Ebonywind sighed in relief when she padded into the camp, dropping off a squirrel at the fresh-kill pile. It was fuller than it had been in days, with a couple squirrels, about 5 mice and some voles. Ebonywind thought about the past few moons. It had been tough, eating once every few days. Now, the Clan fed once a day, or twice a day for the queens and elders.

"Ebonywind! There you are," Ebonywind looked up to see Rowanstar padding towards her.

"What is it?"

"I would like to see your hunting abilities," Rowanstar said solemnly.

"But, Rowanstar, I just got back from a hunt!" Ebonywind protested. 

"Now." The tom growled.

Ebonywind dipped her head meekly and followed her leader out of the camp. She trod carefully on the snow, trying not to scare any prey off.

"Let's go by the river," Rowanstar said brusquely.

"Fine," Ebonywind snapped back and padded to the river.

She ducked her head, sniffing the air. A scent of vole drifted into her nose and she inhaled it deeply.

This could feed an elder or two, she thought decisively. I must catch it.

Ebonywind broke into a run, chasing after the vole. She spotted its brown pelt among the thick snow and slammed her claws into its body. They pierced its fur and it sank to the ground, squealing. Ebonywind nipped its throat and it fell limp.

"Good job," Rowanstar said, an unreadable expression in his eyes. "Continue."

Ebonywind stalked around, eager to please her leader. She poked every hole, ducked her head under low branches and tasted the air.

It was almost sunset when Rowanstar called her back. Ebonywind trotted back to where he waited, a squirrel in her month. She gazed over her catch proudly. She had caught two voles and a squirrel in a day's work.

"Not bad," Rowanstar reflected. "I thought I smelt some geese, but perhaps I was wrong."

Ebonywind frowned, raising her nose tentatively.

Geese.

Geese hardly came to ShadowClan during the winter. They were large, plump birds that were delicious.

I have to catch one.

"I'll catch one," she said breathlessly. "Just give me a chance!"

Rowanstar grunted in agreement. "I'll help."

Ebonywind blinked at him before nodding.

"You lead." He added sharply.

She nodded once more before raising her tail to signal silence. They tracked the scent of geese along the river until finally, Ebonywind spotted a flock of geese. She licked her lips. They smelt truly splendid.

Ebonywind gave the signal for creeping up on them and she and Rowanstar crept towards the geese and the river.

Rowanstar turned to look at her deliberately and she nodded. He gave a yowl and sprang at the geese, causing them to run around. Ebonywind snapped the neck of one who was attempting to escape and helped Rowanstar corner another.

"Get it!" Ebonywind yowled, distracted by a strange scent.

Rowanstar dipped his head to her and leapt at the goose, his claws catching its feathers, tugging them off. Alarmed, the goose struggled towards the river.

Sudden panic flashed through her and she opened her mouth to tell Rowanstar to let go.

"Let go!" she screeched.

Rowanstar's claws fumbled with the geese as it hit the water and dragged him down with it.

Ebonywind stared with shock at Rowanstar's sinking form then made the decision. She leapt into the river to save him.

Ebonywind struggled to open her eyes in the water but she did, ignoring the stinging. Her wet fur was plastered to her sides as she tried to locate the large tom. Finally, she spotted him, flailing around in the water, the dead goose still clutched in his claws. She shot towards the surface, gasping as air entered her lungs.

Taking a deep breath, she plunged her head back underwater and swam deeper down and closer to Rowanstar. Ebonywind's head pounded as she went deeper and realized that Rowanstar was going through the trance that meant he was losing a life.

Come on, Ebonywind!

Her eyelids began to close, and she reached out with her claws, trying to snag them on his fur. Blinded by the water, she let out her last breath of air and sunk towards Rowanstar's body, giving up.

You can do it, Ebonywind!

Don't give up!

Come on!

Be brave!

Courage is the most powerful tool you will know!

And she heard her mother's voice. Ebonywind, hold on there! You're stronger than you think! I believe in you!

The last few words gave her strength and determination. She forced her eyes open, the water pooling into them, and grabbed Rowanstar's limp form. Her lungs burning for air, she used every ounce of strength she had left to drag her leader up to the surface and onto the sandy bank.

Then she allowed herself to sink.

The water covered her eyes, mouth and nose. She felt trapped. She had no air.

Then claws grabbed Ebonywind's sides.

"Hold on, don't you dare die on me!"

A real voice.

Ebonywind's body was dropped onto the bank next to Rowanstar's and she gasped for air.

"Who-?" she croaked, her eyes blurry and stinging with pain.

"It's Silverspots and Rosedusk," the she-cat mewed comfortingly.

She closed her eyes peacefully and let the she-cats take care of her.

Ebonywind woke up in the medicine cat den. Puddleshine was fussing over her. "You're awake!" he cried.

"She's awake!" Foxpaw called out of the den entrance.

Why do they care?

Then, a whole swarm of cats came in.

"Congratulations!" Brookblaze mewed, her belly round with her kits.

"Thank you for saving Rowanstar!" Sandleaf added.

Ebonywind blinked with shock as all the cats congratulated her.

I saved Rowanstar.

Proud, she lifted her head high and purred.

The next day was the full moon. Rowanstar, back to his former strength, led the Clan to the Gathering Hollow.

"Two days ago, Ebonywind saved my life," Rowanstar began solemnly. "She saved me after I fell in a river. And I am forever grateful."

Ebonywind squirmed uncomfortably. She didn't like being the centre of attention, to be honest. She had expected it to feel nice, but it just felt egoistical.

"Because of that, I am making her a medicine cat," Rowanstar turned his dark eyes on her.

At that moment, Ebonywind realized something.

Rowanstar wasn't grateful.

Rowanstar was angry.

He was angry that she had humiliated him and damaged his reputation.

And now, he was punishing her.

"No!" she yowled, standing up. "I refuse! I'm a warrior!"

"You cannot refuse! I am your leader!" Rowanstar hissed at her.

The ThunderClan, WindClan and RiverClan cats looked back and forth, curious and nervous.

"I saved you, Rowanclaw!" Ebonywind spat, losing control. "And I am leaving this StarClan-cursed Clan! I've heard the other Clan's rumours. They're right. ShadowClan's leader is a fox-heart!"

"Ebonywind, I order you to-" Rowanstar started before she interrupted him.

"No! I'm joining ThunderClan!"