In the nights following Mothpaw's apprenticeship, Nightpaw hoped Sootstar would visit him to answer his questions about the Old Life. But his dreams remained vacant, just a black expanse that stretched from sunset until sunrise.

During the days, Nightpaw spent most of his time helping clean dens or, otherwise, out training or hunting with the guardians. His time in camp he spent observing Mothpaw, who padded about with a resigned droop to her whiskers. She had also become quite jumpy in her three sunrises as an apprentice, startled by even the smallest of movements.

As if noticing Nightpaw's preoccupation with the new healer's apprentice, Hailwatcher approached him as the tom watched Mothpaw sorting herbs outside of the healer's storage. Her paws moved methodically and Nightpaw marvelled at how quickly she learned the names of the various roots and leaves.

"You feel sorry for her." It was a statement, not a question.

"No," Nightpaw said after a moment of hesitation. "I just wonder why."

The black and white tom nodded, a thoughtful look on his greying face. "Why don't I try to explain." The two truth-tellers rose to their paws simultaneously, a new energy running through Nightpaw at the prospect of satisfying his curiosity. With one last glance at Mothpaw, he followed his mentor out.

They reached the river that separated High Rocks and the forest quickly but, to Nightpaw's surprise, Hailwatcher did not lead him over the stepping stones. Instead, the truth-teller turned sharply, following the water out into MoorClan territory.

As they travelled, the current slowly lost its momentum, the river narrowing into a shallow stream before it finally came to a halt. It tumbled over the stones, droplets falling into the calm waters of a large pool. Leaning forward, Nightpaw saw his reflection blink back at him, white-rimmed eyes wide with wonder.

"Deathwaters," Hailwatcher cautioned him. The apprentice shivered and stepped back from the unnaturally clear water. Beneath his paws, the ground was littered with seasons' worth of faded pawprints.

"It used to be called Moonwaters," his mentor continued, settling beside the pool. Nightpaw noticed the tom took great care to keep his paws from touching the water and decided to do the same.

"Was Moonwaters on RockClan or MoorClan territory?" Nightpaw asked, noticing that the pool seemed to lie on both.

Hailwatcher purred. "Moonwaters belonged to StarClan. This was the meeting place for medicine cats and leaders when they needed guidance from StarClan."

Nightpaw blinked, turning to the clear pool again. Was this the place Sootstar visited all those seasons ago to receive his nine lives?

"Medicine cats always had the strongest connection with StarClan," Hailwatcher continued. "They were the link between the ancestors and the Clan, bringing news of danger or prophecies to lead the Clans." His voice turned hard as he added, "Lot of good that did them."

"If StarClan was to warn the Clans of danger, why didn't they warn the Clans of the Masked Uprising?" Nightpaw asked, still gazing at the pool.

"StarClan did warn them," his mentor replied, scoffing. "But their prophecies were always vague, winding and twisting their way around the real solution. Their omens were overlooked by those weakened by love and the Clans fell as a result."

The black tom's tail twitched as his throat burned to ask more questions. Hailwatcher seemed to be giving him vague answers himself and Nightpaw yearned to know the whole story of why the Old Clans fell.

"But we are not here to discuss the Old Life," the truth-teller continued pointedly. "We are here to discuss the healers of DarkClan." Nightpaw sat up straight immediately, ready to learn.

"In the Old Life, medicine cats held a high station because of their connection with StarClan, powers of guidance, and compassion towards others. In DarkClan life, StarClan has no power and compassion is forbidden. So, what is left to drive healers to perform their duty to the Clan?"

Nightpaw flicked his ear as he realized his mentor's question was not rhetorical. "Maybe their desire to keep others alive?"

The tom shrank back as Hailwatcher let out a menacing purr. "Desire out of their own free will? Doubtful. The only way to drive them to do their part is to motivate them. Each healer receives only three chances before they must take on an apprentice. Then, they are disposed of."

Nightpaw's eyes widened as he learned the truth of DarkClan's healers, but attempted to hide his shock from his mentor. Did threatening the healers really help them perform their duty? Or did it just keep them in a state of constant fear?

With a shiver, he remember Sootstar's words: DarkClan celebrates certain qualities in their warriors - but are they the most noble ones your Clanmates have to offer?

Hailwatcher, as if unaware of Nightpaw's consternation, continued. "Some healers live for a very long time, serving DarkClan well. Others lose their lives quickly, unable to heal their Clanmates. Thrushbelly was unable to heal three of our warriors after a battle with rogues, while Chervilheart did not cure the greencough that took the lives of three of our own in one night. Blueleaf, too weakened by love to let an apprentice die at the claws of a dog pack, was herself wounded in the battle and unable to take care of patients, resulting in their deaths."

The truth-teller's voice remained calm and steady, but Nightpaw felt his own heart hammering within his chest as he listened in horror. Dark-hearted, he thought, remembering Cinderpaw's quaking voice. He tried desperately to calm himself and cover his fear scent, but Hailwatcher had already turned to him.

"Is something wrong?" he asked, blue eyes narrowed.

Nightpaw stared out at the pool, thinking quickly. "No, I appreciate your lesson. I'm just thinking about a dream I had the previous night."

