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Emberpaw stalked his prey quietly. The mouse was only a foxtail away. His mentor, Softfeather told him he would be assessed today, but she wouldn’t be the one to access him. Instead, Autumnriver would be watching him, judging him. Emberpaw couldn’t be more excited then to show his father his skills. Emberpaw was young when he found Lightning clan. Him and his brother went to look for their “clan cat” father when their mother told them about him. As they searched, a monster of a creature had attacked them. Emberpaw’s mother had come to rescue them, but it was already too late for his brother. Emberpaw ran as the creature was killing his mother. He always felt guilty that he had survive that horrible day, but it was his father who had found him. Autumnriver seemed very surprised that he had a son. Now Emberpaw was determined to prove that he was a clan cat, just like him.

His mind snapped back to the mouse that he was stalking. He ran at it, swiping his paw and tossing the small creature into the air. Then he chomped on its neck, killing the creature instantly. He buried it so he could collect it later. So far, his hunt was successful, despite it being Leaf-bare. He trotted on, scenting the air for his next kill. It hadn’t realized he was getting close to the Riverclan border. That’s where he headed next. Not to hunt, but to just look. Maybe he would see some Riverclan cats! As fun as that sounded, it also scared him. Would they chase him off? He didn’t see why they would if he was on his side of the border. He sat there, looking and sniffing all he could.

“I wonder… if anyone is there…”

Emberpaw was about to turn around and continue his hunting when he heard rustling from across the border. He flattened his ears and lowered his body. He regretted coming to the border. He didn't want to fight, but he was on his side. Thwn, a familiar sight jumped into view and Emberpaw relaxed a little. The kit in front of him seemed just as surprised as be was as their eyes met. He took a step back, shaking his head as he did so.

"It can't be..." he said to himself, rubbing a paw over his eyes, but the figure was still there when he opened his eyes again. "Is it really you?" Images of the last time he saw his brother flashes through his head. How could anyone live through such a thing! Maybe their mother was out there and alive as well! "Brother?"

"What are you... I'm not a ghost!" Emberpaw said as he took a step closer to his brother. He could tell something was wrong. The guilt on his brother's face was unmistakible. He felt guilty too. When Autumnriver found him, he took him back to the spot where they were attacked, but he couldn't find bodies either. Emberpaw placed his paw on his brother's nose.

"You... You're really there," he said to himself, thinking maybe he was seeing ghosts too. "Did mother survive too? Is she with you?" He remembered that somewhere in the woods, Autumnriver was watching him. His father could meet the son that was long ago thought dead. "I'm Emberpaw now. What about you?"

"Oh..." Emberpaw's ears fell as he looked down. Maybe it was too much to hop that maybe their mother was alive. Then he remembered they still had their father. Emberpaw sprung to his paws. "I found father! He's in Lightningclan! We also have an aunt, but she's in Riverclan. Maybe you know her. She's Amberbriar!"

Emberpaw smiled a little. He had hoped and prayed to Statclan that his brother was somehow alive and here he was, standing and talking to him. "I guess you're a Riverclan apprentice now. Do you like it there, Blotpaw? How did you find it?"

Emberpaw's ears laid flat against his head. He remembered when the thing attacked his brother. There was so much blood.

"I'm sorry Blotpaw... I should have protected you... If I had, I would have been the one hurt and not you..." He rubbed his head against Blotpaw's shoulder. At this point, he didn't care about borders and clans. He just wanted to comfort his brother.

Emberpaw was about to protest when the bushes behind him moved. Emberpaw turned his head to see the familiar orange tom emerge from no where. He had been caught with a cat that wasn’t in his clan. His ears laid flat on his head.

“I-“

“There’s no need to explain,” Autumnriver stated as he walked up to the border. He looked over the Riverclan apprentice. “I watched the whole exchange. I told you, Emberpaw. I would watch you today.” He looked at Blotpaw once more. Sadness flickered across his eyes as he took in the sight. “I’m Autumnriver.” He tucked his tail around his paws, looking between the two young apprentices. “You look like your mother… I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you.”

Emberpaw’s ears perked up. “Does that mean you’re not mad at me, father?”

“I didn’t say that,” Autumnriver said sternly. “but giving the circumstances, I’ll suggest Elder duty for going over the border.” He then looked at Blotpaw. He knew there would be someone watching the apprentice. He wondered wo it was.
“I’m glad you’re alive,” Autumnriver said quietly. He had watched Emberpaw grieve over his mother and his brother’s deaths. There was nothing he could do for Ember except be there for him. “I wish I could have helped you as well. I have a sister in Riverclan, if you would like to find her.”

Autumnriver remained calm as a Riverclan she-cat trotted over to their little group. He watched their exchange for a moment, slightly enivous that she knew his son better then he did.

"Thank you, Flintmoon," Autumnriver said, noddifng his head towards the she-cat. "I'm happy to know he has someone watching over him when I cannot. He'll be a great Riverclan warrior one day. Emberpaw, lets collect your kills and return back to Camp."

"Can I see him again?" Emperpaw asked, hope in his eyes. They had been apart for so long... but Emberpaw's expression saddened when Autumnriver shook his head. "Why?"

"He's a part of Riverclan," Autumnriver e,plained. "We can't just cross the border. Plus he has his training, just as you have yours. I'ts one thing IF you have a common mission, but it's another to activly go visiting. Brightstar won't allow it a d neither would Shadowstar."

Emberpaw frowned as he took another look at his brother. "Bye Blotpaw! Lets meet again someday!"