Hello and welcome to yet another chapter of Dark Skies! You may or may not have noticed, but Monday was special day! One year ago on the 21st of September I started writing Dark Skies! It's crazy how fast time has flown! I'm sorry this chapter is later than planned, but I had a bit of writer's block! This chapter is also shorter than usual, but I hope you don't mind!

Just a quick thing that I'm copying from a journal I posted on deviantart regarding Seedflight:

Okay, so some of you have commented on how Seedflight's been treating Snowfall these past few chapters. Yes, she has been a little harsh and some of you have been saying how you feel bad for Snowfall. Yes, I feel bad for Snowfall, but you've got to take this all into account:
Seedflight is pregnant. Even without all the stress of the medicine cat business, she's experiencing mood swings, she's hormonal and she's carrying several lives.
You might feel bad for Snowfall at the moment, but as far as he knows, it's just because Seedflight's hormonal. Seedflight, on the other hand, has it much worse. The kits she's carrying she knows she's going to have to give up, she knows that when they reach six moons, she's going to have to treat them as she would any of her clanmates. Whenever someone brings up the topic of kits, she's reminded of that. Every time she sees Snowfall's face, she's reminded of the life she's giving up.
She does love Snowfall. And she loves her life as a Warrior. She doesn't want to become a medicine cat. Yes, she likes healing and stuff, she prefers healing to fighting, but if given the choice between a life with Snowfall as a warrior or the life of a medicine cat, she would choose a life with Snowfall. When it comes to actual lifestyle, she's more suited to the life of a medicine cat, but being with Snowfall means more to her.
Also, bear in mind, StarClan have been pestering her basically her entire life and she's finally given in. She's also been having rather traumatic dreams, as seen a few chapters back and in the next chapter. She's having a tough time. Snowfall isn't the only one who's going through hard times, if you ask me, Seedflight's got it worse. She doesn't want to break Snowfall's heart, but she's been told that the fate of her clan depends on her becoming a medicine cat. She's seen the bigger picture and as much as it hurts her, she knows she has to become a medicine cat or the clan is at stake.

Although, like I said, it's a lot down to mood swings, she's actually okay this chapter. c:

Disclaimer - I don't own warriors!

~ Review Replies ~

Lightningstar-of-NightClan ~ I'm glad you liked it! Hehe, you're right, things are going to get very interesting very soon. I'm very excited for it, it comes in a few chapters. :) That's funny you should mention Rapidstream because... -drum roll- He gets a view point in the next book! :D

serenityxdragon ~ Aw, that means so much to me, you're so sweet! -hugs- Thank you so so much!

Caught-in-the-Frostfire ~ I'm just going to say this here, but you were in my dream last night. xD I had this bizarre dream and I met you but you ran away from me. xD Haha, I'm glad you like his name! I'm not really that keen on anime, it kind of scares me to be quite honest. xD Aw, I feel bad for Seedflight at the moment actually, she's going through a lot. I hope you'll like her a bit more in this chapter though. Thank you! c:

EpicBecky ~ Yus, and in a few chapters the intensity levels are going to reach a new high! :D Hehe, we're going to be seeing more of RiverClan in the next book as we're getting two new viewpoints; Cloudysky and Rapidstream. c: I'm really looking forward to it!

Bolt ~ Hehe, well I do try to be unexpected. :)

Briarthorn of MossClan ~ Me too! And Nettlepaw, Finchpaw and Flamepaw will be getting their names at some point too! It's funny you should say that, I'm actually in the process of writing a very short one-shot of that scene, it's very cringey and amusing. xD Yeah, I probably make them more human than they are, but pffttt, they're talking cats who lived in an organised society in a forest. xD I actually did have a super edition planned for the Guardian, but I've sort of abandoned it. I may write a shorter story on it though, you're right, he's a very interesting kitty. Thank you for the fabulous review!

Willowdream-of-ForestClan ~ Aw, I feel bad for Seedflight, her and Snowfall are going through an equally rough spot, and it's certainly not going to get any easier anytime soon!

Alwayssearching2012 ~ Hehe, same. There are certain parts I'm dreading writing, but I'm also very excited for them, it's very confusing! I'm afraid we're not going to get much more of an insight into WindClan life, although we will be getting close to one or two of their cats soon, but we will be getting two RiverClan point of views!

Rachael ~ Aha, it's absolutely fine, no harm done. I just freaked out a bit at first. It was quite amusing actually once I realised you'd just gotten confused with the name. xD

WyldClaw ~ Mmm, definitely. Not this chapter, but in a few chapters time, they're going to make them pay! Yay, I'm glad you do c:

Nightbird1648 ~ Thank you!

Ambersky

They spent the afternoon waiting for an attack that never came. And it didn't come the next day either, nor the one after. In fact, the clan was starting to wonder if the Guardian's words had been hollow and simply an attempt to scare them. After four sunrises, clan life had eventually returned to normal, but that wasn't to say that there wasn't still an atmosphere of fear throughout the Stone Hollow.

Leaf-fall had at last sunk its grip into the forest. The trees were starting to turn vibrant shades of orange and red and the abundance of rain had left the forest floor waterlogged and muddy.

After an exhausting morning of patrolling and battle training with Snowfall and Nettlepaw, Ambersky had fallen asleep for much of the afternoon, curled up in the fading light next to Molespots. It was only as the sun began to dip in the sky that she slowly roused from her slumber.

She inhaled a sleepy breath, drinking in the fresh forest scent of Molespots. The leaves may have been starting to fall, but the air still retained its green-leaf warmth, in spite of the clouded skies. I'll stay here just a little while longer.

Suppressing a yawn, she nosed into Molespots, relishing in his warmth. The threat of an attack had been weighing heavy on her mind these past few days and it was only now that she could really appreciate having Molespots at her side again. Even if it had been amusing, the quarter-moon in which she'd pushed him away had been unimaginably difficult and it was such a weight off her chest to be able to spend time with him again.

