Prologue
Many cats gathered together on an island. Four cats stood on a tree branch above the rest. The rest stood around conversing. Two small cats stood away from the crowd. One tried countless times to make conversation. The other would just brush her off.
The first cat spoke from the branch,"I will begin this gathering. ThunderClan has three new apprentices Rosepaw, Icepaw, and Birchpaw."
Cheers went out calling the names of the three apprentices.
"We would also like to congratulate our new queen, Pinefeather. She is now expecting Thistleclaw's kits!"continued the leader.
The cats cheered,"Pinefeather!"
"As for the rest, ThunderClan has had a rush of prey. We are thankful for new-leaf to finally be here. That is all we have to report,"he concluded. "Hailstar, you may speak now."
The second cat stepped forwards. "Thank you Snakestar,"said Hailstar nodding. "As for RiverClan we have two new apprentices who are here tonight, Hawkpaw and Ripplepaw,"she said looking towards the two cats in the back.
The black and white cat stood straighter at they called her name. The other, a white cat, avoided eye contact, and only flicked her tail-tip.
"Sadly, in a battle with two badgers, we lost on of our fiercest warriors, Blacktail,"continued Hailstar. Her voice was cracking due to the fact that that was her brother.
The was a silence over the crowd. Blacktail was a well-known cat in very clan. The white cat in the back lay down, and put her head in her paws. The other shooched a little closer.
"The fish in the river are coming back,"started Hailstar. "That is all." She took a step back, and exchanged a word with Snakestar.
The black and white cat in the back whispered,"Hawkpaw, trust me. I know how it feels to loose a family member. Remember my brother was still-born." She looked into Hawkpaw's blue eyes.
"Yeah, but you never got to meet him,"snapped Hawkpaw.
"Fishkit would understand,"whispered Ripplepaw.
"Fishkit isn't here! Accept it!"growled Hawkpaw.
Chapter 1
Hawkpaw
I ran through the forest as the rabbit I was chasing bolted away from me. Suddenly, a bird landed on my paw, and I jumped on it. "Hawkpaw, Hawkpaw,"I heard my name being called,"Hawkpaw, wake up!" I woke up to see Ripplepaw staring at me.
"What now?"I groaned. I stretched my legs as I stood up. I brushed past her, and out into the busy clearing. I saw Frostpetal, one of my sisters from my mother's fist litter, near the entrance to the nursery.
"Hawkpaw, it's almost sunhigh,"said Ripplepaw from behind me.