So, you guys know how I was like, super grumpy earlier today. Well, I got off the computer like three hours later, went and bought a fabulous, 248 page book, read it in a few hours, and I am completely reenergized! Like, life suddenly has new meaning to it! Sure, my mouth throbs each time it moves, and I'm still not a hundred percent better, but hey! Life is good! It rained, I had Inn-N-Out (food of the gods guys, food of the gods), and brownies too! You see, this is what a fabulous book can do. It can completely change your perspective on life! xD Go live life guys, go live it! Anywhoo, I am so sorry guys, but my parents are making me go to sleep, so no review answers today! I am so sorry! I promise to answer next chappie, hopefully up tomorrow! LOVE YOU GUYS DEARLY!

Chapter 3

Feather

Feather paused for a moment, sides heaving as she fought for breath. She had run all day, the trees flashing past her, the ground moving beneath her paws. She was almost there. She would arrive by nightfall.

She was coming. Feather was coming. Excitement ran through her, sending shivers down her spine.

Almost there. Almost.

I will not fail, Father.

Rosekit

Rosekit woke up to Thornkit prodding her side, yowling for her to wake up. One glare was effective for shutting him up. Another glare got him off of her. Sitting up, she yawned, and set to work on her pelt, smoothing it down. She could hear Thornkit pacing and running all around, and just being a crazy squirrel.

"Would you please sit down and shut up?" she finally sighed, twisting her head to clean her back. Thornkit sat beside her, tail swishing across the floor.

"How long?" she mumbled, mouth filled with fur.

"Almost sun high. Ravenwing is coming right now," Thornkit responded, giving his pelt a quick lick before dashing out to meet their mother. Rosekit followed a bit more slowly, refusing to mess her fur up. Their father had followed Ravenwing, and she could sense him staring at her, filled with anxiety. He's wondering if I'll be an apprentice.

"Don't you look beautiful," Darkflight purred in her ear, brushing his fur against hers. Rosekit let out a laugh, pushing her nose into his fur.

"Please. I just groomed myself a little," she responded, savoring her father's warmth. He gave a rumbling purr. Her mother was attempting to smooth Thornkit's pelt down, and by the sound of it, was failing miserably.

"Thornkit, just please sit still! Just for five seconds, I'm begging you!" Ravenwing cried out in exasperation. Thornkit sat down, though his body still wiggled. Ravenwing finally just gave up, turning instead to her daughter.

"Good luck up there. We are so proud of you, my dears. Just remember, even though you leave the nursery today, you never leave my heart," her mother purred, voice filled with emotion.

Rosekit wound her long body around her mother, purring gently before padding off after her brother, leaving her parents behind.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a Clan meeting!" Leafstar's powerful voice rang about the hollow, and Rosekit suppressed a shiver of excitement as she listened to her clan mates pad to the clearing. Almost instantly, she could feel Gingerpaw's warm gaze on her, and she ignored him pointedly, Lilypaw's voice running through her mind.

He's just a stupid tom, she growled at herself, turning her attention towards Leafstar.

"It is now time for two kits to receive their apprentice names. Thornkit, Rosekit, come here," Leafstar meowed. Rosekit followed her brother carefully, their fur brushing. Rosekit could feel Leafstar's eyes on them, approving.

"Echostep, you are an exceptional warrior of intelligence and stealth. I expect you to pass on all you know to Thornpaw," Leafstar announced. Rosekit felt Thornpaw give a little shiver, and he was gone. Feeling lonely, she waited, shivering, for her name to be given.

The whole clan seem to hold its breath. Would Leafstar make her an apprentice? Who would her mentor be?

"I shall mentor Rosepaw."

Shock coursed through Rosepaw, so much that she could barely touch noses with her mentor. Leader. Whatever.

Leafstar wanted to mentor her?

Thornpaw

First surprise, then jealousy, then joy flooded Thornpaw's body. His sister received Leafstar? What an honor! Purring, he bounded up beside her, amused by the awestruck expression in her sightless eyes. The clan chanted their names, surprise rippling through them, and anger in Whitefoot's case.

