CHAPTER 5

I sat silently on a large rock, my eyes closed as I focused on the prophecy. The more and more I did, it felt like the closer I became to finding out the third cat. He or she wasn't a WindClan cat, nor a ShadowClan cat, or a ThunderClan cat. But perhaps a RiverClan cat?

"Dawnpaw, time to head back," Hawkheart's voice interrupted my thoughts, making me want to turn around and rake my claws down his pelt.

"Can I stay here and think for a while longer?" I asked, my eyes flickering open.

"You are able to, yes. But come on." Hawkheart's glare raked through my pelt.

"May I stay here and think more?" I retorted, turning around to return the glare.

"Yes, you may." He snatched up the leaves he could find of Dock and trotted back to camp, leaving me alone.

Finally! I thought with a sigh of relief. It had been a whole moon since Pikestar took over ShadowClan and two moons since WindClan took over RiverClan camp. We put our elders and queens there with a few warriors to guard them.

At least a moon ago my sister was put in there with Talltail's kits, Redkit and Mothkit. He's been sitting in there watching them since the third one died; they named him Swiftkit for his small figure, long legs, and black pelt.

I watched Russetpaw and Reedfeather train in front of me.

Russetpaw went up to his hind legs and hit his mentor right on the head, Reedfeather was dazed and my brother took his chance. He tripped him and then pinned him down.

My brother finally beat his mentor. I was quite surprised Reedfeather hadn't talked to Heatherstar about making Russetpaw a warrior. He'd mastered every battle move and hunting move, and came up with some of his own. I was surprised I wasn't a warrior yet.

Hawkheart was getting old, soon he would die and I was ready to take on the responsibility of a full medicine cat. And Russetpaw was ready to take on the responsibility of being a warrior.

"Very good, Russetpaw. But this time try to bite my tail as well as scratch my pelt, okay?" Reedfeather suggested with a casual tone.

Russetpaw nodded and got in battle position. He'd become very open to suggetions towards his battle moves.

I turned around and jumped off the large rock, then walked towards camp, my waving to and fro.

"Dawnpaw!" Littlepaw shouted, racing over.

"What?" I asked, looking at him with a curious gaze.

"Have you seen Cloudpool?" He let out a sigh. "I haven't seen her since yesterday. She went to catch some prey and never came back."

I shook my head. "Haven't seen her, sorry."

Shrewclaw walked up to Littlepaw. "I can teach you some battle moves if you like, Littlepaw?"

"Yes please!" Littlepaw replied, sounding eager to learn something.

Cherrypaw and Dawnstripe were at the entrance of camp, practicing easy battle moves since Talltail stayed with Cinderleaf all the time.

I nodded to them and they both dipped their heads respectfully and continued their practice.

I entered camp where Heatherstar was sharing a piece of prey with Hawkheart.

"Hello," I purred, sitting down in front of them. "Mind if I join?"

"Not at all, please do join us," Heatherstar mewed with a smile. "We were just discussing Russetpaw's progress. I was thinking about maybe making him a warrior."

"That would be wonderful! WindClan does need another warrior to guard camp, don't you think?" I looked around the empty camp. I was sort of talking him up too, being as he was my brother.

She nodded. "I want two warriors in camp at all times. I don't care who they are, we just need to be protected at all costs," she replied.

"But there is only one warrior in camp, and that's you," I pointed out.

"True. But Dawnstripe and Cherrypaw are training just outside of camp. And Cherrypaw is very fast so if we needed help she could easily go and get some," Hawkheart replied for Heatherstar, taking a bite of the rabbit.

I yawned and then smiled as Russetpaw and Reedfeather entered camp.

"Then what you'll have to do is bring your left paw forward or you could bite their tail," Reedfeather explained and Russetpaw nodded eagerly.

"But what if –" Russetpaw stopped himself and looked at us.

"Reedfeather, I need to speak to you in my den," Heatherstar mewed, and walked to her den, Reedfeather following.

Russetpaw bounced over to us. "Hello Hawkheart," Russetpaw purred.

"May we be excused?" I asked Hawkheart who smirked and nodded, taking another bite out of the rabbit.

I pushed my brother towards the apprentices den and stopped. "I've been thinking about the prophecy," I began. "And the cat has to be WindClan or RiverClan. Since Whitepaw was a dead end I don't have any other suggestions for RiverClan, but I think it might be Talltail or Cinderleaf. Because-"

My brother interrupted me with a hiss. "Can we stop worrying about the prophecy for one day?" he asked with a roll of his dark green eyes. "I'm sick off it. Can't we just be normal for once?"

"We always have to worry about the prophecy! We are not normal, either. We are always going to be a part of this prophecy and you must know that." My tail lashed as I continued, "We'll finish this conversation later, I have herbs to sort."

Trotting away I entered the medicine den, collecting all the herbs I entered the clearing where it started snowing. Russetpaw had irritated me.

