Here it is! Chapter eight! I read through it to fix grammar mistakes before posting and oof! My writing style has already improved since writing these chapters! I was cringing at my own work lol.

Anyways...enjoy!

Chapter 8

A week later, Starrypaw awoke in the middle of the night to a soft rustle. She lifted her head quickly and scanned the dark den. It only took a moment for her to notice that Squirrelpaw's bedding was empty. She was gone. Her punishment would end soon. Soon enough to go to the gathering anyway.

Her scent was fresh by the entrance. Why would Squirrelpaw have left? Starrypaw had a bad feeling that it didn't have to do with making dirt or getting a drink.

Squirrelpaw had to be up to something.

Starrypaw padded up to the entrance and drew in her not real sister's scent. With one glance behind her at Shrewpaw splayed out comfortably, she slipped out into the still, choking night air, keeping a wary watch for whoever had been posted to guard. She sighed in relief when she saw the clearing entirely empty.

As she followed Squirrelpaw's scent across the camp clearing, she held a faint hope that her inklings were wrong. Perhaps Squirrelpaw really had gone out because she was thirsty.

Her hopes vanished as she followed the scent trail straight to the gorse tunnel.

Starrypaw knew that if she followed her she'd be in deep trouble. It would be better to tell Firestar...

She narrowed her eyes at that thought. Squirrelpaw would be angry if she told on her, and their bond would spread apart even further. If Starrypaw wanted any attempt to be close with her not real sister, then she would have earn her trust.

With a deep breath, Starrypaw slipped out of the gorse tunnel into the forest.

The tall dark trees illuminated by the moon reminded Starrypaw of her dreams as she crept through the forest following Squirrelpaw's scent trail. An owl hooting somewhere in the distance and the rustle of the dry leaves in the wind made it all the more ominous, and she felt as if someone was watching her.

She followed the scent trail deeper into the dark forest, pausing every once in a while to listen to her surroundings. With a jolt, Starrypaw realized Squirrelpaw's scent trail was leading right for Snakerocks.

What is she planning? Starrypaw thought anxiously.

As she continued on, the feeling of something nearby grew stronger. Someone was stalking her. Starrypaw whirled around quickly in the direction of the wind blowing away from her. If there was a predator or cat that was attempting to stalk, they'd surely be smart enough to hide their scent from being blown towards her.

"Who's there!" she called quietly.

The bushes rustled, and the fur on Starrypaw's neck rose. A cat crept out of the brush slowly, and she squinted to see who it could be.

"Starrypaw," the cat whispered, "it's me."

Starrypaw breathed a huge sigh of relief upon hearing the voice. "Shrewpaw!" she exclaimed gratefully.

He crept up to her and gave her a swift lick on the ear, but Starrypaw could see that he was serious.

"Starrypaw, what are you doing? I woke up and you were gone, so I got worried. Why did you leave?"

Starrypaw let herself relax. She was no longer alone in her search. "Squirrelpaw left," she said. "I'm looking for her. It seems she's headed for Snakerocks." Starrypaw motioned with her tail towards the direction of Squirrelpaw's scent.

"Why would you come alone? It's a mouse-brained thing to do. You should've told someone."

Shrewpaw's harsh tone surprised Starrypaw, but she was sure he'd just been afraid that she hadn't been in the camp when he awoke. She knew he wasn't mad at her.

"I know, I just wouldn't want Squirrelpaw to get angry with me. You could've easily told someone too you know."

Shrewpaw sighed, letting his sterness go. "I know, but I was worried about you."

They touched noses briefly, and Shrewpaw nodded silently, telling her to lead the way. Starrypaw turned back to Squirrelpaw's trail. She felt much more confident than she had a couple minutes before as Shrewpaw followed close behind.

As they trotted down low, following the scent, Starrypaw came to a stop abruptly. She'd almost walked right into the giant hole Squirrelpaw had fallen into a few weeks before. Starrypaw flicked her tail quickly to let Shrewpaw know to stop.

"Thanks," he said after a moment.

Starrypaw nodded, and they veered around it, skirting the edge. It seemed that Squirrelpaw had tried to get her scent as close to the hole as possible, probably trying to discourage followers like them.

