Goldenflower crouched at the top of the slope that led to Fourtrees. Guilt twinged in her belly as she thought of Swiftkit and his mewls of protest as she had bundled him into Duskpetal's nest. He would be sleeping now, unable to stay awake until she got home.

Or maybe he would surprise her and stay up until she crept back into the nursery at dawn. The scent of the forest and the other clans would be clinging to her pelt and he would pester her with questions as she fought the temptation of sleep. Frosrfur shifted besides her and Goldenflower caught the white she-cats gaze.

"Are you thinking about your kits?" she murmured.

"Yes," Frostfur replied, the tip of her tail twitching restlessly. "Cinderkit is so restless. I worry about Duskpetal managing the whole litter on her own, plus her own kittens."

"Her five are well behaved," Goldenflower reassured the queen. "And Swiftkit promised to help keep them in line."

"Yes," Willowpelt purred. "Swiftkit loves helping out with the other don't forget about Brindleface." She nuzzled Frostfur gently. "They'll be okay. Sandpaw and Dustpaw are guarding the camp."

"They're apprentices," Frostfur hissed.

"They'll be warriors soon," Willowpelt countered. "And Runningwind is a light sleeper."

"What's holding Bluestar up?" Goldenflower shifted restlessly. Normally the ThunderClan leader did not wait so long to give the signal to join the other clans.

"She must be waiting for WindClan," Longtail hissed. "I doubt we'll see a whisker of them. I haven't smelled them in almost a moon."

Goldenflower blinked at him, shock in her green gaze. They lapsed into silence, waiting for Bluestar. The leader's tail rose into the air and with a flick like she was gathering the cats, gave the signal. As one, ThunderClan moved into the clearing. With Willowpelt and Frostfur at her side, she made her way over to queens from the other clans.

There was a small knot of RiverClan queens sitting together. "Mallowtail!" Goldenflower purred. "I heard you had your kits!"

The tortoiseshell queen blinked at her happily. "I did! Two she-kits! Stonefur absolutely dotes on them."

"That's wonderful." Goldenflower's purr got stuck in her throat as she thought about Lynxkit. She missed her daughter so much. StarClan was too far away.

"What about you?" Mallowtail asked.

"A happy tom. Swiftkit's almost four moons old." Goldenflower was thankful her clanmates didn't say anything about Lynxkit. She didn't want to stir up too many more memories.

"He loves watching the other kits, though." Frostfur added. "My four kits absolutely love him and look up to him."

Willowpelt purred and turned towards Tallpoppy. "How are things in ShadowClan?"

Tallpoppy shrugged and looked at her paws. Her pale green eyes were listless. "You'll hear what Brokenstar has to say soon."

"What do you mean?" Goldenflower meowed warily. Frostfur and Willowpelt exchanged glances, WindClan's name on their lips.

Tallpoppy wrapped her tail over her paws and said nothing more, hunching into herself. Russetfur stalked past, her hard green eyes studying Tallpoppy. The ginger she-cat paused. "Tallpoppy," she growled. "It's best if you stay with ShadowClan cats."

The ShadowClan she-cats slipped away.

"I bet that has to do with WindClan," Mistyfoot growled, coming up next to Mallowtail. "Has ThunderClan noticed the same thing we have?"

"That they haven't been marking their borders?" Willowpelt ventured.

The blue-gray RiverClan she-cat nodded. "There hasn't been a trace of them."

"I don't think they're coming tonight," Willowpelt added, looking up at the Great Rock.

Bluestar and Brokenstar and Crookedstar were there. Brokenstar tipped his head back and yowled. Slowly, silence spread across the clearing and the cats waited.

"We can't start," Mistyfoot hissed. "There needs to be four clans for a gathering." She rose to her paws. "We can't start yet!" Her yowl rose above the murmurs of confusion. "Where are the WindClan representatives? We must wait until all the clans are present."

Bluestar stepped forward at Mistyfoot's words, her fur gleaming silver in the moonlight. "Cats of all clans, it is true that WindClan is not present, but Brokenstar wishes to speak anyway."

