Deltra 307: Wow. Compared to the HUGE gape between chapters 4 and 5, it only seemed like yesterday when I last posted a chapter on this story. But I have some important announcements to make, well, ones not as important as the other, but... Okay, first off, yesterday, I put up a new story called Without a Doubt. Yeah, bad name, I know. Laugh at it all you want, it's not like I'm gonna hear you anyways. I'm guessing because of the lame name (I couldn't come up with anything else!) and the really bad summery, people decided that it was probably dumb and not worth reading. So I'm begging you, please read it! And pleasereview! Please? Okay, now for the important announcement. I've decided to do a competition. Or something like that. It is-

Shadowpaw: I wanna read it!

Deltra: *sighs* Okay, how can I resist a cute face like that? *hands over sheet of paper*

Holly: Oh sure, give the kit the paper!

Deltra: Oh shut up Holly.

Shadowpaw: The paper says: I've decided to do something nice for all my reviewers. I know there are probably some people who review my stuff who have stories with about 70 to 100 reviews, but to me, 30 is enough to make me bounce around in joy. To thank anyone who reviewed, I decided to have a competition thingy. The fiftieth reviewer gets to give me a theme, and some OCs if you really want, and I will right it.

Deltra: Yep! That's right! If you see that your the fiftyith reviewer, please PM me telling me that you are exactly the fifieth reveiwer, give me a theme for a one-shot, and I'll write it, dedicated to you! This is no joke! So don't just wait! Review! Jeez, Shadowpaw, I didn't know you could read so well...

Shadowpaw: Well when I was in the third grade...

Holly: While those two ramble on... Deltra 307 does not own Warriors. It belongs to Erin Hunter. So please enjoy. I guess.

Holly ran as fast as she could. Her paws were starting to get sore, but she ignored the pain and kept on running. What if I can't outrun him? she thought. She didn't want to think about it, afraid of what the answer might be.

The tom passed by her and stooped, blocking her path. She skidded to a halt and tried to turn and run back the way she'd came, but the nameless tom leaped onto her back, stopping her. "Your not getting away," he growled. "There's no where you can run."

She stared up at him in horror. Suddenly, his eyes widened and he gave her a look as if she were growing a second head. Then, his grip loosened and he stepped off her back. "... Hollyleaf?" he meowed, awestruck.

For a moment, she narrowed her eyes at him. Flashes of things she'd never seen before flashed through her mind. The tom in front of her, only younger, a light gray tabby tom, and a younger version of herself. A tortishell and white tom, two she-cats, one a light ginger tabby and the other a light brown cat.

"L-Lionblaze?" It was as thought someone completely different was speaking through her as she said his name.

"It is you! How did you survive? How-" he cut off as she shook her head and ran out into the shadows of the trees. "Hollyleaf, wait!" he called, taking a step forward. But he stopped himself and let her run. "We'll meet again," she heard him say quietly. "I promise."

Shadowpaw thrashed about in Dovewing's grip. "Let go of me, you fur ball! Holly! Holly!"

"Quit your ruckus, kiddo. There's no way I'm letting you run off." He tried to claw at her, but missed. It was usless. He was stuck.

"Why do you even want me back so bad? I thought Firestar hates me."

"Well, the truth is... we didn't actually tell Firestar we were going to get you. We kind of just left."

"You snuck out of camp?"

"Well, Shadowclan and Windclan attacked us-"

"What?"

"Yeah. Windclan and Shadowclan crossed the border and came onto out territory. Shadowclan said that they were taking it for themselves."

"I think I might know why."

"Why, then?"

"I was kinda hunting on their territory and I might have still had a bit of Thunderclan scent on me..."

"So you caused that fight?"

"Maybe..."

"Urg... You're more trouble than you're worth, you know that?"

"I guess."

There was silence between the two Thunderclan cats. "Look, Shadowpaw, I'm not trying to be mean by taking you back. It's just, everyone misses you. Sandstorm is certain your dead and hasn't left the warriors den since she went looking for you."

"You guys miss me? She came looking for me? I thought you all hated me..."

"We don't. Your a valued member of Thunderclan, and you know how to keep yourself out of trouble, unlike most kits your age."

"And that means?"

"Your one smart cookie." When he didn't answer her, she smiled warmly at him. "You really care about that she-cat, don't you?"

"Yeah... She treated me like she was my mother. She wasn't over protective like Sandstorm, and she actually looked out for me and cared about me, unlike Firestar."

