A/N: Wow guys, I am soooooo sorry. You've waited forever for this, and I wouldn't blame you if you had forgotten all about the story. I could give all of my excuses- deleted my story, then lost the inspiration to start it again, etc., but I'm just going to let you read this first chapter without any more rambling. I love reviews as you know so maybe new reviews will get me to write more of this! R&R and thank you so much for reading this!!! =]

Chapter 1

A pale light made its way through the treetops of a forest. Barely past dawn, everything was quiet, and it felt as if by speaking, you were disturbing the area. A squirrel darted across the forest floor in search for acorns, and when it spotted one, it settled down and began nibbling. Nothing alerted the furry animal that it was being watched, so it was able to eat … but not for long.

"Mr-row!" a lithe cat exclaimed, jumping on the squirrel and quickly ending its life. She shook her yellow-and-orange fur, ridding her pelt of loose leaves, and began to bury the squirrel so she could pick it up later.

"Nice catch," one of the cats with her purred, whiskers twitching in amusement. He flicked her nose with the tip of his silver tail, which made her roll her eyes.

"Minnowfin! Sunstream! Are we on a hunting patrol or aren't we?" a golden-brown tabby growled.

Sunstream looked up suddenly and ignored the prickling embarrassment she felt. "We're coming, Eagleflight," she replied.

It had been a half-moon since Sunstream and Minnowfin had become warriors, and she was still very excited about it all. Sometimes, when she found herself alone in the warriors den, she would roll around in the moss, acting like a kit. However she hadn't done that recently, ever since Blackpaw had become a warrior. He was Blackfox now, and he acted as if he had been a warrior for moons! Occasionally, she would notice him limping, but he would always deny it.

Oh well. He's a stupid fur ball anyway if he expects it to get better without any rest.

Blackfox wasn't the only cat who was still suffering with injuries from the attack by SkyClan, though. Her brother, Acornpaw, was still hurt, but thank StarClan it wasn't as bad as before. He was starting to train again, but it would still be a while before he became a warrior, since he was so far behind.

"Sunstream, look at this!" a dark gray cat exclaimed, with a plump quail by his paws. Sunstream purred as she approached her friend.

"That's a giant bird, Cinderpaw!" she mewed, and then, moving closer, whispered, "maybe you should bring it to your mother, since then she won't be so cranky when you pick the ticks out of her fur." Cinderpaw closed his eyes in delight before rejoining Eagleflight at the front of the patrol.

Luckily, ever since the battle, Sunstream and Cinderpaw had become best friends again just like before he was apprenticed. It was awkward at first, but now she felt as if the fight had never happened. For once, it seemed like things were doing well.

It probably won't last long, though, the young warrior thought with a sigh, and as soon as she thought that, a strong scent flooded her nostrils. CloudClan! The others had scented it as well, so they all tried to see where it went. Eagleflight was at the head of the patrol, so he led them forward.

"Why does CloudClan want to hunt on our territory?" Minnowfin wondered aloud. "They have to cross the Thunderpath to get here. Seems pretty stupid if you ask me."

"Maybe they're getting tired of eating crowfood," Cinderpaw joked, with Sunstream purring in agreement. One look from Eagleflight, though, made them stop their joking.

"We must report this to Ripplestar," the golden-brown tom ordered. Sunstream glanced at where the enemy scent was, but she sighed and followed the rest of the patrol; she had been hoping for an exciting battle, her first as a warrior!

I guess it'll have to wait, she thought as they headed back to camp, jaws filled with prey.

Once they got back, Eagleflight immediately headed to Ripplestar's den. Dropping her squirrel and voles in the fresh-kill pile, Sunstream followed the ginger warrior, ignoring the curious looks from her friends. When they reached the SunClan leader's den, they heard the calming voice of Ripplestar inviting them in.

"Good morning, Eagleflight, Sunstream," the gray and silver she-cat said warmly. Beside her was Robinsong, and it seemed like they were sharing tongues together. Sunstream almost felt guilty about interrupting their peaceful morning, but then she remembered what they were there for.

"CloudClan has been on our territory," Eagleflight growled. "I can't believe it! Ripplestar, we have to lead a patrol and keep them away for good. I'd be willing to lead, and—," but with a flick of her tail, Ripplestar silenced him.

Gazing at him with calm, clear blue eyes, she replied, "Last time I checked, I was Clan leader, Eagleflight."

Eagleflight lowered his head as Sunstream suppressed a purr, almost not hearing what Ripplestar said next. "Eagleflight, tell Stormhawk to increase the patrols so we can have every chance possible to prove they've invaded our land. Robinsong, I want you, Deersprint, and Bluejay to hunt, but don't go near the Thunderpath until everything is sorted out." Dipping their heads, the two older warriors turned and left the den, and Sunstream was about to follow as well, but Ripplestar called out. "Stay here, Sunstream."

