Chapter Eight

Claws dug into the cold ground as Birdkit struggled to keep her grip. Her tail swayed back and forth while her mother tried to hold her down. The buffeting wind didn't help the large Clan as they traveled north. Though Birdkit didn't understand the directions they had chosen she did understand the urgency of their journey. The Clan had left when she was strong enough to make it on her own. As an only kit in the nursery it had been difficult providing happiness for herself or her mother.

Now the Clan had been forced to leave as their home was invaded by rogues from Twolegplace. Birdkit had seen them the night the Clan left. They were big rogues that were bloodthirsty enough to take on an entire Clan. Emberstar didn't want to take any chances with the rogues, especially after the prophecy he had received from Dewstep.

The Clan of sky must return to make five, Birdkit thought as she recalled what Dewstep had said. She wasn't even sure what those words meant, but they had sent chills down her spine when she heard them. She had a feeling that those words had more meaning than even Dewstep knew. When the Clan made the decision to leave the gorge after hearing that prophecy, Birdkit had begun wondering if they were making the right choice.

The gorge had always been their home for as long as they could remember. Birdkit could still remember hearing Darkflower tell her stories about what the gorge was like when she was a kit herself. Times hadn't been nearly as challenging. Twolegs hadn't tried invading their territory, and they hadn't tried destroying what was left of it. Birdkit had been hoping that she would get to see the gorge for herself before they took over, but unfortunately, she never got the chance.

She stumbled over the pebbles and boulders that were in her way. Since the Clan traveled at night the air was colder and the path itself was more difficult to see. Emberstar had told them that it was better not to drawl attention from the Twolegs. Twolegs were creatures driven by curiosity, at least that was what Darkflower had told Birdkit. They would want to know why such a large number of cats were traveling towards the mountains.

"Dewstep, are you sure we're going the right way?" Specklewing, a tortoiseshell she-cat, asked.

She was the last cat to receive her warrior name at the gorge. The other apprentices were jealous of Specklewing since she had received her warrior name, but they refused to show it. Birdkit knew that they likely resented Emberstar for leaving the gorge in the first place. She couldn't necessarily blame them for wanting to have their warrior names before they left the gorge.

It doesn't matter where we receive our warrior names, a small voice silently reminded her. As long as we receive them and protect the Clan at all costs.

"The cat that came to me in my dream told me this is the right path," Dewstep replied.

Her voice was hoarse after shouting over the fierce winds to Emberstar. The SkyClan leader was determined to ensure that she was leading his Clan to safety. "But even I am not sure if this journey will lead us to safety," she added under her breath.

Birdkit's ears pricked forward with fear. She had watched the elders struggle to keep up with the rest of the Clan. Darkflower had often lingered back to help them, but Bouncestep and Ivyclaw refused to accept any help. Most of the time it was Goldenpelt who convinced them to accept Darkflower's help.

"It's almost dawn, we should get some rest," Emberstar meowed when they reached the base of the mountains.

Birdkit stared at the mountains in disbelief. Their sheer size meant that it could take the Clan another moon to reach their destination. Her heart wrenched with dread at the thought. She couldn't imagine having to climb those mountains just to reach the lake. The worst part was knowing that they might not even reach the other Clans even if they did manage to cross the mountains unscathed.

"Don't worry little one, we will be home soon," Darkflower murmured as she nuzzled her daughter affectionately.

"I'm not worried!" Birdkit squeaked indignantly when Darkflower began washing her.

"Of course you're not," Ebonypaw, a dark black apprentice, scoffed. "You're just like everyone else – hoping that we can spend the night in a warm den away from the mountains."

Birdkit's eyes narrowed into tiny slits when she glared at the apprentice.

Of all the cats in the Clan, Ebonypaw was her least favorite. Ebonypaw was always so negative about everything, including the Clan's future. Birdkit wished that she could shut the apprentice up just once. She always made her brother Driftpaw feel worse about himself. She couldn't understand how the two of them were even related – Ebonypaw and Driftpaw were nothing alike as far as she was concerned.

"Ebonypaw, why don't you and Brightpaw go hunting," Birchpelt, the deputy, suggested. Even she was annoyed with Ebonypaw's lack of faith in StarClan. "Make sure a warrior goes with you – I don't want either of you going out on your own."

The silver and ginger-dappled she-cat looked down at Ebonypaw sternly before the apprentice could argue.

The dark-furred apprentice simply dipped her head and backed off after curling her lip in annoyance. She didn't dare argue with the Clan deputy, especially when Birchpelt made a valid point. Once she disappeared and went off to find Brightpaw, Birdkit looked at Birchpelt thankfully.

You didn't have to stand up for either of us, she thought with a flick of her tail. But I am glad that you're on our side.

"Don't mind her, that's just her way of saying she's worried," Birchpelt murmured in amusement.

Birdkit nodded and leaned against her mother's belly. Darkflower was always there to keep her warm. She couldn't think of a better mother. Thorntalon was always there to watch over them during the early mornings. As her father, Thorntalon was protective, and rightfully so. With the threat of the rogues lingering behind them, he wasn't going to let anything get between them.

