Vinegar's P.O.V.

My breathing went short and it was harder to breath. 'Scar's dead. . . He just died. . . And Venom doesn't even care!' I silently cried to myself. "Shell," I whispered to my mother. "Yes Vinegar?" She mewed, her voice filled with grief also and her eyes still gazing at the cloudless sky. "Why doesn't Venom care that Scar is dead?" I whispered again, my eyes clouding with grief of my father. "Because when Venom was a kit, no body cared about him and he had no one to love." She whispered back, not looking at me. "What happened to his parents?" I mewed, curiosity burning. 'I wonder if they died tragically like Scar. . .'  

"Well it all started when a patrol left early. . ." She began. 

* * * * * 

FLASH BACK 

(Shell's P.O.V. - Shes saying it. When she was named Cinder)  

Death- Venom's dad 

Flame- Venom's mom

" 'Flame take a patrol with Death, Venom, Cinder and Stitch over to WindClan's border.' Killer announced. I saw Flame dip her head and I caught up with her as she grabbed the four others that that were included in the patrol. Flame led the way out of camp." I mewed to Vinegar. "By then is was new leaf, still snow but not as much. And WindClan was just coming in too." I explained to him. Slash padded over from where Sage was to listen as well.  

"We quickly trotted down the trail and around the boulders, over to the new border line. WindClan hadn't been around to do their share yet. Flame, Stitch and I marked the border while Death showed Venom some new tricks." I explained to my kits. "Also, Death and Flame never loved their kits, they barely cared. Death always showed them the ways of fighting while Flame only gave milk and cleaned them when they needed to be cleaned." They nodded in understanding as I told them the story. I continued, "After a while of marking the border line, we heard paw steps coming closer. We all turned to see what it was and what I saw was WindClan cats. 'What are you doing so close to our border? Your not aloud in our territory!' One hissed at us. Death stalked up to the border and sneered, 'We weren't on your territory, we were marking the border line!' The WindClan cats didn't believe us. 'Right, get away from the border if your defending youself!' A small cat, most likely an apprentice, snarled, lips curled back." Whip and Slash's eyes were wide. " 'Want to fight about it?' Stitch growled, stepping over the border. Also, times back then were always to fight to deal with a problem. The WindClan cats stepped forwards and I backed away, not wanting anything to do with the fight. I saw the fight brake out in flying claws and teeth, fur immediately flying from them. I watched as Flame was dragged down by one and Stitch too. Before we could even take down one cat, another patrol came with more cats. A patrol must've been going by and heard us." I stopped for a moment, recalling what else happened. 

"The other patrol attacked ours without hesitating. Flame didn't stand a chance with three cats slashing at her face. No cat could risk helping her. I watched and watched as Flame fell and laid still. Death later on died of his injuries. . . And I still hold guilt for being to cowardly to help them out." I finished, the memory burning my mind as I remembered leaving the patrol to die. Whip and Slash's jaws were dropped in shock. "They died so easily. . ." Sage whispered to himself. "Don't feel bad, even if you were to help it wouldn't be enough to actually help them. They would've died anyway." Kink mewed, padding over. I shook my head in sorrow. 'Oh how foolish I was not to help,'  

* * * * * 

Sunny's P.O.V.

Venom was taking forever. . . People were starting to become worried, but I wasn't worried about him this time. . . I was worried about Vinegar and Sage, and how they would make out with this. Also that Lily's two kits were ready to be apprentices anytime now, but with Venom being so busy, he can't afford to do a ceremony. We have missed two Gatherings due to all these battles and problems.  

I paced around the camp, keeping myself calm. What if we never get the chance to give them an apprentice ceremony? What if they stay a kit for moons? What if- "Cats old enough to kill gather to hear my words!" Venom yowled. Leaf stalked away into her den and didn't come back. I saw a small shape run after her and I realized it was Thunder. 'What's he doing?' I wondered. 

I turned back to Venom as he announced, "Leaf and I have chosen the deputy to take Scar's place." Shell wasn't even listening really. She was to busy trying not to whimper by the looks. I saw Dodger rest his tail on her shoulder and whisper something that I didn't catch. "The new deputy is Midnight. We have chosen him because he was a great leader when we were gone and he is still quite young." Midnight's face was washed over in gratitude and excitement. Venom stepped down from the High Stone and touched his nose with Venom's nose, Midnight touched his shoulder with his nose in return.  

