A/U: Sorry that it's taken me so long to update. This chapter was rather difficult to write...but, the next one will give you Flowerpaw's full name, and believe me, you'll like it! Anyways, thanks Son of The Sea 100968 and TheVampLuvr1 for reviewing!

Chapter 21

Stars glittered coldly above Copperpaw's head as she stared at the newcomer who had been brought to Bramblestar. The Clans gathered around her, confused mewls raising among them. Mallowpaw pressed against her, suddenly appearing smaller than ever.

The cat looked strangely familiar to Copperpaw. She was the same light brown tabby that had attacked her when Copperpaw was a wolf. Her amber eyes flashed with fear as she crouched before Bramblestar. His own gaze was filled with unmasked fury as he looked at her.

"Why have you come back?" he demanded.

The light brown tabby's fur was fluffed up in terror as she listened. "I...I wanted to find out what had happened to Firestar," she murmured.

"After she abandoned her own Clanmates?" growled Spiderleg. "I wouldn't let her back for all of the mice in the world!"

"She should have never come back," Whitewing whispered.

Bramblestar glared at the cats who had spoken out. He than looked back at the light brown tabby. Squirrelflight's own eyes were lit with interest as she watched. There were similarities between the two cats that Copperpaw hadn't noticed until now. Squirrelflight's muzzle had the same narrowed tip like the light brown tabby. One of her paws was white, just like this stranger.

Copperpaw narrowed her eyes. She wondered how Bramblestar would react to the light brown tabby's explanation.

"I don't think it's a good idea to let her back." All eyes turned towards Jayfeather, who was crouched beside Lionblaze and Hazeltail. "The Clans are still on edge, and they may take our acceptance as a threat."

The ThunderClan leader nodded in agreement. The light brown tabby's eyes widened in dismay as she watched the rest of the Clan mutter in agreement. Only Squirrelflight remained silent. Her green eyes were narrowed with anger as she listened to the meeting.

"Than the decision is as it stands," Bramblestar meowed. "Leafpool, I'm sorry, but you must leave. An escort will lead you out of camp."

He turned away before she could protest. Copperpaw's eyes had widened with surprise by the time he finished speaking.

So this was the famous Leafpool every cat complained about. Her own grandmother. Copperpaw felt strangely offended to consider this cat as her kin. Leafpool had broken the warrior code by having kits. She was nothing but a traitor to the Clans as far as Copper could tell.

Yet there was something else that bothered Copperpaw. The look Jayfeather gave the former medicine cat was one that Copperpaw had never seen before. At least not one from him. It was a look of pity.

Lionblaze quickly padded away from his brother and over to Leafpool's side. He flicked his tail at Birchfall and Poppyfrost, who both joined him in unison. Copperpaw was surprised to see that Squirrelflight had joined them.

"Wait," she murmured. "Leafpool doesn't deserve to go on her own this time. I'm going with her."

The three warriors blinked in shock as Squirrelflight leaned against her sister. She didn't meet Lionblaze's gaze as he glared at her. Copperpaw knew that Squirrelflight had been feeling left out since her sister was banished from the Clans.

Copperpaw lowered her own gaze. The Clan was growing larger, yet they couldn't afford to lose any cats. She was afraid that the other Clans would view this as a threat. If they did, there was no telling what would happen.

Lionblaze only nodded in response. Squirrelflight didn't question him as she was herded out of the hollow by Birchfall. Poppyfrost stood on Leafpool's side.

After they left the camp grew silent. Copperpaw paced around the fresh-kill pile as she contemplated over the past events.

She couldn't help but rethink over what had happened between herself and Flowerpaw. The ShadowClan apprentice had been furious when she found Copperpaw on her side of the border. Copperpaw knew that Flowerpaw wasn't going to easily forgive her. And she couldn't blame Flowerpaw for not forgiving her.

"Anything wrong?" Copperpaw blinked when Cinderheart's concerned mew broke her thoughts. "I know that being Marked is a big responsibility for you. Maybe even life changing. But you shouldn't let it get in the way of your training."

Cinderheart looked down at her apprentice with a gaze that startled Copperpaw. Her gaze was filled with sympathy, something Copperpaw never imagined would happen.

"How can I be sure that it's my destiny to save the Clan?" Copperpaw murmured. "Jayfeather said I could destroy as well."

"That all depends on your choice," Cinderheart meowed. "Just because you can destroy the Clan doesn't mean you will."

It took Copperpaw a few moments to realize what Cinderheart was saying. Than her own gaze brightened at the thought. She would use her powers for the good of the Clan. Never again would she use them to spy on the others. It was wrong, and Copperpaw felt as though she had really hurt Flowerpaw.

"I'll do whatever it takes to help my Clanmates," she growled determinedly.

"That is all we ever ask of you," Cinderheart murmured.

A purr rose in Copperpaw's throat as she watched her mentor join Poppyfrost and Toadstep. Of course Cinderheart cared about her. She knew now that her mentor wasn't just a heartless warrior like she originally thought.

Yet another thought rose within her. One that had been haunting her since she discovered her power.

Why were the Marked given these powers? And where did the prophecy come from? Sooner or later they would figure it out. And that was when the real prophecy would begin.

A/U: I hope you liked it. Like I said before, this chapter was a challenging one. Anyways, please remember to read and review!