This chapter is really important, so read carefully. I'm sorry it took so long, agian, to update.

sugerpaw - sorry, I can't promise or not promise anything.

Nightwing from ThunderClan - I love questions! I love it when readers ask me questions. Your question about Cinderpelt will definatly be answered in this chapter, but as for the others you're going to have to wait. I will tell you one thing - Whisperkit is NOT going to be a medicine cat. StarClan has a much different path for her than that... grins and pets Whisperkit

Troublestripe - lol, thanks.

Aviation - Thanks so much, you are my most dedicated reader/reviewer from the origional TAL and one of the most dedicated r/r's from this verion; your opinion menas SO much to me!"Humans don't see cats cry, but they don't see them live in Clans in the forest as warriors following a code or live in the Milky Way when the die either, so I guess humans just aren't that observant." You are so totally right! (I'm totally obsessed too!)

Perla H. Sweeden - I know, I adore Whisperkit!

x.skyheart.x - The Clans have DEFINATLY changed! Just read on and you'll see!


After this there is no going back!

Leafpool stood at the edge of the fallen tree. Her amber eyes glinted in the moon-light, her tabby pelt rippled like silver. She could already hear the mews and murmurs of cats approaching the Island; they would reach her soon. She had just enough time to either: cross the bridge onto the Island – or to run back to Crowfeather and her kits.

I'm not backing down from this!

Taking a deep breath, the she-cat placed one white paw on the rough bark of the tree. Slowly, she pulled herself up onto the trunk – until she balanced on the swaying tree completely. Then she nimbly padded across the fallen tree, and then leapt onto the shore of the Island.

"That wasn't so bad," she murmured. Suddenly, she pricked up her ears and turned her head. Yes – the voices were definitely getting closer! She had to find a good spot to hide in the clearing before any of the Clan cats got here! She dashed into the inner clearing of the Island, the stopped short. Her eyes widened in awe as she looked up at the massive tree standing before her. The Great Oak was even more magnificent that she remembered; its sturdy branches seemed to touch Silverpelt, and its glimmering leaves were like carved silver. For a moment, the former medicine cat felt as though she were frozen to the ground, struck dumb in wonder. But then she heard the tell-tale sound of wood creaking, and the excited voices of cats as they began to cross the fallen tree.

Leafpool felt her blood turn to ice. If she didn't hide soon – they would find her! She scanned the clearing quickly, then finally settled on a decent sized clump of brambles. She knew it would hurt like all of ShadowClan to get inside their prickly grasps –and to get out again- but it was the only place she knew where she wouldn't be detected. Gritting her teeth, she slid down under the grasping branches. She winced as the dark thorns caught on her fur, but kept on determinedly. At last she reached the center of the tangle. There was only a little more space in the middle of the woven thorns – and there were many tufts of pale tabby fur clinging to those thorns – but it was the best there was. Shifting her weight to try and get more comfortable, Leafpool peered out from between the spiny branches. The nest of brambles was situated on a small hill – so she could see the entire clearing from her position.

"RiverClan," she whispered as she saw the first lithe form slip into the clearing; the smell of fish and reed and water flooded over her, with the merest hint of woodland. However long she was away from the Clans, she would never forget the different scents of the Clans. Straining her eyes, the former medicine cat tried to make out which particular RiverClan cat it was. At last she recognized the lean black tom as Reedwhisker – the first cat she had ever saved. She felt a small ripple of affection glimmer over her. Even though they were in two different Clans – and had barely said twenty words to each other - she had always felt a sort of bond with the tom. She had saved his life after all; you don't forget something like that.

Soon the rest of the RiverClan party entered the clearing. Leafpool recognized Mistyfoot and the pale tabby tom Beechpaw, as well as the smoky black warrior Blackclaw – but she felt her heart sink when she did not see the dappled golden fur of Mothwing among the RiverClan cats now talking in small groups around the glen. Why wasn't the medicine cat at the Gathering?

The loner was interested to hear, however, Blackclaw address Mistyfoot as 'Mistystar' as they passed close to the bramble bush.

I guess Leopardstar has finally gone to join StarClan.

More voices cluttered the tabby's ears and as the wind changed the bitter scent of pine trees and cold hearts was swept over her fur. ShadowClan had arrived. A dark ginger she-cat was the first to enter the Gathering place, her amber eyes gleaming scornfully and her tail held high above her head like a russet banner. Behind her streamed a line of muscled warriors, their eyes narrowed and darting from side to side.