"Do you promise to lead this Tribe as great as Skull, Killer and I?" He asked. Midnight nodded, "Yes I do, Venom," "Then from this heartbeat on, Midnight will be known as my deputy." He announced. "Midnight! Midnight!" The Tribe cheered. Most of them who cheered were quite low because of Scar's death. I heard that Dodger and Deer were cheered the loudest.  

* * * * * 

Sunny's P.O.V.

I ran into Venom's den as snow started to down pour on our camp. It was terrible! We had to go to the twolegs nests in this weather! Venom wasn't asleep, I noticed as he lifted his head. He hit his tail on the rock signaling for me to lay down. After all, we are mates. I laid down at his stomach and curled up beside him.  

"Hey Venom," I whispered. "Yeah?" He replied. "Sage, Vinegar, Thunder and Dragon still need to be apprenticed, and soon." I whispered. I felt him nod, then he whispered back, "Yes I know. I just don't have time to do it," "Well, when we leave to go to the twolegs then you could. It would brighten up the Tribes spirits." I insisted. "Alright Sunny, I will. But they would have to go on your patrol 'cause they don't know fighting moves yet." Venom murmured. I felt his tail wrap around my stomach and I closed my eyes, drifting into sleep not long after. 

* * * * * 

Sunny's P.O.V.

I gentle prod in my shoulder woke me up. Startled, I awoke to see Venom hovering over me. "Wake up, we have to leave now." I nodded and stood up. My tired legs were telling me to go back to sleep but I couldn't. I stretched a long stretch, unsheathing my claws.  

I emerged the cave shortly after Venom and sat down just outside of it. "We're going to place the bones right?" I asked. He nodded. "And your making Lily's and Shell's kits apprentices, right?" I made sure. He nodded again, still not speaking. He padded off and onto the High Stone. "All cats old enough to kill come gather to hear my words." Venom yowled. I watched as no cat awoke for a while and soon after I was about to go in and get them, some exited their dens. I ran up to the apprentices den and poked Whip and Slash's shoulders. "Wake up you too, Venom is calling the Tribe for a meeting," I whispered, poking them again. Eventually, the two woke up and followed me out. They ran down and halted beside Bella. I noticed that Mini was leaning on Mystery's shoulder and that Thunder was padding out with Leaf. Leaf seemed to be explaining something to him. I sat down beside Thorn and Deer. Deer was uneasy while Thorn was paying attention to his claws.  

"I have three announcements. I will start with Deer." Venom announced, raising his voice. All eyes turned to Deer's small body and you could tell she was very uneasy. "Before Scar died, we had made and agreement that Deer will prove her loyalty." Murmurs of disagreement were surrounding the camp, quick glances at Deer were made and Venom raised his tail for silence. "She will go on a WindClan patrol tomorrow morning and kill at least one of them in the patrol. No mercy." A few yowls rose in agreement while the rest kept quiet. "Now for the next. . . Sunny has told me that Thunder, Dragon, Sage and Vinegar are ready for their apprenticeships. Actually, they have been ready for a few sunrises now," Our leader called, signaling out the four kits. Lily, Thorn and Shell ran to their kits and cleaned them quickly, "Oh Venom! You could have warned us," Thorn teased through licks. She'll finished Sage and ran to Vinegar to clean him. "Sage, come forward." Venom called to her. Sage did as she was told and stepped forwards, just below the High Stone. 

"Sage, do you promise to uphold our ways and protect the Tribe, even at the cost of your life?" Venom asked. She dipped her head, "I promise," Venom meowed. "Then from this moment on, you'll be known as Brindle. Shadow, your ready for your second apprentice. I believe that you are for enough to teach Brindle the ways of us." Shadow dipped his head and touched her shoulder, Brindle doing the same. "Vinegar, come forward." Venom called, Vinegar stepping forward as told to. "Vinegar, do you also promise to follow our ways and pass it on to your future apprentice, never to disobey it?" He nodded fast, "Yes Venom, I promise." "Then from this moment on, you will be known as Thrush. Dodger, your ready for your first apprentice. I expect that you will show this apprentice the Tribe's ways and teach him your skills," Dodger stepped forwards and touched Thrush's shoulder, Thrush doing it in return. "Thunder, Dragon, come forward." Venom ordered. They came forward as they were told, Leaf stepping forward also. "Venom, before you announce their new names and mentors, Thunder has chosen to be a medicine cat apprentice." Leaf explained. Thunder hopped up and down, nodding also. Venom nodded. 

"Thunder, do you promise to follow mine and Leaf's orders and learn the way of a medicine cat?" Venom asked Thunder. The small cat nodded eagerly but didn't speak. 'Thunder? A medicine cat apprentice? That's odd. . .' I thought to myself. Thunder may have asked to help Leaf or watch her a few times, but you would've never expected him to WANT to be a medicine cat apprentice. 

