Four moons past. Fox scent had been reported inside our borders. I settled down to sleep that night, hoping Skystar would send me answers. I was disappointed.

I dreamed of a tortoise-shell she-cat. "StarClan wants you to take on a new apprentice. You must mentor Nightkit."

"But why? It's rare that a deputy and leader have apprentices, much less at the same time." I meowed.

The cat just smiled as my dream faded.

.

"Let all cats join beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

I had just told Mossstar, and though it took some hesitation, he agreed. Littlekit and Nightkit proudly walked up to him.

"It is time for the naming of new apprentices. From this moment on, until she has received her warrior name, this apprentice will be named Littlepaw." He turned to his warriors. "Goosewing you will be his mentor." Goosewing happily climbed up to the rock. "Goosewing, you have mentored Thornpelt. I know you will pass on the same care and hard work as you have before." They touched noses.

Mossstar cast a glance in my direction. I nodded. He continued, "NightPAW, your mentor will be Rabbitstorm."

Nightpaw's eyes lit up. "Rabbitstorm, you are my loyal deputy, brother, and formal apprentice. I know you will mentor this apprentice well."

"Littlepaw! Nightpaw!"

I stepped down from the rock. My apprentice followed me. "Birdfeather," I meowed, "would you like to come with us? We're going to see the territories."

"Sure."

We started at the best moss places, where we showed her how to collect moss. Then we went to Snakerocks, the Great Sycamore, and the PineClan boundary.

"Wouldn't you think we'd have a better protection from them?" Nightpaw meowed. I stopped for a moment. I almost died from the Thunderpath when I was alive, and my agility was spent for nothing when I was led into ShadowClan territory, when two warriors, named Blackfoot and Clawface were ordered to kill me by their leader, Brokenstar.

After we showed her Stunningrocks, her first assignment was to fetch moss. Birdfeather and I were alone. "You know, even before you saved me from the SunClan deputy, I've always known you'd be the best warrior."

"I love you, Birdfeather. We had such lovely kits. They only have two more moons left."

"They have your courage."

"And your kindness."

We talked until Nightpaw returned. She had a whole bunch of moss. "Great job! You can have the juiciest prey on the pile."

Nightpaw's eyes gleamed with pride. How could anything be worse?

I had forgotten about the fox's burrow.