He stayed by her side as cats approached to congratulate them. Their parents' looked so proud, he wondered if they would explode. Lilypaw, of course, left him tongue tied and Rosepaw amused. Gingerpaw left him amused and Rosepaw irritated. Echostep and Leafstar padded up once every cat had drifted away.

"We will do a tour of the territory tomorrow. For now, just get some sleep and meet your den mates," Leafstar ordered before padding away. Echostep gave each a quick lick before padding off to join the sun high patrol.

Rosepaw sat down with a thump, letting out a huge breath.

"I can't believe this!" she muttered, eyes wide. Thornpaw laughed, sitting down close beside her.

"Well, I guess it takes a leader to see how utterly amazing you are," he teased, voice light. Rosepaw cast him a quick glance. She let out a mock sigh of grief.

"I am pretty amazing, aren't I?" she breathed, then laughed. Thornpaw purred. Sometimes, he wished she showed this side of her to other cats. Yet, it was only with him that she truly laughed, that she really joked. With others, she was prickly, distant. It took her a long time to truly trust anyone.

Speaking of prickly…

"Hey!" Gingerpaw's upbeat voice sounded from behind them, startling them both. Thornpaw watched as Rosepaw instantly retreated, her eyes growing aloof.

"What is with you and sneaking?" she snapped at the ginger tom. Her eyes blazed furiously and her claws dug into the ground. Thornpaw couldn't help but snicker under his breath. Gingerpaw was in for it.

"Sorry, I just…" he trailed off at the look Rosepaw was giving him.

"One more time, and just see what happens," she muttered before stalking away. Gingerpaw turned his gaze on him, bewildered. Thornpaw shrugged.

"She's a mystery," he meowed, laughing. Gingerpaw shook his head slowly.

"You're telling me," he mumbled, padding away. Thornpaw watched his den mate leave, humored. He really did like Rosepaw. What really amused him was she didn't even know that she was falling for him.

Rosepaw

Rosepaw woke at dawn from the fresh scent wafting through the entrance to her new den. Beside her, she could hear Thornpaw's quiet snores as he remained deep in dream land. On her other side, annoyingly, Gingerpaw also remained asleep, breathing deep and slow. Rosepaw stood carefully, trying to avoid stepping on anyone. She tested each step cautiously, not having Thornpaw to guide her at the moment.

She made it outside at last, and breathed a quick sigh of relief. Rosepaw settled down the groom, enjoying the early morning silence. Morning birds tittered all about, and a crisp breeze blew, whispering in her ears. Rosepaw closed her eyes, enjoying it all.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" Gingerpaw murmured, sliding from the den. Rosepaw snapped her eyes open, casting him one of her infamous death stares.

"What. Did. I. Say. About. Sneaking?" she growled through clenched teeth. Her den mate flicked her with his tail, causing her even more irritation.

"I honestly thought you heard me this time. I rustled the bracken a little to warn you," he meowed, voice sincere. Rosepaw nodded, and they sat in awkward silence.

"Do you hate me?" Gingerpaw suddenly asked. Rosepaw glanced at him, surprised. Hurt and curiosity rolled from him. She could sense that this had been troubling him for a while.

Before she could answer however, her brother stumbled out, mumbling a sleepy good morning. Echostep padded up in front of them, and Whitefoot, Gingerpaw's mentor, called him from the camp entrance. Gingerpaw cast one last piercing look at Rosepaw before padding away.

Leafstar padded up, and the four cats set off. Almost unconsciously, Rosepaw drew closer to her brother, silently depending on him to lead the way.

Once out in the forest, Rosepaw drew in a deep breath, relishing the fresh scents of the forest. Weak warmth from the sun fell on her pelt, dappling in some places. She raised her head, pricking her ears. Rosepaw listened to the sounds of the birds and the leaves, the ferns and a stream that chattered a little ways away. Her brother was calling for her to hurry up, and she quickly padded after them, feeling the soft earth beneath her paws. It made her want to run and never stop.

