"Smokepaw, it's time to get up," Silverclaw called from the entrance of the apprentice's den. Smokepaw opened her eyes, taking in the interior of the bush that was still shrouded with darkness.

Hivepaw and Shadepaw still snored softly in their nests, undisturbed by Silverclaw's voice. She felt a twinge of anger but pushed it aside. I guess I deserve this punishment, she told herself. I wasn't just going to let something happen to Streampaw.

She pushed herself up to her paws, and wiggled her way out through the den entrance. The dark gray tabby form of Silverclaw stood a fox length away, his aqua eyes sharp with displeasure. "I haven't had mentor duties in some time," he grunted, "I expect you to behave yourself."

The scowl that he held seemed to resonate deep within Smokepaw's stomach. Silverclaw doesn't look very pleased to be training me, she thought. She had heard how strict he was, from some of the other warriors he had trained many moons ago. "I will behave," Smokepaw murmured in reply.

Silverclaw nodded his head, satisfied. He turned on his heels and began to lead Silverpaw across the clearing, to the camp entrance. I can't even eat before we leave, she realized with disbelief.

"We will be going to the RiverClan border to tell them about Streampaw," he explained as they passed through the bramble barrier. "You will stay silent. And if you can manage to do that, I will show you the hunters crouch before we return to camp."

Smokepaw wanted to roll her eyes. He was treating her like a kit! But she bit her tongue and obeyed, following in his paw steps as he trudged across the shady pine covered territory towards the RiverClan border.

Gradually the tang of sap was replaced by the calming scent of wind over rushing water. Silverclaw did not falter as he crossed the shallow creek and padded over the border. The land was lousy with the scent of RiverClan warriors, like they had been here not long before.

"Well, well, well," a feminine voice hissed from somewhere nearby. Silverclaw stopped, taking a step back to shield Smokepaw. As he did so, a sleek furred black and white she-cat approached them from the cover of some bracken. Her green eyes were alight with hostility.

"Greetings, Shiftstar," Silverclaw meowed, "we have come to report to you the whereabouts of your apprentice."

Smokepaw noticed Shiftstar stiffen, her fur beginning to bristle. "I should have figured ShadowClan would stoop low enough to steal a medicine cat apprentice," she growled. As she spoke, three other cats slid from the bracken behind her.

"It wasn't the first time Streampaw had been caught trespassing," Silverclaw retorted, "and he will be kept in ShadowClan's camp as a prisoner until you can figure out a proper payment for his safe return."

Woah, what? Smokepaw stared at Silverclaw in disbelief. She didn't know this was what the plan was! Shiftstar looked equally as stunned, the warriors behind her stiffening as they prepared to strike.

"Sheathe your claws," Shiftstar ordered with a fierce glance at her warriors. "We will meet with Bonestar along the border tonight," she continued, "then we will discuss what it will take for Streampaw to come home."

Smokepaw was surprised by Shiftstar's diplomatic air. She could tell how furious the RiverClan leader was, but she had enough sense to not attack them. I'm sure she thinks that would just land Streampaw into danger.

Silverclaw gave Shiftstar a polite nod, and then turned to lead Smokepaw back onto ShadowClan territory. But for some reason, she faltered. Her guilty gaze flitted up towards Shiftstar, who stood like a stone pillar as she watched Silverclaw leave.

She could see a violent shine in the bicolor she-cat's eyes. A flash of red throbbed across Smokepaw's vision, a faint wailing echoed in her ears. She practically jumped out of her fur, and she whirled around to race after Silverclaw.

"That went well," he meowed as Smokepaw neared. "I half expected her to shred out pelts."

"She looked real angry," she agreed. Smokepaw was almost certain; if Bonestar had been in her place he would have launched an assault on whoever had taken his Clanmate prisoner.

"Well, atleast there's plenty of time for you to practice your hunter's crouch," Silverclaw meowed, his voice somewhat reluctant, "but I don't expect you to fill your belly until you've taken fresh kill to Streampaw and the elder's back in camp."

