A lot had happened since that day. Longclaw had moved to the nursery waiting for Silentpelt's kits and Starheart had a new litter, Sunkit and stillborn Flowerkit. In addition, Flamekit had finally become Flamepaw.

"However," continued Moonstar, "we do have two kits who are now six moons old."

Phoenixkit's heart rose in her stomach. It was finally time.

Rainpaw smiled beside her. "Oh, this'll be great! We can go out and gather herbs together!"

Yech, thought Phoenixkit, but she said nothing.

"Riverkit, step forwards."

The proud kit walked through the rows of cats like he owned them, puffing out his chest with tiny pride.

"Riverkit, from this day forwards you shall be known as Riverpaw. Your mentor will be Jayclaw."

The grey warrior came to touch noses with Riverpaw, a look of satisfaction and pride on his face. Riverpaw's parents, Stormmind and Petaldust, watched on, purring.

"Share your cleverness and tactility with Riverpaw."

"Phoenixkit, step forwards."

Phoenixkit stepped forward carefully, her feather dangling from a bit of sap she put on her ear to make it stick. It flashed ruby red colors in the morning sun as she nudged her way between cats. She stopped for a bit to look up at the wide open sky.

"Phoenixkit, from this day forwards you shall be known as Phoenixpaw. Your mentor will be Petaldust."

The pinkish she-cat came to touch noses with Phoenixpaw, purring.

"Share your kindness and empathy with Phoenixpaw."

"Phoenixpaw! Riverpaw! Phoenixpaw! Riverpaw!"

Phoenixpaw's face lit up with pride. They were cheering for her!

"Come on, Phoenixpaw." Petaldust whispered into the young she-cat's ear, "Why don't I show you around the territory?"

The two cats walked out of camp and into the forest. Phoenixpaw's heart beat with excitement when she realized she would never have to sneak out again.

Petaldust lead her swiftly with her tail, and Phoenixpaw followed, stumbling over sticks and tripping over rocks.

Eventually, they came to the the mountains, which stood over them like the jagged teeth of a dragon. Phoenixpaw looked up and saw downy white fluff lining the side of them. "They're so huge!" she exclaimed.

"Yes, we are on the border between here and SnowClan, and down to the east is RainClan. The river trickles down from the mountain and forms the swamps."

"Can we go see RainClan territory?"

"Yes, yes we can. Come on."

Petaldust fled off down through the forest, and looking up at the mountains for a second more, Phoenixpaw felt a slight chill. Two eyes were watching her from a nearby holly bush over the borderline. "Hello?" she mewed, but the eyes opened wide in panic and then they were gone.

Phoenixpaw went after her mentor, feeling satisfaction awash her like a river, and continued down the well-trodden path to RainClan.

*<>*<>*<>*

"He's gone?"

"What do you mean, he's gone?"

The anguished yelling of cats spread throughout the clearing.

Phoenixpaw woke up, expecting to feel the warmth of Starheart but instead felt empty, cold air. She drowsily walked out of the den to find the entire clan yelling, hissing and in overall panic.

Longclaw, heavy with kits, was clutching her stomach and Starheart was in a corner, crying softly. Silverkit and Windkit stood next to her, yelling, "Mommy, mommy what's wrong?"

"He's gone." she was whispering over and over, "He's gone."

"Who's gone?" asked Firepaw, standing by his mother.

"Jayclaw is missing!" she wailed to the whole clearing.

Search parties were sent out, including one with Phoenixpaw herself on it. She ran alongside Sandpaw and Darkshadow, speeding through the forest, feather flapping in the wind. She felt nervous about it, worrying about it falling off.

"We're at the boundary." announced Darkshadow, "And we're still on his scent, which means..."

Sandpaw's eyes were wide. "He couldn't. He wouldn't..."

Darkshadow nodded grimly. "He did."

Phoenixpaw looked on at the marshy area ahead, not too different from the one they were standing in.

They headed back to camp and Darkshadow whispered something to Moonstar, flicking his tail a few times and frowning.

Moonstar jumped up to the Hightree, and yelled down, "All cats gather here beneath the Hightree."

Everyone gathered below, and Moonstar yowled, "As some of you may know, Jayclaw... is... gone across the RainClan border. However, someone must mentor his apprentice. I believe that although this might be a lot of responsibility, until we find another suitable cat, Petaldust will help to train Riverpaw."

Phoenixpaw stamped her paw in disgust. Sharing a mentor with Riverpaw, of all cats? This was absurd! She opened her mouth to speak, but everyone else seemed fine with the decision.

The cats moved by her slowly, mewing and talking about Jayclaw and why he would have left.

"I say we kill 'em all. Just a bunch of rogues and a few unloyal warriors," hissed Clawpelt.

Growlpaw, his apprentice, nodded in agreement showing his tiny fangs.

Riverpaw walked up to Phoenixpaw calmly, and said, "I can't wait to train with you! It'll be fun."

All the stress burst out in one, awful moment.

"You stole my mentor." she said finally.

"What? I..."

"You stole her. I don't want to train with you ever."

"I... I?"

"You should've died, not FIRE! THIS IS YOUR FAULT!" She sprung at him, tears falling with blood as she raked claws across his face.

Blood welled out of the open wound, and Riverpaw screadmed.

The whole clan turned to look at Phoenixpaw, their questioning, scared eyes terrified and huge.

Raking a tuft of silver fur out of her bloodstained claws, she spit, "He deserved it."