"In a few days, Bloodfur will lead an attack on the medicine cats at Highstones." Poisonedsap was meowing smoothly.

The ShadowClan allies were meeting in their usual clearing, sitting in a disorganized group around their leader. The golden brown and black queen sat on a mossy log, a smile spread across her muzzle as she surveyed the cats below. Revengeheart, Mottledface, and Blackstorm were closest to her, tails twitching eagerly. Foxshadow was close behind them, his fluffy tail rested around Amberrose. Spiderfang and Falconclaw sat together, attention locked on their mother. The sun had set behind her, and the last light of day was vanishing into the horizon.

"How many do you think he and the soldiers can kill?" Mottledface demanded.

Poisonedsap's amber eyes glittered. "As many as they can. Ryeheart is old, and Spicewhisker is a puny little thing." She paused. "Clovernose of WindClan tells me their old medicine cat Silverberry is distraught over losing Starfaith. She will be weaker and easier than ever to finish off."

Mistybreeze sat at the back of the group near Swiftstalker. She felt sick to her stomach as she listened to Poisonedsap discuss taking the lives of the medicine cats so carelessly, as if they were no more than mice. She had been even more shocked when Bloodfur had agreed to lead the deadly attack himself. Has he really changed so much? She wondered. Is he really as cold hearted as the rest of these cats?

"I feel the final battle is nearing." Poisonedsap growled, scraping the bark under her with her claws. "We must all  be prepared." As she spoke, her amber eyes flashed to Mistybreeze, who stiffened. "I want you all battle training tomorrow at dawn." She flicked her tail dismissively, and the cats began to leave, creeping off into the undergrowth.

Revengeheart lashed his tail at Mistybreeze, and sighed through her nostrils as she rose to follow him.

"Mistybreeze."

Poisonedsap's voice by her ear startled her, and she turned to see the golden she-cat standing beside her, eyes narrow. "I'd like a word with you." She spoke in a kind and smooth tone that she didn't trust.

Glancing toward Revengeheart, she saw annoyance in his gaze, but he wouldn't argue with his mother. He gave Poisonedsap a nod before heading through the trees toward the camp.

Mistybreeze wasn't sure where she'd rather be, here with Poisonedsap, or back at camp with Revengeheart. She grew nervous as she turned and saw that she was alone with two cats. Poisonedsap stood in the shadows, while a short distance behind her sat Amberrose. Both she-cats watched her through identical glittering amber eyes.

"What is it?" She asked steadily, hoping she sounded braver than she felt. I'm sure this is about me having kits again!

Poisonedsap stepped toward her, eyes narrowed to slivers of fire in the darkness. "This has gone on long enough, Mistybreeze," She growled. "The time for games is running out. When will you and Revengeheart have kits? It's your duty."

"Yes!" Amberrose purred and began circling her. "Our success depends on it."

Mistybreeze crouched a little nervously, glaring at the golden she-cat. "If it's so important, why aren't you having kits?"

"I'm worth more to the plan." Amberrose scoffed proudly, raising her chin as she flicked Mistybreeze on the shoulder with her tail. "Unlike you."

"That's right." Poisonedsap purred, eyes gleaming proudly at her daughter. "Amberrose is a cunning and skilled opponent in battle." She stretched her jaws in a yawn. "Revengeheart tells me you have the skills of a flightless pigeon."

Flightless pigeon! Mistybreeze bristled in offense that her so-called "mate" had said that. I could fight fine in battle! But I don't enjoy battle like these fox hearts!  She was outnumbered, but wasn't going to stand here and be called useless. She opened her jaws to argue, hardly caring what the consequences were.

"Mistybreeze is a fine opponent in battle."

Swiftstalker emerged from the undergrowth, his white markings almost glowing against his black pelt in the shadows. She was relieved to have his support. I'm not outnumbered anymore.

Poisonedsap whipped her head around, glaring at her son. "This is she-cat talk, Swiftstalker," She hissed. "Go back to camp."

He ignored her and padded to Mistybreeze's side. "I've seen her fight, and she's just as skilled as any other warrior," He went on. "And she is older and more experienced than you, Amberrose." His half sister bristled angrily at this.