Goldenflower's lip curled in disdain as the ShadowClan leader stepped up next to Bluestar. Bluestar was no small cat, but the massive tom made her seem tiny. His orange eyes burned with fury. "Friends, I come to speak to you tonight about the needs of ShadowClan-"

"Where is Tallstar?" A ThunderClan warrior rose to his paws. Whitestorm.

"Where are the WindClan warriors?" A RiverClan warrior cried, her dark fur prickling.

"As the leader of ShadowClan, it is my right to address you here!" His growl reverberated, stunning the gathered cats into silence.

Fear squirmed in Goldenflower's belly. "Sandpaw and Dustpaw better have sharp claws tonight."

"They do," Frostfur hissed back, her hackles prickling with fear. "They're almost warriors." She repeated Willowpelt's words, though they were no comfort.

"We all know the hard time of leafbare and late newleaf have all left us with little prey in our hunting grounds. But we also know that WindClan and ThunderClan and RiverClan lost many kits in the freezing weather that came up so late this season."

"Lies," Mistyfoot hissed.

"ShadowClan did not lose kits. We are hardened to the cold north wind. Our kits are stronger than yours from the moment they are born. And so we find ourselves with many mouths to feed, and too little prey to feed them."

Keep him close. Yellowfang's warning rang in Goldenflower's ears. She should have listened to the she-cat. Why did she come to the gathering?

"The needs of ShadowClan are simple. In order to survive, we must increase our hunting territory. That is why I insist that you allow ShadowClan warriors to hunt in your territories."

Goldenflower was not the only cat growling. Tigerclaw raised his voice in protest. Outrage made his mew shake. "Share our hunting grounds?"

"It is unprecedented!" Petaldusk of RiverClan cried. "The clans have never shared hunting rights!"

"Should ShadowClan be punished because our kits thrive?" Brokenstar yowled. "Do you want us to watch our young starve? You must share what you have with us."

"Must?" Smallear spat from a tangle of elders.

"Must," repeated Brokenstar, his claws glinting in the moonlight. "WindClan failed to understand this. In the end, we were forced to drive them out of their territory." His voice grew lower, drowning out the cauterwails of panic and fury. "And if we have to, we will drive you all from your hunting grounds in order to feed our hungry kits."

Silence.

"Every year, the two-legs spoil more of our territory. At least one clan must remain strong if all the clans are to survive. ShadowClan thrives while you all struggle. And there may come a time when you will need us to protect you."

"You doubt our strength?" Tigerclaw's growl rose above the silence, his pelt bristling with fury as he flexed his claws.

He was ignored. "I do not ask for your answer now. You must each go away and consider my words. But bear this in mind: would you prefer to share your prey or be driven out and left homeless and starving?"

Eyes wide, Frostfur caught Goldenflower and Willowpelt's gaze. "Bluestar would never allow this," she hissed.

"My claws are still sharp," Goldenflower hissed back. No cat would drive her and her kit from their home.

Crookedstar stepped forward, his gaze on the clans below. "I have already agreed to allow ShadowClan some hunting rights in the river that runs through our territory."

Mistyfoot bowed her head, humiliation in her clear blue gaze. Mallowpelt's jaw was open. The tortoiseshell queen was frozen in horror.

"We were not consulted!" A grizzled silver tabby yowled. His matted fur clung to his frame.

"I feel that this is best for our clan. For all the clans," Crookedstar explained. "There are plenty of fish in the river. It is better to share our prey than to spill blood fighting over it." Grief thickened his mew.

He must be thinking about Oakheart, Goldenflower realized. Through that was RiverClan trying to steal territory, not a skirmish over prey.

"And what of ThunderClan," Smallear croaked. "Bluestar, have you, too, agreed to this outrageous demand?"

"I have made no agreements with Brokenstar except that I shall discuss his proposal with my clan after the gathering." Bluestar's gaze was furious, but steady.

