Lost: Death of the Clans

'''My new story, yay! May contain spoilers for the Last Hope, and is approximately 5 years after the Battle. Enjoy :)'''

ThunderClan Remainders
Snowstorm-large white tom with amber eyes and a jagged scar across his face.

Blackfire-black tom with yellow eyes and shredded ears. Apprentice-Sunpaw.

Scorchpelt-bright ginger tom with dark amber eyes and a pale underbelly.

Tigerleaf-dark tabby she-cat with amber eyes. Apprentice-Falconpaw.

Rainflight-gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Sunpaw-white-and-ginger she-cat with dark amber eyes (Snowstorm=father)

Mothflower-brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes. Kits--Sootkit (dark gray tom) and Squirrelkit (dusty brown-gray she-kit)

Seedflight-very pale ginger she-cat with green eyes. Kits--Unnamed (pale brown tom) and Unnamed (ginger tabby she-kit)

Lionblaze-large golden tabby tom with amber eyes. Father of Leopardsky and Duskflight.

Cinderheart-gray tabby she-cat with smoky-blue eyes. Mother of Leopardsky and Duskflight.

Moleclaw-cream and brown tom. Father of Shrewfur.

ShadowClan Remainders
Darkclaw-large black tom with blue eyes. Apprentice-Fernpaw.

Poolshade-shadowy gray she-cat with dark blue eyes.

Ravenwing-large, lithe black tom with a scarred muzzle and green eyes. Apprentice-Hollypaw.

Ashsky-gray dappled she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice-Badgerpaw.

Ivystep-tortoiseshell she-cat with blue eyes.

Tigershade-dark brown tom with amber eyes.

Beetlefang-black tom with white-tipped ears and amber eyes.

Cloudshine-white she-cat with blue eyes.

Fernpaw-pale gray she-cat with white patches and amber eyes (Cloudshine=mother)

Hollypaw-black she-cat with green eyes (DarkclawXPoolshade)

Briarkit-dark brown she-kit (Tigershade=father)

WindClan Remainders
Sandwing-sandy-ginger tom with green eyes and large paws.

Hawktalon-dark tabby tom with yellow eyes. Apprentice-Rosepaw.

Cloudleaf-white she-cat with green eyes. Apprentice-Driftpaw

Ashfrost-white she-cat speckled with gray and blue eyes.

Breezefang-large black tom with yellow eyes. Apprentice-Sunpaw.

Rosepaw-ginger she-cat with a pale underbelly and green eyes (Sandwing=father)

Sunpaw-ginger tabby she-cat with pale amber eyes (Sandwing=father)

Driftpaw-gray tom with white paws and green eyes.

Ravenfeather-black she-cat with green eyes. Mother of Breezefang's kits, Nightkit (black she-kit) and Ebonykit (black she-kit)

Breezepelt-black tom with amber eyes.

RiverClan Remainders
Reedsplash-dark brown tabby-and-white tom with amber eyes.

Cloudwhisker-white tom with green eyes.

Dawnpool-ginger she-cat with green eyes. Apprentice-Whitepaw.

Ripplefall-dark gray tabby tom with blue eyes.

Blizzardstorm-large white tom with blue eyes.

Maplefire-dark tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes.

Waspflight-black tabby tom with blue eyes. Apprentice-Larchpaw.

Whitepaw-white tom with blue eyes (Cloudwhisker=father)

Vixenfall-ginger she-cat with a white tail-tip and green eyes. Mother of Waspflight's kits, Creekkit (dark gray tabby she-kit) and Larkkit (brown tabby she-kit)

Chapter 1
Sunkit stumbled out of the bramble nursery, blinking sleep away from her dark amber eyes. Immediately, the warm scents of fresh-kill drifted to her from the pile, where the warriors had just restocked.

"Good morning, Sunkit." A large white tom with amber eyes and a jagged scar across his face approached the tiny kit, licking the remains of a mouse off his whiskers.

Sunkit's ears twitched, and she spun around in joy. "Snowstorm!" She cried out in glee. She bounded towards her father, burying her ginger-and-white head in his pelt. It had been almost two weeks since Sunkit last saw him, as half ThunderClan's warriors were gone at war with the other clans.

"How's it been going around here?" Snowstorm asked, sitting back on his haunches. "You been keeping the other kits in order?"

Sunkit snorted. "I'm the youngest one, remember? It's more likely that Falconkit and Vinekit will push the rest of us around."

Snowstorm's eyes darkened. "But that's where you're wrong. You let them push you around." He swung his head towards the nursery, which was only a few tail-lengths away. "You just tell them Dewstar ordered them to stop messing with the rest of you, or else they'll be held back from apprenticeship for a moon."

Sunkit widened her eyes. "Will they really?"

"Ha! No," Snowstorm meowed. "I have to go. My war patrol has to report back to Dewstar."

Sorrow gripped Sunkit's heart, and her tail drooped as she stood, watching her father pad away to the Highledge. He was hardly ever around anymore, and even Leopardsky--Sunkit's mother--was starting to get agitated with him.

"I wish I had a littermate to play with," Sunkit mumbled under her breath. She spent most of her time alone, with no brother or sister to play with. With a glance towards Sandpaw and Rainpaw who were scuffling under the shade of a thorn bush, Sunkit turned back to the nursery.

"Leopardsky?" Sunkit mewed, padding to her mother's nest.

"Hmm?" The pale golden tabby she-cat grumbled, raising her head from her nap.

"Why doesn't anything interesting ever happen around here?" Sunkit asked, drawing her tiny claws across the bracken, trying to form something from her imagination.

Leopardsky let out a yawn, and Sunkit got a glimpse of the sharp, white fangs that could easily bring down another cat. She shuddered at the thought to be the unlucky one that got in Leopardsky's way. "Things are only what you make it," Leopardsky meowed. "I always tell you to go play with Wolftail's kits, but you always go and sit by that bramble bush outside."

Sunkit sighed. "I know, I just don't feel li--"

Then loud, alarmed shrieks split the air.

Chapter 2
Leopardsky's beautiful yellow eyes widened in surprise. "Stay here," she ordered Sunkit. Then with a sweep of her golden tabby tail, disappeared through the thick brambles. Sunkit stood rooted to the soft nursery ground, shaking in fear. That shriek wasn't a familiar voice, so who was it?

"I'll keep you all safe." Then a large golden tabby tom shouldered his way into the den, glancing to Wolftail, Rosecloud, and Mothflower. He shadowed the den, keeping all the sun-high light from piercing through the entrance.

"Lionblaze!" Sunkit purred happily, spotting her grandfather. "What's out there?" She asked, gazing up in his amber eyes.

Lionblaze's ear twitched. "Rogues."

"Huh? Don't the patrols keep the rogues out?" Sunkit asked in confusion.

"They're supposed to. But Blackfire's patrol started goofing off." Lionblaze snorted. "What does Dewstar expect? Assigning a new warrior to the dawn patrol."

"Why don't you just go?" Sunkit pressed on. There was a snicker from Wolftail. The fluffy gray she-cat was clearly enjoying hearing Sunkit question Lionblaze.

"An elder can't take part in patrols," Lionblaze answered. "You'll soon learn the ways of being a warrior though." He swept his tail over Sunkit's relatively tiny head, then sat down beside Mothflower, starting a conversation.

"What's up, Sunkit?" A dark brown she-kit padded over from Wolftail, green eyes gleaming.

"Hi, Briarkit. D'you need something?" Sunkit mewed. Apart from Sunkit, Briarkit was the only other she-kit currently in the clan. But Mothflower was due with Dewstar's kits anytime soon.

Briarkit lifted a paw, and put it to Sunkit's ear. "We could sneak out. Ya know? See what's goin on outside."

"That's impossible with Lionblaze in here," Sunkit growled. "He's as keen as a raven."

Briarkit rolled her eyes and let out a snort. "Yeah but he's over there in that corner." She whisked her tail towards the back wall. "He won't notice. Even if he does, he'll go easy on you, you're his granddaughter."

"What about your mother? And Rosecloud?" Sunkit looked to the two she-cats.

"You worry too much!" Briarkit teased. "Wolftail's dozing off, and Rosecloud's too busy with her two squirrel-brained sons."

Sunkit grumbled under her breath, but went along. "Okay, but if this goes wrong--the blame is all on you."

"It won't go wrong!" Briarkit assured. "Come on!"

But just as the two innocent she-kits took the first paw step outside in the bright clearing, they witnessed a crime that would cost the clan.

Chapter 3
Rogues were everywhere, and strangely enough, they wore collars studded with sharp fangs and claws that glinted in the sunlight. A flash of a pair of claws startled Briarkit and Sunkit, slamming onto the ground, dust billowing and blocking out the attacker.

The dust disappeared, leaving a gray tom crouched low, snarling at the two kits. Sunkit shrieked and turned to run, but Briarkit had been standing behind her and blocked Sunkit's way. Then a familiar large white tom butted the rogue in the shoulder, and the two went rolling in the dust, locked in a fierce battle of claws and teeth.

"We should go back inside," Sunkit suggested, backing up.

When Briarkit didn't answer, Sunkit turned to look if her friend was still there. Briarkit's eyes were wide and filled with shock.

"Great StarClan..." Briarkit murmered under her breath. "Sunkit look!" She pointed with her tail towards the Highledge.

Under the shade of the great rocks, Dewstar was barely visible beneath the writhing mass of rogues. The ground below was stained crimson with his blood as it flowed.

"They're killing Dewstar!" Sunkit wailed. She whirled around. "We have to tell someone!"

