Dawnstar was pacing. Her brow was furrowed in deep thought, and as Scarletspirit watched, her whiskers began to twitch. Drizzlepelt and Waterwing sat beside her, also watching their leader with grim expressions.

Finally, Dawnstar paused and looked up, glancing at each of them, then back down at the ground. After a tense moment, she meowed sternly, "Waterwing, what do you know of this sickness?"

Waterwing looked thoughtful. "I do not know if you have heard the stories of Firestar," she began with a glance at Scarletspirit.

"Yes, yes. Most of them. What does that have to with sickness?"

Waterwing went on patiently. "Well, during his years as deputy, ThunderClan accepted a ShadowClan she-at as their medicine cat. Her name was Yellowfang."

"Yes, indeed. I know of the stories surrounding her. Go on."

"In ShadowClan at the time, a similar sickness was raging. It took the life of many cats. But here were tow in particular that I must bring to attention."

Dawnstar stared, her ears flicked forward.

"Littlecloud and Whitethroat."

"I know of Littlecloud," replied Dawnstar, nodding.

"Indeed. He came to ThunderClan for aid, and pleaded to Bluestar. Once, he was turned away, but Yellowfang's apprentice, the noble Cinderpelt, hid he and his companion in her own territory. She cured the two cats with her own combination of herbs, and Littlecloud returned to ShadowClan and became medicine cat, with the knowledge of how to cure this terrible sickness."

Dawnstar leaned forward, impatient. "This is a kit's story. You say the sickness is only similar. I for one know that the knowledge of the cure has been lost for some time. Why are you wasting our time, Waterwing?"

Waterwing did not reply. Her eyes were closed, and Scarletspirit knew that she was trying to remember something. Suddenly she said in a low whisper.

"No, there was one other who knew of the cure." She brought a paw over ear, as if finished.

"Who? Tell us now!" demanded Dawnstar, raising a paw as if to strike at Waterwing.

"Leafpool. The daughter of Firestar, and Cinderpelt's apprentice."

Dawnstar let her fur lie flat, but her eyes were bright and sharp.

"Then go and cure RiverClan, you dawdling old fool," hissed Dawnstar, then she stalked off to her den. Waterwing smiled, and Scarletspirit shivered at the sight.

"You truly know the cure?" asked Drizzlepelt, looking skeptically at Waterwing. The blue she-cat let out a bark of rasping laughter.

"No. StarClan only knows now. Dawnstar was right, the knowledge was lost with time. Leafpool is long dead. There is no help for RiverClan now. They shall all die, and the sickness will spread until we are all wiped out."

With a contemptuous flick of her tail, Waterwing strode away.

"Then we can do nothing!" growled Drizzlepelt, leaping to his feet. "For a moment that old piece of fox-dung had me hoping." Drizzlepelt marched away, his tail fluffed up to twice its size. Scarletspirit was stunned into silence.

With a sudden wave of fatigue, Scarletspirit stumbled off to the warrior's den. It seemed as if years had passed since she had agreed to go out on patrol with Puddlespots, though it had only been that morning.

Scarletspirit dropped into her bed of moss, welcoming the soft, dry mattress. As soon as she laid her head on her paws, a deep sleep claimed her.

Scarletspirit was standing in the clearing on the little island where the Clans gathered every full moon. Above her the sky was dark and clear, with the bright specks of stars spattered across it like snowflakes. She padded past the Great Oak, drinking in the scents of the night all around her. Suddenly a new scent reached her mouth. It was sour and brought bile to her throat.

The sickness! She stumbled away from the Oak, he eyes wide with fear. Waterwing had told her that it was deadly; any cat that came near it would catch it. She tried to escape the clinging stench but it followed her across the log and into RiverClan territory. Her paws carried her to the RiverClan camp, where she began to hear loud wails and moans of agony. Her scarlet pelt prickled.

She came gliding into the camp, where the warriors of RiverClan were all huddled in a group, the gaunt eyes staring down at something Scarletspirit could not see. She finally recognized Littleleaf, the medicine cat, crouched over a limp body, wailing. With horror, she realized that it was Sootstar; he was clearly dead.

