"What!" Amberleaf screeched, Why war?" Amberleaf questioned Fernstar.

"Because, none of the other leaders offered to share any of their territory. Instead, they completely refused it! And we can't just make territory in this area." Fernstar replied, her tail twitching.

"So what do you plan on doing?" Amberleaf asked.

"I was thinking of taking the backside of Thunderclan's territory." Fernstar's eyes narrowed.

"But how and when?" Amberleaf queried, "And anyway do you think Starclan would approve? We follow the Warrior code just like everyone else, we need to respect that."

Fernstar's eyes were brimmed with rage, she stepped forward closer to Amberleafs muzzle, "The Warrior code doesn't matter when we have no territory! Starclan promised us territory, and they haven't given us any territory, so we will have to take it. And maybe that's what Starclan wants us to do! To prove to the other Clans that we are a Clan!" Fernstar whipped away from Amberleaf and padded over to where Dewfrost was basking in the sun next to Prinkleleap, on the rock.

"Dewfrost may I speak with you please...privately."

"Sure, Fernstar." He replied. They padded over to a small tree, climbing up into the lowest branch perched above the grassy marsh, away from camp, "So what do you plan on doing about...you know, getting us territory?" Dewfrost cocked his head.

Fernstar stared off into the distance, "Well I was thinking of taking the backside of Thunderclan territory, Bramblestar did say there was prey there and undergrowth. Anyway it isn't originally Thunderclan's territory." She lowered her voice, "I was thinking of attacking to take it in two sunrises, so we can get ready and strengthened." Fernstar turned her attention back to Dewfrost.

"Are you sure about this Fernstar?" Dewfrost glanced doubtfully at his daughter. "It seems like a big risk."

"Yes, I am sure. We have to take those kind of risks for SkyClan to have a chance to survive."

"Alright, I can see why we would do this. So I agree."

Even though he had agreed, Fernstar could still see the worry on his petite cream face.

"Good. Now let's go make the announcement." She sighed, "Let's try not to get everyone worked up." She leaped down from the low branch waving her tail, beckoning for Dewfrost to follow.

"Let all cats old enough to climb trees, gather around to listen!" Fernstar yowled. She stood straight as everyone started to gather around her, murmuring amongst each other. She gazed around as Amberleaf appeared from the longer grass, Seedpaw from hunting, Prinkleleap and Reedthicket from a another hunting patrol along with Windwhisp, Duskpeak, Leafpaw, Finsplash, Parsleyseed, Doestep, Waspwhisker, and lastly Tigerlily who was holding a vole tightly in her jaws.

"I have an announcement." Fernstar declared, "I had a meeting with the other leaders, and sadly none of them accepted to share their territory."

"What?"

"Wha- what do you mean?"

"That's ridiculous!"

"What's going to happen to us?" Some of the SkyClan cats started to growl.

"I have a plan, but it is a risky one, but as you all know we must take risks to get what Starclan promised us. It isn't always going to be eating fresh-kill under the moonlight.

"My plan is to take the backside of Thunderclan territory. Bramblestar mentioned it wasn't part of the original area they first marked out." Fernstar raised her voice.

"But are there any trees? Or undergrowth? Because I am sick of walking in poky grass and soft slop." Prinkleleap protested, lifting a paw coated in mud.

"Yes, he said that there was still undergrowth and trees for Thunderclan, so I suppose we could have it as our territory. We will attack in two sunrises, meaning that I want everyone to get as much fresh-kill to eat, and start battle training." Fernstar gazed down at her clanmates' determined eyes, "We are SkyClan. We are fighters, born for trials that can be defeated." With that, she nodded her head, "Meeting dismissed."

"Meadowlark and Fallowfern, come here please." Fernstar called.

"What do you need Fernstar?" They asked.

"I want you to teach Seedpaw and Leafpaw some more advanced battle moves, we need to be prepared." Fernstar hesitated, "For anything."

"Ok, I'll get right to it." Meadowlark replied. Fallowfern nodded.

"Thank you." Fernstar called after them as they raced away to get Seedpaw and Leafpaw.

Where is Dewfrost? Fernstar wondered, she sniffed the air and detected his scent towards a large willow tree in the marshy area. Following it she spotted him in the tree, "Hey what are you doing up their? Waiting for birds to hit you?" Fernstar retorted.

"No, I'm enjoying the breeze, I remember as an apprentice I would just come up here and enjoy myself...well ever since Cherrystar became leader I haven't climbed a tree, besides when you and I talked." Dewfrost replied with mourn in his voice.

"Well..um" Fernstar wondered what she should do. Should I ruin his well memory time, but he has to help me make some patrols...wait! I have an idea! "Hey Dewfrost."

"Yes Fernstar.." He looked off into the unknown, his tail waving in the breeze.

"I was wondering if you could teach Seedpaw and Leafpaw to do battle training in the trees with Meadowlark and Fallowfern, or anyone who wants to join to get some practice."

"Really?" Dewfrost asked, "Sure why not, we're Skyclan remember."

Fernstar purred and watched as Dewfrost leaped out of the tree. "Now come on, we don't have forever."

"Seedpaw! Leafpaw! Meadowlark! Fallowfern! How is the training going?" Fernstar asked Meadowlark.

"They're doing great, they have learned some more advanced moves and have perfected them."

"Well since they have done them perfectly." Fernstar turns around and points her tail towards a cluster of trees. "Why don't they go and try them in the trees instead." Fernstar turned around back towards camp.