I wonder what she wants . . . she thought curiously. I haven't really talked to her recently; but then again, why would she want to talk to me? I must be going crazy.

But she didn't betray any of her thoughts as she stood in front of the elegant gray she-cat, trying not to quiver. As she took a closer look, she realized that Ripplestar's eyes looked distressed, which made her even more curious.

"I just wanted to ask you if you could send your friends Morningdew and Minnowfin to come here; I wanted to ask them something."

Oh. That wasn't what she expected.

"Okay, Ripplestar," she replied, padding out to the clearing where cats were sharing tongues. Minnowfin was anxiously waiting for her, and she spotted Morningdew with Birchwind off to the side. Calling them both over, she told them what to do. Minnowfin cocked his head.

"Are you okay? I mean, you don't seem as . . ." He didn't finish his sentence, so Sunstream only shrugged as she watched the two cats meet Ripplestar in her den. She was surprised at how curious and jealous she was; they got to speak with Ripplestar alone, for a special reason, even if it was probably only a minor thing. But now . . . Sunstream groaned, plopping down to forget about her feelings. Ever since she had vowed to figure out that prophecy, she had gotten more obsessed over being the best warrior possible.

At the sound of paw steps shuffling on the ground, she glanced up to find Minnowfin already out, excitement rippling from his pelt. She cocked her head, but he only twitched his tail, not planning on giving away anything.

"You'll find out tonight!" he mewed. Sunstream watched as he left the camp, and she found herself staring at his shiny silver coat, so unlike the other SunClan pelts.

Might as well visit the elders. Oceanwave must be getting bored, not being able to leave the den because of her leg. She felt bad for the once-pretty elder. She had simply gone for a refreshing walk, but recently she had tripped in a ditch and twisted her leg pretty badly. For now she wasn't allowed to walk on it, which meant having to spend more time in the elders den, where Starlight complained nonstop.

"Ah, Sunstream, there you are," was Oceanwave's pleasant greeting. Sunstream meowed a reply, but her eyes glanced to the gray elder's tail. A bundle of muddy brown fur was trying to hide, but it stood out. It wriggled, making Sunstream purr. Oh, scratch that- two bundles of brown fur, with a white patch of fur squeezed between them.

In the corner, Starlight and Ashwhisker were sharing tongues, both of them sending sharp looks at Sunstream. Apparently she wasn't welcome here. Blacksky always liked her; too bad he wasn't there anymore . . .

"What's under your tail, Oceanwave?" she asked the she-cat.

Oceanwave didn't reply, but Smokecloud did. "Don't ruin the fun, kits will be kits," he whispered with a spark in his eyes.

"Unless kits are disturbing your rest," Nightshade grumbled, but even he didn't direct his harshness at the innocent kits.

I wasn't planning on it. A lot of the time, the kits were the only things that kept her light-hearted.

"Hmmm, I wonder what's under Oceanwave's tail . . ."

"Mrrow!" The three bundles jumped out and pounced on Sunstream, pushing her down. She purred, trying to swat them away with sheathed claws. One of them, the darker brown tom, was bigger than she remembered, though, and stronger, too! He leaped on her tail, pinning it down between his paws. The smaller one managed to pull her ear, while the white she-kit just stayed on her stomach, bouncing happily.

When she finally felt them weighing down on her, she flicked her ears before leaping up, sending the three kits flying. "Okay, okay," she joked, "I think we've decided who the prey is."

"Hey, you were letting us win," came Mousekit's indignant mew.

"That's not fair!" Mudkit echoed.

Daisykit nodded, her amber eyes peering into Sunstream's own amber ones. "Starlight told us we didn't have a chance, but- but we're big, too! Only one more month until we're apprentices!"

"More than a month for you," Sunstream added to Daisykit, even though she hated dampening the kit's spirit. "Mudkit and Mousekit are older than you."

Before she could add anything, though, the two brothers leapt to the white kit's defense. "No! The three of us are being made apprentices at the same time! Rainfall promised."

Sunstream was touched. Daisykit hadn't been in SunClan for long, only since she and her siblings had been brought here because their own Clan couldn't take care of them, but she was already a part of everything. She loved everyone, and was unbelievably positive for a cat who had lost practically two mothers—her real mother, Heathertail, was still in SkyClan with Daisykit's three other siblings, and her SunClan foster mother, Whitemist, had died protecting her. It seemed like, no matter what she faced, she got through it all.

But maybe that's just because she's young, and a kit. They bounce back fast, she mused.

"Okay, well, I think we elders need some rest," Oceanwave meowed in the short silence.

