Warriors: 9 Lives of TERROR

Twenty-seven- My sharp claws, that's what you feel. Death is very, very near.

"Fiercepaw! Stormpaw! Nightpaw!" The Clan cheered. Like he promised, Froststar made the three kits apprentices. Maplekit and Dovekit still needed time to recover, and Roseheart was fine with staying in the nursery for a few more days even though she was eager to start warrior duties again. Froststar had been giving Maplekit and Dovekit as much attention as he could. He played with them, brought them fresh-kill, and brought them play-things like cool shaped leaves or pretty feathers. It was only the second day they were in camp and it seemed like they were already starting to forget about WindClan.

"Yes! It was about time I became an apprentice," Fiercepaw hissed, where she was crouching by Bloodpaw and Marshpaw.

"Yeah. Just you wait- Sageweed will start bringing you in for training more," Bloodpaw said, and Marshpaw nodded eagerly in agreement. That was true- Froststar had seen them in the dark forest, but the apprentices didn't train with the warriors yet. Froststar met every other night with the warriors from the other Clans and Shadeblossom. Sometimes Coldrose was there, too, but she seemed less then thrilled to be there. I don't understand that. Doesn't she want to be the best fighter and rule all the Clans? Fiercepaw's voice dragged him out of his thoughts.

"We're going to be the greatest warriors the Clans have ever seen," Fiercepaw said with a lash of her tail. Froststar looked over at Stormpaw and Nightpaw who were chatting with their mentors. Stormpaw had been given Larktalon as a mentor, Nightpaw had been given Mossypelt, and Fiercepaw had been given Fernclaw. As Froststar leaped down from high ledge, he was stopped by Coldrose.

"Gathering, remember?" she reminded him.

"Right," he replied, and leaped back up on high ledge. "I must announce the cats who are going to the Gathering! Creekwater, Shadeblossom, Poppyfeather, Larktalon, Mousetuft, Cherrynose, Pigeonwing, Pebbleleap, Flowerbreeze, Amberpaw, Marshpaw, and Bloodpaw," Froststar announced.

"Yes! Our first Gathering!" Marshpaw yowled.

"Pineshadow and Willowlight are welcome to come too," Froststar added.

"Of course I'm coming," Pineshadow said. "I like to come to the Gatherings while it's still warm."

"I don't know if I'll go," Willowlight sighed. "My joints have been aching."

"I'll take a look and give you comfrey if needed," Wishfeather said, and disappeared into her den. Looking at Willowlight, Froststar realized how old and frail his mother looked. She might not make it through next leaf-bare. That thought made his heart twist painfully with grief. Now's not the time to think about that. I have more important things to do.

"Take a few minutes to get some fresh-kill or whatever before we leave for the Gathering," Froststar finished, and leaped off of high ledge. On the way to the nursery, he passed Coldrose talking to her apprentice.

"....dangerous," Coldrose said. Froststar pricked his ears. What's dangerous? Amberpaw was nodding.

"I understand. I'll be careful," she squeaked. Froststar wanted to know more, but Coldrose was already walking away. I'll ask her about it later.

"Have fun. We're not going to the Gathering this time," Silverpaw said disappointedly to Amberpaw.

"We're not going, either," Stormpaw said.

"That's because you were just made apprentices," Quickpaw pointed out. Froststar paused before going to the nursery, and hurried over to the group of apprentices.

"Froststar!" Silverpaw exclaimed happily.

"I couldn't help but overhear your disappointment about not going to the Gathering," Froststar rumbled. "That's because next Gathering you'll be going as warriors." Silverpaw and Quickpaw exchanged excited glances. "That's right," Froststar purred. "I haven't talked to your mentors yet, but I think you're ready." He noticed Bloodpaw and Fiercepaw looking on jealously. You're still apprentices, despite your dark forest training. Froststar walked over to them. Bloodpaw, Marshpaw, and Fiercepaw were all huddled together, eating a sparrow. "What's going on here?" he asked.