"Softkit, please come up." Redstar mewed. Softkit walked up the large rock. Her two older brothers, Firekit and Flamekit, now Firepaw and Flamepaw, were watching. Most of the clan was, too. "May Starclan look down upon this kit, who is soon to be an apprentice. Do you promise to protect and feed your. Lam before yourself?" Redstart asked. Softkit nodded. "From this day until you become a warrior, you shall be known as Softpaw. Riverrock, will you train her as your apprentice?"

Riverrock nodded. Softpaw stepped down to Riverrock, he touched her on the head as she sat next to him. "Dismissed." Redstart mewed jumping down. Cats left to tall or do daily chores. Flamepaw's mentor, Shellteeth, used her tail to guide him to the entry and leaving area of the camp. Yellowpelt padded over with his apprentice, Firepaw.

"So, do you want to see the river?" He asked. Firepaw nodded excited, they were going to learn to swim. There is a large river, or "Great River" as the clans called it. All three clans had to learn the swimming skill, it was necessary, parts of the territory are on the other side. Softpaw put her front left paw in the icy cold, this was the shallowest area of what river was in their territory. Firepaw was all ready in, and he was being thought how to use his front paws to move forward and his tail to stair. Softpaw took a deep breath and stepped in.

"Using your front paws, go like this. This is the first way we learn to swim." Riverrock mewed showing her how. Softpaw pushed off using her back legs and started to 'swim'. She sometimes went underwater, thought it was only for a few seconds when this did happen. "Keep trying, it's fine. It takes most apprentice about a moon to do this. You are about what is half-a-week in" Riverrock mewed. Sure... That is great. When my older brother Firepaw has pretty much mastered it... Softpaw thought bitterly. They practiced for a few more hours, still a lot of work was ahead of Softpaw for swimming.

Flamepaw came back with Shellteeth, "Your turn to explore the territory." Shellteeth growled. Flamepaw does not look to happy... They took off, "let's show them Moon Lake." Yellowpelt whispered happily. They got to the lake, "Great Starclan this lake is large!" Softpaw mewed in amazement. There was sparkling blue water, the sun as tall grasses were reflecting in this lake. "This is were we get most of the large fish, also were we hunt the most. Mice and voles for example are plentiful do to the high grasses and fresh-drinking water." Riverrock mewed as this wasn't impressive enough, "one downfall is there isn't much prey. Since there is ice, many of the voles and mice move toward the river. And the desert.." there wasn't much of a smile. "OK follow me to the woods, as you know mice and voles live here. But also robins and other types of birds." Yellowpelt mewed as though he was trying to lighten up the darkening mood.

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They reached the woods a little after sun high. "How big are these trees?!" Firepaw yelled. "Shhhh! Your scare the prey off!" Riverrock snapped. "Sorry" Firepaw whispered. Softpaw opened her mouth, there were so many new scents. Maybe berries, but definitely prey. Softpaw thought. "When are we going to learn how to hunt?" she asked. "Next week. I have to teach you how to crouch, and how to swim basically." Riverrock mewed. Aw! Well it's better than a moon... They headed back to camp. Flamepaw was there is an upset mood. Every cat knew to stay away from him, when he in a bad mood.

The week after

"OK. You have learned (finally) how to do the basic swimming. Next moon it will be more. Now show me the..." Riverrock stopped taking. He seemed to sniff the air. Softpaw did, too. Flowerclan?! "We know your there. Come out now!" Riverrock snapped with a fearsome growl. The leader stepped out with at least 6 other warriors. "What do you want?" Rockriver asked. "To talk to Redstar" he snarled... Softpaw quietly growled. Why not just bring one warrior and medicine cat? Stupid fur-ball. Softpaw thought. "We will escort you. Don't do anything stupid." Riverrock mewed.

The camp became silent as the leader and 6 warriors from a different clan entered with Softpaw and Riverrock. Redstar padded up. He staired at the leader. "What do you want, Icestar?" he asked. It was calm, but Softpaw felt anger and hatred in the air..

I hope it didn't feel short. But I hoped you enjoyed it...