My username really defines me, doesn't it? The only time I can write well is at 5 AM or something when I should be sleeping. Inspiration strikes at the suckiest times, I just need to quit whining about it and write xD.

On a completely different topic, I've been awake for thirty one hours now. New personal best!

Oh! And if you're wondering why this story is rated T, you will find out in this chapter. From here on out it gets a little more... creepier? Eh, you define it. Also, tell me if you think the story gets a little rushed near the end. I'm trying to work on not doing that.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the Highrock for a clan meeting!"

The yowl woke Sagepaw from his sleep with a start. Hollyfur must have already gotten up because the only scents around him were those of herbs. The silver tabby had recently been apprenticed to Hollyfur, the Riverclan Medicine cat. He liked the idea of helping save wounded warriors, but he still longed to be in the Apprentices Den with his kin. It was lonely here, with the only company being the smell of herbs and the loud snoring of Hollyfur as she slept. Okay, maybe some things he could live without.

The young tom stretched his legs, his bones popping lightly. Great, I already feel like an old cat. His whiskers twitched and he made his way out of the den. Leopardstar was sitting on the Highrock, looking down at the quickly assembling cats. Sagepaw didn't know of any kits who needed to be apprenticed or anything of importance. Nor did anyone else, by the looks on their faces and how quickly the clan had assembled to hear this news.

There were hushed conversations going on around him, and so many voices that his mind hadn't even realized one was directed at him. "Sagepaw! Do you know anything?" He turned, seeing the soft blue eyes of Rainpaw staring widely at him. She took a seat beside him and began to wash her gray, almost blue fur. "I can't imagine what this could be about."

"Nor can I." Sagepaw replied, not bothering to groom his own. Maybe if Hollyfur saw how tired he looked she would give him a break. As if. A snickering doubt popped into his mind, reminding him of one of Hollyfurs favorite sayings. A Medicine Cat can never rest. Even if we cure all the sickness and infection of our clan then we must embrace the time we have and prepare for a not so fortunate time. Or something. In all honesty he couldn't recall paying much attention to her ramblings.

As the last of the cats joined the group in the clearing Leopardstar began. She wasted no time, and with a flick of her tail she spoke the words that sent the whole clan into shock. "Windclan is no more!" There were some triumphant yowls, but the majority of the cats remained silent. Leopardstar waited a moment to let it sink in before continuing. "Starclan sent me a dream. In this dream a leader long before our time told me that we must find Windclan and return them home. He mentioned complications if we failed to do so, some that may turn out for the worst for our survival-"

Leopardstar was cut off by yowls of protests and anger. "What right does this cat have to tell us what to do? If this so called leader truly cared for his clan he would embrace the chance for more territory for Riverclan!" Yowls of agreement rippled through the clan, and Leopardstar lashed her tail angrily from side to side. "Silence! You will all be glad to know then, that I declined his offer! I have our clan in mind, and with Leaf Bare approaching we need more prey!"

Sagepaw was utterly confused. Beside him he felt Rainpaw press her pelt into his to comfort the both of them. He tossed her a glance and they could tell what each other were thinking by the worry that reflected in their eyes. Was it the right choice to disobey Starclan? But neither of them spoke, for neither of them knew the answer.

"I will be sending patrols into their territory. Stonefur, Mistyfoot and Shadepelt will be on the first patrol. Me, Blackclaw and Rainpaw will take up the second patrol in the evening. I expect you to mark the territory and hunt there if you so please." The chosen cats got to their paws and gathered together, ready to leave at the leaders signal that the meeting was over.

"Make haste! We want to reach it before Shadowclan has a chance. As of this day the Windclan boundary is no more!" With that Leopardstar flicked her tail and jumped down from the Highrock while the first patrol sped away to the Windclan border.

Rainpaw disbanded with the rest of the cats, making her way toward Leopardstar. She must have had a question, and just as Sagepaw was going to find a nice spot to eavesdrop he heard Hollyfur behind him. "Come on, we can't just stand around camp all day. With new borders means new boundaries to protect. Which could end up in injuries, as you well know." Before Sagepaw could complain his mentor bounded away toward the Medicine Cat den. He reluctantly followed, wishing he knew what Rainpaws question was.

