Greenpaw woke up alone.

Last night had been an overall disaster. Twilightstar was furious, Sunpaw was hurt, and Seaheart was disappointed. The three cats that Greenpaw valued most were all upset with her.

And so, Greenpaw woke up alone.

The walk back to the hollow had been painful and embarrassing. Twilightstar had instantly banned Greenpaw from the upcoming Gatheringalmost as soon as they were outside the Moonfly cave, and then said nothing more on the walk back. The silence was the most painful part; Twilightstar pointedly walking in front of her, as if Greenpaw didn't exist, was the most embarrassing.

Plus, it gave Greenpaw far too much time to think. She felt stressed and confused, more confused than she had been even before Greenpaw shared dreams with Bluestar. The ThunderClan ancestor had left Greenpaw with so many thoughts that her brain felt far too cramped.

As for being banned from the Gathering…Greenpaw sighed, standing up to shake the bits of dried fern from her pelt that had clung overnight.

Seaheart had been waiting up for Greenpaw when the leader and the apprentice returned; Greenpaw knew it was for her, because Seaheart didn't even as much flick his tail in acknowledgement of Twilightstar.

The SaltClan leader padded right past her deputy when they returned and went straight to her den. "Well, lass." Seaheart sighed. "What trouble did you get into this time?"

Your decision must be to trust Seaheart. Bluestar's words echoed in Greenpaw's mind. Those words and many more swirled around her head. Greenpaw felt as if there was not much left to do but to trust Bluestar's judgement.

And so, lying down with Seaheart outside Pearlpelt's den last night, Greenpaw took a deep breath and began to share her worries with her mentor. Greenpaw told him about Waterwisp sneaking into the camp, about Silverweb's implications that Twilightstar wanted to leave her Clan, about Sunpaw's sleep-walking and omen of death. Greenpaw felt most guilty sharing about Sunpaw. She felt as if that wasn't her story, or her secret to share, and her growling stomach churned when telling Seaheart Sunpaw's secret.

Greenoaw told him about following Twilightstar, about meeting Windpaw, and about sharing dreams with Bluestar. Greenpaw told Seaheart what Bluestar had told her in her dreams; about the Clifflands changing, about the uncertain future, and her vague response when Greenpaw asked about Twilighstar's death. Greenpaw told him that the only reason she was telling him this was because Bluestar had told her to do so.

Seaheart had a troubled look in his eyes, and his whiskers twitched when Greenpaw told him that she was only telling him by Bluestar's command. "An' why didn't ye tell me before, young one? Why didn't ye an' Sunpaw come to one of us, me or Shellstream? Do ye not trust me, lass?"

Greenpaw felt her heart pound beneath her chest fur. Seaheart didn't sound hurt, but he did sound disappointed. And there had been far too much disappointment directed towards her that night. Even Bluestar didn't seem comfortable with Greenpaw's involvement in the camp.

"It's not that I don't trust you, Seaheart." Greenpaw mumbled, staring hard at the ground. She was afraid to meet his eyes. "I wanted to tell you about Waterwisp. I did. But Sunpaw…"

Greenpaw paused. She couldn't tell Seaheart that Sunpaw was the reason she didn't tell him what was going on. Sunpaw shouldn't be in trouble, just because Greenpaw stupidly snuck off to go to the Moonfly cave. She wouldn't let that happen.

"Sunpaw what, lass?" Seaheart coaxed, his mew even and understanding.

"I thought the two of us could figure it out," Greenpaw mewed hastily. "But Sunpaw wanted to tell you both, so I went about it by myself instead."

Greenpaw glanced up. Seaheart was watching her carefully. "An' you're sure of that, lass?"

Greenpaw nodded. "I'm sorry, Seaheart. I just wanted answers."

The duo sat silently for a long time. The sunrise was peeking out of the horizon, casting warm rays of reddish-gold sun on the back of the camp, cool shadows covering the bulk. Cats were beginning to wake. Greenpaw saw Stormrush and Frogleg pad over to the dwindling fresh-kill pile, sniffing it curiously.

Stormrush lifted her head and spotted Seaheart and Greenpaw, and began to make her way over – probably to inquire about patrols – but Seaheart flicked his tail, dismissing Stormrush before she made it halfway across the camp. Stormrush stared at them with hard brown eyes for a moment before turning away, back to Frogleg.

