Ooh! You guys are going to LOVE where I take this story. Sorry it took me SOO long to upload this. Again, I was ralls LAZAY.

Chapter 6

Moonbound woke up early and she knew what she had to do. She headed straight towards Nightstar's den and saw Shadepelt there already. They were talking and Moonbound wanted to listen in on the conversation, but what she was about to tell him was too important.

"Nightstar, I need to tell you something." She meowed. Shadepelt stopped and looked at Moonbound expectantly. Moonbound hesitated, and then finally said, "Tuftytail is missing. He… he's dead."Nightstar looked so surprised, he was stunned.

"He's dead?" He meowed. "How is he dead? Did you see him die?" Moonbound shook her head. She was so nervous, but suddenly she just poured it all out. As she was telling him this, she was sobbing and he was nodding surprised. "Moonbound, you killed him?" He meowed after she was finished, and she nodded. "But it was a StarClan given message. Moonbound, I had the same dream a long time ago, when you were very young. I thought that the cat being killed was me, but it wasn't, it was Tuftytail." Moonbound nodded, so glad he understood, but she was stilled worried.

"What will we tell the clan?" She meowed.

"Well," he answered, "we could tell them it happened by the will of StarClan, but I don't know if they would be satisfied. Hopefully they will be fine, but we'll have to have his death ceremony. Do you know where his body is?" Moonbound nodded.

"Mousepelt and I buried it last night." She meowed. "Let's go and alert the clan." Nightstar nodded and they left the den to start the ceremony.

A few hours later, Moonbound had already had something to eat and finished Tuftytail's ceremony. Nightstar had told her that he would have to choose a deputy, but Moonbound told him that's why Tuftytail had to die. He wasn't meant to be deputy, she was. She saw him approach her and she stood up.

"Are you ready to become deputy?" Nightstar meowed. Moonbound nodded and they both headed to Clan Rock. "All cats that are old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Clan Rock for a meeting." Nightstar's voice rang out through the clan as cats were streaming from their dens to sit below the rock where they would hear the news. "I am here to announce the new deputy for NightClan." He meowed as the clan settled themselves. "It seems there has been a mishap with the last deputy, and I feel that StarClan has given me a message on who the new deputy should be." Moonbound braced herself for when he should call her name. "Moonbound," he said softly, "you are the new deputy." Moonbound stepped forward as he licked her head, just like when she was first an apprentice.

"I will serve the clan loyally," she meowed with dignity, "honestly, and helpfully. I promise to be a deputy to the end, and I won't disappoint." Nightstar nodded his head.

"Everyone is dismissed." He finished. "So, how does it feel to be deputy?" He asked Moonbound after every cat had dispersed. She shrugged.

"I don't know," she meowed, "new, I guess. I just hope that if I was meant to be leader, StarClan will let me live to that potential." Nightstar nodded and he padded off to send off a few other patrols. Moonbound decided she should take Lilypaw out to hunt, after all, she needed some work on her technique. "Lilypaw!" she called. "Let's go hunt. I want to help you with your squirrel catching skills."Lilypaw gave a little bounce of joy.

Nightstar had sent out two border patrols and one hunting patrol but thought he should explore the territory on his own. He knew that it might be dangerous by himself, but he felt he needed to let off some steam. He felt the crisp, snowy air as the soft crystals started falling from the sky and his ears began to get a little cold. He didn't think this leafbare would be very hard, but the smell in the air suggested a small blizzard. Nightstar traveled up the ravine to the WindClan border, and smelled to see if the patrol was already here. The scents he was picking up indicated no such thing, so he kept going. Soon he smelled a strange smell, something like rogue, but he didn't think that a rogue would be in those parts. He sniffed again, but suddenly, the air was knocked out of him.

He looked to see who his attacker was, but when he saw the strange cat, he didn't recognize him. It wasn't even a WindClan warrior! The attacker struck a swift blow at his chest, and Nightstar was helpless, only to lay there on his back, exposing his soft underbelly. The strange cat bit down on his neck and then ran away, but Nightstar was left there, blood welling out of his wounds. Suddenly he felt himself fall away, like he was dying, but soon he saw a bright light. He knew that he was losing a life, due to his other experiences, and looked up to see Bluestar, a ThunderClan leader.