I sighed and put them down and began sorting in the snow.

When I'd finished it had become a blizzard and as I put the sorted herbs in storage I realized that we, once again, had no Catmint or Chickweed. My heart pounded.

Hawkheart entered the den, shivering. "Brr!" he said, shaking his pelt, making snow go everywhere.

"Where have you been?" I asked as I put the last of the herbs away.

"I was watching the snowfall." He flicked his tail. "I also need to go over to WindClan base camp to check on Mothkit and Redkit."

"I'll do it!" I mewed quickly snatching up the Borage leaves before he could. "I want to see my sister's kits."

His ear twitched. "Alright. I'll check on Whiteberry's hip. She says that it aches." He grabbed an herb and exited the den, Dawnpaw following.

I exited camp, watching Cherrypaw and Dawnstripe race in camp, I continued to walk, then ran, hurrying to get to WindClan's base camp before my paws froze off.

When I'd reached the river I jumped across the stepping stones easily and entered camp, heading towards the nursery I heard a mew.

I stuck my head in. "May I enter?" I asked with a warm smile at my sister.

"Yes you may," she replied, Talltail nowhere to be seen. He must be getting her prey or something. She licked a ginger-and-black she-kit that I guessed was Mothkit.

The little kit jumped up and growled. "Intruder!" she yowled, racing towards me viciously, she jumped, clawing her way onto my back and bouncing up and down. "Run mommy! Take Redkit with you! I'll hold off this RiverClan warrior!"

Redkit's ears pricked at the sound of his name and he lifted his head, looking at me. "That's not a RiverClan warrior!" he squealed. "That's the cat in momma's stories!" He raced over to me.

"Stories?" I looked up at Cinderleaf who looked at her paws.

"You're right, Redkit!" Mothkit climbed down from me and looked up. "You're Dufepaw... Or was it Pawnpaw?"

"Neither," I replied. "I'm Dawnpaw, the medicine cat apprentice of WindClan." I smiled and crouched down so I was about their height. "And I am that cat from your mother's stories."

"You're her sister," Redkit mewed with a purr. "Momma told us that you and her use to get Redclaw's love all the time!"

"Yeah, and that you and her went into the warriors den and scared Reedfeather out of his fur." Mothkit bounced up and down in excitement.

I looked at Cinderleaf. "Did you name Redkit after Redclaw?" I asked with a tilt of my head.

She nodded and smiled at her kits that started tussling. "Yeah, I did."

"Mothkit's name comes from the first day we could go out of the nursery. We saw a moth fly into the sky and you always said that you'd catch one," I mewed with a glance at the two. "You finally did catch one."

My sister nodded, smiling a little. "So, what did you come here for Dawnpaw?"

Redkit and Mothkit broke a part, and raced around when I replied, "To give you some Borage leaves for your milk."

"Thanks." She chewed some of them and then sneezed.

My eyes lit up with concern. "You aren't getting sick, are you?" My heart skipped a beat and I glanced at the kits.

"No. Just allergies," Cinderleaf replied. "When you get them they're hard to get away from." She grinned and padded the next. "Come on Redkit, come on Mothkit, bed time."

"I'll sleep in here with you if you don't mind," I mewed, laying in a nest just as Talltail entered the den.


"Dawnpaw, wake up!" Talltail's voice made me open my eyes.

"What is it?" I asked, standing up and shaking out all the moss from my pelt.

"Can you watch the kits while Cinderleaf and I go downstream to get a drink and fish?" he asked with a twitch of his ear.

I nodded. "Take your time." I glanced at Cinderleaf's nest which was empty so I exited the den, Talltail followed.

"Wow!" I heard Redkit squeak. "What is all this white powdery stuff?"

"Snow," Cinderleaf replied, standing when Talltail and I walked to them. "Alright kits, Dawnpaw is going to watch you while I go get a drink, you do everything she says. Do you understand?"

"Yes momma!" Mothkit and Redkit replied at the same time.

I smile and watched the two exit camp. They were good together. "So, what do you do for fun around here?" I asked with a flick of my tail.

"I could ask you the same question," replied a deeper voice.

I turned my head and swallowed as a shape stood in the darkness, a strong smell of RiverClan came from him.

"Goto the nursery and don't come out!" I hissed in Redkit's ear. "Watch your sister!" They raced to the nursery and I faced the shape.

"You had kits?" he asked, surprise in his voice.

"No," I replied dryly. "They're my sisters."

The tom stepped into the sunlight and I blinked in surprise.

"Whitepaw?" I asked with a twitch of my tail.

He laughed. "Admit it, you were scared out of your fur!" He looked a lot bigger since I last saw him.

My heart slowed down and let out a deep breath. "Don't do that!" I purred, batting him playfully on the head.

He grinned. "I didn't know you had a sister," he replied, smiling down at me warmly.

