Prologue
The wind blew softly around the clearing as a young tom prowled softly towards a small, defenseless creature huddled in the grass. He paused and flexed his claws in the mud, bringing fresh dirt up onto the wet mud. Rain trickled down his fur as his bright, yellow eyes peered forward. He crouched low, stuck his tail in the air, and leapt, claws extended.
"Graypaw!"
"Whoa!" The young cat tumbled out of the air and landed on his stomach in the muddy ground. He slid a few mouse-lengths then came to a stop. His whiskers twitched in irritation as he saw that his prey was gone. The smoky gray cat looked up at a huge brown tabby gazing down at him.
"I almost had that!" he spat. Then, with a teasing air, he added, "Shouldn't you be more careful, Tigerclaw?"
"We're having trouble at camp," said the large tabby, glancing at him with an expressionless face. "You need to come with me, Graypaw."
"Where's Lionheart?" Graypaw got to his paws and padded to the large warrior slowly, eyeing him uncertainty. "Shouldn't he come to fetch me?" the tabby said nothing as he turned and bounded towards camp. The smaller cat raced after him, his heart pounding with worry. Was his mentor okay? What about his mother? He took a deep breath as a sharp pain slashed at his side from running when he was still tired from a night of little sleep. He saw the camp entrance up ahead and shoved his way into camp.
Yowls were being sent out into the night as every cat gathered around the High Ledge. Graypaw pricked his ears and bounded forward, ignoring the pain in his side. He slowed as he reached the group, padding through them. His eyes narrowed in curiosity as he pressed into the opened at the end of the group. He felt his jaw fall open at the sight.
Longtail had cornered Bluestar against the ledge. Her blue/gray fur was puffed up and her tail was drawn by her hind legs. She had flattened her ears to her head and her eyes were narrowed dangerously.
"Bluestar was telling Tallstar Clan secrets!" yowled Tigerclaw from Highrock. He gazed down at her, hate burning in his eyes. "Do you deny it?"
She did not hesitate, as she answered, "No."
Graypaw stared in shock, as the whole Clan seemed to gasp in unison. He laid his paw closer to his leader but didn't make another move to get nearer. His yellow eyes were wide with a somewhat innocent shock.
"This isn't true!" Lionheart yowled. That was when Graypaw noticed his mentor. The large, golden tabby was a few feet away from Bluestar, cornered by Darkstripe. He glared at the dark tabby and Graypaw knew he could knock him out of the way easily. Why didn't he?
"Isn't it?" Tigerclaw turned his piercing gaze to the tom. "And did you or did you not kill Redtail?"
"Of course we didn't!" Bluestar snarled. "What do you think we are?"
"And we were…" Lionheart looked at the she-cat then back at the brown tabby with determination. "Seeking help."
"Help? From what?" Tigerclaw snarled.
"We cannot and will not say," Bluestar said evenly.
"I see." Tigerclaw gazed at them with calm eyes, though determined. "Then you know the way out."
"Allow me." Bluestar shoved her way through the crowd, Lionheart behind her.
"Lionheart!" Graypaw scampered towards his mentor.
The golden warrior turned to his apprentice, his eyes fierce. "Stay here, Graypaw. We will be back but say until then." The gray tom stopped and stared after them as they padded away, lifting a paw in shock and hurt. Soon, they were gone.
Tigerclaw turned to Darkstripe and Longtail. "Follow them." The warriors obeyed. The smoky tom stared after the warriors racing after his leader and his hero. As he looked back at Tigerclaw with wide eyes, he knew the Clan was doomed.
A dark ginger tomcat pushed past some reeds, padding after a light colored tabby cat and the smaller, silver she-cat. His heart was racing as he took several pawsteps towards Clan life and away from his two-legs.
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A dark ginger tomcat pushed his way through the reeds, padding after the light colored tabby tom and the pretty silver she-cat ahead of him. His heart was pounding in his chest beneath his fur as he took another pawstep away from his two-legs and towards his new life. Clan life.
"You okay?" The silver she-cat turned to him. "Rusty?"
"I'm fine." He smiled at her, trying to remember her name. "Thanks… Silverpaw."
She nodded, smiling gently. "No problem. Come on." Rusty headed for the camp, taking a few deep breaths. Soon he would be part of RiverClan.
