Shadestorm's pov

Shadestorm was laying awake in her nest inside the warrior's den. The time she and Blackstar had laid in the sun still on her mind.

She didnt know how she had gotten the courage to flirt with him then. He was Shadowclan's leader after all. He was brave, proud and protective. And all though she hated to admit it, handsome.

Does he like me back?

She could see the stars shining from a crack in the roof. Is Starclan out there? Do they see what the twolegs are doing to the forest?

Can they see Tawnypelt?

Sadness clawed at her heart as she thought of her friend. Will she come back? What if we have to leave the forest?

She couldnt even go to Redpaw's grave anymore. The twolegs had destroyed it, along with most of Shadowclan's territory.

Firestar had visited them a while ago to discuss the twolegs, but Russetfur's patrol had attacked them. And because of that, Blackstar had needed to turn them away. Otherwise it would have looked like the clan was weak and not united.

Well, we are weak at the moment. But we cant let the other clans know that.

She thought about her parents, Tallpoppy and Cedarheart. And Applekit, Marshkit and Toadkit. Mainly the kits. They are so young. How will they cope?

She gave up trying to sleep, and settled to wait for dawn. It'll be soon enough.

Redpaw's pov

Redpaw was gazing at a pool. The surface was glittering with starlight, but there was an image.

Five cats traveling. There was a sense of hopelessness in the air.

Suddenly the cats perked up. A tortoishell she-cat exclaimed; "Look!"

Another she-cat, a ginger one gave an exited yowl; "Its the Highstones! Were almost home!"

Redpaw looked up at the pool. There was a small group of cats gathered around it. Finally, a white tom broke the silence.

"They have reached the forest, then. Starclan is proud of them."

"Yes we are, Blizzardwing. Now they have to convince their leaders. That is going to be their hardest task." Mewed a gray she-cat.

The gray she-cat started pacing, her greenish eyes clouding with worry. "You are worried for them, Brindleface. We all are. But there is no more we can do." Said a black tom with a limp front paw.

"I know, Deadfoot. But it breaks my heart to see them suffer." Redpaw had never related to a statement so much. There are even harder times coming. Even we cant see them clearly.

Suddenly she felt a tailtip on her shoulder. It was Willowbreeze. Her expression was comforting. "Try to be more positive, Redpaw. Everything will turn out fine."

Blackstar's pov

As Blackstar padded ot of his den at dawn, he could hear the monsters buzzing.

They are already so close to the camp? He thought, alarmed.

All of the cats in the camp were looking as nervous as he felt.

He caught Russetfur's eye a moment later. The ginger she-cat was looking skittish too.

Its only a matter of time before they reach the camp! He realised with a jolt of terror. He saw the kits from the corner of his eye.

"Mom, whats that noise? Toadkit asked Tallpoppy.

"Its probably the wind, honey."

The queen was looking very uneasy.

Shadestorm's pov

Shadestorm was grooming her pelt in a corner of the camp a few days later. The buzzing of the monsters was annoying her constantly.

I'll probably hear that sound in my ears for the rest of my time!

She glanced over to the pitifully small fresh-kill pile. Even prey has the sense to escape from this place!

She spotted Tallpoppy. The queen looked annoyed by the sound as well.

She padded over to where her mother stood. "That constant noise is starting to get to my ears." Shadestorm annouced.

"Mine too. Hopefully they will change direction for a few sunrises."

The conversation went on, but she hardly heard anything her mother said. Tallpoppy's voice seemed to fade in and out. "Applekit has a cough... I talked to Snowbird a while ago... "

Shadestorm's gaze found Blackstar almost immediately. To her surprise, the tom was already looking at her. She flashed him a shy smile.

He smiled back at her, equally shy.

Just now Tallpoppy realised that her daughter wasn't listening at all. She followed Shadestorm's gaze.

She looked at her with amusement. "You should go talk to him!"

"What? Are you out of your mind?" Shadestorm exclaimed.

Tallpoppy's eyes danced with amusement, brighter than before.

"That's how me and your father became mates."

Shadestorm rolled her green eyes. The same old story. Tallpoppy goes and talks with Cedarheart and a branch falls in the middle of the camp. Then Cedarheart pulls her out of the way or something, and then they fall in love. Tallpoppy always tells that story.

Then it occured to her, that Blackstar had saved her in the battle with Bloodclan...

Before Shadestorm could finish her thought, her mother mewed;

"Do you want me to tell you the story?"

No thank you.

Tallpoppy hadnt finished her sentence. Shadestorm was already padding over to Blackstar.

She knows me too well.

Blackstar's pov

Shadestorm got up, and padded to his side.

"Tallpoppy was beginning one of her long stories. I figured you'd be better company."

He smiled at her, amused. He had grown guite fond of the gray she-cat, all in a span of just a few moons. She is guite nice.

She settled down beside him.

He couldnt think of any converstation topics, but then his gaze landed on the awfully small fresh-kill pile. "The prey isnt very plentiful these days" He mewed, instantly regretting it. Why did I say that?

"Yeah. I havent had a plump squirrel in moons."

"Squirrels are your favourite, arent they?" He had noticed she preferred them moons ago.

Shadestorm looked a bit impressed. Her whiskers twitched. "Im suprised you noticed."

He didnt know how to respond to that.

For some odd reason he was always nervous around her. He had never felt this way before.

Their converstation was interrupted by Rowanclaw, who sprinted from the camp entrance, his flanks heaving.

"Blackstar! Tawnypelt has returned!"