Lightfeather's Thirst

Comments: TY Ash! Sorry can't respond on computer

Prologue

"I wish her destiny wouldn't include that horrifying event," mused a silver she-cat with shimmery fur.

"It is not our job to interfere, but to watch, and we can help all we can, which we did," a light speckled brown tom reminded her.

"You're ri-" the silver she-cat started.

"Oh in our name, Mintleaf, Dottednose, you are all only fussing over her? There's another, you know," a white tom with huge brown paws (maybe sounds like his name will be Brownfoot since the way Blackfoot's name is!) and a bossy tone scoffed.

"Oh Eagleclaw..." Mintleaf sighed.

Ignoring her, the self believed superior (at times, anyway) sat down, his eyes widening mysteriously, "A single feather singled out, one feather that is light it will fall (He just talks like that. Yeah, he has bad grammar lol). Not from the pulls of gravity (do cats even know about gravity?) but from a wrath concealed until now." (Does it sound to weird?)

The other two cats gasped as the image appeared on a pool, fur ruffled, unable to speak.

Finally, Dottednose broke the silence.

"We'll need to tell Petalflower, even though she's...you know gonna do what."

Chapter 1

"Lightkit, my beautiful rays of sunshine! It's your apprentice ceremony today!"

Snapping to alert, Lightkit squealed in delight, bouncing to the Highledge.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan Meeting!" Birchstar yowled.

Bramblekit, her brother padded after her, smirking.

Mind whirling, her ears didn't perk up until the name Lightpaw. When the leader rambled on more, she let her mind drift off again.

Suddenly, the din stopped.

"Um, who's my mentor?" Lightpaw whispered to Bramblekit.

Rolling his eyes, he replied, "Flameblaze."

She nodded and padded to Flameblaze, touching his nose.

Smiling lightly, he meowed, "I'll teach you the territory!"

Bounding out the camp, Lightpaw raced after him.

Chapter 2

Flameblaze padded out, Lightpaw on his tail.

"What's that?" Lightpaw gasped, staring wide-eyed at a tree that towered over others.

"Ancient Oak," Flameblaze explained.

"Can we climb it?" Lightpaw exclaimed, her whiskers quivering with excitement and her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"No," Flameblaze replied. Lightpaw's tail drooped and her face fell.

The cats padded on. Seeing a soft pile of moss, Lightpaw leapt on it, shredding some moss.

Laughing, Flameblaze urged, "Come on now."

Lightpaw scrambled to her paws obediently, running back to where Flameblaze sat, waiting.

They came to a Thunderpath. There was a faint roaring of monster's paws in the distance. The acrid tang of Twoleg's and their monsters stung Lightpaw's nose.

Lightpaw bristled in excitement, fluffing up her fur.

"A Thunderpath!" Lightpaw breathed. "It stinks worse than all of ShadowClan and fox dung put together!"

Suddenly a huge yellow monster whooshed by, nostrils flaring, it's orange eyes glowing eerily and it's huge black paws churning the Thunderpath.

The apprentice's mouth hang wide open at the monster.

"I never knew that monsters were that big and fast!" Lightpaw exclaimed, wrinkling her nose. "And I never knew that monsters stunk so much!"

"You'll get used to it," Flameblaze promised. "I'll die for you if a monster charges toward us."

Lightpaw nodded, speechless.

The cats padded on.

"I almost forgot!" Flameblaze gasped, relieved that he remembered what to say.

"Forgot what?" Lightpaw asked.

"If we meet a kittypet, loner or rogue, we tell them to please get off our territory. If they are hurt, we bring them to our medicine cats because we have honor. We have to defend our territory, but a good warrior seeks a peaceful solution without claws first. If we meet a kit, we bring it back to it's mother or which Clan they are in, according to the facts they tell us. If it is apprentices, warriors, leaders, or deputies from other Clans, we tell them to please get off of our territory," Flameblaze declared, "And if they want to join, we bring them to the leader."

Lightpaw nodded, her eyes glowing seriously.

A young golden cat with a blue collar padded through the forest.

"Watch me," Flameblaze whispered, brushing along a bush.

"Greetings," Flameblaze started warmly to the kittypet.

"Wild cats!" the kittypet screeched. She turned tail and fled, paws and tail streaming behind her.

