Hello again my dears! Here's another update, because I am just that wonderful! And I think a few of you are going to be happy because they see the cats the submitted oh so long ago! And because I probably just got you very, very excited, I'm going to cut this short and get cracking on REVIEW ANSWERS!

LarkspiritofForestClan: aw thanks! And I, in return, love you! And don't we all just love Rosepaw? And have you noticed that I say "and" a lot? O.o

Ashheart: I sense that you're excited xD yes, the long awaited update has arrived! And I too wonder when she will uncover the truth...

Spottedflame: I'm a metalmouth too, but I refuse to let that stop me! I love popcorn just too much to give it up! And I was on your profile (hey, I was bored!) and i noticed that and started laughing so hard because yours was hilarious! HAHA! I hope your tryout goes well!

...: I didn't know what else to put for your name since it was blank, so I just put dots xD I, even though I have no idea who the heck you are, LOVE YOU!

Falcon: honey, YOU ARE AMAZING! My chapters aren't anything special, just rubbish that spews from a brain filled with nonsense :) you are truly amazing for being able to put up with it. YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE PLUSHIES YOU WANT! *hands Thornpaw plushie* no need to ask!

The Flower Bookworm: come now, let's be nice, some of us really like Gingerpaw xD So yes, it is almost Christmas and i am super duper excited! You will of course have at least one more update before then! Just cause I love you guys oh so much! and please write! I bet you could write some awesome fan fics! If they are half as wonderful as your reviews, then they will be flipping awesome!

Darkfang of DeathClan: I'm so happy to, er, read you again! And you know, I wish I could have sugar in the morning. But I'm usually passed out till around 10:30 or 11ish, so it's kinda hard xD My breakfasts are really brunch because it takes me a full half and hour to just open my eyes, never mind move. Yeah, I'm not too much of a morning person tehe. and something tells me you're going to love this chapter...*hint hint*

Frostpool of LightningClan: your ever so welcome my dear!

gusgus0222: aw shucks, I knew that hun! No need to say it! And I want YOU to know that I will always and forever luv you and your sweet reviews! the peanut to my butter!

TearStainedAngel: glomp? Eh, never mind xD the sudden change shall be revealed soon...maybe *evil smile* and I listened to one of your videos with your voice and I just freaked. I love your voice! Ah, gosh, british accents are the best!

CrimsonEyedWolf112: *cries* I missed you tooooo! *huggles* Okay, enough gushy stuff! you know, I though you'd have more faith in me! I would never, EVER, ditch a story! Not only would it bug me for the rest of my life, it just wouldn't be fair to my wonderful reviewers! And I love the Italian bit! Merci! (is that italian?)

CONTINUING!

Chapter 8

Thornpaw

Thornpaw sat outside the den, washing, as he watched the clan wake up to a new, foggy day.

A heavy mist persisted, drops clinging to his thick fur. His mother slipped from the den and made her way semi-blindly to the leader's den. His father followed, settling down just outside the den to eat. All scents and sounds seemed muffled by the snow and fog. Thornpaw could barely make out the shape of Highrock.

Behind him, his sister slipped out, and a jolt ran through him. It had been two weeks since her little episode, and he'd watched her carefully. She seemed quieter, tamer, but all the more colder.

Her pale fur was near invisible in the mist and snow. All he could clearly make out were her glowing pale eyes and her black forepaw. It gave her an eerie look as she moved, appearing to flicker in and out of vision. Her voice drifted to him through the fog, seeming to come from nowhere.

"Hunting is going to be difficult," she commented lightly. Thornpaw nodded, still trying to pinpoint her exact location.

"Well, you'll probably do just fine," he meowed uneasily. He jumped when he felt her fur brush his. Her green eyes peered into his, curious.

"Ants in your pelt much?" she joked. Thornpaw just shrugged, making his way to the prey pile. She followed close behind him, which he knew more by feel than scent or sound. Finally, with frayed nerves, he spun around.

"Quit that!" he snapped, ears flattening. Rosepaw took a step back, eyes wide.

"Stop what?" she asked, eyes tilted a little. Thornpaw gave a frustrated growl.

"Everything! I can barely see you, and it's starting to creep me out. This blasted mist is thick as fur," he muttered. Rosepaw's eyes glinted with amusement.

"Someone didn't get a lot of sleep last night," she purred before padding away, vanishing completely. He sighed. Everything was backwards today.

His sister was in an unusually good mood, he was in a bad mood. His sister had gotten a good night's rest for once, and he'd slept little, plagued by nightmares.

He'd dreamed of Rosepaw, a fully grown warrior, turning and leaving him. He'd dreamed of his father, with a torn throat, surrounded by a pool of blood. He'd dreamed of his mother screaming for help he couldn't give. And most hauntingly, he'd seen Featherpaw torn to bits by shadowy cats with gleaming claws and teeth.

