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The Forgotten Clan: The Darkest Moon

The Forgotten

ClanThe Darkest Moon

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By: Marissa NealChapter 1

Leader Rubblestar- blue-black tom with light gray patches and green-blue eyesDeputy Pebblewing- brown she-cat with black tail tip and gold eyesHealer Fallenpoppy- black-white-and-golden she-cat with blue eyes

Apprentice- FlowerbeamWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Stoneclaw- blue-gray tom with amber eyes; Gravelfur’s brotherShadowflame- black tom with ginger stripes like flames and amber eyes; Pepperleg’s brotherBuzzardclaw- golden-brown tom with green eyes; Moonbird’s mateEchowhisper- brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesApprentice- FlightpawSwanfeather- white she-cat with gray tipped ears and crystal blue eyesLilycoal- blue-gray-and-ginger she-cat with gold eyesPearlpelt- gray-white she-cat with pink fur tips and green-blue eyes; mother of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of StormstripeStormtripe- light gray tom with darker stripes and blue eyes; father of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of PearlpeltMoonshine- pale yellow-gray she-cat with pale blue eyes; Starshine’s sisterApprentice- WhisppawWithercloud- gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Sealfur’s and Mallowstorm’s sister Zapstripe- black, golden tabby, tom with gold eyesSkunkstripe- black tom with white stripe going down back, and green eyesBeechflame- brown-and-ginger tom with green eyes; Leafshower’s brotherReedwater- blue-gray-and-brown tom with gold eyesApprentice- TwisterpawSnowmist- white she-cat with light gray patches and light blue eyes; Twisterclaw’s mateSealfur- gray-white she-cat with blue eyes; Withercloud’s and Mallowstorm’s sister

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Leafshower- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes, black spotted tail; Beechflame’s sisterApprentice- DeerpawHazelfern- blue-gray she-cat with green eyes and black tail tip; Stoneclaw’s daughterApprentice- SandpawWolfmoon- gray-and-brown tom with blue eyes; Goldendust’s brotherGoldendust- golden-brown she-cat with gold eyes; Wolfmoon’s sisterApprentice- CreampawTwisterclaw- black-gray-brown-and-white tom with golden tipped everything, and one emerald green eye and one icy blue eyeSilvernight- black she-cat with silver eyesSoulfrost- white queen with icy blue eyes; Frostsoul’s sisterFrostsoul- white she-cat with icy blue eyes; Soulfrost’s sisterStormsnow- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and fluffy furFlickertail- white tabby tom with yellow eyesWhiteblade- white tom with green eyes; Limefoot’s mateDivaheart- ginger-and-white she-cat with green eyesRavenpelt- black-gray she-cat with brown eyesPhantomfur- fluffy gray-and-black tom with green eyesHazelstorm- blue-gray she-cat with white paws and amber eyesBlissrose- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesDarksoul- black she-cat with icy blue eyes that change with emotionApprentice- SummerpawSplashleap- gray-and-white tom with blue eyes and black pawsRaisintail- cream, brown patched she-cat with green eyesPoppyfern- brown—and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Eclipse’s mateEclipsingsun- golden-and-black tom with silver paws and blue-amber eyes; Poppy’s mateSpiritstorm- white, gray tabby she-cat with snow-blue eyesSmokeshadow- black-and-gray tom with white paws and dark blue eyesApprentice- DawnpawShadewillow- black-and-brown she-cat with white paws and blue eyesDappleshade- white, black tabby she-cat with green eyesNightdusk- black-and-gray she-cat with white paws and golden eyesDestinyfern- golden-brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesBravewish- gray-black-and-white tom with emerald green eyesApprentice- ZeekpawIceshadow- black she-cat with gray patches and icy blue eyes; Lunarblaze’s mateFawnpelt- brown she-cat with white spotted back, cream belly and gold eyes; Stoneclaw’s mateSagestorm- cream-and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Slatefur’s mate Milkflower-cream-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and a light green collar; once a kittypet

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Midnightfur-black tom with brown chest and gold eyes; once a kittypetMallowstorm- gray-and-white she-cat with gold-green eyes; Withercloud’s and Sealfur’s sister; Reedwater’s mateApprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Flowerbeam- black she-cat with white muzzle, belly and chest and blue eyes; very fluffyDeerpaw- brown she-cat with cream underbelly and white spotted fur and green eyesSandpaw- cream tom with blue-gray patches and blue eyesSummerpaw- brown-blue-gray-and-cream she-cat with green eyesCreampaw- cream tom with blue-green eyesDawnpaw- cream-brown-and-gray she-cat with gold eyesZeekpaw-small, gray, black tabby tom with blue eyes; once a kittypetFlightpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with brown paws and green eyesWhisppaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesTwisterpaw- blue-gray-brown-and-white tom with gray patches and blue-green eyesQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Moonbird- silvery-gray she-cat with white paws and blue eyes; Buzzardclaw’s mateStarshine-white she-cat with blue eyes; Moonshine’s sister; Gravelfur’s mateNightwhisper- black she-cat with green eyes; Nursing Zapstripe’s kits: Sunkit (golden she-kit with white paws), Lostkit (black she-kit), Lightningkit (black, golden striped, tom-kit), Darkkit (dark brown, almost black, she-kit), and Shadowkit (black, golden pawed, tom-kit)Gemsoul- tortoiseshell she-cat with pinkish eyes; Nursing kits: Rubblekit (black tom-kit) and Sagekit (black tortoiseshell she-kit)Whisperflame- gray, ginger patched, she-cat with dark blue eyes; Nursing kits: Silentkit (gray-and-white she-kit), Bramblekit (brown tabby tom-kit), and Tabbykit (brown-and-gray tabby tom-kit)Moonlight- pale gray she-cat with blue eyes; Nursing kits: Russetkit (russet-brown she-kit), and Jazzkit (silvery-gray she-kit with white paws and ears)Featherbreeze- young, silvery-gray she-cat with pink eyes; Expecting Bone’s kitsLimefoot- black she-cat with lime green paws and pink eyes; Nursing Whiteblade’s kits: Oreokit (black-and-white she-cat with green eyes), Blackkit (black she-kit with lime green tail tip), and Grasskit (white she-kit with lime green paws and black ears)Lovefoot- white she-cat with pink paws and blue eyes; Expecting Flame’s kitsLustheart- pinkish she-cat with icy blue eyes; Expecting Fang’s kitsOpalflower- white she-cat with gray patches and crystal blue eyes; Nursing Splashleap’s kits: Moonkit (silver tom with white paws), Songkit (gray-and-white she-cat), Mosskit (gray she-cat with white patches and black ears), and Dovekit (silver she-cat)Elders (retired toms and she-cats)Ryethorn- gray-and-light brown tomCreekpearl- blue-white she-cat with pink eyes and gray pawsTeatherpelt- black-and-gray tom with green eyes

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Lilyheart- tiger-like, ginger she-cat with black tabby stripes and green eyesLeopardshadow- leopard-like tom with green eyesBrookdapple- gray, lighter flecked, she-cat with blue eyes, and white chest, paws, muzzle and tail tipStormheart-old, fluffy gray-and-white tom with green-gold eyes; once a kittypetBrightsoul- gray-and-white she-cat with light blue eyes; mother of Snowmist

Sunlight filtered through the trees as the leaves began to change from green to yellows, oranges, and reds. Leaf-fall was here, and it already had started out rough. The Rockclan warriors that had been away for almost two moons were now on edge after the recent shock.

My Clan and I had been in Volcanoclan’s new camp for a whole moon, and it had been peaceful without any threats from other Clans or foxes and badgers. I had my four kits, Dovekit, Songkit, Mosskit, and Moonkit, and Volcanoclan had new warriors and apprentices, but never once had I thought about the Dark Forest and that they would intervene with that peace.

It was two days ago when I had woken and been met with a cry from my sister in Volcanoclan’s warrior’s den. I had gone to her and found her sobbing over her very wounded and dead mate, Lunarblaze. I soon found out how he died: he had been jealous about my kits and my happiness with Splashleap, and he had started getting visits from the Dark Forest. I believed Lunarblaze had done something they didn’t like and was killed.

Now Rubblestar, my Clan leader of Rockclan, feared that something wasn’t right back at home and wanted to return back to Rockclan’s camp right away. He believed that Volcanoclan could fully take care of themselves, and was ready to go.

We had already said good-bye to Volcanoclan and had left at dawn. We were now waiting to cross underneath the Thunderpath that separated the new Clan from the rest, the sun rising to its highest peak. Rubblestar was leading the group, while I stayed in the back with my kits being carried by Goldendust, Wolfmoon, Bravewish and Destinyfern. They were still small, only a moon old and I didn’t believe it was safe for them to walk on their own in unknown territory until back in Rockclan.

Iceshadow was in the middle of the group of her Clanmates, her head down and tail dragging over the ground. I felt sorry for her, she had had so much ahead of her with Lunarblaze, and now he was dead. I had my own mate beside me and I knew that he could see me watching her.

“She’ll come over it,” he mewed, resting his tail over my shoulders. “Remember, she’s the strongest of us all.”

“I know, it’s just that I’ve never seen her this way before,” I replied, not taking my eyes off my sister. “She’s taking it hard, and she thinks we left him behind in Spaceclan.”

“Perhaps we did, but I’m sure he’ll find his way back to Cometclan as well.”We continued on in silence, passing under the Thunderpath by using the

tunnel that the stream fed through. On the other side was the Diamond Pond, a place that Cometclan had me discover so that leaders and healers could talk peacefully with their ancestors. It was a long journey for any Clan, but Cometclan believed it showed strength and determination.

But sunset my Clanmates reached the Diamond Pond, but chilled and soaked to the bone. It had started to rain, and being leaf-fall it had become cold. I looked to

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my kits, hoping they were okay. I kept my eye on them until I saw one of them shiver.

“Splashleap, tell Rubblestar we need to stop so that I can warm up the kits,” I pleaded, turning to Goldendust to take Moonkit. My mate nodded his head and darted away to the front of the group where Rubblestar continued on.

I settled down on the damp ground, and had Goldendust place my little tom on my outstretched front paws. I began licking Moonkit’s fur the wrong way, trying my hardest to warm him up. Wolfmoon and Goldendust started doing the same for Songkit and Mosskit. Bravewish handed Dovekit to Destinyfern, who instantly began warming her up.

They all started to stir when Rubblestar appeared with Splashleap. “We’ll wait as long as it takes to warm up these little ones,” he offered.

“I think we’re already ready to leave,” I replied, lifting Moonkit from my paws. He had started to stir and began batting at my muzzle in play, the cold finally leaving his body. My other three kits began to liven up and were lifted into the air.

Rubblestar had us continue on, even with all the complaints the Clan gave him about paws falling off, and bellies hungry and being tired. He said that he wanted to be home by dawn and that we would make it home in time before the Weatherclan patrols caught them on their territory.

And he had been right about not being caught. The clouds disappeared, taking the rain with them, and leaving a half moon riding high in the sky. It was moonhigh and all of the Weatherclan cats would be sleeping, just like we wanted to, but now that we knew how close to home we all were, nobody was ready to stop now.

The first light of dawn turned the horizon pink and gray as I caught sight of the boulders stacked on top of each other that made up the camp. At the bramble covered entrance Darksoul and her apprentice, Summerpaw, stood guard. Their heads picked up and gasps of joy escaped from their jaws. They left their posts and joined their returning Clanmates.

“We missed you all so much,” Darksoul mewed loudly for everyone to hear. “How was the journey?”

“I’ll explain everything when these warriors have had some rest,” Rubblestar replied with a flick of his tail. “In the meantime, I have a queen and her kits that needs to get warm as soon as possible.” Rubblestar flicked and pointed with his tail at me. Summerpaw’s and Darksoul’s eyes followed his tail point and their eyes widened when they saw Moonkit hanging from my jaws.

“Come on, Opalflower,” Summerpaw urged taking her place at my side. “Let’s get you to the cramped nursery.”

“Thanks,” I purred tiredly through my sleeping kit’s fur.My Clanmates let my helpers and I enter the camp first. Destinyfern,

Goldendust, and Wolfmoon stuck close to me, making sure I could see my safe kits. Summerpaw was at the lead, her tail straight in the air as she kicked with joy.

When I entered the camp, I almost fell to my paws in sobs or rejoice because I had missed it so much, but not as much as I missed all of my Clanmates. Many of them had started to wake and poke their heads outside their dens as my companions followed inside behind Darksoul and Rubblestar. I could just see the white pelt of Waterstar disappearing back towards her territory through the entrance and wondered why she had followed us for so long.

“They’re back from Volcanoclan!” Deerpaw exclaimed, leaping from her den, watching as I passed with a kit. “And they brought kits!”

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I chuckled before ducking into the nursery, where I knew I would meet up with at least ten queens and their kits. Of course not all of them had their kits yet, but I was willing to bet at least two of them had them finally.

“Welcome home,” Nightwhisper greeted. She was a black she-cat, one of my closest siblings after Iceshadow. We had trained together and everything, but then, while she still was an apprentice, she was put in the nursery expecting Zapstripe’s kits, a cat that had picked on us on the first day we had set outside the nursery as kits. Zapstripe was of course older, and had been an apprentice at the time, but he soon kept away and left us alone when Iceshadow had beaten him when she had been a kit. Now he was a proud father of five kits, and was very gentle with my sister, and was forced into an alliance with Nightwhisper’s other siblings.

“It’s great to be home,” I yawned, finding a nest near the back between her and Featherbreeze, a queen that once had been a kit of the Clan, made into an apprentice, and then, moons later, brought home from Pureclan where she had settled, and forced into having kits with a cat named Bone. She was very shy, but so friendly that I could never notice her shyness.

“Fallenpoppy had told us that you were expecting Splashleap’s kits,” Gemsoul, an old Pureclan queen, mewed. “It seems it had gone well.” All four of my kits were placed at my belly, all too tired and cold to eat. All the queens that were awake were watching them with loving eyes. All the queens in the nursery would share the care of all kits, and would help each other out when needed.

“They’re a moon old already, and they haven’t seen their real camp,” I sighed, remembering how Songkit, my strongest one of the four, had been reluctant to see Volcanoclan’s camp before her own. “But besides the pain I went through, everything had gone great.” Pointing to each kit, I introduced the kits to the queens, “They are Moonkit, Songkit, Dovekit, and Mosskit.”

“Did you name them all, or did you let Splashleap help?” Featherbreeze chuckled, knowing how stubborn I was.

“I named two, Splashleap named one, and then I let Iceshadow name Songkit,” I answered. “She was there the whole time I was kitting, so I thought I should let her have a share of the kits, just like you let me, Nightwhisper.”

The black she-cat nodded, her five lively kits jumping up and down in their nests. Darkkit, the kit I had named, was a dark brown she-kit, almost a black color. She was peering over my belly, peeking at her new denmates. She had grown large, and so had her brothers and sisters, and it was hard to believe that it had only been about three moons since I had seen them.

Lightningkit, a black tom-kit with his father’s golden stripes, crept out from behind my tail and was sniffing at Moonkit. His whiskers tickled my son’s paw, and Moonkit kicked out, hitting Lightningkit hard on the nose. He snorted and backed away, rubbing his nose with a paw.

“He’s definitely a born warrior,” Rubblestar mewed, poking his head into the nursery. “How has everyone been?” he asked the other queens.

“There was no trouble the whole time you were gone,” Moonbird mewed from her usual corner. “Though Moonlight gave birth to Jazzkit and Russetkit almost the day after you all left. And then we have Featherbreeze coming very close soon.” The silvery queen looked to her daughter as Featherbreeze rolled her eyes.

“Don’t forget that Limefoot is in the healer’s den with her kits,” Gemsoul put in. “She came down with whitecough after that rain a couple days ago,” she added to Rubblestar. “We haven’t really heard much on how she is doing.”

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“I’ll go and check in with her in a moment,” Rubblestar replied, looking away. “The reason I’m here is that I hear from Zapstripe that Nightwhisper’s kits are ready to become apprentices. I almost forgot how old they are now. They are a half moon overdue.”

“Yay, we can become apprentices!” Shadowkit squeaked jumping up and down between her brothers and sisters.

Nightwhisper grabbed her daughter and began washing her frantically. “Not until I have you cleaned up a little.”

“All those cats old enough to hunt and swim, meet under the Highcliff for a Clan meeting!” Rubblestar’s voice rang out through the camp, calling the Clan together for the first time in a couple moons.

I sat up and washed my shoulder as Nightwhisper went past with her five kits that would be made into apprentices today. I wondered who would be their mentors, and also wondered whether I would have received one if not for my kits. It felt great to be back home without the loneliness back in Volcanoclan’s nursery, but I missed the friends I made. Would I ever go back or see them again?

Without disturbing my kits, I crept out of the nursery behind Gemsoul, a tortoiseshell that Iceshadow had befriended when they had been in Pureclan moons ago, and followed her outside and into the sunlit camp.

Once all of the Clan had gathered in the clearing of the camp, Rubblestar spoke once again. “I have now received word from Zapstripe that his kits are now six moons old and are ready to start their apprenticeship. Will the five kits of Zapstripe and Nightwhisper please come forward.”

The five kits lined up in front of the Highcliff where Rubblestar leaped down from, landing in front of Lightningkit and causing him to start. There was humor in place of the old fear in Rubblestar’s eyes now, and it made me relax.

“Lightningkit, Sunkit, Darkkit, Lostkit, and Shadowkit have finally reached their sixth moon, and are ready to become apprentices of Rockclan,” Rubblestar began, turning to Shadowkit and adding, “Shadowkit, you will now be known as Shadowpaw until you have earned your warrior name. You shall be mentored by Twisterclaw, and be his first apprentice. Don’t go easy on him; he’s stronger than he looks.” There was a twinkle in the leader’s eyes when my father and he gazed at each other. Obviously Twisterclaw hadn’t known that he was getting an apprentice because he was definitely surprised.

Twisterclaw came forward and lowered his head to touch noses with his new apprentice. Shadowpaw didn’t shy away like some apprentices do; instead he flashed a touch and then was instantly by her mentor’s side as they took places at the front of the Clan behind the other kits being made into apprentices.

“Sunkit, you shall be called Sunpaw until you have earned your warrior name. You shall be trained by Wolfmoon.” Wolfmoon snapped his head up from talking with his sister before trotting to his new apprentice. Had Rubblestar not even acknowledge to telling the cats he had chosen for mentors that they would be getting apprentice? Could it have been too short noticed to tell them?

Sunpaw and Wolfmoon sat down next to my father Shadowpaw, and when all was silent Rubblestar continued the ceremony. Lightningkit was next and was given the mentor of Shadowflame, which of whom I did not like very much. They took their places beside Shadowpaw. Darkkit, the kit Nightwhisper had let me name, was chosen to be trained by Splashleap. I was so excited for my mate that I wanted to

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go and just snuggle and congratulate him, but I had to wait for after Rubblestar was done.

Splashleap and Darkpaw touched noses and sat down at the front, but not before Splashleap was able to give me a nod of knowing. “Lostkit, please come forward and be known as Lostpaw. I have chosen a great mentor for you, one that I know will train you with every bit of strength she has inside her soul.” He paused, making everyone anxious to know the mentor of Lostpaw. “Iceshadow will be the mentor to young Lostpaw.”

Gasps waved through the Clan. I looked around searching for my sister and realized that she wasn’t in the camp. I wondered what had surprised the Clan so much. They seemed to think her becoming a mentor was a bad thing. I thought it was the best thing that happened to Iceshadow: she was strong, independent, wise, and very skilled in fighting; I believed that she was ready to become a mentor, and here the Clan is gasping in shock at Rubblestar’s belief too.

“Iceshadow where are you?” Rubblestar called out into the Clan. My Clanmates looked around as if searching for her as well, but effortlessly. “Pebblewing is she out of camp?”

“Honestly I never saw her come in with the rest of you returning,” she confessed, looking worried.

“Then I need a search patrol right now. In the meantime, I guess Iceshadow will have to wait for another chance at being a mentor, so Lostpaw you shall be mentored instead by Silvernight, unless Iceshadow is found by today.” With a flick of his tail, the Clan departed and the meeting came to an end.

“I wonder where she could be,” Gemsoul mewed to me, while my mind pondered for an answer. “I hope she’s alright.”

I looked up to the sky, wishing that Iceshadow would appear soon. “So do I, Gemsoul, so do I.”

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Chapter 2Iceshadow kicked at an acorn fallen on the ground under an oak tree. The

noise disturbed an eating mouse, sending it fleeing into the bushes. She didn’t even attempt to chase after it; she wasn’t even hungry, even though she hadn’t eaten for a couple of days.

Ever since she had found Lunarblaze dead in the warrior’s den back in Volcanoclan, Iceshadow felt dead inside, and felt as if living was nothing but a nightmare. He had been her soul mate, and losing him had hurt her worse than any wound that had ever been inflicted on her.

After the Clan had passed through the oak trees and into the ravine, Iceshadow decided to get away and went into the forest. She felt like returning to Volcanoclan, but how could she abandon her home and Clanmates. She had a sister with kits that needed her, and she couldn’t leave her like Opalflower had left her. Everything for Iceshadow was a blur and didn’t seem one bit clear and understandable.

A rustle in the bushes caught her attention. Iceshadow snapped her head up, sensing eyes on her pelt. She unsheathed her claws, and crouched low, ready to attack. The odd sensation left, but Iceshadow still didn’t feel safe. Claws out and teeth bared, she launched herself into the nearest tree to her. She climbed to the highest branch she felt safe on, and gazed down to the forest floor far below her.

Iceshadow’s throat rumbled in a growl as she spotted brown-and-white she-cat. By the smell of her, Iceshadow could tell the she-cat was a queen, but another scent turned her defensive: this queen was a Pureclan cat, and Iceshadow knew what Pureclan queens liked to do when they come across a lone warrior in their own territory.

The queen was almost directly under her. Iceshadow crouched down and then sprung from her hiding spot, flying silently down towards the queen. The Pureclan cat had no clue what was coming, and so Iceshadow was able to land squarely on her target without warning. The queen screeched in fear and bucked, flipping Iceshadow forward off her.

Iceshadow rolled to the ground, but was able to skid onto her side and chase after the running queen. Normally a Pureclan queen would turn and fight, even if it meant risking the life of her and her unborn kits. Pureclan was a beastly Clan, and Iceshadow hated the way the she-cats there were treated like slaves for the toms.

Iceshadow closed in on the queen fast, the Pureclan cat’s oversized belly slowing her down quickly. The queen, thinking she had lost her pursuer, looked over her shoulder and slowed even more. Her eyes widened when Iceshadow leaped, stretching out to grab hold of the queen’s haunches with her claws.

Iceshadow almost had her in her clutches when the queen suddenly dropped from sight. Iceshadow landed on her paws, and skidded to a halt, her front claws digging into the edges of a cliff. She swallowed in fear as she watched the queen wail and roll to the bottom of the cliff. Where had this come from?

The queen came a stop when she hit a rock that was jutting out from above the ground. She grunted and then went limp, but she was still breathing slightly, at least from what Iceshadow could see. Iceshadow relaxed only a little, thinking how she had almost caused the death of a cat that never even attacked her.

Feeling guilty of just leaving the queen in the big hole she had fallen in, Iceshadow slid sideways slowly down the cliff hill. Bushes and shrubs stuck out from

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the sides, and Iceshadow wondered how long this hole had been there for. She sure never remembered it, but of course she didn’t even know where she was either.

She looked up and over the cliff on the other side of the hole, stopping herself from sliding any further by grabbing hold of one of the stray shrubs on the side of the sandy cliff. Above the cliff she could see trees, but beyond them was something wooden and high, something she had seen only a moon ago.

“I never remember a fence being in Rockclan territory,” Iceshadow muttered to herself as she continued her journey down into the hole. “Never remember the hole either; I wonder if this why apprentices are only taken as far as the herb garden and no further over. This must be a dangerous place.”

At the bottom, Iceshadow was able to reach the queen on flat ground. The queen lay uncautious having knocked her head on the rock jutting out of the ground. There was no blood as far as Iceshadow could see, but she was worried that the queen still might die, and the only place she could take this cat was to her camp.

Chapter 3Leader Rubblestar- blue-black tom with light gray patches and green-blue eyesDeputy Pebblewing- brown she-cat with black tail tip and gold eyesHealer Fallenpoppy- black-white-and-golden she-cat with blue eyes

Apprentice- FlowerbeamWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Stoneclaw- blue-gray tom with amber eyes; Gravelfur’s brotherShadowflame- black tom with ginger stripes like flames and amber eyes; Pepperleg’s brotherApprentice- LightningpawBuzzardclaw- golden-brown tom with green eyes; Moonbird’s mateEchowhisper- brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesApprentice- FlightpawSwanfeather- white she-cat with gray tipped ears and crystal blue eyesLilycoal- blue-gray-and-ginger she-cat with gold eyes

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Pearlpelt- gray-white she-cat with pink fur tips and green-blue eyes; mother of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of StormstripeStormtripe- light gray tom with darker stripes and blue eyes; father of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of PearlpeltMoonshine- pale yellow-gray she-cat with pale blue eyes; Starshine’s sisterApprentice- WhisppawWithercloud- gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Sealfur’s and Mallowstorm’s sister Zapstripe- black, golden tabby, tom with gold eyesSkunkstripe- black tom with white stripe going down back, and green eyesBeechflame- brown-and-ginger tom with green eyes; Leafshower’s brotherReedwater- blue-gray-and-brown tom with gold eyesApprentice- TwisterpawSnowmist- white she-cat with light gray patches and light blue eyes; Twisterclaw’s mateSealfur- gray-white she-cat with blue eyes; Withercloud’s and Mallowstorm’s sisterLeafshower- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes, black spotted tail; Beechflame’s sisterApprentice- DeerpawHazelfern- blue-gray she-cat with green eyes and black tail tip; Stoneclaw’s daughterApprentice- SandpawWolfmoon- gray-and-brown tom with blue eyes; Goldendust’s brotherApprentice- SunpawGoldendust- golden-brown she-cat with gold eyes; Wolfmoon’s sisterApprentice- CreampawTwisterclaw- black-gray-brown-and-white tom with golden tipped everything, and one emerald green eye and one icy blue eyeApprentice- ShadowpawSilvernight- black she-cat with silver eyesApprentice- LostpawSoulfrost- white queen with icy blue eyes; Frostsoul’s sisterFrostsoul- white she-cat with icy blue eyes; Soulfrost’s sisterStormsnow- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and fluffy furFlickertail- white tabby tom with yellow eyesWhiteblade- white tom with green eyes; Limefoot’s mateDivaheart- ginger-and-white she-cat with green eyesRavenpelt- black-gray she-cat with brown eyesPhantomfur- fluffy gray-and-black tom with green eyesHazelstorm- blue-gray she-cat with white paws and amber eyesBlissrose- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesDarksoul- black she-cat with icy blue eyes that change with emotionApprentice- SummerpawSplashleap- gray-and-white tom with blue eyes and black pawsApprentice- Darkpaw

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Raisintail- cream, brown patched she-cat with green eyesPoppyfern- brown—and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Eclipse’s mateEclipsingsun- golden-and-black tom with silver paws and blue-amber eyes; Poppy’s mateSpiritstorm- white, gray tabby she-cat with snow-blue eyesSmokeshadow- black-and-gray tom with white paws and dark blue eyesApprentice- DawnpawShadewillow- black-and-brown she-cat with white paws and blue eyesDappleshade- white, black tabby she-cat with green eyesNightdusk- black-and-gray she-cat with white paws and golden eyesDestinyfern- golden-brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesBravewish- gray-black-and-white tom with emerald green eyesApprentice- ZeekpawIceshadow- black she-cat with gray patches and icy blue eyes; Lunarblaze’s mateFawnpelt- brown she-cat with white spotted back, cream belly and gold eyes; Stoneclaw’s mateSagestorm- cream-and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Slatefur’s mate Milkflower-cream-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and a light green collar; once a kittypetMidnightfur-black tom with brown chest and gold eyes; once a kittypetMallowstorm- gray-and-white she-cat with gold-green eyes; Withercloud’s and Sealfur’s sister; Reedwater’s mateNightwhisper- black she-cat with green eyes; Zapstripe’s mate Apprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Flowerbeam- black she-cat with white muzzle, belly and chest and blue eyes; very fluffyDeerpaw- brown she-cat with cream underbelly and white spotted fur and green eyesSandpaw- cream tom with blue-gray patches and blue eyesSummerpaw- brown-blue-gray-and-cream she-cat with green eyesCreampaw- cream tom with blue-green eyesDawnpaw- cream-brown-and-gray she-cat with gold eyesZeekpaw-small, gray, black tabby tom with blue eyes; once a kittypetFlightpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with brown paws and green eyesWhisppaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesTwisterpaw- blue-gray-brown-and-white tom with gray patches and blue-green eyesSunpaw- golden she-kit with white paws and green eyesLostpaw- black she-kit with icy blue eyesLightningpaw- black, golden striped, tom-kit with green eyesDarkpaw- dark brown, almost black, she-kit with gold eyes Shadowpaw- black, golden pawed, tom-kit with green eyesQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Moonbird- silvery-gray she-cat with white paws and blue eyes; Buzzardclaw’s mateStarshine-white she-cat with blue eyes; Moonshine’s sister; Gravelfur’s mate

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Gemsoul- tortoiseshell she-cat with pinkish eyes; Nursing kits: Rubblekit (black tom-kit) and Sagekit (black tortoiseshell she-kit)Whisperflame- gray, ginger patched, she-cat with dark blue eyes; Nursing kits: Silentkit (gray-and-white she-kit), Bramblekit (brown tabby tom-kit), and Tabbykit (brown-and-gray tabby tom-kit)Moonlight- pale gray she-cat with blue eyes; Nursing kits: Russetkit (russet-brown she-kit), and Jazzkit (silvery-gray she-kit with white paws and ears)Limefoot- black she-cat with lime green paws and pink eyes; Nursing Whiteblade’s kits: Oreokit (black-and-white she-cat with green eyes), Blackkit (black she-kit with lime green tail tip), and Grasskit (white she-kit with lime green paws and black ears)Opalflower- white she-cat with gray patches and crystal blue eyes; Nursing Splashleap’s kits: Moonkit (silver tom with white paws), Songkit (gray-and-white she-cat), Mosskit (gray she-cat with white patches and black ears), and Dovekit (silver she-cat)Featherbreeze- young, silvery-gray she-cat with pink eyes; Expecting Bone’s kitsLovefoot- white she-cat with pink paws and blue eyes; Expecting Flame’s kitsLustheart- pinkish she-cat with icy blue eyes; Expecting Fang’s kitsElders (retired toms and she-cats)Ryethorn- gray-and-light brown tomCreekpearl- blue-white she-cat with pink eyes and gray pawsTeatherpelt- black-and-gray tom with green eyesLilyheart- tiger-like, ginger she-cat with black tabby stripes and green eyesLeopardshadow- leopard-like tom with green eyesBrookdapple- gray, lighter flecked, she-cat with blue eyes, and white chest, paws, muzzle and tail tipStormheart-old, fluffy gray-and-white tom with green-gold eyes; once a kittypetBrightsoul- gray-and-white she-cat with light blue eyes; mother of Snowmist

Sunset came quickly when I was worrying about my missing sister. Rubblestar had sent three search patrols out into the territory, all containing about three to four cats. Apprentices were in each patrol; the older ones were all given the chance to show their skills in tracking. Unfortunately the patrols came back empty pawed, except for some prey that the Clan needed.

