Threat From Within: Dark Secrets and Sickness

by Rowan Wisteria

Things are doing well in NightClan. Silkshade is back in her Clan and doing well. Deathfire, however, is still struggling to get over her sister's and father's death and her feelings for a friend who has a mate. When greencough strikes the Clan everyone is left to wonder if the Clan will make it through. Not to mention an old enemy that has taken an interest in Deathfire's life...

1. Prologue

Author's Note: If you haven't read the first three books in the series, I'd advise you go back and read. If you don't want to I sure as heck won't stop you, but you might be a little confused(like one time this person wasn't sure what one of the main character's gender because they started on the third book, it was entertaining though).

Allegiances

SunClan-

Leader: Brownstar- White tom with brown spots and brown feet

Deputy: Snakeheart- Tortoiseshell she-cat with a big heart

Medicine Cat:

Violetnose- Tortoiseshell she-cat

Warriors:

Grasstail- Light tabby tom

Cavestorm- Solid gray tom

Whitefoot- Black she-cat with one white foot

Coldclaw- White tom with an icy attitude

Murderscar- Tortoiseshell she-cat with scars all over

Skystorm- White and grey she-cat

Queens:

Mudpelt- Dark brown she-cats

Kits; Mosskit, Brightkit, and Fieldkit

Elders:

Ivyfur- Blind calico she-cat

RainClan-

Leader: Lightningstar- Tabby tom with light blue eyes

Deputy: Mapleleaf- Black she-cat

Apprentice; Willowpaw

Medicine Cat:

Treepelt- Light brown tom

Budleaf- Gentle calico she-cat

Warriors:

Puddlestorm- Tortoiseshell she-cat

Falldrop- Tabby tom, a bit clumsy

Streamflood- Tortoiseshell she-cat with a fear of swimming

Branchstep- Brown tom with white ears

Juniperfur- Black she-cat with brown tail-tip

Barkpelt- Brown tom

Pranceleap- Black she-cat

Gorgebrook- Black tom with brown ears

Queens:

Duckfur- Striped ginger she-cat

Kits; Beekit, Snailkit

Apprentices:

Willowpaw- Light tabby she-cat

Elders:

Dampfoot- Tabby tom who always manages to get wet

SnowClan-

Leader: Icestar- White tom

Deputy: Blizzardfang- Black and white she-cat

Medicine Cat:

Frostheart- Brown tom with white chest, little compassion

Apprentice; Smallpaw

Warriors:

Stormfang- Light grey and white she-cat

Quickfreeze- Speedy tabby tom

Stoneclaw- Pure grey tom

Stubtail- Golden she-cat with a short tail

Flamefur- Ginger she-cat

Lilyshade- Tortoiseshell she-cat with white tail-tip

Thawclaw- Tabby tom

Moonblossom- Tortoiseshell she-cat

Queens:

Glacierpelt- Tortoiseshell she-cat

Kits; Frigidkit and Mistykit

Apprentices:

Smallpaw- Small tortoiseshell she-cat

Elders:

Greypelt- Grey she-cat

NightClan-

Leader: Wingstar- White she-cat

Deputy: Pineclaw- Brown tom

Medicine Cat:

Dawnfur- Ginger she-cat with white paws

Warriors:

Skyfang- Blue she-cat

Cranepool- Calico she-cat

Boulderfang- Grey tom

Tallblaze- Tall grey tom

Silkshade- Blind white she-cat with three black feet

Silentstorm- Black she-cat with white spot over one eye

Songheart- Loud black and white she-cat

Mountainpeak- Gray tom with white tipped ears and tail

Deathfire- Ginger she-cat

Queens:

Flurrytail- White she-cat

Kits; Darkkit, Meadowkit, and Badgerkit

Elders:

Darkfur- Tortoiseshell she-cat

Lightningflash- Black tom with one white spot

Prologue

Things were peaceful in NightClan. Nothing seemed to happened for moons. Songheart and Boulderfang were old news. Flurrytail's kits were over two moons old. Silkshade has adjusted to hunting sightless and was working on fighting. Mountainpeak had become a warrior a moon ago. Everything felt pretty boring for the last three moons.

I didn't like it. It was like the calm before the storm. There was no way things would be good for this long. Since before Silkshade was born it was one problem after the next. Now it was all of a sudden peaceful? What was StarClan playing at?

At least our problems with SunClan were solved. It had cost my brother his life. I still missed him deeply. I'd at least be able to entertain myself by bickering with him if he was here. True, we didn't always agree or get along. I loved him though.

Leaf-bare was approaching so at least I had something to keep me busy. I had to make sure to stock up on herbs before they died. Sickness commonly comes with leaf-bare and I needed to make sure we were prepared for the worst.

I looked out of the den and saw Pineclaw organizing patrols. I also saw Boulderfang leaving camp with an eager looking Deathpaw. I realized it was about time for her warrior ceremony.

Sometimes it was hard to look at her. She reminded me of Duskpelt in many ways. There were some significant differences as well though including she didn't have near as big of a head as my brother did in our apprentice days. I wouldn't call her humble, it was more self deprecation. I really hoped she still didn't blame herself for Duskpelt's death, or Limppaw's for that matter.

I continued on about my work. I still couldn't shake the feeling something bad was about to happen.