Chapter 1: Destiny
Orangepaw stalked through the barren mountain landscape in search of prey. Anything would do: a mouse, a vole, or even a small bird. But Orangepaw wanted to bring back something that would earn her praise, and lot's of it. An eagle. Her brother, Falconpaw had caught one yesterday so she was determined to snag one too. Ever since her sister, Fawnkit died a moon ago from famine, the clan has been anxious to get enough prey to feed the weaker cats. Orangepaw froze as an eagle perched on the rock in front of her. This is my chance! Orangepaw thought, quivering with excitement. Orangepaw stalked the massive bird in the shadows of the boulders, careful not to let any of her jutting bones scrape the snow-covered ground, her dappled tan pelt stood out like a sore thumb out in the snow. Orangepaw's amber eyes that inspired her name gleamed in hunger, she must catch this bird. The eagle scanned the bare ground for mice, unaware of Orangepaw's presence. Orangepaw was right on the bird, she crouched into a pouncing position and lunged at the unsuspecting predator. The eagle let out a scream of surprise, wildly flapping its wings and flailing it's talons. Orangepaw quickly bit the windpipe of the bird's neck and felt the bird plummet to the ground. Orangepaw's eyes glittered with pride as she began to drag it back to camp.
"You actually caught one?" Falconpaw spluttered in shock when his sister dragged in the eagle. "Looks like you're not the only eagle hunter around here." Orangepaw teased, tearing off a wing. "Here, we can share." Orangepaw invited, settling down and taking a bite. Falconpaw took no hesitation and joined his sister. Falconpaw's storm-gray pelt was dull and boney, he had also not had a decent meal in ages. Then Wildstar, Orangepaw's and Flaconpaw's father approached. "Well done Orangepaw," Wildstar praised. "Stormstar would be proud." Wildstar purred. Orangepaw and Falconpaw were Stormstar's great great great grand kits, making them popular in the clan. "Does your mother know about this catch?" Wildstar asked proudly. "Amberleaf dosn't know yet. I just got back!" Orangepaw purred. Falconpaw scrambled to his paws. "Come on Orangepaw! Amberleaf only knows about my hawk! Let's tell her!" Falconpaw yowled in delight. Orangepaw meowed in amusement "alright alright let's go then!" Orangepaw meowed, following Falconpaw to the warriors' den.
The cold, windy, snowy night came faster than expected for StormClan. Orangepaw shivered and snuggled up to her brother. "You still awake too?" Falconpaw sleepily mewed. "Yeah, it's too cold for me to sleep." Orangepaw complained. "Lucky for me I have a thick pelt." Falconpaw boasted. "More like a boney pelt if you ask me." Orangepaw teased. "Well, I guess we should get some sleep." Falconpaw murmured sleepily. "Yeah." Orangepaw mewed before drifting off to sleep.
Orangepaw raced through a warm open moorland swarming with rabbits. Her eyes gleamed in happiness. She'd never seen so much prey in her life. "Orangepaw." A voiced meowed. "Orangepaw!" The voice called more sternly. Orangepaw whipped around with fury glazing her eyes. "Hey! You just made me lose my catch! That could've fed all of the elders!" Orangepaw snapped. A dark gray tom with a starry pelt mewed in amusement. "This is only a dream Orangepaw." "Who are you?" Orangepaw asked, growing more curious. "I am Stormstar." Stormstar replied. Orangepaw's eyes grew wide. "Wow! You're a legend around here." Orangepaw yelped. Stormstar purred in amusement. "Yes, I'm well aware of that. Anyway, there is a cat here that you need to meet." Stormstar meowed more seriously. "Ok." Orangepaw mewed, following her ancestor. A russet tabby she-cat padded out of StarClan's hunting grounds towards Orangepaw and Stormstar. Stormstar dipped his head. "Greetings Foxmist." Foxmist flicked her tail in greeting then stridded towards Orangepaw. "Orangepaw, I am Foxmist, StormClan's former medicine cat." Orangepaw cocked her head in confusion. "Why do you need to see me?" Foxmist sat down next to Orangepaw before continuing. "I have come to tell you," Foxmist cleared her throat. "Orangepaw, you want to become a great warrior, correct?" Foxmist flipped the subject. "Of course!" Orangepaw meowed in surprise, what else would I be?" "I'm sorry Orangepaw, but that's not your destiny." Foxmist declared. Orangepaw gasped in surprise, "then what am I supposed to be?" Orangepaw snapped. "A medicine cat Orangepaw, that's what. You have a gift. You haven't experienced it yet, but if you neglect your true calling when it does begin to show, it will be wasted. You're destined to be a medicine cat." Foxmist finished.