Jay's Wing stiffened. That fox dung! He better not be doing anything weird with my body. I am SO going to claw his face off if he does anything stupid. I could probably claw my own face right here and now. It's not mine anyway.

Jay's Wing clawed the ground in frustration. How had he not thought of this sooner? He was in Jaypaw's body. That explained his blindness and these strange powers. And that means Jaypaw is in my body. With my tribe. With Half Moon and Fish Leap and Dove's Wing and Whispering Breeze and Lapping Wave and- by the star cats. His life sucks! He has every reason to lie about who he is. He better not do anything embarrassing in my body!

"Are you alright?" Foxkit asked, eyeing Jay's Wing's clawmarks on the earth.

"I'm fine," Jay's Wing said through gritted teeth. "I just… I hadn't realized all of that. I can't believe a kit figured it out before me."

"Hey! I'm almost an apprentice!"

"Key word almost," Jay's Wing purred. He willed himself to calm down. At least I've found allies in these two. They believe me. "Hey, it's getting late. I don't know what time the clan usually makes it back after one of those Gathering things but we should probably all get to sleep."

"Oh yeah," Foxkit said.

"We're not actually supposed to be here," Icekit added.

"Well then you two better get back in your nest," Jay's Wing told them. "Can you come visit me tomorrow?"

Jay's Wing sensed waves of happiness radiate from the two as they broke into purrs. "Of course!"

"Great!" Jay's Wing was happy to finally have companions here who accepted him. "I'll ask Leafpool if I can go to the fresh-kill pile tomorrow. If you see me, come over. If not, ask Leafpool or your mother if you can visit."

"Okay!" Icekit said enthusiastically. "Come on Foxkit. Let's go back to Ferncloud before Dustpelt gets back. We don't want him to catch us or he won't let us visit Jay's Wing tomorrow."

"Right." Foxkit nodded. "Bye Jay's Wing!"

"Bye Foxkit, bye Icekit," Jay's Wing said waving his tail. It ached a bit but he ignored it as a warm feeling spread through his body and he broke into a purr.

"You four should get going to your nests," a voice rumbled. Jaypaw looked over to see a pale ginger she-cat watching him and the softpaws. In the dim light of the cave-like tunnel, her graying muzzle was hardly visibly but Jaypaw could hear the age in her voice.

"We could say the same for you,," Fish Leap responded good naturedly but got to his paws and flicked his tail to his peers. He let out a big yawn. "Later guys. I'm wiped."

"Were we keeping you up, Cloudy Sun?" Dove's Wing asked as Fish Leap padded away.

"No. I like listening to you youngsters, even if it is in the middle of the night."

"Is it really that late?" Half Moon asked.

Cloudy Sun shrugged. "I have no idea but the rest of the tribe is in their nests." She yawned. "Fish Leap was right… I really am getting too old to be staying up like this."

Dove's Wing purred. "You've still got plenty of good seasons in you."

"You think?" Cloudy Sun questioned. Dove's Wing nodded. "Well, these old bones of mine still need to settle down for the night… See you youngsters in the morning."

"Goodnight Cloudy Sun," Jaypaw called after her. Jaypaw liked the sweet elder. She was always looking out for him and his friends.

"I'm going to head to my nest," Dove's Wing announced, getting to her paws. "Don't stay up too late you two. Don't do anything I wouldn't."

Half Moon swatted at her playfully. Dove's Wing weaved around it and shot the pair a humorous smirk before leaving the main section of the tunnel to head to her den. Half Moon turned her attention to Jaypaw. "You're lucky to have such a great sister."

"I know," Jaypaw agreed.

"I'm glad we've all been staying up like this," Half Moon went on. "Just the four of us. After what happened with you and Fallen Leaves… I'm glad we've been spending time with her."

Jaypaw stiffened. The past few nights, he, Half Moon, Dove's Wing, and Fish Leap had stayed awake late into the night outside their dens just talking. Jaypaw was happy to, it meant he got to avoid the realm of sleep just a bit longer. He never questioned their reasons, he just thought they wanted the four of them to spend time together. He never wondered why. They're scared Dove's Wing is going to die.

Half Moon rose and yawned. "I think I'll turn in too. Goodnight Jay's Wing."

Jaypaw suddenly put a paw on hers. "Don't."

Her green eyes met his blue ones looking bewildered. "What?"

"Spend the night with me." He was surprised by the desperation in his voice. He focused his gaze on her eyes. Green not red… I need to see them when I wake…

Half Moon took a step back from him. "Did you not hear what your sister literally just told us?"

Jaypaw was confused. Then his mind clicked and his eyes widened. "No! I didn't mean like that. I meant like- I just-"

Half Moon broke into a purr broken with laughter. "I know, I know. You should've seen your face!"

Jaypaw relaxed. "Does that mean you'll spend the night with me?"

Half Moon's laughter died down. "You know I can't. When I'm a sharpclaw, yeah, but not right now."

