Chapter 18! We are nearing chapter 20! I have the small quiz written out, and if all the questions are answered correctly then there is a prize. I have a few ideas in mind, but if there is any that sounds fine to you guys then tell me in your review and I might just do that instead. The thing I am thinking is maybe the plot summary for the sequel. Maybe. It might reveal too much, so I would have to maybe modify it a bit.

Anyway, so I also noticed a mistake I made. In one 'fact' I said the sisters' mother was dead. In the next one I said she may be dead. But she is dead and whenever it refers to their mother it means the queen who took them in.

Last chapter got positives reviews! Yay! As you know, I was concerned with the lack of action in it. But it turned out for the better. I also said this chapter would have more action, but it isn't action-filled like the battle scene.

FACT: Ashpaw was supposed to have two she-cats that he loved and he would have to choose which one to be with. I didn't write that in because that's not how I want his character to be portrayed. He is not supposed to be the type of cat that would be in love with two cats at the same time. When he loves a cat, he is committed.

Rain pattered on the ground, melting whatever was left of the snow. Rainpaw peeked out of the apprentice's den, shuddering from the cold air. I had been warming up as the ground thawed. She was so eager for new-leaf, but her happiness was always cut short by her responsibilities.

She was a senior apprentice. Soon there would be other, new apprentices. Young, excited, confident...just like her and her two sisters had been when they were first apprenticed. It bothered her, though, since the 'new apprentices' would be her half siblings.

In the middle of leaf-bare Rainpaw's father, Timberfall, announced that Daisynose was carrying his kits. Every cat was surprised, sure, but it was undeniable that there was troubles between Tawnyfoot, Rainpaw's mother, and Timberfall. They never sat around one another and gave each other cold, blank stares. Needless to say, it was over between them.

Rainpaw had been monitoring her father as he and Daisynose slowly grew closer. Well, not so slowly as they had been expecting kits in leaf-bare. There was Pinekit and Dustkit, both toms. Rainpaw had overheard Timberfall mention his disappointment that his first litter was all she-cats. Now he had the sons he wanted.

Pinekit and Dustkit would become apprentices just before Rainpaw became a warrior. She was pleased she was older and therefore superior to them. Creampaw especially was happy about that since she was the least welcoming to the new family members.

Meanwhile, Blackpaw was now Blackpelt and Flowerpaw was Flowerfall.

Rainpaw sighed, rolling on to her side. She blinked up at the roof of the apprentice's den, trying to tune out of Dapplepaw's and Creampaw's conversation. She failed miserably.

"Why didn't you give the herbs to Foxstep?" Dapplepaw demanded, her voice still hoarse. She was finally able to go outside of the medicine cat's den. Rushwater allowed her some fresh air, at least. "He's dying in there! What were you thinking?"

Creampaw snorted, turning away. "I was trying to save your life! And I succeeded!" She looked troubled and her tail swished rapidly in the mud.

"You could have just given the catmint to him! It would have been way easier-"

"No!" Creampaw whipped around so she faced Dapplepaw, who jerked back slightly from the sudden movements. "No. It was the hardest choice I have ever made in my life, Dapplepaw. I love you both so much! I suffered more than any cat in that moment! Do I feel bad that Foxstep doesn't have herbs? Yes! But do I regret saving your life? No. Stop making me feel guilty!"

Rainpaw's eyes widened in surprise, but she was not the only cat. Dapplepaw was stunned, while a few other cats stared at the scene. It wasn't easy, but Creampaw made the right choice. Besides, Foxstep will heal, I am sure of it, Rainpaw thought.

"I'm...sorry. I didn't think I was...I'm just sorry." Dapplepaw ducked out of the apprentice's den, probably heading for the medicine cat's den. Creampaw turned away, flicking her ears with irritation.

"You didn't need to snap at her like that," Rainpaw meowed, regretting it as soon as she did. She cast a look at her sister, who had flattened her ears.

"Why is everything my fault? I saved her, and all I get is anger? For StarClan's sake! I made a tough decision. And right now it doesn't seem like I made the right one!" With that Creampaw stomped away.

Rainpaw sighed and got to her paws. She pushed away the feeling of guilt she had after talking to Creampaw. She headed for the exit of the camp, a plan running through her head.

Dapplepaw was on a mission to kill Rosepaw; she had good reason. The cat ruined lives and caused misery. Still, Ashpaw was trying to steer Dapplepaw away from the murderous path, yet he secretly asked Rainpaw to spy on Rosepaw, claiming he wanted to make sure she wasn't causing more havoc.

Ashpaw had also told her that Rosepaw always went toward the Kittypet Place. That was confusing, and the only explanation was that Rosepaw was getting fed extra food, especially since when Rainpaw last saw her she was double the weight of other cats in leaf-bare.

