HEY GUYS! GUESS WHAT! I'M ALIVE AND WELL AND GETTING HEALTHY (i'm still slightly sick like I've been for the past two weeks, almost three xD)So, I apologize most deeply and profoundly and from the hidden depths of my heart for abandoning you guys for so long! Here is my lame, though true explanation:

First, when writing this chappie, as you will no doubt see, I got really stuck. This chapter really sucks and I hated it but I had no fresh ideas, and I'm still kinda stuck, but I'm working on it! Anywhoo, there was another issue. For awhile now, I've been battling these little bouts of depression. I just have days where I'm sad and angry, about nothing. This seemed to get worse lately. It got to some extremes you guys. I'm home alone for a couple of hours actually after school, so during these hours of emptiness, when my house echoes with every breath I take, I just almost...let go. But I stayed tough, waiting for things to hopefully get better. I wrote some poetry and tried to laugh with my friends. During this time, I couldn't focus on writing this. But I've gotten better. I talked a couple things out with my friends, laughed, and I'm doing okay. I haven't screamed into my pillow or held back meaningless tears for a while now. I'm getting better. And I hope it stays that way. You guys, I tell you this in the deepest confidentiality. My friends...they don't know I was hurting. They don't know that inside, I was screaming, crying, for help. But writing again, I no longer feel so...lost. I got so confused, trying to figure this stuff out in my head. But like I said, I'm better now. Anywhoo, enough depressing stuff, here's review answers!

MonkeyCrazy: I LOVE your name ;) You are far too kind, but I luvs you anyway! Thank you! and Oh gosh, can you please review under just one name? I get so confused!

Whiteblaze of FrostClan: you, my friend, are crazy xD maybe that's why I love you so much :P anywhoo, keep reviewing, they make me smile! And these days, that's hard to do!

The Flower Bookworm: and I still LOVE you! Keep reading darling! Sorry this took so long!

Darkfang of DeathClan: I hope you're better! Stay better, please don't get hurt! It pains me when my readers get hurt! I love you kidd!

DuskFlame: Feather is just a naughty naughty girl ain't she? ;) Thank you so much for your kind review :) You make me smile and laugh, and reviews like yours keep my spirits up quite a bit! That isn't how you should look at life! Life isn't just about work! Life is about breathing, jumping, laughing at nothing, smiling at the rain, crying with happiness, dancing during a thunderstorm, loving even when your heart is broken, smiling through the tears, holding your friend close as they cry to you, telling secrets late at night and knowing they'll be safe, finding your soulmate, being with your best friend and not caring what others think. So go out, party, love, laugh, live, get hurt, get back up, and just experience life. Because life is amazing, and it's a beautiful, amazing, rare gift. So use it and enjoy it :) Always know you can tell me anything. I never, ever judge anyone. Not even the murderers I read about or see on the news. Because everyone, I believe, has something deep down they wish others could see. And I hope someday they'll let me see it :) I LOVE CHU TOO! 3!

Falcon: thank you so much! Anywhoo, to your review xD Lion is her father, and Shadow's intentions shall be revealed in time my dear reviewer ;) *sneaky smile*

Nonameknight: thank you for caring and asking about me :) your review made me think that maybe someone cared about me, even though I hardly know you :) Laughing a lot is always the key. Cause when you're happy, others seem to just gravitate to you :)

Ashheart15: Just gotta luv that Feather, doncha? xD I feel a certain amount of empathy for her indeed :)

Tatyana: yes, yes she does...I feel so sorry for her sometimes. It's a kinda like Lionclaw deja vu thing ya know?I have two younger brothers, but I have over 20 cousins on my mom's side, and most of us (like only one isn't) are really close :) So they're basically like my siblings haha :)

sierra-nevada12: you're too kind, you know that? xD another reason to absolutely adore your reviews xD

Snowflower3618: I love your rambling reviews (that does make a tongue twister!) It's funny, I always do my English homework, but I never finish my math homework! I copy down the rest in class, but I still manage to pull an A- in that class, so that's good! My gosh, I'm a slacker! xD ah well, I do hate math with a burning passion xD

