CHAPTER THREE

Bramblestar went first. He talked about how they had a new warrior named Stormcloud and everyone cheered and then he talked about how they had two new apprentices: Sparkpaw and Alderpaw and how even though it was leafbare they had plenty of prey and everyone was healthy.

Next was Onestar. He talked about how WindClan had two new apprentices also: Smokepaw and Brindlepaw. The rabbits were running and he had to chase away a rogue.

Rowanstar went next. "We have seven new apprentices: Beepaw, Juniperpaw, Needlepaw, Yarrowpaw, Strikepaw, Sleekpaw, and Littlecloud's apprentice, Puddlepaw!" Everyone cheered except RiverClan who glared at Rowanstar. He pretended not to notice. "Grassheart is also nursing a new kit we have: Cloudkit! Also, there is a loner in our territory named Hiss who may travel to your territories. He is friendly so don't attack on sight," he mewed, his eyes shining with pride. He was proud to be up there and proud to have a strong Clan. "The prey, although there is less of it, is still running. We are well fed and strong." He looked over at Mistystar. "Go ahead, Mistystar."

The RiverClan leader stood up, her eyes full of irritation. "We have three new apprentices: Shadepaw, Nightpaw, and Pricklepaw!" The Clans cheered, even ShadowClan. I nudged Nightpaw who smiled at me. "We have been well-fed, healthy, and strong this leafbare." She paused and looked at Rowanstar with a grin. "I also have an announcement: ShadowClan is harboring a kittypet!"

Shock went through the Clans. Mostly RiverClan and WindClan. ThunderClan just seemed confused.

"Cloudkit is a kit from the nest in their territory. Kittypet's are not allowed at Clan cats! I demand Rowanstar get rid of the kit!" she growled, looking at the Clan's below.

Our leader rose to his paws again. "It is a kit, Mistystar. We save her from being mauled by dogs. The warrior code states we have to save kits in pain or danger, no matter where they come from," Rowanstar mewed confidently.

Bramblestar chimed in in anger, "Firestar was a kittypet, Mistystar and you were close with him. I say let Cloudkit stay."

Onestar shifted awkwardly. "I was close with Firestar also, but the warrior code says nothing about letting kittypets join the Clans…" He looked at his paws as the ThunderClan and ShadowClan cats let out yowls of protest. "I'm with Mistystar, Rowanstar. I apologize but I think you should put the kit back."

The ShadowClan leader remained calm even though I knew he wanted to snap at the other leaders. "If we put the kit back the dogs will put it in danger again. We have to keep the kit." The leader looked down at me for help.

What could I say? I cleared my throat and stood up, feeling the aching in the back leg where the dog had bit me. "Excuse me!" I called and everyone looked at me. I felt hot with embarrassment. "If the leaders permit, I'd like to say something!"

Bramblestar glanced at the other leaders. "I say we let the apprentice talks." Mistystar shrugged and Onestar nodded.

"I was there when we saved Cloudkit from the dogs. She was tangled up in brambles and if we hadn't of been there she wouldn't exist today." I could see the sympathy in the Clan cat's faces but Mistystar still didn't look convinced. "Cloudkit only trusts me and her temporary mother, Grassheart. She needs the Clan to survive. Please, let her stay," I pleaded and sat back down.

Nightpaw nudged me. "Nice speech," he purred.

But Mistystar let out a yowl, "No! StarClan will not accept this and neither will I!" She turned to Onestar. "Are you on my side or the kittypets?"

Onestar looked at Rowanstar with regret and nodded. "I'm with Mistystar. If you don't get rid of the kit in two days we will forcibly remove her," he mewed and jumped down from the tree and Mistystar did too, both of them began to gather their cats.

I turned to Nightpaw. "It was nice to meet you. And I know we have to put our Clan's first but I still hope our friendship holds," I purred to him.

He smiled warmly at me. "Me too. Good luck. Goodbye Beepaw!" he mewed and then padded over to his Clan. WindClan and RiverClan quickly cleared out but ThunderClan and ShadowClan remained on the island.

