Lion x Cinder: The Final Break-Up

"Is it true?"

Cinderheart's eyes flashed a little. "Is what true?" Her voice was fragile, her expression almost wounded. "Why are you looking at me as if I've drawn my claws on you, Lionblaze." She took a step towards the golden warrior.

Tentatively, the gray tabby touched Lionblaze's shoulder with one paw. "Lionblaze, what's wrong?"

When she still received no answer the cat's expression turned worried. "Lionblaze...did something happen while you were on patrol?" Cinderheart asked, fearfully. "Dear StarClan, what is it?"

Lionblaze pushed her away with one paw, inhaling sharply before he spoke. "Dovewing heard you speaking to Poppyfrost by the abandoned Twoleg nest. She heard what you said about my sister...and me." Cinderheart's eyes widened with a different kind of fear. "Oh StarClan, no." She stepped closer.

"Do you really love me?"

"Of course," she answered vehemently. "I loved your sister, but we were only friends. With you, however, the love is different. I care for you and that is why I let Cinderpelt go, to be with you-" For a moment, Lionblaze wanted to believe her, but yet what Dovewing had heard contradicted the tabby's words. Who was right?

"If you had to choose between me and Hollyleaf, then what would your final choice be?" Lionblaze demanded, surprised by the reaction he received. Cinderheart crumpled, stepping back from the tom. "Do you think it was all an act?" she whispered. Lionblaze didn't reply, instead he asked another question in place of an answer.

"Why did you tell Poppyfrost those things?"

Cinderheart drew in deep breath. "I did love Hollyleaf and wanted to be mates with her, but then she vanished and slowly my love for her dimmed. Even though she is back now, I no longer wish for her to be my mate." Lionblaze was silent, unsure of whether or not he wanted to believe her. Yet a part of him wanted to erase the hurt from her pale blue gaze. Once more Cinderheart touched his shoulder with one paw, and Lionblaze opened his mouth to apologize.

Until he remember Dovewing's expression. She had looked surprised, then her eyes narrowed in anger. 'How could she be so selfish?' Dovewing had meowed. 'She couldn't have your sister, so she decided to use you as Hollyleaf's replacement.' Looking around, Lionblaze suddenly spotted Molepaw. The young tom had been gathering moss with his mother when Cinderheart had walked up to them, thus he alone would confirm or deny his aunt's words.

Lionblaze loomed above the apprentice, watching as the brown-and-cream tom shank to the ground. "Is what Cinderheart saying now true? Or is what she said to your mother the real story?"

The pain on Cinderheart's face cut him inside. "You don't trust me at all, do you?"

Automatically, Lionblaze replied. "Of course I-"

"You think I've been using you," she said. "You think...what? That I pretended to befriend you? To have my nest beside yours? Fall in love with you?" "No!" Lionblaze protested. "What am I supposed to think," Cinderheart said, "When you start asking an apprentice, my nephew, about words shared between two littermates?"

Lionblaze looked down at Molepaw who was staring at his paws, the golden warrior felt bad for putting him on the spot like that. After a moment of thought, Lionblaze promised himself that he would make it up to the young cat somehow.

"How much did Dovewing tell you?" Cinderheart asked, quietly. Her face held an odd lack of emotion; those blue eyes were shuttered.

"About?"

"Everything."

"I think you know what she told me."

Cinderheart nodded. "I did love Hollyleaf, but when she 'died' I decided to love the cat who was closest to her, who would remind me of her. Jayfeather was a medicine cat, so naturally I chose you." "Even after you broke us up when I revealed to you my power?" Cinderheart's eyes were as cold as hail clouds. "I overreacted, and that was before I knew about my connection to Cinderpelt." She mewed. "Also, Hollyleaf has returned to us. But now I feel nothing for her, as I said before we are now just friends only. So don't look at me with disgust for refusing to wage that war."

This was it, Lionblaze knew. He and Cinderheart were officially different, so different that they would never fit together. He now knew the truth. Cinderheart had never loved him, she had only loved his sister. He was second-best in her eyes, the last resort because of Jayfeather being a medicine cat.

Amber eyes looked deep into pools of blue, Lionblaze's voice sounded cold to his own ears. "Do you have anything else to say?" he asked, as gently as he could. Cinderheart didn't deserve it, but yet he still felt a need to soothe some of her pain at least.