Sagepaw followed after his mentor, who was starting to sift through bundles of herbs. She met his eye as he came in and nodded toward the piles of herbs. "Help me organize these. While you're at it, we'll test your progress as a Medicine cat." A glint of amusement shimmered in her eyes when she saw his look of dismay. "I know you hate tests, but it helps in the long run."

Sagepaw didn't answer. He began to sort the herbs into piles while Hollyfur fired question after question at him. "What do we use Poppy Seeds for?"

Sagepaw rolled his eyes at this question. As if he didn't already know. It was something even non- Medicine cats knew. "They help cats sleep and soothe them if they are in shock." He explained as he took a pile of Borage Leaves and placed them in the correct pile.

"Chervil?" Hollyfur asked, hardly giving him time between questions. "The juice from the leaf can heal infected wounds." Hollyfur stopped sorting the herbs and cast him a glance. "And the root does...?" She pressed.

"Uhh..." Sagepaw bit his lip. He remembered going over this just the other day, how could he forget so quickly? "It helps a bellyache when it's chewed!" He finally yowled, earning a nod from his mentor.

"Comfrey?"

"Used to mend broken bones." The silver tabby replied without hesitation. He swiped his tongue over his paw and dabbed them on a few stray Poppy Seeds, moving them back into the tiny hole that was dug for them so they couldn't roll around.

"Say there is a fire. If a cat breathes in too much smoke, you want to use...?" Hollyfur stared at him intensely, giving him little time to think and making him panic. "You... You would want to get them some honey." He replied, half unsure of his answer. But Hollyfur nodded and went back to sorting her herbs.

"A kit has just swallowed a Death Berry. What do you do?" This time Hollyfur did not look up from the leaves, giving him more time to think under less pressure. It wasn't an easy thing, especially considering if it ever did happen there would be a great amount of shock coursing through his veins. Death Berrys a terrible thing, only used to put a cat out of its misery when the wound was considered unhealable. They were necessary, Sagepaw understood, but so awful at the same time.

"You would want to immediately get as much of the chewed berry from the kits mouth and then give the kit some Yarrow. It will make them throw up and expel the berry from them. Right...?" Hollyfur flicked her tail over his back and purred. "Yes. You have a good memory."

Sagepaw couldn't help but let a purr rumble deep in his chest. It was so rare that his mentor praised him. He suspected the reason she gave no praise was because she didn't want it to go to his head. If he was cocky he might mess up, and the lives of cats are not something that can afford to be messed up.

"If you want I can see if Leopardstar will let you go on the second patrol. It would be nice to have more herbs from Windclan." Hollyfur suggested. Sagepaw felt new energy surge through his body at the thought. Exploring Windclan territory and traveling with the leader! His purr grew louder and Hollyleaf twitched her whiskers with amusement.

Although Sagepaw had an even bigger reason for wanting to go. He would be traveling with Rainpaw too. She was his best friend, and he had been disappointed when he learned that their lives were so greatly different. Maybe for this one afternoon he could pretend that he was a warrior, capable of so many feats and feared by all the clans. He knew it sounded kit-like, but it was something he would cherish.

"Thanks, Hollyfur." The silver tabby purred. He went back to sorting the herbs. He couldn't resist asking the question, especially to the Medicine Cat herself. "Hollyfur... What do you think of Leopardstars decision to ignore the old leader from the dream?"

Hollyfur quit sorting the herbs and stared down at her paws. Sagepaw almost felt guilty for asking until she took a deep breath and looked directly at him. "I believe she has made a mistake, Sagepaw. I truly do." Without another word she went back to sorting the herbs. There was no idle chat like they usually made when working. The dream Leopardstar described seemed to play over and over in his mind. Was this really the right choice?

-----

"Patrol number two, meet me in the center of the camp and prepare to set off!" Leopardstar yowled. Hollyfur has recently taken Sagepaw out of camp to look for more herbs. They were now back in her den, sorting them into their correct piles. "I can take over from here. Go on." Hollyfur mewed, combining their piles and rapidly working.

