(Scene breaks, spotlight shown on Twistey, agonized and sobbing at her computer)

"No, no!!!" She screams, deleting the thousandth 'first' line of the story. She puts her face down on the computer. "Writer's block…killing me…but-must-go-on…fans are counting…on…me…"

She dies…

(The real Twistey flips out of bed and sprints to the computer and clicks on 'Word.)

"Crap, how long has it been since I've updated?" She mumbles. "Oh well, better get started. Now where was I…"

(Whitewing)

Shadedsoul has changed considerably over the past moon. I mean, he still won't let me out of his sight, but like I said, he's changed. No more depression or snide comments. He's been a friend to me.

I sighed, my breath billowing before me. Leafbare has arrived. Hoorah. Shadedsoul padded up to me with two voles in his mouth. "One for the almighty princess." He meowed sarcastically, dropping the fresh-kill at my feet. He still hasn't gotten over sarcasm.

I rolled my eyes. "I can hunt for myself, you know. It's just that stupid Tigerpuss keeping me locked up all day."

Shadedsoul whipped his head towards me. "Don't EVER insult our leader." We were silent for a moment, and then a quiet giggle streamed from my mouth. Soon we were rolling on the floor of my den, laughing until we had coughing fits. Tigerstar bashing is what we do most of the day.

Shadedsoul gasped for air a second longer, and then sat up. "You know, I'm going to ask permission to take you out today."

The laughing was gone in an instant. Tension rose in the room. I shook my head. "Out of the question. Last time he nearly killed you."

He shook off my response. "But I have Spiderleg, Brackenfur, and Ashfur on my side this time. It won't hurt asking."

"It's sounds as if you've already made up your mind." I meowed accusingly. He shrugged. "I have."

I just stood there for a moment, and finally said, "Then I'm coming with you."

He stared at me. "I'd be dead before I spoke." I shook my head. "C'mon, he knows better. You're the only guard that I don't fight, or bite, or make trouble, or…well you know what I mean!"

He groaned. "If this ends badly_"

"I'll kill myself and find you." I announced. Shadedsoul looked shocked. His expression cleared after a moment. "You would die, for me?"

I nodded, shocked. "You're the only one in this dung heap that cares about me. Besides, I'm practically queen here. I can take care of you." It was true, everyone always did what I told them, no questions asked. He groaned again. "Fine, just be careful. We talk at sun down."

I smiled happily. Of course I got my way. I always do. A shadow entered the room. It was Cloudtail. "May I speak to my daughter, alone?"

Shadedsoul and I were shocked. The last time someone visited me was half a moon ago. I narrowed my eyes. "Of course, Shadedsoul, leave." He had to obey. He slunk out of the room. "If you need me, just meow." He growled.

Cloudtail and I were alone. I broke the silence. "Well, father, long time no see." He looked at me. " What has happened to you?"

I reeled back, offended. "Whatever do you mean?"

" 'You're the only one in this dung heap that cares about me. I'm queen here.' Do you listen to yourself? 'I die for you.' It's like things that you don't seem important enough just need to be ordered away by the flick of your paw. My daughter knows better than that."

"Oh, really?" I spat, "I'm sorry I'm such a disappointment. I think you should leave. You're wasting time."

Cloudtail looked as if he could face on an angry badger and win. "You're doing it again. 'Oh no, something is not going the way I wanted, I'll get my servants to dispose of it. Or better yet, my soon to be mate, Shadedsoul."

I widened my eyes in disbelief. "Wha…how…could…"

"C'mon, princess, believe it or not, I do watch over you. I see you follow him around like a playmate, drink in his every words. Have you even thought of Birchfall lately?"

That name. He said that name. I threw myself to the floor, not being able to face my father. He was right. I bit back a sob. "Don't make me get Shadedsoul."

Cloudtail's anger dissolved into anguish. "Where's the real Whitewing? The one who cherishes life and everything about it. The sweet, curious fur ball that followed her dad everywhere, always following her heart. The Whitewing that delayed the one thing most important to her to be with the one she loved. Where is she?"

I crawled to him. "I'm right here, daddy. I'm sorry." I sobbed into his fur. He cradled me for a few moments longer. I looked up at him, with red puffy eyes. "I'll fix this. Whatever it takes, I'll make sure this clan is whole once again."