Bramblestar turned to Rowanstar. "If it comes to a battle you have ThunderClan on your side. My deputy and mate is part kittypet, as are our kits and medicine cat." He dipped his head and then called for his Clan to gather.

I recognized Stormcloud from the almost border skirmish and he nodded to me then jumped onto the log and the ThunderClan cats disappeared.

"Alright ShadowClan, let's head back home!" Rowanstar called and I spotted Tigerheart slipping out of the bushes to come join us.

When it was my turn to cross the log I jumped up, making sure to dig my claws deep into the squishy, slimy, slippery log. Tigerheart was behind me and Puddlepaw was in front of me. We managed to climb the log and started the race back home.

At the Gathering, I was so focused I hadn't even noticed how cold it was and how tired I felt. I was more worried about Cloudkit. I hoped she would be sleeping when we got back.

We crossed the border with RiverClan and continued running. The running was heating me up a little but the cold on my paws made me shiver. Everyone else looked as tired as I felt. It had been a long night, especially with the Gathering and I was ready to sleep.

I could see the camp and we sped up, charging into camp silently. It was completely empty and I didn't see Cloudkit anywhere. I definitely didn't want to tell her about tonight's Gathering. She'd just get sad.

"Everyone head to your nests," Rowanstar ordered and turned away, padding to his den.

I met up with Needlepaw and Sleekpaw as we headed to our nests and I smiled at them. They smiled back. I knew they wanted to tell me I did a good job but at the same time they didn't want to wake anyone. I laid down in my nest and curled up, instantly falling asleep.

"Beepaw, wake up!" a ball of white-and-brown fluff was jumping on me and squealing with excitement. "Wake up! Wake up!"

I sat up and opened my eyes. Cloudkit was jumping on me with excitement. "What? What're you doing, Cloudkit?" I looked around to see the den was empty. "Where is everyone?"

Cloudkit got off me and smiled. "All the apprentices went out for training but Rowanstar thought you could use some rest after standing up at the Gathering last night for me!" Her smile widened. "Puddlepaw was telling Grassheart about the Gathering but I was listening!" She tilted her head. "Do RiverClan and WindClan really hate me because I lived with twolegs?"

My sympathy struck and I stood up. "They don't hate you, Cloudkit. They just like to pick fights…" Usually it was ShadowClan picking fights but RiverClan and WindClan always picked with ThunderClan for letting kittypets in. "Trust me. I'll stand up for you always." I licked the top of her head and slipped out of the den. It was snowing lightly and Rowanstar was laying under the hazel branch with Tawnypelt at his side.

I padded over to him, Cloudkit at my side. "Rowanstar, are we going to train today?"

The leader looked at me. He looked very tired. "You can clean out the nursery. That's your training…" He put his head down on his paws and sighed.

My paws turned to the medicine den and I walked towards it, still hearing Cloudkit padding after me. Littlecloud and Puddlepaw were organizing their herbs. Leaves and roots were spread everywhere and as soon as I entered Littlecloud looked up at me, noticing Cloudkit.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, rising to his paws and sniffing us curiously. "What is it?"

"I'm just here from some moss," I purred in amusement and careful moved around their piles and grabbed some moss, passing it to Cloudkit and grabbing some more for myself. Then we left the den in silence, Puddlepaw not even noticing us.

The cold shocked me and I hurried to the nursery where Grassheart, Pinenose, Birchkit, Lionkit, and Slatekit were playing with a mossball.

"Excuse me, I'm here to clean the nursery," I told them after putting the moss in my jaws down. "The elders den has room in it for you guys so you don't get sick."

Pinenose smiled. "Oh thank you Beepaw," she purred and led her three kits out of the den and Grassheart followed after rubbing her cheek against Cloudkit's.

I set to work, throwing the moss out of the den while Cloudkit watched in amusement. She didn't help nor get in the way plus sometimes she talk about things the elders or Grassheart had told her and it was interesting to listen to.