"Well, I do," I mewed. "And she had kits and you are here why?" I glanced at the nursery, scared Mothkit and Redkit might come back out.

"I'm supposed to be spying on you," he replied with a sigh.

"You're bad at spying then," I snorted with a grin. "What're you going to tell them?"

He shrugged. "I'll probably tell them that RiverClan's camp is buzzing with activity," he replied. "No big deal really. This isn't the first time I've spied on WindClan."

I flinched. Not the first time he's spied on us. "You're going to lie to your Clan? What if they come here and see that it's empty? What'll you do?"

"Probably get sent back to apprentice duties," he replied. "But it's worth keeping you safe."

I blinked. "You're a warrior now?" I looked away at his last comment.

"Whitefang is the name!" he purred, puffing out his fur to look even bigger.

I rolled my eyes. "At the Gathering you weren't a warrior," I pointed out.

"That was like, a moon ago," he replied calmly, his tail twitching and his eyes flicked to the entrance of camp.

"RiverClan!" Cinderleaf hissed, staring in shock at the RiverClan warrior who was standing in front of me.

I froze when I realized she'd caught me talking to a RiverClan tom. My eyes traveled to Cinderleaf who was still staring at him.

"Leave you fish-face!" I hissed and lashed out at him, missing on purpose by a hair. I was a medicine cat, I wasn't supposed to fight anyways.

He looked at me in surprise, and then realized I was trying to make it so he could escape without any real wounds.

Talltail bursted in and snarled, baring his teeth at Whitefang.

I looked at him. "You get the kits, I got him!" I called, hissing at him, and then lashing out again.

The warrior pushed me out of the way. "You get the kits, I'll get rid of him!" Talltail hit Whitefang's shoulder which instantly started bleeding.

He looked rather surprised as he ducked, dodging Talltail's claw by a hair.

"Talltail, stop!" I growled, lashing my tail. "Stop it right now!"

The black-and-white tom looked at me with surprise. "Are you taking pity on this thing?"

I shook my head. "I think he's had enough. Let him go." I flicked my tail and Whitefang whipped around, racing out of the camp.

Cinderleaf walked to Talltail and licked his shoulder. "Who was that?" she asked.

"I have no clue," I replied. "Probably a spy!" I bared my teeth. "I can't believe he tricked me into talking to him!" I stomped out of the camp, pretending to be furious and bumped into Whitefang who sat there with his head tilted.

I blinked up at him. "You stayed?" I could hear the surprise in my voice. I figured he would've went back to his camp after the treatment he got from Talltail.

He nodded. "Is Talltail alright?" His eyes glowed as he talked.

"Yeah…" Looking at his shoulder I gave it a lick and then sighed. "I'd better fix you up or else RiverClan will know you were caught." I jumped onto the first stepping-stone, managing to keep my balance.

Whitefang jumped into the water and easily swam across and pulled himself up on the bank.

I jumped to the next ancient rock and the next and the next tell I was on the last one. Then I lunged, catching the land by a claw. I let out a wail, "Help me Whitefang!"

I felt myself slipping and I closed my eyes, my body was already in the water, dragging with the current. Suddenly, I was picked up and set gently on land.

"You're safe," he mumbled, rubbing his muzzle against mine, and then flicked his tail.

I stood and then led the way to a bush and then grabbed a few leaves of Goldenrod and turned around and began to lick Whitefang's shoulder gently.

He stood still until I applied the Goldenrod, that's when he flinched and drew away.

I paused. "Don't worry, it'll only sting a little," I mewed and then applied the rest and put some cobwebs over it gently. "You're free to go." I stood up and padded away to WindClan camp, leaving him alone.

When I'd entered the camp the snow beneath my paws crunched loudly. The only two warriors in camp, Dawnstripe and Littlepaw, looked up at me.

"Dawnpaw!" Littlepaw shouted, racing to me. "How was your walk?" he asked, bouncing up and down.

"Greetings Dawnpaw," Dawnstripe purred. "How was your time in RiverClan's camp with your sister's kits?"

I felt a pang of sadness, I didn't say goodbye to my sister's kits. I nodded and smiled though. "It was wonderful and Cinderleaf's kits are beautiful." I wouldn't say anything about Whitefang.

The she-cat nodded. "Yeah. I heard Russetpaw might become a warrior today, exciting right?"

I nodded slowly. Why didn't he tell me? "Yup, I can't wait!"

"His ceremony is way overdue," Dawnstripe snickered with a yawn. "If only he didn't fail that first assignment and he would be patrol border like there's no tomorrow."

"Where is Russetpaw right now?" I asked suddenly, wishing he could be standing beside me right now so I could scold him for not telling me.

"Doing his warrior assignment," she said, looking surprised. "Didn't he tell you?"

"Yeah, of course. I thought it'd be a little later though..." My mind swirled. Why wouldn't he tell me? Does he think I'm jealous?

