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When Greeneyes was a kit, milk-filled and needy, curled at the crook of her mother's belly, she knew nothing of the world. The world was simply Mother, Mother with the stuttering heart and the shallow breaths, Mother with the sour milk. Mother, a tumble of tabby, a shivering, small figure, heat blooming under her skin, smelling of sweet buttercup covering something rancid. There was Sister, Sister, and Brother, sharp claws and flailing limbs, clamping mouths who squeaked and squirmed, pulling her away from Mother's milk.

And then there was Hunger. Hunger was fire and flame, burning away her insides until she was nothing but a crust, burnt and flaking at the edges. When the flame died, Hunger became a pair of canines, gnawing away at her bones, the only thing she had left. She was a scrap, skeletal, hidden under Mother's fur.

When Greeneyes was a kit, the world changed overnight. A nose, prying her from Mother's teat. A shout, tearing through her sealed ears. Thumping through the ground as paws skittered around her. Teeth closing around her scruff and she was jerked into the air. Placed down onto soft moss, a tail wrapped around her. Mother felt different, swollen and warm. Honeyed milk flowed, quenching the ache of Hunger that had wrapped around her bones. Mother didn't smell like buttercups anymore; she didn't smell so sour. She smelled like milk, like berries. Sisters and Brother were different too.

When Greeneyes was old enough to understand, Snowspring told her that Mossytail wasn't really her mother. Her mother had been sick, fatally feverish. Her mother had hidden her sickness out of fear she wouldn't see her kits again. Her mother's milk had dried; she and her littermates were starving. When Snowspring found her, she was dying. The fever had taken Emberkit and Chirpkit too. She and Seedkit had been given to Mossytail. Mossytail wasn't her real mother. Thistlekit and Bellbirdkit weren't her real siblings.

When Greeneyes was a kit, she knew more about the world. It was cruel. It was hard. Mother was Flutterheart, and she was dead. Mossytail wasn't her real mother, even though when Snowspring told her that, Mossytail wrapped Greenkit up in her tail and told her "no matter who birthed her, she was her mother." Sister was Seedkit but not Bellbirdkit, because she said they weren't real sisters. Thistlekit wasn't her brother, no matter how much he said so. She knew Ploverwing was her real father, but he didn't speak to her. She knew the world was hard, but it wouldn't have to be. One day she would control it, and no one would die, and everyone would be happy.

Greeneyes was older now, and she knew cats would always die, and no one could always be happy. But she knew she could at the very least influence it. She would control it as much as she could. And she was lucky enough to have that opportunity. Greeneyes was the deputy of BeechClan. RimuClan and RushClan didn't have deputies. Leaders, or as the other Clans called them, Chiefs were born into the role as family of the Chief. So she was lucky, very lucky. Spiderstar had trained her, looked out for her. He made her deputy. He was Mossytail's brother, and even if she wasn't related to him, he felt like kin.

Life was better now. Greeneyes had trained hard and had been rewarded for it. She had her friends and she had Seedclaw. She would be the leader of BeechClan. As deputy, she knew more about the world than anyone else.

"The second hunting patrol will be Shadesight, Lilypaw, Cuckoobelly and Dappletooth." She commanded. Her Clanmates nodded, assembling into their patrol groups and preparing to go. Greeneyes ran over her tasks in her head. She'd sent out patrols. She needed to check over Sweetpaw's training, have a word with Manukaberry about how the gardens were getting along, and make sure Seedclaw was feeling alright.

She sighed. Manukaberry was on border patrol, Sweetpaw wasn't out training yet, and Seedclaw wouldn't appreciate Greeneyes waking her up. She screwed up her nose. There was nothing worse than a quiet morning.

"Greeneyes," A friendly voice greeted her. Spiderstar had emerged from his den, he walked over to her, tail raised in greeting.

"Morning," she dipped her head.

He looked down at her, expression unreadable as always.
"Have you already sent out patrols?"

Greeneyes huffed a laugh. "Of course I have. It's dawn. You know I couldn't be even a little bit late."

He shook his head. "Oh trust me, I know. I was just hoping you wouldn't have."

Greeneyes flashed him a look as alarm welled up inside her.
"What do you mean?"

Spiderstar looked away from her. "I need to call a meeting."

Greeneyes thought for a moment, going over all the possible reasons for a meeting.
"But... Daisykit and Pipitkit aren't old enough to be apprenticed yet...the apprentices haven't finished training...no one's becoming an elder...is there a problem?"

"Don't worry about it. There's no problem," Spiderstar brushed his tail down her spine, lips lifting into a smile.

