For the first time, Talonclaw found himself sitting in Lionstar's den, surrounded on his sides by Featherheart, Toadstep, Sparrowflight, and Lionstar himself. Toadstep was drawing lines in the ground near Lionstar, while Featherheart and Sparrowflight looked on with keen interest. Talonclaw watched Toadstep sharply as the tom, with his ever-intelligent mind, explained strategies that would work for their assault on ThunderClan. Talonclaw heard many of Sparrowflight's lectures in Toadstep's words and wondered briefly if Sparrowflight had also taught the brown-and-white tom.

Lionstar had decided to attack ThunderClan to avenge Birdpaw's attack. He had sent Shrewfur and Hawkflight to investigate the truth of a dead ThunderClan cat, and the only news the two toms had brought back was that a ThunderClan cat had died in the forest with ShadowClan scent, a cat by the name of Berrypaw. But they couldn't identify whose scent it was—they had been in the recent area, but the body was no longer there, and they had only picked up the name of the cat by chatter from ThunderClan patrols. Lionstar had investigated his Clanmates, but finally admitted that he wasn't able to figure out which cat had done it, and he didn't want infighting in his Clan. As far as his Clan was concerned, ThunderClan was the enemy for attacking Birdpaw.

But the cats knew that ThunderClan would be expecting them. They had lost the element of surprise the moment ThunderClan attacked them on their side of the border. ThunderClan knew they'd come back, just as ShadowClan knew that if they did not attack first, ThunderClan would be coming for them. The battle was a long time waiting, Talonclaw thought, and Birdpaw's attack was just the excuse both Clans needed to launch themselves into another deadly battle. Talonclaw felt his claws curl into the ground as he remembered seeing the deep, gaping wound in his sister. If that is a Clan who attacks medicine cats while they're collecting herbs, then that is a Clan who deserves to be fought.

To Talonclaw's surprise, Sparrowflight had been the most vocal advocate for the attack on ThunderClan. He was furious about Birdpaw's injuries, and even moreso when he found out another Clan inflicted them. Thistlesnow had added her support as well, and Talonclaw wanted nothing but revenge for the pain and suffering his sister must be going through right now. I don't know who killed Berrypaw, but regardless, it must not have anything to do with Birdpaw's injuries. She didn't deserve to be attacked, and we will send ThunderClan a message that it must never happen again, unless they want to face the full wrath of ShadowClan.

"ThunderClan is sure to be expecting us," Toadstep mewed, "so what I think we should do is wait until the new moon where there is no light and use the shadows to our advantage. We are children of the dark, and it is our special battle skill to navigate and fight in the darkness. ThunderClan will have the disadvantage, with no sun or light to help them."

Lionstar nodded in approval. "Where do you propose we launch the attack from?"

"On their territory," Toadstep said. "They'll come to us and expect us to be waiting for them on our territory, like they did when they attacked Mapleheart and Eagleflight the other day. Appear where you are unexpected, places that the enemy must hasten to defend."

"There's some pines near the abandoned nest in their territory," Sparrowflight said. "It's familiar terrain for us, so why don't we stage our attack there?"

Toadstep dipped his head. "Sparrowflight is correct. We can station our forces there, and then send out a patrol that will lure the ThunderClan cats to us. When they're there, we can capture them and engulf them."

"We must make sure it's undefended," Talonclaw meowed, "and it must be a place that we can guarantee we can hold."

Lionstar nodded to Featherheart. "Send a few cats to scout out this terrain and have them report back to us."

Featherheart slipped out of the leader's den to obey Lionstar's order. Lionstar watched him go and then flicked his tail as he looked at Toadstep's drawings on the forest floor. Interest brightened in his green eyes. "We should attack from two sides and form a pincer attack."

Sparrowflight studied the Toadstep's sketches with keen interest. He clawed a line in the battle plan. "Let's come from the shadows. They won't even see us."

Talonclaw arched his claws until they dug into the ground as he tried to formulate a grand strategy for the ThunderClan cats who dared to put their claws on his sister. He wasn't sure if it was his place to speak. Although Lionstar had all but accepted him into his fold of warriors, he was still young compared to the other warriors, and hadn't had any grand accomplishments to his name in battle.

"I'll lead the battle patrol," Talonclaw offered.

