A super long chapter because you guys are awesome.

And let's be honest. I won't have time to update this until another month. XD

And whaaat? No time skip? We're still in April? Blasphemy!

Warriors (c) Erin Hunter

Cats/Clans (c) Me

Another fish bone slapped against Cracklepaw's shoulders, followed by snickering. Cracklepaw furiously glanced over his shoulder, and spotted Barkpaw and Wasppaw hastily trying to hide their giggling. Wasppaw had one paw over his muzzle, but his eyes were bright with amusement, while Barkpaw merely shined his famous crooked grin. He then whispered something into Wasppaw's ear, causing the younger apprentice to erupt with laughter.

Abruptly, Cracklepaw launched himself in front of the two apprentices, and bore his teeth into an angry growl. His fangs glistened in the sunlight, his ragged brown tabby fur bristled aggressively, his ears were drawn back, his knotted tail brandished fervently behind him, and his large claws dug harshly into the soft camp soil.

Wasppaw immediately ceased his laughter and nervously gulped. Even Barkpaw looked a tad bit surprised at his brother's malevolent behavior. He gave Wasppaw a hard shove. "Come on Wasppaw…let's go bother Lilypaw or something," he gingerly suggested. Wasppaw frantically nodded, and followed Barkpaw away from Cracklepaw.

Cracklepaw felt a surge of…what was it called? Happiness? Pleasantness? Pleasure? Something along those lines. He was pleased that Barkpaw and Wasppaw finally learned their place. Cracklepaw was no longer the small, feeble kit he was nearly twelve moons ago. Several moons of training with both Whisperwind and Sparrowheart had made Cracklepaw's muscles taut and firm beneath his pelt. His fur was still thick and knotted, but Cracklepaw liked it that way. His training hadn't been easy on him, as seen by the many scars that laced his flank, and the nicks in his ears, but it had made Cracklepaw strong, fierce, and powerful.

"Cracklepaw!" a sharp voice reprimanded. Stoatshade, in all of his ginger glory, marched over to his troublesome son. "You can't be hostile to your Clanmates, Cracklepaw," his father insisted, though there was a hint of apprehension in his voice.

Cracklepaw bit back a growl, but instead bore his teeth. Oh, now his father cared about what he was doing? Where was he the past twelve moons when he needed his father? "Now you decide to care?" Cracklepaw replied firmly. "You made it very clear to me when I was younger you wanted nothing to do with me. You made it clear to every cat you only had one son—Barkpaw. What's changed since then?"

Have I finally made you proud of me?

"You called me a weakling and a coward," Cracklepaw ranted on, not giving his father a chance to explain himself. "You insisted I was as worthless as a dead fish carcass. You wanted nothing to do with me. And…partially you were right." He found his voice growing softer for some unknown reason. "I didn't need you. It was I who fended off the bullies. It was I who trained harder than any other cat. It was I who will make WaterfallClan great."

Stoatshade let out a tired sigh. For once in his life, Stoatshade, one of the most determined and selfless warriors in the Clan, looked conflicted. "Cracklepaw…I was wrong. I only saw greatness in Barkpaw when you two were kits…I only saw weakness in you. But now…now that I've seen how powerful you've become, I have no doubt in my mind you will become one of WaterfallClan's greatest warriors." He gave a weak smile, which Cracklepaw gladly returned. "But…despite all of this, you cannot act hostile towards your Clanmates. In time, they will become your greatest assets. This is was separates us from rogues and loners: we strive together in numbers. Whenever you feel alone or the fight is tough, look to those around you. They will give you the inspiration to keep on fighting!"

It was half an apology, Cracklepaw noted, but he couldn't help but notice his father spoke some truth. He was pushing others away. Perhaps he should—

No! roared Sparrowheart in Cracklepaw's mind. Don't succumb to your father's words. He's trying to deceive you. You cannot trust your Clanmates. Their masks hide their true intentions about you: how powerful and strong you are. You are better alone, Cracklepaw. You don't need any cat, not even your father's forgiveness.