"It doesn't matter now, does it? It's over," Cinderheart spat. She turned, letting her tail flick out so that it brushed Lionblaze's nose. Lionblaze and Molepaw didn't move as she vanished into the trees.

Finally, Molepaw looked up at Lionblaze. "So...what are you going to do now?" the young tom asked. "Since Cinderheart obviously hates you." Lionblaze snorted. "She can fume all she wants," he meowed. "She is not but a conspiring vixen." Motioning with his tail, Lionblaze led Molepaw in the opposite direction that Cinderheart had taken.

Suddenly the imagine of a cat appeared in his mind; slender with a pelt the color of newly fallen snow, eyes as clear of blue as the sky and lake. Lionblaze gave a warm purr as he imagine the she-cat reaction when she learned of what he had done, how the only obstacle between them was now long gone.

Prologue

A fish tail sailed across the clearing and three kits tumbled after it. Two solid-colored kits raced side by side, trying to get to the toy first. The tom was bigger, but stocky compared to his littermate who was slim. Two pairs of blue eyes suddenly went wide as a small tabby kitten suddenly ran straight between them and jumped up, snagging the tail with one paw and pinned it down. She let out a squeak as the tom-kit bundled into her, pressing her into the frosty earth while the other she-kit snatched the toy. Greenkit squealed at the chill sliced through her thin coat, even with Stonekit on top of her it wasn't enough and the smaller kit squirmed out from under him. "I think that's enough." The three kits looked up at the warrior who had spoken. Rippleclaw gazed down at them sternly. "You should show more respect for you prey!" the silver warrior continued, nodding to the tail fin on the ground. "But you don't eat it," Mistykit mewed. "Still that fish was caught to feed our Clan, StarClan knows that we need it during this time." The kits were silent, two pairs of blue eyes and a single pair of green stared at the item that they had been playing with. The kits knew that leaf-bare was a difficult time for RiverClan, the river froze up which kept the Clan from the precious fish supply that RiverClan thrived on during the warmer times. The Clan replied on Woodland prey now. This fish had been a blessing. It was unknown how it had been found when Oakheart and Leopardfur had broke the ice to give the Clan some access to fresh water. Oakheart had broke through the frosty cover while Leopardfur had pulled out the trout. It had been slightly bony, but enough to help the queens and elders. All that remained were bones and fins. Rippleclaw's expression softened and he bent down to rasp his tongue across Greenkit's forehead. A cold breeze blew through at that moment and Greenkit began to shiver even more. "Into the nursery now," the warrior ordered, herding the three kits inside. "You'll get sick if you stay out too long." The tabby thought she heard Stonekit mutter something, but her thoughts were distracted by the warm smell of milk that came from Softwing and Graypool, her mother's nest was empty which told her that the gray queen must had went out and wasn't back yet. Mallowkit and Dawnkit scampered over to them. Greenkit had felt embarrassed that both kits were larger with their thick coats sleek, Dawnkit's fur ginger and white while Mallowkit was a tiny copy of her mother. Softwing got up and walked over to the three kits as well, her tongue going to work on their small bodies. Greenkit felt soothing warmth return to her tiny frame as the queen's tongue rasped over her again and again. Softwing was like a second mother, helping Graypool by watching the kits when the gray queen had to leave, she never questioned Graypool which puzzled the tabby kit, but she didn't mind as she snuggled up between Stonekit and Mistykit.

Batpaw's Journey

Batpaw and her brothers stood on the brow of the hill that overlooked WindClan territory. They were looking back to the lake, at the land that they knew all their lives. But Batpaw's head turned to look at the strain of unfamiliar territory before them, into the great unknown. "Is this a good idea?" Smokepaw murmured from where he stood on his sister left side. Stormpaw was quiet, his own dark eyes fixed on the distant WindClan camp, his expression hard to read. "You two don't have to come, I will be fine by myself." Batpaw murmured, not looking at her siblings. Stormpaw's head turned swiftly. "Mousedung to that!" He snapped, "There's no way in StarClan that we'll let you go off alone...and to someplace that even Bramblestar never been." The two turned their gazes to Smokepaw who licked his chest fur sheepishly. "You need somebody who knows the herbs really well," he mewed, more to himself than his sister. Batpaw blinked her dual-eyes with relief and touched her pink nose to each of the two toms' purring. The three cats waited then took a breath and headed off into the hills.

