Chapter 3

"Flowerkit," a voice called. Flowerkit's ears pricked, and she sat up in her nest. "Flowerkit, wake up, we're going to Shadowclan."

"Shadowclan?" Flowerkit yawned, stretching out her front paws. "Why?"

"They've let us join," Tigerclaw informed, gesturing toward her. "Come on." Flowerkit leaped out of her nest, following her father out of the hollow log and out into the pine forest. They walked toe to toe.

"They'll let me be an apprentice, won't they?" Flowerkit asked, raising an eyebrow.

"They should," Tigerclaw replied. "You're nearly as big as me now, and definitely six moons. Runningnose allowed me to give Snag and Mowgli warrior names, they're known as Jaggedtooth and Nightwhisper." Flowerkit nodded as they walked. "I can ask to give you your well-earned apprentice name but Shadowclan has no real leader at the moment so you may not get a naming ceremony right away."

"What about Nightstar?" Flowerkit asked, worrying lacing her mew. "Is he… dead now?" Tigerclaw nodded. "What about the deputy?"

"Cinderfur died too," Tigerclaw replied, meeting Flowerkit's gaze. His amber gaze was empty as he padded through the marsh. "Runningnose, their medicine cat, is the closest thing they have to a leader… but he can't do that forever." There was an edge to his meow now. "He is waiting for a message from Starclan." Tigerclaw glanced back ahead of him. "The camp is just up ahead," he informed, gesturing toward a hidden hollow ahead of them. It was shrouded in shadows. However, Flowerkit was still able to spot it from the overwhelming stench of Shadowclan. Flowerkit padded after Tigerclaw. They stopped just in front of the camp exit. Cats glanced up at them, their gazes bright as they faced Tigerclaw. However, some of their gazes molded into ones of confusion as they noticed Flowerkit.

"Tigerclaw, who is this with you?" a gray tom asked, pointing at Flowerkit.

"This is my daughter, Flowerkit," Tigerclaw explained, gesturing to her. "She lived with me and the rogues as well but she was too young to hunt at the time." Flowerkit opened her jaws to correct him but bit back the response.

"She's big enough to be an apprentice," another cat replied, sniffling.

Flowerkit leaned in toward Tigerclaw's ear. "Is there still sickness in the camp?" she whispered.

Tigerclaw chuckled and whispered back, "No, that's just Runningnose. He's always had that cold, too weak to heal it himself." Flowerkit nodded. Tigerclaw turned to Runningnose, raising his voice as he continued. "Speaking of apprenticeship, I know I've asked a lot of you already, Runningnose, but I was wondering if I could make my daughter an official apprentice." Runningnose paused.

"The clan could always use more apprentices," a voice insisted.

"And she definitely looks ready," another cat agreed, pointing at Flowerkit with her tail. Runningnose gazed at Tigerclaw.

"Very well, Tigerclaw," he replied, with a nod. "You may make your daughter an official apprentice of Shadowclan."

Tigerclaw dipped his head to the medicine cat. "Thank you Runningnose." He turned back to Flowerkit. "Flowerkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed." Everyone emerged from their dens. The cats of Shadowclan had bewildered looks on their faces but none said anything. "From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Flowerpaw. Your mentor will be Clawface. I hope he will pass down all he knows on to you." Clawface padded up to Flowerpaw and the two pressed noses.

Cats began cheering. "Flowerpaw! Flowerpaw! Flowerpaw!" Flowerpaw backed away from her mentor, unable to hold back her smile as pride flashed through her pelt.

"Make me proud, my daughter," Tigerclaw murmured in Flowerpaw's ear. Flowerpaw gave her father a small nod. Tigerclaw's gaze shifted toward Clawface, their eyes meeting. "Clawface, go take her on border patrol. It will be a good way for her to become familiar with the boundaries of the new territory." Clawface nodded. "Then afterwards, she can join in on some battle training." Flowerpaw grinned, padding after Clawface.

"Make this tour quick," Flowerpaw growled, flicking her tail. "I wanna go to battle training."

Clawface let out a growl. "It will take as long as it needs to," he replied, rolling his eyes. "I'll be showing you all the major landmarks of the territory as well as the borders." Flowerpaw grunted. However, she didn't protest further as she followed Clawface through the marshy pines. "We won't bother with the Carrionplace. You can smell that place from across the forest and there isn't much to see there anyways."

"What is it?" Flowerpaw asked, raising an eyebrow.

