Disclaimer: I own only what was not in the books

Chapter 17: Treachery

"Dogheart," a voice snapped, "come here."

The ginger splotched white tom heaved himself to his paws and padded over to Screave. For once, though, he didn't roll his eyes or sigh. He'd been waiting for this.

"We were supposed to be ready to leave by tonight," Screave whined, "but now I'm being told I won't be going anywhere."

Dogheart grinned. "You won't be lord."

Screave looked taken aback. "You speak politely when you talk to your leader," he hissed, "now tell me why where not leaving!"

Dogheart's purr was silky smooth. "We're leaving Lord," he growled mockingly, "you're going nowhere."

The black tom's eyes widened and he began to scramble to his paws. "What is this?" he snarled, "What are you doing?"

The smile was gone. "What should have happened a long time ago. Taking charge."

Screave stared at him. "Treachery-" his voice was cut off by the paw swinging into his face.

A blood soaked tom stepped out of an alley. Another cat, a tabby, appeared.

"Is all ready?" the bloody tom asked.

The other dipped his head. "Yes Lord," he smirked at the other. "Did you finish the old mouse-brain off?"

The tom, who had been staring off into the distance, turned slowly to look at him. "I didn't finish off the admired leader of our people. You did. I merely avenged his death."

The tabby's eyes widened. "Lord, I've been loyal and-" a paw slammed into his head and knocked him to the ground. The ginger tom leapt forward and sank his fangs into the tabby's throat.

As blood soaked the gutters as he yowled, "The time of Screave is over. The time of Lord Dogheart has begun."

"What have we learned that will help us?" Riverstripe wailed for the third time.

Wren, crouching to the side of her den, listened patiently. She had been up all night thinking.

"Well," the tom replied, "what did we do to survive?"

Riverstripe flopped onto the ground. "It was only our strength and courage that- wait" she hissed in sudden excitement, "that's it!"

"I've got it," Riverstripe hissed triumphantly. Thunderfoot watched his sister pace. He was itching to voice his idea, and from Windheart and Sheba's impatient shifting so were they, but since Riverstripe had called the meeting, it was only fair to let her go first.

"We can use fire!"

Thunderfoot nodded. "I thought of that, then realized that the MountainClan would probably aid us. They suffered losses when the scouting party attacked the cave."

"And the city cats," Windheart mewed, "Sally Bones was their leader, and they lost cats when they attacked the city."

"They'll reap the whirlwind they have sown," Fernpelt murmured softly.

Sheba, who had been quiet the whole time, said suddenly, "What about the Valley Cats?"

Thunderfoot stared. "Are you insane?"

Sheba looked away sheepishly. "It was an idea," she mumbled.

"And a good one." Thunderfoot turned to blink at the new RunningCl- WindClan he reminded himself- medicine cat. She was old for an apprentice, the only reason Thunderfoot didn't dismiss her opinion.

"They suffered much."

"They don't care about death," Riverstripe spat. "You saw what they did to that apprentice."

"But they do care about change. From what I gathered, they'd lived there with the same rituals for generations. They feared and hated change, and then the wolves came. They probably had to make a new camp. Their temple must be destroyed, since thats where they stored meat. We could at least try."

The cats were quiet for a moment, then Thunderfoot found himself saying, "I agree. At worst, the messenger will be chased away."

Windheart nodded slowly, and everyone looked at Riverstripe. She glared at them, but bowed her head.

Even the light of the stars were not powerful enough to puncture the blackness of the city sky. This made the cat creeping along in the shadows shiver. What if StarClan, who had guided him through so much, couldn't see her?

She shook these thoughts from her head. She had to find Twist and deliver the message.

Suddenly, a large scarred tom stepped out of the shadows. "What'r ye doin' on Sally Bones' territory," he growled, then murmured in surprise, "Yer one o'them country cats agin, ain't ye"

The she-cat nodded. "I've a message for you."

Far away, deep in the snowy mountains, another cat was ushered into a large cave.

"I need to see Snake," he growled to a Novice, who scampered off, but returned moments later with a scrawny black tom.

"Haven't you brought enough grief to this Clan? We were peaceful before you came," the new tom hissed.

The other tom ignored him. "I have a message for you, and the other leaders. We need you help."

Deep in the depths of a canyon, a single tabby hurried the shadows, fur whispering like the breeze. She didn't want to be seen, but she had to deliver the message. The fate of the Clans rested on her shoulders.

She knew the Valley cats would swell the ranks to twice their size. Suddenly, a disgustingly decorated cat stepped from the shadows. "You trespass in Valley of Thorns. Resist, you die now. Come with me, you die later." None of these fates looked cheerful, but the she-cat followed the other into shadow.

a/n- short (REALLY short), but it had to happen. Things will start to pick up soon. I'm not sure when I'll be able to update next, so enjoy. Maybe lots of reviews will make me feel guilty… wink, wink…