At once Cracklepaw's grin dropped. Sparrowheart was right; Stoatshade was purposing trying to turn him soft! "No, Stoatshade," Cracklepaw growled. "I am better alone. I will earn my Clanmates' trust eventually."

Through fear, Cracklepaw added silently to himself.

"I don't need you nor any other cat! I will become WaterfallClan's greatest warrior by becoming its most powerful cat. You'll see. You and every cat will rue the day I rule WaterfallClan!" he spat before dashing out of the camp. His paws splashed over the small creek that ran through the camp, and he winced when his paws became wet. As a result, his slippery paws skidded on the soft camp ground, and Cracklepaw soon found himself sailing into the air. The world seemed to rotate around him before he fell flat on his stomach with paws extended and chin flat on the ground.

Laughter immediately erupted from his watching Clanmates.

"Haha, nice fall, Cracklepaw!" Perchfall good-heartedly chuckled.

"You should be careful around the water, little one," Sedgeflight humorously purred in amusement.

"Still a dry-paw, eh Cracklepaw?" Molepad grinned.

"Haha! You landed flat on your stomach like a dead fish!" Harvestclaw laughed.

"He is a dead fish, Harvestclaw," Barkpaw purred humorously.

Cracklepaw felt his cheeks burning as he scrambled to his paws. His head bent down in shame as he studied his paws. So much for earning his Clanmates' support.

All of the laughter of his Clanmates soon blurred around him, so much so that he couldn't pick out a single cat's voice. They all just jumbled together, but he could still pick up their taunts and jests. He felt lightheaded.

"Mama, Cracklepaw fell! Isn't he silly?"

"Yes, Riverkit. Cracklepaw's always very silly."

"Haha!"

"Nice job, Floppaw!"

"Yeah! Next time land in the river, okay? That'll make a great splash!"

"That was the funniest thing I've ever seen in my fifty-two moons of service!"

Cracklepaw spotted Stoatshade amongst the crowd of laughing cats. His father didn't join in the mockery, but instead gazed at his son with apologetic eyes.

If you cared so much, why don't you stop this! Cracklepaw roared in his thoughts.

He doesn't care about you, Cracklepaw, Sparrowheart mused. He was only impressed by your power. And now you blew it.

I can see that, Obvious-star. What's next? Are you going to tell me I need to train more in order to gain back their awe?

Maybe. Maybe not.

Cracklepaw rolled his eyes, and growled under his breath. He was getting tired of Sparrowheart's half-dirt obviousness. Suddenly, Cracklepaw spotted a familiar brown tabby figure laughing in the crowd. It was Treebranch, and she was giggling next to her sister, Hawkglare. The two newest warriors were clearly enjoying Cracklepaw's latest flunk.

"I can't believe he just fell like that," Hawkglare laughed. "So ungraceful."

"I know, right?" Treebranch added with a big grin. "He always knows how to make cats laugh."

What? She…she just insulted me! Cracklepaw horridly thought.

Just to show that you can't count on any cat. Sparrowheart muttered. We'll talk more tonight, Cracklepaw.

A sudden surge of anger flooded through Cracklepaw. The cat he'd considered a friend had betrayed him. The voices of his Clanmates' became un-blurred, and the dizziness in his head ceased. He felt like he was going to explode.

"Ha, Floppaw! That's a good one, Bark—" Wasppaw didn't have a chance to finish his sentence before Cracklepaw raked his claws against the younger apprentice's muzzle. Wasppaw reeled back with a loud yelp. He stared at his denmate with wide and astonished blue eyes. Blood began to ooze from the claw wound on Wasppaw's muzzle.

Cracklepaw wanted to finish it. He didn't meant to strike out at Wasppaw, but he did it anyway. He wanted to end it, but something in the back of his mind made him stop. He drew back his claws, and sighed.

"Wasppaw!" Lilypaw yelped, and immediately raced to her brother's side. "Are you okay?"

The pale gray tabby tom merely nodded. He was at a loss for words.

Whisperwind gently nudged his son. "Skippool!" he yowled.

"I'm here," the gray and white medicine cat replied, and carved his way through the gathered crowd. He dropped a few herbs down before inspecting Wasppaw's wound.

