Chapter 24

When Darkstar woke to dawn, he felt the Clan was holding its breath already. It was very quiet, and when he stepped outside, there was no sun. It was gray and cloudy, a lack of wind adding to the silence of the cats. "Wingbreeze?" he mewed as he walked over to the fresh-kill pile. The black she-cat was crouching over a squirrel, eating it with careful bites. She turned her head to him, dark blue eyes blinking. "We need to get going soon."

Wingbreeze gave a nod to the dark gray tabby. "Alright, Darkstar," she meowed. "Just give me a chance to finish eating. You should eat, too. Blackfeather's preparing us traveling herbs." Darkstar nodded, taking a seat beside the she-cat and sifting through the pile in search of prey. He grabbed a magpie.

"I don't want to crowd the pile. I'll share this with Birdpool," he told Wingbreeze, rising to his paws and padding over to the nursery. He laid down beside his mate, resting down his prey. He nuzzled her gently before bending his head down to take a bite, letting her take the next. The mates shared quietly for a little bit, the kits still sleeping at the side of the she-cat. "I need to go now," he mewed, catching a glimpse of Blackfeather's dark eyes. He rose to his paws.

"Good luck," Birdpool shifted and nuzzled him again, purring softly.

Darkstar left her side, brushing out of the nursery, the brambles scratching lightly against his pelt.

"Let's go, Wingbreeze," the dark gray tabby meowed, his yellow eyes glittering with determination. He and the black she-cat headed out of camp, tails following and eyes on the path ahead. Silence passed between the pair as they passed a swampy pond and ducked through a hawthorn bush. Their arrival at the border did not go unnoticed.

The gray pelt of Troutwater greeted their eyes as the tom led his patrol close. Driftcloud and Silverfur were following him, and each cat looked hostile. A pang stabbed Darkstar's heart as he thought of Hawkstorm, but he shoved the feelings from his mind. He thought instead of Birdpool and he felt his love for her, allowing him to feel confident. "I would like to speak with Shortstar," Darkstar meowed, lifting his chin as he watched the MistClan cats' pelts prick.

"Who says you can?" hissed Driftcloud, her gray and white pelt shifting with bristles. "What if Shortstar doesn't want to speak with you?"

"Then I will tell FireClan he is a fool to avoid any way to find peace," Darkstar responded, keeping his fur flat, his eyes calm but sharp, and his tone diplomatic.

Troutwater flicked his tail for silence from his Clanmates, for Driftcloud had opened her jaws to respond. "Very well, Darkstar. We will lead you to Shortstar," the gray tom conceded and turned around, trotting for the camp. Darkstar followed, his pelt pricking with apprehension for soon he would need to confront his enemies and attempt to capture peace. The time drew nearer with every paw step, Wingbreeze at his side.

When they neared the camp, other cats from MistClan gazed at the ShadeClan newcomers with suspicion, frosty in cold eyes. They bared their teeth and spat at Darkstar and Wingbreeze as they was surprised by the ferocity of the warriors. It was as though CheetahClan had never existed. Only Mallowfang watched with neutrality in her eyes. At least she was impartial. Perhaps she would speak reason to the MistClan cats. Darkstar prayed so.

Blazefire was the first to emerge from the leader's den, his fiery amber eyes narrow and sharp. Shortstar padded after the deputy, whiskers quivering and eyes filled with animosity. Darkstar's nerves skyrocketed as he stared at the pair. Wingbreeze had to nudge him with her shoulder to remind him to be pleasurable. Darkstar bowed his head in respect, for he did not want to anger his rival.

"What are you doing here, Darkstar?" demanded Shortstar, scaling Tallrock for the height advantage.

"I have come to negotiate, Shortstar," Darkstar meowed confidently, gazing up at the cat, wanting to also avoid showing signs of weakness.

Shortstar's eyes were sharp, and Darkstar imagined his tail would lash and bristle if he had more than the stub. "You were wrong to approach us, Darkstar. What were you thinking -striding into our camp like you own the place already."

"That is not how he entered," growled Wingbreeze, opening her jaws to say more, but Darkstar shook his head. He did not want her to speak more. If he was to get Shortstar to negotiate with him, he would have to deal with it the MistClan leader's way.

Shortstar's eyes glittered with disdain, his eyes trained on his rivals, watching their interactions. His gaze boiled Darkstar's skin but Darkstar ignored the feeling. Darkstar took a step forward and meowed, keeping his voice cool and collected, "If you are quite done, I would like to speak with you about peace, not war."

Darkstar felt a small surge of triumph as he saw frustration flash in his rival's eyes. Shortstar had wanted to play with him, find a weakness, and root it out so he could use it against the ShadeClan leader. Darkstar made this connection moments before Shortstar growled, "Fine. Come into my den. Your warrior stays here." Darkstar gave a nod and strode after Shortstar into the den.

The darkness enveloped the pair as they entered. Darkstar laced his ears back so they wouldn't brush the roof of the small cave. "You seem quite keen on war, Shortstar. You and your warriors are almost considered bloodthirsty." It was a silent threat, and the threat was the only part Shortstar responded to.

"You seem confident FireClan will take your side," Darkstar felt another surge of success: Shortstar's mew was stiffer than it had been.

Darkstar gave a nod. "I'm not the one in search of blood."

"You are keen to throw insults around my camp, hm?" Shortstar attempted a harsh glare but Darkstar had already succeeded to a point Shortstar could not surpass in this argument. Or so Darkstar had thought. "My Clan is stronger than yours. We have allies, and we know that half your warriors have taken to a journey." Darkstar forced his fur to keep flat. He had momentarily forgotten about that. "Weren't you meaning to negotiate peace with our stronger Clan, not throw insults in my face and inflame us more?"

Darkstar stiffened and found he could not speak. He didn't know what to say that would grant him the upper hand once more. "Whether you like it or not, ShadeClan has always been prepared to fall, like her first leader," Shortstar's eyes were like scythes, ready for the reaping of souls. The next words he said dropped like stones in Darkstar's stomach:

"And when she falls, it will be us who emerge victorious."