"I'm sure your father cares. Think of how hard it must be to be in charge of an entire clan. Plus, Firestar thinks he has to look after the other clans, too."

"Maybe."

"And when he yelled at you, it was only because he was worried that you were in danger. He sent patrol after patrol out to find you once he realised what he'd done. Firestar's been almost as bad as Sandstorm. Plus I think a certain apprentice is missing you in particular."

"What? Who?"

"Oh, please. Your telling me you haven't noticed? Cherrypaw's all over you. All she ever talks about is how amazing you are and how she hopes you'll one day be her mate." He blushed. He had had no idea anyone liked him like that.

"I guess I'll go back."

"Can I put you down now?"

"Am I to heavy?"

"No, I think you have fleas." Dovewing dropped him to the ground and began spitting on the ground repeatedly.

Shadowpaw couldn't help but laugh. "I wonder why we didn't talk very much before." It looked like she was about to say something, but she bit her bottom lip instead.

"I don't know, really," she said after a moment of hesitation. "But I guess I was missing out."

"Dovewing..."

"Yeah?"

"Are you my friend?"

"Of course! We're the best!" She gave him a big, cheesy grin, making Shadowpaw laugh again.

As the two walked into camp, they saw Sandstorm and Whitewing near the fresh-kill pile. Sandstorm's head was down, and it looked as though the other she-cat was trying to comfort the depressed she-cat.

"He'll turn up eventually," Whitewing said reassuringly.

"No, he won't. He's dead, I know it. I failed him. I'll never be able to live with myself."

The light ginger she-cat continued to moan when Whitewing looked over her shoulder. For an instant, a shocked look crossed her face, but it was replace by happiness as she mouthed the words 'Thank You'.

"Sandstorm!" she shrieked. Shadowpaw was impressed how well the she-cat had acted being suprised. "I-it's Shadowpaw! Oh great Starclan, thank you!"

Sandstorm looked up slowly as if she didn't believe that he was really there. When she caught his eye, all the sorrow washed away from her eyes. But instead of being happy, she looked as though she'd found him catching prey on another clans territory. She was looking more like herself already.

"Shadowpaw, you're in a world of trouble! Never, do you hear me, never run away from me again!" She began licking him vigorously. "Look at you! You're filthy!" she said between licks. "Any cat would think that I haven't taught you how to keep yourself clean!" He tried to wiggle away from her, but was blocked by her tail. "Your not getting away that easily!"

By now, almost the whole clan was crowded around the small balck apprentice.

"It's Shadowpaw!"

"Where was he that whole time?"

"I hope he's alright!"

Shadowpaw tried to find room to breathe in the mass of cats. "Give him some room," Lionblaze called, padding into camp. "Poor cat's going to suffocate if you keep that up."

The backed up a bit, giving the tom some room. He looked up towards Firestar's den. To his surprise, the leader was in front of his den. A smile sprawled across his face, a mixture of happiness and something else Shadowpaw couldn't put his paw on.

After that, he let them crowd around him, listening to their yowls of happiness and letting them lick his fur, happy to be home.

Lightning flashed outside the apprentices den. Shadowpaw had told Cherrypaw about he knew about her crush on him and said that he thought he might have the same feelings for her. He agreed to let her sleep next to him, much to Molepaw's anger. But, even after what seemed like moons of waiting, he couldn't fall asleep. He was so used to having Holly laying next to him, her tail curled around his small bady. Sure he had Cherrypaw, but it wasn't the same.

He got up and padded out of the den as quietly as he could, not wanting awkward questions from his fellow apprentices thrown at him. He walked into the warriors den and scanned the den. It was crowded, but he spotted an empty nest next to Dovewing.

After wlking up to her, he whispered, "Dovewing? Can I sleep with you?"

She stirred. "What?" she said, groggily.

"Can I sleep in this empty nest?"

"Empty... nest? Uh.. sure..." It was easy to tell she was still half asleep.

"Thanks." He curled up in the warm nest. Dovewing's fluffy fur brushed against his own, comforting him. It wasn't long before the lightning seemed to ease off. But once he had begun to dose off, a pain like a hundred suns shot through his head and an earsplitting scream echoed across Thunderclan territory.

Shadowpaw: AHH! HEADACHE!

Holly: Your such a wuss

Deltra: Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed! Review! NOW!