Hey everyone! I want to say thank you to all of you who reviewed last chapter. It's wonderful to know that, despite my super-break, there are still people who want me to finish. :) Thanks so much!

This chapter's a little shorter than last one's 6,000 words, but I'm still excited with how long it is. It's only about 500 words less, I think. I absolutely love doing the longer chapters, it really gets me more into the story and lets me delve into the characters more than I'd be able to with shorter, 1,000-2,000 word chapters. It helps me love sitting down to write a little more, even though I need to set aside more time to do the writing.

I've got a couple snow days, as I'm getting over a foot of snow in an insane storm, so I was able to finish this chapter. I won't be able to finish the next one before Monday, sadly, but hopefully the snow will remain into next week and I'll get a couple more snow days during which I can finish the last chapter and the epilogue. Yes, I'm including one, mainly because I want to feature kits and aftermath and all. One more thing: if I accidentally mistyped a name in this chapter, I'm really sorry. I kept catching myself typing Sootthorn or Rainpaw for some reason. I think I fixed them all, but still, I'm sorry in advance.

Leopardstar2002: Me too! Let's hope he can get past his hatred and really love his kits like a father should.

QLKwriter: *hands package of inspiration* Go see what your characters want to do! I bet they're aching to get out of your mind and stretch their muscles a little. ;) I get the feeling that some people make a resolution to not forget their New Years Resolutions and then forget to do that. One of my friends wrote down all of hers so she doesn't forget them.

Nightbird1648: Thanks! *gives hug* Why didn't you do any resolutions? I've heard a lot of people say New Years Resolutions are overrated, is that why? Or could you just not think of any, like me? XD

ShadowHawk540-2: Shadekit's so adorable! *hugs Shadekit* Thank you for still reading this! I hope you're loving it as much as I am again. :)

Willowdream of ForestClan: I was getting a little annoyed with him being so heartless. I think that's part of what was holding me back from writing. XD Helping him see good again definitely helped me start writing again.

Cinderstar's POV

The sky dawned that morning with streaks of orange blazing across the pale sky like fiery lightning. I wondered if even the sunrise was against this battle. It wouldn't surprise me. When had Sootstar become this bloodthirsty? He could easily pass as a freaking rogue. A rogue.

Foxtooth stared at me intently from his position beside me, tail flicking back and forth, creating a furrow in the snow drifted against the edges of camp. "Cinderstar."

"What?" I didn't look over at him, but continued staring at the sunrise. He'd gotten out of the medicine den last night and was already starting to get on my nerves. I could concentrate much easier on my leader duties while he wasn't hanging around me.

"You're not listening to me."

"Yes I am."

Foxtooth nosed under my chin. "No you aren't. You're not looking at me."

"I can still hear you."

"But that's not the point!" Foxtooth dug his claws into the snow in frustration. "We're mates! We're meant to give each other our full attention when we talk to each other."

I flicked my ear. "Technically we're not mates."

"Technically doesn't have anything to do with it. I asked you if you'd like to be my mate and you said yes, what more do you want?"

I finally looked in his direction, a half-smile breaking through my battle mask. "Are you sure you want an answer to that?"

Foxtooth hesitated, then froze, looking mortified. "Erm… no, I'm good," he muttered. "Um…"

"I didn't think so," I laughed, nosing his shoulder. His eyes lit up and he grinned. I glanced away, across the clearing to where Twigpaw and Morningpaw pushed their way out of the apprentices' den, then up at the sunrise again. I hated looking into other cats' eyes; it made me feel too vulnerable. Like they could see into my soul and know exactly what I was thinking, reading my innermost emotions. It was creepy. Who would like something like that?

Apparently Foxtooth. He exhaled despondently as he glanced back at the ground and began tracing his tail in the snow again. I swear he was the only cat I knew who could add emotion into anything. Not even Rainstar was that good.

Rainstar. If Sootstar was going to attack quickly it was likely he'd either attack SkyClan or WindClan. I knew that SkyClan would be ready, judging from Rockstar's attitude last night, but what if he went for WindClan? It was likely, as Rainstar would probably surrender the fastest out of all the leaders, fearing for the safety of his Clanmates. In the height of battle, with blood spattering all around him, would Rainstar be able to push his warriors forward, even if they were winning, if they were already wounded to the brink of exhaustion? I doubted it. Sootstar would find an easy victory on WindClan territory.

