Chapter 4

Letting out a yawn, Flowerpaw struggled to sit up in her nest. Her eyes fluttered closed and her fur longed for the gentle caress of her bedding for a while longer. She gazed at the sun. It was just barely emerging from the horizon, painting the sky a bright array of oranges and pinks. Several moons had passed since Tigerstar had become leader. Just as Flowerpaw had hoped, he was a great leader, making Shadowclan as strong and feared as it had been before Brokenstar's rule. Tigerstar had even formed a powerful alliance with Leopardstar, and the whole of Riverclan, forming Tigerclan. Shadowclan cats were even staying in their camp now. The joint leaders were a formidable threat to the other two clans, though Tigerstar's actions were sometimes a bit extreme. Flowerpaw flicked her tail. They wouldn't be a threat to the other clans if they just agreed to join Tigerclan. It's not like they'd be suppressed. They would all be joint leaders and share the territory, meaning more prey for everyone. Flowerpaw also didn't see the point in imprisoning the half-clan cats if they were uniting the clans anyways. Besides, Flowerpaw herself was half-clan. Tigerstar may have been born in Thunderclan and lived there when Flowerpaw was born but the fact was he was in Shadowclan now and Goldenflower was in Thunderclan. Goldenflower. Flowerpaw's heart ached at the thought of her mother and siblings in Thunderclan. However, this was her home now. There was no changing that.

"Flowerpaw!" a voice called. Flowerpaw glanced outside the den to see Clawface, peeking inside. "Oh good, you're awake. Are you ready for your assessment?"

"That's today?" Flowerpaw gasped, dropping her paw. Clawface nodded. Flowerpaw leaped out of her nest, stumbling over her paws as she followed her mentor toward the camp exit.

"You'll be hunting in Riverclan and Shadowclan territory," he informed, pointing his tail at the willows ahead. "You don't have to fish if you don't want to. You weren't really taught how to anyways."

"Thank you," Flowerpaw gasped, completely exasperated.

Clawface chuckled. "I'll watch you the whole time," he continued, "Though you won't see me. The weather will make it difficult but if you do well enough, you could become a warrior tonight."

Flowerpaw's tail perked up. "A w-warrior?!" she gasped. "Already?!"

"If you do well," Clawface repeated, nodding to her. He flicked his tail, pushing her onward. "Now go on, I'll be close behind watching your progress." Flowerpaw nodded. Creeping forward, Flowerpaw searched for any sign of movement in the snow as she tasted the frost-bitten air. She could see why Riverclan stuck to catching fish. There wasn't a whiff of prey-scent among the frost, or even a flick of movement. This area was practically a wasteland. How will I find anything?! Flowerpaw's heart lit up when a chirp sounded from behind her. She turned around. The snow crunched beneath her paws but the magpie remained in place, pecking desperately at the snow. Flowerpaw crouched down. She couldn't take another step, as the crunching snow would give her away. Taking a deep breath, Flowerpaw lunged at the magpie, sinking her teeth into its throat. The bird was silent as it went limp. Digging a hole beneath the snow, Flowerpaw covered her catch and crept away to find more. Following the twoleg path, Flowerpaw made her way past Fourtrees, through the tunnel under the Thunderpath and into the pine forest where the familiar marsh was soft beneath her paws, even in the cold. Flowerpaw hunted the rest of her prey there. From sunrise to sunset, Flowerpaw had managed to catch a frog, two mice, and a squirrel in the pine forest. Retrieving the magpie, Flowerpaw dragged her catches back to camp.

"You finished?" Flowerpaw glanced over her shoulder to see her mentor staring at her, flicking his tail side to side.

"Uh…" Flowerpaw dropped her prey to speak. "Is this enough?"

Clawface chuckled. "You did well, Flowerpaw, though you only had to go until sunhigh, you know?" Flowerpaw's face heated up. "I was going to stop you but you seemed willing to continue."

"And in leaf-bare we need as much as we can get," Flowerpaw added, picking up her catches again.

"Indeed," Clawface replied with a nod. He padded to her side, taking the squirrel and magpie in his jaws. They made their way into camp. Dropping the catches on the pile, Flowerpaw and Clawface padded into the clearing. The bonehill lay in front of them. "You've done well, Flowerpaw," Clawface informed, stopping in the middle of the camp. "Go get yourself something off the fresh-kill pile. I'll tell Tigerstar how well you've done." Flowerpaw nodded before Clawface stalked off. Padding to the fresh-kill pile, Flowerpaw grabbed a vole and dropped it at her paws. She forced herself to take her time eating it. Her hunger was practically eating away at her stomach but she knew eating fast wouldn't satisfy her hunger.

