Welcome to RiverClan territory, Creasedpaw." Announced Wolfheart as her and Creasedpaw swam to the other side of the river into Creasedpaw's new Clan's territory.

Creasedpaw was completely bug-eyed. "Wow..." He awed. "So Badgerfur will meet us here at sunhigh?" He asked, fixing his gaze on Wolfheart. "No. We have to go to his herb clearing." Replied Wolfheart, and they began to pad in that direction.

As Wolfheart padded into the clearing, she scented Badgerfur before she saw him, but she expected him to be there before sunhigh, anyways. He was early to everything. "Hello, Badgerfur." Purred Wolfheart. "So Leopardstar said that we were alowed to be on RiverClan territory today only, correct?" She asked him. Badgerfur nodded, and fixed his gaze on Creasedpaw. He smiled. "Is this Creasedpaw?" He asked.

Creasedpaw padded up to him. "Yep," he purred. "that's me. Are you Badgerfur, my new mentor?" He continued. Badgerfur chuckled. "Yep. That's me." He purred.

Creasedpaw looked back at his mother one more time. "Well..." He sighed. "I guess this is good-bye."

Wolfheart felt a stab of sympathy for herself and her son. Creasedpaw would never be the same. He would be forbidden to come into ThunderClan territory for a visit, he wouldn't be playful and adventurous as his brother and sisters- he would be wise and noble, and he would never be like the cat that ThunderClan accepted him as- he would be like an uninvited tresspasser- just like his mother had once been.

Wolfheart licked his ear, and put her tail on his shoulder. "You'll be alright. I'm sure of it."

By now, it was sunhigh, and beggining to become a beautiful day. "Well, c'mon, Creasedpaw."

Badgerfur and Creasedpaw dissapeared out of the clearing, their tails- one a bit shorter than the other- waving in good-bye.

Wolfheart slid through the gorse tunnel back into the ThunderClan camp. Darkpaw was over at the apprentices den, sharing tounges with Chihuauaupaw. But as soon as he saw Wolfheart, he got up and padded over to her. "Are we going out to train today?" He asked, his eyes gleaming with hope. Wolfheart smiled. "Sure. Why not? Is Chihuauapaw and her mentor coming, too?" She asked. Darkpaw shook his head. Wolfheart began to turn around, and head out the gorse tunnel again, thinking that Darkpaw was following her, but something was telling her that he wasn't.

She turned around to see him starring at Chihuauapaw with thoughtful eyes, his ears perked. "Is something wrong, Darkpaw?" She asked him. "No, no...But I do wish that she could come. Stormipelt is her mentor."

What? Stormipelt was her menor? For sure there was some mistake! Stormipelt didn't even seem like she had been a warrior for a moon yet, and already she had and apprentice?!

"Are you sure?" She asked him. Darkpaw fixed his gaze on wolfheart. "I guess so...That's what she told me...But I'm not sure. I guess its a bit unlikely, huh? Well, either way, I wish that she could come..." Wolfheart sighed. "There isn't anything wrong with Stormipelt being her mentor. Stormipelt is a very good cat- a very good cat. A friend in many ways. But she's just seems a bit young, that's all."

Wolfheart could tell that Darkpaw already had a tight friendship with the feisty apprentice, but was there anything more  to them?

Wolfheart padded up to him and lay her tail on his shoulder. "Would you like to stay here today, or maybe invite her to hunting with you? I think that you've learned all of your fighting moves, but maybe some more hunting practice would do you good."

Darkpaw stared at her, his blue eyes gleaming with thanks. "May I?" He asked. Wolfheart chuckled. "Of course," she purred. "I'll tell Stormipelt where you and Chihuauapaw have gone."

Darkpaw bounded up to Chihuauapaw, and a heartbeat later, they left the camp.

Wolfheart was dreaming- but something was wrong. She wasn't in Fourtrees- in fact, she didn't even hink that she was in the forest. She was lost and confused.

"Hello?" She called into the unending darkness. But all that replied were the whispers of unfamiliar cats- she couldn't see them, or even scent them for that matter.

Wolfheart cowered. "W-who's there?" She sqeaked. The whispers got louder, but they weren't clear enough to understand.

Finally, a black shape stepped out of the darkness- a cat with piercing red eyes. Wolfheart cowered some more. She felt as if she were a helpless kit.

The black cat stopped in front of her, and meowed, "Not much longer. I'll be gone soon."

Wolfheart was confused and scared. "Huh?" She asked. But the vision bagan to fade, and Wolfheart found herself in the warriors den. Her heart was beating about a mile a minute, and she still felt like a helpless kit.

Something about the cat's voice was recognizable...Very recognizable, but she couldn't think of it.

Wolfheart just sighed and looked up between the canopy of branches that made the warriors den- it was dawn by now.

Wolfheart got up and shook off the clinging pieces of moss from her pelt. She left the warriors den, and found Shadowheart and Shadowpaw leaving for training.

A light came on inside of Wolfheart's head. Now she knew exactly who the strange black cat was. It was Shadowheart. But why would he be telling her to 'not worry, he wouldn't be there much longer'? And why were his eyes red? What could this mean? It was almost like another prophecy.

Wolfheart was so confused. She felt like she could just lay down and die. She had to talk to him. She padded up to him before he could get to the gorse tunnel, and said, "Shadowheart, we need to talk."

The concern in Shadowheart's eyes grew. He turned to Shadowpaw and said, "We'll wait for the others to go out, okay? Just stay put for now."

Shadowheart came up to her and said, "What's wrong?" Wolfheart hesitated. She didn't want to concern him- but something was wrong, and she was sure of it. "Well..." She started, "I had this dream..."

Wolfheart had finished telling Shadowheart about her dream, she made sure that she explained everything, so it took longer than she expected.

"So, you're sure it was me?" He asked. Wolfheart nodded. "Sure of it." Now Shadowheart's eyes were even more concerned than Wolfheart's. "Do...Do you think that it means that I'll..." He trailed off. "Die?" He finally said. Wolfheart couldn't lie- she didn't know what to say, and she just looked at the ground.

"I don't know." She finally meowed. "I don't think that you would, and how would you? You're strong and healthy."

Shadowheart shrugged. "True," he meowed, "but you can never tell with StarClan. What has happened is very unfamiliar- very unfamiliar. But It could just be nothing. You're a very restless sleeper, Wolfheart."

Wolfheart sighed. "Well, there's nothing more we can do. I think I'll go out and hunt- clear my mind of this confusion."

Shadowheart nodded. "Shadowpaw and I will be going out when Foxpaw and Nightpaw do- which will probably be soon."

Wolfheart began to walk out of the gorse tunnel. She didn't know why, but her paws just carried her to Sunningrocks. Her's and Hazelheart's favorite part of ThunderClan. It was also a good hunting spot.

Almost immediently, Wolfheart scented a thrush. She looked up onto the rocks, and saw the small body of a feathery creature silueted against the early dawn sky.

She crouched low. She could probably catch the thrush by just jumping up onto it- it wasn't a high jump.

She put all her weight into her haunches and leaped. She caught the thrush between two paws- claws unsheathed. It cried out, alarmed, and tried to fly away, but it couldn't.

Snap. Wolfheart snapped the thrush's neck.

She picked up her kill and began to carry it back to the ThunderClan camp confidently- but she felt the need to just stay at Sunningrocks for a while. She jumped off the rock, burried her fresh-kill, and hopped back up.

