Hope you are enjoying book two so far! Thank you for all of the reviews! This chapter is a little longer and has a lot of different things happening! Please Read, Enjoy and Review!

Chapter 3

Dawnflower swiped her paw at Fogpaw's attacker, claws unsheathed. The small cat was about the same size as her, after all, she had always been small. The tortoiseshell tom jumped away from Fogpaw who was starting to sink but quickly pulled himself up.

"Head towards the river, the closer we get, the easier it will be to fight!" Dawnflower ordered.

Minnowpaw and Fogpaw started running back towards the river. Dawnflower tried to follow but stopped as a weight landed on her back. She hissed and rolled over quickly, trying to dislodge her opponent. It worked and the Windclan warrior let go, but she got stuck in the bog and couldn't get up because she was on her back. Dawnflower bent down to try and help the she-cat because she did not want to kill any cat today. The cat did not let Dawnflower help and clawed at her face instead.

"I was trying to help you!" Dawnflower hissed. Another cat barreled into her side, the same side that was bruised when Horsestorm had hit into her. The wind was knocked out of her and for a minute she could not breath as she lay on the ground, slowly sinking into the bog.

Suddenly she snapped out of it and started squirming around, trying to release herself from the suction despite the pain in her side. She should've been dead right now, with seven cats closing in on her and being stuck, but she wasn't. Her clan mates

had come back to help her, along with the Riverclan cats. Dawnflower felt teeth dig into her scruff and pull her out. She stood up to face her sister Eaglefeather.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"I'm fine, come on, we have to help them," Dawnflower replied. She turned to face the battle and tried to ignore the pain in her side. The she realized that it wasn't just Windclan cats there, but Riverclan too. Spottedfur and the other refugees were really going against the warrior code now.

Fogpaw was still up against the small tortoiseshell tom but he looked like he could handle it. Minnowpaw was fighting another Windclan warrior and apprentice alongside her mother Mistcloud. Stripedpelt had the Riverclan deputy Troutfur pinned down and Blackstorm was up against a Windclan she-cat. Dawnflower saw a black tom racing towards her. He jumped at her but Dawnflower moved at the last minute. The tom landed hard on the ground and sunk into the bog a little. Before he could pull himself out, Dawnflower pounced on him and locked her jaw onto his shoulder. He hissed and spit, trying to get out of the bog and get her off at the same time.

That's when Dawnflower started to feel bad for the cat, and every other cat fighting the battle now. This was an unfair fight. Cats could be killed, not by their enemies, but by the bog itself. She had to end it.

She leapt off of the black tom and looked him in the eye. "I'm going to help you out, but we must end this fight. It is too dangerous to fight here. You must call your allies off. Please," she told the cat.

At first he looked at her like he wanted to shred her to pieces but then common sense seemed to hit him and he nodded. "You're right," he meowed. "This is no time for a fight. I'll try to get them away but if we ever see you again, we'll shred you to pieces."

Dawnflower helped him out then yowled to her allies, "Retreat! This is no time for a fight! We must go!"

Her friends looked at her with a puzzled look but obeyed. They broke free from whatever they were doing and turned towards the river and ran. The enemies did the same. Dawnflower met eyes with the black tom and nodded then ran off.

Mud was plastered to her but the rain helped to wash it off. It was still a hard journey back to camp. The eight cats stopped for a moment to wash their fur in the river once they were in Thunderclan territory, then went straight back to camp. Nobody had any serious injuries.

"Dawnflower! What took you so long?" Oakclaw asked once they were all in camp.

"We ran into some trouble in Riverclan territory. Nothing we couldn't handle. Did Smokestar tell the clan what's going on?" Dawnflower meowed.

"He told me and the rest of the senior warriors and we told the rest of the clan. They all know but they aren't all very happy about it. Whoever is injured should go to Rosecloud then get something to eat. When you're done with that, Stripedpelt, you can tell me what happened and... who's in charge out of the Riverclan cats?" Oakclaw meowed.

