"The rats killed Sharpstar?" Burst out Runningshadow. "How could they have possibly taken all those lives!"

"Think, mouse-brain," Growled Mudflower. "Perhaps Sharpstar didn't have very many lives left."

"Which life was he on before the plague?" Asked Ashstar.

"Seventh," Grunted Hurricanesong. "The rats took all three lives from him."

"We figure that sickness took two, and when the sickness came right back the rats attacked him," Mudflower sighed. "And took his last life."

"So the rats are pretty smart," Runningshadow reckoned. "I mean, they must know that Sharpstar is your leader to attack him that much out of all the cats."

"That's what the rats have been doing to all the cats," Hurricanesong growled. "Weaken our warriors with disease, then kill them off while they can't attack."

Runningshadow felt embarrassed. "But how did they know that he had more than one life?" He asked.

"They didn't," Mudflower answered. "The rats noticed that he kept bouncing back after all the damage they had done and soon caught on to it."

Ashstar bowed her head. "I'm very sorry that you lost your leader," She said in a lowered voice. "Hurricanesong, that must mean that you are leader, am I correct?"

The dark brown tom gave a short nod. "Yes," He replied.

"Are you going to the Moonstone soon?" Asked Runningshadow. The Moonstone was a large rock deep beneath Highstones where medicine cats went to meet with StarClan each half-moon. At moonhigh, the moon shone down on the rock and caused it to glitter with the light of a million stars. It was a beautiful experience, Runningshadow remembered going there as an apprentice, as each apprentice had to before they were made a warrior.

"Congratulations," Ashstar purred. "On becoming leader, I mean."

Hurricanesong dipped his head. "It is okay," He replied. "I am honored to take Sharpstar's place."

"Couldn't the medicine cat find a cure for the sickness?" Asked Runningshadow.

"Obviously not," Mudflower growled. "The disease was virtually uncontrollable. If the medicine cat had found a cure in time, she still would not be able to cure every single cat and keep the disease from coming back."

"We are very sorry for your Clan," Replied Ashstar, "But we need some time to negotiate this. How about we tell you at the next Gathering?"

"Fine," Hurricanesong growled, as if he was too good to stand in the presence of another Clan leader now that he led ShadowClan. "We'll give you a quarter-moon, but only that long. At the next Gathering, we expect your answer to our plea."

Mudflower stepped forward. "Please help us," She groaned. "The rats are becoming too much of a threat. Soon enough there will only be less than five cats in our Clan if you don't help us."

Hurricanesong gave a small nod to Mudflower, cutting into her last plea, and shouldered his way out of the den. "Runningshadow," Ashstar mewed to her deputy.

Runningshadow stood up straighter. "Get a couple of cats to bring them back to their territory."

Runningshadow nodded and dashed to the warrior's den, pushing his way sheepishly through the lichen draped through the entrance. He wanted to get out of that den as fast as he could; the awkwardness was killing him.

He spotted Pineclaw and smiled. "Pineclaw, I would like you to do me a favor," Runningshadow called.

The brown tabby whipped his head around. "Sure, anything, Runningshadow."

The tom was obviously giving Runningshadow more respect because he was deputy. He certainly was a loyal warrior. "There are a couple of ShadowClan cats in Ashstar's den that need to be escorted back to their own territory. Why don't you take another cat with you, I'd take Spiritwing."

Pineclaw nodded. "Yes, Runningshadow, I shall fetch him at once."

"Thank you, Pineclaw," Runningshadow called.

Suddenly, two apprentices jumped up to him. They were Deerpaw and Longpaw. "Hey Runningshadow!" They cried in unison.

Runningshadow waved his tail back. "How are you doing?" He asked both of them.

"Very good!" Longpaw exclaimed.

"What he's saying is," Deerpaw explained, "Is that Irispetal and Mudpelt are going to make us warriors soon! We have our hunting assessment today and we were wondering if you could supervise it."

"Sure," Runningshadow replied. "Will your mentors be there also?"

"Yeah, but we need the support of the deputy," Deerpaw said. "Please?"

"Okay," Runningshadow mewed. "I'll be right there. Have you started yet?"

"Nope, we need to tell our mentors," Longpaw said. "But it won't take long! We'll be right back." He dashed back around with his sister to tell their mentors, who were lazily sunning themselves.

Runningshadow felt an unexpected happiness, but he didn't know why. Perhaps it was because it seemed like all order was restored in ThunderClan, except for the fact that it was overcrowded, with three pregnant queens, eight growing kits, nine apprentices, and even more warriors. What would become of the Clan? Would they have to split up?