"Well," Flameblaze turned to look at the apprentices, who were staring at the kittypet bolting away from the forest, "That's what you'll expect from most kittypets."

Lightpaw nodded. She didn't speak as Flameblaze padded back to camp, only following him.

Chapter 3

"Let's go gather some moss," suggested Flameblaze, "You've had a long day, and I don't want you to get into anything where you have to pad too much."

Lightpaw nodded.

Padding to a tree he unsheathed his claws and scraped some moss down.

"It helps you with hunting and fighting," he explained.

Lightpaw did the exact replica, gathered up the moss, but it fell off.

"Fox dung!" she cursed.

"Well, you gather it up in your teeth, you know," Flameblaze added helpfully.

She gathered up a clump of the moss, and Flameblaze the other, going back to camp.

Chapter 4

Lightpaw looked at her mentor and Flameblaze smiled. "Since the elders, queens, and kits are done eating, we'll have a quick meal, and you can put the moss nests in the elders' den.

Lightpaw nodded, fishing out half a rabbit. She bit into it, blood rushing to her mouth, and she ate the rest of the half of it, Bramblepaw stalking forward.

They had never gotten away really well, so her eyes lit up, hoping they could get along better-like most littermates would!

"Hi Bram-" Lightpaw started.

Bramblepaw gave her a curt nod, picking up the other half of the rabbit and stalking away.

Lightpaw tried not to look too disappointed. Bramblepaw regarded her lowly, thinking he superior and a few friends aligned with him to be superior, those friends thought strong enough.

She gulped down the last pieces, than buried her remains, and stood up.

"Everything okay?" Flameblaze asked.

She nodded quietly, not the usual bright, sprightly apprentice she was.

Concerned, Flameblaze asked, "You're sure?"

She knew he would prod her until she seemed okay, so she sucked in a fake enthusiastic voice, "Of course Flameblaze! What're we doing next?"

Seeming surprised by this sudden burst of energy, a smile spread his face.

"Put the moss nests in the elders' den, and then you can go to sleep," he meowed.

She nodded, forgetting about Bramblepaw-for a few heartbeats anyway. As she lay down in her nest, the thoughts bombarded her again, willing her to stare at the mossy top of the apprentices' den all night long.

Chapter 5

"Lightpaw! Wake up!" called Flameblaze.

Well, he didn't exactly have to tell her to, because she was up the whole night.

Groaning, she pushed out the entrance with muscles that ached.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes," she mumbled.

"Okay, good. The moss is dry now, so put them in the elders' den for Hareleap's new bedding please. After that, please change his ticks.

Her shoulders sagged. Well, she DID like helping out, but Hareleap sometimes was c-r-a-n-k-y cranky!

She padded to the medicine cat den.

"Petalflower, I need mouse bile," she called.

"For Hareleap, I suppose?" she asked.

"Yup," she replied.

"Here. When you're done, wash your paws in a stream," meowed Petalflower.

She nodded, padding to the elders' den.

"Come, let me tell you a story," old Hareleap croaked.

She padded over, setting his new bedding down and taking out the old bedding.

"Once your father found Flameblaze when he was a loner," he rasped, "Leopardclaw was the one who brought him here. He fought well in that battle against RiverClan."

She winced at the mention of her father. Painful memories flashed in her mind.

*"Kits, back inside!" her mother, Icefrost had called.*

*She didn't obey. Lightpaw, then Lightkit, couldn't help it. She wanted to help her Clan.*

*She ran out onto the battle field, jumping onto a warrior, who pushed her off easily.*

*The breath was knocked out of her, and she ran to an apprentice. A new one, that was about 2 moons older than her.*

*She jumped on the apprentice, digging her claws into his back and slicing his muzzle.*

*Suddenly, he flipped her over, slicing at her flanks and legs, tripping her.*

*Yelping, she started to climb to her paws, but than got knocked over by a highly experienced warrior.*

*"Lightkit! No!" Leopardclaw had yowled.*

*Leopardclaw had jumped at the RiverClan warrior. That warrior...he had fought viciously, and strength flowed inside him as he dug his claws into Leopardclaw's throat deeply, killing him without attaining any wounds. Leopardclaw's eyes glazed, his body convulsed, he gasped out his last breath, buckling in agony. His head hit the ground with a 'thud'. However, it was with an effort. However, that didn't matter. Her father was d-e-a-d dead!*

