Ok, here's the winner of the poll! For all of those who were looking forward to this story, here it is!

Allegiances: Same as Outcast

Warning: Chapter will start out slow, but be better in the end (hopefully!)...Leave if not interested. :P


Jaypaw followed the rest of his clan to RiverClan terrority. Lionpaw and Hollypaw, his brother and sister, were on both sides of him, their whiskers lightly brushing him to direct him in the general direction.

The gray tom sniffed the air cautiously as his delicate ears pricked at the sound of clapping waves, and he dug his claws into the soft, damp grass.

He sniffed again and smelled the slightly salty lake water, and the scent of WindClan and Shadowclan. He sensed the cats come to a halt at the base of the log, and waited until Firestar gave the signal to move forward.

Lionpaw leaned forward and touched Jaypaw with the tip of his whiskers. He heard the light pitter-patter of pawsteps as his fellow clan-mates crossed the fallen tree, and tensed as Hollypaw murmered, "I'll go first, and you can come after me. Lionpaw will follow you."

He nodded, his sightless blue eyes full of fear, but also of fierce determination.

Jaypaw felt his sister leave his side, and a moment later heard the quiet sound of her pawsteps on the slick trunk.

Lionpaw nudged him, his nose cold against Jaypaw's side. Jaypaw took a shaky step forward, and his paws were on the top of the tree. Another second passed, and Jaypaw was edging along, one paw in front of the other.

Lionpaw nudged him a second time when Jaypaw hissed, annoyed. "I can do this myself, thanks," he growled quietly, his eyes narrowed.

Almost as soon as Jaypaw had stepped on the wet trunk, he was padding on prickly pine needles and fresh, soft green grass.

Hollypaw slowed down to lead him along, and once again, Jaypaw didn't argue as Lionpaw and his sister leaded him onward. He leaned slightly forward as he felt the incline of a grassy hill, and the chatter of cats from other clans. He smelled the faint scent of RiverClan and meowed to his siblings, "RiverClan's on their way. We should get going."

Lionpaw laughed, "I need to talk to Heatherpaw, I wish-" he paused and Jaypaw could feel embarressment flowing off of him in hot waves. "I mean, I missed talking to her."

His black-pelted sister snorted and bounded away, eager to talk to some other apprentices Jaypaw couldn't name.

"Well, I'll see you later, ok?" the golden-brown tom muttered, and the blind tom could hear the quiet crunch of the grass under his brother's paws.

He turned sharply at the sound of his name.

"Hi Jaypaw," a sweet voice murmered, and he could only imagine who that was.

"Willowpaw," he replied curtly, his ears burning slightly. "What do you want?"

Hurt emotions flooded from the pretty pale brown she-cat, and the gray tabby meowed quickly, "Sorry, I didn't mean to-"

A sudden, loud yowl interrupted him, and he turned towards the great rock, Willowpaw settling down beside him. He heard Leopardstar introduce three new warriors, and Onestar pretty much did the same. Blackstar chewed over how Shadowclan was doing, and he already knew how Thunderclan was doing, so he tuned them out.

Willowpaw's soft voice interrupted his thoughts. "How've you been?"

"Pretty good, as good as a blind cat can be," he meowed bitterly.

"I'm sorry-" she started.

Jaypaw's fur bristled slightly. "Theres no need to feel sorry for me. I can still take care of myself."

The light brown she-cat held her ground. "I know that. Since we're medicine cats and all, would you..."

She had Jaypaw's interest now. "Would I, what?" he prompted.

"Would you meet me in three days around the Riverclan border?" she muttered, glancing around to make sure no one could hear her.

Jaypaw's fur fluffed up with shock. "What?" he meowed stupidly. Gathering his thoughts, he replied, "I will. I'll be there."

A quiet purr rose from his friend. "Ok, see you then."

With her last words, they became quiet again and listened to the rest of Firestar's long speech. After the leader's had called the meeting to a close, Jaypaw said good-bye to Willowpaw and bounded over to Lionpaw, his heart pounding happily. He didn't know why he felt so excited at the prospect of meeting her, -- It was just Willowpaw after all! -- but he did nevertheless.

Firestar yowled, "Come on! We need to get back to camp." Thunderclan cats swarmed towards him, their eyes bright as they made their way towards their leader.

Once everyone was there, Firestar quickly lead the way back over the tree trunk, and to camp.

Jaypaw listened to his brother and sister chattering away while the three of them shared tongues once they got back. After a while, the gray tom padded into the medicine cat den, sleep overcoming him as he settled into his soft moss and feather nest. Thoughts of what was going to happen in three days time danced in his mind, and he fell asleep, excitement filling his dreams...


Yes, I know, sorta slow and very short, but thats how it had to be. I'd also like to announce that Snowfeather is my beta for this story. Thanks for everything Snowy! :P