Air of Treason

Part 1
Eight Moons Ago...
 * "They're beautiful," Berryclaw mewed hollowly.


 * Three kits squirmed by Airstar's belly. One, a golden-brown tom, another, a gray tom. The third, a darker golden-brown she-cat.


 * "You choose one to name," Airstar whispered.


 * Berryclaw pointed with his tail to the she-kit, who was by far the smallest. "Dawnkit."


 * Airstar purred and nodded. "Yes, and this one is Eaglekit, after Eaglestar." She pointed to the gray tom.


 * The leader had not long before, due to a mysterious sickness, or so WindClan thought.


 * "What about this last one?" Airfur asked quietly.


 * "Brackenkit," Berryclaw suggested.


 * "Yes," Airstar mewed. "Brackenkit."

Part 2
Now...
 * "Dawnpaw," Berryclaw spat, "will you pay attention?"


 * Dawnpaw turned to her mentor, also her father. "Fine," she sighed.


 * Berryclaw had caught her staring towards ShadowClan territory once again, where the famed Littleclaw lived.


 * Dawnpaw felt a longing, one beyond ever before. She wanted to meet Littleclaw. Never, at either of her Gatherings, had she gotten a chance.


 * But, at this one, she thought, she would. She was determined to.


 * And, as her plan told her to, she and Littleclaw would become friends, and the thing she longed for the most would happen.


 * All she had to do was wait...

Part 3

 * There was the long wait...


 * And he still did not come.


 * Smokestar's fur bristled as he realized that Toadstar, ShadowClan's newest leader, was not going to join him here tonight.


 * "All he has to do is fall asleep," Sharpstar mewed quietly.


 * "He is asleep," Smokestar murmured. "But he's resisting. He's resisting my presence."


 * "Then go to him," Sharpstar suggested. "He doesn't always have to come to you."


 * Smokestar thought for a moment.


 * Another cat appeared next to him. "Maybe Berry has struck again."


 * "No," Smokestar replied. "He would be here now, a shadow of a shadow next to me."


 * Grayfoot's eyes gleamed. "Berry would not allow just one life to be lost. Now that Airstar is leader, he must know about the nine lives every leader has."


 * Another cat pushed her way forward. "Even Airstar trusts him, now?" Dawnpaw spat.


 * "They're mates," Grayfoot growled.


 * Bluepaw entwined his tail with Dawnpaw's. "There's more then one threat," he pointed out softly. "There's three..."

Chapter 1

 * Littleclaw stared. There was something small... something behind there...


 * She pounced, and with a gasp of triumph, she felt her claws sink into a fat thrush.


 * As she stood up, she glanced at her new apprentice.


 * Yewfur and Nightpelt's son, Acornpaw, was standing behind her.


 * After two moons, you'd think he caught something, Littleclaw thought, annoyed.


 * "Littleclaw," Acornpaw mewed hesitantly, "are you my kin?"


 * Littleclaw looked at the apprentice. He was quiet, usually.


 * "Yes," she replied. "Nightfur is my son."


 * Acornpaw stared. "Woah."


 * Littleclaw purred. "Come on, you've got to catch something, so you can catch up to your littermates!"


 * Nightpelt's other two kits were named Nutpaw and Rushpaw.


 * Acornpaw shook his head. "It's too hard, though!"


 * Littleclaw sighed. StarClan, help me. She took a deep breath and mewed, "Don't you want to serve the Clan?"


 * Acornpaw shook his head stubbornly. "No, I hate ShadowClan!"


 * "You're acting like a kit!" Littleclaw hissed. "Come on, Acornpaw, I know it's hard, but it gets easier when you catch something."


 * Acornpaw took a hostile step forward. "How are you going to make me, huh?"


 * "I'll tell Toadstar that you'd like to be exiled," Littleclaw threatened.


 * Acornpaw's eyes widened. "No... please!" he begged.


 * "Why should I listen?" Littleclaw asked. She was pushing it, she knew, but if this was the only way to train Acornpaw, she would do it.


 * "Don't tell Toadstar, please!" Acornpaw begged.


 * Littleclaw turned, pretending that she was about to go back to camp.


 * "I'll catch something!" Acornpaw screeched.


 * Littleclaw stopped and purred to herself. Now, training her stubborn apprentice was going to be a breeze.


 * A cat stood in the shadows, watching the argument unfold. She wanted to step in, but she couldn't.


 * She took a deep breath and turned away. Away from happiness.


 * "Okay, you leap."


 * Littleclaw watched as Acornpaw leaped, following her whispered command.


