Chapter Twenty-One

Shadowheart laid awake in his nest, the moonlight shimmering through the tears in the warriors' den. The nest beside him felt cold, reminding Shadowheart that Firelight was busy sitting vigil for Cloudflight. When sleep didn't come, he emerged from the warriors' den fluffing out his fur against the cold. Cloudflight's body glowed in the clearing, her three kits and Lionclaw sitting vigil alongside Firelight. Quietly, as to not disturb them, Shadowheart made his way through the hollow log. Sparrowsong and Larkflight were sitting their warriors' vigil, eyeing him curiously as he walked out into the forest.

The snow underpaw crunched as he walked, and the cold air stung his nose. Shadowheart came to a stop at the river that bordered with ReedClan, and stared out. This is where his story had begun in LeafClan, what felt like moons and moons ago. Slowly, he recalled when Hawk had said during their last confrontation. Silversky had leaped into the river with Blackflame, a last desperate attempt to escape Hawk's vicious claws. What had she been thinking at that moment? Alone with only one kit she was able to save? Did she know Blackflame would survive, to be raised by a twolegplace rogue? Or did she expect to take him to StarClan with her?

Shadowheart couldn't understand it. Why did his mother ever leave the Clan? Was she ashamed of bearing half-Clan kits? Or did something else cause her to run away? Staring up at Silverpelt, he could see the stars shining overhead. Up there, somewhere, was his mother. The urgent message she gave him the last time he saw her in his dreams still unsettled him. How was he going to save Cinder? His sister was determined to serve under Hawk. Just what did his mother expect him to do? Or was it StarClan warning him through Silversky?

Sighing heavily, he gazed down at the water. It rippled quietly, the reflection of the moon shining across the surface. How was he going to bring his father across the river tomorrow? Despite Stonetail being a ReedClan cat, he still sustained a nasty bite wound to his neck. Would he make it across the cold river okay?

"Shadowheart?" a soft voice called from behind.

Blackflame stood a few tail-lengths away, his eyes glowing in the darkness. For the first time, Shadowheart sensed fear and uncertainty in his brother's scent.

"Blackflame? What are you doing out here?" he asked, getting to his paws and turning to meet his brother's worried gaze.

"I saw you leave camp," Blackflame told him. "So I followed you outside. There's...there is something I want to tell you."

Shadowheart studied his brother's uneasy expression. Whatever it was, it was clearly troubling him. "What is it?" he asked carefully.

Blackflame looked down at his paws. "After the battle today, Sandpool told me she's expecting kits," He lifted his gaze to look at Shadowheart in desperation. "Shadowheart, what kind of future do they have to look forward to? What if I can't protect them?"

Taken aback by the sudden news, Shadowheart stared at his brother wide eyed. He knew Blackflame had gotten close to Sandpool in the past few moons, but he didn't expect kits so suddenly. And how could he ease his brother's worries? Knowing that Hawk wouldn't stop until the Clans were destroyed? Shadowheart knew the rogue leader's cruelty all too well; he would never spare a pawful of Clan kits. Yet something inside Shadowheart told him that he would never let these kits meet that fate.

"Sandpool says that the kits are due close to two moons away," Blackflame went on, his voice rising to a wail. "What do I do Shadowheart? I love Sandpool, and I love these kits even though they aren't here yet. How can I protect them from Hawk? After tonight, I don't think I'll be able to keep them safe. I feel so helpless!"

"You're not helpless," Shadowheart told him, coming to stand before Blackflame. "I don't think StarClan would have brought you back to us if they intended for you to fail. What we need now, is faith that our ancestors are keeping us safe."

Blackflame sighed, seeming to relax slightly. "You're right, Shadowheart. StarClan is watching over us, but even now it feels like the Clans are losing the battle. Unless we defeat Hawk, the Clans will never be safe. And I'll give everything I have to make sure he's stopped."

"As will I," Shadowheart promised. "Hawk made a game of our lives. I will never forgive a cat who toys with others like he had with us. I just wish Cinder were with us too."

"Perhaps she already is," Blackflame murmured. "No one knows where she stands with the rogues right now."

"You're right," Shadowheart agreed, starting to head back to camp. "But we will find out soon enough."

The next few days were quiet, the Clan slowly repairing the damage from the rogue attack. Stonetail had left the day before, well enough to travel back to ReedClan's camp. Shadowheart missed having his father so close by, but knew that Stonetail had his own responsibilities back in his own Clan. Sandpool had moved to the nursery, while Ivyfrost two kits—Bluekit and Dapplekit—were born in the night. Life seemed to be moving on, yet Shadowheart wasn't sure just how much longer the peace would last. Just what would Hawk's next move be?

Not sure what to do, Shadowheart decided to discuss the next move the Clan should take with Foxstar. Padding over to the Highoak, he called into the den underneath. He got a quiet reply from inside, and slunk in. Foxstar was sitting in her nest, her fur unkempt and staring blankly at the wall ahead of her.

"Foxstar?" Shadowheart greeted, unease prickling his fur.

Closing her eyes, Foxstar seemed to take many moments to reply. "Yes, Shadowheart?"

"I wanted to talk about the battle the other day," he began carefully. "I'm worried about what Hawk may have planned next. I think Blackstar was right about working together."

Foxstar let out a bitter laugh. "You think it's that simple do you? Of course you would."

"...Foxstar?" Shadowheart mewed, uncertain and taken aback.

"Echostar should have killed him when she had the chance. Instead we have to deal with him," Foxstar snarled quietly. "How much blood has been shed over this one cat? How many more cats must die? Shadowheart, do you know the other camps were ravaged by the rogues?" she asked, but continued before Shadowheart could speak. "He planned a four way attack without us even knowing. He caused the deaths of both of my sisters, and now I'm stuck leading a Clan I can't possibly lead anymore."

"Not lead anymore? Foxstar what do you mean?" Shadowheart asked, his blood running cold. "You were given nine lives by StarClan!"

"StarClan," she hissed, digging her claws into the ground. "They haven't helped us at all. Hawk will destroy us all as they stand by and watch! I have failed as this Clan's leader. How can I possibly continue leading this Clan while I watch my Clanmates die one by one?"

Shadowheart stared at his leader in dismay. How had he not noticed Foxstar had fallen so low? What would the Clan do with a leader unwilling to lead? He had to do something; say something. He took a deep breath, stepping forward.

"I may not know what it's like to lead a Clan," Shadowheart spoke, choosing his words carefully. "But I know what Hawk is like. He stole me away from my mother, and my Clan. He turned my own sister against us. I want this to end. I have to put an end to it, even if I do it myself. Foxstar, you are LeafClan's leader; StarClan chose you to lead us. You only fail if you sit here and do nothing."

Foxstar stared at him a few moments, and Shadowheart briefly wondered if she even heard him. "Are you saying you intend to kill Hawk yourself?"

Shakily, he nodded. "Yes. Even if it costs me my life."

A small spark seemed to light up in the older she-cat's amber eyes. "I admire your courage, Shadowheart; you take after your mother." She raised her muzzle. "Call Alderleaf to my den. We have a battle to plan."