Silent Echoes

## Chapter subpages

*Silent Echoes* is a fanfiction. It contains non-canonical information, so for common courtesy, please don't try to insert any into it. The protagonists are Cloverspots, Otterstream, Sunshade and Heatherslip.

## Chapters

### Chapter 1

*Otterstream's point of view.*

Otterstream leapt over the smooth stones in the river, chasing a trout that was zigzagging between the rocks. *I'm gonna catch it!* She reassured herself. The trout's shining scales flashed in the radiant morning sunlight as it darted place to place, trying to fight the current while trying to escape Otterstream. Otterstream, quick as a fox, jabbed her outstretched paw downward, claws extended, reaching for her prey. Her claws caught it, and Otterstream pulled the fish back up, the latter thrashing in her grasp. "You're not escaping me now!" She taunted, swiftly killing it and gathering her catch to bring back to camp.

Otterstream padded back into the GladeClan camp. Otterstream's apprentice, Sandpaw, was practicing battle moves with Petalpaw in the clearing, while the medicine cat, Blazetail, was collecting lily stems from the log by the fresh-kill pile. *It's so beautiful outside today,* Otterstream thought as she shook out her glossy pale brown fur of dust. She jumped as Sandpaw let out a cry of pain as her chin grazed the hard ground to Otterstream's right. The young apprentice then groaned in irritation at Petalpaw, who she had been training with.

"Are you okay?" Otterstream asked as Sandpaw dragged herself up, her chin slightly bruised from the fall. "Yeah," Sandpaw replied. "Just a minor graze. Or if *the little mouse-brain* over here hadn't screwed up the drop-and-roll, it wouldn't have happened," she shot a glare at Petalpaw.

Petalpaw twitched her ear. "Stop overreacting. Now, let it go and let's finish."

Duskmuzzle bounded down from the from the HighWillow and touched noses with Otterstream. "How's the hunting today?" He asked. Otterstream tipped her head. Duskmuzzle shifted his paws. "Pretty good, actually. I managed to catch a fresh trout this morning," she mewed. "Good to hear. I want to make sure prey's running well so the Clan won't be weakened by an invasion by GoldenClan, whom we're still brawling over the border-halfbridge with," Duskmuzzle noted. "They've still think they own GladeClan. But not for long!" He concluded passionately. "Now, I'm taking a patrol to the other side of the river. "Bye for now," he whisked his tail in goodbye and left camp with the patrol.

Otterstream sat back on her haunches. Reminiscing, she glanced above and all around. Noticing a big willow branch dangling over the medicine cats' den. It looked rotten and old, and about to come crashing down any minute. *That'll endanger Blazetail's herb store! I have to tell her now.* Muttering curses, Otterstream hurriedly padded over to Blazetail, who was pushing the rest of his herbs into a scoop in the ground. Words came tumbling out. "Blazetail! There's a huge willow branch that hanging over your den, and it looks rotten," she began, pointing to it above with her tail. The medicine cat rolled her eyes. "Oh, nonsense—" she meowed, but then Blazetail looked up and her eyes stretched wide. "Great StarClan! That does look quite rotten. I'll tell Streamstar when I'm finished sorting these," she pointed to some leftover dock leaves.

Otterstream nodded, pleased. "Sounds good!" She finished. "I hope you can get it taken care of!" She called behind to her. Snatching a carp from the fresh-kill pile, she settled down to eat. Biting into the carp, she tasted a strange tang. "What the-?" Shaking her head vigorously, she suddenly fought the urge of exhaustion creeping upon her.

Pushing the prey away, Otterstream reluctantly gave in and fell into a sudden sleep.

### Chapter 2

*Sunkit's point of view.*

When Sunkit woke that morning, she felt confident that the day would bring good luck.

She gazed proudly at Foxstripe as her father sent out patrols. Since he had been named deputy, Foxstripe had become more intent on making a more formidable setup of via patrols than before. She furrowed a brow. And he had also become more distracted. In spite of Foxstripe being deputy, while his day was full of responsibilities, and the Clan counted on him and Smokestar, surely he would have enough time for Snowshade and his kits? Then it dawned on her that she had been thinking too much about bad things that might happen. *I need a distraction to take my mind off the vision.* She pattered over to Aspenkit and Wishkit. "Wanna—" she stopped and she saw the looks on her sisters’ faces. “What’s wrong?”

Wishkit leaned over and whispered into her ear. "Shineheart has greencough." She mewed, with an edge of uneasiness in her tone. “Smokestar has been watching her as closely in the medicine den as a cat while stalking a mouse. Nowadays he seems more focused on her than paying attention to EmberClan's needs.” Sunkit twitched her one white ear in thought, then sniffed the air. The sour stench of fever hit her nose. “Surely it couldn’t be really serious?” She stared at Wishkit, waiting for an answer. Her sister opened her mouth to respond, but she was cut off by a grief-stricken yowl from the medicine den. All the kits skittered to a halt in front of the den as they watched the drama unfold from which  how stressed the EmberClan leader had become over one case of greencough. “You need to do something!” He hissed at Rippleleaf. “Anything!..” his exasperated mew gave way as he collapsed next to the piles of herbs, sending them fluttering in all directions as Rippleleaf quickly gathered them again. “There’s nothing I can do.” Smokestar padded sadly out, pushing past the kits. So much destruction, only in so little of a time! Then she closed her eyes, straining to remember whose voice had spoken to her in the vision. Then it hit her. Mosswing! The WindClan elder had died recently after she and her littermates were born, leaving Sunkit only a faded memory of what the old she-cat looked like. Mosswing was Rippleleaf’s mother.  She had watched from the nursery on that dreadful day, with Snowshade’s tail curled around her and her three siblings. I hope that never comes to pass sometime soon.

The rest of the day passed without question, each cat moving swiftly to and fro from camp, laden with prey. She turned as she tasted her mother’s scent. “You’re finally old enough to eat fresh-kill!” She purred. Cloverkit, Wishkit, and Aspenkit gathered in a half circle around their mother in an instant, waiting to have permission to pick out a first piece from the fresh kill pile. When she nodded, the kits bolted across camp, with fur flying, and over excited squeals. She stopped and scanned the pile, realizing they would have to share judging by the size of a single piece. Aspenkit hooked a shrew from beneath, while Wishkit and Cloverkit scavenged for a rabbit. Her and her sister flew back to Snowshade, who was waiting. Without hesitation, they both took an enormous bite of the shrew. She relished the taste, and, although it wasn’t natural EmberClan prey like rabbits, she now considered it tasty. She saw Cloverkit and Wishkit gnawing on the rabbit, sticking their faces into the fresh-kill. They’re going to be full before they even finish half of it. Sunkit purred in amusement at the two kits eating in such a state it even began to make her feel full. The remains of the shrew she left to Aspenkit, and padded drowsily back to the nursery. Cloverkit joined her not long after. “I don’t know how Wishkit isn’t stuffed,” she said, staring in confusion at her sister.

“She’s going to become a rabbit soon,” Sunkit added.

Just then her mother, Aspenkit, and Wishkit came in to go to sleep. As she tried to get comfortable Sunkit felt whichever way she laid, she was still sleepless. Snores sounded softly around her as she silently crept out of the nursery and realized the rest of the Clan was at the Gathering. Maybe I could go see the Gathering. What could possibly go wrong? Scanning the EmberClan camp, she crept silently through a hole in a camp wall, and made her way to the island.

### Chapter 3

*Otterstream's point of view.*

Otterstream blinked open her eyes. Blazetail was standing above her as her vision blurred to focus. The medicine cat tipped her head. "Are you ok? How do you feel? That was quite a knockout there with the carp. Glancing around, she caught sight of the maggot-infested carp that she had been eating earlier. "I'm fine," she mewed drowsily. "What happened?" Otterstream asked. Blazetail looked concerned. "The maggots knocked you out for a little bit, you'll be fine, she replied. "But there is one thing..." she trailed off. Blazetail bent down and sniffed Otterstream's fur.

Otterstream tensed. "What is it?" She demanded as Blazetail stood up. The yellow she-cat's ear flicked intently. "You're going to have kits," she answered quietly. At this Otterstream gasped. "W-What? How?? I'm not ready! I don't- I-" Blazetail cut her off. "You *are* ready. You're going to be an excellent and capable mother just like every queen who has ever kitted. You *are* ready, so don't fight it. Don't throw away the gift that StarClan has given you," she said.

Otterstream sighed. *Do I really want this? Do I?*

Blazetail rested her tail-tip on her shoulder. "I believe you *are* ready, Otterstream. Duskmuzzle will want this as well. Think of the beautiful kits you'll raise! And whatever you'll face, you'll face it together with him," the medicine cat's blue eyes, the color of the torrential river, gleamed in the setting sun. Her fur was as luxuriously smooth as mist, and her whiskers looked translucent in the sunset light. "It's just a surprise, that's all. This is going to be your litter, and you're going to get on just fine," she mewed. Going back to sorting her herbs, Otterstream glanced out from the den. *I hope Duskmuzzle is going to be okay with this.* Like her words summoned him, her mate came marching into camp, carrying pike with other Clanmates, their pelts sleek and glossy from the river. After all the cats placed their catches on the fresh-kill pile, Duskmuzzle caught sight of her and came padding to the medicine den.

"Hi, Otterstream! He greeted her. "What happened? What are you doing with Blazetail here?" He sounded puzzled.

Otterstream swallowed and nodded to Blazetail to give him the news. Blazetail whisked her plumy ginger tail. "Otterstream accidentally ate a rotten carp with maggots in it, but she'll be fine. And the second thing..." she trailed off. Nervousness gathered inside Otterstream's stomach. Blazetail and her exchanged glances. "Otterstream's also... expecting kits," Blazetail stammered.

Duskmuzzle's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful!" He exclaimed joyfully. "I'm going to be a father!"

Joy filled Otterstream's heart. She was going to raise a new generation with Duskmuzzle. *I bet one of the kits is going to resemble him.* Looking at the overjoyed Duskmuzzle, she realized his proud posture, long, glossy fur and broad shoulders would go into an exact copy of a kit. Purring loudly, Otterstream reminisced how their children will grow up. *They'll be fine, proud GladeClan warriors, GladeClan blood running through their veins.* Getting up, her and Duskmuzzle started to pad outside together, heading out of camp. "Let's go for a walk," Duskmuzzle suggested as the two cats disappeared past the entrance.

### Chapter 4

*Sunkit's point of view.*

When she arrived at the Gathering, she hid in the shadows behind the surrounding pines, praying to StarClan that she wouldn’t be seen. The clearing was bustling with cats, either sharing tongues, gossiping, or simply exploring. The leaders on the Great Oak caught her eye, as Smokestar had just joined Specklestar, Juniperstar, Streamstar, and Redstar, the GoldenClan leader, on the overhanging branches. “Let the Gathering begin!” Juniperstar, leader of StormClan, yowled. All voices were hushed, and as the AirClan leader, Specklestar, began to speak, she pricked her ears and strained to hear. I need to get closer. The kit weaved soundlessly around the trunks to a closer spot. Sunkit saw her father sitting on the roots with the other deputies. Pride swelled in her chest. Her pelt spiked as her paw tread on a dead leaf, making it crunch. She cringed. Sunkit slowly turned around, her fur burned with shame as all five Clans turned to stare at her. Foxstripe pushed through the crowd,  his gaze full of disapproval. “Why did you leave camp?! You know kits aren’t allowed out!”