 * He came up in awe. "I- I think I can do it!"


 * Littleclaw felt a surge of pride flow through her. "Good!"


 * Acornpaw glanced at the bushes. "Did you hear something?"


 * Littleclaw shook her head. "No."


 * "Let's go back to camp," Acornpaw sighed. "I'll try and catch something tomorrow."


 * Littleclaw nodded. The pride had disappeared.


 * She hoped it would come back again the next day.


 * Boulder stopped as she heard a noise coming towards her. She dove into a bush and peered out.


 * A red tom walked by her, followed by two younger ones that looked a lot like him.


 * "Eaglepaw, hurry up!" one muttered.


 * One cat hissed. "It's because you're going so slow."


 * The red tom pushed in between the two younger cats. "Quiet. We..."


 * The words were lost as Boulder stared at the red tom. He's so handsome...


 * She had fallen in love.

Chapter 2

 * Littleclaw led Acornpaw though the forest, towards the ShadowClan camp.


 * She couldn't stop thinking about Acornpaw's comment about hearing something. If Berryclaw was still there...


 * It'll be okay, Littleclaw convinced herself. Berryclaw's a Clan cat now. He won't hurt anybody.


 * Then she remembered Marshtail. Well, most Clan cats don't hurt other ones.


 * She stalked into the camp. Nutpaw bounded up to Acornpaw.


 * Littleclaw purred.


 * "Rabid squirrels!" Nutpaw yowled. "I drop magical brambles next to them!" She ran off, leaving Acornpaw sitting in awe.


 * "She always manages to surprise me," Acornpaw muttered.


 * Littleclaw purred, and turned to see Stoneheart, her son.


 * "Littleclaw," Stoneheart began, "where is Nightfur?"


 * Littleclaw replied, "I have no idea. Where's Mudpelt?"


 * Stoneheart winced at the mention of his brother. "Um..."


 * Littleclaw felt a pang of worry. "Where is he?" she demanded.


 * "Follow me," Stoneheart mewed hoarsely.


 * Stoneheart led Littleclaw out of the camp, to the WindClan border.


 * WindClan... That's where Berryclaw is, Littleclaw thought.


 * "Mudpelt's in WindClan?" Littleclaw quizzed.


 * Stoneheart sighed. "Yes."


 * "W-why?" Littleclaw sputtered. "Why didn't anyone tell me this before?"


 * "We didn't want to make you worried!" Stoneheart cried.


 * "How long has Mudpelt been gone?" Littleclaw demanded.


 * "A quarter-moon."


 * Fury rose up inside Littleclaw, and she had to grip the ground with her claws to avoid murdering Stoneheart.


 * Stoneheart looked dismayed. "I'm sorry, Littleclaw."


 * Littleclaw sighed. "Why did he leave?"


 * "He..." Stoneheart trailed off. "He wanted to join Berryclaw."

Chapter 3

 * Berryclaw sighed. How long am I going to be stuck here?


 * Next to him, his son, Eaglepaw, stood, letting his fur be buffeted by the wind. "It's so hot out!" Eaglepaw called.


 * Berryclaw nodded. But he was really looking at two figures on the horizon- a grayish tom cat and a light brown she-cat.


 * "Intruders!" Berryclaw screeched. "Come on, Eaglepaw!"


 * Eaglepaw's eyes widened but he followed Berryclaw over the moorland.


 * Berryclaw's breath got knocked out of him as he banged into something.


 * He looked up, angry, and saw a silver tabby she-cat. She had gray paws and stripes and ears.


 * Eaglepaw had stopped and was staring at the pair in awe.


 * "S-sorry," the she-cat stuttered.


 * Berryclaw forced himself to reply kindly. "It's no problem. What's your name?"


 * "Boulder," the she-cat replied.


 * "The intruders are gone!" Eaglepaw called, but Berryclaw didn't care.


 * "I'm Berryclaw," he told Boulder. "That's my son, Eaglepaw," he added.


 * Boulder looked crestfallen. "Oh," she murmured. "He's handsome..."


 * "Thank you," Berryclaw replied.


 * "I would love to join a Clan," Boulder blurted out, then she stared at her paws.


 * "It's really boring," Berryclaw sighed.


 * "It won't be!" Boulder meowed quickly. "There's fights, and you honor your Clan and get a warrior name and get trained by one..."


 * "It's not a big deal," Berryclaw told her.


 * Eaglepaw trotted back. "I'm Eaglepaw," he told Boulder.


 * Berryclaw noticed the fur on the back of Boulder's neck fluffed up at the sight of Eaglepaw so close.