"Nightstar," Bluestar meowed majestically, "you are losing one of your lives. You only have three left, use them wisely." Nightstar looked up in confusion, but like every other one of his lives, he couldn't speak. "But behold," Bluestar ominously told him, "your lives will be taken from you, for a sickness will sweep through you, and then you will die. Soon after, you will have a fight with another rogue RiverClan warrior. After that, the worst of all fates…" Nightstar looked expectantly at her, but no words came. "At last, you are waking up." Bluestar meowed. "Go to your daughter, tell her you love her. For it may be the last time you do." Nightstar's vision suddenly blurred, and he was awake once again, but in Mousepelt's den.

Mousepelt was shuffling around in the back of the small area, looking for some sort of herb. He tried to move, but cringed with pain. Nightstar looked down at his back and noticed long, deep scratches that lined his fur. He remembered what Bluestar had told him: Soon after, you will have to fight with another rogue RiverClan warrior. Does that mean that the rogue who killed me was a RiverClan warrior? He thought. Nightstar put his head back as Mousepelt placed cobwebs and Dock leaves on his wounds.

"When did you bring me here?" Nightstar grunted. Mousepelt looked up at him with sympathy in her eyes.

"Moonbound said you needed help." Mousepelt quietly meowed. "I don't know how she knew it, but she did. She also said something about her senses growing, but I didn't know what she meant." Nightstar narrowed his eyes in confusion. "She is very gifted, Nightstar." Mousepelt mused. "I think StarClan has given her another gift; one that allows her to know when other cats need help." He nodded and closed his eyes to rest, but suddenly felt a sharp pang of pain. He grunted, but Mousepelt continued to apply the medicine.

After she was done, Nightstar slowly got up and padded out of her den. He saw Moonbound pacing nervously outside the enclosed area, and when she heard him come out, she looked up. Moonbound let out a sigh of relief and stepped forward to lick his shoulder. Tell your daughter you love her, for it may be the last time… Bluestar's words echoed in Nightstar's mind.

"I love you, Moonbound." Nightstar meowed in full sincerity. Moonbound looked up in shock, but blinked slowly as a sign of affection. Nightstar blinked back, and padded into his den to see a small squirrel placed by his bed. He also noticed some wood in the shape of a bowl with water that had been poured into it. Nightstar nestled down into his bed and fell asleep instantly.

. . .

It had been two moons since Nightstar lost his life fighting the RiverClan rogue, he hadn't mentioned the rogue at the gatherings, but she could tell that Mistystar seemed on edge both times. Moonbound was starting to worry about her old father. He was very frail, and only had two lives left, for about a moon ago he lost one of his lives to greencough. He was the only one who died from it, but other cats did get very sick with the illness. Moonbound was sending out hunting parties because they didn't have any food in the fresh-kill pile, when she felt a shudder run through her body. The same sensation she felt when Nightstar was being killed by the RiverClan rogue. Oh no… She thought. She bounded down to Mousepelt's den to tell her.

"Mousepelt," Moonbound meowed, hesitantly, "I think my father is in trouble. I felt it!" Mousepelt looked up urgently.

"Are you sure?" She meowed. Moonbound nodded and Mousepelt left immediately, but she stopped by the entrance to her den. Moonbound looked up where Mousepelt was, and then she saw it. She saw Nightstar crawling out of his den, only by his front paws.

"Nightstar!" She yowled. She bounded to him, sobbing. "Nightstar, what happened?" Moonbound sobbed even louder as she saw the frosty ground was stained with crimson.

"The RiverClan rogue…" he coughed. "He somehow got into the camp…" Moonbound crouched beside him, weeping.

"No…" She sobbed. "It's not time! You can't leave me!"

Nightstar shook his head. "He struck me too deep." He meowed. "StarClan can't save me now. I just want you to know, Moonbound… I-I love… you." Nightstar coughed out blood. "You will become a great leader of this clan. Lead it where no other clan can knock us down… be the… the best." Moonbound shook her head as she saw the light fade in his eyes. "I love you so…" before Nightstar could finish his sentence, he died. Moonbound threw back her head and let out a caterwaul.

Leopardbeat and Tawnytuft came running from the entrance of the camp and stopped beside Moonbound. Leopardbeat bent down and shoved her head into his fur, weeping. Tawnytuft sobbed just as loud as Moonbound did, and crouched down beside her. The three littermates sobbed for as long as they could, but when they were ready, they stood.

