Hey guys! So this new updating method of mine is actually working really well! Thanks for all the good reviews! A bit of a boring chapter, but there is some RoseXStone fluff.

Question of the Chapter: Who would you guys like to have a POV from? I haven't had a change in awhile.

Zestia240: Thanks! And I'm glad Rosewater is liked

Starbomb: Thank you for the compliment!

Pengirl: Ooo How would you like your Snowfeather to be the current Snowkit who Rosewater currently hates (not forever though! Don't worry, I wouldn't make you cat hated!) That is a major part too!

Spiritwind: Thanks! And well yes Stonefang has a huge crush on Rosewater but she doesn't really know. She doesn't pay attention to stuff like that Keep reviewing!

Chapter 24: The Truth

Rosewater muscles stiffened. Did she dare open her eyes? A WindClan cat was here. WindClan. They would feel quite welcome to kill her, she was sure. But what in the name of StarClan were they doing at the Moonpool?

Rosewater inhaled silently and opened her sky blue eyes to find herself looking at a sleek black WindClan she-cat with green eyes. Rosewater felt fury boil inside of her. This was the cat that had nearly killed her when she was an apprentice.

"You!" Rosewater snarled, instinctively dropping down into a crouch and wavering her tail. Her claws slid out as her eyes met the confused gaze of the WindClan cat. What's her problem?

"No! Please, Rosepaw. I'm a friend." The black cat meowed, nervousness flickering in her eyes.

"It's Rosewater now." She snarled in response. "And how in the name of StarClan do you expect me to think of you as a friend? You nearly killed me if it weren't for Troutclaw!"

"I know." The she-cat meowed, looking down at her paws. "But I've changed! Troutclaw knows that as well, I told him when he attacked me."

"You really expect me to believe you that some WindClan scum that nearly killed an apprentice comes up to me and tells me that they're my friend! Give it up! You aren't Leopardheart!" Rosewater snarled, her heart drooping for a moment when she spoke Leopardheart's name.

The cat blinked. "Leopardheart?"

"Oh, right," Rosewater scoffed. "I forgot, your terrible leader had named her Turtleblood! What kind of a name did he give you?"

"My name's Rushfall." The black she-cat answered calmly, though her fur was fluffed out in fear.

Rosewater stepped back for a moment. "Very well." She meowed curtly. "And might I ask what you're doing here?"

Rushfall's whiskers twitched. "I could ask you the same." The meowed.

StarClan don't let her know about Lionfire!

"But, I really don't care. I came to speak with StarClan and ask them for help." Rushfall meowed, her eyes tinged with sadness. For a heartfelt second, Rosewater felt sorry for the she-cat, joining WindClan and in the process of trying to prove herself a good warrior, earning numerous scars and wounds.

"Help for what?" Rosewater asked softly.

"Help for my Clan." Rushfall answered boldly. "I can't let Adderstar continue leading; even if he dies then we'll be put under rule of his cruel deputy Bloodwhisker! I can't let that happen! There has to be some way of stopping this madness!"

Rosewater tucked her head for a moment. "I agree. I still have scars from when I was there as a cat." She meowed, thinking back to when WindClan had cruelly captured her and attempted to train her.

Rushfall cocked her head. "You were there as a kit?" she asked.

"Long story." Rosewater mumbled, looking down at her paws.

Rosewater could see Rushfall bite her lip but hold back a question. "Anyways back to the subject." She meowed hastily. "How do we stop Adderstar?"

Rosewater shook her head slowly. "I don't know… I really don't." she murmured.

"I have a deal for you." Rushfall meowed, sitting up. "After I share tongues with StarClan, how about you meet me back here a moon after and we can discuss what StarClan tells me." She proposed.

Can I really trust this cat? Rosewater wondered, feeling reluctant. Slowly she opened her jaws. "Okay," she meowed shortly. "Only if I can bring my friend with me." She meowed. She wasn't going alone!

"Who is this cat?" Rushfall asked her eyes narrow.

"My best friend. His name is Stonefang." Rosewater meowed, wrapping her tail tightly around her paws.

"Sure," Rushfall meowed. "If I can bring my friend Burningheart." She meowed, meeting Rosewater's gaze levelly.

Burningheart! Hate to judge a cat by their name sake, but honest to StarClan, he sounds foul! She thought but nodded. As long as she could bring Stonefang it would be alright with her.

"Okay." Rushfall meowed. "Until next time, Rosewater."

Rosewater nodded. "Bye!" With that, she sprinted out of the Moonpool, her paws glazing across the ground near the stream. Her heart beat rapidly in her chest. She needed to get back to camp and bring Lionfire the news and then talk to Stonefang about their meeting they would be going to with Rushfall and Burningheart.

