Early update due to business tomorrow. Enjoy!

Chapter 8

Loud meows of alarm and the thundering of paws woke Tinyclaw. He narrowed his eyes against the glare of the sun streaming in through the leaves of the warrior's den.

A head as golden as the sunlight – somehow prettier, though – poked through the leaves. It was Sandstorm, her green eyes gleaming like leaves. "We've captured two ShadowClan warriors!" she exclaimed, clearly excited.

Tinyclaw sat up immediately. His sleepiness melted away like ice under flame. "What? Where?"

"By the Owl Tree," Sandstorm explained. Her excitement turned to scorn only briefly as she added, "They were asleep!"

"Does Tigerstar know?" Tinyclaw wondered.

"Dustpelt is telling him now," Sandstorm answered. She ducked out of the warrior's den as Tinyclaw surged out into the sunshine. His sudden movement woke Runningwind, who had been sleeping nearby.

Tinyclaw had slept in fits and starts since the Gathering, filled with anxiety over the silence at the announcement of his new position. His dreams were full of cats recoiling in fear at his presence, as if he were some walking bad omen sent to destroy them all. Tinyclaw hoped that no other cats would ever find out about the broken naming ritual – not only would that shame him, but it would make ThunderClan look extremely weak.

But how will I deal with this? He wondered. He'd never had to deal with enemy warriors on his territory before. Tigerstar would make the final decision, but his opinion mattered. This could mean a lot, especially in the eyes of the other Clans.

The dawn patrol was gathered in the center of the clearing, surrounding their prisoners protectively. Tinyclaw squeezed his way through them to look at the ShadowClan warriors.

Immediately, Tinyclaw recognized one of them – Littlecloud, a small brown tabby. They had met at Tinyclaw's first Gathering, when Brokentail ruled ShadowClan. Littlecloud had been little more than a kit then, too small to even stand even with Tinyclaw, who hadn't grown all that much past kithood himself. Now Littlecloud was fully grown, but still smaller than the average cat.

With him was a black and white tom that Tinyclaw didn't recognize. The white dash on his chest was distinctive, and he was cowering with Littlecloud. With a twinge of unease, Tinyclaw decided that these warriors weren't much to be afraid of – they were boney, stinky, and clearly underfed. The illness that had plagued ShadowClan at the Gathering was still with them, it seemed, and Tinyclaw took a cautious step back.

"Did they put up a fight?" Tinyclaw wondered to Whitestorm, who had led the dawn patrol.

Whitestorm's face was filled with confusion. He flicked his tail and admitted, "No. They begged us to take them with us back to camp. Begged!" The white warrior was clearly befuddled.

Tinyclaw frowned. Looking at the ShadowClan cats, he didn't doubt that they had begged. In the state they were in now, they weren't much of a threat to anyone. "Why?" he wondered. "Why would they beg?"

Before Whitestorm could guess, a commanding tone cut through the clearing, bringing silence: "Where are these ShadowClan warriors?" Tigerstar roared. Tinyclaw turned to see the great tabby tom padded around the Highrock. Tinyclaw belly twisted – Tigerstar was not happy.

Tigerstar leered at Littlecloud and his companion. "Is this some sort of attack?" he snarled.

Quickly, Tinyclaw offered, "Whitestorm found them on patrol – they were sleeping on our territory."

"Sleeping?" Tigerstar repeated. His ears were flat against his head. His confusion faded like mist. "Have we been invaded, or not?"

"These were the only cats we found," Whitestorm assured him.

"Are you sure?" Tigerstar growled.

Tinyclaw sighed inwardly. He believed Whitestorm, but it seemed like suspicion was clouding Tigerstar's judgment at the moment. One look at Littlecloud and the other cat would practically shout that invasion was the last thing on their minds – but despite where it was coming from, Tigerstar had a point. It was smart to make sure this wasn't some sort of elaborate ruse. He beckoned Mousefur and Dustpelt over with a flick of his tail. "Take a warrior and an apprentice each, then split up and search the territory from the Thunderpath to the ravine. Make sure there's no sign of ShadowClan anywhere."

