Bloodpaw followed Brownstripe into the camp, his paws sore from walking around the territory. He supposed he'd get used to that soon. He was deep in thought, still startled by his mentor's behaviour. His words echoed in his mind. "Remember. No matter who they are... or how young they are... warriors will tear apart any enemy. Do you understand?"

Bloodpaw tried to convince himself that his mentor had simply been telling him about the loyalty and strength that a warrior needed to defend his clan. But the way Brownstripe had looked at him... He knew that wasn't true. The words had been aimed toward him as though he were the enemy. I don't understand! He thought miserably. What is it about me? Why do so many cats see me as a threat?

"Hey, Bloodpaw!" He looked up to see Swiftpaw racing over to him, and he forced a purr, pushing away his worrisome thoughts. "How was your first day out as an apprentice?" His friend prompted. "Did you see the territory?"

"Yeah!" He felt a bit better as he remembered the scents and wonder of the forest. "It's amazing!"

"I know!" Swiftpaw meowed, his tail waving. "Did you see the thunderpath?"

Bloodpaw shuddered. "Yes, and I never want to see it again," He purred. "What did you do today?"

"I-"

Revengepaw ran over, slamming his brother aside with one of his broad shoulders. "We did some awesome battle training!" He boasted while Swiftpaw regained balance. "Cougarfoot showed me this one move-" He broke off and crouched. "Watch!" He sprang at his brother, who let out a started grunt as he was pushed over onto his back. Revengepaw pinned him and began swiping sheathed hind paws at his soft white belly fur.

"Hey!" Swiftpaw complained, and his brother leaped off of him, looking proud of his demonstration.

"Now imagine if my claws were unsheathed and his blood and guts were flying all over the clearing!' Revengepaw purred.

Bloodpaw flattened his ears, disturbed. "I-I'd rather not..."

Revengepaw chuckled as Swiftpaw got to his paws and shook pine needles from his fur. "I'm going to be the fiercest warrior the forest has ever seen!" The white tom boasted, crouching and flexing his claws. "I can't wait to test my skills on the ThunderClan cat who killed Maplefur." He narrowed his amber eyes.

Swiftpaw sat down and looked away. "There's no proof a ThunderClan cat did it," He mumbled.

His brother glared at him. "He was found right across the border! What more proof do you need?"

"He has a point." Bloodpaw had to agree.

"But that doesn't mean he died there." The black and white apprentice shuffled his paws. "I-I mean.. What if-"

"Swiftpaw! Revengepaw!"

Bloodpaw turned to see Poisonedsap and Cougarfoot padding across the clearing to them. The two golden furred warriors stayed shoulder to shoulder, pelts brushing. Bloodpaw was willing to bet every frog in the forest that they were mates now. He was still surprised at how quickly Poisonedsap had moved on. It seemed like the moment Maplefur's body was found, she fell for Cougarfoot. I suppose they were never very close anyway. He thought, remembering Maplefur and Poisonedsap arguing over Swiftpaw and Revengepaw. I can't imagine what any warrior would see in her...

The couple reached them, and Bloodpaw noticed Swiftpaw's fur flattening like he'd been startled by them. Did she scare him that much? Poisonedsap touched her nose to Revengepaw's, then rasped her tongue over his ear. "I'm so proud of you," She purred. She cast Cougarfoot a warm look. "You're lucky to have Cougarfoot as a mentor."

The golden tom dipped his head, looking embarrassed. "He's a great apprentice."

Poisonedsap rubbed her head against his, then gazed at her kits as she leaned against him. "Depthstar is allowing you to go to the gathering." She meowed, pausing before adding, "It should be an interesting one."

Swiftpaw nodded, and Revengepaw looked at his mother eagerly. "Is Depthstar going to confront ThunderClan about Maplefur?"

She nodded, her amber eyes gleaming. "There will finally be justice."

Bloodpaw felt awkward among the little family. Especially talking about Maplefur's death with such eagerness. But thinking about the gathering made his stomach churn with excitement. He'd never been to one, and he was eager to see fourtrees, the other leaders, talk to cats from other clans..! "Can I go to the gathering, too?" He blurted out hopefully.