I tried keep my mind preoccupied during the day, watching as Moonlight’s kits took mine on a tour of the camp, just like Moonbird’s had done so for my siblings and I. At least I knew that my kits wouldn’t be beat up by Zapstripe like my siblings had, mostly Iceshadow.

I was actually happy that my kits were busy most of the day. When I wasn’t worrying so much, Featherbreeze and Gemsoul encouraged me to get some sleep. I’d get maybe a few winks of sleep until I was woken by my dreams that continued to haunt me since that day I had met Scar in the forest.

The sun set and left the last few rays of light to turn the sky a blood red in the horizon. It made me shiver when it made me think about the dream I had shared with Iceshadow back at the Mooncrystal a moon ago. What was to come of the Clan if Iceshadow didn’t return soon?

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As if my worries transported her here, Iceshadow burst through the bramble entrance and into the camp where she was met with many gasps and yowls of surprise. Not answering any of their questions or listening to any of their rude comments about losing her chase to an apprentice, she raced over to the healer’s clearing, giving the first sight of a brown-and-white queen draped over her shoulders.

Leaving my sleeping kits in their nest, I chased after my sister, who disappeared into the nursery with the limp queen. I prayed to Cometclan she hadn’t killed anyone. What was I thinking that my sister was a murderer?

I called into the healer’s den, wanting to talk with my sister. After the fourth time of calling Iceshadow’s name, she appeared. “Where have you been? And who is that and what happened with the queen?”

Iceshadow sighed, and planted herself down next to me. “I went for a walk to clear my mind before I returned to the camp with you. While I was out, I caught this queen on our territory. I chased her and then… she fell into a hole.” That last part, Iceshadow had lowered her voice as if not wanting anyone to hear.

“A hole? Where, and how big?” I asked.“In an area where no mentor will take any apprentice. It was as big as the

crater that Volcanoclan had once lived in.”“How would you know, you never saw their camp.”“It’s a guess,” she offered, shrugging her shoulders and smiling nervously.

“Anyways, she fell into the hole and hit her head on a rock. She’s alive, but unconscious. As for who she is… she’s Pureclan.”

I backed away, shaking my head. “They can’t be coming back for revenge I hope, because we are stronger than before. They wouldn’t dare.”

“We don’t know that for sure.” Iceshadow was the one shaking her head now, but in confusion. “I just don’t know why she was here alone. No one else was with her.”

I shrugged, and wanted to change the subject. “In your absence, there was an apprentice ceremony, and you missed getting yourself an apprentice.”

“Huh?”“Rubblestar was going to give you Lostpaw for your apprentice, but because

you weren’t here, she’s the apprentice of Silvernight now.”She sighed, but there was no anger showing. “I’ll just wait until next time.”

She got up and disappeared back into the healer’s den, leaving me in the gathering darkness alone.

I shook my head and made my way back to the nursery. Just outside the entrance, I stopped and thought for a moment. Was Iceshadow lying about the hole? Now she had me wondering, and wanting to investigate.

Turning away from the nursery, I looked for the dirt place tunnel. I could go through there and get out of camp unseen. It stunk horribly, but I was out in a matter of moments and passed the entrance and the guards that couldn’t see me.

I stuck close to the border that no apprentice, but the older warriors, had ever been able to mark. Apprentices were told to stay away, that there was great danger over the border, and they were never to even know its location. I had stumbled upon it once on a time I was out on my own, but I never thought about crossing it, but now that Iceshadow brought back some interesting information of what was over there, I was determined to look for myself, and possibly go further.

In moments I found where Iceshadow’s scent crossed the border. It was recently marked this morning at dawn, so I was surprised the strong scent hadn’t

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stopped Iceshadow from crossing; she had to have been in a strong pursuit if she could ignore that strong of a scent.

I crossed the border where Iceshadow’s scent crossed it and followed her scent trail. I caught on to the Pureclan smell from the she-cat that Iceshadow had brought in, my hackles rising. Usually where there is one Pureclan warrior, there will be others close behind. So where had they been this time?

I quickly found the hole that my sister told me about. I had just stopped in the nick of time as my paws gripped the edges of the cliff that fell down into a deep hole. Shrubs and bushes spotted the edge of the cliff all the way around the hole. I would have thought that any cat that fell from this cliff would be falling to its death, but obviously the queen hadn’t.

A twig cracked in the trees to my left, and I crouch in defense, eyes gazing into the trees. I sniffed the air and picked up nothing new, but I knew something was watching me. Curiosity pulled me to the trees and away from the edge of the hole, and soon, I could make out the color of a fence. What in the name of Cometclan was this doing here?

I reached the fence, its tan color unusual to me. I stretched out a paw to touch the Twoleg made thing, feeling that it was made of wood. But what got to me was why this fence was here, and what was beyond it.

Night was beginning to fall so I decided to head back to camp. I raced past the Cliff Hole, as I was calling it now, and made my way back to the dirt place tunnel. Once inside, I crawled back into the camp just as the Clan was starting to settle down into their dens. I had made good time, and knowing that they were all calm, they never even realized I had been missing.

* * * * * * *In three moons I was able to leave the nursery and go back to hunting now

and then without worrying about my kits. They had grown quickly and were as big as Moonlight’s kits, which weren’t much older than mine.

The nursery had begun to get empty. Two queens had been able to leave the nursery now that their kits were made into apprentices, which caused the growth of the apprentice’s den to extend closer to the stream. Gemsoul’s kits, Rubblepaw and Sagepaw were the first to become apprentices, and then Whisperflame’s kits, Bramblepaw, Silentpaw, and Tabbypaw, soon followed. Three apprentices had left the den also, leaving some nests in the original den for the new apprentices. The newest additions to the warrior’s den were Deerleap, Summersoul, and Sandcloud, crowding the already full warrior’s den even more.

Back in the nursery, Lustheart, Featherbreeze, and Lovefoot had their kits, taking over the emptiness I had started to feel in the den. Moonbird was still in there with Starshine, and Moonlight was still staying put with her kits for the next couple moons, and they all planned to stay in the den, so it would never be too empty for any queen expecting or nursing. And speaking of expecting, I discovered just a moon ago that my old mentor, Swanfeather, was expecting Phantomfur’s kits, who was a black-and-gray fluffy tom, and had once been a Pureclan cat.

Speaking of Pureclan, the queen that Iceshadow had brought back to camp was named Jingo. She told me and Flowerbeam that she had been forced to mate with a big, lion-like, golden tom. I knew it had to be Scar, and that Pureclan was already recruiting once again, forcing she-cats to mate as usual. I told the queen that she had been lucky to be found by a Rockclan cat, because the other Clans would’ve killed her, espically Pureclan. She begged to Rubblestar to stay in Rockclan, where she felt safer than anywhere else. She explained that Scar had

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beat her many times, finding it to excite him. In one moon of being found by my sister, Jingo joined me in the nursery with the other queens, expecting kits in only two to three moons.

Leaf-fall had turned into the bitter coldness of leafbare, which, as usual, brought bouts of greencough, which was more than usual because of how many cats were living in the Rockclan camp. The healer’s den was full of cat with greencough, including my brother, Bravewish, his apprentice now being trained by Soulfrost until he was better. The elder Leopardshadow and the new elder Stormheart had passed away a couple days ago from not being able to hold on after being affected by greencough, and left it feel emptier.

Now a lay outside the nursery at sunhigh, watching my kits nibble on a rabbit Splashleap had brought in, while his apprentice, Darkpaw had caught two mice and a squirrel. My mate seemed like he had been ready for the job of mentor that was for sure. I could swear that Darkpaw was ahead of her siblings in her training.

I inhaled a snowflake as I yawned. I coughed and sneezed, choking on the thing, until I could finally breathe normally afterwards. I looked up into the sky and saw that dark snow clouds had rolled in and was sending more snowflakes down on the camp, even though the warriors and I had just finished clearing the last snowfall from the camp. I sighed, thinking it was time to take my little ones inside.

I herded them together and pushed them lightly into the nursery. The queens inside were sleeping, all except Moonbird who was wheezing, her nose running and her eyes streaming. I knew those signs and quickly raced over to the healers’ den by crossing the frozen stream.

“Fallenpoppy, Flowerbeam! Moonbird has greencough!” I called inside. Almost instantly I could see the shape of Flowerbeam coming to the entrance. “Where’s Fallenpoppy?”

“She’s resting.” Flowerbeam sounded tired, and even her eyes seemed to want to close the whole time she followed me to the nursery on weary paws. “She has greencough as well, so I’m left to take care of the Clan.”

“I could help,” I offered.“You have kits,” she started to say, but I stopped her.“One of the other queens can watch them while I help you,” I argued. “With

so many cats falling ill, this Clan needs two healers, and I’m the only other option right now. Please, this could save the cats already infected and keep others from catching it.”

“If you really want to,” Flowerbeam replied, dipping under the nursery entrance. Inside was warm, yet I could feel a chill in the air. The sleeping queens, picked up their heads in a hurry and watched shakily as Flowerbeam made her way to Moonbird, who coughed a few times before stopping to wheeze.

While Flowerbeam took care of Moonbird, I turned to the other queens. “So that the rest of us don’t get sick, maybe we should change the bedding in here.”

Moonlight got to her paws, her eyes huge. “That’s a good idea,” she agreed. “The bedding needed changing anyways; it hasn’t been for a few days because of all the snow.”

Everyone in the nursery exited, including the kits that chased after their mothers. We all took them to the elder’s den where Limefoot, who had gotten better from greencough, would stay there with all the kits and make sure the little furballs didn’t disturb the elders too much. Afterwards, I took the other queens out f the camp, and into the snow covered forest, where the new snowfall continued to float down more and more as time went on.

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By what I thought was almost sunset, all four of us queens, and Starshine, carried bundles of moss under our chins and in our mouths back to camp. Splashleap and his apprentice, Darkpaw helped out and were still gathering moss; we had met them in the forest practicing hunting techniques on prey that would be hiding from the cold, so they insisted on helping us gather moss.

By the time we got back into the camp, another cat had fallen ill. Now Pebblewing was sick and resting the healer’s den, but only with whitecough, which Flowerbeam hoped to get rid of before it got worse and turned into greencough. I had this horrible feeling that many cats were going to die from greencough this season.

But that wasn’t the end of it. While I was finishing on placing the last bit of moss on the two layers the green, softness, Flowerbeam came in, her eye round with worry, and hackles raised in fear.

“What’s wrong?” I mewed, turning around, stepping out of the nursery to talk with the healer. Moonlight took this as the moment to take the kits and other queens back inside the clean den.

“Cats are going to die,” she said very quietly with a rasp. “We’ve run out of catmint, and there isn’t any more in the herb garden.”

I gasped, stunned, but then relaxed, remembering, “I’m sure we can find some in the clearing by the old Pureclan border.”

Flowerbeam was shaking my head, and I completely didn’t understand how there couldn’t be any in the clearing. “The old Pureclan warriors destroyed everything there. It’s all dead, just as we will be if we don’t find some catmint soon.”

“Wouldn’t the other Clans be able to help?”“Not after we helped Volcanoclan they won’t,” Rubblestar answered, coming

towards us. “I overheard everything from the Highcliff,” he added, sitting down before Flowerbeam and me. “But even with their hostility, we must try and ask them for help.”

“I can go over there right now,” Flowerbeam yawned, practically falling asleep on her paws.

“You will do no such thing,” he growled. “If you don’t get some rest soon, Flowerbeam, you will become ill too, and then what will the Clan do? Opalflower can’t do it on her own while the actual healers are dying. Let her go with some warriors and get something from one of the Clans.”

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Apprentice- FlowerbeamWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Stoneclaw- blue-gray tom with amber eyes; Gravelfur’s brotherShadowflame- black tom with ginger stripes like flames and amber eyes; Pepperleg’s brotherApprentice- LightningpawBuzzardclaw- golden-brown tom with green eyes; Moonbird’s mateEchowhisper- brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesApprentice- FlightpawSwanfeather- white she-cat with gray tipped ears and crystal blue eyes; Phantomfur’s mateLilycoal- blue-gray-and-ginger she-cat with gold eyesPearlpelt- gray-white she-cat with pink fur tips and green-blue eyes; mother of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of StormstripeStormtripe- light gray tom with darker stripes and blue eyes; father of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of PearlpeltMoonshine- pale yellow-gray she-cat with pale blue eyes; Starshine’s sisterApprentice- WhisppawWithercloud- gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Sealfur’s and Mallowstorm’s sister Zapstripe- black, golden tabby, tom with gold eyesSkunkstripe- black tom with white stripe going down back, and green eyesBeechflame- brown-and-ginger tom with green eyes; Leafshower’s brotherReedwater- blue-gray-and-brown tom with gold eyesApprentice- TwisterpawSnowmist- white she-cat with light gray patches and light blue eyes; Twisterclaw’s mateSealfur- gray-white she-cat with blue eyes; Withercloud’s and Mallowstorm’s sisterLeafshower- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes, black spotted tail; Beechflame’s sisterHazelfern- blue-gray she-cat with green eyes and black tail tip; Stoneclaw’s daughter

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Wolfmoon- gray-and-brown tom with blue eyes; Goldendust’s brotherApprentice- SunpawGoldendust- golden-brown she-cat with gold eyes; Wolfmoon’s sisterApprentice- CreampawTwisterclaw- black-gray-brown-and-white tom with golden tipped everything, and one emerald green eye and one icy blue eyeApprentice- ShadowpawSilvernight- black she-cat with silver eyesApprentice- LostpawSoulfrost- white queen with icy blue eyes; Frostsoul’s sisterFrostsoul- white she-cat with icy blue eyes; Soulfrost’s sisterStormsnow- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and fluffy furFlickertail- white tabby tom with yellow eyesWhiteblade- white tom with green eyes; Limefoot’s mateApprentice- RubblepawDivaheart- ginger-and-white she-cat with green eyesRavenpelt- black-gray she-cat with brown eyesPhantomfur- fluffy gray-and-black tom with green eyes; Swanfeather’s mateHazelstorm- blue-gray she-cat with white paws and amber eyesBlissrose- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesDarksoul- black she-cat with icy blue eyes that change with emotionSplashleap- gray-and-white tom with blue eyes and black pawsApprentice- DarkpawRaisintail- cream, brown patched she-cat with green eyesPoppyfern- brown—and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Eclipse’s mateApprentice- SagepawEclipsingsun- golden-and-black tom with silver paws and blue-amber eyes; Poppyfern’s mateSpiritstorm- white, gray tabby she-cat with snow-blue eyesSmokeshadow- black-and-gray tom with white paws and dark blue eyesApprentice- DawnpawShadewillow- black-and-brown she-cat with white paws and blue eyesDappleshade- white, black tabby she-cat with green eyesNightdusk- black-and-gray she-cat with white paws and golden eyesApprentice- BramblepawDestinyfern- golden-brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesBravewish- gray-black-and-white tom with emerald green eyesApprentice- ZeekpawIceshadow- black she-cat with gray patches and icy blue eyesFawnpelt- brown she-cat with white spotted back, cream belly and gold eyes; Stoneclaw’s mateSagestorm- cream-and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Slatefur’s mate Apprentice- Tabbypaw

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Milkflower-cream-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and a light green collar; once a kittypetMidnightfur-black tom with brown chest and gold eyes; once a kittypetMallowstorm- gray-and-white she-cat with gold-green eyes; Withercloud’s and Sealfur’s sister; Reedwater’s mateNightwhisper- black she-cat with green eyes; Zapstripe’s mateDeerleap- brown she-cat with cream underbelly and white spotted fur and green eyesSandcloud- cream tom with blue-gray patches and blue eyesSummersoul- brown-blue-gray-and-cream she-cat with green eyesGemsoul- tortoiseshell she-cat with pinkish eyesWhisperflame- gray, ginger patched, she-cat with dark blue eyesApprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Flowerbeam- black she-cat with white muzzle, belly and chest and blue eyes; very fluffyCreampaw- cream tom with blue-green eyesDawnpaw- cream-brown-and-gray she-cat with gold eyesZeekpaw-small, gray, black tabby tom with blue eyes; once a kittypetFlightpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with brown paws and green eyesWhisppaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesTwisterpaw- blue-gray-brown-and-white tom with gray patches and blue-green eyesSunpaw- golden she-kit with white paws and green eyesLostpaw- black she-kit with icy blue eyesLightningpaw- black, golden striped, tom-kit with green eyesDarkpaw- dark brown, almost black, she-kit with gold eyes Shadowpaw- black, golden pawed, tom-kit with green eyesRubblepaw- black tom with dark blue eyes and white chestSagepaw- black tortoiseshell she-cat with white paws and green eyesSilentpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesBramblepaw- brown tabby tom with green eyesTabbypaw-brown-and-gray tabby tom with green eyesQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Moonbird- silvery-gray she-cat with white paws and blue eyes; Buzzardclaw’s mateStarshine-white she-cat with blue eyes; Moonshine’s sister; Gravelfur’s mateMoonlight- pale gray she-cat with blue eyes; Nursing kits: Russetkit (russet-brown she-kit), and Jazzkit (silvery-gray she-kit with white paws and ears)Opalflower- white she-cat with gray patches and crystal blue eyes; Nursing Splashleap’s kits: Moonkit (silver tom with white paws), Songkit (gray-and-white she-cat), Mosskit (gray she-cat with white patches and black ears), and Dovekit (silver she-cat)Featherbreeze- young, silvery-gray she-cat with pink eyes; Nursing kits: Mudkit (brown-and-black tom-kit), and Silverkit (silver she-kit with pink eyes and black flecks)

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Limefoot- black she-cat with lime green paws and pink eyes; Nursing Whiteblade’s kits: Oreokit (black-and-white she-kit), Blackkit (black she-kit with lime green tail tip), and Grasskit (white she-kit with lime green paws and black ears)Lovefoot- white she-cat with pink paws and blue eyes; Nursing kits: Orangekit (red-orange tom-kit with white patches) Lustheart- pinkish she-cat with icy blue eyes; Nursing kits: Berrykit (pinkish she-kit with gray patches and icy blue eyes), and Smokekit (gray tom-kit with amber eyes)Elders (retired toms and she-cats)Ryethorn- gray-and-light brown tomCreekpearl- blue-white she-cat with pink eyes and gray pawsTeatherpelt- black-and-gray tom with green eyesLilyheart- tiger-like, ginger she-cat with black tabby stripes and green eyesLeopardshadow- leopard-like tom with green eyesBrookdapple- gray, lighter flecked, she-cat with blue eyes, and white chest, paws, muzzle and tail tipStormheart-old, fluffy gray-and-white tom with green-gold eyes; once a kittypetBrightsoul- gray-and-white she-cat with light blue eyes; mother of Snowmist

“Take Iceshadow and Splashleap with you for sure,” Rubblestar mewed, pacing in front of the camp entrance. Looking up he went on, “I can’t have too many warriors go with you or the other Clans you visit might see it as a threat.”

“But I’m a queen, so why would they attack?”“They’ll see every step over the border as a chance to attack and cause

trouble,” he reminded me. “I guess I’ll just leave you with Iceshadow and Splashleap, and he can bring his apprentice with you. It’ll be extra practice for the young cat.”

I nodded, and watched as Rubblestar wound around me and headed back to his den. He looked as tired as Flowerbeam had been for the last couple days, and I was hoping that he was just having problems sleeping because he was worried for his Clan and wasn’t coming down ill like many others.

I walked to the warrior’s den where my patrol would be. Iceshadow was all the way in the back corner, just like her nest had been there in the apprentice’s den and the nursery. Splashleap was sleeping closer to the entrance, close to Destinyfern, and Frostsoul and her sister. I called out his name, and he instantly picked up his head at the sound of my voice.

Careful not to wake anyone asleep in the den, Splashleap made his way around the warriors and to me. In greeting he rubbed his muzzle over my head and gave me a lick on the ear. “What is it?” he mewed with a purr.

“I need Iceshadow and Darkpaw, and then I will tell you.”Turning his head to look at my sister over his shoulder, Splashleap called out,

“Iceshadow, warrior mission!”I had never seen Iceshadow move as fast as she did. When Splashleap had

said “warrior mission”, Iceshadow was on her paws in seconds. As if she could float over the ground, she made her way around the warriors in the den, and in her path, only to make it cleanly to my side. She didn’t even look like she had just woken up.

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“Wow, that was quick,” I puffed.“What’s our mission?” she asked quickly, paws kneading the ground.I flicked my tail for Splashleap to fetch his apprentice from her den. I led

Iceshadow to the camp entrance, where Smokeshadow and Lightningpaw guarded outside to keep out intruders.

Splashleap and Darkpaw joined my sister and I, so I quickly started to explain the issue before the day was over. “Cats, as you know, have been falling ill to greencough, and some dying,” I started. “Just a few moments ago, before I brought you here with me, Flowerbeam came to me saying that there is no catmint left in our territory. The herb garden is empty, and that one clearing has been destroyed by Pureclan warriors. Rubblestar wants us to go to Streamclan and Weatherclan tonight to ask for catmint, otherwise, we’re doomed.”

Iceshadow and Splashleap glanced at each other, while Darkpaw gazed at me with excitement. They way the two warriors, and the closest of my friends, looked at each other just gave me a bad feeling about something.

“I’m afraid to tell you, but…” Splashleap stopped, as if he couldn’t go on.Iceshadow finished for him with a sigh. “Streamclan and Weatherclan had

recently asked both of our patrols for catmint too. Splashleap had been at the Streamclan border at the same time as I was with my patrol at the Weatherclan border. If they were asking for catmint, then I don’t think we’ll be getting any from them.”

“Why didn’t you tell Rubblestar?” I growled, lashing out my tail in anger. “This is not a good time to be keeping any news from him.” I got up and turned my back on my sister and mate. “Now the Clan is going to die, and I can’t do anything to help them,” I sobbed quietly.

Iceshadow walked up behind me and was about to say something, but I just walked away, turning back to the camp entrance and heading out of camp.

“Where are you going so late, Opalflower?” Smokeshadow asked, as I passed the two guards.

“I need a quiet walk to clear my mind of everything,” I confessed. “I’ll be back soon.”

After leaving the camp, I climbed the ravine to the very top, leaping from rock to rock with grace, something only I could do, being so light footed. I searched out into the forest to see where I wanted to go, and then something caught my eye in the direction of the fence-like object. I peered closer by narrowing my eyes, and found myself staring into a pair of eyes in the trees.

A growl formed in my throat and I fell into a crouch. Tensing up my muscles, I pushed off the ravine ground and practically flew down the slope, landing perfectly on the flat ground at the bottom of the ravine. The eyes disappeared in a flash, and loud rustling told me the creature was on the move. By its fear scent I could tell it was cat, and being a trespasser was not a good thing for it.

Trees flashed past my vision, turning silver from the rising almost full moon. Through the trees I could now see the cat moving at a fast pace ahead of me, so I pushed forward with more speed. I was closing in on the cat fast, and when it turned its amber eyes on me, they widened, and the cat tumbled over its own paws and fell.

I skidded to a halt over the cat. It was a silver she-cat, with her black ears pressed against her head, and her black paws trying to push me away without harming me in any way. Her blue eyes were round with fear, and I could feel that

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she surrendered. Dumb rouges and loners need to learn how to fight, I thought to myself, getting off the she-cat slowly.

“What are you going to do to me?” she pleaded, her voice small for a full grown cat.

“I just want to know why you were watching me and why you set foot over the border markers?” I growled, watching her though narrowed eyes as she got shakily to her paws. “And if you even think about running away from me, I will pin you down so hard that you’ll hear bones crack.”

“Who are you?” she asked shakily.I snorted, maybe this was just another kittypet. “My name is Opalflower,

warrior and healer of Rockclan. Now state your purpose of trespassing.”“I didn’t know,” she replied. “I was told to crawl under the fence so that I

could find this herb called catmint for my Clan. A disease called greencough is killing my Clanmates.”

I pursed my eyes together in confusion. “What Clan are you from?”“Woodclan,” she mewed. “It’s just beyond the border of the fence. I crawled

underneath because my healer said there would be catmint on this side, but I haven’t found any.”

“That’s because there isn’t anymore,” I sighed now seeing desperate pleas in her eyes. “My Clan is dying as well, and others from two other Clans are too. There is no catmint left in this whole forest, and I don’t know why.”

The silver she-cat padded up to me, my head bowed. “We could work together to find this catmint,” she offered. “It would help all the Clans.”

I lifted my head, and she backed away. I blinked gracefully at her to know that she was forgiven and trusted. “I would like that. What is your name?”

Her back was turned to me, and over her shoulder she gave me a sweet look. “Forestshine… my name is Forestshine.”

