Note: If you're currently reading this book as it comes out, you'll notice I moved Seedclaw's kitting to this chapter from Chapter Eleven, where I originally wrote it. I found that chapter to be too busy, and it made more sense to include it in this chapter. Sorry for making you read the same scene twice!

Rain battered down through the gaps in the trees, their roots sucking every droplet that sunk into the earth. Greeneyes shook her pelt, scattering raindrops everywhere. She was cold, wet, miserable, and hadn't caught anything yet. It seemed like all the prey in the territory was sheltering in their nests or their burrows. For what had to be the first time, Greeneyes envied RushClan. Fish didn't care if it was raining. Their fresh-kill-pile would always be full.

She sighed. She had bigger worries than a bad prey day. The issue of Rainstem had been clouding her mind for days. Greeneyes hadn't confronted her friend yet or even told Spiderstar that she'd observed a rebel meeting. She didn't know what to do. If Spiderstar had given Rainstem a secret mission, it would mean there was something he wasn't telling her. And if Greeneyes was falling out of favour with Spiderstar, what did that mean? Did he think she wasn't a good enough leader? If she couldn't lead ForestClan, who was she? A fool who had given up everything for nothing.

Greeneyes groaned. She couldn't think like this. She couldn't give in to her doubts or her emotions. She was Greeneyes, she was strong, she was a leader. Rainstem was acting alone. She needed to make a plan. She'd talk to Spiderstar and tell him everything she'd learned. She'd ask him for what he believed she should do about Rainstem, but come up with a strategy to offer him, so he knew she was a decisive leader who didn't need to rely on him, she was only being respectful. Then, she'd come back and deal with Rainstem. But what should she do about her? Greeneyes had given punishments before, but this was a big situation. She needed to turn it into a lesson for ForestClan, to try to unite them and keep them together. She didn't want anyone to be inspired by Rainstem's actions. She'd have to announce it in front of the Clan, make it a teaching moment. First, she'd have a private talk with Rainstem, discern her motives, discuss an appropriate punishment. Confine her to camp for a quarter moon - if she was going to abuse her freedom by sneaking around, she would have to lose it. She'd have to apologise to RushClan too. Greeneyes could meet with Fernstar and see how she would like Rainstem to be punished. This would open up a dialogue, involve the hurt parties, show ForestClan was willing to cooperate with RushClan. And Rainstem could hunt prey and gift it to RushClan as an apology.

Feeling satisfied that she had a plan, Greeneyes could concentrate on hunting.

A faint thumping of paws and scattering of leaves caught her attention. Greeneyes's ears pricked, and her head snapped up. Peering through the trees, she caught a distant black and ginger streak sprinting towards the hunting group. Rainstem! As she neared the patrol, she slowed, pale green eyes fixed on the group.

"Rainstem? What's going on?" Sleetheart questioned. Greeneyes and Sleetheart took in her appearance at the same time. Bedraggled and sodden pelt, bristling fur, panting, gasping breaths, and three deep scratches along her shoulder.

Greeneyes narrowed her eyes. She knew exactly what had happened. Rainstem had come from the direction of the RushClan border. She'd been spying again. And by the look of her, she'd been caught.

"I...um..." Rainstem's green eyes flicked between the two mollies.

Greeneyes figured she'd save her the effort of coming up with an excuse. "It's good you're here. You and I need to have a talk with Spiderstar."

Rainstem gulped, trembling. "I can explain."

Sleetheart stalked up to the pair of them."Greeneyes? What's this all about?" She asked.

Greeneyes turned to her. "I'll explain everything later. All you need to know is that Rainstem and I are going to see Spiderstar and Keastar," she said, her voice flat and hard. "Keep hunting, the Clan needs it." She draped her tail over Rainstem's shoulders, half guiding, half marching her away, leaving Sleetheart and Splashsmoke staring.

