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Chapter One
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The dawn's rays split through the sky. The clouds were outlined in auburn as the mockingbirds thrummed, their beady eyes glittering, and below, under the canopy of tree's, the cats slept.
Hushed and excited whispers reached the tom's ears. He could feel movement beside him, and at the faint tapping of claws; he opened one eye. He could see a gray tom sitting at the entrance of the apprentice den. A orange tabby at the opposite end of the den hunched over in aggravation.
The tom who had been woken by the disturbance rolled onto his side in another attempt to fall victim of sleep, but an excited voice proclaimed, "Jaggedpaw!"
The gray apprentice, who had sat at the entrance, pounced. His weight was enough to give Jaggedpaw a jolt. 'Thank Starclan his claws are sheathed,' the black apprentice thought, scrambling to his pawsrprise. Jaggedpaw was a semi-longhair; his black fur hung down, his yellow eyes gleaming. He had never, in his entire lifetime, spoken to this gray apprentice, but he said nothing as the strange cat spoke.
"We're apprentices!" Rainpaw proclaimed, pouncing again. Jaggedpaw smirked, slipping out of the way just in time. They had had their apprentice ceremony the previous day. Jaggedpaw cast him a grin and slunk out into the clearing, flinching as the dawns bright rays hit his gaze.
'I must be the first out, the suns just coming up,' he thought with a yawn. He flexed his claws, stretching, and then washed his gaze over the clearing. His brow raised in surprise. Three cats sat at the bottom of Highrock, bickering quietly amongst themselves. In that heartbeat, Rainpaw smashed into him from behind. The bulky gray apprentice grunted, but as his blue eyes spotted the odd meeting on the other side of the clearing, he shoved Jaggedpaw into the shadows.
"What're you doing?" Jaggedpaw snapped, scrambling away from Rainpaw to shake his pelt smooth.
Rainpaw's eyes glittered. "Their having a secret meeting!" he hissed unfathomably. With an excited expression, he slipped around the back of the nursery, and gestured for Jaggedpaw to follow.
He rolled his eyes, but followed anyways. He could see the three cats who had gather only a few tail lengths away as Rainpaw positioned them by the edge of the Highrock, but luckily they were hidden in brambles.
"What-"
"Quiet!" Rainpaw hissed. Jaggedpaw's ears twitched, but he leaned forward to listen.
Thunderclan's medicine-cat, Rosetail, looked rather cross as she growled, "That's fine with me Runningstar, but you know Twistedstar is going to say something, and I'm guessing it won't be, 'Great going.'" He ginger pelt quivered, blue eyes shining.
Runningstar sighed, tail twitching. "I don't care, they may have heard-"
A Tortoiseshell tom interrupted, "If Twistedstar or his small-minded deputy says something like he did last time I'll claw off his ears." Wildheart, Thunderclan's deputy, unsheathed his claws, and swiped his tongue over their sharp points.
Rosetail glanced sharply at him. "And you can guess how pleased Starclan will be about that," she growled warningly.
Wildheart's eyes narrowed but he remained silent.
Runningstar shook his head. "It's decided, alright? Cats will be waking soon. Wildheart, send out a patrol. Not with the new apprentices."
The tortoiseshell nodded, stretching. He padded out into the center of the clearing, eyeing the entrance of the warriors den. Rosetail nodded one last time to their leader before traipsing off.
Jaggedpaw and Rainpaw exchanged glances, and Jaggedpaw quickly lead the way back to the apprentice den unnoticed. As they waited, pretending to sleep, in their moss-lined beds, a voice outside yowled, "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under Highrock for a clan meeting!"
The two slipped outside into the clearing once more. Jaggedpaw's eyes stretched wide as he saw that nearly all of the warriors had already been awake. He and Rainpaw sat beside Eagleclaw. Eagleclaw, a new warrior of Thunderclan, was arrogant. His pelt was a light brown, and pale swirls of tan spiraled in the muddy hue.

Above on Highrock, Runningstar stood tall on its surface. His yellow gaze washed over each of them. "Cats of Thunderclan," he began- Rainpaw sent Jaggedpaw an unfathomable glance- "We have the gathering tonight, and it is time for me to announce who will be going. Rosetail, Amberpaw, Sunshadow, Wildheart..." Runningstar wavered, "And Rainpaw, Jaggedpaw, and Specklepaw."
Jaggedpaw's eyes stretched wide in surprise, his heart skipping a beat. Pride rose in his gaze.
Jaggedpaw could hear Eagleclaw whispered beside him, "But they're new apprentices!" to Rosetail. The medicine-cat's ears twitched in recognition, but other than that gave no response. He blue gaze narrowed as he eyes met the sky, and for a heartbeat she froze.
Jaggedpaw flexed his claws in annoyance at Eagleclaw, but his expression flared- he was going to the gathering!
He averted his gaze back to Runnningstar. The leader was ignoring the annoyed glances from several warriors.
"I know several of you were hoping to go, but I need strong cats protecting the camp tonight." The red tom flicked his tail to adjourn the meeting, and pounced off Highrock.
Rainpaw instantly cuffed his friends ear. "We're going!" he growled, tail lashing. Jaggedpaw spun around, his gaze flashing, and he leapt. For a moment the two apprentice scuffled jovially. Jaggedpaw slithered out of Rainpaw's claws for a heartbeat, his ears angling towards Rosetail, who had approached Runningstar.
"Runningstar," she hissed softly. "I've gotten a message from Starclan...."
Jaggedpaw didn't hear what she said next, for her ears were berried in gray fur as Rainpaw pounced again.

----------------
Chapter Two
---------------

The moon hung lugubriously in the sky. It cast it's milky glow over the faces of cats as they slowly trickled out of their dens, gathering in the center of the clearing. Several lingered by the edge of their dens, watching grudgingly with narrowed glowing eyes.
Runningstar hissed a last word to Gingerstep, and then departed to meet the group of Thunderclan cats.
"Are we ready?" Jaggedpaw could hear him whisper to Wildheart.
The deputy nodded, his face cast in shadows.
Runningstar flicked his tail, and with a low growl, trotted quickly out of the camp and past the brambles.
Jaggedpaw had trouble keeping up with the group. The warriors were up at the front with Runningstar, Amberpaw just behind them, but Specklepaw, Rainpaw, and himself were farther behind. 'I'll be faster than them someday,' Jaggedpaw thought with a shake of his long pelt. You could barely see his dark silhouette in the shadows.
"We're here," A low voice meowed from ahead. The three panting apprentices padded to where the rest had stopped.
"To the new apprentices, say little and listen well." Runningstar's yellow eyes glittered soothingly, and he plunged into the clearing of fourtrees, the Thunderclan cats close in his wake.
The scents that hit Jaggedpaw when he entered the clearing made his head spin. Gingerstep, his mentor, had never gotten the chance to take him on his first training session and learn the scents.
Rainpaw padded a tail length behind him, looking all around him. He had not trained yet either. "Amberpaw!" he hissed.
The orange tabby swung her muzzle around, looking at him and Jaggedpaw with disdain. "What?" she growled.
"What scent is that?" Rainpaw asked, flicking his tail toward a tall and lithe cat speaking with another.
Amberpaw's ears twitched; she didn't like talking to the new apprentices, but the fact that they needed her help made her eyes glow in pride. "That's the Windclan medicine-cat, Mossfang," she muttered, carefully guarded to keep her voice unhappy.
"Windclan..." Jaggedpaw repeated. He knew of the clan, but he had never seen another clan cat before. "And that scent?" he pointed his muzzle to a bulky, well muscled cat.
Amberpaw lowered her voice. "That's Featherclaw, Riverclan deputy. I'd stay away for her; she's sharp, and hard to fight." Her amber pelt quivered vaguely. "I've only had to fight Riverclan once on a border patrol when we caught them in Sunningrocks, but just seeing her fight another cat made me want to... uh..." She glanced at the two, realizing her fault. ".....Made me want to fight her to teach her a lesson." The apprentice flicked her tail, and without another word slipped off into the gathering of cats.

"Your new, aren't you?" a voice meowed behind them.
Jaggedpaw glanced over his shoulder, brow raising as a cat- with the same scent as Featherclaw had- eyed them oddly.
"Uh, yeah," Jaggedpaw meowed, glancing at Rainpaw uncertainly. The new cat looked very odd; he was a brown tabby, but in the moonlight, his eyes looked unusually large. "I'm.. Jaggedpaw, and this is... uh.. Rainpaw." His gaze locked on the Riverclan cats large eyes.
Rainpaw nodded, lost for words as well, though he looked like he was stifling back laughter.
"I'm Twopaw," The Riverclan cat meowed. "This is my second gathering."
"This is our first," Jaggedpaw offered, nudging Rainpaw with his shoulder.
"Yeah..." Rainpaw snorted, but he pretended to gag to hide it.
Twopaw looked sympathetic. "Hairball?"
His words were cut short as a voice yowled from above. All three apprentice glanced up to see a sleek, almost blue-black she-cat, standing on Highrock, beginning the gathering-
"Who’s that?" Jaggedpaw hissed under his breath.
"Dreamstar," Twopaw answered, "Shadowclan leader."
-Runningstar nodded to her, allowing her to begin.
Dreamstar let her blue gaze wash over the cats below before beginning. "Shadowclan is doing well," she announced. "We have a new warrior- Longpaw has become Longstretch. Shadowclan has plenty of prey. Although we have scented rouges on our territory, our deputy Addertooth found them and chased them off. I don't think we'll be seeing them anytime soon." Dreamstar flexed her claws, stepping back.
A dark brown tortoiseshell approached the edge of Highrock. Amber eyes flashed; a tail twitched, and he began-
"Who-"
"Twistedstar, Riverclan," Twopaw hissed, "My clan."
-"Riverclan is thriving. All of our apprentices are progressing well in their training. The fish have returned to the river in large numbers. Sadly, one of us hunts with Starclan tonight. Our elder Brokenpool wandered from camp, and she fell over into the Falls."
Twistedstar dipped his head for a moment, his starry gaze blunt. Without another word the tom stepped back.
Rainpaw and Jaggedpaw exchanged glances. "That was the cat they talked about this morning!" Jaggedpaw hissed, just quiet enough so Twopaw couldn't hear. Rainpaw nodded, opening his mouth to say something, but he shut it as Runningstar's lithe figure stepped forward on Highrock.
"Thunderclan is doing well also," the red tom began, gaze averting to the cats below. "We have three new apprentices- Rainpaw, Specklepaw, and Jaggedpaw-"
"Hey, isn't that you?" Twopaw asked, his large eyes stretching even wider.
Rainpaw squirmed. "Yeah!" he meowed softly.

