Prologue

"Can you be sure? Dawnstar, I need you to understand that my Clan is going through rough times with leaf-bare in our wake. It is already chilly and prey is scarce. We're lucky that none of the Clans have the stream on their territory or else we wouldn't even have the fish to eat. Please tell me that you can prevent this." The warm den that was once cozy and safe, now radiated terror and fear. In the center stood a tan she-cat with tan fur and black spots.

"Hawkstar, my sweet daughter, I wish we could do something, but StarClan does not have power over the living. You will have to overcome this yourself." Hawkstar trembled in fear. Her Clan was her pride and joy, and she would die defending it from danger. Her blue eyes gazed longingly into those of her mother, Dawnstar. Dawnstar's pelt was glossy and tiny stars glistened beneath her fur. She must be so happy in StarClan. She's even more beautiful than I remember. Hawkstar thought to herself.

"Should I tell Fadingwhisper? Surely she would want to be told of this warning. She is HawkClan's medicine cat for StarClan's sake!" Hawkstar spat wildly. Her heart pumped with the love she had for her Clan. Dawnstar took a few pawsteps forward and rested her chin on her daughter's head. A sense of immense calmness swept through the tan she-cat like a wave crashing against the bed of a river.

"No, my dear daughter. Fadingwhisper will know in due time. Now, listen closely.A great fog will settle,and the whispers of the night will fade into darkness. That is when the gentle beast of the forest will lose its spots. Only then, will the fog dissipate, and the forest will be saved."

But what does that mean?" Hawkstar lashed her tail in confusion. Dawnstar's regal figure began to fade, and the sun slowly began to rise. Hawkstar was left in her empty den feeling empty and scared.

"What will I do now? Oh StarClan, guide my paws."

Chapter One

Dusk was closing in. Tonight was the night of the gathering. Despite attending many gatherings in previous moons, Fawnpaw couldn't help but be excited. In the center of the camp clearing, Fawnpaw was wrestling in the dirt with her friend Antpaw. The fluffy brown tom hooked his paw, claws sheathed, under her belly, flipping her over.

"Mousedung! I would've won if it weren't for my horrible footing!" The black apprentice mewled.

"You wish! You're just afraid to admit that I'm better at fighting than you." He snorted. Cats were now beginning to crowd together in the clearing. Two more apprentices trotted up and greeted Fawnpaw and Antpaw kindly.

"Hi Sagepaw! Hi Ripplepaw! Are you two coming to the gathering tonight?" Fawnpaw asked. Sagepaw's glittering green eyes fell on Fawnpaw with gentleness.

"No, Tallsky said we need to stay here and help protect the Clan just in case anything happens. Are you going?" Antpaw yelped as a small bird shot out from a tall oak tree. He quickly gathered himself and licked his chest in embarrassment.

"Yes, Antpaw and I are going. Tallsky has chosen us to go as well as Stormflash and Fadingwhisper. I guess you'll be staying back with Oceanflight?" Ripplepaw flicked her gray tail.

"I wish I could go. But Deerleap has requested that I check on Lightningkit. Poor little scrap, it isn't even leafbare yet and he already had whitecough." With that, the gray medicine cat apprentice stomped off and went into the medicine den. The snap of a twig caught Fawnpaw's attention. She turned to see Hawkstar hopping gracefully onto the Leader's Ledge. She watched as she sat, curling her tail around her spotted paws.

"Cats of HawkClan, those who are attending tonight's gathering, we shall leave at once. The water of the stream will be cold, so we should try to go before it grows any cooler." The tan leader leaped from her ledge and slowly made her way to the fern tunnel. Within a few short moments, Stormflash, Fadingwhisper, Fawnpaw, and Antpaw has gathered around near the fern tunnel. With a flick of Hawkstar's tail, the group of HawkClan cat's were off.

...

The sky glittered with bright stars. As the cats neared the Gathering Place, Fawnpaw could hear the chatter of BreezeClan and DeathClan cats. A thick log that had been blown over by a strong wind some moons ago layed straight across the stream, allowing HawkClan to cross without dirtying their paws. As Hawkstar bounded upwards, Fawnpaw leaped onto the log. She dug her claws into the wet, squishy bark in attempt to remain upright. The rest of the group quickly followed behind. As the carefully trod onto the island they called The Gathering Place, Fawnpaw looked around. Near the middle is where the warriors typically sat. She smiled as she saw Stormflash head over and begin to speak with Mossyglow, a warrior from BreezeClan with white and ginger patched fur. Her brother, Dragonflygaze, was talking to a DeathClan warrior Fawnpaw had never seen before. His pelt was solid white, and his eyes blue as the sky. She noticed that he never actually spoke a word, instead, he nodded. Two warriors, one from BreezeClan and the other from DeathClan laughed loudly at a joke that had been made.

