The evening patrols had come back for the day and everyone was sitting around camp, gossiping or sharing a meal with each other. Near their woven den, the apprentices were sharing with each other what they had learned today. Or, at least Bonepaw was trying to show his siblings what he had learned, but Oatpaw and Burnpaw were far more interested in showing off their hunter crouches. Outside the nursery, Rabbitear basked in the last of the sunlight, Sunnose and Yewspots laying with her. On top of the highledge, Spiderstar was relaxing with her mate Sorrelspot, describing the sunset to the cloudy eyed tom. Everyone was winding down for the evening.

Everyone but a young molly .

"Goldendapple, your tail is fidgeting."

"Sorry mother," she tucked her tabby tail under her, "I'm just not very tired."

"Hmm. Perhaps you should try to join more patrols tomorrow." Marigoldtail drew a paw over her ear slowly. "We always need more hunting patrols out and about now that leafbare has set in. And you look like you could use the exercise," her gaze quickly flitted over Goldendapple's cream belly. Rude. Goldendapple flicked her ear crossly, Snowberry told me I should eat more. "You could always go with Brownbirch. Starclan knows she needs help with hunting. Silly girl is always distracted by something."

"Oh, she's not that bad. She's great at catching squirrels." She licked my chest fur, feeling awkward about defending her sister from her mother, "but I suppose it wouldn't hurt me to go out a bit more." I would just have to talk to our dreadful deputy.

She just couldn't keep the scowl off of her face as she thought of her. Moonpatch. How that temperamental runt got to be deputy, Goldendapple would never understand. Spiderstar must be going senile.

"Goldendapple."

Speak of the dark forest. she raised her head a little to see the white and grey face of a very grumpy looking Moonpatch. If it had been anybody else, Goldendapple would have been a bit more concerned over how hollow her sage green eyes looked.

"What is it Moonpatch. I know you want something." Goldendapple's tan muzzle curled into a frown, the very tips of her teeth bared. Moonpatch's own frown deepened as well.

"Yes, I do want something. I want you to be sentry tonight at moon high after Shadeblaze. You will stay there until the dawn patrol is sent out. We can't take any risks with Riverclan."

"Is riverclan really that big of a threat? They are on the other side of the lake." Marigoldtail was now completely focussed on Moonpatch.

"Of course they're a threat," Moonpatch's voice hardened, her glare cold, " You heard them at the last gathering. They said that they'd take our catmint and chickweed if we didn't give it to them. But it's almost leafbare. We can't spare any herbs." Her gaze turned to Goldendapple, sharper than a bramble bush. "Which is why you need to sit as sentry tonight."

"Do I really get a choice?" Moonpatch's muzzle began to curl back at the molly and her black pelt bristled. "Yeah, whatever. I'll do it." Goldendapple rolled her eyes, turning away from the admittedly threatening looking deputy.

"Good." Moonpatch smoothed her pelt and turned swiftly with a cross flick of her tail. Finally.

"You ought to be nicer to her y'know? Having the deputy as a friend is far more useful than having a petty rivalry." Marigoldtail was looking at her daughter, her tone lightly scolding.

"Mother, you're always thinking about that kind of stuff." The younger molly rolled her eyes and started grooming her chest.

"Thinking about that stuff? I'm talking about rank and hierarchy. You should be at least thinking about that stuff." Goldendapple continued to lick her chest, purposefully ignoring her mother's scolding gaze.

"You know I've never been interested in leadership. Besides, Moonpatch and I have never gotten along." It was true. Moonpatch was only 4 moons older than Goldendapple, they had known eachother since kithood. But even as a kit, Moonpatch acted like she had a thorn stuck in her side. Her and Goldendapple had always fought. They fought over mossballs, over what stories the elders told them, and just about anything else.

But the queens alway told all the kits to be extra nice to Moonpatch and her sister. Afterall, they had lost their mother to starvation. But Rabbitear had always been very friendly. Moonpatch had just always been grumpy.

"Well, you better head to bed. You've got sentry duty. I'm gonna turn in soon, I'm just waiting for your father." Marigoldtail gave her daughter a quick lick on the top of my head and padded off towards Oakclaw, who was politely talking to Sparkstripe.