They took a roundabout route around Tallpines, through Sunningrocks, in front of Four Trees, and past the Thunderpath. They were on their way back when Thornpaw suddenly leaped into the undergrowth. It was like, one moment he was there, the next he was gone, leaving a cold void in his place. A few moments later, they heard an aggressive snarl. Fear coursing through her, Rosepaw followed her brother blindly, ready to use her claws.

Feather

She was finally there. Finally. And she had to admit, it was beautiful. The ground was smooth and soft beneath her paws. The trees stretched into the sky, prey rustled all about, and birds sand continuously. Feather couldn't stop gazing around, couldn't stop soaking in all the new scents and sights. That is, until some idiot jumped her.

One moment, she was slipping through the undergrowth, just looking around, and the next, she was glaring into a pair of very dark, very angry green eyes.

"Who are you?" the tom spat, fur bristling. Feather growled, trying to squirm her way out. No use. She was pinned. She cast an appraising eye over the tom.

He was young, around her age. He was pretty big, with jet black fur and one white forepaw. His dark green eyes glared deep into her own dark blue ones, piercing her soul. He smelled of the forest.

"I'm waiting," he snarled. Suddenly, the bushes behind him rustled, and another cat came. And another. And another. Feather felt a sinking feeling start in the pit of her stomach. Not good, not good at all.

The silver she-cat with light green eyes was obviously Leafstar. She walked with pride, head held high, and her pelt gleamed in the weak sunlight. The other she-cat, another silver tabby with burning amber eyes, Feather guessed was Echostep. The youngest, a pretty white she-cat with one black forepaw and pale green eyes was unfamiliar to her, so she guessed she was one of Ravenwing's brats. Huh.

"Thornpaw?" the white she-cat meowed, voice hesitant, wary. The tom, who Feather was guessing was Thornpaw, flicked his tail.

"Here, Rosepaw. Just a rogue," he responded. Feather bristled at the insult, eyes snapping.

"Thornpaw, release her. What is your name?" Leafstar mewed, voice cool and calm. Thornpaw got off, quite reluctantly at that, and backed away. Rosepaw pressed up beside him, fur brushing his lightly, as though reassuring herself he was there.

Feather straightened, fur rumpled and dirty. She cast a venomous glare in Thornpaw's direction, blue eyes furious.

"I'm Feather. And I've traveled a long way to find you," Feather responded, fixing her gaze on the famous ThunderClan leader.

She had to admit, Leafstar was an impressive sight. With her long silver fur, powerful muscles, slender build, strong legs, and long, winding tail, she was the very picture of command. Her light green eyes glinted at the rogue she-cat wisely, all-knowing. Her voice, though gentle, was stern and firm, carrying power, passion, and a wild courage all these cats seemed to possess.

"To find us?" the leader echoed, sitting down. Feather could sense the white she-cat's eyes boring into her, piercing her, sensing all her secrets. If a cat's eyes could even do that.

"Yes. I've come to join ThunderClan, to know your ways. I wish to become a warrior," Feather meowed distractedly, feeling more and more keenly the young she-cat's probing gaze. At last, she just couldn't stand it.

"Would you cut that out?" she snapped, glaring right at her. Thornpaw immediately bristled, but the she-cat remained calm, casting a fiery glare at Feather. Something struck her, and she looked more closely at the she-cat, whose name, she guessed, was Rosepaw.

Her eyes. Though clear and admittedly beautiful, they didn't look right at her. They looked beyond her. Into her. She noted the way the she-cat kept her fur touching Thornpaw's, how she constantly kept her ears pricked, her mouth slightly open. Feather was a master at reading these little hints, these little clues. Rosepaw, she guessed, was blind.

"Cut what out?" Rosepaw mewed innocently, though her voice was laced with a hidden threat. Feather just gave a loud snort, turning back to Leafstar, whose eyes had never left her.

