I was gonna put a heart in the title and add a 3 for each review to make it bigger, but the site was freaking out on me, sad face. I guess if I can't put it in the title:
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Thank you so much guys. ILYA (I love you all :p).
@Tangleflame: I'm sure Reedy would that too...as for making Spider not so much of a furball, I'm not sure if that is even possible, but Jaggy can try, right?
@Koraki: I enjoy a bit of dark humor mixed in with everything, so I guess stuff like that kinda pops out from time to time, ha. I'm glad you liked the chapter, and it always makes me smile to hear of various people's ships. Shipping is so fun, ta? I think it's interesting how divided the shipping is in this story (especially for Spider, omg you people ship him with everyone) compared to earlier stories, where there were fewer possibilities. Everything's an experiment, so I find this one to be very intriguing. :3
@Lynxeye: Aww, that stinks! Computers can be infuriating sometimes; mine really likes to give me lip sometimes. D:< As for the next training session, it should indeed be loads of fun. I'm excited, at least. And yes, this story does kinda have sub-plot overload. So many plot bunnies in my head. xD
@Stormy: Hey, lover! Thanks for the review, I really appreciate it (Dead Walking is rlly cool btw, I keep meaning to review but then I forget D:). If you could give me a reason for your dislike of SpiderxBlack (just outa curiosity) that would be lovely, but since even you aren't quite sure, that's okay. xD
@Silverblossom: Archeye? Eww, sounds painful. I'll agree that the Erins have made some crappy names lately (although really some first arc names were bad too; Runningnose comes to mind). Yes, Blackie's the moss-thief! What a dastardly villain, no one suspected her (at least, I don't think anyone did :p). She could definitely have a Jekyll and Hyde thing going on (how kewl would that be? 8D) but I s'pose we'll just have to see. Leopardpaw was in camp with everyone else--I guess I just forgot about her, derp. I'm making her suspicious on accident now, ha. She just didn't have much to add to the discussion; she's close to precious few cats, and none of them were on that patrol. Good of you to notice that, though. :3
@Ravenshade: Spider's such a furball, I'm beginning to lose hope for him. Not even the presence of multiple beeyewtiful laydays and a hardened rogue can force him to shape up, it would appear. Why they even bother, I dunno. Now, if Northy was the one training Spider, you bet things would be different...no one comes away from his sessions unscarred (isn't that right, Silverstar-darling? Of course it is, it's Northstar!). I'm also interested in your shipping views; why is SpiderxLeopard better than SpiderxBlack in your opinion, out of curiosity? As for the pleasing/breaking, I take delight in performing both of those at once; it's all part of my evil plan, to craft a lovely tale and then crush everyone by killing off all the kitties at the end. It's true, don't doubt it. :O
Northy would have to survive though, I s'pose, since I honestly shudder to think what would happen if he died. I'd be eaten alive by rabid fan(atics). @.@
@The Last Clan: I promise I know my its vs. it's! Sometimes I just get so caught up in the rush that I miss/add stuff that I shouldn't. Sorry for the jumpiness, too; this story seems a lot jumpier than some of my others, for some reason. I think it's the stress of keeping a linear timeline; I have to squeeze so much into every chapter to make sure that it's not too long, while still getting in all the key events...it's hard. I'll try harderer, though, promise. D:
@Nightkill: Babies make everything better. 8D
@Sara Darkotter: Sorry to hear about your computer, mine does the same alla time. So annoying. D: You bring up a good point, though, something I've been meaning to mention; I'll slip it into the next chapter's AN, I think, to make sure everyone sees it.
