#sliverstream

I'm not one for participating in drawing a merperson for every day in May BUT I like to make at least one contribution lol

Icebelly chuckled "Listen to your mother kits, she means well"

"Want to see a fish pond?" Violet asked, her purple eyes gleamed

The kits bounded over with excitement "Yes yes" they chanted

"Kits are a blessing yet an earful" Icebelly muttered to himself

"Indeed" he heard Morningflower mew, rubbing against his side "I love them regardless"

Icebelly gazed at the three kits at their mother's belly, twitching silently in there sleep. A smile appeared on his face and a desire to protect them was nestling inside him. He could admit he longed for own young but he didn't know who he could ask to sire them.

He wanted to be a father and soon. As much as he tried not to let the words get to him, they did. If he had kits, the clan would see him as useful.

Most of the older toms already had mates or just weren't into toms, so that was out, Fuzzypelt maybe but he could see how that would be weird, he didn't really know if Nettlemist would, Fogtail very much would not, and Chestnutclaw...wouldn't be that bad honestly. He doubted the tom would care to be a father, he'd always cared about himself and no one else. He could raise them alone and he'd be fine with that.

'Okay' he thought to himself 'Plan set, just have to ask and if that fails there's always some cats in the city, Scourge could find someone for me probably, she would'

"Earth to Icebelly" Silverpaw called

Icebelly shook himself back to reality "Wha?"

"I'm asking if you can hunt with me?" the tabby asked

"Absolutely not" Barkface stated, padding over to freshen the bind on his leg "Icebelly needs to rest his leg if he wants it to heal right" he looked around "Do you have any cobwebs?"

"Plenty" Barley mewed "In the corners"

"Need any herbs?" Graypaw asked

Barkface listed off the supplies he needed, it was mostly herbs to dull the pain.

Silverpaw padded over with cobwebs around one paw.

Morningflower helped rest him on a bed of hay, she groomed his ears softly "How do you feel?"

"Honestly? Like I got hit by a monster" he replied dryly

Barkface set about straightening Icebelly's leg and wrapping it in cobwebs. "You're lucky, Icebelly," Barkface said. "This is the cleanest break I've ever seen"

Icebelly hummed in acknowledgement.

"I'll help hunt" Silverpaw mewed

"Make sure you catch at least three pieces" He heard Deadfoot call, the tabby nodded to the deputy as he padded on.

He looked around the clan of cats. Everyone was either still sleeping or waking up. They saw Mudclaw grooming Morningflower and whispering in her ear.

He hummed at the display, he hoped Mudclaw would at least be there for his kits.

////////////////////////////////////////////

"We can stay here til you recover" Silverstream mewed "It'll be fine"

"No" he protested "You have to take Windclan home, it's what Starclan wants"

"What do we tell Bluestar?" Graypaw asked

"Yes" Fogtail drawled "What do we tell the fearsome molly that is our leader?"

"Just say it was my idea and tell what happened to me, I'll deal with the rest just keep you traps shut til I get back"

"Lovely" Fogtail replied, annoyance dripped so heavily in his voice

The others and Windclan began to get ready to leave, making sure everyone was doing okay.

Duskstar, Juniperleaf, and Luna padded over.

"Thank you Icebelly for bringing us back, we thank you all so much"

Icebelly smiled "Just doing what was right"

Juniperleaf licked his ears

"Barkface says he'll be back to check on you" Luna mewed

"What about you and Jake?" He asked

"I'm joining Windclan permanently and so is Luna"

"Really?"

Luna shrugged "Might as well, Marble and Saw like it in Windclan"

////////////////////////////////////////////

It had been two days since his stay in the barn and he can say with the utmost certainty: he wants to be a dad and soon.

Jacky, Joey, and Rosy were joys to have. So eager and full of life. They'd make great clan cats but he knew they'd grow up to be amazing cats.

Barley went out to go get Barkface, he hoped his leg was healing well.

Silverstream and Silverpaw had been visiting him since, how they managed he didn't know. Silverstream offered to take him home when he was better and Icebelly accepted.

He hadn't expected however was for Ravenpaw to show up at the barn. The black tom nuzzled the life out of him.

"I missed you furball" he mewed "I was worried sick"

"Missed you too Raven" he replied "What's been happening since I left?"

"Frostbite's relationship with Lionheart is on the rocks and she's been raising her kits with Mossthorn for a while. I think they're mates now honestly."

Icebelly's eyes widen, he fought not to smile at that "Why?"

