The fox leaped forward, teeth bared. Time slowed down. She noticed the blue sky above, and the brown earth below her paws. The leaves around her just beginning to change colors. She just had time to think, What a beautiful place to die, before the fox slammed into her.

Yowling, she twisted, trying to throw it off. The fox snapped for her neck, trying to kill her. Growling, she slashed her claws along its long muzzle. Yelping, its hold loosened, and she managed to squirm out.

Panting, she faced it again, her wounds bleeding again. The fox snarled and lunged again. Dodging, she leaped out of the way and slashed at its side. One of its front paws slammed into her head, and she went flying back.

Hitting a tree, she slumped down, totally helpless now. She couldn't lift a paw for her life. She watched, horrified, as the fox advanced, slowly, relishing her pain. She could only give a weak growl. What a miserable way to die, she thought. Eaten by a fox. How original.

Suddenly, a dark form flashed in front of her, caterwauling a challenge. Shocked beyond belief, she watched as Darkpaw lashed out at the fox, paws a blur. He kept his back to her, making sure Ravenpaw was out of immediate danger.

Snarling, he leaped onto its back, digging his claws into its head. The fox shook its head, trying to shake the apprentice off. Hitting the ground with a thud that made Ravenpaw wince, Darkpaw gave another earsplitting screech, still lashing at the fox.

A yowl sounded from the undergrowth, filled with fury and rage. No sound had ever been more beautiful to Ravenpaw's ears. Blackfur and Oakshadow leaped into the clearing, claws outstretched and fur bristling. Seeing the reinforcements, the fox turned tail and fled.

Darkpaw, panting, stood up. He had a nick in his ear and a scratch on his shoulder, but seemed fine. Ravenpaw felt her head fall faintly, feeling as though she was far away. She felt herself being lifted and carried. She could barely remember being carried into camp, cats crying out and rushing towards the disheveled party.

She could faintly recall Stonepelt growling at Oakshadow, Barktail yowling for cats to move, Lionpaw shoving his way forward. Her wounds ached distantly, and she was blissfully unaware of the severity of her scratches.

Just barely could she see the images, blurred and faint, rushing about her, and the sweet scent of herbs surrounding her like a cloud. Then, she fell into darkness.


She only woke twice in her feverish sleep. The first, she saw Darkpaw lying down opposite her before succumbing to sleep again. The second time, she saw Stonpelt conferring with Barktail worriedly, his fur disheveled.


Ravenpaw woke up to bright sunlight streaming into the den on her face. Moaning, she blinked her eyes open, sleep floating away. Barktail was sitting beside her, holding a piece of wet moss to her head.

"Your awake," he meowed, removing the moss. Ravenpaw could only blink quickly.

"You've been asleep for a day and a night," Barktail answered her unspoken questions. Ravenpaw felt her eyes widening, and she shook her head frantically. Barktail stood and soaked a fresh piece of moss, placing it near her mouth.

"Drink, little one. Then you can speak," he murmured, vanishing through the entrance. Ravenpaw gulped the water thirstily, her throat dry and dusty. She pushed herself to her paws slowly, waiting for Barktail to return. He came back with a mouse in his jaws and Stonepelt behind him. Ravenpaw let out a rusty purr.

"Stonepelt," she mewed, her voice raspy. His purr came out choked and his eyes shone with emotion as he rushed to his apprentice's side, licking her head gently.

Ravenpaw realized she was covered in cobwebs and herbs. Her fur was sticky and unwashed, and her mouth was dry, even after drinking water. Stonepelt lowered his head until his eyes met hers, amber to green.

"This is all my fault, I'm so sorry! I should have never let you go and if you had died, I don't know what I-" Ravenpaw stopped him by brushing her tail along his mouth.

"I don't blame you, Stonepelt. It was my own fault. I have paid with blood for my pride," she murmured, bowing her head in shame. Stonepelt licked her ears gently.

"Ravenpaw, you have learned a hard lesson. We both have," he meowed gently. Ravenpaw looked up at him, eyes glowing with relief.

"Could you do me a favor and get Darkpaw?" she asked, a little hesitantly. Stonepelt nodded and padded out without question. While he was gone, Ravenpaw devoured her mouse ravenously. Then, she cleaned her black fur, gently around her still raw wounds.

She had three long gashes on her flank, a scar on her shoulder, and two scratches on her cheek. She looked at her pelt sadly, realizing just how much she had given up when she became a cat. When she was Raven…no, she didn't want that! She shook her head impatiently. At the sound of soft pawsteps, she looked up.

There stood Darkpaw, his dark tabby fur gleaming in the sunlight pouring in from the entrance. His shoulder was scarred, and his ear would always have a nick. But he was alive too. His pale green eyes gleamed with relief when he saw her, and he let out a soft purr, just barely audible. Ravenpaw sat with her tail curled around her dark paws, her white paw gleaming.