The statement, meant to dissipate the situation, only made Hailwatcher's hackles rise. "A dream?" he said, voice a low growl.

The apprentice got to his paws, fur bristling as his mentor stepped towards him. After seeing the massive tom attack Cedarheart, Nightpaw knew he wanted to avoid his claws.

"I - I was hunting in the forest when I was attacked by a fox," Nightpaw replied, hoping he sounded convincing. "I've been training with Lionmask and Mousetail lately and I'm not doing as well as I would like to. I think it's keeping me up at night."

Hailwatcher continued to look at him skeptically for a couple of heartbeats before softening his gaze. "Alright. I didn't realize you were having trouble with training, perhaps I will join you next time."

Nightpaw nodded, swallowing hard as his heart continued to patter. Following Hailwatcher away from Deathwaters, he nearly stepped on his spotted tail when the tom suddenly stopped.

"While your dream seems harmless, I suggest you do not bring up dreams with anyone. DarkClan cats don't dream." The finality of his tone told Nightpaw that the topic was off limits. With one last look at the gleaming pool, the apprentice nodded his understanding.

//

The days seem shorter, Nightpaw thought as he watched the sun sink beneath the horizon. Its last light turned the sky a startling orange, as if the world were on fire. Where the fire faded away, a deep blue replaced it, tiny pricks of white light breaking through its canvas. Staring up at the stars, the tom wondered if Sootstar was up there now, watching over him.

"Care to join us for an evening meal?" Cinderpaw mewed as she passed by, voice muffled by the robin she carried in her jaws. Mouth watering at the scent of freshkill, Nightpaw nodded.

The DarkClan apprentices sat before the apprentice den, arranged in a haphazard circle. Flamepaw and Dapplepaw sat rather close together on one side, sharing a small rabbit, while Bramblepaw and Wrenpaw shared a starling. Cherrypaw and Shadepaw sat opposite each other, eating their meals separately.

"Share with me?" Cinderpaw asked and Nightpaw once again nodded, settling down beside her. Taking a ravenous bite out of the bird, he realized he hadn't eaten all day.

"This is delicious," Nightpaw said through a mouthful of the robin.

"I did," piped up a proud voice and the tom looked up to see Wrenpaw puffing her chest out.

"Really?" he replied, surprised. Wrenpaw and her littermates had been apprenticed only three sunrises ago.

"Really," she said, padding over. "And Bramblepaw caught two mice. Not a bad haul, I would say." The brown tabby tom nodded happily as he followed his littermate over.

Across the circle, Nightpaw heard Dapplepaw scoff, but Wrenpaw ignored the older she-cat. She seemed content with knowing that she had contributed to her Clan.

"These two seem to already be on their way to becoming great warriors." The new voice startled Nightpaw and he glanced up to see Flamepaw standing before him. The ginger tabby flicked his tail in greeting and settled down beside his littermates. Glancing across the circle, Nightpaw saw a rather cross Dapplepaw watching them through narrowed eyes.

"I'm glad to hear," Nightpaw said, returning his gaze to Wrenpaw and Bramblepaw. "I'm sure they'll train just as hard as Acornpaw to ensure they do." Wrenpaw's eyes brightened at the mention of the story.

"That's a good story," Flamepaw said, draping his tail over Nightpaw's flank. The black tom stiffened slightly before relaxing once Flamepaw added, "You did a great job. You'll make a fine teller one day."

The truth-teller's apprentice blinked, a purr slowly rising in his throat. Flamepaw sounded genuine, and his amber eyes were warm as he regarded his littermate.

"Thank you," the black tom replied, deciding to take the praise with modesty.

Flamepaw purred. "I'm sorry I doubted you in the first place." The ginger tabby butted Nightpaw's shoulder friendlily before making his way back over to Dapplepaw. His littermate stared after him.

Cinderpaw must have noticed the surprise in Nightpaw's eyes and her happy mew snapped him out of his daze. "It's good to see my littermates getting along again."

"It definitely feels good," Nightpaw replied. Then, seriously, "But I wonder why?"

"Perhaps he's realized being big-headed is not going to make him a better warrior," Cinderpaw said, flicking an ear dismissively. "Or maybe he finally saw what you're made of and admires it."

The black tom turned to his littermate, surprised by her suggestion. "You think Flamepaw admires me?"

"I think a lot of cats do," she answered warmly with a nod at their company. Sure enough, Wrenpaw and Bramblepaw looked at Nightpaw with the same awe they had as kits. Purring, the truth-teller's apprentice took another bite of the cooling robin, his eyes on the stars in the quickly darkening sky.

// Publishing an hour early, but I worked nearly 12 hours today and I deserve a reward :P Make sure to press that little gold star - it really makes my day!

In regards to last week's poll, I got some pretty interesting results for favourite characters! As might have been expected, Nightpaw was a favourite amongst a lot of you, but the other top answers were Cinderpaw and the prisoner (for some odd reason). Other answers included the Flamepaw, Hailwatcher, the kits (all of them), and even Heatherfur. I'm glad so many of my characters are likeable (: