Chapter 19

Sunpaw opened his eyes to a bright, misty night clearing. In front of him was the Circe Quad, and on it sat a tiny kit. It was a tortoiseshell she-kit, and it reminded him deeply of Flowertail. Out of the shadows appeared another kit, a much bigger tomkit with the most beautiful green eyes that Sunpaw had ever seen. They reminded him of… Fastkit! He then remembered that Fastkit had those same eyes. He remembered Darkpelt telling him about Trailkit and how much like Flowertail she looked. Could these kits be Fastkit and Trailkit?

"Sunpaw," said the tom, and by the kit's voice, Sunpaw could tell that it was Fastkit. Fastkit was muscular, with a new sense of wisdom that Sunpaw had never seen in a kit before. Trailkit had it too.

"Sunpaw," said the tom again. "You have come. Welcome to Heaven Sent's hunting grounds." Sunpaw could smell the strange scents again. The strong, musty scent of a fight about to happen, and there was the strange scent of dogs, and another of ivy vines, and another of the cold or hot burning scent.

"Fastkit?" he asked. "Fastkit is that you? Is this Trailkit?"

"Sunpaw," said the she-kit. Her voice was small, but he was sure that if she had grown, she would sound like Sandclaw. Sunpaw shuddered at the thought of yet another Sandclaw. "You have made it. Fastkit and I have a lot to say." There was sadness in her eyes, and Sunpaw wondered it she wanted to be an apprentice.

"Actually, may I call you Fastpaw and Trailpaw? I mean, technically, you are six moons."

"No, Trailkit and I did not make it to six moons on earth. You may know our warrior names of choice, if you wish to."

"Sure," Sunpaw looked from one to the other in need to know.

"Fasttooth and Trailshade. Anyway, we must get back on track." The tom's eyes glimmered. "StormClan are missing. This is a problem."

"Yes," said Trailkit. Sunpaw did not speak. These two must on their own tell him what he needed to know. "We know not of their exact location. Some have not been found. Others…"

Right then, the undergrowth on the StormClan border swished and Grizzlycoat walked out. He was carrying a vole.

"Kits, would you like a vole as a gift?" He stopped when he spotted Sunpaw. His eyes did not show surprise. "Sunpaw, I knew that you would come. I apologize for this inconvenience. We must go though. Kits, wait here!"

He padded away, and Sunpaw supposed that the he was to follow him. Grizzlycoat walked to the HillClan border and continued. Sunpaw stopped there.

"Grizzlycoat?" he called in confusion. The brown tom turned his head. "Sunpaw, you may come now. Remember, VenusClan will not be too unhappy!" Sunpaw did not know who VenusClan was, but followed him anyway.

They walked on until they reached a Thunderpath. It was silent. Sunpaw noticed that the hills were bare of all trees, and when they passed a small group of bracken and brambles, he guessed that this was the HillClan camp. Just beside the camp was a huge group of boulders. It stretched for a while until it ended where Sunpaw could not see. Grizzlycoat kept walking on from there.

Sunpaw followed him to the peak of this large hill. In front of him, sprawled out was CityClan. Sunpaw recognized it. It was defiantly farther away than he thought and he now knew why Clover had abandoned him. She had thought that she would never see him again. Now he knew that she wouldn't.

"StormClan," said Grizzlycoat. "The search for them begins here," he pointed at a clump of buildings closer to him. "Speckledflower lives there." The tom began to fade, and as he did, Sunpaw found himself staring at Fastkit and Trailkit. Their eyes were piercing into him, penetrating the very soul Heaven Sent have given him. They murmured from the wind.

"Out of darkness, a savior comes the sun."

Sunpaw opened his eyes in what he thought would be a swallowing darkness. His eyes opened just in time to see the blazing cool light of the Cold Light go out. Beside him, Foxtail stirred slightly. It took her a few moments to recover her consciousness. Her head lifted and she sat upright. Her bright amber eyes stared at him widely spread. Sunpaw shifted awkwardly on the bedding they had slept on, his head studying it carefully. Any and every cat in the forest knew that Foxtail was the prettiest, and oddly the most seductive of Medicine Cats. They also knew that if you followed through, she would give you a stern mental scar to remember.

Thornstar sat up next, his amber eyes staring curiously at Foxtail. She stared back. Sunpaw noticed how no one spoke, even though it was morning, and followed through with it. The others waited for Dogface.

Dogface was the last up. The sun was bright and shining, almost at its fullest when he finally shifted where he lay and sat up. His deep brown eyes showed curiosity and importance, though he spoke nothing.