He didn't understand what the last dream had been about. He hardly knew the new apprentice. Maybe he should try to get to know her better after all…

"Ravenwing, Blackfur, Mosspelt, Branchfur, Rainstorm, Thornpaw, Rosepaw, and Featherpaw will join me at the Gathering," Leafstar called from the Highrock.

Thornpaw felt a rush of excitement fill him. His first Gathering! His father approached, pride gleaming in his pale eyes.

"Have fun and watch out for your sister," he purred, giving him and Rosepaw quick licks on the head.

"I'll probably end up being the one watching out for him," Rosepaw joked, bounding away. Hiding a laugh, Thornpaw followed her, falling in step beside Featherpaw as the patrol made its way through the forest.

"Excited?" he asked the she-cat, who responded with a curt nod. Her eyes gleamed with unknown thoughts and she seemed to be struggling with something. He gave her a warm nudge and she shot him a surprised look.

"Relax, it'll be fun! Watch out for ShadowClan though, they've got some nasty tempers," he meowed. As he raced through the night, he felt his muscles stretching and pounding. He felt alive.

Arriving at the hollow, the cats paused, waiting for Leafstar's signal. She gave them a quick nod before waving her tail and leading her warriors to the Gathering.

Rosepaw at his side, Thornpaw gazed around with wide eyes. Only ShadowClan were there, and he caught sight of Blackfur greeting a sand-colored she-cat warmly, touching her nose to the she-cat's cheek as she mewed a hello. Branchfur raced towards a big dusty red tom, purring a welcome. Thornpaw could hear their exchanges.

"Russetpaw!"

"Who's Russetpaw? I'm Russetstrike now," the tom meowed proudly. Branchfur purred congratulations.

"I'm a warrior too. My new name is Branchfur," Branchfur replied, sitting down next to the tom.

Thornpaw hardly knew where to begin, and his guess was Rosepaw was just as lost as he was. She still seemed to be struggling to separate all the different scents and sounds. As Thornpaw looked around, he heard a friendly voice from behind him.

"Your first gathering too?"

Whirling, he was confronted with the sight of three young she-cats, all from ShadowClan. It was the white one who had spoken.

"Hello! My name is Snowpaw, and this is Dapplepaw and Darkpaw," the white she-cat continued. By this time, Rosepaw was "looking" at them too, her eyes piercing them.

Snowpaw was a pure white she-cat with dark blue eyes that shone with friendliness. Darkpaw was a small, dark tabby she-cat with dark green eyes that blazed with fire. Out of the three of them though, Thornpaw was most intrigued by Dapplepaw.

Her fur was a mottled assortment of colors. She was black with patches of white on her chest, right ear, tail, and left hind leg. Her other hind leg was ginger, as was her back and left forepaw. Her eyes were an icy blue that showed no emotion, and he could sense Rosepaw directing all her senses towards her.

"Hello, nice to meet you. I'm Thornpaw, and this is my sister Rosepaw," he responded warily. Snowpaw gave a purr.

"No need to look like that! We don't bite. Well, I don't! I can't speak for my sisters of course," Snowpaw chirped away, apparently unaware of his sister's piercing gaze. Darkpaw stirred a little, glancing at Rosepaw uncomfortably. Thornpaw repressed a sigh.

"Ease up a little, would you?" he muttered under his breath. Rosepaw's ear twitched and she sat down, eyes softening a degree. All three she-cats relaxed visibly. Dapplepaw's next words caught them all off-guard.

"You're blind, aren't you?" she asked bluntly, cold eyes revealing nothing.

"Dapplepaw!" Snowpaw hissed, appearing embarrassed by her sister's lack of delicacy. Rosepaw just tossed her sleek head, directing her eyes in Dapplepaw's direction.

"It must be glaringly obvious if you caught on so fast," she answered, tone laced with ice. "Yes, I'm blind."

As they were speaking, WindClan and RiverClan poured in. Thornpaw caught sight of two toms approaching them, their scent telling him they were from WindClan.

"Hello, I'm Runningpaw," one mewed, voice cool and collected. He was a big silver tabby with green eyes. The other cast him a glance before introducing himself.

"And I'm Blackpaw," he meowed, voice deep and warm. He was black with warm amber eyes and was obviously the friendlier of the two.

"Thornpaw and Rosepaw."

"Snowpaw!"

"Darkpaw."

"Dapplepaw."

The two apprentices nodded and the seven apprentices chatted comfortably until a voice called from the Great Rock.

As Thornpaw tilted his head to listen, he suddenly caught sight of Featherpaw sitting alone, and felt a pang of guilt. He should've invited her to talk with them. As it was, he waved his tail, motioning her over to sit beside them. Obviously surprised, she walked up, settling down beside Rosepaw. Thornpaw looked at them, wondering when they had grown so close. He shook his head. She-cats.

Rosepaw

Rosepaw pricked her ears, eager to hear the leaders speak. She'd heard of them since she was a kit, and had dreamed all her life of this moment. Beside her, Featherpaw also stirred with anticipation, and Snowpaw kneaded the ground expectantly. They waited.

