Sunlight poured down on the russet toms back as he slinked forward, eyes narrowed on the prey animal in front of him. Despite all that happened the day before in combat training, he was still allowed outside of the camp, though he did get a stern talking to by the leader and his mother. Darkpoppy wasn't keen on the leader 'dismissing' (as she put it) his behavior but the leader only huffed that the Clan couldn't spare an apprentice not being trained, besides, it wasn't as if this was unprovoked considering how horribly Lionpaw and Tigerpaw treated him when he was a kit.

"He'll pay for this." Darkpoppy snarled, amber eyes glittering in rage as she stalked away.

"Don't mind her." Lynxstar snorted, seeing Emberpaw eye the retreating dark she-cat in worry and fear. "She has maggots in her brain. Try to ignore her empty words."

That's exactly what Emberpaw did as he leaped on the mouse and delivered a quick nip to the back of its neck and closed his eyes.

"Thank you for this prey." He murmured before he turned to Deertail.

She was still stiff and slightly weak but for two days she began to walk around and take over his training once more.

"Good catch!" Deertail called and smiled slightly, "Come on, we have some training to do!" She turned and began to bound away.

Emberpaw smiled, everything as of late seemed okay. Of course, there was the little hiccups, Tigerpaw and Lionpaw took every chance they had to harass him, but other than that it was okay.

The only thing that bothered him was Lilypaw, ever since that training session she seemed... standoffish, to say the least. She was always with Lionpaw and Tigerpaw, laughing and smiling with them but whenever he showed his face she just... stared.

His fur rippled in discomfort as anxiety returned and his eyes shifted around, eyeing every tree, bush, and flower with distrust.

"You okay? You stopped smiling." Deertail turned her head, golden eyes shining in the pale sunlight of morning.

"I-I-I-I-" Emberpaw bit his tongue, shutting up, "I'm fine.." He mumbled through the fur of his mouse. Deertails ear twitched but she didn't push. "Come on, we need to head over to the lake for water combat training."

"You mean I have to SWIM?" That didn't go so well last time Emberpaw went into water.

Deertail blinked, "Yeah, you have to, it's what separates us from the rest of the Clans. It's what makes us DeltaClan!" She frowned, "Aren't you proud of that?"

Emberpaw only sniffed, looking away. Was he proud to be DeltaClan? Sure he was, DeltaClan was all he knew and he definitely didn't want to be a rogue or kittypet. How about the other Clans?

BreezeClan maybe? No, the territory was to open, not enough things to hide behind.

MarshClan? No, to... marshy and muddy. He had too thick of fur and too short of legs to be able to wade through that torture all day and it was a barren wasteland as far as he was concerned.

StormClan were much too fierce and their leader much too strict for him to be able to get into it anyway. Besides, it was too closed, too many places for enemies to hide.

DeltaClan was ideal for him but was he happy? Sure, his mom was here and so was Deertail.

"I'm content." He decided, picking up his mouse.

Deertail raised a brow as she led him off, "Proudness and contentedness are two very different things Emberpaw."

Emberpaws ear twitched and he glanced over at the gray she-cat. He knew that but right now he didn't want to think. Thinking brought anxiety and he didn't feel like freaking out over anything. The trek home was filled with slightly uncomfortable silence but Emberpaw couldn't bother with it. He couldn't give Deertail an answer yet, he didn't know the answer yet.

He sighed as he pushed through the overhanging vine entrance to the camp, padding down the slight slope that really didn't feel like one at all. He gazed around, noting the sheer rock walls that were smooth and shone a pale gray in the sunlight.

He sighed and padded to the Fresh-kill pile was, between the Warriors' den and Medicine cat's den. He dropped his mouse into the pile. He was glad that it was relatively full.

"Darkpoppy, Pikepaw, Beetlestream, and Swiftwhisper go hunting then mark the BreezeClan border." Rumblethroat called, "Then you can take him training." He nodded to Beetlestream who mewed something about wanting to sharpen Pikepaws water combat abilities.

The golden tom dipped his head and led his small patrol off, passing Emberpaw as he did.

"Emberpaw." He licked the toms shoulder as he passed as did every cat except Darkpoppy who only snarled at him as she stalked past. He watched in slight dismay before he shook his head, noticing Deertail pad out of the medicine den, her poultice now rubbed off.

"Aren't they suppose to renew that?" Emberpaw mewed, nodding to her dry leg. He gulped a bit, feeling his guilt return as he eyed the scabbing gash.

Seeing his guilt she rubbed her tail along his flank, trying to soothe him. "It doesn't hurt as much now that I'm using it, though Heatherspirit made it clear that I shouldn't act like a reckless kit." Her ear twitched in embarrassment.

