HEY GUYS! I am in a most fabulous mood today! I don't think I stopped smiling today guys, for no reason! I was just a very happy, bright, bubbly kinda person today! Might be because I can actually talk without agony exploding in my throat! Must be the vast amounts of tea I consumed xD ANYHOW, as promised, here are the review answers you have been so desperately longing for!

The Flower Bookworm: *sly smile* it's a secret xD I am currently debating between to great toms...it shall be decided soon!

xXBlazestormXx: rain is the greatest thing to ever exits, even when I'm sick...it just really cleanses me! and my dear, dear, beloved reader *shakes head*...did you pay any attention to Raven's Wing? Shadowfur is not Feather's father! Dear Lion is, remember? HOW COULD YOU FORGET? haha, I'm just kidding, but the LionxLeaf=Feather thing is true xD

KHandFF7fanforever: who doesn't love Jayfeather? ;)

gusgus0222: aw shucks *blushes* I really don't deserve such praise. These stories are just chicken scratch that spews from my brain on a daily basis...makes me wonder if I'm really sane actually. I mean, what normal person just sits in class and day dreams about talking cats who dream about their dead loved ones? Yeah, really weird when you look at it that way, right? And a real pain in the butt when I actually need to pay attention xD

Sun on the Horizon Sun: don't you just love suspense and romance? I think those are the greatest factors a writer can intertwine in their story...it makes for a compelling story and a fabulous read :)

The Bearer of Secrets: I am indeed a Cali girl xD I honestly hate it here, and I would love to live in NJ. I have a friend who was born there, she visits sometimes. It sounds great, and the pizza sounds legendary! Also, it's my dream to someday walk along their beaches! I hear their like five times better than our polluted, garbage infested beaches over here in the grand West. xD send me a postcard!

Frostpool of LightningClan: *hands Rosepaw plushie* and I, ma chere, love you! Keep reviewing!

sierra-nevada12: doesn't being a metalmouth suck sometimes? Lemme tell ya' I'm so over braces xD and I am so sorry I haven't read anything! Most of my time on fan fic lately has been put into uploading my story and skedaddling off as soon as possible to my room to get some sleep so I don't bite someone's head off at school the next day xD I will get to it as soon as possible in my oh so pathetic life!

Darkfang of DeathClan: lightning and thunder are like, the best part of it ;D couldn't live without our brief and long-in-between thunder/lightning storms :) and yes, without our animals, what are we? My dog is like, an extension of my soul, and without her, I would be reduced to pathetic pile of whimpering, snuffling nothingness! Obsidian awaits you, patiently and happily, beside that great rainbow bridge :')

SkylaGirl108: this could be the start of a beautiful friendship :D

TearStainedAngel: Why thank you! This story has a lot more humor in it than Raven's Wing did :) I thought you guys would appreciate some jokes before the real darkness started to kick in...you thought Raven's Wing was bad? Just wait till you see this! I am, most truthfully, a cruel, evil writer. tehe, oh well xD And that is great! I personally love underdogs! I ALWAYS root for them! I especially love when they come back and totally kick -excuse my french- ass, and pone everyone who ever doubted them! LIVE for those moments! and hey, if you're ever visiting CA, give me a call! I'll set up with a good, not roach-infested hotel (which are extremely rare, especially in the LA region xD) in your second review, I believe I detected some exhausted grumpinesss? hehe, it's all right, just remember...YOU AND LIFE ARE BEAUTIFUL, NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY (i'm on a christina aguilera streak at the moment xD)

Blue Watcher of Stars: *wink* I know, aren't I amazing? *sigh* my amazingess continues to astound many people! haha, I'm totally kidding xD While I do not think I'm a completely horrible person, I'm just an average girl trying to survive a great big world that doesn't stop to listen or care about her *sigh* i get so melancholy sometimes...

Nonameknight: hm...learn something new everyday xD I personally don't think I'm all that funny. In fact, I go back and read my A/N's and cringe from my amazing stupidity. Like seriously, I sound like a robot...but if you like that kinda thing, hey, who am I to judge?

Ashheart15: we shall see...

