"You should go see your kits, Lionheart."

The golden tom blinked at her, his usually calm green eyes filled with nervousness. The tip of his tail was flicking back and forth. "I will," he promised. "I've already seen them, just not yet today."

"Or yesterday."

He looked away from her stare. "I'm busy," he muttered. "I have the clan to take care of and an apprentice to train."

"That's an excuse," Goldenflower pointed out mildly. "Your presence in the nursery won't bother any of us, least of all Frostfur. And kits grow so quickly. Their eyes will be open soon."

He scraped his claws against the ground. "I know, Goldenflower." His gaze followed hers, to where Patchpelt was showing Swiftkit the hunter's crouch. The little tom, almost three moons old now, was adeptly copying his father.

"Kits are better off for having their parents in their life. Sometimes I think Dustpaw and Sandpaw would be less sharp around the edges if their parents were still here. And Ravenpaw less nervous. And that new one, Firepaw, would have less bees in his brain."

"Firepaw does well enough," Lionheart mewed, looking relieved to be able to change the topic. "He's just rather unorthodox and that comes from his kittypet background."

"I know."

"He'll make it as a warrior."

"You seem so confident in him."

Lionheart shrugged. "If you were helping to train him, you would be too. He's sharp and agile and has the makings of a fine warrior. Now Ravenpaw on the other hand…"

Goldenflower echoed his sigh. As a kit, the skinny black apprentice had been picked on by Dustpaw. As apprentices, it seemed that Dustpaw ignored his brother, but Ravenpaw was as nervous as ever, always hiding in the shadows from his clanmates. "He needs more confidence."

"He needs a lot more than that." Tigerclaw's deep rumble came from behind them. The dark tabby warrior settled next to Lionheart. "And I don't know how to instill the principles of a warrior in him."

Lionheart swept his tail over his paws. "Perhaps Ravenpaw needs a gentler approach," he mewed thoughtfully.

Tigerclaw narrowed his amber eyes. "I was never given any leeway as an apprentice. Training is meant to prepare for the rigors of being a warrior."

"Some cats need a slower introduction."

Lionheart and Tigerclaw studied each other, green and amber eyes unreadable. Lionheart looked away and rose to his paws. "Bluestar wanted to see me after the first hunting patrol went out," he mewed. He brushed against Goldenflower as he walked off.

"What do you think?" Tigerclaw rumbled, turning his gaze to Goldenflower. "Do you agree with your brother?"

Goldenflower shrugged. "Ravenpaw has always been skittish. Perhaps that will translate to vigilance as a warrior."

"Perhaps." Tigerclaw looked down at his paws. Goldenflower followed his gaze. His long claws peeked out of the fur on his paws, glinting in the sunlight. "I was sorry to hear about Lynxkit. It is a shame that StarClan called one so young back so soon."

"Thank you. I miss her." The moons hadn't eased the grief she felt. She looked away from his claws to where Swiftkit was now batting at Patchpelt's tail. "I don't know if he'll remember her."

Tigerclaw nodded. "I still remember my sisters," he murmured. "Nightkit and Mistkit. They were too weak."

"Leopardfoot doted on you," Goldenflower purred. "The whole clan doted on you."

Tigerclaw suddenly looked sheepish. "Things are different when you're a tiny kit," he muttered.

"Are they?" Goldenflower tapped her tail against his nose, teasingly. Have I gone too far? "You're still very popular in the clan. The younger warriors look up to you."

Something flashed in Tigerclaw's gaze.

"As they should," Goldenflower continued hastily, afraid that she had offended the dark tabby. "You've a lot to offer the clan."

"Thank you," Tigerclaw rumbled. He rose to his paws swiftly. "Speaking of young cats, I better go rouse my young apprentice. It's time he sharpen his claws again."

"Is his shoulder better?"

Tigerclaw rolled his eyes. "Yes, though you wouldn't know it from the way he acts."

"Apprentices," Goldenflower purred. "They can be rather dramatic."

"It's time he learns," Tigerclaw grumbled, stalking off. Goldenflower watched the tom go, admiring the way his muscles rippled under his fur with each step. He was kind of handsome.

"They're back!" Swiftkit scrambled out of the den. Goldenflower had promised him a taste of rabbit if the hunting patrols brought one back.