One thing for sure, this place was different. The three cats traveled during the rest of the night and now the sun was above the horizon. The traveling herbs they are eaten had worn off now and all three could feel their bellies rumble in hunger. But looking around there was little shelter for prey. There was little shelter for themselves, and herbs...wasn't worth thinking about. Could this been where White wanted her to go? She once heard this was the route that Leafpool had taken with Crowfeather, but they hadn't gotten far before Midnight the badger convinced them to return to the clans. How could any cat live here? Stormpaw came to a halt, looking around and tasted the air. "We got to find some food," he meowed as his stomach rumbled again. "Also some shelter," Smokepaw added, his voice laced with exhaustion. Batpaw glanced around then nodded. They needed to think about their own needs. Batpaw caught a pigeon while Smokepaw contributed a vole and Stormpaw a vole, they divided the prey between the three of them then carried on then beyond a ridge they saw the hollow. Tasting the air briefly the three cats went down and drank their fill then curled up, relieved to have shelter, but yet how long would it last?

White was sitting beside the water in Batpaw's dreams. The skinny cat looked sympathetic as the young cat blinked at her with tired eyes. "Fret not, young one. Your journey is hard now, but it will soon improved. A voyager must keep an open mind, to realize that life is not always safe and cozy. If it were then you would be nest cats, living with the Twolegs." Her pitless blue eyes bore into Batpaw as she stood and touched her nose to the young cat's forehead. "Come walk with me, I shall show your course. But it is not really your coarse." Batpaw walked beside the malnourished cat and blinked in confusion. "If it is not then why should I follow it?" she asked. White looked thoughtful. "A voyager has no coarse, there are places where they been, but they tend to plot their own paths, discover news thing along the way. You can know where you been and where you are going in your heart...but you must use your mind and eyes to look anew." ~~~ The three cats stayed in the small hollow for several days. They had shelter as well as food and water. Batpaw knew the route by heart now, as if White had somehow imprinted the trail into her heart, but she was afraid. Smokepaw was crouched by the pool, dabbing at the smooth surface with a paw and watching the ripples in awe, Stormpaw was curled up asleep. Staring at them, she felt guilty and uncertain. She did not want them harmed, especially for a prophecy that she could not understand. These two needed to be back at camp, learning to be warriors while she... Batpaw looked at her paws feeling guilty, but she knew that she simply could not allow them to be hurt. It would be a hard choice, but she had to discover it. White said she was a guide, she had no say in telling cats what to do, only that she let them know the options that could be there. She said that a cat had to choose their own path. Stormpaw woke up and the three apprentices caught three mice and ate in silence then settled down. Batpaw pretended to be asleep but was watching her brothers and when their bodies moved with sleep she stood up, went over to them and touched her nose to their heads. "I'm sorry, but I can't risk your lives for my mission." She turned and walked out of the hollow, glancing back at her sleeping kin then her form rippled and the hawk flew off.

Mosscloud's Stand

The gray-and-white she-cat clung to her mother. She was frustrated that Bluestar was here, she was in no condition...then again neither was she as she felt her kits squirm. A hit from a RiverClan cat distracted her and she swung to glare. "It's not polite to ram a pregnant queen!" Mosscloud spat raking her claws against the tom's muzzle. She froze when she realized that her mother was gone. She had to find her! Mosscloud waved through the fighting cats, giving blows to clear her path. Where was Bluestar?! She spotted Stonefur vanishing over and rise and adrenaline pumped through her veins. Bluestar was her mother, but lately Mosscloud almost viewed her as a kit, as much as the ones she carried. "Defend yourself!" Stonefur growled, "Or I swear by StarClan, we'll kill you!" They crept closer to Bluestar. "I'll like to see you try fish-face!" Mosscloud shot down the rise and stood by her mother. Her gray and white was fluffed up, but her eyes were blazing with fire and she watched both cats. "Are you afraid to fight us?" Mistyfoot hissed. Mosscloud bristled and swiped at the dark gray she-cat. Mistyfoot yowled, drawing back as blood dripped from her muzzle. Mosscloud turned and nudged Bluestar's flank. "Come on, you need to get up; fight, run...something!" Her mother's blue gaze was glazed as normal...StarClan why did they have to deal with this? Mosscloud did not fear death. She did not care if the kits inside her were harmed, they were Tigerclaw's spawn. Her lip curled at Stonefur's threat then his taunt and she swiped at the two siblings, but then her world came to a sudden halt.