Smokepaw nodded obediently. She didn't feel hungry anyways. She just couldn't stop thinking about Shiftstar, and her fiery stare. Inside, she could feel something terrible brewing.

~~~~~~~~

Smokepaw's body vibrated with the force of a purr as she returned to camp with a fat pigeon. She had been lucky to catch it, really. But she couldn't deny that she had impressed Silverclaw. He plodded along a few paces behind, his jaws crammed with the body of a crow.

"I'll take this to the elders," he meowed as they pushed their way into camp. "You can five yours to Spikedflower and Streampaw. Make sure he is comfortable. I will report to Bonestar."

His tone was still gruff and unfriendly, but Smokepaw was beginning to feel some sort of admiration for his seriousness. He had been so patient when he taught her the hunter's crouch, and how to stalk prey from the shadows.

With a twitch of her tail, Smokepaw bounded over towards Spikedflower's den. The leaves that framed its bramble wall shivered, disturbed by a stray breeze. At the entrance, Antlerheart stood on guard.

"I'm bringing prey for Streampaw," Smokepaw mumbled around her pigeon.

Antlerheart's brown and white fur rippled as he stood and took a step back for her to enter. "Don't take too long," he warned.

Inside, Spikedflower was busy sorting her herbs near the back wall of the bush. Streampaw was right beside her, sitting upright in his nest. "That catmint looks dry," he commented softly.

"You're right," Spikedflower purred, "I will have to collect more here in a day or so." She dipped her orange paw down into a pile of sprigs and pulled aside a few shriveled stems.

"I've brought you some prey," Smokepaw called, when she realized that the two had not heard her enter.

"Oh, Smokepaw," Spikedflower meowed in surprise, "I didn't hear you come in." The she-cat almost sounded flustered, embarrassed that she had been caught being kind to their prisoner. "Streampaw was just helping me sort my herbs."

"Well that is nice of him," Smokepaw mewed as she placed her pigeon beside the entrance. She was relieved that Streampaw looked so relaxed.

But just as she was about to speak, Bonestar pushed his way into the den behind her. "I will be taking a patrol to the RiverClan border tonight. We will be discussing your return to your own home," he meowed as he fixed Streampaw with a cold glare.

Spikedflower pivoted on her paws, coming to face Bonestar. "I will keep him here with me," she replied, "he will be safe in my den."

"But I wanted to take him for ransom," Bonestar retorted, a growl scratching in his throat.

For a few moments, Bonestar and Spikedflower locked gazes. Smokepaw held her breath, wondering if they would argue further. "Streampaw should stay here," Spikedflower continued, her voice slow and silky, "that way there's no chance of RiverClan taking him back before a deal can be made."

Bonestar looked like he wanted to explode. His claws scraped across the upturned soil that lined the medicine den floor. "You're right," he finally grunted, "but I will be putting two guards outside your den, and two others just inside the camp entrance."

Spikedflower looked smug, but she dipped her head to Bonestar after he finished. Without another word, she grabbed the pigeon and pulled it closer beside her and Streampaw.

The white furred leader shouldered his way out of the cramped bush, his head low. Smokepaw scurried after him. "Silverclaw will be coming with me tonight," Bonestar meowed over his shoulder, "he will be taking the rest of the day to rest. You can busy yourself with changing the moss in the nursery and the elder's den."

Smokepaw shot a glance back towards the medicine den, where Antlerheart had resumed his place in front of the entrance. There's no way I'm going to miss this meeting tonight, she thought. "Yes, Bonestar," she lied.

The silver furred apprentice stopped, watching as Bonestar stalked away towards his den. Silverclaw, Tornsky, and Starlingsong had been waiting for him. As he disappeared into his den that was formed beneath the massive boulder. His companions followed him, a somber aura surrounding them.

I'll go change the moss and then hide in the apprentice den until they leave, the plan was forming in her mind. In the cover of night, she was confident that no one would see her.