The forest was silent aside from the sound of dripping rain as the water fell from the branches. Rainpaw did her best to dodge puddles that were forming on the sodden ground. Not much prey rustled in the bushes, though Rainpaw hoped they would return soon.

Rainpaw easily stepped over the border marking, leaving her in territory that the clans had not claimed. She glanced at the apple tree where Dapplepaw and Ashpaw met at night and felt a stab of jealousy. Stop it. You've given Dapplepaw your blessing to be with Ashpaw. Not that she needs it but...you need to let him go. Find some other cat.

Even though Rainpaw wasn't thinking clearly during most of her apprenticeship, it was hard to push away affection that had taken control of her life for so long. Every time she looked at Ashpaw she could feel the love that she once had for him. Every time he looked at Dapplepaw with love and affection, her heart shattered just a tiny bit.

Lost in her thoughts, Rainpaw hadn't realized she was on the edge of a thunderpath. She glanced around for monsters before leaping on the hard, exposed stone to bolt across.

Rosepaw's scent lingered in the air, confirming that she actually was there. Rainpaw flared her ears and listened for any cats.

"That was better, but still not good enough. Watch me...again."

Rosepaw's voice was clear in the crisp air. Rainpaw crept closer, peering through a fence. The white SunClan warrior was displaying a battle move to a young tom.

"Try that again," Rosepaw meowed, exasperated. She seemed tired and a tad annoyed as she watched the tom. "You can do it, Spruce."

"I'm sorry, Rose. This is a hard one for me." He attempted the battle move once again with success, and Rosepaw's face lit up. "Was that good?"

"Much better!" Rosepaw exclaimed, relief flashing over her face.

Rainpaw stepped back, tilting her head to the side. "Is she training a kittypet?" she whispered quietly to herself. She was about to look again when paws pulled her backward and flipped her on to her back.

Rainpaw let out a yelp of surprise as she found herself staring at another young tom, but this one looked far stronger than Spruce. "What are you doing here?" he snarled, clearly having a worse temper than Spruce.

"Get off me!" Rainpaw hissed, kicking his stomach. The tom's eyes widened at the force of such a small cat. He stumbled off of her. Rainpaw shot to his side and rammed into him, this time placing her own paw on his throat before he could get back up. "Who are you?" she snarled, making an effort to keep her voice quiet.

The tom snorted, eyes narrowing. "Why would I tell you?" he snapped. Rainpaw pressed her paw down harder on his neck. "Okay! Fine! I'm Sparrow. Now who are you?"

"I'm Rainpaw from LeafClan," Rainpaw answered carefully. She got off of him and stepped back, ready to attack him if necessary. "Why did you attack me?"

"Because I thought you were like her...Rose, I mean." Sparrow rolled his eyes and sat down. "But I know her real name is Rosepaw, like yours. I know about the clans and the forest."

"What has Rosepaw been up to?" Rainpaw demanded the second he mentioned her name, forgetting he was an enemy cat. "Does she come here every day? Why? Who is that other cat named Spruce?"

Sparrow's eyes darkened as he surveyed her. "She does. She is training Spruce against my wishes and is planning on using him for something. I don't know what. He's so naive. He also has fluff in his brain since he thinks he is in love with her."

Rainpaw frowned, also sitting down. "Why a weak kittypet? Why train Spruce instead of you?"

"I am not as foolish as that smitten cat," Sparrow replied with another roll of his eyes. "I can't seem to convince him to chase Rose away." His eyes quickly flicked to her. "But you know Rose, apparently."

"Yeah," Rainpaw said bitterly as she thought of the snow white she-cat. "Yeah I know her. She killed my sister and to take my her love away." She glanced away, picturing herself chasing Rosepaw away from the clans once and for all.

Sparrow took a wary step closer. "Your sister's love...or your own?" he asked, a hint of suspicion in his voice. "I can read cats, Rainpaw. I know what they are feeling."

"Am I that obvious?" Rainpaw tilted her head to the side. Can every cat see that I am not over Ashpaw yet?

Sparrow shrugged, giving her a small nod. "To me it is," he replied. His gaze almost looked friendly for a moment before he snapped back to his old self. "Well, um, how can I get rid of her?"

"Um, right. Well, I'm am trying to do that as well. I'm spying on her." Rainpaw started walking along the thunderpath, peering through fences as she walked. Some had dogs, while some were empty. However, there was an abundance of birds, which was most likely the reason Rosepaw was so heavy.

Sparrow caught up and fell into step with her. "We can work together. I mean, we want the same thing. I am trying to protect Spruce. He's...he's my brother. But he can be so stupid at times."

Rainpaw ran his offer through her head quickly. Sure, he could turn his back on the deal and side with Rosepaw, but Sparrow seemed genuine. "I know the feeling of wanting to protect a sibling. So yes, we have a deal." She stopped in her tracks. "Where in the name of StarClan am I going?"