"Blackstorm is the senior warrior here, so I guess him," Mistcloud replied.

"Very well. Blackstorm, you can come find me when you're done," the Thunderclan deputy ordered.

Dawnflower had no injuries so she went to pick a mouse from the fresh-kill pile. When she turned around, she saw Goldenblaze heading towards her.

"Hey Dawnflower! I was just going to get some fresh-kill then head to the nursery. Care to join me?" He asked. Dawnflower nodded then they went to the nursery together.

Barkpelt sat in the middle of the den next to Sunfire, her mate. They were eating a large rabbit and barely noticed Goldenblaze and Dawnflower come in.

"Hello, hope we aren't interrupting," Goldenblaze meowed, dropping his bird on the ground. Dawnflower sat next to him and took a bite of the mouse.

"Oh, no! We were just eating. Dawnflower, you're here too? Great you can tell us about what happened at Riverclan!" Barkpelt meowed.

Dawnflower nodded and told the three cats about how they traveled far into Riverclan territory and across the bog, then about how Spottedfur was staying under a Twoleg nest. When she got to the part about the battle, Goldenblaze's fur bristled but he calmed down when she told them that no one was hurt and they called off the battle.

When Dawnflower finished, Sunfire shook his head. "I don't understand Windclan sometimes... they have been acting so strange lately ever since Horsestorm became deputy. You know Dawnflower, he became deputy right before you were born, the old deputy before him retired. That was Birchleaf, he's still an elder in Windclan."

"Well Horsestorm is horrible, controlling other cats like that... I'll kill him next time I see him...," Dawnflower growled.

"That's why Smokestar's so upset with this whole thing. It's his kin, he never thought he would do that...," Sunfire murmured. Barkpelt nodded in agreement.

At first Dawnflower was confused but then she realized they were talking about Nightheart. "Oh yeah, Nightheart too. I'll rip him to shreds."

"Right, Nightheart. But poor Smokestar...," Barkpelt meowed solemnly.

Poor Smokestar? Eaglefeather, Birdsong and I were affected by Nightheart's betrayal too! Dawnflower thought.

"We all knew he was no good though...even Smokestar did, ever since he left the clan. He just didn't think he would be this bad, turning kin against kin...," Sunfire meowed.

Dawnflower was even more confused now. Of course they knew Nightheart was bad ever since he left! That's when the whole clan found out about his secret! And he wasn't that bad... and what did Sunfire mean, "turning kin against kin"? She turned to see if Goldenblaze was confused too but he was busy grooming his fur. Barkpelt and Sunfire were now sharing tongues too.

"You ok Dawnflower?" Goldenblaze asked.

"Yeah fine, just a little tired though. I think I'm going to go get some rest," Dawnflower replied. She wasn't going to ask about Barkpelt and Sunfire's statements. She got up and turned to leave. "I'll come visit again soon Barkpelt. Take care."

It took her a while to fall asleep, she had so many thoughts running through her head. Maybe Sunfire was just stating the obvious but Dawnflower still couldn't understand what he meant when he said Nightheart turned "kin against kin".

A half moon passed and clan life was normal. The Riverclan refugees were keeping their promise and hunted for their own food and helped out around camp. Most Thunderclan cats were starting to warm up to the idea of the Riverclan cats staying with them but there were a few that still hated the idea. Patrols were sent to Riverclan border regularly, though Riverclan scent markers were hardly ever refreshed anymore, they still kept their eyes open for any Windclan patrols. Everything was quiet with the other clans and Horsestorm and his followers were no where to be seen.

It was a chilly leaf-fall morning when Smokestar had called Dawnflower into his den. She was just waking up and walked outside, ready to go on a hunting patrol when he said he had to speak to her. When she entered his den, Pantherheart and Snowfoot were already sitting there.

"I want you three to go to Shadowclan and see what's going on over there," Smokestar meowed.

"Like spying?" Dawnflower asked.

