Lionblaze's P.O.V

The more time I spent with Crystal the more I wanted to be with her,when she returned to help the clan I never knew a time I was happier. She always says how she is scared of hurting me while we practice and I want to tell her, of my power, of my destiny, but the last time I did that the one I loved hurt me. I can't risk losing Crystal or making things awkward between us. I care about her to much, but will I ever be able to tell her?

Crystal and I where in camp about to head out and train when Firestar called out to us. We both stopped and looked back, Crystal looked calm but her eyes showed worry, as if to search her mind for anything she might have done wrong. I wanted to tell her not to worry but Firestar said something before I could.

"Crystal can I talk to you for a second." he asked looking at me then back to her. "Privately." Her face showed a bit of concern as she looked at him then to me, looking for what she should do. I gently nudge her and sit.

"Go, I will wait her." At the same time I give her a reassuring gaze and she nods following Firestar to his den. My paws twitch nervously as I wait, hoping that everything is okay. The thought never crossed me till now, what if Crystal did something to get kicked out, it was unlikely but a possibility. What would I do? I feel like we have grown closer over these past few moons, would I be able to handle watching her walk away?

"Did the rogue do something wrong?" I hear a voice say next to me, snapping out of my thoughts I turn my head and look at Cinderheart. My eyes change from soft to hard as I glare at her. Rogue, really?

"She is not a Rogue anymore, she is apart of this Clan now." Cinderheart snorts and sits. Her gaze fixed on Firestar's den, why does she hate Crystal so much, everyone else is fine with her why can't she be.

"Once a Rogue, always a Rogue." She says bitterly. I stand and glare at her.

"What is up with you! She hasn't done anything to receive this hate you give her!"

Cinderheart whipped her head to glare at me, but there was more than anger in her eyes, there was a sadness to them.

"You liked me first! But ever since she came along you have forgotten all about me! I thought we had something Lionblaze..." She said starting off angry but it melts away to a soft whisper. My body tensed a bit as I looked at her, sure there was something. But she thought we couldn't be together cause of my special ability. Her words stuck in my heart like a thorn but no matter what she says at this point will change that I want Crystal, not her. I looked down at the ground then back to Firestar's den.

"That changed after you shut me down, you said we couldn't be together, you brought that on yourself. My feelings are for Crystal now...I'm sorry Cinderheart."

Her face fell with her tail as she looked away sadly. I didn't want to hurt her but it was the truth, sure it was a little harsh but it needed to be said. Without a word Cinderheart stormed off not looking back, I sighed sadly and sat back down. She will get over it, find someone else to love, who will make her happy and not disappoint her in the end...but wont I be doing that to Crystal now?

At that moment Crystal appeared out of the den and looked over to where I sat, her eyes beaming in excitement she ran over and stood in front of me. Eyes as excited as a kits when they learn something fascinating or get to play with others. Her expression made me relax knowing nothing bad happened.

'Lionblaze, I am getting a Warrior name! I'm officially apart of this clan!" She says happily and nuzzles my cheek. At that moment all negative and sad thoughts leap out of my head and are replaced with happy ones. I rub my head against hers for a second purring.

"That's amazing! I'm so happy for you! When will he be the ceremony?" I ask looking at her with shared excitement. She opens her mouth to answer,

"Let all those old enough to catch their own prey join under here for a clan meeting." Firestar calls out to everyone. Those already outside look puzzled and curious as they join in under the ledge. Crystal looks at Firestar as he speaks then back at me,

"Right now."

Everyone is soon joined together in a cluster of talking cats. No one except for Crystal, Firestar and I know what this is about. Dovewing gives me a questioning look as I seem excited. I nod to her and mouth the words Crystal. Her face still is confused but she nods looking back up at Firestar. Crystal sits under the ledge looking nervous. Her paws squirm under her as she looks like an impatient kit. A smile spreads on my face as I watch her amused. Her reaction reminds me of when I was about to be named a warrior. Both a scary and exciting time, a huge milestone in a cats life. Not as noble as being named a leader or satisfying as being named an elder after many years of hard work, but still very important.

"I gathered you all hear today to be apart of the marvelous ceremony, of naming one of our fellow cats a warrior." A lot of cats then looked at Crystal, she smiled shyly at them all and looked back up at Firestar who looked down at her giving her a short nod. Crystal then moved up to sit next to him. Her eyes scanned around looking at everyone then landed on me. I give her a smile and she smiles back.

"Crystal, do you promise to fight for the clan, live by the Warrior Code and one day become an elder knowing you have given your life to the clan." He says looking at her. She looks back at the clan for a split second then dips her head to Firestar.

"I do."

Firestar nods and looks up to Starclan then to Crystal. "Then from this moment on you will be known as Crystalwing, for your caring nature and fighting spirit." His nose touches her head and she gives his shoulder a thank you lick.

