CHAPTER 10

I stared at Mistkit and Featherkit who were playing with a moss ball outside the nursery while Dawnpool and Whitefang watched. Although the two she-kits looked exactly alike, Dawnpool could tell them apart it seemed. I couldn't.

When they opened their eyes we were greeted with two very similar leafy green eyes. Not one difference between them. It was uncanny.

"Icepaw?" a voice asked beside me causing me to almost jump out of my fur. "Are you okay?"

I looked over at Soulpaw and smiled a little. "Yes, sorry. I was just looking over at Dawnpool's kits. They look exactly alike. It's weird, right?"

"Will you focus?" Jaypaw growled, causing me to turn my head and look at him. "We know that someone is going to take over our camp, will you help me figure this out? It's been almost a half a moon!"

Soulpaw let out a small sigh. "Sorry, Jaypaw. What were you saying?"

About a half moon ago Jaypaw came back from the medicine cat meeting with information about our prophecy. We had found the Three, now we just needed to figure out what our prophecy was about other than The Dark Forest.

He glared at us with his creepy blind green eyes. "Could it be ShadowClan? Is that why they've been so quiet?"

I tilted my head at him. "Why would Larkstar do that? Her father lives here."

"Maybe because she needs to prove her loyalty to ShadowClan," Jaypaw responded instantly. "You know how ShadowClan cats are: untrusting and aggressive. She'll need to prove herself."

I clawed at the ground, my mind racing. "I'm not sure I agree but it is weird we haven't heard from ShadowClan in almost a moon."

Soulpaw nodded in agreement. "Icepaw, let's try to get on plenty of patrols near the ShadowClan border so we can keep an eye on them," he told me and looked over at Jaypaw. "Maybe you should look for herbs in that area often."

My brother nodded in agreement. "I have to get going but we'll talk later. Let me know if you get anymore information," he ordered and then hurried away to the medicine den.

"What're you doing today?" Soulpaw asked me.

"Oh, I am patrolling the ShadowClan border," I purred and padded away from Soulpaw happily.

Blackfoot, Gorsepaw, and Littlecloud were waiting at the entrance. My heart sunk in my chest as I noticed Blackfoot was coming with us. Why would Littlecloud do this?

"Now we can go," Littlecloud mewed cheerfully and padded out of camp with e rushing to his side. Blackfoot and Gorsepaw padded behind us quietly. "Hello, Gorsepaw. Glad you could make it."

I shot him a glare. "You invited Blackfoot?" I whispered so he couldn't hear.

Littlecloud looked down at me, the darkness in his eyes made my entire body shake. "This is ridiculous, Icepaw. He is a warrior and soon you will be too. We can't have you fighting the entire time. You're both WindClan cats and you need to trust each other, especially in battle. Speak with him." Littlecloud turned his head and looked at Gorsepaw. "Hey Gorsepaw, why don't you come with me?"

The little apprentice rushed up to Littlecloud and took my spot. I awkwardly fell in step beside Blackfoot.

"So listen…" I mewed very awkwardly as we padded towards the ShadowClan border. "I'm really sorry about what I said before. I didn't mean it, I mean you're my Clanmate and I trust you so…" I trailed off. It was too awkward.

Blackfoot turned his head and looked down at me. His green eyes were even creepier than Jaypaw's. "We both know you are not actually apologizing, Icepaw," he mewed in a very deep and creepy voice. My fur was prickling in unease. "Soulpaw has now received a mentor whose name is not Sweetheart and you have gotten closer to him because of your mistake. You are only upset because finally someone does not like you."

"No, that's not it at all!" I mewed angrily. He just didn't listen. "I am sorry. I offended you and you're my Clanmate and that is not okay!"

The white warrior stopped, glaring at me. "Icepaw, keep your jaws shut. We do not like each other. That is how it is going to be for the rest of my life and the rest of your life. You hate the fact that someone does not like you, and that is fine. But do not lie to me and try to be my friend just because your mentor commanded you to." Then he swiftly padded away from me.