"Rosepaw," she suddenly called. The white she-cat slipped to her leader's side with a deftness that defied her now obvious blindness.

"Yes?" she responded, keeping her sightless eyes locked on Feather. Seriously, what was with the staring?

"Does she tell the truth?" All the cats in the little clearing looked at the leader in surprise.

"E-excuse me, Leafstar?" Rosepaw stammered, caught off guard for once.

"Is she telling the truth? You hear and scent things few can. Tell me, does she lie?" Leafstar meowed, sounding as though she was suggesting they go for a hunt. Rosepaw nodded, retaining her composure.

She turned her gaze back to Feather, and the tortoiseshell she-cat squirmed a little. It was…unnerving, to say the least. To have her soul examined by a strange she-cat was definitely not a favorite pastime.

"She speaks truth," Rosepaw finally announced confidently before returning to Thornpaw's side. Leafstar nodded, eyes thoughtful.

"We'll take you back to camp, and I'll run it by Ravenwing. We shall hold your ceremony at sun set," she finally mewed, turning and padding away. The cats took up positions around Feather.

As they walked, Feather was able to glean a few other things about the two youngest cats.

First, they were obviously siblings. Their closeness and their coloring said it all. Second, they were very young. Her guess was newly apprenticed, as they were still touring the territory together. Just about her age. And so, gathering all these observations, she figured that they may just be Ravenwing's kits. Two of the cats she was assigned to kill.

Shadowfur had told her every little detail of the clans, everything. She knew, in minute detail, each cat of the clan, their coloring, their eyes, their personalities. She knew the other clans and their leaders, deputies, and medicine cats. She knew their weaknesses and strengths, the best hunting spots in the territory, and their belief in StarClan. Feather, in short, knew everything.

They finally arrived at camp, and Feather resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the fierce pride that entered each of their eyes as they gazed at the clearing. To Feather, it was just a clearing surrounded by trees, gorse, and thorns.

She could feel the cats' stares boring into her still rumpled fur as she made her way across the clearing. Seriously, what was up with these cats and staring?

Leafstar called for someone, and Feather watched with great interest as a beautiful black she-cat padded gracefully to her leader's side. Seriously, the cat was gorgeous.

She was slender, lightly built, with hard muscles pounding beneath her shiny, healthy fur. She was jet-black with one white forepaw and had an elegantly sculpted face as well as soft features. Her eyes were a vivid dark green that shone and her coat shimmered in the weak sunlight. Suddenly, something clicked.

Feather whipped her around to Thornpaw, who had remained near her, his eyes one the black she-cat. His fur was exactly the same, but his build contrasted greatly with the similarity. He also had her dark green gaze. Rosepaw, though differently colored, had the same slender build, same elegant face and soft features. Her pale green eyes carried the same look of deep intelligence, soft loyalty, feisty stubbornness, wild courage, and fierce independence.

Yeah, those cats were definitely her kits.

"Just thought you may like to take a look at her," Leafstar was meowing as the cats approached. The black she-cat looked at her, eyes soft and compassionate.

"I'm Ravenwing, deputy. Welcome to ThunderClan, Feather," she purred, voice like sweet honey on a warm green leaf day. It seemed as though it was a gift to the listener, something from above.

"I'm Feather," the she-cat meowed, feeling quite stupid after. She knew that, she had just said it. What was wrong with her?

"Leafstar will hold your ceremony right now. You will be made an apprentice and given a mentor to teach you our ways. My kits will show you around," she continued, gesturing with her tail to the young cats who still hadn't moved. At that moment, Leafstar's voice rang through the hollow.

"Let all cats old enough to hunt for themselves gather here for a Clan meeting!"

Cats slipped like water from the shadows, paws making no sound on the dry earth. It was almost eerie, how silent these cats were.

"We have found a young rogue she-cat who wishes to join this Clan. I have decided to allow her to join and learn our ways," Leafstar announced, almost drowned out by the yowls of disbelief.

