A/N: Haha. The Duskshadow and Ravenwing thing, it's more like this uncomfortable feeling I get whenever I write out their conversations when they're alone. I have a fellow friend who also writes fanfics, and she's created a video about the little 'clues' in the Naruto anime that prove that Sasuke belongs with Sakura. I don't care for the show, but you have to admit that there are SOME people who read between the lines too much than the author intends. Orson Scott Card said it best in the introduction of Ender's Game; you shouldn't have to pore over some text and say, "This is a symbol of so-and-so, proving that so-and-so" blah blah blah. Too bad I'll have to do just that tomorrow when school starts.

Chapter 15 – Traitor

At nighttime, the camp would be silent as the cats slept. It was the same as before—but this time, Duskshadow could sense the fear in that ominous silence. He climbed the steps to Dawnstar's den with apprehension in his heart. Ravenwing was away, practically making a record of racing around the lake with news: the battle was to be at dawn. He was at the entrance of the leader's den, and apprehension was replaced by a tired sense of shouldering a heavy burden. Will I really have to sleep in there and do all the duties that I hate so much? Talking of peace when my heart says to just fight? Of course he could. Wasn't it his idea to try and join together with the other Clans in the first place?

"What do you want this time, brother?" Dawnstar's voice was full of scorn and contempt. "Aching for the sister you lost?"

"Are you sure it's not the other way around?" He entered and sat down quickly, so that Dawnstar wouldn't pay much attention to his crippled leg. "I'm telling you now, as your brother and your kin: give up. You can't win against the three other Clans even if you outnumber them, with a pack of rogues. They wouldn't be able to even beat our youngest apprentice."

Dawnstar laughed. "Who is our youngest apprentice? Oh, was it little Sootpaw? I'm sure my youngest rogue can best that little crap of fur. And what about you, brother? I'm marching against the Clans at dawn, but which side will you be on?"

"You're the fool, Dawnstar. Do you honestly think you can hold the three other Clans after you defeat them? Maybe ShadowClan can be talked into joining your side, but Silverstar? She's oldest after Thistlestar. If you have half the wits of a mouse, then you'll give up. Throw the rogues out, and declare that ThunderClan will get rid of them. You'll be famous as the leader who defeated the rogue threat, as Stormclaw and the others are remembered for defeating Flamestar."

"And why should I give up? If I call my cats to march right here, right now, there wouldn't be any talk of yielding," she hissed. "Get out." When he did not budge, Dawnstar flared, "Get out. Or have you lost your ears as well your leg? Get out before I call my rogues, traitor."

Duskshadow shrugged and did as demanded. I am no traitor, neither to ThunderClan nor to my kin. "I did advise you to yield," he murmured. "It was only you who decided to ignore my advice."

Overhead, the stars of Silverpelt shone brightly. He wondered which was Stormclaw, and whether he would approve. Sometimes he felt like yowling at them, to tell them to fix everything that was wrong: his sister, the rogues in camp, everything. The elders say StarClan sent down thunder to strike a tree down to kill the traitor Mudclaw, while making a path to the Gathering island. Why can't they do that now?

They were so powerful—at least, in the tales. Were they all lies, to deceive the Clans? Dawnstar's reasons were wrong, but Duskshadow could still fathom the invincibility of a rogue army. Unbound by the warrior code, with so many rules that it was hard for him to follow one while not breaking another. In truth, StarClan kept the warriors bound when they could be so much more.

And perhaps that was a good thing. Warriors not bound by the code would slowly, but surely, turn into the mad cat that was Flamestorm. And he knew by personal experience what kind of havoc such cats could wreak. At least, Stormclaw would try and put a stop to that. There had to be some limitations, hence the code itself.

It was complex for a mind that was used to quick thinking in a battlefield, but Duskshadow finally knew what he would tell Ravenwing if they—no, once they—defeated Dawnstar. Leadership was a tasteless prospect, but he would know more about StarClan—about how and why the warrior code was so important. Of course, he was confident in his own answer, but little backups couldn't hurt. Duskstar, the honorable leader of ThunderClan. Won't that be a hoot?