Sun on the Horizon Sun: I too, am in possession, of a truly crappy phone xD ah well, you have redeemed yourself with a wonderful review :) gotta luv that suspense xD

TearStainedAngel: Can I just say that I absolutely love you with a burning passion? It was your reviews and Spottedflame's, that kept me going through that really hard, dark time I went through this past couple weeks. I want to say, thank you so so so so so so so so so so so so much for helping me through it and believing in me. You really made me smile and made me believe that I could get through it :) Again, thank you so much, words can't quite describe how much I appreciate it. It makes me cry, that's how much I loved them. If it wasn't for you and Spottedflame, I'm not sure if I would even have finished this story. I would be...gone. I know what it's like to be depressed and dark, and here's my biggest piece of advice: don't. give. up. I know it's extremely hard. Trust me, I do. There were so many times when I cried myself to sleep, screamed into my pillow and just thought about how things could be better. But things will always ALWAYS ALWAYS get better. As I found out. There's a boy in a couple of my classes. He doesn't know this, but talking to him, laughing with him, always made me feel better. It gave me something to look forward to, and something to help me get through my day. Find someone like that, and life will always have a meaning, a purpose. I hope you know, if you told me you needed to take a break from fan fic, from reviewing or whatever, I would wait forever for you to get back. Forever, I promise. Because I want you to know, I am always always here, even when others have walked out. I hope you know that. :) I am so excited for your fan art and your stories! Just bouncing up and down for joy! Get it soon, please! and my dear, you are bordering on stalkerish...just kidding! I luv that you cared enough to check the obituaries and I hate the fact that you were seriously that scared. I promise to not scare you like that ever ever again!3!

WarriorCat99: LOVE YOU! 3

Squirrely-Butt: I KNEW IT! xD love you! 3

Moonshine16: Don't you hate being sick and disgusting? Really sucks huh?

Nimneniel: I dont love it, but I do find it necessary xD luv you!

gusgus0222: sorry it took so long! xD

spottedfire98: sorry this took so long! And get those stories out! Let your words be heard! It's the best feeling in the world, I can tell ya! keep reading!

CrimsonEyedWolf112: here's the new chappie, though I'm afraid not as soon as you would like it I'm guessing? xD sorry this took so freaking long, but as said above, I got really stuck :)

The Bearer of Secrets: you get carsick? It's funny, I seriously never get carsick when reading. Like, if I read for an hour, I feel a little queasy, so I stop for a bit, but I never get like extremely sick. Funny huh? Is that abnormal?

LarkspiritofForestClan: Aw shucks, thank you! And you are just tooo sweeett! glad I can connect to my readers so much! Keep reading deary!

Spottedflame of EclipseClan: friend, thank you so much for your reviews. You and Angel both. They got me through, they helped me survive. You never failed to bring a smile to my face, to help me laugh a little. Please keep it up! You honestly give me a small reason to just keep going, to keep writing, no matter how much I suck at it. Thank you. Thank you. I can't say it enough. Thank you so much, really! (ps- I love the star pattern! xD) Okay, so when you said my real name, I like, freaked a little cause I was like "how the *bleep* do they know that?" then I remembered that I put it on my profile...maybe that's not the smartest idea xD

tangerineleaf: all righty my ditzy blonde xD I don't think you mentioned the names...I'm confused now...

Runningmist: I live in cali...remember, I had a whole rant on it bahaha xD

(PS: This chappie has been revised a bit. I decided to get rid of Rosepaw's dream because I threw that part of the plot out. So, the only difference is some corrections of spelling and grammar, and the deletion of Rosepaw's dream! FORGET THAT WAS EVER WRITTEN!)

Chapter 6

Thornpaw sat just outside the apprentice den, watching the dawn. It had been a week since Maplepaw had died, and the clan was just beginning to return to normal. Fernstep was still broken-hearted, and Ravenwing still sat with a faraway look in her eyes sometimes. But they were slowly healing.

