A/N Yay Chapter 2 is finally done! xD I'd like to thank my reviewers for, well, reviewing. xD

Shiningspirit- Thank you! You got your wish. I did update. xD

Heart of Onix-Thanks for the advice! I do try to edit my work, which is why it took me so long to get this chapter out. xD Your fic sounds interesting btw. :D

Chapter 2

Stonepaw was feeling very tired as he walked into the apprentices' den after the sun had set. He felt like he hadn't slept in a moon, despite the fact he had gotten a good night's sleep. Even Frostpaw hadn't been able to get him to perk up. He never did find out who won their contest…

He curled up in his nest as he thought about catching the most prey. Frostpaw always seemed to beat him! When he was about to fall into a deep sleep, he began hearing a noise. It kept getting louder and louder. He opened to his eyes and sat up. He looked around and realized he was no longer in the apprentices den, but instead sitting by a river, listening to the rushing water.

"What happened? Where am I?"

"Welcome young apprentice!"

Stonepaw jumped up, surprised to hear another cat's voice, especially one that sounded so familiar. He turned to see a silver she-cat facing him. "Silverflower! I thought you were dead!"

"I am dead, Stonepaw," she said gently.

"If you're dead, then that means we're in StarClan. If we're in StarClan, does that make me dead, too?" Stonepaw's eyes widened at the thought of being dead.

Silverflower laughed. "No, you're still alive and well. This is just a dream. StarClan needs to show you something." Her tone became more serious.

"Why does StarClan need to speak with me?" Stonepaw's eyes widened again, but this time with wonder. "What could they want from an apprentice?"

"We need to test you, Stonepaw. Look at the river in front of you."

Stonepaw obeyed and turned his gaze to the river. It was the strangest river he had ever seen. It split off into two different paths. The path to the right was blocked by a boulder. Behind the boulder was a dry riverbed. The path to the left had a stronger flow of water stronger than one would expect, because the flow of the water from the first path was being diverted into it.

"What an odd river…"

As he looked down the dry riverbed he noticed the forest surrounding it . This forest was a far cry from ordinary. It wasn't that it looked odd, but evoked strange feelings in him as he stared at it. The forest seemed to call out to him. He felt the pride of a successful hunt, the heat of a battle between warriors, and could almost heard the yowls of victory from his clan. Yet he felt somehow detached from it all. These feelings just weren't quite right to him. Emptiness threatened to overwhelm him as he gazed farther and farther down the path.

He turned his head towards the other path of the river. The path of water was surrounded by plants he recognized from the forest. He thought they were herbs, like a medicine cat would use. The path was pleasant and he felt at ease just looking down it. Resting his gaze on it seemed to replace the emptiness he other path had brought upon him with a sense of purpose.

Stonepaw thought it was very bizarre that just looking down two different paths of a river could bring out such strong emotions in him. He stepped closer to where they split off and noticed something odd. There were little stones being carried down the path on the left with the current. Then he realized exactly what StarClan wanted to share with him.

"I'm supposed to follow the path of a medicine cat. Aren't I?"

Lightfur didn't particularly enjoy his trek home from the medicine cats' gathering. After he had awoken from his dreams of StarClan, clouds had begun to roll over the sky. Even if his walk home wasn't exactly pleasant, he decided he would take his sweet time if it meant he could put off talking to Icestar, the NightClan leader.

Icestar was a good leader. He commanded respect from the members of his own clan and the members of other clans. He had the right amount of diplomacy to keep peace with other clans when necessary, but enough strength to show that NightClan was a force to be reckoned with. Icestar was also one of the most strategic cats in the forest. Lightfur knew that there was no way he would just let this situation be. He would find some way to exploit it. StarClan would not be happy with that, and truthfully Lightfur wouldn't be too happy either. Icestar would never listen to him though.

Lightfur realized he was already at the entrance of the NightClan camp. He cursed himself for getting too lost in thought to realize how quickly he was walking. He still had no idea what to say to Icestar. He considered waiting until morning to discuss the night's events with him, but decided against it. This news was something Icestar would like to hear about sooner rather than later. Lightfur also knew that the longer he waited to tell Icestar, the harder it would be. He summoned every scrap of courage he had and walked towards the other end of camp, where the leader's den was located.

