Chapter 1

A chilly wind drew over the sheltering pine trees overhead. The sky was a scattered blend of dawn and gray clouds, where the sun hid its warmth. Below, in the clearing of the PineClan camp, cats where reluctantly poking their heads out of their dens. It was clear they weren't thrilled about the returning cold of leaf-fall, as greenleaf was finally clearing away.

A joyous cry came from the nursery, followed by the snap of a queen.

"Tinykit!" Creamrose looked sternly at her daughter. "Do you want to wake every creature in the forest before the warriors can feed us?"

Tinykit, a fluffy white she-kit flipped over onto her back, wriggled excitedly. "It wasn't my fault! Hazelkit started it!"

Creamrose turned to Hazelkit, who was innocently blinking near their nest. "I only mentioned becoming apprentices soon..."

"With added details!" Tinykit pointed out.

Hazelkit purred, her light brown fur fluffing up in amusement.

Creamrose sighed. "Speaking of apprentices, you two are getting pretty big. You take up almost the whole nursery now that Petaltail's moved in." Creamrose glanced over at the pale gray she-cat resting in the warm shadows; her swollen belly was outlined along her nest.

She turned back to her kits. "Your father will be so proud of you both," she purred.

Hazelkit's heart swelled in pride. She couldn't wait to become an apprentice to show her Clan what a loyal warrior she'd make, and her father, Fallenwing, was no exception.

Tinypaw leaped back onto her paws as if reclaiming a new found energy. "Can we go outside, Creamrose? Can we?"

"I don't see why not," Creamrose meowed.

Excitedly, Hazelkit and Tinykit bolted away. Behind them, their mother called, "Just stay out of the medicine cat's den!"

Hazelkit leaped around, ignoring the cold ground beneath her paws. Ever since she and Tinykit had explored the camp two seasons ago, they couldn't wait for a chance to get outside and play around the camp. It was even more of a thrill for them because they would be apprenticed soon!

Tinykit pushed past her sister in an excited heap and turned on her. "What should we play?"

Hazelkit lowered onto her haunches. "Let's play invaders! You be the FadeClan invaders, and I'll be Redstar! The nursery can be PineClan."

Getting into character, Tinykit let out a menacing growl and swiped at Hazelkit with an outstretched paw. Hazelkit dodged it and braced herself for Tinykit's next move.

Suddenly, Tinykit stopped and plopped to the ground.

Hazelkit blinked in worry and padded up to her sister. "Tinykit?" she asked, poking her in the side.

In a whirl of white fur, Tinykit bolted up and plunged Hazelkit underneath her tiny paws yowling in victory. "I triumph over you Redstar!"

"Hey!" Hazelkit spat, twisting under her sister's grasp.

"Well done, Tinykit," a voice warmed.

The she-kits looked up to see Fallenwing coming up to them, his friend, Owlfeather, was following more slowly.

The she-kits purred warmly and ran up to meet their father with licks and nuzzles. Hazelkit could smell the forest lingering on her father's pelt, it made her claws extend with the wanting of adventure.

"Did you come from patrol, Fallenwing?" Hazelkit prompted.

Fallenwing looked down at them warmly. "The dawn patrol in fact... Are you two excited about your upcoming apprentice ceremonies?"

"Yes!" Tinykit meowed, her blue eyes wide.

"Just one more moon," Fallenwing sighed. His eyes wandered onto Hazelkit, and for a moment, Hazelkit wondered why his eyes looked so gloomy. She noticed Owlfeather looking at her too. His green eyes burned into hers, making Hazelkit edge back a little.

Fallenwing blinked, he seemed to notice he was staring. "Well, we have warrior duties to fulfill little ones. Leaf-fall has arrived and the Clan must be fed."

"Soon, that will be our duty, too!" Tinykit chirped.

Fallenwing's eyes brightened. "That's right!" He nodded. "Good day, kits."

As Hazelkit and Tinykit watched the toms leave, Creamrose padded up behind them and watched Fallenwing and Owlfeather head to an area where the warriors began to gather around Oakfoot, the PineClan deputy, for duties.

"Watch the warriors, kits," Creamrose murmured. "Soon, you'll have one of them be your mentors."

"Can Fallenwing train me?" Hazelkit asked.

"Parents can't train their own kits, fuzz-brain!" Tinykit snorted.

With a glare at her sister, Hazelkit begged, "That isn't true, right, Creamrose?"

"I'm afraid it is, dear," Creamrose murmured. "But don't worry. Redstar will give you wonderful mentors in due time. He is very wise."

Hazelkit gazed over at the warriors. She saw Fallenwing and Owlfeather amongst them at once and flinched as Owlfeather's stingy eyes met hers. She quickly looked away. I'll glad take any mentor, as long as it's not him!

And that is all of chapter 1... Chapter 2 will come soon! How will Hazelkit's fate begin? Stay tuned to find out, it goes downhill from here, readers... Reviews and Criticism are appreciated!

~Kitty McGold