"Lionheart's been blaming you when Graypaw went missing so..."

Icebelly groaned "Of course, everything that happens has to be my fault" he lashed his tail "Fogtail said anything?

"Fogtail said it was your idea and that you'd explain when you came back and he told us about your injury"

"Worried?" he teased

Ravenpaw shoved him lightly "Of course I was mouse-brain"

"How'd you get that scar?" he saw the claw mark across Ravenpaw's shoulder.

"Shadowclan" Ravenpaw sighed "Got attacked on a patrol"

"Who was on the patrol?"

"Bluestar, Redtail, Leopardstorm, Cherrycloud, Dustpaw, Darkstripe, Smokypaw, and myself of course"

"How's everyone?"

"Everyone's okay, Dustpaw has a nasty bite mark though it would've been worse had I not pulled Mossclaw away from him."

"I'm guessing Dustpaw wasn't happy with the help"

Ravenpaw shook his head "He kinda made my wound worse"

"What!?" he nearly screeched but he didn't want to scare the kittens nearby

"It's fine, he didn't mean it"

Icebelly's gaze hardened "Ravenpaw, unlike you me and my littermates despite ourselves generally love each other in our own fucked way. I can see myself fighting for them and being there for them and that's why no matter what they'll always have my loyalty"

He looked into the black tom's purple and yellow eyes "I won't pretend to understand but from my view I can't really see why you put in the effort for a cat that clearly doesn't care for it, if this relationship between you and Dustpaw and even Chestnutclaw is too ever improve, they have to be the ones to make the effort not you"

Ravenpaw looked down "It...wasn't always like this, we weren't so bad off when we were kits"

"That was then Raven" Icebelly mewed "Cats change, better or worse. Tell me did you really want to wait to be a warrior? Did you want to be a warrior at all?"

Ravenpaw shook his head "I...I wanted to be a..s..seer, I had signs that I told Featherwhisker about but..."

"Wanted to please Robinwing?"

Ravenpaw nodded, tears at the corner of his eyes. He buried his head in Icebelly's chest fur "I...j..j..just..w..wa..wanted..."

"Shhhh" Icebelly soothed "It's not to late Raven, ask Yellowfang and she'll take you under, I'm sure of it"

"That I would" Icebelly and Ravenpaw lifted their heads to see the dark gray molly at the entrance, Barkface and Barley in tow.

"Great to see you again Yellowfang Barkface" Icebelly greeted warmly

"It's good to see you again, Icebelly," Barkface mewed when he set the herbs down. He immediately went to inspect Icebelly's leg. "It needs more cobwebs," he declared after a few minutes of sniffing.

"Will it ever heal?" Icebelly asked. 'Could I still be a warrior?' he thought

Everyone waited anxiously for Barkface's answer.

Barkface's whiskers twitched in amusement. "You'll heal from this. Maybe you'll have a limp, but I doubt it. When you get older, your leg will definitely give you pain. But you're a long way from an elder."

Icebelly let out a sigh of relief. "When can I go home?"

"Could go now if you want" Yellowfang replied gruffly

"Have you been walking around?" Barkface asked

"I've been watching three rowdy kits" Icebelly mewed "What kind of question is that?"

"Rate the pain from a thorn in the paw to an attack by a wolf" Barkface mewed

"I'd say a stinging rat bite that I just ignore"

"There's some physical therapy ahead for you" Yellowfang stated "And it seems me and Thymeroot will have Ravenpaw in the den"

"Thymepaw got her name!" Icebelly mewed in surprise

"Yep, she's more than earned it"

"You should stay here for a half-moon" Barkface mewed "We'll send-"

"I already have someone who'll take me home don't worry" Icebelly mewed "It'll be fine"

Yellowfang raised an eyebrow "You say so kit"

/

By the half-moon, the pain had mostly faded from his leg. Barkface had made it over for a once over and gave him an all clear.

The seers and medicine cats had passed by the barn on their way to the half-moon meeting and he had been 'attacked' by Beekit:

-Flashback-

"Beekit?"

"Hey big sister!" he mewed

Icebelly did his best to hide his annoyance "brother Beekit" he corrected gently, silently cursing Dewflare "What are you doing here?"

"I'm training to be seer since Blossompaw isn't allowed. Mollies can't do anything"

Icebelly's eyes widen "I'm sorry what?"

"Beepaw" Palecloud called "Where'd you..." he trailed off when he saw Icebelly.

They stood like that for a few moments, neither had really seen the other since the night of Icebelly's escape.

