Amberkit opened her eyes, excitement and nervousness coursing through her. I'm going to be an apprentice today! Oh my goodness! She gazed out of the nursery, sighing when she saw that it wasn't dawn. I'm going to have to wait... The calico she-cat closed her amber eyes again, trying to fall back asleep. However, sleep would not come, and the she-cat sighed once more.

The calico looked towards her mother, gently prodding her. Rainfeather woke up, gazing down at her daughter. "What is it, Amberkit?" the blue she-cat whispered.

"I can't go back to sleep," Amberkit mewed. "I'm too excited!" The pretty calico watched as her mother took a glance outside.

"You're not due to wake up in half a sunshift," Rainfeather mewed, blue eyes lighting up. "So I suppose that you don't have to go back to sleep. I can get you ready for your apprentice ceremony now if you like."

Amberkit nodded, "Yes please! I want to look my best for this!"

"Alright," Rainfeather murmured, sitting up. "Follow me. I don't want to disturb your siblings." The large blue she-cat stood up and walked towards the back of the nursery, Amberkit following. The calico kit sat in front of her mother's paws, her mother's tongue gliding across her pelt. "You have such beautiful fur, Amberkit," Rainfeather mewed.

Amberkit purred, "Thank you!" She flicked her white-tipped ear when she heard another cat coming closer.

"Good morning, Amberkit," Maplefern purred. "Today's your apprentice ceremony, so I thought I could give you this to put in your fur." Maplefern placed a pretty marigold on the ground.

Amberkit's amber eyes lit up in excitement. "Thank you so much Aunt Maplefern!" The calico she-cat scooped up the marigold in her paws. "Where did you find it?"

Maplefern looked at Rainfeather for a moment, who returned her gaze. "Well, I found it in the forest when I went on a night stroll a quarter moon ago. It was right by a large pine tree with claw marks. When I saw the flower I couldn't help but think you'd like it."

"Well I love it!" Amberkit smiled, purring loudly. "Mother, can you tuck it behind my ear?" The she-cat handed the flower to Rainfeather.

"Of course," Rainfeather purred, doing as her daughter had asked. "You look very beautiful, Amberkit," the blue-gray she-cat said as she nuzzled the calico kit.

"Thank you!" Amberkit purred, pressing against her mother. "I can't believe that, soon, I'm going to be an apprentice." Amberkit gazed up at Rainfeather. "Do you know who my mentor will be?"

"Yes, I do," the mother purred playfully. "But I can't tell you, as that would only ruin the surprise~!"

Aw! I can't wait! "Oh alright!" Amberkit closed her amber eyes, feeling the cold leaf-bare wind lightly whisk her pelt. She knew that soon there would be snow, and its mention brought a question to the soon-to-be apprentice's mind. "Mother," she started gazing back up at her mother again. "Will father congratulate me?"

Amberkit watched as her mother gave a deep sigh. "I don't know, Amberkit."

"But don't worry! Even if he doesn't everybody else will! And I'm sure he'll be proud of you, even if he doesn't say it!" Maplefern mewed, giving a nervous smile.

That's not the same... I want my dad to say he's proud of me, not to just assume he is. I want to know him. "Oh...alright," Amberkit murmured. "Mother," the she-kit started once more, having another question on her mind. "Can father sing?"

"Well...yes. Yes, he can. And he's very good at it too. He always has been," Rainfeather sighed, once again nuzzling Amberkit.

"Did you teach him how to sing?" the she-kit asked, amber eyes lit with curiosity.

"Yes, I did. When we were apprentices we'd leave camp at night together. We'd duet under the moonlit sky. And for a few seasons we stopped for...reasons. But then we had started to again. It was great," Rainfeather murmured, her blue eyes glistening with memories of the past.

That sounds wonderful...but what went wrong? "Mother," Amberkit started once more, pressing against Rainfeather for warmth. "Why did that stop? Why didn't father ever go to the nursery?"

"W-well...I don't know..." Rainfeather whispered, wrapping her tail around Amberkit. For a few minutes all was quiet, before Amberkit had something else on her mind.

