SPOTTEDSONG HAD BEEN told to go on patrol that morning. She had dragged herself out of her nest and now she was quickly grooming herself, listening to her busy Clanmates outside.

She stopped in the middle of her work when she heard two exceptionally loud voices outside of the den. Both sounded desperate. Spottedsong peeked outside of the den to see Cloudsky and Frozenfang standing muzzle-to-muzzle in an argument just outside of the warrior's den.

"Please, Frozenfang," Cloudsky begged.

"It doesn't make sense," Frozenfang countered, solemnness filling her frosty blue eyes. "This can't work. I've lived for many more seasons than you! I've seen many more things! I'm a MoonClan cat. Great StarClan, I was friends with your mother!"

Cloudsky looked thoughtful. "True. But that doesn't matter. Age doesn't matter. I might be a bit younger, but-"

"Age does matter. I'm old enough to be your mother. I knew Tawnyflight when she was a young apprentice, same with Shadowheart. Look, it's really, really sweet that you cared about me when no one else did, but you can care about me some other way. We can still be friends, stay side by side together, but not as mates or mother and father. Just as friends. I really want you to understand that," Frozenfang explained, sounding desperate for Cloudsky to understand.

Cloudsky held Frozenfang's gaze for a few moments longer, then he dropped it to his paws. Then he took a deep breath and met the dark gray she-cat's gaze. "Frozenfang, the moment you walked into this camp, I knew that you were different from the other she-cats. I knew that I would never find another cat quite like you, and I didn't want to miss my chance. But now . . ."

"I like you too, Cloudsky, but we can't go on like this. I'm practically old enough to be an elder now. And besides, if we were in that kind of relationship, do you know how much danger you would be putting yourself in? They-the MoonClan cats-are after me. If they knew that we were in love, you would be next. It's better that I keep you safe than risk your life."

"Is that all this is about?" Cloudsky was beginning to sound angry. "MoonClan? We can't let MoonClan determine our every choice! If we want to become mates and have kits, we should be allowed. Have you ever lived in freedom before? Do you even know what that's like? Because I'm starting to think you don't."

Frozenfang stiffened a bit, her neck and shoulder fur rising. "Maybe I don't! But you can't blame me. I was born and raised in MoonClan, the Clan where only the strongest survive. But being in FrostClan, I get my first dose of freedom, and it's the most wonderful thing ever. If fate allowed it, I would be your mate, and I would have your kits. But it doesn't, and I'm sorry."

Cloudsky's eyes darkened with sadness. "Fine. If that's what you really want, have it. There's plenty of other she-cats out there." He ducked his head, ears flat upon his head, then left. Spottedsong watched as her brother headed to the other side of camp to nowhere in particular, then she slid into the open to confront Frozenfang. The gray she-cat looked anguished as she watched Cloudsky leave.

"That was brave of you to speak up," Spottedsong told her, hoping that would lift her spirits. "He won't stay mad," she added when Frozenfang gave her a scornful look.

"I still hate to see him this sad. I wonder if I was too hard on him. He really does love me, but I just don't think I do the same way." Frozenfang sighed.

"If I know Cloudsky correctly, I know that he'll find another cat really quick," Spottedsong observed. Frozenfang looked at her indignantly. "I didn't mean that in a bad way. He'll still care for you no matter what. But he'll find a cat who wants to be mates and have kits with him like he wants."

"But then . . . how could he care about me the same way? Would he even care by then?" Frozenfang asked, her voice shaking.

"Of course he would," Spottedsong soothed, brushing her fur against Frozenfang's in an assuring manner. "He's a loyal cat. If he loves you once, he'll love you forever. Trust me. Has something like this happened before?" She couldn't help but ask. She knew it was a bit over the line, but something about the way Frozenfang shared her doubts made Spottedsong think this wasn't the first time.

"No. I mean, not really," Frozenfang muttered. "It's complicated."

"Are you comfortable with sharing?"

Frozenfang held her gaze for a few moments, then she nodded. "I guess. I mean, it's not like he's coming back. The least I can do is talk about him. His name was Wolfshadow. He was the kindest cat I ever knew. He wasn't like the other MoonClan cats. But then, Cypressstar made him go on one of the patrols that chased half of your Clanmates away, and then . . . he disappeared. No one bothered to go look for him. His sister, Gingerstalk, died on the same day, so I think he also died with her."

