Mapleshade padded through the thick layers of bracken covering the wooden floor, Patchkit's scruff gripped in her teeth and her two other kits bundling on behind her. Finally, they had made it to the Riverclan border, only a raging river not standing in their way. The river borrowed through the territories like a weaving snake, letting nothing get in its way. Patchkit had to be carried for too long, starting to squirm and whimper, forcing her to put him down.

Mapleshade twisted her head, glaring by into the woodland landscape, looking for any glimpses of movement of pelts. Paranoid, they could be attacked by an enraged Thunderclan patrol at any moment. Knowing that some of her traitorous former Clanmates thought exile was too good for Half-bloods. Which disgusted her.

Patchkit hung his head and tail low in sorrow, "Why does Thunderclan hate us, mother? Why do we have to leave? What do we do wrong?", spending a wave of questions at her. "We did nothing wrong.", Mapleshade growled, "It's them that's the problem, not us!", losing her temper slightly. She turned away from him before she made things worse, "Good for nothing fox hearts.", she muttered under her breath. Sitting down on the sandy earth, she tried to clear her head. Then she felt tiny paws grip her leg as Larchkit reared up on his back legs to meet his mother's eyes, "But we want to go back. I want to go back to camp and the nursery.". Mapleshade shook her head, "Forget about camp. Forget about the nursery. We are outcasts now, you need to understand that. We can't go back. Or they'll hurt us if we do.".

Petalkit took a step closer to the rushing water, staring at it with eyes the sizes of moons. "Do we have to swim in there again?", the she-cat asked nervously. Mapleshade paused looking down at the speeding current, "Not yet.", using her tail to draw her kit away from the edge. The water hissed and spat as it slammed against the rocky shore. The river was a lot higher then she remembered, completely submerging nearby reeds under its murky surface. Her worry only grew as her gaze drifted upstream. She hissed, the stepping stones had been completely submerged as well! Only two pathetic grey stumps were left managing to peek up above the useless waves is trying to cross.

It would be lucky if she made it across in one piece herself, let alone tiny 2 moon old kits. She had to consider her options carefully if she didn't want anyone being washing away or drowning. She could try and take them over one by one but Oakstar had only given her until Sunhigh to leave and the sun was already flying high in the sky. It would take too long, putting them too at risk of being attacked by a patrol. Or she could carry one while the other swam by her- Was she mouse brained? They wouldn't survive that. She decided to go for broke, simply combining the two ideas together.

She crouched down at the river's edge, "Larchkit, Petalkit, climb on my back.", she told them. They seemed confused but didn't question it as they wriggled on top of her. When they were both in position, surrounded by her patchy thick fur. "Ok, now listen to me because this is very important.", she explained, with both of their full attention, "You must hold onto me as tightly as you can, use your claws to grip me.". Petalkit obediently nodded but Latchkit began to look distressed, "But won't that hurt you?". Mapleshade shook her head, trying not to give away how scared she was herself, "Don't worry about me, just make sure to use your claws, as deep as they will go.".

She winced slightly as thorn-like claws dug into her flesh while they shifted around, preparing themselves. As she began to stand on long legs, Patchkit leapt in front of her, "What about me?", he asked blinking. Not bothering to say anymore, she leaned down and took him by the scruff once more. Luckily, no one was making a fuss. With a final deep sigh, Mapleshade took her first step into the water. Immediately, even with little as a paw in, she felt the immense strength of the current. It was also bitterly ice cold, as it crept down into her bones. The gravel under her paws shifted and shield as it gave under her weight. She dug her claws into sandy shoreline as she took one strenuous step after the other. It was already this harsh and she hadn't even made it halfway. For a heartbeat, she felt tempted to leap back onto to the safe dry land but quickly banished those thoughts to the back of her mind. There was no going back now!

She plagued into the deep end, submerging almost her entire body, all but her neck, head, and precious cargo. She felt the claws digging into her neck, go deeper. Her fur become soaked as it absorbed the water, weighing her down. It felt like she was carrying a pile of pebbles in her stomach. Patchkit let out whales of terror as the waves began to reach out for his dangling legs. She strained her muscles, trying to raise her head further from the brown swirling liquid that threatened her kit's life. Patchkit's whales faded to a timid whimper.

