"Amberpaw? Wake up!"

What's happening? I'm just a kit…

With a jolt I realized that today I'd see Thunderclan's territory. I opened my eyes and stood up. Leafpaw and Fogpaw were still asleep.

Great! They can't tease me.

I quietly made my way out of the den, and shook my long, calico pelt. Darkfeather was waiting.

"Hi! Will we tour the territory today?" I asked. I hoped we were. "Yes we are! Go get a mouse." I argued. "I'm not hungry!" "You will be."

From past experiences, I knew not to argue. I sprinted to the fresh-kill pile. All cats around me were yawning and waking up. I selected a plump mouse and started to gulp it down. Leafpaw and Honeywind joined me.

Stay calm... Stay calm…

"Leafpaw spoke, "Honeywind, I'd like a mouse." I kept eating, when Leafpaw said, "That mouse." I didn't look up for a moment. There was silence. Then I realized Leafpaw was staring at my mouse.

It's mine!

I tried to play it cool and act like I hadn't noticed her. I kept on eating.

OOOW!

I felt sudden, sharp pain in my shoulder. I spun around, Honeywind's claws were dug into my shoulder. "Hey!" I cried. Honeywind knocked me aside. My flank hit the ground with an audible thump. "OOOOW!" I shrieked. I knew instantly I'd landed badly. My paws had been splayed out.

Why did she hurt me?

I didn't care that tears were streaming from my eyes. Honeywind stared at me, a cold smirk on her face. I lied down, and let my head hit the ground. My side was throbbing badly.

Suddenly I heard thumping paws. A glossy black pelt zoomed to where I'd landed.

Darkfeather!

"She tripped." Spat Honeywind. "That's not true!" I cried.

Why!? What did I do to them?

"She did so trip! She tried to take my mouse, and she fell!" Leafpaw meowed, slapping an innocent look on her face.

Then I heard a loud voice. "Well, pardon me, I might just be having eyesight troubles, but it looked to me like Leafpaw wanted her mouse, so Honeywind knocked her down."

Applestar!

"Is this true?" Darkfeather leaned over Honeywind and Leafpaw.

"M-maybe…" Trailed Leafpaw.

"Well then, you and only you will be in charge of the elder's ticks.

Yes!

I knew I shouldn't be happy, but I was. However, Applestar wasn't finished.

"Honeywind, you will miss the next four gatherings." Her tail drooped sadly, but the golden she-cat didn't argue.

Applestar looked at me. "The shoulder wound isn't serious. Go see Tansygaze."

I nodded and left Darkfeather and Applestar to chat.

When I was finished, Darkfeather was waiting. Would you like to tour the territory? "Yes!" I cried. "Then let's go!" She purred. I walked beside her to the exit.

Instantly, I was greeted by tall trees. Wow! "It's massive", chirped Darkfeather. She led me onto a hill, where I could see the whole lake area.

Great Starclan! It's so big! I'll never memorize it all!

"Oh, the world is millions larger." Darkfeather said.

I gazed ahead in awe. Pride washed over me.

I'll fight for this with my life!

"Come on, lets go!"

I'd never walked farther in my life! We went to each border, saw each landmark, and she explained each place's dangers. I hung on to Darkfeather's every word. It may be important some some day. My paws felt heavy. We began to return to camp.

"Go get something to eat." She purred. I nodded and ran over to the pile. No cat was there. I settled for a peaceful meal.

When I finished, Darkfeather was at my side. "Rest for the night. Hunting right away in the morning." I yawned and nodded, and approached my den. Thankfully, all of the others were asleep. I lay my head down for a long rest.

"Amberpaw! Hunting!"

I lifted my head. I was so tired. Reluctantly, I got up. As soon as my paws touched the ground, I felt a very sharp sting in my left paw pad. I lifted it to see, and my right one hurt.

Huh?

I felt stinging all over me.

What in the name of Starclan?

"Owww!" I slammed my paw to the ground, and lifted it. To my horror, there were tiny fire ants all over it. I turned to my nest. All over it were fire ants.

Leafpaw!

"I sprinted out of the nest to find Darkfeather. All the way I was screeching silently with pain.

"Great Starclan! Where'd all those ants come from?" Darkfeather asked when I finally caught up.

"Leafpaw happened!" I mumbled through my gritted teeth.

My pelt felt like there was fire swimming through it. My vision swam and my eyes were stung. There were fire ants in my ears too.

"Help! Tansygaze!" I could barely hear Darkfeather's cry. I heard Tansygaze shout, "In the river." I let out a shriek of pain and dashed to the river. I didn't hesitate, and I plunged in.

Relief!

Never before had water felt so good. I felt the ants wash off, and the cool water soothed the burning, fire-like pain. I stayed in the water for a while, before I got up and shook. The pain returned, but it wasn't as bad. I limped to Tansygaze, who already had honey and sharp-smelling green herbs.

She applied sticky poultices all over me, and the pain eased greatly.

"Okay, you can train." She sent me off with the purr. I thanked her, and ran to Darkfeather.

"I spoke to Applestar. He'll sort it out."

I nodded gratefully.

"Let's hunt!"

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-Thanks!

Meow.