A/n Sorry it has taken so long to update... I've been studying for a test and haven't had much time to write. And I've had writers block so this chapter might not be amazing. Sorry :)

Jay's POV

I walk through the forest in darkness, letting my paws take me wherever as I think to myself. The forest ground is cool under my pads, and I take deep breaths of warm air.

Her disappearance with Foxleap makes me wonder what's going on. Why she's gone, where she is, what she's doing. It frustrates me that, when I'm still grieving for my sister, she has to leave and draw attention to herself already. Some cats in the Clan weren't surprised; said they expected something like this was going to happen. 'The responsibility as a member of a Clan can be difficult to loners and rogues,' they had said. 'When they mess up, it's twice the impact as it would be on a normal warrior.'
Daisy had glared at them when they said this, explained that Featherpaw was no ordinary rogue. That she had saved the Clan plenty of times to earn her trust. And that Foxleap is never doubted, so they can't be gone for good.

But it ruffles me fur. Foxleap and Featherpaw, taking off. Their scent was hardly recognisable against the blood that seemed to pollute the entire area near the river. I knew that she had gone when Leafpool and I were at the Moonpool, so the idea of her getting past us so easily confused me.

Then again, we had taken a different route to avoid the clearing where Hollyleaf died, so we joined with the ShadowClan medicine cats at the edge of the lake and then grouped with the others on WindClan's side of the river.

I halt when the smell of prey fills my nose. It's unnatural, how strong it is. Almost like the fresh-kill pile back in the camp. But that doesn't seem right, because I'm nowhere near the camp. Then I see the silver.

Her pelt is hard to make out, but through the black silhouettes of what appears to be bushes and leaves, I can see her silver fur. It's traveling rather slowly, for her normal speed, and that's when I realize she's the one carrying the prey.

I lower my head slightly and wait for her to come closer.

Foxleap's scent can barely get through the other smells of dead animals, but it's there all right. I hold back the growl rising in my throat and prepare to speak.

Feather's POV

"Where have you two been?"

Jayfeather startles me briefly, but I consciously loosen my shoulders and gaze calmly at him. "Hunting." I say.

"Oh, yes, because I'm going believe that." He drawls.

I give Foxleap a look. Nice plan. There's only one problem. He's not falling for it.

He looks away to hide the abashed smile that is appearing on his lips.

"Should I tell him the truth then? He won't tell anyone." I meow.

Foxleap nods. "If that's what you want to do."

I turn back to Jayfeather. "We went after Sol."

The medicine cat frowns. "Did you find him?"

I freeze. What do I say about that?

Foxleap shakes his head. "No, we didn't. When we realized he had probably gotten away, we came back."

I press against him discreetly, silently thanking him. After what Sol did to Hollyleaf, there's not a doubt in my mind that Jayfeather would be angry for letting him go.

There's no way he'd understand how hard it is to kill. Take away someone's life; knowing that their ghost will follow you forever.

Maybe he does, but how can I tell? He wants Sol dead.

"Well, that was a waste of time, wasn't it?" He hisses and it causes me to cringe. You have no idea. "Why did you leave without telling anyone?"

"Since when did I have to tell you the reasons of my actions?" I ask, indignation rushing me as I take a step forward. "We have fresh-kill to make up for it, so don't call it a waste of time. And what has happened that could've changed if we were here? Our lack of presence hasn't affected anything!"

Jayfeather looks around before leaning closer. "Thornclaw, Spiderleg, Berrynose and several other cats think you've left for good; couldn't handle the warrior life."

Foxleap frowns. "Well, she can! And we'll tell them she killed Sol." He says. Jayfeather and I look at him in bewilderment. "They don't need to know, Featherpaw. Sol isn't coming back, and you need to be the hero right now, in order to get their trust."

"Oh yes, because lying to them will certainly gain their trust." The medicine cat snaps.

I feel my lip rise into a snarl at him. "Then do you have any ideas?"

He shakes his head. "Just tell them the truth."

The truth. That I let Sol get away? That I couldn't find him? I don't think so. By the look on Foxleap's face, it seems we both agree with each other. "I'm going to tell the Clan I killed him." I say as I walk past him. Foxleap follows, Jayfeather shaking his head as he sighs.

When we enter the camp, the floor seems to glow under the moon. We slip into our own dens, exhaustion taking our senses as soon as we get into our nests.

Day 28

I open my eyes and sigh when I look around. I'm getting tired of waking up on my own; I can't wait to become a warrior. For a moment, I tell myself I should stay inside and hope no one remembers where I've gone. But then I know that won't work. Besides, I have a plan, right?