"You awake, darling?" His words tickled her ears and she smiled, leaning into the spotted tom.

"Just about," she whispered, prying apart her eyes for a brief instant before squeezing them shut again. She was hardly aware of the background noise of camp around them, in that moment all that existed was her and Molespots.

A rumbling purr emitted from the spotted tom's chest. "You're so cute."

She opened one heavy eyelid. "Cute?"

Molespots chuckled, drawing his tongue lovingly over her ears. "What do you want me to say; that you look like a badger that's been dragged backwards through a hedge?"

She giggled softly, his fur muffling the sound. "Cute will do just fine." She nuzzled into his fur, drinking in his sweet scent.

The spotted tom rolled onto his back and she let out a little mewl of complaint. He simply chuckled, his eyes lifting to the cloudy sky. "Looks like it's going to rain soon," he commented absently, flicking his tail to her side.

She gave a soft moan. "Does that mean we have to get up soon?"

"Afraid so, love."

Another groan ensued.

"If we lay about any longer, Lionblaze will probably assign us something to do; either way, we have to get up."

An irritable sigh left her maw. "He spends so much time bossing everyone else around, I'd like to see him bossed around for once."

Molespots began to wash her soft grey pelt, starting with her head. Between strokes of the tongue, he replied. "ThunderClan is lucky to have him as deputy. He just wants to make sure everything stays in order, that's all."

Ambersky was silent for a moment, lingering amongst her thoughts before replying. "I think he enjoys it. He assigned me to check the elders for ticks the other day and he watched me the whole time, grinning!"

Molespots snorted, a spurt of laughter spilling from his jaws. "I don't blame him! You should have seen your face when your paws were all covered in mouse-bile!"

She gave him a sharp look.

"Hey, don't look at me like that. Someone had to do it and the apprentices were all out training, you just happened to be the unfortunate cat!"

She didn't reply, her jaws parting to let a yawn escape.

For a while longer, she simply sat there, letting her thoughts wander to far off places. But eventually reality hit her once more as a cold suddenly rushed over her. Molespots had risen to his paws, gazing down at her with an expression of fond sympathy.

"Aw, look at you two lovebirds."

Ambersky's head jerked up, eyes snapping open.

Cherryflower gave a light burst of laughter. "You're both adorable," she purred, padding over to them.

With a heavy sigh, the grey-and-white she-cat rose to her paws. "Hello to you too, Cherryflower." Her words were punctuated by several dozy yawns. "You're in an awfully good mood."

The ginger she-cat tipped her head to one side. "Since when am I in a bad mood?"

Ambersky shrugged. "Fair point."

Cherryflower, bearing a warm smile, turned her head to Molespots. "Lionblaze has assigned you to the sun-down patrol."

"Surprise, surprise," Ambersky commented.

The brown-and-cream warrior nodded slowly. "Okay." He paused, thoughtful. "Do you know who else is on the patrol?"

Cherryflower thought for a moment. "I haven't the faintest idea," she admitted, shaking her head. "Maybe Toadstep? I don't know."

Molespots chucked. "I'll go ask Lionblaze about it," he decided, letting his gaze scour camp for the familiar golden tabby tom.

Many of their clanmates were also taking advantage of the late evening sunshine. Outside the nursery, Ivypool was sat with Dovewing, the two sisters chatting contentedly. Their kittens were not far, scampering about in the dying light of day and letting out squeals.

Daisy and Millie were working side by side on the Nursery walls, reinforcing them with bramble tendrils that Nettlepaw had fetched them earlier that day. A lot of work had been done to all of the dens to ensure ultimate security, but most of the efforts had been focused on the Nursery. After the kits had been stolen, everything was being done to ensure that it wouldn't happen again.

It was Snowfall who came padding out of the Nursery, a strained expression on his features. He gave a smile at the sight of his sister, but his amber eyes were distant. "Hi," he meowed absently.

Ambersky studied him with a look of concern. "Wow, you look half-dead. Are you okay?"

The snowy-coloured tom was looking at her, but his gaze seemed to pass right through her. "Yeah," he meowed eventually, after a long pause. "I was just going to go hunting."

She stared long and hard at him. "Don't be mouse-brained, you can't go hunting. You look like you could fall asleep on your paws any moment!"

Snowfall studied his paws closely as if they were the most fascinating thing in the world. "Seedflight's craving blackbird."

A frown creased her brow. "Surely she can't expect you to go hunting now? You've been out almost all day?"

He shook his head. "She told me not to worry about it, she said she could just have a mouse from the fresh-kill pile or something. But I thought if I caught her a blackbird maybe her mood would improve."

"Snowfall, you've hardly slept these last few days," she meowed softly, offering him a sympathetic smile. "Look, I'll go hunting and catch her a blackbird, okay?"

For a moment he looked like he was going to protest, but he seemed to see sense and nodded slowly. "Okay… Thank you, Ambersky." He nuzzled her cheek gently.

She smiled warmly. "Just go get some sleep, okay?"

He nodded. And with that he padded towards the Warriors' Den, almost stumbling over his own paws several times before disappearing inside. Ambersky felt a stab of pain at the sight of him so exhausted. It wasn't the easiest time for Snowfall at the moment; with Seedflight nearing the birth of her kits, she'd become increasingly agitated and fed up, especially after Leafpool had confined her to camp. There'd be a false alarm the day before when she'd started getting pains, but it had turned out to be false labour and they'd gone away after Leafpool had given her some herbs to kill the pain.

Pushing the thoughts away, she let her eyes wander camp. She found what she was looking for after a few seconds.

"Hey." She padded up to where Molespots was talking with Lionblaze. The dappled warrior glanced over at her, smiling warmly. Lionblaze merely blinked at her in mild interest, dipping his head.