"Thank you, Swiftstalker," Mistybreeze growled, glad to see how agitated both she-cats looked.

With a lash of her tail, Amberrose laughed. "Well, you two seem to like each other! Why don't you have kits with him, Mistybreeze, if you hate your own mate so much? It doesn't matter whose kits they are, as long as there's kits!"

While Swiftstalker hissed at his half sister, Mistybreeze's fur rose along her spine angrily. "I don't want kits!" She shot back, feeling a little braver with Swiftstalker by her side. "I would much rather fight in battle than be stuck in the nursery!"

Amberrose was chuckling, but Poisonedsap raised her ragged tail to quiet her, a smile on her face as she gazed steadily at Mistybreeze. "Very well. If you really want to fight, Mistybreeze, we'd better sharpen those lousy skills."

Mistybreeze narrowed her eyes, her heart pounding. Is she going to make me fight her? Or Amberrose? She believed she was a decent fighter, but wasn't sure she stood a chance against either of these she-cats. They've trained to fight like rogues.

"Fight Swiftstalker." Poisonedsap ordered. "Show me what you can do."

Swiftstalker? As she tensed, Amberrose added. "Yeah, and don't play fight like kittypets! We want blood!" She sounded so eager, it made Mistybreeze sick. She's just like her mother!

She met Swiftstalkers gaze, seeing her own reservations reflected in his blue eyes. I don't want to hurt my friend! Why couldn't it be Poisonedsap or Amberrose? I'd have a much easier time drawing blood from them! But she knew she had no choice now. Perhaps everyone would leave her alone about kits once she proved she could fight.

"Fight!" Poisonedsap snarled into the night.

I have to do it. Mistybreeze swallowed and crouched, looking at the black and white tom. I'll try not to hurt him. As Swiftstalker watched her, preparing himself, she sprang at him.

She was faintly surprised at how easily she knocked him into the grass, and realized immediately he wasn't going to fight as hard as he could. He didn't want to hurt her either. For a heartbeat she didn't know what to do. We need to fake this. With a small hiss she batted a sheathed paw at his shoulder.

Swiftstalker let out a snarl of pain that she knew was fake. He kicked her away and then lunged at her swiftly, closing his teeth around her forearm, though he only scraped the skin. 

As Mistybreeze pulled away and wrestled with him, she risked a glance beyond them. Poisonedsap and Amberrose sat watching them with a mildly amused, mildly annoyed look on their faces. We must look like a couple of play fighting kits.

"You need to hurt me." Swiftstalker hissed in her ear as he pinned her onto her side. "They won't take you seriously unless they see blood."

Mistybreeze hated the thought of hurting her friend, but knew he was right. With a flash of regret, she unsheathed her claws and raked them across his shoulder, flinching as she ripped black fur from his pelt. Swiftstalker hissed and pulled away, making sure his bleeding shoulder was visible to Poisonedsap. He crouched, and Mistybreeze attacked him again.

She felt terrible as she scratched at him, careful to only leave small cuts. Swiftstalker swung at her, purposely missing, and pretended to struggle. He was letting her win.

"I've seen enough." The scorn in Poisonedsap's voice made her tense. Does she know it was all an act? Was this all for nothing? 

As she backed off of Swiftstalker, she froze. Oh no. Her friend rose to his paws, wincing from slash marks across his shoulder. Blood trickled from small cuts on his chest and muzzle. I didn't want to hurt him!

Poisonedsap stalked up to him, her expression full of agitation. "You're absolutely pathetic!" She spat. "Only you could be beaten by a weak little she-cat like her."

"Good thing you've had more kits." Amberrose pointed out, rolling her eyes. "Or Revengeheart would be your only accomplishment!"

"I told you she was strong." Swiftstalker narrowed his eyes.

Mistybreeze froze as Poisonedsap swung and lashed her claws across his cheek. Swiftstalker hissed in pain and glared at her as she snarled. "You'd better toughen up in time for the battle." Her blazing amber gaze moved to Mistybreeze. "You might have some potential," She grunted. "I'll tell Revengeheart to involve you in more training sessions."