"You can't hurt Bluestar, She's your mother!"

Fireheart's words echoed and Mosscloud felt herself freeze, even her kits did not stir. What did he mean? Bluestar had three kits Mosscloud knew, herself and two siblings who died at birth, at...least that's what One-eye had always said. But now...Mosscloud looked at Stonefur and Mistyfoot, studying their features and remembering. The first thing she remember was watching her mother seek out Mistyfoot and Stonefur, never had she thought it odd, but she remembered how...odd it seemed that they looked alike almost. Her next memory was older...trudging through the deep snow with two kits. The tom was pale gray but had broad shoulders while the she-cat was a shade darker. Those smudges became crystal clear...the tom-kit was Stonefur, the she-kit was Mistyfoot. Mosscloud blinked her eyes and listened silently as her mother spoke. "B...but why did you not..." Mistyfoot looked from Bluestar to Mosscloud while Stonefur was silent, his expression hard to read. Bluestar froze and for a moment her eyes cleared. "I was going to take all of you, but Mosscloud...she was too weak and almost died. I took you both to Oakheart but took Mosscloud back to camp." Mosscloud took in the words with a deep inhale. She was meant to be a RiverClan cat...But her chance was lost because of the cold. Her mother gave up her two siblings, but saved her. Mosscloud felt a little anger at the blue-gray she-cat, but yet it died down quickly into calmness. Mosscloud understood. Bluestar had given her to One-eye and returned to warrior duties early and thus was made deputy. But Thistleclaw...she had only been a kit at this time, too young to understand, but as she grew she realized the spiky-furred warrior was dangerous. Bluestar had finally told her that she had to return early because Thistleclaw would had leader ThunderClan to bloodshed and growing up, Mosscloud saw examples of that. Thistleclaw had fallen during a battle with RiverClan, but his deeds stained the Clan. When Fireheart left, Mosscloud only sat down. She looked at Bluestar then gently licked her cheek. "I understand," she murmured, "and I forgive you." She glanced at her siblings. She listed to their words and bristled. They did not know the reason, they never would had understood and she could not begin telling them. When they padded off the young queen stayed by her mother's side while she mourned. Her own heart had an ache. How foxhearted those two were...they were not her siblings. With a sigh she turned and led Bluestar to rejoin the others.

Chapter 6: Our Secrets

Batpaw smelt the fox, it was a horrid stench and nearly made her gag, but it was too close, too fresh. She didn't know how to fight foxes, and she was supposed to always be with a warrior when facing one, but she was alone. She hadn't expected the fox to come this way, but it had, though it didn't seem to notice her. The camp...the fox was too close to camp. If it got the right breeze then it would find the hollow. The elders might not survived it, Squirrelflight who had recently moved into the nursery would not survive it, too weak to barely leave her nest unless she had too. It was only her and the fox. The young cat felt anger boil. How dare these creatures think they can hunt cats! She would not let it reach the hollow...then she felt weird. Her pelt prickled then began to heat up, like it was too hot for her fur. Batpaw couldn't help but pant a little and felt like she would burst into flames, her skin prickled as if burning. The fox entered the clearing, its nose attracted to the smell of a young cat and there it was. But...something was odd. The fox paused and eyed Batpaw, puzzled. Batpaw's eyes clamped shut as pain tore through her body, her body was now so hot that she felt like she was on fire. The fox's eyes widened as the cat before it began to change...its fur was turning into feathers. From its face a beak grew, the front paws became wings while the back began lethal looking talons. The canine began backing away at the sight. Where a cat had been there was now a hawk who screeched and hurled itself at the canine, slashing at its face with her sharp talons. The fox ducked and snapped with its thorn sharp teeth, but it could not get a get, it felt the talons rake his face, tearing through the russet fur and drawing blood, one talon came too close to its eye and that was enough. The fox turned and ran off, tail between his legs. Distant yowls told that a patrol had just ran into the fox. The hawk, meanwhile, had flown off.

