Assassin

Hello,. This is my first fanfic, sorry if some of it doesn't make sense. It is placed a twenty years after SkyClan leaves the forest. I would like to place a special thanks to one of my best friends, Rainfeather. Now I present, Rainbowstars Terror, written by Cindersky with the occasional help of Rainfeather.

Next fanfic- After Day Comes Night

RiverClan
leader:  Stonestar: Dark grey tom with amber eyes.

Deputy: Sunstep: Cream she-cat with bright golden, feet, ears, tail tip, muzzle and underbelly and golden eyes.

Med-cat: Blueheart: Light ginger tabby she-cat with a blue-grey underbelly, tail tip and one foot, as well as some white and some black splotches randomly placed over her fur and blue eyes.
 * apprentice: Flamepaw: Cream she-cat with bright ginger, feet, ears, tail tip, muzzle, underbelly, she has dark grey highlights and amber eyes.

Warriors: Smokewave: blue grey and dark, almost black, grey tom with blue eyes.

Poppypool: tortoiseshell and white she-cat with blue eyes.

Hollyfrost black and white she-cat with green eyes.

Hazelflight: tan she-cat with odd Hazel colored eyes. Apprentice: Mistpaw

Wolfthorn: a large, grey tom with green eyes and extra sharp claws

Watersong: a blue grey she cat with blue eyes and one white foot.

Goldenslash: a scared yellow tabby tom with amber eyes. Apprentice: Stickpaw

Petalfall: tortoiseshell she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice: Bolderpaw

Patchfur: molted grey and brown tom with a white under belly and golden eyes.

Breezewing: a tan and white tom with blue eyes.

Ravenmist: a black she-cat with grey and white markings, and very dark green eyes.

Greypebble: she is a small grey and sandy gold she-cat with a white chest and green eyes.

Apprenticis:

Stickpaw: light brown tabby tom with very distinctive stripes and Amber eyes.

Bolderpaw: brown, grey, and white tom with Amber eyes.

Mistpaw: dark grey she-cat with white feet, tip tail, and underbelly she has blue eyes.

Queens:

Cherryflower: ginger she cat with indistinctive tabby stripes, a blue-grey underbelly, and green eyes.

Cherryflower's and Smokewave's kits:

Rainbowkit: light ginger she-kit with a blue-grey under belly, and bright orange tabby stripes, she has white fore-paws and golden splotches over her fur, she has one green eye, and one very odd violet eye.

Pinekit: black tabby tom with orangey ginger stripes and amber eyes.

Poolstone: silver tabby she-cat with blue eyes, still expecting Goldenslash's kits.

Echoblaze: silver and ginger tabby she-cat with amber eyes.

Echoblaze's and Breezewing's kits:

Rainkit: silver and ginger tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Hollykit: silver and black she-kit with green eyes.

Brightkit: silver and white she-kit with sky blue eyes.

Elders:

Spidersky: black and brown tom with blue eyes and extra long legs.

Shadedapple: dark dappled she-cat.

Rosefire: bright ginger tabby she-cat who's pelt seems to glow in the sunlight, she has amber eyes.



WindClan:
Leader: Timberstar: dark brown tabby tom with green eyes.

Deputy: Kestrelash: light tabby tom with green eyes.

Med-Cat: Emberrain: fiery ginger and blue grey she-cat with a black under belly and white feet and tip tail and amber eyes.

Warriors: Flamemask: Black tom with a bright ginger face and green eyes.

Pebbletalon: a grey tom with brown speckles and blue eyes.

Russetfire: russet and bright ginger, tabby she-cat with  amber eyes.

Snakestreak: a slender grey tom with greyish blue eyes.

Pepperbush: a white she-cat with black and brown speckles and greyish blue eyes.

Suirrlerain: a Russet she-cat with some blue grey markings and blue eyes.

Thorntail: a golden tom with spiky looking fur, and a bushy tail with amber eyes.

Tangleslash: a scarred grey tom with green eyes and long fur.

Tawnyash: a tawny and white tom with some grey markings and amber eyes.

Hazlethicket: a grey and white she-cat with dark yellow eyes.

Mousefrost: a dusky brown and white tom with green eyes.

Brambleear: a dark brown and black tabby that has pointed ears and amber eyes.

Apprentices: Foxpaw: a russet she-cat with green eyes.

Owlpaw: a brown tom with amber eyes.

Breezepaw: a black and white she-cat with sky blue eyes.

Cloudpaw: a white she-cat with sky blue eyes.

Stormpaw: a blue grey she-cat with dark stormy blue eyes.

Queens: Willowstream: light brown and white she-cat with green eyes expecting Pebbletalon's kits.

Iceflower: a white, light brown almost white, and light grey almost white, she-cat with green eyes, expecting Mousefrost's kits.

Mintfire: bright ginger with grey tabby markings she cat with large deep green eyes, expecting thorntail's kits.

Sparkripple: golden, ginger, and blue grey tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Sparkripple and Tangleslash's kits:

Greykit: a grey she-cat with green eyes and long fur.

Tinykit: a small grey tom with blue eyes..

Sunkit: golden, ginger, and blue grey tabby she-cat with Green eyes.

Blackkit: Black she-kit with white feet, tip tail, and underbelly with amber eyes.

Elders: Adderice: a black and white tom with greyish blue eyes

Mintseer: bright ginger with grey tabby markings she cat with large deep green eyes.



ThunderClan:
Leader: Foreststar: Black tom with piercing green eyes.

Deputy: Dapplerock: grey dappled she-cat with tawny eyes.

Med-Cat: Stripedwing: white tom with a grey underbelly and fore paws and black tabby markings.

Warriors:

Pinerock: brown tom with green eyes.

Watermist: Blue-grey she-cat with blue eyes.

Sparrowflower: a she-cat with sparrow like markings and golden eyes.

Rowenbush: brown she-cat with green eyes.

Duskrise: dark brown and black tom with amber eyes.

Poolrain: tortoiseshell she cat with blue eyes.

Cloverwisper: white she-cat with green eyes

Flowersong: grey tom with amber eyes

Cobfur: a small grey and sandy gold tom with a white chest and green eyes

Apprentices:

Fuzzypaw: fluffy grey tom with amber eyes.

Hollowpaw: brown and white tom with amber eyes.

Shadepaw: black she- cat with green eyes.

Queens:



Ambermoon's kits:

Ripplekit: grey tabby tom with blue eyes.

Shrewkit black and brown tom with amber eyes.

Cloudnettle: a light brown and white she-cat with golden eyes.

Cloudnettle's kits:

Brindlekit: a light brown and white she-kit with green eyes.

Peppermoon: speckled she- cat with dark blue eyes.

Peppermoon's kits:

Kestrelkit: white tom with green eyes.

Silverkit: a silver tom with blue eyes.

Thrushkit: a light brown and white tom with green eyes.

Mistyblaze: grey and ginger she-cat with amber eyes.

Elders:

Endlessstream grey tom with blue eyes.

Thornflare: ginger tom with amber eyes

Petalface: tortoiseshell she-cat with a white face and amber eyes.

Lizardpelt: grey tom with green eyes.



ShadowClan:
Leader: Tawnystar: tawny and white she-cat with greenish, yellowish eyes and a black underbelly and forepaw.

Deputy: Wingseer: black she-cat with a grey and white face, underbelly and tail tip, her feet are white as well, she has blue eyes.

Med-Cat: Mintsoul: black, grey, brown and white tom with odd light green eyes.

Warriors:

Morningfern: white she-cat

Mistsky gray tom.

Tinyflight small gray and white tom. Apprentice-Poolpaw

Pepperpool speckled she-cat.

Tawnytalon tawny tom with long claws. Apprentice-Brightpaw

Apprentices:

Brightpaw white she-cat.

Poolpaw blue-gray tom.