Smokestar shook his head. "No. Go to their camp and ask to speak with either Russetstar or Darkfoot. Tell them what happened with Riverclan and Windclan and find out if they have had any encounters with them. Then ask them if they would like to join forces with us to take down the other two clans."

"Are you sure you want to do this Smokestar? Even though you and Russetstar are good friends, most of Thunderclan does not really like Shadowclan. This can lead to a disaster," Snowfoot pointed out. This was true, Smokestar and Russetstar were good friends. They once fought side by side against Riverclan back when they were both just made apprentices. They became good friends and even though they had to fight each other in battle several times, their bond was still strong.

"I'm sure. Russetstar will make her clan see that this is the right thing to do," Smokestar replied. "You must do everything you can to get them to join us. Don't leave until you get a good answer. We don't have to share the same camp or anything, we just have to know that if Windclan and Riverclan ever attack, we can call on each other for help."

"Very well, Smokestar. We shall leave immediately," Pantherheart meowed.

"Good. And be careful, Shadowclan is probably on edge as well," Smokestar added.

The three cats left the den then padded out of camp. They walked for a long time in silence, but then it was broken by Pantherheart.

"So Dawnflower, what do you think about this?" He asked.

"I think it"s a good idea, I mean Windclan and Riverclan can attack at any moment right? We can't take them on alone," she replied.

"Hm, good point. And I agree, it's a dark time here in the forest. We must always be on our guard and think smartly, or we won't survive," Pantherheart replied.

"Dawnflower, how are you taking everything else? You do get a lot of attention from your father and ever since you were a kit you've been getting into things," Snowfoot meowed.

"You think Smokestar favors me? He treats me no different then any of you!" Dawnflower snapped.

"Relax, I'm not saying that. Though it seems that Smokestar thinks you're more capable of doing things than your sister," Snowfoot pointed out.

Dawnflower thought about this for a minute. It was true. Her life was a bit more exciting then Eaglefeather's, but there was a reason. "Maybe, but I'm the one who discovered Nightheart's secret and revealed it to the clan. I did also save Eaglefeather's life once."

"That's true. And don't take my statement the wrong way Dawnflower, you are a very good warrior. You're smart, strong and compassionate. Your father is probably trying to see if you're leader material," Snowfoot meowed.

"Leader material?" Dawnflower asked, puzzled.

"Yes. Being leader runs in your blood it seems," Pantherheart put in. "Your father is a leader, his mother was, her mother was before that. You come from a long line of leaders. Even though there have been other leaders that you weren't related too, your kin is always there in Thunderclan history."

Dawnflower knew this of course, but she never thought about herself being leader. It was never something she worried about.

"Well whatever I become, I'll serve my clan loyally," Dawnflower meowed, holding her head up proudly. When she did this, a fowl scent washed over her. She wrinkled her nose in disgust but then realized that they were right near the Thunderpath at the Shadowclan border.

"Okay, be careful crossing now. I'll go first, then Dawnflower, then you can go Snowfoot," Pantherheart ordered.

He waited until two monsters passed, then it was clear and he quickly ran across and disappeared into the bushes on the other side. Dawnflower padded up to the edge of the Thunderpath. Her hair stuck up as one monster passed and then she ran across, the hard, black ground hurt her paws and she was relieved when she finally got to the other side and felt the soft grass back under her paws. She almost crashed into Pantherheart that was watching from the bushes.

"Watch it," Pantherheart hissed.

"Sorry," Dawnflower mumbled. A moment later, they were joined by Snowfoot.

"Ok let's go. Look for a patrol and try not to make yourself look like a threat," Pantherheart meowed.

They were not traveling for that long when Pantherheart, who was in the lead, was barreled over by something that had come out of the bushes. Dawnflower and Snowfoot froze and watched Pantherheart roll around on the ground with what looked like another cat. When they stopped rolling around, a black tom had Pantherheart pinned to the ground. Dawnflower saw a long, pink scar running from the cats shoulder to the middle of his back. She automatically knew that this was Badgerscar, a senior warrior in Shadowclan.

"Pantherheart! What are you doing here?" Badgerscar growled.

