Willowpaw's vision was blurred. Her whole body felt like it was burning. She felt as if she were on fire. She didn't know where she was, nor did she care. Sleep lured her into its embrace. When she awoke once more, the distinct smell of oak trees confirmed that she was in ThunderClan. She wondered if anybody would find her. What they would do if they did. She wondered if her Clan was looking for her. Probably not. They were probably happy that she was finally gone. That they never would have to see her again. Willowpaw curled up into a ball on a bed of bright red, orange and brown leaves. ThunderClan had the blazing colours of red, orange, brown and yellow spread all over it. She clenched her eyes tight. Some time later, Willowpaw awoke to the scuffling of feet and the chattering of voices. She knew at once they were ThunderClan. But there was nothing she could do. Nowhere she could hide. There were no bushes, the ground was covered in leaves and there were no tall grasses to hide in. Willowpaw pulled herself tighter together and closed her eyes once more. Maybe, just maybe, they might not see her. 
            "Dad!" an excited voice said. 
            "Hey, don't roll in the leaves," laughed a tom. Willowpaw recognised the voice. It was the strong but gentle voice of Blazestar. 
            "Let's race to the WindClan border!" another happy voice cried. 
            "Duskpaw, what did you learn with Cherrycall today?" purred a she-cat. 
           "Fighting!" exclaimed Duskpaw. "We did the backkick." 
           "I learnt that moons ago!" bragged what Willowpaw thought to be Duskpaw's sister.
            "Oh yeah? Then do it!" replied Duskpaw indignantly. 
           "I'm sure you both know it. Anyways, how about that race?" cut in Blazestar, his voice a purr. 
            "Yeah!" cried Duskpaw. "Let's race." 
            "I'm going to win. Again," Dawnpaw shouted. Willowpaw frowned slightly. They seemed so happy. That was a perfect family. They all loved each other. They cared for each other. They had fun with each other. Maybe that would be what her family would have looked like. If Stormkit hadn't been snatched away. Suddenly, the voices stopped. 
              "What is it?" the she-cat asked. Willowpaw glanced up. They were standing a few trees away and she was still hidden from view but soon, they would see her. Blazestar's pelt seemed to match the blazing colours of the leaves. Beside him stood a beautiful she-cat. She had a fluffy tail and white fur with light brown patches. Duskpaw, a dark orange cat with one black ear, trotted beside his sister, Dawnpaw. She had swirling light orange fur. Willowpaw bit her tongue and tasted blood. 
              "WindClan," murmured Blazestar. "Both of you, stay here." 
              "Aw, come on," Duskpaw protested. 
               "We're coming! You're going to need backup," cried Dawnpaw excitedly. Leafpetal calmed them down. 
               "Stay here," she repeated. 
              "No, we're coming!" exclaimed Duskpaw. 
              "stay here. I'm the Clan leader," Blazestar commanded and fixed them both with a stern gaze. Leafpetal took a step towards Willowpaw's direction. 
              "Over there," Leafpetal said. Seconds later, Blazestar and Leafpetal laid eyes on Willowpaw. 
              "WindClan cat!" Blazestar's voice was dangerous. "Get up!" Willowpaw closed her eyes and buried her head in her paws. Leafpetal reached her side and grabbed her scruff. Willowpaw let out a small whimper. They were going to kill her. Nobody would know what had happened. Nobody would care. 
              "She's just an apprentice," Leafpetal said, letting go of Willowpaw's scruff. Willowpaw stumbled back, hitting the tree. She looked down at her feet. Blazestar approached, scanning the area. 
              "Are there more of you?" he growled. 
              "She's just an apprentice Blazestar," Leafpetal told him. "Don't be too harsh." 
              "She's in our territory," retorted Blazestar. He approached Willowpaw once more, stepping dangerously close to her. Staring at the ground, Willowpaw saw his feet. His claws were sharp and unsheathed. He was ready to attack. She knew she stood no chance against him. Let alone him and Leafpetal. 
              "Duskpaw, Dawnpaw, go back to camp," snapped Leafpetal, spotting her kits getting closer. Then she turned back to Blazestar. 
