Hi! Welcome back to the story! I decided to try to be a little quicker with the updates, because I know quarterly updates are a little ridiculous when it comes to fanfiction. Not to mention it's been over a year since I started this story and I'm only on Chapter 5… I promise I'll try to be better with the updates. Hopefully monthly from now on, or quicker.

And, of course, I'd never forget to answer the reviews! You guys are the biggest thing pushing me to keep this story going, and I'm super grateful for the support!

Rainstone18- Thanks so much! I'm really glad you think so :)

Rosestream- Haha, it's true. Even I get upset with Amberpaw, and I created her! And yay, Jade is coming into the clan. At last!

Claudaujay- It's no biggie! I don't review every chapter of a story I like ;). And while Hawkstar won't exactly play a huge role in the story, he definitely will show up again, and for important reasons. I have the whole story prewritten! And thank you so much for all the support you've given so far!

The Wild Striking Storms- Thank you! And don't worry, you'll see soon enough.

Cotton Candy Mareep- I can understand why you think she's becoming a Mary Sue, but I assure those feelings will leave you soon enough. I probably didn't make it clear also, but I intended for it to sound like Amberpaw was good at training, but was in the advanced group only because her father made an exception for her. And you're right about one thing, making Jade popular without making the story unrealistic will be a little difficult, but I have my plans. And truth be told, Samson and Delilah are my own cats! I know adding them in was a little bit silly, but I honestly couldn't resist. Your reviews have been amazing thus far! I really enjoyed reading them :) Thanks so much!

Now onto the chapter.

~()~

Amberpaw hardly flinched when she heard her Father yell out; "What are you doing on my land?" behind her. It was becoming common for the Thunderclan leader to treat the apprentices as intruders during the training session, she had realized, as it likely put more emphasis on the purpose for the training itself. The first few times Duststar growled did make Amberpaw jump and turn, but being about the tenth time resulted in the tortoiseshell shrugging inwardly and continuing to practice her aim in forward claw swipes on an overgrown shrub before her.

"Well?" Duststar meowed impatiently, though more gently than before. This made Amberpaw turn. Since when did her Father lighten up during a mock battle? She couldn't see anything besides the other apprentices and mentors, who seemed to be following the sound of their leader's voice. Amberpaw drew in a small breath and began to follow them, ducking under overhanging moss and into a small clearing. When she pushed through a couple of apprentices who were standing in her way, she remained emotionless as her eyes fell upon a small, light gray and white she cat. At first she felt a small thrill run through her. Amberpaw had never seen an intruder in the camp before! She began to trot towards her father to help him scare the loner off.

To Amberpaw's dismay, her father lifted his tail to signal for his daughter to stop. He was looking carefully at the she-cat, and only then did Amberpaw realize how thin and weak the loner looked. The white she-cat's face drooped, she was covered in dirt, her ribs were visible through her skin, and crusty wounds were covering her body in a variety of places. Starting to feel bad for wanting to scare off the cat, Amberpaw glanced at her apologetically. The loner didn't return her gaze, which annoyed Amberpaw, but she did try to feel empathy nonetheless. She loner staggered once more before opening her mouth to speak.

~()~

"I- My- Uh" Jade gulped as she felt the gazes of multiple cats bearing into her. She knew her fear scent must be strong, but she fought the urge to tremble under the cats and beg for mercy. She stood up weakly and eyed the large brown tom who had questioned him before. The other cats, some young and some full grown, would occasionally eye the tom inquiringly. Perhaps he's their leader, Jade reasoned.

"We don't have all day. Who are you, and why are you here?" Another cat, an elderly looking she-cat with a gruff voice, meowed. She added; "And we're not going to kill you, if that's what you're thinking."

Jade's tension eased a little at the she-cats words, but she still remained still, her muscles taut. "M-My name is Jade." She mewed meekly. "I-I was just passing through. I wasn't trying t-to steal your prey or anything, I swear."

"She looks like she needs it" A young voice whispered. Jade didn't know who it came from, but frankly she couldn't care less.

"You don't look very good, young cat." The supposed leader meowed to her, the hostility in his voice faltering. "Where is your family?"

"Um," Jade didn't really want to tell her family story to these strange cats. She hesitated before saying; "Dead."

A few gasps rang around her. She heard a few cats mumble things such as: 'how awful' and 'poor thing'. It assured her the cats were nice, but she really wasn't looking for a pity party from about a dozen strange cats. Jade stood up, fighting the pain in her wounds as she looked up. "I'm fine. Please, just let me pass through."

Suddenly, a small tortoiseshell she-cat with beautiful amber eyes stepped up to Jade. She blinked at her slowly, as if inspecting her, and meowed; "You have a lot of bravery for a kit."

Jade felt a stab of irritation despite the situation. I'm no more of a kit than you are! Jade wanted to snap, but she knew with so many cats who were probably on the tortoiseshell's side, she probably shouldn't risk it. Plus, she probably did look younger and weaker than she was. She knew she shouldn't really expect being called anything other.

She looked towards the big brown cat questioningly, as he mewed. "You are correct, Amberpaw." His eyes were narrowed as he looked back at the still tense she-cat. "Tell us, Jade. You've been through a lot, all of us can tell. It is our code to help any kit in need." Jade whisked her tail in confusion, as the leader continued. "That being said, would you like to come back to our camp? Our medicine cat can help heal your wounds, and we can feed you before you head back out. It would be a shame, really, if you died right after you left us."