"Larkkit should be here. He wanted to be a warrior. He could have been a great warrior. Why did StarClan take him away?" The she-kit had always missed her youngest sibling, but underneath that sadness held anger. Amberkit never understood why her Clanmates seemed to had moved on from Larkkit's death so quickly. If it wasn't for her mother and the other kits in the nursery urging her to play, she would have just stayed in her nest, silently grieving.

Rainfeather sighed once again, starting to groom Amberkit. "I don't know why... But what I do know is that, though you won't see him, he'll be here for your apprentice ceremony. He'll always be with you. Do you know where?"

"No...where?"

"Right here," Rainfeather said, pointing to Amberkit's chest. "In your heart."

Amberkit purred softly, closing her eyes. Silence resumed itself for a few more minutes, before the kit heard scampering.

"Apprentices! We're gonna be apprentices today! It's today! Today! It's seriously today! I can't wait!" Onekit exclaimed as he skidded over to Rainfeather and Amberkit, Wrenkit hot on his trail.

"Yes, you are! Which means that I'm going to have to groom you," Rainfeather chuckled.

"Oh no! Not me! Toms aren't supposed to be groomed!" Onekit declared, narrowing his light blue eyes.

"Why not?" Amberkit asked, standing up and trotting towards her smaller white-furred brother. "We need to look neat for our apprentice ceremony. We're going to be presented to the entire Clan!"

"I know, but toms aren't supposed to look neat! That's not how it works! Only she-cats are!" the tom-kit mewed, before gazing at his mother. "Right?"

"Both toms and she-cats must look neat and tidy," Rainfeather murmured, starting to groom Wrenkit. "What makes you think toms aren't?"

"Thornpaw told me," Onekit replied. "He told me that toms are supposed to be all rough and tough and that they can't be like she-cats! And he told me other things to! For example, he told me that toms don't need to be groomed and spend all their time on their fur like how she-cats do!"

"Really?" Rainfeather asked, now finished grooming Wrenkit. "Well that isn't true." The mother narrowed her eyes, and Amberkit could see a flash of anger appear. "I suppose I'll have to talk to Thornpaw later on."

"Don't get worked up about this, Rainfeather," Maplefern purred. "Thornpaw probably didn't mean what he said. After all, he's a respectful young tom."

"Guess you're right," Rainfeather muttered, before gazing at her son. "Now, let me clean your fur, Onekit."

"Ughhh, okay, fine!" Onekit stalked over to his mother, letting himself get washed. Amberkit watched amusedly, before trotting over to Wrenkit.

"Ooh, where did you get that marigold, Amberkit?" Wrenkit asked, her pretty brown-and-white speckled fur blowing slightly.

"Maplefern gave it to me! Maybe she has something for you too!" Amberkit gazed towards her aunt, who was walking towards them.

"I do," Maplefern purred while Wrenkit squealed excitedly. The calico she-cat placed a feather on the ground. "This is a wren's feather, you know, like your name. I was thinking that you could wear it during your apprentice ceremony."

"Yes please!" Wrenkit squeaked, gazing down at the feather with wide eyes. "Can you tuck it behind my ear, please?"

"Of course," Maplefern purred, following Wrenkit's request. "There you go." Maplefern took a step back to examine her. "You look beautiful, Wrenkit."

"Yes, you do!" Amberkit chimed, nuzzling her smaller sister.

"Aww, thank you!" the brown she-kit with white speckles purred, twirling around. Amberkit purred as well, before gazing at her older brother who trotted over to them.

"Do you have anything for me, Maplefern?" Onekit asked, sitting down.

"Of course I do," Maplefern said. "Let me go get it real quick. I've been preserving it for a long time."

I wonder what it is! Amberkit thought, watching as Maplefern returned from her nest, holding something in her mouth.

"This," Maplefern carefully placed it down, "is a dragonfly wing. Dragonflies only come out during greenleaf and are really cool insects."