"I suppose I'm leader now." Moonbound meowed slowly. She called to Mousepelt.

"Well," Mousepelt meowed after the few hours that had passed, "if you're ready, we need to go to the Moonpool to make you leader." Moonbound hesitated.

"So soon?" she asked. "Are you sure?" Mousepelt nodded. "Well, alright." Moonbound hesitated. "Goodbye!" She called out to Tawnytuft and Leopardbeat.

. . .

When Moonbound finally arrived at the Moonpool, her paws were so icy that she could slide around on the snow. Her ears were cold too, but she didn't want to complain. Mousepelt nodded to the shining water that glistened in the light of the moon. It seemed to Moonbound that Night had come fast and she looked up to see if Nightstar was up in silverpelt with the rest of the heavenly warriors. Mousepelt prodded her side as to tell her it was time. She crouched down low and slowly put the tip of her nose into the icy water. She felt her body instantly fall limp as she was carried to StarClan.

She looked up into a light that was so bright she could barely make out the figures in front of her. Once her eyes had adjusted to the light, she saw a beautiful, but old, cat which had blue-gray fur, with eyes like sapphires. Beside her was a muscular, fiery tabby tom with bright green eyes, and a sparkling expression. There were many cats there, but the one she recognized the most was Nightstar. The black tom strolled forward with an expression of such happiness that it couldn't be describable.

"Moonbound," he said, "you are here to become the next leader of NightClan. Never before have I seen a warrior so brave and determined as you." Nightstar looked at her with genuine love in his eyes as he continued. "We will give you your lives one at a time, each from a different cat." Moonbound wanted to say something, to express the sorrow and guilt for not knowing that he was fighting to the deaths with a RiverClan rogue. All that she wanted to say was left dry in the love she felt. "I, Nightstar," He meowed, "give you your first life, strength. Use it to endure whatever comes your way as a good warrior should." He touched her head with his muzzle, and suddenly, she felt an intense feeling of security and pain come over her body. It was so strong that she almost fell over, but she held her ground. The next cat that padded forward was Stormheart.

"Moonbound," he rasped, "you are meant to be the leader of NightClan. I give you your second life, prosperity. Be a leader who prospers and understands her clan, just as your father did you." Again, she felt the strong, pungent feeling of pain run through her bones as his muzzle touched her forehead. This time was different, but almost worse as she felt the need to throw up. The third cat was a creamy, long haired cat and the black muzzle and paws almost made him unmistakable.

"Moonbound," Tuftytail said, "you are strong, independent and leader quality. With this third life, I give you bravery. Be brave and fight the battles you were meant to fight." He brushed his nose across her cheek and she felt electricity shock her entire body. All of her limbs, it seemed, were fried. Once it was over, she felt the need to say something.

"Tuftytail," she hesitated, "I'm sorry. You were a great deputy and the lust and ambition for power overtook me." Tuftytail did nothing but nod, and express his gratitude with a single blink. The blue-gray she-cat stepped forward this time.

"You are bound to greatness," she meowed, "and with this life I give you beauty. A young cat like you should know that true beauty doesn't just come from the outside, but from the inside out." She rasped her tongue across Moonbound's ear and she felt her eyes shine with the life of true beauty.

The next four cats were cats she didn't know, but their gifts were intelligence, grace, ambition, and mentoring. When it was time for the last cat to come up, she saw a cat she had never in her life seen. She was a beautiful silvery tabby with eyes like the stars.

"Do you know who I am?" Her voice was like a song. Moonbound shook her head. "I am Rain. I was your father's first mate, and I love him very much. I will give you the same gift I gave him; love." Rain touched her muzzle to Moonbound's ear and the feeling that came across her body was like no other. All the others had been painful or uncomfortable, but this was wonderful. It was like nothing she could ever describe. "You are now Moonstar." Rain announced. "You will lead your clan to victory." Moonstar stood in silence as the shapes in front of her blurred, then disappeared.

When she woke, her body was stiff with cold. The snow had built up overnight so she was covered in the wet, heavy crystals. Mousepelt was sitting outside the Moonpool to guard the area while Moonstar slept, and when Mousepelt noticed Moonstar stir, she padded over to her.

"How was it?" She asked Moonstar with expectancy. "Did you receive your nine lives?" Moonstar nodded, but said nothing. All she wanted to do was get back to camp and choose the next deputy.

. . .

