Chapter 22: Sunlit Vow

'Take my advice and leave... Before you get hurt.'

Strolling through the camp and staring at her paws. One brown one cream. Looking on with her eyes. One green one blue. Just to think the only one whoever complimented her on her mismatched eyes was now dead. Was that same fate given to everyone who felt compassion?

The cats around MoonClan have been quiet ever since the Gathering two nights ago. It seemed no one knew what to think and if they did they didn't express those thoughts yet some spoke of it quietly. They all wanted to know who was the MoonClan cat who found out about the Apprentices and resulted in their deaths but none had accused Oddpaw, Sweetpaw or Cricketpaw yet.

"Imperfects are below us I agree," the voice of a MoonClan cat, Violetstream spoke quietly to her sister Vixenwing, "but what SunClan did was just horrible, I mean we don't live in the ancient times anymore. Executing Apprentices even if they are Imperfects is just terrible." Oddpaw's ears picked up their conversation as she passed, though she wasn't the least bit interested. "I don't care who they are," Vixenwing spoke, "no one deserves that, have you heard how horrible a death is at the BloodStone? And putting an Apprentice through that... What kind of world do we live in?"

Oddpaw heard Graytail scoff, he also heard the conversation between the sisters. "Ancient times?" He huffed, "I think you young Warriors are forgetting that executions weren't stopped to long ago. You're only reacting like this because you haven't grown up with them. You'll get use to the news of young Imperfects dying soon enough. Dying like they should do."

Oddpaw didn't feel angry. She hadn't felt anything other than an empty numbness since that night. She met Smallflight last night at the border when she couldn't sleep because of those horrible nightmares about the BloodStone haunting her sleep like they did when she was younger. Smallflight was at that Gathering, he told her he felt absolutely terrible. He blamed himself. He was the one who lead them back to SunClan.

"The whole of CaveClan are not taking this very well," he had said, "most are furious that SunClan would do something like this. We have heard word from CloudClan that Hookclaw is passing this all over like SunClan tricked him into thinking they were just going to kick them out and stopped him from intervening as the Apprentices were taken to the BloodStone. At any other time they would have believed SunClan over him but SunClan is now distrusted by all the Clans. Who would you believe? Your trusted Deputy? Or a Clan who ordered the deaths of three harmless Apprentices? So wether what he says is true or not they believe him. But everyone in CaveClan has been effected by this. Hookclaw and Redstar have more supporters than ever, they all want to put a stop to the Protected Clans ways. One of our Elders has gone into shock, they remember what it was like to live in the time of the executions. We are all pretty frightened that the executions might start again. We all fear we might be next."

When she had asked how he felt about it he had looked incredibly sorrow and said. "I just... Feel... Responsible... Like a complete idiot... I should have seen something was wrong, I should of knew that something like this would have happened. Three disfigured Apprentices in a Protector Clan, something terrible was bound to happen. But I was too preoccupied with being polite to Protectors I couldn't see it... Now I feel stupid... Like I could have done something to stop it... But I did nothing."

Oddpaw couldn't say anything because honestly she felt the same. She should of been able to see something was wrong. They even told her that their life was miserable and still she took them back there. Like an idiot.

Mistcloud had stuck around since the Gathering. With news like that Oddpaw would have thought she would of been out with her kits in an instant. Yet she had stayed with her kits, who didn't quite understand what was going on yet we're happy about staying none the less. She heard the silver and black tabby speaking with Flutter last night.

"How can I leave?" The she-cat had said, "how can I just pick up and leave after that? I may want to leave but I have a sense of loyalty for these Clans. How can I leave my home when the last memories I have of it is this? I feel like my kits are in danger here. But out there beyond the Clans we are surrounded by Divergence and Rouges. There is nothing we can do. And the worst if it is. We are trapped, it's either face the reality of this terrible situation and the reality of the horrible ways we live or be mauled by the predators beyond our borders. Now I know how Protectors must feel. It's horrible."

Oddpaw saw Cricketpaw sitting outside the Medicine Cat Den. He stayed there since he fainted and refused to leave. He was being treated by Featherbreeze for shock. He looked better than he did the other day when his eyes held no life at all. Just emptiness. Now he had his usual scowl on his face yet his eyes held more hate to them. Oddpaw was about to head out for another walk to try and clear her head even thigh she knew it wouldn't work when the small white form of Featherbreeze stepped in her way.

"Oddpaw," she addressed, "there you are, I'm sorry to ask you this but can you try talking to Cricketpaw? He hasn't spoken a word since the gathering. His parents are going to take him for a walk later yet we want to try and get him speaking as soon as we can and I can't ask poor Sweetpaw so could you try for me please?" Oddpaw didn't feel like speaking herself but she knew Featherbreeze wasn't going to let it go so she nodded in agreement.

Featherbreeze stepped out her way as Oddpaw began to walk towards Cricketpaw. "Exercise is the best medicine I can give to deal with loss," Featherbreeze called silently after her, "try it after you talk with him, it will do you good."