Amberkit and her siblings gazed down at the sparkly, clear object. "Woah," Onekit sighed in awe, picking it up. "It's amazing! I love it!"

"I'm glad you do," Maplefern chuckled. "Would you like it behind your ear?"

"Yeah," Onekit nodded, handing the wing back to Maplefern, who placed it on him.

"Now we all have accessories," Amberkit purred. "And all of our fur is groomed! Which means that we're all ready to become apprentices!" The calico she-kit gazed out of the nursery. "And it's so close to dawn! I bet everybody's starting to wake up now!"

As if summoned by Amberkit's words, Poppypaw came racing towards the den, ginger fur blowing in the cold leaf-bare breeze. "It's nearly time! You're going to be apprentices so soon! I can't wait!" the ginger-furred Princess exclaimed, bouncing up and down.

"I know!" Amberkit purred, nuzzling her older cousin. "We are so excited!"

"Yes! And I get to announce your mentors! I know who they are~!" Poppypaw purred, winking at the three kits. "Oh, Aunt Rainfeather, the ceremony is going to start in five minutes! Everybody's starting to gather around the Pine Rock! Just thought I'd let you know!" The ginger she-cat flicked her ear, gazing behind her. "I must go now! Goodbye!"

"Bye!" the three kits purred in unison. Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! It's really time! This is crazy! I'm excited and scared at the same time! Oh my goodness! Amberkit was shook from her thoughts when her mother called she and her siblings over.

"Remember what we practiced," Rainfeather started, clearing her throat. "We wait at the entrance of the nursery. You get called over, and you sit towards the bottom of Pine Rock. You step forward when asked, and when you get the questions asked to you, you say 'I do'. Your mentor will be called shortly afterwards, and they will bring themselves to you. You and your mentor will touch noses, and then your mentor will lead you to the crowd of cats, where you will sit quietly and wait for the ceremony to be over. Do you understand?"

"Yes mother," the three kits said in unison.

"Great. Now, let's wait," Rainfeather purred, standing up. "And remember that I am very proud of you all. You will make great apprentices."

It's seriously happening... Oh my! Amberkit smiled, excitement coursing through her as she sat in front of the nursery with her mother, older brother, and younger sister. I hope I'm ready for this!

Amberkit continued waiting eagerly, and she nearly gasped when she and her siblings had been called to step forward. Oh my goodness! It is time! The calico she-kit stood up, calming herself as she padded alongside her siblings and to the Pine Rock. She took a deep breath as she sat beneath it, closing her eyes for a brief moment before gazing up at the royal family.

Amberkit straightened up as she heard the King speak once more, knowing that soon she would become an official apprentice. She watched as Onekit stood up and promised to protect his Clanmates; as he promised to abide by the Code of the Stars. Amberkit purred when Onekit - now Onepaw - received his mentor: Blackear. As Onepaw and Blackear padded away to the crowd of cats, Amberkit took a deep breath. Now it is my turn to gain my apprentice name.

"Amberkit, step forward," King Kestrelfall called. Amberkit obliged, standing right at the bottom of Pine Rock. "Amberkit, you have reached the age of six moons old and are ready to become an apprentice of MistClan." Amberkit smiled, trying her best not to let her excitement take control of her. Yes...I am ready! I hope! The calico pricked her ears as she heard the King continue on with his speech. "As the second oldest, do you promise to protect those you care about? Do you promise to abide by the Code of the Stars, even if it costs you your life?"

Amberkit took a deep breath. "I do," she mewed confidently, making brief eye contact with the Princess, who smiled down at her.

"Then as Poppypaw, Princess of MistClan, I now proclaim you the apprentice of our fine warrior, Rainfeather!"

My mom is my mentor?! This...this is too good to be true! Amberkit watched as her mother warmly smiled at her, walking towards her. Amberkit flicked her ear and gazed up at the Pine Rock again, now hearing the Queen speak.

"Rainfeather has shown great loyalty and compassion for MistClan for seasons upon seasons. I know that she will train Amberpaw well," Queen Minnowflight purred. Amberpaw turned around and gazed at her mother.