Once all the nests had been cleared I begun to line them with fresh moss while Cloudkit talked about how Oakfur told her about ShadowClan's old leader, Tigerstar. I finally knew where Tawnypelt got her temper from but at least one of her kits were rather sweet. Maybe they were scared others would think they'd become like their father, especially Tigerheart. But I didn't really care.

I'd finished lining all the nests now and knew I had to bring the moss outside of camp, but Cloudkit couldn't come with me. I knew she was cold still and I also knew there was a cold draft being blown into the den. I'd have to get someone to help me with that.

"Okay Cloudkit, you go get her mother and Pinenose and tell them they can come back into the nursery while I take care of the moss," I told her and she excitedly bounced away to the elders den. I quickly gathered the moss and rushed outside of camp, passing by my father and Juniperpaw who mewed hello to me.

The snow felt colder than before as I buried the moss deep in the ground and then covered them up. My paws felt frozen solid and I limped back into camp. It was almost empty, everyone was hiding in their nests away from the cold and it was sundown.

Rowanstar walked up to me. "You did a good job on the nursery. Tomorrow you and I can work on the cold draft, Pinenose says her kits have been complaining." He looked up at the sun and smiled warmly. "For now, get something to eat and get some-" He was cut off by a loud sneeze and he shook his head, looking at me. "Get some sleep." Then he turned around and padded to his den where Tawnypelt was waiting for him.

Was Rowanstar sick again? Would he be able to fight in the battle with RiverClan and WindClan?

Tonight was the supposed attack on ShadowClan camp and every apprentice and warrior had spent all day making the dens stronger, same with the entrance. As promised Rowanstar and I fixed the draft in the nursery and after that Cloudkit started following me around everywhere.

Everyone was nervous for the attack. When didn't know when it was going to happen so we were all on alert. Rowanstar's cough had gotten a little better and it seemed to have pushed itself onto Littlecloud who had coughing fits a lot. Puddlepaw would stuff a little catmint into his food before he ate it and not tell him since he refused to give it to himself. We couldn't lose our medicine cat.

Dawnpelt and Tawnypelt were off tick duty but Rowanstar refused to let them train Needlepaw and I again in fear that they'd get us sick or treat us unfairly. I overheard Crowfrost and Rowanstar talking about after the battle if Juniperpaw, Sleekpaw, and Strikepaw do well we will have some new warriors. I was excited for them and if they were become warriors tomorrow than that meant I had about two more moons until it was Yarrowpaw, Needlepaw, and my turn!

"Beepaw, we need yours help!" Rowanstar called and I looked around to see him outside the elders den.

I raced over, hearing Cloudkit running after me. "What is it?"

"The elders refuse to stay out of camp for the night because it's too cold. I need you to find Stonetooth. He knows where a bigger enough hole for the kits, queens, and elders are. And hurry!" he ordered and turned back to the two elders.

Cloudkit squeaked, "I saw him in the medicine cats den! He was talking to Puddlepaw about something…"

"Thanks, Cloudkit," I purred and raced to the medicine den, skidding to a stop and spraying my father and sister with snow. "Sorry…" I apologized and shook my head. "Stonetooth, Rowanstar needs you by the elders den, now." I watched him leave and turned to Puddlepaw. "Are you and Littlecloud prepared?"

He shifted his paws awkwardly. "Well, Littlecloud is definitely sick but he refuses to admit. He's out collecting herbs…" He shook his head. "I cannot lose him without knowing all the herbs yet, Beepaw." My brother looked down at Cloudkit with a smile. "Hello, Cloudkit."

The kit hid behind me and said nothing but I shook my head. "Don't worry, Puddlepaw. Littlecloud is strong, he'll be okay." I padded out of the den, looking down at Cloudkit who blended in with the snow well. As did I, of course, with my white pelt. My ears, however, were black so that wasn't good.

