2

I woke at Dawn the next morning. Some cats had already left the warriors den to go on patrol. I crept out of my den and went to the medicine den. Leafpool was already waiting for me.

"Here are your traveling herbs." She said, nudging a pile of herbs to me.

I ate the herbs in silence. Leafpool waited while I ate them.

"Good luck with the journey. I will miss you." She said.

"Good bye." I said as I walked out of her den.

"May Starclan light your path!" She called after me.

At the camp entrance, Brambleclaw waited for me. He was going to come with me to the Shadowclan border. We walked through the forest exchanging a few words. As we neared the Shadowclan border, a rotting scent overflowed me.

"That must be the dead cat." I told Brambleclaw as we followed the scent. Brambleclaw went ahead. He stopped very suddenly. I stopped beside him. In front of us lay the dead cat. It was a gray tabby tom. Blood ran everywhere around his body. There was a deep gash in his throat.

We took another few paw steps. Then strong Shadowclan scent wafted over me.

"Good bye Brambleclaw." I said and touched my muzzle to his.

"Good bye Squirrelflight. Have a safe journey. May Starclan light your path." He said as he turned and padded back to camp.

I padded into Shadowclan territory. I wanted to make sure I didn`t meet any patrols. I padded along the lake. It was a nice day and I let the sun stream on my fur. I was enjoying myself. Suddenly, the bushes rustled.

"Intruders!" a cat yowled.