Chapter 28

"Do we all know the plan?" Knight's question was unnecessary, but she and the three other cats nodded. Shadepaw's heart was pounding. This was the first step they were taking to help the clans win the battle against the mountain cats. Shadepaw knew she had to calm down; she took a few deep breaths and thought of home. Almost automatically, she felt peaceful. Home would always make her feel that way. That was one of the reasons she would fight as hard as she could against these enemies.

In a way though, she was glad she was doing this. Shadepaw glanced at the others, knowing she wouldn't have found them if none of this happened. If none of this happened, she wouldn't have friends like this. She thought back to a few days ago, when it had all began…

It took Shadepaw some time to get over the surprises of Knight's story; from the death of the Tribe of Rushing Water, to the knowledge that Ice was from Shadowclan, and that Knight felt just as scared and desperate to get home. It was a lot to take in. When Shadepaw finally found her voice again, she asked the crucial question, "Do you know if Blade and the other cats have a weakness?"

Knight looked at her seriously and said, "Yes. They are too reliant on Blade. If he were unable to lead the attack, it would take a lot for them to pull together and chose someone else to lead them. You see, they believe he is immortal, because of how much strength and…passion."

Shadepaw thought for a minute. "I don't want to… kill him or something. I don't think I could, physically or emotionally." Shadepaw was a medicine cat; she saved lives, not ended them. Though Knight didn't know that, she nodded in complete understanding. The black cat had a hard time taking lives too.

"So what do we do?" Knight asked.

Shadepaw said, "Maybe we should ask your brother. He may have ideas." Knight nodded and the two cats climbed back up the mountain and into the enemy's cave.

When they entered the cave, both of them scanned the cats for the black tom. Shadepaw saw one talking to Blare. She nudged Knight, and pointed him out to her. "Is that him?" she asked.

"Yes. You stay here; I'll bring him over." Knight said before she edged down the path of rocks and into the clearing. She pushed her way through the crowd and spoke into Shadow's ear. Then both the black cats returned to where Shadepaw stood.

For a second, Shadepaw was scared, seeing the muscular tom approach her, but Shadow's eyes gleamed when he saw her. Right away, as soon as she locked gazes with him, she felt safe and comfortable. His eyes were an emerald green, in contrast to his sister's amber eyes. When Shadow spoke, his voice was smooth and rich. "I had an idea that may help us out. First I have to ask something." At Shadepaw's nod, he continued, "Should we ask Ice to join us? After all, this is yours and his battle more than it is ours." His tail waved in his sister's direction, gesturing to the two of them.

Shadepaw was cautious. Knowing that Ice was from Shadowclan didn't make it easier to trust him; He acted so vicious she would never have guessed he was from a clan. But Shadow was right too. If Ice had a whisker's worth of her love and dedication for his clan, then it would be wise to allow him to join. At the same time, things could end badly for all three of three of them if he no longer cared about the clans. Shadepaw hesitated. She knew it was a risk, but she also knew she just had to take it. "Yes. I'll talk to him right away." With that, she charged down the rocks, fearing she would change her mind if she thought too much about it.

She slipped in and out of the crowd, trying to find Ice. Shadepaw had already searched for his scent, but there were too many and they were all intertwined. It was too difficult to pick one scent out of it all. She checked the sleeping chamber, and to her relief he was there. Better still, he was alone. She stole a breath before meowing, "Ice. I need to talk to you. You know Blade is planning this attack on the clans. And I know you are a Shadowclan cat. Will you help me weaken them, and then return back to the forest to fight with our clans?"

He stared at her, as though he didn't hear. In a heartbeat he was on his paws, all viciousness gone, like it wasn't ever there. The words tumbled out of his mouth, "How did you know, what clan do you belong to, what are you gonna do?!" He seemed worried.

Shadepaw smiled reassuringly. "Knight told me, she was there when you told them about SadowClan four moons ago. When you were first brought here. And I am Shadepaw, Riverclan's medicine cat apprentice. Knight's brother Shadow had a plan, but he asked if we should let you in on it. And I thought it was a good idea."

