"We'll start here," Tornear waved his tail at the opening. "Work your way down. Firestar and I have found where we want this tunnel to end."

Brambleheart eyed the den. When they had been talking about the badger sett, he had not realized they meant the one in camp. The tunnelers had gathered. Most of the warriors in camp had to be watching on.

"We're not going to do much today," Sandstorm spoke. She was seated next to the deputy. "That's for tomorrow. For right now, we just want to familiarize ourselves with where and what we're working with." Meows of agreement rose from the warriors. Tornear rose to his paws.

"Come, I'll show you where we'll be digging." Warriors quickly rose to follow.

They stopped outside of camp. They were about two or three fox lengths away from the barrier. It could not be much further than the sett stretched. A scent marker had been laid. Realization was beginning to dawn for Brambleheart as Tornear spoke.

"This is going to be the first exit that you will build." He looked across the warriors, "It is Greenleaf so the ground should be easy to dig up. However, it will also crumble easily. You must be careful about that." Clovertail shot Onewhisker a look as they continued on.

Brambleheart padded up to Sandstorm's side.

"We've only got so many apprentices," She was saying to Whitepaw. "You all can't be doing this. Clovertail will have time to work with Mintpaw still." The young she-cat nodded. "Now, what do you smell?" The warrior looked ahead as mentor and apprentice continued.

They came across a number of markers, signaling where the tunnels would come up.

Tornear turned to face the cats as they came to the back border. More hills lay beyond. "This will be where this tunnel will end." Warriors were exchanging looks and Brambleheart knew they were thinking the same thing as him.

They would be building a means of escape.

Crowpaw's head was rested on his paws. He watched Tigerstar and Leopardstar talk at the base of the Highledge. Hawktalon was with them. They were deciding who would go to the Gathering.

"Hey." Crowpaw raised his head as Tawnyclaw trotted over, a wren in her jaws. "I've been looking for you. What are you doing here?" Crowpaw shrugged, eying the bird. It had been over a day since he had eaten last.

His eyes widened as she set it down, pushing it in front of him. "Thank you," He mumbled.

She did not acknowledge his words. "Thought you would like to know; you're going to the Gathering." Crowpaw's ears pricked.

"Really?" Tawnyclaw nodded, glancing back to the leaders.

"Tigerstar just mentioned it."

"Are you going?" The tortoiseshell shook her head.

"Someone's got to be in charge while you're all away," She muttered. "Make sure Rusty doesn't try anything. Anyway, I'm not deputy. Hawktalon's going."

"Do you know who else is?" Crowpaw asked, biting eagerly into the kill. Tawnyclaw shrugged.

"Blackfoot, Jaggedtooth – cats like them. Though, medicine cats typically go. At least Runningnose will. Tigerstar was talking about leaving Littlecloud behind for Mothwing." Crowpaw nodded, realization dawning on him. That was why he was going. He was being given a chance.

Tawnyclaw was eying him.

"Do not take risks," Her voice was low. " Especially, if the others are there. Do you understand?" Crowpaw nodded.

"Yes, Tawnyclaw."

"Great StarClan, I didn't think he could get more brown!" Squirrelflight commented as Brambleheart all but collapsed onto the ground. Feathertail's whiskers twitched, eying the warrior. It was nearing sunset, the last she had seen him was at sunhigh. He had to have been in the sett.

"There was a cloud of dust that rose as he landed," Cloudtail remarked, licking his muzzle. "Think he was a bit browner before." Squirrelflight chuckled and the warrior in question let out a grumble. Amber eyes looked up at them.

"I can hear you both, you know."

"Clean your pelt, Bramble," Squirrelflight responded. The warrior grunted, resting his head down.

"Is it that bad?" Feathertail asked. She knew this work was going to be tedious on top of dangerous. Brambleheart shrugged.

"It's hard work but we've started," he said. "Dug out a bit of the tunnel we want to use. We're splitting up into teams starting tomorrow – I'll be with Onewhisker and Tinywing as we expand the sett. The others are starting outside of camp." Feathertail nodded.