"O-okay." She relaxed a little. Was the pressure to have kits finally going to stop?

With a last glare at Swiftstalker, Poisonedsap whipped around. "Let's go, Amberrose."

Mistybreeze was relieved as the two golden she-cats left the clearing and disappeared into the shadows, leaving her alone with Swiftstalker. Both cats were silent for several moments, making sure Poisonedsap and her daughter had really left.

At last, Swiftstalker huffed out a sigh and started to lick his shoulder wound. "Thank StarClan that's over."

She padded over to him and sniffed his pelt worriedly. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry for hurting you."

"We didn't have much of a choice." Swiftstalker responded with a shrug. "Besides, I'm used to the sting of claws."

"Thank you." She sighed, suddenly very tired. "You seem to always appear at the right time."

He paused from licking his cuts. "I sort of spy on you sometimes," He admitted, looking embarrassed. "I want to make sure nothing happens to you." He hesitated. "Poisonedsap and Revengeheart only wanted you a part of this to have kits. And if you don't want that, well..."

Mistybreeze's blood ran cold with dread as a thought struck her. "Do you think they would kill me?" She whispered.

"I... I'm not sure." Swiftstalker admitted quietly. "But I don't want to wait and find out."

It was quiet for a long moment. It was dark now, stars twinkling in the sky above them. "Bloodfur seems to be settling in... well." He suddenly commented.

Mistybreeze's heart sank. "He doesn't seem to care about the warrior code, or his family anymore." She stated sadly. "Do you think he's really going to go through with killing the medicine cats?"

Her friend was quiet for a moment. "I don't know. He seems to be a different cat now." He stared up at the stars of silverpelt. "Only StarClan knows where his path leads now."

***

At dawn, Mistybreeze had been asked to join the group in battle training practice. To her dismay, Revengeheart insisted on pairing up with her. And he did not go easy on her or fake anything like Swiftstalker.

She'd been relieved when later that day, the group had split up to do some hunting. Though a couple scratches on her forearm still stung, she ignored it and stalked through the grass toward a mouse she had spotted. I wish I could bring this prey back for my Clan. She thought sadly. Instead, Revengeheart will probably claim it. Narrowing her eyes, she shot forward and pounced, swiftly biting the neck of the mouse.

"Good catch."

The sound of Bloodfur's voice startled her. She released the mouse and spun to see the red tabby tom padding toward her. "I was hesitating too long." He said.

"Oh." She twitched her tail awkwardly. "Sorry. I didn't realize you were stalking it too." 

"It's okay."

Mistybreeze hesitantly turned away from him, deciding to bury the mouse for later. She realized this was the first time she had exchanged words with Bloodfur since the day they'd been apprenticed, and he had snapped at she and Coldpebble. She felt a flash of irritation. Does he think he can pretend he never hurt us? That we can get along now just because we're both involved with Poisonedsap's plot?

She felt uncomfortable being alone with him. She glanced at him warily before turning away, deciding to head back to where the others were hunting. Somehow it felt like a better idea. She started forward.

"I didn't kill your mother."

She stopped in her tracks and looked at him sharply, his words startling her. He was watching her, a nervous look on his face. Did he really think she blamed him for Diamondrain's death? She held his gaze for a moment, debating on how to respond. "I know you didn't. You wouldn't hurt anyone." She hesitated, thinking of that day he had cut off their friendship. "At least, not with your claws."

As the painful memory returned, she turned and headed through the trees, wanting to get away from him. The fur along her spine prickled uneasily as she realized Bloodfur had followed her and was padding alongside her silently. What does he want? She was about to ask him to leave her alone when he said something even more surprising.

"I'm sorry for what I said you you and Coldpebble all those moons ago." Bloodfur said quietly. She glanced at him, taken back and unsure what to say. "I've been wanting to apologize since the moment I said it, but the time was never right, and I didn't think you or your brother wanted to hear anything I had to say. I had a lot going on, and I didn't mean to take it out on you. I'm sorry."

