Chapter 2

"Hey, Stealthpaw," A soft mew whispered in my ear. "Blackclaw wants you to get up; you're going to learn how to fight! You and me both, we'll be going fighting together today!" I lifted my head sleepily. From my position by the nursery I could tell that it was sun- rise.

"What?" I asked. I took my forepaw and rubbed the sleep from my eye. A small gray cat was standing in front of me. "Willowpaw, can't you go and bug some other unlucky apprentice?" Willowpaw purred; she knew my sense of humor and my sarcastic tongue. My sister didn't seem to have hurt feelings when I said things like that.

"We're going to learn how to fight. I already know all of my herbs but Mothwing told me that I should learn how to fight because then if other warriors are needed for something else if our camp gets raided; I need to be able to defend myself." I nodded and shook some water that had gotten on my pelt during the night. Some droplets flew onto Willowpaw and she nudged her damp muzzle in my shoulder.

"Let's go," Willowpaw took off to two cats sitting at the edge of the camp. When I reached them with Willowpaw right beside me, they took off into the stream. "Hurry, we're going to the clearing." I tried to remember what the clearing was it couldn't come to me.

"What's the clearing again?" I whispered to Willowpaw. She flicked her tail and muttered.

"It's an empty space between the Twolegplace and the stream, remember?" I then remembered, the clearing with the soft grass and the bushes enclosing it. Blackclaw made no allowances as we continued forward. Mothwing, I realized, was fast and strong too. We padded until we were at the clearing. We stepped forward into the clearing and left the medicine cats to be for a while.

"Attack me," Blackclaw ordered once we had found a nice spot away from Mothwing and Willowpaw. I thought hard. I decided to aim for his shoulder. I leaped at him and he stepped to the side and hit me with a sheathed paw. I fell to the ground, getting myself all dusty to go along with the mud from yesterday's race. Blackclaw blinked.

"You need to get me to think you're aiming somewhere else." He ordered for me to try and attack him. I jumped at him and tried to trip him to make him fall on the ground. I swatted him with a sheathed paw trying to do a front paw blow like my father had told me to do. Blackclaw finished me with an up- right lock, pinning me down on the ground. He had one paw on my throat and one paw on my belly.

"Control your speed," Blackclaw hissed in my ear, getting off of me and letting me jump up to try again. I spat and tried to think of another way to attack him.

I was going to try my last thought; the leap and hold. I leaped onto Blackclaw's back but slipped off before I could get a good grip.

"Good, but try to stay on my back next time." You're not telling me how! I though angrily. I leaped at him again only to slip off and be pinned down again. We did this over and over again. I was getting sick of it. It was sun- high, I was ready to quit.

"That's enough," Blackclaw decided and he sat down. I sat down in front of him and licked my tail that had gotten flattened under I had gotten pinned down. "I'm going to show you how to hunt. I think I'm going to show you how to catch a piece of land prey. First you must remember, that rabbits feel you and mice hear you, and a water vole does both." I somehow remembered this, that one thing out of them all. He crouched down and showed me how the hunting crouch was supposed to be. "Let me see your crouch." I blinked in concentration and pressed my belly against the earth. I began creeping up on the small patch of overgrown grass.

"Good, maybe you'll be better at hunting, you sure aren't that good at attacking, and that's for sure." He wrapped his tail over his paws and leaned forward so he was eye level with me. "I want you to go and try to catch a piece of prey. This will be a pre- assessment of what you already know, about the territory and the hunting strategy I just showed you."

"Wait, Blackclaw, I was just about to send Willowpaw over to get some Marigold, they can go together." Mothwing stepped forward to face Blackclaw. He grunted and Willowpaw bounded over to me.

"Great! Now we can go together!" Willowpaw mewed happily. "Marigold is by the ShadowClan border."

I nodded and raced through the bushes, Willowpaw behind me. I ran until I could scent a vole. Willowpaw stood very still and waited for me. I began to creep forward in my hunting position. I was concentrating so hard on the vole and doing everything right I didn't see the twig that snapped underneath my paws. The vole sat up straight and took off. Springing up I ran after it, desperate to get it. I could hear Willowpaw panting in the background. "Stop!" I heard Willowpaw cry out. I ignored her, I really wanted the vole.