"Wait!" Seedpaw screeched, "We get to climb in the trees?"

"Yes." Fernstar replied.

"Yay!" Seedpaw yowled.

"Are they scary?" Leafpaw asked warily.

"No they're not scary mouse-brain. Climbing trees is fun! Come on, what are you all waiting for? Lets go!" Seedpaw stumbled towards the cluster of trees. Meadowlark, Fallowfern, and Leafpaw following.

Fernstar padded away back to their make-shift camp, "Reedthicket?"

"Yes Fernstar?" He returned her question.

"Can you help me get some hunting patrols set up?" Fernstar asked, "Because Dewfrost is helping with battle training in the trees."

"Sure Fernstar, anything for you." He nuzzled his nose along her jaw line before padding off.

Sighing, Fernstar glanced around the camp making sure everything was in order and sat on the rock with Sagenose.

"You know those young ones, never seem to get things through their heads." Sagenose murmured. "By the way when are you going to have kits of your own? You and Reedthicket sure would make some cute kits." Sagenose purred.

"Oh, I don't know." She rested her muzzle on her paws.

"Oh come on Fernstar, something's troubling you, I know it. I might have a gray muzzle but I can feel what others feel, in my bones." Sagenose tilted his head, gazing worryingly into her leaf-green eyes.

"What if I never have kits?" Fernstar blurted out suddenly, her eyes filled with grief.

"Oh, one day you will, if Starclan allows." Sagenose reassured her, "Fernstar you have a great destiny ahead of you, you just have to believe."

"Thanks, Sagenose." Fernstar closed her eyes, resting her muzzle back onto her paws, relishing the bright new-leaf sun.

* * *

"Amberleaf!" Meadowlark screeched, "Amberleaf! Fernstar! Come quick!"

"What's wrong, Meadowlark!" Amberleaf asked.

"It's...it's" Meadowlark stuttered.

"Spit it out!" Amberleaf hissed in frustration.

Meadowlark panted, her eyes filled with worry and shock, "It's your daughter! She fell out of the tree! And she's hurt. Badly!"

"What! Where?" Amberleaf screeched.

Fernstar sprang up from her basking on the rock. "What's wrong?" Fernstar asked, twitching her whiskers.

Amberleaf whipped around, "It's my daughter, she fell out of the tree!"

"Well then what are we waiting for, let's go!" Fernstar yowled.

They flew forward, racing across the grassy marsh until they reached Leafpaw, who was splayed on the ground, Fallowfern and Seedpaw trying to sooth her.

"You're going to be ok Leafpaw, Meadowlark is getting Amberleaf and Fernstar." Seedpaw mewed mournfully, and her tail drooped down resting on the ground.

"Yes I'm ok, but Leafpaw isn't!" Amberleaf turned her gaze to Leafpaw and gasped, "Leafpaw! Oh dear. Please Starclan don't take her yet!" Amberleaf jerked her head towards her leader, "Fernstar, can you go get some other warriors."

"Of course." Fernstar darted away low to the ground, her tail streaming behind her.

"Meadowlark and Seedpaw find some sticks for her to bite down on, some cobweb for her wound and some chervil root or oak leaves."

"We will get right to it." Meadowlark nodded at Seedpaw, and they too sprinted away.

Amberleaf grasped some wet moss in her jaws and dabbed it on her kit's wounds on her leg, Leafpaw groaned softly. "It will be ok, I promise." Amberleaf waited until she saw Meadowlark and Seedpaw come from behind the bushes, oak leaves, a few sticks and cobweb in their jaws. "Thanks!" She gasped and snapped her head down towards her daughter.

Leafpaw groaned in pain, her eyes starting to roll back.

"No!" Amberleaf yowled. "Fight it Leafpaw! Fight it!" I will not lose you! With nimble paws, she neatly wrapped Leafpaw's leg in oak leaves. She then took one of the sticks and laid it near Leafpaw's mouth. "Bite down when things hurt, okay?"

Leafpaw didn't respond in words. Instead, she just grabbed the stick between her teeth.

Amberleaf gripped her leg in both of her forepaws, pressing down on one side of the fracture and pushing up on her thigh.

She heard a snap, a groan, and a stick splintering before everything was still.

Seedpaw sprang forward, breaking the silence. "Is she okay?"

"Yes. She's fine. I just snapped her leg back into place so it could heal naturally. Now I have to make a splint for her." Amberleaf replied. She got back to work, clearing the old oak leaves from her daughter's injured leg, instead, wrapping cobwebs on it. She gently laid a short stick down on top and wrapped the whole leg in oak leaves, adding another stick on the other side. "Done!" Amberleaf announced. "Now she will come back with me and the rest of you will keep training."

The three cats began to climb up the tree again, leaping neatly to each branch.

"Wait!" Amberleaf suddenly cried out.

"What?" Fallowfern mewed in annoyance.

"You." Amberleaf replied. "Fallowfern, you come back with me too."

"Why me? Leafpaw is Meadowlark's apprentice!"

"I know that!" The medicine cat retorted. "Meadowlark can train Seedpaw for the time being. You need rest." Amberleaf nodded to Fallowfern's slightly swollen flanks.

Fallowfern gaped. "How do you... I only told Fernstar!"

Amberleaf let out an exasperated sigh, turning around, and started padding up the slope with her daughter leaning heavily on her shoulder. She glanced back to Fallowfern, amusement twinkling in her eyes. "Medicine cats just know things."