Mapleshade's eyes glanced over to the nearby shore, layers of foam were building up against the jagged rocks, like thick yellowish walls of fog blocking her escape. Speckles of dirty water, splashed up into her amber eyes, the salty texture of it making her eyes sting. She needed to get out this river quickly. Gathering up her strength, she kicked hard at the blue void, heaving herself across the river. Slowly she got into a rhythm like running across the Thunderclan forest, darting after squirrels; kick, pause, kick, pause. Mapleshade was making better progress now, she was over halfway now. Just a bit further- However her long strides with brief pauses for critical moments of rest soon turned to frantic paddling. She going in the opposite direction she wanted! A swift undercurrent had grasped her, taking her with it. Deshight how much she fought it, how much she willed it, she couldn't win against it.

She kicked harder and harder, the water dragging her quicker and quicker, tiring her faster and faster- A hard grey subject stabbed into her throat as she slammed against one of the sharpened edges of the stepping stones. There was movement from above her as Larchkit and Petalkit jerked at the sudden impact, barely holding on. Pain surged through her as the sharp rock dug into her windpipe.

In that heartbeat, her own body betrayed her. She couldn't help it. The urge was just too great. Her mouth slipped open as she let out a cry of agony, with Patchkit sent hurling towards the raging water. In unison, the family cried out for their falling member, "Patchkit!", as he was swallowed up, dragged under the water's surface. Mapleshade watched helplessly as he flailed desperately to keep above the surface but the current kept dragging him under. Only rarely did his small ginger head bobbed up to get a few important moments to gasp for air. He was being taken away so fast, downstream, it was like a dream. She was dazed.

No! Just before Mapleshade ungripped from the safety of the stepping step, to go after him, there was movement on the far bank. There was a flash of creamy brown. Appledusk! Her heart soared as her mate darted forward like a fox and plunged into the river after their son. His brown fur disappearing into the swirling blue depths of the river. Move pelts emerged from the swishing reeds of Riverclan's territory, the warriors looked stunned at the strange scene of; Mapleshade clinging on the stepping stone while two kits whaled on her head as they cried out for their brother.

Diving in, they swam towards her, gliding through the rampaging river with ease as a Windclan cat would almost fly over the moors. Larchkit and Petalkit handled together as a pale tom and grey tabby she-cat took placed on either side of Mapleshade. The smell of fish clung to her nose. Her fur bristled as they clamped her down with their flanks, dragging her the last of the way across the river. Her instincts told her to claw their ears off but she didn't. It was against everything she'd been told as she grew up; Riverclan was the foe and they wouldn't hesitate to attack you. But she couldn't, this may be her only chance of living.

Relief flooded over as she began to feel a hard surface under her paw pads again. Safety at last. As they went into the swallows, the pale tom, Splashfoot bit down into her neck fur and forcefully yanked her out the water, throwing her against the shore. She let out a yowl of surprise and anger. Both kits were sent tumbling off her back, rolling onto the ground. When Larchkit and Petalkit saw their mother begin to sit up, they scrambled between her legs, getting to the shelter of her belly. Their heads popped out from under her, nervously, their ears pricked and noses twitching. Mapleshade had her ears flatten, ready for the Riverclan cats' imminent threats. But surprisingly, Eletail's and Splashfoot's attention wasn't on her, instead, their eyes were upstream. Then it hit her like a falling tree, "Why hasn't Appledusk returned with Patchkit yet?", she demanded.

As she wildly glanced around, she flinched as Frecklewish emerged onto the Thunderclan shore, ears twitching with confusion. The speckled cat halted suddenly, as she noticed the fierce flood, violently trembling. Anger grew in Mapleshade as she overheard the coward's words, "I can't do this - I'll only make it worse. Not like Birchface!". Before she could yowl at Frecklewish, she fled into the bushes, not giving the Riverclan patrol a second thought. How much had she'd seen without bothering to help? Mapleshade questioned bitterly. Patchkit was still missing!

