Flowerkit was in a silent, dark, box. Her beautiful white and brown fur was muffed in every which direction. Her blue eyes would not open for a while. She felt the warm bodies of Bluekit and Grasskit besides her. Two small kits mewled pitifully, blood-covered. Their eyes would be open soon. A bluish black she-kit suckled contently, beside her mother. The other, a tom, Treekit, suckled beside her. They laid by one another. Grasskit mewed. His eyes, which were going to be blue, like how his father's used to be, were closed shut. He lay beside his sister, Bluekit. He continued to meow, rolling around trying to find Delilah, his mother. Robinflight looked to Grasskit. She didn't want to touch him, in case he got afraid, or if Delilah and Shadowstar didn't want her to touch them. But, she watched. Flowerkit mewed and pushed herself by her siblings to find comfort- she was cold and scared. When Grasskit was moving, trying to find Delilah, he bumped into Flowerkit. He mewed, then he turned around, when he felt his mother. He moved towards her, and he began to suckle.

Cloud looked upon them with glowing eyes. "Oh, Delilah, They're beautiful!" he licked Marblekit on the ear, and listened to their cute squeaking. "Oh, how I wish I had kits!" she looked to Rock. He would give her kits, right? She smiled warmly at the queen. "They look just like you, and such strong bodies, like their father!" she thought of how grateful the she-cat must be that none of them had their father's eyes- but she didn't comment. Rock smiled at her. Such a pretty cat.

Shadowstar ran to Delilah "Oh, Delilah! They're beautiful! They look just like you!" he licked her, then looked lovingly at Robinflight. He walked up to her. "But not as beautiful as you." he whispered in her ear. How he loved her. Marblekit mewled loudly, and looked at Shadowstar with loving eyes, she was nothing like her father. Sweet, kind, loving. She was the opposite of Shadowstar. She then turned to Grasskit, and instead of doing the usual tumbling that kits did, she licked the kit's face all over. Shadowstar gave a disgusted grunt. Robinflight purred, and gently licked his cheek. “I love you” She whispered in his ear. “And it shall always be that way” The once, sweet caring Robinpaw, had turned into the rogue, Robinflight.

Delilah smiled at the cats surrounding her. Her kits were perfect- healthy, strong, beautiful... But one of them looked exactly like their father, besides the eye color. That worried her more than anyone could imagine. Flowerkit wiggled over to Marblekit and mewled. Grasskit turned his head to Marblekit's meow. He hissed, and, and forced his way to his mother, and suckled.

Bluekit hissed as her deep, grey-blue eyes opened. She was almost an exact copy of her father. "Father...Shadowstar!" she thought. "How powerful! I will be the most respected warrior under him!" She smirked, and laid beside her brother, Treekit. Her eyes met her father's in a respectful way, but with pride in knowing that she was sired by such a powerful cat. She looked to her mother. "She doesn't look very powerful!" she thought distastfully. Treekit looked at Bluekit in a funny way. "Wow! I can hear you, Bluekit!" He smiled. "Cool! We'll be the most powerful warriors in the forest!" He stopped his suckling as he had been, and instead waddled over to his father, Bluekit following closely. He looked much like Tigerstar, and Brambleclaw. The two looked up at their father, then at their step-mother. Bluekit looked much like her, despite their eyes. They would not act as though Delilah was their mother, but as if Robinflight was. They knew that she was the only one that they would call "mother". This was because Shadowstar was in love with her. They looked at Halfheart, and nodded as if knowingly in greeting.

Like their father, and their father's former friend, the two kits hooked claws as a greeting. They knew their past...they would control their future... Halfheart watched. He had seen that before...somewhere within his mind... Odd. Very, very odd. He looked to Shadowstar, acting as though nothing happened, as did the kits. Halfheart glanced at Shadowstar. "Something wrong?" he asked. Shadowstar smiled slyly at the two kits. Such evil bundles of fur. As he saw them hook claws, his face fell, and his eyes became distant. He shivered and pressed to Robinflight for comfort, but none came. As he looked to the sky with eyes clouded with a distant thought, the sight of the bloody, mauled Crowkit, his first partner in crime, laying dead before his paws. He remembered the great amount of X's that had been etched into the victims, and he looked to Halfheart, the strange look fading from their steely depths. I won't do the same again. Not to Halfheart. He is my equal. He is a- friend? Shadowstar had never used the term 'friend' openly before, except for feelings towards Robinflight. He licked her, warmth returning to his skin. He felt a sting in his shoulder, and flinched. He swore as he turned to look at it, he saw a small, black kit, X-ed and bloody, biting into his pelt, but as soon as the kit and wound were there, they were gone.

