"Well?" Barkface prompted. Leafpaw was silent as she felt.

"Six?" She asked. Petalnose's eyes rounded.

"Oh, Great StarClan," She breathed. Barkface stepped forward.

"No, Leafpaw – here." He put her paws on top of hers, moving them. "That's a head – and there's a body." He looked at his apprentice. "Guess again."

"Oh! Three then." Barkface mewed his approval. Petalnose relaxed as they both pulled away.

"Great StarClan, Leafpaw you frightened me there." The pale gray queen shook her head. "I'm grateful for what I've got and what's coming but six at one time is a lot." The apprentice's ears flatten.

"Sorry." She touched Leafpaw's shoulder.

"You're fine, dear."

"Certainly give you something to do after being in camp for so long," Barkface commented. "Things like that are why it's good to have the Clan's support even if there's no one else in the nursery presently."

"I've been working with Shrew, actually, to try to help him learn to be a warrior. Anyway, that'll change soon," Petalnose sat up, looking to the tom. "Whitetail's expecting! It's just beginning to show…" as the older cats continued to converse, what had happened repeated in Leafpaw's head. Those were kits. She would one day be meeting these cats! Excitement surged over her. Barkface had always talked about how they were at cats' sides from birth until death – would be there to help in any way they needed but she had not dealt with this side of it yet. Whitepaw had been born when she was still a kit. This was exciting.

She turned, going back to what she had been doing before Barkface had called her over. They would be meeting with Echo again later today and she needed to gather more herbs. The former kittypet was keen to learn. This would be the fourth time meeting with her.

"Barkface." Attention turned to Tornear as he poked his head into the den. "Sorry to interrupt, I just had a question."

"What is it?" The medicine cat asked.

"Is Cloudtail able to go out on the sunhigh patrol? He's raring for it." Barkface nodded.

"The skins healed back enough. He should be," He turned to Leafpaw. "But I'm not sure how thick his paw pad is. Could you check, Leafpaw?" She dipped her head, heading out of the den after Tornear. Cloudtail gave her a look as she approached.

"I'm fine," He insisted, taking a few steps. "If I can walk on this ground, I can walk up in the fields. Especially right now." Cloudtail glanced to the sky, "it's certainly a hot one today!"

"Just let me check." The white warrior looked ready to protest when Sandstorm shot him a look from where she stood next to Bounceheart.

"The longer you resist her the longer it's going to take to go out," She pointed out. Cloudtail sighed, sticking out his leg as he sat. Leafpaw resisted rolling her eyes.

She looked up at him as she finished looking it over. "It should be fine, but remember the skin's got a while until it's thick again." Leafpaw shot Cloudtail a look, "If it starts tearing, lift your leg up and come right back here." Blue eyes blinked at the apprentice.

"Of course, Leafpaw." Cloudtail rose to his paws, shaking his pelt. "Now," He looked at Tornear. "I can go?" The deputy nodded.

"Remember, I want you to go along the fence with Twolegplace and down over the log into the forest," He ordered. "Hopefully, it will be uneventful." The three warriors nodded.

Sandstorm flicked her tail at Whitepaw from where she sat, signaling her to follow as the two toms turned toward the path out of camp. She paused, glancing at her daughter who was eying Cloudtail.

"He knows better than to not listen to you." Leafpaw nodded. Despite his actions, she knew Cloudtail would listen to her. "I'll send him off myself if he doesn't."

Leafpaw's whiskers twitched as her mother's stepped away, Whitepaw at her side. She watched as the patrol disappeared out of camp.

Mothwing eyed the hunk of meat cautiously.

"Are you sure that's what it is?" Her chest tightened at the look Tigerstar gave her.

"I told you, it's dog. Those monsters are killing anything!" His eyes narrowed, "Do you doubt me so much as to think I would ever give you something unsafe to eat?" He almost sounded hurt. Mothwing shook her head.

"No – I'm sorry!" She just had not heard of a dog being killed before this meat had been brought into camp. It was odd but the rest of the Clan seemed to be accepting it.

Hawktalon had brought it in with a few warriors. It had been treated the same way as the fox – skinned and unrecognizable. Mothwing bit into the meat, her mouth watering. Tigerstar settled next to her, watching the surrounding Clan.

