Chapter 4

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join me for a clan meeting!" yowled Silverstar. Icepaw leapt to her feet, shaken awake by Owlear and her clan leader's call. The den was empty save for the two cats. The kit must be with Silverstar, thought Icepaw. Owlear motioned for Icepaw to follow him out of his den. As the two cats stepped out into the dying light of the sun, Silverstar jumped atop of a small boulder in the center of the clearing. The black kit sat nervously at the bottom of the rock. Silverstar balanced delicately on the boulder as her clan gathered around her. Silverstar's pelt gleamed brightly, as smooth and shiny as the stars that lit up Starclan's hunting grounds. Icepaw weaved in and out of cats so she had a good view of the rock and the kit. As soon as all the cats of Riverclan were gathered around the rock, Silverstar began to speak.

"Cats of Riverclan! We gather here tonight to welcome a new member of our clan. This kit was rescued today by Icepaw."

Icepaw felt the clan's eyes turn to her. She felt her paws burning with excitement. She watched as the kit's big blue eyes turned to stare at her with wonder. Icepaw knew Silverstar must have briefed and introduced herself to the kit so she knew what was happening.

"From this day hence, until she gets her apprentice name, this kit will be known as Seakit," Silverstar said, jumping from the rock to lick the top of the kit's head. The other cats gathered around the new clan member and chanted her name.

"Seakit! Seakit!"

Icepaw noticed that some cats were less enthusiastic about the new kit than others. Fernfoot and Wingfeet were whispering together, casting glances around at the other cats. Icepaw felt a growl rise in her throat.

"Since Seakit does not have a birth mother here at Riverclan I would like to ask Rosetail to feed and care for Seakit until she becomes old enough. Rosetail, you have no kits at the moment. Will you mother Seakit?" Silverstar asked. Icepaw watched as her mother, Rosetail approached the black kit.

"Of course," she said, nudging the kit to her feet and licking her head. Rosetail's eyes glazed over with happiness as Seakit yawned widely. Silverstar's eyes gleamed in a quiet amusement as Rosetail led her new charge off to the nursery. The other cats began to disperse, heading off to their dens for the night. Icepaw stretched, getting ready to head back to the apprentices den when she heard a voice complaining.

"One more new mouth to feed? Great."

It was Fernfoot. The black and white cat was standing next to Wingfeet, eyeing Seakit as she was whisked off to bed.

"Soon Riverclan will be like Thunderclan. We'll have more kittypets and half-breeds than real warriors," she said disgustedly. Icepaw turned around sharply and growled.

"Shut up Fernfoot," she hissed, lashing her tail. Fernfoot looked around at Icepaw, surprised.

"Oh it's you. See, we'll have mixed blood cats like her if we're not careful," Fernfoot exclaimed dryly. Icepaw felt a hot pressure building inside her chest.

"I'll be just as good as a warrior as any other cat!" Icepaw cried. "I'll definitely be better than you!"

Fernfoot laid her ears back threateningly.

"You'll never even get to be a warrior," she hissed venomously, "so you might as well go join your father in Thunderclan where you'll fit in with all the other half breed mongrels!"

Icepaw yowled angrily and flung herself across the clearing, crashing into Fernfoot. Wingfeet jumped backwards, making way for the thrashing, interlocked pair of cats. Icepaw yelled out in pain as the warrior sunk her teeth into her tender ears. Icepaw twisted and rolled out from under her opponent and jumped on Fernfoot's back, digging her claws into her fur. Fernfoot screeched and tried to shake Icepaw off but she kept a steady hold on the warrior's coat. Icepaw bite down hard on the other she-cat's neck. Fernfoot shrieked in pain and rage and flung Icepaw off her body. Bleeding from her shoulder, Fernfoot stood panting, staring at Icepaw.

"Stop this NOW!" a voice called out. Silverstar was back on the rock, glaring daggers at the two she-cats. Icepaw was panting heavily, trying to catch her breath but she stood her ground, her eyes not leaving Fernfoot's body. Silverstar leapt in between the two cats.

"Fernfoot, go to Owlear. I'll talk to you later. Icepaw, come to my den now," Silverstar ordered. Fernfoot turned grumpily towards Owlear's den. Icepaw couldn't resist throwing in one last insult to Fernfoot's pride.

"Beaten by a half breed apprentice huh? Don't ever doubt my loyalty again!" hissed Icepaw. Fernfoot pretended not to hear as the other cats in the clearing whispered harshly. Silverstar turned and stomped into her den. Icepaw suddenly felt the rush of the battle wear off. She was in trouble. Big trouble. Fights within the clan was frowned on heavily by Silverstar. Fear gripped Icepaw's belly like a cold frost as she followed her clan leader into her den. Silverstar was waiting for Icepaw underneath the dried out bushes that made up her nest.

"Why?" was the only word Silverstar said when Icepaw had sat down submissively on the flat soil.

"She insulted my heritage and loyalty to Riverclan," Icepaw mumbled, "she said cats like me will never become real warriors."

Silverstar glowered at Icepaw furiously.

"I don't care what she said. Never attack your own clanmate! I can't make you a warrior if I can't trust you," Silverstar chastised. Icepaw hung her head. Shame was flowing all over her, making her body hot. Silverstar looked at the little apprentice a little more softly.

"Look Icepaw, you've got to let Fernfoot and and other cat's words roll off your back. I know you're loyal to Riverclan," she said, lifting Icepaw's chin up.

"I'm sorry Silverstar," murmured Icepaw. Silverstar gave her a small smile.

"I know. Alright, you can go. Are you hurt at all?" she asked. Icepaw glanced over her body and flexed her legs. Her ear was stinging slightly from Fernfoot's bite but Icepaw knew that would heal on its own.

"No Silverstar," she said. Icepaw stood and nodded respectfully to her clan leader and headed out of the den.

"Oh and Icepaw?" Silverstar said, stopping the other cat in her tracks, "Nice moves out there."