Hawkpaw44: you know, I think your review was my favorite out of the bunch this time! Not only was it long, which I completely and utterly adore and worship, but it was sweet and amazinngg! I also think I suffer from insomnia sometimes (tips?) hehe, it can be realllyyy frustrating xD especially if you have a big test the next day and you NEED sleep desperately! Anywhoo, continuing...i completely adore Ginger too! He kinda gets more confident in this chappie, but his adorable fallibility that we all know and love makes a reapperance in the next chappie tehe xD GO BLIND CATS! I personally think blind cats are butt-kick awesome, especially when they do something epic like save someone all by themselves...they are just amazing in every way! KEEP UP WITH THE LONG REVIEWS! I WORSHIP AND ADORE THEM!

Duskflame: more math?...fogetta bout it. Heck, I'd be out that window faster than you could say "algebra". I wouldn't even care if we were two stories up. Hospitilization is wayyyy better than math. At least you get TV in a hospital. awwwzz, love ya too!

Snowflower3618: you know, I just knew someone was going to top my weather...i just knew itt xD After reading that, I seriously almost pulled on a tank and went out to embrace the cold. But of course I didn't. Cause I have still retained some intelligence, even after my extensive brain washing from all that TV and suga! FEatherpaw is indeed Lionclaw's daughter...she has just been brainwashed by the oh so sadistic Shadow, who enjoy sucking the kithoods from innocent little kits xD not that I still don't adore him!

WarriorCat99: i love my reviewers mixed reviews on my hinted pairings hahahahahaaha!

Don't-have-an-account: why do I get the feeling you don't have an account? ;) please, do point out my mistakes! I most sincerely benefit from them and wish my readers pointed more out!

Randomness-YAY: you, my dear, are just hilarious xD I never thought I was so random until I went back and read some stuff of mine. I mean, some of it, I'm like, "where the heck did this come from?"

Cloneguin: I finally caught up on your story! Took me ages! Now, I have to go get caught up another one of my reader's stories! Go check it out, it's really good. It's called "In the Bleak Midwinter" by sierra-nevada12 :) been with me since the beginning!

ON WITH THE CHAPPIE!

Chapter 4

Rosepaw

Rosepaw was dreaming.

There were two hints that caused her to come to this conclusion.

Firstly, she had never seen this part of the forest before. And second was the fact she could see.

Truth was, since she was a little kit, which wasn't too long ago now that she thought about it, she'd always been able to see in her dreams. When Thornpaw described how the sky looked and what shapes the clouds were, she knew what they looked like, because of her dreams. She could form the picture in her mind, and she could close her eyes for a moment, and just for a stolen second, she felt like she could see. Actually see. Then, she would open her eyes and reality would give her a quick scream in the ear. Too bad she couldn't glare at it.

Rosepaw stood in the middle of a meadow, something that looked like it belonged on WindClan territory. The heather smelled sweet and fresh, and above her, the stars shone and twinkled. The long, green grass waved and danced in the cool breeze, and birds sang their songs cheerfully. This world had obviously never felt pain, had never seen blood or suffering. Suddenly, two cats were before her, both with stars in their pelts and in their paws.

The she-cat was dark red, with vivid green eyes that, for some reason, seemed familiar to Rosepaw. The tom was long and slender, with a dark brown coat and black paws, his dark blue eyes warm and friendly.

"Hello, Rosepaw. We've been expecting you," the she-cat purred, voice smooth and sweet. Rosepaw felt like she had heard it somewhere.

"I am Lionclaw, and this is Rosepelt. She, however, prefers you call her Robin," the tom meowed, never breaking his gaze from Rosepaw. Rosepaw paused a moment, then felt her eyes widening, and widening. Robin.

"Robin?" she gasped, taking a cautious step forward. The she-cat dipped her head, eyes glowing with amusement.

"Yes, little one, I am Robin. Your mother's sister," she mewed. Rosepaw felt her mouth drop open.

"But you're…Oh StarClan, does this mean I'm dead?" she asked, fur beginning to bristle. Lionclaw shook his head, purring.

"No, little one. We merely bring you here to give you a message," Lionclaw mewed. Rosepaw nodded, and suddenly, she glared at him.

"Why should I trust you? You abandoned my mother, you scum. I don't care what you did in your last "noble moments", but you left her, just when she needed you. I never understood how she forgave you. She trusted you with everything, everything, and you let her down. You ran away," Rosepaw growled, voice getting higher and higher. Whenever she had heard the stories of Lionclaw, she had felt like clawing someone's throat out. To her, he was nothing but a flea-bitten coward. She watched him dip his head in shame.