"Rowanstar! Rowanstar!" Tigerheart screeched, Sleekpaw racing in after. "RiverClan and WindClan on their way! We have no time! We need to meet them out there!" He flicked his tail to the entrance of camp.

Our leader let out a yowl, "Every cat older than six moons without kits come on!" He charged out of camp and I watched our warriors and apprentices after him.

I looked at Cloudkit with wide eyes. "You need to stay in camp, Cloudkit. No matter what. Protect the camp and do not leave Grassheart's side!" I ordered and then whipped around, chasing after the ShadowClan cats, seeing that they'd already met the WindClan and RiverClan cats.

Rowanstar faced Onestar and Mistystar with a bristling pelt. "No, Cloudkit is remaining with us. You want her gone? You'll have to get through us to get that kit!" he snarled, baring his teeth. He was much larger than both the leaders.

I watched Juniperpaw slip away from the group after Crowfrost whispered something to him and he raced away. Was he going to get help? I hoped so. I searched the RiverClan and WindClan cats for Nightpaw and spotted him. He looked nervous and we locked gazes but he looked away. No friendships.

Mistystar let out a growl, "Fine then. WindClan, RiverClan, attack!" she yowled and lunged at Rowanstar and they rolled away.

A mottled brown she-cat I remembered as Brindlepaw took a swipe at me but I easily dodged. I didn't think she was well-trained but Cloudkit's life depended on this battle so I went in for a swipe to the nose and felt blood.

"Get out of here rabbit-face!" I growled and she lunged at me and barreled me over. She began to claw at my face while I dug my claws deep into her stomach and she let out a yowl of pain and I pushed her off. I stood up quickly and dragged my claws along the side of her pelt and she screeched and raced away.

I could feel the blood on my cheeks and looked around. We were badly outnumbered. Juniperpaw needed to hurry with the ThunderClan cats. I quickly climbed the nearest tree and in the distance I could see Juniperpaw and Bramblestar, leading his warriors right to us.

"ThunderClan is here!" I yowled down to Rowanstar who let out a yowl of approval and then the ThunderClan cats attacked, taking down the RiverClan and WindClan cats. With the ThunderClan cats, we were unstoppable and all the Clans knew it.

But we were slowly being pushed towards camp and I felt panic as I jumped down on a RiverClan warrior and ripped at his pelt, sinking my teeth into the warrior's fishy-tasting fur. There was blood all over the warrior and I jumped off as the warrior raced away.

I could tell the WindClan and RiverClan warriors were slowly fleeing and I spotted Onestar and Mistystar covered in blood yet still fighting.

"Mistystar, Onestar!" Bramblestar yowled from a tree branch, looking down at them. The fighting stopped to listen. "You are not winning this fight. Your warriors have fled. Leave now with pride or be forcibly removed with shame," he mewed, his sharp claws covered in blood, as was his pelt.

RiverClan was more known to flee than WindClan was but as soon as the two leaders looked at each other, they knew. "We will stay and fight! We will not leave until that kit is dead!" Mistystar yowled and Bramblestar jumped down on them.

The WindClan and RiverClan cats had about seventeen warriors left fighting while ShadowClan and ThunderClan had about thirty still fighting. They didn't stand a chance but they obviously didn't want Cloudkit here. ShadowClan was not known for letting kittypets join but ThunderClan was and they fought hard to honor their choices.

And then, Nightpaw faced me. He had a nick in his ear, his back leg was badly injured, and his pelt was coated in blood. Most likely his. "Will you fight me, Beepaw?" he asked, his eyes narrowed.

Everything in me told me to flee but I knew the warrior code stated that Clans came before friendship. "You need to flee, Nightpaw. Your life is not worth it…" My eyes swelled up with tears but I pushed them away. If he refused to flee, I'd make him. No friendships with other cats from other Clans.

