I sighed, laying in the medicine den. I needed to get out so I could figure out what was going on. I watched as Berrycloud sorted through her herbs.

"Can I please leave now?" I asked.

"Does your paw still hurt?"

I shook my head. "No, it doesn't." My paw hadn't hurt since the swelling mysteriously faded.

Berrycloud nodded. "Very well then, you can leave. Just be more careful from now on."

I stretched. "I will." I told her before padding out of the den.

Looking around, the camp felt strange. It felt as though I didn't belong there. I looked up to see Lionstar climb into highrock. He observed the camp with a careful eye, and I felt weary when his gaze landed on me.

I shuddered and padded into the apprentice's den, hoping to see Pinepaw there. Unfortunately, the den was empty. I sighed and shook my head. Was everyone avoiding me?

I saw Splashpaw walk into camp with a mouthful of prey and my mouth watered.

"Hey Splashpaw!" I called to the apprentice and bounded over. "Have you seen Pinepaw?"

Splashpaw nodded. "He's in the forest, said he was waiting for you." The apprentice said before padding away.

I looked confused and turned to ask what Splashpaw meant but Pinepaw's littermate was gone. I shook my head and exited camp. Why was Pinepaw waiting for me? Wait, how would I even find Pinepaw? The pine forest was huge!

I just began walking, letting my paws lead the way. Something told me to turn back, and return to camp. I didn't listen, though, I had to find Pinepaw.

Eventually, I stumbled into the training clearing to see Pinepaw's reddish brown figure facing away from me. He turned to smile at me.

"Lavenderpaw! Are you all healed?" He asked.

I slowly walked towards him. His smile seemed off, and I got a weird give from the tom.

"Yeah . . . ?" I answered.

Pinepaw tilted his head. "What's wrong?" He asked.

I sat down and stared at the ground. "It's just . . . well, I don't know . . . today has just been a weird day."

Pinepaw sat down in front of me, closely. "Lavenderpaw, look at me."

I looked up to gaze into his pine green eyes.

"Lavenderpaw, you don't have to worry anymore. You're safe in Shadeclan, and you have everyone who cares about you . . . including me. That twoleg isn't coming back, and all you have to worry about is becoming a warrior." Pinepaw said, trying to comfort me.

I looked away. "Pinepaw, I . . ."

"Hey." Pinepaw said and got to his paws. "What about we get some battle training in? That way you'll feel better in no time."

I looked back at him and nodded with a smile. Maybe this would be better than just filling my head up with nonsense. I got to my paws.

"Okay, who's starting?" I asked right as Pinepaw lunged at me.

My eyes widened and I was barely able to roll out of the way. Once I was out of the way, I pounced onto Pinepaw's back and barred at his face. Something hit me, like this had happened before. It sent a shock through me and Pinepaw was able to throw me off. I narrowed my eyes and was about to retaliate when the apprentice lunged on top of me.

I was on my back and he was able to pin me down. For a heartbeat I thought I saw a hint of darkness in his eyes but it was replaced with passion. I stared into his eyes in surprise and smiled.

"Looks like you win again." I said with a slight laugh.

Pinepaw smiled down at me. "I'm always a winner when I'm with you." He said and licked my cheek.

My fur heated up and I looked away. Pinepaw got down to lay on me and I looked at him, surprised.

"Pinepaw . . . ?" I said, confused.

"You know, cats don't have to wait until they're warriors to become mates. Not if they know they love each other." Pinepaw said, gazing down at me.

My eyes widened. This didn't feel right. "Pinepaw, I . . ."

Pinepaw smiled. "Lavenderpaw, I've adored you from the moment you were born. With your wonderful, beautiful eyes, the way you act like no one I've ever seen. I know you feel the same way about me, and you always have. So why wait until we're warriors to become mates? I already know I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side."

I slowly shook my head. "Pinepaw, this isn't right. I'm barely an apprentice, and you'll be a warrior in the next moon or so. We can wait until I'm older, right?"

I tried to get up but I could barely move. I looked up at Pinepaw, confused. "Uhhh, Pinepaw? Can I . . . get up now?" I asked him as I struggled to move.

Pinepaw stared down at me. "Lavenderpaw, I know we belong together. We need to make that known to the other cats before one of the other tom's go after you. It's never to soon to become mates." The reddish brown apprentice stood up but still held me down with a firm hold.

