In the distance, an owl's cry pierced the silence of the night. Jaypaw rose his head from his nest upon hearing it. He shivered as if the screech foreshadowed what he knew was to come.

Beside him, Half Moon slept peacefully, blissfully unaware of Jaypaw's fear. For a split second, Jaypaw envied her then pushed that thought away. He chose this. He would never wish this upon her but he was glad he chose this path.

Jaypaw lowered his head back to his nest and closed his eyes. He had to sleep. Part of him wanted him to despite his dread for what would happen in his dreams. Ink came every night. Jaypaw never backed down from training but each morning he woke cold with fear. StarClan, if you're up there, let me sleep through tonight. Just tonight. I want tomorrow to be a good day. Please. If you're there… just keep Ink away for one night.

Jaypaw felt himself drift off to sleep. When he opened his eyes, he saw the familiar forest where shadows lurked behind the treeline and blood stained the dirt floor of the clearing he stood in. Jaypaw sighed and tried not to let his disappointment show or his faith die. Above, the sky was pitch black. No stars shone through the darkness. StarClan cannot see me here.

Suddenly, the ground shook. Jaypaw gave a yowl of surprise and crouched, flattening his ears against his head as he looked around wildly. An earthquake? It's just like when I was in the tunnels.

Below his paws, the ground began cracking. Jaypaw abandoned his crouch and began scrambling away and not a heartbeat too late. Just as he made it to the treeline, the earth let out a long groan and the crack began to grow.

Jaypaw's eyes were wide with shock as he watched the ground open up like a mouth. A massive fissure began to form. "What in the name of…"

Jaypaw couldn't complete his thought. Even if he had, he wouldn't have been heard. A soft roar sounded and the opening in the ground began to fill with water.

Jaypaw began creeping back. He felt his tail brush something and he whipped around, startled. He gasped. The trees he had been standing in had turned to stone.

Jaypaw took a few steps back then paused, not knowing where to go. In the clearing was a newly formed river and the forest was replaced by trees of cold, grey rock. The horizon was still dark and the sky was still starless but Jaypaw found no comfort in the familiarity. The world around him had evolved and he didn't like what he saw.

"Hmm. So this is the little Jay Ink has been so adamantly guarding?"

Jaypaw whirled, surprised to hear a voice that wasn't Ink's. The voice was distinctly feminine, nothing like the deep, masculine voice that Ink had.

Above him in the stone treetops stood a she-cat with orange fur as bright as Firestar. Her blue eyes were the color of the sky and were brimming with wisdom. She watched Jaypaw from her perch like a hawk, a hunger radiating from her. Jaypaw shivered.

"Doesn't look like much," another voice said. Jaypaw looked over his shoulder to see that a chunk of earth had appeared in the river. On it sat a beautiful blue grey she-cat. She was grooming but she paused in her licking and looked over at the gaping apprentice. Her sharp yellow eyes seemed to see right through him.

"W-who are you?" Jaypaw stuttered.

The orange she-cat dropped down from the tree, landing soundlessly beside him. She purred and ran her tail over his flank. Jaypaw shifted his paws in discomfort. She circled him, touching him with her tail as she pleased all the way around.

"I'm called Avian," the orange she-cat said when she came to a stop. Jaypaw flinched under her gaze. Her eyes. They're so… so contrasive. Like Ink's… I mean they're yellow and not as… they don't have the same malice Ink has but still. Avian flicked her tail over Jaypaw one last time before sweeping over the trunk of one of the stone trees. She looked at the trees longingly. "Aren't they pretty?"

Jaypaw shifted his gaze to the forest. The trees were all grey and hard like a cliffside. Even the leaves were petrified. He was used to the leaves blowing in the wind but these were as still as… well, stone.

"Well?"

Jaypaw shrugged. "I guess. I like seeing the green stuff but these do look pretty cool."

Avian broke into a purr again and ran her tail down the side of Jaypaw's face. The fur felt strange on his cheek. Jaypaw flinched, not liking the contact.

"Oh stop being so invasive," the other voice said. The blue grey she-cat jumped off a large flat stone floating in the river and padded over. She walked with an elegance Jaypaw had never seen before. "I'm called Jackal. Do you really think these atrocities are prettier than the river I made? It's so much more natural than these… things."

