"What?" Greenstar and Frostleaf shouted at the same time.

Unable to say unseen any longer, Frostleaf burst out of the bushes and demanded, "How do you know all this?"

Specklebreeze looked surprised to see her. "How did you know I'm here?" she asked, not looking at her.

"I followed you," Frostleaf replied, narrowing her eyes.

The older warrior looked embarrassed while Greenstar just blinked.

"What did you see?" Frostleaf pressed.

"Whatever I saw, I believe that Longdrop is going to betray the Clan," she replied. The moon suddenly shone on Frostleaf and Specklebreeze, showing that they have similar coloured pelts, obviously kin.

Although Greenstar looked similar, she didn't have the same eye colour. "Is this your... kit?" Greenstar asked hesitantly.

Specklebreeze shock her head. "My sister's kit." Frostleaf's heart soared. Specklebreeze acknowledged that Flowerfeather was her sister. Did it mean that she forgives Flowerfeather?  she wondered.

Greenstar looked at them and hastily mewed a goodbye and swam across the river back to her territory. Specklebreeze glanced at her old friend and turned to Frostleaf. "Don't tell Brownstripe, please," she begged.

"Why? Longdrop is suspected of going to betray the Clan. It is important," Frostleaf said firmly.

"Brownstripe will never believe what I say. He doesn't forget that I broke the warrior code once," Specklebreeze replied sourly.

Frostleaf sighed. "I will try convincing him. It is something that a leader should know." She nodded reluctantly.

"Let's get back," Specklebreeze mewed.

~~~~

Frostleaf was sharing a vole with Goldenfeather whose belly gotten rounder each day. "You should move to the nursery, " Frostleaf adviced. "Grassheart worries about everytime you step out of the warrior's den! He even wakes up earlier to make sure you are safe."

Goldenfeather laughed, looking at Grassheart who was eating nearby, and looking at his mate once in a while.

Greyclaw was organising the patrols while Brownstripe was deep in conversation with Stagwind.  The new leader planned to go to the Moonstone that night, leaving Greyclaw in charge of camp while he was away.

"Okay then," Goldenfeather mewed cheerfully, heading to the nursery. Grassheart followed but Greyclaw had called him for a patrol.

He sighed, reluctant to leave his mate. "I will take care of her," Frostleaf said reassuringly.

~~~~

"Brownstar! Brownstar!" the Clan cheered when the new leader emerged from the camp entrance. The new leader looked overwhelmed by them and Russeteyes had to usher the rest of the Clan away.

Brownstar's eyes were full of worry as he summoned the Clan. "I want permanent guards on the Twolegplace border, two in the morning till mid day, two for the rest of the day. The Clan is dismissed," he ordered with the authority of a leader.

The clan looked confused as Greyclaw told Sparrowshadow, who recently recovered from her bout of whitecough, and Patchheart to take the first guard shift.

"Why does Brownstar want cats to guard the Twolegplace border?" Frostleaf asked Stagwind, who came to the freshkill pile.

"I can't share it with you," Stagwind mewed, taking a bite out of the starling she took.

"Oh... okay," she responded, disappointed. 

"Did you see anything last night?" the medicine cat asked abruptly.

"Last night? What do you mean by last night?" Frostleaf asked, confused.

"I saw you exit your den. I wanted to tell you something but I was too tired. Why were you doing outside so late at night?" she explained.

"Nothing," Frostleaf replied defensively. "Just a stroll."

Stagwind nodded, yawning. "If you see anything strange, you can tell me." Should I tell?  Frostleaf wondered as Stagwind headed back to her den.

No, the clan has enough troubles recently.

~~~~

(Brownstripe's POV)

"Are you ready?" Stagwind asked Brownstripe who worked his claws nervously.

"Yes," he replied, hoping he sounded brave enough. So much has happened: the battle with RiverClan, Nightstar's death and me going to become leader, Brownstripe thought.

"I'm not sure I am fit to be leader," he confessed. His daughter rested her tail on his back. "You will do good," she said gently. "As well as Nightstar would expect you to."

Brownstripe nodded, grateful for the support. As Stagwind led him down the tunnel, he felt more nervous about meeting his warrior ancestors.

"Press your nose on the Moonstone," she instructed. Brownstripe did as she told.

He felt cold. Where are my warrior ancestors?  Brownstripe wondered, fear increasing. He forced his eyes open and realised that he was at Fourtrees.

Nine cats watched him with wisdom in their eyes. "Are you ready to receive your nine lives?" they asked, sounding like one voice rather than nine.

"Yes," Brownstripe said, his confidence returning. The first cat stepped forward.

His heart gave a leap of joy. Moonberry! My mother!  Moonberry smiled at him and touched noses with him.

"With this life I give you a mother's love," she whispered. Brownstripe winced briefly in pain as he felt the fierceness of a mother protecting her kits.

Moonberry stepped back and a cream tom replaced her. It was his father, Breezetail. "With this life I give you duty. Whatever happens you must carry out the duty of a leader," he announced.

Brownstripe staggered as he received the life. He saw pride shone in Breezetail's eyes as the next cat came forward.

Guilt washed over him as he realised it was Leafnose. "I'm sorry. I should have saved you," he said.

His sister showed no anger as she touched noses with him. "With this life I give you the ability to know what is right."

Brownstripe groaned as intense pain washed over him. Leafnose stepped back to let the next cat give his next life.

How can I bear this?