But then he'd have to face the rest of the Clans and, already exhausted after one battle, ThunderClan wouldn't be able to hold off SkyClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan for long. What could his strategy be? What would drive him to declare war when he was so clearly outmatched?

I shrugged it off. The sun was visible above the tops of the pine trees. The Clan was up and finishing their scavenged meal. It was time to assist WindClan and SkyClan in confining ThunderClan to their own territory and teaching Sootstar a lesson in leadership.

Leaving Foxtooth sitting by the side of camp, I ran lightly across to my den, clawing my way up to the low-hanging branch and standing tall on top of it, chin held high like the leader I was. "ShadowClan," I called in a ringing voice, "it's almost time."

Most of the Clan bounded over to sit beneath me, heads tilted back to look up at me. I reveled in their gazes, pride filling me up as I looked from face to face, quickly enough to avoid extended eye contact but slowly enough for each to know I looked at them. Each one had accepted me as their leader. Each one would trust me with their lives. Well, if they trusted me enough to be willing to do that, then I'd just have to repay the favor by guarding them with each one of my remaining lives.

"Cats of ShadowClan," I started again as the last few cats trotted over, still chewing the last of their frozen fresh-kill. "Last night, Sootstar of ThunderClan declared war on the rest of the Clans. Today we must prove our right to the name of warrior. Though the peace must be broken today, let us join with the other Clans, let us triumph over ThunderClan, so that by the time the sun sets again, the bloodshed will have faded once again."

Cheers echoed around the camp and I grinned, buoyed up by my warriors' support. But just as quickly, I was brought back down to hard reality.

Foxtooth stood near the edge of the gathering, staring up at me with a cool gaze. "What if we are forced to fight loved ones? What if we refuse to fight?"

I considered him for a moment. His words automatically made me think of Sootstar, of the times when I called him my brother. Such wonderful times. For a heartbeat I wished myself back then, to when life was easier and my brothers were closer to me than my own life. I'd give up my pelt for them without a second thought. But after my fight with Sootstar last night, it seemed those ties had well and truly broken. And I couldn't be sorry they were gone. My Clan needed me to be strong. They looked to me for leadership and I needed to give it to them.

But why would Foxtooth bring up that particular question? To get back at me for ignoring him that morning? But Foxtooth didn't do that, he always forgave. He always sought the best in others. Just like Rainstar. But then why would he ask about that?

Of course. Rustpelt. His brother was Sootstar's deputy. Stormtuft had pronounced Foxtooth healthy enough to fight today, so it was more than likely Foxtooth would meet Rustpelt in battle. Kindhearted as he was, Foxtooth probably wouldn't dare attack his own brother. Rustpelt probably wouldn't even attack Foxtooth back. Loyalties must be to one's Clan first, but then again, if cats saw enemy warriors refusing to fight each other, perhaps they might end the battle earlier and thereby reduce the number of wounds and possible deaths.

I hesitated a moment longer, unwilling to go against the warrior code, but I figured I'd take my own advice and blurted out, "Go with your gut feeling. If you think it will decrease the amount of loss today, do it."

Foxtooth dipped his head, though he kept eye contact all through, as though challenging me. "As you say, Cinderstar." It was probably my imagination that he stressed the last half of my name. I let it go.

"ShadowClan, it is time. Let's go." Lifting my tail dramatically, I swept it downward and leaped forward off the branch. For a heartbeat I flew through the air, the wind ruffling my belly fur as though I was flying, leading my Clan forward into battle on a pair of eagle's wings. Then my paws hit the ground and I raced for the entrance, warriors streaming around and behind me, their eyes alight with adrenaline and excitement for the coming battle.

About halfway through the forest, I noticed Foxtooth was running just behind me. I slowed, letting him catch up. He didn't shift his pace at all, though, and kept his eyes fixed ahead of him.

"Hey," I meowed softly.

Foxtooth ignored me.

"Foxtooth."

He turned, staring at me out of the corners of his hazel eyes. "What?"

"I… I'm sorry."

"What for?"

"I don't know!" I leaped over a fallen branch, stamping the ground on the other side harder than I'd meant to. "But apparently I did something!"

