A/n: … Sup. Lol hello to whoever is still around. I know I've disappeared entirely from Fanfiction for quite a while now. I started school in August and I've been taking one AP class and one honors class. To make a long story short, I've been getting a lot more work/homework than I was used to and I have been exhausted for so long. I am slowly adjusting to the amount of work, but writing Fanfiction has been in the back of my mind for a while now. Up until recently, I have stayed away from Fanfiction and I just want to apologize for the millionth time. Anyhow, I have decided that I will try to upload a chapter every day or every other day for Christmas break (most likely every other day). Again, I apologize for this but I have been so busy/lazy. Hey… I'm only human okay. We all get lazy and procrastination kills.

Thanks to anybody who followed or added this story as a favorite while I was gone.

Reviews

Shira the Holiday Owl- I can't wait until their kits come either, to be honest, I don't know when they will come XD but don't worry, I will figure it out soon enough.

LonelyEcho- It won't end here don't worry, I just been so busy that I haven't had the time to actually sit down and type up a chapter for you guys… I apologize. But I am sure you guys are tired of me saying 'I'm sorry'.

Wolfspirit- I updated this 6 months ago… I said it before and I said it again… I'M SORRY

Sandstorm10112- I'll try to keep writing and not have these super long waits again… but no promises

Guest- Here is another chapter since like months and months ago, I will try to get back on track and not just disappear out of nowhere like previously

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! I am going to make it up to you with all the uploads on my stories. Maybe XD

After the long awaited wait (is that a saying?)

ON WITH THE CHAPTER

…

But first… Here are the allegiances in case anybody (aka me) forgot most of the characters XD Also; I might do allegiances whenever there is a major change in the number of characters (new kits, somebody dies, random cats join, etc.)

Stormclan

Leaders:

Icestar-pure white furred she-cat with a grey tail tip, icy blue eyes

Toadstar-dark brown furred tom with a black splash on chest, teal eyes

Deputies:

Specklefrost- dark grey furred she-cat with black speckles on back, icy blue eyes

Shadestone- black furred tom with dark grey paws, green eyes

Med-cats:

Leafstone- dark grey furred she-cat, leafy green eyes

Redflower- red brown tabby she-cat, orange eyes

Warriors:

Goldenhawk- golden brown furred tom with white flanks, yellow eyes

Glacierstone- big, white furred tom with dark grey paws and underbelly, green eyes

Cloudshadow- fluffy, black furred tom with a white muzzle, blue eyes

Bluestorm- blue-grey furred tom, stormy blue eyes

Mudstorm- dark brown furred tom, stormy blue eyes

Sootear- dark grey (almost black) furred tom with black ear tips, green eyes

Stripesky- dark grey furred she-cat with a black stripe from nose to lower back, sky blue eyes

Silversnow- silver furred she-cat with white paws and underbelly, green eyes

Iceflower- white furred she-cat with a grey underbelly, dark blue eyes

Flowerpool- dark grey furred she-cat with a white patch on lower back, blue eyes

Fang- black furred tom with white stripes on sides and white dots between ears, fiery amber eyes (eyes turn red when blinded) (not confirmed as warrior)

Apprentices-

Cloverpaw- light brown tabby she-cat, bright green eyes(mentor: Goldenhawk)

Mosspaw- brown furred she-cat with a plumy tail, bright green eyes(mentor: Cloudshadow)

Midnightpaw- black furred she-cat with white speckles, purple eyes(mentor: Bluestorm)

Stonepaw- grey tabby tom with dark stripes, yellow eyes (mentor: Specklefrost)

Rainpaw- blue-grey furred tom, pale yellow eyes(mentor: Icestar)

Dovepaw- light silver furred she-cat with white paws, green eyes (mentor: Mudstorm)

Echopaw- grey furred tom, yellow eyes (mentor: Sootear)

Leopardpaw- golden furred she-cat, green eyes (mentor: Stripesky)

Queens and kits

Palestone- pale grey furred she-cat, green eyes (kits with Sootear:

Brightkit- light grey furred she-kit with lighter grey paws and underbelly, bright green eyes

Ashkit- ashy grey furred tom-kit with black ear tips and underbelly, dark green eyes)

Duskcloud- black furred she-cat with white paws, yellow eyes(kits with Toadstar:

Fogkit- dark brown furred she-cat with a white tail tip, yellow eyes

Swampkit- black furred tom-kit with brown ear tips and a white patch on front paw, light blue eyes)

