3rd Moon of Green-Leaf

Dusk

It's been a few days since Redflower died. I miss her an awful lot. I miss how her red fur had a dull sheen, makin' her stand out in the midst of all these glossy-furred cats. I miss those big round blue eyes. They were the prettiest alright. And there was nothin' sweeter than she was. I've been tryin' to find a cat like her. Bluepelt ain't nothin' like his sister and Applepaw ain't carin' 'bout any of this.

I've been checkin' in on Littlekit and Sunkit after my trainin' sessions. Snowdapple fears that her milk might run dry, so Bluepelt's been stuffin' her full of borage. It's not like those two eat a lot. Littlekit is very small. But I think they'll be okay. They will turn out just fine. Especially since Featherfur's been practically livin' in the nursery with 'em. He talks to me a lot now too. I think he's a good father. Hazelclaw wu'n't anything like good ol' worriesome Featherfur.

Well, tonight's the Gathering. Can't wait 'cause Applepaw ain't goin' 'cause she went last moon. Shrewpounce and Mousefeather are comin' too. They just got to be warriors two days prior. Shrewpounce is still her good ol' self, but Mousefeather is been gettin' on my nerves. She boasts about being a warrior like every cat cares. An'she's gettin' real cuddly with Berrystripe, so I'll be just ignorin' both of 'em.

"Firepaw!" Willowtail mewed. "Come over here and get yourself a bit of supper."

I hadn't even realized I was glarin' my yellow eyes at that brown she-cat who was all over Berrystripe. Shaking my head, I padded over to my mentor and picked up a small mouse from the prey pile.

I sat down by the nursery and gnawed its head off like it was Mousefeather herself. I looked up and saw the fox-heart eatin'- and sharin'!- a thrush with Berrystripe. I couldn't help but glare and glare and glare.

Then Willowtail came o'er and sat by me. She seemed to look the opposite of Redflower on every side. She had smooth silver fur and a black swirlling pattern that crisscrossed and bent and circled 'round. And her eyes were narrow slits, but bright leafy green.

Between bites of her tasty lookin' squirrel, she talked to me quietly. "Firepaw, you need to stop staring at Mousefeather like that. I know she is being a bit annoying, but it is because she is proud of herself. She shall stop soon."

"Ah, you don't know a thing!" I growled, forgettin' she was my mentor. "You got a pretty pelt and a nice set o' lookers. And yer mate is Barkstar!"

Willowtail looked surprised and a bit sour. But then she purred. "Firepaw, you are only an apprentice."

"I don't know what ya mean."

"You like Berrystripe." She whispered, as if it were the biggest secret in the world.

"I love Berrystripe." I corrected her swiftly. It felt nice to say my feelings out loud.

For awhile, we sat there and picked at our prey until it was time to go to the Gathering. Then Willowtail wheeled 'round.

"Your final assessment is in two moons."

I can't believe she told me that. I'm feelin' a little outraged! I mean, I'll be thirteen moons and it'll be the middle of leaf-fall. So I was apprenticed late AND I'll be assessed late. Well I don't care if I stay an apprentice forever. I bet it's so I can imrove my skills. I bet Applepaw'll be a warrior next moon. I was born at the middle of leaf-fall, Applepaw and I. She'll be a warrior at the twelve moon mark next moon!

I didn't know these assessments are planned moons ahead...

Night

We left for the trek for Fourtrees. But I wasn't feelin' so great. Willowtail didn't have to tell me when my assessments were and Mousefeather don't need to be touchin' my flank like we're best friends.

"Hey, Firepaw." Berrystripe padded up to me on my other side.

"Oh, hello, Berrystripe!" Mousefeather squealed over my ears.

The yeller tabby slowed down while Mousefeather giggled over what they would name their kits. I slowed down too, lettin' Mousebrain walk on. She didn't even notice she was talkin' to air.

Berrystripe sighed and looked down at me with those sharp green eyes. "She thinks we're mates or something." He rolled his eyes.

"Well it sure looks like it!" I hissed in reply, feelin' surly.

"Well I don't like her." He retorted.

I snubbed my nose and padded forward. I was lookin' for Applepaw to play cool with, and I guees I forgot I was mad at her and she wasn't even comin' to the Gathering. So I padded up beside Cedarfall.

"Heya there, Cedarfall."

"Hello, Firepaw."

I knew Cedarfall still had a soft spot for my sister. I see the way he looks at her. But I also think he's fallin' for Aspenfur, as queer as it sounds. But I think Cedarfall's a friendly tom, and he doesn't mind me here so I'll just walk with him.

