CHAPTER SIX

Panic washed over me as RiverClan and WindClan cats poured onto the Island. I could see two cats guarding the log, both RiverClan warriors. The ThunderClan and ShadowClan cats were in panic as well, unsure what was happening until one of the warriors tackled them over. The medicine cats had managed to climb the Great Oak and were watching the cloudless sky. StarClan was okay with this?

And then Nightfur tackled me into the bushes and held me down, glancing around behind him and seeing it was clear. His eyes held pain. "I'm so sorry, Beepaw. I couldn't betray my Clan but I can't see you get hurt…" His eyes closed tightly and I knew exactly what he was feeling.

"My Clan is in danger, Nightfur," I growled lowly, shoving him off. "I have to save them." I rose to my paws but before I left I turned to him. "Be careful, please…" Then I slipped out of the bushes and ran into Rowanstar.

"Beepaw!" he said in alarm. "Are you alright?" He has a long scratch going down his side.

I nodded at him. "Have you sent someone to get help?" I asked, looking around the clearing or Slatepaw and spotting him cowering behind Tigerheart who was fighting off Reedwhisker alone.

Rowanstar shook his head and closed his eyes. "Send Slatepaw, quickly!" And then he dived back into the fight and I raced to the little apprentice, sliding in and grabbing Reedwhisker's back leg tightly and while he was distracted, Tigerheart raked his claws deep in his chest and the RiverClan deputy raced away.

Tigerheart looked at me with wide eyes but I spoke to the apprentice. "Slatepaw, if Tigerheart and I clear the way we want you to race to ShadowClan camp and get help and after they're on their way, goto ThunderClan." Without an answer I led Tigerheart to the log where I recalled, easily, Havenpelt and Heronwing.

Oh dear StarClan save me, I thought and then lunged at Heronwing's neck, but he saw it coming and dodged, however, I wasn't done yet. Rage went through me and I pushed him away from the log, seeing Havenpelt and Tigerheart rolling around in a fit of teeth and claws and Slatepaw slipped through and I watched him cross over the log and disappear on the other side.

Heronwing's rage was pulsing at me. I could see the hate in his eyes and when he lashed out at me I hit his paw away and jabbed out at him with my other paw and felt the blood gushing from his neck. He gasped in pain and then another cat was beside me.

It was Mothwing and her eyes were wide with distress. She looked up at the still cloudless sky and closed her eyes. "Please, please," she mumbled and sniffed him while I slowly backed away and bumped into something.

I turned around to see Nightfur looked right at me. "It's okay," he purred. "It'll be over soon…" He looked behind him and I followed his gaze to see Rowanstar and Bramblestar facing off against Mistystar and Onestar, all of them covered in blood, but Rowanstar hurting the most.

Mistystar lashed out and Onestar raked his claws around my leader's pelt before jumping on Bramblestar. Rowanstar fell to the ground and began to spasm and everyone stopped in motion, turning to see what was happening.

All the medicine cats, excluding Mothwing, raced to him and Puddleheart announced, "He's losing a life!" His eyes were full of pain and then he spotted spasming.

Rowanstar sat up, his eyes wide and he looked at the sky. Now, clouds covered the moon making it darker than before. "Mistystar," his voice rang out, "you have taken one of my lives. What more do you want?"

Slatepaw entered the clearing with ShadowClan and ThunderClan cats behind him, they all seemed confused as Mistystar replied, "We want you to rid of the kittypet you have in your Clan!"

Bramblestar darted forward, taking down Onestar while Rowanstar darted to Mistystar and tackled her, pinning her down with fury. "You know what you're doing, Mistystar," he growled, getting in her face and Reedwhisker tried to rush forward but Crowfrost held him back by the scruff. "Cloudkit is now a Clan cat and if you have a problem with that…" He dug his claws into her neck. "I'll end the problem for you!"

I stepped forward, feeling the surprise on the Island increase. He was threatening to murder her?

She glared at him. "Very well…" Mistystar took a deep breath. "Let me up and we'll let the kittypet stay." Her eyes narrowed to slits as he let her up and she looked up at the moon. "RiverClan, WindClan, let's head home!" And then she led the bloody WindClan and RiverClan warriors off the Island.