Then Lionblaze burst from the nursery, pelt prickling with worry. "There you are! What are you doing out here? It's not safe!" With one swift movement, he scooped Sunkit up in his jaws and ushered Briarkit back into the nursery. Just in time they arrived, as two snapping, hatred-filled rogues leaped to the entrance, only to be swept away by ThunderClan warriors.

Back in the nursery, Sunkit was shaking. She looked to Wolftail, who was scolding Briarkit.

"What were you doing?" The gray she-cat growled, "Leaving the nursery like that! What would I do if I lost my only daughter?"

"Sorry," Briarkit muttered, shuffling her paws.

Sunkit blocked out the sounds of the battle, flattening her ears against her head and squeazing her eyes shut. She could still hear Lionblaze pacing about the nursery, tail lashing. The terrifying image of Dewstar being attacked was fresh in her mind, the pool of blood.

"Go to sleep," Lionblaze finally said after moments of silence. "I'll wake you when it's over."

How can I sleep? Sunkit wondered. When my parents are out there fighting more rogues than there is ThunderClan warriors?

Chapter 4
After what seemed like hours of waiting for the end, slowly the sounds of battle faded away. Shrewfur and Oakfire pushed through the nursery entrance, exhausted. They greeted their mates and kits, their deep wounds treated by Dappleshine and Fawnpaw.

Lionblaze sat in front of Sunkit's nest, awaiting the return of his daughter Leopardsky, and Sunkit's father Snowstorm. His ears were perked, and his tail swished the ground anxiously.

"Why aren't they coming?" Sunkit asked after moments had passed.

"I don't know," Lionblaze murmered without turning back. "I'll go see where they're at. Stay here." He left quietly, only the rustle of the brambles would let someone know he had left.

"Your parents will be here soon, Sunkit," Mothflower reassured. "They're both strong fighters. For StarClan's sake Leopardsky is Lionblaze's daughter, and everyone knows of his power. They'll be fine, just stop worrying."

Have you thought of Dewstar, yet? Sunkit retorted in her mind. "Can I at least go outside?"

Mothflower's ear twitched. "Fine," She replied. "Just don't be long, we don't know how long the rogues will be gone."

Sunkit bounded out of her nest, leaping through the entrance. Instead of hard ground beneath her paws, warm blood splashed with impact, making her paws sticky and stained red. Her nose wrinkled, and she growled in annoyance.

Sunkit looked up, and let out a gasp of fright. Bodies lay everywhere, and a few recognizable ThunderClan cats were spotted. No, Sunkit thought. There is so many lost from ThunderClan! She was rooted to the ground in shock, but she scanned the clearing. Lilyfall, Icefeather, Rockpaw, Owlpaw, and Cherryfrost were among the dead.

"Sunkit!" The relieved voice of Leopardsky brought Sunkit out of her trance. Leopardsky rushed forward, covering Sunkit in licks. "Lionblaze told me you had left the nursery and he couldn't find you and I got so worried!"

"I'm fine," Sunkit growled between licks. "Where's Snowstorm?"

Leopardsky's eyes darkened, and Sunkit immediately felt her heart sink. "He had major injuries, Dappleshine is keeping him in her den if he gets better."

If? Sunkit felt sick. Her conversation with her mother was interrupted as a long-legged white tom with black-tipped ears approached Leopardsky.

"What now, Cloudleap?" Leopardsky snapped, clearing annoyed.

Cloudleap dipped his head. "Sorry for interrupting, but Amberlight has called a clan meeting, the other warriors have gathered our lost ones." His tail twitched, a bead of blood welled on the tip.

"Okay," Leopardsky sighed. She nuzzled Sunkit with her nose then followed Cloudleap. Sunkit knew she was supposed to go back to the nursery, but she had to see this meeting.

She crawled under the brambles that lined the stone camp-walls, keeping to the shadows. She rounded the curve of the wall until the clan deputy--Amberlight--was visible. Amberlight's gray fur was stained with blood, but otherwise she looked unharmed, and her amber eyes still shined with authority and pride.

Sunkit shrunk back farther in the shadows, hoping Lionblaze or Mothflower wouldn't come seeking her out.

"ThunderClan," Amberlight started, her gaze sweeping throughout the warriors. "I know who struck us today. We've all heard stories about them from when we were in the nursery--BloodClan!"

Gasps of shock  and terror rippled through the crowd. Seedflight stepped forward, her lightly rounded belly expectant of Brackenthorn's second litter of kits. "They murdered my sister and Owlpaw!"

Stoneheart walked beside her, muscles rippling throughout his dark gray pelt. "They took my son's life! We must avenge Rockpaw's death!"

Angry voices joined in, until Amberlight was forced to yowl at the top of her lungs. "They killed Dewstar!" Sorrow shone in her eyes for her lost brother.

Silence.

Sunkit felt as if she stopped breathing for a heartbeat. Dewstar? She felt guilty, she should've told a warrior nearby, at least Lionblaze, he had barely become an elder. She had seen Dewstar--underneath all those BloodClan cats, scrabbling frantically at the ground, trying to escape from under the mass.

"Then you must go to the Moonpool tonight," Dappleshine meowed, padding forward. "I will accompany you."

"I will go, thank you, Dappleshine." Amberlight dipped her head. But before I do head out, I must make a ceremony Dewstar had planned to do today. "Rainpaw, Sandpaw. Step forward."

Sunkit glanced to the back of the cats, where two apprentices sat with their parents--Rainpaw with Stoneheart and Bluewing, Sandpaw with Brackenthorn and Seedflight, staring down at his paws with dull yellow eyes.

"Rainpaw, Sandpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan even at the cost of your life?" Amberlight asked, pacing slowly in front of the two apprentices who had now come to the front, the life replaced in their eyes.

"I do," They both rang out strongly.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name, Rainpaw from this moment on you be known as Rainflight. StarClan honors your courage and loyalty." Amberlight stepped forward, resting her muzzle on Rainflight's head.

"Sandpaw, you shall now be known as Sandstep. StarClan honors your courage and bravery." Amberlight repeated the same with Sandstep, and the warriors cheered on their names.

Amberlight then looked to the nursery and called out. "Rosecloud, bring your kits, it is time for their apprentice ceremony."

Sunkit watched as Falconkit and Vinekit sprang from the nursery, dashing towards Amberlight and skidding to a halt. They had completely ignored all the dead bodies of BloodClan and ThunderClan.

"Tigerleaf," Amberlight started, looking to the dark brown tabby she-cat. Tigerleaf was sitting alone, staring at the body of her mother, Lilyfall. "It is time for your first apprentice. You are young, but experienced. You will take on Falconpaw."

Tigerleaf bounced to her paws, shaking out the dust from her pelt and padding forward to touch noses with the brown tabby tom.

"Bramblepelt--" Amberlight called up dark tabby tom. "You will be mentor to Vinepaw. Teach him all you learned from Dovewing."

Sunkit watched in pride as her clanmates were made warriors, but she envied Falconpaw and Vinepaw. Her day of apprenticeship was close, two moons away. ''I can only wait. When I become a warrior, I will avenge all my clanmates who have fallen!''

Chapter 5
Sunpaw puffed out her chest in pride, as the crowd of cats called her name. Snowstorm sat beside Leopardsky, his freshly-healed wounds a reminder of the surprise attack by BloodClan.

"So, how you up to battle training soon?" Blackfire whispered.

Sunpaw's heart raced, she was ready to learn how to fight. She would find the new BloodClan and then...this was all just in her head. Of course I can't get revenge on every single one, Sunpaw told herself. I'd die just as well.

Sunpaw followed Blackfire to the thorn tunnel, his night-black pelt shining in the early morning sun. He turned to look at her, yellow eyes gleaming. "I'll save the territory tour for tomorrow, I think it's best you learn how to fight--with the threat of the new BloodClan."

"Okay!" Sunpaw purred. "I prefer battle training anyway."

Blackfire ducked under the thorns, clearing the way for Sunpaw, as she was much smaller than the large tom. Sunpaw almost felt sick under all the pressure of the thorn bush squeazing in on her. Then her paws landed in soft forest-ground as the dim-light of camp faded away into just a few patches of sunlight piercing through the canopy of the forest.

Sunpaw dug her claws into the soil, embracing the outside that she'd never been exposed to until now. "Wow..." She breathed to herself.

In front of her, Blackfire twitched a shredded ear. "Amazing isn't it?" He meowed. "I remember when I was a kit, constantly wondering what was out here."

The two stared off into the forest for a heartbeat, then Blackfire broke the silence. "Well, you're never going to learn how to be a warrior until we get going. Come on," He meowed. The black tom took off at a high speed, Sunpaw lagging behind.

Sunpaw eventually got used to dodging the trees and brambles, and eventually was running swiftly through the forest just like Blackfire, only she was slower, but the tips of his ears were always in sight.

Finally they reached the Clearing, but a horrific sight stopped both in their tracks.

Chapter 6
"Stay behind me!" Blackfire hissed through gritted teeth, pushing Sunpaw behind him. She peeked over his flanks, and shrank back in terror.

Bones were everywhere, and blood stained the ground.

"How could this be?" Blackfire asked himself. "Just yesterday Tigerleaf and Bramblepelt were here with their apprentices." A rustle in the bushes nearby made Blackfire's shredded ears perk and his neck fur bristle. "This must be recent, which means enemies are nearby."

Sunpaw looked up to her mentor's bright yellow eyes as he turned to face her. "Go back to camp, now!" Blackfire ordered.

