After Junipertooth and Applepaw's deaths, the Clan sat in silence. Dandelionpaw hung her head low. She'd lost her brother and her mentor. Two moons had passed since the eventfull half-moon, and leaf-bare had passed. Mothnose and Tallpine had received their warrior names and Rashpaw and Kitepaw were soon to return from their journey to the Moonstone. Breezepaw padded up to her, shaking his fur angrily.
"He didn't have to die,"he growled, "He was my brother,"
"Ours too,"Frostedpaw sighed, eyes watering with grief. Dandelionpaw sighed,"Though not a good one, Junipertooth was my mentor, and even though a bully, Applepaw was my brother,"she meowed, voice shaking.
A familiar voice inside her head sensed her reluctance to keep vigil for the cats who had wronged her. "Oh, don't worry. Their spirits won't mind if you don't. Go to sleep!"
No! I will not go to sleep!
"You okay, Dandelionpaw; You're shaking yourself,"Frostedpaw asked.
"I'm fine,"she growled, storming over to where Starflame was near the entrance with Rashpaw, Kitepaw and their mentors. As soon as she saw her approaching, she glided away.
"Hey, girl,"Starflame purred.
"Hi,"she meowed, struggling to subside her annoyance; she didn't want to fall out with Starflame again.
"Anything happen while I was gone?"
Starflame had never visited the Moonstone herself, so when Rashpaw and Kitepaw were ready, she went with them.
"Applepaw and Junipertooth died,"she informed her.
Starflame's eyes grew wide as an owl's from grief and shock. Together, they stared up at the dawning sky.
"Dandelionpaw, Starflame,"Lightstar padded over to them.
"Yes, Lightstar,"Starflame dipped her head, angling with her ears to do so.
"You two are coming to the Gathering tomorrow night,"he meowed. He turned away, then added,"And Dandelionpaw, Bugfrost will take over your apprentiship,"
Dandelionpaw nodded. Although she hated them both, Bugfrost was a much better mentor than Junipertooth.
"Go. To. Sleep!"the voice yowled.
"No, I will not sleep!"she yelled, sprinted out of camp and blocked out the curious murmurs from behind her.
                          ☆☆☆

I'm back here...she whispered to herself, terror jolting through her at the sight of the endless trees, starless skies and misty earth. "Good, awake at last,"a voice echoed through the infinate night.
A shadow slinked it's self behind her, and Dandelionpaw whirled around, trying desperately not to be afraid.
"You recognise my voice?"
"Yes,"she breathed,"The voice inside my head...Ash...Ashwing?"
Ashwing made a sinister giggle,"Yes. I am Ashwing. Remember their names?"
She motioned with her tail to three blooded, evil cats.
"Hickorypelt...Violetsash and One-eye?"she gulped.
"Almost. It's Violetslash, not Violetsash,"Ashwing laughed,"I trust you know why you're here?"
"You want me to destroy the Clans,"
Her sharp, white teeth glittered as she grined,"Percisely,"
"But I...I ca- won't do it,"she stammered.
"Aha! You almost said can't, meaning that you had to but you didn't know how,"Ashwing pointed out.
Dandelionpaw started at her mistake,"No...I didn't-"
"Don't deny it,"Ashwing purred as she added,"Ziggypaw,"
Anger shook her emotion,"Don't call me. Ziggypaw!"she snarled in uncontrollable rage.
"Ooo! We should be a fun trio. Rashwind, Kitefur and Zigzagkit!" "Lightstar is never making you a warrior,"
"Dandelionpaw, since you cannot hunt, you will gather moss. Enjoy!"
She thought back to all those who'd doubted her in the past. She thought back to all the times that she'd encountered Ashwing, of the fear and the anger that had throbbed through her veigns.
Dandelionpaw sighed.
"What do I have to do?"