Jade felt a small twinge of hope, but she hoped it didn't show too much. "Are you sure? I don't want to cause you any trouble…"

"It won't be any!" A new cat purred, a pretty white she-cat with bright green eyes. "We have plenty of prey to spare. After all, greenleaf is approaching fast."

Greenleaf? Jade thought. That must be their word for the warm season. The cats were looking at her expectantly. Jade felt warmth run through her.

"Thank you so much." She meowed. "I'll go with you."

...

When Jade walked into the "camp", as the clan cats called it, she instantly received glances from many cats; some inquiring, and others dirty. The leader, whom she found was named Duststar, deposited Jade in a den that belonged to a cat called Silverwing. The gray tabby she-cat was addressed as a "Medicine Cat" before, and although Jade hadn't received any explanation, she figured this cat's job was to help sick cats.

The den Jade found herself in smelled strongly of herbs; mixed aromas that seemed to change wherever she directed her senses. It was strangely soothing to her, and she allowed herself to be calm and relaxed as the medicine cat worked on her. Jade was surprised with how gentle Silverwing was when treating her wounds. Whenever she got cuts and scratches as a kit, her mother would roughly clean them, and let her go. Alternatively, the gray she-cat would give gentle laps to her wounds, and used small, cool drops of water to clean them with.

"So, Jade," The little medicine cat mewed in a surprisingly calm voice. For some reason the wounded she-cat felt tranquil upon hearing it. "How did you get these wounds? It looks as if you were clawed by something."

"N-no" Jade stammered. "I just scratched myself on brambles. I'm really clumsy, if you get to know me."

Silverwing chuckled lightheartedly. "It doesn't take a genius to figure that out." Jade felt slightly embarrassed, but the feeling was washed away by a sudden hardening of the medicine cat's tone. "But these cuts are too deep to be from brambles, you know. It's not a good idea to lie to a medicine cat. Please, tell me what really happened."

Jade flattened her ears and her gaze began to waver. She didn't feel comfortable telling her life tale to strangers, even if this cat seemed so reliable. She hesitated for a while, feeling as if Silverwing's gaze was bearing down on her.

"Okay, I was clawed!" Jade said, a little louder than she intended.

"By a cat?" The medicine cat questioned, seeming to not notice the outburst.

Jade nodded, but said no more. The medicine cat seemed satisfied enough, and started going through a collection of green herbs in front of her. Jade knew she wanted to tell someone what happened, but something was holding her back. A feeling of regret, perhaps? Shame for being so weak? Whatever it was, it was winning over her wish to become heard, so she sat silently as the medicine cat tugged herbs from all around.

"This may sting" Silverwing meowed. Jade said nothing, but braced herself involuntarily in wait. It did sting, but not as much as Jade had expected it to. She allowed herself to relax as Silverwing continued working on her.

It took awhile, but eventually Silverwing said that she was finished, and sat down before her. Jade eyed her for a couple of heartbeats, and then looked down. The medicine cat's eyes were uncomfortably sharp; beautiful, but powerful. She must be a good medicine cat. Jade assumed, as she realized how the horrible pains in her sides had gone down to a dull ache, and a minor throb. "Thank you so much, for everything." She mewed respectfully. "I don't know what I would have done without you. I must be going, I will remember this forever."

As Jade had begun to pad toward the exit of the den, Silverwing got up and moved in front of her, blocking her way. When Jade was about to open her mouth to question the action, the medicine cat interrupted. "You're not leaving yet. Your wound smelled strongly of infection, and if you left now you could potentially become diseased, and possibly fatally."

"Oh." Jade muttered, sitting down again. "But I really don't want to cause trouble. Letting me use your herbs and eat your prey is too much. You shouldn't do so much for me." The small she-cat bowed her head.

"I insist!" Silverwing meowed. "And I'm positive Duststar will be okay with it." There goes that strange name again. Jade thought. When she realized she wasn't speaking in return, she stammered; "Thank you, again, so much. But what if nobody else wants me here?"

Silverwing tipped her head. "Does that concern you?"

Jade shook her head in return. In truth, it did, but she knew it would be fine if she stayed with the medicine cat. She was so sweet and kind, and Jade had never met such a cat who did good deeds for others, and expected nothing in return. It was almost startling.

"Good. It may be a few days before you completely heal." Informed Silverwing, her gaze unbreaking. "So you'll be here rather long. You can stay in this den, if you'd like, but I'm positive it'd get awfully boring soon." Is she suggesting I go talk to other cats? 'Cause they didn't seem especially welcoming to me.

"I'm positive the other kits would love to play with you!" Jade stifled a groan at the medicine cat's words. It was all too often that she was referred to as a kit. Silverwing seemed to notice her dismay. "The apprentices might, also. How old are you exactly?"

Jade sat up straight to look a little bigger. "Just over six moons... I'm just pretty small."

Silverwing chuckled. "That's quite alright. I would assume it's because of how skinny you are. Regardless, small cats are great at hunting. Don't worry!"

I'm not worrying. Jade thought to herself, but she smiled at the medicine cat. "Thanks, I appreciate it."

…

Hello! Again,I am so sorry this took so rediculously long. I was going to make the chapter longer, but it's been too long since an update.

Do you guys prefer Amberpaw or Jade? Tell me in the reviews! :)

~Star