"Twyla and Heron, knock it off!" Penny meowed sternly. Her hazel eyes gleamed with annoyance, but Violet could tell she truly wasn't angry. She's just worried about us since Marsh died… "Honestly! You're apprentices, for the stars sake!"

Twyla rolled her light green eyes. "Oh come on, Mom! Can't we mess around for just a little bit longer?" We've got to go to battle practice soon, though. "Pretty please with ten mousetails on top?" Twyla didn't wait for Penny's answer, however. Instead she tackled Heron who was now sharing a piece of prey with Hazel, another apprentice.

"Gah! Twyla! Get off of me!" Heron yelped, with a mix of giggling in her mew well. "Twyla!"

"Twyla, I think that's enough." Violet meowed. Her reminder was in vain once she realized Twyla and Heron were play-fighting. "Twyla!" She hissed. Twyla and Heron immediately stopped to look at her.

"Aw, you're such a grumpy ol' badger." Twyla sighed. She got up and shook her brownish-gray fur. "Only the stars know why you managed to become best friends with Ivy, for goodness sake."

Ivy was a new fighter in the Ten Flames, who seemingly passed her assessment with ease. What they don't know was that I helped her pass that assessment because she's expecting kits. Violet and Ivy had gotten along pretty well, now to the point of being best friends. Maybe I can coax Ivy into telling me how to pass the assessment.

"Hey, Violet. I think it's time for battle training." Heron mewed breezily before padding towards the exit of camp. Twyla sat down next to Hazel and began eating on the water vole with her, Violet held her tongue; she shouldn't be dawdling. She rushed towards the exit to hurry to battle practice. I can't be late!

Once Violet was out of the camp, she was greeted by Silverpaw, one of the younger apprentices of the Ten Flames. Ugh, I do not like him. Silverpaw was a rogue before coming to the Ten Flames, along with his littermates Starpaw and Hazel. If I'm being completely honest, he's the most annoying out of all the cats in camp. I'm dead serious. Silverpaw had the most unpleasant knack of being both airheaded at times and then becoming rude and snappy at others. Why couldn't he lose his leg elsewhere? The fact that he was a tripod cat made Violet dislike him even more. It made their leader Maple pity him and his littermates and brought them into their group. If I had the choice, they'd be back on the road!

"O-Oh, hi Violet." Silverpaw stuttered underneath his breath. His silver eyes were mixed with several emotions Violet couldn't put a paw on. Is he alright? "Let's go find our mentors then, alright?" Silverpaw padded off without her. Growling to herself, Violet raced up to him. Her paws hit the slippery rocks like lightning; her pace couldn't be outmatched now. As she kept running, her left paw tripped over her right paw. Oh no! No longer having any control over where her body go, she slipped into the nearby river. Water dampened her pelt, making it difficult to stay up. However, her head was high enough to call for help.

Violet wailed as loud as she could. "H-Help!" She yowled. Pawsteps could be heard coming closer and closer. Soon the dark ginger tabby pelt of Silverpaw came into view. "Silverpaw!"

Silverpaw jumped down as fast as he could, He then grabbed her by the scruff, struggling to pull her out. Violet pushed herself up, trying to get out of the water as fast as she could. Soon she was out of the river, breathing heavily. Violet looked up at Silverpaw. H-He saved me…

"Are you alright, Violet?" Silverpaw asked, his voice edged with concern. Violet could feel her consciousness drifting away from herself as Silverpaw's cries grew softer and softer in the distance. I can't hold on any longer…

Violet wearily opened her eyes, surprised to find herself in the Healer's den. Wasn't I just at the riverbank with Silverpaw? She glanced around the den to see what was happening. Holly and Jayson were sorting out the herbs together, occasionally gazing lovingly into each others eyes. I would never coo like a dove over any tom! Holly and Jayson were the newest healers, so it was kind of hard for Violet to believe they're mates now. Violet felt someone's tail brush up against her fur. She turned to her right to see Silverpaw curled up right next to her. By the stars, why's he here?!

