Chapter Two: Into the Wild, Part II

A/N: Thanks for bearing with me. I know I haven't updated for a while. Also, for those of you who really want to get to the point, there's going to be some more romance now that the introduction is over with, but let me explain something to you right now. For all of you perverts out there, there will definitely be romance in this story, but I have no idea what happens when cats make love. Cats are not like humans. Therefore, it is hard to write cat love scenes, so bear with me. Keep the reviews coming!

The two ginger cats sat there in silence in the middle of the sunny meadow. Finally Sandpaw asked, "So did you have a dream too?" "No," Firepaw replied, "but Spottedleaf told me about some prophecy she had received from StarClan - something about fire and sand." Sandpaw looked thoughtful for a moment. As she was about to reply, however, Firepaw heard a familiar voice:

"Hey Firepaw, wake up!"

Firepaw whipped around to see Graypaw running towards him. Suddenly, the whole world blurred and started whirling around him. "Firepaw! Do you have ants in your fur or something?" Graypaw was standing in front of him, looking at him strangely. Firepaw stood up. He was back in the apprentices' den again. He glanced over at Sandpaw. She was still sleeping soundly. "Training begins today," said Graypaw. After hearing those words, Firepaw forgot all about Sandpaw and his dream encounter as he raced out of the camp behind Graypaw. I'm no longer a kittypet, I'm a ThunderClan cat, thought Firepaw. That whole day he spent patrolling the borders with Lionheart, Tigerclaw, and Graypaw. Wow, those ShadowClan cats are scary, Firepaw thought as he padded back into camp.

He spotted Sandpaw eating a vole by the stump in front of their den and headed over to her. He sat down beside her and began chomping down on a chaffinch. "So was what we did last night really real?" he asked. Sandpaw froze and looked up at him. "What in StarClan are you talking about? Get away from me, kittypet!" she spat. Firepaw stared at her, too stunned to say anything. He looked down at his paws. But it seemed so real, he thought. For some reason, he felt a deep sadness within him. I think I liked her much better when I was asleep. A soft churring noise interrupted his thoughts. He looked up to see Sandpaw chuckling, her eyes glowing. Then, unable to contain it any longer, she laughed out loud. "You are such a mouse-brained fool!" she cried. "Of course the dream was real!" Firepaw sighed with relief. She had tricked him, and he had believed her. He didn't know how he was going to put up with her if she was always this cunning. "So does that make us friends," he asked hopefully. Sandpaw stared at him for a moment, and then replied, "Friends forever." Then they shared tongues, neither of them noticing Dustpaw staring at them scornfully. Firepaw felt a tingle in his fur. He could feel a bond between them, and for that he was content. Now I am a true member of ThunderClan!

……………………………….

Two moons had passed since Firepaw had begun his training. He felt at ease with the environment, his senses awakened. As he stalked proudly back to camp with a vole in his mouth, he noticed Bluestar padding towards him. He dipped his head respectfully. "Firepaw, I have decided that you, Graypaw, and Sandpaw may come to the Gathering tonight," she said. "Really? Thank you, Bluestar. What about Dustpaw?" Firepaw asked. "He will be staying here to help guard the camp. Now move along, you will need your rest for tonight." With that, Bluestar continued on to her den.

"Hi there, kittypet," mewed Dustpaw as Firepaw and Graypaw approached the apprentices' den. "Enjoy the food we caught for you." Firepaw ignored Dustpaw and sat down next to Sandpaw with a vole in between his paws. Sandpaw was keeping quiet, and Firepaw sensed that she was uncomfortable because she wasn't supporting Dustpaw. Firepaw quickly changed the subject. "Well, Sandpaw, looks like you'll be going to the Gathering tonight – Bluestar just told me." Sandpaw brightened considerably. "Too bad you won't be there," interjected Dustpaw, still scornful. "You still need your dear old mother for milk!" Now that's just rude, thought Firepaw. "Actually," he countered, "Graypaw and I will be joining Sandpaw at the Gathering, but you are supposed to stay here to guard the camp!" Dustpaw didn't react well to that.

Firepaw quivered with excitement. He was standing atop the bush-covered slope that overlooked Fourtrees. Suddenly, Bluestar signaled with her tail, and ThunderClan rushed down the slopes to join the rest of the Clans – RiverClan, WindClan, and ShadowClan. The rest of the Gathering went by as a blur. Firepaw was still amazed as he followed his fellow cats back to the camp. I never realized that wildcats could be so big and fierce, he thought as he remembered the Clan leaders.

Later that night, as they were beginning to drowse (Dustpaw had been asleep when they had come back), Firepaw approached Sandpaw. "Sandpaw, thanks for not siding with Dustpaw today." Sandpaw looked up. "I know that you aren't a cowardly kittypet like they think. I can see that you're actually a kind, good-natured, and gullible…" Sandpaw smirked, "…cat at heart." Firepaw smiled, then gathered up his moss and went to bed.

Long after the two had fallen asleep, Dustpaw stayed awake. He had overheard their conversation, and didn't understand it. Sandpaw had been his best friend, but everything had changed once that kittypet had joined the Clan. He sighed and decided that he would talk to Tigerclaw about it.

A/N: Thanks for reading, everyone! Next chapter will really begin the flow of events. Things will start to fall in place, and their relationship will grow. I know I'm starting a little slow.