"A twoleg garbage heap," Clawface replied, flicking his tail. "It's horrible, you'd hate it."

Flowerpaw's face scrunched up. "Okay yeah, skip that." Clawface smiled, letting out a chuckle. They padded through the forest in silence before Clawface stopped in front of a huge tree. However, this tree wasn't like the others. All of its leaves were missing, leaving nothing but bare branches. Not just that. The tree wasn't even a pine tree like the rest in the marsh, it was an oak tree.

"What is this?" Flowerpaw asked, tilting her head to the side.

"This is the Burnt Sycamore," Clawface informed, his eyes filling with a strange gleam. "Me and Rowanberry once climbed this tree together… she made it all the way to the top…" Clawface smiled. Flowerpaw raised an eyebrow. He glanced at her, his smile fading and eyes filling with something different: sadness.

"Who's Rowanberry?" Flowerpaw blurted out.

"My mate," Clawface answered, his head hanging low. "Well, former mate… I left her to be with Brokenstar… I-I thought I had no choice…" Flowerpaw felt a pang in her chest. She flicked her tail in annoyance, struggling to push away the strange feeling. "I still love her," Clawface continued, wrapping his tail around his paws. "I-I wish she knew that…"

"Then tell her?" Flowerpaw replied, raising an eyebrow. Clawface glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you holding back? Just tell her how you feel." Where in Starclan is this coming from?! Flowerpaw thought, I hate him... Why am I comforting him?!

"Maybe when we get back," Clawface sighed, standing up. "For now, there's more to see." Flowerpaw padded after her mentor. They kept walking through the marshes before stopping in front of a smelly gray path. Flowerpaw pressed her paw against it.

"Is this… twoleg-made?" Flowerpaw asked, glancing at Clawface. Her mentor was standing far back, his entire body stiff as he stared at the gray path. He nodded.

"It's… the Thunderpath…" Clawface informed. His voice shook as he spoke. "Yes, it's twoleg-made."

Flowerpaw smirked. "Don't tell me you're actually scared of this thing?" There was a roaring sound in front of Flowerpaw and a huge monster sped in front of her. Flowerpaw leaped backward with a yelp. The monster travelled down the path, passing right by the cats, lights blaring from its face. "What was that?!" Flowerpaw gasped, her tail twitching.

"A monster," Clawface informed, grabbing Flowerpaw by the scruff. She squirmed around as Clawface dragged her to his side. "They don't leave the Thunderpath, don't worry." Flowerpaw hissed at the Thunderpath before turning away with a flick of her tail. Clawface padded beside her. "The Thunderpath is the border between Thunderclan and Shadowclan," he continued to explain. However, Flowerpaw struggled to focus on his words as the fur along her spine was rippling. Her emotions were a mess. A chaotic mix of shame, fear, anger, and guilt. "The only reason to cross it is for gatherings but there's a tunnel beneath the Thunderpath so don't worry about that." Flowerpaw was unable to stifle her sigh of relief.

"What's next?" Flowerpaw questioned, forcing the fur along her spine to lie flat.

"I take you to the training hollow for battle training," Clawface replied.

"Th-that's all?" Flowerpaw asked, tilting her head to the side.

"You've seen the area just outside twolegplace, you know that's out of our territory and you've seen the Thunderpath. Those are the main borders."

"Huh… alright, off to the training hollow then." The two padded toward the training hollow.

Flowerpaw ducked under Rowanpaw's slice. Crouching down, Flowerpaw slammed her head into Rowanpaw's chest. The dark ginger tom stumbled backward, tripping over his own tail. Cringing, Flowerpaw sliced the tom's chest. Flowerpaw let out a yowl as claws sank into her back. Shaking wildly, Flowerpaw managed to shake Oakpaw onto the ground. Flowerpaw slashed at Rowanpaw before lunging at Oakpaw, pinning him down as he squirmed violently. Flowerpaw slashed her claws against Oakpaw's belly. Oakpaw retaliated by kicking Flowerpaw's own belly. She leapt aside, grabbing the apprentice by the scruff and tossing him aside as she rushed back toward Rowanpaw. The dark ginger tom swiped at her. Flowerpaw swiped back, slamming her paw into his head. Rowanpaw's claws slashed into Flowerpaw's chest, and her blood sprayed in front of the two apprentices. Flowerpaw let out a hiss. She lunged at Rowanpaw, sinking her teeth into Rowanpaw's chest, ripping out a chunk of his fur and shoving him into the ground. Her claws sliced across Rowanpaw's face. Over and over.