Sunkit wanted to dissolve into a puddle and soak into the ground with embarrassment.

“I can explain—“

“ I don’t care! I’m sending an escort to bring you home immediately.” His final words were more malicious than she would’ve ever imagined.

I understand that he’s upset with me, but he doesn’t have to be that sharp!

Nightfur picked her up by the scruff and carried her across the tree bridge with the other warriors. She then placed her down, and flicking her tail she beckoned for Sunkit to follow.

As the patrol entered camp, Sunkit spotted Snowshade rushing to her side, giving her a couple furious licks.

“What were you thinking?? We were worried that an owl picked you up and flew off! Don’t ever do something like that again!”

From the tone of her voice Sunkit could tell that she was more worried about her safety than her wandering off. She exhaled in relief. Foxstripe was right. I can’t just wander out of camp like that. “She followed us to the Gathering, I don’t know why, but Foxstripe ordered that we bring her back immediately,” Nightfur explained.

Snowshade’s dark blue gaze swiveled to Sunkit.

A chill ran down her spine.

“Come with me,” she snapped. “Now.”

Sunkit trailed behind her mother, Nightfur following. As they arrived at the entrance to the nursery, Snowshade whipped her head around and pointed with her tail for Sunkit to go in. “Smokestar and I will discuss this later,” she growled.

Burying her head in her paws, she soon drifted into a troubled sleep.

### Chapter 5

*Otterstream's point of view.*

Otterstream's pale brown fur shone in the setting sun, turning her eyes a deep serenity green. *This is amazing.* Feeling her mate's soft fur beside her, Otterstream watched a fish leap from the river. *This is all I've ever wanted to feel,* Otterstream whispered to herself. At this, Duskmuzzle leaned over and licked her ear. "Likewise," he whispered back, whiskers twitching in affection as he drew a paw over Otterstream's flank.

Purring, Otterstream turned back over. *This is the best life any cay could ask for.* Stretching, her eartufts fluffed as the breeze rustled her fur. Getting up to stretch, she picked up an unfamiliar scent. *What?* She thought uneasily. But then she shook her head. *It must be nothing.*

But it wasn't nothing. The inferior scent flooded her nostrils and grew stronger. It clung to a willow tree not far away. Getting up, Otterstream sniffed the tree curiously. "Duskmuzzle!" She called. "There's some cat here," she warned, muscles tensing. Duskmuzzle got up and also stretched, padding over to where the willow stood. He looked around. "I don't see any cat," he reported. "But that stench is scarring my nose," wrinking his nose in disgust, his eyes stretched wide. "It- it's the rogues - that attacked EmberClan's camp! They're-" he lowered his voice. "..Nearby."

Otterstream's tail twitched. "Don't be mouse-brained. There's no way they would even dare-" Otterstream didn't have a chance to finish before something knocked Duskmuzzle over from behind both of them. Whipping around, she saw four battle-scarred rogues in battle stances. "This territory is ours!" The biggest one yowled. "We take all the fox prey here," the cat beside him snarled.

Otterstream was in a panic. *Great StarClan!* She thought. Her eyes wide, she glanced at her mate, currently being held down by another two rogues. *There's no way that the two of us can fight six rogues.* Duskmuzzle's eyes were desperate as he struggled to fight the cat who was pinning him. "Otterstream, go! Find somewhere safe!" He warned. Undaunted, she turned a hostile gaze towards the rest of the rogues. "What do you want with GladeClan?" She demanded, fur fluffing in indignation. The leader stared at her. "My name is Savage. We want all the prey in your territory around the lake, and to make it ours," he answered her. Both Otterstream and Duskmuzzle were both shaking in fury. "Never!" Duskmuzzle hissed.

Savage's expression didn't change. "Well, until your Clan gives us the prey we need and deserve, we'll be taking your little friend here," he snarled. Duskmuzzle froze. "Don't you even try," he snarled back. Lunging for Otterstream, Savage sank his claws into her scruff. Screeching, the queen scrambled frantically under his iron grip, fighting hopelessly, ignoring the pain in her belly and everywhere. "Drop me now!" He yowled in his face. Savage's eyes brightened with pleasure as he slammed Otterstream against the ground violently. *Fox dung!* The pain in her body was almost unbearable.

Duskmuzzle's eyes lit with rage as he managed to try to throw the rogue off the former's back. "Hand her back over! What right do you have to do this?"

Savage grimaced. "Every right as well as every piece of prey from here to EmberClan territory," he retorted. "And we'll see if your Clan will trade the prey we demand before she gets returned." Otterstream's eyes screwed shut in pain as Savage began to drag her away with his gang of rogues, one of which flung Duskmuzzle against a tree. He looked up at Otterstream with sadness in his eyes. "We'll get you back, Otterstream. For our kits' sake," Duskmuzzle told her. "I'll wait for you," she whispered back before Savage took her, fighting, into the shadows.

### Chapter 6

*Sunkit's point of view.*

That morning Sunkit was stretched across the nursery wall. She was six moons now, and she could almost touch from one end of the den to the other. She nearly jumped in surprise when Wishkit came hurtling in. “We’re going to become apprentices!” She squealed. Sunkit paused, an idea entered her mind. “I’ll be there soon, there’s something I just have to do first.” She padded softly to Rippleleaf’s den, not wanting to disturb Shineheart, who was dozing beside him as he sorted tansy.

“How is she?” Sunkit asked, worry in her mew.

“Not doing any better.” He sighed. “She’s gotten worse. I don’t know what else I can do, honestly, because her fever is gripping harder every day. I’ve tried giving her tansy, feverfew, and even catmint. Nothing seems to work.”His eyes darkened as he looked away.

“Oh… and there’s something else too.”

She saw Rippleleaf suddenly pricked his ears in curiosity, slowly turning away from his herb piles. “What is it?”

She swallowed and took an enormous breath. Then her words came tumbling out.

“I had a vision!”

The medicine cat’s eyes were wide. “W-When…?”

“Mosswing came to me in a dream and spoke to me. I was looking over the lake, and what she said shook me. Then the lake disappeared and was enveloped in darkness.” She explained.

Rippleleaf dipped his head in remembrance of his mother, and then meowed, “What did she say??”

“The dark will rise and infect the—“

They both stiffened as a low moan sounded from the corner. Shineheart was awake now, her eyes dull and listless.

“Get Smokestar.” Rippleleaf ordered, his eyes portraying urgency. Sunkit nodded and dashed off to the leader’s den. When she came back with Smokestar, they both crouched over the golden white form of his mate. She burst into a coughing fit, echoing from the stuffiness inside the den. “This is all my fault.” Smokestar rasped. I could have done something for her, anything—“

Rippleleaf cut him off. “There was nothing you could have done. And you being here is all that matters to her right now. Shineheart is in StarClan’s paws now.”

The she-cat’s body shook with a cough, then slowly fell. Sunkit stared in horror as it stayed still.

Smokestar collapsed beside the motionless body of his mate, quivering with sadness, and hardly able to breathe. Since she was his mate, and Shineheart was the mother of his kits, Silvercloud, Nightfur, and Beechstone, it was harder on him than anyone else.

Sunkit slowly walked out of the den, tail and whiskers drooping. She had witnessed so much heartbreak and suffering, and she was powerless against it. *Cats are dying, and there’s nothing I can do. She flattened her ears against the wind, buffeting against her. What will happen to the cats I love? Or worse… my family in the future?*

She ran towards the Tallrock, tail fluffed up with excitement. Her apprentice ceremony! She stood alongside her littermates, hardly able to stand still. “Today EmberClan has four kits ready to become apprentices. Smokestar declared. His gaze fixed on Cloverkit. “Cloverkit, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect your Clan in the midst of battle, even at the cost of your life?”

Cloverkit spoke, her voice confident and steady. “I do.”

“Then from now until you become a warrior you will be known as Cloverpaw. I will be your mentor.”

Sunkit rolled her eyes. And hedgehogs fly.

“Sunkit, please step forward.” She swallowed and stepped in front.

Then Smokestar repeated the words he said to Cloverpaw. Sunkit, do you promise to protect your Clan, and uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?” “I do.” She exclaimed.

Then from now on you will be known as Sunpaw. Owlfeather, I trust that you have the skills necessary to train Sunpaw, and I hope you will pass them on to your apprentice.”

Sunpaw touched noses with her new mentor, her eyes shining. Owlfeather purred.

The rest of the ceremony carried on without hesitation. Wishpaw was apprenticed to Birchshadow, and Aspenpaw to Thornstep. The Clan chanted their names. “Cloverpaw! Sunpaw! Wishpaw! Aspenpaw! She looked behind her to see Foxstripe and Snowshade, their tails entwined.

Her heart seemed to burst with happiness at the chanting of her and her littermates’ new apprentice names. *Maybe things will change, she thought. I’ll always be ready to defend WindClan, whatever the cost.*

### Chapter 7

*Cloverspots' point of view.*

Cloverspots dashed across the moortop, blazing with energy and excitement for the morning patrol. *It's a new day,* he thought. Stretching his long back, his short brown fur fluffed in excitement and he leaped and bounded over a gorse bush to the stream between StormClan and EmberClan. Cloverspot's excitement almost faded completely when he caught the stench of StormClan on the bank. He curled his lip. "Stinking StormClan foxes think the stream is theirs," he sneered to himself. The rest of the patrol caught up to him, Sparknose's neck fur spiked indignantly. "What in StarClan's name was that?" She snarled. "Beechstone was almost on top of a hare until you went crashing through the gorse," she snarled.

Cloverspot's ears flattened. "Sorry, then." Sparknose lashed her tail angrily. "'Sorry' catches no prey." Holding her chin high, she whisked her ginger tail and started back up the hill, saying, "You seriously need to learn some maturity, Cloverspots."

Anger bubbled up inside his chest. *Who does she think she is?* "I've been a warrior for longer than you, Sparknose. And besides, you don't get to tell off cats who have just made a simple mistake. I think *you're*the one that needs to grow up and learn that you're not the boss of the Clan," he shot back. Before Cloverspots gave Sparknose a chance to answer, he shoved his way past her and Beechstone.

When he arrived back at camp, Cloverspots watched Winterpaw practicing battle moves in the sunny clearing. Ferncreek was dozing by a log, while Nightfur and Shadefur watched their kits play. Suddenly Winterpaw tripped over a rock and tumbled head over paws. Amused, Cloverspots padded over. "Wanna learn some new moves?" He asked the apprentice, who was shaking all the dust out of her white fur. "Sure!" Winterpaw accepted excitedly. "Voidclaw is on patrol, and I've been looking for something to do." Cloverspot's tail whisked. "Let's get started then!"

By the time Cloverspots had taught Winterpaw the drop-and-roll, her mentor, Voidclaw, had arrived back at camp with his patrol, Thornstep and Songdust, seeming pleased that Cloverspots had given Winterpaw something to do to keep her occupied, and with Thornstep and Songdust he settled down to eat. "I'm *exhausted,* Winterpaw moaned, flopping down onto the ground in fatigue. "That was fun though!" She panted.