"No!" she cried, trying to reach the gray cat in the center of the huddle. All around, the sickness wafted among the cats, and she could smell their fear-scent mixed with it. A she-cat retched beside her, and an apprentice broke into a fit of deep coughing.

"No!" she shrieked again. The misery of the cats was pressing down on her like a smothering force that would not relent. Every cat here knew that they would soon meet the fate of so many of their Clan…and now their leader.

Scarletspirit wailed in desperation, not wishing this appalling fate on any cat. How could StarClan allow this suffering? Was there nothing she could do?

A cat beside suddenly stiffened, and his body convulsed. He collapsed, his body racked by spasms, and the warrior next to him sprang back with a scream of shock and horror. The cat twitched once more, than lay still. Scarletspirit was choked with fear. She backed away, sprinting from the RiverClan camp with stench of sickness still lingering in her fur.

She paused when she was out of range of the howls, and looked up at the stars. A glowing apparition was descending from the sky above her, and after a moment she recognized the cat as the recent Sootstar. She dipped her head, eyes wide with shock.

"You have seen the destruction that the sickness causes." He cast a fond glance back at the camp, and his eyes brimmed with sorrow. Scarletspirit felt sorry for the young leader, torn so violently from his Clan, but she felt relief as well, that it was not Dawnstar who lay limp, surrounded by her dying clanmates. Sootstar sighed, and turned his gaze back to her. Scarletspirit flinched.

"Only you have the courage to save the Clans from this…this…invisible death. No cat knows of the cure but Leafpool."

At that moment a second cat came leaping down from Silverpelt, stars glittering in her pale brown fur.

"Scarletspirit," acknowledged the pretty she-cat.

"Leafpool?" Scarletspirit guessed. The cat nodded.

"Come. I will show you what you must do to cure the sickness." Leafpool led her away from the Great Oak, and when the scarlet warrior turned back, Sootstar was gone.

"Wait," said Scarletspirit, pausing beside a holly bush. "Shouldn't you be telling this to Waterwing? I'm no medicine cat."

"Waterwing has none of your bravery, nor does her apprentice. They would not carry out this task unless it were shoved under their noses."

With a contemptuous flick of her tail, Leafpool continued through the undergrowth, Scarletspirit following obediently behind her. Finally, when Scarletspirit felt as if her paws were rocks, Leafpool paused.

"Here," meowed Leafpool. She gestured with a flick of her tail at a clump of assorted plants growing in a cluster at the base of a tree.

"These are the herbs that you must use to cure the sickness. Borage, catmint, hawthorn, thyme, and feverfew. Mix them and they will cure the sickness over time."

Scarletspirit looked aghast. "But I don't know any of these! No one will believe me! How can I do this? I told you, I'm not a medicine cat, and I don't plan to be!"

"You must be," snapped Leafpool, and disappeared in a shower of stars.

"What?" cried, Scarletspirit, but the image was already fading.

"Scarletspirit? Scarletspirit! Wake up!"

Scarletspirit jolted awake. Goldbrook was prodding her in the side.

"Finally. You would have scared away all the prey from here to the lake. Great StarClan…" Goldbrook padded out of the den, muttering. Scarletspirit drew in a long breath and rose her feet, raking scarps of moss from her glossy pelt.

"You finally awake!" cried Lionclaw, poking his head through the curtain of twigs that sheltered the warrior's den. "Up for patrol? We might hunt some after, if you like."

Scarletspirit followed him out of the den, and they met Dawnstar and Sprucepaw at the bramble tunnel.

"Ah, awake at last, Scarletspirit. We had to send Goldbrook to make sure you hadn't joined StarClan in your sleep."

Dawnstar's wry sense of humor felt like cold water after Scarletspirit heavy sleep. She followed her leader dutifully, but each pawstep was weary and careless.

When finally they had finished patrolling round WindClan territory, and Lionclaw offered that they hunt, Scarletspirit politely refused and trudged back to camp, itching to tell Waterwing about her dream.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Scarletspirit? What now?" mewed Waterwing sharply, turning her blind gaze on the red-furred warrior.

"I-I had a dream from StarClan, Waterwing. Abut the sickness."