Suddenly, Squirrelpaw's scent became much stronger, and they could tell she wasn't far ahead. They broke into a faster pace still keeping their bellies close to the ground. Finally, Starrypaw could see Squirrelpaw's tail up ahead going into a bush.

Starrypaw dove into the underbrush, and Shrewpaw followed suit. They followed behind Squirrelpaw slowly, keeping sure not to be seen. The path to Snakerocks was obvious now, and Starrypaw and Shrewpaw exchanged an anxious glance before continuing on with their bellies grazing along the parched forest floor.

As they emerged from the dry thicket, Starrypaw stopped in surprise.

"She's gone," she whispered to Shrewpaw.

Hearing a sharp yowl, Starrypaw swung around to see Squirrelpaw topple onto Shrewpaw, rolling him over.

"Squirrelpaw stop!" Starrypaw leapt on top of Squirrelpaw, struggling with her until she was pinned.

"It's us!"

"Starrypaw?" Confusion was written on her face, but in a second, she looked on Starrypaw with anger. "Get off!"

Starrypaw stepped back quickly, afraid she'd be attacked again. Shrewpaw jumped up comfortingly beside her, his pelt brushing hers, though she could feel how his fur stood on end.

"You okay?" she asked him.

He nodded and shook, releasing some tension.

Squirrelpaw jumped up, glaring at them both with the utmost contempt and frustration. "What are you guys doing out here?" she asked as she sat and began to run her tongue over her side.

"We could easily ask you the same question," Shrewpaw responded. Starrypaw was surprised to hear agitation in his normally calm and considerate voice.

"I have my reasons," Squirrelpaw replied, looking up from her cleaning. "I'm wondering why you followed me out here."

Starrypaw stepped forward. "We were worried about you! You left without telling anyone! I...I didn't want something happening to you, and no one would know!"

Squirrelpaw stood suddenly. "Well now someone knows! Happy?"

"Only us. We...we can go back and pretend nothing happened." Starrypaw strained to hide the longing in her voice. The longing for Squirrelpaw to understand. The longing to have the same sisterly connection with Squirrelpaw that she did with Leafpaw.

"What do you mean, 'only us?'" Squirrelpaw asked.

"We didn't tell anyone we left, or why. Unless someone wakes up, this is a secret. No one has to know." Starrypaw desperately hoped Squirrelpaw would agree to going back. It didn't have to be so hard.

Squirrelpaw looked at the ground. Starrypaw knew she was thinking about how they'd avoided telling on her. It must not have been enough, however, because Squirrelpaw looked up sharply in anger.

"I came out here to prove myself to Dustpelt, and I will do it. I don't need to be punished like a kit! Either go back yourselves, or just sit here forever. You can't make me change my mind."

As Squirrelpaw began to stalk away, many loud yowls and cries of pain could be heard in the distance. All three apprentices froze.

"Who is that?" Starrypaw asked, turning to look at Shrewpaw.

"I don't know," he replied, "but they sound like they need help."

Shrewpaw raced off towards twoleg place in the direction of the sound, and Starrypaw bounded after him. Led by curiousity, Starrypaw guessed, Squirrelpaw was hot on their trail.

Starrypaw began to speed up as the cries grew. With a pang she realized the voice was Hattie.

When they finally reached the fence, Starrypaw could smell blood and fear pouring out from the other side. Her heart raced as she leapt up on the fence, and Shrewpaw and Squirrelpaw landed beside her. Starrypaw gasped.

Crouched in a corner with puffed out fur and scratches all over was Hattie. Her attackers were three, large, muscular cats. Two toms and a she-cat. They swatted and sneered as Hattie yowled for help. Knowing she had to do something, Starrypaw flew off of the fence in a fury.

"Starrypaw!" she heard Shrewpaw scream.

She rushed at the closest cat and knocked him back, but he was far too large for her to do much more. Starrypaw realized with a jolt that she'd just thrown herself into her first full battle with less than a moon of experience and no warriors to help her.

The large tom seemed to notice her hesitation and uncertainty. He smirked before running at her quickly. Starrypaw could see nothing as she tumbled across the yard, and when she finally stopped, the tom raised his huge paw, preparing to bring it down hard. Starrypaw rolled out of the way just in time, and the tom suddenly yowled.