"Flowerpaw!" a voice called. Flowerpaw looked up from her meal to see Tigerstar approaching her.

"Father!" Flowerpaw chirped, standing up. Tigerstar stopped right in front of her. The two were the exact same height now, standing shoulder to shoulder as they spoke.

"Clawface has informed me of your progress," Tigerstar informed, a smile creeping up on his face. "I am very proud of you, Flowerpaw, and I know you'll continue to make me proud as a warrior." Flowerpaw perked up. "Tonight will be your ceremony."

"Th-thank you, father!" Flowerpaw replied, her tail pricking up. Tigerstar rested his muzzled on Flowerpaw's head, a purr rising in his throat. Flowerpaw almost longed for this moment to go on forever. Her father's pride filled her with a warm feeling, a feeling she couldn't get enough of. Tigerstar backed up, meeting her gaze. He nodded to her before turning to the Bonehill and scrambling to the top.

"Cats of Tigerclan," he called, "Gather here around the Bonehill for a clan meeting!��� Riverclan and Shadowclan cats alike emerged from the dens, making their way into the clearing. Most were Shadowclan though. Leopardstar scrambled to the top of the Bonehill, sitting beside Tigerstar. "Today, it is time for Flowerpaw to become a warrior. Flowerpaw, come here." He gestured toward her with his tail. Flowerpaw was stunned for a moment but nodded and scrambled up int front of him on the top of the Bonehill. Tigerstar gazed at the cats in the clearing. "I, Tigerstar, leader of Tigerclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in their turn." Tigerstar turned to Flowerpaw. "Flowerpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Flowerpaw replied.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Flowerpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Flowershadow. Starclan honors your bravery and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Tigerclan." Tigerstar rested his chin on Flowershadow's head, to which she licked his shoulder.

Cats began cheering her new name. "Flowershadow! Flowershadow! Flowershadow!" Flowershadow was unable to slow her pounding heart, her entire pelt prickling like fire. Tigerstar nodded to her before turning to the crowd.

"Now, there is one more thing I must take care of. It is time for the trial to begin. Fetch the prisoners!" Flowershadow remained seated. Jaggedtooth nodded to Tigerstar before disappearing into the reeds. He emerged moments later dragging out the frail forms of Stonefur, Featherpaw, and Stormpaw and dropping them in the clearing like fresh-kill. Flowershadow's stomach churned. Did these cats truly deserve to be starved and imprisoned? It wasn't their fault their parents chose to break the warrior code… though perhaps Flowershadow didn't know the full story. Maybe these cats were disloyal. Though as Flowershadow gazed down at the shaking forms of Featherpaw and Stormpaw, huddling together like kits at the base of the Bonehill, Flowershadow couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy.

"Cats of Tigerclan," Tigerstar began, "You all know the hardships that we have to face. The cold of leaf-bare threatens us. Twolegs threaten us. The other two clans in the forest, who have not yet realized the wisdom of joining with Tigerclan, are a threat to us." Yowls of agreement rose from the gathered cats. Flowershadow nodded.

"Especially we will not tolerate the abomination of half-Clan cats. No loyal warrior would ever take a mate from another Clan, diluting the pure blood that our warrior ancestors decreed for us. Bluestar and Graystripe of ThunderClan both flouted the warrior code when they took mates from RiverClan. The kits of such a union, like the ones you see in front of you now, can never be trusted."

"Filth! Filth!" Blackfoot yowled. Flowershadow's tail flicked as more voices rose to agree with the deputy. Why should we doubt their loyalty? We're uniting the clans anyways, so how can they have divided loyalties? Tigerstar gazed at the gathered cats. There was a satisfied smirk on his face yet his amber gaze remained calm. Featherpaw and Stormpaw sank to the ground. Their ears were flat and they continued to tremble beneath their clanmate's fury. Stonefur crouched over the apprentices, glaring at the members of Tigerclan with all the defiance the starved tom could muster.

