Featherpaw followed Dewdrop, Ashnose and Eaglewing out of the camp. The early rays of dawn were just shining over the tree tops. Featherpaw yawned widely, dawn patrol was not her favorite. As they trekked over the pine needle strewn ground, Featherpaw saw the Thunderpath through the trees. And past that, her old home. A pang of homesickness gripped her. They arrived at the border and began setting the markers along the trees. Then, "Featherkit?!" Featherpaw span round and saw her mother, standing with disbelief in her clear blue eyes. Forgetting that she was a RockClan cat now. Forgetting that she was surrounded by OakClan enemies, Featherpaw ran over the border, and into her mothers warm embrace. She pressed against her, feeling her soft scent envelope her.
"Featherpaw? What are you doing with that OakClan cat?" Dewdrop called.
"This is my daughter!" Greyear spat turning on her, tail lashing. "You've been keeping her prisoner!"
"No, it's not like that." Featherpaw attempted to break in.
"We have not been keeping her prisoner! She's a part of our clan!" Dewdrop snarled back.
"She's the deputy's daughter! I will not believe that Featherkit would choose to stay with you mangy, foxhearted-"
"How dare you insult our clan, when a member of it is standing by your side! She could slit your throat anytime." Dewdrop yowled, unsheathing her claws.
Greyear launched herself across the border with a yowl of fury. Dewdrop clawed at Greyear, fury burning in her eyes. "No, stop!" Featherpaw yowled. She leaped at Dewdrop and, with difficulty, pulled her off her mother. "This is my mother." Featherpaw whispered.
"What? You mean, we've been keeping an enemy in out territory?!" Dewdrop hissed at Featherpaw. "You know what? I don't even care. Get off our territory. I never want to see you again." With a flick of her grey tail she turned and stalked back into RockClan territory without looking back. Featherpaw watched them go, a sharp pain in her heart when she thought how Ravenpaw and Poppypaw would react when she didn't come back.

"They held you prisoner?" Stormstar asked, shocked.
"No! They were really nice to me." Featherpaw mewed awkwardly. "I stayed in my own free will."
Stormstar eyed her warily. "So how can I trust you again?"
Featherpaw hung her head. "I am loyal to OakClan now."
Stormstar dipped his head. "Very well. You will continue your training with Flamestripe."
Featherpaw left the den, and headed back into the camp. It had hardly changed at all in the two moons she had been missing. Sandfur and Gingerheart were sharing tongues in front of the warriors den. Mosenose amd Dustfur were just returning form hunting patrol, carrying several mice and a squirrel. Foxshade was sitting with Greyear, they both looked very deep in conversation. Ashpaw ran up to her with yelps of delight. "Featherkit! Your back!"
"Fetaherpaw." She corrected quietly.
"Come join us. We're sharing a squirrel by the old stump." Ashpaw suggested.
"Maybe later." Featherpaw sighed. What she really wanted to do was go to her nest and have a long sleep. Then in occurred to her that she didn't have a nest in this apprentice den yet. Lashing her tail she left Ashpaw, not caring about the hurt look on his face. She was beyond caring. She felt as part of her heart had been torn. Entering the apprentice den she scraped together a bit of moss in a corner of the den and curled up, drifting off in to a very troubled sleep.
She was standing in a meadow, lit by the silvery light of the full moon drifting above. The grass was soft, and waved ever so slightly in the gentle breeze. A faint mist hung over the meadow, but it wasn't damp or cold. Squinting at the opposite end, she saw an outline of a cat, sitting by a pond. Nervously Featherpaw approached him. His fur was dark orange with black stripes running along it. "Greetings, young Featherpaw." He mewed, his voice was deep and rich. "I am Stripestar, leader of OakClan before Stormstar." He rose to his feet, muscle rippling powerfully. "I have a grave message. Dark times are coming. Loyalties will be tested and trust will be broken. Only when the spark ignites and the dew takes flight on a raven's feathered wing will the darkness be stopped. Together they will unite five and stop the fire and stone." Another cat approached them, silken white, with a long fluffy white tail. Featherpaw recognized the cat who had saved her and Ravenpaw that snowy night. "I am Icedrop." The cat murmured in her ear. "I was Foxshade's mother. From now on, I walk with you." Then she faded, leaving only her soft, sweet scent that surrounded Featherpaw.
Featherpaw turned around, and saw another cat. He resembled Foxshade, but with amber eyes. He had several scars along his flank and his fur was patches, as though someone had ripped of clawfulls of his fur.  "I am Beetlefang." He hissed softly, his amber eyes narrowed as he paced back and forth, surveying Featherpaw. "And I will not let you ruin my plans."
"M-me? How will I ruin them?"
"Nosy little apprentice like you. If you share any of Foxshade's traits, then you are a threat. I will avenge my death." Then he vanished, leaving a small pool of blood where he had stood.