Queens:

Dustpoppy tan she-cat

Kits:

Icekit white tom.

Toadkit Gray she-kit.

Elders

Addervenom Brown tabby tom



Prologue
Blueheart touched her nose to the MoonStone, it felt cold, that always meant what StarClan had for her wasn't good news. Suddenly she felt heat scorch her fur, her eyes bolted open and she started circling fire was surrounding her. She was looking for her ancestors,

"Birchstar? Flamestar? Dapplepelt? Icewisker? Shatteredice! where are you!"

She had started yowling out their names. Her ancestors had brought her bad new before, but they had always been there to comfort her. but now, she was utterly alone. Suddenly, the fire took shape, she saw a cat prowling through the pine forest. The flames flared, and the wind howled. Rain started pouring and for a few heart beats, the flames and the storm raged at the same time, but separately, the winds dropped and the fire sizzled to a stop, the rain along with it. But the winds having not quite died, they seemed to whisper:

"the storm in the pines will rage, the water unknowingly helping the fire, the water a victim, with the wind and trees together, and the be shade being chased away, The rain will fall in and soften it, when the storm is at its peak, and both will cease together, they will both lay rest in unease"

The wind stopped and a rainbow of colors brushed past and seemed to put the last of the embers to sleep.

"RiverClan will survive. it has to!", Blueheart thought

Chapter 1
Rainbowkit wiggled next to her mother, her brother opened his eyes already, she was afraid to, the world sounded scary. She had heard her mother talking about the battle at sunningrocks, the word blood had made her fur tingle with fear. She had felt her brothers bush up a little to, but in excitement. maybe he just wanted to defend the clan, she did two but... she didn't really know.

"Mommy!!! can I go outside now!!! The longer I wait the longer until I become a warrior!!!", Pinekit yowled.

"shhhhh! don't wake your sister, and you aren't going out until she's ready.", Cherryflower Responds.

Rainbowkit felt tiny claws digging into her pelt. then she couldn't help gasping, and, as if it was instinct, her eyes darted open. She looked around, her eye adjusted immediately. It was dim and she stood up, surprising her brother who was still sitting on her.

"Hay! You opened your eyes! Cherryflower! Rainbowkit opened her eyes!", Pinekit said.

Cherryflower opened her eyes, and stared at her kit, her eyes wide, in an odd expression on her face. Rainbowkit blinked and said,

"I-is something wrong?"

"No." she said quickly her eyes softening, "No, your eyes are just... odd"

"How are they odd?" she ventured "Come look. Both of you, come with me."

As Rainbowkit walks out of the nursery the brightness overwhelmed her eye. she walked in a full circle to take it all in.

"There are more cats then there are in the nursery... I should have expected that though."

she thought. There were three apprentice's over by a proud looking dark grey tom and a cream she-cat with golden markings. It looks like they are a family. Two cats come in carrying bundles of leaves. The larger one is ginger and blue grey while the smaller one is cream with ginger markings. Rainbowkit also saw a group of she-cat sharing tongues and eating some fish near the prey pile.

Cherryflower lead her kits at a swift pace to a water whole. And Rainbowkit looked at her reflection. her face looked odd, But she couldn't quite place it at first, but then Rainbowkit notices.

"My eyes! Why are they like that!"

She looked at the water, she saw two utterly different eyes. One was green like the eyes her mother had, one was a deep violet color. She felt her mothers tail sweeping over her spine

"Your eyes are very pretty." Cherryflower pointed out.

Rainbowkit straitened up a bit "Of course, I was just startled. May we and Pinekit go and play?"

Rainbowkit bounced up a little to look exited but she was trying to convince herself as much as any cat.

"Is there something wrong with me?"



Chapter 2
Pinekit looked around the circle. There was Poolstone’s new litter here. They were born two moons ago. He was three moons old now, and Echoblaze’s kits were half a moon away from being apprentices. Poolstone’s new litter had Coldkit; a small white she-kit with blue eyes, Sparrowkit; a white tom with molted brown and black markings and green eyes Lightningkit; a black tom with jagged, white tabby stripes and blue eyes, Crowkit; a smoky grey tom with amber eyes. The new queen Hollyfrost was waiting all the kits in the nursery so the others could get some fresh air and take a break from their kits.

”Why would they want to take a break from us?” Pinekit thought.

They were having a kit fight toms V.S. she-cats, and he didn’t envey Hollyfrosts unborn kits

“''There missing out, it’s too bad; this is going to be FUN! Not to mention that Hollyfrost is so mean that she wouldn't let them anyway. Rainbowkit is next to me... yes! Her violet eye is towards me!''” He thought.

His mind went back to when Rainbowkit had found out there was something wrong with her. He had learned what it was called then but he already had known something was wrong with her; she is half blind and it was something only the two of them knew there secret. Spidersky, Shadedapple, and Rosefire were telling the littermates about what blind was.

"Rainbowkit must have thought it was normal to only have one sided vision guess. or maybe she never thought about it." Pinekit thought.

They said being blind is when you can’t see, and sometimes a cat can be half blind, so they can only see out of one eye. I saw her expression, her eyes would be green like our mothers, but one was violet, and that eye was blind.

“May the best kit win!” Hollyfrost said jumping up.

This snapped Pinekit back to reality and he leaped on his sister before she could turn her good eye towards him. He did some hard blows over her ears and she pushed up with surprising strength making him topple to the ground. He felt her on top of him and she was scuffling on him and implying she was bringing some scratches to his side and he felt small paw cuffing his ears. Suddenly he felt Rainbowkit’s weight lift and he lurched forward and pinned down Coldkit, who seemed to be the culprit of cuffing on his ears.

Pinekit looked behind him to see Sparrowkit, Lightningkit and Crowkit were keeping Rainbowkit occupied.but wait, where were Echoblazes kits he looks in time to see Rainkit charging towards him to help Coldkit while Brightkit and Hollykit were going to help Rainbowkit. Pinekit launches himself off of Coldkit sending her rolling backwards and hits Rainkits legs with enough force to make her fall over. She tried the go limp and burst up trick

" I didn't fall for it." he thought satisfaction lighting his gaze. " I can beat anyone"



Chapter 3
Rainbowkit was turning around frustrated, she couldn’t  get any of them and her blind eye wasn’t helping. Crowkit got right on the side of her face, but it was her blind side so she didn’t see him coming, Lightnigkit is clinging to her and back slowing her down now Crowkit tried her face again but on the side of the face she can see on and she caught him and pinned him down. Sparrowkit has a grip on her tail now. Rainbowkit rolled over and stood up and step on Sparrowkit.

“''Oops. I let go of Crowkit, how could I?''“

Rainbowkit whirls around- Where did they go? Brightkit and Hollykit were fighting the three toms. Rainbowkit darts forward and grips Lightningkit and pins him down she looks around and sees Pinekit chasing Rainkit to Hollyfrost and Coldkit.

“We're outnumbered" she thought.

She looked at Brightkit and Hollykit Brightkit is having a fierce battle with Crowkit.

"Wait, where’s-?” a yowl of triumph cut off her thought and she sees Hollykit chasing Sparrowkit to the outskirts of the field with the other cats who had lost went.

Rainbowkit felt herself be pushed to the ground as Pinekit crashed into her, and she see’s Brightkit being chased by Lightningkit and Crowkit. To the outskirts to, Hollykit takes down Crowkit but then it’s Lightningkit and Crowkit taking her down. And they chase her to the outskirts. She pushes up as Lightningkit and Crowkit race towards her. She turns and swipes her brother and hears her team yowling instructions, and she follows,

“Turn, swipe, roll green side, jump, turn violet-eye side, leap, pin Lightningkit, Chase him, turn swipe”

Now it’s two on one, Lightningkit is out.

“Roll green eye side!!” Rainbowkit was a heartbeat too slow and soon the two toms were on top of her.