We finally charged down the slope when Barkstar gave the signal. I whooped and hollered letting my spirit soar as we flew down ino Fourtrees. For a moment I let all my worries go. Redflower, Applepaw, Berrystripe... Just for a moment I let the wind have its way.

I slowed down to a trot and looked 'round. ShadowClan and WindClan had already arrived, but they were seperated unlike usual. They musta had some more border scuffles from the way they're looking at each other. But I do hope Mudstar and Wolfstar don't go fightin' again.

I spotted some windblown apprentices sitting by one of the great oaks. I have some friends outside of ThunderClan, mind you, so I padded over to the WindClan apprentices.

"Heya there, Firepaw!" A creamy hazel she-cat purred. Her name's Pinkpaw. She's got a small pink nose, so every cat is already calling her Pinknose, 'cause that'll be her warrior name for sure.

Beside her was Graypaw, a gray tabby, and Graypaw's brother, Thornpaw. I was about to sit down to chat, but then I remembered Silverpaw. Silverpaw had promised that RiverClan tom to meet here, so I turned 'round leavin' my friends confused.

Silverpaw was sittin' by the oak closest to RiverClan terr'tory. I slipped over to her, padding past a surly lookin' Whitepaw of ShadowClan.

"You ought to not talk to 'im, Silverpaw." I warned her.

She whipped 'round surprised and then sighed. "You do not understand still!"

I was 'bout to give her a real hard bite of words when RiverClan came yowling and running down into this here Fourtrees, carryin' fish scents in their hollers and whoops.

"You have a mighty fine poker face." I glared.

"Hmph." She stuck her nose up. She searched for her tom in the midst of the RiverClanners. But then she hung her neat head. "He is not here."

"Good."

Then the Clan leaders announced the start of the Gatherin' when Foamstar, leader o' RiverClan, took his place by the other leaders on the stone. We padded over closer to the Great Rock.

Mudstar stepped forward first. She had her mouth curled in a nasty snarl. "WindClan are prey stealers."

The Clans gasped and we all held our breaths. What a great way to start a Gathering! The gray tom, Wolfstar, whipped 'round and shook his head.

"We have resolved this issue moons ago, Mudstar. My warriors do not steal prey from ShadowClan." He explained.

"Then explain why WindClan scents are found fresh almost everyday in our territory!" She hissed, looking over at the group of lean tabbies.

Wolfstar was silent. Maybe he was lyin', but then 'gain, I never knew a good WindClanner that lied. Wolfstar is the most noblest tom in these here Clans. He then turned to face his Clanmates. "Any cat tresspassing in ShadowClan territory will be severly punished."

I looked up into the sky and it was still starry and clear. I snuck a peak at the rabbit-chasers. They all looked at each other, but then they nodded loyally to him.

Mudstar gave him a small nod, but her yeller eyes were mighty skeptical. "Hmph. Fine. Anyway, ShadowClan has been well. It is not too hot and the prey runs well. We have a new warrior here tonight. Bluewater."

A big blue-gray tom blinked his bright sky-blue eyes as we all cheered his name. 'Cept WindClan. Most of 'em were silent. I sure hope things get cleared soon 'tween them.

Then Wolfstar took his turn. Luckily, Foamstar and Barkstar have been real patient for those two.

Then it was Barkstar's turn. He gave the regular report and he announced Shrewpounce's and Mousebrain's promotion. I mewed for Shrewpounce, but not that fox-heart.

Then it was Foamstar. He was scentin' the air in a careful manner. His yellow eyes were narrowed and his his long white fur looked extra fluffy.

"Hmmm... RiverClan has being well this green-leaf, even as leafall approaches. We have a new warrior as well. Hawkeye."

I saw this Hawkeye sittin' closely to the Great Rock. I think he has a green eye an' a blue eye! How peculiar.

"But I would like to discuss something with you, Barkstar." He growled. "ThunderClan has been scented crossing the borders!"

All four Clans seem to be having scuffs with each other!

"I didn't really want to discuss it, but RiverClan has been crossing OUR borders!" Barkstar retorted.

But I knew who done it. Silverpaw. Silverpaw crosses the border when she meets that tom and vice versa. I looked over at her. She was hidin' her face.

StarClan cast a cloud over the sky. Both toms backed down. Every cat thought StarClan was mad at 'em. But they're mad at Silverpaw for breaking the code.

What am I to do?