"Thanks." The silver gray tom said one last time before racing outside. Hollyfur had discussed it with Leopardstar already and the leader had been glad to take him along. The clan could never have enough herbs with the new territory to defend.

He met Rainpaw and Leopardstar in the clearing. Blackclaw was still absent, but he noticed out of the corner of his eye the smokey black tom leaving the Warriors Den. As Sagepaw joined the patrol Rainpaw came up and brushed against him, almost knocking him over with her friendly greeting. Blackclaw joined the group and with a grunt of approval Leopardstar set off with the three cats behind her. They were going at a quick run, one that Sagepaw was not used to, so he was slightly trailing behind. Rainpaw slowed her pace to run beside him and he cast her a grateful nod.

They came to the Twoleg bridge that the cats crossed on the way to Fourtrees. Sagepaw had never been to a Gathering so he had never come this way. The thing was flimsy and it wobbled as they crossed it. He couldn't help but think that if one of the planks broke it would send him falling into the river far, far below. That would kill a cat, most likely. He could hear the water hissing and foaming below him and he quickened his pace. Rainpaw cast him a mischievous look as if she knew that the water frightened him, but lucky Leopardstar and Blackclaw didn't notice.

Once they cleared the bridge he let out a sigh of relief. The Gathering was almost not worth it if it meant having to cross that again. Leopardstar and the others took off at a sprint again and Sagepaw desperately tried to keep up. Rainpaw slowed down again to match her pace with his.

"The first patrol came back with news of the hills being burned. Probably Twolegs." Rainpaw scoffed, shaking her head. Sagepaw only nodded. She was right, he could smell the overpowering scents of ashes in the distance and it nearly made him want to turn back. But just as this thought entered his mind it disappeared when he reminded himself of his duty to his clan.

Leopardstar and Blackclaw were already climbing up the slope of a hill. Rainpaw and himself were trailing behind them, unsure of what they would find over the hill. But the gasps of the leader and warrior told them everything before they saw it. Sagepaw poked his head over the cliff and he the smell of ash overpowered even the strong Windclan scent that had been lingering in his nostrils.

"This will be no use to us!" Leopardstar spat angrily. She was right, though. The land was completely destroyed, leaving no tree or blade of grass untouched by the hungry tongue of the flames. Just as she was about to turn and leave Blackclaw spoke up. "It will grow back. We should at least mark it as ours." He suggested. Leopardstar turned and gave him a harsh look, her amber eyes glowing with frustration. But she simply flicked her tail and set off farther into what used to be Windclan territory.

As they walked they kicked up ash behind them, and the horrible smell of it was enough to make the fur along his spine prickle. It stuck to his paws and made him want to wash them, but the taste on his tongue would be more than bearable. He could wait until they found a stream. Rainpaw looked as if the same thoughts were going through her mind.

Finally they came upon the camp. It looked no different from the rest of the territory. It was simply ashes. The dens in the side of the mountain were still intact, and Leopardstar ordered everyone to check them. The cats split up and Sagepaw found himself heading toward a larger den.

Sagepaw let the scents of the den drift into his senses. He could pick up nothing over the burnt smell. There were tiny little claw marks on the walls so he guessed that this used to be the Nursery.

Drip. Drip.

Sagepaw perked his ears, gazing around in confusion. Was that.. water? There was no water here. What could possibly be-

Sagepaw froze. He felt an icy chill roll down his spine and every fur on his pelt prickled. The dripping was coming from behind him, without a doubt. It took every ounce of courage to turn around, and when he did he almost yowled from fright.

Blood. A pool of blood blocked his way from the exit, and it was continually dripping from the roof of the den. With every drop the small puddle rippled, and Sagepaw stared at his reflection in it. He couldn't look away. Every muscle in his body was frozen stiff and even his voice wouldn't work or he would have yowled out in fear by now.

But someone else beat him to it. The horrified yowl of Blackclaw could be heard ringing through the camp. Sagepaws head shot up and in that one moment he found himself racing through the puddle of blood-which had gotten significantly bigger in the short amount of time he was there- and out into the camp. Rainpaw was racing toward the den Blackclaw had gone into, and he could see Leopardstars pelt just enter the den.

