A/N: So we're going to scale off here for a minute. I promise you that her meeting with Mother Gana will come soon. But for now, there's something more interesting you might want to know. Jani's "friend" Hawk (if you don't know who he really is at this point, go back a reread all of The New Prophecy, The Power of Three, and the books of Omen of the Star right away!) is taking her to meet a few of his friends.

Outcast Warriors

"Why do they keep looking at me!"

I felt like every tom's eye (with the exception of Ashfur) was looking at me. I wish cats wore clothes, or else I wear a sweater right now to cover up.

Hollyleaf chuckled.

I looked at her. "Whoa! I'm feeling totally violated right now and you're laughing like it's the funniest thing ever?"

She smiled. "That's because it kind of is."

"What?"

Again, she continued to smile, until she saw I wasn't getting it, she explained. "Violetpaw, have you taken a look at yourself? You're the most attractive cat in the whole clan!"

I blinked, completely stunned. I was attractive? I certainly did see any beauty in my cat form. And I'm not meaning to sound all self-pity or anything, but I really didn't. Was cat beauty different from human beauty?

Hollyleaf and I left the camp, anyway from those staring eyes, and went into the forest in search for more bedding for the elders'. I found some by the roots of a tree, and as I got some, she explained to me what she meant.

"You're a foreign beauty, Violetpaw. There's something about your appearance that make toms stare, and . . . some she-cats jealous." She looked down, tearing at the moss.

I put a paw on hers. Those green eyes were filled with . . . . well I couldn't quite detect it, but they were filled with something. "Hollyleaf?" I tried to make my voice smooth, like how Mary's mother talks to her. "Is something wrong?"

Hollyleaf sighed. "It's just . . . you're so lucky. You're loved by the whole clan-"

"-except for Ashfur!"

"Yes, of course, with the exception of Ashfur. But still, you're excelling in your training much better than any apprentice in ThunderClan. And on top of all that, you're in every tom's mind. Even Lionblaze admits he's found himself thinking of you sometimes. How do you do it Violetpaw?"

"Do what?"

"Be such a tom magnet!"

My pelt was hot with embarrassment. Great. So, in my human life, I was being accused of being a slut. In my cat life, I might just be well on my many. Oh, irony was the most beautiful ever. I didn't even want a boyfriend-man-tom-ugh! The point is I was single, and I would prefer to stay that way . . . at least in this life. Besides, I wasn't here to fall in love. I was here to find a way to help with the curse . . . .

Wait. That's what I said over a month ago. But now . . . I don't know. I've become so attach to this clan, and the cats in it (except for Ashfur). They weren't offering that much help in helping with the curse. Plus they were part of my escape from what was happening in school (the drama scale has escalated a lot since that picture of me on the spirits website). At this point, I think was coming to the clans because . . . . I wanted to. Every day, when I got home from the clans, all I wanted to do was go right back. It was always an adventure with them. They teach me to fight, be strong, and protect myself. This was starting to feel like . . . . my family.

Hollyleaf and I sat in silence for a minute. "I don't mean to do anything," I said to her. "And with all honesty, I don't really want a mate. I'm only an apprentice-why would I want to be thinking about having a mate?"

I smiled at Hollyleaf and she eventually smiled too. I flicked her shoulder. "Hey. You're adorable too."

She shook her head. "Please. With my jet-black, frizzy fur. Ha!"

I shrugged. "Hey, have you heard? Black is the new white."

Hollyleaf smiled, even though she probably didn't know what I was saying. I guess she sensed I was trying help her though. "Thanks Violetpaw."

I nodded. "My pleasure, you know, they say I'm good comforting others."

"Who says?"

Oh damn it! I searched for something to say. "Uh . . . cats from before I became a rogue."

She looked at weirdly. "I thought you said your family was killed when you were a small kit?"

"Well, you see . . . even as a kit, I was still a very comforting person. I uh . . . cared very much for all living things. Hey look a butterfly!"

