Sorry it's been so long! I've been wanting to update this every Monday but you can't imagine how busy I've been. School has become a seriously sink/swim situation. Like I haven't had a break other than 4 hours of sleep per night for the past month! It's been bad. But the semester is done so I've had some time. Now don't be upset that this chapter isn't edited. I had literally yesterday and today to write it to make the deadline! But I completed it! Hope you enjoy!

-CL

The wind cut straight through Rainpaw's fur to his skin. He felt like it probably cut past that too. He shifted his paws, trying warm up, and felt the rough ground scrape his pads. Rainpaw winced. He had been born at the beginning of last Newleaf, and became an apprentice at the very beginning of Leaf-fall. This was his first ever Leafbare. He had always been told that Leafbare was a cold season, colder than all the others. But he had never imagined it could get this cold.

Even without the wind, it was still very cold. The very air felt static almost, making his fur stand on end. He fluffed it out as long as it would go, trying to bulk up against the cold. Two days ago, it had snowed for the first time that Rainpaw had ever seen. The kits had come out to play, lead by ambitious Gorsekit, and Rainpaw had spent all day cleaning out the nests in the nursery and elders' den, stuffing them as full of mossy bedding as he could, warming them for the season.

Most of that snow had melted as soon as it touched the ground, but a small dusting of it remained even now. Not enough to cover the grass, and in the camp the warrior had long since stomped a path out of it. But when Rainpaw had gone out hunting with Silverfrost yesterday, he had felt it's cold, feathery touch against his sore pads. He almost longed for it now. The cold against his scraping would probably feel good.

Right now, he stood between Sedgeclaw and Owlflight, waiting patiently for Silverfrost to join them on a patrol of the RiverClan border. Sedgeclaw was a pretty brown tabby she-cat with blue eyes. She was a young she-cat, usually shy but very polite. Owlflight was a black tabby with wide amber eyes. Neither felt the need to talk, and Rainpaw was with them on that. He would need all his energy to run once they left on their patrol. The wind could be almost tamed within the confines of the camp, but once they left, they would be subjected to the full force of it. Yesterday it had been so cold little tears had formed in his eyes, freezing there.

One of the kits peeked out of the nursery, looking at them gathered there with wide eyes. Rainpaw recognized Toadkit instantly. The scruffy brown tom-kit was strange to say the least. It was clear he wanted to play with the other kits, but he never actually did. Whether that was because his mother held him back or because Gougekit was so mean, Rainpaw couldn't tell. (And Gougekit was mean. Rainpaw had heard him making fun of Stainkit for having different colored eyes the other day).

That wasn't the only weird thing Toadkit did. Rainpaw had never once heard the young kit talk. Silverfrost said it took time for some kits to open up, citing Auburnpaw as an example.

One time, Toadkit had been out messing with some fronds. He had been batting them around, looking happier than Rainpaw had ever seen him. Hollypool had come out the nursery and called to him once, twice. Toadkit must have been seriously concentrating on his game, because he hadn't even noticed his mother calling. Hollypool had looked around quickly. When she caught Rainpaw looking, she'd rushed over to grab Toadkit's scruff and hauled him back into the nursery.

Today, however, Hollypool didn't drag him back in. In fact, Toadkit appeared to be almost pushed out of the nursery as Heatherkit and Gorsekit pushed their way out.

"Thorntooth!" Gorsekit called loudly. Rainpaw drew his ears back and almost shouted at the she-kit. She would wake the entire Clan if she kept yelling like that.

"Hush, young one," Silverfrost said, brushing her bushy tail over Gorsekit's mouth. The small brown tabby looked shocked, her amber eyes wide staring up at the starry silver-furred deputy. Rainpaw felt a jolt of anger rush through him at the indignant look in Gorsekit's eyes, but Silverfrost either didn't notice or chose to ignore it. Instead of yelling at the she-kit, he leveled a glare at her, and was surprised when she glared back.

"Alright, let's go," Silverfrost said, trotting past them with a flick of her tail. Rainpaw shot one last look of content before turning to follow. He could still see Gorsekit's hateful responding look- almost smug in nature- as he followed them out of the camp.

The fierce cold that burned down to his marrow shook it out of his mind. At first it seemed that Silverfrost didn't want to run, as she looked around in disappointment. Then set off a brisk walk down the familiar path. However, as the sun rose over the horizon, leaking only little warmth onto the air around them, she began to move faster.

They didn't say much on the journey, simply running down the path to the river. The air was, if possible, colder next the frozen water. Rainpaw stared in awe. The water was definitely moving, the flow hot enough to keep the very center from freezing over. But the edges were lined with ice, sometimes clinging to the rocky surface, others jutting out into the water far enough that, if Rainpaw were brave enough, he could have jumped to the other side without getting wet.

"It's pretty, isn't it?" Sedgeclaw asked him quietly. Her voice carried a touch of seriousness that balanced out the light airiness of it. Rainpaw sort of liked the sound, in a way. He was used to the abrupt nature of many of his Clanmates. Sedgeclaw's softness, not soft enough to be kittypet, but not sharp enough to be abrasive, was like a breath of fresh air. Preferably warm.

