City of Ice and Fire

HunterClan (Shadowhunters) (no surprise these guys will be like ThunderClan)

Leader: Blossomstar (light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes)

Deputy: Vultureclaw (dark brown tabby tom with long claws) (Malachi)

Medicine Cat: Featherflight (gray tabby tom with a white tail tip, former elder) apprentice: Dawnpaw (pale gold she-cat with light blue eyes)

Warriors (toms and she-cats without kits):

Scratchnose (black tom with scar on his nose and brown eyes)

Bearfur (golden brown tom with amber eyes)

Swallowsong (white she-cat with blue eyes) (Imogen)

Badgerstripe (black tom with a white stripe along his back and brown eyes) (Robert L.)

Starkpelt (pale ginger tom with amber eyes, currently on probation) (Hodge)

Dapplefur (tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes) (Jia)

Silvermoon (gray tabby she-cat with ice blue eyes) (Maryse L.)

Petalfall (ginger she-cat with green eyes)

Junipernose (brown tabby tom) (Andrew B.)

Ripplefur (cream colored tabby tom) (Arthur B.)

Honeybee (golden she-cat with white paws)

Comfreyleaf (yellow tabby she-cat with brown eyes and white paws)

Specklefoot (white tom with ginger spots on his paws)

Ashwhisker (gray tom with blue eyes) (Raj) a: Mousepaw

Frondleap (golden-brown tabby tom with white paws) a: Stripepaw

Patchfur (black and ginger tom with golden green eyes, formerly MagicClan) (Magnus)

Arrowheart (black tom with a white dash on his chest and striking blue eyes) (Alec) a: Sparkpaw

Goldenclaw (handsome gold tabby tom with golden eyes) (Jace) a: Violetpaw

Nightrose (black she-cat with brown eyes) (Isabelle) a: Smokepaw

Brackenfoot (golden-brown tom with brown eyes) (Andrew Underhill)

Queens (she-cats nursing or expecting kits):

Comfreyleaf (yellow tabby she-cat with brown eyes and white paws, Dustcloud's mate) (Sandkit-yellow tabby she-cat, Cloudkit-fluffy white tom, and Tumblekit- brown tom with white paws)

Palenose (pale gold she-cat with brown eyes)

Littlebird (white she-cat with green eyes)

Apprentices (cats in training to become warriors or a medicine cat):

Dawnpaw (pale yellow she-cat with pale blue eyes, training to be a Medicine cat) (Lydia)

Sparkpaw (small flame colored ginger she-cat with green eyes, formerly a kittypet) (Clary)

Violetpaw (tortoiseshell she-cat with violet eyes) (Aline)

Smokepaw (dark gray tom with amber eyes)

Stripepaw (small gray tabby she-cat with a white belly)

Mousepaw (light brown she-cat with green eyes)

Elders (retired warriors and medicine cats):

Mistwing (gray she-cat with green eyes) (Amatis)

Puddlestep (ginger tom with dark brown paws)

Russetleaf (dark ginger she-cat with green eyes, staying in elder's den until she reawakens) (Jocelyn)

MagicClan (warlocks) (these guys will be like RiverClan)

Leader: Wishstar (gray tom with a white belly and white paws)

Deputy: Weaselfur (brown tom with a cream colored belly and brown eyes)

Medicine cat: Berrypool (tortishell she-cat with brown eyes) (Catarina)

Warriors:

Stoneleap (gray tabby tom with long legs)

Minnowfall (white she-cat with blue eyes)

Sandyfur (gold she-cat with white paws) apprentice: Stempaw (ginger and brown tom)

Twistbelly (black tom with green eyes and a white belly)

Moletail (small ginger tom with a thin tail)

Ambereyes (light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes)

Spikefur (fluffy yellow tom with green eyes)

Heavyfoot (dark brown tabby tom with black paws)

Breezefur (fluffy gray she-cat with brown eyes)

Watertail (silver she-cat with light blue eyes and a bushy tail)

Fuzzsplash (white tom with long legs and amber eyes)

Fishpelt (gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes)

Ferntail (yellow she-cat with gray eyes)

Thrushfeather (light brown tom)

Queens:

Springfern (pale ginger she-cat with green eyes)(Hollowkit-small brown tom with yellow eyes, Mosskit-black and white she-cat)

Frightpelt (black she-cat with a white muzzle) (Bilekit-small white tom, Sneezekit-black tom with green eyes, Fleckkit-speckled ginger and white she-cat)

Elders:

Treetail (dark brown tom with a bushy tail)

Stiffwhisker (gray tabby tom with a white muzzle)

Daisysong (white she-cat with gray splotches)

FangClan (vampires) (these guys will be like ShadowClan)

Leader: Cricketstar (lanky gray tom with green eyes, former elder known as Cricketleap)

Deputy: Hedgepelt (small brown she-cat with gray/green eyes, former elder)

Medicine cat: Shrewwhisker (scrawny black tom with yellow eyes)

Ravenspirit (black tom with yellow eyes and a white tail tip)

Warriors:

Shardtail (Black tom with white speckled tail) a: Woodpaw (dark brown tom)

Ragestripe (dark ginger tabby tom with brown eyes and a fluffy tail)

Thornpelt (gray tom with brown speckles on his back and brown eyes) (Raphael)

Licebelly (gold tabby tom with white spots on his belly)

Poisonsong (tortoishell she-cat with violet eyes)

Lilypelt (white she-cat with green eyes)

Marshfang (dark tabby tom)

Mudwhisker (dark tabby tom with amber eyes and a torn ear)

Icefoot (black tom with a white front paw and blue eyes)

Hornettail (yellow tabby tom with brown eyes) a: Dartpaw (black tom with amber eyes)

Sharpfang (large black tom with sharpened fangs)

Tricklestep (white she-cat with ginger ears and one ginger paw)

Pineprickle (light brown she-cat with green eyes)

Queens:

Streaktail (gray she-cat with a white tail) (Bitekit-dark gray tom with brown eyes, Scratchkit-black tom with white paws, Leapkit-ginger she-cat, Yarrowkit-yellow furred she-cat)

Echoflight (silver she-cat with green eyes)

Elders:

Snarltooth (dark gray tabby tom whose missing a front fang)

Brittlewing (white tom with ice blue eyes)

Blindeyes (brown tabby tom who lost his vision in both eyes)

Frogtongue (pale brown tom with yellow eyes)

FaerieClan (seelies) (these guys will be like SkyClan)

Leader: Vinestar ( dark ginger she-cat with wild green eyes) (seelie queen)

Deputy: Twigflight (gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes and white hind paws)

Medicine Cat: Doebelly (brown tom with white spots along his belly) apprentice: Seedpaw (golden-brown tabby she-cat with white paws and green eyes)

Warriors:

(Regular Faeries or Court Faeries)

Scaldtail (gray tabby tom with a tail covered in white speckles)

