CHAPTER 6

Cinderpelt returned from RiverClan with catmint. She was able to save Mousefur, Ferncloud, and Whitewing - but it was too late for Poppypaw.

The young apprentice's body had been arranged in the center of camp, splayed out to look as though she was running. Her dappled fur had been decorated with herbs to stave away the stench of death and sickness. Her Clanmates had gathered to share tongues with her one last time.

"I can't lose another," Featherpaw had overhead Sorreltail whisper to Brackenfur. "Not after Molepaw… Please, StarClan - why?"

Honeypaw and Poolpaw had huddled close together at the edge of camp, their fur brushing and their whiskers drooped.

Featherpaw could only watch as his Clanmates mourned. He could sense their grief - but even more, he could sense their doubt.

Featherpaw overheard Dustpelt murmuring to a recovering Ferncloud. "This can't just be bad luck," he meowed.

"This new territory can't support us like our old territory," Thornclaw whispered.

"What if StarClan doesn't want us to stay here?" Featherpaw heard that sentiment from many cats.

Poppypaw's vigil was more than grief for a life taken too soon. It was a vigil for a Clan mourning their old territory once more.

Newleaf finally came, but its arrival was bittersweet. The buds on the trees, the primroses on the ShadowClan border, the prey moving in every burrow - they were all reminders of the barren leaf-bare the Clan had endured. Newleaf would have been better received if ThunderClan had not sustained any losses the previous season - but as it stood, ThunderClan resented the warm season for not coming sooner.

The great white moon made the hollow glow with silver light. Featherpaw sniffed the air. Clear skies. A good sign.

Graystripe and Millie waited in the clearing with Ashfur and Stormfur. Brackenfur sat beside them, tugging with his teeth at the fur between his claws. Squirrelflight washed her ears as Brambleclaw stood next to her and glanced up at Highledge. The apprentices fidgeted beside the thorn barrier. They would leave for the Gathering as soon as Firestar appeared.

Featherpaw stared at the patrol as it prepared to leave camp. He was still confined to the apprentice den for his weak spell. He still felt embarrassed every time he thought about falling from the Sky Oak, or every time a cat shot him a sympathetic look.

Featherpaw rested his chin on his paws. His eyes instinctively looked over at Sunpaw and Badgerpaw. Sunpaw was staring back.

Sunpaw broke away from the other apprentices and padded over to Featherpaw. "I'll tell you about it as soon as I get back," he promised. Featherpaw didn't reply. Sunpaw pressed his flank against his brother's. "You'll go the next Gathering, I'm sure!" he comforted. "You'll be better by then."

"I know," Featherpaw sighed. I just wish I wasn't like this at all.

"Sunpaw!" Stormfur's call made Sunpaw jump. Firestar had leaped down from Highledge, Sandstorm behind him.

"I've got to go," Sunpaw mewed. He hurried to join the others.

Featherpaw watched as Firestar signaled with a flick of his tail, then dove out through the thorn tunnel. Brambleclaw and the other warriors sped after him.

Featherpaw sighed, then retreated into the apprentice den. He curled up in his nest and let his tail rest against his nose. Closing his eyes, he tried to sleep.

Cinderpelt said she'd try to clear me after the Gathering, he thought. I'll be back in training soon.

Disgust swept over him. I shouldn't have been out of it in the first place! How could he be so weak? None of the other apprentices had ever collapsed.

Featherpaw sighed and flared his nostrils. Just rest, he tried to tell himself, but he couldn't help the pit in his stomach opening wide. Frustrated, Featherpaw opened his eyes and rolled onto his back. He wanted nothing more than to go out into the forest and hunt, to take his mind off of things - but he wasn't allowed to leave camp.

Like a kit, his brain sneered.

Featherpaw shut his eyes tightly. Just sleep.

After what felt like all night, Featherpaw finally drifted away. And finally, he awoke in a misty forest.

"Featherpaw!"

Featherpaw rolled onto his paws and stood up. He could see the broad shapes of Tigerstar and Hawkfrost several fox-lengths away.

Featherpaw felt anxiety overtake him once more. He hadn't seen the massive warriors since the collapse; his sleep had been mostly dreamless.

"Featherpaw, there you are," Tigerstar called. Featherpaw swallowed and padded through the trees to reach his grandfather. "We had begun to worry."

Hawkfrost nodded. "It's been awhile, Featherpaw," he meowed.

"I'm sorry," Featherpaw mewed, dipping his head. "I've…been ill."

"Ill?" Tigerstar echoed.

Featherpaw felt hot shame flood his face. "I collapsed during training," he admitted. "I've been confined to camp for a quarter moon."

"Is that so?" Tigerstar sounded thoughtful.

"I'm sorry I'm so weak," Featherpaw mumbled, lowering his head. "I'm a disappointment, I know."

