Sorry these couple chapters took so long to post. I have counties and crap coming up, so I have a lot going on. Anyways, hope you all enjoy this chapter, and please R&R!

"Cloud! I'm leaving!" Skyblaze meowed into the apprentice's den. She was still staying in the apprentice's den. She had tried to persuade Thornstar to let her sleep in the warriors den, but he had refused.

"The warrior's den is a privilege for hard-working cats." He had meowed

Skyblaze was obviously not happy. Cloud only had her, and now she's alone in the apprentice's den! Cloud peeked out of the den.

"Where are you going? It's almost moonhigh." She meowed, eyes curious.

"The gathering tonight." She explained, expecting her to ask more questions

"Oh okay. Be safe." She padded back into the den, waving her tail in farewell. Skyblaze looked in her direction. What had happened to the old Cloud?

"Hey! You ready to go?" Stoneheart padded to her side, flank touching hers.

"Yes, I'm coming." She pulled away from him, not used to the sudden closeness. She thought that Stoneheart has been drifting away from her, but now he's back again. Sweetsong has been glaring at her again. It wasn't much of a surprise. Stoneheart padded beside her.

"You two, hurry up! We're already late." Thornstar meowed to them. She scurried to the rest of the clan, Stoneheart following her like a shadow. They took the usual route, down the hill. Thornstar gave the usual signal, and they all rushed down the hill. Skyblaze wanted to feel the chill of the wind in her fur, but with Stoneheart on her side, she couldn't. Skyblaze let out an annoyed hiss, but he did not seem to notice. Once they stepped into the clearing, she stepped away from Stoneheart, looking around for Hawkpaw. He waved his paw high in the air, catching her gaze. She padded over, making sure that Stoneheart wasn't following her.

"Hey." He meowed. Deadheart was not there.

"Where's Deadheart?"

"I don't know," He meowed, looking like he was keeping a big secret "Hey, I need to tell you something."

"Me too, but you go first!"

"I'm a warrior!" He finally bursted out

"Me too!"

"Really?" His eyes widened disbelievingly

"What do you mean, really?" She shoved him playfully.

"I'm Hawkfeather now!" He purred happily

"I'm Skyblaze!" She boasted. That is a cool name, Hawkfeather had to admit

"What are you thinking about?" Skyblaze meowed "How cool my name is?"

"What…" He meowed disbelievingly "How can you read my mind?"

"I can't, I just guessed."

"Where is Deadheart?" Hawkfeather meowed. BreezeClan was already here, but there was no sign of Deadheart.

"I don't know. Maybe he wasn't picked to come?" Skyblaze's eyes raked the clearing, hoping to catch a glimpse of her friend.

"I guess." Hawkfeather looked around, but he was not here. Thornstar yowled to start the gathering.

"FireClan had experienced some more trouble from rogues, but we are pleased to tell everyone that we have chased them away." Some mutters arose from the cats below "On a happier note, FireClan now has three new warriors. Mosscloud, Thistlefoot, and Skyblaze." Cats cheered happily, and Skyblaze sat a bit straighter. Thornstar backed away into the branch of the tree, and Wetstar took his place.

"The rogues had launched an attack on our camp, and we had fought them back. But" He took a shuddering breath "Graystar had lost his final lives, and I am now leader of RippleClan." Most cats dipped their heads respectfully, chanting his name "However, I am happy to announce that before he had left us, he had created four new warriors, Mudwhisker, Jaygaze, Clawtail, and Hawkfeather." Skyblaze let out a loud whoop, causing everyone to turn and look at her. Wetstar was finished with his report, but he didn't look like he knew what to do. Shadowstar cleared his throat, and padded forward. Wetstar seemed to have realized his mistake as he scrambled back to where the other leaders were.

"DuskClan has been very peaceful this past moon, and we also made one new apprentice, Mousepaw." It was a short report, but Shadowstar did not show any signs of hesitation as he padded back towards the other leaders. Featherstar's fluffy fur seemed like a small cloud.

"We have not have any trouble this moon," She started in her soft, kittish voice "But we again, have spotted rogues along the edge of our territory, along with a bit of mixed scents we can not identify." She raked her gaze around the clearing "If any others have also scented some strange smells, please do share. We must do something about this!" Her voice had hardened and rang across the clearing. Skyblaze could see that Thornstar and Wetstar was nodding in agreement.

"Does anyone else have anything to say?" Windheart piped up. Hawkfeather wondered why the BreezeClan medicine cat seemed so eager to get back to camp. Featherstar shot Windheart a cold glare, but Thornstar answered him

"I don't think so. I say we go now, since the weather is cold. We wouldn't want to risk any cats getting sick." He jumped of the tree and flicked his tail.

"I gotta go, see you tonight!" Skyblaze scrambled away to her clan.

"Bye, see you." Hawkfeather's voice trailed off as she raced across the clearing to join Mosscloud. Stoneheart stepped in her way

"Whoa, slow down!" He brushed his tail along her spine. Skyblaze couldn't help but flinch at his touch.

"Sorry." She muttered. Stoneheart padded next to her, uncomfortably close. She tried slowing down, but he matched her pace. Finally, she couldn't stand it anymore and ran the rest of the way to camp. A couple warriors jumped out of the way

"Watch it!" Flameheart growled, but she ignored him. Skyblaze had better things to worry about than grouchy Flameheart. Stoneheart was still on her tail.

"Hey wait up!" She heard him pant, and that motivated her to move even faster. She didn't slow down until the bramble tunnel was in sight. Racing inside the camp, she nearly ran into Thistlefoot. Her brother wasn't chosen to go to the gathering, and had a huge fit.

"Argh!" She landed on top of him.