 * "I'm Boulder," she replied. Her voice was forced.


 * Eaglepaw didn't seem to notice. "Well, Berryclaw," he began, "we'd better start heading back to camp."


 * Berryclaw glared at his son. "Who asked you?"


 * "Berryclaw, come on," Eaglepaw murmured, a warning tone in his voice. "You know we don't talk to cats that are lower on the food chain than you."


 * Boulder looked taken aback, but Eaglepaw didn't stop. "You know you have to perform that annoying ceremony. Remember when Airfur had to?"


 * Berryclaw nodded silently. What is he doing?


 * "We don't need that again. Toadstar threatened to kill the next cat who did."


 * Berryclaw nodded, and looked at Boulder.


 * A feeling that he had never felt flowed through him.


 * He forced himself to turn away.


 * Away from happiness.

Chapter 4

 * Dawnpaw pawed the stone into place. She had spent since sunrise trying to get it out of the ground.


 * She had spent since sunrise avoiding Berryclaw.


 * She knew that her father hated her. It was obvious.


 * Her brothers, Brackenpaw and Eaglepaw, were loved by Berryclaw. Well, he showed more affection towards them.


 * But Dawnpaw knew one thing her brothers didn't.


 * Berryclaw was waiting.


 * Waiting for his escape.


 * Mudpelt saw two figures, distant.


 * He purred to himself. His mother was worrying about him.


 * That made him happy.


 * He had joined WindClan for one simple reason- he admired Berryclaw.


 * He knew that his mother was putting up a fight to kill Berryclaw, and Berryclaw was winning.


 * Any cat that managed to overpower his mother was admirable, in Mudpelt's terms.


 * The next day, Berryclaw called to Dawnpaw, "Training, now!" His voice was cold.


 * Dawnpaw sighed and stood up, from where she was sharing a rabbit with Brackenpaw.


 * "Good luck," Brackenpaw whispered.


 * Dawnpaw nodded at him and walked to Berryclaw, who was standing at the entrance of the camp.


 * They walked in silence, until Dawnpaw couldn't take it anymore.


 * "You don't even love her," she mewed.


 * Berryclaw stopped. "What?"


 * "You don't love Airstar. Why did you-"


 * "Shut up, you piece of mouse-dung!" Berryclaw spat.


 * Dawnpaw took a step back. In all of her moons, Berryclaw had hated her, but he had never insulted her.


 * "I love Airstar," Berryclaw hissed.


 * "You don't!" Dawnpaw replied angrily. "I haven't seen you with her since the day I was apprenticed!"


 * Berryclaw gritted his teeth. "She's a leader, Dawnpaw."


 * "Then show some respect for her!" Dawnpaw screeched.


 * She turned and ran away. But not before Berryclaw reached out and clawed her side.


 * I'm leaving, Dawnpaw thought as she ran. If he hates me, I hate him, too.

Chapter 5

 * Nutpaw raced up to Littleclaw and yowled, "Trees die in fire!"


 * Littleclaw stared. "Nutpaw, what?"


 * "I like dirt!" Nutpaw replied proudly.


 * Littleclaw snorted.


 * There was a large sigh behind Littleclaw, and she turned around.


 * Marshtail was standing there.


 * "Go away," Littleclaw hissed. "I don't need to be seen with you!"


 * Marshtail looked taken aback. "I see it you're angry with me?" he prompted, sitting down.


 * Littleclaw hissed. "I'm going hunting," she muttered. She stormed off.


 * Behind her, she heard Marshtail yowl, "I'm coming with you!"


 * "No!" Littleclaw hissed. "I wanted to train Acornpaw."


 * "I can help you train him-"


 * "Go away," Littleclaw moaned. "You killed my last apprentice, and our father."


 * Marshtail's eyes darkened. "I said I was sorry!"


 * "Nothing can ever replace Smokestar!" Littleclaw screeched. "I'm not sure if I can trust you anymore, Marshtail."


 * And, aware of all eyes on her, she stormed out of the camp.


 * Dawnpaw stared after Brackenpaw in dismay. "You don't understand!" she yowled.


 * "Understand?" Brackenpaw asked. His voice was low, and he choked out every word. "I don't want to lose you to Berryclaw."


 * "I'm leaving because of him," Dawnpaw protested. "Brackenpaw, please. Let me go!"


 * Brackenpaw stared at his paws.


 * "Please," Dawnpaw pleaded.


 * At that moment, Eaglepaw bounded up to them. "What's going on?"


 * "Dawnpaw's leaving," Brackenpaw whispered.


 * Eaglepaw's eyes widened. "What- why?"


