Silvershine's paws landed on empty earth. The mouse that was her target scurried away across the ThunderClan border and out of sight. "Mousedung!" Silvershine spat. "WindClan needed that mouse!"
"ThunderClan needs it more," came a mew from the undergrowth where the mouse had fled to.
Silvershine recognized it immediately. "Racconpaw? What're you doing out of camp? Aren't you in trouble?"
"Mudstar's been sending out more hunting patrols this moon," Raccoonpaw said, emerging from the undergrowth with the mouse dangling in his jaws. He dropped it at his paws to speak more clearly. "ThunderClan's really low on fresh-kill."
Silvershine looked Raccoonpaw over. He did look thinner than usual, although not enough to suggest that the whole Clan was low on prey. His pelt was dull, evidence to the fact that he wasn't getting enough food, or perhaps not the right food.
"The others are worse than me," Raccoonpaw said, noticing Silvershine's disbelief as she looked at him. "I've actually been coming out here to eat berries and herbs. Since I had some medicine cat training, I know what's safe to eat. But it's horrible back at camp! The foxes in our territory are taking all the prey! We might not make it through Leafbare!"
Silvershine hadn't come to see Raccoonpaw as a liar, but the evidence just wasn't there. And why would he lie about the Clan in a bad way? Didn't he know never to tell a cat of a rival Clan that your Clan's doing poorly. "Raccoonpaw, I…I'm having a little trouble believing you…You don't look all that thin…"
"Well…I've been sneaking out to do some extra hunting…since Mudstar hasn't let me out of camp yet," Raccoonpaw said, "which is stupid! She needs my help! She needs all her clanmates hunting day and night if we're gonna get through this! So, I hunt, and find one of the other apprentices out on patrol and give them the fresh-kill to take back. But, I keep something little for myself."
"Raccoonpaw!" Silvershine exclaimed. "The Clan has to be fed first! You can't do that!"
"I caught it!" Raccoonpaw protested. "And besides, I bring it back to camp to eat it. So it's not like I'm eating more than I would anyway. I…I just think since Mudstar's really stressed out about this, she's even more mad at me than she should be. So, I really don't want to be stuck in camp and still eating the Clan's prey. So I get my own."
"I understand your logic," Silvershine said, "but it's against the warrior code. And your clanmates 'll soon realize you've had more prey than them and you'll suffer from it."
"I'm telling you I scented something this way," came a grumpy meow.
"Well shut your yap or you'll scare it," another cat hissed.
Raccoonpaw darted away, ducking into the undergrowth. Before Silvershine could even think of what to do two young toms emerged from the trees. They were both tabbies, one golden the other brown.
"Hey!" the brown one yowled as he spotted Silvershine. "What are you doing here?!"
"I'm on the WindClan side," Silvershine replied as they approached. "Nothing wrong with it, and I'm just hunting here on the off-chance that I can catch a mouse or something that strays across the border."
"More like you'll stray across the border!" the brown tom hissed.
"And what are you two doing here?" Silvershine asked.
"Hunting," the golden tom sounded exhausted. Silvershine gasped as she noticed their appearance for the first time. Their pelts clung to their side and their ribs could be seen through them. Their pelts had lost almost all their gloss and were unkept. The golden tom's eyes were dull and Silvershine thought she saw something glisten under his nose.
"Hey, what's this?!" the brown tom sniffed the mouse Raccoonpaw had caught. "Looks like you crossed the border, stole some of our prey and then got scared when you heard us coming and hurried back across."
"Can you smell my scent, or any WindClan scent, on your side?" Silvershine challenged.
The brown tom sniffed around while the golden tom sat down, apparently not caring about what was going on. "No, I guess you're right," the brown tom replied. "And there's no WindClan scent on the mouse either. Sorry…. But, we're still taking it back to camp! C'mon Lightningstreak."
"Coming," Lightningstreak moaned, picking himself up off the ground.
Silvershine watched them go, a sense of pity stirring in her heart towards them. "Wow, you were right," she said, once they were out of sight.
"I know," Raccoonpaw sighed, emerging from cover. "This is just so terrible! I can't just sit back and do nothing! I need my own prey so I can help the Clan better! A weak cat can't do much. Rainflower's been feeding us all traveling herbs so we still have the strength to hunt, but her stores are getting low, and finding them in Leafbare is next to impossible. Not to mention the first frost is on its way. I'm sure WindClan has felt the chill. Mudstar is so worried too! Cats are coming in from hunting patrols and then going right back out on them. We only have one border patrol a day so that way we can have more hunting patrols. But the foxes are eating all our prey, and we're too busy trying to scrape up scraps to even look for them. And I don't think we're even strong enough to chase them out if we did find them! And with no border patrols and almost no cats in the camp at once, Mudstar's really worried we'll get attacked! If only we could get rid of the foxes, that would solve everything. If something doesn't get done soon, ThunderClan may be wiped out one way or another. What if the foxes find our camp!? We'd be doomed!"