Also, there was the fact that ShadowClan was expecting Ashstar to give them part of ThunderClan's territory within a half-moon, and the fact that Hurricanesong was now journeying to the Moonstone to become Hurricanestar, leader of ShadowClan.

Runningshadow took his mind off of things as he saw Mudpelt and Irispetal approach. "So you shall monitor our apprentices?" Asked the dark brown tom gruffly.

Runningshadow hesitated. "Aren't you supposed to monitor them? The only thing the deputy does is accompany them, not do the work for them," Runningshadow almost spat.

Mudpelt flattened his torn ear and growled. "Yes, the deputy doesn't have to do the mentor's job. Excuse me, my mistake," He hissed.

"What he's trying to say is that we would appreciate your help in assessing these apprentices," Irispetal interjected, avoiding another battle from breaking out.

Runningshadow still glared Mudpelt in the eye. "I will help," He growled. "But Mudpelt, aren't you cooped up in camp?"

"Ashstar gave me her permission," Mudpelt growled.

The two apprentices exchanged an excited glance. "May we start, Mudpelt?" Asked Deerpaw.

Mudpelt gave a small nod (and one last glare at Runningshadow) and sat himself down to give the apprentices a head start.

Deerpaw and Longpaw started off into the forest through the gorse tunnel, their paws scuffling up snow.

Runningshadow shivered, but not just with the cold. Just being in the presence of a cat that had nearly killed him and severely damaged Cloverpaw scared him.

After what seemed like centuries, Mudpelt finally got to his feet with Irispetal close behind. Runningshadow decided not to follow either but follow his own path after the two apprentices.

He slowly approached the exit behind the nursery to follow the two apprentices. He had a good idea of where they were going- perhaps where Runningshadow had gone when he had his assessment- the apple blossom hollow. The place was crawling with squirrels and was the perfect place to hunt, especially in the presence of a mentor.

Runningshadow headed off for the clearing and, sure enough, Deerpaw was stalking down a squirrel. The foggy sunlight dappled her fur, and Runningshadow took a moment to admire her pelt, but told himself he had to focus on Deerpaw's hunting technique.

Her stalking skills were magnificent, but she still had to work on her leap. Nevertheless, she had killed the squirrel in one swift bite to the neck. The tabby she-cat held her head high and buried the squirrel deep beneath the snow.

Runningshadow was impressed. Just with that one hunt, Deerpaw had already passed in his eyes. But it was up to the mentors.

The light brown tom scanned the bushes and managed to catch sight of Mudpelt, sulking beneath some heavy undergrowth. He looked very pleased with his apprentice's results, so perhaps Deerpaw would pass this assessment.

Next, Runningshadow set out for Longpaw's scent. Making sure that Deerpaw had already gone, Runningshadow leaped out into the clearing full of apple trees and started ducking beneath some heavy ferns to check for Longpaw's scent.

He had already found it after a few pawsteps. Longpaw was hunting near the Great Sycamore, near some brittle bracken.

Runningshadow focused on the black and white tom's stalking movement. It was nice and smooth, and his leap was very graceful. He would make a better hunter than Deerpaw, who would be a better fighter.

Longpaw quickly finished off the mouse with a hard bite and buried it calmly beneath some loose but frozen dirt.

Runningshadow tried to seek out Irispetal, but perhaps she was hiding in a better place.

"Runningshadow!" Squealed a voice.

The light brown tom jumped and turned around to see Deerpaw sitting a tail-length away from him, happily bouncing around. "How am I doing? Am I doing okay?" She asked.

Runningshadow curled his lips in a growl. "You aren't supposed to ask that," He hissed. "You should stay quiet, too. Mudpelt doesn't want to know you're speaking."

"We aren't allowed to speak?" Asked the tabby.

"No," Runningshadow scoffed. "Didn't Mudpelt tell you that?"

Deerpaw shook her head slowly, and Runningshadow suddenly felt guilty for being so harsh with the young she-cat. It wasn't her fault that her mentor wasn't satisfactory.

"Go away," Runningshadow growled. "Hurry, before Mudpelt sees you!"

Deerpaw nodded, and dashed off as if she were being hunted down by a badger.

Runningshadow sighed. Deerpaw was really excited about this assessment. Perhaps she knew she was doing well?

Runningshadow decided to quit for now. It seemed Irispetal and Mudpelt were doing pretty well, even due to Mudpelt's earlier attack. It would be okay if he left Mudpelt by himself with three other cats.

Would it?

Runningshadow shook the loose jumble of thoughts out of his head and hurried back to camp. The sun was low in the sky and it was time to go to sleep.