Across the river, she could see some bushes rustling. She perked her ears. A RiverClan cat, maybe? She knew that her gray fur blended in with the smooth gray rocks, and that her black ears and tail and small spots on her side probably only looked like little spots on the rocks- and she was laying on her underbelly. The only thing that could noticeable were her eyes- so she squinted them.

Wolfheart lay very still, keeping her gaze on the rustling bushes. Now there were two scents- both cat, and both RiverClan.

"Are you sure?" Whispered one. It sounded like a younger tom. "Yes, I'm sure, now be quiet...I smell something."

The second voice was also a tom- just a bit older. The older tom poked his head out of the bushes. Wolfheart recognized the head easily- it was Bloodstep. The next tom poked his head out, too- Hawkfrost.

Bloodstep narrowed his red eyes. "ThunderClan." He murmered. "There's a cat near, but I can only smell it."

Hawkfrost sniffed too. "I smell it too." He whispered. "We better go back to camp."

Hawkfrost pulled his head back into the bushes, following by Bloodstep. Wolfheart waited until their scents had faded until she dared to open her eyes and move.

"That was odd..." She murmered to herself. She hopped off of the rock and dug up her thrush. She began to carry it back to camp.

"Wow! You saw two RiverClan warriors?" Awed Foxpaw, as she mentioned the experience with Shadowheart. Foxpaw was awfully nosy- and Wolfheart hadn't even noticed she were there. "Foxpaw, don't mention it with anybody. We're just going to wait and see what happens."

Foxpaw nodded and bounded off towards the apprentices den where Killerpaw and Darkpaw were.

"I'm sure it's nothing, Wolfheart. Just because one of them said, "are you sure?" doesn't mean we're going to be in trouble.

Then Wolfheart lifted her head. There was a scent...A strong scent...It wasn't ThunderClan, and it wasn't LeafClan...It was RiverClan. "Oh no." She murmered. "Think again." By now, Shadowheart had smelled it too. "RiverClan are attacking!" He yowled. "Warriors and apprentices of ThunderClan and LeafClan, help the elders, queens and kits to the nursery and elders den!" Yowled Firestar- he had noticed too.

The warriors and apprentices from both Clans started encouriging the elders, queens and kits into the nursery and elders den. Right about then, RiverClan started pouring into the camp- cat by cat. Wolfheart recognized Mattedfur, Leopardstar, Misyfoot, and Stonefur immediently.

Wolfheart felt a stab in her heart. Creasedpaw and Badgerfur were there too, standing side-by-side.

"Hello, traitor." Came a voice from behind her. Wolfheart spun around and snarled as she recognized Mattedfur, the cat who had killed Sunclaw when he had sacraficed for her. Mattedfur pounced, yowling furiously, and landed on Wolfheart's back. Wolfheart yowled in pain, and reached back her forepaw to claw at Mattedfur's leg.

Mattedfur screeched and jumped off of her, her forepaw bleeding. Wolfheart felt a trickle of blood run down her side, but she ignored it. She hopped back into battle.

She saw Foxpaw and Nightpaw fighting side-by-side against two other RiverClan apprentices, and Darkpaw and Chihuauapaw fighting together also. She smiled, and charged for Hawkfrost.

It was moonhigh, and the fight was still going strong. The medicine cat's den was packed full of ThunderClan and LeafClan cats- Badgerfur and Creasedpaw helped the RiverClan cats- and Wolfheart was one of the cats among Ripplepool's care.

Wolfheart's forepaw was torn to shreds. There was even a spot that the bone shown, thanks to Hawkfrost. "Stupid furball." She murmured. She looked around at the injured cats- Scratchedface, Emberbreeze, Dustpelt, Brightheart, Rosefur, Stormipelt...There were so many. Wolfheart wished that she could just say, "Poof!" and fix her paw. But that wouldn't happen. Her paw was awfully injured, and Ripplepool was getting cobweb for it now.

"Here you go." She meowed, stepping out of the back of the den and wrapping it around her forepaw. Wolfheart flinched in pain, but kept still. "Thanks." She meowed once Ripplepool had finished. "Now," meowed Ripplepool. "here's some poppyseed for the pain." Ripplepool pushed a leaf full of small black seeds towards her. Wolfheart took one and began to chew it and then swallowed it.

"Now, you may want to get some rest." Ripplepool told her, walking away.

Wolfheart tried to rest, but the battlecries of cats fighting outside of the den only troubled her so that she couldn't. She hoped that her kits were okay, she hoped her mate was okay, she hoped that Hazelheart was okay- or, atleast, that no cat had gotten into the nursery that was from RiverClan.

Wolfheart sighed, and twitched her ears as another cat entered the den: Sandstorm. Her back leg had a nasty bite mark on it, but not bad enough for her to have to stay. She figured that she would just get some cob web and get back into the fight.

Sandstorm didn't go to Ripplepool, though- she came to Wolfheart. She had sorrow in her eyes. "Wolfheart, I-" She hesitated. "I'm sorry." She sighed. Wolfheart was confused, but before she could call back to Sandstorm, the battlecries turned into Leopardstar's retreating yowl, and the sound of cats leaving the camp filled te air.

Wolfheart was forced by her conciones to get up. She got up on her other three paws and limped out of the den.

What she saw when she got outside was terrible. Many dead cats lied in the clearing. The one that she could make out best was Soundstep. But why had he been in the fight? He was sick!

Then she remembered that Soundstep never liked to miss out on a good fight- except for this one cost him his life.

And then Wolfheart saw Hazelheart, standing over another forever-stilled body, throwing back her head and letting out a wail. Could the dead cat be Ravenpaw?

She padded over, but as she got closer, she knew it wasn't. Once Wolfheart got to the cat, she stopped, frozen in horror, and threw back her head in a mournful wail also.

The cat was Shadowheart.

Wolfheart couldn't help but yowling until her lungs hurt, but she didn't care. She yowled louder, cursing StarClan. How could StarClan let this happen?

Soon, Foxpaw, Shadowpaw and Nightpaw were gathered around their faher, eyes gleaming with sorrow and mourn. "Is...Is he dead?" Mewed Nightpaw, so quiet that you could barley hear her.

Right about then, Foxpaw let out a shreik. "Wolfheart!- Look!" She pointed at her father with her tail.

Wolfheart concentrated on it, and, sure enough, the faintest rise of fall of Shadowheart's breathing was noticable.

"Shadowpaw- go get Ripplepool!" She prodded Shadowpaw's side with her tail.

Shadowpaw skidded off to where Ripplepool was wrapping up Sandstrom's paw with some cobweb. "Everyone else must have thought he was dead." Sighed Wolfheart, raspily. Her throat hurt from wailing so hard.

Hazelheart gasped when she saw her paw. "Wolfheart- who did that?" She asked, concerned. "Hawkfrost." Mumbled Wolfheart. "You'd think he wasn't too tuff- you fail if you think so."

Hazelheart chuckled. Soon Ripplepool came bounding over, and put her head to Shadowheart's chest, determining the breathing. She frowned. "I may be able to save him...May, don't get your hopes up, though." She sighed. "Hey, Killerpaw?" She called to the small white apprentice walking by. "Do you think that you could help me get Shadowheart to my den?"

Killerpaw nodded, and helped drag Shadowheart by the scruff with Ripplepool.