Tigerstar didn't speak right away. He and Hawkfrost exchanged a look. Featherpaw's ears flattened. I am a disappointment.

"A true warrior has no time for regrets," Tigerstar growled. Featherpaw looked up to see Tigerstar's tail lash. "Mistakes happen. You must move forward, not look back."

"But - but it wasn't a mistake! It was me," Featherpaw protested. "No apprentice has ever collapsed during training. There's something wrong with me!"

Tigerstar narrowed his eyes. "You're right."

Featherpaw recoiled. "I am?"

Tigerstar padded forward and wreathed himself around Featherpaw. "You doubt yourself. You will never be a warrior your Clan can be proud of if you leave any room for doubt."

Featherpaw's head lowered with shame.

"You must be proud." Tigerstar's tail lifted Featherpaw's chin. "You must be strong."

"I don't know if I can," Featherpaw admitted.

"Are you kin of ours or not?" Hawkfrost growled. Featherpaw flinched. "You spend your time worrying when you could be practicing and getting stronger!"

"Hawkfrost is right," Tigerstar purred. "You will be a strong warrior, but only if you trust us. We know what's best."

"But…" Featherpaw hesitated.

"Yes?" Tigerstar prompted.

Featherpaw looked away. "But I'm weak. I collapsed when none of my denmates have ever done that before."

"Do any of your denmates train in their dreams?" Hawkfrost scoffed. Featherpaw's ears pricked in surprise.

"…No," he replied.

"Do not fear exhaustion," Tigerstar assured him. "It won't happen again. You will grow stronger. You will be a mighty warrior, the best around the lake - but only if you continue to train with us."

Yearning burned in Featherpaw's chest. "Yes," he affirmed. "I will!"

"That's the response of a warrior," Tigerstar purred silkily. He turned away and began to pad through the trees. "Come along," he called over his shoulder. "You've missed quite a bit of training."

"Yes, Tigerstar!" Featherpaw meowed eagerly. He rushed forward to follow. Hawkfrost purred and laid his tail on Featherpaw's shoulder as they followed Tigerstar.

"You've made the right decision," he meowed quietly. "You'll be a fine warrior, yet."

"Featherpaw! Featherpaw!"

Featherpaw's eyes blinked open to see a a bright bundle of orange fur hovering over him. "Sunpaw?" he croaked.

"We're going to have a Daylight Gathering!" Sunpaw cried.

"A what?" Featherpaw rolled over and got to his paws.

"Come on!" Sunpaw purred, nudging the sleep out of Featherpaw. "Firestar is going to explain everything!"

Featherpaw followed his brother out of the apprentice den and into the clearing. Up on Highledge, Firestar was making an announcement.

"While the moon is still full," he meowed, "the Clans will be meeting during the day. We will meet in peace, and friendly competition. Apprentices will test their skills in competitions of hunting, climbing, and battle."

"Competitions?" Featherpaw echoed. Tigerstar's words about being the best warrior around the lake rang in his ears. Featherpaw's pelt tingled.

"ThunderClan will be hosting the event," Firestar carried on. "The land between the forest and the lake is grassy and spacious, enough to hold all four Clans."

"And the other Clans agreed to this?" Mousefur called from below.

"All but Blackstar," Squirrelflight meowed. "But his Clan seems excited."

"Can we go?" Foxkit squeaked. Icekit bounced around her brother eagerly. Purrs echoed through the hollow.

"Unfortunately not," Firestar chuckled. "But I'm sure Ferncloud will have something fun for you to do when the camp is empty." He looked across his warriors. "We will have a lot to do to prepare, but we have some time. Let's get some sleep, and tomorrow the preparations begin."

With that, Firestar turned and bounded down from Highledge. The cats in the clearing below dispersed, each heading to their respective dens.

Featherpaw's paws felt lighter than air. I have to compete. He pushed his way through camp, eager to reach Cinderpelt before she slipped into her nest.

The ThunderClan medicine cat was limping toward her den. Featherpaw meowed a greeting, and she swung her head around to watch him approach. "Hello, Featherpaw," she meowed. "What can I do for you?"

"Please let me go back to training," he blurted out. Cinderpelt's ears raised. "I've been getting stronger every day. I feel much better now. If I want to compete in the Daylight Gathering, I've got to get ready, and I won't be ready if I can't -"

Cinderpelt cleared her throat. "Are you finished?" she meowed dryly. Featherpaw's heart pounded in his chest. "I was going to come and find you tomorrow to clear you, but I suppose I can do it now." Featherpaw's whiskers lifted with delight. "You can go back to training tomorrow morning."

"Thank you!" Featherpaw cried. "Thank you, Cinderpelt!" He turned away and rushed away to find Sorreltail.

This is my chance, he thought. I'll prove to everyone that I'm a warrior they can be proud of. I'll prove it to everyone - even me.

NOTES

Next chapter is the last one in this book, and then we're onto the next one! I can't wait!

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