Whiteheart- white furred she-cat with a dark grey chest, blue eyes(kits with Bluestorm:

Wolfkit- dark grey furred tom-kit with a white chest, stormy blue eyes

Mistkit- blue-grey furred she-cat with a white underbelly, dark blue eyes

Snowkit- white furred she-cat with a dark grey chest and tail tip, light blue eyes)

Snow(strike)- white furred she-cat with a grey stripe along spine, blue-green eyes(expecting kits with Fang)

Streamclan

Leader:

Spottedstar- light brown furred tom with black spots all over, yellow eyes (taken over by Shard)

Deputy:

Stormrain- dark grey furred tom, rainy blue eyes

Med-cat:

Rosestep- red brown furred she-cat with darker red-brown paws, green eyes

Warriors:

Redwing- red brown furred she-cat with white flanks, bright yellow eyes

Bluespark- blue-grey furred tom, yellow eyes

Pebblewing- light grey furred tom with darker grey spots and white flanks, blue eyes

Silverspot- silver grey furred she-cat with a darker silver spots on right flank, green eyes

Willowcreek- dark brown furred she-cat with white dots on lower back, blue eyes

Rosethorn- cream furred she-cat, blue eyes

Goldenlight- golden brown furred she-cat, yellow eyes

Apprentices:

Otterpaw- light brown furred tom, yellow eyes (mentor: Redwing)

Marshpaw- blue-grey furred tom, blackish-green eyes(mentor: Stormrain)

Silverpaw- silver furred she-cat, pale blue eyes(mentor: Silverspot)

Emberpaw- amber brown furred she-cat, dark yellow eyes (mentor: Pebblewing)

…

Fang's POV

The morning sun sent warmth through my pelt as I stepped outside the nursery. Duskcloud tried speaking to me once again, and she wasn't getting the message from my icy glare that I didn't feel like talking to her any time soon. I stretched my legs and my mouth opened in a yawn. I shook out my pelt and looked around the camp. Not many others were awake, but the ones that were gave me uneasy glances and they shuffled their paws indecisively. I snorted softly, but I also looked around uneasily. I didn't know how a clan functioned and if I was supposed to eat whenever I wanted or leave whenever I felt like it. I jumped and whirled around when I heard a nervous voice.

There were two small cats, one a she-cat and the other a tom. The she-cat had black fur with white speckles dotting it, while the tom had grey fur. The she-cat had purple eyes, and the tom had yellow eyes. "H-Hello," the she-cat spoke with a stutter, but raised her head slightly higher to feign her confidence. The tom cleared his throat and forced a smile on his face. They were definitely younger than me. I blinked at them and sat down slowly. "Hey," I sighed out, glancing around wearily.

"We were wondering if you would like to join the Dawn Patrol," the tom murmured, raising his voice near the end when it dropped to a whisper. I smiled at their nervousness, but frowned soon after because they were scared of me. The cats from earlier were gathering near the entrance.

"What is that?" I asked and they glanced at each other, like they were deciding who was going to speak next. "It's when we go check on the borders in case we find anything suspicious that passed onto our territory overnight," the tom spoke again and gave a small smile. At least it wasn't forced. They seemed to relax a bit more when I asked questions about their everyday lives. I glanced towards the patrol again, eyeing them as they held a conversation amongst themselves.

"Alright," I finally murmured, standing up, "I'll go. I'll just tell Snow where I will be going." They gave me and each other a bright smile and they raced to the patrol together. I chuckled softly and turned back to the nursery, ducking under the thick leaves and stepping over some of the playing kits. Palestone's kits were rolling around, nearly colliding with Dusckloud's nest. Palestone shot me a glare of her own, calling her kits over. They whined slightly, but once they saw me, they sighed and went back to the nest.

I padded over to Snow's nest and nudged her gently on the shoulder. She blinked open her eyes and lifted her head, looking at me with a smile. "Sorry about waking you, I'm going with one of the patrols," I said softly to her, trying not to be too loud to wake any of the other kits up. She gave me a surprised look but purred anyways. "I know, I know, it's weird," I smiled and nuzzled her quickly before backing up, "I'll be back later."