"Now now Jackal, splitting the ground open isn't exactly natural," Avian said with a light, teasing tone. Her yellow eyes flashed.

"More natural than your concrete," Jackal retorted.

"What are you two doing here?" a foreign voice said.

"Ink!" Jaypaw cried out and darted over to the massive white tom's side. A blood red gaze washed over him but Jaypaw ignored it. The alternative was weird. Blue was flirty in a way he didn't like and yellow had an aura of superiority that annoyed him.

Avian pouted. "Here to ruin our fun, Ink?"

"Hey, don't group me with the likes of you," Jackal said. "You were the only one trying to have any fun."

"You two shouldn't be here," Ink said sharply. He shouldered Jaypaw behind him and put a paw in front of him protectively. "Jay's mine."

"Oh? And who says that?"

"Deal's a deal," Ink grunted. "They make it through Day One or Two, they live free. Make it through Day Three I get them. Whoever dies on our day we get."

"But you're the only one who ever gets the living ones," Avian complained.

"Which hardly ever happens," Ink responded. "Besides, Jackal got one just two moons ago."

"And what a fun one he is," Jackal said sarcastically. "Any one who dies in a flood or an earthquake is a weakling."

Jaypaw's gaze flicked between the trio with fear. He didn't understand what they were talking about but it shook him to the core. They're talking about death so casually.

"We want some living," Avian said firmly, dropping her flitty facade.

"Well you're not getting this one," Ink responded, matching her tone. "This one… He's special. My tribe's power burns stronger in him than any cat I've ever seen."

"Yet he lives in my tribe," Jackal said.

"It was my day he nearly broke," Avian added.

"He has no connection to your tribe."

"But I got the closest to claiming him," Avian pointed out. "You barely did anything. My concrete, monsters, and dogs are better than your claws and ghosts any day."

Jaypaw stared at her stunned. The three of them are from different tribes? Why haven't I heard of them? Are they like clans? And what does she mean by claiming me? What is all this?

"Jay."

"Yes?" Jaypaw looked up at Ink. The tom was still standing in front of him and didn't turn when he spoke.

"Leave."

"Really?"

"Go!" Ink commanded in a booming voice. Jaypaw flinched and ran off before he even saw Ink's wave for him to leave. He didn't need to be told twice. He hated this place.

"Get back here!"

"Don't let him get away!"

Behind him, Jaypaw heard a feral hiss and the sound of class tearing pelt. He didn't have to look over his shoulder to know a fight had broken out. Around him, the stone trees melted back into their usual shadowy state but he paid them no mind. He just wanted out of there.

"Leafpool?" The scent of herbs hit Firestar like a tidal wave as he stuck his head into his daughter's den. He withheld from grimacing. By StarClan, how can she stand this stink? It smells like someone loaded a skunk with plants and sent it to mark the borders.

"Firestar," Leafpool greeted as he turned away from her herb stores. "What brings you here?"

"Jaypaw."

Leafpool's eyes widened and darted around the den. "Where is he?"

"Don't worry, he's just outside," Firestar soothed. Leafpool visibly relaxed. What's got her so worked up? "I just had a talk with him."

"Oh?"

"Why so surprised?"

"He's been… He's had a hard time opening up," she answered decisively.

Now it was Firestar's turn to be surprised. "Really? He seemed perfectly fine talking with me. He's playing with Icekit and Foxkit by the nursery right now."

Leafpool curled her tail around her paws as she sat down in front of her father. "That's odd. Did he say anything… strange?"

Firestar blinked. That's an understatement if I've ever heard one. "He… How hard did he hit his head?"

Leafpool made a sound of amusement. "I don't know. It was that bad?'

"Everything he said was just incoherent," Firestar told her. "He said his name was Jay's Wing. When I asked how he was feeling, he started comparing his life to Jaypaw's."

Leafpool nodded. "He seems to think he's a different cat. I've just been calling him Jay. He still seems to associate himself with that name."

"It was more than that that got me," Firestar went on. "At the Gathering, I spoke with the other leaders briefly. Blackstar said something concerning. It got me worried."

"When has Blackstar ever shown interest in the other clans?"

Firestar snorted. "I was surprised too. But he brought up something interesting. He mentioned a… problem that some cats have."

"Problem?"

