After Day Comes Night

So, I can't decide on some relatively minor details, so, at the end of this page there will be two polls to help me decide!

Intro
Hello and welcome to my second fan-fic! And a special thanks to Rainfeather for helping out while writing this!

This is part of my series, Siblings.

My other fanfic: Dark Red Bloodshed

ThunderClan
Leader: Thornstar-A brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

Deputy: Brightface-A gray she-cat with a white face and green eyes.

Medicine Cat: Moonyeyes- A nearly blind blue-eyed tortoiseshell she-cat.

Apprentice: Vinepaw- a greenish-gray tom with green eyes.

Warriors:

Badgerleaf- A striped she-cat with hazel eyes claws shaped like leaves. Apprentice-Sharppaw

Strikeriver- A speckled she-cat with extreme fighting ability and Golden eyes.

Fernleap- A tall tom with light gray fur and amber eyes. Apprentice-Volepaw

Zane- A loner who was taken in and kept his original name. Ginger pelt and Green eyes.

Apprentices:

Vinepaw- See Medicine Cat.

Sharppaw- A mean skinny brown tom and Amber eyes.

Volepaw- A speckled she-cat with amber eyes.

Queens: Oneheart- Loving tortoiseshell with a white 'heart' marking on her chest and Blue eyes.

Kits of Oneheart: Daykit-white and light brown she-kit with long claws and blue eyes. Nightkit-A scraggly dark tabby tom with Amber eyes.

Bluemouse-A small blue-gray she-cat with amber eyes.

Kits of Bluemouse: Lionkit-Small golden tom with amber eyes. Largekit- A large she-kit with a white pelt and green eyes. Streamkit-Blue-gray she-kit with blue eyes.

Elders:

Bindheart-A pale tabby tom with amber eyes.

Littleclaw-A brown she-cat with a long tail and green eyes.

WindClan
Leader: Gorsestar- An elderly tan tom with green eyes.

Deputy: Hollowheart-A gray she-cat with amber eyes.

Medicine Cat: Breezeclaw-A young white tom with blue eyes.

Warriors:

Hawkbeak-A golden she-cat with amber eyes. Apprentice-Grasspaw

Noclaw-A clawless gray tabby she-cat with hazel eyes.

Foxbone-A ginger tabby tom with amber eyes. Apprentice-Gempaw

Curveeye-A half-blind yet incredibly strong tom with green eyes.

Sheepfur-A fluffy white tom with blue eyes. Apprentice-Emberpaw

Apprentices:

Emberpaw-An orange she-cat with blue eyes and black paws with blue-grey flecks on her chest.

Grasspaw-A gray-and-tan tom green eyes.

Gempaw-A white she-cat with ginger fleck markings on her ears and spine one of her front paws is the same ginger color along with her tip-tail and turquoise eyes.

Queens:

Grayrock-A gray she-cat with green eyes. Expecting

Elders:

Vulturenest-A black tom with a long tail and amber eyes.

ShadowClan
Leader: Stormstar-A blue-gray tom with blue eyes.

Deputy: Marshfang-A white-pawed brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes.

Medicine Cat: Frognose-A greenish-gray she-cat with tabby stripes.

Warriors:

Loudmouth-Golden tom with brownish eyes.

Lizardheart-A gray tom with blue eyes. Apprentice-Streakpaw

Apprentices:

Streakpaw-A gray-pawed brown tom with green eyes.

Queens:

Lashtail-Black she-cat with blue eyes.

Lashtails kits: Waterkit: Blue-grey she-cat with blue eyes

Darkkit: Black tom with green eyes.

Foxface-A literally red-faced white she-cat with amber eyes. Expecting

Elders:

None

RiverClan
Leader:

Greystar- a small grey and sandy gold she-cat with greying muzzle a white chest and green eyes.

Deputy:

Fernlight-A light ginger she-cat with blue eyes.

Medicine Cat:

Lightningeye-A half-blind tom with black fur and yellow eyes.

Warriors:

Weedtrout-A brown tabby tom with blue eyes. Apprentice-Eaglepaw

Reedface-A gray tabby she-cat with green eyes. Apprentice-Ratpaw

Littlespot-A small tortoiseshell she-cat with blue eyes.

Gorgebelly-A golden tom with amber eyes.

Thrushstream- Black and grey tom with amber eyes.

Hollyember- black and ginger she-cat with amber eyes.

Cloudpetal white with some tortoiseshell and blue eyes.

Apprentices:

Eaglepaw-A white and brown tom and amber eyes.

Ratpaw-A black tom with a white underbelly and amber eyes.

Queens:

Beetlefur-A black and white she-cat with green eyes. Expecting

Elders:

Littlefern: small grey she-cat with green eyes.

Prologue
Frognose felt weak from walking all this way to the Moonstone, even though she had taken the strength herbs.

Is ShadowClan so weak that even the strength herbs barely fill one up? she thought.

Frognose had been sent by the ShadowClan leader, Stormstar, to find out when their Clan would thrive again. She stopped when she finally saw the jagged entrance to the cave of the Moonstone- Mothermouth. It was almost time. She needed to hurry.

The tired she-cat half-walked, half-flopped to the Moonstone.

"Please, StarClan, ShadowClan needs your help." she murmured before touching her nose to the huge shining stone.

It felt so cold, it felt like it filled her with searing hot fire. That wasn't good. Frognose immediately collapsed onto the ground, sleeping.

She shook her head and looked around. No one. Only blackness as far as she could see-until a light came shining from behind her. Frognose whipped around and was immediately filled with happiness.

"Frostkit!" She stepped forward to nuzzle her forbidden and deceased kit. "Frostkit, I--"

The kit stepped towards her.

"It's okay." Frognose was surprised at how official Frostkit's tone was.

"You were the best mother I could've had." The she-kit smiled. "Now, I can give my first prophecy to you!"

Frognose pricked up her ears. A prophecy doesn't happen every day.

"The light isn't always the path to turn to. The darkness will blot out the light, and mold it into harmony, only to have the light flare out as it was before. One must die for the other to live."

Frostkit faded away, leaving Frognose confused and happy.

Chapter 1
Daykit leaned forward and eyed her brother. He hadn't opened his eyes yet.

"I wonder when Nightkit will open his eyes" she thought.

Daykit looked up at her mother, Oneheart.

"When will Nightkit open his eyes?" she whined to her mother.

Oneheart flicked her tail and replied, "When he's ready, darling."

Daykit jumped up. "I'm not a darling! I'm gonna be the next leader of ThunderClan!!" Daykit said as she puffed out her chest.

Oneheart lay down her head, about to take a nap.

"If you say so, little kit."

Nightkit was whining behind her. Daykit lashed her tail and whipped around.

"What is i-"

Daykit stopped mid sentence.

Nightkit had opened his eyes.

She jumped up and shrieked, "Finally! WAKE UP MOMMA! WAKE UP!" Oneheart groggily sat up. "NIGHTKIT OPENED HIS EYES! FINALLY! CAN WE GO OUTSIDE?"

"If you stop yelling, you can." replied the queen.

Daykit immediately lowered her voice. "Yaaaaayyy!" she whispered "Come on Nightkit!"

The two kits dashed out of the nursery and looked arouned, adjusting to the light for a moment. "ThunderClan is awesome!" Daykit thought as she gazed around. "Lets go!" she said as she started sprinting across camp.

Chapter 2
Nightkit and his sister had left the nursery. Now they were barreling through camp and suddenly Daykit halted. Nightkit crashed into her and looked up to see a brown tom looking down at them.

"Oh, look." he sneered. "If it isn't the latest mouths to feed."

He said a look of disgust on his face. A speckled she-cat came up behind him.

"Leave them alone." she said coldly. "They're not worth our time."

Nightkit just kept gazing up at the tom while the she-cat walked away, his eyes stretched wide.

"Yeah, you leave us alone!" Daykit squeaked fiercely.

"Humpf" the brown tom said but continued to walk away.

"He's scary!" Nightkit said.

"He doesn't scare me!" Daykit replied "I'm gonna be the next leader! And YOU'RE going to be my deputy!" she continued enthusiastically. "

I'm honored!" he said puffing out his chest.

"I like that"

"Hello." a voice behind them said.

Nightkit spun around.

"Who are you?" DDykit demanded.

"Zane, and I can show you around camp if you want."

"Okay!" Daykit said jumping up excitedly

"cool" Nightkit thought as ha padded after the tom.

Chapter 3
Daykit stretched outside. The air was cool and crisp, it was nice out. Leaf-fall was approaching but closer to mid-day it would be hot and humid. Only some cats would get up early enough to enjoy this time of day. The camp was sparkling in the early morning sunlight. The dawn patrol had just left.

"I wonder why kits can't be made apprentice's before there six moons old" she thought.

"I can fight better then all the apprentice's already." she boasted to herself while doing small games around camp and playing with Nightkit.

Finally something interesting happens.

"Let all cat's old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the high rock for a clan meeting!" Thornstar called. A hunting patrol Brightface, Fernleap, Zane, Badgerleap, and Volepaw had just emerged into camp. Strikeriver and Bluemouse came out from the warriors den, and Sharppaw from the apprentic's den fallowed by the newer apprentice's Largepaw, Lionpaw, and Streampaw. Moonyeyes and Vinepaw came from the medicine cats den right after.

"our Clan is to small" Daykit thought.

