Ok, this chapter isn't…one of my best. Review and tell me how it is!

A light brown tom slowly crept on the rocky floor, the scent of mouse filling his nose. It was a great scent- it reminded him that he already had a bunch of prey that he could take back to the Clan.

His eyes were still fixed on the spot where the prey was as and adder swiftly flashed through the clearing out of a rock. Runningpaw hissed with fury as the adder slithered off, contentedly getting ahold of its newly caught prey.

This was about the third time it happened on Runningpaw's hunt. If he was right on the heels of a huge piece of prey, then some kind of other predator, like a fox, badger, adder, or hawk, came in and caught it before him. It was infuriating.

Suddenly, Runningpaw caught sight of a rabbit, and a huge one. This was very uncommon prey for Snakerocks- a rare find. This would be a precious piece of prey indeed- it was huge!

Enthusiasm running through his veins, Runningpaw paw dropped into a hunting crouch, trying not to yowl with pleasure. Slowly, very slowly, he crept forward towards the rabbit, trying to make small, soft pawsteps. He knew that rabbits had the most sensitive hearing- better than a mouse's.

He leaped onto the rabbit, biting it's neck swiftly with a loud crunch. The rabbit went limp in his grip, and he had it made. He had made a catch! And it was a rabbit- in Snakerocks! Runningpaw gave thanks to StarClan for this wonderful catch.

He strutted off, holding his prize high in his jaws, and buried it in the leaves under a nearby oak. He kicked the leaves over the rabbit, hiding its fur and warm, mouth-watering scent. Runningpaw felt tempted to just rip the thing open and start to eat it. But the apprentice had to bring the prey back to the Clan- that was the rules! Right?

Slowly, Runningpaw put his jaws around the fur just around the prey's belly…he started to peel it off, and wonderful scents started flooding him…

What was he doing? He couldn't eat this prey! That way Runningpaw would be going against the warrior code, mocking Ashstar of her rank. But that would make sense- Runningpaw had to admit that the leader was sort of dull to make those apprentices warriors just for chasing kittypets out of the Clan. For chasing Molly out of the Clan.

He felt guilty for even looking at the rabbit after he buried it. Now that he had stripped the prey of its belly skin, now it was ruined! The whole thing…ruined!

Even more furiousness coursed through Runningpaw as he realized that now it was almost sundown- time for him to get back to the Clan. But he hadn't had any prey- he had been blocked off by all of the predators all day. He felt guilty and stupid that he didn't catch one thing- he had been taught everything by his mentor! Now Ashstar would think he was even more unworthy of being a warrior.

The light brown tom sighed and pushed himself forward, no matter how much his brain was screaming that he shouldn't. He had to get back to the Clan or they would think that he had been out with some foreign she-cat or something. Besides, all of the prey was probably gone now since Runningpaw had made such a racket catching that rabbit.

His heart heavy and head hung, the apprentice started making his way back to the Clan by the special route that the warriors had assigned for the cats to take to not disturb the newly named warriors.

He snorted as he thought of the overexcited Featherstream and the all to solemn Stormstream. They were the worst cats to name warriors right now, in the time that ThunderClan couldn't call the best. For about the thousandth time in his head, he thought, Ridiculous. Simply ridiculous.

Suddenly, Runningpaw's ears pricked. What was that noise? Was it…a scratching?

The light brown tom looked around wildly, sniffing out where exactly the thing was. What he saw made him more than happy.

It was a sparrow, doubtfully dabbing at the ground as if he could find a singe worm or paltry seed anywhere. It reminded Runningpaw of himself- desperately scavenging for prey so that the others back at his home wouldn't claw his ears off. Or feathers, in the sparrow's case.

Silently, Runningpaw dropped into the hunting position and crept up onto the bird. He couldn't help but feel the fires of excitement flame up inside his heart. Now he would be excused! At least he brought back a little prey…only if Mudpelt didn't scent that it was not Snakerocks scent.

He leaped upon the bird, giving it a swift bite, and it went limp in his grasp. He felt a bit more cheerful, but wasn't sure if he would be able to pass through Mudpelt's approval before he put it on the fresh-kill pile. But he still gave thanks to his ancestors for the luck.

Proudly, and holding his prey up so that it would look like more, Runningpaw trotted through the nursery entrance. He tried to have a low profile among his Clanmates and slowly dropped his prey on the fresh-kill pile, his blue eyes darting around like crazy.

Runningpaw sighed with relief. At least no cats were noticing how late he was. And Mudpelt doesn't seem to be anywhere, Runningpaw thought cheerfully.

But his heart instantly sank as he saw Mudpet come trudging from Ashstar's den. The light gray leader came after him, her eyes dull and saddened.

The two came to the fresh-kill pile. Ashstar sighed. "Don't think we haven't talked about this enough, Mudpelt," She hissed. "I need to find the cat that did this."

The dark brown tom nodded, still not taking his eyes off of his prey. "Don't you worry, Ashstar," He whispered, trying to rip the wing off of his chaffinch. "I'll track down whoever did such an atrocity."