"'Kay, bye!" the kits exclaimed. Daisykit mewed a goodbye to Sunstream as well before the trio bounced back to the nursery, where Rainfall was no doubt waiting.

Arching her back in a stretch, Sunstream told the elders, "I think I might rest a little bit, too. Don't worry; I'll make sure Cinderpaw brings you guys a nice, warm squirrel tonight."

Ashwhisker grumbled something inaudible, but Starlight replied in a louder, offended tone. "Our son shouldn't have to do all the work, what with her brother hurt. Luckily, that'll change tonight."

What are they mumbling about? But Sunstream didn't want to seem like she was eavesdropping, so she didn't question them. She'd find out soon enough. After all, SunClan gossip always spread before the sun left the sky.

With a twitch of her tail, though, the young she-cat curled up in a ball away from her Clan, relishing the thought of a nice sleep. She yawned, already getting ready to dream of chasing butterflies and running till the day was done.

*****

However, when Sunstream opened her amber eyes, she realized that chasing butterflies would have to wait. This dream felt . . . different, more realistic. With a gasp, she realized it felt like the times when Meadowleaf and Flamefeather used to visit her.

"Flamefeather?" she called hopefully. "Meadowleaf? Are you there?"

When there was no answer, she began to explore the area, which was a complete mystery to her yet felt familiar somehow . . . and she was sure she'd never seen it in a dream before. Pine trees were everywhere, and the ground was soft and damp. Was this CloudClan territory? Was that why she knew it somehow, because she'd seen it from a distance? But why on Earth was she here in a dream?

"Hey, who are you?" The deep growl of a stranger made Sunstream nearly jump out of her fur.

It's not real. Get a hold of yourself, Sunstream.

"Y- you can't ask me that, this is my dream," she said boldly, trying to sound stronger than she really was.

"No, it's not, are you stupid?" the other cat hissed, a tom for sure. She saw his hard amber eyes glaring at her from the shadows, making her hiss in reproach. Whoever he was, whatever he was talking about, was really making her mad!

She flexed her claws, snapping, "Get out here so I can see you. I don't care this is a dream, I can still fight." The tom glanced at her with a new look, maybe curiosity, before giving a sigh and walking out. His front paw came out of the darkness first, and she noticed it was a pale gray color—so gray it was almost white. She tried to relax, so she wouldn't jump at him the minute he came out, and continued to stare at his eyes. She could tell he was just as confused she was, but he was better at hiding his emotions.

But then, Sunstream began to notice something. He was out of the darkness, yet his face was still shadowy and black! She backed up in fear, turning around and speeding away. Across the Thunderpath, through the marshy field, away from whoever—no, whatever that cat was.

"Wait! I don't know who you are!" he screeched.

I don't know who you are, either, she thought, not looking back. His face, it haunted her. Why couldn't she see his features, see who he was?

"Soon." A voice seemed to come from nowhere; it sounded as if the breeze had spoken.

"What?"

"You will know soon. It is the cloud."

"The- the cloud?" But everything was gone, and Sunstream found herself chin-deep in muddy darkness, and no matter how much she struggled, she couldn't escape.

"Wait, help! Help me! I'm stuck and lost. Please!" Her desperate pleas brought no one, though, which brought an overwhelming sense of defeat.

If I can't get out of this, how can I possibly understand the prophecy? It-

A sharp blow struck Sunstream in the side. She blinked her eyes rapidly, finding herself in the SunClan camp, just like when she had fallen asleep. With a deep breath, she realized that she had actually been afraid; she had forgotten she was in a dream. Her amber eyes, still haunted by the black face of the mystery cat, softened in recognition of the cat that had woken her.

"Oh, it's only you, Acornpaw," she whispered in relief.

"Only me?" her brother joked. "Mom told me to come and wake up, and I'm glad I did because you seemed pretty freaked out by something. But anyway, let's go!"

His exclamation brought silence from Sunstream, who cocked her head in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Are you serious?" the brown tom replied. "Bluejay has been talking about it all day. Robinsong's kits are finally becoming apprentices today!"

At that, Sunstream nodded and purred; about time those three kits were made apprentices! Hawkkit and Jaykit were already mini warriors, and hopefully with their help Swallowkit would be, too.

"Let's go, then," she meowed excitedly, leaving Acornpaw to limp up to catch her. She began to think of the possibilities- three new apprentices, maybe one of them would be taught by a new warrior, someone like her. Jaykit was eager, but Swallowkit could be brought out of her shell. Even Hawkkit would be great . . .

Her thoughts trailed off, though, when she spotted Minnowfin and Morningdew sitting together, side by side. They sat proudly next to the nursery, where Sunstream heard many complaints, probably from the kits. Minnowfin waved his tail in greeting, hardly able to sit still, but Sunstream didn't react as it all dawned on her.

"Oh."