"Please?" Jaypaw asked pleadingly. He saw Half Moon's eyes soften when she was the look on his face. "I don't want to be alone."

"Are you alright?" Half Moon asked worriedly. "Is this about what I said about Dove's Wing? I'm sure she'll be fine…"

"Please," Jaypaw repeated. "Just one night?"

Half Moon looked hesitant but she slowly nodded, giving in. "Alright. Just one night."

Jaypaw sighed in relief. I won't be alone tonight.

"I'll have to leave early," Half Moon told him. "We don't want any cat catching us."

"Don't worry, I usually wake up pretty early." Jaypaw grimaced. Ink guarantees that.

"You seem cheerful today," Leafpool commented as she sorted through her herbs stores.

"Yeah, I'm feeling pretty good today," Jay's Wing told her as he stretched his stiff muscles. It hurt a bit but he didn't let that stop him. "I actually slept pretty good last night. Weird dreams though."

"Oh? What about?"

Jay's Wing shrugged. "I dunno. Some cats. And badgers I think. I don't really remember too well. Maybe it'll come to me later. That happens sometimes."

Leafpool nodded absentmindedly. She seemed distracted. Jay's Wing decided now would be a good time as any to ask. "Hey, can I go to the fresh-kill pile today?"

Leafpool looked over at him surprised. "Of course. You don't need to ask. You're not confined to the den you know."

"Oh." Jay's Wing felt silly for a moment. "Okay. Well then, see you later."

"You too," Leafpool responded and turned back to the herb stores. Jay's Wing got to his paws slowly. His hind legs were still causing him problems but at least he didn't have to drag them after him like he used to.

Jay's Wing felt the warmth of the sun hit his fur as he stepped out of the medicine den. He breathed in deeply. He'd gotten used to the stuffy smell of herbs but nothing beat the fresh air.

Now. Time to navigate an unfamiliar area blind. Despite being stuck in Jaypaw's body for nearly a moon, Jay's Wing hadn't had the opportunity to learn how. Sounds hard but it's probably easier than I think it is.

Jay's Wing decided to go at it slowly and rely on his sense of smell to help guide him in the right direction. He loved the smell of the fresh-kill pile ever since Lionpaw showed it to him for the first time. It smelled unlike anything he had ever smelled before.

He used his ears to tell where other cats were. He could hear voices off several taillengths in various directions but no one seemed particularly interested in talking to him and he was thankful for that. He doubted he could handle talking to a strange cat and stumbling blind at the same time.

The camp wasn't huge so he made it to the fresh-kill pile before long. He stopped when the scent grew strong. He felt around with his paws. He didn't want to trip over it or fall into it. That would be embarrassing. And rude.

Jay's Wing's paw hit something and he knew he found it. Focusing his sense of smell, he selected a mouse and grabbed it by the tail. His teeth missed it a few times. He ran his chin down the warm body, trying to get a feel of it, and eventually managed to find the tail. He picked it up and walked a few tail lengths away and settled down to eat.

Jay's Wing bit into the prey, savoring the flavor. He noticed being blind made his tongue taste things better too. Prey was always better when you caught it yourself but this mouse was still pretty great. Especially since it was still pretty fresh.

"Jay's Wing!"

Jay's Wing looked up from his meal. His tail curled in joy. "Foxkit! Icekit!"

The two kits skidded to a halt before him. They kicked up some dust. It didn't get into his food but even if it had, he wouldn't have minded.

"How are you two doing?" Jay's Wing asked. "You didn't get caught did you?"

"No. We're too smart for that," Foxkit boasted.

Jay's Wing purred. "Do you two want to get some food? I've only got this mouse here… We could share but it's pretty small."

"I'll go get something," Icekit said.

"No you won't because I am," Foxkit said.

"Well I'm going to get the best prey!"

"No because I'll find the best piece on the pile!"

Firestar woke late in the day. Gatherings always made him do that. It usually made him a bit guilty. Being leader meant he got to sleep in. It was a luxury his clanmates didn't share. Oh well.

Sandstorm was long gone. Presumably on a patrol or something. Normally Firestar would wake up wondering what exactly he was supposed to do with his day since he didn't actually have to go on patrol anymore but not today. He actually had something to do today.

Firestar got to his feet and padded out of his den on the Highledge. The sun rained down from above, hitting his pelt. His pelt lit up like a blaze, blinding anyone who looked his way. If he was still the young cat he used to be, he would shake and let the light make his pelt glow even more but he was too old to be showing off like that.

Firestar looked around the camp. It wasn't sunhigh yet but it was still far past dawn. A lot of his clanmates were already out. The apprentices and their mentors were likely out training, the elders were sunning themselves, the queens were chatting outside the nursery, Rosekit and Toadkit were playing together… Where were Foxkit and Icekit?

The ThunderClan leader glanced around camp a bit until his eyes fell on three cats sitting not far from the fresh-kill pile. Ferncloud's kits were sharing a pigeon and the young grey tom beside them had a mouse. Firestar blinked in surprise. Jaypaw's out? I haven't seen him out since his accident.