Oddpaw nodded back at the white she-cat and carried on towards Cricketpaw. As she approached Cricketpaw's scowl deepened his blazing yellow eyes staring right at her. "How are you Cricketpaw?" She asked, her voice sounding uncaring and emotionless. Cricketpaw hissed, not waiting for her to reach him as he got up and walked right past her, his fur sticking up and his teeth bared.

Well that was a waste of time.

Oddpaw turned and watched him go. She noticed that Sweetpaw was making her way over to them. As Cricketpaw passed his sister Sweetpaw's emotionless eyes ignored him, like he wasn't even there. Cricketpaw growled at her as she walked past. Now the sibling's relationship was as strained as ever. Oddpaw was worried that there was no fixing it anymore.

Sweetpaw stopped in front of Oddpaw. "Blazewing and Thistlefang want to start training," Sweetpaw spoke, her voice was usually so full of energy and smiles yet now it was just hollow and her face seemed more broken. Her eyes weren't the bright colour of amber, shinning with all the sweetness of honey that they usually are. They were dull and unfeeling. Neither she nor Sweetpaw slept last night or the night before that so they both must look exhausted, Oddpaw knew Sweetpaw looked it. They spent the whole two nights awake, both knowing the other was awake with them yet neither saying a word to the other.

Oddpaw nodded to her and followed Sweetpaw out of the camp were they met their mentors. The four then headed to the sandy clearing. Thistlefang had been trying to lift Sweetpaw's spirits on the way by offering kind words and smiles yet Sweetpaw only nodded along without one tiny smile. Blazewing was silent looking as serious as always.

When they got to the clearing with the sand and the bushes and the small trees around the edges Thistlefang spoke. "To day you two are going to participate in another spar," he announced, "same rules apply, no claws, no teeth and no hurting too much... Ready...? Go!"

Honestly Oddpaw didn't even feel like moving let alone fighting. As she dodged Sweetpaw's hits her head was not really in the fight. She really didn't feel like it today yet she knew she wasn't in the right emotional state to be beaten to the ground and Sweetpaw had a tendency to be violent in spars without meaning to.

Oddpaw swiftly dodged another hit and swiped Sweetpaw over the head with a Down Swipe. Sweetpaw swiftly Side Kicked Oddpaw and she flew to the side and roles in the sand. Sweetpaw lunged for her yet Oddpaw used her rolling momentum to roll onto her back and use her legs to push Sweetpaw over her body and to the side with a Flip Push. The momentum bright her back on to her paws but she didn't have the drive to attack back.

Sweetpaw wasn't fighting as fiercely as she usually does. She didn't attack back either and for a few moments they just stud there wanting the other to attack. Yet in the end they both went for the other half-heartedly. Neither having the emotional strength to try any good attacks so they resorted to rolling around like they did when they first started training.

Oddpaw could see Blazewing out the corner of her eye. He was looking annoyed but whether he was annoyed at their pathetic fighting or something else Oddpaw didn't know. As Sweetpaw pinned Oddpaw to the ground Oddpaw prepared to kick the other in the stomach yet a loud voice halted all movements.

Oddpaw wasn't too sure what was said, maybe nothing was said at all. Maybe it was just a loud sound yet at first she thought the sound had come from Blazewing. Yet she was wrong. Looking over at Blazewing, he was staring in the opposite direction as was Thistlefang. Both looking over in shock. Turning her head back to Sweetpaw she saw the other Apprentice staring at the same place with that seemed to be horror in her previously hollow eyes.

Oddpaw drearily followed all of their gazes. Cricketpaw, his father Rockfall and his mother Laurelstep were staring at them from the other side of the clearing, shock in their eyes. Oddpaw knew. She instantly knew. They had seen the fight. The three were standing downwind from all of them. So there was no way they would be able to scent them before it was too late.

For a while nobody moved.

Until Rockfall's face turned sour, like he was staring at rotten prey. "What is this?!" He spat, "are you fighting...? Sweetpaw?! Are you?!" Sweetpaw instantly hopped off Oddpaw and stud before her family with panic on her face. Oddpaw scrambled to her paws and stud were she was not knowing what to do. "N-no Rockfall," Sweetpaw lied, "that wasn't... I-I promise I'm not."

"Do you think I'm stupid?!" Rockfall snapped, "so you're not only living the life of a Protector! You're also a liar?!"

"N-n... I" Sweetpaw was practically shaking, "I'm... Sorry."

"You're sorry?!" Rockfall shouted, "how could you betray the Warrior Code like this?! I didn't raise you to be a traitor! I saw you! I saw you fighting...! And you think 'sorry' will cut it?! I let your friendship with that Imperfect slip but this I cannot forget!"

"But...! I..." Sweetpaw's breaking voice almost pleaded.

"Rockfall allow me to explain," Thistlefang stepped to Sweetpaw's side his voice as calm as it usual was despite the situation. Yet the dark grey tom only turned his scorn on the larger tom with no fear.

