Crap! I uploaded an update of the Allegiances, but took it down as soon as I realized my mistake. See, as a reference, I put down the warrior names and such, but I forgot and posted it. Whoever saw that, please disregard it. Once again, it's not there anymore because I took it down really fast. Okay, next chapter!

Chapter 14

Dewleaf padded out of the medicine cat's den, wincing at each step she took. She had stepped on a thorn while on patrol, and had directly reported to Mosspelt. The medicine cat had pulled the thorn out, then Frostpaw had applied some marigold, wrapping it up with some cobwebs.

Dewleaf sighed. She wasn't allowed to leave camp for the rest of the day. She sat down by a shaded area in camp and watched as cats left and returned for or from the forest. Her third day as a warrior, and a stupid thorn stops her! She lashed her tail and let out another sigh.

She jumped in surprise when she heard a mew from behind her. She landed on her bad paw, and hissed. Falconpaw was standing in front of her, bewildered at her outburst.

"Oh, sorry," she muttered. "I hurt my paw, that's all."

Falconpaw replied, "Right," then eyed her for a moment. "Um, Eaglepaw wanted me to ask you if… you'd spoken to Clovernight yet."

Dewleaf's eyes widened. She had completely forgotten! "Right, that. Um, not yet. I've been waiting for the right moment. But I think it'll be soon, tell him no worries."

The ginger tom dipped his head. "He said thanks," he mewed, then ran off.

Dewleaf let out an amused purr. Wow, Eaglepaw is really serious about Clovernight. She looked around for her sister, then caught sight of black and white pelt disappearing into the warriors den. She quickly made her way over.

"Hey, Dewleaf," Clovernight mewed, sitting down on her nest.

"Hi," Dewleaf mewed. "So… what did you do today?"

"Oh, patrol, with Feathercloud" --she spat at that name-- "and Eaglepaw."

Dewleaf nodded. "Oh, I feel sorry for you. Did Feathercloud try to make up?"

Clovernight rolled her eyes. "No, Eaglepaw was there."

"Right," Dewleaf answered. "By the way, what do think of Eaglepaw?" Her blue eyes sparkled with interest and curiosity.

"Why do you ask?" Clovernight mewed cautiously, eying her sister.

Dewleaf shrugged. "Just tell me."

Clovernight sighed. "Well… he's a very good hunter, and… he's pretty friendly, I guess. He's a decent fighter."

Dewleaf purred. "I think he likes you, Clovernight."

Clovernight rolled her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"He's really serious, Clovernight, he really does like you! You should get to know him some better."

Dewleaf's sister shrugged. "Well, maybe."

"Good," Dewleaf purred. "He may be young, but I'm sure he's a good tom."

Clovernight shrugged and settled down in her nest, "Maybe."

Dewleaf nodded and padded out of the den, toward the Highrock. She sat down underneath it, wondering if she could do anything else rather than lay around like a lazy lump of fur. She got up to her paws and padded over to Hazelstep, her former mentor.

The gray she-cat was sitting with Thistlefang, sharing a mouse. Dewleaf purred, then turned away, not wanting to disturb those two… well, it was obvious… lovebirds.

Instead, she went over to Flightpaw, who was stretching outside the apprentices den. Apparently, she had just woken up from a nap.

"Hi, Flightpaw," Dewleaf purred.

Flightpaw nodded. "Hello. What are you doing in camp?" She purred, her whiskers twitching. "If I were a new warrior, I'd be doing all I can!" She then noticed Dewleaf's paw, wrapped in marigold and cobwebs. "Oh, I'm sorry. What happened to your paw?"

Dewleaf hissed. "A thorn," she said curtly, staring down at her paw disdainfully.

Flightpaw purred with amusement. "Well, I'm sorry about that."

"So am I," Dewleaf sighed. "So, what are you doing?"

Flightpaw shrugged. "I have to find Whitepelt first. Want to come with me?"

I'd rather not follow an apprentice around camp because I hurt my paw, Dewleaf thought. She shook her head at the offer. "No, thanks, I'll find something to do."

~oOoOoOoOoOo~

Dewleaf pounced, snagging the squirrel's bushy tail. With a purr of satisfaction, she bit it quickly and buried it. Then she scented the air.