*"No!" she screeched. Suddenly, that apprentice pounced towards her, inching forward and forward and forward-only a kitstep was between them.*

*Her mother ran out, slashing at the RiverClan apprentice and basically dragging her back to the apprentices' den.*

*"Leopardclaw is dead and it's all your fault! What did I say about not going out to battle?" her mother hissed.*

*She winced at the mention of Leapordclaw. She probably deserved it. No-make that definitely! A sadness drowned her.*

*Finally, Icefrost calmed down. She forgave her, though never saying sorry.*

*Oh...the agony...to experience that again...*

"Lightpaw?"

She snapped back into alert and saw Hareleap.

Hareleap let out a huff of annoyance. "My ticks are still there. Hurry up?"

Nodding absentmindedly, she dipped the moss in the mouse bile, patting Hareleap's back as he rolled his eyes.

"Thank YOU!" he meowed, "Run along now, Lightpaw. I don't want to catch you dilly-dollying again next time you get rid of my ticks.

Lightpaw nodded, padding out of the elders' den, to a stream.

She dipped her paws in, cleaning them after a while and padding back to camp.

Chapter 6

"Lightpaw! Are you okay?" Flameblaze asked.

She nodded, the coldness, relievingly, had been forcingly dragged out.

"Okay, I'm going to teach you how to hunt," Flameblaze meowed.

"Yes!" cheered Lightpaw, bounding after him. Suddenly, she spied a vole and started running towards it.

"No Lightpaw! Not-"

A twig cracked under her paw and the vole squeaked, diving into a hole.

...yet." Finished Flameblaze.

Disappointment rested on Lightpaw as she tried to fit into the small hole, plopping down, a bit frustrated.

"Okay, try to creep in slowly, making sure the prey doesn't smell you, go into the hunter's crouch, put your paws carefully and then pounce on it and snap its spine," Flameblaze explained, "Then say 'Thank you StarClan for this prey!'"

Lightpaw nodded.

He dropped into a hunter's crouch, Lightpaw doing the exact same.

"Perfect! Try it out on that leaf," he meowed.

She slowly crept in, pouncing on the leaf and meowed, "Thank you StarClan for this prey that is actually a leaf!"

Flameblaze burst into laughter at the last parts.

His eyes widened, "Ready to try it on real prey? And whisper back, or the prey will hear you."

She nodded.

A young squirrel was starting to scuffle around a tree, slowly creeping in as she dropped into the hunter's crouch, pouncing on it. She bit on its throat before it could let out  a shrill shriek that would split the silence.

"Thank you StarClan, for this prey!" Lightpaw meowed.

Flameblaze smiled at her, "Off to camp. It's getting late, so you'll need to get some sleep."

Chapter 7

Lightpaw yawned, suddenly realizing she was on the dawn patrol.

Jumping to her paws, she raced out.

"Well, that took you a long time," a dark gray tom grumbled quietly. "If anything, it's the morning patrol."

"I'm sorry," Lightpaw rushed.

Rolling his eyes, the dark gray tom mumbled something to a sleek white she-cat.

The she-cat sighed in disappointment, and they padded off.

She heard a rustle in the bushes.

A kittypet!

"Excuse me, young cat. I am sorry to disturb you but this is ThunderClan territory. If you have any reason or would like to come join ThunderClan, I must ask Birchstar, the leader. Otherwise, please get off as you are intruding," Lightpaw meowed, closing her eyes to think about what to say.

Silence.

She opened her eyes.

The kittypet was long gone. Perhaps the kittypet was quiet? Or had she been concentrating too hard?

Two rogues padded by, and she sucked in her breath. Hoping she wouldn't ramble on this time, she meowed, "Please leave."

The rogues narrowed their eyes.

"Now please, if you would be so kind."

"Whatever," one meowed.

"Bye?" Lightpaw called as she watched them leave.

She caught up to the patrol, padding back to camp.

Chapter 8

Lightpaw padded back to camp.

"Lightpaw! Let's practice fighting moves," Flameblaze called.

"Okay!" Lightpaw called back.

They padded to the mossy area.

"I'll teach you the duck and twist," he explained.

She nodded.

He ducked, twisted around, rolled around onto his back, and sprang to his paws.

Lightpaw did the exact same.

