Chapter One- Pawsteps

"Echokit! Echokit, wake up! Wake up!" The black kit curled up more tightly, trying to ignore her sister's paws kneading her side. "Echokiiiit! Come on!"

"Go away, Hollykit!" she finally hissed, swiping at her smaller littermate. Hollykit jumped back and batted at her sister's tail.

"But we're going to be apprentices today! Fernflicker said so!" At that, Echokit was on her paws, her bright orange eyes glimmering with excitement.

"Are we? Are we really, Mama?" She looked up at the lovely queen beside them, who purred and licked her daughter between her ears.

"Yes, Echokit. You must wait for Thornstar to call us to gather," she explained calmly. The beautiful, white she-cat was the oldest queen in the nursery, and after birthing the litter she was already expecting, she was planning to retire.

"When is he going to do that?" Hollypaw mewed excitedly, her tail swishing back and forth.

"Later, my little one," the queen answered. "Only he knows when."

"I want to be an apprentice, too!" chimed in another kit, bounding forward, away from his mother.

"You're too little, Stormkit," Hollykit sniffed. Echokit sat and purred softly.

"You'll be big enough some day, though," the darker she-cat assured the dissapointed kit. He brightened at that, and returned to his mother and napping littermate.

"Thank you, Echokit," purred the rosy brown queen, Stormkit's mother.

"You're welcome, Rosefeather," Echokit replied shyly. "I was just telling him the truth though."

"We all need to hear the truth sometimes," Rosefeather meowed, and nodded at Echokit's mother. "You're raising her to be a very wise warrior, Clearpool."

"Well, my oldest is the medicine cat," Clearpool answered proudly, before nuzzling Echokit. "Why don't you two go and play outside? See if the elders have any advice for you?" Both kits groaned.

"But Mama, we've already heard all of their stories!" Echokit protested.

"Hundreds and hundreds of times," Hollykit added dismally. The queens purred in amusement, when the youngest spoke up.

"Hollykit, Echokit?" The black and white she-cat called their attention. "Seedkit still has a cough. Why don't you go and find Puddleweed, and see if she has any more tansy, instead?"

"Okay!" Echokit volunteered immediately. She loved going into the strange smelling den where her oldest sister worked and lived, and seeing all the colorful and fragrant herbs. Puddleweed was the only living cat from their mother's first litter. The others had fallen victim to greencough, the elements, and other Clans through the moons.

"Fine," Hollykit agreed reluctantly, clearly wanting to do anything else. She followed her sister outside, where it had begun to rain slightly. "Aww. Now we're going to get all wet and muddy!"

"It was so clear last night," Echokit mewed, leading her sister across the clearing where their Clan made its camp. "I peeked outside and I even saw a star move across the sky."

"Fascinating," Hollykit replied dryly.

"What are you kits doing out of your den?" meowed a young tom as he approached them, his brown and gray fur already damp from being out in the forest that morning.

"Good morning, Coyotepaw," Hollykit greeted, suddenly fluffing up her fur and trying to seem happy and enthusiastic. Echokit sighed. Hollykit had been infatuated with Coyotepaw for as long as she could remember. Rosefeather, his mother, and Clearpool had thought it adorable, but Echokit found her sister's behavior exhausting. "We're going to see Puddleweed and get medicine for Seedkit. It's very important."

"Is she still sick?" Coyotepaw mewed worriedly. "I thought Darkstream said she was feeling better."

"She is," replied Echokit before her sister could pipe up. "But she's still got a little cough and Darkstream wants it to be cleared up."

"Understandable," Coyotepaw meowed. "Do you want me to go and fetch it for you?"

"No thank you," Echokit answered, and glanced at her sulking littermate. "But we'd appreciate it if you walked with us."

"We really would," Hollykit purred quickly in agreement, her tail swishing excitedly. Coyotepaw flicked his ear.

"Well, if you insist," he mewed at last, and began to walk alongside them towards the medicine cat den.

"We're becoming apprentices today," Hollykit informed the older tom eagerly. "Fernflicker told me so when she came to check on Darkstream's kits this morning."

"Is that so?" Coyotepaw sounded as though he was merely humoring the kit with his response. She, however, didn't seem to pick up on this.

"Yes! We'll be denmates again, soon." Echokit gave the apprentice an apologetic look as her sister continued to fill him in on their entire morning up until this point. When they entered the medicine cat den, Puddleweed was nowhere to be found. Instead, a tortoiseshell she-cat was there, trying to get a sniffling, runny nosed kit to eat a small mix of herbs.

"Come on, Branchkit," she purred softly, nudging it closer to him. "If you eat this you can go back to your mother and littermates."

"It tastes icky," Branchkit protested.

"Hello, Spottedclaw," Coyotepaw interrupted. The she-cat looked up at them.

"Don't tell me these two caught the same thing as Darkstream's kits?"

"No, we're fine," Echokit assured the medicine cat apprentice. "But Seedkit's got a cough again, and Darkstream wanted us to bring her some extra tansy." Spottedclaw hesitated, before moving to where the herbs were stored.

