A/N: Hiya guys! Very sorry for no updates recently! But fear no more, two new chapters are now up! I am still working on the 'fic, and I am proud to announce that it will have two sequels! This is a trilogy series, and the story will finally come to an end at the third and final book. I just hope I will continue to have your support until the very end! Anyways, I hope you enjoy the two newest chapters :)

Chapter Twelve

A roll of thunder roared overhead, and in a flash of lightning, Cinder had disappeared from the trees. Shadowpaw blinked, unsure of whether or not he had imagined things. Why would the strange she-cat suddenly appear there anyways? Shadowpaw pushed the image away, jumping as another crash of thunder blasted through the sky.

Echostar's long fur blew in the stormy winds, her eyes determined as ever. "We will discuss more about Sandstar's sudden death later," she announced. "For now we need to shelter from the approaching storm."

The cats disbanded, quickly slinking off to their dens to hide out. Shadowpaw stared up at the sky, a sense of foreboding dread setting in. Was StarClan angry that a Clan leader was murdered? Shuddering at the thought of the ancient cats' fury, he quickly scurried into the apprentices' den. The other apprentices' were already there, gossiping about the shocking news.

"I bet ReedClan ambushed Sandstar!" Rainpaw insisted, much to the annoyance of Yellowpaw.

The golden apprentice lashed her tail. "For the last time, it wasn't ReedClan!"

"Maybe it was a rogue," Firepaw suggested, tucking into her nest.

"But why would a rogue kill a Clan leader?" Rainpaw asked, clearly still convinced ReedClan was behind everything.

Yellowpaw snorted. "Since when do rogues ever make sense?"

Shadowpaw slid into his nest beside Firepaw, listening as his denmates continued to debate. Ivypaw sat not far off, her expression giving nothing away as usual. Shadowpaw glanced at the black she-cat. Such a plain expression, he thought. I wonder what she's thinking about all of this? She's hardly said a word...

"Shadowpaw!"

Startled, the tabby apprentice jerked his head back towards the other apprentices. Rainpaw was staring at him hopefully, his eyes round. "What do you think?" he asked. "Do you think it was ReedClan or a rogue?"

Blinking, Shadowpaw shuffled his paws uneasily. "Oh, well, I-I don't know..."

Firepaw rolled her eyes. "Mouse-brain," she chided Rainpaw. "How would he know? He doesn't have any memories, remember?"

Tail drooping, Rainpaw sighed. "Oh, right, I forgot. Sorry Shadowpaw."

Shadowpaw shook his head. "It's okay," he said. "It's not your fault."

A flash of lightning illuminated the den, followed by a sudden downpour of rain. Yellowpaw fluffed out her fur in disgust, curling up in her nest.

"Blegh! Rain is the worst!" she complained.

Firepaw yawned. "Tell me about it," she laid her head on her paws. "I'm just glad I'm in here and not out there."

"We should probably get some sleep then," Rainpaw mewed, kneading the moss in his nest before laying down. "I'm sure it will be really busy tomorrow."

Shadowpaw tilted his head. "Why? What's tomorrow?"

"The gathering," Ivypaw answered, her sharp yellow eyes glowing in the darkening den.

"The...gathering?" Shadowpaw asked, confused. "What is that?"

Rainpaw shot up from his nest. "Awesome is what it is!" he exclaimed. "You get to meet a whole bunch of different cats, all from each Clan!"

Nodding, Firepaw lifted her head. "And all four leaders will be there. We go every full moon, and there's a truce so no one fights."

"You two will probably be going tomorrow," Yellowpaw mewed. "Echostar usually likes the new apprentices to go as soon as possible."

That sounds so overwhelming! Shadowpaw thought nervously. He had barely memorized all the cats in LeafClan, let along the other Clans! And what if they know I'm an outsider? Will they even want me there? He fidgeted anxiously, too worried now to get comfortable. Firepaw twitched an ear.

"Relax," she told him. "You don't have to do anything spectacular there. All you do is sit and listen to the leader's, and then go back home with the Clan."

Yellowpaw gave an amused snort. "You act like you've already been to one!"

Firepaw rolled her eyes. "I don't need to have gone there when all I hear is the elder's complain!"