"It is true, I ran away. But I found my way back, eventually. And I have now earned a place in StarClan. However, maybe it is better Robin give you the message," he responded, voice carrying a hint of irritation. Rosepaw barely kept back a snort as she turned her gaze on the she-cat.

"This is crazy," she muttered, ears flat. Robin merely ignored her, paws beginning to glow brightly, eyes shining.

"The feather shall tip the balance of good and evil. Shadows will come from where they lurk. Roses shall blossom, thorns will sharpen, and the clans will be plunged into darkness once more. Only two can survive," Robin meowed, voice echoing all around the white she-cat. Both her and Lionclaw began to fade, leaving nothing but a pair of glowing eyes that eventually dissipated also.

"No! Wait, come back! What in StarClan does that mean?" Rosepaw howled, frustration seeping into her bones. Why couldn't someone just tell her what they meant, really meant, for once? She was so tired of cats hiding behind words.

Suddenly, the soft earth beneath her paws fell away, and she was plunged into a cold, never ending darkness. Her oldest, most feared nightmare. And as always, Thornpaw wasn't there to save her.

Thornpaw

Thornpaw woke to his sister thrashing beside him, yowling something about falling, and the cold. He instantly reached a paw over and prodded her awake, concerned. Stormpaw lifted his head up, already snarling.

"Would you shut her up? Some of us are trying to sleep!" he growled. Thornpaw was about hiss a retort back when Maplepaw smacked her brother on the head with her paw.

"Maybe we should shut you up! Leave her alone, it was just a dream. Honestly Stormpaw, you act like all that beauty sleep actually helps," his sister hissed bad temperedly. Stormpaw merely hissed back before pointedly turning his back and curling up tighter. Maplepaw only rolled her eyes and went back to sleep.

By now, Rosepaw was awake, eyes bleary and confused, breath short and shallow.

"Rosepaw?" he whispered, drawing closer. She turned her muddled eyes on him, backing up, panic seeping into her eyes.

"I-it's fine, just a dream. Just a stupid dream," she muttered, fur fluffed up. Thornpaw looked at her incredulously, not believing a word of it.

"Was it the same thing again?"

His sister gave a heavy sigh, closing her eyes wearily.

"Yes, of course it was. With a twist," she murmured, eyes still closed. Thornpaw nodded, eyes narrowing.

His sister had been having nightmares for as long as either could remember. And it was always the same one. She was falling, falling, falling, never ending. It was always cold and wet, no warmth, no light. And she was all alone.

Once in a while, she would get a good dream. If she was lucky. But there was always that piece of her, that piece no cat saw because she kept it so cleverly hidden. The piece of her that was terrified, afraid to close her eyes and face the horror that so often haunted her.

Thornpaw himself had only seen that part of her once, and it had terrified him. She'd curled up into a little, pathetic ball, and had started sobbing, the sounds seeming to be wrenched from her small body. At one point, she had even screamed a little, the sound muffled by her fur. When it was over, Thornpaw had promised he would never, ever let that happen again.

And it hadn't. Rosepaw had retreated into herself, only letting herself out when she was with Thornpaw. And he had protected her in every way he could, making sure he played the role of big brother perfectly. But he could do nothing about her dreams. And he hated it.

"Well, try to get some sleep. I'll wake you up at dawn," he murmured. Sighing, she nodded, curling up again and closing her eyes tight. Soon, she had fallen into a more peaceful sleep.

Thornpaw gazed at her, his sister. He loved everything about her, from her strange, snow white fur, to her amazing pale eyes, her wonderful independence, and her astounding intelligence.

She was, in short, amazing. Even if she couldn't see it.

Suddenly, his eyes met a pair of gold ones across her pale flanks, also gazing at her sleeping form. Gingerpaw blinked, looking away quickly. Amused, Thornpaw watched him close his eyes tight, tucking his head under his paws. He could tell that Gingerpaw thought she was amazing too.

Thornpaw watched his sister sleep until the sun rose above the horizon, streaking the sky with its hopeful hues of pink and orange.

Rosepaw

Rosepaw held her breath, stepping lightly, carefully, deliberately. Her movements were smooth, cautious. She kept all her senses open, all the forest scents and sounds rushing over her. The one she was most interested in was the warm vole in front of her, nibbling away at a seed happily, blissfully unaware of its impending doom.

