Chapter 7

"May all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the high-rock for a Clan meeting."



Oh no! Stonepaw thought, She's picking a new mentor for me!



"As many of you know, Stonepaw and Flowerpaw recieved their mentors a few days ago. I call upon StarClan to make a change in their mentoring," Fawnstar began.



The crowd of cats began muttering, knowing Crowpelt was to be replaced.



"Crowpelt was Stonepaw's mentor, but sadly, he has failed to be a respected mentor. That's why I'm handing Stonepaw to Thunderclaw."



A strong, muscular golden-brown tabby tom stepped out of the crowd, his amber eyes shining. He stalked towards Stonepaw and touched noses with him, and sat down with him at his side.



"As for Crowpelt, you have shown the Clan that you aren't ready to be a warrior worthy of an apprentice. You shall remain in-apprenticed until you prove your worthiness of having one." Fawnstar finished.



Crowpelt growled low, "It's not my fault I can't train a mouse-brain!" He stalked off, Flamefur rushing after him.



The crowd stayed silent, Fawnstar was confused of what she should say, and Stonepaw looked at his paws. Not because it was awkward, but because he was titled as a mouse-brain.



Flowerpaw ran to Stonepaw and sat next to him. "It isn't true," she tried. "He's the mouse-brain."



Fawnstar leaped off the high-rock and dismissed the Clan. She walked back into her den, not another word to be said.



Snowpaw ran to Stonepaw, brushing by his side. "He's wrong about that, he's too fox-brained to train a well-worthy apprentice."



Stonepaw shook his head, "I-I'm going to sleep."



"Oh, okay," Flowerpaw said, "I'll be there in a few."'



Stonepaw walked off, Snowpaw by his side. "Don't believe it, he's always been this way."



"Th-Thank you, Snowpaw," Stonepaw looked down and lay down in his moss bed.



For a brief moment, they locked eyes, and Snow turned and licked his shoulder. "I'll get us some fresh-kill, you look hungry."



Stonepaw smiled for a few seconds, "Thanks."



Snowpaw walked out of the den, and Mistpaw and Smokepaw walked in.



"Sorry about Crowpelt, he's always in a bad mood," Mistpaw urged.



"Yea, I noticed," Stonepaw put his head down.



"Hey, but you got Thunderclaw! He's one of the best warriors DuskClan has! All the apprentices want him as their mentor," Smokepaw said, trying hard to please Stonepaw.



"Sounds great," Stonepaw paused, "Thanks for trying to make me feel better."



"Yep," Mistpaw said. She and her brother lay down next to each other, curling their tails and tucking their paws beneath themselves. "Well, good night."



At that moment, Snowpaw walked in, carrying two mice. She dropped them in front of Stonepaw. "Here, this one's for you."



"Thanks," he whispered. They sat next to each other and bent down and ate. As soon as they had finished, they both lay down. Slowly, they fell asleep....



"Stonepaw! Snowpaw!"



They drowsily woke up.



"What is it? It's moon-high, get some sleep!" Stonepaw said.



"Flamefur is hurt!" Flowerpaw yelled. "Crowpelt got angry and attacked her!"



At once, Stonepaw and Snowpaw stood up, running out of the den. The Clan had already woken up, and was crowding around the medicine den.



Leafwind walked out of the den, "Flamefur will be fine! She has very minor injuries."



The Clan was satisfied, they went back to their dens and fell asleep. Stonepaw, however, wasn't. He became good friends with Flamefur. So he went in the medicine cat's den to see how she was doing.



He saw Crowpelt, sitting beside her, pleading for her to forgive him, "Flamefur, please! I didn't mean to do it! I love you!"



Flame shut her eyes, "Go away, Crowpelt, just leave," she cried.



"I was just mad! It wasn't personal, I need you!"



"Leave me be!" Flamefur yelled.



"I think it's time for you to go," Leafwind asked Crowpelt.



Stonepaw had seen enough, he backed out of the den and ran back to the apprentice den, where the others had been sleeping. He lied down and put his head on his paws. What have I done?