AN: Well lookie here, I finally updated! Yep, I kept writing in intervals during my short periods on the computer. With only one laptop in the house things get difficult, especially when my mother wants to check her email all the time. Anyways thanks for your patience, and enjoy the second chapter!

Chapter Two

Sunstorm was woken from her sleep by a paw poking at her ribs. She groaned in her nest and tried to roll to the other side. The paw poked harder, and this time she jumped to her paws. She was surprised to see Cedarclaw looking at her with worry gleaming in his eyes.

"What's wrong?" she groaned after shaking sleep from her legs.

"The Clan's meeting with Sagestar about something," he told her before slipping out of the den.

It took her a few heartbeats to realize that there were no other cats in the den. She blinked away the sleep in her eyes and bounded out of the den. Most of the Clan was gathered around Sagestar's den while the elderly leader told them what was happening. Eaglefeather stood beside Sagestar while Firestorm and a few other cats leaned forward.

"About time you woke up," Ravenheart snorted when he looked at his former mentor.

The black tom may have forgiven her for Batwing's death, but that didn't mean he was going to treat her kindly. She raised her chin and sat beside Cedarclaw, whose own apprentice Yellowpaw sat on his other side.

"We have picked up more FlameClan scent on our side of the border," Sagestar was meowing when Sunstorm picked up the conversation. Her ears pricked forward when Sagestar mentioned FlameClan.

I doubt Flamestar would want to start trouble so soon, she thought irritably. Flamestar, her brother, was the founder of FlameClan. He and a band of rogues had escaped Twolegplace with Bramblestar moons ago. Because of the close bond he had with the rogues, they had started a Clan of their own with StarClan's approval. Now there were six Clans in the valley. Tension was likely to stir between the six Clans as borders were formed.

However her thoughts were left unheard as the Clan began to grow more agitated. With newleaf around the valley they had plenty of time for hunting. But news of the intruders would make every warrior worry, especially after what had happened to Batwing.

"So what are we going to do about it?" Firestorm demanded. He was sitting at the front of the crowd, his eyes narrowed into tiny slits and his tail flicking irritably. Sunstorm glared at the ginger tom and wondered what he was up to now.

"We're going to increase our border patrols," Eaglefeather announced. He cast a stern look at Firestorm, whose ears flattened in disapproval. "The last thing we need is to start a fight. But if they provoke it, we will fight back."

"I say we stop them now before the battles start," Bloomtail sniffed.

Sunstorm rolled her eyes in annoyance and wondered how blind Bloomtail really was. All she ever cared about was seeking Firestorm's approval. The ginger tom simply nodded in agreement. Bloomtail's eyes glowed in happiness when she met her former mentor's gaze.

"There is no need for bloodshed," Sagestar rasped. "For now we will increase the border patrols, like Eaglefeather has suggested."

Cats began to whisper to one another as the meeting was dropped. Sunstorm's paws kneaded the ground with anxiety when Leafpool approached her. Beside Leafpool was Crowfeather, who looked just as pleased with Sagestar's decision.

"The less fighting there is, the better," Leafpool sighed.

"But why would FlameClan press on the borders?" Sunstorm demanded. Her claws kneaded the ground with anxiety as she tried to look for an excuse. "It's not like Flamestar has any reason to take territory with newleaf coming."

"No, but you can never understand what goes on in the mind of a leader," Crowfeather muttered with a shake of his head. "Sometimes it's better not to question their motives."

Sunstorm shook her head in frustration before she was approached by Eaglefeather. The SkyClan deputy's eyes were narrowed into tiny slits when he greeted her. Eaglefeather still did not trust her after what had happened to Batwing. She couldn't blame him for his lack of trust, but it became annoying when she was reminded of what had happened.

"I want you to join the patrol," he meowed. Before Sunstorm could open her jaws to argue, Eaglefeather flicked his tail. "You know this Clan better than any of us, which is why I am asking you to go. I will be joining you."

His amber eyes narrowed once more before he stalked away to speak with Dawnwind and Thistletail. Sunstorm rolled her own eyes and wondered if the Clan would ever trust her again. This patrol was going to bring out the worst in them all.

Once she was left alone Sunstorm decided it was better not to argue with the deputy. At least she didn't have to share the patrol with her least favorite cat, Firestorm. The ginger tom was busy sharing tongues with Bloomtail beside the fresh-kill pile. Sunstorm would have scoffed at them if she wasn't under suspicion already.

Her love is as blind as ever, she thought. Bloomtail was infatuated with Firestorm for some reason. The silver tabby paid no heed to what he'd been up to. If anything she was happy with what Firestorm had done so far.

"We're getting ready to leave now," Eaglefeather announced when Sunstorm approached them. She didn't bother addressing Dawnwind as the black she-cat glared at her. Thistletail glanced at her sympathetically before bounding ahead. "We need to keep a look out for anything suspicious." He looked pointedly at Sunstorm, as if trying to prove that she was the suspicious one.

She remained icily silent and tried not to cry out in frustration. Sagestar was watching them, and he would look for any signs of trouble between the patrol. The last thing she needed was the leader asking her to leave once again.

Instead she sighed and followed them out of camp and across the forest. Above them towered trees with low branches for them to climb on. SkyClan was known for their jumping skills. In the ancient forest they were known for jumping from branch to branch. Sagestar had once even told her that there was a move known as the sky drop. Cats jumped from their branches and onto unsuspecting enemies that were passing through. It was an ingenious battle tactic, and one that was still taught to the older, more experienced apprentices.

Her ears swiveled back and forth as Sunstorm listened to the sounds of the forest. Birds were chirping to one another as they often did in the early morning. She could hear the scuffling of mice in the undergrowth as they searched for new hiding places. Nearby a stream gurgled lazily through the forest.

Eaglefeather padded on ahead, oblivious to the sounds around him. Dawnwind and Thistletail were chattering like angry squirrels. Sunstorm's tail lashed as she thought of what they would come across when they reached the border. Maybe there wouldn't need to be conflict after all.

"We wait here in the bushes," Eaglefeather suddenly whispered when they reached a grove of bushes. The bushes were close enough to the border that they would see any intruders. Sunstorm noticed that there was a rock hidden in the undergrowth with claw marks running across it.

That must be their way of marking the border, she decided.

Sunstorm dropped to a crouch, her ears flattening as she imagined several warriors leaping out at once. Something told her that this was only the beginning of something much worse. And that something was about to happen any heartbeat.

AN: I left you on a cliffhanger didn't I? XD Well I'll try to update more quickly as a Christmas present. Again sorry for the long wait, hopefully the next chapter won't take as long...