A/N

Heyyyyyyy! So this is a new update! Hooray for me! I published a new story, it's a backstory on Hollowstar, please R&R it, thanks!

Hawkpaw limped back to camp, still dazed. Choose between Thunder and River... Thoughts whooshed in and out of her head all afternoon, and she was instantly asleep the moment she laid in her mossy nest.

A gentle paw was prodding her side. Hawkpaw rolled over, and half opened her eyes, seeing Heatherkit, and behind her were her two siblings, Eaglekit and Moonkit. "Hiya, Hawkpaw! Nightbreeze said to show Eaglekit the camp, he's opened his eyes!" Moonkit explained, stepped the the side to let Eaglekit speak.

"Y-yes, uh, hi Hawkpaw," the little tom stuttered, "I-er, we were wondering if you'd tell us about how you saved that RiverClan apprentice at the Gathering," Eaglekit looked up at Hawkpaw with pleading yellow eyes.

Hawkpaw sighed and sat up, scraps of moss falling from her pelt as she shook it. "Alright. I'll tell you a story, so sit tight." Hawkpaw finished telling them the Gathering story quickly, and when they begged for more, she couldn't resist their huge kit eyes.

"Ok, how about a story of how one of the codes came to be? What code do you want to know about?" Hawkpaw asked, and Heatherkit instantly stood up. "Oh, oh!" She waved her tail in the air eagerly. Hawkpaw chuckled, "yes, Heatherkit?"

"I want to know why we have to wait six whole moons to be apprentices!" Heatherkit meowed, rolling on her back and she sprang to her paws. "I can take on any warrior now!" Heatherkit insisted, but Eaglekit and Moonkit didn't share her enthusiasm. "I like herbs and healing rather than blood and fighting." Moonkit mewed defiantly, but Heatherkit just shook her head.

"No, silly! You can't be a medicine cat, Redbreeze already has an apprentice!" Heatherkit tore up a piece of Hawkpaw's moss. Eaglekit flicked his ear. "I don't mind waiting, I like playing with Jaytalon and Thornsnag. And I'm not in any rush to leave Brackenfang and Nightbreeze." He meowed bravely. Heatherkit eyed him, but she went back to destroying Hawkpaw's nest.

"Well, if Moonkit and Eaglekit won't pick one-" Hawkpaw stopped when Moonkit yanked her tail. "I want to know why warriors have to sit vigil all night." Moonkit meowed innocently, when Eaglekit shoved her aside. "Can I know about why cats can't love another cat from another clan?"

A little overwhelmed by all their pestering, Hawkpaw hissed. The kits were dead quiet. "Sorry, but I won't pick with your begging. I'll tell you of them all..." Hawkpaw started with Heatherkit.

"See, back in the beginning of the clans, apprentices were made apprentices when they were only three moons. Specklepaw, a new apprentice was training with an older apprentice. His mother Daisytail, was worried about him getting hurt. After all, her clan had been fighting with ShadowClan. Specklepaw could hardly beat his own clanmates in a practice battle, and Daisytail feared the ShadowClan cats would tear him apart. When the day of the battle came, Hazelstar, leader of WindClan stalked up to Blizzardstar, leader of ShadowClan. Hazelstar challenged ShadowClan, but before the battle could begin, Daisytail leaped onto a rock and stopped the fighting, and her friend, Hawkfoot another queen stood beside her. Blizzardstar asked if Hazelstar's cats feared it, but a ShadowClan queen stepped out from hiding also. She was called Oakleaf. Together, the three queen said their kits were hardly weaned, too young to fight and too young to die. Daisytail said she knew that battle was a part of their life, but that kits so young shouldn't be fighting, only to lose their first fight. Hazelstar asked Daisytail what she would propose, and the WindClan queen answered that their should be a new rule to the code; no kits under six moons will be apprenticed." Hawkpaw finished her story with Heatherkit booing, "no, I would be able to take all of them on! Scrawny flea-pelts!" Heatherkit growled, tearing yet another piece of moss.

"Me next?" Moonkit asked, and Hawkpaw nodded. "Yes, time to know why warrior sit vigil." Hawkpaw took a deep breath, preparing for yet another story.