As for Thornpaw, he missed the she-cat. As a kit, she had played with him and his sister, and had never laughed at them when they messed up. When she became an apprentice, Maplepaw still came to the nursery regularly and played with them. And then, Thornpaw had become an apprentice, and even after all those moons, Maplepaw had remained unchanged. Slowly though, Thornpaw was letting go of the grief. He was more worried for Rosepaw.

Maplepaw had been one of the few other cats that had seen Rosepaw's softer side, even though it had always been fleeting. Rosepaw had at least trusted her a little, and even though she hid it quite well, he knew she mourned the apprentice.

Sighing, Thornpaw glanced at the warrior's den, waiting for Echostep. He and Rosepaw began battle training that day. Excitement pricked at him, urging him to move and do something. The sun's rosy streaks had just begun to show when Echostep slipped from her den, followed by Darkflight and Whitefoot. Leafstar also emerged, and Thornpaw heard Rosepaw waking up behind him.

"Good morning," his sister mumbled sleepily, her fur sticking up. Thornpaw purred a response, reaching over to smooth her fur down on top of her head. She yawned and sat down to wash. Thornpaw turned his attention back to the clearing and saw their mentors padding toward them. He stood, tail waving excitedly.

"Good morning, Echostep. Are we going?" he asked, a little anxiously. Echostep gave a light laugh and nodded, turning to Leafstar.

"We will set off right now. Rosepaw," she called gently. Rosepaw jerked her head up, looking at her mentor as though her sightless eyes saw her.

"I know," she muttered, standing. Thornpaw looked at them, confused. Then, he shook his head. He would find out later.

They finally arrived at the training hollow, slightly out of breath. Thornpaw stumbled his way down the sandy sides, while Rosepaw followed a bit more gracefully.

"All right, we will begin separately. At sun high, you two will have a mock battle, to see how far you've come. Echostep, you take Thornpaw to that side, and I'll take Rosepaw over here," Leafstar meowed before padding to her side. Echostep jerked her head at Thornpaw and they moved to the other side.

"All right Thornpaw, let's start. Attack me," his mentor meowed, eyes narrow. Thornpaw gaped at her.

"Just like that?" he asked incredulously, not believing her. She nodded, orange eyes glinting with amusement. Thornpaw shrugged and crouched low, eyes narrowing as he measured up his mentor.

Echostep was renowned in the clan for being quick and agile, something she took great pride in. However, he'd heard the apprentices whispering about how she lacked cleverness and battle strategy. So, Thornpaw needed a trick, a good one. He cursed under his breath. Rosepaw would be better at this.

Finally, he lunged forward, careful to keep his claws sheathed. Echostep moved quickly to the side and tripped him almost effortlessly. Grunting, Thornpaw tripped and flipped over, landing on his back. He scrambled to his paws, shaking the sand out of his fur. Echostep sat a little farther away, waiting patiently.

"Too predictable. Try again," she ordered, shifting once again into a battle stance. Thornpaw lunged again, ready. Echostep slipped to the side, eyes narrow. This time though, Thornpaw shifted with her, finding himself face to face with her. Lashing out his paw, he knocked her front feet out from under her, then he jumped onto her back, pinning her easily. Echostep spit out a mouthful of sand.

"Better. Now it's my turn," she rasped, standing. Thornpaw slipped off her, crouching low and waiting. Fast, almost faster than Thornpaw could follow, Echostep raced forward darting to the side at the last second. Suddenly, she was behind him, then on him, pinning him. Growling, Thornpaw jumped up, shaking her off. He rolled, crushing her beneath him. Leaping to his paws, he stood over her, pinning her down.

"Gotcha' again!" he crowed. Echostep stood, laughing.

"Yes, very good. Now, try this move…" They trained until sun high before Leafstar called for a halt. Rosepaw sat beside her, fur sleek and unruffled, eyes calm and emotionless. She and her brother moved to the center, facing off. Thornpaw had to admit, it was a little unnerving. She stared right back at him like she saw him, like she knew what he was going to do.

