A New Era

Many thanks to everybody who reviewed! Thank-you! Without them, it might take moons before I update! But it did anywayz… I'm sorry, everyone! It's because… well… I had tests… and stuff… and my Internet connection wasn't working…

To Unknown Person: Yah, I know that Hazeltail's grey and white. That's why in chappie 14, I put, the 'grey and white she-cat'. In my opinion, that's pretty close to a sandy color. It's not something like black.

To Anonymoose: Thank you for all the reviews! Just to clarify: Brightheart fainted, Cloudtail snapped his neck, and who in the name of StarClan is Squirreltail? And yah, thanks for Long Shadows! Btw, why don't you just create an account? Oh, and FYI, you spelt my name wrong! I would have said this to your face, but I feel like saying it out loud. :P XD

To Gabo1602: Yes, CLOUDTAIL! And yes, FOX! And yes, chappie 15 in finally here!

Whoo-hoo! (does happy dance) Now… review everyone, or else I won't update the next chappie until next moon! Think I'm lying? Try me. Oh, and… This chappie is just a continuation of chappie 14. Also, I could have stopped in many places of this chappie, and it would have been an awesome cliffie, but I didn't, so thank me. :D

~Crystal Cavern

P.S. There are a few clues in this chappie. And if you find something awkward, then it's probably a clue. I did not make any mistakes in this chappie. So… enjoy! ^-^

Chapter 15: Hints

Hazeltail tried not to move. She could hear the fox scuffling around near their bush. She couldn't move... If she did then the fox might hear… but Runningnose… He might alert the fox with his snoring! Hazeltail held her head lower to prevent it from rustling the lowest branches of the bush and peeked a glance at Runningnose. He was asleep, peacefully, but not for long. Soon, another snore will come and the fox will hear it.

Hazeltail held her breath. Please, StarClan! She begged, please make the fox go away! I don't think I can fight it all on my own! Help me! To her horror, StarClan didn't help her. It was as if they were haunting her, saying that she was a traitor, saying that she was the one who abandoned them first. Hazeltail let out that breath with a bitter thought. Fine. I don't need you. I can survive with Runningnose on my own. You're a hindrance anyway. Besides, I've left my old life with the clans and I've left you. This is my new life.

Hazeltail sighed halfway and then suddenly stopped. Her body tensed, and she hoped that the fox didn't hear her. She twitched her ear to try to catch any new sounds, gaped her mouth to welcome in new scents, but her eyes was always locked on Runningnose. She was looking for signs of the next snore.

Outside, the fox was getting closer. Hazeltail wasn't sure what she should do. Maybe she should stay still and hope that the fox doesn't smell her. Maybe she should dart out, alert the fox, and run away. The fox would give chase, since they were stupid creatures. Also, that way, Runningnose would be safe. But what about the scent on her pelt? Hazeltail thought about it. Well… Let's just hope that this fox is stupid…

Hazeltail was tired. It was nearly dawn, and she hadn't even slept a wink. She was very tired. There is no way I could fight off a fox in this condition. And even if I ran, it would catch me soon enough…

But what about Runningnose? Should I wake him up or not? Hazeltail was running out of time. She wasn't sure on what she should do. Judging from the noise, the fox was about five tail lengths away, and getting closer. Hazeltail shut her eyes tight. Maybe the fox would go away.

The fox stood three tail lengths away from Hazeltail now. It caught her sent and scuffled closer. To Hazeltail's surprise, the fox didn't attack. Instead it sat down right before the bush and waited. Hazeltail was confused, but she didn't move.

Hazeltail was surprised on what she heard next. She heard a scratchy voice that sounded hoarse. Although it was hoarse, it spoke fluent cat. "You're awake, aren't you?"

Hazeltail was scared. Foxes shouldn't be able to speak cat! They were jealous creatures and they only listened to threats!

"It's all right. I promise I won't harm you," The voice said again.

Hazeltail reluctantly got out of the bush. Sure enough, the fox was there, waiting for her. Although it was not full grown, it still had sharp teeth, and it was well fed.

"D-did you just say something?" Hazeltail asked. Her voice wobbled.

The fox grinned and its tongue rolled out of its mouth. "Yes. I did." It said.

Hazeltail's brain swarmed with questions. How come you can speak cat? Why aren't you attacking me? Where did you come from? Are you the fox that Runningnose was talking about? Are we in your home? Why are you alone? Why aren't you killing us? Hazeltail wanted to ask so many questions but nothing came out of her mouth.

The fox looked at her curiously. "What's the matter? Vole got your tongue?" It snickered. The sound was dreadful to Hazeltail.

Then the fox straightened up again. "Why are you here? This is not your territory. Leave or else I will rip you to shreds." The fox dug her claws into the dirt to show that she meant it. "I could easily kill you. Be afraid. Be very afraid." The fox's eyes were mocking. She was enjoying torturing her prey. She knew that Hazeltail was too weak to fight.

