His point of view

I dug my claws into the tree as I clung to it, letting my tail hung low behind me. I hate climbing, I thought; no wonder other clans ask why we climb trees. But my mentor had told me it was an absolute advantage. But I had to. Even as an apprentice, I had to be at the top, so my leadership was guaranteed. I looked to the side and saw Softpaw and Bristlepaw purring and playing in the leaves. I looked back up the tree. I don't get to have fun. Fun was nowhere in my life, even as a kit I was thought how to think and fight. I growled and picked up a paw, digging my claws into the tree one by one until I was high enough.

Waterpaw came out of nowhere and took over my mind. She wasn't weird or funny; but she had an interesting way of thinking. It was only last night when I spoke to her but her words were running through my mind. Even the ones where she sounded annoyed. She's feisty. I climbed up again and stopped by a branch, looking down.

I won't be distracted; I thought and narrowed my eyes. I was competing with my brother; when one of us gets to be leader, he will finally respect us.

"Get down, here," Oakpelt called from below, "We'll be going through some techniques."

I slid down the tree easily due to lots of practice. I didn't even bother to complain. The more practice, the more better I became. And no one will distract me, or get in my way.

Waterpaw's point of view

"Why are you still mad?" I whined after Firepaw. Even though he was Riverclan cat his tail was orangish reddish yellowish.

"Yes," he whipped around and scowled, "I had to LIE to Liontail AND Shinningstar to save your tiny little tail because you went off somewhere in the night, got hurt, and had Thunderclan scent ALL OVER YOU!"

My pawed his mouth, "Shush!" I pulled him to the side, "Sorry. But I accidently got into their territory and one of the cats told me to leave-."

"What would a Thunderclan cat be doing up in the middle of the night?" he hissed.

He sooo not trying to scare me, "How should I know? Well, I got stubborn and said I'd leave whenever I wanted to and we kind of fought a little except he realized I couldn't fight and let me go."

Firepaw calmed down a little, "I can teach you if you want."

I purred. He wasn't made anymore! "Maybe later," I jumped up and down and looked to see the rest of the cats waiting for us, "Let's go, the gathering's about to start."

He stared at me with his golden eyes for a minute then purred, "I'm still mad at you. You could've gotten hurt. And you did."

I turned away, "I'm fine. The wound didn't open during training lessons."

He licked my flank and sighed, "Oh, Waterpaw…"

"You make it sound like I'm a problem," I followed him out of the den with the other cats. Mistpaw joined is.

"You are a problem," she butted in.

I glared at her and she wiggled her whiskers in amusement, "Don't worry, though. We don't mind."

I sighed. No wonder everyone thinks I'm weak. I kept walking with Firepaw a little behind the rest. I felt us slow down but I didn't notice.

I felt a nudge on my flank, "What's wrong? You should be excited. It's your apprentice announcement."

I looked up at the stars, "I don't know…Mistpaw's right. Everyone thinks I'm a problem and even Shinningstar has to check up on me every day."

"Waterpaw…"

"I know we're friends and all, but," I paused and stared at him, "you don't have to hide the fact that you watch over me because you're worried. Because I'm weak."

Firepaw let out a low growl, "You're nothing but weak. It's just been a little unfair to you since we've all learned how to fight and you haven't."

I sighed, "Yeah right. Even if I do learn to fight what's the guarantee I'll be good enough."

Firepaw stopped. His golden eyes were twinkling in excitement, "Tell you what: when you learn how to fight good enough, we'll let Liontail and Speedlegs pair us up to fight together."

My eyes widened in excitement. Shadowpaw better teach me good, "Good. You better watch out then."

"That's the spirit," he brushed my flank with his and pulled back. Mistpaw yelled us to hurry up so we ran and caught up. When we caught up, I smelled the damp smell of Shadowclan, refreshing smell of Windclan and the smell of Thunderclan which filled my nose with pine and red oak scents. I wrinkled my nose.

"We're last," I whispered to Firepaw and Mistpaw.

They nodded, "Get in the front," Firepaw and Mistpaw nudged me. I purred in delight as they pawed me to the front.

Pebblefoot looked down, "Waterpaw. I see you're excited."