Brokenstar continued. "I also bring news that is important to the safety of your kits. A ShadowClan cat has turned rogue and spurned the warrior code. We chased her out of the camp, but we do not know where she is. She looks like a mangy old creature, but she has a bite like TigerClan. She is dangerous. I warn you - do not offer shelter to her. And…" Brokenstar paused, "until she is caught and killed, I urge you to keep a close eye on your kits."

Yellowfang. It has to be. Goldenflower shook her head, confused. If she was a danger to kits, then why would she warn Goldenflower to keep hers close. She rose to her paws as the ShadowClan warriors gathered around Brokenstar. Talkpoppy's tail dragged in the dust. The light brown tabby's head was down. Next to her were four small apprentices that looked no older than Swiftkit.

"Keep your claws sharp," Mistyfoot murmured, lashing her tail. "Shred any ShadowClan warriors you see for me."

Goldenflower mustered up a weak purr of agreement. "Til next moon."

"Watch your kits," Mallowtail warned. "I'll be keeping a close eye on mine."

Frostfur nodded. "It has to be Yellowfang," she hissed as they joined the rest of ThunderClan.

Smallear echoed her sentiment, and Speckletail chimed in, "Well, she did snap at Duskpetal's youngest kit the other day."

"And we've left her behind with the camp virtually unguarded!" One-eye wailed.

Darkstripe's fur prickled and he met Willowpelt's gaze before addressing the rest of the cats. "I tried to tell you she was a danger to us," he hissed. "Bluestar has to listen to reason now and get rid of her before she harms any of our young."

Tigerclaw shouldered Darkstripe aside. "We must return to camp at once and deal with this rogue," he yowled, just loud enough for all the ThunderClan cats to hear.

Goldenflower noticed a flicker of ginger fur and turned to look, but saw nothing except for Ravenpaw and Graypaw, their eyes wide.

"Bluestar, let's go."

The ThunderClan leader narrowed her eyes at Tigerclaw and did not respond to the command. "Be on your guard as we return," she ordered, her voice low. "ShadowClan is our greatest danger."

"And our camp is in danger," Tigerclaw protested. "We left the prisoner behind with only apprentices to guard our nursery."

"Runningwind and Mousefur also stayed behind," Lionheart pointed out calmly. "Both are capable warriors."

"Still, there is no reason to delay." Bluestar flicked her tail and the clan fell into formation around her. Lionheart stayed by her side, keeping the more impatient warriors in line. Frostfur and Willowpelt flanked Bluestar, concern etched into their pelt.

Tigerclaw snarled and Goldenflower touched his shoulder with her tail. He whipped around to look at her and she shrank back from the intensity of his amber gaze. "The prisoner must be dealt with," he snarled.

"She has not harmed any of the kits in the time that she has been here," Goldenflower pointed out calmly. "And she has had ample opportunity to do so."

"She is lulling us into complacency," Tigerclaw snapped and picked up the pace, running alongside Darkstripe.

Goldenflower shook her fur out and saw Graypaw and Ravenpaw's wide eyes. "Keep up," she mewed gently. "Go help the elders and I'll bring up the rear."

The camp was startled awake by the thunderous arrival of the cats who attended the gathering. Goldenflower slipped away to check on her kit. Frostfur was already inside, frantically looking over the kits.

"They're safe," she mewed with relief, nuzzling Cinderkit. The tiny gray she-kit mewled in protest and snuggled closer to her littermates.

Duskpetal blinked up at her with confusion. "What do you mean?"

Goldenflower began to fill her in even as Frostfur darted out of the den. She heard a loud screech and looked towards the entrance.

"Go," Duskpetal murmured. "You can tell me more later."

"Goldenflower?" Swiftkit's sleepy mew made her pause.

"Yes, dear,?"

"Momma!" He was instantly awake now, barreling into her stomach. She grunted as some air was knocked out of her. "You're back. How was the gathering?"

"I'll tell you all about it, but first, come with me. And stay close."

