a forest divided: part five

It all comes out about the division of territories, the battle, and the deaths. Quiet Rain is furious. She sends away Gray Wing and Jagged Peak. Alone with Clear Sky she disowns him. Clear Sky leaves and Star Flower comforts him.

Thunder wakes up in Tall Shadow's camp. He has sent Lightning Tail on home. He watches Jagged Peak's kits for a bit but Jagged Peak gets upset, feeling that they are playing dangerously and Thunder isn't stopping them. He debates asking Tall Shadow if he can hunt but then Pebble Heart needs him to help get some herbs down Quiet Rain. Thunder is able to get the prickly elder to take them by eating one himself. Thunder finds himself talking to Quiet Rain about his father, even defending him. Quiet Rain observes that he must love his father very much, which catches Thunder off guard. Thunder and Quiet Rain hear Clear Sky and Star Flower arguing outside Pebble Heart's den. Star Flower is telling him to go in there and be with his mother before it is too late; Clear Sky is arguing she doesn't want him. The two cats come in and as Thunder watches Quiet Rain with her son he realizes just where Clear Sky got his bad traits from. When Quiet Rain finds out that Star Flower is pregnant she remarks to Thunder that he will have siblings. This shocks him and he is sad to realize he will never really know them now that he lives in a different camp. Jagged Peak and Gray Wing also come in and the three brothers quickly start fighting. Star Flower breaks them up and Thunder realizes that he would never have been happy with her, but she might be exactly what Clear Sky needs. Outside the den Holly starts to panic as she cannot find her kits.

Everyone quickly splits up and offers to take different areas - even Fern helps. Gray Wing is left in the camp to watch over Pebble Heart and Quiet Rain. Clear Sky is shocked to see Thunder and Star Flower go off together to search. He himself searches an area of the pine trees and finds the kits up in a tree trapped by a crow. He saves them from the crow and gets them down.

As Gray Wing sits with Quiet Rain she wakes up. When she asks where everyone is he tells her everyone is out looking for Jagged Peak's kits. She is annoyed that Jagged Peak let them wander from the camp, but she also admits that he has done good for himself since he has a mate and kits. She asks Gray Wing why he does not have a mate and Gray Wing admits that Turtle Tail was his mate and he helped her raise her kits, but she died. Quiet Rain is happy to hear that he finally noticed Turtle Tail but she wishes for him to stop mourning her death. Clear Sky returns with the kits who are freezing. They cuddle with Quiet Rain to warm up, as she has a fever. 

Everyone seems to be waiting for Quiet Rain to die. As for Sun Shadow, he seems to be finding a place in Tall Shadow's group. Same with Fern. Gray Wing, however, needs to move on already.

I was surprised to see Thunder work with Star Flower so willingly. I am glad he realizes she is not the cat for him. Looks like Star Flower might not be playing any games. This is a good thing as I think everyone needs to heal and move forward. Her and Clear Sky being together still feels wrong to me, but if Thunder can find happiness and peace in the situation that is all that matters. 

a forest divided: part four

Thunder is worried about Quiet Rain and tries to bring her back to his camp to see Cloud Spots but she refuses. He tells them be will be back, he just needs to let his cats know where he is going. He finds Milkweed hunting near the camp and tells her what is going on. He goes back to the mountain cats and takes them by way of River Ripple's land so he can avoid Clear Sky, using the argument that the moor is easier to cross. They meet River Ripple who tells Sun Shadow that his father was a fine cat. Sun Shadow realizes his father is dead and Thunder is forced to tell him what happened. River Ripple realizes Thunder is deliberately leaving out certain information and keeps silent. He helps Thunder lead them on. It comes out that Thunder is Clear Sky's son and Quiet Rain asks after Bright Stream, assuming she must be Thunder's mother. But Thunder is forced to tell her that Bright Stream died long ago and that Storm is his mother - and then that even Storm is dead. The four cats cross the Thunderpath and search out Tall Shadow's camp. Thunder wonders how Tall Shadow will break the news of the rift between Quiet Rain's sons.

They reach Tall Shadow's camp and at first the reunion is happy but then Tall Shadow admits that Gray Wing is missing and bad been for days. Pebble Heart quickly intervenes by treating Quiet Rain. River Ripple leaves and Thunder tries to follow but Tall Shadow asks him to stay. Jagged Peak arrives but that doesn't help things since Quiet Rain feels that his kits are rude and she is devastated to find him lame. Tall Shadow asks Thunder to find his uncle. 

