Chapter 10, solitary slaughter

Fireheart's spine froze in horror. In the direct sun-light, he could see every surface of every bone that made up the pile. His mind passed him the gruesome image of the pile of bones he had seen after Sandstar's leadership ceremony. The image burned together with the real one that was in front of Fireheart. The near nightmare of the prophecy ravaged the tips of his ears, "Four will become two, lion and tiger will meet in battle, and blood shall rule the forest.

In the moment of clarity that followed, Fireheart realized that the foreboding pile was only made up of prey bones. The bones that had drown him in blood was made of both prey and cat bones. It still held its menace, seeing what Fireheart wished he could forget like a bad dream haunt the real world.

"… on top!" whispered Ravenpaw.

"What?" Fireheart asked, not taking his eyes of the hill of the dead.

"Tigerstar's on top of the bone pile." Ravenpaw restated. "He must use it to address the clans." Ravenpaw surmised. Not a moment later, Tigerstar confirmed Ravenpaw's idea.

"Let the members of Tigerclan gather under the bone hill for a meeting!" he cried out over the shell of a clearing. Fireheart watched as the cats around the clearing slowly picked themselves together and head for the hill. More cats came from the opposite side of the clearing, each looking just as gaunt as the last. Fireheart thought that Tigerstar would place Shadowclan over Riverclan, keeping the best prey for his own. But aside from Tigerstar and a few of his tougher clan-mates, cats from both clans looked like they were slowly dieing under his rule.

Fireheart scooted in tighter to his hiding place, acutely aware that his coat provided very little camouflage among the light-green plants. Greystripe whispered something to Ravenpaw, who kept his eyes transfixed on Tigerstar. Though he was a stronger, sleeker, wiser cat than before, it didn't stop the pang of fear Fireheart sensed he felt. The things Ravenpaw went through when he lived in Thunderclan. Seeing his old mentor as the most powerful cat in the forest could only tighten those fears.

The space around the pile of bones was cluttered with cats, all looking up half expectantly at their leader. Tigerstar made eye-contact with several of the cats to make sure he had their attention. "Firstly, I'd to announce that I have finally have a plan to drive off the two-legs that constantly hunt in both of our territories."

'Hunt in both of the territories?' Fireheart mind clicked. He could understand why the Two-legs would want to hunt in Riverclan's rivers. The bounty of fish was quite a prize to have. But what would they gain from hunting in Shadowclan? The swamp land terrain held little that would interest a Two-leg.

"…acks that will make them know they're not welcome. After our little meeting with Windclan, I myself will lead the attacks with our most fit warriors. We'll show those two-legs that we will keep what is ours!" Tigerstar cried out with vigor. The crowd responded loudly, especially for how weak they looked, though most of the enthusiasm came from Shadowclan warriors. Some of the Riverclan cats didn't join in, and instead passed around glances.

Tigerstar let the crowd cheer itself out before continuing. He spoke when his voice could be herd over the sound of the cats. "Now, we have another problem to deal with. Bring forth the half-bloods!"

…

The sun was bright in the sky, and the warm rays nearly blinded Sandstar when she left her den. She still didn't like having to sleep alone in the den, but if it was what the leader did, she was more than willing to do it. She stretched her hind legs, which felt a little pressed. Even with the threat of Leaf-bare rushing on them, not too long after the fire, Sandstar couldn't help but to feel good in the sunlight, as the warriors work ethic seemed to drift over the whole camp. Already the defensive wall had risen over shoulder-height under Frostfur's supervision, making the camp feel much more secure.

Sandstar lazily gazed around the clearing, wondering what she should do with her day. She had spent the most of the last few days helping repair the wall and helping Cinderpelt stalk up before the end of Leaf fall. She spotted Whitestorm organizing the morning patrol. He had Fernpaw and her new mentor, Dustpelt, Longtail and his apprentice, Bramblepaw. Seeing Bramblepaw made a note of sadness in Sandstar's heart. Sandstar's own apprentice, Tawnypaw, had disappeared in the direction of Shadowclan, along with Darkstripe. Sandstar was more than a little angry to be betrayed, but she also belittled herself for not 'seeing this coming'.

