Heronpaw followed along the brisk pace set by the small warrior, flanked by his two guardians. The brown warrior trotted ahead, not caring to slow down to accompany his captor's unfamiliarity with the landscape. On either side of him, the golden warrior and the gray apprentice/warrior flanked him. He did not know where they were going, but could only guess that it would be the camp.

Not knowing what else to do when he'd been caught, Heronpaw had said practically nothing while the gold warrior and the brown warrior decided what to do with him. "He's gotta be RiverClan, based on the smell. What are you doing here?"

He had tried to answer that he was there to see Brackenstar, but nothing came out.

"What's your name?" the gold warrior asked. Once again, Heronpaw found his voice was strangely gone. The golden tom turned to the brown tom. "What do we do with him?"

The brown warrior's claws had slid out. "I say we teach him a lesson."

But the gold tom shook his head. "No. Can't you see he's just an apprentice?"

"So what?" the brown warrior shrugged. "He doesn't belong here."

"We should send him back!" the small gray tom suggested. Both warriors ignored him. And so the arguments continued until finally, the gold tom suggested they take him to Brackenstar.

Heronpaw trotted along in the brown warrior's wake fearfully. He didn't know why he was so scared. This was, after all, what he'd wanted. Somehow, being marched prisoner through unknown territory into an enemy camp hadn't been how he'd envisioned himself getting here.

The brown warrior suddenly slipped between two thick brushes and disappeared. The scent of SkyClan was much stronger here than it had been since the border. Heronpaw had the feeling he was about to enter enemy camp. Behind him, the gold warrior nudged him. "Walk carefully." Heronpaw appreciated the warning. He plunged in after the brown cat, trying to find his way through the barbs the way he had. Instead, he got a lot of pricks on either side. He was pretty sure that under his fur, his skin was scratched up just from this journey.

When he finally slipped between the camp wall and saw the camp for the first time, his breath caught in his chest. The camp was so big, and different than RiverClan in every way.

The RiverClan camp was compact, placed on an island along the river. The nursery had been comprised of reinforced reedbed, each nest made out of moss and reeds placed in just the right nest shape. Everything had been close enough that he could hear everything from anywhere in the camp. There had never been a specific place for Reedstar to address the Clan, she simply addressed everyone from the ground.

SkyClan camp was very wide, and spread out. There were the walls of the hollow on either side, spreading up and around. It felt like an over scooped out valley. A tree branch drooped right into the camp, a perfect perch for Brackenstar at Clan meetings. Tucked neatly away along one wall was an elderflower bush, oddly surrounded by many cats. A warm looking patch of ferns stood downwind from the camp, right beside a large rock with a crack in it. Sitting outside this crack were some cats that made Seabreeze look young again. Those must have been the SkyClan elders. Between here and there, a large brush was centered right in the lowest dip of the camp. Coming from inside were tiny paw-sounds, and a squeak. That had to be the nursery.

There was so much of it that it took Heronpaw a long moment to get past his immediate surroundings and to take note of the number of cats. He had thought that RiverClan was big. Now he knew just how wrong he'd been.

Warriors were sprinkled throughout the camp. Never before had Heronpaw seen so many different colored pelts on such different sized cats! Each cat was very different from one another. He could see a small gray and white she-cat watching him from next to the elder bush, where she sat totally ignoring her conversation partner- a dark brown she-cat. A brown and white tom with golden eyes was staring at Heronpaw with an open jaw, as if he'd never seen anything quite like him before. A very large dark golden brown tom stepped forward, growling at Heronpaw as he passed. There were more cats than Heronpaw could possibly see coming out from various dens to watch him as he proceeded forward.

The brown warrior lead him straight up to a very comfortable looking fern bush built into the roots of the thorn tree with the low-hanging branch. There sat three cats that almost made Heronpaw cringe. The first one he noticed was a dark brown tabby tom with very green eyes. This was a senior warrior, but with enough left in him to not have need to retire just yet. Beside him stood a very small golden she-cat with green eyes. Her fur was so long that Heronpaw thought it might just brush the ground. The last cat in the line-up was a broad-shouldered tabby tom with the same green eyes. This tom had long whiskers and white on his muzzle. His eyes were somehow different than the others, a wizened look in them that suggested this tom meant business. Immediately, Heronpaw knew who he was. This was Brackenstar, leader of SkyClan.

"What is going on here? Beetletail, who have you brought here, and why?"

The brown warrior- presumably Beetletail –bowed his head very low. "No disrespect, Brackenstar. We didn't know what else to do with him. The runt will not talk."

Pacing forward, the SkyClan leader gave Heronpaw a big sniff. "RiverClan," he said, his voice contempt. He looked into Heronpaw's eyes, and the young apprentice suddenly realized just how different Brackenstar was from Reedstar. Reedstar had been loving, and caring. Brackenstar was proud, and logical. Not that Reedstar hadn't thought things through, but she'd always acted with her heart. Brackenstar was not that kind of leader. He lead with pure thought and logic, acting not on opinion but on fact. Reedstar had been generous toward Creekstar by letting him into the Clan. Heronpaw had thought that that was a quality every Clan leader possessed. Now he knew that if he didn't get his story exactly right, Brackenstar would not extend that same courtesy to him.