Luckily, Appledusk finally gripped the rocks, heaving himself out of the water. With a white and ginger bundle in his mouth. Patchkit was safe! Both cats were soaked to the bone and dripping wet, leaving a trail behind them like a slug as Appledusk padded towards the small crowd of cats. Appledusk gently dropped the kit on the floor. Mapleshade dived on Patchkit, protectively wrapping her paws around him and grooming him down. He violently shivered and was stiff with cold. Coughing up mouthfuls of water. She licked him more, desperately trying to warm him. Whispering into his ear, "I'm sorry, little one. I'll never let you slip from my paws like that ever again. I promise.".

Larchkit and Petalkit went up to their brother, relief scent arose from them. "Make sure not to go on crazy adventures like that, without me next time.", Larchkit teased playfully, prodding at his brother's nose. Patchkit gave off a weak smile.

"Thank you-", she began to raise her head to her mate, Appledusk but her words were cut off. Instead of seeing a warm welcoming grin she expected, his green eyes were filled with anger. He opened his mouth slowly, so only she could hear his hushed message, "You've could have gotten them killed."

As she lay there; with her kits in her arms, her heart, which was soaring only a few heartbeats ago, was sinking like a boulder. How could he accuse her of that? Their kits were alive and safe in the end! Shouldn't that be the only thing that mattered? Wasn't he pleased to see them? Wasn't he pleased to see her?

"What were you thinking!?", a loud and angry she-cat's voice rang throughout the whole forest, breaking into Mapleshade's swarming clouds of dark thoughts. Mapleshade turned sharply to meet the glare of Eletail, both of their tails lashing. Mapleshade knew this cat from reputation alone; Senior Warrior, Retired queen, mentor of three separate apprentices and proud mother of two successful litters. Her greying muzzle and battle-worn pelt certainly showed that. Eeltail continued her rant, "Making kits swim in a river? With high currents? One of them almost drowned!", her eyes flickering towards Patchkit. She didn't make them swim, she carried them, Larchkit and Petalkit were almost completely dry, Mapleshade thought her unspoken argument.

"You know, it just shows how terrible of mother you are, when the enemy has to save your own kit.", she muttered. Mapleshade's fur flared, claws scraping across the stone under her paws. How dare you! Mapleshade secretly shouted in her head. But she fought back the snarl forming in her throat. Despite how much she hated it, she had to remain calm and friendly if she wanted any chance of being accepted into Riverclan and giving her kits a future.

What she did and said in those next few moments could decide everything. Eeltail flicked her tail tip and tried to nose Mapleshade to her paws, "Come on.", Eeltail urged sternly, "You or your kits shouldn't be on Riverclan territory. We know a better way around the river, you can return home safely from there.". Just as Eletail and Splashfoot began to pad away, expecting Mapleshade to follow, she mewed, "I can't.". Splashfoot halted, turning his head over his broad shoulder, "I'm sorry, what?".

Mapleshade sat up, puffing up her chest. "We were kicked out by Oakstar.", she explained, "We can't go back to Thunderclan anymore.". The two Riverclan warriors looked at each other, confused. Appledusk continued to hover in the background. Splashfoot took a step forward, sniffing curiously at the kits huddled together behind Mapleshade's front legs, "So why did you bring them here?".

Mapleshade let out a long-lasting sigh. Her blood boiling from the growing dreed of the terrifying moment that loomed over her. No going back now. She glanced at Appledusk, still as silent and stiff as a frozen tree trunk. "I was hoping you could let us join Riverclan.", she simply said. Splashfoot snorted, "And why would we take in Thunderclan exiles?", he mewed with a taunting tone. Swallowing back another sigh, Mapleshade readied herself for the answer that would change everything. There was no point in lying now. She twisted her tail around her kits, protecting them if something went wrong. "Because those ain't just Thunderclan kits. They've got Riverclan blood in them as well!", she declared. Eeltail's muscles strained, "How?", she snarled.

"Because Appledusk is their father!", she announced. The truth was out...