Marblekit looked strangely at Treekit and Bluekit. She laughed. "Why be evil when you can be happy!!!!!" the 'y' part was drawn out in a yawning sort of 'eeee', and she frolicked, and accidentally ran blindly into one of the towering rogues. She then backed away, this time crawling, and went back to her brothers and sisters. Bluekit sneered at her sister, as did Treekit. "Evil cats are stronger! We're gonna be like Dad!" she spat. She would be strong--the strongest of the whole litter, perhaps of all the kits that were sired by Shadowstar. She was just like her father--cold hearted, and evil. Merciless. Treekit nodded in agreement, standing by his father. He smiled up at his father slightly. "No... Evil cats don't smile," he thought, wiping the smile off of his face. Bluekit stared at him, and nodded. He was right. She could hear him, but not all the time. Little did she know, Treekit and herself had yet to discover their power to one another...

Halfheart sighed. "Shadowstar, the plan must be put into action soon," he recommended. This was no command, but a simple thing of knowledge. His eyes were rebellious to the Clans, yet still held kindness toward his leader. Shadowstar looked down at the kits. "Yes.." he began "Let's send Fern." he looked to the pretty fea. "Fern. You must lead them to the cave. There is a crack that you can go through, but they won't fit. The Twolegs will collapse the cave soon, and you must get out before that, but make sure the cats fall for it.” Robinflight nodded. 'Everstar is quite hard to trick, so be careful when tricking her. If you have a scent of smell from here, they can get quite fierce, and attack' She said, shivering after basically complementing the RainClan leader. Shadowheart looked at the cats. "I know- I have the feeling that Everstar is... occupied The cats should be easy to gather. I have the feeling they're together for the moment." He smirked, and heard his stomach growl. "I'm going to go hunting. I think I'll go alone." and with that, he jumped down, and headed off. Robinflight nodded to Shadowstar. 'Be Careful....' She whispered to herself.

Hate looked down to Marblekit, whom had ran too quickly for him to speak. He simply sighed. Everyone seemed to be scared of him, for some reason... Fern glanced at him. He seemed to be like a brother to her...a distant relative, perhaps? She did not know, but they did look alike. However, she did not voice her thoughts, but sighed. The two had only met in the Death Circle a few times.

Grasskit's eyes suddenly opened, and he said to himself, in his mind 'Yes! I can now see.' He looked to Marblekit, and he hit her, hand with his claws OUT this time, on her left side. Course, if it did leave a scratch, it wasn't that big, and not that deep, but just enough to bleed. Grasskit hissed at her, and said 'Happy? Why'd we wanna be happy, when we could be like father? Strong, and proud' Grasskit hissed to Marblekit Whom he just hit with his paw, his claws out. He then tried to get up, but fell back down. So, he dragged himself to his father. His blue eyes gleamed up at him. Marblekit squeaked playfully. "Silly Grasskit!" she then leapt at him, and rolled over with him. "If you wanted to play, you should have said so!" Grasskit hissed. 'I don't want to play, are you mouse-brained?!' He slashed his paw at her again. 'I'm gonna be like father, Miss Goodie-Goodie' He snarled.

Sky walked over to Robinflight and said "They will make great enemies in the future." admiring the strength in the young Grasskit. “You are right” Robinflight agreed. “Including that kit” She motioned to Grasskit. “He'll make a fine warrior” She looked to Grasskit, and smirked. “Yes he will." Sky nodded and looked at the kit. Cloud purred her agreement. "Excellent warriors." she frowned at Marblekit. "I don't know about that one- we should kill it off." her words were poisoned, but she wanted strong warriors.

Without waiting for invitation or response, into the clearing sauntered Weed, the ex-medicine cat. She had become a rouge a year ago, and was now 48 moons old. So, now she is on the brink of being an elder, give it another year or so. She looks fragile and breakable, but beware, about her, she possesses a wiry-toughness. Her stealth made it able for her to pad about the forest unnoticed by many, it was lucky for the Rogue Clan, that she decided to show her self now. Though, even when she did step out of the shadows, her small, flighty body still made her easily missed. Her ideal position was a spy, though she had never forgotten her training to become a medicine cat, or the year she had spent healing cats.

