Runningshadow had a very rude awakening when he heard a loud yowl coming from the camp entrance. His eyes shot open and he saw that Ashstar was still there beside him, still dead.

He sighed. No matter what, no dreams or wishes could make his beloved leader come back to life ever again.

It reminded him of when Cinnamonpaw had died. That was such a long time ago that Runningshadow had forgotten about it. But this was a similar feeling to that day, wishing with all his heart that he could have done something to stop this cat from dying.

He put his mind back on the yowl. It had come from the patrol, who were now dragging their paws into camp, bloody and downtrodden.

Runningshadow rushed to meet them. There were only three. "Brindlerose, Pineclaw, Mangoheart, are you okay?" Asked Runningshadow.

They all shook their heads. Pineclaw gulped and stepped forward. "Runningshadow, a group of ShadowClan warriors caught us all and kept us from returning to camp. Poisonpaw and Strikefoot were killed, and Mangoheart is terribly wounded. We'll need Mossflower."

Runningshadow got Spottedfoot, who was closest, to go fetch Mossflower, while he talked to Brindlerose about details.

"Poisonpaw and Strikefoot? Dead?" Asked Runningshadow, his heart twisting.

The brown tabby nodded. "Yes. The ShadowClan warriors were keeping us from helping you ward their Clanmates off. We were lucky we survived, there were swarms of them."

"Swarms of them?" Hissed Runningshadow. "I thought that most of them had died in a plague."

"Well, then again, most of these cats didn't exactly smell like ShadowClan…" Brindlerose's voice trailed off.

"That's it!" Runningshadow said. "Rogues! The rogues from Crimsonstone's gang. ShadowClan probably hired them to help snuff us out when Ashstar said no to Hurricanestar's request. That's what is going on here!"

"What's with the mob of cats?" Asked Pineclaw nervously.

Runningshadow felt his heart break. "Here, all of you come with me. Mangoheart, you stay, Mossflower is going to take care of you."

Runningshadow flicked his tail for the other two warriors to follow him to Ashstar.

When Pineclaw and Brindlerose saw Ashstar, they burst into tears. "Ashstar…dead?" Sobbed Brindlerose. "I don't think I can take it. My whole life Ashstar has been my leader…it will be very different from now on."

Runningshadow grunted in agreement. He decided to leave the two warriors to mourn over their departed leader and headed for the nursery.

Summerheart was there, watching over all the kits, while Newtfrost looked over the kits. "And Ratfur?" Asked Runningshadow.

Summerheart bowed her head. "Dead," She mewed sadly. "She got killed."

Runningshadow felt his heart sink. Who would take care of her kits? And since Ratfur was dead, who would take care of Mossflower's kits?

Runningshadow sighed. "I'm so sorry," He murmured. "That must have been so hard for you."

Summerheart shrugged. "Not really. It's the kits I'm worried about."

He turned around and found that his paws were leading him to Ashstar's body once more. Most of the cats were gone, except Newtfrost, who was putting Ratfur's dead and bloody body right next to Ashstar's. "Many lives have been lost," Mumbled the tortoiseshell. "I had no idea we'd lose our leader. What kind of war is this turning into?"

Runningshadow gave Newtfrost a tender lick. "Pineclaw is back. Did you notice?"

Newtfrost shook her head. "I was too busy sharing tongues with Ratfur and Ashstar," She replied.

Runningshadow nodded. "He's safe," He murmured. "But very sad. A group of ShadowClan cats stopped the patrol from getting any closer to the camp to help fight, and Strikefoot and Poisonpaw died."

"Oh my!" Newtfrost exclaimed. "The poor apprentice. He was just about to be made a warrior, too."

Runningshadow nodded. Then a good thought came into his mind.

"Newtfrost," He mewed, "Am I allowed to make cats warriors if I don't have my nine lives yet?"

Newtfrost shrugged. "I have no idea. Ask Spiritwing, I'm sure he knows."

Runningshadow ran for the elders den. Poor Spiritwing was heartbroken. Hopefully he was okay enough to talk to Runningshadow.

"Spiritwing?" Called Runningshadow through the entrance.

"Come in," Rasped the elder. He was getting very old now.

"I wanted to ask you a question about leadership-"

"Now you're so high and mighty," Spiritwing spat. "You don't even care that she's dead. You're glad to be leader now, aren't you?"

"No, not at all," Runningshadow spluttered. "I'm horribly sad to let her go like this, trust me. But Spiritwing, can I ask you a quick question?"

"What about?"

"About being a leader."

The gray tom stiffened, but crossed his paws and mewed, "I can answer it," simply.

"Are leaders allowed to make cats warriors if they don't have their nine lives yet?" Asked Runningshadow.

"Hmmm…" Spiritwing growled. "I think I know. I remember Ashstar when she was young. Our former leader had died. I believe that she made me a warrior that day. I was so happy."

