Tigerclaw was going to kill me, that was going to happen if I stayed in ThunderClan. It's true. Beside me, Firepaw is whispering to Graypaw, his eyes wild with fear, and fury. I know, he's supposed to be looking for Yellowfang, but still; he's risking his life for me. Me, worthless me.

I glance down at my skinny body, long legs, and black fur with some white in it. I run quite well, at least. Suddenly I sense Firepaw and Graypaw halting. They nod farewell to me, and race to ShadowClan, scenting their way. I'll miss them. But they're lucky; their true ThunderClan, I'm like a worthless loner kind. I look like a loner, with my skinny body and quiet personality; not a fighting Clan cat, not a loyal savage. A loner.

I take a tentative step forward onto WindClan territory, crouching down. The scent of rabbits, hawks, and open air rushes to my nose; at least I could smell in this stormy weather. Crouching, I creep through the territory, sniffing out my way, but then a voice makes me freeze.

"ThunderClan! Trespassing!"

I quickly peek out from the badger set I was hiding in. A mottled tom was glaring at the border, his whiskers twitching with angry. Mudclaw, just my luck, and a light tabby tom? Onewhisker, of course.

Tension is welling inside me; and I shot forward, running with all my might. I hear the startled gasps of Mudclaw, and Onewhisker; but I don't turn, or look back. My soft pads are throbbing, but I force the pain away; are the WindClan cats pursuing me, right? I glance back, and a lithe shape is appearing. Squinting against the light rain; a see the light tabby pelt of Onewhisker.

"Onewhisker!" I call weakly. "Onewhisker, over here!"

Almost at once, the light tabby tom pads towards me; his eyes widening as he recongizes me.

"Ravenpaw!" Onewhisker gasped, touching noses with me. "What are you doing here?"

Crisply, I tell him about looking for Barley.

"Barley? A black-and-white tom?" Onewhisker looks blank. "I think near Highstones." His eyes darken in concern. "Mudclaw sent me after you; your lucky he didn't come along."

I quickly nod, dip my head in thanks, and head off to the path to Highstones. The fresh moor air pierces my nose as I pad quickly up the rocky trails, and I hear faraway meows, wails, and purrs from WindClan territory.

"Ready Ravenpaw?" I mumble to myself. "You'd better be."

At once, I start to leap to a barn. The warm smell of mouse hits my nose, and the sweet smell of hay fills my nostrils.

"Barley?" I call, padding cautiously towards the door. "Barley?"

At once, a large tom leaps out; his black-and-white pelt bristling with shock. I akwardly dip my head to him, and open my mouth to speak but Barley beats me to it.

"Who are you? You smell like ThunderClan? What do you want?" He starts firing me with questions. I gesture to the warm barn, and we walk inside in silence. Finally I caught a mouse, and settled down.

"I am from ThunderClan; call me Ravenpaw." I begin between mouthfuls of mouse. Suddenly the whole story pours out from my lips, and I'm taken aback by how attentive Barley is; as I see a glimmer of intrest in his amber gaze. Did he really believe me? Finally I finish.

Barley pauses. "You can stay," he finally meows. "But you'd better hunt mice, and eat, a lot." He adds. "Your wayyy to skinny." With that he goes back to pawing a nest in the hay.

I'm completely overjoyed, but remembering his words, I sniff around, before diving under some hay, and appearing with a mouse.

I could get used to this.