Heronpaw lifted his head and straightened his back, trying to look taller. The green eyes facing him shifted just a little; the leader had noticed this change in his guest's posture. "What's your name?" he asked airily.

"My name is Heronpaw," he spewed quickly. "I am son of Badgertail and Icebreath, apprentice of Mallowtail in RiverClan. Well, at least I was."

Brackenstar's tail flipped. "You were? Why did you leave?"

Heronpaw's lip curled. "Not of my own accord. I was forced out by our new leader. He never really liked me, because I was the son of the previous deputy, I think. When he became leader, his first act was to kick me out, even before appointing a deputy." As he said it, he realized that it was true. Creekstar had not appointed a new deputy before kicking him out.

Brackenstar did not look impressed. "Why would your own father kick you out?"

Just keep breathing, he reminded himself as he made his next statement. "Because Badgertail never got to be leader. He was too sick when Reedstar died. So StarClan hand picked her successor through our medicine cat."

Brackenstar looked confused. "So who is RiverClan's new leader?"

This next statement carried all the weight, held in each word. "Creekstar is the new leader of RiverClan."

At his words, there were murmurs all around him as SkyClan took in his words. Brackenstar's eyes widened until Heronpaw could see the edges of them. Whatever he had been expecting, it had not been that. It was that very shock factor that Heronpaw was counting on. Obviously, RiverClan had it's secrets. Having an apprentice in his Clan, even one who otherwise did not seem to have use to him, would be an asset that even Brackenstar would not give up.

"Creekripple has taken over RiverClan?"

Heronpaw glared at the SkyClan leader with as much hatred as he dared show. As much as he needed this cat to trust him and accept him, he despised him inwardly. If this very leader had worked harder to find Fernlight's killer, perhaps then RiverClan would not be in the paws it was in today. Perhaps Heronpaw would not even be here.

But none of that mattered. All that mattered was making him accept this new young apprentice.

"Creekstar. And yes."

To his disappointment, the shock of discovering Creekstar's treachery was already fading from Brackenstar's eyes. "Even so, why would Creekstar kick you out of RiverClan if you were a loyal eager apprentice. The Creekstar I knew wouldn't have kicked out a potential loyal warrior."

Heronpaw shrugged. Truth was, he didn't know why Creekstar had kicked him out. "I don't know. He said he didn't trust me. But I had never done anything to him! I will say," he allowed his vexation to leak through. "He was very nasty to me from day one."

Brackenstar narrowed his eyes, speaking with a sort of somberness Heronpaw did not understand. "And so you've come here for shelter?"

"I saw it only fitting," Heronpaw hissed. "Considering Creekstar was from SkyClan and took over my Clan."

Brackenstar shrugged. "Do you expect us to change his decision. There is only so much I can do."

"I want shelter," Heronpaw admitted. "To be a part of SkyClan."

Brackenstar bowed his head, "Fair enough." His heart quickened. Had he really won that quickly? "However, I cannot take you in without referring to my Clan." Right. Of course he did. The old leader raised his head and addressed his Clan. "What are your thoughts? Should we take him in?"

"Of course not!" a fiery orange tom spat immediately. "We can't guarantee that he is telling us the truth! I find it hard that any Clan leader, even Creekstar, would kick out a perfectly loyal apprentice for no reason."

"Maybe not," the brown tom who had looked so shocked earlier said. "But since when has Creekstar ever been a cat with good sense?"

To Heronpaw's surprise, murmurs of agreement rose through the Clan. This bemused him. What exactly had SkyClan thought of the new RiverClan leader when he had lived among them? Had Creekstar had many friends here in SkyClan? He'd mentioned that Fernlight had been his mate, but nothing else of his previous life. And if Creekstar's word was to be trusted, precious Fernlight was dead. Heronpaw did a quick glace-around, as though expecting to see her. His search could not have produced results, even if Fernlight turned out to be alive; Heronpaw couldn't recognize her.

A dark gray she-cat spoke up, "Before he left, Creekstar seemed to change. How can we be sure that his being in RiverClan didn't change the warriors there?"

Cats were muttering and casting him spiteful glances by now. It was as though they thought he might jump up and attack any one of them at any moment. But the brown warrior wasn't done with his opinion.

"Creekstar was never of sound decision. But if this apprentice is to be believed, Creekstar only just took over RiverClan. He couldn't have had that much influence."

But Heronpaw couldn't help but feel that that wasn't entirely true. Hadn't he noticed his Clanmates changing around him? Very careful of his place in the Clan, Creekstar had changed everyone down to the medicine cat, very subtly, until they had been more than willing to kick him out when they had. With a chill, Heronpaw wondered if it had been carefully orchestrated from the very beginning. Could he really be willing to believe that?

"I, for one," the dark gray she-cat retorted, "Would like to know why RiverClan missed the moonlight Gathering not two nights ago!"

At this, outright protests started. "Yeah!" "Where was your Clan, then?" "Of course RiverClan wouldn't hold faith in StarClan!"