"How is Mountainkit?"

"He's acting like he was never sick to begin with," Hollykit answered, looking around the small den. It had been made from a long abandoned fox hole, and was warm and large enough for several cats.

"He misses his brother, though," Echokit added, breathing deeply the scents of the herbs. She couldn't help but be disappointed that she didn't have the chance to be a medicine cat herself. The healing of her Clanmates fascinated her.

"You hear that, Branchkit?" Spottedclaw meowed as she gently used her claws to put a small dose of tansy on a leaf. "You best eat those herbs so you can go back to playing with your brother." The kit made a noise of protest, but soon began to nibble at the mix in front of him. Spottedclaw purred her approval as she carefully picked up the leaf and handed it off to Coyotepaw. "Now make sure Seedkit gets plenty of rest and doesn't overexcite herself."

Coyotepaw dipped his head in a nod, and flicked his tail for the kits to follow him. Hollykit was hot on his heels, but Echokit hung back a moment.

"Thank you, Spottedclaw!" she meowed gratefully.

"You're very welcome," the medicine cat apprentice replied, before adjusting the moss around where Branchkit sat. "Now you head back to your den and keep your distance from Darkstream's litter until all of this is finally cleared up. The last thing we need is an outbreak."

"Of course, Spottedclaw. See you!" Echokit emerged from the comfortable den into the clearing, where a patrol of warriors and apprentices was just returning, among them the young Mothpaw, who had been promoted to an apprentice only a half moon ago. He was wide-eyed and had walked with a new spring in his step ever since he had recieved his new name. However, the warriors, and even Mothpaw, looked grim and worried, and Echokit watched them walk towards Thornstar's den.

"Echokit, come on!" Hollykit called, already halfway across the clearing, trying to keep up with Coyotepaw. The black kit watched her father, Darkthorn, and Snowtail, the Clan's most senior warrior, exchange words with Fernflicker, before the three of them vanished into the fallen, hollow tree where their leader made his home. Her ears perked up curiously, but as Hollykit yowled for her again, she hurried across the clearing and ducked into the warm, dry nursery.

Coyotepaw had already given the tansy to Darkstream, who nudged the slumbering Seedkit awake to take the medicine. Coyotepaw turned to leave, and slipped out quickly, mewing to Rosefeather that he was going to see how his friend had gotten along on his first patrol.

"Bye- Coyotepaw..." Hollykit's ears drooped as the apprentice left without glancing at her. She sat down, but the moment she touched the ground, a loud and familiar yowl cut across the clearing.

"Let all cats capable of catching their own prey gather now before Dead Tree for a Clan meeting!" Echokit and Hollykit gasped, and nearly tripped over one another as they scrambled out of the den. Purring in amusement, Clearpool pulled them both in and passed them.

"You two say goodbye to your denmates first. Then you can come and find me." Hollykit huffed, but Echokit obediantly turned and looked at the queens and kits who she'd spent her entire life living with.

"I'll miss you all," she mewed. "And I promise to come and visit."

"Bye!" was all Hollykit had to say, and she bounded out of the den. Echokit bowed her head to the queens and followed her sister into the rain, which had grown heavier. Standing tall, upon the bleached, fallen tree in which he lived, was a handsome, massive ginger tom, whose pelt stood out like a beacon. The Clan gathered beneath him, looking up at their leader expectantly as they took their seats.

Echokit found her mother and sat beside her, while Hollykit sat a few tail lengths away beside Coyotepaw.

"Your father is by the Dead Tree," Clearpool remarked absently as her kit sat down. "That means he has something important to say." Echokit peered around the other cats to see.

"Puddleweed, too," she meowed in surprise. It was as if all her kin were included in this meeting. Once everyone had gathered, Thornstar flicked his tail from side to side to indicate silence.

"We have much news to cover this day," Thornstar announced, once the Clan had quieted down. "Most of it, thankfully, fortunate. The first being that Darkstream's kits are growing healthier by the day. Only Branchkit remains ill, and he should be cured before the Gathering, I am told." Purrs of joy rippled through the Clan, relieved the threat of spreading illness was gone.

"I also hear Speckledcloud's new litter is all doing very well. Next, however, is a subject most... unpleasant." The warriors all sat up taller, and a handsome dark tabby leapt upon Dead Tree to stand beside the leader. Clearpool's ears stood straight as her mate prepared to speak. "Darkthorn. What have you to report?"

"The dawn patrol found scents and signs of ForestClan cats hunting along our border. They haven't yet crossed our lines, but they've come frighteningly close, and if this continues, or they cross our lines, we could have war," Darkthorn said gravely. The silence that met this was almost deafening. But soon Fernflicker, the deputy, hopped up beside the two noble toms. The tortoiseshell warrior was smaller and younger than them both, but her skills and wit were what won her Thornstar's favor.

"We, of course, will take precautions to strengthen our borders, and increase patrols until the Gathering, when we can speak to them about this in a calm situation. For now, mentors and apprentices need to be wary about hunting near borders, or straying near them without company. If ForestClan warriors are lurking, there could be serious injuries."