Gray Wing is happy with Wind Runner's group. He feels he should return home but finds excuses to keep delaying. Thunder arrives looking for Gray Wing and finds him. He tells him how he found Quiet Rain and Sun Shadow and brought them to Tall Shadow. Gray Wing leaves with him. On the privacy of the moor Gray Wing asks why not take them to Clear Sky. Thunder admits to the falling out between him and his father. On the way to Tall Shadow's camp Gray Wing gets caught in a Twoleg trap and becomes injured. They realizethe smell of blood will draw other animals but they cannot figure out how to free him. Fern arrives and is able to help. Thunder is suspicious of her but Gray Wing is welcoming. She tells him that Slash has been redirected but it won't last for forever. They reach the camp but instead of finding comfort in Gray Wing, Quiet Rain only becomes more upset as he is freshly injured. 

Thunder sits with Gray Wing and Fern, wondering if he should leave. Fern too wonders if she should go but Gray Wing convinces her to stay. Tall Shadow is not happy that Gray Wing had invited an outsider to their camp but when Fern offers to leave Tall Shadow insists she can stay. Thunder wonders if he should mention Slash but decides that is Fern and Gray Wing's business. Jagged Peak is hostile towards Fern, but Holly is welcoming. When Jagged Peak makes a comment about strays Thunder finds himself speaking up in Fern's defense. Quiet Rain wishes to see Clear Sky so Gray Wing asks Thunder to go get his father. Thunder doesn't want to as he hasn't spoken to his father since their fight. He and Gray Wing argue over this but Thunder agrees to go. He leaves the camp and stops by his own to check in and give everyone an update. He finds Leaf and Milkweed getting along great. Lighting Tail goes with him to Clear Sky's camp. Everyone wakes up when he arrives and he discovers Clear Sky and Star Flower are expecting kits. He tells Clear Sky about Quiet Rain. Star Flower wishes to go with him but he insists she stay behind because of her condition. Thunder rudely tells her she isn't family. Acorn Fur calls him out on his rudeness but Thunder doesn't care because he is hurt that Clear Sky clearly cares more for these kits then he ever did for him. They reach Tall Shadow's camp. Clear Sky speaks to his mother while Gray Wing apologizes to Thunder for his earlier harshness. Star Flower arrives, much to everyone's shock. Clear Sky leaves Pebble Heart's den to collect his brothers as Quiet Rain wishes to speak with them all at once.

I don't remember Quiet Rain being this difficult of a cat. I get she arrived and found nothing like she expected but still. She is awfully sharp. A bit like MouseFur but lacking something that MouseFur had.

a forest divided: part three

Thunder over sleeps, which causes he and his father to get into a fight when he finally wakes up. Clear Sky refuses to let him go on any of the hunting patrols - or even to leave the camp. Thunder repeatedly tries to convince but only succeeds in irritating himself and his father. Clear Sky insists Thunder has to stay in the camp so he can go patrol the borders alone. Suspicious, Thunder agrees. He asks Lightning Tail to watch the camp so he can follow his father but his friend insists on going with him. They leave Leaf in charge and follow Clear Sky. They discover he is meeting with Star Flower in secret. Thunder feels a mixture of emotions ranging from betrayal to shock. Lightning Tail assures him that Clear Sky cannot possibly be falling for a trick of Star Flower's and they leave.

Thunder angrily waits for his father to return to camp. When he does he confronts Clear Sky about his rules for the cats hunting. They get into an argument because Thunder wants to send out more patrols over the whole of their territory but Clear Sky feels he needs no cats advice -and that he rules absolutely. This leads to an even bigger argument when Thunder admits to spying on his father. He tells him he is just worried that Star Flower will manipulate Clear Sky too and begs him not to see her anymore. Clear Sky says he will think on Thunder's advice and tells him to go hunt, since that will make him happy. Thunder runs into Star Flower who confronts him about following her. Thunder tells her he was following Clear Sky and warns Star Flower to stay away from him. Star Flower responds she didn't realize Thunder still had feelings for her and tells him they can never be together. Thunder insults her then gathers Owl Eyes to go hunting. Leaf asks to go as well and Thunder let's him. As they hunt Leaf starts to talk about how unhappy he is with Clear Sky. Ever since the battle he feels Clear Sky is being soft. He is especially upset that Milkweed and her kits were taken in since he feels they are dead weight. After they hunt Thunder happily returns to camp with prey only for Lightning Tail to tell him Clear Sky left with Star Flower. Thunder realizes this is the real his father sent him hunting. Furious, he settles down to wait for Clear Sky's return. 