Moonstar arrived at her camp tired, though she just slept, but the rock was hard and uncomfortable and she was stiff. Leopardbeat padded up to her, looking happy.

"Congratulations!" she mewed. "Though, you look really ruffled, was it hard?"

Moonstar sighed. "Yes, but I am now leader, so I guess that's the only thing that mattered." She stopped and looked at Leopardbeat, and then to Tawnytuft who had just trotted to her. Something told her it should be one of these two cats to become deputy.

"Moonbound- er, Moonstar," Tawnytuft stammered, "I must tell you something." Moonstar leaned forward. "I… well, I have taken a mate…" she trailed off and Moonstar's head started spinning, anger and happiness at the same time. Now was not the time to take a mate, Tawnytuft! She thought, But if it makes her happy…

Moonstar looked at her sister, a longing in her eye, knowing that she couldn't ever take a mate of her own since she was leader. "Oh." She stopped. "I suppose that's good news, but I was thinking about you becoming deputy…" Tawnytuft nodded.

"I know." She meowed. "I figured me or Leopardbeat would be your first choices for deputy, but I just love Lionfur so much, I knew I had to make a choice. I chose Lionfur." Moonstar nodded and decided Leopardbeat would have to be deputy.

Leopardbeat looked up. "Does this mean I am going to be deputy?" she asked. When Moonstar nodded, she flicked her ears to show her happiness, though Moonstar could tell she was playing it cool. She could see that excitement in her eyes like a kit who had just reached six moons. "When will we perform the ceremony?" she meowed.

All Moonstar did was flick her tail. She bounded to the Clan Rock and called a clan meeting together. Cats streamed from their dens and Thorntail, Rainclaw, Snowflake, Blackfoot and Starlingflower returned through the camp entrance with two thrushes, a shrew, a mouse and a vole. They hurried to where all the others sat and huddled together for warmth, for the end of leafbare seemed to be taking its toll out on all the cats in her clan.

"We are gathered here today to acknowledge a new deputy." She nodded to Leopardbeat. "Will you serve loyally and truthfully to your clan as deputy until, StarClan forbid, I die?"

Leoparbeat nodded. "I will."

"Then I name you deputy of NightClan." She carefully stepped down the pile of rocks that sat on one side of the stone to set her muzzle on Leopardbeat's head. Moonstar felt the touch of Leopardbeat's tongue to her shoulder as a sign of respect. "Do your clan well." Leopardbeat nodded as Moonstar finished the ceremony.

The cats in the clearing dispersed and padded back to their dens or out on a border patrol Moonstar decided to join. She was tired, but she wanted to be doing something for her clan. Mousepelt was padding towards her as Moonstar was deciding to make her exit.

"Where are you going?" she demanded.

Moonstar suppressed a sigh. "On a border patrol." She meowed evenly.

"No, you're not," Mousepelt shook her head. "You have just received your nine lives, made the trek back home and now you're going on a patrol? I don't think so. You should go to your den and get some real sleep." Moonstar let out the sigh she had ben holding in and padded heavily back to the Clan Rock where her den was.

. . .

The den was dark and warm and Moonstar wanted to go back to sleep, but she wasn't tired anymore. She slipped out of her den, most of the camp was still buisy but she noticed her apprentice, Lilypaw, boredly picking at her shrew. Mouse dung! Moonstar thought. She hadn't taken her apprentice out for training or hunting for about three sunrises. Lilypaw was looking a lot bigger and more muscular as if she had been training herself, but maybe she went out on her own or with Cindertuft and Gingerpaw. Guilt surged through her, making her belly flutter.

She padded over to the pretty, grey apprentice. She really took after her mother, Spottedfur, Moonstar noticed. Her paws up were white, but when it reached her sides and back, it was a darker grey flecked with white. Her father, Cindertuft, was a grey color with spots of ginger on his tail and face. Moonstar realized she had approached Lilypaw and that she was staring strangely at her.

"Yes, Moonstar?" she asked. Moonstar shook her head to clear her mind.

"I'm sorry," she said, "I was just thinking, well, you know I haven't taken you out of camp for a while." Lilypaw nodded. "Do you want to do battle training?"

"Yes!" she mewed, eagerly. Moonstar stifled a mrrow of amusement as the apprentice jumped up and nearly tripped.

"Come on," Moonstar flicked her tail, "let's go."