Emberpaw nodded slightly before he turned, "I need to go to the Dirtplace."

Deertail nodded, "Alright, that gives me time to eat." She turned and snatched up a fish from the pile before trotting towards Appleblaze.

Emberpaw made his way behind the Elders' den and a bit to the left. He slid into the closed off section and sniffed as he found an area. He was glad that no one else was in here, he knew he wouldn't go if there was.

After relieving himself, he buried the dirt and slid out of the Dirtplace.

Deertail noticed him immediately and she sprang to her paws, approaching the tom with her tail low to the ground and her eyes dark.

"What?" He asked as nervousness coursed through him, making the fur along his spine prick up. Deertail eyed him silently, her golden eyes cool and focused. Emberpaw couldn't tell what she was thinking and anxiety coursed through him.

"I hadn't seen the damage you caused Tigerpaw." She spoke slowly, her voice level and calm. "What drove you to madness Emberpaw?" Her voice broke and pain seared in her eyes. "What dark device lies within your heart to make you attack your own Clanmate?"

Emberpaw felt his ears press against his head, his eyes rounded as he stared at his mentor as guilt coursed through his veins. "I-I- I didn't want to hurt him.. it just happened." He realized only after he said it how lame it sounded.

Deertail sat down, staring at the smaller cat, her tail flicked around her forepaws and her gaze bore down on the emerald-eyed apprentice.

"Emberpaw, I had an apprentice before you. His name was Chasepaw. He was killed in battle trying to save me." Deertail voice shook as she spoke, her breath hitched as she said his name and how he died.

Emberpaws ears perked and he looked up slightly, eyeing his mentor silently as he listened.

"He went too far one day, he attacked Blackpaw in a fit of rage, desperate to prove himself to me." Deertails paws trembled on the ground as she remembered.

"Blackpaw?" Emberpaw didn't know a cat in the Clan named 'Black' anything.

"Patchfurs' apprentice name before the white spots appeared." Deertail murmured, "She was odd, our medicine cat, Nightflow, said that it was a skin problem but it wasn't deadly- caused her fur to change color."

Emberpaw glanced over at the black and white warrior, trying to picture her black as night. He failed miserably.

"Was Chasepaw banished?"

"No, he paid though, died in battle two sunrises after." Deertail blinked sorrowfully at her apprentice. "Do you see now, Emberpaw? I know you mean no harm, I know your heart isn't filled with evil, so what caused it? What haven't you been telling me?"

His heart thumped in his chest, Emberpaw could only look at Deertail as vile filled his throat. "I-" He choked and he grit his teeth. "I get bursts of confidence sometimes, they normally help me speak or fight. A mystery cat speaks to me sometimes, I don't know who they are but I think they're a she-cat and a part of StarClan." He gasped in a single breath.

He gave the older cat time to process the information. "And these burst of confidence drive you to anger?"

"No, they gave me the courage to stand up to Tigerpaw but I went too far. I let myself succumb to the anger that's been boiling up inside me since the day I could talk."

Deertail blinked slowly before she sighed. "I know they tortured you in your kithood, but you must learn to curb your anger. Those two cats could spell life or death for you Emberpaw."

Or they could kill me and feed me to a dog. Emberpaw bit his tongue to stop the words from coming out and he nodded. "I know." The lie tasted bitter in his mouth. "I will try to forgive them."

"You know you can never." A voice whispered in his ear.

"Sh." Emberpaw growled, making Deertail recoil.

"Excuse me?" She raised a brow.

"Not you, her-" He looked next to him and only saw a pigment of green fade. "She spoke to me.." He forced himself to shut up. "Nevermind."

Deertail blinked before she sighed, "We leave now, go take your Goatweed." With that, she padded away, waves of confusion flooded Emberpaws senses.

He sighed in remorse and padded into the Apprentices' den freezing when he saw a dark figure standing there, green orbs burning into him.

"It's you!" He cried, fur bristling as his lips peeled back in a snarl. His claws unsheathed and his tail lashed, "What do you want from me?!"

The figure wasn't swayed or shocked at his aggression. "Emberpaw, calm down, you have a destiny, unlike any other cat."

"What?" He froze, standing up straight. "What do you mean? Who are you?"

"I'm as what you say. A StarClan warrior." The figure padded forward and his jaw dropped as he saw the distinct starry pattern in her fur that Heatherspirit says all StarClan warriors have.

Her fur was thick, her fur blazed with life and was the same color as Redflares and Heatherspirits. "My name is Blazefur." She purred, green eyes staring at the young cat. "And I am the third."

"The third?" Emberpaw asked softly, confusion making his mind reel.

