"You are banned from border patrol."

Owlstar spoke wearily. The black warrior fluffed up indignantly. Fire fumed in her blue eyes. The rest of the patrol crowded in the corner to save their pelt. Only the leader faced the scorching gaze head on. Crowwing twisted her lips and let out a string of complaint.

"I was only defending ThunderClan! You can't expect me to stay put and let them take our prey!"

"Yes, I can and I will expect that from you."

"Coward!"

Owlstar took a step forward. His orange eyes were keen and owlish. His pale gray pelt were strewn with seasons of the ugliest battle scars the world has ever seen. It was as if the medicine cat had taken patches of grey fur and stuck it together with cobwebs. Thick scars and thin scratches blended together. Crowwing flattened her ears.

"You were to notify me or Leafvine for any sign of thievery. Now leave."

Crowwing scowled and stormed out of the den. Owlstar swiveled his head to other warriors. The silver tabby in the corner stepped forward. His narrow face and lean body gave him a crafty look. Behind him stood a burly tom with a dark coat.

"Apologies for our companion."

"I know it was her fault."

"I cannot help but feel responsible. As soon as she smelled ShadowClan, she bolted off to Thunderpath and Brokenshadow followed. I had to follow to ensure their safety."

"Of course you had to," Owlstar mumbled.

Mistywing's shoulders sagged. His voice sounded like a wisp of smoke. Brokenshadow looked like he wanted to scratch his head with his tail. His blue eyes looked clueless and empty of intelligence. StarClan had blessed him with thick muscles that filled his brain.

"Dustadder barely fled with her life and left the rabbit."

"It was a hefty prize."

"Silent, Brokenshadow. Now that Crowwing is gone, I assure you that should any disturbance happen we will inform you right away without throwing ourselves in Thunderpath."

"Good. You are dismissed."

Mistywing and Brokenshadow padded out of the den. The gray leader plopped down and scrunched up his nose. He could not always blame other warriors for Crowwing. She was getting out of control and her brothers were slow-witted enough to follow her. On the other paw, it was true that ShadowClan was hunting in their territory. They would point it out in the next Gathering and send more patrols. New patrols would consist of level-headed senior warriors.

Owlstar got up and padded into sunlight. In the clearing was a grey cat with bald patches. Fire had eaten away her pelt seasons ago, but his deputy looked as strong and wily as ever. A grey apprentice bounced around like an uncontrollable mossball before Leafvine gave a menacing bark. He wilted like a flat flower. Owlstar put on a dry smile. He was about to call out when a tortoiseshell burst into camp.

"Invasion!"

Falconstorm's roar was interrupted when a cinnamon cat barreled into her side. Suddenly, ShadowClan warriors launched themselves into camp and fighting broke out everywhere. Warriors were lumps of fighting mess. A red cat charged toward Owlstar. He lunged at her side and she twisted. The warrior slammed into him and they took a brutal tumble. He repeatedly bashed her head with strong paws. The battered warrior stumbled in shock and crashed into the ground. Owlstar turned around to face another ShadowClan cat.

"Help!"

It was a squeak for life and he heard it. A yellow tabby blocked his way. Claws raked Owlstar's foreleg. He took a few steps back. A familiar cry sliced the air. His orange eyes spotted a flash of red. First a tuft of fur then a spray of blood. A small heap of fur convulsed beside a set of brown paws. The brown cat looked down at his blood-soaked paws and blinked in lazy surprise.

"Dovepaw!"

A red and black warrior screamed like a mad cat. Flamenight's voice broke three times as she wailed. Past the shocked mother, Buzzardstreak bared her teeth and rushed toward the brown cat. Before he could call for medicine cat, the yellow cat sliced at his stomach. Owlstar gritted his teeth and punched his foe in the nose. Then Leafvine was there, flinging the warrior like he was a piece of fresh-kill.

"Leafvine! Get Tinybranch!"

"She's already dead."

Leafvine said curtly. Owlstar stared at his deputy with wide eyes. He was drenched in blood and disbelief. ShadowClan cats were retreating now. The last of their tails slunk through the entrance. His own warriors were giving a chase, but the air of defeat was heavy in the camp. It all happened so fast. Her cry and the death blow.

"Get a grip."

Leafvine was not a very sympathetic cat. The leader barely nodded when the deputy padded away to secure the area. She was already ordering around able-bodied warriors. Owlstar decided to leave her with security and focused on his serious wounds. His head was fuzzy from the blood loss. He hurriedly sought Tinybranch. The dark brown cat was working busily on a light brown warrior. Herb scent wafted from the medicine cat.

"Is anyone gravely injured?"

"Other than Dovepaw, you mean?"

"Yes."

"The battle just finished. I don't know. Amberleaf, go do something useful."

"But I'm hurt-"

"Go away."

Amberleaf scowled and stormed away. The medicine cat began her leaf magic on Owlstar. Before she could yield any dramatic result, a mottled cat ran up to her. His black and white pelt was stained red, but his hazel eyes were troubled by something else.

"Tinybranch, you have to come!"

"Is this more important than the leader?"

Vineleaf swallowed and spoke.

"It's Sunkit!"