Cracklepaw was too busy fixated at the scene, that he didn't realize Oddscar talking to him.

"Cracklepaw!" Oddscar snapped. Cracklepaw jumped a bit before focusing on the ticked off deputy. "Are you even listening to me?"

The ragged apprentice studied his paws. "…No," he quietly admitted.

The Clan deputy suppressed an angry growl. "I said, what were you thinking? You're supposed to protect your Clanmates with your life, not try to end them!"

"What's going on?" Turtlestar inquired as he and her patrol walked into camp. She gave her fat carp to Antwhisker before approaching her cats. Thistleberry, Vixenspeck and Applefur took their prey to the fresh-kill pile before joining them.

"Cracklepaw attacked Wasppaw," Oddscar explained simply causing Cracklepaw to gawk.

"There's more to it than that!" Cracklepaw insisted.

"So what did happen?" Turtlestar firmly demanded.

"Every cat was making fun of me and I just…" He tried to find the right words. "Snapped, I guess."

"You guess?" Turtlestar angrily echoed. "Did you attack Wasppaw or not?"

"He was making fun of me!" Cracklepaw whined. He hated complaining like a tiny kit, but what was he supposed to do? His Clanmates framed him!

Turtlestar let out a furious sigh and she closed her eyes in contemplation. "Whisperwind, has Cracklepaw been taking care of the elders and the queens from his previous punishment?"

"He has, Turtlestar," Whisperwind informed.

The Clan leader reopened her green eyes. "Cracklepaw, I will not give you another punishment this time," she growled. "But next time you won't be so lucky. I'm giving you a warning. Control yourself, young one."

"Yes, Turtlestar," Cracklepaw groveled.

I cannot wait until you are dead.

"Cracklepaw, watch me leap!" Riverkit excitedly chirped as he crouched on top of a small rock that was part of the lower section of Stonecleft. The one-moon old kit then dramatically leapt a tail-length off the rock, and landed firmly on all four paws. "Haha! Did you see that, Cracklepaw? Did you see me fly?"

"Sure," Cracklepaw nonchalantly mumbled as he rolled the final moss bundle out of the nursery.

"Can I help?" the speckled gray tom-kit excitedly offered. "I'm great at rolling moss!"

"No," Cracklepaw deadpanned. "Go play with your mother."

"Tinydapple says I should stay with you to make sure you're working."

Cracklepaw made a face. "How thoughtful of her."

Riverkit nodded excitedly. "Yup! Tinydapple's really nice! That's what Vixenspeck says all the time."

Cracklepaw rolled his eyes. "I'm sure your father does." He grabbed the bundle of moss and carried it towards the dirtplace. Riverkit followed him with a bounce in his step. He wriggled his nose in disgust at the smell of said place.

"Why does the dirtplace smell so stinky?" Riverkit asked curiously. "I mean, I know why, but why?"

"You're asking the wrong medicine cat," Cracklepaw grumbled. He threw the moss inside, and pushed his out through the reeds back to the camp with Riverkit at his side. He walked back to the nursery where Barkpaw left a pile of fresh moss. At least his brother finished his side of the punishment.

Riverkit enthusiastically bounded up to the moss pile. He crouched down, wriggled his haunches, and leapt into the pile with a joyful glee.

"Riverkit!" Cracklepaw snapped. "Get out of that moss pile!" He yanked the kit away by his scruff.

"But I couldn't help it!" Riverkit purred as Cracklepaw set him down. "It was fun. You should try it. You look like you could use some fun."

Cracklepaw snorted at the kit. "I'm too busy for fun."

"Why?"

The ragged apprentice bit back a growl. Why did he have to be stuck with this nosy kitten? "Because I want to be the greatest warrior in all of WaterfallClan, and that takes training," he explained simply.

"Ohh," Riverkit nodded, as if understand Cracklepaw's wide request. "Can I be the greatest warrior, too?"

"No. There can only be one."

"But if I train really hard, could I one day?"

He decided to enlighten the small kit. "Sure," Cracklepaw replied with a shrug. "Why not?"