Well, the golden and tan tabby thought, standing up, having sentry duty tonight won't be such a bad thing. Shakeing out her pelt, she nearly pranced to her nest. Afterall, now I won't have to sneak past anyone tonight. she purred, quickly slipping into sleep.

"Goldendapple" a voice quietly whispered into her ear. She felt a paw prod her side. Lifting her head, she turned to see who was waking her. Shadeblaze stood over her, his eyes glowing in the dark.

"Is it moonhigh already?" She stood and stretched her back, shaking the sleep from her pelt.

"Yeah. It's been pretty quiet, so it should be an easy shift for you." Shadeblaze yawned, his ears twitching. She dipped her head in thanks and stepped past him, careful not to tread on anybody's tail. The moon was no more than a claw width wide, so the clearing was awfully dark. She pushed past the bramble barrier and sat down for a bit. I need to leave some of my scent here. After a few heartbeats, she opened her mouth and scented for anyone. Shadeblaze, but that's a given. Nobody else. She perked her ears, only hearing the wind. After scanning the clearing one last time, she took off. She climbed out of the ravine and strolled over to the mint patch that grew a few fox lengths away. Rolling in the strong smelling plant, she could feel her heart speed up. I can't wait to tell him.

After her scent was completely hidden, the molly turned and raced off into the forest towards the shore. When she broke free of the trees, she ran as fast as she could along the pebbles and sand, making sure that she was safely three tail lengths from the shadowclan and skyclan borders. She continued running until her paws felt the soft and spongy feeling of marshland.

Goldendapple was in Riverclan territory.

She stopped running now. Snowberry said I shouldn't be exerting too much energy. She walked as slowly as she could to the half bridge. And before she could completely catch her breath, she had it stolen from her. There he sat, his grey pelt faintly glowing silver is the weak moonlight. He was cleaning his whiskers, then he saw her. Stonefrost's beautiful pale blue eyes glowed brightly.

"Goldendapple! I was worried you weren't coming." He stood up and trotted towards her, purring so loud that the golden molly thought that the fish would wake up.

"Have I ever left you hanging?" Goldendapple teased gently, nuzzling his cheek. She drank in his scent. He smelled like fog, willow sap, and moss. A beautiful combination.

"No, but I just worry so much. But now that you're here, my heart feels so much lighter." He gently licked her ear. Oh starclan, he was sweeter than honey.

"Can we go to that creek tonight? You know, the one that you taught me how to catch minnows in?" she pulled away, looking into the pale eyes that she loved so much.

"Of course honeycomb. As long as you catch me a few." His eyes twinkled and his smile was wide and earnest. He has no idea what's about to hit him. She almost chuckled to myself.

"We'll see." they twined their tails together and walked off.

"So, how's it going in Riverclan? Any news?" She pressed herself closer to him, thankful that his silver fur was so long.

"Well, Cloudheart's kits are getting bigger and bigger. And they are a pawful. I'm gonna have to talk to Shellstar about mentoring one of them. I've really taken a shine to whitekit. He's got spunk. But Toadpelt is sick. Snappod says that he's got some sort of lump in his belly that no herbs can cure. It's sad that we can't help him, but everyone's been making sure that he's real comfortable. Y'know, getting him all the best moss and offering him his favorite prey. Shellstar caught him a whole trout the other day! Toadpelt barely ate a strip off of it, but I think that he was just glad that he could chat with his nephew for a bit."

"That is really sad. But it's really good of your clan to make sure that he's happy. How's Snappod doing?"

"He's okay. I mean, he's sad and everything, but he's getting on well enough. He'll take good care of the clan." Stonefrost gaze dimmed a little. " But he's got a lot on his chest, now that he has to be the sole healer. Some of our warriors are sick, along with half of our elders, and leafbare is only starting." Goldendapple flicked her ear in sympathy, and she pressed herself closer to him. I never want to see sadness in your beautiful eyes.

They made it to the clearing. It was really a lovely place. There was a small creek that pooled in the center, surrounded by smooth pale pebbles. The trees in the area were covered with moss, and the leaves above only let in some of the faint moonlight.