Rosethorn (fluffy dark ginger she-cat) apprentice: Soundpaw

Duskstep (black tom with pale gray paws and green eyes) (Meliorn)

Hopfoot (white tom with ginger chest fur and blue eyes) (Fergus)

Whiteflower (white she-cat with stunning blue-gray eyes) (Nene)

Violetstem (silver she-cat with violet eyes)

Heateyes (dark gray tom with amber eyes) apprentice: Weedpaw (black tom with brown paws)

Shynose (cream colored she-cat with a white belly) apprentice: Springpaw (white she-cat)

Applewish (ginger she-cat with dark brown eyes)

Soundear (black tom with big ears)

Echopool (gray she-cat with green eyes)

(Wild Hunt Faeries)

Slitherclaw (pale gold tom with green and brown eyes)

Yarrowpelt (black tom with yellow and amber eyes)

Shadeleaf (slim black tom with a fluffy tail tip)

Hornleaf (gold tabby tom with green and gold eyes)

Chaseleg (ginger tom with long legs and a short tail)

Bellowstep (dark ginger tom with green and blue eyes) a: Twinepaw (white and gray tom)

Harryfur (dark brown tom with yellow and amber eyes)

Beckonstep (gray tabby tom with blue and green eyes)

Queens:

Flowerheart (silver she-cat with a white belly)

Coldwind (white and gray she-cat with ice blue eyes) (Rufflekit- fluffy white tom, and Heronkit- pale gray tom with mismatched eyes)

Elders:

Stumpfoot (dark gray tabby tom who is missing a front paw)

Melodycrash ( ginger she-cat with white specks around her muzzle)

Huntingfur (pale brown tom with faded gold and blue eyes)

Fadedpelt (white tom with gray eyes)

Bouldernose (black tom with mismatched gray and amber eyes)

WolfClan (these guys are the werewolves, they'll be like WindClan)

Leader: Rookstar (old brown tabby tom with amber eyes and a long scar down his flank)

Deputy: Grayfur (gray tabby tom with brown eyes and a faded scar on his shoulder; formerly of HunterClan) (Luke)

Medicine Cat: Bellflower (small white she-cat with one dark gray front paw) apprentice: Tendrilroot (ginger she-cat with a white tail tip)

Warriors:

Mousefoot (short gray tom with green eyes)

Ripplesplash (light brown tom with blue eyes)

Frecklepelt (speckled yellow she-cat with violet eyes)

Thrushsong (cream colored she-cat) apprentice: Bushpaw (fluffy gray tom with blue eyes)

Clearbreeze (white tom with blue eyes) apprentice: Leafpaw (brown she-cat with green eyes)

Howlclaw (big black tom with many scars from fighting)

Logbelly (light brown tabby tom with a dark brown belly)

Flightwing (yellow tom with dark brown paws) a: Creampaw (cream colored she-cat)

Deerspeckle (light brown she-cat with white spots)

Claypelt (ginger she-cat with brown eyes)

Strikeclaw (dark brown tom with amber eyes) (Jordan) a: Scarcepaw (black tom)

Crashtail (dark gray tabby tom) (Bat) a: Micahpaw

Poppyleaf (tortoishell she-cat with blue eyes) a: Puddlepaw (brown and white tom)

Leechheart (Golden she-cat with green eyes, missing part of an ear)

Silverthorn (pale gray she-cat with intense green eyes) (Maia) a: Gorgepaw (ginger and white tom)

Queens:

Mooncloud (black she-cat with green eyes)

Cherrynose (white she-cat with a dark pink nose) (Blinkkit-white tom, and Shudderkit-white tom with black splotches)

Elders:

Missingtooth (black tom, missing a tooth and with a long scar across one eye)

Conestripe (gray tabby she cat with a white belly and blue eyes)

Spiketail (young dark gray tom with yellow eyes and a badly damaged tail and with one ear torn off)

Cats Outside the Clans: (live alone, in the wild, or in the Twoleg place as a kittypet)

Frostfang (white tom with gray ear tips and tail tip with dark amber eyes; formerly of HunterClan) (Valentine)

Simon (a kittypet who is a dark brown tabby tom with brown eyes)

Flick (gray she-cat with green eyes and a white tail tip; loner)

Archer (yellow tabby with blue eyes; loner)

Dot (tortoishell She-cat with amber eyes; kittypet)

Spot (fat brown and white tom; kittypet)

Shade (black tom with yellow eyes; rogue)

Ragged (yellow tom with scars on his sides; rogue)

Wire (wiry gray she-cat; rogue)

Sourdough (brown and cream colored tom cat; rogue)

Sour Cream (cream colored she-cat; rogue)

Ratchet (dark russet colored tom with blue eyes; rogue)

Jasmine (gray she-cat with purple eyes; kittypet)

Flint (black tom with amber eyes; rogue)

Boots (small ginger tom with white paws; kittypet)

Flower (fluffy white she-cat with blue eyes; lives with Twolegs)

Onto the story....

*********Frostfang's POV********

Frostfang moved at a leisurely pace through the Twoleg Place. The empty streets were lined with trash, the alleyways dank a dark. The city was no place for a forest cat to live. It was no place for him to live. Unfortunately for him, Frostfang didn't have the luxury of living in the forest he called home. The fox hearted cowards that lived their currently didn't want him there. It wouldn't be too far to say they happily kill him if he tried.

He looked at his paws. A soaking wet object was concealed underneath one, the Mortal Moss was never dry, as all the legends said the Angelic artifact remained wet as long as an angelic influence was in the world. Without an Angelic influence, it would dry up hence forth ceasing to be. It was a strange thing to think about, a world without light. Surely that could never exist?

Frostfang knew that the nephilim are superior above all other cats, but many other Shadowhunters did not share his ideals. Blossomstar and most all of HunterClan have lost their way...it is up to me to return them to it. He tried his experiments in the past, hoping to better himself. It was only several experiments later that he realized that his injections did not work on full grown cats.

He understood that the only way to make powerful cats was to alter their DNA before they were born. Wanting only the best for his children, he injected them first. Slashkit was his very first trial. His demonic blood would make him a brand new sort of powerful, that was for sure.

His thoughts drifted to Goldenpaw, the scratch he'd left on Frostfang's muzzle a pink slice on his skin. He doubted the stubborn young tom even realized he'd managed to nick the Circle leader before Frostfang had flung him into a tree. Not that it matters, but it's nice to see how strong he is already...the experiment clearly worked.

As the young tom wasn't a warrior yet to his knowledge, he doubted Goldenpaw knew of the power he possessed. He will soon, and once he joins my side I'll give him plenty direction on how to use that power. In the mean time, I'm going to further enact my plan.

He smirked at his surroundings, he was just where he wanted to be. Before the Circle leader was what could best be described as a demolished building. All but the front of the structure was completely destroyed. Piles upon piles of ruined brick lay atop the surrounding street and sidewalk. It was no surprise that the Twolegs had closed down this Thunderpath. Bright yellow tape with black lines were stretched across the pavement, connected to equally bright orange cones.

