AN: Sorry it took me so long to update. I've been busy watching Wreck it Ralph for the past couple of days XD I just love the music from that movie, mostly Adam Young's new song, but the movie itself was great. Anyways here's chapter fourteen, and surprisingly the story is halfway finished already. The second half will likely make the story seem longer, but I'm not entirely sure.

Obssessive Bookworm - I'm glad you liked them. I wasn't sure about Ambershine, but the name just sort of stuck with me. And don't worry about Sageleaf's kits, they'll be coming in a couple of chapters.

Xelaric the Nobody - Yep, now they're officially warriors. Should be interesting to see how the rest of the Clans react once they find out.

Mallowfeather of EarthClan - Here's your update :)

Chapter 14

"I set out the dawn patrol and organized a hunting patrol," Foxear announced when Dustystar emerged from his den.

A day had passed since the ceremonies. The Clan was beginning to really look like an actual Clan. Sageleaf's kits were due in a couple of days, and hunting had been good. Dustystar relaxed a little as he realized that there was nothing to worry about.

"How is Olivecloud coping with the patrols?" he asked after glancing at the former kittypet. She was amusing herself by batting around a wad of moss Ripplepaw had collected earlier.

"She's about as useful as a badger hunting a squirrel," Foxear snorted. "All she does is get distracted by the smallest things. I've told you before that she won't make a good warrior."

"And I've told you that we need to be patient with her," Dustystar retorted. "Don't forget that every cat has different traits that could be useful in the Clan." He thought back to how difficult it had been during his first moons as an apprentice. He remembered longing for his mother's warm fur and the comfort of the nursery. Now he wondered why it had been so difficult to leave. "Maybe we should take her out individually and give her some one-on-one training with the apprentices," he added.

Foxear looked at Dustystar doubtfully. "I don't know if that's such a good idea, but we can try," she sighed.

She doesn't have the patience for Olivecloud, Dustystar thought.

The deputy stalked away and joined Brownleaf beside the fresh-kill pile. Sageleaf was outside the nursery sunning herself. Leaffall was coming, and the sun's rays weren't as warm as they had been. Dustystar glanced around warily before approaching his mate.

"You seem more worried than usual," Sageleaf purred when he nuzzled her affectionately.

"Is it that obvious?" he asked.

"The way you were looking around made me wonder," she replied in another purr. "Olivecloud hasn't run away yet. Maybe she just realized what it really means to be part of a Clan," she added when Dustystar sat down beside her.

Dustystar thought of what she had said. Maybe Sageleaf was right. Maybe there was nothing to worry about, and eventually Olivecloud would discover her place in the Clan. He could only pray that it happened before Foxear lost her patience entirely.

"Thank you," he murmured before mewing goodbye.

He needed to take Ripplepaw out for training. She was already close to the end of her apprenticeship before she left the Clans. He was surprised that she and Stripepaw had decided to leave the Clans just before they became warriors. The black she-cat was sitting beside Stripepaw as she dug into a sparrow. With no elders to feed and having fed Sageleaf already, the apprentices didn't need to wait to eat.

"Ripplepaw, why don't we go out for some training," he meowed when she looked at him in surprise. "I want Olivecloud to come with us so that she can watch." He glanced at the kittypet. Her eyes widened in shock when he singled her out. Ripplepaw seemed just as surprised that she had to train alongside an older cat.

"I'll see you later," she said to Stripepaw before following her mentor out of camp. Dustystar waited for Olivecloud as she slowly rose to her paws. She glanced around nervously as if she expected an enemy to leap out than and there.

"F-Foxear won't be there, right?" she asked.

"Of course not," Dustystar almost purred. It was than that he realized how much tension had built between Foxear and Olivecloud. The two she-cats were constantly annoying one another. Maybe it was time to set them aside and work it out. "All I want you to do is show me what you know." He stood on the other side of the clearing. Olivecloud stared at him in disbelief before nodding.

The three of them left the camp as soon as Olivecloud was ready. Her fur fluffed up against the cool air as a breeze picked up. Leaffall was definitely on the way. The air was rapidly changing, and Dustystar knew that the hardships of Clan life would really begin to sink in. He wondered how long Olivecloud would last when leafbare settled in. Maybe Foxear was right to claim that she was weak and soft. He tried not to think about it when they reached a clearing that would work as a training space.

Small shrubs grew around it, and large oaks towered above them. Nearby Dustystar could hear a stream running. Ripplepaw's ears pricked forward with interest when she too heard the stream.

"Ripplepaw is going to show you some of the most basic moves," Dustystar explained when they settled around the clearing. Ripplepaw had been almost finished with her training before she left the Clans. By now she could have become a warrior had she stayed. Dustystar wondered if she regretted leaving the Clans because of that.

The black she-cat dropped to a crouch and stared at Dustystar. His eyes narrowed when he saw the tiniest movement in her muscles. She was aiming for Olivecloud, who watched with keen interest. The young cat barely had time to react when Ripplepaw suddenly swerved to the right and aimed a paw at her muzzle. Olivecloud yelped in surprise and jumped back, only to receive a nip at the paws. Ripplepaw kept her at bay by nipping and lashing out with sheathed paws.

Finally Ripplepaw stopped when Dustystar gave a wave of his tail. Olivecloud sighed in relief when she realized that it was over. Her green eyes were dark with worry as she looked down at Ripplepaw. Suddenly the apprentice seemed much bigger than her when Dustystar gave them a second glance.

"I want you to try those moves," Dustystar meowed. Ripplepaw had settled beside him, tail flicking from side to side as she watched Olivecloud carefully. The young cat's eyes had fallen to Ripplepaw. Amusement gleamed within Dustystar's eyes when Olivecloud jumped forward. Ripplepaw dodged neatly to the side, letting Olivecloud land on the cold ground. "If you had paid any attention, you would know not to look the enemy in the eye," he told her when she shook dust from her fur. "Just relax and let your instincts kick in."

Almost as soon as he said those words, Olivecloud closed her eyes. Ripplepaw let out a purr as she thought that Olivecloud had given up. Just as suddenly as her eyes had closed, they flashed open. A feral yowl erupted from her throat as Olivecloud swerved towards the apprentice. Ripplepaw wailed in shock when Olivecloud managed to pin her to the ground. She kept one sheathed paw across Ripplepaw's neck, while her back legs scrabbled furiously across Ripplepaw's belly.

Dustystar stared at Olivecloud in disbelief when she let Ripplepaw up. For a moment it looked as though she could have killed the apprentice. But Olivecloud was smart enough to know that it was just training. Her ears flicked back and forth as she gazed expectantly at Dustystar.

"Well done," he purred. Olivecloud gave a triumphant wave of her tail. "You definitely know how to fight, but there is still much to learn. Why don't you come with us again the next time we leave for training?"

"I'd like to learn as much as I can," she replied with a firm nod.

She's going to give Foxear a run for her words, Dustystar thought as he watched Olivecloud and Ripplepaw chat excitedly.

Olivecloud had followed his advice and trusted her instincts. Now they had real warrior, and not some cowardly kittypet.

AN: So yeah, Olivecloud is turning out to be a good character to write about. What do you think about her?