Hi again everybody! I am still working on the next chapter, and I would appreciate it if you gave me feedback! no pressure! ;D

Chapter 2

Swiftkit followed his mother out of the nursery. He was finally six moons old, and ready to be apprenticed as a Mountain-chaser. Crowwhisker had been found in a ditch on the other side of the mudslide, badly wounded and shivering. Swiftkit had heard talk of greencough, but there hadn't been any cases since he was born. The rain had stopped, and the sunhigh light was warming the fur of all the warriors. Jayfeather slunk out of the elders' den, and muttered to Ivypool, "If only Brackenfur was here. He would love the warmth!"

Ivypool purred, "And Cloudtail!"

The pair moseyed off, and Swiftkit padded to where Stonekit was huddled with Wolfpaw. The older apprentice was boasting he would become a warrior any day now, but Swiftkit could see his mentor was still recovering from her daughter Pebblepaw's close collision with the mudslide. Stonekit spotted Swiftkit, and told him, "It's official. I am going to be a warrior apprentice!"

"That's great," purred Swiftkit through gritted teeth.

Stormwater padded over, purring, "Skystar is going to call a meeting any second! I hope you're both ready for the mountains!"

Stonekit flicked his tail contemptuously, and growled "There's more to life than chasing birds up mountains! A warrior can do so much more!"

Stormwater flattened his ears, but at that moment Skystar climbed onto the Meetingstone, calling out, "Let all cats old enough to chase birds in trees gather beneath me for a clan meeting!"

The warriors assembled, the Mountain-chasers in particular whispering. Skystar held up his tail for silence, before beginning, "Cats of Moonclan. I have summoned you all here today, to apprentice these two young cats. Swiftkit, Stonekit, step forward." – Swiftkit held his breath nervously, astonished by how calm Stonekit acted- "Stonepaw, I understand it is your wish to become a warrior. I have chosen Firesong to mentor you. May she pass on all of her knowledge and strength to you."

Stonepaw turned to his mentor, who touched noses with him proudly. Swiftpaw turned his attention back to Skystar, who nodded at him encouragingly. The great white leader continued, "Swiftpaw, you are an aspiring young Mountain-chaser, just like Birchpelt was. I'm sure you will learn well from him."

Swiftpaw sighed with relief. He enjoyed Birchpelt's company, the older cat had even taught him his first hunting crouch. Birchpelt rose to his paws, and touched noses with him. Out of the corner of his eye, Swiftpaw couldn't help notice Stormwater and Eaglewing pressed close and purring. Birchpelt's eyes glowed, and he purred, "Don't worry young one, you'll be fine!"

Skystar lifted his tail for silence, and continued, "Wolfpaw, Snowpaw, it's time."

The two apprentices padded forward proudly, and waited for Skystar to leap down beside them. The leader bounded down, and went on, "Spirits of Starclan, I ask you to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of a warrior, Wolfpaw, Snowpaw, do you promise to uphold the laws and customs of our clan? And to put your life before your duties and clan?"

"I do," the apprentices said together.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior names. Wolfpaw, from this moment onward you will be Wolfsong. Starclan honor your skills and willingness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Moonclan."

Wolfsong waited for Skystar to rest his muzzle on the new warrior's head, before licking his shoulder. The warriors called out his name, and Skystar waited before finishing, "Snowpaw, from this moment onward you will be known as Snowleaf. Starclan honors your kind heart, and your keen interest in learning, and we welcome you as a full warrior to Moonclan."

Snowleaf licked Skystar's shoulder, before joining his brother to hear the clan chant the new names. Birchpelt murmured, "That will be you one day."

The warriors drifted back to their duties, and Stonepaw waltzed over to his brother smoothly. Swiftpaw nudged his brother, "We're apprentices at last!"

Stonepaw opened his mouth, but Hollypaw padded up behind him and taunted, "We will be real warriors. You will be nothing more than an outsider! Mountain-chasers never become leaders!"

