The sun began to set for the third time since Jackdaw's Cry had been imprisoned. Fire Heart was sharing tongues with Ravenpaw outside the warriors den. The two young cats paused when they heard pawsteps, and looked up to see Gray Wing heading over to them with his usual friendly smile.

Fire Heart could tell his former mentor was trying to remain strong–he and Skystar both–for the sake of the Clan. Hawk Swoop and Fire Heart himself, too for that matter.

Meanwhile, Lightning Tail and Acorn Fur were as cheerful as ever as they chatted with the other apprentices outside their den, Thunder crouching quietly beside them.

The young cats easily believed that the meeting would go by like a breeze and that they would see their father again in no time. They didn't think that Thistlestar might stall longer or with one wrong move…Jackdaw's Cry could be killed.

Fire Heart envied them.

"You're going to the Gathering," Gray Wing announced. "You and Hawk Swoop."

Fire Heart exchanged a look with Ravenpaw. The black tom never seemed to mind never being chosen. Skystar didn't want him to risk being seen by ThunderClan or they'd know he was alive.

But he's stronger now, right? But against Tigerclaw? His old tormentor? Maybe if he had a warrior name… Fire Heart decided to ask Skystar one day about giving his friend a full name, so he could truly fit in.

"Okay." Fire Heart affectionately nuzzled Ravenpaw before racing over to Hawk Swoop, who was helping Turtle Tail with her rowdy kits. Fire Heart easily picked out his nephew's white pelt amongst his foster littermates' multicolored ones.

Petal sat nearby, purring at the older kits' energy and Turtle Tail's frazzled expression. Birch and Alder sat in the curve of her belly, watching the older kits curiously.

"C'mon! It's time to sleep!" Turtle Tail exclaimed, exasperated.

"But we wanna stay up to hear about the Gathering!" Cloud Tail protested.

"Yeah!" Owl Eyes agreed. "We'll be apprentices soon! We can stay up!"

"How about you sleep now and I promise to tell you when you wake up?" Hawk Swoop suggested gently.

Fire Heart smirked at Turtle Tail's incredulous look as the kits immediately obeyed Hawk Swoop, disappearing into the nursery.

"We're going to the Gathering." Fire Heart nudged his friend. "C'mon."

The orange tabby followed him over to the group. He noticed Cinderpaw, looking put out as she waved her tail at her denmates, watching them all head after the patrol.

Fire Heart settled between Hawk Swoop and Jagged Peak as Skystar waited to speak. Aside from the three of them and all the apprentices (except Cinderpaw), Tall Shadow, Rainswept Flower, Shattered Ice, Quick Water, Yellowfang, Fircone, Nettle, Wind Runner and one of the newbies, Dew, were all going.

"Tonight's the Gathering," Skystar began when all the chosen cats were present. "It'll be hard to get to Fourtrees, but StarClan would expect us to do all we can to get there."

"Who cares what StarClan thinks," someone, who sounded suspiciously like Shattered Ice, growled. "They don't care what we do, after all."

Yellowfang apparently saw who had said it for sure and shot the cat a glare. Skystar ignored the interruptions. "Be careful, stay together…we might have to cross ShadowClan land."

"At least it ain't ThunderClan," Ash Blaze muttered.

"Who cares!" Acorn Fur gasped worriedly. "It's still another Clan's land!"

Lightning Tail rolled his eyes and leaned towards Thunder muttering, "Acorn Fur is acting like a meddy cat with her goody four-paws self."

Hawk Swoop heard and shot her son a stern look. The black apprentice ducked his head, cowed. Acorn Fur didn't seem to hear or care for her brother's comment, still looking uneasy.

"Well, what if we grew wings?" Shattered Ice began in his typical sarcastic drawl. "Then maybe we could fly!"

The apprentices snickered, but Thunder didn't join in, surprising Fire Heart. Please don't tell me he's blaming himself for Jackdaw's Cry. Thistlestar has been a jerk since before he was kitted for StarClan's sake!

But it seemed Thunder would determine everything ThunderClan did from now on was his fault.