Foxtooth's gaze softened a little, as I guessed it would. "It's okay, I guess," he said, turning to look ahead again. "I just… I'm not used to you having leader duties as well, maybe."

"Well neither am I."

"No, I mean… not the duties themselves, exactly, but more the time they take up." He looked sideways at me, giving me his full attention for the first time. I glanced over at him, saw his eyes staring into mine, and glanced ahead again instinctively. "Remember when we went to get RiverClan? It was just us together, day after day after day. We spent all our time together."

I snorted to myself, remembering all the times I'd tried to get rid of him, but made sure Foxtooth didn't hear.

"I wish we could do that again. I'm only seeing you once, maybe twice every day, and even then we're not actually spending quality time together. Cinderstar… I want to be mates. I want to act like mates and talk like mates and spend time together like mates. Maybe we don't have to have kits quite yet, but I…" he trailed off hopelessly. "I really like you," he said earnestly.

In a few moments we would be fighting a battle. This was way not the time for this talk. But if Foxtooth wanted to talk, maybe I should entertain him for now. At least until I smelled SkyClan or ThunderClan scents.

"I like spending time with you too," I meowed, and my stomach constricted as though I was telling a lie. But I wasn't, was I. I certainly didn't think so, but maybe I should rephrase it just in case. "You're an awesome cat and a real asset to this Clan. You're a great Clanmate to everyone."

Foxtooth smiled and ducked his head self-consciously, then nuzzled my shoulder briefly. After a moment, I realized I should probably return the gesture. It was so hard to tell when I should be all romantic and lovey towards him. I almost wished he wouldn't spend as much time around me, so I wouldn't feel as guilty about having to blow him off.

"Thanks," he murmured. I half-glanced in his direction, wondering whether or not he'd notice it and whether or not I should try to think up a response to that. Fortunately, the scents from the border hit my nostrils and I slowed, turning my attention to a much more pressing issue.

There didn't seem to be anyone at the border. I padded cautiously forward, sniffing at the markers. They were at least a day old. Perhaps SkyClan was too busy guarding their ThunderClan border to care much about protection from ShadowClan. I snorted to myself at the change in stereotypes; it seemed like ThunderClan was becoming the warmongers for once. Still, it didn't seem wise to lead a battle patrol across another Clan's territory.

"We'll cross SkyClan territory by the lake," I called to my Clanmates. "It's technically allowed, and I'd prefer to avoid any unnecessary conflict. Remember to stay within three tail-lengths of the water's edge, even if it starts splashing up on your fur. Water won't kill you."

I distinctly heard Tanglefur mutter, "Wimps," behind me but didn't confront him. Instead, I beckoned with my tail and turned to head directly along the border, cutting off Foxtooth so he was forced to fall behind. I hoped he didn't think I did it on purpose. That would lead to some awkward questions later, ones he admittedly was probably already thinking. But I'd deal with those after the battle. Right now I had a brother to fight.

The lake looked strangely calm through the trees as I began leading the trek over the gray sand. It was a stormy color, reflecting the low clouds overhead, promising a snow shower later. I hoped it wouldn't start during the battle, as the freezing flakes might cause distractions. Hunger-stricken as we were, we needed our wits about us. Why did Sootstar have to start a freaking battle in the middle of Leafbare? It was the absolute worst time for one!

I kicked a stone into the water. It disrupted the mostly flat surface, breaking it into contrasting stripes of pale and stormy grays. I watched them disappear, trying to keep pace with the ripples as they faded, falling to the overbearing continuity of the overall surface. I wondered if the lake was a prophecy, showing how this battle would fade into the overall history of the Clans as nothing more than a small rock thrown into the waters of time.

I shook my head. This was no time to be getting metaphorical. Battles were not metaphorical. They were literal as in blood guts and death literal. They were literal as in pain injury last words literal. I didn't think anything could get much more literal than that. I couldn't have my head in the figurative clouds when I was trying to fight a literal battle.

The ThunderClan border appeared ahead. I slowed down, sniffing at the border markings. They seemed even older than SkyClan's. What was Sootstar doing with his Clan? Didn't he even know how to lead well? Though I supposed if he was starting random battles against the other Clans he probably didn't have a clue.