They padded out the entrance and up the ravine that led through the territory. The air was crisp and fresh as if things were already warming up from leafbare. Moonstar had noticed that the fresh-kill pile had been more stocked lately and that her warriors were not as tired. A wistful feeling nagged at her heart as she recognized that she wasn't as young as Lilypaw and that someday she would be an elder. They energetic apprentice hopped over every bramble and bush she could while Moonstar only steered clear.

When they finally arrived at the Battle-Training Hollow, Lilypaw skidded to a halt in the center. The area was a little smaller than how Moonstar had imagined it when she was an apprentice and wondered if Lilypaw was imagining it the same way.

"So, Lilypaw," Moonstar began, "I want to teach you something the other clans call a badger attack. Now, remember," Lilypaw was nodding, "a badger is about two times the size of a cat, so you have to hop two times you size." Lilypaw stared as Moonstar demonstrated the move. She leaped up and landed on her front paws, then reversing quickly to her haunches, twisting around so quickly that she almost lost her balance, but she held up well and jumped up again, landing on all four paws this time and clamping her jaws as if she was biting a badger's leg.

"Are you kidding?" Lilypaw stood agape. "I can't do that!" Moonstar only nodded to her apprentice and Lilypaw tentatively stepped forward. She jumped up and when she landed she almost fell backwards on the ground but she twisted quickly and jumped up landing but she forgot to bite.

"Good try," Moonstar mewed, "but keep your gaze on one thing to help you with balance." Lilypaw nodded.

She jumped up again and didn't fall, only twisted swiftly; she jumped up once more, then laded on all four paws and clamped her jaws, as if remembering what she had forgot the last time she had tried the battle move. Moonstar saw that her eyes were shining with pride when she realized she had done the step near perfect.

"Now," Moonstar meowed, "come at me and use tactical surprising moves, and remember not to stare at the spot you are going to attack." Lilypaw blinked and lunged at Moonstar, trying to unbalance her by slithering underneath her, but Moonstar thought quicker and collapsed on top of Lilypaw. She felt Lilypaw's body be removed and she felt a few blows with sheathed claws on her ear and side. Moonstar fell sideways from the force of the blow and Lilypaw used that chance to bowl her over to the opposite side of the clearing.

When Moonstar had caught her breath, she stood to see Lilypaw sitting, tail curled around her side, and she was licking her paw and drawing it over her ear. Moonstar let out a mrrow of laughter at how good Lilypaw had defeated her.

"You're going to make a great warrior." She mewed.

"Can we be done?"

"Ok." Moonstar replied, amused. "First, let's hunt some."

"Fine," Lilypaw sighed.

They traveled to Pine-Tree Thunderpath and a little further. Lilypaw was getting along with hunting just fine, for she had caught two mice and a vole on their way. Moonstar caught a starling and a black bird while Lilypaw watched her technique for bird hunting. Lilypaw had seemed to understand and caught a thrush afterwards. She really will make a talented warrior. Moonstar mused. Suddenly, a rustling was made in one of the trees.

Lilypaw stiffened. "What's that?" her words were but a whisper. Moonstar shook her head and opened her mouth to taste the air. A familiar, yet unwelcomed scent bathed her tongue. Dog.Or was it dog? Something about it was different, something unfamiliar along with the familiar scent. It smelled bigger, maybe stronger or a different type of dog.

Moonstar heard Lilypaw stifle a yowl of terror when the biggest dog she had ever seen padded through the trees. Moonstar wanted to pelt into the trees and let out a caterwaul of alarm, but her paws were like stones, she was frozen stiff. The dog was about two times Moonstar's size and it was black with eyes like stars. It looked as if had a hurt paw, but all Moonstar could recall about stories of dogs was that they were vicious, bloodthirsty creatures who fed on cats.

The dog opened its' mouth as if to speak. "Don't stand there dumbfounded!" it growled. Moonstar shook her head in astonishment as she understood its' words. "Well?" The dog growled once more.

"Who are you?" Moonstar cautiously took a step forward.

"A dog," it snorted, "but my name is Black Wolf, and if you're wondering how I can understand you, or rather, how you can understand me, I was raised with several cats in my person's nest…" Moonstar tilted her head as Black Wolf trailed off. He must have seen Moonstar's expression, for he suddenly continued explaining. "My person decided he didn't want me anymore and… well… he called the pound and was going to send me away, but before he could, I ran off." Moonstar felt an unexpected pang on sympathy for this lone wolf. Then again, the sympathy was masked with confusion.

