WARNING!!!: IF YOU DO NOT WANT SPOILERS FOR DARK RIVER, PLEASE DO NOT READ THE EIGTH SENTENCE OF MY RESPONSE TO STONETAIL'S LOYALTY! If you do want a spoiler, then go ahead and read. :)

Stonetail's Loyalty: It's her first. Also, Daisy was killed, and her kits managed to escape before Bramblestar killed them too, which means we may get to see one of them later the the story. Maybe not. It depends. I know! It's my fav! Yuck. I hate the ThornxWhite pairing in Dark River. I hope nobody catches them either!! But you know, my fingers kind of have minds of their own. Once they get started, it's not as easy to stop them.

Stardawn: Thanks! yes, I am defnintely going to change Whitepaw's warrior name, since Bramblestar's not a MarySue.

Chapter 5: Beechpaw

"Beechpaw, are you going to wake up, or do we have to start battle training without you?" A paw nudged my side. I opened my eyes wearily, drowsiness surrounding me like a thick fog.

"Leave him alone!" Another cat, who was easily recognized as Mothwing, meowed. "He needs to stay in the medicine den until his wounds heal!"
"Well Hawkstar says all cats in the Clan must be ready for battle. How much longer should it take for him to heal?"

"By the looks of his scratches, I'd say about another two moons."

Two moons?! I couldn't stay in the medicine den for two whole moons! I was supposed to see Whitepaw tonight! It was the half-moon, and I had promised ot meet her at the ShadowClan border. I couldn't let her down!

"I...I'm okay," I murmured, staggering to my paws. "Really. I...It's nothing. I'm fine."

"No, you're not," Mothwing argued. "Your wounds are very serious. If you move too much you could break your hind paw. It's already fractured."

I turned my head to examine my back leg. She was right. My whole hindpaw was wrapped in rushes and globs of cobwebs.

"How long did you say it'd take to heal?" I asked, just in case I had misheard.

"Two moons," Mothwing replied.

"But I can't stay in here for two moons!" I wailed. "I have to do something tonight!"

"What?" Mothwing asked.

"I..." I stalled, my eyes darting frantically around the room. I had to come up with a lie, and quick, or else my secret would be revealed, and I would let Whitepaw down.

"I'm going to do some night hunting," I lied quickly. "I...wanted to help supply the Clan with backup food in case RushClan ruins our prey during the battle."

"How sweet!" Mothwing purred. "But you need to rest. I'll have Ripplepaw and Reedwhisker hunt instead."

"Aren't you going to the Moonpool tonight?" I asked.

"Why, yes, I almost forgot," Mothwing replied. "Can I trust you not to leave while I'm gone?"

"Certainly," I lied.

"Good," Mothwing mewed after a moment of silence. Then, turning to Blackclaw, she meowed, "You may go now. I have to tend to Beechpaw's wounds."

With a growl, Blackclaw turned and stalked out of the den.

"I don't trust that Blackclaw character," Mothwing told me once we were alone. "I'm sure he's bound to do something to betray the Clan sooner or later."

"Why do you think that?" I asked.

"Because his parents were the two strongest and most ambitious rogues in the forest, or so I hear." Mothwing replied.

"Just because his parents were like that doesn't mean he has to be that way, too." I pointed out. "You're the daughter of Tigerstar, and you're not evil."

"That's true," Mothwing sighed, turning away in shame.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I mewed. I hadn't known that I was opening old wounds. "I didn't mean to..."

"It's not your fault," Mothwing meowed, brushing the tip of her tail over my lips to cut me off. "I just don't like remembering how treacherous my father was. It reminds me that I'm not fully good. I always have to try to live up to everyone's expectations, and it hurts me to see them glaring at me, as though they see Tigerstar in my eyes."

"I'm sorry," I repeaed sincerely. I did not know what it was like, so I could not feel her raw pain, but I had a pretty good idea of what it felt like.

"It's quite alright. Now, get some rest. You need to heal those wounds."

The night was dark. The half moon floated high in the skiy, indicating that it was at least midnight. I stalked through the bushes, limping heavily, trying to keep my hindpaw off of the ground. The ShadowClan border was close. So close I could almost taste it. I quickened my pace, almost sprinting on three legs, though it was rather hard to sprint when you didn't have a useable fourth leg.

"Beechpaw!" The sudden, joyful yowl shocked me. I jumped, tripping on a rock and tumbling over right to the edge of the border.

"Whitepaw?" I whispered.

"Right in front of you!" Whitepaw mewed.

"Don't be so loud," I hissed. "Someone'll hear you!"

"Oh, Beechpaw, you look horrible!" Whitepaw cried. "Here, let me help you."

I allowed the tiny white she-cat to press her flank against mine so I could balance as I rose stiffly to my paws. When she got me close to a tree that I could lean on, she removed herself from my side and shuffled bashfully back over the border.

"Thanks," I murmured, licking my ruffled chest fur.

"Oh, any time," Whitepaw replied, flicking her ear joyfully. "What should we do now?"

I yawned.

"You're right," Whitepaw replied. "I'm exhausted." She yawned too, settling down onto the ground. I lowered myself gently to the dirt ground and scooted over to her side. Whitepaw licked my ear gently, and I licked hers back. I wasn't trying to impose, I just wanted to be friendly, and I hoped she felt the same way. Before too long, she was asleep. Her gentle, deep breathing eventually lulled me to sleep as well.