Dawnheart and Blazespirit were by the lake. The lightning bugs were buzzing around them every now and then emitting a soft glow. Dawnheart and Blazespirit's tails were intertwined. The gray warrior's fur seemed to come alive with moonlight as Silverpelt's warriors twinkled softly in the sky. Dawnheart felt her heart beat in chest as she nuzzled Blazespirit's side and let out a soft purr.

"Blazespirit…"

"Wrong," A deep growl rumbled from deep inside the tom. Dawnheart could feel the vibrations. She looked up at Blazespirit. His ice blue eyes were no longer full of the love and happiness but full of hate. They weren't even blue; they were amber eyes of a hardened heart. Dawnheart jumped back as she realized this was no longer Blazespirit. She was looking into the eyes of a dark brown tabby.

"Shadowclaw!" She gasped. The tom's upper lip curled.

"You remember me," He snarled. His voice was like claws scraping across hard boulders making that eerie screech that pierced Dawnheart like thorns.

"What do you want," She tried to adopt Frostwing's aggressive tone and stance but even she could hear the unbridled fear in her voice.

"I was expecting something like how did you get here or please don't kill me," Shadowclaw sighed. "I might as well explain how I happened to come into your dreams before I explain what I want."

Dreams? Dawnheart hadn't even fallen asleep! She and Blazespirit really had been by the lake! What was going on? "Wait, I didn't-" Dawnheart began only to get cut off by Shadowclaw.

"You did fall asleep," Shadowclaw rolled his eyes. "Next to Blazespirit at this lake after a night full of frolicking in the woodlands. I just happen to have the ability to walk in other cat's dreams." His tone implied that he was talking to a kit. He padded over to her, brushing her side. His tail swiped under his nose. His fur smelled like mud and something else, something more sinister. "Well now that the formalities are over let me cut to the chase." Shadowclaw flicked his tail from side to side. He sat down in such a way that the moonlight cast a shadow over half of his face.

"What do you want?" Dawnheart hissed at him.

"Oh, my precious kitty," He made a deep rumbly purr.

"I am nobody's precious!" Dawnheart growled. Now she felt what it was like to be her sister, always treated inferior.

"Whatever," He snarled. "My reasons for coming here are simple. You are going to report your clan's activity. Deaths, births, weak spots, dramas, and especially the loss of a leader's life."

"I'd never betray my clan!" Dawnheart yowled. How dare he even ask such a question! Did he honestly think she'd do that?

"Oh yes you will," He hissed. "You are someone's 'precious', what's his name?" He thought for a moment. "Ah yes," His face contorted into that of a mad cat. "Blazespirit," He mewed in a cruel imitation of Dawnheart's meow.

"No," She breathed.

"Yes," He stared at her with eyes full of hate. "In exchange for the protection of your precious and any kits you may have together you will be revealing your clan's secrets every night."

Suddenly the forest was no longer the welcoming warm place it had been when she and Blazespirit had left camp. It was suddenly very dark. The trees swayed in a cold nighttime breeze. The rustle no longer sounded like gentle whisper but cold, harsh laughter. The shadows become long and threatening. The sky overhead rumbled at the premonition of a thunderstorm. Dawnheart's heart stopped for a moment.

"You wouldn't-" She managed. The world was spinning around her. Blazespirit? Dead? Would he really go that far for this?"

"I would," He looked smug. "A thousand times over if it means getting my way." The breeze picked up. "You silly cats, always making peace. Well there is no peace! There is only power and ambition! At one point there was tolerance but even you know that is impossible at this stage. Old rivalries between clans are being dug up once more. Soon what little patience you cats have with each other will break and total carnage will break out.

"My plan is to conquer all of you when you are at your least vulnerable." Shadowclaw's tone was one of triumph. " I shall kill every cat who dares get in my way but if you agree to help me," He shoved his face into hers. "I will spare you and your Blazespirit." His voice smelled of rotting animal. "Do you accept?"

"Only if you protect my sister and her potential mate." She squeaked. Shadowclaw made an exasperated moan.

"Ugh!" He yowled. "You mean if your sister finds a mate! She is so aggressive! I have no idea how you can even be her sister."

"Frostwing is a great cat!" Dawnheart yowled. She was protective of her sister. Her sister didn't often fall into cat's good books so Dawnheart had to make sure cats knew that her sister was an amazing cat too.

"Really?" Shadowclaw rolled his eyes. "I went to try and get into her mind and I was greeted by a bunch of stubborn static and fuzz. A brilliant mind, yes, but definitely defiant." He examined a pad as if trying to locate a cut. "You're sister is just one large thorn in my paw but if she means that much to you I guess I can protect her too."

Dawnheart suddenly became aware of the howling wind. It became like a tempest. It whipped Dawnheart's fur and began tossing leaves through the air. It's sharp bitter cold felt like needles of ice into her skin.

"So, I ask you once more," Shadowclaw's voice was as cold and as sharp as the wind. "Do you accept my offer?" For a moment Dawnheart was torn between loyalty to her clan and love for her friends and family. Should she tell him the clan's secrets for the protection of her friends? Or risk it all and deny his offer? If what he said was true denying was to condemn them all to an early grave. Her heart tore into pieces as she finally she gave her answer.

"Yes."

Shadowclaw's face turned to triumph, as the wind whipped around them faster and harder than ever. Dawnheart could barely keep her balance as she fought against the surging wind. Raindrops began to fall. Cold and icy, they pelted down in a rush of cold water. Her legs finally collapsed and she sank into darkness.

"Dawnheart!" Someone was nudging her. "Dawnheart!"

She opened her eyes. Blazespirit was prodding her.

"Dawnheart! We have to go!" He urged. "Wake up!" Thunder rumbled overhead. She sat up. Dark clouds covered the moon and sky. The wind was starting to pick up.

"We need to get back to camp." Blazespirit meowed urgently. "Before the others get back and before this storm starts."

"Did we fall asleep?" Dawnheart asked. She stood up and stretched her legs. They were sore from sleeping on the ground.
"Yeah, we did," He kept his eye on the sky as if expecting it to swallow him. "You must have been fighting badgers in your sleep, your thrashing woke me up."

Thunder rumbled and the heavens lost their hold of the tidal wave of rain. The wind howled and grabbed the trees branches shaking them so violently the leaves fell easy to the ground. But it wasn't the freezing rain that chilled Dawnheart to the one. It was the realization of what she'd just done.

"Are you okay?" Blazespirit asked. He was looking at her oddly. He knew something was up.

"I'm fine." Dawnheart lied and she knew it was the first of many lies to come. She followed Blazespirit blindly through the woods. Every paw step filled her with guilt and dread. She didn't remember if Blazespirit had tried talking to her. She didn't really even remember the rain that stung her her skin with its icy cold drops. She didn't remember if the senior warriors were back yet when they finally reached camp. The only thing she remembered was sinking down in her moss bed and, even though she was dead on her paws, not being able to sleep a wink that night from the shock.