"Considering your state, I imagine the others aren't much better," Cloudtail looked toward the Tallrock. "Reckon Firestar won't choose any of you for the Gathering."

"I'll go to another," Brambleheart answered. Feathertail looked to Cloudtail.

"What are Gatherings like?" She asked. There had been some buzz about the Gathering in camp, not only out of excitement but out of anxiety. Tigerstar had specifically asked for this. Something might happen, whether in camp or at the Gathering. Feathertail almost hoped she would be chosen to go. She had yet to spend much time outside of camp and it would be good to get some news on Crowpaw.

"I didn't go to many," Cloudtail admitted, turning to the she-cats. "Only one or two. You intermingle with the other Clans at first – listen and learn as much as you can about them without giving away information. Then, the leaders make their announcements." The tom shifted, licking his side. "I imagine Tigerstar's going to say something big tonight."

"Who do you think's going to be chosen?" Squirrelflight was looking to Firestar and Tornear, talking near the Tallrock.

"I don't know," Feathertail meowed. "Just about everyone's eager to go." Cloudtail looked at Squirrelflight.

"You know, it's a tradition for newly made warriors to go to the Gathering," He remarked. "I don't know if Firestar would choose that right now, but…" He trailed off. Squirrelflight glanced at him, her tail had risen.

"Here's hoping."

"Hey." Stormfur came trotting over, a rabbit's haunches in his jaws.

"Have you got any Gathering news?" Squirrelflight asked. Stormfur shook his head, settling between Brambleheart and Feathertail.

"They should be saying soon, though," He set the haunches down. "I imagine it's going to be mixed – need to have some sort of show of power over there but we also need cats guarding camp." Feathertail mewed her agreement.

Attention was shifted away as Firestar's yowl rang.

"Tonight, I will be bringing Brightheart, Rockfall, Cloudtail, Mistyfoot, Thistlefoot, and Sagepaw." Feathertail's ears pricked, her gaze going to her former mentor. She would need to ask her about the Gathering later.

"What about the medicine cats and Tornear?" Squirrelflight asked. Cloudtail glanced at her as he rose.

"That's inherent," he said. "He doesn't need to announce that." Squirrelflight nodded, rising to her paws.

"I'll come with you," She meowed. "I want to talk to Leafpaw."

Feathertail watched after the other warriors. She turned back to the toms, remarking, "I imagine she's got to be a bit disappointed."

"I would have been surprised had he chosen her." Brambleheart nosed the haunches toward her, "Do you want some?" Feathertail shook her head, rising to her paws.

"I'm not hungry," she said. "She's a warrior now. Surely, he can trust that she would be fine at a Gathering." Brambleheart shrugged. Even if blood was spilled at the Gathering tonight, the Clan would defend each other. Tonight was bound to be exciting.

Feathertail looked toward the warrior den, "I'm going to head to sleep. I'll see you guys in there?"

"Actually," Stormfur was eying Brambleheart's pelt. "I think we might sleep outside tonight." The tabby looked up from where he had started to groom.

"I'll get myself clean," He grunted. "Just a bit sore." He looked up at Feathertail. "Good night." Feathertail blinked at him.

"Good night."

Crowpaw's tail twitched anxiously. They had just arrived at the Gathering spot. Tigerstar and Leopardstar had taken their spots on the stump. The others had yet to arrive.

He rose to his paws moving toward the edge of the warriors. Very few warriors spoke. Crowpaw would need to quickly intercept, he reckoned. He could do this.

It did not take long for them to appear. As soon as Crowpaw caught sight of the medicine cat apprentice, he moved toward her.

"Hello!" He cleared his voice as it came out shrill. Crowpaw's heart beat against his chest. Leafpaw looked surprised.

"Hello."

"Can I talk to you?" He asked. A strange look came across the apprentice's face.

"I need to head up there," She began.

"Please!"

