//Un//marked

// chapter 32 //

There was only darkness around her – no sight, no smell, no sound. She ran through it, feeling nothing but her own heartbeat. It raced, as if she were being chased, pounding through her with every step.

Suddenly, bright light hit her and her speed increased. She felt the wind combing through her fur, the sounds of crows cawing overhead. The smell of blood hit her and she stopped, pinning her ears back. There were footsteps coming from behind her and she whirled around, unsheathing her claws.

His golden eyes met hers and she realized this was not the first time she'd had this dream. The white rims narrowed and he circled her, fangs flashing. She tensed, the instinct to kill rising within her.

"Nightchaser," she snarled.

"Always chasing the dark," he hissed back. "But what is it that you're chasing? What is it that you seek?"

"I seek revenge," she roared, leaping forwards. She landed where he had been moments before, but the black tom had disappeared. Instead, she found herself face to face with a small tabby, his copper eyes bright.

"Is it?" Reedpaw asked softly.

Her eyes widened. "Reedpaw?"

The tabby nodded sadly. "What is it that you seek?" he asked again.

"I seek..." Her mind searched for the proper words. "I seek justice."

He tilted his head, considering her answer. "Do you truly?"

She looked around at the scenery, the forest before her and the moors at her back. They stood in the heart of DarkClan territory, yet she did not feel at home. The sunlight bathing them began to dim until the cold wind picked up and she shivered. She longed for the sun to return.

"I seek the light," she finally said.

This time, Reedpaw bared his teeth in a grin. "Don't lose your path."

When Lightpaw woke, she could still feel his nose pressed to her own, and remembered the exact shade of copper of his eyes.

The world outside was bathed in sunlight, much like in her dream, and Lightpaw got to her paws, though every inch of her longed to remain in her nest. There would be more training today, undoubtedly, and more grief as she remembered Reedpaw and Yewpaw and all those she had left behind in DarkClan, who she may not ever see again. Sprucetail knew about their spying and, after being confronted by her, Lightpaw knew she and Beetlepaw did not stand a chance if they were to run.

Do I even want to run? Lightpaw found herself thinking as she emerged from her den. If she returned she would be forced to lead a life of no emotion, to mate with a cat chosen by Dawnstar, and to live out her days as a cold-blooded killer. Here, at least, she was free to do as she pleased; train, hunt, speak with all members of the makeshift camp. There was a hierarchy, but it was loose in comparison to DarkClan's rigid structure.

And, most of all, that feeling of fear she'd often felt back in the DarkClan camp simply did not exist. Now that her paranoia at being discovered had eased, Lightpaw found herself much more relaxed.

"Off to training," Flea said as she passed by. "Would you like to walk with us?" Penny nodded enthusiastically from her side.

"Sure," Lightpaw replied, brightening considerably. Perhaps some more training would help her focus her thoughts.

When they arrived at the usual training spot, she was surprised to see Dewpaw already there. He'd been on the patrol last night and had run in to Smoketalon. Though she had not seen Hazel's injuries, Lightpaw knew the DarkClan patrol would not have taken it easy on her.