Ashstar nodded. "Good. And when I find who, I'll kick their sorry behind out of this Clan. And after that, I'll track them down again and rip out their throats!" Her eyes were as wide as a full moon and she gasped for breath.

Runningpaw cocked his head to a side. He was surprised to see Ashstar so anxious and excited at the same time. She was almost never like that, always serene and demanding peace, if she was demanding anything. This was just plain strange coming from the ThunderClan leader.

"If the cat that did this is in ThunderClan," Mudpelt pointed out. "I mean, it could have been a ShadowClan patrol, or an angry RiverClan cat." He shrugged.

"You have brought up a good point, Mudpelt," Ashstar mewed wearily. She looked very tired, which was an even stranger point coming from the leader. Runningpaw knew she was always bursting with energy. Just like she was when she was a kit, Runningpaw thought affectionately as he thought of his mother's stories.

The next line from the leader shocked the light brown apprentice even more. "I wish that I could make you deputy. You seem so…worthy of it." Ashstar sighed and looked at her paws. "You'd deserve a rank such as a deputy, or," She continued, looking into Mudpelt's amber pools of eyes testily, "the ThunderClan leader."

The shaggy dark brown tom swelled at these words of praise. A wide smile broke out on his face, but Runningpaw wasn't fooled. He knew that this tom was ambitious, and that he was only trying to be leader of ThunderClan, or any Clan for that matter. He didn't seem like a fitting cat to lead the Clan.

That brought ripples of worry to Runningpaw. What if Mudpelt did become leader? What if Ashstar named Mudpelt deputy, replacing Cinderhope? That was a senseless idea, what with Cinderhope being a great deputy. He was always so noble, and had helped the Clan in the time when the other three Clans had turned against them. Besides, Cinderhope would have to retire, get mortally wounded, or die to go down a rank. And then thoughts of Mudpelt killing Cinderhope came rushing into Runningpaw's head, but he was awakened from them as he heard Mudpelt's voice speaking to him.

"Runningpaw," He grunted. He seemed surprised at the apprentice's presence, as he was too deeply in conversation with his leader. "When did you get here?"

"Just a few moments ago," Runningpaw mewed. "I brought prey too," Runningpaw growled, getting rid of another question that didn't need to be asked.

Mudpelt nodded his head, his muscles tensed angrily. "I see." He simply mewed. "Were you eavesdropping?" He finally asked after several heartbeats, narrowing his eyes.

"No, of course not," the apprentice meowed sincerely. He looked deep into the amber flames of Mudpelt's eyes just to be sure. "I just got here, I had no idea that you were talking."

The huge warrior nodded again. "And how much prey did you catch?" He asked furtively, his eyes amber slits in the shape of claws.

Runningpaw didn't flinch or say a word. "I caught a rabbit and a sparrow," He responded.

The apprentice tried not to purr with amusement as he saw a look of pure rage on the warrior's face. "What?" He hissed. "Two pieces of prey? In one day? I gave you all day to get all the prey you wanted, and you brought back two?" He looked up at his leader. "What do you have to say about this, Ashstar?"

"I ask you where you assigned Runningpaw to hunt." Ashstar simply said.

Mudpelt gaped. "Wha-what? Why would you want to know that?" He narrowed his eyes at the apprentice. "No matter where you hunt, you always have to bring back plenty of prey. No exceptions, thank you very much," He hissed, glaring at Runningpaw.

Ashstar gave the warrior a hard look. "I didn't ask for excuses, Mudpelt." She purred with amusement at her remark. "I asked for where you ordered this apprentice to hunt."

Mudpelt looked furious. His amber eyes beamed up at his leader in a piercing glare. But Runningpaw was surprised that he didn't say anything rash. Probably going for deputy, Runningpaw thought.

The dark brown tom squared his shoulders. "I sent Runningpaw to Snakerocks, Ashstar. Do you find fault with that?" He growled.

The smoky gray she-cat sighed. "Runningpaw, you are excused from bringing back a small amount of prey," she murmured to the apprentice. Her ears were flattened with embarrassment.

Runningpaw nodded, relieved that he had gotten away with it. But why? He stayed by the two cats, just to find out.

Mudpelt looked shocked. "B-but why?" He mewed, his shoulders slumping. He seemed to shrink under the angry leader.

Ashstar looked the warrior in the eye steadily. "I let him get away with this one because you made him hunt at Snakerocks. Do you know how hard it can be to catch prey there?"

Shaking his huge head, Mudpelt was still shocked. "Yes, I know, but I was just assessing the apprentice, to challenge him, you know…I think that he should be a warrior soon."

The smoky she-cat sighed with disappointment. "But Mudpelt, Snakerocks is the hideout for mainly predators. Adders, badgers, foxes, dogs…" She shook her head. "And you aren't Runningpaw's mentor. Only Cinderhope can assess him and tell me if he is ready to become a warrior or not."

Runningpaw felt a chill up his spine as he saw Mudpelt was enraged. He looked horrified at the leader's words. Runningpaw was surprised and relieved at the warrior's reply.