Waterwing leaned forward, surprise creasing her brow.

"Oh? I've heard of it happening before…" With a dry cough she added, "Firestar had premonitions of a sort when he was a warrior…I suppose it must run in the family."

Scarletspirit shifted uncomfortably.

"Well, Leafpool visited me and gave me the ingredients for the cure to the sickness. I-I was hoping you could help."

Waterwing's ears jerked forward. She frowned, then meowed, "Of course."

"Borage, catmint, hawthorn, thyme, and feverfew," mewed Scarletspirit, repeating Leafpool's words. Waterwing thought for a moment, then nodded.

"That sounds promising. I'll have my apprentice fetch them for me."

The old medicine cat stalked out past Scarletspirit, and she could hear Waterwing yowling something to Bloompaw.

When she returned, she had a kind smile on her face. "I don't know quite what I would do without her," she murmured happily. Scarletspirit twitched, impatient.

"I'll start mixing what I have," she said, and turned to sort through her piles of herbs.

"Erm…Waterwing?" Scarletspirit asked tentatively.

"Hm?" Waterwing queried without turning around.

"Shall…shall I take them over to RiverClan after your done?"

"Absolutely not. You'd die as soon as look at them. I'll give them to Littleleaf. I'm meeting him tomorrow at the Moonpool."

"I-I think tomorrow might not be soon enough."

"Why? You sound like you've fought a badger. What happened?"

"Well, in my dream…Sootstar was dead."

Waterwing whirled around, fear showing in her features.

"Sootstar? Dead? That can't be…" Her face was shadowed.

"I'm sorry…it's- it's what I saw."

"Yes, yes. I'm not angry with you. But so soon…" she shook her head, her eyes closed with sorrow. "ThunderClan will mourn. He was a great and strong leader. He should not have had to leave his Clan so soon."

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o

Scarletspirit woke early the next morning, and turned to find that Sunblaze was already up. After a swift wash she padded out of the den, searching for Sunblaze among the few warriors who were awake.

"Have you seen Sunblaze?" she asked Dovewing, who was just finishing a piece of fresh-kill.

"Not today, sorry. Probably out hunting." Dovewing shrugged, licked her lips, and padded into the nursery to speak with Maplefang, who Scarletspirit remembered was her den-mate.

Scarletspirit sighed. She had been planning to go out hunting with the golden tom, but she couldn't find him anywhere.

She watched as Crowpaw slipped out of the apprentice's den and headed toward the bramble tunnel, only to meet Goldbrook as she padded into camp. He nuzzled her shoulder and the two padded away.

Scarletspirit's tail twitched. Where is he?

With a shrug of defeat, Scarletspirit turned and wandered toward Waterwing's den. The old medicine cat was mixing the remedy that Leafpool had given to Scarletspirit the night before.

"How's it going, Waterwing?" asked Scarletspirit.

The blue she-cat spun around her scruff bristling. Scarletspirit flinched. She had never seen Waterwing so on edge.

"Oh. It's only you. Come in." Waterwing padded into the cool shelter of the rock hollow where she made her den. Inside, Bloompaw was preparing two packets of herbs that she wrapped in sot green leaves.

"These are the herbs that I will take to Littleleaf tonight. I will also tell him the formula so that he might make more.

"Will you please not tell him that it was I who had the dream?" asked Scarletspirit suddenly, seized by a fear that StarClan might be angry.

"No. I won't tell him. Though I don't why it matters so darn much to you." Waterwing snorted but said no more. She whispered something to Bloompaw and the apprentice nodded. She dropped a few poppy seeds into the mixture, and Waterwing nodded with approval.

"Poppy seeds? Is that a part of the mixture?"

"No. But it will help them sleep, to ease their fatigue. It must be difficult coping with that disease and the death of so many of their clan-mates. A little sleep will do them good."

Scarletspirit nodded, happy that Waterwing was so absorbed in her job.

"Well I'll go and hunt then," she meowed, and backed out of the den.

A warm meow met her ears as she emerged from the rock hollow, and Scarletspirit rounded the corner to find Sunblaze standing there, a mouse clutched in his jaws.