"An outsider, learn our ways? Are you out of your mind?" a particularly annoying tom growled, orange eyes flashing. Feather bristled. Before she could open her mouth however, Ravenwing, unexpectedly, jumped to her defense.

"Show some respect, Whitefoot! That's your leader your talking too! And I believe I've learned our ways quite well. Which is to say, I am deputy after all, and I was born a loner. So, yes, I believe Leafstar is quite sane," the she-cat rebuked him, voice sharp. Whitefoot lowered his head, unable to argue with such sound logic. Leafstar gave Ravenwing a quick nod before straightening, lifting her head to the sky.

"Feather, step forward. From this moment on, you shall be known as Featherpaw. Ravenwing, you too were born an outsider, and have now become an exceptional warrior of skill and courage. I expect you to pass on all the skills learned from Stonepelt to Featherpaw," Leafstar called. Ending the meeting, she bounded down, and vanished into her den. Featherpaw touched noses with the deputy, and it was all done.

"Rosepaw and Thornpaw will show you around. Get some sleep, and I show you our territory tomorrow," she purred before padding off after Leafstar. Featherpaw turned to the two apprentices, eyes narrowing dangerously. Before she could speak however, Rosepaw beat her to it.

"Don't worry, we're not eager to babysit you either. But Ravenwing has told us too, so we must. And yes," she tossed over her shoulder as she began to turn away, her brother beside her. "I am blind."

As the tour went on, Featherpaw couldn't help but develop a grudging respect for Rosepaw. The she-cat was intelligent and feisty to say the least, and didn't seem to let her blindness get in the way. After the tour had been finished, Thornpaw was explaining a bunch of stuff she already knew, such as the life of a clan cat, what food they ate, the other clans, blah blah blah, when a handsome ginger tom approached, gold eyes shining playfully.

His fur was ginger, with darker streaks of ginger, and he had white paws and a white chest. His gold eyes were warm and friendly, and his expression didn't change when he caught sight of Featherpaw.

"Whose your new friend, Rosepaw?" he asked, voice teasing. Rosepaw sighed, irritation flashing in her pale gaze.

"Featherpaw, meet our idiot den mate Gingerpaw. Gingerpaw, meet our new den mate, Featherpaw. Don't mind Gingerpaw, he keeps his brains in his tails," Rosepaw growled bad temperedly. Gingerpaw only laughed.

"You'll find that though I'm not half as smart as Rosepaw here, I'm not as stupid as she makes me out to be," he purred good naturedly, tail waving as he trotted away, bouncing cheerfully. Featherpaw already liked that cat. Thornpaw watched him go, amused, before turning back to the former rogue.

"We'll find you a nest and get you settled in. Rosepaw?" he meowed, turning to his sister. Her eyes had turned inward, and she seemed to have distanced herself.

"I'll stay out here a bit, enjoy the silence. Good night, Thornpaw. Featherpaw," she responded, voice distracted. Thornpaw nodded easily, slipping into the den.

In no time at all, Featherpaw was curled in a rather comfy nest a little ways away from Thornpaw, who had fallen asleep almost immediately.

She had to admit, that once you got him warmed up, he was easygoing and joking, cheerful and happy. His sister, however, was a bit harder to make out. Featherpaw could just make out her still white form, sitting just outside the den, head tilted to the stars as though she could actually see them.

Featherpaw was in ThunderClan. It was easy, too easy. These cats were so stupid, just letting her in. The apprentices would be no problem to dispose of. The older cats, however, would pose a challenge. Especially Leafstar, with her nine lives. And Ravenwing, according to Shadowfur, was quite formidable in battle. Featherpaw sighed, determination settling in her gut.

No matter how hard it was, she had to kill them. And she would. She had to. Especially if she wanted her mother to live.

tell me what ya' think! Isn't Feather just adorable? And what about Ginger's increasing infatuation with dear Rose? TIME SHALL TELL!

~Ciao, Monkey~