"Great!" Riverkit responded with a cheerful cry. "I wonder who will be my mentor. Who do you think?"

Cracklepaw shrugged once more as he shoved the moss pile into the nursery. The bramble entrance tugged on his knotted back. "I don't know."

"Could you?" Riverkit innocently suggested.

Cracklepaw froze. He'd never thought of getting an apprentice. Well, he would have to eventually if he wanted to become leader one day. The nursery only had one kit at the moment, and Cracklepaw will have been a warrior for a couple of moons by the time Riverkit was of age… "Sure. Why not? If Turtlestar picks me, that is."

"That's great!" Riverkit mewed with excitement. "I'll be the best apprentice ever! I'll do whatever you say, and I'll listen very closely, and I'll do my chores without complaining, and I'll…"

Riverkit rambled on and on while Cracklepaw continued his work cleaning the nursery. He never did chase Riverkit away, but instead relished his company with the young and bold kit.

"What are we doing today?" Cracklepaw meowed at once when he woke up in the familiar Dark Forest. The musky scent of decaying organisms and the ominous lighting was almost a second home to the misfit apprentice. "I don't have much time. Turtlestar's letting me go the Gathering tonight."

Sparrowheart snorted. "After that stunt you pulled this sunhigh? I'm impressed."

Cracklepaw shrugged. "I guess she thought I deserved it after I cleaned both the nursery and the elders' den afterwards." He glanced around the dim clearing. "So…what are we learning today? You said you wanted to talk to me."

The ghostly white tom nodded. "I'm not teaching you anything new today, but we are going to do a…field experiment." He beckoned with his white tail for Cracklepaw to follow him.

Despite training in the Dark Forest for nearly six moons, Cracklepaw barely knew his way beyond the training grounds. He tried to capture every new landmark they passed by. He didn't spot any other Dark Forest residents, but he swore he saw glowing eyes peering out from the darkness of a gnarly dead tree.

Sparrowheart stopped at a small clearing, and gestured for Cracklepaw to sit next to him. When he did, three cats appeared from the shadows of the clearing. Two of them were faint and ghostly like Sparrowheart, but the other was un-opaque like Cracklepaw.

"Cracklepaw, this is Maggotfang and Flytalon. They are other residents of the Dark Forest," Sparrowheart introduced. "Flytalon is training Dawnpaw of ThistleClan."

Maggotfang, and flecked dark brown tom, and Flytalon, a cream-colored she-cat, nodded their greetings. Dawnpaw, a pale ginger tabby she-cat, mumbled a hello.

Maggotfang looked expectantly at Sparrowheart. "Are we all set to go?" he asked.

"Where is your apprentice, Maggotfang?" Sparrowheart asked.

"Cloverfoot is ill tonight. He'll learn another time," Maggotfang explained.

Sparrowheart seemed satisfied with that answer, and nodded. "Then let's go," he ordered and beckoned the rest of the cats to follow him. The five cats left the clearing, and didn't small talk on the way. Cracklepaw couldn't help but note how serious his mentor and the other Dark Forest cats were acting.

"Do you know where we are going?" Cracklepaw whispered to Dawnpaw, who shook her head no.

"Flytalon only said we are going to meet up with some other cats," Dawnpaw explained. "And we should observe diligently."

The area around them gently grew lighter and lighter, as if they were approaching daylight. They suddenly came upon a border, a harsh distinction, between light and dark. On the other side the ground was frosty and covered in stars. It held a chilly presence that made Cracklepaw's fur stand on end.

"What's that light place over there?" Cracklepaw asked.

"That's StarClan's territory," Flytalon meowed with grimace. "You must never end up there."

"That's where StarClan lives," Maggotfang added with a growl, his tail swishing in anticipation.

"So…what are we doing here then?" Dawnpaw had the courage to question. "If we must never end up in StarClan?"

"We are going to kill a StarClan cat, to prove to you two that StarClan is nothing but a bunch of weak and old cats," Sparrowheart meowed determinedly. "Cracklepaw, I've always taught you that during your training, but now it's time to see it in action." He flicked his tail towards a leafy bush on StarClan's side. "I want you two to wait there. Flytalon and Maggotfang, hide behind those two trees over yonder. I'll lead a StarClan cat towards you. When he or she gets close enough, leap out and strike."

