Hey Darlings=) I'm back! So here's the new story, hope I didn't make you all wait too long. (I have excuses I promise). This story is the fifth in a series, so if you're new I suggest reading the others first, It starts with Down A Dark Path.

I'm going to try to update quickly and finish this book and the next (Finishing the series) this summer so I won't have to deal with it during school and you won't have to deal with slow updates. Wish me luck;)

But without further ado, please enjoy your prologue….

Prologue

"C'mon Featherpaw! Hurry up we're gonna be late!" The white paw yells as he scampers through the forest, trying to catch up with the knot of apprentices in the distance.

"It's not my fault that you messed up the den and the fresh kill pile!" the fluffy gray cat retorts.

"You didn't have to make me clean it up!" Her brother complains as she falls into step with him.

"What, you wanted to leave it? That is so rude!"

"Whatever, Blazefeather's gonna kill us if we're late again!" He grumbles as they struggle over a fallen tree.

"Then run faster!" his sister hisses as she speeds up. They match speed and the forest landscapes blurs into one stretch of green.

Soon they close the gap between themselves and the other apprentices, continuing to argue with each other. When they catch up an amber she-cat about their age looks over and mutters, "You just made it."

"You sound surprised Hopepaw. Lose faith in us already?" the gray asks teasingly.

"Never dear Featherpaw." The other cat replies. They go quiet as the group reaches their destination. And older cat tells them to pair up and practice battle moves.

The white tom moves to pair up with a dark brown cat with double tails.

"Hey Lightingpaw," the other cat greets, "Where's Moonpaw?"

"Elders with the others." Lightingpaw replies easily.

"Ohhhhhh… she's still in trouble then huh?" the brown cat asks with a wince.

"When isn't she?" Lightingpaw replies as he crouches down preparing to jump.

On the other side of the sandy hollow an older silver cat watches her two twins fight. "Keep your guard up Fallenpaw, you know that. Faster Frozenpaw! C'mon what's wrong with you guys?"

The twins halt and turn to face their sister. Silverpaw gets glares from amber and blue eyes. "You want to try then?" Frozenpaw mutters.

Silverpaw huffs and catches a flash of sandy fur. She frowns slightly and whispers, "I'll be right back," before slipping out of the hollow.

She catches up to him easily, even though he had the head start, "Snakepaw. Snakepaw!"

Her brother ignores her and tries to keep walking but Silverpaw slides in front of him. "What are you doing?" she asks, being sure to keep her voice kind and causal.

"Getting herbs." Snakepaw replies briskly as he walks around her.

"There are no herbs near here. What's wrong with you?" Silverpaw asks softly.

He looks at her with a frozen expression before replying brightly, "Nothing. I am perfectly fine. Thanks for the concern."

Silverpaw falls back, stung, and watches as her brother's spotted pelt disappears into the shadows. She wants to run after him and say something, but she realizes that she has nothing to say.

So instead she swallows back a sob as she hears the happy shrieks and laughs from the training hollow.

*In the ThunderClan camp*

The white apprentice, Lightingpaw, breaks off from the chattering group of apprentices coming back from training. He sees his sister sulking from the elders den and decides against going to see her. Hopefully she'll be nicer later.

He pauses for a moment, unable to decide what to do. Then he carries on, hoping to see Snakepaw in the medicine den.

However, when Lightingpaw nears the small den he cannot find his friend's scent. What he does find is his mother's and Jayfeather's. Slipping down onto his stomach he inches forward and pricks his ears, trying to catch their conversation.

"…worried about Snakepaw," the medicine cat's voice says, uncharacteristically anxious.

"Why?" his mother's voice asks, and he can picture the look on her face, composed, but her eyes shining with worry.

"He… he's lethargic I suppose." Jayfeather mews at last, "Almost depressed. He does every task I give him, but silently, and with no emotion. He doesn't seem to care about anything anymore. He's thinking about the other apprentices constantly. I-I'm worried that he's regretting his choice. He wants to be normal. I understand I went through the phase. But I don't know how to snap him out of it."

"What snapped you out of it?" Midnightstar questions seriously.

