Goldenperch was worried about her sister. She was facing great rage and stress. Goldenperch felt a surge of anger for Demonpaw. How dare he cause so much trouble! Goldenperch wailed in distress internally as she remembered his punishment. He was to be blinded. He had caused trouble but did not have to be blinded! Luckystar was going to organize a patrol to blind him when they got back from the Gathering.

Goldenperch was distracted by Onestar leaping up the tree to begin the Gathering. Blackstar and Mistystar followed him, with Luckystar trailing behind, lost in her own thoughts. Blackstar shot her a surprised look.

"Luckyheart. Where is Firestar?" Blackstar growled.

"Firestar has retired. I am Luckystar now." Luckystar dipped her head to the ShadowClan leader.

Onestar and Mistystar exchanged glances then Onestar shrugged, although Goldenperch noticed some sorrow in the lean cat's eyes.

"WindClan has two new warriors, Moorbreeze and Flufffoot!" Onestar announced. "Prey is running well for leaf-bare and we look forward to new-leaf."

Blackstar stepped forward. "We don't have new warriors or apprentices, but four kits have been born to Tawnypelt; Slatekit, Robinkit, Yellowkit and Emberkit. Twolegs have started to disturb us now it is almost new-leaf, but we are still strong." He reported.

Mistystar dipped her head to the other leaders. "Twolegs have begun to disturb us as well. Eelfish is a warrior now and he is sitting vigil in the camp tonight. Willowshine had a vision," Mistystar nodded to her medicine cat.

"I had a vision of a big tree falling down and crushing a five-petaled plant," Willowshine described the tree. "It was a big oak tree, but it was very dark." She finished off.

Goldenperch knew with all her heart that it was DarkClan. But how could she tell the leaders? They would think she was a traitor!

"I've had that vision too," Littlecloud, ShadowClan's medicine cat called.

"Same," Jayfeather and Kestrelflight, WindClan's medicine cat echoed.

"Medicine cats, stay behind to discuss this vision." Mistystar took authority again.

"Make it quick," Jayfeather snapped. "I've got cats back at camp who need me."

Goldenperch stifled an amused purr. Jayfeather, for one, hadn't changed at all, while the whole Clan, including Goldenperch and Luckystar, had changed. He was his usual grumpy self.

"ThunderClan has much to report." Luckystar mewed sternly. She was really become the role of leader, yet Goldenperch still thought about her as her sister, and not as a leader. "Firestar has retired. I have received my nine lives from StarClan. Next, one of our apprentices, Demonpaw, has attacked me, hidden prey for himself, used all our stocks of catmint, and disrespects every cat in the Clan." She paused. "Every cat except Dawnpaw."

"How long has he been mooning over her?" Onestar questioned.

"Since she was born." Goldenperch called out gravely.

"Then this is a serious issue," Mistystar declared. "Demonpaw must be a very selfish cat. He must be trained out of this habit."

"I asked my warriors on what punishment. Most of my warriors agree he should be blinded and being starved for three days." Luckystar nodded to the other leaders. "Do you have any suggestions?"

"Is ThunderClan suggesting that they can't punish their own properly?" Blackstar sneered.

"We are not. It's just this is so unusual that I would prefer to seek the advice of others." Luckystar retorted.

Goldenperch could see her sister getting frustrated by the small flicks of her ears and the irritated swinging of her tail. She spied Luckystar breathing deeply and sheathing and unsheathing her claws. Goldenperch itched to help, but this was Luckystar's battle, and she had to face it by herself.

"Well, I, for one," Mistystar began, "believe that this apprentice should be blinded. He should be blinded then exiled from the forest."

"I agree with Mistystar," Onestar added loftily. "What she is saying is fair."

"Blackstar? Would you like to share with us?" Luckystar mewed.

"I declare this Gathering to an end. Clearly, ThunderClan can't survive by itself," Blackstar growled. "ThunderClan always sticks its nose into other Clans' businesses, then asks for help."

"Fine!" Luckystar met his eyes coolly. She leapt down from the tree where she and the other leaders were perched and summoned her Clan. "ThunderClan, we're going back!"

Goldenperch and the rest of the patrol filed in behind Luckystar. There would be no time for sharing tongues this Gathering. The cats who had stayed behind greeted them eagerly.

"What happened?"

"What did the other leaders say?"

"Can I be let out now?" That last mew was from Demonpaw.

"No, Demonpaw." Goldenperch glared at her son. "You've caused too much trouble."

Perhaps it was just her, but Demonpaw didn't even look sorry.

Luckystar bounded up to the Highledge lightly, dislodging small rocks as she ran. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" she yowled.

Only a few cats were still in their dens after the patrol had arrived; the meeting started in barely any time at all.

"ShadowClan is hostile!" Luckystar announced. "But I have decided on a punishment."