Tawnypaw was the daughter of Tigerstar, and as such felt a lot of pressure from Thunderclan. In Shadowclan, it seemed that the Tigerstar legacy would be well received. But that left Darkstripe. There had been rumors of him feeding information to Tigerstar around camp, and though Sandstar didn't want to believe them, the fact that he went with Tigerstar's daughter to meet him only confirmed what Sandstar had heard.

Sandstar crossed the open space towards the patrol. It had been too long since she last left camp for anything besides herbs. "Whitestorm was headed towards the warriors den, obviously to find another member for the patrol. "Whitestorm." she said, "I'll go on the patrol."

He glanced at her a moment. "Well… That saves me some paws. Alright, Sandstar, you take the lead." Whitestorm bowed his head, then left for the warriors den. Sandstar felt a little embarrassed to get such a respectful gesture from Whitestorm. He had been her mentor, and something felt off about having command over him. She flicked the thought away and joined her patrol.

She led them to the top of the ravine, where a slight breeze picked up. Sandstar took a deep breath and looked at the perfect blue sky. Today was going to be a good day.

"Now Bramblepaw. Can you smell anything?"

…

Fireheart was stiff with horror, and he struggled to keep Greystripe down. The meeting Tigerstar had called broke apart to its separate duties. Leopardstar bowed her head to touch the fur of her deputy for the last time, while other Riverclan cats watched from a short distance off. The whole scene happened too fast. Tigerstar calling Stonefur and Mistyfoot traitors, Darkstripe, of all cats, fighting and loosing to Stonefur, Stonefur struggling with death as a Shadowclan cat nipped his throat…

"Let me up, Fireheart! I'll flay Tigerstar!" Greystripe struggled under Firehearts paws.

"If we charge in now, we'll all be killed like Stonefur. And then what will you kits do?"

Greystripe stopped struggling, his eyes keen on the ground. He still bore his snarl.

"Think of it this way," Ravenpaw said. "What better revenge could there be than to make Tigerstar look foolish by releasing his prisoners?"

Greystripe let the thought stir a moment. "… Alright. No let me up." he demanded.

Fireheart got off him, and he got up. "So what's the plan."

"The plan is, find Mistyfoot, break her loose, find your kits, then get out of here before we're shredded for mouse bedding." Ravenpaw said. "I think they took her over there." he pointed out a patch of grass just beyond the bone hill.

Fireheart felt the air super charged with tension, and as he followed Ravenpaw and Greystripe thought the thick, Riverclan growth, he couldn't help feel conflicted about the two clans joining together. From what Tigerstar said at the beginning of the meeting, it was obvious that he had the best for both clans in mind, at least at surface value. Fireheart knew he wouldn't stop hunting power, even if Starclan itself stood in his way, but what would happen when he got it? And what did Starclan think of the two clans joining? Had they shown their disapproval, sticking by the notion that there should always be four clans in the forest? Did they see a chance to strengthen all cats in the forest against the growing bitter conditions in Tigerstar, and gave him a second chance?

And, most menacingly of all, what did the Tiger and lion prophecy have to do with the newly joined clans? The connections were obvious. There was a bone hill in the vision, and on Riverclan territory. There was to be a battle between Lion and Tiger, and Tigerstar was now head of Tiger clan. That only left on thing out of the sun; "And blood will rule the forest."

The three-some were crouched in a thinly grassed area. Greystripe was there first, and halted the party at the edge. A little more than seven fox-lengths away, sitting motionless in front of a hollow spot in the ground, was a Shadowclan cat with a surprisingly deep white pelt. She kept his eyes trained straight ahead at nothing, taking her duties as a guard to seriously.

"What do we do now?" Greystripe whispered with frustration, "They have the den guarded."

"How do we know that this place is where they put Mistyfoot?" Fireheart asked.

"They're not going to guard an empty hole." Greystripe responded. "So, how are we going to get past her?"