Sometimes, Frostfang did not understand Twolegs. To him, they moved around like unchallenged prey. They had no real predator to stop them from doing stupid things....except for themselves. This made them foolish and stupid by all means to him. Without an enemy, they were left to squabble amongst themselves, many refusing to fight for a common cause. This is why cats are better than Twolegs ever will be.

With a determined nod to himself, he made his way into the structure. With careful paw steps he moved around the bricks hapzardly strewn on the ground. Going through the front would make no sense. Not only was the brick walling intact, the green sign reading Barney's Hardware and Weapons was still there, it's oval plate having lost its fluorescent lighting ages ago. Underneath the sign was two small square windows and a door.

The door wasn't one of those revolving things. No, instead it was a dull blue, the paint faded and chipping away slowly. Underneath was the original brown color. Its doorknob was rusted beyond repair. He had to hide behind one of the cones earlier, watching as a Twoleg kit toddled over to the door, tugging the knob. It didn't have any understanding that the thing wouldn't budge, no matter how hard he tried.

Needless to say, he'd been relieved when the stubborn child had finally left what seemed like hours later. This left him to get around the building to what he was truly looking for. Behind the building, his outfit was already there waiting for him. Ratchet, Wire, Sourdough, Sour Cream, and Dot to name a few were gathered already. In front of them lay exactly what he'd been so eager to find. He just hoped that his warlock pet was correct about what this really was.

"Boss! It's good to see you're finally here!" Ratchet called cheerfully when he spotted him. The big tom had been talking to Sourdough just moments before, his head tilted leaving his Circle mark on his neck on full display.

Unlike most other runes that blended into the skin of the nephilim, the circle rune stood out regardless of where it was placed on the body or what the color of the cat's fur was. Ratchet, Sourdough, Sour Cream, and Wire are all newly made nephilim. Frostfang had gotten his most elite soldiers to drink from the Moss right away after the skirmish with Goldenpaw and Clary. He was pleased that they took to being Angel blooded with ease, not a single one of them dying during their Ascension (aka transition to becoming a nephilim).

Frostfang dipped his head in agreement. "It is good to see you all as well." He turned his cold gaze on the warlock.

Dot was under the spell of one of his injections, her usually vivid green eyes glazed over and hollowed out. She was staring blankly at nearby weed sprouting out of a crack in the pavement. Everything about the once vibrant she-cat was vacant now; she was an empty shell of her former self. As all remaining Downworlders will be when I'm done exterminating their race of freaks.

"Warlock, is the pathway ready?" He asked it. Dot's vacant gaze rested on him, expressionless as she had been since the injections started. He had recently renewed her dosage yesterday morning. He'd done more so than usual, meaning that she'd be out of it for more then the usual three day time period. Completely pliant to my will, he thought with sadistic glee.

When Dot didn't respond right away, Wire shoved her forward knocking her off balance, the gray she-cat's claws unsheathed. "Go on pet, answer your master." She jeered.

Dot didn't show any signs of pain from the blood dripping from her hindquarters. She moved mechanically, facing herself towards Frostfang. It had taken her longer then normal to steady herself, but the leader just put that down to the warlock's weak willed body, not the drugs in her system that kept her from fighting back.

"Yes master. This pathway coincides perfectly with the hidden ley line junction underneath this building. Like the Walk of Bones, this will lead you directly to the Silent Forest." She told him. Beyond her and the rest of the group laid a massive whole in the ground, it's surface sparkling with purple magic. No light seemed to fall into this tunnel, but if he had to guess, it was deep. A tunnel going several miles away had to be so.

Frostfang was very pleased by this, a dark smile alighting his face. "Wonderful. Soon my brothers and sisters, we will go to the Silent Forest and take back what is rightfully ours." He yowled out. His followers cheered around him, their excited murmurs filling up the night sky.

******Featherflight's POV******

Having been a healer for many moons, it was nights like these that made him feel anxious. No, it wasn't that there was something bad afoot in HunterClan camp. Everything was peaceful in the forest. The warriors had healed up from their injuries, relaxing outside in the Clearing. The were chatting amicably, enjoying the night breeze.

The late night patrols were almost all back in camp, the last one coming in now. Dapplefur was leading the patrol. Now that her kits were almost of apprentice age, she'd returned to warrior duties. The tortoiseshell she-cat was more than happy to be on the patrol list, saying it had been to long since she'd felt the wind in her fur. Behind her were the new Parabatai Arrowheart and Goldenclaw along with Honeybee.

The four cats said their farewells before going their separate ways. Dapplefur headed towards the Nursery where he could see Smokekit silhouette peeking out of the entrance. The young tom had been waiting eagerly for his mother to return home. From his knowledge, the other kits had already fallen asleep, beyond tired after playing a rather competitive game of moss ball earlier that day.

Honeybee moved towards the two brothers Junipernose and Ripplefur. The three warriors had been apprentices at the same time and they were all close friends. Some closer than others, he reflected, seeing Junipernose licking the she-cat's ears fondly when she reached them. In response, Honeybee nuzzled her head into the tom's muzzle. Ripplefur watched them with mild amusement.

Ripplefur was mated to Littlebird, their pairing a bit of a surprise to most of the clan. Featherflight, having known the inner workings of HunterClan longer then most of the warriors here had lived, had been one of the lucky few to know right away. He suspected it wouldn't be long before the feisty white she-cat made a nest in the Nursery, kits on the way.

Not that she'll want to go there right away. Like Comfreyleaf, who had not moved into the Nursery until a moon or so before her kits were born, he had a knowing feeling that Littlebird would also require persuasion to settle down. Being active was great and all, but their came a time for every pregnant she-cat that they needed to rest, lest something happen to the kits...such as premature birth. Featherflight had only had that happen twice in his long career, and each time never ended well for the queen or the kits in question.

Meanwhile, Arrowheart and Goldenclaw had joined their sister a few tail lengths from the prey pile. Nightrose and Clary had went on a hunting patrol earlier that day with Specklefoot and Badgerstripe. The black she-cat had been eager to please her father by catching lots of prey. Judging by the well stocked fresh kill pile, filled to the brim with rabbits, shrews, mice, and the occasional thrush he'd say they succeeded.

Nightrose was now talking to her brothers with Clary an eager participant at her side. The ginger cat had greeted Goldenclaw especially warmly, her green eyes glowing. Arrowheart had moved away after exchanging a few words. The black tom was headed towards Patchfur who was sitting outside the Elders Den talking with Mistwing.

The former MagicClan cat looked happy to see Arrowheart approaching, moving away from Mistwing with a half hearted goodbye before striding forward to meet the younger tom half way. The two embraced when the reached each other, then proceeded back over to Nightrose and the others who were selecting a plump rabbit from the pile to eat.

