"Don't let the past steal your present. This is the message of Christmas: We are never alone."
-Taylor Cadwell

I haven't felt anymore water than the puddles lapping at my paws when I was just a kit.

Now, I was consumed in water.

Antpad dived to my side and held her tail above me to keep me swimming steadily. I realized I could only be underwater so long.

I swam back up, and so did my mentor.

"During your apprenticeship, you'll be challenging yourself to hold your breath underwater for longer periods of time." Antpad must have noticed my face of uncertainty. "Don't worry, you don't have to be underwater longer than what is safe for you."

"Good." I whispered. I was finally beginning to enjoy the silent peaceful swim with my mentor when splashes and complaining from behind us followed.

"Hey! Volepaw took my fish!"

"Leave her alone, will you?"

"There'll be enough fish when I'm leader, after I stop the threat!"

I froze mid-swim. How did Jiovepaw get excused from cleaning the elder's den?

I felt a mild splash near me.

It was Brownpaw.

"Hello Antpad." Clovertalon purred beside Brownpaw. "How's the apprentice?"

You could ask me yourself! Never mind.

"Doing well, she's catching on just fine." Antpad commented. "Brownpaw, how about you?"

"Great I almost caught a minnow!" Brownpaw purred.

"Almost doesn't catch prey!" Jiovepaw growled.

"I don't see you with anything." Flypaw narrowed his eyes at Jiovepaw. "Shouldn't the great prophecy have caught something by now?"

"Uh.." Jiovepaw looked at Flypaw and dived underwater quickly.

Willowpaw and Honeypaw dived right after.

"There goes her followers." Volepaw muttered.

"Followers?" I pondered.

"Willowpaw and Honeypaw strongly believe in the prophecy, along with all the other warriors." Volepaw muttered. "Do you think Weaselberry made up the prophecy?"

"I'm afraid that's not possible." Mothleap meowed. "Morningpool received the prophecy and told Splotchstar before telling Weaselberry than."

"Was she expecting kits at the time?" Brownpaw asked.

"No, she didn't even have a mate. When Stonewater became deputy, she took him as a mate just to fulfill the prophecy." Mothleap stated.

My heart felt like a rock.

"How do you know it was solely for the prophecy?" I asked.

"They broke up moments after you and Brownpaw were born." Mothleap replied. "Weaselberry didn't even let you and Brownpaw nurse on her belly."

I wanted to run away. She didn't even love our Dad.

"Redpaw?" Antpad meowed. "You want to head back?"

"Yes." My voice trembled.

"Wimp!" Jiovepaw snarled. I had noticed Jiovepaw and her followers had rose to the surface just to easedrop.

"Orphan!" Willowpaw added.

"Scum!" Honeypaw growled.

Brownpaw swam to my side and glared at the three she-cats.

"Let's go, Redpaw." Brownpaw muttered. "They're fools."

I was about to leave when I noticed Flypaw and Volepaw looking disappointed that we were leaving.

The two siblings dove underwater.

I wanted to leave with Brownpaw, but we both stayed put.

Flypaw and Volepaw were on each side of us.

"We'll head back with you." Flypaw meowed.

"We'll keep you company." Volepaw added.

I gave a small smile, and the four of us swam back to RiverClan camp.

When we emerged from the water and into camp, Dad was quick to see to us.

"Are you alright, Redpaw?" Dad asked. "You're back early."

"Jiovepaw, Willowpaw, and Honeypaw bullied us!" Brownpaw snapped.

I kept silent, I didn't want to say anything.

"Redpaw?" Dad meowed.

I walked past him and into the apprentice's den. Fuzzpaw was the only one there.

"Oh, sweet-" Fuzzpaw cut off and narrowed his eyes at me. "Oh, you're not Jiovepaw."

"So what if I'm not?" I felt very defensive at the moment.

"Get out." Fuzzpaw suddenly growled, his eyes dark.

"What?" I growled. "No. All the apprentices share this den! Even me."

"OUT!" Fuzzpaw roared. I looked away and ran out of the apprentice's den.

Volepaw stopped in her tracks.

"Are you alright, Redpaw?" Volepaw asked.

"No, leave me." I sighed. "There's no point in trying to talk to him."

I walked into the elder's den where Marshmouse and Reedfire were relaxing.

"Hello, my little blossom." Marshmouse purred. "You had a rough first day, I can tell. Come here."

"Fuzzpaw told me to get out of the apprentice's den." I held in my tears. I don't cry.

"Him, he's a joke." Reedfire growled.

I pressed myself against my grandmother as I saw many warriors praise Jiovepaw for catching a freaking minnow.

"She's already cutting out to be a brilliant warrior!" Snailstep purred.

"She'll be moving on to catching even huger fish!" Dawnwhisper added.

"You gave birth to a brilliant kit." Foxflower praised Weaselberry, who beamed at such.

I growled.

My StarClan, that fox-heart said kit, not kits.

"Dear, sheathe your claws." Marshmouse said softly.

I sobbed into Marshmouse's fur.

"I didn't mean to be unsympathetic, dear." Marshmouse meowed, rubbing my shoulders. "You can sleep here."

"I love you very much, but I can't sleep here." I replied. "Thank you, but I can't cower to Fuzzpaw."

I got up, knowing very well I was probably going to end up clawed up by Fuzzpaw and his sisters.

I entered the apprentice's den. The apprentices were divided into two. The right side of the den was Willowpaw, Honeypaw, Fuzzpaw, and Jiovepaw. The left side was Brownpaw, Flypaw, and Volepaw.

I felt troubled and relieved at the same time.

I walked to the left side of the den.

I curled up next to my brother. Volepaw and Flypaw curled up next to us and we slept.

Flypaw's POV

I looked up and saw Jiovepaw and her followers about to get up. They looked like they were either going to attack or scare us.

I leaped from Redpaw's side and snarled at them.

They hissed at me and went back to sleep.

"Wha?" Volepaw meowed sleepily.

"Go back to sleep sister." I meowed. "It's just the wind."

And she did so.

I looked at Redpaw and Brownpaw sleeping through the chilling leaf-bare wind. It was so cold, I was surprised Dawnwhisper's kits were still alive.

Redpaw shivered.

I noticed my white and tabby fur clung to my bones, I looked skinny. Redpaw looked alright, but now that she had to hunt, it was only a matter of time before her and Brownpaw become skinny as well.

I squeezed in between Redpaw and Brownpaw. I rested my head on top of Redpaw's.

The cold breezed past, I felt like I was slipping away...