Whoo! Lots of reviews! So far this is my most popular story, hoorah!

Tanpaw… Who knows? Maybe he will come back. Maybe he won't. Maybe he will end up with Sunpaw. Maybe he won't. Hope that answers your question, hehe.
Monster345… Read this chapter and you'll see!
Allan pike… Yep, poor Bloodpaw
Amberstar-Leader of SkyClan… Thanks! I'll try to update as much as I can.
Forbiddenrace1… Whoops… well… in this fanfiction they can't XD Just pretend it makes sense –smiles-
Heartsong's Fanfictions… It's not the end yet! Sometime before I said that I'd try to make more chapters than Forbidden Love (which had 19 chapters). So just be patient :3

Chapter Ten: A New Life

Bloodpaw glanced up at the sky and at the moon, which was slowly being covered by thin clouds. In just a few more days Snowpaw would go to the Moonpool. Maybe she would get the same prophecy as he had and then everyone would believe him? No, it was too late for that. If he ever went back, he would be dead instantly. Soulstar wouldn't care what he had to say, and he would die right then and there. With a shiver, Bloodpaw padded forward.

He felt soft sand under his paws as he followed the twisting path. It curved a little, away from ThunderClan territory, and the trees went back to pine. Feeling slightly homesick, Bloodpaw continued. He didn't hear anything except for the chirping of crickets, and he felt very lonely. What if what had killed Quailflight was still out here? Would it kill him?

Pushing the thought out of his mind, Bloodpaw scented the air. Now he could hunt anywhere he wanted—it wasn't anybody's land. And he was hungry. He caught a whiff of mouse and followed his nose to where it was. He noticed how far it was, and blinked as he realized how good his smelling was. It was become useful out here on his own—at least he wouldn't have to go too far for prey.

Bloodpaw saw the small, brown creature nibbling on a seed a few mouselengths away from him, and he carefully crept forward. Then he felt that someone was watching him. The feeling knocked him over like a blow, causing the mouse to race off, scared. Bloodpaw growled at his clumsiness and looked around. His belly growled with hunger as he saw nothing but darkness. Then he heard something come from above him. He flicked his head up and saw an owl, hooting up in a tree. Pull yourself together, he said to himself. You can't get all paranoid about every sound you hear.

He lifted his nose to smell bird. Smiling at his luck, Bloodpaw saw that it was on a low branch. He was surprised that he had found this much prey this late at night. Usually there was nothing out. Maybe StarClan was watching over him and guarding him after all? He pounced up at the bird and snagged its wing with his claws. It fell to the ground where he killed it quickly and began to eat. He would need all the strength he could get on his journey to… where? He didn't even know where he was going! Deciding to just go until he found a trace of any cat, Bloodpaw licked his jaws, got up, and continued down the sandy path.



Soon, the sand beneath his paws turned harder, and it turned into a dirt path. He wondered where it was leading him, yet still walked on. Finally, it ended. Bloodpaw was left to stare up at a towering, wooden fence. He sniffed the air, making sure there wasn't a dog around, and then he leapt the fence. He landed softly on the other side and saw a Twoleg nest before him. Great… He had been led to Twolegplace. A shiver ran down his spine as he remembered a story that he had heard before of when the Clans had been driven out of their home by Twolegs. On the plus side, it had taken him some time to get here, and they probably wouldn't bother ShadowClan—

Bloodpaw stopped himself when he thought of his old home. He had left, so why was he still thinking of it? Why did he miss home when he was hated there? Puzzled by his thoughts, Bloodpaw shook his head. He had more important things to focus on at the moment. Maybe he could sleep here for tonight? Spotting a low bush in the corner of the area, Bloodpaw made his way over to it. He circled a few times in the spot and plopped himself onto the ground. He rested his head in his paws and sighed heavily. So this is my life from now on, he thought. Closing his red eyes, he silently fell asleep within heartbeats.

The next morning, Bloodpaw woke to feel wet droplets falling on his fur. He looked outside from the semi-shelter of his bush and saw rain falling on the grass in a wall of water. How was he going to travel like this? Well, he had to. He really had no choice… Bracing himself for the wetness, Bloodpaw then ran out into the open. His paws squished into wet ground as he streaked across the grass. He went around the Twoleg nest and crossed a Thunderpath. He didn't bother to look either way, and then felt extremely lucky when he made it to the other side. He continued to run as his black fur got plastered to his thin frame.

Bloodpaw blinked water from his eyes as he hopped the next fence and landed on the other side on wet grass. He saw another Twoleg nest and wondered if they would ever end. He went around this one too, and searched for shelter. He found an alley not a long way off and stopped to dry off. He shook his fur and it puffed out slightly, making him look almost twice his size. He flattened it with quick rasps of his tongue and sat down on the cold ground.

At least he would be safe from the rain for now. This place looked deserted, and he probably would not be bothered for a while. Thankful, Bloodpaw laid down, his sides heaving. Why did he ever leave the forest? He would have been a prisoner, but at least he would be with his Clanmates, and safe in the medicine cat den. Out here, there could always be the murderer of Quailflight. Plus, it was wet and cold.

Feeling pity for himself, Bloodpaw mentally slapped himself. Why did he feel so sorry for himself? ShadowClan warriors don't feel bad for themselves—not like those stupid ThunderClan or WindClan warriors. Thinking of ThunderClan reminded Bloodpaw of the prophecy he had gotten from Firestar. From a darkened soul will come light, bright as the sun. A secret will be kept, and the hero must not be afraid to shed tears of blood. What could this mean?

Bloodpaw's thoughts were then interrupted by a strange scent. He spun around to see a dark brown tomcat standing before him. It had a large scar across his left eye, and Bloodpaw froze as he stared into its amber eyes.



"What are you doing on BloodClan territory?" the tom growled.