"Still in the beginning of the Clans, there was a RiverClan medicine cat named Meadowpelt who brought this tradition to life. See, a pawful of warrior were constantly doing reckless acts. One cat, Snaketooth, had climbed one of the Great Oaks, back in the forest, and fallen, hurting his leg horribly. Meadowpelt hears Nettlepad, one of Snaketooth's friends say they're jumping in the gorge on the full moon. Worried, Meadowpelt goes to Troutstat. He explains that the warrior are too dangerous and could get themselves killed. Meadowpelt travels to the Moonstone and shares dreams with StarClan. He's shown brave, loyal and focused warriors; warriors Meadowpelt could be proud of. A voice whispers that warriors needs a night of silence and pure listening. When Molewhisker, Lightningpelt and Nettlepad go on their listening night, they later wake up the whole clan, alerting them to a fix attack. The three cats saved their clans' lives, and vigils were added to the code." Hawkpaw finished, with Moonpaw looking triumphant over Heatherkit.

"Ha! See, medicine cats are important!" Moonkit boasted, cuffing her sister's ear with a sheathed paw. Eaglekit nosed Hawkpaw's shoulder fur. "Can we hear mine next?"

"Yes, of course. Everyone, we have one more story. This is the tale of Cloudberry and Ryewhisker, a WindClan tom and RiverClan she cat. See, Cloudberry was expecting Ryewhisker's kits. I know, Heatherkit, it's not okay now, but it was back then. WindClan had been accused of stealing fish from RiverClan, and a battle soon broke out. WindClan had been defeated, but RiverClan wouldn't let them leave. One of Ryewhisker's clanmates was trying to attack Cloudberry, but he stopped him, telling him Cloudberry was expecting his kits. A RiverClan warrior attacked Ryewhisker, killing the WindClan tom. At a Gathering, Duststar, the WindClan leader, declared a new addition to the code; you must defend your clan with your life, and you can have friends in other clans, but you cannot love." Eaglekit twitched his tail happily at the end.

"Thank you, Hawkpaw! I think I've seen enough of camp for now. C'mon, Moonkit, Heatherkit, I'm tired..." Eaglekit yawned and his sisters reluctantly agreed, saying bye to Hawkpaw and heading towards the nursery.

As the moon-old kits left, Thornsnag entered. He had a gleeful look on his face. "Hawkpaw, today, do you know what today will be?" The chocolate tom grinned from whisker to whisker. Hawkpaw shrugged, hiding her anger. I'm still mad you...

"No, what?" Hawkpaw muttered. Thornsnag yipped, "today's your final assessment!" He exclaimed, "you'd better head off. I'll be watching." And Thornsnag left. "My final assessment?" Hawkpaw felt excitement rush through her, but she managed to stay mature. She was way overdue for this day!

...

Here, prey, just run right into my innocent claws... Hawkpaw thought, still empty-pawed. Then, a delicious scent hit her. Water vole! Hawkpaw crept forward, seeing the creature standing outside its den. It was quite fat for Leaf-bare, and Hawkpaw smelled milk-scent coming from its den. There must be a family in there! Hawkpaw thought. Hawkpaw pounced on the one outside the den, and stretched her paw inside the hole, getting one other fat vole. She buried them both, saying her thanks to StarClan silently before trekking on.

Heavy, dark grey clouds drifted above Hawkpaw, making her uneasy. Hawkpaw groaned as she felt a cold, frosty snowflake drop onto her pale pink nose. Please, let the prey still be running.

Soon, Hawkpaw was belly fur deep in snow, shivering. The thickness clung to her legs and underbelly, chilling her to the bone, slowing her down and she made much noise when she took a single step. The snow blocked her sense of smell, making her nose numb, but Hawkpaw scented something odd. "ShadowClan." Hawkpaw snarled under her breath. If I can smell her, then she can't smell me...

Scanning the snowy area, Hawkpaw spotted a silvery she cat creeping slyly in the snow. With a challenging yowl, Hawkpaw lunged at the ShadowClan cat. Startled, the ShadowClan tried to scramble away, but Hawkpaw had her pinned expertly. "What're you doing here?" Hawkpaw spat, shoving the she cat's muzzle in the snow. She spat the flakes out and stared at Hawkpaw. "I was only trying to find my kits!" She wailed. "When the snow came I lost them! And they won't respond to me!" The ShadowClan queen cried. "ShadowClan said nothing at the Gathering!" Hawkpaw growled, determined to protect the border. "I know, I know, I kitted a while after the Gathering! They're not even a moon old yet!" Hawkpaw gave the young queen a sniff.

"You can't be much older than me. I'm only a tad shorter." Hawkpaw meowed, slowly letting her up. "I'm Willowleap. I know who you are. Thornyflower complains that the scar she got from you pal ruins her complexion every day." Willowleap laughed. "We shouldn't be talking, and you shouldn't be here." Hawkpaw meowed blandly.