They obeyed instantly. Mousefur called Runningwind and Ashpaw, while Dustpelt rallied Cinderpelt and Brightpaw. Together they headed out of camp.

Turning back to the captives, Tinyclaw wondered, "What are you doing here?" They only trembled. "Littlecloud – what do you want?"

As if calling his name made him pay attention, the small tabby turned to look at Tinyclaw. Pity stabbed though Tinyclaw as he looked into those round, begging eyes. He looked as helpless as a nursing kit without his mother.

"W-Whitethroat and I c-came here hoping you'd g-give us food and… and herbs," Littlecloud managed. His voice was weak, rasping. Begging.

Yet the gathered ThunderClan cats hissed in disbelief. Littlecloud shrank up against his companion, and Whitethroat let out a whimper. Tinyclaw only stared in amazement – since when would any ShadowClan cat admit to needing help from anyone else, let alone beg for it?

"Tinyclaw, wait," Brackenfur meowed. Tinyclaw had barely noticed that the medicine cat was by his side. Brackenfur eyed the ShadowClan cats, then insisted, "These cats are no threat to us. They're sick." He limped forward and gently nudged Littlecloud's pad with his nose. He pulled up, tail fluffed. "His pad is blazing. His fever is -"

"Get away from them!"

Tinyclaw was displaced as Yellowfang forced her way through the crowd. She grasped Brackenfur's scruff in her jaws and dragged her apprentice away from the ShadowClan cats by force, her orange eyes blazing with fury and… worry?

"Why?" Brackenfur demanded when Yellowfang finally set him down a tail-length away. "These cats are sick!"

Tinyclaw glanced at Tigerstar. The entire Clan was staring wide-eyed at the ShadowClan cats, but it wouldn't be long before they looked to Tigerstar. Unfortunately, Tigerstar's eyes were the widest, and in them Tinyclaw could see him battling with worry and fear and anxiety, trying to take in all that was happening. Tinyclaw stepped forward before any cat could ask, hoping he could give Tigerstar some time to collect himself.

"Why us?" Tinyclaw wondered loudly. "Why not go to another Clan?"

It was Whitethroat who spoke, his voice trembling with fear. "You helped ShadowClan before," he meowed. "W-When we drove out Brokentail."

But we sheltered Brokentail not long after, he thought. Had Whitethroat and Littlecloud forgotten? No, they couldn't have. Brokentail had forced both of these cats into apprenticeship when they were far from six moons old. To them, banishing Brokentail must have been a divine feat – something that couldn't be overridden in their eyes. Brokentail was dead now, and they knew that. There were no threats from ThunderClan beyond Clan rivalry.

Whitethroat went on, "We hoped you'd be able to help us now that Nightstar is sick, t-too." He seemed to be gaining traction in his voice as he spoke on. "The whole c-camp is in chaos with so many sick. There aren't enough h-herbs or fresh-kill to go around."

"What's Runningnose doing? He's your medicine cat – it's his job to tend you!" Yellowfang spat. Her eyes were flaming suns of fury and indignation.

Tinyclaw was taken aback by her tone. Yellowfang was formerly from ShadowClan – and she had often shown lingering fondness and care towards her Clanmates, even though she was ThunderClan now. Where was this bitterness coming from?

"Nightstar seemed all right at the last Gathering," Longtail commented.

Tigerstar narrowed his eyes. "Yes," he meowed suspiciously. "He did."

Yet Tinyclaw recalled differently. Nightstar had been extremely frail at the Gathering, barely able to raise his voice loud enough when it came time for him to speak. Littlecloud confirmed his thoughts: "He got worse when he returned to camp. The trip was hard on him, and Runningnose was with him all night, and he's stayed there since! Runningnose let a kit die at their mother's belly without even a poppy seed to ease them to StarClan!" His voice was a desperate plea. "Please, help us!"

Tinyclaw swallowed. There is no lie in that plea, he though for certain. He glanced at Tigerstar and saw only more bewilderment.

"They must leave," Yellowfang growled.

