AN: Oh my goodness it's been four days since I updated! Like I said in my Marked series, it's been tough getting to update. I just got a new computer and I'm still getting used to it - though I love technology and have a good idea where to start - hopefully by the following week updates will come more frequently. I've been thinking of maintaining a schedule for my updates so that I'm not panicking like I did this morning. Since I have time now and not next spring (I'll be going back to college to study Marine Biology), I figured I'll update now :) On to the story!


Chapter 3

The days seemed to blur together as time moved on. Sunstorm had grown accustomed to life in SkyClan. The Clan worked together as they built dens and found prey for the queens and Shadefur to eat. Sagefur was taking his roll as a leader seriously - something that Sunstorm would have expected from the older tom. Brindletail's kits were growing bigger from the strong milk she fed them. Sagefur had promised Dawnwind that her kits would become apprentices in a few days, something that caused them to stir in excitement.

Sunstorm was helping Rockfall adjust the brambles that they'd collected earlier as they built a stronger barrier. The black-furred tom was actually fun to be around - he wasn't irritable like the kits had made him out to be. Instead he told good stories of the old SkyClan, when Leafstar had been alive. He told her about the old territory and how the Clan developed tough pads from the rocks they grew up around. She was surprised by how much development the Clan needed while living in the gorge. It never occurred to her that they would need to evolve in ways that would help them survive.

"It looks like we're almost finished!" Rockfall exclaimed with a purr. "All of our hard work will be rewarded," he added when he glanced towards the empty fresh-kill pile.

"They're getting restless." Sunstorm's ears flattened when she heard squeals of excitement rising from the nursery - a den covered in bushes and surrounded by thistles that the warriors had gathered. It was dangerous for the kits to get too close, but it also protected the queens from intruders. The only way in was through the front, where the Clan could easily spot any cat trying to harm the queens. "It'll be nice to see them become apprentices," she said after relaxing.

"Yes," Rockfall murmured. "Dawnwind's been getting restless as well." His sentence ended in a purr when they heard the queen growl softly at her kits. Another hiss told Sunstorm that they'd annoyed her too far.

A shadow suddenly fell upon the clearing, telling Sunstorm that Sagefur was approaching the pile of branches that the Clan had put together. Crowfeather and Brownwhisker had worked together for a change. The two of them had formed a place where Sagefur could hold Clan meetings and watch the Clan from above. "Let all cats old enough gather around the Branchpile for a Clan meeting!" His voice rang around the clearing for all cats to hear. Sunstorm and Rockfall exchanged glances before padding towards the Branchpile, followed quickly by Fierstorm and Leafpool. Cedarclaw, Crowfeather and Brownwhisker were the last to join them. Dawnwind's head peered through the Branchpile when she heard Sagefur's call, but her attention was turned back towards her squealing kits. "By naming apprentices we show that our Clan will remain strong, even through the darkest of times," Sagefur began. "I may not have received my nine lives, but that does not mean I will carry out the duties every deputy or leader must perform."

Even as he spoke Sunstorm could see the smirk on Firestorm's face. He was planning something - she knew just from the look in his eyes that he was planning something that would harm his Clanmates. He didn't care what happened to them. She knew he was calculating like any other Clan cat, only he had the blood of rogues to prove it. Sunstorm didn't want to think about it as Dawnwind herded her kits out of the nursery. Batkit was bouncing around his mother's paws while Bloomkit followed more slowly. Ravenkit's blue eyes gleamed with triumph as he followed them towards the clearing. Sunstorm fought back a purr of amusement when she saw how different each kit was.

"Come forward you three," Sagefur meowed with a flick of his tail. As if the signal had been a cue, the three kits stumbled forward until they were at the base of the pile. Sagefur looked down at them, a grin on his face as he continued the ceremony. "Batkit, until you have received your warrior name you will be known as Batpaw. Eaglefeather, you are ready for an apprentice. You have proven your worth during the journey, and I expect you to pass this on to Batpaw." Sunstorm watched as the two touched noses. Eaglefeather didn't looked surprised that he'd been called out. In fact, he looked pleased that he, as the Clan's deputy, could mentor another kit. She lifted her muzzle a little at the sight of his arrogance.