"Great! Let's go back to camp," meowed Flameblaze.

Chapter 9

...Lightpaw, and Flameblaze! Alright! Get ready for the Gathering!"

"Yay!" Lightpaw cheered.

Lightpaw bounded to the Gathering, smiling. There were so many cats!

Plopping down, she watched the leaders announce stuff.

Well...maybe not.

She was just too excited that she probably didn't hear anything.

When the Gathering ended, she was surprised. "Al...ready?"

"Yep, weren't you listening?" whispered Bramblepaw, rolling his eyes.

"Um...maybe?" even though her brother wasn't that nice to her, she didn't exactly want to lie.

He sighed. "You'll always be an inferior to me."

Padding back to camp, Lightpaw yawned and got lost in a haze of dreamless sleep.

Chapter 10

Lightpaw stretched, padding out of camp. Moons past and the young she-cat was 11 moons old.

She was on a hunting patrol with her mentor and her mother.

She slowly crept in, pouncing on a mouse. She bit its throat.

Suddenly, caterwauls and yowls split the silence.

She scraped dirt over the prey quickly, bolting back to camp, to see blood and pain all over.

Chapter 11

Pools of blood were forming. Screeches of pain filled the air.

She rushed forward, only to get knocked down by a highly experienced leader.

Pain flooded her body.

There was no Leopardclaw to save her now.

"Lightpaw! No!"

But there was a Flameblaze.

Flameblaze rushed forward, slashing the cat's throat immediately. Suddenly, guilt and pain washed his face as he realized what he did. Before the leader fell, she bit Flameblaze's throat, and they both fell to the ground.

"FLAMEBLAZE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Lightpaw yowled.

She ran to him.

"L-lightp-aw," he croaked, "G-go on. Ma-ake me p-proud. Beat those fox-h-hearts."

"I can't leave you," she whispered, distress flowing through her.

"I'll a-always be here w-with you," he meowed.

His eyes glazed as he stopped writhing in agony, limp and cold.

"No..." she whispered in pain, "no..."

Sighing, she forced herself to turn around. As she remembered what was going on, she forgot about her mentor for a second, remembering to help her Clan.

She ran to an apprentice, doing the belly rake, the front paw blow, and squashing him. He hissed, flipping her over and ripping at her cheek as he pinned her down. She went lose as he loosened his grip before flinging him out.

She ran to a warrior, nipping and swarming quickly and efficiently. She slashed its flank, only to get knocked down. He bit down hard on her leg and she could feel pain searing through it, then it went numb and limp. It was an unusual feeling. Suddenly, as she turned around, she saw claws slicing towards her...

There was no hope.

And she got knocked into a wave of blackness as she fell to the ground with a thud.

Chapter 12

Lightpaw weakly opened her eyes, crawling to her paws to feel a pain shooting through her back left leg before crumpling again.

"She's awake!"

She turned her head to see the medicine cat, Petalflower, relief shining in her eyes.

"How long have I been here?" she moaned.

"Um, you were in a coma for about a quarter moon," Petalflower meowed.

"A...what?!" Lightpaw asked.

"Mhm," Petalflowr replied.

"When do I return to my training?" wondered Lightpaw.

Suddenly, Petalflower's eyes softened with sympathy, which meant...

"Never again," Petalflower confirmed.

Lightpaw croaked softly, "And Flameblaze?"

"He'll have a good afterlife in StarClan," Petalflower tried to cheer her up, "you'll always be together."

Lightpaw sighed. "So now what am I?"

Petalflower meowed, "Well, you can be an elder or medicine cat."

"Medicine cat."

The response was immediate. She wouldn't be much help as an elder. She didn't have experience, or wasn't wise and could guide young apprentices. She was the AGE of an apprentice, for StarClan's sake! She might be a little bit of use as a medicine cat. Or maybe not, like Bramblepaw meowed.

She limped out of camp, seeing Bramblepaw.

"Bramblepaw!" she meowed, limping over there.

"I need to talk to you out of camp," he meowed cooly.

She gaped at him. Her brother actually wanted to talk to her!

"Sure!" she meowed.

They padded out of camp, side by side.

Chapter 13

"What do you want to ask me about, Bramblepaw?" asked Lightpaw.