"Well…" Ravenpaw kept his eyes on the hole. "That's obviously an old fox den. The hole is to wide for anything else."

"What does that have to do with anything?" Fireheart asked impatiently.

"Foxes are clever creatures. Whenever they have a den, they always make sure to have several entrances and exits so they won't get backed into a corner if attacked at home. Tigerclan probably filled in the other hole, but it they filled it recently, the dirt will be soft, so we can dig in from a different place, bypassing the guard altogether." Ravenpaw ended his explanation.

"So we should find a spot with softer dirt?" Greystripe confirmed.

"My guess is that it would be over there." Ravenpaw pointed with his nose. "Its pretty sheltered over there, which would help hide the hole. Its best we look around there."

Greystripe and Fireheart looked at each other a moment and nodded. It was the best plan they had.

Quiet as to not alert the guard, the party slipped around the foliage carefully to the spot Ravenpaw had indicated. Fireheart ventured his cover to test the dirt around it, and found it to be soft, freshly churned soil. Tentatively, he sheathed his straining claws and started to paw out the dirt, finding it surprisingly easy to go under several whisker lengths at a time. Ravenpaw and Greystripe joined him in the dig, pushing mounds of dirt out until the layer collapsed, revealing a tunnel under the ground. Without a word passed, Fireheart ducked down into the thin tunnel, and entered.

IT was fairly long and easy to follow, even though Fireheart had to keep his eyes shut to prevent loose dirt from getting into them. He turned the only corner, and was hit with a low meowing sound. It was the sound of a cat being defensive, obviously in the face of a threat.

"Mistyfoot?" Fireheart asked the sound? "Mistyfoot?"

"You… you not… why are you here?" Her tone was puzzled but not without hostility.

"We were coming to ask you about Greystripe's kits. But when we saw what happened out there, we knew we had to get you away. Where are Stormkit and Featherkit?"

"Stormpaw and Featherpaw. They're somewhere in Shadowclan territory. Tigerstar was going to use them as a 'gift'." Mistyfoot said.

"To who?" Fireheart asked.

"Tigerstar didn't say, not in a way that I would hear." Mistyfoot sounded worried.

"It doesn't matter. We're going to go get them back."

"But where will we go? Are we welcome in Thunderclan?"

"You have Thunderclan blood in you, Bluestar's of all cats. They wouldn't be a clan of the forest if they didn't give you shelter when you needed it most. And Greystripe can make a place in Thunderclan for his kits on his own."

"a clan…" Mistyfoot murmured to her self. Fireheart couldn't see her, but he could picture her looking at the ground.

"I don't think we have time to send you to Thunderclan, especially not alone. If you can still fight, you can come along with us to free Featherpaw and Stormpaw." Fireheart didn't know if Tigerclan treated its prisoners kindly, but since Mistyfoot was Riverclan she should have been kept in somewhat good condition

"You doubt my ability to keep up with you?" Mistyfoot said in a mock 'taken aback' tone.

"Only if you do." Fireheart said. He backed up through the tunnel until he found a spot wide enough to turn around in. "Come on. I don't know how long we have before Tigerclan will sent someone to check on you."

He emerged into the sunlight again, and shook off the dirt that weighted down his coat. "Greystripe." he said quickly. "We're going to Shadowclan to get you kits. Mistyfoot is coming with us to help. You lead."

Mistyfoot emerged from the hole behind Fireheart. She and Greystripe exchanged a greeting before Greystripe took them on the path leading to Shadowclan. The sun was nearly down when the four finally crossed the bridge and the thunder path, and into Shadowclan territory. The air had slowly grown a small set of cold teeth; Fireheart hadn't noticed until he started shivering.

Fireheart had always been wary of Shadowclan's land, more than any of the other clans. He had friends in Windclan, and Riverclan, though fighting with Thunderclan the most, had some ties. But Shadowclan always seemed the most hostel. The only time he had ever been in Shadowclan was when he was rescued Brakenfur and Cinderpelt from Brokenstar and drove him out of Shadowclan. That was the closest thing to friendly he had ever gotten with the clan.

