Something about RiverClan wasn't the same. There was an eerie, deathly sense about it. Heartstorm crept prudently towards the cover of the trees. He heard some growls from far away. He picked up the pace. He made his way towards camp. He hoped Deerflame was alright in the nursery. He had to keep her safe as well. For Eelfrost. For the unborn kits. Finally, camp was in sight. Heartstorm approached it prudently. His eyes flickering around. It was suspicious to him that he had not seen a cat for now. The sound of fighting was nearer now but it didn't seem to come from camp. Taking a deep breath, Heartstorm ducked under some bramble bushes and into camp. He held his breath. Camp was deserted. Sticks, stones and bits of moss littered the floor. Heartstorm smelt the stink of WindClan in the air mixed with ShadowClan. RiverClan's scent was barely there anymore. Heartstorm let out a small growl. Suddenly, there was a snap. Heartstorm's eyes swept the place. He approached the noise. It had come from the stream. Heartstorm crouched and slowly crept down the small slope. He spotted something in one of the bushes. His eyes glued to the bush, Heartstorm neared it. He felt every muscle in his body tense. A small cry escaped the mouth of the cat hiding. Heartstorm sniffed. Over the smell of WindClan and ShadowClan, there was the soft scent of RiverClan, floating towards him. Heartstorm's brow furrowed and he stood up abruptly. The cat sniffling stopped suddenly and went silent. 

            "Who is it?" Heartstorm asked not too loud. There was no reply for a moment then the cat realised it was Heartstorm and snuck out of the bush. The cat was small and Heartstorm sighed in relief. It was Heatherpaw. She let out a sob and rushed to Heartstorm. He nuzzled her and gave her a comforting lick on the cheek. 

            "You're alright," Heartstorm whispered. "What happened? Where is everybody? Where-" Heartstorm stopped. He had to calm her down first. "Sit down. You're ok. You're going to be ok." Heatherpaw gave a small trembling nod and lowered herself to the ground. Heartstorm glanced around to make sure there was no danger lurking about. 

          "Tell me what happened," Heartstorm said softly. 

           "Win- WindClan attacked us," whimpered Heatherpaw. "It was so confusing... I think somebody went to call ThunderClan. They came... but then ShadowClan cats came as well.. Thornstar told everybody who wasn't a warrior to follow him and flee. I was supposed to follow him... B-but I don't know... I was so confused... Brightp- Brightpaw stayed with me. Then this cat attacked us and she was so brave. She took him on. I didn't see what happened next because then there was this other ShadowClan cat who attacked me. I managed to fend myself. When he was distracted I- I hid... Then the fight just dispersed and they were gone. I think they're at the clearing from what I can hear..." Heartstorm let out a small breath. Brightpaw had taken on a warrior. He closed his eyes. He prayed that Brightpaw was ok. 

         "Alright. Don't be scared alright.., I've got to find them. I'm going to the clearing. You need to follow me. But you must listen to me, understand?" Heartstorm explained gently. Heatherpaw gave a weak nod. 

          "Good," Hearstrom said. He took a deep breath and led Heatherpaw out of camp. They headed towards the clearing. The fighting sounds were getting louder. Something cold touched Heartstorm's forehead. He jumped in surprise then looked up. It had started to rain. Cold raindrops dropped onto Heartstorm. Heatherpaw shivered next to him. They followed the river. The howls and snarls were louder. Heatherpaw looked as if she was going to pass out. 

           "Do you know where Thornstar brought the others?" Heartstorm asked her. 

          "I think to the abandoned Twoleg den," replied Heatherpaw. Heartstorm glanced in that direction, there didn't seem to be anything going on there. 

            "Do you think you can make it there?" Heartstorm asked. Heatherpaw was silent for a moment then nodded. 

            "Yeah, I can do it," Heatherpaw said, her voice shaking. Heartstorm gave her a proud look. 

            "I know you can do it," he told her firmly. "Go." Heatherpaw scurried away. Quickly, hoping Heatherpaw was going to be ok, Heartstorm ran towards the clearing. He ran to the edge of the trees and was greeted by chaos. Cats were fighting angrily everywhere. Heartstorm spotted a swirl of grey and knew it was Silverdrop. Without thinking, he rushed at the cat attacking his mate. The cat, a WindClan cat, fell back. Silverdrop clawed him in the face. The WindClan cat stumbled back and Silverdrop hit him hard in the chest. The cat fled. Silverdrop turned to Heartstorm. Heartstorm felt a beautiful warm wave of love and relief.

            "Silverdrop," he whispered. "You're alright." Silverdrop smiled at him and licked him on the cheek. 

          "I'm glad you're ok too," she replied equally relieved. "We've got most things here under control now... There are quite a few injured." 

           "Right. We're gathering at the Clearing. Of the Gathering," Heartstorm said. Moorpelt limped towards them. 

          "Heartstorm!" he cried. "What happened to you? Are the others ok?" 

          "Embergaze... isn't too good," Heartstorm replied. "We're gathering at the Clearing of the Gathering." 

          "We're getting things here under control," Moorpelt assured Heartstorm. "We will get back to the Clearing once I can gather cats fit enough. Get back there. I think they'll need your help." Heartstorm nodded then turned to Silverdrop once more. 

            "Where's Brightpaw?" he asked. 

            "She went with Thornstar. She fought with this giant ShadowClan cat. She won. She wanted to stay but Thornstar and I finally managed to get her to go hide with him," explained Silverdrop. "You take care of yourself, alright? I should go with you." Heartstorm glanced around. The fight seemed to be stopping. WindClan cats were retreating and a few ShadowClan cats had started to sneak away. 

             "No, stay here," Heartstorm said. He needed her to be safe. "I'll be back." 

          "Is Bumblepaw ok?" asked Silverdrop worriedly. 

           "I don't know," answered Heartstorm truthfully. Silverdrop bit her lip. 

           "But I'll find him. I'll make sure he's ok," Heartstorm told Silverdrop firmly. She gave him a brief nod. Heartstorm turned around and slipped out of the clearing. He made his way through the dark forest. His leg wasn't slowing him down. Heartstorm was so focused on getting back to Reedstar and finding Bumblepaw that he didn't hear the twig snap. Then claws dug into his sides. Heartstorm reared up in a flash, throwing his opponent off. He turned around to face his enemy but then something knocked him off the ground. Heartstorm was confused. How could a cat be so quick? Teeth sunk into Heartstorm's tail. He twisted around but was slammed to the ground. Claws clawed at Heartstorm's side. A cat bit into Heartstorm's ear. Heartstorm struggled against his two attackers. How could he had let this happen? He felt his strength seeping away. Then the cat biting into his tail released and the other cat was hauled away from him. Heartstorm jumped to his feet. Blacktail was battling the two ShadowClan cats. Heartstorm recognised them now. Spiderfur and Oakfall. Heartstorm jumped to Blacktail's side. Together they battled the ShadowClan cats. Heartstorm felt his former Clanmates' eyes boring into him. Their hatred clear. Finally, Blacktail and Heartstorm managed to make them realise they had no chance. They fled. Blacktail turned to Heartstorm. 

           "You ok?" She asked. Heartstorm nodded and mouthed thanks. "Are the others alright? In that clearing?" Blacktail nodded back to the clearing. Heartstorm nodded once more. 

         "Good," Blacktail said satisfied. "Can you walk?" 

          "Yeah," Heartstorm reassured her. He shook himself and felt renewed again. "Let's get back to Reedstar." Blacktail looked unsure but finally nodded. Together they made their way towards WindClan once more.