I sniffed for anything suspicious among the roots of an oak tree. I was on patrol with Fireheart, Whitestorm, Mousefur, and Sandpaw. I looked around and saw Fireheart's head deep in a bush and I narrowed my eyes. "Find anything, Fireheart?" I asked. Fireheart's tail quivered and he dragged out a pile of rabbit bones. I gasped and ran over to them.

"Can you smell that?" Fireheart growled. I sniffed the bones and my neck fur bristled.

"Shadowclan." I observed. Fireheart nodded and led me over to where the rest of the patrol was. Fireheart dropped the bones in front of Whitestorm's paws. Whitestorm's nose twitched and his fur bristled.

"Where did you find this?" he asked. Fireheart beckoned to the bush he was just in earlier. Whitestorm growled and picked up the bones. "We must show this to Bluestar immediately!" I followed them back to camp and felt waves of rage among them. "Bluestar!" Whitestorm called. Tigerclaw padded over to us.

"She's not here. She's on patrol." he meowed. Then he narrowed his eyes at the pile of bones. "What are those?"

"Shadowclan has been hunting our prey!" Whitestorm growled. Tigerclaw's eyes flashed with fury.

"What?!" he snarled. As the two warriors were talking to each other, Bramblepaw padded out.

"What's all the yelling about?" he asked.

"Shadowclan's been hunting our prey. We have proof." I explained. Bramblepaw's lip curled in disgust.

"Those crow-food eaters!" he spat. I nodded in agreement. Tigerclaw gathered some warriors with his tail.

"We must teach Shadowclan a lesson!" he declared.

"Why can't Fireheart go since he found the bones?" Sandpaw asked. Tigerclaw glared at the orange tom.

"Fireheart can stay here in case Bluestar comes back." he growled. Then Tigerclaw led the warriors out into the forest. I looked at Fireheart to see him narrowing his eyes.

"Who is on Bluestar's patrol?" he asked.

"Longtail, Willowpelt, Graystripe, Darkstripe, and Swiftpaw." Sandpaw meowed. I widened my eyes. That means all the other warriors are gone… and only Fireheart is left. Yellowfang came out to sniff the bones. Her hackles rose as she smelled them.

"This isn't Shadowclan! It's Brokenstar!" she exclaimed. I gasped and my fur bristled in anger. That rogue catnapped me, Cinderpaw, and Brackenpaw when we were kits! Oh when I get my paws on him… "You must stop Tigerclaw from attacking Shadowclan!" Yellowfang snapped. Fireheart nodded.

"Brackenpaw!" he called. The young apprentice stumbled out of the den. "You must find Tigerclaw and tell him that it was Brokenstar who hunted the rabbit! You might have to cross the Thunderpath." Brackenpaw nodded and ran out the camp. Fireheart paced around while Yellowfang sniffed the bones. Tawnypaw padded beside me.

"What's going on?" she called. Fireheart looked at her then scrambled onto the High Rock. Well that was a bit dramatic. He could've just told her right here.

"The clan is in danger! Come out here now!" Fireheart called. The rest of the camp padded out into the clearing.

"What are you doing up there?" One-eye snapped.

"Brokenstar is back! The other warriors are gone and we must be prepared to fight. Kits and elders, stay in your dens while the rest of you be ready-" Fireheart broke off as a menacing snicker sounded behind us. I turned around to see Brokenstar with the cats who were chased out along side him.

"So you're the only warrior left? This will be easier than I thought!" he chuckled. I lined up in front of the High Rock with the others and ruffled out my fur to twice my size. Brokenstar's gaze scorched over me and he let out a snicker before crouching low. "Attack!" he yowled. The clearing broke out into wrestling cats. I ran over to Brokenstar but got bowled over by Clawface. His breath hit my face and I gagged.

"You think you can win this fight?" he sneered. I sliced his nose causing him to let out a yelp. I shoved him off and leapt at him. Clawface met me in the air and clawed my shoulders. I growled and tackled him to the ground. We tussled around until Clawface dug his claws into my belly. I yowled in pain as he sliced it over and over. I struggled to get free but the pain was unbearable.

"Leave my kit alone, you fox breath!" Goldenflower snarled. I looked over to see her leaping at Clawface. She knocked him over and the two cats fought in the dirt. I shook my head and ran to help her. Brokenstar blocked my way and I growled.

"Get out of my territory, you mange-pelt!" I snarled. Then I leapt at him. Brokenstar dodged me and ran to the medicine den. Cinderpaw! I ran after him but got knocked aside by a fleeing rogue who was getting chased by Frostfur. I looked at the queen in surprise and a little shock. Frostfur stopped and snarled after the feeling tom. Then she turned her gaze to me. I stared at her in bewilderment. Frostfur cleared her throat and gave me an innocent smile.

