"Something has to be done!"

"More cats will die!"

It was not a full moon. But the clans had decided to hold an emergency gathering after the moonstone attack two nights ago. The clans were yowling and speaking anxiously amongst themselves while the leaders stood on the great rock, having their own debates. Bloodfur strained to hear what they were saying.

"This is serious!" Ravenstar was snarling, his black fur fluffed up. "Ryeheart was nearly killed! Thank StarClan we got there on time!"

"And don't forget about Spicewhisker!" Strawberrystar's amber eyes flared. "He's still on the brink of joining StarClan!"

Frostedstar stared at the other leaders. "You should be grateful your medicine cats are alive! Otterpelt was killed."

"And Silverberry," Gladestar added, her eyes round. "Do you realize that we have no medicine cat now?"

The cats continued to speak to one another anxiously. Bloodfur felt a prickle of guilt as he stared at the medicine cats. Why do you feel guilty? You shouldn't! Deserve is the one who told you to do it! If anyone should feel guilty, it's him! Besides, the only cat you killed was Silverberry, and she was suffering.

Dewstorm and Creamheart sat below the great rock, looking uneasy. They'd been lucky. Both cats only had minor injuries. Sagefern sat near them, her eyes clouded with grief. Since Otterpelt had died, Frostedstar decided to give her full medicine cat name and make her the sole medicine cat of RiverClan. Ryeheart and Spicewhisker couldn't attend the meeting, as their injuries were too critical.

"ShadowClan has been losing warriors for seasons now." Depthstar lashed his tail, and Bloodfur froze as the leader held his gaze briefly, then looked away. Is he going to tell them ShadowClan suspects I'm involved? He tensed. "And now the medicine cats have been attacked twice. Clearly there's a group of cats targeting us. This is not the work of a single cat." At those words, Bloodfur relaxed.

"So what are we going to do?" Strawberrystar demanded. "We cannot afford these casualties!"

"We have to attack!" Ravenstar growled. "We have to attack at once!"

Strawberrystar shot the SkyClan leader a glare. "And how do you suppose we do that, mouse brain? We have no idea who these cats are, or where they live!"

Depthstar turned his attention to the three medicine cats. "Do you know anything about those cats?" He pressed. "Any familiar scents? Names?"

Dewstorm shook his head. "They smelt like rogues to me. Two of them were covered in mud. I believe they were the same cats who attacked me and Starfaith all those moons ago."

"One of them kept yowling, 'Death to the clans'," Sagefern meowed anxiously.

The cats began to let out anxious yowls and cries.

"We're under attack!"

"These cats are evil!"

"Quiet!" Depthstar yowled, and the crowd slowly quieted into anxious murmuring. "There's nothing we can do until we learn more about these cats." He looked to the other leaders. "In the meantime, I suggest we double the number of cats on patrols."

"Yes," Frostedstar agreed. "And we should send two warriors with our medicine cat when they go to highstones." He blinked at the other leaders. "Once we know where these cats come from, we can attack. But for now, we must be on the defense." The other leaders murmured agreement.

"Wait," Gladestar twitched her tail. "WindClan still has a huge problem. We have no medicine cat."

The other leaders looked troubled. "There's no cat with any knowledge of herbs who can take on the job?" Ravenstar asked.

Gladestar shook her head, looking uneasy. "We have no one."

Below the great rock, Dewstorm rose to his paws. "Depthstar," He dipped his head. "If it's alright with you, I'd like to fill in as WindClan's medicine cat."

The ShadowClan leader looked at him in surprise, and Dewstorm quickly went on. "It wouldn't be permanent. I could stay for a season or so until I've trained a new medicine cat for them."

"Dewstorm?" Creamheart stared at her mentor wide eyed. "Y-you're leaving me? I can't handle the clan on my own! W-what if I forget something, or make a mistake?"

The medicine cat rested his tail around her. "You won't, Creamheart," He promised. "You're a fine medicine cat. I know I'm leaving ShadowClan in good paws."

Gladestar stared at the gray tom. "You would really leave your clan for so long for us?"

"Of course." Dewstorm hesitated for a long moment. "I have a confession to make." He leaped onto the great rock with the other leaders, and Strawberrystar let out an irritated growl. Bloodfur blinked up at the tom curiously. What's he going to say? The other leaders looked just as interested as the medicine cat drew in a deep breath.

