Chapter 18

Disappointment clawed at Rosefall's heart as she returned to the Clans empty-pawed. She had been asked several times what happened on her journey. Some cats had even asked if she met the Chosen kits. But she couldn't bring to her heart to tell them the truth. They might seek out the Chosen and slaughter them. After witnessing LeafClan's reaction to her arrival, she was certain there would be bloodshed if the five Clans met.

"Rosefall, I understand that you are upset about what happened." Graystar's voice caught her by surprise. Rosefall looked at him in disbelief as he stood nearby, ears flattened and eyes narrowed. "But you must recover. The Clan will need every warrior for the danger that is coming."

"What do you mean by danger?" Rosefall stood up and stared at her leader curiously.

"I don't know." Graystar shrugged as if it didn't matter. "All I do know is that something is coming... something that will destroy the Clans if we do not stand together."

A shudder coursed down Rosefall's spine as she remembered the looks she'd received back in LeafClan's camp. They wouldn't have followed her, would they? And if they did she was sure that they would launch attacks on the four Clans.

Just how mousebrained are they? she wondered with a shake of her head. A full on attack would only lead to death and devastation. Rosefall knew that LeafClan was doomed to fall if they attacked the other Clans. And her little Icepaw was caught between the confrontation. There has to be a way to stop this, she thought.

One way or another, the Clans were in for the fight of their lives. And all Rosefall could do was watch from the sidelines.

. . .

Icepaw kept her gaze steady as she followed the patrol of warriors. Bramblepaw and Brightpaw were on either side of her, pelts barely brushing as they moved forward. Fallenstar was leading the large group. Flarepelt led a second wave of warriors who would attack the already weakened Clans.

"This isn't a good idea," Icepaw muttered under her breath.

"We don't have a choice," Bramblepaw murmured back. He brushed his tail across her shoulder as if to provide what little comfort she felt.

Icepaw knew that he was wrong. They did have a choice. They could easily run away from this Clan. But that would mean risking their lives. And they would turn their back against everything they were taught. That in itself didn't feel right either.

So I guess we really don't have a choice, she thought bitterly.

Clouds had begun to gather around the sky once more as morning arrived. The forest seemed eerily silent as Fallenstar padded alongside the river's edge.

Fear wormed its way into Icepaw's heart when she saw the churning water. Once again she was reminded of the wall of water that had nearly drowned her. Sensing her unease, Bramblepaw pressed against her. And for once, she welcomed the warmth he provided.

Fallenstar suddenly stopped when they reached what looked like a hollow. A large looking tree reached out towards the dark gray sky. Icepaw felt her fur bristling when she saw the look of malice in Fallenstar's eyes. Once again she was reminded of his quest for revenge.

"Now." He flicked his tail at the gathered patrol. Tanglefur and Reedshine rushed forward, tails sticking out as they followed what appeared to be an open path.

Icepaw kept stalk still as she waited for the signal. Heartbeats seemed to pass before she finally heard a warning cry. Almost at once Fallenstar bounded forward, powerful muscles pulsing as he surged towards the sound.

Terror coursed through Icepaw as she followed them. She picked up the scent of fear and blood mixed in the air once they reached the first Clan's camp.

"Keep the kits in the nursery!" She heard a cat giving orders, and guessed that he was the deputy.

The dark brown tabby was glaring at Fallenstar as he pinned down what looked like an old gray tom. The tom's muzzle was almost bleached white with age.

"Who are you?" the elderly tom hissed with pain when Fallenstar kept a paw on his neck.

"Do I not look familiar to you, old fool?" Fallenstar glared at him. "I was a Chosen kit. I survived all of these moons, and now, I will kill you for what you and the rest of the Clans have done to me!"

The rage in his voice send shivers of dread down Icepaw's spine. None of this was right. She knew now more than ever that this had to stop. Killing Fallenstar was not an option - he was far too strong, and the Clan would attack her if she did.

I need to stop this, she reminded herself.

She glanced at her own mentor, Seawhisker, and saw that she had pinned down Rosefall. Her mother wasn't even putting up a fight as Seawhisker managed to rip off patches of fur.

"You don't know what it is like to be Chosen!" Seawhisker yowled. "You will never know!"

Reedshine and Tanglefur were fighting together to keep two warriors at bay. Brightpaw managed to hold her own in battle by swiping her claws across a dark ginger she-cat with green eyes. It took Icepaw a few heartbeats to realize that it was Kestrelpaw Brightpaw had fought.

"I should have left you out in the forest to die." Chills swept down Icepaw's spine when she heard a familiar voice. She whirled around to see Whiteclaw glaring down at her. "You are nothing but an embarrassment to me... a weak fool who should have died with the rest of the Chosen!"

I'm not going to fight you. Icepaw held his glare. Determination coursed through her until he lunged forward with his claws unsheathed.

Just as he managed to score a deep cut in her shoulder, Bramblepaw knocked him aside. Surprise flared within Icepaw when he stood beside her. He raised his chin and glared at Whiteclaw coldly.

"She wasn't going to fight you!" he snarled.

"I don't care if she wasn't going to fight me. None of this would have happened if she had just died!" Whiteclaw's lips drew back in a snarl as he swatted Bramblepaw aside as if he was a harmless mouse.

Icepaw stared at Whiteclaw in disbelief as he lunged forward once more. She quickly dodged to the side, narrowly avoiding his claws as they brushed against her whiskers. Pain seared through her as she raised her claw.

Just as Whiteclaw was recovering from his attack, Icepaw managed to slash her claws across his muzzle. He let out a yowl of pain as a deep cut opened up.

Icepaw took the opportunity of his shock to leap forward once more. This time her teeth were aimed at his ears, and she managed to rip one of them off before landing on the ground nearby. Panic coursed through Icepaw when she realized what she was doing.

She took a step back, fur bristling as Whiteclaw shook blood from his fur. Scarlet droplets scattered across her fur, staining it red.

"I'm sorry." Her words came out in a whisper.

Whiteclaw didn't seem to hear though. Rage surged within him as he whipped around and slashed his claws across her face. Icepaw let out a yelp of pain after stumbling back from the attack.

In that short amount of time, Whiteclaw suddenly collapsed to the ground. Icepaw's shoulders began to tremble when she realized that he had passed out.

"Please don't be dead," she begged.

How many more cats would have to die because of this battle? Icepaw looked around to see just how battered everyone really was. This battle wasn't going to fix anything. It was going to destroy the Clans, one by one.

AN: Please let me know what you thought of this chapter! Reviews are always appreciated :D