eater! I hope when you die, your bones will be picked clean by birds and other predators!" She snarled. "I. Hate. You." Ebonygaze turned around and sped away, out of Rascal's sight. Rascal followed her until she disappeared, shoulders slumped. Stunned, he let the words sink in. She was expecting his kits. Kits he would never know.

"Rascal? Are you okay?" Mittens, the other she-cat, asked him, concern and confusion etched in her face.

"I'll be fine. Just give me a few days." Rascal padded wearily away from her, thinking about what had gone wrong.


Ebonygaze slowed to a halt at the camp entrance, her lungs heaving for breath. She paused. Ebonygaze knew she wasn't due for few moons or so, but she wanted to be safe, rather than sorry. She felt no pains, only a broken heart. She padded into camp as casually as she could, wincing when she noticed other cats eyes on her. She could hear them whispering, wondering who the father was. Holding her head high, she walked into the elder's den to find her father- the only cat who knew of her affair.

"Nightsky? Father?" she poked her head into the den, expecting to see her father curled up, sleeping. But instead she found him sitting up, washing himself. Surprised she padded inside.

"Hello young one." her father rumbled. "I see you have finally come to visit me. Is this an actual visit, or do you just want love advice?" Nightsky teased her. Ebonygaze snorted.

"Actually, yes, I have come for that," she meowed shyly, shuffling her paws. "Rascal. He. Left me for a kittypet." Ebonygaze spat the last word, curling her mouth into a snarl. Her father sighed, opening his mouth to say something when the leader's call rang out.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath me!"

Ebonygaze exchanged a confused glance with her father before they both padded out of the den, Nightsky to sit with his denmates and Ebonygaze with her friends, Rosefrost, Whiskerflight, and Orangewhisker. Orangewhisker seemed to be overjoyed.

"Are your kits becoming warriors?" Ebonygaze asked her as she settled down. It felt like she was sitting next to a sun.

"They all passed their assesment! I'm so proud of them! They're such good role models for their younger siblings!" the ginger she-cat gushed happily.

"Hush!" Rosefrost flicked her friend over the ear. "Do you want to hear their ceremony or not?" Whiskerflight purred in amusement.

Sandstar gazed down proudly at the two apprentices. "Rosefrost, has your apprentice earned his right to a warrior name?" Sandstar began the ceremony.

"He has earned the right many times," Rosefrost answered proudly, puffing out her chest.

"Heathercloud? Has your apprentice earned it?" The leader turned his light green gaze to the strict she-cat.

"He's earned it. I will be proud to speak to him as an equal, rather than an apprentice," Heathercloud cracked a rare smile to go along with the rare praise.

Sandstar lifted his head proudly to the sky. "I, Sandstar, leader of Windclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on the aprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors." Sandstar looked down and fixed his eyes on the young Stormpaw.

"Stormpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." The nervous tom's voice shook, but there was no mistaking the determination in his meow.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Stormpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Stormwatcher. Starclan honors your initiative and your forethought." Sandstar turned to Hawkpaw.

"Hawkpaw," he began, " do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Even Sandstar knew there was no need to ask this. The tom had stood for his clan many times, ready to fight for his life, never giving up.

"I do." The strong, clear meow rang throughout the camp, and the young tom lifted his head and straightened up.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Hawkpaw, from this moment you will be known as," Sandstar paused, as though searching for the right name, "Hawkbreeze. Star clan honors your courage and your skill in battle," he finished, letting the clan cheer the new warriors' names.

"Stormwatcher! Hawkbreeze! Stormwatcher! Hawkbreeze!" The clan chanted happily. Ebonygaze cheered loudly, thinking that those would be her kits one day.

"Ebonygaze?" A voice sounded behind her, seeming unsure. Ebonygaze turned to find Slatewing, shifting his paws slightly. Ebonygaze frowned, wondering what could unnerve the bold young tom. "Can we take a walk, just the two of us?"

"Yeah, sure." Ebonygaze followed the slightly younger tom, speeding up slightly to walk beside him. Giving him a mischievous glance, she grinned, "I take it this isn't just a plain walk?"

Slatewing stuttered, "I-uh, well, I noticed the nursery seems to be full." he choked out at last.

"Poor Honeycloud's got her paws filled. The clan is thriving. It has been a long time since we have starved." Ebonygaze nodded in agreement.