"Relax Badgerscar! We come in peace," Pantherheart meowed calmly.

"How can I be sure you aren't going to attack me as soon as I let you up? I am all alone," the Shadowclan warrior meowed.

"My clan mates would've attacked you by now Badgerscar!" Pantherheart exclaimed.

Badgerscar looked over at Dawnflower and Snowfoot who were standing there calmly the whole time. He grunted then let Pantherheart up.

"What does Thunderclan want with Shadowclan?" Badgerscar growled.

"We have a proposition for Russetstar from Smokestar. Can you take us to her please?" Snowfoot put in. Badgerscar nodded, turned and beckoned for the three cats to follow him with a flick of his tail.

"So what do you have to speak to Russetstar about?" Badgerscar asked.

"Thunderclan wants to form an alliance with Shadowclan," Pantherheart replied.

Badgerscar's tail twitched. "Why?"

"Riverclan and Windclan have teamed up. They have been causing a lot of trouble lately and can attack at any moment. Smokestar thought it would be a good idea to team up with your clan," Snowfoot explained.

"Hm, maybe," Badgerscar murmured. They were silent the rest of the way to the camp.

When they arrived at camp, the clearing was not that busy. The few cats that were up gave the Thunderclan cats puzzled then dirty looks. Dawnflower was never in Shadowclan camp before. The ground was muddy and the camp was surrounded by brambles. Badgerscar led the three cats to a large oak tree. There was a space between the roots that led to what seemed to be a cave.

"Russetstar's den is down there. Go in and tell her I brought you, I'm going to find Darkfoot," Badgerscar meowed.

Dawnflower followed Pantherheart and Snowfoot through the roots and into the den.

"Who's there? I smell Thunderclan!" A voice came from the den. The voice belonged to Russetstar, the dark ginger she-cat had a fierce look in her eyes. Dawnflower had a lot of respect for the leader, most cats did.

"It's me, Pantherheart of Thunderclan with Snowfoot and Dawnflower. We come in peace. Badgerscar brought us here, he went to get Darkfoot," Pantherheart meowed.

Russetstar growled. "This better be important. We will wait for Darkfoot then you can tell me what this is all about."

Dawnflower sat next to Snowfoot and almost directly across from Russetstar. She held her head high and the fierce look stayed in her eyes. She did not make eye contact with any of the cats. A few moments later, Darkfoot slipped into the den. He was a dark gray tabby tom with black paws.

"Good you're here. Okay Thunderclan, explain yourselves," Russetstar meowed.

Pantherheart nodded then began, "We come with a message from Smokestar. He wanted to let you know that Riverclan and Windclan have joined forces and are on the same team. Riverclan is not staying in their camp at the moment and have moved closer to Windclan territory, but they do patrol around there camp because there are four Riverclan cats that escaped them. The four cats are currently staying at Thunderclan. A half moon ago, a fight broke out in Riverclan territory. Dawnflower here was leading a patrol to go get the Riverclan refugees and ran into some trouble on the way. Smokestar wanted to know if you have been having any trouble with Windclan and Riverclan."

Russetstar and Darkfoot sat there taking in the information. They exchanged a look and then Russetstar responded. "We have been having problems, as a matter of fact. Windclan have been scented on our territory as well as a little bit of Riverclan. We caught them once and a fight broke out. It was brutal. No cat died but many were injured. We have also been smelling other strange scents on our territory but can't identify them. We think they could be rogues."

Dawnflower thought about what the leader had just said. Rogues? Could it be Horsestorm and his followers? But surely they would recognize the scents of cats that were once so familiar, especially since one used to be a Shadowclan cat. She looked at Pantherheart. He was thinking hard about what he would say next. He did not want Russetstar or Darkfoot to think that Thunderclan thought Shadowclan was weak.

"Now, the main reason we came is because Smokestar had a proposition," the black tom meowed slowly. "He thinks that Thunderclan and Shadowclan should join forces. Riverclan and Windclan already think we have an alliance and together we could put an end to this. He said that we don't have to share camp or anything but just in case they attack, we should be able to call on each other for help."