Clear Sky races through the forest with Star Flower. They go to snakerocks and talk. Star Flower wishes to be with him and feels that Thunder will get over it. Clear Sky wishes this is true and justifies being with Star Flower by telling himself his son wouldn't wish him to be lonely. They return to camp to find everyone fighting. Leaf is furious that Milkweed and her kits ate his catch. Blossom defends them saying they are starving while Leaf is not and that everyone is sharing the prey they caught. This leads to a new argument over how everyone should be hunting and contributing to the camp (like Milkweed, who Clear Sky will not allow to hunt). Clear Sky tries to put his foot down by pointing out he is the leader, he decides who hunts, who leaves camp when, and how much hunting should be done. He tells Leaf if he is so unhappy he should leave, because only cats who wish to be there belong there. Thunder speaks up, saying he agrees with Clear Sky so he is going. Clear Sky is shocked, as this is not what he meant. He asks Thunder why and Thunder responds that he cannot stay and watch cats starve. This leads to an argument between father and son with Thunder accusing Clear Sky of being so determined to be right that he would refuse to admit it if he were wrong. Leaf speaks up, saying he is leaving with Thunder. Lightning Tail, Owl Eyes, Cloud Spots, and Pink Eyes also announce they are leaving. Clear Sky cannot believe this is happening and asks Thunder to speak with him in private. As they talk Thunder explains that he cannot live with a cat who has no respect for his ideas and he cannot watch his father be with Star Flower. Clear Sky accuses him of acting like a spoiled kit but Thunder counters that Clear Sky refuses to listen to anyone but himself. Clear Sky retorts that if Star Flower had picked Thunder he wouldn't leave. Thunder responds that Star Flower would never have chosen him because he is not enough like One Eye. Thunder and his cats leave while Clear Sky is reeling from Thunder's accusation. Star Flower comforts him, telling him it is best that Thunder goes so only loyal cats are left behind. 

Thunder leaves camp with the cats he is now responsible for. Lightning Tail asks why he didn't tell him he was planning on leaving. Thunder responds it was a quick decision. Owl Eyes says he hears someone following them but Thunder brushes him off. Leaf goes to check it out when everyone else hears it too. Pink Eyes strains and becomes panicked, sending Thunder after Leaf. Thunder finds Leaf and Milkweed arguing. He allows Milkweed and her kits to join them, much to Leaf's annoyance. They find a sheltered ravine to sleep in and settle down for the night.Day later Thunder is out hunting for his group when he runs into a strange cat. The cat comes from the mountains and has a companionwho is sick. Thunder goes with the cat and meets Quiet Rain. He gives her his prey. As they talk he discovers the other cat is Sun Shadow and they are looking for Gray Wing, Clear Sky, Jagged Peak, and Moon Shadow. The thinks on Clear Sky and decides not to go there. Instead he tells them he knows Tall Shadow, Gray Wing, and Jagged Peak. He tells them that they live in the pines and he will take them there.

I knew this would happen. I mean, there is the obvious ThunderClan/SkyClan situation, but Thunder and Clear Sky just clash to much. Clear Sky is a control freak whereas Thunder is willing to lead with others. The forest needed to divide and there needed to be five groups. And now it is that way.

I just hope Clear Sky isn't being a fool over Star Flower since it just cost him his son.

I also bet Thunder will not find Gray Wing in the pines since his heart (in more way then one) lies on the moor.

sailor moon: part five

After another failed attempt to gather energy from Hiromi (an anime artist), Nephrite decides that whoever finds the Silver Crystal wins. Zoisite is furious, as finding the Silver Crystal is his job. Nephrite creates the Black Crystal to find the Silver Crystal and tries to use Naru to help him, as she is in love with him. However, Nephrite begins to realize he might have feelings for Naru as well. Zoisite also notices this and uses it against Nephrite. He has Naru kidnapped in an attempt to bribe the Black Crystal away from Nephrite. His plan fails, but later his youma target Naru and Nephrite dies saving her.

