It had been three days since Thistlestar had announced WindClan's disappearance. Ravenpaw woke up early and listened to his denmates snores. He wished he could disappear. He wanted to be anywhere but here. He wasn't safe here.

Not when all he saw was the blood of Redtail all over Tigerclaw.

Graypaw rolled over beside him.

Ravenpaw looked out of the den entrance and wondered if he should wake the others for training. Maybe I can visit Mistyfoot's kits now. He shook off the idea and told himself they would still be asleep. It was too early for them.

He jumped to his paws and nudged Graypaw. "What?" the gray apprentice mumbled.

"Can you wake the others? It's time for training!" He meowed before quickly ducking outside. Dustpaw and Sandpaw soon followed him into the clearing with Graypaw behind them.

The morning was warm. The sky was blue above the camp. Today, a heavy dew glistened on the fern fronds and sparkled on the grass. Greenleaf would end soon, giving way to leaffall.

Ravenpaw sighed and headed to the training hollow where Tigerclaw always ordered him to meet him. Although outside was nice and bright and cheery he still had little enthusiasm for training.

"Here's breakfast," Fire Heart meowed. He dropped a whole eagle at Yellowfang's paws, watching in satisfaction as her eyes widened. "How can you catch eagles in the forest? How can you catch eagles at all?"

"They used to catch eagles in the mountains and found a way to do it here in the forest," Fire Heart meowed, puffing his chest out. "It was my first time managing to catch one on my own."

"Not bad for a kittypet," she mumbled, taking a bite. Fire Heart growled. She looked up. "What? You are a kittypet, aren't you?"

"Yes. But why does everyone have to remind me?"

"It's just the behavior of clan cats, their pride, get used to it buddy, because there are worse things to happen…" she trailed off.

"Like what?" Fire Heart asked, watching Jagged Peak and Air Leap wrestle while Skystar watched over them proudly from. The Flat Boulder.

"Nothing. Now go get me some herbs for my wounds from your medicine buddies, eh?"

Thistlestar walked out of his den. Warriors crossed the clearing around him, carrying sticks and dragging brambles. The Clan worked to enforce the camp walls. Ever since he suspected ShadowClan could be after them next, they were working to prepare for an attack. Thistlestar had to admit he was proud of them.

Even the elders were busy, scraping out a hole in the ground. Warriors filed past, piling in fresh-kill, ready to be stored. The camp was quiet, everyone concentrating on their task.

If ShadowClan tried to attack them, ThunderClan would be ready.

Darkstripe, Longtail, Willowpelt and Dustpaw were waiting silently at the camp entrance. Their eyes were fixed on the tunnel. A patrol had just returned, dusty and sore. As soon as the warriors entered camp, the waiting patrol slipped quickly out of camp. ThunderClan's borders were never left unguarded.

Spottedleaf was preparing some sort of sweet-smelling concoction when Thistlestar entered. She looked up and then quickly looked down but Thistlestar noticed her bristling fur.

"Busy?" He asked with a smirk.

"I need to be prepared," Spottedleaf muttered, sparing him a quick glance. She held his gaze for a moment, then looked away. Thistlestar walked closer and pressed his muzzle against hers. She stiffened.

He pulled away and purred, "you keep doing that." And left, leaving the tortoiseshell to stare after him with wide eyes.

Back outside, he noticed Ravenpaw and Graypaw dropping off their loads of prey before turning to go back out hunting as ordered by Halftail, who had given them an approving look at their catches.

Outside the nursery, Swiftkit, Brackenkit and Featherkit were wrestling. "Feel my teeth, Brokenstar!" Swiftkit yowled and pinned Brackenkit down.

Featherkit looked at them blankly for a moment before brightening up and trying to pry Swiftkit off the ginger tom-kit. He sure processes things slowly… Thistlestar thought darkly, eyes narrowed as he watched them. That slowness will only hinder the Clan.

Suddenly, Brackenkit let out a battle cry–or rather a squeak– and kicked Swiftkit off of him which also sent Featherkit flying. The white tom-kit tumbled to Thistlestar's paws. The spiky gray-and-white tom stopped him with a paw and studied the kit, who stared back up at him curiously.