I watched him, my jaws dropped open. Did that really just happen? I slowly padded after him, swallowing down my fear. Littlecloud would not be happy…


"So, it's not better?" Littlecloud mewed with disbelief. I shook my head. "I don't believe this. What did you say this time?"

"Nothing, I swear!" I mewed in surprise. He didn't believe me. "He just doesn't like me, Littlecloud. And that's fine, I'm fine with it."

Littlecloud stared at me for a moment. "Go get something to eat. I'm going to talk to the other mentors and see if they want to do anything together." Then he quickly padded away.

"Icepaw!" Soulpaw was waving his tail eagerly at me from beside Jaypaw.

I let out a small sigh and hurried over to them. "Hey," I mewed softly, my whiskers twitching.

"How was ShadowClan's border?" Soulpaw asked quietly and Jaypaw pricked his ears.

"Quiet," I responded back. "I have a bad feeling…"

I lifted my head as Firelily, Redstorm, and Flowerwhisker bursting into camp, the smell of ShadowClan instantly filling my nose.

Russetstar rose from his spot under the Tallrock and approached Firelily who mewed something quiet to him.

"Everyone get into positions, ShadowClan was reported coming this direction," Russetstar ordered.

We instantly jumped to our paws and rushing over to stand beside our mentors. Soulpaw was beside me, his pelt brushing mine just slightly. All of WindClan was ready.

Larkstar burst into the camp with Brackenfoot, Stonetail, and Fernpaw right at her heels.

"Russetstar!" Larkstar mewed and seemed a little surprised that we were waiting for them. Her entire body was shaking and I could see the scratches going down her pelt. "P-Please Russetstar, we need your help…"

The WindClan leader instantly dropped his hostility and stepped forward in concern. "Larkstar, what happened? Are you okay?"

"ShadowClan has been overrun by Tigerstar. We need your help…" She had desperation in her eyes and Grayclaw was now by her side comfortingly. "The Dark Forest has taken over our camp. The rest of ShadowClan is waiting outside your camp… Please Russetstar."

The leader gazed down at Larkstar and looked over at Grayclaw who nodded. Russetstar hesitated. "Very well, Larkstar. Stonetail and Fernpaw can go with Jaypaw and Mothflower and the rest of your warriors will go sleep in the warriors den. If any can't fit they can sleep in the apprentice's den. Shadeclaw will show your elders the elder's den," he agreed warmly.

Larkstar let out a breath of relief and Brackenfoot fetched the rest of ShadowClan. Stonetail and Fernpaw followed Jaypaw and Mothflower while Larkstar, Firelily, and Russetstar sat underneath the Tallrock. Brackenfoot helped direct ShadowClan to dens.

Soulpaw looked over at me with wide eyes. "That's why we haven't heard from ShadowClan, The Dark Forest cats have taken over their camp and by the looks of it, they haven't been kind."

"Soulpaw, Icepaw!" Brackenfoot called, racing over to us. "Will you showLionfur, Cedarsmoke, and Hollyflower to the apprentice's den. They'll be sleeping in there until we get our camp back. Thanks." Then he hurried off to the warrior's den again.

A dark gray-and-white she-cat, a brown tabby tom, and a gray tom all stared at us awkwardly for a heartbeat.

"I'm Icepaw!" I purred, breaking the awkward silence. Everyone liked me. "It's nice to meet you three. That's the apprentice's den over there. The nests on the edges are open, I imagine you'll want to sleep next to each other." I smiled at them and Hollyflower smiled back. "Help yourself to some prey." It looks like they haven't eaten in a moon. I gestured to Soulpaw. "This is my denmate, Soulpaw."

They nodded at us and together they padded over to the fresh-kill pile and began mumbling to each other. They weren't comfortable in someone else's camp. I wouldn't be either.

"They look like they're starving!" Soulpaw mewed quietly so they wouldn't hear. "The Dark Forest was ruthless to them."

"Well Hollyflower looks okay…" I commented, gesturing to the she-cat. "She's at least a little plumper than the others. Oh, and him too." I pointed at a gray tabby tom with black stripes.

"That's Archeye," Soulpaw mewed, nodding his head. "Well, it'll be easier to learn about ShadowClan if they're living with us."

