A/N So guys, i noticed that lots of you are reading this story, but not so many are reviewing it. If you dont mind reviewing at least once, it would really help me see mistakes, make changes and altogether improve my writing. Can we try for five reviews here? Thanks!

A moon passed without any sign or trail of Shiva. Dustclaw hoped he had gone for good, even though he had only experienced one casualty from that particular cat. The way Ravenstar had spoken about Shiva made Dustclaw nervous every time he left camp.

Ravenstar still had not recovered fully, but she was definitely looking better. Her fur stayed well cared for and she held her head high. Dustclaw was relived that she was recovering quickly, but he still worried. What if Shiva returned and killed more cats? What if killed Ravenstar? What about Bluefur? For some reason, Dustclaw didn't want to think of Bluefur dying.

As if the thought summoned her, she popped her head around a bramble bush and said, "Hey!"

Dustclaw started. "Would you stop scaring me?" he hissed playfully. He leaped at her, bowling her over and they rolled down the hill, paws flashing. When they stopped at the bottom, they realized they were in an unexplored part of FireClan's territory. Unfamiliar trees whispered above their heads, and strange scents tainted the breeze. Glancing around, Dustclaw noticed a trail of pawprints leading away from FireClan territory.

Midnight's prophecy rushed back to Dustclaws mind, and he wondered if he was supposed to leave now. Then, as he gazed at Bluefur, he pushed the thought away. She couldn't possibly come. It was much too dangerous. She wouldn't last three days.

"Come look at this."

Bluefurs meow jolted Dustclaw back to the present. He glanced over and saw her standing on top of an outcropping rock a tree-length away. Her eyes glittered with awe and Dustclaw picked his way over to her. Leaping up beside her, he saw what had captured her attention. They were standing on the edge of a precipice overlooking a broad plain scattered with the occasional tree. A clear blue river cut through the middle, light shimmering on its surface. Despite the fact winter was nearing, and all the plants should be dying, the grass was the greenest Dustclaw had ever seen, and he wondered how soft it would be under his paws.

What really intrigued him, however, was not the plants or the water, but the animals roaming the field. Huge black and white animals were grazing along with some other creatures Dustclaw recognized as horses. Trees bordered the entire place, for what reason Dustclaw could not think of.

Dustclaw gazed at Bluefur with a gleam in his eye. "What if…what if we stayed here…and…" Dustclaw couldn't bring himself to say it.

She glanced at him warmly, knowing what he meant. "But we couldn't." She pointed out. She thought a moment. "We could find this ThunderClan, see who they are."

Dustclaw snickered. "Yeah, and they would kill us before we could say 'mouse'. That, or send us off without our tails." He rolled his eyes as she nipped his ear.

They were silent for a while. "Isn't it beautiful?" Bluefur said, breaking the silence. She settled down with her paws stretched out in front of her.

Dustclaw opened his mouth to answer when a rustle sounded behind them. Whirling around, they took up defensive stances. There had been enough incidents recently for them to know something was there.

Dustclaw stepped cautiously towards a holly bush. "Be careful!" Bluefur warned anxiously. When he was about three tail-lengths away, a flash of black and white hurtled towards him. Thrown off balance, Dustclaw instinctively lashed out at his attacker. A gasp told him he had hit his mark. He leaped up and spun around to leap when a startled mew came from the cat.

"Dustclaw! What are you doing out here?" It was Thunderheart! He stood, shaking his ruffled fur, and glared at Dustclaw, who shrank back.

"I'm sorry, Thunderheart. I didn't know it was you." Dustclaw licked his chest fur a few times in embarrassment. Bluefur appeared at his shoulder.

"I know we aren't supposed to be out here," she admitted. "We were just playing around and we fell down this ravine, then—"

Thunderheart cut her off. "How could you be so mouse-brained? Can't you smell the fox?"

Now that it was brought to his attention, Dustclaw could indeed scent the rank odor on the wind. How had he not noticed it before? "But, if you could, come look what we found," he urged the deputy.

Thunderheart looked doubtful but didn't resist as they led him to the rock. When he saw the field he froze. His eyes got a weird glaze as he took in the scene.

