Nightpaw padded through a strange forest, her ears pricked. Where was she?  The forest path was illuminated by the moon that hung high in the night sky. She finally stopped at a clearing that broke the path off. Curious, Nightpaw stepped into the clearing. It was empty, except for a single flower that grew in the middle.

Upon closer inspection, Nightpaw noticed that it was a rose. Her eyes widened. It was completely black, and its thorns dripped with something red and warm. Was that...blood!?

Nightpaw backed away from the sickening display, only to watch as a ginger tom appeared across from her. His pelt was starry, and it glowed as he spoke.

"This is your destiny, young one. You don't have a choice. Everybody will always see you as just your destiny. Don't stray from the path laid out for you... accept it." He commanded, voice growing louder.

Nightpaw's ears folded against her head in a feeble attempt to block out the voice.

"No! It's not!" She screeched. "It can't be!"

Another voice rang across the clearing.

"There is an evil cat in ShadowClan. Her pelt is the color of the night."

》》》》》》》》》

Nightpaw let out a yelp as she woke up from her nightmare. She breathed heavily, springing out of her nest, frantically making her way out of the apprentice's den. She sprinted across the clearing, silently entering the medicine den. Her eyes glowed in the darkness as she prodded Blazefur awake.

"Blazefur! " she hissed quietly.

The tom woke with a start, his eyelids drooping. "Wha-what? Whatta is it?"

She waited until he sat up, fully awake.  Her tail lashed. Fear shone in her eyes. "Blazefur, I-" her voice cracked. "I had a dream from StarClan. There was a cat. He said... he said that I was evil. He said it was my destiny. I'm scared, Blazefur."

The medicine cat stared at her. She shivered as his strange eyes poured into her.

He turned around. "I recieved a prophecy about you. And then, I recieved a message that said you were evil. It looks like StarClan has the impression that there's a thorn in your heart." He snorted and turned around. "But our warrior ancestors aren't always right. And our destinies can be changed. It all depends on the heart of the cat. So what do you choose, Nightpaw? Do you choose Rosefeather's path? Or do you choose your own?"

Nightpaw swallowed the lump in her throat. "I... I choose to make my own path. To re-create my destiny."

Blazefur nodded. "It won't be easy. But I know a smart cat like you can do it. If you get any more dreams, come to me."

Nightpaw nodded, eyes wide with shock. Her mind was fuzzy. She shook out her pelt.

Blazefur signaled towards the camp entrance. "Go clear your head."

Without her consent, her paws were already carrying her out of camp. She felt a presence behind her, causing her to shiver. An owl's hoot filled the night air. Nightpaw heard a hiss behind her. She swung around, just to be pushed to the ground. She looked up to see a familar face staring down at her, fangs bared.

Dawnpaw's eyes shone with a burning rage. She dug her claws into Nightpaw's fur. The black she-cat let out a yelp.

A cold voice sounded behind her. "Very good, Dawnpaw. Just like that. Don't forgot the killing bite I taught you."

Rosefeather!?

The russet she-cat stepped out of the shadows, smirking down at Nightpaw. "Where's your StarClan now?"

Nightpaw shut her eyes, trying to even her breathing. "I knew it." Her voice shook, but she continued. "I have my own destiny." Eyes flaring with blue fire, she threw the cream she-cat off her and watched as she flew across the clearing. "And I won't let it be wrecked by you!"

She flew at Rosefeather, feeling as if the power of all of StarClan was behind her. Her mentor's eyes widened, but she quickly side stepped. She brought down outstretched claws on Nightpaw's back, digging them deep.

Nightpaw felt searing pain fill her back and screeched, collapsing. Blood was beginning to mat her fur where the deep scratches were. Her gaze clouding with pain, she struggled to get up. A paw was placed on the back of her neck, pushing her to the ground.

Nightpaw looked around frantically, searching for something, anything that could aid in her escape. But the clearing was bare, and the dark-furred apprentice found nothing.

She felt wind rush through the air around her ear, carrying a soft whisper with it. 

"Don't give up, Nightpaw. Aim for the thorns. That's a rose's most dangerous and most vulnerable spot."

Nightpaw closed her eyes. What in the name of StarClan did that mean? But the message was clear, and she was positive it could help. She looked up at Rosefeather, studying her. Muscles rippled under her perfectly groomed pelt. She was strong, but every strong cat had a weakness.

Dawnpaw had recovered and padded over. "Go ahead and scream," she snarled, "no cat will hear you. And even if they do, why would they care?" She stuck her face close to Nightpaw's. "You think you're so special, just because of your destiny. Well guess what? You're not. And everyone can see it."

Nightpaw gathered her strength and looked up at the she-cat. "Why don't you shut your mouth before I shut it for you?" She choked out.

A flash of claws, and her cheek was bleeding. Dawnpaw stared down at her. "Watch your mouth."

Rosefeather gave a dramatic yawn. "I'm getting bored, Dawnpaw. Why don't you test out the killing bite on her?"

"Gladly," Dawnpaw purred.