"Half-Clan cats have been tolerated until now," Tigerstar continued, "But the time for tolerance has passed. There is no place in Tigerclan for warriors who owe allegiance to two Clans. How can we trust them not to betray our secrets, or even turn on us and kill us?" Flowershadow rolled her eyes. Those starving cats don't have the strength to kill us. "Can we expect StarClan to fight on our side if we allow those who are not pure in heart and blood to walk freely among us?"

"No!" Darkstripe screeched, flexing his claws in and slashing his tail. Flowershadow glanced at the Thunderclan tom. When he showed up, Darkstripe had bragged about poisoning and nearly killing Sorrelkit, who had spied on him talking to Blackfoot. Flowershadow had longed to slice her claws through his fur. There was never an excuse for killing a kit. Whether she spied on him or not, kits were innocent, the future of the clan, and completely incapable of defending themselves.

"No, my friends," Tigerstar continued, flicking his tail. "We must get rid of the abominations in our midst! Then our clan will be clean again and we can be sure of the favor of Starclan." Stonefur leaped to his paws, glaring at Tigerstar with pure venom.

"No cat has ever questioned my loyalty," he growled. "Come down here and tell me to my face that I'm a traitor!" Tigerstar raised an eyebrow. Leopardstar gazed at her warrior, her gaze unreadable. "Mistyfoot and I never even knew that Bluestar was our mother until a couple of moons ago," Stonefur continued. "We have been loyal RiverClan warriors all our lives. Let any cat who thinks different come out

here and prove it!" Flowershadow gazed at Stonefur blankly.

Tigerstar turned to glare at Leopardstar, flicking his tail. "You showed poor judgment when you chose this cat as your deputy," he growled. "RiverClan is choked by the weeds of treachery, and we must root them out." Leopardstar bowed her head, letting out a nearly inaudible sigh. Flowershadow glared at her. You're so weak you can't even defend your own deputy?!

"Stonefur," Tigerstar's voice colder than the frosty air. I will give you a chance to show your loyalty to TigerClan. Kill these two half-Clan apprentices." Flowershadow's heart stopped. Silence swept through the camp, everyone's gazes were intent on Stonefur. The blue-gray warrior stared at Featherpaw and Stormpaw, who stared back at him in shock, shaking even more intensely. Stonefur glared at Leopardstar.

"I take orders from you," he growled, flicking his tail. "You must know this is wrong. What do you want me to do?" Leopardstar was silent. Her eyes flicked with a flurry of emotions, yet she remained still. Deep down, Flowershadow prayed that Leopardstar would speak out against this outrageous demand. If these cats truly were traitors, they deserved banishment, not death. Eventually she dipped her head.

"These are difficult times. As we fight for survival we must be able to count on every one of our Clan mates. There is no room for divided loyalties. Do as Tigerstar tells you." Flowershadow shot a glare at Leopardstar. What is wrong with you?! These are your cats, why aren't you making an effort to protect them?! Featherpaw and Stormpaw are hardly more than kits! When have they ever shown disloyalty to Tigerclan?! They weren't even given a chance! Stonefur faced the two apprentices, who shrank away under his gaze.

"We'll fight him," Stormpaw mewed, licking his sister's cheek. "I won't let him kill us." You won't stand a chance… if he does it that it… Stonefur tom nodded to Stormpaw. Then glanced back at the top of the Bonehill where Tigerstar, Leopardstar, and Flowershadow were observing the scene.

"You'll have to kill me first, Tigerstar!" Stonefur spat. Flowershadow's heart skipped a beat. He's really willing to die just so he doesn't have to kill the apprentices?! He knows they're probably going to die anyways, right?! Tigerstar narrowed his eyes.

"Very well. Kill him,��� Tigerstar ordered, flicking his tail to Darkstripe. Flowershadow stifled a cry. No! Darkstripe quivered with excitement as he lunged at Stonefur. The gray tom backed away. Darkstripe flopped to the ground face-first, letting out a muffled groan as Stonefur sank his teeth into Darkstripe's scruff. Darkstripe kicked Stonefur's chest. The two warriors wrestled each other, turning the clearing into a mad scrabble of slashes. Fur and blood flied through the air. Cats backed away, staring in shocked silence at the scene before them as the warriors tore into each other. Flowershadow glanced at Tigerstar. Her father's gaze was blank as he observed the fight. Leopardstar's eyes were wide, but she made no move to stop the fight or even voice a word of protest. Flowershadow was unable to hold back her horror. Stonefur, Featherpaw, Stormpaw… they had committed no crime but exist and now they were going to be killed because of it. Even though they had shown no signs of disloyalty. Stonefur was showing greater loyalty to his innocent clanmates by defending them and yet… he was in the wrong? According to who?! Tigerstar?! The warrior code would never allow something like this. She had learned from her mentor, Clawface, that killing cats in other clans was indeed against the warrior code and these cats were technically clanmates in Tigerclan. No! Flowershadow longed to yowl. This is wrong! Make it stop!

