"Well, well." Luckyheart sneered as she came past the apprentices' den. Goldenperch was currently grooming her fur, trying to avoid the stares of her Clanmates. Luckyheart noticed that Goldenperch's fur had dulled and a small tinge of satisfaction filled her. "Welcome back," she merely mewed.

"Luckyheart. Hello." Goldenperch replied softly.

How dare she come back? Goldenperch had almost ruined her life. If it wasn't for Peacefern, she might not have survived in the tunnels. She'd probably have given up hope.

"How are you liking it back in the Clan?" Luckyheart asked, but this time genuinely. I wonder what its like for her.

"It's not bad. It's the same old Clan except it feels like I'm a stranger." Goldenperch murmured anxiously. "The elders are still picky and sharp and the kits are still a nuisance."

"I'm sorry if I was a little mean earlier. I was just shocked for you to come back to my Clan." Luckyheart apologized, although she was seething inside. But Firestar had told her to be nice to Goldenperch. "After all, we're kin."

Goldenperch looked faintly worried. "Alright. I'll forgive you. If you're genuine."

"I am," Luckyheart lied. She leaned forward to touch her nose with Goldenperch, trying not to flinch. I'll never forgive you. Goldenperch hesitated before touching her nose to Luckyheart. They shared tongues for a while before breaking apart. Luckyheart nodded.

"So, you became a senior warrior?" Goldenperch attempted to make small talk.

"No." Luckyheart muttered embarrassedly. "Brambleclaw...he um died. I became the deputy in his place.

"Congrats. Clan deputy. Big honor. How do you like it?" Goldenperch swallowed. Luckyheart could tell that Goldenperch was reeling and irritated. She had always wanted to be the best.

"It's hard. I have to sort out all the patrols." Luckyheart admitted. "Peacefern, you know Peacefern? She gives me a lot of support. But she doesn't train as a warrior. She prefers helping the nursing queens, so she pretty much spends all her time in the nursery."

"I like Peacefern. She's straightforward and honest. She didn't spend her time sneering at me. I guess she understands being an odd one out." Goldenperch groomed her fur quietly.

"I'm sorry," Luckyheart dipped her head, this time feeling some respect for her sister. "I'll leave you to have some peace in the den. And I'm sorry about the punishment. I might've recommended it to Firestar."

"It's okay. You were only doing what you thought was best for the Clan." Goldenperch acknowledged the fact and thanked Luckyheart for her company.

Luckyheart left the den after nodding to the apprentices' in the den. At the moment, there weren't many apprentices, Heartpaw had died due to greencough and Lovepaw had been on an assessment when a fox took her life. Larkpaw had been crippled when a rogue cat dragged her into the river to drown her. Larkpaw had escaped with her life, but the rogue cat had sunk his teeth into her leg. She would never walk on it ever again. Currently, Larkpaw rested with the elders', with Jayfeather giving her constant treatment. Luckyheart wondered if Larkpaw would become a medicine cat, as she would never become a warrior. Luckyheart did not envy Dovewing and Bumblestripe; the mates had suffered more grief than any other cat she knew.

Snowpaw and Thunderpaw were the only apprentices' left in the den, apart from Goldenperch. Maybe Luckyheart should think of starting to have kits of her own as well. But who would be the father? Luckyheart, while not fussy, didn't like any of the toms in the Clan. And she would never think of mating with a tom from another Clan! A kittypet, rogue, or loner was out of the question. Luckyheart could only hope of waiting for a warrior from ThunderClan to steal her attention. But perhaps she would be single forever.

"Luckyheart! Come join a hunting patrol with us," Cloudtail called, motioning for her to join him, Brightheart and Cherryheart. Her popularity had rose ever since she came back to the Clan alive.

"Sure," she called back and left the burr in her paws alone as she bounded to join the patrol at the thorn barrier.

"Hush!" Cloudtail stopped suddenly, flicking his tail. "I smell a rogue."

Luckyheart wrinkled her nostrils. Yes, the scent was there. "Let's stalk up on them," she suggested.

Brightheart nodded. "I'll take back," she volunteered. "Cloudtail can go front, Luckyheart left and Cherryheart right."

Luckyheart wanted to reprimand the one eyed she-cat for ordering around the Clan deputy, but suppressed her anger. It was fine, after all.

"Sure," Cherryheart mumbled, her eyes focused on the black dot moving closer. Luckyheart dipped her head.

Luckyheart saw Brightheart slip away to move in a wide circle around the rogue. She scampered to the left and waited for Cloudtail's move.

"Now!" he leapt out of his hiding position and thrust himself onto the rogue, squashing him. The rogue let out a hiss of annoyance and batted Cloudtail off.

So strong! A small voice in Luckyheart's head whispered but she shook it off. She was allowed to appreciate the strength of rogues, after all.