"Just… got a little carried away I guess." she chuckled nervously. I chuckled and shook my head. A yowl sounded from the medicine den. I gasped and ran over with Fireheart. We both looked inside to see Brokenstar on the ground with Yellowfang beside him. His eyes were clawed badly and he whimpered on the ground. Yellowfang stared down at him in shock. I slowly walked to them but Fireheart held me back.

"Is everything alright?" he asked. Yellowfang looked at me and nodded.

"Please don't kill me." Brokenstar whimpered. I glared at him. How pathetic. Fireheart looked at me.

"Why don't you just end him?" I asked. Yellowfang looked at me as if I lost my mind.

"I can't kill him!" she gasped.

"Why not? He kicked you out of Shadowclan and he attacked us!" Fireheart meowed. Yellowfang looked down for a brief then looked at him.

"He's my son." she meowed. Me and Fireheart gaped at her.

"But… but medicine cats can't have kits!" I exclaimed.

"You think I don't know that? I made a mistake that I will regret for the rest of my life. Now it is my time to pay." Yellowfang snapped. Fireheart beckoned me to get out. I nodded and walked back to the clearing. Everyone was alright and Clawface's body lied in the middle of the clearing. Did Goldenflower do that? I looked at Goldenflower. She saw the shocked look in my eyes and she shook her head.

"I could never kill a cat." she mewed. I nodded. "Graystripe did that." I looked at the gray tom by Sandpaw. When did he get back? Then Tigerclaw and Bluestar's patrol ran through. They looked around in shock and Brackenpaw padded over to Fireheart.

"I caught them before they could even cross the Thunderpath." he reported. Fireheart nodded in approval and walked to Bluestar. They murmured together and Bluestar nodded. Then she jumped on top of the High Rock.

"I am proud of you all for fighting so bravely and I am happy you are alright. But I have been aware of two apprentices who fought hard for their clan and I could not think of any reward other than to give them their warrior names." she announced. "Sandpaw and Dustpaw, step forward." The two cats looked at each other with shock and surprise as they ran to Bluestar. I smiled at them. "I, Bluestar, leader of Thunderclan, would like you to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I like you to make them a warrior in return. Sandpaw and Dustpaw. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do." they vowed.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names. Sandpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Sandstorm. Starclan honors your bravery and enthusiasm and we like to welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." Bluestar meowed. Sandstorm licked her shoulder then stepped back. "Dustpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Dustpelt. Starclan honors your strength and courage and we would like to welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." As Dustpelt did the same for Bluestar, the clan cheered their new names.

"Dustpelt! Sandstorm! Dustpelt! Sandstorm!" the clan cheered. I joined in. Then the clan went to go say their congratulations. Tigerclaw padded up to me and my siblings.

"I'm so proud of you three. Soon, that will be you up there." he purred. I lifted my head with pride.

"Bluestar!" Yellowfang called. I looked over to see her with Brokenstar who was trying to follow her tail. Everyone growled. "I have blinded Brokenstar but I wish for you to not kill him." Gasps sounded and Bluestar narrowed her eyes.

"Why?" she asked. Yellowfang held her gaze.

"If we did then we'll be no better than he is." she meowed. Murmurs filled the clan and Bluestar raised her tail for silence.

"Alright if that is what you wish. Brokenstar, you are no longer a leader so will have the name Brokentail. Brokentail will be guarded every day and night. He is to not leave the camp." Bluestar announced. Tigerclaw nodded. The clan dispersed and went back to their usual duties. Glares and murmurs were directed at Yellowfang and Brokentail. I looked at the warriors picking up Clawface's body.

"Wow! A dead cat!" Cloudkit exclaimed from the nursery.

"Hush, Cloudkit!" Brindleface scolded. I saw a glitter in her eyes. "If you don't come back in here then the dead cat will come back to life and haunt you." Cloudkit squeaked in fear and widened his eyes.

"He can't do that!" he mewed with a quivery voice. Brindleface gave him an evil chuckle.

"Don't let him hear you say that. Look! See? His tail is twitching right now." she said. I looked over to see Clawface's tail swaying back and forth as the cats dragged him out. I rolled my eyes as Cloudkit squeaked in fear and ran inside the nursery.

"Kits." I chuckled under my breath. I padded to my den and settled in my nest.

I woke up to a tongue smoothing down my fur. I looked up to see Thunder Light. His eyes looked at me as I stirred. "Good morning, my dazzling flower. Sweet dreams, I hope." he purred. I rolled my eyes and shook him off. "I brought a deer for you. It's your favorite." I looked at him. He's really trying. I felt a little flattered at his affection.