Sunpaw nodded, heart pounding. She turned tail and snaked quickly through the brambles that guarded the Clearing. She could hear the sound of Blackfire's paws behind her, and the sound of rivals bursting from the bushes.

About midway to camp, Sunpaw could no longer hear Blackfire. Either the roaring of blood in her ears drowned sound out, or he had gone. Just keep running, Sunpaw murmered softly to herself. Snarling rumbled from behind, it sounded almost identical to a rabid dog, but Sunpaw knew that it was the snarling of tens of cats.

Branches whipped Sunpaw in the face, and she could feel the warm blood slowly sliding through her fur and dripping to the ground. After what seemed like forever, Sunpaw took a long at her surroundings. No, I'm lost! She thought fearfully. Then she heard two voices talking together--Scorchpelt and Duskflight, Sunpaw's aunt.

Sunpaw leaped over a fallen log, "Run!" She yowled. With a quick glimpse over her shoulder, she spotted a huge black-and-white tom snapping at her, landing just behind. Three others followed behind him, then two, then--Sunpaw didn't watch anymore.

Scorchpelt looked to Sunpaw, his bright ginger pelt fluffing in surprise. Sunpaw headed towards them, the hot breath of the black-and-white tom on her tail. Then to her relief, Amberstar burst from a thorn bush--which Sunpaw had missed.

"Stop!" Amberstar commanded in her powerful tone, putting herself between Sunpaw and the black-and-white tom.

The intruders skidded to a halt, lips pulled back to reveal glinting, sharp teeth. "We have not come to talk," The black-and-white tom.

Amberstar remained calm, her gray pelt smooth as silk and amber eyes calm. "I don't care. You have to go through me first than this apprentice."

"Amberstar, no--" Sunpaw started.

"Silence, Sunpaw," Amberstar meowed. She stared the black-and-white tom in his hate-filled green eyes. "So, Ghost, what brings you back to my clan?" She growled.

The black-and-white tom's green eyes widened for a moment. "How do you know my name?"

Amberstar chuckled. "I know everything about you, Ghost. You're the great-grandson of Scourge, you came here seeking revenge on his death, even after all those years ago."

Ghost looked stunned. A dark tabby tom behind him whispered something in his ear. Ghost snarled, smacking the tabby on the side of his head, sending him reeling. "How do you know this?" Ghost questioned Amberstar. He began flexing his claws, muscles rippling.

Sunpaw watched, shaking. She thought about dashing into the thorn bush, into camp, but a sudden movement from her could trigger a spring from the enemy.

"Don't think about attacking, Ghost," Amberstar warned. "I have more warriors on my side now than you have followers."

Ghost snapped at the air, frustrated. He turned to look back at the twelve-or-so cats behind him. "This isn't worth it. Go back to our camp!" He ordered. Ghost looked to Amberstar. "You better be watching your borders more often, clan-scum!" Then he disappeared in the bushes.

Amberstar looked down at Sunpaw, who was cowering low to the ground, ears flat. "You okay?" She purred, an amused glint in her amber eyes.

Sunpaw stood up. "How'd you know all that?"

"Leaders and medicine cats have their ways, Sunpaw," Amberstar meowed. "Come on, let's go back to camp. You too--Scorchpelt and Duskflight." She looked to Scorchpelt, who was standing beside Duskflight, fur bristled.

"But wait--" Sunpaw said. "Blackfire--I don't know what happened to him."

"Where was he when you last saw him?" Amberstar asked.

"We were running, and I could hear him behind me. Then it just...was silence except for me," Sunpaw explained.

Amberstar's eyes darkened. "Okay, we'll go looking for him, come on."

Sunpaw shuddered. This was the worst first day an apprentice could ever have.

Chapter 7
There was Blackfire, laying on a damp patch of soil in the middle of the forest, blood flowing from a gash in his neck. Sunpaw felt a lump growing in her throat, and she swallowed to force it away. She shouldered through a shrub and sat by her mentor's side. Amberstar followed, eyes narrowing at the sight of one of her warriors.

"What a shame," Amberstar muttered. "Blackfire is a great warrior. He's barely been a warrior for three moons, but I feel as if he's the most loyal warrior we've got."

Sunpaw felt a growl rising in her throat, she wanted to shred Ghost and all his followers. Surely Blackfire wasn't going to die? She looked back down at the large black tom. Blackfire's breath came quick and shallow, and his yelow eyes were dull as he stared at seemingly nothing.

"It's my fault," Sunpaw murmered.

Amberstar's ears perked. "What's your fault?"

"This!" Sunpaw growled. "If I hadn't been such a coward and helped fight off Ghost then maybe Blackfire wouldn't be so near death!"

Amberstar's hackles rose. "This isn't your fault! You didn't send Ghost here, did you? You've only been an apprentice for a day, you don't know how to fight. We can't just stand here any longer with Blackfire dying in front of our noses. Help me pick him up." Cautiously, Amberstar nudged her nose under Blackfire's flank, and Sunpaw nudged in on his shoulder, and he rested on both their shoulders.

Sunpaw awaited anxiously outside Dappleshine's den, waiting to hear whether Blackfire's injury was life-threatening or not. The quarter-moon was beginning to rise in the sky, lighting the camp up in silver.

"Hey," Snowstorm greeted. He padded to Sunpaw's side. "Dappleshine nor Fawnpaw have come out yet?"

"No," Sunpaw mumbled. She gazed up into her father's amber eyes, wishing she could just go back in time, and warn someone about Dewstar, then maybe everything would be normal. Maybe Ghost's followers would have been killed off if Dewstar had lived.

"Well you can't just lay down outside their den all night, you have to get some sleep." Snowstorm shifted his paws, gazing up at the stars that were becoming visible in the dark orange-pink evening sky.

Sunpaw was exhausted, and didn't bother arguing. "Okay," She sighed. Snowstorm gave her a swift lick over the ears before he too left for the warrior's den.

Sunpaw padded to the apprentice's den, tail dragging in the dust. She slid through the crack in the stone, and collapsed in her nest of bracken and moss. The snuffling of Vinepaw in his nest as he dreamed and the snoring of Falconpaw kept Sunpaw awake. Flashbacks of earlier played over and over in her mind, her near-death experience.

Guess that's what it's like to be a warrior, huh? She assured herself. Every warrior goes through that. Then with heavy eyes, she fell asleep.

The pains of hunger woke Sunpaw. She yawned and blinked sleep away from her amber eyes. Scraps of moss clung to her ragged ginger-and-white pelt, which she shook out first. As she padded out of the cave, she realized with a jolt that it was sun-high already.

"Sunpaw!" A voice called from the corner of camp. Sunpaw looked to the medicine cat's den, and saw Fawnpaw's ginger tabby head poking out from the bramble screen.

Sunpaw trotted over to her, "Yes?"

"Dappleshine has news for you," Fawnpaw replied.

Let's just hope it's good, Sunpaw thought. She followed Fawnpaw into the cave, and looked to Dappleshine. The tortoiseshell was tending to Blackfire, who lay on a bed of thick moss.

"Blackfire's going to make it," Dappleshine meowed without even turning to greet Sunpaw first. She must have heard her entry.

"When can he start training with me again?" Sunpaw asked, praying for a near date.

"Within two weeks." Dappleshine looked up, her green eyes meeting Sunpaw's amber. "I spoke with Amberstar and Nightstorm last night. Cloudleap will be your temporary mentor until Blackfire is back on his paws."

Ugh, Cloudleap! Sunpaw rolled her eyes. He's barely older than Blackfire, but more immature! Instead of speaking her thoughts, Sunpaw forced a smile. "Okay, thanks."

Sunpaw walked out of the den, feeling relief. At least now she knew Blackfire was safe, and out of the danger zone. What if Ghost comes back?

Chapter 8
Two moons later.

"Briarpaw!" Sunpaw yowled to the top of the ash tree. "Hurry up, Scorchpelt's calling for you!"

The dark brown she-cat slid down the tree trunk, a thrush in her jaws, and landed in the snow next to Sunpaw. "I heard Scorchpelt callin me, ya don't have to yowl at me," Briarpaw growled.

Sunpaw flicked a ginger ear. "Well if you heard him then what did he say?"

Briarpaw's eyes flicked back-and-forth. "Dunno." She shrugged, then shouldered past Sunpaw.

Sunpaw rolled her eyes, then picked up her mouse from where it lay on the freezing snow. She walked to the ferns a few fox-lengths away, where Blackfire and Scorchpelt waited on their apprentices.

"Nice catch," Blackfire praised, his breath coming out as a cloud of fog.

"Thanks," Sunpaw purred.

Blackfire looked to Scorchpelt. "Should we go back to camp? We are going to the Gathering after all."

"It's probably best, I think the apprentices will be worn out as soon as we even get to the Island," Scorchpelt meowed.

As they walked back to camp, Sunpaw felt as if the air had stilled, not just with the cold air, but with watchful eyes. Eyes watching their prey. Her neck fur began bristling slightly, but the four made it back to camp safely. Sunpaw set her mouse on the fresh-kill pile, then chose a small, young crow for herself.

"What's up, Sunpaw?" It was Falconpaw. The dark tabby tom was trotting towards Sunpaw, amber eyes gleaming. "Hey you going to the Gathering tonight?"

Sunpaw swallowed a mouthful--warming her back up from the frost. "Of course I'm going. Why?"

"Because I met these ShadowClan apprentices the other day on a border patrol, and I challenged them to an open fight at the Gathering!" Falconpaw boasted. "You have to watch. I'm going to win, ShadowClan ain't nothing compared to ThunderClan!"