Goldenflower heaved herself out of the nest, looking over her shoulder at Frostfur, who had four kits squirming at her belly. "Need anything?" She glanced at Duskpetal. The tabby queen yawned, her black markings distorted.

Frostfur shook her head. "No."

"I'm good," Duskpetal mewed. "These little monsters are still sleeping."

Goldenflower flicked her tail to let Frostfur know she had heard. Swiftkit was bounding towards the camp entrance when the acrid smell of the thunderpath and the boggy, wet scent of ShadowClan rolled towards her. "Swiftkit, get back," she hissed. There was a strong scent of ThunderClan masking the ShadowClan scent.

Confused, Swiftkit obediently returned to her. She tucked him between her front paws and waited to see who was with the patrol. There was Bluestar at the head, flanked by Tigerclaw and Darkstripe. Just behind them was a gray she-cat with thick, matted fur and yellow eyes that promised violence to any cat who got too close. Behind the limping she-cat was Willowpelt, Graypaw, and Firepaw.

"Who is that?" Swiftkit twisted, trying to get away from Goldenflower for a better view. "Why are you growling, momma?"

"That is the ShadowClan medicine cat," Goldenflower growled. "She has no business in ThunderClan territory."

"She's in our camp."

"I know, dear." Goldenflower tried to suppress the growl in her mew. "I'm sure Bluestar has a good reason for it."

Yellowfang slumped to the earth beneath Highrock. Goldenflower remained where she was, her gaze fixed on the ragged ShadowClan she-cat. Bluestar and Tigerclaw were exchanging words at the base of Highrock. The rest of the clan were picking through the fresh-kill pile.

"I'm hungry. Let's go get something to eat," demanded Swiftkit.

"Just a moment," Goldenflower meowed. It was foolishness to think that she could overhear the conversation between Bluestar and Tigerclaw, but she had wanted to try.

Tigerclaw's furious yowl rose above the noise of the clan. "It's just too dangerous to bring an enemy warrior into the heart of ThunderClan! Now that she knows the camp, even the youngest ShadowClan kit will hear of it. We will have to move."

A slight exaggeration, Goldenflower thought, narrowing her eyes. Bluestar's reply was calm and too quiet for Goldenflower to hear.

"Do you really believe that? What on earth was that foolish kittypet thinking of?" Tigerclaw spat. The fur on his spine was bristling.

Bluestar's reply once again was quiet. Teeth nipped at Goldenflower's tail and she looked down to find Swiftkit tugging her towards the freshkill pile.

"Let's go!" he whined.

"Okay." Forcing a purr to her throat, she padded over to the freshkill pile.

Tigerclaw was there. He nudged aside a wood pigeon with his paw and bent down to pick up a plump squirrel when Swiftkit skidded to a halt by the freshkill pile. "There's no rabbits," her son mewed, disappointed.

"The patrols can't catch everything all the time," Goldenflower reassured him. "How about we share a vole?"

"It's not the patrols that can't catch anything," Tigerclaw grumbled around his squirrel. "That kittypet-" he glared at the ginger tom, who was trailing behind Bluestar, looking lost "-thinks his needs come before that of the clan. He caught and ate a rabbit. And fed that pathetic rag the scraps."

Shaking her head at Firepaw's mistake, Goldenflower bent down to pick up a vole. "I wonder what Bluestar has to say about that."

Tigerclaw shrugged and stalked away to join the other warriors at the nettle patch.

"I want a mouse." Swiftkit sank his teeth into a small mouse and began to drag it over to the nursery.

"Will you be able to finish it all?" Goldenflower asked, picking up the vole. Swiftkit didn't answer. He was too focused on bringing the mouse to the nursery.

She ended up finishing the mouse, but he did eat most of it. With her kit snuggled into her side, she didn't move as Bluestar summoned the clan for a meeting. The elders and the warriors moved closer to Highrock. Once the clan was gathered, Bluestar began.

"I'm sure you have all heard about the prisoner that we brought back with us today. But there is something else that you need to know." Bluestar glanced down at the she-cat who had gone very still at the mention of her capture. "Can you hear me from there?"

Why does Bluestar want her to hear what she has to say to the clan? Goldenflower nudged Swiftkit awake and motioned for him to be quiet as she moved closer to hear better. Her curled up against her flank as she sat down and soon drifted off to sleep again.

"I may be old, but I'm not deaf yet," Yellowfang spat.