"You will be a great apprentice," Rainfeather purred. The two she-cats touched noses, and then Rainfeather lead Amberpaw to the crowd of gathered cats.

Though it was confirmed that her mother would be her mentor, a wave of disbelief still washed over Amberpaw. Not only was she an apprentice, but her mother - a cat she always had looked up to - was her mentor! The calico she-cat purred, before watching as Wrenkit had been mentored to Sagestrike, her new name being Wrenpaw.

Amberpaw smiled even wider when her Clanmates cheered she and her siblings' new names. I can't believe it! We're apprentices! And Rainfeather's my mentor! Once the Clan had started to disperse after congratulating the apprentices personally, Amberpaw gazed towards Lostpaw, Frondpaw, and Thornpaw - specifically Lostpaw. The three brothers were padding towards her and her siblings, and it took all self control for Amberpaw to not squeal in joy. Before they made it to her, however, Amberpaw gazed at her mother and whispered, "I can't believe that you're my mentor! I'm really happy," before looking back towards the brothers.

"Congratulations Onepaw, Amberpaw, and Wrenpaw! I'm very glad that you'll be moving into the apprentice den with us!" Lostpaw mewed, smiling.

Amberpaw's heart leapt in her chest as she gazed at Lostpaw. "T-thank you!" she mewed, inwardly wincing at her stutter. "I'm glad as well! It'll be very exciting to get to tour the territory and train with you!" Now that's better, Amberpaw remarked, listening to her siblings say their thanks as well.

"Yes! There's so many apprentices now! Seven, including me! We're unstoppable!" Frondpaw laughed, purring.

"Very unstoppable indeed," Amberpaw chuckled. The newly made apprentice switched her gaze to Thornpaw, who was intently being watched by Onepaw. The calico she-cat never really liked the dark brown tabby tom, and didn't know what her brother - and Poppypaw - saw in him.

"What do you think of the dragonfly wing that I have on me, Thornpaw?! Do you even know what dragonflies are?!" Onepaw asked, white pelt bristling.

"Uh, it's cool, and no, I don't..?" Thornpaw responded, looking quite confused.

"Well," Onepaw started, "dragonflies are cool bugs which come out during greenleaf!"

"Oh, interesting," Thornpaw replied. Amberpaw rolled her eyes and flicked an ear when she heard scuffling come towards her and the cats around her.

"I would have come here sooner but I was needed but now that I'm here and free CONGRATULATIONS!" Poppypaw mewed excitedly, bouncing around Onepaw, Amberpaw, and Wrenpaw. "You're apprentices! You really are! Now we can train together and yay!"

Amberpaw nodded, "I know! I'm so glad!" The calico she-cat smiled warmly, before gazing at her brother, who had turned to his mentor.

"When will we get to tour the territory?" Onepaw asked Blackear. However, Rainfeather responded instead.

"I think that now is a perfect time," the blue-furred she-cat purred, facing Onepaw. Then, Rainfeather faced the other two warriors. "What do you think, Blackear and Sagestrike?" After the younger warriors nodded, Rainfeather let out a purr. "Alright." She turned to the apprentices. "Thornpaw, Frondpaw, Lostpaw, I think there's something special for you three to do here in camp. Poppypaw, I think that today's one of your special training days, so you should go back to your parents' den."

Amberpaw watched as the four apprentices went off. I can't wait to tour the territory! The she-cat's paws tingled with excitement. However, Amberpaw couldn't help but feel disappointment arise in her. She hadn't seen her father amid the crowd of warriors earlier, and he never congratulated her. He was probably watching from the medicine den! And maybe he'll talk to me later! Yeah! That's what'll happen!

The calico apprentice was shook from her thoughts as she heard her mother call to her. "Sorry, I'm coming!" Once Amberpaw exited camp, she gazed around the misty forest, amber eyes lighting up with awe. "Woah..." she sighed, taking in all of the new feelings which swirled around her.