"Okay." She was still eying him. They stepped aside.

"Can we meet tomorrow night?" He blurted out suddenly. Leafpaw's eyes widened. "Along the other border."

"Why?"

"I need to tell you something," he said quickly. Crowpaw did not know what he would say to her tomorrow. Leafpaw eyed him.

"Why not just say it now?"

"I can't. Not with others around." Crowpaw's voice was hushed. "We just need to meet." Leafpaw looked skeptical still.

Both apprentices turned as a screech like Crowpaw had never heard before sounded. Leafpaw's eyes widened and she rushed toward the sound. Crowpaw followed after.

The leaders were up on the stump. Fear scent wafted down from Rusty, who was crouching on the edge. His tail was tucked close to him and his gaze locked onto Tigerstar. Leopardstar and Tigerstar looked surprised. Crowpaw looked between them, what had happened? Growls rose from the crowd and Crowpaw's back arched as he turned to face the enemy cats.

Tornear jumped onto the stump, causing Tigerstar to step back. Leopardstar jumped off the already crowded stump as Tornear turned his attention to Rusty. She moved around it, exclaiming, "Warriors, stand down. We are at a Gathering, for StarClan's sake!"

Crowpaw forced himself to relax, glancing at Tigerstar. He was watching the enemy leader. As Rusty rose shakily to his paws, the dark tabby said something. The kittypet hissed. Snarls rose from the gathered Clans.

"Stand down! Look at the moon!" Tornear called out as he moved off of the stump. Crowpaw looked up, surprised to see that the moon had been covered by clouds.

Enemy warriors looked at each other anxiously. A growl sounded from ahead. Rusty's fur was still on end as he glared at Tigerstar. His breathing was sharp. Crowpaw's claws dug into the earth beneath him. What was going to happen? Rusty suddenly jerked his head toward the crowd. He seemed to be forcing himself to speak.

"My Clan is strong – my warriors are! And we increase in number – in fact, Squirrelflight has become a warrior." Shock hit Crowpaw. Squirrelflight was a warrior? Calls of support rose from enemy cats. Rusty's tail was lashing as he spat, "Do not misjudge us." He turned suddenly, jumping off the stump as he called for his Clan to follow. Hisses were exchanged as the warriors rose to follow. Both Barkface and Tornear rushed to their leader. Crowpaw watched after them, shock making his head spin.

"Why did you do that?" Crowpaw turned at Leopardstar's furious hiss. Tigerstar had left the stump, Hawktalon at his side. His tail was raised high as he watched after the retreating cats. He blinked.

"I was just trying to help – he was having difficulty, you saw that." He looked at Leopardstar, "He can't tell distance, you know. I've seen it – up in the mountains and before." Crowpaw was puzzled. What did that mean? Leopardstar's ears were flattened. She did not look like she believed him.

"Ask next time." Tigerstar almost looked offended.

"How was I supposed to know he'd do that?" He shook his head, "He's gone crazy!"

Tornear hissed.

"We need to get him right into his den." He looked at the medicine cats, "He cannot get the Clan's attention like this."

They had left the Gathering behind. Leafpaw was still not fully sure what had happened. Firestar was ahead of the rest of the warriors. To her surprise, Mistyfoot was at his side. No one else had gone close. The leader's fur was on end and the warriors were displeased.

"Forcing him into his den is just going to make this worse," Barkface's voice was hushed. "I don't think he's going to let anyone touch him right now."

"What happened?" Both toms looked to Leafpaw. Her tail twitched as she lowered her head. "I didn't see." She did not know what she would tell them if they asked why.

"He – hesitated going onto the stump." Tornear's tail lashed. "Tigerstar took that to mean he needed to be pulled up." The fur on Leafpaw's back rose.

"I think seeing Tigerstar caused him to freeze," Barkface muttered. "He's been on edge all day."

"And now he's panicked," Tornear finished. "Tigerstar's actions are utterly ludicrous! We need to get him away from the Clan – he's not thinking straight."

