"Leopardpaw, wake up. Mousefur is waiting for you." Leopardpaw scrunched her face in annoyance as Bramblepaw swiped at her muzzle, his paw fur tickling her nose and making her sneeze. "Eww, you got your boogers on me!"

"Can you two hurry up?" Tawnypaw huffed, Leopardpaw opening her eye to see her sister stomping her foot. "You're going to make us late for our first day of training. Leopardpaw, do you really want to keep Mousefur waiting knowing she'll slice your ears off without a moment's notice?" Leopardpaw scrambled to her feet when she realized Tawnypaw was right and sprinted out the den, ignoring Sandpaw and Dustpaw's snickering as she left.

With her siblings at her heels, Leopardpaw approached the three mentors and lowered her ears in fear when Mousefur snapped her head to look at her. "Oversleeping on your first day."

"I know, I'm really sorry. I promise it won't happen again."

"Make sure it doesn't. You want to stay behind and search the whole clan for ticks instead of touring the territory?" Leopardpaw shook her head. "Didn't think so. You should think twice before keeping me waiting."

"Lighten up, Mousefur," Willowpelt chuckled, giving the she-cat a shove. "I think she gets the point." Mousefur grumbled under her breath while Runningwind beckoned everyone to the entrance.

"Let's get started." Leopardpaw raced her siblings to the entrance and smiled as a fresh breeze welcomed her to the forest, trees towering over her and birds whistling their melodies. Leopardpaw stepped deeper into Thunderclan territory, soft grass tickling her paws and Mousefur's pelt brushing against hers as she stood beside the apprentice.

"We're heading this way!" Mousefur called as she led Leopardpaw away from the group. Leopardpaw made sure to keep up the pace as she continued sightseeing and following Mousefur through the forest.

"What are we going to see first, Mousefur?" Her mentor caught sight of a hill and hurried over to climb it. Leopardpaw didn't question her and followed her instead, her eyes taking in the sights as she made her way up. Mousefur waited for the apprentice to sit beside her before looking out at the view, Leopardpaw's eyes wide in awe. Mousefur motioned her tail to the edge of the forest where strange dens littered the area, roofs of reds and browns and Twolegs walking down paths. Leopardpaw almost thought they were ants from her view.

"Over there's the Twoleg place. That's where kittypets and Twolegs live with their monsters and dogs," Mousefur explained. Leopardpaw twitched her ear in confusion.

"Why would they want to live there? What's stop kittypets from living here in the forest?"

"Kittypets aren't comfortable in the forest like us wild cats. They don't understand or agree with our customs, so they just stay with Twolegs to be pampered and fat." Both she-cats rolled their eyes at the thought.

"I see why Fireheart left to join us. I would've gotten sick of that life and those soft cats. Where's the adventure and purpose of life?" Mousefur gave a small hum to indicate her agreement then pointed her tail to a massive area with rocks and shadows.

"That's Snake Rocks. Keep in mind to stay away from that place. It's filled with adders and I don't want you getting bitten anytime soon, you hear?" Leopardpaw gave her a firm nod and Mousefur turned to a sandy clearing near the camp, two cats already in the clearing performing a mock battle. "That's Sandy Hollow. It's where you and the other apprentices will be training. We train there because it's soft so if we fall, we won't hurt ourselves." Leopardpaw grinned with excitement.

"Can we train there now?"

"As much as I would love to throw you around like a pathetic mouse, I need to finish the tour."

"Pfft, I bet I can take you." Mousefur gave her a deadpanned expression and Leopardpaw burst out laughing. "I can!"

"I guess we'll see tomorrow." The warrior gave Leopardpaw a playful flick to the ear with her tail before beckoning to Four Trees. "That's-"

"Four Trees!" Mousefur shot Leopardpaw a glare when she interrupted, but the apprentice was too excited to notice. "That's where the gatherings are held! There's one tonight!"

"Right," Mousefur huffed in annoyance, getting ready to head down the hill. "Let's go see the territory in person so you'll get a feel where everything's at. You better know this place as if it were on the back of your paw because if I have to come hunt you down because you got lost, I'm knocking your teeth out." Leopardpaw rolled her eyes with an amused grin.

"Yes, Mousefur."


The sun was setting by the time the two got back to camp. Leopardpaw skipped through camp with excitement from the day and noticed her siblings wrestling by the tree stump beside the apprentices' den. As Mousefur went to go share tongues with Runningwind and Willowpelt, Leopardpaw crept closer to her battling siblings. She wiggled her hindquarters before launching herself on top of the two, causing them to break apart with a squeal of surprise. "I'm back!"

