Hawkfrost flicked his tail as he looked inside the sight crystal. He wasn't planning on going through, but he could see small things from inside the large gem. Currently, Leafpool had just had her kits. Snow had fallen all over the territory, blanketing the ground that once has plenty of green grass.

Hawkfrost could hear cats leaving the cave, some still sitting at other crystals to look at the kits. Hawkfrost gently swiped his paw over the crystal, making the image disappear and walked out the den. He nodded towards Yellowfang and Spottedleaf who had just entered late.

He poked his head out and smiled as the scents of outside hit his nose. He visited the Vision Cave often but it always felt cramped and stuffy in there.

As he walked away from the cave he felt something soft run into his hindleg. He turned around to see a black-and-white kit, shaking its head. The small kit looked up with bright green eyes, "Sorry! I didn't see you."

Hawkfrost smiled, "It's fine."

The kit blinked, "I'm Badgerfang!"

Hawkfrost tilted his head, "Aren't you a bit… small for a warrior's name?"

Badgerfang frowned, "No! I earned it, I mean, Flintfang trained me well enough for me to be one!"

Hawkfrost had to think for a moment before remembering that in Brokenstar's rule of ShadowClan, he had made three moon old kits apprentices and a few died during ShadowClan's takeover of WindCLan in the old territories. Badgerfang must've been around during that time. Hawkfrost nodded, "I'm sure he did." he mewed, despite having no idea who Flintfang might have been.

Badgerfang smiled, "He was! I have to go. It was nice to meet you!" the small kit mewed before running off.

Hawkfrost nodded, watching Badgerfang run off before heading for the moor.

OoOoOoOoOoO

"I'm just saying," Mudclaw began, swallowing the hare in his mouth, "You should just hang around the moor. If you stay in one place, cats are less likely to blame stuff on you."

"And what would cats blame me for?" Hawkfrost asked, licking the blood off his maw.

Mudclaw shrugged, "I don't know. Maybe something will happen to the barrier or someone will be stupid and summon a Shadow Creature."

Hawkfrost frowned and placed a paw over his muzzle, "Oh stars! Please don't say that theory is still going around." he grumbled.

Mudclaw nodded, "It is. I mean, you can't blame some cats for worrying."

"Did they worry when you arrived here?" Hawkfrost asked, looking at Mudclaw.

Mudclaw frowned and took another bite of the hare before answering, "A bit but not much. I think it's because they said my mind was clouded with rage and any cat could've done it."

Hawkfrost frowned and stood up, walking away.

"Hey! Where are you going?" Mudclaw yowled.

"Your no help, Mudclaw." Hawkfrost growled.

Hawkfrost saw Spottedleaf and Yellowfang walking far in the distance, heading for the trees. The two were practically glued together. He wondered what they did. Why were they so close? As he watched them something touched him and he jumped and turned around to see Mudclaw.

"Didn't mean to sneak up on you." He mewled apologetically, seeing Hawkfrost's fur prickle.

"Well you do a good job for not trying!" Hawkfrost hissed. He gave his chest fur a few licks.

"Hey, who's that walking up to Spottedleaf and Yellowfang?" Mudclaw asked.

Hawkfrost looked up to see a black cat approaching Spottedleaf and Yellowfang. He watched as Yellowfang seemed to be walking away from Spottedleaf, getting smaller. The black cat seemed to be after Spottedleaf. As Hawkfrost looked closer the black cat had.. One red eye? His eyes widened with realization as he saw what it was, "It's a Shadow Cat!"

"A what?"

"Come on!" Hawkfrost yowled, racing toward Spottedleaf, seeing that the Shadow Cat was stalking her.

Mudclaw managed to catch up with Hawkfrost as both tabbie raced to Spottedleaf.

The Shadow Cat leaped up and landed on Spottedleaf's back, making her yelp in surprise. Mudclaw picked up the pace and was the first to tackle the black creature off of Spottedleaf.

Hawkfrost approached her, "Are you alright?"

She nodded, "Just shocked is all."

"Hey, a little help here!" Mudclaw growled, fighting the Shadow Cat.