"What is it?" Firestar seemed interested but his eyes were shadowed. "In my day we didn't punish cats for being disrespectful."

Luckystar nodded respectfully to the retired leader. "Yes, you're right, Firestar. I suppose in your day, your Clanmates didn't steal food and medicine supplies for themselves."

"I ate food out of turn as an apprentice, once," Firestar recalled. "My punishment was to look after Yellowfang, who I had captured."

"But Demonpaw isn't even Clanborn! He was born a rogue. I'm going to send him into exile. I will also blind one of his eyes." Luckystar argued.

Many cats muttered words of agreement, although Goldenperch disagreed. What was wrong with being born a rogue?

But Goldenperch just gave a sob of relief. Her son would not be completely blind.

"Lionblaze, Foxleap, Dovewing and Brackenfur, hold Demonpaw down." Luckystar ordered.

The warriors nodded and each took one of Demonpaw's limbs. Goldenperch's kit let out a cry of fear and struggled violently.

"Birchfall, Beetlenose! Help them!" Luckystar commanded as Demonpaw almost escaped.

Beetlenose seized Demonpaw's head and thrust it onto the ground while Birchfall held down his flailing hindquarters.

Luckystar winced as she stepped down from the Highledge. "Everyone, out of the way unless you're holding him down." She meowed.

Goldenperch stood still. "I'm watching" she insisted firmly.

Luckystar thought about it then gave a slight nod. "You have a right," she admitted, licking Goldenperch's ear.

Goldenperch sat next to Demonpaw and watched Luckystar lift a forepaw up into the air. She slashed it down into Demonpaw's right eye. He gave a wail of pain. Goldenperch's paws twitched and she wanted to help him but she could not betray her birth Clan. She flopped onto the ground, not bearing to watch Demonpaw's exhaustion.

Luckystar stepped back and she viewed the injured cat. "That'll be enough." She decided. "Demonpaw, leave the camp at once. If we find you in our territory by tomorrow when the sun rises, all warriors have permission to chase you out."

Goldenperch hesitantly stood beside her kit. His right eye was milky and glassy. Blood trickled down from his eye onto his shoulders. Demonpaw gave a small snarl then left the camp. Jayfeather and Larkpaw appeared at her side. Grief showed in their dejected expressions.

"Medicine cats are supposed to heal...not harm." Larkpaw meowed.

"I know," Luckystar sighed. "But this must happen."

"I have an announcement." Jayfeather mewed suddenly. "Larkpaw, it is time for you to become a full medicine cat."

"Really?" Larkpaw gasped.

"Of course!" Jayfeather snapped. "I don't say things just for the sake of hearing my voice!"

Goldenperch hid an amused purr.

"I, Jayfeather, medicine cat of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. Larkpaw has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help, she will serve her Clan for many moons. Larkpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?" Jayfeather murmured.

"I do." Larkpaw mewed. Her tail quivered excitedly.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Larkpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Larkleaf. StarClan honors your dedication and your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of ThunderClan." Jayfeather gazed down at his former apprentice with delight in his eyes as he made his apprentice a full medicine cat.

"I, too, need to make an apprentice a warrior." Luckystar's voice softened as she looked towards the apprentice den.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey emerge from their dens for a Clan meeting!" Luckystar mewed loudly.

The cats emerged slowly; blinking sleep out of their eyes.

"The time for this apprentice to become a warrior is long overdue," Luckystar started. "I, Luckystar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn."

"Snowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend the Clan, even at the cost of your life.

"I do," Snowpaw looked delighted.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Snowpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Snowfall. StarClan honors your dedication and your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of ThunderClan." Luckystar finished grandly.

"Snowfall! Larkleaf! Snowfall! Larkleaf!" the Clan cheered excitedly.

"Thank you!" Snowfall beamed. Goldenperch remembered that she had been injured so her ceremony had been delayed greatly. She raised her own voice to the chorus.

"Snowfall! Larkleaf!"

As the Clan congratulated the new warriors with excited licks and purrs, Goldenperch let her mind wander to Demonpaw. He was so little, not even a warrior yet. And he wasn't the best hunter. How would he survive in the wild with one eye as well? Thinking about Demonpaw made her picture the small cat. Picturing him made her think about Tigerstar, who was the exact image of his son.

Goldenperch's joyful and relaxed mood faded in an instant. Anger crept into her bones when she thought about all the horrible things the toms had done. She clenched her jaw, seething. Dawnpaw sat next to her and met her gaze levelly. "I miss him too." She admitted.

"S-so you two were mates?" Goldenperch sat up straight, one ear pricked in interest.

"We were going to be," Dawnpaw muttered. "I was sick with greencough this leaf-bare, remember? He brought me catmint to eat. He saved me from death." She looked up with pleading eyes. "Goldenperch, you've got to help me get him back in the Clan! I love him, but I can't leave my littermates to be with him! But I know he's waiting for me!"