"Is something wrong?" Bluefur asked, concern edging her mew. She stepped in front of him and he growled as she blocked his line of sight. The surprised she-cat retreated quickly.

After a moment, the deputy tore his gaze away and turned his back to them. "Let's get you home," he snarled before stalking off. Dustclaw and Bluefur had no choice but to follow.

When they arrived back at camp, Thunderheart ignored them completely, instead heading straight to Ravenstars den. Dustclaw and Bluefur were left in the clearing; they exchanged nervous glances.

"Hey Dustclaw, Bluefur, come here a sec, would you?"

The pair turned to see Rowanheart standing in the shade of a maple tree. When they looked at him, he flicked his tail to summon them and sat down. They padded over. Rowanheart got straight to the point. "Did you really find a farm?"

Dustclaw stared at him quizzically. "What's a farm?" He asked, glancing at Bluefur. She shrugged.

"It's a place with lots of horses and cows in a pasture, and trees or a fence to keep them in. I heard you found one while you two were…out." Rowanheart narrowed his eyes in amusement.

Bluefurs eyes widened and Dustclaw hissed. "We fell down a ravine while on patrol, it was an accident!"

Rowanheart just smirked. "Whatever you say," he mewed and strode away, flicking his tail.

Dustclaw flattened his ears in disdain. Suddenly he made up his mind. "I'm going to leave, now," he said briskly. "Maybe forever."

Bluefur, who had been purring, fell silent. "What? Now? Why?" Her blue eyes flashed pain that struck Dustclaw to the core.

Before he could answer, Thunderheart returned and motioned them towards Ravenstars den, his face expressionless. They started that direction while Thunderheart ducked inside the warriors den. Bluefur threw Dustclaw a seething glance as if to say, We'll finish this later.

They stopped outside the leaders den and waited. When Ravenstar admitted them, her voice sounded tired, but not sick tired, Dustclaw observed, glad she was recovering.

"So, I hear you were out of FireClans boundaries," she said when they were settled. "Is it true?" They nodded hesitantly. She narrowed her eyes and her ear twitched. "Why?"

So they explained, carefully leaving out the conversation they had had before Thunderheart showed. When they finished, Ravenstar was quiet a moment. "Well, this is certainly a…convincing…story you have told. However, I only have the word

He stood. "Because I have to, it—it's my responsibility to…" he trailed off, fearing he'd said too much. He was right.

"What do you mean, 'your responsibility'?" Bluefur spat, her blue eyes flaring. "What could possibly be more important than hunting and caring for your clan when it's almost leaf-bare? What about Ravenstar? What about…me?"

Dustclaw winched at her stinging words. "I—I cant tell you, I'm sorry," he muttered.

The gray she-cats eyes turned cold as she lowered her voice to almost a whisper. "You obviously don't care about me, me or your clan!" Dustclaw saw the pain clear in her eyes as she spun around and darted away, her pelt prickling.

Regret clouded Dustclaws mind as he stared after her. He wished he hadn't been so harsh with the she-cat. All she had ever done was stick with him, always there when he needed a friend. Now she was gone. But he couldn't go back now. He said he was going to leave. No turning back now. He started towards the thorn tunnel.

He left camp without incident, but as he passed a large oak a ways away, Spottedfire rounded a corner, her eyes wide with horror. She skidded to a halt in front of Dustclaw, who reared back in surprise. Her chest heaved and she doubled over, retching.

"What happened?" Dustclaw demanded, helping to steady her. She staggered away from him and leaned against a tree. "It—it was…was…him…" she choked out, gasping.

Dustclaw stepped back, his eyes wide, then dashed away, following Spottedfires trail. As he neared the border with MeadowClan, the rank stench of crowfood hit him, causing him to stumble. Bursting from the trees, he nearly fainted in horror. The stream bordering their territory was running red with blood, and multiple bodies of cats littered the banks, their throats torn out. His heart clenched in grief and fury as he recognized the gray kit he had saved from the fox, and multiple others from MeadowClan's ranks, all covered in their own blood. Dustclaw couldn't imagine how much this would weaken MeadowClan.

Dustclaw bowed his head, realizing he was needed here. He knew Midnights prophecy would just have to wait.

Shiva had to be stopped.

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