Batpaw breathed out a sigh as she sank her body into the shallows of the lake. Her body felt bruised and battered and the soothing water gently soothed the aches that she would surely have tomorrow. But she was trying to figure out what had happened...she couldn't understand. She got very angry at the fox and...her body heated up like she was getting overheated from being out in the sun, then an intense pain and then...her body felt weird. It didn't feel like it was her, but yet...it felt kind of natural. Batpaw gave a groaned and jumped, wincing, when she saw the reeds rustle and Smokepaw poked his head out, his amber eyes widened. The two cats stared at each other for a long time, but then Smokepaw licked his chest fur. Batpaw waded out of the water and shook herself, but gave a gasp from the soreness in her limbs. Smokepaw instantly looked concerned. "Are you okay?" he mewed and nosed over her form. "I fell out of a tree," it was the first thing that came to her mind, and Batpaw wished she chosen something else. She was one of the best tree-climbers, comfortable up in the branches...her falling... Smokepaw didn't questioned her which made her relieved. His brows furrowed. "It looks like just bruising and might be soreness. You can try chewing dandelion leaves or poppy seeds if you want to sleep for a while." Batpaw gazed at her brother with admiration, he really knew his herbs which proved quite helpful. The other day he helped treat Toadstep when he stepped on a thorn. Such knowledge would be useful if anything bad happened. The two siblings turned and headed back to camp, pausing to collect the small amount of prey that they had caught.

The camp was quiet, with only the faint sounds of sleep. Smokepaw was not asleep, however, he was glancing around the apprentice den. Snowpaw was on his back snoring, his white pelt dappled by shadows. Dewpaw and Amberpaw were purring softly in their sleep, Lilypaw lifted her head and Smokepaw froze, but his breath relaxed when the tabby merely yawned and laid back down, not waking up. Batpaw was curled up beside him, still under the influence of the poppy seeds Briarlight had given her. Smokepaw gently licked her ears but was troubled. He would not tell Batpaw about the feather, he had found it earlier, clinging to her fur. It was a hawk feather, but the color was like his sister's pelt, pale gray with a gold tint. He hid the feather in his nest, then focused on the real reason he was up tonight. Smokepaw slipped out of the den and paused in the empty clearing. No cat stirred though from the nursery he heard Squirrelflight give a harsh cough. Molebelly was on guard tonight but it was obvious that he was asleep now. Smokepaw made his way to the dirtplace tunnel but paused detecting Jayfeather's scent. It was fairly fresh and stale, as if he had passed by recently but yet not too recent...Smokepaw gulped, he didn't want to encounter the gray tabby in the forest and he paused to consider his options then carried on, slipping out of camp unnoticed and into the forest.

Smokepaw yawned as he moved through the forest towards camp, careful to check Molebelly's position. The brown-cream tom was sitting, but his eyes were closed in slumber. But a dark smudge caught the young cat's attention. It was Jayfeather! But he looked...odd. His fur was ruffled and he was slinking through the dirt tunnel...it looked like he was in pain. Smokepaw waited then followed, and tasted the air. He picked out Jayfeather's scent, but...it was blended with two smells. One appeared to be WindClan, the other...blood. Was Jayfeather attacked? He went in and was able to see his 'mother' vanish behind the bramble barrier, but he went into the apprentice den...with another secret.

