Here is Chapter 2! Remember to R&R!

"Lionclaw," Riverstream padded into the medicine cat den.

Lionclaw looked up from his spot from the back. "I shouldn't have yelled," he sighed, "That wasn't right. Yelling never solves anything."

"No," purred Riverstream, settling down near the tabby tom, her fur brushing his, "The mentors have decided to take on their apprentice. I guess seeing a medicine cat yell really shocked them." She laughed, "Well the rest of us were shocked as well!"

"Well at least they will be trained now," said Lionclaw, "That's good, we need more warriors."

"Hey Lionclaw? Why didn't you give Rainpaw or Tornpaw to me or Quietheart?"

"Because you are from Rowanclaw as well," he explained, "I thought giving them to cats in other clans might strengthen our bound, if only a little."

Riverstream nodded, satisfied by the answer, "But what about deputy position? Longleg was the former Oakclan deputy. Why don't you ask him?"

"I did," answered Lionclaw, "But he refused. He said he doesn't know if he would be a good deputy for our clan, especially since we are all from different clans."

"Oh well," sighed Riverstream, getting up and stretching her legs, "Don't worry, Starclan will send you a sign about who should be deputy."

"I hope so," Lionclaw looked around the empty medicine cat den, "If a cat gets sick or hurt, we are going to be in trouble. I better go out and get some."

"Maybe you should take a cat with you?" asked Riverstream hopefully.

"That's a great idea," purred Lionclaw, leaving the den and a bewildered Riverstream. Outside he spotted Smalltail and Runningtail talking by the fresh-kill pile. He noted that the pile was a bit higher than yesterday's pile, before padding over to the toms. However along the way Whiskerkit seemed to come out of nowhere and Lionclaw cried out in surprise.

"Sorry!" Deerfoot raced over, Leafkit next to her. "How many times do I have to tell you to stop running off like that?" she scolded.

"But its boring!" groaned Whiskerkit, "There's no one to play with but Leafkit!"

"Yeah!" agreed Leafkit, "When are we going to have more friends?"

Deerfoot and Lionclaw exchanged glanced with each other. They knew that with the clan like it was there wasn't going to be any kits in a while. "Lionclaw must be very busy," said Deerfoot at a last, "Come on you two, let's go play by the nursery." Deerfoot lead the kits away, and Lionclaw continued on his way to the toms.

"What is it?" asked Runningtail, looking up from the vole he was eating.

"When you are done, I want you to come with me to collect some herbs for the clan. I'm going to need a lot so I want you two to come with me."

The two toms agreed and a bit later they were in the forest. Lionclaw spotted Sandclaw training Fernpaw near a bramble bush, "Be careful!" he called, "I don't have any herbs at the moment!'

"Got it!" Sandclaw turned back to his apprentice, and dropped into a hunter's crouch.

Lionclaw, Smalltail and Runningtail went on their way. Lionclaw stopped every now and then to pick up some plants. "Let's see," he murmured after a while. The sun was at its highest point in the sky, "We have juniper, yarrow, marigold, burdock and dock leaves… wish I had some catmint but that can't be helped for now."

"Where can we get some?" asked Smalltail.

"Usually in a Two legged garden. But don't worry about it for now. Greencough is only around during leaf-bare, and since its new-leaf we don't have to worry." Lionclaw went back in time, remembering his apprentice Duskpaw. She would always worry if there were enough herbs to take care of the clan. "Oh Duskpaw," he whispered, "You would have been a great medicine cat."

"Did you say something?" asked Runningtail.

Lionclaw shook his head, "This looks like enough for now. Let's get back to camp."

The three cats walked back to camp, their jaws filled with herbs. When they reached the entrance, Lionclaw heard a sound he never wanted to hear again. The yowl of a cat. Lionclaw dropped the herbs he was holding, "Smalltail, get these into the medicine cat den! Runningtail! Come with me!" Smalltail was about to protest but decided against it. Runningtail put down the herbs he was holding and the two toms raced through the forest. The sound had come from the bank of a fast moving river. Nightheart was staring at the bank. He looked up as the toms came.

"He fell in. The water…it's too fast."

A lump rose in Lionclaw's throat as well as rage. He struggled to keep his voice level as he said, "Come on Runningtail. Let's check if Rainpaw was washed downstream." He sent a glare at Nightheart before running downstream. He could hear Runningtail running beside him. Further down the bank, he spotted Gorgefoot. He was about to call out when he noticed that Gorgefoot was dripping wet. Nearby Redpaw was vigorsly licking a wet and shivering Rainpaw. "Thank Starclan," whispered Lionclaw, padding over.

"I was about to send Redpaw to get you," said Gorgefoot.

"Runngtail," ordered Lionclaw, "Bring Nightheart to the medicine cat den later." He carefully picked up Rainpaw by the scruff.

"I would like to say that Redpaw was the one who spotted him," said Gorgefoot proudly, "She would have jumped in, if I haven't."

Evening was falling. Rainpaw was sleeping soundly on a bed of moss. The shivering was gone. Lioinclaw was trying to finish sorting the herbs before night fell.

"Is he okay?" Lionclaw turned around to see Redpaw.

"Yes he is," answered Lionclaw, "He just needs to rest."

"That's good," sighed Redpaw.

"You wanted to see me?" Nightheart padded into the den.

"Yes. Redpaw? Can you excuse us? You need to get some rest."

Redpaw dipped her head in respect, "Of course. Good night Lionclaw."

"Good night Redpaw." He watched the she-cat leave. When she was gone, Lionclaw averted his golden eyes to Nightheart, "What were you doing?"

"What do you mean?" a look of confusion fell on the tom's face.

"Why weren't you helping your apprentice?" pushed Lionclaw, trying to keep his voice steady. He wanted to last out, to make this tom understand that he would have let a cat die.

"He fell in," hissed Nightheart, "What kind of cat falls into a river?"

"The river's edge was slippery," said Lionclaw, "But why didn't you help him?"

"He's no Oakclan cat!" spat Nightheart.

Lionclaw couldn't believe it. Did Nightheart think it was a valid excuse? "Well what if Runningtail or Longleg fell into a river?"

"I would try to save them."

Lionclaw's rage was getting bigger and bigger, "BUT THERE IS NO OAKCLAN NOW! NOW THERE IS ONLY TREECLAN!" Rainpaw stirred and Lonclaw lowered his voice.

Nightheart chuckled, "You really believe this clan will work? Look at us! We are all from different clans! Do you really think we can become one clan?"

"We will," said Lionclaw simply, "A clan is more than a name or scent. A clan is about the cats that live in it. The code we all follow. Remember? When you were a kit waiting to become an apprentice? All kits feel that. And apprentices! When they are becoming warriors! And warriors doing something to help their clan! Everyone of us is a clan cat!"

A silence filled the den. Finally Nightheart said, "I will train him." He left without another word.

Lionclaw padded over to Rainpaw, checking him over before going over to his moss bed and collapsing on it. "Please send me a sign Starclan," he whispered, before letting sleep overtake him.