Prologue

Yellowfang paced back and forth, infront of two of her Clan mates. "Well, we're making up for your mistakes, Bluestar," she growled as she went. "But there is much more difficulty to come. They cannot hide the truth forever. The truth will come out."

Bluestar bowed her head. "I am aware, Yellowfang, that she will return." She sighed. "She was destined for so many great things… No cat shall forget her."

The old gray medicine cat hissed. "And now that medicine cat of ThunderClan's made things a great big mess for everyone."

"I cannot disagree with her actions," Spottedleaf mewed, curling her tail over her paws. "Leafpool did as she thought was right for the last bit and, when it comes to love, you both know it cannot be stopped. Or have you forgotten, Yellowfang?"

Even Yellowfang could not make herself lash out at the younger medicine cat. "Of course I haven't! But if she could have controlled herself or trusted her Clan…!"

Spottedleaf twitched one ear. "Are you saying that you would trust the whole Clan with this secret in her position? I can't believe that! And you didn't either! It isn't Leafpool's fault that something that is usually kept quiet came out. It was sour luck."

"Luck," growled Yellowfang. "I would not call the fact that Ashfur showed his true colors bad luck!" She scoffed. "No, luck had nothing to do with it."

"It was fate," Bluestar mewed. "And fate shall play again." She got to her paws. "It is time for the messages to be delivered. Are you two ready?"

Yellowfang snapped, "Yes, yes! Let's get on with this! I shall speak to Jayfeather."

Spottedleaf shook her fur. "I will speak to Leafpool as I have often done and then Firestar. He will listen to me, I am sure."

Bluestar nodded her head. "Yes, and you both know where I am headed. We will meet here when we are finished." The three cats bowed their heads to one another and padded away.

--

Leafpool leapt to her paws, shocked to find herself in the old Medicine cat den back in the old forest. She glanced around, somewhat reassured and somewhat weary at the sight of the stacks of herbs around the familiar walls. Sadness pricked at her heart as she realized that this was part of the good old days when all she had to worry about was her sister's wild attitude and an occasional wound. But at the end of every day, she'd always know that she was doing good and was acting for the good of her Clan, not herself.

Her ears drooped backwards as the Medicine Cat- no, not a medicine cat anymore- realized that she hadn't done that over the past moons. Her life had been about Crowfeather and secrets. Her tail swept across the floor as she whispered, "Why did you bring me here, StarClan? It holds nothing for me now. Nothing…"

"Don't give up hope now, young one," said a soft voice behind her. Leafpool whipped around to see Spottedleaf and her heart filled with joy. For one wild moment, she was Leafpaw, apprentice to Cinderpelt, without a threatening care. But that moment passed quickly and she was suddenly the secretive medicine cat again.

"But Spottedleaf," she whispered, "I failed everyone. My mate, my kits, my sister… I ruined it all!" She sighed. "That's why I'm resigning."

"No." Spottedleaf swept her tail around the young cat. "You aren't. You are still ThunderClan's medicine cat and we need you for one more task. Firestar will keep you on, trust me."

Leafpool's eyes widened in shock. "StarClan still wants me as Medicine Cat? But I can't! I've been humiliated and the others will never respect me like they did!"

"Respect! Humiliation!" Spottedleaf drew back, as if disgusted, her eyes indignant. "I thought you were above all this, Leafpool! What would Cinderpelt say?"

"But-" protested Leafpool, stung by the words of the wise cat.

"Now, you will keep your post! Your resignation is out of the question," Spottedleaf mewed. Her voice softened as she continued, "You will do great things. Your Clan still needs you. Now you must listen to me. You have a hard task ahead of you, young one." She leaned close to the brown tabby and whispered instructions in her ear. The younger cat's eyes widened with surprise.