Tad bit short chapter - only 8 pages altogether. And I think I could've come to a better cliffhanger. -shrugs- All well. I'm not pleased with this chapter...but here it is!

I'm surprised by the...well, many reviews I got! Literally, I squealed with delight when I checked my e-mail! SO MANY REVIEWS! THANK YOU ALL!

lmblovesmilk- If, Ebonypaw is in fact HalfClan (once again, she's whatever you'd like her to be) yes, that would mean that Morningpaw and Aquapaw are as well. But I never mention it in the story, but I dropped a few implications...and someone asked about it...so...yeah. As for the kits of Thorntail and Rosethorn...well...you'll see.

Pazoink- Actually, you'll notice in this fanfiction there are no official, "evil" characters. There are antogonists - Shadenight, Spottedstar, and Silverpaw...but I wouldn't call them evil. Silverpaw's just nuts - he can't help himself, Shadenight was hopelessly in love, and Spottedstar...well, she just wanted a lot of peace! Her heart was in the right place...if only she hadn't murdered... Cats might have listened to her more!

Silversnow- YAY! I'll hope you'll be a loyal reviewer! Anyways, I couldn't see those links... -sniff-

Mapleleaf- Applefur and Blackshadow aren't main characters in this fic...They're there, they're still friends - and they do have a few cute scenes... But I don't see where I can fit Applefur in right now. First chance I get, she'll poke her nose into something! (I love that couple, BlackshadowxApplefur! I really do!)

Strangefur- I'm glad you asked about Silverpw! Actually, he's one of MY favorite characters. I was thinking about giving him his own fanfic, in which, yes, we would learn more about his past. But other than that, I think you learned what's going to be mentioned in this piece of fanfiction...

xXBrambleclawXx- Yes, I like it when they're sweet too...but that wouldn't make for an interesting story. In fact, the whole first one - Every Rose Has Its Thorns - was just building up their relationship...they had to fall in love. Could you imagine what Rose(paw) would've done if Thorntail started to show his crazy side to her then? She would've cuffed him over the ear, and went on with her medicine cat duties! ...This fiction is mostly about the problems the two have together... But there will be some fluff! I promise!

Pearl.H.Sweden- Ebonypaw and her siblings started their apprenticeship a few DAYS late. It isn't really enough to make much of a difference. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE COMPLIMENT! I'm flattered! THANKS!

Sunlit Snowdrift- Technically...he's always been insane. I just didn't show it as much...

Daklotles85- You're right! I did forget! She had a line! Wow, wasn't she honored in that chapter?

I didn't answer you all, but I answered most of you! Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy!


"Nice catch, Thorntail!"

Badgerclaw's mew echoed in the gray tom's ears for a few moments, and Thorntail gave the black-and-white tom a curt nod as he buried the robin he had just caught. Blackshadow, Badgerclaw, and Thorntail had been hunting since Sun-high (alright, with one quick rest at camp after Thorntail's shoulder ran into a tree without its owner's permission)…and the big orange orb in the sky was now beginning to sink under the earth. They had only caught the robin, a magpie, and a small shrew. Their hunt had been more or less had been a failure, and Thorntail hoped that other hunting patrols had done better. He doubted it though. Prey was very scarce, for some bizarre reason. NewLeaf was starting to begin! They should have mice falling out of their ears!

"Thorntail," Blackshadow meowed, padding to his side, "I think I'm going to start back to camp…and collect all our prey."

"We should all probably get back to camp," Badgerclaw agreed. "And besides, Twilightfur and I wanted to teach Beakpaw better techniques for hunting in the dark." Badgerclaw was Beakpaw's mentor, Thorntail remembered. And it was no secret that Badgerclaw was starting to pad after Silverpaw's sister and littermate.

"No," Blackshadow sighed, shaking his head. "I promised Sandpelt that we'd renew the scent markers on the RiverClan border…"

"We only need one cat to do that," Badgerclaw pointed out, with a roll of his beady little eyes. "And I really should train Beakpaw."

"And I Morningpaw." Blackshadow argued. He flicked his amber eyes towards Thorntail. "What do you have to do?"

"Blackshadow," Badgerclaw meowed touching Blackshadow's shoulder with his tail, "Thorntail probably has to train Silverpaw."