"He fell asleep while waiting for you to wake up, Violet." Starpaw informed her. His pale silver eyes gleamed with amusement. "Silverpaw insisted on staying with you. He was quite worried, you know."

"Silverpaw worried about me? As if." Violet snorted. Her eyelids drooped a little, but she was determined to stay up. I've gotta stay up. "When can I leave?"

Starpaw rolled his eyes. "Whenever you want, but I think Silverpaw has confined you to the medicine den." Violet could feel Silverpaw unconsciously place his left forepaw on her shoulders. Is he always this clingy in his sleep?

"Oh, Violet! You're okay!" Violet's ears pricked towards the entrance of the den at the sound of her mother's voice. Penny's pelt was bristling wildly. "Don't ever do that- oh. I see you're busy." She purred at that last bit.

"What do you mean, 'busy'?" Violet asked, her voice growing with annoyance. "I'm just sitting here."

Penny flicked her tail towards Silverpaw. "With a tom." How could she even suggest that?! I'd never be with him- I'd never be with anyone for that matter!

"Mmph...Violet…?" Silverpaw mumbled. He slowly blinked his eyes open. "You're awake…?" Violet bit back a sharp retort and nodded, her eyes full of irritation.

"Oh yes, and Silverpaw, Maple is calling for a group meeting. She specifically wants you there." Penny chuckled, her hazel eyes bright with joy. Silverpaw looked a little more excited. Is he becoming a fully fledged fighter? Penny walked out of the den, leaving Violet and Silverpaw behind.

"D-Do you w-wanna c-come with?" Silverpaw stuttered awkwardly, his pelt feeling hot beside Violet's.

Violet nodded. "Sure. Lead the way, Silverpaw." She purred. Silverpaw smiled, his tail flicking back and forth. Is he really that happy that I'm coming? "Come on then, Silverpaw."

"O-Oh! Oh yeah!" Silverpaw absent-mindedly meowed. I hate to admit it, but he's absolutely adorable when he forgets anything. "Let's go." He got up from the nest and Violet copied him. They walked over to the clearing in camp, where most of the cats were. Violet could see Twyla and Heron in the crowd, snickering in her face. Why're they laughing? She felt Silverpaw's tail wrap around her. Why's he being so clingy right now? Quickly he drew his tail away when Maple began yowling from Perched Rock.

"All cats part of the Ten Flames, young and old, please gather under Perched Rock for a group meeting!" Maple called from the rock. Several more cats gathered, awaiting the news. "Today I'm appointing a new fighter. Silverpaw, please step forward." Silverpaw? Okay, that's kind of obvious…

"He's been an apprentice less moons than we have." An older apprentice named Tristan muttered to himself. Twyla, who was sitting next to him nodded in agreement, a moonstruck glint in her eyes. Twyla didn't say anything but sigh dreamily. Twyla has issues.

"From this day forward, you are an official and fully fledged fighter. You'll be known as Silverfire from this day on. We honor your courage and passion." Maple meowed firmly. Silverfire smiled awkwardly, shifting his paws.

"Silverfire! Silverfire!" Everyone cheered before congratulating his new name. Violet padded towards him. Silverfire turned towards her, hopefulness sparkling in his silver gaze.

"Congratulations, Silverp- oops! I mean Silverfire!" Violet purred, her voice cracking a little. Silverfire chuckled and licked her ear.

"It's okay, everyone's still used to calling me Silverpaw!" Silverfire laughed. I half expected him to snap at me. Why's he being so friendly to me?

Violet playfully prodded his shoulder. "It's alright. By the stars, your name is ironic!" Silverfire purred, his silver eyes gleaming with joy.

"I know! I earned it by jumping in a river, which is full of water- not fire!" Silverfire joked. Violet gently licked Silverfire's muzzle. Oh, what am I doing?! I shouldn't be acting this way!

"Violet, I didn't know you liked Silverfire!" Violet and Silverfire turned to see Twyla and Heron padding up to them. "You've never really warmed up to any tom, really." Twyla teased lightly.

