AN: Sorry it took so long to get this out. I've been away for a while now, and... yeah. But it's finally posted, so enjoy!

Chapter 10

A day had passed since the rogues' last attack. Since than guards had been posted at the bog, and the territory was safe for now.

Icepaw was following her mentor through the undergrowth as Seawhisker showed her some of the best hunting places. She had already caught a few morsels that would be taken to the elders right away. She was determined to prove herself, even though Seawhisker had already praised her hard work time and time again.

She stopped moving when she picked up the scent of a squirrel. The familiar bushy tail was flickering back and forth as the squirrel climbed down a tree. It was unaware of the hunters as it jumped down to nibble on a seed of some kind. Seawhisker had noticed the squirrel as well and dropped to a crouch.

Checking to see which direction the wind was blowing, Icepaw backed towards the ferns that were closest to the squirrel. If it spotted them it would make a dash for the tree. Icepaw needed to make sure that it couldn't turn around in time to avoid Seawhisker's final strike.

With one final look at her position, Icepaw lunged towards the squirrel, startling it from what ever it was doing. The squirrel made a sharp turn towards the tree, but Icepaw was prepared for that. She managed to block it's path, but just before she could push it towards Seawhisker, the squirrel jumped over her and managed to cling onto the trunk. Icepaw let out a yowl of frustration and bounded after it, digging her claws into the bark so that she wouldn't fall off.

"Icepaw, get down!" Seawhisker's frantic calls were ignored when Icepaw climbed as high as she could. By the time she reached the squirrel she realized that she was at least five fox-lengths above the ground. "Forget about the squirrel Icepaw, just get down from there," Seawhisker cried.

She sent a glare towards the squirrel that was now one branch above her. It's tail was flickering while it chattered angrily. Her lips curled in annoyance when she realized she had no choice. Climbing higher would ensure certain death if she stumbled and fell.

It took Icepaw a few heartbeats to slide back down. Her claws scrabbled to keep from falling to the ground. Seawhisker was pacing impatiently by the time Icepaw reached the ground. Without warning she whirled around and cuffed Icepaw over the ears. The apprentice ducked her head in embarrassment when Seawhisker glared at her.

"What sort of mousebrained trick was that?" she demanded. "You could've been hurt!"

"I would've gotten that squirrel," Icepaw retorted. She was still surprised it managed to jump over her without hesitation. She would have to remember that the next time she hunted one.

"We're going back to camp," Seawhisker muttered crossly. "I don't want you risking anything stupid like that again."

With a roll of her eyes, Icepaw followed Seawhisker back to where they had buried the rest of their prey. The squirrel would have made a good meal for the elders. Icepaw could almost imagine the praise she would have received from it.

She picked up the two voles and mouse, while Seawhisker picked up the single mouse she had caught. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. At least they wouldn't have to carry a large squirrel back to camp.

They returned to camp by sunset, and Icepaw noticed that most of the Clan had returned from patrols or hunting. Her eyes narrowed when she saw how empty the fresh-kill pile looked.

"Seawhisker, you're back early," Fallenstar meowed when he approached them. Icepaw didn't bother meeting his gaze when Seawhisker gave her a glare.

"This one decided to climb after a squirrel on the tallest tree in the forest," Seawhisker explained.

"Really?" Fallenstar's eyes lit with interest, and Icepaw felt her stomach lurch with unease. She didn't know at the time that it was the tallest tree in the forest. "You're lucky you didn't fall. That tree is known for breaking bones," he added.

"Seawhisker stopped me before I climbed any higher," Icepaw murmured.

"You did well than, Seawhisker," Fallenstar purred. "Icepaw, I would like to speak with you alone," he added when Seawhisker dipped her head.

Icepaw's heart sank when she realized how serious Fallenstar was. She glanced at Seawhisker desperately, but her mentor had already returned to the warrior's den.

She followed her leader slowly as he led her to his den. Flarepelt was waiting nearby, ears pricked up for any signs of trouble. Icepaw knew that she was a good deputy, and Flarepelt had earned her place in the Clan many moons ago.

She gave up her kits' lives to live in the Clan, Icepaw thought. Flarepelt was once a kittypet that had been found wandering through the forest. According to the story, she had abandoned her Twolegs after giving birth to her kits. But she had no place for them to live, and decided to give them up to kinder Twolegs. It was only after that she had discovered the Clan.

