Nightpaw's head was still reeling. He couldn't believe Softpaw was having kits as an apprentice! Even though she was about eight moons, Nightpaw thought it was way too early to have kits. He padded back to camp with his clanmates and curled up in his nest and fell asleep. He was crouched in the Shadowclan forest, about to pounce on a huge squirrel when a tail prodded him on the shoulder.
"What?" He seethed. He turned and immediately slapped his tail over his mouth when he saw her starry pelt. She gazed warmly at him and meowed in a lovely voice. "Hello Nightpaw. You may not remember me from your kit days, but I am Russetclaw. I watched over you when-."
"Of course I remember you. You're my mother!" Nightpaw interrupted. Russetclaw sat silently with sorrow reflecting in her eyes.
"Aren't you?" Nightpaw asked. The red she-cat slowly shook her head.
"You three new friends are tied deeply into your future. Keep them close." She began to fade and Nightpaw sat in confusion. How were his new friends that important? They were from different clans for Starclan's sake! He woke to Wrenpaw babbling about how she was becoming a warrior. He jumped to his paws and congratulated her. "Wow! You're only two moons older than me which means my warrior ceremony is coming up." He spun in circles excitedly.
"You won't become a warrior acting like that." Pinepaw mused. The three apprentices padded out into camp where Applestar had called a clan meeting. They had just sat down as Applestar meowed proudly to his daughter. "Come up to the front Wrenpaw."
She obliged and bounded towards her leader and father.
"Now Cinderstream, come up here too."
The dark gray she-cat stepped out of the crowd and stood beside her apprentice.
"Do you believe Wrenpaw has worked hard enough to become a warrior?"
Cinderstream nodded.
"Then, with Starclan's approval, I will name her Wrenstripe."
"Wrenstripe! Wrenstripe!" The clan yowled with Nightpaw leading. Wrenstripe stared down at him, overcome with emotion.
I love you. She mouthed. Nightpaw nodded and she leaped down and licked him gently on the nose. "I do love you."
"I know." He meowed, gazing at Cherrystep mournfully. She shrugged and turned away. Unfortunately, Wrenstripe caught the engagement and backed away from Nightpaw. "I knew it." She spat. "I knew I would never be as good as her." She raced out of camp and Nightpaw didn't try to follow her. Instead, he tried talking to Cherrystep, but she didn't want to talk back. Instead, he tried talking to Cherrystep, but she didn't want to talk back.
"Go after her." She meowed.
"No, I want you." Nightpaw replied. Cherrystep sighed in exasperation. "Go after her." She insisted. "Forget about me. It won't work."
Nightpaw blinked in disbelief and followed her glance. He saw Froghop staring at them with hatred glittering in his eyes.
"I'm going to leave now." Cherrystep mewed distractedly, not taking her eyes off the black tom. Nightpaw watched her pad away and lick Froghop lovingly, making his jealously disappear. Nightpaw wanted to go after Wrenstripe, but he would feel foolish after what just happened. He decided to go tell Snowpaw and Softpaw to meet him at Fourtrees at moonhigh. He crossed the Thunderpath into Thunderclan territory and hid behind a bush reeking of monsters, and waited until he heard a patrol coming. Surprisingly, he heard Softpaw's voice. He had thought she would be in the nursery. He crawled into the forest with his belly fur scraping the soft grass. He stopped and saw Softpaw with a big white tom and a ginger she-cat.
"Psst." He whispered. Softpaw spun around, but didn't see him. She shook her head and tried to catch up with the other two, but Nightpaw leaped out of his hiding spot and swatted her hind leg with his claws sheathed.
"What?" She hissed angrily, turning to look at him. "Stay on your own territory Nightpaw. I already have enough problems."
He blinked understandingly. "I know, but I have to see all three of you again together, before the gathering."
"I know, I feel the same way. Do you want me to tell Lilypaw?"
"Yes." Nightpaw replied. "Meet me at Fourtrees at moonhigh."
The pregnant apprentice nodded and left to rejoin her patrol.