Without waiting to see if his orders were complied, Sparrowheart easily leapt over the border and disappeared amongst the whiteness of StarClan's territory. His white pelt gave him the advantage with the ghostly white aura of StarClan. The other four cats took their positions and remained mostly quiet.

"Are we really going to kill a StarClan cat?" Dawnpaw whispered to Cracklepaw, who pressed his muzzle on the ground to get a clear view of outside from beneath the leafy bush.

"Sparrowheart always said that StarClan was powerless against the Dark Forest," Cracklepaw muttered. "I believe him, of course, but I guess he suspected I was falling away from the Dark Forest."

Suddenly a blur of white streaked into view, followed by a furious fluffy brown tabby. The newcomer's pelt was covered in stars so Cracklepaw suspected he was a StarClan cat. It seemed it didn't take much for Sparrowheart to aggregate a StarClan cat.

"Get back here, Dark Forest filth!" the angry StarClan tom screeched. Sparrowheart approached the two trees were Maggotfang and Flytalon were hiding. He quickly pivoted so he was facing the dashing StarClan tom. He crouched down and swished his tail angrily. The StarClan tom was nearly upon Sparrowheart when Maggotfang and Flytalon leaped from behind their hiding spots with claws extended. The StarClan tom yelped in shock, but was quickly silenced by the three Dark Forest cats. They scuffled together in a ball of shrieks and flapping claw rakes, and every once in a while Cracklepaw spotted a cat's head arch back with fangs showing.

The StarClan tom's yelps increased as he tried to fend off his attackers with flailing claws, but the Dark Forest cats were vicious and straight to the point. With one final killing blow, Sparrowheart ended the StarClan tom's life. The victim let out a silent gasp before falling silent. His body eventually disappeared into thin air, his stars swirling upwards to return to the starry sky.

"He's gone…" Dawnpaw whispered.

"I know, right? I guess StarClan bodies just…disappear," Cracklepaw returned. He found the demonstration interesting, to say the least. He was impressed by Maggotfang's and Flytalon's teamwork, and how they reacted to Sparrowheart's guiding leadership during the fight.

Sparrowheart licked his chops. "There's to prove you two that StarClan doesn't last forever. They are no more special than you two. Their word means nothing. You should take advice from a dead pigeon before you take their advice."

There was a rustle in the nearby bushes, and the five cats quickly dispersed into various hiding places. Another StarClan cat appeared, a she-cat, sniffing the ground, as if searching for something.

"Owlwing?" the newcomer called. "Where did you go? Your scent is here…"

Sparrowheart nudged Cracklepaw, with whom he was hiding with, with his shoulder. "Now's your chance, Cracklepaw! Strike while she's still oblivious." When Cracklepaw didn't reply, Sparrowheart went on. "It's the next step of your training: murder. It's the only way to get to the top."

Turtlestar immediately came into Cracklepaw's mind, and he nodded.

"Owlwing?" the StarClan cat called when she heard rustling behind her. "Is that you?" When her friend didn't respond, she let out a humorous purr. "Owlwing! Come on out, you silly mouse-brain." She approached the undergrowth, but paused when she didn't recognize the scent of her mate. "Owlwing?" she cautiously called once more. She glanced over her shoulder when she heard rustling behind her, and she let out a yowl when a cat bowled her over. Her attacker dug his claws into her shoulders and belly. The tom was young, with ragged, knotted, and mangy brown tabby fur. His eyes were fueled by a bright amber flame. He bore his fangs into a vicious snarl. She could see it in his eyes that his intention was to end her life.

Her screams echoed throughout the StarClan forest.

"Cracklepaw, wake up!" Barkpaw meowed angrily as he shook his brother from his sleep. "Turtlestar's gathering the cats."