Bramblepaw rolled his eyes, in his usual cold demeanor. "My name is Bramble*fang*, not Bramble*paw.*"

"When...?" asked Lightpaw.

"When you were in your coma?" Bramblepaw prompted.

Searching his cold, icy eyes, she guessed, "You're here to insult me?"

He shook his head.

Suddenly, she noticed his unsheathed claws.

"You're going to attack your own sister?" she jolted back, shocked.

"Of course! You got Dad killed. If that wasn't enough, you got Flameblaze killed. You're weaker now as well. Nothing! You...deserve...to...suffer!" pain suddenly flashed through Bramblefang's usually expressionless eyes.

"But...if Petalflower has to heal me...wouldn't it be wasting herbs?" she tried to reason.

"Those who need herbs are weak. The weak are holding the Clan back! That's why ThunderClan is getting attacked too much! It's too weak!" Bramblefang retorted.

"I...I'm sorry. You're right. Dad and Flameblaze didn't deserve to die. But the strong are supposed to protect the weak! Unlike *you!* What did you ever do to deserve love?" Lightpaw snapped.

Suddenly realizing what she meowed, she sighed, "I'm sorry I said that. But the weak do need protection."

"Sorry doesn't work anymore! You've done too much harm...and...and you dare insult ME! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN THAT YOU ARE INFERIOR?" Bramblefang snarled.

He pounced on her, ripping her already torn body, reopening wounds. Infected wounds. He sliced her cheek, her belly, her flank...her legs...her muzzle. But she didn't have the heart to attack back.

The pain seared through her aching body. She felt numb in most spots, and fiery pain in some.

"I'm sorry Bramblefang, but I'll have to tell Petalflower," she coughed up drops of blood.

"Oh yeah? Go ahead. I dare you. Just know...more cats will hate you. More cats will attack you...you little tattletale. Go on. Tell her, *Tattle*paw. That's great anyway. Just know, when those cats attack you...I'll be the one to kill you measly whiny kit. Looks like I still love you after all. Since I'm warning you." he sneered.

"You're still attacking me," she replied a whispery croak.

"You deserve it," he snorted, "You deserve to die painfully. Only after suffering, many, many moons."

A pain that dug deeper than the wounds embedded in her body slashed at her. Her own brother would gladly kill her. Hated her...attacked her. Laughed at her.

The sound of that insane laugh echoed in her ears as she was dragged into that portal of blackness...again, in such short time.

Chapter 14

Lightpaw fluttered open tired eyelids.

"Lightpaw! Are you okay?" Bramblefang bounded in, fake worry glinting in.

"You know what you did," she hissed softly.

And as Bramblefang returned to his usual cruel demeanor, he smirked softly, "It's for the best. Watch out, *Tattle*paw."

"Petalflower!" Bramblefang looked up to her, "She's okay!"

"That's great news! What a good brother you are!" purred Petalflower.

*Huh? Good faked brother.*

"What a great young cat he is," Petalflower mused.

"Huh?" asked Lightpaw.

"When you were knocked out and pained by thorns falling off the sky," she explained. "It was a new place that twolegs built."

*What kind of story is that?* wondered Lightpaw scornfully.

"He did n-!" she started to say.

Suddenly she remembered what he had told her. *Watch out, Tattlepaw.*

"He did! He's such a good brother!" she faked enthusiasm.

Petalflower beamed. "It's good to see you two getting along so well! I don't want you to go out quite yet. Perhaps stay in camp."

*As if we get along well.*

She padded out the medicine cat den, seeing a couple friends.

"Hey guys!" she meowed.

"Let's leave this weakling alone," sneered one.

The others chorused in agreement, stalking away from her.

She held back, stung. First her brother, now her so called 'friends'.

Sadness drowned over her. *Probably everyone except Petalflower hates me.*

She watched them call, "Hey Petalflower! We need some herbs!"

"Coming right up!"

"Nevermind!"

"Apprentices these days," Petalflower pretended to be annoyed. "Run along. I have to sort these herbs!"

She suddenly felt a twinge of envy in her heart. *Kind, brave, loyal, intelligent, reliable, popular, Petalflower*. She shook the envy off, guilt worming her belly. *I haven't learned any herbs yet! I just became a medicine cat apprentice yesterday!* she scolded herself.