"Finally got an apprentice" Icebelly mewed breaking the silence

"Brokenstar insisted" Palecloud mewed lowly "Beepaw come one, I need to present you to Starclan"

-Flashback ends-

He padded away and gazed outside. It was past dawn. The gray clouds had begun to drift away. Tinged by the rosy glow of rising sun they looked like blossoms floating across a pond.

Barkface had come over to do a final check, bringing Deadfoot and Weaselwhisker with him. Silverstream and Silverpaw arrived as well along with Graypaw. Fogtail clearly wanted no part in this.

Barkface joined Icebelly and gazed up at the clouds, Silverstream sat near them. Icebelly slightly jumped when a curious yowl escaped from the brown tom's throat.

"What is it Barkface?" Icebelly asked "Has Starclan spoken to you?"

"An omen?" Silverstream added

Icebelly saw Silverpaw tense at the sight of Barkface's bristling fur.

"The clouds are stained with blood!" Barkface rasped, his eyes wide and glazed like he was dead. "It is a sign from our ancestors. There is trouble ahead. This day will bring an unnecessary death"

For a moment, no cat moved or spoke. Then Deadfoot growled "Any of the Clans could see those clouds. We can't be sure that the message is for us"

"Maybe is is and maybe it isn't" Icebelly heard Goosefeather mutter in his ear "Death will come"

Deadfoot spoke again "There may be hostile hunting parties around, Weaselwhisker and I will escort you to fourtrees"

"Are you sure Deadfoot?" Silverstream asked "I'm sure we'll be fine with me and Silverpaw around"

The black nodded.

"Thank you" Icebelly mewed

"Duskstar told me that if you ever feel unsafe in Thunderclan, Windclan will take you in"

Icebelly was shocked but nodded

Deadfoot padded away in the direction of fourtrees. They all stayed close together as they followed a narrow path through a solid mass of gorse that provided good shelter against the rain.

Suddenly Weaselwhisker stopped and sniffed the air. "Rabbit!" he called out joyfully before charging away into the gorse. Deadfoot stopped and waited. Icebelly could see a glint in the deputy's tired eyes. There was a rush of pawsteps on the distance and the rustle of gorse, then silence.

A moment later Weaselwhisker returned with large rabbit dangling from his jaws.

Weaselwhisker dropped the fresh-kill on the ground "Anyone hungry?"

Graypaw, Weaselwhisker, Silverstream, Deadfoot and Silverpaw ate the rabbit gratefully. Icebelly had their mind elsewhere.

"Is the shortcut through your territory alright?" they asked Silverstream

"As long as your with me and Silverpaw I think so, it's better than the long way" the tabby replied

"Let's just make it quick through" Deadfoot added

They all agreed and when the others were done eating they told them the plan. Deadfoot changed direction and led the cats along an old badger trail that took them away from the barren uplands. Soon they were in Riverclan territory. Even through the wind and the rain, Icebelly could hear the roaring of the river as it crashed and thundered somewhere up ahead.

Silverstream joined Deadfoot at the lead as they followed the trail toward the noise. The path shrank until it was little more than a narrow strip of grass on the very edge of a deep gorge. On one side the land stretched upward, steep and rocky; on the other it plunged straight down. Icebelly could see the far side of gorge only a few fox-lengths away. The space looked tantalizingly narrow, and Icebelly wondered if he could jump the gap. Perhaps if he weren't so tired and hungry...His paws prickled with fear at the thought of falling, but he couldn't resist peering over the side.

Beneath his paws, the ground dropped away in a sheer cliff. Ferns clung to tiny ledges, their leaves glistening, not from rain, but from the spray of swollen torrent that foamed at the bottom of the gorge.

He felt Silverstream pull him back slightly. He nodded in thanks to the tabby. They would have to follow this path until they could cut away from it, through the small strip of forest that stood between them and Thunderclan territory.

Icebelly stumbled as he hurried to catch up. Deadfoot's ears were prickled and his tail flattened so that it almost dragged along the ground. Weaselwhisker was clearly nervous too; he kept looking sharply up the slope beside them as if he could hear something. Icebelly could hear nothing but the roaring of the river. He glanced over his shoulder, his eyes darting from side to side. The Windclan cats' wariness was making him uneasy.

The steep slope began to flatten out until they could move farther away from the cliff edge. The rain was still driving into their faces, and the darkening sky told Icebelly that the sun was setting, but it would not be long now before they reached the forest. There would be more shelter there. The thought of food and dry nest cheered Icebelly.

