Peppernose's eyes flickered open for the umpteenth time that night. He sniffed the air, but there was no fresh scent of Echopaw. He let out a small sigh and flipped over in his nest. Judging by the temperature, he guessed that it was still well into the night. Not that it's any warmer when the day comes around, Peppernose grumbled silently. He glanced over at Echopaw's empty nest and gave another small sigh. He grudgingly stood to his paws and shook his fur. I guess I've got nothing better to do than track down that ungrateful apprentice.

Icecloud was on guard in the tunnel, so that was not an exit option, and Peppernose despised using the dirt-place. He never even went there himself to do his own business. Instead, Peppernose snuck out of camp in a gap in the bracken just behind the medicine cat's den. He liked to have multiple routes out of camp for escape or sneaking out … not that he told anyone else.

Once out of camp he padded a few tail lengths from the main path going to and from camp. As soon as the entrance and Icecloud were out sight and hearing range he padded onto the path. Peppernose didn't look back. He opened his mouth and breathed in the night air, sensing the forest and the crushing presence of leaf-bare. Spiceheart, Thistlepaw… Shimmerpaw … Adderfang and Sunstone … Echopaw! He took off at a brisk pace in the direction of his apprentice's scent. She stayed on the path until the paths split to the right and to the left. Echopaw had taken a few steps on the right path but then dived off into the undergrowth towards the border with ShadeClan.

Peppernose carried on her trail for a few moments before coming to an abrupt halt. Fox! Peppernose's eyes gleamed as his face split into a grin. He immediately fell into a crouch. He mentally relaxed his body and slowed his heart rate. His ears were low yet listening for any movement. Nothing stirred. It took him a moment to realize that the scent was slightly stale. He stood up again properly, disappointed. A frustrated hiss escaped him as he continued after Echopaw's scent. And it's been such a long time since I've eaten fox, he grumbled to himself.

A slight breeze traveled through the woods and another wave of fox hit Peppernose's nose. He paused again, sniffing the air, determined to find the animal before starting the hunt. He frowned. It appeared that the fox and Echopaw's scent were mingled. He shook his head, trying to clear the two scents. What a wretched nose I have… He took a few deep breaths and his frowned worsened, twisting up his face. I can't tell which – ugh! She—she oh mousedung! She went after the fox, didn't she?! Peppernose broke into a run after the trail of Echopaw and the fox. Just what is she trying to prove? That she can fight a fox all by herself? How arrogant!

Peppernose raced over the snow, his black body flexing over the snow with graceful movements. The scents of both Echopaw and the fox continued to mingle over each other, and they were getting stronger. Finally, from up ahead, he heard the shout of a cat carried in the breeze towards him, "Go away! I said GO AWAY!" It was Echopaw! Did she think I would follow her? Or is someone here too? She doesn't want any help with handling the fox! But I don't hear the fox … or … the fox … she …? And just as he was arriving at a new conclusion, he heard an awful snarling noise that could only belong to a fox. He put on a last burst of speed, almost flying over the snow, as he heard his apprentice yowl out in pain.

Echopaw's scent as well as the revolting smell of the fox and blood slammed into Peppernose's face as he burst into the scene. He was standing on top of a slope where the fox and Echopaw were below him. At first he couldn't see his apprentice, only the ginger fur of the fox in the moonlight. Then he realized that the fox was nearly suffocating Echopaw by slamming her into the snow and against the roots of a birch tree. Its jaw was clamped onto one of her back legs while Echopaw fiercely racked its belly. Even with all of Echopaw's boldness and ferocity, Peppernose knew that, upon gazing on this scenario, that the fox would win this battle. But not this night.

Peppernose quickly leapt at the fox with enough precision so that his claws would latch onto the creature's pelt but Peppernose himself would not land on the fox, thus increasing the weight and pressure on Echopaw. His momentum from running down the slope would carrying him sweeping over the fox, but with his claws embedded its back, take the fox with him. He executed this perfectly, except for the fact that he and the fox continued rolling down the slope. By the time they reached level ground, the two were separated.

Up on the slope, Echopaw gasped for breath, her eyes coming into focus. "Wha…?" she managed to get out. She swallowed, and forced her mind to concentrate. The fox was still somewhere, but wait, what happened? She stood up as fast as her shaken body would allow and looked around. The fox was gone, but she did hear growling and snarling from a few fox-tail lengths away. She limped a few pawsteps over and looked down and was utterly flabbergasted. Down the slope, facing off the fox, with eyes gleaming and black pelt contrasting against the white snow, was Peppernose!