"Let's split up. You can go any way you want, but I'll be bringing Amberpaw over here first." Rainfeather pointed behind camp with her tail, before continuing. "Once we're done let's all meet up at the training hollow. Alright?" Amberpaw watched as the two other warriors nodded, signaling for her siblings to follow them as they padded away.

Rainfeather turned to her apprentice. "Are you ready to see all of the territory, Amberpaw?" the blue she-cat purred, flicking her daughter with her tail.

"Yes!" Amberpaw mewed, grinning. As her mother brought her around camp's edge, the calico she-cat gazed around. She barely payed attention to the cold which whisked her pelt, as she was only busy feeling the fresh-yet-sparce undergrowth beneath her paws. The apprentice picked up her speed to trot beside her mother. "I can't believe I'm an apprentice now, and I really can't believe that you're my mentor! This is all so exciting!"

"I know," Rainfeather chuckled. "I'm very glad that I'm able to train you. If it wasn't for my sister then I wouldn't be your mentor."

"I'll make sure to say my thanks to her later on!" Amberpaw purred, still trotting beside her mother. Her amber eyes widened as she stopped in her tracks. A few fox-lengths in front of her was a broken Twoleg den, barely standing. "Oh my goodness, this looks really cool! Can we go in it?!"

"Definitely not," Rainfeather mewed. "It could fall down at any moment, and I wouldn't want to be trapped there when it does. Whenever you're near this part of territory, always stay a few fox-lengths away from the abandoned den."

Amberpaw nodded in understanding, "Alright!"

"Follow me again! We're going to a very beautiful place now!" Rainfeather purred, trotting away and towards the right.

As Amberpaw followed her mother, she noticed how the mist seemed to be getting thinner and thinner as time went on. This is so cool! She had heard about this in the past, but to see it for herself was a whole new experience. I love it out here in the forest! The calico she-cat continued following her mother, before they stopped at a slope.

"This is called Pine Slope," Rainfeather purred. "You can get a great view of what lies outside of our territory from here."

"It's so beautiful!" Amberpaw stared over the slope in wonderment. Purring, she watched as the wind swirled through the remaining grass.

"It really is," Rainfeather nodded, walking towards a clump of bracken. "Watch what I do," the blue-gray she-cat murmured. Amberpaw curiously watched as her mentor brushed against the bush. "This is how we mark our territory." Rainfeather took a step back. "How about you give it a try?"

"Alright!" Amberpaw trotted towards the same bracken, brushing against it. "Like this?" she asked, taking a glance at her mother, who nodded.

"Perfect, Amberpaw! Good job," Rainfeather purred, blue eyes shining with warmth. "Now, let's see what the territory brings next! We've only just begun~!" The she-cat trotted off, Amberpaw following closely behind her.

I wonder where we're going next! the pretty calico apprentice thought cheerfully. Soon the two she-cats made it to a black strip of land, separating two forests. A disgusting stench reached Amberpaw, causing her to sneeze. "What is that?! It seems so...unnatural." Amberpaw stared at it a moment more, before hearing a low rumble. A large blur shot across the strange strip of land, causing Amberpaw to squeak in fear.

"Don't worry, Amberpaw," Rainfeather chuckled. "This is called a thunderpath. Twolegs created it. That thing which sped by is called a monster. Twolegs ride in their bellies and the monsters will bring them places. Monsters never leave the thunderpath, so they can't hurt you unless you go onto the thunderpath itself."

"Woah," Amberpaw murmured. "That sounds so cool, but I'd never want to ride in a monster. They're really big."

"I don't think anybody with common sense would," Rainfeather joked. "Ready for the next sight?"

"Yes!" Amberpaw purred, walking beside her mother. As the two she-cats continued on with their trail, Amberpaw gazed around. If it wasn't for her mother's warning, the calico apprentice would have fallen into a tunnel. "Wow! It looks like a cat can fit into it! Can we go into it?" the pretty she-cat asked, amber eyes lighting up with curiosity.