Hazeltail! Do something! She screamed at herself. Do something! Or else you'll die here!

The fox sniffed the air and Hazeltail's heart quickened. She was sure the fox could hear it. "I smell another cat." The fox's eyes narrowed. "And he's right behind you. Tell him to come out. I want to meet him. Do it, or else I will claw off your tail."

As Hazeltail turned around, she heard the fox snicker again. "Don't try to do something funny. You can't run from me."

Hazeltail gulped. I should have ran when I had the chance! She got under the bush. With one paw, she prodded Runningnose. "Hey, Runningnose, wake up!" She hissed softly. "Wake up!"

Runningnose woke up and looked at her. "What's wro-"

The sight of Hazeltail's terrified eyes shut him up. "I see." He said, going back to his distant, prophecy-like mode. "The different one has come."

With that, Hazeltail watched as Runningnose heaved himself up. His head hit the branches and let out a grunt. He held it lower. "Move over." He said.

Hazeltail quickly got out of the way. She didn't even realize she was blocking his path. Runningnose stepped out to greet the fox.

"So you have come." He said.

The fox hissed at him. "What are you talking about? Don't you know your life is in my paws?"

"You are the one who will-"

"Silence! You cannot command me! All you elders are the same!" The fox lashed her tail in fury. "I am not your toy!" it sneered.

"You can't hurt us. You know what that would mean, don't you?"

The fox shrank back, as if Runningnose's words stabbed her. "Who are you?" it asked.

Hazeltail watched. Runningnose seemed to know this fox, but there was no way that that was possible. Hazeltail was confused.

The fox was about the same size as Runningnose, which was about twice as small as a full-grown fox. Hazeltail noticed that when she didn't puff out her fur; she actually was a bit smaller than Runningnose. It's just a kit!

The fox snapped her jaws together. "What do you know? It's not you who have power over me!"

Runningnose didn't reply. He stared blankly at the fox.

The fox had enough. With a final lash of her tail, she ran off, towards the opposite direction of ShadowClan. Hazeltail took note of that.

Hazeltail shook her head. What just happened?

She padded over to Runningnose. "Um… Runningnose? Who was that fox?"

Runningnose glanced at Hazeltail. "I have no idea."

"That's a lie! Tell me!" Hazeltail couldn't believe how Runningnose could say it with such a straight face. He has the markings of a liar, she thought bitterly.

Runningnose looked in the direction that the fox went. "It's not time yet."

Hazeltail was confused, offended, and slightly angry. He's withholding knowledge from me! Just like ThunderClan… The thought of ThunderClan made her cringe. It hurt a bit to think of them.

She looked up at Runningnose, saw his blank look, sighed, and forgave him. She might not know who the fox was. But whoever she was, she was important. Soon, she would be able to meet her again, she was sure of it. Hazeltail felt as if their destinies were entwined, along with Runningnose's. When that day comes, Hazeltail thought, I would not be afraid.

"Runningnose," Hazeltail said as another thought came across her mind. "I just remembered… why aren't you going to the gathering?"

Runningnose padded back to their "den".

Hazeltail tagged along. Her fur fluffed out just a tiny bit. "Why aren't you telling me?"

Runningnose sat down and seemed to forget what he was going to do. "Do you really want to know that badly?" he asked.

"Of course!" Hazeltail was surprised that he asked. She waited eagerly for is answer.

"It's because I am exiled. I'm old. I have a better chance of being seen and heard. I'm slow. I would sow you down. Go without me."

Hazeltail was sure that there was another reason, one that he wasn't sharing. "Is that all?" she asked.

"Would I lie to you?"

It's highly possible… "Don't answer my question with another question!"

"Fine."

Hazeltail blazed with annoyance. "I mean, answer my question, but don't answer it with another question!"

"But at least I answered your question." Runningnose said as he trotted off towards the direction of ThunderClan.

"Wait! Don't go!"

Runningnose stopped and looked back. "I'm hungry. I'm going to hunt."

Hazeltail realized that she hadn't eaten for a while either. Her fur burned with embarrassment. She also wanted to hunt, but she was too tired.

"Go get some rest. Think about what happened if you want to. Just be sure you're ready for tonight's gathering."

"Don't you want me to come with you?"

Runningnose let out a purr. "Go rest. Don't overwork yourself. I'll be fine."

"But how will you catch anything?"

"With luck, StarClan will provide, Hazeltail."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. Never been surer than this. Go rest."

Hazeltail nodded. "Thanks Runningnose."

Runningnose nodded and continued to walk away. Hazeltail lay down by the roots of a willow tree and wrapped her tail around her nose. She closed her eyes.

"Oh, and Runningnose?" Hazeltail asked, without opening her eyes.

"Yes?" Came the distant answer. "What?"

"Can you catch me a mouse?"

"We'll see. No more talking. Go to sleep."

Hazeltail did just that.