ShadowClan, always suspicious.

Leafpool scanned the patrol of ShadowClan cats; looking for familiar faces. She immediately spotted Littlecloud. The pale tabby was talking with a dark chocolate-brown tom who padded quietly at his side.

That must be his apprentice.

Leafpool smiled sadly at the medicine cat; they had been good friends, and she missed him. She was happy that he had found himself an apprentice, he would be a great mentor for sure.

Leafpool's amber eyes landed on a plump tortoiseshell form; she recognized with a bit of a shock that the she-cat was Brambleclaw's sister Tawnypelt.

Is she expecting kits? If only I could tell if her scent has changed…

A dark ginger tom slid up next to Tawnypelt and licked her ear. He whispered something to her, and Leafpool saw the queen's eyes flash.

"I'm fine Rowanclaw, I'm not made of thistledown you silly tom," she snapped. But her voice was lined with affection and her green eyes glimmered as she gave the tom a swift lick on his cheek.

I never would have expected Tawnypelt to have kits! She just doesn't seem like the motherly type. Then again, everyone says that Sandstorm was a lot like Tawnypelt in spirit when she was younger, and she had Squirrelflight and I.

Leafpool's thoughts were cut off by a couple of excited yowls. Two warriors burst into the clearing, their eyes bright and their pelts fluffed up. Leafpool purred in amusement – it was Berrykit and Mousekit! The two leapt into the throng of cats, heading for a group of young RiverClan and ShadowClan warriors a little distance away.

They must be aprentices at least by now, if not warriors.

More ThunderClan warrior soon followed the brothers, their achingly familiar scent filling the clearing.

That must be Sorreltail and Brackenfur's daughter! Leafpool thought, staring at a slender tortoiseshell she-cat as she padded next to Cinderpelt.

No, that can't be Cinderpelt – Cinderpelt is older than that she-cat. For a moment Leafpool stared at the grey she-cat, until a shocking idea entered her mind. Did… did Cinderpelt have kits? Leafpool thought, her eyes widening. No. No, Cinderpelt would never go against the warrior code like that. Not like me. Maybe it's another of Sorreltail and Brackenfur's kits; after all, Brackenfur is Cinderpelt's brother.

As if summoned by her thoughts – Brackenfur leapt gracefully into the glen, his amber fur gleaming like gold. Sorreltail padded elegantly at his side, her white paws shining like stars in the moonlight. As Leafpool noticed how plump her friend was she furrowed her brows in confusion. No warrior got that fat in new-leaf, and she had already given birth… She must be expecting again! The tabby purred happily, ThunderClan would be getting a litter of fine, healthy kits soon!

"Squirrelflight, come here!" a deep voice called. Leafpool froze, her eyes widening in horror. Brambleclaw was standing less than a fox-length from her hiding spot. She bunched her muscles tightly together, trying to stay as still as she possibly could, while franticly praying to StarClan that they wouldn't find her.

"What is it?" Squirrelflight asked softly, padding to the dark warrior's side. Leafpool noticed the gleam of affection in her emerald eyes as she looked up into Brambleclaw's face, and the way she let her tail brush along his flank.

They must have made up then… Leafpool wasn't sure how she felt about her sister becoming so close to the tabby again. Her dream of Brambleclaw meeting Tigerstar in that dark forest still haunted her – was the son really following in the pawsteps of the father?

"There's some scent over here, it smells familiar but I can't place it…" Brambleclaw mewed, opening his jaws to taste the air. Leafpool barely suppressed a gasp as she squeezed her eyes shut. Surely there was no way that Squirrelflight could mistake her scent…

"I'm not sure…" the ginger she-cat murmured at last, her eyes puzzled, "you're right, it does smell familiar, but I have no idea why. It smells a little like WindClan and ThunderClan, mixed with some scent that I don't recognize…" she trailed off, tasting the air again.

Leafpool opened her eyes slowly, a mixture of relief and regret washing through her. She wasn't going to be discovered, thank StarClan!, but for Squirrelflight not to recognize her scent… Leafpool felt a pang of loneliness hit her, and she mewed quietly, too soft for either of the ThunderClan warriors to hear.

