CHAPTER ONE:

A fly landed on Skypaw's ear, and she resisted the urge to flick it away. Only mouse-lengths away from her, a squirrel nibbled happily on a nut, unaware of the danger it was in.

The hunt was over within moments. With a quick pounce, Skypaw's teeth sunk into the squirrel's flesh, killing it instantly.

"Nice catch!"

Skypaw dropped the creature, looking up to see her mentor emerging from the undergrowth. "The prey is getting lazy in the good weather," she purred.

"Still, it must be caught," meowed Thunderpelt, flicking his tail. "And you've only been an apprentice for a quarter moon."

Embarrassed by his praise, Skypaw shrugged and scratched at her ear. "I guess so," she mumbled.

Thunderpelt sighed softly, but didn't press the matter. "Would you like to go to the Gathering tonight?"

Interest sent Skypaw's head shooting up. "Can I?" And then, with unease, "Should I?"

"You've earned it. And they're hardly going to complain after all that's happened."

All that had happened. Memories from earlier moons flooded her mind, of blood and accusatory yowls, of hostile stares and the stench of greencough. Skypaw shivered, the greenleaf sun unable to burn away the coldness of death, nor the ominous warning Ashpaw had given her about the ShadowClan medicine cat apprentice, Brackenpaw. His actions will soon change the fate of the Clans forever. "I suppose so," she mewed.

"Hey, Skypaw! Do you - Oh, hi Thunderpelt!" Grasspaw, a fellow apprentice skidded out of the bushes with excitement in her eyes. "Do you - can she - we are - want -"

"She's trying to ask if Skypaw wants, and would be allowed, to go swimming in the lake with us," meowed Sunpaw with a slightly amused look on his face as he, Lilypaw and Blizzardclaw exited the brush behind Grasspaw.

"Swimming?" Skypaw exchanged glances with Thunderpelt when they chorused the word. "Er, why swimming?" added Skypaw, feeling awkward. "Isn't that a RiverClan thing?"

"I remember hearing old tales from the elders about a warrior who strengthened her muscles by swimming in the lake," Blizzardclaw explained. "I thought it might be good for Lilypaw."

Skypaw nodded thoughtfully. The dusky she-cat had sprained her paw a few sunrises ago, and she'd been resting ever since. Even watching her now, Skypaw could see the impatient anticipation in the apprentice's eyes. "Sure, I'll join you. If that's okay with you?" she added uncertainly to Thunderpelt.

"Of course." Thunderpelt stretched his muscles. "I'll come with you. Four apprentices might be too much for just one warrior."

"Thanks," meowed Blizzardclaw, his gratefulness sincere. "You never know what these buggers might try behind your back." He narrowed his eyes playfully.

Grasspaw stuck her tongue out at him. "Race you!" she called, spinning around and charging into the trees.

"No fair!" Lilypaw yowled after her. "I've got a bum foot!"

"I'll win for you," Skypaw told her, dashing away with Sunpaw at her heels. She accelerated, leaving him behind. Her small size gave her an advantage this time, enabling her to duck under logs and ferns when he had to jump or swerve them. Soon, Grasspaw and the lake came into view, and the dirt became stone beneath her paws. The tabby and white apprentice was almost to the water and, desperate to keep her promise to Lilypaw, Skypaw leaped forward.

The jump carried her farther than she'd anticipated. Yes, she passed Grasspaw, but she also landed right in the water, which, though shallow, still soaked her from head to tail and filled her mouth and nose.

"Great StarClan! Are you okay?" Half purring, half gasping, Grasspaw splashed her way over to Skypaw with wide eyes. "That was a huge leap!"

Spitting out the water, Skypaw shivered. "Too huge," she muttered.

Pebbles sprayed the shoreline as Sunpaw slowed, cocking his head in puzzlement. "Did I miss something?" he asked, taking note of the two she-cat's standing belly-deep in the lake, one of which was thoroughly wet.

"Only the first cat to ever fly," meowed Grasspaw dramatically. "Skypaw jumped, like, four fox-lengths!"

"Did not," Skypaw contradicted her. "Besides, when birds land in water, they don't fall right to the bottom."

"Hey, I didn't say you were graceful," mewed Grasspaw teasingly. "You did look more like a flying badger, but..."

Skypaw splashed her.

Purring, Grasspaw splashed her back, missing and hitting the bemused Sunpaw with the water. "Oops," she meowed, choking on laughter.

"Oh, now you're both in for it," Sunpaw growled, advancing on them with a gleam in his eyes.

"But I didn't do anything!" protested Skypaw, backing away.

"And I didn't mean to splash you!" Grasspaw wailed.

Sunpaw ignored them, but his whiskers were twitching in amusement at their feeble cries. But just as he crouched to leap, a yowl rang out.

"Stop!"

All three cats turned to see Lilypaw and the two warriors on the bank. Lilypaw blinked, obviously surprised at how well they'd responded to her command. "Er... What's going on?"

Exchanging a wicked glance, the three apprentices simultaneously doused her with water.

Author's Note

Happy Valentine's Day to all who celebrate it! As a gift of love, I thought I'd post the beginning of the second installment in the series - What Hurts The Most. Feedback would be a lovely valentine! And to old and new readers alike: I hope you enjoy the story!