Runningshadow felt happy all of a sudden too. "Oh, thank you so much, Spiritwing," He mewed. "It's so kind of you."

"No problem, youngster," Spiritwing said simply. "Now go. I believe you have warriors to name?"

Runningshadow felt excitement and nodded, giving Spiritwing a lick and rushing for the Highrock. Soon, thoughts of Mudpelt came swarming into his head.

Mudpelt was still out there, perhaps now helping ShadowClan. Would he now be an even worse danger to ThunderClan?

Shaking these thoughts away like stubborn dewdrops, Runningshadow called familiar summons: "Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!"

Many warriors and apprentices were eager to know what was going on. To Runningshadow's delight, even Cloverpaw and Mossflower were attending.

Once he was sure that everyone was seated, Runningshadow started. "Yesterday we had a battle…one of the biggest battles in ThunderClan history. A great number of cats died, but I'm glad to say that not just ThunderClan blood was shed. Many cats were great fighters out there, and had the strength and bravery of warriors." He caught the eye of Cloverpaw.

"Cloverpaw, Catkinpaw, Shadowpaw, please come up to the Highrock." Runningshadow braced for the looks of disappointment on Owlpaw, Oakpaw and Starpaw's face, but they looked calm. They knew they weren't completely trained yet.

Runningshadow started the usual words, but kept in mind that he wasn't yet the leader. "I, Runningshadow, new appointed leader of ThunderClan, cal upon my warrior ancestors to look upon these three apprentices. They have worked very hard to understand your code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn."

The light brown tom came down from the rock. "Cloverpaw, Catkinpaw, Shadowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," Shadowpaw mewed calmly.

"I do," Catkinpaw said excitedly.

"I do," Cloverpaw said happily.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Shadowpaw, for your suave stealth I give you the name Shadownight. Catkinpaw, for your caring I give you the name Catkinheart. And Cloverpaw, for your perseverance and bravery I give you the name Cloverleaf. StarClan honors your achievement and we welcome you as full warriors of ThunderClan."

Runningshadow lay his muzzle on top of the new warriors' heads and in turn they licked their new leader's head.

"You did wonderful for your first warriors," Catkinheart purred.

Runningshadow gave her a smile and, remembering something, went back to the top of the Highrock. "Cats of ThunderClan, I would like to give you all a warning. If you ever see any ShadowClan cats on our territory, chase them away immediately. If they ensue in violence, come to me as fast as you can. I'll deal with it.

"Also, if you see Mudpelt around, kick him out of our territory just as you would a ShadowClan warrior. He is now exiled from ThunderClan."

"What did Mudpelt do?" Hissed Deerstripe. "He hasn't done anything worth exile!"

Runningshadow sighed. He hated to break the she-cats heart. "Go over and look at Ashstar," He mewed. "You shall see that Mudpelt's fur is between her claws, along with a few clumps of Mudpelt's clawed fur on her pelt."

"No way that Mudpelt killed her!" Deerstripe bellowed. "He would never do a thing like that!"

"It's true," Said Brindlerose, "I saw the whole thing. Mudpelt was clawing at Ashstar's throat. It was horrifying." Her tabby pelt shivered.

Deerstripe shook her head. Apparently she wouldn't stop denying the fact that Mudpelt, her mate, had killed her old leader.

Runningshadow looked down at Mangoheart. "Mangoheart, do you think your kits are ready for apprenticeship?" He asked the queen.

Mangoheart brightened and looked very excited in spite of her major injuries. "Oh Runningshadow, they've been waiting for so long!" She purred weakly. She turned around and limped for the nursery.\

"Oh no you don't," Mossflower scolded. She turned to the nursery. "I'll go get them."

She came back from the nursery with Trailkit squirming in her grasp and Weavekit padding briskly beside her. "Let me go!" Howled Trailkit. "What's going on?"

"You'll see," Mossflower mewed happily. "You'll see."

Runningshadow looked down at the kits with pride. He knew that Trailkit would become a very good apprentice. But he hadn't even thought of who the mentors would be?

"Trailkit, Weavekit, you are six moons old. You are ready to become apprentices."

The tiny tabby looked at his sister excitedly. Weavekit looked very proud of herself.

"Trailkit, until you earn your warrior name, your name shall be Trailpaw. I believe I am ready for a new apprentice and shall mentor Trailpaw."

Fortunately, to Runningshadow's surprise no cats were disappointed that they didn't get Trailpaw. They believed that their new leader deserved such a good apprentice. Plus, the leader got one of the deputy's kits for an apprentice, and Trailpaw was Cinderhope's son. Runningshadow felt so proud.

"Weavekit, until you have earned your warrior name-"

"Wait!" Screamed a voice. Runningshadow looked around and his eyes fell on Weavekit. Her usually gentle bright blue eyes were blazing. "I- I can't be made an apprentice. Not yet. I would like to be Mossflower's apprentice, if that is okay with you," She meowed.

