Darkheart had entered Shadestar's den along with the leader, and he sat down. "Do you know," the leader began, "why no cat crosses the Great River?"
Darkheart answered, "Because it is dangerous."
Shadestar nodded, "That is true, but there is another reason, a reason that is hidden from all the clans."'
Darkheart looked at Shadestar confused.
"There is another group of cats on the other side of that river." Shadestar mewed.
Darkheart stared at her, and then mewed, "What?!"
Shadestar nodded, "The cats on the other side of the river are called the Tribe of Howling Wind. They are similar to a clan, but they have differences and have much more territory and many more cats than any clan. They could crush Thunderclan easily."
Darkheart didn't know what to say. "Exactly who knows about the tribe?" he mewed.
"Blackthroat knew." The leader answered, "Whitewhisker also knows. And now you know. So only three living cats know of their existence."
"How did you find out?" Darkheart mewed.
"That's why you should know." Shadestar mewed.
The leader wasn't making any sense right now. "What's why I should know?" Darkheart asked.
Shadestar answered, "It was many moons ago I found out. I had been suspicious when I noticed Blackthroat slipping out of camp late at night. One day, I followed him, and I saw him talking to a black cat near the river." The leader took a pause, and then continued, "That black cat was your mother."
Darkheart couldn't believe his ears. He wasn't exactly sure what the leader meant by this, so he decided to ask, "Are you saying Blackthroat is my father?" Darkheart voice was trembling.
Shadestar nodded, "Yes." She mewed.
"So Blackthroat, my father, was sneaking out of camp to meet with a rogue who is my mother?" Darkheart tried to make sure he got the story straight.
Shadestar shook her head. "She wasn't a rogue."
Darkheart just stared at Shadestar. No words could describe how he felt.
"She was in the Tribe of Howling Wind." Shadestar mewed.
Darkheart's pelt was standing on end. He wanted to get up and walk out but he couldn't. He was so shocked at what he had just heard his muscles couldn't move.
"I guess you want to know what else happened." Shadestar mewed.
Darkheart managed to move his head slightly to nod.
"It all started before I was leader," Shadestar began, "Blackthroat and I were going to be mates, until I became deputy. Then, I didn't have time for my clan and Blackthroat. So I had to choose. I chose the clan. Many moons later, I became leader. I chose Blackthroat to be my deputy. Within a few seasons I noticed he was leaving camp after dark. So, one night, I followed him, and I caught him with you mother, from the tribe. I would soon learn they had a kit together. That kit was your sister." Shadestar paused for a moment. Darkheart had managed to calm himself somewhat. He was starting to breath normally again. Then Shadestar continued, "Your mother's tribe name was Bird that Flies at Night. You knew her as Night."
Darkheart nodded, remembering what his mother had been called by his sister.
"Your sister's name was Star that Shines at Night. You knew her as Star." Shadestar continued.
"If they were in the Tribe," Darkheart mewed, "Why did they leave?"
"It wasn't there choice." Shadestar began, "That was only a few moons ago. After your sister was born, the tribe was thriving, with plenty of prey and water. But you were born right before," Shadestar paused, "before the forest went amidst the harshest leafbare in memory. There was little prey; the river was completely frozen, so there was little water. Greencough was spreading extremely fast, and there wasn't enough catmint to cure it all. There had never been such a horrible leafbare. By the time it had gotten it's worst, your sister was expecting kits too. And then the healer, the leader of the Tribe, discovered that your father was from the clans. So, he exiled all three of you. Star then had Nightpaw in the snow. Blackthroat wanted me to take them in, but the entire clan had Greencough. If you and Nightpaw had entered our camp, you would have died from Greencough, just like all the other kits did. I told Blackthroat he could make them a den and feed you all, which he did. By the time the snow had melted and the clan was recovered, I had forgotten all about you. And then, the badger attack happened, and it was too late for Star and Night. That's all I have to say." Shadestar looked sorry, as if she regretted not taking in his family in time.
"It wasn't badgers." Darkheart mewed.
Shadestar looked back up at him. "What?" She mewed.
"It was cats. I don't know who, but they are in a clan." Darkheart answered.
"How do you know this?" Shadestar asked.
"Well, I remember cats being there, and Sageleaf told me that there was a rose laying next to them." Darkheart mewed.
"What does that have to do with anything?" Shadestar asked.
"There was also a rose laying next to Blackthroat." Darkheart answered.
Shadestar looked somewhat suspicious, but she shook it off. "Let's go get some fresh kill." She mewed.
The two exited her den, and headed toward the fresh kill pile. Darkheart started eating his prey, and Icefur came up to talk to Shadestar, so Darkheart walked over to Shrewfur and Bluetail. He sat down and started eating his mouse. Suddenly, Longfur rushed into camp shouting, "Shadestar! Shadestar! Whitewhisker! Silverpaw!"