"This gathering will be different," Ivypaw meowed quietly. "With Sandstar's death, the Clans will be on edge. Especially BreezeClan."

Shadowpaw gazed out at the rain. Ivypaw has a point. What will we learn about Sandstar's murder? And what if I see Cinder? He frowned in thought. Whatever the answer, Shadowpaw knew it was bound to bring trouble.

The night sky was bright with moonlight as Shadowpaw followed his Clanmates through LeafClan territory. Yellowpaw was right the night before—Echostar had chosen only him and Firepaw out of the apprentices to go. The other cats among them were Foxchaser, Whispersong, Sleetpaw, Sagepelt, Cloudflight, Lionclaw, Softstep, Amberfur, Timberfall, Jayeyes, Oaktuft, and Frosttail. Shadowpaw stuck close to his mentor, nervous that he might get lost if he strayed too far.

As the cats reached the edge on LeafClan territory, they came to a stop at a shallow creek-bed. Two large stones were just above the murky water. Beyond that the oak trees merged with pine, dipping down into a large ravine. Shadowpaw carefully followed his Clanmates as Echostar led them across, pressing close to Sagepelt as they climbed to the top of the ravine. Peering over the edge, Shadowpaw could see the steep incline led to a big grassy clearing surrounded by a mix of pine and oak trees. At the far edge, an ancient oak tree loomed above them. The mighty roots rose above the ground, while thick low lying branches hung just overhead the clearing.

The scent of multiple cats filled the air, all strange and unfamiliar to him. Shadowpaw backed away hesitantly, unsure of what to do. Sagepelt gently laid his tail over his shoulders, offering support to his young apprentice. Grateful for his mentor's understanding, Shadowpaw felt himself relax as Echostar led them down the slope and into the clearing. A large group of cats had already gathered, carrying the scents of moorland and fish. Wrinkling his nose at all the strange smells, Shadowpaw gazed up at the large tree. Echostar had already climbed onto one of its branches, joining Skylight and a large albino cat he didn't recognize. At the base of the tree, among the roots, Shadowpaw recognized Dustpool talking with a brown-and-white tom, while Whispersong made his way around the cats. Sleetpaw was excitedly chatting with other apprentices, while Foxchaser seemed to solemnly speak to a gray-and-white she-cat.

"Why don't you go with Firepaw to meet the other apprentices?" Sagepelt suggested, motioning his tail to where Firepaw was watching some apprentices wrestle.

Shadowpaw shook his head nervously. "T-That's okay," he said. "I'd rather stay here with you."

Sagepelt gave a little purr. "I suppose that's fine too."

Glad that he didn't have to stray far from his mentor, Shadowpaw gazed up at the tree curiously. "Who is that other cat up there beside Echostar and Skylight?" he asked.

"That would be Icestar," he answered. "He's ReedClan's leader. And that brown-and-white cat over there by the roots is ReedClan's medicine cat, Reedsplash."

Shadowpaw tilted his head. "Who are those cats by Foxchaser?"

Sagepelt folded his tail over his paws. "The gray-and-white she-cat is named Heronwing—she's the deputy of ReedClan. And the gray she-cat is Ashheart, whom I'm assuming is the new deputy of BreezeClan."

"Where is PineClan?" Amberfur muttered, a bit impatient as she sat beside Sagepelt.

Frowning, the gray tom gazed up at the top of the ravine. "I'm not sure," he answered. "It isn't like them to be so late."

Shadowpaw followed Sagepelt's gaze. "Do you think something happened?"

Amberfur snorted. "Not like we'll ever know," she grunted. "PineClan is as shady as their territory."

A loud yowl filled the clearing, and the cats quickly bundled into groups around the Great Oak. Sagepelt gently nudged Shadowpaw to the edge of the group, sitting beside Lionclaw and Softstep. Firepaw quickly sat on Shadowpaw's other side, her eyes fixed on the three Clan leaders above. Echostar looked up at Icestar, her eyes wide.

"Icestar, we can't start this gathering without PineClan," she protested.

The ReedClan leader's red eyes flashed in the moonlight. "And do you suppose we wait here all night then?"

Skylight stepped forward on his branch. "Icestar, she is right," he meowed. "We must give PineClan a little more time."

Translucent fur bristling, Icestar narrowed his eyes. "Fine," he rumbled. "But if they aren't here soon..."

