Vineleaf padded into camp at the back of the patrol. They were finally home. Vineleaf had enjoyed the journey, but she was just glad to be home now where the cats she trusted with her life lived. Vineleaf went to the medicine den while the others went to report to Bramblestar. She found Jayfeather helping Briarlight with her stretches.

"Vineleaf. You're back," Jayfeather meowed without looking up. Vineleaf couldn't tell if he was happy she was safe or happy he had help again. Vineleaf just rolled her eyes.

"I'm going to check Sunheart's neck wound. She got it in a rat attack and it's still healing," Vineleaf meowed before backing out of the den. She saw Sunheart sitting beside the warriors' den talking with Hawkfur, Firepaw and Swiftpaw. Vineleaf padded over just as Hawkfur licked Sunheart's ear.

"I just need to check your neck wound Sunheart," Vineleaf meowed. Sunheart nodded and lifted her chin so Vineleaf could see her neck clearer. Vineleaf sniffed the wound and gazed at it. There was no sign of infection and it seemed to be healing well. Vineleaf nodded.

"It seems fine right now. However I would like to see it everyday until it's healed. Clear?" Vineleaf explained.

Sunheart smiled. "Ok Vineleaf. Whatever you say," Sunheart promised.

"I'm just glad you made it back safely," Hawkfur purred as he proceeded to nuzzled the golden warrior again. Vineleaf, not wanting to watch the two lovebirds padded away to her nest. She curled up and fell silently to sleep.

When she opened her eyes Bluestar was sitting in front of her. "Bluestar? What's wrong?" Vineleaf asked as she sat up and saw the grim expression on the old leader's face.

"The darkness has begun to rise," Bluestar meowed, grimly. "You must be ready for anything."

"What is the darkness exactly? What do we look for?" Vineleaf questioned. "The Dark Forest?"

"The danger comes from living cats as well as dead ones," Bluestar answered. "But one particular living cat is more dangerous than them all, doing whatever needs to be done to get revenge. Be alert, Vineleaf." Bluestar then began to fade and Vineleaf awoke in her nest. Vineleaf got up and padded toward the warriors' den. Sunheart was bound to be asleep by now. She peered inside and sure enough Sunheart was curled up beside Hawkfur asleep. Vineleaf padded over silently and nudged her sister awake.

"Come on! We need to talk now!" Vineleaf whispered. Sunheart nodded and carefully got up so she wouldn't wake Hawkfur. She then followed Vineleaf out of camp and to the edge of the lake.

"What's going on?" Sunheart asked.

"I had a dream," Vineleaf began. "Bluestar said the darkness has begun to rise. We have to be alert."

"Did she give you a hint on what to watch for?" Sunheart asked.

"She said the threat comes from living cats as well as dead ones so we're dealing with a few Dark Forest warriors, but she warned me about one cat in particular. A living one that will do anything to get his revenge," Vineleaf explained.

Sunheart thought for a moment before flattening her ears and narrowing her eyes. "Breezepelt!" she snarled.

"You think he has something to do with it?" Vineleaf asked.

"There's no doubt! He was ready to kill his own son to get revenge on Lionblaze! It's got to be him!" Sunheart growled.

"We'll keep an eye on him. For now we wait and be ready when the time comes," Vineleaf meowed. "I'll let you know if I have another dream."

"I'll tell you if Firestar comes to me," Sunheart promised. Vineleaf nodded and the two sisters headed back to camp.