With the RoseClan cats in the MoonClan camp, everything felt different, strange. It was weird to be here.

All the cats were in the main camp. Some were pacing restlessly at the edge, others were sitting together in small groups, keeping a close eye on the RoseClan cats.

Larkkit sat with slumped shoulders next to Amberkit, Dashkit and Leafkit had deliberately moved far away from them. There were always four of us, Larkkit thought sadly. Now everything seems to have been destroyed.

Hailstar and Nightblossom were just talking to Palestar and Honeyclaw, apparently careful not to be heard, because they were meowing so softly that it was almost whispering.

As Larkkit had learnt, Honeyclaw, the pale golden tabby tom, was the deputy of RoseClan. He hadn't been in this position for long, only shortly after Larkkit and Amberkit were born. Larkkit wondered if the previous deputy could have died in the fight against the rogues.

Dashkit would certainly say now: This tail is certainly good for playing with. Larkkit's chest tightened as she thought of her impetuous and naughty foster sister. It seemed to be a special characteristic of RoseClan cats that their tails were bushier compared to the length of their fur.

The other three cats, as Larkkit could gather from conversations, were Patternleaf, Heatherwing and Gooseleap.

They were standing not far from the leaders and had their ears attentively directed forwards.

"It's hard to believe that Palestar would go to the trouble of coming here with the Warrior Council for a few kits," Stripeface commented scornfully.

Council of Warriors! Larkkit's pelt prickled. Then the three of them were the cats-in-command of some of the subranks. Filled with respect and awe, Larkkit tried not to stare too much.

Unfortunately, she was far too excited. Eventually, Patternleaf noticed her and came sauntering over to her.

Larkkit tried to stay calm. She certainly wouldn't be punished just for looking. On the other paw, these were high-ranking cats - especially strangers.

"You've grown so big already!" Patternleaf purred. The tortoiseshell she-cat's green eyes shone with friendly, genuine warmth. "The last time I saw you, you were barely bigger than a mouse."

Relief rushed through Larkkit like a gust of wind. So Patternleaf wasn't angry with her. Maybe there were nice RoseClan cats after all.

"I'm Patternleaf, by the way," the RoseClan she-cat introduced herself.

Larkkit refrained from saying that she had already found out.

"And I'm the cat-in-command of the Hunters' Circle. You'll probably have to put up with me more often than you'd like." Patternleaf purred with amusement.

Larkkit jerked her head up at these words. "Is that so? I want to be a hunter later too!" When she had finished speaking, she was a little embarrassed to have been so enthusiastic in the presence of an older cat.

To her relief, Patternleaf didn't seem upset. "All kits are like that; they head straight for the highest mountain. If that's what you've set out to do, then make an effort!"

"I'm sure I will," Larkkit promised, and had to restrain herself from jumping for joy.

"What about you, Amberkit? Do you already have an idea which subrank you
want to belong to?" Patternleaf asked.

Amberkit crouched down on the ground and kept her eyes lowered. "I'm not sure," she replied in a deliberately polite tone. "Maybe herb cat?"

"We definitely need more herb cats," Patternleaf explained. "Gooseleap and Dawnbreeze are the only ones in RoseClan at the moment."

Larkkit wasn't surprised that Amberkit wanted to become an herb cat. They were much more concerned with helping out in the medicine cat's den and gathering new medicinal plants. Larkkit had never seen the potential in Amberkit to be a real warrior, and as an herb cat she could at least be useful to the Clan.

Larkkit was relieved to see that the leaders had finished their conversation. Hailstar jumped onto the Moonmound. There was no need to call the Clan together because all the cats had already gathered in front of it.

"It's time for Larkkit and Amberkit to return to their birth-Clan," Hailstar began.

Some cats looked around for the kits. Some cooed wistfully. Larkkit gritted her teeth. She had never been a MoonClan cat. They shouldn't pretend that they were actually sad.

Palestar bowed her head respectfully. "We thank you dearly for raising our kits. Especially Swallowfern."

The black she-cat stiffened for a moment as she heard the she-cat's praise, then she blinked and flicked her ears.

Sandblossom, who was standing next to her, licked her head and whispered something to her. Larkkit concentrated on not paying attention.

"Peace will continue for the next four moons. After that, we'll deal with any codebreaking accordingly," Palestar continued.

The fur on Larkkit's back stood up. She didn't feel comfortable with these cats after all. I didn't even know that there was peace between the Clans because of us. And what does Palestar mean that they 'deal with every breach of the law accordingly'? That almost sounds like a threat!

Larkkit anxiously awaited Hailstar's reaction. However, the grey spotted tom didn't seem to be intimidated or irritated in any way. "I wish you a safe journey home."

"Come." Patternleaf nudged Amberkit gently and pushed Larkkit forward with one paw. "Say your goodbyes quickly before we have to leave."

"But I don't want to," Larkkit grumbled.

Amberkit had already dashed to Swallowfern and buried her nose in her chest fur.

When she saw this, Larkkit felt as if there was a thunderstorm in her heart. She wanted nothing more than to wake up and realise that it was all just a bad dream.

My life was a lie. I will never speak a word to Swallowfern again. Larkkit strutted past her foster mother. I hope she suffers someday as much as she made us suffer.

"Larkkit?" Swallowfern's meow seemed to come from far away - as it was irrelevant.

"Come on now, Amberkit!" Larkkit hissed coldly. "We don't belong here anymore."

Amberkit hurried over to her. "Please don't be so unfriendly," she begged.

"Unfriendly?" Larkkit perked her ears. "Okay, I'll be unfriendly then. Have you even realised that we've all been living a lie?"

"Aren't you sad?" Amberkit replied with shining eyes.

Larkkit sighed. Amberkit's question seemed to have dampened the flames inside her somewhat, but they still lingered. Of course she was sad. Still, her anger was greater.

