Nightpaw padded over to Duskpaw. "Our names are so similar!" Duskpaw said. "Hey, do you think... maybe... that Blackpaw is a little..." Nightpaw began. "Ooh! We just got here and you're already in love?" Duskpaw purred. "Pfft! NO!" Nightpaw exclaimed. "I don't blame ya! This place is crawling with nice cats, not bad looking either." Duskpaw whispered. "Do you mean..." Nightpaw began. "Yes, I like someone too. But it could never happen. She the deputy, and I'm only an apprentice." "You like the deputy?!" Nightpaw gasped in disbelief. "Shh! you can't tell anyone!" Duskpaw hissed. "I won't!" Nightpaw replied, biting his tail, then yowling of pain.
"Stupid fur-ball!" Blackpaw padded up, purring. Nightpaw felt his pelt prickle with embarrassment. " I can show you around if you'd like," Blackpaw added. "That would be nice." Duskpaw replied. "You can take Nightpaw, and I'll go with Arrowpaw." He added. "Okay." She said. "So, Nightpaw." She began. "Yes?" Nightpaw replied anxiously. "Have you ever encountered a cat with looks to kill?" She asked. "I'm looking at one right now," Nightpaw replied, dazed. "Excuse me?" She questioned. "Uh, Nothing! nevermind... and no, I haven't." He added. "Because I tell you, I did a few moments ago, out in the clearing." She purred. "Really?" Nightpaw asked, his paws tingling. "Your brother is a very fine cat." Blackpaw said. WHAT?! He thought. "Duskpaw? But I thought..." "Yes, Duskpaw. A name born from StarClan! He's destined to become leader! Just think! Duskstar!" Blackpaw replied. "I think I'm going to take a nap..." Nightpaw said, running into a cave. "In the elder's den? They won't like you in there!" She yowled in amusement. "Right, I knew that." Nightpaw replied, stalking away towards Duskpaw. "Hi Nightpaw!" Duskpaw exclaimed after spotting his brother. "Why do you have to be so perfect?" Nightpaw growled. "What? What do you mean?" Duskpaw asked, head tilted to one side. "I mean that Blackpaw likes YOU! Not me!" Nightpaw snapped. "I'm so sorry." Duskpaw's head drooped. "It's fine," He murmured. Blackpaw padded up. "So much for a tour, smart one." she muttered. " Sorry..." Nightpaw mumbled. "What's going on?" Mistypool exclaimed. The world was getting darker, something was covering up the sun. "What is it? Why is it so dark?" A tortoiseshell she-kit squealed. "Hush, Birchkit!" a queen scolded. "Everyone! Remain calm! There must be a reasonable explanation for this!" Frozenstar yowled. "Duskpaw, Nightpaw, Foxclaw, Leafspot, and Rosefur, you come on a patrol to investigate!" Darkcloud shouted. "Our first patrol!" Duskpaw babbled. "Quite exciting!" Nightpaw agreed. Darkcloud collected her patrol and left. As the cats bounded out of the gorse tunnel, Nightpaw could hear the fear in his clan-mates meows. He felt proud to be going on such an important patrol, for his clan-mates, for Frozenstar, and especially for Blackpaw. No one spoke as they trekked up the valley hillside, and up onto of the large stones. "It seems wherever we go, it doesn't change!" Rosefur wailed. "Hey, calm down. Like Frozenstar said, there has to be an explanation for the sun disappearing." Foxclaw soothed. "Do you think StarClan is upset? Why? That we accepted kittypets into our Clan?" Leafspot proposed. "No. That cannot be the reason." Darkcloud snorted. They headed back to camp, where the commotion had not stopped. A flash of orange caught Nightpaw's eye. As the ran back to camp, the orange cat had burst through the camp entrance. Nightpaw padded up to the stranger. He had a strange scent, but Nightpaw swore he had smelled it before. "Who are you? What do you want?" Darkcloud demanded. The orange cat's green eyes were calm and kind. "I come in peace. I am Firestar, leader of ThunderClan." He declared.