”I give up! Let me go!” she exclaimed.

Pinekit jumped off and Rainbowkit got up shaking out her pelt.

“Good job.” Lightningkit said as he padded up

“Yes, good job” Crowkit says.

“Th-thank you!” Rainbowkit said surprised.

“You fought well, Rainbowkit. You make me proud.” Rainbowkit turns around to see Pinekit behind her.

“You did too, you were absolutely amazing!” She replied, nuzzling her brother.

He nuzzled back. “You’re not mad I fought you?” he asked.

“Of course not, it was just a game, you would never really fight me.” She replied

“Of course I would not ever fight you, I will never hurt you. I promise. You can trust me”

“I know you wouldn’t Pinekit.”

(note: this is not romance, just family love, in case you are confused, they are  littermates)



Chapter 4
Pinekit left the clearing disappointed that he hadn’t been made an apprentice. He and Rainbowkit had their own nests now. And they were six moons old, about, so he had hoped that the meeting would be his and Rainbowkit’s apprentice ceremony, but it wasn’t. He squeezed into the nursery, and noticed that Crowkit, lightningkit, and Sparrowkit talking in a cluster with Coldkit curled up nearby with her ears pricked and eyes closed, listening in. Over in the opposite corner Leafkit; a tan and white she-kit with green eyes, and Darkkit; a black and white she-kit with amber eyes, were sitting. They were Hollyfrost new litter, and Ravenmist had moved into the nursry expecting Patchfur’s kits, which were do any day now. Hollypaw, Rainpaw and Brightpaw were apprentices now. Pinekit couldn’t wait to catch up to them.

Pinekit walked over to where the brothers were whispering. And Crowkit said

”shhhh” when he saw him coming.

“What are you three talking about?” he asked

“Nothing” lightningkit said quickly.

“Too quickly.” he thought

“What is it?” Pinekit pressed

“They were talking about she-cats.” Coldkit said without even opening her eyes

"What she-cats?” He asked

“Rainbowkit and Brightpaw” Coldkit replied.

“Sisters” Sparrowkit mumbled. Coldkit, wisely, did not respond.

“Why were you talking about my sister?” he said

“She’s cute and nice” lightningkit said blinking dreamily

“And I think she likes me!” Crowkit said,

“No, she likes ME” they start arguing about it.

"I don't have any competition over Brightpaw!" Sparrowkit says.

She will never be with you." Crowkit taunts

"Yeah, she's too pretty for you" Lightningkit agrees. All three brake into fight this time and he decided to leave them to it. (Woah, lovers!)

Pinekit jolted awake two days later. Today could be the day. He sat up and groomed his ruffled fur and made it smooth and sleek, he was practically an apprentice, and he couldn’t look like a kit. He wacked Rainbowkit with his tail gently to wake her up, and playfully hissing, she sat up and she started grooming herself. This was there routine, they ended about the same time and then got the spots that they had missed.

“I feel lucky today.” He said.

“Me too..” Rainbowkit replied.

They left the nursery and did some early morning fishing from the camp stream. They then shared the minnows Rainbowkit caught. Then Stonestar stood up on the tree he made announcements from and called,

“All cats old enough to swim gather beneath the fallen oak.“

He and his Littermate came out and sat close to the center of the clearing. All the cats started emerging. Stickpaw sat down next to Rainbowkit, then Bolderpaw, and Mistpaw lined up next to him. There mentors were lined up behind them. Sunstep and Flampaw were right underneath Stonestar, they were the three apprentic’s mother and sister and Blueheart, the medicine cat, was sitting with them.

“I feel sorry for Flamepaw, she is stuck being a medicine cat” He thought. Stonestar started speaking, “Cats of RiverClan, today we are here to witness a very important part of the clans. The naming of new warriors” Pinekits heart sunk. “Stickpaw, Boulderpaw, Mistpaw, step forwards.” He continued.

“Goldenslash is Stickpaw ready to be a warrior?”

“He is.”

“Stickpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code even with the cost of your life?”

“I DO!”

“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. From this moment forth you will be known as Stickface, StarClan honors your loyalty and ability, and we name you a newest warrior of RiverClan."

They repeated the routine with Mistpaw and Bolderpaw, naming them Mistheart and Boulderfur.

“Stickface! Boulderfur! Mistheart!” Sunstep and Flamepaw started and then the rest of the clan joined in cheering to welcome the new warriors.

All except Pinekit. He was too mad. He lashed his tail and turned towards the nursery.

"We should have become apprentices.."



Chapter 5
Rainbowkit watched as the clan was breaking up.

“Stop!” Stonetar said. “I’m not done. I have not finished yet”

The cats turned around and gathered up again.

"I have two kits that I have delayed making apprentices for two long now."

She saw Pinekit’s ears kits prick as he stood up and turned around. She did too. And they walked forward as Stonestar said

“Rainbowkit, Pinekit, come forward. Rainbowkit, from this moment forth, until you receive your warriors name you will be known as Rainbowpaw and your mentor will be Greypebble. Pinekit, from this moment forth, until you receive your warrior name you will be known as Pinepaw, and your mentor will be Watersong."

"Rainbowpaw! Pinepaw! Rainbowpaw! Pinepaw!" Their names were cheered.

They touched noses with their mentors. Rainbowpaw glanced at Pinepaw. He looked like he was about to explode with happiness.

“Where are we going first?” Rainbowpaw asked.

She was padding beside Pinepaw who were each directly behind there mentors.

“We are going to give you a tour of the territory. And if we have time after words we are going to check on the elders.” Greypebble said.

“That’s boring” Pinepaw complained, his excitement lost. “Couldn’t we just do battle training?”

Watersong twisted her head around to glare at her apprentice. Pinepaw bared his short teeth.

“Would you rather search for the elders ticks all day?” she growled.

“No.” Pinepaw muttered

"Watersong is strict, I’m glad I got Greypebble, I like her. I feel sorry for Pinepaw though, having to put up with Watersong for six moons." Rainbowpaw thought.

After the tour of the territory they collect moss, she is too distracted memorizing the territory in my head to concentrate. Pinepaw does well, to him it is an enemy, he is fighting it, but ragged cuts heal faster, so you want to do it smoothly.

Rainbowpaw went back and they put the moss on a rock to dry, and Greypebble told Rainbowpaw all the standards and explaining why she needed to learn that.

“Greypebble is the smartest, funniest cat ever!” she thought, “''I hope Pinepaw likes his mentor just as much. I doubt it though.''”

“You’re the best mentor ever!” Rainbowpaw said out loud this time.

“Thank you, but, it’s only your first day, there is always more to a cat then meets the eye.” Greypebble said “Don’t automatically assume anything, about any cat… even something bad. Do you understand?” she continued.

“Yes, Greypebble” she replied quietly.

“Good, remember that advice.” Greypebble said

“I will.”

“I don’t doubt it, you seem like a good cat. it seems like you will be a fine apprentice.”

"Thank you" Rainbowpaw replied.

"The way she started off" she thought "I don’t know… it seems like she as… a secret...”



Chapter 6
Pinepaw circled in the training clearing, they were four moons into their training now. He knew he would win, but he would humor his sister a little bit, she could strike first, she would miss, he would pin her down and be over with it. He hated his mentor. Watersong would keep him busy and after she had seen his talent with battle, the only thing he likes to do, she never did it, it seemed like. But they were doing it now, to help Rainbowpaw with her battle training. She needed help with her timing, and really needed help with her dodging.

“No surprise there” he thought looking at her blind eye.

He would admit it though, he was jealous of Rainbowpaw’s mentor.

Suddenly he recoiled at a sharp blow to his check and then Rainbowpaw was on his back. He rolled over but she leaped off and darted back midway through his roll and she did a swipe over his belly. Rainbowpaw was now behind him and by the time he had scrambled to his feet and whirled around she leaped forwarded, slashed his nose and did the half turn belly rake. He leaped backwards and met her back legs as she landed. He hit the tendon on the back leg that made your legs buckle. She couldn’t see him because she was on the wrong side. She jumped up quickly though.

