Hey, Just a quick authors note. I feel like it's kind of important that you know how old everyone is. Goldendapple is nearing 2 3/4 years old, Moonpatch is almost 3 years old , Stonefrost is 2 1/2 years, and Spiderstar is around 15. Spiderstar isn't all that important to the story, I just wanted to make clear that when the cats say that she's old, they aren't being rude. She's old.

Question for this chapter- Who is your favorite Character?

If you have any questions or comments, please leave a review!


The cold early leafbare sun seeped into the warriors den, a ray of light shining directly onto a gold and tan face. Blinking her green eyes open, Goldendapple hissed at the sudden brightness.

"Oh well, I guess it's time to start the day." She carefully stood up and stiffly stretched out each of her legs and gave her tortie pelt a quick groom, allowing her some time to think. What a lovely dream that was. Goldendapple's dream was filled with memories of Stonefrost and her. The two of them swimming in the lake, catching frogs in the marsh, and even the memory of last night. Shaking out her pelt, Goldendapple exited the den, looking all around for Brownbirch. There Goldendapple saw a brown tabby tail poking out of the elders den. She's probably talking to Greydawn. Those two could gossip all day. Goldendapple pranced over, feeling like she could run to the moonpool and back.

Ducking her head, she entered the den. All of the holes were patched up with either moss or bracken. Brownbirch was tucking some more moss into a hole while talking to Greydawn.

"Did you hear about the spat that Whiteleaf and Thistledown had?" Brownbirch's tail was twitching back and forth. "They tried to hide behind the nursery to have some privacy, but Yewspots and Rabbitear were in there."

"You know I'm hard of hearing. But what was it about?" Greydawn shifted herself a bit closer. Goldendapple sat herself down. Even she couldn't resist gossip about one of thunderclan's "it" couples.

"Well, we all saw how disappointed Whiteleaf looked when Bonepaw became a medicine cat. It's no secret that she didn't approve of her sister being a healer, but now her own son? Apparently, she wants another litter to try again, but Thistledown wants to wait until Leafbare is over." Brownbirch's eyes twinkled, like she had caught a juicy piece of prey.

"Hmph. That girl should be proud. It isn't easy to learn all those herbs. And Thistledown is right. It isn't responsible to bring kits into the world during leafbare." Greydawn sighed. Goldendapple felt her belly tighten. " I remember when Shinecloud told me about how he was gonna be a father. Him and Blacktuft were so excited. I was too. But that leafbare was horrid. It came early that year and it froze everything in its path. We lost so many warriors. And even though the best prey went to the nursery, Blacktuft still died as did almost all of Spiderstar's kits." She shook her head. "I don't know what prompted Spiderstar to have kits when she was so old. She even lost a life giving birth to them. And then to lose all but one," Greydawn's voice tightenen, and she hung her head sadly, "It was a terrible tragedy. At least Hailmouse is a strong young tom." Greydawn lifted her head, suddenly realizing that another cat was here. "Oh, I shouldn't talk about that. Goldendapple. What's wrong dear? You look like you've eaten some bad prey." Her voice had softened, like she was speaking to a kit.

"Oh no, I'm just still a little bit tired from sentry duty." Goldendapple padded closer. "I'm here to get Brownbirch. We've got hunting duty." Goldendapple tried to brighten her voice, but suddenly, it felt like she had rocks in her belly. Oh starclan why didn't I remember that it's leafbare. No clan is going to want to take in a pregnant queen during leafbare.

"Alright. You can take her. Could you two be on the lookout for and voles? Redjaw's under the weather and I bet a water vole would get him to eat."

"Of course." Brownbirch dropped her bundle of twigs. "I'll be back later to patch the rest of those holes." Brownbirch padded past Goldendapple and exited the den.

"Have a good day Greydawn. We'll hunt down by the shore to look for some water voles." Goldendapple dipped her head and left.

"So," Brownbirch was looking around camp. "Who else is gonna join us? It's leafbare, so we'll need more than two cats." She looked at her sister. "Hey, you feeling alright? You sure you're not too tired?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Goldendapple didn't look at her, worried that Brownbirch would see how nervous she was, "Who do you want to ask?"

"Well, I would like to ask Sunnose, but he was on dawn patrol. But Hailmouse wasn't!" Her gaze had settled on the silver tom. She began to prance towards him, lifting her tail in greeting. Goldendapple followed, trying to push her worries away.

"Hey Hailmouse! We're gonna go hunting, wanna join?" Her voice was almost impossibly bright.