Soon Wolfheart spotted Darkpaw with Chihuauapaw. Chihuauapaw was leaning against Darkpaw- limping badly. Wolfheart limped up to them and asked, "What happened, Chihuauapaw?"

Chihuauapaw frowned. "Some old stupid warrior from RiverClan..."

'Old'? That's all you had to say- Mattedfur had injured Chihuauapaw somehow. "Where'd she bite you at?" Wolfheart asked. "Oh, she didn't bite her." Meowed Darkpaw. "She scratched her. Right on the underbelly with her hindpaws."

Right about that time, Wolfheart saw a drop of blood fall and stain the sandy ground. "Ouch." Frowned Wolfheart. Seeing Chihuauapaw reminded  Wolfheart something, though. "Hey, uh, Chihuauapaw?" She asked. "Huh?" Asked Chihuauapaw. "Who's your mentor?" Asked Wolfheart.

Chihuauapaw frowned and twitched her ears. "Firerain." She muttered. Darkpaw frowned. "You told me that Stormipelt was your mentor!" He meowed. Chihuauapaw sighed. "I only told you that because I would like to believe that, myself."

Wolfheart was confused. "Why?" She asked. "Wolfstar acts like I should be the best of all apprentices, just because I'm her mate's apprentice..."

This made sense, Wolfheart realized. She felt a bit of the same way about Sourstorm, when Shadowheart was temporary leader (Though she figured it would never happen, as to seeing that Sourstorm was blind).

Wolfheart nodded and said, "You'll be a warrior soon." She felt a bit bad about saying that when Chihuauapaw frowned and shook her head. "Nope." She sighed. "I'm the youngest apprentice- Killerpaw will be the next warrior. He's been an apprentice for five moons already."

Wolfhear sighed and said, "You'll get there someday." She then looked over at Darkpaw. "Darkpaw, I saw how wonderfully you were fighting today, and by the way that you and Chihuauapaw stocked up the fresh-kill pile yesterday, I'd say that its time for you to be made a warrior yourself."

Darkpaw's ears perked and he nearly fell out of his fur with excitment. "Really?" He asked. Wolfheart chuckled. "Really."

Wolfheart had just finished talking to Firestar about Darkpaw becoming a warrior, and he had decided that today at sunhigh, he would be made a warrior- since it was already almost dawn by now.

"Alright." She had said, then walked out of then leader's den.

"So?" Asked Darkpaw as she spotted her. "Your warriors ceremony is at sunhigh- better go and wash your pelt!" Meowed Wolfheart, then limped off the the medicine cat den, where she dimly spotted Shadowheart- curled up on a moss bed near the entrance of the den. Ripplepool poked her head out of the den. "Is that you, Wolfheart?" She asked, scenting the air. "Yes, it's me." She whispered, and limped into the entrance. "Did you ever figure out what had happened to him?" She asked. Ripplepool nodded. "Yep." She meowed, "His belly was cut open- and his throat had an open cut."

Wolfheart twitched her ears. "Did anyone see who did it?" Asked Wolfheart. "Well..." Ripplepool hesitated- Wolfheart knew that she didn't like tattle-telling much. "Sorreltail said that she saw Mattedfur from RiverClan scratch open his belly...But..." Through the dim light of dawn, Wolfheart could barley make out the concerned look in Ripplepool's eyes. " Rosefur said that she saw Dogfoot from LeafClan bite Shadowheart's neck..."

Wolfheart's pelt prickled. Dogfoot always had seemed a bit ambitious and selfish- but why would he ever bite open Shadowheart's neck? Wolfheart sighed and shook her head. "I never did trust him..." She muttered. Ripplepool rested the white tail tip of her tail on Wolfheart's shoulder. "Shadowheart is coming along much better than I had expected. I actually think that he might come along well."

Wolfheart knew that Shadowheart was a fighter, and never liked to give up- he was very determined. Wolfheart knew that, no matter what the scratch, Shadowheart could probably pull through anything. Wolfheart nodded and said, "Hey, have you seen Hazelheart around?"

Ripplepool smiled and said, "And more. Hazelheart had her kits not long ago."

Wolfheart pricked her ears, then remembered that it had probably been about five moons by now. "I'll go and see them them." She meowed. "Thank you for caring for Shadowheart, Ripplepool." She added. Ripplepool smiled and meowed, "You're welcome." Wolfheart gave her a respectful nod and walked out of the den.

The light was more intense outside of the medicine cat den, and Wolfheart had to blink a few times to get used to the light. Then she limped in the direction of the nursery.

When she came into the nursery, she found Hazelheart with three kits. Wolfheart looked down on them and smiled. "Have you named them yet?" She whispered. Hazelheart nodded. She pointed to the first one with her nose and meowed, "Barleykit, the only tom." Then she moved to the next kit and meowed, "Sapfirekit, a she-cat" Then went to te last kit and said, "Bumblekit, the last she-cat."

"Has Ravenpaw seen them?" Wolfheart asked. Hazelheart shook her head. "No, he's on dawn patrol. He'll see them when he gets back."

Wolfheart wondered when she'd be sent out on a dawn patrol, it had been long before she had joined the nursery when she went on her last one. And she'd never been on a dusk patrol. Perhaps she could suggest to Firestar that she would like to go on it tonight? Would that be so wrong?

Then she remembered that Firestar had to pick a new deputy- since Soundstep was killed in the battle- before moonhigh. Honestly, Wolfheart wouldn't be surprised if he picked herself- or maybe even Ravenpaw or Graystripe- but Wolfheart didn't really want to be deputy anyways. She didn't want to have to give such incredible responsibility to the Clan- much less lead them if Firestar died before she did!

She looked up into the sky and saw that sunhigh was almost here. She went and sat near the Highrock, and watched as Firestar climbed up onto the Highrock and yowled out for the Clan to gather.

Darkpaw stepped up to the front- his pelt glossier than ever before

"We have an apprentice that is becoming a warrior." Announced Firestar. He looked down at Darkpaw. "Darkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Darkpaw gave an excited shudder. "I do."

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Darkpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Darkpelt. StarClan honors you and welcomes you as a full member of ThunderClan."

Firestar jumped down from the Highrock, and put his head on Darkpelt's, and Darkpelt licked Firestar's shoulder.

The crowd of cats cheered, "Darkpelt! Darkpelt! Darkpelt!"

Darkpelt was shaking with excitment, and Wolfheart made her way through the crowd of cats. "You have to sit your vigil." She reminded him. Darkpelt nodded and said, "I know. Thank you, Wolfheart."

Wolfheart slid back through the crowd and began to head off to Ripplepool's den to check up on Shadowheart.

She entered the den, and felt darkness overflow in the rock den. When she entered, she found Shadowheart, cobweb wrapped around his belly and his neck. Ripplepool was sitting by his side, her eyes dark with tiresome.

Wolfheart frowned. "How is he doing?" She asked, expecting the worst. Ivypool shook her head. "Very badly- much worse than he was at dawn. I'm going to be honest with you, Wolfheart- he may not make it to moonhigh. He may not be the next ThunderClan deputy."

Wolfheart gave the tinniest nod she could. She looked at Shadowheart's fast and shallow breathing. Wolfheart almost knew that this was his last night in ThunderClan. She almost knew that he would be joining StarClan tonight.

"Has he been awake at all?" She asked. Ripplepool shook her head. "Nope." She replied.

