Thought we might need a break from Shatterbreeze's sadness chapter. D:

Wasn't sure what to call this one, but since Halfpaw is going to be stressed a little more, I figured the title should relate to her. :)

If I missed a Bloodclan cat that was submitted, I am SO sorry! Just PM me and I'll put him/her in right away! I'll give them their own chapter even! Maybe...Idk. .-.

Chapter 42: The New Knowledge

A blue-grey she wandered around, looking for food, unknown that she was being watched by a patrol. A light grey tabby with dark navy blue eyes gave a low growl from the bush across the street.

The she-cat backed away from the trash pile she was sniffing, frightened, and Storm rushed forward. He bowled over the she, slamming her shoulders into the concrete. She flinched, crying out for help.

He ran a claw down her face and across her neck slowly, not hard enough to break skin. "And what did you think you were doing, hunting on Bloodclan territory, kitten?" He gave a dark smile.

The she trembled, speechless. She found her voice, stuttering nonsense. Storm chuckled, sinking his claws deep into her shoulder. She flinched, biting back a yelp. Suddenly, a little Tortoiseshell blur weakly ran into Storm.

"Leave her alone!" the little she squeaked, trying to sound mature and menacing.

"Get lost, runt." He easily pushed her away with his hind leg, and she tumbled backwards. A little red she joined the tortoiseshell. "Sorrel, are you ok? Storm, leave her alone!"

"I don't have to take orders from a kit." He sneered.

"But you do have to take them from me."A voice echoed in the alleyway. Storm looked up to see Talon, along with Comet and Lily, approaching.

Comet raised an 'eyebrow'. "What's going on here?"

Red spoke before Storm could. "He called us kits! And he attacked this she!"

"She was just looking for some food!" Sorrel echoed.

Storm growled. "She's a trespasser, and if we let her go trampling all over our territory, she'll eat anything, and then what will fill your big mouth?" He said in Red's face, who hissed.

Lily flicked her tail, and Sorrel and Red joined their mentors. Lily looked over the cat, whose ribs were clearly visible through her pelt. "She's starving." The she nodded vigorously.

"Let her up." Talon spoke. When Storm didn't move, Talon unsheathed her claws. "Storm. I said, let her up." Storm slowly retracted his claws, getting off of the she.

Comet smiled. "What's your name?"

"Sk-sky. I was only looking for some scraps. I swear I wasn't going to take much. I-"

"It's alright." Lily said, and Sky quieted, trembling slightly. Talon watched her for a moment. "How would you like to join our clan, until you get back on your paws?"

Sky's eyes lit up like the sun. Before she could agree, Storm snarled. "No! We will not have-"

"Last I checked, I was the Second. It does not matter if you are related to one or not, speak out of line again, and Snipe will have your pelt as his nest lining." Talon threatened. She flicked her tail, signaling Sky to follow, and the patrol filed after her. Storm muttered and followed behind, glaring at Sky.

Sorrel ran up to Sky, and sniffed her pelt. "What clan are you from? You reek!"

"Sorrel!" Red and Lily scolded.

"No, it's fine. I'm a loner. I've had to live in a sewer for a while. It's probably the smell of Twoleg waste." Sky flushed, embarrassed.

"You can hardly notice. When you get to Bloodclan, you can take a bath, have a meal, and the Tenderfoots can make you a nest." Comet smiled.

Sky smiled too, and when they reached The Main, Sky stopped, mesmerized. The patrol went past her with Storm in the rear. Storm bumped into her. "Look, Twoleg trash, if you think you can come in here and mess up my future clan, you're dead wrong. I don't care where you came from, but if I were in charge, know you would have been shreds in my claws." He growled, stalking off to his den.

Sky shook a little, hurrying to catch up with the others.

Halfpaw grabbed a mouse from the fresh-kill pile, heading toward the elder den. Most apprentices hated Elder duty, but she loved it. She didn't mind cleaning nests or checking for ticks. She loved Tornheart's stories, and even though he was a bit grouchy at times, Frozensoul's stories were sometimes good too.

She entered the den along the gorse wall, looking around. Tornheart was napping, but Frozensoul turned his head, narrowing his eyes at the she. She quietly waited for his signal to come in. After a few heart-beats, Frozensoul flicked his ear. She entered, and he spoke. "Is that mouse?"

"Yes, for you. I know it's your favorite." He nodded, taking the mouse and tucking in. Suddenly, Halfpaw felt something flicker in her vision. The den had darkened into shadows, and a gold stream flowed out of Frozensoul and into her. She was filled with knowledge, and it seemed like a normal thought. The last word escaped her lips, and her vision returned to normal.

"Shadowcontre."

"What did you say?" Frozensoul snapped, tense as a hunted rabbit.

"I…I don't…" Suddenly, it all came back to her, clear as the sky. "Shadowcontre. The ability to make one's shadow come alive-"

"Yes, yes, I know what I'm capable of. How did you-" It dawned on the old cat. He blinked in complete shock. "You're a Perceivere."

"A what? What does that-" The knowledge flickered again. "Oh."

"I can't believe it. In all my years, I thought I'd never see one. Hey, Tornheart." He nudged the denmate with his foot. Tornheart grumbled, blinking away the sleep. "Halfpaw here is a Perceivere."

Halfpaw expected for him to look at Frozensoul like he had bees-for-brains, but he looked as shocked as Frozensoul had been. "My Starclan. And to think, me, a lonely Flightious, could meet one so powerful." The tom croaked, his scarred muzzle

"What in Starclan's name are you talking about? I'm just a Windclan apprentice, not a powerful cat." Halfpaw flicked her stump of a tail. "And what is a-"

The den darkened, and a golden stream flew from the elder to the apprentice. A soft voice filled her head.

One with the ability of quick feet, or speed. A Flightious.

She blinked. The den was lit again, and Tornheart chuckled. Frozensoul gave her a small smile.

Halfpaw looked at the two elders. "Can you tell me a story? One that will explain all of this." Tornheart nodded, and Frozensoul stretched, yawning. Halfpaw settled down, listening intently to every descriptive word that seemed to float out of Tornheart's mouth.

Sky might have some importance later. I'm not sure yet. We'll see. :D

Review, please!