"What?" Tinyclaw spat in surprise. He rounded on her. "Why? They're no threat to us in this state!"

Yellowfang's eyes narrowed. "They are more of a threat than you realize," she replied seriously. Tinyclaw swallowed. Yellowfang got to her paws and began circling the ShadowClan cats at a decent distance. "They carry a disease I've seen before in ShadowClan. It killed many cats last time."

"It's not greencough?" Tinyclaw asked. At Yellowfang's words, the ThunderClan cats edged a fox-length away from the intruders. A worried murmur spread through them.

"It has no name," Yellowfang meowed. Her eyes were fixed on Littlecloud and Whitethroat. "It comes from the rats that live in Carrionplace, on the edge of ShadowClan's territory." She glared at Littlecloud. "The elders ought to know – Runningnose ought to know – never to bring those rats back as prey!"

Littlecloud shivered. "It was an apprentice," he explained. "He was t-too young to know!"

There was silence. The sick cat's labored breathing filled the air until Tinyclaw could take it no more. To Tigerstar, he asked, "What do we do now?"

Yellowfang spoke up before Tigerstar could answer: "Tigerstar, it had not been long since greencough ravaged our Clan. You lost a life then." Yellowfang's narrowed eyes betrayed her reasoning. Only Tinyclaw and Yellowfang knew that Tigerstar was on his last life – if he lost it to this disease, ThunderClan would be leaderless. The thought turned Tinyclaw's blood to ice.

Tigerstar was expressionless. "You are right," he agreed. "They cannot stay here. Tinyclaw, send them away." He got to his paws and turned back towards his den.

Tinyclaw sighed. His relief was tempered by pity – was there really nothing they could do? Brackenfur looked incredulous, his eyes wide. Tinyclaw sighed again and announced, "Sandstorm and I will escort the ShadowClan warriors to the border."

At least the Clan sighed with relief at that. The other cats began to spread out, huddling in their usual groups. The talking was at a minimum, and one eye was trained on the captives. Only Brackenfur and Yellowfang remained with the captives and their escort.

"Please," Brackenfur pleaded, "let me help them!"

Yellowfang did not look at her apprentice. "Come," she growled. "We must wash the sickness from your muzzle."

Brackenfur lashed his tail. "Yellowfang, I -"

Yellowfang glared at him. "Unless you want nettle in the mixture, you shut your mouth!" she hissed. Brackenfur closed his jaws, a sullen look in his eye. Yellowfang practically pushed him away towards her tunnel. Tinyclaw swallowed nervously. Tigerstar's orders are law, he thought. I'm sorry, Brackenfur.

Tinyclaw glanced at Sandstorm, and was relieved to see her eyes filled with sadness. He was glad she understood the ShadowClan cat's need for help as much as Brackenfur or Tinyclaw did – but he knew she would also understand the struggle to keep compassion from exposing the Clan to illness.

"Let's go," she meowed softly. "The sooner they're off our territory, the better."

"Alright," Tinyclaw agreed. He did his best not to be swayed by the fear and sorrow in Littlecloud's eyes. "The Thunderpath is busy this time of year. We'll help you cross."

"No need," Littlecloud whispered in reply. "But thank you."

"We'll take you there anyway," Tinyclaw insisted. He flicked his tail. "Let's go."

The ShadowClan warriors heaved themselves to their paws. Sandstorm and Tinyclaw flanked them as they left the camp and began climbing the ravine. The ShadowClan cats fell behind, their breath desperate gasps – and Tinyclaw forced himself not to look at their scrambling. When Littlecloud and Whitethroat had made it, they continued on.

The walk was quiet aside from the captive's labored breathing, and warm from the harsh sunlight. The forest was full to bursting with activity, and between the trees Tinyclaw could see a multitude of prey going about their lives. Tinyclaw glanced at the ShadowClan cats – no reaction.

Sighing, Tinyclaw shot off. A mouse was just too close to pass up, and too unaware to feel Tinyclaw's jaws sinking into its spine. Tinyclaw padded back to the group and laid the mouse at the ShadowClan warrior's paws. They took it and split it between them, nibbling slowly.