"I know, I know," Willowleap muttered. "Icekit! Clawkit!" Willowleap cried, "Cragkit!" Hawkpaw was confused. "What's with the odd names in your clan?" Willowleap froze. She shuffled a paw embarrassedly. "Fallenstar names the kits, to make them seem strong. She says it makes us more powerful... Shreddedpelt used to be Flowerbreeze, Talonsting was Talonclaw, Maggotheart was Spiderheart, Bloodyfur was Flamefur and Shadowedheart was Darkfoot. Fallenstar changes most of our names, she didn't let Shreddedpelt name her son, he became Fangpaw a while ago, but she wanted him to be called Swiftkit." Willowleap explained.

"When I had Spiderheart's kits-er, Maggotheart, Fallenstar didn't let me name them. I still care for them, but it feels wrong, not getting to name them." Willowleap explained. Hawkpaw finally came to a decision.

"I'll help you find your kits. It's part of the code, and once we find them, you go straight back to ShadowClan, yes?" Hawkpaw asked, narrowing her eyes until they were tiny ruby slits. Willowleap nodded, bouncing off.

"We were here, and Cragkit- he's a white color- said he was cold so I brought them close and I fed them. I must've dozed off because when I woke, they were gone!" Willowleap broke off into a wail. "Icekit, Clawkit, Cragkit!" She cried. Hawkpaw shushed her.

A tiny squeal and yelp was heard from a far distance.

Willowleap was instantly on her paws. "I heard them! Come on!" Willowleap was a blur as they ran, her long legs carrying her much farther than Hawkpaw's legs could.

Please don't let Thornsnag be watching me!

Just as Hawkpaw saw Willowleap, she let out a scream as a crack was heard. Hawkpaw raced over, to see one kit on the other side of WindClan territory, and a gap in the ice. "Hawkpaw! Cragkit and Clawkit fell in, please, help them!" Willowleap begged, her blue eyes wide desperately.

Taking a deep, shaky breath, Hawkpaw plunged in the freezing water. A white tom and a grey tom were sinking in the river. One- the white one- opened his mouth, but then closed it, realizing his mistake. Hawkpaw kicked her back legs and paddled her front, reaching the kits. Hawkpaw opened her jaws, careful not to inhale the water, and grabbed a kit. With her lungs bursting, she gripped the second kit and frantically swam the the surface.

Willowleap was on the other side of the bank, rasping her tongue over the white-and-blue grey tom. Willowleap turned to Hawkpaw a snatched a kit, grooming him, then a sullen look quickly spread across her face. "Clawkit's dead..." Willowleap gripped her kit's scruff and sobbed softly in his fur. "I'm sorry, it's all my fault, my dear Ashkit..." Ashkit... That must've been what she wanted to name him... Willowleap suddenly pulled away and took the whitish kit from Hawkpaw, licking his fur backwards, and the tiny kit choked up water. "M-momma...?" He asked hoarsely.

Willowleap was near tears. "Yes, yes, it's me, Willowleap. You're okay, Cragkit... You're ok, too Icekit." Willowleap hauled her kits up in her jaws, her blue eyes narrowed and misty.

"Thank you, they'd all be dead if it wasn't for you. Can you carry Clawkit for me?" Willowleap choked on her words. Hawkpaw nodded, shivering with her black fur plastered to her sides, making her look like a drowned rat. Fine, but I'll get greencough from this... Hawkpaw thought sourly as she picked up Clawkit and trudged through the snow once more.

When they arrived near the ShadowClan border, a hunting patrol came by. They all arched their backs and kinked their tails up high at Hawkpaw, but settled down when Willowleap appeared behind her. "It's alright! She helped me find my kits!" Willowleap exhaled shakily. "Clawkit is dead..."

At the words, a pale cream tom with long legs drew back his lips into a snarl at Hawkpaw. "Give me back my son." He threatened. He must be Maggotheart... I feel bad for Fallenstar changing their names...

"Here," Hawkpaw gently gave Clawkit to the creamy tom. Maggotheart's bones shifted under his pelt as he carefully took Clawkit. He must be giving his share of food to Willowleap. Hawkpaw realized, as Maggotheart look the hungriest.

"Thank you, once again." Willowleap dipped her head. She looked at the patrol expectingly. A dusty brown tom dipped his head also. "Thank you. We appreciate your help."