The vole was crossing some black junk that a Twoleg must've put down. I followed the vole, racing it towards a forest of pine trees. A black cat stepped out of no where and leaped on the vole and killed it. She was burring it the earth when I approached.

"That's mine!" I snarled. "That's a RiverClan vole!" The black cat smirked at me.

"Ah, touching, an apprentice telling a warrior what to do, and on her own territory!" The warrior jeered at me. "You're only beginning your training, you can't fight me! Besides, that's now a ShadowClan vole, it crossed the border." I bared my teeth, ready to sink them in on her neck for her arrogance. I leaped on her shoulders and tried the leap and hold move again. The warrior rolled to the ground and I, after hearing Blackclaw tell me this for the hundredth time, leaped lightly off of her. "Hey, apprentice, I'm Ravenwing, remember me when you meet your first defeat." Out of the corner of my eye I saw a creamy brown cat fighting with Willowpaw. "RiverClan, they're a bunch of slow, under fed, kittypets!"

I gave a yowl of fury and raked my claws down her ears. I missed and swatted the air instead. Ravenwing hurtled herself at me, I tried to dodge, but in the end, she got me pinned, a paw on my neck and a paw on my belly.

"We are not kittypets! We are warriors!" I struggled under her paws. I moved my head sideways to see Willowpaw running away from the creamy brown cat. The cat padded towards me and mewed.

"Why are you on our side of the border, little cat?" The cat was so calm. There was no trace of hostility that had been in Ravenwing. "Don't you know that you're breaking that warrior code?"

"I say we take her-" Ravenwing snarled.

"You're not taking me anywhere!" I spat. I tried to lean my head forward so that I could bite the paws resting on my neck.

"Oh, yes we are! Blackstar will help determine what happens to you! Who knows, we might even get some territory for you." Ravenwing smirked. "If you're worth that much." Ravenwing turned her head to the creamy cat, who was sitting with her tail curled neatly in front of her. "What do you say, Hawktail?"

"I think we should let her go, Blackstar and Russetfur don't need any prisoners and she's only an apprentice, like you said, she's not that important." Hawktail stared down at me, her eyes curious. "Ravening, doesn't she remind you of Bramblefur? They look exactly alike! Except the eyes, Bramblefur's got icy blue." Hawktail muttered something under her breath but flicked her tail. "She's not worth much, let her go." Ravenwing was about to protest when I began to hear paw steps; I wasn't sure if my head was making them up or if there really was some cat coming. I twisted my head to see why could be coming. It was a patrol of cats. It had my mentor, my father, Rippletail, Willowpaw, and Dapplepaw. Ravenwing snarled something and both cats leaped into their territory after hissing to me, "Go back to RiverClan." Hawkfrost and Blackclaw were already across the border, both furious. I looked at the ground, waiting for an explosion of scolding, it never came, and instead Hawkfrost leaned to me and mewed softly in my ear.

"We're going home." I stood up and followed the others out of ShadowClan territory.

When we got to our side of the border, Willowpaw picked up some Marigold and headed back to camp, Dapplepaw and Rippletail behind her. Blackclaw and Hawkfrost settled down at a tree with a lot of moss growing from the side of it. I sat in front of them thinking about how dumb I had been to get my paws on the vole. I slouched in front of them and didn't dare make any eye contact with them; afraid that both were going to hate me for what I've just done. The two cats talked in a low whisper for a while before turning to me.

"Stealthpaw, no real harm has been done, although you've most certainly have broken the warrior code and will be punished, we're not too angry with you." Hawkfrost let out a soothing purr. "I'll explain everything to Leopardstar and everything will be okay, you'll see." He bounded up to me and licked my ears. "I'm disappointed that you didn't pay attention to the tour Blackclaw gave you." I bit my tongue, holding back a retort. I knew I'd be in huge trouble for launching that attack on another's territory and for arguing with warriors, so I just kept silent and studied the strands of grass.

