Hello again; it's been nice to read your reviews. I changed the name of the deputy, and that's the only name change I'm making. These are my characters after all. Enjoy chapter tree:

"PaleFoot?" FlareStripe called into the medicine den. The black and white tom was still soundly asleep, rolled up upon his back as if without a care in the forest. She padded up to him, and shook him with one of her front paws. Nothing. "PaleFoot!" she called again. She sighed. She flicked her tail across his nose. He sneezed, rolling onto his side, facing FlareStripe.

"Wh-what is it?" he yawned, still sounding sleepy

"BearKit, SnowKit, and BumbleKit have left the camp to hunt." she told him, her fur bristling with nerves. He blinked a couple of times, as if he didn't properly register it, before saying,

"Oh…oh damn. That's not good."

"Yeah, no dirt!" she exclaimed

"So why are you coming to me about it instead of gathering a patrol?" he cocked his head

"I'm waiting for KindleRoot to come back from the dawn patrol. BumbleKit is his kit; I can't not involve him!" she answered

"And what about EagleStar?"

"EagleStar CANNOT find out about this." she put it simply

"But why? BearKit is also his kit." PaleFoot reasoned

"I know! And if I know these kits, BumbleKit will likely fall into one of the marshes and drown, SnowKit would die a horrible death, and BearKit has the ego of his father!" she explained "What if he goes and challenges another clan's patrol? He'd most certainly be killed! You've seen the way he plays with his littermates; he always wins. That's what he will think when he challenges ACTUAL warriors."

"And EagleStar is itching for a battle," she continued, "He'd be furious if BearKit is killed, especially by another clan, or heck, maybe even just by a monster. He'd declare war for 'retribution' or whatever!"

PaleFoot nodded as she talked. "Makes sense," he concluded. "So, again, why are you coming to me about this? I was having a pretty good dream too."

"I…I don't know." she admitted, looking around the medicine den. "I guess I like talking to you."

"That's great." he yawned, "I like talking to you too. But seriously, why am I involved?"

She turned to face him. "I need you to bring PeachStump thyme and poppy seeds. She is very worried about these kits, and she might let the cat out of the den without them." she said sternly

"Oh-oh alright!" PaleFoot stood up and went to gather the needed herbs.

"Also, why don't you send your apprentice out to find him?" he added with a flick of his tail.

"Oh, yeah, I, um, forgot about that." She pinned her ears back sheepishly. PaleFoot shrugged nonchalantly.

"BristlePaw!" she called out. Within a few moments BristlePaw came into the medicine den, panting.

"BristlePaw, please go out to find the dawn patrol, specifically KindleRoot. Tell him it's very important, okay?" she asked

BristlePaw nodded, and went out just as soon as she came in.

"Alright. I'm heading out." PaleFoot muffled with herbs in his mouth. "Good luck finding them!"

And with that he left the medicine den, flicking FlareStripe's nose with his tail.

FlareStripe sat in the medicine den for a while, observing it. Whatever she was feeling, if she felt it at all, couldn't be. She choked down a leaf of chervil and left.

SparkPaw padded around the tunnel entrance in excitement. The thought of going on a mission- a secret- mission with such noble and respected warriors filled him with anticipation. As he was pacing, he noticed BristlePaw hurriedly padding towards him, no, the entrance.

"Hey! BristlePaw!" he called to her

She stopped dead in her tracks and turned, almost a little confused, "Me?" she mewed quietly

"Uh, yeah you." he confirmed. "Wh-where are you going?"

"I have to find KindleRoot." She quickly explained This must be related to our mission!

"And, do you know why you have to find him?" he questioned, hoping she didn't know

"I don't know, but FlareStripe said it was very important." She looked around, confirming his suspicions. I must be the only apprentice to know! The thought filled him with pride.

"Anyways, I have to go now. Sorry." she replied nervously, hurrying while she exited the den. She was usually nervous, her fur bristling and pricking any time she was mentioned or involved in something; that was how she got her name, after all. Was she too, proud that she had to do something important like that? Probably not, she was almost a warrior at this point. But he would never know for sure.

SparkPaw made sure to get some fresh-kill before the patrol ahead, choosing to eat a small mouse. He noticed MarshPaw at the fresh-kill pile too, and followed to sit with him.

"So, how's training?" he asked. When he was made an apprentice, MarshPaw seemed to be disappointed. MarshPaw looked up at him from his prey, a tiny light flickering in his eyes

"It was actually pretty good. HoundHeart showed me around the territory. I even marked a border!" he mewed happily as he went back to eating his songbird.