"I'm just going to go out and catch Seedflight a blackbird," she meowed, her eyes flitting from Molespots to the ThunderClan deputy. With the extra security measures, she had to let either Lionblaze or Bramblestar know that she was leaving camp anyway, so it was a handy bit of luck that Molespots happened to be with him.

For a moment, Molespots looked as if he was going to argue, but then he reluctantly nodded. "Okay," he meowed slowly, holding her gaze. "But be careful, okay?"

She chuckled, head-butting him affectionately. "You worry too much."

"Make sure you're back before sun-down," Lionblaze added. "It's not safe out there… Perhaps someone should go with you?"

"I'll be fine," she assured them, eying the sky. "But if I'm to be back by sun-down, I'd better get going."

Molespots nuzzled her affectionately. "I'll see you later then," he purred softly.

A rumbling purr emitting from her chest, she lingered beside him for a moment longer before bounding away towards the Thorn Barrier and, without a single hesitation, thrusting her way through the brambles.

The sky above was already darkening, she'd have to be quick if she was to make it back to the Stone Hollow by the time the sun had dipped below the horizon. With that in mind, she set a steady pace and began to pad forwards with her nose lifted to the air.

The mud under-paw pulled her down, hindering her movement, but she carried on regardless. The tall oaks smothered her in long shadows and the taste of rain hung in the air. All Ambersky was focused on, however, was finding a blackbird.

She'd seen plenty of blackbirds around this last moon, it wouldn't be hard to find one.

But when each inhalation of the damp air brought only aromas of the falling leaves and towering trees, a slight frown creased her features. She caught snatches of scents left by her clanmates, but the forest was otherwise very still and quiet, as if in shock from the sudden change in season.

Wet earth sinking beneath her paws, she wound her way through the trees, checking the usual spots. She detected a few scents of mice near an ancient yew tree, but she resisted the urge to just hunt them instead. It was a blackbird that Seedflight craved, it was a blackbird that she would get.

Her hunt took her into the heart of ThunderClan, where the gathering gloom and the thicker undergrowth made the shadows seem even darker. They were hardly the best conditions for hunting, but she had little choice.

Soon enough, and much to her delight, a particular strain of scent reached her jaws. Her features relaxed into a smile. "Blackbird," she murmured to herself. "Perfect."

The scent could be tracked towards the ShadowClan border. Focusing wholly on the trail, Ambersky became one with the forest. She carried herself low the forest floor, her amber eyes narrowed and her ears intently angled forwards.

Ordinarily she would have relied more on her sight, but with the growing darkness she became increasingly reliant on hearing and scent. When she reached a small clearing, it took her several moments for her expanding pupils to adjust to the change in light and spot the bird.

Stood on the ground, the blackbird was grappling with what seemed to be worm, desperately trying to pull it from the sodden earth. So absorbed in its meal, it hadn't even noticed Ambersky's arrival.

An expression of concentration fixing itself upon her features, she dropped into an even lower crouch and skulked forward. But she wasn't as stealthy and silent as anticipated. The mud gurgled with the weight of her pawsteps and before she was anywhere near the prey, the bird jerked its head up in alarm, alerted by the sound.

Mouse-dung!

She didn't think twice. She was already racing towards her prey, leaping with outstretched paws. But this seemed to be a catch she was never destined to make. By the time she landed by the blackbird's abandoned worm, her the bird was already soaring above the canopy, having fled in a flurry of feathers.

"Now, that's pitiful. I though ThunderClan taught its warriors how to hunt?"

The frustration of her missed catch immediately melted away. Her heart hammering in her chest, she spun around, her eyes searching for the source of the cold drawl. That was when a sharp, pungent scent reached her.

Her breath hitched, amber eyes widening. The divisions.

Breaths coming short and fast, she tried to think rationally in spite of the mounting fear in her chest. I've got to run. I've got to get out of her, warn ThunderClan.

But before she could even put her plan into action, a slender figure had emerged from the undergrowth. He blended in almost seamlessly with the shadows, his pelt a jet-black colour. All that betrayed him was a tiny dash of white on his face and a pair of piercing blue eyes. She knew who this cat was.

"N-Night," she stammered, scarcely able to form the words. She ought to be angry, she had a lot to be angry about with the divisions, but in the situation all she could find was fear.

The sleek tom cat sauntered forwards, a malevolent grin etched upon his face. "Ah, you remember me?" He purred silkily. "Well, it's reassuring to know that your memory is better than your hunting."

The grey-and-white she-cat drunk in a shuddery breath. She could only detect one scent and that was Night's. It's just him? Finding a little more confidence from that realisation, she straightened up. "What are you doing here?" she growled, narrowing her eyes. But although she tried to convey confidence, her pelt was still bristling.

"Oh, you want to know, do you?" He looked mildly surprised. "There's no need to act like a big, scary warrior, Ambersky, I can smell your fear."

Night had drawn to a halt right in front of her, barely half a tail-length of air between them. Ambersky could taste his breath. But something had leapt out at her from his sentence. Swallowing, she hissed, "How do you know my name?"

Night tipped his head to one side, humouring her. "As if I would tell you that." He paused. "Besides, I think you might have already worked it out."

Spies, she realised suddenly, stumbling backwards a little.

Noticing her lack of words, the watcher tom continued. "It's my turn for a question; what is a young ThunderClan warrior doing out hunting by herself? Surely you must realise that it's not particularly safe."

Ambersky stared back at him. It was taking all of her strength to keep calm, but she wasn't sure how much longer she was going to be able to keep up the act. Night hadn't answered her question; what was he doing here? Why was it just him?

"Don't feel like talking?" he regarded her with mock sympathy. "Well, you will later."

"What do you mean, later?" she growled, her amber eyes dark.