"Stop!" Rowanpaw cried, struggling in Flowerpaw's grasp.

"Is this a surrender?!" Flowerpaw growled, glaring down at the apprentice. Rowanpaw nodded. Flowerpaw backed off Rowanpaw, not removing her fierce gaze from him. Rowanpaw stood up. He rushed toward Oakpaw, the two pressing against each other as they huddled in front of Flowerpaw. It was only then that it sank in. "I-I won?!" Flowerpaw gasped.

"It seems you have," Clawface informed, taking a step closer. Flowerpaw's eyes widened. It had taken a quarter moon for this… but she did it. She beat them. Flowerpaw gazed at her denmates. They gazed at her with wide eyes, shaking as they pressed against each other. Flowerpaw took a step back. There was no pride rippling through her only shock and guilt.

"C-congrats," Rowanpaw replied, lifting his tail. He took a few shaking steps toward Flowerpaw. "You fought really well…"

"You were very fierce," Oakpaw agreed, nodding.

"Tigerclaw will be very proud," Clawface added.

"Yeah… I'm sure he will be," Flowerpaw sighed, her gaze fixed on her own shifting paws.

"Don't you want to get back to camp?" Clawface prompted, gesturing toward her. Flowerpaw let out a sigh. She padded after her mentor, Oakpaw and Rowanpaw at her sides all the way back to camp.

"Rowanpaw… Oakpaw… you two are okay right?" Flowerpaw asked, gazing between them. Both apprentices gazed at her confusion.

"Yeah, of course," Oakpaw replied, licking his wrenched shoulder. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"Well… I beat you up really badly," Flowerpaw sighed, her tail falling to the forest floor.

"You always do," Rowanpaw shrugged. "You just managed to win this time."

"We're fine," Oakpaw added, "It's nothing Runningnose can't fix." Flowerpaw let out a sigh. She stopped in the middle of camp as Oakpaw and Rowanpaw padded past her into Runningnose's den. Flowerpaw felt a pang of sympathy for the medicine cat. He probably wastes so many herbs that should've been used on cats who were in real battles. Flowerpaw licked her own wounds. The only major one was the bite in her chest, which she licked clean. She scanned the clearing. Her mentor, Clawface, was padding toward a brown and cream coloured she-cat. From his constant lovesick ramblings and the look on his face, Flowerpaw guessed the cat Clawface was approaching was Rowanberry, his former mate. Flowerpaw crept forward, ears pricked.

"R-Rowanberry," Clawface's voice was soft. Rowanberry stopped licking her paws, turning to glare at the brown tom.

"What is it, Clawface?" she asked, trying to hold back the growl that was clearly rising in her throat.

"I… I figured we should talk," Clawface murmured.

"What is there to say?" Rowanberry's voice was hardly anything more than a whisper. Her eyes were a flurry of emotions. Pain, bitterness, and anger. "You made your choice... You chose Brokenstar over your clan… over Cinderfur and me… what you did tore our family apart… you may be welcome in Shadowclan again, but you'll never be welcome as my mate ever again."

"Rowanberry please," Clawface pleaded, his eyes watering. "Just hear me out." Rowanberry turned away, gazing blankly at the camp wall. Clawface brushed his tail against her shoulder. "I didn't think I had a choice. Leaving you tore me apart but Brokenstar was our leader. I thought I was doing the right thing. You don't have to be my mate again… but… can we at least be friends again?" Rowanberry turned to him, her gaze still empty. "

"No, Clawface. I don't think we can."

Clawface backed away. "I-I understand," he mewed, his tone blank. However, his gaze betrayed his words. Rowanberry turned and stalked away, her tail flicking. Letting out a sniffle, Clawface sat down, his head hung low to the ground. Flowerpaw padded toward her mentor. Once she was close enough, Flowerpaw rested her tail on his shoulder. Clawface met her gaze. His green eyes were wide, though there was a flicker of appreciation shining in his gaze as well.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather for a meeting!" Runningnose called, gazing out at the cats already in the clearing with tired eyes. Flowerpaw padded into the clearing and sat down. Her tail wrapped around her paws as other cats gathered around her, sitting in little clusters. "Clanmates, I know you are troubled about the Gathering. I share your fears, but be strong! Have faith in our warrior ancestors to send us a new leader soon!" Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Deerfoot stood up from the gathered cats, glaring at Runningnose.