"My sister, don't you remember me?" Leafpool stared at her paws, no longer worried about being discovered. No cat would recognize her scent anyway.

"It doesn't matter," Brambleclaw mewed at last, turning away from the spiny bush, "the leaders are about to start the Gathering anyway."

"Alright…" Squirrelflight sounded a little hesitant, and as her mate led her away, she glanced back over her shoulder, her green eyes narrowed as if she suspected something was not as it should be.

Leafpool glanced up just as Onestar grabbed onto the bark of the Great Oak with his claws, pulling himself upwards towards his perch. She noticed that Mistystar was already sitting calmly on one of the branches, quietly surveying everything, while Russetfur was padding towards the base of the tree next to Firestar. To her surprise Russetfur, instead of sitting on one of the roots of the tree, dashed forward and leapt onto the trunk of the tree, scrambling up to sit on the branch where Blackstar had formerly resided.

He must have joined StarClan. I guess Russetfur – Russetstar, is the leader of ShadowClan now…

Leafpool felt a prickle of apprehension along her spine. The dark ginger she-cat had shown over and over again that she was no friend of ThunderClan. Her being leader of ShadowClan must have caused problems for her former Clan.

Next Firestar clambered up the huge tree, his ginger fur glowing like star shine.

"Father…" Leafpool whispered, wrapping her tail around her paws. She closed her eyes as sorrow flooded her. Squirrelflight, Firestar… both were so close, and yet she could not talk to them, touch them. Breathing deeply, Leafpool opened her eyes again. She couldn't afford to miss any of the Gathering; especially since she was so curious about who the deputies for each Clan were now.

She watched in surprise as Tawnypelt left the group of queens she had been sitting with to go and sit on the tangle of roots at the base of the Great Oak. There was nothing against a pregnant she-cat becoming deputy of a Clan, but it was surprising Russetstar would have picked one. Especially since Tawnypelt was half-Clan. Russetstar had never exactly been a fan of cats with ties to more than one Clan. Leafpool approved of the leader's choice though; Tawnypelt was a fierce and loyal cat, and was the best choice of a deputy that Leafpool could think of, even though she was expecting kits.

Next Leafpool saw Reedwhisker of RiverClan join Tawnypelt on the roots. Again, Leafpool nodded with approval. From what she knew of the black tom he was a skilled fighter and very loyal. A shiver of relief passed through her as well, she had been terrified that the dark-hearted Hawkfrost would have been picked as deputy.

Thank StarClan he doesn't hold that position.

Leafpool closed her eyes as she thanked her warrior ancestors. She knew that if Hawkfrost had been chosen as deputy every cat would have paid the price.

When Brambleclaw padded up to join the other deputies Leafpool found she was not surprised. The tabby was strong and skilled and, seemingly, loyal. He was the best choice that Firestar could have made. And yet, did Tigerstar still follow his pawsteps, whispering in his ear? Leafpool, suppressed a shudder of horror at that thought.

No, Squirrelflight could never love a cat with evil in their heart. And StarClan would never allow such a cat to become deputy!

But Tigerstar was deputy once…

Leafpool shook her head, trying to rid her mind of ominous forebodings. She noticed that Ashfoot had taken up her customary position at the base of the Great Oak, her grey fur lit up by the moon. Leafpool had never realized it before, but the she-cat looked remarkably like her son, Crowfeather.

It seems one deputy position, at least, has not been altered.

Russetstar padded forward on the strong limb of the Great Oak, raising her bushy tail for silence. The crowd of cat below slowly ceased talking; and one by one faces turned up to listen to the leader. The Gathering had begun.

"Though there is plenty of prey in ShadowClan territory, Ivypaw died this morning," the leader said, her amber eyes sparking with regret, "Littlecloud did all he could, but she has joined StarClan due to a bought of greencough. Two of our warriors and a kit have also fallen ill." A murmur of sympathy rippled through the crowd. Russetfur raised her head, though her eyes still sparked with grief, and then continued, "Though we mourn the loss of our apprentice ShadowClan is still strong. Snowbird has given birth to a healthy litter of five kits and we have named three new apprentices; Yewpaw and Swanpaw are here as warrior apprentices, while Basilpaw has decided to become apprenticed to Littlecloud." Russetstar paused to nod in the direction of the apprentices, while the assembled cats, mostly ShadowClan, called out, "Yewpaw, Swanpaw, Basilpaw!" After a moment, Russetstar raised her tail again for silence; "Also, Owltail is sitting his warrior's vigil tonight." At last the ginger she-cat stepped back, nodding for Mistystar to speak.