"I am Heatherspirits and Redflares sister, we were littermates, however, Redflare and Heatherspirit never liked each other. Redflare was too stubborn and Heatherspirit was too secretive, their personalities just didn't match. They were never sisters.. not really."

Emberpaw blinked, "So you're my blood.." He murmured, "And so is the medicine cat.." His mind felt numb. "My mother never told me-"

"She didn't find a reason to. She never could trust Heatherspirit, she wanted you to be safe." Blazefur sat down, drawing her paw up to lick it and run it over her ears a few times.

Emberpaw sat down, "So what does this mean? Why are you speaking to me?"

Blazefur looked up a twinkle in her eye. "I told you didn't I? You have a destiny to follow."

Emberpaw shook his head, "You have the wrong cat Blazefur, I'm just me, I can't be more than that." He padded over to his nest and tugged it over to move it. In a shallow, almost invisible hold laid his herb. He tugged out the small branch and tugged it off the stem, eating a few leaves.

Instantly he could feel the effects as his anxiety was curbed, his heart slowed to a normal beat and his mind cleared. He shoved the herb back into the hole and covered it with his nest again.

"Will you listen now?" Blazefurs voice made him jump and he whipped around. He had expected her to fade away but there she was, staring at him with unnerving intensity.

"I heard you before and I told you. I'm just me." He said firmly, looking away.

"And that's perfect!" Blazefur cried, "You is all you have to be!" Her tail swished in excitement as she bounced like an overexcited kit.

The DeltaClan apprentice looked at his kin with disbelief, making her whiskers twitch in frustration.

"Fine, I know you won't believe me until things start to happen." Dread crept up Emberpaws spine.

"What do you mean things?" He asked, "Stay away from Deertail!" He growled, pushing past her to walk away.

"I'm a StarClan cat Emberpaw, I won't hurt my own Clan!" She hissed in an offended tone. "Hear my words Emberpaw, things will change and when they do you can't run anymore! You must get over your fear of the world, you must get over the fear of those who stand against you, and you must get over your fear of yourself!"

This made the russet tom freeze. He hadn't told anyone that he feared himself.

"You said that I'm the most dangerous one here, what did you mean by that?" He turned, eyeing the StarClan warrior.

"You will learn, but only when you accept your destiny. Be brave Emberpaw, learn who you are." With that she faded away, leaving Emberpaw alone.

"Berpaw! Emberpaw!" His eyes snapped open, his gaze met the roof of the cave that was the Apprentices' den.

"Huh?" He stood up and looked up, his gaze was bleary but it focused. Deertails golden eyes met him, shining with concern. He looked around but a voice raised in a cheer. "Thank StarClan you're okay! I came back to you writhing and talking to yourself in your sleep!" The gray and white head of Pikepaw poked through the entrance. "Are you feeling okay? Did you eat crow-food?"

"No." Emberpaw croaked, "Wait, how long was I out?" He scrambled up to his paws and in the process almost fell.

"Careful!" Pikepaw rushed forward and pressed one of his muscular shoulders against Emberpaws slim ones to steady him, "It wasn't long, I promise." His sky blue eyes shone in friendliness. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yeah, just a bit stiff I guess." Emberpaw straightened up and heaved a breath as his muscles regained their clarity and strength. 

Pikepaw seemed skeptical but he withdrew himself and eyed Emberpaw closely as the red tom stood. "Are you okay?" The gray and white tom murmured, "Like really okay?"

Emberpaw felt frustration course through him, "I said I was fine. I guess I just was tired. I fell asleep on my paws." 

"That explains why you were asleep," Deertails voice cut through making the two apprentices look at her, "but that doesn't explain the writhing and mumbling." 

"I was talking in my sleep, so what?" Emberpaw fluffed up defensively, feeling uncomfortable at his mentors golden eyes burning into him. "It happens to warriors too, I remember you complaining about Antbranch." 

Deertails eyes narrowed but she didn't argue. Emberpaw could feel the worry despite her looking suspicious. He lifted his chin and stared at her.

He wouldn't lose this.

Golden met emerald and the tension rose between the two. Pikepaw glanced nervously between the two, "H-Hey come on.. aren't we suppose to go to the lake?" He tried to intervene shakily.

Emberpaws stared at his mentor intensely for a few more heartbeats before he finally looked away, he lost but narrowly as a heartbeat later Deertail looked away. 

"Yes." Deertails eyes flicked to her apprentice before she beckoned them to follow her with her tail. 

Emberpaw followed silently while Pikepaw breathed a sigh of relief. 

Beetlestream, who was laying by the camp entrance, stood. "Finally!" He exclaimed, "I was growing gray fur just waiting for you." He said teasingly, bringing his hind leg to scratch his ear. 