The older warriors stared at Talonclaw in shock. Lionstar and Toadstep exchanged an uncertain glance while Sparrowflight asked, "Are you sure, Talonclaw?"

The dark tabby nodded firmly. "Birdpaw is my sister. I want to do this for her."

Lionstar's green eyes narrowed. "Careful, Talonclaw. You cannot lead an attack based on your emotions. You must keep your head at all times. Any strong emotion can have you make a decision that will cost the lives of your warriors."

The ominous tone in his words made Talonclaw shiver. Has that happened to you before, Lionstar? he wondered. "I won't make any foolish decisions," he promised his leader. "I just think that defending Birdpaw will give me the strength I need. But of course I'll always put my Clanmates' lives over my own."

Toadstep rolled his shoulders back. "I think Talonclaw would be a good cat to lead the attack," he told Lionstar. "If you or I lead it, it may be seen as us trying to wage war, when all we're doing is trying to send a message."

Silence hung in the hollow tree. Sparrowflight said nothing, and Talonclaw itched to know what his father and former mentor thought. Isn't he proud that I suggested it? He glanced at his father, trying to figure something out from the expression on his face, but he was giving nothing away. Lionstar then nodded.

"All right," the big golden tabby tom conceded. He gazed steadily at Talonclaw. "You'll lead the attack. You'll have Featherheart, Sunstream, Shrewfur, Eagleflight, Leafshade, and Redfeather. That should be plenty for the attack. I'll send a messenger with you well… hm, I think Mapleheart would do well."

"She won't be involved in the fighting?" Talonclaw asked.

Lionstar shook his head. "No, messengers are only used to relay messages from the front lines to me." Amusement glinted in his green eyes when Talonclaw let out a sigh of relief. "You do know, Talonclaw, that she can take care of herself, right?"

"Of course I do," Talonclaw protested, his fur fluffing in embarrassment. "I was just wondering." But the addition of Featherheart on the patrol made him nervous. Over the past half-moon, he had realized that Featherheart held a deep distaste for him, due to his status as Sparrowflight's son and a new general to Lionstar. I just hope he doesn't do anything foolish on the battle patrol, Talonclaw thought sullenly. I'll have to keep an eye on him.

"So we just have to wait until Featherheart comes back with his report of the terrain," Toadstep said. "The attack will happen, whether it's in the pines or somewhere else. I suggest that you get ready, Talonclaw. I'll let the cats chosen for your patrol know."

Talonclaw nodded. He glanced at Lionstar, asking permission to leave the den. Lionstar gave him a curt nod, dismissing him and Toadstep. Sparrowflight followed them outside of the den, and Talonclaw stopped, nudging his father before he could go further. Sparrowflight turned around and gazed steadily at his son.

"Father, are you upset with me that I asked to lead the battle patrol?" Talonclaw asked him.

There was a beat. Then Sparrowflight shook his head. "No, I'm not upset. I'm proud you want to defend your sister, and I know you'll do a great job—considering I trained you. I just…" He paused. "ThunderClan has shown that they are not beyond harming medicine cats. I fear what other morals they have dropped. ShadowClan warriors fight with strength and honor, but what do ThunderClan warriors fight with?" He tossed his head from side-to-side. "I guess we'll have to see."

Talonclaw nodded. Then the question that had stayed in his heart for some time found its way back to his mind. "Can I ask you something else?"

Sparrowflight gazed at him.

"Did you ever travel to the Twolegplace when you were young?" Talonclaw inquired. "When Lionstar sent me there, you told me how to get there as if you'd been there before." And Luna mentioned that a cat who looked very much like me and talked a lot about the wars saved her.

"Yes," Sparrowflight replied, twitching his ears. "Lionstar sent me there to scout out some sketchy activity from rogues. Why?"

"Do you remember saving a kit from a fire and telling them about the wars in the Clans?" Talonclaw inquired.

His father flicked his tail nervously. "Maybe."

"Maybe?" Talonclaw echoed.

"Why do you ask?" Sparrowflight asked him.

"I think that cat was Luna," Talonclaw told him. "She told me that a cat who looked a lot like me saved her when she was just a kit from a fire and brought her to Comte. She mentioned that he talked about the wars, which she had no idea about, since she was in the Twolegplace. You look a lot like me, and you live in the wars, and you knew about the Twolegplace. So… that was why I asked."