The RiverClan leader rose to her paw, shaking one grey forepaw, then opened her jaws to speak, "RiverClan requests rights to share hunting grounds with other Clans for one moon," she began, her blue eyes narrowed as if she picked her words very carefully. Instantly, yowls of protest swarmed through the clearing. Leafpool saw Squirrelflight leap to her paws, snarling at Blackclaw who stood a few paces away.

"Never!" shrieked a young WindClan apprentice, while two ShadowClan warriors spat at a group of RiverClan cats. Russetstar snarled menacingly at Mistystar, while Onestar and Firestar narrowed their eyes, their tails fluffing out.

"Stop!" Mistystar snarled, the fur on her neck bristling as she glared at the warriors in the clearing, and then glanced at her fellow leaders, "Hear me out first!"

"And keep your claws sheathed!" a young tom from WindClan yowled. The lean golden-brown tom stared reproachfully at his Clanmates, "If we forget the sacred truce of the Gathering StarClan will be angered!"

Littlecloud nodded, and then murmured something to his apprentice. Basilpaw looked up at his mentor questioningly, then nodded and turned back to Mistystar.

"Well spoken Copperfoot," Onestar mewed, dipping his head respectfully to the young cat. Copperfoot swished his tail, and then sat down again, wrapping it around his paws. "Please continue Mistystar."

The grey-blue she-cat blinked gratefully at her fellow leader, then turned to once again address the cats below her, "Lately Twolegs have been coming in great numbers to the lake, especially by the Twoleg half-bridge. They have set up the green pelts again, and their kits are running wild all over the territory. It is nearly impossible to catch any woodland prey anymore, and most of the fish are hiding from the Twoleg boats. It is dangerous to try and hunt for anything. Two days ago some Twolegs tried to take Pouncepaw captive when she was hunting near the lake; and they nearly succeeded. A Twoleg kit also wounded Rippletail's front paw when it threw a rock at her. We are slowly starving; our kits wail for hunger and our warriors grow weak with lack of food. Please, unless you wish to see RiverClan wiped out you will help us!" Mistystar's voice stayed calm and authorative as she spoke, her blue eyes level. Leafpool felt respect for the RiverClan leader; though she must be panicked about the safety of her Clan, she let no emotion slip through while addressing the cats assembled there.

Murmurs broke out, soft voices whispering and hissing and mewing filled the air. Leafpool saw cats narrow their eyes and study Mistystar, and the other RiverClan cats, wondering if they were lying or not. Mistystar waited, balancing on the branch of the Great Oak, watching the other three leaders out of the corner of her eyes.

Leafpool saw Onestar crouch down on his perch above Firestar, the two toms whispering together, their eyes narrowed as they conferred. Russetstar licked one paw and drew it over her ears, her eyes unconcerned.

"ThunderClan territory isn't near RiverClan," Leafpool heard Dustpelt mew, the tabby tom glaring up at Mistystar as he talked with Cloudtail, "I don't see how this concerns us!"

"Yes, but being the softy he is, Firestar will surely let the RiverClan cats hunt on ThunderClan grounds anyway," Cloudtail mewed, a hint of laughter in his voice. Dustpelt grunted, turning away from the Great Oak to lick Ferncloud's cheek.

"How are you?" he asked gently, nuzzling her neck.

"Fine," the grey she-cat mewed, "I'm just worried about the kits. They haven't been without me since they were born!"

"Don't worry," Spiderleg mewed, padding over to his mother's side, "with Whitewing looking after them I'm sure Jaggedkit and Dreamkit will be fine,"

"I know," Ferncloud sighed, "but she has her own kits to look after. I'm worried that while she is tending to Icekit, Mosskit and Volekit – Jaggedkit or Dreamkit will wander off."

"If they do, Birchfall will grab them before they come to any harm," Spiderleg assured the queen, "he hasn't left the nursery since Whitewing kitted. The two of them together can watch five kits,"

"I suppose," Ferncloud admitted, leaning her head on her mate's shoulder. "I shouldn't worry so much. I mean, you and Birchfall turned out alright didn't you?"