She nodded, ignoring the pinpricks of uncertainty under her skin. She was Greeneyes, the BeechClan deputy. She was very good at her job. She was admired throughout the Clan. If Spiderstar chose not to share something with her, that was up to him. It was at her and the Clan's best interest. Greeneyes stood.
"Well, if you say so," she breezed. She sauntered away from him.

The nursery carried a heavy milky scent, and Greeneyes purred at the smell of her sister. Plunging into the cosprosma bush, three mollies lay curled up in their mossy nests.

Mistletoetail's amber eyes focused on her kits as she groomed Smallshine's fiery fur. Daisykit and Pipitkit batted a feather around, while Smallshine's kits slept soundly. Turning her head, Greeneyes's expression softened. Seedclaw's tabby flank rose and fell as she slept, her breathing quiet.

Not wanting to wake her sister, she turned to Mistletoetail. "Is she alright?"

Mistletoetail nodded. "She's fine. Complaining about the kits kicking."

"And that's a good thing?"

"Yes. It shows that the kits are healthy and she's in a good enough state to be annoyed by it."

Smallshine raised her head. "My kits didn't kick very much when I was pregnant." She looked at her three kits, bodies pressed up against her. "They're so quiet, I hope they're alright." She looked back at Mistletoetail, pupils dilating.

"Don't you worry about them, dear, they're fine," Mistletoetail reassured her, licking her cheek. "Just relax."

Greeneyes gave them both a smile, backing out of the nursery. Truth be told, the place made her anxious. At least Mistletoetail was there; she clearly knew how to look after kits and queens. Greeneyes could remember her visiting Mossytail in the nursery every other day, and Greeneyes always looked forward to her visits. She had considered Mossytail's sister kin, after all.

Waking back across camp, she settled down by the Tree Stump, tucking her paws underneath her. She couldn't see Spiderstar; she assumed he'd gone back to his den.

Robincry's laugh carried through camp. "Oh, Frecklepelt, The Guardian blessed us when they brought you to our Clan; that joke is hilarious! We need to include it in our reenactment."

Greeneyes purred. The entertainers' last reenactment had been moons ago, and they'd acted how the Clans had been created, brought to life by their God, The Guardian.

A black shape emerged from the apprentice's den, eyes fixated on the mouse in the fresh kill pile. Greeneyes watched her, not wanting to interrupt her one-way mission to the mouse. She plucked the tawny creature off the pile, turning around, mouse dangling from her jaws.

"Sweetpaw!" Greeneyes rose to her paws, calling her over. Sweetpaw's ears pricked and she glanced over at Greeneyes. Greeneyes suppressed a smirk as she saw her eyes widen.

"We need to discuss your training," she told her. Sweetpaw relaxed and walked over to her, dropping her mouse.

"Can I eat?" She asked.

Greeneyes nodded. "Of course you can." She sat back down, looking at the apprentice in front of her. "One of the deputy's duties is to look over the training of apprentices and how you're all going. I've already looked over Whitepaw as she's the eldest, so you're next." She waited until the apprentice swallowed her mouthful and focused on Greeneyes's words. "First up, how do you think your training is going?"

Sweetpaw looked at her paws, thinking. "I think my training is going well. I mean, I'm not bad at anything. I think I'm on track. I don't know what I'm supposed to be comparing myself to." She looked Greeneyes in the eye, expression defiant.

Greeneyes's tail tip twitched. She knew Sweetpaw would be the most difficult out of her siblings. When she was first apprenticed, Sleetheart complained about her constantly. "Well, I'd recommend you ask around. All good apprentices know where they are in relation to what the average or model apprentice would be." Sweetpaw looked away, glaring. Greeneyes considered bringing up Whitepaw and how she was a model apprentice but decided not to take it too far. I'm a deputy. My job is to put her in her place, not bully her.

"An apprentices your age should have no trouble hunting mice and small birds. You should be learning to hunt stoats, and bigger birds like the parakeet, or even the weka. As for battle training, you should be starting to learn more advanced moves like the upright lock. What was the last move you learnt?"

"The scruff shake."

"Okay, you're on track. That's great!" Greeneyes praised.

"I could've told you that." Sweetpaw rolled her eyes.

"You did, but it holds no weight if you don't know where you're supposed to be," Greeneyes forced her tail to still.

Sweetpaw scoffed. "My mentor knows what she's doing. Just ask her, she wouldn't care for all this!"

Greeneyes blew air from her nose in laughter. "I trained with Sleetheart. She always knew exactly what moves she needed to know and when."

Sweetpaw didn't argue, but a low growl rumbled from her throat.