Cracklepaw groggily woke up. His entire body ached from the fight, from his claws to his tail. "I'm up," he replied with a yawn before Barkpaw left. He hastily checked his body for any scratches. Cracklepaw found a small bleeding scratch on his chest where the StarClan she-cat had struck him before she died, and he quickly licked the blood off. Before leaving the apprentices' den, he gave one final stretch before joining his Clanmates. They were already leaving through the reeds, so Cracklepaw had to quickly jog to catch up with them.

He strained through the crowd to find Treebranch, as usual during the Gatherings, but he quickly caught himself. Treebranch wasn't his friend anymore. She betrayed him. Besides, she was busy in a conversation with Applefur. She wouldn't want a stupid apprentice to bother her.

For the duration of the walk to the Gathering Place, Cracklepaw walked alone. Antwhisker and Vixenspeck eyed him as they whispered amongst themselves. Perchfall kept glancing behind his back at Cracklepaw, while Salmonfin gazed with unreadable eyes at the ragged apprentice. Cracklepaw felt several more stares from his Clanmates, and he bit back a growl.

The WaterfallClan cats had to cross the river in order to reach the Gathering Place. Turtlestar gracefully slid through the water without a second thought. Oddscar splashed after her, followed by Skippool. The rest of the warriors pooled in after their leaders.

Unfortunately for Cracklepaw, the Clan did not take the route that led to the tree bridge, so he had to cross the river. The current wasn't strong here, but the darkness of the night made the water as black as death.

Holding back a big breath, Cracklepaw ungracefully splashed through the river. Fortunately, he had grown since his first river experience so his paws were mostly able to reach the goopy ground. Still, he couldn't help but flail like a kit when the river grew too deep for his paws to reach. He kept his head raised as he frantically tried to swim, but he was too slow for his own comfort.

Is this how I go out? Cracklepaw thought as he accidently swallowed a little bit of river water. His thick pelt was not waterproof like his Clanmates. Instead, his knotted pelt soaked in water and threatened to drag him further into the depths. Drowning an unheroic death? His fear grew more and more as each heartbeat past.

Suddenly, and thankfully, a gentle shove gave Cracklepaw the leverage he needed. He slid closer and closer to the river bank, and drew a sigh of relief when his paws touched the ground. He hurriedly scrambled on the shore, and tried to calm himself down.

After a few short, but deep, breaths, Cracklepaw glanced over his shoulder and was surprised to see Molepad emerging from the river. He was the same cat who let him cling to his back when Cracklepaw first "learned" how to swim.

Molepad shook his sleek brown and black fur, the water easily dripping off. "Are you alright, Cracklepaw?"

Cracklepaw gingerly nodded, still panting from his near-drowning experience.

Molepad grimaced. "How ungrateful of our Clanmates to not assist you? If I wasn't there, you would've drowned."

Would any cat have noticed?

The senior warrior then flashed a smile when he noticed Cracklepaw's somber expression. "Well, we better hurry up to catch up with our Clanmates! Thank StarClan it's new-leaf, otherwise you probably would've freeze to death out here," Molepad good-naturedly purred. He led the soaked apprentice after their Clanmates.

"Molepad…"

"Yes?"

"…thanks."

Molepad smiled. "Anytime, Cracklepaw."

Molepad and Cracklepaw caught up with their Clanmates at the Gathering Place, which was just about to start. The three Clans were already gathered, and Turtlestar, Ferretstar, and Newtstar had already taken their positions on the large tree.

"Hey, Cracklepaw!" a familiar yet cheerful voice called from the crowd. Treebranch emerged from the chattering cats. "There you are. I was wondering where you've been. There's a great spot to sit over here."

It was obvious she wanted to talk to him, so Cracklepaw didn't say anything and followed her. They wove between the amassed cats until they reached a quiet spot near the back. The full moon and the myriad stars lit up the clearing, and casted shadows from the arching new-leaf trees that surrounded the Gathering.