After the entire Clan was gathered Thornstar continued,

"First we will begin by welcoming two new warriors to ThunderClan!" cheers fallowed his words. "Volepaw, Sharppaw, step forward. you have been training for long enough and you will now be warriors."

After they were named Voleflame and Sharpstick the clan cheered their names

"Voleflame! Sharpstick! Voleflame! Sharpstick!" only Daykit and Nightkit didn't greet the bully's in that matter.

"Now we have one more ceremony to take care of. Nightkit, Daykit step forward."

"Us?!" Nightkit squeaked

"Finally!" Daykit thought.

"You have reached your sixth moon and are ready to become apprentices. Nightkit, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Nightpaw. Voleflame, you were just only made a warrior, but every cat here has just finished training a apprentice or is training one, so you will mentor Nightpaw."

"Poor Nightpaw." Daypaw thought "He's stuck with that bully."

Daykit, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Daypaw. Sharpstick..."

Daypaw didn't hear the rest. She, the future leader of ThunderClan, had the meanest cat in ThunderClan for a Mentor. She felt him close to her and she reluctantly touched noses with him.

"What are we doing first?" Daypaw forced out trying to be polite.

"Go clean out all the dens." he snarled "After you finish that we might explore the territory. If I'm not siting vigil by then."

He was leaning close in nose scrunched to hers glaring straight into her eyes.

"He want me to react." she realized "He's testing me."

"Okay." she said in her sweetest voice possible, witch was fairly good seeing that she was outraged with the tom. "I'll do that."

Chapter 4
Nightpaw followed Voleflame out of camp. She was trudging ahead and not bothering to look back to see if he was keeping up.

“Wait for me!” Nightpaw panted as he tiered to scramble up to where she was halfway up the ravine. Voleflame stopped and looked back; her eyes were surprisingly nice, considering how mean she usually was.

“What do you want to do?” she asked as they reached the top, her head cocked curiously.

“Er… um… I mean… isn’t that you job?” he asked his eyes were wide with surprise.

“Yeah,” Voleflame said “So… we can…” she paused, obviously trying to think of something to do. “Oh, I can give you a tour of the territory!” she said, enthusiastically waving her tail.

“How was this the same cat who had teased me and Daypaw when we were kits?” Voleflame must have caught his disbelieving look because she said,

“I wasn’t that bad as an apprentice, compared to my brother at least, right?”

Nightpaw thought about all of the times she had dragged Sharpstick away to do something else.

“I guess.” He said shifting his weight from paw to paw uneasily. Voleflame looked at him for a moment longer then flicked her ears and, without a word she trotted off into the forest. And Nightpaw scrambled to keep up with his mentor.

That evening Nightpaw came into camp. Largepaw, Streampaw, and Lionpaw were sitting by their mentors, Zane, Strikeriver, and Brightface, while the tree mentors talked to them. Daypaw was pacing back and forth beside the apprentices den, her tail flicking back and forth with annoyance.

“What’s wrong? Nightpaw asked is sister. Daypaw sat down and said,

“Sharpstick is the worst mentor ever” Daypaw dug her long claws into the ground and racked them across the earth, leaving deep groves. “But Voleflame is probably just as bad.” Daypaw huffed.

“Voleflame is fairly good actually. She showed me all of the territory and she…” Nightpaw broke of when he realized Daypaw was looking away, her shoulders rigid. “I’m sure he’ll get better.” Nightpaw forced out.

“I hope so.” Daypaw said. “I hope so.”

Chapter 5
Daypaw stretched. All of the excitement from being a apprentice had been drained when Sharpstick had ordered her to clean out all of the dens. But she stood up and groomed herself and emerged into the clearing and looked around. Voleflame and Sharpstick had just disappeared into the warriors den. While Brightface was in the clearing waiting for the cats to gather. Zane, Strikeriver, and Bluemouse were gathered with her with the other apprentices, excluding Nightpaw anyway. Badgerleaf, Oneheart and Fernleap followed, and Thornstar emerged from his den, and padded up beside Brightface. Brightface looked at Badgerleaf oddly.

"Shouldn't you be in the nursery by now?" Brightface asked.

The black and white she-cat had grown heavy with Zane's kits, and she was the only one who had really excepted him in the clan, Besides Daypaw and Nightpaw.

Badgerleaf sighed. "Okay," she said "I'll start moving in." and she padded away.

"Thornstar, will you take Oneheart, Strikeriver, Streampaw, and Daypaw hunting?"

Thornstar nodded.

"Fernleap, Bluemouse, Zane, and Lionpaw," Brightface continued

"You will come with me on the sun-high patrol, until then you can have some free time to hunt for the elders and Badgerleaf, or you can help out around camp. Largepaw, you and I will do some battle training with Nightpaw."

Largepaw bounced up and down excitedly.

"Okay everyone, lets go." all the cats broke up.

Daypaw followed Streampaw out of camp. This was her first time out. The familiar thrill of being an apprentice filled her and she bounced ahead when she got out of camp she halted in awe and bewilderment at the steep slop of the ravine.

"How am I supposed to get up?" she wondered as the patrol was bounding up the slope, so she tried to follow.

Oneheart must have noticed she was falling behind.

"Wait for Daypaw!" she called.

The patrol stopped and Oneheart came down and gave her instructions on how to go up. When they reached the top Daypaw's energy had been drained. Then when she looked up and saw the forest.

"It's the most amazing thing I have ever seen." she thought

"Lets go!" she called scampering off.

Chapter 6
Nightpaw scampered back to camp. It was three moons later and being an apprentice was the best thing in the world. Besides one thing; Daypaw. She had started ignoring him. Daypaw was never in camp anymore, and from what he could tell; she hated it. She was always was glaring at cats and grumbling herself. She glared at quite a few cats, but especially at Sharpstick.

"I should get her cheered up." he thought.

It was leaf-bare now and snow was covering the roots. Badgerleaf's kits were playing outside in the snow. The kits were tossing snow at each other, taunting while they were at it.

"Give up trying to sneak up on us Blackkit and Leafkit, your pelt is so easy to spot; you will never be able to sneak up on cats in the snow!"

Blackkit was pitch black with green eyes and Leafkit looked exactly like her mother.

"You will stick out in any season, Sparkkit." Blackkit responded.

Sparkkit looked exactly like Zane, but a even brighter ginger pelt.

"Yeah, Skykit is the only one who blends in." Leafkit adds.

Skykit looked up at the mention of her name and squeaked in surprise at all of her littermates staring at her. All three of them started laughing. Nightpaw turned around and scanned camp. The fresh-kill pile was well stocked, for leaf-bare at least. he trotted over and picked up a crow. Nightpaw hesitated for a moment before grabing a mouse to and trottiong ver to the elders den.

"Hello NIghtpaw." Littleclaw said as he entered.

"I brought you some fresh-kill." he said dropping the crow and mouse on the ground "I didn't know what you like so I just guessed."

"We like crow, it is big enough to feed both of us. I'll save some or Bindheart when he wakes up."

"Okay."

Nightpaw padded out of the den and spotted all of the apprentices outside the apprentices den.

"Hi," he said.

A courusof welcomes came from the other apprentices. Streampaw shifted a little and made a gap next to her.

"Come sit here." she offered, waving her tail to motion to the spot.

Nightpaw settled down. Largepaw was on his other side with Lionpaw and Daypaw across from him. He dropped his mouse in front of all of them.

"Wanna share?" he asked no one in particular.

"Maybe we should get more then that mouse for the five of us." Lionpaw suggested.

"I'll go get some." Largepaw announced jumping to her paws.

Largepaw came trotting back with a sparrow, vole, and another mouse. All of the prey was scrawny.

"Can we join you?" Sparkkit had jumped on his head.

"Why not?" Daypaw grunted.

The kits and apprentices ended up sharing the four pieces of prey. When they were done, there was only a rabbit and one more mouse left. on the fresh-kill pile.

"Who wants to go hunting?" Nightpaw asked.

"ME!" Sparkkit and Blackkit yelled at the same time, while Leafkit nodded eagerly.

"I do." Streampaw said.

"Daypaw?" Nightpaw asked.

"Sure, if Lionpaw comes."

"Okay. I'll tell Brightface where we are going."

Brightface said they could go if it was okay with each of their mentors. They all got permission, even though Daypaw had basicly ordered Nightpaw to ask Sharpstick for her. Nightpaw wasn't sure why. Soon they were all out on the hunt; stalking through the trees.

Chapter 7
Daypaw had started ignoring her brother. Nightpaw was so lucky. Voleflame was always nice to him, and never to rough. Sharpstick was totally different. Sharpstick would make her work extra hard, drilling her before dawn and only stopping after she was so out of breath she could hardly breathe. Daypaw was out with him now, they were doing battle training. Sharpstick only ever criticized, and was always doing surprise attacks at random times.

"You’re not twisting enough on that leap!" Sharpstick growled a he lunged forward at her.

She jumped over him and he barreled past underneath her and she landed facing the other direction.

"Sharpstick is too tired to keep going!" she thought after a while.

Sharpstick never even thought her anything anymore in fighting; she had already learned everything about fighting. As they trotted back into camp Daypaw bumped into Lionleap. Lionleap, Streamfeather, and Largestorm had become warriors.

"Oh, uh sorry." Lionleap stuttered, shifting his weight from paw to paw.

