Chapter 2

I was shaking with excitement, my brother's now sat straight up with pride. My mother was on her paws immediately, smiling down at us. That's when I realized all the tension in the clan was gone; because of our naming ceremony the clan had hope.

"Longkit, you are an eager, and smart cat. Sandstorm, you have served this clan with patience and love. I know you will encourage longkit to follow the right path in the warrior code; you will be longpaw's mentor, until he has earned his warrior name."

Sandstorm was obviously startled that she would be my brother's mentor, but she collected herself and padded to meet my brother as her licked her shoulder with respect. The clan called out longpaw's name, as Firestar gave a quick nod, as if to approve of his choice.

"Smallkit, you have courage, and under-standing of a cat who is far past your years. Cloudtail, you have served this clan with real loyalty, and determination, I know you will pass these qualities to your new apprentice, Smallpaw." Cloudtail was Firestar's nephew. I remember thinking, there so lucky my brother's were for getting Firestar's kin, and his mate.

As the clan called out my brother's name I smiled to myself and hoped the best for them. I would get a mentor, close to Firestar or not, it wouldn't matter.

Then I herd Firestar mew my name, and I looked up with pride to listen.

"Skykit! I have watched you fall ill with green-cough and almost die, but you pulled through with much strength, and courage. Then as you were healing still, you worked hard along side Jaypelt as you help cat's way past your years with honor.'

'You will become a great help to the clan!" I was glowing inside and out. Firestar was complimenting me! I saw my father, Greystripe holding his head up with pride.

"Skykit, I will be your mentor."

My eyes grew wide when Firestar said that. I thought I was dreaming! Many cats from the clan were shocked as well; I could hear the murmurs of them.

"Firestar hasn't had an apprentice since he was still in the forest!"

"Yeah! Since Brambleclaw was still a warrior!"

Once Firestar dropped down from the Highledge, and padded towards me, all was quiet again. I hopped up from where I was sitting in shock and walked up to Firestar and let him touch my head as I licked his shoulder with respect.

Then, Firestar turned and jumped back on the Highledge, and motioned for me to join him. I looked at the ledge and doubted I could jump that high, but I tried any way, and my feet landed on hard rock!

Firestar motioned for me to take a seat next to him, and he said' "Blackstar will attack, but thanks to Brambleclaw we will be ready!'

'We will fight for our clan, like Skykit has fought for her life, and we will be victorious! Skykit, you have helped us all! You will now be called Skypaw until you gain your warrior name! Skypaw, Skypaw!"

The entire clan was calling my new name loud and clear. I felt so anxious, and excited. I lifted my head to the sky and soaked in all glory.

Then the clearing went quiet as Firestar signaled with his tail, and I sat straight up again. "Cloudtail, and Sandstorm you will take your apprentices toward the moonpool, and head toward Windclan and near the lake, show them that part of the territory but stay away from Shadowclan. Brambleclaw, set up two dawn patrols, want them watched at all times.'

'Cinderheart, and Lionpelt, go with your apprentices and catch as much pray as possible, leaf-bare is soon and I don't want the fresh-kill pile running low. No apprentice is to go out of the camp without a warrior. Kits are to stay in the nursery. Queens aren't to leave the camp. This meeting is over." Firestar ordered and watched, as his orders were set into place.

I watched as my brothers got with their mentor's and left the camp. Firestar was still sitting next to me as they left, so I looked up at him and asked, "Firestar? …What about me? Don't I get to see the territory?"

He smiled down at me, and said, "No, Skypaw, we're going to Windclan territory. If Blackstar wants a fight, he'll get one. Were going to see if Ashstar will assist us."

"And you're taking me with you!" I shot with excitement.

"Of course you are my apprentice, aren't you?" he said amusement. "But you must be on your toes, we will be in another clans territory."

I nodded. I was burning with excitement. This was my first mission, on my first day of apprenticeship!!

It was one thing to be Firestar's apprentice, and another to actually go on a mission with him!

Firestar leaped from the highledge with me at his side. We ran from the clearing, out of the tunnel. This was farther then I had ever been.

Firestar was fast he ran faster then any cat I'd ever seen, but I was determined to keep up. The earth started to slope down and the ground got moist.

"Only alittle farther, Skypaw." He called to me.

"O-Ok, Fi-ire-st-ar." I stumbled. I was out of breath, and my lungs burned. Firestar noticed and slowed his pace. I tried not to stop, but my legs were shaking, and I couldn't help it.

"We'll rest here for a moment" Firestar tried to act like he was going to stop anyway, but I could tell it was only an effort to make me feel better.

Firestar's P.O.V.

I watched as she ate, she was trying so hard to keep up. I had forgotten how painful it was for her to run.

I remember thinking, when she first got green cough that she wasn't going to make it.

She got worse everyday. I tried to find a way to tell GreyStripe, my best friend for a long time, that his kit wasn't going to live through leaf-bare.

Then I remember when Jaypelt came running to me, and he said that she was giving up, that she wouldn't make it through the night.

"Firestar, I'm ready now." Skypaw had said, snapping me out of my thoughts. She was standing now, looking at me with her beautiful stream like eyes.

"Right," I said "It's not far now." I turned and started running toward Windclan at skypaw's pace. As we got near the border, I stopped and asked skypaw, "Do you smell that?"

She lifted her nose, and said "I smell... a river, some...marigold! A little watermint...oh, and some cats! I smell Longpaw, and Smallpaw!"

I marveled at her sense of smell. I opened my mouth, and could smell the river, of course...and the group of cats I sent out earlier, and Windclan. I couldn't smell all herbs she listed.

"Very good, Skypaw. You have a wonderful sense of smell." Once again she glowed with the compliment. Every time I did, she would smile and her eyes would glow.

"Alright, let's get going." I said to her, and pounced in the direction of the lake.

She was hot on my trail this time, obviously trying to impress me, and she did.

As we ran, I went back to my memory. I had ran with Jaypelt to the medicine den, and stared down at the barely moving Skykit. She was so strong, to fight for so long for her life, even though it had only just begun.

I couldn't have just watched Skykit die there. So, I grabbed her by the scruff and ran out of the camp. I ran along the side of the river, and up the hill, down to the moonpool...that my daughter, Leafpool, had found moons ago.

I set Skykit next to the pool, and got her to drink some, then settled down next to her, so I could speak with Starclan.