Eclipsepaw raced into camp, following Dovestar. The patrol had heard battle cries in the camp and were practically jumping in to protect it. The rogue cats were all gathered in a circle, hissing and spitting at something out of sight. As Dovestar's patrol bounded into the camp, some rogues turned their heads towards the patrol. Eclipsepaw caught a glimpse of muddy white fur through the legs of the rogues. Frostpaw!

The calico she-cat padded through the crowd with a vicious smirk on her face. Beside her, a powerful orange tabby snarled at the onlooking crowd.

"Greetings, Dovestar. I am Speckle, leader of this Clan. This is Tiger, my deputy."

"We are BoulderClan," clarified Tiger.

"What do want with us?" Dovestar snarled, fury flaming in her eyes.

"Not much really, we just want land. Yours and ThunderClan's, that is." Yowls of outrage rippled throughout the clan. Eclipsepaw unsheathed her claws. But Speckle kept going, "We have already talked to ThunderClan."

"And what did they say, might I ask?" Dovestar asked.

Speckle growled, "I think you already know what Stagstar said. But he will come around eventually, and you will too."

"What makes you say that?" Dovestar countered.

"Well, as you can see, we have one of your apprentices," started Speckle.

"And we'll keep him until you give us your land," finished Tiger, his amber eyes blazing.

Just then, a shadow fell over Speckle. Eclipsepaw looked up. A muddy white body was flying over the crowd. Frostpaw had leaped over the blockade of cats! Astonished cats gasped as she made her clumsy landing.

"I believe you have made a mistake, Speckle. You do not have a ShadowClan cat hostage; ShadowClan has you hostage," snarled Dovestar, her eyes gleaming with pride.

Eclipsepaw peered around to see ShadowClan and ThunderClan warriors surrounding the camp. Their eyes gleaming in the moonlight. Starpaw was guarding Frostpaw, while Tawnypaw was helping Frostpaw walk to the medicine den to wait. It was now that Eclipsepaw noticed Frostpaw's blood splattered pelt. Her attention turned back to Speckle and Dovestar.

"Leave. Take you and your so-called Clan with you. I never want to see you again." Dovestar commanded.

Tiger growled. Speckle led her clan out of the camp with Twistclaw and Toadleap following them. This will not be the last you see BoulderClan. Eclipsepaw whipped her head around to see a faint outline of a starry warrior. They have never faced failure before and they don't intend to leave without getting what they want.

Eclipsepaw's pelt bristled and she drew back her lips in a snarl. "ShadowClan will get rid of this… this… BoulderClan if it is the last thing we shall ever do!" she hissed in an ominously quiet tone.

"I don't know, Eclipsepaw. It might take more than just ShadowClan to get rid of BoulderClan," growled Starpaw. He obviously wasn't happy to admit it, but they all knew it was true.

She was taken aback. "They are not a clan! How could you possibly consider them one of us?" spat Eclipsepaw, outraged.

"Take it easy, Eclipsepaw. I'm just calling them what they claim to be. What else should I call them? They are too big in numbers to be just a band of rogues, and they are too organized, much like a clan. But, I agree, they will never be a true clan, even if they do call themselves that."

Eclipsepaw, fur still bristling with fury, clawed at the ground and said, "I don't care how long it takes. I am going to drive every last cat from BoulderClan out the forest for three reasons and three reasons only. One, they have no code of honor; two, they threaten my clan, and three, they messed with my sister. No cat is going to hold my sister hostage and leave without a single clawmark. Oh, they can have mercy, but not from me. I am going to rip every single BoulderClan cat to shard of a twig. And I will not rest until my clan is safe from BoulderClan."

Cats around her cheered furiously. Eclipsepaw realized now that other cats had heard her. Starpaw brushed her side and licked behind her ear. She turned to see him smiling. Dovestar was gazing proudly at Eclipsepaw.

"Well said, Eclipsepaw." She rose her voice, "We'll step up patrols. From now on there will be at least four warriors on each patrol and in addition to the dawn and dusk patrol, we will have a moon-high and sun-high patrols. One smaller patrol in between the four main patrol. Remember to keep your senses alert for anything unusual." Dovestar was now gazing down from highbranch. "Swanfern, send a patrol for the medicine cats and the wounded."

She paused and seemed to remember something. "Oh, and the other patrols, as well." Dovestar called after her deputy. Swanfern nodded and started calling out names.