Sparrowflight's amber eyes widened. "I remember that!" he breathed. "I think I was trying to convince myself as well as her." He glanced at the medicine den. "So Luna is the kit I saved?" His eyes sparkled.

Talonclaw nodded. "She's spent her entire life trying to figure out who it was," he mewed. "Maybe you should talk to her."

"It would be awkward," Sparrowflight muttered. "That was a long time ago."

"Not that long. Luna is still very young. She clearly remembers." Talonclaw held his father's gaze in a challenge. He wanted Luna to figure out who saved her. It would be good for her.

"All right," Sparrowflight conceded. "I'll talk to her when I get the chance."

Talonclaw dipped his head as a thanks to his father. His gaze traveled over his father's shoulders when he saw Toadstep talking to Shrewfur and Sunstream. Redfeather and Eagleflight were listening with their ears angled towards the splotched brown-and-white tom. So the only cats left to tell are Leafshade and Featherheart. Featherheart is out scouting, but where's Leafshade? He hadn't seen the golden-and-brown tom for quite some time.

Sparrowflight headed away from him, and Talonclaw trekked over to where Toadstep was talking to the group of warriors Lionstar had picked for Talonclaw's patrol. Toadstep acknowledged him with a dip of his head and he was explaining the plan to the warriors. Shrewfur's ears twitched, while Sunstream nodded slowly. Redfeather's tail flicked and Eagleflight's eyes glowed with determination to prove himself to his Clan. Still, Leafshade was nowhere to be found. Talonclaw guessed it would be some time until Featherheart returned. The trek from the abandoned Twoleg nest to camp was not exactly a short walk.

Shrewfur padded over to Talonclaw when Toadstep turned and headed back to Lionstar's den. His sleek fur shone in the afternoon sun and his shoulders flexed. "You must be happy that we're avenging your sister," he commented.

Talonclaw tilted his head. "She never should have been attacked like that," he said. Shrewfur nodded in agreement. Pawsteps thumped at the entrance of the hollow, and Talonclaw looked over to see Featherheart's broad-shouldered body make its way through the ferns. He headed immediately towards Lionstar's den, his gaze unreadable. Talonclaw wondered if he should follow, but then he guessed that Lionstar would call him if he needed him.

Strength rippled through Talonclaw's muscles as he imagined engaging a one-on-one battle with the ThunderClan cat who dared to attack Birdpaw. He padded over to the fresh-kill pile and chose a frog. He picked it up and padded towards the edge of camp, where Owlfang was eating. Talonclaw sat next to him, and Owlfang acknowledged him with a small nod. Talonclaw dipped his head to his friend and bit into his frog. The flavor was mild and reminded him of the scent of fish. But it wasn't bad—it was a ShadowClan delicacy. The meat was chewy between his teeth as he focused his gaze on the leader's den, wondering when Featherheart or Lionstar would come out.

Owlfang followed Talonclaw's gaze. His amber eyes were sharp with interest. He had been on the patrol with Talonclaw when they fought off Coalshadow and the other ThunderClan warriors. Just like the rest of the warriors, Owlfang had been outraged when he found out that Birdpaw had been attacked. Talonclaw knew that Lionstar had already told the Clan he intended to attack to seek justice for Birdpaw, but he didn't think they knew it would be so soon.

Featherheart emerged from the den, his gray fur billowing in the wind. He locked gazes with Talonclaw and gave the dark tabby a stiff nod. Talonclaw got to his paws, discarding the frog bones before trotting over to Lionstar's den. Featherheart sat next to Lionstar as Talonclaw dipped his head and entered the hollow tree. He bowed to Lionstar, and when the golden tabby gave him a nod, Talonclaw lifted his head and sat down.

"Featherheart has reported the terrain is ideal for a battle," Lionstar told him. He gazed at the gray tom. "Talonclaw will be leading the patrol, you'll be joining him."

The gray tom's eyes widened. "What? He's leading the patrol?"

Lionstar lashed his tail. "Do you have a problem with that, Featherheart?"

Featherheart shook his head quickly. "No, Lionstar, I don't." He studied Talonclaw intently. "He's just so young."

