Just before I start, I want to say a big thank you for reading. It means a lot to me, and I'm glad that I've made it to twenty chapters! Also, just as a sidenote, I haven't progressed the story at all XD.

OK on with the chapter!

"So how are we going to get you back?" Lightpaw asked Duskpaw, who had followed her into the cover of the brambles.

"I don't know. OH, I have an idea! Maybe we can fly back!" the little, light blue apprentice replied, jumping happily at the prospect.

"Yeah, in the middle of the camp, in broad daylight. No one will spot us, I'm sure," Lightpaw mewed, rolling her eyes "We might as well stand on the Highrock and yowl 'HEY! WE'RE GOING TO SEND THIS UNINVITED STRANGER RIGHT BACK TO THEIR CLAN WITHOUT EVEN A WARNING!'"

Duskpaw's face fell.

"Sorry. I was only trying to help." the apprentice whispered, gazing at her paws.

Lightpaw's gaze softened "No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped at you. I know you're only trying to help, but we have to make sure that we get you back to your Clan without my Clanmates ever knowing that you were here. Maybe I should talk to Crowmia, and I'll ask her if she can help me get you back."

"Who's Crowmia? asked Duskpaw, perking up again.

"She's my mentor, and the Clan deputy," Lightpaw replied "She'll understand that you were only here by accident."

Duskpaw nodded, then waited quietly while Lightpaw stepped back into the clearing. She found Crowmia still seated near the Highrock, constantly glancing back to the brambles to see what was happening.

"What were you doing back there?" the black and grey she-cat asked, looking back once again.

"There's a ShadowClan cat waiting in the bushes. I need help to get her back without anyone else knowing." Lightpaw replied, praying that her mentor wouldn't ask what the cat was doing there.

"A ShadowClan cat? Now why in StarClan's name would one of them be here?" the deputy asked, cocking her head sideways in puzzlement.

"Uh, no time to explain!" Lightpaw answered quickly, flattening her ears and hoping that it looked like her time was running out.

"Come on, then." Crowmia meowed, flicking her tail at Slashfur to signal that he could gather the patrol himself.

The tabby tom nodded, and the two cats sped through the gorse tunnel, stopping just outside where they could glimpse Duskpaw's light blue pelt. Lightpaw called for her to come out, then the three headed off at a brisk trot, hoping that none of the ThunderClan warriors had decided to go on an early morning hunt.

They reached the Thunderpath quite soon, thankfully not running into any other cats on the way. Lightpaw stopped at the edge, trying hard not to gag on the sour stench that wafted up from the hard, black stone. She could hear the deep growl of a monster, approaching fast, and stepped back in fear as the glittering creature swept past, spattering them in some sort of sticky, dark liquid that smelled of death.

"Ok, you two need to stay with me at all times while we are on the Thunderpath. Remember to keep running, no matter what happens." Crowmia mewed once the noise died down again.

The two apprentices nodded, then watched as Crowmia sat at the edge of the Thunderpath, looking in both directions and pricking her ears for any sign of the loud growls that the monsters all made.

The deputy stayed still for another few heartbeats, then flicked her tail at the other two. Lightpaw sped forward, Duskpaw in step beside her, and all three cats dashed across the hot stone, crashing to a halt on the other side.

"That was scary!" Duskpaw breathed, eyes wide and her breath coming in gasps.

Lightpaw nodded, then turned to Crowmia.

"You two still need to stick close to me, alright?" the she-cat asked, eyeing Duskpaw.

The light blue she-cat nodded, then trailed after Crowmia as the deputy muttered a few indecipherable words, keeping her head low.

The little group padded on through the tall pine trees, jumping at any noise that sounded remotely like another cat. They stopped near a looming wall of brambles, and started to climb up a tree that overlooked the ShadowClan camp.

Duskpaw glanced down, and whispered "Look! That's my mentor!"

She pointed down to a dark grey and black she-cat, who was heading quietly around the camp, stretching out her nose every once in a while to feel with her whiskers.

Crowmia suddenly turned and shoved Duskpaw out of the tree, who landed lightly, thanks to her wings. She glared up at the ThunderClan deputy, then mewed "Darkmoon! Sorry, I had to go to the dirtplace."

"It's ok, Duskpaw." the blind she-cat replied.

Darkmoon started to feel her way out of the camp, with Duskpaw following. Lightpaw was surprised to see how fast a blind cat could be, even though she had no idea whether she would run into something or not. It must be hard for her, she thought, staring down.

"Let's head back." Crowmia mewed suddenly, turning and dropping down from the tree. Lightpaw leaped down after her, thinking, that was exciting!

Yup.

Just a little announcement, I might not be able to get the next few chapters out very soon, since I have a writing thingy on at the moment. I'll tell you all once it's done.

So yeah, that's all from me!

- Lightfeather