Runningspirit felt dizzy. What in the name of Starclan, was her brother saying? Shadowheart's words troubled Runningspirit greatly.

What secret? Why was he talking to Flamepaw? She's dead.

Runningspirit's breath caught in her throat, Or is she?

Suddenly, she felt teeth pierce her leg. Runningspirit let out a painful snarl. She whipped around, and let out a hiss. "Shadowheart!"

While she was thinking, Shadowheart must've realized Runningspirit was watching.

The dark tom's wet pelt clung to his sides, making his muscles bulge. His lips were pulled back in the beginning of a snarl. "What are you doing here," He let out a hiss, "Runningspirit?"

Runningspirit backed out of the prickly bush and faced her brother. "I could ask you the same." She retorted quickly.

Shadowheart lashed his tail, "Tell me, what did you see exactly?"

Runningspirit dug her muddy claws into the squishy ground, "Enough to tell that you are no longer loyal to Thunderclan!"

Shadowheart barreled into his sister and pinned her to the ground, his claws barely sinking into her throat. He bent down, and began to whisper in her ear, "If you tell a living soul what you saw me doing, or what you heard me say, then you will end up just like, them."

Oh Starclan! He couldn't have killed Flamepaw and Jaggedfang! I won't believe it!

Runningspirit could hardly breath. Blood began to trickle onto the ground from her throat. She could barely talk, but she managed to whisper, "So, you killed them."

The grip tightened, and Runningspirit squeezed her eyes shut. Shadowheart let out a growl. "I never said I killed them. But, I will kill you, if you speak about this." He warned, his voice ending in a triumphant hiss.

Thank Starclan he didn't kill them!

Runningspirit struggled to get up, but blood began to flow harder. Shadowheart sunk his claws deeper, "Well, do you promise?"

Runningspirit's vision was beginning to go blurry. She could see the large outline of her brother. She could hear the pounding rain all around her. She could feel darkness closing in on her.

Not able to take any more, Runningspirit nodded. Immediately, the claws vanished from her skin, and she could breathe once more. Runningspirit's sight returned to normal. She looked up at her brother. He twitched his whiskers, "Good. Now, let's get back to the clan."

Runningspirit blindly followed, the previous events playing in her head. My brother was prepared to murder me. My own brother.

Runningspirit limped throughout the wet forest, her throat felt like fire, and it wasn't just from the inhaled smoke. Her paws left a trail of blood. She had stepped on a prickly holly leaf while hiding in the bush.

Runningspirit looked ahead at her brother. His sturdy shoulders went side to side as he padded forward. His muscles bulged underneath his drenched fur. His dark brown tail was held high.

I used to love you, brother. Now, you mean nothing!

Finally, the two cats arrived where the clan was huddled into small groups. Snowstorm was waiting for them.

"Where have you two been? We've been worried sick!"

Runningspirit dipped her head to the deputy, "Sorry. We were just out-"

"Hunting. We were out hunting." Shadowheart interrupted, tossing a warning glance at his sister.

Hunting? Ha! Good luck with that one Shadowheart. We didn't even catch anything!

Runningspirit didn't dare break his sharp gaze. Though she was uneasy about his threat, she knew that no one could find out about it. Her life depended on it.

It's not just my life I'm worried about, it's the clan! I have to stay here for them!

Snowstorm shrugged, then flicked his ears, "It's fine, I was just asking." He shook his white pelt, flinging droplets of water everywhere. He continued," The patrol found a place for the clan to shelter, we need to start moving them there. Runningspirit, can you help?"

Thankful to get away from Shadowheart, Runningspirit nodded, and bounded towards the group of cats.

Swiftpelt, Blackfrost, and Ravenclaw had returned and were beginning to herd the elders. Cherryfeather followed, limping.

The poor she-cat had to retire early in the elders den, due to her leg being snapped of by a Twoleg monster. Runningspirit shuddered, remembering the horrid day. Cherryfeather was very lucky to be alive.

Mousewhisker and Dovewing followed, their pelts barely brushing. Runningspirit had never really liked Dovewing. She seemed like she was always hiding something, and she hardly ever talked. Runningspirit could somewhat understand. Her mate, Bumblestripe, had went to join Starclan not too long ago. However, Dovewing never really seemed to like him.

Runningspirit sighed, remembering to respect her elders. She turned and began to pad to the queens and elders. Heronflight was gently licking her kits' fur. She lifted her soaked head when Runningspirit appeared."Oh, Runningspirit. Are you going to help us move?"

Runningspirit nodded, "Yep. Here, I'll take a two kits, and you can take two." Runningspirit bent down and scooped up Mudkit and Petalkit in her jaws.

Heronflight grabbed Lionkit and Willowkit, and began to follow Runningspirit into the dripping trees.

…**…**…**…**…

"Are you all settled Heronflight?" Runningspirit mewed gently to the soaked queen. The kits immediately began to nuzzle into their mother's fur. Mudkit was already sound asleep.

Heronflight yawned, "Oh yes. Thank you Runningspirit for the help." The queen laid her head down on her paws, "I think I'm going to get some rest."

Runningspirit dipped her head, then padded away from the hollow tree. The clan was settled in the forest, by the Sky Oak. There was a few empty fox dens that the patrol had scouted. Though many complained of the smell, it was better than being out in the freezing rain.

Runningspirit glanced at Shadowheart. He was dragging some moss towards the shivering elders. He turned towards his sister and opened his mouth.

Though he was several foxlengths away, Runningspirit could hear his threatening voice clearly, it made the fur along her spine prickle.

"Remember, I will kill you if I must."