"I suggest you go out and train Fleapaw," Leafstar meowed to Cherrytail. 

Featherpaw turned. They had been in SkyClan's camp for a few days. They're still keeping an eye on Fleapaw? She could see that the apprentice ignored the stares. 

"I'm going to catch something plump and delicious for the queens!" Fleapaw squeaked. She jumped up-and-down, her eyes sparkling.

"I'm sure you will," Cherrytail responded softly. She turned away with her apprentice.

Featherpaw tucked her paws under her, taking another bite of her mouse. I wonder how ThunderClan is doing. She thought about Mudpaw and Nightpaw, and then about Moonshine. She wondered how Whitewing and her kits were doing, then her thoughts wondered to all of the Clans. 

Twigpaw and Finpaw were talking near the fresh-kill pile, their eyes shimmering. The gray she-cat talked with pride. Snippaw dropped a shrew at Stormheart's paws. 

We can't leave until Tinycloud has her kits. Featherpaw sat up. She padded over to the nursery, her feathery tail brushing the ground. The gray she-cat, Stormheart, looked up. "Hi, Featherpaw," she mewed.

Tinycloud dipped her head, her eyes soft. She took a bite of the mouse, her paws kneeding on her moss nest.

"I've been wanting to ask, what's it like with other Clans?" Stormheart asked.

"It's... good, I guess. Sometimes they fight, and mostly over dumb things, but the main problem is the rogues. They're really bad, they kill without hesitation. I... think that maybe all the Clans will join together and defeat them," Featherpaw told the she-cat.

"Well, the rogues here are a problem too. We'd like to defeat them," Stormheart sighed. "But at least you came. Maybe with extra cats, we'll drive out these nasty rogues."

"Featherpaw!" A voice called.

Featherpaw turned to see Leafstar and Hawkwing sitting patiently by the camp's entrance. Stalkfire, Stormgaze, and Smokyflame were also there. She quickly rushed over. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"I'm going to send you four out. Go to the rogues. I want to see how they react to different cats. Maybe spy in their group?" Leafstar prompted. Her gaze shifted to Featherpaw. "Featherpaw, I know this is risky, but I want you spy in their group. You all can make your fur messy, then go to them and beg them to take Featherpaw in."

Hawkwing dipped his head. "If they do let you in, make sure to gain their trust. After they trust you, you can sneak out at night and come back to us with their information. Maybe attack plans? Their fighting skills? What time they go out?" Hawkwing suggested.

Leafstar nodded, her whiskers twitching. 

Featherpaw blinked once. I could die! Do I not matter to you because I'm a stranger? A nobody? She stared at her paws.

Smokyflame hissed, stepping in front of Featherpaw. "If you think you can risk her life, then you're wrong! We're totally fine with leaving," he growled.

"If we thought it was a risk, then we wouldn't send her," Leafstar argued. "Their group hasn't seen her yet, so she would be a perfect spy. Nobody would suspect anything," she explained smoothly. "But fine, if you don't want valuable information to defeat the rogues, then we can sit here and let them pick us off one by one."

"Great StarClan, let Featherpaw have time to think," Stalkfire growled. "She's my apprentice, I'll let her decide whether she wants to go or not."

"Forcing an apprentice to go out on a suicide mission?" Stormgaze prompted, flicking her tail. "No wonder the other Clans kicked you out," she snorted.

Leafstar ignored the warrior's smart remark and leaned forward. "Featherpaw... I-... I'm not forcing you to do this, but we need your help, please. I'll give you some time to think. And.. well if don't want to, that's fine."

Featherpaw let out a slow sigh. "I'll think about it," she murmured quietly. "Just.. give me time to think," she muttered. The world around her seemed to slow as her thoughts darkened. She could see blurs around her, and eventually she found herself wallowing in the dark.

"Featherpaw, hello? Are you okay?" 

Featherpaw snapped to her senses. Smokyflame was standing close to her, his eyes soft. "Hey, take your time and don't worry about it. If you aren't comfortable, you can always tell them 'no'."

Featherpaw shook her head. "I have to do it, if I don't then these SkyClan cats won't like me!" She whined, flattening her ears. "And.. I don't want them to remember me as mean."

"Don't say that. It's fine if you don't agree. And if they keep bugging you, then I swear to StarClan, I'll leave with you and we can go home," Smokyflame smoothed. 

"No, it's fine. Thank you, Smokyflame. I think I'll go train with Stalkfire," Featherpaw sighed. She stared at the warrior a moment longer before turning away and heading towards Stalkfire.