All eyes widen in shock, including the two Riverclan warriors and her own kits. Even Appledusk shifted uneasily in his sitting position, surprised that she had the guts to tell their ultimate secret like that. Splashfoot twisted on his front paw to directly face his clanmate, his smokey grey tail bushed up, making him look as a huge as a Lionclan warrior. "Traitor!", he yowled, lunging, claws first, straight towards the brown tom. Then Eletail ran in, rearing up and grabbing Splashfoot by the scruff mid-air and slamming him onto the hard earth. The struggling cat spat in hatred, "Why are you defending him?".

Eeltail had her fur on end and ears flatten, clearing finding it hard not to rip the fur off of Appledusk herself. Ignoring the cat flailing under her weight, her attention turned to Appledusk, "Is it true? Are you the father of Mapleshade's kits?", she asked while growling. Appledusk took while before answering, his expression blank, "Yes.", he finally admitted. Petalkit dashed from under Mapleshade before she could grab the she-kit. Petalkit stared at Appledusk with wide eyes. "You can't be our father!", she shouted. It pained Mapleshade to see her daughter like this, "I'm sorry Petalkit, but he is your father.", trying to soothe the distressed young cat. "But I don't want him to be my father. He smells funny and all the elders were telling me how he's the one who killed Birchface and Flowerpaw!".

Larchkit joined in beside his sister, facing Mapleshade while Patchkit crowded under her, "We don't want a killer as a father!". All the cats around the kits looked at them, speechless. Guilt flooded over Mapleshade. Maybe she should never let Appledusk be the father of her kin, if it caused them this much shame and horror. Surprisingly, Appledusk finally spoke properly, coming to his own defence, "It was an accident. I would never kill a warrior, let alone an apprentice, out of cold blood like that.". Both kits remained silent.

No one dared move. It felt as if time itself had stopped. Splashfoot had finally calmed down, going limp, so Eletail stopped pinning him down, allowing him to stand. Eeltail bared her white longs fangs, "We're taking you and your kits back to camp. Only Darkstar will know how to deal with this situation.". Mapleshade hesitantly nodded, "Very well.".

The group set off, leaving the river behind them and padding into the tree-line. Mapleshade felt slightly relieved to get away from the thing that had almost taken her kits away forever. With Eeltail marching on ahead and Splashfoot at the rear to make sure no one tried to make an escape, leaving Mapleshade and Appledusk to awkwardly walk side by side. She wanted to say something but didn't want to risk making anything worse. Instead, she made a more subtle move, twinning her thick tail with his long short-haired one. No one noticed but Appledusk. He gave off a sad yet for some reason guilty smile.

A hunched up Larchkit was grasped in her mouth. Out of all of her kits, she feared he was most likely do something outrageous. He was pulling off a strop, tightening up in annoyance. Patchkit and Petalkit stayed as close to Mapleshade as possible, scared of this alien territory. They'll get used to it once we're here for a while, she told herself. They were heading to the camp now, all she needed to do was get their sympathy. Maybe, just maybe, getting exiled was a part of a destiny for greater things.

Swirling clouds unspeakably high above her head, threaten to cover the warmth of the sun and to place a sheet of shadows over the land. The territory around her was unfamiliar. The ground should be dry and sandy but instead, it was damp and marshy under her paws pads. Without packed trees to create a forest, it was pale wide plain, dotted with islands of protruding wasn't a spot in this territory where you could avoid the faint gushing sound of rushing water.

The holes left by Larchkit and Petalkit's claws, where they had gripped her, had started to bleed. Small Streams of red were running down her ginger, black and white fur now. With Patchkit keeping on glancing up at them, it made Mapleshade begin to get uneasy, but Patchkit still didn't say a word. She had much more important things to deal with. Getting herself healed should be an afterthought. After wandering down another slope, two streams came into view, uniting at the edge of the horizon, creating a blue-ringed circle. In the center, was a tangle of long grasses and reeds, that stood above them. Mapleshade's ear twitch. The salty fishy scent of Riverclan overpowered any other odors that could have been lingering about this place. Finally, they arrived. The Riverclan camp.