"Cats of all Clans, Leafstar chooses to speak first," a deep voice called out. Rosepaw turned to her brother, but Dapplepaw answered for her.

"That's our leader, Nightstar," she murmured. Rosepaw nodded, listening as Leafstar padded to the front of the great stone.

"ThunderClan prospers. We bring to this Gathering two new warriors, Rainstorm and Branchfur!"

She waited patiently for the cheers to die down as the clans chanted their names. In front of her, Rosepaw could feel Branchfur's warm embarrassment as his name was called.

"We also bring two new apprentices, Thornpaw and Rosepaw!" her leader called out. Rosepaw took in a sharp breath as every cat's eyes turned to her. A sudden silence fell, broken when some tom cried out, "She's blind!"

At this, the clearing erupted into taunts and jeers. Thornpaw instinctively drew closer to her and Featherpaw jumped to her paws, hissing fiercely. Rosepaw felt numb, and then a burning fury swept through her, shaking her to the core. Leafstar let out a thunderous caterwaul.

"Silence!" she yowled. Rosepaw heard the same tom stand and call out again.

"Have you stooped so low, Leafstar, to allow a blind kit train for a warrior?" he yowled mockingly. Rosepaw growled under her breath and unsheathed her claws. Darkpaw let out a snarl.

"That's Bramblefur, the rotten mouse-brain. He's a piece of fox-dung," the fierce she-cat spat. Rosepaw let out a purr of amusement.

"By all means, let him continue. I find this entertaining," she called out, loud enough for everyone to hear her. She could sense their surprise at her ability to talk like a normal cat. Mouse-brains, I'll show them. Bramblefur spun, and she could feel his eyes sending hot glares in her direction. She glared back coolly, refusing to let herself be riled no matter how furious she was underneath.

"Oh, the pathetic little kit finds me entertaining, does it? I'll show you entertaining!" the tom snarled, sounding irritated. Rosepaw contemplated this before letting a mrrow of amusement escape her.

Beside her, Thornpaw seemed to pick up, for he started laughing too, as did Featherpaw. Soon, all her new friends were chuckling merrily. Rosepaw could sense that her mentor was also attempting not to laugh, obviously approving Rosepaw's reaction.

Bramblefur stalked up to her, and she could feel his hot breath on her face.

"Meet me in battle, kit, and I'll make show you laughter," he hissed. Rosepaw gave her paw a lick, choosing to ignore his barbed threat though she wished nothing more than to score her claws down his face. If they met in battle, he'd be lucky to escape with his pelt intact.

Thornpaw snarled, shoving the hostile tom away though he was a tad bit smaller than him.

"Touch my sister and you'll wish you'd never been kitted," Thornpaw spat. Rosepaw slipped to his side, soothing him with her tail.

"He's not worth it, Thornpaw. Let it go," she murmured. Thornpaw stepped back, though his fur was still bristling. Leafstar began to talk again.

"Yes, Nightstar, make sure your warrior understands that if he lays an unreasonable claw on my apprentice, I'll take that as a personal offense," she growled, voice icy cold with special emphasis on the word my so Nighstar got the point. Nightstar snarled.

"Bramblefur, get back! You shame ShadowClan with this behavior," he snapped and Rosepaw sensed Bramblefur stalking away, humiliation radiating from him. Good, she hissed in her mind, for she'd been five seconds away from snapping.

Leafstar continued with her report, then RiverClan, then WindClan. At last, Nighstar stepped forward, and Rosepaw could sense instantly that something was wrong.

"We've found prey remains along the Thunderpath. There's no distinct scents, but my warriors have caught faint traces of ThunderClan," he rumbled, voice filled with warning. Leafstar stepped forward.

"Are you absolutely sure it's ThunderClan?"

"Of course! Do you doubt ShadowClan's skill? Mark my words, Leafstar, if this problem continues, you'll have war!" Nighstar snapped. Leafstar let a faint growl escape her. Rosepaw could just imagine her leader, eyes flashing, stepping up to the intimidating ShadowClan leader.

"My warriors have done nothing wrong and have crossed no boundaries, that I swear. But if you continue to thirst for war, so be it. ThunderClan is ready," she snarled before leaping from the rock.

Rosepaw could hear her calling her warriors. She turned to the three she-cats beside her.

"I don't know who's doing it, but when I find out, there'll be consequences," she swore to her new friends, who said nothing. Suddenly, Snowpaw rushed forward and gave her a quick lick on the cheek.

"We believe you, Rosepaw," the young she-cat murmured. Rosepaw blinked before dipping her head and following her brother, Featherpaw close behind.

On the way home, questions continued to bug her, making her wonder who would want to endanger their own clan.

Who? Why? How?

Too many questions and not enough answers. This was why she was determined to solve the mystery before her clan mates were injured for a crime they hadn't committed.

Aight, there we are! The newest chappieee! Review please and lots of love to everyone!

~Ciao, Monkey!~