Goldenflower's fur rippled at the hostile tone, but Bluestar ignored Yellowfang.

"I'm afraid I have some very grave news." Bluestar paused a moment, gathering her thoughts. "Today I traveled with a patrol into WindClan territory. The air was filled with the scent of ShadowClan. Almost every tree had been sprayed by the ShadowClan warriors. And we met no WindClan cats, though we journeyed deep into their heartland."

Goldenflower blinked in shock. That was unthinkable. No cat spoke, waiting to hear Bluestar's next words.

It was Smallear who spoke next. "Do you mean ShadowClan has chased them out?"

"We can't be sure," Bluestar meowed. "Certainly, the scent of ShadowClan was everywhere. We found blood, too, and fur. There must have been a battle, though we found no bodies from either clan."

"What?" Longtail leapt to his paws. His fur bristled along his spine. Goldenflower stiffened, speechless. The elders blinked with confusion and the warriors unsheathed their claws.

"How can WindClan have been driven out?" One-eye croaked hoarsely. "ShadowClan is fierce, but WindClan is many. They have lived in the uplands for generations. Why have they been chased out now?"

"I don't know the answers to any of your questions. It is well known that ShadowClan has recently appointed a new leader, following the death of Raggedstar. Their new leader, Brokenstar, gave no hint of any threat when we met him at the last gathering."

"Perhaps Yellowfang has answers," snarled Darkstripe, interrupting Bluestar. He stepped forward, his ears flat.

"I am no traitor! Nothing would make me share the secrets of ShadowClan with a brute like you!" growled Yellowfang. She glared at him, hostility radiating across the clearing. Darkstripe's eyes narrowed to slits and he unsheathed his claws, ready for a fight.

"Stop!" yowled Bluestar.

Darkstripe obeyed, though Yellowfang let out vicious hiss, goading the warrior on.

"That's enough," Bluestar growled, showing her fangs. "This situation is too serious for us to be fighting among ourselves. ThunderClan must prepare itself. From this moonrise onward, warriors will travel in larger groups. Other Clan members will remain close to the camp. Patrols will travel the boundary edges more frequently, and all the kits must stay in the nursery."

Goldenflower wrapped her tail around Swiftkit. He would hate being confined. She nodded her agreement. Bluestar's precautions were sensible.

"Our need for warriors is our greatest obstacle. We shall get around this by speeding up the training of our apprentices. They need to be ready even sooner to fight for our clan."

Goldenflower's heart sank as she saw the excitement in the apprentice's faces. Once, she was like them, eager for battle and blood, but now, she would rather those wounds fall on her than them.

"One young cat has been sharing mentors with Graypaw and Ravenpaw," Bluestar continued. "By teaching him, I shall speed up the training of all three apprentices." She paused and looked down at her own clan, as though gauging their reaction. "I shall take on Firepaw as my own apprentice."

Goldenflower shifted her paws uneasily. What was Bluestar's interest in this apprentice, who didn't even understand the warrior code? Lionheart continually defended Firepaw, urging Goldenflower to give the young tom a chance. Is this so that we accept him as one of us? she wondered.

Once more, Tigerclaw's objection was heard over the rest of the clan. "So Firepaw is to be rewarded, not punished for feeding an enemy warrior when he should have been feeding his own Clan?"

"Firepaw is my apprentice now. I will deal with him," answered Bluestar. She studied Tigerclaw for a long moment before addressing the rest of the clan. "Yellowfang will be allowed to stay here until she has recovered her strength. We are warriors, not savages. She is to be treated with respect and courtesy."

"But the Clan cannot support Yellowfang," Darkstripe protested, still fired up by the ShadowClan cat's taunts. "We have too many mouths to feed already."

"I don't need anyone to care for me!" Yellowfang spat from her position underneath Highrock. "And I'll split open anyone who tries."

Goldenflower shook her head at Yellowfang's words. She had to admire the she-cat's spirit. Goldenflower would never give in if captured by another clan and though she was a medicine cat, it was clear Yellowfang shared that sentiment.

Bluestar continued. "We shall kill two prey with one blow, as it were. Firepaw, as punishment for breaking the warrior code, it will be your responsibility to care for Yellowfang. You will hunt for her and tend her wounds. You will fetch fresh bedding and clear away her dirt."

"Yes, Bluestar." Firepaw lowered his head submissively, but couldn't hide the disgust that twisted his face.