I shook my head. "Pinepaw, why are you so impatient? We can still be together, but not if you're going to do things like this!"

Pinepaw narrowed his eyes and I watched as a darkness took over him. I didn't recognize the expression the apprentice wore as he glared down at me.

I felt something dig into my skin and felt warm sticky liquid ooz out of my fur where Pinepaw's claws were extended. I winced and looked away, not wanting to look into his cold eyes.

Then I heard Pinepaw sigh and climb off of me. I looked at him confusedly before he began to laugh. I looked scared and surprised as his laughing went on before it cut off and the reddish brown tom went still.

I slowly approached him. "Pinepaw . . . ?" I asked cautiously and the tom swiped a paw with unsheathed claws at me. I yelped and jumped back to avoid my nose being sliced.

"No more games, time for a real battle." Pinepaw hissed and lunged at me with outstretched claws.

I looked at him fearfully and was unable to move. This whole situation was so confusing and overwhelming, I didn't know what to do.

When Pinepaw landed on my back, he immediately dug his claws in deep and I yowled. Tears sprung to my eyes and I was just able to get him off. I turned to face the apprentice but he was already charging at me. I ducked underneath Pinepaw and I tried to unbalance him. It worked, so I slashed at his side and he stumbled over.

Unfortunately, the fight wasn't over yet. Pinepaw narrowed his eyes and flashed past me with his claws outstretched. I jumped everytime he went by, leaving scratches on me. I recognized this move from my training with Skybranch, except it hurt a lot worse and I couldn't seem to think straight.

I panted as I tried to land a move on the tom but every single time, I was just a moment too late. Then, he did something I could have never predicted. He quickly doubled back after striking me and barreled into me.

Tears streamed down my face as he dug his teeth into my side and I begged him to stop. It felt like my pelt was on fire until I heard a familiar voice.

"Lavenderpaw!"

I gasped and Pinepaw hissed. I knew that voice anywhere! Bella!

I looked around to see that the forest had changed. I couldn't see the sky and the air seemed muggy. I looked at Pinepaw to see he had changed, too. In fact, he had turned into a large ginger tom with half a tail and old scars covering him.

I shook my head and pelt, standing up. The unfamiliar tom glared at me through narrowed eyes but backed up. I glared back at him.

"I will return to Bella! She needs me, and I won't give up on her!" I yowled and charged at the tom. He dodged easily, though.

"This isn't the last you've seen of me." I heard him growl before he padded into the mist and disappeared.

I panted and looked around, searching for Bella's voice. "Bella?" I called.

That single word seemed to change everything. The forest began to fade, and I looked down to see myself fading, too.

I gasped and my eyes flashed open. I looked around and sighed in relief to see Bella standing by me.

"Oh, Lavenderpaw, you're awake! I was so scared!" The cream and white she-cat nuzzled me, purring.

I purred in relief. "Bella . . ." I said then blinked. "Wait, what happened."

Bella sat up. "Don't you remember the dog?" I shuddered and she took that as a yes. "You were hurt pretty bad, and I didn't think you were going to make it. It's all thanks to Flick."

It was then, I noticed an unfamiliar sandy tom standing a little ways behind Bella. I looked him over warily but I didn't sense any darkness radiating off him

"Flick?" I questioned.

The sandy tom nodded. "I was just hunting when I heard the commotion. I've had some experience with dogs before, they come into this forest often."

I smiled and nodded. "How long have I been out?" I asked Bella.

Bella looked at me worried. "Lavenderpaw, the dog attack was yesterday."

My eyes widened. "Yesterday? We need to get going! We need to-" I had tried to stand up but broke off as pain shot through me.

Bella shook her head and helped me get comfortable again. "You're in no condition to travel." She said.

I looked her over to see she had quite a few scratches and a major wound on her side that looked like it needed to be treated. Seeing that she was pretty wounded herself, I nodded.

"Okay, but we can't rest for longer than three days. Leaf-bare will be upon us, soon." I said and lay my head down.

Bella nodded and thanked Flick for helping us. I only caught half of what she said before I began to drift off into a dreamless sleep. A thought went through my head before I was fully unconscious, though.

Who was that cat?

Please don't forget to vote and comment, thank you!

//Word count: 1735//