He glanced down at the pile of bedding at his feet. Mistwing had been complaining yesterday that there were thorns in it, complaining about dumb kits pulling a prank on her. He doubted this was true, Dapplefur's kits were well behaved enough and Comfreyleaf's kits were to young to pull off such a prank.

Still, he'd been inspecting her bedding anyways, knowing she'd keep pestering him if he didn't. Mistwing was very determined when she wanted to be. Obnoxious, to the point where it drove even him to the edge, but determined. He hadn't expected to find any thorns...and he hadn't. He did however find something else.

That all led to now. Almost every cat had retired for the night, the only cats still awake in the clearing being Ashwhisker and Honeybee. The two cats were strolling around with trudging steps, securing the perimeter. Featherflight could see Honeybee's yellow fur from across the grass stretch, as he slept right in front of the Medicine Den opening, he had a clear view of the she-cat.

Unlike Ashwhisker, she was much more dedicated to her job of guarding the camp at night. Her circuits around the camp were faster paced then the gray warrior's. That, and Featherflight had seen the tom almost nod off twice in front of the Elder's Den. He never imagined Puddlestep's snores could lull anyone to sleep. Then again, I suppose anything's possible...

Speaking of anything...he glanced down at the object in front of him. In the moonlight, it was hard to inspect, so he moved back slightly to get a better view. He always was a far sighted cat at heart so taking a few inches back could improve his perception better.

He was careful not to wake up his new apprentice. Dawnpaw rested fitfully beside him, small snores coming from her open mouth. She'd come to her nest later then normal, having been assisting Comfreyleaf. Tumblekit had a bellyache earlier that day so the apprentice had been hard at work helping the little thing while Featherflight went out to gather more herbs. Their tansy supply had been running low, and he needed to check on the water mint he was growing at the river border with MagicClan.

Blossomstar had yet to take the Sunningrocks back from the warlocks, but he figured it was only a matter of time before that changed, especially with a cat like Vultureclaw in charge. The old healer had never liked Vultureclaw, the tom just was too power hungry for his liking.

In troubling times; however, he supposed that sort of attitude would benefit HunterClan. But he couldn't help thinking that Vultureclaw would lead them down an even darker path. Call it my personal intuition...though what would I know about leading a clan?

His suspicions only continued to grow towards the dark tabby tom with each passing day. He wasn't the only cat that felt this way either. He couldn't be certain of just what was going on, but Arrowheart, Nightrose, Goldenclaw, Dawnpaw, Patchfur and Clary had all been acting on edge around the deputy. They did try their best to hide it, but he understood that something was going on, and whatever it was it wasn't good.

A night breeze blew through the clearing, ruffling his pelt even from inside the Medicine Den. The object in his paw would've been blown away if he hadn't kept such a tight grip on it. He gazed at it intrigued. In his paw was a piece of fur.

Normally, cat fur wouldn't be something to cause alarm. It was completely normal for cats to shed. Especially for elders, who lost fur all the time. Featherflight knew this from personal experience, his gray tabby fur snagging on all sorts of thistles, branches and thorns nowadays. This fur was alarming, not because of what it was, but what it looked like.

In his paw was a snatch of fur. Fur that was completely white. None of the Elders had fur this color, nor did any of the cats that had visited them recently. To some cats it was seem like this fur was just a mystery. To Featherflight, a Medicine cat of many moons, it was a sign from StarClan. A sign, that HunterClan wasn't the only clan in trouble. That another clan needed help desperately.

WolfClan is in trouble...

*****Clary's POV*****

It had been over a week since Goldenclaw and the others had returned from the Parabatai ceremony, and Clary still hadn't figured out how to ask Blossomstar what she wanted to. Clary had been with HunterClan for a number of moons now. Through spending time with the Shadowhunters, she'd come to the decision that she would like to live there; to become a full fledged member of HunterClan.

The question is, will that be allowed? She would've asked Goldenclaw, but things between them were still awkward. It wasn't every day that you found out the cat you liked was your sibling. Clary felt weirded out by the situation, and judging by how tense the yellow furred tabby was acting, she'd say that Goldenclaw felt the same.

She thought about asking Nightrose, but her friend was always busy with something. That, and the black she-cat had been spending a lot of time around Goldenclaw lately. She knew that Nightrose was comforting her brother during those moments, so it felt awkward to approach her with something like this while she had her paws full. That left one option, an option that might be more difficult then she was willing to express.

She was currently with that option now. She and Arrowheart were helping Dawnpaw gather fresh bedding for the elders today. Apparently, Mistwing had a conniption earlier about a thorn in her bedding. The gray she-cat had demanded that some cat get her fresh bedding. Puddlestep had also commented he could use new bedding too.

As the Apprentice's Den had only two apprentices residing in it now, and Brackenpaw was preparing for his final assessment, that left Dawnpaw only to retrieve the loads of bedding. Elders, being picky in their old age, required only the best moss and feathers one could find.

Being such good friends with Arrowheart, Dawnpaw had enlisted the young warrior to help. Clary had spotted them on their way out, asking if she could join them. Arrowheart and Dawnpaw agreed, and together the three of them made their way into the forest.

Clary's paws sunk into the soft green grass below her. There had been a light rain that morning, leaving everything damp. Many of the overhead tree branches were weighed down from all the rainfall, the occasional stream of water spilling down on the three cats from above. One had spilled on Arrowheart just moments before, drenching his tail in rainwater.

"Stupid trees, why can't they understand we don't like getting wet." He said, shaking his spindly black tail out. Dawnpaw smirked knowingly, Arrowheart saw this and gave his friend a questioning glare. The Medicine cat apprentice seemed to be holding back her laughter.

"What?" He asked Dawnpaw grouchily. The warrior had managed to shake most of the water out of his fur, but still a few droplets remained. They clung to his tail like sticky pinesap. Clary wouldn't be surprised if the rain did have some of the sticky stuff in it, it did come from the trees after all.

"I think you might be a special exception. After all, you and Patchfur seem pretty close." Dawnpaw said with a chuckle.

Arrowheart flushed at that, ducking his head down to give his chest fur a few embarrassed licks. Clary, who'd been trotting beside the tom, kept quiet watching the exchange. She didn't want the her brother's Parabatai to clam up. There was no way she'd be able to ask him for help then.

She still wasn't 100% sure what Arrowheart thought of her to begin with. Clary personally didn't think he liked her that much. Goldenclaw had once told her that Arrowheart was naturally standoffish around most other cats. The tom would express his thoughts through actions, not words. So far, Arrowheart and Clary hadn't interacted all that much outside of time with Goldenclaw and Nightrose.

So....her status with the warrior was left unclear. Are we friends...or just acquaintances? Cats who have the same brother? I'm so confused.

"Uh...I don't know. I mean, yea we're friends. I don't know if were anything more then that. I don't know what I'd consider us." He confessed to Dawnpaw, casting a nervous glance at Clary.

