Ravenpaw dreams of races through the woods with Firepaw and Graypaw. They are happy and feel clan life is the best ever. It starts to rain and Ravenpaw wakes up to Barley telling him he is getting rained on. The cats get up, but Ravenpaw's stomach hurts. He doesn't say anything but he knows Barley can tell. He doesn't want to eat but he does so Barley won't worry. They leave the barn and head to what is left of the woods to run around. The landscape is so changed that Ravenpaw is unsure of where the clans lived, but as they race through the trees they find the ravine where ThunderClan used to camp.
Ravenpaw finds the entrance and shows Barley around. He tells him some of his happy memories with the clans. This, however, upsets Barley and he reminds Ravenpaw why he left. Ravenpaw assures his friend that he doesn't regret leaving the clans to live with Barley, he is just happy to finally be able to remember some good things to outweigh the bad. They explore more of the territory and run into some tough kittypets, led by Madric, who threaten to fight them. They run away, but the run winds Ravenpaw. They are saved by Barley's sister, Violet, who tells the kittypets that Barley and Ravenpaw are welcome. It is clear that they are not happy, but they leave. Violet then shows the two cats her new litter of kits. Ravenpaw is happy to meet them and they make him think of his clan he left behind. The kits are excited to meet the new cats and Violet promises them that one day she will take them to the farm.
Time passes and winter comes. Ravenpaw's stomach hurts him even more. He's also been having a hard time keeping his balance, but Barley cares for him when he hurts himself. He tells Barley that he is getting old, but Barley tells him he is silly since Barley is at least a few years older. One day Violet brings Bella and Riley, her last two kits, to visit. The rest have homes of their own now. Bella and Riley are obsessed with stories of the warrior cats who used to live in the woods. They hear stories from Smudge, Firestar's old friend from when he was Rusty, all the time and wish to join ThunderClan themselves. Barley shows Violet around while Ravenpaw shows Bella and Riley how to hunt. After killing a mouse he thanks StarClan for his food. He is surprised that he did it and even more surprised that he spoke the words aloud. The two young cats continue to talk about their desire to be warriors, much to their mothers dismay. They even ask Ravenpaw to teach them. Violet tells them to stop, that there are no warriors anymore and there is nothing wrong with being a kittypet. Ravenpaw is not sure he agrees but he keeps his thoughts to himself.
In the morning the cats leave, with the kits still wishing to be warriors trained by Ravenpaw. As they go Ravenpaw wonders if maybe they should be trained. As he tries to sleep he thinks of the clans and how far away they are - and how he doesn't even know how to reach them. Silverstream comes to him and tells him that the clans are too far away, but there is one clan nearby still. She tells Ravenpaw to take Riley and Bella to SkyClan. The next morning he tells Barley his plan, but Barley becomes upset. They fight with Barley refusing to support Ravenpaw's decision. When Ravenpaw speaks to Violet and her kits about it her kits are excited but she is upset. In the end, though, she agrees that while she wants to keep them safe as kittypets she knows it is their choice to make.
Ravenpaw and Barley argue more. Barley accuses Ravenpaw of doing this to try and become a warrior again. He refuses to go with the cats. Ravenpaw promises his friend that this isn't true, that he is coming back, but Barley doesn't believe him. Ravenpaw is upset that this is how they are parting. Barley leaves the barn, refusing to see the cats out. Ravenpaw, Riley, and Bella eat then head on their journey. They encounter a dog, experience sleeping in the outdoors, and the young cats realize just how scary it can be in the outside world. Ravenpaw tries to teach them some of the things he feels they should know, but he and Bella clash a bit - especially when he catches her taking food from a twoleg. As they journey he worries that maybe the cats aren't cut out to be warriors.
This has to be the saddest "Warriors" story I have ever read. Knowing that Ravenpaw is dying (after all, the back cover said it was his final days), seeing him sick, watching him and Barley fight - this is awful. I have a feeling he is going to bring Bella and Riley to SkyClan, but he won't be coming back home. I also have a feeling he will die a warrior, and not a loner. I am sure he and Barley will make up before the end, I just hope it isn't on Ravenpaw's deathbed.
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