A/N: Thanks to those who reviewed! This would've been up two days ago, but I noticed a gaping mistake when I was re-reading it, so I had to rewrite half the chapter. Again, thanks to reviewers for your kind words! I've been having the kind of week where nothing goes right, and getting the messages in my in-box made my day! Oh, and this picks up directly after the last chapter; no time has passed.

Disclaimer: Well, I got a lovely letter in the mail from Kate Carey and Cherith Baldry saying that they've decided to pass on the ownership of Warriors to me and...oh, fine. That's not true.

Chapter Six

The pale gray she-cat stared out at the crowd nervously.

"How did you get here?" asked Lightningstar, stopping in front of her. Sunpaw stood and answered that.

"I found her on my hunting patrol," she said, her voice carrying. "She was on the cliffs. I-,"

"Brought her here," interjected Hawkclaw. He glared at her. "Is it a coincidence that when we are attacked in our own camp, the half-blood brings back an intruder?" he asked the Clan at large, turning to face them. "This she-cat bears the same scent as the cats who ambushed us! Is it coincidence, I ask you, that this cat was found by-,"

"Hawkclaw!" Lightningstar said. His voice was calm, but his eyes were smoldering. "Silence. Let Sunpaw speak. And need I remind you that it is not your place to blame Sunpaw for her heritage, much less openly scorn her for it?" The dark warrior fell silent, but Sunpaw bared her teeth at him before continuing.

"She said that she would be dead if she had stayed. Said that she needed to leave. I was bringing her to camp to let Lightningstar decide what to do with her." She glared pointedly at Hawkclaw. "We'd just got back into the forest when Treeshadow came bursting out of the bushes, telling me the camp was being attacked and Lightningstar had sent him to find me."

"That's all very well," came Quickriver's voice, and the Clan turned to look at the pale brown she-cat. "I believe you, Sunpaw, but why did this cat come to our land?"

Trembling, Morning seemed to be having trouble speaking, and when she managed, her voice was so quiet it could hardly be heard. "I am from the Tribe of Rushing Water. Three moons ago, I completed my training and became a cave-guard. Before that, about five moons before that, a black fox came to live around the cave. When Stoneteller and the most experienced cave-guards went to chase her off, she started to talk.

"I'm not sure why Stoneteller listened. Maybe because it was a fox that talked cat, and that convinced him that she was trustworthy. She told him that she could bring him more territory than the mountains. Stoneteller had always wanted more territory, and that drove him to believe even more strongly that he could trust the vixen.

"The vixen said that if Stoneteller would let her into the cave, she would tell the Tribe her plan." At this, Sunpaw wondered how stupid a cat had to be to let a fox into the place where they lived, but Morning went on. "She swore by the Tribe of Endless Hunting that she would not harm any cat in any way." The Clan exchanged confused looks. Rainpaw muttered, "I think that's like StarClan to them." Sunpaw jumped, because the camp had been silent save for Morning's voice, and she was surprised that Rainpaw had been able to walk over from Treeshadow's den.

"Her promise on the Tribe of Endless Hunting was what ultimately led Stoneteller to decide that she could be trusted. A fox that knew what our ancestors are called...it was an incredible phenomenon." She took a shaking breath, and Sunpaw could see how frightened she was as she relayed this information.

"So he led her into the cave. Once Stoneteller told us of her oath, most of the Tribe trusted her as well. She told us that beyond the mountains, four groups of cats who called themselves Clans lived in a forest. We knew that, but let her speak.

"The fox said that if we banded together with her, we could take over the Clan cats' forest. Many were pleased with the proposal. Prey is extremely scarce in the mountains, and though we are adapted to it, there is never enough. Having a whole forest and the mountains was like a blessing from the Tribe of Endless Hunting." At this point, Morning's fur had begun to bristle, and she licked her paw and drew it over her ear nervously. She tried three times to keep speaking, her voice failing each time. When she could again talk, her meow was slightly louder.

"I was seven moons at the time. I remember hearing nearly every cat say it more than twice a day, so I spent a good amount of time hearing how wonderful it would be. I was half opposed to the idea, and half in agreement with it.

"The fox said that she would give us time to decide if we truly wanted the Clan's territory. A half-moon later, when she returned, about two-thirds of the Tribe were agreed. For many moons she came back to see Stoneteller to discuss how the forest would be taken over. Careful planning, she said, would be needed. If there was the smallest flaw, the Tribe could lose."