He smiled sweetly at her. "I mean later, when you're back at our camp." He flicked his tail lightly to her side, the amusement fading from his expression to be replaced by a cold stillness. "You're coming with me."

At last Ambersky found her voice. Drawing herself up at staring squarely into the black tom's features, she hissed, "I'm not coming with you."

Night presented her with an equally dark glower. "Oh, yes, you are."

She was acting only on instinct. Before she could even process what she was doing, her claws slid out and she leapt at him, her teeth bared as she let out a bitter yowl. But Night had anticipated the mood and he darted nimbly to the side.

She hit the ground heavily, letting out a groan as she attempted to heave herself from the mud. But Night was already at the side. His teeth sunk into her scruff and suddenly she found herself being lifted.

The world blurred as he began to shake her back and forth vigorously. Just when she thought her insides were going to fall out, he released his grip.

There were a few quiet moments in which the world seemed to slow. She was aware of herself flying across the clearing, she was aware of Night's blue eyes burning into her side. And then she became aware of a sudden jolt of pain as she slammed into a tree. Her whole body groaned with agony and she simply lay still on the ground, her mind spinning.

Have to get up… get up…

But despite what she told herself, she couldn't do it. She tried to lift herself upwards, but her muscles had suddenly lost all their strength, her body throbbing with pain. Night's shadow fell over her and she caught a final glimpse of piercing blue eyes before suddenly the world became very distant.

Within an instant, everything had faded to black.

Seedflight

Even after having the dream countless times, the shock of it still hadn't worn off. Everything was grey and devoid of colour. She could hardly discern the sky from the water as she stood on the cliff's edge, staring in horror as the molten shadows of the lake swallowed up the tiny, struggling body of a kit.

The tumultuous bellowing of the wind and the crash of the waves drowned out her helpless cries and all Seedflight could do was watch, powerless.

Unlike the first time she'd had the dream, she was expecting the tortoiseshell she-cat. That wasn't to say, however, that it made it any easier to watch the cat streak past her and leap without fear from the cliff and into the water. She felt the rush of air as she passed and the vibrations of her pawsteps through the cold earth.

But the dream didn't have the same piercing clarity as it had before. Everything was somewhat hazy and distant, as though she was watching everything unfold through a sheet of ice.

It was as if a thorn had been driven through her heart when she watched both the tortoiseshell and the kit disappear beneath the surfaces, her jaws parting in a silent scream. And then everything fell apart.

Mere moments later, she was waking up in her nest.

Pale sunlight seeped through the thick bramble wall of the nursery, drenching her in morning light. For several long moments, the ginger queen simply lay still and allowed her heart rate to recover. The piercing screech still rung in her ears.

As the beat in her chest began to slow, she at last attempted to sit up, letting out a groan of effort. Great StarClan, you'd think I was expecting rocks and not kits. She turned to gaze down at her swollen belly, heaving a sigh.

Although, from the light, Seedflight knew it was past dawn, the den around her was still surprisingly still. By the entrance, Orangeflight slumbered peacefully. Only Maplekit slept soundly at her side, but that wasn't much of a surprise as Pigeonkit and Russetkit often rose at the crack of dawn.

A few tail-lengths away, Dovewing was curled up tightly into a ball. Her kits, now nearing apprenticeship, were draped across nests in varying states of rest. Tigerkit was letting out wheezy snores as he slept, completely and utterly dead to the world. Stonekit was curled up a way away from his littermates, his tail coiled neatly around his paws.

Featherkit and Silverkit were side by side, their pelts pressed together. Seedflight couldn't suppress a smile at the sight of the two sisters.

Ivypool and her five remaining kits, her own two; Swallowkit and Puffinkit, then Icecloud's kits; Tricklekit, Oakkit and Splashkit, all slept peacefully in the same nest. Seedflight couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of all five kits draped over and around the silver-and-white tabby she-cat.

It was only Seedflight and Daisy who were without kits. The latter had already left her nest, which was only a little surprising. The cream she-cat had started to help a lot more around the clan lately, and not just in the Nursery. Sorreltail had even started to train her to hunt, but it was clear that it would be a long time until she was able to hunt with the same competence as the warriors, as her reactions weren't the fastest.

Biting back a yawn, Seedflight groggily began to pad towards the den entrance, ignoring the pull of exhaustion. Stepping into the main part of camp, she was surprised to find that it was a sunny leaf-fall day. There was a definite cold bite to the air, but that wasn't to say that it wasn't a beautiful day.

For a moment she let her eyes explore the vast blue sky, allowing her mind to be taken away for a moment.

Unlike the Nursery, the Stone Hollow was already buzzing with life. When she glanced over at the Thorn Barrier, Spiderleg and Finchpaw were returning from an early hunt, jaws closed around the limp forms of prey. The dawn patrol would have left a little while before, but now the second patrol of the morning was preparing to leave. A flicker of cream caught her eyes and she followed the movement to Daisy. The queen was carrying moss from the Medicine Cats' Den into the Apprentices' Den. When she noticed Seedflight, she offered her a smile.

The fresh-kill pile was noticeably large this morning, but she was feeling rather queasy for some reason and prey didn't look quite as appetising as it usually did. It was with a slight waddle to her step that she crossed camp and eventually slumped down in the pale sun.

She was rasping her tongue through her fur when she felt a pelt brush against her. Snowfall was smiling sheepishly at her. "Hi," he mewed softly, sitting down beside her.

A soft sigh spilled from her jaws, a wan smile forming upon her features. "Good morning," she murmured. "Sleep okay?"

The white tom looked pensive for a moment, but eventually shook his head. "No, not really," he confessed. "But that's no surprise."

A quiet hush fell between them, smothering the words from both cats. It was Snowfall who eventually spluttered on some words. "I'msorryIdidn'tgetablackbirdlastnight."

The queen just stared back at him. "What?"