"That was excellent, Russetpaw!" Reedfeather's excited voice broke my thoughts.

"Thanks, Reedfeather." Russetpaw was the first to enter the camp, his eyes shining as he carried his large rabbit. He set it down on the fresh-kill pile and then caught my eyes.

I gave him a glare and turned away. "How was your day, Littlepaw?"

"It was great! I found Cloudpool and we trained all day. I was waiting for Heatherstar to get back with Reedfeather and Russetpaw so I could tell her that Cloudpool is resting in the warriors den!" Littlepaw explained in an excited voice.

I nodded, smiling. "That's great!" My voice was barley mew and I could tell Littlepaw had to strain to hear it. I was just s furious at Russetpaw!

"I call a Clan meeting!" Heatherstar yowled, jumping up on the Tallrock just as Shrewclaw, Talltail, Cherrypaw, and Cinderleaf, who was nudging her kits forward, entered the camp.

I sat down as everyone else entered the clearing, looking up at our leader.

"Russetpaw, step forward!" she yowled and Russetpaw did as she commanded, his eyes shining. "I, Heatherstar, leader of WindClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn." Heatherstar was calm as she jumped in front of Russetpaw.

Russetpaw's body quivered with excitement.

"Russetpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" the leader questioned with a curious voice.

"I do," Russetpaw said in a loud voice, his eyes darting from Heatherstar to Reedfeather.

Heatherstar let out a yowl as cats began to talk quietly. "Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Russetpaw, from this moment you will be known as Russettail! StarClan honors your fighting skill, and determination we welcome you as a full warrior of WindClan." She rested her head on his muzzle and Russettail licked her shoulder.

"Russettail! Russettail!" Cherrypaw yowled and the Clan joined in. "Russettail! Russettail!"

"In honor of StarClan Russettail will sit vigil over his camp while the rest of us sleep." The leader turned around and entered her den and everyone trudged to their dens.

I walked over to Russettail who had already taken his spot in the middle of camp. "Don't think you aren't getting a lecture on what you did tonight." I walked to the medicine den and lay down, falling asleep.


"Dawnpaw, open your eyes."

My eyes flickered open and I was suddenly at Fourtrees where Windstar stood. "Oh no, not you again," I mumbled.

"Don't be rude," she snapped. "I'm your elder, and I came to you because you can't see that the Third cat is right under your nose!"

I blinked. "Well if you would tell me who it is then I could tell him or her that she or he is in a prophecy."

"Well, she already knows. And when you do find out you're going to know how rabbit-brained you are," Windstar suddenly disappeared.

"Dawnpaw! Dawnpaw! Wake up!" Hawkheart hissed.

My eyes flickered open. "What's wrong?" I asked, standing up. "Is Russettail alright? Did Heatherstar wander off?"

"No, worse. Fire!" he growled.

I blinked. "Fire? Out here? How is that possible?" I asked and then smelled the smoke, trying not to cough out a lung. I raced into the clearing and saw Russettail leading Whiteberry out of camp while Cinderleaf and Talltail grabbed Redkit and raced out of camp, Heatherstar and Shrewclaw making their way around the fire in the middle of the camp.

I looked around. It's snowing and there's a fire?! My heart pounded and Hawkheart raced to the entrance of camp. "Dawnpaw!" he screamed.

My eyes traveled to the nursery where a head poked out of the den. "I'm coming Mothkit!" I yowled and raced to the den, and entered.

She was curled up in the corner of the den. I picked her up by her scruff.

"Dawnpaw, hurry up!" Hawkheart stuck his head in the den and I rushed out of the den.

The camp was on fire and the snow kept coming. At least the snow would probably put out the fire soon. I heard a screech and turned around, seeing Hawkheart stuck under a fallen rock. I set the kit down. "Follow me, grab onto my tail!" Mothkit did what I commanded.

I lifted up the rock and Hawkheart pulled himself out and we ran, the kit trailing after.

"Mothkit!" Cinderleaf purred, picking up her kit we began to ran, the WindClan cats heading towards RiverClan's camp.

I looked at Hawkheart who was running funny, like he was limping a little.

"Are you alright?" I asked, as I jumped over a rock.

He nodded but didn't say anything else, his tail streaming after him.

I plunged into the river and began swimming across, all the warriors copying but the elders and queens and kits used the stepping stones.

When I jumped up on shore I relaxed, entering the camp and turned to the warriors who lay down, tired.

Glancing up I saw the snow fall harder, making us freezing.

"To the dens!" I shouted to Cinderleaf, Whiteberry, and the kits.

Heatherstar walked to the leaders den while the warriors went to the warriors den, Russettail sitting down in the middle of camp, continuing his vigil.

I entered the medicine cats den where Hawkheart was laying down, already sound asleep, I lie down in another nest and fell asleep.