"So you know how and when the Tribe will attack?" called Sunpaw. If that were so, Morning would be a great asset to the Clans. But the gray she-cat's amber eyes were dull.

"No. Only Stoneteller and the fox knew what battle tactics were being planned."

"Your leader didn't tell any cat what was going on?" Orangestripe called out.

Morning shook her head. "He said that when the time came, he would tell the whole Tribe. But the time never came.

"One moon ago, Stoneteller and the vixen went out to the edge of the mountains. I can't remember exactly what they were doing...I just know they went out. The same day, my friend Cry of Hunting Hawk went out to hunt. Iaccompanied him. He was chasing a rabbit, and I was watching the sky for hawks. Since I was looking up, I could see cliff-tops. On one I saw the vixen and Stoneteller." At this point Morning's voice began to shake, and for aheartbeat Sunpaw thought she would be unable to go on. After a few moments, she went on.

"The vixen p-pushed him off the cliff . I watched him f-fall. He h-hit a rock. Cry of Hunting Hawk had gone around a bend in a cliff and didn't see. The v-vixen jumped down right after Stoneteller fell. She slashed him across his throat. Then I saw her drag a dead hawk out from under a small overhang. She then..." Morning was now trembling so much Sunpaw swore she could see the grass shaking. "She then dipped the hawk's talons in Stoneteller's blood."

"She made it look like a hawk killed him and she killed the hawk," muttered Sunpaw to herself.

"She wanted total control of the Tribe, and the only way to do that was to kill Stoneteller, make it look like an accident, and stage it like she avenged his death the best she could. She knew the Tribe would look to her even more."

"Didn't your Tribe have a deputy?" asked Lightningstar.

"A second in command? We have a sort of that. The fox killed her, too. I'm sure of it. She wouldn't kill Stoneteller and then have another rise to take his place. She's smart, for a fox."

"And now she's got total control of the Tribe?" asked Treeshadow.

"I would think so. If Stoneteller's successor was killed, then the fox holds complete control. The Tribe would look to her as their leader."

"So after the fox murdered Stoneteller, what did you do?" prompted Lightningstar. "What made you come to our territory?"

"The vixen saw me after she bloodied the hawk's talons. She knew I'd seen what she did. So I ran," said Morning softly. "I was a coward, but it was all I could think to do. I didn't want to die." She took a deep, shuddering breath. "I reached the sun-drown-place and tried to live there. It is more difficult to hunt here than in the mountains. I was near to starving. Then today, the young one found me." Every cat turned to Sunpaw. She raised her chin in an almost defiant way as she stared back.

"Lightningstar, what are you going to do?"

"Is there any question about it?" came the loud voice of Shadowpaw. "She needs to leave! How do we know she told the truth? It's more than likely that this whole story was planned ahead of time and she's just here to spy!"

Yowls of agreement came from more than half the Clan. Lightningstar pulled himself up onto the Hightree and called for silence.

"For now," he said, his deep meow sounding through the clearing, "Morning is to be kept here. If it is fine with you, Treeshadow," he continued, raising his voice above the protests of the Clan, "I would prefer for her to stay near your den."

The gray tabby considered for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

"It is decided," said the black-and-white leader with finality. "For now, she stays. We will keep careful watch around all our borders. Rebuilding of the camp wall will begin today. All patrols will contain at least three warriors. No apprentice is to leave the camp alone, and must be back in camp before sundown. Treeshadow, how bad are the injuries?"

"Rainpaw has a cut on her shoulder, but it won't get infected and she should be on her feet by morning. Nightpaw and Sparrowbeak will need to remain with me for a few days. Icepaw has a shoulder wound as well-,"

"It's already closing up," called the apprentice from the side of the crowd. Sunpaw breathed a silent sigh of relief.

"But apart from that, all other wounds have been treated and should heal well."

Lightningstar nodded. "Sorrelflower, Barkfur, how are you two?"

"Fine," came Sorrelflower's slightly cracked mew. "They didn't seem to think we were worth much bother."

"Mudspeckle," went on the Clan leader, "find the two most fit warriors and go in the direction of the mountains. Look for any trace of the cats and fox." He then slithered down, ending the meeting. Mudspeckle left the camp with Jaywing and Roseleaf almost immediately after.

"Are you alright?" asked Rainpaw, her pale blue eyes, as usual, worried.

"Yeah, I'm fine," answered Sunpaw. "How's your shoulder?"