"Why can't Treepaw take over for you for a while?" Asked Wolfheart. "She's out picking herbs." Explained Ripplepool. "Ah." Meowed Wolfheart, begining to feel awkward. "I could take over for you for a while." She meowed finally. "Would you?" Asked Ripplepool, relief begining to flood into her green eyes. Wolfheart nodded. Wolfheart could tell that Ripplepool needed a break- her slick buish-gray pelt was begining to get rough and dirty, and her white muzzle and chest fur was almost brown with dirtiness. Ripplepool needed a good bath- and some sleep, for that matter.

Wolfheart lay down beside Shadowheart, and tucked her paws under her chest.

Wolfheart yawned. She was extremely tired- and if she requested dusk patrol tonight, she'd need some rest. She lay down her head, and fell into a dark, dreamless sleep.

Wolfheart blinked sleep out of her eyes and yawned. She got up off of the ground and arched her back. Ripplepool was coming back into the den- a bunch of herbs stuffed in her mouth. Treepaw was close on her tail, and her pelt looked much glossier and clean. Wolfheart figured that she had gotten a pretty good bath.

"May I go?" She asked Ripplepool. Ripplepool nodded, and Wolfheart left the den. She felt the dim light of sunset wash over her, and she saw Firestar arranging dusk patrols. She hurried up fast, and, once Firestar spotted her, he smiled. "Wolfheart, can you lead the patrol?" He asked her. Wolfheart nodded. "Am I to choose the cats that need to come?" She asked. "Yes." Meowed Firestar. He gave her a nod, and went back into his den.

Wolfheart looked around the crowd of cats, trying to choose atleast one apprentice and two warriors. "Echobreeze, Emily and..."

She looked around at the two sibbling apprentices- Pebblepaw, Cheetahpaw- and Redpaw- standing there with hopeful eyes. Wolfheart smiled, but couldn't seem to take her eyes off of Pebblepaw. But she knew the apprentice that really deserved to go on the patrol- Redpaw. Redpaw wasn't recognized enough. His mentor, Dustpelt, didn't seem to take him out to train much, and he was the only apprentice that hadn't ever been on a patrol.

"Redpaw, you can tag along." She finally meowed, and the cats began to pad out of the camp.

The cats got back just in time to find Firestar about to appoint a new deputy. They hurried over to the Highrock and found a spot as close as they could.

They only got to hear the last words, which were as surprising as daylight. "Rosefur, you will be the new ThunderClan deputy."

Some cats dropped their mouthes in awe, other began to cheer. Soon, the entire Clan got into the flow of a complete cheer. "Rosefur! Rosefur!"

Rosefur nearly fell out of her pelt, and Wolfheart chuckled a bit. She felt bad about leaving so early, but she needed to go and see Shadowheart.

She limped across the clearing towards the medicine cats den. She had just about recovered from her foot injury.

She stepped into the darkness of the den, and saw Shadowheart, curled in a ball near the back of the den. Surprisingly, his green eyes were open, but only slightly, and they looked tired and painful to look at.

"Shadowheart?" She whispered as she took small, gentle, quiet steps towards him. "He twitched his ears and meowed, "Wolfheart is that you?"

Wolfheart took the final step towards him, and lay down next to him. "How are you?" She whispered. He groaned. "Bad." He said the word as if nothing could be worse. "Just wait until you're a warrior again." Wolfheart supported. Shadowheart twitched his tail. "Wolfheart, I'm not going to become a warrior again."

Wolfheart felt shock come over her. "Why not?" Was all she could say. "Because, Wolfheart. I'm highy dissabled. Look at me. I can barley stand up. Wolfheart, if I even survive I'm goin to have to become an elder. Wolfheart, I'm going to be honest with you- I'd much rather die than have to live the rest of my life like this..."

Wolfheart was stunned. "Shadowheart, you've worked harder than almost any other cat in ThunderClan- you do deserve many seasons of rest." Wolfheart knew that what she said was true- but she felt as if Shadowheart didn't believe her. "You could be right." He sighed, "But what if I don't want many seasons of rest, Wolfheart? What if being a warrior is what I love doing best? What if I want to die a warrior, like Whitestorm?"

Wolfheart twitched her whiskers. He was right. She went back to what she felt like, when she was crammed into the stupid nursery for almost eleven moons straight. What would Shadowheart feel like if he were shoved into the elders den for the rest of his life, where all there is to a day is sleeping, eating, and getting ticks and fleas pulled out of your fur by apprentices?

Wolfheart sighed. "I guess you're right." Wolfheart narrowed her eyes. "But I'm not letting you die. If you want to become a warrior once more, you need to actually try."

Shadowheart sighed and lay his head on his paws. "How else can I try, Wolfheart? I can't even walk." Wolfheart was begining to get frustrated. "Eat the herbs you're supposed to, get plenty of sleep, eat a normal amount, and once you're able to walk again, excersise your muscles."

Shadowheart sighed and then nodded, and closed his eyes.

Wolfheart padded out of the den and went over to the warriors den, where she decided to rest a bit. She kind of wanted to go on another dusk patrol- they were much better than dawn patrols. It wasn't hot at all, and Wolfheart just plain liked traveling through ThunderClan territory at night time anyways.

She lay her head on her paws and yawned. She fell asleep.

Wolfheart blinked open her eyes. To her relief, she was at Fourtrees. Wolfheart turned her head to the bushes where RiverClan entered Fourtrees, and saw Grayheart and Icepool. Then she turned to where ShadowClan entered, and saw Russetfur pad in. Wolfheart purred. "This is much better than that nasty old dark place I was in last time." She teased.

Grayheart chuckled. "That prophecy was a bit layed out for you, huh? But have you abandoned your true prophecy, Wolfheart? Have you found night?"

Wolfheart gave her chest fur a few brief licks. "No, I'm waiting for it to come to me, though. I have alot on my mind right now, and I need no other troubles on my mind."

Grayheart, Icepool and Russetfur began to fade, and Wolfheart found herself back in the warriors den. She looked up through the canopy of trees. The sun was setting.

She got up and shook the clinging pieces of moss off, and bounded out of the den to go to Firestar's den to ask him about dusk patrol.

"Firestar?" She meowed into the entrance of his den. She could hear him shuffling around inside. "Yes, come in, Wolfheart."

Wolfheart padded into his den, and saw his green eyes clearly through the darkness. "Would you like me to go on dusk patrol tonight?" She asked, twitching her tail. Firestar looked as if he were thinking. "Yes. You and Rosefur can pick out some cats to come with you."

Wolfheart nodded. "Thank you, Firestar." She dipped her head respectfully and padded backwards out of his den.

Wolfheart looked around the clearing for Rosefur. She spotted her almost immediently, sharing a piece of fresh-kill with Sourstorm.

Wolfheart paded up to them. "Rosefur," she meowed. "Firestar would like me to help you choose the cats going on dusk patrol."

Rosefur twitched her ears. "Dusk patrol? I'm going on dusk patrol too?" Rosefur sighed. "Firestar said nothing about me going on dusk patrol. I was hoping for a good rest. Wolfheart, could you do me a good favor and just lead dusk patrol yourself? You seemed to do a pretty good job at it last time."

Wolfheart twitched her whiskers. "Of course," she meowed. "I'll pick out some cats to go."

