Sitting beside Icepaw as she vibrated uncontrollably in the nest big enough for two, I looked down on her with despair piercing my heart. She watched the night go by, her eyes bloodshot and fur ruffled up. The moon had come to the highest point and outside was frosted over. Puffs of white air escaped her mouth as she breathed out. I followed her eyes and padded to the opening to the hollow. Gazing out, I watched the stars above twinkle through the gaps in the treetops.

Inwardly, I willed the young she-cat to sleep. Icepaw hadn't of even tried to fall asleep. It felt as if a thorn jabbed my heart, pity washing through me. I peeked over my shoulder at her as she stared through me, unblinking. Sighing, I decided to give it another shot. Padding to stand in front of her, I stared deep into her eyes. Icepaw seemed to look straight at me, as if she could see me again. But I knew she couldn't; her eyes moved as she scanned the Arena outside, pupils dilated and tail trembling.

Icepaw, it's Feathertail. I'm here with you. Go to sleep and when you wake, I'll still be here.

Her ear twitched but her expression didn't change even the slightest. Swallowing a growl of frustration, I got closer to her face and held my breath. I tried again: Icepaw. It's Feathertail, I'm still here. Try to sleep, you need to be strong.

She still didn't seem to hear me. I took in a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I rested my nose onto hers. It was cold and shaky. Icepaw, please tell me if you can hear me. It's Feathertail. I'm here.

Suddenly, her head jolted from my nose, a mixture of confusion and astonishment flooding her gaze. She looked around. A spark of hope flashed in my heart and I kept going. I'm here, Icepaw. I can help you get out of this place. Icepaw nodded, glancing around. Her eyes washed over with sorrow. It'll be okay. I want you to try to sleep now. When you wake, I will tell you more.

Icepaw dipped her head and put her head onto her paws. My heart fluttered with happiness. I did it! She can hear me! Oh thank StarClan... "Promise you'll be here when I wake?" She rasped drowsily. Putting my nose to hers, I let myself purr. Of course, I promise. I won't go anywhere.

"Cross your heart and hope to die?" Icepaw whispered as sleep took over. I smiled, I cross my heart and hope to die.

*****

I jolted awake as the announcement of my death and Mudclaw's echoed through the Arena. I wonder what Hawkpaw is thinking now? Are him and Ashfoot going to come after Icepaw now?

As Poison finished speaking, Icepaw's head shot up from her paws and she took in a weary breath. She almost seemed to hesitated before she spoke. "Feathertail?" Icepaw whispered as she sat up slowly. I put my nose to hers. I'm still here. I replied, taking my nose away from hers. This is going to be harder than I thought. If I'm going to train her and protect her, I have to touch her nose just to speak... I can't tell her things when she's fighting!

Beginning to pace around the hollow, I pressed my nose to Icepaw's. Come outside, we should begin your training.

Icepaw tipped her head to the side but after a few heartbeats, she stood up and began climbing down. I easily jumped out and landed on my four paws as light as a feather. The leaves below me didn't crunch, and my paws didn't leave any prints in the softening ground. I watched the small she-cat slowly climb backwards down the long tree trunk. Hopping down, her paws thumped onto the ground. Icepaw glanced around the quiet forest, anxiety showing in her wide eyes.

"Feathertail? I thought I would be able to see you? I heard from a few other apprentices before that we could see the dead, so why can't I see you?" She murmured, her eyes darting from tree to tree behind me. Icepaw spun around and looked up into the tree-tops.

I put my nose to hers when she stopped moving. I'm not sure. I'll have to find another spirit and see what they say... I replied. Icepaw nodded and flexed her claws into the dirt. Glancing around, I wondered where Streamclaw was. Quickly, I pressed my nose to hers, Just sit for a while, I'll find someone.

Icepaw sat down and continued to claw at the ground while I pelted away. I aimlessly headed through the forest, and noticed that every bush and branch I encountered, I drifted through with no movement. I halted at a boulder and glanced through the trees. "Streamclaw?" I called into the silent woods. Birds sang in the trees and a mouse scrambled out from under a root. Ears perked, I listened to the wind whip the branches above me. "Are you there?" I called out again. Trotting away, I traveled farther from Icepaw with my jaws parted for the toms scent.

Slowing to a stop, I strained to hear through the chatter of a squirrel above. "Yes?" The tom muttered, appearing through a bush. My heart leaped at his arrival but I forced myself to keep my fur flattened.

Dipping my head to Streamclaw, I asked, "Why can't Icepaw see me and why can't I move anything?" Frustration was threatening to leak into my voice and make it into a whine. I didn't need to sound like a kit, or desperate kit for that matter.

The toms ear flicked and he replied simply, "You need go to StarClan for that."

"Well how do am I supposed to do that?" I growled, taking a step closer.

"You can't." Streamclaw huffed, shrugging. "I've been stuck in this Arena for seasons upon seasons... You will be too." His eyes were dark and unreadable. I held back a gulp, suddenly intimidated. I fought to hide it, narrowing my eyes. I scoffed, taken back by it. "Excuse me?"

