Chapter 3

"Is that Shadowstripe?"

"No, of course not! He's dead, mouse-brain!"
Stonepaw and Flowerpaw looked at each other questioningly.
"Who are you?" a dark orange-pelt cat queered.

"Uh, Stonepaw. This is Flowerpaw." Stonepaw replied shakily. Finally he had enough courage to ask, "And you are?"
The orange cat spat back, "Don't you know apprentices shouldn't be out without a warrior? Dawnpaw, tell Fawnstar there are intruders. And help me take them to camp!"

Flowerpaw jumped, "What clan is this? Aren't we still in ForestClan territory?"

"ForestClan? No! This is DuskClan! Well... Not here, but this is our border! Dawnpaw, let's move."
"Who are you?" Stonepaw repeated.
"If it will keep you quiet, I'm Flamefur! Move!"
The DuskClan members lead Stonepaw and Flowerpaw into a damp, grassy area, with occasional trees in sight. It was hot and felt as though temperature was rapidly rising. Finally, they were lead to a well-built camp, and into a small den, much like the one they were just in.
"Fawnstar, we have visitors." Flamefur disclosed smilingly.
Fawnstar tilted her head, as she looked rather gentle and kind. "Who are these cats? They don't carry the scent of any clan I know."

"We aren't in a clan," Stonepaw asserted.

"Oh? Then how did you end up here?" Fawnstar inquired.

Stonepaw explained the story of their birth to what happened while they were in ForestClan territory.
Fawnstar looked at them in awe. "Flamefur, can I speak to you for a moment?"
"Of course." Flamefur signaled to Stonepaw and Flowerpaw to leave the den. They padded out of the den with their tails down. Also following was Dawnpaw.
"Flamefur, do you know their resemblence to Shadowstripe?"
Flamefur nodded. "Dawnpaw even noticed."

"Do you think they are his kits?"

Flamefur hesitated, "They have the names they once did as kits. Maybe they are."

"Should we welcome them?" Fawnstar asked.
"Possibly, but I don't make the decisions."
Fawnstar nodded. "I will think about it. Maybe StarClan will send me a message tonight about them. For now, they're prisoners. Tell them to come in, will you?"
"Yes, Fawnstar." Flamefur walked out the den and welcomed the two apprentices back in the den. They both walked in and sat in front of Fawnstar.
"Stonepaw, Flowerpaw, do either of you know your mother or father's names?" Fawnstar asked.
They both shook their head.

"Right. Well for now you both are prisoners. Flamefur, get Crowpelt to watch them."
Flamefur nodded and lead the way out of the den. "Crowpelt!" she called. A pure black tom walked out of a den. And followed the voice that had called to him.
"Yes?"

"Fawnstar has told these two apprentices as prisoners. She wants you to keep an eye on them."
"I'll try my best," he said as he took a glance at them. "Wait. A-are those Shadowstripe's kits?"

"We think so, just watch them, please? I'll hunt prey for you." Flamefur pleaded.
"Alright, alright. I'll watch them." he said happily.
"Great! Thanks, I'll go get you something from the fresh-kill pile."
Crowpelt nodded and gave her a lick. "Come on young apprentices, I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."