Skystar gave Shattered Ice a stern glare before he nodded at them. "Let's go. And keep your wits about you."

"Thistlestar it's time for the Gathering."

Thistlestar whirled around intent to spit fire until he realized it was just Spottedleaf blinking calmly at him.

She backed away slightly at his bristling fur and bared teeth and he managed to smooth his anger over quickly. His clanmates had been pestering him all day with questions, Jackdaw's Cry kept glaring and growling at him, and Tigerclaw had come to him with a plea.

Swiftclaw had come back with interesting news when he had stumbled near the SkyClan border and seen two cats on a walk. Two certain cats.

One had been Fire Heart, the kittypet he had supposedly drowned so long ago, but Thistlestar didn't care for the kittypet anymore.

The other had been…Ravenpaw.

He wouldn't have cared for this either except that Tigerclaw had said he'd killed him. And his deputy wouldn't stop insisting they find a way to get rid of him again.

Ravenpaw knew Tigerclaw had killed Redtail. It was quite a messy one if an apprentice had caught him in the act. But he needed Tigerclaw to help him rise higher in power.

So he resignedly came up with a plan once they arrived at the Gathering.

Thistlestar called the patrol together and they all gathered at the entrance.

"How will we get there?" Willowpelt asked.

"We're gonna fly!" Darkstripe exclaimed sarcastically. Swiftclaw and Dustpelt snickered.

Thistlestar rolled his eyes.

"We're gonna swim." He grinned as their eyes widened.

"What?" Graystripe whispered.

"You heard me! We aren't cowards!"

Tigerclaw didn't look pleased either, but at least he had the decency to keep his mouth shut.

"You're lucky I kindly let the apprentices stay behind," Thistlestar growled, eyeing Frostfur's kits and Cricketpaw. " I could have made them come in order to harden them against dangers like floods."

The patrol frowned, but nodded hesitantly.

"Good. Let's go!"

Hawk Swoop jumped up the wall beside Quick Water near the Thunderpath as a monster passed. The gray-and-white she-cat had been walking on the wall the whole time, apparently more concerned about getting her paws wet than being squashed by a monster.

They had been edging along the Thunderpath all this time. Fire Heart could tell he wasn't the only one, scared.

"What if more monsters come?" Jagged Peak asked, a tremor in his voice.

"Just keep to the side," Skystar assured. "They're moving slowly anyways."

Soon they reached the marshy pine forest and trekked onwards. As usual, Tall Shadow was gazing around as if it were the most amazing sight.

"We shouldn't be here," Acorn Fur whispered from where she walked in between her brother and Thunder.

Skystar seemed to agree because he suddenly quickened his pace. Startled, the others hurried forward too, when suddenly there was a yowl.

Fire Heart bumped into Dew, who bumped into Fircone.

"Shit…." The mottled red warrior muttered as Nightstar stalked forward with a patrol of his own cats.

Aside from him, Cinderfur and Runningnose (who had to be there) he noticed Scorchwind, Wolfstep, Newtspeck, Oakfur, Wetfoot and the elders, Hollyflower and Archeye.

"What're SkyClan doing here?" Nightstar demanded in a slight growl, but at least they didn't seem that hostile.

"We're sorry, Nightstar–"

"No. We're not," Shattered Ice whispered.

"But this was the only way to get to Four Trees."

"And I had to get in the water to do so, so please don't turn us away!" Quick Water added.

Fire Heart felt relieved when some of the ShadowClan warriors exchanged amused looks.

"Quick Water should really change her name to No Water or something," Jagged Peak snorted.

"What's the harm? SkyClan never did us wrong," Runningnose murmured to his leader and deputy.

"Alright," Nightstar sighed. "But we'll escort you the rest of the way."

"We don't–"

Yellowfang cuffed the back of Shattered Ice's head.

They were escorted to the Gathering, yet Fire Heart still had a feeling trouble was ahead. After all, it was just a part of Clan life.

And being a SkyClan cat.

The moon was at its height as Gray Wing followed his brother into the hollow.

RiverClan, WindClan and surprisingly, ThunderClan were there already.

"How'd they get past the floods?" Cloud Spots wondered.