@Sunspirit: Long review, wow. Lovely. You might have mentioned that theory before, I'm not sure, but it's interesting. Considering that the SkyClan-journey is in 'ancient' times, it could work out, but I s'pose we'll have to see if that's what happens (and where the fourth Clan would go, since there was only MarshClan/BirchClan/ShellClan before FrozenClan was created). As for Tubs, that would be incredibly awesome, I agree. Tubs is technically a wild cat right now, although I'm assuming you're asking if he used to live in the forest. He might have at one point (honestly I'm not entirely sure, he's sort of a mystery). Maybe we'll find out? Also, I'm confused about your Bullet/Jaggedclaw question? Jaggedclaw and Bullet obviously had some sort of connection in the past, but they aren't the same cat, if that's what you're asking...? As for Soot's name, yes, it was intentionally linked with AshClan; that's partially how Eaglestrike thought of it; he was messing with the soot/ash left over from the fire that razed the forest, and compared them to her dapples and came up with her name. I'm not sure whether to be proud or concerned that you're starting to act like Spider; it's almost flattering, but then again he's a terrible role model. xD
@Nightkill: I used all of my adorability on that chapter. :D
@MansonNoob: Killing her would almost be merciful at this point (although I'm not really known for that, mm). And fanart always pleases me (I'll address this in the next AN, like I told Sara). :D
@Hermytail: Your views on the charries are definitely interesting. Points 1 and 3 are definitely valid, I can't really argue against those, but let's see if I can address the others:
2. I'm confused as to how training herself would help Sooty at all. Training herself to hunt would be good because that is a skill that can be learned through trial-and-error; teaching herself to fight on her own is impossible. As Jaggy says, an apprentice attacking a stump or tree or branch will do them no good; they have to face a living, breathing opponent in order to learn how to properly fight. She could attempt to teach herself some moves, but they'd be clumsy and unwieldy because she wouldn't know how to use them against an opponent that could dodge her attacks. Making Sootpaw a proficient fighter by training alone would be extremely unrealistic.
4. Actually, Spiderpaw shouted at Robinpaw, and kind of mocked her for being a cripple, which caused her to race out of camp. She got over it, but was still slightly rankled that Spiderpaw never apologized; Jaypaw is extremely protective of his sister, and in his mind Spiderpaw committed a terrible transgression by mocking Robinpaw and making her feel insecure about her disability.
5. Normally I'd say that a cat who doesn't really stand for either side is probably a coward, but in this case I think not. Now, if either side was clearly wrong, I'd agree, but the problem is that in this conflict both sides are wrong. Spider and Fire are both arrogant, cocky furballs. Neither of them are in the right; neither of them are blameless. Blizzardpaw can't really support either of them, because he knows they're both wrong. The only cat he truly allies with is Robinpaw. At the same time, he doesn't want to make anyone angry, so he simply tries to be friendly to both sides. In some ways, he's better than both sides; he tempers Fireblaze's anger (such as when he suggested they steal the moss, rather than put a thorn in it; a thorn could hurt Spiderpaw very badly, whereas stealing is rather harmless) and helps calm Spiderpaw too (as we see when Blizz, Robin, and Spider all hunt together; Spider feels calmer and apologizes to Jaggedclaw for his behavior).
That being said, if someone that Blizzardpaw was really close to (i.e. Robinpaw) was honestly threatened beyond mere insults, Blizzardpaw would have absolutely no problem smacking them down. He just usually tries peaceful means rather than violence to solve his problems.
6. Leopardpaw proved herself when she first met the Clan, by saving Sootpaw and Spiderpaw back when they were kits; saving helpless kits that weren't her own or related to her suggests some measure of compassion. Forcing her out of the Clan afterwards would be rather heartless of Eaglestrike, especially since they're his kits. Also, keep in mind that the Clan is suffering from sickness; they need every able-bodied cat they can get, and despite her chilly demeanor, Leopardpaw's an excellent hunter; she'll be extremely valuable during the cold leaf-bare months.
@Sharkfin: Another LeopardxFire shipper, I see? Interesting. I'm glad you like the story. :D
@Hermytail (again :p): Rabbitleap is definitely a favorite of mine; Bluepaw is kinda almost like her clone, although they do differ in some ways. I think the weird thing in this story is that the only available love-interest with an 'F' is Fireblaze, and he doesn't have green eyes...hmm, maybe FirexSpider....:p
