The warm air got a purr out of Volepaw as she carried a shrew in her jaws, following Smokestep back to the camp. The past two days, she followed Owlpaw's warning and kept an eye on her mentor, even though she had no idea what her friend was talking about.

Why would Owlpaw tell me to watch out for Smokestep? He's the Clan deputy for StarClan's sake!

Before she could finish her thoughts, the hunting patrol arrived at the camp. Volepaw could see Graybird and Meadowsong by the highrock talking, Beeflower and Dustblaze inside the warriors den, Adderbird, Hollowpool and Antfire talking to Sunbird, and Ivysong trying to encourage Jumpingpelt to go hunting.

Volepaw purred, happy that everything was fine. Well, with the exception of Runningbird's death hanging like a dark cloud in the sky. Her death was so... strange.

Surely SolarClan couldn't have done this. Daystar stated that SolarClan had no wish to attack anyone.

Echostar on the other paw, he and RiverClan would be the more likely ones to attack another Clan.

Volepaw heard someone say her name and looked over to see Sootkit with a ball of moss in his tiny jaws.

The apprentice purred with amusement. "Sorry Sootkit, but I'm a little busy to play right now."

The gray kit's tail dropped, then he sadly padded away. "Okay..." The word was muffled. Volepaw watched Sootkit leave, feeling a stab of sympathy for the young tom. She thought about when his apprentice ceremony would be, then there would be no time for playing at all.

The tan she-cat sighed then made her way over. "Oh alright, you want to play? Let's play."

Sootkit brightened up and he and Volepaw started to roll the moss ball back and forth to each other.

...

Volepaw followed the path that Swallowstar had taken many times every moon to get to Fourtrees and scented Owlpaw up ahead. The moon was shining brightly in the black sky, casting a white glow on the four oak trees, as well as on her, as she padded down the slope. The she-cat saw the SolarClan tom by the Great Rock and padded over.

Owlpaw nuzzled her and Volepaw purred, nuzzling him back.

"You came!" he meowed.

Volepaw nodded her head. "Yes I did," she replied. "How have you been?"

"I've been better," the tom admitted while looking down. "How have you been?"

It was Volepaw's turn to look down.

Owlpaw licked her ear and the she-cat returned the comfort.

"So why did you want me to meet you here?" she asked.

Owlpaw looked a little worried and looked around. "Well... Remember Runningbird?"

Volepaw thought for a minute then nodded, signaling him to continue.

"She didn't die from death disease," her friend continued.

Volepaw shook her head, finding that hard to believe. "You mean, Runningbird didn't die from her death disease?"

"No she didn't!" Owlpaw raised his voice a little. "Me, Creekstorm and Harestream were there when Runningbird was leading her patrol past SolarClan's border. Then she ordered Ivysong to go hunting. Runningbird was watching her friend run away and Smokestep... Smokestep jumped on her!

He sank his teeth into the back of her neck and Runningbird fell to the ground... Dead! That's when me, Creekstorm and Harestream ran! We don't know if Smokestep saw us or not, we just kept running until we got back to our camp!"

By now, Owlpaw had tears forming in his eyes.

"Why didn't you tell Swallowstar?" Volepaw asked.

"Would she have believed me? Do you believe me?!"

The tan she-cat nuzzled her friend. "Of course I do," she meowed.

Owlpaw sniffed, then looked at Volepaw. "What are we going to do?"

Volepaw started to walk back and forth, thinking about what would be the best course of action.

"If Swallowstar finds out that one of her own warriors killed her deputy, the WindClan cats could turn against one another. And you can forget about telling Jumpingpelt! Do you know what he would do if he found out one of his Clanmates killed Runningbird?

That tom is more in love with her then Nightstar loved killing."

"So... We're not going to do anything?"

Volepaw turned her head toward Owlpaw.

"I didn't say that. Just..." She thought about her decision again. "We're not going to tell anyone. At least for now. Wait until the tension between WindClan, SolarClan and RiverClan die down."

Owlpaw opened his mouth to protest, but found no words. Volepaw looked up at the moon, then closed her eyes.

"Runningbird please help us."