The wind blew gently, ruffling the dry, crackling leaves as they began to drift to the faded greens of the forest floor. Dew sparkled on the tops of leaves, slowly weighing them down, to drop on the unsuspecting head of an IceClan warrior. The sky was a dark cobalt blue, beginning to lighten as the rains of the night before drifted away. Grass shifted and squelched under Shadowpaw's paws as he sniffed slightly at the stale scent of water vole. It had passed through recently, he guessed stopping to gather the few scattered weeds and berries that were beginning to dwindle at the first signs of Leaf-bare. He would follow the scent, as this was only the first solo hunt he had ever been sent on, he intended to do well. He lowered his head to the ground, until his nose almost touched the damp grass, and continued on the trail of the water vole. The vole's trail led off into densely packed oak tree territory, and he side stepped to avoid sharp nettles and branches that were crossing his path. His head snapped in the direction of a faint rustle. Crouching low, he watched carefully as a small grey-brown creature waddled closer, water glistening off its fur. Letting all his weight go to his haunches, he inched closer to get a better look. He stopped near a bramble thicket. Narrowing his sights on that one, living, breathing thing, he leaped. Shadowpaw landed tail lengths away. He had miscalculated his jump, and was chasing after the vole as it prepared to slip into a stream. He sped up, lifting his paw to give it a glancing blow on the side of its head. He bit down on the stunned vole's blood pumping artery and buried it at the base of a huge sycamore tree.

'Nice catch,' He could just imagine his father saying. 'But you could do better,' He always used to say that.

'Why do you always say that?' He would ask.

'You are more only son. You have to at least do as good as your sisters. Of course, if you wanted to be a fat and lazy kittypet that sits around all day with a crow pecking at your ear…'

When he said that, the 'crow' always got him, he could have totally blocked out the rest of his lecture. He smiled faintly, why couldn't things be like the old days, when the only thing he had to worry about was when he could continue fighting training with his mentor and Hazelpaw attacking him with moss balls, when the worst thing that could happen was falling in the steady stream, or when the happiest thing that he wished to happen to him was going to a Gathering, or being praised by his Father? What had changed? As if on cue to his mental thinking, he felt like ice was running down his spine and his vision blurred to a dark tabby pelt, broad shoulders and menacing eyes. Tigerstar. He had ruined his life from the way it once was. Once again, this made him remember his dream of Berryleaf. She had changed his mind about this whole thing, made him want to quit. Tigerstar…he was watching him so carefully, he didn't know if he could get away from would have rather had Brokentail training him at that moment, at least he was easier to closed his eyes in pain and anxiety. He couldn't back out now. Maybe he could be like a double traitor?

I haven't betrayed my Clan…have I? Then I betray the Dark Forest and stay loyal to my Clan?

He shook his head in bewilderment. "What have I done? Did I really betray my Clan?"

Leafstar's POV

"Rrroww!" An alarm went up as Splotchpaw, Hazelpaw,Tulippetal, Dusktail and Rootfur dashed into camp.

"What is it?" Leafstar was anxious by the grief stricken alarm that had gone up. "Where is Snakepaw? Mounatinpaw?"

"We… we were jumped!" Rootfur gasped. There was a long side wound and blood was slowly oozing out of his ear.

"Details. Hurry."She murmured quietly. The Clan didn't need panic. The elders and queens were already creeping out of their places.

"There were a few of them. They came out of nowhere, attacked us, and they seem to be following our trail." Dusktail said urgently.

"Intruders?" One voice said, maybe and elder, by the sound of the frail voice. "I'll deal with them. In my day, one cat could take on a fox single pawed and come back without a scatch."

"Okay. Rootfur, Dusktail…where are Snakepaw and Mountainpaw?"

"Snakepaw went missing and Mountainpaw is badly injured." Dusktail tilted her head to the small shape that slid into camp with Tulippetal supporting him.

"The intruders..they probably have a plan. No wonder. I'm guessing they have an ambush. You, stay on the inside ring of the camp and give us a warning. Hazelpaw, go and get ThunderClan for help. They are closest. I'm sure ShadowClan are in on this. Take my deputy and your father with you."

Hazelpaw nodded and slipped into the designated dens. The last cas there split up and took up a position. Dusktail and Rootfur to the back, Tulippetal took Mountainpaw into the Medicine Cat den, and Berryleaf watched in concern. Splotchpaw whispered, "What about my brother? He's not back yet."

"Find him. While you're at it, find Snakepaw. Take Sundapple."

The pretty dappled apprentice left as well. Leafstar closed her eyes, trying to release her stress. It didn't help one bit as she saw her warriors leave. Who knew what was out there? No one. She leaned forward, craning her neck to watch them leave. No one knew. The forest was as dark as night, and she felt a wave of foreboding sweep over her as a tail flicked and vanished.