Heartstorm charged through the tall grasses. Everything was dark. Heartstorm heard grunts and howls coming from every direction. He kept charging through the grasses. Towards RiverClan. He had to find Bumblepaw. Make sure Bumblepaw was ok then get back to camp and make sure Silverdrop and Brightpaw were ok. Suddenly, Heartstorm skidded to a halt, Reedstar was wrestling with a large ShadowClan cat. Heartstorm was taken by surprise and froze on the spot but suddenly, his training came back to him. He leapt onto Rabbitleap's back and tore him off Reedstar. He dug his claws into Rabbitleaps' sides and drew blood. Reedstar rammed into Rabbitleap. Rabbitleap thudded to the ground and groaned. With a growl, Reedstar grabbed Rabbitleap's scruff and shook him. Rabbitleap growled then scampered away into the dark grasses. Reedstar turned to Heartstorm, his breath heavy. He had a nasty cut along the side of his face but his eyes were gleaming with defiance. 

           "Thanks," panted Reedstar. "We need to group. We need to find the others. Think of a strategy. Get back to the Clearing." Heartstorm opened his mouth to argue. He had to find Bumblepaw. 

          "Right," he sad at last. 

          "Round up as many RiverClan and ThunderClan cats you can," Reedstar ordered. Heartstorm gave a brief nod but Reedstar was already gone. With a deep breath, Heartstorm turned around and hurtled back towards the Clearing. He prayed to Brightheart and StarClan that no cat from his Clan would die. That Bumblepaw would be protected. That Silverdrop wouldn't get hurt. That Brightpaw wouldn't have to fight. He heard some grunting and hissing and crept towards the noise. Everything was almost pitch black. Heartstorm felt as if someone could just creep up at him and ambush him. Two shapes were wrestling in the dark. Featherflame and Palebird. Heartstorm felt his heart thump against his chest. Featherflame... He hadn't seen her in so long. He was stuck. He should help Palebird. They were on the same side. But he had never gotten on with Palebird. Featherflame on the other hand... Palebird leapt away from Featherflame's grasp and spat. His eyes darted and landed on Heartstorm. 

           "What are you doing?" he hissed. "Just watching? Or are you actually a ShadowClan cat?" Featherflame saw Heartstorm and stopped in her tracks for a moment. 

          "Heartstorm...," her voice was soft. Then something flared in her eyes and she lashed her tail. She pounced onto Heartstorm. Heartstorm sight blurred. He felt claws in his sides, digging into his skin. He wriggled free from Featherflame's grasp but she managed to keep him pinned down. With a growl, Heartstorm snapped at her and caught a chunk of her fur in his mouth. He dug his teeth as deep as he could until he tasted a bit of blood. Then he tugged and wrenched. Suddenly, the weight lifted off him and Heartstorm rolled to his feet, feeling unbalanced and disorientated. Palebird had Featherflame by the scruff. She angrily scratched him on the neck. He shook her but she kept fighting. She twisted out of his reach then went for a back kick. Palebird dodged swiftly then rammed into her. She fell to the ground. In a second, Palebird was on top of her, he claws at her stomach. Blood spluttered everywhere. Heartstorm shook himself. Featherflame... He couldn't wrap his mind around what had happened. 

           "You're welcome," Palebird called while holding Featherflame down. Heartstorm was still shaken. He only remembered Featherflame's comforting eyes. Her promise. Suddenly, Featherflame lashed out and broke free from Palebird's grasp. She dodged another of Palebird's blows. Then she bit his neck. She held onto his neck, biting hard and drawing blood. Palebird's eyes rolled over. His body weakened. He gave a low groan. Suddenly, Heartstorm snapped out of whatever trance he'd been in. In a flash, he slashed Featherflame's throat. He felt his claws slit her throat in a clean movement. Blood spilled out. Featherflame collapsed to the floor. She twitched then breathed no more. Palebird staggered back, his neck bleeding heavily. He looked disorientated and unhealthy. 

             "Thanks a lot," muttered Palebird. "At least you did something in the end." Heartstorm looked down at the dead cat. Featherflame looked so peaceful and still, except for the pool of blood gathering on the ground beside her. Heartstorm shuddered. He had just killed a cat. Another cat. He hadn't felt like this with Cinderstar. A cold feeling washed over Heartstorm. He pushed the image of Featherflame away and turned to Palebird. 

           "We need to get back to the Clearing," he said decisively. "Hopefully Frogleap will be there." Palebird gave a weak nod. Heartstorm padded to Palebird's side and let Palebird lean on him. Together, they made their way agonisingly slowly towards the Clearing.