But Icebelly caught the scent of a Riverclan patrol, Deadfoot's warning yowl told him he caught the scent too. A screech sounded from behind them, and the cats spun around to see six Riverclan warriors charging toward them. Icebelly's fur stood on end in horror. The deep gorge with its raging waters was still dangerously close.

"Stop" Silverpaw tried but a black tom only pulled him away as a ginger and white molly grabbed Silverstream. Leopardclaw, the leader of the patrol ignored them as well.

He recognized Otterstrike, who landed on top of him. Icebelly tried to toss him off but the heavyset tom's weight was crushing him. He felt teeth sink into his belly fur. He started to kick furiously with his back legs, nicking Otterstrike in the face. He scrabbled desperately on the sodden ground, trying to free himself. The Riverclan warrior raked his his side with his claws. Icebelly bit into Otterstrike's shoulder. He clamped his jaws tight and heard the warrior yowl, but the other tom's claws only raked him more fiercely. "This will be the last time you set foot in Riverclan territory kittypet" Otterstrike hissed.

Around him Icebelly was aware of his companions struggling fiercely. He knew they were as exhausted as he was from the long trek. He could hear Graypaw yowling violently. Weaselwhisker hissed with pain and rage. Then, from the forest behind them, another sound Icebelly's ears. It was loud,powerful and full of fury-yet it filled Icebelly with a surge of hope. Tiger-roar's signature war cry! Icebelly smelled the fast-approaching battle-scent of a Thunderclan patrol Tiger-roar, Willowpelt, Leopardstorm, Cherrycloud, Miststrike,Cranepaw Darkstripe,Smokypaw, and Embereyes.

Yowling and spitting, the Thunderclan cats leaped into the fray, Otterstrike released Icebelly, he realized Embereyes had smashed Otterstrike off him and pinned him down, slashing the Riverclan warrior's muzzle. He watched Tiger-roar pinned Reedtail to the ground, giving a warning bite to the tom's hind leg. The tom screeching away into the bushes.

He didn't like seeing a father figure of his in pain but now wasn't the time to dwell on it.

Tiger-roar whipped around and fixed his amber eyes on Leopardclaw. The Riverclan molly was wrestling with Deadfoot. Deadfoot met the fierce molly head on and they were evenly matched even with the black tom's lame paw.

"Help the others!" he heard Tiger-roar hiss to him as he rushed to help Deadfoot.

Icebelly rushed to find his clanmates in the chaos.

He saw Smokypaw fighting with Whiteclaw. If it weren't for the tom's size he could past for Scourge. He knocked the tom away with all his might by slashing at his face and pulled Smokypaw away.

"Thanks Icebelly"

He would have nodded if not for the fact what Whiteclaw seemed to skid away, towards the drop. He lunged forward and grabbed him by his scruff with his teeth. The tom squealed with rage but it was cut quickly as he dragged him away from the edge. The tom jumped to his paws, he stared at Icebelly "Why?"

"This fight is unjust and you don't need to die for it"

The tom seemed to consider this and nodded "You're right, I need to find Leopardclaw" He quickly dashed away to find the spotted molly.

Icebelly only hoped he found Leopardfur in time but right now he needed to help his clanmates.

He saw Embereyes struggle with Suneyes and Mudbelly. He reared up and struck his claws through the skin of Suneyes's back. He drove quickly under the Riverclan warrior, clawing through the warrior's belly as he did so. The warrior yowled and tried to strike is face but he blocked the blow and bit into the enemy warrior's muzzle. Suneyes seemed to have enough and flung him of and dashed away into the bushes.

"Thanks" Embereyes mewed, blood dripping from her cheek and ears, it also looked like she was limping.

Icebelly nodded and he was about to help her up when he heard a terrible howl, it made them both turn their heads, Graypaw was leaning perilously over the side of the gorge, her hind legs straining. Beside her, Icebelly glimpsed a black paw clutching at the edge. Graypaw leaned down with her mouth open, trying to get a grip on the paw, but it disappeared out of sight in a terrifying rush. Graypaw cried after it, her wail echoing along the gorge.

All the cats stopped fighting at the sound of Graypaw's agonized call. Icebelly froze, panting with shock and exhaustion, The Riverclan cats scrambled to the edge of the gorge. Slowly Icebelly followed them and looked over the side. Far below, through the deafening spray, he saw the dark head of a Riverclan warrior sink beneath the foaming water.