Like a bolt of lightning, she leaped, landing perfectly. The vole wriggled briefly before Rosepaw nipped its neck, tasting its salty blood in her mouth. Satisfaction rushed through her veins, warming her despite the cold day. She may be blind, but she sure as StarClan could hunt.

She padded confidently towards the meeting spot, stopping to pick up the rest of her catch, two sparrows, a mouse, and another vole. Rosepaw waited patiently for her brother, who she could always hear a forest away.

It had been a week since Featherpaw had been accepted. The she-cat was still distant, observant. Rosepaw could feel the anxiety and anticipation rolling off her. For what, Rosepaw couldn't even begin to guess. The strange she-cat obviously prided herself in thinking none could read her thoughts. However, to Rosepaw, she was clear as water. Rosepaw could sense her clear arrogance, her scorn of clan cats. What she couldn't figure out was if Featherpaw didn't like them so much, why didn't she just leave? This question continued to puzzle her constantly, nagging at her continuously throughout the day.

Thornpaw returned at last, carrying a squirrel and a mouse. He spat them out as soon as he caught sight of his sister and her neat pile of prey.

"Mouse-dung! Here early, and you still beat me! How in StarClan do you do it?" he exclaimed in disbelief. Rosepaw merely purred, amused. She picked up her prey and, head held high, led the way to camp, flicking her brother with her tail as she padded past.

Rosepaw felt paw steps approaching them, and caught the scent of Leafstar.

"Well done, Rosepaw. You did exceptionally well for so early in your training," her mentor meowed approvingly, warming Rosepaw with her appreciative gaze. Thornpaw shuffled his paws, embarrassed. Echostep came up behind. Rosepaw sensed humiliation and a bit of disappointment rolling off her. She bristled and whipped her head around to glare at her brother's mentor.

"It's not his fault he's not amazingly talented at hunting! Just you wait until we start battle-training. Then, it'll be Leafstar whose disappointed, and you who will be bursting with pride," she snapped before clamping her mouth shut, embarrassed. She could feel both Thornpaw and Echostep looking at her, their surprise unrestrained.

"Calm down, Rosepaw. Thornpaw also did well. He merely needs a bit more time to perfect his crouch and forward movement," her leader meowed smoothly, switching her gaze to the young tom. Thornpaw dipped his head and muttered something about trying harder next time. Both mentors nodded before padding away. Rosepaw refused to turn her head towards her brother.

"What was that?" he asked, voice genuinely curious.

"Just Echostep being stupid," Rosepaw growled back, still unbelievably angry. Suddenly, the strange scent of Featherpaw wafted over her, followed by an almost overpowering wave of scorn and haughtiness.

"Just two pieces, Thornkit? How quaint. I'm sure the queens would enjoy that. Oh wait, there are no queens," the she-cat sneered, voice scornful. Rosepaw felt the hurt and embarrassment flowing from Thornpaw, and she stood and stalked up to Featherpaw until she could feel her face just inches from her own.

"Insult him one more time, rogue, and see where it gets you," she snarled venomously, giving Featherpaw her ultimate death glare. She turned away, and before she even heard Thornpaw's quick warning, she felt Featherpaw's paws leave the earth, heard her quick intake of breath, sensed her moving rapidly towards her turned back.

She sidestepped easily, allowing the she-cat to fly past. Ignoring her, she padded past, head held high.

"Attacking a blind cat? Nice way to make friends, Featherkit," she sneered over her shoulder, stalking away. Cold fury pounded through her, and she was deaf to everything around her. That no-good, stupid, brainless, arrogant, fox-hearted, proud, vain, scumbag! Rosepaw derived a cold satisfaction from insulting the she-cat in her head. She sat with her head low, eyes flashing, and fur bristling. Clear signs to stay away from her. To all except Gingerpaw. Of course.

"Hey, Rosepaw, saw your catch! That was a nice mouse, good and plump!" he called, striding right on over, glee just sparking off his pelt. Rosepaw sent him a fiery hot glare followed by a quick snarl.

"Whoa! Some one's a bit grumpy! You, my dear rose, need a stroll in the forest! So, what do you say? Come take a walk with me?" her den mate pursued, eyes warming her pelt. Rosepaw sighed, closing her eyes impatiently.