Hawkpaw recognized the dusty tom as Rockfall, and the other two cats with him were Daisystripe and Forestpaw. As they bounded off, Hawkpaw swallowed back a cough, but she couldn't stop a loud sneeze.

Hawkpaw sniffed and carried on back to camp. She dug up her plump voles, but Thornsnag stepped in front of her. "I saw you. Let me help." He insisted, grabbing the voles and letting Hawkpaw lean on him. When they made it back to camp, Mintflower examined her and told her it was a simple cold.

"Keep warm!" Mintflower had shouted after Hawkpaw when she left, sneezing. Thornsnag came up to Hawkpaw. "You passed your assessment, Hawkpaw." Thornsnag meowed enthusiastically. "Your warrior ceremony is tonight!" He called as he made his way to the nursery.

Tonight? In the cold? With my cold? Hawkpaw's thoughts finished with a cough. I need to sleep for now.

...

Hollowstar approached Hawkpaw, and the black apprentice knew she was dreaming. "You need to chose soon. This choice will change the course of your life, Hawkpaw. Think of what clan has what you desire..." Hollowstar faded, the only thing left was the eerie glow of her reddish yellow eyes.

Hawkpaw bolted upright, startled. A soft, chocolate pelt was curled around her, bring her warmth. Thornsnag... Hawkpaw nudged him softly, and he blinked open his blue-green eyes sleepily. "Yes?" He asked, but his question didn't need an answer when Smokestar called a clan meeting. Hawkpaw gave Thornsnag a lick on the ear and stood up.

I'm ready, StarClan, to make my choice, but please! Let it be the right one...

"Hawkpaw, come forward." Smokestar beckoned. Hawkpaw stiffly, yet nimbly, jumped up on the TallRock. "I, Smokestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained long to understand the way of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Hawkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost at your life?" Smokestar seemed to have a challenging tone to his voice. Oh, StarClan please.

Hawkpaw took a deep, confident breath. "Yes, but I have a request. I wish to be called Hawkpool." Hawkpaw met Smokestar's eyes defiantly. His yellow eyes narrowed. "Why?"

Hawkpaw held her head high. "Because of my birth clan; RiverClan. I promise to uphold the code and defend my clan at all costs, but just not this clan. You, Smokestar, stole me and my brothers from an innocent queen, just because Gingerroot's original litter died, save Cardinalheart and Fawnkit. That was not right!" Hawkpaw spat, earning herself many gasps of shock.

"V-very well." Smokestar faltered. "By the powers of StarClan, I name you Hawkpool. StarClan honors your spirit and independence." Smokestar rested his head on Hawkpool's shoulder and the new warrior licked his shoulder.

"Go." Smokestar snapped. Hawkpool knew was was happening. "If your service is with RiverClan, go be with them." Hawkpool dipped her head. "Yes, of course. I'll leave." As Hawkpool began to leave, a crack of thunder sounded above and rain began pouring. It soaked Hawkpool, but she held her chin high as her former clan glared at her.

Rain hissed at the ground, pelting at the snow, which was slowly melting. Hawkpool swiveled her ears to behind her, hearing faint pawsteps crashing towards her. Hawkpool spun around, coming nose-to-nose with Thornsnag. Rain and thunder was all around the two. "I-I came to talk to you!" Thornsnag shouted over the crashing. Thornsnag was drenched, his thick fur stuck to him, Hawkpool saw something she never did before; a pair of giant claw-like scars running down his back and ending at the base of his tail. His pelt must've covered it...

Thornsnag's blue-green eyes glowed in the stormy night, "I never got to say this, but Hawkpool, I love you." Their eyes met for a heartbeats and Hawkpool knew there could be something dear, and special, that she would treasure all her life, but Hawkpool looked away. "I-I can't." Hawkpool looked at him again. "I love you, too, but I love Jaytalon too. It hurts, hurts that I can't chose one of you!" Hawkpool felt her heart yank itself and crack.

Thornsnag lowered his ears. "B-but, Hawkpool, I-" Hawkpool stopped him. "No, Thornsnag. We can't do this. I can't love you!" With her heart shattered, an empty hole where it should be, Hawkpool raced off, leaving Thornsnag to cry, with the rain and lightning.

Hawkpool sat outside the RiverClan camp, her pelt sodden with rain and ferns and moss. This is my clan now. I will sit vigil, to protect my clan, and defend it at all costs.

A/N

I know, it's short, but did it hit you right in the feels?