The Woodclan cat crouched beside me as I stared across the border into rouge territory. “Are we going to cross this border?” Forestshine asked, her eyes watching my every move.

“It’s the only place I can think that might have catmint,” I sighed, my hope fading. “I just hope we don’t run into any trouble.” I sniffed the air once more before darting over the border and onto open land. Forestshine followed my steps perfectly and quietly, the only fear showing in her eyes and from the rise of her hackles. I was proud to have a fairly fearless cat beside me right now.

Halfway into the territory of the old Pureclan the ground started to become wet and mucky. Mud seeped in between our toes and our fur from our paws to our bellies turned brown with mud. I knew it would take a few swims in the streams or river in order to get rid of the mud.

Frogs croaked from the forest where Pureclan once resided. Everything smelled of mud and crow-food, and the ground was mossy and muddy, making it hard to search for any herbs. I knew that I would search until I died for the catmint both Woodclan and my Clan so desperately needed right now. Forestshine seemed just as determined and I was beginning to have new hope in finding the catmint.

We halted at the edge of the trees. I turned to Forestshine with uneasiness. “If you wish to go home now, you can,” I offered with an encouraging smile. “It might be dangerous inside those trees.”

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“I promised my Clan and my ancestors that I would find the cure for the Clan’s sickness,” she mewed strongly. “And I will not leave a friend behind in a time of need such as this.”

I dipped my head waved my tail with new found courage. We moved forward, taking our first steps under the dark branches of Pureclan’s old territory. Were there cats still living here, or had they moved on to another forest far away from here? I strongly hoped it was the second thought.

Under the trees, darkness crawled over my hope. No sounds echoed through the whole forest as we trekked around the territory. Every tree, rock and bush felt like there was something hidden inside, just waiting to jump out and attack us. Then there was this sudden rush of relief when I smelled the familiar scent of catmint, just a few pawsteps away.

I turned to Forestshine and nodded my head towards the patch near the old Pureclan camp walls. I could tell that the cats had gone. There were only the few stale scents of a few passer bys, and then there was a fresher scent of something I couldn’t identify. I watched the trees while Forestshine gathered catmint for her Clan. When she had gathered as much as she could carry, she watched my back while I collected all that I could. There were bushels full of catmint, an amount that would make Fallenpoppy sick with surprise and happiness.

Though I hated to go, we left the unlimited, healthy supply of catmint. The strong scent of the leaves I carried in my jaws made me dizzy and caused my mouth to water. It was difficult to keep myself from rolling on it, or even keeping myself from biting down on it.

A bush rustled from up ahead and a streak of ginger-and-white fur flashed in front of us, only to disappear across the pathway into the other bushes. Forestshine and I looked at each other for a moment, and then shrugged. Whatever it had been had gone without seeing us, and that was the main thing.

My feet like numb duck feet. They were cold from the chilling water that soaked the ground days on end under cold shadow. I was soaked up to my belly in muddy water, and I had a feeling that in order to get myself clean would require many dips in the river or stream back home.

Over the smell of the catmint in my mouth, another scent caught my attention. It was the one near the catmint patch, the one I couldn’t identify. I realized that we were crossing the spot where we saw the ginger-and-white flash go across our vision. I figured that it was just a stray cat, maybe a lost, scared kittypet again.

Something tapped my shoulder, and because Forestshine was ahead of me, I knew it was her. I whipped around with a growl, my claws instantly unsheathing. Forestshine squeaked with surprise as I tackled our follower to the ground, catmint still in my jaws. I stared into the fearless, green eyes of a ginger-and-white tom, keeping his relaxed body pinned to the ground tightly.

I carefully set my catmint on the ground, and then snarled in the face of the cat. “Who are you and why were you following us?”

It seemed like nothing fazed this tom. He never once flinched, and I had easily taken him to the ground without a hassle. “My name is Buzzer,” he mewed, his voice somewhat sweet and soothing. “I’m a loner around these woods and I came in search of the Clans for a home. Are you two Clan cats?”

I pulled myself off the tom. There was something that told me I could completely trust this cat. “I am Opalflower from Rockclan,” I introduced myself.

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Pointing at the she-cat behind me, I added, “This is Forestshine of Woodclan. We came in search of catmint to help our Clans.”

“They’re sick, aren’t they?” Buzzer asked. “Stay right there, and I’ll be right back.” Without a word from either me or Forestshine, the ginger-and-white tom sprinted away.

Forestshine set her catmint on the ground and padded up to me. “Are we seriously waiting for that loner?” she spat. “I don’t trust a single hair on his pelt, so I think we should go while he’s gone.”

I shook my head. “No, he’s trustworthy.”I stared at the spot in the bushes where the loner had disappeared. In

moments an overwhelming smell of catmint hit my nose and Buzzer appeared with a whole catmint plant sulking in his jaws. He placed it on the ground with a smile on his face. “Is this enough for your Clans?”

“If there weren’t so many plants in this part of the forest I would’ve killed you for pulling a plant,” I snorted, a little annoyed by the tom’s stupidness. “It was a good idea though. At least we have enough catmint to last for a while.” I glanced up through the dead branches of the trees. The sun was overhead and quickly sinking towards the horizon. “You might as well come with us,” I added to Buzzer. “But you are only to stay if Rubblestar says so.”

“Is he your leader?” he mewed, picking up the catmint plant.“Yes…” I answered warily. “Now be quiet until we get to camp.” Gently I

clamped my teeth down on the catmint, keeping a good hold on the leaves. The scent from the leaves made my head spin, and I had that horrible urge to chomp down on the precious herb. As we left the forest, I felt like I was walking sideways, and found that I had started to when Buzzer came up on my one side and pushed me away from the upcoming thorn bushes. Shaking my head to clear my mind slightly, I hissed away from the ginger-and-white tom.

As the sun sunk lower in the sky, the air was beginning to become colder. My paws hurt from the wet cold of the swamp, and I was shivering from nose to tail tip. Forestshine was close to shaking like a leaf and I was afraid that she might have gotten chilled. We had already passed over the rouge border so it wouldn’t be hard for me to find the right herb to warm the Woodclan cat up.

I couldn’t smell anything over the catmint I was still carrying. We were heading into Rockclan’s forest as clouds began to cover the sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and I sighed in annoyance. Rain on a cold day like this was the last thing any Clan needed with so many sick cats. If we didn’t find warmth soon, Forestshine would end up getting sick as well. Then I thought of an idea.

“Follow me, quickly,” I muttered from around the catmint leaves. Instead of heading farther into the forest, I lead the Woodclan cat and the loner along a huge, long bush barrier. On the other side was Rockclan’s favorite place to relax: the Steam Pond. I spotted the never cooling water hole through the bushes and stopped. Forestshine limped to a halt, breathing hard after the run; surprisingly Buzzer was able to keep up.

I pushed away some of the bushes and made an opening. I nodded my head for the two cats to file through. On the other side of the bushes I heard the Woodclan she-cat gasp with surprise, almost dropping her catmint.

Forestshine placed her catmint down at her paws, and asked, “What is this place, Opalflower?”

I chuckled and pushed my way through the bushes. I placed my catmint next to Forestshine’s pile. Buzzer had thrown his plant down, already touching the water.

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He slid in with a purr of content and closed his eyes. “This is called the Steam Pond,” I replied with a purr. “These waters are forever warmed by a volcano far away from here, so the water never cools or freezes.”

“How does the warmth travel here though?” she queried before dipping into the water.

“There’s a very old lava tube that you can actually swim to from the pond that connects to the chamber that keeps the volcano alive,” I answered. I dived into the water, falling down towards the bottom of the pond. I opened my eyes and searched for that hole that had been first explored by Rockclan’s first leader. The only thing that I could find, though, was a filled in hole with cooled rock flowing from it. I figured when the volcano had erupted the lava from the life chamber had flowed into the tube and into the water, cooling into rock. The hole was now forever blocked, but how could the water still be so warm?

A bubble escaped from the blocked hole, a bubble that just didn’t look right. I could feel shaking from under water, scaring me into swimming back to the surface. After breaking the surface and gasping for air, my eyes widened in fear. “Everybody out of the water, now!” I screamed over the rumble of the ground shakes.

“Opalflower, what’s going on?” Forestshine shouted over the shaking. “And what is that horrible smell?”

My eyes narrowed and I glanced at the water. Bubbles were forming at the top of the Steam Pond, the terrible, poisonous smell being released from the bubbles. “If I’m correct,” I yelled over the ground shakes, “the volcano is somehow erupting again. The gases from the lava has just poisoned the pond and been released into the air. I need to get back to camp now before something else happens.”

Buzzer tapped my shoulder as I raced to gather the catmint near the water’s edge. “Maybe you should take a look at the sky,” he suggested, his green eyes still calm.

I lifted my head, the catmint clamped tightly in my mouth. From where I was standing, a huge black cloud was billowing into the air. Ash was floating from the sky all the way into our territory, and I was left wondering if the Clans were safe even up here now.

I turned to Forestshine. “Go to your Clan and tell them they must leave their camp for a day or two,” I yowled. “This eruption is worst than any before, and nobody is even safe in this forest. Never before has ash fallen in our territories, but if it now, that means that we are no longer safe. Take your catmint with you, treat your ill and get out of here. Head for the moorland and keep going; you may just see other Clans and me there later.”

Forestshine nodded and sped away, picking her catmint pile up along the way. I turned to Buzzer. “You are either with me and my Clan, or you can go now,” I offered, giving him his only picks.

“I’m coming with you, Opalflower,” he mewed.As we raced away from the bubbling pond, the ground shakes had begun to

dissipate. Cracks had formed along the ravine from the shaking earlier, leaving scars in the earth. I shook my head and prayed to Cometclan that my Clan was alright.

Fear raced through my blood as I approached my camp. Boulders that made our camp walls had fallen to the ground. Cries and yowls of fear sounded from inside my home. My fur was standing on end when I burst into camp, and I almost cried at the devastation the earthshakes had left. More boulders had fallen inside

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the camp, thankfully all missing the dens. Unfortunately some unlucky cats were trapped underneath the unmovable boulders.

“Opalflower, you’re okay!” I was met with my father, Twisterclaw.I placed the catmint at my paws. “Yeah, I know,” I mewed, observing the

devastation done to the camp. “Who all has been hurt?”“Flickertail and Shadewillow got caught under some boulders,” Pebblewing

reported, her tail puffed out. “And I’m very sorry Opalflower, but we’ve lost Splashleap as well.”

My heart broke in two, and I practically fell to the ground if it wasn’t for Buzzer keeping me on my paws. “Great Cometclan, what am I supposed to do without him,” I yowled.

Featherpelt trotted from the nursery and pressed against my pelt. “Come on, let’s get you some rest.”

I gritted my teeth, and shook my head. “I can’t, not yet,” I whispered. I pulled away from Buzzer and Featherpelt and raced over to the healer’s den where Flowerbeam was tending to the scratch wounds on Lostpaw, picking the catmint up on the way.

“Here’s what you needed,” I muttered sullenly. “Thanks, Opalflower,” she mewed without meeting my eyes. “I really

appreciate it. Do you want some poppy seeds to help you sleep tonight, dear?”I shook my head as Buzzer trotted up. “No, I’ll be fine.”The ginger-and-white loner dropped the catmint plant at Flowerbeam’s paws.

The healer glared at the tom, obviously confused and untrusting of the tom. “Who’s this that you brought to our camp?”

“His name is Buzzer,” I replied. “I met him in the rouge territory and he helped me pick some catmint and bring it home.”

“That’s very nice of you,” she purred to the tom. “But you might want to tell Rubblestar that he’s here,” she added to me.

I met Flowerbeam’s steady eyes. “Believe me, I plan to.”


Apprentice- FlowerbeamWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Stoneclaw- blue-gray tom with amber eyes; Gravelfur’s brotherShadowflame- black tom with ginger stripes like flames and amber eyes; Pepperleg’s brotherApprentice- LightningpawBuzzardclaw- golden-brown tom with green eyes; Moonbird’s mateEchowhisper- brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesApprentice- FlightpawSwanfeather- white she-cat with gray tipped ears and crystal blue eyes; Phantomfur’s mateLilycoal- blue-gray-and-ginger she-cat with gold eyes

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Pearlpelt- gray-white she-cat with pink fur tips and green-blue eyes; mother of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of StormstripeStormtripe- light gray tom with darker stripes and blue eyes; father of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of PearlpeltMoonshine- pale yellow-gray she-cat with pale blue eyes; Starshine’s sisterApprentice- WhisppawWithercloud- gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Sealfur’s and Mallowstorm’s sister Zapstripe- black, golden tabby, tom with gold eyesSkunkstripe- black tom with white stripe going down back, and green eyesBeechflame- brown-and-ginger tom with green eyes; Leafshower’s brotherReedwater- blue-gray-and-brown tom with gold eyesApprentice- TwisterpawSnowmist- white she-cat with light gray patches and light blue eyes; Twisterclaw’s mateSealfur- gray-white she-cat with blue eyes; Withercloud’s and Mallowstorm’s sisterLeafshower- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes, black spotted tail; Beechflame’s sisterHazelfern- blue-gray she-cat with green eyes and black tail tip; Stoneclaw’s daughterWolfmoon- gray-and-brown tom with blue eyes; Goldendust’s brotherApprentice- SunpawGoldendust- golden-brown she-cat with gold eyes; Wolfmoon’s sisterApprentice- CreampawTwisterclaw- black-gray-brown-and-white tom with golden tipped everything, and one emerald green eye and one icy blue eyeApprentice- ShadowpawSilvernight- black she-cat with silver eyesApprentice- LostpawSoulfrost- white queen with icy blue eyes; Frostsoul’s sisterFrostsoul- white she-cat with icy blue eyes; Soulfrost’s sisterStormsnow- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and fluffy furWhiteblade- white tom with green eyes; Limefoot’s mateApprentice- RubblepawDivaheart- ginger-and-white she-cat with green eyesRavenpelt- black-gray she-cat with brown eyesPhantomfur- fluffy gray-and-black tom with green eyes; Swanfeather’s mateHazelstorm- blue-gray she-cat with white paws and amber eyesBlissrose- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesDarksoul- black she-cat with icy blue eyes that change with emotionApprentice- DarkpawRaisintail- cream, brown patched she-cat with green eyesPoppyfern- brown—and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Eclipse’s mateApprentice- Sagepaw

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Eclipsingsun- golden-and-black tom with silver paws and blue-amber eyes; Poppyfern’s mateSpiritstorm- white, gray tabby she-cat with snow-blue eyesSmokeshadow- black-and-gray tom with white paws and dark blue eyesApprentice- DawnpawDappleshade- white, black tabby she-cat with green eyesNightdusk- black-and-gray she-cat with white paws and golden eyesApprentice- BramblepawDestinyfern- golden-brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesBravewish- gray-black-and-white tom with emerald green eyesApprentice- ZeekpawIceshadow- black she-cat with gray patches and icy blue eyesFawnpelt- brown she-cat with white spotted back, cream belly and gold eyes; Stoneclaw’s mateSagestorm- cream-and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Slatefur’s mate Apprentice- TabbypawMilkflower-cream-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and a light green collar; once a kittypetMidnightfur-black tom with brown chest and gold eyes; once a kittypetMallowstorm- gray-and-white she-cat with gold-green eyes; Withercloud’s and Sealfur’s sister; Reedwater’s mateNightwhisper- black she-cat with green eyes; Zapstripe’s mateDeerleap- brown she-cat with cream underbelly and white spotted fur and green eyesSandcloud- cream tom with blue-gray patches and blue eyesSummersoul- brown-blue-gray-and-cream she-cat with green eyesGemsoul- tortoiseshell she-cat with pinkish eyesWhisperflame- gray, ginger patched, she-cat with dark blue eyesBuzzfox- ginger-and-white tom with bright green eyes; was a lonerApprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Flowerbeam- black she-cat with white muzzle, belly and chest and blue eyes; very fluffyCreampaw- cream tom with blue-green eyesDawnpaw- cream-brown-and-gray she-cat with gold eyesZeekpaw-small, gray, black tabby tom with blue eyes; once a kittypetFlightpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with brown paws and green eyesWhisppaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesTwisterpaw- blue-gray-brown-and-white tom with gray patches and blue-green eyesSunpaw- golden she-kit with white paws and green eyesLostpaw- black she-kit with icy blue eyesLightningpaw- black, golden striped, tom-kit with green eyesDarkpaw- dark brown, almost black, she-kit with gold eyes Shadowpaw- black, golden pawed, tom-kit with green eyesRubblepaw- black tom with dark blue eyes and white chest

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Sagepaw- black tortoiseshell she-cat with white paws and green eyesSilentpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesBramblepaw- brown tabby tom with green eyesTabbypaw-brown-and-gray tabby tom with green eyesQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Moonbird- silvery-gray she-cat with white paws and blue eyes; Buzzardclaw’s mateStarshine-white she-cat with blue eyes; Moonshine’s sister; Gravelfur’s mateMoonlight- pale gray she-cat with blue eyes; Nursing kits: Russetkit (russet-brown she-kit), and Jazzkit (silvery-gray she-kit with white paws and ears)Opalflower- white she-cat with gray patches and crystal blue eyes; Nursing Splashleap’s kits: Moonkit (silver tom with white paws), Songkit (gray-and-white she-cat), Mosskit (gray she-cat with white patches and black ears), and Dovekit (silver she-cat)Featherbreeze- young, silvery-gray she-cat with pink eyes; Nursing kits: Mudkit (brown-and-black tom-kit), and Silverkit (silver she-kit with pink eyes and black flecks)Limefoot- black she-cat with lime green paws and pink eyes; Nursing Whiteblade’s kits: Oreokit (black-and-white she-kit), Blackkit (black she-kit with lime green tail tip), and Grasskit (white she-kit with lime green paws and black ears)Lovefoot- white she-cat with pink paws and blue eyes; Nursing kits: Orangekit (red-orange tom-kit with white patches) Lustheart- pinkish she-cat with icy blue eyes; Nursing kits: Berrykit (pinkish she-kit with gray patches and icy blue eyes), and Smokekit (gray tom-kit with amber eyes)Jingo- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Expecting Scar’s kits Elders (retired toms and she-cats)Ryethorn- gray-and-light brown tomCreekpearl- blue-white she-cat with pink eyes and gray pawsTeatherpelt- black-and-gray tom with green eyesLilyheart- tiger-like, ginger she-cat with black tabby stripes and green eyesLeopardshadow- leopard-like tom with green eyesBrookdapple- gray, lighter flecked, she-cat with blue eyes, and white chest, paws, muzzle and tail tipStormheart-old, fluffy gray-and-white tom with green-gold eyes; once a kittypetBrightsoul- gray-and-white she-cat with light blue eyes; mother of Snowmist

The ground shakes finally calmed down by nightfall, but I still felt uneasy about the Clan staying here. I had helped Flowerbeam care for the wounded before heading across the camp with Buzzer to Rubblestar’s den. We climbed the rocks leading up to Highcliff, where the leader’s den sat on top. Inside, the leader was speaking with his deputy, Pebblewing.

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I called a greeting at the entrance. “Come in, Opalflower,” the blue-black tom answered from inside.

I ducked down and entered under the hanging moss over the entrance of the leader’s den. Buzzer followed calmly behind; he seemed as if that the possibility of being chased from the Clan wasn’t going to happen. In the den, the walls of the cave were wet with cold water, running down the sides and draining into the cracks on the floor. At the very back of the den, Rubblestar sat in his nest, Pebblewing beside him, their eyes glinting in the dark.

“What is it, young warrior?” Rubblestar mewed.“I bring a friend to the Clan,” I mewed carefully. I pointed to the tom beside

me. “This is Buzzer, a loner I found in the rouge territory. He helped me carry home catmint for the Clan.”

Rubblestar narrowed his eyes and padded up to the ginger-and-white loner. “Why did you help my warrior, loner?” he growled.

“I wish to join a Clan of cats that are willing to accept me,” Buzzer replied strongly, meeting the eyes of my leader, unshaken. “I met Opalflower in the woods and she allowed me to talk with you.”

Pebblewing rounded behind the loner. “And what makes you think that you could be a warrior cat, Buzzer?” she insisted further with a startling snarl.

“I believe that I could help the Clan with protecting your borders, and bring home prey,” Buzzer answered, lowering his eyes and then bringing them upon me. “I want to help those that are ill by bringing the cures, and fight to protect those that I will come to love.”

I blinked my gaze away from the watching tom as Rubblestar and Pebblewing stared at each other in silent conversation. Rubblestar nodded his head before resting his tail over the loner’s shoulders. “I will give you one chance to prove yourself a true warrior cat,” he decided. “But if you make one wrong choice in the first moon of your stay, my warriors will chase you out.”

“Agreed,” Buzzer purred, lowering his head.“Then I will announce our new warrior to the Clan,” Rubblestar mewed.I bounded after my leader in fear. “Rubblestar, there’s something else that I

came to speak to you about as well,” I cried. The blue-black tom skidded to a halt just inside his den. “The volcano from the dry lands has erupted again,” I went on. “That’s what has caused the ground shakes, and I believe it’s only going to get worse.”

“Why worse?” Pebblewing asked.“I was at the Steam Pond after getting back,” I said carefully, not speaking of

Forestshine in anyway. “When I was there, the water became poisoned from gases in the volcano’s lava. The lava flowed into the tube under the water and that’s when the ground shook and the cloud plumed into the air.”

Rubblestar turned, his eyes glistening in fear. “What are you suggesting we do?”

“Evacuate the camp, and Streamclan’s and head for the Diamond Pond,” I suggested with a flick of my tail. “If anymore earthshakes happen, more cats will be killed in camp, Rubblestar.”

“But our elders can’t leave camp, and we have sick cats,” he ushered as he nuzzled me from the den. “I’ll speak with my senior warriors and Flowerbeam in a little bit.”

I sighed and gave a nod to my leader as I leaped from rock to rock to the ground. As Buzzer landed behind me, Rubblestar called the Clan together at the

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bottom of the Highcliff. The first to stray away from the recovered bodies of our fallen Clanmates were my siblings, who all assembled themselves beside me, asking me if I was okay.

“Why wouldn’t I?” I mewed shyly.“Well because of the fact that you just lost your mate and father to your kits,”

Iceshadow pointed out a little harsh. “Do you not even care?”I pulled away from my sisters and brother and stalked away to sit beside

Flowerbeam, finding myself even closer to Buzzer. “Looks like you brought Rockclan a strong warrior,” she observed.

“I don’t know what it is, but I just trust him,” I sighed.Flowerbeam chuckled and licked my shoulder. “I could tell you what that

feeling is, but you might not agree with me consciously.”I snapped my head in her direction about to object but Rubblestar was

speaking. “First in this Clan gathering, I would like to thank Opalflower for bringing back plenty of catmint for our Clan to survive,” he started, nodding to me.

“Opalflower! Opalflower!” the Clan called out.When the cats calmed down, Rubblestar continued. “Second, she has also

brought us a cat I believe is worthy in becoming a warrior of Rockclan. I present to the Clan Buzzer, a traveling loner who has been in search of a Clan to settle in,” he mewed with his tail swiping in the direction of the ginger-and-white tom. “Opalflower and I both agree that he is trusting and we are going to give him a chance in becoming a warrior of this Clan.

“Under the first stars of Cometclan, I, Rubblestar, leader of Rockclan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this cat,” Rubblestar began with the ceremony. “He will be trained under a responsible warrior to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in turn. Buzzer, do you promise to learn the ways of our noble Clan code, and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

I leaned forward and whispered in Buzzer’s ear, “Say ‘I do’.”“I do,” he promised. The tom looked over his shoulder with a smile at me.“Then by the powers of Cometclan, I give you your warrior name. Buzzer from

this moment, you shall be known as Buzzfox. Work your hardest under the training skills of your temporary mentor: Opalflower.”

“What?!” Buzzfox and I both stared at each other and then at Rubblestar. “Isn’t there someone else?” I asked. “I have kits to care for.”

“You brought him into our Clan, and I expect that you would love to train him,” Rubblestar purred. “And your little ones will be well looked after by the other queens when you are out.”

I swallowed in disbelief. “I’ll try my hardest, Rubblestar, thank you.”After the Clan cheered for the new warrior, the gathered cats broke apart.

Some separated into their dens, while the senior warriors and Flowerbeam followed Rubblestar to the shadows of the Highcliff at the leader’s call. Very few cats joined me at the center of the camp, where Flickertail, Shadewillow, and Splashleap all lay in limp heaps of fur.

Buzzfox settled down at my side and licked my shoulder. “Thank you for bringing me somewhere I feel welcome,” he purred. “And may I ask why you are our here?”

“These cats were noble warriors that were killed by the earthshakes,” I sighed. “The gray-and-white tom with black paws was my mate. I might also want to

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add, as your mentor, that you are to sit a silent vigil alone in the middle of camp to honor your warrior name.”

Buzzfox snapped his mouth shut and slid a little ways away from me. He smiled slightly before bowing his head, his ears flicking at every sound beyond the camp walls that reached him. I could tell that he would be a quick learner and willing to prove himself a warrior at heart for his new Clan. When he had promised to protect and defend his Clan even at the cost of his life, there was strength in that promise, one that I knew he wouldn’t break. I would be that one cat though to teach him the ways of the warrior code and the skills and techniques he needed to know at heart to keep his promise.

The sky above my head was filled with millions of sparkling stars of my ancestors. One seemed to shine brighter than the rest. “Is that you Splashleap?” I asked quietly. “If you can hear me, my love, I want you to know that you are safer where you are now. I will keep a good watch over our kits and bring them up to become great apprentices and then warriors. Watch over us and I will never forget you.”

I brought my wavering gaze back on my mate’s body. “Will I ever love again?” I wondered aloud. “I felt inseparable from you, so how can anyone else make me feel that way? Would you ever want to see me with another ever again?”

For a short time, I shared tongues one last time with Splashleap. His body was growing cold, as cold as the night air. Death had claimed his body forever, and his spirit had left to fill the sky with that new star. I never even had the chance to say good bye, and neither had his kits, the kits that would need me more than ever now.

Getting to my paws, I said good bye to Splashleap and bounded towards the nursery. Over my shoulder, I glanced in the direction of Buzzfox, watching the tom keep his silent vigil. His fur sparkled under the frost that was beginning to form on the tips of his pelt. He looked beautiful under the rising moonlight, almost as if he was a Cometclan cat himself, his pelt filled with stars from the ancestors.

The nursery was dark and warm inside. Carefully I picked my way around the other queens and kits of the den and made my way to my own nest near the back. My good friend Featherbreeze snored lightly in her nest, my kits nestled at her belly with her two, Mudkit and Silverkit, both born a half-moon later than expected. My little ones looked too deep in sleep to disturb them, so I curled up in my nest alone for the night.

Through the night, Cometclan visited my dreams. I found myself in the ancestral place where there was never a cold leaf-bare with shortages of prey or illness. Fighting was not an option in this sacred place, and borders were nonexistent. Stars filled the sky above my head, where they would start moving when the Cometclan cats came down to visit with their Clanmates. It was uncommon for ancestors of Streamclan and Weatherclan to visit other Clan cats, but I found myself in this dream where all three Clans were gathered before me.

“Welcome back to Cometclan, Opalflower,” a white tom greeted, his black, gray spotted paws kneading the ground. This cat had been a tom that I once had been told was my father. He had treated me like his kit until he found the truth that he wasn’t a father to any kit. Under his depression and anger, he started visiting the Dark Forest, a place of darkness, evil, and death. Whatever happened there, such as becoming wounded or killed, happened in the real world. This cat had saved me from the Dark Forest’s clutches, getting killed in my place. He had been found terribly wounded in the warriors’ den the next morning, dead.

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“Thank you, Granitefoot,” I purred, giving the formal bow of greeting. “May I ask why I’m here though?”

“The concerns for our Clans,” a gray tom named Toxicclaw muttered. “The volcano beyond our skies is threatening the Clans around the river.”

“I warned Rubblestar already,” I pointed out with a lash of my tail. “He listened and then talked it over with our senior warriors. The most he’ll probably do is keep all cats away from the cliffs and the Steam Pond.”