Get a hold of yourself, Echopaw! She closed her eyes and gave her head a little shake, but stopped when it hurt too much. It can't be … Peppernose! Her eyes flew open and she gazed down the hill once more. She stared at him, attempting to convince herself that it wasn't him. And then, suddenly, the sweet scent of Foxpaw swirled around Echopaw, and was gone before Echopaw even realized her sister passed by. And in that moment, she began trying to convince herself that it was Peppernose. There's no other black cat in the clan! It has to be him! Unless he's from another clan? But I can't smell anything but fox! Mousedung! But he's around the size of Peppernose! Ah, he's smiling! Why?! But Peppernose doesn't smile! Eh! Cats only smile when they're happy. And Peppernose is never happy, especially when I'm around! The only thing that would probably make him happy is for him to not have an apprentice! Or to become a warrior again and be able to fight – BE ABLE TO FIGHT! AHHHH!

Echopaw, in a temporary state of shock, watched the battle carry out below. Her initial instinct was to jump right in and tear the fox to shreds. Yet, something held her back. She did not realize it right away, but the emotion flooding her body was awe. Echopaw knew that Peppernose was a warrior before he became a medicine cat, and she had seen him fight in the visions she once had from StarClan, but it was completely different seeing it in the present.

Peppernose struck again and again, each blow more intense than the previous. He seemed to weave through the air, as if he were dodging invisible barriers. Occasionally he would spin or flip, resulting in another landed blow. Whenever the fox counterattacked, Peppernose simply dodged the strike by stepping either to the left or to the right, never backwards. After the initial blows, the fox discontinued his attack and attempted to back away. Sensing weakness, Peppernose let out a small chuckle of satisfaction. And in one swift movement, slipped in between the fox's gate, and bit into its throat. With a gurgle on the fox's part, Peppernose took a double step back, taking the fox's throat with him, and only the throat.

Blood poured down onto the fox's chest from the huge hole in its neck. It stood for a few more seconds before collapsing onto the ground, staining the white snow. Echopaw half limped half skid down the slope in the spot in between the dying fox and Peppernose. Her mentor took no notice of her, only intently staring at the fox, which was still gurgling blood. In a moment, the forest fell silent. Another moment of pause. Then Peppernose let out a ruthless warrior yowl in celebration of victory. He's insane … but I'm not running away this time! Thought Echopaw, determined. And then his golden eyes turned on her.

She tried to meet his gaze calmly but as soon as he looked at her it just came spilling out again: "You -! How dare you! You should have let it kill me so I didn't have to deal with you! I'd rather die than have you save me!"

Peppernose gave a deep sigh, as if he were more annoyed than angry, and ignoring what she just said, he stated, "Your fighting skills are pathetic."

Echopaw's fur stood up on her back, rage just coursing out of her. "Is that you only do to me?! Put me down when I was trying my best?! I always try my best and all you ever do is criticized me!"

"Doesn't matter how fierce you are or how much you 'try your best' if you don't have the skills to back it up. There is no way you could take on a fox right now."

"Well it's not my fault I only spent one moon with Sunstone and that you've taught me practically nothing! I'll never be able to do anything the way you teach me!"

"Did you not hear me?" said Peppernose, a small sting in his voice. "I said: there is no way you could take on a fox right now."

Echopaw was about to spit out something nasty, but she closed her mouth. She opened it again, but then closed it right after. "Huh?" What in the name of StarClan does that mean?

"Seriously? Are you really that slow? If you're not able to take on a fox right now, that implies that you will be able to in the future."

"Oh, yeah? And I suppose you're the one who's going to teach me?!" Echopaw spat, heavy with sarcasm.

"How to be a medicine cat is not the only thing I can teach you," Peppernose said shortly. Echopaw stared at him. Just what is he suggesting?! Then Peppernose glanced at the fox, adverting his gaze from Echopaw, and in a whisper he added: "I can teach you how to be a warrior too."