My tail screamed in pain as I put cobwebs on Shrewclaw's bleeding wound from last night's fire.

Heatherstar watched her Clan, her eyes blank, her tail curled over her paws as Hawkheart checked her over.

Russettail went to the warriors den, disappearing inside I growled to myself silently.

"Dawnpaw, can you look at my paw?" Dawnstripe asked, her eyes glimmering in pain.

I nodded. "You're free to go Shrewclaw," I mewed. "Just don't go hunting."

Shrewclaw nodded. "You got it." Picking up a rabbit that Reedfeather had caught she laid beside Talltail who was staring at the ground.

I touched Dawnstripe's paw and she flinched. "You twisted it," I stated. "You're off warrior duties till I say so. You can do whatever you want but you cannot leave this camp."

She mumbled something and then limped away.

My ears pricked and I looked around as Mothkit wailed, her eyes watering.

"What's going on?" I asked Cinderleaf as she whimpered.

"Mothkit can't feel her tail," she replied, her eyes full of anger.

I touched the kit's tail and then moved it around a lot, that's when Mothkit whimpered.

"That hurts, Dawnpaw," she said.

"She'll be fine, just make sure you move her tail around at least twice a day for a few days. Just a little sprain." I turned around and watched the cats in the clearing as they limped around and ate what we had left of prey.

I sighed and watched as Russettail led Talltail and Cherrypaw out of camp for a hunting patrol.

I turned to Heatherstar I mewed, "What're we going to do with our camp?"

She shrugged. "We'll probably stay here for a few days. Just until we are all able to move back to camp. Then we'll just go from there," Heatherstar replied. "For now I want you to lead a patrol of cats over to ShadowClan. I think you know what to do after that."

I nodded. She wants them to help us… I looked around. "Littlepaw, are you able to run?" I asked.

He glanced up from licking his paw. "Yes!" he squeaked. "Why?"

"Because we're going on a secret mission, come on." I exited the camp and jumped over the river, Littlepaw following behind me.

As we neared the Thunderpath I heard Littlepaw sneeze, my heart pounded as the snow fell more. Please don't get sick Littlepaw.

The little tom shivered. "It's cold-" The rest of his voice was drowning out by the racing monsters.

I nodded. "On three, okay?" I paused, watching several monsters race past. "One, two three, go!" I yowled streaking across, Littlepaw right by my side.

When we'd reached the other side I sat down. "Now we wait," I commanded and he sat down too.

"Why're we waiting?" he asked with a twitch of his ear.

"Because we don't want ShadowClan to think that we think that we can just waltz right into their camp. We're being respectful by waiting for a patrol," I replied, smelling the air. One should be here in a few moments. Just as I thought it one appeared, calm but scary.

"Dawnpaw, how may I help you?" It was Brackenfoot with Fangkit, paw I'd guess now, and Crowtail who was bristling up a storm.

"I've come to speak with Pikestar and Pikestar only," I replied, sending a glance at Crowtail.

"Pikestar is busy!" she snapped. "Go home!" Crowtail bared her teeth.

Brackenfoot gave her a glare. "WindClan is welcome here." He dipped his head to me. "Follow me." Turning around he led the way to ShadowClan camp.

"I'm Littlepaw," mewed the apprentice to Fangpaw.

"Fangpaw, nice to meet you," she purred, flicking her tail.

"Hush!" snarled Crowtail, her eyes narrowed to slits. She was hostile towards them for some reason.

The camp entrance was in sight now, my heart pounded, eager to hear the new leaders answer.

Pikestar was in the clearing, talking to Hollyflower quietly when he saw the WindClan cats. "Dawnpaw, always welcome of course. Right Crowtail?"

The ShadowClan deputy had stopped bristling when Pikestar talked. "Yes. She's a great cat and will not be attacked by any ShadowClan patrol."

"What can I help you and..." He paused, looking at Littlepaw. "Smallness over here with?"

"This is Littlepaw," I told him firmly and then shook my head. "Heatherstar wants to know if you'd be willing to give us a few warriors? Our camp caught fire and we're staying in RiverClan's camp." I asked with a glance at Hollyflower who watched with interest.

"Of course," he purred. "Pick your favorite three."

I looked around. "Hollyflower, Brackenfoot and…" Looking around I stopped on a gray tabby tom. "Archeye."

Pikestar nodded. "Wonderful choices. The warriors that were called must listen to every word this apprentice tells you. Now go!" he commanded with a wave of his tail as we left his camp, the ShadowClan warriors trudging after.


We crossed the stepping-stones and entered RiverClan's camp where everyone looked up. The fresh-kill pile was empty.

"Thank StarClan!" Heatherstar mumbled. "Alright, Reedfeather, Hollyflower and Russettail you will go hunting while Shrewclaw, Archeye and Brackenfoot you do border patrol," she commanded.

