Warrior Cats: Rising Smoke

Prologue

Cloverclaw, Cinderstar, Sunheart, and Ferntail stood around the Starclan pool of glittering water that was never too cold, or too warm. Little flowers drifted in the nonexistent wind and the sweet smell of New-Leaf was always in the air. 

"But he is one of the chosen ones," Sunheart argued. "You said it was Cloverpaw and Sparrowpaw that would lead the clans back into harmony."

"Yes," Cloverclaw said slowly, trying not to annoy the father of the two young apprentices. "But that doesn't mean cats don't have a will of their own and do whatever they want sometimes. I have no control over who they become."

"What do you mean become." Sunheart snarled, his pelt bristling. 

"You can't pretend you haven't noticed," Ferntail chastised her brother with a flick of her tail. "It is not an insult to you as a father, Sunheart. Kits will be Apprentices will be Warriors and they become who they want without us." 

"So what do we do then?" Cinderstar asked, looking around from one cat to another. "We have two apprentices who are going to hopefully reunite the forest with four clans, but one of them is not like the other."

"All we can do is wait and see. They both still have growing and learning to do. There is time for him to change out of his selfish ways." Cloverclaw said.

"What about Cloverpaw?" Sunheart added. 

"So far he is on the path we set out for him." Cloverclaw said with a sigh of relief. "Just the typical loyal, happy apprentice who is eager to please and honored to serve his clan. I have very high hopes for him to one day lead Moonclan."

"I'm just worried about Sparrowpaw," Ferntail brought back up the apprentice with a glare from Cloverclaw to stop talking. "Shouldn't we warn Ivybranch? Just so she can keep an eye on him?"

"That is not a bad idea," Cinderstar agreed.

"We've already sent her a dream about a sparrows shadow covering the forest," Sunheart objected. He was frustrated that his chosen kit was becoming a selfish tom and he couldn't be there to help raise him right. "That should be plenty of warning. He's not done anything wrong here."

"Okay, okay." Cloverclaw stopped the arguing before it even started. "Let's wait a few Moons and see how he changes into an older apprentice, and then we will decide." they all nodded and Cloverclaw padded off into the starry forest.

"I wish I could be down there with them." Sunheart whispered to his mate.

"I know," Cinderstar nuzzled his cheek. "I feel like I have failed them. I should have been showing them light and instead I left them in the dark. I was a terrible mother just like I had always feared I would be."

"Its not your fault Sparrowpaw is selfish and mean," Sunheart reassured his love. "I just wish I knew for sure if raising him up myself would have made a difference. But we have three very lovely kits besides him who are sweet and kind hearted."

"You are right." Cinderstar let out deep sigh and shuffled her paws. "Brightpaw, Fernpaw and Cloverpaw are all going to be wonderful Warriors one day. It would have been nice to give them their Warrior names myself, but its my own fault I can't."

"You have to stop beating yourself up about it." Ferntail interjected. "Everything happens for a reason and you know that. Now let's go," she got up and padded off after Cloverclaw. Sunheart and Cinderstar shared a loving look before running to catch up.