Spottedsong was lost for words. She stumbled to find some. "I'm so sorry, Frozenfang. Do you think he could have joined our lost Clanmates, like how you joined us?"

Frozenfang frowned. "I doubt it. He was loyal, even if he disagreed with his Clan's ways. He would fight to the death for his Clan if he had to."

"Spottedsong!" Skystorm padded toward them. "I'm waiting for you. Are you coming or not?"

"Of course. We can talk later, Frozenfang." Spottedsong quickly followed Skystorm to the patrol. "Sorry, I just got distracted talking to Frozenfang. Also, why is it just you and me? It's not exactly a patrol that way."

Skystorm let out an irritated huff. "MoonClan's doing well at decreasing our numbers. Also, Rosefeather and Hollyfern have gone missing not too long ago. I want to find a trace of their scent or something to find them before it's too late. So let's go." He led Spottedsong out of the camp.

As Spottedsong followed him, a paw print in the ground caught her attention. "Hey, Skystorm, look at this." When Skystorm turned around, she added, "Maybe there's a trail we can follow."

"Are you sure it's Rosefeather's or Hollyfern's?" Skystorm asked, gesturing to the print.

Spottedsong sniffed the paw print and found that Hollyfern's scent was fresh on it. "Yes. Now come on. You wanted to find them, didn't you?" She eagerly followed the trail, Skystorm trotting through the fallen leaves after her.

A familiar scent made Spottedsong stop in her tracks. Not only was the scent mingled with FrostClan and MoonClan scent, but it was the scent of the Clan's first traitor: Sparrowfeather. Rosefeather and Hollyfern seemed to be here, too. Why would Rosefeather and Hollyfern want to meet with Sparrowfeather? She looked at Skystorm and saw that he looked just as surprised as she felt.

"Are you sure?" Hollyfern was asking. "What will our Clanmates think?"

"They'll probably be confused or angry, but they'll come to their senses," Rosefeather responded. "Besides, Sparrowfeather promised he would do better this time. Right?"

Spottedsong carefully peeked through the bushes they were hiding behind to see the three cats.

Sparrowfeather nodded. "I did. It was never my intention to do any of the terrible things I did. But now I think I can do better. For you, Rosefeather, and the two kits I have left."

Spottedsong thought of Gorseberry. What would he think when his traitorous father returned to the Clan? Would the Clan just drive him out? Would there be a fight? I wish I could warn him.

Hollyfern sighed, shaking her head for a heartbeat. "If something bad happens, it's not my fault." She shot a look at Rosefeather. "So, are we going or not?"

Rosefeather and Sparrowfeather exchanged looks, then they both nodded.

Spottedsong looked at Skystorm, then gestured toward the rest of the forest. Skystorm nodded, and they both ducked into the opposite direction of the forest to get away unnoticed. Spottedsong's heart raced as they both huddled together under a large bush. She watched as Hollyfern, Rosefeather, and Sparrowfeather all began to walk together toward the camp, the dry leaf-fall leaves crunching under their paws as they went.

When they were gone, Skystorm and Spottedsong crawled out from under the bush and followed in the paw steps of the three cats who were already long gone. They made sure that they were far behind them. They didn't want to alarm them. At least, that's what Spottedsong was thinking. Skystorm was probably thinking the same thing, but she couldn't be sure.

"What do you think is going to happen?" Skystorm asked, his voice low.

"What do you mean? How is the Clan going to react?" Spottedsong asked.

"Yeah. I mean, I know Sparrowfeather said he was going to do better. But you can never trust a MoonClan cat," Skystorm explained. "Who knows? He might be doing this to destroy what's left of us from the inside out, and we can't let that happen."

Spottedsong held Skystorm's gaze for a heartbeat before she understood the fear in his eyes. "And he'd go for the kits first," she murmured. "You're right. We can't risk it. Let's go." She and Skystorm ran through the forest toward the camp. By the time they got there, Rosefeather, Hollyfern, and Sparrowfeather were already inside. Spottedsong could hear the rest of the Clan inside arguing and protesting about this.

Skystorm ran past Spottedsong and disappeared into the camp. Spottedsong padded after him.