### Chapter 8

*Sunpaw's point of view.*

“Keep your paws tucked in, and your scent upwind, then, when you're ready, dart forward as fast as you can, and then when the rabbit is close enough, leap and hold down it’s legs to keep them from batting at you. Then, take the killing bite to the spine.”

Sunpaw dropped into a hunting stance, doing the exact thing her mentor instructed, imitating his movements. She dashed forward in graceful bounds, making little noise.

“Spectacular! You’re going to make a fit hunter one day.” Owlfeather purred. She warmed at her mentor’s praise. Sunpaw opened her jaws to smell if there was prey, and soon picked up the mouthwatering scent of rabbit. “Rabbit,” she alerted Owlfeather, who appeared to be staring into nothingness. He shook his head, yanked back to reality. “Nice work.”

“She suddenly halted, sniffing the air once more. It wasn’t just rabbit scent, it was rabbit mixed with something else. Badger! Without waiting for consent, she dashed over a tussock, rounding the gorse and followed the smell to a badger set, hidden in a crest of the moor. Quick paw steps made her turn around to see Owlfeather trudging up the hill, puffing in fatigue. “Sunpaw! Could’ve you have said something…” he broke off, gasping with effort to breathe after his pursuit of the apprentice up and down the hill.

Before Sunpaw could answer, her mentor’s gaze swung from her to the badger set, eyes widening in interest. “We should tell Smokestar about the badger set, so he can warn the other warriors not to hunt in the area,” Sunpaw began, not thinking before she spoke.

Owlfeather’s eyes flickered with thought. “Of course we should, but Sunpaw, you can’t just run off after a scent like that, not without consulting me first,” he meowed, an edge to his tone.

She shuffled her paws, and gave her chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks. “Ok,” she mumbled.

“Well, on the bright side, your sense of smell is sharp. That means you’ll be able to scent and spot prey from a long distance.” He mewed.

Sunpaw padded briskly and confidently into camp, and had forgotten about the earlier lecture. She padded to the fresh-kill pile, snatching up a rabbit, and headed in the direction of the elder’s den. Soft voices came into earshot as she entered the den. Ferncreek was dozing while Ebonyfur was gossiping with Sagespots.

At her entry, Ebonyfur waved his tail in welcome, and the blind Sagespots smiled, picking up her scent.

Placing the rabbit down between the two elders, she said, “Save some for Ferncreek if she wants any.”

Sagespots whiskers twitched in amusement. “She’s been sleeping for so long, that we would be finished long before she wakes up.”

The three of them glanced over to the snoring Ferncreek, while Sunpaw let out a mrrow of amusement. Turning and nodding farewell, she was halfway out of the den when Rippleleaf stopped her at the entrance. “I need to talk to you, quickly.”

Sunpaw hurried into the medicine den, led by him. The medicine cat’s voice was eerie and uneasy, his eyes shining with urgency in the darkness of the den as he spoke. “Your vision… I think I know what it means.” She gasped, her pelt pricking with nervousness. “And if I’m right, we have more to worry about than ever before.”

### Chapter 9

*Duskmuzzle's point of view.*

Duskmuzzle slumped in his nest. Ever since Otterstream was taken away, he couldn't sleep. Duskmuzzle wanted to feel her fur and her warm breath against his cheek. *If only.* He wished he hadn't left camp with her yesterday, otherwise Savage and his rogues wouldn't have shown up and kidnapped Otterstream, his claws sliding out, furious at the rogue leader for demanding prey in exchange for her. Duskmuzzle buried his face in his paws. Fighting exhaustion, he deagged himself out of his nest and stalked out of the den.

Every cat was in camp, gathered beneath the HighWillow under Streamstar. *He's making an announcement.* Jumping up to the lower branch, Duskmuzzle stood tired beside his leader.

Streamstar raised his chin. "Cats of GladeClan! I have a grim announcement to make. There are a large band of rogues outside our borders, who are demanding prey," he began. "And we have no choice but to give it to them. Because the life of one of out Clanmates is at stake," he grimaced. Duskmuzzle's ears drooped. *And our kits' lives.* Streamstar glanced at the former. "I know this is difficult for you, Duskmuzzle. But all of GladeClan wil take every measure to assure that Otterstream comes back safe," he sympathized. *If she comes back at all.*

He continued. "We will be doubling hunting patrols, and sending a search party to investigate the location where Otterstream is being held." Dipping his head, Streamstar concluded: "Meeting dismissed."

Duskmuzzle listened to cats milling around camp and chatting about the rogue group. Duskmuzzle tilted his head at his leader. "Can we send a patrol *now?*" He asked anxiously. Streamstar looked at him. "If that's your wish, then you may. Take Hawkpebble, Fishleap, and Sandpaw with you," he suggested. Duskmuzzle's ears pricked. "*Sandpaw?* But she's only an apprentice!" He argued. "*Otterstream's* apprentice," Streamstar corrected. "She'll want to see her mentor again."

Journeying up a hill on the edge of the marsh, Duskmuzzle turned to sniff the air, catching the same scent he did yesterday. *Otterstream and the rogues.* "This way!" He called to his Clanmates. Trudging up the hilly marsh, he squinted. "There! There's a dip near the horseplace!" Hawkpebble called form behind. Duskmuzzle's gaze swung in that direction. She was right. Running to the location, the patrol raised their guard.

Duskmuzzle crouched, smelling rogue scent. Hawkpebble, Fishleap, and Sandpaw all gathered around a hole in the bracken that the camp was guarded with. "I smell RiverClan," Fishleap whispered.

*Otterstream,* Duskmuzzle realized. His gaze searched the camp, getting closer. His eyes found a flash of pale brown fur, plastered with mud. "There she is!" He whispered to the patrol, whom gathered closer. Otterstream's fur was muddied with dirty water, drops clinging to her whiskers. She looked miserable. Duskmuzzle's heart cracked in his chest. *I'll get you out of there.* His mate clawed at the ground as a spasm hit her, rocking Otterstream on her paws. One of her guards' ears pricked, clearly annoyed. "Shut up!" They cursed, batting an unsheathed claw over her ear, hissing. Backing up against the den wall, the queen's hackles raised. "Get away from me!"

Duskmuzzle fought the extremely strong urge to go flying into the camp and slaughter the rogue. But he couldn't. For Otterstream's sake. "What are you waiting for?" Sandpaw demanded. "We've got to get in there!" Duskmuzzle whipped around. "I know," he replied grimly. "But we need to wait until the right moment," turning around to observe Otterstream once more, he watched. Otterstream froze, sniffing. Catching his eye, joyed filled her still-vibrant green eyes as they met gazes. *She sees me!* Taking his chance, Duskmuzzle mouthed words to her. *"We're coming to rescue you next sunrise,"* he began. *"Don't worry. I'll stop at nothing to get you back."*

At this, emotion filled his mate's eyes, a mixture of love and sadness mingled with it. *"I'll try to fight. As hard as I can. For - for our sakes, and the sakes of our kits."*

Reluctantly, Duskmuzzle turned, wanting to snatch her right out of Savage's iron grasp. *He'll pay for this. Wound by wound.*

### Chapter 10

*Sunpaw's point of view.*

It was near sunhigh when Sunpaw returned to camp with Owlfeather, Aspenpaw, and Beechstone. They had all just finished a training session, and the practice had made her legs feel tight. Soon she was exhausted. Sunpaw nosed around in the fresh-kill pile, trying to find a plump rabbit for Snowshade, who had recently moved back to the warrior’s den. And EmberClan now had two new apprentices, Ravenpaw and Sparkpaw, Thornstep and Birchshadow's kits. She was eager to get to know them and have some more cats in the apprentices’ den. Dropping the rabbit at Snowshade’s paws, she noticed that her mother had barely noticed her presence. Sunpaw followed Snowshade’s gaze to Smokestar. She was staring at the dark gray tom, tail waving in interest. “Snowshade?” She murmured, trying to get her attention. “Snowshade? Snowshade!” Suddenly the white warrior’s head snapped around to the rabbit. She swiped her tongue across her lips. “I’m starving. Wanna share?” Snowshade offered. The request took Sunpaw by surprise. “Sure.”

She settled down next to her mother, memories of the nursery flooding back. “So…” she began, “I can see that you’re interested in Smokestar…” she trailed off.

Snowshade suddenly whipped her head around and fixed Sunpaw with a glare. “Of course not! Why would you think that?”

“I just noticed the way you were looking at him…” she stared at the she-cat, not willing to let the topic slip.

“Have you got bees in your brain? Her mother snapped. “I’m not mooning over anyone.”

Snowshade sat on her haunches, starting to wash herself, then spoke. “I would never turn on your father for Smokestar.” Raising her chin, she rose and padded away to join the hunting patrol that Foxstripe was organizing, in a storm of anger and embarrassment. Sunpaw flicked her ear as Aspenpaw padded over. “What’s up with her?” Sunpaw leaned over to whisper to her sister. “I think Snowshade is interested in Smokestar.”

Aspenpaw’s eyes were huge. “Really?? I can’t believe it! Is she taking advantage of Shineheart’s death to be with Smokestar??”

Sunpaw stiffened. “No! She would never do that.” Suddenly her pelt prickled with doubt. But for now, we need to keep this to ourselves.”

Aspenpaw swallowed as Sunpaw waited for an answer. “O-Ok…” She stammered. Sunpaw nodded slowly and trudged away. Snowshade wasn’t going to give up her secret yet. But I know who will.

“No, I haven’t noticed her watching me.” Smokestar replied. Sunpaw’s pelt itched with curiosity. “Are you sure?”

Smokestar got up and loomed over her, irritation sparking in his eyes. “Why do you need to know??” He challenged. Sunpaw drew backward slowly. “Oh, no reason—” snarling from the clearing below cut her off. The two cats poked the8r heads out of the leader’s den and watched as every cat was staring at Foxstripe and Snowshade, both bristling and glowering at each other, their hackles raised.

“That’s mine! I found it!” Snowshade aggressively pulled a huge lump of moss towards her.

“No it’s not!” Foxstripe yanked it back. They kept pulling on the moss until a tear hit her ear fur. Sunpaw looked at the remainder of the moss, bedraggled and torn. Shreds of it were scattered everywhere. She caught a glimpse of Featherdove shaking out her pelt to remove the scraps that had gotten tangled in her fur. “In my den! Now.” Smokestar flicked his tail in annoyance.

Sunpaw put her white ear to the stone wall of the leader’s den to hear the ongoing debate between the three cats. “You should know better than this!” Smokestar growled. “One of you could have found more moss somewhere else. Especially since the last thing we need right now are two warriors acting like misbehaved kits.”

She saw Snowshade’s tail droop. “Very well.”