"Person?" she echoed. "What's a person? And what's a 'pound'?"

"A person is what feral cats like you," he growled accusingly, "call 'twolegs'. A pound is… it's a place where people… er, twolegs, send their unwanted pets, and if someone doesn't come by to adopt the animal in three days time, the kill it." Moonstar gasped and her surprise was echoed by Lilypaw who gasped as well.

The three stood silent for many heartbeats, not sure what to say next. Moonstar felt so many emotions. Why did this dog come here? Did his 'person' live close by? How could a twoleg be so evil as to kill innocent cats and dogs, nomatter how annoying some of the stupid furballs could be? She was angry, but at the same time, sympathy enclosed her like a pitch darkness swallowing the last bit of her flesh.

"Why have you come here?" Lilypaw bravely spoke up.

"I have nowhere else to go." He replied flatly. "I suppose I'll be hungry, I could either do what all dogs do and eat you," - Moonstar refused to flinch - "Or I could peacefully grab a shrew and get out… unless you can offer me a place to stay." Not sure to yowl no or to accept without second thought, she let him continue to talk. "I've heard about the warrior cats that lived around the lake, but never really gave thought to it. I mean, consider this, if I joined your clan, you would be the only clan with a wolf dog as a member and you would win every battle, taken you'd let me in on all the battles…"

Moonstar thought for a moment. "I suppose I could let you in," she heard a gasp from Lilypaw, but she had the wisdom to stay quiet, "but I would have to teach you the warrior code. You must fight the way we do, and only shed blood if necessary, given the other clans don't cross borders or steal prey."

Black Wolf was silent for some time, blinking every so often to hydrate his eyes. Moonstar guessed he would agree, he had nowhere else to go and he would be well fed. After many heartbeats, he finally gave his answer.

"Fine," he muttered, "but don't expect me to make friends with every cat in your clan." Moonstar's whiskers twitched. This could either be a great decision, or a huge mistake.

The three of them trekked back to camp, weaving through the ferns and nettles while trying to avoid the brambles. Black Wolf let out a grunt every once and a while as the thorns tugged on his thick fur. Moonstar wondered if Black Wolf would be truly helpful and apply himself, but then again, he was hungry and alone and Moonstar decided that he would do anything for decent living.

When they arrived at camp, they were met with many gasps. Moonstar decided she should call together a meeting, but she wanted to eat first. She took a thrush from the fresh-kill pile and carried it to the Clan Rock to eat. She noticed Black Wolf poking suspiciously at a plump vole, but soon enough he picked up the morsel carefully between his jaws. He carried it to where Moonstar was sitting and sat down with a puff.

Several moments passed while Moonstar was eating for Black Wolf to bite into his meal. After his first taste, he ate more quickly. He must have noticed how famished he was… She guessed. Once she had finished, Black Wolf was still eating, but he gulped down his last few bites of vole, as if taking notice that she was going to call together a meeting.

She bounded up the slope to the top of Clan Rock and called together the clan meeting. "Let all those old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Clan Rock for a meeting."

Shadepelt padded slowly out of the nursery while Onetail, Patchpelt, and Foxpelt padded from the elder's den. Moonstar knew that Shadepelt didn't have any kits, but she felt it was her place after Nightstar's death. She would still fight and go on patrols, but Shadepelt wanted to sleep in the nursery. Waterlily and Starlingflower came back from where they were sharing a shrew and Thorntail, Rainclaw, and Whitepelt came from the camp entrance from a patrol. Snowflake, Blackfoot, Tawnytuft, Lionfur, and Sootwhiskers came from the entrance also and Moonstar guessed that they were all on hunting patrols. The mice and starlings along with voles and a sparrow told her that hunting had been well. The rest of the warriors streamed from their dens and shifted uneasily around the Clan Rock, obviously uncomfortable about the fact that there was a wolf in their camp.

"I'm sure you're all wondering the same thing," Moonstar began, "and I have an explanation." Her warriors grew quiet as her voice rang around the clearing. "My apprentice and I were looking for places to hunt when we heard a rustling in the bushes and smelled dog, shortly after, Black Wolf appeared." Murmurs spread through the crowd below.

"Did I hear Black Wolf?"