"Fine. Treeshadow didn't want me to leave his den, but it was easier to hear Morning from out here. Suppose I'll go back."

"Right. See you later."

"'Bye."

Sunpaw got up and padded over to Icepaw. Settling down beside him, she asked, "So how're you doing?"

"To quote you, just dandy. We've just taken part in a battle, Sunpaw, how do you think I feel?" His whiskers twitched in amusement. "Not bad. Scratches still twinge, but that'll be expected."

"Those aren't going to scar, are they?" She would hate to see that handsome coat of his marred by scars.

"I don't know. I didn't ask." He stretched each foreleg in turn, then said, "Do you believe her? Morning, I mean?"

"I don't know yet. If something happens that proves her story true, then yeah, I'll believe her. Until then, I'm neutral. What I want to know is, what in the name of StarClan is the fox's name? The whole time she called it 'the fox', 'she', or 'the vixen'."

"Maybe she's afraid to say the name."

Sunpaw looked over at Treeshadow's den. She could see Morning's pale gray fur. "I'm going over to ask."

"Are you sure-,"

Sunpaw cut him off. "Yes. Why not?" She walked away before Icepaw could answer.

As Sunpaw walked over to the Tribe cat, Hawkclaw stopped her before she could even get halfway. "Stay away from that Tribe spy," he growled at her. "Go and begin rebuilding the camp wall."

Narrowing her eyes at him, Sunpaw waited a few moments before dipping her head. "Yes, Hawkclaw."

When she reached Icepaw again, his blue eyes sparkled. "You've got courage, doing that to Hawkclaw."

"What? Waiting before I give the sign of acknowledgment from low, filthy half-blood to grand, noble warrior? I just wanted him to get the message."

"I wish you'd stop calling yourself that," he said as they padded out of camp to start collecting sticks for the camp. "You're not low or filthy."

"Still a half-blood," she said bitterly.

If he had a response to that, Sunpaw couldn't hear it, because his jaws were crammed with sticks.

;-;-;-;

Sunpaw was exhausted. Was it only this morning she had gone down the cliffs? Her jaws ached from toting sticks into the camp until nearly sundown. Despite the salves and poultices Treeshadow had applied to her wounds, every bite and scratch wasthrobbing. Her legs were stiffening from the mad dash from the sun-drown-place and the battle, and she hadn't eaten all day.

With a moan, she remembered the fresh-kill she'd left in the woods. She'd have to go fetch it, assuming something else hadn't already run off with it.

"Something up?" asked Icepaw as he smoothed his fur.

"Yes," she said, hauling herself up and padding over to where Lightningstar lay eating with Darkcloud and Waterdrip.

"Lightningstar," she said, dipping her head to him, "I left the fresh-kill I caught this morning in the forest. Should I go and get it, or wait until tomorrow?"

"I'll come with you to see if it's still there. Excuse me," he added to the two warriors he'd been eating with.

"Where did you leave it?" he asked her as they padded up the slope.

"Under a briar patch beside the Birch Stream," she said. He nodded and let her take the lead.

The sun had nearly vanished from the sky by the time they reached the place. Feeling mildly surprised all her prey was still there, Sunpaw took a moment to look at the sky. Stars, tiny pinpoints of light in a sea of deepening violet, were starting to brighten. In the direction of the ocean, Sunpaw could see fading streaks of gold, red, and pink.

Lightningstar stepped over to the stream and bent his head to drink. Feeling thirsty herself, Sunpaw did the same. As she lapped up the crisp water, she heard the same murmurings as when she'd first seen the shadow-cat at the sun-drown-place. Raising her head from the stream, she heard a voice.

"Beware the shadows."

Her heart began to race. Like at the sun-drown-place, the voice had reverberated inside her mind. She looked around for the shadow-cat, but saw nothing unusual among the trees. Her fur began to prickle with uneasiness, and she felt as though someone-or something-unseen to her was watching. As Lightningstar lifted his head from the stream, she forced herself to calm down as she gathered her prey.

If she had turned around at all on the trek back to camp, she would have seen a flame-pelted, yet translucent, cat padding behind them. And if she had listened, she would have heard the warning repeated.

"Beware the shadows."

But she did not look or listen.

;-;-;-;

"I have a tendency to listen to the voices in my head. Sometimes they have good ideas."

-M.B.B.

A/N: If all goes well, I should have the next chapter up within a week, as there's a current lull in the homework flood. And the usual: what's good, improvements needed, and all that fun stuff.