Streamclaw shuffled his paws and looking off into the distance. "Look at me!" I spat and he didn't. I leaped in front of him and shoved my muzzle into his face. "I said, look at me!" My voice rose to a yell. Streamclaw's ears went flat to his head and he finally looked me in the eyes, though he kept his mouth firmly shut.

I will not let this tom go without a real answer! "There has to be another way. Please, I need to help Icepaw. She can't lose now. There are only two more for her to beat!" I begged, taking a step back.

Streamclaw sighed and rolled his eyes. "You can be seen by Icepaw for a quarter-moon. You cannot speak and if you do - even just a word - Icepaw will suffer something sinister and both of you will die. Forever." He scowled at me and I narrowed my eyes.

"What's the catch?" I muttered, tipping my head. Streamclaw sat down and neatly wrapped his tail around his paws.

The tom took a moment to reply. Is he coming up with a lie? "Swear on the life of one you love the most. If you speak, that also means that cat will suffer and die."

Hesitating, I wondered if it was worth it. But before I could decide not to, I dipped my head. "I swear on the life of Crowfeather that I will not speak while being seen." I raised my chin and waited for him to respond. Streamclaw stepped toward me and didn't say anything so I dipped my head again, suddenly nervous.

"Done."

Streamclaw placed his black nose onto mine and an burning energy soared through me like an the wind whipping through my pelt. Feeling like my body was being burnt from the inside out, I swallowed a scream. I can't take any chances...

I opened my mouth to thank him, and closed it when I remembered I could no longer speak for a quarter-moon. Streamclaw rolled his eyes and let out a raspy purr. "The rules don't apply to me, by the way." Screamclaw snickered and began to pad away. "For now, anyway. You have three questions to ask and then the curse will clamp your mouth shut."

Looking to my paws, I narrowed my eyes and thought for a few moments.

"Can I still talk to Icepaw through my mind, the same way I did before? Can I use my other question anytime I want?" I asked, my body trembling from the pulsing shock that wavered through me. Though the pain was beginning to fade, I realized.

"No and yes." Streamclaw replied with a humored glance. Rage boiled in my stomach and I fought the urge to claw out the toms eyes. How am I suppose to tell her things now? I hid my panic and let out a defeated sigh. At least she can see me.

Without another word, I dipped my head and began padding back. It was going to be much harder than I had imagined...

At the sound of my paws trekking through the woods, Icepaw turned to face me. Her face lit up and she bounded over to me. Touching noses, she let out a relieved sigh. "Feathertail! What happened to you? I thought I'd never see you again!" Icepaw purred and I opened my mouth to speak, but quickly closed my mouth. Long story. Now... How am I suppose to tell her I can't speak?

I pointed to my mouth with my tail several times and Icepaw tipped her head sideways. "You...?" She mewed, sizing me up. I shook my front paw from side to side. "No?" Icepaw narrowed her eyes. I shook my head. "I can't be near you?" I shook my head again, repeating the gesture faster. "I- I don't know what you mean, just tell me!"

I rolled my eyes. I picked up a stick and pointed it to me. "You..." Icepaw mewed with confusion written all over her face.

I nodded. Jabbing my throat with my paw, I mouthed "speak". "You were choked? That's why you're fur is like that?" I shook my head.

I put my paw to the side of my mouth and pushed it forward, away from it. Then I shook my head. "Can you not speak? Why-" I nodded immediately, urging her to realize what I was saying. She jolted back. "Oh! You can't speak!" I nodded. Finally! For StarClan's sake...

"Why?" Icepaw mewed and I looked to my paws, head dangling. Oh, come on...

I pointed to her with my tail. "Me..." I nodded twice and pointed to my eye. "Eye?" Icepaw mewed and I shook my head. She thought for a heartbeat then mewed, "See?" I nodded, a smile crossing my face.

I pointed to myself again and Icepaw muttered, "You." She narrowed her eyes, looking past me and began to think. "Me, see, you..." She mumbled to herself. Icepaw's tail started to go up and down, hitting the ground in what seemed to be frustration. "Me, see, you..." I nodded.

"Do you mean you can't speak in order for me to see you?" Icepaw mewed, hope in her eyes. I nodded and shrugged. I mouthed the words, "I guess" as well as I could.

"You guess?" She asked and I nodded. Icepaw nodded and gazed around the forest. I kept staring at her while she thought to herself. After what seemed to be seasons, she spoke again. "Well, I'm happy to see you Feathertail! I was heartbroken when you never came back... I didn't know what I was going to do. Either starve to death, or wait for the other two to kill themselves I guess. But now that I can see you, I feel so much better!" I stroked her spine with my tail and gave her a warm look.

Icepaw got into a crouching position and stalked around me in circles. "So, what about that training?" She purred. I dipped my head. Let's see how this goes...