There really wasn't a butterfly, but I needed to find a way to get off the subject.

Hollyleaf and I returned back to the camp with the moss, which we delivered to the elders. They were grateful (in their own cranky elder way). Afterwards I went over to get as little something. "You want something Hollyleaf?"

She shook her head. "No it's okay. Um, can you just hang on for a minute?"

I nodded. "Sure. Where you off to?"

"Oh, I just need to ask Jayfeather something."

I looked at her. Something tells me she was leaving something out.

"I woke up coughing. I wanna make sure it's nothing serious," she reassured.

Still, even as she walked over to Jayfeather, I wasn't all convinced. Jayfeather was sitting outside the den. As Hollyleaf approached him, they spoke with their heads close together and low. And I could tell that their voices were low too. My cats ears couldn't even pick up a whisper. Suddenly, Jayfeather looked at me. I pretended to eat my mouse. My head was lowered, but my eyes were looking at them. Jayfeather continued to stare at me. Those sightless eyes seemed like they could actually seem something I couldn't.

"Violetpaw!"

I jumped at the sound of Brambleclaw's voice. He was standing in front of me. I got up.

"No, no," he said, gesturing with his tail for me to sit back down.

"But . . ." I was a bit confused. "Aren't we training today?"

Brambleclaw sat down next to me. I offered him a piece of my mouse, but he refused politely. "So then, what's up?"

"Well," he said. "Violetpaw, Firestar and I were talking, and we think it's time to give you your assessment."

I almost choked on my mouth (you know for a smart cat, it wasn't very bright of Brambleclaw to tell me this while I was eating).

"My first assessment?" I could hardly believe it. "Wait, but isn't that the thing where you send me somewhere, stalk me, and if I catch anything I'm good?"

He nodded.

That's it. I couldn't help it. I did my little happy dance. Brambleclaw laughed as I skipped and hopped and whatever else. Wow! I'm like this close to becoming a warrior. Hard work really does pay off.

After another minute of happy dancing, I settled down. "You want me to go train?"

He shook his head. "No that's okay. You've worked hard tonight. Go back to your whatever, rest, and be ready for tomorrow."

Finishing up my mouse, I thanked him, said goodbye, and was on my merry way.

Little butterflies fluttered in my stomach. Lionblaze and Hollyleaf told me about assessments. They'll send me to hunt in a particular area, I catch something (no cheating), and I'll have my warrior name before I know it. Happy day!

"Someone's in a good mood."

I stopped dead in my paw steps and whirled around. "Hawk you really have to stop doing that!"

"Doing what?" Hawk asked with the tilt of his head.

"That thing you do where you randomly come from nowhere and scare me near death."

He laughed. "I'll keep that in mind. In a mean time, come with me. I wanna show you something."

He led me deep into ThunderClan territory. We reached the abandoned Twoleg Nest. That's what the clans called it. Really, it was an old craftsman's workshop. The man, I think his name was Herman, use to make things out of wood, like dressers and stuff. My old dining room table was a work of his. But what really brought him money was his jewelry making. Well one day, Herman went out for a walk. He didn't come back. A few days later, his body was found floating in the lake. Since his house was so far back in the woods, they figured that they leave it there, and eventually nature would tear it down.

Hawk stopped and stared at it. I wasn't going to lie, I was a tad creep out, not at the fact that he was staring at an empty house, but also that he seemed to know where it was. I waved my tail in his face. "Hello? Hawk? You still there?"

He looked at me. "Violetpaw, I thought I would take you to me some of my friends."

I looked like "say what?".

"It depends Hawk. Are they good friends or bad friends?"

He let out a laugh. Suddenly it was as if it dropped ten degrees. A shiver went down my spine, then traveled through my entire body. I backed up a little by Hawk's gaze stopped.

"Come on," he prompted.

I remained still.

"You'll like them. Their like us: Outcasts."