There were times when Birdkit wished that she was as brave as Thorntalon. He'd never backed down from a challenge. And she wanted to show that she was equally as strong and courageous. If anything, she wanted to be a warrior that would always be remembered by her name.

"Maybe it's time she was named an apprentice." Birdkit's ears pricked forward when Emberstar spoke up. By now most of the Clan had settled around the bushes and shrubs that grew near the mountain. They didn't provide much shelter, but it was better than nothing. "Once she is an apprentice we won't have any kits to worry about," he added when Darkflower let out a low growl.

"Emberstar, she isn't ready," the black and white queen snapped.

"And we are not ready to let a kit die in the mountains," Emberstar retorted. "I know there are risks in naming an apprentice before they have reached their sixth moon, but this is important." Excitement coursed through Birdkit when he began to argue with Darkflower. She would become an apprentice early? She didn't even know that could happen! "I will hold back her warrior ceremony until she is ready," the SkyClan leader finished explaining.

Darkflower sighed and looked down at her kit. Birdkit stared at her mother hopefully. She wanted to become an apprentice now more than ever. Especially if it meant she would serve her Clan to the fullest. Her mother's whiskers twitched in defeat before she shook her head.

"Alright, I can see that it is necessary," she muttered.

"Thank you, Darkflower," Emberstar meowed. "I don't believe a call for a meeting is needed," he added. Most cats were gathered around him as they listened to Darkflower argue about her kit. Birdkit listened and watched impatiently as Ebonypaw and Brightpaw returned with Frozenfoot, a gray she-cat with darker gray paws. "By naming apprentices we show that the Clan will remain strong. Birdkit, step forward."

Before Birdkit could do such a thing her mother began washing her behind the ears. Birdkit squealed in frustration and batted at her mother's nose with her paws. Darkflower's whiskers twitched with amusement as Birdkit stumbled forward. She tried to hide the embarrassment that followed when she realized her mistake. Everyone else was watching the scene unfold curiously as they wondered why Emberstar would take such risks.

"Birdkit, until you have received your warrior name you will be known as Birdpaw. Birchpelt, you are ready for an apprentice. You have already mentored Specklewing into a fine warrior, and I expect you to pass on your training to Birdpaw."

Her eyes widened when Birchpelt stepped out of the crowd. Though the deputy was clearly exhausted from all of the traveling, her eyes gleamed with happiness. Birdpaw touched noses with her new mentor just as the Clan began cheering her name.

The deputy is my mentor! she thought happily. She glared triumphantly at Ebonypaw, who simply looked away in annoyance. She knew that Ebonypaw would never let her forget that she was still the age of a kit. But at least Birchpelt was her mentor, and that had to count for something.

"We can begin your training tonight, after you get some rest," Birchpelt meowed when the ceremony was over.

Birdpaw nodded and trotted over to where the other apprentices were settled. Ebonypaw's lips curled in disgust before she turned her back on the newest apprentice. Driftpaw glanced at his sister before looking back at Birdpaw.

"You're lucky you get to be an apprentice early," he muttered when she began to curl up.

"Just don't get on her bad side," Brightpaw added in a purr when she looked at Ebonypaw pointedly. "She's not nearly as bad as she seems once you get to know her."

Ebonypaw only rolled her eyes at that. Birdpaw had her doubts as she looked at Ebonypaw warily. The black-furred apprentice hadn't necessarily shown signs of changing since they left the gorge. And Birdpaw suspected her attitude wasn't going to change even if they found the other Clans.

Beside Brightpaw was her sister Wrenpaw. Wrenpaw was quieter than the other three, and Birdpaw was thankful for that. She knew that sleeping with the apprentices was going to be a huge change. Birdpaw had gotten so used to sleeping with her mother that she couldn't bring herself to admit that she missed her warmth and comfort.

Soon, exhaustion began creeping over Birdpaw, until her eyes finally closed and she fell asleep.

…

Her sleep however was distracted by the noise of wind buffeting against hills. Birdpaw's eyes snapped open and she found herself sitting at the top of a large hill. Her eyes widened when she realized that this was not where the Clan was sleeping. Instead she found herself staring at a vast forest filled with ancient looking trees.

"W-Where am I?" she demanded.

"This is where the five Clans once lived." Birdpaw felt her heart nearly skip a beat when a voice spoke up. "Your Clan lived here once as well."

A cat suddenly emerged from the bushes nearby. Birdpaw jumped in surprise when she saw that his fur was covered in starlight. It was a golden brown cat with ginger dapples that reminded Birdpaw of a leopard. She had heard stories of leopards that were described by the elders. This cat was nothing different from what she was used to.

"Who are you?" she asked.

"My name is Leopardheart," the tom replied in a calm voice. "I came here to see that you are safe, and remain that way. The Clans will need you when you are older." Birdpaw's eyes narrowed in suspicion as she wondered why this cat would want her to remain safe and alive. What did she have to do with the other Clans? Leopardheart's eyes softened when he leaned forward. "I will watch over you," he promised.

Confusion swept over Birdpaw as the golden brown cat began to fade. She was about to ask what he meant by those words when he disappeared completely. Birdpaw blinked several times in surprise before she shook her head. What ever the stranger meant by those words, she knew that no good would come out of them.