A/N- I am thoroughly annoyed. Not with you guys, with my computer. I was writing Chapter 11 (which is a long one- it's already even longer than the Gathering, and its not even finished yet!) and I'd just gotten done with about 3 pages that had a LOT of info in them (seriously, it took me like, over half an hour to write them, and for me, that's a long time). So I went away to watch a show I liked, and when I came back, the computer was shut down. Well, turns out, I didn't save it! So I've had to do the ENTIRE part over, AGAIN. AND I'm going back to school on Monday. So please review, it'll make me happy.

Disclaimer- jhlsb gagko;as rhtdsrgeg hhi o[sgfai [oh ghjgr. That's a forgotten language called Idunkare Eeskumpletleepointlees, figure out what it means for yourself…

Chapter 10- Words of Wisdom

"Swiftpaw, wait up!"

Swiftpaw turned at the entrance to the camp with three mice and a rabbit clutched in her jaws. Leafpaw dashed ahead of Redstorm to trot by Swiftpaw's side.

Seeing her catch, she exclaimed, "Wow, you've had some good hunting today! You always catch rabbits, don't you? Must be because you're so fast…" She then continued to babble on about her battle training she'd just had with Redstorm.

Swiftpaw deposited her fresh-kill in the pile and picked up the rabbit and biggest mouse to take to the elders.

She trotted over to the den to find Ravenwing dozing and Fleetwhisker and Smokecloud sharing tongues. Fleetwhisker immediately turned his back on Swiftpaw and Smokecloud gave her a sympathetic glance before taking the rabbit to share with him.

Ravenwing, awoken by Fleetwhisker's grumbling and the smell of fresh-kill, blinked her single eye and gratefully accepted the plump mouse.

Swiftpaw liked the wise old German shepherd; she was kind and gentle, though she still had the temper and skills to scare even the bravest warrior. She was one of the few dogs who was kind to Swiftpaw, and could always be counted on for a story or some words of comfort.

Noticing the sadness in Swiftpaw's eyes as she looked at Fleetwhisker, she said gruffly, "They're just being too stubborn for their own good. Most of them have had the idea that half-breeds are inferior drilled into their heads since they were pups. They'll just need some time to get used to you, and then it will be all right."

"I know," Swiftpaw sighed, defeated, "I just don't know what else to do. I hunt enough to feed half the Clan and they take no notice. What will it take?"

"Be patient, young one." Ravenwing soothed, drawing her tongue across Swiftpaw's head, "They'll come around soon enough. Don't let it get to you. Now go get some fresh-kill and some sleep. I hear Spiritstar is taking you for battle practice tomorrow."

Feeling her spirits lift slightly, Swiftpaw nodded and trotted lightly out of the den. Upon reaching the fresh-kill pile, she noticed happily that there was still a plump blackbird in the pile.

Just as she reached down to grab it, she was pushed roughly aside by Firestream, who smirked and stated, "Filth like you get the last choice of the pile. It's not like you do anything anyway." He then stalked away to eat by Darkclaw.

Swiftpaw picked up the last piece of fresh-kill, a scrawny little mouse that was barely enough to feed a pup, and padded over to where Beechpaw and Beetlepaw were eating together by the apprentice den. As she got closer, Beetlepaw turned his head sharply away from her.

Disheartened, Swiftpaw walked away to eat in a corner by herself. Leafpaw ran over a few moments later ranting about how she saw what Beetlepaw had done and how much of a mouse-brain he was because of it.

"It's fine, really. I don't care." Swiftpaw replied dully, sneaking a sad glance at Beechpaw and Beetlepaw. She was surprised to see that they were having a heated argument until Beechpaw grabbed the plump finch he was eating and stalked over to them.

He stood in front of them, his eyes softening. He dropped the finch and sighed, "I'm sorry, both for Darkclaw and Beetlepaw. I sometimes think they should have been mentor and apprentice, they act so alike." He said, dipping his head.

Swiftpaw blinked, surprised, and then said, "You don't have to apologize for them, you didn't do anything."

He looked up and she added shyly, "Thanks though."

He blinked warmly at her and settled down next to her. Eyeing her tiny meal, he nudged his finch towards her and said, "Here, we can share."

OOOoooOOO

Spiritstar lay in front of her den watching her Clan in the late leaf-fall sunlight.

Her gaze came to rest on Leafpaw, Swiftpaw, and Beechpaw talking joyfully near the apprentices' den. She let out a soft sign of happiness as she thought of her apprentice's growing popularity. Little by little, the Clan was beginning to like and accept her. There were still many glares and anger, but they were starting to take notice of the things Swiftpaw was doing for the Clan.

Spiritstar's eyes continued around the camp and next fell on Darkclaw sharing tongues with a very plump Whitefeather. She still couldn't understand how her proud, yet occasionally hot-headed deputy had become mates with the kind, soft-spoken queen.

Shaking her head slightly, Spiritstar moved on to the next group, Jewelpool and Redstorm, talking quietly by the warriors' den. There seemed to be quite a strong connection between the two warriors, thought they told everyone they were simply good friends. They seemed oblivious to the glares being sent at them from across the camp by Gingerstorm.

It was common knowledge that Gingerstorm liked Redstorm and hated it when he was with other females. Redstorm, it seemed, only had eyes for Jewelpool, whether they realized it or not.

Glancing at Silentshadow, who was staring at Redstorm with a look of pure hatred, Spiritstar realized that Gingerstorm wasn't the only one who disapproved of the match.

With Jewelpool being Silentshadow's only pup, it seemed natural that she'd be overprotective of her. She probably thought Redstorm was trying to steal Jewelpool away from her.

Shaking her head once again, Spiritstar heaved herself to her paws and padded into her den.

A/N- I love Ravenwing. I personally think she's awesome.

I just wanted to add in something about the relationships within the Clan and what other dogs thought of them. You either like it or not, but some of them may be important hint hint.