"Have fun," I heard her murmur before I stepped back outside, sighing when I saw the patrol waiting. I stood near the outside of it as they began padding out, walking through the tunnels of thorn to get out. I stayed low to the ground so none of the thorns actually stuck to me, unlike the two cats in front of me. They walked side by side, laughing every so often and were told to be quiet by the head of the patrol. I emerged from the tunnel and shook out my pelt, looking around the forest. It felt nice to be back, but I preferred living near Hailclan territory.

"I'm Echopaw by the way, and this is Midnightpaw," the grey tom from earlier motioned to the she-cat. "I'm sure you know me by now," I murmured and they frowned. "We know what they told us about you, we don't know who you really are," Midnightpaw spoke and gave a kind smile before catching up with the patrol. Echopaw gave a nod as to confirm her words before rushing forward. I blinked in surprise and smiled before walking faster to catch up.

…

According to the clan cats, there was nothing out of the ordinary by the borders. I saw just how big the territory actually was, and I found myself purring when we arrived at the Owl Tree where I had begun meeting Snow again. I looked up at it and watched as an owl flew away from it. "Make sure to stay alert, that owl may be around somewhere hunting," a Hailclan cat named Goldenhawk spoke and met my gaze for a second before turning and stalking through the bushes. "It may be hunting for small cats," Bluestorm, Snow's sister, teased Echopaw and Midnightpaw.

"Then you should watch your back as well," I murmured and pushed past him, hearing the two apprentices laugh at Bluestorm. I swayed my tail as I entered the bushes, making my pawsteps light and barely make a sound against the undergrowth. The trees were full of green leaves and some even had flowers on them. My nose twitched as the scent of squirrel caught my attention. I flicked my ear and glanced at the others, seeing if they would make a move to go and hunt it. None of them looked around, they just kept walking forward. I glanced in the direction the scent was coming from, but I grunted under my breath and followed them as well, trying to ignore my first instinct on hunting anything I could find.

"What was your first catch as a, uh, young cat?" Echopaw asked, looking uneasy again. "You could still say apprentice and I could understand the term," I chuckled, "and to answer your question, I not-so neatly caught a skinny rabbit that hardly filled me up." They laughed slightly and looked at me in surprise. It was true, I nearly ran through an entire territory before it tired down enough for me to trap it, Shard had to come and help me kill it. I gulped nervously. My first of many kills and it was Shard who led me on to do it. I shook my head and forced a smile.

"My first catch was a shrew," Midnightpaw said and Echopaw smiled. "Mine was a mouse, remembered how Stonepaw was bragging about how he was able to catch a squirrel," Echopaw chuckled and his smile turned into a shy one. "If you aren't too busy talking," a tom named Cloudshadow grumbled in front of us, "we would like to get back to camp." His eyes narrowed at me and I heard him murmuring under his breath, but I couldn't hear what he had said. I blew out a breath and walked behind the apprentices, taking up the end of the patrol. Bluestorm had slowed down beside me, occasionally glancing at me.

"I know you want to say something, so just say it," I snapped after catching him look at me with narrowed eyes. "What makes you say I want to say something?" he growled back bitterly, his fur rising immediately. I took in a steady breath, keeping myself calm. "If you didn't want to get caught looking at me, then stop making it so obvious," I said and looked at him, barely able to withstand from snarling at him. Even without Shard's motives, I would've attacked him anyways. I guessed that he was the one who first told someone about Snow and I, causing her to stay away from me for a while.

"I just wanted to see how you are taking this, I know how stubborn you are when it comes to change," Bluestorm snorted and I whipped on him with a snarl, stepping in front of him and making him flinch back. "You don't know a single thing about me other than what Snow has shared with you," I hissed and took a step closer; lowering my voice, "consider yourself lucky that I haven't killed you yet. But someday, your luck will run out." I turned back around and began walking forward to catch up with the patrol again.

I lifted my head in satisfaction when I heard him stumble after us. I sighed softly and stayed near the outside of the patrol.

We arrived at the camp shortly after, small talk shared between those farthest away from me. I scented the air silently, glancing around as I saw more cats awake now. They laid in the clearing, some of them grooming each other or just talking in a low murmur. Once they saw me, all conversation had stopped into a tensed silence. I flicked my ear and flattened my ears when I noticed almost everyone looking towards me with expectant eyes. They expect me to attack.

