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Chapter Text

ThunderClan

Leader: Firestar - Handsome Ginger tom 

Deputy: Brambleclaw - dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes 

Medicine Cat: Leafpool - light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes

Apprentice, Jaypaw 

Warriors: 

Squirrelflight - dark ginger she-cat with green eyes 

Apprentice, Foxpaw 

Dustpelt - dark brown tabby tom 

Brook Where Small Fish Swim (Brook) - brown tabby she-cat 

Stormfur - dark gray tom with amber eyes 

Sandstorm - pale ginger she-cat 

Apprentice, Honeypaw

Cloudtail - long haired white tom 

Apprentice, Cinderpaw 

Brackenfur - golden brown tabby tom 

Apprentice, Hollypaw

Sorreltail - Tortoiseshell and white she-cat with amber eyes 

Rainwhisker - Dark gray tom with blue eyes 

Thornclaw - golden brown tabby tom 

Apprentice, Poppypaw 

Brightheart - white she-cat with ginger splotches 

Ashfur - pale gray (with darker flecks) tom with dark blue eyes 

Apprentice, Lionpaw 

Spiderleg - long limbed black tom with brown underbelly and amber eyes 

Whitewing - white she-cat with green eyes 

Apprentice, Icepaw 

Birchfall - light brown tabby tom 

Graystripe - long haired gray tom 

Berrynose - cream-colored tom 

Hazeltail - small gray and white she-cat

Mousewhisker - gray and white tom 

Apprentices:

Cinderpaw - gray tabby she-cat 

Honeypaw - light brown tabby she-cat 

Poppypaw - tortoiseshell she-cat 

Lionpaw - golden brown tabby tom with amber eyes 

Hollypaw - black she-cat with green eyes 

Jaypaw - gray tabby tom with blue eyes 

Foxpaw - reddish tabby tom 

Icepaw - White she-cat 

Queens: 

Ferncloud - pale gray with darker flecks she-cat with blue eyes

Daisy - cream colored long furred she-cat from the horseplace. (Mother of Rosekit and Toadkit) 

Millie - silver tabby she-cat 

Elders: 

Longtail - pale tabby tom with dark black stripes. Retired early due to failing sight 

Mousefur - small dusky brown she-cat

Purdy - brown tabby tom and the oldest cat in ThunderClan

Goldenflower - pale ginger she-cat 

ShadowClan

Leader: Blackstar - large white tom with jet black paws 

Deputy: Russetfur - dark ginger she-cat 

Medicine Cat: Littlecloud - very small tabby tom 

Warriors: 

Oakfur - small tabby tom 

Volewhisper - Light brown tom 

Rowanclaw - Ginger tom 

Smokefoot - black tom 

Apprentice, Owlpaw 

Ivytail - white and tortoiseshell she-cat 

Toadfoot - dark brown tom 

Crowfrost - black and white tom 

Apprentice, Olivepaw 

Nightwhisper - brown tom 

Nightwing - black she-cat 

Kinkfur - tabby she-cat with long fur that sticks out at all angles 

Ratscar - brown tom with a long scar on his back 

Apprentice, Shrewpaw 

Snaketail - dark brown tom with tabby striped tail 

Apprentice, Scorchpaw

Whitewater - white she-cat with long fur and is blind in one eye 

Apprentice, Redpaw 

Spiderfoot - gray tom 

Apprentices: 

Owlpaw - light brown tom 

Olivepaw - tortoiseshell she-cat

Shrewpaw - gray she-cat 

Scorchpaw - gray tom 

Redpaw - mottled brown and finger tom 

Queens: 

Tawnypelt - tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes (mother of Tigerkit, Flamekit, and Dawnkit) 

Snowbird - pure white she-cat 

Elders:

Cedarheart - dark gray tom 

Tallpoppy - long legged light brown she-cat

Boulder - pale gray tom and the oldest cat in ShadowClan

WindClan

Leader: Onestar - brown tabby tom 

Deputy: Ashfoot - gray she-cat 

Medicine Cat: Barkface - short-tailed brown Tom 

Apprentice, Kestrelpaw

Warriors: 

Tornear - Tabby tom

Crowfeather - dark gray tom 

Apprentice, Heatherpaw 

Owlwhisker - light brown she-cat 

Whitetail - small white she-cat 

Apprentice, Breezepaw

Nightcloud - black she-cat 

Weaselfur - ginger tom with white paws 

Harespring - brown and white tom

Leaftail - dark tabby tom with amber eyes 

Dewspots - spotted gray tabby she-cat 

Willowclaw - gray she-cat 

Antpelt - brown Tom with one black ear 

Emberfoot - gray tom with two dark paws 

Apprentices: 

Kestrelpaw - mottled grey tom 

Heatherpaw - light brown tabby she-cat 

Breezepaw - black tom with amber eyes 

Sunpaw - tortoiseshell she-cat 

Queens: 

Gorsetail - very pale gray and white she-cat with blue eyes (mother of Thistlekit, Sedgekit, and Swallowkit) 

Elders:

Webfoot - dark gray tabby tom 

Morningflower - very old tortoiseshell queen and the oldest cat in WindClan

Rushtail - light brown tom 

RiverClan 

Leader: Leopardstar - usually spotted golden tabby she-cat 

Deputy: Mistyfoot - gray she-cat with blue eyes 

Medicine Cat: 

Mothwing - dappled golden she-cat 

Apprentice, Willowpaw

Warriors: 

Blackclaw - smoky black tom 

Voletooth - small brown tabby tom

Apprentice, Minnowpaw 

Reedwhisker - black tom 

Mosspelt - tortoiseshell she-cat with blue eyes 

Apprentice, Pebblepaw 

Beechfur - light brown tom 

Rippletail - dark gray tabby tom 

Dawnflower - pale gray she cat 

Dapplenose - mottled gray she-cat 

Pouncetail - ginger and white she-cat 

Mintfur - light gray tabby tom 

Apprentice, Nettlepaw 

Otterheart - dark brown she-cat 

Pinefur - very short haired tabby she-cat 

Apprentice, Robinpaw 

Rainstorm - mottled gray-blue tom 

Duskfur - brown tabby she-cat 

Apprentice, Copperpaw 

Apprentices:

Willowpaw - small gray tabby she-cat 

Minnowpaw - gray and white she-cat 

Pebblepaw - mottled gray tom 

Nettlepaw - dark brown tabby tom 

Robinpaw - tortoiseshell and white tom 

Copperpaw - dark ginger she-cat 

Queens: 

Graymist - pale gray she-cat (mother of Sneezekit and Mallowkit) 

Icewing - white she-cat with blue eyes (mother of Beetlekit, Pricklekit, Petalkit, and Grasskit) 

Elders:

Swallowtail - dark tabby she-cat and the oldest cat in RiverClan 

Stonestream - gray tom

SkyClan  

Leader: Leafstar - Brown and cream tabby she-cat with amber eyes  

Deputy: Sharpclaw - Dark ginger tom  

Medicine Cat: Echosong - silver tabby she-cat with green eyes

Frecklewish - mottled light brown tabby she-cat with spotted legs 

Warriors: 

Macgyver - black and white tom 

Ebonyclaw - striking black she-cat  

Apprentice, Hawkpaw 

Harveymoon - white tom 

Billystorm - Ginger and white tom 

Apprentice, Pebblepaw 

Mistfeather - gray tom with amber eyes 

Waspwhisker - gray and white tom  

Apprentice, Duskpaw

Shrewtooth - skinny black tom

Egg - cream colored tom with a shredded ear

Sparrowpelt - dark brown tabby tom

Tinycloud -  small white she-cat 

Cherrytail - tortoiseshell and white she-cat 

Rockshade -  black tom 

Bouncefire - ginger tom

Apprentice, Blossompaw

Fallowfern - pale brown she-cat 

Rabbitleap - brown tom

Apprentice, Parsleypaw

Nettlesplash - pale brown tom 

Plumwillow - dark gray she-cat

Apprentice, Cloudpaw 

Creekfeather - gray tabby tom 

Firefern - ginger she-cat 

Stormheart - gray and ginger she-cat 

Harrybrook - gray tom 

Petalnose - pale gray she-cat 

Sagenose - pale gray tom 

Apprentices: 

Duskpaw - ginger tabby tom 

Hawkpaw - dark gray tom with yellow eyes 

Blossompaw - ginger and white she-cat 

Cloudpaw - white she-cat 

Pebblepaw - brown speckled she-cat with green eyes 

Parsleypaw - dark brown tabby tom 

Queens: 

Birdwing - black she-cat (mother to Curlykit, Fidgetkit, and Snipkit) 

Honeytail - pale ginger she-cat with long fur

Mintfur - tabby she-cat 

Elders: 

Tangle - ragged tabby tom wirh a torn ear and the oldest cat in SkyClan 

Clovertail - light brown she-cat

Patchfoot - black and white tom

Cats outside the Clans

Sol - brown and tortoiseshell long haired tom with yellow eyes

Barley - black and white tom 

Ravenpaw - sleek black and white tom with a white chest and tail tip 

Smoky - muscular gray and white tom 

Floss - A small gray and white she-cat 

Violet - pale orange tabby she-cat with dark orange stripes 

Bella -  pale orange she-cat with green eyes

Riley - pale gray tabby with dark gray stripes and blue eyes

Chapter Text

Firestar’s heart pounded in his chest as he tried to make sense of what was happening. His former friend Onestar, had led an attack on ThunderClan. RiverClan, led by Leopardstar, had joined him, and their assault had come without warning, launched in the dead of night. ThunderClan had been caught off guard, forced to fight back in the dark, defensive and overwhelmed. The worst part? Blackstar had refused to help. The ShadowClan leader believed that this was a ThunderClan issue, and that ShadowClan would not get involved in it. 

Firestar’s thoughts churned as he recalled when Tallstar had died, leaving Onewhisker deputy instead of Mudclaw, who had been deputy since Deadfoot’s death at the paws of BloodClan. Onewhisker relied on Firestar’s support, and Firestar gladly lended it when Mudclaw rebelled against Onewhisker’s leadership. Even when Onestar and Firestar’s friendship faded, Onestar had been there when ThunderClan needed it. 

Now though? Onestar has made his position clear. He, along with Leopardstar, wanted ThunderClan gone. The reason seemed simple: They saw ThunderClan as a threat, and Onestar, having been pushed around by Firestar in the past, now wanted to push ThunderClan out of their home. 