Mistybreeze could hardly believe his words. She had never expected an outright apology from him. Especially now, when he had shown such a cold side of him. And yet she knew he was being honest. She caught his eye and saw regret and hope in his golden gaze. What could she do but forgive him? Life was too short to hold grudges.

"I forgive you, Bloodfur." She meowed at last. But she still felt awkward, not knowing what else to say. "We should go back to the group," She suggested hastily, and without waiting for his response, she took off through the trees.

Her mind whirled as she wondered what to make of Bloodfur. He's a part of Poisonedsap's plot now. She thought. He's willing to help kill the medicine cats tonight... And yet he's also willing to apologize for his mistakes and try to mend our friendship?

***

Later that day, Greenpine's kits had been apprenticed. Depthstar had assigned Revengeheart and Swiftstalker as mentors. Swiftstalker had been happy to receive an apprentice, while Revengeheart seemed to think it was the worst thing that could have happened to him.

"Ebonypaw, look!" Flintpaw gasped as ventured into the forest, staring at his surroundings. "The forest is huge!" His sister followed more slowly, as though something was troubling her. Though as she looked up, her dark green gaze flooded with awe.

"Slow down, Flintpaw!" Swiftstalker called, his voice warm with amusement. 

Revengeheart and Mistybreeze followed him. She had been asked by Revengeheart to come along, obviously because he hated leaving her alone.  He seemed to think she was going to run away or tell his secrets to the Clan if she wasn't in his sight.

"Right." Revengeheart grumbled, a look of utter misery on his face. "Let's go to the training clearing and start battle training."

Swiftstalker narrowed his eyes at his brother. "We should start with a tour of the territory. Battle training-"

"Battle training is all that matters!" The white tom shot back. "Let's go."

Swiftstalker lashed his tail. "Flintpaw is my apprentice," He meowed firmly. "I'll train him how I see fit." He turned away. "Come on, Flintpaw. I'll show you the ThunderClan border."

"Okay!" Flintpaw brightened and bounded after his mentor. Mistybreeze admired Swiftstalker for standing up to Revengeheart.

As the two cats vanished, Revengeheart snorted. "Stupid furball." He looked at Ebonypaw, who was staring after her brother rather enviously. "We will be doing battle training."

***

"No, no! You're doing it all wrong!"

Mistybreeze sat at the side of the clearing, watching uneasily as Revengeheart glared down at his apprentice.  "I told you to leap, then slash!"

She crouched and stared up at him guiltily. "I'm sorry, I-"

"Aren't you listening to me?" Revengeheart hissed. "I'm your mentor. You're supposed to do what I say."

As Ebonypaw flattened herself to the ground, Mistybreeze rose to her paws, unable to sit and watch any longer. "She's doing her best, Revengeheart." She meowed steadily. "You're trying to to show her complex battle moves when she's fresh out of the nursery."

A look of anger blazed in Revengeheart's eyes, and she stiffened, wondering if she'd been wrong to speak so freely. "Are you Ebonypaw's mentor?" He growled.

"No, but-"

"Exactly. So keep your nose out of my training!" He shouldered her aside.

With a lash of her tail, Mistybreeze returned to the side of the clearing, watching sympathetically as Revengeheart instructed Ebonypaw. She tried her best to copy his moves and do as he said, but she was just too small.

By the time the sun had begun to set, Revengeheart sighed. "Well, that's enough for one day." He glared at his apprentice. "I expect better from you tomorrow."

"Yes, Revengeheart." Ebonypaw mumbled, sounding miserable.

As the broad shouldered tom left the clearing, Ebonypaw slowly followed, her tail drooping. 

Mistybreeze felt terrible for her. Today was her first day as an apprentice, and it was horrible. She stepped forward and touched her nose to the tabby she-cat's ear. "You did just fine today," She murmured, hoping Revengeheart couldn't hear her. "Revengeheart is expecting far too much of you."

The apprentice shrugged. "Maybe I'm just not good enough." She muttered. As she continued after Revengeheart, Mistybreeze watched her solemnly. Depthstar made a huge mistake giving Revengeheart an apprentice... Poor Ebonypaw has a hard path ahead of her.