"Do you want any?" Mothwing asked. Her father shook his head.

"Eat all you want," he replied. "I don't need any." Mothwing nodded. As she went back to eating, he continued, "Why don't we go on a short walk after you're done?" Despite it being phrased as a question, she knew it was an order.

As she hesitated, Tigerstar turned to her, eyes gleaming, "Shall we?"

"What about those…rogues?" There had been more encounters, closer to camp.

"It'll be just inside the forest. I would think you'd want to stretch your legs since you've been stuck in here." Tigerstar assured her, "I'll keep you protected." Mothwing agreed.

As soon as she had finished, Tigerstar rose. Without a word, he headed toward the forest. Mothwing hurried after him. She could feel curious eyes watching them.

His tail was moving from side to side as they entered the forest and it was quiet. They were too far away from the monsters to hear their roars and yet no birds were singing from the trees like there would have been even a moon ago. The fur on Mothwing's back rose. How quickly things had changed.

"Is something the matter?" She asked after too long of silence. Tigerstar looked back at her. The look on his face only made her more scared.

"Do you think there is?" He asked.

"I…" She hadn't done anything wrong. Not truly.

"Is there something you would like to tell me?" They had stopped walking and stood in a small clearing.

"No." She had nothing to tell him.

"Are you certain?" His tail flicked from side to side. Mothwing licked her muzzle.

"Why are we out here?" She asked. Until now, Tigerstar had not wanted her to leave Sunningrocks.

"I'm giving you an opportunity!" Her father's eyes were bright. "Is there anything you want to tell me?"

"No?" Tigerstar's golden eyes focused on Mothwing.

"You would do better than to lie to me, Mothwing."

"I'm not lying!" She shook her head, "Is something the matter?" Her heartbeat was quickening.

"How's your brother?" Mothwing tensed.

"Hawktalon seems fine," She replied. "Why do you –" He stuck his muzzle closer to her.

"You and I both know I am not talking about Hawktalon," a growl came from deep in his throat. Tigerstar's eyes were still bright. She knew he was calm. "Now, do you have something to tell me?" She hesitated. His tail continued to flick.

"Mothwing."

"He couldn't breathe," She whispered. "I…I just wanted to help." Tigerstar nodded, licking his muzzle as he turned away.

"Come." Mothwing hurried after her father.

She was surprised at how quickly they had returned to Sunningrocks. The river had to have been just out of view. They entered at the opposite end.

Mothwing's heartbeat quickened as Tigerstar started toward Brambleheart's den. She was surprised by the lack of guard but followed into the den. She froze, horror filling her at the sight.

Brambleheart was being held down by Jaggedtooth, Blackfoot, and Thornclaw. This was purposeful, Mothwing realized, these cats would not speak of whatever was to happen. If Brambleheart had been struggling, he gave up before they arrived. How long had Tigerstar been having them hold him?

Tigerstar looked between his kits. "You both disobeyed me and lied to me." His tail kept flicking. Mothwing lowered herself as the leader looked back at her, his eyes flashing.

"Tigerstar –"

"Get up!" He exclaimed. She scrambled to her paws; tail curled beneath her. "You, I expect to know better. You know why he was being punished. Tell me, why did you go against it?" Tigerstar sat, looking intently at his daughter.

His tail tip continued to move side to side.

"I asked her to," Mothwing was surprised as Brambleheart spoke up. "She isn't to blame –" He was silenced as the TigerClan leader whipped around, slamming a paw across his face.

Brambleheart stilled. Mothwing wanted to run as Tigerstar turned back to her but that would achieve nothing except making him even more furious. "Why did you go against my orders?"

"He couldn't breathe," She repeated. "I wanted to help him – I could help him!"

"You're not a medicine cat," Tigerstar bared his teeth. "You will never be a medicine cat. Don't you know? They're not allowed to have kits!" Her ears flattened as her stomach dropped. Mothwing had not known that. "Look at yourself and stop playing. You're making a fool out of yourself! You're bringing shame to our blood."

"I'm sorry, Father." She did not know what else to say.

"You had better be." Tigerstar stepped toward Mothwing, touching her shoulder with his muzzle. "Do you actually want to help Bramblepaw?" His voice was softer.