But I wasn't an outcast. I was an apprentice of ThunderClan. A girl who had a curse placed on her. I had friends in ThunderClan who liked me and treated me as an equal. I had a friend in my human life who I now was starting to share more and more interests in. I was everything but an outcast.

I took a step back. "Nah, it's okay Hawk. I would love to meet your friends, but on another night. I have something important to do."

Hawk caught me, holding on tight. "Just come. For a few minutes? They really want to meet you."

I sighed. He wasn't going to give up was he? I hope his stupid friends are worth it.

Hawk and I walked into the old house. It was set up like how I pictured a craftsman's workshop would be like-minus the collapsing walls and interior. Wild plants grew all over the place. There were even a few bats hiding in the corner.

A big fireplace stood over on the far side of the house. Hawk went to it, taking me with him. I was hesitant, but gave it. The fireplace was huge. It stood a good three feet from the wall, earthy designs carved into the stones. The inside of it was all black from the fires that probably started in it. Ash layered the bottom of it.

I stared at the huge stone thing. With all honest I really just wanted to make a run for it, but I knew it I did, Hawk would just stop me. So I remained were I was.

Hawk stared at the fireplace for a minute. I was just about to be one-hundred percent freaked up, but then suddenly, I noticed movement in the fireplace. The ashes were moving. They all began to circle in the fireplace, like leaves do on autumn nights. They swished faster and faster, so fast I felt like my eyes were twisting.

A small light formed in the fireplace. It got bigger and bigger, until it seemed like a big portal. That's it! I tried running away, but Hawk sank his teeth in my, dragging me towards the light.

I kicked my legs, trying to claw and scratch, but it all too overwhelming. The bright portal, Hawk dragging me to it, the panic rising in my bloodstream. Then . . . it all happened so fast. I passed through the bright like, and suddenly, it was as if I was traveling through different worlds. I saw colors, and lights, and heard so many sounds. Then, I plummeted down into darkness.

It was dark. Very dark. It was like someone blew out the sun. And it was cold. The entire place was depressing. It was like death blanketed the entire forest. That's what it was. A dark forest.

I heard whispers. Oh crap, not this again. Why would the Spirits meet in such a depressing place?

Before I could go look for them, it was like the whispers shot into my head. They were becoming louder, and more numerous. Suddenly, they weren't just whispers anymore. They were screams, screeches. It wasn't a thousand people whispering in my head, it was a thousand screeches in my head.

It was like the worst migraine in the world! I clawed at the earth as the pain was soon becoming unbearable. My head felt like someone had drilled it open, put nails in there, sewed it back up, and started shaking my head.

Now I was on the ground shaking. The screams! Someone please make them stop! I can't take it! I can't take it! I CAN'T!

"STOP!" I screamed so loud I swear I threw out my voice. But it was worth it. The screams stopped.

Just as my stomach began to relax, it tightened right back up as I heard a laugh behind me.

I turned to see Bramble-Wait. This wasn't Brambleclaw. Despite him looking just like Brambleclaw, I knew this cat was not Brambleclaw. He was much bigger, stronger looking. He also looked like someone beat the crap out him. His ear was torn, there was a scratch on his nose, scratches elsewhere. Whoever this tom was, Hawk was standing next to him.

The tom looking to Hawk. He smiled. "Well done Hawkfrost."

My eyes widened. "Come again?"

He let out a laugh. It was a laugh that sounded as evil as Ellen when she laughed.

Forget it! There was no way I was staying here! I tried to sprinted, but someone pushed me down and wouldn't me up. I looked up to see who my capturer was . . . the cat I met the first night I traveled to the clans. That WindClan cat, Breezepelt! What the hell was he doing here?

"Well done Breezepelt," the brown tom said with a nod of his head.

Breezepelt gave back a nod. "Thank you Tigerstar."