Sighing, she padded back to camp, laying down in a moss bed, painful memories flashing in her mind in her dreamless sleep. Her 'friends' and her brother was all that filled her head that cruel, wrathful night.

Chapter 15

"We will be learning some herbs today," Petalflower announced.

Lightpaw nodded.

Flashes swirled in her head. Leopardclaw's death, Flameblaze's death, the attack, the betrayal, th-

"Lightpaw?"

"Mhm," Lightpaw replied, staring at Petalflower.

"Can you repeat what I just said?" Petalflower asked.

"No," Lightpaw sighed.

"That's alright, I'll start over. Please listen this time," Petalflower meowed.

"Alright," Lightpaw agreed.

Finally, Petalflower stopped.

"How about some herb picking with Bramblefang?" she asked, "It's great for you to spend time together."

"No!" Lightpaw blurted out. Of all cats, it had to be Bramblefang!

"What? Why? Did he take your prey?" Petalflower joked.

"No he-" suddenly remembering the threat against her in telling, Lightpaw finished, "is a great choice!"

"Thought so!" Petalflower smiled, "Take care, okay? You know, the injured leg. Of course, Bramblefang would help you!"

*Would not.*

For a moment she thought about going alone. But she didn't dare disobey her mentor.

"Bramblefang, we're off gathering herbs!" she muttered.

"Great!" he meowed, eyes shining.

As they padded out of camp, he smiled cruelly again, that insane laugh sounding in her ears. And everything went black.

Chapter 16

The same routine happened over and over again...with the attacks of Bramblefang, and now his 'superior' friends joined in, coming up with explanations. Badger-fox-rogue attack-ambush from another Clan, so on.

But right now, anyway, she was asked for a review of hunting, so...

She slowly crept in and pounced on a mouse, biting

throat. She could move her aching paws no more, so she dragged herself and her prey back to camp.

Chapter 17

Lightpaw sighed, padding to the elders' den.

"Go on," Hareleap snapped, "hurry up, my ticks aren't falling off on their own!"

She nodded weakly.

"Weak, useless young cat," she heard him croak.

It didn't bother her that much. She was actually getting used to it.

She felt the glare bore into her fur the whole time she worked on getting rid of the ticks and everything, making her belly worm with uneasiness.

Chapter 18

Lightpaw padded to the Gathering.

"What are weak cats doing at the Gathering? They're no use," another apprentice piped up, snorting and stalking away.

She stared at them in shock, again not listening to the leaders for the second time.

Chapter 19

Lightpaw padded to the moonpool, the beautiful rays stunning her as the water lapped at her paws.

"This is my new apprentice, Lightpaw," Petalflower announced. She nodded to the gray tom, introducing him as Grayfur, the medicine cat of ShadowClan. The white she-cat was the medicine cat of RiverClan, Echodream, and the black tom as Finchsong, of WindClan.

Grayfur shot her a friendly smile.

As soon as Petalflower turned around, Echodream wrinkled her nose at her and Finchsong rolled his eyes.

Grayfur lightly pawed them, and the two medicine cats at least TRIED to smile. Theirs were lopsided and more like a smirk, like a dog's.

When Petalflower turned back, she nodded to the others. "Should we begin?"

They nodded in unison, and Lightpaw licked up a few drops of water and shivering-not only from the cold, but also from the fact that medicine cats detested her as well.

Chapter 20

*Moons later...*

Lightpaw padded out of the medicine cat den. Yesterday she had been attacked the 100th time. Every time it happened, pain tore at her body, her pride, and her kindness had become slight aggression. She looked into a pool. Her aggressive, vengeful side battled what was left of her calmness, her dignity.

She thought that she looked weak. Too weak. So weak that she wouldn't even defend herself! Yet she knew it wasn't right to attack her brother, her Clanmates. Yet did they know that? No. She shouldn't be like them. But the urge...the force...the tempting. Well, if she couldn't use words, she should use war! But war isn't the answer. Love was.

As the sides battled, her eyes seemed to flash calm and amber, then crazed blood-red. Finally, as the calmer side lost and was devoured by the darker side, her eyes glowed in a hungry manner-a manner that wanted revenge. She wanted to get rid of Birchstar, Yarrowleaf (the deputy), or Petalflower. Without one of the main cats, ThunderClan was sure to weaken.

She padded back into the medicine cat den, dreaming that night-after letting out her wrath-dreams of blood and revenge.