"Darkpaw," she purred, green eyes glowing. She felt confused, happy, relieved, angry, and sad to see him all at once, along with another emotion she couldn't identify. Darkpaw padded forward, stopping just in front of her. Barktail left to the clearing to give them some privacy.

"How are you?" he asked, voice unusually gentle.

"I'm fine. Alive," she mewed, gazing at him.

"I'm glad."

"Darkpaw, thank you. You saved my life. I can never repay you for that. You shouldn't have, but you did, and I thank you for that," she meowed in a rush, feeling stupid. Darkpaw blinked, eyes beginning to gleam.

"I couldn't watch you die, Ravenpaw. I just couldn't." His voice was choked, and he turned his head away to hide the tears threatening to spill out. Ravenpaw stood, and pushed her nose into his neck fur. He turned to her, eyes glowing.

"Thank you," she whispered, tears welling in her eyes. He stood also, and pressed his head to hers, so that they were nose to nose.

"I couldn't watch you get hurt. It killed me, seeing you lying there, bleeding your life out. I thought-I thought I might lose you," he choked out, paws trembling.

Ravenpaw's emotions were a whirlwind. She was so confused, and happy to hear Darkpaw say that. Sad and angry that he got hurt. Relieved he was okay. And in the back of her mind was an image of Lionpaw, blue eyes flashing with hurt, turning away from her…never to come back.

She drew back, giving him a lick on his cheek. Darkpaw bowed his head, then turned to leave, eyes also shining with confusion. "Darkpaw…" He turned back, eyes shining with hope. "Will you stay with me?"

The words were out before she knew she had even thought them. She blinked, realizing how desperate she sounded. She opened her mouth, about to apologize, but stopped when Darkpaw padded towards her and sat down, fur brushing hers. She purred, and for a moment, their eyes met. Pale green to dark green. A moment, no more than heartbeat, that seemed to last for eternity. A moment that meant so much though so little. A moment she would never forget, in which her heart stopped beating and her breath caught.

At the sound of pawsteps, Darkpaw leaped away, startled. Ravenpaw looked up to see Lionpaw standing there, relief and jealousy flashing in his eyes. Ravenpaw purred.

"What's up?" she asked cheerfully, pretending nothing had just happened. Lionpaw's blue gaze snapped back to her. He padded over, giving her a lick on her ear.

"You look better," he purred.

"So everyone tells me. Did I really look that awful while I was in a coma?" she asked, mrrowing with laughter. Lionpaw cocked his head.

"Co-ma?" he asked. Ravenpaw cursed herself.

"Uh…stupor," she replaced lamely. Lionpaw just shrugged.

"You didn't look bright and cheerful, that's for sure," he laughed. While they talked, Darkpaw padded out of the den, slipping away like a shadow. Ravenpaw watched him go, a strange feeling of regret tugging at her heart.


Ravenpaw stayed in the medicine cat den for another two days before Barktail deemed her fit to go outside. During that time, Lionpaw was constantly checking up on her, making she was okay, she didn't hurt, she wasn't hungry or thirsty, her bedding was clean, everything.

Darkpaw visited only twice, to make sure she was okay and bring her food. An awkward silence usually continued between them while she ate gratefully, and when she looked up, he was gone.

She felt so confused. She now realized she liked Darkpaw, but how much? And what about Lionpaw? Her head kept telling her that it was Darkpaw they were talking about, and c'mon, get real. Meanwhile, her heat whispered, "You know you like him, and he may feel the same. You know this, and yet you hesitate." Ravenpaw didn't know what to do.

On the third day, when she could get to her paws without wincing, Barktail agreed to let her outside. Of course, he threatened to rip her to shreds if she placed on claw outside the camp. So, she stayed in the clearing.

When she padded outside, the bright sunlight dazzled her for a moment. She stood there, blinking while adjusting her eyes to the light. When her eyes were adjusted, she realized that everyone was staring at her in shock. Do I look that bad?

Padding forward, she purred when she caught sight of Fernstep. Fernstep turned, eyes widening in surprise and relief. She let out a huge purr, and nudged Ravenpaw so hard, she almost fell over.

"Your okay!" she exclaimed, golden eyes lighting up with happiness. Ravenpaw laughed lightly, tail waving behind her.

"Nope, I'm a gh-spirit from StarClan, sent with a special message," she joked lightly, eyes glowing with happiness.

"You certainly are ghostly, gone for three days. The camp felt so empty without you, little one," Fernstep laughed, tail waving. They chatted for a while. Suddenly, Ravenpaw remembered Icefur. Springing to her paws, wincing, she bid Fernstep good-bye.

Entering the nursery, she inhaled the scent of milk happily. Spotting Icefur, she picked her way over.

"Ravenpaw!" Icefur exclaimed, eyes widening. Ravenpaw purred.

"In the flesh. How are you?" she asked, gazing down at the kits lovingly. She had missed them. Robinkit sat up, big green eyes gazing at her in awe.

