Chapter One
The sun was beginning to slide below the horizon as Maplepaw dropped into a hunter's crouch. Her eyes locked on a large squirrel in front of her. The squirrel sat at the base of an oak, unaware of the cat in its presence. Stalking forward, she pouncing onto the squirrel, giving it a quick bite to the neck. Sitting up, Maplepaw turned to look at her mentor, her eyes gleaming with pride.
"Good job," Bloomheart praised before glancing up at the sky. "We should start heading back to camp. It's getting late."
Maplepaw nodded. Grabbing her squirrel, she began to follow Bloomheart back to camp. Leaves crunched under paw as the two cats trekked through the forest, too tired to speak. The closer they got to camp, the more tired Maplepaw felt. She had been an apprentice for half a moon, and she still wasn't used to the rigorous training.
The ravine that made up ThunderClan's camp came into view. Maplepaw followed Bloomheart down the rocky path and into camp.
"Great catch, Maplepaw!" Deerdapple called as Maplepaw strode past her on the way to the fresh-kill pile.
"She's shaping up to be an excellent hunter," Bloomheart meowed. "I'm lucky to have such a good apprentice."
"Not as good as my Goldenpaw," Deerdapple teased as she walked away.
Maplepaw felt a twinge of jealousy as she watched Deerdapple go. She set her squirrel down on the fresh-kill pile before turning to Bloomheart. "Am I free to go?" she asked.
Bloomheart nodded. "You did an excellent job today, Maplepaw. Don't let Deerdapple get to you. She was only teasing."
"I know that," Maplepaw growled. Grabbing a shrew off the fresh-kill pile, Maplepaw made her way over towards the apprentice's den where her sister, Dawnpaw, sat.
"Finally! I wondered when you'd get back to camp. You've been out all day," Dawnpaw exclaimed.
"I had a lot to do today." Maplepaw shrugged as she settled down to eat her shrew.
"Bloomheart must be a tough mentor. He keeps you on your paws all day. I'm surprised they don't fall off."
The tortoiseshell she-cat shook her head. "He's trying to teach me as much as he can. With tensions high with RiverClan, ThunderClan needs warriors now more than ever." After tearing off a couple of mouthfuls, Maplepaw pushed the remnants of the shrew to her sister.
"We'd have a lot less problems if Oakstar would give RiverClan those dumb rocks already. They're more trouble than they're worth," Dawnpaw grumbled through a mouthful of shrew.
Maplepaw's eyes narrowed. "You don't understand anything, do you? If Oakstar gives Sunningrocks away, the other Clans will see that as a sign of weakness. Who knows what could happen then? ShadowClan would start asking for the territory around Snakerocks. WindClan-"
"What about WindClan?" Birchpaw interrupted as he padded forward, his sister Goldenpaw flanking him.
"Maplepaw thinks WindClan would try to steal territory from us if we lost Sunningrocks," Dawnpaw explained.
A growl rose in Birchpaw's throat. "I'd like to see those scrawny rabbit-chasers try."
"They know they'd never beat us," Goldenpaw boasted. "Besides, we'd never lose Sunningrocks in the first place. ThunderClan has the best warriors in all the forest. Or, at least they will once Birchpaw and I get our warrior names which won't be long now."
"You're only eight moons old," Maplepaw snapped.
"So? There's no rule that says an apprentice has to train for six moons. After tonight's battle-"
"What battle?" Maplepaw demanded, the fur on the back of her neck bristling.
Goldenpaw smirked. "Oh, right. I forgot you two wouldn't know about that. My father told Birchpaw and me that he's planning a raid on RiverClan's camp tonight. If Birchpaw and I do well, he promised to make us warriors."
"You can't be serious!" Maplepaw exclaimed. "What about me and Dawnpaw?"
"Maybe next time," the golden-furred apprentice replied. "After all, you two have only been apprentices for a half-moon. How much training could you possibly have? You'd be more of a liability if we brought you." Without saying another word, Goldenpaw and Birchpaw walked away.