"You know, this is where we take first time apprentices to practice fishing and to collect bedding."

Stonefrost looked at her, a glimmer of mischief in his eyes. "Think you can move up a rank from minnow catching?"

"Oh, I can't believe you'd say that," goldendapple dramatically feigned hurt, " why whatever will I do if I'm not an excellent minnow catcher?"

"Well," he stepped away from her and padded over to the pool,"you could always get better." He was focussed in on the water. She trotted over and peered over the edge, careful not to let her shadow give her away, something that Stonefrost had taught her. Tiny little fish flashed in the little pond. She flicked out a golden paw and hooked a minnow out and tossed it to the ground, niping it's little neck. She held it up proudly. And who said I needed to get better?

"Got it." She turned to look at Stonefrost, but she almost dropped her fish when she saw how soaked his face was.

"Um, d-did I splash you?," She choked out, trying not to burst out laughing.

"Only a little bit." his whisker's twitched in amusement. " Guess that's what I get for doubting your skills."

"Oh, I'm sorry, love. I didn't mean to." She walked over to his side and licked his cheek. "Besides, I could always learn how to catch more than just minnows. You could teach me more."

"Are there ponds on thunderclan territory?" He was looking at her, admiring how the moonlight was shining perfectly in her eyes. Now. Goldendapple thought. This is it.

"Well, no. Not really. But that doesn't matter, since I want to join Riverclan." she watched him, her pale green eyes searching his gaze, pricking her ears to hear what he had to say. She watched as shock entered his eyes and she heard him choke out a surprised mrrp.

"Are you serious?" He was wide eyed. "This isn't a joke?" she shook her head. "Oh starclan, this is great! We won't have to hide any more!" he was bouncing like a kit, and his purrs shook his whiskers.

"But why? What made you want to join now?" he faltered, his head tipping to the side.

"Well, that's because I like it here. I like how much more open it feels, I've come to like fish, I like the water, and I really love you," She pressed her head under his chin, resting an ear on his chest, "but I also think that our kits would really benefit from having both of us together."

He stopped moving entirely. She felt his heart beat skip.

"What." He gently pushed her to the ground and stood over her. "Our kits? You're pregnant?!"

"Yes!" Goldendapple cried. "I'm expecting your kits." she purred, hard enough that she almost started to shake.

"Oh my stars, this is so much. When are you going to join? Soon I hope! You need to be in the nursery." He gently lowered himself, wrapping his tail around her.

"Oh calm down. I'm only a little less than a quarter moon along. And I plan to join at the next gathering. I'm going to tell my family a few days before, so they can say their goodbyes." Stonefrost was staring at her belly.

"Can you feel them yet?" he looked back at her, his pale eyes still wide.

She nodded, "I don't really feel them moving, but I know that they're there. And starclan, do they make me feel like a bloated frog!" She chuckled.

"Well, you make a very pretty frog." Stonefrost licked her head. She scoffed in amusement.

"I can't believe it." he purred. "Everything is so perfect."

….

….

Goldendapple ran, her heart pounding. "Oh Starclan I should've left a bit sooner" She hissed quietly as she ran up the thunderclan shore. But how could I have left him? All Stonefrost had done was purr and groom her belly, whispering how much he was going to love their kits. She was now at the top of the ravine. The sky was beginning to glow faintly. Dawn was almost here. She scrambled down the rocky slope and quickly sat herself down outside the bramble barrier. She slowed her breathing and tried to calm herself. Not a moment after she had stopped hearing her heart pound in her ears, Moonpatch stepped out of the camp entrance.

"See anything tonight, Goldendapple?" Her tone was blank and tired. Her ears were twitching, as if dislodging sleep from her mind.

"No. It was just cold. Am I done here?"

"Yes. You can go. But you have a hunting patrol before sunhigh and you're on dusk patrol later with Whiteleaf and Hailmouse." She turned her nose to the air. Goldendapple stepped past her, making her way into camp.

"Hey, did you leave to ravine? I smell your scent on the slope." Oh mouse dung, Goldendapple kept her fur flat and turned back to face Moonpatch.

