Chapter 1

She found it hard to believe that her kits were now apprentices. It only seemed like days ago when she had first learned that she was expecting kits. That had been the best news of her life. Until she learned who the father was. No cat knew the truth behind their father. And she preferred keeping it that way. After what had happened between Shadepelt and Frostwing, she was almost afraid of what StarClan had planned for her as punishment.

Raincloud shook her head at the thought and padded out of the warrior's den. A few moons had passed since Iceshadow had become a warrior in her Clan. Raincloud would always miss seeing her former apprentice with her siblings. But Iceshadow's heart belonged in StreamClan. Raincloud had learned that the hard way.

"I trust that you have set out the patrols already?" Oakstar's meow made her jump. Raincloud turned to see him watching her curiously.

"Of course," she replied with a nod. It had taken her some time to get used to forming patrols before she went to sleep. In fact she still couldn't get used to the fact that she was his deputy. How that had happened was beyond her comprehension. "I've doubled up border patrols along the SunClan border. Mousefang said that the scent was stronger than usual, just as a precaution."

"Good, I trust in your skills and his," Oakstar murmured thoughtfully. "The Clans have been at peace for so long. It is only a matter of time before that peace is shattered," he added in a grim voice.

Unease washed over Raincloud as she thought of what he said. She knew that he was right. As much as she hated to admit it, the Clans were always under constant threat. But she could still keep hoping that the fighting wouldn't happen anytime soon.

"I'm going to take out a hunting patrol," she meowed, trying to shake off the uncomfortable feeling. Something told her that there was more to what Oakstar had said. She didn't want to admit that she was worried.

After everything we have been through, there is more to worry about, she thought. She shook her head and padded over to the fresh-kill pile. To her surprise it was low. She had just made the hunting patrol up as an excuse to get away. But seeing it now made her realize she should take out a hunting patrol.

She flicked her tail at Foxshadow, a newer warrior. He was just cleaning his whiskers when he realized she was beckoning him towards her. The young tom looked around warily before padding forward, his whiskers quivering in anticipation.

"I want you to gather a hunting patrol and wait for me at the entrance," she instructed. "The fresh-kill pile needs to be restocked."

Foxshadow looked more than happy to comply with her order. He bounded off towards the warrior's den, leaving her behind in the process. Raincloud only rolled her eyes at the tom's enthusiasm. He always was a bit more enthusiastic than his siblings. Sadly Honeypaw had died during a bout of greencough last leafbare. Cloverfang, her mother, had been devastated by what happened. But she had also nursed Foxshadow and Stormstrike. In the end Cloverfang was proud of how far her kits had come.

She waited as patiently as she could near the entrance. It was just past sunrise, and already the birds were singing cheerfully. Raincloud often found herself gazing out into the forest, wondering what would happen next. Life was so precious now that she had kits of her own to worry about.

At last Foxshadow reappeared with two other cats behind him. Cinderfire and Flaretail looked at Raincloud in annoyance as she dipped her head. Cinderfire had become a good friend since Raincloud moved into the nursery. Flaretail on the other paw was always a bit of a hot-head. Though he wasn't nearly as bad as Rowanfire.

"Hopefully the prey will actually be running this morning," Cinderfire murmured as Raincloud led the way. Raincloud decided to go to her favorite hunting spot: The Silver Birch. There prey was plentiful, and of course she could see if the apprentices were there.

I'm not spying on them, she reminded herself. I'm just making sure nothing has happened to them.

"I can't wait to see how much prey we bring back," Foxshadow purred as they padded through the undergrowth. "Maybe I'll even bring back a squirrel or two."

"It would help if you kept your big mouth shut for a change," Flaretail snapped.

Foxshadow looked at Flaretail in disappointment. Raincloud stifled a purr of amusement at the two tom's argument. Flaretail did have a good point when it came to staying quiet. Prey wasn't just going to come running at their waiting paws.

Raincloud stopped midstep and opened her mouth to taste the air. Sure enough there was prey in the area. The ferns under her paws rustled as she dropped to a crouch and pinpointed where the prey was hiding. A mouse was hiding under a tree branch. Raincloud swiveled her ears towards the mouse until suddenly a dark gray blur lunged towards her. Raincloud let out a hiss of frustration when the mouse used the moment to slip away.

"Hi Smokepaw!" Foxshadow meowed in excitement.

"I surprised you, didn't I, mother?" Smokepaw purred as he let her go. Raincloud glared at him for a moment before her gaze softened. She flicked her tail over his ears playfully.

"Of course you did," she murmured. "Where's your mentor?" She looked around to see that no one was with him, and for a moment the annoyance she felt earlier returned. Smokepaw only sat back as if nothing was really wrong.

"Owlflight wanted to see how I would do on my own," he replied with a shrug. "And I proved him wrong! I found you all on my own!"

"You sure did," Raincloud purred. She looked up in time to see Owlflight standing there, eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"I thought I told you to stay near the Silver Birch," he muttered crossly as he joined them.

Raincloud stifled the purr that was slowly rising. Owlflight might be good natured and patient, but not when it came to Smokepaw. He had never-ending energy and was always keeping the warrior on his paws.

"Sorry Owlflight, I couldn't resist sneaking up on the hunting patrol," Smokepaw boasted.

"Why don't you two join us, now that you've scared all the prey in the area away," Raincloud suggested. Smokepaw's tail sagged when he realized what he just did. But he didn't keep that disappointed look for long when Owlflight nodded in agreement.

The patrol carried on in silence. Well, as silent as it could be with one boisterous apprentice and a loud young warrior. Smokepaw and Foxshadow had already become good friends. Raincloud could see them getting into constant trouble once Smokepaw became a warrior.

In the end though Cinderfire was the only one who'd managed to catch anything. Raincloud's eyes narrowed in suspicion when she realized just how dry the undergrowth was. It felt crunchy under her paws, and she didn't like it.

"That's strange, I wonder where all the prey has gone?" Flaretail asked, breaking the uneasy silence.

"The ground is so dry, I'm willing to bet they went farther into StreamClan territory where there's more food," meowed Owlflight.

Worry clouded Raincloud's thoughts. She knew that he had a good point. If there wasn't any food here to support the prey, they would leave. MoonClan would either need to expand their territory or leave themselves. And Raincloud knew nothing good would come out of that.

AN: Thank you Nova-Lioness for reviewing! It's appreciated :)