"What would you say your best skill is?" Greeneyes went on.

"I'm a great climber," Sweetpaw replied. "And a great stalker."

Greeneyes nodded. "And your weakest skill?"

"Um...my hunting, I think."

"What's your relationship like with your mentor?"

"She's cool."

"So you get along?"

"Yeah, we get along fine."

Greeneyes fought the urge to roll her eyes. Having a decent conversation with this apprentice was impossible. "How are you going in your crafts? You should be starting to choose what you want to do."

Sweetpaw nodded. "I want to be a runner. I don't want to be a kit-watcher or a grower. I guess my back up is an entertainer."

You have to be charismatic to be a runner. Greeneyes forced a smile. "It's good that you have a backup. I know too many cats who set their whole life upon one craft and are lost when it doesn't work out."

Sweetpaw crouched down and took another bite of her mouse, not responding.

"Have you taken any steps to make that happen?"

Sweetpaw shook her head. "Not yet."

Greeneyes stared at the apprentice. Surely Sleetheart had encouraged her to take action in her apprenticeship? Or her siblings, Whitepaw had been on top of her training.
"Well, that's something I'd recommend. You wouldn't want to be held back from becoming a warrior."

Sweetpaw scowled at her. "You're not my mentor."

Greeneyes narrowed her eyes. "But I am your deputy. I know your mentor well, and she wouldn't appreciate her apprentice making her look incompetent. You know very well that it isn't Sleetheart's job to tell you what to do with this part of your training. You need to take your craft training into your own paws. If you don't know how to do that, ask her, me, or even your parents. You're not alone here," she said.

Sweetpaw's mutinous expression didn't change.

"You're a talented apprentice, Sweetpaw. BeechClan will be stronger with you in it. Work on your craft, and you'll be a valued warrior," she said, trying a new approach. She remembered what she'd been told about managing apprentices. Spiderstar had always told her that they needed compliments to give then confidence, and it made them like you better. She hoped that were the case. She couldn't care less about Sweetpaw, but the idea of failing her made Greeneyes feel sick. No cat would fail under her leadership.

Whiskers twitching, Sweetpaw licked her lips. "Fine. I'll talk to her. Can I go?"

Greeneyes nodded with a sigh, watching her pick up the remains of her fresh kill to bury and stalk away.
I bet her mother regrets giving her that name.

Thinking about the apprentice, she sunk down to the ground, content to lie down and think. A soft blackness pressed down on the back of her neck. A warm haze trickled down her throat and spread throughout her body, welcomed.

Greeneyes woke to the sound of bumble and chatter. It was sunhigh, the laziest part of the day. Cats snoozed in their dens, and the prey pile was stacked high.

Greeneyes ran over her list one more time. Watch Sweetpaw train. Have a word with Manukaberry. She stood, legs protesting. Looking around for Manukaberry, a cry distracted her from her task.

"BeechClan, gather before me!"

Greeneyes turned to see Spiderstar perched on the tree stump. She trotted over to the stump, sitting beside it, facing her gathering Clanmates.

"In BeechClan, we value change," Spiderstar began. "We welcome it. That's how we have come to where we are today, by not hiding from it like cowards."

Greeneyes forced herself to keep her expression neutral and focused on the crowd.

"BeechClan is very different from the other Clans because we developed our own beliefs and our own customs. Without changing who we were, we wouldn't have been able to get where we are. And it with this in mind that I tell you of a big change that will strengthen and evolve our Clan."

Greeneyes's claws unsheathed, latching themselves in the dirt ground underneath her. He hasn't discussed any change with me!

"BeechClan has been fighting with RimuClan for far too long. We argue over prey, borders, even herbs. We've even lost cats in our many conflicts over the seasons. Our Clan will never know peace as long as we fight!"

Cheers broke out from the BeechClan cats.
"Let's teach RimuClan a lesson they'll never forget!" One cat said.

Spiderstar shook his head. "But don't you see, Dappletooth, that would only continue our conflict. No, it's become apparent to me that RimuClan and BeechClan cannot coexist. Our Clans have only known bloodshed at each other's claws."

"Spiderstar, are you suggesting we drive them out?" Haastiipelt's voice cut through the whispers that followed Spiderstar's words, chewing it and spitting it out.

The silence that followed threatened to steal the breath from Greeneyes's lungs.

"No. We cannot coexist, but we cannot live without each other. It isn't The Guardian's will. No, He wants BeechClan to join with RimuClan, to rule over the whole forest as one Clan...ForestClan," Spiderstar crowed.