"I was wondering, if maybe, uhm, you wanted to, I don't know," Slatewing stalled and Ebonygaze let out a purr.

"It's okay, Slatewing." She meowed, pressing against him slightly. "I know what you're trying to say. Follow me." She whisked ahead, bringing him to a small dip in the ground, near Rascal's twoleg den, past the border. She winced, remembering all the fun memories of him. The dip was protected, easily guarded and very hidden. Maple trees lined the outside, along with a few bushes. A stream ran through the middle of it, teeming with silver fish.

"Woah." Slatewing let out a gasp. Ebonygaze purred.

"There's a network of never-been-found-before tunnels in that rabbit hole, too," Ebonygaze flicked his ear with her tail when Slatewing's jaw dropped.

"This is beautiful!" he exclaimed.

"Yes, but I need to tell you something. I am expecting kits, a kittypet's kits." Ebonygaze was frightened of Slatewing's reaction. He turned to her slowly.

"Ebonygaze," he began, "I-you know that I've always liked you as an apprentice and we used to be such good friends. I will act as the father of these kits, but can you just tell me something?"

"What?" The black she-cat shuffled her paws nervously.

"Will you be my mate?" Slatewing stuttered.

Ebonygaze let out a loud purr and walked forward to nuzzle the gray tom. "Of course." She meowed, and Slatewing purred, loud enough for other cats to hear, but they didn't care.

"I love you, Ebonygaze." Slatewing breathed into her ear, ruffling the fur.

"I love you too." Ebonygaze licked his muzzle. "Let's return to the camp so they others don't think we're lost."

"Let's stay here for a bit." Slatewing purred, gazing around at the maple trees and the small stream. Ebonygaze rested her head on the larger tom's shoulder in agreement. She remembered all the fun she had had with Slatewing and his brother, Foxskip, when they were all apprentices. Although she was a half moon older, they had all gotten their warrior names together, along with Whiskerflight, Orangewhisker and Tailfeather. Rosefrost had gotten her name two moons before them.

"Remember when we put fire ants in Sandstar's nest when he was Sandfire?" Ebonygaze asked.

"He got so mad. I was worried he would get Mossstar to exile us!" The dark gray tom purred in amusement. The scent of Riverclan suddenly washed over them and dark gray tom came into their view. The two were hidden slightly so Riverclan warrior could not see them. Behind his came a pretty light gray and white she-cat. Ebonygaze exchanged a glance with Slatewing.

"They're not on out territory and we're not on their territory." Ebonygaze whispered, to which Slatewing nodded. "They're probably out for a stroll, just like us." The dark gray tom suddenly looked up, narrowing his dark blue eyes as he stared right at them. Ebonygaze froze and she felt Slatewing tense.

"I know you're there." The dark gray tom hissed, making the she-cat stare at him with wide eyes.

"This is no cat's territory." Slatewing stood up, padding toward the two. Ebonygaze joined him, recognizing the tom to be Ripplestream, a warrior of Riverclan around her age.

"Ripplestream!" She raced past Slatewing to meet Ripplestream across the stream running through the middle of the dip. Ripplestream looked up recognizing her.

"Hello!" He leapt into the stream and waded through it. The she-cat, who Ebonygaze could now tell was Mistysky, Ripplestream's old apprentice, followed him. They exited the water, shaking the droplet of their pelts easily, showering Slatewing and Ebonygaze. Slatewing shifted uncomfortably.

"Hi Ripplestream, Mistysky." Slatewing greeted the pair. "What are you doing here?"

"We just wanted a quiet night away from the clan." Mistysky spoke for the first time.

"Oh, are you two mates?" Ebonygaze asked in surprise. Mistysky leaned against Ripplestream, purring lightly.

"Hey... Do you wanna learn how to fish?" Ripplestream asked, a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Uh- sure?" Slatewing glanced at the stream in distaste.

"Just sit like this, so your shadow doesn't fall on the water, with your paw raised like this." Ripplestream positioned himself next to the stream. Curious, Ebonygaze followed his instructions, as did Slatewing. "Now just wait until you see a fish and aim for where it's going." He focussed on the water and suddenly struck the water, and a silver fish fell on the ground. Mistysky moved in, giving the killing bite. Ebonygaze and Slatewing watched in amazement.

"Wow." Ebonygaze closed her dropped jaw.