"StarClan?" Sparrow asked her curiously. He also paused with one foot half raised. "I've heard Rose say that too. What is it?"

"It's the place where all the deceased cats go. I'm sure kittypets go there as well," Rainpaw explained, slightly surprised that he didn't know what the sacred place was.

"Kittypets?"

Rainpaw sighed, trying to focus on her forest vocabulary. "I mean...um, well...cats like you, I guess. Cats that live in the Twoleg nests and eat those dry crumbs."

Sparrow appeared even more confused. "You mean house cats? And what is a Twoleg?"

Rainpaw frowned, not knowing any other way to describe the furless beings. "Well, the creatures that feed you. They have no fur and walk on two legs."

"Humans?" Sparrow confirmed, sitting down. "We call them humans. And they live in houses, not nests. They're pretty warm, to be honest."

"Oh." Rainpaw shivered when she thought about the biting cold of the forest air. "Humans...house," she repeated slowly. Those were weird names for such things. "Well, it's been a pleasure, Sparrow, but I need to get back to my clan."

"Okay, then." Sparrow got to his paws. "When will you be back?"

"Probably tomorrow." Without another word, Rainpaw leapt on to the thunderpath.

"How did it go?" Creampaw demanded as soon as Rainpaw slipped into the camp. The almost white she-cat's blue eyes were wide open with curiosity, but a certain dull look loomed over her.

Rainpaw padded past her, glancing at Creampaw. "Well...," she paused, about to tell her about Sparrow. Her mind quickly changed as she studied Creampaw more closely. Her sister seemed tired, as though she hadn't slept much. Her fur was limp and her tail was dragging. Her eyes were bright for a moment before they lost their glow and faded to a depressed appearance. Her sister was sad. "How's Foxstep?"

At the mention of the ginger tom, Creampaw cringed away, grief covering her expression. "He's doing bad," she whispered, her moment of strength gone. "And I can't do anything. He just sleeps a lot. He says he doesn't want to eat but Rushwater says he needs to. His cough is worse..."

Rainpaw felt a wave of sympathy wash over her for her sister. "Creampaw, he'll be okay. You know that, right?"

Bewilderment crossed Creampaw's face. "Okay?" she spat. "He's clearly dying because of me! Don't you see that? Dapplepaw sure does!"

"No, she didn't mean to-"

"Stop it!" Creampaw seemed frustrated and her tail was flicking. "Just, please, stop it. I can't hear any more of this. I just want to spend the rest of Foxstep's time with him."

She turned and padded toward the medicine cat's den with her tail dragging in the murky rain water. Rainpaw sighed, facing away. Please, StarClan. Foxstep deserves to live a happy life. He lost Sweetpaw...but please don't make him die before he has lived his life with Creampaw.

Rainpaw spotted the scrawny pile of prey and took a wary step toward it. She hesitated, then turned away. There was barely enough prey to go around. It would be best to leave if for the elders and kits.

"Rainpaw!"

Dapplepaw was trotting over. She looked much healthier than when Rainpaw had left. Her fur was getting bushy again, while her green eyes seemed brighter. "Are you okay? Please say yes. Creampaw is devastated."

"I know. But I am fine." Rainpaw sighed and cast a glance at the medicine cat's den. "I hope Silverwhisker excuses her for a few days. Anyway, I found out what Rosepaw has been up to."

"Oh yeah? What is it?" Dapplepaw meowed, tilting her head to the side. "Ashpaw told me that he asked you to spy on her, by the way." She sat down, her tail accidentally flicking into a puddle of water. "Ugh! Stupid rain!"

Rainpaw let out a small mrrw of laughter before continuing. "You'll never believe it. She's training another cat. A kittypet of all things!"

Surprise struck Dapplepaw as she listened. "A kittypet? A real one? Why?"

"Because he will do what she says. A smart, trained warrior wouldn't do that. But I also met another cat named Sparrow. He's a kittypet too, but he's different. He's almost like a forest cat, aside from his slight weight enhancement."

"Is he your new friend?" Dapplepaw asked suspiciously. She started to groom her tail, which was still dripping water droplets. "Be careful."

"No...like I said, he's different. He cares for that kittypet, named Spruce, and he's on our side, Dapplepaw. Trust me."

Well...? Good? Bad? You know you must tell me in a review! I'm thinking 223 reviews for the next chapter!

NEXT CHAPTER: After Rainpaw grows closer to Sparrow and introduces him to Ashpaw and Dapplepaw, Ashpaw begins to think about the future he can have with Dapplepaw when they are in two different clans.

QUESTION: What do you think Rosepaw's plan is? What do you think she needs a trained warrior for? Let me know!