"I – saving Lionblaze I suppose. Realizing my powers and the role I would have to play in our Clan." Jayfeather answers slowly.

"I suppose there's nothing like that for Snakepaw." Midnightstar's voice sighs, sounding almost defeated.

"I want you to talk to him. You helped him once when he was a kit, perhaps you can do it again –"

"Wait… there is someone outside…." A laugh sounds and Lightingpaw's mother mews, "I'll be right back."

Lightingpaw scrambles up, quickly scanning the hollow for something innocent to be doing. He is saved by dear, wonderful, Bramble, "Hey, what's up with you?" Bramble asks, with a cocked head.

"Nothing, nothing," Lightingpaw replies quickly, "How were the elders?"

"Same as usual." Bramble replies with a shrug, "But I don't suppose that will ever change."

"No…" Lightingpaw mews distractedly as he spots a soft white pelt leaving the elders den. Moon Beam turns and smiles softly at him, her gray-blue eyes lit with shimmering light.

"You okay?" Bramble asks as Midnightstar leaves the medicine den and walks over to them.

"Fine." Lightingpaw mews quickly as he shoots a back-me-up look at his friend.

"Odd place for a meeting." Midnightstar mews lightly watching her son with a small smile.

"We're not meeting here… we just thought this was a nice, clear spot to relax." Lightingpaw finishes lamely.

"Yeah you know how loud the others can be." Bramble mews quickly, sounding much more convincing, "I mean I love them but sometimes I just wish they could chill for two seconds."

"Yes, an occupational hazard of being an apprentice." Midnightstar acknowledges with a nod of her head, "Bramble could you give me a moment with Lightingpaw? He'll catch up with you later."

"Uh – sure." Bramble mews shooting Lightingpaw a guilty yet sympathetic look.

Lightingpaw looks up at his mother apprehensively, trying to block her out. But blocking his mother out is like trying to fly, in other words, impossible.

"Eavesdropping is a dangerous habit love. I would hate for you to fall into it." His mother mews lightly, but he can sense her seriousness.

"Yes mother. I was just worried." Lightingpaw mumbles not meeting her eyes.

"I understand, trust me I do. But a battle is coming and we must all be ready for it." At her words, Lightingpaw feels a chill, as if some giant paw reached out and covered the sun.

So what did you think? I was attempting to show both the lighthearted aspect of this book and the more serious (Sirius) side. Did I succeed? Anybody notice Lighting's crush? What'd you think of that? Also that's how I'm going to deal with the two Moons and two Feathers, the mountain cats will have another part of their name added on. So Moon Beam that Lights Our Path will be Moon Beam. Not sure what to do with Feather Floating on a Gentle Breeze yet… Feather Breeze maybe? Let me know what you think.

Arianna Flamepelt- Awww you're making me blush! I'm glad you liked the last story and I hope you enjoy this one just as much! I shall strive to keep up the great work=)

Graywhisper- Thanks for all the support you gave me on the last book, hope you like this as well!=) Not sure how long these chapters will be… but I do love this story=) and I feel like I'm talking to you too!=) Oh and don't worry, Spiderleg is going to get his comeuppance very soon…. *Evil smile* Hope to see you on this story!=)

Pumkinfur- Don't worry, Stormfur hasn't forgotten the wolves, he just didn't think it good time to bring them up. They will show up though I promise! Thanks for reviewing and I hope you like this book too=)

Sunny- Oh my StarClan you're back from the dead!;) Just kidding=) It is nice to have you back though! I'm always very sad when I lose a reviewer and your reviews always made me laugh;) But I understand the whole deleting thing, after all I almost lost this account, so no hard feelings=) I'm glad you love the story and the kits! And also the wolves, I adore wolves;) Yeah I feel like I've gotten better too… I suppose the more you write the more you grow as an author and it has been two years (two years!) since we started. Hope you enjoy this story!=)

Jayleaf1- Well as amusing as your solution is (And trust me I considered it for comic relief;) I figured this way would be more practical. But the nickname "Moon" and "Feather" will probably have the same effect so don't be surprised if you see that in a few chapters=) Thanks for all the support on the last book and hope to see you on this one!

~Midnight=)