Poisonedsap glared at him, looking ready to snap a response, but before she could, Cougarfoot spoke. "Why don't you ask Depthstar?" He suggested.

Bloodpaw nodded, grateful to Cougarfoot for not giving him a negative response. He walked away from the group and looked around the camp. He couldn't see the clan leader anywhere. He must be in his den. He thought. I don't want to bother him..! He spotted Cobratail standing beside the meeting rock, speaking with Cliffshade and Foxshadow.

"You two are in charge of guarding the camp while we're gone," The red and black tom was saying. "Hawkfeather and Dewstorm won't be here, so if there's an emergency, come let us know."

"Alright," Cliffshade dipped his head, and the two warriors turned away to take their positions by the thorn tunnel.

Bloodpaw's stomach twisted nervously at speaking directly to such authority. He drew in a deep breath, and approached him. "E-excuse me, Cobratail?"

Cobratail rested his amber gaze on him. "Bloodpaw, yes?"

"Can I go to the gathering?" He asked hopefully. "I won't be any trouble-"

"Of course you won't." Cobratail twitched his tail. "You may come."

Bloodpaw's tail curled up as his heart raced. "Thank you!" He dipped his head respectfully as he backed away, then turned and ran back to Swiftpaw and Revengepaw. Cougarfoot and Poisonedsap had left.

Swiftpaw's ears perked forward. "Well?"

"I can go!" Bloodpaw exclaimed eagerly.

His friend let out a purr of anticipation. "Awesome! I'll show you around!"

***

Bloodpaw looked around, amazed by the atmosphere of fourtrees. He felt overwhelmed by the massive number of cats around him. The full moon shone brightly among the warriors of silverpelt. The four ancient oaks stood circling the great rock, their dark leaves bathed in moonlight.

"How long have the great oaks been there?" Bloodpaw breathed to Swiftpaw. He hadn't left his friend's side since they arrived. He'd started to feel scared among so many cats. Swiftpaw had promised to stay with him. "They're huge!"

"No cat knows," His friend responded, gazing up at the great rock. Depthstar sat there, his pelt looking even more blue in the moonlight. Three other cats sat with him. "Longer than the clans have existed, that's for sure. The founding leaders, Skystar, Shadowstar, Riverstar, Windstar, and Thunderstar once sat up there."

"Wow." Bloodpaw stared at the great rock. How many generations of leaders have stood there? He looked down from the rock and saw Cobratail sitting down with three other deputies, curling his tail over his paws as he looked across the clearing. A little ways away, Hawkfeather and Dewstorm sat together, speaking to some other medicine cats.

"See that white tom beside Depthstar?" Swiftpaw meowed, and Bloodpaw looked at the cat he was pointing out. "That's Frostedstar, the leader of RiverClan. The she-cat beside him is Gladestar of WindClan." The slender golden yellow tabby flicked her tail as she studied the cats below. "The black tom is Ravenstar of SkyClan."

Bloodpaw nodded thoughtfully. "Who are the deputies?" Cobratail was speaking with a pale ginger tom. A beautiful black spotted orange she-cat sat with her fluffy tail curled neatly over her paws. A little ways from them was a black tom, who was clearly keeping his distance from the other deputies.

"The cat Cobratail's talking to is Sandblaze," Swiftpaw said. "He's the SkyClan deputy. That pretty she-cat is Monarchwing of WindClan, and that black tom who looks as friendly as a thorn bush is Ravenfeather of RiverClan." He paused. "And I suppose you want to know the medicine cats, too," He purred. "That pretty yellow she-cat who Dewstorm is speaking with, that's Starpaw of WindClan."

Dewstorm looked content and happy as he spoke with her. She certainly was pretty. Her yellow pelt shone under the moonlight, eyes to match. Hawkfeather was talking to a reddish brown she-cat. "She's Silverberry's apprentice," Swiftpaw pointed out the silver she-cat behind Starpaw. "And the cat Hawkfeather's with is Otterpelt of RiverClan. The SkyClan medicine cat is Ryeheart. He's sitting near Silverberry, there."

"Swiftpaw," Poisonedsap pushed through the crowd, Revengepaw and Mottledface following. "We're going to speak with some RiverClan cats. Join us." It sounded more like an order than an invitation.

