AN: sorry that this one is late; I had some technical difficulties, enjoy!

Chapter 13: The Shadows Call

Jaggedshadow grinned as Moondusk walked toward the southern border. He had defeated one of his greatest rivals. Jaggedshadow strode toward camp. His other two rivals were Rainfur and Stoneclaw, both of whom were great fighters.

Jaggedshadow stopped. Beside the entrance tunnel, entangled in a thorn bush, was a long black scrap of fur. Jaggedshadow stepped toward it, jaws parted to take in the scent. The fur carried Pineheart's scent. Jaggedshadow walked into camp. It was odd that Pineheart had been in Nightclan's territory, but Jaggedshadow had more important things to think about, namely poisoning his leader, as one does.

Jaggedshadow would have to be extra careful with his method of delivery. If his scheme was discovered, he would end up maimed or dead. Jaggedshadow stopped in front of his nest. The Guardians cave was always cool, even in the hottest days of Greenleaf. This made it a good place to store herbs, as long as they were not damaged.

"Nice day, Jaggedshadow?" Stormwind asked him.

"I guess. How's your day look?"

"Good. I thought that I would hunt for a while. Ravenheart asked me to spar with her later."

"Cool. I'll eat, then I am going to join a border patrol. I might join you two later."

"I'll see you then." Stormwind turned away and walked out of camp.

Jaggedshadow nodded. Nightclan cats often spared each other. This practice, like sharing tongues, served to bring clanmates closer together. It also served to keep Nightclan cat's fighting skills sharp.

Jaggedshadow picked a plump shrew from the prey den. He carried it into the Guardians cave. Once he arrived in his nest, he made a small incision with a claw. He unrolled the poison-laden bundle, setting six bloodberries aside. He placed the other four on the other side of the dock leaf.

Jaggedshadow sliced the seed out of a bloodberry. Before placing the bloodberry in the shrew, he mashed it between a paw and a section of the dock leaf. Jaggedshadow repeated these steps with the five remaining berries. He was using the flesh of six bloodberries because he didn't trust that Cedartail would eat the whole berries without suspecting that something was awry.

A chill went down Jaggedshadow's back. He looked up. Sure enough, Plague stood before him.

"What are you doing?" Plague asked Jaggedshadow.

"You know full well what I'm doing."

"You are correct," Plague said. "I do know what you are doing, and I understand why you are doing it. I cannot, however, allow you to walk this path again, Clouded Sky."

Why did he call me Clouded Sky? Jaggedshadow thought. And what does he mean by 'again?' "Try to stop me."

Plague gave a forlorn smile. "You are right. I cannot." He turned away; he stepped out of the Guardians cave, his misty figure vanishing as he stepped into the sunlight.

Jaggedshadow stuffed crushed bloodberries into the shrew. He paused. Was all this preparation and scheming necessary? Did he really want to kill Cedartail? Jaggedshadow packed the last of the crushed bloodberries into the shrew. The answer to both questions was yes. Something deep inside Jaggedshadow told him that there was no turning back.

Jaggedshadow stood and walked to Cedartail's den. He placed the shrew beside the dens entrance. He walked into camp where a patrol was forming by the entrance tunnel.