Gray Wing crouched at the edge of the moorland. His gaze was fixed on the ground, where many of his dead friends were buried. Moons had passed since the battle, but he could still hear screams and see blood when he closed his eyes. Heather and tall grass were growing all over the dirt mound and soon, any evidence of the grave would be gone.

He wasn't worried about being caught on WindClan land since they'd already given them permission to come here to visit the burial spot. He just wished he could visit Turtle Tail's. Thunder had told him some ShadowClan cats had allowed them to bury her on their land and had told him it was under a beautiful flower tree, the petals scattered all over her grave as long as greenleaf stayed around.

It sounds as beautiful as she deserves.

Gray Wing brushed his tongue across a scar on his shoulder. His other wounds had healed since the battle and his breathing was back to normal. For now. But the scars inside would never fade. So much had changed. He felt as if he couldn't even teach a cat to hunt, let alone lead his Clan alongside Skystar. He knew his clanmates supported him strongly, but he felt he could barely take care of himself. Without Turtle Tail's support, how could he go on?

He heard pawsteps from behind.

"I've never seen so much death," River Ripple meowed as he settled beside Gray Wing, curling his tail neatly over his paws.

Gray Wing jerked up, eyes wide. How did he know of the battle? It was a secret kept between them, WindClan and of course ThunderClan. But he wouldn't be surprised if ShadowClan and RiverClan had found out as well. A battle like that could never be kept quiet for long.

And Shattered Ice lives with RiverClan now…maybe he told them what happened.

Gray Wing shuddered as the dark memories resurfaced. He remembered how hopeful his tribemates had been when they'd left the mountains for a better home. But as soon as they'd settled it seemed death after death after death happened suddenly.

Fluttering Bird had died from her muscle disease and yet she'd managed all the way out of the mountains and for a couple of moons before she'd suddenly died.

Bright Stream had died from blood loss and yet she'd seemed so healthy. Dappled Pelt and Cloud Spots had been so sure nothing would go wrong with her kitting!

Shaded Moss, who had been leading the apprentices to the Moonstone with Skystar, had been run over by a monster, saving Falling Feather.

Moon Shadow, who'd suffered a terrible fate, falling into the Gorge because it'd been a horrible place to fight.

Turtle Tail, who'd died trying to rescue her dear kits from ThunderClan!

Then there was Rainswept Flower, Hawk Swoop, Falling Feather and Jackdaw's Cry– all dead because of the horrid battle.

And then there were the rogues they'd let join them. Anyone who had associated with a former tribe member or their kin seemed to have misfortune as well. Fox attacked by Clawface on a patrol, Storm murdered, Bumble trying to help the kits and warn SkyClan, Misty protecting her kits, and Frost and Fircone fighting for their new home!

It was like SkyClan was cursed! A bringer of bad luck! Maybe ThunderClan wouldn't be so brutal had they not come! ShadowClan wouldn't have picked on them! Any of the rogues who'd joined them would probably still be roaming around peacefully!

And now Shattered Ice ran away! I wouldn't be surprised if anyone else left too! Just yesterday I caught Lightning Tail lurking on the WindClan border!

But then again, the apprentice could have just been visiting his parents…and maybe he had just needed some time to himself.

"By this time next year, this entire clearing will be covered in grass and heather," River Ripple went on gently, unaware of Gray Wing's horrible conclusion of being cursed.

"Yeah," he managed to rasp.

River Ripple looked at him. "I've seen Shattered Ice around…he was found near the river by a RiverClan patrol…crying, but he denies he was. They let him join though, grateful that he helped them in the floods, but you didn't hear that from me."

Gray Wing pricked his ears, surprised at Shattered Ice's little helping mission. Had Fire Heart and Dappled Pelt been a part of it? They had been going off together a lot before Jackdaw's Cry had been imprisoned.

It would explain why Crookedstar was so generous to us that one Gathering when ShadowClan was angry at us…

"Anyway, I should get going," River Ripple sighed. He flicked Gray Wing's side with his tail. "See you. And don't…dwell on the past too much. They'll always be watching you…"

Gray Wing watched the silver tom head back to RiverClan territory. He glanced back at the grave before he slowly headed back to his own territory.

He was unaware he was being watched by a cat in the trees.

The she-cat quickly jumped from the tree and raced all the way back to Twolegplace. She entered their alley only to halt.

Her boss stood by a mangy ginger tom, which had only one eye…like her overseer. Her campmates crouched in every corner, eyes flashing warily, so she went to settle beside her sister until her boss called her over. After all, she was one of his most loyal, trusted allies.

She hated it. But it could be useful at times like sneaking extra prey for her sister since she got the privilege of actually eating with her boss and the leader of the kittypet gang. Not exactly two cats she'd want to share a meal with, but she couldn't complain because at least she wasn't starving like the others.

"This…" the brown tom began, nodding at the mangy tom beside him. "Is One Eye."

The tiny black tom, staring down at them with icy blue eyes that made the she-cat shiver, switched his gaze to One Eye. "Is that so?"

"He may only have one eye," the brown tom said, "but he's a very formidable fighter. I think he could be useful to help take over the Clans…"

"I never said anything about taking over all the Clan!" The black tom hissed. "I only want to slaughter ThunderClan! For everything they'd done to me! And for every other innocent cat that wandered onto their land!"

"I thought it was just Thistlestar and Tigerclaw you wanted gone…you said they attacked you…" the she-cat trailed off when the leader looked at her.

"Yes. But their Clan didn't seem to care!" He hissed. "But…you've been spying on the Clans, so tell me…what're they like?"