They traipsed through the trees, neither saying a word. In the humid grey, the sticky rain made Greeneye's fur crawl. Looking at Rainstem made her fur crawl. So she didn't look. She kept her eyes trained in front of her. As they passed from what was previously RimuClan territory into BeechClan territory, nearing Spiderstar and Keastar's camp, Rainstem broke the staggered silence.

"Don't you want to know why I did it? Or what happened?" She whispered.

Greeneyes didn't look at her. "No. All I care about is seeing you get the punishment you deserve."

Under her tail, Rainstem shivered. "We're friends, Greeneyes. Can you forget about ForestClan and what Spiderstar wants for one moment?" In her peripheral vision, Greeneyes could see her friend's beseeching eyes fixed upon her.

"Fine," she snapped. "What happened?"
Greeneyes listened as Rainstem poured out her story of being caught by a RushClan patrol, being attacked by a dark grey and white cat. Greeneyes sighed. Great, the leader of the rebellion group was the one to spot her.

"Why did you spy on RushClan and betray everything we're trying to work for?"

Rainstem took in a long breath. "RushClan is a threat to us. They're battle training, they're seeking out allies. If they attack us, we need to be ready. The Guardian saved BeechClan. He guided the rogues to the dying BeechClan to save them and make us into the BeechClan we are today. If RushClan becomes a threat, they could wipe us out. And I won't let that happen. I'll do anything to preserve his creation," Rainstem said, her tone dipped and deepened as she finished her speech. Green eyes met green eyes, once friends and twice less forgiving.

Greeneyes thought for a moment on what to say. She wasn't a stranger to complex conflict. But this felt different. "I understand wanting to preserve and protect BeechClan. That's exactly how I feel too. But spying on RushClan will only antagonise them." She jumped over a tree root. "The best way to stop RushClan from being a threat is to avoid fighting them and giving them no reason to want to."

Rainstem snorted. "Come on, I know you're not that naive. We'll always fight. That's what Clans do. They'll want territory, someone will starve and attack the other, leaders will fight. One day we're gonna fight RushClan, so isn't it better to prepare now?"

Heads turned as Greeneyes strode into camp, Rainstem trailing behind.

Spiderstar was speaking to Keastar. When he looked up, he fixed a smile to his face and purred. "Greeneyes, come with me."

The two followed him into his den. Spiderstar sat down. "So, Greeneyes, I assume this is to do with our last chat?"

"Yes, but we have two matters to deal with. Rainstem here has been spying on RushClan and was caught."

Spiderstar frozen eyes sliding from Greeneyes to her companion. "Rainstem, I thought you were smarter than that. Why would you put ForestClan in danger?"

Rainstem rose her gaze to meet his. "Because I was scared..." her false falted. "I am scared of RushClan and what they might do. They're going to attack, I know it! They're battle training all the time and Fernstar is so against ForestClan. If we die, the Guardian's plan for life won't be fulfilled." her eyes searched his, begging.

Greeneyes held her breath, looking to Spiderstar. What would he say? How would subdue her?

Spiderstar's eyes bore into hers, unblinking. "Do you really believe The Guardian would let RushClan kill us?"

Rainstem opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

"He loves us. You know this. He saved us, brought BeechClan back from the brink." His voice dropped to a low hum. "The Guardian would never let us be destroyed. Who are you to be so faithless that you would give up on him and his strength?"

Greeneyes's mouth dropped. Spiderstar was a genius. Instead of belittling Rainstem's faith and pushing her into the claws of her beliefs, he twisted them to help ForestClan. She was so lucky to be mentored by him. How could she ever fill his pawsteps?

"I didn't think about it that way..." Rainstem said, as taken aback as Greeneyes.

Spiderstar purred. "You were doing what you thought was the right thing. I commend you for your faith; not every cat in our Clan respects the Guardian as much as you do. But from now on, the best way you can protect ForestClan and The Guardian is by giving your all to ForestClan, and helping those who don't trust his vision to integrate into ForestClan. Only act when under an order from your medicine cat or your leaders...those leaders being Myself, Keastar, Mataiclaw, and Greeneyes." He turned his head to Greeneyes, who started as his expression changed from kind understanding to disappointment. "Greeneyes, Rainstem was under your care. I expected better from you than to let her go astray. As a leader, it's your job to guide and take care of your ForestClan family. You've let her, and myself down."