"Get a move on, Darkstripe!" Blackfoot's voice snapped Flowershadow out of her thoughts. She gazed back at the fight. Stonefur and Darkstripe were both covered in blood, clumps of their fur missing in some spots. "You're fighting like a kittypet!" Darkstripe let out a hiss. He launched himself at Stonefur but the blueish tom was ready, sidestepping the attack and sliding his claws down Darkstripe's side. The dark tabby let out a hiss of pain. Stonefur lunged at the tabby, sinking his claws and teeth into Darkstripe's neck. For a brief moment, a flicker of hope flared in Flowershadow's heart. Could Stonefur win? Darkstripe struggled in the Riverclan tom's grasp. Tigerstar glared at the scene before meeting Flowershadow's gaze.

"Finish it." Flowershadow blinked. Should I refuse? Would he kill me too? Flowershadow gazed at Stonefur, who was covered in blood and struggling to fight. She let out a sigh. If I don't do it, he'll just order someone else to. Flowershadow nodded. I'll make it painless... Sliding off the pile of bones, Flowershadow threw herself at Stonefur, sinking her teeth deep into his neck. In that moment, Stonefur was nothing but prey. Something that would have to die now or live to be killed later by another warrior. Stonefur let out a yowl that was cut short by him going limp. Flowershadow dropped the corpse. She backed away, her eyes going wide and breath caught in her throat. Darkstripe struggled beneath Stonefur's corpse, shoving him aside and scrambling to his paws. Flowershadow wiped the blood off her mouth. Stonefur's body was limp as blood poured from the bite in his neck. Her eyes watered. The camp was completely silent, everyone staring with wide eyes. Darkstripe whirled around to face Featherpaw and Stormpaw.

"Tigerstar, let me kill them," Darkstripe insisted, his mouth contorted into a wicked grin. Tigerstar's eyes narrowed at the two apprentices. Featherpaw and Stormpaw were trembling, their eyes wide with shock as they gazed at Stonefur's body. No, please! No more of this, this is wrong!

"No," Tigerstar replied, his eyes narrowed. "For now I will let them live. They may be useful to me alive." Flowershadow was unable to stifle a soft sigh of relief. Tigerstar turned to her, his eyes filled with that same coldness. "Flowershadow, take the apprentices back to their prison. You will guard them as your vigil." Flowershadow nodded, padding toward Featherpaw and Stormpaw. She flicked her tail, ordering them to their prison and they limped back behind the reeds without protest. Flowershadow sat down in front of the den. "This meeting is at an end." Tigerstar leaped down from the pile of bones. Blackfoot and Darkstripe trailed after him while all the others made their way into their dens. Only Flowershadow and Leopardstar remained in the clearing. The Riverclan leader slipped down the Bonehill, skidding to a halt in front of Stonefur's body. She bent her head over his body. For a few moments, she just stood there, murmuring something that sounded like an apology. Then she padded away. Flowershadow remained in her spot, her gaze fixed on her paws. Her nose scrunched up. Flowershadow looked up to see a black tom, padding right toward her.

"Who are you?" Flowershadow asked, raising an eyebrow. "I've never seen you before…"

"Think you know all the RiverClan cats, do you?" the tom replied coolly. "I've got a message from Tigerstar." Flowershadow observed the tom. He had jet-black fur, green eyes, and a white chest and tail tip. She was sure she had never seen him before, and even more sure that he wasn't a Riverclan cat. He lacked the glossy fur that most Riverclan cats had. He was also quite thin, while most Riverclan cats had at least a bit of weight on them.

"...You know I'm his daughter, right?" Flowershadow inquired, raising an eyebrow. "If he had a 'message' for me, he would just come to me." The black tom's eyes widened. "Besides, I'm busy guarding the prisoners."