"It really is," he answered just as Silverfrost called to them, "Keep up!" Rainpaw exchanged a bemused glance with Sedgeclaw, who only shrugged.

The patrol cut their way through the reeds, getting right up against the border. Silverfrost laid down a marker at a usual spot, Owlflight at another. When it was Rainpaw's turn, the scent-marker he left emanated heat against his body as he laid it. He winced when he was done. He did not like the cold against his body.

Silverfrost must have felt the same, or that there was little to report, because not long after Sedgeclaw left her scent she lead her small patrol along the quickest route back to camp. The air was crisp and the running was helping Rainpaw feel a little less chilly.

They pounded into camp, nodding to Pineclaw who was on watch. And they froze. The sight inside the camp gave Rainpaw chills entirely different from the kind the cold air gave him.

Hollypool and Thorntooth were in the center of the camp. The senior warrior had his teeth bared in Hollypool's face, forcing her to back up. Well any regular Warrior might have. Rainpaw certainly would. But Hollypool was not backing down. She lashed her long wiry tail and hissed in return.

WindClan seemed to have woken up in the duration of the patrol, as they should have. They stood now, some circling worriedly, others watching with interest, but no one seemed to be intervening. Jumpleaf and Auburnpaw stood frozen, watching with matching fearful expressions. Rainpaw noted that they were both carrying a mouthful of herbs. He wondered who they were supposed to be helping.

"Your kit's an abomination! A freak!" Thorntooth spat, a fleck of white foam on his muzzle. For the first time, Rainpaw noticed that Toadkit, Gougekit, and Heatherkit stood behind Hollypool, crowded close together so their shoulders were pressed into each other's.

At once he realized what was happening. The familiarity the sight struck with him was so deep, so violent, he almost launched himself across the camp. He could remember, not that long ago, when Thorntooth had yelled at his sisters and him just like that. They had pressed into each other for comfort then too. And of course, Bluedapple had come to their defense, just like Hollypool was now.

"Keep away from my kits!" Hollypool hissed, arching her back.

"Don't you see how crazy your litter is!" Thorntooth responded angrily. "The way they behave is abnormal! They need to go!"

Hollypool opened her mouth to reply, fury in her gaze, but Silverfrost beat her to it. "Enough," she said icily, her voice carrying force unlike Rainpaw had heard her use before. He understood immediately why she had been chosen in Rustpelt's place for the duration of his illness. The respect her Clanmates had for her was only secondary to this natural authority that rang with her voice across the clearing.

It was effective, in a way. Neither warrior relaxed their stance, although they didn't push forward anymore either. Rainpaw had the feeling that Hollypool wouldn't back down until the threat to her kits was gone. As for Thorntooth…well he wasn't backing down. He eyed Hollypool menacingly and glared with utter hatred over her shoulder at her kits.

"Thorntooth," Silverfrost said in a clear voice. This was not the same as even before. This was an order. "Back down. Now."

The senior warrior obeyed hesitantly, taking a step back but not relaxing.

Silverfrost padded forward, turning to the nearest warriors. Houndwhisker and Smilecloud, who had been sharing a meal. "Where's Maizestar?" she demanded coldly. Not rude, but efficient.

"He's on patrol," Houndwhisker answered nervously. "With Crowswoop and- "

Silverfrost cut him off. "Fetch him, please."

The young warrior shared another glance with Smilecloud before racing out of camp.

Silverfrost returned her attention to the confrontation before her. "What happened?" she asked, voice still stern and authoritative.

Gorsekit popped her head from around Thorntooth's massive body, followed immediately by her littermates. Cloudkit and Skykit crowded around Stainkit, as if protecting him from something.

"It was Gougekit," Gorsekit answered in her bold voice. "He was making fun of Stainkit again."

"I told him to quit it," Cloudkit said, head high. "I told him he shouldn't be making fun of my brother when his own brother is such a freak." He turned a haughty eye on Toadkit. The young tom, who had been avidly staring at him before, now looked hurt, but still didn't say anything. "That's when he attacked me."

Silverfrost narrowed her eyes. "Who attacked who?"

"Gougekit attacked Cloudkit," Skykit squeaked, looking nervous to be speaking up in front of the entire Clan like this.

Perhaps Silverfrost sensed this as well, as she spoke more calmly this time. "What happened next?"

"Thorntooth got really mad," Skykit admitted, glancing up at her father with a look of actual fear. "He jumped in." She was the only one of her littermates to look scared, though. Cloudkit looked almost angry, Stainkit still hadn't looked up from the ground, and Gorsekit…well she looked almost proud, her eyes slightly reverent as she stared up at her wild father. Rainpaw felt another surge of hatred towards the tiny kit.

Silverfrost lashed her tail, glaring at the senior warrior with genuine anger. "Okay," she said to the kits, not letting that anger through her voice. "You kits go back to the nursery. Now," she added when Gorsekit showed every sign of arguing. "You will wait there until we decide on a punishment for you."

Gorsekit again looked like she wanted to argue, but Silverfrost's words were so clearly a dismissal she hesitated. Finally she gave in and trotted after the other kits towards the nursery.