"Yup," I answered shortly.

I looked up at Shinningstar, somehow feeling proud to see her high and mighty up there. She turned her blue eyes to mine and gave me a warm wink. I smiled.

(A/N: Do cats smile?Well, in here they do then…)

The Thunderclan leader, Dawnstar, had just landed on the boulder. I scanned my eyes along the Thunderclan cats and finally found the cat I was looking for. Well, cats. The two brothers were sitting side by side with some other apprentices. I looked away. We're not friends. Just…friendly cats that happen to strike a deal. I realized Firepaw was talking to me.

"Do you want to walk around?" he asked again.

"Um…" I didn't know, "Do you?"

He looked confused for a minute then nodded. Mistpaw was talking to someone so we just set out by ourselves. After a few steps, Icefur called us over.

She was talking to a Thunderclan cat, "Waterpaw, Firepaw, this is Oakpelt. He's a brilliant fighter."

"Hey," Firepaw nodded.

"Hi, I'm Waterpaw," I introduced myself.

Oakpelt nodded both our ways and called Halfpaw over, "This is Halfpaw. He's going to be the next generation me, so watch out."

I looked at Halfaw in surprise while Firepaw mewed another "Hey."

Finally, I decided. Pretend you don't know him, "Hi," I said again.

He looked at me dumbly like "Really?" I shrugged and looked away.

"Let's keep walking, Firepaw," I tugged on his tail, "Nice to meet you."

Oakpelt nodded again. Halfpaw didn't. Instead, he said, "How come your tail is orange if you're a Riverclan cat?"

Firepaw turned around, amused. He's heard that question so many times, "My mother was half Thunderclan. Redstripe."

Halfpaw didn't look like he knew the cat but Oakpelt's eyes widened, "You're her kit?"

Firepaw nodded, "I'm the only one with an orange tail. Everyone expects me to be a good climber."

I purred, "Well you are." And he was.

Halfpaw was strangely curious tonight because he asked another question, "And you? I can tell you're not fully Riverclan."

I narrowed my eyes, "You don't need to know that."

Halfpaw and Oakpelt's eyes widened in surprise, "Is it personal?" Shadowpaw's voice came as he appeared next to Halfpaw.

"No," I said bluntly.

Icefur purred, "You and Firepaw can go look around."

I nodded, "Come on," I tugged on Firepaw's tail before he turned around.

"Okay, okay," he mewed and smiled, "I'm right behind you."

We walked for a few more until I stopped and let all my nervousness out. How did he know I wasn't full Riverclan? Firepaw's ears twitched and he turned around. Mistpaw was panting and her right flank was soaked with blood. We rushed to her side.

"What happened?!" I asked.

"That doesn't matter," Firepaw looked calm as he turned to me, "Go get Icefur. She's the closest."

I nodded and sprinted back to Icefur in a second. Her eyes widened when I jumped out of nowhere.

"Mistpaw is soaked with blood for some reason," I explained while I caught my breath.

"What?" Icefur asked alarmed.

"Firepaw's with her right now," I've caught my breath by now and was pointing my muzzle towards the direction. She took off before I could finish my sentence. I sighed and was about to follow her when a voice stopped me.

"Are you going to answer the question?" Shadowpaw padded up to me. Halfpaw had disappeared. Good. He intimidated me a little.

"No." I was confident when it was with Shadowpaw.

"Why?" he pushed.

"Because I don't want to tell you," I said defiantly, "I don't know you."

He pouted, "You don't."

"Whatever," I pushed past him. Our pelts brushed together as I did that and I almost stopped to savor the sensation. His pelt was so soft. And now that we were in the dark, I could see the little grey stripes that ran across his pelt. So, he wasn't entirely dark pelted? The moon had covered that part last night.

He turned around and followed me, "So how's Riverclan."

"Amazing," I said and kept walking, trying to look for someone I knew. Frustrated, I came to a stop, "I don't know anyone here."

"Oh yeah, it's your first gathering, huh,"Shadowpaw waved his tail.

He was in my face that I was staring into his eyes. I looked away. Geez…, "You act like you've been to the gathering a lot of times. And you haven't."

