Dawn light broke the surface of the night sky. I sighed in relief. I was dead tired and couldn't wait for a warrior, even apprentice, to come by and say I can leave. I was so close to falling asleep near moonhigh. Thank Starclan that Whitefur came by and told me I did very well.

"You can talk now." He said

"Good! I hate not talking!" I said

"I can see why." Whitefur joked

I got up and stretched. Standing up, I felt my eyes droop.

"Go grab a piece of prey and eat something, unless you want to come with me on a hunting patrol." He offered

"I'd like that."

At this, Cloudstar stepped out of his den and stretched. He took notice of Whitefur and I and padded over.

"You did very well Flowerheart. Whitefur, where are you going?" He asked

"I'm going on a hunting patrol with Flowerheart." Whitefur responded

"Would you mind if I came?" Cloudstar asked

"Not at all." I said

Cloudstar walked over to us and we left the camp. A sharp breeze pierced my pelt and made me shiver. The trees were now bare and the undergrowth was nearly gone. The sky was gray and it had a few flecks of white. Frost decorated the dead grass and few leaves.

"Leaf-bare is almost here." I said

"That it is." Cloudstar said

I hated that season. Everything was cold and I would be starving. But, I hated it even more. I had two clans, hence two to take care of. I usually stayed in one clan more often than the other during this time. Last time it was Thunderclan, hence Shadowclan for this time. It felt like I was cheating! I was getting more prey since I had some from one clan and some from the other. I couldn't deny it since it'd look like I was hiding something.

"Come on Flowerheart!" Cloudstar said

I shook my head. I had fallen behind by a few fox-lengths. Running up to them, I caught the scent of blood.

"Anyone else smell that?" I asked

Cloudstar and Whitefur froze. Whitefur's eyes widened as he began padding to the right. The same direction that the blood scent was coming from. Me and Cloudstar followed him as Whitefur halted.

"Get down!" He hissed

Cloudstar and I followed. I sniffed the air and caught the scent of something, or someone. The scent of a cat was coming and I saw a faint outline of one. Then, it confirmed what I thought.

"Come on Finchpaw! We need something to eat!" The cat said

Smokepelt...I recognized her voice from the Gatherings. The gray she-cat came into view as a small brown cat came. I took it that that was Finchpaw.

"They're intruding again." I whispered

I felt his pelt bristle as the two cats passed by. Cloudstar and I got up and Whitefur came by.

"We're going back, now!" Cloudstar said

The white tom pushed his way passed me and Whitefur. He glanced at me as to ask, ''What's go into him?". We followed Cloudstar, who was now running back to camp. The flash of white flashed across the area as I began running too. My mind was blurry. What were they thinking? Don't they know they'll be spotted and we set the borders even more there! Yet, they still crossed! This was meant for battle! We entered camp, where Cloudstar was already climbing the Highledge.

"We saw Windclan cross the border." I finally announced

Whitefur's eyes widened. I knew he could believe it though. So many signs indicated that they would be passing into our territory. Cloudstar called the clan together and many quickly did, interested in why he looked so mad.

"Today when I was out with Whitefur and Flowerheart, we two cats from Windclan over our borders. One was Smokepelt and the other was the apprentice Finchpaw. Smokepelt even said that they needed something to eat." Cloudstar announced

"They wanted to steal prey!?" Someone shouted

"Yes. But, this won't go unnoticed now. We have already tried borders and I think there-" He began

"Attack them! They need to be taught a lesson!" Graypelt yowled

Agreement rang through the air. Whitefur and I were joining them. These cats were doing something against the warrior code and needed to be taught a lesson!

"SILENCE!" Cloudstar yowled

We glanced up at him and silenced. But, pelts were bristling and some claws were unsheathed. My claws were sheathed, but, my tail was fluffed out.

"We may-" Cloudstar began

"NO!"

A flash of gold streaked across the area. I saw Jayclaw right up front staring her leader in the eye.

"We are attacking Windclan. I'm sorry Cloudstar, but we haven't been able to show any sign of strength. It isn't like they're just gonna stop. The last thing we need is for them to take some territory! We have tried to be peaceful and I don't think telling them no will work." Jayclaw said

Cloudstar looked uncomfortable. He looked over at Wolfclaw, who was calmly sitting outside his den. The old tom's eyes showed nothing but calmness, for he looked like he knew what Cloudstar was going to ask.

"Starclan has shown me nothing. Though, I am against fighting, I think we should. You have to show them they can't do this, they're endangering the peace by coming over here. Cloudstar, you should fight." Wolfclaw said

Cloudstar looked down. I wouldn't though. If your deputy and medicine cat say so, you should.

"Very well. Jayclaw, make a list of warriors and that should come. I want the apprentices to come though. They should be allowed to test their skills." He said

I glanced over at Barkpaw and Fernpaw, who looked like they were shaking with excitement.

"We will attack in two sunrises." He decreed

The white tom leapt off as the meeting broke up. Jayclaw looked pleased that he agreed with her and I was surprised! Jayclaw wasn't the first to go to violence. She helped stop the fight between us and Shadowclan. Thank Starclan for that! I didn't need to go over there and change into Silverpool. Which reminds me, I think I should go over there soon. Whitefur and I walked away and into the warrior's den.

"I don't know why Cloudstar didn't want to attack. You saw how mad he was when he saw them!" Whitefur said

"I know!" I shouted, "He was bristling and looked like he was going to leap out at them."

Whitefur sighed. I looked out at Thunderclan, that was now full of anger and tension. I didn't want to be here now. I wanted to go rest in Shadowclan where it is a lot calmer.

"I'm gonna go out." I said

"Now? With all this going on?" He asked

"Yes. I need to clear my head. You know I always go out for my walks to clear my head." I said

That is how I explained it. I went out for walks to clear my head. They all understood it. Same in Shadowclan.

"I'll see ya later." I said

I felt his tail lay on my back as he spoke the nicest words ever,

"Come back safe. I need you to be okay."

He said I. Not we. He wanted me to be safe. I purred and laid my head on his.

"I will."

I left the den, my heart feeling as though it was breaking. But, I needed to do this for now. I walked past Tigerfoot, who met me with a glare, and not anything else. I rolled my eyes as I walked through the thorn barrier's entrance. The fresh, cold air met my face as I began walking. I went to the west towards Shadowclan territory. The pine scent began to drift closer and closer as I arrived at the border. I always hated this when going over. I inhaled and walked over the border.