"Come over here Fawnpaw. Let's go sit with the apprentices." Antpaw meowed. A small bush with tiny leaves shook as three apprentices tumbled around with each other. Lizardpaw, a hairless she-cat, was batting at a cream colored tom's pelt. His name was Ferretpaw. The third apprentice was one she hadn't recognized.

"Hey! More apprentices. My name is Fernpaw." The ginger tom smiled happily as he boasted.

"Nice to meet you Fernpaw, I'm Fawnpaw. And this is Antpaw." She said pointing her tail towards her brown friend. Fernpaw and Lizardpaw gave each other a worried look and ceased to "attack" Ferretpaw.

"Oh come on guys, I was nearly dead. Finish me off!" Ferretpaw yowled. Just as Antpaw was about to speak, the Clan leaders called for silence as the sat at the top of the High Boulder. The High Boulder is a huge, round rock that is large enough for at least a group of cats to sit. Meadowstar, the red tabby leader of BreezeClan stood to speak first.

"Everything is well in BreezeClan. Our apprentices are training well and prey is abundant. With leaf-bare settled and the cold winds blowing, we are thankful that StarClan has given such blessings. Sandstar, you may speak." She said , sitting down once again. The sand colored leader of DeathClan rose to his paws. His tabby fur ruffled in the chilled wind. Every cat had their eyes on him as he stood regally.

"Thank you, Meadowstar. DeathClan remains strong this season. We have named a new apprentice, Fernpaw. He was found in our territory, trying to sickle from his dead mother. We took the kit in and raised him to be a strong cat of DeathClan." Cats from each Clan began to chant loudly, celebrating Fernpaw's new name.

"Fernpaw! Fernpaw!" Fawnpaw and Antpaw chanted. The young apprentice raised his chin with pride. He'll make a wonderful warrior. I sure would hate to run into him in battle. She peeked over her shoulder and glanced swiftly at Fernpaw, then returned her attention to the leaders. "Hawkstar, you may speak." Fawnpaw stared in awe as her mighty leader rose to speak. I want to be like her one day. Maybe I'll even have my own Clan. Fawnpaw chuckled and licked her jowels. Yeah right! Like you'd ever have your own Clan Fawnpaw. She told herself.

"HawkClan is doing just fine as well. We have plenty of prey and we have a kit who is growing strong. Leaf-bare has not had an effect on my Clan, and I pray to StarClan that it will stay this way." As she finished her speech, the moon looked down upon them with great intensity. Fawnpaw couldn't help but wonder if StarClan was enjoying listening to them speak of good health and prey. "I suppose since we've all said what there is to say, shall this gathering be dismissed?" Meadowstar questioned softly. Hawkstar nodded calmly in agreement, but it seemed as if Sandstar had more to say. Fawnpaw cringed as Lizardpaw coughed loudly. I hope that's only a hair ball. She turned her attention to the thin DeathClan leader as he puffed his chest out.

"Before this gathering is dismissed, I would like to call my Medicine cat up to speak. Adderdust, please come forward." Confused whispers whispered throughout the large group of cats as Sandstar welcomed his medicine cat onto the High Boulder. Cats were pushed aside by a brown she-cat with fluffy fur as she squeezed her way onto the High Boulder.

"Thank you for welcoming me. One moon ago, I was visited by my mother, Toadclaw, in a dream. She spoke of a great fog that would bring death and sorrow with it. She never specified which Clan this fog will affect, but she said it is on its way."

"Death! I don't want to die! I've only just been made an apprentice." Fernpaw squeaked. Lizardpaw leaned into him, brushing his pelt with her own.

"Don't you worry, I won't let any cat come near you." Her voice was comforting. Fawnpaw stifled a groan as she thought of leaf-bare. The last thing they needed was danger in their coldest season.

"We appreciate your concern Sandstar. BreezeClan will keep a look out for any fog. I declare this gathering dismissed. BreezeClan, father yourselves and make your way off the island." Meadowstar commanded, jumping down from the boulder. The cats began to say their farewells and clumped together by Clan. Hawkstar pranced straight for her Clanmates, and directed them over the log.