A low growl rose in Maplepaw's throat. She didn't like the arrogant tone of voice Goldenpaw always used when speaking to her. She thinks she can do whatever she wants because she's Oakstar's daughter, Maplepaw fumed. Glancing at Birchpaw, Maplepaw was thankful the dark tabby wasn't as arrogant as his sister.
Dawnpaw pressed herself against Maplepaw as if she sensed her sister's discomfort. "Don't worry, there's always next time."
"It's not that," Maplepaw confessed. "I just can't stand that Goldenpaw. She thinks she's better than everyone because her father is Clan leader."
"Ignore her," Dawnpaw urged.
A few minutes later, Oakstar leaped to the top of the High Rock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for a Clan meeting!"
Maplepaw's stomach churned as she padded forward. This is it, she thought, eyeing Goldenpaw and Birchpaw.
"As you all know, ThunderClan has been at odds with RiverClan for many seasons. I have been thinking of solutions, and have come to the conclusion: we must attack RiverClan's camp!" Oakstar meowed.
Yowls of protest rang out across the clearing.
"Wouldn't that make everything worse?" Sweetbriar fretted.
"They'd see us coming! We'd never make it across the stepping stones without being noticed," Thrushtalon cried.
Once the yowls of protest faded, Oakstar dipped his head. "I hear all your concerns, but I assure everyone that there is nothing to worry about. Once we show RiverClan what we are capable of, they will never dare set paw on Sunningrocks again. Plus, we will have the element of surprise on our side tonight. There's a Twoleg bridge located in RiverClan's territory near Fourtrees. If we attack from there..."
"They'd never see us coming," Beetail finished.
Leaping down from the Highrock, Oakstar pushed his way through the crowd as he called out names. "Deerdapple, Bloomheart, Rowanfur, Dovesong, Thrushtalon, Seedpelt, Whitefoot, Goldenpaw, Birchpaw..." Maplepaw gulped as Oakstar stopped in front of her. "...And Maplepaw. I want you to go with us on tonight's raid. As for the rest of you, I want you to stay behind and guard the camp." Maplepaw's heart pounded as she rose to her paws. This was her first battle, and she wasn't sure what to expect. What if she couldn't remember all the battle moves Bloomheart had taught her?
"Maplepaw, wait!" Maplepaw saw her parents, Hazelheart and Rowanfur approaching, with Dawnpaw not far behind.
"Please be careful," Hazelheart pleaded. Glancing at Rowanfur she asked, "You'll take care of her, won't you?"
"Of course," Rowanfur assured his mate, giving her a gentle lick on the ear. "I won't let her out of my sight."
Hazelheart let out a sigh, burying her nose in Maplepaw's fur. "I love you. Please make it home."
Maplepaw's throat tightened. "I love you too. Don't worry about me," she whispered, pulling back.
Before her mother could say anything else, Oakstar called out, "It's time to leave!"
Taking a deep breath, Maplepaw began to follow after her Clanmates as they raced out of camp and up the ravine. Maplepaw struggled to make her way up the ravine in the dark, stumbling a few times.
"Do you need help?" Birchpaw asked as he fell into place beside her.
"I'm fine," she insisted, picking up the pace a little. She wasn't in the mood to hear Birchpaw and Goldenpaw brag all the way to RiverClan's territory.
Suddenly, the ground under Maplepaw began to crumble, causing her to lose her footing. Sliding backward, Maplepaw tumbled into Birchpaw, who grabbed her by the scruff of her neck. Maplepaw pulled away roughly, embarrassment flooding over her. "Thank you," she muttered, flicking her tail.
Birchpaw let out a purr. "You're welcome. The ravine can be tough to climb, especially at night."
"Yeah, I guess so."
The two apprentices walked in silence, too nervous to speak. Glancing at the sky, Maplepaw wondered if StarClan would be on their side tonight. Please watch over me and my Clanmates, she prayed. Please let every one of us return home, and keep all our Clanmates back in the camp safe as well.