"We can't let that happen!" Silvershine exclaimed. "I'm sure none of the leaders want ThunderClan wiped out for good. There have always been 4 Clans, at least from what I've heard. StarClan can't want this! What does Rainflower say?"
"StarClan's been silent," Raccoonpaw said, "at least that's what she says when Mudstar asks."
"If it's really that bad, Mudstar should have asked for help at the Gathering," Silvershine said. "Or should ask for help at the next one."
"Mudstar would never admit to any weakness in her Clan," Racconpaw said. "I've heard Tigonheart talking and he says he's suggested to her already that she should ask for help at the next Gathering, but Mudstar continuously refuses. She says that if any of the leaders knew about this, they'd send patrols; not to help but to attack us!"
"That's mousedung!" Silvershine said. "No leader would take advantage of you guys. Lillystar seems really nice, too nice actually. I'm sure she'd help out."
"Yea, one problem," Raccoonpaw muttered, "she's across the lake! Our help has to come from WindClan or ShadowClan, and ShadowClan's not exactly friendly."
"Phantomstar's a reasonable cat," Silvershine said. "I know he'd help you. I'll bet his warriors are just itching for a fight, and if they can direct it at the foxes…." We're overdue for a large-scale war! Adderfang's words were so clear in her head, Silvershine thought for a heartbeat that Raccoonpaw could hear them too. "Come to think of it, we've got battle-ready warriors who'd love to sharpen their claws on a fox's pelt!"
"But after what happened last moon?" Racconpaw asked.
"Stormstar wasn't that mad," Silvershine said. "I talked to Snowsoot about it, since it was really my fault. She said Stormstar was madder at her for not telling him than he was at any of us for helping you. Stormstar's a nice and reasonable cat. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to help!"
"You're not gonna tell him, are you?" Raccoonpaw asked.
"Why? What's wrong?" Silvershine asked.
"I'm not supposed to be out of camp or talking to you or telling you ThunderClan's problems," Raccoonpaw said. "If you tell Stormstar I told you, it'll find its way to Mudstar and she'll skin me alive!"
"No problem," Silvershine said, "I'll just make sure not to tell him you told me."
"Well….alright," Raccoonpaw said, nervously. "I guess I shouldn't try and stop you from helping us. I just get the feeling I'm doing something wrong….I don't like that feeling."
"It's alright," Silvershine sympathized. "You're actually doing what's best for your Clan, I just wish Mudstar could see that. Hopefully we can just come in, chase off the foxes, and leave. That way we won't have to deal with Mudstar and she'll never know we were here."
"But your scent," Raccoonpaw protested. "She'll find your scent and know you crossed the border."
"I think it's gonna rain," Silvershine looked up at the dark clouds rolling across the sky, "so our scent will be washed away before the one border patrol gets here."
"I guess you're right," Racconpaw said, a light of hope glimmering in his eyes.
"Trust me," Silvershine said, "everything will work out."
"Alright," Raccoonpaw said. "I gotta get back to camp before Mudstar finds out I'm gone."
"And I gotta hurry up and tell Stormstar before it rains," Silvershine turned around and crouched, ready to run.
"Bye," Raccoonpaw waved his tail as he turned back to his own territory.
"Bye," Silvershine waved as well then, with a flying leap, took off across the moor towards the WindClan camp. She didn't meet any of her clanmates along the way; the patrol had been spread thin to cover more of the moor. She glanced up at the sky as she ran. The dark clouds, heavy with rain, stretched across the sky, chasing her like enemy warriors. A clap of thunder boomed from the black mass causing Silvershine to jump, but not falter.
She skidded down the slope that led to the camp entrance and padded in as if nothing were wrong. She looked around the camp hoping no cat would question why she was back without the rest of the patrol or fresh-kill. Fortunately the Clan had taken shelter from the coming storm and the clearing was empty. Silvershine headed straight into Stormstar's den. "It's Silvershine," she announced as she made her way through the tunnel into the leader's den.
"Come in," Stormstar's reply was unnecessary as Silvershine was already in the den before he finished it.
I wasn't expecting her to be in here, Silvershine thought, looking with distress at the leader's mate. "Well, you won't take this the wrong way, so I guess there's no harm in you being here."
"What is it, Silvershine?" Graymist asked.
"I was hunting over by the ThunderClan border," at the mention of their neighbors, Stormstar's expression turned grim, "and I saw two ThunderClan warriors. They were really thin and their coats were unkept. They were complaining back and forth, and I think one had a cold, or maybe greencough. They were saying how the foxes in their territory have taken almost all the prey, and when prey is scarce as it is. All their efforts are put towards hunting; there's no border patrols and practically no one at camp. They're starving!"
"And they just told you this?" Stormstar asked, skeptically.
"No," Silvershine said, "I overheard them. They had no idea I was there. It was at the border, my scent blended with the border markers."
"Seems careless to be discussing their Clan's problems at the border," Graymist said.