What, just because Thorntail was Silverpaw's mentor he had to mentor him? Some things made absolutely no sense in this forest! Next they were going to say that since Streamstar was the leader of ThunderClan, she could lead ThunderClan cats! Then suddenly, he understood Blackshadow's plan, and he flashed him a grateful glance. The night-colored tom knew that Thorntail hated his apprentice with every strand of fur on his stone-gray pelt, and had given him a perfect excuse to not go back to camp right away...and train the little crazed apprentice.

But what to tell Badgerclaw? The truth. "I already…spent time with Silverpaw earlier." Thorntail meowed carefully to Badgerclaw. That wasn't an entire lie. At some point earlier in Thorntail's lifetime, he had spent some time with Silverpaw. "I could go renew the scent markers."

"Are you sure?" Badgerclaw asked shifting uncomfortably. "I don't want Silverpaw to feel neglected."

Well I do, Thorntail thought, and answered, "He won't be." He lied between his teeth. To Blackshadow, he added, "Don't forget about my robin. I'll go make sure that RiverClan remembers where our territory ends,"

His black friend nodded, and stepped over to begin to uncover the bird, accepting the gray cat's word without question. But to Thorntail's distain, Badgerclaw looked hesitant, and worried, probably unsure if Thorntail would just renew the scent markers. He knew it was because Thorntail had once been a RiverClan cat. But Badgerclaw was one of his closest friends – next to Blackshadow, Applefur, and Rosethorn. Why couldn't the big cat trust him? Okay, a little earlier last moon a RiverClan cat had been padding after him… and he had probably mated with at least half of the she-cats over there… But the same could be said about ThunderClan!

"Don't worry Badgerclaw," he soothed, "I promise that I will, in fact, betray all of ThunderClan's secrets to RiverClan." His tone was sarcastic – but for a heartbeat, Badgerclaw didn't seem to catch that and his eyes widened in shock. Then he understood, and his beady eyes returned to their normal size.

Before Badgerclaw or Blackshadow could say anything else, Thorntail started to pad towards the RiverClan border.

Rosethorn let out a sigh, as she placed some of the extra cobwebs from Thorntail's shoulder back into storage. She was glad he was starting to act normal again…but was he really? They had only had a few conversations with one another since…Silverpaw. How was it that the gray cat could be so malicious when he was by Silverpaw…but so calm and quiet with her?

"Rosethorn, I have a question!"

Her thoughts were interrupted, and she turned her head sharply, to see Ebonypaw slipped into the den to speak to her. She gave her apprentice a curt nod. "What is it, Ebonypaw?"

"Streamstar wants to check on Onepaw and Bramblekit," Rosethorn remembered that those were the two cats in the Clan that had caught…Greencough. "Should I let her?" Ebonypaw's tone was worried. "I mean…what if she gets sick?"

Rosethorn was about to tell the black she-cat that she would speak to Streamstar herself, but decided against it. Even though Rosethorn was the full medicine cat of ThunderClan, she knew that the Clan leader would respect Ebonypaw's words more. It was insulting, to say the least, but it wasn't as if Rosethorn didn't know why Streamstar's trust wasn't in her own daughter. "Warn her of that possibility, but other than that…she's the Clan leader. If she wants to check on them, we can't stop her."

Ebonypaw opened her mouth to answer, but before she did, a large ginger blur came barreling into the den, the young queen's fur was standing on end and her blue eyes were wild. For a heartbeat, Rosethorn thought that she was seeing her own reflection come to meet its owner, but then quickly realized who it was.

"Hiya, Applefur!" Ebonypaw purred cheerfully – possibly not catching the fact that Applefur was clearly terrified of something. "You here to see Rosethorn? That's why I'm here! Yup, yup, yup! Though…I'm always here. I'm her apprentice."

Applefur ignored the black cat, and meowed quickly, "Petalkit is sick!"

"Not Petalkit!" Ebonypaw cried, her kitten-like personality dissolving in an instant. She turned to her mentor, her green eyes serious. "What should we do?"

"Well," Rosethorn meowed, resting her sapphire eyes on her apprentice, "Go get the kit, and bring her in here…Applefur, what's wrong with her?"

"She's been coughing a lot…and…well…that's about it."

Rosethorn let out a sigh of relief. So far, it sounded like Petalkit only had Whitecough. It was terrible for kits – but not as bad or dangerous as Greencough. "Applefur, you should probably go with Ebonypaw to get her…She'll be more comfortable if her mother is with her – at least for a little while."

