Ummm.... Foxpaw's magical POV....... They have returned to the clan and it is the day after the gathering..... Oh, and every day there will be a different key on my keyboard that is being really sucky so things are going to start getting hectic around here... AND my mood influences everything in each chapter. Some moods will give it good grammer and mystery, whereas others will simply be terrible grammer but hyper activenessnessnessness.... As for capitalizing the second part of characters names, that is just a bad habit. Thank You and Good Reading!

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Chapter Five

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under High Ledge for a clan meeting," Firestar's voice echoed around the clearing. Foxpaw lifted his head up and padded over to High Ledge. Perhaps they were going to finally discuss the gathering. After all, Russetstar had sounded like she was threatening ThunderClan. A battle could be any day now! Cats gathered around Foxpaw to listen to what Firestar had to say.

"Cats of ThunderClan," began Firestar. "As you all know, last night's gathering didn't have a very great outcome. I know that we should expect attack any day now, but it is for that exact reason that I must make a long journey. When we fled our old home others stayed behind, not only that, but StarClan left some behind to. I would like to take leave and retrieve any survivors and I would like to bring back the lost StarClan cats." There was a loud murmur of surprise.

"What about ShadowClan?" one of the elders, Longtail, asked.

"Do you want other clans to think we are weak?" asked Cloudtail.

"What about the kits?!!" Daisy shrieked.

"What about apprentices that are ready to become warriors? What will we do with them?" Lionblaze asked. Foxpaw didn't even hear any of them, he was too frozen with shock. Why did Firestar choose now of all times to leave? Foxpaw could tell just how irritated Firestar was though.

"Enough! I am aware of all this. Longtail, ShadowClan can't do anything against a clan like ours. Nine kits? So what?!! They are only kits and they weren't born to long ago, everything will be fine. Cloudtail! The clans can't think we are weak when I have a very good reason for leaving and one that will benefit all the clans. Daisy? Come on! You don't need me in order to keep your kits safe! As for the apprentices... Keep them apprentices till I return." With that Firestar turned around and headed into his den.

Foxpaw, entirely shocked by Firestar's announcement barely heard his sisters when they started speaking of what they just witnessed.

"Can you believe it?" Flowerpaw whispered. "What are we going to do without the clan leader?"

"We will be fine! We have a deputy you mouse brain!" replied Firepaw fiercly. Ever since the gathering Firepaw and Flowerpaw had been a bit vicious with each other. It wasn't like Foxpaw cared or anything, it was just tiring.

"Foxpaw! What do you think about the situation?" Flowerpaw demanded. Foxpaw lifted his head in surprise and looked at his sister.

"I dont care," he choked out shakily before running off, leaving his sisters behind. He was just about at the bramble tunnel when a large cat stepped in front of him. It was BrambleClaw.

"Firestar wants to see you in his den," Brambleclaw ordered. Foxpaw hesitated. "Now!" Foxpaw nodded before running off towards Firestar's den. What was so important that the leader had to say now?

As Foxpaw approached the entrance to the den he paused. Was he in trouble? No that couldn't be it, he hadn't done anything wrong. Did Firestar have a mission for him? Yes! That had to be it! Foxpaw was sure that was why Firestar had called him. Confidence back, Foxpaw padded into Firestar's den.

"Hello Foxpaw," Firestar mewed, lifting his head up. "I hope you weren't too shocked about my announcement." Foxpaw shook his head, lying even to himself. "That's good." Irritated now, Foxpaw decided to speak up.

"Why did you call me here?" Foxpaw demanded in a gruff voice. At this Firestar chuckled.

"Simple," he laughed. "I am going on a quest, and you are coming with me." Foxpaw froze. Firestar was taking him, a simple apprentice, on a great journey? Why wouldn't he take a warrior instead? Firesatr laughed as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Do any of my warriors look this big to you? Or this threatening? There will be much less problems if I have a fox with me." Foxpaw still didn't understand.

"Why me? Why not Flowerpaw or Firepaw?" Foxpaw trembled in shock.

"Ah yes. Your sisters. No. They are much needed here. I fear that a time is coming where those two will be faced with a terrible decision, I dont want you interfering." Foxpaw closed his eyes in thought. What kind of terrible choice could his sisters be faced with that didnt include himself? Foxpaw was confused. Still...

"I'll do it," whispered Foxpaw, fear clear in his eyes. A look of satisfaction came across Firestar's face. "I have one condition," continued Foxpaw. Firestar raised an eye in question. Foxpaw's heart clenched in agony and confusion. Still, the condition had to be set. "My condition is that on our quest we stop to see the much talked about Tribe Of The Rushing Water." At this Firestar seemed surprised and somewhat amused.

"I-I don't see why not," choked out Firestar. "But, may I ask why?" Foxpaw closed his eyes at Firestar's question, a long buried memory stinging his pelt.

"I think my mother mentioned something about them the day I was born," whispered Foxpaw, his heart aching.

"You remember from that long ago?" questioned Firestar. Foxpaw simply nodded, afraid that if he did indeed speak, all that he would be able to do would be cry. Something, he was unsure what, made him feel torn. He could go to the Tribe and find an answer to his question, or he could stay at the clan with his siblings and his best friend, Icepaw.

Are you sure that all she is is your best friend? A voice inside Foxpaw asked.

Of course! What else could she be? Foxpaw questioned in reply.

I need not answer the obvious truth. Laughed the voice. Still, could a best friend make your heart ache so?

Torn and confused, Foxpaw left Firestar's den without another word. Perhaps this journey would help him find the answere to his torn feelings. But... Wasn't the journey one of the reasons he was feeling torn? More confused than ever, Foxpaw went to the apprentice den and went to sleep without another word.