Hi everybody! Gah, I feel terrible - first, I make you all wait so long for an update (yet again) and then, when I do finally post another chapter, it's incomplete! I know this probably wasn't what you wanted to see, and I do apologise, but I have a good reason for posting this incomplete chapter. I just felt so gosh darn awful for leaving the story for so long, and because I'm suffering from the dreaded writer's block at the minute and don't know when I will be able to fully complete this chapter, I had to put something up for all you lovely readers! Don't worry though, as soon as the chapter is finished I will replace this with the completed version, so all's well that ends well =) x

Disclaimer: All characters in this story belong to Erin Hunter - I am merely experimenting with them XD.

Chapter Seventeen ~ The Lightning Strike

The next few days went by without much incident. Every morning without fail, Firepaw would be up and about early. The flame-pelted tom could be seen trotting back and forth across the clearing, fetching breakfast and fresh bedding for Yellowfang as he had been ordered to. And, despite her grumpiness at having to rely on another cat's care, it was plain that the sharp-tongued she-cat was slowly learning to trust the dedicated youngster.

For the rest of the apprentices, life carried on as usual. Their training was becoming more and more extensive following Bluestar's announcement, and they had long since left the basics behind. Lionpaw in particular was auspicious during battle practice, his hefty weight, strong paws and accurate timing easily winning out. Hollypaw, too, was showing signs of future success, but her specialty was hunting. She couldn't stop herself glowing with pride at the memory of capturing an enormous pigeon while out in the forest with her mentor. The bird had put up a terrific fight, flapping around and even attempting to peck at Hollypaw when she held it to the ground. Luckily, she was able to quickly finish it with a fierce bite to the neck and Willowpelt, mightily impressed, had informed her that she would be an expert in no time.

Only Sandpaw and Dustpaw had anything to complain about. Since they had been scolded by Whitestorm, they were now forced to spend much of their time caring for the elders. Greypaw, shaking with suppressed mirth, had told the others how he had witnessed Dustpaw getting clawed by an angry One-eye after he'd been caught trying to put damp moss in the nests.

However, despite Lionpaw's and Hollypaw's (and even Jaypaw's) frequent reassurances to themselves that they were happy with their lives and Clanmates in the old forest, they still could do nothing to prevent their minds from wandering constantly back to ThunderClan as they remembered it by the lake. Their friends, their mentors, even their parents – all were still yet to be born and grow into the cats the siblings had known them to be. This thought alone was enough to turn the young apprentices' heads and make them dizzy with confusion.

It was on Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight that Lionpaw's thoughts dwelled now. A deep sadness filled his heart as he recalled their faces, their voices... He ached for the feel of his mother's fur against his own, his father's gentle paws batting at him in a play-fight... But most of all, he missed their attention and their undying love.

Maybe we will see each other again... Even as the idea crossed his mind, Lionpaw doubted that it would be that easy. He and his littermates were on the very brink of losing hope that they would be able to return to the lake – in fact, Lionpaw was certain that Hollypaw and Jaypaw had reached that point already. With great reluctance, he admitted to himself that it was hardly surprising they felt that way; after all, so many suns had passed already. Even if they did ever get home, would the Clan have given up on them by now? Did they perhaps imagine that Lionpaw, Jaypaw and Hollypaw were dead? The golden tabby curled into a tighter ball, wrapping a forepaw over his nose in an effort to block out these unpleasant images.

But he didn't have long to brood. A weak shaft of dawn sunlight was streaming through the branches of the den and Firepaw was awake, beginning to rouse his friends. Lionpaw heard Greypaw growl sleepily, the moss beneath him rustling as he moved into a sitting position. Hollypaw was also stirring, stretching out her legs and yawning. Lionpaw lifted his head to see Firepaw prod Ravenpaw in the side with his forepaw.

"Wake up, it's time for training soon," Firepaw mewed to the black tomcat.

"I never did understand why they always make us get up so early," grumbled Greypaw, bending his neck to give his chest a quick wash.

Firepaw shot him a look of slight amusement before he stood up and exited the den. Lionpaw sighed, not in the mood for training right now: was it too much to ask for one day off? Nevertheless, he pushed himself to his paws and gave his own coat a hasty inspection. Then he stepped out into the clearing after Firepaw.