I sighed and walked away from the group, my paws aching I sat down and watched as everyone began to share tongues.

Watching the patrols leave camp I felt a pang of anger, my heart pounding. I looked around for Cinderleaf who was sitting by Talltail, watching their kits play with a ball of moss.

Trotting over I sat beside my sister. "They're just beautiful," I mumbled.

"I'll go see if I can get you something to eat," mewed Talltail and he padded out of camp.

"Thank you," Cinderleaf purred, her eyes gleaming.

Glancing up I'd just realized that the sun wasn't even up that high, yet I still felt drowsy and a bit nauseous. I lifted my nose, taking a deep breath I smelled RiverClan. "I'll be right back," I mewed and padded out of camp where Whitefang was sitting.

"Hello Dawnpaw," he mewed casually, like he was supposed to be there.

I hissed, "What're you doing here? I can smell you from inside camp! What if someone saw you?"

He flicked his ears. "I'm here to see you, I know you can and no one did because I'm good at what I do." He parted his jaws and yawned.

A light wind blew through my fur. "What do you want?"

"RiverClan is going to attack RiverClan's camp during the next medicine cat meeting," he whispered, looking around. "Make sure everyone is cleared out of this camp. Because they're angry and ready to kill."

I stared blankly at him. "Y-you just told me what was happening... You broke the warrior code."

He nodded. "I suppose I did." Sighing he wrapped his tail neatly around his paws. "I also fixed your camp. Also, what're ShadowClan cats doing here?"

Managing to swallow down my fear I replied in a low voice, "We don't have enough warriors to hunt and do border patrol so Heatherstar sent me to get some help from ShadowClan."

Whitefang glanced at me with curious eyes. "Is it because of the fire?"

"Yes, but that isn't any of your business," I retorted, my eyes narrowed. "Now get out of here!"

"Fine, fine. I'm going," he mewed, jumping in the water.

I watched him go, my eyes glowing and my ears pricked as he disappeared into the few trees in RiverClan territory.

"Who're you talking to out here?" Cinderleaf asked, sticking her head out of the entrance of camp.

"Me!" Littlepaw rounded the corner. "I just went to get a stick." He placed his stick in front of me. "Okay, so now what do I do?"

Glancing at Littlepaw I quickly thought of a reply: "You would place it in the queen's mouth and they could use it for their pain."

Cinderleaf's head disappeared. She clearly believed Littlepaw's story.

"Thanks Littlepaw," I mewed, letting out a sigh.

"I know what you're doing," he replied in a low voice. "That was a one-time thing, don't think I'm going to keep your secret by the way. I have a big mouth. I can gossip." The apprentice snatched up his stick and entered camp.

Rolling my eyes I followed him, sending a glance back in Whitefang's direction.

The camp was rather busy for the lots of cats being injured.

"Dawnpaw!" Hawkheart yowled, flicking his tail for me to come over.

Bouncing over to him I smiled. "Yes Hawkheart?"

He paused, eyeing me. "You seem off. But we have something else to talk about..." Shaking his head he continued, "What do you think about us moving in here?"

"What do you mean?" My eyes flashed when he said 'us' as if he meant me and him.

"Like me, you, Cinderleaf and her kits?" The medicine cat shrugged and glanced around.

I blinked slowly. "N-no, WindClan shouldn't even own RiverClan's camp. I'm not okay with anyone staying here. Especially my sister," I replied with a deep rumbling in my throat.

He shrugged and flicked his tail. "Sorry then, I'll go talk to Heatherstar about it…" He padded away quickly.

I sighed and glanced around, watching Mothkit play by herself with a ball of moss.

RiverClan will attack their camp on the next medicine cat meeting, Whitefang's warning flashed through my mind and I was tempted to go tell Heatherstar, but stopped myself. She'd want to know how I know that…

"Dawnpaw, come join me!" Mothkit squealed.

I padded over to the kit and sat down beside her. "Want to play moss-ball?"

She nodded eagerly. "Yes please! Redkit is too focused on Whiteberry's stories about the ancient cats that he won't play with me."

Picking the ball up by my claw I tossed it a few feet away. "Whiteberry knows about the ancient cats?"

Mothkit chased the ball of moss and then walked back to me, setting it down in front of me. "Sure she does. She knows about Windstar and Swiftstar and Gorsestar..."

"Interesting." I threw the ball again for her. "Can you tell me what she knows about them?" I asked, watching the kit as she dropped it in front of me again.

"She knows that Windstar and Gorsestar were mates. And that Swiftstar was pretty selfish and only did things for himself. And Windstar's old medicine cat, Mothflight, was very curious about her leaders mate," Mothkit mewed as she dropped the ball again.

"Windstar and Gorsestar were mates?" I mumbled to myself. "Mothflight was curious about Windstar or her mate in general?"

