A golden ray of sunshine trickled into the RiverClan camp, shining brilliantly through wisps of fog. The first cracks of dawn introduced warmth to the chilly morning, eating away at frost-gathered grass.

    Cats emerged from their dens as they prepared for the new day, while Silverpaw sat, already present, in the center of the clearing.

    Her light paws were tucked under her stomach, and her nose remained pressed against soft, red fur. Her fur was bushed out, fighting to keep warm under the cool air. She inhaled deeply, knowing that one of these breaths would be the last time she'd ever smell her mentor's scent.

    "You were an honored warrior of RiverClan, Sorrelmouse. A mother, a friend, a mentor, and a mate; your ever-loving presence will forever be missed. May you find a safe passage to StarClan, where you will embrace a pleasant eternity with the sun warming your back and fish leaping into your paws," Wishfern finished solemnly, bowing her head to the red warrior's still body.

    Sorrelmouse looked as though she were merely dozing. Her pelt was nicely groomed, as it always was, and her nose was tucked lightly beneath her tail. The faint smell of watermint wafted from her body, disguising the undeniable stench of death. The wounds marring her fur were hidden as best as they could be. The injury on her neck, however, was still clearly visible. It was too large to be concealed like the rest, permanently dividing the warrior from what she was in life, and now in death.

    Silverpaw backed away, sadness hardening her throat like dry bark as the Clan's three elders carefully lifted her mentor's body and hauled her out of camp. As her golden eyes trailed the limp red figure, she could feel numbness spreading from her chest to the very tip of her tail.

    Denial surged through her—She can't be gone, this has to be a dream, but regardless of how hard she fought against the intrusive thoughts of reality, she simply couldn't. And that only hurt worse.

    Throughout the night, Silverpaw had only been accompanied by Dappledfang. The rest of the Clan had retreated to their nests long before moonhigh, leaving the two alone. The tom's grief was as clear as a full moon on a cloudless night, and he dared not spare a single glance to Silverpaw through his tears. She knew, deep down, that he blamed her for Sorrelmouse's death.

    As he should, she thought sadly. It really is my fault. If I'd left sooner... if I'd run quicker... she might still be here. She shuddered, snatching her eyes away from the camp entrance.

    With Wishfern and Pinestar on her tail, she had raced back to the border as fast as possible, only to be greeted by Dappledfang's mournful howling as he laid, hunched over his mate's unmoving body.

     Silverpaw was by his side in an instant; simply staring at Sorrelmouse's rapidly cooling corpse in a pool of her own blood.

    It was absurd to her how quickly a life could be snuffed. Her mentor; the cat who had taken her in as a daughter, had been stripped away in a single battle—just like Owlpaw. And neither had survived due to Silverpaw's negligence.

    Out of the corner of her eye, Silverpaw caught a flicker of brown fur through the hazy clearing. She dazedly turned her head to see Pinestar creeping out from between the roots of the ancient willow tree, his eyes gaunt with grief, but his form set with the imperturbability of a leader.

    He lifted his head and yowled, "May all cats old enough to swim in the rapids gather around for a Clan meeting!"

    The tom gathered his haunches and sprang atop a large, mossy boulder. His claws dug into the slick moss before he steadied himself, turning to face the swiftly gathering Clan.

    Sleep-leaden warriors assembled in a ragged half-circle around the boulder. Silverpaw remained where she was, already in perfect view of the leader. Soft chatter shrouded the air as tired warriors discussed the possibilities of their leader's summons.

    "Where's Dappledfang run off to?"

    "Let it be, Swimleap. The poor thing lost his kits, apprentice, and his mate in less than a season-cycle."

    "Maybe Pinestar's finally giving me an apprentice!"

    "I highly doubt it."

    "Don't be a fish-brain. Silverpaw is in need of a new mentor, and it's not going to be anybody as insensitive as you."

    Silverpaw tuned out the voices and folded her ears against her head.

    Suddenly, a body slammed into her side. She winced, her cobwebbed injuries pulsing with pain as she turned to see Mistpaw pressing up next to her. She froze at the black apprentice's sorrow-filled eyes.

    "What are you doing?" Silverpaw blurted.

    "Having your back, that's what!" Mistpaw straightened, her green eyes glowing.

    Silverpaw's shoulders prickled, and she struggled to speak. "I don't need you to have my back," she croaked, turning her eyes away from the she-cat. She started as two more black figures fell into place beside her.

    "Nobody can deal with something like this on their own," Toadpaw mewed sympathetically, running his tail along her spine.

    Lichenpaw smiled. Though she remained silent, her blue eyes glowed in encouragement.

    "Maybe you guys can't," Silverpaw retorted, "but I can."

    Mistpaw cuffed Silverpaw over the ears. "You can't keep shutting us out whenever there's a tragedy," she snapped.

    "Yes, I can!" Silverpaw yowled back. "I can't get too close to you guys. If I do..." she hesitated. She knew she sounded irrational, but it had happened far too often to be false. I've lost all the cats closest to me in my life—I can't bear to lose anymore. "You might leave me, too," her voice shook.