These words struck Heronpaw. It was obvious that SkyClan did not trust Creekstar. What in the name of StarClan was going on? Not in his lifetime could Heronpaw believe any Clanmates to have such a strong dislike for one another. Unless Creekstar's relationship with his Clanmates had ended the same way that Heronpaw's had ended with his. He knew that if any of his Clanmates had chosen to leave RiverClan on their own accord, he would not ever trust or like them again. But to deny that he ever had…that was something entirely different.

Brackenstar raised his tail for silence, his curious eyes holding Heronpaw's own. He knew he was expected to answer, so he tried to be honest without giving anything away. "Reedstar had died. We needed a new leader."

Everyone stopped talking as the dark brown tom beside Brackenstar spoke, "Personally, I cannot see this apprentice as a threat. In fact, he could be an asset."

Too many cats were talking at once now for Heronpaw to distinguish one distinct answer. Brackenstar again raised his tail. "I would like my senior warriors to meet me in my den. We will discuss this and come to a decision. Until then, the apprentice should wait here. Floralwhisker, our medicine cat, will look after you."

With that, the old leader turned and padded into his own den at the roots of the tree. The golden tom who had walked him to camp, the dark brown senior warrior, and several others padded after him. Heronpaw sat where he was, exhaustion and nervousness finding him.

A small black she-cat he could only assume was Floralwhisker approached him. She didn't ask him any questions, just gave him a sniff, and ordered him to eat something. Heronpaw was mildly surprised by her. She was not like Orangeleaf at all, and not just by appearance. Her mannerisms suggested a wisdom beyond his comprehension. She spoke in few words and left it at that.

No sooner had she vanished into her den (a thorn bush on the other side of the large roots where Brackenstar took shelter) than another cat approached him. This was the small gray tom who had escorted him back to camp. "Hello," the tom said in a friendly manner. "I'm Sootpaw."

Heronpaw nodded a greeting, nervously smiling at his new companion. "Don't worry about Brackenstar," Sootpaw went on. "He's usually fair. I'm Sunblaze's apprentice, by the way." He added proudly. He thought back to the gold tom who had decided to bring him back. That must have been Sunblaze.

"Why are you here?" Sootpaw asked suddenly. "I mean really. You're not here to harm SkyClan, are you?" Heronpaw felt, in that moment, he could trust the small gray tom. The boy radiated honesty, and kindness Somehow, he knew that this cat genuinely didn't want to bring harm to him nor did this cat want anything bad for him. The only thing he could do was reassure the tom that his feelings were mutual.

"No, I'm not here to harm SkyClan. I just want to live here."

That seemed good enough to Sootpaw, though whether it convinced the senior warriors or not was still unclear. "That's good. I didn't want to have to hurt you." The apprentice puffed his chest out proudly. His face turned serious again. "Is Creekstar really RiverClan's leader?"

Heronpaw nodded solemnly. "Yes." He had a sudden thought. "Did you know him- before he came to RiverClan, I mean?"

His amber eyes rolled upward as he thought. Finally, he answered, "I remember him when I was a tiny kit. But he left before I was made an apprentice."

Heronpaw nodded. He and Sootpaw must have been about the same age. Creekripple had joined the Clan when he was still a young kit as well. "Was he well liked here?"

Sootpaw seemed to be really thinking about it. "I don't really remember. I guess he was just an ordinary warrior until Fernlight died. Then he changed. Eventually, he was gone. I can't really remember what happened that day."

This was a clue to Creekstar's past. A strange mystery that Heronpaw was starting to hope to solve. Perhaps, if he could prove that Creekstar wasn't who he said he was, then maybe StarClan would revoke his leadership rights and give them to Badgertail instead. Only then would Heronpaw ever be able to rejoin RiverClan. It was a long shot, but it was the only hope he had.

"How exactly did Fernlight die?"

Sootpaw shrugged. "I don't know. Duskpool wouldn't tell us." His amber eyes narrowed as he leaned forward. "Why? What does it matter? It's all long done by now."

Not ready to give up his secret, Heronpaw was stumped by the question, and unsure of how to answer. He was just shrugging uncomfortably when the first cats began to file out of Brackenstar's den. They each marched out and rejoined the gathered Clan as Brackenstar leaped onto the overhanging branch.

"We were unable to come to a decision at this time," he answered the unspoken question. "So for now, the apprentice will be allowed to stay. When we come up with an official decision, we will let you all know."

The mottled brown tom asked, "Does that mean he'll be training as a warrior of SkyClan?"

"No, Tangleblaze," Brackenstar answered. "As of right now, Heronpaw may live with SkyClan, but he is not officially a member of SkyClan."

At his words, Heronpaw felt a familiar sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Somehow, he had known what was coming, but hearing it all over again made his heart pound with sadness. Despite all his potential, Heronpaw would never be a warrior.

That's okay, he told himself, stubbornly fighting the childlike wail that was building in his throat. You don't want to be a warrior of SkyClan anyway.

Brackenstar looked down at Heronpaw. By now, the sun was setting. How had the day gone by so fast? "Get some rest, Heronpaw. Tomorrow, the hard part begins."