"Why are you so cold? It's not like we're going to battle any time soon. And there's no reason to be hostile."

I paused. I didn't know either, "Fine. I'll be nice but don't try to annoy me so much."

He smiled warmly, "Great."

I looked away. I was getting this weird warm feeling in my chest. The kind I got every time I remembered my parents except this time it was more intense.

"What now?" Shadowpaw ducked his head so he was looking at me again. I raised my head and he did too. His eyes slightly widened, "What did I do?"

"Nothing," I muttered, "Shut up. Shinningstar's about to talk."

He shut up but he kept watching me. The whole time Shinningstar was making her annocements, he would watch me, then turn back around. But I could feel his eyes on my pelt anyway, like he was heating me up. I almost missed my queue when Shinningstar announced the 2 new apprentices.

"-Mistpaw and Waterpaw," she looked at me. I felt eyes on me and managed a little smile. Others were looking for Mistpaw.

I stepped forward, "There was an accident with Mistpaw. I think Icefur and Firepaw took her back to camp."

Murmurs erupted in the circle of cats until Shinningstar swiped her tail once, "What kind of accident?"

"She was running and tired when we found her and she had a pool of blood on her right flank," I explained to Shiningstar. Even here, I saw a little alarm glaze over her eyes.

Murmurs erupted again: "What if it's a new threat?" "Can't we have more than a moon of peace?" "Did Starclan warn the medicine cats?" "It's no big deal. Probably some soft Riverclan getting in a fight with one of those kittypets."I scowled at that last comment. Mistpaw would never do that.

Shinnigstar swiped her tail forcefully this time, "Silence. I'll check with my Mistpaw and clearify what happened. I'll send some cats to explain what happened later. For not, the gathering will continue undisturbed."

I looked down. Shinningstar was perfect to be a leader. And now everyone was behind her one-hundred percent. She really was a clan cat. Maybe I was one too after all.

"Waterpaw," Shadow whispered to me, drowning out Croakstar's voice, "What's wrong?"

"Why do you want to know?" I hissed.

He looked a little surprised and looked away when he said, "It doesn't feel right when you look that sad."

I think my heart might jump out of my chest. I gritted my teeth. What…? "It's nothing."

His eyes flickered up to mine fiercely, "No, it's not."

Why did he care so much? So what if it didn't feel right? He was making my chest hurt for no reason. How was he doing that!?

"Fine. I'll tell you later." I turned back to Tallstar as he spoke for Windclan.

"Tonight," Shadowpaw hissed glaring at me.

I nodded. Whatever. I just wanted to this feeling to go away. It was making my heart pound a thousand miles per hour. I glanced at Shadowpaw to catch him watching me. I looked away instantly. What is wrong with me? My eyes widened and everthing stopped for two solid seconds. Two seconds that lasted forever.

Then, everything came back. I am not. He's Thunderclan. He's…Shadowpaw. I can't. It's not possible. I shook my head, trying to deny the slightest possibility that-.

"You love him," someone whispered. I jerked away and tumbled into Shadowpaw. His fur felt good against mine.

I jumped back. No, no no. How in the world did this happen. One night! One stupid night!

"Why did you do that, Waterpaw?"

Why did he have to say my name like that? So soft and honey, like it was the most delicate thing ever. I looked up at him. His eyes coated with surprise, then caution.

"What?"

I turned away. The clans were leaving. I followed silently. He followed.

"Hey, what is it?"

I whipped around, "Stay away from me."

I jerked back and walked away. The whole walk home, I was alone. Sometimes, I think would see a shadow but it would turn out to be a normal tree. Sometimes, the branches would make the shadow have a half crest. Why, why why!?

I raced home ahead of the rest, ignoring everyone's protest. When I got home, I headed for my bedding. I was supposed to meet him tonight.

I won't go. I won't let things get any further.

His point of view

Why did she keep dodging the questions we were asking her? I grunted. Most importantly, why was I still thinking about her? The way her eyes widened and her eyes got even bigger than they already were. The way they narrowed and got dangerous…

I don't think when I'm around her. I say something's I shouldn't. I should stop. I should. Because she occupied my mind for the whole day that I couldn't focus.

I should. But can I?