Back to Willow! Now that I'm almost past the exposition, I should be more inclined to write. I don't have anything crazy going on for a while, which is absolutely fantastic. This chapter basically wrote itself. Looking back at my original version of this (which isn't all updated on here) for inspiration helps. I'm following close to the original plot, and the characters are pretty identical but have developed much better (with my writing being much more advanced, thank goodness!) So sorry about the long author's note, here's the story!

ANOTHER'S POWERS
WILLOW

I was furious that Eagleleaf didn't pick me to be leader. I had anger problems, sure. I was young, sure. But I was clearly the most intelligent choice. Besides, there hasn't been a she-cat leader or deputy in generations. I was so mad at Waverunner and Finchwing that I began to take off into a run in their direction. My claws were unsheathed. I was running into a battle I could logically not win, but I was so mad that I'd do anything to get revenge.

Not much later; I was in a rocky situation. Waverunner and Finchwing had me cornered, on a cliff above the lake. "What the Dark Forest, Willowdawn? We thought you were one we could trust," Waverunner looked fairly concerned.

"At this point in time, I think there's only one logical ending to this," I snapped, backing up, "you let me off this damn rock, and make me deputy."

"No, he's deputy, fair and square," Waverunner hissed, "and you, I'm afraid, are my subject." He stared me down, "bow down, subject." He spat it again, "bow down, subject!" When I didn't obey, Finchwing took a step towards me.

"Running out of time, Willowdawn," Finchwing teased, "you better obey."

"Why should I bow down to someone like you?"

I had one step left- one step left and I was vulture food.

"Bow down," Waverunner's voice seemed to boom over me, as Finchwing took a step and I was forced to fall. Only… I didn't. Well, a bit. In the middle of my fall, I was suspended. I sat in midair, feeling like there was something holding me up. I looked over, to see a distressed Cinderdapple, who was exceedingly focused on me.

"How…" she mumbled, before moving me back onto the rock, knocking Finchwing out of the way. FInchwing and Waverunner fell limp.

"Cinderdapple! Did you… how…?"

"I don't know, it just happened," she replied, terrified.

"Thank StarClan for this!" I was nearly worked up. "Cinderdapple, you saved my life! But… but…" It all fell into reality. "That's impossible. And… and magic isn't real." If it was real, it had got to be pretty dangerous. She'd killed Waverunner and Finchwing, without trying. But she also saved me. Not once did it occur to me to act jealous. Which was strange, because I was jealous most of the time. At this point, all I was was thankful to be alive. I didn't get chosen for deputy or leader, but it at this point, did it even matter?

That night, I swear the stars were aligned differently. Maybe it was just me. I couldn't sleep. What was up with me? Had the discovery of Cinderdapple's powers thrown me off? No. They couldn't have. They were another cat's powers, not mine. What if I did have powers? What might I use them for? More importantly, what might they be? Something elemental, or… or… I was getting carried away. I took a deep breath, before remembering. You're Willowdawn. You are a ThunderClan cat, and you are absolutely normal. But Cinderdapple had thought she was normal. So was I, really? All the conspiracies were making my head hurt…

Are you really normal, Willowdawn? Because I say you're not.

Who the Dark Forest are you? I thought to myself, or to whoever. A new voice. In my head. It laughed.

You are anything but normal, Willowdawn. You're as special as they come.

Who are you? I restated the question.

I cannot say, Willowstar. But the one thing I do know is how to help.

I don't need your help.

Yes, you do. Don't you want to unlock more power than your sister?

Well, of course, but that's not realis-

No, Willowdawn, it is in fact completely realistic. Close your eyes now, we can speak in the morning…

I rolled my eyes, not believing this. But I closed them anyway, before miraculously falling into a deep sleep.

Gosh, that was a strange dream. Powers. Ha. I stretched myself out, with no reply from the mysterious voice. It had had to be a dream. I walked out of the den, only to see a distressed Eagleleaf talking to Fallowsnout.

"I can't keep doing this. I'm sorry, but I need to speak with Blackstar," Eagleleaf frowned, "but I'll still help you, Fallowsnout, when I can." What is he talking about…? I padded over to him, the coolness of the wind chilling my fur. "Morning, Willowdawn." The medicine cat bowed his head in greeting.

"No need to be formal, Eagle," I blushed, a bit embarrassed by his actions, "What were you and Fallowsnout discussing?" Eagleleaf cast a normal glance in the direction of the fleeing Fallowsnout.

"I'm going to become a warrior, Willowdawn," he sighed, taking a deep breath. My face lit up.

"Oh my stars, that's wonderful!" after a second of happiness, I frowned, "but won't you have to train?"

"Sure," he shrugged, "but I'll probably keep my name." For a moment we just stared at each other, both extremely happy. I was happy for him, and he… well, he was probably happy for himself. Himself. Obviously. Who else would he be happy for? The thought of the both of us fleeted. He probably didn't even think of loving selfish old me. But… but what if he did? He made me happy, could I ever bring him joy too?

Feelings. I had never had feelings like these. I didn't know how to juggle them. Until now I'd only seen Eagleleaf as a friend. But now, there was a small chance that someday we could get together. And that made me far too happy. Vying for a cat you could never have was tough enough, why did he finally have to be within grasp?

"Well," I broke the sudden silence, "you should go speak with Blackstar now, shouldn't you?"

"I suppose," Eagleleaf shrugged, before beginning to walk away. But before he reached the leader's den, he turned, and cast me a smile, "wish me luck, Willowdawn."

"Good luck, Eagleleaf," I replied, with a hopeful smile. Oh gosh, I really do like him...