A/N: Dapplecloud, you answered correctly! It's Littlefalcon and Finchblaze!

*Serenity the Primarina hugs Dapplecloud*

I think I made the question pretty obvious, though. I'll probably have to make it a wee more difficult next time. ;) ~ Kyubi

Chapter 13

"Following the Leader."

3/20/17 - 3/21/17 - 3/22/17

Two days later, apart from the rising feud between ShadowClan and RiverClan, ThunderClan was relatively peaceful with their activities. Word from the she-cats is that Spottedberry is expecting Squirreltail's kits. Spottedberry refused to comment on the matter, and she doesn't show any signs of pregnancy.

Although, while the rumor mill was being spread, Sweetflower and Ashcloud announced that they are expecting their second litter of kits.

For the most part it was a minor distraction from Creekstar attacking Littlefalcon's patrol. Nightpaw glares at the moors every time she passes it with Thrushwing.

Not all WindClan cats are crazy. Remember Spiderpaw. She reminds herself.

Darkstar calls Nightpaw, Acornpaw, Fishpaw, Pinepaw and Petalpaw and their mentors to meet with him in the clearing. Mistpaw and Raccoonpaw were hunting that morning with their mentors.

"Today, we are going to practice your teamwork. You will be playing against the other half of your denmates as you race to the Ancient Oak and they will try and prevent you from reaching the tree. Littlefalcon is with them explaining the rules."

"What are the rules?" Acornpaw asks.

"The rules are simple." Lightstripe said. "You all must reach the Ancient Oak and claim it, but if you all are defeated by Littlefalcon's group you will lose…"

Nightpaw notices Lightstripe staring at Petalpaw and follows his gaze; the pale tortoiseshell she-cat is wearing a big bundle of tightly rolled leaves on her back, strapped around her shoulders in flower stems and holding on firmly.

"Petalpaw, what are you wearing?"

"... Don't worry about it." She replies.

Lightstripe opens his mouth but Whitefur places his paw on his shoulder, shaking his head.

"As I was saying." Darkstar said. "The sooner you leave, the better your chances are to claim the tree. Acornpaw, you're in charge."

The light brown she-cat gaps and smiles. "Yes!"

No! Nightpaw is already seeing that this game is going to suck. Acornpaw is bossy since she became Goldflame's apprentice.

… Okay, she was always bossy, but now she's becoming increasingly insufferable.

Acornpaw watches their mentors and Clan leader leave. She straightens up and stares down her denmates.

"You heard Darkstar. I'm in charge."

Fishpaw leans toward Nightpaw and whispers. "We heard. We're not deaf."

"So I want Petalpaw and Pinepaw to cover me from either side. Fishpaw and Nightpaw, you go in front of me and scout for any of the other denmates."

Nightpaw glares at her sister.

"And what would you be doing?"

"I'll claim the tree while you buy me some time."

Pinepaw flattens her ears. "I thought this exercise is about teamwork."

Acornpaw fluffs her fur. "Teamwork wouldn't exist without a leader."

It also can't exist with an egotistical leader. Nightpaw continues to glare at Acornpaw, but the light brown she cat brushes off her stare.

"Let's get moving. We don't have all sunlight."

Petalpaw and Pinepaw were guarding Acornpaw on her sides. Fishpaw and, begrudgingly, Nightpaw look around to keep watch of their denmates.

Nightpaw sees the top of Ancient Oak from a great distance, she even sees dark clouds trying to cover the sun.

"I don't smell anything." Fishpaw said to Acornpaw.

"We still can't let our guard down." She replies. Nightpaw silently agrees. She looks around and sees a silver tabby pelt moving from the brambles before vanishing.

Nightpaw nudges Fishpaw. "I think I saw Morningpaw." She whispers urgently.

Acornpaw urges them to pick up the pace. Nightpaw and the group turn the corner to the tree when Fishpaw shouts at Nightpaw. "Look out!"

The deep blue tom jumps and barrels into Morningpaw before the silver tabby could pounce her. Featherpaw, Berrypaw and Snowpaw appear from the ferns and overwhelmed Pinepaw and Petalpaw.

Acornpaw looks at Nightpaw with shock. "Go, now!"

The small black she-cat kicks up dirt as she races around the brush and sees the tree. Nightpaw feels paws hit her back and falls on her stomach.

Nightpaw rolls on her back and looks into Snowpaw's blue eyes before rearing her back legs and kicking her off. Snowpaw jumps over Nightpaw and ran toward the tree.

"No you don't!"

Nightpaw grapples Snowpaw's back leg with her teeth and starts pulling. Snowpaw squeaks and falls before kicking her back leg to remove Nightpaw's hold on her.

Nightpaw quickly bites down on Snowpaw's tail and pulls her cousin back. Nightpaw is surprised by her strength despite her size.

Just a little more, and I'll make a run for it.

Before she could put her plan in motion…

"Nightpaw! Stop wasting time!"

Acornpaw's voice was so close to her ear, Nightpaw gasps with shock and lets go of Snowpaw's tail. The white-silver flecked she-cat took her chance and runs to the Ancient Oak.