She didn't voice her hesitation on letting him be part of it; it was obvious to her that Ice wanted to be home again. Her own homesickness rippled through her. "Knight and Shadow huh? And you're Watersong's apprentice?" he mused, but grew serious. "Let's go…

"Can we review the plan once more?" Icewind asked. Since he had joined the group Shadepaw, Knight and Shadow had called him Icewind when no other cats could hear him. Shadow nodded and spoke, "Shadepaw and I are going to look for yarrow, you and Knight are going hunting. We'll meet up at Tree-rock and stuff the prey with yarrow. From Shadepaw's knowledge, that'll make Blade sick. He won't be able to lead the attack. Then we'll head off for the forest before they can get us." He gazed at his friends and found them all satisfied, but one. Shadepaw was deep in thought. She was reliving a memory.

It was during the time when Riverclan had taken refuge in the WindClan camp. She, Leopardshadow, and Watersong had just gotten back from a herb expedition. When they had entered the den, they saw Cloudkit sitting there, a mess of green herbs around her. Shadepaw could hear Silverheart calling for the kit, searching. Leaopardshadow slipped out of the den to tell Silverheart not to worry."Shadepaw, she has eaten yarrow." Watersong said. She gasped, but Watersong said, "She'll be sick, but only for a day or two. She'll be back to her mischievous self really soon. Will you sit with her while I tell Graymist?"

"It won't work." Shadepaw announced to her friends, ending the memory. They all turned to stare at her. She continued, repeating her mentor's words, "He'll be sick, but only for a day or too." There was silence.

Slowing, unwillingly,Knight said, "We'll have to kill him." The cats nodded unenthusiastically.

"Deathberries. That'll do it." Shadepaw said. Icewind nodded in agreement.

"All clan cats know that. Three will kill the strongest warrior." Then Shadepaw was the one nodding in agreement.

"Ok, same plan then, but instead, Shadepaw and I will look for… deathberries." All four cats nodded and set off. Icewind and Knight went off toward the hunting grounds. Shadepaw allowed Shadow to lead her down, proud of the way he had taken the unelected position of leader. He was the right cat for the job. Shadepaw was scared, she had never ever intentionally hurt any cat before. And here she was calmly discussing how they would kill the fierce leader of rivals!

She met Shadow's gaze and they both smiled. Shadepaw was feeling better. She had little experience with the berry; Watersong refused to keep them in the supplies since they were so dangerous, but Shadepaw knew she could do it. She pictured the berries in her mind. They are a startling shade of red, and are found on bushes that are low to the ground.

After a little while, they managed to track down a whole patch of them. Instead of taking just the berries, Shadow and Shadepaw took the leaves too. It was safer that way, to carry them by the leaves. As expected, Icewind and Knight were waiting for them. They had caught the fattest mouse Shadepaw had ever seen. All four cats sat down around the prey and berries. Shadepaw felt that stuffing the mouse was her duty. She looked around the circle of faces, and they all were staring back at her. They felt the same way. Ok. I can do this, Shadepaw thought.

She looked around for a stick, and spotting one, snatched it up. Carefully she stabbed the berries with it, and then placed the stick in the dead mouse's mouth. She shut the mouth of the mouse and pulled the stick out. It was splattered with red juice, but was otherwise clean. Shadepaw spat it out, and then said, "I am going to the river, to wash my paws. You should come too, Shadow. Just in case." He nodded and the two cats set off once again.

They were back quickly. Icewind picked up the mouse by the tail, very carefully. The climb back to the cave took a little longer than necessary, because Icewind had to be careful. None of them wanted to leave him behind. When they reached the entrance of the cave, all four cats stopped in unison. Shadow glanced at Shadepaw, but Shadepaw didn't notice, because she was staring straight ahead. Knight, Shadow and Shadepaw watched worriedly as their friend picked his way down the rocks cautiously.

Icewind had taken the dangerous part of the job. If he couldn't get away in time, he would be killed. And that made all four cats uneasy. Shadepaw, who was standing in the middle of both cats, felt her friends tense up and pressed themselves closer to her. They watched him enter the cave, frozen with fear, hoping he would be ok.

A/N: Now its getting to the good part! I am on break for the next four days, so you will be getting a chapter every day, except I am trying to plan stuff with my friends. That will happen either tomorrow or Friday, but on all the other days, I will update. And a very special thanks to Hushpuppe, for her very kind review. It really made me happy. I got so excited. It's people like him/her that make writing more fun.