The gentle breeze swept over the grassy hills. A small tabby tom sat alone in the dark, gazing warmly at the stars. Soon, a fluffy tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat joined him. "Where is your mentor, Onepaw?" she asked with an all-knowing flick of her tail.

The small tabby shrugged and liked at his paws, his gaze sad.

"Now, now," chided the she-cat, flicking her bushy tail tip once more, "you know where Wolfshadow is, don't you?"

Onepaw hesitated. Then, still looking at his paws, he nodded. "He's with Willowsong." His tone turned bitter. "He's always with her. He barely teaches me anything, only snaps at me when I don't know what I'm doing. But I can tell when he's been with her, because then I think he wouldn't care if I rolled in the entire supply of herbs."

The tortoiseshell nodded, laying her tail over the smaller cat's shoulders. "His relationship with her is forbidden. It's hard."

Onepaw looked up. "I wish you were still with us, Maplewing! You're my mentor," he looked away, "not Wolfshadow."

"Do you really need someone else to mentor you?" asked Maplewing, seeming unsure.

Onepaw nodded. "I do! I truly, truly do!" There was misery in his voice. "What if when it comes time for me to be a full medicine cat, I'm not ready?"

"You will be," Maplewing meowed silkily.

"But how do you know?"

"Because I'll be walking with you every step of the way," she pulled the small tomcat close to her, comforting him.

"I really, really miss you, Maplewing," Onepaw muttered softly. "You're my aunt. I looked up to you. I followed in your paw steps. Now I feel alone, small, and scared. What do I do, Maplewing?" He looked up, his blue eyes were pools of misery and sadness.

Maplewing looked down at her nephew and former apprentice. "I'll be with now every step of the way." She looked at the sky, her green eyes reflecting the stars. "I have a prophecy for you."

Onepaw's head shot up. "Me?" He looked uncertain. "Are you sure it's not for Leopardstar?" he asked with worry.

Maplewing sighed. "No. It is not for Leopardstar; it's about her. Onepaw, you must promise me you'll never let Leopardstar hear this."

Onepaw nodded, a bit unsure of himself, but determined nonetheless. "I promise."

"The claws of vengeance will reign shortly, but that which lies blanketed in darkness can save the skies." Maplewing's eyes were glassy and distant as she repeated the prophecy.

Onepaw just stared bewildered out over the plains. "Wait!" he cried as he realized Maplewing was already gone. "Wait, Maplewing, I still need you!"

"Onepaw!" a hiss made Onepaw start awake. He was lying in the medicine cat den, in his moss nest. Wolfshadow, his mentor, was grumbling beside him. "You were whimpering in your sleep."

"S-sorry," muttered Onepaw. The den was warm, unlike outside. He yawned and stretched, arching his back in his nest. He suddenly wondered if he should tell Wolfshadow or not.