CHAPTER 1

A cold, leaf-fall wind settled over the ShadeClan camp. Even in the comfortable nursery of brambles, Darkkit had to fluff up his fur to have even a chance of keeping warm. The sun hadn't quite crested over the horizon, past the trees, yet, so the morning dew wasn't offering much help, either. Darkkit's dark tabby pelt was almost lost in the shadows of the nursery, his nose peeking out of the exit as he listened to the sounds of the older cats. Darkkit glanced over his shoulder at his denmates, who were curled up in tight balls, pressed against their mothers, and shuddered at a cold chill. Just as he began to consider going back to Lightheart, Dovekit, and Pheasantkit to keep warm, he heard the call of the deputy, Tawnyfur.

Watching the dark brown, black-patched she-cat bound toward the meeting place, Darkkit strained his ears, though he didn't really need to; her voice was crisp and clear, and carried well. He observed the Shade Pool, a raised patch of earth with a pool of pristine water where deputies and leaders shared news with the Clan. The water appeared dark from his vantage point, however, without the sun capable of reflecting off of the water's surface. Tawnyfur stood beside it, now, her tail sweeping back and forth casually, its tip almost touching the pool water but missing by half a whisker-length. Tawnyfur always stood and walked with purpose, her shoulders drawn and her chin high. The proud she-cat was one of Darkkit's mentors, or so he liked to think. He would intently listen and watch her as she directed the Clan, exhilarated by the idea that maybe, one day, he would be able to stand in the same place, doing the same.

"Dustfur, take Velvetfur, Olivetail, and Birdpaw out on a dawn patrol. I will lead a hunting patrol consisting of Brackenwing, Foxpaw, and Snakefall at the far side of the territory, near the Moontrees. Deerpelt, take a patrol to the off-territory border with Robinpaw, Hissingshine, and Duskfoot," Tawnyfur spoke with such ease that Darkkit envied her. Would he ever be able to direct cats in such a way, to be confident in all of his doings? He sighed dreamily, imagining what he often did: being deputy.

Then, reality came to him. How was he supposed to be deputy if he couldn't even go out of camp? Darkkit twitched his tail back and forth, watching Foxpaw as the russet she-cat followed the three warriors leading her patrol out of the camp. Her eyes were bright as usual, and Darkkit frowned, feeling a spike of frustration. "Apprentices are so lucky," he hissed under his breath, watching her tail disappear out through the gorse tunnel.

A paw touched Darkkit's shoulder and he whipped around, his fur lifting as he prepared to cry out, but he forced it down, blushing with embarrassment as he realized that it was only Nightclaw's kit, Thornkit. The dark brown tabby tom withdrew his black paw, setting it down, chuckling at his reaction. Darkkit shrugged off his feelings and laughed with him, feeling better, now. Thornkit grinned and purred, "At least we don't have to search the elders for ticks! What a yucky task!" Darkkit purred agreement, feeling a grin across his face as well.

Their playfulness was shot down when a growl came from Applekit, Thornkit's brother, "Can you keep it down? Some of us are trying to sleep here." The big black kitten's blue eyes were glaring, his fur lifting somewhat on his shoulders with his agitation.

Darkkit kept his chin high, determined not to feel intimidated, even though he was three moons younger than Applekit and his siblings. "It's dawn! Try getting up, lazy fur-ball!" he replied, a stern scowl on his face. He was imitating his mother, Lightheart, who often gave her kittens a look such as that.

As soon as Applekit rose from his spot, Darkkit's confidence evaporated and his ears flattened. It took all his willpower not to shrink away as Applekit approached him, looming over him. "What did you call me?" he snarled, his lips pulled back. His stockier, taller self reminded Darkkit of how much smaller he was. After a few moments of returning glares, Darkkit finally turned his head away and shrank back, his tail curling between his legs.

Thornkit nudged Applekit away from his younger denmate. "Lay off, Applekit, and lighten up!" he exclaimed, giving him a warning glare. "Today is a wonderful day. We should enjoy it!" Applekit grumbled, glaring at the wall, and Darkkit adjusted his position, trying to regain his ability to stand up straight after the scare.

