AN: Finally I got this chapter done, and it's not even my best writing. But I wanted to post it as a sign of the New Year. So what did everyone do for New Year? I just had a mega-movie marathon all night. Tonight I'll be watching Once Upon A Time :P Great show considering it's those kind of shows I would rather ignore. But nonetheless, back to Warriors mode!


Chapter 6

Rainpaw's legs were trembling when she followed Stoneheart through the forest. Blackfall was leading the way, his tail flicking from side to side as he led the patrol towards the SkyClan border. His pelt didn't blend in with the territory, much like her own. But he was confident. He moved without worrying about what lay around the corner.

We all know that something bad is going to happen, Rainpaw thought. Her amber eyes were dark as she looked down at her paws. Her legs were trembling because she was afraid of what would happen. Things in the forest had not been the same since Meadowstar accused the Marked. It felt as though the Marked were being hunted down, one by one.

Leaves brushed against Rainpaw's whiskers as she approached Blackfall. He'd stopped near the edge of the border, eying the trees that loomed ahead. Beyond those trees was SkyClan territory. Fresh scent markers had been detected nearby, where the border lay. When the news had reached Blackfall, he'd ordered Rainpaw and Stoneheart to come with him to check it out. Rainpaw wasn't sure why they'd been singled out, but she had a bad feeling in her stomach.

"It seems as though Sparrowflight was right," Blackfall hissed. "Those crowfood eaters must have passed through our territory to do some hunting."

His nose led him towards a patch of ferns that had been clumped down by weight. Rainpaw's heart sank when she saw the feathers of a bird surrounding the ferns. A kill had been made here, and the scents were fresh.

"We don't know if it was SkyClan who killed the bird," Stoneheart meowed calmly. "I'm sure it could have been a fox or a hawk."

A shudder coursed down Rainpaw's spine when Stoneheart mentioned hawks. A kit had been taken away just days before she as born. The kit had only been a few days old at the time. His name did not matter to the Clan, but Rainpaw knew his mother would never forget him.

"I know it's SkyClan," Blackfall snapped. "Their stench fills my lungs, and they burn from it."

"If what you say is true, than we must consult Meadowstar," Stoneheart replied.

"Meadowstar can wait." Blackfall's tail lashed as he padded forward, stepping lightly over the border. "Those mangepelts are going to pay."

He's the one who murdered Sharpfang! The realization struck Rainpaw. Her eyes widened as she felt a surge of horror course through her. Stoneheart stiffened by her side, his fur standing on end when he too seemed to know what had happened.

"We have to stop him," Stoneheart hissed under his breath. "If he crosses the line, he'll get killed."

"And blame me for it," Rainpaw added. Her own hackles rose at the thought. This was why Meadowstar had sent the three of them together. If Blackfall was killed by the SkyClan warriors, his death would be blamed on her. Meadowstar was always looking for opportunities to make the Marked look bad.

The two of them bounded after Blackfall, all too aware of the troubles that lay ahead. If they were caught by the SkyClan cats, than they would be forced to fight as well. Rainpaw knew how to use her powers to defend herself, but it was often not enough. She closed her eyes as Stoneheart pushed through the bushes that loomed ahead. It wasn't just the idea of battling that made Rainpaw feel uneasy. She didn't like using her powers unless it was necessary.

Her thoughts were stopped short when Stoneheart came to a halt. His dark gray pelt was standing on end, eyes wide with horror when Rainpaw approached him. Laying in front of them was the body of Blackfall. His fur had been torn apart by the claws of a warrior, while tufts of it were spread out among the bushes. The cold stench of blood lay heavily in the air, making Rainpaw's nose wrinkle in disgust. She glared at the scene as Stoneheart approached the body cautiously. By now the sun was beginning to set as Stoneheart tried to survey his surroundings. The warriors that had killed Blackfall obviously knew how to hide.

"Can you use your powers to bring him back?" Stoneheart leaned against Rainpaw, his whiskers grazing against her shoulders.

"I…I don't know," Rainpaw replied. Blackfall wasn't breathing like she'd hoped. The blood loss had been too much for him. She leaned forward and pressed her nose against Blackfall's flank, hoping to bring the blood that seeped from his wound back.