Deertail smiled, "You're just impatient." She teased back before she glanced back at Emberpaw, who refused to meet her eye and padded out of camp, a chattery Beetlestream on her heels. 

Emberpaw jogged forward, standing next to Beetlestream who was making small talk about how great prey was with Deertail. His ears were drooped and his head hung low, his emerald green eyes scanned bushes absentmindedly as his paws walked the familiar path. He let his mind wonder before a voice from behind him called. 

"Hey Emberpaw! Come walk with me!" One of the red toms ears perked and swiveled around as he turned his head, his dull and emotionless eyes focusing on Pikepaw. 

The grown cats both stopped and Beetlestream nodded, "You two can discuss battle moves!" He smiled at the red tom who nodded silently. He could feel Deertails eyes on him but he forced himself not to meet her gaze. 

The group set off once more but Emberpaw waited until Pikepaw caught up with him before he walked along the toms flank. 

"So, everyone in the Clan whispers about you." Pikepaw started casually. "I never paid much mind, I'm kinda.. everywhere, I guess." He gave a hearty laugh. 

"The Clan talks about me?" Emberpaw looked at the tom who nodded vigorously. 

"Darkpoppy, Lionpaw, and Tigerpaw talk bad." The tom murmured, "But everyone ignores those minnow-brains," He said quickly. "Barrentooth says you're a strange cat but Missingfluff says that you're good tom and I agree with him." 

Emberpaws ear twitched, "-A-And the rest?" 

"Redflare goes on about how you'll be the best warrior. Rumblethroat says you hunt well, and every senior warrior has commented that Lynxstar pays close attention to you." 

"Oh great." Emberpaw muttered sarcastically, anxiety creeping up his spine. He gave his fur a shake, trying to push it away but its cruel claws grasped his heart fast, making it beat ten times faster.

His lungs pushed air unevenly, making him gasp for breath but he forced himself to breathe normally before Pikepaw could notice. 

"Lilypaw says that you are not what you seem." Pikepaws voice was low and his blue eyes seemed to flicker for a moment.

That made Emberpaw freeze.

"Here we are!" Beetlestream yowled, "The lake!"

"Come on." Deertail told the two apprentices before rushing to meet the mentors who were watching the apprentices wrestle.

Pikepaw followed slowly but Emberpaw stuttered some syllables. 

"W-, buh-, I-" He stared after Pikepaw before he sighed and raced forward. 

He glanced to the side and saw Lilypaw eyeing him curiously but before he could open his jaws Appleblaze rose. "Alright, you all are a bit young to be taught this, only about seven and three-quarters moons but Lynxstar has ordered it. Now swimming is something that comes naturally." He padded over to the water's edge and waded into the shallow part. 

"To make sure you don't drown," Appleblaze continued as the attention was shifted to him. "You wade. It's like running, left paw, right paw," As his right paw rose his left hind paw kicked and then it alternated. His left forepaw rose and his right hind left kicked. 

Then Emberpaw noticed something, his toes were separated but connected by skin. 

"Y-Y-Y-" Emberpaw started but he couldn't get it out. Everyones attention shifted at once. He gulped and pressed against the ground. "You-" Shut up, shut up, shut up! He scolded himself.

He heard snickers from the twins but a snarl sounded from Amberpaw and the two toms shut up. 

"Go on Emberpaw. " Quailflecks voice coaxed and he shot the huge she-cat a look.

"You're paws." He choked out at Appleblaze, "There's s-skin." He finished lamely. 

He felt shock grasp him when Appleblaze smiled, "I'm glad someone noticed! Yes, between my toes there is skin. Unlike the other Clans, we DeltaClan cats have webbing, it helps us swim." The apprentices all looked at their paws and as Emberpaw spread his paws he smiled when he saw he too had webbing. "And so does our tail, it helps us maneuver." Appleblaze was going on. 

The tom swam toward the group and padded onto the bank. "Now it's your turn. Come on, the waters great." 

Pikepaw, Amberpaw, and Elmpaw wasted no time and jumped in, laughing as they swam around.

Tigerpaw glanced at Emberpaw condescendingly, "So is he here to watch or..?" He said with twisted laughter. Lionpaw chuckled next to him before Shadefern fixed his apprentice with a fierce glare. 

"No." The tom snarled, "He's here to swim and if you aren't careful Tigerpaw, I will drown you myself." His green eyes glinted and the brown tabby smacked his jaws shut and glared at the red tom one last time before padding into the water.

"Those two are minnow-brains." Emberpaw looked behind him and saw Lilypaw looking at the two with disgust before she fixed with him an intense stare. "I wanna talk to you, but alone. Meet me at the Island tomorrow." 