Goldenflower exited the den, Swiftkit right at her side. Bluestar was in the middle of the camp clearing, her fur bristling. Yellowfang was crouched beneath Tigerclaw and Darkstripe, fur bristling and covered in dust. Frostfur was shrinking away from Bluestar's glare, eyes wide. "But… you are going to throw Yellowfang out, aren't you?"

"Throw her out?" spat Darkstripe. "We should kill her!"

Swiftkit backed up into Goldenflower and she curled her tail around him. He was shaking. "I want to go back to the nursery."

"No," Goldenflower told him quietly. "You will be a part of clan life soon and you should know the challenges we face.."

Silence fell across the camp as Bluestar asked Darkstripe a question, her voice icy.

"You were at the gathering! Brokenstar said she-"

Bluestar cut him off, her voice quiet. Goldenflower had to strain to hear her words. "Brokenstar only said that there is a rogue somewhere in these woods. He did not mention Yellowfang by name. The kits are safe. For as long as she is in my clan, Yellowfang will not be harmed in any way." Her order was given clearly. Silence fell across the gathered cats. No cat would dare contradict Bluestar now.

"I will leave now if you wish it, Bluestar," Yellowfang offered.

A small flame of respect for the old she-cat kindle in Goldenflower. Swiftkit watched silently.

"There is no need. You have done nothing wrong. You will be safe here." The compassion in Bluestar's gaze was moving. That compassion faded as the she-cat lifted her head up and surveyed the gathered cats. "It is time we discuss the real threat to our clan: Brokenstar. We have already begun to prepare for an attack by ShadowClan. We'll carry on with those preparations and patrol our borders more frequently. WindClan has gone. RiverClan has given hunting rights to ShadowClan warriors. ThunderClan stands alone against Brokenstar."

"What does she mean by that?" Swiftkit asked, tugging at the fur on Goldenflower's chest.

"That ThunderClan is strong. That we never give in. But there will be blood shed before this is over." Goldenflower licked his ears firmly, reassuring him. "I would never let anything happen to you, my little warrior."

Swiftkit sat straighter. Tigerclaw raised his voice above the murmuring of the clan. "Then we're not going to agree to Brokenstar's demands?"

"Clans have never shared hunting rights before. They have always managed to support themselves in their own territories. There is no reason why this should change."

Smallear's tremulous voice filled the silence after Bluestar's answer. "But can we defend ourselves against a ShadowClan attack? WindClan didn't manage it! RiverClan won't even try!"

Bluestar remained steady. "We must try. We will not give up our territory without a fight." Bluestar continued, "I shall travel to the Moonstone tomorrow. The warriors of StarClan will give me the strength to lead ThunderClan through this dark time. You must all get some rest. We have a lot to do when daylight comes. I wish to talk with Lionheart now." With that, the clan was dismissed.

Lionheart's shoulders were tense as he followed Bluestar to the warrior's den. There was worry in his green eyes as he glanced at Goldenflower. She nodded at him reassuringly and he lifted his chin as he slipped into the den beneath Highrock.

"Let's go," she meowed to Swiftkit, ushering him back into the den. He went without protest, his eyes wide at all he had seen and heard.

—

Dawn came, surrounded by frost that curled delicately on the leaves of the bramble bush that sheltered the nursery. Her breath swirled in the air as she crouched outside the nursery. The camp was slowly stirring as cats woke up. Anxious whispers half-carried on the breeze as patrols set out. Lionheart was speaking with Brindleface at the base of Highrock. His tail touched Brindleface's shoulder gently and he nodded.

The pretty gray she-cat trotted away, heading straight towards the nursery and Goldenflower.

"Good morning!" Goldenflower called as she got closer.

"Good morning," Brindleface purred, coming to a stop. Her tail curled around her belly and Goldenflower blinked in shock. When has her friend gotten so huge? "Would you help me make a nest?"

"Of course!" Goldenflower purred, rubbing her cheek against Brindleface's. "Would you forgive me for not congratulating you sooner?"

