Chapter 6. There's a poll for a future Demon Clans special story. Check it out!

Starpaw was stuck in Dashpelt's den for a couple of days until her wound healed enough for her to resume training. "I'm so bored!" complained Starpaw on her third day. She glanced over at her mentor's nest but he still had not awakened. He seemed to be in a lot of pain. "Don't die Spiderstorm," she whispered.

"I don't know what to tell you," Dashpelt came into the den and padded over to Starpaw, "Like Foxpaw told you, there is nothing you can do for him." He checked the wound before saying, "You can leave the den today. You can't resume training yet but you can step outside. Oh. And you need to go to Rosesky's den."

Starpaw got to her paws, "Thanks Dashpelt." She dipped her head, "I probably would still be in pain right now."

"It's alright," said Dashpelt, "Now go on."

Starpaw dipped her head again before heading outside. She turned left and climbed up a small rock pile, which lead to a hole in the rock face where Rosesky's den was. "Rosesky?"

"Starpaw," came Rosesky's voice from inside, "Come in."

Starpaw gulped. She had never been in Rosesky's den before. She took a deep breath and stepped inside. The inside of the den was very cozy and pretty warm. The floor of the den was covered in moss. Rosesky was sitting dead center of the den, a half eaten vole at her paws. The leader gestured with her tail that Starpaw should sit down.

Starpaw plopped onto the moss, "Ummm hello Roseksy. Why am I here?"

"I want to hear from you what happened against that rouge. I got Smokepaw's side of the story but I want to know yours."

Starpaw took a deep breath and launched into her story, leaving out the fact that she was following Moonlight. When she was finished, Rosesky said thoughtfully, "So there were two rouges." She looked up, "Thank you for the information Starpaw. Just to inform you, Flametail will be your mentor until…Spiderstorm can resume your training. Now for your punishment for leaving camp without a warrior with you."

Starpaw's mouth dropped. She was getting punished? "But what about Smokepaw?" she stuttered.

"He already did his punishment," said Rosesky, "For the next three days you have to take care of the elders by yourself."

Starpaw sighed, "Yes Rosesky." She dipped her head to the leader before leaving. Outside, she groaned and climbed down the rocks, "I can't believe this! Take care of the elders for three days?" Starpaw knew it was her fault for being curious. "And Smokepaw could have died," her mind reminded her. "Why me?" she wailed before heading for the fresh-kill pile.

"Hey Starpaw," said Leafpaw, who was eating a rabbit, "You feel better?"

Starpaw froze and stared at Leafpaw. She looked better but Starpaw knew she was still mourning over her brother's death. "I…," Starpaw sighed, "I need to give the elders some fresh-kill." Without looking at Leafpaw, Starpaw grabbed three mice by their tails and headed over to the elders who were outside the elders den, resting.

"Looks like you are finally better," spoke Lionfoot as Starpaw put fresh-kill in front of the three cats.

"My side still hurts a little," admitted Starpaw, "But I'm fine."

"That's good," said Brokenheart. He squinted at the fresh-kill in front of him, "Where is it?"

Lionfoot pushed the mouse closer to Brokenheart's paw, "Better?"

"Oh!" exclaimed Brokenheart, "There's the piece of fresh-kill! I was looking for that!"

"You are getting old!" spoke Mossfur loudly. The she-cat was losing her hearing so she always yelled. Mossfur turned to Starpaw, "Hey! I heard Lionfoot talking about a tick somewhere on his fur. Get it off of him will you?"

"Mossfur," snapped Lionfoot, "I do not have a….okay maybe I do. Uh Starpaw? Do you mind getting it?"

Starpaw groaned inwardly. This meant getting a stick of mouse bile. "Okay," she forced herself to say, "I'll be right back." Starpaw headed for Dashpelt's den. She stepped inside. "Dashpelt? I'm going to need some mouse bile." She felt something was wrong. "Dashpelt? You here?"

Starpaw hurried to the back of the den and yowled in shock. Spiderstorm seemed to be scratched up some more. She looked for a breath but he was still. "Spiderstorm?" she whispered, "Spiderstorm?"

"Hey Starpaw."

Starpaw turned to see Foxpaw come in, "Foxpaw…" she whispered, "Foxpaw."

"What's wrong?" Foxpaw padded up to his sister. He cried out and ran to Spiderstorm's body. Foxpaw's eyes widen, "No way. He's….dead…"