The soft padding of paws made the tom kits turn their heads. Dovekit was approaching them, her eyes closing as she yawned, shaking out gray fur. She asked them after the action was over, "What're you all doing?"

Darkkit exchanged a glance with Thornkit, and, deciding not to mention what had happened between him and Applekit, meowed, "Just finding out what's going on in the Clan." He smiled at his sister, finally fixing his posture and lifting his tail cheerfully. Applekit scoffed in disdain, but Darkkit ignored him, looking at Thornkit, who looked as if he was about to speak.

"We should get back to bed," Thornkit told his denmates. "Nightclaw would be furious if we woke her up with all of our racket." He trotted toward the black she-cat, Applekit following closely behind. The brothers didn't talk, laying down next to their mother and curling up to sleep, just as Thornkit had suggested.

Dovekit was grinning, watching them. "Applekit's so funny," she giggled, her eyes shining. It was the most absurd thing Darkkit had ever heard! He narrowed his eyes after blinking for a moment in surprise. Did she honestly like that nasty mouse-brain?

Darkkit muttered disbelievingly, trying not to let Applekit and Thornkit hear, "He only treats Pheasantkit and me with scorn. How could you possibly think he was funny?" He gave his tail a little lash, clenching his jaw.

Dovekit gave him a blank look and shrugged. "He's nice to me. He makes jokes all of the time," she explained herself, staring at him as if it was he who had said the strange thing.

"Jokes!" Darkkit scoffed, glaring down at the ground now. He knew that Applekit would try something like this! He always isolated Darkkit and his brother. It was difficult enough to stay in the same den as the rude cat, let alone have his sister decide she liked him!

Dovekit opened her jaws to say something, her green eyes sharp and stern, imitating the same face Darkkit had tried to, earlier, but a loud call interrupted her, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather by the Shade Pool for a Clan meeting!"

Immediately, Nightclaw jolted awake, ears tucking back. "Oh no!" she gasped, staring at the exit. "I slept in too late!" She quickly began to lick her kits' fur straight before nudging them to their paws and bundling them toward the exit.

So today's the day, Darkkit thought to himself, not sure whether to be relieved or feel dread. Applekit, Wingkit, and Thornkit were about to be apprenticed, which meant that they would receive mentors and learn how to hunt and fight for the Clan. Darkkit was pleased that they would no longer be staying in the same den as him, but he was also disgusted by the thought that he would one day join them in the apprentices' den, to be cuffed and mistreated by Applekit, who would then have the right to. If Applekit was an older apprentice, he would know so much more than Darkkit. He would be able to show off whenever he wanted, and all of the other kittens would fall all over his paws! Then Darkkit would be left with no one. Nonetheless, he dragged his paws out of the den to watch the ceremony, sitting beside his father, Ratstorm, and curling his tail over his paws. Dovekit and Pheasantkit appeared beside him, their pelts brushing against his, reminding him how cold he had been.

Darkkit smoldered silently, glaring at Applekit from where he sat, the sounds of the camp reducing to murmurs. Applekit was such a mouse-heart! Why was he being apprenticed? All of the cats of the Clan must have had no clue of all of the cruel remarks he had made to the youngest toms of the nursery! How else would they possibly be able to accept him like this? Darkkit's tail lashed back and forth to signify his anger, and he was brought back to reality with a sharp nudge from Pheasantkit. Darkkit blinked a few times and turned his gaze on Pinestar, the ShadeClan leader, who was standing by the Shade Pool, black fur reflecting the sunlight that was now beginning to filter in.

Pinestar was partway through the introduction of the ceremony, and Darkkit felt the drag of guilt weighing upon him as he tuned in to it, "-now I shall do it. Thornkit, from this moment forward you shall be known as Thornpaw. Your mentor shall be Poolshadow. Poolshadow, you are a kind and generous cat, and I believe you will pass down all your knowledge to young Thornpaw." He looked at Poolshadow, who came forward, her blue eyes bright and shadowy-gray fur sleek. She stood beside the apprentice, who could hardly contain his excitement; trembling. Darkkit scowled. Poolshadow was one of the kindest cats in the Clan, and Thornpaw thought he was so awesome for receiving her as a mentor! He closed his eyes for a moment, scolding himself for thinking that way. Thornpaw was a good friend, and Darkkit should appreciate him for that.