"Sprucetail, take Lilyfur, Eclipsepaw, Maplepaw, and Sparrowpaw to retrieve the medicine cats and the wounded." Swanfern gazed around the crowd gathered below. Her eyes rested on Eclipsepaw.

"Rabbitclaw, take Toadleap, Whiteclaw, Adderclaw, and Starpaw to check up on ThunderClan-"

Eclipsepaw couldn't hear the last thing that Swanfern said. Her patrol was already padded out of the camp to the gathering place. The pine straw was soft against her pads, and yet she couldn't help but feeling tense from the BoulderClan encounter. Eclipsepaw remembered Frostpaw. She was going to make the BoulderClan cats wish they had never been kitted.

"Eclipsepaw? You don't scent any trouble, do you?"

Eclipsepaw was so caught up in revenge that she didn't notice Sparrowpaw pad beside her. Sparrowpaw was looking at her with genuine concern in his eyes. She flattened her fur and looked away, embarrassed that her fur had fluffed up.

"Sorry, I was just thinking about those flea-bitten mange-pelts that call themselves a Clan." Eclipsepaw said.

Maplepaw chimed in. "What kind of name is BoulderClan anyway?"

Eclipsepaw couldn't help but snarl at the mention BoulderClan. She dug her claws into the sand. They were almost at the fallen tree. The waves lapped almost soothingly against the shore. Her paws sank into the sand with every step. She felt the footsteps of many cats before her. Only this time it was different. This time there were cats that were willing to kill kits to get what they want. Eclipsepaw knew that they were no real threat. Then why did she feel afraid?

"BoulderClan is made up of a bunch of mouse-brains who think they actually have a chances against ShadowClan." Sparrowpaw continued.

"We can all agree that ShadowClan is the best, but I doubt we'll be able to take on BoulderClan alone," Maplepaw reasoned.

"Whatever, Maplepaw, " hissed Eclipsepaw, "I'll be happy as long as I get my paws on some BoulderClan blood,"

"I agree with Maplepaw," responded Sparrowpaw, "The smart thing to do would be to get another clan to help."

Eclipsepaw pondered Sparrowpaw's statement.

I really want to rip their guts out, but it probably suicide without any help. The best option would be to get help from Riverclan or Thunderclan. Definitely not those mouse-brained Windclan cats. They can't even catch a mouse.

"I'm sorry. I just really don't want to look weak for asking help of another clan." sighed Eclipsepaw.

"I don't think any cat is proud of it. But it is the wisest thing to do." agreed Sparrowpaw.

Lilyfur chuckled ahead of them. Sprucetail looked back at the three apprentices trying to hide his amusement. Eclipsepaw's gaze flickered from Lilyfur to Sprucetail. Her eyes narrowed.

"What's so funny?" Asked Sparrowpaw.

"You three talk like Clan leaders at a gathering!" Lilyfur exclaimed and burst into laughter. She looked over at Maplepaw, who couldn't help but agree.

They were nearing the tree bridge. A mourning wail came from the island. The two warriors exchanged a worried glance and speed across as carefully as they could. The sky seemed to darken as rain began to pour. Eclipsepaw laid her gazed on the limp body. She padded closer. Mossfur and Moonpaw had their heads bowed to the golden-red furred cat. That is Embersong! she realized with a pang.

Her feet carried her beside Moonpaw. Eclispepaw sighed. Frostpaw had already been through so much tonight. This would completely break her heart. She stared at Embersong's blood soaked pelt. Embersong had been the closest to the entrance when they were attacked. Her mouth was still open, seeming to be screaming even after death. Why had StarClan brought this upon them?

"When BoulderClan came," Moonpaw began, her green eyes engulfed in sadness. "Embersong was with Sprucetail. They had scented something strange. It wasn't until one of the intruders pounced did they realize what that scent was."

Mossfur looked up. "She fought so bravely. I am proud to call her my sister."

"Embersong was your sister?" gasped Eclipsepaw.

Mossfur nodded. "She shouldn't have died. There were many things she wanted to do before she joined the ranks of StarClan; and there were many cats who loved her..." Her meow was flat and choked up, and her eyes were unreadable and glossy with the tears she was trying to hold back.

"I think we should bring Embersong back to camp to give her a proper vigil," mewed Lilyfur.

"Yes," whispered Mossfur, "She deserves that."