Lightfur gulped and padded into Icestar's den. Icestar was sleeping soundly in his nest. "Icestar, I need to speak with you."

Icestar snored in response.

"Why can't Icestar be a light sleeper?" Lightfur thought as he prodded Icestar with his paw. "Wake up, Icestar."

"Whaaaa?" Icestar did not seem to be fully conscience yet. He sat up. "Is the camp under attack?" he asked, becoming more aware of his surroundings.

"No, but there's-" Icestar cut Lightfur off.

"Then why have you decided to wake me up in the middle of the night?" Icestar asked with an edge to his voice.

"StarClan told me something I think you should know about."

"What did they say? Are we in danger?" Icestar's voice lost it's edge.

"They want me to take on an apprentice."

"You woke me up in the middle of the night to tell me you are going to take on an apprentice? Are you mouse-brained?"

Lightfur was getting very nervous at this point. He did not want to be having this conversation. "Yes, but the apprentice they want me to take on isn't from our Clan. I thought you should know." Lightfur's voice had dropped down into a whisper.

"What?" Icestar exclaimed. "How can that happen?"

"Silverflower was murdered and she had no apprentice. Firestorm told me, because she came to the medicine cats' gathering to find out what to do about that situation. It is my duty as a medicine cat to train an apprentice for LightningClan," Lightfur explained, his voice becoming louder, but also weak and shaky.

"You're training the enemy? You're a fool of a medicine cat, Lightfur." Lightfur was taken aback at this. Icestar would never say this in front of the clan,. Lightfur knew he shouldn't have been surprised. When Icestar was away from the Clan he wasn't afraid to share his opinions on any cat.

Both cats were silent for a moment.

Finally Icestar said, "Is it really necessary for you to train a LightningClan apprentice? Can't another medicine cat do it?"

"No, they already have apprentices. It has to be me," Lightfur stated weakly.

"I suppose StarClan would be very displeased if we refused." Icestar sighed. "Fine, you can have your LightningClan apprentice."

"Really? That's great!" Lightfur paused. This next bit of news had to be handled delicately. "Icestar? There's something else I need to discuss with you," Lightfur's voice regained its shakiness.

"What?" Icestar looked at him with annoyance. This unnerved Lightfur, who was hoping that Icestar's quick concession would mean the rest of their discussion would be easy to finish.

"Firestorm told me that it was a NightClan cat who killed Silverflower."

"You defended the honor of NightClan, didn't you?"

"I told her it couldn't have been a NightClan cat and that you never ordered such an attack."

Icestar looked thoughtful for a moment. "She didn't believe that, did she?"

"She believed I knew nothing about it, but she still thinks it was a NightClan cat."

"But, as far as we know it wasn't a NightClan cat. LightningClan is in no position to attack us without a medicine cat. They can do nothing about it for now and they'll owe us for the training of their next medicine cat. We can let the situation rest until further problems arise." Icestar looked pleased with this. Lightfur wasn't sure whether to be relieved or worried. If it really was a NightClan cat who killed Silverflower, NightClan could be in danger.

"Icestar, there's something more I have to tell you. Firestorm told me to come to their territory tomorrow to meet my apprentice. They wanted me to bring you as well. They said if you didn't come they would pay you a visit themselves."

Icestar looked thoughtful again. "Let them come. Go to their territory tomorrow to meet your apprentice. After you have your apprentice bring them and Moonstar to our camp. Tell them that they are the only cats welcome and that any other cat who decides to join them will be dealt with accordingly. They won't be able to try to seek revenge for the death of there medicine cat with only two cats. They'll also be on their best behavior. They can't afford to provoke anything now." Icestar looked happier at this thought. "Perhaps having a LightningClan apprentice won't be such a bad thing."

"I don't think you should take advantage of another clan's troubles. It may come back to haunt you," Lightfur said quietly.

"You know nothing about leading a clan. Do as I say or let LightningClan suffer without a medicine cat." Icestar's mind was firmly made up. Lightfur knew there was nothing he could do to change it.

"Ok, I'll bring Moonstar and my apprentice here as soon as I possibly can."

"Good. Now, get out of my den," Icestar turned his head away and settled back into his nest.

Lightfur walked outside the den. He looked up to find comfort in the stars, but all he saw was the darkness of the night.