Sagepaw raced after them. His heart pounded in his chest and he feared the worst. What could have spooked Blackclaw this much? Was it something like what had happened to him?

Blackclaw was laying in the den, writhing on the ground. His face was distorted with pain. Leopardstar beckoned Sagepaw over with a flick of her tail. He obeyed and stepped to Blackclaws side.

"Help him!" Leopardstar hissed in his ear. Sagepaws eyes scanned over the dark tom. There appeared to be nothing wrong with him. Sagepaw panicked and felt his paws trembling. What could he do for this cat when he didn't know what was wrong with him?

Just as soon as it started it was over. Blackclaw lay still, his eyes wide and his side heaving as if every breath was a struggle. "Help him up!" Leopardstar got on one side of him and Rainpaw got on the other. Sagepaw fell in beside her, trying to help keep the tom balanced. They helped him out of the den and out of the ash filled camp.

The warrior took few steps, all of which were small, but eventually they came to the bridge. His eyes were glazed over and he collapsed onto the ground. Leopardstar took a seat farther away, and Sagepaw sat with Rainpaw.

"H-how did you get blood on you?" Rainpaw realized with a shocked mew. She stared at his paws in horror and only then did Sagepaw realize that there was blood on him. It coated his paws and halfway up his legs, and he shivered at the sight and feel of it. But he didn't reply. How could he explain what he had seen when he didn't even know himself?

"Leave." Blackclaw had gotten up from the ground. All of his previous agony appeared to be gone and his eyes were no longer clouded over. He unsheathed his claws and turned his attention directly to Leopardstar. "Leave this territory. I'll give you ten seconds." His voice was echoed and made Sagepaw cringe.

"You traitor!" Leopardstar hissed as she realized what he meant. She stood her ground and met his eyes. Hers burned with anger while his remained emotionless. This wasn't Blackclaw. This couldn't be the loyal warrior everyone admired.

"What is with you? You need to tell us what happened in that den-"

Ten.

Rainpaw glanced at Sagepaw with a look of fear and dismay. Sagepaw hadn't a clue what they should do. But the two of them stood up and took a place beside Leopardstar. They wouldn't leave their leader to fight this by themselves.

Nine.

The tom seemed to take no notice of the two apprentices. His deathly cold eyes were set on Leopardstar. His claws dug at the ground, pulling up the grass that had survived the fire.

Eight.

"You have fought for Riverclan your whole life, Blackclaw! Fight whatever it is that is controlling you!" Leopardstar tried to persuade him. But he said nothing. Sagepaw noticed a hint of panic in his leaders voice, but he tried to tell himself that he had heard wrong.

Seven.

"Are you listening, Starclan? Is this your idea of a punishment? Windclan is gone! This is Riverclan territory now!" Leopardstar yowled at the gray sky. She gazed around wildly, and it was just then that Sagepaw noticed what she saw. The faint outline of Starclan cats could be seen.

Six.

But these were no Starclan warriors. They had scars and they had a blood red glow to them instead of the usual silvery glow. Their eyes gleamed with the urge to kill and they bared their teeth.

Five.

Rainpaw pressed her pelt to Sagepaws. Both of the cats were in shock, and Leopardstar was whirling back and forth, hissing at the unknown warriors.

Four.

Sagepaw looked behind them. The cats had appeared there, too. They were completely surrounded with the only way out being the edge of the cliff. Sagepaw could hear the water running fast down there. Even a Riverclan cat would be truly tested in those waters.

Three.

"Sagepaw, we need to get out of here!" Rainpaw hissed in his ear. The cats were getting closer, eagerness making them tear at the grass. Their claws were long and bloody. Rainpaw took a couple of steps back, hissing at the strange warriors. Sagepaw was incapable of moving at this point. A mix of fear and loyalty to his leader keeping him from fleeing.

Two.

Leopardstar was still yowling in fury. "You call yourselves Starclan warriors? You don't deserve that title!" She was outraged, and her eyes were wide with both fury and fear. Blackclaw spoke up, and Sagepaw now noticed that he had a faint blood red glow around him. "We are not Starclan. Starclan is no more."

One.