Brindleface purred louder, her eyes shining. "Yes!"

"Are we getting a new denmate?" Rosetail hobbled stiffly out of the nursery. "I wondered when you were going to join us in here."

"I kept putting it off," Brindleface mumbled.

"Nothing to be embarrassed about!" Rosetail chirped. "I was hunting when Duskpetal and her littermates came."

Goldenflower purred, remembering Featherwhisker's fury and Spottedpaw's bemusement when Rosetail showed back up at the camp with a hunting patrol that had found her, small kits dangling from their jaws.

"That was many seasons ago and I know better now. I can go ask the apprentices if they would be willing to gather some fresh moss."

"Thank you, Rosetail," Brindleface purred.

The elder nodded and limped away. Goldenflower watched her go, concerned. "The cold makes her so stiff."

"Indeed," Brindleface agreed quietly. "Each newleaf that an elder sees is a blessing."

"May all our elders have many more seasons of rest." Goldenflower thought about her parents. They were the oldest cats in the clan, though Speckletail was still healthy and spry. The tabby queen credited that to being fortunate enough to avoid getting seriously wounded in battle. She shook herself and the stormy thoughts away. "Let's go tell Duskpetal and Frostfur that we've got a new denmate!"

Slowly, the interior of the nursery was reshaped. Swiftkit showed the other kits how to best move the moss. Sweetkit copied Swiftkit paw for paw, her blue eyes narrowed in concentration. Moss scraps clung to her pelt. Smokekit and Sleetkit were a bit more half-hearted in their efforts to help. Deepkit had abandoned the moss and with his sister Pebblekit, were keeping Frostfur's four occupied.

"I don't know how you manage it," Brindleface meowed. "Five kits is so many."

"They're good kits," Duskpetal purred. "I have a lot of help."

"And most queens don't have so many," Speckletail added from where she was weaving in branches the warriors had brought to fortify the nursery. "Most queens only have two or three."

"A tom and a she-kit would be perfect," Brindleface meowed.

"Completely," Goldenflower agreed, thinking of Lynxkit. How her daughter would have loved to welcome new denmates. The ache was not as fierce this time.

"When the hunting patrols come back, we should take the kids out to play," Frostfur grunted as Brightkit leaped from her flank just as Thornkit came crashing down. "I don't know how much fur I have left."

"You have plenty," Duskpetal's whiskers twitched with mirth. "But we can find a furry squirrel. Give you a few patches of brown fur."

Frostfur's irritated huff sent the other queens into peals of laughter. Goldenflower purred to herself as she worked. This is what clan life was supposed to be like. Happy and content and not worry about ShadowClan's tyranny or missing warriors.

It was well after sunhigh when the first hunting patrols returned.

Whitestorm strode into camp, clutching a large rabbit in his jaws. He set the rabbit down out front of the nursery, where the queens and kits had gathered. Deepkit and Pebblekit clambered over him. "Is the rabbit for us?"

The white warrior purred. He was popular with the kits. His gentle nature never deterred them from approaching him. Behind her mentor Sandpaw set down a thrush, coughing with amusement. "Well, I brought it for Brindleface," Whitestorm purred, gently batting the kits with his front paws. "But I'm sure she'd be happy to share if you asked."

"Brindleface, please?" The kits blinked up at her, their eyes pleading.

"How could I say no?" the queen purred. "I can't eat a whole rabbit myself."

"Yay!" Deepkit tugged at the rabbit, trying to bring it closer to the nursery. Pebblekit sank her teeth into the fur and pulled.

"Why don't you go help them?" Duskpetal quietly suggested to her other kits. Smokekit and Sleetkit tumbled forward, but Sweetkit hung back, staying near Swiftkit.

One eye on the kits, Goldenflower asked, "Any sign of ShadowClan?"

Whitestorm shook his head. "All was quiet. Maybe a little too quiet." His amber gaze lingered on Highrock. "But I am admittedly unsettled with Bluestar out of the camp."