A rustle sounded in the trees ahead. I swept my tail back and forth as fast as I could, diving behind a bramble bush and wriggling underneath. I was quickly joined by Frozenwhisker, whose eyes sparkled with adrenaline as he stared forward, trying to make out the possible enemy. Through the thorny fronds I saw Foxtooth hesitate, see that there was no more room under the bush with me, then leap up into a tree, hiding behind the trunk in the absence of leaves.

A figure stepped out toward the border and paused, gazing around at the suddenly deserted territory. I peered out from underneath and caught a glimpse of fluffy gray paws. My breathing hitched for a moment as I recognized Rainstar's fur.

"I know you're here, Cinderstar," he said. "I can smell your scent. Not going for much of a stealthy approach this time, eh?"

I slipped out from under the bush, motioning to Frozenwhisker to stay hidden. "Hello, Rainstar," I meowed calmly. "Fancy seeing you here."

Rainstar looked a little tired. I wondered whether he'd been up late worrying over the fate of his warriors. But if he was so worried, then why was he here on the opposite side of ThunderClan's territory? It didn't make sense.

"I have come with a proposition," Rainstar meowed. "If you would accompany me to ThunderClan's camp, I will expand on it."

"What proposition?" I asked warily. There was no way I was going to the ThunderClan camp. What if it was a trap?

"Please, Cinderstar, I need you to trust me. Would I lead you into an ambush?" His eyes went wide and pleading. I recognized the expression from when he was sucking up to Lightwing when we were kits, begging for one more bedtime story.

"What proposition?" I repeated, stubbornly refusing to yield to his kitten-eyes.

Rainstar sighed, dropping his gaze. "The proposition of a truce, or at least a temporary one. No fighting until we have a chance to talk."

"How do I know I can trust you?" I half hissed. "How do I know Sootstar didn't set you up to this?"

"You don't," Rainstar said simply. "Except that I'm your brother. Would I knowingly lead you into a trap? Am I that kind of cat?"

"It doesn't matter—"

"Yes it does. We grew up together, doesn't that count for anything?"

I lashed my tail in frustration. "Rainstar, we have to act like actual leaders! Actual leaders didn't grow up together! I can't just trust you this easily, I'd be betraying my Clan!"

"These aren't normal Clans," Rainstar insisted. "These aren't normal times. We aren't normal leaders. We can't base our lives off of the lives of previous leaders. They responded the way they felt was right to the situations that arose during their leadership. If we take anything from them we should take that."

I shook my head, turning away. If I agreed, it would make me look weak in front of my Clan. Still, I was curious to know how this played out, and if it avoided bloodshed, all the better, right? I clenched my teeth for a heartbeat, then spat out, "Fine." I looked back up at Rainstar, meeting his blue eyes with my matching ones. "Fine. But I'm bringing my warriors with me."

Rainstar hesitated, glancing behind me. I twitched my tail and they began emerging. His eyes widened when he saw how many I'd brought. "A… all of them?" he asked, a hint of nervousness entering his voice for the first time.

I narrowed my eyes. "Yes. Those are my terms."

"I…" Rainstar bit his lip, then gave a short, forced dip of his head. "Just remember that this is a peace talk. No fighting or instigating allowed."

"You heard Rainstar?" I shot a glance over my shoulder. "No hostile behavior. Not unless we're attacked." My eyes narrowed as I stared back at Rainstar. "Then show them what ShadowClan's made of."

Rainstar nodded as he turned to lead the way deeper into ThunderClan territory. "That's fair I guess," he muttered. "My warriors are waiting at the camp."

During the walk through the forest I tried to avoid eye contact with both Rainstar and Foxtooth, which was difficult as the toms flanked me. I stared straight ahead, concentrating on lifting my paws high enough to clear the layer of snow on the ground. I set a fast pace, hoping to get the awkward walk over with, but Rainstar refused to walk any faster and I was forced to fall back by his side, flicking the snow with my tail in irritation. Finally, this drawn-out torture session ended and I caught sight of the hollow opening ahead.

This time it was Rainstar setting the fast pace as I tried to slow down, nervous about walking through the snow so close to the steep drop. What if I slipped and fell? Besides losing another life, I didn't think I'd be able to cope with the humiliation, what with it being in front of my whole Clan and all. I dodged around Rainstar's other side, hugging the treeline to keep as far away from the edge as possible. Foxtooth didn't seem to notice.