"Bloomkit, until you have received your warrior name you will be known as Bloompaw. Firestorm, you are more than ready for an apprentice. You have the skills and stamina of your mother - something you should be proud of. I expect you to pass this on to Bloompaw, who is also part of our Clan, and part of our future." Sunstorm's eyes narrowed as she watched the ginger warrior touch noses with his apprentice. Bloompaw looked nervous that a larger cat - a tom especially - had been chosen as her mentor. Sunstorm couldn't help but feel surprised that Bloompaw didn't react though as she was taken back to the crowd. Ravenkit was the last kit left, and Sunstorm's interest suddenly perked up. So far Sagefur had chosen only SkyClan cats, and she had the feeling he would choose Rockfall as Ravenkit's mentor.

"Ravenkit, until you have received your warrior name you will be known as Ravenpaw. Sunstorm, you are also ready for an apprentice. Though you have only been a warrior for a short time, you have shown where your loyalty lies. I know you will make a fine mentor, and I expect you to pass this on to Ravenpaw." Sunstorm's eyes widened in disbelief as the black-furred apprentice whirled around to face her. His own eyes were wide with shock too. She glanced down at him until she summoned the strength to touch noses with him. Ravenpaw did the same, though he wasn't enthusiastic like his siblings. Instead his expression was emotionless as he followed her back to the crowd. "May StarClan look down upon and guide these new apprentices through their moons of training, and help SkyClan prosper with this new territory." Sagefur's head was lowered as he spoke, something that Sunstorm had noticed was a common trait about him.

Once the meeting was over, she turned to face her newly named apprentice. It still stunned her that Ravenpaw was her apprentice - of all the cats in the Clan Sagefur had chosen her. Perhaps Leafstar had said something to him before she died. There was no other explanation, seeing as Sunstorm was barely a warrior herself. Yet she couldn't help but also feel a little smug that she was one step ahead of everyone else. It meant Sagefur trusted her more than she'd realized.

"So...what should we do first?" Sunstorm asked when the Clan dispersed.

"Aren't mentors supposed to know that already?" She winced when Cedarclaw spoke up. He didn't sound amused like he normally did. His voice was masked with jealousy, something she'd never expected to hear. She knew that it would take him time to recover from the fact that she was younger and had been given an apprentice first. Most older cats were given apprentices because of their experience. But Cedarclaw wasn't experienced in ways that Sunstorm was. "Most cats usually know what to do with their apprentices by my age," he added when he noticed her confusion and frustration. "Maybe you should just let another cat take over for now."

Sunstorm ignored him and made up her mind. She nodded to Ravenpaw before padding towards the camp's entrance. Though the cliffs were steep, there were easier ways of getting up. Crowfeather had found a slope that led towards the top, one that wasn't as steep as the others. It was still rocky and would prove difficult, but at least it wasn't tough terrain. The forest above would make the perfect place to train him when it came to hunting. She and Leafpool had found a spot where apprentices could practice their fighting moves - far enough away from the cliffs so that the apprentices didn't accidentally fall off. It was near a glade that ran through ShadowClan territory.

"Up ahead is the patch of forest where Leafpool collects herbs," Sunstorm explained when they began to climb up the slope. Ravenpaw's breath came in quick huffs, but he didn't complain, much to her relief. "Can you believe that ThunderClan is just a few tail-lengths away? Most of the forest ahead belongs to them, but the other side is where we spend our hunting. Leafpool claimed patches of the forest ahead as her own so that she could collect herbs." She was surprised by how much information she could give out without realizing it. To her pleasure Ravenpaw was listening intently, as if his life depended on it. "You're welcomed to ask any questions as long as they're...reasonable," she added cautiously once they reached the top.

Ravenpaw was gasping for breath by the time they managed to climb the slope. Sunstorm waited for him to recover from the long climb before they continued. She knew that his muscles weren't as well developed. In time he would grow to enjoy the climbing - SkyClan cats were built for it. When Rockfall had told her about their jumping abilities, she knew that these slopes and cliffs were perfect. It meant the kits and apprentices could develop muscles that weren't normally used. "Is it always that hard?" Ravenpaw asked after he'd managed to catch his breath. He was gazing down the slope to where the camp was located. Sunstorm was awed by the view the cliff provided: She could see the entire valley from this view-point.

"In time you'll get used to them," she replied. "There are other means of getting to the top, but the other ways are more difficult." She flicked her tail when Ravenpaw gave her a look of dismay. She knew that he wasn't ready to face their challenge just yet. "Now you see those trees just ahead?" she asked when she pointed towards the ancient looking trees. "The border is where you can see two trees that are dead, or rotting away from the bottom. Shadefur thinks the trees will collapse in another two moons." A shudder coursed down her spine as she imagined the terrible sounds of trees creaking and groaning in pain as they were torn apart by Twoleg monsters.

