A/N

Dandidididi (guest): In the original, ThornHawk was poorly developed, so I'm glad you enjoy their more realistic development this time around.

StormingStorm (guest): What can I say? I can never resist a good pun.

Maroon NineNine (guest): SuperBailey and I almost made MintHawk canon because we absolutely couldn't resist it, but we have a preferance for ThornHawk, and a little HawkJay ;)

Chapter 20: Chasing Ghosts

When the leaves began to turn yellow and orange in the coming moons, the clan knew leaf-fall had arrived. Hawkpaw had spent her time training obsessively with Thornsnag, Liontail, and other apprentices and warriors in an attempt to catch up. In the meantime, Frondgrass had given birth to three kits, Blizzardkit, Cinderkit, and Fallowkit.

Icekit, Mousekit, Heatherkit, Moonkit, and Eaglekit had all opened their eyes and had been running around camp causing trouble for the past quarter-moon.

It was almost twelve moons since Hawkpaw had been born, which meant her final assessment was on the horizon. Thanks to Thornsnag's strict training he had implemented, she was now on par with her fellow apprentices.

"You have one more test before Smokestar says he'll allow you to take the final assessment with the other apprentices," Thornsnag said as they walked deeper into the lush forest. The thick canopy had blotted out most of the sun, with beams of light glowing on the green ground.

In the middle of a cluster of trees and tall grass and bushes, Sandwhisker and Webpaw waited. "Webpaw here was wanted to spar with you since that mock battle," Sandwhisker chuckled. "He's been very patient."

Webpaw's tail lashed eagerly. "I won't go easy on you."

Hawkpaw crouched low to the ground. "I don't want you to," she growled back.

Webpaw let out a yowl and raced at Hawkpaw, who sprang up in the air and latched onto his shoulders, swaying him off balance. He staggered when she leapt off, and shook himself.

Hawkpaw darted around Webpaw, running in zig-zag circles as his eyes tried to follow her. He began to chase her, and she zipped through the undergrowth. Grass knotted around her paws and caused her to slam face first into the ground.

Webpaw panted as he approached her, and Hawkpaw chewed the grass from around her paw and tackled the blue grey tabby to the ground with a growl.

She pinned him to the ground, but with his powerful hind legs, Webpaw kicked her off. Hawkpaw let a cough and scrambled up. She was getting frustrated.

Webpaw charged at her again, and Hawkpaw rolled out of the way of his paws slamming down on the ground. She rammed into his side, causing the tom to stumble.

He whirled around and grabbed her by the shoulders, throwing her onto the ground. Hawkpaw hissed, the wind knocked out of her. Red invaded her vision as fury overcame her, and she unsheathed her claws and slashed them down Webpaw's forehead.

He yelped in surprise and staggered off of her.

"Hawkpaw, what was that?" Thornsnag demanded. There was confusion in his eyes rather than anger.

"I- I don't know," she stammered. "It was an accident."

"Ah, it's okay," Webpaw grunted. "It's not that bad."

"Keep your claws sheathed," Sandwhisker warned with a strict tone in his voice.

A feeling of annoyance made a growl creep up in Hawkpaw's throat. "Right," she managed.

"Mintflower?" Jaytalon mewed as he walked into the medicine den. "Frondgrass says she's producing little milk."

The grey and brown she-cat sighed. "I was worried about that," Mintflower said. "She hasn't been eating enough."

The five kits, all just a moon old, were running underneath her paws, tripping up her steps. "Mousekit!" Mintflower scolded. "Don't eat that! Heatherkit, stop biting Eaglekit's ear!"

She finally reached an empty spot on her stores and let out a groan. "I'm fresh out of borage," she grumbled. "Icekit, you aren't allowed back there!" She hissed to the white tom kit.

"Do you want me to go fetch some?" Jaytalon asked.

"Please," Mintflower mewed desperately. "And take Dawnwhisker with you. He's been complaining about being bored all day and I don't exactly have an herb for that."

Jaytalon nodded, leaving the young medicine cat to the mercy of the over energetic kits with a muffled laugh. "It's easy to spot!" Mintflower called out after him. "Blue with a star shape and a distinct smell! Just by ShadowClan!"