"It's kind of hard to explain. I don't understand it all that well myself," Firestar said slowly. "But he seemed to think that Jaypaw was unhappy with his life. When I asked him about it, he compared himself to Jaypaw like I said but he said such strange things."

"What do you mean?"

"He went off about how lonely Jaypaw was and how his blindness ruined any hope he had of following his dreams," Firestar said bluntly. "And he said something about some problems with his family."

"Jay's Wing's or Jaypaw's? He seems to have built up some backstory for this Jay's Wing character."

"Well, both," Firestar told her. "But I was talking about Jaypaw."

"What'd he say?"

"Well he talked about Lionpaw and Hollypaw obviously but that wasn't the strange thing. He seemed to think that Jaypaw didn't have any parents."

"What? Did you tell him about Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw? They've visited him plenty of times. I'm sure he's able to recognize him."

"Of course I did. It confused him though. He said that his parents were a…" Firestar trailed off. A brown tabby and a grey tom… Realization struck him. Oh StarClan, how could I have been so blind?

"He said his parents were what?"

"A brown tabby and a grey tom," Firestar said, his voice barely more than a whisper. He closed his brilliant green eyes so he couldn't see the horror come crashing down on his daughter's face. "Leafpool… It isn't true, is it?"

He didn't open his eyes. He couldn't tell if she nodded or shook her head.

"I remember the day I met Jaypaw, Hollypaw, and Lionpaw," Firestar said looking down. "They came bouncing into camp after you and Squirrelflight. Brambleclaw was so surprised but he looked so happy. Squirrelflight too. I got so caught up in watching the kits meet Brambleclaw that I didn't look at you. I remember how Squirrelflight's milk never came, how she had to give them to Ferncloud to nurse. And I remember how worried you were."

"I was," Leafpool said, her voice cracking. "They were so small."

"So they're yours?" Firestar asked looking up. Leafpool nodded meekly. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Brief anger flashed in her eyes. "I'm a medicine cat! And I fell in love with a cat from another clan. I broke the Warrior Code by running off with Crowfeather but there was no way for any cat to know I broke the medicine cat code until I kitted. I love my kits, I couldn't let them have that life, knowing they were the reason their mother lost her life as a medicine cat. And Cinderheart had just died, there was no cat to replace me if I was stripped of my rank. And Crowfeather… I loved him, I still do. If I had those kits, everyone would know they were his. What would that be like for him? He would have to live with a clan who hated him more than they already do and live knowing he had kits in another clan. If they let him stay that is. He could never join ThunderClan and if my kits knew he was out there, they'd want to be with their father and eventually there would be nothing I could do to keep them from leaving and trying to find him. I don't regret giving my kits to Squirrelflight. Of course I wish I could be a mother but this was for the best."

Firestar took a step back, astonished at her emotional outburst. A pyre blazed in her eyes that Firestar had never seen before. Squirrelflight was usually the fiery one, not Leafpool. Squirrelflight's spirit burned brightly like her pelt and Leafpool's spirit matched her name. She was as calm as a leaf floating on the water.

Firestar moved forward and rested his muzzle on his daughter's forehead. She remained stiff, not wanting to accept the comforting gesture. He ran his tail on her shoulder and she eventually gaze in. He lifted his head and lapped at her ear. "Don't worry. Nothing's going to happen to them. Everything will be just fine."

Jaypaw woke with a start. He looked around his den wildly as the adrenaline hit his waking form. He glanced over at Half Moon, her peaceful form calming him. It was only a dream. A good one at that, comparatively. I'm fine. Everything's fine.

Then he remembered what day it was and his heart sank. He lowered his head and closed his eyes again. Maybe if I go back to sleep today will never come. Who said it was morning? It could be the middle of the night for all I know. Maybe today is tomorrow.

Jaypaw felt Half Moon shift beside him and he knew any hope of it not being today was gone. He felt her gently lick his cheek as she rose. "Come on Jay's Wing. Time to get up."

Jaypaw faked grogginess, squirming in his nest before lifting his head, blinking bleary eyes. His blue eyes met Half Moon's green ones. Her eyes reflected the sadness in his own. "Today's the day."

"Yup," Half Moon stated grimly. "Come on, let's go surprise your sister with some fresh-kill."

When Dove's Wing opened her eyes, her body was immediately filled with a buzzing excitement. Today's the day!

