"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in it's own way."
-Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina

Half a moon had passed, and I felt content with the things Antpad had taught me.

The other apprentices, not so much.

Fuzzpaw had dropped a scorpion on our side of the apprentice's den, Brownpaw had got stung on his front left leg trying to get it away from us. Jiovepaw and her followers had scared prey away from us countless times, resulting in Splotchstar giving me and my friends a good scolding, even when it wasn't our fault.

Which was every time.

Also, starting a quarter moon ago, Jiovepaw had started having her powers activate. At least that's what she said.

"Mother, you're thinking of water voles right now." Jiovepaw said. Weaselberry gave a look of shock.

"How'd you guess?" Weaselberry purred. "I'm just kidding, I know it's the Jayfeather part of you kicking in!"

I scoffed at first, but it actually appeared she had powers. I knew Splotchstar for not giving in to kits's stupid tricks, Jiovepaw told Splotchstar what she was thinking of...and she gussed right.

I knew by the look of shock on Splotchstar's face and the way she reteated back to her reed bed.

Jiovepaw actually had powers.

I couldn't been more distraught, I would be nothing more than a warrior that will die and pass into the wind without any meaning.

I wanted to run away.

But I'm part of RiverClan.

"Redpaw!" Volepaw gave a warm smile and walked to me. "Want to play mossball with me, Flypaw, Brownpaw, and Dawnwhisper's kits?"

"Of course." I gave a small smile and followed her.

I guess I could tell you how each cat is related in RiverClan besides the ones I metioned: Perchshine and Aspendrop are mates, their kits are Bumblestream and Pebblebird. Flintwhisker and Sweetcloud are mates, their kits are Foxflower, Emberstem, and Clovertalon. Pikestep is Morningpool's uncle. Heroneyes and Mothleap are mates, and Sedgestep and Emberstem are mates.

Amberfern is Flypaw's and Volepaw's mother...but I had no idea who the father is.

Also, one day Volepaw told me never to mention a Bluefeather to Splotchstar.

"Why not?" I tilted my head to emphasize how confused I was.

"Just don't, Amberfern's father Reedfire told Flypaw to one sunrise and Splotchstar made him clean the elder's den for half a moon!"

"Who is Bluefeather?"

"All I can tell you is he was a RiverClan tom." Volepaw frowned. "Just wanted to let you know in case Jiovepaw and her followers tell you to bring him up in front of her."

"Thank you." I whispered.

I joined Volepaw and met up with my friends and Dawnwhisper's kits. Brownpaw was talking alongside Spiderkit while Flypaw was showing Rowankit how to kick the mossball.

"They're already acting so fatherly!" Volepaw teased.

"Me and Brownpaw are only two moons older than Dawnwhisper's kits!" I meowed. "Wanting kits so soon, Volepaw?"

"Maybe." Volepaw flicked her tail towards Pikestep. "He wouldn't be too bad to have kits with."

"Oh come on now!" I rolled my eyes. "He's so old his sister had kits!"

"Great, and I'm sure your crush is the cat's meow!" Volepaw rolled her eyes back and rubbed her nose.

I gave a small giggle and froze up when I saw Darkpuddle return from his patrol.

Darkpuddle, now he's something else, that's for sure.

"Is your crush here?" Volepaw gave a grin.

"Well if I had one, he'd be in RiverClan wouldn't he?" I gave a fake gasp.

"Unless he's from another Clan!" Brownpaw joked. I noticed for some weird reason Flypaw ducked his head.

"Jiovepaw would never do that!" Rowankit meowed. "She's pure loyalty!"

I wanted to say 'we weren't TALKING about Jiovepaw', but instead I dug my claws into the dirt and kept silent.

"Come on guys!" Spiderkit purred. "The sunset patrol is back and we can eat!"

She dashed towards the pile and Brownpaw quickly followed. Volepaw followed and Flypaw walked at the same pace as me.

"So...how was battle training with my sister?" Flypaw meowed.

"Pretty good." I ran ahead and stopped in front of Darkpuddle.

The black fluffy fur and amber eyes got me shy quickly. I looked up into those eyes warily.

"Hello." Darkpuddle's deep voice made my fur ruffle. "How are you?"

"Great!" I managed to let out.

"Attention RiverClan." Splotchstar meowed. "You remember how we went to the Twolegplace farther from here to get more warriors after the Deadly Greencough took half our warriors. That's how we got Pikestep, Morningpool's mother Mildewfur, Applefrost, Darkpuddle, and Snailstep's and Antpad's mother Jaggedtail."

Me and some of the younger cats gasped. All those cats, including Darkpuddle, were kittypets and rogues? Snailstep and Antpad were littermates?

"We had done this several times and now RiverClan has failed to give us more Queens." Splotchstar snarled. "Our warriors that were made warriors only short amount of moons ago refuse to have kits!"

"What's wrong with that?!" Mothleap growled.

"Everything!" Splotchstar bellowed. "These she-craps are Pebblebird, Duskbright, Foxflower, and Emberstem! I don't care if you mate with a RiverClan tom or a rogue! I'm deciding a new rule for these four! They will never be able to have an apprentice or become deputy, or go to Gatherings till they have one. Litter. Each."

"NO!" Pebblebird snarled. "THAT'S NOT FAIR!"

"Not giving RiverClan ANY KITS ISN'T FAIR!" Splotchstar roared. "The leader's word is rule, deal with it."

Pebblebird gave a wail of grief, Emberstem stood beside her and nuzzled her. Foxflower and Duskbright shot looks of pure hate at Splotchstar before retreating to the warrior's den.

"TWO MORE THINGS!" Splotchstar snapped. "The Gathering is tonight. Me, Stonewater, Morningpool, Mothleap, Brambleblaze, Sweetcloud, Applefrost, Clovertalon, Aspendrop, Antpad, Weaselberry, Willowpaw, Honeypaw, Fuzzpaw, Flypaw, Volepaw, Redpaw, Brownpaw, and Jiovepaw will be going."

"And Perchshine, for providing us a litter, you may mentor Honeypaw for your daughter." Splotchstar purred.

"I don't want-"

"WELL YOU'RE GOING TO!" Splotchstar roared. "LET'S GO!"