-The leader above shook his pelt. "Eaglepaw has become Eagleclaw. Thunderclan welcomes him as a full warrior. There has been no twoleg activity, and the prey in the forest is thriving."
Runningstar stepped back, and whispered something in Dreamstar's ear. Jaggedpaw could see a gleam of amusement in her blue gaze.
This time, a slim white tom prowled forward. His green eyes glowed strangely from Highrock, and his sleek pelt reflected the moon's milky glow-
"That's Fallenstar, of Windclan," Twopaw meowed lightly, his huge eyes still locked on the two new Thunderclan apprentices.
-and he began.
"Windclan is doing better than ever," his voice growled from above. "We have two new apprentices, Slashpaw and Rushpaw." Pride flickered through his expression-
"Those are his children," Twopaw explained quickly.
-and he continued. "And now, I would like to ask Riverclan, why we have scented you cats on our territory!" His sharp green gaze quickly burned into Twistedstar.
The tortoiseshell bristled, stalking forward. "Great Starclan, you'll do anything for a fight!" he growled warningly.
Fallenstar narrowed his eyes, undaunted. "Do you have a reply, or are you going to play stupid? My warriors will chase you from here to Highstones if they have to."
The cats below rippled in surprise, especially the Riverclan cats. Twopaw bristled angrily. "Stupid Windclan!" he muttered.
Jaggedpaw blinked in surprise. If he had thought any of the leaders above would cause trouble, he thought it would have been Twistedstar, from Rosetail's words that morning.
Twistedstar narrowed his eyes. "Yes, I do have a reply- we haven't been on your territory. Are you really willing to pick a fight about some intangible proof, after what Missingfire did?" Twistedstar meowed clearly.
Fallenstar snapped. His lip curled back, a snarl erupted, and in a heartbeat he had leapt. As soon as they collided fur was flying. Clumps of white and tortoiseshell fur hung in the air. Claws glinted as the raked over flanks, and blood oozed from Twistedstar's shoulder as Fallenstar bit down. As they tussled, they nearly tumbled over the edge of Highrock, leaving every cat tense and frightened. Fallenstar was the dominant fighter, and every cat in the clearing could see it.
Dreamstar and Runningstar had leapt back, bristling as the two fought. Above their head a dark layer of clouds faded the moons light. "Enough!" Runningstar growled angrily.
Dreamstar snaked froward. She clasped her jaw over Fallenstars scruff, and pulled him off the Riverclan leader. She stuggled to hold back the thrashing tom, but finally he fell limp, his green eyes glaring at Dreamstar in pure loathing.
Twistedstar dipped his head regretfully, slinking to the side with clumps of fur hanging loose.
Runningstar stepped forward, his gaze glittering. "Starclan has spoken!" his voice rang out. "This gathering is over."

---------------
Chapter Three
---------------

The small group of Thunderclan cats hurried back to camp. Most of them were sulky and silent, but at the front of the group, Rosetail, Runningstar, and Wildheart were whispering.
Rainpaw glanced at Jaggedpaw knowingly, and flicked his tail.
Jaggedpaw smirked inwardly, but he matched Rainpaw's pace and walked beside him.
"C'mon!" Jaggedpaw meowed, "It's your idea."
Rainpaw shook his head. "They'll see my gray pelt, but not your black. Hurry!"
Jaggedpaw scowled but nodded. His head was still spinning in confusion from the gathering, but he couldn't miss this. He quickly slipped through the shadows until his fur was almost grazing Runningstar's pelt. He picked each paw up gracefully, careful not to make a sound. His ears twitched in surprise; the leader didn't notice him.
"-But they said things were good among the clans. You heard; there was some bad news, but still." Wildheart's voice reached Jaggedpaw's ears.
Rosetail shook her head, her ginger pelt bristling. "There are thing none of us notice."
Wildheart looked at her sharply. "What do you mean? About Fallenstar?"
The medicine-cat rolled her eyes. "Not everything is so obvious, Wildheart. Twistedstar should have known not to bring up Missingfire. And no. There are other things..." she shivered.
"Thats enough, Rosetail," Runningstar said gently. "Both us and Shadowclan as doing fine, for now."

The entrance of camp was visible now. Jaggedpaw quietly snaked back to stand beside Rainpaw, legs aching. As they entered the apprentices den they both curled up beside each other in the corner on a moss-lined bed. They whispered amongst themselves.
"'Other things?' What is she talking about?" Jaggedpaw meowed softly.
Rainpaw shook his head. "I dunno. I don't really understand it, but Wildheart says medicine cats like Rosetail have a special connection with Starclan, and they can see the future or something.
Jaggedpaw's eyes stretched wide. "Wow! I-"
"What are you two small-minded apprentices whispering about?" a low voice growled from behind them.
They both glanced over their shoulder to see Amberpaw, her green eyes narrowed.
Jaggedpaw and Rainpaw exchanged glances. "Well...."
"We...."
"Um..."
"Oh, shut up!" The orange tabby proclaimed, exasperated. "It's something, and you can't hide it from me."
Her gaze averted from one to the other. "Is it about where you went off to on the way home from the gathering? I knew you were gone, Jaggedpaw. Where did you go to?"
"I didn't go anywhere, I was just-" he cut his voice off.
Rainpaw sighed. "Lets just tell her. About both meetings."

And so they quickly filled Amberpaw in. The orange tabby's eyes stretched wide at each word, and as they finished, she seemed lost. "Well, I can help you some," she said softly. "Do you know who Missingfire is?"
They both shook their heads.
She shivered, her green eyes pale and wary. "She was a Windclan queen. Fallenstar's sister, actually. She was a long-hair, though, unlike him, and she had a pale ginger pelt."
"Like Rosetail's?" Jaggedpaw offered.
"Even paler," Amberpaw said grimly. "And she had bright green eyes like Fallenstar. But she and he were not very close. When she was an apprentice, she fell in love with a black tom named Blackflame. She became a warrior and had his kits. I don't know how many, what they looked like, or their names, but from that point on she was acting suspiciously. Always sulking around camp. And then one day Fallenstar- he was Fallenstep then, a deputy- found her killing a kit of another queen. She killed it brutally, and it was already dead when he found her. And when she realized her brother had seen her, she ran to the warriors den. She called out for Blackflame. She attacked him when he came out, and they were yowling and fighting, right in the middle of the clearing. Windclan cats came out to stop her but when one tried, Tripfoot, she attacked him. Fallenstep jumped in to help. All three of them were fighting- It was two against one. They should have won, but when the dust died down from the fight, both Tripfoot and Fallenstep were laying on the ground. Tripfoot was dead, blood oozing from his neck, and Fallenstep was horribly injured. Blackflame took off howling into the forest in pain and was never found. Everyone in Windclan was freaking out. They were screaming, "Hide the kits!" Like an entire clan was attacking. Missingfire was stepping forward to finish off Fallenstep, but a Windclan warrior Weedtangle stepped up, raked her claws over Missingfires face, and dragged Fallenstep to the medicine-cats den. They barely saved him. And then she tried to steal her kits. The clan fought and fought against her, each getting more wounded than the next. I don't know what happened to the kits, whether she stole them, killed them, or the clan got them. But the clan managed to drive her out. Actually, I heard she strutted out. But three days later their leader Fogstar was found dead by the clan entrance. They don't know for certain if she killed him, but she left her sign."
Jaggedpaw's heart was beating quickly in horror. "What sign?" he asked hoarsely.
Amberpaw's eyes narrowed. "Three claw marks ranking over their flank. Since then two cats have been killed besides Fogstar- Falconpaw and Slopetail. They both had her mark."
Rainpaw shivered. "What happened after Fogstar died though?"
"Fallenstep would have taken his place immediately but he was still injured. For a while Halffoot took his place, and then Fallenstep when he recovered. It must have been hard- they lost a lot of cats. When Twistedstar confronted him tonight it was sort of irrelevant, but he was probably just trying to make him mad."
Jaggedpaw's black pelt bristled. "So Missingfire's still alive?"
Amberpaw looked at him in surprise. "You don't understand how long ago this was," she growled, shaking her tabby head. "Fallenstar has been leader for moons and moons. I think he was hoping everyone would forget about it."
Rainpaw shook his head. "Well, we haven't."

------------
Chapter Four
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Jaggedpaw's green eyes narrowed. His opponent stood infront of him, hunkered down, eyes narrowed.
'One chance, you've got one chance,' he thought, tail waving in the air as he crouched. He slowly prowled forward; his mind calm with concentration.
And then he leapt.
His paws stretched out, his tail streamed behind him. 'I've got perfect aim!' he thought in midair; and then his opponent slipped to the side easily. Jaggedpaw crashed down to the ground, and a cloud of dust surrounded him.
For a heartbeat he was winded, and in that time a paw rested on his shoulder. "Jaggedpaw? Are you alright?" Gingerstep asked uncertainly.
Jaggedpaw nodded numbly, scrambling to his paws. "I'm just.... tired," he panted, shaking his long pelt.
Gingerstep's ears twitched, a gleam of laughter appearing in her amber eyes. "You have to do something unexpected, you know. You can't just leap and hope your opponent decides to sit and watch you." Her tail waved in the air.
"Okay," Jaggedpaw murmured, crest-fallen. 'My second lesson and I'm already failing,' he thought bitterly, his tail lashing in frustration. 'Rainpaw's probably already mastered this...'
Gingerstep could see his disappointment gleaming in his eyes, so she quickly changed the subject. "Why don't we move on to stealth?"
Jaggedpaw nodded thankfully. "Great, what do I do?" He leapt to his paws.
Gingerstep smiled, glad to see her apprentice enthusiastic once more. "Stay here; I'll trail off a bit of a ways into the forest. Then you have to track me, keep up with my pace, and then pounce on me, or infront of me and then attack. But during all this time you must be quiet, go unnoticed, silent as Starclan. Good?"
Jaggedpaw nodded, crouching down, waving his tail enthusiastically. "How long do I wait?"
Gingerstep raised her green gaze. "Until that robin in that branch takes flight."
The apprentice smirked. "I'm ready," he assured her. The wind tugged at his black fur.
"I know you are. Don't be unhappy if you don't get this the first time. I know I didn't." With that she padded off, the shadows swallowing her whole.

Jaggedpaw stared at the robin. It chirped- thrummed- called. It received no answer. Frustrated, the bird unfurled its wings, flapped them several times, and took flight.
"Now!" he growled lightly under his breath.
The black apprentice took off quickly. 'I need to be quiet, but I need to catch her first.'
He moved quickly. A thorn sliced his paw-pad, but he ignored it and move quicker still. His paws made no sound as he swept over the turf. Gingerstep's scent was strong now, and her words echoed in his mind:
'But during all this time you must be quiet, go unnoticed, silent as Starclan.'
And so he did as he had done two days earlier when listening in on the cats coming back from the gathering. He picked up each paw gracefully; stepped in between twigs; his black pelt was a blur as he swiftly snaked through the brambles. Gingerstep was actually running beside him, not even aware of his presence.
Jaggedpaw's pelt prickled. 'She should have smelled me,' he thought, but his green eyes narrowed in concentration and he pounced. He landed infront of her, his fang bared.
Gingerstep reared back in surprise. Her amber eyes stretched wide, and she nearly stumbled; Jaggedpaw growled a mock war cry and slipped to the side. He quickly cuffed her ear, and leapt once more. His weight knocked her on her side.
Jaggedpaw gracefully stepped infront of her, waiting for her to recover. Gingerstep's flank rose and fell as she caught her breath. She slowly sat back up, her amber eyes wide with confusion. "Jaggedpaw," she whispered, "Did you leave before the robin?"
The black tom shook his head. "No. It took forever for it to leave." His tail twitched warily.
Gingerstep eyed him one more time, shaking her head. "That was.... amazing. I can't do that like you did."
Jaggedpaw blinked in surprise. 'I can do something!' he thought jovially. He straightened in pride. "Really?" he meowed softly.
Gingerstep nodded, pride in her eyes now. "Maybe I'm a better mentor than I thought," she jested, a gleam of amusement hanging in her amber eyes.
A smile curled over Jaggedpaw's maw. "Can we head back to camp now? I'm tired."
His mentor nodded, but her eyes narrowed. "Wait- I smell blood." The fur on her shoulders stiffened.
Jaggedpaw raised his paw for her to see. "Don't worry, I just cut my paw on a thorn on the way over." The apprentice flinched. It was starting to sting now.
Gingerstep smiled in relief. "Go see Rosetail for some cobweb- we don't want it getting infected."