"And did you catch that songbird yourself?" SparkPaw tried to keep the conversation going.

"Um…no." MarshPaw looked down, that tiny light disappearing. "But I heard he's gonna teach me some battle moves!" he added, his stuffy voice filled with mild excitement.

"That's nice." SparkPaw flicked his tail over MarshPaw's flank. He nodded

"It was actually pretty great seeing the forest so peaceful." he began, "The birds were chirping this really great melody, and I saw squirrels chasing each other! Though the thunderpath monsters would scare them away. HoundHeart even let me jump in some of the puddles!" He explained his time exploring the territory. SparkPaw couldn't help but feel a little envious of the young apprentice. At least he was happy. HoundHeart called him with a flick of his tail. MarshPaw licked his muzzle and padded off for some battle training. Hopefully HoundHeart would be gentle; SparkPaw wasn't sure if MarshPaw could take more than a few hits with his small and sort of scrawny structure. But SparkPaw couldn't ponder over this for too long; the smell of KindleRoot had entered the camp. It was time!

He raced towards the camp entrance; KindleRoot and FlareStripe were there, sharing some tongues. They stopped, and looked up at SparkPaw as he arrived.

"It seems you were right, I can't smell BumbleKit anywhere." KindleRoot muttered

"When haven't I?" she nudged her brother

"Many times." he shot her a look

She chuckled a little bit. "C'mon, SparkPaw's here. Are you ready?" she turned to ask him. Like she needed to.

"Of course!" he flicked his tail in anticipation.

"Let's get going." KindleRoot motioned out of the camp. FlareStripe and Sparkpaw followed, ready to bring the ShadowClan kits home.

The trio of cats started east of the camp. That's where their scent was strongest, though it was partially faint. The kits must've been gone for a while. Sparkpaw's stomach started to hurt at the thought. Flarestripe's fur was bristled, while Kindleroot was smelling the ground, a cold expression on his face. Bumblekit was his kin, after all. It makes sense that he would be the most upset out of them.

"So where were they last seen?" Kindleroot asked Flarestripe

"I'm not sure. Peachstump swore to StarClan she last saw them playing by the ShadeRock. Then she went to get some prey from the pile, and the next thing she knew she was gone." she explained

Kindleroot snorted in response. "Well she should've done better. Are you telling me there were no other cats watching this?"

"I don't know. That's all she told me."

"And where were you?" he turned to face his sister

"I was speaking to EagleStar." she looked at him, then looking back, "I know you're worried, I am too. Bumblekit's my kin too."

"If I was deputy I wouldn't have let this happen.." he grumbled

"But since you're not, I let you lead at least one patrol a day." she stated, smirking a bit

"Yes, and I can take comfort in the fact that everyday I wake up before the sun rises and take a bunch of half-dead, complaining warriors with me." Kindleroot sarcastically replied, but from the light purring in his throat he clearly wasn't serious. While they continued their sibling banter, Sparkpaw looked around, sniffing the air as best he could. The kit's scent was there, but it was muddled by all the herbs, prey, and other cats constantly moving about in the territory.

The sky was turning a darkish gray, the sun being blocked out by thunderclouds, and the trio soon reached the northern thunderpath, the terrible stench radiating from its black, hot soil. "Where do you suppose they went? They wouldn't really cross the thunderpath, right?" Sparkpaw suggested

"No, of course not!" Kindleroot snapped, a flare of anger in his eyes. But it soon calmed down, "Bumblekit knows better, even though their footing doesn't prove it. They'd make sure the other two didn't." Sparkpaw still noticed that annoyed glare in his eyes as he turned towards the thunderpath again. Sparkpaw smelt the air again. It still stunk of thunderpath. He turned to the left. That was where the carrionplace was supposed to be…didn't Marshpaw say something about that the other day? Cats….strange cats…Palefoot told him to tell EagleStar, and EagleStar was the father of Bearkit…

"They might be at the carrionplace.." Sparkpaw mewed quietly

"Why would you…of course!" Flarestripe seemed to understand. "EagleStar told me how a patrol caught wind of a couple of rogue cat scents."

"Yeah. Marshpaw told me about it while I was in the medicine den." Sparkpaw explained, trying to hide the pride in his voice of knowing hopefully important information.

"Why wasn't I told about this?" Kindleroot was clearly out of the loop.

"It wasn't important until now." Flarestripe quickly explained

Kindleroot stifled a growl. "Then let's go!" But before he even said it Sparkpaw was already ahead of them.

