Spottedleopard landed on his side with a dull thud, struggling for breath with Cloudypaw on top of him. "Okay get off you great lump," he growled good-naturedly. He panted for breath as he struggled to his paws. "That was very good," he praised his apprentice as he shook out his pelt.

"Thanks Spottedleopard," Cloudypaw purred. "Can we go hunt?" She gave her black and white pelt a few swift licks. It seemed to Spottedleopard that his apprentice enjoyed hunting more than battle training, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Alright," Spottedleopard nodded and let his apprentice lead. She led the way to the Windclan border, but stopped suddenly with her ears pricked and tail sticking straight up. "What is it?" Spottedleopard asked scenting the air. A heathery scent bathed his tongue and the fur along his neck rose. "Windclan," he growled. "Come on we have to warn Bramblestar," he spun around and charged back toward camp, confident that Cloudypaw was following hot on his heels. They burst into camp, panting and chests heaving from their run. He scanned the camp for his leader. He spotted Bramblestar sharing fresh-kill with Squirrelflight, Lionblaze and Larknight. "Bramblestar," he called hurrying to the dark brown tabby. "Cloudypaw and I picked up Windclan scent on our side of the border upstream from the Ancient Oak," Cloudypaw nodded in confirmation. She kneaded the earth beneath her paws anxiously.

"Of course you'll find Windclan scent at the Windclan border," Larknight jeered, rolling his eyes.

"These scents were about a tree-length inside the border," Cloudypaw snapped at the black tom. Spottedleopard rested his tail tip on her shoulder.

"Okay calm down," Bramblestar told the apprentice gently then turned his attention to Spottedleopard; by now several more cats had gathered around them. Including Flamekit and Twigtail. Flamekit was growing quickly and was wiry for kit only a moon old.

"I picked up the scent of three different cats. All toms," Spottedleopard informed his leader.

"Could you identify which cats?" Bramblestar asked calmly.

Spottedleopard opened his jaws to respond, but Twigtail beat him to it. "Onestar, Harespring and Weaselfur,"

The Clan leader, Cloudypaw and Spottedleopard stared at her. "How do you know?" Cloudypaw asked.

"Because we are here,"

Spottedleopard and Cloudypaw spun around in surprise to see the Windclan leader and deputy in the Thunderclan camp with Flamekit's father. Weaselfur just stared at Twigtail and Flamekit, Spottedleopard moved in front of his mate and daughter. "What are you doing here?" He growled. Sparkstorm and Sweetfoot took up positions on either side of Spottedleopard and unsheathed their claws.

"You have something of Windclan's," Onestar meowed coolly. Bramblestar padded forward, his tabby pelt smooth and gaze curious.

"I am certain we have nothing of yours," he replied. Weaselfur padded forward his gaze still fixed on Twigtail.

"That's close enough rabbit-breath," Spottedleopard growled.

"I have come for my daughter," the ginger tom meowed. Yowls of confusion rose from the Clan. "Flamekit should be a Windclan warrior,"

Twigtail began to tremble behind Spottedleopard. "Flamekit is not your kit!" Sparkstorm snarled. The Clan voiced their agreement taking up positions around Twigtail and Flamekit, their pelts bristling.

Would they be so quick to protect them if they knew the truth? Spottedleopard wondered sadly.

"We will give you until the gathering to decide. If you refuse we will fight," Onestar meowed.

"We'll be ready," Spottedleopard mewed firmly.

The Clan watched the Windclan trio leave the camp. "Mousewhisker, Berrynose and Lionblaze, go make sure they don't hunt on the way back," Bramblestar ordered. The three toms left immediately. Once they were gone Spottedleopard rubbed against Twigtail trying to comfort her.

"Was that ginger tom really my father?" Flamekit whispered. Spottedleopard turned to Bramblestar while Twigtail tried to reassure their daughter. "We need to talk," he mewed grimly. Bramblestar exchanged a quick glance with Squirrelflight then led the way up to his den.

What will he do? Spottedleopard wondered anxiously.