Rosethorn didn't have to tell the ginger queen twice. She pounded out of the den, with Ebonypaw sharp on her heels, and Rosethorn let out a sigh. She had never seen Applefur so terrified. She really loved those kits of Blackshadow's…Something Rosethorn could never do for Thorntail…

At the thought of her mate, Silverpaw's words starting to ring in her head. The Thorntail I remember, was cunning and unbelievably cruel. She shivered. He was a fire. And he could burn anything, and anyone with just a spark of his flame. Like a furious fire… And then Silverpaw had shown her what Thorntail had done to his apprentice's tail…

"No…" she meowed out loud, lowering her head. "Thorntail's not like that at all!" Was he?

Once Thorntail had rubbed his scent all over the border – which, by now, had started to make the scent glands on his chin ache - he settled himself down, and just stared across it the scent marker he had created. His pelt prickled. From his position, he could just see the flowing river that he had once fed off of as a RiverClan cat. He let out a purr, as he recognized the two cats that were hunting by it. One had a pelt as black as the river was wet, and her companion was a brown tabby. Their tails were intertwined. So, Shadenight had taken his advice. She had finally stopped padding after him, and had turned her crystal-blue eyes onto her close Clanmate, and best friend, Owlpelt. He wrinkled his nose, as he wondered what their kits would look like. Shadenight was gorgeous, but Owlpelt was…well…to be polite, plain.

He let out a sigh of annoyance. Shadenight had just stopped crossing the border to meet him…hardly even a half-moon ago. And yet, she and Owlpelt were already so close to one another! It had practically taken Thorntail half a moon to get Rosethorn to say two words to him – getting her to speak a whole sentence, carry on a conversation – and finally, intertwine her tail with his… That was a different matter.

And now, every time he got close to Rosethorn…she pushed him back. Or anytime she tried to get closer…he jerked away, so to speak. They had been doing fine, until Shadenight started showing up, and then Silverpaw. Just today, when he had injured his shoulder…Rosethorn had seemed to distracted where she fixed where the tree had worried it. What was wrong?

Why couldn't another traitorous deputy come into the clearing, so he could get close to Rosethorn again – like he had when Spottedlight was a thorn in their side? He made a mental note to try and coax the ThunderClan deputy, Sandpelt, into attempting to murder Streamstar. Rosethorn would be shaken up, go 'I don't know who to trust anymore!' and dig her muzzle into his chest, and then… Well, they'd have some fun. Why did Clan deputies have to be so loyal? It was like…they were bound to some Warrior Code or something!

Before he could think of other various ridiculous ways to get Rosethorn to get closer to him, he felt something brush against his pelt, and he let out a hiss. Silverpaw had failed to sneak up him this time!

"You said something to Rosethorn again. Didn't you?" he turned his head, and stared the annoying silver cat square in his leaf-green eyes. He gave himself some silent praise on actually catching his apprentice spying on him this time.

Or maybe Silverpaw had wanted to be caught – he didn't look startled or surprised…or worried at all, as he answered Thorntail's question. In fact, he let out a chuckle of amusement. The piece of fox-dung! "Did Rosethorn say something?"

Thorntail's pelt prickled with…no anger. But hatred. Oh, how he hated his apprentice! "She doesn't have to," Thorntail snapped, recalling how odd the medicine cat had acted when she helped him with his shoulder, "She can't hide anything."

Silverpaw nodded with agreement, and tucked his paws underneath himself. "She's a lot more ordinary then I thought." He admitted, and Thorntail noticed that he didn't deny saying anything to Rosethorn. "I thought that she would be more extraordinary…" Silverpaw trailed off, and shook his head, before continuing, "Since she's your mate."

Thorntail rolled his eyes. "You're just not ordinary enough." He pointed out.

Silverpaw snorted. "Oh, StarClan, why does everyone in this Clan talk like some sort of high-and-mighty medicine cat?" Thorntail was about to agree, but held his tongue. This was no time to be agreeing with Silverpaw! It would be like agreeing that the WindClan cats had a right to hunt in ThunderClan territory – right in front of their muzzles!

Silverpaw continued, "I'm sort of shocked that you're no different."

Thorntail felt his blood boil. "And someone who kills a Clanmate as if it is nothing is normal?" Thorntail countered, lashing his tail. All he had wanted to do was renew the markers with RiverClan, and plot somewhat traitorous plans on getting Rosethorn closer to him – but no, he couldn't even do that without being annoyed by some crazed cat!