"And you!" Rockfall hissed, "I know I shouldn't be surprised being the mate of an Imperfect...! But I am! You've always been a loyal MoonClan cat despite being mated to that Imperfect dark leader of ours! Teaching MoonClan Apprentices how to battle like some low lives! You should be ashamed! And Blazewing!"

Rockfall turned his fiery amber eyes on Blazewing who scowled deeply at the grey tom. "I expected nothing less from a disgusting Rouge," Rockfall spat the words out like the very sounds disgusted him. Blazewing however didn't seem effected by his comment like Oddpaw remembered he was when Hawkstar called him a Rouge. At the most Blazewing's ear twitched before he spoke. "Shut up," Blazewing said with no emotion to his voice, "your annoying."

Rockfall practically screamed with rage. Any other time Oddpaw would have found Blazewing tormenting the raging cat funny. But not now. "StarClan dishonours you all!" Rockfall announced, "you'll be punished for breaking their code!" Laurelstep hesitantly approached her mate and tried to calm him by nuzzling into his shoulder. Yet it didn't seem like he could be contained. "Rockfall calm down," she whispered soothingly, "StarClan forgives and as long as she promises not to do it again we can forgive as well."

Rockfall brushed Laurelstep aside. "Sweetpaw!" Rockfall called making Sweetpaw flinch, "tell me you won't do this again and maybe I'll forgive you." Despite the lost feeling Oddpaw felt from loss her heart began to come to life. Sweetpaw looked wide eyed at Oddpaw then back at her father. Like she was trying to choose. After a few seconds her head slowly lowered to the ground and she began to slowly back away from her family.

Rockfall's face turned almost demonic. "Ravenstar knows of this," Thistlefang stated, "talk to her she'll tell you everything. I suggest you talk to her immediately." Rockfall hissed and snarled in his rage yet his face suddenly calmed. "Sweetpaw," he called with no hostility in his voice, "my daughter... Do you choose this life?"

Sweetpaw remained silent, her head lolled towards the ground, her ears flat and her body looked so tiny cowering like that. Sweetpaw's head nodded twice over slowly. Rockfall scowled at his cowering daughter. Oddpaw noticed in that moment how similar Sweetpaw's and Rockfall's eyes were. Both amber and Rockfall had the same fiery spark in his eyes that Sweetpaw had before the gathering.

"Then," Rockfall spoke those identical eyes closed, "you are no longer my daughter, consider yourself disowned." And with that he turned his back to the clearing and walked back into the bushes towards camp. Laurelstep muttered protests in panic looking from a motionless Sweetpaw and back to her mate. Yet with one last regret filled and sympathetic look at Sweetpaw and closed her eyes in pain and ran after Rockfall.

Cricketpaw had remained silent throughout the whole thing. He didn't look to different from Sweetpaw, his head down. Yet his claws were unleashed and teeth were bared. He stared up at the other cats in the clearing with hate filled eyes before growling and following his parents into the forest and towards camp.

Thistlefang nuzzled Sweetpaw trying to comfort her yet Sweetpaw didn't move an inch. Oddpaw stepped towards to help yet she found herself stopping in her tracks. She didn't know what to say. What could she say? She hasn't felt anything out her own painful denial and numbing guilt since the gathering.

Thistlefang nudged Sweetpaw gently towards the edge of the clearing. "I'll take her on a walk," He spoke to Blazewing before leading Sweetpaw in the opposite direction of camp. Oddpaw watched them go, feeling completely helpless. She watched them go until she could no longer see them, and stayed there even when she couldn't smell them.

Blazewing made his way to her side. At first Oddpaw thought he was going to shout at her for something she did wrong yet he was silent. "What do you want me to do now?" Oddpaw asked not even looking at her mentor, thinking he would say he wanted her to run five laps around the territory and then balance practice again. Blazewing huffed silently, "you can't fight right now," he spoke his voice not holding its usual hostility, "so we might as well go back." Blazewing headed towards the forest, the hostility returning to his voice.

Oddpaw was honestly surprised yet she knew better than to argue so she followed him warily. They took the long way back so they didn't run into Rockfall, Laurelstep and Cricketpaw. Oddpaw spent the entire journey trapped in her guilt filled thoughts.

Bluebellpaw

Copperpaw

Sessilepaw

And now Sweetpaw

She had failed them all.

Returning to the camp, Oddpaw felt the pull to look around her. For once she was standing in the middle of the camp without the fear of being stared at. The fear didn't grip her like it did a few days ago. In all honesty she wished it did. She'd rather feel the fear of being hated and stared at than this horrible numbness and guilt.

She saw all of MoonClan, sitting in the shade to avoid the sun, high in the sky. Yet they seemed less relaxed than usual, they seemed more saddened and an aura of shock surrounded them. Only the brave spoke out at times like this. And she had not spoken. Just like she had said nothing to stop Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw.