Without waiting for Stoneheart to accuse her of being a traitor, she nudged Blackfall's flank once more. Nothing happened, much to her disappointment. Blackfall was dead, and nothing she did could bring him back. He'd been murdered under cold blood, and that was what made her feel even more uneasy.

"We better tell Meadowstar what happened," Stoneheart sighed. "She's not going to be happy about this news."

When is Meadowstar happy? Rainpaw thought bitterly.

She already knew the answer to that question. Meadowstar wouldn't be happy until the last of the Marked were gone. Rainpaw was part of the Marked lives, and that meant she was Meadowstar's enemy. The idea was a terrifying one - that her own leader didn't trust her. Her mother had always taught her that loyalty was the only thing that mattered. Perhaps by staying on Meadowstar's good graces, she would remain unharmed.

The pair raced back to camp as fast as their paws could carry them. Somehow Rainpaw managed not to trip during their run. She was known for tripping during running exercises, and had often surprised herself when she didn't. She shook away moss that had snared her pelt while they ran through the entrance.

To her relief, Meadowstar was sitting around a small group of warriors. Mintwhisker and Heavystorm were with her, along with Rainpaw's mother Riverspirit. All three cats looked uneasy when Meadowstar spoke in low whispers. It sounded as if she was trying to convince them of something. Rainpaw knew that her mother would never give in, but Mintwhisker and Heavystorm were another story.

"Blackfall is dead!" Stoneheart's sudden outburst made every cat freeze, including Rainpaw.

"How could this have happened?" Mintwhisker demanded when he left the group.

"Why make such a terrible accusation? Blackfall has no enemies in the Clans," Acorntail, an elder, meowed.

"Yes, the idea is a rather ridiculous one," Meadowstar added. "And if you are making such an accusation, than who did kill Blackfall?"

Stoneheart looked down at his paws. If he explained now, Meadowstar would likely blame him along with Rainpaw for Blackfall's death.

"I will show you his body," Stoneheart suddenly replied. He lifted his muzzle once more, yes narrowed in thought. "Perhaps Sedgewing can figure out what happened to him."

The medicine cat looked annoyed that Stoneheart had pointed her out. Sedgewing normally kept to herself, and avoided conflicts when they rose. This time it was no different, though Rainpaw could sense she was trying to keep her calm.

"Very well, take us to the scene," Meadowstar muttered. "The apprentice goes with us." Her gaze rested upon Rainpaw, who crouched beside her mentor.

Don't do anything mousebrained, she reminded herself.

The group moved on in silence, led by Stoneheart as he took them to the crime scene. Meadowstar was whispering to Sedgewing, whose ears flicked back and forth while her leader spoke. She didn't look concerned like Meadowstar. Rainpaw hoped that Sedgewing had more sense than her leader.

"This is it." Stoneheart stopped when he reached the spot where Blackfall's body had been. By now a cloud of flies surrounded it, buzzing in anticipation for spots to lay eggs or eat. Rainpaw's lips curled in disgust at the thought of eating crowfood.

Sedgewing didn't look too thrilled about observing the body either. She stepped forward, nudging it so that the body moved a little. The fur rippled as a breeze ruffled their pelts and the leaves.

"A cat definitely murdered him," Sedgewing murmured. "I don't recognize the scent. It was washed away by water."

Meadowstar glared at Rainpaw when Sedgewing mentioned water being around Blackfall's scent. "Than you must have washed away the evidence," she hissed.

"Why in StarClan's name would I do that?" Rainpaw demanded.

"For some reason you had trouble with Blackfall," Meadowstar replied as if she'd rehearsed everything. "It sounds as though while you were on patrol you ambushed him. While he was caught off guard by your powers, Stoneheart dealt the killing blow."

"You've got bees in your brain if we're gonna believe that," Sedgewing growled.

"I think we have enough evidence," Meadowstar snapped. "And besides, Rainpaw used her powers against a Clanmate, which is forbidden."

"We should go before a SkyClan patrol finds us," Stoneheart grumbled.

The four cats moved on in silence, aware that a patrol could find them at any moment. Rainpaw knew that a border patrol would likely fight the four cats. They were the ones who'd trespassed. In any sense the patrol had a right to attack the trespassers, but at this moment Rainpaw wasn't sure what to make of it.