Then she was gone, leaping into the water gracefully. Emberpaw watched in awe as she took to the water instantly. Soon she was diving underwater and appearing under Amberpaw, laughing as the she-cat was lifted and splashed back into the water.

"Go son." Shadeferns gruff voice made him jump, "Show them." 

Emberpaw stared at his father before he crept forward, batting at the water experimentally. 

He padded a bit more and gulped as the water soaked onto the top of his legs. He gazed around before he felt claws in his flank. He let out a yowl as Lionpaw growled in his ear, "Come join us, Emberpaw!" 

He suddenly was drug into deeper waters. He let out a choked wail as his lungs burned and a memory raced through his mind. Memories of getting thrown around like a piece of prey, slamming into rocks and almost dying made him yowl and quickly rise to the surface. He swam to the bank and ran onto the grass, panting heavily and staring at the group of swimming apprentices with shaky eyes. 

Lionpaw was cackling with his brother. "Look at him! He's a scaredy-mouse!"

"He almost drowned you idiot!" Elmpaw snarled at the brown apprentice, who rolled his eyes. 

"He should have drowned! All he's doing is making DeltaClan look weak!" Tigerpaw growled, glaring at the red apprentice. 

"Oh and I'm sure it was his weakness that gave you that gash." Pikepaw retorted, blue eyes narrow. 

Tigerpaw snarled at the gray and white apprentice, amber eyes glinting in rage. 

"Pikepaw." Beetlestreams mew was warning but the tom let out a growl. 

"No! I'm sick of listening to those two morons bad mouth an honorable Clanmate!" Pikepaws tail lashed in the water, splashing it aggressively. 

"P-P-Please don't fight.." Emberpaws voice was shaky. He pressed against the ground and put his paws over his ears as his voice was lost in the fight between the older apprentices and the twins, mixed with the mentors trying to break it up. 

"Get up." A growl made him look up, eyes wide. Deertail stood over him with bared teeth. "You heard me, get up!" Her voice rose and suddenly silence overtook the fighting group, that now Amberpaw was apart of. 

He felt eyes watching both him and his mentor as he scrambled to his paws. 

"If you have time to sit here and feel sorry for yourself and live in the past then you have time to give it another shot." Deertail growled. 

"Deertail-" Hailwhisker said unsurely but Deertail glared at her, making her dip her head and back away. 

"But I'm-" 

"BUT NOTHING!" Deertail roared, making Emberpaw flinch and press against the ground. "How long do you plan to sit there and wallow. 'Oh, I have so many problems. Oh everyone should feel sorry for me' WELL GUESS WHAT, YOU AREN'T THE ONLY ONE IN THE CLAN WHO HAS ISSUES!" Deertail snarled, shoving her nose in the toms face.

She let out snorts of rage as Emberpaw stared at her silently.

"Antbranch is deaf in one ear, Lynxstar is too hyper, Brightnose has nosebleeds often." Deertail rattled off, "Rumblethroat ignores those who are close to him because he thinks he's helping when he's not!" She snarled and Emberpaw could have sworn he saw Lilypaws eyes widen.

"Patchfurs fur changed." Deertail went on without missing a beat, "Crabfoot hates the water, Shadefern is a complete moron-"

"Hey!" Came the toms offended voice but Deertail growled at him and he dropped his gaze. 

"Redflare is too stubborn for her own good, Elmpaw is too nice and lets herself get manipulated too much, Pikepaw comes off as overbearing because he wants to befriend everyone, Amberpaw is sassy and rude sometimes, Lionpaw and Tigerpaw are complete jerks who pay no attention to authority and haven't grasped the single sense of respect and Lilypaw never talks despite her having a beautiful voice." Deertail went on before panting. "And... me..." Her voice broke, "I take too much before I finally snap." her head dropped as she panted, her body was stiff and her claws were dug into the ground and the dirt was damp with angry tears.

Emberpaw was speechless, how could he have been so blind to others. He spent enough time around camp to know everyones life stories and yet... 

He didn't know his Clanmates at all. 

His ears pressed against his head, "And I give up before I try." He said, making Deertail look up in shock. 

Silence hung heavy in the air and he looked at the water, lapping at the embankment. 

'Hear my words Emberpaw, things will change and when they do you can't run anymore! You must get over your fear of the world, you must get over the fear of those who stand against you, and you must get over your fear of yourself!' 

She was right, everything was changing. His Clanmates were working to get stronger and he was dragging behind. He let out a sigh before he raced towards the ledge that over hung the water. 

"Emberpaw, what are you-"

Splash

Water surged around the red tom, anxiety clawed at him but he shoved it away as he swam underwater. His eyes gazed around, everything was slightly bleary but he made out fish in the distance and some lake-weed. He looked up and saw faces gazing into the water he made out Lilypaw staring with worry and felt power surge through him as he moved up and broke the surface, splashing Lilypaw who jumped. 

