I'm the most horrible updater in the world. My apologies. I guess you guys could check out the one hundred one shot challenge I'm doing while you wait for me to update, the I suggest you skip the chapters labelled Injured (it's pretty awful) and Boredom (unless you're in the mood for major spoilers over this end).
Anyway, thanks for the reviews. Sometimes I take you guys for granted. Sorry 'bout that.
I'm supposed to be in my science lesson right now, but I can barely speak above a whisper without excruciating pain in my throat, so I'm at home sick today. This is bad. I have French today and need all the advantages I can get. :/
A totally different point of view today:
When Amberpaw woke, it was dark and stormy. Her eyes swept around the den, taking in all the sleeping apprentices huddled together.
She snorted when she saw Redpaw and Dewpaw curled up together. Dewpaw would have had the potential to become great if not for the small she-cat. Amberpaw supposed that it was best that Dewpaw would not be competing with her for Bloodpaw's affections. After all, Bloodpaw could only ever have one deputy, and Amberpaw was going to make sure that it was her.
The large white she-cat turned her gaze to stare down at Bloodpaw's sleeping form. Arrogant even in sleep, she thought. Typical Bloodpaw.
The only reason Amberpaw needed Bloodpaw was because she knew that Squirrelflight suspected something was not quite right about Amberpaw. However, Bloodpaw had none of the issues Amberpaw did; she was able to gain the trust of almost every cat she met and portrayed all the necessary qualities that were needed in a strong leader.
Bloodpaw would one day be the best leader the Clans had ever seen, but she would need a deputy - a loyal sidekick - to truly become unbeatable. Amberpaw wanted this position, and she was sure she was going to get it.
Amberpaw knew she was in danger of being found out by Bloodpaw about her... lack of emotions if she made one more slip up. She had made the chance to find out if the smaller, yet more powerful, she-cat had the same symptoms as she did.
When she had broached the subject, all she had received from Bloodpaw was a blank stare and then a little laugh. It was quite obvious that Bloodpaw wasn't the same as Amberpaw, and if she was, then she was very good at hiding it.
Amberpaw turned her gaze to Hollypaw, Bloodpaw's stupid, undeserving, idiotic sister who took her kin for granted. Didn't Hollypaw know that Bloodpaw was the way to gain everything she ever wanted?
She supposed that it was okay for Hollypaw to be so ignorant; it just made everything so much easier for Amberpaw to become the only cat Bloodpaw wanted as her deputy. Still, Amberpaw would have given anything to be Bloodpaw's sister like Hollypaw and Redpaw.
It wasn't too bad for Amberpaw because she had kin in high places like Snowpaw, who would soon become the medicine cat. More power for Amberpaw.
Nothing could ruin Amberpaw's plan, she was certain about that.
"You know, Amberpaw, if anyone else caught you glaring at Hollypaw like that, they'd think you were planning to kill her," purred Bloodpaw sleepily, rolling over onto her back.
"What do you think about me glaring at Hollypaw, Bloodpaw?" Amberpaw murmured back to her, twitching an ear.
She chuckled quietly. "To me, it looks like you're going to maul her half to death." She closed her eyes, a contented purr working its way up her throat. "I wouldn't mind that happening, to be honest."
"She deserves it, after what she did to you."
"Unfortunately, that can't happen. We'd probably be sent to the Dark Forest for it, which is a shame, considering her incompetence." Bloodpaw stared at Amberpaw, her ambitious amber eyes meeting Amberpaw's own amber eyes for a second before they both glanced away. "No matter what happens, Amberpaw, you mustn't attack Hollypaw unless she goes for you first. Do you hear me? I won't be able to get you out of that mess, Amberpaw."
Amberpaw swallowed, narrowing her eyes at the sleeping apprentice. "As soon as she gives me reason to, Bloodpaw, I'll tear her to shreds and not hold back. I couldn't hold back, Bloodpaw. Instead, I'll just wait for her to slip up, claim it was self defence. Is that good enough?"
The dark red she-cat frowned at her before nodding her affirmation. "Just don't tear the body up too much; cats will get suspicious. Okay?"
She smiled, white fangs glinting in the dawn light. "Okay."
It was chilly and wet in the forest, the frost nipping at Amberpaw's ears and nose. It was a sure sign that snow was on its way, albeit quite early.
She shivered when a wet fern frond brushed against her flank.
"Cold, Amberpaw? I expect so. The snow will be here soon. I bet you didn't know that, did you?" Squirrelflight's glowing green eyes, bright ginger pelt annoyingly cheerful chatter made Amberpaw want to slit her throat, even in front of Brightheart and Brackenfur. It would be a bad move, though, so she didn't.
Of course I knew that, you insolent kittypet kit. Do you think I'm stupid? I'll show you who's stupid once I can get to you! You're all kittypet, from your fur to your voice to your lies. You won't be able to defend yourself against me. Instead, she shook the water of her tail, smiled sweetly, and purred, "of course I knew, Squirrelflight. How could I not when I have such a wonderful mentor?" She saw Brackenfur straighten with pride.
Squirrelflight flattened her ears, her gaze sliding to the side slightly. "I smell WindClan. What is their scent doing this far away from the border?"
"They must have crossed the border," Brackenfur hissed quietly. "Though I don't scent any blood."
"Maybe they need our help," muttered Brightheart, getting into a crouch and peering through the bushes. "There! I see one."
Amberpaw bristled, stalking to the bushes next to her mother. "We should rip their pelts off for coming so far into the forest. They should know where our camp is."
Squirrelflight waved her tail and stepped out of their hiding place. The rest of the patrol hurried to keep up with their deputy, staying close to the thick undergrowth.
Amberpaw flattened her fur but stared challengingly at a WindClan warrior.
"Squirrelflight, Brackenfur, Brightheart. Amberpaw, I believe?" meowed an elderly white she-cat.
Amberpaw scowled at her, drawing her lips back from a her teeth in a threatening snarl. "What do you want, rabbit-chaser?"
"Amberpaw! Not another word," ThunderClan's deputy snapped. "Greetings, Whitetail. Can we help you with anything?"
At this, the she-cat, Whitetail, coughed uncomfortably, glancing at her two companions. "We were coming to see Bramblestar, but it seems we've gotten a bit turned around with all this undergrowth and the trees blocking the sky."
"Can't you see the trails we use? Or is it too dark for you?"
"Amberpaw! Show some respect to a senior warrior," Brackenfur growled quietly, flicking his ears.
Squirrelflight glanced at Amberpaw, before smiling warmly at the patrol of WindClan warriors. "Come with us, we'll show you to camp. Our patrol can wait a little while longer."
What? No! What if it's a trap? They could be invading right now, kittypet. Amberpaw lashed her tail and turned after Squirrelflight and Brackenfur, butting in ahead of the WindClan cats.
This seems like an appropriate place to leave it. See you guys later.