Sunpaw purred. "Well okay then, Mighty One. I'll be laughing when you end up losing and Tigerleaf has to drag you back to camp." Falconpaw wasn't listening, he was bouncing away, telling the other apprentices about his soon-to-be victory.

As soon as she was done with her meal, Sunpaw padded to her nest and curled up in the warmth, waiting to be woken for the Gathering.

Sunpaw landed on the damp shore of the Island, and ran her claws through the sand as she waited for Falconpaw. Briarpaw had come behind her, and jumped off, walking away with Buzzardpaw, a WindClan apprentice.

"So," Sunpaw meowed as Falconpaw leaped off the fallen tree. "Where're these ShadowClan apprentices you keep saying you're going to fight?"

Falconpaw snorted. "Like I would know. That's the point of finding them, we didn't say where exactly."

"You do know Tigerleaf is going to get you in trouble right?" Sunpaw asked. Honestly, she didn't care one bit though. "A Gathering is for a truce. Why didn't you fight it out at the border?"

Falconpaw shrugged. The two padded to the middle of the Island, anxious.

"Hey look guys," A she-cat's vioce sneered. "It's that squirrel-heart from the border we met the other day."

Falconpaw whirled around, fur bristling. Sunpaw looked to the source of the voice. Surprisingly, a small black she-cat with piercing green eyes led a group of four ShadowClan apprentices. Two were toms, one was a gray tabby, and one beared a striking resemblance to Ghost. Sunpaw couldn't take her eyes off that one tom. The same black-and-white pelt, the same green eyes, and this apprentice was unusually large for his age as well. Sunpaw shook her head clear. The last was a pale gray-and-white she-cat, who kept to the back.

"I am not a squirrel-heart!" Falconpaw hissed. "Which one of us eats reptiles? Oh, you all do!"

By now, a group of WindClan apprentices had gathered nearby, watching, as well as Vinepaw.

The black she-cat took a paw step forward, and Sunpaw saw her resemblance to Ghost as well, but she was thinking impossible thoughts. Ghost was a rogue looking for trouble, these were sleek, well-fed and muscled clan cats.

"So are we going to start this or what?" The black she-cat growled, tail lashing.

"Hollypaw--" The gray-and-white she-cat meowed. "I don't think we should do this."

"Come on, Fernpaw," Hollypaw snapped. "You ruin everything. We could have some fun beating up this lone ThunderClan fleabag. His clanmate is just standing there watching, might as well do it now."

Fernpaw shook her head, and fled into the bushes where the warriors had gathered.

Sunpaw felt her paws itching to sink her claws into Hollypaw's skin, she was being such a bully! "I will not stand by!" Sunpaw growled, stepping beside Falconpaw. If she had learned anything about courage, Amberstar had taught her. "You think you're so strong with your clanmates with you, don't you, Hollypaw? I'd rather beat you with one paw swipe than stand idle while my clanmate gets beaten up."

Hollypaw smirked, then with a sweep of her tail along the ground, took a flying leap to Sunpaw. The black-and-white tom and the gray tabby tom swept Falconpaw off his paws. Sunpaw batted at Hollypaw's face, feeling the blood well beneath her claws.

Hollypaw snarled and landed a blow at Sunpaw's ears. They began ringing, but it didn't slow Sunpaw down. She lunged at the ShadowClan apprentice, low as a snake with her belly fur touching the ground. Underneath Hollypaw, Sunpaw reared up, throwing Hollypaw forward and she slid along the dusty ground.

"Had enough yet?" Sunpaw questioned, tail lashing.

Hollypaw growled, and smacked a paw hard against Sunpaw's muzzle. There was a strong burn where Hollypaw had wrenched her claws out, and blood arced through the air. Sunpaw shook her head, but their battle was interrupted.

"Apprentices!" It was the ShadowClan deputy, Darkclaw. The huge jet-black tom had pushed through the bushes unnoticed and caught them in their act. "What do you think you're doing? This is a Gathering for StarClan's sake!"

Hollypaw flattened her ears. "Sorry, Father." She padded to Darkclaw's side, flanks heaving and blood welling from her shoulder.

''Father? My guesses were wrong afterall,'' Sunpaw thought. When Falconpaw mentioned a fight, she had thought it would be a small skirmish--claws sheathed--not a full out war the ShadowClan apprentices would wage on one ThunderClan apprentices.

"Wait until I tell Amberstar," Darkclaw growled, glaring at Falconpaw and Sunpaw. "And you--" he looked to the black-and-white tom and the gray tabby tom. "Badgerpaw, Pinestar will have a punishment for you. And Aspenpaw, I'll mention this to your parents, they'll come up with something."

Sunpaw didn't give in, she was defending her clanmate afterall, Amberstar would understand. She watched Darkclaw disappear through the bushes, Hollypaw behind him. She glanced to Falconpaw, who had a nicked ear and ruffled fur. He shrugged and his whiskers twitched in amusement.

"ThunderClan has three new apprentices and one new litter of kits this past moon," Amberstar announced. "Welcome Briarpaw, Sparrowpaw, and Ashpaw. Mothflower has given birth to Dewstar's kits, Sootkit and Squirrelkit. We will honor Dewstar through his son and daughter."

There was a moment of silence as the cats prayed their respects to the deceased leader who died young. Then it grew into a roar of welcome for the new apprentices. Sunpaw couldn't help but recall her first Gathering, when she felt the most pride than she'd ever felt.

Pinestar took Amberstar's spot on the oak branch, his dark tabby pelt shining silver in the chill moonlight. "Brightfire stayed in the nursery tonight with her and Lionpelt's son, Firekit. Three days ago, we chased out rogues marching around our territory. Thank you, Ravenwing, Mudstripe, Ivystep, and Tigershade."

Rogues... Sunpaw thought of Ghost. ''They're having the same problems as we. But Amberstar didn't mention our problems...''

Next, Sedgestar of WindClan took Pinestar's place. "Two of our apprentices have been made warriors, Kestrelstripe and Driftbreeze. They stayed behind tonight, sitting vigil. Ravenfeather just kitted Breezefang's two she-kits tonight, WindClan is strong."

There were murmurs of confusion as Beechstar didn't come forward, or appear at all.

"RiverClan is not here," A tortoiseshell ShadowClan she-cat called out.

"Obviously," A ginger WindClan tom snorted.

"ShadowClan have not spotted them near the borders recently," Pinestar meowed.

"That's because RiverClan is actually respectful!" A white-furred WindClan she-cat growled. "The rest of us need to learn how to be like them."

"Cloudleaf has a point," Shrewfur meowed.

"Then the Gathering is over!" Amberstar announced. She leaped down from the Great Oak, and she walked forward to meet Sunpaw and Falconpaw. "I want to speak to you two when we get back to camp."

Sunpaw nodded. Great!

Chapter 9
Amberstar didn't have a punishment for the two apprentices, she had believed Sunpaw when she said she was just defending Falconpaw--who had spoken up and mentioned he didn't need defending. Fortunately, they had gotten off the hook.

Two days after the Gathering, Blackfire had sent Briarpaw and Sunpaw to go hunting.

"Alone?" Sunpaw asked.

"I have to speak with Amberstar, Scorchpelt has gone accompanied Dappleshine and Fawnpaw to RiverClan to ask for herbs. You should be fine," Blackfire assured. "There hasn't been a threat in two moons."

Sunpaw nodded nervously, and lead Briarpaw out the thorn tunnel.

"I know the best huntin spot!" Briarpaw meowed. "Follow me, there's plenty of prey even in this cold!"

Sunpaw nodded, and they took off through the snow-patched forest floor. Briarpaw lead Sunpaw through what seemed the whole of ThunderClan territory, past the Clearing. "Where are we going?" Sunpaw panted, her breath coming out in a cloud. "It's freezing out here, can we hurry up and get there?"

Briarpaw didn't answer, but only grinned. Sunpaw opened her jaws to taste the chilly air, and found that she couldn't scent the ThunderClan scent marks. "Where are you taking us?" Sunpaw snapped.

"Chill out, Sunpaw!" Briarpaw growled. "I come hunting out here everyday, it's safe."

Briarpaw slowed to a halt, and approached a deep dip in the ground, surrounded by overhangs throughout the perimeter.

"Here?" Sunpaw meowed. "Really?" She turned to look at Briarpaw.

Briarpaw grinned widely, "In you go!" She meowed, shoving Sunpaw forward.

Sunpaw shrieked, and gasped as her paws hit solid rock down below. "Briarpaw!" She yowled angrily. But Briarpaw had disappeared. What? Sunpaw thought to herself in confusion and wonder. There was a scent of cat here, strong and fresh. At least more than twenty, a whole clan at least.

She rounded a corner, keeping to the shadows made by the overhangs. Voices were heard nearby. Sunpaw's muscles tensed, and she began shaking. It was a chant almost. Peeking over a large, dusty boulder, Sunpaw got a glimpse of the source of the chanting.

Ghost.

The tom was pacing in front of forty-or-so large cats. They stood in a straight horizontal line, eyes staring straight ahead.

"No weakness, no pain, no mercy!" Ghost yowled.

"Hail! Hail! Hail!" The cats chanted.

"We will get revenge on our fallen family from years ago. The clan cats will feel the pain our family felt!" Ghost continued on.

"Hail! Hail! Hail!"

"Praise your new regime!" Ghost yowled above all.

"Hail! Hail! Hail'!"

"What's going on here?" Sunpaw asked herself. Briarpaw had led her into a trap. Then the memories flashed in her mind, how interested Briarpaw--kit--had been in those rogues that attacked moons ago. She never seemed one bit cautious or afraid of going outside of camp.