Emotions whirled through Echopaw like wildfire. First pure rage practically radiating off of her at his lack of presence in her training and it taking nearly six moons for him to acknowledge her; happiness at acceptance; excitement at warrior training; confusion as to why a change of heart on Peppernose's part; disbelief in his words; and something else she thought was joy. Is he really going to train me for real now? And as a warrior as well? How does that work?

"But … I'm a medicine cat …" begun Echopaw.

And as if he knew what she was going to say, he replied, "And there's nothing wrong with knowing how to fight. Against the warrior code anyway. Most medicine cats train their apprentices with some basic fighting skills, just in case. But what I want to do to you is make you like me. Make you into a warrior-medicine cat hybrid. Of course, most cats don't like the idea of their medicine cats being able to be awesome on the battle field, or think it's dangerous for some reason. So we'll have to keep it a secret, alright?"

He looked back at her with his golden eyes and she didn't know what to say. What he was saying was shocking enough, but it was how he was saying it that made her so surprised. He wasn't condescending or anything. His tone was calm and neutral. No. It was more than that. His voice had the tiniest bit of warmth in it. Does he really want to train me? She felt Foxpaw brush her pelt and felt warmth radiate from her sister. She then realized that even though she didn't know what Peppernose's motives were, or if he would stick to his word, or what her future would bring, she knew what to say:

"It's a deal," she said stiffly, not quite ready to forgive him.

Peppernose flicked his tail in approval and leaned into her, and touched her nose with his. Echopaw's eyes widened as she realized they touched noses just like when an apprentice first receives his or her mentor. Peppernose tilted his head up to the skies, and announced to StarClan, "From this day forward, I, Peppernose, will train Echopaw as a medicine cat and as a warrior until she is fully trained." Immediately, pure joy burst from Echopaw's chest as she realized the meaning. Peppernose was finally officially recognizing me as his apprentice!

"Don't look so happy," he snarled at her. Echopaw blinked in surprise at the change of tone. "This doesn't mean we're friends or anything. In fact, training as a medicine cat and a warrior will drain your life away."

"That's alright!" shot back Echopaw in a perky voice she knew would set him on edge. "I'm fully prepared to put everything I got into my training."

"Good," retorted Peppernose. "You'll need to." He glanced down at Echopaw's injured leg, but since she was able to stand with partial weight on the leg, he decided not to mention anything about it. Echopaw could treat herself when they got back to camp. He turned and began to make his way back to camp with Echopaw in tow with some regrets about not eating the fox.

They had only taken a few steps before they both stopped in their tracks.

"What was that?" hissed Echopaw.

"Something larger than a mouse," Peppernose hissed back. "Be quiet." They both stood still as they listened for a reoccurring sound. Something had snapped a twig and took a tumble. Unfortunately, it was too far away to see or hear properly. Peppernose opened his mouth once again this night and tried to decipher the scent. "ShadeClan. Probably because we're close to the border. Maybe the noise of the fox drew a patrol here. Maybe."

Then Echopaw opened her mouth and took in the scents. Luckily, her skills at scenting and tracker far surpassed her mentor's. "I think they're on our territory."

"Because of the fox."

"Or an invasion?" suggested Echopaw.

"No, ShadeClan wouldn't risk a major invasion in the middle of leaf-bare. They're mouse-brained, but not that mouse-brained."

"I still think they're on our territory!" Echopaw raised her voice.

"Shh! Didn't I tell you to be quiet?!"

"You're talking too!"

Another thud made them both quiet. Peppernose glared at Echopaw, ticked that she got the last word in. He flicked his tail in signal for her to follow him. They made their way back up the slope to where the fox first attacked Echopaw. A few more steps and they were on high ground. They traveled on top of the hill, parallel to the border with the dividing line in sight, further into ForestClan territory.

What they saw was so shocking that Echopaw didn't even dare say a word. If it were any other scenario, she would have taken full liberty to mock him endlessly for a long time how he had been wrong and she had been right. But this was no laughing matter.

What looked like to be every single ShadeClan warrior and apprentice was climbing the steep hill in ForestClan territory. They had already crossed over the border and were showing no signs of discontinuing their advance. Fogstar was in the lead, closely followed by his deputy, Snakeheart. Fortunately for ForestClan, the hill was steep and the snow was slippery. Several of the warriors at a time were falling down on the wet snow, slowing their progress. It would have been humorous if it was not so serious.

Peppernose and Echopaw slowly backed up. Once out of sight they turned their backs on the invaders and began to walk quickly.