"Sadly we can't," Rainfeather sighed. "The tunnel could collapse with us in it. And this isn't the only tunnel. There are many different openings, and I suspect that they can lead far out of Clan territory."

"Ooh, that's really cool. Do you think a cat lives in them?" Amberpaw asked, now looking at her mother, who looked thoughtful and mischievous.

"Yes, a cat lives in them. He comes up here sometimes. Nobody messes with him because every time he comes up here he scares our Clanmates away. I haven't seen him before, but from what I heard he looks a bit batty," Rainfeather chuckled.

"Oh my goodness, really?! I hope he doesn't come up here now!" Amberpaw quickly took a step back, scanning the forest around her.

"I'm only messing with you," Rainfeather purred, nudging her daughter. "Nobody lives down there...at least, I hope not!"

Amberpaw purred, grinning. "Yeah, let's hope not!" The calico she-cat flicked her ear, listening as her mother asked if she would like to continue on the tour. "First can you re-adjust my marigold please, mother? I think it's starting to fall out."

"Sure, sure," Rainfeather murmured, carefully fixing her apprentice's flower. "There you go. Are you ready now? You'll love the next place."

Amberpaw nodded, bouncing after her mother. I wonder what it is! The calico she-cat stopped at the edge of a river. She stared into the flowing surface of the serene water, tranquilized by its beauty.

"So," Rainfeather started, crouching beside her daughter as she drank from the river. "What do you think?"

"It's amazing..! I love it! Ooh, can I drink from it as well?" Amberpaw watched as her mentor nodded and warned her to be careful. The calico she-cat carefully crouched down, sensing the cold river's surface. She took a few quick, refreshing licks, surprised by its taste. This doesn't taste like moss. It tastes like...pure water. The apprentice sat up, fluffing out her beautiful long fur for warmth.

"I remember the first time I tasted water from the river. I was so shocked that I accidentally leapt into the river itself! Those were the good days," Rainfeather chuckled, reminiscing in old memories.

"That must have been cold," Amberpaw giggled.

"Oh, it was very cold. It happened towards the beginning of leaf-bare. And my sister, Minnowflight, decided it'd be a good idea to dive into the water and pull me out. She and I were a bit reckless as apprentices. Don't do what we did, Amberpaw," Rainfeather purred humorously, nudging her daughter.

"Of course not," Amberpaw smirked, "I'm a cat, not a fish! There's no way I'd get my pelt all wet during leaf-bare!"

"Good! Let's keep it that way," Rainfeather playfully snickered in response. For a few moments, the two she-cats silently gazed into the beautiful river. However, Rainfeather broke the silence with a question. "Are you ready to finish the tour? The last place is the training hollow, where we'll meet up with your siblings."

"Yes," Amberpaw murmured, standing up. The calico she-cat padded after her mother, who had started to make her way to the designated location. The apprentice shivered, feeling the chill in the air getting stronger. I guess this coldness is something I'll just have to get used to in time. After all, leaf-bare isn't going anywhere.

Upon arrival, Amberpaw's amber eyes brightened when she saw her siblings and their mentors, waiting for them. "Welcome," the young warrior Sagestrike meowed, flicking her golden tail tip.

"Hello again," Rainfeather purred, sitting down in the center of the training hollow. "Before we begin, Onepaw, Amberpaw, Wrenpaw, you can discuss what you thought about the territory amongst yourselves."

"I thought that the territory was pretty cool. I liked the abandoned Twoleg den the best, though. I want to go in it but apparently we're not supposed to check it out, which isn't fair because I know that it wouldn't fall on me, but alright," Onepaw reviewed.

"It's always best to be safe, Onepaw," Wrenpaw mewed, her brown white-speckled pelt lightly blowing in the slow wind. "When it comes to my favorite place, it has to be Pine Slope! It's very pretty! Sagestike told me a story about when her brother Lionstorm accidentally fell down it." The heather-eyed apprentice purred, gazing at Amberpaw. "What was your favorite place?"

"The river," Amberpaw said, "it's very peaceful there; I really love it. But I also loved everything else...well, everything except for the thunderpath. It has a horrible odor."

