Cinderdreams: thank you, I don't think this one is as good, but please enjoy the chapter!

Runningstorm: Thank you, this story is far from over

Cloudfire: Sad, isn't it? Poor, poor, Darkflower...

Shad Who Sulks In Shadows: That I cannot tell you, it would spoil the future.

Pebblepaw: You'll see...

How would you want to die? I asked that to Darkflower once. She looked over at me, really strangely and a little surprised, then glanced towards Blackstripe and laughed softly, and told me 'Anyway, as long I'm with the one I love'. I was so confused then, before I knew that love was alive, and that it was a struggle. I was so ignorant then, it seemed, and now when I look back at myself, I feel nothing but shame and regret for thinking of such thoughts.

I don't care.

Anyway as long as I don't feel pain.

Those were what I thought. But now that I think of it. I don't want to die like that. I don't want to not care about where I die or who I die with. I want to be able to choose. I want… I want…

The moment I woke up that morning I knew leaf-bare had arrived. The air was crispy and cool, blowing fresh from the north. The other apprentices were also asleep; I always woke up first in the winter. There was no snow yet, but one could tell it was coming. I crawled out of the den and stretched, glancing around. Darkflower and Blackstripe were sitting together, talking, and glanced over towards me when their heard my pawsteps.

"Snakepaw!" they called, and I hurried over, feeling a bright glow, something about this day was going to be great. And as I neared, Darkflowers' eyes were glowing, and Blackstripe was smiling softly.

"After you fell asleep Smokestar announced that we're taking the Clearing." He meowed quietly. I felt my heart in my chest beat quicker. An invasion! I could hardly wait, and flexed my claws. The Clearing rightfully belonged to ShadowClan, every Clan knew that, and that the ThunderClan wretches had stolen it from right under our nose.

I would enjoy having the Clearing as part of my Clans' territory, it was wide and clear and perfect for practicing hunting and training apprentices. At least, that's what I can observe from across the river. Before I was born ThunderClan finally handed over their territory and the twoleg path, giving us equal territory. But recently ThunderClan had claimed the Greenleaf Twolegplace, and now, once again to balance out the territories, were making a strike at the Clearing.

I could hardly wait, and ate my breakfast quickly, spending twice as much time that morning stretching and play fighting with Blackstripe. Slowly the other cats woke and the news circulated. Smokestar then came out of his den and announced it formally, choosing the warriors and apprentices to go.

"Of course, Blackstripe will go," he meowed, and then looked through the clearing, "I want Brownstripe and Goldensun as well. Wetfoot, Frostfoot, Bluestorm. A few apprentices… Bronzepaw and Graypaw, and Snakepaw should do." I felt my chest swell in pride; I was chosen to go to the invasion! I glanced over to Blackstripe, eyes bright, and he smiled, "And… Darkflower." Blackstripes' eyes darkened and he looked towards my father, eyes harsh. I followed his gaze, but Smokestar wasn't looking at his brother, and was instead dismissing the Clan and making his way back to the nursery. Blackstripe followed him and I crept after them, curious.

"Diamondshine, how are you feeling?" I heard my fathers' voice talking to my mother when I slipped into a fern covering, the shadows hiding my pelt, "Are you well?" I heard Diamondshine laugh softly.

"I'm fine, Smokestar. This litter will be larger then the last one," she said, and I felt a spark of joy, I would have more siblings! I was sure they would look exactly like mother, her genes were stronger then fathers, and it was rare for me to have his pelt.

"Smokestar, may I talk to you?" ahah! Here it was: the drama I was looking for. Blackstripe had slipped into the nursery now, and was calling his brother out. I adjusted my view, so I could see Blackstripe and Smokestar talking right outside of the nursery.

"Darkflower?" hissed Blackstripe, fur bristling, "Smokestar I told you last night-"

"She should be fine," snapped Smokestar, "it's too soon for her body to show weakness, and with luck we won't even have to fight beyond scent markings. Now, go and organize the attack."