Taking in a deep breath, Thornpaw leaped. His triumph turned to confusion when Rosepaw slipped under him, spinning and knocking his paws out from under him, making him land on his stomach. Heaving for breath, he tried to stand, breathless. Rosepaw merely buffeted his head with her paws before pinning him under her.

Thornpaw blinked up at his sister, surprised. Where had she learned that? And how? Rosepaw slipped off him, sitting down a little farther away, eyes still emotionless. Leafstar, obviously trying to keep the pride out of her voice, stood, padding over.

"All right, that's enough for today. Hunt on the way back. Echostep and I need to discuss the plans for tomorrow," she meowed. Thornpaw nodded and heaved himself over the brim of the hollow, sore and dusty. Rosepaw followed quietly, paws making no sound on the soft ground beneath them. They padded on in silence for a while, Thornpaw struggling to sort through his emotions. Rosepaw spoke first.

"I know you're angry with me," she meowed quietly, eyes down. Thornpaw gave no response, keeping his eyes trained forward. Rosepaw sighed, stopping. Thornpaw looked back at her, confused.

"Thornpaw, I know you're angry," she repeated, firmly. Her eyes flashed for a second before returning to their previous emotionless state. Thornpaw shrugged before remembering she couldn't see him.

"It's just that, you're already better than me in hunting. I really thought I would beat you in fighting at least because you're…" here he trailed off, reluctant to hurt her feelings. Rosepaw remained stock-still.

"Because I'm blind," she finished softly. Thornpaw sighed.

"It's stupid, that's all. Let's go back to camp," he muttered, turning to go back. Paw steps sounded from behind him, and suddenly his sister was standing in front of him, eyes fierce.

"No, tell me! Tell me what you're thinking Thornpaw!" she hissed, fur bristling. Thornpaw backed up, bewildered.

"Wh-what are you talking about?" he stuttered. His sister hissed again, eyes flashing fearsomely.

"You were always the one cat who was never afraid to tell me what he really thinks. Now though, you're just like everyone else! Hiding behind your words, just like everyone else! Because you think, just like everyone else, I can't handle the truth! And why? Because you think I can't see the truth! No, I see it clearly Thornpaw! I know you're ashamed because I, your pathetic, blind little sister, can beat you in fighting now. Don't you dare tell me I'm wrong! I can see it Thornpaw! I see what you refuse to see," his sister shouted, tail lashing back and forth.

Thornpaw, for one, was speechless. Rosepaw whirled, tail hitting him in the face. She stalked away, muttering angrily under her breath.

"Rosepaw, wait, come back!" he called, racing after her. Rosepaw spun around, eyes angry and hurt.

"Rosepaw, I know you see the truth! I, of all cats, should know, shouldn't I? You're right, I am angry because I didn't beat you, but it'll pass. I'm happy because now, maybe everyone won't think you're worthless. Rosepaw, you know, you know I'm telling the truth," he meowed desperately. His sister's eyes pierced him, their look probing and thoughtful.

"I know you do, Thornpaw. I see it," she whispered. Thornpaw moved closer, giving her a gentle lick on the head. She rested her head against his chest. Already, he was bigger than her, standing a half-head taller.

"Rosepaw, I'll do anything to protect you. I am your eyes, remember? And you are mine. You're the rose I protect, and I'm the thorns you give shelter too," he murmured, remembering how when they were little kits, they had promised to always be there. He would her thorns, and she would be his rose. Her eyes glistened at the memory, as though she too remembered.

"You promise?" she whispered, and her voice sounded like the little kit she used to be, voice light and carefree. Thornpaw purred.

"I promise."

Rosepaw

"Good morning," Gingerpaw's voice made her jump, and Rosepaw immediately hissed indignantly. He gave a light purr of amusement.

"Sorry, forgot how jumpy you are," he teased lightly. Rosepaw tossed her head, glaring at him.

"How inconvenient," she muttered sarcastically, stalking out of the den. Honestly, why must cats be so annoying?