Jaggedpaw approached the medicine-cats den with his head high. Although he had failed fighting, his stealth practice had risen his spirits, and now he was eager to get his paw cleaned so he could find Rainpaw.
Jaggedpaw passed under the archway of tangled leaves- the entrance of the den- and padded inside. Rosetail's pale ginger figure was hunkered over her herbs.
"Rosetail?" Jaggedpaw meowed lightly.
Rosetail's pelt bristled and the she-cat spun around. Her eyes were tired and guarded, not showing any emotion as she stared at him in surprise. Slowly relief crept into her expression and her fur fell flat.
"Jaggedpaw... sorry," she sighed, her tail twitching in either embarrassment or a greeting.
Jaggedpaw stepped forward uncertainly. His fur bristled. "Rosetail, are you okay?" he growled. He watched as her eyes flooded with wariness, but she only replied breezily, "Of course I am. Now what do you need?"
The apprentice raised his furry paw, still bleeding slightly. Rosetail eyed it for a moment. "Its just a small cut. Some cobwebs will do." The medicine-cat quickly placed cobwebs on his paw, and slowly they absorbed the blood, turning the faintest hue of scarlet. The bleeding stopped quickly and the stinging died down. "Thanks, Rosetail," he meowed softly.
Jaggedpaw turned to leave. He felt a pang of concern for Rosetail, but certainly it was something she, with the help of their leader and deputy could sort out?
"Oh, Jaggedpaw?" she meowed faintly.
The black apprentice glanced over his shoulder, eyeing Rosetail.
"Could you bring Runningstar a piece of prey for me?"
Jaggedpaw wavered for a moment, and then he nodded when he saw the worry in her eyes. "Of course."

A plump vole hung in Jaggedpaw's jaws. His mouth watered; hunger crept up his spine, but he knew he had to give it to Runningstar. The tom's den was in the side of Highrock. He had never actually been inside it, and now curiosity made his ears angle up. 'I've heard it's a long winding tunnel, spiraling to the ends of the earth.' Of course, he had only heard that from Amberpaw who had described going down to see Runningstar once when she had warned him that Riverclan was fighting them on the border.
Jaggedpaw stared into the den. It was dark and shadowed, but he could tell it wasn't to deep. The tom padded forward.
It was colder inside the den. The chilled air crept up his spine, but ahead he could see Runningstar's pale silhouette.
"Runningstar?" he called uncertainly.
The Thunderclan cat raised his head. His fur was matted and ungroomed; his eyes clouded and fatigued. "Y-yes? Oh, Jaggedpaw. What do you need?" he growled softly.
'Great Starclan,' Jaggedpaw thought. His green eyes stretched wide but he tried to hide it. "Rosetail told me to bring you this." The apprentice muzzled the vole towards his leader, watching his reaction carefully. --------------
Chapter Five
-------------

"Rainpaw! Hey!" Jaggedpaw purred. The gray apprentice was scarfing down a thrush. In a few bites the prey was gone, and Rainpaw glanced up at his friend.
"Hey! Just got back from training with Wildheart. He says I'm a natural at hunting!" Rainpaw rolled over on his back, playfully swatting Jaggedpaw.
The black apprentice purred. "Well, you better be, since you ate the entire fresh-kill pile!" He sidestepped to avoid his paws. He swiftly nipped at Rainpaw's tail.
Rainpaw rolled onto his paws, smiling up at his friends. "Hey, I'm just hungry. At least I don't sleep for moons!" he retorted, eyes glittering.
Jaggedpaw straightened, padded around in circles. "Gingerstep says I'm great at stealth-"
His words were cut short as the sound of pawsteps reached his ears. Glancing over his shoulder he spotted an orange tabby padding towards them. Amberpaw eyed them as she approached them, her ears angled forward. "You both sleep for moons," she growled grudgingly.
Rainpaw bumped his shoulder against her. "Lighten up, Amberpaw," he murmured with a smirk.
Amberpaw rolled her eyes. "Hey Jaggedpaw, did you ever eavesdrop again?"
Jaggedpaw straightened. True, that was what he had been doing, but he didn't like it put into words. "Well, no, but Runningstar and Rosetail are definitely worrying over it." He quickly explained how they had acted. As he told how he had gone into Runningstar's den, Amberpaw's eyes flashed vaguely.
"It's awful that they're acting so strange. Why isn't Wildheart acting weird?" Amberpaw growled.
Rainpaw's eyes narrowed. "He didn't seem worried at all at training. Maybe he's just more guarded, or isn't as concerned as them."
Jaggedpaw growled softly under his breath. "Or maybe he...." His words cut short as he averted his gaze to Rainpaw. He was suspicious since Wildheart wasn't reacting, but suggesting he was a traitor to his apprentice would be going to far. Jaggedpaw quickly sent Amberpaw a glance, asking for help silently.
Amberpaw nodded to him. "Who wants to hear about the Riverclan fight again?"
"Me," Jaggedpaw said instantly. Beside him Rianpaw nodded.
Amberpaw straightened, her green eyes glowing. She began:
"Me and several other warriors were on patrol; it was dawn patrol, as we were the first cats up. Auburn rays split over the sky and the sun glowed like a Starclan cats amber eye watching us as we headed to patrol Sunningrocks. The heartbeat we arrived there we knew something was wrong- we could smell the Riverclan cats. "Go tell Runningstar!" Someone told me, and I was off- running faster that Lionclan and Leopardclan together! I entered Runningstar's den- a long winding tunnel, spiraling to the ends of the earth. I-" Amberpaw's story went on, until she told how she fought the Riverclan cats after warning Thunderclan.
As she finished, Rainpaw's eyes were glowing. "You tell the story better each time," he murmured. She had told it several time to all who were willing to hear. What happened always remained the same, but her descriptions became better each time.
"I feel like listening to stories," Amberpaw growl good-naturedly, arching her skinny back. "Want to head over to the elders?"
"Definitely," Rainpaw nodded, and Jaggedpaw agreed. The three set off for the hollow log covered in ivy. Rainpaw dragged along a squirrel to offer them when they arrived.

The wood of he log smelled damp and fresh and Jaggedpaw slipped inside.
"Do I smell prey?" A voice rasped.
Amberpaw purred and murmured, "Yes, Blindeye."
Rainpaw dragged it over to the elder who was hunched beside a scruffy old cat named Tornear. Two other elders sat in the log with them.
Amberpaw curled up at the edge of the log. Jaggedpaw sat beside her, straight and watchful, and on the other side of Amberpaw sat Rainpaw.
Jaggedpaw was the first to speak. "Could we hear a story?" he asked curtly. Rustclaw shifted on the other side of the den.
"I'm not in the mood today," the elder growled. "You tell one, Blindeye. I'm tired." Rustclaw curled up, ignoring the other cats.
Blindeye smiled, his eyes clouded and unseeing. He was completely blind, but the best stroyteller in the hollow log. "I'd love to," the gray tabby meowed with a smirk. "Infact, today I feel like telling a very, very old tale. It is of the savior of Thunderclan; a cat with a pelt of flames."
"Firestar?" Amberpaw offered, her gaze glowing.
Blindeye nodded. "Yes indeed. Firestar- but in this tale he was Fireheart, a brave warrior trying to prove himself and show he could overcome his kittypet roots."
Jaggedpaw shifted in surprise. "A kittypet was the savior of Thunderclan?"
"Certainly," Blindeye replied. "And now just listen."
"Fireheart was given his name for his pelt- a brand of flames in the sun, brought into the clan by Bluestar, their leader. She trusted him- but somethings were just to hard for her to admit, or even see."
Jaggedpaw wondered if Blindeye knew anything about seeing, but he remained silent.
"Fireheart knew Tigerclaw, their clan deputy, had murdered the previous deputy Redtail, and committed so many other crimes Starclan couldn't count. But Bluestar trusted Tigerclaw maybe even more than she trusted Fireheart. She refused to listen. Fireheart knew if he didn't prove his side of the tale Bluestar would be in danger, so he had to find a flaw in Tigerclaw's story about Redtail's death. And so Fireheart did something against the warrior code, but certainly needed to help his clan. He went to Riverclan to ask another clan cat about the battle who had witnessed it. He and his friend-"
Jaggedpaw's black pelt bristled. He didn't think Blindeye's tale was true, but as the story went on, he realized what the cats did in it made sense. 'They did something to save their clan, no matter the consequence,' he thought. Even if the story wasn't true, what was happening around him was.
'And maybe that's what I have to do to help Runningstar and Rosetail.'

--------------
Chapter Six
-------------

"Amberpaw, wake up," Jaggedpaw hissed. Outside the sky was dark; stars splintered it, and silverpelt glowed brightly beside the moon.
"Amberpaw!" Rainpaw joined in, hissing softly.
The orange tabby shifted onto her paws. She opened one eye, then the other. "What?" she growled groggily. "I was sleeping- great Starclan, it’s the middle of the night! What?"
Jaggedpaw shook out his long black pelt. "You know the story about Missingfire?"
Amberpaw rolled her amber eyes. "If you had a bad dream go tell your mothers. I don't have time to deal with new apprentices." She curled up again, hoping to sleep.
"No, Amberpaw, wake up! Its important," Rainpaw growled sternly.
The tabby sat up, swiping her tongue over her paw drowsily. "Well, hurry up so I can go to sleep," she muttered. Her tail twitched.
Jaggedpaw blinked his thanks at her, his green eyes gleaming. "Was the story you told about Missingfire true?"
"Of course it was. I don't say things just for the fun of it. All my stories are true."
Rainpaw spoke this time, narrowing his blue eyes. They glowed, just like the moon outside. "Where did you get all of the details?" he asked softly, careful not to wake Specklepaw, who was resting in the corner.
Amberpaw yawned. "One of the apprentices from Windclan."
"So all of the details are true?"
"Unless the apprentice was lying, then yes." Amberpaw looked annoyed. "Why are you so curious?"
Jaggedpaw and Rainpaw exchanged glances.
"You know the story Blindeye told us?" Rainpaw began warily. Amberpaw nodded.
Jaggedpaw inhaled. "We're going to do what he did- for the clan."
The orange tabby straightened. "What do you mean?" she growled. "You can't-"
"We're going to see the only cat stood up to her and succeeded- Weedtangle," Rainpaw murmured, glancing at Amberpaw. "You can come too, right?" He looked at his friend.
"Of course," Jaggedpaw said instantly. "We'll need all the help we can get."
Amberpaw's pelt bristled. For a heart-beat she looked like she was going to try and stop them, but then she relaxed. Amberpaw shook her head. "I'm not going to get stuck in Windclan territory. You, apparently, are the suicidal ones- you go."

The trip was wet. By the time Rainpaw and Jaggedpaw had left camp their paws were drenched in dew- and the fact that they were new apprentices and still learning the land cut back on time.
"I know its this way," Rainpaw insisted, pushing further on. "I can smell the tallgrasses."
Jaggedpaw nodded, panting. They had loped the entire way.
Ahead, Rainpaw drew to a halt. "The moorlands!" he proclaimed, pride flooding his blue eyes.
Jaggedpaw stopped beside his friend, a smile on his maw. "You found it!" He growled. He nudged him thankfully.
Rainpaw smiled at the praise, but shook his head. "We still have to find their camp, without being caught by a patrol."
"You mean, by one of those oh-so-common middle of the night patrols?"
Rainpaw growled warily, cuffing Jaggedpaw's ear at the retort. "You never know, they may like mud and dark."
"Lets just find their camp," Jaggedpaw sighed, drowsiness clawing at him.
The two padded onward, until they reached the edge of a clearing. A rabbit sat in it, long ears extending from its head.
Rainpaw and Jaggedpaw exchanged glances.
"I'm hungry," Rainpaw meowed, swiping his tongue over his maw.
Jaggedpaw stared at his friend in surprise. "Rainpaw, this is one thing, but hunting Windclan's prey is another..."
The gray apprentice wasn't listening. He stalked forward, instinctively falling into a hunters crouch, tail thrashing in excitement.
'If he wasn't breaking the warriors code, I'd have to agree he's a natural hunter,' Jaggedpaw thought, ears angling forward. He had to admit he was curious to see the result of Rainpaw's hunt.
Rainpaw was only a tail length away.
'He's going to get it,' Jaggedpaw realized, his stomach growling. 'As long as he catches it, we can eat it so it doesn't go to waste...'
And then a thin figure padded calmly into the clearing. The rabbit fled, its beady eyes glittering in horror, and the white tom arched his skinny back and sat down.
"Having fun?" Fallenstar murmured.