"We shouldn't have to much trouble sneaking in." Fireheart said, trying to break the isolated feeling. "Most if not all of Shadowclan is in Riverclan."

"They must have left some warriors to guard the camp. Tigerstar's no fool, and besides, if there wasn't anything stopping them, they would have left Shadowclan to find me, or more likely, Greystripe." Mistyfoot reminded him.

"But where would they keep them?" Greystripe said. He was flexing his claws, ready to tear through everything to get to his kin.

"In camp, probably. With most the dens emptied in favor of living in Riverclan, they probably have them guarded in one of them." Ravenpaw said coolly. Of all the cats, he was the most calm.

"Ravenpaw, can you act like you're a Riverclan cat?" Fireheart asked.

Ravenpaw looked slightly confused. "I can…"

"Alright, here's the plan." Fireheart started. He was getting sick of the word 'plan'. "Ravenpaw, we're going to have 'escort' Mistyfoot to Shadowclan camp, saying Tigerstar wants her held here with the kits to keep them in one place. Then, I want you to tell us as much as you cat about where they're being kept. If we can break them loose without a fight, all the better. But we might have to fight our way through if there's no other option. Mistyfoot, are you okay with this?"

"As long as it works." She said with resolution.

"Ravenpaw, what about you?" He turned to his friend.

"It seems easy enough." He responded.

"Okay. Greystripe and I will be waiting in the patch of grass just off to the side of the entrance of camp… over there." He said. They had come up to the camp while he was talking, and now he motioned to a patch of deep green grass on the far side of the entrance.

"Well, no time like now to start. Get going, you two." Greystripe said impatiently. The three of them let the comment go. These were Greystripe's kits at stake. Fireheart had never been a father, so he wouldn't know how Greystripe felt right now.

Ravenpaw lead Mistyfoot up to the entrance of Shadowclan camp, while Gresytripe and Fireheart hid in the grass. Fireheart kept his ears pricked for the sound if fighting, but not two moments later, Ravenpaw returned without Mistyfoot, or a single new scratch.

"Well?" Greystripe asked.

"They're keeping them in the crevice between two rocks. Not a lot of space. The only way to them is right down the center of camp. Tigerstar left four warriors, what I think is the medicine cat, and a queen with small kits."

"Right. I think we should charge in, tell my kits and Mistyfoot to follow us, then get out of there as quickly as possible."

"I hate to admit it, but it sounds like that's what we're going to do. I don't see any other way." Ravenpaw said.

Fireheart shifted uneasily. He was thankful to Starclan that he had been able to make it this far without being found. He just hoped it was worth blowing his cover now. "Alright. Greystripe, you'll be the one to get them. We've not time for pleasantries, so please don't stop to nuzzle your children. If we're going to make it out alive with them, we're going to have to be fast."

…

Sandstar lead her patrol around tall pines, admiring the plants that had sprung up among the ashes in spite of the fire. Her feet felt dry with the ashes, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her skin was flaking, even though she knew it was only ash. Fernpaw was teaching Bramblepaw a tip about stalking mice while Dustpelt looked on, and Longtail was nosing around some of the greenery, no doubt in search of prey.

Sandstar had decided to take her patrol around the two-legged place before checking on the Shadowclan border. Though she highly doubted it, she wanted to make sure that there weren't any rogues from Shadowclan on Thunderclan territory. She knew that Brokenstar's warriors had lived around here before they rejoined Shadowclan, but she wanted to make sure they were all gone.

Sandstar sat down and licked her paw, then recoiled at the taste. It was no better than if she had licked the tree directly. She ran her paw over her ear a few times then let it drop. She wished a strong wind would pick up and blow away the ash. But, just like the plant life did, the wind had died and only began to regenerate a little. By the time strong winds came, the clans would be burried in snow.