Bramblepaw shook her off with a scoff. "Took you long enough. Why'd you break us up like that? I was just about to beat Tawnypaw."

"Yeah right! That victory was mine," Tawnypaw smirked, lifting her chin with smugness. "I won the match." Bramblepaw gaped at her in disbelief.

"No, you didn't!"

"Yes, I did!"

"Actually, I won because I gave you both a surprise attack," Leopardpaw pointed out, a grin spreading on her face. Bramblepaw gave her a deadpanned look while Tawnypaw got into a crouch.

"Surprise attack this!" Leopardpaw fell back as her sister tackled her to the ground and they rolled around in an intense headlock. Tawnypaw battered Leopardpaw's tummy but was forced to turn her attention to Bramblepaw as he joined in the fight, his teeth nipping her shoulder with a playful growl. Tawnypaw refused to let her siblings gang up on her and lashed out with an attack of her own, shoving Bramblepaw away from her and pinning Leopardpaw to the ground with a yowl of satisfaction. "I won this battle!" Leopardpaw gave her a challenging grin and shoved her off, climbing onto the tree stump with her chest puffed out and chin held high.

"You may have won the battle, but you haven't won the war!" She looked down at them as they bared their fangs. "I am Leopardstar, leader of Leopardclan. My warriors will never bow to you crow-food eaters!" The three apprentices crouched down low as they prepared to attack once more. "Leopardclan, attack!" All three of them released their most ferocious battle cry and lunged for each other. Leopardpaw shoved Bramblepaw away from her underbelly as he tried to give it a harsh swipe, but didn't see Tawnypaw charge into her, pinning her to the ground once again.

"Well Leopardstar, it looks like I won the battle and the war! Tigerclan will never be defeated!" Leopardpaw bared her fangs in outrage while Bramblepaw gave their sister a grin.

"You forgot all about me, Tawnystar. Lionclan, attack!" He rammed his head into Tawnypaw's belly, sending her flying and giving Leopardpaw the chance to get back on her feet. He was too slow to attack her as she grabbed his tail and swung him to the side, earning a face full of dirt as he slammed into the ground like Tawnypaw did. Leopardpaw pounced on top of him and sneered at his face while Tawnypaw lunged for her. Leopardpaw saw this coming and knock Tawnypaw backward, sending her crashing into the tree stump with a hiss of pain.

"You are both defeated! Leopardclan has won!" I howled. Before Tawnypaw could take back her victory, Bluestar climbed onto the High Rock to gather her clan.

"Cats of Thunderclan! Gather to hear my words!" Leopardpaw scrambled off of Bramblepaw and gathered with the others below the High Rock. "The gathering is going to start. I must choose the cats coming with me." Leopardpaw and her siblings trembled in excitement. "Fireheart, Graystripe, Swiftpaw, Longtail, Mousefur, Runningwind, Willowpelt, Goldenflower, Patchpelt, Smallear, Halftail, Bramblepaw, Tawnypaw, and Leopardpaw. You will accompany me to the gathering." Bluestar climbed down from the High Rock then beckoned her clan to follow as she led them out the entrance and down the path to Four Trees. Tigerclaw and Goldenflower followed their kits as the three of them mewed excitedly to each other in loud voices.

"This is going to be awesome! I can't wait to meet the other clans!" Tawnypaw exclaimed, practically skipping ahead of her siblings. Leopardpaw nodded in agreement as she hurried to keep up, Bramblepaw right behind them.

"I wonder what the leaders will be like," Leopardpaw mused, her eyes widening when Four Trees came into sight. Bramblepaw took off with Leopardpaw on his heels and Goldenflower heaved an exasperated sigh.

"Don't run ahead of Bluestar!"

"Wait for me, you jerks!" Tawnypaw called, scampering after her siblings. Leopardpaw skidded to a halt when she made it to Bluestar's side and she lowered her chin with a sheepish grin as her leader gave her a playful scolding look.

"Shouldn't you be with your parents?"

"I, uh, may have lost them on the way?" Bluestar rolled her eyes with an amused purr then turned her gaze to the entrance of Four Trees. Leopardpaw's jaw fell open in awe as the other clans came into sight, different smells and voices filling her senses. Bramblepaw hurried past her to the nearest group of apprentices and his sisters followed right on his heels.

"Hi!" Bramblepaw beamed, earning welcoming gazes from the group. A gray tabby with a white chest and paws gazed at the three siblings with sparkling amber eyes.