The CarrionPlace was a foul smelling twoleg place, filled with their waste scattered about within its fences. One twoleg nest laid in it, cold, and abandoned. Wooden boxes layed scattered about the ground, with giant black twoleg cobwebs, holding StarClan knows what. Actual cobwebs covered the boxes and planks, and there was some strange twoleg nest as well. The occasional rat scurried passed through its harsh ground, but every cat in ShadowClan knew the disease those rats brought. They weren't worth it. The only useful thing it brought was the wild growth of catmint, apparently great for helping with coughs, such as greencough and whitecough. The smell was unmistakable; every time PaleFoot came from that place with catmint he always smelled of its hideous stench, so even the youngest kit knew of it. Of course, the delicious smell of catmint always made it better, so it didn't stick around long. Only a desperate rogue would live here, and apparently one was, though when SparkPaw entered its unholy land, he hardly smelt it. There was a slight breeze coming from the south, so maybe it was carrying it away. The soil was dry; it hadn't rained in a while. SparkPaw took a few steps into Carrionplace. A quiet rustling of the catmint leaves was the only sound he heard. He sniffed the air, hoping that the kits were there, but all he smelled was the rotten stretch of the Carrionplace and some catmint. The grass crunched under his paws as he stepped, looking on top of the wooden boxes and planks for the kits. The wind grew colder as he searched the eastern part of the carrionplace. He turned his head just as a clatter could be heard from the old twoleg nest. He jerked his head there, causing a sore muscle in his neck. He bounded towards the nest, only for whatever to be there wasn't in there. The nest was unmistakably open, if there was a cat in there, he would see it, but there wasn't any. Maybe it was next to the nest, not in it. SparkPaw started trotting over there when he heard:

"There's the rogue! Attack!" It was BearKit! Bearkit rushed forwards, crashing into the striped apprentice. He standed against SparkPaw's side, claws unsheathed. SparkPaw backed up, his fur bristled. He rose to his paws. But it was too late; FlareStripe and Kindleroot were already there, and saw the whole thing.

"Was he seriously defeated by a 3 moon old kit?" Kindleroot asked, amusement in his purr.

"Hey, back off," FlareStriped brushed her tail along Kindleroot's flank, "He was just ambushed, that's all. What's good is that he found Bearkit." there was also an amused tone in her voice. SparkPaw's pelt felt hot as he put his fur down. "I…I.."

"It's okay. You'll do better next time." FlareStripe tried to reassure him.

"Bearkit has the fine potential to be a great warrior, especially if he can beat an apprentice as easy as that." Kindleroot complimented the young brown cat. Then his tone became more serious as he added, "But why were you out here in the first place?"

"I heard EagleStar saying something about some mysterious cat living here!" Bearkit spoke proudly,

"I wanted to drive it off our territory! I brought Bumblekit and Snowkit as reinforcements."

"And where ARE they?" Flarestripe asked in a concerned mew.

"Oh, they're over there." Bearcat turned his head to the spot. The cats went to investigate.

The cats found Bumblekit wrestling with some cobweb; it was clearly trapping their legs together, all while Snowkit slept peacefully next to them. It was quite a sight to behold. Bumblekit stumbled around to see them, their face quickly turned as red as a deathberry. They struggled harder to get out, but with no avail.

"It's okay, it's okay, just calm down." Kindleroot said gently, and started licking Bumblekit's fur. He took a look at the cobwebs, and gently removed them from his kin's legs.

"Does that feel better?"

"Yes, yes it does." Bumblekit said, slowly rising to their paws.

"Good." Kindleroot's tone became harder, "Next time try to stay calm and get out yourself. You can't be struggling like that in a fight, understand?"

"Y-yes, Kindleroot!" Bumbkit replied quickly

"Now what do we do about that one?" Flarestripe pointed towards Snowkit.

"I can hold him!" Sparkpaw offered

"No. Let Flarestripe hold him. I'll hold Bumblekit." Kindleroot told him

"But-"

"If this is about me being 'younger' than you, then-"

"No, it's not. Bumblekit is my kit, not yours. I'll hold them, thank you." Kindleroot promptly held his kit up by the scruff, and headed out. Flarestripe rolled her eyes and picked up the still sleeping Snowkit. Sparkpaw tried picking up Bearkit, but he refused, saying, "I can walk on my own. I defeated you in battle, you know." he bragged, strolling confidently out of the Carrionplace. Sparkpaw was the last to leave, looking at it one last time, intrigued by what exactly was going on in there.