"More of a reason for him to lead the attack." Lionstar gazed steadily at Talonclaw. "Remember what Toadstep said. Tonight is the new moon, so when the shadows hit, just after sunset, you will park yourself at the abandoned Twoleg nest. If my sources are correct, that's the last place ThunderClan sunset patrols get to. It'll be dark by the time they arrive, and so you will be able to use it to your advantage."

Talonclaw nodded. He gestured towards Featherheart, who gave him a dark glare before following him. The dark tabby didn't miss how the senior warrior's tail flicked with thinly veiled irritation. He wondered if he should cede control to the older warrior, but he straightened his shoulders and lifted his chin. No. Lionstar put me in charge, and I want to be the one to avenge Birdpaw's attack. Talonclaw approached the patrol Lionstar had chosen for him with Featherheart at his heels.

Shrewfur, Sunstream, Mapleheart, Eagleflight, and Redfeather all gazed at Talonclaw with intent eyes. Talonclaw flicked his ears and noticed that Leafshade had finally scampered up to them. He didn't bother asking the tom where he went—he was here now, and that was what mattered. Featherheart shifted his broad gray paws and joined Redfeather.

"Tonight, we're going to show ThunderClan that we will not allow them to lay their claws on an innocent cat," Talonclaw declared, lashing his tail. "Birdpaw is a medicine cat apprentice. She has no part in the rivalries between the Clans, and so she should never have been a victim of ThunderClan's fury. Who's ready to defend Birdpaw—and ShadowClan's honor?"

Shrewfur let out a triumphant yowl, joined by Mapleheart and Eagleflight. Sunstream lifted her head, her eyes shining, and Redfeather unsheathed his claws. Featherheart's blue eyes were unreadable. Talonclaw had no time to figure out what Featherheart was thinking—it could wait until after the battle. Talonclaw flicked his tail and bounded out of camp, his Clanmates pounding behind them on his heels.

Lionstar said we'd be attacking near abandoned Twoleg nest, Talonclaw thought. It's on their territory, unfortunately, but we'll have to make do. Talonclaw swerved through the pine forest and approached the stream that marked the border. He flexed his muscles and cleared the stream in a massive leap. He turned on his shoulder and watched his Clanmates follow him. When they all were on the opposite side of the bank, Talonclaw took a deep breath and tasted the scent of ThunderClan.

Featherheart padded in front of Talonclaw. "I can lead the way to the abandoned Twoleg nest," he said.

Talonclaw narrowed his eyes at Featherheart. For a moment, sparks of tension—mutual this time—flared between the two stoutly built cats. Then Talonclaw gave the gray tom a nod and allowed him to weave through the oak forest. Talonclaw's fur fluffed up—the oaks and the birches on this part of the forest were unfamiliar to him, where he lived in shadows from the pine trees. The forest floor on ShadowClan territory was smooth and bare, while here he was leaping over rocks and thickets. He was right behind Featherheart as he spotted the string of pine trees that Sparrowflight had talked about.

"Span out," Talonclaw ordered, recalling the strategy he and the other warriors had talked about in Lionstar's den. The pine trees cast long shadows over the forest floor and would conceal the ShadowClan cats' appearance. Talonclaw nodded his head towards Shrewfur, who gathered Redfeather, Leafshade, and Eagleflight and headed towards the eastern point of the trees. Talonclaw led Featherheart, Sunstream, and Mapleheart towards the western end. The ThunderClan patrol should be here soon.

"Mapleheart, you're just here to deliver messages," Featherheart told his daughter. "Don't get involved in the fighting unless you have to."

Mapleheart dipped her head but left her claws unsheathed anyway. Talonclaw half-expected her to protest, but there was so much ferocity in Featherheart's voice that left no room for argument. He shrugged and knew that, no matter what Featherheart felt towards him, he would defend his daughter.

Darkness engulfed Talonclaw's pelt and he saw that it hid Featherheart, Mapleheart, and Sunstream from view. He unsheathed his claws and crouched down, tasting the air for any signs of ThunderClan scent. He reared back as he recognized a trace of their scent growing stronger as it neared him. Heavy pawsteps echoed in the distance, and he could hear low meows exchanging through cats that weren't from his patrol.

"Do you smell that?" asked a cat.

