Ever since that day, Spiritflight always kept an eye on Spiderpaw.

Well, whenever she could.

But Spiderpaw would try his best to go out and hunt or patrol, not liking feeling watched.

"Just because I might die any second, doesn't mean I need someone watching me ALL the time."Spiderpaw complained to Forestpaw, who was helping him carry back his prey.

"I mean, it kind of does?"Forestpaw shrugged, adjusting the vole in his mouth.

"I guess.."Spiderpaw sighed. "It's just annoying. I can never escape her."

"It can be a bit frustrating."Forestpaw agreed, padding into camp with Spiderpaw right behind him.

Of course, Spiritflight was sitting just outside the medicine den, her eyes narrowed to slits as she watched Spiderpaw closely.

He always felt like he couldn't do anything wrong if someone was watching him.If he accidentally tripped over his own paws? Well, Spiritflight would see. He would be embarrassed.

"Miswell sleep."He rolled his eyes.

"Thanks for your help, Forestpaw."Spiderpaw nodded toward the chocolate brown apprentice.

"Oh, of course, Spiderpaw, anytime."He nodded back padding over to talk with Snowdropfall.

Spiderpaw slunk into the apprentice den, finding it empty. "At least I'm alone in here."

He snuggled up in his nest, resting his head on his paws.But he wasn't exactly tired.More like exhausted.

Closing his eyes tight, he tried to sleep.

He wriggled uncomfortably, his stomach suddenly hurting again.

He squeezed his eyes tighter, the lids starting to ache.He sighed.

"Hey, Branchkit, that's not fair!!"Leafkit's tiny mew sounded from right outside of the apprentice den.

"Mama said we weren't aloud in there!"

Spiderpaw rose to his feet, peeking out of the den.He saw Leafkit a couple feet away, glaring at the leader den.

"What's going on out here?"Spiderpaw growled crossly, sitting down.

Branchkit poked his head out of the leaders den, a cheekily grin on his face. "Nothing, Spiderpaw!"

"It's not nothing!"Leafkit protested, his fluffy fur sticking out. "Branchkit snuck into the lead den when he knew Mama told him not to!"

Marigoldkit — who was sitting at the nursery entrance with her tail over her paws — sighed heavily. "Just be quiet and go sleep."

Spiderpaw nearly screamed that he agreed with her. "Marigoldkit is right, move along."

Leafkit and Branchkit pouted, stumbling over to their sister.

"Let's play again tomorrow, though!"Branchkit squeaked, rushing into the nursery.

Leafkit's response was lost as he too followed his brother, and they were lost from Spiderpaw's hearing.

Turning around, Spiderpaw made his way back into the den, laying down.

Feeling more than before, he closed his eyes and found himself slowly drifting off into sleep.

His eyelids became heavier and heavier until at last, he felt sleep take over him.

<>

Spiderpaw blinked, awaking in a moonlit clearing.The trees didn't sway or move in the wind, nor did the grass.

It was creepily still and silent.

He stepped forward, unsure of where he was going.What would he find here?

"Welcome, young one."The soft voice of a cat sounded from behind Spiderpaw.

He wheeled around to see a all black she-cat with light yellow eyes.

She smiled weakly, her whiskers drooping.

"W-who are you?"Spiderpaw swallowed thickly, watching her uneasily.

What did she want with him?

"I...I'm your sister.....don't you remember me?!"She backed up a step, her eyes welling with tears.

"Ummm, last time I checked, I didn't have a sister."Spiderpaw frowned, his neck fur prickling.

The she-cat looked heartbroken. "I've been watching you.I wish I could be free....But I can't.."She closed her eyes.

"Why?"Spiderpaw blinked.

"I'm stuck,"She opened her eyes again, stepping closer and closer to Spiderpaw. "I don't know where, but I'm stuck.I have been since we were born.I've never even see mother.."

She rested her forehead against his.

"Help me...I need help..."Her whisper faded into nothing as she gazed helplessly at him.

"But...how?"He mumbled, dumbfounded.

He still didn't believe this was his sister.

"I don't know.All I know is I'm somewhere secluded and enclosed.There is food — although it tastes horrible — and water...But I can't see anything.It's driving me insane.Search for TallOaks...That should lead you to me."

Then, Spiderpaw started to wake, sunlight pouring onto his face.

"No! Wait! What's your name!?"

He meowed desperately.

"Ravenpaw,"She smiled softly. "I'm, Ravenpaw."

<>

Spiderpaw gasped, waking up with a start. "Did all that really just happen-?"

"All that?"Mildewpaw blinked open her eye, laying in the corner of the den.

She sounded exhausted and sad.

"Nothing,"Spiderpaw shook his fur, standing up. "really."

Mildewpaw looked unconvinced but nodded nonetheless. "Fine.Bye."She turned her back to him, her side rising and falling as she tried to sleep.

Spiderpaw shrugged, heading out of the den.He spotted Sunpaw stretched out in the sun and padded over to him.

"Hello,"He greeted, dipping his head. "How are you?"

"Meh,"Sunpaw sighed. "Been better.My bones are a bit sore.That's why I'm soaking up the sun."He then sent Spiderpaw a small smile. "But it's good to see you awake.Especially without Spirit-"

Spiritflight hurried over to them, a frown on her face. "I thought for sure I heard a snap in the branches over here.Did you?"

"No."Sunpaw shook his head.

"Spiritflight, I think you're just overreacting.Calm down."Spiderpaw scowled.

"I'm not! They could be waiting in there! Hiding....Ready to strike."

"Anyway! Sunpaw I need to talk to you."Spiderpaw nudged the golden apprentice to his feet, leading him to the elders den.

They ducked behind it, aware of Spiritflight's gaze on their backs.

Sunpaw got settled, sending Spiderpaw a 'What is it?' look.

"I met my sister in a dream."Spiderpaw blurted.

Sunpaw looked so confused, it almost made Spiderpaw laugh. "Ummm... sister? Am I missing something?"

"I didn't know I had a sister till now.She's my long lost sister.Her name is Ravenpaw."He shrugged.

"Where is she?"Sunpaw blinked.

"She's stuck somewhere.She doesn't really know where.She told me to find the 'TallOaks', whatever they are."He rolled his eyes.

Sunpaw's eyes sparkled. "I've heard of them before! They're the super tall oak trees that grow sun-rises away from here."

Spiderpaw's heart dropped. "Really far away?"

"I suppose.."Sunpaw frowned. "At least four sunrises and falls."

"Then that's where I'll go."Spiderpaw lifted his head determinedly.

"You can't go alone!"Sunpaw squeaked, standing up swiftly.

"I won't,"Spiderpaw shook his head. "I'm not an idiot."

Sunpaw raised a brow, but remained silent.

"I'll talk to Wonderstar.He'll know whah to do."Spiderpaw flicked his tail.

"Thank you, Sunpaw."He dipped his head.

"You're welcome."Sunpaw yawned. "Now I'm going back to sleeping."

Spiderpaw smiled, slipping out from behind the elders den.

As he headed for the leaders den, he couldn't help but feel eyes on the back of his head.

Thinking it was Spiritflight, he turned his head to look.He saw the medicine cat crouched over, back to him, plucking a weed out from the rocks.

If she wasn't watching me....

Who was?

(Word count: 1,175)