The bushes in front of them shook as cat stepped into the clearing.

Oakstar! Blazefur! Fawnfur! Shadeclaw! Nightpaw felt her heart soar. Her Clan was here. They would save her. It would be alright.

Rosefeather looked shocked, but quickly regained her cool attitude.

Oakstar eyed his deputy. "What are you doing?"

Rosefeather opened her jaws to answer, but Dawnpaw stepped forward first.

"Teaching this poor excuse for a ShadowClan cat a lesson!" Her eyes flashed.

Fawnfur sprinted over to them, followed by Shadeclaw. In a flash, they had Rosefeather and Dawnpaw pinned. Blazefur padded over to Nightpaw, helping her up. "Lean on me," he ordered.

Oakstar pointed with his tail towards the camp. "Fawnfur and Shadeclaw, get them into the camp. I want six warriors guarding them. Have the apprentices guard the nursery and the elder's den. "

Shadeclaw gave a brusque nod before follwing Fawnfur into the shadows. Nightpaw gave a wheeze before leaning more heavily on Blazefur.

Oakstar padded over, concern in his eyes. "Can you tell us what happened?"

Nightpaw gave a nod. "I... I was padding out of camp. Going on a walk. They pinned me down. I got Dawnpaw off me and ran at Rosefeather... Urm... and then Dawnpaw tried to kill me. Rosefeather told her to."

Oakstar nodded. "Anything else?"

Nightpaw shook her head and let out a wheeze.

Blazefur interrupted politely, his eyes refelcting Oakstar's concern. "I need to get her treated. Her chest has been compressed for too long."

Oakstar dipped his head. "I understand. Let's get back to camp."

》》》》》》》》》》

Nightpaw sat below the Dark Rock, her scratches treated. She adjusted her stance so the polituce wouldn't slide off, and faced Oakstar.

"Tell us what you told me," he told her gently.

She repeated what she had told him in the clearing, swaying a bit on her paws. Nightpaw felt Fawnfur's tail curl around her reassuringly.

Gasps rose from the Clan. Birdsong's eyes widened in horror. Echowing and Addertooth glared at Rosefeather and Dawnpaw.

Oakstar nodded. "Blazefur spotted Rosefeather and Dawnpaw following her out of camp and alerted me. Rosefeather and Dawnpaw, you are hearby exiled. Echowing, Addertooth, Shadeclaw, Pebblepelt, and Mistflower chase them out. Would any cat like to join them?" He meowed crisply.

Nightpaw closed her eyes again and tried to swallow this whole mess. Rosefeather and Dawnpaw? Try to kill her? It seemed unlikely, but it had happened. Who would be her mentor now? Or, more importantly, who would be deputy? How in the name of StarClan are they going to explain this to the other Clans? Her mind buzzing with questions, she winced as her wounds stung. Rosefeather's claws had gone deep. She would be stuck in the medicine den for a long time. She heard Fawnfur give a shriek and opened her eyes.

Duskpaw had stepped forward. He stood next to Dawnpaw, his eyes glazed. Nightpaw dug her claws into the ground. Fawnfur waw trying to leap forward, but Echowing and Birdsong held her back, their gazes sad. Nightpaw turned away from the scene, heading towards the medicine den. She looked up at the sky. It was already beginning to darken. The deputy would have to be announced now.

She turned back around to see Oakstar surveying thr crowd. "It is moonhigh, and per tradition, I must choose a new deputy. The new deputy of ShadowClan will be Shadeclaw." He looked up at the sky. "Even after many tragedies, our faith in StarClan musn't waver. Nightpaw also needs a new mentor. Nightpaw, your new mentor will be Wolffur."

Nightpaw stepped forward snd toucheds noses with the tom, staring deep into his eyes. His gaze was friendly but sympathetic.

Nightpaw turned around to see one face she had wanted to see all day. Sparrowpaw grinned awkwardly at her.

"So, um... Rainpaw and I just wanted to... apologize for how we treated you. You're our Clanmate, just like any other cat. We're sorry." He glanced back at his brother, who was glaring at the two.

I doubt Rainpaw's very sorry, Nightpaw thought, but she dismissed it. "Alright then. Apology accepted. And I'm sorry for hurting you, Sparrowpaw. I just got... confused for a second." She finished and padded towards the medicine den.

Blazefur was waiting for her, his tail swaying. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"

Nightpaw sighed and closed her eyes. "The pain isn't so much here," she used her tail to point to her scratches, "than here." She murmured, a paw on her chest.

Blazefur nodded, sympathetic. "This event was bound to hurt you emotionally. But they're gone now. Don't worry."

Nightpaw nodded, sinking into a moss nest near the wall. Her eyes closed, and she sank into a restless slumber.

》》》》》》》》》》

Nightpaw blinked her eyes open, mentally cheering. Her sleep had been dreamless, though she had still woken up many times. Blazefur and Foxpaw were already awake, judging by their absence. Nightpaw's ears pricked as she heard something that sounded like a she-cat screeching. She burst out of her nest, grimacing as her scratches stung.