"Well, Stealthpaw, do you have anything to say? Or does a mouse have your tongue?" Blackclaw certainly sounded angry, but I could tell that only great respect for Hawkfrost kept him from ripping my ears off. I lifted my head to look into Blackclaw's eyes.

"I didn't mean to," I murmured. "I was only trying to help feed my Clan, I didn't know." I felt my ears burn with shame and two airs of eyes on me. "So, what's my punishment?" I snorted as if I already knew the answer. "I have to clean out the elders' den and a bunch of other chores before I can train again." Blackclaw and Hawkfrost exchanged glances.

"We don't know." Blackclaw mewed, "We need to get back to Leopardstar, and she'll tell you what to do." He stood up and began walking quickly through the trees. Hawkfrost followed. I got up and followed reluctantly, wondering what I was going to be doing for the next moon.

When we got back to camp cats came out of their dens to see what was going to happen. Leopardstar was already at the base of the Leader's Rock. When I came over she jumped onto the rock and yowled.

"Let all of those old enough to catch their own prey gather for a Clan meeting!" Her voice rang our in the camp. A few cats came to join us but most of them were already out in the clearing. Blackclaw pushed me to the front of the crowd. I sat down and looking at the ground. "As many of you know, Stealthpaw has just crossed the border to catch some prey! While doing so she met a warrior and a medicine cat apprentice, they attacked each other and had a small border fight. However, we started the fight on their side of the border, if ShadowClan decides to launch an attack because of this then we must be ready!" There were murmurs of agreement. "Stealthpaw, since you have broken the warrior code by launching yourself onto another's territory, you will, as punishment, not be able to attend the upcoming Gathering." I hung my head but in secret I was yowling with joy. It wasn't the best punishment but it wasn't the worst either. The meeting ended and I went to get a piece of fresh kill. I let my tail drag in the dirt; I didn't feel good enough to let if wave happily. I pelt brushed beside mine. I looked up. It was Reedwhisker.

"No need to worry, in a quarter of a moon, all will be forgotten. Besides, if you were thinking about doing to best for your Clan, then you shouldn't feel guilty or anything." He gave my head a few good licks. "There've been worse apprentice trouble- makers than you'll ever meet. You're not the first."

"Thanks," I mewed graciously. "I'm glad that you think that mistake I made wasn't too bad." Reedwhisker shrugged and stalked off to the warriors' side of the camp. I sighed and grabbed apiece of prey to eat in my nest. Inside the apprentice den, I saw Dapplepaw, Pebblepaw, and Cherrypaw all looking at me with excitement.

"Wow," Pebblepaw murmured. "I can't believe that you attacked other cat on their own territory." He pushed his nose to my flank. "But you didn't win." He with drew. Cherrypaw, and Dapplepaw were talking with each other, they were saying low words and their lips moved furiously as if they were saying something super fast to the other.

"Well, fox- dung to that," Minnowpaw snarled at her brother, "I think it was a plea for attention." She turned to face me as I bit into a fish. "Can't get enough attention by winning a race, can you? You have to go and intrude on another cat's property." I swallowed.

"Minnowpaw, it's not like that," I began. I knew this was a lie, and secretly, I knew I would do anything for the warriors and apprentices to respect me. "If I become respected and liked it's because I'm trying my best to be a warrior by following the code." I picked up a bone and threw it at Minnowpaw. "Here, if you don't believe me then take this." I have to act like any cat when I'm with my friends. "You can either believe me or you can just leave me."

***

The next two days it was pretty peaceful. I gave a low profile because I didn't want to have Minnowpaw get more suspicious than she already was. Two days after my run in with Ravenwing, I was coming out of the den for some training, it was sun- high and I was supposed to be up earlier. Firestar, the ThunderClan leader and Brambleclaw came into the camp with a dead cat. Leopardstar and Mistyfoot ran to them and demanded what had happened.

"What's going on?" I asked to Cherrypaw, who was watching the whole thing with wide eyes.