Sidling up before the arrival Shadowstar, she dipped her head politely, though she was clear from the begging she possessed abilities that would be useful to the clan. The chance to accept this ex-medicine cat would be once, and if rejected, she would be gone as quick and as swiftly as the next gust of a breeze. "Shadowstar. I have been watching these great many cats with interest, and am offering my help." She paused, to note his expression. "Ah! You may be thinking now: ‘Why would I need such help from a fragile cat' as myself. Let me tell you, you have probably picked out already I would be an excellent spy, but I am an ex-medicine cat, with a full year of experience resting on these shoulders. So. Do you choose to let me help?”.

Only moments later, a clearly strong cat confidently entered the camp. Her eyes were steely and unforgiving, and her claws sharpened to needle points. Her body was dappled with gentle marbled swirls, softening her over all look, and making her appearance very pleasant to look at. Very pleasant indeed. But don't be fooled. Here was a cat, who, to be honest, had never made friends. She had never passed a curious eye to males, and had from a very early age, only concentrated on her training. Here was a cat who devoted all her fun years to fighting techniques, and the rest to improve her hunting. This cat was not to be messed with. Though she clearly looked like a good cat to breed with, one that would produce a fine batch of strong and healthy kits, ones destined to be warriors, she had firmly chosen to never go down that path. Her exile from her previous clan had been because she had killed a male that had got... well, too close for comfort. Yes, she had never let any in, not even her mentor, who she was deeply grateful to for training her. It would even be hard for Shadowheart to get her to bare his kits. She is clan cat at heart, but much preferred it as a rouge, choosing not to re-join another clan. So her heart is noble, and sticks to it's word, while her soul chooses elsewhere. Cold eyes scanned the clearing before her. She cringed as she noticed some queens, normal as any clan cat, how could they have been allowed into the rouge clan? She thought. Settling herself in a soft patch of clovers, she contented herself by watching the kits play, though still her expression remained nonchalant.

Marblekit shrank back at the warrior's words, and the tall, towering shapes of Weed, and the cool. rippling muscles of Lynx. "He- hello. What's your name? I'm-" but she was quiet as she looked to Song. Song dipped her head respectfully to Weed. "It has been a long time. Where have you been, all these years?" the cat had in fact disappeared, so it seemed, and now, she had rejoined them, when it was needed most. She turned to Marblekit, her eyes blazing. "No one cares about YOUR name, pest!" she said this with added poison, more than usual, and she smirked as the kit shrank away.

Halfheart growled at Song. "Leave Shadowstar's kits alone," he warned. He would not tolerate this. Shadowstar held some respect for him, but he followed Shadowstar. He would defend the Clan's future warriors. Hate nodded slowly and respectfully to the two cats. Fern had already trotted off, toward the RainClan territory. Treekit leapt at Marblekit, pinning her easily. "Quit being such a goodie-goodie! Dad doesn't want weaklings like you!" he spat, Bluekit nodding. "Grasskit," she meowed, nodding to her other brother. All three were strong, evil, and much like their father.

Weed nodded. "Yes, I left,I saw the rouge clan depleting, doing nothing but sit around lazily growing fat. And now, I hear Shadowstar is our new leader. And if everything is alright with him, I shall be the un-official rouge medicine cat. But of course, he may not want a medicine cat." An amused smile flashed across her lips, as she realized that would be one of the more stupid decisions. To refuse a medicine cat to join the clan.

Grasskit padded to his sister, Bluekit. He nodded, and said “Uh-huh?” He usually talked like this, at times. Then, he looked to Marblekit. His lip drew back in a snarl, towards her. Marblekit drew away. She had been beaten- by a brother. Stop being such a goodie-goodie! Father doesn't want weaklings like you! Her sibling's burning words scorched her soul. They echoed in her head. Her eyes filled with tears, and she sped away- she would never be the same again. Robinflight looked to Marblekit. 'Poor Kit....' She then looked to Bluekit, Treekit, and Grasskit. She sighed. Lynx watched in horror as the poor kit rushed off after harsh words from her own siblings! She realized that those four kits had been Shadowstar’s own kits, she wasn't surprised three of them had acted like that then. Sky looked on at the kits "Like their father they will most likely be." then noticed one of them run away and thought "Maybe not all of them." and then started grooming herself.