Daypaw shrugged and padded towards the apprentices den. Lionleap was following her and keeping his gaze glued to her fur.

She started thinking about how long it would take for her to become leader. Now there was only one moon till warriorship, and then it would take at least five moons, although that was at very possible best. Streamfeather and Nightpaw were talking, with Largestorm nearby washing out her coat. Daypaw saw how close they were to the den and decided not to go in. They would try to talk to her. She scanned camp, it was mostly empty. She spotted a shady spot near the warriors den and headed over. She noticed Lionleap following her.

“What do you want?” she half growled.

“I just wanted to hang out.” He said looking kind of scared.

“What is the worst that could happen?” Daypaw thought.

“Fine.”

He gave an exited bounce. That was… odd.

Chapter 8
Nightpaw dropped into a crouch. Daypaw was across the clearing from him. She was staring at him. Eyes cold. Expressionless face. Just... creepy. Sharpstick and Voleflame were sitting next to each other waiting for one of them to make the first move. Daypaw had some scratches along her side, closeish to her belly. Nightpaw hadn't noticed them before. Nightpaw glanced at Sharpstick.

"Has he been hurting her?"

Nightpaw didn't know. Sharpstick would take Daypaw out for a log time sometimes, so it was very possible... Suddenly Nightpaw was on the ground his nose jammed into the sand. He let out a yowl of surprise, which was a mistake because sand filled his mouth. Nightpaw wiggled for awile f=before going limp. He heard Voleflame calling to Daypaw and after a moment Daypaw was off and dragging him to his feet.

"Are you okay?" Voleflame asked.

"I'm fine." Nightpaw coughed, trying to get sand out of his mouth and nose "I'm really fine."

"Daypaw, you need to be more careful." Voleflame scolded.

Daypaw met Voleflame's gaze, but said nothing in her defense.

"I'll take care of her later." Sharpstick said.

Daypaw glanced at him before looking at her paws.

"I'm sorry." she muttered.

Voleflame snorted, while Sharpstick just looked smug.

It was a few days later and it was time for the warrior assessment. Zane and Voleflame were assessing them because Sharpstick had come down with white-cough last minute. Daypaw for once was alert and sweeping her tail back and fourth.

"Catch as much prey as you can, and we have an amount of prey you need to catch to pass so get as much as you can. Is that it?" Zane asked glancing at Voleflame who nodded "Then lets do this!"

Dypaw instantly disappeared. Nightpaw stalked into the undergrowth, catching the sent of rabbit almost instantly, and he spotted it a moment later. The rabbit was hopping towards a hole and went in. He crept forward and peered into the hole. There was rabbit sent... and milk sent. There was a rabbit nest down there!

"I shouldn't I go in..." Nightpaw thought.

The rabbit sent was so tempting. Without thinking he slipped into the hole. Poking his head around the corner he saw two rabbits with five babies snuggling close to the mother. He felt a surge of guilt for hinting them.

"I'll only get the male and one baby." he decided.

The male started to hop out again. The male stopped shot and let out a shriek. Nightpaw leaped out of his hiding place and killed the male with a quick blow before backing out of the hole, changing his mind about catching a baby. As he emerged from the hole Voleflame was sitting and staring at him.

"You know your not supposed to follow prey underground!" Voleflame exclaimed "Who knows what's down there! It could cave in!"

Nightpaw lowered his gaze.

"Does this mean I can't be a warrior?" he asked hesitantly.

Voleflame hesitated for moment, then she shook her head.

"I'll leave it be if you promise me you won't do it again."

He nodded eagerly. She nodded back before disappearing into the undergrowth. Nightpaw also caught a vole before he headed back to camp. Daypaw was there already with two squirrels.

"Both of you passed!" Voleflame said trotting over to him as he entered the clearing.

Streamfesther trotted over to him.

"I'm so happy for you!" Streamfeather said "We're going to be warriors together!"

Nightpaw started purring so hard at her praise that he couldn't respond. He intertwined her tail with his. He liked her, she had liked him first and she had rubbed off on him. He was joining her as a warrior!

Chapter 9
Daypaw waited impatiently for cats to gather. Nightpaw was standing near her, hesitating, as if afraid to approach her.

"Today we are celebrating one of the most important events in the clan." Thornstar started "Daypaw, Nightpaw, come forward."

Daypaw padded forward confidently while Nightpaw shuffled forward uncertainly.

"You have completed your training and we are ready to except you as warriors. Daypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan? Even with the cost of your life?"

"I do." Daypaw said, lowering her head, waiting for Thornstar to continue.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this moment fourth you shall be known as Daylight. StarClan honors your courage and strength, and welcomes you as a full member of ThunderClan."

Daylight licked his shoulder as he rest his head on hers.

"Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan? Even with the cost of your life?"

"I do."

To Daypaws surprise, her shy brothers voice rang confidently throughout the clearing.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. From this moment fourth you shall be known as Nightfang. StarClan honors your integrity and wisdom, and welcomes you as a full member of ThunderClan."

Lionleap, Streamfeather, and Oneheart started cheering at the same time, but soon the hole clan was cheering their new names. Daypaw spotted Sharpstick. He wasn't cheering. He had that look in his eyes that he got whenever he was ready to punish her. To leap at her and scratch her in unnoticeable places, like her paws and under her chin, so the clan won't notice them. It was a look that made her blood run cold and her heart stop. She shivered.

"He can't hurt me now." she thought "I'm a warrior, I'm safe."

As Lionleap came up and nuzzled her cheek she hardly noticed him. Her eyes were locked with Sharpsticks. All sound vanished. Everything disappeared. Except him. Him and his glaring, hating eyes. Her living nightmare.

Chapter 10
Nightfang shivered in the chilly night air. It was colder then his vigil had been! This was his first gathering as a warrior and he looked around wondering when the other clans would show up. Suddenly WindClan broke over the ridge and rushed into the clearing, eager to get warm with ThnderClan. A white she-cat stopped next to him.

"Hi." she said loudly.

Nightfang looked at her. Her fur was fluffy but still smooth and was a shining pure white sure to make any tom pause and gape. which is what Nightfang did. The she-cat had the most beautiful glowing eyes. They were the most lovely turquoise and were magnified by some small but bright, ginger fleck markings on her ears and spine. One of her front paws was the same ginger color alone with her tip-tail. She giggled.

"I'm Gemflare." she said.

Nightfang shook his head, trying to clear it.

"Um.. Oh, uh- um hi."

Gemflare giggled harder.

"And your name is?" she prompted.

Nightfang felt his ears burn despite the cold weather.

"I must seem so stupid" he thought.

"I'm Nightp- fang! Nightfang. My name is Nightfang."

"Are you sure?" She asked "You don't sound like your sure."

"Yes. I'm sure. I just got my warrior name so I'm still getting used to it." Nightfang explained.

"Oh." Gemflare said, stretching "I was hoping you didn't know. It would be fun to ask around your clan to fine out if Nightfang was your real name."

Nightfang purred in amusement. He liked Gemflare. They talked for awhile, ShadowClan was late so they had plenty of time. He was drawn in by her laugh. There was something addictive about her smile, and her witty comments. Her eyes were soft, and he loved the way she expressed herself so much in her voice. The gathering was over, and they were all splitting up.

"Nightfang." Gemflare said.

"Yes?"

"Meet my here, tomorrow. Please?"

Nightfang nodded. She pressed close for a moment before pulling away and trotting off. Only after he was halfway to camp did he register what she said. Nightfang stopped short and gasped, making Vinepaw, Voleflame and Daylight all look at him. He had agreed to meet her. But what about Streamfeather?

"What am I going to do?"

Chapter 11
Daylight stared at the line of bushes WindClan would come over. At her last gathering she had met a friend and she wanted talk to him. His name was Grassheart.

"Finally!"

WindClan came pouring in, trampling down frost-bitten grass on the way. Daylight hoped that his sister wouldn't try to talk to her with him. Her name was Gemflare. She was annoying; always butting in with smart comments and looking smug as she interrupted Grasshearts and hers conversation. Daylight spotted them. they were running near each other. Grassheart stopped next to her and Gemflare just nodded to him and kept running. Gemflare came to the most graceful stop ever done before... next to Nightfang. Of all toms? Her weak, shy, naïve, know-it-all brother? Grassheart nudged her.

"Are you okay?" he asked, though he stayed in his resigned proud stance.

"Fine." Daylight responded curtly, dragging her mind off her brother and Gemflare.

"I'm glad that your here, Daypaw."

"I don't know a Daypaw, I only know a Daylight."

"Congratulations," he said, moderately excitedly, "you deserve it."

Daylight felt her heart swell with pride at his praise. She felt a strange prick of something at her heart, though she wasn't sure what. Daylight was sure she had felt it before but... she didn't know where.

"Are you still there?" Grassheart asked.

"Yeah."

"A leader isn't so easily distracted."

That got Daylights attention.

"They get ditracted about important things like how to kill an annoying WindClan tom you won't leave me alone."

Grassheart pretended to look offended.

"Well, if you don't want to hang out I'll just go away."

He turned around and stuck his muzzle in the air.

"Carful, your nose will look like Gemflare's soon."

Grassheart turned around and flashed a paw at her. Daylight rolled to the side.

"You stinky rabbit eater." Daylight added on.

He jumped on her but she dodged again.

"Cut it out or we'll get in trouble." Daylight said.

