The first snow has begun. ShadeClan has not collected enough prey to last all leaf-bare. They were truly going through a deep struggle. "Talonstar!", a gray tabby queen meowed loudly to get Talonstar's attention. "What is it, Swiftheart?", Talonstar yowled across the clearing. "It's Wispykit! She's gotten into the catmint!" Talonstar muttered, "Wispykit's always getting into trouble..." Talonstar padded across the clearing and into the medicine cat's den. A small gray figure popped out of the herbs. "Wispykit!", Talonstar growled. She swayed her long, narrow tail in annoyance and hissed, "How many times do I have to tell you Wispykit?! Don't take the catmint!" "It was Blizzardkit's idea! Blame her!" The small brown and white tom kit replied "It was not!" "Was too!" Talonstar yowled, "Enough!!! Wispykit! Tell me the truth!" She narrowed her eyes at Wispykit. Suddenly, a black figure slided through the entrance."What do you need, Brambleclaw?", a silvery blue she-cat meowed. "I heard this little argument from the warrior's den! I think I can handle this." Brambleclaw glanced at Talonstar and then at Wispykit. "Wispykit, tell the truth. Was it your idea or not?", Brambleclaw said in a gentle voice. Brambleclaw and Wispykit were close, despite the troublemaking personality Wispykit had. "Yes, Brambleclaw.. It was my idea..." Wispykit lowered her head and drooped her tail. "I'm glad you told the truth, Wispykit. Talonstar will take care of your punishment, however.", the silvery blue cat meowed. "Thank you, Ravenfeather." Ravenfeather dipped her head and backed away.
* * *
Brambleclaw lied down and ate her vole with small, neat bites. When she was finished, she lowered her head and went to sleep. It has been many moons since she had a dream, but that streak broke that night. A dark tabby tom appeared out of a thick mist. "So, we finally meet, Brambleclaw?", the dark figure growled. "Wha--? Wh-who are you???", Brambleclaw hissed. The dark tom chuckled and flicked his tail in amusement. "You don't know me? Ha! Only a mouse-brained idiot wouldn't know!" He hissed with annoyance. His eyes flashed with treachery. Brambleclaw replied with a sharp tone, "Just tell me!" The dark tom padded up and stared at Brambleclaw without an answer. "I'm not going to tell you, but what I am going to do is..." The tom didn't finish his sentence and swiped at Brambleclaw with an unusually large claw. "Wha?!" The dream was cut off. Brambleclaw leaped in her nest and yowled, "THE DARK FOREST!!!!!"
