Tearpath rolled under Silverfawn and nipped the back of her leg. Surprised, her former mentor spun to meet Tearpath and found nothing but open space. Tearpath took a running start, preparing to leap onto the strong, silver furred warrior, but though she was strong, Silverfawn was swift as well. Sensing Tearpath behind her, Silverfawn shot forward, flipping backwards in the air. Tearpath ran directly under her, skidding to a halt and finding herself pinned down.

"Come, Tearpath, I thought I taught you better than that!" Silverfawn taunted. Tearpath had lost her confidence and allowed herself to relax. Silverfawn purred and stepped off of her. They took a seat next to each other in the small training circle and shared tongues while they watched Rainstep, Whitetiger, and Snarltooth battle each other. They would need every ounce of training they could get.

When battling practice was over, the group of five turned to go back to camp when Whitetiger let out a small, surprised meow. They all turned back to him. He was sniffing around a small shrub. "What is it?" Silverfawn, Whitetiger's mate, asked him. He shook his head.

"RiverClan. They've been here."

Spiralkit's POV

Spiralpaw, now three months, attempted to dive beneath his opponent without success. A long claw hooked on his fur and ripped down. He screeched unhappily and ran, tail tucked, away from Longstar.

He was terrified as he felt her hot breath on his hind legs.

Spiralpaw's small body was flipped until he was on his back. Longstar's face was inches from his. "Never," she snarled, digging five claws into his stomach until he wailed in agony, "run away from your opponent!" She ripped all five downward and he saw stars. Autumnpaw appeared next to him, standing above him protectively.

"Leave him alone!" His brother yowled defensively at Longstar. Their master laughed. She smashed a paw into Autumnpaw's ribs and threw him across camp. He landed squarely on a rock and flopped down, motionless.

Spiralpaw tried desperately to reach his brother, but saw that Failurepaw (whose name was chosen by Longstar) was already attempting to save Autumnpaw. Longstar saw Failurepaw fasten his teeth on Autumnpaw's scruff and began treading lightly to stop him, but the four month old apprentice was strong and fast. In his last moments of light, Spiralpaw saw the faint outline of Autumnpaw disappearing into their hole, and felt teeth fasten on his scruff.

When he awoke, Softpaw was standing over him, struggling to lick Spiralpaw awake. Failurepaw, who they called Secretpaw when Longstar was not around, was standing off to the side, looking worried and upset, as always.

Secretpaw and Softpaw were littermates, as Spiralpaw and Autumnpaw were. Severedpaw was the only one without a sibling, but had quickly become Spiralpaw's best friend. Spiralpaw and Autumnpaw were youngest, the rest only a month older than him.

Only Ratpaw was on Longstar's side. He lived in RiverClan's actual apprentice den. He was Longstar's son. Many claimed that it was rape, that a group of seven toms had dragged her into the forest, taking turns on her. Others say that she had once fallen in love with Hawkfrost when she was an apprentice, and that he had found her attractive at the time. Whatever the case, she had a kit, and she liked him. Not because he was her son, but because he tortured the other kits as much as she did.

Softpaw's eyes lost their worried look as he opened his eyes. "Oh StarClan, thank you!" she whispered. Spiralpaw licked her ear weakly. He had always been fond of the light gray she-cat, getting lost in her bright yellow eyes.

Softpaw curled up beside him, and as Spiralpaw turned he saw Autumnpaw, looking wiped out. He lied down on Spiralpaw's other side. Severed paw lied next to Autumnpaw, inspecting him (he had always wanted to be a medicine cat apprentice). Finally, Secretpaw joined the group and they all fell asleep together.

When he awoke, a face he didn't recognize was standing above him… eight faces he didn't recognize. The hole was suddenly very crowded. The cat directly above him put her hand over his mouth. The other seven stayed silent. He inspected them all with interest. Only two stuck out, because they looked like him and Autumnpaw. He tapped the others awake. They did not look scared, because Spiralpaw didn't.

"It's alright little kits, we're here to help. Stay quiet and follow us. Longstar doesn't think anyone would dare break into her camp. She underestimated us," the young cat whispered. As she stepped back another she-cat threw herself at Spiralpaw, licking him and Autumnpaw in every place visible.

"My kits!" she was meowing, "My kits!"

"Who are you?" Autumnpaw mewed.

"Your mother. I'm Tearpath," the cat whispered. The name barely triggered the smallest memory of being curled up next to a cat who he had always thought was Mallowspot.

Tearpath was inspecting her two kits nervously. "Did Longstar hurt you?" she asked miserably. The two kits nodded.

"Tearpath! We have to get out!" a tom behind her said desperately. Tearpath turned to him.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," came a voice outside.