Authors note: Finally after moons and moons of waiting, here is the next chapter. I have no excuses for this humongous, I was just lazy and didn't feel like writing. Thank you to those who have been patient and a giant "forgive me!" to those who haven't. D: I updated my whole profile though, and have deleted most of my stories in an attempt to start over. Fire in the Dark is one of the two that have survived. (:

Chapter Seven: Misty Eyes

-Half a moon later-

Coalpaw sat down, his tail landing with a humph in the grass. He was at the edge of the camp in the shade of the large trees. He dug his claws in the dirt, feelings its coolness.

Why does every cat have to watch the gatherings? He thought grumpily. It only reminds me that I have to wait longer for my warrior ceremony.

Gorsestar stood at the top of the high rock; his old tom fur was clean and shone in the Green-leaf breeze. Bluepaw, Leafpaw and Silverpaw sat at its base near Waterdrop, their fur also gleaming in preparation for today.

What a nice day for a warrior ceremony. Coalpaw rolled his eyes. As if! He could take them all on at the same time. His late-night trainings had stopped with Silverpaw. Since training with Vix, Coalpaw was far more skilled than the scrawny grey tom.

"I, Gorsestar, leader of Windclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice" The leader started, and Coalpaw tuned out his words, looking around the camp. Yarrowleaf sat beside her kin, Addercrawl and Stormclaw. Next to Stormclaw, Minnowpaw was wrapped around his body like a leech.

Coalpaw wrinkled his nose in disgust. What his sister saw in that tom was nothing of his business. He still remembered when the tom had taunted him as a kit. He would never forget that, the pride the tom had displayed, thinking he was the best.

You think you're the best… A voice inside him taunted.

Coalpaw growled. I don't think I am, I know I am.

"Silverpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Gorsestar continued on.

No thanks to my useless mentor. Coalpaw grunted. He wanted to leave. He needed to go train, claw at trees to sharpen his claws, bush around boulders to tighten his muscles. Find Vix so he could practice that new killing move. He couldn't wait to try it on his prey. Or another cat…

"Silverclaw! Leaf-fall! Bluewhisker!" The clan chanted. The ceremony was over.

"The three of you will keep vigil as your first night as warriors, and protect the clan." Gorsestar yowled, and jumped down from the high rock.

The three cats padded past Coalpaw, and he nodded in Silverclaw's direction when he passed.

"It's great, isn't it?" Yarrowleaf trotted over to him.

Coalpaw purred at her appearance. Yarrowleaf was one cat in camp he could trust.

"To think they were only just kits a few moons ago!" She sighed. "Makes me feel as old as Rainsky."

Coalpaw butted his head against hers. "You're not old! Only two moons older than I am. That makes me the next Gorsestar then!"

Yarrowleaf purred. "You're right, but I'm still older, which means you have to do what I say!" She flicked her tail playfully. "And I say you have to do all my warrior duties so I can go sun-bathe!"

Coalpaw pretended to gag. "ALL of them? I think you have bees in your brain."

"I think you're mistaking me for Leopardclaw. She's the one who is losing it." Yarrowleaf grinned, and licked his ear, whispering "I know things have been hard for you, but I'll be here to make you feel better."

Colpaw sighed and leaned into her fur. He noticed that he was bigger than her now, his muscles more pronounced and shoulders border with strength. I can protect her. He thought. "You make me more than happy." He whispered.

Yarrowleaf twitched her ears, her eyes serious. "What did you say?"

"I said-"

"Hey there Coalkit!" Stormclaw sneered, pushing between him and Yarrowleaf." Getting close to Yarrowleaf, huh? I heard you got your warrior ceremony delayed. How did that feel? Gorsestar think you're too weak?"

Coalpaw growled. "I'm stronger than you, if that's what you're trying to say!"

"Don't fight with him, Coalpaw. He's a warrior." A voice said from behind Stormclaw. Minnowpaw padded into view.

Coalpaw felt his jaw hit the ground. "You're standing up for his bee-brain? You're my sister!"

"Lately you've been acting like Redpaw and I haven't existed." Minnowpaw mewed, ducking her head down. "Stormclaw isn't a bad tom."

Coalpaw swore he could feel the heat radiating off his sister's body from where he was standing. "You're kidding me."

"No, she's not kidding." Stormclaw snarled. "You aren't much of an apprentice to this clan, what makes you think you'll ever be a warrior?"

"Knock it off, Stormclaw!" Yarrowleaf growled, jumping between Coalpaw and him. Coalpaw was relieved. He was ready to attack the warrior's throat. "You leave him alone or I'll tell every cat about how you got scared by a squirrel."

