"We all know Mistrise was a mentor when she died! We have mourned her as a clan-mate and friend, but now we must take care of duties. So, who would like to be Frostpaws new mentor?"
Nobody moved or said anything. Uneasy glances went around camp.
"Very well then." Fallenstar started awkwardly, " We will discuss Frostpaws new mentor later. Dismissed!"
The clan started to separate and Fallenstar jumped off the highrock. He walked up to Frostpaw and meowed,
"Frostpaw I'm sorry, but you won't get another mentor. All you can do is train and watch other apprentices. You can't practice anything you learn on anyone."
"What! Why? Can't somebody put up with me?"
"It's not their choice. It's mine. Frostpaw, I can't risk anymore warriors."
"I get it. You don't want to risk yourself either, because your leadership is more important than my training."
"Frostpaw, you know that I wish I could be your mentor, but last time I was someone's mentor they died. I'm not risking that on you."
"Fine! I'm going to go watch Cloudpaw train!"
Frostpaw ran out of camp, but instead of going to the training hollow, she went to the meadow she loved. This time Skypaw wasn't there.
I guess that's sort of good.
Frostpaw sat down and watched the flowers blow in the wind. Then she remembered Skypaw's warning a few days before.
Some rogues have been attacking Skyclan cats that were alone, sometimes kill them. Don't linger around the border alone and they might go after Thunderclan so warn Fallenstar but make up an excuse for how you know.
Frostpaw looked around and then thought,
I'm crazy. Why would I be scared of some rouges.
Then a moment later something pounced on her then got off. Frostpaw looked around and saw cats walking out of the bushes around her. Then she heard a voice from behind snarling,
"Looks like we've got you trapped kitty."
Frostpaw twisted around glaring at him.
"Did you just call me, kitty?"
Within moments, she was pounced on again. Only this time the attacker didn't get off. Frostpaw rolled, but he didn't get off. Frostpaw did everything she could without getting serious injuries. Frostpaw yanked forward as hard as she could, allowing the attacker to rip the flesh and fur off of her. Blood was gushing off her back and down her sides. Then she turned around when she heard Skypaw.
"Get his belly! I'll hold him down!"
Skypaw jumped on the large cat and gripped his claws in his shoulders. Frostpaw tripped him so he fell on his side. She scratched his belly and then jumped over Skypaw and attacked another cat that was going to attack them. Then Frospaw felt someone pounce on her again. She couldn't get up, she rolled, she pushed up, she did everything she could, the cat was too strong. Then, she heard a familiar battle cry, Fallenstar had come to save her. She felt the weight be picked up off of her and heard battling cats everywhere. Then, she heard the cat that attacked her first call out,
"Retreat! Retreat! We can go after the other tree cats!"
One by one the rogues ran past her as she layed there in shock. Then she heard three cats run over.
"Thyme for shock...Marigold...Cobweb...Horsetail...more cobwebs..." Blizzardrain kept muttering herbs.
Frostpaw opened her eyes and saw Fallenstar, Blizzardrain and Echomoon standing by her. Frostpaw looked around for Skypaw and saw him on the other side of the meadow with Marigoldpaw taking care of his wounds. Despite the pain Frostpaw was in, she got up and limped over to Skypaw.
"Skypaw you have to be okay... You can't die, you need to live." Frostpaw muttered.
"Frostpaw, Blizzardrain has the herbs ready for you." Fallenstar sounded behind her.
"Okay. But, promise me he will be okay."
"I can't promise that-" Fallenstar said uneasily.
"I can promise that. He is almost half healed already." Marigoldpaw interrupted.
Blizzardrain ran over. "That's impossible."
"See for yourself."
They all looked over at Skypaw and saw that where half his wounds were there were only scars. They saw him start to stir.
"Skypaw?" Frostpaw looked at him curiously.
Skypaw rolled to his other side and looked up to see Fallenstar, Frostpaw, Marigoldpaw, and Blizzardrain. Then the five cats saw drops of blood fall in front of Skypaw. Fallenstar looked at Frostpaw and down her back.
"Frostpaw, wounds! Don't tell me you yanked out of someone's grip again."
"Then I can't give you an explanation."
"Oh, Frostpaw. You really like to do that."
"No it actually burns-" she was cut off because it hurt so much when Blizzardrain pressed the herbs on. When Blizzardrain was done, she walked back to Skypaw and laid down in front of him.
"Hey Frostpaw."
"Skypaw, I'm so glad you're okay."
"If you don't mind me asking, how do you two know each other so well?" Fallenstar interrupted.
"Oh..um... We met at a gathering..."
"Okay. That's a good enough explanation... For now, Frostpaw. I want a better one on our way back to camp."
"Foxdung! I was hoping you bought it!"
Fallenstar ignored her comment, "Skypaw, I'll have Blizzardrain and Echomoon bring you back to your camp."
Blizzardrain and Echomoon helped Skypaw up and walked him across the border as Mudclaw, Fallenstar, Marigoldpaw, and Frostpaw started walking back to camp.
"So? I still need that explanation."
"Well we've been meeting in secret for a while…" Frostpaw paused, realizing how that sounded, "Not as mates! Just as friends; I met him when I just became an apprentice."
"Okay." Fallenstar sighed, "I will let you keep being his friend, but remember, the Warrior Code states, that in battle, he is your enemy not your friend."
"I know, Fallenstar," Frostpaw said as they neared camp, "I know."
Frostpaw and the patrol got back to camp.
He knows who my only friend is.
Frostpaw staggered into camp and looked for Fallenstar. She soon spotted him across the clearing with Mudclaw, his deputy.
"Well that's what happens when you apprentice someone early." She heard Mudclaw meowing.
"Mudclaw, it's not her fault. Everyone has been ignoring her, so give her a break." Fallenstar responded.
Frostpaw walked over to them and looked at both,
"What's not my fault?"
Fallenstar looked at Frostpaw, then at Mudclaw. Right when he was about to speak, Mudclaw started.
"Everything wrong with the clans. You are bad luck, Frostpaw. If you know what's good for us you'd leave, but you don't because you don't know anything!"
"Mudclaw! Go hunt, and stay there until you show respect! Then, when you get back meet me in my den!"
Mudclaw looked like he was about to say something back, but he just lashed his tail as he stalked away.
Frostpaw took a step towards Fallenstar, glancing to make sure no-one was listening.
"Am I really, only bad luck? Does the clan hate me that much?"
"No Frostpaw, you're not bad luck, and the clan doesn't hate you."
"That's what you think. I hear them at night, they aren't quiet."
"Frostpaw don't listen to Mudclaw, you aren't bad luck."
It's not just Mudclaw…
"Okay." she sighed, not speaking her thoughts.
"Do you want to go to the gathering tonight?" Fallenstar switched topics.
"Yes!" Frostpaws bright blue eyes were now sparkling with delight.
Frostpaw ran to the apprentices den to get some rest before the gathering.