Chapter 28

Moons drifted by like the trickling waters of the river that seperated JayClan's territory from the rogues'. Leafbare was beginning and the trees that darkened ShadowClan's ancient territory were nothing more than twisted, gray skeletons with thin claws that stretched to the black sky. In the early mornings before the sun had risen, any cat could walk across the grass and feel the thin layer of frost stab at the paws as they moved silently through the dark world. Even the young kits of JayClan could tell that leafbare was going to be a terrible one and the senior warriors awaited the snow that would soon fall. The lack of prey always brought the omen of an awful leafbare and the prey was all, but gone. The squirrels of ThunderClan's anceint territory, stayed in their trees only coming down for more food, but they were gone before a hunter knew they left the safety of their tree. The rabbits of WindClan's territory stayed in their burrows while the fish had left the lake and the nearby stream. Birds had flown away to spend leafbare somewhere warmer and those that remained were too thin to make a decent meal.

Yet Clan life went on and joyous news still warmed the hearts of the freezing cats.

Five moons had passed since Waterdrop's secret was discovered by Airstorm and those five moons had been uneventful except that seeing Cody proved to be less of a challenge now that Airstorm knew. The two of them would always go hunting together and then seperate at Violet's Twoleg home. Waterdrop couldn't believe that Airstorm would enter such an enclosed space, but realized her brother must feel the same whenever she journeyed deep into rogue territory. Sometimes Waterdrop worried that she and Airstorm were betraying the Clan when they met with their friends from the kittypet and rogue world, but they always returned home with a good amount of prey. The air was warmer in the rogue territory so the prey was much more plentiful than in JayClan's. Waterdrop sometimes wondered if Woodstar suspected them of anything- after all how could they come home with fat juicy squirrels while others merely brought back tiny mice?- but if he did, he never said anything and never stopped them from hunting together.

There was also a celebration among the cats of JayClan for new responsibilities and new life thrived even in the bitter leafbare air.

Orangepelt had given birth to two more kits: Dustkit and Cavekit. Both toms were brown tabbies with Maroonfeather's violet eyes. The nursery had become crowded due to Lakesky and Orangepelt's kits, but today Dawnkit and Featherkit would become apprentices. Waterdrop was nervous about being chosen as a mentor- it was a huge honor, but she was worried about losing time with Cody. Her nieces deserved two mentors that would always be around to show them the ways of StarClan.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey please report underneath Hightree for a Clan meeting!" Waterdrop padded out of the warriors' den when she heard Woodstar's call, Sunfoot and Reedtail flanking her. Woodstar was sitting on top of Hightree, Voleheart and Talonclaw nestled in their spots below him. Waterdrop spotted Airstorm, sitting with Flamepaw and Thunderpaw and she hurried over to sit beside her brothers and cousin. Songbird, the only Clan elder, padded out of her den and sat behind them. Maroonfeather came out of the nursery first, Dustkit and Cavekit stumbling around behind them as Orangepelt nudged them forward with a gentle touch. Darkshadow came out next and stood by the nursery as Dawnkit and Featherkit raced out, Lakesky padding out after her mate and kits. Both Dawnkit and Featherkit glowed silver in the moonlight and Waterdrop leaned over to Airstorm and whispered,

"Who do you think are the new mentors?"

Either Airstorm didn't hear her or he was ignoring her, but Waterdrop couldn't ask again for Woodstar had begun speaking,

"Today is a good day for JayClan," Woodstar's voice thundered around the camp, "By naming apprentices, we show that our Clan still grows strong even in the bitter leafbare season! Dawnkit! Featherkit! Please come forward." Dawnkit rushed forward, stumbling over her paws, while Featherkit moved more slowly, Lakesky giving her supportive glances. "Dawnkit from now on until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Dawnpaw. Airstorm," Waterdrop froze as Airstorm stood up beside her. "You are ready for your first apprentice. You had a fine mentor in Reedtail and throughout your adventures you have learned things that cannot be taught by any teacher. I trust you to train Dawnpaw with the same enthusiasm you show in everything else you do." Dawnpaw yowled in joy and Woodstar glanced down at her, amusement in his orange eyes. "Also give her some discipline as well."

