Chapter 2

Milliepaw yawned and streched in the early morning sunlight. It had been two moons since the beginning of her training and tonight was going to be her first Following. Darkstripe had told her that when an apprentice had been one for two moons then they could come to a Following. The sad thing was that Longpaw nor Kestrelpaw could come, as they had been naughty, and their punishment was to miss their first Following.

Just then she heard a yowl from the High Rock.

"All those old enough to catch their own prey, gather here around the High Rock for a Clan meeting." Milliepaw quickly ran inside and prodded Darkstripe in the side

"Wake up, Darkstripe!" Milliepaw said. "Whitestar's just called a meeting!"

"Mmm…" murmered Darkstripe "Go and see what it's all about."

Milliepaw padded outside and sat beneath the High Rock waiting. Soon enough Whitestar began to speak. "As you all know, tonight there is a Following, and I have selected these cats to go with me. Swiftpaw, Flowernose, Whirlpaw, Mintpaw, Tawnypelt, Smallpaw, Redtail, Darkpaw, Ashfur, my deputy Goldenmist, my Medicine cat Darkstripe, and his apprentice Milliepaw. After the meeting, go and get some rest, and I'll make sure you're up by highsun."

As soon as the last word had left his tongue, Milliepaw bounded off. She raced into the burrow and jumped on Darkstripe in excitement.

"We're going to the Following tonight!" she exclaimed.

"Well if we are" said Darkstipe "then you had better go and get some sleep!"

"Oook…"Milliepaw said, disappointed. She bounded down the tunnel to her mossy nest to get some rest. While she was sleeping, the prophecy came to her yet again. 'A jagged edge is among those chosen, and unnecessary blood shall be spilt until that jagged edge is smoothed." Then everything went black until she woke up back in the camp.

She went outside and saw that it was almost time to go. Some cats were starting to gather near the entrance, so she padded over to join them.

"Hello Milliepaw."

She turned around only to see Swiftpaw and Whirlpaw standing behind her.

"Oh, hi guys." she said "isn't it great that we get to go to the Following tonight?"

"Yeah, it is." Whirlpaw replied.

Just then Milliepaw heard a yowl from the front of the group.

"Uh oh, that's Darkstipe calling me. I guess it's time to go."

"Ok we'll see you later then!" they said, and padded off to find their mentors.

Milliepaw bounded to the front of the group were Darkstripe was talking with Whitestar.

"Hi" he said "I'm glad you're awake, you were sleeping like a snoring badger!"

"Oh, sorry." said Milliepaw, embarrassed. "Are we going now?"

"Yes we are." said Darkstripe "so come on and remember to keep behind me."

"Ok." she said, and bounded off after him. They ran most of the way, only stopping at the border instinctively. "You never know. Some cat might be mouse-brained enough to attack during the full moon." Milliepaw's mentor told her sternly. Soon they were travelling in Riverclan, and Milliepaw felt uneasy. This place was strange to her, and she had never been beyond her clan's border before. Gathering up courage, she sprinted up to the other apprentices and talked with them. They eventually reached a wide river. "Copy me, ok? It's easy." Darkstripe leapt onto a rock that was hidden from view. Soon he leapt again, and again and again, until he had reached the other side. "Come on" said Darkstripe "It's easy, just as I said before."

Milliepaw nodded and took a breath. She bunched up to leap, and closed her eyes. 1… 2… 3! She leapt into the river and landed on solid rock. Opening her eyes, she gasped. There were so many rocks to step on! She leapt again, except this time not as afraid, and eventually she had cleared every single rock. She had made it!

"Let's go" said Darkstripe "I'll take you to meet the other medicine cats."

"Ok" said Milliepaw and padded off after him. Soon she saw a group of cats talking together.

"Hi guys" said Darkstripe "This is my new apprentice Milliepaw. Milliepaw, these are all of the other medicine cats, Dappleleaf and Sagepaw from RiverClan, Cloudpelt and Quickpaw from ThunderClan, and Spottedtail and Sharppaw from ShadowClan."

"Hi Milliepaw," Quickpaw said.

"Be quiet, the Leaders are about to speak." Spottedtail growled.

Quickpaw nodded at Milliepaw, and they turned their attention to the leaders before them.

"Cats of all clans," yowled Ivystar "may I have your attention please!"

Every cat turned their head and sat up with their ears pricked.

"I wish to speak first." Dovestar said.

Ivystar nodded to her and went to sit over with the other leaders.

"Prey has been running well in Thunderclan, and we have three new apprentices. They are Sunpaw, Shadepaw and Harppaw. We also have found our next Medicine Cat, Quickpaw. But on with other news. Gorsebush went to SkyClan two highmoons ago. He was a wonderful elder and warrior, and we hope he has a good life among our ancestors. That is all."

Dovestar stepped back, and Darkstar came forward.

"We have not been as fortunate as ThunderClan with its' prey, but we are expecting kits in the moons to come. Their thankful parents are Blackear and Featherfoot. Pray we have new apprentices in several moons time. We also have three apprentices, Skypaw, Hotpaw and a Medicine cat Apprentice, Sharppaw." Darkstar said firmly. "Who is next?"

"I shall go next, Darkstar." Ivystar said, prodding her way up front. "This seems to be a good season for apprentices, as RiverClan has two more themselves. We have Dawnpaw as our only Warrior Apprentice, and Sagepaw who has chosen the role of a Medicine Cat. But soon we will have three more apprentices, Lionkit, Bumblekit and Spottedkit. Their lucky parents are Honeyfern and Berrynose. I am astonished though, of how many apprentices Windclan have received this fine season. Whitestar?"

Whitestar leaped over onto the stump and held his tail high.

"We are doing very well on prey, and there is enough moisture in the air for there to be enough water. Thanks to Tawnypelt and Hollyleaf, the proud mothers of the lot, we have a successful eight apprentices. We have Smallpaw, Mintpaw, Whirlpaw, Swiftpaw, Kestrelpaw, Longpaw and Darkpaw as warrior apprentices, and a Medicine cat apprentice, Milliepaw. I-"

"That's nice to know, White-a-rather."

Milliepaw spun around towards where the voice had come from. Sniffing the air, she realised that she couldn't distinguish the cat's scent form all the others around her. Pricking her ears with awareness, she slowly walked over to where the voice was heard. Sniffing again, recoiled suddenly as a strange, strong and bitter scent came off a bush. That must be what he smells like! Creeping closer, she heard a rustle and a hiss, and then she was pushed back, landing hard on the dusty floor.

Yowling in pain, she staggered up to see Whitestar standing over her.

"Just what were you thinking, approaching a rogue like that? You would have been hurt, or worse, killed!" he turned his attention to the strange cat. "What are you doing here?" he spat with more ferocity than any cat she had seen in her life.

"My name is Jaggedtooth. I am a loner in search to join a clan. I have travelled great distances and seen great things, so I therefore ask for a clan's hospitality." The cat said calmly.

"Who would agree to this outrage?" Mosspelt cried out.

"As a matter of fact, I shall. This cat could come in use for us." Whitestar said, glaring at his clan mate.