She placed Larchkit gently on the ground. All three of her kits sat neatly in a row, just a whisker-length away from her muzzle, "Make sure to stay close to me at all times. Don't wander off and don't say anything. I'll take care of everything, don't you worry.", she mewed softly, trying to remain hopeful in this bleak looking situation. All three kits nodded. Splashfoot marched ahead, "Come on.", he ordered harshly, approaching the reeds with Eletail already disappearing inside. As the pale warrior passed Appledusk, he angrily swiped his tail across his clanmate muzzle, muttering, "Now you'll answer for what you've done.", under his breath. Appledusk replied with a hiss as sharp as a snake's. The two mates shared a pitiful glance before both entered the forest of reeds. The long brown leaves were swept aside as Mapleshade took long strides to flatten it, making a path for her kits. But they still had to stumble over the fallen reeds, like logs for a fully grown cat.

They must've been exhausted by now. They've been through more than any cat should in a lifetime, let alone, in one day as kits; being exiled for something they couldn't help, dragged across a river, having one of them almost drown and learning their father wasn't Birchface. Even then, it still wasn't over, they still had to be accepted into Riverclan. Once they were in their new home, Mapleshade would take them to a nice clean nest and they could have a long needed rest. The earth under Mapleshade become not just marshy but was now swallow muddy stagnant water. Her paws were now covered in a layer of green mud. However unlike her, where it only went up her paws, the mud stretched up, all the way up to the kits' bellies. Just a bit further.

After traveling through the reeds for another fox-length, the tall plants began to space out before stopping eventually to make way for a large clearing. The entire camp was built on a slowly arching slope, walls blocking the views of the outstretching marsh grasslands just beyond their sight. The dens were made from tightly woven and packed reeds and twigs. Sedges surrounded the edges of the clearing, to make it's own isolated island. The ancient willow that stood at the side of the clearing, was a towering figure among the tangle of different grass types.

The ground here, turned to cracked well-worn sandy stone, showing a history of countless floods.

Lots of cats were already outside of their dens, getting on with their own business, eating large fish or sharing tongues. However once they spotted the approaching tortoiseshell and kits, many of them got up to their paws, uneasy. Not aggressive yet but certainly unwelcoming. Larchkit looked around wildly, a growl forming in his throat. Mapleshade lay her tail over his shoulders, shaking her head at her son. Larchkit stopped, joining his littermates in a huddle beside their mother. Eeltail pointed out a rock tucked away behind a layer of undergrowth, "You and your kits wait there while I fetch Darkstar.". Before rushing over to a cluster of stems woven into the roots of the ancient Willow. As Mapleshade waited, the Riverclan warriors muttered suspiciously behind her. More cats were beginning to sense the presence of Thunderclan scent and beginning to poke their heads out the den entrances. There was a stir of movement from inside the Leader den as a black shape emerged from its shadows. Darkstar stood with a strong posture.

Mapleshade's mate puffed up his chest as his leader padded up to them. "Appledusk, what's going on? Why is Mapleshade he-", Darkstar paused. Then the Riverclan leader's nose began twitching as she scented something, lowering her head. Mapleshade shifted, showing Darkstar the fear-filled kits behind her. "Why are kits here? They should be in the Nursery.", she pointed out. Appledusk took a step forward, surprisingly calm, "Those kits are mine.", he announced. Around the whole camp, yowls and hisses filled the air. A specked elder even yelled out in the far back, of the now gathered crowd, "Traitor!". This was it. Appledusk would be able to explain on the kits' behalf; that they truly had a place among the Riverclan warriors. Darkstar's eyes narrows, "Explain.". Appledusk bowed his head respectfully, "Please forgive me.". A she-cat separated from the ring of watching cats, bounding out to Appledusk. Reedshine.

"What are you saying, Appledusk?" she asked, pressing herself against Appledusk's thick slick pelt. Mapleshade's mind become numb in that heartbeat. The way they leaned against each other- they were more than Clanmates. Bitter frost of jealousy was beginning to form at the bottom of Mapleshade's heart. "It's true Reedshine. I'm sorry.", Appledusk whispered. Reedshine staggered away from him, turning her head to Mapleshade. She looked down at the kits, lost for words.