Lilypaw stared in awe as her fellow apprentice waded there with a calm smile on his face and a fire in his eyes. 

Her heart skipped a beat, she missed that look, despite everything that held him back, he always use to have this fire burning in his emerald eyes. It had faded since the Island incident and now there it was.

She smiled and nodded, everything was finally changing for him.

"Come on." The toms voice was clear and focused, strong as well. "Let's train!" 

Emberpaw looked around, Lynxstar moved forward, sitting on the ledge jutting from her den. "The cats coming to the Gathering are as follows. Brightnose, Dawnspot, Redflare, Appleblaze, Tigerpaw, Lionpaw, Lilypaw, Emberpaw, and Amberpaw." 

Rumblethroat stood, "Be on high alert, those StormClan cowards could attack us when we are down warriors at the Gathering. Willowcoat, take charge while we are gone." He nodded at the white she-cat. 

"I won't fail you." She murmured with a mixture of emotions as Rumblethroat jumped down and stopped in front of her a whiskers length away. The two eyes met and Willowcoat visibly trembled.

"I know you won't." He murmured with the same amount of feeling. 

Emberpaw gazed at the two as a strange tension rose from the two cats. Willowcoat was the first to look away, drawing her tail close as Rumblethroat moved past her silently, and the tension ceased. 

"What was that?" Emberpaw asked softly, blinking in confusion. He glanced over at Lilypaw but the she-cat only stared after the deputy with a guarded look. She gave nothing away. 

Lynxstar stared after her own deputy, her whiskers twitching in confusion and intrigued. "The meeting is over, cats I called, follow!" She said hastily as she leaped down and bounded after her deputy. "Rumblethroat wait!" Her voice faded as the group of cats awkwardly scrambled. 

"Those who are weird." Brightnose commented to Amberpaw, who laughed. 

"Weirder than you, I dont think so!" Amberpaw said fondly as she gazed up at the young warrior. "Come on!" She raced after the group of cats that were following Lynxstar.

Emberpaw blinked before he followed, drawing up next to his mother. 

"I hear you got scolded by Deertail finally." She commented, looking at him with pale yellow eyes. 

"'Finally?'" He echoed, raising a brow, "What do you mean 'finally'?"

"I knew she would snap eventually," Redflare explained, "We all did. It's just how Deertail is." 

Everyone knew that but me. Emberpaw thought with disdain but he shook the feeling away. "I swam." He said, changing the subject. 

Redflare seemed surprised about the subject change but said nothing. "Oh? How was it?" she gazed at him lovingly, a smile playing at her mouth.

"Quiet." Emberpaw smiled back as delight danced in his mothers eyes but a tail rose above the group of cats, making them stop. 

Suddenly the group lurched forward and Emberpaw followed, watching as the group of cats padded across a strange stone structure. He followed idly and cringed. 

"What's that StarClan forsaken smell?!" He exclaimed loudly, making glowing eyes look up at him.

"Lynxstar." A she-cat carrying the scent made Emberpaw cringe. She was white she-cat with gray faded spots. "I hear a new voice." she nodded to Emberpaw.

The she-cat chuckled, "He's right, you do stink, even for a MarshClan cat." She commented, eyes narrowing playfully. 

Oh so that was- Emberpaw choked as he rushed forward, "You're Sootstar!" He gasped before he cringed at the scent. 

Sootstar looked down at him, laughing slightly, "The scent you smell is us mixed with fox, we had a bit of a bout." She smiled slightly, "It's nice to see a new face." She nodded to Lynxstar as the tan she-cat stretched lazily. 

"Where did that fox go?" She asked, fur bristling. 

Sootstar shook her head and padded away.

Emberpaw watched as his Clanmates glanced at each other before mingling with the MarshClan cats. 

"Hey, you." A voice made him jump and he stared at a golden spotted warrior, along with brown spots. The tom grinned and he gulped at the deadly long canines he had. "I haven't seen you before, you new?" 

"Y-Y-Y-es." He choked, pressing against the ground. 

The toms eyes softened, "I'm not going to hurt you young one, the Gathering is a time of peace." He straightened, "The names Spiderfang, and you?"

The name fit him, considering those long pointed fangs. Emberpaw rose slightly. "E-E-E-E-Emberpaw.." He stuttered. 

"Emberpaw huh? You sure stutter allot." Spiderfang blinked, "Are you okay?"

"P-P-P-P-P-Perfectly f-f-f-fine!" He backed away as his voice raise in fear, gaining the attention of a tan she-cat and a brown patched tom. They both joined Spiderfang, eyeing Emberpaw with curiously. 