Shadowstar returned, full and ready to go. He had been in an alley, and seen strange things. He approached the circle, and looked around. He scowled. "Where is my Marblekit?" his eyes grew wide with alarm, and he threw Delilah a worried look.

Lynx trotted briskly up to her leader, muscles rippling beneath her. "Marblekit has gone." She stared down shamefully at her paws for a moment, before bringing them up to meet her leaders, now knowing she would have to be the cat to break it to him. "She ran off, because her other siblings were bullying her for being like any other normal kit." She didn't feel she needed to say any more, and readied herself for the response. Shadowstar hung his head. His grey eyes showed uttermost sadness. "A lost cat is the only thing Death Circle doesn't need right now...." he then looked up to Lynx, his eyes still somber. "Welcome to Death Circle, Lynx. I'm sorry I couldn't be here for your arrival." He managed to pull a smile, then looked around. "I must talk to Fern. We have to be sure about our plan."

Marblekit watched from ina secret place. She would never love that circle again. She thought, lost in her own world. Why? Why am I hated? Why is any cat hated? Because we're different- because I wasn't like them! What does a clan or circle do other than create boundaries? Maybe that's the problem- boundaries create hate. What if there was a world- no hate. That would mean no boundaries.... right? No Clans- that shall be my goal- no reason to hate- I will do the world a favor! And, with this, the dictatorship began...

Flowerkit knew where her sister went. She shook her head in disgust at her other siblings than snuck off. She was identical to her sister besides the white mask on her face. "Marblekit, were are you going? I want to come too. I am not meant to be evil. They hate me.” Marblekit snapped back from her thoughts. "Really? I don't hate them- I just- I understand what hate is, and where is comes from- and I want to stop it.... will you do it with me, Flowerkit?" she would like very much to have a companion, but, she wasn't sure if Flowerkit really understood. Flowerkit nodded. "Of course! I would want nothing more to leave with you." She smiled softly. Marblekit licked her sister. "I'd have no one else but you with me." she still didn't know how they would do it, but for now, they were rogues, and they were not part of a division. They would need new names. She voiced this. "Flowerkit- we need new names. Usually, rouges have names that don't end with anything, they're just a word..... what should mine be?" she thought hard, and no ideas came to mind.

Robinflight looked sadly to Shadowstar. She nodded, and she meowed 'Yes, Marblekit has run off..... what a minute, where’s Flowerkit?' She looked around franticly, searching for the kit whom was mostly-like Marblekit. Her eyes glowed with sadness, about the kit.

Grasskit snorted to Robinflight. 'Why is a ROGUE being sad? Rouges should be strong, not a whimp like her!' Grasskit's tail lashed slightly. Robinflight took a look to Grasskit, and the 2 other remaining. She sighed once more. Shadowstar's eyes burned with anger. He leapt at the kit and pinned Grasskit down. He snarled nastily at it, the kit unable to leave him well-trained grasp. "You will show Robinflight respect, or you too may disappear!" his words were filled with poison- and he was being serious. He would kill any that were opposed to his words. Robinflight looked to Shadowstar. 'Shadowstar..... you don't have too-' She was cut off by a loud hissing sound. Grasskit was making the hissing sound. 'Get off of me!' He hissed at his father. Yes, Grasskit was taking it a little to far. He should have backed down, but he kept fighting. 'Get OFF!' He hissed and yowled at the same time. "Shadowstar, please, let up off of him. He is a kit--not a warrior. He will learn respect--or he better," Halfheart meowed, standing calmly a few mouse-lengths from his leader and the kit. "Grasskit...you are no warrior, or not one over your father. Knock it off, or, Shadowstar is right--you will disappear." Shadowstar let go of the squirming kit. His eyes still burned with the desire to finish the kit right then and there, but he understood Halfheart's words. "Yes. You are right. Death Circle must remain close- no matter what." with these flat words, he glared at Bluekit, Grasskit, and Treekit. He then scented Flowerkit and Marblekit.

Lynx watched from afar. Curious as any cat at watching the play. Her eyes gleamed with longing. Longing for what? She asked herself. Finally she admitted. She was longing for her own kits. So why had she not taken her chance way back then, when she killed a cat from trying? Because she had been affraid to let any in. Afraid they would soon die, as many cats do. She was afraid they'd betray her and go off with another cat after getting bored. She had been afraid that she'd become a worthless queen, or a breeding cat. That is why she had put all her energy into getting her skills of fighting and hunting up. Weed tilted her head as Shadowstar’s eyes closed, and he became distant. There was something going on..... something no other cat knew about. She made a mental note to approach him after he had come back.