Jaytalon spotted the light orange tom sharing tongues with Needleclaw, who looked a little overly content at the affection, her eyes closed as she purred.

"Dawnwhisker," Jaytalon said. The light orange tom stopped grooming Needleclaw, who snapped open her green eyes to glare at Jaytalon.

"What do you want?" Needleclaw huffed as she groomed a paw lazily. "Can't you see we're busy?"

"Mintflower wants us to get some borage for her," Jaytalon mewed.

Dawnwhisker sprang up, Needleclaw tipping over as she was leaning on him. She picked herself up and huffed. "Finally, something to do!"

"We were doing something," Needleclaw growled.

"I'll be back in a bit," Dawnwhisker promised. "I won't be long."

Needleclaw let out a long sigh. "Fine. Hurry."

The two toms walked out of camp, matched in height but Jaytalon was certainly stockier than Dawnwhisker's lithe form. "What do they look like?" The ginger tom asked.

"Mintflower said they're blue flowers," Jaytalon answered. "With a star shape."

"Oh, I've seen those near ShadowClan," Dawnwhisker mewed. His tail bushed up a bit. "Is that where we're going?"

Jaytalon nodded, and he could feel an uncomfortable tension wash over Dawnwhisker. He had only been a warrior for a moon now, and in that time, ThunderClan had avoided ShadowClan for the most part.

They spotted the borage on the edge of WindClan and ShadowClan territory. Jaytalon began picking the flowers careful not to rip or damage them in any way.

"What are you doing in our territory?" a voice growled.

Jaytalon looked up to see a silky furred, black and white she-cat with round blue eyes glaring at them. A dark golden tom with tangled fur stood beside her on one side, and a brown tom with white streaks on her other side. They were unfamiliar, and did not smell of either WindClan or ShadowClan.

"This is our territory," Dawnwhisker retorted, the fur along his spine standing up.

"Not for long," the she-cat chuckled.

The fight went by in a blur. The rogues were relentless, slashing at their eyes and every most painful spot they could reach.

In a matter of minutes, Dawnwhisker and Jaytalon were both dizzy with blood loss. Dawnwhisker was splayed out on the light grass, blood pouring out from his underbelly. Jaytalon laid groggily a ways away from him, feeling his nose swell with blood.

Dawnwhisker coughed raspily. He struggled to his paws, only to be knocked back down with a blow to the head by the golden tom.

"You won't win," Jaytalon coughed.

"I think you'll find we will," the black and white she-cat chuckled. There was a familiar aura to her.

Voices were distant. The she-cat turned her head to the side and bowed, as if addressing someone superior. A fourth cat came into his view.

A white tom with a ginger blaze on his forehead, and the most malicious amber eyes Jaytalon had ever seen.

"Good work, Aspen," the tom praised her with a throaty purr. He looked over at Dawnwhisker in disgust. "Take care of him."

"What about that one?" The black and white she-cat - Aspen asked, referring to Jaytalon. There was a strange look in her eyes.

"I'll handle him," the tom growled. "You just get that ginger one. Ropeburn, Rocket, help her."

"DAWNWHISKER!" Jaytalon screeched, struggling to get to the young warrior.

The muscular white tom grabbed Jaytalon's head and smashed it against the tree trunk he had been pinned against. His vision went black in an instant.

"Good work, you two," Thornsnag mewed. "Hawkpaw, you've officially caught up in your training. Your warrior assessment will be soon."

Excitement flooded her senses with a delightful high. She had had her doubts, but with the help of both Thornsnag and Liontail, she had finally become an equal to the other apprentices again.

"If you can both catch something, you can be done for today," Sandwhisker said, looking to Thornsnag for agreement. The chocolate tabby tom nodded.

Hawkpaw stalked off towards WindClan territory, her paws light. A cold breeze blew from behind her, and she shivered, despite her thick coat.

Though it had gotten chillier, prey was still running at a sustainable rate. Lucky for her, there was a mouse scampering towards a cowslip. It was still fat like it was green-leaf.