Foxstripe pushed past Snowshade, and muttered something under his breath that Sunpaw didn’t catch. She glanced at Snowshade, her mother’s fur unkempt and ragged. Her heart twisted. An argument like this could easily evolve into much worse. She raced to the apprentice’s den and collapsed into her nest, burying her nose into the moss and screwed her eyes shut. *EmberClan has lost so much, and all because of me. Because of my rabbit-brained vision.*

### Chapter 11

*Sunpaw's point of view.*

That sunhigh her and Cloverpaw were sharing tongues while her mentor, Owlfeather, dozed in a patch of sunlight. Sunpaw purred in amusement when he pawed in the air while he was dreaming, rolling over several times. He awoke abruptly, and he gave his chest fur a couple of embarrassed licks when he realized that he was being watched while he was making a scene in his sleep. Sunpaw tapped her tail, enjoying the quiet. An angry snarl broke the silence. Foxstripe stormed out of the warriors den, his eyes blazing with fury as he flew in a rage through the entrance. Nightfur stood outside the den, flicking her tail irritably, clearly annoyed by the argument between the two mates. “Foxstripe whirled around and hissed at Snowshade. “I can’t believe that you passed me over for Smokestar! How could you??” Silvercloud suddenly dashed over and hissed back at both of them. “Enough! If you have to work things out, then do it elsewhere. You don’t have to take it out on each other in front of all of us.”

They both reluctantly stalked away in rage while Silvercloud waved his tail and trotted back to the nursery where he was patching a hole in the wall.

Gulping, Sunpaw followed the two brawling cats’ voices, ducking into a nearby bracken thicket and watched the drama unfold.

“From this moment forward, you and I are nothing to each other. You and I are no longer together anymore. I don’t want have a mate who spends all her time padding after another tom,” Foxstripe spat furiously.

Snowshade’s retort was stinging. “Fine! Have it your way! But there’s no turning back. I don’t want to be with a cat who is so selfish he acts like everyone else's needs matter less than his!”

They both departed in different directions, as Sunpaw, grief-stricken, watched in dismay from behind the bracken. Her heart seemed to shatter inside her chest. There’s only one reason for all of this.

And there’s got to be a place that I can go to finally get answers.

*The Moonpool!* The answer hit her like rabbit-scent. *StarClan will tell me, right? Well, since this entire situation has gotten worse, I’m not giving them a choice. I’m not leaving the hollow without one distinct reason why this is happening.*

Her pelt burned with determination as she broke into a run, desperate to reach the Moonpool. Sunpaw bounded across a stretch of moor, past the hill where the abandoned badger set was, and finally the hollow was within eyeshot. She slowed to a walk, puffing with fatigue. Collapsing next to the bushes, she waited for night.

### Chapter 12

*Otterstream's point of view.*

Otterstream watched Duskmuzzle leave with the patrol, sadness like a lump in her stomach. Slumping, she became annoyed of the cats guarding the den where she was. *This is pointless. What do they even want from me?*

Savage stalked up to the den. Satisfaction gleamed in his amber eyes. "How's our guest doing?" He teased, whisking his thin tail under Otterstream's chin. "I'll slay you," she snarled defiantly. Savage's whiskers twitched. "For what? That's suicide, trying to kill me. My campmates will have their claws at your throat if you lay a tooth on me. But what you *can* do..." he trailed off. "...Is tell us where GladeClan's camp is," he mewed playfully.

Otterstream tensed. "Never!" Hissing, her claws slid out. Savage was unmoved. "Very well. But the least you can do... is go and catch a few scraps for us," he added. Savage continued. "You'll be under guard. If you fail to bring anything back-then I'll let my campmates decide what to do with you." Slinking back as far as she could to the den wall, Otterstream gasped. "You wouldn't," she growled. Savage showed his teeth. "*Watch me,"* he retorted, as the two guards shoved the queen out of the den, and unfortunately Otterstream had no choice but to obey. *This is unbelievable.* Reluctantly sniffing the air, she picked up the scent of mouse. *Let's see how well these rogues can hunt.* Going after the scent, she noticed a mouse eating some nuts at the foot of an oak. Crouching, she slunk forward until she was in good range. Otterstream pounced.

Landing squarely on top of it, she be t to give it the killing bite to the spine. Unexpectedly came a shove from one of the rogues, knocking her out of the way and killing the mouse. Snickering, they snatched up the prey, and gave Otterstream a hind kick, signaling the end of the hunt.

When the group arrived back, the rogue started blaming Otterstream for the failed catch. *How dare he?* Hackles raising, Savage told her to be quiet. "Because of this disgrace, my campmates shall take care of you," lashing his scarred tail, he padded away. The queen was led back into the den where she was before, this time the two huge cats faced her with menacing gazes. Then one of them lunged. Barely dodging, Otterstream tripped, misjudging her size, and, quick as a fox, darted between the two cats, racing out of the den. *I'm gonna make it!* Savage, who was eating the mouse that had been caught earlier, noticed. "Oh no!" Otterstream tried to run without stumbling, Savage in pursuit.

With no idea where to run, Otterstream went for the marshy border. Savage was catchign up, while she slowing, fatigue clinging to her legs, which felt like they were on fire. She then noticed little dots in the distance. *The patrol! Thank StarClan!* Summoning all her strength, Otterstream gained on the Clan cats. Meanwhile, Savage was almost on top of her, and eventually sprung. He tumbled over her, clawing her ears and belly. Letting out a howl of agony, Otterstream tried to back.

Fortunately, the patrol had been alerted by her call. Turning around, the warriors raced to Otterstream and Savage. Duskmuzzle was in the front, his eyes lit with rage. "Keep your claws off! He yowled, hurling himself at Otterstream's attacker. Scrambling to get up, she leaned on Hawkpebble's shoulder as Duskmuzzle and Savage fought. Her mate slashed at the latter's ears, screeching. "You tried to kill my mate and kits! You will never suceed!" Slashing open Savage's throat, Duskmuzzle let it bleed red into the grass. Finished, he almost collapsed next to Otterstream, purring. "I'm so glad you're okay," he nuzzled her cheek. Purring also, she inhaled his scent. "I told you I would fight," she told him softly.

### Chapter 13

*Sunpaw's point of view.*

Sunpaw knelt down, her chest fluff barely touching the surface of the Moonpool, sending small ripples to the edge. She stiffened and pulled back, taken by surprise at the icy chill of the water. She forced her fur to lie flat and reluctantly touched her nose to the freezing pool. The feeling subsided as she laid down and felt herself being slowly dragged into sleep.

Sunpaw opened her eyes a heartbeat later, now standing in a peaceful meadow. Rabbits darted over the hills, and blurry foliage lined the edge of the horizon where the sun was sinking. Am I in StarClan? Then the sound of paw steps made her freeze. Sunpaw snapped her head around defensively, only to see a tortoiseshell she-cat, with the light of the stars in her fur. Her pelt was glowing in the dim half light as she stopped in front of Sunpaw. “I am Roseflight,” the sleek-furred she cat meowed. “I lived here many seasons ago, before you were born. But may I look familiar at all?”

Sunpaw scanned the tortoiseshell, from head to tail. She flicked her tail in frustration. “Not at all.”

Roseflight turned around, barely letting Sunpaw finish. “Not that it makes much difference. I have something to show you.” She whisked her plumy tail. “Follow me.”

She led Sunpaw silently through a thick wood alight with stars, the lights flashing through the starry warriors’ pelt. Sunpaw suddenly noticed she had a similar spotted pattern on her fur. She pushed the thought away. But could that be why she asked me if she looked familiar? Roseflight settled down next to a giant oak with its branches hanging from above. “Close your eyes,” she murmured.

Sunpaw let her eyes shut slowly, almost drifting off. She sat up.

She suddenly saw Aspenpaw, sitting by the apprentices’ den talking with Sparkpaw, one of the new apprentices.

“Why are you showing me this?” She demanded.

Without hesitation, Roseflight mewed, “Keep watching.”

To her surprise, the image warped into something else. It now showed Aspenpaw talking to Foxstripe, both cats using hushed voices.

Sunpaw gasped in shock. Is she telling our father about Snowshade’s secret? But she promised me! She felt her shock ebb and morph into rage. “Why did you show me this and not do anything??” She snarled at Roseflight.

“There’s some things that go on in the Clans that are beyond StarClan’s control,” Roseflight retorted. Then she went on. “And we also can’t always interfere in everything. Why do you think you had that vision?”

Sunpaw’s voice was small. “How do you know about my vision?”

Roseflight went on confidently. “StarClan knows all! I am part of StarClan!” Of course I know!”

Panic gripped Sunpaw when she realized she was beginning to wake up. “No! I don’t want to leave! I need to stay! I need to figure out why this is happening to me!”

Roseflight got up. “You know enough,” her mew was tense.

Sunpaw woke abruptly, taking huge breaths and trying to calm herself down. She slowly got up, flexed her claws and was turning to leave when she saw the other medicine cats, their gazes fixed angrily on Sunpaw. Her pelt spiked in alarm. *The half-moon meeting! How could I have forgotten?*

Rippleleaf stepped to the front of the surrounding medicine cats. “Why are you here?”

### Chapter 14

*Sunpaw's point of view.*

Sunpaw reached a tussock in the moor and trudged through the heather, flanked by the GladeClan medicine cat Fernheart, and her apprentice Blazepaw. Rippleleaf had sent an escort patrol from the Moonpool back to the WindClan camp. Doesn’t he know why I was there?

Right then Blazepaw broke the silence. “Why were you at the Moonpool? How did you slip away from your camp so easily?”

Fernheart silenced her with a look. As they reached the dip in the moor hiding the camp, light reflected across the hills from over the horizon, hinting the approaching dawn. The entrance tunnel was in sight now, so Sunpaw pricked her ears to try to pick out her Clanmates’ scents. She sniffed the air but smelt nothing. Clearly the dawn patrol hadn’t left yet.

The escort patrol ducked through the entrance tunnel, where Foxstripe was already sending out patrols, assigning Sparkpaw and her mentor Heatherslip to the dawn patrol along with Wishpaw and her mentor Birchshadow.

Sunpaw had now caught Foxstripe’s eye. Her father’s amber gaze narrowed, then he flicked his tail and trotted illicitly into Smokestar’s den.

Now almost every cat had noticed her by now with Fernheart and Blazepaw. *I should’ve known about the medicine cat meeting, or else I wouldn’t have to undergo this.*

“Sunpaw, come here.” Smokestar’s dark gray tabby shape was easy to pick out in the half light. She shrank beneath her fur and slowly and hesitantly padded into his den. Foreboding fluttered in her chest. Things couldn’t have gone worse. Now I guess I’m on tick duty for a quarter moon.

She heard the medicine cats begin to leave, turning her attention back to Smokestar.

“Last night you secretly left camp without any cat knowing, and went to the Moonpool, of all places, and disrupted the half moon medicine meeting. Do you have anything to say in your defense?”

Sunpaw took a step back, her eyes wide. He’s making it sound worse than it is! “Y-Yes—“ she stuttered.

“Really, the question is, why do you always have the will to sneak away from camp at night and go to some StarClan-forsaken place and always end up unpunished?” Smokestar’s tail tip twitched irritably.

Sunpaw narrowed her eyes. “You make it sound worse than it is.”

“That’s just it, you see,” he went on. “This was still happening when you were still a kit. Now there’s just one thing left to do. And that’s tick duty for a quarter moon.”