Nightfur was still beside me and he looked at me with sad eyes. "I'd like to see you, tomorrow night at moon high at the border. Please, Beepaw." And then he ran off, following his Clan.

After they'd cleared out Bramblestar cleared his throat. "Let it be known that any ThunderClan or ShadowClan cat caught speaking with a RiverClan or WindClan cat will be severely punished." He flicked his tail and gather his warriors and they left the Island silently.

We followed after them silently. I could feel my pelt burning with wounds, most of them I didn't even remember getting. For most of that fight I just wanted to make sure everyone was okay. I spotted Yarrowpaw padding beside Lionpaw who was completely blood free as was my brother. Needlepaw wasn't with the group, thankfully.

I fell in step beside my mentor but we didn't speak. I could see him grinding his teeth together from the pain and I glanced at his pelt. He had a deep bite in his shoulder and some scratches on his pelt.

Suddenly, Nightfur popped into my mind, as did his request. Meet him at the border? Why would I do that? Now I could feel the snow under my paws crunched and we reached the river.

It was frozen over and the ice didn't look very thick so we crossed one at a time: First Rowanstar and Crowfrost, Puddleheart went next and Lionpaw, Birchpaw, and Slatepaw hurried across, Tawnypelt let her two kits, Dawnpelt and Tigerheart, go and then waited for Junipernose, Sleekfeather, and Strikefang to cross while I went to the back, making sure everyone was okay crossing over. Pinenose slowly went across with the help of some cheers from her kits, Wasptail and Stonetooth crossed together very slowly.

Finally it was just Spikefur and I. He nodded for me to go and I took a deep breath, putting my first pawstep on the ice. It wouldn't crack under my weight, I knew, but if Spikefur were to get on the ice with me there was a possibility. I looked to my right to see the tom gently putting a paw on the ice and I started to cross over, feeling my panic rise. But I ignored it and slowly went across, seeing he was aready climbing onto the bank and the cats were clearing out I hurried up.

But just as I was at the bank right where Spikefur was waiting for me, I slipped and fell and my yowl of pain echoed, as did the loud crack of the ice. My panic rose more and I struggled to my paws, seeing that was crack was increase and I jumped onto the snowy bank, clawing my way up it until I was standing next to Spikefur, snow in my pelt and shivering.

"Come on, Beepaw," he mewed and pushed me towards camp. "We need to hurry and get you back to camp before you catch a cold!" Spikefur ran forward and I followed, glancing back to see the ice breaking up into pieces.

My whole body was going numb as we ran through the cats of ShadowClan but I pushed on, feeling my eyes water with the effort. My stomach was empty and it wasn't helping. I felt weak and slow, even as we passed Rowanstar and Crowfrost who led the group.

We ran over the empty greenleaf twoleg place, our pawsteps loud on the hard surface that was also covered in snow and pushed on, crossing over the border. Now we were in the familiar pines and I could see the small empty thunderpath through the trees.

Luckily, we didn't have to cross it and I looked forward, dodging a tree and keeping up with Spikefur who had his fur puffed out in the cold. I could hear the rest of the ShadowClan warriors chatting behind us. They had probably just crossed the border and decided it was safe to talk.

The pines held great shelter, I noticed. There was barely any snow on the ground because of the trees but I knew if you bumped into one of those trees, the snow would come falling down.

I could see the camp straight ahead and Spikefur bursted into it and I slipped in after him. The only cats left in the clearing was Grassheart, Cloudkit, Oakfur, and Kinkfur and they looked up at us from the other side of the clearing, underneath the pine tree that guarded the ground from snow.

Cloudkit, upon seeing me covered in blood and snow, widened her eyes and I could feel her little heart breaking. "Oh no! Beepaw, are you okay?!" She ran to me, plowing through the snow and the only reason I could see her was because of the brown patches on her body. She ran right up to me and rubbed her small body against my chest. She was still rather small for almost being six moons.

"I'm okay," I purred at her, my voice hoarse from the running. "Go into the nursery, Cloudkit. I don't want you to get sick," I ordered her and the nudged her to the nursery, Grassheart slowly padding after the kit.