Birchpelt called, "Let's go Swiftpaw! Time for your proper tour of the mountains!"

Swiftpaw followed eagerly, and as Birchpelt led him down the wide trail, Swiftpaw could tell something was in the air. They trekked up and down the mountain, pausing rarely only to mark a stream of fallen tree. Birchpelt led Swiftpaw to a small overhang in the cliff face, where the entire territory could be seen easily. Swiftpaw rested his front paws on the ledge, and his hind paws securely on the sturdy boulder that sat between two dents in the path. "What can you see?" Birchpelt asked.

Swiftpaw scanned the horizon. The Moonclan territory was certainly an incredible sight. Half mountain, while the other half was a thick oak and cedar forest. That's where Stonepaw will be learning to hunt, Swiftpaw thought scornfully. "Focus!" Birchpelt scolded him.

"Sorry!" Swiftpaw ducked his head in embarrassment.

He glanced down, and reported, "I can see Stormwater and Ebonystep patrolling the mountain border."- He paused and scanned the forest- "And I can see movement in the trees, which I guess means the hunting patrol Hawkfeather was leading."

Birchpelt purred, "Very good! Is there anything else?"

Swiftpaw looked back down the trail to where his father was hunting, and spotted unusual movement in the bracken just ahead of them. "Hang on! I think I can see cats just outside the border."

Birchpelt shoved him back, and gasped, "Fishclaw. How dare Blossomstar!"

Swiftpaw pleaded, "Stormwater doesn't see them! We have to-,"

"You have to run back to the camp and get help!" Birchpelt ordered, "Now!"

Swiftpaw tore down the mountain, now that he new the second route to camp he didn't have to risk going near the enemies. But then he spotted Stormwater chasing a hare. He was headed straight for the enemy patrol. Swiftpaw hated the idea of disobeying his mentor on his first assignment, but his father's life could be in his paws. Swiftpaw took a deep breath, and hurled himself onto the main trail, screeching, "Stormwater! There are enemy cats ahead!"

Stormwater skidded to a stop, just in time for a huge black tom with a white ear to leap out from hiding. He hissed, "Stupid kit! You ruined everything!"

"Run Swiftpaw!" Stormwater yowled, before hurling himself upon the attacker.

Swiftpaw flew back to the trail, desperately following the path home. He heard cats following him, and one yowled, "The 'paw went this way Blossomstar!"

Swiftpaw reached the camp, and flew straight into Flowerheart. The young queen's three kits had only been born days ago, and Flowerheart was still very weak. She gasped, "Swiftpaw! What's wrong?"

"Sunclan are attacking!" Swiftpaw warned, just as Blossomstar and Nightwhisper burst into the camp.

Blossomstar screeched, "Skystar! Where is Claykit?"

Skystar emerged from his den, and retorted, "I have no idea who Claykit is."

"Don't play dumb! Even if you are a natural." Nightwhisper hissed.

"My mate has already kitted. And so has Echospirit. Why would I need to steal your kits when I have a full nursery?"

Blossomstar glared at Nightwhisper, "He's right! You said you saw a Moonclan warrior carry away your son!"

Nightwhisper hung his head, "I was mistaken. But a did see a cat carrying Claykit. He was headed for the forest."

Skystar leapt down, "We can offer you help. My warriors know that territory by heart."

Blossomstar shot him a grateful look, "Alright, it's settled. Skystar, you take Nightwhisper with your warriors. I would like to take a closer look at the mountains."

"Very well. Lightningfang, fetch Hawkfeather, Owltail, and Hollypaw. Stormwater, take your son and Ebonystep to the mountains with Blossomstar."

Stormwater flicked his tail, and the Mountain-chasers fell into line behind him. Blossomstar followed slowly behind, clearly acting as though she didn't belong. Swiftpaw fell back to escort her, and muttered, "Ready?"

Blossomstar glanced down at him, and replied, "I'm afraid of heights."