She reached ThunderClan territory quickly and opened her jaws. Lionfire's scent was splayed across the ground. Good, he was probably back already. She cast a glance at the sky. Morning light was seeping in through the cracks of the horizon. Fox dung! I'd better hurry!

She took off, her legs moving below her effortlessly. She turned uphill, camp wasn't far away now. Finally she reached the thorn barrier. She crouched down and pushed herself inside, met by the gazes of several different cats. Mouse-dung!

Lionfire's gaze met her first and they lit up with worry and apology. Then Oakstar's met hers. Rosewater walked forward sheepishly towards him. "Rosewater." He murmured. "Where were you?" he asked.

"I… I was…" Rosewater stuttered. She shouldn't lie anymore, she really shouldn't.

"She was out hunting with me, Oakstar." Rosewater felt surprise flitter inside of her when she looked up to meet the sturdy green gaze of Stonefang. His eyes scorned into hers. Rosewater could nearly hear his voice saying: "You'd better have an explanation!"

Oakstar turned to Stonefang in surprise. "Oh really? Why were you already in camp then?"

"I wanted to bring back the prey that we had caught already while Rosewater looked for some more." His gaze met hers again and Rosewater could practically hear her heart beating quickly. "I see that you didn't catch anything more?" he inquired.

Rosewater shook her head quickly. "No… I didn't." she murmured. Dawnpool and Shinedove's eyes boring into her. What did they want?

"Very well." Oakstar meowed shortly before padding away into his den with Stormwhisper following.

Rosewater felt Stonefang's pelt press into her. "I'm leading a border patrol." He hissed in her ear. "I'm taking Shinedove, Dawnpool, and you. You'd better explain."

Rosewater nodded. "I will." She mewed softly. Stonefang stepped away from her, leaving her in awe. Was his coat always so warm and sturdy? Was his gaze always so friendly and strong? Her heart was practically beating out of her chest now.

She saw Stonefang flick his tail for Dawnpool and Shinedove to come. They quickly and willingly trotted over. She couldn't tell Shinedove and Dawnpool about it. Not yet. She'd have to find some way to speak with Stonefang alone.

Stonefang led them out of camp and Dawnpool and Shinedove fell into step beside her. Shinedove turned to Rosewater with excitement in her eyes. "So…" she murmured, acting as if she wasn't very interested in what she was going to say. Her voice dropped to a whisper. "What's with you and Stonefang?"

That nearly froze Rosewater's blood. "Me and Stonefang?" she murmured. "Oh… um nothing." She murmured. I need a distraction! She thought desperately.

"Oh please Rosewater." Dawnpool's voice broke in. "Don't act like there's nothing up with my brother and you."

I want to change the subject! Rosewater thought desperately. She cleared her throat. "Um… would about you and Flamewind?" she asked quickly.

Shinedove purred in amusement. "Don't change the subject Rosewater." She meowed. How was Stonefang not hearing them? Rosewater realized he was a ways in the lead. "Tell us more about you and Stonefang."

Wait! I bet if I tell them that there is something up with me and Stonefang, they'll let me go off and talk to him alone. Rosewater smiled. "Okay, you're right. There is something up with us." Rosewater couldn't help but feel that there was clear truth to it.

Dawnpool giggled. "I knew it!" she exclaimed. "You like him! Oh this is good!"

"But you can't tell anybody!" Rosewater blurted.

"Why not?" Shinedove asked.

"Well uh, because I want to talk to him first." She meowed. Yes! Her friends were so easy to manipulate!

Dawnpool purred. "Okay then, go talk to him." She meowed.

Rosewater could feel their eyes burning into her as she trotted up to the muscular gray tom. The sun reflected on his gray coat, turning it dazzling silver and his muscles rippled underneath his pelt as he walked, his bright green eyes intent on the job. Great StarClan! I don't have feelings for him… do I?

"Hey, Stonefang." She murmured. Her eyes met him.

"What is it Rosewater?" he asked.

"Can I talk to you for a second?"

"Sure," he meowed, his eyes lightening.

Rosewater led him away from Shinedove and Dawnpool deeper into the thicket. She took a deep breath. "Okay, Stonefang. Here's the thing." She flicked her tail nervously.

"What is it?" Stonefang asked with a cock of his head.

"So, you know that Lionfire's been seeing a RiverClan she-cat. Her name is Larchwing." Rosewater continued the story; feeling relieved to let all the things that had been tying her down, Stonefang was a good listener. He nodded occasionally and kept his eyes on her the whole time. When she finally finished, Rosewater looked up at him expectantly.