"She'll be back soon," Brindleface murmured reassuringly to her mate.

Goldenflower stepped away. Somecat had left a young wood pigeon on the fresh-kill pile. Some feathers would help make Rosetail's nest softer. She bent down, sinking her teeth into the bird.

The camp exploded. Goldenflower whirled around in confusion as screeching cats burst through the camp barrier and the camp walls. "Get in the nursery!" she roared, leaping across the camp towards Swiftkit and Sweetkit, who were crouched, frozen in fear.

A gray and brown she-cat intercepted her, hissing furiously.

"Get out of my way," Goldenflower growled, sinking her fangs into the she-cat's shoulder.

Pain flared through her scruff and Goldenflower wailed in fury as another warrior forced her to the ground. The she-cat whirled around, raking her claws down Goldenflower's side. The other warrior raked his claws down her spine. Goldenflower twisted and kicked out blindly. Her hind limbs connected and knocked a cat away.

The tom above her was ripped away and black and white fur obscured her vision. "Get away from her!" Patchpelt snarled, lashing his tail. "You always were a coward, Frogtail."

Frogtail snarled and began circling Patchpelt. "You think I'm scared of an elder?" he sneered. "I'm still serving my clan, not eating fresh-kill that other cats catch for me."

Patchpelt's responding growl was deep and angry. She barely heard her name within it. "Are you okay?"

"Yes," she gasped, rising to her paws. The gray and brown she-cat was writhing around the clearing with Speckletail.

"Go check on the kits." Patchpelt puffed. "I've got a score to settle." Goldenflower ran and Patchpelt blocked Frogtail from chasing her. "I'm the cat you need to worry about," he told the ShadowClan warrior.

Swiftkit and Sweetkit were not where she had last seen them. Frantically, Goldenflower scanned the camp. Swiftkit and Sweetkit had their backs to the nursery wall. Their fur was puffed up and their eyes wide with fear. Scratches ran down the side of Sweetkit's face. A battle-scarred brown tom was advancing on them. As Goldenflower raced over to them, a tiny gray streak attacked the tom. Pebblekit! Teeth sank into the kit's neck and there was a sharp squeal, much like the squeal that prey let out before the killing bite was completed. Pebblekit went limp and was discarded. Rage burned in Goldenflower.

A warrior does not kill.

"Come and fight me, little apprentices," he crooned, unsheathing his claws.

In two strides, Goldenflower placed herself between the kits and the tom. "Clawface!" she spat. "Those are kits. Does the warrior code mean nothing to you?"

"ShadowClan comes before the kits of another clan," Clawface spat. "ThunderClan is selfish, wanting to let our kits starve."

"ShadowClan's territory should be enough!" Goldenflower's hackles rose and she advanced on Clawface. He swiped at her. She ducked. "Get into the nursery!" she hissed at Swiftkit. "You too, Sweetkit!" she added.

"She won't get up!" Swiftkit wailed. Sweetkit's cry echoed his and a sharp blow landed on her shoulder from Clawface, knocking the kit aside.

I can't let him get past me like that again, Goldenflower winced and clawed his ears. He growled and raked his claws down her muzzle.

Snarling, Goldenflower kicked Clawface and whirled around, picking up Sweetkit in her jaws. She dove into the nursery, ducking as Duskpetal's strike caught her shoulder. She dropped the kit at the queen's feet. "Take her to Spottedleaf," she ordered. "These ShadowClan cats have no honor."

Rosetail bundled Swiftkit into the nest and stood over the kits. "Go fight," the elder growled. "I'll protect the kits. ThunderClan needs you."

"I'll escort you to Spottedleaf's den," Frostfur meowed, covering up the kits with moss. Blood was welling along the tip of her ear. Brindleface was nowhere to be seen.

The queens exploded from the brambles and Goldenflower blocked Clawface, who seemed to have a personal vendetta against her now, from pursuing the queens. "Fight me, coward!" she growled, leaping at him. He would pay for Pebblekit.