An awkward silence fell on them all as they waited. Jumpleaf and Auburnpaw quietly went about their business, disappearing into the nursery of all places with their herbs. Everyone else sat in the tense silence, waiting on Maizestar's return.

They didn't have to wait long. Soon they could hear paws pounding on the ground before the camp walls shook. Maizestar burst in first, fur fluffed up and eyes wide. It was clear that Houndwhisker had filled him in on the way, as he didn't look at all surprised by the scene before him. His eyes narrowed in what was clearly anger and he slowly approached the confrontation.

"Tell me," he said quietly as he approached. "What was so terrible it warranted a fight within the Clan." It was worse than if he were shouting.

Rainpaw had had almost enough. Slowly he backed away, turning toward the fresh-kill pile, but not hungry enough to really eat. Instead he turned over a couple of plump voles with his claws, debating what to take to Rustpelt.

After deciding a nice plump vole would do, he padded over to the Warrior's den, hesitating outside before making his presence known. Auburnpaw, of all cats, stuck her head out.

"Hey Rainpaw," she greeted, her soft voice taking him by surprise. "If you're looking for Rustpelt, he isn't here, but that mouse will definitely do him some good."

"What do you mean he's not here?" Rainpaw asked nervously. "Where'd he go?"

Auburnpaw stared at him intently, her yellow eyes boring into him. "Jumpleaf wanted the sick cats in the medicine den. He and Larchwing are there now. I'm just cleaning out his nest." She flicked her ears back into the den.

"What about Pushleaf?" he asked, thinking of the gray-eyed she-cat uneasily.

"She's in the nursery," Auburnpaw said, affection and awe deep in her voice. "She just gave birth this morning."

"Wow, really?" Rainpaw asked. He saw a flash of pride in Auburnpaw's eyes as she nodded. "Were you there?"

"My first litter," she announced proudly. Then she shuffled her paws in embarrassment. "Jumpleaf did all the work, really. I only watched."

Rainpaw touched his nose to her shoulder gently, feeling a flash of warmth for the young medicine cat in training. "I'm sure you did fine. What did she have?"

Auburnpaw smiled at the memory. "Just one kit. A tom. She hasn't named him yet."

"I can't wait to meet him."

She hesitated, looking at him. "Pushleaf's not taking visitors right now. She's too tired. But you'll meet him soon!" she added. "It's not serious. Pushleaf will pull through just fine."

"Okay," he responded. "Well can I take Rustpelt this prey?"

Auburnpaw frowned. "Actually I don't think Jumpleaf wants anybody visiting the sick cats right now. Maybe you should leave it with me. I'll make sure he gets it."

Disappointment penetrated Rainpaw's thick pelt, sharper than any cold wind on the moor. "Okay," he said, trying to sound more upbeat. "Thanks Auburnpaw."

"Sure thing," she answered with a sympathetic smile. "And don't worry about them, Rainpaw. Rustpelt's going to be fine. I'll tell him you asked about him, okay?"

"Yeah," he answered again, unable to hide his disappointment as easily this time. "See you."

He walked away, hardly noticing that the camp was practically cleared, at least of the confrontation they'd returned from patrol to. Maizestar must have sent Thorntooth and Hollypool to his den to work it out.

Things in camp were getting worse, he realized after a moment. No matter what Auburnpaw said, Jumpleaf wouldn't have quarantined the sick cats to her den unless it was serious. And the in-fighting…it was clear that some of the warriors still thought the half-Clan cats were inferior, and they invariably grouped Rainpaw with them. What was going on? What was StarClan thinking?

He thought of the tiny kit nestled in Pushleaf's nest. The tiny kit would never know his father, just like Rainpaw. Only it was because Fierceheart, Pushleaf's mate, had died not long after Warriorpaw, when Rainpaw was still in the nursery…

Rainpaw stopped, a wave of emotion rolling through him. Many cats still blamed him and his littermates for that. It was easier to see how his Clanmates had been so moved by Bluedapple's breaking of the code. While Rainpaw would never believe that StarClan was punishing the Clan because of him, Bluedapple had broken the code in a severe way by having kits. Why she did it, Rainpaw could never guess. But so many families were torn apart because of it. He pictured defiant little Gorsekit, shy Skykit, angry Cloudkit, and frightened Stainkit…they'd had a fifth littermate, Splotchkit, who had died not long after his birth. Their mother, Cloverleaf, had died while they were still weaning. How could cats not want to blame someone for the terror they'd endured?

He thought again of the tiny kit, just born today, lying in the nursery. He hoped that, despite not having a father, this kit would grow up normally. It was a stronger hope than any other, and for the first time, Rainpaw felt a wave of loyalty so strong it rocked him on his feet. Being a warrior was no longer just his job, his duty. He wanted to protect that tiny kit from the bleak present his Clan lived in currently.

"Rainpaw," called a voice. He looked up to see Nightspots with Echospring and Runningstorm, kneading the ground impatiently with their claws. "We're about to head out on patrol and need another cat. Care to join?"

"Sure," Rainpaw answered, his voice more resolved than when he'd been speaking with Auburnpaw. "I'll come."