Her head tilted at that worried gaze. She didn't know all the ins and outs of HunterClan by any means, but she was getting the impression that being gay wasn't exactly welcome amongst most of the Shadowhunters. She didn't understand that, as where she grew up cats were free to have whatever preferences they wanted.

It was rather obvious to her that Arrowheart was gay, and Patchfur bisexual. But whereas as Patchfur flaunted his sexuality proudly, not afraid to be who he was, Arrowheart seemed terrified of how others might feel. Clary had no idea how to help him, but she wished she could offer him at least some form of comfort.

"I'm almost certain Patchfur likes you, so I wouldn't worry about that if I were you." Dawnpaw told him gently. Arrowheart gave her a shaky nod. Clary opened her mouth to add in, but Arrowheart was quick to change the topic.

"Come on, I see some of that moss you were talking about between those maple tree roots. Let's collect some and then we can collect some bird feathers when we get back to camp." Arrowheart said. Dawnpaw and Clary watched him go, then shared a glance.

"He really is insecure about coming out, huh?" She asked Dawnpaw rhetorically.

The pale yellow she-cat sighed. "Yea, but you have to understand, HunterClan is very...traditional. Lots of cats might not like him for being...." she trailed off.

"Gay? I don't see why that should matter." Clary muttered, beginning to head towards where Arrowheart had stopped at the tree roots.

The bark was a dark brown there from the rain, almost blending in with the dirt. The warrior had his claws out, scraping delicate scraps of moss out before picking them up and putting them in a pile off to the side. Dawnpaw caught up to Clary a few tail lengths before she reached Arrowheart. The tom was so focused on his task that he was paying his two companions no mind. The apprentice's blue eyes were wide, searching.

"Clary, just because many of the older cats think that way, doesn't mean I do. I want Arrowheart to be happy. He's always been so caring, and he just deserves the best." Dawnpaw said.

"I'm assuming there's a but involved." Clary said, her green gazed focused on Arrowheart's hunched over form.

"But I don't want him to get hurt. Whatever he decides; however, I'll support him no matter what comes." She finished. Clary dipped her head agreeably at that.

"Me too." Clary told her. Dawnpaw gave Clary a small smile at that, one that Clary returned in earnest.

"Hey, if you two would stop lallygagging and come help me, that would be greatly appreciated." Arrowheart called out. His blue eyes were focused on them now, a flicker of annoyance in their depths.

"Coming!" Clary called back, hastily making her way over.

Dawnpaw was on her heels, the two of them by Arrowheart's side quickly. The three cats peeled the roots free of moss, collecting a sizable amount before they headed back to camp. When they were finally on their way back was when Clary finally got to talk to Arrowheart in private.

Dawnpaw had headed back earlier. Nightrose had come out to retrieve the apprentice. Featherflight needed help in the Nursery, as another cat had caught Tumblekit's bellyache. This left Arrowheart alone with Clary, the two each carrying a bundle of freshly torn moss.

"So, " Clary began, "I was wondering if you could help me with something." Arrowheart's ear twitched, a noncommittal sound making his way out of his throat.

"Hmm, that'll depend on what it is you need help with." He commented. The warrior's gaze was focused on the path ahead. The overcast sky made their surroundings seem dull compared to normal. The vibrant colored flowers and leaves faded; the nature smells subdued.

"I...I....need help becoming a member of HunterClan." She admitted, her eyes drifting to focus on her paws. Arrowheart slowed his pace, just slightly. It was such a small change, one almost didn't notice it. Clary, who had to take at least two strides on average to keep up with his pace from her smaller stature, noticed the change immediately.

"What exactly...do you mean by that?" He said slowly. His voice seemed to be testing each syllable as he said them. Uncertainty filled the air. What if this was a mistake? Just because he was Blossomstar's apprentice doesn't mean that he'll know how to help me.

"Clary. What do you mean?" He asked again. Clary realized she must've been staring off into space for too long. Arrowheart's voice had a hint of grouchiness to it now. Well, it's now or never.

"How do I ask Blossomstar to let me join HunterClan? I-I really want to be a Shadowhunter and..." She trailed off, noticing Arrowheart's expression. The carefully placed mask of expressionlessness was gone, left behind was sheer surprise and blinking blue eyes.

"Clary, you really want to become a member of HunterClan? I suspected, but I wasn't certain." He mewed.

"Yea. I really do. Would you...could you please help me?" She asked him, doing her best not to sound overly hopeful.

"Of course, " he agreed, "we can talk to her right after we finish with the bedding." Arrowheart told her.

"Yes!" Clary exclaimed, her heart soaring. "Thanks so much!"

*******Time Skip*******

The elders had thanked them for their help as they departed from the Elders Den. The sun was beginning it's descent into the earth as the moon rose. Clary paced underneath the High Rock. Arrowheart was bidding his good byes to Puddlestep and Mistwing, the young warrior set to join her soon.

Clary had already seen Blossomstar disappear into her cave, Vultureclaw trailing behind her. From their murmurings she'd strained to hear as they passed, the two had been talking about Clan business. Around camp, every cat was settling down for the evening.

Brackenpaw and Dawnpaw were eating a shrew by the tree stump, swapping tales as they groomed one another's fur. Littlebird and Ripplefur were curled up together, the she-cat's green eyes blinking slowly as Ripplefur rambled on about some story. Frondleap and Ashwhisker were trotting over to the prey pile with Dapplefur, the three having just returned from a hunting patrol. Petalfall was with Silvermoon and Badgerstripe, the three senior warriors sitting outside the Warrior's Den discussing something.

She felt a gust of air beside her and turned to see Arrowheart bounding over to her. Normally, the black furred warrior would be looking around for his siblings or Patchfur at this evening hour. Knowing that the three cats in question were out on the evening patrol, he was not. Arrowheart gestured with a flick of a paw to Blossomstar's Den. The stone cave loomed in front of Clary now, an unmovable force. This upcoming meeting would be a turning point in her life. She was exhilarated; she was terrified.

"Are you ready?" He asked her. Seeing Vultureclaw slip out of the den now, she was able to stifle a nod. She'd hoped that the new deputy wouldn't be around for this conversation. After learning that the massive tabby was a kin slayer, she didn't want to be anywhere near him.

"Yea, lets get on with it." She told him, striding forward into the den. Arrowheart pulled back the growing green vines that curtained the entrance with his teeth. This allowed Clary to slip in easily, without slipping over the rope like things.

Inside Blossomstar was standing over the pool in the Leader's den. She was lapping at the water there, her whiskers dripping with sparkling liquid. She noticed the two newcomers right when they came in, her amber eyes swinging up to meet them.

She dipped her head. "Welcome Arrowheart, Clary. Is there anything I can help you with?" She asked. Clary gulped, it was now or never. The ginger she-cat glanced at Arrowheart, looking for some direction on how to start the conversation.