Chapter 5: The Gathering

Batpaw's eyes reflected the moon as she gazed up at the huge white circle. Smokepaw was at her side, focused more on the conversation of the warriors before them. The young she-cat kept watching the moon, she didn't know why she was doing it, but she could not look away and nearly ran into Brambleclaw's haunches. The island was swathed in shadows, just beyond the tree bridge. Hollyleaf watched Seedpaw cross first then it was her turn. Batpaw crawled up onto the trunk and carefully wove her way then landed. on the other side, turning just in time to see Smokepaw nearly tumbled into the lake, but luckily Graystripe grabbed his scruff and helped him finish it. It felt weird...being around the other Clans. The two young cats clung to Seedpaw's side as she went over to where several young cats were crouched. The scents told Batpaw that they were from RiverClan, ShadowClan, and WindClan. Seedpaw introduced the two new ThunderClan cats and then the apprentices from the other Clans. Batpaw was polite as she mewed a greeting, and felt her pelt prickle slightly at the curious looks she received. Stoatpaw was a skinny ginger tom, while beside him was Russetpaw, a dark ginger she-cat with dark green eyes whose jaw always seemed to be in a snarl, she was certainly a cat to watch out for. Crouchpaw and Larkpaw were two WindClan cats, but there was...rather little about them that could be worth remembering. Heronpaw was the oldest RiverClan apprentice, a brown tabby tom. He was flanked by two fairly new apprentices which he introduced. "This is Podpaw," he meowed, nodding to the young tom. Podpaw was a dark gray tom, with mottled black markings and yellow eyes, he also was muscular and had to makings that hinted one day he would have broad shoulders. His sister was quite unusual. Curlpaw was a slender cat whose body was streaked with pale gray, cream, and white markings. Her ears had a gentle curvation which made her very different compared to her brother and the others cats present. Her eyes were gray-blue. Out of the corner of her eye, Batpaw saw Smokepaw was staring at the RiverClan cat, his amber eyes wide and his mouth gaping a little. When the RiverClan cats left, Smokepaw was still watching Curlpaw but he jumped when Batpaw touched his shoulder. As if realizing he was caught staring, the gray tom rasped his tongue over his chest fur and went to sit down beside Graystripe. Batpaw joined the mass and settled beside her mentor. But while the leaders were speaking she found her gaze drifting up to the moon and she paused. D...did she just see a cat in the moon? She squinted hard, wondering if her mind was playing tricks on her. But she realized that she indeed could see a cat in the moon, its body barely able to tell with the crisp whiteness. But her thoughts were shattered when Firestar called her name and the young apprentice was forced to face forward while the Clans called her and Smokepaw's names. The Gathering was soon over and the Clans headed for home, but Batpaw was distracted as she pad after her Clanmates. What she saw had puzzled her and she wondered what it had meant.

~~~~ Several large rocks loomed before her that reminded her of the sunning rocks where Honeyfern had be bitten when she saved Briarlight who had been a kit. The cat sat there, still as if she had been carved from these stones and from her appearance, Batpaw wondered if she had. The queen was tall, but very thin, so thin that Batpaw could see every bone in her body. Her coat was the color of watery milk, but it sparkled pale white as if she held the moon's light in her fur. Her eyes were large and blue...but they appeared endless, like pools that lead deep into the unknown. Every inch of this cat shown mystery, but yet she seemed soft around the edges. "Welcome, young one." The cat's voice was faint, almost as if she had not spoke for many years. It reminded Batpaw of the wind through willow boughs almost. Batpaw sat down and wanted to speak, but she did not know what to say. Who are you? Seemed rude. Where am I? Seemed to be kind of...old. So what could she say? The cat chuckled a bit. "I see you are unsure of yourself, but do not worry. I mean no harm and any questions you have will be answered in time." The cat stood up and delicately hoped down. Batpaw almost expected to hear her body creak or snap, but they didn't, she was an odd creature but yet she seemed kind of pretty in a fragile way. "Before we do anything else, we should introduce ourselves." Batpaw nodded. "I'm Batpaw of ThunderClan," the young cat meowed. The thin she-cat nodded. "My name is White." Batpaw frowned, that was an odd name for a cat and she looked at the she-cat in confusion. "That is all I answer too these days," White meowed. The two cats walked side by side through the forest. Batpaw didn't recognize it but strangely it felt kind of nice to be somewhere different, but yet it made her think about her questions as a kit, what was beyond the world the cats knew? While they walked, White explain some about her past. She was not from the Tribe, but neither did she count herself as a loner or rogue. She was merely a