"What's wrong with him?" The tan she-cat whispered. 

"I don't know Flashwing." Spiderfang shrugged. 

Emberpaw backed away, "N-N-N-N-N-Nothings wrong!" He cried, his voice shaky with fear. He backed away, his paw on the edge of the ledge. Beneath him the water rushed quick. 

"Hey, wait, don't back up!" The brown patched tom moved forward.

"D-D-D-D-Don't come near me!" He backed up and let out a yowl but teeth fastened his scruff and lifted him up. 

A familiar scent filled his senses and he smiled up at Redflare, Appleblaze was next to her.

"Thanks mom." He purred. 

"Anytime, what made you fall? Was it them?" She growled at the MarshClan cats whose fur rose. 

"What? You can't possibly think we'd push a kit off the edge FourStones!" Flashwing cried. 

"I don't know, BreezeClan says that you can never trust a MarshClan cat." Appleblaze growled, glaring at the three cats. 

"We just wanted to know why he stuttered!" Spiderfang cried exasperatedly. 

"Yeah!" The brown patched tom backed his friend up. 

"You obviously scared him." A near voice made the group turn. A black tom with a very skinny tail padded forward, brown eyes irritated. "You three are barely warriors, if you acted anymore idiotically I'd swear you guys are kits in an older body!" He snarled. "I apologize for my stupid Clanmates, they're excited, this is their first Gathering as warriors. Go you three, before you cause any more trouble." He dipped his head to Redflare who nodded. 

"That's quite alright Branchtail." She purred as the warriors slinked away. The black tom looked down at Emberpaw who hide behind his mom.

"Is this your son? He's quite handsome." He commented, eyes shining. 

Redflare puffed at the compliment, "Why yes he is. Emberpaw, greet Branchtail, he's the deputy of MarshClan."

Emberpaw padded forward, "H-H-H-H-Hi." He said softly. 

"Huh, he does stutter. Does he do that all the time?" Branchtail asked, raising a brow.

"Branchtail." Redflare said and the tom blushed slightly.

"Sorry, I suppose I'm no better than the others." Branchtails ear twitched, "BreezeClan is here." He murmured, turning slightly. 

A familiar windy scent flooded Emberpaws nose, he padded forward a bit when Amberpaw rushed forward, "Come on Emberpaw! I want you to meet someone!" 

"O-Okay!" Emberpaw followed her, almost stumbling over his paws as he tried to catch up to her lithe form. 

She skitted to a halt in front of a gray she-cat, "Hey Fogpaw!" She said happily. 

The she-cat smiled, "Hey Amberpaw, who's your friend? He's cute." She nodded to Emberpaw who blushed heavily. 

"W-Wha...?" He stuttered dumbly. 

"Stop flirting with the enemy Fogpaw!" Came a growl from a white, ginger spotted tom sitting a few paces away staring at DeltaClan and MarshClan cats as if he was gonna leap at any moment. 

"Leave me alone Wildclaw!" Fogpaw stuck her tongue out at the tom who snarled and crept away, fur bristling as he disappeared among his Clanmates. 

"Stupid tom.." Fogpaw muttered, glaring after him before she fixed Emberpaw with an half-lidded stare. "So, enemy~" She purred, moving close to him causing him to press against the ground. "What's your name?"

"Uh.." Emberpaw couldn't find his voice as her scent flooded his nose, was that.. lavender or mint? He couldn't tell as his senses were muddled. "It's-uh.." 

"Emberpaw." He just about jumped out of his fur when Lilypaws voice came from behind him. "His name is Emberpaw and give him some space Fogpaw. You're suffocating him." 

Emberpaw blinked, how did Lilypaw know this flirtatious gray she-cat? 

"Oh calm down, I'm only being friendly." Fogpaw said without a single care in the world.

Lilypaws eyes narrowed, "That's what I was afraid of." She said dejectedly before her fur bristled. "StormClan." She snarled. 

Emberpaw felt fear rise in his chest as he turned towards the stalking figures coming from the bushes. Earth scent washed over him along with crushing guilt as Deertails image flashed in front of him. The stench of blood returned and overpowered his sense of smell. 

He gulped when he saw a spiky furred she-cat walking forward, her chest puffed out and her eyes glimmering. 

A growl sounded behind him and he turned to see Brightnose and Dawnspot snarling glaring at the cocky group of StormClan cats. 

"Hey, runt." A growl made him choke and press against the ground as the brown tom stalked forward, "When did DeltaClan let kits come to the Gathering?" He taunted, amber eyes shining like fire. 

"I-I-" Emberpaw backed up before a fight rose inside him. "I'm not a kit you crowfood-eater." He spat, fur bristling. 