------------
Chapter Seven
-----------

Jaggedpaw's heart skipped a beat. The Windclan leader's green eyes burned into Rainpaw, who had frozen on the spot. Jaggedpaw could see Rainpaw's fur bristling in horror.
And then he realized he was hidden. 'He hasn't seen me,' he thought, hope rising in his throat. 'Don't mess this up...'
It all came back- his training. He slunk around the tallgrasses, swaying just out of sight; he picked up each paw swiftly, gracefully; and his mind calmed. He was padding towards Fallenstar now from the back. The Windclan leaders shoulders were tensed- 'Ready to pounce,' Jaggedpaw thought grimly- And then Jaggedpaw leapt at Fallenstar.
The Windclan leader could have beaten him in a single swipe- but he wasn't prepared, and the surprise sent him sprawling over the clearing. He grunted in shock as his white figure was thrown to the side.
Jaggedpaw signaled for Rainpaw to follow quickly. Although his heart was thudding and his blood was racing, he knew they couldn't wait around. But Rainpaw looked agitated. He cast the sprawled out Fallenstar a glance, but he sighed and padded after Jaggedpaw into the tallgrasses.
As soon as they were far away enough that Jaggedpaw felt safe, he spun around.
"Why did you hesitate like that?" he growled challengingly. "You could have cost us our lives!"
Rainpaw looked just as annoyed. His ears flicked back, and he began to glare at his friend with his blue gaze. "We could have finished him! You surprised him so much he may have expected Starclan themselves to fly down on winged paws. But no, you had to run..."
Jaggedpaw rolled his green gaze- Rainpaw's impractical mind had put them in danger, and he was worried it may again. "Lets just keep going, okay?" he muttered, shaking his long pelt out. "Fallenstar will be following us soon."
The two padded off in what they determined was the direction of Windclan's camp. They remained in stoney silence. The moorland's were bare, and a feeling of being exposed crept up their spines. This was nothing like the tree covered Thunderclan territory.
"Wait, Jaggedpaw, I can see their camp entrance!" Rainpaw meowed at last, his excitement overcoming his annoyance.
They had been treading beside the path that lead into camp. They stood outside the camp entrance, hunkering down in the tallgrasses and bristling with uncertainty.
'This is insane,' Jaggedpaw thought in fright, 'Some Windclan cat is going to find us and rip us to shreds....'
"Someones coming," Rainpaw growled gruffly beside him. The two hunkered down farther, their breaths becoming short so that they were less audible.
A thin white tom appeared from the camp. His green eyes burned into the undergrowth around him, and with a short growl, he bounded past them without glancing their way and vanished in the brambles.
Jaggedpaw deflated in relief; 'He didn't see us,' He thought, his hopes rising. Confusion flooded him though. 'How did Fallenstar get back to camp so fast though?'

The apprentice didn't have time to ponder on this. Two more cat appeared, exiting camp. They looked about their age. A gray tom stepped forward first, green eyes much like Fallenstar's watching the turf around him. Muscles ripple behind his slick pelt; it was the same color as Rainpaw's but he was much more lean, and he was all muscle. Sharp claws lined his forepaws.
Behind him, a slightly smaller she-cat stood. Her pale blue eyes glittered like stars, and a long tail streamed out behind her. She was more lithe and thin than muscular, but it was easy to tell she was related to the first cat. She had a gray pelt, slightly longer than the firsts, and small white spots dappled her rump.
The she-cat's ears twitched vaguely, listening to the forest around her.
"Slashpaw, you go ahead," she meowed lightly. "I need to go tell Dandelion something."
The muscular apprentice swung his muzzle around, his green eyes searching her accusingly. "Fine, Rushpaw, but I don't want to come back and find you stuffing your face. And I'll rip your ears off if I find out your making allies with more crowfood like her. They're worthless."
His sister dipped her head. "Of course," she said gently. "I'll see you back at camp."
Rushpaw watched as the gray tom bounded off, following his fathers tracks. Her blue eyes remained on the spot where he had disappeared for a while.
And then she turned; her slender tail twitched in the air, the night sky glittering with stars. "I know your there," she growled unfathomably. The lithe she-cat prowled forward. "I can smell you...."
The lightly dappled cat pounced, and landed directly on Jaggedpaw's shoulders. His muzzle was shoved straight into the dust. The tom thrashed madly trying to escape her grasp, but it was fruitless.
Beside him, Rainpaw cowered back. 'How can such a small cat hold him down?' he wondered in brief awe, frozen in surprise. The image before him slowly became clear, and his blood pumped to his mind in throbs.
Rainpaw crouched, waving his rump and the air, and then slammed into the she-cat. She was bowled over instantly; her blue eyes glittered in silent pain as she hit the ground.
"Back off, crow food," Rainpaw snapped, his tail lashing as he glared at her in loathing.
Beside him, Jaggedpaw scrambled to his paws, panting heavily. "Great Starclan, thanks," he muttered into his friends ear gratefully.
The gray apprentice's ears twitched but he didn't reply. "Why did you send that other apprentice away?" he growled with narrowed blue eyes meeting hers.
"Slashpaw would have killed you," she said simply, catching her breath. For a moment she eyed the two cats, silently questioning their intentions, and then she scrambled to her paws. "Why are you here? Your Thunderclan cats."
Jaggedpaw stepped forward, his black fur gleaming dully in the starlight. "We need to speak to Weedtangle," he murmured, searching her gaze warily. He flexed his claws.
The dappled she-cat's flank deflated. Rushpaw dipped her head. "I will let you, if I can stay with her. I don't want to take a chance."
"You're taking a chance by letting us see her," Rainpaw pointed out, scanning his gaze over her.
Rushpaw blinked at them with icy eyes. "I know."

-----------
Chapter Eight
-----------
Ferns were pushed to the side; brambles trampled, frost showering down from frozen leaves. Windclan's strange scent washed over the two Thunderclan tom's as they followed Rushpaw, her slim silver figure weaving around the edge of camp. Her tail waved warningly as she halted.
"Don't let any cat see you. No one is awake, besides Slashpaw and my father." Her blue eyes were pale in the milky moonlight as she scanned over them warily.
Jaggedpaw's brow raised questioningly. The den's entrance they were halted at only carried the scent of one cat, not of an entire clans warriors. The stench of sickness hung with the scent as well. "This isn't the warriors den," he growled softly. He flexed his claws; was this a trap?
Rushpaw snorted bluntly. "Of course not; Weedtangle's not a warrior, don't you know? She's an elder." Her dappled pelt quivered vaguely; a look of amusement hung in her gaze.
Rainpaw sniffed the air. He quickly recoiled, his green eyes flashing in alarm. "That cat's sick, and there's only one in there. Is this a medicine cat's den?" The tom stepped forward now. His ears angled forward, listening carefully for any sound.
The Windclan apprentice looked uncomfortable now. "I.. I know. This is a medicine cat's den; its the elders den. There's been.." he voice trailed off faintly. She looked uncertain as she watched Rainpaw and Jaggedpaw. "There's been a sickness. It... killed two of our elders. Weedtangle is the only one left."
Jaggedpaw and Rainpaw exchanged glances, their fur bristling. They knew she should have never told them this- it was something Thunderclan could use against them. Rainpaw opened his mouth to say something, but Jaggedpaw stepped forward to interrupt him.
"Can we see Weedtangle now? We want to get home by sunrise."
Rushpaw nodded, bowing her head. "Follow me," she whispered. She turned, long tail waving behind her, as she wound into the elders den.

The smell of sickness was overwhelming. A pair of dull olive eyes glowed in the back of the den, overcast with shadows. Starlight trickled in through a break in the den's wall.
"Weedtangle," A soothing voice, soft as silk, murmured from the darkness. Blue eyes glittered pale. "Someone's here to talk to you."
The old she-cat raised her head, the light catching her face. She was an odd looking cat; she was white with brown spots splattering her pelt, and she looked ancient. It appeared she was nothing more than fur and bones. Her pelt was utterly thick. "What?" she growled grudgingly. Her eyes softened as she saw Rushpaw. "You, yes. What is it?"
Rushpaw cast her a crooked smile of thanks. "These cats want to speak to you. Ask a few questions, I think." She purred pallidly. "They're nice, don't be grudging."
Weedtangle swung her scarred muzzle around to eye the two tom's. She made no comment's regarding their Thunderclan scents, but Jaggedpaw could tell she knew they were from Thunderclan; her eyes glowed darkly, and a wary glance was exchanged with Rushpaw. "Alright; ask your hearts out."
Jaggedpaw bowed his head gratefully. His black pelt was hidden in the shadows, but his green eyes flashed. "Weedtangle, we know this may be an uncomfortable subject, but it's important we know some details. You-"
Rainpaw fidgeted, and, unable to restrain his self, he proclaimed, "How'd you beat Missingfire?" loud enough to shake the frozen leaves from the trees. Jaggedpaw bristled, but Weedtangle didn't look surprised.
"Who was the kit she murdered? And the warrior? I mean, I know his name, but...." Rainpaw rambled on excitedly. From his side, Jaggedpaw couldn't help but put in, "Did you ever suspect she'd do anything so dark? Do you think she's dead? Do-"
A threatening growl rose from Weedtangle, dark and icy. The two Thunderclan apprentices became quiet.
"You two kits don't know a thing," she snapped, narrowing her eyes. Her tail lashed; "So I'll tell you."

--------------------

"Missingfire was a beautiful cat, pale ginger, like the sun. She stretched out in the morning rays when she was an apprentice, and the toms would all watch in awe. She claimed the heart of Blackpaw, a young tom full of potential. She loved him, and would have died for him. She saved him once in a battle, if I do recall right. I watch her birth, and stopped her from fighting Fallenstep. Nobody seems to remember what a charm she was after what she did. And then, after she helped win a border fight, she became a warrior. Blackpaw became Blackflame shortly after. Missingfire had kits afterwards; four of them. She treated them with more love than her clan; she loved them more than anything, thats for sure. Blackflame stayed in the nursery half the time too, watching them. (I don't know what you heard about Missingfire, but she wasn't a murderer.) Fallenstep said he found her killing a kit; no one questioned him. He may not have been lying, but I looked at the kit closely. There were no cuts at all on the kit; its breath smelled of Deathberries, though. The blood that splattered it's pelt was not it's own. The rest of the clan just berried it without question. Missingfire never attacked Blackflame, like the story you heard goes. (I've heard the apprentices telling it.) She just called him out and was talking to him. I couldn't hear about what, but she looked panicked. Fallenstep ran into the clearing then, yelling something about Missingfire killing the kit. Tripfoot was the first to challenge her... And then when she killed Tripfoot... He was a wonderful tom. He never should have died. But Fallenstep was hurt. I remember saving him. I just stepped up, smashed my forepaw against her jaw, and pulled him back. Before I bowled her over though... She didn't look angry, or driven, like a murderer would. He eyes were scared and wide in horror. Once I saved him, she found off the whole clan, no lie. Thats a true part of the story. She was quicker than Leopardclan, I swear by Starclan. She fought us off, one by one, took her kits and ran into the woods. When we found Fogstar... That was the first time we say her Sign. Two other cats bore it, and we just called it her Sign. But then, a while later, we found one of her kits. She still lives here in the clan, young and thriving."