The young warrior inhaled deeply. "Clary has something important she needs to talk to you about." He began. At Blossomstar's confused expression, he hastily added on. "It's nothing bad, I reassure you."

Blossomstar nodded along, her amber gaze narrowed at Clary now. "Okay, what is it Clary?" She asked.

"Um, I was wondering if I could join HunterClan. I mean, I know I was born a house cat and all, but both my parents are Shadowhunters...so I want to be one too." Clary told the leader.

Blossomstar dipped her head at this. "I see, that's wonderful news." The leader told her. Clary perked up at that, she'd been worried that Blossomstar might not react as kindly.

"Really? I wasn't sure if you'd be alright with that." Clary confided. Arrowheart watched the exchange in silence, his black tail swishing behind him.

"Of course I'm alright with it. Your mother may have taken you to live in the Twoleg place, but it was you and your spirit that knew that you were something more than just a kittypet. That something, whether it be the Angel or StarClan led you to us. And now that you're here, it is time for you to become a member of HunterClan." Blossomstar finished.

"Yes yes! Thanks Blossomstar! So, are we going to have a ceremony now or...." Clary trailed off.

Blossomstar chuckled at her eagerness. "All in good time. First, I have to figure out who your mentor should be." Her gaze seemed to land on Arrowheart, her expression thoughtful.

"My mentor? Do I need one?" Clary had been living with HunterClan for a couple of moons now. Did she really need to be taught by another cat?

"Yes, you do. For while you have been living with us for around three moons time, you only know the very basics. There is still so much you must learn before becoming a warrior." Clary nodded at that, Blossomstar wasn't wrong.

"Okay, so...when are we doing the ceremony?" She asked. Clary couldn't help feeling a little impatient. She'd wanted to be a forest cat for some time now. The quicker that happens the better in her humble opinion.

Blossomstar leapt up to where her nest was, sitting down amidst the soft bedding. "The ceremony will take place tomorrow. Be prepared. You are dismissed." She ended. Clary nodded, giving a hasty thanks before scrambling out of the den, Arrowheart close behind.

********Goldenclaw's POV*******

"So, you're becoming a member of HunterClan then? For real?" He asked Clary.

The two were eating breakfast before heading out on patrol for the day; a plump field mouse lay between them from where they were sitting outside the Apprentice's Den. Most of the cats were awake and moving about now. The exception to this being Brackenfoot. The newest warrior had his warrior vigil the night before. He had stumbled into the den tiredly this morning as Arrowheart, Nightrose and Goldenclaw were getting out of their nests.

With all the excitement of last night, Goldenclaw hadn't heard that Clary had spoken to Blossomstar about becoming an apprentice yesterday. The knowledge that Clary had been nervous about asking Blossomstar about this and hadn't asked him for help left a sour note in his stomach.

Well, it's not like you've been warm and welcoming to her recently, his mind pointed out. Still, she should know that she can always count on me....right? Goldenclaw was unsure where he stood with his...sister as of currently. He hated to think that they'd no longer be close. The idea of being without Clary tore at him like a vampire's fangs.

The distance he'd been keeping in concerns to Clary wasn't because he didn't care about her. No, it was because he cared about her too much. Way too much then a brotherly love. It made him feel as though there was something wrong with him. Distance will help, he kept telling himself. He wondered how many times he'd have to tell himself that, and in turn enact it too before it would be true. Right now, I doubt it ever will be.

"Yea, I...Arrowheart went with me and all to talk to her. She said my ceremony would be sometime today." Clary sounded pleased, her green eyes sparkling. Goldenclaw forced himself not to stare directly into her eyes. She's too pretty for her own good. Clary was a beauty all of her own, like a unique blend of fire she was always burning bright.

"Oh, that... that's good." He told her. Clary seemed to be searching his gaze, Goldenclaw stared at Vultureclaw.

The deputy was organizing more patrols for the day. He watched as one of the groups headed out of camp. At the head of it was Badgerstripe, his black bulky frame leading Palenose and Frondleap out of camp. As Palenose was early on in expecting kits, her stomach was only bulging slightly. It would be at least a moon or two before she started showing, at that point Featherflight would prescribe for her to live in the Nursery.

Her mate Specklefoot was waving her off now. The ginger speckled tom was pressing his head into his mate's muzzle, purring soft, sweet nothings into her ears. Palenose was murmuring them back to him, a fond smile stretched across her face. This, this was exactly the type of thing that Goldenclaw had wanted to have with Clary someday. Maybe he'd been foolish to dream of it so early in their relationship, but he had known that he wanted everything with the ginger she-cat. Absolutely everything. And now I can't have it...

"Are you sure? I mean, I'm sorry I didn't ask you for help, I just figured you were busy with...well everything." She admitted. Goldenclaw took another bite of the mouse that was between them, the woodsy taste of it bathing his tongue.

"Yea. I'm glad that you'll be here. You have every right to be here...just as much as me." He told her.

"You're referring to our father, aren't you?" She asked him.

Goldenclaw sighed, dipping his head. He was staring right over Clary's head now, that way he gave off the impression of meeting her gaze without really doing so. It was a trick he used whenever he got scolded by Silvermoon or Badgerstripe for pulling some pranks back when he was a child. It made it easier to face them then; he found it also made it easier to face Clary now. Regrettably, it also made him feel like a coward. He didn't want to dwell on that now.

"Yea, Frostfang...a lot of cats here don't like him Clary. He did some awful things back in the day. It looks like he wants to do awful things now too. I don't want either of us to be judged for it." He told her.

He'd already started seeing how certain cats were treating him differently. Cats who he'd known all his life, acting like he was an outsider. He didn't like it one bit, but the idea of that treatment being given to Clary was even more unappealing.

"I'll be fine Goldenclaw, they hold a grudge against us forever. That would be mouse brained." She commented.

"You've only been here a short time Clary. Clan cats...we're not all as open minded as you might hope." He said.

"What, so I should just give up? Run home to my house folk and pretend I'm not a Shadowhunter?" She asked, her tone incredulous.

"No. What I'm saying is that you can't expect everyone to be welcoming of you. There will be cats that like you...and cats that would rather see you gone." He ended darkly. The anger in Clary's eyes vanished, replaced with something sad. He could go as far as to say it was sympathetic. He hated it. Sympathy was never a feeling he wanted to garner from anyone.

"Goldenclaw...you can't think like that. I'm sure plenty of cats want both us here. And besides, we have each other now. And our mom too." She murmured encouragingly.

Goldenclaw barely held back the growl that rose in his throat. "She might be your mother, but she'll never be mine. Silvermoon is my mother. If anything, Russetleaf is just the she-cat that abandoned me."

Clary gasped at that. "You can't mean that Goldenclaw. I'm sure mom loved you. She never would've intentionally left you." Goldenclaw didn't want to talk about this anymore, it would just pull at his already torn heart.

"Whatever you say. The real question is, who do you think your mentor will be?" He asked her. If Clary noticed the subject change, she didn't comment on it. Her expression became thoughtful.

