I stalked the mouse, weaving through the grass. Leaping, I landed on the small brown creature gracefully, killing it in one swift bit to the neck. Good, good. A voice said. I smiled. The golden warrior. You're doing well tiny warrior. I lifted my head, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tabby. I heard a chuckling. I cannot be seen. I do not have the strength. But if you follow me to the end you will not need to see me. The sound of his voice disappeared. I lost the sense that he was there with me.

Follow me to the end. What does that mean? I thought solemnly. Why does he always say that?

I bent down to pick up the mouse. This was my last day as an apprentice. Badgerpelt had his warrior ceremony yesterday. Cinderpaw, Thistlepaw, Thornpaw and had to wait until today because Sunstar did not want to do every ceremony at once. Today he was also going to annonce new apprentices to replace our spots in the soon emty, apprentice den.

I bounded down the well worn path back to camp. I could not be late for my warrior ceremony. I ducked through the gnarled roots. Glanceing up at the clear blue sky I sighed in relief. It was nearly sunhigh. I would have enough time to groom my messy pelt.

I dropped the mouse on the pile of fresh-kill. This was my special day. I needed to be ready for it.

(Badgerpelt's POV)

I watched her as she dropped the mouse on the pile. She would be mine. I loved her. But she did not notice me. She was focused and determined. I like that. Rainpaw would finally get what she had been preparing for. becoming a warrior.

As for me, my ceremony was yesterday. She would share hers with her siblings. Pity. I longed to share a silent vigil with her.

Cats milled around waiting for sunhigh. Rainpaw and her siblings were popular cats in the clan. They were loving and carefree. But cats liked Rainpaw the best. She was quick, like those in FireClan. She was fierce in the heart of battle. But she was also kind, loyal and, gentle.

Sunstar stalked out of his den and leaped onto the Highrock. My belly tingled with excitement. This is it. We will both be warriors after this. "May all cats old enough to catch their own prey, please join me beneath Highrock." He called. most cats were already gathered, so he continued. "Will Thornpaw, Cinderpaw, Rainpaw, and Thistlepaw, please join me." As he called each name they padded up and sat in a tidy row in front of the clan leader.

I focused a Rainpaw, ready to hear her new name. "I, Sunstar leader of AirClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn."

"Thornpaw, Cinderpaw, Rainpaw and, Thistlepaw, do you all promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Sunstar looked at them in turn.

"I do." They chorused.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Thornpaw, from this moment you will be known as Thornear. StarClan honors your strength and courage. Cinderpaw, from this moment you will be known as Cinderfur. Starclan honors your skill and honor. Rainpaw," This is it I thought.

from this moment you will be known as Rainshadow. Starclan honors your loyalty and determination. And last, Thistlepaw, from this moment you will be known as Thistleheart. Starclan honors your focus and bravery. And now we welcome you all as a full warriors of Airclan."

A cheer rose up from the crowd. I howled as loud as I possibly could. "Thornear! Cinderfur! Rainshadow! Thistleheart! Thornear! Cinderfur! Rainshadow! Thistleheart!" Every cat chanted as they did for me.

"Tonight you will sit silent vigil." Sunstar's voice rose above the chant. "And now we will have some new apprentices." I could no longer hear him after that. I became lost in thought, unaware to the new apprentices.

Rainshadow, the perfect name for a she-cat as beautiful and loving as herself. I stared at my creamy brown paws. Sunstar chose well. "Yes. He did." Another voice answered. Who is that? Who's there? I panicked. "You have nothing to fear as long as you keep your distance from Rainshadow." The voice threatened. "She has feelings for you too," I swelled with pride. I had waited to hear that forever. "but," The strange voice continued. "you will stay away from her. She has greater thing to live up to than a scrawny tom. Her fate should not be intertwined with yours as StarClan says it is. And I will take into my own paws to untangle it from yours." I reeled my head back in fury and shock. Who was this voice telling me I could no longer love Rainshadow?

I collapsed in the middle of the clearing. As I blacked out I was vaguely aware of Rainshadow running towards me with a scared and worried look plastered to her face.

I opened my eyes to see a silver cat, strongly resembling Rainshadow. "Fear not young warrior." She spoke softly, as if trying not to rouse me from sleep. "I am Rainshadow's grandmother. I have come with a message for you."

I stood up shakily. "What is it?" I asked, surprised to find that my voice was hoarse.

"The voice that spoke to you in your thoughts is not be listened to. He will do whatever he can to keep you away from Rainshadow." She spoke quickly as if worried about how much time she had to speak.

"She has been put under his influence. For he has a stronger connection with her than she knows. You must free her. Only love will break the trance." The elderly she-cat began to fade. "How!?" I yelled "How do I free her?!"

"Free her." she murmured, disappearing for good. How?