Wolfheart searched the clearing, trying to find atleast three warriors and one apprentice- maybe two warriors two appentices.

Wolfheart saw Darkpelt sharing tounges with Chihuauapaw across the clearing. She thought that Darkpelt would do good for one of the warriors to go, but she couldn't pick Chihuauapaw- she was from LeafClan, and this was a ThunderClan patrol.

She padded up to him. "Darkpelt," she meowed, "you're coming with me on dusk patrol tonight. Know any good suggestions for apprentices?"

Darkpelt twitched his ears. "Why not Pebblepaw? She must be really put down about Hazelheart being in the nursery for so long..." Wolfheart thought for a moment. "Alright. Thank you, Darkpelt."

Darkpelt gave a respectful nod and went back to sharing tounges with Chihuauapaw.

Wolfheart searched the clearing. She soon spotted Foxpaw and Echobreeze, Foxpaw was carrying a piece of fresh-kill to the elders den, and Echobreeze was chewing on the back leg of a rabbit.

She padded up to Foxpaw once she had given the mouse to Bluewater. "Foxpaw, would you like to come with me and Darkpelt and Echobreeze and Pebblepaw on dusk patrol?"

Foxpaw grinned. "Of course!" She purred. Wolfheart chuckled and said, "Alright then."

Wolfheart bounded over to Echobreeze, who had finihsed the rabbit, and was licking her jaws. "Echobreeze, you'll be on dusk patrol with me, Foxpaw, Darkpelt and Pebblepaw." Echobreeze nodded. "That's fine. I'll be there."

Wolfheart decided she was begining to become hungry herself. She went to the fresh-kill pile and picked out a vole, then she settled down near the warriors den and began to eat. She watched as the sky became flame-colored and pink though the canopy of trees.

"Is every cat here?" Meowed Wolfheart, as her and the dusk patrol began to set off. All of the cats nodded, and they padded through the gorse tunnel into the ravine above.

"Foxpaw, Pebblepaw, come here." She meowed to the two chosen apprentices. They cats bounded up to the front of the group. "Since this is your first dusk patrol as apprentices, I'm going to ask you to take the back, and watch out for any signs of predators."

The two apprentices nodded, and fell behind.

"Alright," she meowed, stopping. "let's take the patrol up the river a bit, and then take a turn towards Snakerocks. We'll come back to the camp from Snakerocks. Sound good?"

Every cat yowled their agreement, and Wolfheart led the patrol towards Sunningrocks, where the river on ThunderClan territory began.

Snakerocks weren't far ahead, and the faintest light of dawn bagan to shine in the sky. "Now, remember to watch out for adders." Warned Wolfheart, and the grass bagn to turn into sand. Wolfheart stepped into the snake-filled clearing cautiously. Wolfheart thought she caught a glimpse of one of the small black stick-like bodies slide across the clearing, but that was it.

"Alright, we're going to make a run for it," she called to the other cats, "watch your step!"

The cats flew across the clearing, and back towards the ThunderClan camp. The patrol was nearly there when she heard one of the cats behind her stumble, and then fall. She raised her tail to show that she was going to stop, and then skidded to a halt.

Wolfheart turned around. Sure enough, Pebblepaw was on the ground, a tree root jutted out of the ground, probably causing her fall. "Pebblepaw, you need to-" Wolfheart was cut off when she saw a dark shape not far behind them. It wasn't a fox- itwas too large- it definatly wasn't an adder, either.

Wolfheart crouched low, and signaled with her tail for the other cats to crouch also.

The creature lumbered through some brambles in search of food.

Finally, the dim dawn sky became right enough so that Wolfheart could make out the creature- a badger.

Wolfheart could tell that the badger didn't notice the patroling cats, so she signaled for them to continue on it a low, slow, silent crouch.

Wolfheart had reported the badgr to Firestar and was on her way to get some fresh-kill when she saw Hazelheart's three kits playing outside the nursery for the first time.

She purred, and padded up to them.

Wolfheart finally noticed the kits' appearences for the first time. Barlykit was a small, black-and-white tortiseshell. Saphirekit was a small, grayish-blue she-cat, much like Bluestar. Bumblekit was a small, white kit with hazel and black splothches.

"How cute!"She purred, when she approached them at last. Wolfheart looked down at Bumblekit. She looked as if she expected a fox to burst out of the clear blue and grab her up, and when Barleykit snapped a twig, she jumped into the air in shock.

"She's a bit cautious, huh?" Chuckled Wolfheart. Hazelheart twitched her tail. "Quite," she purred, "she was born like it. I don't exactly know why, either."

Wolfheart felt a pang of memory of how Foxpaw and Shadowpaw used to fight when they were kits when she saw Barleykit snap at Saphirekit's tail.

"You know, Wolfheart," Hazelheart's meow broke Wolfheart out of her thoughts. "I would like it if you were able to mentor one of the kits. Would you like to?"

Wolfheart twitched her whiskers. "Of course I would! But that doesn't mean I'll get to!"

Hazelheart purred. "I hope you get to," she mewed. Across the clearing, Wolfheart spotted Emily and Nightpaw getting ready to leave for training. Wolfheart almost knew that Nightpaw would be the last of her kits to be made a warrior- she was much more laid back, not as determined in her training sesions. She knew because she had examined each of them when she had taken out Darkpelt for training.

"I'm going to go and see Shadowheart," meowed Wolfheart, and she bounded across the clearing, flicking her tail in farewell. "Tell him hello for me!" Called Hazelheart after her.

Wolfheart peered into the dark, carved-out den. Two green eyes blinked. Shadowheart was awake.

Wolfheart padded into the den- where her eyes soon adjusted to the intense darkness. "Any better?" She asked, twitching her tail in hope. Shadowheart nodded. "Ripplepool has taken the cobwebs off of my neck- that's almost healed. But my belly- not at all, really. Ripplepool says that- at the top most hope- it will heal, and I'll be able to become a warrior once more."

Wolfheart purred. This was much better news. "If you heal within six moons, perhaps you can mentor one of Hazelheart's kits. Speaking of Hazelheart- She wanted me to tell you hello."

Shadowheart purred. "That's Hazelheart- kind and social all over."

Right about that time, Wolfheart heard footsteps coming towards the den, and then Emily's scent. "May I come in?" Brown eyes searched the inside of the den, and Wolfheart replied, "Of course. Why not?"

Emily came into the den and awed. "I've never been in here before- kinda dark, huh? Well, anyways, I came to see Shadowheart," She meowed, "how are you?"

Shadowheart twitched his ears. "I'm doing better," He shrugged, "You?"

"I'm fine." She shrugged. "I saw Ripplepool out picking herbs on the hunting patrol- she asked me to come and bring you some fresh-kill."

Emily ducked her head out of the den and pulled back in a thrush, and dropped it at Shadowheart's paws. She gave him a quick nod, and bounded out of the den. "I better go too." Meowed Wolfheart, getting up and stretching. "I need to ask Firestar about dusk patrol."

Shadowheart nodded, and Wolfheart padded out of the den. Wolfheart blinked a few times to adjust to the light, and went to see Firestar, who was sharing a squirrel with Rosefur, the new ThunderClan deputy.

"Firestar?" She meowed, taking light steps, to make sure she didn't disturb him if it was something important. Firestar turned his head to face her. "Yes, Wolfheart?" He meowed. "Will I be going on dusk patrol?" She asked. "I wouldn't mind to- I'm getting quite used to it, actually!"