Thornstar let Foxtail signal and she led them down and into the long clearing again. She headed down the twisted wooden steps and down through the herb storage room and directly to the exit at the back. After they pushed silently out, Thornstar took the lead.

"You may all speak now," she declared. Sunpaw wondered why she had said that they couldn't speak, and it took him a moment to realize that he was permitted to vocalize his query.

"Why couldn't we talk?" he asked.

It was Thornstar who answered. "When nearest to Heaven Sent, we are not permitted to tell who or what we saw while speaking to them. We must not speak in there, one for chaos, two so that we don't speak of what we saw to anyone. Silence is also demanded for them to find us."

Sunpaw hardly understood what Thornstar meant, so he just nodded and tried to follow along. They couldn't tell of their experience last night. Gerbilpaw would never know what Trailkit and Fastkit had said. Flowertail would never know that they still loved her. Darkpelt would never know how they were doing. Riverpaw would never know what it was like inside. All of these things that Sunpaw had been subjected to last night that no one had before would never be told. Riverpaw would have to wait; Sunpaw would have to find a way to get her there sometime.

Thornstar's head was down as he walked; thinking and going over everything that he must have been opened to last night. Foxtail was behind them, and her eyes were comforted and considering over what she had seen. Dogface, who had not spoken yet, had a furrowed scrunched over face. He looked confused over something.

Though they could talk, they walked in silence the rest of the way to camp. Once they walked in, Sharpfang stood from where he had sat.

"Thornstar!" he called in relief. He looked strained from watching the camp all night. "I was just about to send a patrol to go get you. What happened?"

Thornstar stared at him silently. "I mean what happened that made you wait?" Thornstar continued to stare at him and then shook his head.

"I would like to see Sharpfang and Foxtail in my den, please! Sunpaw, Dogface, go look to the queens and elders."

Dogface just bowed his head and walked away, still silent. Sunpaw followed, but didn't even try to get Dogface to talk. His curiosity was overpowering him. He wondered what it would be like for the queens and apprentices and elders; those who weren't there to experience what Sunpaw or Dogface had and would never know or even have an idea.

Darkpelt was still asleep when Sunpaw entered the queens den. Dappleclaw was shifting hastily in the back of the den, Briarkit keeping her up as he wined for more food. Jetkit, Waspkit, and Flamekit were thankfully and for the first time sleeping comfortably next to Twigheart. She purred at Dogface as he came in before Sunpaw.

Sunpaw nodded to Dogface and moved to get as much moss from underneath Darkpelt as he could without waking her. As he did so, Sunpaw noticed how big Darkpelt's stomach had gotten. She was closer to kitting than he had thought. It only seemed like half a moon, but time seemed to have flown!

Dogface and Sunpaw cleaned the queens den, and then moved on to the elders. Longfur did not seem pleased to have been woken by Horsefall, and Flowertail didn't even budge.

"Dogface," asked Sunpaw. "Why won't you talk?"

Dogface didn't respond right away, but after a while, "That's none of your business, and I'm not permitted to tell you." His eyes had an important tint to them. "And when Foxtail and Thornstar are done in there, I'm sure they'll want to see us next."

"Sharpfang can't know, why does he get to go there?"

"He won't be told what happened, but he will be informed of what he is supposed to do about it."

Sunpaw at first didn't understand, then, as Longfur moved for Dogface to get to his bedding, Sunpaw did. Sharpfang wouldn't know what the prophecy was, but would know that he was to do something while it occurred.

Sunpaw expected at any moment for Sharpfang to leave Thornstar's den and head to his own, and for Thornstar and Foxtail to call to Dogface and Sunpaw.

It didn't happen. Foxtail and Sharpfang left Thornstar's den and disappeared to whatever den they belonged to. Foxtail looked at Thornstar and you could tell that they were thinking the same thoughts. Sunpaw and Dogface were never called over.

Flowertail twitched and sat upright, staring sadly around the elders den. Sunpaw wondered if she ever thought of Fastkit or Trailkit. Gerbilpaw still probably thought of them as Fastpaw and Trailpaw, even though they were still Fastkit and Trailkit.

Sunpaw looked at her and shivered as though he could still see the wisdom carrying looks of Fastkit and Trailkit blazing into Flowertail's own eyes. It hurt to know how much they still loved her and how little he could do for her pain. It must hurt her more than it hurt Sunpaw. She looked at him hopefully. He stared sadly back, hoping she got the message. To Sunpaw, it seemed that she didn't.