"Hello, I'm Riverpaw from Riverclan. What's your name?"

"I'm Leopardpaw. These are my littermates, Tawnypaw and Bramblepaw. We're from Thunderclan." Leopardpaw gave him a friendly smile and he returned it with just as much warmth. "Nice to meet you!"

"Likewise. Is this your first gathering?" As Riverpaw spoke to the siblings, Leopardpaw felt a pair of eyes on her back. She looked around to find Dappledswan sitting by herself near the outskirts of Four Trees, her emerald eyes gleaming with quiet pride and that same sorrow she displayed when Leopardpaw first saw her. Leopardpaw held her gaze for a moment longer then excused herself from the conversation to go speak with the Shadowclan cat.

As Leopardpaw approached, Dappledswan grew nervous and her paws scuffed the dirt as the apprentice grew near. "Hello, Dappledswan."

"H-Hello, Leopardkit- er, Leopardpaw. You wouldn't be at a gathering if you were still a kit." Leopardpaw flicked her ear as she sat down and Dappledswan tried to avoid her gaze. "How are you?"

"I'm fine, you? Are things better after Brokenstar left?"

"Yes, a lot better. I didn't think I'd ever see my clan happy again." Dappledswan lowered her ears as she glanced at Leopardpaw. "You could… you could come back, you know. You could-"

"I'm not leaving Thunderclan." Dappledswan winced at the firmness in Leopardpaw's voice.

"Right. Foolish of me to ask." They sat there in an awkward silence before Leopardpaw exhaled a shaking breath.

"I don't hate you. I hardly know you enough to make a judgment like that. However, I would like to get to know you. After all, you're my mother." Dappledswan gave her an astonished look and Leopardpaw flicked her ear in discomfort. "You gave me away to protect me. I respect you for that."

"Th-... thank you." Dappledswan's face softened with tears as a smile made its way to her muzzle. Leopardpaw gave her an awkward nod then went back to the group of apprentices. As she approached, Tawnypaw gave her a gentle nudge.

"You good?" Leopardpaw gave her a confused look then noticed Bramblepaw glaring at Dappledswan from the corner of his eye, trying to see if the she-cat did anything to upset their sister. Leopardpaw softly smiled and nodded. So they do know. I figured Goldenflower would tell them sooner or later. That, or they forced it out of her.

"Who wants to hear a story?" Riverpaw tipped his head in curiosity as Leopardpaw climbed onto a small rock to gather the apprentices' attention.

"Isn't that the elders' task?" he purred in amusement. Leopardpaw rolled her eyes and flicked his ear with her tail.

"I can tell stories just like an elder!" The apprentices quieted down to listen. Leopardpaw tried to think of something then her eyes lit up as she figured it out. "Here's a time when I had led my clan into battle." Leopardpaw cast a look at Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw and their eyes filled with confusion until they remembered their little play fight.

"It was a beautiful day in the forest. Birds were singing in the trees and mice were sniffing under the roots of flowers. I was leading my clan, Leopardclan, through the forest. We were going out for a clan outing since it would give my warriors the chance to finally relax and bond with their clanmates. Then all of a sudden, Tigerclan and Lionclan scents filled my nose from different directions. I quickly hid the elders and kits as I sensed them coming nearer."

Leopardpaw crept around the apprentices, Riverpaw giving her an amused grin as she stalked upon him. Tawnypaw took that as her cue to step in and took over the storytelling.

"Then Tawnystar appeared. 'Tawnystar! What are you doing in our territory?' Leopardstar growled. Tawnystar puffed out her chest. 'We came to take back our hunting grounds, Leopardstar! And you can't stop us!' The Leopardclan leader lunged for Tawnystar," Tawnypaw leaped onto the rock to exaggerate, "and my clan followed me into battle."

"When suddenly, Bramblestar appeared!" Bramblepaw shoved Tawnypaw off the rock, earning an annoyed glare from his sister. 'You are both fools! We have come to steal these hunting grounds! Lionclan will never be defeated!' he yowled. Then he jumped onto Leopardstar's back as she bit down on Tawnystar's tail. Screeching sounded around the clearing as we fought. Blood was spilled and lives were lost. It was the most horrible, terrifying war in all of history."

Leopardpaw took over. "It wasn't long before I was towering over Bramblestar and Tawnystar pinning them down with my own two paws." Leopardpaw swished her tail over her siblings. ""You are both defeated! Leopardclan will rule the forest just like always! My clan is the best! We will never be defeated!"" Leopardpaw flicked her ear in satisfaction as she looked at the apprentice, eyes were wide and leaning in with anticipation.

