A few moons later, I had grown into an experienced warrior. Seastorm and I were as close as ever, despite the fact that Seastorm had an apprentice—Birchpaw—and I didn't. Rockfur had Owlpaw, a strong, noble apprentice who was a force to be reckoned with.

Birchpaw, although she was his sister, was quiet, kind, and eager to learn, even though she showed fierce loyalty to the clan. Everyone could tell that she was going to be a fine warrior, with a short, smooth gray pelt. Owlpaw was calico, with rather large eyes.

I padded past Iceshadow, a pretty but rather grumpy warrior, towards Daystar's den. There was something I needed to ask her. I pushed past the hanging vines into the dimly lit den.

"Daystar?"

"I am here. What is it, Rainpath? Is something wrong?" The leader got to her feet. I shook my head.

"Nothing's wrong, Daystar, I just have a question."

"Ask away," she replied, signaling for me to lie down beside her. I obliged and began my tale.

"A few moons ago, when Seastorm got her apprentice, I promised her that I would ask you if, when the time came, I could mentor one of her sisters, since she couldn't." I gulped. "Can I?"

Daystar was quiet for a moment. Then she spoke.

"The kits are ready for apprenticeship, as are you. Yes, you can mentor one. They will have their ceremony in a few days. I will decide which will be your apprentice, in my own time. You may go."

I padded out, not even trying to hide my excitement. Seastorm, Birchpaw by her side, came up. "Hey. How'd it go?"

I grinned. "Great. I'm going to!"

Birchpaw looked like she was bursting with questions, but she kept silent. I pitied her respect so much that I began repeating the whole conversation, and the story behind it for Birchpaw's sake. Seastorm was ecstatic.

"Oh, great! I can't decide between them who you should get, but who do you think?" she asked, tripping over her words. I thought for a moment, then hesitated.

"It's all right, I don't mind," Seastorm offered. Birchpaw seemed eager for an answer.

I finally said, "Well, Fernkit is quiet and will probably be easiest to train, but Smokekit will become a fine warrior, I'm sure, and she's a good hunter. I really can't decide; I guess I'll just have to wait and see."

Wait and see I did. Five days later the whole clan was gathered under Highrock. Daystar was perched on top, her eyes sweeping her group of loyal followers.

"Smokekit, Fernkit, come forth." The two kits did.

"Fernkit, step forth." The kit hesitantly stepped forward.

"From this day forward, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice will be called Fernpaw. Redstripe will be her mentor, as he has loyalty and determination. May you pass down all you know your apprentice." The cats cheered, and Redstripe smiled at his new apprentice, who stepped back shyly.

"Smokekit, step forth," continued Daystar. The little gray kit obliged.

"From this day forward, until she has earned her warrior name, this apprentice will be called Smokepaw. Rainpath, you are of age to take an apprentice, and I trust you will do it with care. May you pass down all you know to your apprentice." Smokepaw grinned at me and shamelessly acknowledged the cats, that were now cheering,

"Fernpaw! Smokepaw! Fernpaw! Smokepaw!" Fernpaw stepped forward again, and they both leapt off Highrock.

The cats were serenaded, and I saw Icepaw and Sleetpaw squirming with excitement. It seemed there was something in store for them, too, for Daystar, surprisingly, signaled with her tail for silence. Her wish was granted instantly.

"There is another surprise for you," she said. "Icepaw, Sleetpaw, please come forth." They both bounced up.

"I, Daystar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Icepaw, Sleetpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Icepaw said excitedly.

"I do," said Sleetpaw solemnly.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names: Icepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Icetail. StarClan honors your courage and enthusiasm. Sleetpaw, from now on you will be known as Sleetmane. StarClan honors your patience and sensibility. We welcome you as full warriors of ThunderClan."

The cats cheered, "Icetail! Sleetmane! Icetail! Sleetmane!"

They both leaped off and bounded over to their former mentors. My attention was drawn from them, though, at the sight of Smokepaw at my side, wriggling with joy.

"Hey! Seastorm told me that you're her best friend! Are you going to be my mentor forever and ever?" I laughed.

"Only until you become a warrior!" Smokepaw grinned. Seastorm came over, licked Smokepaw once between the ears, and looked proudly at me. I smiled at the two of them, so obviously related. The dark gray of their fur was the same, and they had the same electric blue eyes. My black-blue fur and blue eyes were pretty, and had attracted a few cats already.

Sagekit, Smokepaw's old best friend besides Fernpaw, came over to play-fight with Smokepaw. They ran off together. I went to my mother, who was gesturing to me.

"Just before this meeting, I talked to Dawnflower. I may be expecting kits!" I jumped for joy.

"Why didn't Daystar announce it?" I asked suddenly. "And who's the father?"

"Redheart is their father, and I don't believe Daystar knows. I'm off to tell her now. It's best if she knows early, so that I can move into the queen's den. Now, off with you!" she added, seeing Smokepaw come running up. Windpelt trotted off toward Daystar, who was heading toward her den.

Smokepaw wriggled impatiently at my feet. "Come on, let's go!"

I got up again, my back slightly scratched, barely enough to go see Dawnflower. Smokepaw rolled over and looked at me upside down.

"Did I do well?" I shook.

"No, you only bowled me over, dug your claws and teeth in, and nearly scratched me to death." Smokepaw looked disappointed. I nudged her playfully.

"Only kidding. Of course you did well! You're going to be one of the best warriors when your time comes; I just know it." Smokepaw grinned up at me.

"How can you know? It's not like StarClan sent you a message or something." I grinned back.

"Your defeating me is message enough. Come on, I'm hungry. Let's get something to eat, and then I can teach you hunting."

"But I already know hunting," Smokepaw scoffed. "I caught my first prey nearly a moon ago." I began walking toward the fresh-kill pile, talking as I went.

"What did you do to catch that prey, run after it until you caught it? To catch prey quickly and easily, you need to know how to sneak up on it." Smokepaw frowned.

"That doesn't sound easy."

"Well, it might not be easy, but it's a lot less tiring! And besides, you can't run after, say, a bird. And squirrels can climb trees. There, that's prey lost. See?"

"I guess." We each got a mouse and were munching outside the warrior's den when Seastorm emerged, her face full of fear.

"What happened?" I asked, getting to my feet. Smokepaw leaped up beside me. Seastorm began moving, as if automatically, towards Daystar's den.

"It's Birchpaw. She's disappeared!"