Sunpaw let out a growl of frustration and anger. She whirled around to try and find out. A rock clattered beneath her paw, echoing throughout the small gorge. She became tense again, and stood perfectly still. The shadow of Ghost's head was outlined on the opposite wall as he faced Sunpaw's direction.

"We have a visitor!" Ghost snarled, leaping around the corner, landing in front of Sunpaw.

No!

Chapter 10
Sunpaw didn't dare move under Ghost's watchful, murderous eyes. "I didn't come here on purpose!" She yowled. "I-I promise!"

"I don't care how you got here!" Ghost snapped, taking two steps forward. "All I care about is the clans disappearing forever." He gave a sly grin, and a twitch of his black-and-white pelt. "And I'll start with you."

Sunpaw swallowed her fear. She had to do possibly the bravest thing she'd ever done, but it was almost certain suicide. Mustering up her courage, Sunpaw barreled into Ghost, raking her thorn-sharp claws along his face. He hardly moved, only a few staggering steps, but blood sprayed.

Quick as a rabbit, Sunpaw bounded away, Ghost on her paws. The line of chanting cats had turned to their leader, and joined in the chase. Briarpaw is such a traitor, Sunpaw hissed in her mind. ''I'll get my revenge on her! If I live that is.'' Sunpaw's eyes darted frantically to all sides of the gorge, searching for an escape route.

There it was, at the very end stood a rocky slope. Sunpaw could hear the heavy breathing of Ghost hard on her paws, and then the sting on her tail-tip as one of his fang's grazed it in a snap. Come on paws! Sunpaw willed herself. Don't fail me now!

A ragged brown she-cat at the bottom of the slope leaped off a snow-covered boulder, and Sunpaw ducked. A claw hooked onto Sunpaw's ears, dragging her to the ground. Almost as if on que, a patrol of ThunderClan cats came to Sunpaw's rescue, but it wasn't enough. Snowstorm, Shrewfur, Blackfire, Stoneheart, Bluewing, Rainflight and Sandstep had come, dropping down into the gorge with battle cries. Sunpaw knew better though, she could see the fear in each of their eyes.

Sunpaw screeched as the brown she-cat bit down hard onto her paw, and Sunpaw sent her rolling away with a powerful swipe. She gave a quick flick of her paw, scattering blood drops. Instinctively, Sunpaw fled. Even if she did stay to help her clanmates, nobody would make it, it was forty to eight, the winner is obvious.

She scrambled up the steep slope, the frosty rocks only making it harder to advance upward, and she dug her claws deep to get a grip. Her muscles burned by the time she got to the top, and she gazed down at the battle in the gorge.

Sunpaw turned tail and disappeared into the forest.

Chapter 11
Guilt overwhelmed Sunpaw as she slowed to a halt, reaching the thick of ThunderClan's forest. She had let fear overcome her and fled her clanmates during their time of need, when they came to rescue her. They were a great distraction, though, Sunpaw thought.

A squirrel blindly dashed in front of Sunpaw, as if begging to be eaten. Sunpaw gave chase, and scooped the fluffy gray squirrel up in one paw, then flipped it over onto it's back. She nipped it on the spine, and the squirrel went limp. Sunpaw's belly rumbled, and she quickly took three mouthfuls, not leaving any evidence that she had hunted and not brought prey back.

The sound of two cats speaking made Sunpaw alert, and she dropped into a crouch, pushing silently through the brambles. Briarpaw! Sunpaw drew in a breath, and watched as her enemy chatted away with an unknown white tom.

Without thinking, Sunpaw leapt from the brambles and pinned Briarpaw to the ground. "Traitor!" She snarled, her claws piercing Briarpaw's thick dark brown pelt.

Briarpaw's eyes went wide, and she yowled at the white tom. "Whitepaw! Help me out, will ya?"

Whitepaw curled his lips back in a snarl, then barreled into Sunpaw. Sunpaw sprang away from Briarpaw, narrowly missing Whitepaw's sharp claws. "Can't wait until I tell Amberstar what you did!" Sunpaw sneered, haring away with the two hard on her paws.

Briarpaw growled. "Yeah? Can't wait till I tell my father to murder you!"

Sunpaw blinked, then made a sharp turn. "Shrewfur wouldn't dare. He's a loyal warrior, something you aren't!"

Briarpaw had gotten near Sunpaw's flanks, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. "Who ever said Shrewfur was my father?"

Sunpaw was stunned. Shrewfur wasn't Briarpaw's father? Then who was? Still, Sunpaw kept going, she wasn't about to be taken down by another apprentice. But Briarpaw was too close, and tackled Sunpaw. The two went rolling across the forest floor, and into thorn bushes. Then Sunpaw felt nothing but empty air. I'm falling! Sunpaw swallowed back a wail.

But just before impact, Sunpaw saw the surprised looks of many pairs of eyes below. Her shoulder hit the ground first, and dust billowed around her.

"Sunpaw!" Leopardsky shrieked, racing to her daughter.

Sunpaw groaned in pain, her shoulder was stuck out at an awkward angle. Briarpaw lie motionless at the bottom of the stone walls. By now, most of the clan had gathered around Sunpaw and Briarpaw, Wolftail weeping at the spot.

"Is Briarpaw still alive?" Sunpaw asked through clenched teeth. She hoped not. Briarpaw had known what she was doing to Sunpaw this whole time, even as a kit.

"I don't know," Leopardsky meowed.

Shrewfur sat beside Wolftail, his tail wrapped around his paws. His ears perked anxiously as Briarpaw's tail-tip twitched. Through eyes glazed with pain, Sunpaw realized in shock that blood was slowly seeping out of Briarpaw's mouth. Her neck had probably snapped, and the twitch of her tail was the last movement of life left in Briarpaw.

Dappleshine wove between the growing crowd of worried cats, and went to examine Briarpaw--her being the worst--and Fawnpaw examined Sunpaw, stating that her shoulder had been wrenched out of place.

"I'm going to have to put in back in place," Fawnpaw meowed. Her green eyes were filled with concern. "Are you ready?"

Sunpaw was shaking, her shoulder hurt badly. "Will it hurt?"

"Yes. But it will feel better afterwards." Fawnpaw's ginger tabby was was slightly bristled, as if she was worried she wouldn't do it right. "Don't worry, Dappleshine's taught me how to do it."

Sunpaw took a deep breath as Fawnpaw braced her paws on Sunpaw, one on her shoulder, one on her chest. With one swift movement, Fawnpaw yanked hard, and then a sickening pop as Sunpaw's shoulder went back into place. She drew in a sharp breath, and tears stung Sunpaw's eyes, but it felt much better now.

Shaking out the tension, Sunpaw slowly got up and padded to Dappleshine's side. "Is Briarpaw okay?" She asked. Great StarClan I hope she's dead!

Dappleshine shook her head in disappointment, "No. That fall must've killed her." She shot Sunpaw a suspicious glance. "Unless you did something?"

Leoaprdsky snarled upon hearing Dappleshine's question. "My daughter would never kill a cat unless it was necessary!"

Snowstom took a step beside her, amber eyes filled with fury. "What makes you think Sunpaw did anything?"

"I'm not accusing Sunpaw of anything!" Dappleshine hissed. "I'm just saying--the two came falling down the cliff, that isn't a bit suspicious?"

"Dappleshine has a point," Wolftail meowed without looking up from Briarpaw's lifeless body. "Sunpaw's a murderer!"

"Hey!" Amberstar yowled, leaping down from the Highledge. "Stop arguing! For StarClan's sake, nobody in this clan pays attention anymore."

"What do you mean?" Oakfire asked, eyes narrowed. Sunpaw shrunk towards her parents, feeling vulnerable with all these accusations being thrown at her. She wanted to explode with the truth.

"Sunpaw came down first, with Briarpaw behind her," Amberstar explained, padding to the group. "Wouldn't it be that Briarpaw was chasing Sunpaw?"

Sunpaw's eyes gleamed, glad to hear someone on her side for once--besides Leopardsky and Snowstorm. "I know the truth!" She called out over the whispering and concerned voices.

"Why don't you tell us then?" Nightstorm growled. The deputy took a paw step forward, threatening Sunpaw in case she made a move.

"You know those rogues that have been attacking us lately?" Sunpaw asked, eyes scanning over everyone from her spot at the front. "Briarpaw led me towards their camp outside of our territory--it's in a gorge. She pushed me in then fled. After I had escaped, I came back to our territory and saw her talking with a white tom. They started chasing me, and Briarpaw attacked--sending both of us tumbling down this cliff."

"Lies!" Wolftail snarled, unsheathing her claws.

"Wolftail!" Amberstar snapped, glaring at the fluffy gray she-cat. She looked back to Sunpaw. "I believe you, Sunpaw. I never knew Briarpaw was anything like that, she was always just like any other apprentice." She carried her gaze over to the small lump of dark brown fur. "What a shame," She muttered to herself.

Sunpaw beamed. If the clan's leader could believe her story, shouldn't the others?

Amberstar now looked out to everyone. "It's time we put an end to these attacks by the rogues! I will send a small patrol to each of the other clans, we will band together and retaliate!"

Chapter 12
Sunpaw shouldered past the brambles that hid the apprentice's den. The moonlight turned her ginger-and-white pelt silver, and the steady breeze ruffled her fur slightly. By the Highledge, there was concerned and angry murmers coming from the warriors.