"You can also catch fish by swimming, but that's advanced." Mistysky purred at their amazement. The four spent the rest of the sun-down period, purring at the failed attempts. The pile of fish gathered and grew bigger.

"Ebonygaze. We should get home now." Slatewing interrupted Ebonygaze and Mistysky's conversation. Ebonygaze looked up, shocked.

"We really should. Split the pile in half?" She agreed, then looked to Ripplestream, who nodded and began splitting it in half.

"How will we explain this to the clan?" Questioned Slatewing as they padded back to the clan, his mew muffled by the fish.

"Just tell them we figured out how to fish and though it was fun." Ebonygaze shrugged, twining her tail with Slatewing's. They padded into camp, making the cats that were awake look up at them. They placed the prey on the pile and each took a fish for themselves. The smell of fish caused other cats to appear from the dens, to check out the new food. Ebonygaze and Slatewing lay side by side, tails casually twined, purring to themselves.

"Yo Slatewing!" Foxskip, Slatewing's brother, raced out of the den. He skidded to a halt, noticing the fish. "What's this? I gotta try this!" He excitedly ran around the prey pile a few times before choosing a fish to gulp down. Slatewing exchanged an amused glance with Ebonygaze, purring in amusement.

"What do you think?" Ebonygaze asked Foxskip, who had wolfed down the fish and was reaching for another.

"Yum! YUM!" Foxskip purred, gulping down the second fish. Other cats had chosen the new prey from the pile, curiously picking at it. Some deciding they liked it, some hating it. The disgust on some cats' faces sent Slatewing and Ebonygaze into fits of laughter.

"Slatewing. Ebonygaze." Nettlewhisker, the deputy, padded out of the leader's den and over to the two. "Sandstar wants you to go to the Gathering to-what's this?" Nettlewhisker stared at the fresh-kill pile.

"Food." Foxskip butted in, talking slowly as if the deputy was a kit that didn't understand.

"Yes, I know that, but why this?" Nettlewhisker sighed in exasperation at Foxskip's antics. Ebonygaze looked to Skatewing for help.

"Ebonygaze and I were walking around together and decided to try to hunt fish. We-" Slatewing broke off, looking confused.

"Figured out a way to get down the steep cliff," Ebonygaze quickly finished.

"Oh, okay." Nettlewhisker stared at them for a moment. "Uhm, so. Sandstar wants you to go to the Gathering tomorrow night," he finished his earlier statement lanely and padded away to go try a fish. Ebonygaze and Slatewing watched him as he bit into it and wrinkled his nose.


Ebonygaze padded along with her clanmates to Fourtrees. Thunderclan was already there, stepping high and prancing like deer and puffing out their chests. Ebonygaze snorted. Typical Thunderclan. Always thinking they're the best. She padded off to find Acornnose and Applefern, who both wouldn't miss this Gathering for anything. They were both due around the time she was.

"Ebonygaze?" A deep voice sounded behind her. Ebonygaze turned and purred at the brown-furred tom.

"Hello Duskfire! It's been awhile since I've seen you at a Gathering!" Ebonygaze sat down next to him.

"Well you better get used to it." Duskfire purred.

"Why?" Ebonygaze frowned, she knew Duskfire was ambitious, but was he so ambitious he would force to be able to go to a Gathering. She shook the thought away, knowing her friend to be very loyal to his clan.

"I'm deputy!" Duskfire grinned happily.

"Congratulations!" She wondered if any other clans had knew deputies. The Riverclan deputy had seemed to be getting old, but Streamwhisker seemed to have many more moons a head of him. Plus Ripplestream hadn't said anything.

"The Gathering is starting!" One of the leader's called.

"Sandstar, would you like to go first?" The eldest cat normally would go first, and seeing that Sandstar was the eldest leader, he would be offered to go first.

"Very well." Sandstar nodded and stepped forward. "Windclan has plenty of prey and is thriving! Honeycloud's kits are nearly at their 6th moon. Orangewhisker has given birth to three kits again! Featherkit, Flykit and Harekit! Let us thank Starclan they don't have names like their father's." Purrs of amusement rippled through the clans.

"The prey is running well for Skyclan. We mourn the death of the elder Cloudshine. He passed away peacefully in his sleep. Silverpaw, Violetpaw, Fallowpaw and Graypaw have became Silvercreek, Violetcloud, Fallowgaze." The clans cheered the new names of the young warriors. "That is all." Barkstar finished, letting Alderstar step forward. The tom cleared his throat.