Chapter 21

*A quarter moon later...*

Petalflower was mixing a poultice for a warrior named Badgershade.

Suddenly, he collapsed.

"What happened?" Birchstar asked.

"I'm sorry, Birchstar," Petalflower hanged her head, "he's dead."

"Noticing the juniper juice by him, she realized what she had to do.

"He's been fed deathberries!" she yowled, pointing towards the juniper juice with a claw.

Birchstar sighed, "I'm sorry Petalflower. I refused to listen to the warning of the petal, but it seems to be true. You're exiled."

Petalflower stumbled back, rage flitting in her eyes. A rage Lightpaw had never seen.

"Fine, but I'll be back!" she spat, bounding out of the camp entrance.

*What does she mean by that?* Lightpaw wondered.

Chapter 22

"Lightpaw?"

She turned her head back to Birchstar.

"I think you deserve your medicine cat name. You've been training a long, long, time," he explained.

She nodded.

"You shall pick. It is the least I can do for you, ridding the Clan of a murderer," he meowed, "what name will you choose?"

She frowned thoughtfully, then decided, "Lightfeather."

He gasped for a second, eyes flickering uncertainly, than nodded, obviously shaken. "Very well. Lightfeather it is."

She smiled. Mission accomplished! Plus, Petalflower couldn't nose her way into things anymore!

"Yarrowleaf, organize a patrol," he called.

Birchstar turned back to face her smile, obviously relaxing.

He padded back into his den, as the new medicine cat of ThunderClan padded into the medicine cat den, finally, sleeping soundly, as dreams of death and vengeance filled her head.

Chapter 23

"Bramblefang, you guys, we need to talk," Lightfeather announced.

They nodded and padded out of camp.

"You know, this time I should kill you," Bramblefang mused, "they can help, but I make the killing move."

"Of course, superior," one agreed.

"Oh, I'm not dying today," Lightfeather meowed.

"Really? Who's dying than, inferior?" Bramblefang asked.

As they reached a deep gulley, she whirled around. "You guys are."

He rolled his eyes, "Think you can beat us?"

"Easy," she proclaimed.

"Get her!" he hissed.

In her rage and power she finally obeyed to unleash, she feinted, ripping apart the bodies until only Bramblefang remained.

"Sister, please," he pleaded, eyes shining with pleading.

"Now you're begging," her eyes gleamed, "I used to be weak. I used to hold back. Refused to attack. But now? I don't take 'please' and favors anymore."

"But we're family," he reasoned.

"Did that stop you from insulting me? Attacking me? For everyday of my life?" she asked, an icy tone in her voice.

"I'll do anything!" he begged, eyes scorching desperately.

"No," she hissed.

Lightfeather slashed his throat and watched him sink to the floor in satisfaction. She watched his limp body convulse, writhe in pain, his eyes glaze and his limp, cold body on the ground.

Scraping dirt over him, she licked the blood off her claws, a thrill shooting through her as she padded back to camp.

Chapter 24

For the next moons, Lightfeather lured out cats who had teased her, insulted her, killing them as well.

As she padded back to camp, she skidded to a stop. Foxes were around everyone.

The yowls rang through the clearing, and screeches split the silence. Blood splattered the leaves, and the cats spat.

"Leave you crow-food eaters!" one hissed. His fur bushed, eyes blazing.

The warriors eyes darkened with hatred, fur bristling.

Was that a flash of tortoiseshell fur? She stepped back, shocked. It was Petalflower!

Suddenly, the other four Clans raced into the clearing.

ShadowClan looked like they just wanted to pay off their debt, so that they could attack the Clan. But the others seemed determined to be heroes for once.

The Clans flung themselves at the foxes, and Petalflower raced into the heat of battle. A fox raked his claws down her belly as blood pooled out. Petalflower writhed, her paws flailing in agony. Petalflower winced.

Petalflower's eyes lit up on some cobwebs, and she applied them to her belly.

She hissed at the fox, and another warrior joined her as they drove back the fox. The fox was as vicious as LionClan as they slashed at them, from what Lightfeather was seeing, anyway.

The commotion slowly died down, and by the time the last fox ran from camp, the cats cheered. All except Lightfeather. The foxes could have killed more cats who taunted her!