"We're going to war," a voice murmered beside Sunpaw. Sunpaw flicked her head to the side, and noticed a gray tabby tom staring at the warriors--Ashpaw, Briarpaw's brother.

"I know," Sunpaw meowed, sitting down on the soft earth.

An awkward silence took place, but Ashpaw quickly broke it. "I don't blame you, you know, for Briarpaw's death."

Sunpaw blinked. Really? "Why not?" She shivered in the chilly midnight breeze.

Ashpaw shrugged, still not bothering to look at Sunpaw. His blue eyes were focued on Amberstar, who paced back and forth across the Highledge. "Well, there's a secret. Wolftail has hid it ever since we were born, but Shrewfur doesn't know. If I tell you...you won't tell anyone else?"

His blue gaze finally traveled to meet Sunpaw's amber eyes. Sunpaw flinched under the pressure. "I promise," She breathed.

"Briarpaw is not actually my and Sparrowpaw's sister," Ashpaw let out. "Wolftail is our mother, but Briarpaw shares a different father than Sparrowpaw and I."

Something nagged at Sunpaw. Briarpaw had said it herself, obviously it was true then. "Well who is it? If it's not Shrewfur?"

Ashpaw shrugged. "We don't know. Wolftail never told us." He turned away, and there was silence again.

Sunpaw got up and padded to the warriors, where Vinepaw and Falconpaw sat beside Rosecloud and Oakfire.

Amberstar was saying something, and Sunpaw mentally shook away her thoughts and questions to focus on her leader.

"--We will not let these rogues attack us no more! I've sent Duskflight, Cloudleap, and Bramblepelt to each of the other clans to join us in the battle. By tomorrow morning, we will strike!" Amberstar yowled. Cheers rang from what was left of the remaining warriors, queens, and elders.

What about Blackfire? Sunpaw thought. And Snowstorm? She hoped all the cats that had come to her rescue from Ghost were still alive, and making their way back home. Just then though, a black tom stumbled through the thorn tunnel, followed by a white tom and a gray tabby she-cat. Blood trailed behind them, and caked their pelt.

"Snowstorm!" Sunpaw shrieked in joy. She rushed forward to greet her father, burying herself in his thick, white pelt. Leopardsky joined her, purring in relief. "We thought you were dead." Sunpaw choked on her words. She greeted Blackfire as well, who was less-injured than the other two.

Nightstorm grunted, padding over to meet them. "Where's the others? I know I sent others with you."

Rainflight hung her head low, tail drooping."Ghost killed Bluewing," She sobbed. Sunpaw's heart clenched in grief. Rainflight's mother had died, trying to save Sunpaw from something that was Sunpaw's fault. "We don't know where Stoneheart and Sandstep are." ''Her father too? I feel terrible!'' Sunpaw growled in her mind. ''This is all my fault! No...it's Briarpaw's!''

Bright sun-high light lit up the ThunderClan camp, waking the warriors that fell asleep outside their dens. Sunpaw began to stir inside the apprentice's den, woken up by a flick on the nose by Falconpaw's tail.

"Wake up!" Falconpaw meowed loudly for all the apprentices to hear. "It's battle day!"

Sunpaw groaned, and dragged herself outside. She'd hardly gotten anymore sleep last night, going back to the den late. She was surprised for a moment by what she found outside. Other clan's warriors--and leaders, deputies, and medicine cats--had gathered in camp. They were all closely huddled together, trying to shield each other from the leaf-bare chills and possibly a surprise attack. They were starting to awaken though.

Amberstar stood on top of the Highledge, gazing down at the tens of cats below. There was less it seemed, to Sunpaw, for the rogues had probably managed to kill some off.

"Cats of all clans!" Amberstar yowled. Her magnificent gray pelt blew slightly in the breeze, her amber eyes shining with dictation. "One of ThunderClan's apprentices--Sunpaw--had been tricked into going to the rogue's camp. Today, she will lead us there, and we will avenge our fallen ones!"

Rioting yowls sounded from the huge crowd, but Sunpaw stood, just staring blankly in shock. Yes she wanted these rogues gone, but she wasn't willing to kill many just to avenge. Yes I am, She persuaded herself. Why else would my claws be itching?

Amberstar carried her gaze to Sunpaw. "Are you ready?" She asked. Sunpaw nodded, no words. "Then show us the way."

Chapter 13
Sunpaw's claws itched. Amberstar peeked over the edge of the gorge, eyes narrowed.

"See anything?" Nightstorm asked, padding to Amberstar's side. Behind the two, every warrior of every clan waited, ready to destroy the threat of Ghost and his followers.

"Yes," Amberstar answered. She motioned with her tail-tip for Nightstorm to step forward. "Look."

Nightstorm gasped quietly. "You're sure about this?"

Amberstar nodded, then turned toward the rest of the cats behind her. "Like always, I will be in charge of my clan in battle. Pinestar, Sedgestar, and Beechstar--you control your warriors." She scanned ThunderClan's warriors. "Attack!" She yowled.

Warriors streamed down the gorge, jumping into the snow and sending it billowing in the air. Sunpaw stood rooted to the ground, terrified, as warriors flew passed her. Don't back down, Sunpaw... She told herself. ''Think of all your fallen clanmates. Did they deserve to be slaughtered? Of course not!''

Sunpaw launched herself after the last warrior of RiverClan had passed. Fear pulsed through her, and blood roared through her eyes, blocking out the tragic sounds of screeches and yowls of fury and pain. Sunpaw barreled into a tortoiseshell she-cat, no bigger than herself.

The tortoiseshell she-cat hissed in surprise, and landed a blow to Sunpaw's face. Sunpaw recoiled, face stinging, and struk out at the tortoiseshell's flank, scoring her claws down. Blood spattered across the snow, staining it crimson, as Sunpaw wrenched her claws free. The tortoiseshell howled in pain, and limped away.

Sunpaw looked at her surroundings--cats were everywhere, fighting with one another and killing each other. Fangs pierced Sunpaw's neck, and she collapsed under the weight of a brown tom much bigger than her, though he was no older. She growled in frustration as he raked his claws across her shoulders, and sent her rolling away. Then a flash of dark brown tabby fur came to Sunpaw's rescue.

"Falconpaw!" Sunpaw breathed to herself in relief. She dragged herself to a darkened corner of the gorge, and waiting a moment to heal before going back into the fight.

"Thought you could hide, huh?" A huge--yet no bigger than Ghost--black tom peered around the corner, lips pulled back to reveal sharp fangs. "Well nobody hides from Shadow!" He snarled and leaped at Sunpaw. Sunpaw rolled to the side and leapt to her paws, fur bristling. Blood dripped from her neck and shoulders, but the adrenaline blocked out any pain that was there.

Shadow lashed out with terrifyingly long claws that glinted in the sunlight. Sunpaw jumped back, and ran forward to give a quick, sharp nip to Shadow's forepaw. Shadow didn't even flinch. Instead, he reared onto his hindpaws and launched forward. Remembering her training, Sunpaw instinctively crouched and leaped up to rake her claws across Shadow's soft stomach. He screeched and fell to the ground with a loud thud. His breathing got raspier with each breath as he lost blood. Oh StarClan, I'm a killer! Sunpaw thought in horror.

A shadow loomed over Sunpaw, and she turned her head to see who was behind. Sunpaw couldn't even let out a yowl of fear as the huge black-and-white tom stared at her with menacing green eyes.

"First your clan killed my great-grandfather, then you kill my daughter, then you lead the clans to destroy my cats? I can't wait to get my revenge!" Ghost sneered, digging his claws into the deep snow, now stained with blood.

Sunpaw tried not to shake in fear, and gained courage to talk back. "I don't know who your daughter is, and you and your cats deserve to die!" Soft pawsteps approached the two, and Amberstar came to confront Ghost. Her gray fur wasn't bloodied, only ruffled.

"Leave her alone, Ghost," Amberstar ordered. "Unless you and your cats leave the Lake for good, I will be forced to kill you." Amberstar's deep amber eyes were calm yet powerful, just like her tone of voice.

Ghost chuckled. "Why don't we see if you can kill me?"

Amberstar took a step forward. "I accept your challenge," She growled.

Sunpaw looked around the gorge, and didn't realize how much time had passed--or how many cats had fallen. Bodies were everywhere, and the remaining cats had gathered to witness Ghost and Amberstar.

Sunpaw gulped, who would win? Ghost rocketed forwared, teeth burying into Amberstar's leg. Amberstar shook him off easily and leaped onto his sturdy shoulders, forcing him to the ground. Blood slowly began to seep out from under Amberstar's claws. Ghost flipped over onto his stomach, squashing Amberstar until Sunpaw could hear her struggling to breath.

Her claws itched, and she couldn't stand watching her leader being suffocated--even wounded for that matter. "Stop!" Sunpaw yowled, throwing herself at Ghost and knocking him off Amberstar. "There's already been enough death for one night, can you just take your cats and leave?" She growled.

Snowstorm bounded forward and hauled Sunpaw away by the scruff. "This is for Amberstar alone!" He scolded, amber eyes narrowed. But Amberstar was still on the ground, flanks still. Rageful yowls came from the remaining warriors, and they leaped at Ghost as soon as they realized that the ThunderClan leader was lost. Suffocation had taken her last life.

Sunpaw couldn't move. There was only a handful of warriors left--counting all clans--minus the queens and elders safe at camp. She wanted to run. Run back to camp and fall asleep in her nest and wake up to find this was all a big nightmare and most cats from every clan had been exterminated.

And so she fled.