"Then from this moment on, Thunder, you'll be known as Strike. Leaf, I know you will show him your skills as a great medicine cat. He will be a great replacement once you have passed over," 'Did Venom mean that in a rude way or in a way that he doesn't find rude?' I wondered. But Leaf said nothing and touched Strikes shoulder. He did the same and sat down. Turning to Strike's brother, Venom continued. "Dragon, do you also promise to obey our rules and pass your skills on when you get your apprentice?" Venom asked. He nodded calmly and mewed loud enough to hear, "I do," 'With the way he's handling this, he'll go far,' I thought to myself. "Then from this moment on, Dragon, you'll be known as Adder. Kink, your also ready for your second apprentice. Show this apprentice your skills and teach him the ways of our Tribe good." Kink nodded and stepped forward, touching Adder's shoulder. Adder did it in return and him and Strike bounced over to their father and mother in excitement.  

"Adder! Strike! Brindle! Thrush!" The Tribe cheered, "Adder! Strike! Brindle! Thrush!" I congratulated the four newly made apprentices in happiness and sat back down where I once was sitting. Venom waited for all the others to finish before he announced the patrols for tonight.  

* * * * * 

Midnight's P.O.V.

I stretched, stretching out my muscles and bones for the morning. A fresh coat of snow was on the ground, the blizzard had started just after we left to annoy the twolegs. I cleaned up my fur, making it look acceptable for today. 

I watched as Leaf padded up to the apprentice den, soon reappearing with her new apprentice, Strike. I dipped my head as they passed, "Morning." Strike hopped in excitement, and squealed, "Morning Midnight!" Leaf purred in amusement but said nothing. 'Kink will take a patrol with Adder, Shadow, Brindle, Dodger and Thrush to train them, Venom will take a hunting patrol with Whip and Shell.' I set up the patrols in my mind before the cats awoke, just to be ready. 'Sunny will take Thorn, Lily and Mystery out for a patrol and help them with their battle skills. Blossom with take Slash and Fox for a patrol at the edge of our territory a for The Tribe of Jagged Rocks and Soot will take a hunting patrol with Bella. I will stay behind to guard,' I decided.  

I got up and padded to the fresh-kill pile to get a mouse or something, but all that was there was a lizard, mouse and finch. 'I'll save it for Mini and the apprentices.' I decided. Quickly padding away before my temptations convinced me to eat it, I padded over the the side of High Stone to watch the Tribe awaken. 

Mini came out and stretched, Soot and Fox coming out of the warriors den. They talked in the corner of the camp for a while. I turned my attention to Mini as Mystery came to greet her. They nuzzled each other and Mystery whispered something, Mini replying, "I'm good, it's like I'm carrying a pile of pebbled in my stomach!" She purred. Mystery purred in return and nuzzled her again. I saw Brindle, Thrush and Adder run out of the den and wrestle on the rocks of the camp's ground. Shell came out also and watched her kits run out also. Too bad Scar wasn't here to be there with her. . . 

I padded to the center of the clearing, ready to announce today's patrols. "I would like Sunny will take Thorn, Lily and Mystery to how them some battle moves, I don't care where. Kink will take a patrol with Adder, Shadow, Brindle, Dodger and Thrush to practice hunting skills and if there's time, battle skills," I announced. Several cats surrounded me to hear what else I had to say, the ones I named leaving. "Soot will take a hunting patrol with Bella. Blossom with take Slash and Fox for a patrol at the edge of our territory a for The Tribe of Jagged Rocks." I called. I saw the cats I named off gather up and leave. 'This isn't so bad,' I thought. I saw Venom pad out of his den and stretch. "Venom can take a hunting patrol with Whip and Shell."  

I watched the cats that were named off run to their patrols and leave without a word. 'This has gone well,' I thought to myself. Venom dipped his head and grabbed his patrol, running off and out the entrance without such a word. Deer sat in front of me with her head down and shoulders slumped, 'What's her problem?' I wondered.  

"Hey Deer, what's wrong?" I mewed. She looked up and hissed, "I can't go on a patrol because I met up with Crowfeather! That's what's wrong!" I rolled my eyes, "Your over reacting. I wanted you to guard with me," "Right! That's the reason alright," She scoffed. 'Wow, a great decision on to keep her here!'  

* * * * * 

Leaf's P.O.V.

