AN: Sorry this chapter is so short, but they won't be too long compared to my usual writing (I normally write three-thousand to two-thousand words per chapter). So here's the next chapter, hope you enjoy it!


Chapter One

Dawn broke just above the hollow when Dustyhead woke up. Standing around him were two guards who were trusted by Thistlestar, the ThunderClan leader. Shame flooded through Dustyhead when he spotted Sageleaf crouching near the nursery. She too was surrounded by a pair of guards. They had once been his closest friends - Rowanwind and Birdtooth. Now they shot him scornful looks when he couldn't meet their gazes.

How could life get any worse? he wondered when the other two guards - Poppyfur and Redstripe - stood on either side.

His mother emerged from the warrior's den. Dustyhead couldn't escape her piercing amber gaze. Honeytail knew just how to make him feel worse. Her light brown-tipped tail flicked from side to side when she joined Brushpelt and Oakfire beside the fresh-kill pile.

"Looks like the traitor is awake," Dawntail sneered when she approached. Poppyfur and Redstripe met their sister's gaze before she continued, "What's the matter, too scared to speak now?"

I just know when to hold my tongue, he told her silently. He continued looking down at his paws while Dawntail trotted over to where Honeytail and the others were eating. Kestrelfoot and Ashpelt were just returning from a hunting patrol when Thistlestar approached.

"Tonight there will be a Gathering," he growled as the two guards backed away. "I will announce to the Clans what you have done, and what Sageleaf has done." He shot a look at the young she-cat, whose head ducked in utter embarrassment.

I promise things will get better, he tried to tell Sageleaf. He looked at her, but she kept gazing at the thorn tunnel entrance. Nothing he said or did would make her feel any better. By now her own Clanmates were probably worried sick. He was surprised they hadn't come to ThunderClan yet.

He thought about what he had dreamed of last night. A single Clan full of cats who were from other Clans. Those cats had been united because of the warrior code. Cats who wanted to take a mate from another Clan had joined the newly formed Clan. Their decision to join had divided the Clans.

Dustyhead's mind whirled when he realized that was what they needed. If he and Sageleaf could form a Clan together - one that allowed forbidden relationships - than their kits would be safe. No cat would try to harm them just because their father or mother was from a different Clan.

Hope flared within Dustyhead's heart as Brownleaf, the ThunderClan medicine cat, approached. Out of all the cats in his Clan she was the only one who stood up for him. Her green eyes were narrowed into tiny slits when she reached him.

"Thistlestar told me what is happening," she hissed. "Do you really plan on having your lives ruined like this?" Poppyfur and Redstripe had been relieved of their duties when Mallowstalk, the deputy, told them to join one of the patrols.

"I think... there may be a way out of it," he murmured. "Is it possible for a new Clan to be formed?"

Brownleaf tilted her head to one side. "I've never heard of such an occurrence, but I suppose it could happen if StarClan approves," she replied with a shrug. "Do you really believe the Clans would accept your choice though?"

Dustyhead thought about that. He knew in his heart that Sageleaf deserved to be free. He himself would likely be punished for breaking the warrior code. But at least Sageleaf and his kits would be free from the punishment that StarClan would give him.

"Do you believe it's possible?" he suddenly whispered. Cats were watching him no - but it wasn't with scornful looks like he'd expected. If cats began to think that he was forming a new Clan, they might warn Thistlestar. That would likely end in disaster if the ThunderClan leader found out.

"Anything is possible when you put your mind to it," the medicine cat whispered back. "I of all cats should know."

The light brown tabby was left to muse over those words when Brownleaf went to join Thistlestar and Mallowstalk.