"Well since when were you the type to follow the rules?"

An image of Sharpstick flashed across her mind and she pushed it out with a shove.

"Never, I just don't want to get in trouble."

"Ruin you chance of being leader?" Grassheart asked.

Daylight rolled her eyes.

"Toms!"

Chapter 12
Nightfang glanced out of the camp entrance. Bluemouse was on guard. He trotted out. trying to act casual.

"Wh-what are you doing out?" Bluemouse asked, shivering.

Her coat was short, so the cold affected her more.

"Just for a walk." he said.

"Don't be out long."

"I'll try." he said.

Trotting out into the woods he made his way to fourtrees. Streamfeather had been worried about him. He had been distracted all day, and hungry. The last time he had eaten was before the gathering the day before. No prey had been out, he was the only one to catch anything all day. A squirrel and it's two babies. He had chased it up the tree to it's hole and found them there. The three squirrels had gone to three dens; the elders' den, the nursery, and the medicine den. every cat in those dens were still hungry after eating. And it didn't help that Thornstar, Oneheart, Fernleap, Largestorm, and Voleflame were all sick with whitecough. Nightfang looked over the ridge of Fourtrees. Gemflare was down there already.

"What m I doing?" He asked himself.

"Well, to late to go back now." He responded.

Bounding down the slope he reached her.

"Hi." she said confidently.

"Hi." He echoed.

"I made a nest."

"Why?"

"So we could keep warm when you got here, silly!"

"Oh. Yeah. Right."

"Come on."

They settled down in the nest.

"Do you love me?" Nightfang asked.

"Yes. I saw you and... I don't know. Then when I talked to you, you just drew me in."

"Oh."

"How am I supposed to choose?"

"Do you love me?" Gemflare asked.

Nigthfang looked into her eyes.

"I don't know." He whispered "There is a cat in ThunderClan, my clan. She... she loves me."

"Do you love her?"

"I thought so. But then I met you. I don't know. Maybe... maybe I only love how you look. I... I want to love you both."

"I'm sorry." Gemflare said standing up.

"For what?"

"I didn't mean to put such a strain on you. You should have her. She's in you clan."

Gemflare started to walk away.

"Gemflare, wait."

She looked back at Nightfang.

"Let me... let me find out if I love you. Stay."

"Okay."

Gemflare lay down next to him again, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Just remember; I love you. And I want you to be happy."

"I will."

Chapter 13
Daylight ran through the woods, not sure hat she was doing. She couldn't tell where she was. Suddenly she smashed into a fence.

"I'm at the twoleg place." Daylight she realized.

Turning around she saw Grassheart. She felt it again. Still, she couldn't place it.

"Wh-what are you doing here."

Grassheart opened his mouth to talk but he was interrupted. A form leaped on him, sending a spray of blood. It was Sharpstick. Daylight leaped forward and Shapstick sprinted away.

"Your going to be okay, don't worry your okay!" Daylight said, shaking him.

He stayed still. He was dead. A feeling that she had never felt before came up in her heart. Making her want to curl into a ball and die, like she was being ripped apart, she could hardly see.

"He was mine, and now you are."

Daylight whirled around. Sharpstick was behind her. Grasshearts blood still red on his paws.

"You killed him!" she screeched.

Rage ponded through her as she hurled toward him. Sharpstick disappeared, laughing manically. She kept running, crashing through the undergrowth. She couldn't find him, though his laughter echoed through the forest. Daylight stopped as she bumped into a cat. He was black with ginger stripes.

"Stop." the cat ordered.

"NO! I need to get Sharpstick!"

"It won't do any good; your dreaming."

Daylight stopped.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Pinestorm."(Note: for more information, see Rainbowstar's Terror)

"What do you want?"

"You'll find out." he smiled "For now; wake up."

"What?"

"Now!"

Daylight sat up and looked around. She was back in her den. Suddenly an empty nest caught her eye. Nightfang was missing. She was going to find out where he was. Running out of camp, following his scent trail she ran. Brightface asked her where she was going on the way out, and Daylight said she was going on a walk. As she approached fourtrees everything was quiet. Suddenly, a piercing screech filled the night air.

Something was wrong.

Chapter 14
Nightfang stood up.

"I should head back." he whispered.

"Me to." Gemflare responded.

"I'll miss you." Nightfang said.

"Meet me here in six nights. Please?"

"Okay."

Gemflare laid her head on his shoulder. Nightfang closed his eyes. There was a russle in the bushes near ShadowClan. Nightfang raised his head and pricked his ears. Suddenly a three foxes loomed at the edge of the clearing. Nightfang let out a warning screech. Gemflare whirled around and let out an even louder one. Gemflare leaped next to him and pressed her fur to his.

"W-we c-c-can't f-f-fight them."

"I'm not a very good fighter." Nightfang said.

"I'm terrible." she responded.

Nightfang glanced at her.

"I won't let anything hurt you." he said before leaping at all three of the foxes.

"No!" he heard Gemflare yowled behind him.

"Too late." Nightfang thought.

The foxes were beating him and he had hardly been fighting for a heart beat. Two foxes were on top of him, while one had decided to fight Gemflare. One of the foxes lowered it's jaws to give a killing bite. The air rushed into his lungs as the fox disappeared from on top of him. Nightfang staggered to his feet, and saw Daylight on the fox. He had never been so happy to see her.

"With her here we can win!"

Leaping at the fox fighting Gemflare he batted at it with well aimed swipes. But the fox was stronger. The fox grabbed his scruff, and flung him against one of the great oaks. Nightfang heard the sickening thud his body made against the trunk, but couldn't muster the energy to scream as he dropped to the ground and the world went black, with the screeched of foxes and the cats yelling in the background.

Chapter 15
Daylight saw Nightfangs body land among the roots. She raced forward; attacking the fox now advancing on him.

"Get away from him you crow-food eater!"

Daylight drove off this fox to go after its companion that she had driven off previously. Gemflare was fighting off the other one, but failing miserably. Daylight leaped onto its back and it jumped in surprise. It rolled over crushing her. Suddenly it let out a combination of a screech and a whimper. Standing up, panting, Daylight looked around to see who had attacked it.

"Grassheart!" she yelled.

She lunged into the fight with the fox and soon Grassheart and her had driven it off.

"I'm glad you showed up." Daylight said.

"Me to." Grassheart agreed.

Grassheart suddenly ran over to the other side of the clearing and started nudging Gemflare. she stood up and he help supported her as they walked away.

"Bye!" Grassheart called.

Daylight waved her tail at him as she trotted over to Nightfang. He looked dead. Panic rose in Daylight for a moment until she saw that he was breathing. Hoisting him onto her back she started walking as quickly as she dared back to camp. It was pre-dawn by the time they got back to camp. They ran into the dawn patrol. Brightface was on it.

"Daylight, what happened?" Brightface asked as Strikeriver and Zane took Nightfang off her back and Sharpstick sat not to far behind.

"Nightfang was attacked by foxes, I fought them off when I got there."

Daylight decided that she would not mention Gemflare and Grassheart.

"Hopefully he will be okay." Brightface said, hurrying back down the slope.

"I hope he is okay." Daylight thought "I can't lose him."

Running down the slope, she followed the crowed into the medicine den. Vinepaw was sorting out who could go into the den or not.

"Daylight, you can go in. Streamfeather to. everyone else stay out."

When Daylight was inside the den it took a moment for her eyes to get adjusted to the darkness. Nightfang was lying in one corner, barley breathing. Daylight stared for moment before starting to back out of the den. Streamfeather brushed past her.

"How is he? Will he live?" Streamfeather asked, her fear scent strong.

"I wonder if I should tell her he was meeting a WindClan cat."

Daylight yawned. Vinepaw came over and started looking at her scratches.

"I'm fine, really."

"I'll only be a moment." he replied.

"Will Nightfang be okay?" Daylight asked after a moment of silence.

"I don't know."

Chapter 16
Nightfang padded around camp. it seemed different somehow, he couldn't quite place it.

"Come on Nightkit! Lets go put ants in Bluemouse's nest!"

That sounded like Daylight when she was a kit... but Nightkit?

"We might get in trouble if we do th-"

"Don't be silly, of course we won't."

Nightfang peered around into the nursery. He saw him and Daylight sitting near each other.

"Fine."

"Let's go get some ants!"

Suddenly light flashed and Nightfang was in the elders den.

"Tell us a story." Nightkit squeaked.

"No, let us act out a story!" Daykit said leaping up.

"I think I know the perfect one." Bindheart said, nodding.

"What is it about?" Daykit asked.

"A brother and a sister, who killed each other."

"Oooo." Daykit said.

"Eeep!" Nightkit said at the same time.

"Daykit! Nightkit! Oneheart wants you back at the nursery!" Zane called.

"Zane!" both kits yowled at the same time bundling out into the clearing.

Light flashed again and Nightfang saw himself crying. Daykit poked her head around the bramble wall.

"Are you okay?" Daykit said nudging Nightkit.

"Sharppaw is right; I'll never be a good warrior."

"Don't listen to that big meany, you'll make a great warrior."

"How do you know?"

"I can never hear you creeping up on me, and you blend into the shadows perfectly!"

"You really think so?" Nightkit sniffed.

"I know so."

