Secretlight pounced at the leader and deputy as soon as they set paws inside the camp clearing.
"It's morning! You've been gone all night? Half the clan was worried sick, the other clan was wondering if you had been killed like Lionstar." Bitterstar faked a look of shock and nudged Hawkclaw to make sure he followed her led. They couldn't draw any more suspicions to themselves.
"Lionstar died? How?" She asked, wondering how on earth anyone knew already. Maybe someone had seen the events of last night.
"Well, we don't for sure, but he didn't return to Thunderclan camp. His deputy, Sunpelt, came over to ask us if we heard or saw anything. We sent out patrols looking for all of you straight away. So, where were you?"
"We had an encounter with a pair of rogues. We chased them off, but I didn't get off without a battle wound." Hawkclaw cut in before his leader cold answer. "Could you check it for me?" The medicine cat simply nodded and led him away to get some herbs.
The dark brown tabby was glad to get some time to rest but she had only just entered her den before the familiar voice of Foxtail called her back out. She stepped out to find Duststar, Rainstar and Sunpelt stood surrounded by Shadowclan cats.
"There she is, the murdering liar!" Rainstar hissed. A wave of confusion spread through the crowd of cats. Sunpelt stepped forward to address the clan.
"Your honorable leader murdered her own father to get the position of leader. And when Lionstar found out she killed him too!" The whole clan gasped looking to Bitterstar to deny this ridiculous information. But she didn't. She couldn't. There was no point.
"I could deny these claims. I could pretend not to know what you're talking about. But whatever I say you won't believe. Yes I was responsible for my fathers' death and Lionstar knew it. Then I heard you planning to attack Shadowclan and in my anger I killed Lionstar too! But they deserved what they got. If you're itching for a battle then bring it on. We'll be waiting, tomorrow at four trees."
As the other three leaders left Shadowclan stared at Bitterstar. Some looked angry, some were confused but no one knew exactly how to react.
"I for one am not going to battle on the side of a murderer," Icetail the only elder in the clan muttered. Several cats surrounding her agreed. Others defended their leader.
"She saved us from a monstrous dictator and Lionstar was plotting against her." Her head pounded as she listened to all the talking, each cat voicing their opinion on the matter. Where was Hawkclaw when she most needed her nerves calming?
"SILENCE!" She roared. The talking stopped immediately. She hissed out her next orders quietly but in a voice that told everyone not to mess wit her. "Shadowheart, Wildfang, Bluemoon; patrol the borders and look for helpful herbs. Earthpelt, Stormcloud; take the apprentices hunting. The rest of you, stay alert for any early attacks and reinforce the entrance. Anyone who has a problem with me being leader can leave." The clan shuffled about uncomfortably but no one dared speak. "Good. Foxtail, Hawkclaw, come with me."
It was dark in the leaders den. Only two sets of yellow eyes and one pair of green eyes were visible. It was how Bitterstar liked it. It was nearing sunset and they were still planning their attack, although the leader could tell that Foxtail was half hearted about the whole attack. His mate and kits had made him soft, like all those other cats questioning her authority. Eventually she got fed up of him and sent him to sleep in the apprentice den until he proved that he wouldn't chicken out of the battle. The sun was just beginning to rise when Secretlight joined the couple.
" Icetail and Earthpelt have left the clan." She reported miserably. Earthpelt was a good warrior and Icetail had always been willing to fight if she needed to.
"Pathetic cowards." Bitterstar spat.
"So did Foxtail. He took Amberflame and their kits." A flash of sadness shot through the leaders eyes before disappearing beneath all the hatred she held within them. One of her best friends had given up on her. "But he told me to tell you that he'll never forget you. He isn't joining another clan. He decided to take his family somewhere safe, beyond the Highstones. Maybe see if the rumors about the mountain cats are true. Anyway, I'd advise you two to take some rest. I'll wake you up if anything happens." Hawkclaw quickly agreed before following Secretlight out of the den. They would only start planning the attack again if they slept together. Bitterstar dragged herself to the corner of the den to rest and darkness consumed her. She was more tired than she had thought.
She opened her eyes to find her father standing before her. She was by Mothermouth. He raced inside and she quickly chased after him, to find him standing beside the Moonstone.
"Bitterstar, all is going well but your clan is small and weak. You must come here before the battle. The wall between death and the living is slowly breaking down and by the time you wake up we'll be able to enter your world again. We can help you fight and defeat the clans. They will be as good as ours." Bitterstar nodded hungrily. Ruler of all four clans. What kind of cat would she be if she let this opportunity pass her by? The dream started to fade away slowly, her father's words echoing through her head before two sudden visions flashed before her eyes. The first had shown an image of cats glowing with light. They had no features, like the shadow cats of Demonclan but something about them was peaceful and comforting. The other vision was of water crushing all of the air out of her lungs. She woke up, gasping for air. There was no time to wait; she needed to get to the moonstone.