"Crystalwing, Crystalwing, Crystalwing!" Everyone chants, I say it loud and proudly along with Dovewing, the only one who doesn't do it without a lot of enthusiasm is Cinderheart. Everyone goes back to what they where doing after congratulating Crystalwing on her Warrior name. Even little Molekit, who has taken a big liking to Crystalwing goes over and congratulates her with a friendly lick. Dovewing talks to her excitedly about their shared Warrior name and a lot of other cats she is close to give her lots of kudos. I sit their waiting for the crowd to die down and I look at her, smiling and sitting proudly as she talks with Sandstorm. The sun light appears from behind a wall of tree leaves and hits Crystalwing making her fur sparkle like crystals. I can't take my eyes off her as she seems to come to life, was this Starclan blessing her? Either way she looked beautiful. I wonder if that is why she was given the name Crystal by her former twoleg.

Her gaze wanders over to me as she finishes talking to Sandstorm, I have to shake my head a bit to snap out of my daze. She walks over to me and sits.

"Well I am finally a Warrior." She says with a small chuckle as if not believing it, even though she sounds unsure the smile never leaves her face. I purr and nuzzle her cheek softly then pull back.

"You are, how do you like your name?" I ask.

"I like it." She says proudly but still seems to be scanning my face for something. Approval maybe?

"I think it is beautiful." I have to bite my tongue and not add-on just like you. I feel like that would have been too much to fast. Her posture gets better as she sits up straighter looking more confident.

"Thanks, now how about we go hunting like we planned before all this happened." She suggests getting up. I nod and head to the entrance of Thunderclan.

"Whatever you say, Crystalwing." I say putting en-fices on her name. She lets out a happy purr as we head into the woods.

After a successful hunting trip, Whitewing and Squirrelflight take the fresh kill back to camp as Crystalwing and I relax by the water. Ever since the attack everyone has been on high alert, always listening for anything unusual. I don't think Shadowclan will be back anytime soon but it never hurts to be sure.

Crystalwing and I sit on a giant smooth rock near the river, it is now our favorite spot to relax and soak up some sun when we have time to relax and unwind. Crystalwing wads into the water up to her belly letting the water soak in her underfur. She lifts her head and closes her eyes letting the sun warm up her back.

"Come on in, the water is great." She says without opening her eyes. I shake my head and snort a little.

"No thanks, swimming is for Riverclan."

Crystalwing opens her eyes and looks at me and blinks a peculiar look on her face.

"Says who?" She asks almost as if to challenge me to answer. I stand up and stretch on the rock. Shaking my fur I answer.

"It's just what they do, all the others clans don't like the water or associate with it, besides to drink from the river." Crystalwing does not say anything right away. She looks back to the water as if contemplating something. She must be agreeing with what I am saying, but what she says next shocks me.

"Who says that we need to not like the water cause our clan doesn't, have you ever really just stood in the water for a long time? Feeling the light tug of the current at your legs as it rushes down the river and one day into the ocean. The water is almost like a living thing when you think about it, some days it is angry, while others it is calm. It can be dangerous but also beneficial. You can't really judge something till you know how it feels, moves and acts. If you learn the movements it can be an easy thing to concur. It keeps moving, you never step in the same river twice."

I listened and watched the water as she spoke, her words sounded wise and strong as she spoke them almost to herself. It keeps moving. Does she see herself as a river? Before she joined Thunderclan she also kept moving. Nothing to stop her, until she hits an obstacle. After a long pause of thinking, I inched myself into the water. The water seemed very strong against my paws, as if it was trying to drag me along with it. Slowly I made my way to Crystalwing and stood next to her, the water was cold but after a while it was only a numb feeling. It was very relaxing and seemed to be washing away all my worries and problems.

"See, you don't have to swim,just float." She says smiling at me warmly. I smiled back as we got out of the water and dried off in the sun. I might have taught Crystalwing about team work and friendship, but she has taught me something herself. How to ease the soul and see things through others eyes. Right as i was about to suggest we go back, Crystalwing started to talk. Her words came out softly and deeply.

"I use to be a kittypet yes this is true, but I was left alone, in a place full of other caged animals like myself, left by their owners, to never see them again. For a long time I told myself everything will be okay, that Emily would come back, but she never did. I was in their for who knows how long, so I escaped. It was hard but I did it, then I was on my own. No one else to rely on, just me. I trusted Emily but she betrayed me. So I took a vow, to never trust anyone again, and keep moving. Then I came here and was saved by you and Dovewing, you all gave me a home but I was foolish and still so afraid to trust I almost lost it for good...the when i saw Shadowclan and their plan to attack something awoke inside of me, the trust and compassion for others had been reborn and now here I am, and I couldn't be happier."

She looked at me with a look of sorrow and bliss. Wow, I had no idea of her past, being left behind by someone you loved. No wonder she was so hesitant to let me in. She was afraid, afraid of getting hurt gain. Just like me. I got up and moved closer to her, flanks touching I give her neck some comforting licks.

"I am so sorry, you have had some tough times but your with us now, with me, and I wont be leaving any time soon." She gives me a loving gaze and rests her head on my back. We don't say anything else, there is no need for words. Everything is perfect right now, the time may not be now, but at least now I know I can trust her with my secret.