 * "I'm so tired of Berryclaw," Dawnpaw growled. "He doesn't even love Airstar."


 * Eaglepaw's tail fluffed up. "He doesn't."


 * Brackenpaw stared at Eaglepaw. "How- what?"


 * "There's this rogue named Boulder," Eaglepaw explained. "I think Berryclaw's falling for her."


 * "There's a ShadowClan cat named Boulderfoot," a voice whispered behind them.


 * Eaglepaw nearly leaped out of his pelt. "B-Berryclaw!"


 * "That's right," Berryclaw whispered.


 * Dawnpaw couldn't control her shaking. "G-go away."


 * "Why don't you?" Berryclaw shot back.


 * "She is," Brackenpaw mumbled.


 * Eaglepaw shot a glance at him.


 * "I am leaving," Dawnpaw mewed. "I'm leaving now!"


 * She raced out of camp.


 * She was safe. For now.

Chapter 6

 * Littleclaw stalked out of the camp and let herself disappear into the trees.


 * She was so tired of all the drama, of all the fear. She just wanted the cause dead.


 * Berryclaw had to die.


 * Dawnpaw shivered. The wind was cold.


 * Where could she go? She had just driven herself out of her home.


 * Then she had a thought- Littleclaw. Littleclaw could help her!


 * Mudpelt nodded as Airstar directed him onto a patrol with Berryclaw and some other cat.


 * "You're the new cat," Berryclaw growled as Mudpelt approached him.


 * "I am," Mudpelt replied smoothly. "Get over it."


 * Stoneheart stared at the mountain, the mountain where ThunderClan lived.


 * He let his mother's story settle in his mind- how Berryclaw had killed three cats, and almost Marshtail.


 * Then, in the end, he had gotten pushed off of a cliff.


 * Why can't he just go back there again? Stoneheart thought.


 * Littleclaw slipped through the woods, towards WindClan territory.


 * This was going to end.


 * She broke into a run.


 * Dawnpaw didn't even pause to think as she raced across the ShadowClan border.


 * She had to find Littleclaw, she was the only way...


 * The only way...


 * And with a gasp, she stopped.


 * Littleclaw hissed, her claws unsheathed instantly.


 * "What are you doing here?"


 * The intruder stood up. "I'm Dawnpaw," she mewed. "I escaped from my father. I want him dead."


 * The alliance was made.


 * The battle had begun.

Epilogue

 * Berryclaw stalked into camp, with Eaglepaw and Brackenpaw right behind him.


 * "I'm done," he spat.


 * "W-with what?" Brackenpaw stammered.


 * Berryclaw glared at him. "Be quiet."


 * Eaglepaw stepped closer to his littermate.


 * "What's going on?" a voice asked. Berryclaw saw Airstar bounding over, her eyes alight.


 * Berryclaw stared at his paws. I can't betray my mate.


 * "Berryclaw, is anything wrong?" Airstar asked hesitantly.


 * I'm going to betray her, I'm Berryclaw, for StarClan's sake! Berryclaw took a step forward, doing his best to not break eye contact.


 * "B-Berryclaw?" Airstar stammered.


 * "My name is Berry," Berryclaw snarled.


 * "B-but-" Brackenpaw stammered, but Berry cut him off:


 * "You're my kit, you're going to stay with me," Berry growled.


 * "W-what?" Airstar stammered.


 * "I'm leaving. I'm taking Brackenpaw and Eaglepaw with me," Berry growled. "How hard is that to understand?"


 * And with a hiss, he spun around and stalked out of camp. He was going to find Dawnpaw.


 * And kill her.


 * Mudpelt stared in awe as Berryclaw- Berry- stalked out of camp.


 * Airstar lowered her head in sadness, and Mudpelt bounded up to her.


 * "I'm staying with Berry," he whispered. "I'll keep them away from here."


 * Berry stalked across the moor, aware of Eaglepaw and Brackenpaw stumbling along behind him.


 * "Berryclaw!" a voice yowled.


 * Berry's heart glowed. It was Boulder.


 * He stopped and allowed Boulder to bound up to him, then continued at a slower pace.


 * "Berryclaw, where are you going?" Boulder asked.


 * "To kill the cats that tried to kill me," Berry snarled. "My name is Berry."


 * Boulder didn't look surprised. "I'll join you."


 * Berry stopped.


 * "What?" Boulder asked.


 * "Nothing," Berry murmured. Forget about that, he urged himself. You love her, show it!


 * He entwined his tail with hers. Boulder gasped.


 * Berry nodded.


 * And walked towards the battle.

The End