"Yes, Tigerstar."

"Hold his head." Mothwing's breath stifled but she approached the pinned cat. Thornclaw shifted to make room for her as Brambleheart was forced onto his side. The golden-brown tom held onto his front legs while the other two had shifted to his haunches. His belly and flank were exposed.

He had gotten skinny, Mothwing realized as one of her paws touched his shoulder. She knew he was skinny before and this wasn't unsurprising considering how little food they had but she had not expected Brambleheart to lose weight as fast as he had. Had they all last weight this quickly? His tail was lashing. He didn't look at Mothwing as she set her paws on him. He jerked once. They held strong. Tigerstar looked at her.

"Your actions are to his detriment. He is not right in the head! You are destroying his progress." Disappointment colored his eyes, "Look at what you're making me do."

Mothwing remained silent as Tigerstar turned his attention to Brambleheart, the claws on one paw extending.

Mothwing wrapped her tail around her paws, watching as Leopardstar and Tigerstar talked quietly. They had scented these rogues not far from here. Tigerstar's tail was lashing.

Goldenflower stood not far from them. When the patrol had returned, she and Tigerstar had been talking – arguing truly, from what Mothwing had seen. Although that was not much, Tigerstar had been in his den.

She had been with Brambleheart and after had gone straight to Tigerstar. Mothwing knew why. She still could not get the beating out of her head. He had not screamed once throughout it. He had just taken it.

Mothwing was unsure whether it had made it better or worse. She had not spoken to Brambleheart since it happened. She did not know what she would say! This was all her fault.

Tigerstar turned to the Clan. "We will launch an attack," He announced. How could they? Mothwing wondered. They did not know where these other cats were. Just, Twolegplace. Leopardstar's ears were flattened. "As soon as we can. Queens and kits are to be moved to RiverClan camp immediately." Voice of agreement rose from the anxious crowd.

Mothwing looked at the starving cats around her. They were not in a place to attack anyone. Tigerstar stepped away, heading toward her. Mothwing tensed but he did not even look at her as he passed.

"You're staying here." Mothwing dipped her head, not asking why.

Squirrelpaw's ears had pricked, her tail raised high. It was a hot day and Crowpaw was panting. He was almost hoping they would rest but Squirrelpaw had said they were almost there.

They had been walking along the river for just over a quarter moon. Until today, Squirrelpaw had told them none of how much longer it would be.

Crowpaw's tail twitched as he eyed the rising cliffs around them. Squirrelpaw had mentioned a gorge before but he did not think they would literally be in a gorge. It seemed to get hotter by the heartbeat.

Dustpelt let out a hiss, shaking one paw. "How can anyone stand to walk on this?" He bared his teeth. Squirrelpaw looked back at him, blinking.

"I've been doing it my whole life," She replied. "don't see what you're talking about." Dustpelt glared at her as she turned away.

It was just past sunhigh when they reached a scent mark. Crowpaw looked to the surrounding cliffs, his tail twitching. This was nothing like the moors! How could any WindClan cat stand it? Squirrelpaw's tail was wagging excitedly.

"Why don't we stop for a drink," Tawnyclaw suggested. The other agreed, heading over to the river. Crowpaw crouched, lapping at the water. He looked up as Tawnyclaw's eyes narrowed. She was looking into a crevasse along the cliff wall.

She shot off, returning with a lizard in her jaws. Squirrelpaw looked up from her drink.

"Why'd you kill it?" She sounded surprised.

"Something to eat." Tawnyclaw set the creature down. Crowpaw curled his lip at the idea. He certainly wasn't ShadowClan. Squirrelpaw made a noise.

"I didn't know you ate those." Dustpelt snorted.

"Certainly not all of us," He remarked, glancing at Tawnyclaw. "I didn't realize how much ShadowClan had grown on you." The tortoiseshell waved her tail.

"It's a food source." She looked at Squirrelpaw, "You want to try some? I can show you have to skin it."

"Sure." The apprentice trotted over, crouching as they began to converse. Crowpaw sat, licking his side as he waited for the others to finish.

Suddenly, Squirrelpaw's head shot up. She sniffed the air, heading over to a lower part of the cliff where a fallen tree stretched across the river.