A sigh rattled the white tom's chest and he repeated himself, speaking more slowly. "I'm sorry I didn't get a blackbird last night. For you I mean." He examined his paws closely as he spoke. "Ambersky went out to go and catch one, but I don't think she did."

Seedflight looked bemused. "There's nothing to apologise for," she assured him, nuzzling his cheek. "Did you not hear what I said last night? That it didn't matter. I had a mouse and it was just as good."

Well, perhaps that last part wasn't entirely true, but she didn't want Snowfall to know that.

The white tom considered this for a moment. Eventually his fur lay flat and he relaxed. "Oh, okay."

Ignoring her conflicted feelings, she gave a light chuckle. "You worry too much, you know."

The instant the words left her jaws she felt a surge of guilt wash over her. If only he knew.

"I know," he replied, lifting her eyes to hers.

They sat together in pleasant silence, simply enjoying the sunlight. The cold nipped at their paws, but with their combined warmth, neither one of them felt cold. Seedflight slipped into a hazy daydream, allowing her worries to drift away. But every so often a sharp pang would jerk through her, making her grunt in irritation. She recognised the contractions from the false labour she'd experienced a few days before.

Every so often she had to shift into a different position, her swollen belly making it difficult to settle in one pose for very long.

After a while, his soft mew shattered the cold, morning air. "Are you okay? You're very quiet this morning," he commented, regarding her with mild concern.

"Yeah," she meowed, inhaling quietly. "Just a bit fed up. I wish these kits would be born already."

A smile tugged at his lips and his eyes drifted down to her belly. "I'm sure it won't be long now," he meowed soothingly, nuzzling her. A few further heartbeats passed until he added, his smile quirking into a grin. "Speaking of the kits, I believe we have the matter of names to discuss."

Excitement, apprehension and wistfulness all jostled for a place within her chest. Eventually, a smile spread across her features as she released a billowing breath. "I believe we do," she purred.

A look of quiet concentration crossed Snowfall's features. "Hmm, for a tom-"

"Foxkit. For a she-cat… Foxkit." A voice interjected in a haughty drawl. Foxleap beamed down at the two cats, chestnut orbs glowing. "Or I suppose, if you wanted to be original, you could go for Leapkit… Or even Foxleapkit. That could work."

Snowfall broke into a light bout of laughter, amber eyes glowing. "It's certainly original," he purred. "I'll give you that."

Foxleap leaned in, smirking. "I tell you what, I'll name one of my kits Snowfallkit if you name one of your kits Foxleapkit? Do we have a deal?"

Snowfall opened his jaws to reply, but before he could a loud meow rung across the Stone Hollow. "Foxleap, you lazy lump, get over here! You're supposed to be patrolling!"

The reddish tom's face fell, his gaze snapping over to where Rosepetal was giving him a death glare. "Oops, I'd better go, she's rather hormonal at the moment."

"Foxleap!"

"Right, coming!" With that, the fox-coloured tom scampered away.

Seedflight couldn't suppress a chuckle. "Before you say anything, we are not naming any of our kits Foxleapkit."

"What about Snowfallkit?"

She cuffed him over the ears. "Absolutely not."

Snowfall gave a heavy sigh. "Pity."

The laughter eventually died away. "Seriously though, what do you think we should name them?"

The white tom's response was delayed, clearly deep in thought. "I quite like Dawnkit for a she-kit."

Seedflight nodded slowly. "Dawnkit, that's pretty," she murmured absently, her mind conjuring up images. What would a Dawnkit look like? Who would she take after; her mother or her father? Would she have Snowfall's long fur or her short hair? Soon an image floated into her mind of a small she-kit with eyes like an owl's and a smile that lit up like the sun.

"Or perhaps Duskkit?" Snowfall pondered out loud, looking to her expectantly.

"They're both very pretty," Seedflight agreed, nodding. "But what if it's a tom?"

"Flowerkit," Snowfall replied immediately, deadpan.

She gave him a shove. "That's just cruel, we are not calling our son Flowerkit."

Snowfall inclined his head. "Why not?"

Seedflight just stared at him. "Because he'll get teased!"

The white tom looked mildly amused. "And why would he get teased?"

"Well, Flowerkit's hardly a name for a tom, is it?"

"And why is that?" Snowfall prompted further. "Who decided that? Why is it that she-cats don't get called names like Adderkit and there aren't any toms called Petalkit?"

"Oh, shut up." She rolled her eyes, giving him yet another shove. "You're beginning to sound like Molespots, you know that?"

The white tom just chuckled, beaming from ear to ear. "Okay, okay, I'll be serious. What about Icekit?"

"Icekit." She let the name roll off her tongue, testing out the word on her own tongue. "Perhaps."

"Well, do you have any ideas?"

After a quiet moment, she nodded. "I do, actually," she meowed matter-of-factly. "What about Shrewkit or Frostkit?"

"Or Mudkit?"

"It's so hard to choose." She sighed.

"Well, we've still got plenty of time to think about it."

Seedflight let out a groan. "I hope not," she moaned, rolling over onto her back to take the pressure off her belly. "I swear to StarClan, if these kits haven't been born by the full-moon I'm going to force them out."

Snowfall chuckled, drawing his tongue affectionately over her cheek. "We'll know when the time comes," he whispered softly.

"I hope so."

With that, conversation melted away and the two cats simply sat in silence, just enjoying the other's presence.

The steady beat of Snowfall's heart punctuated her thoughts, lulling her into an almost dreamlike state.

It was… odd to find such peace, especially when not long before she'd been immersed in that dream, watched as two cats had died right before her eyes.

She shook off the thoughts, squeezing her eyes shut. She didn't want to think of that, not now.

It was only when a heavy set of pawsteps approached that she was at last roused from her mind. Molespots was padding towards them hurriedly, his brow knitted in a frown.