"What are you thinking about?" Birchpaw wondered.
"Do you think StarClan will be on our side?"
Birchpaw was quiet for a moment, before nodding. "Of course. StarClan is always by our side."
Maplepaw felt uncertain. "How do you know? What if they don't agree with this battle and abandon us?"
"Will you abandon ThunderClan once you die?" Birchpaw asked.
The tortoiseshell she-cat shook her head. "Of course not. My loyalty will always be with ThunderClan, no matter what!" she vowed.
"See? Have faith in our warrior ancestors. They know what we've been through, and know we're defending ourselves," Birchpaw said.
"I suppose you're right. I guess I'm just nervous. This will be my first battle, and I don't know what to expect," Maplepaw admitted.
"This is my first battle too. While I've fought in a couple of border skirmishes here and there, I've never participated in a real battle. I know Goldenpaw is excited, but I'm not so sure. I want to be a warrior more than anything, but..."
"You're afraid you won't survive?" Maplepaw guessed.
"Exactly," Birchpaw sighed. "Please don't tell anyone. I don't want them to be disappointed in me."
"Why would they be disappointed in you?" Maplepaw wondered. "Battles aren't a walk through the forest, after all."
The dark tabby glanced at the forest floor. "I just have a lot of expectations resting on my shoulders that I need to hold up. No cat is supposed to know this, but my father plans to make me his deputy someday."
"What?!" she exclaimed, earning a few glares from her Clanmates.
"Be quiet!" Bloomheart scolded. "RiverClan will hear us coming at this rate if you keep it up."
Maplepaw ducked her head in embarrassment. "I'm sorry," she apologized.
Birchpaw gave her a sympathetic look. "I'll talk to you later," he promised her as he padded forward to catch up with his sister.
The cats walked in silence for the rest of the way. As soon as the Twoleg bridge came into view, Maplepaw's heart began to pound even faster. Keep calm. It will be over before I even know it, she thought. After crossing the bridge, the undergrowth and trees began to thin out, revealing reeds.
Oakstar paused, turning to his Clanmates. "We're almost to RiverClan's camp," he whispered, his voice so quiet Maplepaw could barely hear him. "I want us to split into two groups. Seedpelt, Dovesong, Thrushtalon, Birchpaw, and Goldenpaw: I want you to come with me. We'll attack from the left. Deerdapple, Bloomheart, Rowanfur, Whitefoot, and Maplepaw: you'll go with Beetail. I want you to attack from the right." Once every cat split up into their groups, Oakstar looked over his Clanmates. "Good luck everyone. May StarClan light your paths, and allow you all to return home safe." he meowed. Turning to Beetail he added, "Don't attack until I do." Oakstar padded away without another word, signaling with his tail for his group to follow him.
Birchpaw and Goldenpaw shot Maplepaw a look as they followed after their father. As soon as they were out of sight, Maplepaw turned and followed after Beetail.
Slippery reeds rubbed against her pelt, while mud squelched under her paw, causing her to grimace. This is disgusting. No wonder RiverClan is always trying to steal our territory. I wouldn't want to live here either, she thought in disgust.
Beetail finally came to a halt beside a clump of tightly woven reeds. "We're here," he whispered. He signaled for everyone to duck down in the reeds as he crept to the camp wall. He began to pull the reeds apart until there was enough space for every cat to fit through. Once he was done, he couched down, waiting for Oakstar's command.
A few moments later, a loud cry sounded from RiverClan's camp. "That's our signal. Let's go!" Beetail hissed, slipping through the hole in the camp wall.
One by one, the other cats followed after him, until Maplepaw was the only one left. She hesitated, afraid of what awaited her on the other side. Swallowing her fear, she burst into RiverClan's camp, only to be knocked to the ground moments after.
Spinning around, Maplepaw looked up to see a snarling, ginger apprentice standing over her. The apprentice began to claw at Maplepaw's ears. Her thorn-sharp claws dug into Maplepaw's body, tearing her flesh as they went.
