CHAPTER ONE

JAYFEATHER

Herbs filled Jayfeather's nose as he checked the store, relying on scent to help him check for the right herbs. Leafpool, his previous mentor and mother, was busy in the nursery looking after Cinderheart, who was soon to give birth to Lionblaze's kits.

Briarlight was asleep still, snoring soundly in her nest. Jayfeather could hear her regular, rythematic breathing.

"Jayfeather?" A cat meowed from the entrance to his den, and Jayfeather turned, realizing that it was his brother, Lionblaze.

"What is it?" Jayfeather demanded. "Is Cinderheart giving birth?"

Before Lionblaze could reply, Jayfeather was running through the herbs and what he needed to do; Borage for milk production, a stick for the pain…

"Jayfeather." Lionblaze's stern voice sounded. "It's not that. It's just.."

Jayfeather sighed in relief, letting his shoulders sag, and the air leave his lungs. Thank Starclan for that! "Well, what is then?" Jayfeather asked.

"I'm just worried, that's all." Lionblaze meowed. "It's nothing, probably doesn't matter. Don't worry yourself."

"It does worry me, because you're currently in my den!" Jayfeather pointed out, flicking his tail from side to side.

"Okay, I'll tell you." Lionblaze sat down and curled his tail around his paws. "I just have a bad feeling, that the Great Battle isn't the last of our troubles."

"I get the same feeling, as well." Jayfeather told his brother. And it was true; he knew that troubles lay ahead, whether they liked it or not. Most probably not just the normal hardships of leaf-bare. Something else. Something dark.

"Well, I'm on a hunting patrol, got to go." Lionblaze scrambled away, trotting through the brambles.

Jayfeather sighed and went back to the store, only to be interrupted again. This time, after scenting the air, it was Dovewing. He almost snorted. Did every one of the Three have to be here?

"What is it?" Jayfeather snapped, annoyed, at the young she-cat. Dovewing sat down just as Lionblaze had done.

"I just have a feeling-" Dovewing broke off as Jayfeather snorted out loud. He could feel her confusion as clearly as he could feel beams of sun on his pelt.

"That's twice someone has said that." Jayfeather growls after a few moments. "I get it, you think you have a bad feeling, blah, blah, blah. I think that if this keeps going on, I may have to put moss in my ears!"

"I was going to say that, yes, but I can hear a cat heading towards us." Dovewing mewed carefully. Jayfeather stared at her with his sightless blue eyes.

"Who is it?" Jayfeather leant forward, intent on finding out. "Is it a cat from another Clan? Or is it Sol or another rogue? If it is, I'll shred Sol, even if I am blind!" Jayfeather growled.

"No, it isn't." Dovewing replied quickly. "It's another cat. One I don't know. I don't think she's a Clan cat.."

"What does she look like?" Jayfeather meowed, wondering whether the she-cat would be any concern to the Clan, and whether he should warn Bramblestar.

"Um, she has a black pelt and, uh, blue eyes." Dovewing told him, concentrating. "She's very intent, not stopping, and she looks like she's on some sort of mission."

"Shall I tell Bramblestar?" Jayfeather asked. "If she's any sort of danger to the Clans, then we should drive her out, right?"

"Yes, I think we should tell him." Dovewing continued on, and Jayfeather was well aware of the fact that she didn't want him to intercept. "But let's not make it out that this cat -whoever she is - is dangerous. She may just be passing through, or may be needing food and shelter for the night…"

"Fine, but let's tell Bramblestar now, before that cat gets here." Jayfeather decided and padded out of the den, trailed by Dovewing. He could feel her anxiety like a tidal wave, threatening to drown him.

He called a greeting to Bramblestar, who invited him in. The dark tabby leader was curled in his moss nest, tail curled around his paws, eyes gleaming.

"What can I do for you, Jayfeather and Dovewing?" After a moment's hesitation, he added, "Is it a prophecy? Is it concerning both of you?"

"No, it isn't a prophecy." Jayfeather told him quickly, before the leader could ask any more questions. "Dovewing heard that a cat was heading our way."

"A cat?" Bramblestar's voice was laced with confusion and interest. "Is it Sol? A rogue? Another cat from a Clan?"

"No, Dovewing said it's a she-cat, most probably a rogue, yes." Jayfeather meowed, shifting from paw to paw.

"Yes, thank you for warning me, Jayfeather." Bramblestar thanked them. "But I don't think we'll attack. She may need something, may even be close to starvation and death. It's the least ThunderClan can do."

Jayfeather nodded. "We'll be going now." Jayfeather backed out of the den, followed by Dovewing.

"I wonder what the she-cat wants?" Dovewing mewed. Jayfeather could feel her excitement but also her caution. But, then again, Jayfeather felt the same. He didn't know what the cat wanted, let alone whether she was dangerous or not. And he couldn't help but feel that this cat, whoever she was, had something to do with the trouble ahead.

Thanks for reading! Please R&R… Jayfeather would really appreciate it, as would I, for the support.

- Nat xx