"Ah…yes, I see what I have done wrong." He bowed his head to his leader with respect. "I am sorry that I sent the apprentice to such a…difficult place."

Ashstar didn't do anything. She just mewed, "Fine. But remember: Snakerocks is a good place for warriors to hunt, not apprentices." She started to purr. "At least you are excelling at being a warrior," She mewed thoughtfully.

Runningpaw stifled a purr as he saw Mudpelt was totally dazed. "What? How could I have excelled if I did something wrong?" He meowed surprisingly calm.

The leader closed her eyes and purred. "Because you learned something new- to not send apprentices to Snakerocks." She smiled to the warrior and gestured to her den. "Can you please fetch Irispetal for me?" She asked. "Meet me in my den."

Mudpelt nodded, staring off into space. "Yes, Ashstar. I'll see you in your den."

"Oh, and Mudpelt?" The leader called back to the warrior. Mudpelt whipped his head around furiously. "Can you also call Stripewhisker to my den? Thank you, Mudpelt."

She settled down with a vole and started to wolf it down ravenously. She realized that Runningpaw was still by the fresh-kill pile, and smiled at him. "Runningpaw, do you have a question?" She asked.

Runningpaw shook his head. "No, except…" He sighed. "Can I have a piece of prey?" He asked, kneading his paws. He was feeling almost as hungry as the leader.

Ashstar purred. "Of course. Why don't you take that plump sparrow that you caught yourself? And also," She asked the light brown tom, "will you please take those two fat mice to the elders?"

The apprentice nodded. "Yes, Ashstar," He mewed. He took his sparrow and started to pull out the feathers. He felt grateful that his leader was so forgiving- she could have been like Thornstar, the cruel WindClan leader, or Bloodstar, the unforgiving ShadowClan leader. Runningpaw had must have gotten lucky.

Ashstar went back to her conversation with Mudpelt, both of them speaking in low, hushed voices. Runningpaw quickly picked up the two mice and rushed to the elder's den so he could have time to give the mice to the elders and back to the pile without being noticed.

As he lowered his head to fit into the tree, he heard the crackled laugh of an elder resonating through the den. Runningpaw perked his ears, ice blue eyes alight with curiosity.

It was Goldpuddle, cackling at another elder's joke. Her eyes were shut tight and she didn't see Runningpaw enter the den.

She jumped as he lay the mouse down in front of her white paws. "Runningpaw!" She shrieked. "When did you get here?" Her green eyes were as wide as full moons and her chest heaved as she gasped.

Runningpaw chuckled. "Moments ago," He purred. He could hear the other elders purring to his delight.

Goldpuddle snatched her tail as if Runningpaw was about to snatch it right off of her behind and started to wash it daintily. "Well, you should make your entrance nice and noisy so I can actually know that you are here!" She hissed mockingly.

"Oh, and interrupt another one of your stories?" Runningpaw teased, batting the elder's golden ear.

She purred a long, shaky purr. "You've been here too many times, Runningpaw." There was a drop of pride in her voice as she mewed to the apprentice.

The apprentice grinned with pleasure. Goldpuddle had been one of his only friends that was an elder. At first the two's relationship was a little rocky, but as Runningpaw became older as an apprentice, the two had grown to each other. The light brown tom had visited the elders so much that he had memorized almost all of Goldpuddle's bossy orders. He was glad that the pushy she-cat supported the idea of his becoming a warrior.

He dropped the other mouse at the paws of Heatshadow. He didn't look happy. He never looked happy. He was always negative and had never laughed since he became an elder.

He gave Runningpaw a hard look and the apprentice forced a smile, backing away from the elder with his tail between his legs.

Goldpuddle and the other elders mewed goodbye and Runningpaw mewed a quick goodbye back and scurried out of the den, anxious to hear what the leader had to say to Mudpelt.

He settled himself by the fresh-kill pile, resuming the eating of his sparrow. Ashstar stopped whispering to Mudpelt and gave the apprentice a hard glare. "What are you doing here, Runningpaw?" She asked nervously.

"Oh, I'm finishing up my prey," Runningpaw replied, looking steadily into the emerald eyes of his leader. "Do you mind?" He asked. He couldn't believe that he was being testy with his own leader, but knew that if Ashstar was talking to Mudpelt about something rather than Cinderhope, her own deputy, then something was going really awry.

Ashstar sighed and turned her back on the light brown tom. He could make out a few words, like "Featherstream", "Stormfeather" and "murder".

Mudpelt kept nodding and shaking his head. Runningpaw noticed that he wouldn't take his eyes off of the dusty ground as he replied to his leader faithfully. Or at least Runningpaw guessed.

Suddenly, Ashstar shook her head rapidly. This time Runningpaw could hear what the furious leader was saying. "No!" She hissed. Her voice was raised to somewhere between a yowl and a meow. "No, Mudpelt! I will not deny that it was not a badger, that it was not a fox, that Featherstream and Stormfeather were murdered on their warrior vigil!"