So, short chapter, but I'm still getting in the groove of the mainies, so allow me just one more, and we'll be back full blast, promise! Anyway, this chapter is kinda boring, but it's chock-full of emotion, so be prepared to be shocked! Baha! Review answersss!

Random Falcon: what is happening indeed? Only time shall tell!

Galefire: Don't you worry, it's been awhile xD Teehehe, I love your rambling reviews! They make me smile xD And you shall never find it! For it doesn't exist ;) I honestly don't know how i got over ten reviews, nevermind 500. Just boggles my mind.

starbomb: what did happen?

Ashheart15: is that soo? 0.o

kingszey: Aren't we all? And no, no it is not. And yes, yes I am xD

theBubblegumKitty: she is indeed *le sad face* xD And aren't they just adorable?

Mistyflower68: You're ever so welcome :) (*whisper* I even made him a main character) ;) And is that so? Well, time shall telllll xD

Silvertail of Shoreclan: They all feel horrible ;) Me included, I feel like exploding. I don't want her to go crazy!

Sierra of the Stars: I didn't even notice that until you pointed it out! Now it's going to bug me until I fix it! Which I shall doo as soon as there is time :)

Sparrowclaw of ThunderClan: I actually was going to make the badger real, but then thought that was just wayyyy too much stress to put on poor Rosepaw. And the twisted paw part was real hehe.

Viper3332: I knew you would be ;D

XxBlazestormXx: It is a mean twist, isn't it? Betcha none of you saw that coming! *evil laughter* Wait until you see the ending I have plannned for you!

Raintail of RiverClan: Read them, please! They are fantastic, I swear. Superb writing.

Snowflower3618: spelling is all good dear. :) Ah yes, I wonder how anyone stands it. Could never do it...

Sara: She remembers, she just doesn't think about it often. And I don't think she'll be spilling the beans anytime soon xD

Tatyana: is she? And isn't he just adorable? And awww! I WISH I HAD BUNNIES! I would love bunnies!

TearStainedAngel: You lost me at Gignerstrike xD

Blue Watcher of Stars: Oh yes xD I'll try, but no promises ;D

Tangleflame: I SHALL MAKE YOU CRY! And aren't they?

Spottedflame: Blackpaw? I am so confuseddd...

CONTINUING!

Chapter 22

Thornpaw

The dark-colored tom paced the clearing agitatedly, fur bristling and growling under his breath. Thornpaw's eyes were narrowed to brilliant greens slits and were filled with fear and anger. Every few seconds, he stopped to stare at the gorse tunnel for a few moments before resuming his pacing.

Night was beginning to fall. Leafstar had returned a few minutes ago, alone. She had said she'd sent Rosepaw home before her. And Rosepaw was nowhere to be found.

Ravenwing had immediately put a patrol together and had rushed out. They had yet to return. Thornpaw had been cleaning the elder's den, so hadn't heard anything and had come out to find half the warriors gone and his sister was missing. Safe to say, he wasn't in the best of moods.

Thornpaw knew he wasn't allowed to leave camp without permission. He knew that the warriors would find her soon. He knew Rosepaw would be okay. She had to be. Rosepaw was always okay.

But, he couldn't get rid of the icy fear constricting his chest. Something terrible ripped him up inside, a voice yelled at him to find his sister, and his paws itched to run and not stop until she was safe beside him once again.

Just as he was deciding to go searching for her, no matter the consequences, Gingerstrike staggered through the gorse tunnel, dragging Rosepaw.

"Oh, StarClan," Thornpaw breathed, sprinting forward. Bending his head, he saw Rosepaw was unconscious. Her paws were twitching and she muttered unintelligible words beneath her breath.

Glancing up at Gingerstrike, Thornpaw realized the tom was terrified. Of his sister.

"I found her in the forest, screaming…" the young warrior gulped. He shook himself and the words seemed to be dragged out of him. "She was screaming about a badger. She said she needed help. Thornpaw, she was screaming about a badger that was never there."

Thornpaw just shook his head and sat down with a huff. Barktail and Poppypaw were suddenly there, fussing over his sister and lifting her, taking her back to the medicine cat den. Thornpaw followed them dejectedly, tail dragging in the earth.

What had happened to his sister?

Rosepaw woke up soon after moonrise. Barktail was asleep, as was Poppypaw, both deep in the world of dreams. Thornpaw sat next to his sister, who cried out every few minutes, staring into the shadows blankly. When she stirred, he gazed at her with haunted eyes.

She blinked up at him, tears instantly filling those pale eyes, so like Darkflight's. "I'm sorry," she whimpered, and Thornpaw's heart broke.

"Rosepaw," he whispered, and he watched helplessly as his sister curled up into a small ball and began to sob, brokenly and uncontrollably. Soon, she was wailing and screaming, cries muffled by her fur. Thornpaw felt himself choking on tears as he curled up around her, feeling her slender frame shudder and tremble.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," she cried. Thornpaw felt the tears sliding down his face.

His sister was lying there, sobbing, broken and dead. And he couldn't help her, couldn't save her. He had failed.

"Rosepaw, stop crying. It's okay. It's okay. Everything is going to be okay," he murmured, praying he was right. He watched as, slowly, she halted the tears and grew still, taking deep, harsh breaths.

Her scarred flanks were visible in the moonlight, as was her scarred face. Her pale green eyes gleamed with tears and her fur was rumple and messy. Thornpaw could see her ribs beginning to poke through her fur and realized that she had lost weight since Darkflight's death. His heart fell to his stomach. How could he have been so blind?

"Rosepaw, please. Tell me what's wrong," he whispered, stroking her face with his tail gently. Rosepaw took a deep breath, rolling over so she faced him.

"Everything. Thornpaw, Darkflight is gone, Maplepaw is dead, Ravenwing is leaving, Leafstar is old, and everything is changing. Shadowfur is going to come and…and-and, oh Thornpaw!" she cried, pressing her face against his chest. Thornpaw gave her a gentle lick on the head.

"Rosepaw, that' not all of it, is it?" he asked gently. Rosepaw nodded, hesitantly. "You can tell me. Remember, I'm your thorns. Rosepaw, how can I protect you if-if you won't let me?" he choked on his words, closing his eyes painfully. His sister scooted closer to him, pressing her frail body against his solid frame.

"I'm scared I won't ever be good enough. I'm scarred and broken, and Thornpaw, I'm not ever going to heal. You know that? I'm never going to get…better," she confessed. Thornpaw felt his breath catch in his throat.

Leaning down, he pressed his head against his little sister's, feeling her breath against his face, reassuring himself she was alive.

"Rosepaw, you'll always be good enough for me. Don't you ever believe differently."

She blinked up at him, her eyes luminous in the dark. Fear gleamed in their depths, and Thornpaw felt a powerful tug of pain in his heart. Where independence had once shone, there was now terror. Where intelligence had once been, there was now paranoia. Where courage had once blazed, there was only emptiness. This wasn't his sister. This couldn't be his Rosepaw.

Sighing, she closed her eyes and set her head down, not responding. Soon, she was asleep again. Thornpaw lay there, wondering at how she could have changed so quickly.

This wasn't his Rosepaw. This was a shell of what had once been his brilliant sister. Just an empty, cracked shell.

And he wasn't sure how to fill it again.

So, new poll on my profile! Do me a HUMONGO, GINORMOUS, BIG favor and vote? PLEASE? I really need help guys, I'm seriously stuck. PLEASE vote? Thank you!

~Ciao, Monkey~