Oddpaw saw from the camp entrance, Sweetpaw returning. Her head held low, her ears flat and her body hunched. She looked so much smaller than she usually does. Sweetpaw walks in the shade of the camp. Reedwhisker and Larkwing saw her distress and instantly went to confront her. Just as Rockfall, Laurelstep and Cricketpaw emerged from Ravenstar's den. Rockfall looked over at Sweetpaw, his face enraged as he went into the shadows and lay there with the others. Laurelstep looked like she was about to rush towards her daughter yet she slowly backed away and followed her mate. Cricketpaw didn't even look at his sister as he strolled back to the Medicine Cat den where he had spent the last few days.

Sweetpaw seemed to shrink even further, she was nearly tiny now. Reedwhisker and Larkwing led her into the Elders Den. All of it suddenly felt unbearable. Oddpaw couldn't even place the sinking feeling in her stomach that gradually made its way around her whole body.

She turned to the only place she knew any comfort. The Nursery. With Flutter where nothing would hurt her. Yet she found herself freezing. Flutter was sleeping just outside the Nursery her stomach slightly swollen from the kits. Then it dawned on her. Flutter had new kits now. And no matter how much Flutter said she was her daughter nothing will change the fact that she wasn't her real kit. Just an ugly kit she adopted out of pity. Flutter was kind like that, but her kindness was going to be given to somebody else now. Not once did Oddpaw ever felt so alone.

Her legs shacking, she dashed out of the camp. Suddenly the trees seemed less tall, the outside world didn't seem as exciting as it did when she first ventured out when she was first taken out. It also didn't seem as large, she reached the small river it what seemed to only be a short time. Oddpaw didn't have the mental strength to run anymore.

She didn't know how long she sat there, staring down at her paws. But even with a million thoughts running through her head, she could hear him behind her and smell him following her. "Are you trying to sneak up on me?" She asked not looking up from her paws. The ground shuffled behind her as he walked closer, he moved like he was surprised the she knew he was there.

"How many times have I told you not to run off on your own?" Blazewing asked as he appeared at her side. Oddpaw didn't feel like his small talk at this point. Blazewing's face was stern yet as his eyes stared off into the forest beyond they seemed to have a small softening light. "Why are you here?" Oddpaw asked, this time she was the one with the commanding voice.

"I am a Deputy," Blazewing replied, "I am free to roam the territory as I please unlike Apprentices."

"Then roam somewhere else!" Oddpaw snapped.

"Somethings can't be changed," he replied irreverently.

"What?" Oddpaw asked.

"The Clans," Blazewing answered, "they can't be changed, so stop trying to think you can do the impossible."

"I don't think anything anymore," Oddpaw growled.

Blazewing was silent, yet he continued to stare into the forest. "Do you remember what I said? About leaving before you get hurt?" He asked, Oddpaw looked strangely at him yet nodded, "many cats have tried to change the Clans ways. Yet they have all soon been put bank in their place. Ravenstar may try all she wants but it's like a rabbit struggling in the jaws of a predator. Nothing will change, the result is determined and there is nothing we can do. You have no need to feel as strongly as you do for what happened to those Apprentices. It is harsh to hear but they were doomed from the very start of their lives."

"T-then..." Oddpaw stuttered the reality of what he was saying sinking in, "I am doomed as well. I'm an Imperfect born into a society of perfect. So I am doomed." Oddpaw was stating facts. Yet she hoped Blazewing would just huff like he usually would and call her stupid or something. The truth was hard to face.

"If you stay then yes you are doomed," Blazewing replied, "you are either going to be killed in battle or broken by the very Clans you are fighting to protect. Your fate is no better than a Protectors... That's why I'm telling you... Go... Just leave this world behind you... As much as it isn't like me to say something like this Oddpaw but... You have brilliance, intellect, intelligence, kindness and virtue. You can do more than this. Your life is worth more... Your fate is worth more than this."

Oddpaw stared up at Blazewing with wide surprised eyes. He looked down back at her, and that look in his eyes. Oddpaw never knew his usually cold serious eyes could hold such softness. She found herself unable to look away. "Then what about you?" Oddpaw asked, "you're an Imperfect like me. A Rouge Imperfect, shouldn't you leave as well. What about your life? And your fate?"

Blazewing stared back into the forest his eyes returned to their usual serious and cold look. "That is none of your concern," he answered before he turned around and walked back through the forest and towards camp. She watched him leave, before Turing back to the forest. The low stream running just below her paws separated her from that forest beyond.

Yet it would only take one jump, all the training was already taking a toll on Oddpaw's body. And not in the usual aching way. She had grown stronger, her stumpy legs more defined by muscle. Only one small jump. And she'd be out. She was honestly preparing her muscles for the jump. When something in the forest caught her eye.

A beautiful silver pelt. No moonlight shone this time of day yet the pelt was shining like a MoonClan cats would under the full moon. Yet there was something different about this cat. When whoever they were stepped out from behind the tree they hid behind, Oddpaw recognised the cat. It was a she-cat, a beautiful she-cat her fur a glittering silver, her eyes like two blue stars. She looked as if she was entirely made of moonlight. She was even more beautiful than Radiantkit. Oddpaw felt like all time had stopped around her when the she-cat smiled at her. The wind and the trees whistled a soothing melody. Nothing bad could come from this beautiful cat.

