Chapter 26

Time moved slowly for Waterdrop, Darkshadow, and Airstorm. They were use to the never-ending tension of SkyClan. Their ears were still pricked for the sound of approaching rats. Their eyes still glanced towards the shadows, wondering if they would see a tiny pair of gold eyes. Their paws were light on the ground, prepared to run or fight in case of an attack. They were not use to the calmness that was JayClan.

Here the greatest problem was the rogues and they were only seen every other moon. There were no rats or badgers or any other creatures that would pose a threat to the Clan. Waterdrop hated herself for thinking it, but the most exciting thing had been when Airstorm was kidnapped by a hawk. It had been a joyous occasion when he returned, but later that evening it was a time for mourning in the Clan. Sleetkit, who had been badly bruised and scratched by the hawk, had joined StarClan and grief was felt in every cat. Gingereye had begun to cling to Thunderkit in fear that she would lose him and Waterdrop knew how tough tonight would be on her mother. Thunderkit was becoming an apprentice.

Every cat knew that Gingereye was worried for her remaining son, but Lakesky had given the elderly she-cat news that distracted her some what. Lakesky would be bearing Darkshadow's kits and in hopes of cheering up her mate's mother, Lakesky had literally pleaded for Gingereye to help her throughout her pregnancy. Every cat had been excited by this news, especially since it helped Gingereye, although Airstorm seemed less enthusiastic as others. Waterdrop had tried to ask him what was wrong, but he just shrugged, never offering an answer.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, report underneath HighTree for a Clan meeting," Waterdrop looked up from the freshkill pile where she had been sitting towards her father who had jumped on top of the massive tree in the center of their camp. Around her cats emerged from their dens, slowly padding to their leader. Sunfoot led the way out of the warriors' den while Flamepaw exited the apprentices' den alone. At least after tonight their would be a new cat in his den.

Gingereye led Thunderkit out of the nursery, followed by Darkshadow and Lakesky. To Waterdrop's surprise, Darkshadow didn't sit next to Lakesky, but padded over to Voleheart and sat beside his former mentor.

"Today, JayClan is proud to add another apprentice to our ranks," Woodstar yowled when everyone was settled, "Thunderkit, from now until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Thunderpaw." Woodstar's gaze swept through the cats of his Clans, landing on one cat. Waterdrop purred. Good choice Woodstar, She thought to herself. "Darkshadow, you are young, but you are a good warrior. You had a fine mentor in Voleheart and I trust you to teach Thunderpaw everything he and your adventures taught you."

Darkshadow nodded and padded over to Thunderpaw, touching his new apprentice on the nose. Woodstar nodded and then added, "Darkshadow, this is your first apprentice. Do not hesitate to seek out the advice of elder warriors."

Darkshadow again nodded and the Clan erupted in yowls, "Darkshadow! Thunderpaw! Darkshadow! Thunderpaw!"

Waterdrop padded over to Darkshadow who was with Lakesky. The pregnant she-cat was mewing, "You stupid furball. Why didn't you tell me?"

"Surprised?" Darkshadow purred.

"Yes," Lakesky meowed, "Although I must say, Woodstar made a good choice."

"He did," Waterdrop added, "Just remember to be patient with him, Darkshadow."

"Patient?" Thunderpaw mewed suddenly, "No way! I want to learn everything now!"

"And you will," Darkshadow purred, flicking his new apprentice on the ear.

"Can we go see the borders?" Thunderpaw asked, practically jumping on his paws.

"I think that will be a good idea," Woodstar's voice sounded from nearby and all four cats turned to look at their leader. "Darkshadow, you and Thunderpaw can be apart of the evening patrol."

"I'll go with them, Woodstar," Waterdrop offered.

"Okay," Woodstar nodded before padding over to Gingereye.

"I guess we better be going," Waterdrop meowed.

Thunderpaw purred and practically led the way out of camp.

*

Waterdrop padded through WindClan territory, her eyes trained on a rabbit. Darkshadow and Thunderpaw had headed back to camp awhile ago, but Waterdrop didn't feel like returning back to the camp. She decided she would hunt for her Clan for a bit and that had led her to WindClan's old territory. She had already caught two mice and thought that after she added the rabbit to her list, she would be done for the evening.

The only problem was that Waterdrop didn't realize how she far she had gotten away from JayClan's camp.

She didn't realize that she was on the border with ThunderClan and only a couple badger-lengths from the ancient Clan's camp.

"StarClan," Waterdrop breathed, "Let me paws be quick and my claws deadly."

Waterdrop then sprang, her claws scratching empty air. "Foxdung!"

Waterdrop raced after the sprinting rabbit, eyes trained on nothing else.

Suddenly someone grabbed her scruff and pulled her backwards, throwing her to the floor, Waterdrop's muzzle being fulled of dirt.

Waterdrop sprang to her paws, glaring at her savior: a giant, red-brown tom with narrowed gold eyes.

"Who in StarClan's name are you?" Waterdrop snarled.

"I think that I'm the cat who just saved your life," The tom growled.

"You a rogue?" Waterdrop hissed.

"So what if I am?" The tom sneered.

Waterdrop glanced away and was surprised when the tom asked, "You okay, Clan cat?"

Waterdrop turned suddenly, eyes wide, "Cody?"

The tom pulled back, "You know me, Clan cat?"

"Cody!" Waterdrop meowed, instantly dropping her aggressive nature, "It's me Waterdrop... I mean Waterpaw. We met when I was an apprentice?" Cody still looked confused. "You saved me from falling down ThunderClan's camp?"

"Like I just did now?" Cody mewed and both cats peered over the edge of the cliff.

"Yeah, thanks," Waterdrop meowed, "Don't you remember me, Cody?"

Cody paused and then nodded, "Yes. I'm more surprised you remember me, Waterpaw-"

"Waterdrop," The silver she-cat corrected gently, "I'm a warrior now."

"Such strange customs, you Clan cats have," Cody purred, "Any Waterdrop, I thought you would be in your camp with a mate and kits."

Waterdrop shook her head and meowed, "Nope. No cat has stood out yet."

Cody nodded, "Then Waterdrop, let us talk together."