It promised to be another warm day. Lionpaw glanced around the camp, letting his gaze rest on the mound of matted grey fur that was Yellowfang. The old she-cat had been made a nest close to the elders' fallen tree, where she would be in full view of the warriors' den on the opposite side of the clearing. Before Lionpaw could ask Firepaw how he was getting along with his duties, the other apprentices filed out into the open behind him.

"I bet you wish you were out training with us, eh Firepaw?" Dustpaw meowed sneeringly.

Lionpaw glared at him. "Aren't you checking the elders for ticks today?" he pointed out, and was pleased when Dustpaw shut up.

"Don't worry, Firepaw," Greypaw mewed bracingly, "I'm sure Bluestar will start teaching you again soon."

Sandpaw snorted at that, but thankfully didn't say anything out loud. She and Dustpaw walked away, throwing scornful looks over their shoulders as they went. Greypaw told them all that Lionheart was expecting him at the Great Sycamore, where he would be practicing his climbing skills, and Ravenpaw mumbled something about needing to find Tigerclaw. Firepaw offered to accompany them to the top of the ravine so that he could catch prey for Yellowfang. As Lionpaw watched them go, he spotted Mousefur emerge from the gorse tunnel. The wiry brown she-cat headed towards him and Hollypaw.

"Come on, you two. We'll be doing battle training today," she informed them, beckoning with her tail. As Hollypaw and Lionpaw followed Mousefur into the ravine, Willowpelt padded swiftly across to join them.

The Sandy Hollow was deserted when the little group arrived. Lionpaw had somehow managed to shake off his depression and drowsiness during the run through the forest. He charged eagerly down the slope and batted at a small stone, sending it spinning in front of his mentor's paws.

"Calm down Lionpaw, and pay attention," Mousefur chided him. She stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Willowpelt in the middle of the clearing, ready to begin. "Today's will be an important lesson. It is time for you to learn the Lightning Strike, the signature battle move of our Clan."

Both apprentices' ears perked up in interest. They had heard about this most famous ThunderClan fighting technique from some of the older apprentices back by the lake. Hollypaw's memory of Cinderpaw practicing it with her siblings was as clear as day. She wistfully purred at the thought, knowing her old friend would be proud if she could see Hollypaw now.

Just then the sound of rustling undergrowth above made all four of them look up, but there was no real cause for alarm. The scents of Ravenpaw and Tigerclaw preceded the two cats into the hollow. The black apprentice looked miserable, but his eyes immediately lit up as he caught sight of Hollypaw and Lionpaw.

"Tigerclaw, this is a surprise," Willowpelt meowed, blinking. "We didn't know you were joining us."

The dark tabby dipped his head to his fellow warrior. "It was a last-minute decision. I'm afraid that Ravenpaw could use all the extra help he can get. He appears to be falling behind his peers."

Ravenpaw flattened his ears in embarrassment at his mentor's words. Lionpaw and Hollypaw glared frostily at Tigerclaw. Luckily, no-one noticed.

Mousefur glanced down at the small tom. A flicker of sympathy passed across her gaze. "I am sure Ravenpaw will be fine. From what I can see, he isn't doing as poorly as you claim," she observed. "You mustn't push him too hard, Tigerclaw."

A feeling of warmth for his mentor flowed through Lionpaw. He and Hollypaw exchanged a thrilled glance, their admiration for Mousefur rising.

Tigerclaw's amber eyes narrowed slightly. It was obvious he was holding back a cutting retort, but instead he mewed silkily, "I merely have Ravenpaw's best interests at heart. I do not wish for him to be injured – or worse – because he has not received sufficient battle practice."

More like you don't want a weaker cat like Ravenpaw showing you up, Lionpaw thought scathingly. All you care about is your own reputation. As long as you're seen to have the best apprentice in the Clans, nothing else matters. You couldn't care less about his well-being, could you?

A chill went up Lionpaw's spine as Tigerclaw suddenly focused his attention on him and Hollypaw. For one heart-stopping instant, the young cat was certain Tigerclaw had just read his mind. But when the warrior spoke, all he said was, "In fact, every one of our apprentices needs to be ready to defend themselves, especially in light of what Bluestar was saying about ShadowClan. Surely you agree with that, Mousefur?"

Mousefur nodded, unwilling, it seemed, to take the matter further. "Let's just get this lesson started then, shall we?"