"Ow! Are you okay?" Thistlefoot licked his tail tenderly as he looked at her in concern. Skyblaze's paw was hurting extremely badly. She gently pressed it down on the ground, sighing in relief.

"Yes, I'm fine." She meowed. Just then, Stoneheart galloped back into camp.

"Why'd you run so fast?" He panted

"I…" She blinked "Well, I needed exercise." She lied. Stoneheart narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.

"Okay, well" Stoneheart licked his chest fur "I'm tired." He announced, and padded into the warrior's den.

"Thank StarClan." Skyblaze muttered, annoyed

"Looks like someone's annoyed." Thistlefoot meowed, flicking Skyblaze's ears with the tip of his tail.

"He is such a…" She couldn't think of the word to describe Stoneheart

"Don't worry sis, I get you." Thistlefoot reassured her. "Let's go, you look tired."

"I am tired." Skyblaze meowed and padded after him.

(Around Midnight)

Stoneheart lifted his head. What was that noise? He really needed his sleep, and that annoying sound was really keeping him up! His eyes focused in the darkness. Who is that? Someone was getting out of their nest and knocking the hanging branches around. He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped himself when he realized who it was. Skyblaze! What was she doing? Stoneheart watched as she turned around and padded out of the den. She's just going to make dirt. He reassured himself. He tossed and turned in his nest. It's been quite awhile since she had gone to the dirt-place tunnel. What if she was attacked? Stoneheart knew it was silly, but he couldn't help but be worried. Finally, he decided to check on her.

"Stoneheart? Where are you going?" Sweetsong meowed, her eyes glowing in the dim surrounding.

"I'm just going to make dirt." He waved her off. Sweetsong is like an itch he can't reach.

"Oh, okay." Sweetsong's head sunk back down into her nest.

Stoneheart padded out of the den, breaking into a run once he was out. Where was she? He ran to the dirt-place tunnel, hoping she was there. His heart dropped a thousand miles into the ground. It was empty. Not a trace of Skyblaze. Her scent led to inside the forest, but there was no other scent mixed with hers. He followed the trail out of camp.

(Outside BreezeClan Territory)

Stoneheart followed her scent all the way out to here. What could she possibly be doing? He was so confused.

"Hey! Quit that!" Someone laughed. Stoneheart delved into the bushes next to him, hoping they will not catch him. He peeked out of a little opening. A few blurry shapes were in the distance. They were being obnoxiously loud and perky. He squinted to see a bit more clearly.

"Make me!" One of the cats meowed. They didn't seem to notice Stoneheart, even when he stepped on a twig. He could make out three cats, but couldn't identify them. They were travelling in the direction of the ancient oak. What were they doing? He sneaked up behind them, and followed. He stayed about ten fox-lengths away from them. The hill up to the oak was steep and long, but the cats seemed to have no trouble at all climbing up. They've come here more than once! Stoneheart's heart dropped. Is Skyblaze with them? He quickened his pace. The cats came into a better view. One had a dark grey pelt, another with gray and white fur, and the last on with… pure white fur! It was Skyblaze! He felt a fire inside of him, and wanted to sprint towards them and rip their fur out for taking her. Then, his heart dropped from the second time. Skyblaze must have wanted to come! Why, why and why?

"Skyblaze…" He couldn't help himself. This cat had been driving him crazy, yet she obviously didn't know! She was so close to the dark gray tom, their pelts were touching.

"Is Deadheart coming?" He heard her meow

"I don't know."

"He wouldn't miss it." The gray and white cat reassured her. He couldn't help but feel that he knew her. Gray and white fur, gray and white fur… He had seen her somewhere before… who is it?

"Come on, Stoneheart, you know her!" He muttered to himself. The gray and white cat turned around, ears pricked in alarm.

"What's wrong?" Skyblaze asked her. She quickly shook her head and turned back around, but not before Stoneheart had gotten a clear look of her face.

"Cloud…" Stoneheart mind exploded. What was that kittypet doing, going to the Ancient oak? He had to find out what they were doing!

(Ancient Oak)

Skyblaze looked down the hill, heart aching with worry. Deadheart was still not here! He usually wouldn't miss any meetings! Is he sick?

"Skyblaze… Skyblaze!" Hawkfeather's voice snapped her out of her thoughts

"I guess he isn't coming…" Cloud meowed, confused

"Well, let's not waste time." Hawkfeather padded up to the oak, glancing back at them. "Come on, guys."

Skyblaze shot one last glance down the hill, hoping Deadheart would appear. Cloud tapped her shoulder, reminding her once again that it was time. She turned around padding towards the next.

Snap

Both of them whipped around at once.

"Someone's following us!" Cloud breathed, eyes wide with alarm

"Shhh.. it's okay." Skyblaze covered her mouth with her tail. "Wait here."

Stoneheart scrambled backwards. He was being careless and stepped on a twig. Now, Skyblaze was coming towards him! Turning around, he sprinted into the trees bordering FireClan territory. Where should I go now? She'll chase me back to camp! He was going crazy! Looking around frantically, he decided to get out of clan territory.

Come on! Run faster! He told himself. The thudding of Skyblaze's paws were echoing behind him, like his own heartbeat. She can't catch up now! He can't let her know it was him! No, not when the truth was so close. The thought seemed to energize him, and he burst forward. Wind and leaves whipped his face, but he didn't slow down until he reached the very edge of his territory.

Do you really want to do this?

He shook it off "I have to do this." and stepped outside. The air seemed to change. His fur felt heavier, and the entire surrounding was just…. strange. Stoneheart had half a mind to run back to camp, but told himself to stay. Gulping down a huge breath, he padded deeper into the dense air.

My gosh, nine days… -.- Sorry! I've really got to pick up the pace… sigh… Well, keep the reviews coming!