This chapter is pretty drama-y, I have to say… but nonetheless, enjoy!

Starbomb: Ha, yea he is pretty harsh, and I think my favorite names for her are: Rosefeather, Rosewater, or Roseblossom… err it is hard to decide.

Willowlight: Did you just call me a mouse-brain? … Huh… interesting. Well, I think the name Rosethorn is too… I don't know… expected? Don't think I will use that one

Dawn-of-the-Wolf: I really like that name too! It might just have to be that!

Nalasleafheart: Haha, good to see that was you. And for some reason I just don't really like Rosethorn, I think it's too… expected. But thanks for your input!

SwatYawn123: I like those names! And, well here is your update! Hope I didn't take too long!

BailyXCody: Glad to hear it!

Here we go!

Chapter 16: Lionpaw's Secret

Rosepaw raked her claws over the dirty moss that clung to the ground.

"Make sure you get nice, fresh moss." Squirrelfang meowed, trying to sound encouraging.

Nothing could dampen my mood more. Rosepaw thought sourly. She hated being stuck inside the camp. Where she should be was hunting and fighting with Hailwhisker, training to become a real warrior. Not just a den-cleaner.

Rosepaw just smiled at the elder. "Don't worry," she meowed sweetly. "I will." She sighed, brushing the moss into a big pile. Hailwhisker sat in the Elder's Den near Squirrelfang, watching with amusement glittering in her eyes.

What is so funny about this! Rosepaw heaved a sigh as she bunched all the moss into a pile. Hailwhisker got to her paws and padded over.

"I'll take that moss out of camp." She meowed. "Considering you're restricted. Now get started on the fresh moss." She flicked her gray and white tail to a pile of clean, shiny moss opposite of Rosepaw.

Rosepaw nodded glumly. "Of course Hailwhisker." She mumbled, padding over to the moss and beginning to spread it about.

It had been three sunrises since she returned from the Moonpool. Rosepaw swore that all the dens were the cleanest they had ever been before. Even her own nest was finely furnished, with feathers entwined in the moss as she had den with the others' nests.

But of course, she still had to continue cleaning out the Elder's Den. As well as the nursery, the medicine cat's and the warriors. It was all part of her punishment. Rosepaw noticed the sun beginning to set on the horizon. I've been at this all day!

She continued to spread the moss about until Hailwhisker returned. "That should be good for today." Her mentor meowed, looking over everything in approval. "Go ahead, take a rest."

Rosepaw nodded gratefully, but instead of heading to the Apprentice's den, she padded inside of the medicine cat den. She went ahead and welcomed herself in. She wasn't afraid of catching Stonepaw and Lilyfrost's illness.

It had been confirmed yesterday that both cats' conditions had worsened into Greencough. Rosepaw got more worried each day for her fellow Clanmates, and furious at the Medicine Cats for not taking more action of it. We need catmint! Can't they see that?

"Hey Rosepaw!" Rosepaw looked up to see Stonepaw sitting up in his nest, looking at her cheerfully. Though there was an uncontrollable crispiness in his mew.

"Hey Stonepaw." Rosepaw meowed, trotting over to her friend.

"How has your punishment been going?" Stonepaw asked, a hint of humor to it.

"It is definitely not funny!" Rosepaw hissed, but Stonepaw continued to gaze at her in humor.

"See." He meowed. "You need me to keep you from jumping head first into trouble!" he teased, wavering his tail playfully.

Rosepaw laughed. "Whatever! Maybe you should just teach your sister to do it."

"I suppose I 'ought to." He meowed. Rosepaw detected more of seriousness in his tone.

Rosepaw quieted. She looked outside of the den to see blackness. "I better go." She meowed. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight."

Rosepaw padded over to the Apprentice's Den and lay down. She felt an eagerness to run in her limbs. She hadn't done it in for what seemed ages. She flicked her tail and looked around at the sleeping apprentices beside her. She wasn't tired. Not one bit. Maybe she could get out.

The light brown she-cat rose to her paws quietly. She couldn't take this anymore; she needed to get out of camp. She silently walked over to the exit of the apprentice's den and peered out. Leafsparrow stood guard at the entrance, her brown and white fur blowing blissfully in the slight wind.

Rosepaw held her breath as she slid out onto the ground. She sure was getting better at sneaking throughout this entire creeping out of camp. To her relief, Leafsparrow didn't seem to notice her, she continued to sit as still as a stone facing away.

Rosepaw slinked over to the nursery nearby, keeping a watchful eye on Leafsparrow. She poked her furry head into the nursery to look around. She saw Swanwhisker, the only queen, curled up with her kits. Her light brown fur blushed over them protectively.

Rosepaw walked inside, fearing that her paw steps would awaken the queen. Nonetheless, she advanced to the hole in the nursery. She leaned down beside it.

Fox-dung! Her paws itched. It was too small! How would she possibly get out now! Leafsparrow was guarding the entrance, and there was no other escape that she knew of.

Rosepaw padded to the nursery's exit again and peered outside. Leafsparrow was on her white paws now, her tail flicking lazily back and forth in the chilly night air. What's she doing? Rosepaw wondered, sitting on her haunches.

Leafsparrow padded away to the Warrior's Den, it stabbed Rosepaw like a thorn. She was changing shifts! Now would be the time to get out. Rosepaw crept forward, but a sudden scent hit her nose. Lionpaw! What is he doing!

She watched as her brother flashed out of the Apprentice's den, creeping to the camp entrance and pushing his way through the brambles to escape into the forest. Rosepaw dashed forward as well, following him out of the camp.