Runningshadow didn't know if she was talking to him or the medicine cat, but before he could say anything Mossflower came up to the ginger she-kit and purred, "Weavekit, I would love for you to be my apprentice!"

Weavekit looked the happiest she ever had in her life.

"Weavekit, is it your wish to become the apprentice of Mossflower and learn the ways of a medicine cat?" Asked Runningshadow.

"Yes," Weavekit mewed.

"Then until you earn your medicine cat name, I name you Weavepaw," Runningshadow meowed. He came up to Weavepaw and touched his tail to her shoulder. She didn't know what to do, so she just dipped her head.

Trailpaw came up to Weavepaw. "Wow! Medicine cat apprentice! You never told me you wanted to be that!" He exclaimed. "I thought, with all that talk about becoming a warrior, that you wouldn't choose that!" The ginger she-cat's brother almost looked disappointed she wouldn't grow up to be a warrior with him.

"Well, I've been visiting the medicine cat's den to help take care of Cloverpaw, and I think that it is the perfect thing for me!" Weavepaw exclaimed.

"I have one more announcement to make," Runningshadow called as the Clan started to loosely disband. "You all remember Skycloud. He got seized by Hurricanestar and taken to ShadowClan to live there. He has lived in ShadowClan for two seasons, and now I am inviting him back into ThunderClan for his loyalty to his old Clan. Skycloud?"

The gray and white tom looked up. "I would be delighted to join the Clan," He said happily. "I can't tell you how much I've missed ThunderClan.

Runningshadow smiled. "Good."

"But Runningshadow," Called Chasewind, "Shouldn't you appoint the deputy now that you are leader?"

Runningshadow sighed. "Who said I was leader yet?" He meowed to the entire Clan. "I have not yet gone to the moonstone to get my nine lives. I shall take that journey tonight."

"Tonight?" Exclaimed Trailpaw, concerned about his training. "Isn't that a little early?"

Runningshadow shook his head. "Not at all. The sun hasn't even set yet. Mossflower, do you think you are ready to accompany me?" He asked the medicine cat.

"If Weavepaw here can stand one night in the apprentices den, then yes," Mossflower purred, cuffing her new apprentice on the ear. Weavepaw laughed.

"Thank you, Mossflower, it means so much to me," Runningshadow said kindly.

"We'll have to leave soon," Mossflower mewed suddenly. "It's almost past Sunhigh. If we're to get there by dark, then we should leave soon."

"Yes," Runningshadow sighed. "I agree." But Ashstar still had to be buried!

He hated to do this, but he had to if he were to become leader before tonight. "Chasewind, Skycloud, will you arrange the plans for burying Ashstar?" He asked.

"While you're gone?" Spluttered Chasewind. "But-"

"Don't worry," Runningshadow told the young warrior. "I'll say my last goodbyes to her before I leave. Just talk with the other warriors about where to bury her. And make sure that Spiritwing helps you, too," He reminded them.

"Thank you, Runningshadow," Chasewind said, dipping his head. "I appreciate you giving me of all cats the job."

Runningshadow nodded, giving the warrior a lick. He really was a good warrior, even though he could be a little hotheaded at times.

Runningshadow headed for Ashstar's body. All the cats cleared the way for him to lay down beside her. When cats were starting to stare, Mossflower herded them back and told them to do their duties. "Patrols! Elders! Queens! There is plenty to do!" Mossflower hissed.

Runningshadow lay himself down beside the grizzled she-cat. He lapped at her cold fur with slow, careful licks. "I'm sorry, Ashstar," He murmured. "I…I can't believe that you are dead now. I shall miss you greatly. You were my friend, my leader, and, in some ways, my mentor. I would give anything for you to be alive again." Runningshadow sighed and held back tears.

"But you know," He said, his voice shaking with sobs, "I promise you that I will be the best leader for this Clan. You will not be sorry that you appointed me for deputy." The tears came. Sobs wracked Runningshadow's body as he licked and nuzzled his dead leader's cold, but still soft fur.

"I hope you are in StarClan now," Runningshadow sighed. "So you can meet your two beautiful kits up there. Come to think of it, you'll be much happier…" But Runningshadow couldn't say anymore.

If he could, Runningshadow would have stayed laying down by Ashstar's body all day and night until she was buried. But he had to leave. Mossflower was already calling for him to leave.

Runningshadow got up and headed for Mossflower. "I'm sorry that you didn't get more time," Mossflower sighed. "I paid my respects also. I shall miss her greatly. Ashstar was such a great leader."

Runningshadow nodded, the tears still in his eyes as if they were resting on his eyelids.

"Let her rest in peace, up there in StarClan," He murmured, sending dozens of prayers to the skies in honor of his departed leader, whose guidance had lasted his entire life.

REVIEW! And i'll give u 2 plushies: Both Trailpaw and Weavepaw! Do u like those two? R they sucky plushies? Sorry, i'm running out of plushie possibilities here...