Firestar thought over how Onestar agreed to the current borders, and they it would be unusable for the speedy WindClan, but that didn’t matter, the territory was ThunderClan, and Onestar wanted them gone. Firestar thought, not for the first time, how he missed Tallstar’s steady guidance. He knew that Tallstar, at least, wouldn’t exile a clan. 

“Firestar” Brackenfur’s voice cut through the air “RiverClan’s coming from the direction of the Ancient Oak!” The panic in his voice was clear and Firestar understood the unspoken message: Without ShadowClan, they didn’t have the numbers to push them back. 

Not long ago, Firestar sent a chunk of his warriors to hold WindClan back at the stream, he had hoped that RiverClan wouldn’t be able to get passed ThunderClan’s border. Brambleclaw’s  group were supposed to keep RiverClan on WindClan’s moorland. The realization hit Firestar like a claw to the chest: ThunderClan was losing. 

Firestar opened his mouth to respond when Hazeltail, one of the cats he’d sent to the stream, burst into camp, her eyes wide with terror. “Firestar, we’re losing ground! Onestar’s leading the attack, and we can’t hold them for much longer!” 

Once again he thought about Onestar. First as an ally in the forest when he was Onewhisker, then as leader. Firestar didn’t just fight for Onestar because Tallstar made him deputy, but because Onestar seemed like the best cat to lead WindClan. Now, that same cat he had trusted and fought and bled for, was leading an attack to destroy all that Firestar had held dear. 

“Why Onestar?”  Firestar muttered to himself, grief filled his voice. He had so throughly believed in Onestar’s honor, but his former friend had no honor left. 

“Firestar?” Brackenfur’s worried voice broke through his thoughts “What do we do?”

Firestar’s lips pulled back into a snarl “Gather all able-bodied warriors and take them to the oak!” Firestar ordered “I’ll head down to the stream” 

Brackenfur nodded and he dashed into camp, Hazeltail following closely behind.

Firestar didn’t wait for more, he trusted Brackenfur to find as many warriors as he could. Firestar raced through the forest, heading towards the stream where his warriors were struggling to defend their borders. As he broke through the trees though, the scene in front of him made his heart turn to stone. 

Squirrelflight, Birchfall, Spiderleg, Honeypaw, and  Icepaw were locked in a desperate battle against WindClan. Squirrelflight was bleeding heavily, her breath coming in shallow gasps, yet she continued to fight, while Spiderleg was pinned underneath Leaftail. Heatherpaw spotted Firestar and she darted forward, but Icepaw leaped to defend her leader. Heatherpaw’s eyes flashed with fury and she slashed at Icepaw’s muzzle. In the center of the carnage, though, was Onestar, the leader of WindClan. 

“Onestar!” Firestar yowled, his claws unsheathing “How dare you drive us from our territory! Have you no shame?” 

Onestar’s amber eyes blazed with fury “Shame? You’ve meddled in every Clan’s business for seasons, Firestar. This is justice, you don’t belong here” 

With a roar, Firestar launched himself at Onestar, his claws raked down the WindClan leader’s shoulders, but Onestar twisted, biting into Firestar’s neck and driving him back. Pain flared through Firestar’s flank as Onestar’s claws tore into his flesh. 

Before Firestar could recover, Heatherpaw slammed into him, her small frame brimming with determination. “Get off my father, you fox heart!” She hissed, her claws swiping at his muzzle. Firestar growled, kicking Heatherpaw off him with his hind legs. As he stared at Heatherpaw and then at Onestar, his blood boiled with fury, the very cat who he felt he could trust with his life, now wanted to send him into exile, all because he wanted all four clans to stand strong. Perhaps Bluestar was wrong to save your Clan he thought bitterly 

He quickly leaped to Spiderleg’s side, and forced Leaftail with a swipe of his claws, but no matter how fiercely he fought, Firestar could see the truth: his warriors were outnumbered and outmatched. Squirrelflight was faltering , her strikes growing weaker, Birchfall stumbled, barely dodging a blow from Tornear. Icepaw pounced on Heatherpaw, but even she was getting weaker. Only Honeypaw and Stormfur seemed strong still. 

We can’t keep this up he realized “Retreat!” His voice rang out, sharp and final 

Spiderleg, Squirrelflight, and Stormfur exchanged confused, panicked glances “Firestar, you can’t be serious!” Squirrelflight protested, wincing

“We’re not beaten yet!” Firestar insisted, though the words sounded hollow to his own ears. He turned on his paws, signaling the retreat. His Clan followed, as WindClan surged forward, their yowls of triumph echoing through the trees. Firestar led his warriors back toward camp, dreading what he might find. 

When Firestar reached the clearing, his worst fears were confirmed. RiverClan had already breached the camp, and Brambleclaw was fending  off Voletooth, while Lionpaw fought Rippletail and Reedwhisker, his youth and inexperienced replaced by terrifying skill. Brightheart was battling alongside Sandstorm, but both she-cats were bloodied and struggling 

Firestar leaped into the fray, slamming into Blackclaw and driving him back from Thornclaw “Hold the line!” He shouted “Protect the camp!” 

Firestar saw that Brook, Poppypaw, and Graystripe blocked the entrance to the camp. Owlwhisker leapt at the entrance, but Graystripe quickly jumped at Owlwhisker, and hit his shoulder, clawing his flanks with his front legs. Owlwhisker struggled to free himself, but once he did, he ran back into the WindClan line. 

Almost every able-bodied warrior was fighting to prevent the invading cats from getting into the camp, there was still a hope in every ThunderClan warrior that they could push RiverClan and WindClan back into their own territories, but Firestar was realizing he was fighting a losing battle. His warriors were exhausted, outnumbered, and pinned on every side. 

Blackclaw and Duskfur lunged at Whitewing and Birchfall, while Dustpelt fought Heatherpaw and Beechfur by himself, and even Brambleclaw, the Clan deputy, struggled to shove Rainstorm off of him, and when he did, blood trickled down from the open wound. 

“Firestar, what do we do? We can’t hold them off much longer!” Brambleclaw asked, his amber eyes wide with desperation. 

Every inch of Firestar’s body wanted to find a way to win this, to secure ThunderClan’s place by the lake. He felt his throat tighten, and he found it hard to breathe. He had spent his life defending ThunderClan, swearing to protect them at all costs. But now… he was faced with an impossible choice. 

“I’m sorry, Brambleclaw,” he whispered “ThunderClan must survive” 

Brambleclaw’s eyes widened in horror as Firestar raised his voice “Mousewhisker, Whitewing, Cloudtail - get the elders and queens out of camp! Move them now!” 

The three warriors hesitated, but when Firestar lashed his tail, they obeyed, sprinting towards the dens. 

“Everyone else, hold the line!” Firestar commanded “We need to buy them time!” 

Every ThunderClan warrior had despair, anger, and grief in their eyes, but that didn’t stop the ferocity of their battle. Sandstorm and Hollypaw jumped on Voletooth and Beechfur, while Stormfur, Brook, and Graystripe jumped on Leopardstar. 

Firestar threw himself at Pinefur, biting into her shoulder. Pinefur, in desperation, clawed at his back, but Firestar clawed at Pinefur’s belly and tossed her onto the ground, and the wounded RiverClan warrior ran off. He fought with every ounce of strength in his body, but his vision was starting to blur. He was exhausted and he was losing quite a bit of blood. 

Just a few heartbeats later, Mousewhisker returned, and his eyes betrayed the fear and horror he was feeling. “The queens, elders, Leafpool and Jaypaw are outside the camp. But Firestar,” the young warrior’s voiced was full of grief “please don’t make us leave. This is our home” 

Firestar’s heart ached at the young warrior’s plea, but he forced himself to stay strong “I’m sorry Mousewhisker,” he said softly “ThunderClan must retreat” the words felt like an execution.

As soon as the words were spoken, the clearing fell silent, save for the yowls of their enemies. One by one, the ThunderClan cats began to pull back, their movements slow and reluctant. Firestar led the retreat, his head held high despite the crushing weight of defeat 

As he glanced back at the camp, he saw Onestar and Leopardstar standing together, their eyes gleaming with triumph. Firestar turned away, his tail lashing. He could only hope StarClan was watching, and that they wouldn’t abandon ThunderClan in their darkest hour. 

——————————————————————

Up in StarClan, the ancestors watched in stunned silence. Bluestar’s gaze blazed with fury as she stared at the scene below

“Is this what we fought for?” Bluestar hissed “Is this why we led the Clans to the lake? For Onestar to chase them away?” 

Tallstar was silent, his eyes clouded with grief “I never thought Onestar would do this,” he murmured “I trusted him” 

“Trusted him?” Bluestar snapped, her tail lashing “You made him leader! And now ThunderClan is paying the price.” 

Tallstar opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn’t muster any words

“I thought Firestar was supposed to be the blazing fire that would save the Clan, not a coward” Dappletail growled from beside Bluestar 

“He is no coward,” Bluestar retorted, her voice low but fierce “He made the only choice he could. ThunderClan will survive, and that is what matters”

But there was fear in Dappletail’s voice “Will they survive? Alone?” 

Bluestar’s eyes narrowed “They will. They have us, their ancestors, to guide them. ThunderClan’s ancestors will walk with them in exile, we will not abandon them” 

But Jagged Peak’s voice was cautionary “You cannot control the living Bluestar. You cannot speak to them if they do not find a place for you” 

Bluestar’s eyes gleamed with resolve “ThunderClan will find their way, even without StarClan”

Tallstar’s eyes burned with frustration and anger “Onestar betrayed everything we stood for. He made this choice, this cruel choice, and it will haunt him.”

“Onestar was not the leader you thought he was” Brambleberry spoke gently but firmly 

“We must show that StarClan will not stand for the exile of yet another Clan” Jagged Peak added 

Thunderstar looked down “Firestar is leading his Clan, and it is time for ThunderClan’s ancestors to guide them, wherever they may go.” 

Half Moon, who had remained silent the whole time, finally spoke “Good luck, ThunderClan.” She mewed solemnly as the ThunderClan ancestors followed ThunderClan into exile. 

——————————————————————

Back in the living world, Firestar led his Clan onward, his heart heavy with the weight of defeat. Behind him, Brambleclaw ensured no cat was left behind. They were exiled, driven from the lake. 

Onestar had won, but Firestar’s resolve burned brighter than ever. ThunderClan would survive. No matter what it took. 

Firestar thought about the battle that condemned the Clan, and he found himself less angry with Blackstar than the others. He hadn’t fought against them, though his inaction had condemned ThunderClan. Still, at least ShadowClan hadn’t chased them out, but Onestar and Leopardstar… his heart burned with fury whenever he thought of them. 