Yet suddenly that beautiful smile turned into a mad smirk the wind began to pick up and the trees creaked. Oddpaw snapped out of her daze as the beautiful she-cats body morphed into that of a dark ugly creature and with an ear piercing screech it shot towards her it's yellow claws reaching for her. Blue crazed eyes as sharp as ice stared at her as the creature shot forward looking as if it was levitating. Oddpaw found herself so scared she was unable to scream. She instantly turned and raced back towards camp.

"Blazewing!" She called, hoping the flame coloured tom wasn't too far away. She continued to call, not daring to look behind her. She knew it must be there it must be following her. Her short legs running at speeds Oddpaw doubted were even possible she battled through the leaves and twigs. "Blazewing!" She called again the panic clear in her voice.

"What is it?!" Blazewing's voice asked as he jumped down from one of the trees but to Oddpaw it looked like he had descended from StarClan itself. She dived behind him panting heavily, expecting the monster to charge from out the bushes and attack them both. Yet the forest around them was still. "What?!" Blazewing asked again, looking alert.

"D-didn't," Oddpaw stuttered, "didn't you hear it?" She asked looking up at him with frightened eyes. He stared down at her in confusion, yet Oddpaw was sure she did not imagine what she just saw. "All's I can hear is you," Blazewing answered yet to Oddpaw's horror the bushes began to rustle in the direction she had just came from.

She hid behind Blazewing's body, Blazewing instantly turned serious and strides confidently over to the bushes. "Don't!" Oddpaw called, did he want to be killed. Blazewing didn't even look back at her, his teeth bared and with one swift movement of his large paw his swatted at the leafs of the bush. The bush began to shake and rustle, Oddpaw gasped and jumped back as a grey shape launched from the bush.

A fat grey pigeon shot out of the leafs and flew into the sky. Oddpaw watched it go in confusion. Where did that monster go? The sound of Blazewing's scoff brought her gaze back to the ground. "You really are hopeless," he scoffed, yet the usual venom in his voice wasn't there anymore, "if you are going to survive on your own you're going to have to get more guts and bravery. In the next few days we'll focus on survival when you're by yourself."

Blazewing walked back over to Oddpaw, passing her on his way back towards camp. "In three moon rises I will sneak you out of camp and point you in the safest direction. Until then, we will prepare you for the journey, if you value your future, do not breath a word of this to anyone else. Got it?" Blazewing was standing behind her so she couldn't see his face but she couldn't tell his was staring at her with those cold narrowed eyes. Oddpaw continued to stare at the bushes, far too many questions and doubts running through her head. She knew he wouldn't believe her if she told him she was chased by a monster and not a pigeon. Yet if what he said was true then if Oddpaw didn't leave she was doomed. No better than dead. But could she really leave?

She knew Blazewing would not take any arguing so for the meanwhile she just nodded. What else was there to do? After everything that has happened she just wanted to be with family. Sweetpaw, Flutter, Bluetail or anyone who cares right now. "Then for now we'll go back to camp," Blazewing spoke after a silence, "... Are you coming?" He asked when Oddpaw didn't move.

"O-oh yes," Oddpaw answered, shaking her head.

"Training starts early tomorrow," he spoke as the took off towards camp.

Yet before it was out of sight, Oddpaw looked back at the bushes. They were still and nothing unusual about them. Yet she still found herself shivering. What neither cat noticed, was two narrowed eyes staring at them from the undergrowth.

The last two moonrises were dreary and solemn. The cold air was flowing over all the territories from the White Mountain, signalling that the cold Leaf-bare was on its way. But honestly Oddpaw thought the grey skies, the bitter air and rain falling heavily from the clouds was the very world around her mourning the deaths of three lives taken before their time.

Oddpaw had spent nearly all this time with Blazewing training. Even in the nights, she simply couldn't sleep, the nightmares kept popping up. Of the BloodStone and that horrible monster that chased her through the woods. Both threats still out there. Clawing to get her.

She hasn't spoken a word to Flutter, she had more than once travelled over to the nursery, seeing Flutter there often with Thornstorm. Yet seeing that bulge in her belly that seemed to grow every day made Oddpaw feel like she would get in the way. Flutter had visited her often though, trying to talk her into walking with her, eating some food or just talking. Oddpaw would always get to upset to talk. She didn't want to be around new life when three lives had been taken away. And because of her.

Sweetpaw had been even worse. She didn't only have to deal with the deaths of Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw buy also her family abandoning her. She was now spending all her time in the Elders Den. Reedwhisker and Larkwing were trying everything in their power to get her to eat, sleep, talk or anything.

But she did nothing, over the last few days she hadn't spoken a word. She hardly ate or drank and never left the den. She's just lie in the corner and whimper to herself all day while Reedwhisker and Larkwing would curl up next to her and whisper soothing words to no avail.