"Well," Mothkit began, "Whiteberry says that Mothflight knew that Windstar would choose her mate as leader. And if they hadn't of mated Gorsestar would've never been a leader."

Throwing the ball again and glanced at the sun that was now at its highest perk. "So, pretty much, Windstar chose Gorsestar as her deputy because they were mates?"

Mothkit paused before replying, "Well, yes. But if they hadn't of mated Reedfeather wouldn't be here."

My ears pricked. "Reedfeather is Windstar's kit?"

She shook her head. "No, her kit had Reedfeather. You see, only one of the two survived and that was Reedfeather's mother. She's dead now, but still… "

"Who is Reedfeather's mother?" I asked as I rolled the ball to her.

"Thrushpelt," the kit responded. "The..." The she-kit thought for a moment. "At least third of fourth medicine cat. But she was a warrior when she mated." Mothkit eyed me for a moment. "Why're you so curious about all this?"

I nodded and smiled. "I just like knowing about our ancestors." I flicked my tail at her. "Anyways, thanks Mothkit. I'm going to talk to Whiteberry now, okay?" I trotted away to Whiteberry who was sending Redkit away with a flick of her tail.

"Hello Dawnpaw," the elder mewed, looking up at me with her glowing eyes.

"Does Reedfeather know he's related to Windstar? That she is his grandmother?" I asked, my eyes burning into hers.

"Of course he does," she replied slowly. "That's why he is the deputy of WindClan, because he's destined to be leader for many moons to come."

My eyes narrowed. "Then Littlepaw and Cherrypaw are destined to be WindClan's leader too?"

The she-cat laughed. "StarClan, no! There is this prophecy about him: And he will rise, taking his place as leader. And it was common sense for him to be that cat."

I froze. Is Whiteberry the Third cat? An elder? My heart pounded. "You know about any other prophecies?"

"No, just that one that Hawkheart shared with me." Whiteberry looked at me suspiciously. "You know about any prophecies?"

I was tempted to tell her, but I knew it wouldn't be the smart thing to do, especially since she wasn't the Third cat. "Nope," I replied. "Nothing at all."

"Carry on then," she snapped suddenly, turning back into the grumpy old elder I knew her to be.

I jumped up and padded away quickly, bumping into Reedfeather who carried several rabbits.

"Sorry," I squeaked, feeling myself heat up in embarrassment. Does he know there's a prophecy about him? Reedfeather padded away and I turned my attention to Hollyflower and Russettail as they walked into camp together, putting their prey on the fresh-kill pile with smiles on their faces. Russettail was talking but I couldn't make out what he was saying.

Padding over to them, I let out a purr. "Have a good patrol?" I asked, sending a glance at Hollyflower. They seemed very close.

"It was great! The prey is practically begging to be killed!" Russettail purred in excitement, smiling over at Hollyflower. It was like I wasn't even there.

"With Leaf-bare arriving, wouldn't you be begging as well?" Hollyflower commented with a flick of her tail, and then she trotted away to Reedfeather.

I glared after her. "You aren't thinking of... her, are you?" I looked back to my brother, concerned. She was a ShadowClan cat!

He let out a laugh, shaking his head at me like it was the most ridiculous things I'd ever said. "No, she's just a friend."

I shook my head. "Good luck with that," I sniffled and then walked past him, slipping into the current medicine den, sniffing the herbs.

"Need some more herbs?" a familiar voice made my pelt bristle.

"How did you get in here?" I turned to the white tom, glaring at him with all the rage I could muster up.

He shrugged. "Wasn't that hard, WindClan is bad at keeping their eyes open." He set down a bundle of Chickweed. "It's going to be a bad Leaf-bare, so stay safe."

"Thanks," I replied grimly, still feeling uncomfortable by the whole thing. "And why're you helping WindClan instead of RiverClan?"

"Well, I have my reasons." He hesitated before asking slowly, "I heard you asking about Windstar to Mothkit."

I nodded. "Correct. So, am I not allowed to be curious anymore about the beginnings of my Clan?"

He laughed, shaking his head. "Why do the ancient cats interest you so much?" he questioned, definitely acting weird.

"Well, some of them are in my Clan you know. Plus, I think it's important I know who they are in case I see them in a dream," I replied while I put the herbs away. I felt like something was wrong.

The large white tom licked his brown paw. "Hm, interesting. But why question a kit about it? Why not a warrior, like Reedfeather? That who you were trying to get information on, right?"

"I think you should leave now, Whitefang. I don't want to answer that question. It's dangerous to be in here." Glancing at him I saw surprise on his face.

"Why do you always avoid my questions? Why does Mothkit mean so much to you?" His voice was a growl, causing my fur to stand up.

"Because you're a RiverClan cat! We can't be friends, Whitefang. I'm not giving you any information." Sniffing what was left of the Watermint I sighed and pushed it away.

"Then maybe, just maybe, I might kill you," he replied with a flick of his ear.

