The plan was made. A patrol would go early in the morning to talk to Falconstar. There would be three of them, Cindertail, Mousewhisker and Oakfall. Then when they disappeared from sight, five patrols of five cats would follow. They would split up and head for the camp. They would reach it before Cindertail and her patrol but they would keep a good distance, silence any cat they saw to make sure they didn't alert the camp then wait in hiding. When Cindertail entered camp they would give her 180 seconds. If they heard fighting earlier though, they would go in early. But they wouldn't give more than 180 seconds. And they would attack. They would bring down their wrath onto Thunderclan. Thunderclan had been bothering them for too many moons, Heartkit only remembered fights with Thunderclan and his Clanmates coming back injured because of Thunderclan. 

Heartkit watched as the five patrols of six cats got prepared. They had been trained for the last moon to fight together in their small team of five and some four. Heartkit had seen them, they fought so well now it looked like they could read each other minds. Clawpelt's patrol had Roselight, Nightcloud, Spiderfur. Pinestar's patrol had Daisyfoot, Goldenheart and Nightcloud. Dandelionfrost's patrol had Skytail, Weaselscar and Rabbitleap. Birchstep's patrol were with Duskblaze, Darkspeck and Sandwing. The last patrol was of five cats. The leader being Stormpelt with Littlestorm, Featherflame, Sorrelclaw and Flamefrost. There would only be six warriors remaining in camp and the apprentices to protect the Clan. It was dangerous but Pinestar and Cindertail were ready to take the risk. Heartkit trotted over to Stormpelt's side. He was talking warmly to his team. 

             "Stormpelt," whispered Heartkit. Stormpelt looked down and smiled. 

             "Hey Heartkit," smiled Stormpelt. "I'm going to see you after our victory, all right?" Heartkit nodded. 

            "You won't get hurt..., right?" murmured Heartkit. He suddenly felt scared. It felt like the whole Clan was leaving to fight and possibly die. 

             "Of course not, I have a great team, we'll all watch each others backs," reassured Stormpelt. Featherflame tapped Heartkit warmly on the shoulder. 

            "I'll make sure nothing happens to Stormpelt," she told him. 

            "Yeah, we're all there for each other," agreed Flamefrost. Littlestorm gave Heartkit a small lick of comfort. Stormpelt felt a burst of warmth and pride at his small team. He had been training with them for a moon and he trusted them with his life. They were like his other family. And as he had gotten to know them better, they had also spent time with Heartkit. Heartkit felt as if he had an even closer family than Shadowclan. He looked up at Stormpelt's patrol. 

              "None of you are going to die, right?" Heartkit mumbled softly. Sorrelclaw bent down to Heartkit, sympathy glowing in her eyes. She gave him a reassuring lick. 

             "We will take care of Stormpelt. None of us are going to die. We will protect each other with our lives," promised Littlestorm. 

              "Yes, we swear we will protect each other," swore Featherflame. 

             "I still want to play with all of you," whispered Heartkit. "I don't want anybody to die." 

             "Nobody is dying," Stormpelt assured Heartkit. He nuzzled Heartkit, closing his eyes. He felt so much love for his kit. 

             "It is time!" announced Pinestar. "Patrols, move out." Stormpelt smiled at Heartkit, gave him one last lick and padded away. The rest of Stormpelt's team each gave Heartkit a reassuring lick then trotted after Stormpelt. Heartkit watched as the last cats filed out of the camp entrance. Shadowclan camp seemed lonely and deserted. The three apprentices were pacing around, looking disappointed. Only Lionpaw was nowhere to be seen, probably helping Eagleflight. Firpaw spotted Heartkit, sitting lonely alone. He padded over. 

              "Hey, you ok?" asked Firpaw distractedly. Heartkit shook his head. He was six moons in a moon but he didn't feel excited. He didn't want to go into a world when he would be able to go out and fight other cats. "Why did Stormpelt not want to be deputy." Heartkit looked up at Firpaw, confused. 

              "What do you mean?" he asked. 

            "I was the apprentice of the deputy," Firpaw said with a small growl. "And then Stormpelt decides he isn't good enough to be deputy." Heartkit shook his head. 

            "It's not that," Heartkit mumbled. 

            "Whatever," muttered Firpaw, seeing Spottedpaw looking his way. A light orange warrior padded towards Heartkit. He had green reassuring eyes. 

              "Heartkit," smiled Sunwhisper. 

              "It's quiet," whispered Heartkit. He ached for Stormpelt to come back. For his warm look and the pride in his eyes. 

              "I know but soon, they'll all come back, victorious," assured Sunwhisper. Goldenheart approached them. 

              "Eagleflight is calling for you," she nodded to Sunwhisper. "And you can come too Heartkit." Heartkit trotted after Goldenheart and Sunwhisper. Eagleflight was ordering around the four apprentices who grudgingly took herbs in their mouths or trotted out of camp to find more. 

            "Since you aren't doing something right now, help me sort out these herbs, I'm assuming we're going to need them," Eagleflight said darkly. 

             "What do you need me to do?" asked Sunwhisper. 

            "I need you to go out and get cobwebs. You, little Heartkit, I need you to bring out these herbs over there and arrange them well. Goldenheart, please fetch as much wet moss as you can," ordered Eagleflight. Heartkit busied himself, moving the herbs right next to the entrance, putting them in neat piles. The work was tedious but Heartkit soon fell into rhythm.