"Squirrelpaw," Tawnyclaw began, rising to follow the apprentice. A hiss sounded.

The TigerClan warriors turned, facing whoever was coming. Squirrelpaw exclaimed, "Bouncepaw! Hey, it's me!"

A dark ginger tom appeared, alarm filling his gaze as he looked at the TigerClan warriors. "Squirrelpaw! – it's Bounceheart, actually."

"Oh, Tallstar gave you your warrior name?" Squirrelpaw asked as the others approached.

"No, Firestar did. Where's everyone else?" Crowpaw's jaw dropped as Tawnyclaw turned to Squirrelpaw. The apprentice had stiffened.

"Your father is leader?" Tawnyclaw demanded.

"He was deputy when we left." After all this time, no one had mentioned that. She sounded shocked, turning back to Bounceheart, "What happened while –"

The sounds of rocks falling came as three more cats approached. A pale ginger tabby, her eyes filled with alarm, was in the lead. "Squirrelpaw, Bounceheart – come here, right now!"

The tom turned and Squirrelpaw padded forward. "Where are the others?" The tabby demanded; gaze locked onto the TigerClan warriors. Dustpelt padded forward, his tail rising.

"They're –" Squirrelpaw faltered, "They're alright." She looked to a white tom, "What happened to your leg? When did Whitekit become an apprentice?"

"A lot's happened while you were gone," the tom replied, his gaze was locked onto Ashfur. Tawnyclaw stepped forward, lowering her head to the ginger she-cat.

"Sandstorm, my name is Tawnyclaw. We wish to speak to Firestar."

"I would imagine," Sandstorm replied. After a moment of thought, she continued, "Whitepaw, Squirrelpaw – to the front of the patrol." She looked at the tortoiseshell warrior, "You will be between us." Tawnyclaw nodded.

Crowpaw stepped up next to Tawnyclaw as the young white apprentice padded forward. She looked back at them; green eyes wide. Squirrelpaw looked to the leader of the patrol.

"But Mama –"

"This isn't the time, Squirrelpaw." Sandstorm's response was instant. "Do as you're told." Squirrelpaw turned, heading over to the other apprentice as the TigerClan cats were surrounded.

As they started to move, Dustpelt hissed to Tawnyclaw, "Why did you call Rusty –"

"We are here to make a deal," Tawnyclaw interrupted, her voice low. "They are not going to react well to their leader being called a different name." The white warrior glanced at them from where he was walking next to Ashfur, blue eyes wary.

They continued and Crowpaw kept his ears pricked, looking to the top of the gorge. These cats were not in the state TigerClan had been. They looked fit but they all thought they would be! Where were the Twolegs? Had they wound up here because of Twoleg activity?

No, that did not work. Squirrelpaw had not seemed surprised by it. So, where was the danger these cats were facing?

Crowpaw glanced around as the scent of more cats hit his nose. Cats looked up from where they were along this riverbank, turning their attention onto the returning patrol. He was still feeling the shock from the news they had gotten when they met the border patrol. Tallstar had passed and now Rusty was leader of WindClan? Why had no one ever told them he was deputy? How had Tallstar died?

How were they ever going to make a deal with a cat like Rusty?

They were shuffled to a stop in the middle of this camp. Hisses and growls came from the cats watching on. A light tabby approached, alarm in his eyes. His gaze went to Squirrelpaw. "It looks like you chose to return and not alone." He eyed the TigerClan warriors as he asked, "Where are the others?"

"She'll explain that later," The ginger warrior who was leading the patrol and who apparently was Squirrelpaw's mother glanced back at them, her tail was twitching. The tabby tom slowly nodded.

"Whitepaw," He turned his attention to the apprentice. "Fetch Firestar, please. He should be up in his den." The apprentice mewing her agreement before taking off toward one of the steep paths leading up the gorge wall. The light gray tom turned back to the others. His gaze focused on Tawnyclaw.

"My name is Tornear," He meowed. "I am deputy, you will be meeting our leader shortly." The TigerClan warrior dipped her head.

It did not take long before there was movement from the cave the apprentice had disappeared into. Crowpaw's chest clenched with fear as a bright ginger shape moved out from it.