Darkpool entered hesitantly. He had just come to Death Circle in the gathering, being persuaded out of ThunderClan. There seemed none around that noticed him, unlike at the gathering. Robinflight and Night were deep in conversation, and Shadowstar seemed..... occupied. Weed did not look like the kind of cat he could engage with, she looked just as busy as Shadowstar, intent on trying to find out why he looked as such. He knew better than to approach Lynx. Siddling to the edge of the clearing, he finally picked out a lonesome she-cat, and wearily approached. "H-Hello there. I am new, just switched sides from ThunderClan." He began, still holding a dignified look. "I am Darkpool, who might you be?" Shadowstar thought hard of where he was, and without opening his eyes, felt that Weed was watching him. He looked to Crowkit again, and smirked. Take that message to your leader, silly reporter. And with that, he turned his back on Crowkit, and all he had known.

Brightsky knew what she had to do. This was her chance. She walked into the camp, all by herself. She knew she would have to act as though nothing had happened. So, for now, she would be called Marblekit. She walked up to Shadowstar, her eyes in a tight squint. "Dad. I'm sorry I went away, but I need your help. I've been having 'voices' in my head, and visions. Sometimes I can see myself from above, without even opening my eyes. What is wrong with me, and can you help?" These words, of course, were complete lies. She knew that Shadowstar could do special things, and that he could teach her. Shadowstar spun around, both at hearing Marblekit, and at her diagnosis. "Yes- I know exactly what's wrong with you, and I can help. In fact, let's work on it right now. Come." he then turned briskly, excited to find a kit of his, ready to learn.

Sky looked at this cat she answered politely yet awkwardly "Hi my name is Sky." she then looked down at her paws she hadn't talked to anyone here except for Robinflight and right now she felt welcoming to a conversation? She then asked "So you are new to Death Circle?" her blue eyes shining, for some reason, when she asked that. Darkpool nodded slowly, already feeling more relaxed at seeing the she-cat feeling as nervous as he was. "Yes, i am new. I joined at the gathering, from ThunderClan." She could take that two ways: Either she would think he would betray Death Circle. Or she would notice he'd be more polite. Sky looked at him up and down he did carry the scent of ThunderClan on him but...... There was something she liked. "So what made you change you're mind?" as she said these words she noticed they must sound horrible she quickly took them back by saying "Well I hope you have a nice time in Death Circle I have." she tried to sound as polite as possible trying not to offend him. Darkpool shrugged. "I guess i felt more wanted here than i did at Thunderclan." HE slightly puffed out his chest, confident now. "I guess they didn't need a cat like me, until i decided to join Death Circle, of course." He stated. "Well that must be horrible to not be wanted by your own clan." She said. Then thought of the cat Sadie she also didn't want her around anymore and for some reason she was happier here. She slowly looked up toward the rock where Shadowstar sat waiting to see who would be named. She truly didn't think there were any apprentices but she guessed she was wrong. Darkpool smiled pityingly. "Yes, i guess it was awful. And because i thought i was unwanted, i isolated myself even more, so that made it worse." He glanced up to the rock briefly, lowering his voice as he noticed Shadowstar wanted to speak. "So excuse me if i don't have much confident." He eased it out gently, as a proud cat doesn't like to admit his weaknesses.

Treekit glanced over as his sibling returned suddenly. He angled his ears toward her and his father, and knew immediately. "Marblekit? Can you hear me?" he thought to his sibling, curious if she, too, could hear him, like Bluekit and he could one another. Grasskit smiled, and rolled around, getting out of Bluekit’s grip. He went into a hunter's crouch, and waved his tail side to side. Bluekit smirked again. She dropped into a battle stance, though, her smirk vanishing at sight of her sister. Dismissing it, she stalked toward Grasskit, as if she was hunting prey. No one saw Treekit vanish suddenly Grasskit then began to stalk around her, his eyes still on his sister. He then shook the end of his tail really fast, and made a hissing sound, as if he was a rattlesnake, warning others to stay away. Robinflight still watched Grasskit, and Bluekit. She didn't notice Treekit vanish. “I eat snakes for breakfast!" joked Bluekit. She leapt at her brother, her powerful legs sending her into the air over him.