Hawkpaw swiftly snapped its neck and gave thanks, grabbing it by the tail in her teeth. Another cold breeze rippled through the forest, this time blowing in her face. It carried the scent of blood.

An icy feeling ran through Hawkpaw. The memory of finding Shadefur's body flashed in her mind against her will. She didn't want to investigate, but her paws began run towards it anyways.

The first thing she saw was fresh blood pooled out in the light grass, borage flowers and leaves scattered everywhere. The next thing she saw, was Jaytalon's bloody body slumped against a tree.

Hawkpaw let out a choked gasp, dropping her mouse. She ran forward shaking him like a mad cat. "Jaytalon? Jaytalon! Wake up!" She cried.

She felt him breathing raggedly, and she breathed a low sigh of relief. "You mouse-brain, wake up!" Hawkpaw hissed.

Slowly, he came to, his bright blue eyes fluttering open. "Haw… Hawkpaw?" He said slowly. He tried to move, but he grunted in pain. "Ah... ow."

"No, no, don't move," Hawkpaw gasped. "What happened?"

"You were right," Jaytalon coughed. "It's not ShadowClan."

Terror filled her. "Did you see Rooster?"

"What?"

Hawkpaw shook him furiously. "Did you see Rooster?!" She cried.

"I don't know who that is," Jaytalon murmured. He looked like he was about to pass out again, and his head lolled back.

"Don't fall asleep!" Hawkpaw hissed, smacking him.

"Ow!" He groaned.

Hawkpaw looked around. "Help!" She cried out. "Anyone! HELP!" She screamed in desperation.

She shrieked until her throat was raw, only pausing to keep Jaytalon from passing out again.

"Hawkpaw!" A voice called from the shrubbery. "What's wrong?"

It was Webpaw, and Hawkpaw let out a grateful mew. "Webpaw!"

He emerged, and staggered back when he saw Jaytalon. "Oh… oh, StarClan." He looked like he was going to be sick.

"Get help, flea-brain!" Hawkpaw hissed. Her vision was blurred with welling up tears. She could feel Jaytalon's breathing growing more frantic.

Webpaw scampered off, breaking out into a run. Everything seemed to move at the pace of a snail, yet faster than a WindClan cat. What felt like an eternity and a second went by, and Mintflower and Cloudclaw were surrounding them. Blackpelt stood a little ways behind them.

"Oh, sweet StarClan," Mintflower breathed in shock. "Blackpelt, Cloudclaw, we can't move him. It's a good thing I brought some herbs here."

She began to get to work, treating his underbelly wound first. "You were smart to not let him fall asleep," Mintflower said to Hawkpaw. "I think he has a concussion."

Suddenly, she looked up and around. "Wait a second… Jaytalon, where's Dawnwhisker?" She stared into the blue eyes of the weary tom.

"He… he's gone," Jaytalon coughed. "Those rogues killed him. They must have… have taken his body."

Horror filled Mintflower's face. "What… what are we going to do?" She shook herself. "I need to help you first."

After Mintflower bandaged up his wounds with cobwebs, Cloudclaw and Blackpelt helped her carry him back to camp.

Jaytalon was left to rest in a nest full of feathers, where his breathing had evened out and slowed to a peaceful snore. Hawkpaw curled up next to him and slept, praying for her to wake up in Liontail's realm for answers.

Her prayers had been answered, as when she opened her eyes, Liontail sat before her.

"You need something," he said matter-o-factly.

Hawkpaw nodded. "I need to know exactly how to conjure a cat's spirit."

Liontail let out a purr. "You're ready." He cupped her cheek with a paw. "Your eyes are the source of your power."

"My eyes?" Hawkpaw echoed.

"Yes," Liontail said. "A symbol of your strength." He moved away and began to circle her slowly. "A summoning is stronger in the place a cat died. That is why summoning Shadefur is so easy for you. A piece of something from them also makes it easier."

Hawkpaw nodded slowly. "I… I think that makes sense."

"However, you can conjure any spirit as long as you know their name," Liontail explained. "Envision them in your mind and call out to them."

"It's that easy?" Hawkpaw scoffed.