As the three apprentice continued discussing their eventful morning, Rainfeather twisted her head, gazing towards them. "Have you finished your chat yet?" Amberpaw nodded, her siblings doing the same. "Alright," Rainfeather purred, leaping to her paws. "Today you three will learn the hunting crouch. I will demonstrate for you."

The hunting crouch?! Ooh, already we'll be learning something! Amberpaw eagerly gazed at her mentor, who smiled warmly at her and her siblings. This will be fun!

. . . . .

Amberpaw tiredly padded into camp, following her mentor, her siblings, and their mentors. They had been out nearly all day, only going into camp for breaks to make dirt and to eat. The calico apprentice sighed, gazing towards Marley, Ivory, Azalea, and Olly. The she-cat's ears flicked as she remembered that the four cats would be leaving MistClan in a quarter-moon.

Lost in her thoughts, Amberpaw hadn't realized that she was standing in the center of camp, her siblings and their mentors nowhere in sight. However, her mother was standing beside her. "Your brother and sister have gone into the apprentice den to sleep. It's late, so I think you should head off to bed as well," Rainfeather purred.

"Well," Amberpaw started, "before I go to sleep, there's something that I want to do."

"Alright then," Rainfeather chuckled. "Well, I'll be heading off to bed. Don't stay up after moonhigh. Goodnight, Amberpaw." The blue-furred she-cat nuzzled her pretty calico daughter before walking away towards the warriors den. Amberpaw watched her go, before turning to the medicine den.

It doesn't hurt to try... Amberpaw walked over to the den, giving her pelt a shake. The crackle of the dying ferns rattled throughout the quiet medicine den as the young apprentice entered. Nobody else was awake in the den, which made the calico she-cat disappointed. However, she wanted to talk to her father, so she yawned as she padded over to a fluffy moss nest with fresh lavender and fern sprigs embedded in it. The nest held her father - a small and scruffy white tom. Amberpaw settled herself by the nest, laid her muzzle on Snowleap's lavender-scented pelt, and yawned once more.

Soon moonhigh was barely passing, and the rest of the cats in camp had all gone to bed. Amberpaw had stayed up, wondering if her poor father would fully wake up from his fitful rest. He had talked in his sleep for almost the whole time Amberpaw was there, whimpering and calling a name that she had never heard before.

The calico apprentice sighed in defeat, slowly standing up to leave. However, when she heard a weak voice whisper her name, she went back to her original position. "Y-yes, father...it's me..."

"What are you doing here..?" the tom slowly asked, staring at the ground.

"I...I wanted to talk to you," Amberpaw murmured, looking at her father. She watched as he shifted in his nest to gaze at her.

"About what?" Snowleap asked, voice low.

"Well...my brother, sister, and I are apprentices, which you know already." What am I supposed to say..? Amberpaw thought, nervously shuffling her paws. "Are you proud of m- us?"

Snowleap blinked, still gazing at Amberpaw. "Of course," he murmured slowly. "You're my kits."

"That's good," Amberpaw quickly mewed. Thank StarClan he is. The pretty calico she-cat's fluffy white tail flicked as a thought crossed her mind. There's a question I want to ask, but how do I ask it? I don't want to offend him or anything... Oh this is all just very confusing... Amberpaw nervously cleared her throat. "Why wouldn't you visit the nursery when my siblings and I were kits? I'm sorry, I'm just curious..."

"I couldn't," Snowleap muttered, "I...I just couldn't..."

"But why?" Amberpaw pressed, confusion coursing through her. "Does it have something to do with the cat named Nightpaw?" The cat's name was Nightpaw, right?

"N-Nightpaw..?!" Snowleap gasped, staring wide-eyed at his daughter. "W-where have you heard his name before?!"

"When you were asleep you were saying his name," Amberpaw meowed, focusing her attention on the ground.

"Okay," Snowleap mumbled. "Never say his name again. Never."