His gaze flickered back to Daisy, carrying her two kits, Rosekit and Toadkit. Spiderleg shot her a glance before doing nothing. Berrynose, seeing the hesitation, stepped in to carry Toadkit so Daisy could focus on Rosekit. Purdy walked slowly, with Longtail not far behind. Mousefur, slower and frailer, struggled. Leafpool was there, supporting the elder. 

Some of the worst wounded, Squirrelflight, Dustpelt, and Icepaw, had fallen to the back of the group, but Leafpool, Jaypaw, and Brambleclaw was ensuring that they did not get left behind. 

Some of his warriors had criticized him for fleeing, but back when he got his nine lives, Brindleface gave him a life for Protection and Silverstream gave him a life to do what was right. Firestar’s first priority was to ensure that ThunderClan survived.

“Firestar, where are we going to go?” Graystripe’s voice was thick with worry. His long fur was matted with blood, but the wounds were shallow. 

“I have an idea, Graystripe” Firestar murmured, though doubt gnawed at him. The forest was lost to them, so the Moonstone was off limits, and the Moonpool was at the lake, where they just got exiled, and the Cave of the Pointed Stones was in the Tribe’s territory, so that left the Whispering Cave in the gorge as the only choice left.

Graystripe’s eyes widened, his friend understood what he meant. While he had not journeyed to the gorge, he did hear everything about it from Firestar. “You want to go to the Gorge? With SkyClan there?” His voice held disbelief “Are you sure? You’d have to tell the Clan about SkyClan’s history” 

Firestar nodded “I know, but it’s the only place we can reach StarClan. We can’t go back to the forest or the lake, and the Tribe won’t allow us to use the Cave of the Pointed Stones”

Graystripe hesitated and then sighed “I wouldn’t mind using the cave” he said softly and Firestar remembered with a pang that Graystripe’s daughter, Feathertail, walked in both StarClan and the Tribe of Endless Hunting. Firestar rested his tail on Graystripe’s back for a moment 

“I know, Graystripe,” Firestar murmured “But for now, the Whispering Cave is our only option. Unless we decide to wander until we find somewhere suitable.” 

Graystripe sighed “You’re right. We need to go to the Gorge.” 

Firestar turned back, the cats of ThunderClan were exhausted, not just from the battle, but from the journey they just had to take. Leafpool and Jaypaw never got the chance to check the wounds of the cats and they didn’t even have any herbs. He didn’t want to push it, especially considering how severe some of the wounds were. 

Firestar took a deep breath and stopped “ThunderClan, this seems as good a place as any to rest for the night.” He looked over his clan, even the most energetic apprentice and kit was exhausted. Firestar felt a pang of guilt, he felt like there was more he could have done to defeat Onestar and Leopardstar, but those were just hypotheticals, right now, he needed tos try strong for his Clan. 

Brackenfur’s voice broke the silence “Firestar, I understand why you made the decision you did, but where are we supposed to go? The forest has to be completely destroyed by this point” 

“Of course we don’t know where to go,” Dustpelt snapped, wincing in pain “Onestar and Leopardstar drove us out of our own land, we’re stranded” He shot Firestar an accusing look “Maybe staying would have been better, at least we wouldn’t be lost” 

“But we’d be dead,” Thornclaw retorted, his voice tight with anger “Onestar and Leopardstar didn’t fight like warriors, they fought like cowards. They attacked under the cover of night and forced us out. I’d rather be alive, angry, and lost, than dead.” 

“We should have fought harder!” Spiderleg hissed 

“Fought harder?” Stormfur snapped back “Some of us are badly hurt, Spiderleg, including your father and sister! If we fought any harder, we’d have looked like we were part of LionClan” 

“Enough!” Firestar ordered, raising his voice to silence the bickering. The Clan quieted, waiting for his words “It’s true that Onestar and Leopardstar betrayed StarClan and the Warrior Code by exiling us, but I do have a plan. I know one place where we can still speak to StarClan” 

The cats murmured, their curiosity piqued. Firestar saw Sandstorm’s gaze soften as she understood what he was hinting at. 

“Where?” Thornclaw asked, breaking the silence 

“Why didn’t you tell us about this earlier?” Dustpelt asked, his tone sharp “When we moved to the lake, you kept quiet about a place where we could talk to StarClan? The lake wasn’t even a sure thing for us!” 

Firestar nodded, meeting Dustpelt’s gaze “I didn’t say anything because StarClan led us to the lake, but there is a place to the north, in the gorge. It’s called the Whispering Cave, it’s where we can still speak to StarClan” 

Dustpelt’s ear twitched, but he didn’t argue further. Spiderleg, however, wasn’t silent “And how do you know about this cave he challenged

Firestar drew in a deep breath, bracing himself “I know because, shortly after Brambleclaw became a warrior, StarClan gave me a mission. It led me to that very gorge, and I learned something that has been kept secret for generations. There wasn’t just four Clans in the forest. There was five” 

The Clan gasped, murmurs rising among them. Dustpelt, his eyes wide, stood up, wincing from his injuries. “Five Clans? What are you talking about? There have always been four, haven’t we all been told that?” 

Firestar met his gaze firmly “There were five Clans. ThunderClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, RiverClan, and SkyClan. SkyClan’s territory was the old Twolegplace, and they came to the other Clans for help when their land was destroyed, but we refused to give them territory, so they were exiled and their ancestors left StarClan to follow them into exile” 

“That sounds familiar” Thornclaw muttered under his breath 

Firestar nodded “SkyClan ended up in the gorge. Sandstorm and I went to help rebuild SkyClan as StarClan asked of me. I chose to keep their history quiet, especially after BloodClan. No one would have accepted the idea of a fifth Clan, not so soon, but now, we must live near SkyClan’s territory, to communicate with our ancestors.”

The Clan was silent for a long while, until Sorreltail spoke up “So we’re not the first Clan to be exiled. I hope SkyClan is willing to let us use this Whispering Cave” 

Firestar nodded “As do I, Sorreltail.” He turned to his deputy “Brambleclaw, set up guards. We’re in unfamiliar territory, I don’t want anything sneaking up on us” 

Brambleclaw nodded “Of course, Firestar” 

“Leafpool, Jaypaw,” he turned to his medicine cats “Gather whatever herbs you can find, but don’t stray too far” 

Leafpool hesitated “Firestar, Squirrelflight, Dustpelt, and Icepaw are in bad shape, and I still need to check the others, I don’t want to leave them in case their condition gets worse.”

Firestar nodded, his gut tightening with anxiety when he thought about Squirrelflight “But you need herbs” he protested 

Leafpool nodded “Jaypaw can take Sandstorm, Hollypaw, and Brightheart, they know what herbs we need.” She reminded him

Firestar nodded “Right. Jaypaw, can you-“

Jaypaw’s response was sharp “Of course I can handle it, Firestar. I’m not a kit”

Leafpool glared at Jaypaw, but Firestar knew it would do any good. “Jaypaw,” she hissed “That’s no way to speak to your Clan leader” 

Jaypaw shrugged “It is when he’s being mouse brained” 

Normally, Firestar would have been angry, but the fact that Jaypaw was acting like his usual self was a sign of normalcy, which was oddly reassuring “Just don’t take too long, this is unfamiliar territory”

As Jaypaw, Brightheart, Sandstorm, and Hollypaw left the makeshift camps Firestar found himself looking around. Cloudtail and Brook were keeping watch while the Clan tried to get some rest. He noted with quiet concern that Lionpaw had no injuries, despite the chaos of the battle. 

Could it be? He thought of the prophecy Skywatcher had given him long ago. “There will be three, kin of your kin, with the power of the stars in their paws”

Lionpaw, Hollypaw, and Jaypaw fit that description. We’re they the ones the Prophecy spoke of? Firestar resolved to keep a closer eye on them 

“Firestar, can I have a word?” Whitewing’s voice broke through his thoughts. She was Cloudtail’s daughter, and Firestar couldn’t help but wonder if she, too, could be one of the three. No, that didn’t make sense. He would have noticed something by now. 

“Of course, Whitewing.” Firestar said, his thoughts shifting “But you should get some rest soon. It’s a long journey to the gorge”

“I know” Whitewing hesitated. “That’s actually what I wanted to ask you about. This SkyClan… you think they’ll accept us settling near them?”

Firestar thought for a moment before answering “The Clans have lived side by side for more seasons than any cat can count. It’s rare for a Clan to leave the others, let alone turn against them. Battle, yes. Wanting to kill an entire Clan or otherwise doom them? No, that’s rarer. Most leaders aren’t like Brokenstar or Onestar”

Whitewing’s gaze remained troubled “But SkyClan has been isolated for so long. What if they’re different? What if they’re more hostile than we expect?”

Firestar met her gaze firmly “If they are, then we’ll fight for our place, but I trust Leafstar. She’s always been a reasonable cat, if she still the same, then we’ll be able to settle there, safely”

Whitewing nodded, though doubt still lingered in her eyes “I’m just not sure I ever imagined we’d be without a home again. I thought Onestar and Leopardstar would do better than this” 

“I thought so too,” Firestar’s voice softened, a trace of sadness creeping into his words. “To tell you the truth, I’m not surprised Leopardstar would turn on us. But Onestar… I never thought he had this in him. Tallstar was a leader who led WindClan with honor and independence. I held a lot of respect for him, and I thought Onestar would follow in his paw steps. But now…” Firestar’s voice trailed off, as his heart tightened with grief and fury 

Whitewing let out a shaky sigh “Onestar saved us from the badgers. Why would he do that, only to turn around and exile us?”

Firestar closed his eyes, taking a deep breath to steady himself. Every thought of Onestar since the attack filled him with rage and the pain of the betrayal was like a fire in his chest. He swallowed hard, keeping his voice even. “I don’t know, Whitewing, but Onestar got what he wanted. ThunderClan is no longer at the lake, and no WindClan cat should cross our path now. We’ll survive this. Now, go rest. We have a long journey ahead”

Whitewing nodded, her shoulders slumping as she turned away “Alright Firestar” she padded over to the other warriors, curling up besides Birchfall, but the tension in her posture was clear, as if she couldn’t quite relax 

Firestar’s own weariness was overwhelming, stronger than the simmering fury inside him. He shuffled through the moss, seeking some semblance of comfort, but sleep came slowly, as it always did when the weight of the world pressed down on him. 