"I'm not sure. Have you heard anything? You told me you heard murmurings about who your mentor would be before you were apprenticed." She inquired.

"No. Whoever it is, Blossomstar is keeping it very tight lipped. Has she called anyone to her den? Littlebird and Dustcloud both went to talk to Blossomstar before Arrowheart, Nightrose and I were made apprentices." Goldenclaw told her. Blossomstar had an odd way of going about many things, but she always talked to the cats involved whenever a ceremony was about to occur. It was like a strange permission slip sort of thing.

Clary shook her head. "Not that I know of. Nothing out of the norm at any rate." Goldenclaw considered this.

The usual for Blossomstar as of the past few moons were her deputy, medicine cats, and Arrowheart. Even now that Arrowheart was Blossomstar was no longer his mentor, his Parabatai still kept a close bond with the leader. The same could be said for Nightrose and Littlebird. The two she-cats often shared prey, chatting about their day.

If only Dustcloud were still here. The fluffy brown tom hadn't even gotten to see his apprentice become a warrior. The thought of all those missed opportunities with the late deputy felt like a heavy stone in his gut, weighing him down. He pushed it away. The constant grief had slowly passed, but occasionally it rose back up in him like an angry wasp coming back to sting him once more. He doubted this would ever go away. A part of him relished in the pain, it was a reminder of why he could never stop fighting, lest something like that happen again.

"That doesn't help us. I guess we'll just have to wait and see." He told her. Clary agreed, gulping down the last bit of mouse. The two exchanged a few more words before joining a hunting patrol. It was Petalfall who led them out camp, the she-cat not bothering with small talk as they headed towards the Tall Pines. This was a good thing too, as Goldenclaw's mind was elsewhere.

********Arrowheart's POV*******

Arrowheart tentatively touched the water before him, watching the resulting ripples cascade across the trickling stream. The rushing water was cool to the touch. He was unsure how MagicClan cats enjoyed swimming in it, especially during this time of year.

Leaf Fall (or fall for people who're wondering...it's August for them) had begun. The leafs were starting to turn red and orange and brown. A few of them had already scattered to the ground. The heat and humidity of summer had given way to a constant breeze in the air. It chilled the forests cats; it sent the trees shaking with it. Unlike Leaf Bare, the prey was still out and about in abundance.

This time of year was turning out to be Arrowheart's favorite. Running in the constant breeze gave him such a rush. Patchfur agreed with him on the wind being splendid. The two toms had went out hunting together this morning. They'd headed over to the border with MagicClan, picking off a few mice and thrushes as they went.

Patchfur was swimming in the stream now, his lithe form paddling around in the cool water. The tom had dived underwater moments before, letting the stream consume him. From Arrowheart's standpoint on the sandy shore he could see Patchfur swimming like a fish in there.

I wonder if he misses being a MagicClan cat...Patchfur had been kicked out of his former Clan for murdering a kit. Willowkit's death wasn't his fault though... He wished MagicClan understood that.

But then, if they did understand then they might forgive Patchfur and let him return to them. As much as Arrowheart wanted his crush to be apologized to, for the truth to come out and be comprehended, he was afraid of what that might mean for the two of them.

Their relationship, still undefined was brand new. It was a blossoming thing that needed to be cared for, cherished. He wasn't fully certain it would withstand long distance. Having a relationship with a cat from another clan was frowned upon, especially in HunterClan.

And for Arrowheart, a cat who hadn't even come out to his parents, let alone his clan, was afraid of how everyone would react if the truth got out. And yet....there's no way I'd give him up. Arrowheart could be uncertain about a lot of things, but how he felt for Patchfur was something he never doubted.

Speaking of Patchfur, his black head shot out from the water sending droplets splattering everywhere. Some of which landed on Arrowheart's nose, making him sneeze. Patchfur laughed at the cute sound. Water was dripping from his whiskers, his fur plastered to his body like a wet suit, golden green eyes sparkling with laughter. The warlock was in his element here surrounded by the shining river.

"What do you think? I haven't swam in so long I feel like I'm getting rusty." Patchfur admitted.

Arrowheart wiped the water off his nose. "You were mesmerizing as always." He told him. "I don't think I'd be any good at it though, I'm no fish." Patchfur snorted at that, pulling himself onto the shore. Water dripped off his wet form like a scattered shower.

"Maybe not at first, but I can teach you. You never know when you might need to know how to swim. It could save your life." Patchfur told him.

Arrowheart eyed the water skeptically. "I guess, " he conceded. "You promise you'll help me? I...I don't know how to swim so I might drown." He admitted, a bit embarrassed to admit he'd struggle with something Patchfur did with ease.

Said tom was now giving him a soft smile. "You don't need to worry about a thing, I'll be here the whole time."

Arrowheart dipped his head, taking in a deep breath to steel himself for the task ahead. He stepped into the water hesitantly, shivering at the cold liquid seeping into his skin. Patchfur stepped in beside him, wading in the water like it was the most natural thing in the world.

"It-it's freezing in here." Arrowheart chattered. Patchfur looked at him amused, his black ears twitching.

"If you think this is bad, you should feel how it gets right before the water freezes over. Hardly no cat dares to swim in it then, and Berrypool would often forbid the few daring apprentices from even trying to." Patchfur told him.

"I can imagine." Arrowheart commented, shivering some more. The water was almost up to his belly fur. The cold tendrils sent tingles up his spine, it was not a pleasant feeling. Noticing Arrowheart's shivering form, the warlock moved the conversation forward.

"Don't think about the cold, you'll get used to it soon. Think about how relaxed the water makes you feel." He suggested.

Arrowheart gazed at the water lapping at his sides. He supposed it was relaxing. Now that he thought about it, the water didn't feel so bad now. With his height, his paws still touched the stony floor of the river. His claws scrabbled on the stones to keep a firm grip.

"Yea, I think I've gotten used to it. So...what now?" He questioned. "How do I swim?" Patchfur gestured to a spot further in the water, where the currents were slow.

"We've got to go a bit deeper first. Learning to swim is fun, but it's harder to do when your paws can still touch the ground." Patchfur waded over to the spot where he waited for Arrowheart to join him.

The young warrior hurried over to him, spending splashes of water up in his wake. At some point a fish flashed by him. The silver scaled creature brushed his fur, causing Arrowheart to leap forward in surprise. It had been such a quick contact, lasting no more then a few seconds. Despite that, the tom felt the sliminess of the water breather, the scales scraping as the thing went between his legs.

"You okay? You seem a bit jumpy." Patchfur called.

"Yea, one of the fish brushed up against me." Arrowheart told him.

Nothing else deterred Arrowheart's progress to the warlock so he reached him moments later. In this part of the stream, the water almost covered their shoulders. The river acted like a cold blanket to Arrowheart's body, draining away at the aches there from battle and patrols. It was oddly therapeutic.