"Twilightstar has already punished you." Seaheart mewed at last, as Greenpaw's eyes began to droop. Hunger and sleepiness had been battling inside her, and sleep was overtaking her. "Not being able to attend the upcoming Gathering is punishment enough. Go get some sleep. I'll expect you awake by sun-high, ready for a patrol."

But the disappointment in her didn't end there. As Greenpaw heaved her way over to the apprentice's den with heavy paws and a drooping tail, Sunpaw accosted her.

"Where were you?" she hissed, showing uncharacteristic anger. There was venom in her voice. "Where did you go? Why did you leave me? Or at least tell me where you were? Seaheart told us that Twilightstar had gone to share dreams with StarClan, all the while nobody has any idea where you snuck off to! What were you thinking? And why didn't you tell me?"

Greenpaw was tacken aback, to say the least. She had never heard Sunpaw say so much at one time, so accusing, angry, hurt. Anger being the highest emotion radiating off of her fine golden pelt. Greenpaw shrunk back, away from Sunpaw, who was still hissing away, her back arched in anger. Greenpaw felt an unfamiliar flicker of emotion: fear.

"I…had to get answers, Sunpaw!" Greenpaw mewed miserably. "So much has happened this past moon…I just…I needed to know!"

"Well I hope you figured it all out!" Sunpaw huffed. She turned abruptly away from Greenpaw and stalked toward Riverpaw, who was waiting by the hollow entrance. Stormrush and Hollowclaw quickly joined them, and they made their way out of the hollow.

Greenpaw padded bleakly into the den, and circled around her nest. Everything is so wrong! She thought to herself, curling up in the empty apprentice's den. She didn't have the energy to wonder where Sharkpaw and Tidepaw were. She tucked her head into her belly fur, and sorrowfully fell into a deep sleep, unaided by any type of dreams.

And so, she woke up alone.

The sharp sun-high light was flooding into the den, and Greenpaw blearily wondered how she had been able to sleep with the hot, piercing rays of sun penetrating the den. She stood up, and stumbled over her front paws, nearly planting her face in Sunpaw's empty nest. Her stomach growled ravenously as if in answer, and Greenpaw padded outside the den.

It was quiet afternoon. Seaheart was nowhere to be seen. Sandflame and Shellstream were chatting quietly near the warrior's den, and Tidepaw's dark striped tail was poking out of Pearlpelt's den. She tiredly wondered what he was doing there, and made her way to the small fresh-kill pile.

Apparently, there hadn't been a hunting patrol that morning, because most of the fresh-kill left – a few plump dunnarts, a small pile smelly anchovies, a thin rabbit, and a frog that was luke-warm to the touch of her paw – was definitely not fresh.

She selected two of the dunnarts and ate them right then and there, her stomach screaming for some sort of nourishment. However plump, she finished the dunnarts in six large, juicy mouthfuls. They were warm, but warm by the humid beach heat that even a deep, shaded hole couldn't completely avoid.

Licking her muzzle clean, with a full stomach that would finally allow her to think properly, Greenpaw scanned the camp again. Seaheart was still nowhere to be seen.

She knew he was expecting her for a patrol, and figured the deputy must be around the camp somewhere. Greenpaw realized he would probably be with Twilightstar, in her den, if not in plain sight of the camp. Greenpaw took a deep breath to calm her now-racing heart, and knew she would have to face Twilightstar eventually, which may as well be right now. Perhaps, if Greenpaw was apologetic enough, Twilightstar would let her go to the gathering…

Greenpaw bounded over to Twilightstar's den entrance with newfound strength from the dunnarts. She felt her full stomach roll uncomfortably as she paused outside the entrance. She quickly realized she over-ate, and that the patrol would be miserable with an achingly full stomach to manage. She promised herself to see if Pearlpelt had any mint or partridge pea for a stomach ache before they left.

Greenpaw couldn't hear anything outside the den, but knew how deep Twilightstar's den was. She pushed her way through the entrance, which an apprentice must have adorned with dried sea grass and fern as cover. The den was cool as a result, and Greenpaw took a deep breath of the fresh-tasting air before padding deeper into the den.

But neither Seaheart or Twilightstar were inside. Greenpaw racked her brain. Where would they be? Did Seaheart forget about her? Was Twilightstar avoiding the camp, annoyed with Greenpaw?

