A/U: Yay I managed to get this finished! I sure hope you enjoy it...Although I am updating rather late...Oh well! Anyways, thanks xXMistsongXx, Son of the Sea 100896, PieInYaFace, and WildCroconaw for reviewing! Wow, four reviews, a new record! I'm giving out Copperpaw plushies to those who have reviewed!

Chapter 17

I wish I could be a warrior now, Copperpaw thought as the Clan's newest warriors sat vigil. A day had passed since the Gathering occurred. Bramblestar had made Batpaw, Silverpaw, and Rainpaw into warriors the day after. Now they were known as Batwing, Silverstripe, and Rainleaf. All three new warriors looked like they were ready to burst with pride as they sat near the camp entrance.

She could still remember convincing the fox that had tried to find the ThunderClan camp to leave. Apparently the fox had been pregnant, and was looking for a birthing den. She had told the fox that there was a birthing den further away from the Clans. Much to her relief the fox had accepted her word and disappeared. No signs of it had been reported since.

"It won't be long 'till we're warriors too," Mallowpaw meowed as he left the apprentice's den. "Pricklepaw and Honeypaw are going to be assessed today."

Copperpaw stared at him in surprise. Bramblestar had only just named three new warriors the day before. He must have been desperate for more if he wanted to check on Pricklepaw and Honeypaw's progress.

Both apprentices were fun to talk to. Pricklepaw had a snarky attitude when it came to fresh-kill. Her sister, Honeypaw, however, was much friendlier. In fact, Copperpaw and Honeypaw were the best of friends.

She could imagine Honeypaw becoming a queen like her mother, Poppyfrost. The golden tabby apprentice was gentle and kind to most cats. She was only fierce when it came to protecting her Clanmates.

"I wonder if Bramblestar will make Rosepetal's kits apprentices soon," she murmured through a yawn.

"Shouldn't be long," Mallowpaw replied. "And Ferncloud's kits are getting bigger too," he added.

Copperpaw mewled in agreement. Ferncloud had given birth four days ago prior to the Gathering. She was now nursing two healthy kits. One looked like Dustpelt, while the other had a black and white speckled pelt. Ferncloud had named her kits Tanglekit and Fallowkit after a couple of cats she had learned about when she was an apprentice herself.

The dark ginger apprentice arched her back as the sun rose.

Silverstripe's mentor, Brightheart, emerged from the warriors' den to greet the Clan's newest warriors. After addressing the three of them, they were allowed to leave their silent vigil.

Batwing let out a contempt purr as he followed his siblings. "I'm glad I get that off of my chest," he muttered as he passed Copperpaw.

"So that wasn't your snoring I heard," Rainleaf purred.

Her brother growled in annoyance as she swatted at his ear. Copperpaw dodged to the side as they began to pounce on each other. She was happy that they could have fun while they were warriors. Yet somehow it all seemed irrelevant as she watched them. Sooner or later life would catch up with them. It just happened to meet her a bit early.

Already I'm defending the Clan, she thought as she looked down at her paws. Bramblestar will want me to save it every time there's danger around.

The thought made her fur sting in embarrassment. It also sent waves of guilt through her as she thought of what would have happened if she was gone. The fox could have found the camp. Or worse, it could have killed many warriors or apprentices.

Copperpaw shivered as she imagined what could have happened. Anything could have gone wrong if she wasn't around to protect her Clan.

The sun was almost above the trees by the time Cinderheart approached her. Copperpaw gulped when she saw that Bramblestar was pacing beside her. The ThunderClan leader didn't look happy. She wrapped her tail around her paws as they approached.

"I've noticed how much you are progressing in your training," meowed the ThunderClan leader. Even as he spoke Copperpaw could see the look of worry within Cinderheart's eyes. "Now I have been hearing that ShadowClan scents are being detected over the border."

Suddenly Copperpaw understood where this conversation was going. She narrowed her eyes and looked away.

"Please understand that this is the good for ThunderClan," he went on when he noticed her silence.

When Copperpaw remained silent, Cinderheart rose to her paws. "I told you this was a bad idea," she hissed. "She's not ready for this."

It took Bramblestar a few moments to realize what Cinderheart was talking about. Than he blinked in surprise. He sighed and shook his head, suddenly looking defeated.

"Fine," he muttered crossly.

Without waiting for either of them to reply, the ThunderClan leader stalked away towards the fresh-kill pile. Squirrelflight gave him a sharp glare while Berrynose leaped out of the way. It appeared as though Bramblestar wasn't going to give this up without a fight.

Copperpaw knew full well that she should have taken on the responsibility of a Clan cat. Yet she didn't feel as though she was ready to protect it. Even Cinderheart had noticed how wary she was of changing into another animal.

She looked up at Cinderheart. The gray tabby only stared at her in disappointment and understanding.

"You're not the only one who didn't feel ready for battle," she meowed as she sat down beside her apprentice. "I can still remember my first battle against WindClan. It was vicious, and I was certain we would end in failure." Cinderheart shivered as she recalled the fight. Copperpaw would have never thought of her mentor as someone who was afraid to fight. Cinderheart always acted tough and difficult around cats like Lionblaze or Bramblestar. "I'm sure that you will make the right choice in the end."

Cinderheart rose to her paws after she finished speaking. Copperpaw stared after her as the gray tabby padded towards the fresh-kill pile.

By now most of the cats had come out of their dens. Copperpaw spotted her father sharing tongues with Hazeltail. Foxleap peered out of the warriors' den as his name was called. The morning patrol was getting ready to leave as the day rolled by.

You'll make the right choice in the end...Cinderheart's words rang in Copperpaw's mind as she thought of what Bramblestar had told her.

Could she really control her thoughts as a different animal? She'd never tried it before. Copperpaw shivered as she imagined what would happen if she forgot herself completely.

"I'm going to do it," she finally announced out loud.

The only attention she caught was that of Mallowpaw. He looked at her in confusion as she rose to her paws. "Do what?" he asked.

"I'm going to change into an animal, and see what ShadowClan is up to," she told him.

Mallowpaw's eyes widened in dismay. "But...what if the Clan views you as prey?" he demanded. "What if...I lose you?" He choked on the last question.

It didn't occur to Copperpaw how much she meant to her sibling. Over their past few moons of training they had grown apart. Now he was acting as though all of that never happened. Instead his gaze was filled with concern as he held her gaze.

"You're not going to lose me," she promised. "Lionblaze and Hazeltail won't either."

Mallowpaw didn't reply. He remained silent as he contemplated on her words. Finally he nodded and grinned. "After this maybe we can go hunting like we always wanted," he meowed.

"We'll be the best hunting pair in the Clan," she purred.

She knew that together they would make the best team in the Clan. After giving her chest fur a couple of quick licks, she padded over to the Highledge. Bramblestar's scent was still strong after he'd returned to his den.

I can do it, she thought as she gradually drew closer to the entrance. Her nerves were beginning to take over as she thought about it more.

Copperpaw let out a sigh. She peered into the darkness of Bramblestar's den.

He sat on the top of a nest made of moss and feathers. His amber eyes brightened when he recognized her pelt.

"I'll do what you need me to do," she announced when she entered.

Bramblestar nodded in understanding. "Very well," he meowed. "Than we will begin tonight."

A/U: I'm sorry about the abrupt ending. But you get to see what's going on with Copperpaw and the fox. You'll find out more when Flowerpaw comes out next. Anyways, the next person who reviews this chapter will get a Flowerpaw plushie!