Disclaimer: I do NOT own Warriors. It belongs to Erin Hunter.

'Thoughts' Dreams Memories

Early morning sunlight filtered in through the morning of the apprentices' den, causing Sandpaw, the pale ginger molly, to stir awake. She opened her eyes slowly and turned her head, staring at the camp entrance. She wanted to lay in her nest for a few more minutes but knew that Whitestorm would scold her if she kept him waiting. Sighing softly, the pale molly got to her paws and exited the den, blinking in the warm sunshine.

Shaking her head lightly, Sandpaw spotted Whitestorm sitting not too far away, speaking with the tabby warrior, Longtail. The younger cat walked up to them both and dipped her head respectively before turning her eyes on her mentor. For just a moment, Sandpaw was reminded of the white tom that attacked her when she was a kit when looking at her mentor, they both had thick white fur and powerful bodies. Doing so made her close her eyes for a moment, her shoulders shaking.'Get a grip!' she berated herself, that tom was dead and Whitestorm was nothing but kind and fair. He would never hurt her!

The white warrior tilted his head at his apprentice's behavior and touched the tip of his tail to her shoulder, bringing Sandpaw out of her thoughts. The dark striped cat looked up at him, gratitude and lingering unease shining in her eyes. She let out a sigh and tried to stand taller, but her legs shook.

"If you want to stay at camp..." Whitestorm began but Sandpaw cut him off, shaking her head wildly.

"No! I mean, no. I can do this, Whitestorm. I'm okay, really." Whitestorm narrowed his eyes at her but got to his paws, his gaze thoughtful.

"Very well, let's go. We're going out on a hunting patrol" He then turned and lead the way out the camp and into the forest beyond.

Despite saying she was fine, Sandpaw walked with her head down, her tail dragging in the dust. Whitestorm had to call out to her three times before she finally heard him and even then, she looked distracted.

"Sandpaw, focus! I want you to practice stalking. Try catching at least two rabbits, before sunhigh. Think you can handle that?" Whitestorm asked, a little sternly while looking up at the sky. Sunhigh would not be too far off, it would be a good challenge for his apprentice. Sandpaw seemed to become more aware with the assigning of the task and was now facing her mentor with a determined light dancing in her eyes.

"I won't fail you, Whitestorm! I promise!"

The white warrior nodded, a small smile on his muzzle before he gave the call to start. Sandpaw was off in a flash, her tail streaming out from behind her. Whitestorm watched her go with a slight exasperated exhale before slowly following after his apprentice, thinking that things were now moving forward.

However, things were not moving as forward as Sandpaw wanted it. No matter how hard she searched, she couldn't now find a single rabbit, not even tracks. Stepping lightly and searching a clump of bracken, she straightened up and growled softly, digging her claws into the dirt while lashing her tail. Where were those stupid rodents?!

Huffing crossly, Sandpaw walked on, checking the wind for any scent of rabbit when she suddenly caught on to two scents. One she knew very well, blood, and the other was...cat-like. It didn't smell like any cat she knew. It was coming from near Twolegplace.

Sitting down, Sandpaw thought of what to do. If it was an intruder, it was her duty to run them off but if it was a kit in pain then shouldn't she help? And what of Whitestorm? She had a feeling her mentor was nearby, but now sure where. Perhaps, it would be best to go it alone, she was sure it was nothing too bad. Besides, Whitestorm said her fighting moves were impressive. She could handle herself. With a determined nod, she followed the scent.

The closer and closer she got to Twolegplace, the stronger the scent of blood became, almost overlaying the scent of cat. Sandpaw groaned softly and for a brief moment, closed her eye but continued running. In that moment, Sandpaw tripped over something and went for a small tumble, landing on her side.

Cursing under her breath, the pale ginger molly turned her head to see a another kitten like herself splayed over the ground. The other kit's scent told Sandpaw that it was female was well, but this was not the most interesting thing about her, this kitten was skin and bones, had blood covering her front paws and had very familiar flame colored fur.

Eyes widening, Sandpaw got to her paws and slowly, slowly made her way over to the kit and cautiously nudged her. The flame pelted kit didn't move and Sandpaw nudged her again. Still no response. Sandpaw flattened her ears and took a step back before fully turning her back. Maybe she should find Whitestorm...

Sandpaw glanced back at the prone she-kit, her fur reminding the apprentice of Jake, she looked so much like him! Could it be...that they were related so how? Closing her eyes, the young apprentice thought back to when Jake saved her life, she remembered everything about him, his voice, the way he held himself, his eyes...Looking at this kit, there had to be a connection.

As she went over her thoughts, Sandpaw's ears twitched to light scuffling and it was the only warning she got before she suddenly felt thorn sharp claws piercing her shoulder and little fangs pinching at her neck before she wildly started to buck, feeling the claws rip away from her and heard a small grunt.

Hissing softly, Sandpaw faced her attacker, only to see the kitten glaring at her with burning emerald green eyes. At that, Sandpaw gasped...those eyes...they were the same as Jake's! Even down to having that tiny bit of purple in her left eye.

"...Jake?" Sandpaw muttered, forgetting everything and dropping her guard. The smaller kit looked confused at that, but didn't lose focus. Instead, she growled louder.

"How do you know that name? Were you the one that killed him?!" She tried leaping at Sandpaw, but the apprentice came back to reality and swatted the tiny molly away.

'Killed? Jake?' the thought ran through Sandpaw's head in a whirl. Who could be strong enough to take such a cat like Jake down? She however had to focus on the task at hand and even though the small kit was more skeleton than cat, her uncontrolled blows packed a heavy punch.

Sandpaw hissed as the tiny claws raked across her muzzle she retaliated with a swipe of her own, but the kit was prepared for it and even though the hit connected, it barely made her flinch.

"Murderer of my father, I'll send all the pain you gave him back at you! I'll eat you alive!" she snarled and Sandpaw could feel the hatred rolling off the kit in waves. And it was with those words, Sandpaw knew, she was truly fighting a demon!

"You'll do no such thing!" Whitestorm's deep growl caused both females to look up, only to end it with him sending the kit flying with a mighty tackle. Landing hard on her back, the little demon was quickly back on her paws but seeing such a formidable opponent, even one that was not her kind, the demon knew she couldn't win this fight.

With a final hiss, she at first backed away but then turned full tilt and ran. The bushes rustled for a moment as she ran through them but going still. Whitestorm stared at where she vanished before turning to Sandpaw, looking at her wounds.

"Come, we must get Spottedleaf to look at you. Nasty creature did try to tear you apart. We'll have to report to Bluestar as well, even if she's small, such a vile thing can't remain this close to camp. Let's go, Sandpaw."

However, Sandpaw was rooted to the spot. Jake was dead? How could that be? Who or what could have strong enough to kill a beast like him. Sandpaw looked up at the sky, her mind a mass of questions. For the moment, her injuries were the least of her worries, she wanted to know what happened to Jake. And Sandpaw was sure that the only one who could anything was the little ginger she-kit who just swore to kill her.

Sandpaw had to find her and get answers. A chill ran down the apprentice's spine, a dark cloud of blood and monsters was starting to form over her head.

A/N: Well, here's the second chapter. Anyone want to try and guess who killed Jake and why? Answers will soon come, but you gotta stay tuned.