She sighed. Just when I was starting to relax.

Snowfall was quickly on his paws. "What is it?"

Molespots shifty gaze avoided direct eye contact. "You haven't seen Ambersky, have you?" he asked, his voice quaking.

Seedflight exchanged a glance with her mate, a frown darkening her features. "I haven't seen her this morning, no."

Molespots looked to Snowfall expectantly.

Regretfully, the white tom shook his head.

The spotted warrior's breath hitched. "She didn't return after her hunt yesterday evening, I thought maybe she'd slept elsewhere or something." His eyes darted to the various dens that scattered camp. "But no one's seen her."

Seedflight could feel Snowfall's heart rate quickening. He had gone rigid, his breathing ragged. "Great StarClan, what if something's happened?" His words were tremulous, his body beginning to quiver. "StarClan, it's all my fault, it's all my fault."

Molespots looked just as distraught, though he attempted to confine this feeling (though not successfully). A shaky smile plastered half-heartedly across his features, he inhaled deeply. "I'm… I'm sure she's okay… Probably just fell asleep in a tree or something… Yeah, that sounds like the sort of thing she'd do."

Snowfall had started hyperventilating. "All… my… fault… All… my… fault…"

"-stuck up a tree. Oh, of course she's not stuck a tree! Great StarClan, what if something happened? What if a division cat found her? I-" Words continually spewed from Molespots' jaws, most of them incomprehensible.

Seedflight just stared as the two cats tried to handle the situation. It was when Snowfall started rocking back and forth that she finally snapped, "Oh, be quiet, would you?"

In an instant, a silence fell. Both toms just stared at her with the same wide eyes. Seedflight drew in a deep breath before speaking in a much clearer, calmer voice. "Panicking isn't going to help her, okay? The likelihood is she probably just slept elsewhere or has gone out hunting or something, okay? Let's look at what we know before we jump to any conclusions, okay?"

After a hesitance there was a collective nod and a few grumbled 'okay's.

She dipped her head in a satisfied nod. "Good, okay, let's focus on what we do know. When did you last see her?"

A shaky breath left Snowfall's jaws. "Just before I went to my nest last night, she was about to go hunting," he mewed timorously, amber eyes round.

"It was before I left on the sundown patrol," Molespots murmured, his narrowed gaze drifting from Snowfall to Seedflight. "She didn't sleep in her nest, the scent was stale."

"And you're sure she didn't just stay in another den for some reason?"

The spotted tom nodded grimly. "I checked in all the dens, apart from Bramblestar's Den," he confirmed.

Seedflight's stomach clenched. This wasn't sounding good. But she put on a faint smile, she had to at least look calm for the two toms. "Okay, well that's the next step, isn't it? To speak with Bramblestar."

"He's out hunting with Squirrelflight," Molespots interjected.

Drawing breath, she held his gaze. "Okay then," she mewed softly. "We'll just have to wait until he gets back."

"But what if-"

She cut the white tom short. "Easy. I'm sure she's absolutely fine. But until we speak with Bramblestar we can't go recklessly jumping into things. I'm talking to you, Molespots." Her gaze snapped to the spotted tom, who ducked his head sheepishly.

The ginger she-cat paused, pensive. Her eyes flickering between the two cats, she meowed, "Why don't one of you tell Lionblaze?" She indicated with a tip of the head to where the golden tabby tom was perched upon a rock, naming the patrols for the day.

Molespots nodded and, muttering a farewell, padded over to the ThunderClan deputy, leaving Snowfall and Seedflight together.

The white tom's eyes rarely strayed from his paws, a palpable silence settling over the two cats. She found herself receding into her thoughts, trying to come up with possibilities for Ambersky's disappearance. Moments later, a tap on the shoulder jarred her from her thoughts.

Orangeflight was gazing at her, her expression strained. "Have you seen Pigeonkit?" she demanded, green eyes sharp with anxiety.

Her heart faltered, a lump forming in her throat. Oh no. Regretfully, she shook her head. "I haven't," she admitted, a breath rattling her chest. "Is he not with Russetkit?"

Orangeflight gave a sharp tip of her head towards her paws. Seedflight hadn't even noticed, but the russet tom kit was hidden between his mother's paws, his eyes wide and owl-like.

"When I woke up he was gone," he squeaked. "I thought he'd got up without me so I went to look for him."

Seedflight felt an intense rush of sympathy for the young kit. He was so young, so small, barely even a moon old, and yet already he'd been exposed to the consequences of war. It was hauntingly like her own upbringing. She'd been born into a dark time too. When the battle against the dark forest had happened, she'd been almost six moons old. Old enough to understand what was happening, but young enough to be traumatised by it. It had been moons before the shrieks and wails of dying warriors had left her.

"Ambersky's missing too," Snowfall interjected, suddenly entering the conversation.

The green-eyed queen looked like she'd seen a ghost. "She's gone too?"

A stony silence fell over them, lasting for what seemed moons. Eventually, Orangeflight, with narrowed eyes, muttered. "Don't you think that's a little… suspicious? Both of them missing at the same time?"

A little uncertain at what she was getting at, Seedflight inclined her head. "What do you mean? That both are something to do with the divisions?"

She shook her head hurriedly. "No, no. I mean that…" She trailed off, her voice dropping to an icy whisper. "What if Ambersky took him? She could be working for the divisions for all we know."

Just like that, Snowfall shed his jumpy, timid state. Before Seedflight could even process what was happening, the white tom had leapt to his paws, his pelt bristling. "Ambersky? Working for the divisions?" he growled, his lip curled back in a snarl. "She would never do that, not in a million moons! How dare you accuse her, you-"

"Snowfall," she muttered quietly, flicking her tail lightly to his side. "Calm down."