Airstorm padded forward and touched noses with Dawnpaw before leading his new apprentice back to Waterdrop. The silver she-cat glanced at her brother with proud orange eyes, but she said nothing as Woodstar continued on to Featherkit,

"Featherkit from now on until you earn your warrior name, you will be known as Featherpaw." Woodstar paused and Waterdrop thought she saw something flash in his eyes, but he continued strongly, "Featherpaw has decided to travel a path that few cats follow. As a medicine cat, Featherpaw will learn the ways of healing and share tongues with our warrior ancestors." Again Woodstar paused, but he continued quickly, "Talonclaw, you have been our medicine cat for many seasons and have learned much about the ways of our world. Your mentor, Juniperear, was a brilliant medicine cat and I trust you to train Featherpaw just as Juniperear trained you."

Talonclaw stepped forward and dipped his head, "I will, Woodstar."

Talonclaw touched noses with Featherpaw and the two cats walked together back in the medicine cat spot underneath HighTree. Beside Waterdrop, Dawnpaw was quivering in surprise,

"Wow!" The silver she-cat exclaimed, "Featherpaw said nothing to me about wanting to become a medicine cat!" Dawnpaw cocked her head to the side before rounding to face Airstorm. "So, Airstorm, what are we going to do first?"

Airstorm paused and meowed slowly, "Maybe if Woodstar says its okay, you can come with me on the sunset patrol..."

"Yes!" Dawnpaw purred loudly.

Airstorm flicked his apprentice on the head with his tail and turned to Flamepaw and Thunderpaw, "Can you two get Dawnpaw siturated in the apprentices' den?"

Thunderpaw dipped his head to Airstorm, "Yes, Airstorm. Come on Dawnpaw, you can sleep next to me." Thunderpaw led his niece towards the apprentices' den, Flamepaw padding after them slowly.

"Airstorm!"

Waterdrop and Airstorm turned to see Darkshadow padding towards them, Lakesky walking in step beside her mate.

"Darkshadow, Lakesky," Airstorm meowed to the two warriors and Waterdrop nodded in greeting.

"Woodstar made a good choice," Lakesky meowed, "Dawnpaw needs a patient mentor. She has so much energy."

"Reminds me of her aunt," Darkshadow purred, flicking Waterdrop on the shoulder with his tail, "But seriously, Airstorm treat her good or I'll have to flay you." Darkshadow paused and then added, "I don't know if I'm kidding or not."

Airstorm purred, "Don't worry, Darkshadow."

*

Waterdrop padded around the border of the rogue territory, glancing up towards the setting sun. Cody was late. Something that had almost never happened. Usually he was the first one there. After all he lived closer.

Pawsteps brought Waterdrop's attention to two shadows moving towards her. Heart racing, Waterdrop leapt into a bush as a black-and-white tom and brown tabby padded towards the border.

"Honestly, I don't know where his head is," Squirrel snarled, shaking her head.

"Do you think I made the wrong choice?" Toby hissed, "After all, Titan is older than Cody. Perhaps he would have made a better leader."

"Titan is too self-concious," Squirrel hissed, "And too jumpy. We need a leader who won't hesitate in battle."

Toby paused, "What about Kenya?"

"It's tradition that a tom becomes leader," Squirrel hissed.

"Technically anyone can become leader," Toby hissed quietly, "As long as I die from their paw."

"That's the trouble with Cody," Squirrel snarled, "He wouldn't dare to attack his father."

"I was like him when I was his age," Toby growled, "Cody will change and if he doesn't, I'll kill him myself."

Squirrel nodded, "There is no room for weakness in the rogues."

Toby nodded and the two rogues padded away, leaving a very stunned Waterdrop hiding in the bushes.

Author's Note: Just in case anyone was wondering Titan and Kenya were my friend's two cats so that's where the names come. They weren't completely random.