Russetstar suddenly let out a yowl and everyone's eyes turned to him. Larkstar and Rusetstar were on the Tallrock together. "I know this isn't your camp, ShadowClan. But WindClan welcomes you with warmth. Please see Firelily and Brackenfoot as they'll be making patrols for both Clans to go on together. If you're injured please see our medicine cats, we have plenty of herbs for all of you. And ShadowClan cats, please do not be afraid to take a piece of prey. We need your strength to get back up so we can take back your camp."

Larkstar nodded at him and faced the two Clans. "For right now, this is our home. Get gracious Russetstar and WindClan took us in. When we have our strength back we will go get our camp from those mange-pelts!" Yowls of excitement broke out from the ShadowClan cats around the clearing. I noticed Archeye didn't cheer.

The two Clans began to swarm Brackenfoot and Firelily who were pairing cats together for patrols. Our best hunters went with their best hunters and the rest were on a border patrol. We'd need plenty more prey to feed two Clans.

"Icepaw!" Littlecloud called, racing over with Cedarsmoke behind him. "Cedarsmoke has agreed to teach you a few helpful moves. Let's go." He flicked his tail at the entrance and led the way through the crowd of cats.

We slipped out of camp and went to the edge to practice.

"Go ahead, Cedarsmoke," Littlecloud encouraged.

Cedarsmoke smiled a little. "Well I've never had my own apprentice before but I do know some moves that ShadowClan likes to use. Just promise you won't use it against us." He winked at me.

His entire body shook as he turned. I stepped forward and set my tail on his shoulder. "What did The Dark Forest cats do to you, Cedarsmoke?"

"Icepaw-"

Cedarsmoke cut Littlecloud off, meeting my gaze steadily, "They treated us like rats… Those who didn't obey were tortured and attacked and those who did…" He trailed off, shaking his head a little. Then he leaned in real close to me, the seriousness in his eyes caused a shiver to go down my spine. "Some of your friends, Icepaw, might not really be your friends… They may be allies with The Dark Forest."


"Allies with The Dark Forest?" Jaypaw echoed, his jaw opened wide in surprise. "Well how do we know?"

I shook my head at him and glanced behind him at Fawnpelt who was in a nest resting and Foxheart who was being treated by Mothflower near the back of the den.

"That's what he said. Maybe he knows some of the ShadowClan traitors?" I suggested. "I definitely wasn't expecting this.. Why would anyone betray their Clan for those evil cats?"

Jaypaw shook his head. "I have no clue. But I have to treat Fawnpelt so we'll talk later okay?" He hurried over to the light gray she-cat.

Most of the ShadowClan cats had minor wounds. Fawnpelt had a bite on her neck and Foxheart was limping badly on his back paw. Fernpaw and Stonetail came out from the back part of the den, both smiling and talking. At least they seemed comfortable. Neither of them had a scratch. Did that mean they were on The Dark Forest's side?

No! I shamed myself silently. They are medicine cats, the most StarClan loyal cats out of all of us, they wouldn't… I turned away from them and exited the den.

The clearing was very busy with activity. Patrols leaving and coming back at the same time, the ShadowClan cats feasting about the clearing while Wildpaw and Gorsepaw were hurrying around moss to the dens, Soulpaw was talking to Morningtail and Littlecloud, Firelily and Brackenfoot were talking to Shrewclaw, Scratchtail, Goldentooth and another ShadowClan cat I didn't recognize while Russetstar and Larkstar were on the Tallrock talking. It was chaotic with two Clans in one camp.

"Hey Icepaw!"

I almost jumped out of my fur, turning my head to see Mousefang smiling at me warmly. "Oh, hi…" I responded, taking a deep breath.

Mousefang chuckled softly and shook his head. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," he purred in amusement. "It sure is crazy around here, huh?"

I nodded at him slowly. "I haven't saw you around much." Even though he was my best friend's mentor I'd only saw him a few times lately and we never spoke.

"I've been busy with patrols and training Soulpaw." He nodded a little and smiled down at me. "Sorry I've been distant, I'll get better!" he told me cheerfully.