"Sunblaze! I was looking all over for you!" she cried with a wide smile, and flung herself on him, pressing her nose against his cheek and emitting a loud purr.

"At least someone's happy," muttered Squirrelclaw, gruffly. The old ginger elder looked ruffled. "A cat can't get a wink of sleep around here." She gestured sharply with her tail at Badgerfoot and Bearkit – the two were rolling in the leaves, batting at each other. Scarletspirit laughed, and pressed against Sunblaze.

"Come on, I'll share this with you," he meowed in his deep voice, nudging her toward the fresh-kill pile. He dropped the mouse on the ground beside a patch of dandelions, and gestured for her to take the first bite.

She leaned forward and took a mouthful of mouse, swallowing it swiftly. She was ravenous. They finished quickly, and Scarletspirit began to wash herself. Sunblaze licked her ear affectionately, and she swatted playfully at his jaw, unbalancing herself. She tumbled back into the dust, and meowed a protest as he broke into rumbling laughter.

"Not funny," she mumbled, shaking sand from her fur.

Sunblaze let out grumbling purr, and pressed against her, entwining his tail with hers.

"Obnoxious little lovebirds," griped Squirrelclaw, but an amused smile betrayed her light mood.

0o0o0o0o0oo0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Scarletspirit watched as Waterwing padded out of camp, Bloompaw at her shoulder. Relief flooded her heart, and she turned back with a wave of calm nearly sweeping her off her paws. RiverClan was safe. The threat of the terrible sickness was gone.

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge!" called Dawnstar. Scarletspirit jumped, whirling around.

The pale ginger leader was standing on the stone ledge, Lionclaw sitting at its base. When he caught her eyes he padded over.

"Dawnstar would like to apprentice Bearkit to you. Maplefang says he is far too big for the nursery anymore. She was sorry she couldn't tell you sooner."

"Now!?" cried Scarletspirit. "Me?"

"Yes."

"But what about you? Or Ambertail? Or Dovewing? I-"

"Shush. The ceremony is starting." Lionclaw padded away, leaving Scarletspirit standing with her mouth open, looking like a fool.

"Maplefang has told me that her son, Bearkit, is ready to be apprenticed. I present this young cat to you, StarClan, because he is ready to begin his training in the ways of your noble code. Bearkit, will you train hard with your mentor, and be loyal to your clan?"

"Yesabsolutelydawnstar!" said the kit in a rush of words. His brown pelt quivered with excitement.

"Then you shall be mentored by Scarletspirit. Scarletspirit, I expect you to pass down all that Lionclaw taught you to this new apprentice."

Scarletspirit padded forward and pressed her nose to Bearpaw's shoulder. She could feel the young cat tremble with excitement, and remembered her apprentice ceremony so many moons ago.

"Tomorrow we will begin your training," she mewed to him, and strode away.

"Congratulations," purred Sunblaze, walking up beside her. She didn't answer. A flicker of concern passed through Sunblaze's gaze.

"What's wrong?" he meowed anxiously. He couldn't see a wound on her anywhere. After a long moment Scarletspirit meowed in a low, pained voice.

"I can't help but think that Dawnstar only allowed me to mentor him because she wants me to be deputy some day."

"That's ridiculous. You're a fine warrior, with the perfect skills and attitude for mentoring. There's no reason on earth that she shouldn't give him to you. Stop being so mouse-brained."

"But what about Ambertail?"

"She was my mentor."

"Dovewing?"

"She just had her kits apprenticed – she's hardly been a warrior for a day."

"Puddlespots?"

"Goldbrook's mentor."

"It's just-"
"What?"

"What if I'm not anything like Firestar? They all look at me like I'm a warrior of StarClan. I don't really want do be deputy, Sunblaze."

"Of course you do. It's the greatest honor," he meowed, licking her ear.

"I suppose. But I don't if I can be a leader like Firestar was. I'm not a reincarnation of him or anything."

"No. You're you, and even StarClan can't change that."

"Thank you, Sunblaze," she purred. She flashed him a grateful smile. He nodded to her.

"Glad to be of help, my love."

"Oh stop."