QUESTION ANSWERING TIME!

1. How is Dapplekit related to Spottedpelt (and the others)? Well, remember the chapter 'Love Betrayal'? It shows that Fishwing and Haretail are newly mates. REMEMBER, HARETAIL IS THE FATHER OF THE EIGHT! (:

Enjoy the chapter!

Winged: Chapter 16: Touching The Clouds

Flightwing sat in his nest, thinking about the meeting yesterday. Could it be true? Could we all possibly be rogues? He thought in confusion. Flightwing shook his head wildly. That's mouse-brained! I know that Haretail and Skyfeather are my parents! He rose out of his nest, restlessly. It was a little earlier than dawn, so the dawn patrol wasn't out yet. Maybe I could do an early hunting patrol by myself. Nodding to himself, he bounded out of the Warriors den.

"Where are you going, Flightwing?" Spiderleg - Who was on guard - asked as he approached the camp entrance. "Just going for a little hunt, thats all." Flightwing mewed curtly. Spiderleg nodded, flicking his tail for approval. Flightwing dipped his head and leaped through the entrance. He walked a little ways and sat. He sniffed, trying to pick up a juicy prey scent. Mouse! He thought, bouncing to his paws. Flightwing got into a hunters crouch, sneaking his way over to a bush.

He peeked his head through the bush, seeing the mouse nibbling on something. Flightwing swiftly jumped into the air, killing it in heartbeats. "Good catch, Flightwing." Flightwing's heart thumped as he looked up. "Who are you? Why are you on ThunderClan territory?" The cat in front of him was a gray she-cat with messy fur, terribly yellow teeth, and a small snout. She snorted. "Warriors these days!" She sniffed. "They are always somewhat suspicious about everything!"

She rolled her eyes, as if brushing the words away. "Anyways, I'm Yellowfang. I was Medicine Cat before Leafpool's mentor, Cinderpelt." "So you're from StarClan?" "No, I'm from the lake. I'm part fish!" She said sarcastically. "Of course I'm from StarClan, mouse-brain!" He backed up a moment. "Sorry, Yellowfang." She sighed, and purred dryly. "It's fine, Flightwing,"

"I know you're curious about your future, and who your parents are." He nodded. "Well, I can tell you now you are full ThunderClan." Flightwing's eyes gleamed with happiness, as he gave a small bounce. "Sadly, for your half-brothers and sisters, I cannot say the same." He gasped. "H-how!? How are we even related?"

Yellowfang rolled her eyes. "How do you not know? Haretail screwed up by mating with other she-cats in other Clans!" Flightwing bounced back, as if a badger were leaping at him. "But he- he's loyal!" Yellowfang shook her head, secretly sympathizing him. "No, Flightwing, he is not loyal. He will be gone from ThunderClan, soon." "Why? How? Please, I must know!" But Yellowfang was already gone, only leaving twinkling stars to show her presence.

He growled in anger and confusion. "Why must things be so terribly confusing?" Flightwing sighed and carried on with his hunt. He sniffed around, smelling a squirrel, vole, and thrush. He started to sprint. As he sprinted faster and faster, he leapt into the air. He felt something touch his back. Glancing around in midair, he saw wings coming out of his back. "AH!" He screeched, falling to the ground.

Not caring if he was injured, he glanced around, hoping it was just a mirage. But it wasn't. The wings where still sitting on his back.

"H-How?!" He wailed to the skies. Flightwing looked around in fear. What if his Clanmates saw him like this?! He sighed, thumping his head onto the ground. While these things are still on my back, why not test them out? Flightwing stumbled up onto his feet. He ran faster and faster again, and leapt into the air. He felt power surge through his wings, and felt the air from the batting wings.

"Wow!" He mewed. "I'm flying!" But as he was distracted, he fell to the ground again. "Hmph!" He growled. Should I tell Hazefeather? What if we both share this power? Flightwing thought, I must tell her! We're littermates! Picking himself off the ground, he stumbled closer to camp. He froze. What if the wings are still on my back? I cannot go into camp like this!

He quickly glanced around, sighing with relief as he saw the wings gone. He padded in the camp, nodding to Spiderleg again. He tossed the mouse on the fresh-kill pile. "Have you seen Hazefeather, Spiderleg?" Spiderleg nodded. "She just went out on patrol with Sandstorm, Dustpelt, Lionblaze and Dovepaw." "Thanks," Flightwing mewed hurriedly, springing out of camp again.

He could scent his sister as he approached the Sky Oak. "I smell mouse. Wanna hunt, Dovepaw?" Flightwing heard Lionblaze mew. "Sure, but, I smell more than mouse. I can scent Flightwing approaching." "You're right, Dovepaw. Good nose." Flightwing said as he pelted out of the bushes. "Lionblaze, is Hazefeather around?"

The tom nodded, flicking his tail toward the lake. "She's down there with Sandstorm." "Thanks, Lionblaze. Keep up the good work, Dovepaw." He pelted away to lake. He didn't dare run, as Sandstorm might see his wings. As he skid down on the pebbles, he saw Sandstorm and Hazefeather chatting. "Hazefeather!" Flightwing called, bounding toward her. "Oh, hey," She replied nonchalantly. "What's up? Did Brambleclaw put you on a patrol on your own?" She teased. Flightwing shuffled his paws before looking to Sandstorm, ignoring Hazefeather. "May I borrow her for a moment? I need to tell her something important."

She purred. "Sure. You two take your time." Flightwing glanced at Hazefeather, signaling her to follow him. They bounded into a secret part of the forest, where no cats typically visited. "What's all this fuss, Flightwing? Couldn't you see I was on patrol?" "Hazefeather. You remember the meeting?" Hazefeather nodded, beckoning him to speak. "Remember what Snakefang said? About how he felt like he was able to fly?" She nodded irritably. "Get on with it, Flightwing! I don't have all day to talk!"

He nodded, shuffling his paws again. "Well, this morning, I went hunting alone. As I ran to catch a piece of prey, I leapt into the air, staying there for several moments." Flightwing paused, staring in Hazefeather's eyes. "I looked over my shoulder, and wings were sprouted upon my back!" She snorted, then rolled over in laughter. "Flightwing, they weren't kidding when they say you're a crazy furball!" Anger sprouted in his chest, as a low growl came out of his mouth.

"Listen, Hazefeather! This isn't a kit game I'm playing! This is serious!" Hazefeather stood, hearing the urgent tone in his voice. She looked into his eyes, seeing he was very serious. "Come with me. I must show you!"

He brought Hazefeather into a clearing. He glared over at her, nodding quickly. Flightwing sprinted quickly. He ran quicker and quicker, until he leapt into the air. The beautiful white wings sprouted out of his back, and carried him into the skies. He landed in heartbeats, hoping no cat saw him. "Do you believe me now?" She nodded, mouth agape. "I'll give it a shot," She mewed, sprinting into the field. She did the same actions as Flightwing. Heartbeats later, wings sprouted from her back, carrying her higher and higher.

"I'll join you, Hazefeather!" Flightwing yowled to his sister, running and leaping. They were soon both in the air, wings beating at the wind. "I can see RiverClan from here!" Hazefeather mewed to him. He nodded back. Now, receiving this power, I know well I am apart of the eight. We must all share this power. He thought in awe as he floated above the field.

He felt, at this height, that he was able to touch the stars. But for now, he would have to settle with touching the clouds.

~Dovecloud30