"Die?" Echostar spluttered. "You're madder than a fox in a fit!"

Crystalheart shook her head. "I didn't mean that you would actually die."

"Then what did you mean? You said we would have to die!"

"You and the chosen warriors will have to…" she paused and quickly looked over her shoulder, her eyes as wide as the full moon. "Fox dung!" she growled and quickly faced Echostar. "You'll find out when the time comes. Just choose your warriors and receive guidance from Squirrelflight and Bramblestar."

"But…Wait!" he cried when his sister faded away into nothing. Cursing under his breath, he looked around, trying to make out shapes in the eerie darkness. "What is this place, anyway?" he murmured. Echostar blinked, just to let out a hiss of surprise when he opened his eyes to reveal his den. Outside, silence hung over the camp. Quickly shaking the dream off, just for a moment, Echostar walked out onto the Skybranch.

Down below, Birdsong, Tallwhisker, Mousepaw, and Willowpaw were crouched down around Littlepaw's lifeless body in vigil. I'm going to make sure they get relieved from duties and training these next few days, Echostar thought as he scrambled down the willow tree and approached the family. When he was in front of them, he gently nudged Tallwhisker and Birdsong, causing them to jerk their heads up.

"I'll help you bury him," the leader said, "if you want me to, that is. He was my apprentice."

Immediately, Birdsongs hackles rose and when she spoke, her voice was like venom. "He was your apprentice, and yet you never sat vigil for him."

"I'm sorry," Echostar spluttered, slightly taken aback by the she-cat's harshness. "I just…"

"I'm tired of your excuses. His family will bury him. I could care less if you were his mentor. I could care less if you were a warrior of StarClan." With that, she sat up, nudged Mousepaw and Willowpaw, and the three picked up Littlepaw's body and began to carry it out of the clearing.

Echostar looked to Tallwhisker for support, but when his friend's eyes met his, they narrowed and the tom quickly looked away and caught up to his mate, guiding her towards the place that would be Littlepaw's grave.

"What have I done?" Echostar murmured. His actions could have possibly caused him to lose the support of three cats of his Clan. "I suppose neither Tallwhisker nor Birdsong will come to StarClan with me to fight now…"

"You mouse-brain!"

Echostar perked his ears at Amberstorm's mew. Turning around to defend himself, he realized that she was talking to Japser, not him. The two cats were tussling like kits, Jasper clearly losing. The tom put his ears back in disdain. What use is he? He thought. He doesn't even stand a chance! He'll never be able to be a warrior.

"Jasper needs some training, doesn't he?" Crookedtail padded up and sat down next to Echostar. "He's got the makings of a good fighter, but his technique is a bit sloppy; too slow and too random."

"He won't ever become a warrior. He's a kittypet." Echostar looked at his deputy. "Kittypets can't be warriors."

The old tom turned and met his gaze evenly. "But loners can? Shadowclaw is a fine warrior now. All she needed was a little training." He sat up and let out a sigh. "Don't judge him just because he's with Amberstorm. Give the young cat a chance. If he's earned it, give him his warrior name. That is my advice."

Echostar snorted. "Very well, but only if he's earned it." He turned his gaze back to the she-cat and tom. The two were still wrestling in the dirt, their purrs of laughter filling the air. Echostar watched as Jasper went to pounce Amberstorm, his hind legs kicking up dirt, which landed in the black-pawed tom's face. He let out a hiss of annoyance, causing Jasper to turn around.

"Echostar!" he gasped. "I'm sorry; I didn't realize you were there."

"It doesn't matter whether you noticed me or not!" Echostar growled as he shook his head, dislodging the dirt. "Amberstorm, you're a warrior, and Jasper, you claim to want to be one! Warriors don't behave like kits!"

Amberstorm put her ears back. "We were just playing. Can't we loosen up every now and then?"

