When Leopardtail arrive at the stepping stones, she leaped across them in a couple bounds. When she landed on the other side of the river, she stared across it to where Berrypaw lay. Gorsestar and Hazelpelt had dragged him farther into Thunderclan territory and at the sight of the dead apprentice being dragged across the ground, Leopardtail's eyes clouded with grief. A couple of days ago, Berrypaw and her had been training and hunting while Dawnpelt was out on patrols.

She told herself that everything would get better in time. But as time went on and she padded farther into Riverclan territory, her mind filled with doubt.

"Hi, Leopardpaw!" A mew had sounded in the brush and out stepped a Riverclan warrior, Minnowpelt. "Gorsestar told me that you would be joining. Although I didn't think you would want to leave your clan."

I had no choice. Leopardtail thought.

"Leopardtail." She corrected.

"So you just became a warrior, huh?" Minnowpelt was speaking again. "Maybe you could help me with my apprentice, Silverpaw. You think you could?"

"Maybe. I've got to get used to Riverclan life first." Leopardtail replied.

They padded in silence together for awhile until the Riverclan camp came into view. Then, Minnowpelt spoke.

"Here we are! The Riverclan camp. Come on! I'll show you around."

She dashed ahead and left Leopardtail behind. She just stood for awhile letting the wind ruffle her pelt and listening to the birds call to one another. It was at the peek of Leafbare and prey was running low, except for Riverclan. If Riverclan was ever low on food, it was in Greenleaf, when all the twolegs started appearing in the river and fishing.

"Well, are you going to go with her or not?" Mossfur's mew startled her.

Leopardtail spun around. "Great Starclan, Mossfur! You scared my fur off!"

Mossfur let out an mrrrow of laughter. "I'm sorry; I thought you would've heard me."

"I was caught up in my own thoughts that I hardly noticed the wind blowing. Let alone a cat sneaking up on me."

"I'm sorry. Come on, let's go." After that she padded on, followed by Leopardtail.

When they entered the camp's entrance, Leopardtail was surprised to see how many cats greeted her as if she was Riverclan- born. The Riverclan deputy, Ravenwhisker, stepped forward.

"Hi there, Leopardpaw!" He greeted her.

"Leopardtail." Mossfur corrected him.

"Sorry, Leopardtail. I didn't know that you recently became a warrior. Honeystar must have named you yesterday." He meowed.

Leopardtail nodded and stared down at her paws. She felt embarrassed around him somehow and didn't want him to see it in her eyes. When she looked back up, Leopardtail noticed that the cats had gone back to their own business. She glanced around and noticed that Minnowpelt was waiting for her beside a huge mound of mud of reeds with a hole in the front. She had guessed it was the warriors den. Minnowpelt beckoned her over with a flick of her tail and Leopardtail padded over to the den.

"This is the warriors den. I guess you could have guessed that already, though." She mewed. "Our warriors are Mossfur, Hazelpelt, Blackpelt, Voleclaw, Sparrowtail, Shadoweye, me, Ravenwhisker, and now, you!

Leopardtail nodded and they padded on.

"Next is the apprentices den. Our apprentices are Weedpaw, and Redpaw. You got all of it so far?"

"Yes. It will hard to remember all the names on top of Thunderclan's but I'm sure I'll get it."

"Okay." Minnowpelt nodded. "Let's go."

When they came to the elder's den, Minnowpelt stared into it.

"You okay Whiteface?" She mewed.

"Yes, fine." Came a grunt from inside.

Minnowpelt poked her head back outside the den.

"I was just checking on him. He hasn't been feeling the best." She mewed.

"Oh, I thought so. Is he the only one?" Leopardtail asked.

"Yes; you shouldn't have much trouble remembering him. He is the only one in the clan with a black pelt and a white face. Strange markings, everyone thinks."

"Yes, they are." Leopardtail agreed.

"I'll show the medicine cat's den now, if you like." Minnowpelt suggested.

Leopardtail nodded and they strolled across the clearing towards a den standing alone at the edge of the clearing.

"Our medicine cat is Gooseflight. He has a short temper so be aware." Minnowpelt inquired.

"I understand. We had a couple short tempered cats in Thunderclan." Leopardtail replied.

"That's about it. Oh, the fresh kill pile is right in the center of camp and the Gorsestar calls a clan meeting, you'll know where to gather." Minnowpelt finished her sentence and stalked away.

Ravenwhisker padded up to her and asked, "Would you like to go hunting? Just you and me? I can show you how to fish and maybe even swim a little."

Leopardtail just nodded and the two walked together out of the camp.