The Cometclan cats in the clearing looked sullen and less hopeful. “Then that’s most likely the only thing we can expect from the other Clans,” Opalshower, once a Streamclan cat, sighed. “We appreciate you trying.”

I bowed my head, wishing I could think of something that would convince the Clans to leave home for a short while. Black paws stepped into my view, and a voice made my world grow hopeful. “I have faith in you, my love.”

“Splashleap!” I gasped, rubbing into my mate’s shoulder. “I’m missing you so much.”

“I know, Opalflower,” he whispered in my ear. “But don’t grieve too long. Our kits need you more than ever. You know, I only am here because I saved Songkit from being crushed in my place?”

“Great Cometclan,” I muttered in fear. “What was she doing out of the nursery anyways?”

Splashleap shrugged. “Only Cometclan knows,” he chuckled. “Anyways, I’m answering you now: you will find love again, if you haven’t already. I would love to see you happy again with another cat.”

“Then this means you heard me after all,” I sniffed, rubbing my paw across my nose.

“As long as your heart is open to me, I will always hear you,” Splashleap promised. “I’ll always be watching over you and our kits.”

Dawn light filtered into the nursery as I stretched from my nest. Snow had fallen on the ground in the middle of the night, hiding the camp’s solid ground. I shivered with the thought of how cold leaf-bare had already become in just a couple moons. The Clan, I could tell, was starting to feel the effects of prey shortage. My own body complained about the shortage, my stomach constantly rumbling for food.

It was a long debate whether I wanted to leave the warm den or not. Finally, I decided that I needed to let Buzzfox, our new apprentice-warrior, as I was calling him, that he could go into the apprentices’ den and rest. Afterwards I would see if I couldn’t find some prey on the fresh-kill pile for my kits and I.

The newest member of our Clan had never moved from his spot where he had stationed himself at last night. Though he shivered from the cold, he had never even shook his pelt free of the snow on his pelt.

The snow crunched under my paws, but the ginger-and-white tom never moved. “When I said to sit a silent vigil, I didn’t mean you had to freeze into a statue,” I chuckled with a purr, wiping my tail down the length of his back to dislodge some of the snow from his pelt. “I can tell you really wish to stay a member f Rockclan.”

He nodded slightly, but still never moved. I sighed, realizing that he really stuck to his word. “Dawn is here, so your vigil is over,” I told him. “You may speak once again.”

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Buzzfox let out a long sigh and sniffed from the cold. “It was cold, that vigil,” he mewed with a chatter to his teeth. “But I’m sure many warriors have sat a vigil like this.”

“That you are right about,” I mewed, nuzzling the shivering tom to his paws. “And every warrior that has sat a vigil always deserves a rest afterwards. You’ll be staying the apprentices’ den for now until you prove yourself a loyal warrior to our Clan.”

“What about our training?” he muffled out through a sneeze. “We’ll start that tomorrow once you’ve rested yourself for today,” I replied

with a wave of my tail. I trotted away to the fresh-kill pile and pulled a small shrew from the top and tossed it to Buzzfox. “Here, you deserve a meal as well before you rest. Your den, the apprentices’ den, is just next to the nursery by the stream. Try not to wake anybody, but if they cause you problems, just let me know.”

“Thanks, Opalflower,” the ginger-and-white tom purred, picking up his meal. With his semi-fluffy tail high in the air, Buzzfox trotted away towards the apprentices’ den. Twisterpaw exited the den in a stretch only to sit back on his haunches as the newest member of Rockclan passed the apprentice. Twisterpaw saw me watching him very closely, and welcomed Buzzfox to the den before stalking away towards his mentor, Reedwater.

I snorted, realizing it would take some time for my Clanmates to having a loner joining the Clan under my mentorship. Everybody knew I was a healer at heart, but there was that hidden skill of a warrior underneath it all. I would show the Clan I could be as great as a warrior mentor as I was at healing.

I took this day to spend it with my kits. Though the camp was warming up slowly, I was still chilled to the bone, and knew it wouldn’t be long before my kits would have to go in again. Warriors trudged across the camp, shoveling snow to the sides of the camp and into cracks between boulders, with long branches.

As the day climbed to sunhigh, the other queens of the nursery joined me outside with their own kits. Russetkit and Jazzkit threw Dovekit to the ground in play. Songkit pounced on Silverkit’s tail as the silver kit crouched to attack her brother Mudkit. Orangekit, Lovefoot’s only kit, played alone in the little snow banks around the nursery. I pushed Moonkit, my only tom, towards Orangekit so that the ginger kit wouldn’t be so alone. Mosskit joined her brother in a race to the snow banks, leaping high into the air and landing in the snow with a laughing squeak.

Lustheart, an unusual pinkish queen, was the last of us to join the queens outside with her one moon old kits Berrykit and Smokekit. Limefoot’s kits followed Lustheart out, being taken care of by her while their mother stayed in the healers’ den to get over her bout of greencough. Blackkit and Oreokit pounced on a piece of fresh-kill Bravewish’s apprentice Zeekpaw had brought in, while their sister Grasskit watched from behind Lustheart. I noticed that Jingo, the Pureclan queen Iceshadow had brought to camp, stayed in the nursery. I knew that she was probably really tired, considering that she would be having kits any day now, and left her to rest.

Everything seemed so peaceful in the camp now that the ground shakes had subsided and disappeared from everyone’s minds. I was still left on edge after my visit from Cometclan and knew that the Clan was in great danger. Every Clanmate around me would in danger of future volcanic eruptions if I didn’t encourage Rubblestar to move the Clan for a while. Cometclan knew that all hope was lost unless my leader would start believing, and then there might be a chance with Streamclan. I figured I could tell Rubblestar about my dream, but who would believe me other than Flowerbeam? I wasn’t a healer, and healers were the ones

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that were supposed to have Cometclan related dreams. Even if my Clan believed in the danger to come, and we moved the Clan, where would Rockclan settle for a moon or so?

My mind was scrambled in endless questions as the rest of the camp carried on peacefully. Iceshadow joined Silvernight and her apprentice Lostpaw on a short hunt in the woods. Pebblewing organized the patrols for the rest of the day and tomorrow, starting with my father, Twisterclaw, leading the sunset patrol, and Stoneclaw leading the dawn patrol. Nightwhisper trotted across the clearing from the elders’ den with Sunpaw and Lightningpaw, carrying old moss; it was the time of leaf-bare to change the bedding of the elders while it was warm out.

“Hey, Opalflower, you okay?” someone mewed from my right.I started and lifted my head up quickly from my paws. Buzzfox had woken up

and was standing beside the nursery, Featherbreeze watching the tom intently. “I’m fine,” I lied, getting to my paws and shaking out my pelt. “How come you’re awake?”

“Can’t get much sleep when apprentices are trampling in and out,” he yawned. “Tabbypaw almost had a hissy fit when he found me in there. He said if Sunpaw hadn’t warned him off, I would’ve been crow-food.”

“It’ll take the Clan a while to accept you,” I told him. “In the meantime, since you’re awake, we can do some training if you want.”

Buzzfox gave another yawn as he nodded. I chuckled, and wondered if he should just sleep in the warriors’ den since he was older. Midnightfur and Milkflower were once kittypets and they instantly moved into the warriors’ den. What I didn’t understand was how could kittypets, including my brother’s apprentice, Zeekpaw, become accepted almost right away when a loner couldn’t?

I shook my head and turned to Buzzfox. “I’ll talk to Rubblestar about you sleeping in the warriors’ den,” I mewed. “Don’t see why you can’t since you have a warrior’s name.”

“Thanks Opalflower,” he purred.Turning to Featherbreeze, I asked, “Can you watch my four while I’m out?”“Of course I will,” she mewed, with a teasing sparkle in her eye as she looked

between Buzzfox and I. “You go have your fun.”“Okay….” I said hesitantly. I turned to my little kits, and added, “You four

better behave for Featherbreeze, or I’ll want to know why.”“We’ll behave,” Dovekit promised. “I’ll make sure the others will.”“Who put you in charge of us?” Moonkit squeaked, barreling Dovekit over. I shook my head and rolled my eyes before trotting away with Buzzfox

towards the training clearing. “Your kits are lovely,” Buzzfox mewed. “One day I hope I have my own kits.”

“In time I’m sure you will,” I commented. “Now, I need you to get your head to concentrate with warrior training right now, got it?”

Instantly Buzzfox’s eyes stayed glued on the snow covered trail of paw prints leading to the training clearing. Something about the warrior made me continuously glance in his direction as he followed closely by my side. His presence made me smile inside and for once my mind was clear. I felt that I could trust this cat with my life. Why did I feel so trusting of this tom that I just met yesterday as a loner wandering in rouge territory? I never had this feeling towards Splashleap, and he had been my own mate.

We followed the stream that flowed through our camp and into the forest to spilt the training clearing in half. The stream had frozen over and was covered with

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thick snow. I was unsure of how thick the ice was underneath, so I warned Buzzfox to keep away from the frozen water. In the distance, I could faintly hear the roar of the Crashing Falls that fell from the cliffs and into Jungleclan territory. Dark clouds from the volcano past Jungleclan territory billowed out into the sky, ash falling from the clouds. The wind carried some of the ash flakes towards Rockclan and Streamclan lands, and I wondered if my Clanmates would only think of it as more snow.

“That volcano is really becoming bothersome,” Buzzfox growled, pushing through the bushes after me. We had reached the training clearing, and ash was falling quicker and was beginning to stick to the ground.

“Rockclan didn’t have these problems a few moons ago when it first erupted,” I replied, my mind beginning to buzz with my questions again. “It isn’t putting us in any danger unless prey starts disappearing, so let’s put it behind us and concentrate.”

Buzzfox locked his green gaze on me as I began teaching him the correct ways of hunting prey. “When hunting a mouse, you must step lightly because they’ll feel the vibrations of you pawsteps before they hear or smell you,” I started. I fell into my hunter’s crouch and moved forward slowly. “What you want to do is keep all your weight on your haunches and step lightly. You want to keep you belly fur just barely touching the grass, or snow in our case, and keep your tail parallel to the ground.”

“Like this?” he asked, falling into a crouch.His form was perfect and balanced. He moved forward silently, sliding his

paws through the snow so that it didn’t crunch under his paws, and his tail trailed limply behind, just barely lifted above the ground. “That’s perfect,” I commented, observing his movements. For the first time I noticed that the tom was well built in his legs as if he was a runner. He was also a bit fatter than any of my Clanmates, suggesting that he was a good hunter.

A twig cracked in the distance, and I jumped, my ears pricked and alert. Buzzfox stood straight up, his eyes searching the bushes for movement. I lifted my nose to the air and caught the strong scent of ashen Clan cats. I narrowed my eyes and darted from the bushes to hide behind a maple tree. From behind its trunk I watched as many ash covered cats plowed their way through the snow.

At the front of the group was Flamestar, the ginger leader of Jungleclan. I burst from my hiding place with a hiss and crouched down threateningly in front of the tom. His Clan hissed from behind him in fear, remembering the day I beat Flamestar on my own.

“What are you doing trespassing on Rockclan grounds?” I growled to the ginger leader as Buzzfox stepped up to my side for support. “Didn’t we chase you off once before?”

“If you think we are stealing land,” Flamestar sighed, “you are horribly wrong. All I am doing is trying to find my Clan safety from the disasters of the volcano.”

“As am I,” a black-and-brown tom panted. “I am Marshstar, leader of Reedclan and I am also saving my Clan from the effects of the volcano’s recent eruption.”

I shook my head; I felt like I should’ve known this was going to happen. “I’m sorry about what’s happening, but without my leader’s word you cannot go any farther into our territory,” I warned with a lash of my tail.

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“Then will you take Marshstar and I to speak with Rubblestar?” Flamestar asked. “The rest of my Clan will wait here if you will take us.”

I glanced over to Buzzfox, wondering what he was thinking. He gave me a shrug, telling me he had no idea what to do. “I’ll take you to my leader, but you will leave if Rubblestar’s says you must,” I growled with a glint of hatred in my eyes. “And if you dare stir up trouble with my Clanmates, history is going to repeat itself between us two,” I warned with a snarl to Flamestar.

Flamestar dipped his head, and mewed, “Whatever you say warrior. Jungleclan, rest here until I return,” he added to his Clan.

“Reedclan, I will return soon,” Marshstar announced to his own Clan. “Mossglimmer, you are in charge while I’m gone.”

A gray she-cat with bright green eyes stood on her paws, facing her leader, and I knew that she was the deputy. “I will see that the Clan stays put and is kept safe,” Mossglimmer promised.

Marshstar joined Flamestar at my side. “Lead the way, young warrior,” the Reedclan leader meowed, gesturing a paw, an order to lead the way.

I gave a snort and stalked away from the jungle clans. Buzzfox trotted beside me, his eyes watching the two tom leaders as we headed back to the camp. The sun was beginning to set, turning the sky a pale pink against the gray clouds forming overhead. Thunder quietly rumbled in the distance and a breeze carrying the smell of rain whipped through the trees.

“Hopefully it’ll finally rain,” Marshstar mewed to Flamestar. “My territory’s marshes have almost completely dried up.”

“Jungleclan hasn’t had any problems expect for the poisoning of the stream water,” the Jungleclan leader muttered. “The volcano has killed off vegetation farther than the border and tainted our water we once drank from.”

“How do you know it’s poisoned?”I slowed the pace down as I answered, “The water will bubble, extract a

disgusting smell, and then heat up rapidly.”Eyes heated my pelt, confusion laced in their stares. “How is it that you know

about this?” Flamestar asked cautiously. “You haven’t been on Jungleclan land have you?”

“No, Flamestar,” I growled, halting outside the entrance to camp. “In my territory there is a pond linked to a lava tunnel. Just as the volcano erupted, the water heated up intensely, sending bubbles and a toxic gas to the surface of the water.”

“You need to stop being so quick about blaming someone for being on your territory,” Marshstar snorted. “After all, this young she-cat is helping us.”

“Opalflower hasn’t helped until her leader allows us safe passage to somewhere safe,” Flamestar snapped at the Reedclan leader.

At the entrance to Rubblestar’s den, I called a greeting upon entering his den. My leader was at the back of his den, finishing a meal with Flowerbeam. I apologized for bursting in the way I did without permission and offered to leave.

“No, whatever it is you should tell me now,” Rubblestar grumbled, stretching in his nest.

“Well it’s just that the leaders of Jungleclan and Reedclan are here to speak with you,” I reported while gritting my teeth.

“Send them in,” he ordered slowly.

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I nodded to Buzzfox for the tom to get the strange visitors from the Highcliff, where the rest of the Clan had started to gather round to spread their usual gossip about company. Flamestar ducked as he and Marshstar padded into the den of Rubblestar. His flaming ginger-and-white colored pelt turned dark and his eyes turned to a green hue of disgust. As the leader passed, I hissed a reminding warning to him about my promise if he started anything with my Clan.

Rubblestar had rose from his nest to sit up and had Flowerbeam back away from the leaders as them came close. “What is it that I can help you both with?” the blue-black tom asked with a slight growl.

Marshstar stepped forward, notably taking record of the hatred that sparked between Rubblestar and Flamestar. “We come in peace and only ask that our Clans may seek somewhere to stay,” the black-and-brown leader answered. “We wish for only safe passage until we can return home.”

“Is this the cause of the volcano?” Flowerbeam mentioned from the shadowy corner she resided in.

Marshstar’s blue eyes settled gently on the healer. “It is entirely the cause,” he replied with sigh. “Not only has ash fallen and smoke filled our air, but the volcano has also poisoned out water supply and killed any vegetation, including our precious herbs.”

Rubblestar turned his clouded eyes on the Reedclan leader. “How is it harming your Clans unlike the first time?”

“The eruption was far worse this time,” Flamestar growled. “Lava has spilled down the sides of the mountain in search of lives to take. The cloud from its top has blocked much of the sunlight over our territories and any rain that has fallen is poisoned.”

Flowerbeam crept slightly from her shadowed corner. “Has anyone been hurt?” Being a healer she would be concerned about lives being at stake and if she could possibly help in any way.

Flamestar closed his eyes for once and seemed to be in pain as he slipped out the words. “We have lost our elder, Heronnose, due to our poisoned waters,” he reported. “Many of my warriors and apprentices have also fallen ill from licking any rain water from their pelts. My own mate is dying at the paws of our inexperienced healer as we speak.”

Biting down on my tongue, I turned and faced Buzzfox with sadness. “They have no real healer because of my arrival there,” I muttered quietly. “If I hadn’t butted in with their Clan because of my blood with the Clan, there wouldn’t be as many cats dying.” I lowered my head in shame as the leaders continued to talk.

“I doubt it’s your fault they lost their healer,” Buzzfox mewed, meeting my eyes. “Don’t blame yourself on another cat’s actions. What it seems to me is that you just follow your heart.”

I lifted my head and stared wonderingly at the ginger-and-white tom. “Yeah, I seem to do that often,” I agreed. “And only good has come out of it too.”

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Chapter 6Jungleclan

Leader Flamestar- ginger-and-white tom with green eyesDeputy Fangswipe- gray-and-white tom with blue eyesHealer Aspenleaf- cream she-cat with gray patches and blue eyesWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Ripplethorn- gray-and-brown tom with green eyesPumaclaw- jet black tom with bright green eyesApprentice- VixenpawSlushfang- gray-and-white tom with cream muzzle and blue eyesApprentice- TigerpawSnaketooth- brown, white speckled, tom with cream chest and underbelly and gold eyesTwigshard- brown-and-white tom with blue-green eyesVineheart- white she-cat with brown stripes and green eyesApprentice- CaperpawDragonwing- black-and-brown tom with amber eyes; Spiderclaw’s brotherSpiderclaw- black tom with fluffy brown paws; Dragonwing’s brotherDripbark- blue-gray-and-brown tom with green eyesRussetsnow- russet-brown-and-white she-cat with blue eyesApprentice- Mudpaw

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Royalflower- blue-gray she-cat with dark blue eyes and black tail tip; Flamestar’s mateApprentice- SunpawNeedlestorm- gray-and-white tom with spiky fur and green eyes; Leopardflower’s mateLavenderfall- tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with blue eyesSedgewhisper- gray-white-and-brown she-cat with gold eyesChimesong- white she-cat with blue-gray stripes and amber eyesFiresoul- ginger tom with bright flame colored coat and green eyesFlashspirit- silver-and-golden to with blue eyes and white bellyApprentice- WitherpawWolftail- brown-and-gray tom with gold eyes and bushy tailShockgrowl- spiky ginger-and-golden tom with a chilling growl, and green eyesApprentice- CloudpawBirdleaf- gray she-cat with golden patches and blue eyes; Dripbark’s mateFoxwillow- ginger she-cat with blue eyes and white belly; Firesoul’s matePanthernight- black tom with green eyes; Velvetshard’s brotherLarkthorn- light gray she-cat with green eyesVelvetshard- soft, black she-cat with dark green eyes; Panthernight’s sisterApprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Caperpaw- silver she-cat with black patches and blue eyesWitherpaw- cream she-cat with white pawsTigerpaw- ginger-and-black tom with amber eyesSunpaw- golden she-cat with blue eyes and white pawsMudpaw- brown tom with green eyes and golden pawsCloudpaw- gray tom with brown muzzle and green eyesVixenpaw- ginger she-cat with bright blue eyes and white pawsQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Leopardflower- unusual spotted, golden she-cat with green eyes; Nursing Needlestorm’s kits: Thistlekit (gray tom with spiky fur) and Thornkit (golden tom with green eyes and white patches)Streamwhisker- silver-and-white she-cat with blue eyes; Expecting Wolftail’s kitsElders (retired toms and she-cats)Quetzaltail- blue-white she-cat with very long, gray, skinny tailPhoenixflame- ginger-and-white she-cat with blue eyes; Flamestar’s motherHeavenheart- cream-and-white she-cat with green eyesSpiritclaw- golden-and-cream tom with amber eyes

ReedclanLeader Marshstar- black-and-brown tom with blue eyesDeputy Mossglimmer- gray she-cat with bright green eyesHealer Reedwatcher- black tom with brown-green eyes and white tail tipWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Shadowmarsh- brown tom with black paws and gold eyes; Marshstar’s brotherSnakehiss- golden-brown tom with blue eyesApprentice- MuddypawAdderslip- golden tom with white chest and belly and amber eyesShadeheart- black-and-gray she-cat with amber eyesApprentice- MossypawPouncesplash- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes

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Webbedfoot- white tom with brown paws and blue eyes; deaf in one earBeaverpelt- thick pelted brown tom with black paws and green eyesApprentice-ToadpawOtterflower- light brown she-cat with darker paws and tail and blue eyesApprentice- WebpawSwampheart- gray-black-and-brown tom with gold eyesMudscratch- gray tom with brown stripe down one side and gold eyesFrogcroak- light gray tom with black patches and gold eyesApprentice- SplashpawWetripple- blue-gray she-cat with green eyesMucktail- white tom with brown smudged tail and green eyesApprentice- SquirtpawApprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Muddypaw- dark brown she-cat with golden paws and blue eyesMossypaw- white she-cat with brown-and-gray patches and gold eyesToadpaw- dark gray tom wit green eyesSplashpaw- black tom with white splashed paws and chest and amber eyesWebpaw- white tom with gray paws and amber eyes; Squirtpaw’s brotherSquirtpaw- blue-gray-and-white tom with blue eyes; very smallQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Dampshower- gray-and-white she-cat with amber eyes; expecting Mucktail’s kitsElders (retired toms and she-cats)Reedflare- brown-and-ginger tom with blue eyes; retired leader of ReedclanJunglereed- gray-and-brown tom with green eyes; retired healer of ReedclanFlowerreed- gray-and-golden she-cat with brown eyes; Reedflare’s mate

Stars sparkled in the nighttime sky as my Clan settled down for sleep. Guards sat posted at both entrances and nodded their good-byes as I lead Flamestar and Marshstar out of the camp. Rubblestar had agreed to find the two Clans driven from their homes to an empty plot of land, a place where no other Clan wished to live in: old Pureclan territory. There had been no traces of the Clan since the threat Scar had given Splashleap and I when we had been taking Volcanoclan to their new camp. That meant they left I supposed, but I still hadn’t felt quite safe when I had been with the Woodclan cat gathering catmint.

Iceshadow and Buzzfox brought up the rear of our little patrol. My sister had taken a liking to Buzzfox, welcoming him into the Clan with open paws. She had changed since Lunarblaze had died in Volcanoclan’s camp, who I still suspected had been killed at the claws of the Dark Forest warriors. I shivered just thinking about the place I had almost got tangled in with, only to be saved from the horrors hidden from my eyes by Granitefoot, the cat I had once called my father.

Back near the training clearing, I could clearly make out the sleeping silhouettes of cats. Only a few sat, waiting silently for their Clan leaders to return back from my camp. Fangswipe, the deputy of Jungleclan pricked his ear at the sound of our arrival and tapped Mossglimmer on the shoulder. The Reedclan deputy lifted her head from watching her sleeping Clanmates, her eyes flashing in the dark.

“You all may stay here for the night,” I told the waking Clan cats. “Rubblestar has allowed his warriors to escort you all to a patch of land that has not been claimed by any other Clan.”

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“When will we leave?” a ginger apprentice squeaked. I recognized the bright blue eyes of the first cat I had met in Jungleclan and who had led me to the mysterious Clan.

“In the morning, after sunrise,” I purred, padding forth to the apprentice. “You’re Vixenpaw, correct?”

The ginger she-cat cocked her head and took a couple steps away from me. “Ye-yes, but how do you know me?” she stammered, her ears pinned back against her head.

“I’m Opalflower, the warrior you led to your camp when you snuck from camp,” I reminded the small apprentice.

Vixenpaw’s eyes lit up and she began bouncing around my paws in excitement. “I remember that day now,” she exclaimed, her tail waving happily in the air. “Have I grown or what?”

“You most definitely have,” I purred, cuffing the apprentice playfully over the ear. “And you’ll keep growing too as you train to become a strong warrior.”

From behind me, Flamestar cleared his throat as he spoke with Fangswipe. I turned my annoyed gaze on the ginger-and-white leader, daring him to order me around. “I think your time has come to return back to your camp, Opalflower,” he rasped, fear glazing his green eyes. “I will see that Rubblestar keeps his promise in the morning.”

“My leader doesn’t go back on his word,” I hissed. “I will be here in the morning with more warriors, and I will see that you don’t start anything.”

I flicked my tail for my sister and Buzzfox to follow me. We passed the training clearing where the elders and queens of the Clans had decided to sleep. It wasn’t a warm place, but it was well sheltered from the winds that blew across the territory from the river. The snow around the land glittered under the almost full moon, and it seemed like we were walking in a magical land. I sighed, letting the beauty of the snow take me into a calm, peaceful world in my mind.

At the camp entrance, I decided I wanted to be left alone. “You guys go on ahead into camp,” I mewed to Iceshadow and Buzzfox. “I need to walk so I can clear my mind.”

“Are you sure you don’t want one of us to come with you?” Iceshadow insisted. “Nobody knows what’s lurking out there right now.”

“Who says there’s something out there?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.“I don’t think Pureclan left, sis,” she mewed, releasing my worst fears. “They

don’t just leave from defeat, come back so that Scar can give a warning and then disappear again. Something is coming, and I feel like we are all unprepared for what’s to come.”

Iceshadow disappeared through the entrance and pass the guards Destinyfern and Silvernight. The two she-cats looked at each other as if they were hiding something. I snorted and stalked away around the camp and towards the river. Buzzfox stubbornly followed behind, but I never stopped the tom.

“Opalflower wait, what’s going on?” Buzzfox called, racing to catch up. His breath billowed out from his open mouth and nose and into the freezing night air. “Opalflower, answer me so I can help you.”

I rounded on the tom, halting him in a snow hill that reached his belly fur. “There’s nothing wrong, okay, so I don’t need your help. If you really want to tag along though, I want you to quiet down.”

Buzzfox lowered his eyes as I turned away and headed for the broken bridge that once, many seasons ago, rose above the river and crossed to the other side

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where Basking Rocks stood. The bridge had been broken to bits when a huge storm had passed through the territories and called forth a huge wave that submerged the bridge with enough force to break it. It was broken, but still easy to cross if you had long, strong legs. My first time crossing the bridge was when I had still been an apprentice visiting Streamclan with Rubblestar. I had surprised both of us by leaping far over the bridge and even past Rubblestar, who had been standing on the edge of the broken boards to catch me if I slipped.

It was even an easier leap this time around. Pushing off with great force, I flew over the frozen, yet fragile, icy river and landed far on the other side. Buzzfox followed almost as easily, but made a poor effort at landing, slipping on a patch of ice that had formed on the boards of the broken bridge.

“Well done,” I purred, clouds billowing from my mouth. “It seems like you catch on fast, my apprentice,” I added in a tease. Bounding away, I kicked snow at Buzzfox in play. He chased after me, shaking the snow sticking to his pelt. I leaped on top of the Basking Rocks, the warmth of the stones sinking into my cold paws. I purred with delight and then chuckled at the relaxing face of Buzzfox.

“What is this place?” he breathed, resting down on the rocks on his stomach. “It’s so warm.”

“This is Basking Rocks, the one place that Rockclan has fought many times to keep,” I explained. “These rocks are warmed by that same volcano, but thankfully the eruption hasn’t damaged anything.”

“Is there a lava tube underneath the rocks as well as the Steam Pond?”“Yep, but lava is always running deep under the rocks, that’s why it never

loses its heat,” I replied, rolling onto my back. I lifted my eyes to the sky and stared at the stars glittering above. I wondered which one was Splashleap so I may know that he was keeping his promise to watch over his Clan.

“Wow the stars are wonderful compared to the place I come from,” Buzzfox gasped beside me.

“Where do you come from?” I asked, rolling onto my side to face the ginger-and-white tom. He was on his back, gazing at the starry sky.

“I come from a large Twoleg city,” he muttered. “There’s so much light there that it blocks all starlight. But out here, I never knew how beautiful the sky really was. I wonder how many stars are actually out there.”