The camp entrance was blocked by a mess of thorns. I pressed my belly to the ground and pushed my way through, flattening my ears to the top of my head to avoid cutting them. Honestly, it surprised me that the apprentices weren't constantly slicing their ears open.

Sootstar sat in the center of the clearing, perfectly emotionless, his shadowed features blurred into his fur. He looked like the silhouette of a cat with glowing, dark blue eyes. I had a sudden shock of déjà vu and was cast back to the first time I ever set foot in this camp. Sootstar looked exactly like Ashthorn had then.

"Cinderstar," he said tersely. "I'm glad you came."

"What's your problem?" I marched over and shoved my face close to his. I knew I was violating my own rules about not instigating a fight but I couldn't help it. I doubted Sootstar would fight back anyway, at least not yet. "What's the idea, starting a war now? It's the middle of Leafbare!"

"I was wrong," he said calmly. "You're right. I should not have started the war."

I blinked. I hadn't expected him to so readily admit his wrongdoing. Recovering, I flicked my tail across the trodden-down snow. "So what do you expect to happen? Everyone says it's all fine and we skip happily into the sunset? This isn't a game, Sootstar, it isn't a kit-story. It's real life. You can't just gloss over your mistakes."

He kept his gaze level. I wondered if he'd practiced this at all, sitting alone in his den speaking to the wall. Or maybe speaking to Rainstar. Was that why he looked so tired? I glanced sideways at him, but Rainstar's gaze was trained on the ground. Had they struck some sort of deal?

I worked my claws nervously in the snow as Sootstar began speaking again. "I was overcome by my anger, Cinderstar. I was thinking about Ashthorn, about how he continually sticks his nose into our lives, even though he's in StarClan and not meant to meddle with us anymore. I wanted to do something he wouldn't expect, something he couldn't have predicted."

"Why are you so obsessed with him?" I whispered. "He's dead, isn't he? He can't touch you anymore."

"He can come to us in dreams. Don't pretend he hasn't come to you." For the first time a spark of anger entered his eyes, but he blinked it away. "He came to me too. He told me I was becoming like him. He said he was… proud of me."

I squared my jaw. "Let him be proud of you then. Let him be the father he wants to be."

"He was never a father to us and you know it. Where was he during the first ten moons of our life? Where was he when we returned in search of him? When did he open his heart to us?"

"He told us what he'd done, he apologized before he died. Isn't that enough?"

"That's exactly my point though. It was right before he died. He knew he wouldn't survive his wounds. Why not get his kits to love him while he still could?" Sootstar's voice turned bitter. "He never loved us. I bet he never really wanted kits. The only thing stopping him from sending us off was his pride and the possibility he could use us to boast of his own power. 'Look at what my kits could do. Look at how well I raised them.' " He broke off, taking a deep breath. "I'm a father now, Cinderstar. I can't afford to abandon my kits like Ashthorn did to us. I can't raise them the same way."

I went quiet. Everything he said made sense, and yet… I couldn't abandon the hope that Ashthorn still loved us. He must, he was our father after all. Fathers always loved their kits. It was one of the givens in life. Leafbare comes after Leaffall. The lake is a shade of blue or gray. At night the stars come out. Fathers love their kits. But why couldn't I think up an argument as good as Sootstar's?

"You're a father? As in officially?"

Sootstar dipped his head. "Yeah. They're not even a full day old yet but they're… they've arrived."

Despite the tension of the moment, despite the impeding battle, I couldn't suppress a flicker of excitement. My brother's kits. How many were there? What did they look like? Had any of them somehow inherited my or Rainstar's coloring?

Sootstar appeared to read my thoughts in my eyes. He half smiled. "Would you like to see them?"

I nodded, glancing at Rainstar again. "Coming?"

"Rainstar's already been in," Sootstar meowed, getting to his paws. He led the way across the camp, twitching his paws a little with each step to rid them of snow. I suddenly remembered how he hated snow as a kit, how he couldn't stand how it caked his fur and melted into patches of water, cold against his skin. It seemed the distaste had persisted through the moons.

He ducked through the entrance first, so that by the time I'd slipped into the warmth, he had already crouched down beside them.

Four kits lay tangled together in the moss, tails and paws sticking everywhere. My breath caught in my throat as I saw their tiny bodies, covered from nose to tail in soft kit-fluff like the down feathers of birds.