She remembered last winter, when she was still Sandpaw. How did she rise through the ranks so quickly? She remembered the frozen river, and that Bluestar was going to use it to launch an attack on Riverclan to keep them off Thunderclan. She remembered earlier that morning when she and Fireheart were sent on a patrol alone, and how she had surprise attacked him in play. She could remember when he first saved her from falling into the gorge on Riverclan territory, proving that he was a loyal member to Thunderclan and that he really did care. Those memories seemed too sweet in the light of the present. They were so vivid that she could almost…

That she could…

A stale scent and drifted into her nose when she was day-dreaming. Mixing with the memories, she reconised it as Firehearts. She shot to alertness and took another sniff. She didn't find another trace. She looked around casually, then bent down to find more of the scent. She didn't, to her frustration. Her mind must have tricked her sense of smell.

"Its time to move on." She commanded. Her patrol gathered around her. Longtail had a small, old thrush in his mouth, and Bramblepaw was covered in a mix of dirt and ash. "Don't worry, Bramblepaw. You get it next time." Dustpelt reassured him.

"Alright, well head towards the Shadowclan boarder now…"

…

Fireheart faced his opponents, hissing in they're faces as they backed him into a corner. Ravenpaw was tussling with an opponent, and Greystripe, who had already drove the breath from the other warrior, was guiding his kits towards the entrance of the camp as fast as they could go. Mistyfoot had been following them, but took one look at Fireheart and charged for one of his attackers. One of them swiped at Fireheart, and he swiped back. Then Mistyfoot crashed into them from behind, opening a window for Fireheart to knock the other one away.

Ravenpaw struggled away from his opponent and ran for the entrance, with Fireheart and Mistyfoot darting in after him. Fireheart hissed as teeth clamped on his tail. Fireheart kicked out strongly and pulled his tail away, but was rammed into by another warrior. Fireheart kicked and scrached until he had enough spase to sprint, making his break away from another slash. "Greystripe! Ravenpaw! Everyone! Head for the tunnel!" Fireheart yelled as he poured on speed. With Shadowclan dogging them, crossing the road would be a huge risk. But Fireheart knew of a tunnel that lead under the thunder path. Littlecloud had used it to return to Shadowclan from Thunderclan when he and Whitethroat came for help when a disease tore their clan to shreds. Fireheart couldn't see Ravenpaw, Greystripe, or Mistyfoot, nor did he think they heard him. He wildly ran after their scent tail, not surprised to find them taking the most direct route in spite of obstacles.

They had even jumped a fallen tree… most of them. Fireheart heard a mew-cry and followed it to a tangle of branches, where Featherpaw was caught, scratched up by the twists of wood.

"Fireheart, help me!" She cried. He was surprised a moment she knew his name, but started snapping branches off to get to the frightened apprentice. He was about to grab her when a cat shot into his side, spitting "You wont make it away alive!" Fireheart was knocked clear the tree, and landed dazed on his side. The warrior landed on top of him, pinning him to the hard ground. Fireheart struggled under their strength. He heard a high-pitched hiss, and a thud on wood above him. Featherpaw was under attack! He wrenched helplessly under the Shadowclan warrior, but to no avail. Fireheart could hear fighting on top of the tree. He swung his head to avoid a kill bite, missing by a mere whisker-length.

Then another weight crashed down on the Shadowclan cat, and, with Fireheart's squirming keeping him of balance, slammed him off of Fireheart. Fireheart struggled to his feet, to see Featherpaw and another Shadowclan warrior tustling. Featherpaw was loosing badly, with differences in size and experience, and Featherpaw weak from lack of food. Fireheart smacked the warriors face with claws outstretched, and grabbed Featherpaw by the scruff, who was bleeding badly from several wounds across her body.

He was glad she was light, or she might have slowed him down more. They were near the thunder path. Fireheart could see the black surface. In effect of safety, he rushed for the tunnel next to the road. It was still here, and Fireheart thanked Starclan for leading him to it. He pushed Featherpaw through it, and yelled "Go". She struggled under the dirt and through the tunnel. Fireheart turned around and smashed his paw across the face of the Shadowclan warrior he had been pinned by as he ran up to him, then turned to follow her.