"That's what she said, right?"

Moonstar raised her tail for silence. "He was kicked out from his twoleg's home and seems civil enough, he can even understand cats." Shocked glanced were exchanged. "He has agreed to the terms of becoming part of our clan and will train as a warrior."

Whiteclaw jumped to his paws. "I'd love to train an apprentice!" he sneered. Black Wolf drew his lips back in a snarl.

"No!" she thundered. "We are not training him as an apprentice. We will teach and show him what is meant to be done in battle, while he is hunting, and during border patrols." Moonstar's eyes were glowing red and he sat down. "That's what I thought." Whiteclaw only nodded angrily.

She noticed that Black Wolf was staring at her inquisitively. Moonstar tilted her head, not sure why he looked so intrigued. My eyes. She realized. Yes, that was it. He was interested in the fact that her eyes turned red whenever she was in a fit of anger.

"Now, it's starting to get late," She noted as the sun was sliding down the horizon, "I want two evening patrols. Whiteclaw, you can lead the first one with Moonpelt and Rainclaw. Ravenwing, you are going to be with Tigerstripe and Leopardbeat," the dark grey flecked she-cat lifted her head as her name was called, "You can lead the patrol." She nodded her head and got together with her warriors.

Black Wolf approached Moonstar as she scrambled down the Clan Rock. "What am I supposed to do?" he barked.

"Are you tired?" she mewed.

"Yes."

"Then I'll have my apprentice fetch some moss for you and she can show you how to create your own make-shift den," she paused and then added, "I have a feeling that the warriors aren't going to appreciate smelling you all night." Black wolf only nodded. "Lilypaw!" she called. Moonstar watched the grey she-cat skip along the clearing towards her. "I want you to collect some moss for Black Wolf and show him how to weave together bramble tendrils and fern fronds."

Lilypaw nervously led him across the clearing to the bramble thicket that hid the entrance to their camp. Moonstar padded wearily to her den, her paws feeling heavy as stone. All she wanted was sleep. Nightstar's stale scent drifted into her nostrils and comforted her as she slipped into her mossy nest. She thought about how well her father had led NightClan and wondered if she was doing a good job as leader. Moonstar felt her eyes close and eased her breath so that she could drift into sleep.

. . .

Moonstar opened her eyes to a dimly lit forest where the sun was covered in thick clouds. She was dreaming. She padded forward, the peaty earth sinking a little under each step. The trees looked cold and dead, but they still had leaves. Something about the place caused her spine to tingle and she could feel her fur beginning to rise; nonetheless, she kept on and padded through the brambles and bracken.

Moonstar stopped when she had scented other cats. The scent was dank and musty, nothing she had ever smelled before, but instead of fear engulfing her it was curiousity. Pushing onward, she broke into a run and slowed to a stop behind a tree. The camp where the strange cats lived was right in front of her. She swept her tail behind her and winced when she felt a twig snap loudly under her paw. She stopped dead, not daring to breathe in case any of the cats heard her. Blood roared in her ears and her heart pounded in her chest and for a moment Moonstar thought it was going to burst, but it soon slowed when she realized not one of the cats had heard.

She turned to leave when a new scent washed over her. Twoleg, but it was washed over with the scent of the damp forest, it almost smelled as if it had just rained. As it became stronger, Moonstar dove into the bushes. She prayed to StarClan that this cat, whoever it was, didn't scent her. When the cat came into view, she noticed that it was a small, lean tom that was jet-black except for one paw that was white. He had a purple, though stained with red, collar that had teeth jutting out of one side. Cat teeth! Moonstar realized with dismay. Though it wasn't just cat teeth, there were dog teeth sticking out as well. The cat stopped and sniffed the air. His expression turned from suspicion to satisfaction in a heartbeat.

"You don't have to hide, my dear," the cat spoke out, "I won't bite." Moonstar felt dread envelope her but she could do nothing except follow what the tom had said.

She tentatively padded out of the bushes not daring to meet his eyes, though she could tell he was smirking.

"And to what do I owe to this visit?" he asked.

Cautiously, she looked up. "I-I arrived here in a dream, I didn't purposely come," she meowed quietly.

"Well," he replied, "whether you knew it or not, I have been expecting you to come." He flicked his tail and another tom padded out of the gorse thicket. "Bone," he meowed, "Moonstar has finally come."