Oddpaw had visited each day. She had tried to speak to her friend. She had friend to bring her food she had caught herself, yet Sweetpaw only seemed to cry and whimper more when Oddpaw was around. Oddpaw figured she must blame her. The only reason Sweetpaw got into this whole New Protector thing was because Oddpaw was doing it. She was the reason Sweetpaw met Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw in the first place. The reason her family disowned her.

It was painful to see Sweetpaw like that. She was usually so happy, energetic and her amber eyes always burned with the fire of life. Oddpaw had never heard whimpers and cries more heartbroken than Sweetpaw's. Maybe because she had never done that before. Even though Sweetpaw had problems with her family for a long time, with Cricketpaw being mean, her mother being a pushover and her father being against Sweetpaw and Oddpaw's friendship. But Sweetpaw had never gotten this upset before, she just got angry and annoyed. Oddpaw thought it was honestly impossible to make Sweetpaw cry and whimper. Yet again StarClan had shown her how wrong she was.

Through her days of lonely guilt she spent all her time training. The intenseness of it took her mind of everything. As usual Blazewing had no mercy in training. Yet he seemed less harsh with his words than usual. Even complimenting her a few times. Oddpaw still didn't know what was going through his head and where he really stood with her. Yet he was the only source of comfort she had left. She even requested more training just so she could be with him. It hurt to be by herself. At least when she was training with him it felt like he was watching over her. Analysing her every move to check if she's doing it right. Even though she knew he was only looking for mistakes, she liked to think he was concerned and looking at her out of care and worry.

And after training on the third moonrise, returning to camp and sleeping till Blazewing collected her to make the escape, she decided. She was going. With Dawnblaze and Ripplepool now Warriors they slept in the Warriors Den. Sweetpaw refusing to leave the Elders Den and Cricketpaw never returned to the Apprentice Den after his training. She Thornstorm speak to Rockfall telling him that Cricketpaw wanted to sleep outside in the forest which he did no matter what Rockfall said. Oddpaw was completely alone in the Apprentice Den.

It was lonely and cold. She hated being there. The dark and the nightmares made it impossible to sleep. Oddpaw shivered out of cold and fear as she turned on to her side. Too scared to close her eyes even for a second. What was the point in staying anymore. Blazewing was right. This Clan was breaking her. She couldn't deal with any of it. Suddenly a fiery figure appeared at the entrance of the den.

Oddpaw lifted her head to see Blazewing standing there. His face serious as he nodded and made his way into the clearing. Oddpaw got to her paws and padded out of the den quietly and hesitantly. She hadn't even said goodbye to anyone not even Flutter. Yet she just couldn't bring herself to. Flutter would suspect something if she started saying goodbye for no reason. Oddpaw didn't want to leave. Yet she felt like there was no other way.

Blazewing stud at the entrance to the camp waiting. Once Oddpaw got to him he instantly took off into the forest. Oddpaw took one last look at the place she called her home before she turned away in sadness. She knew if she stared got to long she wouldn't be able to leave. She gritted her teeth and ran after Blazewing. Her paws were heavy with sorrow yet she forced them to carry on.

For once Blazewing didn't run ahead. He stayed right by her side. Maybe her was trying to comfort her or guide her better in the dark. But whatever he was doing it made Oddpaw feel more uneasy because it wasn't what he usually does. It all felt to new and frightening. They headed towards CaveClan territory. Oddpaw wondered if she'd run into Smallflight. But the thought was gone instantly from her head when she thought about all the cats she's leaving behind.

Sweepaw

Flutter

Featherbreeze

Ravenstar

Smallflight

Cricketpaw

And even Blazewing.

Oddpaw came to an instant stop. Blazewing noticed this and stopped soon after, looking back at her with confused eyes. "What is it?" He asked staring back, he probably knew what she was thinking. Oddpaw looked down at her paws with her eyes wide. It didn't matter what Blazewing said she couldn't leave. "I-I'm," Oddpaw stuttered, "I'm... Sorry."

A breeze swept past them. Oddpaw looked up at Blazewing. His eyes were wide and shocked, he didn't look angry, just surprised. Suddenly a noice came from the bushes. Despite the moment Oddpaw flinched, it might be that monster. Voices soon followed the noises.

"Why are you bringing us all the way out here?" A notice asked, "my paws hurt, I've never walked this far before. And at this time of night, the moon has long gone, honestly my son do you have no decency?" The voice sounded familiar to Oddpaw but when the next voice spoke back it was clear to Oddpaw who it was.

"We can't turn back yet," the other voice spoke, "trust me I need to tell you something." Oddpaw's eyes widened as Rockfall, Laurelstep and Cricketpaw appeared from the undergrowth. As soon as the three cats saw them, Rockfall's and Laurelstep's faces turned shocked yet Cricketpaw kept his usual scowl.

There was a silence from them all until Cricketpaw spoke. "Found you," he announced like he was bored. Cricketpaw walked over to the two while his parents got over the shock of seeing them. Rockfall's face turned to a scowl, "what are you two doing here?" He asked with slight aggression. Blazewing grunted slightly, he knew he had been caught and Oddpaw could practically see him fight off the urge scowl back at the other tom. "We are out on a walk like you are," Blazewing answered.