"Soon isn't now!" he hissed, sinking his claws into the earth. "The Gathering is tomorrow! Does Starclan want us to look weak and leaderless in front of the other

clans?"

"Has StarClan given up on us?" Rowanpaw cried. Stumpytail beside him clouted him gently with his paw. Cats began wailing protests, completely drowning out whatever Runningnose said next.

"We'll be pounced on like rats as soon as the Clans hear about Nightstar's death!"

"How can we survive without a leader? No other Clan has ever turned up at a Gathering without one!"

Make Tigerclaw leader mouse-brains, Flowerpaw thought to herself. Runningnose tensed. His ears pricked and gaze focused on something small and bright in the moonlight. Runningnose pressed against it.

"It's a claw," he gasped, his head shooting up. ��Here, at the bottom of the rock. Has any cat lost a claw today?" The gathered cats gazed at the medicine cat as if he had just sprouted wings, shaking their heads and exchanging murmurs amongst each other. Runningnose studied the claw. He reached out to touch the claw, carefully shifting it in front of the crowd. The moonlight cast light upon parts of the claw, while other parts remained in shadow. Flowerpaw's eyes widened. "The moon has cast shadows on it," Runningnose continued, "Not shadows, stripes." He stared up at Tigerclaw. "Stripes like a tiger's pelt."

"It's a sign!" Dawncloud gasped, stepping forward. "It must be!"

"Seems pretty clear to me," Flowerpaw called "Tiger stripes on a claw. What could be clearer?"

Blackfoot nodded. "Starclan has chosen our new leader!" He called.

"Tigerclaw," Runningnose breathed, his voice barely audible. "Starclan has spoken… and we must listen." Tigerclaw was clearly spacing out for a moment, staring at Runningnose before closing his eyes for a few moments. Blackfoot padded up to him.

"Tigerclaw?" The white tom questioned. Tigerclaw's amber eyes popped open, filled with a flurry of emotions. "Runningnose wants to speak with you."

Runningnose dipped his head. "Will you do us the honor of leading us, Tigerclaw? Starclan has spoken, and it has chosen you."

"And we choose you too!" Boulder yowled. "You have led us out of the darkness after Nightstar's death, and shown us how to be strong again!" Tigerclaw dipped his head to the medicine cat.

"I am stunned by the decision of our ancestors." Tigerclaw's voice was soft. "I came late to ShadowClan, though I hope no cat would question my loyalty to each one of you. I never looked for this. If you're sure, and if StarClan has spoken, then I can only say yes."

"Hail the Shadowclan leader!" Runningnose called, turning to the gathered clan.

"Tigerstar! Tigerstar! Tigerstar!" Cats began cheering. Flowerpaw joined them, her heart lighting up like a fire. Tigerclaw basked in the cheering. Once the cheering died down, Runningnose turned to Tigerclaw.

"I will accompany you to the Moonstone tonight," he meowed. Tigerclaw nodded, dipping his head to the medicine cat.

"If it's alright, I would also like to bring Flowerpaw and Clawface with us," he replied, pointing his tail at Flowerpaw. Her eyes widened.

"What? Me?" Flowerpaw gasped. Everyone in the clan turned to her. The crowd parted as Tigerclaw made his way through them toward Flowerpaw.

"Of course," Tigerclaw replied, his gaze intent on his daughter. "Every apprentice must make pilgrimage to the Moonstone before they become a warrior and this is a good time to do it."

"I…" Flowerpaw's breath caught in her throat. "I'd be honoured, father," she replied, dipping her head to Tigerclaw.

"The sun is already setting," Runningnose called, padding toward them. "We should get going if we want to make it in time."

"Very well," Tigerclaw replied, gesturing toward his daughter. Flowerpaw padded after the two toms, out into the pine forest. Tigerclaw and Flowerpaw padded side by side. They were now shoulder to shoulder, their identical pelts blending together like a drift of leaves. The only notable difference were their eyes. Tigerclaw's amber eyes glowed in the dark beside Flowerpaw's bright green eyes. They stopped in front of a thin Thunderpath. The three cats dashed across together, side by side before skidding to a halt at the entrance of a cave. Tigerclaw's tail bristled. His breath was the only sound as he stared at the cave, amber gaze huge. He glanced at Runningnose.