              "She's alone. I only smell her," Leafpetal told Blazestar. He nodded in agreement. He took a small step back but his gaze was fixed on her. 
              "What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice booming across the forest. It shook Willowpaw. She didn't know what to say. It was as if her voice was lost. 
              "What are you doing here?" repeated Blazestar, getting slightly more angry. "You know you are not allowed into ThunderClan. We aren't going to let you go like that. Now explain." Leafpetal watched Willowpaw carefully. 
             "She ran away," Leafpetal said finally. 
             "What?" Blazestar said.
              "She ran away. Look at her," Leafpetal repeated. "You did, didn't you?" Willowapw shrugged. 
              "Answer her," Blazestar growled. 
             "Yes. Yes I did," Willowpaw murmured softly. 
             "Why?" Blazestar asked, his voice was gentler but Willowpaw couldn't find the confidence to look up. 
             "I don't- I don't want to talk about it...," Willowpaw whispered. Blazestar narrowed his eyes the flicked his tail. 
              "Follow me," he said sternly. Willowpaw did as she was told. She was lead deeper into ThunderClan territory. Finally, they padded past a bush and entered ThunderClan camp. Warriors were dozing off, watching the leaves falling slowly from trees. Some kits were playing in piles of leaves, their cries of joy were sharp in Willowpaw's ears. All commotion stopped as they entered camp. Murmuring started and cats gathered. 
               "WindClan...," the words drifted to Willowpaw's ears but she didn't listen. She stared in awe at the camp. She had never seen any other camp besides hers. ThunderClan was much more different. It seemed brighter, earthier, somehow. A snow white she-cat with one red ear stepped forward. 
               "Who is she?" she questioned. 
               "We found her in our territory," Blazestar told her. 
               "Stealing our prey?" the she-cat's accusing eyes locked onto Willowpaw. Willowpaw gulped and stared at her feet. 
               "No. Sleeping," Blazestar replied. 
               "Sleeping!" repeated the cat, unbelievingly. Smallbush pushed forward. 
              "Do you want me to check her?" Smallbush asked. 
              "No. She seems alright," Blazestar replied. 
               "Not to me," Smallbush shrugged. Blazestar raised an eyebrow. 
              "Right. You can check her. It'll be better in the quiet of the medicine den," he decided. Smallbush led Willowpaw to the medicine den. Blazestar and the she cat followed behind her. Willowpaw ducked her head as they entered the den. It was dug underground. The dirt walls gave Willowpaw a sense of comfort. Large roots bulged out from the walls, acting as shelves, stacked with all kinds of herbs. To one side, there were nests made out of bramble, twigs, leaves and moss. They looked big and comfortable. Smallbush nodded for Willowpaw to sit down. 
              "let me check your paws," he said. 
               "What are we going to do with her? This cannot be overlooked without a punishment," the she-cat said to Blazestar. Willowpaw had figured out by now that she was the deputy. 
              "Yes. I know Soulstorm. That's why I need to talk to you. We need to find an appropriate punishment," Blazestar said. Willowpaw gulped with fear. They were probably going to claw her eyes out or rip her ears apart. She shuddered unintentionally. 
              "Don't be scared," Smallbush told her. 
               "She should be put on tick duty for five moons," Soulstorm said. "And she should not be allowed to train for those five moons. She can become a warrior five moons later. That'll teach her." 
              "Unfortunately, it won't be our task to punish her. Her own Clan will have to do it," Blazestar sighed. "We will only get to give suggestions." 
              "Why didn't you just chase her out. Give her a few scars. That would've taught her," Soulstorm rolled her eyes. "This is so much harder." 
             "I know. I know," sighed Blazestar. "But you know Leafpetal. She wouldn't have agreed." 
              "So what? You're the Clan leader," huffed Soulstorm. "So what are we going to do with her?" Blazestat thought for a while.
              "We'll go talk to RiverClan's leader. See what Gorsestar thinks. If their punishments do not suit what we think she deserves, then we'll deal with her ourself," Blazestar decided. "Sound good?"
             "Sounds great," grinned Soulstorm.