Just as she reached the nursery, Rowanstar and Crowfrost entered the clearing, looking tired. "Alright everyone!" he yowled as the ShadowClan cats poured into the clearing. "Get to sleep, Puddleheart will check your wounds in the morning…" He trudged to his den and entered it, leaving the clearing silent.

Lionpaw was jumping up and down as she spoke to Yarrowpaw and he led the three new apprentices over to the apprentice's den and they all entered. I decided to join them and padded after, entering the den and seeing them all laying in their nests, listening to my brother talk.

Birchpaw was laying in the nest to the right to Yarrowpaw, Lionpaw had the one on the left and Slatepaw was in the nest to the left of mine which was in front of Yarrowpaw's while Needlepaw's nest was to the right of my nest.

I plopped in my nest and curled up, pricking my ears to listen to my brother's story but I was too tired to really listen.

Quickly I drifted to sleep without a care in the world.

The rumbling of my stomach woke me that morning. The den was full except for Lionpaw who wasn't in there. Junipernose was his mentor so it did make sense. I could see the sunlight through the den, it was bright.

I emerged from the den silently and looked around. Snow still covered the ground but it wasn't snowing. The sun was high in the sky and the clearing was busy. A small pain in my side made me wince. My wounds!

With dismay I padded to the medicine den. At least I'd be able to see Needlepaw.

But Puddleheart had another cat in his den other than Needlepaw. It was Tigerheart and his eyes were closed but his chest moved up and down. I could see the scratches going down his pelt, still bleeding.

"Can I help you?" my sister's familiar voice mewed and she entered the den from the back part, herbs in her jaws. When she saw me though, the herbs fell and her eyes went wide. "Oh, uh, hi Beepaw."

Puddleheart entered the den from the back too, looking at me with wide eyes. "Have you, um, come to get your wounds checked out?" he asked, gathering the leaves Needlepaw had dropped.

My eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Yes, actually…" I looked at Needlepaw and watched as Puddleheart began to apply the juices from the herbs to my wounds. It stung a little. "What happened to Tigerheart?" I asked, still looking at Needlepaw.

Before Puddleheart could reply Needlepaw chimed in, "Oatclaw has some sharp claws. During the fight last night he might've torn something in his leg… He can't stand very well so we're keeping an eye on him." She picked up some other's leaves, not even noticing what she had said.

We're? I though in surprised. "We're? Meaning both of you?"

Now Needlepaw realized and sat up straight, looking at Puddleheart who was mumbling to himself, putting cobwebs on my wound. "Yes, Beepaw! We're, meaning both of us. Needlepaw has picked up some herbs with her time in here and she's helping me since there are so many wounds." He didn't even look away from my wounds but I could hear the irritation in his voice.

"Is she going to go back to warrior duties? Is she healed? Or is she going to become…" I looked at Needlepaw with alarm at the thought. Is she going to become a medicine cat apprentice?

My brother stopped and looked at me. "Beepaw, it's temporary. She's still healing it won't be much longer. A few more sunrises." He turned away for a moment and then looked back at me. "Try to take it easy. No hunting. If the pain comes back, come see one of us," he mewed and then grabbed a herb, chewing it up.

I dipped my head and quickly left the den in silence. I had nothing more to say to either of them. No hunting today. I felt my stomach rumble again and I recalled that I was starving. With my wounds and the drama with Needlepaw I had forgotten to eat. I hadn't eaten since before the Gathering yesterday. I padded to the small fresh-kill pile and picked up a small mouse and quickly ate it. It was cold and soggy but it still filled me up, for now.

"Beepaw!" Strikefang's familiar voice rang out and he padded over to me. "We're going to go on a border patrol with Birchpaw and Sleekfeather." He nodded to the entrance where they were. "Puddleheart told me no running so you have nothing to worry about." Strikefang smiled warmly and led me over to the entrance.

Birchpaw smiled at me. "Which border are we patrolling, Junipernose?" He looked to his mentor with great respect and I could tell he was actually proud to have him as his mentor.

"RiverClan's, of course. Rowanstar wants us to make sure they know that we're strong and fierce. We mark it every day now." He looked at me for a brief moment and then turned away, leading the way to the RiverClan border.

Strikefang trailed in front of us, clearing his throat. "Beepaw, Rowanstar and I agreed very soon you should do your warrior assignment." His eyes were sparkling.