Shadowstar jumped from his calm at Treekit's voice. "Oh, Treekit." he signaled for Marbleshade to turn as well. "I must talk to you. Please, close your eyes." He looked into his eyes. Shadowstar focused in on Treekit, and Marbleshade did the same. Marbleshade felt herself being comforted again, and milky whiteness surrounded her. In moments, the room snapped into focus, and her voice felt as useless as her thoughts out of this state. Treekit. I can hear you. Shadow is about to talk to you as well. We have to use this. I know how I'm using mine. Teach Bluekit. she looked to Shadowstar, who was sitting with his eyes closed. Shadowstar was a bit slower this time, because he was excited. He felt blackness surround him, and he soon was in The two other cat's minds as well. He spoke/thought. Treekit. Can you hear? And, can you, Marbleshade? he waited. Marbleshade looked nervously to her brother, blocking out Shadowstar for a minute. Shadowstar heard nothing of the following. Marbleshade began. Don't let him touch you, and transfer thoughts. Look what that did. I have grey eyes, and I have black on me. Be careful, Treekit. and with that, she let go.

Shadowstar shook his head in confusion, and opened his eyes. He saw she was finished, and remembered something he had though of earlier. He said his good-byes, and nodded. “We must name apprentices. Death Circle!” He called out to his clan of sorts, waiting for them to gather. Grasskit stopped play fighting with Bluekit, and then said to her 'Come on. Lets see what Dad has to say' He trotted towords his father on the rock. Sky looked at him and said "It's okay we all have to admit weakness at sometime." then speaking more gently she said "Lets go see what Shadowstar wants." and got up and sat near Night. Shadowstar always had trouble remembering names, and he was glad to get the ceremony started with. He began.

"Before the great skies which spread before us, as none have power over our grasps, I must name these two kits to be apprentices. May they serve all the ideals, thoughts, and dreams of our Circle well." he then touched noses with Grasskit and Bluekit. "Grasskit, Bluekit, I name you Grasspaw, and Bluepaw." he nodded, and waited for their acceptance. Shadowstar also noticed Treekit watching. He signaled for him to join as well. "I also name you, Treekit, and apprentice; shall you be known as Treepaw, intil you recieve your warrior name." Grasspaw nodded to his father. He then waited for Bluepaw, watching his father.

Robinflight beamed to the kits. 'Good Job' She said, and she licked Bluepaw and Grasspaw's heads. She then looked to Shadowstar. She smield to him too, with a mischivious glow in her eyes.Bluepaw nodded to Shadowstar in acceptance. She held out her claws for Treepaw to hook, but immidiately, her eyes flashed around. Treepaw was staring up at Shadowstar, surprised. Bluepaw, he thought to his sister. Everything else disappeared. Bluepaw, we should go hunting after this. We'll bring Dad back some great food! His eyes seemed to dull, and grow distant. He couldn't move. Something had gone wrong with his communication. He was trapped. "Treepaw?" Bluepaw asked, staring at him. She laid her paw on his shoulder. With a jolt, Treepaw gasped for breath. He had frozen in his state of mind, trying to talk to Blue. He tried again, this time relaxing farther, and thinking deeper, trying to control himself. "Bluepaw," he thought, "we should go hunting after this, to bring some food back for Dad!" It had worked. Bluepaw smiled with releaf. Focusing, she breathed deeply. "Yeah." The two moved back into reality.

Bluepaw batted Grasspaw. She smiled. Meanwhile, Treepaw focused on Grasspaw. His brother may not have had the same natural ability to communicate tellepathically, but he may have been able to at least hear him. "Grasspaw, Blue and I are going hunting. This is Treepaw. Do you want to go, too?" Grasspaw nodded. He was able to hear, but just not talk. He then padded up to Bluepaw and Treepaw, and asked simply 'How do you do that?' He asked Treepaw. 'I'm not sure' She purred to him. 'Maybe you can somehow figure it out, because I can't' She continued to purr. She licked his ear, her purring getting louder. Stone walked over to the new apprentices and looked at them all and said "Leave some excitement for me okay. and looked at them with complete envy. Then looked at Grasspaw and said "You are a very good fighter when I get older teach me some moves could you?" he liked the way Grasspaw fought with such fierceness. Grasspaw nodded to Stone. 'Sure I will. I like fans' He joked about the fans part. Stone glared at him not with hostility but good natured stare and said "Thanks." And saw Night calling to him so he said "I'll see you around then." and bounded back to his mothers side. She slowly nudged him into the burrow. Treepaw and Bluepaw looked at each other, wondering how they could themselves. "We don't know... I'll ask Dad. He can do it, too," Treepaw replied. He paused. "Hi, Stone," Bluepaw and himself both said at the same time. Bluepaw would stay there to make sure there was no trouble.