She emerged into the snow-bidden forest. She soon caught sight of Lionpaw's ginger pelt flashing under the moonlight. He headed down to the lake, completely unaware of Rosepaw following his shadow behind him.

Lionpaw padded to the shoreline. He turned towards WindClan when he reached it, walking alongside the lake-shore. Where in the name of StarClan is he going? Rosepaw wondered in bewilderment as he approached the river. He padded across it, onto WindClan territory.

Rosepaw watched him suspiciously, but followed without hesitance across the border. Lionpaw stayed very near to the lake, trotting along cautiously and casting a glance further up the moor. He technically isn't crossing the border. Rosepaw chided herself. He is staying close enough to the border as is allowed to.

Lionpaw padded further, picking up the pace as he went along. He eventually crossed WindClan's next border, heading onto territory that belonged to no Clan. Rosepaw looked across the lake at the island. Was that where he was headed?

Lionpaw came to a halt at the log that led across to the island. Rosepaw stood and watched in silence. Lionpaw's golden coat gleamed in the sunlight as he made his way across it slowly. What business could he possibly have here?

Rosepaw crept slowly across the log after him, keeping her claws embedded sharply into the bark. Lionpaw trotted to a bush and sat down, his fur bristling, his eyes flashing in worry and nervousness.

Rosepaw quickly skidded across and dove into a bush. Luckily, Lionpaw seemed too caught up in his own thoughts to hear the rustling that she made when she crossed over into the brush. Her brother's tail flickered in impatience.

Suddenly, Rosepaw noticed a cat slipping out of the water and onto the island.

"Brr is that lake cold in leaf-bare!" the cat whispered padding closer to Lionpaw so Rosepaw could get a better view.

It was a pretty golden she-cat, an apprentice, a RiverClan apprentice. Rosepaw sniffed the air again. She knew her scent. Something was devastatingly familiar about it.

Lionpaw purred in response. "Don't worry." He meowed, his voice low and comforting. "I'll keep you warm." He pressed his ginger pelt against her golden one, their fur bristling in comfort.

Rosepaw felt enragement course throughout her body. Lionpaw was seeing a RiverClan apprentice! What is the name of StarClan was he thinking!

"I'm so glad you came." The she-cat murmured a sparkle of relief in her mew.

Lionpaw purred. "I'll always come Larchpaw."

Larchpaw! Rosepaw froze at the sound of her name. It was Larchpaw! Flutterfur's daughter! Rosepaw's fur ruffled. She felt an eagerness to go out there and hiss at them at what trouble they were going through just to see eachother.

Does Lionpaw understand what will happen if he gets caught! She wondered drastically, her heart dropping immensely. She couldn't bear to lose another beloved. Especially to something as mouse-brained as what Lionpaw was doing. I have to stop him!

She watched in silence and anger for the rest of Lionpaw and Larchpaw's night, filled with sharing stories, battling eachother, and basically having an amazing time together. Rosepaw felt her heart flutter. Was there a tom that she could feel that care-free around?

Eventually, Larchpaw bided her goodbyes with a lick on Lionpaw's forehead before she slipped back into the water and disappeared in the depths of the dying night.

Lionpaw turned away, profoundly cheerful. Rosepaw felt rage overpower her.

"Lionpaw!" she hissed.

Her brother froze, his fur bristling in fear. He didn't say anything, but stood there, as if hoping if he stood still enough, whatever threat was posing to him would go away.

"Lionpaw! I see you there!" Rosepaw growled, rising to her paws and padding out indignantly.

Lionpaw's eyes flashed for a moment, but then relaxed. "Oh," he murmured with a sigh, his tense muscles relaxing underneath his ginger pelt. "It's just you Rosepaw."

"Just me!" Rosepaw found herself hissing. "What are you thinking? Are you absolutely mouse-brained?"

Lionpaw met Rosepaw's eyes with protectiveness. "No I am not mouse-brained!" he grumbled.

Rosepaw sat down with a sigh, her tail twitching back and forth. "Then tell me, what are you thinking?" she asked in a calmer, gentler tone.

Lionpaw sighed, as if giving into her. "I don't know." He admitted, looking at his paws glumly.

"What do you mean you don't know?"

"I…" Lionpaw stuttered, lost for words. "I just don't, okay? I… I like Larchpaw! I have to see her." He meowed, sounding ultimately defeated.

"Lionpaw…" Rosepaw murmured softly. "You know you can't do this." She meowed. "It's much more trouble than it's worth."

"How would you know?" Lionpaw snapped angrily.

"I can guess." Rosepaw murmured. "There are plenty of fine she-cats in our own Clan! Why have to do look for one in RiverClan!"

Lionpaw's eyes softened. "She's different Rosepaw!" He meowed, a twinge of sadness entwined with his mew.

Rosepaw looked at her brother. She couldn't help but feel some sympathy for him. The cat he loved was from another Clan, their love was forbidden by the warrior code. Forbidden love didn't have its consequences lightly.

"You won't tell anyone, will you?" Lionpaw asked desperately, pleading shown clear in his eyes and voice.

Rosepaw took in a deep breath. "Of course not Lionpaw." She meowed. She noticed Lionpaw's shoulders relax. Rosepaw's mew sharpened. "But you shouldn't be doing this!"

Lionpaw slumped over. "I know Rosepaw… what I don't know is what to do…"

Rosepaw sighed and padded over to her brother. She gave him a lick on the forehead reassuringly. "Don't worry too much Lionpaw." She meowed. "We'll find a way around this." She said, trying to place confidence in her mew. "Now let's go home."

Okay, that chapter was a bit exciting, right? It helps you get to know more of Lionpaw's personality. Well, 'till next time. Hopefully it won't be as long of a wait as this one was.