Sandstorm frowned. Tinyclaw shrugged and meowed, "They can't possible spread their illness by eating. Besides, they'll need their strength across the Thunderpath."

She only tossed her head. Whitethroat and Littlecloud rose from their barely-eaten prey, looking ill, and turned into a bush to retch. Sandstorm wrinkled her muzzle. "What a waste," she muttered.

Tinyclaw sighed and patted earth over the partially-eaten fresh-kill. No one would dare eat that now. When the ShadowClan cats were done, the trip continued.

The smell of the Thunderpath wafted through the trees before the sight or sound of the monsters gave any indication. The edge of the trees stopped abruptly here, leaving a large space of oily grass before the stony path that stretched like a river through the forest. ShadowClan territory lay on the other side. Tinyclaw stopped the patrol as a monster roared past, whipping up a nasty breeze in its wake.

"I know you don't want our help," Sandstorm offered, "but we'll guide you across." Tinyclaw nodded in agreement. These cats needed to get across safely, especially when they could barely walk straight. Why they wouldn't leave ThunderClan territory was a mystery.

"We'll cross alone," Littlecloud offered. "Just leave us here."

Tinyclaw frowned. This was too suspicious to ignore, yet these cats posed no threat to ThunderClan. Something wasn't right here. "All right," he offered. "Go on." Sandstorm threw him a look, but Tinyclaw flicked his tail. She sat down.

Littlecloud nodded, and he and Whitethroat disappeared into the ferns.

"Are we going to -" Sandstorm began.

"Follow them?" Tinyclaw finished. He glanced at Sandstorm with a wry smirk at the spark in her eye. "Of course."

The two waited until the sounds of ShadowClan cats were gone – and then they followed. The two kept low to the ground, their pawsteps silent and smooth. They followed the two sickly cats as they made their way through the woods, just skimming the Thunderpath, towards Fourtrees.

"This isn't going to get them across," Sandstorm hissed into his ear.

Tinyclaw nodded in agreement. This path was something strange, that was for sure. "Perhaps they're going the way they came?"

The two kept silent as suddenly, just before Fourtrees lay beneath them, the ShadowClan cat's path took a sharp turn. The cats began walking all the way around Fourtrees, before veering off again towards the Thunderpath. Tinyclaw and Sandstorm followed in confusion and curiosity. Where were they headed?

Finally the woods opened up. Tinyclaw and Sandstorm kept themselves back, in the bushes. From the smells, this place was an odd mix-up of borders – WindClan was just ahead, and faint ShadowClan smell drifted towards them. Yet the strangest thing of all was the Thunderpath itself.

It was right near them, just a paw-step away. Tinyclaw had to almost pull Sandstorm back before she padded onto it. Monsters roared by in packs, buffeting the air and mixing the smells – yet the sick cats' stench was unmistakable.

"Where did they go?" Sandstorm hissed, her pelt on end.

Tinyclaw looked around. They certainly hadn't crossed, which meant they were still on ThunderClan territory. Just as he was about to give up, a gap in the monsters gave way to the sound of something rustling not far off. Tinyclaw flicked Sandstorm's flank with his tail and the two followed the sound.

The ground sloped down underneath their paws at a sharp incline that made the hill more dirt than grass. Thick brambles and weeds and ferns choked the gully, but Tinyclaw could just barely make out the white tip of Whitethroat's tail as he and Littlecloud navigated the path expertly. The smell of ShadowClan was faint, but thick here.

Whitethroat's tail abruptly disappeared just as a monster roared by on the Thunderpath. Tinyclaw waited until it was gone before beginning to search the area again.

There was nothing much here, however. The plants were dry and smelly from the Thunderpath, and the ground felt as if it might at one point hold a little water. Yet the gully being here was strange, especially when all the land near the Thunderpath was smooth and flattened. Tinyclaw and Sandstorm kept quiet as they followed the sick cats' trail.

"What in StarClan?" Sandstorm gasped.

She and Tinyclaw stopped. Before them was a great stone-lined tunnel – and it had swallowed the ShadowClan cats whole.