Firestar dropped down and made his way across the camp to where the trio were sharing tongues. Icekit and Foxkit immediately went quiet and looked up at him, awed, but Jaypaw didn't seem to notice his presence.

"Jaypaw," Firestar spoke. Jaypaw jumped and looked around. Firestar withheld a sigh. "Can I speak to you? In private?"

"Sure," Jaypaw said, getting to his paws. He looked to Foxkit and Icekit. "I'll come look for you later if I can, alright?"

"Alright," Foxkit said.

"Bye Jay's Wing!" Icekit waved her tail goodbye before bounding off towards the nursery with her brother.

Firestar tilted his head in confusion. Jay's Wing? Jaypaw hasn't got his medicine cat name yet… And that's no clan name. How bad is his identity confusion? Firestar began looking over the young tom. He still showed signs of injury but that was expected. They didn't look too bad though. Firestar's mind went back to what Blackstar had told him the previous night and his pelt prickled with worry. Firestar beckoned Jaypaw- Jay's Wing- with his tail and took a few steps before realizing he wasn't following. "Um, Jaypaw?"

"Yes?"

"Follow me, will you?"

"Oh right." Jaypaw still didn't move.

"Jaypaw?"

"I'm blinder than a mole," Jaypaw stated. "I can't tell where you are or where you want me to go. Can you, y'know, guide me? Lionpaw usually just walks next to me so I can feel his flank and tell which way he's going but you sound taller than me. Maybe just give me your tail?"

Firestar flinched. Hard. Jaypaw asking for help? Stating his blindness like that? "R-right."

Firestar turned and offered his tail to the apprentice. Jaypaw felt it with his whiskers before clamping his teeth down on it. Firestar winced but Jaypaw was being gentle and it didn't hurt much. "Come on, we're going to my den."

Jaypaw didn't say anything. Firestar ignored the confused stares of his campmates as he lead Jaypaw up the rocks and into his den. Jaypaw seemed to sense they had arrived and let go of his tail and sat down. Firestar sat across from him.

"So who are you anyway?" Jaypaw asked suddenly.

Firestar flinched again. "I… I'm Firestar. Leader of ThunderClan."

"Cool. I'm Jay's Wing. Sharpclaw of the Tribe of Still Water."

Tribe? "That's… interesting," Firestar said slowly.

"Don't worry, I know you don't believe me. So what did you want to talk about?"

Guilt twinged in the orange tom's belly. "I just wanted to see how you're feeling."

"I'm fine. My injuries have been healing well and I don't hurt too much anymore."

"That's good but I meant emotionally. Can I ask how you were injured in the first place?"

Jaypaw- Jay's Wing?- shrugged. "I don't know. I don't really remember it that well. Last night I remembered these three cats but…"

Three cats? Was Jaypaw attacked? As much as he hated to admit it, Firestar hoped so. That was much better than the alternative.

"There's something you want to ask me about," Jaypaw said when Firestar didn't respond. "I can feel it. Just ask."

Firestar shifted his paws. "Your kithood… Your life now… Was it difficult?"

Jaypaw looked surprised. "I guess. I mean I thought it was but I kinda realized how lucky I was after I ended up in Jaypaw's pelt. I mean, his life is pretty terrible. Losing Falcon Swoop, that was hard. And Falling Rain leaving didn't help but I still had my sister, my best friend, and my love. Jaypaw, he didn't have that."

Firestar blinked. "What?"

Jaypaw laughed nervously. "I've never really talked about this before… It's kind of weird to talk about my feelings and all that. I was happy when I was really young. I don't remember it real well. But being a softpaw was hard, especially since I was alone so much. But I wasn't completely alone, not like Jaypaw. I don't really know much about him but it couldn't have been easy. He dreamed of being a warrior but ended up in that stuffy medicine den. He's only really close with his siblings but even then, it's just because they're littermates. And his parents… At least I have parents. Had parents."

What is he meowing about? Why is he talking about Jaypaw like he's a different cat? Did he really hit his head that hard? And what's this about Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight? "What do you mean at least you have parents?"

"I mean, everyone who's worried about Jaypaw has visited him but the brown tabby and the dark grey tom haven't visited him."

Firestar could feel his heartbeat in his chest. "Jaypaw, Squirrelflight and Bramblestar are your parents."

Jaypaw looked surprised. "Really? But that tabby… she ran off with that tom. The grey one. His pelt, it looked so nice on the field next to her brown fur. And then they had kits. Jaypaw, Lionpaw, and Hollypaw. The tom wasn't there, that ginger she-cat was. Jaypaw didn't have a father. And I don't think his mother was really there. That must've been hard. And he was blind. The darkness… it's lonely."

Despite his confusion, Firestar found himself putting his muzzle on Jaypaw's head comfortingly. Oh Jaypaw. What happened to you?