Chapter 14
Camp was pretty much empty, and Sunpaw padded through with caution. Soon though, she heard a few familiar voices coming from the nursery. Recalling that Seedflight was very close to giving birth to Brackenthorn's second litter, Sunpaw rushed into the bramble den, checking to make sure the queen was alright.

"Seedflight!" Sunpaw meowed. "Are you okay?" She looked to the very pale ginger she-cat. Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Moleclaw stood by Seedflight's side, flanks heaving. "What happened?"

Lionblaze spoke up first. "A few of Ghost's cats came by while Seedflight gave birth. Cinderheart stayed with her while Moleclaw and I fought them off." His amber eyes flicked to the nursery entrance. "Mothflower left with Sootkit and Squirrelkit, saying that she couldn't stand all this fighting anymore.

"Where's Brackenthorn?" Seedflight asked drowsily from her bed of moss. Beside her lay two kits, one tom and one she-kit.

Sunpaw swallowed. Great. "Brackenthorn...didn't make it. I'm sorry."

Seedflight's green eyes blazed with fury. "What?" She leapt to her paws, fur bristling.

Moleclaw intercepted his aunt, brushing his brown-and-cream tail along her flank. "Calm down, Seedflight. You'll wake your kits." He motioned towards her nest. "Go lay back down."

Seedflight lay in her nest, but her fur was still bristled and her eyes wild. "He would've loved to meet our first daughter. Especially after our first litter, where it was only three toms. I guess he can watch from StarClan..."

"Who's all still alive?" Cinderheart asked. She sat beside Lionblaze, her soft gray tabby pelt prickling with fear.

Then it hit Sunpaw like a stone. She never did see Leopardsky or Duskflight after the battle did she? No...Not my mother! But she had to keep calm, for Leopardsky and Duskflight were Lionblaze and Cinderheart's only kits. "No one survived except Snowstorm, Blackfire, Rainflight and Tigerleaf."

Cinderheart's ears flattened. "What about Leopardsky and Duskflight?"

Sunpaw shook her head. She swallowed to force back the lump forming in her throat. Now is not the time for a break-down, Sunpaw. Cinderheart let out a sorrowful wail, and Lionblaze began viciously raking at the ground with his claws.

"Is there anybody left from the other clans?" Moleclaw asked. He still sat beside Seedflight, protecting his younger aunt, as Brackenthorn was no longer with her.

Sunpaw shrugged. "I saw a few from each clan. No leaders or deputies remain, no medicine cats. A few warriors and apprentices in total."

Just then, the rustling of the thorn tunnel distracted Sunpaw and she raced to see who was coming. Her hackles were raised, and she let out a threatening growl.

"Relax, Sunpaw!" A familiar voice meowed. "Or do you want me to die?" A black head poked through the thorn bush, followed by a white tom, a bright ginger tom, a dark tabby she-cat, and a gray tabby she-cat. Scorchpelt made it?

"Sorry," Sunpaw muttered. "It's just that Seedflight had her kits and there's a ton of rogues running around this place."

"What will we do now?" Tigerleaf asked, flicking a dark brown ear. She paced around the dusty earth, seeming unharmed besides a bite on her shoulder.

"Seems like the only option the clans have now is to split up," Snowstorm meowed. "There's hardly anyone left. And the rogues scattered after Ghost died under the remnant's claws. The rest of us should group together, and stay together."

Scorchpelt nodded in agreement. "We won't be a clan anymore, but at least we have each other. Who's all left?"

"Lionblaze, Cinderheart, Moleclaw, Seedflight and her two kits." Sunpaw led the five cats to the nursery, and ducked under the bramble bush.

"Scorchpelt!" Seedflight purred, greeting her son. "I didn't think you'd made it out alive." She rubbed noses lightly with the large bright ginger tom.

"I'm stronger than you think," Scorchpelt laughed.

Snowstorm launched into his suggestion of how to continue living life. The rest of the cats would evacuate ThunderClan territory, find somewhere nearby--yet non-clan territory--and make camp there. They would not accept strangers into the group.

Lionblaze shook his head. "Cinderheart, Moleclaw, and I had already decided we would die here in ThunderClan. We will stay."

Sunpaw swallowed back her frustration. First she's blamed for Briarpaw's death, then her mother dies, then her grandparents have said they won't be leaving with her. "Then I'm staying too," She declared.

"No you're not, you're coming with me," Snowstorm ordered.

"No. Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Moleclaw will need someone to hunt for them, and someone younger and stronger to defend them. I won't let them live out the rest of their days alone," Sunpaw growled.

Snowstorm muttered something under his breath. "Fine. But in eight moons I will send Scorchpelt and Tigerleaf for you to bring you to our new camp." He turned and padded out of the nursery, his white pelt turning silver in the early moonlight. The others said their goodbyes and followed Snowstorm out.

"I'll miss you, Sunpaw," Blackfire meowed. "And if I happen to never see you again--you were the best apprentice anyone could ask for."

Sunpaw purred under his praise and watched from the nursery entrance as Seedflight picked up her son, and Blackfire picked up the she-kit, and then they all disappeared. Sunpaw sighed.

"You didn't have to stay," Cinderheart said. "It's not too late to go with them, you know."

Sunpaw didn't turn around, just staring at the empty camp, filled with shining, silver moonlight. The brambles swayed slowly in the breeze, and some leaves blew along the ground. "No, I'm staying."

Life would be a whole lot different. No leader, no training, no warriors, no apprentices, no medicine cats, no patrols, no Gatherings, and no clan meetings. How will I live now?

Chapter 15
Sunpaw rose drowsily from her nest. Her body ached, and there was a burning across her shoulders where they were raked by claws. At first, she thought that she really had dreamed, and she was back in the apprentice's den with all the others, then she remembered. She had fallen asleep in the nursery with Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Moleclaw.

Seeing as the three elders were still snoozing soundly, Sunpaw crept silently through the brambles, and made her way out of the deserted former ThunderClan camp. The sun-high sky was clear-blue, with no blanketing clouds. There was lots of scuttling coming from the brush, and since there had been no dawn hunting patrols, prey  was still plentiful.

There was a crack of a twig, and Sunpaw tensed, expecting an ambush from the remainders of BloodClan. A mouse flashed passed her paws, and Sunpaw sprang after it. She pounced once she was close enough, her fangs burying into the gray fur on the neck. The warm tang of blood filled her mouse, and her stomach growled when she realized she hadn't eaten in at least two days. But the warrior code still held strong over Sunpaw, and she decided to leave the large mouse for Lionblaze and Cinderheart.

Sunpaw scooped a hole in the earth, set the mouse in it, and filled in the open spaces. A snarl came from the brambles behind her, and a pale-gray she-cat with white patches pushed her way through.

"Did you take my mouse?" The gray she-cat growled, looking at the dried blood on the edges of Sunpaw's mouth.

Sunpaw recognized this apprentice--Fernpaw--from Gatherings. "It was on ThunderClan land, why don't you go back to ShadowClan and find your own prey?"

"There is no more clans!" Fernpaw snapped. "Do you not remember how close the battle was to ShadowClan? It scared all of the pery away. Give me my mouse!" Fernpaw barreled into Sunpaw, raking her thorn-sharp claws over Sunpaw's muzzle.

Sunpaw snarled and flung Fernpaw away with a stinging blow, and tasted her own blood dripping into her mouth from the wound. Fernpaw skidded along the ground, and charged back to Sunpaw.

Forget this, Sunpaw though in frustration. She side-stepped and darted back out to grab Fernpaw's throat in her jaws. "This should teach you not to come near my territory again!" She hissed, dropping Fernpaw's limp body to the ground.

Anxious to get back to camp, Sunpaw trotted to the hole where she left the mouse, and left. If there was no clans, then there was no such thing as mercy for your enemies. Sunpaw would defend her territory and the elders.

"Here," Sunpaw mumbled, setting the mouse in front of the elder's paws.

"What happened to your muzzle?" Cinderheart asked, sniffing the wound.

Sunpaw took a pawstep back. "I had a little incident with a ShadowClan apprentice. She claimed there was no such thing as the clans, warrior code, or boundaries anymore." With no guilt, she admitted Fernpaw's death. "I had to kill her before anymore intruders started coming to our territory."

"You killed her?" Moleclaw repeated, amber eyes filled with shock.

"I had to!" Sunpaw defended herself. "If she said that then obviously the rest of the remainders of her clan believe the same thing. Best to exterminate them now before all of them come to our territory looking for prey, and possibly a camp."

"She's got a point," Lionblaze mumbled through a full-mouth.

Moleclaw's tail-tip flicked. "I guess so."

"What are you going to eat?" asked Cinderheart.

Sunpaw shrugged, her muzzle still stinging. "I'll go hunting later. You three need the food most, though."

"I can still hunt!" Moleclaw growled. "I'm not as old as your grandparents," He meowed with a glance at Lionblaze and Cinderheart.

"Yes, but you're still old, Moleclaw," Cinderheart teased. "Let Sunpaw do what she wants, she's only doing what's best for us."

It felt so odd, only three other cats beside Sunpaw still remaining. She was used to constant chattering and warriors milling around every inch of camp, and kits playing outside the nursery. All that was gone. "I'm going to patrol the borders," She meowed. I need time alone...

"Don't you want a bite first?" Cinderheart asked, scooting back a little from the mostly-eaten mouse.

Sunpaw shook her head, and bounded away as quick as she could. Once she was well away from camp, she yowled at the top of her lungs. "StarClan why did you let this happen? I can't live like this!" She collapsed under the shade of an oak tree, and began talking to herself. "I'm not who I used to be. I'm not happy anymore, I've turned to murdering cats even, what do I do?"

