Wake up CottonTail," CheerStar giggled looking down at him on the floor, "I need you to order the patrols."

"Okay CheerStar," he said trying to sound awake, "I'll get to it right away." When he looked around the dim atmosphere of the warrior's den, he saw HotFoot sleeping on the other side of the den and LightHeart close to the middle. He decided to let his friends sleep and gather others. When he walked out of the den, he noticed SilverClaw in the clearing once more.

"Hello CottonTail!" She exclaimed, "I came to congratulate you on being deputy!"

"Thank you SilverClaw, and tell the others I really appreciate them helping out with the battle of MoonClan and CloudClan." Suddenly he remembered the last Gathering with the talk of her brother Rascal. "Did you hear about Rascal?" SilverClaw looked distressed.

"Please don't tell me he is with StarClan," tears formed in her eyes.

"No, no, he is alive... Yet in trouble of death, he is also an intruder according to MoonClan." She let out a wail of sadness.

"We have to protect him CottonTail!"

"But he is a kittypet, and the only one to survive and escape MoonClan territory. He will be fine SilverClaw." The she-cat had her claws flexed out, grabbing the earth beneath her. Her tail lashed from side to side yet her eyes had a glint of what seemed as though as defeat.

"I thought you cared!" She hissed, "I thought I meant something to you, I thought you were a good hearted cat..." She paused, closing her eyes and her head hung low, "I thought..." She opened her eyes and stared at CottonTail. After a moment of silence, she turned around and strolled to TigerPaw's side where he gave CottonTail a look of uncertainty. CottonTail wondered what just happened when his thoughts were interrupted by LightHeart and HotFoot.

"Well," HotFoot said with a sigh, "that went great."

"Very," LightHeart mewed. Cottontail turned around.

"What went well?"

"SilverClaw never said it?" HotFoot questioned.

"Said what?" CottonTail asked again.

"Come in the warriors den." When CottonTail went into the warriors den, he saw LightHeart sitting in the back corner, her white back facing CottonTail. "First of all," HotFoot began, "SilverClaw likes you, she came to admit it."

"But," CottonTail meowed, "SmallEar and I love each other." CottonTail gasped at his own words. How could he have blurted such a secret out to the warriors. "Um..."

LightHeart turned around, gleaming with pride. "CottonTail! Oh good!" HotFoot smiled.

"Feeling better?" HotFoot inquired.

"What's going on?" CottonTail narrowed his eyes.

"Well," LightHeart mewed, "I'm a queen!" CottonTail looked at HotFoot, he didn't think they were so close.

"With whom?" He questioned, "HotFoot?"

"NO!" Both cats shouted.

"With GreyPelt, the SkyClan warrior," LightHeart squealed, "you're not the only one who has love for a cat in a different clan." She walked up and touched noses with CottonTail. "So SmallEar, huh?" She teased, "you two would look so cute together.

"Thank you LightHeart. Does GingerTail know about you being a queen?"

"Yes, I told her at dawn. Aren't you happy?"

"Of coarse," CottonTail exclaimed, "how are you going to be with GreyPelt though?"

"Same goes for you and SmallEar. What have you thought about?"

"Well, we may be loners," CottonTail mumbled.

"WHAT?!" Hotfoot interrupted, "but you're deputy!"

"Indeed, but I am not sure what to do. Mind going on a patrol with me? We can talk about it then."

"Sure," the cats agreed. When they walked out of the den, the sun was about right above the cats. ShimmerPaw came running up to them and CottonTail sighed, can he ever relax?

"Why don't you two take RedFur instead, turns out I have other things to attend to." CottonTail said turning to look at them. LightHeart let out a mrrrow of laughter and HotFoot nodded. When CottonTail turned back around, ShimmerPaw was sitting down, staring up at him. "What's up ShimmerPaw?" He asked.

"GingerTail wants to talk to you," she said, "she is in the medicine clearing."

"Thank you ShimmerPaw." CottonTail thought about how close the apprentice and medicine cat were. Suddenly he began, "do you have a secret?" She looked side to side.

"Doesn't everyone?"

"Of course, but yours seems to be important."

"It may be..." She paused and looked down, "can I tell you?"

"Nothing is stopping you." The tiny apprentice leaned close to his ear.

"I want to be a medicine cat, help others and talk to StarClan."

"That is a wonderful secret," CottonTail mewed, "why don't you share it?"

"The other apprentices will make fun of me. They will think I'm different and weird, just like a runt."

"TinyPaw is a runt," CottonTail explained, "do you think she's weird?"

"No, I suppose not."

"Okay, then why don't we go talk to GingerTail about it?" ShimmerPaw nodded. When they padded to the medicine clearing, he saw ShimmerPaw look down and her tail dragged across the dirt.

"ShimmerPaw?" GingerTail said peeking out of her den, "what's the matter?"

"She has a secret," CottonTail said, "and she wants to share it."

"Well, what are you waiting for?" She snapped, "these berries aren't going to-"

"I want to be like you!" ShimmerPaw suddenly interrupted, "I want to be a medicine cat." GingerTail looked stunned. She walked all the way out of her den and touched noses with ShimmerPaw.

"I know."

"You do?" ShimmerPaw asked.

"StarClan said a young cat with the love and pride of StarClan themselves would save the clan. I knew it was you." A long silence followed.

"So," CottonTail meowed, "you needed me?"

"Ah yes. ShimmerPaw, why don't you go and get some Black berries?"

"Yes GingerTail." When the small cat ran out of the clearing, GingerTail spoke in a firm, and serious voice.

"CottonTail, has LightHeart shared her news with you?" He nodded, "soon, her litter will come."

"Already?!"

"She has kept this secret for too long. It has been moons CottonTail. She may not go on ANY patrols, hunts, or even train with her apprentice, keep her away from those sorts of things. Next time you see her, tell her to stay in the nursery too."

"Thank you."

"No, thank you." CottonTail walked out of the clearing and saw LightHeart strolling to the exit with RedFur and HotFoot.

"WAIT!" CottonTail shouted, almost getting every cat's attention. He trotted up to LightHeart, "I need you to take care of something for me. Why don't you go get StormPaw and tell him to go with them instead?" LightHeart searched his face for a moment then went to the apprentice den. When she came out, StormPaw was with her and as the patrol left, she plopped down.

"What?"

"GingerTail told me to not allow you to go on patrols." She flinched, looking heart-broken.

"Fine, I'll go hunting, then take StormPaw to the training hollow."

"Nope, can't do those either."

"What am I supposed to do then!?"

"Sit in the nursery." Her whiskers twitched but she got up and walked towards the nursery. SilverClaw then walked up to CottonTail.

"Not such the charmer today, huh?" She joked.

"Not as I hoped to be."

"What's on your mind?"

"You," he answered.

"Me?! Oh, they must have told you," She looked at her paws.

"Yes and I have to tell you a major secret. I love SmallEar and she loves me."

"Awesome," she said slightly enthusiastic, "great.

"I also have a request."

"Anything CottonTail."

"Can we live with you and your friends." She paused, stunned at his favor.

"...Of course!"

"Thank you." It was official, they were to become loners.