Stonefang drew in a deep breath. "So, you want me to go discuss about what we should do about Adderstar with two WindClan cats?"

Rosewater kneaded the ground. Would he agree to it? "Yes. That's what I was wondering that you'd do." She meowed.

Stonefang nodded. "Of course I will." When he leaned forward and gave Rosewater a lick on the ear it nearly took her breath away.

Rosewater smiled. "Thanks! After this patrol we need to get Lionfire and talk to Iceblossom about… well his situation."

Stonefang nodded with a little frown. "Yeah. Let's continue this patrol, and Rosewater." He paused. "Try and enjoy yourself okay?"

Rosewater nodded with a purr. "Okay, I will." She meowed. "Now let's go." Stonefang meowed, heading back to Dawnpool and Shinedove with Rosewater following.

When they returned to camp Rosewater found Lionfire eating a mouse in the long grass. He looked up when they came in and his green eyes narrowed. Rosewater's tail brushed Stonefang's flank, signaling for him to follow her as she approached her brother. She could feel the amused gazes of Dawnpool and Shinedove after them but she ignored it.

"Lionfire," Rosewater meowed when they reached him.

"Rosewater," Her brother said icily, eyeing Stonefang cautiously.

"It's alright." Rosewater mewed. He cast a glance at Stonefang. "He knows."

Lionfire frowned but didn't say anything. "Rosewater spoke with StarClan." Stonefang meowed in a quiet voice.

Lionfire looked to his sister expectantly. "Well, what did you find out?" he asked.

Rosewater took in a deep breath. "I spoke with Leafpool." She meowed. Lionfire's eyes widened immensely in surprise, but he stayed silent. "She recommended that we speak with the medicine cats about our situation." Rosewater continued.

"The medicine cats?" Lionfire repeated. "But how would they help? They know nothing of love!" he hissed in frustration.

"That may be true." Stonefang meowed gently. "But they are still very kind and eager to help." He added before sitting back again.

"Come on Lionfire, we aren't going to speak with Iceblossom without you." Rosewater mewed, flicking her tail for her brother to follow. Lionfire slowly heaved himself to his paws, his ginger pelt shining under the light.

Rosewater led the way to the medicine cat den and peeked inside. Good, only Iceblossom was there, sorting out herbs. "Hi Iceblossom," Rosewater meowed, trying to seem cheerfully as she padded inside.

"Hello Rosewater." Iceblossom meowed. "Stonefang, Lionfire." She didn't look up from her job.

Rosewater took a deep breath. "We need to talk about something serious."

Iceblossom froze for a moment but then continued along with her work. "What is it?" She asked slightly tentatively.

Rosewater held her breath in. That's it. She didn't need to be slow about the topic. She needed to be blunt. "Larchwing of RiverClan is expecting Lionfire's kits. We need help."

Iceblossom took a shaky breath in and sat up to look at them directly. "Young ones. This is a serious matter. No pretending." She scolded.

She just doesn't want to face the truth. Rosewater noted. "We're not joking Iceblossom. We aren't kits."

"It's real then, is it?" she asked, looking nervous.

"It is." Stonefang murmured. Lionfire just stayed silent, looking at his paws in shame and embarrassment.

Iceblossom shook her head slowly. "I will speak to Oakstar of it. He will be softer on you if he hears it from me." She meowed, looking more directly at Lionfire. "I believe the best thing that we can do is wait until after the kits are born." Rosewater noticed a flash of sadness on Lionfire's face. "And then we will send a patrol over to speak with RiverClan of it."

Lionfire nodded sheepishly. "Thanks Iceblossom." He murmured his voice dry.

Iceblossom didn't answer back to him. "Let this be a lesson to the lot of you." She growled. "These matters can't be taken lightly." She marched out of the medicine den, heading to the Leader's Den to deliver the news.

Lionfire exhaled deeply like he had been holding that breath in the whole time. "I really screwed up, didn't I?" he murmured.

Rosewater decided to be blunt. "Yep." She meowed with a quick nod of her head. She saw the downcast expression from Lionfire that came from that. "But don't worry. I'm your sister, I'm gonna be there to help you through this, and I'll stand up for you against the warrior code."

"Really?" Lionfire asked, raising his head.

"Of course."

"Why?"

"Because we're family. And that's what family does for eachother."

There you go! I hope you liked it! And as for voting for whose POV it should be next, please vote between: Stonefang, Lionfire, Larchwing, Minnowbreath, Rushfall, Iceblossom, Shinedove, Dawnpool, or Badgerstorm! Thank you for your time! Please review!

~ Mistyflower