“Too many to count,” I purred. Buzzfox turned his head and gazed into my eyes. “Your eyes are like

sapphires filled with starlight,” he suddenly mewed.I started and flicked my eyes away to look back at the sky. “Than-thank you,”

I stammered, my pelt heating up in embarrassment. Then something stirred inside me, forcing out, “Buzzfox, have we ever met before?”

“Huh, what do you mean?” he asked.I brought my gaze back on the ginger-and-white tom, his green eyes

searching mine for an answer. “Well it’s just that I trust you with my life, yet I never remember meeting you.”

“Maybe you can just tell that I have a good heart,” he suggested. “I don’t think we’ve ever met before so I can’t tell you why you feel this way.”

Together, Buzzfox and I slept back to back that night. Neither of us wished to return to camp, and though it was cold above the rocks, we cuddled close to share our body heat. I could tell that most of the night Buzzfox had stayed awake,

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listening to the sounds in the woods. He was protecting me it felt like, and I never had felt so safe before until I found myself lying close to this tom.

Dawn woke me with birdsong. Buzzfox slept silently beside me, his nose close to my neck. I rolled onto my stomach and searched Streamclan’s territory beyond the border. I spotted a dawn patrol in the distance, but heading towards the border shared at the rouge territory.

Then I remembered that I was supposed to be back in camp to lead Reedclan and Jungleclan to their temporary territory. I prodded Buzzfox in the side with a paw and called his name until he woke from his deep slumber.

“What is it, Opalflower?” he yawned, stretching to his paws.“We need to get to camp fast,” I rushed, leaping down from the Basking

Rocks. “We have to escort some cats from our territory, remember?”The tom hesitated as if thinking and then nodded his head. Whether he

remembered or not, I fled from the rocks and threw myself on the river without thinking. My claws caught on the chucks of frozen water and my paws slipped out from under me.

Buzzfox called out to me from the shore. Fear laced in his voice as if I was plunging under already. I slid to a halt close to the shore of the river on the other side from Basking Rocks. Suddenly the ice lurched under me and a cracking sound came from the ice. My heart beat swiftly as my fear of actually going under hit me.

“Opalflower, behind you!” I slowly looked over my shoulder at Buzzfox’s warning. I gulped as a black

dog came skidding across the river, its weight becoming the answer to why the ice was breaking. My gaze flicked between the dog and the shore, wondering if I could make it before going under or before the dog caught me. I took a chance and leaped forward.

The ice broke under me as I kicked off and threw myself at the shore. My front paws and chest hit the ground as my haunches splashed into the chilling water that flowed free from the ice. A yelp came from the dog as the water surged him under. Splashing suggested that the dog was swimming for its life towards the shore.

Buzzfox raced forth and grabbed my scruff to pull me forward. I was shivering from just the small wetting from the river. The ginger-and-white tom pressed against me, pushing me to my paws and sharing his warmth. “Let’s get you home,” he whispered.

I didn’t argue as Buzzfox helped me back to camp. He was soaked on his back legs from my wet, thick fur, but he never showed any change whether he was cold or not.

At the entrance to camp, Withercloud and Shadowflame leaped forward. “What happened to you?” Withercloud gasped, pressing against my other side. Together she and Buzzfox helped me into the camp while Shadowflame remained on guard.

Through chattering teeth, I mewed, “I was in a hurry and crossed the river,” I shivered as my two Clanmates forced me towards the healers’ den. “There was a dog on the ice as well and broke the ice.”

“A dog, that doesn’t sound good,” Flowerbeam growled as she met up with me outside her den. “I’m more worried about you though right now.”

“Buzzfox, can you report what happened to Rubblestar?” I begged the warrior. “I may be here a while.”

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“I’ll tell him,” he promised, “and also that you are escorting anyone today, correct Flowerbeam?”

The healer nodded her head. “I need to make sure she doesn’t come down with a cold or hasn’t become chilled.”

I narrowed my eyes in a glare at both of them. “I need to do what I promised,” I objected, getting to my paws. “Jungleclan and Reedclan can’t be trusted unless I’m there. Flamestar will try and start something without my eyes watching him,” I hissed.

“I’m sure Iceshadow can handle him if she goes along,” Flowerbeam pointed out as Buzzfox trotted away to the Highcliff. “But for now, I need you inside so you can warm up. Don’t want you getting sick when you have kits to care for.”

I puffed out a breath in annoyance, but I allowed Flowerbeam to push me inside the den. I followed the healer down into the den’s tunnel where Limefoot and Echowhisper slept in mossy nests against the wall. Heat rose off them in waves, showing that they still had high fevers from greencough.

“Aren’t they getting any better?” I asked with a chill climbing down my back. “I’m surprised that they survived as long as they have,” Flowerbeam sighed,

placing a paw on Limefoot’s forehead. “This was the worst case of greencough I had seen. Fallenpoppy is recovering finally, but she’s still too weak to return to duties.”

“At least you were able to prevent it from spreading,” I pointed out. “It’s better to have a couple cats get it the worst than the whole Clan catching it.”

Flowerbeam shrugged and prodded a nest a few mouse lengths away from Echowhisper’s. “You will stay in this nest until I say you are clear to go,” she mewed. “Let me go fetch some herbs to keep you from getting sick.”

I rolled my eyes; I already knew I was going to be fine, but there was no arguing against the healer. I padded towards my nest, but didn’t climb in. Echowhisper coughed beside me as I passed and opened her eyes slightly.

“Hey,” I whispered with an encouraging smile. “How are you feeling?”“Cometclan… they call to me,” she wheezed. Another cough escaped from

her parched lips. “Tell Flightpaw… I’m sorry that I couldn’t help her finish training…”“You aren’t going to die,” I insisted, taking her paw in mine. “Rockclan needs

you, Echowhisper, you must hold on.”“Too late…” she sighed. “They wait for me.”Either I was imagining things, or it was really happening. As Echowhisper

closed her eyes, a light seemed to leave her body in the shape of her. I figured it was her spirit, but as it padded away, the spirit met up with two other spirits of Cometclan I presumed. I half wondered if my head was becoming filled with a cold after all, but I should’ve known better since I had spoken with Cometclan so many times. I knew, unlike some cats, that Cometclan could do some amazing things.

Flowerbeam took this moment to join me back in the tunnel. Her herbs she had been carrying left her mouth and tumbled into a heaping mess on the ground. “Are you seeing what I am?” she gasped.

“Echowhisper has joined the ranks of Cometclan,” I breathed. “You just saw her spirit meet with others that had left our Clan.”

Flowerbeam turned away and went back to her herbs. She picked out a few selected remedies and handed them to me. “There’s feverfew to keep away any fever, and some coltsfoot to keep you from coughing. Right now I need to speak with Rubblestar about Echowhisper.”

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I sat outside the healers’ den with the bitter taste of herbs in my mouth, watching as Iceshadow led a patrol from camp. They were to take Jungleclan and Reedclan to the abandoned rouge territory until it was safe for them to return home once again. Flowerbeam was on Highcliff speaking with Rubblestar, both looking sullen.

Buzzfox joined me outside the den, and gave me a lick on the cheek. “I heard what just happened,” he muttered, placing a paw on my shoulder. “I’m sure she’s happier in Cometclan right though.”

“Everybody would be happier in Cometclan with the way things are going,” I corrected, bowing my head.

“I wouldn’t,” Buzzfox objected. I lifted my head in confusion and stared at the ginger-and-white warrior. “I’m happier as long as I’m with you.”

My eyes widened in surprise and my mouth gaped open, but no words tumbled out. When I finally got over the shock, I gasped out, “What do you mean?”

“I love you more than you know,” Buzzfox said shyly. “We have met once before, actually in a dream brought together by Cometclan. We were meant to meet one day, and share a destiny together. Honestly, I don’t think Cometclan needed to bring us together if they had let time run its course.”

“But we barely know each other,” I argued. If Cometclan really had meant for this to happen, then I was confused.

“Follow your heart,” he said. “What is it telling you?”I shook my head; this was a bunch of mouse dung. “I don’t know; to trust you

I guess,” I stuttered. “Buzzfox, I like you, I really do, but I just recently lost my mate and right now I have his kits I must finish caring for.”

“I know that, Opalflower,” he whispered, meeting my eyes. “But I want to help you with all of that. I’m here for you, just remember that.”


Apprentice- FlowerbeamWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Stoneclaw- blue-gray tom with amber eyes; Gravelfur’s brotherShadowflame- black tom with ginger stripes like flames and amber eyes; Pepperleg’s brotherApprentice- LightningpawBuzzardclaw- golden-brown tom with green eyes; Moonbird’s mateApprentice- FlightpawLilycoal- blue-gray-and-ginger she-cat with gold eyesPearlpelt- gray-white she-cat with pink fur tips and green-blue eyes; mother of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of Stormstripe

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Stormtripe- light gray tom with darker stripes and blue eyes; father of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of PearlpeltMoonshine- pale yellow-gray she-cat with pale blue eyes; Starshine’s sisterApprentice- WhisppawWithercloud- gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Sealfur’s and Mallowstorm’s sister Zapstripe- black, golden tabby, tom with gold eyesSkunkstripe- black tom with white stripe going down back, and green eyesBeechflame- brown-and-ginger tom with green eyes; Leafshower’s brotherReedwater- blue-gray-and-brown tom with gold eyesApprentice- TwisterpawSnowmist- white she-cat with light gray patches and light blue eyes; Twisterclaw’s mateSealfur- gray-white she-cat with blue eyes; Withercloud’s and Mallowstorm’s sisterLeafshower- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes, black spotted tail; Beechflame’s sisterHazelfern- blue-gray she-cat with green eyes and black tail tip; Stoneclaw’s daughterWolfmoon- gray-and-brown tom with blue eyes; Goldendust’s brotherApprentice- SunpawGoldendust- golden-brown she-cat with gold eyes; Wolfmoon’s sisterTwisterclaw- black-gray-brown-and-white tom with golden tipped everything, and one emerald green eye and one icy blue eyeApprentice- ShadowpawSilvernight- black she-cat with silver eyesApprentice- LostpawSoulfrost- white queen with icy blue eyes; Frostsoul’s sisterApprentice- RussetpawFrostsoul- white she-cat with icy blue eyes; Soulfrost’s sisterApprentice- JazzpawStormsnow- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and fluffy furWhiteblade- white tom with green eyes; Limefoot’s mateApprentice- RubblepawDivaheart- ginger-and-white she-cat with green eyesRavenpelt- black-gray she-cat with brown eyesPhantomfur- fluffy gray-and-black tom with green eyes; Swanfeather’s mateApprentice- GrasspawHazelstorm- blue-gray she-cat with white paws and amber eyesBlissrose- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesDarksoul- black she-cat with icy blue eyes that change with emotionApprentice- DarkpawRaisintail- cream, brown patched she-cat with green eyesPoppyfern- brown—and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Eclipse’s mateApprentice- Sagepaw

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Eclipsingsun- golden-and-black tom with silver paws and blue-amber eyes; Poppyfern’s mateSpiritstorm- white, gray tabby she-cat with snow-blue eyesSmokeshadow- black-and-gray tom with white paws and dark blue eyesApprentice- OreopawDappleshade- white, black tabby she-cat with green eyesNightdusk- black-and-gray she-cat with white paws and golden eyesApprentice- BramblepawDestinyfern- golden-brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesApprentice- BlackpawBravewish- gray-black-and-white tom with emerald green eyesIceshadow- black she-cat with gray patches and icy blue eyesFawnpelt- brown she-cat with white spotted back, cream belly and gold eyes; Stoneclaw’s mateSagestorm- cream-and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Slatefur’s mate Apprentice- TabbypawMilkflower-cream-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and a light green collar; once a kittypetMidnightfur-black tom with brown chest and gold eyes; once a kittypetMallowstorm- gray-and-white she-cat with gold-green eyes; Withercloud’s and Sealfur’s sister; Reedwater’s mateNightwhisper- black she-cat with green eyes; Zapstripe’s mateDeerleap- brown she-cat with cream underbelly and white spotted fur and green eyesSandcloud- cream tom with blue-gray patches and blue eyesSummersoul- brown-blue-gray-and-cream she-cat with green eyesGemsoul- tortoiseshell she-cat with pinkish eyesWhisperflame- gray, ginger patched, she-cat with dark blue eyesBuzzfox- ginger-and-white tom with bright green eyes; was a lonerCreamfur- cream tom with blue-green eyesDawnlight- cream-brown-and-gray she-cat with gold eyesZeekstorm-small, gray, black tabby tom with blue eyes; once a kittypetLimefoot- black she-cat with lime green paws and pink eyes; Whiteblade’s mateApprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Flowerbeam- black she-cat with white muzzle, belly and chest and blue eyes; very fluffyFlightpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with brown paws and green eyesWhisppaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesTwisterpaw- blue-gray-brown-and-white tom with gray patches and blue-green eyesSunpaw- golden she-kit with white paws and green eyesLostpaw- black she-kit with icy blue eyesLightningpaw- black, golden striped, tom-kit with green eyesDarkpaw- dark brown, almost black, she-kit with gold eyes Shadowpaw- black, golden pawed, tom-kit with green eyes

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Rubblepaw- black tom with dark blue eyes and white chestSagepaw- black tortoiseshell she-cat with white paws and green eyesSilentpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesBramblepaw- brown tabby tom with green eyesTabbypaw-brown-and-gray tabby tom with green eyesRussetpaw- russet-brown she-cat with green eyesJazzpaw- silvery-gray she-cat with white paws, ears and blue eyesOreopaw- black-and-white she-cat with green eyesBlackpaw- black she-cat with lime green tail tip and gold eyesGrasspaw- white she-cat with lime green paws and black ears and green eyesQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Moonbird- silvery-gray she-cat with white paws and blue eyes; Buzzardclaw’s mateStarshine-white she-cat with blue eyes; Moonshine’s sisterMoonlight- pale gray she-cat with blue eyesOpalflower- white she-cat with gray patches and crystal blue eyes; Nursing Splashleap’s kits: Moonkit (silver tom with white paws), Songkit (gray-and-white she-cat), Mosskit (gray she-cat with white patches and black ears), and Dovekit (silver she-cat)Featherbreeze- young, silvery-gray she-cat with pink eyes; Nursing kits: Mudkit (brown-and-black tom-kit), and Silverkit (silver she-kit with pink eyes and black flecks)Lovefoot- white she-cat with pink paws and blue eyes; Nursing kits: Orangekit (red-orange tom-kit with white patches) Lustheart- pinkish she-cat with icy blue eyes; Nursing kits: Berrykit (pinkish she-kit with gray patches and icy blue eyes), and Smokekit (gray tom-kit with amber eyes)Swanfeather- white she-cat with gray tipped ears and crystal blue eyes; Expecting Phantomfur’s kitsJingo- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Nursing kits: Lionkit (golden tom with amber eyes), Brownkit (brown she-kit with white paws), Badgerkit (brown tom with white stripe down back)Elders (retired toms and she-cats)Ryethorn- gray-and-light brown tomCreekpearl- blue-white she-cat with pink eyes and gray pawsTeatherpelt- black-and-gray tom with green eyesLilyheart- tiger-like, ginger she-cat with black tabby stripes and green eyesLeopardshadow- leopard-like tom with green eyesBrookdapple- gray, lighter flecked, she-cat with blue eyes, and white chest, paws, muzzle and tail tipStormheart-old, fluffy gray-and-white tom with green-gold eyes; once a kittypetBrightsoul- gray-and-white she-cat with light blue eyes; mother of Snowmist

Streamclan

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Leader Waterstar- white she-cat with black paws and blue eyesDeputy Pondwater- brown tom with green eyes

Apprentice- SplashpawHealer Reedflash- brown tom with green eyes and gray paws

Apprentice- Icerain- silver she-cat with gray paws and ears and blue eyes; Lilysnow’s and Ivyrain’s sister Warriors (toms and she-cat without kits)Mossflower- gray she-cat with white patches and gray paws and blue eyesWavelight- white tom with sky blue eyesSeasky- blue-gray she-cat with white paws and green eyesAquafur- blue-gray tom with gold eyes; Blueclaw’s brotherMirrorcloud- gray-and-white tom with blue eyesFrogleap- brown-and-gray tom with green eyesApprentice- RibbitpawToadbloom- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyesDuckflight- brown-and-black tom with amber eyesApprentice- RipplepawRushingstream- black-and-white tom with gray paws and hazel eyesRipplebreeze- gray-and-black tom with blue eyesMinnowrain- gray she-cat with a very short tail and gold eyesWaterpelt- blue-gray she-cat with green eyes Oceanwave- blue-gray tom with hazel eyes; Waterpelt’s brother \Streamwhisper- gray-and-brown she-cat with green eyes Raintail- gray tom with blue eyes Beaverclaw- brown tom with black paws and amber eyes; Streamwhisper’s brother Poolshine- gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes Dewpool- white she-cat with clear blue eyes; Opalshower’s and Wavelight’s kit Songwhisper- black-and-white she-cat with icy blue eyes; Rushingstream’s mate Clampearl- white she-cat with sparkling blue eyes; Duckflight’s mateApprentice- TortoisepawLilysnow- gray tabby she-cat with white spots and paws, and green eyes; Ivyrain’s and Icerain’s sister Ivyrain- gray she-cat with blue eyes and black paws; Lilysnow’s and Icerain’s sisterWhisperheart- black-gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesBrooknight- brown-and-black she-cat with green eyes; Raintail’s mateApprentices (kits more than six moons old, training to be warriors)Splashpaw- white tom with black patches and green eyesRibbitpaw- brown tom with white paws and black ears and blue eyesRipplepaw- white she-cat with brown chest and blue eyesTortoisepaw- brown-black-and-gray tom with green eyes; Brooknight’s sonQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits)Willowstream- white queen with gray paws and green eyes; Ripplebreeze’s mateWaterstar- white she-cat with black paws and blue eyes; Expecting kitsSpringrain- cream she-cat with gray paws and gold eyes; Expecting Beaverclaw’s kitsElders (retired toms and she-cats)Starwater- white she-cat with amber eyesBlueclaw- black tom with gray paws and hazel eyes; former deputy

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WeatherclanLeader Weatherstar- gray-and-white tom with blue eyesDeputy Stormflower- dark gray she-cat with white paws and gold eyesHealer Rainpetal- white she-cat with golden paws and gray chest and amber eyesWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Cloudpelt- white, gray patched, tom with green eyes and black pawsSnowwhisper- black-and-white she-cat with silver eyesApprentice- LightpawIcefeather- white, brown spotted, she-cat with blue eyesDampfog- golden-and-silver tom with blue eyesVaporshine- blue-gray she-cat with gold eyesApprentice- BrightpawFrostherb- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyesFrozenpath- dark brown tom with blue-white paws and chest and amber eyesStaticflash- golden-and- tan tom with brown eyesTropicstorm- ginger-and-gray tom with amber eyesHeatwave- ginger tom with blue eyesBreezeclaw- black, white spotted tom with green eyesColdsilver- silver she-cat with gray eyes Dewmeadow- gray she-cat with green eyesHaildawn- white she-cat with cream belly and chest and brown eyes Fogsky- blue-gray tom with silver eyes Shardcloud- gray-and-pink she-cat with green eyes Blizzardwind- black-and-white tom with blue eyes Springfall- blue-gray queen with green eyes; Staticflash’s mateFallshower- tortishell-and-ginger she-cat with green eyes Cyclonewind- tan-and-white tom with blue eyes Lightmoor-golden she-cat with green eyesBrightstalk- golden-and-brown she-cat with green eyesWintersnow- pure white she-cat with blue eyes; Frozenpath’s mateBluesky- blue-gray tom with brown eyes and tan tail tip Floodstream- gray she-cat with blue eyes and blue-gray patches Firefunnel- ginger-and-brown she-cat with blue eyes Windstorm- gray she-cat with ginger paws and green eyes Stormhawk- dark gray-and-brown tom with white under belly and muzzle and green eyes Apprentices (kits more than six moons old, training to be warriors)Brightpaw- ginger she-cat with white paws; Lightpaw’s sisterLightpaw- cream-white she-cat with ginger ears; Brightpaw’s sisterIcepaw- blue-white she-cat wit gold eyesSnowpaw- white tom with green eyesTornadopaw- brown-white-and-gray tom with blue eyesQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits)Funnelfern- gray-and-brown she-cat with blue eyes; Expecting Tropicstorm’s kitsDarkcloud- dark gray she-cat with blue eyes; Nursing Cloudpelt’s kits: Rainkit (dark gray she-kit) and Shiverkit (white she-kit with dark gray paws)Elders (retired toms and she-cats)Summersun- tortishell-and-golden she-cat with amber eyesBluesky- dark blue-gray, white pawed, tom with green eyesTwisterflight- gray, black-and-brown tom with blue eyes

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Holwingwind- black tom with ginger chest and muzzle and hazel eyesThunderclash- gray-and-golden tom with amber eyes

“Iceshadow, you’ll get you own apprentice soon,” I promised my grumpy sister.

“I feel as if Rubblestar still doesn’t trust me though,” she growled as she roughly licked her chest.

We sat at the front of the nursery, my kits racing around as Rubblestar brought the apprentice ceremony to a close. Jazzkit and Russetkit were made into apprentices, their proud mother, Moonlight, standing beside her daughters. Limefoot stood at the entrance to the healers’ den, watching her own three kits, Oreokit, Blackkit, and Grasskit, become apprentices as well. She was just starting to get over the bout of greencough that had weakened her and Echowhisper. It had been a moon since the warrior had been lost to Cometclan, but the Clan finally accepted the fact that she was gone. Her apprentice, Flightpaw, had been given a new mentor, and Buzzardclaw was doing an amazing job bringing her closer to becoming a warrior.

I looked down on my kits as they attacked Buzzfox. My throat filled with a rumbling purr as I watched their adopted father play with my four moon old kits. It wouldn’t be long before I would be watching them become apprentices, one of which would be given to Iceshadow for sure to be trained. I wasn’t going to tell her what Rubblestar had in store, but she wasn’t being very patient to wait.

Dovekit pounced down on Buzzfox’s tail and bite down. The ginger-and-white warrior growled playfully and rounded on the silver she-kit, cuffing her lightly on the ears. I was happy to have someone be a father towards my kits. They barely knew their real father before Splashleap had died from the rock fall, and having Buzzfox around got all of our minds off of what had happened. Like he had told me, I had needed to follow my heart and at last it brought me to Buzzfox. He loved unconditionally and always stayed by my side. He didn’t practically anything I wanted him to do, but I wasn’t going to be a bossy furball and use him. I loved him with all my heart and soon others began to notice this as well.

“I see you’ve found yourself a new mate already,” Featherbreeze had teased one morning. “I hope he’s been good to you.”

“I hate to say it, but he’s better than what Splashleap really was,” I had replied. I had sounded like I never really was in love with Splashleap, but inside, my heart had been torn in two when I had lost him. That’s where Buzzfox came in; he mended my broken heart and helped bring a smile to my face every day.

Moonkit raced past me, mud clinging to his gray pelt. I growled and captured my kit with a curling paw under his belly. He whined and complained as I lifted him up in my jaws, letting him hang by his scruff. “Only Cometclan knows how you ever got this filthy,” I hissed through his fur. I padded to the stream that ran through our camp, making a small clearing for the healers’ and their work.

“It was Berrykit,” he squeaked as I dunked him into the cool water. Leafbare was finally over and newleaf had taken over the forest. “He pushed me into the mud puddle by the elders’ den.”

“If I find out that you are lying, no more playing for a moon,” I warned with a lash of my tail. I lifted my little kit from the water and placed him on the ground, his fur clean once again.

“But I’m not,” Moonkit protested, opening his mouth wide.

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“I believe you, my dear, but I’m still talking with Berrykit,” I replied, nudging the tom to his paws. “And no more complaining and do as you’re told. You’re almost the age of an apprentice so I want to see you shape up.”

“I will, mother.” Moonkit looked up to me with pleading eyes that flicked over to the other kits playing moss ball.

“You may go,” I sighed. The gray tom bounded away on short, but growing paws. His spot beside me was replaced with Buzzfox. I leaned into the short furred tom and purred.

“You’ve done a fine job with your little ones,” he commented, licking my shoulder.

“They’re yours as well now, don’t forget,” I reminded him. “Yes, but your brought them up on your own for three and a half moons.” He

licked my shoulder and a purr escaped him. I rested my head on his shoulder, watching the nursery’s kits play.

“Buzzfox,” Pebblewing called as the deputy trotted across the clearing. “I need you to lead a hunting patrol with Creamfur, Dawnlight, and Zeekstorm.”

“All three of the new warriors?” I mused. “That sounds fun.” Just two days ago, Creampaw, Dawnpaw, and my brother’s apprentice Zeekpaw were made into warriors after they helped chase a fox away from the camp. Much of the Clan was happy to Zeekstorm become a warrior, since he had been a kittypet. He had made many great friends in the Clan that respected him, and he had sharpened up well after having Bravewish as his mentor.

“I’m sure they will be well behaved,” Pebblewing chuckled.“Where do you want me to hunt?” Buzzfox asked, getting to his paws and

resting his tail over my shoulders.“Anywhere but the border with Jungleclan and Reedclan, and stay away from

the cliffs,” she answered. “Ash has pretty much covered up to the edge of the training clearing and there hasn’t been any prey there for some time.”

Buzzfox nodded and gave me a lick on the cheek before heading away where the new warriors waited by the entrance. “Letting him lead a patrol,” I started, “Doesn’t that mean he’s a full warrior now?”

“Ah, yes, it actually does,” Rubblestar purred as he trotted over. “You did a wonderful job teaching him the ways of the Clan in such a short time. He showed great potential at the very beginning, but never had I thought he’d pick everything up so quickly.”

“He’s also becoming a great father for your kits,” Pebblewing added in. I smiled, my pelt heating up. “He certainly shows he loves them as if they

were his own,” I mumbled. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without him though this last moon.”

“Every queen goes through the same thing, Opalflower.” We all turned and nodded greetings to Fallenpoppy. She had recovered completely from her bout of greencough, and had been back on her paws as healer for the last half-moon. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to check on Jingo’s kits, and make sure Swanfeather is doing alright.”

Fallenpoppy disappeared into the nursery. I could hear the small mews from Jingo’s three kits. Jingo had decided to become a full Clan member, never wanting to return to Pureclan, but kept her old name. Her kits were named with Clan names: Badgerkit, Lionkit, and Brownkit. They were born a half-moon early and were very small; Fallenpoppy had been afraid that they wouldn’t make it through the rest of leafbare, but they managed. Swanfeather was doing her best to help the frightened

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queen by helping to keep the kits warm, so they both slept in a single nest and would be until Swanfeather had Phantomfur’s kits in a moon or so.

“You up for the Gathering tonight?” Rubblestar asked. “It’s tonight?” I exclaimed. How could I not have seen the moon waning to

the full moon the last few nights? I met my leader’s eyes and answered, “Sure I’m up for it. Is Buzzfox coming as well?” It would be my new mate’s first Gathering since he came into the Clan.

“Of course he’s coming,” Rubblestar purred, getting to his paws and walking away.

“This is going to be an interesting Gathering for sure,” Destinyfern mewed from beside the fresh-kill pile.

“Why?” I asked.“Only that Jungleclan and Reedclan have moved into old rouge territory,”

Gemsoul replied as she walked past. “I’m sure they’re caused loads of trouble with Weatherclan and Streamclan.”

“Did you hear that Waterstar is expecting kits?” Featherbreeze added. “Leaders aren’t supposed to have kits.”

I turned to the queen beside the nursery with her kits. “Leaders have kits all the time,” I put in.

“I’m talking expecting and kitting them,” she corrected herself. “Where did you hear this anyways?” Starshine asked, washing her paw. “You

haven’t left the nursery since you were expecting your two.”“I heard Rubblepaw and Shadowpaw speaking about it after they got back

from the dawn patrol,” she answered with a flick of her tail.“But apprentices gossip all the time,” I pointed out. “For all you know it’s a

rumor they started.“Not if Whiteblade and your father backed them up,” Featherbreeze

countered. The toms were the apprentices’ mentors, and I knew that my father and Whiteblade wouldn’t lie and make things up.