Swiftpaw looked at her hesitantly. "I told Bloodpaw I'd stay with him."

Poisonedsap narrowed her eyes, her tail lashing. "Very well," She retorted and turned away.

"Why does he want to hang out with him?" Revengepaw grunted as he passed.

Bloodpaw noticed his friend looking upset for a moment. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, uh..." Swiftpaw blinked over his shoulder. "ThunderClan's here." Bloodpaw turned and watched as a group of cats arrived. He immediately recognized the scent Brownstripe had pointed out to him at the thunderpath. A broad shouldered white tom and a spotted ginger and cream she-cat led the group.

"Is that white cat the leader?" Bloodpaw whispered. He certainly looked like he held a position of power, the way he held his chin up high, muscles rippling under his pelt.

"No, that's the deputy, Snowfalcon," Swiftpaw responded. "I'd hate to get into a fight with him! The she-cat with him is Strawberrystar." He paused. "And her medicine cat is that small black and white tom, Spicewhisker."

"Strawberrystar," Ravenstar greeted from the great rock as the cream and ginger she-cat wove through the crowd toward the oaks. "I trust the prey is running well in ThunderClan?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?" Strawberrystar snapped as she leaped onto the rock to join the other leaders.

Bloodpaw was startled by her attitude. "I thought she'd be a lot nicer with a name like Strawberrystar," He commented, and Swiftpaw let out an amused purr.

But Ravenstar didn't respond to Strawberrystar's retort. He only flicked a tufted ear as the slender she-cat settled beside Gladestar.

Depthstar dipped his head in greeting, but the ThunderClan leader only glanced at him.

"Wow," Bloodpaw murmured. "She's really rude."

Swiftpaw nodded. "And she's the cat Depthstar's going to accuse of murder." He whispered.

He sighed. "Great."

"Well?" The cream and ginger she-cat growled impatiently. "Let's get started before my paws freeze!"

"We wouldn't want that, now would we?" Frostedstar muttered under his breath.

"I'll begin," Ravenstar stepped forward. "Cats of all clans," He raised his voice, and the cats below quieted. "Welcome to the gathering. I will begin. The prey has been running well in SkyClan," He shot Strawberrystar a glance before continuing. "We have two new warriors, Goldenmoon and Brackenleaf!" The clans began to call out their names. Bloodpaw peered through the crowd and saw a young golden furred she-cat and a tabby tom, looking happy and proud.

"That's all I have to share." The black tom dipped his head. "Frostedstar?"

The Riverclan leader stepped forward. "RiverClan is well," He meowed. "Otterpelt expects that she will have an apprentice soon. One of our kits has taken an interest in the ways of a medicine cat."

"Is it Sagekit?" Hawkfeather asked the RiverClan medicine cat. "You spoke highly of her at the last moonstone meeting."

Otterpelt purred. "Yes. She won't stay away from my den, and I can't keep her away any longer!"

Gladestar spoke next. "WindClan has a new apprentice, Tornadopaw." Bloodpaw saw the dark tabby tom as the clans greeted him by his new name. "Prey is running well, and leaf-fall is being kind to us." The WindClan leader finished.

Strawberrystar stepped forward to speak next, as did Depthstar, and for a moment, the two cats glared at each other, as though silently debating on who would speak first. Then Strawberrystar growled and sat back, lashing her tail.

"ShadowClan is very well," Depthstar announced. "We have plenty of prey, and plenty of apprentices. Speaking of which, we've made a new apprentice this moon."

Bloodpaw froze. He's going to say my name! He quickly straightened, puffing out his chest proudly.

"Bloodpaw!"

He waited for the clans to begin chanting his name, as they had for Tornadopaw. But it never came. Every cat stared at him, murmuring to each other. On the great rock, the leaders exchanged startled looks.

"Bloodpaw?" Frostedstar exclaimed, blinking at Depthstar.

"Who named their kit Bloodkit?" Ravenstar asked, looking bewildered. "That's not a name for a kit."

Bloodpaw's heart sunk, his pelt burning under the eyes of the cats around him. It was enough to be stared at and discussed by his own clan. But now all the clans were! Swiftpaw licked his ear reassuringly.

