Sorry for the stupidly long wait, and not even being able to give a full chapter. *shameshameshame*
I had most of this story typed up and ready to go after I got back from Esterhazy at Christmas, but before I could start uploading them something went wrong with my computer and everything (on my account, of course) was removed permanently. I've been too much of a procrastinator to even re-do the chapters I lost. I will try harder to get this story done. I'll try and get Part 2 of this chapter up by Wednesday.
Thanks to those of you who stuck with me.

"Bluestar, that's not fair. The other apprentices deserve to be warriors, too."

"So you say." Bluestar huffed. "How can I even trust the others? How do I know they're not traitors, too?"

Sandstorm was getting frustrated; how could her leader be so blind? Brightpaw, Thornpaw and Swiftpaw deserved to be warriors just as much as Cloudpaw did. "At least make Swiftpaw a warrior, he is the eldest apprentice. He did well today."

"No. Swiftpaw carried a message back to camp. That's apprentice work, hardly worthy of a warrior. He's not ready yet."

"But he came back to the battle." She offered weakly.

"No! I cannot trust Swiftpaw. Cloudpaw is stronger and braver-besides, he doesn't grovel to StarClan like the rest of you do." She sniffed. "The Clan needs more warriors like that."

Sandstorm felt herself bristle. Cloudpaw's lack of belief and respect was the lastthing the Clan needed right now, but she did not dare voice her concerns. If Bluestar wanted to be so nearsighted then fine, she wasn't going to bother trying to convince her leader anymore. Instead she dipped her head respectfully to Bluestar and backed slowly out of the den.

"See you at sunset." Sandstorm sighed as she went to go tell Cloudpaw.

-

The sun was sinking low in the sky, just dipping behind the wall of the camp when Sandstorm emerged from the medicine den. Her quick nap had restored some of the energy she had lost during her disagreement with Bluestar and she tried her best to feel optimistic about the coming ceremony.

Cinderpelt had told her she was not aloud to leave camp for another couple days, due to the rapid blood loss she had suffered earlier in the day. She had woken up shortly after sunhigh to find half the Clan waiting outside the medicine den to know how she was. She had disobeyed Cinderpelt's orders, twice, that she was not to leave her nest in the medicine den.

Shadows were stretching across the camp and Sandstorm saw Bluestar emerge from her den. She was moving easily, the shoulder wound she had taken in battle seemed long forgotten, she didn't look bothered as she sprang on top of the Highrock.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting."

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Posted
April 18, 2010
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