Shadow traipsed into his camp, the blood still on his claws. No one questioned him, as blood was common in the attacks individual cats commenced. Elixir was the first to acknowledge his presence. "Border skirmish?" she asked silkily, eyeing his claws easily.

He dodged the question. "We need to attack BrookClan. Now. It's been too long."

Elixir smiled. "Of course," she answered smoothly, claws brushing the ground.

"I'm taking a patrol out to check on the Clan," he muttered, lashing his tail and snaking up the rock where he addressed the group. Elixir followed him settling at the base.

"Cats of Vengeance." He began, as the lean, powerful, and scarred cats arranged themselves around the rock, looking at him through critical eyes. "The time long-awaited has arrived." Blossom, a previous loner with kits, bristled. "To fight BrookClan?"

He nodded brusquely, and Blossom steeled herself. He continued, "I will take a few cats out tonight to spy on the camp, and check what the Clan has done since I was there."

He leaped down from the large stone and walked towards the camp entrance, towards the setting sun, staining the camp in red. The other cat's gazes followed him. "Elixir, you will come with me, along with Russet, Talon, Jay, Slash, and Streak."

The six cats weaved their way to the area next to him, pelts shining in the dwindling light. "Flame will direct while I am gone," he nodded to the fiery tom, who was nearly as disciplined as himself.

With that last matter settled, Shadow lashed his tail for the others to follow him as he walked towards the RiverClan border.

The scent marks were fresh as light vanished from the sky and stars began to speckle it. The dusk patrol must've just been across.

Shadow crossed them easily, borders meant nothing to him. A sense of sick elation pitted in him, remembering that the Clan who had once torn him down was going to be done the same to.

They crossed the forested portion of the territory quiet as a cat stalking their prey, ears pricked for danger. After traveling until the night had made it's full grasp, Shadow and the small group of cats were in sight of the camp.

In a low tone so that no cat but the ones around him could hear, he instructed roughly, "Russet, take Streak and go to the far side of camp. Talon, Jay, Slash, take up around the entrance and the dens around it. Elixir, you come with me."

The cats nodded silently, walking carefully to their posts. Shadow took a small niche beside the camp border near the medicine den. The clearing was deserted, but small voices could be heard in the dens. Shadow pricked his ears, the voices of Dawnflower and Meadowpaw slowly coming into earshot.

"You're still worried about him, aren't you?" It was Dawnflower.

"I know I shouldn't be, he left so long ago, but... the prophecy didn't go with him."

"I know it's hard, but don't think about the prophecy. They have a lot of meanings."

"But I can feel it! It's about my brother, and he doesn't know it!"

Shadow stiffened. This prophecy they were talking about...it was about him? And she'd never told him?

"He chose his path, Meadowpaw, and you have to choose yours."

"But I saw him! He was so different! I could've prevented him from that!"

"Prophecies can't be avoided. StarClan has given him a future, and you can't change that."

"I know." Meadowpaw's voice came back resigned. "But...I'm scared Dawnflower. The prophecy warned of blood, but not his, and..."

"It doesn't matter now, Meadowpaw. What matters is his choice, and we can't make that for him. We must make our own choices."

"I just feel... like I should have told him."

"Again, that was your choice. Now, come. Don't worry about him."

The den quieted, and Shadow felt his blood rising. She'd lied to him, his entire Clan life. Hatred and anger rushed through him, and he stood, Elixir still looking calm, but not smiling. His claws scraped the ground.

"BrookClan will pay."