Maplepaw kicked at the she-cats stomach, throwing her off. Jumping to her paws, Maplepaw raced forward. She grabbed the RiverClan apprentice with her claws. The apprentice squealed as Maplepaw's claws dug into her skin. The two she-cats began to wrestle until the ginger apprentice slipped and fell to the ground. Maplepaw wasted no time climbing on top of her opponent, her grip never loosening. The apprentice wriggled underneath, trying to free herself but it was no use.
"Let me go!" the apprentice begged, her eyes wide.
"Never!" Maplepaw hissed.
"Why are you doing this? I haven't done anything to you. Please let me go," she pleaded.
Maplepaw dug her claws even deeper into the apprentice's skin. As she watched the apprentice squirm under her grip, a wave of pity overcame her. No, she thought, pushing it away. I can't show any sympathy now. This is payback for everything RiverClan has done to us over the last couple of seasons. They need to learn a lesson!
Suddenly, Maplepaw fell forward into the ground. Disoriented, she staggered to her paws before turning around to face her new attacker. A sleek-furred, brown tabby tom stood before her, his green eyes narrowed in a look of disgust. He stood there for a few moments before bending down to help his Clanmate up. "Are you okay, Reedpaw?" he whispered.
Reedpaw nodded. "I'm fine, Applepaw."
Applepaw turned his attention back towards Maplepaw. "You're outnumbered now," he spat.
Maplepaw lifted her chin. "You don't scare me," she retorted.
"You're fish-brained if you think you can take both of us on," Applepaw said, lashing his tail.
"Who said she'll be taking you on alone?" a new voice sounded. Spinning around, Maplepaw saw Goldenpaw limp forward. Blood ran down the side of the she-cats forehead, and tufts of fur were missing from her left shoulder.
Without any warning, Goldenpaw launched herself at Reedpaw. Maplepaw darted after her Clanmate, grabbing Applepaw. Applepaw shoved her away, pulling clumps of fur out with him. Maplepaw bit down on his tail, causing the brown tabby to screech in pain. The battle continued to wage on all around Maplepaw as she tussled with Applepaw. The more she grappled with the RiverClan tom, the more tired she felt. She could tell Applepaw was growing tired as well, as his blows began to get weaker and less precise.
"ThunderClan, retreat!" Oakstar screeched.
Maplepaw shoved Applepaw away, her eyes wide. "What's going on?" she demanded, scanning the clearing.
Before she could get a response, Goldenpaw shoved her through the hole in the camp wall. "Come on!" she ordered as she raced through the reeds.
Maplepaw followed after her, heart pounding. "Why did Oakstar order us to retreat? Did someone die?"
"I don't know," Goldenpaw panted. "We'll figure out soon enough. Just keep running, because they're following us!"
Maplepaw turned to look behind her. Applepaw and Reedpaw were racing after them, their eyes narrowed. Putting on an extra burst of speed, Maplepaw raced forward, her paws flying over the ground. She had never run so fast in her life. Flying over the bridge, Maplepaw tumbled into the undergrowth on the other side. Goldenpaw was at her side. The two she-cats raced through the forest, until a bramble caught around Maplepaw's foot, sending her tumbling down the side of a slope.
Goldenpaw skidded to a halt, her eyes wide. She raced down the slope until she was at Maplepaw's side. "Are you okay?"
Maplepaw let out a gasp of pain as she tried to stand. "I think I've sprained my paw."
"That's too bad," Applepaw's voice sounded from behind.
Goldenpaw barred her teeth in a snarl. "You can't attack us here. This isn't your territory."
"That didn't stop you though, did it?" Reedpaw hissed, appearing behind Applepaw.
The ginger apprentice leaped gracefully down the slope until she stood nose to nose with Goldenpaw. The fur on the back of Goldenpaw's neck began to bristle. Before either she-cat could attack, the undergrowth began to rustle. Oakstar, Rowanfur, and Birchpaw padded forward. Reedpaw's eyes widened in fear as she scrambled back up the slope beside Applepaw.