With a cold feeling of horror, Icebelly recalled the words of Barkface: "this day shall bring an unnecessary death"

Leopardclaw lifted her head and yowled into the wind "Splashsong! No!"

Graypaw scrambled backward until all four paws were on safe ground. Her wet fur was bristling and her eyes were wide with shock. "I tried to grab him...he just lost his footing...I didn't mean to..." The words tumbled out breathlessly. Icebelly bounded across to his friend and pressed his nose into his flank for comfort, but Graypaw backed blindly away.

One by one, the other cats turned away from the edge and looked Graypaw. The Riverclan cats' eyes narrowed with fury, their shoulders tense.

Willowpelt and Darkstripe moved instinctively toward Graypaw, taking up defensive positions on either side of her.

Leopardclaw growled deep in her throat, but it was a warning to her own cats. They were to stay back. "This has gone beyond a border fight" she murmured "We shall return to our clan. It has become a matter to settle at another time and in a different way"

"Why should it?" Silverpaw growled, he took a mock swipe at the large golden molly "You attacked out of no where Leopardclaw, me and Silverstream told you we were bringing Icebelly home, you caused this fight and Splashsong's death, you have no one to blame but yourself"

Leopardclaw turned her gaze to Silverpaw, glaring daggers at him but the apprentice held strong. The golden spotted molly looked ready to rip him apart.

"You can't say frog-dung because you know I'm right you bloodthirsty fish-brain" Silverpaw continued

"Silverpaw don't speak like that to an older warrior" Mudbelly called

"You know I'm right Mudbelly" Silverpaw hissed "You all know I'm right but I'm the only one brave enough to say it to this dry-pawed fox-" he was cut off when Leopardclaw pinned him down "Get off me you overgrown toad" he hissed

Leopardclaw roared "Someone otta teach you some respect"

Silverpaw screeched as Leopardclaw struck him across the face. The golden spotted molly got off of him, licking her paw.

"Silverpaw!" Icebelly saw Mallowtail and Frogleap rushed over.

"What is wrong with you?!" Mallowtail hissed

Leopardclaw hissed at the molly and flicked the tip of her tail, then turned and padded away. The Riverclan cats followed her, and the whole patrol disappeared into the bushes. Silverstream glanced back at him, eyes blazing with fury "I'll do something" before he padded after the patrol.

"We should leave" Deadfoot mewed, limping forward. "You warriors served us well, and my clan thanks you" But the formal words of gratitude sounded hollow after the tragedy they had just witnessed. Tiger-roar nodded, and the two warriors began to head back toward their territory. Icebelly mewed a quiet farewell to Weaselwhisker as he passed. Weaselwhisker glanced briefly at him, and walked on.

"Follow me" Tiger-roar called

The tabby warrior charged away through the trees, and the rest of his patrol followed after him, but Icebelly hesitated beside Graypaw. "Come on" they urged "We'll this out when we get back to camp" Graypaw shrugged, her eyes dull and clouded with pain, and began to pad after the others, dragging her paws as if they were made of stone.

Soon the cats ahead of them were out of sight, but Icebelly was able to track them by scent. Tiger-roar was leading them back toward Thunderclan territory, straight through Riverclan's stripe of forest. Icebelly knew there was no need to worry about Riverclan patrols right now. The damage been done. It would be pointless to take the long way around by Fourtrees.

Tiger-roar had halted the patrol and was waiting for Icebelly and Graypaw at the border of Thunderclan's territory.

"I thought I told you to follow me" the tabby growled

"Graypaw was-" Icebelly began

"The sooner Graypaw gets back to camp, the better" Tiger-roar interrupted "Riverclan might come back for a quick vengeance"

Graypaw said nothing, but Icebelly was annoyed. "Splashsong's death wasn't her fault. She's only an apprentice Tiger-roar, don't tell me you'll punish her like Leopardclaw did to Silverpaw"

"Of course not" Tiger-roar turned away "and I know" he mewed "But it's done Come on, this time keep up!" He leaped away, crossing the scent markers that bounded Thunderclan territory.

Willowpelt, Cranepaw, and surprisingly Darkstripe came over to Graypaw.

"We'll watch her" Willowpelt whispered

"We'll make sure she doesn't hurt herself" Darkstripe added with a smirk

Good thing to because Tiger-roar pulled him close by biting his ear. "You wanna explain to be what just happened?" he growled in his ear "I thought you would've came back to camp earlier"

"We didn't know a patrol would attack us" they replied "Bluestar's not going to be pleased"

"Oh really I didn't notice" Tiger-roar laughed harshly "Already dealing with another Shadowclan attack and now this!"