Darkness faded around Nightfang. Those good memory's from kithood going through his head. He wanted to go back and play with Daykit again, and put ants in Bluemouses nest, and listen to the story's the elders would tell. He wanted to be a kit again.

Chapter 17
Daylight looked around in the forest. She knew she was dreaming this time. Pinestorm slid into the clearing.

"What do you want from me?" Daylight asked.

"Rude much?" he retorted "You'll find out in due time."

"Fine."

"For now, lets talk."

Daylight nodded.

"Grassheart." Pinestorm said.

"What about him?" Daylight asked, defense rising in her.

"What do you feel about him?"

"I-I like him."

"How?"

"What do you mean 'how'? He's my friend!"

"Do you love him?"

"I..."

"Love! that's the emotion I was feeling!"

"Yes. I love him."

"Never lose love; it's the greatest thing that can happen to a cat."

"I won't."

"You want to know why I'm here?"

"Yes."

"I'm here to teach you."

"Teach me what."

"How to fight."

"I know how to fight." Daylight retorted hotly.

"Sharpstick didn't ever really teach you, I, however, can." Pinestorm lifted his head "Do you want me to tech you?"

Daylight thought for a moment.

"Yes." she said.

"I want you to teach me."

Chapter 18
Nightfang lifted his head wearily. He looked around. Moonyeyes was nearby in a nest having a coughing fit and Vinepaw was running around like a mad cat carrying herbs in and out. Nightfang groaned as Vinepaw passed to get his attention. Vinepaw glanced over.

"Moonyeyes!" Vinepaw calls rushing over "Nightfang woke up!"

Moonyeyes lifted his head and looked at Nightfang before hobbling over.

The old medicine cat examined Nghtfang for a moment.

"How do you feel?" she asked.

"It hurts." Nightfang managed to say through gritted teeth.

"Duh. Tell us something useful." Moonyeyes suddenly hobbled a over back over to her nest where she had a coughing fit before coming back.

"Where does it hurt the most?" Vinepaw asked.

"My leg."

"You must be hungry." Vinepaw said "What do you want?"

"Anything." NIghtfang replied "I'm famished."

"Okay, that would make sense, seeing you have hardly eaten for the past... almost half moon."

Nightfang's eyes widened. Almost a half moon? Vinepaw brought back a mouse.

"Thanks Vinepaw." Nightfang said before taking a huge bit into the mouse.

"Vineheart."

"Hu?"

"I got my medicine name while you were out."

"Oh."

Nightfang felt a lot better after eating something. Vineheart had brought Bindheart in to keep an eye on him until Vineheart was done with all of the medicine cat chores. Later on in the day Daylight came in purring about how worried she had been and how happy she was that he was okay.

"Only because you showed up. Me and Ge-"

Daylight stuffed her tail in his mouth to stop him from talking.

"I didn't tell them about, you know," Daylight dropped her voice even lower so he could hardly hear it "her."

"Thank you."

Daylight shrugged, glancing to both sides to make sure no one was listening.

"I'm just glad your okay."

"Me to."

Chapter 19
Daylight hadn't thought much about how Nightfang had been with Gemflare, but he had been meeting her. Daylight had heard story's of cats from different clans betraying their clans for love, but her own brother.

"I love Grassheart, but I wouldn't betray my clan for him... or would I?" Daylight thought.

Daylight sighed. It was all too complicated. Why did the clans even need the warrior code? What was the point? If Daylight had become a warrior sooner she wouldn't have had Sharpstick as a mentor. She could have at least fought back without getting in trouble!

"How's Nightfang?"

Daylight jumped. She hadn't seen Lionleap approach her. Lionleap was always tagging along with her and talking to her. He was getting annoying.

"Nightfang is doing fine." she replied coolly "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to..." Daylight scanned the camp "help Badgerleaf with her kits."

Daylight hurried away to Badgerleaf.

"I thought you might want help with your kits." Daylight said.

Badgerleaf replied with a morrow of laughter.

"I've never seen a tom look so disappointed." she said, flicking her tail to where Lionleap was standing.

"I don't get why he won't leave me alone."

"It's obvious he likes you."

"What!" Daylight yelped.

Daylight suddenly felt a kit on her back. Daylight twisted her head around to look at who it was. It was Blackkit.

"I want to have you as a mentor!" Blackit said.

"I probably am still too young." Daylight replied.

"You never can tell!" Badgerfang said "Voleflame and Sharpstick were fine mentors!"

Daylights hackles started to raise at the mention of Sharpstick. Forcing them back down she nodded agreement.

"Yeah! Great mentors! Right."

Chapter 20
Nightfang watched Vineheart intently as he leaned over Moonyeyes. Moonyeyes had greencough, and Vineheart seemed very worried. Vineheart stood up and trotted over to him.

"How are you feeling?" Vineheart asked, almost too cheerfully.

"Not too much better."

"Oh... I'll get you a poppy seed!"

"I don't want to sleep."

"Then I'll get you some thyme."

Vineheart trotted away before Nightfang could protest and came back with some herbs clamped in his jaws.

"Here."

Nightfang lapped up the herbs then looked at Vineheart.

"How long until I'm out of here?"

"It should be a couple of days, but not until your ready.

"How's Moonyeyes?"

Vineheart tensed. Then sighed.

"She's too weak to eat catmint anymore, there isn't anything left I can do." Vineheart said, his head drooping in defeat.

Nightfang was almost too scared to ask the next question on his mind.

"Does that mean she is going to..."

"Yes. Her life is in the paws of StarClan now." Vineheart answered "I wish their was something I could do!" Vineheart continued, his voice rising into a wail.

Vineheart dropped to the floor of the den and shivered, taking deep breaths. Nightfang moved his tail onto Vineheart's back.

"I need to do something." Vineheart finally said "Me sitting around here isn't doing anyone any good."

Vineheart started to leave and then stopped.

"I told Streamfeather she can visit you tomorrow, she is almost better."

"Okay!" Nightfang called after him.

"What am I going to tell her? What if I mess up?" Nightfang thought, reliesing the thin ice he was on.

"I'll face that when I get there." he whispered.

Chapter 21
Daylight heard a twig snap under her paw and the squirrel she was stalking jerked it's head up and bolted. Daylight gave chase, but the squirrel scooted up a tree after a few moments. Daylight was out hunting alone before she went back after her border patrol.

"Help!" a petrified screech filled the forest.

Daylight opened her mouth to take in the scents. There was a overwhelming scent of dog. Daylight sprinted over the border without giving it a second thought. She skidded to a halt in front of a clearing and peered in. There was a huge dog with a dark grey tom in its jaws.

"That tom is already dead."

Daylight was about to run back to the territory when she noticed a white shape huddled at the edge of the clearing. Daylight squinted her eyes and saw a white she-cat. Under the smell of blood she caught the scent of a queen.

"The tom's mate!"

With a mighty roar Daylight lunged out into the clearing and slammed into the dog with her full weight. The dog let out a yelp of surprise as it toppled over. She leaped off of the dog just in time and leaped onto the dog's belly. Daylight raked her claws across it until it squealed. Daylight leaped off and let it stagger to its feet. Daylight puffed out her fur and screeched to make herself look bigger. The dog scrabbled over the roots as it fled whimpering.

"Oh, thank you, thank you so much!" The she-cat said "How can I ever thank you?"

Daylight took a closer look at the cat. She was very beautiful, and her belly was big enough to have her kits any day now. The cats leg was crooked, probably sprained. That was why she wasn't fighting for herself.

"Let me take you back to the clan."

The cat stepped back.

"You- You're a c-clan cat?" she said warily.

"I won't hurt you."

"Um, okay... I'm Frost."

"I'm Daylight."

Daylight went to Frost's side so she could lean on her. Daylight started wondering why she was helping Frost.

"The clan won't thank you for bringing in another mouth to feed." Daylight realized.

Daylight glanced at Frost. She couldn't just leave her. Bringing her back to the clan was the only option.

Chapter 21
Nightfang glanced up as Streamfeather trotted in.

"Hey!" he called.

"How have you been! I'm sorry I didn't come to see you sooner, I have been really busy." Streamfeather responded.

"With what?"

"Guess."

"Um, you got to go to the moonstone?"

"Nope. Try again."

"I don't know, I give up." Nightfang said, rolling his eyes.

"I'm going to have your kits."

Nightfang's head blurred.

"What?" he said "H-how?"

"What do you mean 'how'?" Streamfeather responded "Aren't you exited?"

Nightfang looked up into her eyes and saw confusion start to cloud her gaze.

"I- I'm just not ready." Nightfang responded without thinking.

Hurt flashed across Streamfeathers gaze.

"Oh. I see."

She turned around started to walk out.

"Streamfeather, wait!" she paused and looked back "That's not how I meant it."

"What did you mean?" Streamfeather sighed.

"I meant that I just didn't really see it coming. I was just surprised."

Streamfeather walked back and licked his forehead.

"Okay."

"Do you know how many?" Nightfang asked, trying not to show all of the feelings he was having.

"Probably three."

Nightfang nodded. He didn't really want to be a father. But he couldn't just abandon them. He knew what it was like to not have a father. The closest thing he had to one was Zane, but Zane now had kits that were really his, and never spent any time with him and Daylight. Nightfang had never been bothered by the absence of a father that was really there for him, because Streamfeather's father hadn't been alive either. Most recently though, he had seen the way Zane was with his kits, and he wanted that.