Birchstar slid down from Highledge and blinked at Petalflower, confused. "But the prophecy! But your swear! This makes no sense!"

Petalflower purred, "ThunderClan is my old home, and you are a friend. Of course I would help!"

"I'm truly sorry, Petalflower. Would you like to rejoin?" Birchstar asked.

"I would just like you and the deputy, Yarrowleaf to meet me by the Thunderpath, and Lightpaw by the Ancient Oak," Petalflower mewed, "and can you please accept my kits?"

Birchstar looked puzzled at the four small requests, and slowly nodded. "What are your kits' names?"

"Littlekit, Mistkit, and Leafkit," Petalflower replied.

"Go get them," Birchstar ordered. Petalflower raced to their camp and nudged the kits awake, bringing them to the Clan.

"Very well," Birchstar announced, "they will now be a part of ThunderClan."

*More cats? And this is very suspicious...oh, and I'm NOT Lightpaw anymore!*

Chapter 25

Lightfeather padded to meet Petalflower.

"Why hello, Lightpaw!" Petalflower meowed cheerfully.

"It's Lightfeather, mouse-brain," Lightfeather snapped, annoyance fluttering inside of her,"I've been a medicine cat for moons."

"Oh, of course, who taught you the rest?" Petalflower asked sweetly.

"No one, you taught me all the herbs," Lightfeather hissed.

"Oh, nice," Petalflower replied, "and come over here, interesting how you got me exiled, hm?"

"Yes, always sweet kind Petalflower rushing up to save the day. Always brave, helpful, Petalflower. No one cares about me. Everyone calls me mouse-brain. Everyone ignores me. Cats attack me out of camp for having a crushed leg, I'm rejected by my own family who calls me three paws and little creep. And you. You think I'm weak, sending out Bramblefang to protect me? I'm not weak. Or a kit. And what you do, you only make them attack me when I go out! And now, without an extra medicine cat, the Clan will grow weaker," Lightfeather sneered, then shut her jaw. The truth that had always been concealed burst out. It didn't matter. Bramblefang was dead. Her 'friends' were dead.

"Oh, please do come over here," Petalflower invited warmly.

Lightfeather growled, unsheathing her claws as she stiffly padded toward Petalflower. *Just. In. Case.*

Petalflower jumped on her.

"What the-" Lightfeather started to screech. *So this is what she meant I'll be back!*

"No use," Petalflower hissed, "the Clanmates who attack you won't save you now. And once you're dead, no one can know who StarClan believes is the new leader."

*They're dead! I killed them! Why WOULD I want a new leader? ThunderClan deserves to suffer. Lightfeather thought.*

Lightfeather sliced Petalflower's belly as Petalflower winced, and slashed her claws down Lightfeather's throat.

The last thing Lightfeather saw was Petalflower's satisfied smile as she dropped to the ground, dead.

Chapter 26

Lightfeather opened her eyes. Padding through a bush, she heard a noise.

Looking back, she stepped back, shocked. It was Petalflower.

*Rustle.*

Petalflower looked at her, than jumped onto Lightfeather.

"Petalflower! Stop!" a tom called.

Petalflower whirled around, her gaze scanning the dark trees that loomed ahead. Finally, she spotted the cat. Relief spread through Lightfeather-she wasn't looking at her anymore.

"Snakefang!" she purred.

"Petalflower!" greeted Snakefang.

She stared at them.

Petalflower rested her tail on Snakefang as Snakefang nuzzled her.

"I didn't know StarClan looked like this!" Petalflower commented.

*Of course this isn't StarClan. What, is she mouse-brained?* Lightfeather wondered.

Snakefang's shoulders stiffened, explaining, "This is the Dark Forest. And Lightfeather's here too, we have to unite with her, I guess. To get vengeance."

"As in where the wronged cats, vengeful and power-hungry, battle-hungry and ambitious in a bad way, cats go to?" Petalflower queried, "Uniting with Lightfeather? Fine. We're on the same side now, so whatever."

Snakefang nodded.

Lightfeather stared at Petalflower warily, then nodded. With them, even her murderer, her wrath would finally be unleashed to its never ending limits.

End

So, this is the end of the story. Thank you everyone who read it, enjoyed it or not! Stay tuned, little dreamers. Tomorrow Bramblefang's Betrayal will be started! Stay tuned, little dreamers!