After this attempts to gather energy are abandoned and instead the focus moves to finding the Silver Crystal. Everyone discovers that to obtain the Silver Crystal first the seven Rainbow Crystals must be gathered. They are trapped inside of innocent humans on Earth. By removing the Rainbow Crystal the human is turned into a monster. The first human Zoisite does this to, Crane Game Joe, is being followed by a young girl named Makoto. Makoto is in love with Crane Game Joe and is determined to protect him. As events unfold it is revealed that Makoto is Sailor Jupiter, the fourth sailor solider.

Favorite episode? "Naru's Cry! Nephrite Dies for Love". (Sorry Sailor Jupiter). I know Nephrite is a total jerk who uses Naru unabashedly - plus he is way too old for her - but I am a total sucker for a redemption story. #sorrynotsorry

The episodes:

Protect the Children's Dreams! Friendship Linked by Anime - Season 1, Episode 21

Synopsis - Nephrite targets Hiromi, an anime artist who fears her friend Kazuko is surpassing her.

Nephrite's Youma: Castor and Pollux (twins)

Nephrite's Constellation: Gemini

Nephrite's Stars: Castor and Pollux

Romance Under the Moon! Usagi's First Kiss - Season 1, Episode 22

Synopsis - The famed Princess of the Diamond Kingdom is coming to town and everyone wonders if she is the missing princess and if she has the silver crystal

Nephrite's Youma: Nephrite

Dark Kingdom Introduced: Kunzite

Wish Upon a Shooting Star! Naru's Pure Love - Season 1, Episode 23

Synopsis - Naru is in love with Mr Sanjoin, Nephrite's human alias. Nephrite seeks to use Naru because of this but finds himself saving her from Zoisite's Youma.

Zoisite's Youma: Yasha (crone)

Item Introduced: The Black Crystal

Naru's Cry! Nephrite Dies for Love - Season 1, Episode 24

Synopsis - Zoisite tries to use Naru to manipulate Nephrite into giving him the Black Crystal. After a run in with Zoisite's youmas, Nephrite dies protecting Naru.

Zoisite's Youmas: Grape, Housenka, Suzuran (plants)

Jupiter, the Brawny Girl in Love- Season 1, Episode 25

Synopsis - After the fall of Nephrite the Dark Kingdom focuses on finding the Silver Crystal by looking for the seven Rainbow Crystals which are hidden inside of innocent humans. A new girl, Makoto, moves to town and falls in love with Zoisite's first victim.

The Great Youma: Geisein (arcade)

Rainbow Crystal: Red (Zoisite's possession)

Sailor Solider Introduced: Makoto Kino/Sailor Jupiter

Mako's Transformation Introduced: Jupiter Power Makeup

Mako's Attacks Introduced: Supreme Thunder

New Weapon Introduced: Crescent Moon Wand

Crescent Moon Wand Attack: Moon Healing Escalation (Refresh)

sailor moon: part four

Nephrite continues possessing objects with his Youma. He selects a teacher of Usagi, Ami, and Naru's - Miss Akiyama. Miss Akiyama is getting married and has designed her own dress. In her hunt for the perfect fabric Nephrite finds her and implants his Youma in her fabric. Meanwhile there is a wedding dress competition going on, which the possessed Miss Akiyama crashes. The sailor scouts have to show up and stop her.

Then, Nephrite goes after an up and coming photographer, Shinokawa, planting his Youma in Shinokawa's camera. Usagi ends up stopping this monster on her own as Rei, Ami, and Luna have been captured by it. Shingo's best friend, Mika, is Nephrite's next target. She is a doll maker, and Nephrite uses the new doll she is making to gather her energy.

After this Nephrite decides to change his game by going after Sailor Moon alone, under the guise of Tuxedo Mask. However, Naru figures out that Nephrite is Tuxedo Mask and he attacks her, thinking she is Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon shows up and saves her friend, Tuxedo Mask shows up and saves Sailor Moon, then Sailor Mars and Sailor Mercury show up and save Tuxedo Mask and Sailor Moon. However, while Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask are alone he starts to confess part of why he is always trying to save her.