The tom shook his head at me and I knew he felt the pain too. "I can't, Beepaw. I'm sorry." And then he bared his teeth and lunged forward but I slid to the side and raked my claws down his pelt. My face still hurt from earlier but I focused on beating the RiverClan apprentice. I whipped around just as he did and he raced forward, tackling me and I batted his stomach with my back paws as he sunk his teeth into my shoulder. I let out a yowl of pain and got sick of it. Time to put an end to this fight before an older warrior destroys him. I dug my claws into his soft belly and pushed up, watching him fly backwards and land on his side.

He let out a wail and then struggled to his paws, his eyes narrowed and his jaws parted to speak but a gray-and-white tom tackled him and ripped at his chest, letting the apprentice up and letting him run away. He looked at me with a smile and padded over. His tail was bleeding as was his face and he was limping a little.

"Thank you," I breathed to him, feeling relief. "I'm Beepaw."

The ThunderClan cat nodded. "I know who you are. You spoke at the Gathering. I'm Dewnose." He glanced around curiously and I noticed that our enemies were dropped down to lower than ten. "Good luck." Than he slipped away.

Onestar's loud voice rang through the forest, "Retreat! WindClan and RiverClan, retreat!" He watched the few warriors still there race away and he and Mistystar glared at Bramblestar and Rowanstar. "We will be back to teach you a lesson about keeping kittypets," he hissed and then they both turned around and sprinted after their Clan.

Rowanstar let out a yowl of victory and the rest of us joined in. I was proud of us. We took on a challenge and we destroyed them. I had to tell Cloudkit!

While they were still doing our victory yowl I raced into camp, seeing Grassheart talking to Pinenose while Lionkit, Birchkit, Slatekit, and Cloudkit were tussling and as soon as Cloudkit saw me she jumped up and raced to me.

But instead of happiness in her eyes there was sadness. "You're covered in blood? Does that mean we lost? Do I have to leave now?"

Shock struck me. "No! We won! You can stay forever!" I purred and licked her cheek. "And don't worry, this isn't my blood," I lied and I could feel my wounds aching in pain and the cold was slowly making them numb.

Grassheart purred softly, "Come on now kits, time to head to our nests." She gathered them and her and Pinenose led them away, Cloudkit waving her tail goodbye to me.

Littlecloud padded up to me, herbs in his jaws and without saying anything he quickly began to apply the herbs to my pelt and I felt the burn and tensed up. He moved from my cheeks to my pelt to my leg and then he stepped away. "Get some rest." Than he padded over to a ThunderClan warrior.

I let out a small yawn and turned towards the apprentices den, but Dewnose was in my way. "You fought bravely," he commented, his ear twitching. "I'm proud of our Clans to fight for the right for Cloudkit to live within the Clans. I do have kittypet blood in me. Cloudtail is my father." His head shook slowly and his gently touched his nose to mine. "May StarClan light your path, Beepaw." And then he slipped away to Jayfeather to get his wounds treated.

ThunderClan cats aren't so bad… I thought and then padded to the apprentices den and stepped inside. Yarrowpaw was the only one inside and she was sound asleep. I laid down in my nest and closed my eyes tightly. It was over. Cloudkit could stay. Nothing bad happened. A dark sleep washed over me.

"Wake up, kittypet!" a cat hissed in my face and my eyes flickered open. A skinny white tom with a long scar going down his body stood in front of me. "You're pathetic! Letting that kittypet join ShadowClan! You're a rat-brain!" He lashed out at me and I ducked, my eyes wide.

I was terrified. "Go away!" I yowled. "Go away please!" I curled up in a ball in fear and listen to him spit evil things at me.

"Beepaw, wake up!" a voice hissed and I sat up, sweating badly and looked around. I was in the apprentices den and Rowanstar had his head in the den. It was completely empty. "I'm about to do a warrior ceremony, come on!" Then he disappeared and I slipped out of the den.

The Clan was already gathered, they knew. I sat beside Yarrowpaw who smiled at me as Rowanstar jumped onto the hazel branch.

