CHAPTER 2

A/N: So, in case you didn't hear, STEELTALON won the drawing. I know I said I didn't get FF emails. Well, now I do. However, for time purposes, and so that I won't get confused, you (Steeltalon), can just use my regular email.

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.

Berrypaw opened his eyes. He was in a grassy clearing. The first thing he noticed was that everything sparkled, and that the stars were much, much closer. He looked around, eyes widening. Was he dead?

Berrypaw picked himself off the ground. The grass here felt normal. The trees here looked normal. But this wasn't normal! Berrypaw scuffed the ground, feeling angry and lost.

"Don't be afraid, young one," a voice behind him meowed. He wheeled around to see a pretty tortoiseshell she-cat coming toward him. Berrypaw guessed who it was.

"Spottedleaf?" Berrypaw asked quietly. The tortoiseshell smiled.

"Yes, young one, I am Spottedleaf," she meowed. Berrypaw dipped his head.

"Am I dead?"

Spottedleaf shook her head, amused. "No. You're life is much too important," Spottedleaf purred, "you must go now..."

"Wait! Tell me what you mean!" Berrypaw yowled as Spottedleaf started to fade away. He yowled and tried to run after her, but it was no use. With a sob, he fell to the ground.

Berrypaw woke the next morning. He stretched as he made his way out of the den. He caught a glimpse of Cinderkit out of the corner of his eye. Her fur was neatly groomed, and Poppykit, Molekit, and Honeykit, all sitting nearby. Could it be? His question was answered when Firestar walked out onto the Highledge.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!" Firestar's voice rang out through the hollow. Cats began to gather beneath him, the four kits among them.

CINDERKIT POV

Cinderkit eagerly trotted forward. Her brother and sisters all next to her. She was so excited, she missed the beginning of the ceremony, and it was only when Molekit was called up when she paid attention.

"Molekit, from this day on, until you become a warrior, you're name will be Molepaw. Your mentor will be Sandstorm." Turning to the pale ginger warrior, he added, "Sandstorm, you are an excellent cat. Pass on all your skills to Molepaw." Sandstorm nodded, and the two cats touched noses. Cinderkit watched them go, before turning back to watch.

"Poppykit, from this day on, until you become a warrior, you're name will be Poppypaw. Your mentor will be Rainwhisker." He turned to the young warrior. "Rainwhisker, you are ready for your first apprentice. Pass on all your skill to Poppypaw." The cats cheered again as mentor and apprentice touched noses

"Honeykit, from this day forward, until you become a warrior, your name will be Honeypaw. Your mentor will be Brackenfur." Firestar turned to the bracken-colored warrior. "Brackenfur, since Whitewhisker became a warrior, you are without an apprentice. Pass on all you have learned to Honeypaw." The cats cheered. Cinderkit kneaded the ground with her paws. Finally!

"Finally, Cinderkit, from this day on, until you become a warrior, you're name will be Cinderpaw. Your mentor will be me." The crowd cheered even louder. As she padded up to touch noses with Firestar, her mind was reeling. The clan leader was her mentor!

THAT NIGHT, FIRESTAR'S POV

Firestar thrashed in his cave. He was dreaming. In the dream, he was hunting in the forest, when all of the sudden, a huge fire leaped up at him. It flickered and danced in the moonlight, and then it died down. Firestar could still feel its heat, however, and when he woke, he was sweating. The dream was still vivid in his mind. A voice echoed in his head.

"Beware, for soon the flames will die down, leaving only a path of cinders, which must rise up to replenish the fire…"

Firestar's eyes widened. Could it be…was Cinderpaw….no, there was no way. She was just an apprentice. Not some cat destined to be…

With a yawn, Firestar padded out of his den. He stretched, and motioned for Brambleclaw with his tail. The tabby padded over to Firestar.

"Dawn patrol?" Firestar asked. Brambleclaw nodded.

"I'm on it!" Brambleclaw meowed as he ducked his head into the warriors den. A few moments later, he emerged again, Thornclaw, Stormfur, and Dustpelt with them. Hazelpaw dashed over to meet them, and after some quiet conversation, the five cats padded out of camp.

A/N: Yea, I know it's short. Well, Steeltalon, start writing!