I padded out of the camp with Strike beside me. The first day as an apprentice is going to be hard for him. Lots of medicine to look for. I got to a trot as I headed down the trail and to the borders. I stopped and waited for the new apprentice to catch up. "Alright, Strike, since our territory doesn't get a lot of medicine, where's the best place to look?" I asked him. He narrowed his eyes for a moment and shrugged, murmuring in confusion, "I'm not sure, near Twolegs?" I sighed, "Well, we could. Sometimes, catmint is there. But WindClan territory is also good. Back went I was an apprentice, my mentor took me into their territory, we found lots." He hopped up and down excitedly then squeaked, "I wonder if they will challenge us! What will we do?" "We will battle them back to their camp. Even as a medicine cat I know some battle moves of my own." I purred.  

I gestured to the edge of the territory with my tail, "Lets go before a patrol comes here," Strike nodded and stalked away, with his tail waving in the air, towards the edge of the territory. I twitched my whiskers in amusement, 'How adorable, but he needs to learn how to stalk if he is going to he a true Rotting Skulls medicine cat.' I thought to myself, narrowing my eyes. I hurried up beside him and showed him how to stalk properly. After a few tries, Strike finally got the hang of it and we stalked over the territory line and into WindClan's territory.  

I stalked quickly in behind a bush and waited for Strike. I peeked up over the bush to see if any cats were coming. None that I could see. I gestured with my head for him to follow and I scampered up their hill. By the time we were in the heart of their territory, we were panting for air. Every breath I took I got a whiff of medicine plants. I waited for Strike to get his breath back before I trotted toward the scent. My paws led me to a patch of flowers, almost at the ThunderClan territory mark. The leaves were just falling here, I guess the mountains get more snow.  

"Alright, this plant is goldenrod. See how it's taller then this plant? You can't miss it," I explained to Strike. "Now, never pick up any plant from the top, you will instantly kill the plant. Take it out by the bottom, like this." I lowered my head and grabbed it in my jaws from the very bottom. Strike watched my movements like a hawk as it circled its prey. I set it down and nudged his shoulder, "You try," He mimicked my movements and got it on his first try. Not as great as me, but very good for a first timer. "Very good Strike." I praised him. We picked a few more and padded over to a small purple plant, lavender.  

"Lavender, very easy to spot too. Can you guess what is cures?" I asked. He inspected it and mewed, "Fever and bellyaches?" I shook my head, "Only fevers. But good guessing." We picked a few of them and carried on, picking some yarrow and poppy seeds also. 'Why a quick learner Strike is!'  

I let him take the lavender and yarrow while I took the goldenrod and poppy seed stems. As we trotted back through the territory, I spotted a patrol. 'No, not now! Everything was going so well!' Strike had spotted them as well. The patrol must've spotted us and came charging. I heard their yowls even though they were far away, "I knew they came through!" One hissed loudly. "They think they can steal our prey, well we'll teach them!" Another vowed.  

My ears went back and I froze. Theirs as at least 5 cats in that patrol, enough to kill us both. Strike had no training what-so-ever which left me to fight by myself. "Strike, run," I murmured, my vision clouding with confusion. 'What do I do? What do I do?' I asked myself. The 5 cats halted in front of us; Strike hadn't listened. My fur fluffed up in defense. I stood in front of the new apprentice, never to move. "What are you two doing here? Stealing our medicine when we needed it!" The black she-cat hissed. "We are desperate for medicine, we won't come back into your territory, I promise!" I begged. This isn't like me. . . I can beat them! 

"Really? Why would we believe you when you killed lots of our cats?" A light brown tabby she-cat snarled, lips curled. A sleek black tom stepped forward, "I'll kill them, you warn Onestar." He ordered. They obeyed and ran off. "What are you two doing in our territory?" He hissed. "What does it look like flea-bag?" I retorted. "I'm Crowfeather, Deer's mate. I'll let you go, but hurry." The tom whispered. I gasped, this is him? Really? I growled, "Your lucky I didn't rip your ears off!" He snorted, "Your lucky I made them leave. Hurry up! Go!" I rolled my eyes but did a he said and ran off. I made sure Strike was following and darted away. 

We ran up the trail, not bothering to go to the twolegsplace for catmint. The trail seemed to go on forever before we got through. Kink's patrol was back and Strike's brother rushed over, "Woah, what happened to you? It looked like a badger did your fur!" Strike set down his bundle and squeaked I'm excitement, "We went into WindClan's territory for medicine and we got found by a patrol! But a tom named Crowfeather let us go! I thought the patrol was going to kill us!" I quickly took his bundle so he could talk to his brother, storing them in the medicine store.