"How fast can you run on that leg?" whispered Peppernose.

"As fast as I need to!" hissed Echopaw, stubbornly.

Peppernose's thoughts raced. Obviously they needed to get back to camp as soon as possible to sound the alarm. He knew he could get back in time, but what about Echopaw? He could leave her behind, but what if her leg gave way and ShadeClan found her?

"Okay, here's what we're going to do. We're going to split up."

I knew it, thought Echopaw. He's going to say he's going ahead and I have to catch up. It's for the best, though.

"I'm going to go back to camp the quickest way possible, but you're going to take an alternative route. Hopefully, they won't find any of our tracks. Or rather, they won't find yours. They're closer to camp than we are, so they might pick up mine on the way. But you need to go the long way around to camp and sneak in from the right. Right as in, looking at the camp entrance. There's a small hole behind the medicine cat's den that you can sneak into." So much for my secret hole… thought Peppernose regretfully.

"Why can't I just go with you?" asked Echopaw stubbornly. "I can keep up!"

"No, you can't."

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do!"

"As your medicine cat, I'm telling you that you can't keep up with me on that leg. You think I haven't noticed you limping? And oh please, I know you're stubborn, so you're trying your best not to limp. And as a member of ForestClan, I need to get back to the clan as soon as possible to give them a warning. And as your mentor … even though I've treated you like dirt …" he closed his eyes momentarily as they power-walked, as if what he was about to say was painful, "I … I never wanted you to die. I know that I'm not … nice. But that's the way I am. And, I guess, the fact that you can put up with me … I guess, I kind of want you to live." He shook himself. "And as your clanmate, how much help will you be if you try to keep up with me and they over take you? And they will kill you. Go the long way. Get back to camp. Stay alive long enough to heal your clanmates."

Echopaw stared at him. I guess that's what he calls an apology; which I bet he's never done before. She gave herself an internal shake. My clanmates' safety means more to me than my pride. "You too," she said, stiffly. And she turned and begun jogging back to camp, the long-way around. Peppernose gave her one last glance and tore off towards camp.

Of all the nights, all of the moments, and of all of the places, it is surprising that another cat saw the ShadeClan invaders. This cat was Charming. He couldn't sleep that night and went hunting to pass the time. He chased a large rabbit onto ForestClan territory. Normally he tried to stay away from the Clan's territories, because he didn't want to engage in a fight, especially with Mintyheart's clanmates. But since it was nighttime, he figured no one would be out. And it was the largest rabbit he had seen in moons.

Charming was on the other side of the ShadeClan warriors, so he never heard nor saw Peppernose and Echopaw. And the moment he saw the warriors advance into ForestClan territory, he knew that they were here for revenge, and took off into the heart of ForestClan territory. He just had to warn Mintyheart.

Charming knew that ForestClan was small, and that there was no way they could hold off all of these warriors. There was well over ten, maybe even fifteen members. But maybe he would get there in time for all of them to escape? Fear and anxiety gripped his heart as he desperately searched for the camp. The snow and the cold didn't help him either, slowing his movements down. Surprisingly, it was the smell of cat-dirt that led him to the camp. He found an area that looked like the designated spot for cats to do their business. He looked around and saw many bracken and brambles and thorns woven together. This must be their camp! He saw a small opening from where he assumed cats went through to go to this dirt place. Not hesitating, he plunged through and hit the center of the ForestClan camp. No cat stirred. He heard mellow and raspy breathing from his right coming from a hollow log, and he took a sniff. This must be the warrior's den! I can smell Mintyheart! He quickly padded to the den and found Mintyheart, but not the warrior's den. Mintyheart was fast asleep with Palepaw, keeping his young apprentice warm in the bitter night of leaf-bare. Charming quickly assumed that the pale, ginger tom was the apprentice Mintyheart talked so much about, but didn't dwell on it. He nudged Mintyheart's shoulder.

"Hmm?" woke Mintyheart drowsily.

"Mintyheart! It's me! Charming! Listen, you're about—"

"WAKE UP!" came a yowl from the camp clearing. Charming quickly spun around to see another pure black cat, except this one was shouting to wake up everyone. "UP!" he shouted again. Charming quickly darted behind the log, hidden from view.

"Wait—Charming?" Mintyheart murmured.