Firestar looked on, as if in thought. "Yes, but Rosefur is leading this time. Help her gather Squirrelflight, Runningwind, Nightpaw and Shadowpaw," He added as Rosefur rose to her paws. "Yes, Firstar." She gave him a respectful nod and went to find Runningwind, the swift ThunderClan warrior. Wolfheart peered through the branches of the warriors' den. Sure enough, he was there- curled in a ball, asleep.

"Runningwind!" She called into the den, "Runningwind, wake up!" Nothing. She slid through the opening and prodded his side. One of his yellow eyes opened and stared at her. "What is it, Wolfheart?" He grumbled. "You're on dusk patrol." She meowed to him. Runningwind gave a lazy nod and yawned, "I'll be there." Then lay his head back on his paws and lay his tail over his nose.

Wolfheart turned and went back out of the warriors den, spotting Rosefur talking to Squirrelflight. Then she saw Nightpaw, eating a mouse with Foxpaw. Wolfheart bounded over to them. "Hello." She meowed as she aproached. "Nightpaw, Firestar has asked me to deliver the info that you are on dusk patrol tonight."

Nightpaw's blue eyes grew, and she nodded excitedly.

Wolfheart turned to go and find Shadowpaw, but she spotted Rosefur, sticking her head into the apprentices' den.

Wolfheart looked up into the canopy of trees that overhung the ThunderClan camp, and saw the pink sky of sunset begin to fall into the indigo sky of night time.

Wolfheart tore through the undergrowth of the forest with Nightpaw high on her heels. The dusk patrol had started- and the cats had caught the badger scent almost immediently once again, and- and the patrol was following the trail. Squirrelflight was in the lead, since she had the best nose, and Shadowpaw took up the back, since every cat knew that he would try to tackle off the first thing that poked him on the back.

Wolfheart slowed as Squirrelflight lifted her tail and stopped, signaling for the others to do the same. Rosefur stepped back up front, and sniffed the air.

Shadowpaw was looking around wildly, his amber eyes gleaming in the dark. Wolfheart rested the tip of her tail on his shoulder, and wispered: "Shh, calm down. If there is something, you'll be the first one it scents and hears."

Shadowpaw settled a bit, and sat down. But Wolfheart could still tell he was itching to attack something. He was so much like his father- loyal and wanting to fight anything.

Suddenly, Rosefur's neck fur bristled, and her muscles tightened. "There's a badger and fox scent! And I believe that there's more than one badger!" She hissed in a loud whisper.

A low growl rumbled in one of the cats throats, and the cats started looking around, trying to detect it. That's when they realized that it wasn't a cat who had growled.

Shadowpaw yowled loudly, and Wolfheart turned to see that his ear was bleeding, and behind him, a fox growled and had Shadowpaw's black ear fur in his claws.

Shadowpaw hissed, and began to spring, but Rosefur yowled out, telling the patrol to flee back to camp.

Wolfheart panted as she reached the clearing of the camp. The dawn light was just about to crawl up above the canopy of trees in the sky. Wolfheart shuddered- a badger and a fox on ThunderClan territory at the same time could be very bad. Wolfheart went to the nursery to warn Hazelheart and Ferncloud to keep the kits close- foxes liked to raid the nursery when the queens weren't looking.

 "Hazelheart?" She mewed into the darkness. Wolfheart heard shuffling, and then saw Hazelheart's eyes open. "Yes, Wolfheart?" She meowed. "There is a fox and badger on ThunderClan territory," mewed Wolfheart, "I would suggest to keep your kits in sight. Tell Ferncloud also."

Hazelheart nodded, and Wolfheart backed out of the nursery back into the clearing of the camp.

The dawn light shimmered in the sky, and tiny droplets of dew hung from leaves and on grass.

Wolfheart looked over at the medicine cats' den to find Shadowheart, sitting outside, twitching his tail. Wolfheart's heart rose with hope, and she bounded over to him.

"You're almost better?" She meowed, tilting her head. Shadowheart nodded. "Ripplepool says that I'm recovering marvelously, and that there is a bigger chance than doubt that I will become a warrior again- a partly disabled warrior, that is."

Wolfheart twitched her tail. "That's great!" She yowled. But Shadowheart was looking beyond her, at the gorse tunnel. His mouth was partly opened to scent the air. Shadowheart jumped up from his spot, and his neck fur bristled.

"Intruding cats!" He hissed. Wolfheart turned to the fern tunnel. Two cats slid through the gorse tunnel- one gray, black and white tortiseshell, and one gray and black tabby with a white underbelly and paws. They carried fear scent.

Shadowheart's neck fur lay flat once more, and he bounded over to the cats, alarmed. But he also wasn't attempting to attack them.

"Storm!" He gasped, "And Patch!"

The two cats stopped cowering, and the gray and black tabby meowed, "Shadow? Why are you here?"

Shadow flicked his tail at Wolfheart, summoning her to come.

"I'm part of this Clan- and I'm Shadowheart now." Shadowheart explained. He looked behind them, as if looking for someone. He frowned. "Where's Thorn?" He meowed. The tortiseshell shuffled its paws. "We don't know." It muttered.

Shadowheart looked back at Wolfheart. Cats were begining to crawl out of their dens in curiosity.

"Wolfheart," He meowed, "These are my sisters- Storm and Patch. And, I had a brother- Thorn- but he's missing."

Wolfheart nodded, still a bit curious. Firestar came padding up to them. "What and who is going on?" He hissed, staring at the two she-cats. Shadowheart explained quickly: "These are my sisters, and they're rouges. They do no harm, Firestar."

Firestar narrowed his eyes. "Well, we are trying to shove two Clans into one camp- I'm afraid we're running out of room."

Shadowheart twitched one ear, and turned to Storm, the tabby. "Why are you guys here?" He asked. "We were hoping for some shelter- there was a badger, and-" Storm was cut off.

"Enough said," meowed a cat, stepping to the front. It was Rosefur. "Firestar, a fox itself could've killed them- we didn't see the badger, but we knew it was there- and that there was more than one. Rouges don't stand a chance on ThunderClan territory, Firestar- allow them shelter for a while, until we get the situation worked out."

Firestar nodded. "You're words are wise, Rosefur- I will allow them to sleep at the prisoners den, since they don't know the Warrior Code, and don't have warrior names- for now. They could turn out like Emily, and decide to join ThunderClan or LeafClan."

Wolfheart thought that she heard Emily meow, "That's right," but she wasn't sure.

Storm and Patch exchanged glances. "We'll stay for a while- but then we must go and find our brother, Thorn."

Firestar nodded. "Emily, take them to the prisoners' nest. And also, I have a few announcements."

Firestar jumped up onto the Highrock, and the Clan looked at him curiously. "We have two apprentices becoming warriors today," He announced, "One from ThunderClan, one from LeafClan. If you would, please come and join me, Wolfstar."

Wolfstar jumped up from her place in the front of the crowd up onto the Highrock. "You first, Firestar." She whispered loud enough for Wolfheart to hear.

 Firestar nodded, and searched the crowd for the certain cat. "Cheetahpaw," He meowed, "please step forward."

The small spotted she-cat that looked as if she were a decendant from LeopardClan bounded to the front, shaking with anxiety.