Then she grinned. She had a wonderful idea.

Chapter 16
Sunpaw flicked her paw to get rid of the annoying beads of water. She darted across the thunderpath, ginger-and-white pelt slicked back against the rain. The terrifying roar of monster made Sunpaw struggle to run, and she slipped, tumbling down the side of the thunderpath into a ditch.

"Ugh," She grumbled, shaking sticky weeds off her fur. She clambered up the ditch, and proceeded into the Twolegplace. For the past moon, a group of loners had let her stay with them in their alley for a while, but Sunpaw loved to be in her own nest, and always returned home for the night. She couldn't stay long today though, for Moleclaw had fallen slightly ill, and Sunpaw needed to go back earlier to fetch herbs. Whatever those herbs were.

There wasn't as many twolegs out on the roads today--which Sunpaw was grateful for--as she bounded along the sidewalks. Rounding a corner, the gray sky quickly turned into darkness as Sunpaw padded under a tarp-covered alley. She jumped as a large flame-colored tom greeted her, then quickly realized it was only Fox, one of the loners.

"Hey, Sunpaw," Fox meowed, dipping his head. His dark amber eyes glittered with amusement upon seeing her scare.

"Hi," Sunpaw greeted back. She ducked passed Fox and into the slightly-lit back of the alley. There, five other cats sat in a tight circle. The largest was a young brown tabby tom, sitting next to an expectant black she-cat. A small red-furred she-kit wove between the two, talking nonstop. A gray tom of about 7 moons slowly munched on a small mouse, exchanging bites with a white she-cat the same age--his sister.

"Hey, guys," Sunpaw greeted. She looked back to see if Fox was still there, but he had left to hunt. These cats were the closest thing she had to a clan, they hunted and patrolled their territory, unlike Lionblaze, Cinderheart, and Moleclaw who just lay around all day.

"Sunpaw!" Russet, the little she-kit, meowed, tumbling over the brown tabby tom to reach Sunpaw. She rubbed up against Sunpaw's legs, her green eyes bright with joy. "Guess what? I caught a rat yesterday!"

The brown tabby tom, Loki, snorted. "Yeah, kit, you caught it, even though I killed it," He meowed sarcastically. He gave Russet a playful swipe over her ears.

Sunpaw purred. She knew Russet didn't really catch the rat, but she knew what it was like to be put down as a kit, so she made it seem as if she believed Russet. "Oh come on, Loki. Clearly a 2 moon old kit caught bigger prey than you ever could."

Loki's tail shot up. "Hey, I'm not a hunter. You know me, I like to prank others." Sunpaw already knew these cats well, and she knew that Loki was notorious around Twolegplace for spying and scaring rogues. He would take anything the rogues killed--dogs, rats, lizards, anything--and string it up at their dens. It was Loki's job for the group to make sure no intruders came near their alley.

Sunpaw ignored the young tom's protests, and turned to his mate--the black she-cat named Torunn. "How have you been, Torunn?"

Torunn's bright blue eyes blinked, as if she was in a blank state. "Good, there's plenty of prey to go around. Russet keeps me entertained while I stay home, everything's great."

Sunpaw nodded, and turned to the quietest two of the group--the gray tom, Ash, and the white she-cat, Snow. She gave them a twitch of her whiskers in greeting. The siblings were quiet, having not yet warmed up to Sunpaw yet, unlike the others.

"Alright," Sunpaw breathed, looking around. "I just though I'd stop by to say hi. I have to go though, some cat at my camp has been sick, I have to go hunt for him and fetch herbs."

Sunpaw turned to leave, but Fox stopped her with a flick of his tail. "Here," He meowed, reaching behind him to pick up a squirrel and drop it at her paws. "To make your trip quicker, Ash caught it."

Sunpaw glanced at Ash, and took the squirrel, dashing off. She raced through Twolegplace, a bit slowed by the prey in her jaws. The fluffy grayish-brown fur kept tickling her nose, making her sneeze. What a worthless trip, She told herself. ''But they're nice cats. I guess it was kinda worth it. They are my friends afterall, right?''

Sunpaw only slowed when she reached the edge of the forest, flanks heaving for a breath. The leaves from the trees dripped water on her head and shoulders, causing her to shiver as she felt the beads of water slide down her skin. The ground underpaw was muddy, and it was almost a struggle to just raise a paw.

"Sunpaw?" A familiar voice called from the bushes.

Sunpaw's ears perked, and she got into defensive mode, expecting an attack played off by a faked-friend. She dropped the squirrel between her forepaws. "Who is it?" She huffed.

A brown tabby she-cat emerged from the brambles, her pelt torn by brambles and her shoulders drooped with exhaustion. Her amber eyes were shadowed with sorrow, but there was a certain fire that blazed in the very back.

"Mothflower!" Sunpaw exclaimed, leaping forward to greet the former ThunderClan queen who ran away with her kits at the start of the battle. "I thought you had...died."

Mothflower shook her head. "No, I just ran off. I thought everyone would die, and then BloodClan would reach my kits, so I ran. I feel like such a coward." A tiny gray tom--the exact image of Dewstar--tumbled out of the brambles, bumping into Mothflower's hindpaw.

Sunpaw flicked her ear. "Where's Squirrelkit?"

Mothflower hung her head. "Oh, Sunpaw, she's gone! It's all my fault because I ran off and I wasn't even fit enough to hunt for my own kits!" She broke down sobbing.

Sunpaw's heart ached, she couldn't bear watching her clanmates and friends hurt. "It's not your fault, Mothflower. Squirrelkit is StarClan, the best place any cat could be. Would you rather have your daughter living in this world now--where there is no clans, and cats kill just for prey? That's not how things used to be."

Sootkit hugged Mothflower's forepaws, his yellow eyes gazing up at Sunpaw with fear. Obviously the young tom had been exposed to some nasty things during his moon away. Mothflower looked back at Sunpaw. "Where're you staying now?"

"Lionblaze, Moleclaw, Cinderheart and I are still at the ThunderClan camp. The few that remained from the battle--including my father and Blackfire--left to find a new territory. Do you want to come back with me?" Sunpaw gestured with her tail-tip to the location of camp.

Mothflower nodded, and picked up her son in her jaws. Sootkit looked well-fed, while Mothflower's pelt clung to her bones. Sunpaw guessed she was feeding Sootkit every scrap of prey she got. She admired Sootkit's sturdy shoulders and glossy gray pelt for a kit of 4 moons. She lifted the squirrel--still laying in the clump of leaves--and walked to camp.

Once through the thorn tunnel, Sunpaw immediately warned Mothflower of Moleclaw's sickness. "Moleclaw has been ill for the past few days, but he's in the nursery and Lionblaze and Cinderheart are in the medicine cat's den, it's the safest place in camp."

Mothflower was clearly shivering, her thin pelt and hunger was obviously not helping the fact that it was raining outside and the temperature was cold. She followed Sunpaw through the slit in the cave, hidden by brambles.

Cinderheart's smoky-blue eyes lightened upon sight of the queen. "Mothflower!" She purred, jumping to her paws. She covered Sootkit in licks, and with a glance to Sunpaw, knew better than to ask what happened to Squirrelkit. "What happened to you?"

Mothflower sat down on an extra bed of moss. "During the battle, I took my kits and fled, thinking the enemies would find the camp and kill them. There was hardly any prey, and I kind of got lost for a few days, going far upstream. Squirrelkit was killed by a fox, and I gave Sootkit every piece of prey I managed to get, though it was scarce. I found Sunpaw, and she led me back here."

Sunpaw didn't want to stand around listening to stories. "I'll go hunting for more prey. But in the meantime, Mothflower, you will eat this. I'll catch plenty more for you and Sootkit." She started padding away, but right at the entrance to the cave, she paused. "Oh and Cinderheart, afterwards, would you help me look for herbs for Moleclaw? I know you're more skilled at that than I ever could be."

"Of course," Cinderheart meowed.

Sunpaw nodded and bounded out of camp. Ever since the battle, she'd grown used to staying out of camp all day and moving around. Be it going to Twolegplace, hunting, or patrolling, she was constantly doing something. There was nobody else to help her, but she looked hopefully to Sootkit when he's older. ''I'm leader of these cats now. I'm the strongest, and they look to me. I don't really like it...''

Sunpaw's thoughts nagged at her mind even as she was deep into the woods. But the scent of a thrush distracted her. It walked on the ground, pecking at seeds that were swept from the water onto the ground. Sunpaw instantly dropped into a hunter's crouch, and prowled forward. But a twig snapped behind her, making her whirl around with unsheathed claws, and the thrush flew away with a startled call.

Sunpaw stood frozen to the spot for a few moments, tail lashing, until she realized that it was only an acorn that fell on a fragile stick. But her senses proved her wrong. A huge black tabby tom leaped from the brambles and pinned Sunpaw to the earth.

Sunpaw hissed in surprise and struggled under the tom's grip, but he was too strong. It was Waspflight, probably the strongest RiverClan warrior she'd ever met.

"Stop wriggilng, weak kit!" Waspflight spat, digging his claws into her stomach. Sunpaw winced, but held still, knowing it'd hurt less. "I'm giving you a warning. All of the clan's former territories will be mine, and I will do whatever it takes to get them, even if it means killing. So you'd better leave now."

"Yeah well, I'll pray you're a failure!" Sunpaw spat as Waspflight took off into the bushes. She stood up, glancing around to make sure Waspflight wasn't still creeping around.

''Whatever, Waspflight. Do what you want to the other territories, but this one's mine!''