Darting forward, she nipped the rogue on the hind leg. He yowled in protest and bit down hard on her spine. Pain surged through her body. She kicked up and the rogue fell to the ground, winded. He attempted to run off to the right, but Cherryheart stood there, snarling and blocked his path with a swipe. He then moved backwards but Brightheart moved in, giving him a blow to the head.

"Surrender!" Luckyheart regained her balance, snarling and baring her teeth, her fur bristling and fluffed out.

"Never!" the rogue cried. He desperately ran away, but Cloudtail let out a snort of laughter.

"Follow my lead," the senior warrior instructed. He gave a yowl of indignation and chased the rogue. Luckyheart figured what he was doing. She smelt the scents of a border patrol setting out from camp. Perfect! They chased the rogue straight into the border patrol. He was badly outnumbered and he skidded to a halt.

Luckyheart beamed when she saw Snowpaw in the border patrol. He was one of the Clan's fastest cats. Not even WindClan could beat him, and he wasn't even fully grown yet.

"So, do you surrender now?" Cloudtail hissed menacingly.

"What's all this commotion?" Firestar himself had come out of the camp. His eyes widened when he saw the scene and he curled his lip into a snarl. The rogue gave a hearty laugh.

"Oh, Rusty!" the rogue growled. "I've heard things about you. But once a kittypet, always a kittypet."

Luckyheart winced. No one talked about Firestar's history. His scarred pelt was proof of that. Firestar halted. "No one calls me kittypet any longer! And I'm no longer Rusty. I'm Firestar now, I lead this Clan!" Firestar launched himself at the rogue. "I thought we were friends, Smudge!" he added viciously.

Smudge growled back. "And I thought I was a kittypet. But times change! I'm a rogue now. The housefolk abandoned me! Now, I'm ready to kill you!"

Luckyheart stood by her leader but it was too late. Smudge had launched himself at Firestar's throat, raking it open. Firestar collapsed on the ground. She realized it was partly due to the fact he could not bring himself to harm his old friend. Luckyheart quickly leapt forwards, shielding the ginger tom against Smudge.

Luckyheart knew Firestar was slipping into the trance when he lost a life and met with StarClan.

"How dare you!" Brackenfur hissed at Smudge. "You have no honor! Kill this kittypet!" he ordered his patrol.

"No." Firestar was conscious again. "Chase him out. Give him a few wounds. But don't kill." He winced.

"I'll fetch Jayfeather," Snowpaw slipped back into the camp.

Luckyheart flicked her tail and Brackenfur, Cloudtail and Brightheart bolted after Smudge.

Luckyheart pricked her ears nervously. She thought she heard something moving. "I'll be back," she told her Clanmates hastily before following the scent trail. It was definitely another rogue. Luckyheart sensed he was a tom. He had mottled orange tabby fur and pale, gleaming, amber eyes.

"Hello," the rogue mewed cheerfully, startling her. "I'm Rain. How are you? Do you live here?"

"Um...hi. I'm Luckyheart, and this is ThunderClan's territory. You shouldn't be here." She arched her back.

"Oh...okay? I'll be leaving then?" Rain murmured, surprised. He looked no bigger than 6 moons old. He must still be a kit! Pity rose up in her as she ordered him to stop. Noticing the outline of his ribs, she took in that he was very thin and he looked freezing. "You look hungry. Suppose you join our Clan?"

"Join your Clan? I could never! I hate those No-Furs!" Rain protested.

"No-Furs? Are those Twolegs? We don't live with Twolegs. We're wild cats." Luckyheart explained. "There are four Clans. ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan and ShadowClan. I'm ThunderClan's deputy. I can talk to our leader, Firestar, to let you join the Clan." She mewed hopefully. Luckyheart was beginning to like this bold rogue.

"Hmm. Very well." Rain purred. "I'll join this Clan of yours."

"He looks fit." Firestar glared down from the Highledge at Rain. "Rain, have you hunted before?"

"Small shrews, yes. I haven't really caught anything big before. I used to belong to a Clan of really mean No-Furs. They'd hit me every day." Rain explained.

Luckyheart felt her heart clench with sympathy. "Firestar, please let him in. He has no home, and he could be useful to the Clan!" she begged.

"Of course. I won't let any cat starve." Firestar gave a slight nod to Rain. "But he'll need a proper name."

"Thank you," Rain meowed humbly. "I will take my proper name gladly."

"Rainpaw's mentor will be Dovewing. Dovewing has mentored Luckyheart amazingly, and now she doesn't have kits to care for, she will take on Rainpaw." Firestar announced.

"Rainpaw! Rainpaw!" the Clan cheered for the former Rain.

"I knew you'd make it!" Luckyheart touched her nose to Rainpaw's.

"I obviously would!" he mewed in mock anger. "I'm perfect, aren't I?" he admired his gleaming ginger pelt. "I'd like to be Clan leader someday," he decided. "Rainstar. Can you imagine it? I can."

Luckyheart purred in amusement. "When you're a warrior, I'll be the first one to call you by your warrior name," she teased.

