Flamepaw padded after Spottedpaw through the thorn barrier, desperate to catch up to the older she-cat.
"Spottedpaw!" He panted as they hurried across the river that marked the border between Thunderclan and Windclan. "Who are the other medicine cats?"
"There's Spiderfang of Shadowclan, Rainsong and her apprentice Mothpaw of Windclan, and Silverwater of Riverclan." Spottedpaw said. "Silverwater is the eldest dispite her good health."
"Is Spiderfang a nice cat?" Flamepaw felt slightly uncomfortable at the name of the Shadowclan cat's name.
"Yes. He may be big, but he wouldn't dare hurt a single cat."
Spottedpaw picked up her pace when she spotted three cats waiting for her and Flamepaw. "Hello, Spottedpaw!" A beautiful pale gray and white she-cat purred as they met. "Who's this?" She turned her shining blue eyes on Flamepaw.
"This is my apprentice." Spottedpaw mewed proudly. "Flamepaw, this is Rainsong."
"Hello." Flamepaw meowed softly. He stared at the other pale gray and white she-cat that sat behind Rainsong. She stared back at him with beautiful amber eyes.
"Hello, Flamepaw." Rainsong purred. "This is my apprentice Mothpaw. And the tom is Spiderfang."
Flamepaw glanced at the huge Shadowclan cat, surprised to see his eyes glittering brightly at him. "Hello, Flamepaw." Spiderfang rumbled. "It seems Silverfang has retired. Did he give you your medicine cat name, Spottedpaw?" He turned his eyes to address the small she-cat.
"No. He said you can do that."
Spiderfang nodded and purred. "Alright."
"Has anyone seen Silverwater?" Mothpaw spoke up quietly. Flamepaw shifted on his paws when she looked at him again.
"I'm here!" Flamepaw tore his eyes away from Mothpaw's to look at a sleek silver tabby she-cat dashing toward the group of cats. Her blue eyes glittered brightly as she touched noses with all the cats. "Let's hurry before the moon sets."
The medicine cats padded up to the Moonpool with Flamepaw panting behind. "It gets easier, Flamepaw." The ginger tom squeaked as Mothpaw spoke next to him. "You're young and very agile. You'd make a great warrior. Why are you a medicine cat?"
"I want to heal." Flamepaw answered. "I find it all interesting."
Mothpaw nodded. "You'll make a great medicine cat, Flamepaw. May Starclan light your path."
Flamepaw stopped and watched as Mothpaw padded ahead of him. Her pale fur rippled in the midnight wind, sparkling silver in the moonlight.
"Hurry up, Flamepaw!" Spiderfang called to the young apprentice.
As Flamepaw bounded up to the entrance of the Moonpool, he caught sight of a white cat staring at him. Who-? The cat disappeared before Flamepaw could study them. Strange....
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Tigerpaw dreamt that she was along the Thunderclan's shore side of the lake. Her dark pelt was drenched, irritating her, though she couldn't turn her head to clean herself. She stared at the lake, the moon's glittering reflection on the still water.
"Tigerpaw?" The young apprentice widened her eyes to see a handsome gray tabby tom padding toward her, his paws barely rippling the water. "Hello young one." He touched noses with her, his blue eyes sparkling. "You're a very important cat, Tigerpaw. You'll need to learn quickly and keep your wits about you."
"Who-?"
"Tigerpaw, there's no time to explain much. But stay out of trouble." The gray tabby padded away, his star coated fur fading into the darkness. "Now wake up before the sun gets too high."
Tigerpaw sprang awake as her sister poked her. "Hey." Moonpaw mewed. "Lightningstripe and Graypelt are going to teach us hunting techniques."
Tigerpaw felt excitement course through her and she lept to her paws, ready to dash out.
"Tigerpaw!" The dark tabby she-cat widened her eyes when she got out of her den. Her brother, Hawkpaw, was trotting toward her, his pelt bloody, spiked and stinking of fear-scent. "Windclan is attacking! Emberheart sent me back to warn the camp."
Thistlestar, who was listening upon the Highledge, narrowed his eyes at that. "Lightningstripe!" He yowled. "Get Graypelt, Braveheart, Lionpelt, Cherryflower, Silverpaw, Moonpaw, and Tigerpaw." He turned his yellow eyes onto Tigerpaw. "We're going to fight."
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A/N: Sorry for the long wait. Well, here's chapter 3. Comments are welcomed.