"Have you lost your mind, Rosefeather?" That was Acornshade.

"Maybe I have. But I believe this is for the best," Rosefeather answered with confidence.

Gorseberry hurried to Spottedsong when she came in. There was fear and confusion in his eyes. Spottedsong nuzzled him comfortingly and glanced over her shoulder at Skystorm, who was pressed against Mousetail with apprehension in his eyes. Leopardkit and Violetkit were there, too, huddled together in between Mousetail's paws.

Spottedsong turned back around when Gorseberry gave her a comforting lick around the ears and nuzzled her lovingly. She looked at him sympathetically. "Do you like that he's back?"

Gorseberry looked at Sparrowfeather, his gaze darkening. Then he shrugged as if to say I don't know.

"I hope he's actually being genuine this time," Spottedsong murmured. "Last time, all he did was lie and make us think something was up until it was too late."

Gorseberry nodded, turning his eyes to his father, thoughtfulness clouding his gaze.

Lynxstar came into the middle of the situation. "What in the world is going on? Sparrowfeather, what are you doing here?"

"I brought him here," Rosefeather admitted, ducking her head in an apology. "I'm sorry."

Lynxstar ignored her apology. "Why would you do that? You know he's a traitor. I don't care if you miss him. You can't bring him back here."

Hollyfern looked at Lynxstar hopefully. "Please let him stay. Rosefeather and I . . . we just miss our kin. And Sparrowfeather already said he would try and be better this time. We trust him."

The few cats in the clearing began to murmur to each other worriedly. Sparrowfeather kept his gaze on Lynxstar, standing up straight and with dignity. "I did promise that. And I will keep my promise. I don't want to let my Clan down again."

"We're not your Clan anymore," Mousetail declared, standing up and stepping forward, her eyes blazing with frustration. "You proved to us that you are not a loyal FrostClan warrior. You are nothing more than a traitor."

Skystorm looked at her with surprise, his muscles stiffening while he looked at her with wide eyes. He curled his tail protectively around his kits, his eyes glistening with fear and protectiveness.

Sparrowfeather's eyes blazed with indignation. "Maybe that's what this Clan thinks now. But Rosefeather and Hollyfern brought me here because they believe I get a second chance. I want you all to realize that too."

Frozenfang scoffed, and Mousetail narrowed her eyes in a skeptical manner. "And how do you expect us to believe that? Last time we believed you, it didn't turn out very well."

Hollyfern flattened her ears. Spottedsong guessed she was questioning her decision to bring Sparrowfeather back. But meanwhile, Rosefeather bristled, her eyes glistening with anger. "Maybe you don't trust him, but I do trust him to prove us right this time!"

"Your connection to him is clouding your judgment," Hollyfern snapped. "Now it's only you that likes this. So either you find a good way to convince us that he should stay-which would be a surprise-or you let him go like the rest of us want. It's your choice."

Rosefeather fell completely silent, glancing over at Sparrowfeather, an apologetic look coming to her eyes. "I guess there's only one option then." Her voice was thick with grief.

The FrostClan warriors relaxed, murmuring quietly.

"If making him go back is what you all really want, then fine. But I have been silently suffering ever since he left. Ever since my two precious kits died. I just needed one of them back, and he was the best option. So if you want to force him back into that terrible Clan and make me suffer even more, then fine. Have it your way. But don't be surprised if he comes back." Rosefeather glanced around at the gathered cats, then stormed off.

Spottedsong felt Gorseberry stiffen beside her. She watched as Rosefeather disappeared through the entrance of the camp. She saw Lynxstar and Owlheart exchange alarmed glances. Sparrowfeather shifted his paws uncomfortably. "I mean, I would leave," he began, "but I don't want to let Rosefeather down. She's already gone through so much. And I . . . well, I don't want that for her. She's my mate and she always will be."

There was silence for a few heartbeats. Then murmuring broke out, mostly from Lynxstar and Owlheart. Then Lynxstar stepped forward. "Then it's settled." The Clan quieted down and looked at their leader curiously. The white she-cat's voice was firm, and Spottedsong wasn't sure what she had chosen. Though, secretly, she hoped that Lynxstar would let Sparrowfeather stay. She didn't want Rosefeather to suffer through her grief any longer.