"Cheetahpaw, do you promise to uphold to Warrior Code, and protect you Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Meowed Firestar, following the ritual. Cheetahpaw's eyes grew wide. "I do." She mewoed. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Cheetahpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Cheetahflight, for your speed and ability- and also for your color. StarClan honors you and welcomes you and a full member of ThunderClan."

Firestar jumped down from the Highrock and put his muzzle on Cheetahflight's head. She licked his shoulder.

"Cheetahflight! Cheetahflight!" Cheered the cats. Wolfheart joined in. Wolfheart couldn't hear Firestar, but she thought that she saw him remind her of her vigil sit. She nodded, and padded to the gorse tunnel, where she would sit out the night.

"And now," meowed Wolfstar, "I believe its my turn."

She rested her eyes on Killerpaw in the front row beside of Wolfheart. "Killerpaw, please step forward."

Wolfheart heard Killerpaw gasp, and then he hopped up to the foot of the Highrock.

"Killerpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code, and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Meowed Wolfstar. Killerpaw shuddered with excitment. "I-I do." He stuttered. "Then, by the powers of MoonClan, I give you your warrior name. Killerpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Killerheart. MoonClan honors you and welcomes you as a full member of LeafClan."

Chihuauapaw was the one to start the chant. "Killerheart! Killerheart!"

Wolfstar pointed to the gorse tunnel with her tail, and Killerheart left.

ThunderClan stopped chanting. "Why did he leave?" Asked Hazelheart. "LeafClan knows that ThunderClan cats sit vigil for the night. Well, for what is like a LeafClan vigil, the cats go out and hunt until dawn- no matter what. If they catch much- good- if not- bad."

Firestar nodded, and let out the Clan. Wolfheart heard Shadowpaw murmer, "Crazy furball. It's barley past sunhigh- he'll be out all day and night!" To Foxpaw, and they went to get some food from the fresh-kill pile. There was a vee-shaped cut in Shadowpaw's ear from the fox- but Shadowpaw seemed to like the thought of his first battle scar.

Wolfheart sighed. Everything was so weird now. LeafClan, Storm and Patch, the prophecy that she had given to Badgerfur- it wasn't like the old ThunderClan. Wolfheart wished that she could change everything- but she knew she couldn't. All she could do was participate in life, and do as the Warrior Code said.

Wolfheart went to get a piece of fresh-kill to share with Shadowheart, and tried to erase all thoughts out of her mind but him.

"Wolfheart!" Hissed a voice outside of the warriors' den. It was a dark night, and every cat in ThunderClan was asleep.

Wolfheart looked, but couldn't see the cat on the outside of the den. "Who's there?" She hissed, jumping up. "Realx," meowed a cat, poking its head in, "its me- Badgerfur."

Wolfheart let her neck fur lay flat again, and she silently slid out of the den. "What is it?" She hissed, "you're not supposed to be here!!"

Badgerfur narrowed his eyes. "I know- but I think I've found an answer to the prophecy."

Wolfheart tilted her head. "Oh?" She mewoed. "Tell me."

"Well, I think that 'Darkness will spill' means....well, we beileve that Bloodstep was captured by some fierce rouges, so a cat in our Clan- he's not very popular- became deputy. His name is Nightrain, and he is powerful and ambitious- almost exactly like another Tigerstar- and he says that, if any cat says anything about him that is bad, he'll kill them, and if Leopardstar tries to order him around, he'll take on a new apprentice or old kit."

Wolfheart gasped. "That's awful!!"

Badgerfur sighed. "I know. No other Clan knows about this- since it happened the day after the last gathering."

Wolfheart nodded. "Continue," She meowed.

"What I believe 'Death will emerge' means, is that, one of our cats- Thinpelt- died myseriously two moonrises ago. Nobody knows how or when."

"He was my mentor..." Wolfheart murmered.

"And that's not all," continued Badgerfur, "Scratchedear was killed by Nightrain yesterday for getting him a mouse- not a thrush- for his lunch..."

"And he was Grayheart's mentor..." She murmered.

"What I beleive 'Emotion will fall' means, is that, the cats of RiverClan are in a big state of depression and fear because of Nightrain, and I've been feeling weird, too. But it's not with fear or depression- I even don't know what it is. But I feel like I shouldn't feel it."

Badgerfur shook his head to clear the thought.

"Anyways, obviously, 'Storm will suffer' means that RiverClan are suffering. 'Storm' must mean RiverClan."

Wolfheart nodded in understanding. She looked up into the sky, and dawn began to creep up into the sky. "You better go," She whispered, crawling back into the warriors den.

She listened to the sound of Badgerfur's paws leaving the camp, and then drifted back into sleep.

Firestar's yowl woke Wolfheart, and she shook the clinging pieces of moss from her pelt and went to gather below the Highrock.

"We have two new warriors!" He announced. "Foxpaw, Shadowpaw- please step forward."

The two apprentices gave excited glances, and stepped to the foot of the Highrock.

"I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call on StarClan to watch down on these apprentices. They have worked hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and deserve to be made warriors. Foxpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do."

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Foxpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Foxtail. StarClan honors you and welcomes you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

He jumped down from the Highrock and rested his muzzle on Foxtail's head. Foxtail then licked his shoulder and stepped back, shaking with excitment.

"And Shadowpaw," Firestar meowed, jumping back onto the Highrock. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Shadowpaw looked up at him with gleaming eyes. "I do."

"Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shadowpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Shadowstrike. StarClan honors you and welcomes you as a full member of ThunderClan."

Firestar jumped down from the Highrock once more and rested his muzzle of Shadowstrike's head. Shadowstrike licked Firestar's shoulder, and Shadowstrike stepped back with his siter.

Wolfheart smiled, and looked over at Nightpaw. Her muscels were stronger and her size was increased- for sure it wouldn't be long now until she was made a warrior?

"Firestar?" Wolfheart called into the leaders den. "Come in!" Meowed a voice from the inside. Wolfheart slid into the den.

"Firestar, don't you think that Nightpaw should be made a warrior?" She asked. "Well, Emily has said nothing to me. I'm sure it's about time, though. I will talk with Emily later about it."

Wolfheart gave a respectful nod and padded back out of the den.

Nightpaw awaited outside. "Wolfheart, did you see what Mousefur just did to me?!" She meowed. Wolfheart sat down. "No. I didn't."

"She gave me a really angry look, and then snapped at my tail!! Wolfheart, I think that a cat is saying negative things about me. Every cat has been acting hostile around me latley- even Foxtail and Shadowstrike!!"

Wolfheart thought that this could be true. But what could Nightpaw have done? "Don't worry," She meowed, "I'll see what I can do about it."

Nightpaw nodded, worried, and walked away.

Wolfheart's first reaction would've been to go and find Shadowheart- but not this time. Instead, Wolfheart decided to go to Sunningrocks. Wolfheart began to head towards the entrance when she heard a voice behind her.

"Hey, Wolfheart! Wait up!" It called. Wolfheart looked behind her and purred as she spotted Hazelheart bounding towards her. "Ferncloud has offered to look after my kits for a while!" She purred. "Going to Sunningrocks?" She asked.

Wolfheart nodded, and told her about Nightpaw's insident with Mousefur on the way.

When the two cats reached Sunningrocks, night was begining to fall. Wolfheart climbed onto one of the smooth rocks and laid down, her head on her paws. She stared down into the water, as the cats of Silverpelt began to shine into it.

