The sun was shimmering high in the sky. Rocks fell from the trail that Featherpaw was walking on. They'd spent two days walking along the trail, and were nearing the top.

"I'd say we should get there by the time the sun is all the way up," Peachfur meowed. Her short tail flicked upwards. Her whiskers twitched. "Then we can see if that tribe really exists."

"And if we can find SkyClan," Stalkfire meowed, his ears pricking forward. He glanced up towards the sky, where a hawk was circling them. He moved closer to Featherpaw, his pelt brushing hers. "You might want to watch out," he hissed.

Smokyflame bristled. "I don't like that hawk," he growled, his tail lashing.

"Then lets move quicker," Stormgaze suggested. She padded alongside her brother.

Featherpaw glanced down, her pads stinging. Featherpaw's pads were roughed up and she winced every time she put her paws down. There were no herbs up here, despite a few cobwebs here and there. 

The hawk overhead cried out loud, making its voice echo around the traveling cats. Its wings beat the air as it circled in the sky.

Peachfur began to walk faster. Featherpaw left her mentor's side, then dashed up to Peachfur, matching pace with her. "Peachfur, my paws are beginning to hurt again," she winced.

"I know, poor thing. But we can rest once we've gotten to the top," Peachfur meowed, her eyes setting on the end of the trail. 

Featherpaw began to fall back as her pads ached more and more, causing her vision to drift for a second. She could feel tiny rocks digging into her pads. Darn, must've been that big stone I stepped on a while ago.

Stalkfire began to get ahead of Featherpaw. "That hawk is gone now, so we should be fine," he commented.

Featherpaw glanced to her side, seeing Smokyflame. He smiled at her, his eyes livid with emotion. "Is something wrong, Featherpaw? You keep wincing when you walk."

"I'm fine, my pads are just a bit roughed up," Featherpaw sighed, her ears flattening.

"Well if it starts to really hurt, just let me know," Smokyflame purred. He then ran ahead to the others.

Featherpaw watched after him, feeling tenacious. She relished for him to be beside her again. Featherpaw then shook her head. No, stop. He's a warrior, and I'm an apprentice. 

Featherpaw didn't realize that she was walking closer to the edge. She gasped in surprise as her paws slipped, making little rocks fall down all the way to the bottom. Suddenly, teeth gripped her scruff and pulled her up. 

Featherpaw's heart was pounding out of her chest. She turned, hoping to see Smokyflame behind her, but it was Stormgaze instead. 

Stormgaze's eyes were clouded with concern. "Are you ok?" She asked, her tail bushed up.

"I'm fine, thanks for-"

"What were you thinking? You were walking blindly and almost fell over the edge! You could've died if I wasn't near!" Stormgaze hissed, her tail lashing.

"I-I'm sorry, I was just drifting off," Featherpaw whimpered.

"And that almost caused you to die! Keep your eyes open," Stormgaze growled, pushing past Featherpaw. 

Featherpaw winced, feeling angry that she had almost died and yet she was yelled at. Featherpaw walked slower, her pads twitching as they wouldn't stop burning. She shivered as a cold wind blasted her suddenly, and she could see white things flying through the air. 

"That's snow." Stalkfire suddenly appeared beside her. 

Featherpaw sniffed, blinking as snow landed on her nose. It was cold. She rubbed her nose with her paw, feeling the wetness of the snow sink into her pads.

"I saw Stormgaze yelling at you," Stalkfire murmured. "I'm sorry."

"What are you sorry for? It was her yelling at me, not you. She's annoying," Featherpaw growled. She curled her lip, thinking about how Stormgaze treated everyone else.

"Look, don't blame her," Stalkfire mewed. His eyes clouded. "She lost her mate a few moons ago, and she lost her father," Stalkfire sighed. "Ever since her mate died, she's been sensitive and short-tempered."

Featherpaw's eyes widened, and she felt bad now. "Oh," she whispered. "She still has her kits, and you," she meowed. 

"But we aren't enough. Her mate, Sharptalon, meant everything to her. Her father died, and then her sister died giving birth. Then Sharptalon ended up dying and Stormgaze was broken. She could barely take care of her kits," Stalkfire whispered, sadness clouding his eyes.

Featherpaw avoided his gaze and looked up to the top of the trail. It was beginning to get misty here. A white haze folded around them and the snow was getting harder. It was also getting colder. 

Featherpaw felt dizzy now. She was swaying on her paws, her pads stinging. She lifted her paw and turned it over, looking at it. Her pad was grazed badly, with blood staining it. The wound had some dirt in it.

"We're here!" Peachfur meowed with excitement. She stepped forward, putting one paw in snow. Stormgaze followed after her. Smokyflame rushed forward, Stalkfire at his side.

"Wait, where's Featherpaw?" Stalkfire asked, looking back. "Featherpaw!" He gasped, looking back at his apprentice.  

Featherpaw then fell over, her vision becoming fuzzy. She was very hot, despite the cold air. Her paws burned and blood glistened on the pads. It hurts!

Suddenly, there was a loud cry overhead. The hawk had returned, and it was diving straight for Featherpaw, who was an easy target now.

"Featherpaw, no!" Stalkfire gasped, rushing forward, Smokyflame at his side.

Suddenly, a dark ginger flash leaped through the air. It landed in front of Featherpaw, shielding her from the bird. It was a cat.

The cat leaped forward, his jaws clamping down on the hawk. His tail lashed as he landed on the ground, the bird in his jaws.

Featherpaw's eyes then closed, engulfing her in darkness.