"They're split even between you and Dawnshine," I murmured, bending down to sniff them. "Two toms, two she-cats, and two of each coloring." None like me or Rainstar, I thought to myself sadly. I supposed I'd just have to wait for Rainstar to have kits.

"Where's Dawnshine?"

Sootstar shrugged. "Dirtplace, probably."

"Shouldn't she be with her kits? Aren't they too young to be left alone?"

"Even queens have to make dirt." Sootstar raised his eyebrows. "And Amberwing would be in here if she hadn't taken her kits to play in the old elders' den."

It was my turn to shrug. "Okay, whatever. They're your kits I guess."

Sootstar gave a couple of them a last nuzzle and got to his paws to lead the way out of the nursery. I gazed at them a moment longer before turning to follow. They were so precious. And after Sootstar's speech I couldn't help but wonder whether Ashthorn had loved us as much as Sootstar loved these four.

I emerged from the nursery and ran right into Sootstar's hindquarters. Stumbling backwards, my fur tangling in the thorns (why would anyone put the kits in a thorn trap?), I spat out a mouthful of his fur and prodded his heels with a paw. "Move your butt. You're in my way."

He didn't move. Rolling my eyes, I shoved my head between the nursery wall and his hind leg and pushed myself through, pulling myself free from the nursery and leaving half my pelt behind on the thorns. Lovely. Now some of my protection against the chilly wind was gone. Glancing up to see what Sootstar was staring at, I froze, and not from the breeze.

It was as though a puddle of water had been turned vertical, reflecting Sootstar's image to create two of him, except that the reflection had stars tangled in his translucent fur. Ashthorn smiled at Sootstar, who had gone rigid as though frozen into an icicle.

"Congratulations on your new sons and daughters," he purred. "I'm sure they'll grow up big and strong just like their papa."

I stared past him, trying to make out Rainstar's expression from across the clearing. He looked tense and worried. We made eye contact and for once I didn't look away. In this moment I thought we completely understood each other. Both of us knew how this would play out.

Ashthorn took a step forward, ducking his broad head conspiratorially. "If you'd like, I could give you a couple tips on parenting."

I tried to leap between them but in a rush of fur and bloodthirsty screeching, Sootstar hurtled straight for Ashthorn, who slipped sideways out of the way. Sootstar landed and kicked out with his powerful hind legs, catching Ashthorn off guard and knocking him to the ground. Ashthorn rolled and Sootstar's paws slammed into the snow exactly where Ashthorn's throat had been a moment before. His claws left deep imprints in the icelike snow.

"Stop!" I lunged for Sootstar, tackling him and slamming his ribcage into the ground. He grunted, coughing, and I released him, but he immediately leaped for Ashthorn again and I was forced to snatch his tail and hold him back. "Rainstar!" I cast a desperate look behind me, only to see my brother already sprinting to help. He piled on top of Sootstar, shoving his muzzle beside his ear.

"Calm down!" he hissed.

"He… he…" Sootstar gasped for air, panting, claws scraping at the ground, the glint of hatred in his twilight blue eyes.

"He insulted you."

I whipped around at the higher voice. Dawnshine stood a couple tail-lengths behind me, staring at Sootstar through half-closed eyes. "He insulted you, Sootstar. Are you going to stand for that?"

Sootstar's efforts to free himself from Rainstar redoubled. Rainstar lost his grip and Sootstar shot at Ashthorn again, his teeth bared in a snarl. "You will not touch my life again!" he hissed, lashing out with the speed of a fleeing rabbit. Ashthorn barely dodged, ducking to snap his teeth at Sootstar's paw.

"Why are you egging him on?" I growled, advancing on Dawnshine. "What's your problem? You should be resting." My eyes traveled from her half-closed eyes to her drooping whiskers to her tail, sweeping the ground as though she didn't have enough strength to lift it. "After kitting late last night you must be exhausted."

"I'm fine," Dawnshine insisted, crouching and fixing me with a glare. "In fact, I'm glad the kits are gone. It makes my job much easier."

"What—"

She leaped at me, claws extended. I was too shocked to dodge, but instead crashed to the ground, rolling with Dawnshine's momentum. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Foxtooth dancing nervously nearby, torn between helping me and injuring a nursing queen. The rest of ShadowClan had drawn together into a protective circle, eying the warriors from ThunderClan and WindClan with a sudden mistrust.