"I do not have time for a mate or kits! My attention must be focused on becoming a leader one day." Violet firmly meowed. Why should I take my attention away from my goal of becoming a leader? It probably wouldn't be worth it in the long run.

Silverfire purred. "Well, Violet's got a passion for something!" He playfully nudged her shoulder. "Looks like Tristan's got some good competition."

Heron snickered. "Yep, and he's already got Twyla padding after him!" Twyla playfully tackled Heron, messing up their once clean pelts. I'd never fall for any tom. She briefly looked over in Silverfire's direction. His dark ginger tabby pelt was long and messy, and his silver eyes soft and gentle. No. Not even an extremely handsome tom either. Violet resisted the urge to entwine her tail with his. B-But maybe...no. Why am I feeling so weird?

"I-I need to go. Now." Violet muttered before running off to the freshkill pile, where her mother was picking out a piece of prey. Maybe she can explain. "M-Mom, can we talk?" Penny nodded, her mouth stuffed with a fresh squirrel. She walked over to an empty part of the clearing and dropped her squirrel on the ground. Violet followed after her and sat in front of her.

"Are you hungry?" Penny asked gently. Violet nodded and took a bite out of the freshkill. "So, what's wrong? I've never seen you so flustered before."

Violet sighed after swallowing her first bite. "It's- I- A tom." She stuttered. Penny's eyes glowed with amusement. "It's not funny, mom!"

"Oh, alright. Who is it? Tristan- wait, nope, that's Twyla. Silverfire, perhaps?" Penny purred, amused by Violet's squeamishness.

"S-Silverfire." Violet grumbled. "I can't be acting like this, mom! I'll never be a leader if that happens!"

Penny's soft hazel eyes gleamed with understanding. "Maple is mates with Spider and they had Tristan. Yet she's a leader, isn't that right?" Violet nodded. "Well, then. There's your answer. Love is a blessing, Violet. It makes you much stronger than you know."

"Can I get Silverfire, Violet, Hazel and Ivy on a hunting patrol please?" Maple yowled from across the clearing. Violet padded towards the camp exit to greet Silverfire and Ivy at the exit.

"Hey. Where's Hazel?" Violet mewed. Ivy didn't bother answering, while Silverfire gestured to the freshkill pile with his tail.

Silverfire laughed a little. "She's too busy with her mate to notice anything." Violet turned to see Hazel and Spiritpaw, the only apprentice in the Ten Flames sharing a rather scrawny mouse, their tails entwined. By the stars, why is it that they never seem to separate?

"Oh, I can't wait for you to finish your mediator training, Spiritpaw." Hazel purred silkily. "Then we can officially be mates." Spiritpaw gently licked her forehead, purring as well.

"Me too." Spiritpaw murmured. He looked over his shoulder to share a brief gaze with Violet. Quickly turning back to Hazel, he mewed, "I think your patrol is waiting." Hazel quickly got up, embarrassed. She should be.

"Oops! I love you, Spiritpaw." Hazel meowed quickly.

Spiritpaw smiled at her. "I love you too, Hazel." Hazel ran over to the patrol, who was getting more impatient by every heartbeat.

"Sorry! It's just really hard to-" Hazel apologized at once.

Ivy growled. "Take your eyes off of Spiritpaw, we know." Jeez, Ivy's not in a very good mood, is she? "Let's at least try to find some prey in this horrible leaf-bare." The four cats padded out of the camp to be greeted by a harsh gust of wind.

"Gah! I hate this cold air! It's stupid, annoying and freezing!" Hazel whined. Ivy shot her an angry glare, which seemed to shut Hazel up for a little while, but not for long.

Silverfire grinned weakly, his legs trembling. "What's the point of complaining if you can't change it?" Hazel rolled her hazel eyes.

"I'm not letting this weather be more annoying than me." Hazel muttered. "And as you can see, Ivy seems to think the same." Ivy hissed at them, but didn't say anything. Woah, I've never seen Ivy this mad. "Alright, alright. I'll shut up." Silverfire padded right next to Violet, his warm body heat keeping her warm. Why's he getting so close? But I'm not complaining. I'll take any warmth I can get.