Spiderleg purred and licked his mother's cheek while Cloudtail rolled his blue eyes.

"Mistystar," Onestar yowled, climbing back onto all four paws. The clearing immediately went still, as all cats waited for the leader's response to RiverClan's request. "WindClan will allow RiverClan to hunt on our territory for one moon," he raised his tail for silence as mews of anger reared up from his warriors, "as long as RiverClan adheres to my rules. All hunting parties must be accompanied by at least one WindClan warrior. No more than two hunting parties may hunt on WindClan territory every day. No more than two warriors and one apprentice may be in any hunting party. And – if the Twolegs leave before the moon is up all hunting parties must immediately cease entering WindClan territory. Do you agree to these terms?" the tabby leader's eyes narrowed as if daring Mistystar to object.

The grey-blue she-cat dipped her head, and Leafpool saw her blue eye flash with relief, "RiverClan accepts your terms. You can expect our first hunting party at your border at dawn tomorrow." The leader stepped back, letting the next leader take their turn to address the gathered cats.

Onestar looked at Firestar. When the ginger tom nodded slightly, the tabby leader rose to his paws.

"The prey is running exceptionally well in WindClan, and we have seen no increase in Twoleg activities. One of our queens, Nightcloud, has just given birth to a litter of two kits," he purred, his amber eyes gleaming proudly.

Nightcloud must be his mate. Leafpool thought, seeing the black she-cat's green eyes glimmer proudly as she licked the fur on her chest.

"Also our warriors Harefur and Heathereyes sat their vigil two nights ago and are here tonight as full fledged warriors." Onestar dipped his head in the direction of two young cats as the crowd cheered their names; one was a golden tabby she-cat, the other a tom with a fluffy brown and white pelt. The she-cat smiled proudly, while the tom scuffled his paws across the ground. Onestar sat back down, the end of his tail lolling over the edge of the branch, and inclined his head towards Firestar.

The ginger tom rose slowly to his paws, his fur turned silver in the light of the moon. "Brightheart's two kits have been named apprentices. Fieldpaw is here with his mentor Dustpelt, but Eaglepaw remained at camp. Ferncloud gave birth to a litter of two kits, and Whitewing has a beautiful litter of three. Sandstorm and Sorreltail have not kitted yet but they are due any day now," the ginger tom glanced down at his mate, affection flashing across his face, "Also, we have three new warriors – Berryfur, Mousefang and Hazelstripe." Once again the cats cheered names.

Sandstrom is expecting another litter of kits?! Leafpool shook her head, the idea of having more siblings was just too strange to think about. The Clans must really be thriving to have this many new warriors, kits and apprentices!

"Russetstar, how is Foxpaw's training coming?" Firestar asked, turning his head to face the dark blood she-cat. The ShadowClan leader narrowed her eyes, and then flicked her tail. Littlecloud rose to his paws, shaking them each carefully, then addressed the powerful ThunderClan tom.

"Foxpaw is a clever tom and keen to learn," he mewed, "his training is coming along well, though I cannot say when he will be ready to return to ThunderClan. When StarClan tells me he is ready to become a full-fledged medicine cat he can return to you as one, but until then I will continue to train him to the best of my abilities – alongside Basilpaw." The tabby dipped his head respectfully, and then sat back down.

What is going on? Why is Littlecloud training a ThunderClan apprentice? If the cat is going to be a medicine cat why can't Cinderpelt train him? Suddenly a thought struck the she-cat that made her blood run cold and every muscle freeze, what if… what if Cinderpelt were dead?

She can't be dead! If StarClan took her away from the Clan they would have no medicine cat! …So a medicine cat from a different Clan would have to train an apprentice. But how could she die? Suddenly she slumped back, not caring if she could see or hear the Gathering anymore. She didn't even care if someone saw her or not. She realized how Cinderpelt had died, and it made her want to scream, to shriek her grief out to StarClan.

Cinderpelt must have died in the badger attack when Leafpool had not returned to ThunderClan.


Poor, poor Leafpool! Oh, by the way I'm going to start giving out warriors merchandise to everyone who reviews. Anyone who reviews this chapter will get: a beautiful Leafpool plushy with real amber eyes!