Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I don't own the warriors series or any of its characters, but my own OC's

It has been half a moon since Dawnpaw began training in the Dark forest she woke up with fresh wounds often inflicting worry in her fellow clanmates she just brushed it off assuring them she was fine. In the past few sunrises she has gotten closer to Fleetfoot who spent quite a bit of time with her when she had to stay in camp. She sighed and shook her head of the thought and continues to search for prey. She was out solo hunting happy to get away from the constant concerned looks thrown her way. She was caught in her thoughts when a rustle in a bush close to her brought her back to where she was she spotted a small squirrel scratching at the ground she got into the hunter's crouch keeping her tail straight behind her she carefully crept forward she didn't' notice the crispy leaves in front of her before it was too late, she stepped on them eliciting a loud crunch the squirrels head popped up and spotted Dawnpaw it quickly scurried off. Dawnpaw jumped to her paws and gave chase. Because of the squirrels smaller size he was able to get ahead while Dawnpaw got hit and scratched by bushes and sticks, eventually she lost it and collapsed onto the ground panting hard. Once she got back to her paws she looked around confused wait a second this is HawkClan territory she opened her mouth to scent the air and her heart stopped oh no WaterClan she thought whipping her head around expecting a WaterClan cat to leap out of the bushes at her. She slowly backed up ears pricked to detect any sound she continued walking backwards until she bumped into something she turned her head and stood there shocked a black she-cat stood there with wide eyes the two stared at each other for a few seconds when Dawnpaw finally reacted she started to back up

"I - I'm sorry I didn't me-mean to be here I was chasing a squirrel and didn't see where I was going" she stuttered nervously eyes darting back and forth searching for an escape route. The she-cat gave her a weird look and laughed

"Oh don't worry i'm not gonna hurt you i made the same mistake when i was an apprentice" she said with a light smile on her muzzle. Dawnpaw slowly straightened up still looking warily at the other she-cat

"What do you mean?" Dawnpaw questions The she-cat just chuckled shaking her head

"Oh well i just chased a rabbit boy those things are fast" Dawnpaw found herself grinning at the she-cats antics "I'm Cinderear by the way you see" she mewed twitching her single grey ear Dawnpaw couldn't help the giggle that escaped her

"I'm Dawnpaw and i'm sorry for entering your territory" She mewed sheepishly Cinderear just shrugged

"Hey no problem let's just get you out of here before someone else sees you" she mewed softly leading the way back to HawkClan's territory Dawnpaw followed behind quickly hoping that they don't get spotted. Once they reached the border Dawnpaw leaped over it happy to be back on her own territory Dawnpaw smiled gratefully at Cinderear

"Thank you for helping me" Cinderear nodded grinning widely

"Of course shorty" Dawnpaw just glared at her as she laughed "By the way the gathering is in a few sunrises I hope to see you there" Cinderear called as Dawnpaw turned and walked off heading back to camp.

"Very good Dawnpaw know go for the throat" Nightstrike mewed gesturing to her own throat with her tail Dawnpaw tilted her head and gave the other she-cat a confused look

"But the warrior codes says we shouldn't fight like rogues" Grayscar laughed ruffly and shook his head

"If a cat was to kill you what's to say you shouldn't kill them first" Dawnpaw gave the two an uncertain look but quickly put it out of her mind, nodding at the two she leaps at Grayscar who easily dodges her attack

"You have to be quick on your paws" he mewed without response she leaped at him again falling short before Grayscar could call her out on it she leaped again catching Grayscar off guard he did not fight back as she brought her unsheathed claws to his neck. She looked at him and stepped off of him when he grinned "Ah now that was what we have been looking for the surprise element" he mewed sharing a look with Nightstrike he waved his tail as dismissal "We are done here you did well" Grayscar mewed padding into the darkness of the forest. Nightstrike sat down and called Dawnpaw to her

"I feel like I must warn you Dawnpaw that Warrior you met she is not to be trusted" Dawnpaw glanced up at the she-cat eyes filled with confusion

"What do you mean she did help me today" Nightstrike just sighed and shook her head

"Just be wary of who you trust" Dawnpaw nodded and shot Nightstrike one final look before she closed her eyes. When she opened them again she was in her nest back in camp. She yawned and shook out her soreness a pair of eyes watched her from the shadows she did not hear the approaching paw steps as she cleaned herself. Dawnpaw shrieked when a body land on her her eyes widened in surprise and kicked of her attack the cat landed with a thud

"Ow hey not so rough" Dawnpaw glared daggers at the attacker

"That's what you get for surprising me Rainpaw" She growled Rainpaw just grinned and got to her paws shaking out her dusty fur

"Hey dad is about to call who's going to the gathering so I thought you would want to be there" as if on cue a yowl from outside got the two she-cats attention as they quickly padded out finding spots next to Berrypaw and Falconpaw. Dawnpaw glanced up at her father who began once everyone had gathered