"Why couldn't I have that?"

Nightfang knew one thing. He wouldn't let his kits have to deal with that.

Chapter 23
Dylight Felt cold nipping at her nose and paws by the time she reached camp. the sun was disappearing behind the trees leaving long shadows. Frost was shivering, and was even more cold then her. As they entered camp several cats gasped. Thornstar was in front of her in an instant.

"Daylight are you okay? What happened? And who in StarClan's name did you bring to camp?" Thornstar said.

Daylight looked own at herself and saw her beautiful fur was crusted with blood.

"This isn't my blood, I saved this cat from a dog, and this is Frost."

Daylight felt Frost shrink next to her as Thornstar examined her. Thornstar soon turned back to her.

"Make her comfortable in the nursery. Vineheart and I will come see her later."

"Okay." Daylight said dipping her head.

"What am I supposed to say when he comes to talk to him? Will he hurt me?" Frost asked as soon as they were out of earshot.

"He won't do anything, but if it makes you feel better I will stay with you when he comes."

"Thank you."

Frost ducked into the nursery first. Once Daylight squeezed through the hole she saw Zane and Frost staring at each other.

"Zane?" Frost asked disbelievingly.

"Frost? What are you doing here? Storm was refusing to join the clan! what made him change his mind!"

Frost flinched. Daylight stepped back. Storm must be the tom that was her mate.

"Storm was killed by a dog." Daylight whispered.

Zane looked at her in surprise.

"Storm!" Zane chocked out crouching to the ground.

Daylight slipped next Zane and pressed next to him Badgerleaf came up on his other side.

"Isn't Storm your brother?" Badgerleaf asked quietly.

Zane nodded. Frost crouched down too.

"I miss him too, but we'll live."

Zane looked up and met her gaze. Daylight saw both of their faces. Frost seemed to be channeling strength to Zane, keeping him up. After an eternity, Zane nodded and stood up. He nuzzled Badgerleaf, licked Daylights ear and nodded to Frost again before trotting out. Frost got settled soon after in a nest. Vineheart and Thorntar came in after a little while.

"Do you want to join our clan?" Thornstar asked.

"Very smooth entrance Thornstar." Daylight thought sarcastically.

Frost nodded.

"Come outside. We will hold a ceremony."

It was fast. Frost became Frostfang, and there really wasn't any objection. Daylight was glad. Frostfang was nice, and Daylight liked her company so far.

"A new friend." She thought.

Chapter 24
Nightfang padded out of the medicine den. He had healed fully and was ready to join back in with warrior duties.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the high rock for a clan meeting!" Thornstar's yowl echoed across the ravine.

Sighing and glancing wistfully at the camp entrance, Nightfang diverted his course over to the high rock. Blackpaw, Sparkpaw, Leafpaw, and Skypaw were standing in the center.

"They are becoming apprentices!"

Sparkpaw and Blackpaw were spilling over with confidence and excitement, Leafpaw was looking very mature, and Skypaw looked scared.

"Daylight, you are a good warrior and you are ready for an apprentice. You will train Blackpaw well. Largestorm, you as well are ready and will make and outstanding mentor for Leafpaw. And Lionleap, You will mentor Sparkpaw. Nightfang; Skypaw will be your apprentice, teach her well."

The clan started cheering the names of the new apprentices. Nightfang registered what Thornstar had said only when Skypaw was standing in front of him. Nightfang bent down to touch Skypaw's nose.

"What are we going to do today?"

Nightfang hurriedly thought back to his first day as an apprentice.

"I'll give you a tour of the territory." Nightfang said.

"Okay." Skypaw whispered.

As they emerged from camp, Skypaw gasped. Nightfang glanced at her, quickly remembering this was her first time out of camp.

"You go in front," he said "I'll tell you what to do as we go."

Skypaw nodded and started climbing up out of the ravine carefully. Daylight came by quickly, staying behind Blackpaw as well, who made it to the top much faster.

"Blackpaw and Daylight aren't being very careful." Skypaw observed.

"Not all cats are careful." Nightang responded.

"Are you?"

"I try to be careful."

As they padded closer to fourtrees Nightfang caught Gemflare's sent, and saw of white pelt in the bushes. Nightfang glanced at Skypaw. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was open. She smelled it too. Gemflare came from the bushes.

"Hi, Nightfang."

"Hello, Gemflare." He said trying to sound as formal as possible.

Couldn't Gemflare smell Skypaw? Or see Skypaw or that matter?

"What are you doing here?" he said, pushing his hackles up.

"What do you mean? Nightfa-" Gemflare stopped short when se saw Skypaw backed up against the bush.

"Nightfang," she continued, her eyes fixed on the apprentice "I am only here to confirm that ThunderClan is alright."

"Why wouldn't we be?" Nightfang challenged.

"We found out about the fox attack, ThunderClan, fox, and Blood at fourtrees equals fox attack."

Nightang let his hackles lie flat.

"That is very kind of you, but everyone who was in the fight is fine."

"Yes, us- I mean, that is good to hear."

"I am sorry I can't help you more, Gemflare."

"I do not mind."

Gemflare turned around and headed back to WindClan territory. Skypaw looked down.

"Lets go back to camp." Nightfang said.

"Okay."

Chapter 25
Daylight padded out of camp. She was tired from training with Blackpaw, but he was a promising cat and would make a fine warrior. Well worth training. It was cold out, but Daylight could bear it. Leaping up the ravine she raced towards fourtrees. She thought back to the dream she had been having just before she ran out.

"You should go talk to him." Pinestorm said.

"But he is in another Clan I can't just-"

Pinestorm cut her off with a frustrated wave of his tale.

"So? Stupid Clan rules shouldn't keep him from you. Go talk to him."

That was what Daylight was going to do. No cat could stop her. As she approached fourtrees she saw a cat in the center of the clearing. A familiar sent hit her nose. Bounding down the slop she touched a startled Grassheart on the nose.

"Hi." she said.

"What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing." Daylight retorted.

"I know it sounds silly, but I was looking for you."

Grassheart looked down at his paws.

"Actually, I was too."

Grasseart looked shocked.

"You were?"

"Yeah." Daylight whispered.

Grassheart rubbed his cheek against hers.

"Why?" He asked

"I- I love you." she blurted out.

"I love you too." Grassheart said, meeting her gaze, unflinching.

"But we're from different clans!"

"Will we go against the warrior code?"

"I... I think we should." Daylight responded "Anything is worth it for you."

"I know."

Daylight stared at the stars. Was Pinestorm watching from StarClan? Was her father? Daylight had never known her father, but still missed him. And this couldn't be wrong, could it? When it felt so right? When a StarClan cat himself approved of it? Daylight hoped so.

"I love him, everything will be alright."

Daylight knew it.

Chapter 26
Nightfang leaped at a RiverClan tom. It was one moons later and the fish-faces were trying to take Sunningrocks again! Nightfang suddenly felt claws on his back in mid-air and he crashed to the ground. He scrabbled for a grip on the smooth rocks as two cats battered him with harsh blows. letting out a screech he leaped awkwardly to the side and toppled over. A sharp pain jolted up his leg and one of the cats leaped onto his belly and mercilessly swiped with both paws.

"Bad idea," Nightfang thought, mentally scolding himself.

Barley holding back a wail of pain he pushed the cat off and darted for the woods. Nightfang carfuully went back to the edge of the rocks, carefully staying under the brambles. He saw that the rest of the clan wasn't fairing much better. Suddenly he caught sight of a huge black tom holding a screeching Brightface in his jaws like prey. Daylight was sprinting towards him and she suddenly stopped short. Eyeing Brightface wearily she took a step back at the same moment as the tom swung his head around and hurtled her across the clearing. Nightfang gasped. Daylight immediately darted forwarded and unbalanced the tom. she was acting like he hadn't just sat there as her clanmate was tossed across the clearing like prey.

"Retreat!" Thornstar called.

ThunderClan turned tail and fled without second thought. Nightfang ran over to Brightface, and nudged her.

"Brightface?" he whispered.

He shook her a little, before noticing that her flanks weren't moving. Nightfang hesitated for a moment before picking her up. and racing back to camp with the rest of his clanmates. he took longer to get back, since he was carrying a cat and his injured his foot was starting o throb.

"Where is Brightface! And where is Nitghfang!"

Thornstar's yowl carried through the barrier. His legs would hardly move but Nightfang forced himself to sprint to the entrance and just barley collapse inside the entrance. Daylight rushed forward and grabbed Brightface to drag her into the center of the clearing. Streamfeather rushed over to him to help him stand up again. Vineheart also rushed over to him.

"Vineheart! What are you doing! What about Brightface!" Thornstar yowled.

"Can't you smell the death sent?" Vineheart asked gently, as he turned around to face Thornstar.

Thornstar opened his mouth as if to object, but must have changed his mind and just nodded mutely and trudged over to Brightface's body.

"Let's get you some rest." Vineheart said, guiding him over to the warriors den.

"Shouldn't he stay with you?" Streamfeather asked.

"No, he just needs some rest, and I can treat his wounds in the warriors den just as well as in the medicine den."

Streamfeather hesitated for a moment.

"Okay." she agreed tentatively.

As soon as Nightfang curled up in his nest he felt himself be pulled into the black void of sleep.

