Darkpaw felt the cold snowflakes fall on his face, as the snow had started to fall of the branches of the Tall Tree. He shook his head to get the snow off. The gathering of cats was silent. They were all staring at the cat that had entered the clearing just moments ago, after the fighting had ended. Darkpaw recognized the scent, but he could not figure out what clan's scent because it was covered by a rather disgusting scent, the scent of twolegplace.

Shadestar, who was perched upon the Tall Tree's higher branches, squinted down at the cat. "Rosepetal?" She asked.

A wave of mumbles broke out among the cats. "Who's Rosepetal?" Darkpaw asked.

"She was a warrior in our clan. She disappeared right before we found you. The clan assumed she was dead." Whitewhisker answered.

"We were wrong." Mudpelt mumbled, startled.

Leafears had run up to Rosepetal. She and Heatherspeckle must be her kits. Amidst the celebration, Barkstar knew he had the missing link to his plot to the clans turn against Thunderclan. "This is a sign from Starclan!" He yowled with all his might. The clearing got silent as they awaited an explanation from the leader of Riverclan. "Starclan has led one of Thunderclan's own back from the dead to secure what we already knew: Thunderclan is too strong! We must weaken them!"

Yowls of agreement rose from members of three clans. Before another fight broke out, Shadestar intervened. "Do you hear yourselves?" She asked. "You are really going to turn against Thunderclan because we have a few more cats than you? When did Barkstar become the leader of us all?"

Maybe she can change their minds, Darkpaw hoped. Before he could finish that thought, Barkstar spoke again, "I am not dictating them," he began, "I am just opening their eyes to the evil ways of your clan."

He has crossed the line, Darkpaw thought. The clearing full of cats stood silent waiting for a retort from Shadestar. "If that is how you feel, Barkstar, so be it." She turned to Cinderstar and Rainstar. "Lead your clans wisely." She then jumped down from the Tall Tree, and signaled with her tail that her clan was leaving.

Darkpaw and Shrewpaw ran along to follow their leader. "See you at the next gathering!" Treepaw shouted to them as they left. Hopefully not sooner, Darkpaw thought grimly.

As the group of Thunderclan cats, wet from the snow, entered the camp, they were greeted by Stonecloud. "How was the gathering?" he asked.

"Too much happened to tell you tonight." Rockfall answered, walking by.

Shadestar jumped on the high rock and yowled her clan together. "Tonight was an eventful gathering. There was a fight." She paused and waited for her shocked clan mates to calm down. "Also, Barkstar is trying to turn the other clans against us. Who knows what his next move will be. We must prepare for battle." More mumbling broke out amongst the cats, and Shadestar starting giving orders, "Blackthroat, organize stronger border patrols. Whitewhisker, gather herbs. All mentors shall spend free time training apprentices for battle. No cat is allowed to leave camp alone." She mewed. "One more thing," Shadestar added, "Rosepetal has returned!" The clan turned to the direction where Shadestar was looking, and they saw their lost clan mate.

Heatherspeckle ran up to her mother. Shadestar jumped down from the high rock and the clan broke apart. Many were returning to their dens, but Darkpaw had to visit Nightkit first. Whitewhisker was in the empty hollow, checking on Brighteyes and Nightkit. Silverkit was there too, but she was sleeping. "How's Nightkit?" Darkpaw asked.

"He's fine. He can go back to the Nursery tomorrow." Whitewhisker answered. Darkpaw began to walk out. "But I'm worried about his leg" Whitewhisker mewed. Darkpaw turned around instantly.

"What!?!?" He hissed.

"Be quiet," Whitewhisker mewed, "are you trying to wake Riverclan up?"

"His leg healed." Darkpaw mewed.

"There can always be problems with injuries like that." Whitewhisker warned, "We have to wait and see what happens during his first moon of apprenticeship."

"Very well." Darkpaw mewed.

The next few days were very tense in Thunderclan. Every cat was working hard with training and no cat left the clan alone. Whitewhisker was prepared for every possible cause of death or injury that Darkpaw knew, and some he didn't. If there was going to be a battle, Thunderclan would be ready.