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Chapter 18

Rainwhisker and Icepaw hurried through the dark forests, weaving in between the trees and bramble patches. They had crossed the river a while back and were now deep in Shadowclan territory. Icepaw's feet were a blur of white and grey fur flashing brightly against the gloomy floor. She knew that she stood out against the shadowy and dense trees; a Shadowclan patrol would spot her from a mile away. She glanced over at Rainwhisker, whose dappled coat blended in much better with the trees and branches.

Oddly enough, there didn't seem to be a sign of Shadowclan anywhere. Icepaw was surprised they had gotten this far into the other clan's territory without incident.

"How do you know where you're going?" called Icepaw, chasing after Rainwhisker as he jumped over a fallen tree.

"Just follow your nose," he replied, panting. "The Shadowclan scent is getting stronger. We must be close to their camp."

Icepaw's ears burned. Why didn't she think of that? Now she looked like a fool. No wonder she wasn't a warrior.

The two cats continued on through the woods. The tall trees reached up to the sky, blocking out most of the sunlight. Icepaw shivered. She couldn't believe Shadowclan liked living under these creepy trees, far from any bodies of water.

The rain had stopped, but the heavy clouds still covered the grey sky. The air was getting chillier. Icepaw realized that greenleaf was nearly over. Leaf-fall was drawing closer and after leaf-fall was the dreaded season of leaf-bare. Icepaw just hoped that Riverclan was strong enough to cope with the freezing weather and shortage of prey during leaf-bare.

"I think that's the entrance to the camp." Rainwhisker's voice brought Icepaw out of her thoughts.

The two cats stopped running, catching their breath and staring at Shadowclan's camp.

The camp was a small, compact clearing, surrounded by arching trees on all sides. Rocks and boulders were scattered around the clearing. Icepaw assumed these stones served as dens. She looked around distastefully. The outskirts of the camp was covered in mud. There was barely any light and Icepaw was horrified to see the rotting carcass of a rabbit hidden next to a tree stump. Icepaw grimaced. Apparently not all clans lived as nicely as Riverclan did.

"Let's go," Rainwhisker said.

Icepaw looked up, startled.

"We can't just march into their camp Rainwhisker!" she exclaimed.

"I should think not," a voice said from behind them.

Rainwhisker and Icepaw spun around, claws bared. Icepaw noticed that Rainwhisker moved to his right slightly, so he was standing in front of her.

"I can protect myself," she hissed softly, pushing Rainwhisker to the side. Rainwhisker looked disgruntled but let her be, instead focusing his attention on the cats standing before them.

Icepaw recognized Irisclaw, the female warrior who had made it to the last Gathering. An orange and white apprentice stood behind her, growling at the Riverclan cats. The cat who had spoken was a gaunt black tom. His lips were curled up over his teeth. Icepaw vaguely remembered his name; Yellowtip.

"We come in peace-" Rainwhisker began.

Irisclaw cut him off. "Yeah right! You want to attack us while we're still weak!"

Icepaw narrowed her eyes at Irisclaw but made a point of sheathing her claws.

"Don't be so mouse-brained. How could two Riverclan cats take on all of Shadowclan?" Icepaw said scathingly.

The Shadowclan apprentice nodded his head, as if he thought this was a good point.

"Silverstar sent us," Rainwhisker said quickly, before Irisclaw could cut him off again. "We were attacked two nights ago by the same Twolegs that battled you. We need to see Tearstar immediately."

Icepaw held her breath as she watched the Shadowclan cats glance at each other.

"Alright," Yellowtip finally decided. "But we'll be watching you. Any funny stuff and I won't hesitate to rip you to shreds."

"Nice cat," Rainwhisker muttered to Icepaw, who smiled wryly.

Yellowtip began walking towards the entrance of the camp, his eyes flashing with mistrust. Irisclaw resentfully took up the back and growled every so often when Icepaw glanced behind her. The white and orange tom approached Icepaw, a shy look on his face.

"I'm Robinpaw," he said quietly.

"My name is Icepaw," she replied, smiling at the apprentice.

"Welcome to Shadowclan," Robinpaw said.

xxx

All of Icepaw's irritation towards the Shadowclan cats disappeared once she got into their camp. It was much, much worse than she had thought.

A calico she-cat was lying on her side under a split rock. Half her fur had been torn off. A tabby tom with long legs was stretched out next to the she-cat, his entire head was covered in cobwebs.

As soon as Robinpaw entered the camp, he trotted off towards what must have been the apprentice's den, looking back at Icepaw sorrowfully as he went. Two other apprentices, Winterpaw and Brookpaw, were laying next to a tree stump covered in moss.

Icepaw couldn't bare to look at the single queen in the nursery. She had a broken leg and an expression in her eyes that clearly said, "all is lost."

As the Riverclan cats walked towards the biggest boulder in the clearing, the other Shadowclan cats stared at them openly, some with hostility, and some with plain curiosity.

"This is Tearstar's den. I'll go tell her you're here," Yellowtip offered, not waiting for an answer. He went around the other side of the rock and vanished. Irisclaw sat on the ground, pouting, her eyes fixed on Rainwhisker and Icepaw.

Icepaw caught a glimpse of a harried-looking black cat running by them, herbs clutched in his mouth.

"That's Tosstree, the medicine cat," Rainwhisker whispered in Icepaw's ear.

"This is bad," Icepaw replied softly, "they were ravaged by the Twolegs. They're running out of cats."

Rainwhisker didn't reply, he just looked sadly around the clearing.

Suddenly, Yellowtip reappeared from around the boulder.

"Go around. She'll talk with you," he grunted. "She wants to be alone with you two, otherwise I'd come."

Icepaw dipped her head in thanks and trotted around the big rock, Rainwhisker trailing behind her.

The other side of the stone was smoothly hollowed out, forming a half-cave. The dark tabby pelt of Tearstar was visible as she washed her fur, her eyes closed.

"Uh, Tearstar," Icepaw started.

The leader looked up. Her green eyes were dull and half-closed.

"Welcome Icepaw and Rainwhisker. Yellowtip tells me Riverclan was attacked by Twolegs," Tearstar said. Her voice seemed thin and weary.

"Yes," Icepaw said. "Two nights ago. We think it was the same group of Twolegs that attacked your clan. Silverstar sent us to alert you. She has asked that you pass this warning on to Thunderclan who will in turn pass it along to Windclan."

Tearstar didn't say anything. She glanced up at the trees towering above her head and sighed.

"How many of you did they kill?" she asked.

Rainwhisker and Icepaw looked at each other apprehensively.

"Um, none," Rainwhisker said. "We fought them off before they could reach our camp."

Tearstar sat up quickly, a sharp look in her eyes.

"What? How is that possible?" she demanded.

"We f-found a technique that can be used to get rid of their weapons," Icepaw stammered.

Tearstar's eyes were wide open now. Her fur was beginning to stand on end. Icepaw took a cautious step backwards.

"How? You MUST teach Shadowclan," she said. Icepaw heard the desperateness in her voice.

"Yes, of course I'll show you," Icepaw replied swiftly.

Tearstar jumped to her paws and gestured to the Riverclan cats with her tail.

"Follow me," she said. "You will teach my clan how to defend themselves against the Twolegs and I will pass Silverstar's message on to the other clans. If you do this, I will be in Riverclan debt."

Icepaw and Rainwhisker nodded. Their task was half-done.