Okaaay, this is my shortest chappy yet. Freespirit pointed out that WindClan don't exactly have trees in their territory in the old forest, so I changed the Fallen Log to the Smooth Stone as the meeting place and I made sure not to mention anymore trees. xD

"…And this one is Adderkit!" declared Fallenleaf. Sablefrost purred. The names Fallenleaf and Oakwhisker had chosen for their kits were perfect. He nudged Sagekit back toward her mother. The light brown she-kit didn't even have her eyes open yet and she was already exploring her surroundings.

"They'll grow up to be fine warriors," he meowed, brown eyes glimmering distantly. Fallenleaf tilted her head to one side.

"Are you worried about Passionpaw?" she asked bluntly. Sablefrost concentrated on her green gaze. Why did she always seem to know what he was thinking?

"I'm sure she'll be okay," he meowed. "Shallowstar is right. NightClan wouldn't be well accepted if they started wars…"

"NightClan won't be well accepted anyway!" mewed Fallenleaf. "We have four seasons, four paws… Four Clans. That's the end of it."

Sablefrost smiled. "I hope the other Clans will agree!" he remarked. Before Fallenleaf could reply Oakwhisker pushed his way into the nursery.

"Hello, Sablefrost." meowed the tabby warrior. He gazed at his three kits fondly, pride in his amber eyes. Sablefrost mewed a quick goodbye to his sister and left the nursery quietly. He stretched his legs and took a deep breath, catching the tempting smell of mouse on the fresh-kill pile. He padded over, just as a tawny she-cat leaned down to pick the rodent off the top of the fresh-kill pile. She paused, gazing at him uncertainly.

"Did you want this, Sablefrost?" she asked shyly. He shook his head.

"You go ahead, Fawnfeather," he mewed, choosing a small rabbit instead. She hesitated only a moment longer before picking up the mouse. Sablefrost padded to the warriors den, flicking his tail at Fawnfeather as he did. The she-cat followed him, golden eyes glowing. They shared their meal in silence, Sablefrost keeping an eye on the entrance for Passionpaw and the others. Fawnfeather's yellow eyes darted between him and the entrance.

"Are you waiting for Shallowstar to come back?" she asked at last. He turned his attention to her. She seemed nervous, which confused him.

"Yeah. I don't know why he would only take Passionpaw and Tremblingleaf with him through NightClan's territory…" he mewed. "They might not be friendly."

She nodded quickly. "Do you think the Clans will accept NightClan? They said StarClan sent them…"

Sablefrost snorted. "I should hope so!" he mewed, recalling Fallenleaf's words. Fawnfeather seemed to shrink away from him. He looked at her curiously.

A familiar scent wafted around him, coupled with excited mews near the entrance. Sablefrost whipped around, spotting his apprentice at once. She seemed oddly put out, her tail low and eyes fixed on the ground. He bounded over to her, forgetting Fawnfeather's behavior in a heartbeat. Passionpaw looked up at him, blue eyes clouded and emotionless. He hurried over to greet her, wondering what was wrong. Neither Shallowstar nor Tremblingleaf copied her behavior. They greeted the Clan with friendly mews, as Passionpaw slunk away dejectedly. Sablefrost followed her curiously.

"Hey, Sablefrost," she mewed without looking up.

"What's wrong?"

She shook her head and didn't reply. She darted inside the apprentice's den, flicking her ears as she went. Sablefrost stopped. Clearly Passionpaw didn't want to speak to him. He heard Shallowstar call a Clan meeting, but he was one of the last to join his Clanmates around the Smooth Rock. Shallowstar glanced at Tremblingleaf. He seemed unwilling to start. The Clan, though, was impatient.

"What did StarClan say to you? Did they tell you to drive NightClan out?" called Sparrowwing.

Shallowstar flicked his ears. "StarClan told me very little concerning NightClan," he meowed calmly. "They did, however, tell me Onyxstar does have nine lives."

An uneasy murmur echoed around the camp. Where could Onyxstar have gotten nine lives except from StarClan?

"What else did StarClan tell you?" demanded Starkshadow. Shallowstar ignored him.

"Mottledheart… Has Mudstreak returned?" he asked his deputy. The tortoiseshell shook his head.

"We don't know where he's gone," he admitted. "There was no trace of him on our territory."

"He won't be coming back."

Startled, everyone looked around for the speaker. It was Passionpaw! The tabby apprentice had returned. Her face was oddly black, and her tail brushed the earth as she approached the Smooth Stone. There was silence in the camp.

"What do you mean, Passionpaw?" asked Shallowstar, narrowing his eyes. She looked at him defiantly.

"He came to me while you were in the moonstone. He wanted me to tell you he's left WindClan for NightClan," she announced flatly.

Yowls of shock and outrage rippled across the clearing. Shallowstar couldn't make himself heard over the cries of the Clan.

"Mudstreak's a traitor!" yowled Sparrowwing. Passionpaw bristled at the she-cats accusation. Sablefrost was slightly relieved to see her angry again – Her uncharacteristic indifference had frightened Sablefrost more then anything else. At the same time, he wondered if he would have to break up a fight – It wouldn't be the first time his apprentice would back herself up with tooth and claw. However, the Clan had quieted down and though Passionpaw still glared at Sparrowwing, she didn't seem about to pounce.

"Passionpaw, why didn't you tell me this before?" demanded Shallowstar. She shrugged and turned away, heading back toward the apprentice's den. Sablefrost stepped in front of, ready to stop her back Shallowstar stopped him with a look. Clearly Passionpaw had been dismissed. She walked by him, tail held high proudly. Why does she always seem so proud whenever she causes distress!? thought Sablefrost angrily. He tore his gaze away from the ginger apprentice and tried to concentrate on whatever Shallowstar was saying, with little success. Mudstreak had left WindClan! He was torn between feeling indignant and feeling relieved. At least he wouldn't be padding after Passionpaw anymore!

Would he?

Sablefrost blinked and looked at his paws. What if Mudstreak had asked Passionpaw to join NightClan with him?

Passionpaw blinked. I must have fallen asleep! She was back in the gloomy forest where Tigerstar had approached her before. She lashed her tail impatiently and called the dark tabby's name furiously.

"Why have you brought me here again?" she yowled to the empty sky. There was no reply. She paced, eyeing the dark mist apprehensively.

"Are you going to come out or what?" she cried, spinning around to peer into the shadows. A chuckle sounded behind her. She turned, surprised to see that it wasn't Tigerstar. The tom standing before her looked just like the old ShadowClan leader, only with icy blue eyes.

"Who are you?" she demanded. The tabby blinked.

"My name is Hawkfrost," he mewed. She growled ill-temperedly at him. "What do you want?"

"Just to talk to you," meowed a new voice. Tigerstar appeared from the shadows like a mirage, the aura of darkness surrounding him as before. She narrowed her eyes.

"I suppose you've been watching me?" she asked dully. Tigerstar didn't answer, he didn't need to.

"Have you thought about what I told you?" he asked. She frowned.

"I've been trying not to!" she hissed. "I'm a loyal WindClan cat!"

"What about Mudstreak? He seems to think you belong in NightClan. Do you trust his judgement?" meowed Hawkfrost. She hissed angrily and stalked away from both toms. I don't want to hear this anymore!

O.o Poor Passionpaw! I'm not sure what her warrior name should be. Does anyone have any suggestions?