Cats quickly scurried out from their dens, all their faces covered in alarm.

"ShadeClan has invaded our territory! They've crossed our border by the hill! They'll be here soon!"

There was silence as the warriors of ForestClan took this in.

The first to speak was Blazingstar. "We'll stand and fight," he said calmly, but his eyes were on fire. A few cats let out yowls of approval, but Blazingstar hushed them down. "Shhh. We must use this foreknowledge to our advantage. We'll pretend that we're asleep, that they've caught us not on our guard, but we will really be lying in wait, ready to drive them back." Every cat nodded in approval. Blazingstar looked around his warriors and apprentices, and then frowned. "Wait, where's Icecloud?"

"He went ahead. He said he was going to wait in a tree and then attack from behind," answered Peppernose. Blazingstar nodded. It was risky, but necessary.

"Winterstorm, can you join him?" requested Blazingstar. When Winterstorm hesitated, Blazingstar added, "Mintyheart will guard the nursery. And I'm sure Maplefur will eat anyone who enters the nursery." Not entirely satisfied, Winterstorm nodded. And when Blazingstar flicked his tail, Winterstorm ran out of the camp to find Icecloud and Mintyheart jogged over to the nursery and entered it. "I will hide behind the medicine cat's den with Spiceheart, and we'll pop out on my signal."

"Wait!" interrupted Spiceheart. "I want to be with Thistlepaw!" and she glared fiercely at Blazingstar.

The leader dipped his head, only to keen on what happened in the last battle. "Thistlepaw will join us. Is that alright?" Spiceheart nodded, relieved. She signaled to her apprentice and they both crawled in behind the medicine cat's den. "Sunstone and Shimmerpaw will be behind the fallen log where Palepaw is. Before you hide, tuck him deep in the log. I don't think he can fight in his condition, but defend him the best you can." Sunstone and Shimmerpaw nodded, and turned to go fill their post. "And … Adderfang," Adderfang looked up at his brother. "I want you to guard the elders. Remember that they will be scared, so try your best to calm them as well. If the battle turns sour, please escort them out of camp and lead them to safety."

Adderfang nodded and turned to the niche between the elders' and warriors' den and hid. He agreed to Blazingstar's order but his thoughts were something different, how does he expect me to fight and soothe the elders? Great StarClan! And, of course, he puts himself with the prettiest and youngest she-cat in the clan!

"And for my deputy …" Blazingstar thought.

"Could I be outside the camp, on the right side and downwind?" suggested Bluefrost. "As soon as I hear your signal, I'll charge in. That will leave Icecloud, Winterstorm, and myself outside, while you, Spiceheart, Mintyheart, Sunstone, Adderfang, Shimmerpaw, and Thistlepaw will be on the inside. It will be like a double surprise. First they won't expect you knowing their attack, but then you'll pop out. And then we come from behind just as they process you attacking."

Blazingstar nodded. Wherever Bluefrost was, he would be useful. In addition, he, Icecloud, and Winterstorm were all large cats, easy to hold their ground and press from behind. Bluefrost nodded to his leader and took his leave out of the camp.

When it was just Blazingstar and Peppernose, the former took a step in so that their heads were side to side. Quietly, Blazingstar whispered, "Did you get a count?"

"Fourteen," murmured Peppernose, barely moving his mouth.

Blazingstar closed his eyes. Fourteen … We have eight warriors, including myself and Bluefrost. And only three warrior apprentices, one who is sick and another one who has only been training for a moon. Shimmerpaw is basically a warrior, so that's nine. If Skypool and Maplefur fight, that's eleven. "Has StarClan given you a sign?"

"Ah…," began Peppernose as Blazingstar opened his eyes. Peppernose looked in his eyes, and for a split second, it looked like the leader's eyes were ablaze with flames. Peppernose could literally feel the warmth. "…yes. As long as you love your Clan and are willing sacrifice everything you have, you will lead your Clan to victory." Peppernose blinked, and the flames were gone. Blazingstar held the medicine cat's gaze for a moment, before nodding once.

"Thank you," he murmured, and turned to go to his post. "Oh. You will stay in your den, right? With Echopaw?"

"You don't need to worry about us," Peppernose reassured him. Blazingstar gave him a slight frown, before padding to his post. Peppernose watched his leader's back for one more moment before turning to his own den. ShadeClan should be here any moment.