Once again, thanks to my loyal reviewers; Emma183 and Blizzard Dragonoid!

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"You three, come here," ordered Hollyfrost. She beckoned them to the leader's den with her tail. Mothpaw, Owlpaw and Darkpaw sullenly obeyed.

Inside the den Hollyfrost, Shiningstar, Mouseclaw, Cloudysky and Rowantail sat in a circle. The apprentices took seats beside them, ears pinned back.

"Well," Shiningstar mewed. "Do you have anything to say for yourselves?"

"We really are sorry," Darkpaw said.

"We understood we were breaking the rules, and will accept whatever punishment you decide to give us," Owlpaw added, staring at the ground. Mothpaw just nodded.

"Good," Shiningstar said, smiling. "Because your mentors and I have decided that, since you fought so skillfully and bravely, that it's time for you to become warriors."

The three gaped, wondering if it was a joke. Cloudysky waited until it had sunk in before adding, "Except Darkpaw. I'm sorry, but you're not old enough."

"Rowantail and I agreed that you both are ready to receive your power and warrior name, and Shiningstar did too," said Mouseclaw, fixing his non-blind eye on them.

Darkpaw was slightly upset about her friends leaving her, but relieved she wasn't going to be punished. Mothpaw and Owlpaw both looked tremendously excited.

"Hollyfrost, would you please get their parents?" Shiningstar asked. The black she cat nodded and padded out of the den. She soon returned with Freezewind and Runningstep. Both cats looked unhappy, still believing their kits had done something wrong. But when Shiningstar explained, their faces lit up.

"My kits are becoming warriors!" Freezewind exclaimed, nuzzling each of them. Runningstep grinned and nudged them.

"As is the custom, the kits go in order of birth," said Shiningstar. "Who was born first?"

"Mothpaw was," Freezewind answered, still smiling.

"Then she will visit the stream tonight, and Owlpaw will tomorrow," Shiningstar meowed. "I'll announce it to the Clan tonight."

Mothpaw and Owlpaw nodded seriously. Darkpaw watched them, surprised their sudden enthusiasm was gone. They quietly trotted out into the forest. Mothpaw led the way until they were far away from camp. She suddenly halted and whispered "I'm going to get my power tonight." She shrieked with joy and fell to the ground, laughter exploding out of her. Owlpaw sat and watched her with a wry look on his face.

Mothpaw had apparently bottling up her excitement for this moment. "I'm gonna be a war-i-or, I'm gonna be a war-i-or!" she sang. Leaping to her feet, she bounded up to her brother and pranced in a circle around him, grabbing him by the scruff in an attempt to get him to dance with her. He fended her off with a paw, but couldn't keep from grinning. "Oh, you're no fun," she grumbled. Spinning around, she giggled "Darkpaw, come on!" The two she cats twirled around each other, Mothpaw's happiness rubbing off on Darkpaw.

"I can't believe it," Owlpaw said, a look of wonder on his face. "Warriors." He said the word with awe.

"You guys are so lucky," mewed Darkpaw . I have to wait another moon, at least."

"Don't worry, Darkpaw," Owlpaw said comfortingly. "A moon will go by quickly."

"Not when I'm alone."

"You'll never be alone. Not with us here." Owlpaw draped his tail over her shoulders.

"Not with us here!" Mothpaw stopped her silly dance long enough to tackle Darkpaw.

"And then Thornkit and Icekit will be apprentices, and you'll be with them." Owlpaw meowed.

"Yeah," said Darkpaw, cheering up. "I love those kits."

"I just can't wait!" Mothpaw said. She always was a dramatic one, and tonight would be the biggest night of her life. She would not let the subject drop. "But I'm so worried. I wonder what the StarClan cats are like. Does getting your power hurt? I hope it doesn't hurt."

Darkpaw tuned out Mothpaw's babbling and glanced up at Owlpaw, wondering why he didn't seem happier. He was smiling, his eyes staring off into the distance. When he noticed her staring he smiled wider. "Come on," he said. "Follow me."

Very quietly, Owlpaw and Darkpaw slipped away into the brush before running. Leaving Mothpaw to sing and dance t herself. They stopped running after only a minute, hiding behind a tree, snickering. Moments later they heard Mothpaw yell "HEY!"

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Owlpaw slept peacefully, a ball of brown tabby fur. Curled up next to him was Darkpaw, curled up as well. However her sleep was not as calm as his. Her paws twitched and she frowned. Her dreams were full of storms and cold and the ocean, turbulent and confusing.

"Mothpaw," she whispered in her sleep. "Moth?"

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Mothpaw came back just before dawn. Her eyes were wide and haunted, and her silver tabby fur was ungroomed. She stumbled into the den, a glazed look in her eyes. She was muttering something under her breath.

Darkpaw awoke with a start, taking in Mothpaw's disheveled appearance. "Mothpaw, what happened?!" she mewed softly, leaping to her feet.

Mothpaw's mutterings grew louder. "Gone," she whispered, shivering. "It's gone. The stream is gone."

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Poor Moth. She's not crazy! She just had a bad night.

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