"Th-that's the message," the tom replied. "He wants you to see him in his den, he told me take your place guarding the prisoners."

"I'm in the middle of my vigil…" Flowershadow glared at the tom. "And Tigerstar doesn't let Riverclan warriors guard the prisoners." The tom took a step back, his legs shaking as he stared at Flowershadow. "What's going on here? Why do you want to guard the prisoners so badly?"

"I… I just want to follow Tigerstar's orders," the tom replied, his tail bristling. "And that's what he ordered." Flowershadow searched the tom's eyes, unfazed to find fear in them.

"What's really going on here?" Then it hit her. Flowershadow leaned closer to the tom's ear. "You're not of Riverclan at all, are you?" she whispered.

"I… I…"

"Are you here for the kits?" Flowershadow asked, still keeping her voice low. The tom was frozen. After a few moments, he gave a tiny nod. "Who else is with you?"

"Um… are you?" he asked.

Flowershadow nodded. "Who else is with you?" she repeated, flicking her tail.

"Firestar and Graystripe are in the reeds just outside camp," the tom informed. "We're going to take Featherpaw and Stormpaw to Thunderclan for safety."

"They can stay there and wait," Flowershadow murmured, turning to pad through the reeds. "You, come with me. We'll each carry one of the apprentices across the river. They're weak and hungry, so they'll be easy to carry. Mistyfoot is here too, she should accompany you, Firestar, and Graystripe to Thunderclan."

"What about you?" the tom asked, padding to her side.

"I'll… I'll return and pray Tigerstar doesn't kill me." Flowershadow shuddered as she descended into the darkness of the tunnel. The tom trailed after her. She followed the scent of the Riverclan cats, eventually stopping at the end of the tunnel when she heard sobbing.

"Are you here to kill us?" Stormpaw's voice demanded. Flowershadow could picture the tom standing in front of his sister, his tail bristling and ready for a fight.

"No," Flowershadow replied. "We're with Firestar and Graystripe. We're going to take you to Thunderclan for safety."

"You?" Featherpaw asked. Disbelief laced her mew.

"Why would you help us after killing Stonefur?!" Mistyfoot demanded.

"I'm sorry… about your brother, Mistyfoot… but if I hadn't killed him, someone else would've…"

"Who's the other cat with you?" Stormpaw asked.

"Oh, I'm Ravenpaw," the tom replied. "I'm Firestar's friend."

"So… our father really is here?" Featherpaw asked, her voice shaking.

"Yes, he and Firestar are waiting in the reeds just outside camp," Ravenpaw responded.

"Now come on," Flowershadow urged, flicking her tail against the soil. "We have to get out of here before they suspect anything. Ravenpaw, you carry Featherpaw. I've got Stormpaw. Mistyfoot, can you walk?"

"Yes," she replied.

"Then let's go." Flowershadow sank her teeth into Stormpaw's scruff, lifting him above the ground and carrying him out of the tunnel. Ravenpaw and Mistyfoot trailed after her. Once they made it to the surface, the moonlight cast a silvery glow off of Mistyfoot's pelt. There was another glow in the middle of the clearing. Stonefur. Mistyfoot turned to gaze at the body of her brother. Before Flowershadow could stop her, Mistyfoot padded toward Stonefur's body, her head hung low as tears poured from her face. Flowershade bit back a hiss. There was no way they could take Stonefur's body with them and he just died. This was Mistyfoot's final goodbye to her littermate. Stormpaw struggled in Flowershadow's grasp and she remembered that Stonefur had been his mentor. Flowershadow let him go. The gray tom limped toward, crouching over his dead mentor. A rustling sound filled the air. Flowershadow glanced at the reeds to see a ginger tom and a gray tom padding toward them.

"Firestar!" Ravenpaw whispered, letting Featherpaw go. "Graystripe!" Graystripe padded right past Ravenpaw, stopping beside his kits, Featherpaw and Stormpaw. He pressed against them. Flowershadow took a step forward, flicking her tail.

"Firestar!" Flowershadow struggled to keep her voice low. "Everyone! We have to leave." Mistyfoot glanced at her. She gave Stonefur one last loving look before padding away. Graystripe picked up Featherpaw while Ravenpaw picked up Stormpaw and the group began to make their way down to the river. The night was silent.

The only sound that filled the air was the gentle hum of the river. Flowershadow and the others were right at the riverbank, ready to hop across when a yowl split the air.