When I push through the bramble tunnel, I suddenly realize how hard it is to squeeze through. Icecloud rushes to me, her blue eyes wide. "Where were you and Foxleap? Why didn't you tell anyone where you were going? Are you okay? Do you know how long you've been gone?"

I blink a couple of times, still half-asleep. "Great StarClan, Icecloud! Give me a moment to wake up!" I stretch and yawn. Poor Foxleap must be tired; he hunted while I napped yesterday.

After a moment, Icecloud speaks again. "Well?"

Foxleap slips out of the warriors' den, stumbling as he looks up at us. "What's going on?"

Icecloud turns back to me, flicking her tail as though to tell me not to bother with explaining to Foxleap. "Go on."

"Um- I-" I stutter, trying to figure how to start this huge lie without making it sound obvious we're trying to cover the truth.

Realization dawns on the she-cat's face and she flushes, ducking away and running to the warriors' den. "SorryforgetIeverasked, Ididn'tmeantointrudeonyourlovelife!"

It takes me a moment to decode Icecloud's fast talking, but when I do, I blush furiously. Oh dear. Foxleap is looking pretty embarrassed too, and when we look at each other, the message is clear what I'm telling him. 'Go and tell her she's wrong!'

Foxleap's eyes widen even more and he shakes his head. "You tell her! She's your best friend!"

"She's your sister for crying out loud!"

"But it'll be awkward!" Foxleap whines, and that's when I notice everyone else's eyes on us, eating the prey we had supplied from yesterday. But that's not the thing I'm focusing on. It's Icecloud, who's sitting in the corner of the clearing. And straight away I know she's told them.

"Icecloud." I say, I'm surprised in how calm yet frightening my voice sounds. "What did you tell them?"

She widens her eyes and looks at her paws.

Foxleap gulps. I narrow my eyes at her. "Do you want to come for a walk with me?" I ask gently.

She looks up and shrugs. "Sure, Featherpaw," she meows. She trots along next to me as we leave the camp. Boy, she'd better be ready for this one.

Foxleap's POV

"So…" I turn around to see Mousewhisker looking anywhere but in my eyes.

"How was she?" Berrynose asks and I think back to what Jayfeather said about him not trusting me.

I frown. "What do you mean?"

He rolls his eyes and shakes his head, walking off. Mousewhisker blinks. "When both you and Featherpaw disappeared it didn't make any sense. We weren't surprised about her leaving but you?" Then he grins mischievously. "Now it does."

I bat his head with a paw. "I-It's not what you think!"

My friend just smiles even wider and I wish I never said anything. Then I realize that maybe this is better. I mean… for the Clan. Berrynose didn't seem more annoying than usual… No cats accused us and Firestar hasn't asked about anything yet. But being the talk of the Clan about this must be giving Featherpaw a bad reputation. I need to set things straight.

When I go to the leader's den, I already have the entire conversation planned in my head. To my surprise, Jayfeather had already beat me to it. He looks at me, his lips pulled taut. "Have you heard what the Clan has being saying about you and Featherpaw?" he wrinkles his nose in disgust. "She's too young."

"That's why I'm here; to talk to Firestar about our absence." I meow.

"Are you telling him the truth?" he asks grumpily.

I shake my head and lower my voice. "I'm telling him what he needs to hear in order for her to be safe."

Jayfeather scowls and pushes through the bracken, beckoning for me to follow.

"Ah, Foxleap," Firestar looks up. "I was hoping I could talk to you. It's about your disappearance yesterday."

I step forward. "About that… If you heard any rumours about what has been going on, they aren't true! Featherpaw needed to go after Sol, but she was going to hurt herself if she went on her own so I went-"

"And you thought leaving the Clan territories in order to get revenge is something I need to be worrying about right now?" The Clan leader raised his eyebrow. "But maybe I'm not so surprised you'd go with her instead of try to change her mind. Your behaviour towards her has not gone unnoticed, you do realize?"

I flush and look at my paws. What about Jayfeather?!

"What made you come back so early? Did you find him?" Firestar asks.

Glancing at Jayfeather, I nod. The medicine cat tenses and for a second I hope he won't give us away. But he wouldn't do that to her. The Clan would think she's not a good enough tracker; that she can't even follow an injured animal through empty moorland without losing it.

Firestar doesn't push the subject any further. Either because he can guess she killed Sol or that she inflicted more damage on him that warned him not to come back. Instead, he brings up something that surprises me.

"I know this is early… But I think it's time Featherpaw became a warrior."

A/n The poll is on my.. profile thingy :) I hope you are okay with the selections.. My little sister is the pickiest with Warrior names. But I really needed her cause I couldn't eliminate any of them! I'd really love it if you reviewed, but you probably know that already ;)
Thank you for reading!