"As most know tonight's the night of the gathering and i have decided on who will be going besides Rapidclaw, Doefire and myself the other cats attending the gathering are Lightspark, Flashnose, Spiderhawk, Willowripple, Molestep, Tigerspots, Ripplebrezze, Whitepaw, Berrypaw-" Dawnpaw felt Berrypaw jump at her side and grinned widely sticking his tongue out at Falconpaw "Falconpaw and Dawnpaw" Dawnpaws eyes widened wait me? i'm going to the gathering. She was so lost in thought she did not notice as Falconpaw and Berrypaw scuffled tail lengths away from her until Rainpaw nudged her

"Hey have fun tell me all about it when you get back" Dawnpaw batted at Rainpaws ear and smiled

"Of course I will" she mewed grinning at her sister

"Dawnpaw let's go" Dawnpaw looked to the camp's entrance where Pinefern stood with a few other warriors gesturing for her to hurry up Dawnpaw turned back to Rainpaw and gestured over her shoulder

"Hey I gotta go i'll talk to you later okay?" Rainpaw nodded and with that Dawnpaw trotted over to her mentor she grinned at him and followed after the other warriors.

It was finally time to go to the gathering and Dawnpaw couldn't keep from bouncing around and smiling Falconpaw rolled his eyes at his sister's antics "You want have any energy when we get there if you keep jumping around" he called after her she stopped and glared at her brother over her shoulder padding over to him

"Why do you always have to ruin my fun" she grumbled trudging along side him. The finally arrived at the gathering place a small island near the edge of the lake Dawnpaw looked on in awe many cats were already there WaterClans leader Featherstar padded up to meet Hawkstar dipping her head in the respect

"Hello old friend it has been quite a long while" the she-cat spoke in a soft light voice Hawkstar nodded in agreement and gestured for Dawnpaw and Falconpaw to come over to him while the other warriors dispersed Hawkstar nodded to the two apprentices at his side

"Featherstar I would like you to meet Falconpaw and Dawnpaw my kits sadly the other two are back at camp" Featherstar smiled at the two young cats

"Hello young ones i'm Featherstar the leader of WaterClan" before Dawnpaw could stop herself she blurted something to her

"Is Cinderear here?" she quickly clamped her jaw shut and looked away Featherstar looked at the apprentice stunned then chuckled "Ah I see you've met no Cinderear is not here" Dawnpaws tail drooped and she nodded. Hawkstar noticed his daughter's discomfort and nudged her

"Go have fun before the gathering starts" Dawnpaw nodded and padded off she saw her brother talking to two apprentices a ginger tom and a calico she-cat Dawnpaw headed over before she came face to face with a white she-cat with her greens filled with mischief

"Hi there your Dawnpaw right?" Dawnpaw stared at the other she-cat warily how did she know my name

"Yes I am how did you know" The other she-cat just grinned and nearly jumped in the air with excitement

"Yeah I knew it" she blushed and realized what she did licking her chest fur a few times in embarrassment "Sorry my sister Cinderear told me about you" this got Dawnpaws attention as she pricked her ears

"Cinderear talked about me?" she questioned hoping they didn't tell the she-cat nodded eagerly

"Oh yeah but don't worry I won't tell anyone" she mewed cheerfully Dawnpaw could see how they were sisters "Oh I'm Skyspots by the way Cinderear wanted me to apologize for her" Dawnpaw looked at her with confusion written all over her features Skyspots noticed this and quickly continued "Because she could come to the gathering to see you" Dawnpaws response was cut off by a yowl she noticed Skyspots get more excited, she guessed the gathering was started. Featherstar gestured for Hawkstar to speak first

"Things have been good in our territory, the prey is still running smoothly despite it being the beginning of leaf-bare. We also have new apprentices for the Clan Featherpaw,Whitepaw, Badgerpaw, Berrypaw, Mountainpaw, Breezepaw, and my own kits Falconpaw, Rainbowpaw, Rainpaw, and Dawnpaw" most of the cats in the clearing chanted the new apprentices names. Skyspots nudged Dawnpaw grinning widely at her Dawnpaw just chuckled and shook her head as Hawkstar stepped back to let Featherpaw speak

"Our Clan has been fine as well the lake has not yet frozen over. we also have three new warriors Cinderear, Skyspots and Stormtail" The cats around started cheering the new warriors names. Dawnpaw smiled at Skyspots as she had her eyes on a black and grey puffing out his chest that must be there brother "We also have a new medicine cat apprentice Leafpaw" once the cheering died down Featherstar smiled at the Clan cats "If there is nothing else to be said i call this meeting to an end" she jumped off of the branch she was in and made her way to her Clan

"Well I'll see you next time Dawnpaw I'll tell Cinderear you said hi" Dawnpaw nodded and grinned at the other she-cat as she bounced up to her brother. Falconpaw nudged her as they padded back to camp to tell there sisters what they missed.

A/N I hope you guys liked this chapter leave a review also I'm looking for some ideas for how the story should progress so feel free to tell me your suggestions and thank you for reading :)

- PepperThePuma