The tom looked at us with his pale mint eyes and nodded in greeting. "Of course. I don't have patrol until dusk and I already patched up the nursery." His voice was soft and smooth. He's always been rather polite, Goldendapple thought to herself.

"We're going to head down towards the shore. Greydawn wants us to try and catch some water voles." Goldendapple was already padding towards the camp entrance.

"Yeah. Greydawn's worried about Redjaw. She wants us to try and get his favorite prey so he'll be more tempted to eat." Brownbirch trotted next to Hailmouse. Hailmouse's ears pricked up, " I didn't know Redjaw was sick. What's he come down with?" Goldendapple squeezed through the bramble barrier, looking over her shoulder. " I think he's got a cold. Maybe even a sore throat. I saw Snowberry and Bonepaw collecting honey the other day." She hopped up the slope.

"Poor guy. That must be why he doesn't want to eat." Brownbirch scrambled up the slope.

"Yeah. I had a sore throat once as a kit. Even drinking water was a hassle," Hailmouse shook his pelt, ridding it of the dust from the rocky slope. "Let's hope that we can find some water voles then."

We took off into the forest at a steady pace. Goldendapple kept her ears pricked, listening for any bird song. Brownbirch had her mouth open, scenting for prey. Hailmouse was scanning the overgrowth. This is a good patrol, She thought to herself We all have our unique strengths. Suddenly, Brownbirch dropped into a crouch. Her gaze was focussed on a tree trunk. A squirrel was quietly climbing down an oak, reaching for the acorns that laid on the ground. The tabby slowly crept closer, the tip of her tail twitching, until she was a fox length away. Then, she leapt, landing just below the squirrel. Quick as lightning, she flashed her paw out and slammed it onto the squirrel's spine, snapping it. The squirrel was barely able to let out a screech before she grabbed its neck and quickly delivered the killing bite. She sat back and purred.

"Nice catch. I didn't even see it." Hailmouse trotted towards her and sniffed the squirrel. "Aw, it was no big deal." Brownbirch purred. Goldendapple padded closer and bumped her head against her sister's. " Nonsense. You're an excellent hunter." She sniffed the creature as well, "It looks young."

Brownbirch flicked her tail, " Must've been why it wasn't very cautious." She picked it up and jumped into the tree. Gently, she placed it in the crook of a branch and the trunk. She deftly jumped back down, " I'll collect it later."

The patrol continued their way down to the shore. Hailmouse saw the lake first, raising his tail to tell the mollies to stop. " We should split up. That way we cover more of the shore and if the prey sees one of us, it could still run into another one of us." Goldendapple nodded.

"I'll go towards the Skyclan border." I'll be able to be better covered by the trees. Hailmouse nodded, "Alright. I'll go the other way. Brownbirch, are you okay with going in the middle?" Brownbirch nodded.

"Alright, let's go then." Goldendapple took off, trotting to make sure she got there quickly. She was almost panting by the time she got to the shore line. I can't be getting out of shape already! she took a deep breath, hoping to calm her nerves. Come on Goldie, you've gotta get a vole for Redjaw. She opened her mouth and inhaled deep, scenting for prey. Goldendapple looked around, hoping to see a little brown shape scurrying along the pebbles. But she was caught off guard by the view of the shore. The waves were lapping at the shore, making the sun reflect beautifully off of their wet surface. She could see all of Riverclan territory from where she was standing. Soon, I'll be seeing this view from the other side of the lake. A sound snapped her out of it. Goldendapple could hear some pebbles shifting. Crouching down, she noticed a vole was about 3 fox lengths away from her. Perfect! she crept forward,her pawstep light as to not disturb the pebbles below her. She was almost right on top of it. This is gonna be an easy kill. Goldendapple lept, but she felt heavy. The golden molly landed right before the vole. It let out a screech of alarm. Starclan! I forgot that I'm not as light. She took off, scrabbling on the pebbles after the vole. It was the only thing she was aware of, so when a brilliantly white paw shot out and slammed down on top of her prey, Goldendapple let out a yowl of alarm.

Looking up, She bushed out her yellow and tan pelt as much as she could. In front of her was a large, snow white tom. His eyes were blazingly orange. He had a grin plaster onto his face, showing his abnormally longer canines. His pelt was littered with scars. Shellstar. Her mind spat at me. Riverclan's leader. He lifted his paw.

"I believe this is yours?" His voice was like a song, lilting and higher pitched. "I mean, I may have killed it, but you chased it so very fervently. I believe that you've earned it." His tail swished from side to side, and only then did Goldendapple realize that there were others with him. Stonefrost looked at her, his gaze awkward. The other, a large tan tom with a dark brown face, had a tired look. A large silver tabby was also with them, her gaze blank.