"Don't—" I tried to shout, but Dawnshine pressed herself closer to me, muffling my voice with her thick Leafbare fur.

"Attack!" she cried, imitating Sootstar with surprising accuracy.

A couple warriors made half-hearted advances on ShadowClan, but most remained uncertainly in place. I gasped a breath of relief. Maybe battle could still be avoided.

"What are you waiting for?" Adderclaw, the WindClan deputy, leaped forward, teeth bared in a vicious grimace. "Attack!" He dove at the ShadowClan patrol. The confused WindClan warriors split, half following him toward the ShadowClan cats and half attacking ThunderClan. Sootstar's warriors, likewise baffled, resorted to defending themselves from the sudden onslaught, as did my Clanmates. I watched helplessly as red started to spatter the snow.

"What's your problem?" I spat at Dawnshine, suddenly forgetting about her four kits asleep in the nursery. I dug my claws deep into her fur, throwing her to the ground beside me, but she barely winced, her claws remaining tangled in my fur.

"Don't you get it?" she hissed, a grin forming on her lips. "This is the only way I can get my sister back."

I kicked her belly and she rolled away, scrambling to her paws for a new attack. "What are you talking about?" I repeated.

"Featherpaw! It's all about Featherpaw!" She lunged at me and I dodged, rolling away from her claws as they flashed out to the side, just missing my flank.

"How will starting a war get you your sister back?" I lashed my tail for balance, then shot underneath her like a snake, snapping my teeth shut on her hind leg and pulling it forward, underneath her belly.

"Ashthorn promised to send her back in one of my kits if I helped him. It's the only way!"

"What about waiting to see her again in StarClan?"

"I haven't seen her in five moons," Dawnshine spat, yanking her foot out of my mouth and spinning around to kick me in the chest. Her paw left a bloody pawprint in my fur. "It's too long. I can't wait a lifetime, I just can't!"

"She'll hate you for what you're doing!" I rolled to my paws and leaped over her back, twisting in midair and landing on her back, knocking her into the snow.

Spitting out a mouthful of snow, Dawnshine glared up at me. "What would you do?" she whispered. "Imagine it. Just imagine it. What if Sootstar or Rainstar died in this battle? What if they lost all nine lives at once? Then imagine having to live without them for nine lives. Would you be able to do it?"

I shook my head to clear it. "I wouldn't resort to starting battles to get them back."

"But would you?"

"No," I spat, though I was only about half sure I wasn't lying. "I'd survive. I'd miss them but I wouldn't resort to some sort of dark magic to bring them back."

Dawnshine grinned, but at that moment she was distracted by a loud yowl from the top of the hollow. I glanced up and spotted the silhouettes of a battle patrol. Rearing onto my hind legs, I sniffed at the air and detected a mixture of SkyClan's dusty, windswept scent and RiverClan's fishy breath.

"Looks like some reinforcements have arrived," she said, her pale eyes flashing. "Imagine how happy they'll be to be welcomed by the death of their least favorite leader."

Before I could move, she'd slipped past me and dashed to where Sootstar and Ashthorn still sparred, tackling Sootstar and pinning him to the ground with her claws to his throat. My heart dropping to beat in one of my hind paws, I lunged after her, my too-late warning ringing through the hollow.

"Sootstar! Look out!"

Clllllliffhanger! :D Sorry about that, but I love cliffhangers, so I don't actually think I'm too sorry. Oh well. :P

AOTD: I don't think I actively made many resolutions on New Years Day, but in the next couple days I'm pretty sure I told myself I'd start getting myself back into shape before PE starts next week. So far that's been sorta working, I do curl-ups and sometimes push-ups before bed if I'm not too tired. This isn't a resolution exactly, but earlier this week I made a document with three columns. On the left side is a list of things I spend my time doing and on the right side is a list of stuff I want to spend my time doing. In the middle is a resolution to make the lists match. The parts about school and homework can't exactly be changed, but it's helped me prioritize aspects of my life. I set it as my phone background and it's helped me feel better about what I spend my time doing. I definitely recommend doing it. ^^

QOTD: In light of the snowstorm going on at my end, how do you feel about snow vs. no snow in winter?