She let out a small gasp of shock. "How do you know my name?" she demanded.

"Save your breath," Bone spoke, "we've been waiting for you." His whiskers twitched as a sign for her to follow him.

She padded into their camp and through the clearing. Other cats there were staring at her inquisitively, but none said anything. The black tom padded brought up the rear and, for whatever reason, she didn't mind the fact that the strange cat was behind her. She thought he would be something different from what he was and she felt safe around him. Moonstar shook her head of these thoughts. He's a strange cat you've never met, why would you feel this way? Pain seared in her nose and her eyes watered as she bumped into a hard rock wall.

"Ow!" she yowled. Bone's whiskers twitched in amusement but the black tom almost looked genuinely worried.

"Are you all right?" he meowed. Moonstar nodded and realized where she was. The cave was small and somewhat like her den in the forest. This must be the leader's den, but who is the leader? She thought. Could it be Bone? Maybe, but she didn't want to go jumping to conclusions.

"What am I doing here?" She dared to say out loud.

"If you must know," Bone growled, "you've been brought here to train."

Moonstar didn't quite understand. "Train for what?"

"For goodness sake!" hissed the black tom. "We are going to train you to become a better leader. You cannot go about second guessing yourself and comparing yourself to your father." Moonstar flinched. How did they know?

"What's your name?" she asked him.

"My name is Scourge," he meowed.

Scourge? Moonstar was quite confused. Wasn't scourge a word that meant a great evil or thrashing? What reputation did this cat hold? She knew that this place had never seen the true light of day or the frosty glisten of stars. It was not StarClan. With a sickening wrench, her belly lurched when she realized where she was. The Place of No Stars! She thought despairingly. How had these cats gotten there? They clearly weren't clan cats.

"Where did you come from?" Moonstar demanded.

Scourge glanced briefly at Bone. "That's not important," he flicked his tail dismissively, "we must start training now."

Bone stepped forward, but Scourge blocked the way. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I will start training her," Scourge meowed, "you go and finish patrols." Bone narrowed his eyes. "I am your leader," Scourge spoke quietly and steadily, "you will obey." Bone hesitated, but nodded curtly.

Scourge waited until he had padded out of the den and then jerked his head toward the entrance. Moonstar followed him out into the dimly lit forest. For some reason, Bone made her feel uncomfortable, but Scourge almost made her feel safe, for instance, if there were to be a problem, he would protect her.

In the forest all of the ferns had dried and stiffened into bracken and the ground beneath her paws was hard compared to the soft, grassy slopes of her home, while the trees, which usually had moss blanketing the base, were barren and cracked. The air was so thick and damp that Moonstar stifled a gasp of breath every now and then.

Scourge suddenly stopped in a large clearing that contained many entangled tree roots zig zagging their way across the ground.

"Now," he started, "I am going to try an attack move on you and you are to sit there and feel it, understanding every move I make so that you may try it out on me afterwards." Moonstar nodded.

He crouched and lunged forward, landing on Moonstar's shoulders and battering her head with his hind paws. Scourge's claws were sheathed and he wasn't kicking hard but if it were a real battle, it would be a tactful move and it would leave most of her opponents stunned.

Scourge leaped down landing face forward in front of her. "Try that move out on me and I'm going to try and throw you off."

Crouching in the same way she saw Scourge do it, she lunged and landed squarely on his backside. She kicked her sheathed paws on his head and felt him turn over, but she thought twice and leaped up, twisted around, and managed to strike a few blows to his muzzle before zipping away. Scourge flew up and pounced on her, but in a playful way. His eyes were full of amusement and some other emotion Moonstar couldn't quite read… Friendliness? Affection? Or was it… Love?

Soon after a couple play fights and battle tactics, the forest around her started to fade.

"Scourge?" she meowed desperately. "Am I waking up?"

"Yes," he called back, "don't forget to come back here every night for another training lesson." Moonstar nodded. "And don't tell any cat about me," he added quickly, "especially not the cats from other clans."

Before he disappeared completely, Moonstar saw his ghostly figure move toward her. Scourge pushed his muzzle into hers, leaving her with the loving touch of his breath and the strange scent of his pelt. She looked up and saw that the sky was orange streaked with pink, the sun just touching the horizon. The camp was beginning to stir and Moonstar stood up shaking scraps of moss from her pelt. I will come back tomorrow night, Scourge, I will.