What About Me?

It was an ordinary day in ShadowClan.

I sat, grooming myself, and listened in on the conversations around me. I was generally ignored by these cats, because I wasn't Clanborn. I used to be a rogue, and my name was Linder. Now, my name is Lizardkit. I'm kind of infamous for my "blazing" temper and razor-sharp wit, which sometimes gets me into trouble with Darkshine, my foster mum. At six moons, I will become an apprentice soon, although I'm unsure about the cats I'll be with.

I'm not spoken to often, so I keep myself occupied by eavesdropping. It's bad, I know, but I don't have anything better to do. Most of the time, the conversations rotate around the handsome Nightpaw, or the chores the other apprentices have. This time, however, is different.

"Hollystar said we couldn't go to the Gathering!" Applepaw shrieks furiously.

Elkpaw and Starlingpaw, her side-cats, look up. "What?" asks Elkpaw.

Applepaw takes a deep breath. "The only apprentices going to the Gathering are Vinepaw, Stonepaw, Shadepaw, and Boulderpaw! We're stuck here with her."

All three of them look at me, and I can feel my pelt burning with embarrassment and hurt. Luckily, I'm used to this sort of thing, so it isn't all that surprising. As a kit, Applepaw had been playing moss ball with me, and was bragging about her skill. She taunted me, and I beat her. Ever since, she's been holding a grudge. I personally think she's petty.

Applepaw turns away. "Anyway, I have an idea," her voice dropped to a whisper, "why don't we follow them to the Gathering? Then, we won't have to be stuck with you-know-who." All three give me THE LOOK again before returning to their plotting.

Elkpaw sounds surprised. "I'm not sure that's a good idea..."

Applepaw cuts her off. "You're Minkheart's daughter! Your mum and Hollystar are inseparable! You won't get in trouble. And besides, we won't get caught!"

Starlingpaw is currently nodding. "I'll do it, Applepaw, even if scaredy-mouse Elkpaw won't."

Applepaw gives her a look of approval, saying, "I knew I could trust you, Starlingpaw. So, Elkpaw, are you in? Or out?"

Elkpaw swallows, muttering, "In, I guess."

"Good," replies Applepaw. "We leave on a "hunting patrol" then ditch and meet at the oak on the hill above the slope that leads to the island."

The other two apprentices nod, Elkpaw a tad more hesitant.

Applepaw purrs. "Sunset. Be there or we leave without you." And with a swish of her tail, she's gone.

I'm frozen in shock. Sneak out to a Gathering? That's directly against the warrior code! Should I tell someone? I'm not sure; I don't want to be a tattle, but I can't stand by either. I have to follow them.

That Night

Applepaw walks up to the her mother, the deputy. "Firdust, may my friends and I go on a night hunting patrol? We need to practice." Applepaw's pupils dilate, giving her a cute, kit-like appearance. Firdust's eyes shine at her daughter's "commitment".

"Of course you may! I'm so glad you're working hard and wanting to achieve more! Now, I have to go to the Gathering, so be responsible, okay?" Firdust meows.

Applepaw purrs happily. "Thanks, mum!" and summons Elkpaw and Starlingpaw to her side. All three saunter out of the camp, graceful as swans.

I wait until they're gone, then slip out behind the medicine den. They are fairly easy to track; I'm guessing they weren't expecting anybody to follow them. Their scent leads past the marsh where we catch frogs, and down to the stream bed. I break into a fast, but mostly silent, sprint and leap across the skinniest part of the stream, landing safely on the opposite bank. Finally, I catch a glimpse of them through the trees, and hear Starlingpaw's obnoxious whining.

"Why couldn't we have caught something to eat?" Starlingpaw whines.

"Because we had to get out quickly!" retorts Applepaw. "You're already a bit bigger than the rest of us; you don't need more food!"

Starlingpaw hangs her head, eyes shadowed. I feel a stab of pity. Applepaw had no right to say that! Starlingpaw isn't large at all!

The trio continues toward the island, when I hear something. A rustle in the brush. A snap of a twig. And a snarl!

A fox leaps out in front of the three, a guttural snarl erupting from its mouth of fangs. Applepaw screams and, shoving her friends out of the way, climbs the nearest pine. Starlingpaw pushes Elkpaw into the fox's side. I leap forward, and slash my claws across the fox's face before it can attack Elkpaw.

"Help!" Elkpaw screeches. "Someone!"