Amberpaw was stunned and even more confused. Who is this Nightpaw, and why can't he be mentioned? What is going on? "Alright," she sighed. The calico apprentice wanted to ask a question that was at the front of her mind, so, taking a deep breath, she looked back towards Snowleap. "Why can't I say his name?"

Snowleap unsheathed his claws, digging them into his nest. "Because bad things happen," the white-furred tom lowly growled. Then, the small tom frightfully stared at the entrance of the medicine den, trauma washing over him.

Bad things..? "What sort of bad things?" Amberpaw asked, gazing at her father. Snowleap silently shook his head, holding back a whimper.

"No," was all Snowleap said as he rested his head on his paws, now staring at the herb storage.

"Are you okay?" Amberpaw asked, worried as she sat up.

"I'm fine," Snowleap slowly responded, still staring at the medicine den's wall.

"Are you sure? You don't look fine," Amberpaw murmured.

"I am! I told you I'm fine!" Snowleap hissed, still staring at the wall. However, the white tom's face lit up with horror. He turned his head to look at Amberpaw, who had flinched. "S-sorry! I...I didn't mean to snap at you...I'm so sorry..."

"It's alright," Amberpaw murmured, sadly standing up. Her father continued to gaze at her, and Amberpaw could tell that he was on the verge of tears. Oh no...this isn't good... The calico apprentice took her marigold flower out of her fur and looked at it for a moment. "Here," she whispered, "you can have it." The she-cat placed it down before turning away, exiting the medicine den.

That didn't go well at all, Amberpaw thought, slowly making her way to the apprentice den. I need to get better at communicating...and I need to learn to not be so intrusive! Who'd want a rude, intrusive daughter?! At least I know he's proud of me...or maybe he only said that to make me not feel bad... The calico apprentice shook that thought from her mind. I can't think straight since it's so late! Mother told me not to stay up past moonhigh, but here I am, up past moonhigh!

Amberpaw swiftly entered the apprentice den, smiling slightly when she saw a beautiful empty nest waiting just for her. She started to walk towards it, but out of the corner of her eye saw Lostpaw twitching in his sleep. Is he having a nightmare? I should go wake him!

Amberpaw padded towards Lostpaw, shocked to see that he was bleeding from his side. She quickly shook him awake, amber eyes full of concern. "Lostpaw! Lostpaw you're bleeding!" she whisper-yelled.

"Mmm, what?" Lostpaw drowsily looked up at Amberpaw, and she couldn't help but feel her eartips warm up.

"You're bleeding," Amberpaw repeated. "On your side; I think a thorn might be in your nest. I think you were also having a nightmare. Are you alright?"

Lostpaw nervously glanced at the ground. "Yeah, I'm alright, I wasn't having a nightmare," he whispered. "I'll take that thorn out of my nest. But, Amberpaw, why are you awake? It's very late, and I don't think it's good to be up at such an hour."

"No reason, really," Amberpaw murmured. "In fact, I was just about to go to sleep, but then I saw you were bleeding."

"I hope I didn't bother you," Lostpaw quickly mewed.

"No, no, not at all! Don't worry!" the young calico she-cat reassured the three-legged tom. He's so kind and caring!

"That's good," Lostpaw replied. "You should go to sleep now, though. You'll be really tired in the morning, and trust me when I say that tiredness is your worst enemy," the dark brown tabby tom joked.

"Alright," Amberpaw purred. "Goodnight, Lostpaw!" Once he responded, the calico trotted away to her nest. She continued purring, stepping into her beautiful bed. Amberpaw curled up, wrapped her large fluffy tail around her, and closed her amber eyes.

Amberpaw let sleep embrace her, not knowing that this would be one of the only nights which she'd be at peace; that soon she'd have to learn to never take things for granted. Nothing would ever prepare her for the tragic losses which would soon come; the tragic losses which would change her and her Clan for the worst, and for forever...

~Questions~

1. What do you think of Amberpaw?

2. Do you think that Amberpaw will end up with one of the three brothers in the future? If so, why?

3. What do you look forward to seeing from Amberpaw in the future?