"Well good. With all these ShadowClan cats around I'll be needing an escape from camp," I chuckled at him and turned my head to see Soulpaw watching us.

"Yeah he's waiting for me. I'll see you later, okay?" He touched his nose to mine, surprising me, and then padded away to Soulpaw.

I watched silently and shook my head. It wasn't a secret that Soulpaw was farther ahead than Wildpaw and I. He'd probably become a warrior before we did.

"You're blocking the way!"

I jumped, looking back to see Fernpaw in the entrance of the medicine den. She was gray-and-brown and rather small.

"Sorry," I squeaked at her. "I didn't realize where I was standing."

Fernpaw's eyes instantly softened up and she nodded at me. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I just figured, you know, I'm ShadowClan you're WindClan and we aren't supposed to be friends or whatever… But here we are, in your camp…" She glanced around curiously and let out a small sigh.

"I understand. It's weird being where you usually aren't supposed to." I gave her a small smile. "You're Stonetail's apprentice, right?"

She nodded. "Yes, I'm a medicine cat."

"I was going to become a medicine cat," I purred in amusement, remembering how I wanted to become Mothflower's apprentice and have Jaypaw be a warrior. "I realized that Jaypaw is blind and although he didn't really want to become a medicine cat, he did. And he's very good at it, better than I would be at least." I laughed a little at myself. "Sorry, I talk a lot."

She shook her head, eyes shining warmly at me. "No, please, I like having a friend for once." Fernpaw smiled at me. "Plus Mothflower and Stonetail have all the wounds covered for now, so, I have nothing better to do."

I tilted my head at her, curiosity getting the better of me. "Will you tell me about what happened in ShadowClan?"

Fernpaw instantly looked uncomfortable and she nudged me to the edge of camp, away from the dens and the other cats. "Look, ShadowClan didn't know any better, okay? Don't judge us… It was a really rough time."

I nodded eagerly at her.

"Before The Dark Forest attacked I had been throwing up all day. I felt awful but Stonetail couldn't diagnose it. I wasn't sick. Then they attacked us. StarClan was sending me a sign, they had to of been. I just don't know why they would make me throw up," she explained quietly, glancing around. "They easily outnumbered us and took over our camp and took us prisoner. We were all stuffed into the warrior's den. All of us. At least twice a day they would come in, drop down a bird or a rat and ask us if we wanted to join them. At first, we stayed together and said no and had to split up the prey between each other. One bite each for days…"

She paused and sucked in a deep breath. I comfortingly put my tail on her shoulder.

Fernpaw continued, "Finally The Dark Forest cats decided they had enough and began to torture us. At first I wasn't sure why they weren't torturing Stonetail and I but they tortured everyone else. After that Archeye gave in and went with them. I'm not sure what happened with him after that. The next day Hollyflower went and then Goldentooth the next. Finally, The Dark Forest cats decided they needed medicine cats and they pulled us from the den. I don't know exactly what happened to the rest of our Clan after we left since we had to treat The Dark Forest cats. They almost took one of Stonetail's eyes… I had no choice..." She let out a quiet sob, her entire body shaking. "So, we treated them without question and we were fed properly and began sneaking the rest of ShadowClan prey. They wouldn't have survived, Icepaw. They would've died from infection and blood loss and starvation. They looked awful."

I touched my nose to her ear. "Thank you for telling me, Fernpaw."

"Wait, I'm not done," she gasped softly, her eyes wide and wet with tears. "Eventually, someone found out we were sneaking them prey. That's when Larkstar made her attack and somehow, we all escaped. Hollyflower, Archeye, and Goldentooth all came with us, that's how I know they're loyal ShadowClan cats. I don't doubt them for a heartbeat…" She trailed off, her eyes flickering over to Hollyflower who was talking with Archeye on the other side of the clearing. "But…"

"What is it, Fernpaw?" I asked, my interest peaking as I followed her gaze.

"They tortured their Clanmates, their friends and family… I don't know how they could do that…"

My eyes widened as I looked back at the shaky apprentice. "They tortured your Clan?" I whispered in surprise, my heart pounding.

I looked back over at the two ShadowClan warriors just as their eyes flickered up and met mine.