Badseed's POV

Three days of fierce, uncaring snow befell our clan. We were forced to hide in the dens, which barely withstood the storm, for almost three days. Now, the morning of day three, we were out of fresh-kill and needed to repair the damages.

Two days ago, the first day of the blizzard, Redclaw went into her kitting. The weather was too cold, and the herbs too few. Only two of the five survived.

Small-leaf says it's an omen. He thinks Starclan is warning us that winter will be a threat to the future of our clan.

If only he knew...

Phantomstar perched on the very top of the highrock, trying to avoid the ice patches on it. She yowled for a clan meeting. Soon, we had all assembled. My three kits came to sit with me.

She began to speak; "The blizzard has done a great deal of damage to our clan. The strong wings and heavy snow destroyed two of our dens, and frostbit some of our herbs. We are hungry and we are tattered, but we will rebuild."

Her confident words did not soothe the younger cats. Sunpaw fretted, "What if we get another blizzard before we're ready for it?"

I felt Mothpaw stiffen, and Brightpaw's eyes widened. Even Briarclaw looked apprehensive.

Palecloud bristled, "We would have to move and find a less open shelter."

The suggestion we would abandon our camp caused uproar of fear and anxiety. Elders and queens growled, the warriors complained, and Small-leaf looked upset by just the mention of it.

Phantomstar firmly demanded, "Enough!"

Her strong voice echoed commandingly around the camp, and the ruckus died down after a few heartbeats.

Sharpclaw, the eldest cat of the clan- former Marshclan tom, spoke up. "Never in all my years have I seen a storm this violent. It will not be happening again any time soon."

Phantomstar nodded once to him, then began to organize. "Sunfire, take Polarfur, Rushwind, Talltree, and Specklepelt on a hunting patrol along the clan border."

The five warriors banded together, and the deputy led the way out of the camp. Phantomstar continued, "Steelheart, Pumastrike, Daredevil, and Sunpaw; you four go and collect scraps we can use to start rebuilding. Palecloud, Bogfoot, I would like the both of you to collect new moss for the nests."

The cats scrambled, eager to see our camp back to its former glory. Timberfur announced, "Us elders can help rebuild, too, Phantomstar."

Dark Eyes and Sharpclaw, the other elders, nodded to agree. She smiled, "Then you can help if you want, then they return with supplies.

Littlewing spoke up, "Small-leaf and I need a few extra paws. We're going to try and collect a full stock of herbs just incase."

She met my eye for a fleeting second. I knew why. She was keeping the cats I told her I was going to share this prophecy with unoccupied for me. "Moosepelt and Briarclaw can help. I will come, too. I want to do a damage tally of the territory. Badseed, take the rest of the clan out on a hunt, near the swamp."

I nodded, and collected my patrol with a tail flick. My friends Cricketeye and Deerleap, my apprentice and my kits, were the cats that I chose to confide in.

Redclaw, too, but not so soon after she lost three little ones to an omen revolving around this prophecy.

We exited the dugout tunnel of the camp, and began to bound slowly through the deep snow that lay ahead of us. I barely recognized where we were with all this white around.

Harrierpaw, who was beside me, snorted pessimistically. "No prey in their wrong mind would be out right now. These drifts are as tall as Mistpaw!"

I glanced over my shoulder to see that he was right. My small apprentice was struggling to help Mothpaw- my shortest kit- out of a deep trench he had fallen into. I could barely see their ears!

Deerleap grabbed Mothpaw's scruff and heaved him into the shallower snow a few tail lengths away. Harrierpaw, the largest apprentice in the clan, helped nudge Mistpaw out of the rut.

I decided now would be a good time, while we were all huddled together, to tell them. I began, "I need to share something important with you all. Something only we can know."

That caused six curious sets of eyes to flicker onto me.

I collected my thoughts and decided to give them the back-story. "When I was your age-" I nodded to the four apprentices, "Starclan gave me a prophecy. Up until recently, it was not an important one. It was just a few sentences that I couldn't piece together when I tried to."

I carefully judged their reactions. I had no make sure I made the right choice, sharing with these cats. All of them looked surprised, but more curious then anything.

Confident, I went on. "As of recent, I have come to learn that is means Frostpool is a danger to Swampclan. It means that I have to stop her."

