Emberpaw woke up.

Outside, Sharpclaw was calling border patrols.

"Airheart, take a patrol on the Twoleg border with Clovertail, Billystorm, and Cherrytail. Bouncefire can lead a hunting patrol with Hawkwing and Pebblepaw. Wolfcloud, take one along the southern border. You can have Emberpaw, Plumwillow, and- "

He searched the clearing.

"Frostpaw." Emberpaw inwardly sighed, but joined her patrol.

Wolfcloud jumped up the gorge, and began to scent mark on the border.

Emberpaw began to listen in on Plumwillow and Frostpaw's gossip.

"Did you hear she was born with her eyes open?" Emberpaw rolled her eyes. Of course they were talking about her. They always were.

"Hello." The rich mew startled her out of her thoughts. An unassuming dark cat was sitting on the edge of the border.

"Who are you?" asked Wolfcloud, sounding hostile. Emberpaw bristled.

"I am Darktail." he said pleasantly. "I've been waiting here for a SkyClan border patrol."

"What do you want with us?" growled Wolfcloud. The black tom looked surprised.

"Why, to join your Clan, of course."


"Leafstar!" called Wolfcloud. The patrol was entering the gorge, with Darktail in tow. Leafstar emerged from her den, and immediately bristled as soon as she saw Darktail.

"Why have you brought a stranger into our midst, Wolfcloud?" Wolfcloud shifted, obviously looking uncomfortable.

"He, ah, said he wanted to join the Clan."

"Is this so?" Leafstar's piercing gaze settled on Darktail. "What is your name?" she asked.

"Darktail." he mewed.

"Alright, Darktail. We'll give you a probationary period to see if you can become a real Clan cat. But being a Clan cat involves dedication, loyalty, and hard work. In return, you get the satisfaction of knowing you do a good thing- for your Clanmates and others. Do you still want to try it out?"

Darktail mewed smoothly, "I've always wanted to have a greater cause in life." Leafstar didn't look convinced.

"Your mentor will be Sagenose."

"Thank you." he said sincerely. "I will try my hardest."

"Darktail!" called Airheart. "Where are you from?!" As a circle of curious cats surrounded him, Emberpaw thought, He's popular already.