"That is sound advice," Thornstar mewed, sounding annoyed that the lower ranking cats had spoken for him. "We are all aware how a war with such a large Clan would end, and we shall seek to do all we can to avoid this. There is no need for worry." Everyone, however, seemed ill at ease as Fernflicker and Darkthorn pounced back onto the ground. As they did, Puddleweed quietly climbed Dead Tree to sit beside her leader.

"Much more interesting, our medicine cat has recieved a prophecy, the first in nearly two generations." The two elders who had been capable of attendance exchanged a look, recalling the last prophecy that had graced the Clans, and they were not fond memories. Puddleweed sat up straighter, and spoke proudly.

"I know this prophecy will bring some peace of mind. It advises us how to proceed, what we must do if we want to survive this agressive behavior from our fellow Clans." She paused, letting her words sink in a moment. Echokit leaned forward, her full attention on her sister, orange eyes wide with awe.

"Last night, I couldn't sleep, and so, stepping outside, I looked to StarClan. They sent a star shooting across the sky." Echokit gasped, remembering the star she had seen, and Hollykit looked at her littermate in surprise. "They sent me a message; 'The forest thickens its hold, and nothing else can grow. Listen for an echo.'" Echokit felt a shiver run through her suddenly, her whole body shaking though it was barely cold.

"I can only guess they are warning us of ForestClan's agression, and what we must do... for now that is all I can say." Puddleweed hopped to the ground as the Clan erupted into mews and discussion. Hollykit and Coyotepaw joined Echokit as Clearpool stepped away for a moment to speak with Darkthorn, who had approached her.

"Echokit," Hollykit mewed excitedly, "you told me you saw the star, too! Your name is Echo, so maybe the prophecy was about you!" Echokit looked at her sister skeptically, even though the chill she had felt was certainly odd.

"Don't be absurd," Coyotepaw mewed harshly. "StarClan isn't that obvious."

"That's not true!" Hollykit argued. "I heard the last time they warned about the ocean, and a cat named Oceanfur went crazy and stole a bunch of kits!" Coyotepaw twitched his whiskers and was about to reply when a yowl silenced everyone.

"Enough!" Thornstar's tail was swishing back and forth in annoyance. "We have a final order of business. And then I would like Puddleweed, Fernflicker, Darkthorn and Snowtail to gather in my den." The Clan settled down and fixed their leader with their full attention once more. "Today, we gather as we name two new apprentices. First, Hollykit, step forward and stand before your Clan."

Trembling with excitement, Hollykit hurried to stand before the cats, stumbling over her paws in her rush. A few cats purred in amusement, Thornstar included.

"Hollykit," he mewed, trying to sound official once more, "you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Hollypaw. Your mentor will be Silverdream. I hope Silverdream will pass down all she knows on to you." Hollypaw's embarrassment was forgotten as she locked eyes with the elegant silver she-cat who would mentor her.

"Silverdream," Thornstar continued as the she-cat came to sit before him. "You are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Bluetalons, and you have shown yourself to be a skilled hunter and graceful, which may greatly benefit this one." The cats purred their laughter again, the mood around camp feeling a bit lighter already. "You will be the mentor of Hollypaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her."

Silverdream bowed her head in a nod, and then turned and touched her nose to Hollypaw's mewing something quietly to her which made the new apprentice sit up a bit taller. RainClan erupted, chanting "Hollypaw, Hollypaw!" Echokit was on her paws in excitement, her whole body feeling like it was full of crickets.

"Echokit, step forward and stand before your Clan," Thornstar meowed once everyone had quieted down. The black kit took a deep breath and walked quickly but carefully to stand before everyone who had gathered. Whispers had rose up as soon as her name was called, and she heard snippits as she passed by the apprentices and wariors.

"You don't think-"

"-could be-"

"-listen for-"

"Well, she said-"

"-echo?"

"No."

"Yes."

"-star shooting across-

"-can't be."

"-must be."

"Echo..."

She was acutely aware of every eye on her as she turned to face her Clan, who were all watching her carefully now. She trembled slightly, and felt like her legs were going to give out under her any moment now. Luckily, Thornstar's voice commanded instant silence, and cut through Echokit's worried thoughts.

"Echokit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Echopaw. Your mentor will be Nettleflower. I hope Nettleflower will pass down all she knows on to you." A small white she-cat sitting near the front of the crowd stood and moved to sit by her apprentice, looking at her almost apprehensively.

"Nettleflower, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Snowtail, and you have shown yourself to be couragous and a swift warrior. You will be the mentor of Echopaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her." Nettleflower dipped her head and then turned to her new apprentice.

Echopaw turned and touched her nose to her mentor's.

"I will do my best to help you achieve your destiny. Whatever it may be," the warrior meowed quietly. Echopaw felt a bit of embarrassment. She certainly didn't feel like she was destined for much beyond the life of a warrior, but she couldn't help noticing how her Clan chanted "Echopaw" louder than she ever remembered a name being said before.