Silverpaw yawned, and didn't answer the gray cat's question directly. Instead, he asked, "Do you know what kind of history this forest has?" Thorntail didn't answer, and for some bizarre reason Silverpaw took this as a reason to go on. "Lots of cats in the past have murdered, lied, or cheated to get into their position of deputy or leader…or become a respectable warrior. And in battles, a lot of blood is spilled…There would be more too, if some genius cat hadn't put it into that silly Warrior Code that we all blindly follow that it is wrong to kill those that are less intelligent or weaker than us..." he shook his head. "Now, our pure, raw, killing instinct is displayed as 'insane' or 'wrong' but… in reality, it is simply what we are. How is a fellow cat different from fresh kill?" he shrugged. "I see no difference. They're both moving mounds of flesh, that nobody will really notice when they're gone." Silverpaw leaned over towards Thorntail, and Thorntail noticed that their tails were touching. "The act of killing…if a completely instinctive, voluntary action."

Why did he feel as if he had heard these words before? Had another cat said this to Thorntail? He thought for a moment. He couldn't think of any…but why did it seem so familiar… He didn't show his interest, and faint agreement with Silverpaw. "You think too much." Thorntail pointed out. At this, Silverpaw intertwined their tails, and before Thorntail could protest, the silver tom spoke again – and distracted him from his fury that Silverpaw had dared to do such a thing.

"You've experienced it to." Silverpaw breathed into his ear, and Thorntail's eyes widened. "The joy of killing another. How was it?"

Thorntail tried to hide his lingering fear scent. Silverpaw…knew? "What are you talking about?" he managed to growl, his voice unwavering. But how he wanted it to waver!

Silverpaw didn't seem to hear him. "How did it make you feel when your brother died? How did it feel to see a body on the Thunderpath that looked just like yourself?"

At Silverpaw's mention of his brother's death, Thorntail suddenly heard Shadenight's terrified yowl. For a moment, he thought that she was being attacked on her side of the border…but then he realized that he was simply remembering…that day. Shadenight's squeal of terror, their Clanmates calls from afar of 'What happened?' and 'Are you guys okay? We're coming!'. And then… Thorntail saw it…in his mind. All over again. He leaned over, and saw it… The gray, battered body of his brother… a scarlet pool of blood around it… Graywhisker's jaws still parted into a yowl of agony… That odd…peculiar feeling… That weird realization that he should be feeling guilt…but wasn't…

Then Thorntail couldn't help but wonder once more…How did Silverpaw know? How did that annoying little pest know about Thorntail's brother?

Silverpaw didn't give him time to ask, and went on – explaining his own feelings when he killed, "Personally, I was moved…when I saw Goldclaw writhing. Covered in his own blood…begging for me to spare his life. Can you believe it?" Silverpaw let out a purr. "Goldclaw actually begged for me to spare him! He begged someone, who he clawed half-dead…He actually expected mercy from me!"

Thorntail blinked, and stared blankly at Silverpaw for a few heartbeats. What was wrong with the silver cat? How could anyone not feel remorse – at least later – for a murder? How in the name of StarClan, could Silverpaw be entertained by the thought of killing another of his species? Thorntail ignored the fact that he knew the answer to all of those questions, and instead decided to teach Silverpaw a quick lesson. He was his mentor, after all. It would be a training session he'd never forget: Killing is bad. Usually.

Thorntail gently ran his tail along Silverpaw's flank, and neck – and such – and tried to ignore Silverpaw's amused purr.

"You're not very muscular…" Thorntail meowed thoughtfully, "And you're very slender…it should only take a swipe or so."

He enjoyed that curious moment then. The curious moment when Silverpaw tensed, as he realized Thorntail's goal.

Before Silverpaw could do anything with this new knowledge, Thorntail pounced. It took hardly any strength at all, to hold the starlight-colored cat down. In fact, he only needed one paw. His other three, were free to claw, and do as they pleased!

Thorntail scraped one of his claws down Silverpaw's already-scarred, upturned belly, and let out a purr. "Did it make you happy to see other cats dying?" he asked curiously, his blue eyes burning into Silverpaw's green – Silverpaw couldn't answer, possibly because Thorntail had successfully dug one of his claws deep into Silverpaw's throat, so Thorntail took the liberty to continue. "Well, why don't you try it? Experiencing the moment you die!" A joyous purr escaped him, and a feeling of power surged through him. Ah, heck! Why make it a lesson? Why not kill the silver cat and be done with it? He could just picture the cats back at ThunderClan questioning him…

"Hey, Thorntail, whatever happened to Silverpaw?" To which Thorntail would promptly reply, "He was savagely ripped apart by a pack of angry squirrels."