Goldendapple heard drumming pawsteps . Brownbirch and Hailmouse emerged behind her. Hailmouse, upon seeing the Riverclan patrol, dropped the mice in his jaws and snarled, his kind eyes now dark.

Brownbirch skidded to a stop beside Goldendapple, "What's going on here? We heard you yowl." Her gaze sharpened, "What are they doing here?"

Shellstar sat up taller, "Don't worry, little warrior. We are here to speak with Spiderstar." His words oozed out of his mouth, dripping with fraudulent respect. "Would you please escort us? I promise, we are not here to attack." He flicked the vole closer. "Go ahead and gather your prey. We will follow."

Gingerly, Goldendapple crouched and grabbed the vole. Stepping back a few paces, she jerked her head forward for the patrol to follow. Shellstar stepped behind her, his warriors surrounding him. Brownbirch and Hailmouse stepped on either side of them. Oh starclan, I wish we had a bigger patrol. Goldendapple led the two patrols through the forest, stopping only once so Brownbirch could go and retrieve her squirrel. The whole trek, she felt Shellstar's breath on her tail and Stonefang's gaze on the back of her head. Goldendapple wanted to do nothing more than to turn around and ask Stonefang what was going on. But right now, we are warriors of enemy clans. Climbing down the slope, she took a little bit of satisfaction when Shellstar and the tan tom had to crouch and feel out the best path down. She pushed into the gorse barrier, feeling the hot stares of her clanmates as they saw the enemy patrol. Spiderstar pushed her head out of her den, her whiskers crinkled up and there was moss behind one ear. She quickly shook her head, her gaze tired.

"Shellstar," her voice was cracked and dreary, "what a surprise to see you in our camp." Her eyes blazed and her claws peeked out of her paws. She may be older than Greydawn, but she's definitely still got a fire in her belly, Goldendapple thought admiringly. Moonpatch padded quickly over to her, her tail whipping wildly.

"Ah, Spiderstar. I was hoping that we could chat. I brought my deputy to keep your's company, so us big cats could talk in privacy." His gaze landed on Moonpatch, and he bared his fangs in a smile. She bared her's in a snarl.

"Now now," Spiderstar stepped between them," If you want to call yourself a big cat, you must act like it." She fixed Shellstar with a glare, "But, if you wish to speak to only me, then that is fine." She turned quickly and padded up to her den, wincing a bit at the steep climb. Shellstar turned to his warriors, "At ease my friends." He padded quickly after Spiderstar, disappearing into her den.

Goldendapple looked back at Brownbirch and Hailmouse, flicking her ear towards the freshkill pile. They nodded, stepping away from the riverclan patrol, then padded over to were a few other mice laid and they deposited their catches. Goldendapple padded towards the medicine cat den, her vole held tightly in her jaw.

Pushing past the vines that grew at the opening, Goldendapple almost winced as she was hit with the strong scent of herbs. She nearly gagged, until she heard a voice that was niether Snowberry's or Bonepaw's.

"Please Bonepaw, you cannot be serious. How could you choose to spend all your talent tearing up leaves?" Whiteleaf was standing in front of Bonepaw, her ears flat against her head. Uh oh. "It's bad enough that your aunt is always studying these plants, but she didn't have your natural talent. You've always been so much stronger than Oatpaw and faster than Burnpaw. Are you really going to just toss that all to the side?" Her gaze was pleading.

Maybe I should just go. Goldendapple tried to back out quietly, but she felt her rear hit someone. Turning, she saw Snowberry right behind her. She looked at the golden molly and blinked, holding a paw to her mouth. She wants me to stay quiet. Feeling awkward, Goldendapple quietly stepped to the side of the den. She looked back at the two cats in front of them.

Bonepaw had reached his paw out and he'd rested it on his mother's. " Mom, I know that you don't understand this, but I know that this is what I want to do. This is important. These plants could save your life one day." His gaze was soft and understanding, "I know that you had hoped to watch me become a warrior and you wanted to watch my and my littermates every step of the way. But now, I'm on a different path, one that you don't understand. But I'll be fine." his voice was breaking with emotion. "I don't need you to understand, but I need you to support me."

Whiteleaf lowered her gaze. " I, uh, I need to think about this." She looked at him, her eyes misty, "Oh starclan." she whispered. She stood up and licked his head, turning towards the opening, seeing Snowberry and I.

"Oh, I didn't realize that we had company." Her ears were pressed against her head in embarrassment.