"No, it requires a lot of concentration," Liontail mewed. "But I have no doubt that any spirit hearing you call out will be able to resist. I think you'll find you're stronger than you believe."

"You keep saying that, but nothing has happened to prove that!" Hawkpaw hissed.

"You've barely scratched the surface of your potential."

Hawkpaw was forcibly pulled out of her dream by Jaytalon thrashing about in his nest, trapped in a vicious nightmare. "Jaytalon, wake up!" Hawkpaw whispered as she shook him gently.

He jolted up, panting heavily. "Aspenkit…" he breathed.

"What? Your sister?" Hawkpaw was confused. "Were you dreaming about her?"

"No I- yes- but-" Jaytalon stammered, shaking his head. "One of the rogues… her name was Aspen."

Pity weighed Hawkpaw's heart down into her paws.. "Jaytalon, you said yourself. Aspenkit is dead."

"She looked like my sister…" Jaytalon trailed off. "Do you think it could be her?" He sounded desperate.

Hawkpaw sighed. "You're probably delirious. Get some more rest." She gave his forehead a tender lick and pressed their noses together before leaving the medicine den.

Her eyes felt tired, and she yawned as she arched her back, a cool chill still heavy in the air. She had expected it to burn off by sunhigh, but with clusters of grey clouds hanging overhead, she felt it was unlikely now.

Hawkpaw caught sight of Needleclaw. Her thin grey tail dragged behind her and her ears were low, green eyes void of any light. Hawkpaw felt her heart sink for the young warrior. Mintflower must have delivered the news about Dawnwhisker's death to her already.

Taking Liontail's advice, Hawkpaw slunk out of camp with no eyes on her, and walked with purpose towards the site of Dawnwhisker's death.

A dark sense of foreboding met her senses. The wind felt colder, and the blood on the grass had dried. It was splattered a deep crimson over the thin, wispy blades, looking like a great battle had taken place.

Hawkpaw closed her eyes and tried to think only of Dawnwhisker. Instances of him and Needleclaw mocking her and cuffing her ears in the nursery flashed in her mind. She fondly recalled the memory of Vinepaw biting Dawnwhisker's ear when they were kits, and of pushing him into snowmelt.

Okay… think only of Dawnwhisker, Hawkpaw thought to herself, eyes closed in concentration. She thought of his light orange fur and sharp, condescending eyes. She thought of Needleclaw entwined around his form as they made fun of her in the apprentice den. She thought of him blazing like a wildfire in the battle with ShadowClan.

When she opened her eyes, he was not standing before her. Hawkpaw let out a groan. "This was supposed to be easy!"

Liontail had told her a spirit was stronger in the place where they died, and Hawkpaw was standing in the center of Dawnwhisker's dried blood.

Squeezing her eyes shut again, Hawkpaw centered her thoughts, thinking only of Dawnwhisker's voice and face.

She opened her eyes again, and still, she remained the only cat in sight. She growled to herself. Think, think, think, she urged herself. Liontail said something of them could make it easier too….

Hawkpaw looked around spotted a flash of orange fur tangled in a bramble bush. She plucked the clump of fur and inhaled the scent. It was still fresh, smelling of dew and summer; Dawnwhisker's distinct scent.

Hawkpaw twirled the fur in her claws, repeating Dawnwhisker's name in her mind like a mantra as she focused on his scent. She let her paws press into the ground, tinged with the dampness of his blood soaked into the dirt.

Dawnwhisker still had not been conjured. Hawkpaw let out a hiss. "This is a load of mouse dropping!" She flopped onto her side, staring at the cloudy, grey sky. "I don't even know how I conjure Shadefur. How am I supposed to conjure Dawnwhisker? I can't even conjure Sprucefur…"

Thoughts of Sprucefur overtook Dawnwhisker. Though they barely knew each other, he had always been kind and quiet. The patience he had exhibited rivaled that of a tortoise.

Hawkpaw wished she could go into ShadowClan to try and summon him, but she knew it was a lost cause. Fallenstar's soft spot for victims of her own allies was barely the size of a seed.

The sound of a disoriented groan made Hawkpaw jump up, severing her from her thoughts. "Dawnwhisker?" She gasped before she even saw the cat.

