The camp entrance was quiet as the evening fell into night, but Sundapple still felt on edge. She was on guard for the night, and even the smallest noises coming for the forest made her fur bristle.

I need to do something, she thought. Her paws itched to find out what was going on. She knew that she had to get Flowerpaw back one way or another, and she wanted to know what was wrong with MossClan. Flowerpaw was essential to the prophecy, and every day that went by without her, Sundapple was filled with more and more fear about their Clan's future.

Furtively glancing around, she ensured that no cats were out of their dens. I'll only be gone a short while. Hopefully, they won't even notice. She crept across the camp, trying to stay as much in the shadows as possible. However sure she was that she was the only cat awake, she couldn't risk being caught leaving her post. The warriors' den loomed in front of her, and she slipped through a crack in the side that she knew was closer to her brother's nest. She nudged his ginger form ever so slightly, praying to StarClan that he didn't make a noise.

"Hm?" The tom raised his head sleepily, looking confused. "It's not time for the dawn patrol yet, is it?"

Sundapple crooked her tail for him to follow her, ducking back out of the den without a word. She knew he'd had a long day, and felt bad for waking him up, but she needed his help.

A few moments later, he stumbled out of the den, pelt ruffled. "What is it?" He hissed half-heartedly.

"I need you to guard the camp while I go out," she whispered, trying to sound confident. "If anyone asks, say I'm at the dirtplace. I shouldn't be gone long."

Alderheart gave her an irritated glare, his eyes flashing in the moonlight. "Fine." Before she could respond, he cut her off, sweeping his tail across her mouth. "I don't want you to explain. It'll be better if I don't know."

Sundapple shrugged, finding no fault in his words. She blinked gratefully at her littermate and turned away, loping into the forest. The snow muffled her footsteps, and she leaped from place to place, trying to avoid the deepest drifts. The journey to MossClan territory felt shorter than she expected, but perhaps it was just the anticipation tingling in her paws.

As she approached the camp, she slowed, surveying the territory around her. The thicket of grapevines that shielded the camp from enemies was covered with thorns, creating an impenetrable wall of undergrowth. She sighted the tunnel that served as the main entrance to the camp, but knew that using it wasn't an option now. They would have a guard on watch, ready and willing to sound the alarm at the sight or scent of a strange cat.

Instead, she crept around the edge of the camp, finding a tree that seemed to loom over it. She dug her claws into the bark, hoping that she wouldn't fall, and began to shimmy up the tree. She let out a sigh of relief as she reached the lowest branch, balancing carefully as she hopped to the next. When she had reached a height that satisfied her, she moved closer to the end of the branch, looking over the barrier into the MossClan camp.

A reddish-brown and white she-cat sat with her shoulders hunched in the middle of the clearing, her body almost concealing the bundle of tabby fur crumpled in front of her. Is that a dead cat? Sundapple's stomach dropped. Has SmokeClan been here as well? In her shock, she took a misstep, plummeting from the tree with a gasp of surprise. She landed in a large drift of snow, the breath knocked out of her.

Flexing her claws and gingerly getting to her feet, she relaxed as she realized that she wasn't hurt. But before she could make her escape, a quiet voice sounded from nearby. "Who's there?"

Sundapple flattened herself to the ground, cursing herself for her bright ginger pelt. There was no way for her to blend into her surroundings, and she braced herself for a fight. "I'm from RainClan," she muttered, her ears flat to her head.

"I thought so," murmured the voice, and the same she-cat she had seen before melted out of the shadows. "Why are you here?"

Sundapple sighed, straightening up. This she-cat didn't seem too threatening. "I was on patrol earlier when we met some MossClan cats. They were acting strange, so I wanted to see what was wrong. Heronstar doesn't know I'm here."

"Yes, I heard that Sparrowstar had passed," mewed the she-cat thoughtfully. She looked directly at Sundapple, appraising her with pale blue eyes. "I am Whiterose, medicine cat of MossClan."

Sundapple looked away, the intense stare making her uncomfortable. "My name's Sundapple. I'm sorry that I intruded. I hope that you'll forgive me."

Whiterose cocked her head. "You're forgiven. Now follow me. I'd like to speak with you."

Confusion filled her, but Sundapple got up and followed the medicine cat without arguing. Hopefully she would receive the answers that she had come here for.