The four Thunderclan cats entered Windclan camp and found the clan was in a meeting. Rainstar was mewing, "We will have four groups of cats. One will stay here to guard camp; a second will search near Tall Trees, a third-" she then saw the Thunderclan cats with Skysong.

The crowd of Windclan cats turned to see Darkheart, Shadestar, Whitewhisker and Longfur standing with the limp body of Skysong. Rainstar pushed her way through the crowd and walked up to Shadestar. "Hello Shadestar." She mewed.

"Hello Rainstar." Shadestar replied.

"Why are you invading of territory?" Rainstar questioned.

"We were bringing back Skysong." Shadestar mewed back.

"So you killed Skysong?" Rainstar mewed.

Shadestar was taken aback by that comment, and so were the other cats. Rainstar was never a firm leader.

"I did not kill Skysong, nor did anybody in my clan. We found her dead near the Tall Trees." Shadestar mewed.

"Of coarse you did!" Rainstar hissed.

"I do not lead a clan of murderers!" Shadestar mewed back.

"No," Rainstar answered, "you lead a clan of liars!"

Darkheart was stood, shocked by what he heard.

"I am not lying." Shadestar mewed, trying to remain calm. "Longfur came into camp and told us about a cat dying on the near Tall Trees. We went to help her but she was dead when she arrived."

"So she was found dying on your territory by her?" Rainstar mewed, pointing her tail at Longfur.

"Yes." Shadestar answered.

"So how do you know she did not kill Skysong?" Rainstar mewed.

"I am not a murderer!" Longfur hissed, infuriated. She walked up to Rainstar. "Look at me! Do you see any scratches?"

"Get out of my camp, murderers." Rainstar growled. "And if you do not admit to killing Skysong by the gathering, we will attack your clan and take one of yours, just as you took one of ours."

"I will see you at the gathering." Shadestar mewed. She turned around and walked out of camp, followed by Whitewhisker, Longfur and Darkheart.

The four walked back to Thunderclan in silence.

$^*^$

When Shadestar, Darkheart, Whitewhisker and Longfur returned to Thunderclan camp, it was past sunset, and much of the clan had gone to their dens. Shadestar jumped up onto the High Rock and mewed, "Let all those old enough to catch their own prey gather for a clan meeting!"

The clan slowly came out of their dens. Shadestar began to speak, "We tried to save Skysong of Windclan, but she was to badly hurt. We then took her back to Windclan, where Rainstar completely out lashed at me. She called us murderers, liars, and said if we don't admit to killing Skysong at the gathering, she will attack us to avenge the death of Skysong."

The clan started murmuring, but looked shocked. Sageleaf called out, "Is this the same Rainstar I know?"

Many of the clan members started mewing in agreement. "Settle down." Shadestar mewed, "It is the same Rainstar who has not always been the best leader. Perhaps she has decided to prove herself at last."

"Should we prepare for an attack?" Stonecloud asked.

"Not yet. I'll decide if we have anything to worry about after the gathering." Shadestar answered.