"Good idea!" Dustpaw hissed. "Firepaw had better be good at cracking fleas!"

"And hunting!" Sandpaw chimed in, mocking Firepaw. "That sack of bones is going to need feeding up."

"Enough," Bluestar interrupted them. "I hope Firepaw will find no shame in caring for Yellowfang. She is a healer, and she is his elder. For these reasons alone, he should respect her!" She shot a sharp glance at Sandpaw and Dustpaw. "And there is no humiliation in caring for another cat when she is unable to take care of herself. The meeting is over. I would like to speak to my senior warriors alone now." Fur bristling, she jumped down from Highrock and stalked towards her den.

Lionheart followed, the tip of his tail twitching anxiously. Whitestorm and Tigerclaw were at his heels. Speckletail followed, hissing at Yellowfang as she strode past. Yellowfang turned away. Narrowing her eyes at the she-cat, Goldenflower hissed and nudged Swiftkit awake.

"Come on," she mewed. "Let's get Duskpetal some prey. What do you think she'd like?"

"Squirrel!" Swiftkit cried, bolting forward.

Goldenflower purred with amusement, watching as he stumbled over the squirrel. He did not want his mother's help. "Duskpetal! Look what I brought you!"

"Not so loud, Swiftkit. You'll wake the others."

Swiftkit dropped the squirrel with a thump. "Why do I always have to be quiet?" He stalked over to a corner of the den and began shredding the moss there.

Keeping one eye on him, Goldenflower spoke to the other queens. "Bluestar says that no kits are to leave the nursery."

"What? Why?" Duskpetal blinked with shock, her blue eyes wide.

Rosetail lifted her head up and blinked sleepily. "What did I miss?" The ThunderClan elder asked. Her yellow eyes blazed like miniature suns.

"A clan meeting," Goldenflower meowed. "WindClan has been driven out of their territory by ShadowClan and we've captured the ShadowClan medicine cat. Because of this, the kits are confined to the nursery."

"Swiftkit and your bunch won't like that," Rosetail mewed, grooming her daughter's pelt.

"Definitely not."

"We're lucky my bunch still hasn't opened their eyes." There was a hint of fear in Frostfur's mew. "Did Bluestar say how long?"

Goldenflower shook her head.

"I can't believe Brokenstar has done that." Rosetail's mew quavered. The gray queen blinked in disbelief, curling around Duskpetal.

"He's evil," Frostfur hissed. "I've never had a good feeling about him. Do you remember when he would pick fights with the other apprentices?"

"Yes," Rosetail agreed. "And which clan will be next? ThunderClan?"

"I hope not," Goldenflower growled, aware that Switftkit was now listening in, too curious to be angry. "He'll find that our claws are sharp. Speckletail is meeting with Bluestar right now."

"Good." Duskpetal rose to her paws. Her kits mewed in protest. The queen dipped her head and murmurred soothingly to them. "Hush now, little ones. Will you watch them Rosetail? I want to take a patrol to gather branches to fortify the nursery."

"I'll go," Goldenflower volunteered when Rosetail nodded her agreement. "Swiftkit, listen to Rosetail for me."

"Yes," Swiftkit nodded, his eyes wide. Goldenflower licked him between the ears and slipped out of the nursery, making direct eye contact with Yellowfang. Flattening her ears, she slipped away to go find warriors to help.

Tiny paws prodded her awake in the night. Goldenflower yawned and rolled over, curling around Swiftkit. "Yes, dear?"

"Are we in danger?" His amber eyes glowed in the dark.

Goldenflower paused for a moment, considering how she should answer. "Life in the forest isn't always easy," she began quietly. "Even when the clans are at peace, we face threats from foxes and badgers and dogs and rogues. We worry about catching enough prey to feed every cat. When there are changes in the other clans, like Brokenstar becoming ShadowClan's leader, things become even more uncertain."

Swiftkit made a noise of distress.

"But that's why we have strong, brave warriors to protect us," she added. "When I'm not a queen, I'm a warrior," she purred. "And I'll always protect you."

"And the others?"

"Of course," Goldenflower promised. "My duty is to the whole clan. From the smallest kits to the oldest elder. And someday you will share that responsibility."

"I will?"

"When you're a warrior."

"Wow!" Swiftkit snuggled closer. "I hope I'm a good warrior."

"I'm sure you will be. But for now, sleep."