Snowfall exhaled heavily and sat down again. But the cold look didn't leave his expression and he continued to glower at Orangeflight. Seedflight couldn't help but feel a surge of affection for the white tom, he cared about his sister far more than some. But, then again, it was hardly surprising that they had such a bond, with the journey and all.

"Great StarClan, don't get your tail in a twist," Orangeflight hissed.

Russetkit whimpered softly, retreating further from sight.

Seedflight shot both cats a glare. "We can't fight amongst ourselves, don't you see? That's what the divisions want!" She hissed. She dropped the sharp tone, giving a faint smile. "We've got enough to worry about without this bickering, we've got to come together in times like this."

Snowfall's head dropped, his ears flattening against his head. Orangeflight showed no remorse, however, a steely expression worn upon her face.

Seedflight hadn't even noticed when Bramblestar thrust his way through the Thorn barrier, her eyes were still warily watching Orangeflight. Snowfall, however, spotted the approaching cat almost immediately. "Bramblestar," he muttered, clambering to his paws.

All heads jerked in the direction of the ThunderClan leader. Bramblestar looked a little bewildered by the sudden attention from his clanmates. Lionblaze, accompanied by a fretful Molespots, was soon at his side. Judging from the urgent undertones to the deputy's words, Seedflight guessed he was telling him about Ambersky.

Without much thought, Seedflight padded over to the cluster of cats, followed shortly by Snowfall. Orangeflight, however, had been quick off the mark and reached Bramblestar before the two cats. Immediately, she spilled the news on her missing son and Seedflight watched as Bramblestar's expression became even more strained.

At the end, he muttered under his breath. "Great StarClan."

"Well, what are we going to do?" Molespots demanded.

Bramblestar drew in a forced breath. "We need to send out a search party. Even if it's nothing to do with the divisions, something else could have happened. She could have encountered a fox or a badger, we can't rule that out."

He paused, his gaze turning to Orangeflight. "As for Pigeonkit… We're launch the attack on the divisions in less than a quarter-moon, I can't bring it forward I'm afraid, the clan won't be ready."

"A quarter-moon?" Orangeflight echoed, gaping. "He could be dead by then! Bramblestar, we can't let them think they can get away with it and sit here like cowardly mice!"

Bramblestar drew himself up to look taller, his amber eyes darkening. "Orangeflight," he growled. "I understand that you're upset and I hate it as much as you do, but please, think about this. Many of our cats still carry the battle scars from the fight in SkyClan's camp, and that was over a moon ago! We can't fight until we're ready, I can't let them take any more lives."

Seedflight felt a pang of sympathy towards the leader. It was obvious he was thinking of his sister.

If Orangeflight still objected, she didn't voice it. With a sigh of resignation, the queen hurried away back towards where Mousewhisker was sat with Maplekit outside the Nursery.

"Molespots, take Foxleap, Redfox and Cherryflower to search for Ambersky," Bramblestar meowed coolly, regaining his composure. "Lionblaze, Squirrelflight, Whitewing and I will search as well."

"I'll go," Snowfall volunteered quietly, sitting up tall.

Bramblestar shook his head. "You need to take Nettlepaw out training," he reminded him gently. "Oh, and could you do some battle training with him? His hunting is doing great, but I need him to be able to fight as well as the other apprentices."

"Oh, okay." Snowfall lowered his head, nodding slowly.

"I'll find Cherryflower and Redfox," Molespots muttered before padding off.

With that, the group of cats splintered off; Lionblaze, Bramblestar and Squirrelflight breaking off in one direction and Snowfall, after a 'goodbye', hurrying towards the Apprentices' Den. Seedflight suddenly found herself alone in the centre of camp.

Shivering in the cool air, she slumped into a seated position. A shudder of fear rippled through her as her mind found its way back to Ambersky. What had happened to her that meant she hadn't returned to camp? Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.

Is all of this really worth it? The Lake is our home, but we could surely find somewhere new? Somewhere where we don't have to fear our kits being stolen? Somewhere peaceful, somewhere quiet. How many lives will have to be lost for us to win this war? She shivered, but this time it wasn't because of the cold. She daren't answer that question.

Molespots

The warm sunlight filtering through the canopy did little to ease Molespots' tangle of nerves. They travelled in single file, Cherryflower assuming the lead, followed by Redfox, then Molespots and bringing up the rear was Foxleap. The slight wind ruffled his already bristling pelt and wound around him, making him shiver. Attempts at conversation had long since been abandoned and instead the group travelled in silence, tasting the air every so often for scents of the missing warrior.

Molespots couldn't help but find his mind entertaining the wildest fantasies. What if she'd gotten lost in the dark and bumped into a pack of angry badgers? What if she was stuck up a tree or had fallen down a hole? Or perhaps she'd fallen asleep and a fox had attacked her?

Pull yourself together, Molespots, he told himself sharply, shaking his head as if to toss away the thoughts. Even so, whether he liked it or not, his thoughts kept coming back to Ambersky. Great StarClan, this must have been what it was like for her when I tried to rescue the kits. Now I understand why she was so mad.

He suddenly froze in his tracks.

Foxleap almost crashed into him, tripping on his own paws. "StarClan, Molespots, give me a warning if you're going to stop, would you?"

But when the fox-coloured tom saw his stony expression, his face fell. "Is everything okay, buddy?"

Molespots blinked. "What if she's just trying to get back at me for when we went to rescue the kits? What if she's pretending to be lost?"

Foxleap was silent for a moment. "That's a fair point actually," he meowed, his chestnut gaze misting. "Do you really think she would do that?"

The spotted tom thought for a moment. "I don't know… Maybe?"

The reddish tom flicked his tail lightly to his side. "Let's just hope it's that rather than… anything else," he mewed gently, moving forwards once more.

"Molespots, I think I can scent something!"