"Thank you, but I'm not really hungry." I murmured. Thunder Light shrugged.

"That's ok. Maybe we can share it later?" he mewed. I sighed. He's not going to give up that easily.

"Later." I meowed. Thunder Light lifted his muzzle in happiness. I rolled my eyes and padded out of the den.

"The gathering's today. Wonder what's going to happen." Thunder Light said as he followed me out. I looked at him in thought.

"Me too." I mewed. I looked around and saw Talon Fang with a handsome tom. Flying Eagle! I began to walk to him but Ocean Breeze's words rang through my ears. I sighed and turned away. I wish things could be different. I padded over to the other leopards who were gathered around a huge rock.

"I found it first!" a snap sounded. I looked over to see two cubs arguing over a rabbit.

"I get first bite!" the other snapped.

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"Come on, you two." a meowed broke in. I looked over to see a younger version of Lightning Wolf. "You both can get first bite. After all, sharing is caring." I struggled to hold in my scoff. The two cubs looked at each other then back to him.

"Well I don't care!" they snapped. Then they went back to their arguing. I chuckled as Lightning Wolf rolled his eyes. What happened to this Lightning Wolf? An old she-leopard jumped onto the rock and everyone silenced before sitting down. She must be the leader. As the leader opened her mouth to speak, the cubs complaining broke in.

"But I caught it!" one whined. A hush silenced them. The two cubs looked at their leader with flattened ears. "Sorry, Crystal Sky." Crystal Sky chuckled and turned back to her clan.

"As you all know, the gathering is going to start soon." she rasped. I tilted my head. Their gatherings are early. "The leopards who are coming are Swooping Thorn, Spotted Owl, Mouse Flight, Storming Thunder, Swirling Water, Flaming Ocean, Thunder Light, Silver Frost, Flying Eagle, Ocean Breeze, Storm Dream, and Feather Moon. Gather at the entrance so we can go." I followed Feather Moon to the entrance.

"Tonight should be interesting. I wonder what Lionclan has to say for themselves about the border crossing." Feather Moon meowed. I scoffed.

"Probably some excuse." I muttered. Feather Moon chuckled and Flying Eagle padded beside us.

"Maybe something's wrong in their territory?" he suggested casually. I narrowed my eyes. He's defending them… so does that mean he already met Running Breeze? Feather Moon shrugged.

"Whatever it is, we'll find out soon enough." she mewed. I nodded and Ocean Breeze walked up to me. She gave a nervous look to Silver Frost and a ginger leopard who were behind her giving her encouraging nods. I narrowed my eyes.

"What's up, Ocean Breeze?" I asked. Ocean Breeze shuffled her paws in the dirt and looked around.

"We- I mean I was just wondering if you and and Thunder Light are um… mates?" she said. I rolled my eyes.

"Of course not! That self centered, heartbreaking tom will never be my mate." I scoffed. Ocean Breeze sighed in relief.

"Good because Silver Frost really-"

"Ocean Breeze, no!" Silver Frost hissed as she tackled her sister down. Ocean Breeze grunted in surprise. "You promised not to tell!" The ginger leopard ran up to them.

"Sorry about that, Storm Dream. Ocean Breeze's just a falcon-brain." he chuckled. I narrowed my eyes.

"Ok…?" I mewed. The tom gave me a nervous smile before shooing the sisters away. I shared a weird look with Feather Moon.

"I've never seen Silver Frost so shaken up." she observed as she watched them go. I shrugged.

"Probably ate a bad rabbit." I joked. Feather Moon purred in amusement then turned to the front. We made it to a clearing full of cats. Lions and tigers were on either side. I widened my eyes. Lionclan and Tigerclan! They look a lot bigger than what the stories told! I walked into the clearing with Feather Moon and I watched as Flying Eagle padded over to Running Breeze. They gave each other a smile then snuck out the clearing. I smiled as I watched them.

"Cats of the clans! The gathering has begun!" Tigerclan's leader yowled. Crystal Sky jumped up to her place beside the leaders.

"Greetings Lily Storm and Falcon Feather. Things well in your clan, I hope?" she meowed. Lily Storm, Lionclan's leader, gave her a friendly nod.

"Things are brilliant. We have two new warriors, Flame Slayer and Sharp Fang." she announced. Cheers sounded for the warriors and Falcon Feather looked at them.

"Congratulations, Lily Storm. Hunting's been well in our territory. We had a bear cross into our territory but, of course, without effort my warriors chased it out." he said.

"That's great news!" a voice exclaimed. We looked back to see a black tiger with silver stripes standing before the clans. The tom gave everyone a sly smile and his gaze didn't waver as he met mine. "Great clans… I am Killing Storm."