Skypaw paced anxiously, keeping her wings tucked close to her sides. She spent a lot of her free time doing that. 

Skypaw was born to Lionblaze and Cinderheart. Just after she learned to fly, Lionblaze was killed by a badger. Conchpaw said that her father's death was her fault, as was Conchpaw's brother, Copperkit's death. 

If Skypaw wanted one thing, it was one day of being normal-just one day where nobody accused her of cannibalism when she ate birds, where no kits ran away from her, where nobody told her she was cursed or excluded her from patrols. 

Cursed. Ha. Skypaw's wings weren't a curse; they were a blessing. But sometimes they didn't feel that way. 

Skypaw looked up and saw a hawk circling far above her. Well, fine, she was in ThunderClan territory, she didn't need to leave a hawk alone. 

Skypaw shot into the air, feeling the rush of exhilaration she always felt at flying. The hawk saw her coming and let out a screech or surprise, diving at her with talons bared. 

Skypaw dodged the hawk's attack, reaching for it with her front claws and tearing into its flesh. The hawk shrieked with pain and tore her pelt with its beak. Skypaw moved away and circled the hawk. 

One wing on the hawk was damaged, leaving the bird to spiral, flapping frantically, towards the earth. Skypaw dove after it, catching and killing it quickly.

"Wow!" cried a voice. "That was some catch!"

Skypaw looked around. A young black-and-white ShadowClan tom sat on the border, washing himself. Skypaw landed and folded her wings neatly. 

"And you are?" she growled. The tom shrugged. "Splashpaw." 

Skypaw sat. "I'm Skypaw."

"That's a good name for you," Splashpaw remarked. Skypaw hissed at him. "Very funny."

"I've heard a lot about you," admitted Splashpaw. Skypaw tilted her head. 

"You have? How?"

Splashpaw shifted from paw to paw, looking guilty. "I, uh...talk to Conchpaw at Gatherings."

Skypaw had a feeling she wasn't getting the whole truth, but didn't say so. Fury flared inside of her as Splashpaw's words sunk in. 

"So you talk to Conchpaw? Oh, wonderful! I'm so glad you two have a good time mocking me."

Splashpaw looked alarmed. "We-"

But Skypaw couldn't stop. "What's she said about me? That I'm a freak? That I'm an arrogant owl who thinks she's so great? That I'm cursed?"

Splashpaw looked at his paws. "Well..."

"I knew it! She did tell you I was an arrogant, mousebrained, foxhearted, StarClan-cursed FREAK!"

Skypaw grabbed her hawk by the wing, heading back towards her camp.