Chapter 1

Autumnkit stretched in the nursery against her mother Morningblossom and her two littermates, Quailkit and Oatkit. Then she tensed. It was finally the day that she would become an apprentice. She expexted a great change. What she didn't know was that what would happen would change her life forever.

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In the rouges camp, everybody was ready. Star bounced up and down, her pale grey fur fluffed out against the cold. Finally! It was the day that she would join the Clan fully! She was not a kit anymore. Her mother, Sun, a golden queen, came over to her.

"My only kit is about to become part of the Clan!" she purred. "Frost and I are very proud of you."

"Yes we are," her father, Frost, a pure white tom, meowed. Everyone stopped talking when Blaze, the leader, stood on High Rock to address the rouges. His golden-orange pelt glowed in the morning sun.

"Today we celebrate the entering of a kit into the clan," he mewed. "Star, do you promise to train hard for the hope you can be a full warrior someday?"

"I do."

"Dawn, you do not have an apprentice. You shall teach Star all that you know. " he paused, then yowled. "Rouges Clan, today we shall attack Birdclan. They have been stealing prey from our land. They say we are not a real clan. Today we shall show them that we are. Coming with me are Frost and Robin, Spider, Moon and Ocean, Leaf, Tree, Tiger and Leopard, and Dawn and Star. Star, you shall receive as much battle training as possible before sundown. Prepare yourselves, Rouges Clan."

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"Autumnkit, I name you Autumnpaw. Your mentor shall be Jaynose," Sparrowstar mewed. "Jaynose, you are a fine warrior. Teach her everything you know."

Suddenly, Crowpelt, who was gaurding the entrance yowled "ATTACK!!!" Warriors from Rouges Clan streamed into the hollow, yowling "Prey thieves!"

Autumnpaw gasped when nearly white she-cat her age came face to face with her. She fluffed out her fur and unsheathed her claws. But she knew she had not chance. She had no battle training and this she-cat probably had lots.

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Star unsheathed her claws and batted at the golden-brown she-cat in front of her. She looked no more that a kit. They had heard an apprentice cermony, so she was probably the one they now called Autumnpaw. She drove her into a corner and then was suprised when Dawn grapped Autumnpaw by the scruff and signeled for her to follow.

"She'll be a hostage," Dawn grunted between the fur in her mouth.

The two of them ran through the forest with Leaf following them to protect them. When they got back to the camp, Dawn put her in the nursery with Shade, her three kits Ash, Jewel and Soot, and Lavender, Frost's sister.