Hey guys. I don't know what this is. It's weird.

Two moons later

I was stalking towards the fresh-kill pile, a thrush in my jaws. Cats would try to be discreet as they stared, but I could see them. I dropped the thrush on the pile and walked over to the Nursery. I pushed through the leaves and a little gray kit scrambled over to pounce on my paws.

"Shadowpaw!"

I smiled and watched and the little gray bundle bounced around me.

"Let's go outside to play."

She bounced past me and out into the camp. I followed and toppled over as Rainkit pounced on me. I played with the kit and rolled around in the dust until Specklefur called me over.

"Shadowpaw!"

I sat up and shook the dust out of my fur, nudging the kit back into the Nursery.

I padded over to my mentor. I had grown to her size, even with my youth. Specklefur padded out of Camp with me.

Graymist and Poppyclaw slid past us into camp with prey in their jaws. Pinepaw had been struck with Whitecough and died last moon. I shivered as I remembered the disease that had spread hrough the Clan.

Leafbare was over, being the shortest season, but snow still patched the ground in some places. Specklefur turned to me with a smile.

"It's time for your Final Assessment. Catch a thrush, a mouse and a rabbit."

I nodded and slid into the underbrush. A thrush called quietly from a tree.

What luck!

I thought, climbing slowly up the tall tree. The thrush was sitting on a branch, cleaning it's feathers. I stalked up to a branch above the one holding my prey, crouching in a hunting stance. I pounced, dropping onto the thrush. I broke i's neck before it could screech and scare any other perspective prey out of sight. I was about to leap down when I spotted a rabbit.

It was munching on grass at the base of the tree. I placed the dead thrush at an intersection between two branches and slowly climbed down to a safe leaping distance.

I aimed carefully and leaped, landing square on the rabbit's shoulders. I snapped it's neck with a quick bite and scrapped dirt over the rabbit's body.

I climbed back up the tree and grabbed the thrush, climbing back down and burying the bird. I slowly slipped through the bushes towards a mouse nest I had found a few days before. A fat mouse was nibbling on a nut near the entrance.

I stalked around to where I was downwind of the animal. It's back was turned. I stepped lightly as I stalked the furry creature. It stopped nibbling and it's ears pricked.

I stopped, holding my breath. It turned slowly and I closed my eyes, completely invisible against the black shadows of the bush. After a moment I heard the mouse return to it's meal.

I stepped with paws like feathers until I was close enough to pounce. I leaped, my claws digging into the tiny animal's flesh. It squeaked once before I bit it's spine, ending it's life.

I lifted the animal in my jaws and carried it back to my prey I had buried beside the oak. Specklefur slid out of the bushes and picked the thrush up in her jaws.

I lifted the rabbit and the mouse and walked back to camp beside my mentor. She laid her tail across my shoulders to stop me. I stopped and looked as she laid the thrush on the ground and grabbed the rabbit.

She lifted it over my back and settled it across my shoulders. The weight was foreign but bearable, and she gestured to the thrush with her tail. I lifted it beside the mouse and carried my prey through the tunnel and into camp. The other cats turned to look at me as I walked proudly over to the fresh-kill pile.

I laid my prey on top and grabbed the rabbit, slipping it from my shoulders and placing it across the top. I walked back over to Specklefur and she nodded happily.

I smiled and sat down to clean my paws. My sleek black fur was dirty from the hunt. I groomed myself meticulously as Shadestar walked up to Specklefur.

I remembered how Adderstar had died of Whitecough the previous Leafbare. I blinked and shook my head, returning to grooming.

Shadestar leapt up to the lowest branches of the great tree and yowled.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Great Tree for a clan meeting!"

I settled next to Specklefur and looked up at Shadestar.

"I have gathered the Clan today to create a new Warrior. Specklefur, has Shadowpaw passed her assessment?"

"Yes."

I just stared up at Shadestar as he called my name.

"Shadowpaw!"

I stood and padded calmly up to my leader.

"Do you swear to uphold the Warrior Code, even at the cost of your life?"

I looked straight into his eyes and spoke with confidence.

"I do."

"Shadowpaw, from this moment forth, you shall be known as Shadowfrost. May Starclan guide you in your path."

I lowered my head and Shadestar rested his head on mine. I licked his shoulder and pulled away, walking back to sit beside Specklefur. I felt a warm body press up against my side. I turned to see Nightshade pressing up against me, her green eyes warm.

"Congradulations!"

I smiled at the slightly younger cat and stifled a purr.

"Thanks!"

I twined my tail in hers. She didn't stop me. I wondered why my heart was warmed by this she-cat's attention.

"Yeah, congratulations!"

Snowclaw, Nightshade's brother, padded up and leaned against my side. His touch was prickly and uncomfortable. I smiled and pulled away. The sun was dipping below the horizon. I padded to the entrance and sat down, settling my tail over my paws. I had a long night ahead of me.

The sun peaked up over the horizon and I smiled. My vigil was over. I was a full warrior now. Specklefur tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and she smiled.

"You can speak."

I pressed against her side and purred. Nightshade stepped sleepily out of the warriors den and padded over to me. I as buzzing with adrenaline. I trotted over to Nightshade and leaned up against her.

"After they announce the patrols, do you want to go hunting with me?"

Nightshade purred.

"As long as neither of us are called, sure!"

Specklefur, the new deputy since Shadestar was named leader, yowled for attention.

"The dawn patrol with consist of Graymist, Poppyclaw, and Cloudclaw. The first hunting patrol will be Owlheart, Foxeye, and Sparrowshine." I almost bounced out of camp, Nightshade following beside me as we padded out of camp. I was filled with excitement, my heart fluttering.

Wait, why is my heart fluttering?

I thought, padding through the forest. My mind was elsewhere, looking for reasons for my heart to flutter. When I finally glanced around, we were in the middle of the territory, away from all of the hunting grounds. I turned guiltily towards Nightshade.

"Sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

Nightshade padded up to me, pressing against my side and twining her tail with mine.

"I don't mind, it just means I get to spend quality time with you."

She purred, resting her head against my neck. I was puzzled.

I hated for other cats to touch me, but when Nightshade pressed up against me, it felt good. Like she was meant to be there. I wanted to move, screamed for my body to react, to move away, but I couldn't. My body wouldn't move.

But, after a moment, I realized that it was the voice that had told me to attack the cats who went after my family that was screaming for me to move away, to leave. I didn't want to move. I felt nothing but affection for the sweet black cat. Nightshade slowly slid away.

I watched as she sat down a few feet in front of me. I stared straight into her green eyes. Nothing but curiosity and affection filled her gaze.

I walked slowly to her, sitting pressed against her side.

She licked my cheek.

Fire erupted through me. I didn't feel like moving away. I just felt like melting for her. I turned to look at Nightshade. She was looking down at her paws. I looked at her for a moment before closing my eyes.

I licked her cheek.

She glanced up at me and I smiled. My eyes were drooping with sleep. Nightshade pushed me slowly down to the forest floor. She laid down next to me and closed her eyes. I twined my tail with hers. She rested her head against my shoulder and I rested my head on her shoulders. I slipped slowly into sleep.

I'm tired. I'll see you later. Bye guys.

-Starflight