She had finally been able to take off the cobwebs! And her paw was a bit sore, but a little hunting had done the trick, she could barely feel it now. She heard a rustle, and her ear twitched, She stiffened, trying not to make noise. A mouse was scuffling around nearby. She crouched down, then crept closer, settling her paws down lightly. The mouse was too busy chewing on some seed that it didn't notice when she leapt for it, snagging it with her claws.

I have to find out what RainClan is! And how my parents were involved in it! Her unsheathed claws tore up dirt and grass as she thought, frustrated and impatient. Why don't my siblings see? We could figure out what happened! Rainheart might be innocent, then again he may not be! But we have to find some answers! Another clump of grass flew up from the ground, nearly spraying in Dewleaf's eyes. She shook her fur and sighed, her chest about to burst with all the emotions that swirled within her. Maybe… just maybe… I can go… and figure it all out. I don't care if my siblings don't agree, I'll keep beating myself up if I don't find out! She hissed and clawed, sending dirt into the air. Maybe Smokestar can help me.

An idea sparked in her head. Perhaps Smokestar would help her! After all, he had said that he was always fond of Feathercloud and her kits, since Feathercloud had been one of his apprentices. Dewleaf picked up the fresh-kill and bounded toward camp.

~oOoOoOoOoOo~

A few days later…

"Let all cats gather under the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Smokestar yowled.

Cloudstorm looked up from the fresh-kill pile, then rushed toward the Highrock, sittind down beside Clovernight. He looked around, and saw Dewleaf sitting at the front, gazing up at the leader. Other cats poured into the clearing, from the forest and from the dens. They all looked up at Smokestar expectantly, waiting for him to speak.

Smokestar glanced down at Dewleaf for a brief moment, then his blue gaze flickered to the rest of ThunderClan.

This must have to do with Dewleaf, Cloudstorm thought, noticing the exchange. He looked up at Smokestar, who seemed to hesiate.

The tom finally opened his mouth and announced, "One of our warriors will be going on a journey."

Murmurs of shock and confusion rippled through the crowd, cats turning to face one another, and cats yowling up at the leader in protest or complaint. Cloudstorm glanced at Clovernight, their eyes both clouded with their fear: Dewleaf was going to RainClan!

Smokestar lashed his tail for silence, and the cats obeyed, though Shadowclaw hissed and Ashenfur, the Clan deputy who obviously hadn't been consulted about this, looked up at his leader questioningly.

"Dewleaf, one of our new warriors, is being sent on a journey to find out some answerers," Smokestar meowed loudly.

"Answers for what?" Shadowclaw growled.

Ashenfur's tail was twitching, and his whiskers quivered. "Yes! And why didn't you tell me?"

Smokestar looked away. "That is confidential, not the business of every ThunderClan cat. I don't wish you to question Dewleaf about the quest, and whoever does will be reprimanded."

Some more hisses erupted from the crowd, but Smokestar dismissed the cats and leapt down from the Highrock. He mewed something to Dewleaf, then turned to Ashenfur. After a while, they both padded into the leader's den.

Cloudstorm flicked his tail at Clovernight, motioning for her to follow, then rushed over to Dewleaf. "What are you doing, Dewleaf?" he demanded.

Dewleaf's eyes flickered, then she looked away. "I'm sorry, but I had to ask someone for advice, and you two just didn't understand what I wanted. I have to go and find some answers."

By now, some ThunderClan cats were casting curious and furious glanced at Dewleaf, but they said nothing.

Cloudstorm lowered his voice so they wouldn't hear. "Dewleaf, you could've just spoken to us about it."

"I tried to!" Dewleaf spat. It was the first time she had been really angry at him. "But you wouldn't listen! You said it wasn't important!" Her black fur was standing on end.

Clovernight stepped in. She spoke in a hushed but serious tone. "Dewleaf, don't do this. You're risking your life. You don't even know where this RainClan is, and besides, you've just received your warriors name a quarter moon ago, you want to be proving yourself to the Clan, not leaving it!"

Dewleaf turned away stubbornly. "I've already decided, and you can't change my mind."

