A/N: The part at the end, with all her memories, is totally new. I love it

Chapter 5

"How'd it go? Was it fun? Did you meet anyone? Were there any mean cats? Were there any fights?" Fernpaw bombarded me with questions as soon as I set paw in the den. I didn't answer, instead I yawned and slid into my nest. The last sensation I remember was Fernpaw's soft whisper. "Sorry."

Sunlight beamed into the den, forcing me to wake up at dawn. I yawned and stretched, wish I could have slept more. But since I was up, I might as well make myself useful. I padded out of the den and found that Oakpaw and Rosepaw were with their mentors under Mossrock. All four cats looked to be in deep conversation with Rainstar and Fishcreek. What was up?

I sat down and groomed myself, the excitement of the Gathering still swimming in my mind. A rustle came from the den, and out popped Fernpaw. She padded over to me, and we shared tongues. I told her about the Gathering, and about Shortpaw, Lillypaw, and Gorsepaw. She said, "I'm glad I didn't go, I got to catch up on my sleep, what with you snoring all the time."

"Hey!" I exclaimed, cuffing her around the ear.

Rosepaw and Oakpaw raced toward us, almost knocking us over in their excitment. "It's today!" Oakpaw said. "Our warrior assessment!" Fernpaw and I congratulated them, and they rushed off to the river. I could see their mentors struggling to keep up. We purred in amusement.

Fishcreek and Smallflower summoned us over. "Today's duties consist of a border patrol and then practicing some battle tactics." We nodded enthusiastically, the prospect of learning something new made us excited.

When we reached Thunderclan's border, Smallflower and Fishcreek paused to check for any signs of invasions. When they open their mouths to check scents, Fernpaw and I did too. An unfamiliar scent hit the roof of my mouth. I shook my head, trying to concentrate. Where was that scent from? Of course! The Gathering! And Shortpaw and Lillypaw! Thunderclan! I narrowed my eyes angrily, not even listening to whatever Fishcreek was saying.

Fernpaw had dashed off in the direction of the camp. I scuffled my paws, ready for a fight. "Silverpaw! I told you to find the hunting patrols! Go! Now!" Fishcreek spat. His anger wasn't entirely directed at me, but it still made me jump. I rushed into the forest. Luckily for me, all the hunting patrols were soon in sight, at the river.

"Help!" I screeched, real terror in my voice. While I was running, the seriousness of the situation dawned on clanmates dashed over to me, their catches forgotten. Quickly I explained Thunderclan's presence in our territory. We darted to the border. When we arrived the battle had already begun. I spotted my sister in throng of cats. What was she doing? We hadn't leanred any tatics or battle moves yet!

I sent a quick prayer to Starclan, "Keep her safe."

Shinewhisker murmured to me, "Be careful. You don't know any figthing moves. Battles are be better if you went back to camp." Then she leaped onto a smoky tom. A cat was thrown into me as I looked over my shoulder. The cat was fluffy white with splashes of black. I smelled it was a tom. He hissed a last threat at Sandclaw, and then examined me before I could back away.

A malicious smile spread across his face. He jumped at me. I sidestepped and, acting on pure instinct, I leaped on him. My teeth sunk into his ear. He let out a screech. I pulled harder at his ear, as though I was trying to dislodge it from his body. He swiped a claw at me, but I jumped off him, landing ungracefully.

I tried to scramble to my paws, but he pounced on me before I could. He pinned me to the ground with his heaver weight, and leaned in to bite me. When he was close enough I bit his chin instead. He narrowed his eyes but didn't yell. I struggled but he had me in an iron grip. He moved one of his paws higher up, onto my throat. I started gasping for breath. "Oh Starclan!" I thought, panicking.

Suddenly, his weight vanished! I gasped in deep breaths of air. Then I looked over at what happened to my attacker. Oakpaw! He had rescued me from certain death. Wow! I watched him for a second. He was a great fighter! If it was up to me I'd give him his warrior name. We both turned at the sound of Rosepaw's cry, but it was me that dashed off to help her. I'd guessed Oakpaw would continue battling the tom, but I didn't have time to think about him.

Fernpaw had arrived to help as well. My sister jumped on the cream-colored cat while I bit her tail and pulled. "Rosepaw! His belly! Go for his belly!" Fermpaw meowed. Our friend scratched the enemy across the stomach. The ThunderClan warrior gave a yelp and threw Fernpaw off. She pulled her tail from my mouth and swiped at my face.

The pain made me fall to the ground. It was my first noticeable battle injury. I scrambled to my feet, trying to ignore the pain. The creamy she-cat disappeared from view. I gave myself a smile. I looked over my two friends but they looked to be okay, no major injuries. "Thunderclan! Retreat!" The voice sounded like Redclaw, the deputy. I remembered her from the Gathering. Why wasn't she in the nursery with those new kits of hers, instead of fighting with us?

Oakpaw pelted up to us. He searched Rosepaw for signs of injury and when he found very few, he sighed in relief he checked over me and then did the same for Fernpaw.

I asked Oakpaw, "Can I talk to you for a second? Alone?"

He nodded, alarmed by my intensity. We walked off on our own, back toward the river. Several fish still lay on the banks. Oakpaw paced back and forth, seemingly worried. What did he think I was going to say? He was my best friend and knew me better than any cat in the clan, except my sisters.

For a second I just said nothing and stared at him. Maybe the moment felt awkward to him but I was too wrapped in my memories to feel it.

I recalled the time I met him, just days after my birth. he was so big and tall and I felt insignificant in his presence. "Hi! I'm Oakpaw!" He had squeaked. I had told him my name and then introduced my sisters.

And then there was the time I got sick. He stayed up all night with me cause I couldn't sleep and he was worried. Whenever I asked, he fetched some water-soaked moss for me to drink.

I remembered all the play fights we shared and the days we had teamed up against my sisters. His skills, shown to him by his father, sharpened mine even though we were just kits.

Sadness, borrowed from Oakpaw, crept up on me when I recalled Dustwing, Oakpaw and Rosepaw's father. He had died from blood loss after the clan fought with ThunderClan over Sunningrocks. He was sent to StarClan with honor and I had stayed awake for the vigil, to support Oakpaw.

There was also the day Mosskit and I got into Watersong's den and ate some of her herbs. We were sick for the whole day and Oakpaw had scolded me even though Willowshadow and Watersong had already. After he was done, he gave my ear a lick and called me a mouse brain but his tone was softer than before.

Of course, he had been there for me when Mosskit died. In the days after her death and before my apprentice ceremony, he had hardly left my side. He even neglected his own apprentice duties to watch out for me. he got in trouble for that and I had felt bad but he assured me it wasn't my fault, that it was his choice to do that for me.

And now there was today, where he saved my life. What did I do to deserve a friend like him?

"Silverpaw? Are you ok? What did you want to tell me?" Oakpaw asked. I had completely forget he was still standing there.