Tigerstar! This was the fool (well in Mother Gana's words) that was using evil. He was this bad cat the clans told me about! Oh no, this was no good. This was not good at all.

"Alright!" I managed to say under the pressure of Breezepelt's paw. "Go ahead. Kill me! See if it matters. You're all just a bunch of pathetic kitties that live in a dark world."

They all let out an evil chuckle. Everyone, except for Hawk-er, Hawkfrost.

Tigerstar walked up to me. Breezepelt let me go, but for some reason I couldn't move. I was struck by his amber gaze.

"You're more powerful than you think Violetpaw," he said to me.

I tried to block him out but it didn't work.

"I know about you. About how you use to be a rogue, until you joined that weak clan you called ThunderClan. How your liked by your clan mates . . ."

With the exception of Ashfur.

"How you can only go to the clans at night. How you walk the day at a Twoleg, and night as a cat."

My eyes widened to the size of golf balls. How did he know?

"I know many things," Tigerstar said as if reading my mind. "And I know that you are a special young girl . . . Jani."

I gasped as he said my human name.

"That's right, I know your human name. Like I said, I know a lot of things." He walked around me. "And I also know that your mind is full of questions; questions you can't answer for yourself. I might be able to assist you there, and in many more subjects."

He touched my paw, and suddenly white swirls came from it. I screamed. "Let go!"

He just smiled. "I'm not doing anything." He took a few steps back. White swirls continued to circle around my paw. I stood up, panicked.

Tigerstar laughed at my panicked look. "Jani, you are much more powerful than you could possibly imagine." He walked up to me, looked me dead in the eyes. "Tell me Jani, does misfortune tend to happen frequently to you?"

Oh my God! It did!

"Do you sometimes sense things others can't?"

Yes!

"Do you develop skills faster than anyone else?"

Yes I did! I was always able to understand the subjects in school way faster than the other kids could. And in the clans, I was catching on extremely fast.

Tigerstar smiled as my breathing quickened. Another laughed came from him. "If you only knew the power that was inside you." His eyes became greedy. "If you could only imagine what you could do with that power."

I took a few steps back. "I'm not . . ."

"Join me," he said. It was more like a command actually. "Jani, I can teach you how to use your powers. I can help give you all you've ever wanted. All I ask is that you join me."

My other paw started glowing. Tigerstar eyes grew wide with worry, but they quickly went away. Should I join him? I mean, he does sound kind of . . .

No! No Jani! You're not doing this. Jeesh, now I know how Luke Skywalker felt when he was tempted to the darkside.

I stomped my paw. "No! Leave me only you heartless soul! Leave me alone!"

Suddenly, something white shout out of my paws and hit Tigerstar, sending him flying and landing far away with a thump. Breezepelt lunged towards me, but my paws shot out the strong power again, sending him flying as well.

I stared at Hawkfrost, giving him a daring look. The traitor simply ran away. Ha! Traitor and a coward.

Tigerstar got up with a limp. He narrowed his eyes at me. "I will make you pay. Someday, you will pay!" And he disappeared.

White glows swirled around me. Wait what? With a blink of an eye, I was human. No! How was this possible?

I knelt down to the ground on my human knees. My face touched the dirt. "I just want to go home," I whispered into the ground.

My entire body began to light up. Then it felt like I was flying off the ground. I opened my eyes. Holy crap! I was flying off the ground! The dark ground seemed so far away as I zoomed towards the sky.

I was swishing and twirling and zooming, until finally I passed through a giant light. When I came too, something soft touched my cheek.

My gray carpet rubbed against my cheeks. I sat up straight. I was in my room. As I stood up, I flinched at a pain on my back and shoulder. Lifting up my shirt, I checked in the mirror, and saw three claw marks on my back, and teeth marks on my shoulder where Hawkfrost bit me.

Okay this was no dream. And there were too many questions that have yet to been answered. It was no longer an option anymore. I had to go see Mother Gana. And I had to go see her fast!