Before she could see what had thrown off her attacker, Starrypaw was once again shoved off of her paws. She could smell the she-cat, and she attacked blindly. Starrypaw was able to make contact with the cat's muzzle, and blood welled up under her claws as the she-cat backed up, shaking her head in pain.

A loud yowl coming from Squirrelpaw tore her attention away, and she rushed at the other tom that had hurt her not real sister, leaping onto his back and digging her claws into him. I was right! she thought. It's way easier to hold on this way!

The tom twisted and turned in an attempt to throw her off, but she only dug her claws in further and scratched his back with her hind claws. He got down ready to roll on top of her, but Starrypaw had practiced this part with Graystripe as well. She leapt off in perfect timing and took quick advantage of the tom's vulnerable position. Suddenly, he was up in a second, and Starrypaw's proud feeling had bubbled away entirely as he flung himself at her in anger.

Starrypaw dodged his big claws and jumped at his hind legs, knocking him off balance. Before she could do anything though, he had her by the scruff and threw her into the fence with a thud.

Shrewpaw rushed at him, and Starrypaw watched in a daze how he scratched the tom's sides fiercely. However, the she-cat joined in, and Shrewpaw was quickly overpowered. He yowled in pain as his hindleg turned in an awkward direction, and he was thrown to the ground.

Pelt hot with anger, Starrypaw shook off her dizziness and ran to help. She scratched at the tom, but he and the she-cat both rushed her. As she was tumbled around, she felt their claws stinging her sides and cutting through skin. She hissed as she felt a cut go deep into her right shoulder.

Starclan, help me! She thought as it all seemed hopeless.

Suddenly, many other cats bursted into the yard. The three attackers whirled around at what Starrypaw could tell were ThunderClan warriors. How or why they were there, Starrypaw didn't know, but she sighed with relief as she watched from the ground.

The six warriors easily chased off the three cats, and they yowled in dismay as they retreated over the fences.

"Shrewpaw!" Starrypaw called out, looking across the yard at him. She struggled heavily to her paws. He lay limp. Starrypaw could tell he was breathing, but he did not respond.

"Starrypaw!"

Graystripe rushed over to her side, followed by Dustpelt. Thornclaw ran over to check on his apprentice, and the rest of the patrol, Ashfur, Sorreltail, and Brambleclaw sat atop the fences, watching the retreating cats. "What happened? Why are you three here?"

"They saved me," Hattie replied, limping forwards.

"How did you know she was in trouble?" Graystripe asked.

Squirrelpaw limped up behind her. "Graystripe...I...I never meant..."

Starrypaw realized Squirrelpaw was about to give herself up. She felt a strong sense of sympathy, and she knew Squirrelpaw didn't need to take all the blame.

"It's my fault!" she blurted out faster than she could think. "I got...uhh...really hungry..and...and I snuck out...and well uh...I made Shrewpaw and Squirrelpaw come with me since it's...you know...dark. Anyway, Hattie was being attacked, so we had to help!"

Graystripe blinked. "That doesn't really make any sense," he stated, "but the story can wait. Right now, we need to get back to camp and get you three checked over by Cinderpelt. Hattie, you come too."

Hattie didn't object, and Starrypaw felt a rush of relief that they were changing the subject. What a ridiculous lie! she thought to herself.

The walk back was painful and slow as the sky lightened with the first sign of dawn. Thankfully, Shrewpaw had woken up, and Starrypaw watched as he kept his injured paw off of the ground on their way to the camp while both Squirrelpaw and Hattie limped along.

Starrypaw could feel blood running down her leg from the deep, stinging wound on her shoulder, but she ignored it, attempting to put as much of her weight as she could on it. In the meantime, she tried to come up with a better story of what they were doing out in the forest. Being hungry and forcing other apprentices to come hunting in the middle of the night wasn't very believable.

"Starrypaw," Squirrelpaw hissed into her ear, causing her to jump. "Thank you for...for trying to keep me out of trouble."

Starrypaw nodded slowly. It seemed odd for Squirrelpaw to be this kind, but hope bubbled up inside her.

"You don't have to lie. I'll tell Firestar the truth," she continued.

Starrypaw widened her eyes in surprise, and she couldn't suppress a purr that rose in her throat. She rubbed her head against Squirrelpaw, and to her relief and hopes, she didn't try and pull away.