"Thunderclan has nothing to report besides that prey is good, as well as everything else. There are two new apprentices, Vixenpaw and Rabbitpaw. Vixenpaw is staying at camp because she got in trouble." Alderstar announced, letting the clans cheer for Vixenpaw and Rabbitpaw. "A rogue ventured into our forest, but we taught him a lesson. Treebranch was killed." Sad murmurs echoed through the trees, Treebranch had been well-known among the clans. "Duskfire has replaced him as deputy." The clans cheered and Ebonygaze purred happily at Duskfire.

Scarletfire, the fluffy red she-cat deputy of Riverclan, had replaced Alderstar. "I bring sad news. Cliffstar has passed away fighting a fox in our territory. He will be missed greatly. Dewdrop, Raindrop, Sedgefrost and Ripplestream drove the fox into the river where it drowned. Streamwhisker retired before his death and I am now leader." The cats called Scarletstar's new name. "Sedgefrost, after showing true bravery and courage, although some reckless behavior, is the new deputy." Sedgefrost's name was cheered. "Beside that, Riverclan is well. The fish are swimming and we are safe. Acornnose has had her kit, she has been named Valleykit. Sparkstar?" Scarletstar stepped back to let Shadowclan's graceful leader step forward. Ebonygaze purred when she heard her friend's named called. So Acornnose wasn't there.

"Shadowclan is well. We have had no deaths lately. The prey is running and we have no kits yet, we are thriving. We too had problems with a rogue, but he won't be coming back anytime soon." Sparkstar ended with a purr, letting the cats mingle.

With a wave of her tail, Ebonygaze left the new deputy to find Applefern. She spotted the she-cat's pelt and ran forward to talk to her.


A half moon later-

Slatewing paced outside the nursery, hearing his mate's yowls of pain. The kits were coming early, at least, that's what he thought.

"Slatewing!" Amberpaw appeared from the nursery. "Come and meet your kit!" Slatewing looked up.

"She isn't done yet," he objected.

"Toms." Amberpaw rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath. "It's not scary. Just c'mon." Her head disappeared then reappeared. "Another kit's here. This next one is the last one!" she urged, and Slatewing came galloping into the nursery to see the last kit, a tiny light brown tom, slid out. Swiftfeather bit his birthsack and he let out a loud mew.

"That one's gonna be a fighter." Slatewing purred, picking up the tiny kit and putting him next to his sisters.

"Then he deserves a nice, strong name." Ebonygaze purred back as Slatewing licked the small tom all over. Slatewing's face grew serious. A few heartbeats passed.

"I've been thinking," Ebonygaze meowed slowly, "of something Rascal once told me about. He said twolegs would plant trees for 'timber' and this 'timber' is strong enough to hold twolegs in it. He said it's what some twoleg 'furniture' and their dens are made of. It must be a strong materiel," she paused, looking up at Slatewing, then back at the tom-kit. "He also said it's light brown in color. What do you think of Timberkit?" She finished, giving the tom's ears a few laps.

"It's perfect. What about the eldest kit? The tortoiseshell?" Slatewing purred, watching the small kit. "The brown and orange in her pelt remind me of maple trees." He commented. "Wait. That's it! It's perfect! Maplekit for our strong young kitten."

"What about the smallest? The silver tabby? She's so pretty. Her pelt reminds me of the silver fish we caught with Ripplestream and Mistysky." Ebonygaze nosed the second born.

"Fishkit." They meowed in unison.

"Welcome, little Maplekit, Fishkit, and Timberkit." Slatewing purred happily.

A/N- Rascal lives near Morgan's Farm (twoleg view) near Riverclan!

It was fun writing about Ebonygaze and Slatewing, and Foxskip's antics and Ebonygaze's friendships. Honestly, I'm sad only the Prologue is about Ebonygaze. She's such an awesome character. Unfortunately, I normally don't give cats happy endings and such. This is also the only chapter that will be about 3,000+ as I can't really write for long.

I shamelessly admit that I already have the ending written, so let's get this emotional rollercoaster started! (Oh noes! A hint!? *wink wink*)

QOTC- What do you think will happen in the next chapter?

Please vote on the poll in my bio! Please Review!