" Don't worry, my sister. I just wanted to hear Bonepaw's response." Snowberry pushed past Goldendapple and whiteleaf, nodding to her apprentice. "Well said, nephew." She looked at her sister. "I'm glad that you'll think about this." Whiteleaf awkwardly nodded and pushed past Goldendapple, as if she couldn't wait to get out of the den.

Snowberry turned to Goldendapple, noticing the prey in the molly's mouth. " Is that for Redjaw?" Goldendapple nodded. "Good, he needs a good meal. But you should watch yourself. You need to be careful, now that you're expecting. I want you to come in tomorrow so I can show Bonepaw how to check on pregnant mollies." Goldendapple almost rolled her eyes, I'm not a fragile leaf, but she still nodded in agreement. Walking past the medicine cats, she walked over to where Redjaw lay in the back by the small pond. The once lively elder now curled up in a nest looking small, his fur messy and his eyes closed shut. His breath smelled of tansy. I shouldn't wake him, she thought, setting the mouse down beside him, he needs his rest. Goldendapple turned around and quickly exited the den.

As she exited the medicine cat den, Goldendapple heard a yowl erupt from the highledge. Shellstar leapt out of Spiderstar's den, landing below the rock tumble. Spiderstar burst from her den, spitting and hissing. Goldendapple ran towards the center of the camp, standing beside the Riverclan patrol. The tan tom ran forward and stood beside his leader.

"How dare you! You come into my camp and threaten to take our herbs by force?! We need those just as much as you. Leaf-bare doesn't affect just one clan." Her eyes were blazing, and her fangs were bared, showing a broken canine.

For once, Shellstar didn't even try to look friendly. He bared his fangs and his claw dug into the dirt beneath him. " We are going to lose one of our medicine cats. We have sick elders and warriors and they are getting worse. We need those herbs more than you. And if we can't settle this peacefully," his snarled quieted to a furious hiss. He scarred the earth with his claws, leaving deep markings. "We will take them by force. You have a quarter moon deliver. Either supply us with what we need to heal our clanmates or we will attack." Lightning crackled in his gaze.

Spiderstar crept down the highledge. "Moonpatch, gather a patrol to escort these dogs out of our land." Moonpatch nodded. "Of course miss. Thistledown, Sparkstripe, Yewspots, let's go. These cat's are no longer our guests." Her voice ended in a snarl. Quickly, Goldendapple turned towards Stonefrost.

"Meet me at the halfbridge, tonight!" She hissed, making sure that her pelt had bristled to look at if she were threatening him. He gave her the smallest nod, but then Moonpatch let out a yowl. Her and the three other warriors lunged at the Riverclan cats, pushing them out of the camp. Shellstar tore out of the bramble barrier, his warriors following. Moonpatch surged forward, claws outstretched. Goldendapple saw as her fangs snapped at Stonefrost's tail, her eyes blazing. Cut it out! she wanted to yowl, They're leaving already. Every cat held their breath as the yowls of the two patrols faded, until they stopped. After a bit, Moonpatch padded through the camp entrance, her head held up proudly. "We chased them out of Thunderclan territory." The camp erupted in yowls. Spiderstar clambered up the Highledge, raising her tail for silence.

"Clanmates, while I am glad that Shellstar has left our territory, we must remember why he was here." Spiderstar's voice sounded strained. "Shellstar has demanded that we give his clan half of our supply of catmint and chickweed. In return, he said that his clan wouldn't attack us and will ally with us on any problems that may occur in the future. Now, I would be much more generous if he had offered us something more tangible in return. However, when I brought it up, he refused. Now, he has promised to attack us within the half moon. So, we need to make sure that our camp is ready for attack. Until this threat is dealt with, every one must leave with at least one other cat. Apprentices must be with their mentors when out of camp. We will post two sentries every night. If you have some free time, I implore you to please use it to re-enforce the bramble barrier. And from now on, one other warrior will accompany Snowberry and Bonepaw on their herb gathering patrols. This is what we must do to combat this threat. We will not bow." Every cat in camp let out a yowl, some of encouragement, others of strength. Spiderstar bowed her head and made her way to her den, her mate Sorrelspot following closely behind.

2 sentries? Goldendapple couldn't help but let her head bow, Sneaking out is going to be even more difficult.

Goldendapple felt eyes boring into her pelt. Looking around, she saw Moonpatch staring at her, but something was so jarring about her gaze. It wasn't glaring or angry, it was just ... searching. Like she was looking for an answer. Goldendapple met her gaze with a searing glare. You can search all you like, you stupid scrap of fur, but you'll never find my secrets. Subconsciously, she tucked her tail over her belly. Not until I let you.