The she-cat gulped but managed to say, "well, ThunderClan, like you said, are way brutal! Even more so than ShadowClan because you see they have this rumor that ShadowClan are dark and evil because they live in a creepy forest."

The dog-toothed collar on the black tom's neck shifted as he snorted in cold amusement. "As if that makes them scary! It's only their actions that should be feared."

"I-I know…" the she-cat mewed hesitantly. "That's why I said it was just a rumor. Who knows…they could be the nicest Clan instead, but SkyClan beat them to it."

"The new Clan that takes in outsiders and actually gives them a chance?" The tiny tom mused. She nodded slowly, scared. "Hmm," he hummed. "That would make them weak, but they are growing because of their recruiting…and they give them a chance as you said…they show mercy." He laughed. "How naive!"

"If only that was the Clan you stumbled into," someone muttered in the shadows, but only the she-cat heard.

"And, um, WindClan and RiverClan are neutral, I guess," the she-cat finished. "No offense to them, but they're not that exciting to spy on."

"Hmm, then they shouldn't be a threat…for now." The leader looked down at One Eye. "I want you to watch this…ThunderClan and SkyClan…I've heard of their long time rivalry." He looked at the she-cat. "You go with him."

The she-cat almost protested, but bit her tongue.

"Fury!" The tom yowled and the tabby she-cat, who also had one eye, strode over. She looked at One Eye.

"Ew! What is that thing?" She asked.

"Aw, that's not nice," One Eye growled mockingly and the brown tom with white legs beside him nodded. "He's just a cat like you," One Eye added, nodding at the she-cat's boss, who looked at him incredulously.

"She also has one eye, so why is she talking?" Some cat whispered. The she-cat turned to see one of the black-and-white guards whispering to his identical brother, their dog-toothed collars also matching.

The tiny leader atop of the boxes rolled his eyes and looked at Fury. "Go with them on this mission."

"Can I kill anyone if we see them?" She asked eagerly, flexing her claws.

"No," the leader growled. "Because we're trying to remain low until we come up with a full plan to get back at them!"

"Fine." Fury grumbled as she led the way out of the alleyway.

The she-cat followed with One Eye behind her and she felt like she was trapped. She caught her sister's eyes, who stared back, terrified for her.

The she-cat was more terrified for them. At least she got the permission to roam as long as she reported back everyday.

The rest of them were trapped like prisoners. Unless they were needed for hunting.

And for an army of some life-long revenge plan.

Gray Wing observed the camp. It had been another normal day and he'd led two patrols before returning to camp.

Fire Heart sat with Raven Hope sharing prey. Nearby Acorn Fur and Sparrow Fur passed a moss ball between each other while Owl Eyes watched before pouncing on it from time-to-time, intercepting their game.

Thorn stood on the far side of the hollow, along with Mouse Ear and Mud Paws. Tall Shadow sat under the Flat Boulder, watching.

As he moved closer, Gray Wing realized Thorn was teaching the former rogues how to hunt in the forest since they'd lived on the moor most their lives. Thorn had traveled back and forth and knew almost all landscape hunting techniques.

Gray Wing watched, recalling when he'd taught Thunder, Lightning Tail, Acorn Fur, Ash Blaze and Ivy Breeze how to hunt when they were kits.

Scampering tore Gray Wing's attention away from Thorn and the other two. Owl Eyes, Cloud Tail, Sparrow Fur and Birch rushed past him. They wanted to join the training session.

"Hey!" Thorn snapped as the group of young cats approached. "Stay back!"

Sparrow Fur had run straight into Mouse Ear, who glared down at her. "Buzz off, kit!"

Sparrow Fur swatted at him playfully. "I'm not a kit!"

"I still am!" Birch exclaimed and jumped on Mouse Ear's back, bringing the tabby tom to the ground.

"Annoying brats!" Mouse Ear grumbled as the two jumped all over him.

Thorn rolled his eyes. "This is a hunting lesson," he said, shooting the apprentices and kit a glare. "Now let's practice the crouch again."

Gray Wing looked around, spotting Dew heading out of camp. He followed her out when he heard voices from outside the camp. Dew walked straight past them, racing farther into the woods, but Gray Wing headed straight for them.

"Stop whining and just do it!" He blinked with shock at the snappy mew and burst through some ferns to see what was up.

He spotted Jagged Peak dangling from the lowest branch of a small tree. He clung to the branch with his foreclaws, eyes wide. "I haven't climbed trees forever!" His tabby brother groaned.

Holly stood below, watching him. She was smirking playfully up at Jagged Peak.

"Come on!" she called. "Just jump, ya wimp!"

Gray Wing felt his fur rise. What was Holly doing? Why was she pushing Jagged Peak around?

He halted, however, as his younger brother let go of the branch and landed on four paws easily beside Holly.

"Happy now?" he said smugly. "I did it."

Gray Wing heard a chuckle from beside him and turned to see Cloud Spots.

"It's not funny!" Gray Wing snapped. "She shouldn't bully Jagged Peak like that!"

Cloud Spots rolled his eyes. "I'm surprised you figured out Turtle Tail liked you at all because you sure can't read signs."

Gray Wing blinked. "Huh?"

Cloud Spots just patted his head with his tail and left. Pebble Heart followed after him, looking distracted.

"Are you okay?" He asked his son.

"Yeah, yeah…fine."

Gray Wing watched him go anxiously. He knew that distant look in his eyes. Dappled Pelt sometimes had it too.

He's had another vision, hasn't he?

But maybe it wasn't as important or he would definitely say something. Maybe he had just seen StarClan again.

I hope he's seen Fluttering Bird and the others…I hope they've found peace.