He licked my ear. "There's my little Whitewing."

Shadedsoul rushed in. "Cloudtail, Berrynose is calling patrols, you're on." Cloudtail sighed, but nodded. "Thank you."

"Bye." I mewed regretfully. He smiled. "I love you."

(Sunset)

Shadedoul and I nervously padded up to the secret opening in the back of the camp, where Tigerstar made his nest. WE walked hesitantly inside. Tigerstar was in a war council with Ashfur, Berrynose, Spiderleg, and Daisy. Shadedsoul was the only other person invited left. "Why is she here?" Tigerstar demanded, looking at me.

Shadedsoul sighed. "I don't trust anyone else with the duty. She's tricky." I flashed an evil smile for emphasis. He hissed furiously, but nodded. "Sit over there."

I sighed and sat in the designated corner a paw length away from Tigerstar. I didn't like it, his whole body radiated with raw power. Daisy spoke. "We need to reinforce the nursery. On behalf of the other queens, we suggest you lend one of your apprentices to us each day."

Her eyes glittered with challenge. This wasn't the same Daisy a moon ago. This Daisy had been cruelly forced to train as a warrior, and sole bodyguard to the nursery. Her fear had been replaced with aggression, though not towards the kits that didn't know better. Either way, she was lethal. Scars on her pelt shone in the fading light.

Tigerstar shook his head. "I agree with your concerns Daisy, but every day is unethical. I can only promise every one or two days." Daisy growled but agreed, Tigerstar's word was always final. "All right."

Ashfur was next. "The apprentices need on the field training. They can't just keep sparring each other. I suggest another raid on Shadowclan. To give the apprentices a chance to sharpen their claws."

"But no killing, just maiming only warriors and apprentices." Daisy cut in. Tigerstar nodded. "Good idea. Let's do it in two sunsets. Ready the apprentices."

It was Spiderleg's turn. "Prey is stubborn this leaf-bare, they stay nice and snug in their burrows, but we have learned to dig them out." Meows of approval and praise greeted him. He stepped back. It was Berrynose's turn.

"The reinforcements to the camp entrance have been holding well, but we need to do something about the guards. They are so lazy."

Suddenly, Tigerstar leaped at him, plowing Berrynose's muzzle into the ground. "How dare you!" He hissed, "Your fellow clanmates are doing their best. You show weakness to our clan, by not supporting them. Next time you speak out will be your last." He padded back to his spot, and sat down to meet the shocked silence.

He looked at Shadedsoul like nothing happened. "Your turn."

Shadedsoul stumbled forward. "Umm…all prisoner's are miserable, but locked up tight. And…well…" Daisy snorted in impatience. "Well, what? Get on with it!"

Shadedsoul sighed, took a deep breath, and then said, "Ithinkit'stimetoletWhitewingoutforahuntingtrip."

Silence met his words, then laughter. Everyone was laughing so hard some were gasping for air. Tigerstar didn't join in on the fun. "Not a chance." He narrowed his eyes. "But why? You know it's dangerous to even mention her freedom. Why now?" He was advancing on Shadedsoul with a funny glint in his eye. I couldn't control myself.

"Because he thinks I'm trying to kill myself!" That stopped everyone. To my relief, they all bought the lie. Tigerstar turned to me. "That's not good. You know I can't let that happen."

I looked at him evenly. "That's the point." More silence, then Tigerstar spoke. "Once a moon, when the gathering is taking place. You will have until midnight, or you will be punished. Shadedoul will lose his right to come to gatherings and escort you. Meeting has ended. Now go."

They were all too happy to comply. Tigerstar could be unstable. Whitewing and Shadedsoul returned to her den. "I'm sorry." I meowed. Shadedsoul shrugged. "I was never allowed to go anyways. You should be happy."

I shook myself and beamed. "You're right. For the moment, I'm free."

(Birchfall)

I woke up screaming from another nightmare. This time no prophecy interrupted Whitewing's murder. He shivered, but stayed calm. If his and Stormfur's plan works, Tigerstar will be powerless by the end of the next moon.

A/N Again, I'm sorry it took so long to update. I was focusing on my other story. Check it out. Twisty out.