"What happened, the Shadowclan attack I mean?"

"Lionheart was leading a patrol and they got attacked when they were hunting at fourtrees, they're all alive if you were going to ask"

"I'm guessing someone's stuck in the medicine den" Icebelly mewed

"Birchstep and Bluestar has a large claw mark over her face from the previous fight"

Icebelly's eyes widen "Really?"

"Yep you'll see" the two-colored tabby replied

The rain eased as they followed the familiar trail to the camp. When the patrol emerged from the gorse tunnel, some of his clanmates bounded out of their dens, their tails held high on greeting.

"Did you find Windclan? Are they safe?" Mousefur called. Icebelly nodded absently, but felt too hollow to reply. Mousefur's tail dropped. The other cats hung back at the edge of the clearing. The expressions on the face of the returning cats told them that something serious had happened.

"You're back" it was Bluestar, she padded over to them and Icebelly saw what Tiger-roar meant. Bluestar bore a nick in her right ear, a lip scar and as said before the large claw mark over her left eye. "Did you find Windclan?"

"Yes, Bluestar" Icebelly replied quietly "They're safe in their camp. Duskstar told me to thank you"

"Good Good" Bluestar mewed, her blue eyes darkened as she noticed Tiger-roar's grim expression "What has happened?"

"Seems that Icebelly and Graypaw decided to return home through Riverclan territory"

They all looked down, the two-toned tabby was right. Their clanmates had backed off but they were all listening in.

"They were found by a Riverclan patrol. If my patrol hadn't heard their yelps in time, they wouldn't have made it home at all"

"Glad you rescued them" Bluestar mewed, but she hadn't relaxed "but I'm guessing something else happened by that look on your face Tiger"

Tiger-roar flicked his name at the nickname "Indeed, they were fighting beside the gorge. A Riverclan warrior who battling Graypaw fell over the edge" Icebelly noticed Graypaw flinch at Tiger-roar's words.

Bluestar's ear twitched "Dead?" she asked

"It was an accident! Graypaw of all cats would never kill a cat over a border fight" he mewed quickly

"I doubt Leopardclaw will see it that way" Bluestar mewed "Splashsong wasn't just any warrior to her, she was her brother"

"What were you thinking? Going through Riverclan's territory?" Tiger-roar growled

"Silverstream and Silverpaw agreed to it" Icebelly mewed "We all thought it would be fine with them around, they tried to stop it"

"Look how that turned out" Tiger-roar hissed

"They attacked when they're clanmates told to stop them?" Bluestar mewed "We may have some thing to fire back with" she circled them waving Tiger-roar off "We need to prepare for any attacks Riverclan tries to make. We need new warriors" she turned towards Frostbite and Mossthorn "Get Brackenkit, Lichenkit, Smokekit, and Cinderkit, it's time they become apprentices I've been putting it of for too long"

The two parents nodded. Bluestar padded and leaped onto the highrock. "All cats gather round, we have a ceremony long overdue"

Frostbite brought Brackenkit and Lichenkit forward freshly groomed, Smokekit and Cinderkit close behind.

"Cinderkit step forward" Bluestar mewed "Pronouns?"

Cinderkit stepped, holding her head high "Use they/them pronouns please" Icebelly heard many cats come out during their apprentice or warrior ceremony.

Bluestar nodded "Until they have earned their warrior name they shall be called Cinderpaw, Icebelly you are ready for you first apprentice, you have had Tiger-roar as a mentor, I expect you to pass on all your gained skills to this young apprentice"

Cinderpaw rushed over and touched noses with him. "I'm glad I got you, you're amazing" they purred making him chuckle.

"Brackenkit step forward"

Brackenkit did so with some coaxing from Frostbite.

"Until he has earned his warrior name he shall be called Brackenpaw, Cherrycloud you are also ready for your first apprentice, you were trained well by Nightshade and you have chosen to train as an over-seer, I expect you to pass on all you gained skills to this young apprentice"

Cherrycloud purred and padded up to Brackenpaw and touched noses with him.

"Smokepaw step forward" The dark gray molly padded forward, head high

"Chestnutclaw, you are ready for your first apprentice. You received great training from Cricketsong and I expect you to pass on all your skills to Smokepaw"

Icebelly watched the apprentice eagerly pad over to her less than pleased mentor.

"Lichenpaw step forward"