"Yeah," replied another cat. Talonclaw didn't recognize any of their voices. "It stinks of ShadowClan."

"Must be scents left from trespassing," meowed a tom with a deep voice. "Let's go check it out before we report it to Flintstar."

That's what you think. A reminder of the deep wound that oozed blood from Birdpaw's wound flashed back in Talonclaw's mind, and the fear that flooded from Luna when she talked about it made Talonclaw's claws unsheathe. I'll make you regret what you did to my sister. As the cats came closer in sight, Talonclaw was able to recognize them. The leader of the cats was Foxstorm, a senior ThunderClan warrior. Behind him were the warriors named Oakfire, Stormwing, Flamewing, and Bearstep. Talonclaw let out a low growl in his throat. It wasn't time to attack. Not yet. When they get close, we'll attack.

Foxstorm's nostrils were flaring, while Oakfire hissed lowly in his mouth and Flamewing's eyes were blazing with fury. Bearstep glanced around, his blue eyes dark, while Stormwing was trying to make out any sight of ShadowClan warriors. Talonclaw flicked his tail as Foxstorm approached the pines, the shadows dappling his black-and-ginger pelt. He sniffed the air, and his yellow eyes widened. Talonclaw nodded to Featherheart and lunged out of the pine forest, smashing into Foxstorm's side. At Foxstorm's howl, Shrewfur and the rest of the battle patrol burst from their hiding spot and closed in on Bearstep and Stormwing.

Talonclaw sank his claws deep into Foxstorm's pelt. He tore out chunks of the tom's ginger-and-black fur, stained with blood. Foxstorm let out a piercing wail, trying to shake himself out of Talonclaw's grip, but Talonclaw was relentless in his strikes. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Featherheart pinning Stormwing down and Sunstream snapping her jaws at Bearstep. Talonclaw focused his dark gaze on Foxstorm.

"This is what you get for being as dishonorable as rogues!" Talonclaw snarled at him. Foxstorm finally wiggled his way out of Talonclaw's grip, but Talonclaw wasn't ready to let him go. He leaped onto Foxstorm's back, holding the ThunderClan tom's head with his forepaws. He used his hind paws to knock Foxstorm's back legs from under him, causing the tom to collapse onto the forest floor. Foxstorm grunted as his cheek collided with the ground. A haze of red rage blocked any senses Talonclaw had as he slashed his claws across Foxstorm's back.

Talonclaw grunted as another cat sank his claws into his dark tabby back. He loosened his grip on Foxstorm's skin, and Foxstorm scrambled away from him. Dark scarlet blood gushed from the wounds Talonclaw had inflicted on the old tom. Talonclaw turned on his heel and saw Stormwing glaring at him, hatred in his yellow eyes. Talonclaw reared on his hind legs and slashed at Stormwing's chest with his paws. Blood blossomed from the wound he had created, and Stormwing hissed in fury.

"Block off their retreat!" Talonclaw ordered as Stormwing turned on his heel and started to retreat. Talonclaw raced around the tom and stopped him from leaving, curling his lip and arching his back as he delivered another swipe at the tom's head. The ShadowClan warriors fell in step behind him, encircling the ThunderClan patrol. The cats that lived in the oak trees looked around, their eyes sparkling with fear as they realized that they were surrounded by children of the darkness on every side.

Shrewfur's amber eyes blazed with rage. "Explain why you attacked our medicine cat apprentice," the tom hissed.

Falconheart lashed his tail furiously, bleeding from multiple wounds on his shoulders and flanks. Pain glazed in his amber eyes, but he didn't falter in the face of so much rage. "It was a mistake by our newest warriors," he hissed. "Berrypaw was furious about not being a warrior at the same time as his brother, Briskheart, and thought he could impress Flintstar by attacking a ShadowClan warrior. He didn't know he attacked your apprentice. It was a genuine mistake." The tom crouched down and bared his teeth. "He paid for it with his life! You are the dishonorable rogues here for killing a cat in cold blood, not us!"

Talonclaw narrowed his eyes. He was just as puzzled on the circumstances of Berrypaw's death as any other cat, but he didn't know Lionstar's official stance on it, and wasn't quite sure what to say. In his heart of hearts, he had an inkling suspicion that a ShadowClan cat did have something to do with it. But he couldn't admit that, not in front of the cats who were accusing him of murder.