His sentence was cut off as a swarm of cats hurtled down into the ravine. At the head of them, a lithe black she-cat with sharp amber eyes quickly climbed onto the fourth branch of the Great Oak. She's no bigger than an apprentice! Shadowpaw thought, surprised a Clan leader could be so small. Among the roots, a black tabby tom and black-and-white she-cat joined the others. Those two must be PineClan's deputy and medicine cat, Shadowpaw decided. As the PineClan leader got settled, Icestar shot her a meaningful red glare.

"You're late, Blackstar," he growled.

Blackstar shot a glare back, sharper than thorns. "And you were willing to start the gathering without all four Clans."

Echostar stepped forward. "Remember the truce," she scolded, gazing up at the full moon.

Skylight nodded. "Let us begin then, shall we?"

Icestar stood, raising his tail. "ReedClan has had plenty of prey this past moon. We also have welcomed Shinepelt's new litter of three healthy and strong kits," he announced. "I would also like to introduce our newest apprentice, Mudpaw."

"Mudpaw! Mudpaw!" the cats cheered, ReedClan the loudest among them. A white she-cat with brown splotches looked around meekly, pressing close to her Clanmates.

As soon as Icestar stepped back, Blackstar stood. "PineClan is thriving well, and we have also welcomed a healthy litter of two kits, who were born to Rivershine," she purred. "PineClan is also proud to announce our two new apprentices—Antpaw and Badgerpaw."

Cheers rang out for the two new apprentices, both cats standing tall and proud as their names were called. Echostar then took her place to announce LeafClan's news. Shadowpaw couldn't help but admire how tall and proud his leader looked, boldly addressing the other Clans.

"LeafClan has flourished this Green-leaf, and we have plenty of prey for all of our cats. I am pleased to announce that we, too, have been blessed with a healthy litter of two kits—born to Hollycloud and Sagepelt," Echostar informed, as Sagepelt sat up with pride. "There are also two new apprentices, Firepaw and Shadowpaw."

As the cats cheered their names, Shadowpaw quickly hid behind Sagepelt. Firepaw stood tall, her eyes glowing with the attention. Sagepelt purred and nudged Shadowpaw away from him. Nervously, Shadowpaw shrunk beside Firepaw until the cheers died down. Echostar sat back as Skylight stood to announce BreezeClan's news.

"BreezeClan is sad to announce that our noble leader, Sandstar, has joined StarClan this past moon," he closed his eyes as the cats all murmured their condolences. "However, I have received my nine lives, and appointed Ashheart as BreezeClan's new deputy."

The cats gave meows of approval, before Skystar went on. "Despite the loss of Sandstar, BreezeClan has continued to grow and become stronger. Borders will be enforced now more than ever," he meowed pointedly. "Any trespassers will be dealt with fiercely."

"Why would any cat cross your borders?" Icestar objected, his lips drawn back in a snarl. "Your accusations are empty, Skystar."

Skystar shot a glare back. "I have not accused any cat," he retorted. "I am simply giving fair warning."

Blackstar scoffed. "That's not what it sounds like, and you know it."

Icestar lashed his tail. "No cat has any reason to cross your borders," he went on. "Perhaps you should look to your own cats for Sandstar's killer."

Fur bristling, Skystar dug his claws into the branch. "How dare you insinuate my cats would have anything to do with this?"

Growling, Blackstar faced the BreezeClan leader. "And how dare you assume any of our cats were behind it?"

The cats below all grew tense, melting away into their own Clans. Low growls and snarls could be heard among them as they dispersed. Firepaw shot a glare over at the apprentices she had befriended earlier, while Sagepelt quickly nudged both her and Shadowpaw away. Echostar stared at the other leaders wide-eyed.

"Stop this at once!" she pleaded. "There is a truce, or have you all forgotten that?"

Skystar gave her an icy glare. "Truce or not, no Clan is to cross BreezeClan borders," he snarled, jumping down and leading his cats away.

Icestar and Blackstar quickly followed suit, leaving Echostar speechless atop the Great Oak. Shadowpaw watched the other three Clans melt away into the surrounding forest in shock. Shadowpaw couldn't help but feel that there was more to Sandstar's death that any cat could begin to imagine.