"Juniperpaw, Sleekpaw, Strikepaw, step forward!" he yowled and the three apprentices did. "I, Rownstar, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have all trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn." He jumped down from the branch and stood right in front of them. "Strikepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Strikepaw smiled and nodded firmly. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Strikepaw, from this moment you will be known as Strikefang. StarClan honors your energy and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." He set his head on the apprentice's shoulder and moved on to Juniperpaw.

"Juniperpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Juniperpaw nodded. "I do, Rowanstar!"

"Juniperpaw, from this moment you will be known as Junipernose. StarClan honors your kindness and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." He set his head on Junipernose's and moved on to Sleekpaw.

The she-cat purred in excitement. "Sleekpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Rowanstar asked, looking at her with pride.

"I do," she purred with no hesitation.

"Sleekpaw, from this moment you will be known as Sleekfeather. StarClan honors your warmth and skill, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." Rowanstar set his head on Sleekfeather's head too and then stepped back. "Tonight, in honor of StarClan, these three new warriors will sit vigil until nightfall!"

"Strikefang! Junipernose! Sleekfeather!" the Clan cheered for the popular warriors.

Dawnpelt raced up to her kits and congratulated them as they walked to the middle of camp to sit vigil for the day.

Rowanstar walked up to me again with a smile. "Since we're all tired and have wounds I'm giving you today off. Tomorrow, though, I'm going to train you until you can't feel your paws anymore!" he vowed and laughed, padding away.

I smiled and then turned to see Littlecloud and Puddlepaw exit the medicine den. Littlecloud didn't look too good and Puddlepaw was letting him lean against him as they made their way to Rowanstar and started talking.

What's going on? Is Littlecloud okay? I felt panic and sadness for the old medicine cat and for Puddlepaw. I knew they were close.

Our leader nodded a few times and then they walked to the entrance and I raced over to Puddlepaw. "What's going on? Where are you going?"

His eyes were full of tears as she spoke, "Littlecloud has greencough and it's slowly developing into blackcough. He thinks it's best if we go to the Moonpool and he's going to give me my full name just in case he dies even though I don't quite know everything yet…" He looked at his mentor who was laying on the ground breathing heavily and coughing.

"Let's go, Puddlepaw." Littlecloud looked at me with sad eyes. He was afraid to die. "I'll see you, Beepaw." And then they left the camp.

I dipped my head and prayed to StarClan: Let him die peacefully, happily, and unpainfully. Then I turned around. The camp was still covered in snow but it seemed to be getting warmer. Newleaf was right around the corner. I couldn't wait for warm weather again!

Dawnpelt slowly padded up to me, her eyes on the ground. "Beepaw, I just wanted to apologize for the way I treated you while I was your mentor, same with Needlepaw. I almost got you sick and we need all the warriors we can get." She looked up at me and I could tell she was sad and regret what she had done. "You fought well against WindClan and RiverClan."

My heart raised. "Thank you, Dawnpelt. And don't worry, I forgive you." I smiled at her. I was only disappointed in her choice of training. If it had been anything but leafbare than I would've gladly done her training. "So, your kits are warriors now."

She nodded and looked over at th silently cats who were sitting in the middle of the clearing. "When you're a mother, Beepaw, you'll understand this kind of pride," she purred and then spotted Crowfrost leaving Rowanstar's den. "I'll talk with you later!" she mewed as she raced over to her mate and rubbed her muzzle against him.

It's good to have as many friends and cats you trust, otherwise this Clan would be in shambles, I thought silently and looked around. Everyone else was being trained hard other than me. Rowanstar was probably in pain and needed a break.

And then suddenly, the gray tom with stars in his pelt from the Gathering appeared in front of me. His dark green eyes full of worry. "I am Snowstar. I have a prophecy for you, Beepaw." Everything around us got darker and I got smaller in fear. "Storm clouds roll in, bee's lark in the shadows, and the night takes over." And then he just disappeared.

The clearing was back and I was crouched low on the ground. No one seemed to notice though. A prophecy? I shook my head slowly in confusion. What does it mean?