It seemed they had swam if their soaked forms were anything to go by. Gray Wing took this in. Thistlestar was soaked but triumphant.

His smug smirk suddenly fell as SkyClan arrived, but his sharp gaze was on another cat. Gray Wing turned to see Thunder behind him as if hiding.

Gray Wing stood protectively in front of his nephew and glared at Thistlestar, who turned away with a contemptuous snort.

"What's up with you?"

Gray Wing turned to see Wind Runner, who was heavy with kits, by Fire Heart and Jagged Peak, the former looking worried.

"I have that bad feeling like something will happen."

"Don't say that!" Jagged Peak hissed, peeking at ThunderClan anxiously.

Hawk Swoop on the other paw, merely glared. After all, her mate was being held captive in their camp for no reason.

"Well be ready," Dappled Pelt muttered and headed over to the other medicine cats with Cloud Spots.

Uneasier than ever, Gray Wing padded over to the other deputies, listening to the cats

around him. They all sounded normal. Fire Heart was just being paranoid.

As if to prove him wrong the first thing he noticed was Tigerclaw's absence as he settled down. Why would the ThunderClan deputy not be here? Maybe he was sick.

But Gray Wing had always seen him at the Gatherings he'd attended. No matter what, the dark tabby was always present.

The second thing was Thistlestar shooting his clanmates a smirk for some reason. And that for sure could never be good.

The final thing he noticed was Darkstripe, Longtail and Dustpelt, three of Thistlestar's most loyal warriors aside from Tigerclaw, were padding among the ShadowClan and WindClan warriors whispering something while shooting looks at them. But they didn't bother RiverClan.

What's going on? Is Fire Heart right, after all? Is something bad gonna happen?

He shook his head. Now he was being paranoid. What's the worst that could happen at a Gathering?

He got his answer when Nightstar yowled for the Gathering to start and the other leaders joined him.

And the first phrase out of the ShadowClan leader's mouth was: "SkyClan are traitors!"

"Huh, the forest is quiet," the mottled gray tom muttered. "Usually ThunderClan is keen to prowl around."

"It's a Gathering night, so they're with the other Clans at the four giant oaks," a gray tabby she-cat explained.

The third cat on their little hunting patrol was a black she-cat with messy fur. Their boss had sent them out to hunt and if they didn't come back with a good haul they would face punishment.

Like every other day.

The she-cat missed their old camp but their leader insisted they combine with the other group made up of vicious kittypets, claiming they weren't kittypets. She knew never to say it to their faces anyway.

They now lived in a smelly alleyway with rats and trash.

The bushes behind them rustled and out stepped a one eyed tabby she-cat, who was overseeing their hunting.

"Hurry it up and stop gossiping!" She snapped.

The two gray cats scrambled away and the black she-cat watched her friends go. She pondered going after them when she caught another scent passing by.

ThunderClan!

She turned and caught a flash of brown tabby fur and one look told her it wasn't the scary one-eyed she-cat.

"Um, I'm gonna see if there's any over there." She flicked her tail in the ThunderClan cat's direction. Without waiting for a response she turned tail and stalked towards the cat.

His scent led towards the SkyClan border and she quickened her pace. When she burst out into the open she finally got a view of the tom.

It was Tigerclaw. ThunderClan's deputy. Why wasn't he at the Gathering? Most importantly, why was he in SkyClan territory?

The deputy was sniffing around on the other side of the border, trespassing. Suddenly he shot off farther into Skystar's territory.

Having a bad feeling, she followed. She may work for scary cats but that didn't mean she wouldn't try and help cats in need.

As long as she wasn't caught.

Shocked yowls rose from all around and Thunder ducked his head, pelt prickling nervously as he felt eyes on his clanmates and him.

"What do you mean?" Tallstar asked, genuinely curious.

"I've found out some interesting news! SkyClan took in the ShadowClan spy for Brokenstar! BROKENSTAR!"

Some cats gasped but Thunder was confused. What…? The only cats we've ever taken in were two ThunderClan apprentices and….