“I guess we’ll just have to wait and find out tonight.” Destinyfern ended the conversation with a sneeze before leaving her buried prey remains.

The full moon rode high in the air as Rubblestar leaped over the broken bridge and landed on the other shore. Streamclan was already joining Weatherclan on the warm Basking Rocks, waiting for Rockclan to arrive. Pebblewing skidded to a halt beside Rubblestar and together they waited for the rest of the Clan to leap the river one by one.

Gemsoul and Soulfrost were next to leap the river. Gemsoul’s short legs carried her almost all the way across in her jump, only ending up for her to scramble up from the edge with Rubblestar’s help. Frostsoul slid to a halt on the wet bridge and called to the tortoiseshell that she was going to be okay.

I padded up to the edge of the broken bridge and waited for Zeekstorm and Bravewish to jump. Buzzfox stepped up beside me, waiting for his turn. His tail flicked excitedly, energy flowing through his blood. This would be his first Gathering since he came into the Clan, and this one would be done as a warrior.

My brother and his old apprentice had made it across and moved out of the way. I did a running start before leaping the river at incredible speed. I flew over the flowing water and over the bridge before passing over my Clanmates and casting a shadow on them. I skidded to a halt behind Rubblestar, as he and the others turned to me in amazement.

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“How did you jump so far?” Pebblewing gasped. “Never have I seen that before.”

“I think it runs in her blood,” Snowmist grumbled as she landed with Twisterclaw on the bridge. “Jungleclan cats were always known as great jumpers…”

“And she has Jungleclan blood in her, we know,” Stormstripe hissed.“There’s no need to be rude, Stormstripe,” Zapstripe growled as he followed

Nightwhisper to my side. “Well we hear about it all the time,” Skunkstripe snorted. “Jungleclan isn’t

any better than Rockclan, okay?”“Sounds like somebody’s jealous more like it,” Withercloud snickered.Rubblestar yowled from the spot on the bridge where he and Pebblewing

finished helping Raisintail and Poppyfern over. “Can we all take the arguing down a notch?” he snapped. “There’s no need to be fighting amongst each other in front of the other Clans and at a Gathering.”

We all mumbled our apologies to our leader. “Now let’s start this Gathering before we waste the night away,” Rubblestar meowed, bounding away with his tail waving from side to side. We chased after our blue-black leader and swarmed the Basking Rocks, joining the ranks of the other two Clans. Instantly, elders and queens got together and greeted each other like old friends. Apprentices were bragging about their new moves they learned, and warriors boasted about battles. The leaders sat upon the top most rock, looking down upon their Clanmates. Rubblestar and Waterstar seemed particularly close as they nuzzled each other in greeting. I narrowed my eyes and sniffed with surprise that what Featherbreeze had said earlier was true: Waterstar was expecting kits.

“Guess Featherbreeze had been right,” Destinyfern mewed, pushing between Buzzfox and I. “Wonder who the father is.”

“Don’t we all,” Pondwater, the brown Streamclan deputy growled.We all turned towards the deputy, confused. “So she never said anything to

Streamclan even?” I asked.“The only thing she has told us is that if it is her wish to keep the father

secret, then she will,” Oceanwave snorted, imitating his leader. “When is she due?” Buzzfox mewed.Oceanwave and Pondwater looked my mate up and down. “And who are you

to be speaking here, stranger?” Oceanwave growled, his blue-gray pelt shimmering under the moonlight. “I never remember seeing you here, not even as an apprentice.”

“His name is Buzzfox, and we took him in,” I answered before my Clanmates could. “He was a loner that was looking for a home in one of the Clans.”

Pondwater shrugged and mewed, “I’m terribly sorry for my warrior’s ill trained attitude. As for answering your question, Waterstar I think will be having her kits in only a half-moon.”

“Actually, it’ll be the claw-moon,” Reedflash, the Streamclan healer corrected. “She’s expected to kit later than you think.” Reedflash turned away from his Clanmates and looked to me. “I must speak with you, young Opalflower before the meeting starts. You can leave your Clanmates here for a moment, you’ll be right back.”

I nodded and waved my tail good-bye to Buzzfox and Destinyfern. I followed the Streamclan healer back towards the broken bridge where he stopped beside a growing fern sticking out from between the rails.

“What is this about?” I asked, sitting down and washing a paw.

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“Waterstar isn’t expecting any tom’s kits,” he started with a flick of his tail. He paused letting the suspension strengthen. “She’s expecting Rubblestar’s kits.”

“What!?” I exclaimed loudly. Lowering my head from any watching eyes now, I added, “How is that even possible?”

“The two leaders were always known to have crushes on each other,” Reedflash grumbled, “but never had I thought they would actually think it safe as to mate. When she came back from the journey with helping Volcanoclan, I suspected something was different.”

“I noticed something has been up with Rubblestar as well,” I put into agreement. “But why would leaders of two Clans break the warrior code like this?”

“Waterstar has spoken of dark days to come that will destroy any hope we have left,” he replied as the leaders yowled from Basking Rocks to call the meeting to a start. “She felt like there was no need to follow the warrior code to the point of her feelings.”

I looked to the Basking Rocks where everyone was beginning to group together. “It’s not like we can do anything about it now that it’s happening,” I pointed out. “But Waterstar is going to have some problems with her Clan if they find out who she mated with.”

“Her Clan is already unhappy about having a leader in the nursery instead of helping her Clan,” Reedflash replied, getting to his paws. “Well, we’ll just have to see what happens. Let’s be getting back.”

Back on the rocks, Weatherstar was speaking. “Those new Clan cats in the rouge territory do not know how to respect our borders one bit,” he growled, facing Rubblestar. “Why did you even think of helping those flea bags?”

“Because the warrior code says to help those in need of it,” Rubblestar countered. “They had to leave their home for a couple moons or cats would have been killed.”

“Well our borders are being crossed everyday by those cats,” Weatherclan’s deputy, Stormflower, yowled. “They’re even starting to steal prey from our moorlands.”

My leader snorted and turned his eyes on Waterstar. “Has Streamclan had any problems from the Clans in the rouge lands?”

“None that I’ve been reported about,” the white she-cat mewed, her eyes glittering as they met Rubblestar’s.

“Waterstar,” Pondwater called from below his leader, “I have something to confess: I have been handling everything that’s being reported because nobody wishes to come to you about anything. They just don’t feel right about having a leader in the nursery.”

Waterstar’s eyes narrowed and her hackles rose. “Why does everybody seem so against me having kits of my own? Where’s the crime in that?”

“In the warrior code, it specifically says that leaders are not to kit, along with healers,” Weatherstar put in. “If you can’t follow that simple code, then I don’t think you are worthy of being a leader.”

Waterstar opened her mouth, but Rubblestar stepped in and spoke in the Streamclan leader’s defense. “Waterstar has done nothing to harm her Clan in any way. Honestly, why is it in the warrior code in first place? There were never any incidents to know what problems might occur.”

Weatherstar’s hackles rose with the rest of his Clan, obviously feeling threatened by Rubblestar’s words. “Stay out of this!” the Weatherclan leader

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growled. “You already caused us enough problems by bringing those foreign Clans here.”

“I was following the warrior code!” Rubblestar argued. “If you don’t think that I should follow it, then why are you going on about it against Waterstar? Who put you in control of checking who’s following and who’s not?”

“Why don’t I make a conclusion for all of this,” Firefunnel of Weatherclan called from the crowd. The Clans separated and let the brown-and-ginger she-cat through so she could come closer to the leaders. “Waterstar should just retire from being leader so she can peacefully be with her kits and settle the disputes, and Rubblestar should chase away Jungleclan and Reedclan back home.”

Muttering rose from the cats around us. Rockclan cats seemed offended that another Clan cat should think she can boss us around, but she did have a point: if the two Clans couldn’t stay inside their own borders, then discipline had to be given. Then there was the fact that Streamclan was agreeing with the Weatherclan warrior that Waterstar should retire from her position. Suddenly the white she-cat looked old and frail after hearing that her own Clan she had led for moons wanted her gone.

“Silence!” Waterstar yowled, lifting her tail. The crowd fell completely silent. “I will agree with Firefunnel and retire from leader. Pondwater will be your new leader for now on,” she announced to Streamclan. “As for breaking the warrior code, I do not agree that I did that by just kitting kits when I was leader…”

I leaned forward waiting for the truth that Reedflash had recently told me. Would she really go and tell all the Clans what she and Rubblestar did? If she announced the truth, would Rockclan turn on their leader next?

“Waterstar wait,” Rubblestar mewed, interrupting the old Streamclan leader. “Are you sure you wish to have the Clans know?”

“Only if you do,” she answered.“Fine, then I’ll announce it,” Rubblestar decided. “Waterstar is expecting not

just any tom’s kits, but mine.”

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Chapter 8“So we have two traitors to the Clans!” Weatherstar snarled. “What is going

down to make all of these betrayals and code breakers come together? Why is Cometclan not doing anything?”

I snorted and shook my head before bounded up the rocks and leaving Buzzfox’s side. “Weatherstar!” I called from below. The gray-and-white leader bowed his head to look down on me. “Honestly, I see nothing wrong with this love,” I objected. “I mean, Waterstar was once Rockclan long ago.”

Gasps and muttering countered my words. “Waterstar is pure Streamclan, and you know that!” the old deputy Blueclaw yelled. “What makes you say this nonsense?”

“Cometclan told me themselves only a couple moons ago,” I explained. “She was once the daughter of Boulderstar and a Streamclan queen called Opalshower, who actually was not Snowmist’s sister I have come to find out. Opalshower had her at a very young age when she had been just recently made a warrior, while Boulderstar was already deputy.

“That makes Waterstar half-Clan, meaning she has not broken the warrior code by mating with a Rockclan cat,” I concluded.

Silence met my echoing words until Blueclaw broke in, “I don’t believe a living word of that load of mouse dung!”

Reedflash padded forth and faced the Clans gathered on the rocks. “What young Opalflower speaks of is completely true,” he said, backing me up. “How she was able to speak with Cometclan is beyond me, but I was only just training to be healer when Opalshower told my mentor about who she had mated with, just as Waterstar did with me.”

“So you’re a traitor too!” Tropicstorm of Weatherclan put in.“No, healers are trusted to keep secrets that the Clan leader speaks of,”

Fallenpoppy corrected with a flash of her teeth. “And if any of you think otherwise, shame on you all.”

Pebblewing stepped forward and turned to face the leaders. Her eyes set on Rubblestar and Waterstar. “I have spoken with the warriors of Rockclan,” she started, “and though they don’t like hearing that their leader going against the code, Opalflower has a point. We have talked and wish to ask if Waterstar will to return home with Rockclan and stay there.”

My gaze swept across all of my Clanmates and they all nodded in return. “I am very grateful for your offer,” Waterstar purred from beside Rubblestar. She turned her blue eyes on the blue-black leader. “And I accept that offer if Rubblestar will.”

Rubblestar didn’t take any pauses when he said to Waterstar, “I would never say no to have you in my Clan. In fact, we’ll be leaving right now. This meeting for

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Rockclan is over,” he announced. Together he and Waterstar leaped down from the highest peaks on Basking Rocks and trotted into the gathered Rockclan cats.

Waterstar stopped and turned back to the watching Weatherclan and Streamclan cats. “By the way, I am no longer Waterstar, but Waterblossom. Hope you all enjoy your new leader.”

Rubblestar leaped on top of the Highcliff while the moon still lay high in sky. The Gathering hadn’t lasted for very long, but he had something in store for his Clan alone. Most of the warriors and apprentices of Rockclan were already out and about, welcoming their Clanmates home, so Rubblestar figured there would be no harm in calling a meeting just for Rockclan.

Waterblossom stood beside my leader as the Clan gathered. Eyes flashed in the darkness as they caught sight of the old Streamclan leader huddled close by Rubblestar. Her white pelt shimmered in the full moon’s light and reflected it across the camp, brightening the pelts of others.

“Cats of Rockclan,” Rubblestar yowled, his voice echoing through the camp. “I have called you together tonight to acknowledge our own Clanmates on our own. I’m sure you have all heard by now what went down at the Gathering. First I would like to welcome Waterst-Waterblossom into the Clan. She will be staying in the nursery until her kits are ready to become apprentices like any other, then she may sleep in the warriors’ den or with me.

“Second, I would like to once again congratulate our hard working apprentices,” he continued, his gaze resting on the young cats huddled near their den. “As far as I know this moon, there have been no problems with any of you, and I was thinking of having a contest for you all to test your skills with.

“Thirdly,” Rubblestar went on, a yawn escaping from him. “I still have yet to announce that Buzzfox, as of today, is a full warrior of Rockclan. Thanks to Opalflower’s promise, she has taught him everything she could in a very short amount of time; I would like to congratulate her on her efforts. There is also the newest warriors, Zeekstorm, Dawnlight, and Creamfur who I wish to thank for saving the Clan from that curious fox outside camp three days ago.”

“Rockclan! Rockclan!” Twisterclaw called out. More voices joined in with him and raised the call to the stars, where I was sure Cometclan was watching.

Rubblestar raised his tail for silence, and the clearing went quiet. “Yes, Rockclan deserves this gracious day where everything has turned for the good of us,” he announced. “But we aren’t free of everything bad; there are still the other Clans I fear. From the Gathering, I have heard that Jungleclan and Reedclan have been threatening the borders of Streamclan and Weatherclan. Not one of those four Clans is very pleased with us at the moment.”

“What are we going to do if they decided to combine and attack?” Skunkstripe asked from beside Reedwater and Beechflame. Reedwater’s apprentice dozed silently beside Zapstripe, who prodded Twisterpaw awake now and then.

Before Rubblestar replied, I jumped to my paws and asked, “May I say something?”

“With all means, Opalflower, please do,” Rubblestar mewed.“When I met Buzzfox in rouge territory, I had another with me,” I confessed.

“It wasn’t somebody from here though. I had gone out on my own because I wanted to clear my mind. While I was in the forest, I chased down a she-cat that came from beyond the fence that we supposively aren’t supposed to know about. Anyways,” I went on, “this cat was named Forestshine of Woodclan.”

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“You’ve found another Clan?” Brightsoul gasped from outside the elders’ den. She was my mother’s mother from Volcanoclan, who I had found the truth about my real heritage.

“Yes, and if there are so many Clans lately showing up, I’m sure there are others somewhere else too,” I replied. “But what I’m getting at is that I can befriend Woodclan and possibly give us allies if we should be attacked.”

“But would that be enough?” Bravewish pointed out.“Honestly, brother, how can you ask that?” Iceshadow hissed. “We are the

biggest Clan in this forest! Our Clan outnumbers Streamclan and Weatherclan put together.”

“And if we add Woodclan in there, we have a good advantage point,” I finished with a flick of my ear.

“That’s settled then,” Rubblestar concluded. “In a couple days time, Opalflower and a small patrol will cross into Woodclan territory and befriend the Clan. As for tomorrow, I need three patrols of eight for the dawn border patrols.”

“I’ll lead one,” Bravewish offered.“Me too!” Withercloud announced, leaping to her paws.“I’ll take the last one, I guess,” Zapstripe mewed.Rubblestar nodded. “Thank you,” he purred. “I will see that Pebblewing will

arrange all other patrols. Border patrols for now on, under my order will contain eight cats. Our borders will be marked daily and checked for any trespassers. I will actually feel much better if a guard was stationed somewhere where the borders can be watched at all times.”

“I can guard for a while,” Beechflame offered. “There’s a high crack at the top of Basking Rocks that I could crawl in and watch for any cats coming towards our territory.”

“Good thinking, young warrior,” Rubblestar praised. “Well that’s it then. Beechflame, start your post at dawn, and then Spiritstorm replace him at sunhigh. At dusk, Stormstripe will replace Spiritstorm, and then you can return at moonhigh. Until dawn, everyone can return to their nests for some sleep.”

The Clan cheered with their yawns as they headed into their dens. I stationed myself in the center of the camp with Buzzfox, watching Rubblestar escort Waterblossom into the nursery. Featherbreeze and Lustheart welcomed the old Streamclan leader with open paws and nudged her lightly inside.

I chuckled and padded up to the worried looking Rubblestar. “Don’t worry,” I mused, “we’ll watch over her with care.”

Rubblestar broke out into a purr. “I wish to thank you for everything you have done for us in the last few moons. Your quick thinking has kept us out of so many battles, that I don’t know how I can thank you enough.”

“Just continue staying our leader for as long as you can.” I gave a yawn and stretched before the nursery. “You know, I just had a thought: Volcanoclan would help us if it came to battle against the other Clans. I could go there and ask for their help if battle seems close.”

“Nobody can tell when a battle will happen though,” Buzzfox pointed out as he walked past to head for the warriors’ den. “You’d need inside eyes to know exactly when everything would take place.”

I narrowed my eyes in mischief. “Maybe I already do,” I meowed darkly.

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Apprentice- FlowerbeamWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Stoneclaw- blue-gray tom with amber eyes; Gravelfur’s brotherShadowflame- black tom with ginger stripes like flames and amber eyes; Pepperleg’s brotherApprentice- LightningpawBuzzardclaw- golden-brown tom with green eyes; Moonbird’s mateLilycoal- blue-gray-and-ginger she-cat with gold eyes

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Pearlpelt- gray-white she-cat with pink fur tips and green-blue eyes; mother of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of StormstripeStormtripe- light gray tom with darker stripes and blue eyes; father of Sealfur, Withercloud and Mallowstorm; mate of PearlpeltMoonshine- pale yellow-gray she-cat with pale blue eyes; Starshine’s sisterWithercloud- gray-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Sealfur’s and Mallowstorm’s sister Zapstripe- black, golden tabby, tom with gold eyesSkunkstripe- black tom with white stripe going down back, and green eyesBeechflame- brown-and-ginger tom with green eyes; Leafshower’s brotherReedwater- blue-gray-and-brown tom with gold eyesApprentice- TwisterpawSnowmist- white she-cat with light gray patches and light blue eyes; Twisterclaw’s mateSealfur- gray-white she-cat with blue eyes; Withercloud’s and Mallowstorm’s sisterLeafshower- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes, black spotted tail; Beechflame’s sisterHazelfern- blue-gray she-cat with green eyes and black tail tip; Stoneclaw’s daughterWolfmoon- gray-and-brown tom with blue eyes; Goldendust’s brotherApprentice- SunpawGoldendust- golden-brown she-cat with gold eyes; Wolfmoon’s sisterTwisterclaw- black-gray-brown-and-white tom with golden tipped everything, and one emerald green eye and one icy blue eyeApprentice- ShadowpawSilvernight- black she-cat with silver eyesApprentice- LostpawSoulfrost- white queen with icy blue eyes; Frostsoul’s sisterApprentice- RussetpawFrostsoul- white she-cat with icy blue eyes; Soulfrost’s sisterApprentice- JazzpawStormsnow- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and fluffy furWhiteblade- white tom with green eyes; Limefoot’s mateApprentice- RubblepawDivaheart- ginger-and-white she-cat with green eyesRavenpelt- black-gray she-cat with brown eyesPhantomfur- fluffy gray-and-black tom with green eyes; Swanfeather’s mateApprentice- GrasspawHazelstorm- blue-gray she-cat with white paws and amber eyesBlissrose- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesDarksoul- black she-cat with icy blue eyes that change with emotionApprentice- DarkpawRaisintail- cream, brown patched she-cat with green eyesPoppyfern- brown—and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Eclipse’s mateApprentice- Sagepaw

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Eclipsingsun- golden-and-black tom with silver paws and blue-amber eyes; Poppyfern’s mateSpiritstorm- white, gray tabby she-cat with snow-blue eyesSmokeshadow- black-and-gray tom with white paws and dark blue eyesApprentice- OreopawDappleshade- white, black tabby she-cat with green eyesNightdusk- black-and-gray she-cat with white paws and golden eyesApprentice- BramblepawDestinyfern- golden-brown-and-gray she-cat with blue eyesApprentice- BlackpawBravewish- gray-black-and-white tom with emerald green eyesIceshadow- black she-cat with gray patches and icy blue eyesFawnpelt- brown she-cat with white spotted back, cream belly and gold eyes; Stoneclaw’s mateSagestorm- cream-and-gray she-cat with blue eyes; Slatefur’s mate Apprentice- TabbypawMilkflower-cream-and-white she-cat with blue eyes and a light green collar; once a kittypetMidnightfur-black tom with brown chest and gold eyes; once a kittypetMallowstorm- gray-and-white she-cat with gold-green eyes; Withercloud’s and Sealfur’s sister; Reedwater’s mateNightwhisper- black she-cat with green eyes; Zapstripe’s mateDeerleap- brown she-cat with cream underbelly and white spotted fur and green eyesSandcloud- cream tom with blue-gray patches and blue eyesSummersoul- brown-blue-gray-and-cream she-cat with green eyesGemsoul- tortoiseshell she-cat with pinkish eyesWhisperflame- gray, ginger patched, she-cat with dark blue eyesBuzzfox- ginger-and-white tom with bright green eyes; was a lonerCreamfur- cream tom with blue-green eyesDawnlight- cream-brown-and-gray she-cat with gold eyesZeekstorm-small, gray, black tabby tom with blue eyes; once a kittypetLimefoot- black she-cat with lime green paws and pink eyes; Whiteblade’s mateFlightstorm- gray-and-white she-cat with brown paws and green eyesWhispshower- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyes; Flightstorm’s sisterApprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Flowerbeam- black she-cat with white muzzle, belly and chest and blue eyes; very fluffyTwisterpaw- blue-gray-brown-and-white tom with gray patches and blue-green eyesSunpaw- golden she-kit with white paws and green eyesLostpaw- black she-kit with icy blue eyesLightningpaw- black, golden striped, tom-kit with green eyesDarkpaw- dark brown, almost black, she-kit with gold eyes Shadowpaw- black, golden pawed, tom-kit with green eyes

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Rubblepaw- black tom with dark blue eyes and white chestSagepaw- black tortoiseshell she-cat with white paws and green eyesSilentpaw- gray-and-white she-cat with blue eyesBramblepaw- brown tabby tom with green eyesTabbypaw-brown-and-gray tabby tom with green eyesRussetpaw- russet-brown she-cat with green eyesJazzpaw- silvery-gray she-cat with white paws, ears and blue eyesOreopaw- black-and-white she-cat with green eyesBlackpaw- black she-cat with lime green tail tip and gold eyesGrasspaw- white she-cat with lime green paws and black ears and green eyesQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Moonbird- silvery-gray she-cat with white paws and blue eyes; Expecting Buzzardclaw’s kitsStarshine-white she-cat with blue eyes; Moonshine’s sisterMoonlight- pale gray she-cat with blue eyesOpalflower- white she-cat with gray patches and crystal blue eyes; Nursing Splashleap’s kits: Moonkit (silver tom with white paws), Songkit (gray-and-white she-cat), Mosskit (gray she-cat with white patches and black ears), and Dovekit (silver she-cat)Featherbreeze- young, silvery-gray she-cat with pink eyes; Nursing kits: Mudkit (brown-and-black tom-kit), and Silverkit (silver she-kit with pink eyes and black flecks)Lovefoot- white she-cat with pink paws and blue eyes; Nursing kits: Orangekit (red-orange tom-kit with white patches) Lustheart- pinkish she-cat with icy blue eyes; Nursing kits: Berrykit (pinkish she-kit with gray patches and icy blue eyes), and Smokekit (gray tom-kit with amber eyes)Swanfeather- white she-cat with gray tipped ears and crystal blue eyes; Expecting Phantomfur’s kitsJingo- brown-and-white she-cat with green eyes; Nursing kits: Lionkit (golden tom with amber eyes), Brownkit (brown she-kit with white paws), Badgerkit (brown tom with white stripe down back)Waterblossom- white she-cat with black paws and blue eyes; Expecting Rubblestar’s kitsElders (retired toms and she-cats)Ryethorn- gray-and-light brown tomCreekpearl- blue-white she-cat with pink eyes and gray pawsTeatherpelt- black-and-gray tom with green eyesLilyheart- tiger-like, ginger she-cat with black tabby stripes and green eyesLeopardshadow- leopard-like tom with green eyesBrookdapple- gray, lighter flecked, she-cat with blue eyes, and white chest, paws, muzzle and tail tipStormheart-old, fluffy gray-and-white tom with green-gold eyes; once a kittypetBrightsoul- gray-and-white she-cat with light blue eyes; mother of Snowmist

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“Flightpaw from this moment, you shall be known as Flightstorm. I am proud to name you, at last, a warrior of Rockclan!”

The Clan leaped to their paws to call out the new warriors’ names. Flightpaw, Whisppaw, and Twisterpaw all had reached their sixth moon in their training and Rubblestar decided they were more than ready to become warriors.

Whispshower shied away from her mother as Mallowstorm nuzzled her daughter. Her brother Twisterpelt rolled his eyes only to be given a swift lick from his father, Reedwater. I chuckled, knowing that they would be babied that way until their parents were in the elders’ den.

The Clan silenced down as Rubblestar continued waiting on Highcliff. “Today is the day that Opalflower takes a patrol to Woodclan and befriend the warriors from there. Opalflower,” he mewed turning to me, “No matter what, I want you back by the half-moon. That should give you plenty of time, correct?”

“I’m certain that we may be home before that,” I mewed. “Let’s head out!” I hollered to my patrol. Five cats raced from the gathered Clan and chased after me, bursting through the entrance with energized paws. Iceshadow and Buzzfox ran beside me, with Zapstripe and Nightwhisper bringing up the rear. Milkflower, once a kittypet that I had brought into the Clan after a battle against Pureclan, watched from a few steps behind the rest of us at all times.

We leaped the scent line that kept all cats from investigating the fence that blocked our view of the beyond. Over that fence was where Woodclan had settled in peace. I realized that I had no clue how to get over the fence, but knew there had to be a way if Forestshine had made it. We walked beside the wooden border, passing the Cliff Hole, and I half wondered if the Woodclan cats or even Forestshine knew what caused this huge hole.

Thinking of the silver she-cat seemed to conjure her up. I remembered then that I had seen her the other day, and spoke to her about me and my Clanmates coming to visit. The silver she-cat waited beside a hole at the bottom of the fence, where a stream seemed to be flowing out of. So Woodclan cats have no problem with getting their paws wet, I figured.

“Hey, Opalflower,” Forestshine greeted me as I came slowing to a trot. “Great timing, eh?”

“Perfect timing,” I purred in agreement. I turned to my Clanmates and mewed, “These cats with me are my sisters Iceshadow and Nightwhisper, Zapstripe, Buzzfox, and Milkflower. We only plan on staying somewhere around half-moon.”

“That’s fine,” she mewed, ducking under the tunnel under the fence. Water dripped from the metal above our heads, and I knew this tunnel was Twoleg made. “Mintstar is expecting you. I let her know that our Clan was having visitors from another Clan. She was so excited to know that we weren’t alone after all.”

“Sounds like we’ll all get along then,” Zapstripe chuckled. “And I was afraid that this Clan was going to kill us as soon as we stepped foot over the border.”

“You mean under it,” Nightwhisper joked, her voice echoing in the tunnel. She was the last to splash through the tunnel and the stream I just realized was running through it.

We all went quiet when we gathered on the other side of the fence. Trees grew along the length of the fence and thickened as we went deeper into the forest we never knew existed. Sunlight sparkled through the tree tops and warmed areas

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on the leafy ground. Forestshine chuckled at our amazed faces; never had I seen a forest so beautiful.

“There’s a lake farther away where we teach out apprentices how to swim,” Forestshine mewed to break the silence. “Then we have a training clearing completely surrounded by water, bushes and trees.”

“It sounds very safe and protected here,” I mewed, inspecting the trees. Strips of bark made the trunk of the tree, all curling around each other until knotting together at the base. “These trees remind me of the jungle.”

Iceshadow gave me a dirty look. “You mean Jungleclan?” she growled. “I hope Woodclan is a bit more hospitable.” I returned her hard stare and flicked my tail for her to be quiet and be respectful.

