Sablepaw smiled at Bluepaw. A while before Rainpaw told him that he should not be in love with that apprentice. He was confused. He was just friends with Bluepaw . . . They rushed into the moorland, tails held high. Bluepaw skirted across the hedgerow to a stop, and Bluepaw dropped into the hunter's crouch. She neared a young plump rabbit sniffing some seeds. Its ears perked up but before he could dart away the bluish-gray apprentice sprang. She clumsily got up, then dropped her rabbit in front of Sparknose, who had been supervising them.

"Very good." The bright orange cat meowed. Bluepaw stood proudly, and, her ears must've been focused on the warrior's praise, because she did not hear a bird chirp down right behind her. The bird sneaked behind her and nibbled some seeds. Sablepaw fell and approached the young Starling. He pounced, but the bird was quicker, and it flew away without thinking. Sparknose growled. "I'm suprised Sunsetstar's apprentice that hasn't trained as long as you is better!" He hissed. Sablepaw winced.

"Sorry." He muttered.

***

It was dark when they arrived, almost moonhigh but not yet. The cats gathered round the Tallrock, eager for their new leader to arrive. Suddenly, Sunsetstar rushed into the camp and jumped on the rock. Rivershine, and Cowpelt followed.

"Wait. Weren't you supposed to be with them?" Bluepaw asked Sparknose.

"Yes. But I stayed incase you wanted to hunt." He replied. The two apprentices nodded. Suddenly Sablepaw noticed half of the Clan was gone, and padded to the medicine den, which was where wailing sounded from. Inside the den, and partly outside, was a crowd of cats. Sablepaw shouldered his way through them to see Rainpaw resting beside a queen. The queen, Cloudmew, was wailing. Next to her were three kits. One was a tabby, the other a creamy-sun color. The last one was a limp tabby, like the other one but slightly darker. The tabby tom glanced at his mother, while the cream she-kit's eyes were solemn.

"Mommy? Why did Tigerkit have to die?" The tabby mewed.

"Hush, Barkkit. Your mother is grieving." Mewed the kit's father.

"Come, Oakpelt. Everyone leave Sunfur alone!" Rainpaw yowled. All the cats left except for Rivershine and Sunsetstar.

"We must go. Let her grieve, I need to announce the deputy before it's too late." Sunset star mewed, jumping back on the rock.

"I know that is tragic, but I shall choose a deputy. It took some time to think, but I believe I chose a good choice. Shinefall, you have proven yourself worthy countless times. You will be our new deputy." He announced. The she-cat's eyes lit up as she took her place on the rock. "Clan dismissed."