    "By pushing us away, you're already losing us. It's either you be our friend, or not at all. We're here to help you through the tough times, to be there for you when you need us, but we can't if you just keep discarding us like crowfood." Mistpaw padded around Silverpaw until she could meet the tabby's eyes. "Come on, Silverpaw," she pleaded. "Let us stay by your side."

    Silverpaw's mouth bobbed. "I—" she swallowed. She felt the eyes of her Clanmates burning holes into the back of her neck, and she hunched even lower to the ground. "Okay, fine," she muttered. "I guess I could use your company."

    Mistpaw nodded curtly. "Good." She wound around the silver tabby one more time, squeezing between Lichenpaw so she could press next to Silverpaw. "You're not alone, Silverpaw," she reassured, lapping her friend's ear.

    She struggled to relax under the presence of her friends, her eyes darting between the three of them, torn between acceptance and pushing them away.

    The eyes of the Clan once more shifted up to Pinestar. The leader, his brows raised, spoke again, "As many of you are aware, we have been struck by the loss of a valuable warrior. Sorrelmouse now walks among the stars, and in her absence, Silverpaw is left without a mentor."

    Silverpaw shrank under her pelt. Pity and irritation swam through the air as her Clanmates muttered amongst themselves about her. Lionpoppy's eyes found her in the crowd, narrowing sharply before she turned to whisper venom-laced words to Quietoak.

    "Honeywhisker," Pinestar's voice scored through the air, "I expect you to handle Silverpaw's training from this point onward. Salmonskip trained you well, and I anticipate the same from you."

    From the other side of the clearing, the golden warrior politely dipped his head. "Thank you, Pinestar," he meowed. "I'll do my best."

    Honeywhisker rose to his paws and padded steadily across the clearing. Silverpaw watched him until he stood before her, his amber eyes narrowed as he studied the silver tabby.

    With a dissatisfied sigh, the tom leaned forward and pressed his nose to hers—the two were nearly the same height, separated by only a few moons in age. Silverpaw refrained from letting her scarred muzzle crinkle unhappily.

    "I expect you to behave like a warrior, not a mouse, during your training with me," Honeywhisker hissed softly as he pulled away.

    A nearly inaudible growl rolled from Silverpaw's chest as she watched the unbearable tom walk away. She held her anger between gritted teeth, and her growl smoothed into a rattly breath as she calmed herself.

    Bristling fur tickled her side, and she quickly realized that Mistpaw's own eyes were narrowed in a furious glare. She pressed herself against the black she-cat's flank in return, and gradually, Mistpaw relaxed, but not without a scowl.

    "Next, we have two new apprentices to appoint. Finchkit and Pigeonkit, please step forward."

    Silverpaw felt a brief stir of surprise at the mention of the excitable kits' names, and she watched as the two squealed with delight. Pigeonkit, his fur messy and unkempt, tumbled along a few tail-lengths behind his more immaculate sister, the both of them barreling across the earth. Quietoak lunged forward and snagged Pigeonkit by the scruff, dragging him back to her paws to give him a swift grooming.

    Pigeonkit squeaked and fought to escape his mother as she rapidly licked his fur smooth. At last, she set him free, watching with warm eyes as the gray tabby joined his sister beneath the large boulder.

    Salmonskip, from the base of the meeting-place, studied the two with quiet pride.

    "Finchkit and Pigeonkit," Pinestar continued, his eyes shining in amusement, "you have both reached the age of six moons, and it is time for your apprenticeship to begin. From this day onward, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Finchpaw and Pigeonpaw. Finchpaw, your mentor will be Heatfur, and Pigeonpaw, your mentor will be Lionpoppy. You have both shown excellent loyalty and skill as warriors, and I expect you to pass your knowledge on to the future of our Clan. Train these apprentices to their fullest potential."

    Silverpaw's eyes narrowed as she watched Lionpoppy approach young Pigeonpaw. The gray tabby squirmed excitedly, and he eagerly touched his nose to Lionpoppy's. Her eyes were soft, and a light smile danced across her muzzle.

    Once Heatfur greeted her own apprentice, the Clan erupted into cheers, swarming to congratulate the newly appointed apprentices.

    "Finchpaw! Pigeonpaw! Finchpaw! Pigeonpaw!"

    Silverpaw joined the cacophony of voices, smiling slightly as she watched the apprentices nearly leap out of their pelts in joy. Her heart twisted as she recalled her own apprentice ceremony—her real one. She and Owlpaw had been nearly as excited, her mother had been proud, and Sorrelmouse's brilliant smile had lit up the rainy day. Her smile faltered. If only I could go back in time.

    "The Clan is dismissed," Pinestar declared, sweeping his white-tipped tail around him.

    The tom leaped down from his perch, summoning Salmonskip away from his kits with a brisk gesture. The deputy glanced at the apprentices one final time before ducking into conversation with Pinestar, the two sweeping towards the base of the overarching willow.

    "Are you all right?" Toadpaw inquired softly, brushing his tail along Silverpaw's side.

    "Just fine," Silverpaw mewed.

    Mistpaw scoffed, shouldering the silver tabby, "Sure you are."