Chapter 27
Daylight thought about how she had stopped and left Brightface to die. Pinestorm had come up next to her and told her to stop. He had said if she is strong enough to survive, then she could get out of it. Brightface wasn't strong though. Daylight knew that. She felt anger surge through her. Brightface would retire soon anyway! what good would her dyeing now do?

"Why did PInestorm have me do that?"

Thornstar leaped onto the highrock.

"I now must choose a deputy!" he called.

Daylight pricked her ears. This was something he would want to hear.

"We will miss Brightface for a long time. We all wish that she may have a peaceful life in StarClan."

Murmurs of agreement swept through the clan.

"But life must go on!" Thornstar declared "I say these words before the body of Brightface, that she may hear and approve my choice."

Thornstar hesitated for a moment as his gaze swept over the gathered cats.

"Daylight will be the new deputy of ThunderClan."

"Daylight! Daylight! Daylight!" the clan cheered.

Daylight realized her mouth was hanging open and quickly closed it. Daylight then noticed everyone staring expectantly at her.

"Um- I- I- uh-"

Suddenly she caught Pinestorm's sent.

"Don't just stand there! tell them that you are honored to be their deputy!" He yelled at her.

Blinking Daylight wondered for a moment if he should take his advice. The clan deputy had died because of his advice last time. But, what could go wrong with that advice?

"I will do my best to serve my clan in every way possible." Daylight declared.

Thornster smiled slightly and nodded and Lionleap padded up to her, but luckily he was purring to hard to actually bother her.

Daylight nodded to him and licked her chest a couple of times on her way to the warriors den.

"You have to organize patrols for tomorrow" Pinestorm said cockily.

Was he mocking her?

"Why won't you leave me alone?"

"I have only been trying to help. And besides, if you had saved Brightface you wouldn't be deputy right now. Isn't that what you wanted?"

Daylight hesitated. As much as she hated to admit it, that was true.

"Fine. But I don't like it" she hissed.

"Just remember; I want to help you."

"Zane!" Daylight called the ginger tom.

"Yes?"

"Could you lead the dawn patrol?"

"Sure, who should I take?"

"Um..."

Daylight scanned the clearing.

"Take Lionleap, Leafpaw, and Bluemouse. Oh, and you might as well take Skypaw while you are at it."

"Sure thing. I'll go let them know, then I should get some rest."

Daylight nodded. That wasn't so hard. And she had gotten one step closer to being leader! one large leap closer!

Daylight was almost there.

Chapter 28
Lionleap tried to keep a smile as Daylight hurried away from him. He loved her so much. Her silky fur, dazzling eyes, and witty personality swept him away. But she ignored him on every level possible. Now she was deputy. How could he catch her eye now?

"Why won't she just notice me?" Lionleap wondered.

"Are you okay, Lionleap?" Zane's mew jerked Lion`leap to the present.

"Yes. I'm fine." Lionleap said tersely, eyeing the rouge suspiciously.

"What makes him think he can just waltz around camp acting like the rest of us? He's a rouge!"

"What do you want?"

"Your coming on dawn patrol with me."

"On who's orders?"

"Daylights."

"Oh."

"Why does Daylight trust rouges so much? Doesn't she notice me? Why does she like rouges more then me?"

Lionleap felt anger and frustration surge through him. Why was she so difficult? Suddenly he noticed that Zane was still standing there.

"Do you need something else?" Lionleap growled.

"No." Zane said.

"Then go away!"

Zane looked shocked and when it faded there was some hurt replacing it. Zane turned and padded away.

"Should I apologize?"

"No." Lionleap decided "He's just some rouge."

Lionleap suddenly glanced to the side and jumped in surprise. Daylight was standing there. And she didn't look happy.

"Great, what did I do?"

"Um- did you need something?" Lionleap asked hesitantly.

"Go apologize to Zane."

"But-"

"NOW! Unless you want to be cleaning out all the dens tomorrow."

Lionleap nodded quickly and walked quickly over to where Zane and Badgerleaf were sitting.

"I'm sorry." Lionleap muttered and quickly padded back over to Daylight without looking back.

"Better?" he asked.

He looked into her eyes hoping to see a speck of sympathy, but they were expressionless. But so beautiful.

"Her eyes are so pure..." Lionleap thought dreamily.

"Thank you." Daylight said as she quickly padded away.

"Even the way she walks is perfect!" Lionleap thought dreamily.

"I love you." He whispered.

Did her ears perk the tiniest bit? Lionleap thought so.

Maybe he just ad to wait. So wait he would.

Chapter 29
Nightfang paced outside the nursery. Steramfether was having his kits! Nightfang couldn't wait!

"A tom!" Vineheart called from the den.

A few moments pass.

"A she-cat!"

Nightfang tried to peek in but he couldn't see anything.

"A tom!"

Streamfeather was panting from inside the den. Was she okay? How long could it take. Vineheart slipped out of the den.

"You can go in now." Vineheart whispered as he brushed past.

Nightfang didn't hesitate to walk in. He trotted over to Streamfether right away. There were four kits by her.

"Three sons and a daughter." Streamfeather said weakly. Nightfang purred. An image of Gemflare flashed across his vision and his throat went dry. What would she think?

"What are you going to call them?" Mistkit asked.

Nightfang glanced at Frostfang's kits. Mistkit was leaning over the edge of the nest with Stormkit behind her. Nightfang looked down at his kits.

"Gemkit?" Nightfang suggested, his gaze fixed on the she-kit.

"Sure. Maybe Darkkit, Blackkit, and Greykit for the toms?"

"Those are amazing names." Nightfang said, nuzzling her.

Nightfang suddenly noticed Skypaw standing at the entrance, her head cocked slightly. Nightfang met her eyes She looked back. there was a question in them, but he didn't know what she wanted to know.

"What does she want?"

Nightfang was about to go talk to her when Vineheart came back in.

"You should get some rest, Nightfang. You are still healing."

"Okay..." Nightfang agreed.

Chapter 30
Daylight stood stiffly as six kits clambered over her. She knew she needed the support of as many cats as she could get, so she had decided to play with the kits.

"How about we play a game?" Daylight suggjusted.

"Yeah!" all of the kits coursed.

"I am going to hide something, and whoever finds it will get a badger ride!"

"I'm going to find it first!" Stormkit declared, his chest puffrd out proudly.

"No I am!" Mistkit squeaked.

"Okay, all of you go into the nursery while I hide it!"

Daylight grabbed a twisted stick and held it up for them to see. before trotting off while the kits scampered off into the nursery. Daylight slipped into the elders den.

"Littleclaw could you hold this?"

"Why would I do that, youngin'?" Littleclaw retorted.

"The kits are looking for it. Whichever one finds it gets a badger ride."

"Ahh. I see. Sure thing missy."

Daylight quickly padded out to the clearing, not wanting to spend any more time in the elders den. It was stinky. Daylight spotted Leafpaw and Skypaw lying near the apprentices den.

"Leafpaw! Skypaw!"

The pair scampered over to her.

"Clean out the elders den."

"Why?" Leafpaw asked.

"Because I am the clan deputy and I told you so."

"But-" Leafpaw started to argue.

"If you complain any more I will have you clean the nursery too."

Laefpaw muttered something inaudible for a moment.

"Fine. Come'n Skypaw, lets go find some moss."

Daylight walked back over to the nursery and told the kits she was ready. Frostfang came out to talk to her.

"Thanks for keeping the kits busy, me and Streamfeather can really use the brake!"

"No proble-"

Daylight suddenly noticed Sharpstick staring at her.

"I don't mind." Daylight said "Hay, I need to take care of something, if one of the kits brings you a twisted stick, tell them I will give the a badger ride later."

"Um- sure." Frostfang said "But first, I just wanted to tell you how much your fr-"

Daylight didn't hear the rest, she was already walking over to Sharpstick.

"Come with me." she growled, turning and stalking away towards the entrance.

At the top of the ravine she looked behind her to verify he was following.

"He finally will get a piece of my mind." Daylight thought.

Sharpstick walked next to her now.

"Why did you bring me here?" Sharpstick asked.

They had come to the place where Sharpstick would bring her as an apprentice. She didn't even mean to come here, but this place would work.

"I came here to tell you that you can't even think of controlling me now." Daylight hissed, bushing out her fur.

"Oh really?" Sharpstick said, yawning.

Suddenly Shapstick grabbed something with his back paw and leaped forward, pinning down Dylight and forcing the thing he had grabbed into her mouth. It was a thick stick. Sharpstick scored his claws down were her leg met her chest. Daylight tried to shriek, but the stick and the ground stopped her. Fear scorched through her. He did still control her, and there was nothing she could do about it.

"I don't think you control me." Sharpstick hissed.

Chapter 31
(This is the only time I am going to do Streamfeather's POV)

Streamfeather walked out of camp. Nightfang wasn't anywhere to be found. Worry pricked at her pelt. She loved him so much! She knew he didn't return her feelings with quite the same passion, but at least he didn't pretend that he loved her more then he did. She followed Nightfang's sent.

"At some point Skypaw joined him." Streamfeather noticed "No, wait, Skypaw's sent is fresher. She is following him too!"

"I love you, but I shouldn't spend too long, I will be missed at camp."

"That's Nightfang's voice but who is he talking to?"

Streamfeather saw Skypaw's tail sticking out of some brambles, Nightfang's voice was coming from the other side. Streamfeathe crept into the brambles as well, the curiosity of what was going on overwhelming her. What she saw took her breath away. Nightfang and a WindClan cat staring deeply into each others eyes.