He scrambled through the tunnel, practically pushing Featherpaw out the opposite side. She was in bad shape, managing to limp though the tunnel. Fireheart emerged back into sunlight, then grabbed Featherpaw again. He sprinted… for one moment, before running head-first into another cat, shoving them to the ground. He faced the cat on the ground, ready to fight or run if either were necessary. He did the ladder.

…

Sandstar walked miserably along the border. She usually tried to stave off thoughts of Fireheart because she always ended up in a rut for the rest of the day. And she hated having ash constantly clingling to her fur. She decided it was time for a break. "We'll take a break here. Dustpelt, Longtail, Take your aprentices in opposite directions and see what you can catch."

"Yes, Sandstar." Longtail said respectfully.

"Yes, Sandstar." Dustpelt echoed. "Now Fernpaw. Where should we go to look for prey?"

The two groups split up on their hunt, and Sandstar went another way, hopping to find something to satisfy the hunger she felt. She had skipped a morning meal, and only now felt like she needed to eat. She crouched down in bush cover, and searched for prey. She saw a mouse scuffling among the roots of a tree not far away. She hadn't smelled it because of the strong stench the thunder path gave off, but that wouldn't stop her from catching it. She crouched on her haunches, crept forward a pace, and…

A loud caterwaul shocked the forest from the boarder, on Shadowclan's side. Sandstar was momentarily destracted, and when she looked back to the spot the mouse had been, it was empty. Sandstar hid her frustration and stood up. What made Shadowclan think they needed to be so loud?! She looked over the border with scorn. Prickly frog eaters. But what she saw made her heart skip a beat. Greystripe was charging across the thunder path from Shadowclan's side, with a smaller looking Greystripe in his teeth. He was being closely followed by a black cat with a white tipped tail, who was supporting Mistyfoot, the sister of the deputy of Riverclan. It was an odd sight, one that Sandstar couldn't figure out.

A pair of Shadowclan warriors charged across the thunder path, leaping at the black cat who was with Mistyfoot. He pushed Mistyfoot into the grass, then dodged the attack. Then, Longtail came out of no-where and rammed into the Shadowclan cat, throwing him nearly back onto the thunder path. Fernpaw, who should have been with Dustpelt, came from the other side and lunged at the back cat. Greystripe intercepted her with a head butt, then pointed her towards the other Shadowclan warrior. Dustpelt came up from behind her and routed the Shadowclan warrior that Greystripe had indicated.

She was going to go help when a furry body rammed into her. She toppled over, and landed on her side. But, no cat leaped on her to pin her, and she shook the daze that had taken her head to face her attacker. The attacker was ginger, and was holding a silver coated kit in his mouth. The familiar scent filled the roof of Sandstar's mouth as she stared up at Fireheart. He took one glance at her and ran, leaving a flurry of leaves in his wake. Sandstar got up to follow him, but before she could brace her balance, a cat jumped on her, fastening their claws into her pelt and biting down on her tail.

She rolled with the hit, landing on top of the cat and slicing her claws down their face. She heard a hiss from somewhere near by, and, after scoring her claws on her enemy then letting him flee, found Bramblepaw on top of another warrior, biting down ferociously on his ear. The cat flipped onto his back, crushing Bramblepaw with his weight. Before Sandstar could intervene, Longtail blasted out from nowhere and bashed into the warrior.

Sandstar's mind was still reeling, but she turned to follow Fireheart. Where was he going, and where did he come from? And why? All Sandstar knew was that she had to catch him!

…

Spottedleaf looked at the crowd of Starclan cats, more than a little frightened. Bluestar stood in front of her, accusation in her eyes. "And you showed the ritual to an outsider!" she hissed.

"Bluestar, try to understand. Fireheart deserved to see it! He was chosen by Starclan to lead Thunderclan!"

"You knew better, Spottedleaf!" Bluestar hissed. "Only leaders get to see the ceremony! Its as much a part of the warrior code as caring for a queen with kits!"

"But…"

"Enough! You broke the rules of Starclan! And you will face the consequences!"

"Spottedleaf, for ignoring the laws of Starclan and breaking the sacred truce we have with the clans, you are sentenced to..."