Darkstar stood face to face with her trusted senior warrior, "Appledusk, explain yourself this instant.", she repeated, her patient being tested. Appledusk began to explain, "A few moons ago, I- meet Mapleshade in secret and she ended up getting pregnant.". Darkstar remind silent, not having any questions yet, so Appledusk carried on, "Mapleshade said she would raise them in Thunderclan and we've led separate lives since, we though it was best for everyone. I knew I betrayed my clan- so I couldn't bring myself to tell anyone.".

Darkstar attention went to the former Thunderclan warrior, her stare judging, "So why have you brought them here?", tail twitching. Mapleshade's teeth gritted together, now it was her turn, she'd had to get this right, "Ravenwing managed to discover the truth. So Oakstar exiled me and my kits. I would be unspeakably grateful if you were able to let my kits join your Clan. They still have Riverclan blood in them.".

By now, the Riverclan deputy, Spiketail had joined them, sitting beside his leader. What was he thinking of all of this? Then Appledusk dipped his cream coloured head, eyes closed, "Please Darkstar, I understand now, I was being a fool. I should've never met Mapleshade against the code. My selfish mistake that costed those kits their exile. I'll regret that for the rest of my life.", he mewed, "The kits have nothing to with this. So I can only speak for myself and beg for your forgiveness. My loyalty is with Riverclan. I want to remain here to serve the cats I love.".

Mistake? Regret? Mapleshade's ears were pricked, she couldn't believe what she was hearing. Was he trying to pin the blame on her? He came willingly to their meetings! Anger sparked inside her, "How dare yo-", but a tail was flattened against her open jaw as Spiketail shut her up, "Hush. We're not going to solve this by shouting.". Mapleshade forced herself to be quiet. She couldn't ruin this for herself. She took the chance to check on her kits; Patchkit was crouched down on the crusted soil while Petalkit and Larchkit looked up with shocked faces and they were looking directly at her. Mapleshade blinked. They were scared of their own mother.

Slowly, Appledusk began to plead his cause again once things had calmed down. Mapleshade waited for what fox-dang excuse he came up with next. "Please, leave the kits out of this. Just judge me and I'll prove my loyalty again.", Appledusk muttered.

Spiketail and Darkstar looked at each other, reading each other. Spiketail nodded, seemly agreeing with the cream tom, "Appledusk is a brave and strong warrior and so would any kits he's fathered. It would be a waste to let them go.", the graying elderly deputy stood directly in front of the brown tom, "I'm willing to give him a chance.", smiling. Appledusk gave a grateful smile back. Were they being allowed to join? Reedshine padded up alongside him, their fur brushing like weeds growing around each other. "Spiketail's right. Appledusk is the most loyal warrior in Riverclan.". Despite how much Reedshine annoyed Mapleshade, she was grateful for her support. With two Riverclan cats on their side, including the deputy, made it all the more likely of giving her kits a future.

Silence hung over all the cats in the clearing like a fog. All of it now hinged on Darkstar's decision. She remained thoughtful for a heartbeat, a frown came over her face, until eventually shaking her head. Mapleshade's hope shattered. "I can't agree with you there, Spiketail.", she mewed. Panic came over Reedshine, her fur beginning spike up.

Appledusk remaining calm until now, took a step forward, "What?", he snapped. Darkstar looked coldly at him, her blue eyes darken as if rain clouds gathered there, "I'd like to give you that benefit of the doubt but I can't. By taking a mate from another clan, you've betrayed your Clan and the Warrior code.". Reedshine gasped while the Riverclan warriors yowled their agreement in the background. But Mapleshade could barely hear any of them. Darkstar was kicking Appledusk out? But what about, Patchkit, Larchkit and Petalkit? They were too young. They needed to raised in a clan.

Mapleshade darted forward, leaving her kits beside an enraged Appledusk. She stood nose to nose with the pitiful Riverclan leader, "What about my kits?", she demanded impatiently. "Kits belong with their mother, even if that's exile.", Darkstar argued. Mapleshade growled at her, feeling the urge to rip her fur off. "Send me away if you wish. But they need a home!". Yet again, Darkstar shook her head. The memorizes of her Thunderclan trial flooded over her - Including Frecklewish running away from the flood when Patchkit was still missing. This couldn't happen twice in the same day! How could the Clans be so cruel!