Birchpaw gasped. "Wow! Congratulations, Beepaw!" He smiled even wider and then silence set in and awkwardness did too.

We traveled in silence until we reached the border. There were no RiverClan patrols and the last one was very faint, probably this morning. I wouldn't be surprised if we ran into a patrol.

"Keep your eyes open for patrols," Junipernose ordered and he and Strikefang started marking the border while Birchpaw and I kept our eyes open.

I parted my jaws a little and a familiar scent washed over me. "RiverClan patrol!" I hissed as the two warriors finished marking the border and they stood their ground.

Nightfur slipped in through the bushes, his pelt wet and Mallownose, Icewing, and Mintfur entered in after him, looking at us with interest.

"Greetings," Nightfur mewed calmly, his eyes landing on me. "How can we help you?" All of their pelts were wet. Why were they in the river?

Junipernose dipped his head. "Just marking the border, Nightfur. No worries." He noticed the wet pelts too and glanced over at me. He wanted me to ask about it but fear struck me.

It shouldn't be a problem to ask. Nightfur was my friend. "Why're you wet? Did the river break?" I asked him and felt the RiverClan patrol shuffle awkwardly.

He took in a deep breath and tensed up. "There was an incident. Someone broke the ice and it was very thin when we tried to cross…" He glanced over at Icewing who nodded. "Sickness has hit RiverClan camp…"

Worry struck me and my eyes widened as I gazed at the handsome RiverClan warrior. "Who is sick?" I was really just looking for him to tell me he wasn't sick. "Mistystar?"

Mallownose stepped forward, his eyes shining in uncertainty. "Why would we tell you?"

"I'm here to help, not hurt you guys. Despite everything," I mewed and glanced at the two warriors who said nothing, just nodded. "Please, tell me."

The RiverClan warriors glanced at each other and Mintfur mewed, "Mistystar has already lost a life from the sickness. Mothwing is sick as well. Heronwing and Foxpelt are very sick and the rest of us have some sort of sickness from it." He looked at the rest of the warriors who hung their head.

Panic struck me and Nightfur met my gaze with sadness but Strikefang interrupted. "We should get going," he mewed and turned away, the RiverClan warriors doing the same, except for Nightfur.

"Am I still meeting you here tonight?" I asked him and he nodded. "Be safe, Nightfur, please," I pleaded and before he could reply I turned away and trotted carefully away, back to the others.

They were discussing what to do with the information given. "Should we report it to Rowanstar? We could attack," Strikefang mewed truthfully.

"No! They trusted us with that information," Birchpaw disagreed.

I nodded in agreement with the other apprentice. "For now, let's just keep it to ourselves." We didn't say anything more and continued walking to camp.

Moonhigh was approaching as I neared the RiverClan border. It was freezing outside but I was far too excited to see Nightfur. I hope he was doing okay.

"Beepaw!" called a voice and I recognized the shape of Nightfur and I purred, rushing over to him but care so I didn't reopen my wound. "I'm glad you made it!" He rubbed his muzzle against mine and purred softly.

My excitement increased, as did my fear. I wonder what would happen if we were caught out here. "How're you feeling? With the sickness and everything. I don't want you to get a cough!" I sniffed him. He didn't smell sick at all.

Nightfur shook his head. "I'm okay, Beepaw. I promise." His ears pricked. "When are you getting your warrior name? Soon, I hope. You are such a great warrior!" He gazed at me with happy eyes.

I recalled what Strikefang had said about me getting my name soon. "Within the next few sunrises," I told him. "How about when I get my name I'll find you and tell you myself. I want it to come from me, not the Gathering!" I teased him, recalling I didn't even know he'd received his warrior name until Mistystar announced it at the Gathering.

He nodded in agreement and chuckled softly, looking up at the moon. We still had some time. "Sounds great." He tilted his head and gazed at me with a smile. "You should get going but first… Promise me something?"

My head tilted back at him and I nodded. "What is it?"

"Be careful… There are some cats that you should beware of." He glanced around cautiously. "I'll let you know the next time we can meet up. Probably when you get your warrior name." He smiled at me and licked my muzzle gently. "See you around." And then he raced away, leaving me alone in silence.