"Your back! Now we can play again!" the little kit squeaked, little tail sticking straight up. Rainkit clambered onto Ravenpaw's back. Ravenpaw winced in pain as his little claws dug into one of her scratches.

"Rainkit! Get down this instant! Ravenpaw is hurt, and she did not give you permission to do that!" Icefur exclaimed, picking her kit up by the scruff. Branchkit sat up, blue eyes curious. All the kits started to pepper her with questions until finally, Icefur sent them to the elders.

Ravenpaw watched them go, laughing. Turning back to Icefur, she noticed her eyes were tinted with sadness. With a pang, Ravenpaw remembered Stormclaw. He had died only a week ago. The kits were more than moon old. And she, Ravenpaw, had been a cat for almost two mon-moons. Time flew so fast.

"It does go by fast, doesn't it?" Icefur murmured, as though she had read Ravenpaw's thoughts. The black apprentice nodded. Icefur sighed.

"Part of me will always love Stormclaw, and I know a part of you always will too, but we need to let him go now," Icefur sighed, eyes shining with unshed tears. Ravenpaw gazed at her in awe, admiring her wise strength.

"Stormclaw will wait for you, no matter how long. And he will always watch over you and your kits. He was a good father, and is proud of his children and loves them dearly. Even death cannot diminish his love for his family," Ravenpaw murmured, remembering her dream. It felt so long ago.

Icefur gazed at her in surprise.

"Such wise words from one so young," she murmured, sweeping her tail along Ravenpaw's scratched flank. "And such pain resides in your heart." Noting Ravenpaw's surprise, she continued.

"Don't think I don't see the pain in your eyes when you look at Robinkit. The grief, the guilt, the sorrow. I see the way you gaze at Stonepelt, with such longing, fear, and anger. You hold so much in your heart, little one. Sometimes, its okay to tell someone how we feel, even if it hurts. Don't keep it all inside," Icefur mewed gently, looking Ravenpaw in the eye.

Ravenpaw gaped at the white queen, surprised beyond comprehension. Icefur purred, eyes glowing gently. She closed them, and put her head on her white paws.

"Now, not that I don't enjoy your company dear, but now, I would love to take a nap without kits pestering me. Have a good day, little one," she murmured sleepily. Ravenpaw purred back and exited the den.


"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock!" With Leafstar's call still ringing in her ears, Ravenpaw padded out from her den. Darkpaw and Snowpaw stood beneath the Highrock, their mentors, Fernstep and Blackfur, beside them. Ravenpaw felt her legs go weak at the sight of Darkpaw.

His dark fur gleamed in the dwindling sunlight, his head held proudly. His tail flicked restlessly, and his ears were pricked. His pale green eyes gleamed with barely contained excitement, and he seemed to be trying not to fidget.

His warrior ceremony, Ravenpaw realized, a little sadly. They wouldn't be sleeping in the same den anymore.

It was the day after she had escaped the medicine cat den, and the day she had returned to training. She had heard about the assessment of course, but hadn't known Leafstar would give them their names so soon. Leafstar began the ceremony, raising her head to the darkening sky.

"I, Leafstar, Leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you in return. Snowpaw," turning to Snowpaw, whose ice blue eyes gleamed with excitement.

"Do you promise to uphold the code, to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" Ravenpaw felt a thrill go down her spine to hear such powerful words spoken.

"I do."

"The by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Snowpaw, from now on, you shall be known as Snowpelt. StarClan honors your courage and strength, and we welcome you as a full member of this clan." Leafstar placed her muzzle on the young warrior's head, who licked her shoulder in return.

Turning to Darkpaw, she began again.

"Do you promise to uphold the code, to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," he replied. His voice was steady and strong, not one bit of hesitation in it.

"Then by the powers of StarClam, I give you your warrior name. Darkpaw, from now on, you shall be known as Darkflight. StarClan honors your bravery and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full member of this clan," Leafstar finished. She did the same for Darkflight as she did with Snowpelt.

"Darkflight, Snowpelt!" The clan raised their heads and yowled the new warriors' names to the darkening sky.

Ravenpaw yowled with them, happiness radiating from her. She padded towards Darkflight gladly, eyes shining with pride. Purring, she rubbed her muzzle against his shoulder.

"Congratulations, Darkflight!" she mewed, tail waving. Darkflight opened his mouth to reply, but Snowpelt beat him to it.

"We don't have time for useless apprentices who go off and get themselves eaten by a fox," she sneered, eyes glinting. Ravenpaw rounded on her, eyes flashing venom. Lionpaw padded up, stopping her.

"Good job Snowpelt, Darkflight. C'mon Ravenpaw, lets go eat," he said, eyes flashing as he said Darkflight. Ravenpaw let herself be led away, heart wringing. Was that really what Darkflight though of her, or was that just Snowpelt being jealous? She resolved to find out.