Greeneyes's ears tips burned. He was right; she'd been a bad leader. She'd blamed Rainstem when this whole incident could've been prevented if she'd paid attention to her friend. This was what happened when she let herself be distracted by cats like Alpine.

Looking at her a moment longer, gauging her reaction, he looked back to Rainstem. "I know you acted on the right reasons, but you still disobeyed ForestClan." He beckoned Greeneyes over with his tail. "As Rainstem's leader, Greeneyes, the punishment falls to you."

Greeneyes inhaled slowly. She'd already planned out her punishment, but was it good enough? She couldn't let Spiderstar down twice. He'd support her idea to involve RushClan...but how could she keep Rainstem feeling like she was understood?

"RushClan will be feeling like their worst fears about ForestClan have been confirmed. We need to show them that this was the misguided actions of a well-meaning cat and not an act of war, so we need to involve them. Rainstem, you need to apologise to Fernstar and her Clan, and let her decide a punishment for you. I was angry at you for betraying ForestClan, but now I see you were only trying to help. Your faith is a strength, and you'll help us by learning to harness that faith. Maybe a lesson with Patewing will help?" She picked her words carefully, following Spiderstar's lead.

She was rewarded with an approving smile from Spiderstar. "Yes, I think that's a good idea. Greeneyes will oversee your meeting with Fernstar, and when you're ready for a lesson with Patewing, come to my camp."

Rainstem stalked out of the den, tail dragging in the dirt behind her.

"So? Do you have any updates on the rebel situation?"

Greeneyes nodded. "Yes. The rebels had a meeting, mainly talking about Rainstem. That was how I figured out what she did. They argued about whether she was acting on our orders or her own, and what was going on in ForestClan. They don't pose a threat at the moment, the only important thing is that we need to smooth things over with RushClan and that some of our Clanmates are spies."

"So...who are the spies we need to look out for?"

"Bluenettle and Dappletooth, of course. From my camp, Wekafur, Amberfang, Manukaberry, and Duckpaw. From yours, Kakaclaw, Hivestrike, and Bellbirdcall." She couldn't help the venom in her voice when she spat our her foster sister's name. "From RushClan, there's Fogface, Anttail, Leafmask, some tortie and elders I don't know, and Stormpelt, I think? I don't know her name, it's Storm-something. She's the one we need to watch out for, she's the leader."

"I don't know a Stormpelt...do you mean...uh...Stormspark. She's Fogface's mate. She's never really stood out to me, you believe she's the leader?"

Greeneyes nodded. "They all listened to her. She looked like a natural leader, and she was the one who attacked Rainstem."

Spiderstar listened, whiskers twitching. "We won't get involved for now...they don't sound dangerous. The only thing they've done is attack Rainstem, and that was when they found her on their territory. I'd have done the same. It sounds like they're just sitting around talking - they're more like a group of gossiping apprentices than a rebellion!" He snorted.

Greeneyes laughed. Spiderstar was right, as usual. What could one group of grumpy warriors do against ForestClan? But still, unease gnawed at her. "Don't you think we should get rid of them? They might be harmless now but they won't always be. It's always better to deal with a potential threat before it becomes a danger. Kill the kit, no stoat."

Purring, Spiderstar ran his tail down her spine. "I've taught you well, but you're being too cautious. Squashing the rebellion before they've actually done anything will radicalise them. The next thing you know, they'll complain that we're taking away their freedom and that they were just a harmless group talking about their dislike of ForestClan. That'll only grow their movement." He paused, licking his paw. "There are other ways to destroy their group than combat. Solve their problems, take away everything they're complaining about. Then they have nothing."

Just as Greeneyes was about to reply, a cat burst into the den, howling.

"Greeneyes, Seedclaw is kitting! I need you and Patewing!"