Greypebble then yowled, “Stop!” They both froze.

“That’s enough! Pinepaw next time I want you to-”

Greypebble never got to finish.

“Sunningrocks are now ours!”

They heard the yowl ring clearly From Sunningrocks. “Come on!” Pinepaw yowled, and as he dashed away he glanced over his shoulder. All three cats were following. Watersong caught up and took the lead before they got to Sunningrocks.

They burst onto Sunningrocks. Cats were lying still, from both sides, he leaped into the battle. He found himself up against a black tom, the tom looked tired, as his eyes were half closed. He leaped at the tom who instantly opened his eyes, and the eyes were a stunning green color. Pinepaw stoped short for a heartbeat at the sight of them. The tom looked confused when Pinepaw shook his surprise of the toms eyes off so quickly. But the tom got over it when Pinepaw's claws met the tom's nose. Pinepaw could hear his clanmates yowling something to him, but he couldn’t hear through the blood roaring in his ears.

“Jump, swipe roll, rake, pin.” He thought out what he was to do next, time was slowing down to Pinepaw, allowing him to plan every move.

Chapter 7
The blood sent was overwhelming! She looked around, shrinking onto the rocks. A warrior was racing towards her, it was Cobfur, she had seen him at gatherings. She turned and fled, dodging multiple cats on the way then, suddenly Rainbowpaw saw a dappled she-cat leaping, aiming for Pinepaw’s back; he skidded sideways and landed in a black toms paws.

“Greypebble, Pinepaw needs our help!” she said as Greypebble was looking around for another ThunderClan cat to claw.

Her mentor gave a warning yowl to announce Rainbowpaw and Greypebble coming to Pinepaws rescue. Landing on the she-cat, Rainbowpaw said,

“Are you crazy? Taking on Foreststar and not fleeing when Dapplerock came up!”

“Foreststar and Dapplerock!” he said, looking surprised. “They look different in daylight; I didn’t know it was them.” He defended himself.

“Well help us fishbrain” Greypebble hissed from her spot fighting Foreststar.

Watersong and Cherryflower came and she left the fight to find an opponent her own size. Cobfur, there he was, he was small for his age. She decided she would take that fight now. She landed silently on his back startling him to let out a yowl. Rainbowpaw scraped her claws over his back and she dug her teeth deep into his scruff. Her paw slipped and she ended up on the ground, Cobpaw next to her she put one paw on his underbelly to keep him pined while she got up. Soon she was standing over him.

“Do you give up?” she hissed.

“Never.” He croaked back from underneath her he jerked up with such force Rainbowpaw toppled over as he stood up she reached out and bit his tendon on his back leg. He shrieked with pain, he flailed his paws, she made a long cut down him. She opened up her eyes, had she done that? His stomach had a long deep cut, and his life was drained out of him. She had killed Cobfur.

“You killed Cobfur?” Greypebble hissed.

Foreststar had called retreat, and Greypebble was staring at her, her eyes glimmering with emotion. Disgust, anger, and perhaps traces of sadness and fear.

“I- I didn’t mean to.” She stammered.

“Go back to camp” Greypebble ordered.

Rainbowpaw’s tail dragged on the ground, why was that so important to Greypebble? Was Greypebble ashamed that her apprentice had killed a cat? Or was it something eles. Suddenly Rainbowpaw herd leaves crunch behind her, she turned around and saw Greypebble behind her.

“I’m sorry, I overreacted. Come with me.”

With that she turned and started walking deeper into the forest. Rainbowpaw fallowed and once they were alone in the forest Greypebble turned and said

“As I said before, I’m sorry I overreacted… but I have a secret, I am going to tell you.”

“A secret?” Rainbowpaw echoed.

She was heartbroken that she had broken the warrior code by killing without much honor, but she could listen to a secret.

“When I was an apprentice, I did something foolish. I fell in love.”

“How is that foolish?” Rainbowpaw asked.

“The cat I fell in love with was a ThunderrClan cat. When I was a warrior, I had his kits”

Greypebbles voice started to tremble.

“Two died at birth, and the other two I sent to their father. I couldn’t keep those kits; they would only make me want the cat I had mated with. One of those kit’s was Cobfur.” As she finished she crouched to the ground trembling with grief.

“I’m so sorry” Rainbowpaw said.

“No, don’t be, it was my mistake and I have to live with it… I want to tell you something else.” She said straightening up.

“What?”

“I think you are ready to become a warrior”

“but- but I’m not done with training for another two moons! And I don’t want to sit vigil alone!”

“You won’t, Rainpaw, Brightpaw and Hollypaw will be made warriors at the same time.”

“But what about Pinepaw he will be lonely.”

“He’s strong he’ll be fine, and besides, he has all the other apprentices, it is getting quite full in there.”

“bu-” Rainbowpaw started

“Not another word out of you, let’s go back to camp.”

Rainbowpaw felt worse.

Chapter 8
“Pinepaw, Pinepaw!” Pinepaw herd Rainbowpaw calling his name.

“I’m in the apprentices den!” he called back Rainbowpaw looked nervice.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m being made a warrior.” She said hesitantly.

“Were being made warriors? Already? That’s great! I need to get my pelt groomed out and-”

Rainbowpaw didn't let him finish.

“No Pinepaw, just me.”

“Wha- what? I- I don’t understand, your becoming a warrior… without me!”

“Yes.” Rainbowpaw said quietly.

“She’s just leaving me.” Pinepaw thought sourly. He turned his back pointedly to talk to Dustkit (a brown tabby tom), Fernkit(a black she-kit), Minnowkit(silver tabby she-kit), and Heatkit(ginger she-kit), Ravenmists litter, who had come to ask him what happened at the battle.

"If she is going to leave me, let her. I don’t need her." He brought his lips back in a silent snarl.

“Let all cats old enough to swim gather here beneath the fallen tree for a clan meeting!”

Pinepaw got up grudgingly and went outside.

“Rainpaw, Brightpaw, Hollypaw and Rainbowpaw, step forward. Sunstep, is Rainpaw ready to be a warrior?”

“She is”

“Rainpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend the clan, even with the cost of your life?"

“I do” then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. From this moment forth you will be known as Rainfire, StarClan honors your loyalty and kindness, and welcomes you as a full warrior of RiverClan." Hollyflight and Brightleaf became warriors, then it was Rainbowpaw's tern.

"Greypebble, is Rainbowpaw ready to be a warrior?”

“She is”

“Rainbowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to protect and defend the clan, even with the cost of your life?"

“I do”

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. From this moment forth you will be known as Rainboweyes, StarClan honors your spirit and persistent trying, and welcomes you as a full warrior of RiverClan.

"Rainfire, Hollyflight, Brightleaf, Rainboweyes!" the cats cheered.

Pinepaw couldn't take it anymore.

"You can't make her a warrior!" every cat turned to look at him, but he didn't care, jealousy and anger were burning at his claws.

"She" he said turning to Rainboweyes "is half blind. She can't see out of her violet eye! Rainboweyes is not fit to be a warrior!"

Chapter 9
A deep silence fell over the Clan.

"is this true, Rainboweyes?" Stonestar said.

Rainboweyes wished she could run away from the clan of eyes staring at her. She looked up at Stonestar but could not tell what he was thinking as he looked down back at her.

"Is it true!" he said his voice sharper this time.

"Yes." She whispered looking down at her paws.

She glanced over at Pinepaw. He looked satisfied.

"He has the right to be mad at me for becoming a warrior first, but of all things to do in his anger, it had to be this."