"Runningnose, you lead the way," he ordered, flicking his tail toward the cave. The medicine cat nodded. He padded into the cave, quickly disappearing in its darkness. Flowerpaw and Tigerclaw followed. After only a few paces, every drip of light was drained from Flowerpaw's vision, to the point where opening or closing her eyes made no difference.

"What's going to happen?" Flowerpaw asked, her tail bristling.

"The Moonstone will light up the cave," Runningnose explained, in between sniffs. "You will both put your nose against the Moonstone to share dreams with Starclan."

"I will recieve my nine lives," Tigerclaw cut in. "While you, Flowerpaw, will share a separate dream with our ancestors."

"What will I see?" Flowerpaw asked.

"Whatever they want you to see," Tigerclaw grunted.

"Usually a deceased family member or clanmate," Runningnose added, his footsteps coming to a halt. Flowerpaw and Tigerclaw stopped too, the cave now deadly silent.

"What now?" Flowerpaw asked, flicking her tail.

"We wait til Moonhigh," Runningnose replied. Moments later, light flashed into the cave, blinding Flowerpaw for a few moments. She squinted. The moon was shining in from a hole at the top of the cave, it's light reflecting onto the Moonstone. Tigerclaw stood beside Flowerpaw. He was shaking, staring at the Moonstone like it was an enemy about to attack.

"Come on," Runningnose prompted, gesturing to Tigerclaw. The big warrior gulped, taking a hesitant steps forward. Flowerpaw glanced at the Moonstone. Her eyes were practically closed as she inched closer to it. Flowerpaw and Tigerclaw both rested the muzzles against it. A new dreariness weaved its way into Flowerpaw's mind and she flopped to the ground.

"Flowerpaw," a new voice murmured. Flowerpaw strained her eyes open. The harsh light of the Moonstone was missing, replaced by gentle starlight. In the center of it, stood a she-cat. Stars shone through her dim body, though her black pelt clearly clashes against them.

"Who are you?" Flowerpaw asked, tilting her head to the side.

"I am Leopardfoot," the she-cat answered, taking a step closer. "Tigerclaw's mother." Two smaller shapes appeared, stars adorning their fur as well. Leopardfoot pointed her tail at them. "These are my daughters, Nightkit and Mistkit."

"Why are you the ones seeing me?" Flowerpaw asked, her breath caught in her throat.

"We're here to warn you about Tigerstar," Mistkit squeaked.

Flowerpaw's ears pricked. "My father? What do you have against him?… is his leadership… a bad thing?"

"That we cannot tell you," Leopardfoot replied, shaking her head. "All I can say is that you need to follow your own path if you are to be a true warrior."

"Listen to your heart, Flowerpaw!" Nightkit squeaked, pressing her nose against Flowerpaw's shoulder.

"It knows what you must do!" Mistkit added. Leopardfoot nodded, stepping closer.

"N-no I don't!" Flowerpaw exclaimed, her eyes widening. "I don't even know what you're talking about… wh-what am I doing wrong?!" Leopardfoot stepped even closer. She was so close now that Flowerpaw could almost taste the prey-scent in her breath. Leopardfoot pressed her muzzle against Flowerpaw's forehead.

"Do not worry Flowerpaw," Leopardfoot murmured, "I know you'll have the courage to make the right decision."

"How will I know what the right choice is?" Flowerpaw asked, taking a step back.

"You'll just know," Nightkit chimed in. Flowerkit glanced back at the tiny kit, who met her gaze with the fierceness of any warrior. Her sister, Mistkit, shared the expression.

"O-okay," Flowerpaw sighed. She took a step back, but not before leaving a lick on Leopardfoot's shoulder. "I-I'll do my best."

"We know you will, Flowerpaw," Leopardfoot replied, giving a small nod. Mistkit and Nightkit nodded as well, retaining their fierce gazes. They would've been great warriors.

Flowerpaw's eyes widened as the starry cats began to blur, revealing the stars shining bright behind them. After a few moments, they were gone completely. Then it was all gone. Flowerpaw let out a gasp, jerking up from her spot on the ground. She was back in the cave. The harsh light of the Moonstone still glowed like the sun, revealing Tigerclaw and Runningnose beside her. Their eyes were closed. Their only movements were the occasional rise and fall of their chests. Flowerpaw sat up, licking her paws and rubbing them on her head as she waited for them to awake. When Tigerclaw awoke, he would be Tigerstar, the leader of their new clan, and Flowerpaw knew he would be a great leader. Starclan had nothing to fear…