His claws snagged her fur and he slammed her to the ground. Gasping, she battered at his stomach with her paws. "You're carrion," he hissed, pressing his paws against her throat.

Golden fur collided with dark fur and Clawface went rolling. Goldenflower leapt after him. For a few heartbeats, she and Lionheart fought side by side, driving the scarred warrior back. "Leave," she snarled.

"And never come back," Lionheart added.

Clawface laughed and struck out at Goldenflower. Lionheart took the blow meant for his sister and staggered. A thin, piercing wail rose above the fighting and Goldenflower saw the elders, Patchpelt, One-eye, and Smallear fighting against two ShadowClan warriors. Frogtail and a tortoiseshell that she recognized as Fernshade.

"Go help them," Lionheart panted, kicking Clawface away. "I've got this." With a roar, he rejoined the duel with Clawface and the two powerful toms struggled against each other.

She nodded and streaked towards them. Frostfur fell into step next to her. Blood trickled from a wound on her shoulder. "We take out Frogtail," Goldenflower hissed. "Then we go for the other one."

"Yes," Frostfur puffed.

As one, they dived onto Frogtail, kicking and clawing at him. Frogtail' s green eyes glimmered in recognition. "Back for more?" he hissed.

"You're crowfood," Goldenflower hissed.

She sank her teeth in his scruff and they writhed around. The bigger warrior was desperately trying to kick her off of him. She grunted as he landed on top of her, but did not let go. She whipped her tail, trying to catch her balance and he bit it. Frostfur slashed his muzzle and he let go.

Frostfur snarled and dove at him, sinking her teeth into his ear and tearing. A battle-cry tore from her throat and Goldenflower helped her chase Frogtail out of the camp. Peeling away once she was sure that Frogtail was not going to return, she saw that Fernshade had abandoned the elders, who were now huddled together in a heap on the edge of the clearing.

"Bluestar came back!" Smallear wailed triumphantly as she streaked after the she-cat who was now running from Firepaw.

She slowed and looked around. Most of ShadowClan was fleeing now. The nursery was torn open, as was the rest of the camp. A dark gray shape huddled over the top of the kits. Yellowfang! But, where was Rosetail?

There. The elder's body was lying broken in the clearing, covered in blood. Her throat was slashed open and her yellow eyes were staring sightlessly at the sky. Goldenflower took half a step towards the elder's body and turned away. She needed to check on her kit first.

Yellowfang blinked up at her from where she crouched over the kits. One eye was swollen and bloody and her face was still locked in half a snarl. Frostfur padded over as well, her blue eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Yellowfang," the queen meowed solemnly.

"Rosetail is dead," Yellowfang mewed, sounding far away. Stiffly, she stepped away from the kits and Frostfur and Goldenflower checked them over.

Swiftkit had a small nick in his ear and scratches on his shoulder. Deepkit, Sleetkit, and Smokekit, were all fine. "Oh, little ones," Goldenflower breathed, relief settling over her. "I'm so glad you're okay."

The kits were trembling and none of them responded. Goldenflower showered them with licks, reassuring them until they began to purr loudly. Yellowfang and Frostfur had vanished, leaving Goldenflower alone with all the kits among the carnage of the nursery.

"Is- is Sweetkit okay?" Swiftkit asked, his eyes wide.

"I don't know." Goldenflower sighed.

"And Rosetail?" Deepkit asked.

"Where's Pebblekit?" Smokekit mewled. The mirror image to his sister. She couldn't bear to look at him.

"I'm sorry little ones," Goldenflower whispered. "She has gone to StarClan."

The kits cried out in distress, Smokekit struggling to leave the nest. Goldenflower tugged him back.

A thin, grief-stricken wail rose above the clamor of the kits and pierced her heart like a thorn. That was Graypaw. His howl of grief echoed around the camp and Goldenflower closed her eyes. She couldn't leave the kits right now. Please StarClan, let there be no more death, she prayed, pouring out her soul. She curled around the kits, exhaustion sapping her strength until she fell asleep.