Greenpaw exited with her head hanging. As she pushed through the grassy wall, Greenpaw crashed into the creamy white chest of Shellstream with an "oof".

"What were you doing in Twilightstar's den, Greenpaw?" Shellstream asked sharply, not moving despite Greenpaw's accidental head-butt.

"Looking for Twilightstar and Seaheart," she answered tiredly. It seemed that everyone was going to punish her for sneaking off to the Moonfly cave. "I'm supposed to go on a patrol at sun-high."

Shellstream nodded. "So you were, but Seaheart decided to go on the patrol early. Twilightstar is asking questions about the Snakeroot-trees that RootClan claimed, and Seahert is looking to get some answers."

"Oh," was all Greenpaw could mew. Her pounding heart deflated. She would have loved to join the spy patrol. Was she going to be punished for all of eternity?

"Seaheart asked me to tell you to tend to the nursery while he was gone. It seems that Rosekit somehow trecked fleas in, and the queens and kits are covered. Fetch some smartweed from Pearlpelt and be sure to rub the queens and kits down thoroughly. Coralclaw and Beachflower may need you to help remove fleas."

Greenpaw blinked. She hadn't visited Beachflower in forever, it seemed – and even though the smartweed stung cracked paws (which hers most definitely were), and checking for fleas wasn't necessarily exciting, perhaps Beachflower would be kind to her. Beachflower was always gentle, and seemed to have a special warm place reserved for Greenpaw. She had no idea why, but embraced it fully whenever she could.

"Yes, Shellstream. I will." Greenpaw nodded.

Shellstream observed her suspiciously. "No catty remarks?"

Greenpaw shook her head. "No. No catty remarks."

Shellstream was satisfied and turned away with a flourish of her fluffy blue-gray tail. Greenpaw exited Twilightstar's den and made the short walk over to Pearlpelt's. She could hear the she-cat bumbling around inside and invited herself in with a soft mew. "Pearlpelt?"

The old silver she-cat faced Greenpaw with bright green eyes that gave nothing away. She couldn't tell whether or not Pearlpelt would punish her as well. It made her uncomfortable.

"You'll need some smartweed for the nursery," Pearlpelt rasped simply, portraying no emotion. But, Greenpaw reminded herself, that was not unusual of the old she-cat. "You know to rub it all over? And to not touch your eyes after until you wash your paws?"

Greenpaw bobbed her head. "Yes, Pearlpelt, I know." Greenpaw paused, before continuing on a whim. "While I'm out washing, do you need any herbs stocked up that I could bring back for you?"

Pearlpelt glanced at her, still showing no emotion. "Wiregrass and hog plumb. Someone came to me this morning with worms. And where one cat has it, there may be more coming, if they ate the same infected prey – I'd like to stocked up on it, just in case."

Greenpaw grimanced. "Worms? From what prey?"

Pearlpelt flicked her tail, organizing dried piles of herbs on the rock shelves. She wasn't looking at her, but responded matter-of-factly. "The mice are suspect. Which means the dunnarts may be as well. I've just sent Tidepaw to clear the fresh-kill pile, just in case."

Greenpaw felt her heart drop to her bloated stomach. Oh, no. Oh, not the worms…

"Pearlpelt, I ate two dunnarts before coming to see you, before the fresh-kill pile was cleared out." Greenpaw told her miserably. Could the day get any worse? "Do you think I might be infected?"

Pearlpelt sighed, and turned to face her. Her bright green eyes penetrated Greenpaw's. "You very may as well. There's a rare chance that you could pass it on to anyone by simply being around them, but there are young kits in the nursery. We can't have you around them until we make sure."

Yep, it can get worse. "What shall I do, then?"

"Rest." Pearlpelt replied without hesitation. "Until we know for sure whether or not you've been infected, I'm keeping you secluded with Sharkpaw. If there are no worms in your dirt over the next five sunrises, you can return to normal duties. But I won't have you infecting the rest of the camp on the off-chance you do have it. Worms are a nasty business. Be sure to tell me when you make your dirt. Now, go fetch a nest in the back. I'm bringing you marigold; we'll see how much you can vomit up."

And this was Greenpaw's rock bottom.

So, I lied. There are OFFICIALLY only TWO CHAPTERS LEFT NOW! And the last one is only a few short pages...Be excited! I know I am! Read and review, so I can figure out how you feel about BOOK TWO!