He gasped and looked around. Said cat he was looking for stood to her paws by his side. Are they talking about Yellowfang? But she hates Brokenstar! He ruined her life!

Yellowfang glared with scary eyes at Nightstar. "I thought we've all already forgiven me! Brokenstar framed me!"

Some of the ShadowClan cats nodded but others still looked suspicious.

"Wha-I don't mean you…?" Nightstar trailed off and looked questioningly at a smirking Thistlestar beside a confused Crookedstar. "It was a ThunderClan cat that turned rogue!"

"My question is how do you know this, Nightstar?" Yellowfang spat.

And then Thunder understood after pondering his words. He means Ravenpaw! He's a spy? He has always been pretty quiet…maybe it's all an act… he looked up to see Thistlestar's eyes on him. Or…this is also a part of his revenge…when will he let it go?!

By the look in Yellowfang's eyes, he realized she had also guessed who they were really talking about and was taking the attention away from him to herself.

She's very loyal.

Fire Heart had also guessed but looked horrified at the accusations.

"Is this true?" Tallstar turned to Skystar. "You know how much Brokenstar has hurt us." Shouts of agreement came from WindClan. "Any cat working with Brokenstar cannot be tolerated. They must go!"

Skystar turned to him calmly. "Do you really believe Thistlestar of all cats?" He asked, completely ignoring Nightstar.

After a moment, Tallstar backed off calmly and shook his head. "Of course not." He turned to the crowd. "If Skystar says they don't have a spy among them then they don't! We shouldn't listen to such idle gossip!"

Some cats who'd immediately jumped to protest looked ashamed of themselves. Thunder breathed a sigh of relief but still felt a horrible tightness in his chest.

It's my fault…

"How would you know, Tallstar?" Nightstar spat. "SkyClan always acts like the innocent ones! Who's to say it isn't all an act?"

Tallstar ignored him and called his Clan together and started to exit Four Trees.

"You'd better watch your back!" Nightstar spat at Skystar before he jumped off the rock, Thistlestar following. Crookedstar and Skystar exchanged looks and soon followed.

"I'm so sorry about what happened!" Onewhisker was suddenly in front of Fire Heart and Jagged Peak. "Tallstar doesn't believe it. We haven't forgotten you brought us back."

Jagged Peak smiled and Fire Heart sighed, saying, "it's just ThunderClan picking on us. And ShadowClan really hated Brokenstar so they'd believe any rumor that has to do with him."

"Come on, we gotta get back to camp," Skystar said suddenly. Gray Wing was beside Thunder's father and both brothers looked worried.

"What's wrong?" He asked, padding over.

"What else? ThunderClan was up to no good, so we gotta go."

Thunder gulped. What if they attacked their camp next? "Okay, let's go!" He bounded forward before he stopped. How could they get home without crossing ShadowClan territory again?

"How will we get back?" Nettle asked.

"Have fun swimming!" Nightstar mocked as he strode past with his Clan. Some of them laughed rudely but the nicer ones shot them sympathetic looks.

Thistlestar also walked past with his Clan giving them a smirk. "Try it first," he said to Skystar. "We managed. Although you probably don't wanna put your apprentices in danger." He sneered at Thunder.

"We can swim!" Lightning Tail puffed his chest up.

"That we can!" Shattered Ice spat in agreement at ThunderClan's retreating backs'. Dappled Pelt and Yellowfang held him back from charging them.

"Did…did he mean Ravenpaw being a spy?" Hawk Swoop asked.

"I…don't know. We did find him hurt…maybe Tigerclaw was truly getting rid of a traitor, but I wanna hear his story first," Skystar meowed.

Fire Heart nodded in relief and Hawk Swoop looked determined.

"So we're gonna swim?" Rainswept Flower asked.

"Get ready."

Quick Water wailed.

"Or maybe you don't have to," a voice sounded behind them. As one, the SkyClan crowd turned to see Crookedstar with his Clan.

"We can escort you through our territory until we reach the strip of land that leads into your forest," the tabby leader suggested kindly. Thunder noticed he looked at Fire Heart, Shattered Ice and Dappled Pelt for some reason.

