A cat makes their way towards the lake and the clans. They wonder if the cats that they remember best will still be there. The stars in silver pelt start to come out, and the setting sun turns the lake blood red. The cat has returned and is ready for vengeance to begin.
Jayfeather wakes and he and Briarlight go about their duties. She tells him what herbs they are running low on. She also gives him a clump of fur she found hidden for him to throw out. He doesn't tell her it is Hollyleaf's fur, instead he tells her he will throw it out while hiding it in his nest. Bumblestripe comes in, worried for Dovewing and her nightmares. But Jayfeather tells him he has no herb to cure her, only time will. Brambleclaw wakes up Ivypool and Dovewing. They look awful and he asks them why. Whitewing fusses over them and refuses to go on her patrol, insisting she needs to stay behind and care for her daughters. Jayfeather wonders who the fourth cat is, how they will even recognize him or her, and if that cat will even be in ThunderClan.
Ivypool, Dovewing, and Whitewing head out for their duties. Ivypool is upset that Jayfeather made Dovewing go with him to the mountains. She is worried that Dovewing could have been the one the eagle carried off. Whitewing fusses over them more, telling them that no matter what is going on she won't be shocked or love them less. Ivypool is willing to bet that isn't wholly true. Ivypool asks Dovewing if she is okay and Dovewing admits she is still having a hard time using her extra senses. The cats spot Jayfeather and Whitewing makes Ivypool go help him - even though Ivypool knows that Jayfeather would never want another cats help. They find the marigold plants but they have been eaten by rabbits. Ivypool is despairing until she notices someone gathered some marigolds and hid them on a branch of the tree. She collects them for Jayfeather then offers to rub fox scent around the eaten plants to scare the rabbits away so they won't eat them again. She helps Jayfeather bring the plants back to camp and he dismisses her. She asks Blossomfall for help for Blossomfall deliberately avoids her. Ivypool wonders if it is because Blossomfall is beginning to realize the Dark Forest is not a good place. She asks Birchfall for help instead and he agrees. As they leave camp Birchfall tells her that he saw her in the Dark Forest. Ivypool is upset but tries not to show it. She wonders if there is anyone left in her clan who she can trust. As they talk it is obvious that Birchfall doesn't realize what an evil place the Dark Forest is, and only sees it as an opportunity to become a better warrior. They gather the fox scent and put it around the marigold plants. Since now they smell like fox they go to the border between their territory and WindClan territory to rinse off. While their Breezepelt and Heathertail come along, threatening them for using the stream. Birchfall argues that the stream belongs to neither side and Ivypool just wants to leave. Breezepelt whispers to the cats that he does not wish to fight them so just go. But Heathertail cuts in, wishing to attack. Breezepelt responds that it isn't worth the fight but instead of taking Breezepelt's opening and leaving, Birchfall continues arguing and actually steps onto WindClan territory. The behavior of both Breezepelt and Birchfall upsets her. Breezepelt should not be siding with them over his clanmates and Birchfall should not be acting so argumentative. Just when Ivypool thinks that she will never escape fighting, Sorreltail and her hunting party comes along. She sides with the WindClan cats and orders Birchfall and Ivypool back onto their land.
Dovewing is collecting moss with her mother when some of her friends come along and ask her to hunt with them. With Whitewing's permission, she does. The cats have a race along the way then split up to hunt. While chasing a squirrel, Dovewing almost accidentally crosses the ShadowClan border, but she stops herself just in time. Tigerheart appears, warning Dovewing that Dawnpelt believes Jayfeather killed Flametail. Dovewing feels that this accusation is ridiculous. Tigerheart tells her that he doesn't believe it, he is just telling her because he doesn't want to be enemies. Dovewing tells him it is too late for that and leaves. As she goes the squirrel crosses her path. Annoyed because she knows Tigerheart chased it back she kills it for her clan.
Lionblaze is returning from a training session with Blossomfall and Foxleap when Sorreltail comes racing into the clearing, calling for Firestar. She tells him how she caught Birchfall and Ivypool about to fight with WindClan. Dustpelt is annoyed, since he feels they have enough problems without creating more. Poppyfrost's kits come tumbling out of the nursery, eager to fight. Lionblaze looks on the affectionately. He sees Cinderheart and the pain in her eyes. He knows she is wishing for kits with him and he wishes she could just see past the prophecy. Purdy tells Dovewing that Mousefur doesn't like the moss she collected. Graystripe tells Blossomfall and Bumblestripe to go collect feathers, which causes an argument because the young warriors are tired of doing apprentice duties. To prevent an argument, Firestar names Poppyfrost's kits as apprentices. After the naming ceremony (in which Molepaw didn't want to be made an apprentice until he was reassured it wasn't just about chores, to Firestar's amusement) Lionblaze asks Ivypool and Birchfall about the fight. Birchfall's answers shock him, and after the warrior leaves he asks Ivypool if she has seen Birchfall in the Dark Forest. She says no, but Lionblaze realizes that she does know he goes there, she just hasn't actually seem him there. They get into an argument about how little she reports back and Dovewing has to break it up. Ivypool stalks off and Lionblaze asks Dovewing to use her senses on WindClan. Dovewing is forced to admit she still can't use her power. Lionblaze assures her that things will be fine, but privately he wonders if the three have been reduced to two.
At first I was thinking the mysterious cat was Hollyleaf, but then I thought no because why would she be looking for vengeance? But I do think the marigold plants must have been saved by Hollyleaf. And I cannot believe Birchfall is in the Dark Forest! And acting so aggressive over the stream! Something has to give soon. Before everything is lost.
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