---------------------------
Chapter Nine
--------------------------

The trip home was silent. Rushpaw escorted them to the edge of Windclan territory, and watched the two Thunderclan toms vanish in the holly bushes as they headed for home.
As they slipped quietly into camp, Jaggedpaw could see a pair of green eyes, worried and watchful at the edge of the apprentices den. As soon as the gaze spotted them it flooded with relief. It disappeared then, into the den once more. The apprentices padded inside the den drowsily. The moss was warm and welcoming after their long night, but Jaggedpaw could have sworn is was Amberpaw who had been watching for them.
------------------------
Jaggedpaw's limbs ached. He longed to be a victim of sleep until sunset, but as the sun's morning rays splintered into the den he forced himself to scramble to his paws.
A pair of green eyes watched him skeptically.
"How did it go last night?" A low voice growled unfathomably. Amberpaw eyes him briefly, curling her tail over her paws.
Jaggedpaw blinked drowsily, settling himself. "It went... alright. We had a stroke of luck here and there."
"And did you find what you were looking for?"
Jaggedpaw nodded. "And I'll tell you; but lets not wake Rainpaw. He's probably more tired than me." So, the black apprentice quickly explained the prior night's happenings. Amberpaw's eyes stretched wide with each detail, her fur bristling as he told of Fallenstar and Rushpaw. As he finished, though, she looked confused.
"Well, I'm glad you two are back... alright. I wouldn't want to have to tell the clan you broke the Warrior code in a hundred ways." She yawned, unveiling her pointy teeth. "I've been in Windclan territory before too. Runningstar had me bring one of their kits back when Riverclan..." She continuedon with her story, eyes glittering proudly as her tale took each turn. Jaggedpaw listened in awe; he couldn't help but realize how many adventures she'd been in, and how she could help them- especially when Fallenstar questioned Runningstar about it.

Gingerstep was waiting in the clearing for him. Her slick pelt quivered in amusement as she talked with Rosetail; Rosetail looked much more relaxed than she had at the gathering. It seemed like ages since then. 'Maybe everything's been cleared up,' Jaggedpaw thought, as she stepped into the camp. His black fur fluffed out. Rainpaw padded up beside him, his blue eyes drooping and tired. "I don't feel like training...." he muttered. "I think I'll tell Wildheart I'm sick. I feel sick, anyways."
Jaggedpaw smiled sympathetically. "I'll tell him for you, if you like. He's just over there; I'll go see him now."
Rainpaw smiled gratefully, and slipped off to meet Rosetail. Jaggedpaw watched him leave; as the gray tom vanished in the medicine-cats den, Jaggedpaw turned, his ears angled forward, and trotted in the direction of Wildheart.
As he approached, Jaggedpaw's insides churned vaguely. Wildheart wasn't alone in the shadows- Runningstar stood before him, looking tired and worried as they talked quietly. Wildheart, on the other hand, looked better than ever; his amber gaze glowed.
It occurred to Jaggedpaw he should eavesdrop too late. Runningstar cut off Wildhearts words with a low meow: "Hello there, Jaggedpaw, how may I help you?"
Jaggedpaw blinked, taken aback. "Wildheart.. uh.. Rainpaw wanted me to tell you, he's sick. He can't train today." The apprentice stumbled blindly over his own words, and embarrassment flooded him.

Wildheart's brow raised, but he didn't look disappointed. "Alright, then. I should hope he gets better soon. He's quite the hunter."
Jaggedpaw dipped his head, backing up into the clearing. "Well, alright then," he said awkwardly, turning to leave.
Before he could approach Gingerstep, he heard Runningstar's voice call out, "I'm glad your doing well in your stealth training- we could use that lately."

"Your getting better," Gingerstep meowed happily. The first time you tried hunting... you could barely catch a fat vole." The ginger she-cat purred, eliciting the memory.
Jaggedpaw smiled thankfully. A thrush hung in his jaws; it was his third catch of the day, and this one he was especcially proud of. 'My first bird,' he thought jovially. His green gaze gleamed with laughter as he placed it on the ground. "Easy for you to say- you’re the fastest cat in the clan."
Gingerstep smiled inwardly, tail twitching. "You'll get better at hunting, don't worry. And you'll be happy to know, I overheard Runningstar speaking with Rosetail.... Well, I may have been eavesdropping... but he was talking about who he should bring to the gathering today."
Jaggedpaw's ears angled forward, straight and wary.
He said, "Sunshadow, Specklepaw, Wildheart, Eagleclaw, Muddyleg, and Rosetail." Gingerstep dipped her head lightly. "But Rosetail said you should go, so now your going instead of her!" Gingerstep smiled broadly. "Your doing great- you really are."
No matter how much praise Gingertsep offered him, Jaggedpaw felt nervous and wary- the next gathering was Definitely not going to be pretty.

The clearing was bathed in pale starlight. Overhead, the moon hung lugubriously over the camp, and the air, silent and still.
The cats slowly trickled out of their dens and into the clearing. Jaggedpaw stuck close to his sisters side as Runningstar gathered the cats together for the gathering.
"Specklepaw," the dark apprentice whispered, his green gaze shifting from one cat to the other, "Do you think Wildheart has been acting strange?"
His sister cast him an odd look, but slowly a smile crept over her warm expression. "No, he's been acting normal."
Jaggedpaw's eyes narrowed. "That's what I thought."
The cats fell into step behind their leader, and they began the trip to Fourtrees.

The intimidating trees loomed ahead; their tops swayed as a breeze began to pick up, and a rush of leaves was swept forward over the heads of the cats who had already arrived.
Jaggedpaw slipped down into the clearing, matching his pace to Specklepaw's. He could see her eyes glittering in excitement; unlike him, she had been looking forward to this.
"We're the last one here," Sunshadow hissed to him quietly. Her ears swivelled as she listened to the hushed whispers around them. "They'll be starting soon..."
Jaggedpaw's breath caught in his throat. 'What is Fallenstar knew who Rainpaw was? Runningstar will ban him or something... Great Starclan, this is a mess...'
A slim black she-cat pounced forward, and her yowl echoed over the clearing, silencing the clan cats below. Blue eyes narrowed above them.
"Shadowclan has been doing better than ever," Dreamstar meowed. Her pale gaze met the other leader's vaguely. "One of our kits was taken and killed by a fox, but we chased the fox out. We haven't smelled it since." She purred slightly to herself, and the Shadowclan cats scattered around the clearing smiled.
Dreamstar dipped her head. "The two kits who were not taken have become apprentice- Paintedpaw and Darkpaw. The are at our camp in their vigil now."
The black cat stepped back, her slick pelt almost blue in the starlight. She nodded to Runningstar; he in turn padded to the edge of Highrock.
"Thunderclan has seen more twolegs on Thunderpath, but they haven't ventured into the forest yet. They have caused no damage, but they may, so we have been sending heavy patrols out that way-" he cast a look at Twistedstar- "and along the other borders. Our medicine-cat has also gotten a message from Starclan."
The eyes of the cats below eyes stretched wide. They rarely ever told about message from Starclan at gatherings.
"When the new moon comes it brings storm clouds." Runningstar narrowed his amber gaze accusingly. "Someone will try to stir up trouble tonight, so cats listening, be ready."
Everything was silent as Runningstar stepped back, looking ready for a fight as he watched Twistedstar paced forward.
"Cautiously said, Runningstar," he growled unfathomably, "but I have no intentions of trouble." He shook out his long coat. The tortoiseshell smirked, as he eyed a cat at the edge of Highrock.
Jaggedpaw jumped in surprise as small voice meowed, "Hey." Twopaw sat beside him and Specklepaw, his wide eyes greeting them.
Twistedstar began. "Featherclaw has taken on an apprentice, Gorsepaw. Gorsepaw's previous mentor has retired to the elders den a little early, when he twisted his paw in a fall. It will never be the same- he can not carry on the duties of a warrior."
Jaggedpaw could see Featherclaw's muscular figure watching her leaders every move, her blue eyes ominous.
"Besides that, we too have noticed the twolegs more often, but have left the river alone. Fish are thriving, as are we." The tortoiseshell stepped back.
This time Fallenstar came forward. Even the sight of the lither white tom made Jaggedpaw shrink back. Illuminous green eyes watched each cat below, swiveling about as though he could hear every heart beat, every breath, vibrate through the stone.
"Runningstar, your medicine-cat may not be as pointless as she looks," he growled bitterly. His tail twitched. "I'm not going to try and stir up trouble- Im trying to stop it. Why, may I ask, when I was on patrol the other night, did I find one of your cats hunting in our territory? As I tried to stop him, another cat ambushed me from the tall grass." His green eyes locked on the Thunderclan leader, fang bared.
Runningstar bristled. "We have not hunted on your territory! We have not sent anyone their to hunt, or fight you."
Fallenstar prowled forward, flexing his long claws. "I don't want to fight you, Runningstar, but we will if we have to. Are you denying everything?"
Runningstar flattened himself, ready to pounce. "Yes, I am. I swear by Starclan we haven't been on your territory."
Fallenstar rolled his green gaze. "Your promises mean nothing to me. Do you know what a mistake you just made?"
Runningstar stood straight now, his ginger coat glittering in the milky moonlight. His long tail twitched, and his gaze, regretful. "I'm guessing your proposing a war?"
Fallenstar nodded.
Before Runningstar could speak again, Dreamstar stalked forward. "Fallenstar, I believe any swear by Starclan, and I say Runningstar's word is a stronger one than your anyday. I'm taking his side in the war-" Her blue gaze averted to Twistedstar- "Will you join us, so we can end this feud. here, without any bloodshed?"
The tortoiseshell looked dubious. "Well... Even though we've had our disputes, I don't think any leader would want his clan in a war. I'm taking Fallenstar's side. Everyone knows Thunderclan has been running a little low on prey, and maybe they're so desperate they did this."
Dreamstar stared at him in surprise, but beside her, Runningstar quickly recovered. "Well then, this means war. Goodbye, Dreamstar, and Fallenstar, we'll be seeing you soon." Two pairs of eyes narrowed at each other, and Runningstar pounced down, his clan close in his wake.
Specklepaw padded beside a stunned Jaggedpaw. "Windclan are such liars," the apprentice hissed. She brushed against her brother.
Jaggedpaw felt confused. 'We. Caused. A. War.' her thought repeatedly. "Y-yeah," he stammered out. "Liars..."

-------------------
Chapter 10
-------------------

Darkness surrounded Jaggedpaw. A damp feeling crept up his fur as he huddled back against the edge of the freezing rock, and water dripped from the ceiling, splattering against his again and again. He shivered; he could not see.
"Jaggedpaw," a voice growled from the shadows. A pair of green eyes blinked open, and a larger tom prowled forward. gray claws tapped against the rock. "Jaggedpaw...."
The apprentice stood straight at last. His heart pounded in his throat- this cat he had seen before, but his mind was all a blank as he murmured, "I'm listening."
The tom sat before him now, tail rapping against the ground, and the air, still dark. A feeling of warmth crept over Jaggedpaw, though; like his blood was suddenly heated, and was pumping warmth all through his limbs.
"Jaggedpaw, Starclan is watching."
The apprentice pelt bristled. "I... you... Then why is it dark? Starclan run on the stars, above the clouds, in Silverpelt."
The tom looked gim. "Indeed they do; but Jaggedpaw, don't bend your life by the way of Starclan. They are not perfect. Jaggedpaw, all that matters is that your following the right path."
Jaggedpaw shook his head. "I caused a war. A war. Did you watch the gathering last night? Fallenstar was right!"
The tom laughed bitterly, his green gaze flaring. "Listen to me, now. Fallenstar may believe in Starclan, but he doesn't believe in us."