I cleared my throat and began walking to the pile of fresh-kill when I saw Bluestorm and some others grab prey. I swayed my tail and walked behind Echopaw and Midnightpaw, who were still chatting away like everything was normal. "Hey Fang, do you want to come eat with us?" Echopaw looked behind his shoulder and gave me a friendly smile. I lashed my tail and raised my head as his question. I looked around once more and nodded slightly.

"Great!" Echopaw practically squealed and nudged me forward. I chuckled and walked ahead of them now, picking up a squirrel and waiting for them. "Come on, I'm sure the other apprentices will be excited to talk to you," Midnightpaw said, but the way she said it showed that she wasn't so sure. I held the squirrel between my teeth, sighing softly when the conversations returned steadily. I stood behind the apprentices again as they arrived at a circle that consisted of- what I was guessing- was the other apprentices they were talking about.

A dark grey, tabby tom was the first to notice me. "Why'd you invite him over?" he said noisily and his nose wrinkled at me. I snorted slightly and raised my head slightly. "You don't have to act like that Stonepaw," Midnightpaw defended me, her tail lashing. Stonepaw's yellow eyes stayed on me, he narrowed them soon after. "He attacked my mentor once," he said, "did you not?" I glanced around and set my squirrel down by my paws. I expected this from somebody, but not at an apprentice.

"I was defending my mate," I said and smirked soon after, "you wouldn't understand." A couple of the apprentices snorted their laughter, giving a teasing grin to Stonepaw. I sat with Midnightpaw to my right, and a brown furred she-cat with bright green eyes and a plumy tail wrapped behind her back paws on my left side. "Would you like to introduce yourselves? Or do I have to do it?" Echopaw joked and they looked at him with a hint of surprise before smiling.

"My name is Mosspaw, Midnightpaw and Cloverpaw are my sisters," the she-cat beside me spoke up before biting into a mouse. "I'm Rainpaw, Stonepaw and Silverpaw are my siblings," a blue-grey tom with yellow eyes spoke, indicating to his brother and sister. "And Leopardpaw and Dovepaw are my sisters," Echopaw spoke up, motioning to the two she-cats sitting beside each other, unwilling to look at me.

"Stonepaw! Let's go training," I recognized Specklefrost, a couple of scars still visible on her. The grey tom stood up and gave me a final glare before stalking away, leaving his half-eaten meal there. I absentmindedly nibbled on the squirrel, glancing around. The apprentices began having a conversation about some battle-techniques. The sun was already near the middle of the sky, and its rays poured into the clearing that made up the camp here. I jumped when I felt someone lean against me, and I turned my head with a smile when I saw Snow.

She gave me a warm smile and pressed her muzzle against my neck gently. "How did the Dawn Patrol go?" Snow said with a small chuckle, her green-blue eyes lighting up with mischief. "It was okay, I had a small argument with your annoying brother, but I dealt with it," I said and smiled, rubbing my muzzle against hers. I heard a squeal of laughter from somewhere behind us, and I glanced behind Snow's shoulder to see all the kits running out to play. Duskcloud, Palestone, and Whiteheart padded outside as well after their kits.

Most of the apprentices began leaving to train with their mentors. "See you later Fang!" Echopaw called before running off to the entrance of camp. "You know, it's funny how others keep looking over here, trying not to make it obvious, but it is," I said pointedly to a group of cats we walked by. Snow simply withheld a laugh, twining her tail with mine. I stopped walking when two of the kits rolled in front of me. One was much smaller than the other.

"Hah! I win!" the one on top announced and smirked down at the kit he had pinned. The tom-kit on top had ashy grey fur with black ear tips. He was one of Palestone's kits, having similar green eyes; except, his were darker. The kit below him was also a tom, and he was much smaller. He had dark grey fur with white on his chest, and his stormy blue eyes were currently narrowed in defeat. He must have been Bluestorm's kit.

"No fair, it's because you're older," Bluestorm's kit spoke with indignation. "It's because you're so small," my sister's kit chuckle before running off. "Are you okay Wolfkit?" Snow spoke up beside me, helping the small kit up. Wolfkit looked up in surprise, which soon changed to embarrassment.

"Yes, it's just… Ashkit keeps picking on me and makes me stop playing with the other kits," the small kit sighed and shook out his fluffy pelt. My eyes narrowed slightly and I cleared my throat silently. That's who I was when I was a kit, being the one picked on by the others. "You know what; you don't need to play with the other kits. Come on," I found myself saying before I even thought it. Snow glanced at me but smiled in gratitude. Wolfkit blinked up at me before following me. I crouched down low to the ground.