Cracklepaw remembered his first Gathering. He'd been an apprentice for two moons by the time Turtlestar allowed him and his brother to come. Admittedly, Cracklepaw was extremely nervous when he first arrived. He'd never seen so many cats before, and he was hesitant to interact with cats from the other two Clans, RowanClan and ThistleClan. Whisperwind had insisted that it would be good for Cracklepaw to talk to the other Clans, but to not reveal anything about WaterfallClan. Instead, Cracklepaw opted to chat with Treebranch—Treepaw then—and the two would often converse during the Gathering, often making jokes about the Clan leaders, and getting scolded by the senior warriors.

Which is why Cracklepaw was sort of grateful for Treebranch calling him over to their usual spot, but he was still hesitant about her.

The moonlight reflected on the hard muscles beneath Ferretstar's pelt as he stood up to begin the Gathering. "RowanClan is doing well this moon," the brown and cream-colored patched Clan leader began, his voice silencing the chatting cats. He waited for the younger ones to stop talking, and they were quickly silenced by a hiss from a senior warrior. Only then did the leader of RowanClan continue.

"Still as arrogant as always," Treebranch whispered.

"Much like all of RowanClan," Cracklepaw griped.

"And he looks thicker than the last Gathering. I guess they caught a lot of prey this year."

"Watch: he's going to mention something about catching a lot of prey."

"Our patrols have caught plenty of prey, and our borders are as strong as ever," Ferretstar went on, but not without a slight glare to Turtlestar.

"Told ya," Cracklepaw whispered with a purr.

"He's trying to make an excuse for his thickness," Treebranch whispered back as Ferretstar continued.

"We have one new warrior here tonight. Please join me in welcoming Swallowfeather."

"Swallowfeather! Swallowfeather! Swallowfeather!"

Cracklepaw raised his head and spotted a gray tabby tom raising his head proudly as the cats chanted his name.

"Hey, that's the apprentice who I defeated in battle last leaf-bare," Cracklepaw realized. He recalled how Sparrowheart demanded him to end the apprentice's life, but Cracklepaw was hesitant back then. He wondered how that situation would end if it happened today. After all, he did kill a StarClan cat.

"Was he any good?" Treebranch asked.

"He fought like a mouse."

"Perhaps he's gotten better since then."

"Maybe. We can find out when RowanClan decides to invade, again."

Treebranch purred happily in amusement. "They haven't done so in a while. Maybe they're plotting something," she humorously suggested.

"I wouldn't put it past them."

Ferretstar sat back down, and gestured with his tail for one of the other leaders to go next. Newtstar was about to stand up to go next, but Turtlestar beat her to it. The two she-cats awkwardly stared at each other for a few heartbeats, before Turtlestar sat back down. Newtstar flicked a black ear before standing up, her claws gripping the tough bark of the sycamore tree.

"ThistleClan is also faring well," Newtstar began. "We've had a few skirmishes with a young badger before chasing it away from our territory."

"Did it go into any of ours?" Ferretstar asked.

The tortoiseshell she-cat shook her head. "No, it ventured away from the Clans, but we're keeping an eye on our furthest border in case it comes back. If it did travel into one of your territories, be assured that I will most certainly alert you." She looked down at where her medicine cats were located. "Some of our warriors sustained a few injuries from the badger, but Alderbranch's apprentice did very well in treating them. Our Clanmates are making a quick recovery all thanks to her. In appreciation, Alderbranch gave Slatepaw her full name—now Slateheart."

"Slateheart! Slateheart! Slateheart!"

A dark gray she-cat ducked her head in embarrassment as her Clanmates enthusiastically chanted her name.

"What, is her heart as strong as slate?" Cracklepaw joked.

"Perhaps she was given her name because of her solid dedication to her Clan," Treebranch added. "Slate is a very tough rock, after all."

"Of course you would know that."

As soon as the chanting died down, Turtlestar stood up quickly. She angrily glared between Ferretstar and the RowanClan cats. "Last moon, a WaterfallClan patrol found the bodies of Willowburr, Stormshine, and Mistflower not far from the RowanClan border. We have reasons to believe they were murdered." She swerved her tortoiseshell and white head at Ferretstar. "Which one of your cats killed my Clanmates?" she growled.

Outraged yowls of blasphemy erupted from the RowanClan side, while several WaterfallClan stood up and shouted cries of anger at the RowanClan cats.

