Here's chapter ten! I won't be updating as much considering how school has went back in. I'll be updating maybe once a week or less...maybe once every two weeks. But I won't let this story die! I swear!

I like the dreams of the future better than the dreams of the past - Thomas Jefferson

Chapter 10

Snowpaw tried everything she could to get choosen to go to Moonstone. She made sure to be the first one up and made sure to stay in Icestar's gaze as she worked. She could tell Icestar was watching her from the prickling feeling on the back of her neck each time she passed.

To her joy, she was choosen to go to Moonstone with Icestar, along with Pantherblaze and Hollyleaf. She was still too young to become a warrior, but the trip would clear up one of the requirements.

She awoke on the 5th day after the gathering, ready to head out. Icestar was just emerging from her den, and when she saw Snowpaw, she looked away. Snowpaw felt anger rise in her chest again, but let it drop. She was going to Moonstone. She was still mad at her leader, but she wouldn't let that ruin the trip.

Hollyleaf, Pantherblaze and Wolfwind appeared from the warriors den. Hollyleaf nodded at Snowpaw, who nodded back. Pantherblaze nuzzled Wolfdwind affectionatly before the two warriors headed toward the medicine cats den. Wolfwind turned and disappeared into the warriors den. Snowpaw followed the two warriors.

Entering Spiceleaf's den, Snowpaw found that the traveling herbs were all ready. Finding her herbs, she chewed up the plants and cringed at the tang and nasty taste. They were ready. Icestar turned to the entrance and exited, heading toward Cinderfang near the warriors den. Cinderfang was chatting with Oakstripe while they ate. Icestar said something to Cinderfang, who looked surprised, but nodded. Snowpaw cocked her head and resisted the urge to eavesdrop. Instead, she turned toward the nursery.

There was only one queen in the nursery. Silverpool was a beautiful silver tabby she-cat. She was sitting near the front of the den, watching her three kits leap at each other. Snowpaw stepped inside, and purred at the sight of the three kits. Silverpool greeted her with a curt nod and the three kits lifted their heads.

"Snowpaw!" one mewed. It was the tom kit Pebblekit that was the most excieted to see her. The tom looked more like his father than anything. Swiftstep had died not long before their birth. Pebblekit was a small brown tabby like his father, but had white paws like his mother. His amber eyes glowed as he scampered up to Snowpaw. The other two, a silver she-kit named Rainkit and a gray she-kit named Stormkit just watched.

"Hi, Pebblekit," Snowpaw purred, sitting down. Pebblekit wrapped himself around Snowpaw's legs. Pebblekit wasn't really like his sister. Not only in looks. but in attitude. The small kit could get along with anyone, but his sisters were hardheaded.

"Guess what, Snowpaw?" the tom kit mewed, crouching as if ready to pounce, his small body quivering with excietment. "I'm already 5 moons old! One more moon and I'll be an apprentice!" Snowpaw nodded, nudging the small kit.

"That's awesome, Pebblekit," Snowpaw purred, licking the kit on the head. "But, I have to go. I'm going to Moonstone today." She couldn't help but feel proud when the young kit gasped in awe.

"Really? Wow! Will you tell me what it's like when you get back, Snowpaw?" Pebblekit meowed, half jumping. Snowpaw laughed and nodded before bidding the nursery dwellers farewell. Just as she emerged from the den, Icestar appeared from hers as well, and Snowpaw followed her leader to the entrance. The two warrior, one apprentice, and leader exited the camp.

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They met the other three leaders around sundown, and the four leaders, along with one warrior, headed toward Highstones. They arrived around moonhigh, their paws tired and hunger starting to settle on their bellies. Snowpaw plodded on, yet her paws felt like lead. When they reached Highstones, Icestar turned to them, her green eyes shining silver in the moonlight. Snowpaw and the other warriors stopped, and looked at Icestar.

"Pantherblaze and Hollyleaf will remain here on guard," Icestar meowed, and the two warriors nodded. "Snowpaw, you will acompany me inside." Snowpaw felt a jolt of excietment and her heart pounded loudly. Since no other leader had brung an apprentice, the other warriors were to stand guard as well. The four leaders and Snowpaw entered the darkness.

Snowpaw panicked in the darkness. The only thing that kept her from crying out in clastrophobia was the familar scent of Icestar, and a sudden urge to continue. Her heart was hammering, but she dared not say anything. The cave got so narrow, her whiskers touched the edge of the rock, and her breathing stopped. Just when she thought she was going to faint, the cave opened up again, and Snowpaw took a gasp of breath, in awe and in joy.

The Moonstone was about 3 tail lenghts high, and was glimmering with all the stars of StarClan it seemed, even without the moonlight shining on it. Her eyes sparkled in the dew drops inside the crystal. Icestar's gleaming silver eyes scanned the apprentice, before she and the other leaders sat and waited. Snowpaw, confused, did the same.

Almost at once, the entire cave lit up with a brillant flash of dazzling light. Snowpaw tried to look away, but couldn't. The Moonstone seemed to be on fire, and made of ice at the same time. Her eyes reflected the moons rays and Snowpaw barely noticed the four leaders place there noses against the rock. Snowpaw looked in awe at the rock, and suddenly, she was placed in a vision.

Blood was the only scent that surrounded her. There were screams as darkness consumed her, and just as suddenly, replaced by an image of the ThunderClan camp. Blood and bodies littered the ground, and Snowpaw gasped silently. ThunderClan cats fought against unfamliar cats, when just as suddenly they became famliar the moment she saw a flash of white, and it was clear.

FangClan was the attacking ThunderClan.

Snowpaw opened her mouth to scream, but nothing came from her mouth. The only sounds was that of screaming cats. She watched as a familar gray tom and a strange black she-cat circled each other. The she-cat leaped, and killed the tom with one blow of her savage claws.

Cinderfang.

Snowpaw let out a silent yowl of grief and warning when she saw Perish sneaking up on Icestar, her leader who was already in battle with another cat. There was a slash, a thud, and Snowpaw saw her leaders motionless body at the paws of her own mother, who let out a chilling laugh.

No!

Snowpaw shook her head, trying to remove the image. but it remained, even inside of her mind; Icestar's sightless gaze staring at the starless sky, Cinderfang's bleeding body. She screamed silently. Then, it was gone. As if it wasn't there. But the horrible smell of blood remained. Snowpaw stood in Fourtrees, her gaze unmoving as a form shaped before her. A flame red tom stood before her, his fur sparkling with the stars of StarClan. Snowpaw looked at him in awe. This was the cat she had heard about in stories. The cat that had saved so many lives. And lost some in the process.

Firestar.

"Snowpaw," His voice was like the wind, soft, yet demanding and intellegent. "Flame can save, but it can also melt the snow." Snowpaw stepped toward the silohette of the legendary leader, but with each step her faded.

"Wait!" she cried, as he disappeared, all but his green eyes. "What does that mean?"

"Flame can save, but it can also melt the snow."

And he was gone.

Snowpaw blinked, her cries of "Come back! Come back!" unanswered. She was suddenly back in Moonstone, the stone's glittering presence gone, replaced by the less powerful, but very awing regular shine. The four leaders were just stirring. Snowpaw blinked again.

What had Firestar meant?

Yes and with the kit thing, Pebblekit will be very important. Maybe not in this book, but later in the series. Thanks for reading! And PLEASE review!

SoL