"Fernpaw," Honeyfrost mewed to her apprentice. "Froststar wants you to be on the patrol to escort Hawkflight back to his Clan."

She nodded and followed her light brown mentor to the camp entrance, where Timberclaw, Berrypaw and Froststar were waiting.

"May I ask why are apprentices here?" Timberclaw asked dryly.

"ShadowClan would not see it as a sign of threat if we bring a few apprentices. Plus, it will be good experience for them," Froststar replied with a flick of her tail. "Follow me."

Fernpaw began to walk and found herself beside Hawkflight. "Froststar's kit, right?" he asked her suddenly.

"Yes," Fernpaw mewed while walking.

"I'm sure you would be a good warrior," he mewed, his eyes showing no emotion. "You seem different. Your destiny might be a great one."

"What did you just say?" she mewed, not catching the last part.

"Nothing," Hawkflight replied, blinking.

Fernpaw nodded, although she looked uncertain.

"We are at the Thunderpath," Froststar announced. Timberclaw stared warily at the black stone surface.

"When I tell you to go, you can cross. But if I didn't, then don't cross. The monsters on the Thunderpath are fast and can break a cat's spine easily," Froststar mewed.

All of them nodded. Fernpaw sensed Berrypaw's anxiety as they waited.

A monster rushed past them and Timberclaw took a step back instinctively. "Be careful!" Froststar mewed.

They waited for a few more moments. There was no sign of monsters on the Thunderpath.

"Go!" Froststar yowled.

Berrypaw and Timberclaw went first, and to Fernpaw's relief, they crossed safely. Froststar gave the signal to cross and Fernpaw jumped onto the hard Thunderpath.

Hawkflight crossed faster than her and when she was about to reach the end, a monster began to approach.

"Fernpaw! Watch out!" Froststar yowled.

Fernpaw was frozen in fear but Hawkflight grabbed her and pulled her safely out of the monster's path.

"Thanks," Fernpaw gasped, her heart pounding with fear. A heartbeat late and I will be in StarClan.

Hawkflight acknowledged it with a cult nod while Froststar herself crossed the Thunderpath.

"Come quickly," she mewed.

They followed her into ShadowClan's territory where they were confronted by a patrol.

"What are you doing in ShadowClan's territory?" Deerfoot growled.

"And with one of our warriors!" Frogtail snarled furiously. "What did you do to Hawkflight?"

"Nothing," Froststar mewed calmly. "Our medicine cat treated him from an injury that hindered his movement, and we are here to bring him back."

Brightdawn, who seemed to be leading the patrol, nodded. "We will take our warrior back now. Go back to your own camp, before Owlstar send a patrol to check."

Froststar nodded and gestured for the patrol to leave.

When they have crossed back into their own territory, Berrypaw mewed, "ShadowClan didn't thank us for that."

"They have their pride," Timberclaw mewed gruffly. "They don't like other Clans' help, but they will accept it either way."

Fernpaw silently argeed as they arrived back at the camp. Honeyfrost was waiting for her and she mewed, "Have a quick rest and I will teach you the hunting techniques."

~~~~

A tom smiled as he stepped into ThunderClan territory. I shall take Froststar's lives, one by one, in the night. But not all. I shall make her suffer.

He drifted to the ThunderClan leader's den and glared at the sleeping leader. This was the cat that stopped his plans. This was the cat who broke up his band of rogues. And this was the cat who killed him.

His eyes boiled with rage as he began to let his fury out. With his claws slashing, he aimed at Froststar's throat.

He chuckled in satisfaction as blood flowed thickly out of her throat.

"You are weak, as always," he whispered in her ear. "You will fall under my claws, and soon the Clans will be under my rule."

Suddenly, Froststar jolted awake and spotted him. Because of the darkness and the tom's newly disguised scent, she couldn't recognise him.

"Who are you?" she gasped as the tom covered her mouth with his claws.

"Hush," he purred smoothly. "You don't want your remaining lives to drain out, right? Or see the lifeless body of your kits? If so, keep quiet and lie still."

Froststar lay down hesitantly and he raked his claws down her face. "Faster," he growled.

When she laid down with her belly exposed, he slowly began to slice her belly apart.

As she began to struggle, he held her with a paw to keep her still. Froststar let out a muffled yowl of pain.

The tom smirked. "Say good night," he taunted, knocking her out with a blow to her head.