Bloodpaw flattened her ears and stared around the murky clearing. Her eyes were wide with fear.

"Ah, so you're the famous Bloodpaw." A mocking voice arose from behind Bloodpaw.

She whipped around. "Who are you?" She bared her teeth.

A large grey and white tom stood in front of her. He sat and slowly curled his tail around his paws. "I'm Thistleclaw." The tom smiled, "I've heard a lot about you."

Bloodpaw padded closer. "What have you heard?"

"Ah," Thistleclaw gazed at her. "Just about your potential to be the greatest warrior that ever lived."

Bloodpaw tilted her head as she sat down. "Do you think I could be greater than Firestar?"

"Why, yes, of course you can be greater than a kittypet. After all, you're the daughter of Lionblaze, the best fighter that has ever lived."

"How do you know that Lionblaze is my father?"

Thistleclaw flicked an ear. "That doesn't matter. What does matter, though, is whether you will accept my request of mentoring you."

She frowned. "I already have a mentor."

"But I can make you great." His tone was wheedling. "There's nothing to say you can't have two mentors."

"Well, okay, but only if you promise to make me the best leader ever."

Thistleclaw's amber eyes gleamed. "I'll do that if you promise to do everything that I tell you to do."

Bloodpaw didn't hesitate. "I promise."

"Good. Now wake up, Bloodpaw. Something is happening."

XxX

Bloodpaw blinked open her eyes to the sound of cats' paws shuffling through the leaf litter that was in the ThunderClan camp.

She rose to her paws, making sure not to wake any of the other apprentices. As she reached the den entrance, she scented ShadowClan.

Bloodpaw shot backwards, tripping over Lilypaw and Seedpaw.

"Hey! Why did –"

"Shh!" Bloodpaw slapped her tail over Seedpaw's mouth as she began to complain. "ShadowClan are in the camp."

"Why?" Lilypaw sat up in her nest, speaking softly.

"I don't know. But shouldn't Dovewing have heard them if it was an attack?"

"There's an attack?" Redpaw blinked at them lazily from her nest.

Amberpaw sprang out of her nest. "If there is I'll rip their throats out."

"What if we're all gonna die?" Redpaw shrank back.

"Don't worry, Redpaw, I'll protect you."

"Thanks, Dewpaw."

Bloodpaw hissed. "How about we all stop chattering like blackbirds and go tell a warrior?"

Redpaw crept up against Dewpaw. "Who's going to want to go out there with a camp full of ShadowClan warriors?"

"Bloodpaw and I will go, won't we?" Amberpaw stalked up to the dim opening in the wall. "We can look after ourselves."

Bloodpaw nodded and padded up to the fiery apprentice. "You four hide." She snorted softly. "You, too, Hollypaw. We'll be right back."

The two apprentices slid out of the den and stalked skilfully up to Bramblestar's den. They paused in the shadows and stared out across camp.

"There are ShadowClan warriors blocking the entrances! How will we get out if it's really an attack?" Amberpaw flicked her ear in worry.

"There's a secret exit behind the medicine den. Lionblaze told me about it. He said that he used it when there was a fire when he was a new warrior. Now, come on! We have to see what Bramblestar thinks." Bloodpaw padded into the leader's den.

"Bramblestar?" Amberpaw walked in after her. "Bramblestar, why are there ShadowClan warriors in camp?"

Bramblestar, Squirrelflight and Dovewing looked up at the two apprentices as they cut short the conversation they were obviously having before they walked in.

Dovewing glanced at Bramblestar who nodded for her to speak. "I heard ShadowClan come into camp when I was in the forest. I came and warned Bramblestar and Squirrelflight as soon as I got into camp."

Squirrelflight stared at them "How did you two get from your den to Bramblestar's?"

Bloodpaw shrugged. "We stuck to the shadows. The other apprentices are awake."

"Bloodpaw woke us up." Amberpaw smiled warmly at her friend. "I'd have never have known there were any warriors in camp without her waking us."

"Bloodpaw, go to Jayfeather and Snowpaw's den and wake them up. Tell them to get their supplies ready. Then go to the elders' den and get them to the nursery." Bramblestar turned his attention to Amberpaw. "You go to the nursery and prepare Daisy for battle. Then go to your den and tell the apprentices to get ready at my signal."

Bloodpaw and Amberpaw nodded and slid out of the den.

XxX

"Jayfeather? Snowpaw?" Bloodpaw peered into their sleeping area.

Jayfeather jerked up his head. "What do you want, Bloodpaw?"

"There are ShadowClan warriors in camp. Bramblestar said to get your herbs ready."

Snowpaw lifted her head and stared at Bloodpaw. "Is it an attack?"

"Well, duh, Snowpaw. They aren't here to share prey." Jayfeather snorted and sprang out of his nest.

Bloodpaw nodded and slid out of the den, crossing the short space to the elders' den.

"Bloodpaw? Is that you?" Sandstorm was crouched near the exit of the den. Uneasy murmurings were coming from Dustpelt, Greystripe, Millie and Spiderleg.

"Yes, Sandstorm," she padded into the den and nudged the old cats to their paws. "Bramblestar wants you to go to the nursery. There are ShadowClan warriors in camp."

Dustpelt flicked his tail. "Sandstorm and I told you there were unwanted warriors in camp."

Greystripe flattened his ears and hissed back, "I didn't know that they were ShadowClan. I thought you meant the new warriors."

Bloodpaw herded the group of elders to the nursery, where Amberpaw and Daisy were staring out.

"Thank StarClan you're here, Bloodpaw! Daisy was driving me mad worrying about you." Amberpaw stepped back inside the den to make room for the older cats to walk in.

The red apprentice stayed outside. "We have to go now, Daisy, and warn the other apprentices. I think you'll be fine; even ShadowClan wouldn't attack the nursery."

XxX

Bloodpaw heard a small gasp from Redpaw as she and Amberpaw trotted into the apprentices' den. "It's only us."

Lilypaw and Seedpaw climbed out from behind the bramble wall as they heard their denmate's voice.

Hollypaw rose, pieces of rock and dirt falling from her shoulders as she disturbed the hole she had made.

Dewpaw shouldered his way out of his nest which was covered with brambles. Redpaw was quick to follow him.

"What took you so long?"

Bloodpaw felt a flash of something – jealosy? – as Dewpaw nudged Redpaw's cheek in comfort. She should be comforting her sister, not someone else! She shrugged it off. "Bramblestar had us warn the medicine cats, the elders and Daisy."

Amberpaw rolled her eyes. "And now he wants us to tell you to get ready for his signal. I can't imagine what that will be."

Building up for a battle. :3 I thought we should hear from Bloodpaw this chapter and maybe Redpaw in the next.

I wonder what's happening between Redpaw and Dewpaw. Can we smell love in the air? :P

Silentbreeze20 – Thank you. I'm not going to make Frostpaw like Hollypaw because Hollypaw is, like, a character I hate. XD But I can understand why you feel sorry for Hollypaw.

YamixHikaru lover – Thank you. And now you've seen what has happened next. :3

Spottedmask12 – People either hate Bloodpaw or Hollypaw. And Redpaw was only horrid because Hollypaw frightened her prey. I suggest you don't take sides for what I have planned in future chapters.

See you guys. :3