"Many seasons ago, me and Starfaith became close friends," He meowed. "We started sneaking away at night to see each other, and..." He hesitated. "We were in love."

There were several shocked gasps from the cats below. "That's against the warrior code!" Crowmask bristled.

"You're a traitor!" Revengeheart hissed.

Dewstorm glared at the black legged tom. "I'm not a traitor! Me and Starfaith loved each other, but we never would have betrayed our clans! We wanted nothing more than to be the best medicine cats we could!" He paused, his tail drooping. "But she might still be alive if I hadn't suggested we stay behind that night at highstones for a while. She sacrificed her life for mine and led Depthstar to me." He turned to Gladestar, who looked stunned. "Gladestar, I owe a great deal to Starfaith, and WindClan. I would be honored to serve as your medicine cat, and train one to take my place."

No cat spoke for a moment. Bloodfur now understood why Dewstorm had been so upset over Starfaith's death. When we found him, the first thing he asked was if she was okay... Will I ever feel that way for any cat?

Gladestar dipped her head. "Thank you, Dewstorm. You may join WindClan and train a medicine cat for us." She paused. "If Depthstar agrees."

The ShadowClan leader nodded. "Yes. Creamheart is a fine medicine cat, and we can spare Dewstorm."

Frostedstar dipped his head. "Then the gathering is over. If any cat hears anything about these rogues, send word immediately. We cannot risk another clan losing its medicine cat." He sighed, looking down at Sagefern. "Thank StarClan Otterpelt had an apprentice."

***

"I can't believe I have an apprentice!" Revengeheart hissed as he swiped a paw at his mate. He, Mistybreeze, Bloodfur, Mottledface, Blackstorm, and Foxshadow were practicing battle moves early that morning. The sun hadn't risen yet.

Bloodfur grunted as Blackstorm pushed him over, swiping his claws at his ear. He quickly dodged the black tom's paw and pushed him onto his side. He was satisfied with how quickly his skills were improving. Poisonedsap had suggested they practice at least once a day. The final battle was nearing. Across from him, Mottledface and Foxshadow were swiping at each other.

Revengeheart lunged at Mistybreeze, but she dodged his attack, her tail lashing. "How dare that stupid fleabag give me an apprentice?" He demanded as he slashed his claws at her shoulder and she gasped, staggering back. "I don't need a dumb apprentice!" He raised his paws and pushed her, and she fell onto her side. "Ebonypaw is weak!" She just left the nursery. What do you expect? Bloodfur thought as he dodged Blackstorm's attack.

"She's not worth my time!" Revengeheart rested a front paw on Mistybreeze's flank, digging his claws into her, and she whimpered before pulling away, starting to stand. "Apprentices are a waste of time!" He swiped his claws at her ear, and she cried out.

Bloodfur paused and looked at her, bristling. He was startled to see a bit of blood trickling through her silver fur, and dripping from her ear. She's hurt! He didn't think Revengeheart meant it. But he was thinking about his apprentice, and it was clearly causing him to take out his anger on her.

Blackstorm leaped at Bloodfur, but he pushed him away and raced to Revengeheart, who was about to swipe at Mistybreeze. He quickly pushed between the two cats. "How about we go hunting now?" He suggested, hoping that he would agree.

Revengeheart hesitated before nodding. "Good idea." He glanced at the sky. "Cobratail's going to send out a patrol soon. We don't want to be caught." To Bloodfur's relief, he moved away from Mistybreeze. "Let's go."

Bloodfur looked at Mistybreeze as she sat up, licking a forepaw and swiping it over her bleeding ear. She should go see Creamheart.

"Let's team up," Revengeheart meowed. "Foxshadow, you and Blackstorm should go together."

Bloodfur hesitated. I want to make sure Mistybreeze is okay... "How about me and Mistybreeze-"

Revengeheart shot him a glare. "No. She stays with me." He lashed his tail. "You can go with Mottledface." He turned away, shouldering her onward. "Let's go."

"Okay." His ears flattened. I hope she's okay. Mistybreeze glanced back at Bloodfur, blinking at him gratefully before following Revengeheart.