"No, Dovewing will!" Rainpaw insisted.

"Will not!"

"Will!"

"Will not!"

"Will!"

"You grumpy old badger!" Luckyheart growled and pushed Rainpaw over.

"You miserable fox-heart!" he yowled and sprang at her.

Luckyheart admired Rain's positivity and persistence; he was only 6 moons, yet he was stronger than the other apprentices. "Still, will not!" she flew back into the camp, laughing, with Rainpaw on her tail. "Alright, you'd better go train with Dovewing now."

"That's right," Dovewing pushed past her and nodded to Rainpaw. "Let's go."

"Bye!" Rainpaw called to Luckyheart.

"I'm growing old, aren't I?" Luckyheart murmured to Rainfall.

"You're still perfect." Rainfall twined his tail with hers. "You always were."

Rainfall had come into his warrior name a moon ago. Larkpaw had begun to train as a medicine cat apprentice. Jayfeather was her mentor.

Thunderpaw had been injured with a fight against ShadowClan so his warrior ceremony had been delayed greatly. That was the reason that Goldenperch had returned back to ThunderClan; she was a useful asset in the fight. StarClan had been right. Again. It was annoying, really.

But without her, Firestar would've lost his last life. Now she was a full warrior again, patrolling and hunting with the rest of the Clan. But she knew that Goldenperch longed for her old life with her mate and kits.

Luckyheart was now mates with Rainfall.

"My kits are coming soon," she stated softly. "I won't be able to hunt anymore,"

"I'll hunt everyday for you." Rainfall promised.

"You never lost your touch," she winked.

The death of Mousefur and Purdy was shocking to the Clan. Longtail had been the only elder, so Dustpelt, Sandstorm and Graystripe had decided to retire to the elders' den. Peacefern had retired with them as well. Luckyheart knew Longtail was growing old as well. He would be the one leaving ThunderClan next. It hurt to think about it, but it was the truth.

Currently, the Clan had no new apprentices apart from Goldenperch's kits. Duskpelt had brought them in once they turned 6 moons old. The Clan had not been welcoming to the half rogue half Clan kits, as well as the former WindClan she-cat.

But regardless, Goldenperch had pleaded for her kits, and Echopaw and Demonpaw were apprenticed a few sunrises ago. They were already turning their apprenticeship into a competition. Goldenperch had told Luckyheart about Echopaw and Demonpaw's rivalry, and Luckyheart had been shocked. Surely littermates were supposed to protect and defend each other...then she thought about herself and Goldenperch.

Luckyheart admitted to herself that she preferred Echopaw. The gentle she-cat was an amazing hunter; she had brought down a crow on her first try. Yet Demonpaw was pretty special too. He could smell and hear better than any other cat in the Clan, except for Jayfeather. The blind medicine cat worked day and night to heal the sick cats in their Clan. Many cats had greencough, yet it was only Greenleaf. It should not have been occurring. Peacefern, Blossomfall, Demonpaw and Longtail were residing in the medicine cat den.

It was too soon for another bout of greencough, and Luckyheart was determined to find out why it had arrived in Greenleaf. She had asked Rainfall to help her, but he had looked slightly abashed and changed the topic. Now, she was asking him again.

"Well...I want to be honest with you, Luckyheart. But if I tell you this, you can't make me leave the Clan. Please." Rainfall begged.

"It depends." Luckyheart reassured him.

"Well, I had this greencough before I came to your camp. My No-Furs gave me medicine, so I didn't get sick. I'm the reason cats are ill." Rainfall shuffled his paws nervously.

"What?!" Luckyheart snarled. "My friends, my kin, they're dying because of you! Why didn't you mention it? I'm speaking to Firestar about exiling you right away."

Luckyheart felt guilty about exiling her mate but she had to do what was best for her Clan. Even if her kits would grow up without him.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey listen beneath the Highledge to what I have to say!" Firestar yowled. "Luckyheart has something to say."

Luckyheart took her place on the edge of the Highledge and begun to speak. She told them about what Rainfall had said.

"Traitor!" Longtail hissed.

"My kit is sick because of you!" Goldenperch screeched. Her fur was fluffed up and her eyes filled with rage and hate.

"Are all in favor of exile?" Firestar asked somberly.

All the cats below nodded in unison.

"Then I sentence Rainfall, a trusted warrior of our Clan until we found out what he did, to exile! If you are seen on our territory after sunset today, all our warriors have permission to chase you out!" Firestar mewed sadly. "We will miss you."

"I'll take good care of your kits!" Luckyheart called as her mate was exiled. "I had to do it, Rainfall. I'm sorry."

"This is all your fault!" Rainfall spat in her direction. "You're the one who told the Clan!" he stalked away, fuming.

Luckyheart felt grief overwhelming her. She tried to call out, but her voice was hoarse. She only had breath for a couple words.

"Jayfeather, help...kits coming!"

Then all went black.