Chapter 2: Pantherkit peeked out of the nursery entrance. There was some kind of commotion going on outside. A cat she didn't recognize was standing there, surrounded by warriors, including her father Wolfscar. Lichenstar stepped forward. "Who is this, Crystalfrost?" The pale grey tom stepped up. "We found him while we were patrolling. He's a LightClan apprentice." The apprentice appeared unfazed about being captured outside of his own territory. Lichenstar studied the dark grey apprentice. "What were you doing on our territory?" "Just exploring. Thought maybe I'd catch some prey." "That's against the warrior code. I don't want to catch you doing this again." "Whatever." "We'll send a patrol to your camp and have your leader come get you. You can stay in the medicine den until Swiftstar arrives. Hopefully after you talk with him you'll understand what you did was wrong." "Oh sure, like a little chitchat is gonna stop me." "I hope you learn to follow rules someday. Other clan leaders won't be as generous as me." The LightClan apprentice ignored Lichenstar and padded away towards Riverflight's den. "Let's go see if we can get a closer look!" Volekit squealed from behind Pantherkit. She jumped, startled. "You scared me! Why should we follow him anyways? He could be dangerous." She looked around anxiously to make sure their mothers weren't listening. Appleshade and Sparrowflight were fast asleep, so she looked back at Volekit. "I just wanna see him up close. His front paw only had three toes." "Really?" Pantherkit hadn't noticed this. "Yeah! Let's go!" The two kits tumbled over towards the medicine den as discreetly as they could- which wasn't easy because they were being very noisy- and settled behind the rock where Riverflight stored his herbs. They stared at the LightClan apprentice. "I really hope he doesn't know we're here." Pantherkit whispered. "Quiet Pantherkit!" Volekit warned. "You know I can hear you, right?" Pantherkit and Volekit froze. The LightClan apprentice was staring right at them. "Run!" Volekit yelped. He darted away fast, and Pantherkit attempted to follow him, but she tripped over her paws and fell not two tail-lengths away from her hiding place. "You alright there? I didn't mean to scare you." The dark grey tom stared at her, maintaining a straight face but with a hint of concern in his eyes. Pantherkit was too stunned to speak. "My name's Halfpaw." He lifted his paw. "Ironic right?" "W-what happened to your paw?" "I cut slipped in the stream and cut it on a sharp rock." "Y-you cut it OFF?" "No, I just cut it. It got infected though, and Turtlestone had to split it off." "Did it hurt?" "Definitely." Halfpaw winced as he put his paw down. "Not anymore though. It's only a minor inconvenience." Riverflight walked into the den. "Oh. Hello Pantherkit. Who's this?" "Why don't you ask your leader mouse-brain?" Halfpaw snarled. "Wow. I've never heard such disrespect. Come on Pantherkit. Your mother is looking for you and Volekit seems to have worked himself into a state of hysteria." "Alright. Bye Halfpaw!" "See ya kit." Riverflight looked down at Pantherkit. "I hope you always respect your clan mates. Don't take any lessons from that foolish cat." "I won't Riverflight."