"Gingerpaw. Please. I'm begging you. Not now. Just please, leave me alone, just this once!" she muttered, face held to the sky. She heard his tail hit the floor and felt the disappointment rolling off of him, replacing his earlier joy.

"Oh, okay. I get it. Some alone time. It's okay. Maybe later?" he meowed, voice flat and defeated. He turned and began to pad away, stopping when Rosepaw called his name.

"Later, Gingerpaw. I'll see you at sun set," she sighed, regretting the words the instant they left her mouth. Gingerpaw gave an excited bounce than dashed off, tripping over his own paws and tumbling straight into a ticked Snowpelt.

Shaking her head, Rosepaw was left to ponder if she had any sanity left as sun set rapidly approached.

"I cannot believe I am doing this," Rosepaw muttered to herself as she padded towards the entrance. Gingerpaw was already waiting for her, the excitement jumping from his pelt and infecting everyone around him.

They started off, Rosepaw sulkily silent, Gingerpaw ecstatically chattering. At last though, even he fell silent, and they both just listened to the evening sounds of the forest. Finally, Gingerpaw broke the silence again.

"You never answered my question," he meowed, voice faltering a bit. Rosepaw jerked her head up, caught off guard.

"Question?" she echoed, confused. Then, she got it.

"Oh, that question. Your answer would be I'm still debating it," she continued , voice taking on a slightly teasing tone. Gingerpaw looked at her, voice coming out shocked.

"You're debating it? What kind of answer is that? Do you know how few she-cats can stand against my charms and good looks? Very, very few, dearest Rosepaw," he responded, a little bounce to his step now. Rosepaw let out a faint purr of amusement.

"Which is why, I suppose, I find you so interesting," the tom continued, voice genuine now.

"Is that the only reason? Because I dare to be cold to you?" Rosepaw retorted, tail waving. She felt something…lighten in her. She hadn't spoken to another cat this way in a long time, other than Thornpaw. Gingerpaw gave a huge purr.

"I suppose not. It could also be you're astoundingly smart, gorgeous, talented, and ever so witty. Also, your tough, which I absolutely adore the most about you," he laughed, and Rosepaw laughed along with him, for real. She didn't believe a word he had just said, but it was fun to hear anyway.

"And I for one, like your coldness. Makes you more challenging, So, I'm going to keep at it, no matter how many times you tell me to stop. I'm going to keep going until the day you finally admit you love me!" he brazenly declared. Rosepaw gave an amused purr.

"You'll be waiting a long time, Gingerpaw. Because I'm not the kind of cat who falls in love like that. Believe me, you'll be waiting forever," she meowed loftily, head held high. She felt Gingerpaw glance at her fleetingly, not surprised.

"I'll wait forever if I have to. I'll wait until the roses wilt and the stars stop shining. For you, Rosepaw, forever would mean nothing," he meowed softly. Rosepaw glanced at him, though she couldn't see him. She could just imagine what he looked like, how his eyes would burn and his ears would prick. They were just approaching camp now, pausing at the top of the ravine.

"I don't believe in love lasting forever. Maybe in the stars it does, but down here, it doesn't. And down here, while we're alive and breathing, is all that matters. Good night, Gingerpaw," Rosepaw mewed before leaving him, stepping lightly and softly. Behind her, Gingerpaw watched her leave, eyes filled with longing.

The wind blew around him, ruffling his ginger fur as he watched Rosepaw slip into camp. Her white fur shone in the moonlight, and her pale green eyes were dazzling, reflecting the stars.

"You're wrong. Love does last forever. And Rosepaw, I'm going to prove that to you. Just you wait," he murmured before following her in.

so, I'm really tired now, and I still have to go clip my nails (lovely, huh?) but I'm still going to share a bit of news.

i had a most fabulous day today! I woke up, the sun was beginning to shine, birds were singing, I wasn't as sick, I didn't ache for once, and I just felt AMAZING! So, I went to school, had a greattt day! I made a couple new friends (yay!) and I just love life right now! So, here is the point of all this pointless rambling...

Live life to its fullest, cause who knows how long we have? So, don't live like you have another chance. Because chances are based purely on luck. No, live like this is all you got, your one shot, your one chance. Live like tomorrow is your last day to grace this earth with your presence. Because, everyone, you never know. It might just be your last day. You just don't know :)

So enough preachy stuff, I must bid you adieu until the next chappie!

~Ciao, Monkey!~