While Treepaw was already standing beside Shadowstar. "Dad, can I talk to you? How can we talk through our thoughts, anyway?" he meowed quietly, so only Shadowstar could hear. He had to make sure no other cat knew except himself, Marbleshade, Bluepaw, Grasspaw, and Shadowstar. They seemed to be the only cats who could do it. Suddenly, a scent of ShadowClan came to Treepaw. "ShadowClan!" he murmured to his father. However, a calm cat came into the underground hole. "Shadowstar, sir..." At these words, Treepaw calmed. Bluepaw padded up to the warrior. "What, you of ShadowClan?" she spat. "I am Thunderstrike. Shadowstar and I met at the gathering. I am a spy for him, in ShadowClan," he explained. Bluepaw looked the hansom, strong tom over cautiously. After a moment, she nodded, and padded back to Stone and Grasspaw. Shadowstar nodded to Thunderstrike, and before pacing off to meet him, he whispered to his son. "I will explain later." and with that, he walked off.

He touched noses with Thunderstrike. "What do you have to report? I've heard tell that Briarstar is ill. What do you have to say?" He waited, his tail curled around his muscular frame. A slight hushing sound whispered in Shadowstar's ear- and along came Stealthstar. She looked to Thunderstrike, then back to Shadowstar. "Can you trust him? How are you sure? Do you really want such a young warrior carrying messages from circle to clan, and back again?" she then stood next to Shadowstar. "What if he falls in love? A true love will follow him everywhere, and she'll soon find out, and tell the whole clan. How will you protect against that?" She stared at her nephew. "Beware of your kin. She may be rejected now, but soon- soon she will have more power than you ever will. Shadowstar- beware your own teachings and creations." and she then sat, and stared at Shadowstar, her odd gaze glittering with starlight. Shadowstar tried to block her out, and attempted to listen to both Thunderstrike, and talk to Stealthstar at the same time. Well, why should I trust you? You took one of my lives! Beside, who would fall in love with a scruff like Thunderstrike? he suppressed a laugh. Stealthstar- I don't want what you want me to have. He then considered her last words. Which kin? It's a she- it could be many- it could even be Lunapool. he waited. Stealthstar just stared, her eyes piercing through the musuclar tom. "That which you doubted. The teased- the poked, the prodded. That's who." and with that, she dissapeared, leaving Shadowstar hanging. The torture had begun. Shadowstar shook his head in disbelief. He knew who it was. "Not Marbleshade." he couldn't imagine the sweet cat becoming- stronger than himself. He stared into nothingness for a moment, then back to Thunderstrike, who was staring. "Sorry- just- thinking." He couldn't imagine what lay ahead. Thunderstrike gave him an odd look. "O-okay... As I was saying, Briarstar is terribly ill. I kind of don't want to say this, but, she will likely die, leaving Spiritheart--star to lead ShadowClan. As well, he has ranked new warriors, as have Snowstar and Everstar. These new warriors are well trained. New apprentices have been named, too." He stopped to catch his breath. "You shouldn't attack ThunderClan camp directly. There are too many."