------------------

The world became bright once more. A paw was nudging him, waking him, and at last, Jaggedpaw stirred, and scrambled to his paws.
A dappled apprentice sat before him. "Wake up, you furball," she purred. His sisters welcoming gaze sparkled as she motioned towards the exit of the apprentices den. "Runningstar is ordering patrols, and your due for hunting patrol!"
Jaggedpaw groaned as he smoothed his fur out, the last tastes of the dream fading from his mind. "Hunting patrol? I hate hunting. What are you going on?"
Specklepaw laughed lightly, tilting her head back. "You have to get used to hunting, you know. Amberpaw can give you some tips. Did you know she caught a pheasant once? Anyways, I'm going to help Rosetail find some herbs. Runningstar says she needs to stock up." His sister looked troubled for the first time, her white pelt splotched with black and orange quivering. "I heard Runningstar talking with Rosetail this morning... He says... he says, Fallenstar and Twistedstar together are like Lionclan. Is he right?"
Jaggedpaw let his head fall in guilt, hiding his gaze. "I'd say he's right. But," he looked up at her once more, "Who's to say we couldn't take Lionclan?"
He pounced, bowling his sister over playfully. For a moment they tussled, batting each other with laughs rising, but they broke apart at last, and traipsed into the clearing.

Runningstar motioned Jaggedpaw over as soon as he spotted his black figure prowling out of the den. The apprentice nodded a goodbye to his sister, and quickly paced over to the leader.
"Jaggedpaw, your on hunting patrol with Amberpaw and Rainpaw. Catch as much as you can, and then when you reach The Great Sycamore, wait for Wildheart. He'll join your hunt then."
Runnnigstar went back to asigning other patrols, and the small hunting group slipped quietly into the forest.

Ferns lined their path as they walked on silently, until Amberpaw growled, "I can't believe you guys caused a war!" Rainpaw ignored her as he hunkered down in the bushed, pounced, and then padded back with a mouse dangling from his jaws. He burried it quickly, and then shot Amberpaw and angry glare. "Fallenstar caused it! Anyways, we learned more about Missingfire than ever. Runningstar still looks worried all the time, and we have no idea why, but we know it has something to do with Missingfire."
Jaggedpaw stepped forward, sniffing the air for prey. "I.. I got a dream last night, guys."
HIs friends' eyes stretched wide. Amberpaw's mouth quivered, but she murmured, "Rosetail gaze me private dream-lessons once. She said it would help me decifer dreams if I wanted to become a medicine cat. I can help, if you like."
Jaggedpaw shook his head. "It doesn't need decifering, its sort of blunt, but it... its threatening, I guess. Everything was dark, and this tom came to me and said, "Don't do everything by the way of Starclan, their not perfect, or something like that. Then I said, 'But we caused a war. We're awful.' And then he said, 'Fallenstar may believe in Starclan, but he doesn't believe in us."
Rainpaw snorted. "'Us?' What does that mean?" He wound his way around the tunk of a tree, nostrils flared. Behind him, Amberpaw signaled for them to be silent, and she prowled forward. She vanished as she leapt into the ferns, and with a hushed squeak, she returned with a dead starrling.
"Well, the cat was obviously not from Starclan or something, and-"
"Shut up you guys!" Jaggedpaw hissed. "I hear something!"
They had reached the Great Sycamore, but Jaggedpaw lead them further into the forest.
"We're supposed to wait at the Sycamore!" Amberpaw murmured, her eyes darting back and forth. "We-"
Rainpaw cuffed her in the shoukder, and sped up beside Jaggedpaw. They soon halted at the edge of Snakerocks. Amberpaw joined them quietly, her tabby fur bristling. "Watch out for adders. When I was training once, we came close to triping over one."
Jaggedpaw shook his head. "I'm not here for adders, look!" he whispered. He motioned with his tail.
Ahead, below one of the rocks in the clearing, stood Wildheart. Infront of the Thunderclan deputy stood Mossfang, the Windclan medicine-cat. The hissed quietly amongst themselves.
"Great Starclan," Rainpaw whispered. His blue gaze stretched wide.
Amberpaw dipped her head regretfully. "I never wanted to believe it." She touched her tail to Rainpaw's shoulder comfortingly.
Jaggedpaw stood, his pelt buffeting in the wind. "Now lets go wait at the Great Sycamore before they smell us. That wouldn't be a pretty sight."
The two others shook their head, and padded towards the Great Sycamore. They caught more prey as they waited, but when Wildheart arrived, they fell silent.
Amberpaw quickly filled him in on the prey they had caught, but Rianpaw couldn't look at his mentor.
"Jaggedpaw," Wildheart growled warningly, "You only caugt a vole? Thats... disappointing." The tortoiseshell tom narrowed his gaze.
Jaggedpaw dipped his head in embarassment. "Yes, Wildheart."
They hunted until their paws ached at mid-day, and then they headed back to the camp; as the entered, Runningstar's voice echoed over the clearing. "All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather under highrock for a clan meeting!"

Jaggedpaw sat beside Specklepaw, with Rainpaw to his right. The gray apprentice still looked shocked, but he spoke for the first time since they had seen the 'meeting.'
"Should we tell Runningstar?" he whispered acrimoniously.
Jaggedpaw smiled at him sympathetically. "I think we should... wait."
Runningstar stepped forward on Highrock as Wildheart whispered something to him. "Cats of Thunderclan, we have good news and bad news."
The clan waited below, leaning forward in anticipation.
"Wildheart has reported that the hunting patrol caught enough for the clan today, although there will be none left over for tomorow. He has decided on a new hunting patrol tomorow. Eagleclaw, Amberpaw, and Rivertail, you will lead the hunting patrol tommorow. Jaggedpaw, Specklepaw, Rainpaw, and Gingerstep will be on broder patrol in their place. Now, this morning's border patrol scented Windclan on our territory. I think they're planning to strike tommorow, so make sure the patrols are heavy there." Runningstar dipped his head, looking tired, and pounced off the Highrock. He quietly slipped into his den.

----------------

Jaggedpaw dream again that night. This time, the air was not smothered in darkness; but the black tom was there once more.
Jaggedpaw blinked rowsily as he realized he was dreaming once more. They were sitting infront of the Falls, no other cats in sight as the water crashed down at the rocks below.
"Welcome, Jaggedpaw," the tom murmured, as his green eyes adjusted the faded air of the forest. Evrything was a pale blue, almost transparent, and stars glittered in the air.
"Follow me. You have much to see and little time." The black tom stood, his lond pelt sleek and shiny, and he loped off away from the tumbling water. Jaggedpaw scrambled to his paws in turn and raced after him.
The tom was waiting for him at the edge of fourtrees. "Look inside," he hissed, green gaze narrowed.
Jaggedpaw nodded. He stepped forward catiously, and peered past the ferns and into fourtrees; he gasped. Transparent cats were locked in a mass of battle, screeches echoing like heartbeats everywhere. There was no blood, but the shrieks were dripping with pain as more and more of them locked in fights.
Jaggedpaw drew back quickly and the ferns fell in place again, blocking the view, and the air was silent once more.
Breathing heavily, he whispered, "Does this mean there will be a battle soon?"
The tom's tail twitch vaguely. "Look again- more closely. There are faces on the fighters."
Jaggedpaw nodded, peering through the ferns once more. The shrieking picked up again, howls making his ears ached; but he tried to ignore the pained yowls. Jaggedpaw's gaze went from one cat to another, and he finaly withdrew. The tom was watching him curiously.
"Those are cats you know to be dead, are they not?"
Jaggedpaw nodded, taking in a firm breath. "Those are Starclan cats. Starclan is fighting a war... but then how can they pay attention to the cats who are still alive?"
The tom smirked toothily, his eyes gleaming. "They can't."
"But we need them! The clans are in trouble," Jaggedpaw implored. "Why are they fighting amongst themselves?"
"Oh, but they aren't. They're fighting us."
The dream shattered, and Jaggedpaw awoke.

----------------------

The sun shone down on the small patrol, each once carrying the burden of a hot pelt.
"I just want it to get cloudy," Rainpaw muttered, his head drooping as he followed Gingerstep farther into the forest. Specklepaw moaned in agreement, but Jaggedpaw growled, "I wouldn't mind some rain for once."
Gingerstep stopped them, flexing her claws. "So should we go by Windclan border?"
Specklepaw padded up besides her. "All of the cats I talked to this morning said their patrols were going that way, so how about Riverclan border?" He short tail waved in the air as she cast a glance back at her brother and Rainpaw.
"Alright," Gingerstep meowed, looking approving. "Good going, Specklepaw, we need warriors who know whos doing what." The ginger she-cat padded off, weaving around trees. Specklepaw was close in her wake, her face glowing with pride.
The patrol reached Riverclan border, but scenting no trespassers, padded out of the heat of sunningrocks and sprawled out in the shade of the trees just beyond it.
"If Wildheart saw us, he'd have our ears off," Gingerstep laughed, stretching in the shade. Beside her, Rianpaw's ears twitched.
Jaggedpaw shook his head, changing the subject. "Do you think they're planning an attack?"
Gingerstep narrowed her gaze. "Knowing Twistedstar and Fallenstar, I'd say yes."
Jaggedpaw shook his head. "No, I mean Dreamstar and Runningstar. We're not completely worthless, you know."
"They were going to meet and talk about it today, actually. It's their second meeting so I'd say yeah," Specklepaw yawned. "I don't think we have anything-"
Jaggedpaw suddenly bristled, crawling to his paws. "I smell Riverclan, and I think thats too strong a scent to be a lost apprentice!"
Gingerstep pouced onto her feet in alarm, and raised her muzzle. She sniffed the air skeptically. She bared her fangs. "Jaggedpaw's right, everyone, up the tree! Its an invasion!"

-----------------
Chapter 11
-----------------

The patrol scrambled up the tree, and Rainpaw made it into the leaves of the branches just as Twistedstar appeared in the brambles.
He turned, and began talking to the cats who poured into the small clearing, bristling and ready to fight.
"Cats of Riverclan, we can win this. Thunderclan's patrols are all sniffing out Windclan's border-"
"Windclan put their scent their to distract us from Riverclan!" Rainpaw moaned softly-
"and so we take them by force. If we run into any paatrols on the way, we fight, until we reach their camp-" Twistedstar continued on, and above, The Thunderclan cats bristled.
Specklepaw turned and faced them. "Guys, we have to get back to camp and warn everyone! They'll chase us if they see us though, so one of us has to distract them."
Gingerstep nodded resonably. "Right. I'll distract them, and you guys run-"
Specklepaw hissed, "No! Your the fastest one. I'll distract them, you guys go. One of you go get the other patrols, and-"
Gingerstep shook her head. "I won't let you. You'll get killed, your just an apprentice."
Specklepaw breathed steadily, looking patient. "Whatever I do, just run, run like you have winged paws. Starclan guide you." The small apprentice smiled at Jaggedpaw, and whispered good luck to him.
"No!" Gingerstep and Rainpaw yowled in unision, loud enough for the Riverclan cats below to hear. Jaggedpaw was speechless.
But Specklepaw jumped. She would have been killed from the far jump had she not had good aim, but Starclan seemed to be with her- she came down right on Twistedstar's head. There was an earsplitting shriek of battle, and Jaggdpaw didn't want to hear the rest. He fled down the tree like Specklepaw had requested, with Gingerstep and Rainpaw close at his heels. The Riverclan cats were to distracted to follow.