They would accept it without question! And without Silverpaw…if Silverpaw would just disappear…he could be with Rosethorn with no trouble! No other cat in the Clan, besides Ebonypaw, Applefur, and Blackshadow knew of their relationship… and they were all fine with it – and weren't trying to break them apart. Silverpaw had chose his own fate!

That was one reason to kill him.

That was a good excuse that he could use to comfort himself at night. The other reason…was that, Thorntail simply despised him. Such an annoying cat, Silverpaw was. And…so easy to get rid of! He realized, as even though Silverpaw started to flail about, he could hardly even lift a paw to escape. He was going to die- and Silverpaw knew it! But…why didn't he want to? Why didn't he just give in? Such a hypocrite, Silverpaw!

Another reason to die!

Silverpaw started to fling his front paws in the air, as if attempting to ward off of his attacker and Thorntail drew another river-full of blood from his apprentice – all the while, slowly but surely digging one of his other claws down Silverpaw's throat…leaving a small stream in its wake.

"How is it?" Thorntail asked curiously, half-expecting Silverpaw to answer. He didn't. "It's uncomfortable, isn't it?" he hissed, curling his upper lip. "You see, every hair on your pelt stands on end… and all your senses open up and become much more alert…making you realize all the more of your demise." he blinked, as once again Silverpaw didn't answer. How odd. "However, soon your senses start to disappear…and your vision becomes blurred…" As the words tumbled from Thorntail's mouth, he noticed that the light from Silverpaw's eyes was starting to fade… "You gradually can't hear my voice." he went on – and then, as if with a sudden burst of energy, Silverpaw attempted to roll himself onto his side – but Thorntail bent his head and just nimbly stopped him. Now Silverpaw had successfully lost all of his energy…But…why had he tried to hard to escape?

"So you're afraid of dying?" Thorntail asked curiously. "Afraid to meet StarClan?" he noticed that some of Silverpaw's blood had gotten onto his pads, and he mumbled a curse. How frustrating! It would take him forever to clean that off! Why as it, that cats he tried to murder always bled? How rude could they get? "You're too selfish, aren't you, Silverpaw?" Thorntail sneered, "It's okay when other cats and Clanmates die…but you don't play along when it's your turn!" he shook his head, and made a clicking sound with his tongue. "Well, I suppose it doesn't matter. So don't worry." He shrugged. "It's very quick. You see, dying or not…will soon not be a concern of yours." He let out a chuckle. "In just a few more moments, you'll slowly start to lose consciousness." Thorntail was surprised at how he somehow was able to name exactly what was going to happen to Silverpaw – right as it happened, because suddenly Silverpaw's struggles started to become so faint…they were hardly noticeable. And Silverpaw's eyes had narrowed into slits. He was going to pass out soon!

A burst of joy flowed through Thorntail. Silverpaw would be dead! Dead, dead, dead, dead, dead, dead… Dead! No more would he frighten Rosethorn! No longer would his simple existence bother his loyal, handsome, humble mentor, Thorntail! Rapture! Joy!

Then Thorntail heard Badgerclaw, from far off, growl gruffly at his apprentice – something along the lines of, "You can't blame your tail for not catching that thrush! It was practically sitting in your paws!"

Instinctively, at the loud noise, Thorntail found himself unsheathing his claws… Wait a heartbeat…They were already unsheathed… Thorntail blinked, and looked at his bloody paws, and saw that he had sheathed them.

Instantly, Silverpaw seemed to get some of his strength back – and Thorntail wondered if he had somehow blocked off some air for him with is claw – and then, the apprentice used his mentor's lapse of attention to roll away.

As Silverpaw coughed, it suddenly hit Thorntail what he had been about to do. Great StarClan! He had almost killed his own Clanmate! For no reason, other than that Silverpaw was beginning to bug him!

He turned his head, to look at the bleeding cat, ask if he was okay, rush off get the cobwebs, beg Silverpaw not to mention this to Streamstar… when he heard it. Silverpaw…was…he was…purring! He had almost died…and yet…he was…purring hysterically!

Thorntail turned his attention back to his blood paws, suddenly horrified at what he had been about to do…

Rosethorn's whiskers twitched. "I'll be right back, Ebonypaw." She promised turning to her apprentice as they grew near to the Owl Tree. "I heard that Thorntail's by the RiverClan border. I think I'm going to go see him…you should go pick up some catnip by the Twolegplace…"

Her black apprentice was nearly invisible in the darkness, but she could clearly hear Ebonypaw's cheerful mew: "Okie-dokie Rosiethorny!"