Chapter Text

Nightwhisper yawned as he hauled himself out of the warrior’s den, blinking away the sleep from his eyes. He has been assigned to the Dawn Patrol by the Clan deputy, Russetfur. He was to go with Ivytail, Volewhisper, and Nightwing. Nightwhisper had never really appreciated going on Dawn Patrols, but Russetfur was adamant that he go on this Dawn Patrol, and Nightwhisper knew better than to argue with the deputy. 

Nightwhisper padded over to where Ivytail, Volewhisper, and Nightwing were waiting, and the patrol’s leader, Ivytail, nodded at Nightwhisper “I see you’re finally up, I was about to send Volewhisper to get you up” Ivytail mewed coldly. 

“Well, I’m awake now, so we can get this patrol started” Nightwhisper mewed, embarrassment flooding his pelt. Even though he had been a part of ShadowClan for several years now, getting up in time for the Dawn Patrol had never been a skill he mastered, and a cat had always had to wake him up. 

Ivytail snorted but said nothing, as she led the patrol out of ShadowClan’s camp, and Volewhisper flashed Nightwhisper a sympathetic look. 

“Which border are we going to first? RiverClan or ThunderClan?” Nightwing asked Ivytail, who paused for a moment, as if she hadn’t considered which border they’d mark first, but if Ivytail had been uncertain, she didn't show it. 

“We will go to the RiverClan border first, RiverClan has always been a bigger threat than the Kittypet Clan” Ivytail flicked her tail and jumped into the marsh, forcing Nightwing, Nightwhisper, and Volewhisper to rush after the patrol leader. As they ran after Ivytail, Nightwhisper often wondered why so many ShadowClan cats were so bigoted. He was not Clanborn, neither was Boulder or Russetfur, and they’d all been extremely loyal, heck, Boulder had been given the right to retire to the elders, and if he didn’t just have the one name ‘Boulder’, then no cat would think he wasn’t Clanborn. 

Eventually, the patrol stopped running, as Ivytail lifted her tail, causing the other three cats to stop “Why are we stopping?” Nightwhisper asked, this was not the RiverClan border, they still had some distance to go before they got there. 

“Quiet,” Ivytail hissed “Do you smell that?” Ivytail’s muscles were tensed, as if she expected that whatever she had scented would pounce out of the woods if any cat said another word. Cautious, Nightwhisper lifted his mouth to sniff whatever Ivytail had smelled, and with a jolt, he realized why Ivytail had been so tense 

“Badger.” Volewhisper’s voice was barely more than a whisper, and Nightwhisper understood why. Badgers were a threat to any cat, and many cats had been killed by badgers in both territories, it wasn’t long ago that badgers attacked ThunderClan’s camp and killed two of their cats. Regardless of Clan rivalry, a fear of badgers was shared by all the Clans. 

“Is the scent fresh?” Nightwing asked, her eyes wide with fear, and Ivytail bared her teeth in a silent snarl 

“It must have been by not long ago, it’s probably still in our territory, eating our prey.” Ivytail’s claws unsheathed and they dug into the mud, although Ivytail made no moves in the direction of the badger’s scent 

“When we return to camp, we sh-” Nightwhisper was cut off by Ivytail putting her tail over his mouth, silencing him, her eyes staring at him coldly. 

“Did you not pay attention to your mentor as an apprentice, when there’s a badger or a fox nearby, you always stay quiet. Your mentor must have failed to teach you that lesson” Ivytail mewed quietly in a mocking tone  before removing her tail from Nightwhisper’s mouth and taking a light step forward “We will alert Blackstar to this badger when we return to camp” she mewed at last, and led the patrol silently away from the badger’s stench

But Nightwhisper was furious. Ivytail had just silenced him so she’d be able to take credit for the idea to tell Blackstar of the badger, even though that is the most obvious thing a warrior should say, but that wasn’t the part that angered him. No, what infuriated him was the fact that Ivytail mocked the fact that he never had a mentor. 

Nightwhisper had never been proud of the way he became a warrior of ShadowClan. He was born outside the Clans as a rogue named Mowgli, and he had always envied the life the Clan cats had lived, but he never could live such a life, at least, until he allied himself with Tigerstar - Tigerclaw then - and did, admittedly heinous acts that finally allowed him to become a warrior of ShadowClan. He still had nightmares of all the blood he'd spilled when he fought side by side with the dark tabby 

But while some of Tigerstar’s rogues fled to BloodClan when Tigerstar died, Nightwhisper stayed with ShadowClan, and he thought he had long since earned the respect of the Clan. Sure, Ivytail was just one warrior, but it still bothered him greatly. Surely being a little loud isn’t enough to lose all the goodwill he’d built up in ShadowClan? 

Nightwhisper shook his head. No, Ivytail must just be on a power trip, after all, she was made a warrior not long ago and was patrol leader. Perhaps she was acting this way just so she could feel power over the more senior warriors. Regardless, he must not let one comment distract him from the patrol, which, more than anything, would be unfitting for a ShadowClan warrior. 

Eventually, the patrol made it to the border with RiverClan, and Nightwing and Volewhisper renewed the scent markings, while they did so, Nightwhisper sniffed the air “I don’t smell anything out of the ordinary” he mewed

Ivytail’s ears twitched in annoyance before she slowly nodded in agreement “Yes, RiverClan’s scent is on their side of the border, and there’s no sign that they have stolen our prey.” Ivytail sounded disappointed, whether that was because Nightwhisper was right or if she wanted to fight RiverClan, though, Nightwhisper wasn’t sure. 

He was aware that Ivytail wanted ShadowClan to fight with ThunderClan against WindClan and RiverClan when Brambleclaw came to ShadowClan for help, claiming that Onestar and Leopardstar wanted to exile the Clan, but Blackstar had decided to not join the fight, even though several warriors, including Tawnypelt and Rowanclaw, had advised joining the fight. Ivytail was no fan of ThunderClan, so Nightwhisper suspected that she just really wanted to be in a battle as a warrior.

It wasn’t long before Nightwing and Volewhisper returned and Ivytail informed them that nothing was out of the ordinary. While Volewhisper looked pleased, Nightwing also looked annoyed, and Nightwhisper wondered just how many ShadowClan cats were itching for a fight, and he wondered if he was somehow wrong to not want fights with the other Clans. 

Ivytail looked around at the patrol before wordlessly turning to lead them to the ThunderClan border. As they journeyed, Volewhisper slowed down to walk beside Nightwhisper “Do you think Blackstar should have joined the battle a few nights ago?” he asked curiously 

Nightwhisper shrugged “I think it’d be better to have at least one Clan in our debt than none,” he replied slowly “I don’t think ThunderClan was at risk of being exiled, but we probably should have helped them, yes.” It was not lost on Nightwhisper how ironic that was, and he wondered how Tigerstar would react if he heard him say those words. 

Volewhisper nodded “I agree, but we missed one battle. The way some of these cats are acting, you’d think we missed the battle of a lifetime” he mewed, causing Nightwhisper to scoff 

“A lot of these cats weren’t around for the battle with BloodClan, and the raids some of us did to get Tigerstar into ShadowClan. You and I know what a battle of a lifetime is like, and I’d like to be in StarClan before we ever have another one” Nightwhisper replied 

Volewhisper nodded solemnly, and Nightwhisper was reminded of the fact that Volewhisper was apprenticed early during Brokenstar’s leadership, and had to be hidden away by Nightstar - Nightpelt then - and the other ShadowClan elders and Clawface. He only returned to the Clan properly when Brokenstar and his followers fled the Clan. If there was any cat in the Clan who understood the wisdom of picking your fights, it was probably Volewhisper “I suspect that’s part of why Blackstar was hesitant to join the battle. Mistake or not, that was the decision that was made, and I think it’s pointless to be hung up on it” Volewhisper replied at last 

Nightwhisper didn’t have anything to say to that. He knew Blackstar back when he was a rogue, and he was a brutal warrior back then, willing to fulfill Tigerclaw’s every whim. The fact he was as reasonable a leader as he was, is nothing short of a miracle, and Nightwhisper was thankful for Blackstar’s current restraint, and Nightwhisper wondered if StarClan had given him some wisdom at his nine lives ceremony.

Eventually, the patrol made it to the ThunderClan border, and Nightwhisper knew it had to be the ThunderClan border because he recognized the tree that marked part of the border, yet, when he sniffed the air, he was shocked to not smell any ThunderClan scent at all. The rest of the patrol must have not noticed it, because Ivytail and Nightwing took a few paw steps over the border when Volewhisper spoke 

“Ivytail, Nightwing, you’re crossing the border” The senior warrior informed them, causing Ivytail to spin around, anger blazing in her green eyes

“I’m not a new apprentice!” she hissed “I know what ThunderClan smells like, and we haven’t smelled it yet” Ivytail lashed her tail, slapping Nightwing in her muzzle with it. Nightwing, though, looked unsure and took a sniff of the air, and turned her head to Ivytail 

“Um, Ivytail, Volewhisper’s right. We’re currently standing on ThunderClan territory, not ShadowClan territory.” she mewed to the young warrior, who looked puzzled and looked at Volewhisper and Nightwing as if they were crazy. 

“The border is right here,” Nightwhisper added, internally feeling some glee at being able to prove Ivytail wrong about something “Nightwing and Volewhisper just have better noses than you do, it seems” 

Ivytail bristled in fury, but before she could do anything, Volewhisper raised a paw, attempting to diffuse the situation “Let’s get back on topic,” he glanced at Nightwhisper disapprovingly before turning his head back to Ivytail and Nightwing, beckoning them to come forward, off ThunderClan territory with his tail “Why is this scent so faded?” he asked

As Ivytail and Nightwing came back, Ivytail sniffed the air at the border, her fur standing on end again, but not in anger this time. It looked more like alarm “I can barely even smell ThunderClan’’s putrid scent,” Ivytail muttered, “It smells a few days old, at least.” 

Nightwhisper sniffed the air and, with a jolt, he realized that Ivytail was right, the scent was days old the scent was about as old as…

“Could ThunderClan have truly been driven out?” Nightwhisper asked, his voice shaky with the thought. He had heard that WindClan had been driven out by ShadowClan's villainous leader Brokenstar, but surely the Clans had learned to not exile a Clan right? Four Clans like the four oaks at Fourtrees in the old forest. 

Ivytail whipped around to glare at him “Nonsense, ThunderClan just got lazy, they have taken in several kittypets, and are even led by one. They just decided not to mark this border.” Ivytail spoke confidently, but Volewhisper and Nightwing seemed less certain 

“If that was the case, then why wouldn’t they have stopped when Firestar became leader?” Volewhisper questioned “No, I agree with Nightwhisper. Something is going on, whether they’ve been exiled or badly wounded, something is going on.” 