"Never said ThunderClan cats are smart," Silvershine said. "They're definitely not; Mudstar refuses to ask for help."
"So you expect me to give it anyway?" Stormstar asked.
"Um…yea," Silvershine's hopes suddenly sank after hearing his tone. "All we gotta do is chase off the foxes. Then let everything progress naturally. It's gonna rain soon, so our scent will be washed away."
"Silvershine," Graymist sounded sympathetic. "Prey won't return until at least Newleaf. And if it's as bad as you say, there may not be enough prey to procreate."
"Huh?" Silvershine asked.
"She means there won't be enough prey to have young," Stormstar said, "although I don't think that's entirely true. ThunderClan's territory is home to many birds, more birds will come regardless of what we do."
"Are you saying you won't help?!" Silvershine demanded.
"I see no reason to," Stormstar replied. "Mudstar has been less than friendly in recent moons. Why should I help her?"
"Because it's the right thing to do!" Silvershine insisted. "If we don't do something ThunderClan may be wiped out for good!"
"Silvershine, I think you're overreacting," Graymist said. "ThunderClan will survive. StarClan is punishing them for being so pushy."
"Although I doubt they'll realize it," Stormstar flicked his tail in annoyance.
Graymist looked at her mate with a worried expression. Stormstar glanced at her, but then turned away.
"So we're just gonna do nothing?!" Silvershine demanded.
"No," Stormstar replied. "This information needs to be acted upon."
"Stormstar, you wouldn't!" Graymist exclaimed.
"I'm considering it," Stormstar said.
"They haven't done anything to seriously disserve us attacking their camp when they're so weak," Graymist insisted.
"WHAT?!" Silvershine exclaimed. "Stormstar, you can't really be thinking that, can you?"
"Indeed I am," Stormstar said. "And I'm sure most of my Clan will agree with me."
"Most of the Clan is mouse-brained!" Silvershine spat. "They'll attack anything that moves so long as it can't fight back! That's not strength!"
"But Mudstar must be taught a lesson," Stormstar said. "And this may be StarClan giving us that opportunity."
"There's no way this is the will of StarClan!" Silvershine cried.
"We'll see," Stormstar stood up.
"Where are you going?" Silvershine asked.
"To see what my Clan thinks," Stormstar replied, brushing past her to exit the den.
Silvershine turned to Graymist. The she-cat's eyes reflected the fear and worry Silvershine felt. Neither of them wanted anything like this. Silvershine darted out of the den behind Stormstar and was shortly followed by Graymist.
Rain beat down, falling in sheets across the moorland. As soon as Silvershine poked her head out of the den, it was drenched. Each drop of water stung as it if was a claw made of ice. The clearing was empty; the whole Clan was taking shelter.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the highrock for a Clan meeting!" Stormstar yowled the summon over the howl of the wind. His words were followed by a bolt of lightning streaking the sky, silhouetting the WindClan warrior. Thunder exploded from the clouds almost simultaneously.
Silvershine saw the forms of her Clanmates gathering inside their dens, but none ventured out. They all must have been confused at the thought that their leader could want them to come out into the open in this downpour.
Movement caught her eye and she could see a cat coming out of the warrior's den and towards the Highrock. As it neared, Silvershine could make out the red color of its pelt, made darker and plastered to the cats sides by the rain. Knowing there was no way out of this anymore, Silvershine padded out of Stormstar's den and stood beside her mentor.
Slowly, the rest of the Clan began to emerge and gathered together in the pouring rain.
"I have received word on the condition of ThunderClan," Stormstar began. "It seems they are weak, starving, and spread thinly in search of prey. This news cannot go unanswered. However, I have not decided on the action that should be taken. This crisis seems to be caused by an unusual amount of foxes in ThunderClan's territory. Now, we could help ThunderClan by chasing off as many foxes as we can, now, while the rain is here to wash away our scent."
Murmurs erupted from the gathered cats, almost all at once. Most of them were shocked and outraged. Silvershine could hear a lot of cats disagreeing and demanding a reason as to why they should help ThunderClan. Another burst of thunder quieted them before Stormstar had the chance to demand silence.
"The other option is to take advantage of this situation and attack," Stormstar went on. "I have no intention of driving them out of their territory or even killing any cat, but it seems Mudstar has forgotten her place, and someone must remind her of it."
Yowls of approval rang out over the camp, and no one seemed to disagree with this plan.
ThunderClan hasn't done anything to make it worth defending, Silvershine realized. Even cats who don't want war can't fine a reason not to start one.
"Then it's settled," Stormstar said. "Amberpelt, help me gather a patrol to attack. We're going to need most of the Clan, but we can't leave camp defenseless. If any cat wishes to stay behind, tell Amberpelt. We can only leave about a border patrol's worth, so whoever asks first will get to stay."
No! Silvershine wanted to cry out, but fear kept her silent. This can't be happening! We can't do this! We can't do this to ThunderClan! This isn't what was supposed to happen! What have I done!