It had been a moon since I left the clans, and I had been traveling the mountains since quarter moon, and tonight would be the half-moon.I trudged alone through the mountains, my pads scraped and cut by the rough, stone surface. I managed to find a mouse, nibbling at a patch of grass in some sparse growth. It was thin and hungry, though it tasted like the juiciest rabbit to my under-used taste buds.

By the time I found a small grassy clearing, my paws were hard and bleeding and I could barely walk. I flopped down after bringing down a small falcon using a move that Crag taught me. I tucked in, savoring in the warm prey and I fell asleep, my stomach comfortably full. I woke up the next morning refreshed and feeling that something good was going to happen that day. I stretched, feeling my stiff muscles loosen. As I turned my head to wash my back, I realized just how much the mountains changed me.

My pelt, which had been smooth, unbroken golden back in the clans had grown patchy and dull. My ribs were clearly visible, and my muscles were hard and strong under my fur. I realized that I still bore the name of an apprentice, I was old enough to be even a deputy. I thought of Bluefur and Graystripe. I wonder if Bluefur is ever becoming a queen. Will Graystripe get an apprentice? How did Lionheart react to my disappearance?What about Goldenflower, and Sunfur?

I shook my head. "No," I said aloud. "I have to stop thinking about them. I'm far outside the clans and the Warrior Code now."

In the distance, I heard a shrill cry. I turned my ears to it. It wasn't a cat, that's for sure. I shrugged. It didn't come again. Perhaps I imagined it. I continued walking towards the setting sun, and it came again, much closer. I looked up, my eyes growing wide with fear as the biggest bird I had ever seen appeared above my head. It screeched and grabbed my back with it's thorn-sharp talons.

I yowled as pain shot through my back. It began to beat it's tremendous wings and I felt my paws being lifted off the ground. Suddenly, I saw a flash of yellow, and a cat leaped on the bird. A large, yellowish tom had leaped onto it, slicing it's wings. It fell with the extra weight. It released me, and I landed with a thump. I was barely conscious as the yellow cat sliced the bird again and I flew off with another screech.

He looked at me, his fur barely ruffled, amber eyes glowing. "Having trouble? Don't you watch the skies when your in the mountains?"

"I've never been in the mountains! How would I now that?"

He ignored her exclamation. "I'm Lightning. What's your name?"

"Phoenixpaw," I answered.

"Phoenixpaw, what a strange name."

"I got it from Thunderclan. I left awhile back ago."

He didn't ask why. "Come on, Phoenixpaw, I wanna take you to something."

I hesitated. Going off with a stranger? Then again, I thought. He did save my life. If he wanted to hurt me, he would've let the bird eat me. Without any other options, I followed the handsome tom. He looked back even to make sure I was following. He lead me straight forward. He brought me out of the mountains and into a grassy field beyond. As we padded over a small roll in the plain, I saw a glint ahead. As I got closer, I saw that it was a large expanse of water. It was thick, unlike a river that it lead nowhere.

"This is the lake," he announced.

"It's beautiful," I breathed.

He leaned towards me. "So are you," he whispered.

I expected to flinch away, but his scent drove me towards him. "I-I-I don't know why I feel attracted towards you, we just met!"

"I believe in love at first sight," he murmured softly.

"I've never loved before, is this what it feels like?"

"What do you feel?"

"Kind of scared and yet, not at the same time. Like I could stay here forever, but I couldn't. I just don't know!" I began to wail aloud.

He broke away for a second, and I wondered if I offended him, but when he glanced back at me, his eyes were gleaming with laughter. "Bet you can't catch me!"

"You wish! I trained as a warrior of Thunderclan!"

Now, he looked confused. "A what of what?"

"A warrior of Thunderclan." I settled down and began my story.

"You banished yourself?" he asked after I finished.

"I had to."

"You didn't have to tell them," he pointed out.

"I can't keep a secret for very long."

"I'll find a way to make you," he growled, his voice regaining all of it's playfulness.

"Let's see!" I yowled, shooting off, my tail streaming behind me.

I stepped into a muddy puddle outside of a twoleg den. Lightning was behind me, gently nudging me towards an easier path or to avoid a dog. "Are we almost out?" I asked him.

It had been four seasons since I left the clans, and it was deep in leaf-bare. Leaf-fall had been kind, but the cold winds showed no mercy as it sliced through my smooth coat. "Almost, just a little bit farther," he cooed.

I had decided that I couldn't be away from Thunderclan forever, and now I was returning and, no matter how much I wanted to see Crag Where Eagles Nest, I knew it would be safer to go through twolegplace. And besides, how could I like Crag when I like Lightning more?

I yawned. Lightning looked at me, concern clouding his eyes. "Are you okay? Your normally not tired ever!"

I yawned again. "I guess I'm just not used to being on my paws from sunrise to sunset. We took it easy when we lived by the lake." But even as I spoke, I couldn't even convince myself. Just yesterday, I had a horrible upset stomach that stopped us from moving. What was wrong with me?

"Let's rest for awhile," he suggested.

"Okay," I agreed.

As we settled down in a small enclosed clearing, he instructed me to lie down. I didn't know why, but I did it anyway. Tentatively, he prodded my stomach. I yelped with pain and he recoiled. "Did I hurt you? I barely touched you!"

"No, it's okay, just a pang."

He continued. "What are you doing?" I asked him.

He was silent for a few more seconds. Finally, his gaze lit up but he didn't say anything accept, "Let's get some rest and I'll tell you tomorrow."

Nodding in agreement, I drifted into sleep as he rasped his tongue over my flank. The next morning, he was moving all about, making the place comfortable as if we where staying there forever. "Lightning, now will you tell me what's up?"

He turned to me, surprised to see me awake. "Phoenixpaw, your expecting kits!"