"But, listen to me, Smokestar, as a brother-"

"Go," he snapped, then spun around and slipped back into the nursery. Blackstripe sighed, and turned back to the clan, at once shouting out to the Clan.

"Every warrior with an apprentice, keep them by you at all times!" he yowled, "Snakepaw will be with me. Brownstripe, don't go dying on me in this battle. No, Marshpaw, you can't come along. No, neither can you, Silverpaw. Yes, I know you're Smokestars children but you're too young. Now… Stoneheart, can you take these too out hunting today, and double a border patrol as well with it? RiverClan, please, we'll be busy on the ThunderClan edge. Thank you."

Before I knew it we were padding through the underbrush together, side-by-side, me, Blackstripe, and Darkflower. I swished my two tails tensely, no one was talking, and all of their eyes were fixed ahead of us, where my proud and elegant father was leading us. We neared the river that was the new border between ThunderClan and ShadowClan, and one-by-one we jumped over by the stones, or wadded through the narrow shallow areas. I shivered, the water was cold today.

We were in the clearing. It was better then I imaged, really, the ground was much softer and the grass was much greener too, at once I was comfortable. Smokestar and Blackstripe sat in the middle of the clearing as the rest of the warriors began scent marking the area, I lay back, preferring to enjoy the day rather then mark new territory.

"What the stars?" a new voice bloomed, and every cat turned to see Pantherclaw and two other warriors, with an apprentice, who I quickly recognized to be Petalpaw. Blackstripe smirked and I stood. Pantherclaws' eyes flickered from me and my split tail to Blackstripe and then to Smokestar, "Smokestar, what are you doing on ThunderClan territory?" he demanded, "Get off!"

"On the contrary, Pantherclaw," meowed Blackstripe coolly, "You're on ShadowClan territory. Now, get off before you run into something…" he flexed his claws, "sharp."

Pantherclaw snarled, "Never!" hissed Pantherclaw, "We'll protect our territory at any cost, no matter what the odds!"

"Firestars' kittypet blood runs strong through you!" laughed Blackstripe, "You'll die!" he flicked a tail, "Tear them apart!" He and several other warriors launched themselves at the small ThunderClan patrol. I too, was caught up in the fight.

I found myself to be one of the three to face Pantherclaw. The others were Blackstripe and Bluestorm. We took turns, diving in when we saw a chance to nip, or draw a hint of blood. Finally Blackstripe launched himself at Pantherclaw, bowling him over, and we jumped on him, tearing into his flesh and tasting his tangy blood.

There was a sudden yowl, and Blackstripe spun around, releasing his grip on Pantherclaw and letting him escape. Bluestorm let out a snarl and chased after him, while I followed Blackstripe. Before I knew it I was fighting a large, old ThunderClan warrior with a long scar over one eye. He snarled and lunged towards me, his teeth were unusually long. I scrambled away, terrified, and scratched out at him as he neared for another bite, reopening that old, ugly scar.

He howled and struck me, and I was knocked backwards, towards the river. Stumbled to regain my footsteps, a body suddenly jostled me, and I felt my paws slip. I turned, eyes wide in terror, and let out a howl of shock as my back legs collided with the icy river water. It was deep in this area, and I felt nothing but numbness for the time.

I spotted Petalpaw; she was racing towards me, eyes wide with surprise. She skidded on the grass, it was slick with blood, and reached out a paw to help me up. But she was knocked away by a ShadowClan warrior who hadn't seen me, and tumbled back towards her mentor. Now I felt my grip on the ground loosen, and I felt my body slip into the numbing water.

Now that I thought about it, I would like to die how Darkflower put it. To die any way, as long as you were with the one you loved. I was terrified of the water, and I still am to this day. I couldn't swim, the current was powerful. The pulled me down. I was unable to move from the cold unable to breathe. Unable to...

Were most would start reaching for the light to save them, to stretch a paw towards the surface and wish for someone to be there and grab it. I reached towards the murky darkness, reaching out for someone to pull me in, to let me float away into nothing and be nothing. To die.