A crowd had formed outside the nursery. Wolffur turned around, greeting his apprentice.

"Leaftail is kitting," he whispered in her ear. "It's been going on for a long time now."

Nightpaw noddrd worriedly, staring at the nursery. Leaftail had been in the nursery when she had been a kit. She was older than the typical queen. Nightpaw shuddered at the thought of more deaths.

Blazefur padded outside, his eyes bright. "Three toms and a she-kit!" He announced.

Nightpaw watched as the father, Oakstar, rushed inside. His eyes had lost their cool, calm, and collected air and where replaced with joy. Nightpaw knew how he had always wanted kits.

Foxpaw followed her mentor outisde, looking exhausted. Her russet fur was ruffled and messy. Nightpaw felt a rush of sympathy. Being a medicine cat apprentice was hard. Blazefur murmured something in her ear, and she stumbled away.

Wolffur approached Blazefur. "Is Nightpaw fit enough to train?" He asked as the crowd began to disperse.

Nightpaw closed her eyes, hoping and praying. Please... I don't want to be stuck in the medicine den for a moon...

Blazefur nodded. "I guess she's fit enough for hunting. But check her scratches for bleeding every now and then."

Wolffur thanked the medicine cat, then led Nightpaw over to Shadeclaw.

"Hey, can we join the hunting patrol?" He asked,  eyes flashing with humor.

Nightpaw suddenly rememberemembered they were brothers. She smiled sadly to herself. If only she could have that kind of relationship with her brother.

Shadeclaw nodded."Sure. If you hurry, you can catch up. Mistflower is leading it."

》》》》》》》》

Nightpaw narrowed her eyes as she crept up on the mouse in front of her. The tiny brown creature was picking up a poppy seed. It nibbled on the small black seed. Nightpaw bunched her muscles and leaped, landing on the mouse. It let out a squeak of terror as she dug her fangs into its neck.

Wolffur stepped out of the bushes, his eyes shining with pride. "Good job, Nightpaw. You've completed your first hunting assessment."

Nightpaw placed the fresh-kill on the ground. "What's next?"

It had been a few days since the attack. Nightpaw had healed a bit, though she couldn't strain herself too much. She had visisted the nusery and seen Leaftail's tiny kits. The three toms were Sunkit, Cloudkit, and Runningkit. The she-cat was Thornkit. After all the recent events, ShadowClan was getting back on its paws. She flicked her ear, content. Sparrowpaw's warrior cermony was today. Their relationship had gradually healed, though Rainpaw still ignored her.

"Well, the next assessment is the battle session. You'll take these three times, and have to pass all of them to be able to qualify as a warrior. Think you can handle it?" He asked, whiskers twitching.

"You know I can!" Nightpaw gently cuffed him over the ear. Her relationship with the young warrior was surprisingly friendly.

"Alright then. We'll have it tomorrow. Sparrowpaw and Rainpaw's warrior ceremony is probably starting. Let's head back." He turned around, carrying her large haul of prey in his jaws.

Nightpaw sprinted past him, laughing. She would make it to camp before him. She glanced back, her eyes widening when she relaized he was gaining on her. Her paws slamming against the ground, they both rushed into camp.

Sparrowpaw turned around. "Nightpaw! You made it! I thought you would miss it," his voice was thick with anxiety.

Nightpaw caught her breath, giving him a reassuring tap with her tail. "Don't worry. I wouldn't miss this for all of StarClan."

Oakstar's yowl filled the camp, and cats began to head towards the Dark Rock. Echwoing, Sparrowpaw and Rainpaw' s mother rushed over.

"Hurry!" She gave Sparrowpaw a quick lick on the head before pushing him towards the Dark Rock.

Whiskers twitching with amusement, Nightpaw followed them. She took an empty spot next to Snowstripe, glancing at the she-cat. Her eyes were glazed and sad. Of course! She had been Dawnpaw's mentor! It must have hurt her when she learned her apprentice was a traitor.

Nightpaw turned her attention back ti the ceremony, watching as Sparrowpaw stepped forward..

"-By the powers of StarClan, I name you Sparrowwing. May StarClan light your path." He dipped his head to his apprentice, pride in his eyes.

Nightpaw was happy to see her leader in such good spirits. His kits had really improved his mood.

"Rainpaw, step forward. Addertooth, is your apprentice ready to become an apprentice?"

Addertooth nodded. "For sure. "

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I make this apprentice a warrior. Rainpaw, from this moment on, you will be known Rainheart. You two will guard the camp silently tonight. May StarClan light your paths." He dipped his head and leaped down from the Dark Rock.

"Sparrowwing! Rainheart! Sparrowwing! Rainheart!" Nightpaw yowled, standing on her paws.

Sparrowwing caught her eye and smiled. She grinned back, their gazes locking.

Just with their eyes, they seemed to have a whole conversation. Nightpaw waved her tail, watching as he disappeared into the crowd.

A/N: How you feeling about Nightpaw so far? ~ Feather