voyager. "What's a voyager?" Batpaw asked the thin cat as they walked. White looked thoughtful though her pitless blue eyes held no emotion. "It's a traveler, of knowledge. We travel the world wanting to know more, learn more, then we share our knowledge to those we meet. In a way we connect the world, from cat to cat, and even to other species." "That sounds...wonderful," Batpaw whispered and felt shy but White purred. "It is a noble purpose, but sadly the art has been dying. Indeed I may be the last." Her tone was full of sorrow. "Few these days seem to be interested in pursuing knowledge, and those that do tend to never go far as possible." The white cat came to a halt and peered into Batpaw's eyes, so intensely that the young cat felt frozen, like ice. "But...perhaps hope is not all the way lost..." Batpaw blinked her eyes. "You have the mind of a Voyager, and the heart...it is not the easiest path one can walk for it is froth with danger, but..." White's eyes seemed to sparkle with long go memories. "The results are worth it, you can touch the lives of many and such knowledge can prepare you..." Batpaw's mind suddenly was filled with hushed conversations, she overheard her parents and Dovewing talking in low voices, something about the prophecy, and a fourth...she never made any sign that she heard it, but yet she wondered. She couldn't help but think about it now. White was still but then her voice return to the wind in the willows tone;

Three must become four to battle the darkness that lasts forever. . . .

Chapter 4: A Day with my Mentor-Batpaw

Batpaw bounced at Hollyleaf's side. She couldn't believe that she was now an apprentice when only the start of yesterday she had been a kit in the nursery with Daisy and Ferncloud, as Brightheart had moved out when her kits were made apprentices. She had been a little scared, wondering who Firestar will choose as her and Smokepaw's mentors. Her brother got Graystripe as his mentor, the tom had not had an apprentice since Brackenfur. As her Batpaw, she was given Hollyleaf. The rest of that day had been spent exploring the boundaries, which she kind of already knew as her father and Ivypool had given her a lesson about them then they got a chance to learn how to hunt, and...Batpaw caught her first piece of prey that day, a plump mouse that made Mousefur purr in thanks. Today was going to be for battle training. At the clearing, Snowpaw was waiting with his mentor, Berrynose. The two toms complimented each in personality so it was no real surprised that the cream tom was given the white apprentice. Berrynose's mate, Poppyfrost was there as well, with Amberpaw beside her. Hollyleaf sat down and Batpaw followed her. "Since this is your first time, we'll focus on the basics today." Hollyleaf told Batpaw. She nodded to the two other warriors. "They volunteered to help," she added. Batpaw was still and watched closely as Hollyleaf preformed each move then first began by carefully mimicking each move while Hollyleaf gave suggestions. The next part involved her denmates. Amberpaw was quite fast and cuffed Batpaw's ear a few times before the younger apprentice was able to pin her down. Snowpaw boasted a lot, but Batpaw noticed he wasn't as fast and could jump out the way. The three young cats wrestled in the clearing under their mentors' careful attention. Finally Hollyleaf stood up. "I think that's enough for now, let's go get something to eat." Batpaw panted as she followed the black warrior, but she felt pleased and thrilled. It was fun knowing that one day she would use this knowledge to defend her Clan against enemies, rival Clans and perhaps badgers and foxes. It was scary to imagine that, but Batpaw knew it would be well worth it.

Lilypaw called to them as stood as they exited the gorse tunnel. "Over here," the white-patched tabby meowed. She was laying beside Seedpaw, eating a blackbird while the paler ginger cat was munching on a mouse. Batpaw glanced at Hollyleaf who nodded and went over to join her friends, with Amberpaw on her heels. Lilypaw offered her meal to the younger cat who gratefully took a bite. As she chewed, her two-toned eyes peered around the camp. Snowpaw was at the fresh-kill pile, selecting a shrew and went over to join Molebelly and Cherrynose. The two cats had only been her denmates for a short time before they gained warrior status but Snowpaw seemed to think he deserved to be a warrior sooner, arrogant furball. She didn't see Smokepaw or Dewpaw anywhere. The scents coming from the apprentice den told that both toms were already asleep. For a while the four she-cats ate their food in silence, each was lost in their own thoughts, but then Seedpaw swallowed her mouthful and peered at Batpaw with bright eyes. "Did Hollyleaf tell you?" Batpaw frowned thinking about what her mentor said to her today. "Tell me what?" she asked. "You're going to the Gathering tomorrow!" Amberpaw cut in before Seedpaw could reply. Batpaw's eyes widened and her ears pricked with interest. The Gathering? This was big! She heard of the Gathering where she will be able to meet the other Clans under the full moon.

This was going to be fun!