"No!" Acornpaw shoves Nightpaw and runs toward Snowpaw.

But it was too late.

Snowpaw turns around and puffs her chest. "I claim this tree!"

Nightpaw sees a splash of white melt from the bushes, Littlefalcon pads out and says, "I can see that." He gives Nightpaw a sympathetic glance.

She sees every one of her denmates mentors step out, including Darkstar.

I don't believe this. Nightpaw feels her ears burn with shame. I lost. In front of Dad - and my Clan leader, of all cats!

"Congratulations, Snowpaw." Darkstar rumbles. Acornpaw bristles her fur and glares at Nightpaw.

"This is your fault! You let her go!"

Nightpaw quickly became angry and narrows her eyes. "You screamed in my ear instead of making a run for the tree! I had her trapped!"

"You were struggling on your paws! I told you to run for the tree and you didn't!"

"Snowpaw was about to get there first-!"

"She-cats." Littlefalcon gives his daughters disapproving stares. "Stop bickering and accept your loss gracefully."

Acornpaw glares at Nightpaw one more time before muttering congratulations to Snowpaw.

"Good job." Nightpaw said. Snowpaw looks at her sympathetically as she witnessed Acornpaw's blame game, she nods.

At least Featherpaw and Petalpaw don't treat me like that.

… Wait.

"Where is Petalpaw?" She asks the cats. Berrypaw, Featherpaw and Nightpaw's brothers run out to the Ancient Oak, a rotten stink overwhelms Nightpaw's nostrils as the cats run past.

Petalpaw appears as she reaches inside of her leaf pack and pulls out a small, stinky berry. "Prepare to lose, suckers!"

"Petalpaw!" Nightpaw calls, grabbing the pale tortoiseshell's attention. "It's over, we lost."

Petalpaw stares at the black she cat, and groans. "Aw man…" She tosses the berry over her shoulder and the berry broke open, and releases a powerful, disgusting oder.

Darkstar gags and shakes his head. "Everyone, back to the camp!"

The ThunderClan cats wastes no time running from the stench and going back to camp.

Nightpaw follows Thrushwing on patrol with Rainstorm, Spottedberry, Goldflame and Acornpaw. Her brown furred sister refuses to speak to her after yesterday's loss, Nightpaw knew she wants an apology for failing.

Fat chance of that happening anytime soon.

Nightpaw sees a WindClan patrol. Brackenfall, Hollyclaw, Cheetahpaw, two cats she's never seen before, and Spiderpaw next to the deputy.

"Greetings, Thrushwing." Brackenfall said, dipping his head to her, surprising Nightpaw. "Is this one your apprentice?"

Thrushwing smiles fondly to Nightpaw. "Yes. This is Nightpaw."

"Don't you mean, Night-kit?" Cheetahpaw snorts. Hollyclaw glares at her apprentice. "Back to camp. Tend to the queens, now."

"But-."

"Now!"

Cheetahpaw scowls and turns around to stalk back over the moors. Spiderpaw smirks as he glances over his shoulder.

Hollyclaw sighs. "I'm sorry for that, Thrushwing. Cheetahpaw is spoiled rotten by her parents…"

I can see that. Nightpaw sniffs. She looks at Spiderpaw. His green eyes glances over the lake, and Nightpaw looks at the island in the distance. She looks at him.

You want to meet now?

Spiderpaw shook his head, and taps his paw one time. Tomorrow night. Bring the others.

Nightpaw nods at the secret message. She follows Thrushwing and nudges her.

"Why did Brackenfall treat you like your the deputy?"

"Oh, he was my apprentice I trained before I was expecting Tigerflame and Goldheart."

The deputy? Sheesh, Darkstar wasn't kidding when he said she had experience.

Upon reaching camp, Acornpaw hisses in her ear. "Why was that WindClan tom looking at you?"

Nightpaw tries not to stiffen as she looks at her sister evenly.

"What tom? Brackenfall?"

"No, the apprentice! Why was he looking at you? You know it's against the warrior code, right?"

"You jump to conclusions too much." Nightpaw growls. "I only know him from the first Gathering. Now if you don't mind, a nice, fat sparrow is calling my name."

Acornpaw lets Nightpaw go, padding to the fresh kill pile where Snowpaw picked out a pigeon. "I just saw Spiderpaw. He says to meet with him on the island, and tell the others."

Snowpaw looks around and whispers, "Is there New development in the prophecy?"

"Does it have to be about the prophecy?" Nightpaw questions. "Maybe he wanted to talk. It wouldn't hurt to meet up with one another for a talk."

"I guess so." Snowpaw said. "Okay, I'll tell Owlpaw tonight and you tell Beechpaw."

"You don't have to go to ShadowClan." Nightpaw didn't like how badly that ShadowClan apprentice treated Snowpaw, she didn't want her cousin to get caught and harassed some more.

"It's fine. Remember, tomorrow night."

I finished reading Gathering of Darkness, Survivors: Into the Shadows from Erin Hunter, and finished Wings of Fire: Talons of Power just last month.

Life is good. :) ~ Kyubi