I’ve never predicted so exactly. Her ear twitched in amusement. Smokestar’s voice jerked her from her musing. “Do you think this is funny??” He demanded. He narrowed his eyes once more, making Sunpaw’s stomach clench.

He stormed out the den and stood on top of Tallrock. “All cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Tallrock for a Clan meeting!”

*Does Smokestar just want to embarrass me? Or does he have something more important to say?*

“Last night the medicine cats caught Sunpaw at the Moonpool at the half moon meeting. She must be punished for this...misbehavior.” He finished, his green gaze resting on Foxstripe. “And there must also be consequences.”

Smokestar’s glare remained on Foxstripe. “Foxstripe, because of your daughter’s irresponsibility, if she does this again, you will be stripped of your duties and turned back into a warrior.”

Several hisses and protests rose from the gathered cats.

“It’s not his fault!”

“That’s not fair!”

“You can’t do that!”

Smokestar swished his tail, ignoring the protests. “Clan dismissed.” Anger rose inside her chest as Sunpaw angrily stomped off to the medicine den to collect mouse-bile. *Everything I do ends badly. And I can’t do anything to stop it.*

### Chapter 15

*Sunpaw's point of view.*

Sunpaw raced through the clearing, excitement fizzing in her paws, with her siblings at her heels. *My warrior ceremony! Finally!* Aspenpaw was farther behind, keeping a good distance. Sunpaw still hadn’t forgiven her for what she did. *If it wasn’t for you, Foxstripe and Snowshade would be mates still! We’d still be a family.* Smokestar suddenly stepped forward, his smoky gray pelt well-groomed, muscles rippling under his thick coat. Snowshade sat at the foot of the rock, her eyes lit with pride.

“Cloverpaw, Wishpaw, Aspenpaw, and—Sunpaw, please come forward.”

All of them stepped forth in front. Smokestar addressed Cloverpaw first.

“Cloverpaw, please step forward.” Cloverpaw trembled with excitement and did so.

“I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I commend him as a warrior in his turn. Cloverpaw, do you wish to uphold the warrior code, and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Cloverpaw’s voice was sound and confident. “I do.”

“Then from this moment forward you will be known as Cloverspots. Congratulations.” Then the Clan cheered his name loudly.

Sunpaw waited for the rest of the ceremony to commence. Her paws pricked with apprehension. After Cloverspots, Aspenheart, and Wishleaf had finished, she would be next.

“Sunpaw, please step forward.”

Shaking with anticipation, she took a step forward.

Smokestar’s voice sounded uncertain but steady. “I call upon the warriors of StarClan to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, I commend her as a warrior in her turn. Sunpaw, do you wish to uphold the warrior code, and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?”

Sunpaw swallowed. “I do.”

“Then from this moment forward you will be known as Sunshade. EmberClan honors all of your devotion and service that you have given us.”

Sunshade raised her chin triumphantly. *At last!*

The Clan chanted their names.

“Cloverspots!”

“Aspenheart!”

“Wishleaf!”

“Sunshade!”

She dipped her head. “Thank you, Smokestar.”

The Clan leader continued. “We have a Gathering tonight. Any cat willing to come please meet me by the entrance tunnel. Clan dismissed.”

Her brother and sisters were alight with excitement, as well as Sunshade. “Umm… Sunshade? Can I speak with you alone?” Aspenheart’s voice broke into her thoughts.

“Of course.” Sunshade spoke before she thought. Once they were out of earshot of the other cats, Aspenheart began.

“Well, I.. I-I...I’m sorry about Snowshade and Foxstripe...I felt as if the secret was too much to take in.” She looked pleadingly at Sunshade. Her eyes were liquid pools of sadness. “I hope you forgive me…”

She has endured so much with me. *She deserves a second chance. I can’t believe it took me so long to realize that.* Her eyes softened. “Yes. Yes I do.”

### Chapter 16

*Otterstream's point of view.*

Otterstream licked Cherrykit over the ear, while the kit's jaws stretched wide in a yawn. Otterstream smiled and continued to bathe her kits while basking in the sunhigh sunlight. Duskmuzzle was currently on patrol, and the camp was equally peaceful while shining fish leapt from the waves of the river.

Otterstream turned her attention to Blazetail, who was keeping the dangling branch under maintenance while managing her herbs. The ginger tabby she-cat then turned and cast Hawkpebble a playful and almost loving glance, flicking her tail to the dappled brown she-cat, as Hawkpebble returned her glance. Otterstream draws her tail over her kits, quietly snoozing. *It looks like there's love in the making,* she thought. Then a familiar scent filled her nostrils as Heronclaw ducked under the lichen draping over the entrance to the GladeClan camp. Behind her trailed two also familiar rogues whom she recognized as Storm and Hero. At the sight of her old friends, Otterstream's heart leaped; Storm and Hero actually remembered her as well. Storm's eyes lit up with joy at the sight of Otterstream as well. "Otterstream!" The gray tabby she-cat bounded to the nursery, Hero not far behind.

"It's so good to see you!" Hero's tail waved in greeting. "And you have kits!" She gave an excited squeal as she added, "Who's the father?" Otterstream looked up to Hero and replied, "Duskmuzzle's. He's deputy to Streamstar now," as Storm bent down and gazed at the litter joyfully. "You guys are mates now? That's amazing! So what's new?"

"Well, there's been a few minor issues lately," Otterstream began. "A band of rogues has been lurking around Clan territory, demanding prey and attacking ours patrols as well as the other Clans." She looked down. "They even... used me as a token to get GladeClan to hand over prey," she finished. Storm's tail spiked. "That sounds horrible! What did they do to you?" She asked. Otterstream cocked her head. "They ended up taking me to their camp against my will and held me there for a quarter moon, until GladeClan came to take me back. I was expecting at the time as well, so times weren't easy."Hero barely let Otterstream finish. Thank StarClan they came back for you," she commented worriedly. "I would have done the same for one of my Clanmates," Otterstream mewed. "As did they."

"Well, I see you're faring fine now," Hero twitched her ears and sniffed. "Jessie and Karly had begun to take over leadership over our group this moon. They acted pretty unfair to the older cats, even calling them 'weak' and 'useless', so me and Storm opted to leave. We ultimately got sick of the way our friends and us were being treated, so off we went," Hero told her. Otterstream remembered Storm and Hero's talk of Jessie and Karly before. The two rogue leader-to-bes were stuck-up she-cats in her opinion, and didn't hold them in very high regard.

### Chapter 17

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Sunshade padded along the lakeshore, heading in the direction of the Gathering island, flanked by Nightfur and Owlfeather. Owlfeather spoke up.“I heard of a border dispute between GladeClan and GoldenClan last Gathering.” He flicked his ears. “Things probably haven’t cooled off between them.”

Nightfur shot him a glance. “I agree. Why waste time over petty borders? They have no sense—“ she broke off as Foxstripe eyed her with a sharp glare. “Just a thought…” she trailed off.

When the cats arrived at the island, countless voices were noisily drifting into her ears. Owlfeather bounded away to find Minttail, one of his friends from StormClan, while Nightfur sat silently near the edge of the clearing.

Sunshade slowly padded into the throng of cats, ears pricked. I wonder if there’s another warrior my age, she wondered. Just then a flash of orange and white caught her eye, leading her to the far left side of the island. A muscular ginger tom was listening to an elder talk nearby. *He looks about my age.* The ginger tom hesitantly turned. For a groundbreaking heartbeat, their gazes locked, showing nothing but shock and a hint of affection. The world seemed to stop for a split second, until the tom rose and walked in her direction. He stopped in front of her. “Hi,” he meowed. “I’m from AirClan. My name is Splashfoot. I just became a warrior.”

For a moment Sunshade couldn’t find words. “Oh, I'm from EmberClan. I was just made a warrior too. My name is Sunshade.”

Spalshfoot’s eyes brightened. “That’s a beautiful name.”

Sunshade changed the subject. “How are things in AirClan?

His eyes darkened. “Prey’s running well, and my friend Swiftstorm also became a warrior…”

A black-and-white she-cat suddenly approached, her tail waving flirtatiously. “Hello Splashfoot. I see you made a friend," she noted scornfully, casting a dubious glance at Sunshade.

“Sunshade, this is Swiftstorm, the cat I was talking to you about.” Splashfoot mumbled.

C’mon Splashfoot, let’s go talk to the GladeClan elders and listen to their stories,” she mewed. Swiftstorm rubbed her muzzle along his jawline. She then glared at Sunshade and vanished into the fray.

Ravenpaw’s voice made her turn around. “What’s her problem? He asked.

“Oh just slightly possessive,” Sunshade answered reluctantly.

She then vanished into the surrounding cats, followed by Ravenpaw.

### Chapter 18

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Sunshade flattened her ears against the gust of wind that buffeted her side. Perfect. A border patrol in weather like this. Sparkpaw and Beechstone didn’t look pleased either as Foxstripe led the patrol through a small dip in the moor. Sunwillow had to squint to spot the stream at the StormClan boundary. Tiny shapes milled along the streamline. ThunderClan.

Foxstripe lowered his tail. “StormClan patrol. Keep quiet, and don’t cause any kind of trouble. We don’t want a skirmish.”

When the WindClan patrol finally reached the stream, she saw the outline of the tortoiseshell StormClan deputy Woodwhisker. His hostile glare made Sunshade flinch, burning with ferocity.

“Wow, look at the EmberClan weasel-hearts,” a StormClan warrior named Wavefoot sneered.

“You’re more weasel-hearted yourselves,” Shadefur retorted.

Woodwhisker took a step back as Sunshade noticed him lower his tail cautiously. Foxstripe turned away.

“Let’s go, we don’t want another skirmish.”

Sunshade's eyes flickered with understanding at the thinly hidden command in his tone. Clearly Foxstripe didn’t want another pointless fight, like the one Gingerflight had died in.

The patrol quickly marked the boundary and retreated up slope as her Clanmates began chatting. “...Woodwhisker was always a featherbrain,” Thornstep scoffed, deep in conversation with Birdwing. “He and I were apprentices at the same age. Woodwhisker never thought for a moment that he wasn’t the only cat around. I was lucky to have to have other EmberClan apprentices to hang out with at Gatherings.”

Interested, Sunshade slowed and fell in next to Thornstep and Birdwing. “Did his Clanmates like him?” She asked out of curiosity.

“I couldn’t imagine them liking him.” the pale brown warrior continued. “He was hostile to any cat outside his Clan, even at Gatherings. His mentor, Mousetail let him get away with teasing his denmates. Even when he trained…”

Sunshade stopped listening as Thornstep kept rambling on about his apprentice experience. Shortly after, Shadefur, who was leading the patrol, stopped dead in her tracks, eyes lighting with excitement. “Pheasant!”

