Chapter 1

Russetpaw shivered in the damp, unsanitary cave. His eyes drifted towards the sliver of sunlight, forbidden ground. If he even touched the blessed light, he would be slaughtered instantly. Better to last a few more days. Though he had seen many other kits, apprentices, and sometimes-even warriors sent in only to dash out a short while later, intentionally getting themselves killed.

The ginger tom got to his paws. They were no longer their handsome white, but had dulled to a musky brown due to endless trotting back and forth on the dusty floor. Each rib could be clearly seen on Russetpaw, but no cat cared. The only contact he had with other cats was when they threw the odd, maggot-infested, not-so-fresh-kill. That was why he was so surprised when a sleek, healthy figure crept into the cave.

At first Russetpaw shrunk away but then the cat said, "I'm one of you. I'm here to bust you out."

Russetpaw looked into the cat's ocean-blue eyes and saw hurt and fury in their depths. The ShadowClan apprentice suddenly remembered tales of the ThunderClan leader, Yarrowstar – well, the old ThunderClan leader, Yarrowstar – having to kill a loyal warrior over his kits. The three kits had been half-breeds but the tom had managed to save the she-cat.

"Yo-you're Sealkit, aren't you?"

Russetpaw was shocked with his own voice. It was rough, weak from lack of use. But he saw the blue eyes bob as if nodding in agreement and Russetpaw's savior whispered, "You have to be quick. Or else you'll be caught and killed."

Sealkit trotted to just out of sight of the sliver of light and then, as if as an after-thought, told Russetpaw, "Call me Seal. I don't have a Clan name anymore."

Then she bolted. Russetpaw instantly dashed after her. At first the ShadowClan cats just stared, but when they finally whirred into action, Russetpaw was surrounded by a group of apprentice- and young-warrior-aged cats that covered his back and had emerged from the camp entrance, Seal at the head. The cats were reluctant to face the fierce-looking crowd, especially due to the rustling trees just outside the camp that suggested wave after wave of these cats. So Russetpaw managed to get away. A few other cats joined the group but not many. Suddenly Russetpaw realized only a few cats had rustled the trees to create the impression of many more cats. But Russetpaw didn't care. He was free. Finally…


Seal eventually ended up leading Russetpaw alone. The other half-breeds had spread out to seek out other cats that needed help, and to determine which were more important to rescue. Such as ones that were assigned to be killed that day or not. The she-cat could sense Russetpaw's distrust, but he had to deal with her. Her and many other half-breeds. She didn't speak a word and, in turn, the ShadowClan apprentice didn't say anything. So she had plenty of time to think of other things. Such as if it was right to be doing what she was and if her father, Addertalon, would approve of what she was doing. But she did know. She knew, deep down, that he would support – is supporting – her with every fiber of his being. But what about Sleekotter, her RiverClan mother?

Seal had never met Sleekotter. It was rumored she had been killed as well for she herself being found out as a half-Clan cat, and Seal had a feeling in her gut they were true. So, what, she was part three Clans? Possibly four, depending on her lineage and, if she was that 'lucky' five? How much blood did she have? She was part ThunderClan and RiverClan; she knew that. Her strong build matched with the sleek pelt made that bit obvious. Her mother had been also… half WindClan, right? That's what the rumors said. Seal sighed, "I'm the epitome of half-Clan…" Was her father ShadowClan or something? She remembered with a pang the answer was yes. Her father's small, dark form along with the common ThunderClan strength had been confused as just a small ThunderClan cat, but Seal had seen enough Thunder-ShadowClan cats to know that she was a quarter each of the Clans. And what about SkyClan? She, honestly, had never tested the prospect. It was bad enough to be the daughter of half-Clan cats, but… SkyClan? The cats sought out SkyClan cats and reserved those for Gatherings to pick off. Then again… She never knew. A groan built up in her throat. She had gone over this several times. She could swim like a RiverClan cat, stalk like ShadowClan, fight like the Clan of Thunder, and run like a WindClan warrior. Could she jump like the ancient SkyClan? She doubted that. Not even StarClan would accept a cat like that. They would send lightning probably to zap her any moment if she was part all five Clans.

ThunderClan scent pervaded the air, but initially she wasn't surprised. They had to pass through ThunderClan territory anyways to get to the half-Clan cats' camp. Then she remembered that there usually weren't cats around here. She froze, flicking her tail for Russetpaw to do the same. Her mind was whirling at supersonic speeds as she thought of an explanation. They could just be hunting. Or she could've gotten so caught up in her thoughts that she hadn't realized they were at the scent markers already. But the stench was too strong, as if…

"Run!" Seal screeched moments before the ThunderClan cats jumped from the bushes. The speckled she-cat bolted, Russetpaw right on her heels. Seal thought, Must be half WindClan, before having to duck under another cat. She had only taste a touch of the scent and she instantly knew what was going on. That cat was ShadowClan. Now that she was paying more attention, all four of the Clans' scent was drifting around Russetpaw and Seal. All four Clans had teamed up to capture the infamous Seal and to end her rebellion once and for all. Seal's eyes were wide as she ducked under and managed to squeeze through and past several cats, getting by only with a whisker's space. Russetpaw had gotten ahead of Seal since the tom was half WindClan while Seal was only a quarter. Then, with a screech, a cat finally reached her. Managed to hit her with its claws. Pinned her down. Instantly Seal struggled in its grasp, hind claws scratching blindly at its underbelly. But it was no use. Russetpaw stopped and was about to turn around but Seal screeched, "Get out of here!" The tom hesitated a moment longer but a group of ShadowClan cats starting after him sent him bolting again. It only took a while before he disappeared on the horizon. Seal glared into the amber eyes of her captor, a snarl edging its way through gritted teeth. She knew this cat. This cat had been one to watch as her father had been slaughtered.

"Copperstar. How nice to see you again…"