Mapleshade reared up onto her hind legs, about to slash down on Darkstar's head. However, teeth grasped her scruff and she was thrown backwards. She was sent flying, her kits had to scatter like ants to avoid their mother crashing into them. The air was forced from her lungs, a small dust cloud was created as she landed. Sand went up into her mouth and nose, causing her to cough. "Pin her down!", Mapleshade heard when her senses were still blurred. Spiketail and a warrior, called Milkfur, dashed over hurriedly, taking hold of the she-cat. Mapleshade furiously thrashed out but with the strength of two warriors, they overpowered her, keeping her subdued. "Mother!", Petalkit cried out.

The cats around her carried the conversation like nothing happened. Appledusk did his best not to hiss, "I asked you to leave them out of this! Those innocent kits and they'll fit in fine with Riverclan! It'll only me that can be judged!".

The black she-cat shook her head, "You got yourself into this mess and you have to face the consequences. Those kits will be fine as rogues if you them raise properly, which I expect from my warriors. Mapleshade needs all the help she can get.". Mapleshade stopped struggling. With a flick of Darkstar's tail, the two cats separated, allowing Maplshade to get to her paws.

"It's decided, then.", Darkstar muttered. The leader turned to her clan, her words ringing loud and clear, "From this moment on, Appledusk is officially exiled from Riverclan! If you find him on our territory after Moonhigh today, treat him like any intruder.". She looked at her deputy, who now looked irritated by Darkstar's ignoring his willingness to forgive Appledusk. Mapleshade couldn't believe this was happening. Exiled twice in one day. What would they do? Where would they go? How would she feed three kits with no territory? Would they have to live as rogues for the rest of their lives? With questions swarming through her head, she barely noticed Darkstar listing warriors, "Spiketail, Rainfall, Splashfoot, Eeltail and Icefang! Escort Appledusk, Mapleshade and their kits to the southern border.". Darkstar meet Appledusk's gaze, "Make sure they leave.".

The five warriors started to advance on them quickly, fur blazing, claws unsheltered and eyes narrowed. Mapleshade jump to her kits, using her own body as a wall. No one would harm her kits! The Riverclan patrol cornered them, coming from all directions, forcing the family into a tight circle. "Mum-", Larchkit whimpered, "I'm scared.". Mapleshade leaned over, "They won't hurt you.", she mewed, "I won't let them.". Having rounded them up, the patrol like one living creature, moved forward, matching each other stride by stride. With nowhere to run, Mapleshade had little choose in shuffling forward, she scooped up the closed kit to her, Larchkit in her mouth. Then she kicked at Appledusk's side to grab his immediate yet needed attention, he glared at her but quickly picked up the message. Petalkit squealed as her father, a stranger to her, lifted her off the ground. She began flailing her legs, trying to escape. But a kit could do little to get away. Patchkit meanwhile, with a surprising amount of skill, leapt onto his mother's flank, getting a grip and scrambling onto her back. The group slowly edged towards the camp entrance...

Suddenly Reedshine came storming through the crowd, shoving her clanmates aside. "You can't let him leave!", she yelled, "I'm pregnant with his kits!". What? She could physically see a shiver run down Appledusk's spine, as he twitched almost fearfully. The frost of jealousy that had formed in Mapleshade, had now turned to solid ice of hatred. She and Appledusk were going to have a long conversation after this. The mood around Riverclan shifted however it wasn't enough for Darkstar to change her decision. The only reaction Reedshine got out of the leader was, "I'm sorry.". Three of her clanmates were forced to hold Reedshine back before she could reach the traitor. Mapleshade's could just make out the soft whisper of a young cat, "Appledusk...", a tom muttered. She noticed Appledusk's apprentice, Perchpaw looking on, helplessly as his mentor was taken away. The apprentice looked horrified.

The panic in Mapleshade grew inside her rapidly, as they were marched out of camp, into the reeds again. The long marshy and stony plains soon came into view, stretching out before her. Her eyes were solely fixed on the southern border in the far distance. She had failed. Now her kits would never be able to grow up in the four territories. They would have to live the harsh and honorless lives of rouges from now on.