Teeth slice into my shoulder, and I howl in pain. Another second later, and the fox has my foreleg in its jaws. I am thrown off my paws and into a bramble bush. Elkpaw rushes over to shield me while I recover.

The fox is circling us now. I get to my paws, leaning heavily on Elkpaw, when we hear thundering pawsteps. Moments later, a patrol bursts from the shadows and lunges for the fox!

"Starlingpaw must have gotten help!" exclaims Elkpaw.

We watch, exhausted, as the patrol drives off the fox. When the area is secure, we go back to camp, where Russetfeather treats my shoulder. The wound is shallow, thank StarClan. Russetfeather wraps it in cobweb and sends me to the clearing with Applepaw, Starlingpaw, and Elkpaw. Hollystar is perching regally atop her tree branch and peers down at us.

"What, exactly, were you doing outside of camp?" she inquires

icily.

Firdust steps forward. "I sent Applepaw, Elkpaw, and Starlingpaw on a hunting patrol. Applepaw, tell them what happened."

Applepaw feigns shyness. "If you insist. While we were stalking a pheasant, we heard rustling and saw Lizardpaw sneaking out of camp. We followed her to the slope of the hill where the Clan normally waits for Gatherings, and confronted her. Then, the fox attacked. While Starlingpaw got help, Elkpaw and I fought the fox. Lizardpaw hid in the brambles."

Appalled, I step forward, slightly wincing at my injured shoulder. "That's not true!"

Applepaw snarls viciously, "Then ask Elkpaw!"

I freeze. This is bad. Elkpaw won't stand up for me!

Elkpaw' eyes are wide with fear. "Well..."

Applepaw rolls her eyes. "Tell them!"

Elkpaw furtively glances at me. I lower my eyes.

"TELL THEM!" Applepaw practically shrieks.

"Silence!" Hollystar snarls. Continuing more gently, she adds, "What happened, Elkpaw? Don't worry, just tell the truth."

Elkpaw takes a deep breath, and I watch her eyes fill with new resolve...and resentment for Applepaw's treatment of her.

"Applepaw is lying. Starlingpaw, Applepaw, and I all wanted to see the Gathering, so we snuck out on a "hunting patrol." Lizardpaw followed us because she had eavesdropped - yes, Lizardpaw, it was pretty obvious - and didn't want us to get hurt. She saved my life. If it wasn't for her, Minkheart and Brackenclaw would not have a daughter." Elkpaw says, only her eyes betraying the raw fear she feels.

Hollystar fixates her piercing green gaze on me. "Is this true, Lizardpaw?"

"Yes," I meow.

Applepaw splutters, "They're both lying! Firdust!"

Firdust looks angry. "I have never known Elkpaw to lie, Applepaw. I don't want to condemn you, but Elkpaw is honest. She is truthful, but lately, I haven't been given cause to believe that you are."

"Well, what about Starlingpaw? Ask her!" Applepaw pleads, desperate.

Starlingpaw is nervous as the entire Clan turns to her. The whites of her eyes are showing, and she has the appearance of a cornered rabbit.

"Well, Starlingpaw?" queries Hollystar, slightly impatient.

"Elkpaw is right. What she says is true," Starlingpaw murmurs, shamefully avoiding Applepaw's furious amber glare.

"Thank you," Hollystar says briskly with a nod at Starlingpaw. "Applepaw, as punishment, the elders will be your responsibility until further notice. Elkpaw and Starlingpaw, I will lessen your sentences. You will both be on the dawn patrol and part of the night watch for one moon. Meanwhile, we have a Gathering to attend, along with a new apprentice."

The cats are beginning to look at me, as does Hollystar. "Lizardkit, come up to the tree."

I proceed in front of Hollystar, who had jumped to the ground.

She smiles at me and begins the ceremony. "Lizardkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Lizardpaw. Firdust will be your mentor. I hope Firdust will pass on all she knows onto you."

The Clan is surprised, most of all Firdust. Applepaw is furious.

Firdust, you are ready to take on another apprentice. You received excellent training from Deerflight, and proved your skill in mentoring when you mentored Marshbird. You will be the mentor of Lizardpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her."

We touch noses, and Firdust purrs at my astonished expression. "Don't worry. You'll do great! I'm glad I got to mentor you; you seem like a able cat."

"Lizardpaw! Lizardpaw! Lizardpaw!"

The Clan calls my name, and with a flick of her tail, Hollystar summons us to her. "To the Gathering!"

Cheering, some still chanting my new name, we surge out of camp, through the shadows, and to the island. The Clans are waiting for us.