Greeneyes turned around to see Wekafur, fur sticking out in all directions, eyes wild. His breath came in sharp gasps, flanks heaving. She jumped to her feet, everything else forgotten. "Take me to her."

Greeneyes ran alongside Rainstem, Patewing and Wekafur, the world becoming a blur. She couldn't remember tellinf Rainstem it was time to go, or finding Patewing, all of a sudden she was there. There was no ForestClan, no RushClan, no rebellion. The world was a dark tunnel, and the light at the end was Seedclaw.

The group, aside from Rainstem, squeezed into the nursery. Seedclaw lay on her side, flank rippling as a low moan slipped between her lips. Avenfur groomed her neck, muttering comforting words. At the appearance of the other three, Avenfur stood up.

"This isn't going to work. The nursery is too crowded, I've already kicked out Sunnytail and the kits. I'll go and collect a stick for Seedclaw to bite down on in case she bites her tongue. Patewing, you manage these two." Avenfur commanded, striding out of the nursery.

Greeneyes teetered on the spot, unsure of what to do. She'd never helped a birth before. She didn't want Avenfur to go; the experienced queen felt so much more reassuring than Wekafur.

"Greeneyes, come here and groom her head. Be comforting and calm. Wekafur, I need you to groom the kits and keep them warm as soon as they come out," Patewing said.

Greeneyes crouched beside her sister, licking her between the ears and muttering comforting nonsense as she tried to block out her sister's groans. Seedclaw's flank convulsed and she let out a scream. Greeneyes flattened her ears. If only she could take her sister's pain away! But this was a pain Greeneyes didn't plan on ever experiencing.

"I see the first kit! Come on, Seedclaw, one more push!" Patewing encouraged.

Seedclaw howled, the sound tearing through her chest. Greeneyes flattened her ears to her head, expression contorted.

Patewing purred. "Congratulations, you've had your first kit! A little cream tom."

Wekafur rushed to the kit, nipping the membrane. Greeneyes watched. How had that little scrap come out of her sister? The kit, made of Seedclaw's blood and bone, fur slick down, looked more fragile than the smallest baby bird. Greeneyes wanted to snatch it from Wekafur, kick him out of then den, help Seedclaw raise it, just the two of them. For the first time, Seedclaw wasn't the only kin she had. Panting, Seedclaw raised her head, staring at her kit. Her eyes shone with warmth and love. "He's beautiful," she murmured, voice husky.

Greeneyes swallowed. The way Seedclaw gazed at her kit... Greeneyes wondered if she could ever feel a love like that. She'd never wanted to feel a love so powerful she would rather destroy those she loved than be apart from them. Not the way her mother did to her, Seedclaw, and their littermates.

While Seedclaw lapsed back into contractions and moans, Greeneyes couldn't keep her eyes off the kit. Looking at its tiny form, she could see herself and her siblings, sealed ears and shut eyes, completely helpless. Her lip curled. How could a mother who claimed to love abandon creatures like that? Infect them with a disease and kill them? A love like that was selfish. No, this was why Greeneyes could never be with Alpine, roam the world with him and his family, making a family of their own. Her love would never hurt, it would only protect. She'd lay her life down for her clanmates, nurture them and guide them.

When it was all over, the sun had since begun to set, and Patewing had arrived and given the all-clear, Seedclaw curled around her four kits, eyelids drooping. Wekafur leaned over her, a rare smile on his face. Greeneyes watched from the corner of the nursery with Avenfur, Sunnytail and her kits had been moved to Greeneyes's den for a few nights. Greeneyes fought the urge to lay next to her sister, to feel her flank rise and fall, to bury her nose in her fur to scent any sickness. Both Patewing and Avenfur bad told her everything was okay, but she wasn't satisfied. She'd allowed Greeneyes to stay as long as she didn't suffocate Seedclaw. So she watched from afar, counting every breath. Her chest tightened around her heart every time she looked at them. Four kits, just like she and her littermates had been. Two tortoiseshell sisters, like she and Seedclaw. It felt like an omen.