Wolfheart watched the water go by swiftly but smoothly. Suddenly, Wolfheart saw some cats of Silverpelt move into the shape of a cat's head, and then face. And then, Wolfheart saw the reflection of her daughter, Nightpaw, in the river.

Wolfheart gasped and blinked, and the vision went away.

"Is something wrong?" Meowed Hazelheart, looking worried. Wolfheart shook her head- but she couldn't help but grinning.

She had completed the prophecy. The reflection of her daughter- Nightpaw- in the reflection of the river at night time could only mean one thing- Nightpaw was the key to night.

Wolfheart awoke at the clearing in Fourtrees, where Grayheart, Redleaf and Russetfur appeared.

"Congradulations, young one." Meowed Redleaf in a raspy purr. "You have figured out the key to your prophecy,"

Wolfheart nodded. "So...Nightpaw must join LeafClan?"

Redleaf, Grayheart and Russetfur exchanged glances. "She is not welcome in ThunderClan anymore. Ceaserheart from ShadowClan is the source of the matter- he misunderstood something at a Gathering, and spread it into every Clan. She must- she has no choice. Or, atleast, unless she wants to live like this. Ceaserheart isn't about to change what he heard- and no cat will believe it unless if comes out of his mouth."

Wolfheart nodded, and the figures began to dissapear.

Firestar's yowl awoke Wolfheart. She jumped up and sprang out of the entrance of the warriors' den.

She hurried over to Firestar before he jumped onto the Highrock, moss still clinging to her pelt. "Is Nightpaw becoming a warrior?" She panted.

Firestar smiled. "I had a dream last night," He meowed, "StarClan came to me and said, 'Nightpaw- warrior'...Which I'm sure means Nightpaw needs to be made a warrior."

Wolfheart sighed with relief and nodded, padding to the gathering crowd of cats and shook her pelt clean of stray moss, clinging like burrs.

"Nightheart! Nightheart!" Chanted Wolfheart as her daughter stood proudly at the foot of the Highrock. Wolfheart got to her feet, knowing what she must do.

"May I have your attention?" She yowled. Silence grew, and Wolfheart heard curious murmers ripple through the crowd.

"I had a dream last night," She meowed, "My sister- Grayheart-, Redleaf, and Russetfur came to me, and told me long ago I had a prophecy. I have answered this prophecy- and figured out that it means that Nightheart's destiny is to join LeafClan and leave with them."

Shocked murmers grew, and Wolfheart saw a shocked expression on Nightheart's face out of the corner of her eye.

Wolfstar then stood up. "I too have had a dream- it told me that a newcomer would be joining- this must be what they meant."

And then Firerain got to his paws. "And I have made a decission," He meowed, bowing his head. "I am staying here with ThunderClan."

Shocked murmers rippled through the crowd. "Who will be deputy?" Spat Emberbreeze. Wolfstar sighed. "Dogfoot shall be."

Dogfoot stood up proudly, taking in the victory of his ambition. Wolfheart hissed to herself silently. Deep down inside of her, she knew that Dogfoot was trouble.

Wolfstar walked over to Firerain. "Firerain," Wolfheart heard her whisper, "for sure not. For sure you're not leaving LeafClan?"

Firerain shuffled his paws. "I am. I like it here."

Wolfstar gave a tiny nod, then jumped upon the Highrock. "We will leave for our new home in three sunrises. I tell my Clan to prepare for the journey- It will be a long one."

All of the cats of LeafClan padded away. Nightheart walked over to Wolfheart with curiosity and sadness welled into her brown eyes. "I really must leave?" She meowed sadly. Wolfheart sighed. "That's what StarClan wants."

Across the clearing, Wolfheart saw Dogfoot talking to Whitewolf. Whitewolf cowered in fear, her eyes showed that she was dreading something. "Dogfoot, no!" She yowled. "Shh!" Hissed Dogfoot. "No cat must know."

Wolfheart awoke from a high-pitched shriek coming from outside in the clearing. It was far past moonhigh, and StarClan still shown brightly in Silverpelt. She jumped to her paws, neck fur bristling, and scrambled out of the warriors den.

Outside, there was silence. Wolfheart stopped to listen, eyes closed and ears perked. The shriek came once more. Wolfstar!

Wolfheart caught Wolfstar's scent and folowed it out of the camp. She caught a trace of Dogfoot, and then Killerheart, from his vigil. But all she was worried about was Wolfstar.

Wolfheart stopped in frozen horror when she came to the gorge. Wolfstar, being clung to by the scruff by Dogfoot, was at the edge of the gorge, hissing and spitting and trying to free herself.

"Are you mad, Dogfoot?" She hissed, "You know this is my last life!"

Wolfheart let out a furious yowl, and pounced onto Dogfoot, loosening his grip on Wolfstar- and sending them both plumeting deep into the gorge.

Wolfheart gasped for breath as the waves of the water gripped her fur and tugged her under over and over again.

Wolfheart looked up, and, along the sides of the gorge, cats from ThunderClan and LeafClan ran beside the stream, trying to catch up with the cats. Wolfheart recognized Hazelheart and Shadowheart first, and then Chihuauapaw and Killerheart, side by side, running.

The force pulled Wolfheart under once more, and she struggled to get back to the top for breaths.

Soon, the water evened out, and was calmer, but Wolfheart was too exhausted to move. She weakly looked for Dogfoot- he was in the water also. Not dead- but not very lively either.

Wolfheart soon washed onto the sandy ground onthe side of the river, and the cats began to gather.

"Wolfheart!" Gasped Hazelheart. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah..." She meowed weakly, and got slowly to her paws. "Is Dogfoot dead?"

Hazelheart nodded slowly, casting a glimpse at the forever-stilled body. "Wolfstar told us what happened once we heard all of the yowling and came... Did all of that really happen?"

Wolfheart nodded. Wolfheart knew that she was lucky to have survived the fall alone herself. "Who is going to be the new LeafClan deputy?" She asked, but Hazelheart shook her head, telling that she didn't know.

Wolfstar yowled loudly, as if she were on the Highrock. "Cats of LeafClan!" She yowled, "Dogfoot is now dead, and I have decided something. ThunderClan believes that, it is almost highly necassary that the new deputy has had an apprentice first, but LeafClan just says that the deputy must be atleast a warrior. And, though this is strange, I have decided that Nightheart will be the new LeafClan deputy."

Shocked murmers rippled through the crowd, but Wolfheart couldn't help but smiling weakly, with all of her strength that was left.

"We are glad to have met you, Wolfstar. If LeafClan is ever in a time of need again, you know where we are."

Wolfstar gave a nod of gratitude and signaled for her cats to leave. Firestar was saying his good-byes, and Wolfheart watched as Nightheart, the new LeafClan deputy, slid through the gorse tunnel of the ThunderClan camp.

"Goodbye," She murmered. "I hope you find what you are looking for."

A Quick Note From the Author:

Yes! I have finally wrote a real fanfic! Not a crummy ol' 4-page one! I had been thinking about ideas for the series for some time, and then I decided that, instead of putting them into parts, I was going to make one long fanfic. I'm just too impatient most of the time to write such long stories- like on Part 1, where there is only 2 pages, and very bad editing. That's another thing- I read through the entire thing and fixed as much grammer and puncuation as possible.

So, I hope you liked Part 10, the halfways mark in the Wolfheart & Hazelheart series!