Chapter 2

Cedarpaw wasn't the only cat who didn't mourn over Echotail's death. In fact, almost every cat felt uncomfortable after that day, cats whispering about how Echotail was watching over his old Clan right now.

Scratch, although, was terrified. She always thought the old tom would get her in her sleep, and Cedarpaw comforted her, even though he didn't believe it.

Cedarpaw was sleeping in his nest, when he suddenly woke up. He looked over at Scratch's nest.

The poor cat was twitching in her sleep, her expression almost furious. "Get off," she murmured. Cedarpaw felt a twinge of sympathy for her, and went back to sleep.

"Every cat who is old enough to swim in the pond, gather around me to hear my words."

Cedarpaw got to his paws, stretching before he padded over to Pondstar. The leader looked tired. He didn't notice the cats crowding around him, for his eyes were fixed on Scratch. Her fur looked unkempt, and at the least her expression was in discomfort, although it was much more frightened.

"Scratch, come here please," the white cat twitched and padded up to the leader, sitting next to him. Her eyes were fixed on something in the sky. Cedarpaw looked up to where she was, and nothing was there.

He turned back as his leader yowled, "Scratch, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code, even at the cost of your life?" The albino cat looked over at him, her head or body not moving a single muscle. She forced a cracked smile on her face. "I do."

Pondstar looked back at her, smiling cheesily. "Then by the power of StarClan, I pronounce your name, Scratch. It may be your kit"- Scratch flinched -"and apprentice name, but no matter what your name is, we welcome you as a full warrior of MarshClan."

"Scratch! Scratch!" The Clan chanted.

Scratch quickly ran over to Cedarpaw. "Tell the Clan I'll be gone for two moons, but I'll come back," she whispered in his ear.

Cedarpaw padded up to Pondstar. "Yes, Cedarpaw?" The black and white tom leaned up to Pondstar, "Scratch is leaving the Clan for two moons, but she'll be back." Pondstar nodded.

Cedarpaw watched the aforementioned cat pad into the medicine den.

He assumed that she was just telling the medicine cat that she would be gone for a while, and he padded over to Leafpaw and Pondpaw.

"What do you think is wrong with Scratch?" Pondpaw had worry in her tone. Leafpaw looked at her. "What if she just needs a break from the Clan?" she mewed, although Cedarpaw could also detect trouble in her voice too.

Cedarpaw couldn't blame them. Scratch wasn't the brightest cat, but the three apprentices could still worry about her.

"I say we don't dwell on it," the black and white cat mewed. "It's her own business." Guilt washed over Leafpaw's face, and she nodded. "Okay," she mewed, and padded into the apprentice's den. However, Pondpaw differed.

"I think we should worry if she's leaving the Clan," she stuttered, then scampered away as to not hear another word.

Cedarpaw stared after her. After a few heartbeats, he shook his head and sighed.

Leafheart's meowed rang through camp. "I want the following cats to go on a hunting patrol: Ivysong, Firetail, Duskstorm, Cedarpaw, and Leafpaw."

Firetail trotted over the the entrance of camp, flicking his tail towards the entrance of camp. Cedarpaw padded over to him, smiling. Firetail was a young warrior, becoming one right before Cedarkit became an apprentice.

Duskstorm padded over to them with Leafpaw, Ivysong following.

They emerged from the entrance of camp. Duskstorm and Firetail looked at each other. "You listen for monsters, I couldn't hear them if they were a mouse-length away from me," Duskstorm shot a look at the ginger tom. "I could break my ears listening to one!"

While the two warriors were arguing, Ivysong already had her ears swiveled forward, staring ahead at the Thunderpath.

Echotail's body hadn't been buried, since it would be too dangerous to go onto the Thunderpath to retrieve him. Cedarpaw felt bile rise in his throat as the looked at his body, swarming with flies.

Ivysong sharply flicked her tail over Firetail and Duskstorm's mouths. Cedarpaw's ears pricked forward in the same manner as she had. He couldn't pick up anything.

"Now!" Ivysong rushed across the Thunderpath, leaping gracefully over Echotail's body. Firetail and Duskstorm pelted after her, Leafpaw and Cedarpaw following them.

Cedarpaw burst through the ferns and bushes, seeing Ivysong waiting for them.

"Don't chase away all of the prey!" the silver tabby hissed. Firetail smirked and sneered, "You're being louder than us!" Ivysong shot a glare at him, but Firetail didn't flinch.

Cedarpaw felt tension rise in the air. Ivysong unsheathed her claws. "I'm warning you, Firetail…" Firetail copied her. "Try me,"

"Oh, that's it!" Ivysong leaped onto Firetail, wrestling. Leafpaw shot in between them, tossing Ivysong off Firetail. "Stop it!"

Firetail quickly got to his paws, staring down the the apprentice. He was stiff, but then relaxed, sighing. "Fine," he said, storming off.

Ivysong stared ahead at him, then closed her eyes and dipped her head. "Thank you," she padded away, the opposite direction of Firetail.