Two moons (months) later, Firepaw has acclimated to his new life and is given his first solo hunting assignment. As Firepaw stalks a vole through the forest, Graypaw appears and startles it off. As recompense, Graypaw helps Firepaw chase after a squirrel; lost in the hunt, the two cats do not realize that they’ve run all the way to the Thunderpath. Out of curiosity, Firepaw edges onto the Thunderpath and is almost hit by a monster (car). Before he returns to the safety of the forest, Firepaw notices a pair of eyes watching him from the other side of the Thunderpath: Firepaw has glimpsed his first ShadowClan warrior.

Graypaw returns to his own assignment, and Firepaw returns to his hunt. He is ambushed by Yellowfang, a very pathetic-looking cat who is so weak from hunger she can barely fight. Firepaw is conflicted on how to deal with this intruder—should he kill her in defense of his Clan’s territory? He pities the old cat, despite worrying that his pity contradicts his warrior instincts. Ultimately, Firepaw’s compassion wins out and, noticing how crippled Yellowfang is by hunger, he brings her freshly killed prey.