It was Redfox's turn to halt in his tracks, halting the entire group. Heart quickening, the spotted tom was at his side in a heartbeat. "You do?" He drunk in a deep breath, sifting through the many scents that clung to the air. But in spite of Redfox's words, he couldn't detect anything.

The red tom nodded. "It's her scent, I'm sure of it," he meowed quietly.

"Are you sure?" Cherryflower asked softly, winding around her son. "I don't smell anything."

Redfox wore a look of stony determination, nodding fiercely. "Definitely."

Cherryflower exchanged a look with Molespots. After a moment, Molespots meowed quietly. "Well, I trust you. I can't scent it, but, then again, your tracking has always been excellent."

Redfox relaxed visibly. "I'll take the lead," he announced in a voice so quiet that it was almost inaudible. With a deep breath, the new warrior quickly led the way forwards, darting off to the undergrowth to the left.

In spite of his fear, Molespots couldn't help but feel a swell of pride towards his former apprentice. The fact that he was able to detect a scent that no one else could was phenomenal, he was certainly a warrior that ThunderClan could be proud of.

"Are you sure we should follow him?" Foxleap asked as they ducked under a bramble thicket. "I can't smell anything."

Molespots nodded. "He knows what he's doing," he meowed confidently.

Foxleap looked doubtful for a moment, but eventually he seemed to accept it. "Well, I suppose, seeing as he's named after me, he's got to be right."

Molespots rolled his eyes.

The group moved quickly and quietly, but the moaning of the sodden earth beneath their footfalls betrayed their movement somewhat. The air was orchestrated by the faint whispering of the leaves and the melodic song of birds. It should have been soothing, but it only made Molespots wonder if Ambersky could hear it too, wherever she was.

"Cheer up, bud," Foxleap meowed gently, giving him a smile. "We'll find her."

Molespots appreciated his friend's words, but he could still feel anxiety building up within him, ready to explode.

Their trail led them through the thickest undergrowth and Molespots soon noticed they were veering towards the ShadowClan border. A lump formed in his throat, his breaths tremulous and shallow. He daren't imagine what was waiting for them at the end of the scent trail. Division cats perhaps? Or her lifeless body.

Before he could stop it, an image of her limp body formed in his head, her pale pelt smattered with crimson. He choked back tears, stumbling over his own paws.

"Molespots, it's okay." Cherryflower fell in beside him, her expression sympathetic. "It'll be okay."

And, just like that, he snapped.

"No, it's not okay!" He yowled, his cry sending birds scattering into the pale sky. His eyes glistened with emotions, his pelt bristling. "What if she's dead? What if we never find her? I can't lose her, Cherryflower!"

Lashing his tail, he shoved his way past her, storming ahead. His voice breaking down to a timorous whisper, he choked on the words, "It's all my fault, I should never have left her leave camp by herself."

A tense silence ensued. Molespots was so caught up in his own emotion, gagging on tears, that he didn't even notice when Redfox fell in beside him. "It is not your fault, Molespots." His words were quiet, but surprisingly firm. He wasn't as startled by his former mentor's outburst as the other cats. "You can't protect everyone, you know."

A raspy breath shook his entire body, but just as he was opening his jaws to respond, an achingly familiar scent hit the roof of his mouth. Molespots went rigid. "Ambersky," he croaked, eyes wide.

He barely wasted a second. Instantly, he was pelting through the undergrowth, unfazed by the thick brambles that snagged at his paws, as if intentionally trying to trip him up. The pounding of pawsteps behind him told him that his friends were following.

Relying entirely on his scent to lead him, he veered around trees and hurled himself over tree roots. More than once he stumbled, but every single time he was back on his paws within a heartbeat. Ambersky, please be okay, please be okay.

His ribcage could hardly contain his leaping heart, his paws scarcely able to carry him fast enough. He'd almost reached the ShadowClan border when another scent greeted him. But this was not a welcomed scent. It was one that he knew all too well, a scent that had become forever intertwined with fear and grief. Sweet and bitter at the same time, it was unmistakably the smell of blood.

His heart lurching, he crashed through the undergrowth and finally emerged into a clearing, light flooding his vision. The other cats came stumbling after him. For a long moment, they stood, panting, trying to recover the breath that had been stolen from them.

But Molespots was already moving forwards. The air was laced with the scents of Ambersky, blood and… the divisions. His breath caught, his amber eyes widening in horror. Tasting the air again, it seemed to be just one cat, but that didn't ease his fear whatsoever.

"Molespots," Cherryflower meowed between breaths, her flanks still heaving. "You-"

But Molespots had switched off. All his attention was on the sight before him, his whole body numb. He could hardly process what he was looking at. He was seeing, but not quite absorbing it.

The oak tree was completely extraordinary, tall and spreading towards the pale blue sky. That was, apart from the blood. It tarnished the tree trunk with a deep crimson, a memory of a victim who had unwillingly sacrificed the red liquid. And amongst it all was the unmistakeable scent of Ambersky, making his heart ache. The same haunting image of her still body came flooding back to him, a sob shaking his shoulders

"Ambersky," he breathed, his legs crumbling beneath him and his eyes growing wet with tears. "What have they done to you?"

Ooh, thoughts? It wasn't as long as the most recent chapters have been, but I hope you don't mind! What do you think has happened to Ambersky? Just to reassure you, she's not dead, she just was knocked unconscious, so she is alive. Also, what do you think they're going to do with her?

Next chapter, we catch up with SkyClan! Things are really starting to kick off, oooh! I'll try to add a bit of comic relief in and possibly sneak in Creekfeather or a cute scene with the kits, but there is some sadness unfortunately.

Question #1 ~ Which character can you relate to most? Not necessarily personality-wise, but in terms of what they're going through?

Question #2 ~ I ask this question quite a lot, but any predictions for the next few chapters?

Live, love, read and review! Remember, if you leave a review, you get a sneak peak of the next chapter! Tempted?

Love, Leafy x