The whole Clan started speaking at once. Losing her composure, Greeneyes turned to stare up at her leader. "What? Spiderstar, what are you talking about?"

Several cats shouted out.
"We can't do that!"
"I don't want to join with RimuClan!"
"No, no, no, no!"
"Spiderstar has lost his mind!"

Spiderstar lashed his tail to bring silence, but the Clan ignored him. The clamour that followed his announcement was too great. Shouts and protests filled the air.

A ringing filled Greeneyes's ears, resonating through her body. The world swirled around her. She tried to grasp onto Spiderstar's voice, tried to keep herself steady. Spiderstar had to be joking. This couldn't be real.

"I know it's hard to accept!" Spiderstar yelled.

The Clan fell silent.

"I know you don't really want this. Keastar was just as sceptical at first. But there are many benefits to our joining."

"Oh yeah, like what? Losing everything that makes us who we are?" Bellbirdcall challenged.

Spiderstar shook his head. "RimuClan are incredible fighters. We know this. They can protect us and teach us their skills so that we cannot be defeated by anyone."

Greeneyes watched several reluctant nods in the crowd. No cat could deny RimuClan's fighting skill.

"We would also massively extend our territory. We'd have more places to catch prey. We wouldn't starve in the cold season with such a huge territory!"

Interest sparked in Greeneyes's chest. A few mews of agreement came from the BeechClan cats. It was the hot season now, leading into the cold season. Plants died and prey became scarcer. Sure, a bigger territory would be helpful then, but there would also be more mouths to feed.

"There would be a much bigger Clan to hunt for though. So it's relative," Snailheart said.

Spiderstar dipped his head. "That's true, but there are more cats who will hunt. Regardless, we still get more prey if we pool together our resources. We get more herbs too. There will be areas of their territory RimuClan don't know how to utilise to get the most prey. They would say the same for us. Joining together and sharing our strengths helps us to do so, and get the most out of what we had."

"It makes sense," Koromikoheart voiced. "If we share our strengths we become stronger. But why can't we just form an alliance?"

"Because that change would be short term. I told you, our Clans cannot maintain peace as long as we're apart."

"What makes you think we can maintain peace together then?" Bluenettle spoke out.

Greeneyes cringed. Why would she speak to Spiderstar like that?

Spiderstar smiled. "Well, Bluenettle-"

"If we can't stand each other coexisting in different territories, then we can't do it as one Clan! We'll tear each other apart. It'll be the death of BeechClan!"

Greeneyes watched the crowd look from one another, not wanting to contradict their leader, but many agreeing with Bluenettle.

"And if we join with them, what will we have to lose to fit in with them and their ways? Will we have to become classed into fighters? What will happen to our crafts? Will we get to grow as Spiderstar preaches, or will they stifle us? They believe in the Old Beliefs, we don't. Our values are different. Sure, we'll change, but we'll regress!"

The meeting broke into chaos, questions being shouted, protests, arguments, claws brought out. Greeneyes met Bellbirdcall's green eyes, watching her yell her approval.
Greeneyes took a deep breath. She was a deputy. She knew what she must do.

"Silence!" She spat, scoring her claws across the back of the Meeting Stump. The screeching noise broke up the debate.

"Look at you, squabbling without even letting Spiderstar explain himself. You're behaving like nothing more than keas! You think you have the right to question Spiderstar's decision when you act like immature mice? Let him speak!" She snapped at them.

The Clan began to settle down, muttering among themselves.

Spiderstar nodded at her. Greeneyes sat down again, flexing her claws. Her clanmates had some fair points, and she didn't entirely agree with this herself.

"I know it's hard to accept. It'll take time for you to become used to the idea. I don't expect you to feel excited or even certain about what's going to happen. Keastar and I have made this decision, and we plan it to be final. But if it doesn't work then we'll split up again. We've planned how ForestClan will function, every detail. We'll take the process slowly, no rushing. I've already given you some benefits - no cats will be hurt or killed due to our rivalry anymore. We will have strength in number and force; no cat could challenge us now. Remember when twolegs released dogs into the forest and we had to hide for days? With a Clan as big as ForestClan will be, we'll never have to run and hide again. We'll have so much prey we'll never go hungry! We'll never lose any cats because of a lack of herbs. We will have a bigger presence in the world around us. I'm aware there are cultural differences between us but I promise you, BeechClan won't lose anything important to us." Spiderstar said, regaining control of the situation.

From the crowd, Patewing, the medicine cat, scurried to the front, standing beside Greeneyes.

