Shout Outs- Thanks to (as usual) Scarflower, EyeOfTheTiger, and (the newest person) Poisonfire-'Con- for reviewing!

A/N- YAY! 2 chapters in a week! I don't think that's happened since I had them pre-written! Kind of short I know, but…yeah I got nothing.

Oh! I was in such a rush to update last chapter that I forgot to mention it was my dog's birthday exactly two weeks ago! Yes, Kimble (the inspiration for Swiftpaw, as well as this story) turned three years old March 16, 2008! (at least we think, she's my little pound puppy, so we just estimated. We got her July 16, 2005 and they said she was about four months old) YAY!

Disclaimer- we've been over this 15 times! NO!

Chapter 16- Safe?

Jewelpool stood in the entrance of the medicine den with a soft smile on her face as she looked at the occupant of one of the nests. Swiftpaw lay stretched out with her side covered in cobwebs. Beechpaw lay next to her, gently grooming her fur. He felt someone's eyes on him and looked up suddenly.

Jewelpool blinked, snapping herself out of a sort of trance, and said calmly, "How is she?"

Beechpaw stood, careful not to disturb the unconscious apprentice, and padded up to her. He sighed and said, "She's fine, but she still hasn't woken up. I'm worried. It's been over a quarter moon!" He paused and continued in a small voice, "Jewelpool, what if she never wakes up?"

Jewelpool looked sadly at the apprentice and replied, "I don't know Beechpaw. I honestly don't know."

They stood in silence for another moment before Jewelpool, trying to lighten the mood, teased gently, "So you're going to your last Gathering as an apprentice tonight. You excited?"

Beechpaw looked unsure, "I don't know. I might just ask to stay here with Swiftpaw."

"Beechpaw, don't." Jewelpool said sternly, "You can't stay behind. You should know Swiftpaw wouldn't want you to miss it." Seeing that he was still looking uncertain, she continued gently, "Go on. I'll stay with her tonight."

Finally, he nodded reluctantly and padded out as she curled up in his vacant place beside Swiftpaw.

OOOoooOOO

Beechpaw bounded through the undergrowth, his Clanmates surging around him. As they crouched at the top of the slope leading to Fourtrees, the scent of the other three Clans washed over him. Beechpaw sat among his Clanmates, waiting with barely contained excitement for Spiritstar to give the signal, allowing them to pour down the slope to the Gathering.

It finally came, and as one they rose and leapt forward. As Beechpaw began weaving through the mass of bodies, he heard someone calling his name and turned to see Gorsepaw padding towards him.

"Where's Swiftpaw?" he asked, looking around eagerly, "There's something I wanted to tell her."

Beechpaw felt a strange burning in the pit of his stomach, and he said suspiciously, "She's back at camp." He considered telling him about the attack, but something stopped him.

Gorsepaw's face fell slightly, "Oh, never mind then."

Beechpaw narrowed his eyes, but before he could say anything, he heard the telltale howl to start the Gathering. He glared at Gorsepaw one last time before stalking forward to sit with Redstorm, Spottedchest, and Rabbitpup.

Emeraldstar stepped forward to speak, "ShadowClan has been bless this leaf-bare. We have had no sickness in our camp. We have a new warrior in Hawkpath, and a new deputy in Bonehunter."

There was the usual murmur of congratulations, and Beechpaw looked around to see Hawkpath sitting proudly next to a white male shepherd with a black chest. He assumed this was Bonehunter. Emeraldstar bowed her head slightly to Lionstar, signaling him to speak.

"WindClan also has a new warrior. Gorsepaw has become Gorsetail."

Another murmur, Beechpaw turned to see Gorsetail looking at him smugly. So that was what he'd wanted to tell Swiftpaw. He was trying to impress her for some reason. Beechpaw felt the same burning feeling in his stomach, but he ignored it and looked back at the Great Rock.

"We also have had a new littler of pups born." Lionstar finished, and then stepped back for Spiritstar to talk. Beechpaw wondered briefly what she would say about Beetlepaw and Swiftpaw.

She seemed to think for a moment before she spoke, "ThunderClan brings with us two new apprentices, Rabbitpaw and Graypaw." Rabbitpaw straightened up next to Beechpaw at this. Spiritstar continued, slightly hesitant, "ThunderClan have nothing else to report."

Beechpaw wasn't very surprised to hear this. They couldn't have the other Clans thinking they were weak; it would just bring them more trouble.

Rabbitpaw, however, burst out, "What does she mean? What about-"

She was quickly silenced by Spottedchest, who whispered, "I'll explain later."

Beechpaw looked around worriedly, but it didn't seem that anyone had heard or paid any attention to the apprentice. He relaxed slightly with this knowledge.

Little did he know of the dark smile slowly spreading across a certain dog's face.

A/N- Dun, Dun, Duuuuuuun! A few tiny hints in there about…stuff… Ok, so I have 16 chapters now, and 26 reviews. 6 more and that's twice as many reviews as chapters. I'll make a deal with you guys: If we hit that mark, I'll give everyone who reviewed the chance to give one of the dogs their warrior name! you don't have to do it now, it can be any dog at any time, and choose two, because people might pick the same dog, and I'd like to use at least one suggestion from everyone. So, with that present in mind, REVIEW!