Robinfrost had wanted to talk to Sagestar right after she had named Cougarstrike as deputy, but changed her mind when she saw how tired the new leader was. Sagestar hadn't realized it, but it had been two days since she'd had any sleep. She thanked her friend and found a quiet spot next to Willow, and was soon asleep.

The next day, she gathered Cougarstrike and the cats she had sent out the day before to look for a new camp.

"Did you find anything?" Sagestar directed the question at Quietstorm, but it was Robinfrost who answered.

"Well, yes and no." The she-cat's voice was bright and chipper. "There were a few places that could make good camps, but none of them were exactly perfect."

"I didn't expect that there would be anything perfect," said Cougarstrike. "What did you find?"

"Well, there was one place by the river, but it was kind of a mess, and maybe there was a fox den there? There was another spot, kind of by the forest-border... it was really nice, but it's quite a ways away. There was also a twoleg footpath by it that Lizardclaw wouldn't shut up about, but I don't think it's a problem."

"There was dog-scent all over the place!" Lizardclaw hissed. "It's obvious that twolegs bring those slobbering beasts there all the time. I don't want to have to deal with that whenever the weather is nice enough to lure the twolegs out, you mouse-brained-"

Quietstorm gave a low growl, silencing the smaller tom. After a moment, the huge tabby turned his green gaze on Sagestar.

"Lizardclaw is exaggerating. The dog signs weren't fresh." His voice was deep and steady, surprisingly soothing after his frightening warning growl. "It is far, though. The wounded might not have an easy time getting there."

Sagestar nodded. "Okay. Were there any other places that seemed good?"

Quietstorm shrugged. "There were other places, but these were the best two. The others were too exposed or too small to contain the whole Clan, especially after we recover from the fire."

Suddenly, everyone was looking at Sagestar. She realized that they were expecting her to make a decision, and panic settled in her chest.

"Um... I don't know," she said. "Maybe... maybe Cougarstrike and I should see these potential campsites and then I can make a decision."

Lizardclaw rolled his eyes. Sagestar fought the urge to swipe at him.

This time it was Cougarstrike who intervened. "Show some respect," he growled.

This seemed to be the final straw for Lizardclaw. "Respect!" he exclaimed. "Why? Because she says a bunch of dead cats told her to come and start telling us what to do? She's nothing but a /kittypet!/ She doesn't know how to even /live/ in a Clan, let alone /lead/ one!"

Cougarstrike took a step towards him, neck fur bristling. "It's true. I was there, I saw it. Sagestar is the leader now, and the Code demands that we follow her."

Lizardclaw narrowed his eyes, meeting Cougarstrike's gaze. "That's awfully convenient," he said softly. "You were the only other cat there, the only one to back up her story... besides old Thistletail, but everyone knows he's got bees in his brain."

"What are you saying?" Cougarstrike's voice was low and even, but his eyes glinted dangerously.

"I'm saying that you backed her story up so that she'd name you deputy," Lizardclaw spat. "You saw your chance to take charge, and you took it. It's obvious! Do you think we're stupid?"

Sagestar noticed that the entire Clan was gathered around, watching. Some of them seemed to be holding their breath. Others, like Emberglow, were nodding and muttering under their breath. It was as if they had all been waiting for something like this to happen. Sagestar wondered how many of them agreed with Lizardclaw.

"That's stupid," Cougarstrike snarled. "If I was really after power, would I have let a kittypet take control of the Clan? No! I could have been leader! Everyone expected it! /I/ expected it! After getting us away from the fire, I could have easily just called myself the new leader of the Clan, and nobody would have bat an eye."

Cougarstrike glanced around at the watching cats. "I'm not your leader, because StarClan didn't wish me to be. For whatever reason, they chose Sagestar. I don't understand it. But I trust our ancestors, and I trust the Code. So if anyone has a problem with that, you can take that up with me."

The whole Clan seemed to be frozen in a shocked silence. Cougarstrike gazed around at the surrounding cats, as if daring them to challenge him.

"You're a fool." Lizardclaw was glaring up at Cougarstrike, contempt rolling off of him in waves. He turned his hate-filled gaze towards Sagestar. "I won't listen to this useless kittypet!"

With a deep growl, Cougarstrike lashed out. His claws raked across the other tom's face, leaving bloody gouges in his cheek and knocking him to the ground. Before he could get back up, Cougarstrike pinned him down with one paw, claws still unsheathed.

"Sagestar," he said calmly. "What do you wish me to do with this cat?"

Sagestar blinked in surprise. "W-what?"

"Lizardclaw has broken the Code by defying his leader. What will his punishment be?"

Sagestar felt the eyes of every cat in the Clan upon her. She realized that this decision was important. How she chose to handle this was going to define how the Clan saw her from here on out. Should she banish him from the Clan, chase him off the territory with his tail between his legs?

That didn't seem right.

"Lizardclaw needs to learn to respect the Warrior Code. He has to remember to put the good of the Clan before his own opinions." She lowered her gaze to meet Lizardclaw's. "You are hereby relieved of your warrior title. You are confined to the camp, and are to assist Thistletail in seeing to the needs of the wounded. When you have proven that you are loyal to your Clan and the Code, you will be reinstated as a warrior."

Shocked murmurs ran throughout the makeshift camp. Sagestar wasn't sure if what she had done was a real punishment- could she really demote a warrior like that? She tried not to allow her uncertainty to show. Maybe she should have just sent him away?

Shaking herself, she wove through the muttering cats to Thistletail.

"Sorry to stick him with you," she said. "I thought you could use some help, though, since you don't have an apprentice."

Thistletail eyed her again in his curious, searching way. "Yes... the help will be good."

Sagestar shifted her paws uncomfortably. "Just... keep him busy, if you can. I don't want him lazing around camp just because he can't go on patrols and stuff."

Thistletail nodded. "There is no need to worry about that. There is much work to be done."

"You can have the apprentices help too, if you need to ." Cougarstrike appeared suddenly at Sagestar's shoulder, making her jump. "Most of them are getting stir-crazy since they haven't been able to train much since the fire."

"Yes, thank you Cougarstrike."

The old medicine cat lumbered away to where Lizardclaw was sulking in a corner, probably to check on the wounds Cougarstrike had left on his face.

Sagestar sighed, then made her way back to where Robinfrost and Quietstorm sat. Cougarstrike followed close behind.

Sagestar ignored the Clan members who were all still watching her. "Why don't you show us those campsites now?"