“Yeah, no Clan would leave their borders unmarked unless they were unable to. It would make them look weak” Nightwing added, her ears twitching in thought

Ivytail shook her head “No. ThunderClan may be weak, but Leopardstar and especially Onestar would never exile a Clan. Remember Onestar was alive when WindClan first got exiled, and besides, Onestar and Firestar are friends, this just has to be laziness.” Ivytail’s eyes glittered with an idea “Maybe we can even attack ThunderClan, get them to give us more territory, like the clearing Firestar so nicely handed us” 

Volewhisper sighed “Perhaps Blackstar made you a warrior too soon, Ivytail.” He muttered in frustration “We should head back, anyway. Blackstar will want to hear our report.” 

Nightwing nodded “Yes, ThunderClan not marking their border is a serious thing. I don’t think even Blackstar would be pleased by that” 

“That’s true,” Nightwhisper added “But Blackstar also needs to know about the badger in our territory” 

Nightwing nodded, although she tilted her head to the side “But what if this badger is Midnight? We wouldn’t want to harm her.” 

Nightwhisper thought about that, Midnight was the only badger who was a friend to the Clans. She had warned the traveling clans about the destruction of the forest and even tried to help ThunderClan when the other badgers attacked. For some reason, Midnight seemed like an ally to the Clans, although that wasn’t something Nightwhisper was going to complain about 

“Perhaps we should have Tawnypelt sniff it, she is the only one of ShadowClan to meet Midnight, maybe she can tell us” Nightwhisper suggested, leading Ivytail to widen her eyes in shock 

“You want to risk the life of a nursery queen on the possibility this could maybe be Midnight?” She asked in shock, and Nightwhisper had to admit it sounded pretty awful when put like that. He felt his fur grow hot with embarrassment.

“Well n-no, but if this is Midnight, Tawnypelt is the only cat in ShadowClan that can tell the difference, and I’m sure you don’t want the other Clans to know we have a badger problem.” Nightwhisper defended 

Ivytail shook her head “Not an option, Nightwhisper. We’re not risking a nursery queen’s life on the possibility that this is the one good badger” Ivytail’s voice took on a mocking tone near the end, and Nightwhisper felt both angry for being mocked and demeaned in this way by a cat who hadn’t been a warrior for even two seasons, but he also understood the opposition here. 

“Alright, I won’t mention the thought to Blackstar,” Nightwhisper replied. Ivytail gave no sign that she heard him, and both Nightwing and Volewhisper gave Nightwhisper a disapproving look, and that, more than anything, frustrated Nightwhisper. I made a bad suggestion, don't act like I broke the warrior code he thought indignantly 

Eventually, the patrol returned to ShadowClan camp, where Russetfur sat, her tail around her paws “It is almost sunhigh,” Russetfur mewed, the old cat’s glare piercing into the patrol. “What took you so long?” 

Ivytail took a moment to reply, her tail fluffing up, whether in anxiety or frustration was not certain to Nightwhisper “We have two major bits of information from our patrol” Ivytail meowed, her voice was slow, as if she had chosen her words carefully. 

Russetfur’s tail twitched “Well? Out with it, I’m not a mind reader.” She snapped

“Well-“ Ivytail shifted her paws before Volewhisper took over, his tail twitching in frustration 

“The first thing we found was badger scent near the RiverClan border. It was very fresh, so we think it might still be in the territory somewhere.” He mewed, and Russetfur nodded in understanding. 

“Yes, a badger is a threat to the Clan, but it could have wandered into RiverClan territory too.” She pointed out and narrowed her eyes "You didn't try to follow the scent, did you?" 

"No, of course not." Volewhisper replied and then nodded to Nightwhisper "There was something more important that we discovered" 

Nightwhisper nodded “Yes, we discovered that ThunderClan had not marked their border in days. From the scent, the last-“While Nightwhisper was talking, Ivytail took the time to speak loudly to finish his thought 

“The last time it was marked was the day Brambleclaw sought us for help!” Ivytail finished and quickly flashed Nightwhisper a defiant glance, and Nightwhisper just snarled in response. 

Russetfur blinked in surprise, seemingly ignoring Ivytail's interruption “ThunderClan hasn’t marked their border since that day? You’re sure?”  

Volewhisper nodded “We independently verified it, certainly, ThunderClan hasn’t marked it. Ivytail and Nightwing accidentally crossed the border due to how long it had been since it was last marked.” 

Uncertainty flashed through Russetfur’s eyes for a brief moment “I’ll report this to Blackstar. Go get something from the fresh-kill pile, you’ve earned it.” She stood up and padded over to Blackstar’s den, not letting any other cat get another word in.

Ivytail padded away to the fresh-kill pile, taking a large frog from the pile, with Nightwing and Volewhisper taking a lizard and newt respectively from the pile as well. Nightwhisper began to pad over to the pile when he saw Boulder slink out of the elders’ den. Boulder had been the oldest cat in the Clan since Runningnose died of Greencough several seasons ago, although he was only older than Russetfur by a few moons, and Nightwhisper often wondered if Boulder retired too early, as Russetfur was still one of the best fighters in the Clan

“Nightwhisper,” Boulder called to him “I see you’ve returned from your patrol.” he mewed as he walked out of the elder's den, his blue eyes looking at him curiously

“Yeah, we took a bit longer than usual because we found some unsettling stuff,” Nightwhisper said as he and Boulder padded to the fresh-kill pile, Nightwhisper pulled out a fat rat and offered it to the elder. The gray tom nodded gratefully  and bit into the rat, and didn’t start talking until Nightwhisper pulled out a lizard for himself  

“Yeah, I overheard your report to Russetfur. ThunderClan not marking their borders and a badger, huh” Boulder looked at Nightwhisper, concern in his eyes “Do you think WindClan and RiverClan chased them out?” he asked 

Nightwhisper sighed and stopped to think and shook his head “I don’t know. WindClan hunts on the open moorland, and RiverClan dosen’t even have a border with ThunderClan, that’s why I dismissed Brambleclaw’s worries when he came to us, Leopardstar and Onestar have no reason to exile ThunderClan” 

Boulder nodded slowly “And yet, ThunderClan hasn’t marked their borders since that night. Sounds like either the Clan is suffering a great many losses that they can’t mark their border, or that ThunderClan is gone.” 

Nightwhisper bit into his lizard more as Boulder spoke, and it was easy to forget that there had been a time where he and Boulder were both rogues aimlessly following Tigerclaw and Blackfoot around. He had seemed so strong and powerful then, and now Boulder was retired and only Nightwhisper and Blackstar himself still live of those exiles. Nightwhisper shook the nostalgia from his head before looking back at the elder “There’s always been four Clans, surely Onestar and Leopardstar wouldn’t jeopardize that? WindClan was exiled before and Onestar was alive then, and Leopardstar was leader during TigerClan. Surely they know it must be four Clans forever?” 

Boulder looked into the walls of the camp at the mention of WindClan’s exile, and Nightwhisper wondered if Boulder had fought in that battle, before he could ask, Boulder spoke again “Memory is short, and some cats choose to not think about what they’re doing, because if they did,” Boulder closed his eyes “..they would have no choice but to stop themselves.” he opened his eyes and dug back into his rat, he didn’t speak anymore, and Nightwhisper was left to think about what Boulder had said. 

Nightwhisper had scarcely left the fresh-kill pile, when he saw Blackstar jump onto the branch that hung above the leader’s den, where the Clan leader usually made announcements for the Clan, and just a heartbeat later, Blackstar spoke the words aloud 

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around for a Clan meeting!” Blackstar called, and Nightwhisper joined the rest of is Clanmates as he waited to see what Blackstar would say. He saw several warriors come out of the warriors den, he specifically noted Kinkfur, padding to the rest of the Clan, whispering something to Crowfrost. Meanwhile, Boulder was leading ShadowClan’s other elders, Cedarheart and Tallpoppy out of the elders den. Nightwhisper remembered that these were two of the warriors who joined Mudclaw’s rebellion, and due to Littlecloud’s limited medical supplies, their wounds healed improperly, and they were forced to retire early, Cedarheart’s brother, Rowanclaw, was still an active and respected warrior of the Clan. 

Nightwhisper also saw the queens peek their heads out of the nursery. Snowbird had not yet kitted yet, and the father of her kits had not yet been revealed, although Cedarheart had his theories. The other queen, Tawnypelt, had her three kits peer between her legs, it would not be long before they got apprenticed. Nightwhisper felt uncomfortable with Tigerkit, though. He looked so much like his father, Tigerstar, and with the similar name, Nightwhisper can’t help but see the former tyrant of ShadowClan everytime he saw Tigerkit. It was weird to him how neither Flamekit or Dawnkit looked like Tigerstar even remotely, and Nightwhisper wondered if that meant anything. 

Blackstar’s voice cut through Nightwhisper’s thoughts, forcing him to look up at the big white tom. “Cats of ShadowClan, the dawn patrol has come back with news that is of importance to the whole Clan,” he began, looking down at each cat of the patrol “First, we know there is a badger of ShadowClan territory, near the RiverClan border. If any cat sees it, do not fight, come back and report it so a battle patrol can be organized. I will not lose any warriors to senseless recklessness” Blackstar warned 

Nightwhisper saw Scorchpaw mutter something angrily to Redpaw, who nodded in agreement, Nightwhisper suspected the two apprentices were just angry that they wouldn’t be abl to get to play hero if they saw the badger. 

“That isn’t the only piece of information that’s been given to us, however,” Blackstar continued, his voice grave “It appears that ThunderClan has not marked their borders in several days, since the battle that they asked for us to join them in” 

Tawnypelt stood up from the nursery “That can’t be, no Clan would choose not to mark their borders, that would be against the warrior code" 

“And yet, it seems the kittypet Clan has decided that marking their borders is too much work” sneered Scorchpaw, and Snaketail, Scorchpaw’s mentor, nodded in agreement 

“It’s what happens when you make a kittypet leader, and at least four of their warriors aren’t Clanborn either, remember” Snaketail licked a paw, as if the fact a whole Clan has stopped marking their borders didn't bother him 

“But that doesn't matter,”  Tawnypelt growled “Firestar was the one who killed Scourge, it’s out of character for him to stop marking his borders, especially with Brambleclaw as deputy” 

“You’re just biased because you’re just ThunderClan at heart” Scorchpaw hissed “You have not a single drop of ShadowClan blood in you, and it sounds like you’re more loyal to KittypetClan than to true forest born cats” 

Rowanclaw stood up, his fur bristling “Tawnypelt has long since proven her loyalty to ShadowClan!” he snarled “If it wasn’t for her, we’d still be at the old forest, starving to death, and we’d still be having apprentices killed off by the kittypets from the Twolegplace” 

Redpaw bared his teeth in a snarl “Any cat who got killed by those kittypets aren’t worth being called ShadowClan. Talonpaw would have died anyway” 

Whitewater looked horrified at Redpaw’s words, but before any cat could rebuke Redpaw, Blackstar growled from where he sat on the branch "Silence!" the ShadowClan leader hissed "I will not have my Clan tear each other apart over ThunderClan" he glared down at Scorchpaw and Redpaw, the two apprentices not looking ashamed at all. Rowanclaw and Tawnypelt, flatteneed their fur. 