Cricketeye and Deerleap glanced at each other with wide eyes. Mistpaw and Brightpaw started to whisper. Mothpaw asked me, "And if you can't stop her?"

I frowned at him, unable to answer him. His own crimson eyes, so gentle and kind, darkened with understanding. I didn't need to say anything for them to all understand. If she were not stopped, bad things would happen.

Harrierpaw snarled, "What are we doing sitting around then? You've known for so long! We should go and stop her from whatever she's doing."

Mistpaw and Brigtpaw yowled loudly in agreement. Mothpaw glanced at his brother and shook his head, "We can't! The clan needs us right now, Harrierpaw."

Harrierpaw looked at his brother and narrowed his eyes. He asked accusingly, "And what help are we digging for prey that's probably five feet under ground right now? We are all strong, we can fight!"

After a second Mothpaw's hesitated washed away and he glanced at me. "Are we going to fight?"

I found it frightening, how simply Harrierpaw did that. The rebellious and hotheaded youth always has been charismatic- but Mothpaw has always been very decided when it comes to violence. I was surprised it took so little effort to sway his way of thinking. Harrierpaw was always doing that to the other apprentices, though.

Deerleap was the one who answered. "Boys, Brightpaw, fighting is not always the best option. We could run right into an ambush. When in our own territory, we'll always have the advantage. No cat knows the twists of turns of the forest like we do."

Harrierpaw's blue eyes glittered with that information. He understood the wisdom. "So it would be like leading a shrew into the water." Deerleap smiled and nodded.

Mistpaw asked quietly, "Why are you telling us, Badseed? Are you asking for help?"

My reserved young apprentice may still be struggling to re-attach himself to the clan, after Cinderstorm's death; but I could see the fire in his eyes. If I needed him, he would be here for me. I was oddly warmed by that thought. So much can change so fast.

I decided, "I can handle Frostpool." I hope. "I'd like you guys to keep an eye on things for me, though. Our clan mates are in danger- and I can't be everywhere. Don't let the others realize you're watching them, though."

All of them nodded. I smiled, "Great, now let's get to hunting."

Cricketeye was not a tall cat. My friend suggested, "I'll take the apprentices to the swamp, if you want."

When the swamp freezes over, it tends of absorb the snow and expand; rather then let the snow pile up. That was good thinking. Mistpaw and Mothpaw should have no problem hunting on mostly open ground.

I agreed, "That's a good idea."

Cricketeye flicked her tail to rally the four apprentices, and the troop of them silently made their way to the west of where we sat.

Deerleap fell into step with me as we went the other direction, towards a swathe of land that usually had mice and birds swarming it. It was the thickest section of our territory, so it naturally had a lot of seeds and insects to be preyed on.

He asked me quietly, "Are you afraid, Badseed?"

Was I afraid? My sister was cruel, and her clan was a pack of highly trained killers. They were harsh-hearted rogues totally willing to do anything Frostpool told them to.

I admitted, "I'm frightened for the clan."

I couldn't bear the thought of more dying at the claws of such warriors- even though it was inevitable. If war were on the horizon, then Starclan's ranks would swell. Would one of my kits be one of the cats that fall?

Deerleap pressed his shoulder against mine and a small purr bubbled out of his throat. He tried to soothe me, "This is not just your battle, Badseed. It is our battle; it is Swampclan's battle. We will all be behind you every step of the way."

I pointed out, "They don't know it's happening, though. How can they support what they are unaware of?"

His green eyes shined with admiration and he whispered, "You have overcome a lot, Badseed. You have proven yourself to them. If you ask, everyone will stand behind you."

I snorted skeptically. I couldn't believe that. It was too hard to believe that. After all of the scorn, and the hate, and the ridicule. After the trails I was put through, and the abuse I suffered. It was just impossible to fathom the idea that the clan might actually like me.

I sourly disagreed, "They would fight is Phantomstar asked them to. What am I to anyone, except for another set of paws during a hard time?"

Deerleap gazed at me for a second before turning his head away and muttering, "You're a lot more to some of us then you think."

I didn't understand where the sudden darkness in his mood came from. I nudged his shoulder, trying to be cheerful enough for both of us. "Come on, I'll race you to the thicket."

A/N: Hey guys! You should go look at my new Warriors fic! It's called Love You To Death. It's really awesome. ^_^