"Rosepaw," Leafstar called. Beside her stood Ravenwing and Featherpaw. Rosepaw held back a groan. She knew what was coming.

"Today, you'll be hunting with Ravenwing and Featherpaw. We will continue battle training tomorrow," her leader meowed before standing and padding away. Rosepaw bit back a sigh, turning to her mother and her apprentice.

"Where are we hunting today?" she asked, forcing her voice to at least sound slightly cheerful.

"Sunningrocks," Ravenwing responded before leading the apprentices out. Rosepaw followed, allowing her thoughts to wander to Featherpaw, whose anticipation was rolling off her in waves.

In the days following Maplepaw's death, the she-cat had been jumpy, edgy. Rosepaw didn't trust her, not one bit. It was too much of a coincidence, her just happening to be in the same area as Maplepaw on her "solo hunt". Now, she was obviously excited for something, and Rosepaw doubted it was hunting.

Featherpaw

"All right, Featherpaw, Rosepaw, you two stick together. I'm going hunting over here. Call if something happens," Ravenwing stated before slipping away, soundlessly. Featherpaw watched her mentor leave before turning to the white she-cat, mind burning with plans and strategies.

She finally had Rosepaw all to herself, a blind little apprentice. Perfect, almost too perfect.

"Well, let's get started," Rosepaw muttered, slipping away between the rocks. Nearly panting with excitement, Featherpaw followed, noting her every move, her every twitch.

Featherpaw watched silently, scheming, as Rosepaw caught two mice and a starling. Idly, she noted the she-cat was most truly a great hunter.

Just as Featherpaw was unsheathing her claws, blood pounding, adrenaline flowing through her blood, making her jumpy and anxious, Rosepaw murmured something. She glared at her, confused.

"What?" she snapped without meaning too, keeping her claws unsheathed. Rosepaw swiveled her head, eyes piercing, suddenly filled with a deep meaning.

"Do you believe in destiny?" the white apprentice mewed, tail tip twitching. Featherpaw froze, muscles tense as she worked to figure out what the other apprentice could possibly mean.

"I-I'm sorry?" she stuttered back. Rosepaw turned around fully, facing her head on.

"Do you believe we are all part of a bigger picture? Do you believe you have a destiny? Take this mouse for example. Do you think it was born to be eaten eventually, or that it could've had another future, if it had just made another choice?" Rosepaw meowed, voice growing louder, more powerful, older. Featherpaw, without knowing it, sheathed her claws.

"I believe…we are what we make ourselves to be," Featherpaw responded slowly, thinking. Rosepaw's eyes never left her.

"Really?"

"Why is it so important?"

"Because. Every cat has a future. I believe that our choices just lead us closer to our destiny. What our destiny is exactly, I doubt even StarClan can say for sure. But we all have one. It can be changed yes, with effort. But it can be changed. So, what I'm getting at, is that our choices now can change our futures forever," Rosepaw murmured, voice growing lower until it was a mere whisper.

Featherpaw gaped at her, watching as the strange passion left Rosepaw's eyes, as she slowly returned to normal. Had something possessed the apprentice? Had she read her mind?

"Does it matter?" she mumbled finally, not quite sure what to say. Rosepaw gazed at her for a moment, sightless eyes peering into her soul.

"It matters more than anything, Featherpaw. And you know this better than some cats. Don't let your decisions now get in the way later. Like Lionclaw," Rosepaw whispered before turning back to hunting.

Featherpaw stayed standing where she was, a queer feeling taking over, freezing her heart. Lionclaw…

That name, that name. It struck a chord in her something, tugged her heart. Something was prodding at her memory, refusing to be ignored. But no matter how hard she grasped at it, it always got away. Finally she gave up, although that feeling still bugged her. That name…

"You coming?" came Rosepaw's irritated voice. Featherpaw couldn't help but twitch her ears in amusement. That sounded a lot more like Rosepaw.

That night, as she lay in her nest, she continued to ponder Lionclaw. She had heard the elders talking about him. She resolved to ask about him tomorrow, and why he had been so important.