His words rang through my ears: Be careful. There are some cats that you should beware of. Did he know of the prophecy? My head shook slowly. No, he couldn't. It was my prophecy. Maybe he was apart of it though? I shook my head. Right now I needed to focus on getting my name. Maybe I could figure out if he knew about the prophecy next time we saw each other.

I padded away from the border, careful not to break into a run. I knew I'd be tired in the morning but it was worth it. As long as tomorrow I wasn't going to get my warrior name I should be fine. But I knew it was too early. As soon as I get my warrior name Cloudkit would become a 'paw. My apprentice.

Without even realizing I was right outside of camp. I pered inside to see that it was completely empty. Relief washed over me and I padded in, quickly slipping into the apprentice's den and seeing everyone was asleep. I laid down silently and closed my eyes, easily drifting off to sleep.

"I know, Featherstorm but I can't very well announce it to the Clan!" a familiar voice mewed through the bushes.

I peered through them and recognized Rowanstar and the dark brown tabby she-cat in my dream. Featherstorm? The name didn't sound familiar. Another cat was in the clearing, Snowstar. I sat silently and listened to them.

"I am well aware, Rowanstar," she mewed, but not with the scary voice she used with me. Her voice now was honey-like and kind. "The Clans are falling apart, you must do something!" Her eyes were shining a lovely amber color and they held sadness.

Snowstar stepped forward, his gray pelt shimmering from the moon above. "Rowanstar, they other leaders have lost their way. We've spoken to them. Mistystar is too sick, Onestar is too busy planning to steal Cloudkit and Bramblestar is too distracted with battle training and preparation. You are the other leader with a clear head." He was practically begging now. "What will you do if they Clan cats start to lose faith?"

Rowanstar blinked, looking at the ground as if the answer would be there. "They won't. They're all loyal warriors to their leaders, and to StarClan." Now he faced Snowstar with narrowed eyes. "How dare you challenge their loyalty?"

A new cat entered the clearing. It was a reddish-brown tabby tom. I'd never seen him before. "Snowstar, I just spoke with Willowshine. She's struggling too much with all the sick cats. Jayfeather is already losing faith in the Clans. He refuses to speak with me. Kestrelflight spoke with me but he said because we allowed the attack at the Gathering he'd rather not see StarClan for a while. Puddleheart is in a panic. He spoke with me but he didn't want to hear about the prophecy." He shook his head in disappointment.

There was a brief silence and Snowstar spoke, "Redscar, we're losing the Clans." Her eyes closed and her head shook. "Rowanstar, two of the cats in your Clan are in the prophecy. They're right under your nose! Please, do something!" Her voice echoed around us and then the dream faded away.

I sat up in my nest, breathing heavily. My thoughts were whirling. What did I just witness? Were they talking about my prophecy? There were others involved? The Clans were falling apart? Confusion was swirling around me.

"Beepaw, are you okay?" Birchpaw asked and I jumped up, seeing he was the only one in the den.

My head nodded without permission. "O-Oh, yes. Sorry. Just a bad dream." Was he in the prophecy? I thought silently and decided that it would be impossible to know. Quickly I rushed out of the den and right into the snowy clearing.

The sun was already high in the sky and confusion struck me. Why was Strikefang letting me sleep so late? I looked around the clearing for him and spotted him easily, sitting next to Yarrowpaw, Spikefur, Crowfrost, and… Needlepaw?

I stomped right over to them. "What is going on here?" I snapped, glaring at them. "Why did no one wake me?"

Needlepaw chimed in with a smile, "We figured you need sleep. Also, we're going out to do our warrior assignment!"

Her smile widened at my surprise. "O-our warrior assignment?" I whispered. I couldn't wait to tell Nightfur! "What're we waiting for, let's go!"

Strikefang laughed. "So your goal is to catch a piece of prey before sundown." He glanced at my briefly but said nothing. "Begin."

As soon as he said begin I rushed out of camp, hearing my two siblings rushing out after me. I was the fastest though, excitement overcoming me. I really wanted to get my warrior name. For Nightfur, of course. The sooner I got it the sooner I could see him again. That is, if I could find him on the border.

My nose got to scenting the air before I even realized I was. Mouse and sparrow filled my nose and I stalked forward, following the sparrow scent through the pines and finally, seeing it on the snow. My siblings were near it so I figured that it was mine.