She sprang out of her nest and darted out of her den carved into the cave wall. She went straight for Fish Leap's den beside her own. "Wake up lazy bones! Today's the day!"

Fish Leap responded with a tired groan but popped his brown head out of his nest. His ears stuck up oddly and his fur was spiked in places. Dove's Wing laughed and lashed her tail behind her in amusement. "Come on. Today's the day."

Fish Leap's tiredness left him in an instant and he was suddenly at Dove's Wing's side. His amber eyes glowed his worry. "You don't have to do this you know."

Dove's Wing scoffed. "What would you say if I told you that on the day of your own trial?"

"Good point," Fish Leap said and began making his way to the main part of the cave that the tribe lived in. Dove's Wing fell in step beside him. "Nothing I can say will stop you, huh?"

"Nope," Dove's Wing said good naturedly. "Stop worrying. I'll be fine. When you next see me, I'll be a sharpclaw."

"I'm sure you will," Fish Leap said softly, his eyes still brimming with worry but there was affection mixed in there with it. He leaned over and pressed his muzzle against his shoulder. "I'm sure you'll be just fine."

"Hey you two!"

Dove's Wing and Fish Leap looked up to see Jay's Wing and Half Moon waiting for them in the main part of the cave. A few pieces of prey lay in front of them. Beside them were a few bundles of herbs.

"Woah, how long ago did you two get up?" Fish Leap said eyeing the prey. "You didn't have to."

Half Moon waved him off. "This is the last meal we'll have- This is the last meal we'll have before Dove's Wing is a sharpclaw."

Dove's Wing sensed the unspoken words regarding her death looming in the air but no one voiced them. She purred. "Thanks you two. Really."

"The prey was all Half Moon," Jay's Wing grunted.

"But you brought the herbs, didn't you?" Dove's Wing poked one of the bundles with a forepaw. It pretty much just looked like a leaf wrapped around a clump of something but she knew better than to underestimate the power of herbs.

Jay's Wing nodded sheepishly. "It's not much but hopefully it's enough… You should probably eat first. They're pretty nasty. Just make sure not to eat too much."

"Will do," Dove's Wing said with a nod and settled down. She waved for her friends to join her around the small pile of fresh-kill. She selected a squirrel for herself and watched the others each pick a piece before digging in. The squirrel was still fresh and warm blood hit her tongue when she sank her teeth into its flesh. She savored the rich flavor, pausing a moment to let it seep in. This could be my last meal… She shook those thoughts from her head. I can't think like that. Negative thoughts are the first step of failure. I will be a sharpclaw. When dawn comes tomorrow, I will walk out of those tunnels and see my friends once more.

"I see you're getting ready," a voice said. Dove's Wing looked up from her food to see a dark ginger tom standing over the group.

Dove's Wing dipped her head in respect. "Furled Bracken."

The tribe's leader's gaze swept over the herbs. He took a sniff. "Hmm. Chamomile? Good choice."

Jay's Wing shuffled his paws. "It's used to soothe the heart and it keeps the mind calm."

"Gives strength for traveling too," Furled Bracken noted. "Wise choice taking it before entering the Rite of Passage. Are you ready Dove's Wing? Dawn is nearing."

Dove's Wing took one last bite of her squirrel then moved towards the herbs. "Let me just take the herbs first."

"Stretch before you go and let your food settle a bit," Jay's Wing suggested. "You don't want to get a cramp while you run."

Dove's Wing nodded as she took the bundle of herbs in her jaws. Unsure how to take them, she ripped it open with her teeth, took a bite, and gulped it down. She coughed and nearly vomited. "That's bitter."

"I warned you, didn't I?"

Dove's Wing flicked her ear in her brother's direction and took another bite of the herbs, slower this time but the swallowed it quickly.

When she finished, Half Moon began guiding her through a few stretches. Fish Leap nosed Jay's Wing off to the side and the two quietly began discussing something. Probably me.

Slowly, the rest of the tribe began to trickle out of their dens into the main area of the cave. Dawn had arrived. Furled Bracken threw his head back and yowled. "All cats of this tribe gather around! It is time to see our softpaw Dove's Wing off to her trial. Today she enters the Rite of Passage and tomorrow she emerges a sharpclaw of the Tribe of Still Water!"