"Now, the first thing you have to do is lift your paws off the ground. Don't worry, it's completely safe." Patchfur added at Arrowheart's worried look. Hesitantly, Arrowheart did as he was told, lifting his paws off the ground. He floated in the water, not moving, his position stagnant.

"Okay, so what next?" He asked.

"Next, you start paddling. Watch what I do and copy it." Patchfur lifted his legs up from the river floor. He rhythmically kicked at the water, his front paws scooping water downward, churning the water so he went forward. Arrowheart copied him, his movements less graceful from a lack of experience.

Patchfur observer his movements. "Not bad, but you need to loosen up. Your legs have to be able to paddle properly." He told him. Arrowheart grunted, struggling to do what Patchfur asked. Water churned from his paddling, splashing behind him in billowing sprays.

"I'm trying to." He gritted out. The water felt like it was weighing down. Considering the liquid seeping into his pelt, he supposed it was. Patchfur dipped his head. The warlock had stopped paddling, watching Arrowheart's swimming from the shore.

"You're not doing bad, you're just not used to it yet." He told him. Arrowheart was panting by the time he got back onto the shore. He flopped down in the sand like a wet ball of fur. He knew that the sand would make his pelt dirty though he couldn't bother himself with caring at the moment.

Patchfur licked soothingly behind his ears. Arrowheart gave him a little smile. "So, how did I do?" Arrowheart asked the older warrior.

Patchfur stepped back, looking him over. "You did great for your first time out. We'll focus on your technique more next time." Arrowheart huffed out a tired laugh.

"So there will be a next time, huh?" He asked imploringly, blue eyes meeting golden green.

"Yes. I'll make a swimmer out of you yet Shadowhunter." The older warrior told him. Together, the pair made their way back to camp. They hunted as they went, catching a nice load of prey.

******Clary's POV******

Clary paced anxiously around Nightrose, excitement making her claws shred the grass below. It was midday now, and the ceremony was set to happen soon. Blossomstar had informed her earlier that she wouldn't be the only cat to get apprenticed today. Dapplefur's kits were all now old enough to become apprentices, so the five of them would be apprenticed together. Clary was happy about this, as it made her feel even more connected to the rest of the Shadowhunters.

"Stop pacing. You'll mess up your fur." The other she-cat told her. Clary let out a huff, her green gaze meeting Nightrose's brown one.

Her friend had been kind enough to give her a good grooming before the ceremony. Nightrose told her it was important to look well groomed for this sort of thing. Over by the Nursery, Dapplefur was busy grooming her kits.

Violetkit and the others were all antsy like her, ready to finally become apprentices. These kits had been waiting ever since their birth to begin training whereas Clary had only been waiting for a few moons, so she knew she shouldn't be so impatient. But I can't help it...all my life I feel has been leading to this moment. To finally become a part of the Shadowhunters.

"How can I calm down? I've been waiting for this for weeks now. I just....I've wanted this and..." She trailed off. Clary was unsure how to explain this to her friend.

Nightrose studied her carefully, resting her tail along Clary's flank. "I get it. Don't worry, the ceremony should be starting any minute now." Clary nodded, sitting down in an effort to calm herself. She didn't think she could wait much longer. Luckily, she didn't have to wait another second.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the High Rock for a Clan meeting!" Blossomstar's summons rang through camp.

Warriors proceeded in an orderly fashion to their spots underneath the High Rock. Badgerstripe, Silvermoon, and Petalfall sat together in a cluster near the front of the crowd. Comfreyleaf was sitting outside the Nursery, her kits playing with a pine cone nearby. The two elders: Puddlestep and Mistwing sat outside the Elders Den sunning themselves.

Frondleap and Ashwhisker were somewhere in the middle of the group, with Littlebird and Ripplefur sitting nearby. The couple was whispering amongst themselves, their tails entwined. Junipernose and Honeybee were also sitting together in the same position except for at the back of the crowd.

"Good luck Clary. Wait here with Dapplefur and her kits till Blossomstar calls for you. I'm going to join my brothers." Nightrose told her before disappearing into the assembled cats.

Clary murmured her thanks as the other she-cat went by. Even though Nightrose and Arrowheart weren't technically related to Goldenclaw, they still considered him their sibling. They refused to call him anything else. Clary wondered what that made her to them. She is their sibling's sibling. It was a strange prospect to think about.

The four other apprentices to be were now skirting around her heels. One of them, Stripekit stepped on her tail as they bustled about. Clary winced, the small she-cat's claws had been sheathed but the weight of a paw wasn't meant to land on her tail. She lifted in up gingerly into the air gingerly so it wouldn't be stepped on again.

"Sorry about that." Stripekit murmured apologetically. The kits eventually sat down beside her, waiting to be called to the center of the clearing.

Dapplefur sat behind them, watching with pride. This was the warrior's first and only litter. Clary felt sad that the senior warrior couldn't have more with her mate, Foxtail. The former kittypet had never met the tom personally, but what from what she'd been told he was a good cat.

"Violetkit, Smokekit, Clary, Stripekit and Mousekit come now to the center of the Clearing." Blossomstar called out to them. The five cats moved to the appointed spot underneath the High Rock, staring at their leader.

"Violetkit, from this moment on you will be known as Violetpaw. Goldenclaw, you will be her mentor. Pass down your courage and skill to this apprentice." Goldenclaw looked shocked to have been chosen for an apprentice. With a sharp prod from his Parabatai he moved forward to touch noses with the tortoiseshell she-cat. The two then stepped back into the audience.

When they were settled Blossomstar went onto the next cat. "Smokekit, from this moment on until you earn your warrior name you will be known as Smokepaw. Nightrose you will mentor this apprentice. Pass down all your wisdom and tenacity to this apprentice." Nightrose looked honored to have been chosen, moving forward to touch noses with Smokepaw.

Stripekit and Mousekit became Stripepaw and Mousepaw in a similar fashion. They were given Frondleap and Ashwhisker as mentors. The two toms looked proud to have been picked. When the four cats stepped back Clary was the only one left in the center of the clearing. Blossomstar was staring at her with a critical eye, her expression revealing nothing of how she felt.

"Clary, I have thought long and hard about what your new name and mentor should be. I am happy to say I have now decided."Clary watched on with bated breath. "Clary, in honor of your flame colored coat that shines like a spark of new fire you will be known as Sparkpaw. Arrowheart, you will mentor this apprentice. Pass on everything you know to her."

Sparkpaw felt exhilarated as her new name was proclaimed by her clan leader. In the mix with that feeling was surprise. Especially when she found Arrowheart padding over to her. The two touched noses quickly before padding back into the crowd.

"Violetpaw! Stripepaw! Sparkpaw! Mousepaw! Smokepaw!" The cats cheered. Sparkpaw beamed at her name being called, but she hardly paid attention to it. I can't believe it! I'm finally a member of HunterClan. Then another thought struck her. My mentor is Arrowheart!