To this comment, Runningnose simply responds that Tigerstar had been sent for them by StarClan, and that he has more reason to believe this than just the omen mentioned by Tigerstar at the Gathering. Fireheart remarks that this might mean that Tigerstar will be a good leader for ShadowClan. The medicine cat admits that not every cat had been pleased when they joined the Clan, but that they haven't caused any trouble, and are good, strong, loyal warriors. The ginger tom asks about Tigerstar and the rogues that joined ShadowClan with him. Runningnose tells Fireheart that things are going well in ShadowClan again. Runningnose puts in that his new apprentice has shown great talent, and also says that he had been brave when he had brought the herbs the ThunderClan medicine cat had given him back to his Clan. The small tabby adds that he was inspired to change his path because of how Cinderpelt saved his life when he became ill from the Carrionplace disease. Littlecloud explains to the two ThunderClan cats that he is no longer a warrior, but has decided to become a medicine cat instead. When they arrive, they meet two ShadowClan cats there, the medicine cat Runningnose and the warrior Littlecloud. The next morning at dawn, Fireheart and Cinderpelt make their way to Fourtrees. However, Fireheart decides that he will accompany her part of the way, to Fourtrees, in order to make sure she gets there safely. Fireheart also worries that Cinderpelt will be unsafe on her journey to Highstones, remembering how WindClan had sent him and Bluestar away the last time they had tried to go to the Moonstone, to which Cinderpelt argues that they would not try to stop a medicine cat. She shows apprehension about this ceremony, mentioning that her mentor, Yellowfang, should have been there to present her as a full medicine cat to StarClan, but she had not done so before her death. When Fireheart shows surprise that she has to go to the Moonstone, Cinderpelt explains that it is for the half-moon gathering, adding that this is when she will get her full powers as a medicine cat. She assures the deputy that she will handle casually looking Snowkit over, but that it cannot be done immediately, because she will be busy traveling to Highstones the next day. The dark gray she-cat remarks that she isn't surprised by Speckletail's reaction to the suggestion that he might need to be looked over by a medicine cat, as no mother wants to believe that their kit isn't perfect. Fireheart warns her that she will have to be discreet in her examination, as the tabby queen is very defensive of her son and is not welcoming to the idea that there might be something wrong with him. Cinderpelt realizes that the golden-brown tabby might have a point, and agrees to look Speckletail's kit over. Chapter description Fireheart heads to the medicine den to inform Cinderpelt of Brackenfur's concerns about Snowkit.

Warriors 5 a dangerous path