Chapter 30

"May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around!"

At the voice of her leader, Bellpaw ran out with the others gathered in the old twoleg place.

Springstar continued once more cats were out. "We've been training as a clan for moons now, and I think we've grown strong. Strong enough to attack the rogue group." Bellpaw gasped. She knew the rogue group Springstar was talking about was Leader's, where 52 was. "We'll be attacking the tomorrow." Springstar hopped down and moved to her 'den'.

Bellpaw staggered back, oblivious to all the other cats walking around her. 52. He was in danger. She had to warn him.

Bellpaw turned around and dashed out of camp, heading for the border. She was oblivious to Wisdompaw and Batpaw watching her too. Wisdompaw just watched with narrowed eyes, Batpaw got up and followed after her from a distance.

Bellpaw dashed right across the border and into the forest. "52! 52!" She called again and again.

"Bellpaw." Bellpaw turned to see 52 come into view. "What are you doing here? It's dangerous when its late."

Bellpaw couldn't argue with that. Leader's rogue group was mostly active at night, and they weren't all as peaceful as 52, quite the opposite actually. "I know, but I had to warn you." She stepped closer. "Leafclan is going to attack your group tomorrow."

"They are?" Thanks to 52's inability to show emotions, it was hard to figure out what he was thinking. He was uncomfortable, he wasn't sure what to do.

Bellpaw nodded. "I can't let them kill you. You could come back with me." She suggested. "You'd be safe in the clan, and seeing you might make Springstar realize not all the rogues are bad."

52 hesitated, actually hesitated. He was making progress in showing emotions. Before he could answer Bellpaw heard a yowl of attack. They both spun to see Batpaw charging out towards 52. He hadn't had much, or any really, training in battle, but he was already aiming for the neck. And 52 was getting ready to defend himself. "NO!" Bellpaw shrieked. She leapt in between them. Their attacks both hit her instead, but it was Batpaw who hit the killing blow.


"Sliverstripes!"

Sliverstripes raised her head and turned towards the entrance, towards the cry. She sort of smiled to see it was Fangmouth.

He continued. "Sliverstries, are you alright? Who told Fallenstar about-"

She raised her tail. "Fangmouth, I'm okay. At least as okay as I can be." They both paused, thinking of Darkpaw's death and Bluepaw's disappearance. "I told Fallenstar about out kits."

Fangmouth opened his mouth, then shut it again. "Why?"

Sliverstripes sighed and looked away. "I don't know." She admitted. "He just was all upset about them, and I was angry. And . . . I guess I was kind of tired of keeping secrets too. Because, now that I've told him, I'm kind of relieved." She glanced towards him indirectly.

Fangmouth nodded slowly.

"Fangmouth . . . do you think, when I'm no longer medicine cat, we should come out about being mates?" Sliverstripes wanted to know.

Fangmouth gave an actual smile then. "Are you kidding?! Yes!"

"Fangmouth, remember, you could get in trouble if Fallenstar knows."

Fangmouth shook his head. "I don't care. I've just wanted to be with you. Can't you see that?"

Yes, I can. Sliverstripes thought. She sat up and leaned into him, glad there were no other cats inside for the moment. "Alright. But I'm asking Fallenstar if he'll punish you first"

Fangmouth sighed. "From you, I didn't expect anything else."

(So, how many people forgot about Leafclan?)