"I don't see what's wrong with that."

a voice behind her said she looked behind her to see Greypebble standing up

"she is as good as any apprentice that doesn't have a blind eye. and she had that!"

a ripple of agreement spread across the clan. Rainboweyes looked at Pinepaw again; He looked somewhere between shocked and angry. His look was something made of saddened hatred.

As Rainboweyes approached the fresh kill pile after the disaster warrior ceremony, she saw Stickface walking towards her. she stopped and greeted the brown tom.

"Hello, Rainboweyes." he greeted.

"Hi." she muttered awkwardly.

"Want to go hunting with me and Mistheart? We'd love your company."

"No, thank you though."Rainboweyes said.

"Are you sure?" He asked stepping in front of her as she tried to walk away.

"Yes, and I want to eat, fishbrain!" she purred as he looked down embaressed

"oh, sorry" Stickface said stepping out of the way "Would you like to come after?" he said giving his chest a couple of licks.

"Fine, but only because you keep bugging me." she said nudging playfully.

She proceeded to the freshkill pile and tasted the air next to it detecting a freshly caught trout. After digging it out from a coupe of minnows she scented it more carefully.

"It was in good health, caught by Smokewave, nothing wrong with it, I suppose it's mine to eat!... but it is awfully big..."

She looked around to see Stickface lingering behind her.

"Hay, Fishbrain!" as she called he looked at her questioningly

"Yeah you! Get over here!"

"Yes?" he said once he was over to her

"You hungry?" she responded pushing the large fish closer to him. His eyes shone and he took a bite. She did the same. While they ate she could sense him looking at her. Every time she looked up he looked down and acted like nothing happened. When they had finished she said

"let's go on that hunt"

"okay" he said. As they padded to the river, Mistheart left to go to a different part of the river. When they were situated her gaze was fixed on the water suddenly water hit her face. she whirled around to see Stickfce had splashed her and was now looking at her flirtingly. she leaped at her the tom knocking him to the ground.

They tussled until they fell into the river. then they came out soaking.

"When we come back to camp with no prey; it's your fault." she said

"I know" he said rubbing his head against her shoulder affectionetly.

"he likes me... but I don't, then again, how can I break his heart?" she thought "let him love you, and see what happens"

she argued with herself in her head all night and into her vigil. the sun broke over the hills

"Your vigil is over." Greypebble whispered in her ear.

Rainboweyes stretched out from sitting all night.

"Rainboweyes" Stickfaces mew startled her. "I made you a nest, it's right next to mine." he said

She decided not to think about having to think about how to tell him she didn't love him.

"I will someday, but not now" that was her last though before sleep took her.

Chapter 10
Pinepaw was infuriated.

Why... Just because of that little battle... he thought. The apprentice who was supposed to be a warrior looked up. The stars shone down at him mockingly. Pinepaw wanted to... Wanted to... He wasn't sure yet. The tom curled his tail over his nose and went into a dreamless sleep.

The next morning he woke up to congratulating yowls, but they weren't for him.

"Great job yesterday, Rainboweyes!"

"Want to go hunting?"

Pinepaw bristled and slid out of the apprentice's den, glaring at the group around Rainboweyes. He headed out of camp, ignoring his mentor's calls.

I'm supposed to be a warrior, he thought. With Rainboweyes.

"Pinepaw! PINEPAW!" Watersong screeched. Pinepaw looked up.

"Come on, we're going hunting." Watersong stormed past him.

"Control freak.." he said under his breath.

"WHAT was that..?!" Watersong turned around, bristling as spiky as a hedgehog.

Pinepaw stepped up to his mentor's face.

"CONTROL FREAK!"

Before his mentor could reply, he stormed off.

"PINEPAWWW!" went Watersong's voice, fading into the distance as he got closer to Sunningrocks.

The black tom kept going, and when he got to the riverside, he stopped. Pinepaw had an idea that could heal his anger.

Chapter 11
Rainboweyes felt miserable. Pinepaw hadn't even looked at her when he got back to camp, and still didn't for the rest of the day. The next day, Rainboweyes was determined to make up with Pinepaw.

"Was it something I did?" she thought as she padded towards the apprentice's den.

She looked inside and only saw Coldpaw and Lightningpaw sleeping, Pinepaw was gone.

Rainboweyes knew that he must be training, and decided to go find him. She knew that the senior warrior that was also Pinepaw's mentor-Watersong-would probably turn her away, but she needed at least a small sign that Pinepaw still had a friendship with her. Stickface started to pad after her, but stopped when Rainboweyes went past him out of camp. She looked over her shoulder and immediately felt guilty for passing by him without even acknowledging him. She hurried out of camp and followed the sounds of a frustrated Watersong.

"No, like THIS!" she burst into the clearing and looked around to see Pinepaw looking frustrated as Watersong showed him how to fish big fish.

"hay!" Rainboweyes called Pinepaw looked around bristling.

"What do you want." he growled

Rainboweye's heart sunk he is still mad at her.

"um, I- I noticed you haven't talked to me for since my warriors ceremony..." she replied

"and?" he growled

"I-I... Never mind" she mumbled and turned to walk away.

Chapter 12
Pinepaw hated Stonestar for promoting Rainboweyes to warrior, 2 MOONS EARLY! He couldn't take it! It was a single moon since Rainboweyes became a warrior, and a single to Pinepaw joining her. She was getting closer to Stickface, who Pinepaw personally thought was ugly. Stickface was also Stonestar's son.

"Convenient" he thought.

His grand scheme was almost complete. He just needed to think of a way to perform it without getting caught. Pinepaw imagined Rainboweyes getting an apprentice, and shuddered. If that happened while he was still an apprentice, he would personally exile himself.

"Pinepaw?!" went Watersong's call.

"That little.." Pinepaw lashed his tail.

"Coming!"

"Today's training is--" Watersong paused.

"Please be battle..."

Battle training was Pinepaw's best topic.

"Battle training with Crowpaw, Sparrowpaw, Lightningpaw, and Coldpaw!" Pinepaw widened his eyes, then smiled. He turned around to face the four other apprentices. He started to circle... Circling them, making it tighter and tighter, like a vulture coming in for a meal.

He leaped at the smallest one, Coldpaw, easily knocking her into the 'out' area. Pinepaw immediately zeroed in on Sparrowpaw while Lightningpaw and Crowpaw tussled. He headbutted him, followed by heavy pummeling to get him into the 'out' area. Crowpaw had knocked Lightningpaw into the 'out' and realized that Pinepaw was in with him. As easily as the others, Pinepaw had put Crowpaw out.

Chapter 13
Rainboweyes was looking at Stickface.

"I still don't love him." she thought sadly.

"But I still don't know how to tell him." He walked up to her, unsurprisingly. He had been talking to Pinepaw, more surprisingly.

"What were you talking to Pinepaw about?" she asked.

"Nothing importiant." he said, without meeting her gaze.

"Why is he acting like that?" Rainboweyes thought.

"Really?" she asked disbelievingly.

She noticed Pinepaw was giving Stickface a hard stare... What was going on?

"You can tell me if there is something wrong." she said quietly.

"There is nothing wrong!" Stickface hissed. Rainboweyes blinked.

"Maybe he just needs to be alone with his thoughts."

"Okay" she said, getting up to go.

"Wait! Where are you going?" he called.

"You obviously need to be alone right now Stickface. There is something wrong and you can come to me when you are ready to tell me. I'll be in by nest."

She tried to ignore his disbelieving stare as she stalked away.

That night Rainboweyes felt Stickface get up next to her.

"Where are you going?" she murmured.

"Nowhere important" he replies quietly "Go back to sleep."

Rainboweyes woke up the next morning. Stickface wasn't in his nest.

"He hasn't been back all night!" she realized. "I hope he's okay."

She sat up and heard Watersong's voice. "Stonestar, we found Stickface dead by the stepping-stones."