Jaggedpaw was panting as they ran, faster than they ever had before. "Rainpaw, go to camp and get them, I'll get the patrols, and Gingerstep-"
"I'll find Runningstar!" she offered. They each split up, knowing where the other was headed.

Jaggedpaw found Rivertail's patrol heading back to camp. Two other cats trailed behind her- Amberpaw and Eagleclaw, each of them bristling as Jaggedpaw panted and explained as quickly as he could the situation.
Rivertail's heart pounded. "Jaggedpaw, theres one other patrol out, you have to find them. Muddyleg, Sunshadow, and Briarsong are out, watching the border. Hurry!"
The patrol loped off in the direction of the Riverclan cats, but Amberpaw padded quickly up to Jaggedpaw instead. "Come on, I'll show you where they are! It'll be faster," she promised. Jaggedpaw nodded, still breathing heavily.
And she was right. They found them quickly, and Jaggedpaw's mother, Briarsong, looked petrified when he told her of Specklepaw.
"We have to go now!" the former queen proclaimed, and with her in the lead, the rest of them ran as quickly as they could.

When they reached the clearinng the atmosphere had changed. It was no longer quieted and clandestine with the Rinverclan invasion hissing amongst themselves; the air was filled with screeching, clawing cats. Jaggedpaw's heart skipped a beat. He could see Rainpaw had already returned from camp with Wildheart, a queen named Poppyleg, Rosetail, and an elder.
'Great Starclan, thats all the cats we had protecting the camp,' he thought in shock.
Shaking his head, Jaggedpaw pounced forward, eyes averting to the side as he searched for Amberpaw, who had been lost in the mass of cats.
"Amberp-"
His words were cut short as a heavy weight slammed him over. He slipped off his feet and tumbled across the clearing, lost for breath. As he lay stunned he could see the muscular Riverclan deputy Featherclaw bounding toward him, her fangs bared.
Jaggedpaw leapt to his feet, and as Featherclaw pounced, he did as well. With a grunt of satisfaction he could hear the silver tabby yowl as his claws sank into her belly fur; scarlet drops scattered the clearing as he raked them over her belly and shoulder, but he was almost smothered as she smashed his once more against the turf.
His head spun, dizzy and in pain, as she gave him a hard blow to the flank. Her blunt claws raked down his side, and blood oozed slowly from the scratch. Featherclaw pinned him down, her claws percing his fur, and she bit her sharp teeth into his shoulder.
Jaggedpaw schreeched loud enough to shake the leaves off the trees. He writhed beneath her painful grip, but her teeth only strengthed, until he as suddenly free. The black apprentice scrambled to his paws.
His green eyes widened as he spotted Runningstar battling Featherclaw. 'He saved me!' Jaggedpaw thought dizzily. 'Thank you, Runningstar!'
The apprentice spun around, but he stepped back just as quickly. His mother was all tooth and claw infront of him, her amber gaze suddenly blackened ominously as she cornered an apprentice against the trunk of a tree.
'Are we winning?' He couldn't tell, but he pounced into battle once more.
A longhaired tabby was shrunk against the ground, her yellow eyes wild and scared. She was twice the size of the cat who was looming over her, but her leg was scarlet with blood. Twistedstar was on her other side, raking his claws over her flank.
"Crowfood!" Jaggedpaw yowled. He slammed into the smaller cat attacking her, and in a heartbeat had pinned him down. He was smaller than him, and only got a chance to rake his tiny sharp claws over Jaggedpaw a few times before he was writhing beneath Jaggedpaw's strong grip.
"Never- You!" Jaggedpaw froze. He had been blinded by the struggle of battle, and only now, when this small fighting cat was held down, did he recognize him. Abnormally larg eyes stared up in shock. It was Twopaw.

"Twopaw..." he stammered. Jaggedpaw felt confused, and the will to fight was suddenly drained from his limbs.
"Jaggedpaw!" the apprentice breathed in relief. "I thought you were going to injure me more..."
Jaggedpaw bared his fangs, not wanting to seem weak. "I will, but I won't.... on one condition."
Twopaw nodded frantically. "Anything!"
"Where is Specklepaw? You met her at the last gathering."
Twopaw struggled beneath him still. "She's the one who attacked Twistedstar first?"
Jaggedpaw nodded.
"I'm not sure-" Twopaw scrambled away as Jaggedpaw released him- "But I think I saw Daisyfang bowl her away by the tree when Rainpaw returned with the other cats!" Twopaw vanished into the mass of cats once more, and Jaggedpaw pounced in the direction of the tree.
Jaggedpaw dodged blows from other cats until he reached the tree. Specklepaw was not in sight- but he scent lingered there, and so did the smell of blood.
Jaggedpaw prowled infront of the tree, sniffing for her frantically. "Specklepaw?" he murmured warily. Slowly, he peered under the bush, and his breath caught in his throat.
Specklepaw.
The she was; her body at least. Almost all of her fur was scarlet with blood. Her ear was bent oddly and ripped to shreds, and her eyes were closed. A long and deep gash raked over her flank. Jaggedpaw froze.
And then he backed out of the bush. He didn't want to see her anymore- he couldn't see her anymore.
Twopaw was behind him suddenly. "I'm... I'm sorry," the apprentice whispered in horror.
Jaggedpaw whipped around. "Which cat is Daisyfang?" he snarled, loathing dripping from his words.
Twopaw shuddered at his tone. "She's... right there..." He flicked his tail towards a brown she-cat, who was fighting Muddyleg.
Jaggedpaw nodded, and slunk across the clearing. He approached Daisyfang, and watched her get in several hard blows with Muddyleg, before he pounced on her.
He had never fought like he did then.
He slammed her down, and repeatedly raked his claws over her, letting his claws shred her ears. His ignored the pain as her own claws scrabbled at his belly fur- he was causing more damage. She was almost limp when his jaws snapped forward, aiming for her throat, the smell of her blood wafting up his nostrils; and then he was bowled to the side.
Wildheart stood over him.
"Jaggedpaw," the tortoiseshell hissed, "We aren't here to kill, we're just driving them away." He turned, watching Daisyfang flee into the bushes with the last of her energy, and then Wildheart left Jaggedpaw sprawled in the clearing.
"Jaggedpaw!" A gray tom was sprinting towards him, a deep scratch above his eye. "Jaggedpaw! Are you okay? I can't believe Wildheart did that!" Rainpaw pulled himself to a halt beside Jaggedpaw, and helped him up.
Jaggedpaw was panting, still unable to process what had just occured. "He's trying to hide his links with the rival clans..." he breathed heavily, struggling to his paws. "And... that cat he saved... killed Specklepaw..." Jaggedpaw shut his eyes in pain. The sight of his sisters mangled body flickered thourhg his mind, but he opened his eyes again and it vanished. Rainpaw stared at him numbly. "Specklepaw... She's..." Rainpaw was stunned.

A yowl erupted from the center of the clearing. Twistedstar snarled, "Riverclan, retreat!" In a heart-beat, the bloodied rival cats had fled, leaving the scarlet stained clearing, with the Thunderclan cats staring after them.

-------------------------
Chapter 12
-----------------------

The Thunderclan cats dragged themselves into the center of the clearing, most of them weak and tired. Runningstar staggered forward last; he was limping.
"Cats of Thunderclan," he meowed softly, "We have to get back to camp... Wildheart, make sure everyone gets home. I'm going to help Rosetail."
Jaggedpaw pounced upward, despite the fatigue that clawed at him. "I'll help too," he offered.
Runningstar looked at him in surprise, but nodded. The cats around them slowly filed out of the clearing, until Jaggedpaw, Rosetail, and Runningstar were the only ones left.
The black apprentice nodded a goodbye to Rainpaw was and staggered forward. "Rosetail," he murmured to the ginger medicine-cat. "Specklepaw is dead..."
The she-cat looked up in surprise, and greif flooded her gaze. "I'm so sorry, Jaggedpaw," she meowed sympathetically. "But she died nobley, Rainpaw told me what happened on the way over... Where is her body? We'll have her burial tomorow."
"The bushes," Jaggedpaw whispered, his heart aching. 'Specklepaw is dead. Dead. No more gatherings with her... We can't even become warriors together...'
"Jaggedpaw," a ragged voice rose from beside him. The apprentice turned to face his leader. "Jaggedpaw, you fought bravely today. I'm glad to see you and your friends know how to solve a problem when you see one. When Gingetstep found me she was still stunned by the quickness of you and your friends' plan." Runningstar managed to purr in amusement, though greif hung in his gaze.
Jaggedpaw forced a smile. "It was all Specklepaw's idea. She saved the clan."
Runningstar dipped his head. "I think she's the only one who died, though. Thank Starclan for that."
"Jaggedpaw! Come here!" Rosetail voice proclaimed.
Jaggedpaw looked at Runningstar, who nodded. The black apprentice catiously padded towards the bushes, when Rosetail crouched. "Yes?" he whispered hoarsely.
Rosetail spun around, her eyes dancing with joy. "Specklepaw isn't dead! She close to it, but not yet!"
Jaggedpaw's heart skipped a beath. "Shes alive!" he proclaimed, sprinting forward. As he stood over her bloody body, he could see her flank rising and falling with each shallow breath. One eye slit open barely for a heartbeat, but it closed again. "Can you save her?" he rasped worriedly. He began to lick her face free of blood.
Rosetail sighed. "I don't know."

------------------------

The rest of the day was bleach, but full of stories. Amberpaw was waiting for him back at camp with Rainpaw, ready to comfort him at the loss of his sister, but the three celebrated when he informed them she was still alive. Once they had eaten, they visited Rosetail. Each of them had cuts raking over them. They watched Specklepaw in the corner of the den, sprawled out over the moss-lined den. She didn't look well.

Amberpaw sighed, her tabby pelt covered in cobwebs. "I don't know if we'll be ready for another attack..."
Rainpaw looked up in alarm. "Hopefully there won't be another one. But if there is, next time Shadowclan will be ready to help us." Jaggedpaw shuffled his paws. 'And next time,' he thought grimly, 'Windclan will be fighting alongside Riverclan.'