Stormclaw stopped growling, and took a step back. "You got lucky my sister was here to protect you, Coalpaw." With a last sneer he walked away, Minnowpaw at his heels.

"He's the lucky one!" Coalpaw snapped. He turned to Yarrowleaf "Thank you-"

"Save it." She cut him off, her tail lashing with annoyance. "Just stay quiet." She stormed off, the brambles of the warrior's den swishing behind her.

-x-

"Why do I do everything wrong?" Coalpaw yowled to the empty hills, his voice ringing. A small flock of crows took off at his disturbance. "Great, not even the mangy crows want my company."

After Yarrowleaf had taken off, he had asked Gorsestar if they could have done some battle training. The leader's words still rung in his head: I think you need to take a break from battle training still, Coalpaw. But the elders need some more moss!

"Stupid elders." He murmured, approaching a tree and clawing off the moss, his arms working quickly to get the job over with.

That was when he heard the bushes around him rustle. His ear pricked up and he opened his maw, taking in the tastes. It wasn't any of the clans, and it wasn't the musky smell of Vix. There was a rouge cat on his territory! He crouched down, all thoughts of moss forgotten.

Now he could use that kill strike Vix had taught him…

The bushes rustled again and a sleek form slid out from between him. Coalpaw gave the cat no other chance, with a burst of speed he was on top of the cat, and they rolled backward, his hind paws struggled for a hold, his forepaws grasped the front of the cat's throat, and he pinned it down, ready to put all the pressure he could and-

He stopped.

She was beautiful.

"Pl-please-e do-don't." The she-cat stammered, her large, light blue eyes stared up him, faint lines of gold ran through them. How did they do that?

He felt her fur under his pads; it was like the soft of bird down, flowing around his paws. The clean silver color shined like stars. "Great Starclan." He breathed.

He got off her as fast as he could. The she-cat stood up, and shook the dirt from her pet, giving him a wary glance. Her shoulders were tense, ready to run.

"I'm Coalpaw." He found himself saying.

Her ears pricked up. "Coalpaw? Such as a clan cat?"

Coalpaw nodded, thrusting his chest out. "I'm…sorry. For attacking you, I mean. I thought you were a rouge cat."

She face lit up with amusement. "I am a rouge cat. I thought I smelled scent markings, but I wasn't sure." She glanced around. "Are you alone?"

Coalpaw nodded.

"Well, Coalpaw," she stepped close to him, licking his cheek. "I am Mist, and I thank you for not hurting me. Most cats wouldn't think twice. You must truly have a kind spirit."

If only you knew. . . Coalpaw thought, his mind racing with the bloodlust he had felt only moments before. "Do you need any help?"

She shook her head. "No, I must be on my journey. But I won't forget your kindness, Coalpaw."

And she was gone, and Coalpaw was alone with his moss.

-x-

"There you go. Make sure you get all the old moss out. I didn't raise a leader to get stuck sleeping on old moss!" Leopardclaw mewed.

Coalpaw grabbed the dirty moss that was shoved at him, and placed it into the pile he had created. Rainsky chuckled. "Actually, Leopardclaw that was me who raised a leader. Thistlebranch and Pinetail are your kits."

Leopardclaw nodded. "What about you, Coalpaw. Any plans for kits one day?"

Coalpaw pretended to ignore the question, and busied himself with scrapping the bottom of the den clean.

"Coalpaw," Rainsky said sternly. "Leopardclaw asked you a question."

Coalpaw sighed. "No, I don't want kits."

"But there are so many pretty she-cats! The clan needs kits to stay strong." Rainsky pressed.

Coalpaw thought back to Mist. She was more than beautiful. He wondered what her kits would have looked like, maybe even with him. What if he brought her back to camp one day? No, he growled to himself, that would make him no better than Thunderclan.

"And what about Yarrowleaf?" Leopardclaw pipped in.

Oh now she decides get all the fluff out of her head! Yes, he thought of him and Yarrowleaf. Maybe we could even be mates one day. His mind wandered, them both together as warriors. He would teach their kits, which would have their dark pelts. He could train them like Vix was training him.

No, kits just get in the way. He told himself again.

"Don't want kits; they would be much to look after when you have to protect yourself." He told the elders.

Rainsky huffed. "It is the clan that looks after each other, Coalpaw. You better remember that as a clan cat."

Authors note: Yes, an odd way to end. I'm sure you're wondering, "Where is all the battling?" This chapter was more of an insight of Coalpaw's mind, and what he is struggling with. Things will tie together and make since in the next chapter.

Review please! It gives me motivation!