Her gaze fell on Dashkit and Leafkit. For over two moons, she had thought they were littermates. But we are actually strangers. One day we will have forgotten our time together and will be hostile towards each other, as warriors do.

It hurt Larkkit so incredibly to see how the two of them deliberately ignored her. I have always loved you. We may have only been foster siblings, but you were like a real family to me.

In the meantime, Nightblossom had put together an escort consisting of Blazedew, Dragonflystripe, Violetwing and Spotfur.

"It's time for us to leave," Larkkit murmured, more to herself than to Amberkit.

She trotted over to the Hilltunnel, careful not to look at anyone for fear that they would say something that would upset her even more.

Then Larkkit saw Nightblossom tap over to Palestar. She knew she shouldn't eavesdrop, but her curiosity wouldn't let her rest.

"If it's possible," Nightblossom murmured, "let Fernpool train one of the kits."

"Fernpool?" Palestar stepped uneasily from one paw to the other. "I don't know what the Clan will think of that."

"This is an opportunity to ensure Fernpool's loyalty."

After a few tense heartbeats of silence, Palestar nodded approvingly. "You might be right. This could help her become a part of the Clan again."

Nightblossom stepped back. "May StarClan light your path," she meowed. "If I'm allowed to say this: don't you want to stay over the night? You probably won't reach your camp before moonhigh."

"It's kind of you to offer that, but no, thanks. I'd prefer to get home as fast as possible."

Blazedew and Dragonflystripe took the lead, the RoseClan patrol fell into line behind them, while Spotpelt and Violetwing brought up the rear.

Larkkit resisted the urge to look back. I didn't even get to say goodbye properly!, she complained in her thoughts. It all happened so fast.

Without exchanging a word, the cats trotted over the hills.

The sun was already starting to get lower and colour the sky a reddish hue when they arrived at the border river.

Larkkit stared upwards with a strange feeling. She had never been so close to the forest mountains before. It was huge - and dark, too. The tortico she-kit shook with dread as she looked between the wide tree trunks. It was as if it was deepest night beyond the river.

"This is where we leave you," Blazedew announced, snapping Larkkit out of her thoughts.

Larkkit gazed after them fixedly as they disappeared into the heather fields. They didn't even say goodbye.

Only now did she realise that she was alone with strange cats for the first time. Although, that wasn't entirely true. After all, Amberkit was still there too, and actually, the RoseClan cats had always been her Clanmates.

The cats made their way downstream, where a fallen tree hung over the water. This had to be the way into RoseClan territory.

"Well, listen," Palestar meowed, addressing Larkkit and Amberkit. "Do exactly as you're told. Honeyclaw, you go first."

Larkkit watched with growing nervousness as Honeyclaw jumped onto the tree trunk and slowly made his way forwards, claws extended and digging into the bark.

"Now you, Heatherwing." Palestar motioned for the grey she-cat to follow.

If this was the Warrior Council, she was probably the leader of the battle strategists. Larkkit took a closer look at the RoseClan warrior. She was definitely stocky and covered in scars, so it wouldn't be surprising if Larkkit was right in her assumption.

"Now it's your turn," Palestar explained. "The most important thing is that you stay calm. Even if it hasn't rained in the last few days, the bark can still be wet and slippery from the river water."

That sounds very promising, Larkkit thought, rolling her eyes. She pulled herself onto the tree trunk with her claws and slowly pushed herself forwards. The bark scratched unpleasantly and the border river roared beneath her, but Larkkit stubbornly concentrated on where she put her paws.

Honeyclaw and Heatherwing had already reached the other bank just as Larkkit was in the middle of the tree trunk.

With a queasy, constricting feeling in her chest, she noticed a piece of moss appear in front of her. Carefully, she ran a paw over it. It was smooth. If she wasn't careful, she would lose her footing here and fall into the water.

Then Larkkit remembered Palestar's words again. I just have to stay calm.

She put one paw forward and dug her claws into the soft bark until she was sure she had enough grip.

Larkkit had crossed the dangerous spot faster than she had expected. From here, it wasn't far to the other bank.

When she finally had solid ground under her paws again, she allowed herself a look across the river. Amberkit had already crossed the moss patch, with Patternleaf, Gooseleap and Palestar behind her.

Now I'm in RoseClan territory. She suddenly realised that. From here, the forest looked even more shadowy and threatening. The sky was also getting darker and darker.

Amberkit reached the other bank. Trembling, the reddish-golden she-kit jumped down.

"That was the worst thing I've ever had to do," Larkkit exclaimed. "Hopefully we'll make it to camp before nightfall." She looked questioningly at the other cats.

Honeyclaw looked up at the sky, then into the forest. "That could be difficult," he said disappointingly. "Our camp is much deeper in the territory than MoonClan's."

"Besides, we left last night," Heatherwing added, tail flicking.

"Last night?" Larkkit repeated in shock. She had realised how huge the territories were. But she had never imagined that it would take so long to travel from one camp to another.

"Exactly," Honeyclaw confirmed. "We've taken on quite a lot because of you."

Larkkit narrowed her eyes. Was that an accusation or was it simply meant to be humorous?

She was incredibly relieved when the remaining three cats arrived with them.

"Are you all right?" Palestar asked curtly.

Otherwise Larkkit would have resented her impassive tone. But since she knew what a journey the RoseClan patrol had been on, she understood. "Yes, it's all good."

Amberkit only nodded in confirmation, but seemed to be somewhere else in her mind.

"We'll go on right away," Palestar decided and led the patrol up the embankment. "We'll hunt when we get to the ravine."

There's no turning back now.

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Read what Swallowfern, Dashkit and Leafkit think about the news in the bonus chapter "After chapter 08"