Rosethorn let out a purr. Aquapaw and Morningpaw had grown up long ago. It was almost humorous to see that Ebonypaw still acted like a kit at times.

As Ebonypaw padded away, Rosethorn found herself pelting towards the border – as if on winged paws. Why had she acted like that to Thorntail earlier? Of course Thorntail was nothing like that silly, silver cat! How could she even think like that?

She kept on clawing her own ears off as she rushed towards the border…but she stopped doing that, and stumbled to a halt, as she smelled Silverpaw's and Thorntail's scent – from just behind the group a group of ferns by the border. And she heard…Silverpaw…purring… Her ears pricked. Why in the name of StarClan were they together…and why was… Silverpaw purring?

Silverpaw's purrs rang in Thorntail's ear, but he couldn't be annoyed. For some reason, he couldn't find himself being…angry at Silverpaw, after what he had just done to him…Or, tried to do.

Thorntail had been calling Silverpaw a hypocrite and such…But…he supposed it took one to know one! He had been about to kill Silverpaw…for being bothersome about murder! How ironic was that? How twisted was that? How twisted am I? he thought ruefully.

Finally, through the purrs, Silverpaw managed to choke out, "You were for real, weren't you?" he let out a chuckle. "You had at first just meant to scare me…but you never expected to be seduced by the thought of killing me!" Silverpaw then started to purr like it was the most hilarious thing he had ever heard. Silverpaw was… happy about how he was almost killed! Silverpaw seemed to sense Thorntail's worry, because he put in – attempting to be flattering, "But I was really scared!" he explained cheerfully. "I thought I was really going to die!" Tom, Silverpaw thought that was a hoot, because he erupted into even harder, cheerful purrs.

"Why…why…why are you purring?" Thorntail asked his voice scarcely over a whisper. "This makes you happier?"

Silverpaw rolled his eyes, as if that was as obvious as mice were food. "Of course I'm happy!" he cried out. "It took me all my life, and a lot of effort…But I finally found someone with the same feelings that I have!"

Thorntail wanted to protest…but how could he? Silverpaw was right! They both could kill without any remorse!

"Such an outstanding life has company now!" Silverpaw announced, the moonlight starting to shimmer onto his silver pelt. He shook his head violently. "How can I not be happy?"

Thorntail wrinkled his nose in disgust.

Silverpaw continued, "I thought that there wasn't a single warrior in this forest who could understand me! Twilightfur came close…but…but not like you!" Twilightfur? Thorntail suddenly wished he had known Silverpaw's sister better, so he could know what the heck the crazed tom was talking about.

While Thorntail was thinking about the blue-gray she-cat, Silverpaw crawled over to him, and his leaf-green eyes burned into Thorntail's sapphire as he spoke.

"In this instant, you and I were in empathy…weren't we?"

Every hair on Rosethorn's pelt prickled, as she slowly toddled back to camp…and her mind was cluttered. What had Silverpaw and Thorntail been doing? And what had Silverpaw meant when…they were in empathy? What had they…both…emphasized together about? And why...

Her thoughts were cut off, as she heard a sharp yowl from ahead. She pricked her ears, and looked up, to see the ThunderClan deputy, Sandpelt, bounding towards her.

Rosethorn remembered that Sandpelt had two kits, Tiberkit and Robinkit, and wondered what the deputy was doing away from her little ones. Then she felt mouse-brained for thinking something like that – they were probably being looked after by Dusktail or Applefur.

"Rosethorn!" Sandpelt yowled, as she stumbled to a halt in front of the medicine cat. "I'm so glad I found you!"

Fear jolted through Rosethorn. "What happened?" she hissed.

"It's your mother!" Sandpelt explained breathlessly. "We were hunting…and…she started coughing and everything…but she said it was nothing…and…well…"

"Well, what, Sandpelt?"

"Streamstar…she's unconscious!"


Yup, bad cliffy because we don't really care about Streamstar much! But then, her passing out and getting sick...is really important to the plot... -sniffle-

If you review, you will get an Applefur plushie! Except, this one is special! She's pregnant! I know, she gave birth a long time ago...but this is fun! Turn her over, and you can open up her belly...and ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR... FOUR KITS come out! Blazekit, Nightkit, Baykit, and Petalkit! YAY! (If this sounds disgusting, bear in mind that I've seen stuffed animals in stores that are just like that! MEEP!)