"Maybe he deserved it," Featherheart snarled at Falconheart. "Have you ever thought of that?"

Bearstep's blue eyes blazed with fury. "I always knew ShadowClan were a bunch of fox-hearts," he hissed.

Talonclaw dug his claws into the ground and stared at the pitiful state of the ThunderClan patrol. They didn't look like they were in any shape for more fighting. Foxstorm looked as if he was about to collapse any moment—he was trembling, blood was pouring from his wounds, and his eyes were glassy.

"Get out of here," Talonclaw snarled, "and never threaten a ShadowClan cat again. We'll let you leave with your lives this time but put one more claw on our warriors—or our medicine cat—and we will show no mercy." ShadowClan is the dark heart of the forest for a reason. If having that reputation protects us from any attacks, then so be it. He stepped out of the way, and Stormwing darted in the opening he left. The ThunderClan cats followed him, with Bearstep helping Foxstorm as they disappeared into the forest.

Talonclaw turned to gaze at his Clanmates. Most of them were unharmed, but the cat that worried him the most was Sunstream. A deep wound bloomed from her chest to her underbelly, and she was trembling as she laid against her son, Leafshade. Shrewfur stared at his mother, worrying shadowing his amber eyes. Talonclaw padded over to Sunstream and sniffed the wound. Crimson blood was gushing from the torn skin like a fast-flowing stream. We have to get her to the medicine den!

"Carry her," Talonclaw ordered Shrewfur and Leafshade. "She'll never make it to camp in this state on her own." He angled his ears towards Mapleheart. "Go ahead of us and let Stormbrook know."

Mapleheart blinked at Sunstream and then Talonclaw. She dipped her head and darted away from the pine trees, her dark tortoiseshell figure disappearing into the shadows. Talonclaw cast a worried glance at Sunstream as he started to lead his attack patrol away from ThunderClan territory and back into the pines. Shrewfur and Leafshade traveled slowly, not wanting to aggravate Sunstream's wound any further than it was, but the blood from her gash had already stained the pelts of her sons.

"We must hurry," Eagleflight hissed at Talonclaw.

Talonclaw nodded. "I know." He quickened his pace, but it didn't matter unless Leafshade and Shrewfur went faster, and they were doing what they could considering Sunstream's condition. As they neared the camp, Talonclaw allowed Shrewfur and Leafshade to go down first as they carried Sunstream on their backs. They scaled the hollow, pushing through the branches that covered the camp, and landed onto the floor. They climbed through the thickets and disappeared into the den. Eagleflight's pelt was fluffed up with worry, and Redfeather's green gaze was dark. Featherheart's thick gray tail twitched, and Talonclaw arched his claws, feeling the tufts of ThunderClan fur still stuck in them. Please, StarClan, make sure Sunstream is all right, he prayed. She's too brave a warrior to die.

The camp was bathed in shadows, but Talonclaw walked straight ahead as he headed towards Lionstar's den. He cast nervous glances over his shoulder at the medicine den, wondering if one of the medicine cats would appear. But when they didn't, he poked his head into the tree that made Lionstar's den and mewled his arrival. Lionstar's green eyes glowed in the shadows, and Talonclaw guessed that he hadn't slept at all. The golden tabby nodded at him and Talonclaw entered his den.

"How did it go?" Lionstar demanded.

"We won," Talonclaw replied. Lionstar's face was unreadable as Talonclaw went on, "But Sunstream got injured. The rest of us managed to escape relatively unharmed, however, Sunstream is in the medicine den now. She had a serious belly wound."

Lionstar's green eyes darkened. "She's old," he murmured quietly.

Talonclaw frowned. Was Lionstar giving up hope for Sunstream? "But she's strong."

"Sometimes strength isn't enough," Lionstar said and held Talonclaw's gaze steadily. "Well done, Talonclaw. We have proven that ShadowClan is not a Clan to be taken lightly, and I commend you for your service."

Talonclaw lowered his head to accept Lionstar's praise. We may have won, he thought, but what about the cat who killed Berrypaw? And what if Sunstream doesn't come out alive? His heart tightened in his chest. They had tried to get revenge for Birdpaw, but what if that had caused more problems than it had ended?