I turned to him, alarm settling in. "Don't come near me, Whitefang, or I'll yell for Hawkheart."

He let out a laugh. "You can't yell for someone if you don't have a throat." His eyes narrowed.

My jaw tightened. "You're scaring me!" I hissed, backing away a little.

Whitefang's claw slid out. "You should be scared," he replied with a smirk.

I darted forward, my fear getting the better of me and lashed out with my claws, taking out a few pieces of his fur with me just before he hit me on my head.

I began to see small dots as I aimed for his cheek, slicing through it with my claws. He tripped me and I banged my head on the stone wall, causing black to engulf my vision.


My eyes flicked open and I looked around. I was in WindClan's medicine den, lying in a nest. The familiar smell of the den and the nest below me instantly made me smile.

"Good morning sleepy head!" Hawkheart purred, pausing from sorting herbs before me.

Sitting up, I shook my head, remembering what happened with Whitefang. "How did I get here?"

"Well, we caught that evil RiverClan cat in the medicine den, the one that attacked you, and Rusettail chased him away, he definitely won't be forgetting Russettail's claw anytime soon, and Reedfeather was kind enough to take you here, where our herbs barely survived the fire. I had to throw a few out but there was some to spare," the medicine cat replied.

"I-is Whitefang okay?" I asked, looking down at my pelt. "How long have I been asleep? Am I badly wounded? What is-"

Hawkheart cut me off quickly, walking over to me and rubbing his tail down my pelt soothingly. "Just relax, Dawnpaw. Whitefang is fine, you've been asleep for a few days and you'll be fine, no major injuries. You banged up your head pretty good though."

I sighed and sat back in my nest, trying to calm myself down. "Where's Russettail? Is he okay?"

"I'm right here, Dawnpaw." Russettail's relaxed voice came from the corner of the den. It soothed me to hear it. "And yes, I'm wonderful, thanks for your concern."

"What about Cinderleaf's kits?" I asked, reeking with curiosity.

"Everyone is fine. Just relax. Go for a walk if you need to," Hawkheart mewed and I could hear the irritation in his voice. I was asking way too many questions.

"Did everyone move back to WindClan camp?"

"Yes."

"Good, no one can go there ever again," I replied with relief, remembering Whitefang's warning. He didn't make any sense.

"What? What're you talking about?" Hawkheart asked, ears pricked.

"RiverClan is going to attack their camp. We have to let them have their camp back or else cats will die," I whispered, feeling my fear rising.

"What?!" Russettail jumped to his paws in alarm. "We cannot let RiverClan take over their camp again! I must warn Heatherstar!" My brother raced out of the den to tell Heatherstar.

Hawkheart's ears were flat on his head. "How do you know that?"

I swallowed, wanting to tell him the truth, but I knew I couldn't. So I simply said, "A cat came to me in a dream and warned me."

"Why goto you? Why not me?" The old medicine cat shook his head, clearly confused.

Heatherstar bursted into the den. "What's this I hear about RiverClan going to attack their camp?"

I nodded at her, maybe she'd listen to me. "Yes, they're going to take what's rightfully theirs. I don't see what the problem is…"

"When?" Heatherstar demanded, hovering over me.

"During the next medicine cat meeting, which is in a few days," I replied with a puzzled look on my face.

"We'll be ready," Heatherstar growled. "Did the StarClan cat tell you anything else?"

"He told me that all warriors need to be in WindClan's camp, that we need to let the RiverClan cats take their camp back," I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

"Then he has given up on us, because we will be victorious!" the leader yowled and exited the den excitedly.

A tear fell down my face and fear grasping my heart. "We are going to lose someone important that night then."

"What do you think you're doing?" Hawkheart demanded suddenly, his eyes narrowed at me.

I blinked and looked at him. "What do you mean?"

"I may be old, but I'm no fool. I know about you and Whitefang," he said with a glance at me.

"There is no me and Whitefang," I retorted, standing up and shaking my pelt. "If you recall he attacked me!"

He sighed. "Then why did he warn you about the battle?" Hawkheart obviously wasn't going to stop questioning me until I gave him an honest answer.

"I don't know," I mumbled. "He has feelings for me, I suppose. But I don't feel anything for him anymore. Especially since he attacked me."

"Well, I have to go check on Cinderleaf, I'll be back soon," he replied, exiting the den.

"Dawnpaw?" A light brown tabby shape entered the den. I recognized it instantly.

"Is that Reedfeather?" I asked, tilting my head as I stepped out of my nest.

"Yeah... How are you feeling?" he questioned, coming into the light so I could see him.

"Great. And yourself?" It was weird that Reedfeather came to see me.

The tabby paused and sat down, shaking his head slowly. "I'm feeling.. Horrible, Dawnpaw. Whitefang is messing with your head. And he needs to stop before something bad happens to him."