A/N: READY FOR CHAPTER 6?! You all better be! Sorry for such a long update, but have no fear, chapter 6 if finally here! I must get 50 reviews before I post the next chapter! Please enjoy and REVIEW!

Chapter Six

Rain dappled the dusty ground of the RockClan camp. Wails and soft murmurs echoed off the cliff walls as Hollowbranch stood beside Cliffstar, pretending to be loyal. Cacuspaw's eyes closed to tiny slits and her teeth bared in a tiny snarl. "Don't say anything just yet, young one." A she-cats voice ruffled in her ear-fur.

Cactuspaw looked around her wildly for the source of the strange voice, but didn't seem to see anyone there. Her fur quivered with sudden anxiety but was cut short when she saw the handsome aqua gaze of Darkpaw. The dark brown tabby tom caught her gaze and padded to her with his tail held high and with his gaze glittering with admiration. "So you were there when Hollowbranch tried to save Cliffstar?" He asked her excitedly as he settled down beside her.

"Err.. If that's what you want to call it." She meowed awkwardly.

She hated hearing the tom talk so highly of Hollowbranch when he had no idea what the terrible tom was actually like. "What do you-" he began, but was cut short by the coughing fit of Brackenfoot.

"Cats of RockClan, I am far to old to become your leader. Therefore, I say these words before the body of Cliffstar so he can hear and approve of my choice. Fire-" he began.

"Wait a moment, I think Hollowbranch deserves to be leader." A voice called from behind Cactuspaw.

She flicked her green gaze to a jet black tabby tom known as Blacknight, Hollowbranch's litter mate. "Yeah, I would have to agree. Without him, I might be dead." Eagletalon tagged in.

Brackenfoot dipped his head then called, "Hollowbranch will be the new leader of RockClan!"

Thunder cracked in the sky and echoed through the clearing. "Hollowstar! Hollowstar!" The Clan boomed.

"Clanmates, I am no leader yet. But tonight, Sandfur and I will go to the AncientTree and I will receive my nine lives!" He meowed then looked into the sky.

Rain poured harder from the thick, black clouds. "Fireclaw will be the deputy of RockClan!" He yowled into the clouds.

Her heart lurched when her mentor dipped his head respectfully to the new leader of RockClan. "Something's not right." An old, frail voice sounded.

"Of course! Did you not hear that thunder?" A growl sounded.

"Pebbletooth, you hear everything. That thunder was a sign from StarClan. Brackenfoot is the rightful leader, not Hollowbranch." The raspy voice sounded again.

Cactuspaw whipped around to see Lillyfur with her pale grey fur fluffed up with anger. The friendly elder rarely got upset and it made Cactuspaw's claws extend with anxiety. "What's wrong? You should be happy! Your mentor is Clan deputy!" Darkpaw's voice echoed in his ears.

"I'm worried about other things, actually." Cactuspaw meowed with a flick of her long tail toward the Speakingstone.

"Darkpaw! Come here, please! You have got to show my that new battle move Rushfall taught you." A voice called from beside the apprentice den.

Cactuspaw flicked her gaze to the den to see the light brown pelt of Hawkpaw standing in the entrance. "Sorry, I got to go." Darkpaw meowed as he ran his muzzle against hers.

After finally getting to sleep, Cactuspaw snapped her eyes open to see Boulder staring down at her with burning green eyes. "Why did you call him out? Now the end of the Clans is certain!" He growled through gritting teeth.

Cactuspaw's fur fluffed up defensively as she snapped, "He would have killed me if I did that! You saw what he did to...to Cliffstar."

Boulder lowered his gaze to the grass that curled around his paws. Cactuspaw examined the large tabby toms body. Her fur bristled when she realized that the tabby tom's fur was almost coming invisible. "I'm vanishing, Cactuspaw. Cats are forgetting the ways of the first Clan cats." He began then returned his burning green gaze to Cactuspaw, "Come, I'll show you the threat Hollowbra-star is."

Star? What is he talking about? Surely StarClan wouldn't allow Hollowbranch be a leader after killing Cliffstar. She thought as she began to follow the large grey tom. She starred into the talk shimmering trees as they turned to dark, slimy figures. The stars in the sky vanished and the area began to smell of crowfood. "Boulder? Where are we?" She whispered cautiously.

"The Place of No Stars. The place where cats who were rejected by StarClan go," he meowed with a rough growl.

Cactuspaw watched as he peeled back the slimy branches to reveal Hollowbranch standing in front of cats Cactuspaw had never seen before. "Who are they?" She whispered to Boulder.

The grey tom looked at the group with anger and worry. "The black tom with the stipe down his back is Badgerstripe. He once was leader of OceanClan, but was exiled and died from sickness. The cat next to him is Scarredface. She was brutally attacked by a bear mother and lived with the price of the scars in her face. She was killed in a battle she started. All of these cats have given Hollowstar his lives. StarClan is not the only power that can give cats their lives. The Darkforest cats recently obtained this power. StarClan has no control over it." He whispered back.

Cactuspaw nodded and was about to speak until she listened to Hollowstar growl fiercely. "This task will be easy. Toms will rule the forest and they will all answer to me! My comrades, the Warrior Code will be no more under my rule! Just watch!" He yowled loudly.

"Hollowstar! Hollowstar!" The strange cats snarled and caterwauled in unison.

"Kill the Clans!" A voice snarled.

"Put she-cats in their place!"

"Death to Boulder, Flame, Mist, and Twig!"

Cactuspaw's blood ran cold. These cats wanted the end of the Warrior Code. Her heart beat hard against her chest as Hollowstar vanished to go back to the RockClan camp. Whatever I have to do, I will save my Clan! Even if it means death! She thought as her own vision blurred as she returned back to the Clan.

A/N: REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW! Also, I have the new story up! Go check it out! It's called Before the Storm! It'll be GREAT! I also changed my pen name! But, you can all clan continue to call me Nightwish, if you want to! Thanks! :)

-Nightspirit