Silverfire leaned a tiny bit closer into her. "Erm, V-Violet? C-Can I a-ask you a question?" What's up with him? I haven't seen him so nervous around me since that time when he saved my life.

"You already did." Violet lightly teased him. "Just kidding. Yes?" Silverfire's pelt started bristling a little. Is he that nervous?

"I-I know you said that you had no time for a mate, b-but...I love you, Violet. I was wondering if we could be mates." Silverfire mumbled. "I-I mean, you don't have to if you don't want to…" Silverfire's asking me to be his mate? I thought that he'd go after someone much better, anyways… But should I reject him? I still want to be leader. Penny's words echoed in her head.

"Love is a blessing, Violet. It makes you much stronger than you know." Violet fought back a pang of grief for Penny, who'd died of Greencough right before her fighter ceremony. She was right. Love did make me stronger. And I do love Silverfire.

Violet licked his muzzle. "I'd be honored to be your mate, Silverfire. I love you too." Silverfire purred, intertwining his tail with Violet's. Thank you, Penny. Thank you for helping me see the truth about love.

"Mom!" Violet opened her eyes to see Firegaze and River, her two kittens she had with Silverfire. Firegaze's pelt looked exactly like her father's; dark ginger with long tabby stripes and messy fur. Her eyes were a bright amber, just like Violet's. River was a pale gray and white tabby with short fur like Violet and had Silverfire's silver eyes. They're so beautiful.

River's silver eyes gleamed with anger. "Firegaze was being a big mouse-brain again! She pretended to be you so she climbed onto Perched Rock again. Dylan had to get her down again!"

"Did not! And Dylan wouldn't be able to do that! He's only two moons older than us!" Firegaze spat back.

"That's a big difference, Firegaze! He's almost six moons, idiot! We're only four! How can you not see that he's bigger than us?!" River hissed.

Firegaze ran over to Violet, hiding herself under her tail. "Mommy, River's being a jerk!"

"I don't know how I put up with you two." Violet sighed, half irritated and half amused. "Now I know how my mother felt. River, your sister isn't an idiot. And Firegaze, what did I tell you about climbing up there? It's not safe!"

"It's like Firegaze wants Dylan to save her all the time!" River teased. "I wouldn't be half surprised if she wants him to be her mate!" Firegaze snarled and leaped at him. Oh dear. I'm afraid you hit a nerve, River.

"Both of you, knock it off!" Violet scolded them. "Why can't you two get along for once? River, go play Tristan for a little bit. I'm sure he'd love your company." River muttered to himself, but walked out of the nursery. Firegaze looked over in Violet's direction.

"Thanks, mom. He keeps teasing me about Dylan, and I don't like it!" Firegaze huffed. This certainly new. What's wrong with her and Dylan?

"Why's that? You don't happen to like him, do you?" Violet laughed a little. Firegaze smiled.

"Yes, a lot- NO! I certainly don't like him! No way!" Firegaze snapped. Oh, you poor kit. It's hard having a kitten-crush on someone, isn't it? Violet gently licked her daughter's forehead. "I don't!"

"Aw, I believe you." Violet purred. Not really. "Why don't you go play with the other kits?"

"MOM! I JUST SAID I DON'T LIKE DYLAN!" Firegaze hissed. She really has my attitude, doesn't she?

"I know, but there's also Blaze. She's fine, right?" Violet asked. Firegaze rolled her amber eyes and trudged out of the nursery, heading to the freshkill pile where Dylan was standing. You're not really helping your case.

"Difficult dealing with that one, eh?" Holly, Dylan's mother snickered. Violet nodded. "Just like her mother. You've really changed, Violet. I didn't even expect you to get a mate or have kits."

Violet purred. "Well, you can thank Penny. She's the one who convinced me otherwise." Penny, I hope you're still watching over us…

Violet is an apprentice in the Ten Flames, a group hidden among the four Clans. Her main goal in life is to be a leader of her group, nothing more. So when she starts falling in love, she goes to her mother Penny for advice. (Challenge for TorrentClan)