She felt Birdwing stiffen beside her. *Pheasant! We’ve never seen one on the moor before!* Shadefur dropped into a crouch when she spotted long feathers poking out from behind an undergrowth of heather. The patrol flattened themselves against the peat-covered ground, creeping over the loose ferns. Sunshade set her paws carefully and cautiously on the smooth wet grass, a sense of unpleasantness seeping through her body as the dampness sunk in. The band of warriors halted when Foxstripe and Shadefur hooked their tails in warning, then hared up the dip and bounded over the gorse, followed by the remaining cats. *I have to catch up to them!*  Sunshade was falling behind with every paw step, losing distance and pushing harder against the mud. Panic gripped her chest as the mud above her begin to loosen as her Clanmates scrambled over it. All that mud’s going to come down on me!  “Help!” She yowled, desperate. Birdwing and Featherdove whirled around at her call, gasping in fear and horror as they raced towards her. Her legs were rooted in the mud beneath. *They're not going to make it in time!* Terror descended upon Sunshade as the mud slid straight down*.* She let out a horrified screech*. I’m going to die!* Teeth suddenly gripped her scruff as the mud cut off her screech*.* A familiar scent wreathed around her*. Ravenpaw!*

For a heartbeat the mud gripped Sunshade completely, and her breath slowed. Then everything went dark.

Sunshade slowly blinked open her eyes, still half asleep. She breathed in the scent of Ravenpaw, Rippleleaf and the medicine den. “W-What…”

Ravenpaw quietly interrupted. “Relax, Sunshade. You’re safe now.”

“Ravenpaw…?”

“I’m Ravenfeather now.”

Sunshade stiffened. “How long have I been unconscious?”

“Four sunrises,” Ravenfeather answered. “I had actually completed my assessment before I saved you.”

Her eyes stretched wide in realization. Of course! “T-Thank you,” she stammered. Ravenfeather saved my life!  “I will never forget this,” Sunshade blinked back tears.

“Nor will I,” Ravenfeather’s green loving eyes reflected into hers, showing nothing but affection. He pressed against her marble brown-orange-and-white pelt, purring. Sunshade felt nothing but pure devotion and gratitude. She purred back. *I’ll never forget this.*

### Chapter 19

*Heatherslip's point of view.*

Silvercloud approached Vixenpounce from the side, his tail lifting in pleasure. "Wanna go hunting?" He offered kindly. "I'd love to," Vixenpounce mewed, and the two started to walk out of camp, their fur brushing. As they left, Heatherslip's whiskers and tail drooped as she watched Silvercloud laugh with Vixenpounce. Shaking her head, she sat erect and glanced at the two cats in anger, lashing her tail. Trying to make a scene, Heatherslip bounded across camp, her fur bristling. She stopped in front of Vixenpounce, her olive green eyes blazing in anger. "Who do you think you are?" She demanded furiously.

Vixenpounce took a step back. "Huh?" Silvercloud decided to intervene. "Heatherslip, there's no need to get worked up. Why are you so angry? Vixenpounce did nothing wrong." His voice sounded cold as ice.

Heatherslip was trembling. She couldn't believe that her crush has spoken to like that. Gathering her courage, she said: "I hope you enjoy hanging out with your little *friend*. I don't care if you like her more. I don't need anyone," she snarled in his face. "Anyways, I'm staying here. Have fun with your new *mate*." Silvercloud's gaze still stung, and tears welled in Heatherslip's eyes. "It appears you've made your choice," she concluded, dashing away in tears. Silvercloud looked frustrated, then whisked his tail as a signal to Vixenpounce. "Let's go." Then he relaxed and headed out of camp with her.

Heatherslip watched them go, her heart shattering like it was being torn out of her chest. *What does Silvercloud hate about me?* she wondered miserably. Then, for a second she had an idea. Getting up, she padded over to Sunshade, who was repairing the nursery wall. "Hey, Sunshade." At her greeting, the she-cat almost fell over, startled. "Whaa— hi? What is it?" Sunshade asked.

Heatherslip tipped her head. "I need advice on toms," she began. "Well- I like him... but he seems more interested in Vixenpounce. I don't know how to cope with the pain." She saw Sunshade's green eyes fill with sympathy. "I've felt heartbreak like that as well with Splashfoot a while back," her eyes glistened. "Another cat in his Clan, Swiftstorm, was obsessed with him, and couldn’t take her eyes off him for a second. But unexpectedly, Splashfoot turned her down recently before I was expecting his kits, and that's when he made up his mind to join WindClan. Sunshade turned from her work. "They'll eventually come back, Heatherslip. Toms are indecisive like that. Sometimes they like to play with your heart, but don't let them. That's how they come crawling back," she explained.

Heatherslip's tail twitched in interest. "I'll teach Silvercloud that Vixenpounce isn't worth mooning over all the time! Thanks, Sunshade!" She then dashed off.

Sunshade's tail whisked. "Anytime."

### Chapter 20

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Splashfoot’s scent wreathed around Sunshade as he brushed his golden orange-striped pelt against hers. “The stars are beautiful tonight,” he purred. Sunshade looked up and purred again. Then a thought entered her head. *StarClan? Are you there?* She flicked her gaze around, looking to see if anyone was watching. “Are you sure you weren’t followed? She queried.

“Positive. My Clanmates trust me too much to be so nosy,” Splashfoot reassured her. And besides, they would understand if they knew.”

Sunshade's stomach clenched nervously. *You can never be too careful though…*

Giving one last glance around, she relaxed as she saw no one peering out of the shadows. But then she almost jumped out of her fur when the bracken rustled anonymously, and felt Splashfoot tense beside her. “Sunshade, stay close,” he warned. Sunwillow slowly turned, dropping slowly into a battle crouch, and Splashfoot did the same.

There was another crunching noise of crackling leaves, and suddenly a rabbit exploded out of the bracken thicket. Splashfoot immediately darted after it, and, relieved, Sunshade dashed after him. Her legs were a blur as she followed Splashfoot. The rabbit gave chase, and she saw a flash of golden tabby fur in the distance. Adrenaline roaring in her ears, Sunwillow managed to catch up, puffing as she slowed to a halt beside Splashfoot. The rabbit hung from his jaws, eyes shining with pride.

“Great catch,” Sunshade mewed, sniffing the rabbit gingerly.

“Thanks,” Splashfoot swished his tail as he placed down the rabbit. “Want to share?”

“Sure,” she responded, settling down next to the ginger tom. Breathing in the rabbit’s mouthwatering scent, she began eating.

Splashfoot broke the silence. “So… you know Swiftstorm?”

Sunshade looked up, still chewing. "Uh huh…"

“Well, I think she wants to be my mate,” his eyes shone with worry as he looked at her.

“Well… maybe you should tell her how you feel, instead of letting her hang around you all the time,” Sunshade tore another chunk from the rabbit. “But at the same time, don’t show that you’re losing respect for her.”

Splashfoot sighed. “If only I could make her understand…”

Sunshade stiffened. “But you don’t actually feel anything for her, do you?” She waited for him to answer. “Of course not,” he murmured. “I love you, and only you.”

As he licked her ear she felt a shooting pain in her belly. Sunshade screwed up her face in an attempt to suppress it.

Splashfoot saw her expression change. “Are you okay?” His voice sounded uneasy. “Of course,” Sunshade realized the unusual pain had worn off. “It was nothing.” She quickly changed the subject. “I should get back before anyone notices I’m gone.” She got up. Splashfoot stretched and stood up as well. “I’m going to bury the rest of the rabbit,” he told her. “Good idea,” she tapped her tail. “I’m going to head back. It was beautiful tonight.”

He licked her cheek once more. “Bye then. Good night.”

As Sunshade padded back to the dirtplace tunnel she felt another odd squirming in her belly. She gasped as she realized what it was.

*I’m expecting kits!* Swallowing her panic, she plodded slowly through the tunnel. *This can’t be happening!* And the kits are Splashfoot’s! “But everyone is going to think they’re Ravenfeather’s…” She said aloud. Relief washed over her pelt as Sunshade entered camp and silently crept back into her nest. *These kits will be raised as EmberClan warriors. And I won’t let anything happen to them.*

### Chapter 21

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Sunshade flicked her ears against the breeze as she relaxed outside the warriors den. I’m hungry. Arching her back in a long stretch, she padded to the fresh-kill pile. Sunshade sniffed the pile, trying to decide. Then she swished her tail and took a hare.

“Sunshade,” Foxstripe walked up to her, Nightfur by his side. “Can you come on the border patrol with—“

He broke off as he noticed Sunshade's swollen belly. “You’re expecting kits!” Her father gasped, then his expression turned to joy. “Congratulations! Whose are they?”

“Er—Ravenfeather’s,” Sunshade tipped her head thoughtfully. Hopefully they’ll believe me. Foxstripe brushed pelts with Nightfur. “That’s wonderful! Best wishes.” Dipping his head, he trotted away.

Giving her chest fur a few quick licks, she headed towards Rippleleaf’s den.

When Sunshade entered Rippleleaf had just pulled a thorn from Featherdove’s pad and was cleaning his paws in the pool beside his herb stores. “Be careful, and don’t put too much weight on it for a while,” he told Featherdove.

“Thanks, Rippleleaf,” she dipped her head, and slowly trod away.

“Rippleleaf, I need to tell you something.” Sunshade sat down. The medicine cat was now shortening daisy stems. “Sure. What do you need?”

“Well… I’m expecting kits…”

“What? That’s amazing! Whose are they? Sunshade sighed as she noticed he had asked the exact same question as Foxstripe.

She leaned in close. “Please...don’t tell anyone this… but you know Splashfoot from AirClan? T-They’re...his.”

Rippleleaf looked alarmed. “What??? But—“

Sunshade cut him off. “I know! But I can’t tell anyone. It’s for my sake and the kit’s. I need to keep my place in the Clan,” she begged.

Rippleleaf heaved an exasperated sigh. “It’s a big secret to keep. I don’t know.”

“That’s exactly why I need you to keep it. Please! You’re the only one I can trust.” Sunshade's pleas became desperate.

He swallowed. “Ok… but if the Clan finds out, and trust me, they definitely will, you’re going to have to tell Smokestar that I tried REALLY hard to talk you out of it. Do we have a deal?”

Her fear ebbed as relief took its place. “You have no idea how much this means to me,” she mewed.

Padding out, she saw Wishleaf and Sparknose race up to her.

“We heard the news! Wishleaf exclaimed. “I’m so happy for you!”

“When are they due?” Sparknose purred.

“I don’t know yet,” Sunshade drew her tail over her flank.

“You should move to the nursery, just in case,” Wishleaf and Sparknose urged. Sunshade finally gave in. “Ok, but I don’t need anyone looking after me,” she reasoned.

“Don’t be silly,” Sparknose chimed in. “Come with us.”

As she settled down in the nursery as Wishleaf and Sparknose made her a nest, old memories from Sunwillow’s kithood came back. The thought of her living in the nursery once more made her feel nostalgic.

Wishleaf sat up beside the nest she and Sparknose had woven. “It’s ready. Come try it!”

She padded forward and nestled herself into the surprisingly comfortable nest they had created. “Thanks so much. It’s really comfy.”

“Call us if you need anything,” Sparknose offered. “Enjoy.”

Sunshade's chest heaved slowly as she relaxed into her new nest. *Being back in the nursery is nice*. The sky began to get darker as the stars came out. Sunshade slowly closed her eyes and drifted into sleep.

### Chapter 22

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Sunshade yawned as she walked out of the medicine cat den back towards the nursery. Recently, Shadefur had moved in, heavy with Beechstone's kits. Ravenfeather came over to her, carrying a shrew. “You hungry?” He asked.