The brambles swished at the entrance and Riverpaw came in. She looked at Sunpaw.

"What's it like inside?" she asked him instantly.

"I can't tell you, can I Dogface?"

The dark brown tom just stared at him. "I don't know. Longfur?"

"Of course! Just not the 'dreams' you may have had."

"Inside…" Sunpaw told Riverpaw everything except the dream, and Black Waters almost killing everybody. He told her about the Cold Light and its reverse affect. He told her about leaving and the strange look in everybodys eyes, including his own.

"That's really weird. I really want to go in now, just to know." He muttered an agreement, but inside, he knew that he already knew.

...

A little more than half a moon after they had gone to the Light Camp, Sunpaw noticed the camp pretty much going back to normal. Flowertail had lost the sad hopeful look in her eyes; Riverpaw quit questioning him. Jetkit, Flamekit, and Waspkit were annoying, as usual. Briarkit was learning to talk and to walk. His eyes were not opening up, though, so he ran into things. Foxtail was looking into that. Darkpelt got along well. She left the camp and ended up at the WaterClan border. A patrol went by, luckily, though, Stripedawn was in it.

Thornstar gave Dogface and Twigheart to take Jetkit, Flamekit, and Waspkit outside the camp if there were at least two warriors with them. Sunpaw went with them once. Dogface personally chose him for the job. A strange sence of pride overcame him that day. He was being chosen with warriors now.

The only difference about it all was that Dogface was being…nicer. He was acting respectfully to Sunpaw, even though he was an apprentice. He volunteered Sunpaw to go on patrols, or to go with Twigheart and his kits, or anything.

Dogface's strange behaviors had not gone unnoticed. Even Sharpfang and Darkpelt were concerned. Foxtail constantly stood at the edge to her den and watched him from a distance, or would sometimes talk to Twigheart for information. Sharpfang would walk around and then offer to take Dogface for a walk. Dogface would then decline his offers. Flamekit and Waspkit were silent near their father and would then say how different he was acting. Jetkit was saying that Dogface was being a scared cat. Dappleclaw didn't say anything, but Twigheart stated her concern. Thornstar was watching from a distance, and talking to Foxtail about it when no one looked. Longfur would even speak of it. The entire camp was concerned for Dogface, though he payed little attention to it.

Sunpaw sat up and stretched in the apprentices den. He looked around the den, looking to see who all was up. Gerbilpaw was somewhere else, apparently not tired since he left the nursery. Dustpaw was very much preparing for his warrior ceremony, and was probably out on patrol. Riverpaw was the only one left, still tired after everything she had been through.

Sunpaw stood over her, watching her sleep. She seemed sound asleep, but he stayed quiet so that she could rest; she did need that sleep. It was then that he realized what would happen if he lost Riverpaw. If she had died last night on post, he didn't know what he would do.

"Oh my gosh," he murmured, using a human term he had heard his Citylegs say. Not wanting to wake her, Sunpaw left the apprentices den.

Dustpaw was somewhere outside the camp, and Gerbilpaw was with him, so neither were there. Jetkit, Flamekit, and Waspkit were wrestling near the Redlines, and Flowertail came rushing down the open slope from the elders den. Longfur followed, guiding a confused Horsefall.

"Jetkit, Waspkit, Flamekit! What are you doing?" she called angrily. The three stopped at once.

"We were just playing, Flowertail," Flamekit explained.

"Yeah, play fighting, it's what kits do, or haven't you heard?" Jetkit muttered hatefully. Waspkit pushed him slightly and hissed.

Flowertail ignored the jibe. "Stop this!" Gerbilpaw entered the camp at this moment. He looked up as Flowertail spoke. "Have you three heard the stories of Trailkit, Fastkit, and Copperkit?" Sunpaw pricked his ears. He had never heard of Copperkit before.

"No," answered the kits, getting in line to hear.

"In my first litter, I had two kits: Sandclaw, our nice warrior, and Copperkit. Copperkit and Sandclaw, back then Sandkit, were playing over by the Redlines, Copperkit fell in and hit her head hard on a couple of out jutting rocks." Sunpaw looked at Gerbilpaw, who had fallen in and landed on that same rock. "Fastkit and Trailkit also both fell in, but they were his by a Red Monster."

Flamekit mouthed the word 'ouch'. Waspkit closed his one eye, the other scrunched in pain. Jetkit didn't look too interested.