The brown tom snarled, "What did you say fish-breath?" He glared at Emberpaw, "You got a few lucky strikes, don't push it."

"Was it luck, or were you too weak to finish me off?" Emberpaw retorted, stalking forward with his tail lashing. 

The tom snarled, "You stupid kit, I'll tear you apart!" He lunged forward screeching but Emberpaw was ready. He lurched back, the same move that the tom had used and he raced right past the red tom, stumbling as his chin slammed into the ground. 

The tom was up and leaped onto Emberpaw roaring with rage but Emberpaw was quick and rolled out of the way. 

"Bearpaw! Stop fighting this instant!" Soaringclaw growled, "Don't waste your energy on an enemy that was crushed." He growled at the DeltaClan apprentice as he herded the apprentice away.

"I'll get you one day, runt!" Bearpaw snarled, "And when I do you'll be saying hi to StarClan!" 

"Like to see you try!" Emberpaw shot back before huffing. He sat down and sighed, glancing behind him. 

Amberpaw, Lilypaw, and Fogpaw were all staring at him in awe. 

"What?" He asked tiredly.

"Nothing just-" Fogpaw recovered quick, throwing her flirtatious look on. "No tom has ever stood up to that bully. You should meet me at the border tomorrow." She purred, pressing her cheek against the DeltaClan apprentices cheek.

He backed up, disgust rising in his chest. "And betray my Clan? I don't think so! Keep your paws on your side of the border." He spat before walking off leaving her in a shocked state.

He glanced back and saw Lilypaw throw her a look before a growl rose. 

"The Gathering is starting!" Cedarstar called. 

"Emberpaw!" Redflares voice seemed frantic and he rushed forward. 

"I'm here!" He called, sitting down next to the she-cat. 

The BreezeClan leader glanced back at the other leaders who nodded to him.

"BreezeClan is strong," He started, "Sagewater comes here with a new apprentice. Nightpaw!" 

A black she-cat rose, her eyes were strange, a light pale hazel. 

Congratulations were thrown at her before the attention was once again returned to the talking leader. "A hawk was spotted flying around our camp but we taught that beast a lesson." He grinned, "Made a fantastic feast. Other than that we come here with a few new apprentices. "Kinkpaw and Runnerpaw!" He nodded to two small forms. One was white with a kinked tail, and the other was long-legged and had gray markings.

"Tell me those kits are old enough to be apprentices." Branchtail growled at the leader, eyes narrow. 

"They are, Branchtail." The gray tom with darker markings sitting next to him underneath Cedarstar assured, "They're Cloudfurs kits." He explained and the MarshClan deputy nodded, sitting back down as he rose in his concern. 

"Other than that, we are strong and will defend our borders." Emberpaw was shocked at how Cedarstar kept his cool after being accused of breaking one of the most important parts of the Warrior Code, though he noticed the leader glared at Branchtail as he said the closing statement of his news.

The leader backed away and was replaced with Sootstar. 

"A fox was on our territory but we sent it cowering back into the unused part of our territory. I don't think we will see him again." Growls of agreement arose from the MarshClan cats. "Other than that we come with new warriors, Spiderfang, Nightclaw, and Flashwing!" 

Emberpaw hesitantly called their names along with the rest. The rest of the new was boring, just mentions that prey runs well and that they were strong. 

As soon as she backed away, Lynxstar jumped forward, snarling. "StormClan, you cowards! How dare you take a piece of land you don't even need!"

Gasps rose from MarshClan and BreezeClan while fur was ruffled and snarls rose from DeltaClan and StormClan. 

"It's Greenleaf, it's hot and the river that runs through our forest has dried up, our cats need to drink." Thistlestar snarled back, fur bristling.

"If you wanted a drink you could have asked, you're taking a prey-filled part of our land and we don't intend on letting you keep it." Rumblethroat growled, rising as he glared at Soaringclaw and Thistlestar. 

"If you want your land back you'll have to fight us!" Bearpaws voice rose, and yowls of agreement backed him up. 

Lynxstar snarled and leaped down, glaring down at the brown apprentice who coward instantly. 

"Careful what you wish for." She growled before looking at Thistlestar, "You have until Leaf-fall to return our land or there will be bloodshed!" She growled, "DeltaClan, we leave!" 

"Threaten us if you wish, but my Clan is strong! The elders and kits will not be put in jeopardy because you want some extra fish!" Soaringclaw snarled after the leader as she led her Clan off. 

Emberpaw followed his Clanmates and saw Fogpaw staring at him, he glared at the she-cat forcing her to drop her gaze before he padded away. Rage made his paws tremble as he treaded on the bridge leading him home. 

StormClan will pay.