Sunshade sighed heavily. “Yeah.”

“So, when are the kits due?” He sounded excited. Taking another bite of the shrew, she replied, “Any day now. What about Shadefur?”

Ravenfeather began to wash his pelt. “Almost a moon, I think. He answered between licks. “How’s the nursery?” Sunshade's pelt twitched. *I wish everyone would stop talking about the kits*. “Fine.” She winced as she felt a twinge in her belly. “I’m going to take a walk. I’ll see you around,” she prompted. I need to get away.

Ravenfeather nodded brusquely and took a last bite of the shrew. “Enjoy.”

Sunshade reached the edge of the moor by the border stream. *I hope Splashfoot didn’t forget.* She slid into the bushes nearby and silently leapt across the stream, hoping to see him.

*There he is!* Splashfoot was sitting by the shoreline of the lake, near their usual meeting place. She raced over to him, catching her breath and sitting down beside Splashfoot.

Sunshade greeted him with a purr. “You’re here.”

Splashfoot immediately returned the greeting. “Hello, my love,” he meowed.

Nuzzling her cheek, he exhaled deeply. “I was waiting for you.”

“I have something to tell you,” she began.

He tipped his head. “Go on.”

“I’m expecting kits. Yours.”

Splashfoot’s eyes were bright with pleasure. “I’m going to be a father!”

Sunshade was purring loudly. *I love you. And our kits will be beautiful*.

He paused. “But what Clan will we raise them in?”

She thought for a moment. “I think it will be best if they grow up in their mother’s Clan,” Sunshade replied. She thought she saw a flicker of disappointment in his gaze.

“Okay,” he lifted his tail. “You’re probably right. But what if your Clanmates find out about their heritage?

Sunshade's breath caught in her throat. Will the Clan accept them as true warriors? What if I get exiled? Her head spun. “I hope Foxstar will accept them,” she forced the words out.

Splashfoot’s tail twitched. “I hope so too. Anyways, I have to get back, or Swiftstorm will start wondering where I am.”

Licking her cheek, he turned and dashed over a hill and vanished.

She began trekking back home. *I will protect these kits, whatever the cost.*

### Chapter 23

*Heatherslip's point of view.*

Heatherslip's tail twitched in her sleep. She was dreaming.

As her vision became unblurred, her eyes focused on Silvercloud and Vixenpounce, their pelts brushing. To her dismay, four kits were playing beside them, one of which looked just like Silvercloud. Shaking her head, she yowled, "No! This can't be happening!" Turning around and dashing away, she skidded to a halt as darkness enclosed her. Heatherslip's eyes flew open as she tried to catch her breath, almost waking up Birchshadow, who was sleeping beside her, as the latter gave a grunt of exhaustion before drifting back to sleep. "*What in StarClan's name was what?*" Heatherslip wondered. Fighting the urge to sink back into sleep, she stumbled out of her nest and into the clearing, where Splashfoot was just beginning to organize the dawn patrols. The leader's amber gaze drifted toward her and brightened. "Heatherslip! You're on the first border patrol," he prompted her away with his tail and then trotted over to Rippleleaf and Morningwhisker's den. "Ok, then," Heatherslip mewed as she padded over to where Splashfoot, Wishleaf, Owlfeather, and Vixenpounce were waiting. Eyeing Vixenpounce ominously, she started walking out of camp with the rest of the patrol.

Fighting the urge to claw the ginger she-cat, Heatherslip paused. *I can't go on like this.*

"Look, Vixenpounce, I'm sorry for how I acted toward you the other day, and, well— I lost my head.." the words came tumbling out as Vixenpounce's eyes grew dark with thought. Swallowing, she said, "I forgive you, Heatherslip, I get worked up too sometimes," she said, though her mew was taut. Heatherslip opened her mouth to answer, but was interrupted by Owlfeather. "Rabbit!" He whispered, eyeing a burrow, which flooded Heatherslip's nose with rabbit scent. "Wishleaf and Splashfoot approached the burrow silently, Owlfeather bringing up the rear and Heatherslip and Vixenpounce on the sides. The patrol crept into the burrow silently.

The result was a great success, each carrying a rabbit or helping someone else carry an additional one.

Heatherslip strolled through camp after the hunt, her tail pattering the ground impatiently, looking for something to do. Vixenpounce was in Rippleleaf's den, both talking in hushed voices, which made Heatherslip curious. *It's none of my business anyway...* but she pushed herself away. Flicking her ears, she began washing.

But almost as soon as she began doing so, the silence was shattered by Blossomshine's yowl. "Someone help! It's Grayhare!" Heatherslip's ears flew up in shock. Foxstar exploded from the warriors den, where was doing some repair. "What is it?" He demanded. Blossomshine was still in a panic as she responded, "A tree fell on him! Come quick, and bring Rippleleaf!"

Rippleleaf bound up some herb bundles and snatched them up, bounding out of the medicine den in a flash, while Vixenpounce followed slower. Heatherslip followed the orange-and-gray tabby medicine cat's trail along the path that led out of the EmberClan camp, tail streaming behind her; she was also followed by Winterfur and Bramblefoot. As all six cats arrived at the scene, all were horrified to find Grayhare lying under an uprooted beech tree. Winterfur gasped. Blood was pooling beside Grayhare's flank and his gray tabby fur was stained with mud where Thornstep was standing over him.

Blossomshine flattened her ears. "Rippleleaf, you have to do something! Any cat! Please!" Rippleleaf hurried forward to where Grayhare was lying, bending down to sniff the young tom's pelt and muzzle. Wrinkling his slightly at the tang, he stood up, sadness glittering in his green eyes. "He's dead," he murmured drearily.

Hazestorm and Spicewhisper had just appeared, staring in terror and grief at the lifeless body of their brother. Both cats threw their heads back in grief-stricken yowls, Hazestorm bursting into tears and slamming herself into the fallen tree, eventually collapsing in agony and sadness. Spicewhisper laid down next to her. Heatherslip's heart broke for Grayhare and his family. But some stirred inside her, a sense of suspicion, noticing something odd. *This tree wasn't uprooted before. Something's off.* Heatherslip realized some cat must have dislodged the beech tree. *This wasn't an accident.* Swinging her head around, she noticed Voidclaw kneading his paws in the grass a few tail-lengths away, and narrowed her eyes.

### Chapter 24

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Sunshade let out a long purr, licking her newborn kits.

“Two toms and a she-kit. Congratulations,” Rippleleaf reported happily. Then she heard Ravenfeather’s annoyed voice outside the nursery.

“Why can’t I go in? Can I see them?” He demanded. Shoving his way in, he knocked over Rippleleaf, sending raspberry leaves everywhere.

Ravenfeather kneeled down beside Sunshade, admiring the kits. “They’re beautiful,” he gently nosed the blue-gray kit, who mewled in protest.

His gaze flicked up to hers expectantly. “I know these are not my kits,” he spoke calmly.

She stiffened. “How?”

Ravenfeather gestured towards Rippleleaf, who was still gathering scattered raspberry leaves off the floor of the nursery.

“Rippleleaf! What in StarClan did you do?” She snapped.

She suddenly sighed in exasperation. “Everyone’s going to find out anyway.” Sunshade rested head on the edge of the nest.

Ravenfeather pressed his fur against hers. “I’ll keep your secret,” he whispered.

He will? Thank StarClan!

“Thank you so much! You have no idea how much this means to me,” she exclaimed gratefully.

He changed the subject. “So, what are you going to name them?” Ravenfeather asked.

“Sunshade cocked her head thoughtfully. “I was thinking…Bramblekit, for that one,” she said pointing towards a brown tabby kit with tufts of fur on the tips of his ears and on his paws.

“That’s a good name. Now… how about Aquakit, for the blue-gray one?”

He nodded toward the blue-gray kit. H*er glossy fur covers her pelt like mist,* Sunshade noted. “Agreed,” she purred. “And what for the last one? Looking toward the remaining kit, her heart lurched as she noticed his markings. *He has Splashfoot’s golden pelt!*

“Songkit,” she whispered contentedly. “This one will be Songkit.” Ravenfeather rubbed her cheek against his. “Wonderful choices,” he murmured.

A rustle near the bracken entrance startled Sunshade. To her astonishment, a AirClan patrol entered the camp. Nightfur and Silvercloud bristled, and Foxstar’s hackles raised.

“What is your business here?” He growled in hostility.

It was Splashfoot who answered. “I’m here today to join EmberClam, to help raise my kits.” He glanced toward Sunshade as she cowered in the nursery. *Splashfoot! How could you do this?*

Gasps of shock filled the clearing.

“Traitor!”

“She lied to us!”

“What?” Foxstar hissed. His gaze snapped towards her. “Is this true?”

She tried to suppress the guilt lingering in her stomach. “Yes,” her voice trembled.

His amber eyes blazed. “Then I am afraid I have no choice but to exile you from EmberClan.”

*This can’t be happening!*

Before she could intervene, Ravenfeather jumped to her defense.

“Sunshade's more loyal than any cat I know! I also know that she would not deliberately break the warrior code. If I can accept her, then everyone here can.” He showed his teeth. “If not, then I guess this Clan is not what I thought it was. Your choice.”

Her heart warmed. *Thank you, Ravenfeather. Thank you so much.*

Foxstar drew back, clearly impressed by Ravenfeather’s speech.

“That was very bold of you, Ravenfeather. Sunshade is my daughter, so I will consider letting her stay.” His gaze lit on Sunshade. “But you will have to prove your loyalty to this Clan.”

She nodded. “Very well. Thank you, Foxstar.”

### Chapter 25

*Cloverspots' point of view.*

Cloverspots marched with the EmberClan patrol to the Gathering island that night. *I hope Dappledawn is here tonight,* his mind wandered to his forbidden mate in GoldenClan. *Then we'll discuss where the kits are going to be raised.*

Shouldering past Silvercloud, he hopped ahead to Foxstar, who was at the front. "Can I go ahead please?" He asked. "I need to talk to someone," he added as Foxstar's ear twitched. Tilting his head, Foxstar agreed and Cloverspots went running off. He was almost to the tree-bridge when he heard a snarl behind him. *What in StarClan's name—* It was Firpounce, his nemesis from GoldenClan. Backing up against a tree trunk, Cloverspots bristled defensively. "What do you want?" He demanded. The black tom's hackles raised. "I want you to pay for taking Dappledawn from me," he growled.

"Since when?" Cloverspots shot back. "Now, get away from me and be on your way before I make you," he threatened. "*Never,"* Firpounce furiously flung himself at Cloverspots, teeth and claws flashing in the moonlight. Cloverspots raked his underbelly and battered it with unsheathed claws, until the expectant Dappledawn came racing to the scene. "Great StarClan!" She was shocked. At the sight of her, Firpounce dropped Cloverspots and stalked up to her with unsheathed claws. Terrified, Dappledawn kept backing up until she was pressed against a tree by Firpounce's paws. "You should've never chosen Cloverspots over me," he whispered in her ear. Dappledawn opened her mouth to respond, but before she could Firpounce pinned her to the ground aggressively.

*I'm not going to let this happen.* "Get off her!" He yowled at Firpounce, his fur spiked angrily. "Don't you dare lay so much as a claw on Dappledawn or our kits," he finished.