After this the sailor soldiers take a break by going on vacation at a haunted hotel. Only at the hotel is a young girl whose father is able to hypnotize her into creating a psychic manifestation that attacks people. When the girl and her father lose control the sailor soldiers destroy the psychic manifestation and have a fun vacation.

Favorite episode? Probably "Shingo's Innocent Love! A Sorrowful French Doll". First of all, possessed dolls are creepy. Second of all, possessed dolls are creepy. Third of all, it's a pretty good story line.

The episodes:

Dream of a White Dress! Usagi Becomes a Bride - Season 1, Episode 16

Synopsis - Usagi and Ami's teacher, Miss Akiyama, is getting married. She wishes to design her own wedding dress. At the same a wedding dress competition is going on. Nephrite takes advantage of both of these situations.

Nephrite's Youma: Widow (spider)

Nephrite's Star: Vega

Nephrite's Constellation: Lyra

Is Usagi a Model? The Focus of the Monster Camera - Season 1, Episode 17

Synopsis - Usagi and some of her friends are chosen to model for a famous photographer, but Nephrite has turned his camera into a monster.

Nephrite's Youma: Cameran (photographer/camera)

Nephrite's Star: Sirius

(Nephrite's Constellation: Canis Major)

Shingo's Innocent Love! A Sorrowful French Doll - Season 1, Episode 18

Synopsis - Shingo has a falling out with his best friend Mika that Usagi tries to help him solve. Meanwhile, Nephrite has targeted Mika.

Nephrite's Youma: Jumo (marionette doll)

Nephrite's Star: Orpheus

Constellation: Lyre

Usagi is Thrilled! Tuxedo Mask's Love Letter - Season 1, Episode 19

Synopsis - Determined to defeat Sailor Moon, Nephrite sends everyone love letters from Tuxedo Mask to lure her out.

Monster: The constellation Leo come to life

Nephrite's Star: Regulus

Nephrite's Constellation: Leo

Tuxedo Mask's Transformation Introduced

The Summer! The Ocean! Our Youth! And a Ghost, Too - Season 1, Episode 20

Synopsis - The girls take a break from things by going to the ocean. Only the hotel they picked is haunted.

Monster: Sakiko's ghost

a forest divided: part two

Thunder sits with Clear Sky, watching as Acorn Fur trains Owl Eyes and Sparrow Fur how to hunt. Clear Sky butts in to her training session and overrules her. Thunder notices Acorn Fur is upset but she says nothing. She and the kits leave and Lightning Tail arrives, looking for his sister. Clear Sky tells him she just left. Lighting Tail can't smell her trail which annoys Clear Sky. Thunder assures him that with time he will be able to differentiate between the forest smells. He asks Clear Sky if he wants to go for a walk, but Clear Sky becomes offended, accusing Thunder of trying to show him around his own territory. Thunder assures him that is not the case but Clear Sky won't listen. Instead he says he will patrol his boarders and asks Thunder if he wants to come along. Thunder is frustrated by how Clear Sky turned everything into a battle, but agrees. Lighting Tail whispers a comment to Thunder about Clear Sky's attitude. Father and son take off and Thunder feels that Clear Sky is deliberately picking the most difficult trial for Thunder to follow. Since Thunder keeps tripping over roots he follows a trail parallel to Clear Sky, but that only makes Clear Sky angry. When Clear Sky freezes Thunder thinks there is danger ahead, but it is only kittypets. Clear Sky contemplates asking kittypets to join them when they run into Star Flower. She and Thunder clash over her father - and what both of them perceive as the others betrayal. Clear Sky intervenes, saying the blame for One Eye should go to him, not his son. Star Flower plays on Thunder by hinting she might starve to death. Clear Sky doesn't want anything to do with her but Thunder convinces him to take her in. Clear Sky agrees with the understanding that Thunder explains her presence.