"Oh, thank StarClan," Quick Water sighed and looked hopefully at their leader.

"Alright," Skystar agreed.

Leopardfur was looking annoyed until Silverstream whispered something to her that made her shift uncomfortably and shoot Fire Heart, Dappled Pelt and Shattered Ice a nervous look.

The RiverClan cats surrounded them and started to escort them but Thunder was too nervous so he shot forward.

"Thunder, get your tail back here!" Tall Shadow snapped.

He skidded to a halt and returned to the circle.

All around ShadowClan cats, who had lingered back to make sure they didn't trespass again, hissed at them.

Ravenpaw and Cinderpaw paced the clearing as they waited for the patrol to get back. And to keep watch. Everyone else was asleep minus Gorse Fur, who was also awake, anxiously awaiting his mate's return. She was due soon and he hadn't wanted her to go, but she had merely brushed his worries off.

I hope they're okay, Ravenpaw thought. He understood he and his niece may never attend Gatherings again as long as Thistlestar and Tigerclaw existed, but he understood.

Cinderpaw had started jumping up and twisting to catch fireflies that hovered at the edge of the gorge clearing.

Just then, he heard rustling at the entrance and jumped up ready to greet his clanmates. Cinderpaw raced to his side and Gorse Fur perked his ears.

The rustling stopped and no one came through. He exchanged a startled look with the other two before ordering Cinderpaw to stay put.

Gorse Fur followed at his tail a low growl building in his throat. Ravenpaw opened his mouth to taste the air and when he caught the scent he swore his heart stopped for a moment.

Suddenly a cat slammed into him and he hit his head before he felt himself starting to be dragged out into the forest.

Gorse Fur thundered out after them and swatted at the cat, earning a howl of rage and pain.

Ravenpaw scrambled to his paws to see none other than Tigerclaw. He never thought he'd see him again.

He trembled behind Gorse Fur, who stared the deputy down. "Get off our land before I call back-up!" The gray tabby hissed.

"Step aside, rogue! I need to get rid of that traitor before he hurts SkyClan!" Tigerclaw snarled.

"SkyClan can deal with their own problems like they have for moons! And you don't care, you just have a grudge against him!"

Just then, Cinderpaw burst out of the camp with the rest of the warriors. Thorn eagerly launched himself at Tigerclaw, who easily batted the scrawny brown tom aside.

Was Tigerclaw determined to take them all on? He was clearly outnumbered. And yet a murderer could be capable of anything.

Just then, before anything else could happen, a pebble fell on the tabby warrior's head.

He shook his head and glared up, confused, similar to the SkyClan cats, which searched all around.

Another rock hit the deputy and he growled in irritation. "Who's there?" He yowled into the darkness above them. The canopy shivered and Ravenpaw knew someone was definitely up there yet well hidden.

Another rock came down and nearly knocked Tigerclaw down. Cinderpaw started snickering.

Yowling with rage, Tigerclaw started swinging at random, his awfully long claws extended. Gorse Fur pushed Ravenpaw and Cinderpaw back and he, Thorn, Leaf and Air Leap chased him off their land while Frost led everyone else back in.

Once in the camp, Frost turned on the ThunderClan cats.

"Okay, we need to know why you guys were kicked out and why Tigerclaw tried to attack you in the middle of our camp!"

"I told you why I was kicked out," Cinderpaw shrugged. "Thistlestar doesn't want burdens."

"And what about you? Were you a lag?" Frost asked Ravenpaw.

Ravenpaw gulped nervously, but decided it was time to tell the truth. He owed it to SkyClan for saving his life. Twice now.

"Okay." He took a shaky breath. "But I wanna wait for the others to get back. I don't want to repeat it."

Skystar stormed into camp with his clanmates. They'd left RiverClan behind after thanking them and had wasted no time getting home.

Everything seemed peaceful but when he entered everyone minus the kits and queens were up.

As he took this in, Petal and Turtle Tail appeared. Birch poked his little head out until Petal ordered him to stay inside. Alder started to pull her brother back inside only to be pushed aside by Sparrow Fur and Cloud Tail as they raced out after their mother.