Russetstar stared at the three warriors for a long time. When she finally spoke, it was not exactly what they wanted to hear. "I will consider it, only because it is Thunderclan, and Smokestar is such a good friend of mine. I will send a patrol to your camp with my answer before the next Gathering in a quarter moon."

But Smokestar doesn't want us to leave without an answer, Dawnflower thought. The Thunderclan warriors fidgeted awkwardly in their spot.

"Erm, Smokestar actually told us not to leave until we got an answer... we can wait if we but...," Snowfoot meowed.

"Of course he did. Very well, stick around for a little if you must but don't step one paw out of line. I must discuss this with my senior warriors," Russetstar meowed irritably. "Darkfoot, go fetch Badgerscar, Frogleap and Frostpelt and tell them to come to me as soon as possible. And tell any warrior that is available to keep an eye on the Thunderclan cats."

Pantherheart, Snowfoot and Dawnflower took this as their signal to leave the den so they turned and headed out but before they could leave, Dawnflower was called back by Russetstar.

"Wait, Dawnflower, stay. I would like to speak with you," she said. Dawnflower was surprised to hear this and turned to look at her clan mates. They nodded their heads and then she went back to sit with the Shadowclan leader.

"Um, y-yes Russetstar, what is it?" Dawnflower stammered.

"I just wanted to take a good luck at you, you are one of my closest friends daughter after all," she replied.

"Oh... Russetstar aren't relationships between cats from other clans forbidden? It's the warrior code... not to be rude but-," Dawnflower asked.

"Yes, I suppose they are. But Smokestar and I know how to have friendships in other clans and be able to stay loyal to our own clan at the same time. Perhaps that's what makes us two of the greatest leaders in our clan's history, or so the cats say," Russetstar answered. "Your father and I have met in battle enough times and I'm pretty sure we each took at least one of each other's lives during those battles. We try not to think about it because in the end we are both going to the same place- Starclan."

Dawnflower never thought of it that way. She could definitely see why Russetstar was so respected. She was wise, kind, and though Dawnflower never saw the leader in battle, she has heard great stories.

"Did you know, Dawnflower, that a few days after you were first born, I personally came to Thunderclan to visit you and your siblings?" Russetstar meowed.

Dawnflower shook her head in surprise. This was news to her. "Why?"

"Well, I wanted to have the first look at the future Thunderclan leader! Back then, I did not know which one of you that would be, but now it is clear to me who it will be," she meowed.

"Who?" Dawnflower whispered, even though she knew the answer.

"You. And I never thought you would be the one. You were the smallest one- still are! But you have proven yourself worthy. The fact that your father sent you on this mission proved it all. Every Gathering, your father would tell me about all the things you have accomplished in that moon, without giving out any clan secrets of course, and let me say, I'm impressed. You are a smart, loving and strong warrior. You shall make a great leader some day." The leader smiled at Dawnflower and purred.

"What about Eaglefeather?" Dawnflower asked, feeling bad for her sister who did not get nearly as much attention as she did.

"Eaglefeather, I'm sure, is a fine warrior too. I thought she would be the one the first time I saw you three," Russetstar meowed. Dawnflower gave the ginger she-cat a worried look. "Don't feel pressured by this. You still have a long time to go before you can become leader. Your father is still here and so is Oakclaw, enjoy what you have now because once you become leader, you have so many more responsibilities and things to worry about. Now go, I must attend to the matter at hand and speak to my warriors."

And with that, Dawnflower left the den, passing the four cats who were Shadowclan's senior warriors on the way. Once she was outside, she took a deep breath. Why was everyone so sure that she was going to be leader? Was it really that official? After all, Oakclaw would get to choose his own deputy when he's leader and Smokestar still had four lives left. Walking towards her clan mates who were waiting by the entrance of the camp, she decided she would speak to One-eye and her father about this when she got back. They would know best and right now Dawnflower didn't know what to think.