"We're sorry, Blackstar." Rowanclaw dipped his head in respect to his leader. Snaketail and Whitewater both flicked their tails to their apprentices, but neither said anything, and Nightwhisper felt himself getting annoyed, and he was neither cat's mentor. 

Blackstar was silent for a heartbeat before speaking “Tomorrow night is the Gathering, there we will get some answers from the other three Clans. I understand there is concerns that ThunderClan may have been exiled by the other clans, but we have no proof of this.” 

Nightwhisper saw that Spiderfoot and Oakfur were talking about something, although he couldn’t hear it, but he did hear Scorchpaw mew to Snowbird “I hope ThunderClan is gone, we will finally have Clans of forest cats, with no kittypet or rogue blood to taint it” which made Nightwhisper uncomfortable, and he looked around to see how Boulder and Russetfur were reacting to some of these conversations, but he wasn’t able to see them because they were obscured by the rest of the gathered cats 

“Well, what do you plan to do, Blackstar?” Spiderfoot asked, his voice unconfident, as if he was afraid to even ask the question. 

 “Until the Gathering, we will expand our territory in ThunderClan land, see how Firestar reacts to that. Russetfur will lead those patrols.” Blackstar decided 

Spiderfoot seemed conflicted by that answer before nodding and lowering his head. Sensing the meeting was almost over, several cats began to leave, before Blackstar raised his tail “I will remind some of you, that some of ShadowClan’s current warriors were born outside the Clan. I expect respect for your fellow Clanmates, not scorn” Blackstar said, his voice having the rumble of a growl in it.  

Blackstar jumped down from the branch, signaling the end of the meeting. Nightwhisper did see Russetfur approach Toadfoot, Ratscar, and Smokefoot and the group of four soon left the camp, and Nightwhisper suspected they were to mark the new border to piss off Firestar, if ThunderClan even still was by the lake. He also saw Whitewater and Snaketail approach their respective apprentices, Redpaw and Scorchpaw. Nightwhisper assumed the two apprentices were to be disciplined for their behavior at the meeting. 

“Assuming their mentors think they did anything wrong,” Spiderfoot mewed as he approached Nightwhisper “Snaketail seemed proud of at least some of what Scorchpaw was mewing” Nightwhisper looked at the young warrior in surprise. Did I say that out loud? 

“Uh, sorry, did I.. say that out loud?” Nightwhisper asked, his pelt hot with embarrassment. Spiderfoot quickly shook his head 

“Oh, no, but the thought was obvious on your face, especially considering you aren’t Clanborn, so it’s a little personal to you” Spiderfoot looked on edge, as if he expected Nightwhisper to hiss at him. 

“Right, I supposed it’s not a weird thought to have.” Nightwhisper looked at the gray tom, like Ivytail, he was a young warrior, although he was actually the newest warrior of ShadowClan, having only been made a warrior last moon, and Nightwing had been his mentor. Nightwhisper recalled how exhausted Nightwing had looked at Spiderfoot’s warrior ceremony, and he wondered how difficult it was to mentor an apprentice. Despite how long he had been in ShadowClan, Nightwhisper had never mentored an apprentice, and had felt frustration when Nightwing had been chosen to mentor Spiderfoot. Maybe one of Tawnypelt’s kits would be given to him. He hoped so. 

Spiderfoot nodded, and looked a little awkward, and Nightwhisper studied Spiderfoot for a few heartbeats “Is something bothering you, Spiderfoot?” he asked. Spiderfoot nervously looked up to Nightwhisper before giving him a small nod 

“Yeah, uh, I just don’t understand why Blackstar wants to take advantage of ThunderClan’s weakness. Wouldn’t it make more sense to check to see if the Clan is okay?” He asked, his tail twitching in nervousness as he asked the question 

“Well, ThunderClan being weak is a good excuse as any to grab more territory. Firestar would not be able to stop us if they’re still licking their wounds from the battle with RiverClan and WindClan, and if they have been chased off, then it’s a good excuse to grab territory no Clan is using” Nightwhisper explained. He figured this was what Blackstar’s thought process was considering the seizure of territory, while he didn’t exactly agree, he couldn’t exactly blame Blackstar for wanting to take advantage of this gift. 

“I suppose..” Spiderfoot mumbled “But ThunderClan asked us for help, just seems wrong to take advantage of their weakness” 

“Don’t worry, Spiderfoot. Blackstar isn’t cruel, I'm sure he’ll offer some concessions to Firestar if he truly needs it.” Nightwhisper reassured the young warrior. Course, Nightwhisper thought Blackstar would want Firestar to make a deal with him first. Perhaps Blackstar would get Firestar to agree to let ShadowClan hunt in ThunderClan land? That seemed reasonable to him

Spiderfoot opened his mouth to reply when he got called over by Nightwing, and he turned to Nightwhisper “I’ll talk with you later, Nightwhisper” he mewed as he ran off to Nightwing, and Nightwhisper stared after the young warrior, and wondered what had got him so jumpy. Perhaps he was always so jumpy, Nightwhisper thought. 

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It was the night of the Gathering, and Nightwhisper was lucky enough to be included in the group of cats going to the Gathering. He looked around as saw that Blackstar, Russetfur, Littlecloud, Oakfur, Boulder, Redpaw, Rowanclaw, and even Tawnypelt were all going to the Gathering. Nightwhisper was surprised that Tawnypelt was allowed to go, queens usually didn’t go to gatherings, but Blackstar may have made an exception for Tawnypelt considering the question of ThunderClan. Russetfur had sent three more patrols to expand ShadowClan’s borders and they had not so much as scented a fresh ThunderClan cat, forget about actually seeing one. Even Russetfur looked puzzled at what was happening, and Nightwhisper had begun to believe that ThunderClan may well not be by the lake anymore. 

Nightwhisper turned his head to see Littlecloud and Tawnypelt talking about something, and Nightwhisper suspected that the medicine cat just wanted to make sure that Tawnypelt wasn’t pushing herself. It made sense, as this would be Tawnypelt’s first gathering since she kitted five moons ago 

Nightwhisper saw that Boulder tried to talk with Russetfur, who hissed furiously at the elder, and Boulder took a step back, as if Russetfur had clawed him in the face, and Nightwhisper ran up to Boulder. “What was that about?” Nightwhisper asked his friend 

Boulder snarled “It’s none of your business, Nightwhisper” his voice was harsh, and Nightwhisper could see that Boulder’s fur was bristling, and Nightwhisper took a step back and Boulder’s fur lowered and he looked apologetically at Nightwhisper “I’m sorry about that,” he paused for a moment “But it’s nothing you can fix, Nightwhisper. Just focus on the Gathering.” 

Nightwhisper opened his mouth to reply, but Boulder ran after the rest of the Clan, leaving Nightwhisper at the back of the ShadowClan group. What was that about? He wondered as he chased after his Clan. 

Eventually ShadowClan made it to the island where the Gathering was to take place, and Nightwhisper could see that RiverClan and WindClan had already arrived at the Gathering place, he saw that the WindClan and RiverClan's deputies, Ashfoot and Mistyfoot, were already at their position on one of the tree stumps. Mothwing, Willowpaw, Barkface, and Kestrelpaw, the medicine cats of RiverClan and WindClan, were also already on their stump as well, on the opposite side of the tree as the deputies. This struck Nightwhisper as odd because usually they would socialize with the gathered cats before taking their positions at the stumps. 

If Blackstar noticed this oddity, he didn’t say anything about it and motioned with his tail for ShadowClan follow him into the Gathering Island, and soon ShadowClan started to pad into the gathering, and Nightwhisper was acutely aware of the stares of the RiverClan and WindClan cats. He felt uncomfortable under his own pelt, he did not like being stared at by the cats of the other Clans. He was aware that the other ShadowClan cats were also being stared at, but he felt like he was being stared at more than the other cats somehow. He shook the thought out of his head, he wanted to figure out what was going on, so he scanned the crowd of cats to see if any of his friends from the other Clans were in attendance tonight, and he spotted the WindClan warrior Willowclaw chatting with Tornear and the RiverClan warrior Duskfur. It was Willowclaw that Nightwhisper was friends with though, and so he padded towards the three cats 

“...Yeah, I told Emberfoot that Sunpaw was not ready for that battle move,” Tornear was meowing to Duskfur “But then Sunpaw was able to do it flawlessly. I should have had more faith in Emberfoot’s mentoring, but-” Tornear stopped when Nightwhisper came into view “Ah, hello Nightwhisper.” the old tom nodded 

Nighwhisper mewoed his greeting, and noted that Tornear, Duskfur, and even Willowclaw looked a little uncomfortable “Uh, is something wrong?” he asked

“No, no, nothing’s wrong at all. We just weren’t sure if ShadowClan was coming,” Duskfur explained “Your Clan took a while to get here, some cats thought we should start the Gathering without you” 

So, in other words, ThunderClan is gone. “Sorry then, we got here as fast as we could. Tawnypelt just had to convince Blackstar to let her attend the Gathering tonight” Nightwhisper saw that Duskfur turned her head to see Tawnypelt speaking with Mothwing and then back at Nightwhisper, some sympathy was in the she-cat’s eyes 

“Her kits will be apprenticed soon, won’t they?” Tornear mewed, as he too turned his head to Tawnypelt. There was a sharp edge in the old tom’s mew, which confused Nightwhisper. 

“Yes, they’re about five moons old, won’t be surprised if Blackstar is thinking about mentors for them soon.” Nightwhisper was starting to get annoyed that he wasn’t able to ask the questions he wanted to, because he was hoping to get more information on ThunderClan, and just knowing they’ve been exiled isn’t enough. He wanted to know the why. Why did ThunderClan need to go. He didn't want to talk about Tawnypelt.  