"Climb on and hold tight," I said and he soon started laughing, catching onto my form of play. His tiny claws were gently buried into my fur and I stood up, running slow so he wouldn't fall off. I found myself laughing along and ran faster when he told me to. I didn't care if I caused more clan cats to look at me. Wolfkit boldly, yet shakily, began standing up, his grip tightening until he was standing up as tall as he could. I crouched and began leaping from one random place on the ground to the next. I saw Ashkit and the others look towards us with interest lighting their small eyes.

I slowed down and stopped altogether, tumbling to one side until we both lay on our backs. His joyful laughter caused me to chuckle breathlessly. His blue eyes were bright with happiness and his smile showed widely. I lay on my side but lifted my head up. Some of the glares had disappeared, replace with amusement. "See, you don't need to play with the other kits, just come see me when they don't want to play with you," I said to Wolfkit with a smile, nudging the small kit to his feet.

…

Wolfkit and the other kits wanted me to join them in their games. I pretended that they had beaten me in battle and accepted defeat. It was nearing night now, with the sunset being hidden from our view. Some of the warriors even talked to me for a few short moments. But others just glared at me with even more mistrust and hatred. I shrugged them off and lay my head across Snow's shoulders. We were still outside since it was stuffy inside the nursery. The cool air blew around us just enough so we weren't shivering.

"I didn't know you were so great with kits," Snow murmured beside me sleepily, giving me a smile. I chuckled and licked her ear gently. "I didn't know I was, but I guess its good practice until our kits come," I said softly, nosing her stomach gently. She purred quietly and rested her head on my out-stretched legs. I watched the kits still playing together, but their movements were slower since they were tired. I curled my tail around Snow and sighed softly. Our first, technical day here and it turns out to be great.

"Is it just me, or has that owl been flying around for a while," Bluestorm spoke up from a place behind me. "Probably looking for a small cat like you to hunt," I joked, earning chuckles from those who had heard it. But I couldn't help my unnerving feeling that came from other predators. Badgers and foxes were easier to fight with, but birds like an owl were in the sky and they could fly away higher than I dared to climb.

All the laughter seemed to stop at once when the owl suddenly let out a screech from far above. It seemed to come from all around the trees, but I knew there was only one. I thought nothing of it, if it came down, we could easily fight it off. Unless. Unless it was hunting. Bluestorm seemed to understand it right when I did.

"Get the kits inside!" He yowled, standing up immediately. The calm atmosphere of the camp quickly turned to chaos when the owl swooped down amongst the bodies of cats, trying to pick an unaware one away. I led Snow to the nursery, but stopped short when I heard multiple yells.

"Wolfkit no!" I froze and turned around when I heard Bluestorm. The owl had decided that Wolfkit was small enough to make an easy catch and a suitable meal. Its claws pierced through the kit's skin, but luckily, it was by his scruff. I heard Wolfkit wail in both fear and pain. The owl began flying away from camp. I stood where I was silently, watching as Wolfkit flailed helplessly in the talons of the owl. Some cats tried climbing the closest trees, but the owl had flown past them all.

My body moved on its own accord. I began sprinting to the camp entrance, ignoring the calls from Snow and the tunnel of thorns that clung to my pelt, practically tearing it off of me. I entered the forest and panted, using hearing as my only sense of direction from Wolfkit's continuous cries. I growled to myself and ran after the shadow that was created by the owl, not being able to directly see it.

I could only hope that Wolfkit continued wailing, because if he stopped, I know he would be dead. And that thought was unthinkable.

…

A/N: I have finished this chapter hooray! And NO, why Wolfkit! Sorry if the ending seemed rushed; I just had that idea and wanted to put it in there as quickly as I could before I forgot it.

QOTD: Do you think Stonepaw will give Fang a chance like Echopaw and Midnightpaw had?

If you have time: it would mean a lot to me if you can check out my other stories as well.

Stolen: s/10699119/1/Stolen

A Silver curse: s/11181428/1/A-Silver-Curse

Next update for this story will be on December 27 (6 days from now)

Again, I apologize for the super long wait. I am going to try really hard to return here on Fanfiction and continue what I really love doing.

Please review, favorite and/or follow.

Thank you for your support and peace out.

~Wolfcreations16 (yes I changed my name since I am 16 now)

#TheAlpha