"Nightfang, I have a question for you."

"Yes, Gemflare?"

"Gemflare? He- he named a kit after her?" Streamfeather thought "How could he?"

"Have you decided between me and the one in your own clan?"

"No."

Streamfeather felt anger rising in her stomach. He loved her so little he was considering another mate?

"I love you both so much. I want both of you, but I can't have both of you."

Streamfeather felt her anger melt. So he did love her, he just couldn't choose.

"I'm expecting your kits." Gemflare said.

"What?" Nightfang exclaimed.

"I'm expecting your kits."

"Um... Streamfeather had my kits too."

"I don't care." Gemflare gave a forced laugh "But I thought you should know."

"I should go." Nughtfang muttered.

"I love you." Gemflare said gently.

"I love you too." Nightfang muttered so quietly Streamfeater hardly heard it.

Nightfang started running towards where Streamfeather was hiding. Streamfeather backed out quickly and heard Skypaw gasp from her hiding spot Streamfeather glanced over at her and waved her tail for her to go. Nightfang burst through the bushes and ran straight into Streamfeather.

"Streamfeather! What a surprise! I was just ur- uh- um- I was uh-"

"Cheating on me?" Streamfeather suggested dryly.

Nightfang looked into her eyes pleadingly.

"Please I can explain-"

"You don't have to." Streamfeather said coldly, while turning around "I get it, and I'm sure the clan will too."

Streamfeather broke into a sprint. She heard Nightfangs call after her, but ignored it. Anger surged through her. He would get punished properly by the clan. She knew that. As she burst throught the camp entrance she stalked straight over to Thornstar's den.

"How dare he do this to me! He will get what he deserves from the clan. And from me."

Chapter 32
Frostfang looked after Daylight in disappointment. Why wouldn't she listen to her.

"Mother, where's Daylight?"

Frostfang jumped slightly in surprise. Her little son was looking at her with wide eyes.

"She went out." she told Stormkit

"I wanna know where the stick is."

"She won't just tell you."

"But I wanna hint!"

"Go run along and find it without a hint."

"Fine." Stormkit huffed, marching off importantly.

"He's so much like his father..." Frostfang thought.

"Frostfang?" Badgerleaf said as she walked up to her.

"Yeah?"

"Have you seen Leafpaw and Skypaw?"

"I think they went out." Frostfang replied.

"Okay, thanks."

"I wonder why she's looking for them."

Suddenly Streamfeather sprinted into camp, almost crashing into Badgerleaf but she didn't seem to notice. Bdgerleaf shook her head as if to clear it and kept trotting on out. Streamfather ran up to Thornstar's den and stopped outside.

"Thornstar, I need to talk to you." she called in.

Streamfeather entered into his den anxiously.

"I wonder what that is about."

Nightfang walked into camp and looked around for a moment. He quickly walked over to the nursery, fear sent was coming off his pelt.

"If your looking for Streamfeather, she went to talk to Thornstar." Frostfang told him.

Nightfang looked at Frostfang like she had turned into a blue and pink fox with wings.

"What?" Frostfang asked cautiously.

"Did I brake some rule?" she wondered "Those are all so hard to keep straight."

"Are you okay?"

Nightfang gulped and opened his mouth but Thornstar's yowl cut him off.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the high rock for a clan meeting!"

All the cats emerged from their dens, looking around in confusion.

"It has been revealed to me that a cat in our clan is braking the warrior code by mating with a cat from another WindClan!"

Ripples of curiosity flow through the clan.

"Nightfang has been seeing a cat named Gemflare."

"What?" one cat called "But he is mates with Streamfeather!"

"Not anymore." Streamfeather hissed, anger flashing in her eyes as she glared at Nightfang.

Nighfang looked like he wished the ground would eat him right there.

"Do you deny these claims, Nightfang?" Thornstar asked.

Nightfang looked around for a moment, then shook his head.

"No, it is true, and I will accept any punishment is deemed fair." Nightfang said, looking at his paws.

Frostfang felt herself pitying him. He was always so brave, and noble, and kind.

"Not to mention handsome." she thought, instantly pushing it away.

Frostfang stole another glance at him before turning away.

Frostfang looked at him again. How come he was so perfect? Frostfang sighed. She would be his friend if anyone else wouldn't.

Chapter 33
Nightfang stared at his paws. The worst part was Streamfeather. She was staring at him with all the accusation in her eyes. He felt something die inside him, he didn't understand it.

"Why me?"

"I will think about how to punish Nightfang." Thornstar said.

Streamfeather went trotting into the nursery, giving Nightfang a purposeful shove as she passed him. Nightfang hesitated for a moment, and decided that going to talk to her. He didn't know how to go and talk to her even if it was an option. He decided to go talk to Vineheart. His best friend wouldn't reject him, right? Hesitantly Nightfang poked his head in the medicine den.

"Hey, Vineheart?" he called.

"Did you need something Nightfang?" he called.

"Just to talk."

Vineheart didn't look up to greet him. It was silent for a little bit. Vineheart was busily sorting herbs. Since Moonyeyes had died from green-cough Vineheart had been working extra hard.

"How could you be seeing a cat from another clan?" Vineheart suddenly burst out.

Nightfang didn't even wait for a heartbeat: He turned and bolted rom the den. He ignored Vineheart's call. He didn't stop until he was out in the forest. Taking deep breaths, he fought off the despair trying to take over. Suddenly fox sent hit his nose, followed by a short screech. Nightfang instantly ran towards the sound. In a clearing Skypaw bravely was hanging onto a foxes back with Leafpaw hanging limply in her jaws.

"Skypaw, get off!" Nightfang yowled as he leaped at the fox, barreling her off of it just as the fox reared and slammed its back against the tree.

Nightfang leaped at the fox again, snarling. He slashed at it's muzzle, imagining it was Streamfeather or Vineheart, setting his fury free. The fox dropped Leafpaw and took off.

"And don't come back!" Nightfang yelled.

Nightfang sniffed at Leafpaw and froze. Under the sent of fox, Leafpaw smelled of death.

"She's dead."

Nightfang stared at Leafpaw, disgusted with himself. He only fighting the fox because he was angry. Not because a clanmate needed him! Nightfang crumpled to the ground. Suddenly, Thornstar ran into the clearing.

"What is going on here?"

Nobody answered for a moment.

"Th-this f-fox attacked me and Le-leafpaw." Skypaw said shakily "Nightang c-came to help but Leafpaw is... is already... d-d-dead"

"Is Nightfang okay?" Thornstar asked.

"Nightfang!" Skypaw said suddenly, as if remembering he was there.

Skypaw nudged him.

"Did the fox hurt you? Oh, someone get Vineheart."

"Vineheart?"

Nightfang suddenly stood up. Skypaw jumped back and gasped.

"I'm fine." he said coldly as he started to run farther from camp.

"Nightfang!" Skypaw called.

Nightfang stopped on the no-clan border. He dug his claws into the ground as he looked into a puddle. Nightfang felt hate start to harden in his chest.

"No one cares about me." Nightfang thought.

"I care, and I am proud of you." someone said nearby.

"Nightfang," Thornstar's mew sounded behind him.

"I- was that-?" Nightfang shook his head "Look, I'm not really in a good mood."

"Really?" Thornstar said sarcastically "Oh, I couldn't tell."

Nightfang dug his claws into the ground, barely suppressing venom filled words.

"Look, I can tell you are hurting a lot. From the way you left the medicine den I'm guessing Vineheart didn't react the way you wanted."

Nightfang hesitated. How much would Thornstar understand. Nightfang whirled around. He saw more compassion then he expected.

"Is that true?"

Nightfang must have looked the way he felt because Thornstar let out a small laugh.

"Stop thinking of me as the clan leader. Think of me as a friend. I won't let it effect the punishment, negatively, at least."

Nightfang gulped, blinked, then he nodded slowly.

"I guess... I just... I fell in love with Gemheart, but I still loved Streamfeather, and now the entire clan hates me, I lost my mate, I lost my best friend, and I am about to get punished for being a traitor to the clan! Everything is going wrong and I don't know how to fix it!"

Nightfang took a deep breath and looked at his paws for a moment before looking up.

"Why did you run off like that after the battle with the foxes."

"It..." Nightfang trailed off.

How was he supposed to explain it?

"I was angry. At the clan and Streamfeather and Vineheart. So I... I imagined that they were who I was fighting."

Nightfang closed his eyes, preparing himself for a reprimanding.

"I see." Thornstar said "Thank you for being honest with me. That takes a lot of courage."

Nightfang nodded mutely.

"What do you think your punishment should be?"

"Come again?" Nightfang asked.

"You heard me."

"Why?"

"I trust your judgment."

"I honestly have no idea how you would punish someone for betraying the clan.

"If you tell anyone I said this, I will shred you but I think that rule is stupid." Thornstar whispered.

"Well," Nightfang said almost laughing "So do I."

Chapter 34
COMING SOON

Polls
Should Nightflare or Nightfeather work out? Nightflare!(Nightfang and Gemflare) Nightfeather!(Nightfang and Streamfeather) Nightfang should be alone! Nightfang should get a different mate.

What should Daylight do to Sharpstick? Kill him Nothing Forgive him Do something awful too him None of the above(specify in the comments)