"You must understand it that it's The Guardian's will that BeechClan and RimuClan combine. He sent me signs telling me that our Clans need to become one. I shared this with Spiderstar, who met with Keastar and discussed it with her. This is what The Guardian wants for us," Patewing said. "You wouldn't deny his will, would you?" She turned to BeechClan with beseeching eyes.

Greeneyes looked back up at Spiderstar. The Guardian had given him such an important sign and he hadn't shared it with her?

The Clan muttered, but their anger and shock had begun to die.

"But why would He want us to join with RimuClan?" Someone whispered.

"Because He is tired of the conflict. Because He doesn't want us to be hurt anymore, and He wants His BeechClan to be strong." Spiderstar addressed the question. "I understand this is scary, and I understand your reservations. We're making a big change that doesn't sound appealing. It goes against our values. But I promise you that you will be rewarded for this, and you will come to love our new way of living." Spiderstar jumped down from the Meeting Stump. "Meeting dismissed." Without another word he turned and walked back his den, strolling as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn't turned the Clan upside down, shaking it like a dog catching a rabbit. Like he hadn't gutted the Clan like a piece of prey, leaving its outsides for all to see.

Greeneyes stepped forward to hide her shaky paws.
"I know you're all in shock, but Clan life must go on. We cannot neglect our hunting, our training, and our crafts. We'll have plenty of time to discuss this tonight. Manukaberry, take the growers out to tend to the herbs. I'll stop by and talk to you about your plans. Anyone free for a hunting patrol come over to me."

Greeneyes sent out another hunting patrol unconsciously, her mind wandering. She needed to talk to Spiderstar, find out exactly what he was planning. She needed to look put-together in front of the Clan, be the strong deputy they needed her to be, the strong deputy that she was. She didn't need to put on a front. She nodded, focusing herself once again.

"Greeneyes? Did you know about this?" Her friend Sunspots asked, stopping in front of her, his yellow eyes troubled.

"No," She admitted, looking at her paws. "I had no idea."

Sunspots head-butted her. "I'm sure Spiderstar had his reasons."

"I know he did!" Greeneyes snapped. "He wouldn't keep this from me without good reason!" She looked over at Spiderstar's den. "I need to talk to him."

Her friend dipped his head, saying nothing more.

Greeneyes turned on her heel, striding towards the leader's den. A few cats called to her as she walked, but she ignored them. Pushing through the bush, she entered the den.

Spiderstar, curled up in his nest in the middle of the den, looked up as she came in.
"I was wondering when you'd come in. I half expected you to follow me the moment I left." He smiled.

Greeneyes glared at him.
"Oh, that's what you're opening with?"

Spiderstar sat up, expression growing serious. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you what I was planning. But Keastar, Patewing and I believed that the fewer cats who knew what we were planning, the easier the process would be. I promise you'll be involved from now on," he told her.

Greeneyes paced past him, crossing the den in a few steps. "I'm your deputy!" She snarled. "You should've told me!"

Spiderstar's eyes followed her movement, but he didn't move and his expression didn't change.

"What's the point in a deputy if you don't tell me anything? Why did Stonestar do away with our council of elders for deputies if you won't use me? What am I, a glorified warrior?"

Spiderstar didn't reply, letting her rant.

"This is a huge change; how am I supposed to lead the Clan when I'm kept out of the loop? It's my job to know what our clanmates need; I would've been useful with planning this. I could've added a different perspective. But no, you decided it would be better to leave me out." Greeneyes rounded on her leader. "Talk to me!"

Spiderstar stood up, laying his tail across her shoulders.
"You need to understand that I couldn't overcomplicate the process of making this new Clan. Too many hunters spoil the catch. I'm sorry this came as a surprise for you and that you felt left out. But it's a challenge for you. A good leader must be able to deal with the unpredictability of others and massive change." He sat down, gesturing her to sit with his tail.
"You understand why I couldn't tell you, don't you? I believe it would be harmful to us. Put your hurt feelings aside."

Greeneyes recoiled from him, stung. This was more than hurt feelings! But she could see where he was coming from. She needed to be on her leader's side.

"Okay," she whispered. "I understand you." She leaned against him. "I don't want BeechClan to change."

Spiderstar licked her ear. "I don't think anyone does. But it'll be alright."

She nodded, swallowing.

"And from now on, you'll be involved. You'll know more than any other cat, and will have more opportunities then you could dream of." Spiderstar turned his head to look her in the eye. "I can promise you that."

The sat side by side in silence, Greeneyes's breath stirring Spiderstar's thick fur.

"I can promise you one more thing. This unification, ForestClan, will benefit BeechClan far more than you realise."