"Bloodpaw?" Strawberrystar scowled, rising to her paws and glaring at the ShadowClan leader. "Really, Depthstar? You came here a few moons ago with a Revengepaw! What kind of names are you giving your cats these days?" She sneered. "Has ShadowClan gone rogue?"

Depthstar's fur bristled momentarily before he forced it flat again, glaring at her steadily. "Don't question me and my clan, Strawberrystar," He growled. "Perhaps you should start questioning your own clan."

Strawberrystar bristled. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The ShadowClan leader turned his attention to the cats gathered below the great rock. "Cats of all clans," He meowed. "Several moons ago, one of our warriors, Maplefur, was found dead on ThunderClan's side of the border."

As cats began to murmur anxiously below, Depthstar continued. "I have considered alternatives, but there is no other explanation." He narrowed his blue eyes at the ThunderClan leader.

Strawberrystar's eyes lit with disbelief. "Are you accusing my warriors of murder?" She hissed.

"Yes."

Yowls of alarm and fury rose up from the clans. Bloodpaw couldn't help but feel relieved that the attention was no longer on him. But he still didn't like the tension.

"That's crazy!" A brown and cream tabby warrior snarled. "What reason would we have to kill one of your warriors?"

"That's what I'd like to know." Depthstar shot back to the ThunderClan warrior.

Strawberrystar looked furious, her tail fluffed up twice its size. "You must be out of your mind to accuse us like this!" She hissed in his face. "ThunderClan cats do not break the warrior code!"

Bloodpaw remembered how eager Poisonedsap and Revengepaw had been for this moment. He peered through the crowd curiously, and spotted them sitting close to the great rock with Mottledface. The three cats gazed up at the leaders, looking delighted at the conflict. Okay, I understand that Poisonedsap and Revengepaw want justice for Maplefur... He thought. But what does Mottledface have to gain?

"One of your warriors must confess," Depthstar retorted his tail lashing. "You've always been too proud of your clan, but you must admit that not all of your warriors are-"

"Don't you dare call my warriors disloyal!" Strawberrystar unsheathed her claws.

The other leaders who had been watching this debate quietly seemed to realize that things were about to get nasty. "Enough," Frostedstar stepped between the two leaders. "This is a truce. There will be no violence. Every cat just tell the truth."

"The truth has been told!" Strawberrystar pushed past Frostedstar to face the ShadowClan leader. Her amber eyes blazed with fury, her tail lashing madly. "ThunderClan is not responsible for the death of your warrior!" She spat. "Understood?"

Depthstar hesitated, meeting her flaring gaze calmly. "Very well. Perhaps I was wrong."

"Yes, you're very wrong," Strawberrystar spun around. "The gathering is over! I have nothing to say."

Bloodpaw heard Swiftpaw sigh in relief beside him. He looked at Poisonedsap and Revengepaw curiously. Poisonedsap looked absolutely stunned, anger blazing in her eyes. Her son looked just as dumbfounded.

"Thank StarClan that wasn't worse," Swiftpaw muttered as the cats began to part. "Let's go."

Depthstar leaped down from the great rock, twitching his tail as Cobratail joined him. "ShadowClan," He called. "Let's go home."

As they began to leave fourtrees, Poisonedsap ran to Depthstar's side. "What was that?" She hissed. "Why did you back off?"

Depthstar glanced at her. "I know Strawberrystar," He meowed. "I believe that her reaction shows that ThunderClan is innocent. A rogue must have killed Maplefur on ThunderClan territory."

"I don't believe that for a second!" She spat, her tail bristling. "Maplefur must be avenged. We must attack ThunderClan at once!"

"Poisonedsap," Depthstar let out a sharp warning growl. "I'm the clan leader, not you. You seem to forget that. We will not attack ThunderClan, is that clear?"

She looked very irritated. "So what are we going to do?" She snarled. "Sit back and wait for more cats to die at the paws of ThunderClan?"

"This conversation is over." Depthstar looked away and raced ahead to catch up to Cobratail. Somehow, Bloodpaw didn't think it was over at all. Poisonedsap will not let this go...