“I’m sure they’ll be great warriors” Tornear nodded “Tawnypelt and Rowanclaw will provide a good example, not to mention who their mentors might be” Nightwhisper was reminded once again that Tawnypelt was greatly respected by the other Clans, and he felt a small stabbing of jealousy that he didn’t have that same level of respect even though he’d been a warrior longer. 

Nightwhisper opened his mouth to continue, but Willowclaw interrupted him “Looks like the Gathering is about to start.” with an apologetic glance at Nightwhisper, she added “Sorry Nightwhisper” 

Nightwhisper felt annoyance that his friend barely spoke to him, but he turned to the great tree and conceded that Willowclaw as right, the gathering seemed like it was about to start “I think it’s about time to begin the Gathering” Onestar yowled over the gathered cats, prompting Blackstar to shoot Onestar a confused glance 

“What are you talking about, Onestar?” he asked “We are still waiting on ThunderClan, the Gathering cannot begin yet!” the ShadowClan leader’s words were matched with yowls of agreement from the Gathered ShadowClan cats, although Nightwhisper didn’t join in, already knowing why ThunderClan wasn’t here. Willowclaw and Duskfur looked at Nightwhisper, confused at his silence. 

“Oh, that’s right, you don’t know, do you, Blackstar?” Leopardstar stood up on her branch, her amber eyes gleaming, and Blackstar’s fur started to raise at Leopardstar’s tone 

“What don’t I know?” Blackstar growled, and one could be mistaken if they assumed Blackstar was just being his usual angry and defiant self, but Nightwhisper could tell there was a trace of fear and uncertainty in the white tom’s mew. 

“A few days ago, RiverClan and WindClan took care of the ThunderClan problem. We have exiled and driven out that meddling Clan, led by cats who aren’t real warriors!” Onestar yowled in triumph, prompting the ShadowClan cats to yowl in shock and confusion 

“What? There’s only three Clans now?” Oakfur asked as if he thought he had somehow misunderstood the WindClan leader's declaration 

“But I thought you and Firestar were friends!” Rowanclaw’s voice came next 

“What about the Great Journey or the Battle with BloodClan?” Boulder, despite being an elder, was loudest “Did all of that mean nothing to you?” 

Nightwhisper also noted that Redpaw was silent, and he suspected that the young apprentice didn’t care about the exile of ThunderClan. Also notably silent was Tawnypelt, who, sitting near the medicine cats, was just bristling, her eyes clouded with grief. A similarly emotion was present on Littlecloud and Mothwing’s eyes. Mistyfoot, of RiverClan, was also staring at her paws, and Minnowtail of RiverClan and Morningflower of WindClan were also bristling, prompting Nightwhisper to conclude that not every cat liked this exile. 

“You knew, didn’t you?” Willowclaw asked, her voice low enough that only Nightwhisper, Tornear, and Duskfur would be able to hear 

“I suspected when they didn’t renew their scent marker, but Duskfur confirmed it for me” Nightwhisper explained quickly "She said that you were waiting on us, which meant you weren't waiting on ThunderClan. Does not take a genius to figure out that ThunderClan is gone based on that" 

Duskfur bristled but then looked down at her paws, as if ashamed she had not been paying enough attention to the words she had been saying. 

Tornear stared at Nightwhisper and simply muttered “I see why Tigerstar trusted you, despite your rogue status” prompting Nightwhisper to bristle, but before he could say anything else, Blackstar was speaking next 

“You did what?” his voice was in disbelief “You EXILED ThunderClan?”

“We did, they had been involving themselves in affairs that they had nothing to do with” Leopardstar explained “And ridding the Clans of a Clan who thought they could boss the other Clans because of their leader’s arrogance was acceptable to RiverClan” 

“And not just that, Firestar was accepting too many non-Clanborn cats. Daisy, Millie, Daisy’s kits, the tribe cat, and even that old cat Purdy” Onestar shook his head “Not to mention Firestar himself and Cloudtail, these aren’t cats who should be in the Clans. They should be back with their housefolk, or away from Clan borders. Bluestar must be rolling in her grave” Onestar’s voice full of fury, as if the idea of these cats even living in the Clans was personally offensive to Onestar. Nightwhisper was shocked at the pure venom in Onestar's voice, the tom used to be so close with Firestar, so why was he acting like he hated non-Clanborn cats so much? 

"Only cats born in the Clans should be warriors, or given an elders's rest" 

Nightwhisper pulled his teeth back in a snarl, he saw that Boulder and Russetfur were bristling to and Mothwing looked uncomfortable “And that’s grounds to exile a whole Clan?” Blackstar asked “Don’t you know what it’s like having to leave your home, Onestar? I seem to recall you had to do it twice” 

That hit a nerve, and Onestar jumped to Blackstar’s branch, his teeth bared in a snarl “And who exiled us the first time, Blackstar? I seem to recall it was your Clan while you were deputy who chased us out. You even led ShadowClan's warriors into that battle.” Nightwhisper was terrified that Onestar was about to take a swipe at Blackstar. Surely, not even Onestar, who exiled a whole Clan, would break the full moon truce. Nightwhisper let out a sigh of relief when Onestar returned to his original branch 

“Followers of Brokenstar and Tigerstar should stay silent if they want to talk morality” Onestar said simply, his voice calm, as if he hadn’t just gotten in Blackstar’s face and snarled. Blackstar flinched, and for a heartbeat, he was silent before his hackles raised once more 

“You literally just allied yourself with Leopardstar, and she formed TigerClan with Tigerstar.” Blackstar hissed, but Onestar didn’t seem to care. Leopardstar glared at Blackstar, her gaze burning with fury

“Leopardstar has made attempts to redeem herself for that mistake, but you haven’t so much as apologized for your actions under two tyrants. It’s a miracle you don’t spend your days invading other Clans given your track record” Blackstar glared at Onestar, but he didn’t say anything in response. 

Onestar, satisfied, motioned with his tail for Leopardstar to speak, and the RiverClan leader took a step forward “WindClan and RiverClan have formed an alliance to benefit us both,” she announced proudly “We are now the strongest Clans around the lake, and ShadowClan will do well to remember that any attack on RiverClan or WindClan is an attack on us both.” 

Blackstar bristled in fury as he looked between Onestar and Leopardstar, and Blackstar took a step back on the branch he was on “And what about ThunderClan’s old territory?” he asked a furious edge to his voice 

“That belongs to WindClan now,” Leopardstar said “RiverClan cannot get over there, with ShadowClan in the way, so WindClan gets to take those spoils, for now, it’s good enough for RiverClan to be rid of ThunderClan’s meddling influence” Nightwhisper didn’t miss the threat in her words, and he felt his own hackles rise. ShadowClan would never be chased out like ThunderClan had been. Nightwhisper wouldn't allow it. 

Blackstar looked between Onestar and Leopardstar, and Nightwhisper was shocked to see fear in the ShadowClan leader’s eyes. He then sat down on his haunches and nodded “ShadowClan recognizes the new border with WindClan” he growled and then glared at the WindClan and RiverClan leader “Is that all? Because if so, then this gathering is over” 

Onestar nodded, amusement in his gaze “Yes, that’s all.” With that, Blackstar jumped doen from the tree, and began to pad over to the tree when Leopardstar called after him 

“ShadowClan would do well to remember that it is completely and utterly alone,” she said “So unless you want what happened to ThunderClan to happen to you, behave smartly” prompting Blackstar to snarl in response. THe ShadowClan leader motioning with his tail for his clan to follow him out of the Gathering island. 

As Nightwhisper followed his Clan, he wondered if ShadowClan had a future by the lake with Onestar and Leopardstar more than willing to exile Clans they don’t like. With a shiver, he realized just how big of a mistake it was to not help ThunderClan, because Leopardstar was right. 

ShadowClan was truly, completely, alone, and not even StarClan seemed willing to help them. 

Chapter Text

"Leafpool, how are the wounded?" Firestar asked as he padded to the makeshift medicine den that Leafpool and Jaypaw had put together the previous night. It deeply worried Firestar that they had few herbs to deal with the wounds, he had lost many warriors to wounds in the past, and the sheer thought of losing Squirrelflight... he couldn't bear to think of it. Leafpool was likely thinking similar things, based on the concern in her gaze "They're stable for now, but Jaypaw and I have discovered that Hazeltail and Thornclaw have infected wounds." 

Firestar's gut curled into a ball, the last thing ThunderClan needed was infection. "Did you find any herbs last night?" Firestar asked, although he feared the answer. Even with so many cats looking for herbs, they were still in unfamiliar land, finding herbs would always be a challenge. 

"We have some, some juniper berries, marigold, and ragweed, but it's incredibly small amounts." Leafpool looked away from Firestar's gaze, and he got the feeling that there was something his medicine cat wasn't telling him. "There's something else on your mind, isn't there." 

Leafpool nodded "I... agree that we need to go to SkyClan's territory to commune with StarClan. We need to get some answers, and hopefully SkyClan will share some herbs with us to help with our wounded, but i'm afraid that if we move, their wounds will get worse." Firestar felt fear grip his heart at the thought that the journey to SkyClan could potentially kill Squirrelflight. If she died from her wounds reopening or getting infected when they moved, Firestar could never forgive himself. Equally, though, if she died because they stayed put, Firestar would be directly responsible for that. 

"We can't just stay here though, this is no camp, and I don't want to risk a badger attacking while we sleep" Firestar pointed out, hoping his voice sounded more confident than he felt right now. Leafpool nodded "You're right, but I just worry we could lose some cats if we're not careful" 

Firestar closed his eyes for a brief moment. It was times like these where he wished Bluestar had not made him deputy all those seasons ago. "Thank you for telling me your concerns. Are Thornclaw and Hazeltail in the den?" he asked 

"Of course they are. They protested, obviously, but I am not going to risk their infection getting worse" This meant that the Clan had less able bodied warriors to scout ahead or guard the sleeping clan, but he knew better than to question the medicine cat's judgement. "Do you and Jaypaw have a way to transport what little herbs you do have?" he asked , his ears twitching in nervousness 

"We should be able to bend leaves in a way that we can carry herbs. It's not the most elegant solution, but it'll have to do until we reach the gorge." Leafpool explained. Her description reminded Firestar of his brief life as a kittypet. His twolegs would sometimes carry objects in similarly bent objects. He doubted that his twolegs needed to carry objects as vital as herbs though. 