Cloudstorm was about to say something when both Thorntail and Feathercloud approached them. Thorntail hung back, but Feathercloud looked Dewleaf in the face, her face filled with emotions.

"Dewleaf? Where are you going?"

"It isn't something I want to tell you," the black she-cat replied, her neck fur beginning to rise.

To Cloudstorm's smug satisfaction, Feathercloud looked hurt. "Oh, okay. Have a safe journey," she mumbled, padding back to Thorntail, who then led her away.

Clovernight sighed from beside Cloudstorm. "I guess I can't stop you. But tell me this, when are you leaving?"

Dewleaf lowered her head. "Tomorrow, at dawn." She glanced around, then padded away, leaving Cloudstorm and Clovernight alone.

"I can't believe this!" Cloudstorm muttered.

Clovernight nodded. "I can't let her go herself! She could get killed!"

"No, Clovernight, neither of us are going with her. Maybe she'll rethink it," Cloudstorm said hopefully.

~oOoOoOoOoOo~

"Thank you," Dewleaf mewed, though her nose crinkled at the smell of the traveling herbs. She lapped them up with her tongue, then swallowed.

Frostpaw watched her eat them, then asked, "I know I'm not supposed to ask---"

"And I won't answer any questions about my journey," Dewleaf finished for her, lashing her tail. "I'm sorry, but it's very confidential."

Frostpaw nodded in understanding. "I see."

Dewleaf sighed. "Well, I should leave soon. Thank you for the herbs." She padded out into the clearing, then saw Cloudstorm and Clovernight emerging from the warriors den. They saw her and padded over, their eyes hopeful. "I'm still leaving," Dewleaf growled, reading the look in their eyes.

Cloudstorm hissed. "Why do you have to go?"

Dewleaf rolled her eyes. "I already told you!"

"Well, I'm going with you!" Clovernight declared.

Dewleaf's eyes widened. "NO!" she screeched. She lowered her voice and cringed as eyes turned to stare at her. "No, Clovernight, I have to do this myself! Don't come, don't follow me!"

Her siblings sighed and gave up.

"I'm leaving soon," Dewleaf mewed.

~oOoOoOoOoOo~

Dewleaf was about to cross into RiverClan territory when a sharp yowl stopped her. She stiffened, her ears flat against her head.

Out stepped Rainheart, her father. He was with another cat, a silver and white she-cat. Rainheart purred, seeing her, then mewed, "Dewleaf! I want you meet your sister, Streamgaze. She got her warrior name yesterday."

Then, seeming to notice that Dewleaf was about to cross the stream, he questioned, "What are you doing here?"

~oOoOoOoOoOo~

Dewleaf continued on, she was past Clan territory now. Rainheart had pointed her in the right direction, and had covered up her scent in RiverClan territory. He's a great father, she thought, reflecting back on how he had caught her some fresh-kill and hoped she'd be safe. And Streamgaze… well, she had been timid at first, but they had become good friends, if not close.

She hissed with fright when something rustled in the undergrowth. Side-stepping, she glanced around the unfamiliar hills and woods, her eyes wide and her ears erect.

Despite the traveling herbs she had obtained earlier, her belly rumbled with hunger, but few prey that she was accustomed to catching was there. There were some rabbits, and occasionally some field mice.

By sunhigh, she had managed to catch a mouse, and was continuing at a steady pace again.

Eventually, she had to stop and find someplace to rest. She chose a thick bramble thicket and rested inside, her paws sore and her eyelids heavy. She settled down and closed her eyes, but she felt so lonely and scared. So this is what it feels like to be a loner… she thought. She sighed, wondering what Cloudstorm and Clovernight were doing. What about Rainheart, and Streamgaze? And… Leafdapple and Ashenfur? She thought about all her kin, even Feathercloud. Would they be thinking about her?

She must've fallen asleep, because the next time she blinked, sunlight blinded her. She stretched and yawned, then hunted. After missing three rabbits and two mice, she managed to find an injured rabbit and acted swiftly.

After eating, she trotted toward the woods past the hills. Rainheart told me that's where I would find RainClan. She could barely make out the woods, they were just dots in the landscape. She sighed, it had been one day, but she was still very far away.