Hawkpaw blinked in surprise when she saw who it was. Sprucefur stood before, looking dazed. He looked like a completely normal cat if not for his white pupils- starkly unlike the black in the eyes of the living.

"Try again," Sprucefur chuckled, shifting his shoulders in a shrug. "Shadefur warned me this was jumbling, but I didn't expect it to feel like… this."

"Spr- Sprucefur," Hawkpaw stammered in shock. "Is that really you? Did- did I bring you here?"

"It would seem you did," Sprucefur nodded. "It was incredibly hard to resist your call."

"My call?" Hawkpaw repeated.

He nodded again. "It felt like I… I was being drawn to you."

"Can you give me any answers?" Hawkpaw pleaded. "I'm scared, and I just feel something bad is coming. It's- it's like a knot in my stomach and ice in my bones."

Sprucefur looked at her sadly. "I don't know if I'm allowed to help you."

Hawkpaw sighed. "It's because you're StarClan now, isn't it?"

Sprucefur stayed silent, and Hawkpaw growled. "All they do is give obscure riddles and hope cats can figure it out. Who says we need their guidance if they constantly lead us astray?

"Hawkpaw-" Sprucefur began, but she cut him off.

"No!" She cried. "I'm sick of it! I refuse to believe my destiny is something laid out before I was born. I get to make my own choices!"

"Nothing is as it seems," Sprucefur said quietly.

Hawkpaw jerked her head up to look at him. "What did you say?"

"Nothing is as it seems," he repeated. "Don't take these omens at face value. There are things you can't account for that lead you to false conclusions."

"What can't I account for?" Hawkpaw pressed. "What I can't account for is my clanmates dropping like flies!"

"An enemy is your friend, and your blood is your enemy," Sprucefur whispered, fading into nothingness.

Hawkpaw glared at the empty space he left. "Good to know you're just like them now!" She shouted at him, though she knew he couldn't hear her.

For the umpteenth time that moon, Hawkpaw returned to the camp unnoticed. Cats shared tongues dripping anxious chatter, and for a moment, Hawkpaw wondered which of them she'd find dead next. Was RiverClan any safer, or was her connection to it a death sentence in itself?

Jaytalon needed his rest, and Thornsnag surely needed a break from her emotional distress. Sneaking to RiverClan would be pushing her luck.

Thus, Hawkpaw brought herself to the apprentice's den. Vinepaw was, reliable as ever, asleep. Hawkpaw lowered herself to her denmate's level, pressing her nose against her tense flank.

"Vinepaw!" Hawkpaw whisper-screamed. "Wake-"

Hawkpaw ducked away from the unsheathed claws lashing towards her. Vinepaw rolled onto her feet, pushing up to come nose-to-nose with Hawkpaw.

"Hawkpaw!" Vinepaw whispered-screamed right back. "Rabbit-dung- don't do that! Icewing doesn't let me leave until she dismisses me herself!"

"Sorry," Hawkpaw grunted. "And 'rabbit-dung'? Where'd you pick that up, one of the gatherings Smokestar doesn't want us going to?"

"I heard it on a border patrol," Vinepaw flicked one of her tall ears, knocking off a chunk of moss. "If you don't wanna hear something more vulgar, you'll tell me why you woke me up."

Hawkpaw's thoughts ran over the swampy realm of her dreams. Mist passed through for a flash, then Icewing again. "I was thinking about what you said earlier," Hawkpaw admitted.

"I say a lot of things," Vinepaw grunted.

"I meant… about training together." Hawkpaw shyly met Vinepaw's eyes. Her meek smile felt like the biggest lie she had ever told. "We'll be better together, won't we?"

And I'll be better off taking all of the moves I can if I want those rogues gone. Hawkpaw blinked. Her own thoughts had surprised her. Though, she would admit, a darker part of her knew she was right.

A/N

Things are really starting to pick up now! It's not gonna be very long until things are revealed in full.

Tell me down below what you think the Nightwalkers are up to, if you haven't read the original at least. Though admittedly, it has changed quite a lot.

Leave your thoughts down below, and I will see you next Thursday!