"Forcing him into his den will make this worse," Barkface hissed. "These warriors have already seen it." Tornear gritted his teeth.

"Leafpaw," the deputy looked to her. "Run ahead – tell Sandstorm what happened – and tell Brambleheart to stay in the warrior's den tonight," He added quickly. The apprentice nodded, rushing ahead.

She stumbled in her step as a furious hiss sounded. Leafpaw turned, she had given Firestar and Mistyfoot a large girth. His gaze was locked on her.

"Firestar," The gray warrior spoke. "It's just Leafpaw." Recognition came across his face.

"Leafpaw!" He called, "Come here – don't go wandering off."

"Sorry," Leafpaw meowed as she approached. Well, there went that plan.

"There could be TigerClan warriors anywhere," He growled. His fear scent filled the air. Her ears folded back. Mistyfoot shot the leader a look.

"We're not being followed," she said. "Remember? One of us would have noticed by now." Firestar did not look as though he had heard her as he continued ahead.

They got to camp. Firestar headed straight for the Tallrock, letting out a yowl. Leafpaw looked to Tornear as he stepped by her. "Sorry." He shook his head.

"It's not your fault."

Warriors were rising to meet the returning cats.

"That was quick," Bounceheart remarked, blinking the sleep from his eyes. "What happened?"

"Firestar's called a meeting." Morningflower hushed Sagepaw, who was talking eagerly with Mintpaw and Whitepaw.

"They are not to be trusted." Leafpaw's eyes widened as spit flew from the leader's mouth. "They will test us – Tornear!" His head jerked toward the deputy, "I want double patrols on our borders with TigerClan – no, all of them. And I want the tunnels to be the tunnelers' complete focus!" He was beginning to pace along the top of the rock. His breath was quickening again. Alarmed voices roses from the gathered Clan.

"What happened?" Clovertail asked. "What did Tigerstar say?"

"He thinks he can do whatever he wants," Firestar spat, his sides heaving. Tornear spoke up. He stood with Sandstorm at the base of the rock.

"What Firestar means is Tigerstar has shown disrespect to our leader and Clan."

"No TigerClan warrior is to be trusted." Firestar ordered, "If there is even the slightest hint that any have crossed our borders, they are to be dealt with." Mothwing and Crowpaw filled Leafpaw's mind. "Any force necessary can be used. They will not get the better of us!"

The leader suddenly jumped off the rock, disappearing as Sandstorm pushed him into the den. Anxious meows were arising from the warriors.

"What exactly did Tigerstar do?" Whitetail asked. "Did they threaten to take our territory?" Outcry came at this. The scent of fear was heavy in camp. Tornear's tail rose.

"We are not going to lose our territory," The tabby looked across the Clan. "Getting ourselves riled up is going to do nothing." Barkface touched Leafpaw's side.

"Go get some poppy seeds and take them to Sandstorm," her mentor ordered. "I need to help Tornear settle things here." Leafpaw nodded, rising to her paws.

When she entered the leader's den, it was quiet. Firestar had curled up on the stone near the back, panting. Sandstorm sat closer to the entrance. She glanced at Leafpaw as she entered.

"Barkface wanted me to bring you these," Leafpaw set a few seeds down. "How is he?" her voice was hushed.

"He shut down as soon as I pushed him in here," She answered. "He's overwhelmed."

"Will he take them?" Leafpaw asked. Sandstorm shook her head.

"He won't accept them from me right now." Leafpaw gave her a puzzled look, how did she know that?

"From me, maybe?" The apprentice asked. "Or – we could get Brambleheart." That had worked last time.

"No, he's not going near him until Firestar is aware of himself." Sandstorm's response was instant. Leafpaw slowly nodded. "I've got him, you can go."

"But –"

"Go," Sandstorm ordered. "And send Graystripe over here." Leafpaw reluctantly agreed. She turned to the entrance, pressing against the warrior.

Sandstorm licked her back and Leafpaw pulled away.