Goldenperch pondered the thought. "Maybe." She said at last. "I'll think about it overnight. But right now, my exhausted body isn't going to take any more deep thinking."

"Thank you." Dawnpaw let out a sigh of relief.

"I'm not promising anything," Goldenperch warned.

"I know." Dawnpaw blinked brightly. "But I'm still grateful." She let her fur lie flat and bounded off happily. Goldenperch watched her go. I must help her. She realized. Goldenperch was distracted from her thoughts by a loud yowl that split the silence of the clearing.

"Help!" Lightningpaw was shrieking at the top of her lungs.

Goldenperch crossed over to the apprentices' den and to her horror, found all 6 apprentices in chaos. What's the matter? Goldenperch wrinkled her nose. Was it just a false alarm? But then she spotted cats. Lots of cats.

"Get back up!" Goldenperch snapped at Sunpaw. "Go find some more warriors! We're under attack!"

Sunpaw gave her a terrified look before dashing out of the den. Dawnpaw and Frogpaw faced two full grown snarling cats back to back. Lightningpaw and Thunderpaw had curled up in a corner with their claws unsheathed but their expressions were scared.

"Echopaw! We'll fight together!" Goldenperch yowled.

Echopaw gave her a confident nod. Goldenperch noticed she was the least scared out of all the apprentices. That was good. Echopaw would make a loyal and strong warrior. Unlike Demonpaw. A cat lunged at her and Goldenperch dodged. The cat fell into the light and Goldenperch recognized him. It was Swiftstrike, one of the DarkClan cats she'd trained with!

A cat stepped forward, its face menacing. Goldenperch gave a small gasp of shock as she saw the cat beyond the snarling features. This cat was a cat she'd learnt from, looked up to. It was Hawkfrost!

"Traitor!" he caterwauled and the other DarkClan cats echoed the word.

"Traitor!" Swiftstrike growled.

"Traitor! You took your kits and left alongside the other traitors!" Goldenperch swallowed nervously as she stared at the cat who had spoken. Darkstripe glared down at her, sneering.

"What does he mean?" Frogpaw wriggled out from behind Dawnpaw. Fear swept through Goldenperch. Her life was at risk. That, and her reputation.

"Darkstripe means that Goldenperch once belonged to our Clan, DarkClan, but left to be with this Clan of fox-faces!" Hawkfrost purred.

"DarkClan?" Echopaw wondered. Goldenperch spied interest in her eyes.

"No!" Goldenperch meowed urgently. "DarkClan is evil! That's why I left. But it entices you. Don't join them!"

Echopaw shook herself as if waking up from a daze. "I won't, Goldenperch. I trust you."

"Enough!" Hawkfrost swiped at Goldenperch's muzzle but she dodged and flipped over the bigger cat to land on his back.

"Reinforcements are here!" Sunpaw arrived, breathless.

Hawkfrost looked at Darkstripe anxiously then craned his neck out of the den. Sure enough, a hoard of warriors was streaming into the den angrily. Goldenperch arched her back and hissed menacingly at Hawkfrost. "Leave now, or we'll deal with you, and trust me, it won't be pretty."

Hawkfrost hesitated. With a flick of his tail, he beckoned his warriors to exit the den.

"Lionblaze! Lead a patrol to chase them out!" Brackenfur ordered. "Thunderpaw, report to me."

Lionblaze, Molewhisker, Cherryheart, Blossomfall, Frogpaw and Dawnpaw chased after the invaders quickly. Goldenperch heard yowls and hisses as they caught up. Good riddance! She thought. But her joyfulness evaporated as Brackenfur turned to Goldenperch, his gaze piercing through her like a thorn.

"Thunderpaw tells me that you used to be part of this DarkClan," he mewed.

"That's true," Goldenperch admitted. She blurted out the whole story, starting with when she first met Tigerstar. She hesitantly left out the bit where she had mated with the evil tabby tom. Less was enough, she decided. Thinking that Goldenperch was mates and had kits with a random loner or rogue was much better.

"I think she should be allowed to stay!" Hazeltail pushed her way to the front of the crowd of warriors. "She has helped us a lot."

"I agree," Leafpool meowed, nodding at her.

"She's a traitor through and through!" Birchfall declared.

"Don't forget, you were once part of the Dark Forest," Ivypool retorted. "I believe Goldenperch. After all, I spied for us there and I didn't come back evil."

Goldenperch glanced anxiously at the deputy. "So?" she finally mewed.

"I'll let you stay." Brackenfur narrowed his eyes. "But I'll be talking to Luckystar about this."

"Fine," Goldenperch sank back onto the apprentices' bedding of moss gratefully.

"This is only a temporary decision." Brackenfur warned.

"I know." She lay down with her tail tucked between her legs and yawned.

Drifting off to sleep, her last thought was, why did DarkClan come?