"Oh, right," Cracklepaw muttered. "I almost forgot about Willowburr, Stormshine, and Mistflower."

"How could you?" Treebranch questioned. "Willowburr's the father of Sweetberry, and Whisperwind's brother. Stormshine and Mistflower were sisters, and the former of them was Whisperwind's mate, the mother of Lilypaw, Wasppaw, and Shellkit."

"Surprisingly, that doesn't ring a bell," Cracklepaw admitted nonchalantly. He paused for a few heartbeats. "Do you think RowanClan killed them?"

Treebranch paused, as if seriously thinking about the question. "There's proof that they did," she finally replied. "I was on that patrol when we found their bodies. They weren't too far from the border, and they were covered in RowanClan scent." She sighed. "It seems RowanClan just wants to start a war."

"I'm good with that," Cracklepaw growled and sunk his claws into the ground.

Treebranch tilted her head slightly to the left. "Hey, is that a scratch on your chest?" she questioned as she examined his chest closely. She didn't give Cracklepaw time to respond before she went on, "what happened here? Did you get into another fight?" She gave his chest a few swift licks.

Lying was easy for Cracklepaw, except when it came to Treebranch. Something didn't feel right lying to her. "I must've scratched it in my sleep," he lied.

"Did you have a bad dream?" Treebranch asked. Once she was satisfied by her job, she resumed staring eye level with him. "Were you fighting some cat?"

"Something like that," Cracklepaw replied. Okay, so it wasn't a complete lie, but that was as good as it was going to get.

"Cracklepaw…sometimes I worry about you," Treebranch admitted. "You know you can tell me anything, right?"

The ragged apprentice was at a loss for words. Perhaps it was because the loudness of the screeching warriors surrounding them that was messing up his mind. Or maybe it was because he was really tired after his training with Sparrowheart.

Or maybe it was how the moonlight seemed to radiate around Treebranch like a silver aura.

Cracklepaw shook his head to free this thoughts. "…of course," he finally replied when he found his tongue. "It's just that…you were laughing at me when I slipped earlier today." He studied his paws, and suddenly his ears grew hot.

"Cracklepaw…" Treebranch began. "I didn't mean that in a negative way. I was complimenting you!" She happily purred, and gently shouldered her friend. "Besides, that was pretty funny how you fell. You practically flew into the air like a bird!" she laughed.

Cracklepaw imagined himself flipping through the air like a dead fish, and found himself laughing. "Yeah…I guess that was pretty funny." He and Treebranch laughed together for a few heartbeats until they had no more giggles left in their tummies. "Still…I felt pretty bad about it."

"Sorry about that," Treebranch purred.

"Enough!" Ferretstar abruptly screeched, silencing all of the arguing cats. His tail swished angrily as he swerved his large head towards Turtlestar, whose fur was all bristled. "RowanClan has done nothing wrong. A cat from your Clan killed them." He bore his teeth. "This Gathering is over." With that, the RowanClan leader leapt down from the tree and gestured for his Clan to follow him.

"We are leaving too, WaterfallClan," Turtlestar angrily commanded. She leapt down the tree as well, and quickly led her cats out of the Gathering place.

Newtstar was left alone upon the sycamore tree. "Um…that was a pleasant Gathering!" she awkwardly announced to the remaining cats. She nervously eyed the leaving Clans before following in suite. "ThistleClan, we are leaving!" she announced to her Clan.

The Gathering place was silent as the remaining cats trickled out. Not an owl hooted. Not a raccoon snickered. All was quiet.

A slender dark gray tom emerged from the shadows, and gave his pelt a rough shake. "Hmm…" he mumbled to no cat in particular. He studied the empty clearing before fixating his wide amber gaze at the full moon. "This is the place," he determined with a firm nod. With a flick of his thin tail, the loner disappeared as mysteriously as he appeared.

The hollow was quiet once again.

My fingers hurt. Owww.

And this chapter is also known as the "Four Sections" chapter, mostly because there are four sections and every other section either portrays Cracklepaw being evil or Cracklepaw being nice. Not bipolar at all.