Chapter 5

Timberstar led his warriors in a steady lope along the riverbank. The apprentices lagged slightly behind the older cats. Fogpaw and Stormpaw were both panting as they tried to keep up.

"My legs ache," mewed Stormpaw. Fogpaw nodded in agreement, saving breath. She glanced ahead, where Demonpaw was several paces in front of them. He barely noticed the hurt in his paws, too focused on his thoughts.

Feralclaw had been brutal to Angelpaw earlier, and Demonpaw was still seething from his mentor's insults. He had been unfair. Both Angelpaw and Fogpaw had caught the same amount of prey, but his sister had been punished for bringing a young squirrel and sparrow family.

"Whom in the clan do you know that would survive on prey this small?" Feralclaw had demanded. Angelpaw had stared at the ground until he stalked off. Demonpaw had had to bury his claws in the dirt to stop himself attacking his mentor.

"Demonpaw," Stormpaw panted, "you're not still mad about what happened today, are you?"

Demonpaw spun around and the other apprentices clearly saw the hatred smoldering in his piercing gaze. Without a word, he turned to catch up with the warriors.

They stopped at a small ridge overlooking the ThreeRivers, a fork where two ridges merged to become one. In the centermost part of the fork were numerous tree stumps of various sizes.

Feralclaw lifted his head to sniff the air.

"Shineclan," he reported.

Timberstar led them down the hill to the very edge of the river and leapt for the tree stumps. The cats began to mingle as they waited for Scentclan to arrive.

Demonpaw was finally dragged from his vengeful thoughts when his eyes lit on a silvery apprentice from Shineclan. Her fur sparkled in the moonlight like a thousand jewels, and he felt his stomach clench.

She was on his side of the river, chatting with several warriors. The golden tom next to her seemed to be her mentor. Somehow, Demonpaw didn't think his legs would hold out long enough to get over there.

I'm pathetic, he thought, shaking his head.

He turned as a new scent invaded his nose: Scentclan.

A dark gray tom joined Timberstar and Brightstar on the stumps, and Timberstar yowled to start the meeting.

Demonpaw flicked his ears and caught a bit of conversation between Tornadopelt and Bladeclaw:

"—not right. Where's Bloomstar?"

"I don't remember hearing that anything had happened."

So apparently this dark cat wasn't Scentclan's leader.

"First of all," mewed Brightstar, "I think we all must ask: where is Bloomstar?"

The gray tom moved to the center stump so everyone could hear him.

"I am Smokeclaw, Bloomstar's deputy, and am here in her place. StarClan wished that she remain behind."

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A/N: ooo, what's going on? Lol R&R!

-- Ash