"The prisoners have escaped!" Flowershadow whipped around, her heart thumping wildly.

"Get out of here!" Flowershadow snarled, turning to face Firestar and the others. "I'll hold them off! Graystripe wasted no time before grabbing Featherpaw tightly in his jaws before throwing himself onto the stepping stones.

"No!" Firestar snapped. "We're not leaving you." Flowershadow turned away, glancing at Firestar over her shoulder.

"You don't have a choice," she muttered, before sprinting off. "Get across the river!" Flowershadow rushed up the hill, back toward the camp, skidding to a halt in front of a battalion of Shadowclan warriors. Darkstripe and Blackfoot were in the lead. Behind them were Clawface, Rowanberry, and Jaggedtooth.

"Flowershadow, what are you doing?!" Blackfoot demanded, flicking his tail. "Get out of the way!"

"Never!" Flowershadow hissed. "I won't let you harm a whisker on those cats!" Clawafce and Rowanberry exchanged glances while Blackfoot and the others glared at Flowershadow.

"Neither will I!" Chawface snarled. He leapt to Flowershadow's side, unsheathing his claws. Rowanberry froze. Then she lunged to stand at Clawface's side, their fur brushing as they glared at the patrol.

"Traitors!" Blackfoot yowled.

"Prepare to get shredded into pieces!" Darkstripe growled, scraping his claws into the earth. "All of you!" Unsheathing their claws, the two groups of cats lunged at each other. Flowershadow struck Jaggedtooth right in the chest, pinning him down. Clawface wrestled with Blackfoot. Rowanberry stood at a distance, slicing Darkstripe's eyes with her claws. Flowershadow sank her teeth into Jaggedtooth's shoulder, ripping off a chunk of his ginger fur off. The tom yowled, kicking at her belly with his back claws. Gritting her teeth, Flowershadow bared the pain as she sliced Jaggedtooth's chest open. Blood sprayed into her face. Jaggedtooth scrambled out of grasp, lunging right at her neck. Flowershadow ducked just in time to avoid the fatal blow, instead feeling teeth sink into her back. The ginger tom sank his claws into Flowershadow's shoulders. She shook wildly. Flopping to her side, Flowershadow unbalanced the tom's footing on her back. She leapt to her paws. Jaggedtooth was still on the ground when Flowershadow lunged at him and sank her teeth into his neck. It was a much sloppier bite than the one that killed Stonefur. Jaggedtooth struggled, letting out a yowl. He lunged at her and the two were in a mad scramble on the ground, clawing and biting wherever they could reach.

"They're getting away!" Darkstripe called. Jaggedtooth glanced up at his deputy, eyes wide. Flowershadow kicked him away. Scrambling to her feet, she rushed toward the top of the hill. The rescue party had indeed made it across the river, disappearing among the trees of Thunderclan's forest. Flowershadow smirked. Blackfoot backed off of Clawface, glaring at the river. Rowanberry was immediately at Clawface's side, pressing her cheek against his. Flowershadow stood beside them.

"Let them go," Blackfoot growled, turning away with a flick of his tail. "They're only half-Clan crowfood."

Darkstripe glared at Flowershadow. "What about these traitors?" he asked, gesturing toward Flowershadow, Clawface, and Rowanberry.

"Flowershadow," Blackfoot muttered, darkly. Whipping around, he marched toward Flowershadow, his eyes full of venom as me met her gaze. "You and your pathetic friends should leave… unless you want to die."

"You think you lot can kill us?" Flowershadow sneered, "We will leave but we'll be back, mark my words."

Blackfoot growled through clenched teeth. "Your father will know about this!" he exclaimed.

"Tell him it was my greatest honour," Flowershadow retorted, turning away. Rowanberry and Clawface trailed after her. The Shadowclan cats padded back into the stolen camp, growling. Flowershadow leapt onto the first stone, jumping from stone to stone with her companions just behind her. They skidded to a halt just before the Sunningrocks.

"Where are we going now?" Rowanberry asked.

"Surely Thunderclan won't accept us on their territory," Clawface added.

"They will if you're with me," Flowershadow informed, gesturing for them to follow her. "I helped save the half-clan prisoners, they went to live with Thunderclan."

"Well… I guess that's where we're going too," Clawface sighed, following Flowershadow and Rowanberry into the undergrowth.