One moon later, Wheatrye kitted. She had named them Shadowkit, Birchkit and Amberkit. Although their parents had been uncertain of Amberkit's survival, Dandelionshade was certain she would; it seemed like she had to be the amber feather mentioned in the prophecy:
'The light of day and the darkness of night will destroy this Clan inless destroyed. Darkness will spread to day, but the amber feather will win.'
At first she'd inwardly laughed at the size of her opponent, then reminded herself not to judge her brother's kit. After all, she had been bullied for her zigzags, but that had only given her power.
"Dandelionshade!"she heard a moan from behind her.
"Yes, Darkpelt,"she meowed patiently, licking her chest to cover up how much she'd startled her.
"I have a thorn in my toe!"Darkpelt groaned.
"Okay, let me have a look,"she peered closer to her foot and saw a thorn digging in to the warrior's toe.
Darkpelt squealed when she pulled it out.
Dandelionshade snorted; The brave warrior!
"I'll put marigold on that,"she chewed the marigold up and spat it into place, mind only half on the wound.
"Ow!"Darkpelt shrieked.
"Oops, sorry,"she flinched, heart hammering slightly as she realised she'd squeezed the pad and more blood was oozing out.
With a shudder, she patted the cobweb back in and smoothed the pouljuice into place.
So fussy. She thought, though couldn't help worrying slightly about her reaction.
With a shake of her head, Dandelionshade padded over to the fresh-kill pile and picked a scrawny finch off the top. She hadn't had much of an appetite since Starflame, but she manadged to force the stringy flesh down her throat.
"Dandelionshade!"came a hoarse cry from behind her. Annoyed, she swiveled around,"Yes, what-"she broke off with a gasp. Grapelight, Softheart and Frostedstar, who had gone on patrol were all bleeding from multiple wounds, some deep, others shallow.
They were holding Breezeshine's limp body between them. A flare of feared disgust coursed Dandelionshade's veins when she saw the blood flowing from her brother's fur. She gulped back a scream and panted. "Who-who did this?"she wheezed.
"Fox,"Softheart squealed,"Is he-"
"No. He's alive,"she whispered,"Come to my den, all of you,"
They were helping Breezeshine to Dandelionshade's den when Wheatrye appeared. Her eyes were weary and dull, but she seemed fully alert. And fully annoying.
"Oh! Breezeshine! Is he alright? Why would you make him patrol when he'd just had kits? Why didn't you tell him to come back for help? Answer me!"she fretted. Irritably, Dandelionshade saw that she was blocking the entrance.
"Wheatrye! Your mate might die if you don't move!"
"I'm not leaving my mate!"she moaned.
"You can stay with him, but if you don't move he can't stay with you!" Dandelionshade snapped.
"He would never leave me!"protested Wheatrye.
"Girl, you know about life and death, right? He'll die if you don't move!"
Still looking ingdignant, Wheatrye shifted into the den.
"Thank-you,"meowed Dandelionshade through gritted teeth.
However, Wheatrye was still hanging around and being annoying,"Do something,"she whispered to Frostedstar.
Frostedstar cleared her throat,"Uh, Wheatrye, Dandelionshade needs space to help Breezeshine,"
Wheatrye stared at the leader for a few moments, immobile. Then, she meowed,"Then what are you still doing here?"she said it like it was the most obvious solution ever. Dandelionshade found herself gaping at her sister in law. She was so shocked she dropped a cobweb on Breezeshine's nose, which he weakly sneezed away.
No-one, not even Dandelionshade herself, would ever treat her leader like that.
Then another thought struck her. She grinned evilly. I think. She thought, I've just found our first target.

I hope if anyone reads this, they enjoyed Dandelionshade's fear! It's done now!