Firpounce looked puzzled. "Kits?" He demanded. Turning his head back to his victim, he flicked his tail-tip. "All the more reason for me to kill you," he snarled in Dappledawn's face. *This isn't going to happen.*Enraged, Cloverspots lunged at Firpounce. Tearing the GoldenClan warrior's black fur, he clawed his ears, leaving a nick in one of them. Screeching furiously, Firpounce dropped Dappledawn and whipped around to Cloverspots, who lashed out at him from a safe distance. "Dappledawn! Get out of here! Cloverspots yowled at the queen. Stumbling, his mate tried to get up. "I'm not leaving you behind!" She yowled back.

"Protect our kits!" Cloverspots screeched in pain as Firpounce dug his claws into his shoulders. Feeling immense pain, he imagined him and Dappledawn watching their kits play. *I'm not going to give that up.* But then everything went dark.

### Chapter 26

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Sunshade's heart warmed as she watched Shadefur sleep, while her kits clambered over her while Beechstone watched proudly. Beechstone shook out his fur. "I'll raise them to become proud and loyal warriors." Waving his tail, he settled down next to Shadefur beside Graykit, Hazekit, and Spicekit. From behind, Rippleleaf approached quietly behind Sunshade. "Do you mind fetching some new bedding for the elders?" He asked, pointing with his head outside the camp toward the direction of the tree stump surrounded with fresh moss. It's just outside camp." Sunshade's pelt smoothed. "Of course!" She trotted off with her tail high out of camp to the tree stump.

When she arrived, the she-cat began tugging lumps of fresh moss out of the deep tree roots. She pulled so hard on one lump that she nearly fell backward, but ended up getting it loose. Collecting all that she had, Sunshade started back to camp.

When she arrived back, she heard one of the elders, Ferncreek, complaining over a bad shrew from the fresh-kill pile. "It's rotten!" The cranky elder howled, irritated.nIn front of Ferncreek, Splashfoot looked annoyed, his fur fluffed indignantly. "The shrew's fine! Stop complaining and be glad you have anything to eat at all." He pushed the shrew back in front of Ferncreek and started to pad away. The elder looked disgusted. "I'm not eating that!"

Splashfoot didn't look back, lashing his tail. "Deal with it!"

After Splashfoot left, Winterpaw was bouncing excitedly after Voidclaw as her mentor looked tired, yawning. "Can we go hunting?" Winterpaw asked. "*Please?* Voidclaw looked annoyed. "Can you at least let me wake up first?" He demanded. Winterpaw looked stricken, but flattened her ears disappointedly and sighed. "Ok." Sunshade looked on at the cats milling around camp. Bramblefoot, Aquamist, and Songdust were warriors - and were all thriving, even Songdust - whom Sunshade thought would never overcome his strange ways.

Feeling drowsy, Sunshade walked over to a patch of sunlight near between the nursery and the apprentices' den and rolled over, feeling the sunshine warn her belly. Her eyelids fluttered. *Great StarClan, this feels good.* Shadefur's kits, Hazekit, Graykit, and Spicekit, tussled with each other at the entrance to the nursery, and the ball of fluffy fighting kits rolled to Sunshade's basking spot. She grunted as she felt them hit her back, the latter still playfighting. Flicking her tail-tip, Sunshade sighed. *Those kits are never going to let me sleep tonight,* she thought. Ever since the lot had been allowed out of the nursery, the kits were getting under every cat's paws and tugging their whiskers. They had even scattered some of Rippleleaf's and Morningwhisker's traveling herbs saved for the half-moon meeting. While reminiscing, she heard voices from behind the tree stump beside the warriors' den. Sunshade pricked her ears, making out the voices of Silvercloud and Heatherslip.

"What more do you want from me?" Silvercloud faced Heatherslip, his gaze hard as iron. You walk in my pawsteps and follow me around everywhere I go. Isn't there another tom in the Clan that you would be more interested in than me? My heart belongs to another she-cat. Heatherslip, it's time to let go of me. I would very much appreciate it if you left me alone to my own business," his mew was sharp. Heatherslip flattened her ears, her gray eyes pleading. "But don't you see, Silvercloud? I *can't* keep away. My heart is drawn to you, and I can't tear it away again and again and again," her eyes were huge and desperate. "Remember the old times? Why can't we run across the moor, feeling the wind and the breeze in our fur together, like we used to do?" Heatherslip begged.

Silvercloud's eyes narrowed. "I've told you once, Heatherslip, and I'm not going to again. Those times I still cherish, but I feel something different with Vixenpounce. She's my whole soul. With you and I, our hearts travel different paths, and now it's past time you let those past moments go," he said sternly. "You were nothing more than just a friend," he concluded, before trodding out from behind the tree stump, leaving Heatherslip by herself. Sunshade's whiskers drooped. Clearly her advice hadn't worked in the slightest.

Gently padding to the sobbing she-cat, Sunshade wrapped her tail around Heatherslip. "Although I don't know what it's like to be rejected, Heatherslip, I'm still here to talk to if need be," she murmured.

### Chapter 27

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Cats were fighting. Yowls of pain and screeches of fury filled her ears. The EmberClan camp was full of battle-scarred rogues fighting her Clanmates. Foxstar guarded Nightfur and their kits in leader's den, while Morningwhisker stood defensively in front of the medicine den, clawing a yellow tabby rogue while Beechstone clung to their back, hissing. Sunshade started to panic. *What is happening?* Whirling around, she saw a mottled brown tom hurl himself at Winterpaw, who collapsed under the weight of the huge cat, so Sunshade ran to help. Snarling, the tortoiseshell she-cat dived at the brown rogue, snapping at his tail and finally biting it, refusing to release the rogue's tail. "Try to escape *that,* you bag of fleas!" Sunshade hissed through tail fur. The brown yowled in agony and turned to run. Sunshade released his tail and he went zooming out of the camp entrance.

Winterpaw quickly recovered from the attack. "Thanks, Sunshade!" She went racing to help Morningwhisker defend the medicine den. "Wait! Sunshade called after the apprentice. "Where's Rippleleaf?" She demanded. Winterpaw pointed her tail to the medicine cat pinned down by a a dark ginger rogue. "Over there!" She exclaimed. Sunshade didn't give Winterpaw a chance to finish before she flung herself at Rippleleaf's attacker. The dark ginger cat clawed her belly and sent her flying into the brambles with one strong kick. Brambles dug into her pelt, scratching her ears. Yowling, Sunshade tried to drag herself out of the thicket, but couldn't tell which spot was safe to escape. From the bramble thicket she caught a glimpse of the ginger rogue slashing at Rippleleaf's throat. The medicine cat thrashed under her, but the rogue held him down firmly as the latter slid out her claws for the kill.

Sunshade furiously fought her way out of the bush, thorns scraping her pelt, but she was too late. The murderous dark-ginger rogue had already slayed Rippleleaf, who was limply lying there in a pool of blood. *How dare she?* "How about I give you something to chew on, fox-breath!" She screeched at the rogue, who spun around at her threat. Sunshade then proceeded to hurl herself at Rippleleaf's murder, tearing savagely at her fur and ripping it out in clumps. Toppling over, the rogue swiped at Sunshade's face, but Sunshade dodged, slashing the rogues ears. Blood sprayed on the ground beneath her. Filled with rage, Sunshade thrust the ginger rogue down with her unsheathed claws, wanting blood. *You'll never escape the WindClan camp unpunished.* "Don't worry," she whispered sheepishly in the rogue's ear, "This won't hurt a bit." Hissing defiance, Sunshade dove forward and sank her teeth into the rogue she-cat's neck. The latter thrashed in her grip, but soon her attempts failed as she was losing air.

Owlfeather appeared behind her, kneeling next to the dead medicine cat. Raising his head, Owlfeather's eyes sparked with alarm at the ginger rogue beneath Sunshade, whom she was killing. "Sunshade! Stop that at once! Clan cats don't have to kill to win battles. Revenge will only dishonor Rippleleaf's spirit!" He called urgently. *Is he serious?* "The only thing I want right now is for this filthy murderer to pay in their own blood!" *But if I kill this cat, then **I** will be a murderer.* Releasing her grip, she let the dark ginger she-cat collapse and hit the ground. Her chest heaving, she swiped blood from her lips with her tongue and stared angrily at her former mentor. "There. Are you happy? I was almost finished with that bag of fleas. If you hadn't gotten into my head, I could've avenged Rippleleaf. Rippleleaf was the only cat whom I shared my private secrets with. My visions. My problems. Even my Half-Clan kits. He was the only cat that I trusted while he was alive. And by ordering me to release his murderer, who got away without a scratch, you've fueled my desire for vengeance even more," Sunshade hissed.

Owlfeather's eyes flashed with anger. "*Without a scratch?* You nearly slaughtered that rogue!"

"Like she slaughtered Rippleleaf!" She shot back. Without letting Owlfeather respond, she ran for the camp entrance, stumbling on a snaking ivy tendril. *I don't need anyone. If even Owlfeather doesn't care that Rippleleaf is dead, and that I'm the only cat willing to avenge him, then so be it. EmberClan is better off without me.*

### Chapter 28

*Sunshade's point of view.*

Sunshade bit into a shrew, relishing the taste and ignoring the lump in her belly from the day before. She still hadn't returned to camp, still angry with Owlfeather over Rippleleaf's death, and had decided to properly grieve alone. *Well, at least I could find* one *good piece of prey,* Sunshade thought as she finished up her meal and began to wash, pushing the leftovers into a scoop in the ground. Halfway into her wash, a drop of rain splashed onto her nose. "Mouse dung!" She cursed. "Rain!" Scrambling under a bush, Sunshade felt cramped. *This'll have to do for now.*

Sunshade hated the rain. The way it seeped through her pelt made it feel like a drenched mouse, which was one of the things she resented about it. Second was the fact that all cat and prey scents would be washed away in the torrent. Then she began to pick gravel and dusty dirt from inbetween her claws and pawpads, until one of them barbed her tongue. Hissing, Sunshade spat it out in disgust. "Seriously?" She whined aloud, trying to now get into a comfortable position under her bush. Sunshade drank in the remaining scents after the rainfall, picking up one peculiar scent, but a familiar one.

The realization hit her like a rock. *I'm under a deathberry bush!* Fast as a snake, she was out in a second her pelt streaked with red. *I've got to get to a water source!* Panicked, she dashed for the border stream. Quickly letting the water wash the berry remants off, she took a deep breath.

Glancing around, Sunshade remembered how she had ventured to the Moonpool as an apprentice, and spoke to Roseflight, a StarClan warrior. "Maybe she'll be able to help me this time! And maybe I can see Rippleleaf with her!" She mewed brightly. Sunshade began to follow the worn path to the Moonpool from the stream, memories of her apprenticeship flooding back. The place had changed compared to her younger moons, where last time she had been reprimanded by Rippleleaf himself and the other medicine cats for being there without consent. *Well, at least I won't be in that much trouble nowadays.* Padding up to the lip of the shining pool, she slumped in exhaustion after the long trek uphill. Sighing, Sunshade dipped her nose in the icy water.