Pinestar watched the apprentice and mentor for a moment, then called, "Wingkit, please step forward!" He gazed down at the black she-cat, who was nearly the spitting image of her mother. Wingkit moved forward, glancing at her brothers, looking ready to burst, as Pinestar continued, "Wingkit, from this moment forward, you shall be known as Wingpaw. Your mentor shall be Oaktail. Oaktail, you are a loyal and smart warrior, and I trust you to pass all that you know to Wingpaw." As soon as Pinestar said this, however, Wingpaw's head ducked down and her ears flattened, looking almost embarrassed. The she-cat dragged her paws forward, her tail twitching back and forth to reveal her nervousness, her shy gaze meeting her mentors. Oaktail murmured something that Darkkit didn't catch, though he'd imagine it was reassurance.

"Applekit," Pinestar called the large kit. Darkkit's ears perked and he couldn't help but lean in closer, as if it was necessary. He silently prayed to StarClan, their warrior ancestors, that Pinestar would give Ivyfoot to Applekit for a mentor. Ivyfoot was viewed as the strictest and meanest mentor in all of the Clan, and Darkkit would love to see how Applekit handled that. Applekit was already striding toward Pinestar, now, his chin lifted, so there was no need for the leader to tell him to step forward. Pinestar carried on, "From this day forward, you will be known as Applepaw." Darkkit held his breath, nearly quivering with anticipation. "I will be your mentor."

No! Darkkit could only stare in shock and horror as Applepaw grinned and touched noses with Pinestar, just as the other apprentices were to their mentors. "I will do my best to learn how to serve the Clan," Applepaw meowed, and Darkkit could tell he was making certain it was audible. Darkkit didn't know what to think! How could Applepaw, of all cats, receive Pinestar for a mentor? Having the leader for a mentor was a grand honor! It was certainly something that Applepaw didn't deserve! Darkkit clenched his jaw. Of course he got Pinestar, though. In the eyes of all of the other cats in the Clan, he was a handsome StarClan warrior ready to save them all!

Darkkit lifted his chin, determined to look confident. He squared his shoulders and walked toward the nursery, lifting his tail in the air. He didn't want Applepaw to think that he had won! The dark-brown-footed apprentice was already giving him a smug look, and Darkkit was tempted to run over there and claw it off his face. He came to his mother, Lightheart, who was crouching just within the nursery, keeping his gaze on the ground, hoping she wouldn't notice his mood. She didn't speak, though, staring out of the nursery. Strange. Usually, she always identified the moods of her kittens.

Darkkit shrugged that off and moved over to his nest. He laid down, pouting over this loss that had been completely out of his control. He heard Pheasantkit and Dovekit wandering back into the den. "I can't believe Pinestar took Applepaw to be his apprentice!" Dovekit was exclaiming, and Darkkit imagined her bright, shining eyes when she had told him she thought Applepaw was funny. "What an honor!"

Darkkit felt the gaze of his brother, Pheasantkit, who sometimes seemed omniscient to him. The big brown and red tom almost always seemed to know everything that was going on with each individual cat in a given area. Darkkit knew that Pheasantkit had to be aware of his mood, and wasn't surprised when he heard him suggest, "Why don't we play a game of moss-ball?"

There was a pause of consideration before Dovekit purred, "Sure. Why not?" Darkkit listened to them gather scraps of moss together, forming a small ball out of it. He expected the paw steps that followed, leading up to him, and felt Pheasantkit tap his side.

Darkkit looked up at Pheasantkit, scowling, and his brother angled his ears toward the moss-ball, taking one step back invitingly, and Darkkit sighed, staring into his light blue eyes. Pheasantkit smiled at him a little and nudged him to his paws, flicking his tail, beckoning. Reluctant, Darkkit pushed himself into a standing position, walking slowly toward Dovekit and the moss-ball. Pheasantkit nudged him gently, and Darkkit couldn't help but smile a little at his brother's attempts to cheer him up. Deciding to give him something rewarding in return, Darkkit blocked the ceremony from his mind, focusing on the game. Soon, he found himself having fun, purring and tossing the moss-ball around with his littermates excitedly. It had been quite the day already, and it wasn't even sunhigh.