Gray Wing is out hunting. He catches a lizard when Pebble Heart finds him. Pebble Heart insists he come back to camp and get treated for his breathing. Pebble Heart, Holly, and Gray Wing get talking about making better nests. Pebble Heart leaves to get some herbs and when Gray Wing looks anxious (because he is thinking of Slash and Fern) Mud Paws offers to go with him. He starts to help Holly with building her den but Jagged Peak pushes him away, saying it is his kits and he will help build it. Gray Wing diplomatically leaves and notices Tall Shadow looking uneasy. Slate arrives for a visit and asks Gray Wing to visit, but he feels he cannot when he doesn't know what is going on with Slash and Fern. Mouse Ear talks about hunting so Gray Wing starts to organize a hunting patrol. This angers Tall Shadow and Jagged Peak, who accuse him of bossing the cats around and trying to take leadership back. Gray Wing tries to defend himself but Tall Shadow won't listen - and tells him that he isn't as healthy as he used to be. Mid-argument Gray Wing takes off because he smells Fern. Tall Shadow calls after him, telling him she was only thinking of his health, but he is determined to prove her wrong.

Gray Wing finds Fern and confronts her. He realizes that although she has been spying on them she really knows nothing. He tries to convince her to tell Slash to leave them alone. She tells him she will lie to Slash and say they found a rich hunting ground beyond the pines, but that it is only a temporary solution and Slash will come eventually. After that he goes hunting a catches a rabbit. He realizes another cat and her kits were tracking the rabbit too. As they are half starved he gives them the rabbit and tells them to seek out Clear Sky's camp. Exhausted, he sleeps on the moor. 

He finds himself in Stoneteller's cave. She tells him that he cannot change the past, just the future. He wakes up to Slate screeching. He finds her under attack from a fox. After he helps her fight the fox off she brings him back to Wind Runner's camp so Reed, a cat who lives with them, can treat his wounds. Gray Wing finds Wind Runner happy in her new home, though overprotective of her kits. He keeps trying to leave, worried that his friends might be worried about him, but everyone convinces him to stay and rest. He falls asleep, deciding he will return home after a nap.

Clear Sky watchesover his camp in satisfaction. He also watches Star Flower, feeling she is a bit arrogant since she doesn't contribute much. He thinks back to when Star Flower joined their camp, and how upset Leaf and Lightning Tail were. However, he has to admit, she is trying to fit in. As Clear Sky watches Star Flower he realizes Thunder still has feelings for her - and that Star Flower knows this. He decides he has to talk to Thunder, but he feels he needs to wait for the right moment so his son will listen to him. Clear Sky decides to patrol the borders on his own. Star Flower follows him. The two cats talk and Clear Sky begins to wonder if he has finally found a cat who will be loyal to him. He orders her to obey and gain his trust. She agrees to do that.

First of all, I hope Clear Sky isn't going to be an idiot and fall for his son's ex - especially when that ex betrayed everyone. And, more importantly, that would be a massive betrayal of his son. Second of all, Clear Sky wants to unite the cats but he is acting like an arrogant jerk and is only succeeding in driving them away. Now I'm even more convinced that this title is about Clear Sky and Thunder splitting into two groups with the way Clear Sky is treating his son.

Meanwhile Gray Wing, Tall Shadow, and Jagged Peak clearly need to have a talk. And Gray Wing really needs to tell everyone about Slate and Fern. But instead he runs off mid argument to confront Fern - which is good but instead of returning home he escapes to the moor. He needs to settle things with Tall Shadow before finally realizing he is in love with Slate. More importantly, I'm sure everyone is freaking out over his disappearance. 

a forest divided: part one

Clear Sky finds himself with the spirit cats. He sees the other leaders there too. Storm approaches him and tells him that they grow tired of waiting. Clear Sky is confused by what she means. She reminds him that they are to grow and spread like the blazing star. Storm leaves to talk with Thunder and Fluttering Bird comes over, furious with him for not obeying them. She tells him he just follow his heart and find his home. When he wakes up he decides that Fluttering Bird meant the cats should all live together so they can grow and spread.

Clear Sky heads to his brother's camp so he can share Fluttering Bird's news. He catches a rabbit along the way and enters the camp. He finds Thunder and Gray Wing discussing hunting and the weather. Thunder is upset to discover Clear Sky hunted on their land. Clear Sky is confused since he thought the cats were growing closer and he brought it for Jagged Peak and Holly. Clear Sky is eager to talk to them and Tall Shadow. When Tall Shadow arrives he talks about their dream with the spirit cats and how the spirit cats want all of them to band together. However, Thunder, Gray Wing, and Tall Shadow disagree with him. Tall Shadow wishes to move to the pine trees, Thunder tells him he can't kill cats over the borders that he created then reject them, and Gray Wing tells him that other cats have feelings about where they want to live too. Clear Sky is devastated that they are rejecting his plan outright. Thunder flat out tells him to leave. Tall Shadow suggests waiting until the storm passes. Upset, Clear Sky goes.