"I'm not sure. Firestar and Brambleclaw just came into camp," She flicked her tail in the direction of the lump of fur right beside them. I stared at the lump of fur and my stomach did a flip. I ran towards the lump, making sure that it wasn't what I was thinking of. I stopped in front of the two leaders and Brambleclaw. I pressed my nose to the fur. It had the smell I was afraid of. Hawkfrost's scent went up through my nose and into my brain. It was Hawkfrost all right. "Hawkfrost," I whispered in his ear. When he didn't answer I pressed my nose further into his fur. It was ice cold. "What happened?" I demanded to Leopardstar. I forgot my manners entirely. "Tell me," Leopardstar nodded and flicked her tail.

"Firestar, if we can continue this discussion in my den." Firestar and Brambleclaw exchanged a glance.

"Of course." Firestar mewed, dipping his head. Leopardstar nodded and started for the den. I stood rigid, afraid Leopardstar was going to start yelling at me for staying with my father. She didn't instead she mewed to me.

"Get Willowpaw, Mintfur and Sagefur." She thought for a moment longer. "And Mosspelt, then please join me in my den with them." I nodded and took off. First I ran to the warriors' side of the camp and checked out every spot the warriors would eat at. I found Sagefur and Mintfur grooming each other.

"Leopardstar wants you both, Mintfur, can you get Willowpaw?" I mewed to them. They looked up with startled looks and nodded calmly. I searched the other places before popping my head in the warriors' den. It was empty except for two cats; Mosspelt and Cloudedwind. "Mosspelt," I mewed to my mother. "Leopardstar want you in her den." Mosspelt raised her head, expression bleary.

"Fine," she muttered. She pushed herself to her paws and swept past me, giving my ear a soft lick. I followed. When she reached our leader's den she stopped. "Don't you have to go and clear out some old bedding?" her tone was gentle and soothing but it was also very firm. "Doesn't Blackclaw want you today for training?" I shook my head.

"She wants us both." I mewed.

"Right, then, lets not keep her waiting." We pushed through the reeds blocking the den to see Firestar and Brambleclaw telling something to Mistyfoot, who must've came with Leopardstar, Mintfur and Sagefur.

"Brambleclaw is my deputy and Hawkfrost's brother. He's just as much right to be here as-" Firestar's impatient mew was cut short.

"Hey, I have gathered them."

"Good, Firestar, tell us what happened to my warrior." Leopardstar looked as though she was controlling her temper.

"I'm sorry," Firestar began, "We found his body after a patrol had found it. He was stuck in a fox trap the Twolegs put out for the foxes." He leaned forward, "We saw him and decided to bring him back here."

"Are you telling me you know no details of his death? Only that you found his body? How can I be sure that didn't kill him yourself?" Firestar began to bristle.

"Leopardstar, Hawkfrost is my brother; I would never do anything to hurt him." Brambleclaw spoke quietly. "If we wanted him dead, we would've killed him long ago, probably on our way here."

Leopardstar dipped her head at these words. "Right, well than, thank you for giving his body back for us to have a proper vigil. Some of my warriors will lead you back to our border." She flicked her tail at Mistyfoot and Mosspelt. "Lead them there, do nothing more." They gave curt nods and vanished with the ThunderClan cats. I dipped my head to Leopardstar and vanished through the reeds. Outside there was a small crowd around Hawkfrost. Some cat had moved his body so it looked as though he was sleeping. I padded right up to him and pressed my nose to his fur. Father, I need you. I just began my training? How can I get along with it if you're not here? Grief flooded through my body and I sat down right beside him, licking his cold body with soothing licks. "May StarClan light your path," I rested my head next to his and closed my eyes.

"What will the Clan do without your courage and loyalty?" my eyes snapped open and I saw Leopardstar giving him a few swift licks. Every cat in the Clan came up and whispered something to Hawkfrost. Eventually, the only cats sitting with him were Mosspelt, Mintfur, Sagefur and Willowpaw. The Clan was sitting on the edge of the clearing. Every cat looking like they were grieving. Every cat except Mistyfoot, she looked a little relieved that he was dead. Anger burned inside me like fire in the forest. How dare Mistyfoot be happy while Hawkfrost is dead? I fell asleep.

I was suddenly racing through trees. The place was dark and haunted; it had a cold look to it. The scents filled my nose. It was a familiar scent. Too familiar.