We carried on following Forestshine through the sparkling forest. In the quiet peacefulness of the woods, I could hear the distant sound of waves lapping against a shore. I knew it was the lake Forestshine had mentioned. Would there be Twolegs swimming in it like the one back in Volcanoclan’s new territory?

As we drew deeper into the forest, the amount of trees grew and the canopy above our heads let less sunlight in. The woods were becoming cooler and darker now, but I could tell the others were more than happy to be out of the sun.

Nobody seemed talkative in this strange territory. Instead, my companions only stared at their surroundings in awe. I chuckled silently to myself and trotted up beside Forestshine. “I never asked you, how did that catmint work for your sick?” I questioned. I pushed past a juniper bush and then clawed myself over a large fallen tree trunk. Forestshine easily leaped the log and landed on the other side, waiting for the rest of us.

“Everyone recovered but one of our elders,” she replied, washing a paw as I stumbled down beside her. “How about your Clanmates, Opalflower?”

“One of our warriors died,” I mewed sadly remembering how I had watched Echowhisper’s spirit leave to join Starclan. “It took some time for the rest of our ill to get well, but everyone is on their paws again.”

“That’s good to hear,” she purred, getting to her paws. Zapstripe was last over the log after he helped Nightwhisper over with a big push. He fell panting at our paws, obviously out of breath.

“Can we take a break?” he puffed.“What, when we’re so close to my camp?” Forestshine exclaimed with a

chuckle. “Don’t worry, warrior, you’ll get your break in a few moments.”Zapstripe sighed impatiently and got to his paws. Nightwhisper and

Iceshadow got on either side of the golden striped warrior to make sure he wasn’t going to fall. Buzzfox and Milkflower walked beside me as I trotted after Forestshine.

In the distance, I could see a hill of ground rising above the trees. Near the base was a hole, roots and strings of dirt hanging from the top. A screen of brambles lined the edges and only a small opening big enough for a cat was left at the bottom. At the top of the screen was flat, where the dirt and roots hung down, a small window was open to the forest. At times I could swear that eyes flashed from behind the hanging tendrils.

“You Clan is expecting us, right?” I mewed to Forestshine as we neared the entrance.

The silver Woodclan cat turned. “Of course,” she snorted. “I wasn’t going to bring strangers into our camp without warning; that would be very stupid thing to do.”

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Forestshine crawled underneath the bramble screen, the thorns pulling slightly at her pelt. I nodded for the others to go in first. Buzzfox paused beside me as Nightwhisper went next. “Is something the matter?” he whispered, licking my cheek gently.

“Is it right that we are using these cats for our Clan’s protection?” I blurted out. It was something that had been bugging me since I suggested my idea to Rubblestar.

“If Cometclan hasn’t objected, maybe it is potentially all right.”Zapstripe and Iceshadow disappeared inside the bramble screen. “Let’s pray

to them that this works then,” I sighed. I nodded for Buzzfox to go ahead, but he pushed me forward. I smiled before crouching low and crawling underneath the bramble screen into the small, low hole. I could feel Buzzfox’s warm breath on my heels so I moved forward at a swift pace. The hole tunneled farther back than I last thought; I kept wondering how Woodclan got it so thick.

Suddenly, light blinded my eyes, and I was forced to close them as I pushed through the last of the bramble screen. I blinked my eyes back open when I was able to stand up straight, with Buzzfox beside me. Together we gasped in awe.

The camp was a huge hollow dug out of the ground. Ledges of dirt gave great sunning spots to cat that already rested there, and if there was ever a battle, elders and queens could easily reach the ledges for safety. One ledge was above the bramble screened entrance, where a tan, spiky furred warrior sat. At the top of the walls of the hollow, a flat rimmed top allowed cats to walk easily along the top of the camp, but if one was to slip, they might not make the fall to the ground alive. Against all sides of the camp were dens made from caves, entrances blocked by ferns growing around the dens or brambles weaved together. One den out of all the rest was smaller, and I figured it had to be the leader’s den. Between two dens, one of which I could tell was the apprentices’ den, was a sandy area where piles of rocks were being used by a couple apprentices that had ran from their den. On the other side of the rock piles had to be the nursery where one queen with her two kits was lying outside dozing slightly in a patch of sunlight. In the very center of the camp was a huge, towering rock that cast a shadow all the way across the camp. Notches of stone poked out from the rock, making it easy to climb. On top was a white, black flecked she-cat, watching nobly over her Clan; it had to be Mintstar.

Forestshine trotted away from my group and placed her front paws on the stone in the middle of the camp. She called a greeting up to the white she-cat on top. The she-cat turned her eyes on her warrior and then they slipped away and settle on us. Her eyes were a beautiful light green that reminded me of mint leaves.

The white she-cat leaped down from her place, following Forestshine across the camp to join my Clanmates and I. “Forestshine told me that we would have visitors,” the white she-cat purred. “My name is Mintstar, and as this Clan’s leader, I would like to welcome you to the camp of Woodclan.”

My friends and I gave the formal bow of greeting. I met the mint green eyes of Woodclan’s leader. “My name is Opalflower, warrior of Rockclan,” I mewed. “Behind me are a select few of my Clanmates.”

“My name is Iceshadow,” my black sister greeted, stepping forward. Nightwhisper and Zapstripe took up either side of her. “And this is my sister Nightwhisper, and her mate Zapstripe.”

I flicked my tail for Milkflower and Buzzfox to join me up front before the leader. “This is Milkflower,” I introduced as I pointed to the cream she-cat. “And this

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is my mate Buzzfox.” I leaned into the ginger-and-white tom, noticing that he was shaking from nerves.

“It is nice to meet all of you, warriors of Rockclan,” Mintstar purred. “I wish to thank Opalflower, I believe, for helping Forestshine find catmint for my Clan. Without your help, we would be in great danger.”

I shuffled my paws on the ground and lowered my eyes. “I was only following our Clan’s warrior code and helping another Clan in trouble,” I mewed modestly.

From behind Mintstar and Forestshine, a brown-and-white tom and a gray-and-brown she-cat came forward, dipping their heads. Mintstar nodded a greeting to the two cats before turning back to me. “These two are Birchshard, my deputy, and his sister Sagestorm, our healer.”

“Greetings,” Birchshard mewed. “I wish to stay and get to know you all, but I must speak with my leader real quick. Mintstar, the dawn patrol has just returned…” Together Mintstar and her brown-and-deputy padded a little ways away.

Sagestorm padded forth, shaking her head. “My brother has become a great deputy,” she purred. “He trained so hard to get where he’s at, and he’s earned so much respect from becoming the great warrior he is.”

“That’s what you want in a deputy,” Iceshadow commented.Sagestorm nodded her head and turned to me. “Forestshine told me about

you, Opalflower, right?”“Yes.”“I want to thank you for helping her find that catmint,” she went on. “Our

territory for some odd reason wouldn’t grow much. What did grow is only very small and wouldn’t have done much to help our ill. I’m sorry she had to cross into your territory to search for it. I’m curious to know, but are you your Clan’s healer?” she asked with a wave of her tail.

“No, I’m a warrior with kits right now,” I mewed with sigh.Nightwhisper pushed past Iceshadow and rubbed her cheek on mine. “She

may be a warrior, but she knows every herb in our forest,” she told the Woodclan healer. “My sister is great because she can be a warrior and a healer.”

Sagestorm narrowed her green eyes in confusion. “But if you are a warrior, then how come you know herbs?”

“When I was a kit, I always dreamed of healing instead of fighting,” I explained, flashing my eyes in annoyance at Nightwhisper. She looked away innocently and stationed herself beside Zapstripe once again. “Our current healer, Fallenpoppy, had an apprentice when I was made into an apprentice, so I had to train as a warrior. But during my kithood and apprenticeship I trained in the healers’ den in my free time.”

Buzzfox was watching me with gentle eyes. “Her skills definitely came in handy when our healer fell ill and when our healer apprentice needed help.”

“Sounds like you are a great addition to your Clan,” Sagestorm purred. “But if your warrior code is anything like ours, you can never become a healer if you have a mate.”

I’d forgot about that, I cried inside. Buzzfox was staring at the ground in sadness. I snorted with annoyance and pushed a paw against my mate’s cheek so that I could into his green eyes. “I want you to know that as long as I have you by my side, I will not let anything get between us.”

“But you want to be a healer so bad,” he reminded me. “And I’m sure Flowerbeam will want you as her apprentice when Fallenpoppy dies or retires.”

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“Yes I know, but I love you more.” I pushed my muzzle into his soft, short fur on his neck. “And I don’t want to lose you.”

Chapter 10Woodclan

Leader Mintstar- white she-cat with mint green eyes and black flecksDeputy Birchshard- brown-and-white tom with green eyes

Apprentice- GraypawHealer Sagestorm- gray-and-brown she-cat with white paws and blue eyesWarriors (toms and she-cats without kits)Heartmoon- white-and-silver she-cat with heart-shaped, black patch around one blue eye while other eye is green Starflight- golden she-cat with silver eyes and bent tail tipBanditheart- brown-and-black tom with amber eyes (Iceshadow’s new mate)Darkwood- brown she-cat with black paws and blue eyes; Banditheart’s sisterThornpelt- tan tom with spiky fur and green eyesMossflower- gray-and-pinkish-white she-cat with blue eyesApprentice- OakpawMaplewillow- reddish she-cat with green eyes and brown specksRedwood- orange-red tom with brown paws and silver eyes; Maplewillow’s fatherFallenlog- white tom with brown belly and green eyesWillowstreak- fluffy, white she-cat with blue eyes and brown streaks on tail; deaf in one earBarkfog- brown-and-gray tom with blue eyesBirdleap- black she-cat with brown patches and eyes; Crownight’s sisterApprentice- RobinpawCrownight-jet black tom with brown eyes; Birdleap’s brotherFoxtail- flame colored, orange tom with green eyes and white muzzle and tail tipSparrowhop- smallish brown tom with black streaks and golden eyesLeafclaw- brown, white spotted tom with amber eyesConefall- tan-and-gray spiky furred tom with blue eyesApprentice- CedarpawForestshine- silver she-cat with black paws and ears, and blue eyesApprentice- Pinepaw

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Squirrelfleet- bushy tailed, light brown-and-black tom with white underbelly and green eyesMolewhisker- black tom with short whiskers and gold eyesVoleflight- light brown tom with short legs, speed, and amber eyesApprentice- RainpawApprentices (kits more than six moons old; training to be warriors)Graypaw- dark gray-and-brown tom with green eyesOakpaw- brown-and-black tom with green eyesMaplepaw- ginger-and-brown she-cat with blue eyes; Cedarpaw’s sisterCedarpaw- dark brown tom with green eyes; Maplepaw’s brotherPinepaw- black she-cat with ginger patches and green eyesRainpaw- light gray tom with blue eyes and bushy furQueens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits (cats’ less than six moons))Juniperflower- light gray queen with blue eyes and white paws and tail tip; Nursing Molewhisker’s kits: Blackkit (black tom with gray tail) and Stormkit (gray tom with white ears and black paws)Elders (retired toms and she-cats)Fallenleaf- ginger-and-golden tom with green eyesTumbleweed- gray-and-white tom with blue eyes; Juniperflower’s fatherJumpfoot- golden she-cat with green eyes; very skittishMousetail- dark gray tom with gold eyes and skinny tail

“So how long were you and your warriors planning on staying?” Mintstar asked as she joined us under the shadow of her meeting rock she called Charred Rock. A fire had once raged through the camp long ago and burnt the stone, leaving it black and charred, giving it its name.

“We were planning on leaving by the half-moon, or earlier if you wish for us to leave,” I answered, flopping down on my side onto the cool ground.

Mintstar looked away, thinking. Her face was sweet and thought filled. “That’s fine by me, young warrior,” she purred with a flick of her tail. “But I was wondering if any of you have ever fought a dog before.”

My Clanmates and I shared a look of confusion. “Not exactly,” I confessed, “but I was attacked by one when our river was frozen. Buzzfox and I never fought it off though because it fell in the river.”

“Let’s hope it drowned,” Buzzfox growled with a snort.Milkflower looked up from washing her plump, kittypet belly. “Are you having

some problems with dogs, Mintstar?” she asked.“My dawn patrol returned injured, attacked by two dogs,” she explained.

“Never have we seen dogs in our territory, but they must’ve gotten loose from their Twolegs somewhere far from our borders.”

“I was a kittypet once, a few moons ago and I had to deal with dogs,” Milkflower said, shaking her head. “They are some of the dumbest creatures that I ever set eyes on. I know that if you circle a dog with many cats, it’ll try and attack one and then the others can flee and or attack to confuse the dog. It works everytime.”

“But there’s two,” Mintstar reminded the cream warrior.“Oh… well you could try it I guess,” she muttered, biting her claws and

pulling grass from them.

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“Our Clan doesn’t know much about dogs either,” I admitted, stepping forward and whisking my tail across Milkflower’s mouth for quiet. There never had been Twolegs living around our territory, but I half wondered if that dog from the river had been one of them attacking warriors of Woodclan.

“How badly hurt were the warriors of your patrol?” Iceshadow asked. My sister’s eyes gleamed with the fire of battle. Her claws flexed in and out, puncturing small holes in the sand under her paws. I could tell she was ready to fight these dogs, and yet she would be doing it to help a Clan we didn’t even know if we could trust. Actually, that would be a perfect plan. If we help Woodclan, they would trust us and then help us when we need it, I realized.

Mintstar turned back towards my sister and I, since we were the only two of our group paying any attention. “Why don’t I take you to my warriors,” she offered. Her eyes flicked over me. “Maybe you can help our healer; she might appreciate some extra paws.”

Together, Iceshadow and I followed Mintstar across the hollow to the healer’s den located between the nursery and elders’ den. It was always a good place to have a healers’ den because that way queens and kits would have a healer close by, and a healer would be able to hear the elders’ complaining. The healer of this Clan was lucky; she had shade at all times during the day. Her den would be cool and dark, and after this heat, I wouldn’t mind a cold place to sit down and chat in.

Mintstar halted at the fern shaded entrance. “Sagestorm, you have visitors!” she called.

Echoes of paws shuffling and scrambling inside hit my ears. “I’m busy right now, Mintstar!” a she-cat called from inside. “Graypaw will come and take care of these cats.”

I looked up to Mintstar. “Is Graypaw her apprentice?”The Woodclan leader shook and her head as a dark gray-and-brown tom

poked his head out. “Can I- who are you?” he exclaimed, pulling the rest of the way out of the ferns. He glanced at his leader for an explanation.

“These cats are from Rockclan, and one is a healer,” Mintstar mewed. Purring with amusement, she added, “Aren’t you supposed to be training with Birchshard?”

The small tom sighed and kicked at the ground. “You know I want to be a healer apprentice,” he grumbled with a lash of his tail. He lifted his head with hopeful eyes. “Since Sagestorm doesn’t have an apprentice, can I be her apprentice?”

Mintstar have a slight chuckle. “I’ll have a talk with Sagestorm later, okay?” she suggested. Graypaw gave an excited kick. “But you have to break the news to Birchshard when if you can.” The gray-and-brown apprentice dropped his tail to the ground and backed away into the healers’ den without waiting for Mintstar’s word.

I watched after the small apprentice. “Why didn’t he become her apprentice when he had the ceremony?”

“A moon ago, Sagestorm was Roseflight’s apprentice,” Mintstar explained, her eyes filled with sadness. “My sister was killed by a fox while she was collecting herbs a half-moon ago, and Graypaw has been helping since. I guess I never really wanted anyone to replace my sister and ignored Graypaw’s pleas to become Sagestorm’s apprentice.”

Iceshadow placed a comforting paw on the leader’s shoulder. “Sometimes we have to accept the fact that a loved one is gone,” she muttered, the fire of battle smoking into a gray cloud in her eyes. “We recently lost our mates, and it’s very hard to leave him behind in another Clan where he died.”

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Mintstar’s eyes flashed. “Opalflower, why don’t you go in and see Sagestorm,” she suggested. “I’ll be with the rest of your warriors for now.”

I turned towards the fern entrance to the healers’ den as Mintstar trotted away whispering to Iceshadow. Inside, muttering filled my ears as a cold breeze hit my nose. I gave a sneeze before getting to my paws and entering the shadow of the den’s chilling darkness. My paws fell into prints from those in the past, and I wondered how long this Clan had been here for.

Sounds echoed all around me as I slowly made my way down a stone tunnel. Water dripped from the ceiling, falling into a small puddle near a row of nests lining the left wall of the tunnel. Deeper I went, the smell of herbs becoming stronger. Crevices on the tunnel held poultices that smelled nothing like the ones back home. Grasses sprouted through the cracks on the tunnel ground. I tore at one, chewing it in my mouth. Sweet water leaked onto my tongue before I spat the grass stalk back on the ground.

I rounded a corner and peaked around. Graypaw’s tail flicked as Sagestorm tended to a black tom with bite marks lining his tail. Blood dripped from a deep wound on his shoulder. The brown-and-white she-cat placed chewed up lilies on the wound, and the black tom cringed as the juices touched the tender muscle, stinging the wound. The juices would slowly become sticky and stop the wound from bleeding and let the inside of the wound heal, but it didn’t keep out infection like cobwebs did back home. I looked around the ceiling of the tunnel, searching. I jumped to my back paws when I spotted the web design in the corner of a crevice. Flicking a spider away with my claw, I wrapped the thick web around my paw.

Hobbling on two paws, I appeared around the corner. “Why don’t you try cobwebs instead?” I suggested, stopping just behind Graypaw. The warrior apprentice leaped around with a hiss, while Sagestorm looked calmly up from the black tom’s shoulder.

“Was that you at the entrance, Opalflower?” Sagestorm purred. Turning her leafy green gaze on Graypaw, she pointed out, “Why don’t you go find your mentor. Opalflower can help me for now.” The gray-and-brown tom moaned with a glare shot in my direction from the corner of his eye, but he finally pushed past me with a grumble.

I pushed my paw closer to the healer. She took it gently from my paw with her teeth. Sagestorm unwrapped the sticky web and placed it down on the wound that still bleed from under the lily juices. Though the web was becoming wet with blood, I could tell already that the bleeding was slowing down.

“I can’t believe my eyes; it works better than lilies!” Sagestorm gasped. The black tom she tended to sighed in relief as the healer removed the web, taking some lily juice with it. Sagestorm reached for a dock leaf holding a marigold poultice. She dabbed her paw in it, and smeared it on the wound. To the tom and I she mewed, “This poultice contains lily juice, marigold, and honey. The honey soothes the wound so that it doesn’t hurt.” After a good sniff of the wound, she said, “Alright, Crownight, you can go, but come straight back if the poultice comes off or if the wound starts bleeding again.”

“Thanks,” the black tom grumbled. He stumbled down from the small ledge he had been sitting on, and padded past me without acknowledgement. “If I see those dogs again, I’ll rip their tails off,” he growled as he left.

Quietly, the Woodclan healer went back to mixing poultices. Nothing was said between us for some time. I settled down on the cool sandy ground and looked around. The tunnel I had come through had widened into a large clearing inside the

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cave I had once though small; I now figured that the den was beginning to burrow underground. Nests were pushed against the far side of the clearing, across from the ledge where Crownight had been getting treated. Straight across from the tunnel’s opening was another opening. Now that my eyes had adjusted to the gloom and darkness, I was able to make out a nest in the back of the new cave. I figured that it was where Sagestorm slept, her herbs most likely hidden in the cold.

Silence continued for so long that it was starting to feel awkward. Sagestorm still worked on mixing herbs and then would mutter something to herself. I got to my paws and padded up to the healer and looked over her shoulder, peeking at what she was making. Marigold and honey was mixed in with small black seeds, which I recalled were poppy seeds. I caught a glimpse of ragwort leaves, which Flowerbeam used back home on the elder’s joints.

“Are you mixing something for your elders?” I asked, breaking the long silence.

Sagestorm nodded and pounded her paw on the floor. “The only problem is that there’s something missing.”

“Did you add juniper?”Sagestorm slowly looked up in confusion. “What is juniper?”I looked to the ground in astonishment. This was an awkward moment when

another healer didn’t know something a warrior did. “Well, in my Clan we use these purple berries called juniper berries. They’re great for relieving belly aches, and our healer back home uses them with ragwort leaves to help the aching joints of cats.”

“I don’t know where we could find any juniper though,” Sagestorm muttered, pushing the dock leaf away into a corner. “I never remember seeing any purple berries on any of my herb searches.”

My ear flicked as a warm breath filled my ear. Go to the training island, or the v in the stream. I purred with delight as I recognized the voice as Splashleap. Even though my old mate was in Cometclan with our other ancestors, he was willing to stay by my side and help me every pawstep.

“Have you ever been to your training clearing?” I mewed oddly.Sagestorm narrowed her eyes in wariness. “Not for a few seasons, why?”“Let’s go take a look around there and maybe even by the v-bend in the

stream…” Turning, I trotted through the cool, dark tunnel back to the surface where the sun was beginning to set. Snorting in anger, I growled to the halting healer, “Looks like we’ll have to wait until tomorrow.”

“Why… collecting herbs under moonlight is the best time,” Sagestorm purred, sliding past me.

I glanced around the clearing, the camp active with calm warriors and apprentices. “Don’t you worry about getting attacked by foxes and badgers?”

“They’d never attack us,” she chuckled. “Our Clan has made friends with the woodland animals. Our groups have helped each other out for seasons.”

Whether Sagestorm said it was safe in these woods or not, I still cautiously left the camp. Buzzfox protected my one side, his tail twined with mine. His green eyes flashed as he shifted his head from left and right, searching everywhere for danger. Graypaw rolled his eyes at our strange fear as he followed Sagestorm. Behind us, Iceshadow and a Woodclan warrior named Fallenlog brought up the rear. Mintstar had given us the extra warrior to reassure me that there was nothing to worry about. The white tom spoke softly to Iceshadow, telling her how sorry he was about the dangers we face back home.

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“Just recently rocks fell in our camp after the earthshakes,” my sister continued on, her head hanging low. I could feel her eyes watching me, and I figured she would know I’d start thinking about Splashleap. “We lost a few warriors that day.”

Keeping my ears folded back, I watched the ground in front of me. Sagestorm was leading our group around the hollow that was formed by Twolegs long ago to build things farther away. Woodclan had once lived just out in the woods, but when the Twolegs were found to have left permanently, Woodclan took the hollow for themselves. Leaf-fall leaves littered the ground, moonlight reflecting their colors in my eyes. The leaves made me think about my father’s pelt. I had left him and my mother in charge of watching my kits when the queens needed a break; the queens had their own kits to care for as well, let alone my five.

Sagestorm and Graypaw veered sharply away. I pricked my ears and caught the sound of moving water. Croaks from frogs and the songs of crickets moved with the soft flow of water, filling the night with peaceful noises. I looked up through the trees, searching for Starpelt. A few stars shined brightly through the colored leaf-fall leaves, sparkling as if saying that they were watching us.

Suddenly, everything went silent.I stopped, listening for any movement. There was a rustle above from the

leaves blowing in the wind. Sniffing the air, I caught a scent that burned my nose. Buzzfox halted healer and apprentice up ahead with a hiss, knowing that something wasn’t right as well.

“Why’d we stop?” Fallenlog mewed, trotting up to my side.Buzzfox murmured something to the brown bellied warrior, but my ears were

listening for something farther away. My pelt pricked with unease as the cats around me watched and waited as I stood still as stone.

“Sagestorm, it’s snowing!” Graypaw exclaimed excitedly.The small apprentice’s joy was my demise. Without alerting anyone, I pushed

past Iceshadow and Fallenlog with great speed. I darted between trees, scraped past bushes, until I made it to the hole under the fence. As I kept running, passing the freshly marked border, my mind flashed of pictures of the volcano. It wasn’t snow that was coming down, but ash. The volcano was getting close to erupting once again.

My predictions of rumbling came, exactly the same way the first time it happened. The terrible shaking brought my balance to my side, causing me to tumble from the top of the ravine and back to the forest floor. I grunted with the effort to get to my paws as my shoulder ached in pain. Gritting my teeth, I dug my claws into the ground and clawed my way to the top. I could already pick out the distant sounds of my Clanmates waking to the shaking. Sounds of distress and fear told me that they were terrified, but would they leave?

“Opalflower, what’s going on?” I glanced over my shoulder as I reached the bottom of the ravine on the other side. Iceshadow and Buzzfox were stumbling down the shaking slope, their fur spike and tails fluffed out. “Why is the ground shaking again?” Iceshadow continued with her shouting.

“The volcano has erupted again!” I yelled, pausing only for a second. “Help me to get the Clan outside the camp!”

With my sister and Buzzfox on my heels, I burst through the camp entrance. A boulder crashed to my right, the wind pushed down from its fall reaching my shoulder. I edged away and watched as cats raced about the camp clearing, dodging falling rocks, and pushing others away. Destinyfern pushed at a boulder

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that had landed on the tail of Smokeshadow, lurching the stone forward enough for the black-and-gray warrior to escape the rock’s clutches on his tail.

Rubblestar teetered around Waterblossom as the old Streamclan leader lapped at a stray kit near the stream. I turned towards my friends, ordering, “Save as many of our Clanmates by telling them to get out of camp and up the ravine. Get the stronger warriors help the elders out and have the apprentice carrying the kits. Hurry, before-” A large bang cut out my words, but Iceshadow and Buzzfox understood, taking off and giving all the cats they passed their orders.

I raced over to Rubblestar, water splashing over the stream’s banks and soaking into Waterblossom’s tail. “We need to get everybody out of camp, now!”

“Weren’t you just in Woodclan?” Rubblestar growled, pushing his mate forward, the white queen grabbing the kit. “Never mind that; let’s just get out of here.”

“You can go, but I’m staying to help my Clanmates!” I hissed. Sharply, I left my leader staring after me, shocked. I made it to the elders’ den, where Leopardshadow hid inside. “Get out of here! As far away from camp as you can, all of you!”

Stepping aside, I took count of all who left. Leopardshadow guided his mate Lilyheart from the den, his gold eyes widened in fear. Brookdapple pressed against Stormheart’s side, the old tom shaking with the swift effort he tried to put in his frail legs. Ryethorn hissed in anger as he ripped his fur free from the den’s bramble entrance, guiding Teatherpelt with his tail. The blind black-and-gray tom kept a firm hold on his denmate’s tail, his jaws locked firmly around the tip. Creekpearl followed closely behind with Brightsoul pushing the blue-white she-cat ahead.

All the elders have made it out, I told myself. My heart was racing as I sped across camp to the nursery, passing Flowerbeam on the way. The healer apprentice had been helping Fallenpoppy carry herbs from the den, as usual always making sure there were remedies for any wounds. I sniffed the nursery, finding that it was empty.

As I turned to follow the last of my Clanmates from camp, a squeal from the nursery brought me deep inside the darkening den. Ash had grown thick on the bramble top of the den, making it hard to breathe as the smell clogged my nose.

“Where are you?” I called to the crying kit.“Mother?” My eyes shot to the far corner that Iceshadow had always slept in

when she had been a kit. Songkit was huddled in the corner, her blue eyes wide in fear. I purred with relief when she dashed to my paws unhurt. “I’m scared!”

“I know sweetie,” I whispered in her ear before grabbing her scruff. “It’ll be over soon.”

One last time, I checked that the camp’s clearing was empty. Boulders littered the ground, leaving obstacles as the earthshakes continued shaking the ground. My paws vibrated as the rumbles in the earth seemed to get worse. My ears hurt from the loud bangs coming from the distant volcano. My pelt had grown heavy as ash collected in my thick fur. Would these disasters ever stop?

Leaving the nursery on hurting paws, I wound my way around several large boulders. I could easily find the places where the stones had fallen from. I remembered the danger this had brought to my Clan last time. Would there be any cats caught under them this time?

A blast echoed through the camp. I glanced fearfully over my shoulder, watching a giant gray cloud of ash filled the sky. The ground gave a large lurch, sending more boulders down, and shaking me to the ground. Protecting Songkit, I

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crouched down on top of her as the camp walls fell around me, one stone at a time. I gritted my teeth as a large pebble struck my back, but I was determined to protect my kit.