Echostar unsheathed his claws and Jasper jumped in front of Amberstorm, his eyes glittering defiantly. It was evident that, if a fight broke out, Echostar would have easily won, but still, the tom held his ground. It almost impressed the WillowClan leader that he would bravely stand up against a larger and stronger enemy. Clearing his head, Echostar switched his attention from Jasper and back to the tabby she-cat behind him.

"There is no time to loosen up!" he snapped. "The warriors of StarClan are gone and we need to find them! And to top it all off, our only neighboring Clan hates us! There could be a war any day, be it in the sky or on the ground!"

"I know that," Amberstorm hissed. "I'm just as concerned as you are."

"How can I believe that when I don't even know if you're a loyal warrior or not?"

The small tabby's lips curled up in a snarl. "I am loyal, Echostar! I always have been! What can I do to prove that to you?"

Suddenly, an idea appeared in Echostar's head. They weren't friends anymore, but Amberstorm was a strong cat, and perhaps her fighting by his side would help him believe that she wasn't the murderer that he had always thought she was. "You want to prove yourself?" he asked. "Very well. There is some business that WillowClan needs to attend to and I must bring some of my warriors with me. At sunset, come to the medicine cat clearing."

Hostility was replaced by curiosity in her glowing amber eyes. "Business? What sort of business? And why is it so important that you have to select warriors?"

"You'll find out later." He went to walk away, but stopped when Jasper stepped forward.

"Erm…What about me?" the kittypet stammered. "Would you like me to come?"

Echostar looked over his shoulder. "No; you're not a warrior." His whiskers twitched as Amberstorm let out a hiss of exasperation. "You will stay here." He paused to glance at Jasper's neck, where a bright red collar was. "If you wish to be one of us, then take off that awful thing. True warriors don't bear the marks of Twolegs." He turned away and walked towards the fresh-kill pile, where Shadowclaw was laying down, eating a sparrow. Silently, Echostar selected a vole from the pile and settled next to her.

"Finally find some free time?" she mewed curtly.

Echostar sighed. "Shadowclaw, I'm sorry."

The she-cat turned and glared at him. "Oh? Now you're sorry? Strange, you didn't seem sorry for your attitude the other night."

"I know, I know. I've just been…stressed, is all. I shouldn't have kicked you out like that. You were right; you're my mate and are more than welcome to come into my den whenever you like."

Shadowclaw stared at him before sighing and leaning into him. "You are the stupidest tom I've ever met," she murmured. "Nonetheless, I love you and forgive you."

"Thank you," he purred. "And I love you too. I promise."

The two laid there silently as Echostar glanced around the camp, trying to find warriors to choose. How many should he bring? Crystalheart never mentioned specific numbers. He saw Bramblestar and Squirrelflight near the warriors' den and briefly thought about going to speak to them, but dismissed the thought, for he didn't want to move away from Shadowclaw at that moment. He looked at the dozing she-cat and wondered if he should ask her to come. He had always loved having next to her in battle, but should he put her in such danger? StarClan aren't her ancestors, he thought. Why should I get her involved in a battle that doesn't have anything to do with her? He kept telling himself this, but inside he knew that Shadowclaw was just as involved in it as he was. She was a warrior too now, after all.

I'll think about it. He continued to look around the camp. The tom had already decided to leave Crookedtail here, just in case Nightstar did decide to start anything. His gaze rested on the old deputy, who was speaking to Gingerfur. Ginger fur is an excellent fighter, he thought. I'll bring her. I'll leave Firestorm here and she can train Willowpaw while we're gone, just in case this lasts longer than I think it will.

Worry suddenly gripped the leader when he realized how few warriors his Clan really had. He would need quite a few for this mission, but he couldn't leave the camp without defense. Perhaps he should leave most of the cats here, but what if the battle in StarClan territory was to be more deadly than he expected? But if I bring most of my warriors and LeafClan attacks, WillowClan will be crowfood! Despair came over him; whatever choice he made could mean serious injuries for his Clan. What could he do?

"Maybe they're all right," he whispered. "Maybe I can't cope with leadership duties."