Thunder feels guilty, feeling maybe he was too hard on his father. Tall Shadow sends him after to make sure Clear Sky gets home okay. He meets up with Clear Sky but then they run into a badger. Clear Sky gets wounded so Thunder takes him back home. Everyone is upset with him for bringing Clear Sky back but Thunder felt he had no choice. Thunder and Jagged Peak get talking and Jagged Peak decides that too much time has passed. He jumps up on the rock next to Tall Shadow and tells her they need to settle this. Thunder feels that they should wait until Clear Sky is gone but Dappled Pelt tells him they have already waited too long. Everyone gets swept up in the excitement of leaving the moor and it is decided that stones will be used to make their decision. 

Everyone gets a stone and it is decided that four circles will be made: one for Clear Sky's camp, one for the pine trees, one for the moor, and one for River Ripple's camp. Wind Runner is not included as she wants space from all the cats for now. Everyone is excited that they get to pick where they want to live. Gray Wing tells everyone that Turtle Tail said they should follow their hearts. Thunder is shocked, since that is what Storm told him, but he is unsure of what to pick. Sparrow Fur and Owl Eyes pick Clear Sky's camp. Gray Wing is sad, but tells them they must follow their hearts. Pebble Heart chooses to go with Tall Shadow so Cloud Spots chooses to go with Clear Sky. Pebble Heart is worried to lose his mentor, but Cloud Spots assures him he will do fine and points out that the healers should split up. As everyone picks their group Thunder is shocked - and a little upset - by Jagged Peak's boldness. He tries to tell himself that Jagged Peak's confidence is a good thing. Unsure, Thunder picks Clear Sky's group. It is what Lightning Tail has picked and he sees the desperate look in Clear Sky's eyes. He feels his father needs him and some support for right now. He says his goodbyes to Gray Wing, who is sad to be losing two of Turtle Tail's kits. But Gray Wing feels he must stay with Pebble Heart and Tall Shadow for a bit longer. 

Gray Wing says goodbye to his kits. He watches as Pebble Heart and Cloud Spots say goodbye to each other. They agree to meet at every new moon at Fourtrees. Gray Wing falls behind the group. He overhears two cats - Slash and Fern. Slash is cruel and is forcing Fern to spy on them in their new home. Slash mentions Star Flower betraying him. Gray Wing catches up to everyone and because of his breathing Jagged Peak has to help him cross the road. Gray Wing doesn't want to spoil Tall Shadow's happiness so he decides to keep quiet for now about what he overheard. Jagged Peak makes a comment about Gray Wing's state that upsets him. He snaps at his younger brother and Tall Shadow diplomatically intervenes. Gray Wing feels becoming a father hasn't made Jagged Peak confident, just arrogant. 

Three things.

One, Clear Sky is clearly misinterpreting what the spirit cats want, however for once I don't think it is because he feels he knows best and everyone else knows wrong. He genuinely seems to want to bring everyone together. I don't know how he would really feel about having too many leaders in one camp, though. I just hope Thunder and I are right about his motives. Clear Sky can be an arrogant, know-it-all jerk.

Two, speaking of arrogant jerks... What is up with Jagged Peak? Both Thunder and Gray Wing feel put off by the way he is acting. Will he become Tall Shadow's new second-in-command? Will someone tell him to knock it off? I'm glad he has found a new level of confidence, but that doesn't give him the right to treat others the way he is treating them. Once he would have been beyond mortified if someone told him he was acting like Clear Sky - now I think he would just be furious.

Three, Gray Wing really should have told Tall Shadow about Slash and Fern... I have a bad feeling about this...

Actually, four things. Does the title - "A Forest Divided" - refer to Clear Sky and Thunder? Thunder will never be happy in his father's camp. And we know he eventually goes on to form his own. With only one book left that has to happen soon. At least they have finally broken into four camps. But they need five - Thunder and Clear Sky still need to split.

No, five things. I was so excited to see the birth of the new moon medicine cat meetings - even if they are taking place at fourtrees. When will they discover the moonstone? Especially since Pebble Heart has been dreaming of it since he was a kit?