I hissed in surprise as teeth dug into my scruff. I flailed with Songkit wriggling in my jaws. “Opalflower, it’s me, Pebblewing.” I relaxed until the deputy placed me down. Her fur was on end as she trudged towards the entrance. When she didn’t see me following, she raced back. “Come on, we I need to get you out.”

Though fear had been the reason for not moving, the safety of my kit was what mattered most. On shaky paws, I darted around boulders, following on Pebblewing’s heels. Ash was falling heavily on top of us as the giant ash cloud covered more and more of the sky. It grew dark as the sun was concealed behind the cloud, and the air grew bitter and cold.

At the entrance, Pebblewing waited for me to climb over a short boulder that had fallen in front of it. I handed Songkit over to the deputy while I clawed my way on top, where I had Pebblewing throw her up. I curled my paws around my daughter, catching her just before she hit the stone. With a nod from Pebblewing for me to keep going, I slid down the boulder and into the torn bramble entrance.

I fell to the ground with a screech as a blast deafened my ears. I clawed at my ears as the noise made my head pound. Songkit wailed underneath me, her paws covering her ears. The earth shook violently, the sound of cracking coming from behind. I could tell I lost my hearing for the rumbles were making small noises to my ears, and uncovered them to look back to where Pebblewing would be climbing after me.

A boulder blocked the only opening there had been, and a brown tail, tipped black, hung in my sight from under the newly fallen boulder. I could barely hear myself scream as I stared in fear at the cat that had saved my life, giving up hers. I swallowed my fear and picked Songkit up once more. Padding from the protective veil the bramble entrance had given me, I wandered out into the open, ash clinging to my pelt. Songkit hung shaking in my jaws.

Buzzfox raced down from the ravine, his pelt turning gray. “I was so worried,” he fretted, pressing up against me. His voice sounded distant. “Are you all right? And where’s Pebblewing?” He looked over his shoulder, his eyes making his way back to the camp’s blocked entrance.

“She’s gone,” I whispered, or at least I hoped. “I saw her crushed under stone.”

Buzzfox went silent as he escorted me up the ravine. He took Songkit from me as he watched me haul myself up the steep slope. At the top, Iceshadow grabbed my scruff and rubbed her cheek against mine. Destinyfern took Songkit from Buzzfox, taking her to where her siblings waited beside Featherbreeze.

Iceshadow washed down my fur, like our mother use to do while Buzzfox left to find Rubblestar. I watched my Clan comfort each other as they realized their home was gone. Bravewish talked softly to Sealfur, telling her everything would soon be alright again. Midnightfur curled himself around Zeekstorm, the elder Stormheart washing the young warrior’s ears. Dappleshade, her usual white pelt stained gray, helped Fawnpelt comfort the apprentices. Snowmist and Twisterclaw quieted down the wailing kits that were huddled together inside a protective circle made by the queens. Fallenpoppy and Flowerbeam told the newest of the warriors that Cometclan was watching over us; the elders’ seemed at ease of hearing this as well. Raisintail lead a patrol with Poppyfern, Smokeshadow, Nightdusk, and Blissrose, carrying prey in their jaws. Stoneclaw, Lilycoal, and Stormstripe purred

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with delight that food was here, but watched patiently as the hunters took the fresh-kill to the queens and elders. I was beginning to realize that no matter how broken the Clan felt and looked, through the pain of losing their home and so many Clanmates, they still looked out for each other. Any other cat that wasn’t Clan would have given up by now.

My eyes settle on Rubblestar’s blue-black pelt. His head hung low as Buzzfox explained what happened. Pebblewing had been Rubblestar’s deputy since he had become leader, and they had become close. Losing his faithful and loyal deputy would be one of the hardest things for him to deal with. His mate, Waterblossom, leaned into him, and I was sure that she would be feeling the same way if her deputy had been like Pebblewing and if she had lost Pondwater.

Rubblestar got to his paws, leaving Waterblossom to speak with Flowerbeam. My leader limped his way over to where Iceshadow was still washing my pelt. “Opalflower, I’m glad to see you are safe,” he muttered, his eyes clouded in sadness.

“But I didn’t save Pebblewing,” I growled, making everything my fault. “If I hadn’t stalled in camp after that blast, she wouldn’t have had to come in and get me.”

“Whatever happened, she did it for her Clan,” he hissed. “None of this was your fault, or Pebblewing’s. She was following the warrior code and was taking care of her Clan. We will all miss her, but the Clan must move on.”

With hunched shoulders, I nodded my head. Iceshadow lifted her head and gazed intently at her old mentor. “What are we going to do about a camp? There’s nothing left.”

A familiar scent hit my nose, even over all the ash. “Your Clan can stay in Woodclan’s territory, if that’s alright.” I glanced up to find Mintstar standing before my leader, Birchshard, Nightwhisper, Zapstripe and Milkflower beside her. “It’s the least we can do after your warrior helped cure our Clan of greencough.”

“That’s very generous of you,” my leader purred unevenly. “My name is Rubblestar, leader of Rockclan.”

“I am Mintstar, leader of Woodclan,” the white she-cat mewed with a dip of her head. Turning to me, she added, “Opalflower, I sorry for what happened, but Sagestorm told me everything. She said that you could detect that the volcano was about to go off. You did your Clan a good thing today.”

“She does nothing but good for her Clan,” Snowmist mewed padding up with my father. More warriors were gathering around to see the Woodclan cats.

“Well she has a great destiny ahead of her,” Flowerbeam added with a flick of her tail. “And so does Iceshadow and they both have to do with helping the Clan.”

My sister narrowed her eyes at the healer apprentice. “So far our Clan has been hurt more than anything!” she hissed, jumping to her paws. “If our destinies are so great, then why have so many cats died in our eyes?” With a snarl, Iceshadow leaped to her paws and raced away, disappearing into the forest.

Destinyfern stepped forward with a sigh. “I’ll go find her,” she offered. “Zapstripe, Nightwhisper come with me please.”

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Chapter 11Iceshadow leaped from tree to tree to cover her scent. She could see

Nightwhisper and Zapstripe following Destinyfern tracking her scent on the ground until it disappeared when she had leaped for a tree. Iceshadow was determined to be alone, and nobody was going to find her.

Ever since she had lost Lunarblaze, Iceshadow felt dead inside. When she watched her sister’s mate get crushed under a boulder, it should’ve been her. It should’ve been her that went back into the camp to find Opalflower.

I’ve been nothing since Granitefoot said he could see me holding power in the future. Even when she was a kit, Iceshadow had been stronger than her littermates, stronger than Zapstripe when he had been an apprentice. When Rubblestar took her out training, she always figured a way to counter a move before learning how. The only thing she hadn’t figured out how to do on her own was hoe to hunt; that had been Opalflower. She was considered the best hunter in the Clan, plus she could recite every herb she had learned from Flowerbeam, Herbfox, and Sagestorm.

I’m only seen as ambitious and too strong. She could fight off any warrior, scare away dogs and foxes, and, even though she never would do it, she could kill with one swipe of her paw. Iceshadow remembered when she had bit into the throat of Tiger back in the Pureclan camp. He had almost killed Opalflower, her sister, her best friend. She was saving a Clanmate back then, even though she had only been an apprentice. Nothing scared her when it came to fighting something, but losing someone was the hardest fight she ever went through. Lunarblaze’s death hurt her more than anything, and almost losing Opalflower back in the camp when the volcano cracked the ground… it made her want to run, and slowly die and fade away.

Iceshadow’s paw slipped on a branch of an oak and she fell through the branches of the tree. The tips of the branches slashed her back as she fell towards the ground. Spinning around, she watched as the ground slowly closed in on her.

She fell with speed, but not fast enough where she wouldn’t be able to see the branches coming towards her. Stretching out her front paws, Iceshadow dug her claws into a thick branch as it was about to pass her. Her body lurched as he claws caught the wood, the pull of gravity making them feel like they were being ripped from her paws. Gritting her teeth, Iceshadow used the strength in her front paws and shoulders to pull herself up while she used her back claws to scramble up on the branch.

Iceshadow sat in the shade of the branch, staring down at the border between Rockclan and Weatherclan. Moorland stretched before her, rising into hills and then falling back down into flatland. In the distance, the outlines of cats headed

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back towards the Weatherclan camp, prey hanging from their jaws. It seemed as if the volcano’s earthshakes and blasts hadn’t reached here, or just didn’t affect Weatherclan.

Iceshadow clawed the rest of the way down the trunk of the tree. Leaves cracked under her paws as she landed, sending a mouse scurrying away. Her belly rumbled as the mouse raced past her vision, and the smell of rabbit hit her nose from the moorland breeze. She hadn’t eaten since sunhigh, and had been trekking around all day.

Narrowing her eyes, Iceshadow crouched down and peeked out through the bushes that made the border with Weatherclan. The hunting patrol had disappeared and there were no other fresh scents coming off from the moor. Her own Clanmates were caught up trying to find her, suck at that spot she meant to lose them. Since everything was clear, she bunched up her muscles and pushed off, clearing clean over the bushes. The moorland breeze chilled her to the bone as she raced with the wind blowing into her face. She sped past the heather walled camp and behind the rise of a hill without getting caught by the guards outside.

What am I thinking? Where am I even going? Rubblestar had always told her to follow her paws where they led her, but did she really want to do this? Iceshadow had no clue whether her paws were turning her to a place far away from home or if she was heading for another Clan. She felt the need for guidance, advice to know how to handle everything she feels has been placed on her shoulders.

Iceshadow slowed her pace to a walk as a wall of trees became shadowed in the distance. The setting sun turned the horizon red as blood, causing Iceshadow to shiver with uneasiness. The rest of the sky was dark with the ash cloud given off by the volcano. Ash still fell around the forest area, not yet completely reaching the moorland, but it wouldn’t be long before it would.

By the time Iceshadow reached the tree barrier, the sun had set and a few stars sparkled in the sky. From behind the thick ash cloud, she could catch small glimpses of the moon. It would be full in a couple nights, but would her attend this time? They had no home and were going to be living with Woodclan, or at least in their territory. If Rockclan moved from their territory, she was sure the other Clans would try their hardest to fight us for her Clan’s territory.

The smell of the border from Weatherclan told her she was well away from any Clan territories. By now, Iceshadow knew where she was. Through the second row of trees, Iceshadow could already see the star reflecting water of the Diamond Pond. In the center would be a stone, where healers and leader could share with Cometclan. Iceshadow had shared with her ancestors herself at this special place that her sister Opalflower had discovered, and now her paws were bringing her to it once again.

Iceshadow trotted the rest of the way to the pond. The water glistened from the little starlight reflected from the darkening sky. The Mooncrystal stood gray and dark without the light from the moon being cast down upon it. Would she be able to share with her ancestors without the light of the moon? She had to try.

The water felt surprisingly warmer than the crisp, night air around her. Her claws dug around small round pebbles that covered the shallow water until she was forced to swim slightly to keep her from going chin down into the water. As she paddled towards the island in the center of the pond, water lapped over her shoulders. She growled angrily at herself as her eyes spotted the path they had taken last time she had been here. Where was her mind today?

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Sand and grass became soaked with water as she shook her pelt to shake away the water that had collected on her thick pelt. The air chilled her skin to the bone as she approached the dull, gray Mooncrystal. She remembered the last time she had been here when the stone had been filled with dazzling light from the light reflected from the moon. It had been beautiful back then, but now it looked like any other stone.

Iceshadow lay herself before the stone, breathing in the fresh air around her. Taking a deep breath, she pressed her wet nose to the stone. The surface was cold to the touch, but she could feel the warmth of Cometclan’s spirit inside. Closing her eyes, she was cast into a dark, deep sleep.

Starlight brightened the clearing she woke up in. The trees sparkled with green leaves and the grass waved in the cool, gentle breeze. A small waterfall fell into a pond reflecting the stars from above. Water splashed the edges of the pond, leaving glittering water drops on the bushes and grass surrounding it.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?”Iceshadow jumped around at the voice. Eyes glittering, she took in the

Cometclan cat before her. He had blue-black fur and amber eyes that warmed her on the inside. Tears filled her eyes as she gazed upon the one she had loved most, but had lost.

“Lunarblaze, I’ve missed you so much,” she whispered, falling into his chest and rubbing her head under his chin. Iceshadow heard a rumbling purr fill the tom’s throat and vibrate her ear.

Lunarblaze pulled away, love filling his amber eyes. “There’s something troubling you,” he observed. Iceshadow twitched her ear and looked away. “What is it? Don’t worry about anyone else hearing anything; I’m the only one here.”

Iceshadow sighed and placed herself down on the soft, cool grass of Cometclan’s hunting grounds. “I feel like I’m responsible for all the cats dying these last few moons. First Granitefoot, then you, Splashleap, Shadewillow and Flickertail, and now Pebblewing dies. I might’ve been able to prevent all of them from dying.”

“You can’t take everything as your fault,” Lunarblaze mewed, sitting down beside Iceshadow and wrapping his tail around her stomach. “Everyone has a destiny, and everything happens for a reason. For example: Splashleap died saving his daughter that he loved so much, even though he knew he was going to die in her place. It’s part of being a warrior following the warrior code.”

Iceshadow stared at her paws. “What about you?” she whispered, looking up into his amber eyes. “Opalflower believes you were walking the path of the Dark Forest.”

Lunarblaze avoided her eyes and walked away, his tail flicking in annoyance. Iceshadow knew that her sister had been right after all.

“How long were you there for?”“About a moon,” he muttered, flexing his claws and then swiping at a grass

stalk, cutting it from the ground. “I guess my jealousy got the best of me when Opalflower looked so happy with the possibility of having kits.”

Iceshadow shook her head, purring. “Why didn’t you just tell me?” she mewed. “I was jealous too, but I didn’t go as far as training with evil cats? Didn’t you ever think that one day we might’ve had kits?”

Lunarblaze looked over his shoulder, sadness flowing though his eyes. “You always seemed so dedicated to your promise to become the best warrior of Rockclan, so I didn’t think-”

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“You didn’t think, period,” Iceshadow snorted, rolling on her back. She placed her front paws on her black stomach that was bulging out. “Have you never thought that maybe I loved you enough that I would do anything to have a family with you?”

Lunarblaze blinked slowly without looking at her. “I guess I didn’t,” he sighed. “But I always remember you wanting to be leader one day.”

The bushes rustled from behind Lunarblaze, and both cats jumped. Iceshadow arched her back with a hiss as a white tom stepped into the clearing. She relaxed when she noticed it was Granitefoot, the cat she once had thought of as her father.

“Lunarblaze, Iceshadow,” the white tom greeted. “I’m sorry for interrupting, but I must speak with Iceshadow.”

“Of course,” Lunarblaze mewed, anger flashing in his eyes. The blue-black tom left, disappearing through the bushes without good-bye. Iceshadow watched after the waving bushes until they stopped moving, hurt filling her heart.

Granitefoot lifted her chin with a paw, his amber eyes glittering with understanding. “He knows that he’s hurt you,” the white warrior murmured softly. “I’m sure he’ll walk with you in your dreams later.”

Iceshadow nodded and sat down beside her old Clanmate. “Is there a reason why my paws brought me here?” she asked.

“Cometclan was calling to speak with you,” he answered, getting up and pacing the clearing before her. “We have recently watched your camp become destroyed, and it wasn’t from natural causes either.”

“What do you mean that it wasn’t natural?” Iceshadow growled. “It was a volcano; how much more natural can you get?”

“That Dark Forest is playing with the forces of nature,” he replied, his eyes growing dark. “I had heard bits of their plans when I had been training there for a short time before my death. Destroying every Clan they’ve ever heard of is all they want.”

“What did we ever do to them?” Iceshadow objected, her claws digging into the ground. “Half of the warriors in this whole forest have never heard of them.”

Cometstar, the first cat ever in Cometclan entered the clearing as Granitefoot continued pacing. A ginger tom followed him from the bushes, his leafy green eyes gazing around the clearing. “As most Clan cats have figured lately, there are for sure other Clans out there,” Cometstar mewed. Gesturing with a paw to the ginger cat, Cometstar went on, “This is Firestar, once the leader of Thunderclan, who had had a destiny greater than any cat I ever knew. I leave it from there and let him do the talking.” Cometstar backed away to the group of cats gathering on the edges of the clearing. All were murmuring and pointing at Firestar.

“Greetings, Firestar, my name is Iceshadow, warrior of Rockclan,” she mewed, giving the formal bow of greeting by bowing down and stretching out her front paw.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” the ginger to purred. “I’m sure you’re wondering where I am from.”

“Cometstar said something about a Thunderclan,” she remembered with a flick of her tail.

“I didn’t start out in Thunderclan,” he mewed, settling down on the shimmering grass. A moon had risen in the Cometclan sky, suggesting that nighttime had finally come. Her Clan would be worried about her. “I actually was once a kittypet, adventurous for the forest and its contents. I had stumbled upon a

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warrior when I wandered from my nest, but now he’s my best friend and brought me into a better life than that of a kittypet.

“There was a prophecy that fire would save the Clan,” he continued. “Many times I thought that prophecy had been fulfilled, first when I battled a Clan that tried to take over my old home, then when I helped rebuild another Clan that had been chased from my home many seasons before I was born. Finally my destiny was fulfilled when I killed a Dark Forest cat that had haunted from the time I had entered Thunderclan.”

“Who was he?” Iceshadow muttered, thinking back to the cats that once had been part of the Dark Forest but found out its true depths.

“Tigerstar,” Granitefoot answered, appearing beside Firestar. “He was after nothing but power and control over all the Clans. I met him when I had been in the Dark Forest; him and his ruthless son Hawkfrost.”

Firestar narrowed his eyes and shifted uncomfortably. “When had this happened?”

“I saw them a few moons ago when they killed me in a dream,” Granitefoot replied.

“I was afraid you were going to say that you saw them a moon ago,” Firestar chuckled with relief. “Now both of you listen to me: the Dark Forest is strong and will stop at nothing when it comes to revenge. They had attacked the four Clans that live around a lake about three moons ago. Some were killed, such as Hawkfrost, Mapleshade, Brokenstar, and a few others. I took care of Tigerstar myself, and saved my Clan, ending my destiny forever. I’m starting to notice though that the Dark Forest had bigger plans than just destroying the Clans around the lake.”

“Well it’s a place where all evil cats go when Cometclan won’t accept them,” Iceshadow pointed out. “There’s probably at least one from each Clan in the world.”

“And they all have combined and plotted to destroy all those that got in their way,” Firestar added.

“What can we do?” she sighed, swallowing the fear that had started to rise in her throat. “The Clans around my home already fought off a Clan called Pureclan, plus stole half of their cats.”

“Find the Clans of the lakes as quickly as you can, otherwise you won’t be able to stand on your own,” Firestar warned, his body beginning to fade. “Take all seven Clans with you, or there will be no Clans, and Cometclan will become filled with warriors that had no need to die. You, Iceshadow must lead them to safety and peace, fight down all those that cause a threat. I’m sure when you arrive there, look for the one called Leopardstar, and you all will be accepted into his Clan until this evil force is gone. Until then, may all our ancestors walk with you.”

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Chapter 12Mintstar waited for my Clanmates to finish eating before getting to her paws.

“Let’s hurry to my territory before it gets dark,” she mewed, her ears pricked for sounds.

Destinyfern, Nightwhisper and Zapstripe trotted back to the top of the ravine, no sign of my sister anywhere. “Where’s Iceshadow?” I asked, my pelt feeling heavy from the ash that continued falling from the sky. Buzzfox slept, curled up in a ball next to me, my kits purring softly against his belly.

Destinyfern shook her head, her pelt looking pale. “We lost her scent at the base of a tree,” she mewed tiredly. “Wherever she’s going, she’s wishes to be left alone.”

I lowered my head with a sigh. Nightwhisper joined me at my side, rubbing her cheek on mine. “She’ll come home,” she purred comfortingly. “She always does.”

“But can she find us in Woodclan’s territory?” Buzzfox yawned, waking up beside me.

Rubblestar padded up with Flowerbeam and Waterblossom. “Iceshadow has Cometclan guiding her paws,” he pointed out. “She’ll be back with us soon I’m sure.”

I nodded and got to my paws, lowering my head and nudging my kits awake. “Wake up, little ones,” I whispered, licking down the fur on Moonkit’s head. “It’s time to go to our new home.”

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“But I want to go back to the nursery in Rockclan!” Dovekit wailed. “I want to go to our real home.” Moonkit and Songkit cried in agreement. Mosskit still lay by Buzzfox’s belly, unmoving.

The ginger-and-white tom saw my eyes narrow at my small daughter. He nuzzled her with his nose, trying to wake her, but as he pulled back with sadness growing in his eyes, she never stirred. “She’s cold,” he muttered.

My heart broke into a million pieces, and just so soon after it had been repaired. I collapsed in a wail of grief around my daughter. My Clanmates gathered around me, watching helplessly as I cried over my dead kit. Splashleap take care of her, I prayed to my old mate. I knew he would be watching, just like he had been for any signs of attack from Streamclan or Weatherclan.

Buzzfox rested his neck over the back of mine, rubbing his cheek on the back of my head. I pressed up against him, sobbing escaping from my throat. Fallenpoppy darted over, pushing through her Clanmates, and sniffed poor Mosskit. Her body was covered in ash and was been cold as ice. Who else was going to die that I grew close to? Maybe it would be better if I became medicine cat when Fallenpoppy left it to Flowerbeam, maybe then nobody would die.

“She breathed in too much ash while she slept,” Fallenpoppy explained quietly.

Mintstar padded up beside me, and rested her tail tip on my shoulder. “We’ll bury her back at my camp after you sit vigil.”

“No,” I muttered. “I’ll sit for vigil in Rockclan territory, outside the camp. I will bury her there so she will be where she had been born.”

Mintstar led the Clan away towards the fence. I stood on the top of the ravine, watching as each of my Clanmates disappeared behind the trees, Buzzfox in the middle with Dovekit, Moonkit, and Songkit. He insisted that he had to stay with me, but I had told him that our kits needed him more. Saying that those kits were as much of his now, as mine made him realize that they needed a father to look after them.

Once the whole Clan was gone from my sight, I picked Mosskit up by the scruff and carried her down the ravine and back to camp. Ash that had clung deep into her pelt fell to the ground as her limp, cold body swayed in my jaws.

Outside camp, I lay my little daughter down on a flat stone, resetting her body in a sleeping position like the elders always did for a fallen Clanmate. I picked some rosemary and lilac from the flowers slowly dying around the fallen camp walls and rubbed the scents into my daughter’s pelt. When I could no longer smell my scent on Mosskit, I dropped the worn flower pieces and mourned my daughter.

“Splashleap, why is Cometclan doing this?” I silently asked, staring up to the stars. “Did Rockclan do something to anger them?” My fading voice was met with silence.

The night seemed to drag on as the moon began rising into the sky. A chilly breeze blew through the forest and freezing my back as I kept my head bowed in vigil for Mosskit. Never before had I felt so alone, so forgotten. Everyone was dying around me, and now I knew that Iceshadow felt the same. Were we cursed to watch everyone we came close to, get hurt and die?

I woke with a paw prodding my side. I started awake, lifting my head up from the flat stone that my cold daughter’s body lay. Shaking my head to clear away the fuzziness, I turned to who woke me. Iceshadow stood behind me, her eyes drooping from loss of sleep.

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“Iceshadow, where have you been?” I yawned, stretching to my paws. I felt terrible for sleeping at my own daughter’s vigil.

“I went to speak with Cometclan,” she replied with a flick of her tail. “Did Mosskit… die?”

I nodded. “Will you help me bury her? It’s bad enough I sat vigil on my own.”Iceshadow dipped her head. I grabbed the back of Mosskit’s scruff and

carried her to the back of the camp. The stream that once flowed out from the camp was blocked by tons of fallen boulders and smaller rocks, only a small trickle of water able to escape from between a crack on the bottom most one, only to be absorbed in the dried up stream bed. We easily leaped the small hole trailing through our territory, staying beside the walls of the camp that were still standing.

Ash covered the ground like snow, and the air had cooled down many degrees. All signs of the volcano erupting had stopped, except for the covering ash cloud blocking out the blue sky. The cloud was so thick that I couldn’t even catch a glimpse of the sun from behind it.

Iceshadow dug the hole behind camp for Mosskit. I raised my tail for her to stop when I believed the hole was deep enough to where any earthshakes that struck here would never harm her body. When we were done, we headed silently back to the front entrance of the camp.

While climbing the ravine, Iceshadow broke the silence. “I spoke with Granitefoot and Lunarblaze,” she mewed, her tail dropping to the ground. “Lunarblaze blames himself too much for his death.”

“At least we know he’s safe in Cometclan.”“There are other skies out there holding other ancestors,” she went on,

leaping from boulder to boulder that lined the upward slope of the ravine. “I met a cat from Starclan. His name was Firestar and he has dealt with the Dark Forest before.”

“There are more Clans out there?” I exclaimed, almost falling back. Clawing into the grass, I pulled myself up beside Iceshadow.

“Firestar was once part of Thunderclan around a lake with three other Clans,” she replied. “Granitefoot says that it was the Dark Forest that caused the volcano to blow twice and destroyed our camp, killing so many. All the evil cats in the world that have died are coming together and plotting. They did it once before, and Firestar saved his Clan from their attack, but they are growing stronger.”

“But we have no clue what to do,” I sighed. “We’ve never fought dead cats before, but I know that if they can kill in dreams, they can kill down here just like they’re alive again.”

Iceshadow stopped and glanced over her shoulder. I paused, waiting for her to keep going. “They will be alive again, Opalflower,” she muttered darkly, “and the only thing they know how to do is kill.”

Iceshadow disappeared over the rise of the ravine, leaving me watching after her in fear. I swallowed before scrambling over the top and skidding down the slope, racing after my sister. Panting, I reached Iceshadow’s side and trotted beside her.

Suddenly, just as we were about to cross the border that hid the fence, Iceshadow stopped in her tracks and whipped around with a hiss. I glanced over my shoulder and gulped as Weatherclan and Streamclan cats crept over the ravine and toward the damaged camp.

“Let’s go before they follow out scent and attack Woodclan as well,” I whispered, tugging at her ear lightly with my teeth. Reluctantly, Iceshadow turned away and followed quickly after me as I darted over the border and brushed my fur

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against the fence. Once we reached the tunnel where the stream ran through under the fence, we ducked and splashed through, the scent of my Clanmates slowly fading away.

Keeping to the scent of Woodclan mixed Rockclan, we were able to easily find our way back to the Woodclan camp. I could see already a few of my Clanmates gathered outside. I could clearly hear that they were saying Woodclan was making room for the Rockclan warriors.

Iceshadow and I padded around the last bunch of trees that blocked the entrance from any intruders. Above the entrance I could see the eyes of guards peeking through the holes at the top, watching far out into the forest. Buzzfox lifted his head from eating a meal with Bravewish, and found me coming around the corner with my sister. Leaving my brother to finish the vole, Buzzfox trotted up to me, nuzzling my cheek with his cold nose.

“I was worried about you,” he mewed quietly, licking my ear. “Are you doing okay?”

“I’m fine,” I reassured him, padding away and into my Clanmates. “So Woodclan is making room for us in their camp?”

Iceshadow left to meet up with Nightwhisper and Zapstripe. Buzzfox joined me at my side. “Mintstar insisted that she gave us a place to stay,” he explained. “We need somewhere right now anyway; Waterblossom started kitting almost as soon as we entered the camp.”

I pricked my ears and gazed at Buzzfox with worry. “It’s not even the claw-moon yet… is she doing alright?”

Buzzfox shrugged and followed me as I crawled under the entrance and pulled myself through. “Flowerbeam, Fallenpoppy and Sagestorm won’t let anyone in; not even Rubblestar. Swanfeather is in there as well; she was feeling pains not too long ago.”

I glanced over my shoulder and stopped, a bramble pricking my nose. “Ow!” I rubbed it with a paw. “Are you trying to tell me that two queens are going to be kitting tonight?”

Buzzfox never answered and I sped through the rest of the long entrance tunnel.

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