As they padded out towards camp, Kindleroot gazed at the crossed thunderpaths that marked the border between ShadowClan and WindClan. He stopped, causing the group to look out there as well. Flarestripe put down Snowkit, and Kindleroot followed her. Sparkpaw looked across and the smell hit him: WindClan! There were two padding over towards the border. One was a large dark brown tabby, his muscles well defined underneath his dark pelt. The most defining thing about him was the long white canines protruding from his upper jaws. The second was a light gray she-cat with a darkened underbelly, her eyes portraying her unfriendly mood. A third, barely visible, was sitting on the WindClan side of the thunderpath. The two cats going across sat down on the edge of the thunderpath.

"What are WindClan cats doing on ShadowClan's land?" Kindleroot spat.

"Are you patrolling your territory?" the she-cat asked mockingly, eyeing the Carrionplace. "If you were, you needn't go this far."

"And what are your kits doing this far out of camp? You aren't training them already, are you?" the tom asked more sincerely, though he was snickering by the end of it.

"What happens in ShadowClan's borders is none of your concern, Tuskfang!" Flarestripe addressed the tom. Sparkpaw had heard of him, actually; he was WindClan's deputy. Up close, he was much more intimidating than he thought.

"Why are you here anyways?" Bearkit snarled. Kindleroot put his tail on the kit's mouth.

"Tough words for a kit so small. Honestly, all of them look pretty pathetic." The she-cat turned to Tuskfang. "One's asleep, the second can hardly keep on their own paws, and the third looks like he can hardly even hunt." She eyed Sparkpaw. Was she talking about him?

"I'm not a kit, I'm an apprentice!" he challenged. "My name is Sparkpaw."

"If you say so, Sparkpaw." The she-cat mocked him, looking doubtful that he was telling the truth. His tail bristened, and he felt a snarl coming on. He was an apprentice, why should anycat doubt it? Kindleroot was doing the same, hissing at Tuskfang. Tuskfang simply showed off his canines.

"So are you here to sling out insults, or do you actually want something?" Flarestripe interjected before a potential fight broke out.

"Right. Gorgeclaw, c'mere." Tuskfang flicked his tail, beckoning for the third cat to come across. This was a huge lean-shouldered black and brown tom, jaws open, lips curled revealing a snarl. His paws were unsheathed to show giant claws that looked like he could crush a kit without even trying. Sparkpaw flattened his ears. He definitely wouldn't want to meet a cat like that in battle. But that wasn't the most interesting sight. The tom was forcing another cat with him, a limp rabbit hung from his jaws, and Gorgeclaw was occasionally shoving him forwards with his tail. Shadetail? What was he doing with WindClan?

"We caught one of your warriors catching a rabbit on our territory." Tuskfang finally said when the two remaining cats approached.

"I'm not a warrior, I'm an elder!" Shadetail dropped the dead rabbit to correct him, but Tuskfang paid no mind.

"Yeah, anyways, that's why we're here. Make sure you keep your elders off our territory, if that what he claims." he hissed

"Ask any cat and they'll tell you!" Shadetail argued

"Uh-huh." Tuskfang clearly didn't believe him. "Next time one of your cats comes here to steal our prey, we won't bring them back." Gorgeclaw rose one of his dark gray paws, and used claws to fake swipe it over his throat, clearly conveying the message. "C'mon you two, let's go." Tuskfang flicked his tail, starting to cross the thunderpath again. Gorgeclaw followed, his mouth still in a snarl.

"See you at the next gathering, PseudoClan!" The she-cat taunted one last time before joining the other warriors, leaving the ShadowClan cats to stand there, processing what just happened.

"Are you mouse-brained?" Kindleroot yelled at Shadetail.

"No; I was hunting prey for our clan!" Shadetail shot back

"But why on WindClan's territory?!"

"I didn't notice the border!"

"How can you NOT notice the border?" Kindleroot asked as if what Shadetail did was the stupidest thing in the forest. It probably was.

"I was too busy hunting the rabbit for our clan!" Shadetail explained himself. Kindleroot rolled his eyes in anger, while Flarestripe looked tired.

"Okay." she sighed. "Just carry Bearkit and come with us."

Shadetail nodded, and picked up Bearkit, who was struggling to get down. But Shadetail didn't let him win so easily.

"Why can he pickup Bearkit and I can't?" Sparkpaw asked

"Because he's older, and can probably carry him better." Flarestripe quickly explained.