She jumped up and emerged into the clearing at the same time as Stonestar. "I will lead a patrol with my best trackers to find how he died." Stonestar said. "Sunstep, Watersong, Pinepaw, Mistheart, and Rainboweyes. Come with me."

Chapter 14
Pinepaw walked along at the back of his patrol. Sunstep and Rainboweyes were flanking Stonestar, even though of all the warriors, Rainboweyes was the LEAST experienced. After them was Watersong and Mistheart then he was stuck at the back. When they reached the stepping stones there was Stickface stuck between the stepping stones. Right in the middle of the River. Before Stonestar could say anything Rainboweyes said,

"Whatever stupid RiverClan cat was disloyal enough to do this, I will personally rip their throat out!"

This made Pinepaw exceedingly surprised.

"How does she know it's a RiverClan cat?" he thought, bristling.

Stonestar had the same thoughts."Why do you think it is a RiverClan cat? he asked cautiously.

"The cat was smart enough to cover up their scent." She said.

Stonestar opened his mouth to say something but Rainboweyes started talking again.

"And when he left last night, he wasn't going to make dirt, he was meeting someone, and the only cat who could have gotten a message to him would be a RiverClan cat." she continued.

"But what if it was a ThunderClan cat? That somehow got out to him?" Stonestar inquired.

"How would a ThunderClan cat get out here to the stepping stones beat him over water, and if they battled somewhere else cover the tracks on the Sunningrocks, and then pull him out to the stepping stones?" Rainboweyes said smoothly "And plus, Stickface is too loyal to meet a ThunderClan cat."

This revelation shocked a silence in they patrol.

"Are you absolutely certain Rainboweyes?" Stonestar finally said.

"Yes." Rainboweyes said quietly "it's probably hard to believe someone in our clan did it, but I am positive. It has to be the truth. It's the only explaination."

"Your right" Stonestar said "We will double the guard until the murderer is found. This will not happen again." The tom Bared his teeth obviously angry while the other cats in the patrol Bristled in shock. "Come, we must tell the clan this news. Rainboweyes, Mistheart, and Sunstep, carry Stickface back to camp.

"My revenge will do more in it's work. it is not satisfied yet" Pinepw decided as he walked back to camp. "I will be satisfied when my plan is done."

Chapter 15
Rainboweyes could feel rage puling through her. She hadn't loved the brown tom, but she still cared about him.

"He probably knows that now though." she thought regretfully "I wish I had been able to tell him myself." Pinepaw had been silent for the entire patrol... he still seemed mad.

"I wonder if he had something to- NO he couldn't have. Pinepaw is angry, but he is still loyal!"

Stonestar and Sunstep were grieving for there kit. While Mistheart's tail dragged in the dirt.

As they emerged into the camp Bolderfur, and Flamesnow, and Goldenslash were waiting. Flamesnow was his sister who had been given her medicine cat name recently, while Goldenslash was his mentor and Bolderfur, his brother. Mistheart was his sister, she and the rest of there littermates were all grieving as much as their parents.

"Am I too?" Rainboweyes wondered "I think I am, but I'm not sure."

Stonestar leaped up onto the tree.

"let all cats old enough to swim gather beneath the fallen oak!" he called. Cat's emerged from the clearing to see what the news was on Stickface.

"Stickface was killed!" Stonestar announced "and Rainboweyes found some clues, witch have led us all to the conclusion that one of us have killed him."

Stonestar's gaze swept across the clearing, as if to blame every cat there, and shocked mews broke out from the crowd. "If you turn yourself in, now, your punishment will be redused. We will catch you though, no matter what. Until then, the guard will be doubled, and you must always have a cat know where you are. That is all."

With that Stonestar leaped down from fallen oak.

That night Rainboweyes, Stonestar, Sunstep, Mistheart, Bolderfur, Flamerock, and Goldenslsh all sat vigil for Stickface. Rainboweyes was not sure that she was close enough to him, but, every cat seemed to think they were mates. Crowpaw had come out to tell her that he was sorry for her loss even.

"I do wish I had loved you, but I didn't. I'm so sorry" Rainboweyes thought, hoping that Stickface could hear her.

Chapter 16
"Rainboweyes got over her sadness about Stickface very quickly." Pinepaw thought "Maybe she wasn't as... attached as I originally thought."

It was a two moons later and he had taken his second final assessment the day before. last moon he hadn't passed. apparently he didn't hunt well enough.

"Let all cats old enough to swim gather here beneath the fallen oak for a Clan meeting!" Stonestar's voice rang out over the clearing.

This was his warrior ceremony. He sat next to Watersong just to look good. That was what all the other apprentice's had done that he had seen. Ravenmist's litter emerged from the nursery, bouncing in excitement. Sunstep had ad a seconed litter... a misfortunate fate happened to them. All but one, who was still living even after that murder in RiverClan struck there nest in the nursery.

"That murder is very clever." he thought slyly. Imagining the figure to please himself at this murder's victories.

"Pinepaw, come forward." Stonestar said "Watersong, is Pinepaw ready to become a warrior?" he asked

"He is" Watersong said looking down.

"Then, Pinepaw do you promise to uphold the warrior code? And protect and defend the Clan even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." Pinepaw said solemnly, though he honestly didn't mean it.

Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Pinepaw, from this moment forth you will be known as Pinestorm. StarClan honors your loyalty and determination, and welcomes you as a full warrior of RiverClan."

"Pinestorm! Pinestorm! Pinestorm!" the Clan cheers excitedly.

"I may be determined, but I am not so sure about loyal." Pinestorm thought... "but I guess we will find out."

After that was Ravenmist's litters apprenticeship. Dustpaw got Rainfire, Heatpaw got Hollyflight, and Fernpaw got Brightleaf.

"Minnowkit from now on until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Minnowpaw and your mentor will be Rainboweyes..."

Pinestorm didn't hear the rest. His sister got a apprentice... and he was barley a warrior.

"Thisis not okay." he thought.

That night, while no one was awake. during his vigil, he snuck into the warriors den. He found Watersong's and Ravenmist's nests... his job was done quickly and quietly. Then he snuck back out. Rainboweyes wouldn't have had an apprentice if Ravenmist had had only three kits. And Watersong had hated and tormented him as an apprentice and now both had paid for their crimes. his work was done... an soon, he would be healed from his injustices.

Chapter 17
Rainboweyes woke up and stretched. She felt like she should be doing something.

"Have I been assigned dawn patrol?" she wondered "no.".

The den was almost empty was something going on? Then she remembered. Her first apprentice! Yesterday she had given Minnowpaw the tour of the territory, and today was going to be her first formal swimming lesson. she entered into the clearing, surprised to see almost all the clan was gathered. She would think it was a meeting, but all the cats were murmuring to themselves and there were wails of grief rising up from the center. Rainboweyes pushed her way to the center to see Ravenmist and Watersong dead in the center. Wolfthorn and Pinestorm were gathered around Watersong, grieving for their sister and mentor. While Patchfur, Greypebble, Dustpaw, Heatpaw, Fernpaw, and Minnowpaw were grieving for their mate, sister, and mother.

Rainboweyes pushed her way back out of the crowed. Leaving them alone and went to ask Blueheart how they died.

"Blueheart, I was wondering how-" Blueheart didn't let Rainboweyes finish.

"Watersong was suffocated and Ravenmist had deathberrys put in her mouth and was forced swallow."

Blueheart looked up, her gaze boring into Rainboweyes with great intensity. Rainboweyes stepped back in surprise at the way Blueheart was looking at her.

"What's wrong?" Rainboweyes asked hesitantly.

"Beware." Blueheart said quietly "Beware of the storm that rages on our horizons. You have the power to protect us, the pines are a danger to us all, you must not let feelings blind you from the true culprit." Rainboweyes looked at the ginger she-cat with her eyes wide.

"I am the answer to all this?" she thought.