"What happened next?" Riverpaw asked. Leopardpaw lifted her chin with a smug grin.

"Leopardclan was never defeated in battle and they kept their hunting grounds. The two clans never came to attack because they know Leopardclan is watching and they will fight 'til their last dying breath." Leopardpaw curled her tail over her paws while her siblings rolled their eyes. "The end."

"That was a great story, you three." Leopardpaw jumped in surprise as Bluestar's voice sounded above them. They looked up to see the leaders on the Great Rock, gazing down at the apprentices with raised eyebrows and amused grins. Leopardpaw ducked her head in embarrassment as all the clans stared at her and her siblings. "Now can we start the gathering or is there another story to tell?" Bluestar purred in amusement.

"We can start the gathering. Sorry, Bluestar," Leopardpaw chuckled nervously. Bluestar softly laughed then turned to the two leaders; Riverclan's leader, a brown tabby tom with a crooked jaw, and Shadowclan's, an older tom with black fur.

"Congratulations, Nightstar, on becoming the new leader of Shadowclan. I hope your years as leader will be bright," Bluestar murmured. Nightstar smiled and gave her a grateful nod.

"Thank you, Bluestar."

"Thunderclan is doing well and Tigerclaw has become our new deputy after the unfortunate and heroic death of Lionheart. We also have two new warriors, Fireheart and Graystripe."

"Fireheart! Graystripe!" the clans cheered, causing the two toms to beam with pride.

"We also have three new apprentices: Leopardpaw, Tawnypaw, and Bramblepaw," Bluestar continued, turning her eyes on the three siblings. Leopardpaw widened her eyes as the clans cheered their names like they did with the two warriors. As the clans fell silent, Nightstar stepped forward to give news of his clan.

"Brokenstar is now a rogue. He abused his clan and broken the warrior code, so we had no choice but to chase him out. Other than that, Shadowclan is thriving. Cinderfur is our new deputy."

"Riverclan is also doing well," the Riverclan leader began. "Leopardfur is the new deputy of Riverclan and we also have a new apprentice, Riverpaw." Leopardpaw cheered along with the other clans and Riverpaw ducked his head in embarrassment. "Prey is running well and I'm sure we will all be thriving well now that Windclan is gone."

"I agree, Crookedstar. There will be enough prey for all the clans!" Nightstar purred in delight.

"No!" Leopardpaw widened her eyes as Bluestar hissed at the two clan leaders. "Windclan must return!" Crookedstar gaped at her in outrage.

"Do you have bees in your brain? Our clans will be well fed with the additional territory!" Leopardpaw noticed Tigerclaw's growl as he stood from his place with the other deputies.

"Bluestar is right! Windclan must return," he called out. Leopardpaw puffed out her chest with pride. Tigerclaw is a great deputy. Bluestar nodded to Tigerclaw then turned to the other leaders.

"We need four clans. Starclan has given us four clans, just like they given us four trees and four seasons."

"Wouldn't you rather not have leaf-bare with all the cold and hunger it brings?" Crookedstar snarled.

"Starclan has given us leaf-bare so the trees can rest and recover. The prey rest so they can have enough energy to go hunting for food which will let us hunt them down." Crookedstar bared his fangs in anger then whisked his tail.

"Fine, Windclan can return, but until then, I will let my warriors hunt in their territory." He unsheathed his claws as if promising a threat. "I hope you won't interfere, Bluestar. I would hate for someone to get hurt." Leopardpaw bristled as tension filled the space between them, but Bluestar stayed calm.

"My warriors have no business with Riverclan. As long as you stay out of our territory, then none of your cats will get hurt since you're so concerned." Leopardpaw knew she was talking about Sunning Rocks and grinned as Crookedstar growled under his breath. "Then the gathering is over. Unless there's something that you two still need to share?" The leaders shook their head and Bluestar jumped down from the rock. As she beckoned the clan home, Leopardpaw turned to Riverpaw with a smile.

"Bye, Riverpaw!"

"Bye, Leopardpaw! Great story by the way!" he meowed, the two apprentices touching noses before following their clans.

"It's a gift Starclan has bestowed upon me," Leopardpaw sighed, earning an eye roll from the tom. They shared a laugh and Leopardpaw hurried to catch up with her siblings as they chatted with Goldenflower about their gathering experience.