It was unfair, he thought as they walked back into camp. He could've carried Bearkit, he could hunt and fight just like the other cats. He just kept on messing up. Why did he keep messing up? Kindleroot, Flarestripe, and Shadetail put the kits back in the nursery, a very grateful Peachstump welcomed them. Kindleroot shot Shadetail a glare, and Flarestripe motioned him to come to EagleStar's den with her. Sparkpaw was left alone in the clearing. As far as he was concerned, the rescue mission was a failure. Not for finding the kits, but for proving himself competent. Splashpaw trotted over

"Everything okay, mate?" he asked

"No…" Sparkpaw sighed, his face downcast.

Splashpaw laid down next to him, "What to talk about it?"

"Sure…" Sparkpaw agreed, "I was…I was on this hunting patrol. I saw a vole, and I was so close to catching it! But I guess I must've made a noise, so the vole started running. I went after it, but I stumbled and fell. I almost had it." Sparkpaw lied, feeling guilt in his chest. At least this was the best comparison to make. Splashpaw nodded as he spoke.

"Well…" Splashpaw began, "Just think of it like this: ya almost had it. Ya tried yar best, but ya failed. I've failed plenty of times before. The thing is to not give up." he explained

"So you're saying if I just try hard enough, I'll catch it?" Sparkpaw asked doubtfully

"Well, it's just practice, I guess."

"But what if I can never catch it? How am I supposed to be a warrior and defend my clan if I can't catch a stupid vole?!" Sparkpaw meowed frustratedly

"There's time…yar only three moons into apprenticeship." Splashpaw tried to make him feel better

"What were you doing at that time?" Sparkpaw asked

"Well, I was in this border patrol against ThunderClan, and I gave one of their warriors a nastly scratching! I think it might've scarred, and…oh, yeah. I see what ya mean." Splashpaw began to recite his story. Only to stop when he realized how irrelevant it was.

Sparkpaw looked down at his skittery paws. If he wanted to be a warrior to be respected, he had to do something. Something bold, something helpful…something…that was it."

"I'm going to hunt the rogue in Carrionplace." he finally said.

"Oh, are ya sure ya can handle that?" Splashpaw looked surprised

"Yes! And if I do that, then wouldn't the clan respect me for it?" Sparkpaw asked

"I suppose so. I certainly would."

"Then I'll do it. Tonight. I'll sneak out of camp and chase that rogue, loner, or whoever that cat is off our territory!" Sparkpaw determinedly declared.

"Good for ya!" Splahpaw congratulated. "Would ya like any help-"

"No, but thank you though. I must do this alone."

Splashpaw shrugged. "Well, if ya say so. But I'll keep watch and look out for ya when ya get back, deal?"

"Sure." Sparkpaw agreed, his tail started to flick rapidly. He was going to do it; he was going to help his clan!

Silverpelt was covered in dark gray clouds. Rain could be smelt in the air, and it was only a matter of time before it would come crashing down. Sparkpaw carefully crossed the camp to get to the entrance. Splashpaw and Birchfur were keeping watch. Birchfur yawned.

"This isn't really good for my sleep schedule." he complained. Splashpaw looked at him

"Well we'll be able to sleep until sunhigh." Splashpaw reasoned

"That's not the point! I'm going to look dead inside."

"So?" Splashpaw cocked his head towards one side

"So? That means that I'll be asleep when Clawleap isn't, and then I'll look like a wreck when I am!" he yowled in anguish. Splashpaw rolled his eyes, then saw Sparkpaw out of one of the corners. He gave a wink.

"How about ya get some freshkill to keep ya more awake?" he offered Birchfur

"Fine, fine." he yawned, going slowly towards the pile. Splashpaw flicked his ear; it was time to go. Sparkpaw ran as quietly as he could out of camp, remembering the foul smell of the Carrionplace. Thunder rumbled in the distance. He may have slipped on a branch or two, but he kept going, eventually nearing the forbidden area. However, something was off. He felt watched. He was watched. Just as he was almost there, he saw a single bright yellow eye watching him in front of the Carrionplace. Sparkpaw skidded to a halt, concerned. The eye simply stared at him, blinking occasionally. Sparkpaw stared back with both of his brown eyes.

….

…

Lightning flashed. The silhouette of the cat was in view, standing on a stump in front of the fence; it looked small, grayish. Its left ear was torn, and it was blind in that eye. The left side of its face looked broken and marred. The yellow eye widened in surprise, as did Sparkpaw. As quickly as the lightning came, the cat bolted away. Sparkpaw stood to process what happened. The lightning clearly scared it off. It started to rain. It would be near impossible to track it, and it was too dark to do anything properly. Sparkpaw walked back to camp, the rain feeling nice and cool on his fur. He would have to investigate another day.