Bluepaw heard all he had said, as she had jogged over there. Thunderstrike finally noticed her. He had been too focused on what he was saying to pay attention to her. "What, kid?" he growled. Bluepaw sneered. "I'm not a kid!" she snapped. Thunderstrike glared. "Wait...you're Shadowstar's daughter?" "Yeah. What of it?" "Well, kid, you sure look it. You look just like 'im." Bluepaw stopped, her face blank. She stood, staring. "Is that a bad thing?" she meowed in a low, heavy voice. "N--no! I'm just saying..." Thunderstrike began, to be cut off by Bluepaw. "Saying I'm what?" Bluepaw spat at him. The whole Death Circle seemed to be staring, but she didn't care. She glared, and turned, whipping away. "Yeah...sorry, sir..." Thunderstrike apologized. He looked at his paws. Treepaw sighed, focusing on Bluepaw. "Sis, where are you going?" he thought to her. "Somewhere! Not there!" was her reply. Shadowstar shook his head. "Apprentices." he then looked back to Thunderstrike, his steel gaze considering. "Briarstar's death is obvious. She is barely hanging on." he then considered Spiritheart, angry at the cat who had taken one of his lives. "Spiritheart's new name is going to be hard. He is a strong warrior, but he is going to be grieving. His sister is dead, and so is his love. Perhaps, he and Everstar were meant to be?" he snorted in laughter, at his parents odd combination. "Thunderstrike, I have a little goal for you. I need you to get my sister, Lunapool, to join us. She is the type I would expect, and she's always looking for me. If she finds anything out, and tells the clans, we're crowfood. We have StarClan hanging by a claw, and the clans hanging in fear. Lunapool needs to join us." he looked to Thunderstrike. "Please- bring her to us." Thunderstrike's eyes widened. "Lunapool," he laughed. She was a terror. But, at a sharp look in Shadowstar's eyes, he stopped. He nodded. But, how? She was of RainClan, and RainClan hated toms--of which he was, let alone being of ShadowClan. However, he would convince her it was best. Shadowstar shook his head. "I don't know! She's a she-cat, your a tom! Make with the flirting!" he felt Stealthstar's eyes still burning into him, even though she was gone, and his pelt prickled. How much longer could her go on like this, without losing control?

Shadowstar saw a small cat, maybe an apprentice, run into the camp, sides heaving. He ran up to Shadowstar, and reported what he saw. The apprentice, who's name was Gorsepaw, was wide-eyed, excitement brimming in his eyes. "Shadowstar, Shadowstar! The time is right! The clans are weak, and together! This is our chance! You see, a disease has been discovered, and the clan's homes are safe, so they're all moving to a big meadow, safe from twolegs and the disease. They're traveling in a big and vulnerable clump, and we can take them on! The stronger cats are towards the front, the weaker in the back. We can stealthily pick them off one by one!" he looked pleased, and sat to lick his chest, then looked back up to his leader. Shadowstar smirked. This was this moment he was waiting for! The clans had seperated, and were traveling weakly! He looked to Halfheart. "Did you all hear that? I bet you all did. We shall organize a small patrol to see if what Gorsepaw tells us is true. Keep yourselves hidden, and roll in some mud or something to hide your scent. Then, come straight back to us with a report. How about- Thunderstrike, Rock, Robinflight- and Halfheart?" he had picked them each for their own reasons. "Thunderstrike- use your spying techniques to decide were to best begin the attack." he paused. "Rock; I want you to take a look at the stronger cats, and decide which ones to distract." he moved along. "Robinflight, I want you to look for good places where we can jump out of. Trees, roots, covets, anything. Just, be careful." his eyes were dark with worry, but their grey gaze showed something else, but no cat understood. He then looked to his best cat, and addressed him. "Halfheart- do whatever you see fit. I want you also to keep tabs on all of the cats." he looked to Treepaw and Bluepaw, hoping they weren't too upset about missing out on this.

"Right then," he mewed "Go on." Halfheart gave Shadowstar a strange stare, for a long pause. The whole "camp" of Death Circle seemed silent, but, Halfheart turned away. "What an idiot," he thought to himself. "He should go himself! Well, at least some warriors with experience are going," he added, referring to Robinflight and himself. And in reality, Rock may have been experienced in battle, but, his wisdom lacked in things like this. Before, he guessed Rock had been just a rogue and gone out to raid the Clan's hunting grounds. As well, Thunderstrike was a strong, young warrior, trained well, but highly lacking in experience in either. However, he just padded off, waiting for the rest to assemble behind him, and Robinflight to take lead with him if she wished. Thunderstrike cringed slightly at his leader's snapping, but he obediently walked to join Halfheart. Rock strode up to Halfheart. "When shall we go? Now?" he already knew the answer to this, but he shifted uncomfortably with the silence that would have bound them. Rock was a muscular tom, with a she-cat and kits in a clan. Robinflight nodded to Shadowstar, and licked his ear. I'll try my best She promised him, and she padded out of the camp, after Halfheart. Shadowstar watched the cats leave. Did he love Robinflight? He thought hard. As a kit, and apprentice, and a warrior, he had thought he had- but did he? The black leader had known so many cats, what was love? Was love.... a tingle in your whiskers? Was love..... a warm glow in you chest? He didn't know- but Robinflight needed him- so he stayed with her.... he loved her? "Now," Halfheart answered Rock, walking alongside Robinflight. Thunderstrike followed behind Rock, nervous to do this. Rock dashed off, to the path on which the clans where traveling.