"Go back to sleep!" Turtle Tail ordered.

"What happened?" Skystar asked, sensing the tension in the air.

"Tigerclaw attacked Ravenpaw!" Cinderpaw exclaimed worriedly. Fire Heart darted over to the black tom's side, who purred abashedly as his friend licked him.

"Why?" Skystar asked. He didn't want to believe it, but why else would Tigerclaw see a mere cowardly cat like Ravenpaw as a threat that he'd attack him in front of his campmates?

"Because he knows I know his secret," Ravenpaw began with a tremble in his voice. With an encouraging look from Fire Heart and Cinderpaw he continued in a stronger voice. "I witnessed him kill Redtail."

The Clan gasped except for Yellowfang, who spoke up. "As did I." Ravenpaw whipped around to face her and she explained, "what could I have done? It was when I had been on the run from ShadowClan. I had to worry about finding a sanctuary first."

"But why didn't you say anything?" Turtle Tail asked.

"Why didn't any of you say anything?" Skystar couldn't help but growl. He was just too frustrated with all these new discoveries. And now ShadowClan was out for their blood.

"They must have felt like me," his son, Thunder, said. "I knew if I told you about ThunderClan's secrets they'd get back at us. And now where's Jackdaw's Cry? And now look at how they made ShadowClan believe a mere lie."

"I guess it seemed like the truth to others though," Ravenpaw picked up his story. "I mean I run from them and Tigerclaw tries to kill me. I barely open up to anyone so they think I'm weird…creepy."

"Welcome to SkyClan," Dappled Pelt meowed with a smile.

"Here, here," Cloud Spots added and some others chuckled.

Skystar couldn't help but smile too. He turned to Yellowfang and Ravenpaw. "Thank you for telling us this. Now we know that ThunderClan would even go as far as killing their own clanmates."

"But why did he kill Redtail?" Dew pressed. "I knew him from the first time I met him as an apprentice. He was going to the Moonstone and I was hanging out with Barley. He and his littermates were really nice."

"And I thought all of ThunderClan were…" Shattered Ice trailed off when Dappled Pelt glared at him sternly as if she knew what he would say next.

"Tigerclaw wanted to be deputy," Ravenpaw answered Dew. "That's all I know."

"There must be more to it because why not just wait for his time?" Leaf asked.

Ravenpaw ducked his head. "I don't know. I really don't. One day I was living a peaceful life and then the next Tigerclaw spread the rumor of me spying for Brokenstar. Even my own siblings believed it. Except Brindleface. And Bluefur. And Graystripe."

Skystar nodded, realizing he wasn't comfortable about the topic anymore.

"So not all ThunderClan cats are bad," Gorse Fur muttered.

"Still doesn't excuse it!" Wind Runner snapped.

"Then what would you have done?" Thunder snapped. "I was there once! It's like they're prisoners in their own camp!"

"And what would you have done?" Wind Runner retorted. "All you managed to do was pretend to take a cripple and two kits away to die! You made your escape in secret!"

"Well…if a whole Clan can't stand up to their leader how could I?" Thunder whispered sadly. His friends gave him sympathetic looks. "He has a group of loyal warriors too. Like…Brokenstar."

"So should we do the same we did for ShadowClan?" Frost asked. "We raid them and see if the other half join our side. We take out Thistlestar and his allies. The end!"

"I've never heard a randomly blurted out plan that had so many flaws that could go wrong immediately," Yellowfang grumbled but her eyes shined.

Skystar wouldn't doubt she and Frost would care if they rushed the ThunderClan camp to kill Thistlestar. He wanted to too.

But they had Jackdaw's Cry. They couldn't risk his life.

"We'll meet Thistlestar as planned in about two moons!" He said loudly to the crowd. "Then once we have Jackdaw's Cry safely back with us…we'll carry through with Frost's plan."

Mews of approval went up and Frost brightened.

"But that plan needs a little more work," Skystar added and the white tom huffed.

"For now, let's keep training," Gray Wing meowed as the sun rose and the Clan split into groups to do their duties.

Skystar had never felt more proud.