Oddpaw was expecting Rockfall to doubt them yet it wasn't him who spoke. "Your lying," Cricketpaw added, "you were trying to smuggle Oddpaw out." Oddpaw looked at Blazewing in shock, hoping he would give her guidance. His face was serious yet calm like he was trying to hide the panic he must feel. Oddpaw was about to deny Cricketpaw's claims when a bright white and silver pelt caught her eye.

All eyes turned as Thistlefang walked towards them from out of the forest. In his jaws he had a gentle hold of Sweetpaw's scruff of the neck to drag her along. Oddpaw felt instantly sick when she saw her. Sweetpaw looked dead, lolling in her mentors grip, her body thin and frail from the lack of food.

Thistlefang carefully placed her on the ground, no one really had the voice to speak. Cricketpaw only nodded at Thistlefang knowingly. He nodded back giving one last look at every cat before him and a tender lick to Sweetpaw's head before taking off back into the forest.

It was Rockfall who broke the silence as he stopped Laurelstep in her tracks by his paw when she exempted to run forward to her broken looking daughter. "What is she doing here?" Rockfall asked angrily to all the cats, "why are any of us here?! Cricketpaw what's going on?! This better not be what you wanted to tell us!"

Cricketpaw didn't turn to look at his father. Yet he made his way over to Oddpaw and Blazewing. "You were going to leave weren't you?" Cricketpaw asked looking Oddpaw dead in the eye, "you wanted to leave the Clan to look for a better life right? Well that's just too bad because I won't let you." Oddpaw gasped and looked back at him as he stopped in front of her his eyes narrowed and serious yet not cold or hate filled like they had been since that horrible gathering.

"If you leave then what do I have to aim for?" Cricketpaw asked as fire lit in his eyes, "you think I'm going to let you leave when we have work to do here? I knew you and Sweetpaw were up to something. I heard you and Blazewing talk in the forest the other day about leaving and fighting for the Clan's and catching you fighting. It all makes sense to me now, the both of you wanted to change the Clan's. So that Imperfects will be free to live as equals to us Perfects."

"And before I knew them... Bluebellpaw... Copperpaw and... Sessilepaw... I would of thought such a thing to be not only immoral, absurd, foolish but completely impossible. But now... How can I...? Since them how can I ever stay in my blissfully ignorant world...? That world when they didn't matter because their troubles seemed so far away and you don't have to face the reality of their pain because you don't have to experience it."

"But meeting them... It was only once... Just one meeting... Just one short night... And that little Imperfect... He... He managed to melt my heart in just one night and without saying a word. Not one little word... Just in the way he looked at me, his genuine smile, the way he... The way he didn't even care that I was insulting him and how he knew just by looking at me that I was hiding who I really was and was able to bring out a side of me I have hid for so long in just one night without even saying a word."

Cricketpaw's eyes stared off into the distance. The emotion that was reflecting from his yellow orbs was real. There was sorrow, happiness, loneliness, hurt and love. That was when it really hit Oddpaw. She knew from the start, but it never dawned on her quite this much, just how beautiful those three Apprentices were. How they could even melt Cricketpaw's heart. Just with the very happiness and hope they had. It really dawned on her in that moment.

Just want had been destroyed.

"And to think," Cricketpaw continued, venom returning to his voice, "that someone took him and his siblings from this world. That someone could... Kill... Something as beautiful and innocent as they were. I understand now, and I can't believe how wrong I was. The only Imperfects in this world are the ones who remain in their blissful ignorant worlds while there are others who suffer. And the worst of all Imperfects are the ones who think that its okay... That is completely moral to kill because they believe themselves to be better than others!"

"Oddpaw you can't leave because I need to train with you to beat those fox hearts down! You are a part of this as well! You knew Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw! And if you think I'm going to let you run while others face the same fate as them then your mistaken! You think it was easy for me?! You weren't the reason they were killed! They wouldn't of even knew we were there if I hadn't of jumped at out the grass to help Sessilepaw! I'm the reason they were killed! You think that's easy?! I have to live with this... This horrible... Guilt for the rest of my life! I owe it to them! I owe my life to them!"

Cricketpaw turned around to face everyone his face as fierce as a cat going into battle, his eyes blazing with determination. Oddpaw noticed then that he seemed to have a sunrise orange tint in his fur. She noticed the sun rising over the horizon and the golden grass strands start to glow like Bluebellpaw's, Copperpaw's and Sessilepaw's pelts did when they found SunClan not all that long ago.

Oddpaw noticed then that they were on the point where MoonClan SunClan and CaveClan territories met. And SunClan's Meadow of Light was visible with the sunrise. The sun rose over the sheet of golden shinning meadow, it's light cutting through the night. And for a second, Oddpaw swore she saw three sun rays glisten like tiny specks of golden hope.

"Rockfall, Laurelstep, Sweetpaw, Blazewing, Oddpaw," Cricketpaw called as the sun rose, "I want to become a Protector! I want to train with Oddpaw and Sweetpaw! I want to bring those who killed Bluebellpaw, Copperpaw and Sessilepaw down! I want to change this world we live in and live as equals... Rockfall, Laurelstep... If you want to disown me now, then that's fine. I'm not changing my mind."