Hawkfrost nodded to Spottedleaf before leaping on the Shadow Cat, sinking his teeth it's ear. He tore it off, the Shadow Cat letting out a high pitched shriek. Mudclaw slashed at the creature's muzzle, making it screech more. Mudclaw pinned the Shadow Cta and Hawkfrost raised his claws an striked it down. It made a hissing noise like steam and a shrill shriek faded into the air. Hawkfrost and Mudclaw watched as the creature melted into the ground, a bubbling puddle of black goo. It smelled of crowfood and rubbish. Hawkfrost wrinkled his nose, "Well, it's gone."

Spottedleaf smiled, "Thank you. I didn't even notice it."

"It was Hawkfrost who saw it was a Shadow Cat." Mudclaw pointed out, nudging Hawkfrost.

Spottedleaf dipped her head, "Thank you, Hawkfrost."

Hawkfrost nodded, "Of course. Do you know how it was summoned? Or who?" Hawkfrost asked.

Spottedleaf shook her head, "No idea. I'll have to ask around. But thank you again."

Hawkfrost watched as Spottedleaf walked away. He looked over to where the black goo was to see it all had drained into the earth and all that was left was hot steam and a terrible scent.

"What a coincidence, huh?" Mudclaw mewed.

"What is?" Hawkfrost asked.

Mudclaw laughed quietly, "Well, we were talking about Shadow Creatures, then what do you know, one appears behind Spottedleaf."

Hawkfrost froze up a bit. They were talking about them, weren't they? Did… did Hawkfrost summon that foul beast? No, no. He couldn't have. He didn't do anything wrong. Then… who did? "Do you think Spottedleaf might have summoned it?"

Mudclaw snorted, "How in all the Clans would Spottedleaf do that? She's like, one of the sweetest cats ever."

"Yeah yeah I know but I was just a thought." Hawkfrost replied, frowning.

"A dumb one." Mudclaw laughed.

Hawkfrost frowned, "Yeah, I'm leaving." he growled.

"Oh come on! Learn to take a joke, will you?" Mudclaw called after Hawkfrost as he left the scene.

Spottedleaf was sweet, yes. But she was smart too. It was entirely possible. Far fetched but possible.

OoOoOoOoOoOoO

Hawkfrost sat at the Dark Forest border. He watched as Snowtuft dug his teeth into the mouse flesh. He lifted his head, "You are the best, Hawk. Thank you." he mewed, wiping the blood from his lips, "I haven't eaten in StarClan for how long!"

Hawkfrost nodded, "It was the least I could do."

"Ok ok. Back to your problem. What was it again?" he asked.

"A Shadow Creature attacked Spottedleaf yesterday. I'm wondering how it was summoned." Hawkfrost explained.

"Oh, that snake-heart! Yeah I know the gal."

"'Snake-heart'?" Hawkfrost bristled slightly, "What do you mean by that? She's sweet and kind."

"Not from when I met her. She came here a few days ago looking for Mapleshade and has been visiting her with a grey she-cat. Oh, she was rude as ever. If there wasn't a barrier, she would've put her claws to my throat if she could. Yeah, really sweet and kind." Snowtuft mewed.

Hawkfrost felt as if his blood stopped. Grey she-cat? That was Yellowfang! And why was she visiting Mapleshade? He doubted it was the same reason he visited Snowtuft.

If there wasn't a barrier, she would've put her claws to my throat if she could.

Those words rang in Hawkfrost's ears. Would she have really? His mind swirled with questions. He heard a small echo when he finally realized Snowtuft was calling his name. He looked at Snowtuft.

"Oh, thank the stars. Thought I broke you for a second there." Snowtuft mewed with a slight chuckle.

"Spottedleaf has been visiting Mapleshade?" Hawkfrost asked.

Snowtuft nodded.

"I-I have to tell someone!" Hawkfrost realized. He stood up.

"Hawk, no. If you do they'll realize you were visiting me. That's not gonna look good. You blaming another StarClan cat- one with a good reputation at that -for something that you've been doing as well."

Hawkfrost thought for a moment then nodded. Snowtuft was right. It would look too suspicious. He looked at Snowtuft, "If she's been here, then that means…"

Hawkfrost hesitated, then lifted his paw and placed it on the barrier and pushed. His paw went in slightly before the barrier pushed it back. The barrier was weakening! If it got too weak… oh not even StarClan knows what would happen!