"Hello, Featherkit," he meowed amicably. He noticed the kit narrow his eyes, studying his lips before he opened his eyes in realization and began to speak when Mistyfoot called from the nursery.

Thistlestar waited for the kit to move but he continued to stare at Thistlestar. So he nudged him towards the nursery. The kit finally went and Thistlestar noticed Mistyfoot peeking out from the nursery, looking at him nervously, eyes wide.

Hmm. He watched Featherkit disappear into the nursery.

Two days later, Gray Wing was hunting alone in the forest. The warm weather had broken into a raw chill. Clouds covered the sky and the smell of rain hung on the wind.

Gray Wing scanned the forest for any signs of prey. He was trembling with excitement for the hunt. He spotted a rabbit scampering about in the undergrowth. He leaped into action and the rabbit veered away with a shrill squeal of fear when Gray Wing jumped into its path.

And tripped on a root.

The rabbit scampered away.

"No!" Gray Wing growled. "My rabbit."

"Your rabbit?"

Gray Wing looked up, suddenly aware that a skinny gray tabby tom was standing nearby, along with a skinny brown she-cat.

"Wind, why do you think this idiot believes that rabbit is his?" The tom addressed the she-cat.

"I've no idea, Gorse," Wind replied.

"Um, why are you on our territory?" Gray Wing asked, trying to not sound aggressive. These cats were obviously just a pair of harmless rogues.

Gorse's eyes widened. "You mean there's another one? Now all our good hunting places are gone! I guess we'll have to go back to the barn."

"This part of the forest used to be empty. How is it that there is suddenly another Clan?" Wind asked.

"Oh, well, we came from the mountains and became SkyClan. The fifth Clan. We were starving back in our old home." Gray Wing sat and curled his tail. "The other Clans don't really like us though," he added quietly.

Wind nodded. "Well, you must be good then if they think negatively of you. The other Clans are so full of themselves."

"And they chase us off from almost everywhere we settle. Yet I see that the rogue River Ripple is allowed to live near the water cats," Gorse added with a snort.

"Something wrong, Gray Wing?"

The three cats turned to see Tall Shadow and Hawk Swoop and assumed the two she-cats were on patrol. Hawk Swoop had recovered from her injury rather quickly. Gray Wing quickly introduced them to the two rogues and explained what they had told him.

"Hmm," Tall Shadow hummed. "Maybe we could let you hunt here if we get Skystar's permission."

"That would be much appreciated, thank you," Wind dipped her head and waved at the three cats in a friendly manner. Gorse copied her and the two cats left, plunging into the undergrowth.

They're way more nice than the other Clans, honestly. Gray Wing shook his head and followed his Clanmates back to camp.

The four apprentices were eating outside of their den. Gray Wing had come back with Tall Shadow and Hawk Swoop earlier, telling them about two cats called Wind and Gorse and Skystar had gained a thoughtful expression on his face at the mention of them.

"I hope you haven't been neglecting Yellowfang by hunting, Fire Heart," Shattered Ice growled, suddenly swaggering past.

"Sir, no sir!" Fire Heart exclaimed, sarcastically and Hawk Swoop and Jackdaw's Cry laughed. Falling Feather looked away, but Fire Heart smirked when he had caught her whiskers twitching in amusement.

Shattered Ice rolled his eyes and left.

"Do you think Skystar will let them share our hunting grounds?" Hawk Swoop asked.

"I would if I was leader," Fire Heart meowed. "I mean the rogues were probably here first, so…"

"HEY, DUMMY! WHERE'S MY FOOD?" Yellowfang called from across the clearing. Fire Heart slowly chewed as he looked up at her, taking his time.

Jagged Peak bounced over. "I'll bring you food!" He announced and sped over to the fresh-kill pile. He grabbed a couple of mice by the tails and dropped them in front of her. Yellowfang stiffened at the sight of him before muttering a quiet thank you. The kit skipped away happily.

Fire Heart frowned at her strange behavior around the kit.

And Wind and Gorse make an entrance! I know Skystar is so not himself, but oh well. I like nice Skystar.