"B-but how can I help. I'm just a warrior... a half blind one at that" she said in disgust "How can I be the one who can save us?"

she gazed at Blueheart waiting for the answer.

"You were born with a destiny, Rainboweyes." Blueheart said after a moment. The medicine cat looked straight into Rainboweyes' eyes. "You hold the answer to all those questions inside yourself.

With that Blueheart turned and walked slowly into her den. Rainboweyes was left stunned by her words. And finally turned back to the center of the clearing. Cats had gone off on patrols, and only a few remained grieving by the bodies. she walked over to Minnowpaw.

"Do you want to do some training?" she asked gently.

"Yes" Minnowpaw said dully standing up. through the next day Raiboweyes' thought about Blueheart's words. And she couldn't shake them.

Chapter 18
Pinestorm looked around. He had been up for two nights in a row for his warrior vigil and Watersong's vigil. The black tom hadn't been grieving for Watersong, but he had to look convincing Pinestorm relished in his new warrior name... all the cats were giving him pitying looks for how he had lost his mentor. Pinestorm had an idea for who would be his next victim.

"I might want to check up on Minnowpaw's training." he thought. He would need a proper way to get rid of the apprentice. As he stood up Rainfire walked over to him.

"Would you like to help me and Hollyflight train Dustpaw and Heatpaw?" she asked. "Hollyflight and I agreed that you would be good at teaching them some fighting moves."

Pinestorm felt like his breath was taken away. He had liked Rainfire ever since he was a kit. And the Rainfire, and her sister, was asking him to help teach her apprentice how to fight.

"Sure!" he said excitedly "And your apprentice's will have a better chance of surviving while I am tired." he finished with a stifled yawn.

Rainfire looked instantly apologetic. "Oh that's right, you must be tired. You go ahead and get some sleep and we can just-"

Pinestorm didn't let her finish. "I'm fine." he said "Lets go"

When they got to the training clearing Dustpaw and Heatpaw were jumping up and down. He had planed out his lesson and told it to Rainfire on the way there. Rainfire approved.He sat down in front of the apprentice's as they ran around in circles.

"Dustpaw, Heatpaw, settle down." he ordered. the two apprentice's stopped in their tracks to look at him.

"I do not wish such distractions to be Going on while I am teaching you." he said "Battle training, as, I think, the most useful skill, we should not mess around."

He thought he sounded pretty good.

"Why should we listen to you?" Heatpaw said cockily.

"Yeah, you just got made a warrior three sunrises ago." Dustpaw added

Then Heatpaw started talking again, "How would you know all that much?"

Pinestorm opened his mouth for a sharp retort but Hollyflight beat him to it.

"We brought one of the best fighters in the clan for your first lesson and you should be more thankful Heatpaw! If you don't apologize right now you will be cleaning out the elders den for the rest of today and won't get any Battle training!"

Then Rainfire said, "The same go's for you Dustpaw. Apologize

"Thanks." He whispered to the sisters.

The rest of the day went smoothly.

Chapter 19
Rainboweyes and Brightleaf had trained Minnowpaw and Fernpaw together. The mentors of Ravenmist's kit's had decided not to have them train alone until they had gotten over the most of their grief for their mother. Minnowpaw had been so hyper on her apprenticeship day, that you could hardly believe that this quiet apprentice was the same cat.

"I wonder how I can cheer her up." Rainboweyes thought.

"We are going to teach you how to catch fish." Brightleaf said enthusiastically, trying to cheer up her glum audience.

Rainboweyes could hardly focus on teaching them how to catch fish. She was puzzling out who the murderer was.

Rainboweyes was running through all the cats in the clan.

"Sunstep? No. why would she kill her own kits? Mistheart? No, I've been sleeping next to her and she has not left once. Pinestorm? No, he couldn't, he wouldn't, just NO!"

Rainboweyes tried harder then ever to focus after that last thought.

"Pinestorm would NEVER do that." she thought "I know him"

The thought just kept coming back over and over, but she kept on pushing it away. When they got back to camp Rainboweyes went to see Stonestar. Rainboweyes wanted to know what they were going to do about all the latest murders.

"Stonestar, may I come in?" she called

"You may enter." Stonestar's voice came out of the den. He sounded tired. Sunstep, Blueheart and Flamerock were siting around Stonestar when she entered. She had obviously interrupted them.

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't relies you were doing something." she muttered and started to back out. "No, wait." Stonestar said "Stay." Rainboweyes sat down, aware of Blueheart's gaze burrowing straight in to her.

"What did you need?" Stonestar asked. "We can help you with anything."

"Well... I had an idea about how we could stop the murders, and perhaps catch them." Rainboweyes said, shuffling her paws.

"What would that be?" Stonestar said, his eyes half closed.

"We could have two or three cats per den who take turns, each night and stay awake, but are in their nests, acting like they are asleep. If a cat stands up or leaves in the night, then they become a suspect. The cat who is watching the den could look out a little whole or something to see what the cat is doing." she looked around to see approving nods.

"You may choose the cats who will do this for each den." Stonestar said. "Choose no more then three per den, and that will be their duty until they are told otherwise. Tell Sunstep and you will lead those cats on a border patrol. We will stop this madness."

Chapter 20
Pinestorm had watched while Rainboweyes had come out of Stonestar's den with Sunstep. They had gathered Minnowpaw, Crowpaw, Mistheart, and Smokewave. Then Stonestar exited his den and bounded over to the elders'. Pinestorm hesitated before heading towards the camp entrance.

"Don't I have a patrol with Rainfire?" Pinestorm thought. Pinestorm stopped. He looked around camp for the patrol, and found them gathering near the fresh-kill pile. There was Wolfthorn, Greypebble, Hazelflight, Dustpaw and... Rainfire!

With a spark of joy at the sight of the she-cat he bounded over to her.

"Hi." he said as he reached Rainfire.

"Hi." she said, her eyes brightening at the sight of him.

He stared at her as she started padding smoothly towards the camp entrance.

"Come on." Greypebble said, snapping him back from his daydream.

"Okay." he said, feeling like air as he padded over to the rest of the patrol and they headed out.

"You smell anything?" Pinestorm asked Rainfire

"I'm a mentor, not an apprentice," she said giving him a shove.

Despite her joke he felt his ears growing hot.

"Why did I ask her that!"

"er- I mean you have a great nose so." he stammered "I mean you have a great sense of smell so..."

Pinestorm had never felt so lost for words in his life.

"I like you." the words came out of nowhere. and Pinestorm thought for sure she would burst out laughing, thinking he was joking. But she looked surprised and then frowned.

"I don't." she said he felt the world swing when she said that.

But then to his confusion her face lit up in amusment and she said "I love you."

And the world disappeared, she was the only cat in the universe, she was all that existed, all that mattered.

"hurry up you love birds!" called Wolfthorn

"Coming!" Pinestorm and Rainfire called in unison.

They stifled laughter as the caught up with the patrol, and talked for ages after. And then that was all that mattered... Rainfire loved him!

Chapter 21
Rainboweyes woke up and stretched, looking around. Dawn light was filtering in through the branches in the den. She padded out into the clearing. It had been almost two moons since they had started the plan to stop the murdering only one murder had occurred, it had been in the middle of the day outside of camp, Minnowpaw had been murdered by the WindClan border. Crowflight, Lightningstripe, Sparrowfeather, and Coldleaf had all been made warriors.

Sunstep's son, Blackpaw, had been made Rainboweyes' apprentice, but, now Leaf-fall was just turning into Leaf-bare, and Blackpaw was sick with White-cough. Rainboweyes turned and saw Sunstep headed out of the leaders den.

"Did anyone leave during the night?" Sunstep asked.

"Pinestorm and... Oh! Cherryflower and Smokewave went out together." Replied Rainboweyes.

Sunstep nodded "You might as well come with me on dawn patrol."