Taking a deep breath I got down low and silently stalked forward, seeing that I was in the clear to bring the bird down I let out a loud noise and It took flight. Perfect. I used my back paws to jump up in the air and I hooked my claw into his wing and brought it back down to the ground and killed it. I was lucky to have such a juicy bird. Did this mean it was near newleaf?

I quickly ran back through the forest, my bird in my jaws and excitement in my paws. This was it! All my training! Nightfur would be so proud of me!

My legs pushed me forward and I was running at full speed until I bursted into camp, my mentor sitting in the clearing waiting for me with a smile and pride in his eyes.

"Put it on the pile and wait," he ordered and slipped into Rowanstar's den and I threw my bird on the pile, watching Yarrowpaw and Needlepaw entering the clearing, prey in their jaws and their mentors trailing in afterwards, heading straight over to Rowanstar's den.

Nightfur you're going to be so proud of me! I thought and could barely hold my excitement in, watching Rowanstar exit his den and jump onto the hazel branch.

"Gather beneath the hazel branch for a Clan meeting!" Rowanstar yowled, looking down at us with pride and excitement.

Puddleheart slipped out of his den and joined the crowd while Oakfur and Kinkfur sat outside the elder's den. Everyone else was already in the clearing.

"Beepaw, Needlepaw, Yarrowpaw, step forward!" he yowled and Puddleheart's ears pricked at this and we all stepped forward. "I, Rowanstar, leader of ShadowClan, 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. Yarrowpaw, Beepaw, Needlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," we all mewed together.

Rowanstar continued, "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warriors name. Yarrowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Yarrowfur. StarClan honors your kindness and wisdom, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." He touched his nose to Yarrowfur's shoulder and turned to Needlepaw. "Needlepaw, from this moment you will be known as Needleflower. StarClan honors your intelligence and strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." He touched his nose to her should too and then moved over to stand in front of me.

"Beepaw," he breathed out, his eyes full of shock but he shook it off and continued with a smile, "from this moment ou will be known as Beestripe. StarClan honors your leadership, respect, and intelligence, and we welcome you as full warrior of ShadowClan." He touched his nose to my shoulder and mumbled into my ear, "Storm clouds roll in, bee's lark in the shadows, and the night takes over." Then he pulled away and smiled widely, gazing at me for my reaction.

I already knew you knew, I thought to myself and nodded at him before enjoying the cheering from the Clan, "Beestripe! Needleflower! Yarrowfur!"

My mind flipped out away from the prophecy and I basked in my accomplishment. Beestripe. I wonder if Nightfur will like it? I sure do, I thought silently and raised my head high.

"Tonight these warriors will sit vigil," Rowanstar yowled and watched as I traveled to the middle of the camp and sat down, my two siblings sitting down next to me. I was ready to see Nightfur already.

Finally, the sun rose and I wanted to run straight to RiverClan and see Nightfur but I didn't, instead I told Yarrowfur I'd be back and then raced off to RiverClan to wait for the tom.

As soon as I reached the border I crouched down in some bushes and waited, watching a patrol come and go, sadly Nightfur wasn't apart of it.

Sunhigh approached quickly and another patrol went by, but Nightfur wasn't apart of it. The day passed and I felt panicked. I should bring back some prey if I was going to sit here all day.

Finally, Nightfur approached the border, gazing over it like he was looking for me. I was about to jumped out of the bushes when Shimmerpelt and Shadestream came out of the bushes, sniffing the border.

"Smells like a patrol just went by," Shadestream mewed to Nightfur and looked around for the 'patrol'. I actually hadn't seen a ShadowClan patrol in a while.

Nightfur's eyes landed on the bushes I was in and he grinned. "Yeah, you're right. You should go on ahead, I'll stick around and make sure those rat-brains don't cross the border." He watched them pad away before turning back to the bushes I was in. "The coast is clear, you can come out."

I slowly exited the bushes and walked over to him, enjoying his smile. "I miss you," I mumbled and looked at the ground. "Can we see each other tonight? Here at moonhigh?"

The RiverClan warrior nodded. "Of course. I've missed you too, actually." He rubbed his muzzle against me. "I'll see you tonight, Beepaw." And then he padded away.