The two of them made their way towards the forest, where Sunstorm was certain they would come across a ThunderClan patrol. The Clan had become more aggressive lately with borders - Berrynose or Ferncloud were usually leading them, telling her that they were the ones causing the aggression. She didn't want Ravenpaw to meet a patrol, but she knew that they would come across one sooner or later. The sooner Ravenpaw learned of their aggression, the better off he might be.

Trees towered above their heads as they padded into the forest. Birds called to one another in alarm. Ravenpaw's ears went back and forth as he took in the sounds. Sunstorm couldn't help but admire his calm nature as he followed her. When she was an apprentice she might have panicked from all of the new sights and sounds. She tried to recall how she'd first reacted when she became Poppyfrost's apprentice. Those days had been short-lived when Poppyfrost moved back to the nursery. The tortoiseshell she-cat had tried her best training Sunstorm, but in the end it was Whitewing who took over. Whitewing had done a much better job at mentoring than Poppyfrost, as much as Sunstorm hated to admit it.

To her relief there were no signs of ThunderClan. A fresh scent-marker told her that they'd just missed the sunhigh patrol. Either way she was glad they wouldn't have to deal with them. She knew that seeing her former Clanmates would only make it harder to return. She was part of SkyClan now, and her heart told her that it was the right choice. With Ravenpaw at her side, she knew that she would make a better warrior in SkyClan.

Once they left the trees, Sunstorm found herself relaxing a bit more. The forest towards ShadowClan's side of the border was a bit more open, with plenty of clearings and a glade that ran through into ShadowClan territory. Sunstorm's ears pricked forward as she led Ravenpaw towards the forest. Birds of prey often flew in open territory. Ravenpaw was an averaged sized cat, but a hawk could easily pick him up if it had the chance. She remembered hearing stories of how WindClan kits were sometimes swept off their paws while playing outside the nursery. She would never forgive herself if anything happened to Ravenpaw.

"That's ShadowClan territory, isn't it?" Ravenpaw asked when they reached the forest. This time another assortment of sounds began to fill the air. Crickets chirped in the cold winds of leafbare. A breeze picked up and ruffled their pelts, causing leaves to brush against one another. Grass and ferns had their own sounds as they were pushed against the breeze. "It's so dark where they live...how do they stand it?" His ears were pricked forward with interest as he looked at the pines that loomed ahead. Squirrels would be sleeping in nests there, where they could find easy food.

"ShadowClan cats only like to act menacing," Sunstorm replied with a wave of her tail. "They're not too bad, once you get to know them. But don't let your guard down - that's just what they would want. If one asks you questions, don't give out anything that might make your Clan look weak."

His blue eyes wide in shock, he dipped his head in embarrassment. Sunstorm knew that he wouldn't give out any secrets - he was better than that, and Dawnwind had raised him properly.

"Do you need a drink?" she asked when they reached the glade. Tiny minnows could be seen within the glade, and she saw tadpoles near the roots of plants. Her own mouth was dry from all of the traveling they'd done, and talking so much.

When Ravenpaw gave a tiny nod, the two of them leaned forward to drink. Sunstorm felt a shiver run down her spine from the icy cold water. It felt as though claws had raked down her spine - something that reminded her of the Moonpool.

Maybe this is where we can communicate with StarClan, she thought as she closed her eyes.

But she didn't sense any change. Normally the glade would have made her sleepy if StarClan were communicating with her. Or maybe they couldn't because she wasn't a medicine cat. Either way, she knew this wasn't the right place.

Dusk was settling around them by the time she was finished showing Ravenpaw the territory. Her paws felt numb with exhaustion by the time they reached the camp. Ravenpaw looked tired too, something she never expected to see. His siblings were already back, each talking about their own day. Sunstorm purred in amusement when they littermate joined them.

Her amusement didn't lost when she saw several cats running back and forth, all with panicked expressions on their faces. Sagefur looked worse compared to the others. His blue eyes searched frantically at the clearing until his gaze settled upon Sunstorm's.

"What's wrong?" she demanded when he approached her. His fur was standing on end as he held her gaze.

"One of Brindletail's kits went missing."


AN: Oh I just hate leaving you guys on cliffhangers, but that's what makes reading fun - it makes readers want to see more. And yes, Sunstorm did get an apprentice rather early, but Leafstar has a few tricks up her paws, if you know what I mean. Anyways, next chapter should come out some time next week. Not sure when though since my sister's graduation is coming up. She's finally getting her college degree (on elementary teaching of all things), so we'll be celebrating that for a while. Anyways, thanks everyone for your wonderful reviews and patience. You all get...Ravenpaw plushies!