Cricketpaw walked over to Sweetpaw, who was staring at him with large emotion filled eyes. He looked at her for a moment before helping her to her paws. When she was back on her shaky paws, Cricketpaw smiled at her. "Keep your head up sis," he chuckled a little, "we are the Clan's future Protectors and fighting for a new world. We have no time to worry over those who don't care for us, even if they are family. Keep your mind on what and who we're fighting for."

Sweetpaw's breathing became erratic, Oddpaw thought she was going to have a break down until her breathing hitched, she looked at up her brother with a serious face and nodded. Cricketpaw nuzzled her lightly yet it was cut short by a hiss from Rockfall. "I can't believe this!" He growled, "you were supposed to be the responsible one Cricketpaw! Why change now?! Yes! It was terrible what happened to those Apprentices! Completely horrible! But you don't have to give up your life for them! No one can ever change the Clan's! It's impossible! I can't have my family dragged into this! If you go through with this ridiculous rebellion then you are no longer my son!"

Cricketpaw looked at his father like he wasn't the least bit bothered, "if you go through with this ignorance then you are no longer my father," Cricketpaw stared his father right in the eye with nothing but seriousness in his gaze, "consider yourself disowned, now get lost I don't talk to Imperfects."

Rockfall looked to confused and frustrated to move. Yet after a few seconds be scowled deeply at Cricketpaw. "Fine," he growled, "if you insist on rebelling then go ahead. Come back when you learn respect, come on Laurelstep." Rockfall turned his back and began to stride away yet soon stopped when he realised his mate wasn't following him.

"Please Rockfall think about this!" Laurelstep pleased refusing to move from her spot, "I can't lose them both. I-I'm not even sure if I could live without the both of them. They're are kits, please just rethink this." Laurelstep begged her mate.

"Now you are rebelling?!" Rockfall gasped.

"I-I'm not rebelling," Laurelstep stuttered, "but you have to understand. I-I can't leave them."

"They will come back," Rockfall reassured, "when they realise how foolish they are."

Laurelstep started to step back as Rockfall stepped forward his voice becoming slightly worried. "Rockfall," Laurelstep addressed sternly, "I'm not leaving them." Oddpaw had never once seen Laurelstep talk back to anyone, let alone sternly speak her mind and refuse. It made her look and sound much older and for once she didn't look like a lost kit.

Rockfall fell back like he had just been hit. He looked over his family as if begging them not to go through with this. Before he sped away into the trees. Laurelstep let out a shaky breath before turning and nuzzling both of her kits lovingly. "Don't worry," she smiled, "he'll come around, he just needs time trust me I know him."

"It doesn't bother me anyway," Cricketpaw huffed, "I always knew he was an idiot." He turned and walked back towards the direction of camp before looking back at them with a scowl, "don't get me wrong," Cricketpaw scoffed, "I still think you both are mouse-brains but I guess I'm just going have to put up with you both till I am a Warrior. And beat you both into the ground in training for the meanwhile."

For the first time in days Oddpaw saw Sweetpaw smirk even if it was only small, "I'd like to see you try dirt brain," she smirked, before looking at Oddpaw with a small smile, "we'll beat your face into the ground any day right Oddpaw?" Her eyes widened with shock yet she couldn't stop the smile that made its way across her face. Yet she didn't trust her voice so she just nodded enthusiastically.

Sweetpaw and Cricketpaw bickered with each other as Laurelstep laughed nervously as they made their way into the forest. Oddpaw watched them go and was about to follow them until a voice strong like thunder yet silent like a mouse stopped her in her tracks. "Where do you think you're going?" Blazewing asked.

Oddpaw flinched, forgetting he was right next to her. Her mismatched eyes looked him dead in the eyes and for once she had the courage to smile. "Home," she answered, "is that okay?" She asked. Blazewing growled in annoyance before edging closer to her.

"Did what I say to you mean nothing?" He asked with anger, "you cannot fight this, if you don't run now, you will die." Oddpaw didn't even find herself scared, it only gave her determination to prove him wrong. To show him just what she could do and maybe someday he'll thank her. Maybe even be proud of her. She did nothing but smile up at him.

Blazewing hissed in anger and raced away into the undergrowth. Oddpaw had no idea where he was going. Maybe to get Rockfall. She just hoped that one day he would understand. She turned her head to the still rising sun. The bright orb rose into the brightening abyss like a jewel of the sky. It's beauty lighting Oddpaw's way home.

Cricketpaw the tsundere cat. A sad chapter about dealing with the aftermath but it turns happy in the end. Laurelstep is taking no more bullshit and Blazewing is a little bit less jerky. Have to say it was painful having Sweetpaw go through so much shit and her being so depressive but she's okay now :) Oh the things I put my babies through.

Thank you for the beautiful reviews you beautiful people and sorry for any mistakes ;)