Beepaw, I thought in excitement. I had made him think I only wanted to see him because I missed him. That wasn't the only reason, of course.

Without noticing I had begun to walk away from the border and was nearing camp. I scented the air quickly and picked up a scent of lizard. Despite the other Clans, ShadowClan loved lizards and frogs. I followed the scent and trapped it in a marshy spot and quickly killed it, traveling back to camp. No one noticed I was gone and I set it down on the pile, grabbing a mouse and eating it. I'd need strength or tonight if I were to go see Nightfur.

"Beestripe, where have you been?" Crowfrost padded up to me, tilting his head.

I opened my mouth to reply and nodded slowly, thinking. "I, um, was hunting. It's leafbare, you know. Prey was hard to find." I examined his face to see if he bought it.

He definitely bought it. "Alright well next time please don't run off." Crowfrost turned away and walked over to Dawnpelt who was eating a frog at the edge of the clearing.

Puddleheart was next to Tigerheart and was helping him limp across the clearing, Needleflower beside them. She would've been a great medicine cat, in a different life maybe. Oakfur and Kinkfur were with Cloudkit just outside the elder's den, probably telling a story. Grassheart was padding out of camp with Sleekfeather and Birchpaw, probably to stretch her legs. Rowanstar was with Tawnypelt and Yarrowfur under the hazel branch and Rowanstar looked at me for a brief moment and nodded and then turned back to their conversation. My old mentor, Strikefang had just entered the clearing with Junipernose, Lionpaw, and Pinenose. Everyone else was out on patrol.

My eyes went to the sky and the sun was dropping in the sky. I should probably get some sleep before I go meet with Nightfur, I thought and smiled at the thought, padding over t the apprentice's den and paused, realizing I wasn't an apprentice anymore I happily trotted over to the warrior's den and slipped inside. It was completely empty so I picked a nest closest to the entrance and curled up, drifting to sleep.

My eyes flickered open and I could see the darkness pouring into the den. It was completely full and I stood up, stretching. I hope I could make it to see Nightfur. I silently slipped out of the den and saw that this time, Spikefur was out in the clearing, guarding.

Panic rose but I just got down low and moved slowly along the edge of camp, hoping my white pelt would blend in with the snow well enough. He didn't seem to see me and I slipped out of camp and took off, pushing myself to run faster until I was racing through the pines, smiling and enjoying the cool wind through my fur.

I was excited to see Nightfur and tell him the news. I ran faster, using my back legs to go faster until I had to skid to a stop at the border, looking around for the RiverClan warrior.

"Beepaw!" he purred suddenly, bursting through the bushes and rubbing his muzzle against mine. "I was scared you weren't coming!" He looked at me with compassion in his eyes.

Of course I'm coming! I thought and shook my head, the smile not able to come off my face. "My name isn't Beepaw," I purred at him, pretending I was confused. "My name is Beestripe," I corrected at him.

The moment I told him my warrior name his eyes lit up. "You got your warrior name! Oh my StarClan! Beestripe..." His smiled widened and he shook his head. "I'm so proud of you. And your name, wow. It's so beautiful," he purred and licked my cheek.

Suddenly, a sharp pain in my side caused me to fall to the ground. "N-Nightfur, what's going on?" I gasped, turning my head to see that the deep scratch from the fight at the Gathering had reopened and blood was gushing out. Why hadn't I felt that? Was I too excited to see Nightfur?

"Oh my StarClan, Beestripe," he mewed and began licked my wound fiercely. "It's okay, I'm here. I've got you." I could see the pain in his eyes but everything was starting to go black. Was I dying? I couldn't be. I couldn't have been bleeding that long.

I let out a gasp as another shock of pain struck me. "A-Am I d-dying?" I looked at Nightfur as things faded and came back, he was looking at me with wide eyes and tears were welling up.

"No! I'm going to get Willowshine and… And she'll help you. You'll be okay, I promise!" Nightfur looked at me with wide eyes and turned away, calling out behind him as he ran, "I'll be back for you, Beestripe!" And then he disappeared.

Numbness was taking hold of me. My body was going numb. Death had me in it's claws. This was the last time I would breath. The last time I would see Nightfur or my siblings or my parents. Everything went black and faded away.