"I heard a squirrel call alarm, so I went to go check in case anyone was approaching. Didn't see anything, so I didn't call alarm." Please fall for it, you nosy shrew.

"Odd for a squirrel to be up at night." Oh no, I might have to leave for Riverclan sooner, "Must've been an owl."

"Uh, yeah. Must've." Averting Moonpatch's pale green gaze, Goldendapple quickly made her way into camp and back into the warriors den.

Oh starclan, She thought as She settled down into her nest, that was too close. Good thing that soon enough, I won't have to sneak around like that. Goldendapple purred, drifting off to sleep.

Alliances

Thunderclan

Leader - Spiderstar: Old Tall slender tan tabby molly with green eyes

Deputy- Moonpatch: Short black grey and white mottled molly with green eyes

Medicine cat- Snowberry: Green eyed white and ginger molly

apprentice-bonepaw

Warriors- Toms and Mollies without kits

Thistledown-yellow eyed grey and tan tabby tom(mate:Whiteleaf)

Shinecloud-Yellow eyed silver long-haired tom

Apprentice- Burnpaw

Whiteleaf-White green-eyed molly(mate:Thistledown)

Marigoldtail- Golden tabby with amber eyes (mate:Oakclaw)

Sparkstripe- ginger tabby tom with green eyes

Oakclaw- Orange eyed brown seal-point tom(mate:Marigoldtail)

Apprentice-Oatpaw

Hailmouse- green eyed silver spotted tom

Sunnose- long furred yellow seal-point tom with brown eyes (mates: Yewspots and Rabbitear)

Goldendapple- Golden and brown dilute tabby with green eyes

Brownbirch- thin furred tan tabby molly with orange eyes

Shadeblaze- Black tom with yellow eyes

Yewspots - Yellow eyed black and ginger tortie molly(mates:Rabbitear and Sunnose)

Apprentices

Bonepaw- White tom with yellow eyes (parents- Whitestone and Thistledown)

Burnpaw- Dilute tortie molly with orange eyes (parents- Whitestone and Thistledown)

Oatpaw- tan tom with blue eyes (parents- Whitestone and Thistledown)

Queens- Mollies with kits

Rabbitear- Silver tabby with Yellow eyes (Mates:Yewspots and Sunnose) expecting kits

Elders

Sorrelspot- Blue eyed dark brown tom with faint spotting. Retired early due to cataracts

Redjaw- Striking ginger tom with grey muzzle

greydawn-Old dilute tortie molly

Riverclan

Leader - Shellstar- White tom with Orange eyes

Apprentice- Streampaw

Deputy - Frosttail- Silver tabby molly

Medicine cat- Toadpelt- Old spotted tan tom with yellow eyes

Apprentice- Snappod- Grey tabby tom with green eyes

Warriors- Toms and Mollies without kits

Splashheart-Grey tom with yellow eyes

Leafnose- brown tabby molly with green eyes

Appentice- carppaw

Apprentice- blackpaw

Froghop- Grey and tan tom with green eyes

Otterfang- Tan seal-point tom

Newtpelt- Spotted Brown tom with blue eyes

Minnowclaw-Grey and white molly with blue eyes

Clovercloud- three-legged white molly with orange eyes.

Apprentice-Mosspaw

Flamestripe- Ginger tom with blue eyes

Apprentice- Troutpaw

Fogwhisker- Pale grey tabby molly

Stonefrost- Long haired pale grey tom with blue eyes

Apprentices

Streampaw- Silver molly with orange eyes

Blackpaw- Black molly with yellow eyes

Mosspaw- Dilute tortie with blue eyes

Carppaw- tan tom with green eyes

Troutpaw- Tan seal point tom with orange eyes

Queens- Mollies with kits

Cloudheart- White and grey molly with yellow eyes. Mother to Whitekit(white tom with green eyes), Wavekit(tan tabby molly) ,Sandkit(tan seal point molly)

Elders

Dawnfur- Pale ginger molly

Puddlenose- Grey and white mottled tom

Foggyclaw- Old grey tom