"The battle is over. Go home," Oakstar ordered.
Applepaw stood there in defiance before Reedpaw nudged him away.
As soon as the RiverClan apprentices were out of earshot, Oakstar turned towards Maplepaw and Goldenpaw. "Are you both alright?" he asked.
"I think I've sprained my paw," Maplepaw told him.
"Here, let me help you then," Oakstar offered as he nudged Maplepaw to her feet. "Lean on me."
Maplepaw pressed against her leader as she limped through the forest. Rowanfur and Birchpaw hovered on the other side of her, their eyes filled with concern. As they made their way through the forest, Maplepaw turned to look up at the ThunderClan leader. "Is everyone all right?" she asked, her stomach churning with fear.
"Everyone is alive if that's what you're asking," he answered.
"Why did we retreat then?" Goldenpaw wondered, making up the rear. "We could have won!"
"This wasn't a battle to be won," Oakstar replied. "I only wanted to teach them a lesson, not kill their Clanmates and take over their territory." Looking over at Birchpaw he added, "This is something you young cats might have to deal with one day, should you ever become leader. I hope that you will all remember this experience, and make the right choice should you ever find yourself in this position."
Birchpaw looked away, unable to meet his father's gaze. Maplepaw shot him a sympathetic look, remembering Birchpaw's words from earlier. I'll have to talk to him about this later.
The rest of the walk home was silent. As the ravine came into sight, all four of Maplepaw's Clanmates helped her down the rocky slope. Her muscles ached with every step, and she longed for nothing more than to curl up in the safety of the apprentice's den.
"Thank StarClan you're home!" Dawnpaw exclaimed as Maplepaw limped through the camp entrance. Within a moment her sister was by her side, covering her in licks. "I was worried sick about you."
"She'll talk to you in a moment. She needs to see Ravenwing," Rowanfur told her. Turning to Oakstar he mewed, "I'll take her from here."
Oakstar nodded as he began padding away to check over the rest of his Clan.
Rowanfur guided his daughter towards the medicine cat's den. Inside, Ravenwing was dabbing a poultice onto Deerdapple's tail before wrapping it in cobweb. Once he had finished, he nudged her out of his den and turned to Maplepaw and her father.
"She sprained her paw," Rowanfur explained.
"She couldn't have told me that herself?" Ravenwing remarked.
Maplepaw glared at the medicine cat but said nothing. She was too tired to argue with Ravenwing. To her relief, the medicine cat said nothing more as he began to sort through his herbs. Grabbing a bundle of unfamiliar plants in his jaws, Ravenwing dropped them in front of her. "Eat these. They'll take away your pain, as well as make sure none of your scratches get infected," he ordered.
Maplepaw lapped up the leaves, grimacing at the sour taste. "Thanks," she muttered.
"Come back again tomorrow," Ravenwing meowed. Turning to Rowanfur he said, "She needs to stay off that paw for the next week. Make sure Bloomheart knows she isn't to take part in any training whatsoever."
Rowanfur dipped his head to the medicine cat. "Thank you," he meowed as he led Maplepaw out of the den. "You hear what he said?" her father asked once they were out of earshot.
"Yes," Maplepaw yawned.
"Good." Rowanfur paused outside of the apprentice's den where Dawnpaw and Hazelheart were waiting.
"What did Ravenwing say?" Hazelheart asked.
"I have to stay off my paw for the rest of the week," Maplepaw answered, her eyes drooping.
Hazelheart gave her a sympathetic look as she led her daughters inside of the apprentice's den. Maplepaw immediately flopped down in her nest, Dawnpaw not far behind her. "Goodnight. We love you," Hazelheart and Rowanfur whispered as they slipped out of the den.
"I love you too," Maplepaw yawned, flicking her tail. Dawnpaw pressed against her, the warmth of her body lulling Maplepaw to sleep. Squeezing her eyes shut, Maplepaw fell asleep.