Her whiskers were trembling by the time they reached Snakerocks, an area that was avoided for the most part. Snakerocks was known for attracting adders, which was what had given the place it's name. She had seen adders sunning themselves on flat boulders. Their scaly skin sent chills down her spine each time she pictured them.

"So what now?" Sedgewing demanded once they were out of harm's way.

"We hold a trial for the accused," Meadowstar replied. "I'm sure the Clan will want to hear what has happened to our beloved deputy." Her amber eyes were narrowed into tiny slits, and Rainpaw knew that this was far from over. She would think of ways to blame the Marked, if the Clan refused to believe her tale. "Let's get going before the moon rises," she added after noticing the tension rising between every cat.

She didn't bother waiting for them to follow. Rainpaw blinked when her pelt was swallowed by the bushes that loomed ahead.

The three of them exchanged worried glances before padding after Meadowstar. Ferns brushed against Rainpaw's flanks when she pushed her way into camp. Already Meadowstar was standing on the Highrock, her head held high as she looked at the Clan gathered around her. Many shot suspicious glances at the new arrivals. Even Riverspirit, who'd sided with Rainpaw for moons, looked uneasy with the sudden news.

Meadowstar is spreading malicious rumors about us, Rainpaw thought with a lash of her tail. She didn't like the idea of being on trial, especially if it put her and Stoneheart in danger. Sedgewing was also under question, though she didn't look as worried. Instead she joined the elders near their den, glaring at Meadowstar with everything she had.

"You are all aware by now that Blackfall is dead," Meadowstar announced. "I know that he was one of the best deputies I could ever ask for. When he was murdered, I didn't want to believe that those two were the cause of his death. But now I can see that they would have had a good reason for it." She paused as murmurs of agreement rose above the crowd. "They believe that he is the reason Sharpfang, another Marked cat, is dead. I believe that they killed him for revenge."

Tigerpounce suddenly sprang to his paws, as if he was ready to attack Meadowstar on the spot. "That's a mousebrained accusation!" he snarled. "Why in StarClan's name would they believe that?"

Meadowstar's eyes flashed with anger when she glared at Tigerpounce. Immediately he sat down, unable to control his temper any longer. Sparrowflight flicked her tail across his shoulder comfortingly, but it didn't seem to be enough. Rainpaw's ears flicked from side to side, and she hoped desperately that he didn't get in trouble for speaking out.

"I know have these two under trial," Meadowstar continued as if nothing had happened. "Under your votes, we will now decide if they are suitable enough for our Clan. Tigerpounce is not allowed to vote, seeing as he would side with them because he is a fellow Marked."

Most of the Clan whispered among themselves as time moved on. By now even the elders were getting fidgety as Meadowstar took her time in naming a new deputy. Rainpaw was surprised that none of them told her to name one. Many of the deputies were superstitious, and believed that if a deputy wasn't named by moonhigh, bad luck would befall the Clan.

"We've made our decision." Meadowstar's eyes lit up with interest when Mintwhisker spoke up. "They are innocent, as far as we can tell."

Rainpaw found herself breathing a sigh of relief she had not been holding. Mintwhisker was a reasonable cat, and Riverspirit's father. He knew how to deal with cats like Meadowstar. The light brown tabby she-cat didn't argue with his decision, though her gaze was filled with fury.

"Very well," she muttered. "I say these words before the spirit of Blackfall, so that he may hear and approve my choice. Sparrowflight will be my deputy."

Sparrowflight's eyes widened in disbelief. She was a young cat by far, and had often made mistakes in her past. But she was also a good choice, in Rainpaw's opinion. Meadowstar may have been mousebrained at times, but at least she made wise decisions.

Let's hope these deaths aren't a chain of events, Rainpaw thought with a lash of her tail. Meadowstar was always looking for a reason to blame the Marked. If another cat was found dead, than she would likely blame Rainpaw or Tigerpounce for their death. She knew that Meadowstar's reign would not end well with the Marked.


AN: Right, this chapter was a direct continuation of the last. Blackfall died a quick death thanks to Rabbitpaw's powers, but it did come with a price. I'm not going to say anything due to the fact that it would be giving information away. Next update should be sometime next week, not sure when, but it'll come :D Oh, and thanks to all my reviewers who actually bothered leaving one (only two D:)