"So don't play near the Redlines!" Flowertail then walked away. Sunpaw watched Waspkit turn to Flamekit.

"I'm glad she could help us. I sure don't want to end up like Copperkit, or Fastkit and Trailkit."

"Of course not," added Flamekit.

"I don't really care," Jetkit stated honestly. "They're dead; we don't really need to fret." Flamekit hissed at him and bared her teeth. Waspkit gasped and stared, wide eyed. Gerbilpaw's ears went flat and he stared at Jetkit through slits for eyes.

Flowertail didn't respond to his bad attitude. She just kept walking toward Longfur and the elders den. There, Horsefall watched sadly as she entered and laid down for some rest.

Twigheart came from the nursery and rounded up her kits. Sunpaw noticed how she almost left Jetkit behind and grasped Flamekit and Waspkit and dragged them away. Jetkit followed behind with his head down.

"Well," called Dappleclaw to Dogface. "What do you think of him now?" Her laughter pierced the air as she laughed maniacally at him. "Look at what you made out of your kit!" Dogface bared his teeth in a ferocious snarl.

"You just wait and see how Briarkit turns out!" Sandclaw stared silently ahead.

"I had forgotten about Copperkit," she murmured. "My own sister, killed, and in such a cruel way. I remember the ceremony."

There was a moment of silence before Thornstar exited his den. He stared sadly at Darkpelt in the nursery. "My sister was born blind. Her sibling was eaten by a hawk. This forest isn't very friendly anymore, or ever, actually. I wonder why Heaven Sent would do this to us."

There was no movement from Flowertail, who had apparently fallen asleep.

Snowfoot stared at Littlewhisker. Littlewhisker was small, and would never grow; Snowfoot knew what it was like to have something so close to you go wrong, even if it wasn't meant or mentioned, but it still is there.

Sharpfang, who had been just outside the camp entrance, entered the camp. Sunpaw wondered who his family was. Sharpfang was the only Siamese in his FireClan, or any Clan for that matter. But, the deputy didn't say anything as he walked by. He just entered the warriors den and disappeared behind the curtain of lichen.

Sunpaw looked around his sad Clan. Their remembering brought him back to StormClan, and all of the sad, happy, proud memories there that only he could see. It was he who had had all of the fun with Silverpaw, and with Moonpaw, and Hazelfoot and Whitestar. It was he who had comforted Goldenpaw when he was still a kit. It was he who had witnessed Tigerfang's and Brownstripe's warrior ceremonies. He remembered Stemheart, and Bearfur and Pearfoot. Though, he knew that there were many things that he still did not know. Who was Speckledflower? He had heard her name somewhere. What had happened to Grizzlycoat? Where was Stormpaw? Was Whitestar still alright? What about Liontail. Would he ever see Silverpaw again? That question hit him hard, and when it did, it left him shaking.

Riverpaw's head popped from the apprentices den, and when Sunpaw turned his head to see her coming out, the sun hit her perfectly, finding her like a piece of prey found Moonpaw, perfectly preserving an image of beauty. Sunpaw smiled brightly at her, and he found himself drawn happily to her. He wondered if this is what Riverpaw felt for him.

She smiled brightly back at him, though the look on her features showed confusion. What was making him so…happy?

To her at the moment, it and only it mattered. For whatever reason, Sunpaw was very happy to see her. It was something for her to feel concern for.

Thornstar stood silently and waited for the patrol to come after him. Sunpaw watched as Sharpfang walked silently over to the leader. He murmured a few words before Thornstar vigorously shook his head and demanded something in return. Sunpaw saw the deputy look very surprised if not offended as he raced to the warriors den. He disappeared inside to be replaced by Dogface within a few seconds. Sharpfang exited the warriors den and headed straight to Sunpaw.

"Thornstar wants you and Dogface to go on a patrol with him. He wants to take Foxtail to the river up the slope for herbs," he muttered. Sunpaw bowed his head respectfully and headed in the direction Thornstar stood waiting with Dogface.

"Foxtail will be out here shortly," he informed him as Sunpaw arrived.

They waited patiently for the Medicine cat to show up in silence. After a few moments, the Medicine she-cat appeared and they took off.

I didn't get to edit it all, but mind the petty mistakes that every new author makes. I also didn't explain to well what was really going on while he visited the Light Camp. Basically, he got the prophecy. I'm not going to tell you the others just yet...^.^ I hope you enjoy!

---Cara Lea

An exclamation mark makes everything I say more exciting! -Jade Puget