I'm back with another story! I hope I can update this one often... Well, anyway, read and review! Also, a shout-out to everyone who reviews my other fanfictions! You guys are so supportive and wonderful. :3


It was a lovely leaf-fall dawn, and the early sun was rising peacefully behind the deciduous trees. Clusters of amber leaves hung on oak branches, while others were clumped in piles on the ground. The air seemed to hint and taunt at us that leafbare was only a fox-leap away, but we didn't want to hear it. Honestly, anyone would agree of how stunning OakClan's camp looked if it weren't for the small, still body lying in the middle of the camp.

I was right at Briarpaw's side, our pelts pressed slightly against each other for warmth and comfort. I could feel her every shuddery breath; after all, it was her sister lying dead in the middle of the camp. I just wanted to lie down and sleep as my eyes were struggling to keep open. But of course, I could never do that. I had to be awake for Rosepaw... for Briarpaw.

Rosepaw and I were great friends until we had become apprentices. Since then, we had started to drift apart, as she had chosen the path of a medicine cat. On the other paw, her sister, Briarpaw and I remained close friends as she had chosen the life of a warrior. But after all these moons, she still didn't know that I loved her. And I didn't plan on telling her anytime soon.

At the edge of my blurred vision, I could see a bright golden figure shifting to stand up. Lionstar. His voice was weary, as he had kept vigil for Rosepaw as well. "I'll let the elders know that it's time." His deep rumble of a voice rang softly throughout the quiet camp. "And please, Appledew... Go inside, you'll catch an illness if you stay outside any longer."

"I'm a medicine cat. If anyone knows about illness, it's me. I want to help bury my apprentice, if you don't mind. And in case you hadn't noticed, I'm nearly an elder, too!" I could hear Appledew snapping back at Lionstar, a note of hysteria in her own voice.

This was a bit of an understatement, I was regretful to think. Appledew was old, anyone could see that. She was thin and frail, and everyone frankly thought that she was at the end of her stars. This was one of the main reasons Rosepaw's death took such a large toll on everyone in the Clan. She was ten moons old and only had a few more moons to complete her training as a medicine cat. At Appledew's old age, it would be unlikely that anyone would complete their training as a new apprentice under her care. And without a medicine cat, what would happen, especially as they were moving into the coldest months of the year?

Lionstar seemed unaffected by Appledew's rude statement. "No. It was cold all night, and we can't afford to lose you, too," he said stiffly. Rosepaw had died from greencough, and it was a blessing from StarClan that the other cats didn't catch it, too.

Appledew only replied with a snarl and a hiss, and her thin neck fur bristled at the leader. She didn't say anything, but at the same time, I could see that she is going to refuse to move anywhere.

Now, here are the words that will change my life forever.

"I'll do it." A cracked voice came from beside me, and it shocked me to see that it came from Briarpaw. Normally she sounded sweet and bright, and it scared me to hear how distraught she was.

I stood up. It was practically torture to do so, as sleep deprivation and grief did not make a satisfactory combination. But I wanted to help Briarpaw and the elders bury Rosepaw. Before I even opened my mouth, though, Lionstar cut in.

"I don't know, Briarpaw. I understand that you want to help, but you may get sick from the cold as well."

"No. Not that!" Briarpaw stood up now, and I could hear her alarmingly distorted voice tremble. I was surprised at how firm her voice was, though, especially to Lionstar. Appledew being rude I could always understand, but I could never imagine Briarpaw being so coarse to anyone. I was afraid of how different she was acting.

"What do you mean?" he asked her gently, trying to be indifferent to her demanding reply.

Suddenly it dawned on me, and dread started to creep up my spine. Was this what she was planning to do? I thought, my blood pounding in my ears. No, no, no! I never had pictured my future without Briarpaw in it. I thought we were going to grow up and become mates and have kits and grow old together... One becomes leader and the other is appointed deputy... I thought we would lead the Clan together...

"I'm going to become a medicine cat."

My blood stopped, cold. I couldn't stop staring incredulously at her. It was done. It was over. My hopeful future is not, is never going to come true. Never. Never.

"Briarpaw," I said weakly, but no one heard. I couldn't even hear myself. Even if Briarpaw did hear me, she was not going to turn back. Once she put her mind on it, that's how it went. The only exception, of course, was when she said that she was "going to be the best warrior ever."

And so it went. She became a medicine cat. Two cats, two separate lives. Just like what happened between me and Rosepaw. But this time, I was determined to be with her every step of the way.