Once they were out of camp with Mistheart, Goldenslash, and Lightningstripe. They went along the no-clan border, then they were headed down the WindClan border.

There was a patrol standing on the border. Kestrellash was in the lead with Russetfire, Mousefrost, Stormsky, Owlfur, and Blackfern.

"Greetings!" Sunstep called as they neared them.

"We found RiverClan sent in our camp, along with one of our warriors dead." Kestrellash said His eyes glowing accusingly. Rainboweyes gasped.

"The murder went all the way to WindClan."

"Go on ahead." Sunstep said quietly as she gazed at the WindClan warriors. The rest of the patrol started to pad ahead.

"Are you going to tell them?!" Rainboweyes exclaimed.

Sunstep nodded and Rainboweyes left to catch up with the rest of the patrol. It wasn't just RiverClan's problem anymore.

Chapter 22
Pinestorm lifted his head up wearily as Sunstep nudged him.

"Come with me." she said softly.

"What does she want?" he thought narrowing his eyes "It's the middle of the night!"

He got up grudgingly and followed her out of camp. They padded out close to the stepping-stones and then they stopped.

"Why did you bring me here?" he asked, meeting her gaze.

"Are you the murderer?" she asked.

Pinestorm's world spun. He fight to stay calm.

"What if I am, then what proof would you have." he said looking her in the eye.

"You left camp yesterday night." she responded "A WindClan cat smelled RiverClan sent on a murdered body."

Pinestorm thought for a moment.

"Does anyone else know your suspicion?" he asked.

"No, I wanted to know what you would say first."

"Ah, then I know how to address this situation."

He bared his teeth.

"Fool. You caught me." he growled "But now it's your turn!"

With that, he leaped above her and landed with his full weight on her head, knocking her out. Then he swam down in the river holding her body in his jaws, and jammed her body between the stepping-stones. Then he swam back up and shook out his pelt and sprinted back to camp, to dry himself off.

The next morning, he went hunting. after that he sat around with Rainfire, helped Hollyflight with her training, and went on patrol.

"Let all cat's old enough to swim, gather here beneath the fallen oak for a clan meeting." Stonestar yowled, but grief edged his mew. "I carry bad news." Stonestar called "Sunstep's body was found. She is dead."

Greif stricken mews followed his announcement.

Stonestar raised his tail for silence.

Some cats have been pretending to sleep in there nests but have been watching for the murderer. All of you who have been guarding from your nests are released from your duties."

Chapter 23
Surprise rippled through the clan, and Stonestar waited for it to die down before continuing.

"Now for the new deputy."

Rainboweyes looked around. Perhaps Smokewave would be the new deputy. He was strong and experienced.

"I say these words before the body of Sunstep," Stonestar said, his voice cracking "that she may hear and approve my choice. Rainboweyes will be the new deputy of RiverClan."

Rainboweyes gasped in surprise. She looked around at all the cats cheering her name.

"Rainboweyes! Rainboweyes! Rainboweyes! Rainboweyes!"

The next few moments blurred as cats came up and congratulated her. Suddenly, Pinestorm was in front of her and no one else, everyone was now paying respects to Sunstep.

Pinestorm looked down

"Congratulations." he said and he turned away.

"Wait!" Rainbpoweyes called after him as he stated to pad away.

He stopped and turned around slowly.

"Are you not mad at me anymore?" she asked

He didn't respond at first. Pinestorm shifted his paw on the ground back and forth for a moment.

"No." he said as he looked up.

With that he turned and bounded away to pay his respects to Sunstep.

Chapter 24
Pinestorm felt rage building inside him. Rainboweyes was deputy, and he hadn't even had an apprentice yet!

"How could I have been so stupid!" he thought "Everyone knows how much he trusts Rainboweyes."

He had lied to Rainboweyes about forgiving her. He figured that it would be useful to have her under his paw for I he needed information. Pinestorm looked around. His gaze stopped at Rainfire, who was talking with Boulderfur. He instantly forgot about Rainboweyes becoming deputy. She must have noticed him to because she excused herself from Boulderfur and bounded over to him.

"Hey." she said as she came up to him.

"Hi" he said meeting her gaze.

"Just a moment." she said as she bounded over to Blueheart.

After what seemed like an eternity she went inside the medicine den and hen she came out again as she walked over her eyes were glowing with happiness.

"I'm expecting your kits." she murmured softly

Pinestorm felt like he was about to burst with excitement.

"That is amazing!" he said "How many?"

he started blasting her with questions

"I don't know!" she answered all at ones with an exasperated sigh

"And all I know is it is the best thing that has ever happened to me." he said as she leaned her head on his shoulder.

Pinestorm looked behind them. Hollyflight was staring at them with an unreadable expression. he looked away quickly and focused on Rainfrie and focused on her kits.

Chapter 25
Rainboweyes was still recovering from the shock of becoming deputy. She decided that she should go visit Blackpaw, he would be grieving for his mother, and plus he might not have heard the news yet.

"Hi." she said quietly as she entered.

"Hello, Rainboweyes," Blueheart said "congratulations on becoming deputy. You deserve it."

Shocked by her praise, Rainboweyes just stares. She had gotten to know Blueheart relatively well while she was visiting Blackpaw, and knew that she did not give praise lightly.

"I assume you want to see Blackpaw?" Blueheart asked "I'm sorry he's sleeping." she answered before Rainboweyes could reply.

"Blueheart I wanted to check something with you." a voice behind her said.

Rainboweyes spun around to see Rainfire. Rainfire swept past her like she was invisible, her fur bristling with contained excitement.

"I think I am expecting Pinestorm's kits, could you check to make sure?" Rainfire asked.

"lie down so I can reach your belly." Blueheart huffed

Rainfire did as she was instructed. After a moment Blueheart looked up.

"You're expecting kits." she growled "Now stop cluttering up my space and tell the lucky tom."

Rainfire gave a bounce of excitement and brushed past Rainboweyes again, calling over her shoulder;

"Thanks Blueheart! And congratulations Rainboweyes!"

Rainboweyes watched her pad out of the den, and she started to make her way to the entrance.

"You have a bond that is withholding you." Blueheart said "Get rid of it."

Rainboweyes looked over her shoulder Blueheart had turned and was now muttering under her breath while counting a pile of herbs.

Rainboweyes emerged into the clearing, and saw Crowflight instantly come over.

"Hey. um... so Sparrowfeather and Lightningstripe dared me to tell you how I felt about you... so, here it goes." Crowflight said "I really like you, and have for a really long time."

Crowflight looked up shyly. Rainboweyes felt a surge of affection for the tom. He had been her friend for a long time and she had recently developed a small crush, but not a big one. Rainboweyes thought for a moment for how to respond.

"Check him out!" her head was screaming, but she forced herself to stay calm.

"I'll have to see how many patrols I can get us to share." Rainboweyes responded touching her nose lightly to his.

He looked up, happiness shining in his eyes.

"Thank you." she said "Thank you so much."

Chapter 26
The next day, Pinestorm was out boasting to Sparrowfeather about his awesome unborn kits.

"I'm sure Hollyflight's jealous." Sparrowfeather said nudging Pinestorm.

"What do you mean?" Pinestorm asked cautiously.

"Are you kidding? you have never noticed her mooning over you!" Sparrowfeather looked shocked.

"um, no... I... Really?!" He asked.

"Yes."

"Your sure?"

"positive."

Pinestorm stopped. He didn't want to talk about it anymore.

"What about you and Brightleaf?" he asked.

"We are good. She is really wanting to have some kits."

They padded in silence for a bit.

"Would you stay by my side no matter what?" Pinestorm asked

"Of cores, your my best friend!" he exclaimed "Why do you want to know?"

"I was just wondering." Pinestorm said

"I'll hold you to that. I'll hold you to that."

Charter 27
COMING SOON