    "Please stop that," Silverpaw mewed, pulling away from her friend and shifting her aching shoulders.

    "Oh, sorry. But as I was saying, there's no way you're fine! Not with Honeywhisker as your mentor." She shuddered. "I can't believe Pinestar actually assigned that fox-heart to finish your training."

    "Yeah, well, it happened. At least I won't be stuck with him for my entire apprenticeship... I'll be a warrior soon enough."

    "You shouldn't have to be stuck with him at all! He's hardly more than a warrior himself."

    Silverpaw grunted in agreement. If I hadn't gotten Sorrelmouse killed, I wouldn't need to be stuck with him in the first place.

    "Silverpaw."

    She jerked her head up, suddenly weary as she saw Honeywhisker scowling at her, only a few whisker-lengths away. "What is it?" She snapped, drawing back her lips to bare her teeth.

    Honeywhisker's ears twitched in annoyance, and he snarled back at her, "Salmonskip requested that you take today off. Go get some rest, we'll be training tomorrow."

    Silverpaw's eyes narrowed to slits, and she turned her head away, responding with an unsatisfactory grunt.

    Honeywhisker opened his mouth, but thought better of whatever he had to say and instead huffed, turning away. He hurried to the camp entrance where Aspentail and Wolfpounce impatiently waited.

    "Did you stay up all night?" Toadpaw prodded once Silverpaw's new mentor was gone.

    "Of course I did," she murmured, still staring at the camp entrance. "I didn't want to miss the last chance I had to spend with Sorrelmouse, like I did with Owlpaw."

    She closed her eyes at the thought. She had been too injured to attend her brother's vigil; instead, her final memory of him was full of terror as the life fled his body.

    At least Sorrelmouse looked as if she were merely sleeping.

    "I'm sorry," Mistpaw mewed gently.

    Silverpaw gave herself a brisk shake, pushing down her aching sadness. "Let's get something to eat," she said instead, brushing away from Mistpaw as the black apprentice tried to comfort her. "I'm... starving." She flicked her tail. Though it was true, she really didn't want to eat anything. Her appetite had been numbed by a torrent of loss.

    "I've already beat you to it," Lichenpaw mewed over her shoulder. She was dragging a massive large-mouthed bass from the fresh-kill pile, her ears slightly drawn back.

    "Brilliant," Toadpaw purred. "I knew we could count on you, Lichenpaw!" He hurried over to help her pull it over.

    Silverpaw joined the two, and the three of them pulled it beneath some shrubbery. As the rest of her companions chowed down, Silverpaw found herself simply staring at the scaly green flesh. Finally, she grimaced and took a small bite. It tasted like gravel, struggling to slide down her gullet.

    "How did anybody manage to catch this?" Mistpaw mumbled around a mouthful of meat. "It's huge!"

    Silverpaw shrugged, picking halfheartedly at its flesh. After a few more bites, she couldn't bear to eat anymore. It felt like she was licking toadskin.

    "That's enough for me." She stood back to wipe her whiskers clean. "Thank you for sharing."

    "Are you sure that's enough?" Lichenpaw mewed quietly, her blue eyes light with concern.

    "Yeah."

    Mistpaw paused in her eating. "Well, thank you for joining us. I know things are hard right now... but you can always talk with us, all right?" She beamed. "No matter what."

    Silverpaw forced a smile. "Yeah. Thanks, Mistpaw."

    Lichenpaw gingerly stretched her neck forward, but Silverpaw flinched away.

    Mistpaw gently swatted her sister over the head, and the two exchanged a glance. Silverpaw could see an entire conversation pass between them through just their eyes. Her heart wrenched.

    Lichenpaw's blue gaze, wide with sympathy, stared at Silverpaw for a moment longer. She nodded a wordless farewell.

    Flicking her tail, Silverpaw padded away, exhaustion weighing at her paws. She was only moments away from the apprentice's den, both dreading and anticipating her nest, when Toadpaw skipped up beside her.

    "What is it?" She mewed before he could speak.

    "Are you sure you're okay?" He asked, his breath stirring her whiskers.

    "Clearly not." She shrugged halfheartedly. "What do you expect of me? To get over it, just like that?" She wrenched a paw through the air for emphasis.

    "I don't see why I'd ever think that. I just... is there any way I can help? Any way to make things easier for you?"

    Silverpaw returned his intense stare, her heart throbbing with sorrow. "No. Unless you can bring Sorrelmouse and Owlpaw back from the dead, there's nothing you can do for me." She dipped her head. "Thanks, anyways. Goodnight."

    His shoulders slumped, illuminated by the early morning sun. "Sleep well, Silverpaw."

    She spun around, retreating to the confines of the apprentice's den. The stale air and soft moss greeted her as she wove around the empty nests, until at last, she met her own. She stared at it for a brief moment, then to the empty space where Owlpaw's nest once was. Her heart churned. It's gone. Her nose quivered, stinging with an oncoming set of tears. Before they could break loose, she dropped into her bedding and tucked her nose beneath her tail.

    Tears stained her fur as grief swallowed her, sweeping her away into a dreamless sleep.