Chapter 1
"Mom!" Shrewpaw yelled, running into Spiritstar's den.
"What is wrong?" Spiritstar asked, looking at her daughter curiously.
"Eaglepaw stole the mouse I caught this morning with Autumnleaf and Rainpaw!"
Spiritstar nodded and padded into the clearing where she saw Eaglepaw, her son, playing with a dead mouse.
"Eaglepaw!" Spiritclaw exclaimed, running to him. "What did I tell you about playing with prey?" she demanded, furiously.
"Not to," Eaglepaw sighed, looking at his paws.
"And why exactly should you not play with prey?" Spiritstar demanded.
"Because it disrespects the life of the animal…" Eaglepaw said, looking at his mother shamefully. "I'm sorry mom," Eaglepaw whispered.
"I forgive you, but you still must get punished," Spiritstar replied. "You must tend to the elder's needs for the rest of the moon."
Eaglepaw nodded and glared at Shrewpaw. "Yes, mom," he said, padding over to the elder's den.
Spiritstar sighed and padded into the medicine cat's den. "Mossyfoot?" she called.
"Yes?" Mossyfoot asked, emerging from his den, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the light.
"Can we speak privately?" she asked, looking concerned.
"Of course!" he said. "What is wrong, Spiritstar?"
"I want to go to the Moonstone," Spiritstar replied. "It's like it has been calling me to it."
Mossyfoot nodded. "I think that it is a good idea. Are you going to bring an apprentice?" he asked curiously.
"Yes. I think that Rapidpaw and Pebblepaw deserve to go," Spiritstar said. "They both have been working very hard and they both are of age to become warriors. I will consult Pricklypelt and Owleyes before making my final decision," Spiritstar said, a proud look on her face. "I am so proud of Bluefoot's kits," she meowed.
Mossyfoot nodded, "I'm sure your making a good choice."
Spiritstar smiled. "Thank you Mossyfoot!" she said, getting up from her sitting position. "I'm going to go talk to talk to Pricklypelt and Owleyes." Spiritstar padded over to the two warriors, sitting near the entrance of the camp. "Pricklypelt! Owleyes!" Spiritstar exclaimed.
"Yes, Spiritstar?" they said in unison. "I am going to the Moonstone. I was thinking about taking Pebblepaw and Rapidpaw," she explained.
"That is an amazing idea! They are both doing so great in training! They caught 5 mice each yesterday!" Owleyes exclaimed.
"Precisely!" Pricklypelt said. "Great! I will call a clan meeting!" Spiritstar said, a proud flicker in her eyes.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!" Spiritstar called to the clan, leaping onto the Highrock. Once the clan had gathered in the clearing and Bluefoot had leaped up beside her, she began. "I have decided to travel to the Moonstone," she declared. "I will be bringing with me two apprentices. Pebblepaw, Rapidpaw. Please step forward."
The two apprentices looked shocked. They were being taken to the Moonstone!
"You have both proven that you are worthy of being taken to the Moonstone. You have trained diligently and have proven yourselves. Your mentors have expressed how well you are doing to me, and I have decided to congratulate you with this opportunity." The cats of the clan congratulated the two apprentices. Bluefoot's eyes glittered with tears of joy and pride. Spiritstar flicked her tail for silence. "We leave at sunhigh tomorrow," she said. "Clan dismissed." She leapt from the Highrock, Bluefoot following.
"Thank you," Bluefoot exclaimed. "You have no idea how much this means to my kits."
Spiritstar bowed her head. "No, thank you. Your kits have your fighting spirit and determination," she said.
"Spiritstar, you are so kind!" Bluefoot exclaimed.
"Thank you, Bluefoot," she replied, smiling. "Have a good night." Bluefoot nodded and ran to the warriors den, talking to the warriors happily. Spiritstar padded to her den and beckoned for Stagtail to follow.
"Stagtail," Spiritstar began, her eyes shining.
"Shh," Stagtail said as he flicked his tail over her muzzle gently. "I know. I know that you are going through a lot. You aren't alone," he whispered. "We both are fighting this battle. I think it's great that you are going to go to the Moonstone," he said, wrapping his tail around hers and laying down beside her. "Now, get some rest. You'll need to for tomorrow."