---------------------

The sky above was gray and stormy, but no rain drops hit the clearing. The afternoon was somber. Jaggedpaws nights had become peaceful once more; it had been ages, it seemed, since the dark tom interupted his sleep.
Jaggedpaw yawned, stretching mout on the dusty ground. His paws scrabbled at the ground lazily as he rested, his green gaze only half open.
"Where's Runningstar? I haven't seen his all day," Amberpaw muttered drowsily. She, too, had taken refuge under the shady bushes as she rested after their hunting patrol. "Or Rainpaw, for that matter."
Jaggedpaw crawled to a sitting position. "Runningstar's gone to Shadowclan- I think he's finally working out a plan. And Rainpaw's in with Specklepaw." The tom smiled at her lazily. Specklepaw had been doing much better, but she was still refined to the medicine-cats den.
The sound of pawsteps reached the two apprentices ears, and as they glanced over their shoulders, they spotted a dark tortoiseshell making his way towards them.
"You two seem to be relaxed," Wildheart growled. His long tail twitched accusingly.
Jaggedpaw pulled himself straighter, narrowing his eyes at the deputy. "Can we not rest from patrol?"
Wildheart snorted. "I've been patroling since dawn and I haven't rested once. Get up, the both of you! I want you two on hunting patrol now, and don't come back until you have enough to feed the elders."
Amberpaw scrambled to her paws, her tabby pelt quivering unfathoably. "Yes, Wildheart," she murmured, shouldering Jaggedpaw to lead the way into the forest. She knew they couldn't afford to get into a quarrel with the clan deputy.
Jaggedpaw growled inwardly, unhappy to let the traitor get his way, but he obeyed Amberpaw andslipped quietly past the bushes. Once they were out of earshot he spun around.
"I've had enough of him! I think he know's we saw his talking with Mossfang."
Amberpaw sighed sympathetically. "I do too, but lets get this hunting over with as quickly as possible. I'm tired, and I'm sure you are too."
Jaggedpaw shuffled his paws in frustration. 'Yes' was all he said, and beside him, Amberpaw nodded victoriously, before she began sniffing the air.
"I smell vole," she announced, padding quietly through the thicket.
Jaggedpaw was about to follow, but he wavered. "And I smell mouse," he whispered to himself. The jet black apprentice fell into a crouch and prowled forward, his claws peircing the turf with each step. He could feel the mouse's tiny pawsteps through the forest floor; the air around them was quiet.
Jaggedpaw placed a paw wrong, and a twig snapped beneath his foot. The mouse's beady eyes grew. His head swiveled around, and with a pound of his heart, he took off through the undergrowth. Jaggedpaw growled in frustration, and took off after it.
The chase did not last long. The mouse ran into a clearing, but Jaggedpaw wavered at the clearings edge, as a cat stalked forward, the mouse unaware of its presence. Runningstar pounced on it, and the mouse was quickly dead.
Jaggedpaw stepped forward to reveal himself and congratulate his leader on the catch, but a third cat appeared- this one, a she-cat.
Dreamstar stepped gingerly into the clearing. Her black fur was sleek as she slipped forward quitly, her dark blue gaze glowing as she stepped into the gully. Runningstar looked up; a crooked smile crept onto his face, and he stepped forward as well to greet the Shadowclan leader.
"Dreamstar," he purred. To Jaggedpaw's horror, he muzzled her affectionatly, twining his tail with hers. Dreamstar purred in return. She burried her muzzle in his rowan fur, a sigh escaping her jaws. "Nice catch," she murmured. She withdrew, her blue eyes glittering with love.
Runningstar smiled. "Its yours," he offered, nudging it lightly towards her.
Dreamstar shook her head, swiping her tongue over his ear. "I'm not hungry, Longstretch brought back enough food to feed the whole forest." She purred hoarsely, brushing her pelt against his.
Jaggedpaw bristled. 'Great Starclan, no,' he thought in horror. He began to back up, his mind completely leaving the mouse, but in that heartbeat, Runningstar froze. The red leader spun around, his green gaze wide in shock. "Jaggedpaw!" he meowed in surprise. He looked stiff.
"H-hey, Runningstar," the apprentice proclaimed unsteadily.
Dreamstar froze. Beside her, Runningstar murmured, "I think you should go." The Shadowclan leader nodded. "Yes, I should." She quickly turned and vanished through the thicket.
Runningstar watched her leave unhappily before facing Jaggedpaw. "Come with me," he said grimly. The Thunderclan leader lead the way back to camp, with Jaggedpaw close in his wake.

As Runningstar wove his way into the leaders den, Jaggedpaw shivered. It had never seemed so cold and unwelcoming before. The silence held between him hurt his ears more than any noise.
Runningstar turned, settling down into his moss-lined den. He eyed the apprenticed warily. Jaggedpaw sat down infront of him, kneading his paws nervously.
"So now you know," Runningstar said at last. He watched the cat before averting his gaze to meet his leaders eyes. "Do you think I'm an awful leader now?"
Jaggedpaw blinked in surprise. "No! Well, I'm not sure what I think..."
Runningstar dipped his head. "I'll try and explain. Many moons before you were born, Dreamstar and I were dputies of our clans, Runningstream and Dreamtail. There was a fire in Thunderclan. We had no way out of camp except for in one direction, into Shadowclan. Their leader, Maplestar, allowed to cross over, and when crossing Thunderpath, Thunderclan's leader, Earthstar, lost his last life when a monster hit him. We had no one to guide us, as I was in shock from our leaders death, and the fire was still raging in our camp. And then I realized one of our kits was missing- Briarkit, your .....mother. And so Shadowclans leader, the noble cat she was, ran straight on into the fire to get her. She saved your mother. But when she returned, she had breathed in so much smoke she died. And so me and Dreamtail were left to lead our clans. While we waited for the fire to die, we talked resonably, and decided to head to Moonstone togther as soon as possible. I fell in love with her that day at their camp, but I knew that, especcially since I was about to become leader, we couldn't be in love. I didn't even know if she loved me back. The next day we headed back to our camp, and I eagerly awaited going to Mooonstone with her. We had the best time considering we were mourning our leaders. And so, I was in love with her- I have been since then. But at our first meeting discussing this very war, she told me she loved me." Runningstar's head drooped as he finished, guilt crawling into his gaze.
Jaggedpaw's head spun. 'This can't be happening,' he thought, unable to speak. He finally choked out, "Are you glad this happened?"
Runningstar smiled slightly. "I am the most happiest when I'm with her," he said simply.
Jaggedpaw felt his stomach drop. "Even more than when you look out in the morning and you see your clan thriving? Or when you watch and apprentice become a warrior, or a kit being born? Even more when you've just won a battle?"
Runningstar shuffled his paws guiltily. "Yes, I enjoy being with her more- but don't worry, I love the clan above all else. I would never leave it. And now, Jaggedpaw, I ask you keep this a secret."
Jaggedpaw slowly processed it, feeling a little better. "I swear by Starclan no cat shall hear this story out of my mouth," he promised, standing a little straighter. His black pelt glittered as the rays of sunset began to trickle into the den. "I need to find Amberpaw now, she has no clue where I-"
"Wait, Jaggedpaw. I feel it is only fair that now I have told you a secret about myself, I tell you a secret about yourself."
Jaggedpaw's brow raised in surprise. "I'm listening," he meowed.
Runningstar's tail twitched. "This may come as a shock, but I feel you need to know now." The leader's gaze flickered. "You are not Thunderclan-born."
Jaggedpaw felt like the forest had shifted beneath his feet. "W-what?" he stammered, his eyes widening. "But... Briarsong..."
The leader shook his head. "No. I found you in the forest just minutes before Briarsongs birth. I brought you back to the camp, and since you smelled of no other clan, I asked Brairsong to raise you and not tell anyone else that you were not her own. And since she only had one kit, you fit right in. Two is a perfect litter size. She and I, and now you, are the only ones whoknow of your heritage."
Jaggedpaw stiffened. "So... Briarsong is not my mother... and Specklepaw is not my sister..."
Runningstar nodded. "Correct, but they are in a way just that. They took you in, and I ask you keep treating them as family."
Jaggedpaw dipped his head. "I wouldn't want to do anything else." The black apprentice shook his long pelt out, and backed out of the den. He had alot to think over.

"Jaggedpaw! Where in Starclan's name have you been? I thought Windclan had gotten you!" Amberpaws angry voice rose up from the bushes as she burst through.
Jaggedpaw looked up numbly. "Sorry," he muttered. "I can't talk now..." He slipped inside the apprentice den and into the silence, leaving his friend staring after him in confusion.

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Chapter 13
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"It's not my fault," Rainpaw argued, his ears slanted back bitterly. "The thunder scared him!"
The tortoiseshell before him stood up to his full height, yellow eyes gleaming. "You should have been quicker," he insisted darkly. "And when it stiffed at the thunder before it ran, you should have pounced." The tom shook his head.
Rainpaw sighed. "Sorry," he mumbled. Wildheart sat down, studying his apprentice for a second. He could tell he was about to say something.
"...But I've been sort of distracted with this whole Windclan thing," Rainpaw grumbled, averting his gaze sideway to eye the broad tom. "I wish I could be as concentrated as you, you act like your not affected at all...." His gray fur bristled, ready for the tom to lash out, but he only narrowed his eyes unfathomably.
"Concentration is the key to everything; I think we should go back to camp now. Come on; and you can be the one to tell Runningstar why the elders are going to be empty-bellied for the afternoon."
Rainpaw glared in agitation. "You-" the rain began to fall above, and a fat droplet exploded on the apprerntices snout. He shook his face irritably. Ahead, Wildhearts muscular figure slipped through the ferns quietly.

"How was training?" Jaggedpaw grumbled as he shouldered his way into the den. Rainpaw tread close beside him, but the question was directed for Amberpaw.
The tabby shrugged lazily. "Fine. Sunshadow says I'm doing really well with my hunting." She shook her drenched tail, her ears flattening against her skul as a raindrop slipped through the roof of the den. "And-"
"Jaggedpaw! Rainpaw!"
A fourth voice entered the den, tired and scared. It was hissed almost inaudibly from the shadows, but the three Thunderclan cats averted their gaze to the entrance of the den.
"Specklepaw?" Jaggedpaw murmured, weaving out of the den and into the rain. He flinched as he spotted his sister, her wounds from the battle still showing badly. "What is it?" Amberpaw and Rainpaw were behind him quickly, nodding taciturn greetings to Jaggedpaw's sister.
Jaggedpaw had slowly recovered after learning he was not clanborn, but he had finally accpted it. The worst part of the whole situation though, was keeping his leaders secret. Every time one of his friends mentioned Dreamstar Jaggedpaw could feel it slipping off his tongue.
Specklepaw looked confused, rain pelting her face. "I think you need to follow me; theres someone who showed up asking for you." The group of three exchanded glances, but trailed after the limping Speckletail as she lead them into the forest. A few pawsteps in, she ducked under a crooked holly bush; he followers prowled in after her.
A silvery gray she-cat watched them enter, her oddly pale blue eyes glittering like stars, and her dappled fur flickering like a constellation in the night air. It was Rushpaw.

"Whoa! Thats a Windclan cat!" Amberpaw hissed. She hunkered down, ready to pounce, but Rushpaw only eyed her coolly. "Your not that stupid, are you? I come waltzing in and ask Specklepaw to bring you here so I can kill you?"
Rainpaw stifled his amusement, but Jaggedpaw felt a twinge of uncertainty in his stomach. "Rushpaw, why are you here? If Fallenstar finds out he'll know about-"
"He already knows," she murmured softly. Her pale eyes flickered sadly. "Mossfang got a message from Starclan saying to keep an eye on me, and Weedtangle.... she's awfully sick now... was writhing in her sleep, and was muttering about me bringing you there. Slashpaw heard it all. But Weedtangle trembles all the time now. I... don't think she'll make it."
Jaggedpaw could feel Rainpaw beside him deflate in shock.
"Great Starclan...Are you in trouble? You must be...." his darker blue gaze shut for a second.
Rushpaw snorted bluntly. "You bet. I thought my father was going to exile me, but he didn't. I'm now a prisoner of Windclan. They put me in Weedtangles old den- shes in the medicinecats den now- and one cat is guarding me at all times."
"How did you get out?" Amberpaw growled suddenly. Her green gaze was harsh, far from sincere.
Rushpaw gave a crooked smirk. "Ever since they put me there I scrape at the edge of the old log, and today I made a big enough hole to crawl through." A purr rose from her throat. "They aren't the brightest, I tell you."
Black fur bristling, Jaggedpaw growled, "Why are you here?"
There was a grim silence for a heartbeat under the holly bush. A thousand rival cats prowled through Jaggedpaws mind, but he forced his gaze to steady.
"Jaggedpaw, you and your friends are helping all of Thunderclan, and I figured you could help one more cat."