Fallenstar sat down on one side of the hollowed log while Icepaw sat near the entrance. His blue eyes were dark with worry as he looked down at Icepaw.

"Do you know why I chose Seawhisker as your mentor?" he asked after an awkward silence filled the den.

"She's a good warrior, and she knows what she's doing," Icepaw replied. She knew that wasn't the real reason. Fallenstar had his own motives for choosing Seawhisker as her mentor.

"Seawhisker is your kin, Icepaw," Fallenstar replied. "Rosekit was her sister, but that was many moons ago. She has never truly forgiven the Clans for what they did to her."

Surprise flared within Icepaw when she looked at Fallenstar's troubled eyes.

"Where is... this going exactly?" she asked.

"I know that you blame StarClan for what has happened to you," Fallenstar meowed. His voice held a steady tone to it. "But StarClan are not the reason behind the rule that was created moons ago. The rule was created during a time of fear and war. The Clans believed that in order to stop the bloodshed, they needed to sacrifice kits to appease their ancestors."

Icepaw looked at Fallenstar in disbelief. The story that she'd never expected to hear suddenly made sense. In a way at least.

"Why did they believe that?" she demanded.

"The leaders of the Clans back than were fools." Fallenstar's words came out in a hiss. "They would believe anything than." Fallenstar cleared his throat when Icepaw looked down at the ground. "I do not share this story with most cats," he added. "Use this knowledge sparingly, Icepaw."

Icepaw dipped her head thankfully, suddenly aware of the information Fallenstar had passed her. StarClan wasn't to blame for what had happened in the past. But that didn't make things better. Knowing that the leaders had decided to sacrifice innocent kits sent shivers down her spine.

. . .

I sure hope this plan works, Rosefall thought as she followed the Clan to the Gathering place.

Birdsong and Mistcloud would be waiting for her, if they had been chosen to go. Rosefall hoped and prayed to StarClan that the leaders aw their plans as a good one.

She padded confidently alongside Mossear and Owlspeck. Graystar was in the lead, but every step he took seemed slowed by exhaustion. Rosefall began to notice the change within his step and attitude. He was old, and she had a feeling that he was on his last life.

Swampfoot kept an eye on his leader while he padded alongside Graystar. He seemed determined to make sure that Graystar showed no signs of weakness during the Gathering. Rosefall winced when Graystar began limping towards the Stream Hollow.

"Sparrowflight, where is Specklestar?" Swampfoot demanded when the NightClan deputy approached him.

"Specklestar has joined the ranks of StarClan," Sparrowflight murmured. "She died two nights ago."

Horror coursed through Rosefall when she saw the truth in his eyes. Specklestar had been close to Graystar's age, so she shouldn't have been so surprised. But knowing that the old leader had died still sent chills down her spine.

"I'm sorry to hear that," Graystar rasped. "Specklestar was a brave and noble leader."

Sparrowflight nodded in agreement before looking over his shoulder. He followed Graystar towards the stump where leaders sat. Rosefall felt a lump form in her throat as she sat alone, apart from the gathered crowd. She wasn't surprised that Mossfire wasn't there.

She doesn't deserve to have kits from the way she treated that poor tom, Rosefall thought.

Hazelstar approached the Stream Hollow heartbeats later. Rosefall's eyes lit up when she recognized Mistcloud. She recognized Creekfeather, the medicine cat of WoodClan as well. Creekfeather was standing beside Mistcloud when they approached Rosefall.

"I trust you know what will happen tonight?" Rosefall asked when she looked at Creekfeather.

"My mind has already been made up," Creekfeather replied with a dip of her head. "My only wish is that the leaders will agree to this change."

Rosefall was about to agree when VineClan arrived. Her paws shuffled the ground with worry as Sagestar bounded towards the stump. Surprise flared within Rosefall's chest when Birdsong approached her. The cat she'd expected not to join her side stood firm in her place.

"Let's hope this plan of yours works," she hissed under her breath.

Rosefall nodded in agreement and gazed up at the starlit sky. She sent a silent prayer to StarClan that they would help make the leaders listen to reason. She hoped that no other kit would have to suffer what Seakit and Icekit suffered.