"That should work nicely. If StarClan has any mercy, we won't need to travel very long to get to the gorge." Firestar was picturing the journey he and Sandstorm made to the gorge and back to the forest territory in his mind. As long as the Clan makes it to the old forest, they would just need to follow the river and then they would be at the gorge. Despite the circumstances, Firestar didn't mind going back to the old territories. He'll be able to see Ravenpaw and Barley again, and maybe Smudge and Princess if he was lucky. Almost as soon as he had the thought, however, Firestar banished it from his mind. He needed to focus on getting ThunderClan to a safe hunting ground, he couldn't be thinking about cats from his past, no matter how much he may miss them. 

"Good, now that that's settled, i'll be needing to get back to checking the wounded, making sure they can handle the journey." Leafpool mewed, her voice was steady, but Firestar was able to see the uneasiness in his daughter's eyes. She didn't need to say it, but Firestar suspected that she was afraid that not all the cats would make the journey. Firestar didn't say anything in response and just padded away from Leafpool so she can do what she can. 

Some bushes near the makeshift camp rustled, and Firestar's claws instinctively unsheathed, had Onestar or Leopardstar decided to finish the job? A few heartbeats passed before Stormfur, Spiderleg, and Mousewhisker came into camp, carrying some fresh-kill, two mice, a thrush, and even a small hare that Mousewhisker was proudly holding. Firestar felt a wave of embarrassment flow through his pelt and he quickly sheathed his claws, hoping that no one had seen his immediate reaction. He needed to keep a level head for his Clan, he couldn't be jumping at everything. 

As he watched the hunting party bring the prey to the elders and the queens, Firestar wondered if Purdy and the kits were even strong enough to make the full journey. His mind went back to Frostfur and Speckletail, who stayed in the forest, and for all Firestar knew, probably starved to death. They had claimed that they couldn't survive the journey, and that they were too old for much change, it was a miracle enough that Goldenflower made the journey the first time. If that was the case, could Purdy make it to the gorge? He was by far the oldest cat in the Clan, and he was likely older than Frostfur was when she stayed in the forest, and definetely older than Shadepelt and Loudbelly were. 

And then what about the kits? Rosekit and Toadkit were only a few moons old and Millie hadn't even had her kits yet. Could they survive the journey too? What happened if Millie had her kits while they were on the way to the gorge? Without the herbs, could she and her kits live? Firestar thought back to Graystripe's first mate, Silverstream, who had died on Sunningrocks, in part because she had not been resting enough while she was pregnant. While Silverstream died, Stormkit and Featherkit survived. Graystripe had barely been able to function after Silverstream died, and Firestar was not keen on seeing his best friend in that state again. 

Firestar shook these thoughts out of his head, while true that these were things that could happen, he needed to remember that they didn't have a choice in leaving their territory, and that Firestar needed to focus on what he could do, and not the what ifs, and that means that he had to get the Clan to Ravenpaw and Barley's barn as soon as possible, and then after that, the Gorge. 

There was another option, the Clan could climb the mountains, Brambleclaw and Squirrelflight had made the journey through there before, and Stormfur and Brook used to live with the Tribe of Rushing Water. Firestar was apprehensive about the idea though. He remembered when a hawk came out of nowhere and tried to drag off Marshkit, of ShadowClan. The small kit would have died if it weren't for Brackenfur's quick thinking. Firestar didn't want to risk any of his Clan getting swooped up by a hawk, because they may not be so lucky. Still, Firestar had to consider the possibility, so he scanned the camp for Stormfur and Brook, and soon, he spotted them sharing tongues with Ashfur and Goldenflower near the makeshift fresh-kill pile. 

Firestar padded over to the group of four "Stormfur, Brook, I have something i'd like to ask you about" he mewed. Stormfur and Brook shared a look of apprehension, before approaching him "What did you want to talk about, Firestar?" Stormfur asked 

Firestar studied Stormfur for a moment before responding "I was considering going through the mountains to get to Ravenpaw and Barley's barn, and I was hoping that, since you and Brook were former Tribe cats, you could lead us through the mountains" he explained. Stormfur stiffened and a look of uncertainty flashed in Brook's gaze "Uh... about that, Firestar.." Brook pawed the ground awkwardly, and glanced at Stormfur 

Firestar waited a heartbeat for Brook to elaborate, but the former tribecat stayed quiet, and Stormfur didn't speak either. Irritation and anger flooded Firestar's pelt, and he bit his tongue to keep himself from snapping at the two "About what? Is there something I should know about the mountains or the Tribe?" Firestar remembered that when Stormfur and Brook came down from the mountains, they avoided the topic of why they left the Tribe too, although at the time, Firestar didn't care as Stormfur and Brook were friends, and they got exiled by Leopardstar soon after their return anyway. Now though? Now, he wanted to know why they left the Tribe. 

Stormfur nodded slightly "Yes...I'm sorry, Firestar, I should have been more honest with you." He looked at Brook for a moment, who gave him a nod and he looked at Firestar "Shortly after you left, a group of rogues moved into the mountains, and they were fighting with the Tribe, so I suggested Clan battle tactics and border patrols, but this didn't drive off the rogues, and several Tribe cats got wounded. Stoneteller got furious and.." Stormfur paused for a moment, his eyes closed, as if remembering the event all over again "He exiled me, Firestar. After all i've done to help them, after my sister gave her life to save them. All I did was try to help them drive off the rogues, and Stoneteller repaid me with exile." Stormfur's voice shook with pain and anger as he recounted the tale 

Brook put her tail to Stormfur's shoulder "I refused to let Stormfur go alone, so I followed him into exile. Clan life is very different to Tribe life, but I don't regret following Stormfur for a moment, Stoneteller and Leopardstar may not respect their cats, but you do." she mewed with conviction, but Firestar could pick up some sadness in the she-cat's voice. It made sense, Brook had kin back in the Tribe, and as much as she might love Stormfur, Firestar wouldn't blame her if she missed her kin. 

As Stormfur and Brook fell quiet, Firestar felt his anger at the two ebbing away. Stormfur had not left the Tribe by choice, and Brook, the loyal cat she was, didn't let Stormfur go alone. "I'm sorry for making you relieve those painful memories, I had no idea that Stoneteller had exiled you." he mewed softly, and Stormfur shook his head "No, don't be. The mountains are a viable shortcut, you didn't know about the rogues, or what Stoneteller did." 

Firestar nodded, but now the thought pricked at his mind. If he took his Clan up the mountains, it now wasn't hawks he'd have to watch out for, it was rogue cats, too. ThunderClan has very few herbs, and several of their warriors were badly eounded from the fight with WindClan and RiverClan, was it worth the risk to fight rogues too? And what about Stoneteller? Would he allow Stormfur to return, even for one day, as ThunderClan passed through? Firestar was worried that Stoneteller might attack Stormfur and maybe even Brook on sight, and Firestar definitely didn't want to fight the whole Tribe of Rushing Water. The cons outweighed the pros, and Firestar sighed 

"Is something wrong, Firestar?" Asked Stormfur, to which the ThunderClan leader shook his head "No, of course not. We just will have to go a different way. Stormfur, you and Brambleclaw were able to make it to the Sun-Drowned Place from the forest right?" he asked 

Stormfur nodded "Yes, we were able to make it there, in mostly one piece, save for Tawnypelt's wounded leg" he confirmed "Good," Firestar mewed "I want you to find Brambleclaw and talk to him about finding your way to the old forest from here, then we can make our way to the Gorge." 

Stormfur nodded "Of course, Firestar." and the dark gray tom turned around to find the ThunderClan deputy, Brook following him a heartbeat later. As soon as the two former Tribecats left, though, Firestar let out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding. Everything was going from bad to worse, and it was all because of Onestar and Leopardstar. Fury flooded through his pelt as he remembered Blackstar refusing to help ThunderClan too. For all the help ThunderClan had given the other Clans, they had repaired all of it with a claw to the back. Firestar growled at the thought. Perhaps ThunderClan was truly alone, maybe Bluestar was right all those seasons ago. After all, if Onestar was willing to exile a whole Clan because he felt insecure, even though Firestar had helped him time and time again, maybe ThunderClan should truly just mind their own business in the future. 

Shaking his head, Firestar decided not to focus on those thoughts for now. He had a Clan to lead, and he couldn't focus on his own anger and feelings of betrayal, not right now. Firestar looked around the camp, and saw Rainwhisker share tongues with Sorreltail and Spiderleg, while Whitewing and Birchfall huddled together near a makeshift den, and Leafpool and Jaypaw were going in and out of the medicine den, with Brightheart and Hollypaw nearby. The Clan was hurt, but they were far from broken. Onestar and Leoaprdstar wouldn't get what they wanted. 

It had been a few days since their exile, and Brambleclaw and Stormfur were navigating the Clan as best they could. Some cats were handling the journey better than others, like the apprentices and most of the young warriors. Others were having a harder time, cats like Daisy and Ferncloud were out of breath more often than not, forcing Berrynose and Mousewhisker to carry Rosekit and Toadkit, making Firestar wonder why Spiderleg, the kits' father, wasn't anywhere near the queens. 

The most concerning thing for Firestar though, was how the wounded were doing. As Firestar feared, the wounded's conditions started to decline at a rapid rate. Squirrelflight, Icepaw, and Hazeltail were barely even conscious most days, and not even Dustpelt and Thornclaw could walk without needing support, although Dustpelt claimed that he didn't need the help. Firestar tried not to let the fear of Squirrelflight's condition take up the front of his mind, but he couldn't help but wonder what he'd do if Squirrelflight had died because of Onestar's actions. Firestar decided not to think about it, and sped up to catch up to Brambleclaw and Stormfur, and was surprised to find Purdy up there with them. 

"Firestar," Brambleclaw dipped his head respectfully "We should make it to the old forest by the next half moon, we think" he mewed, while the words were confident, giving Firestar good news, Firestar could also hear the uncertainty and even fear in the deputy's mew, and Firestar remembered that Brambleclaw was Squirrelflight's mate, and he realized that he must have been thinking about Squirrelflight's condition at least as much as Firestar was. 

"Good, we'll need to get to the forest as soon as we can. If we're lucky, not the entire forest will be destroyed, and Leafpool and Jaypaw can find some herbs." Firestar couldn't be sure there even would be anything left, but he head to hold out some hope there was at least something that remained of the old forest. "I hope so," Brambleclaw mewed "if Squi- the other warriors died because we couldn't help them, I don't know what I'd do with myself." guilt clouded his amber eyes

"Firestar, i'm sorry, I should have paid more attention, maybe there were more signs that WindClan and RiverClan were about to invade, maybe if I paid more attention, we would still have our home and-" Firestar had never seen Brambleclaw so guilt ridden and upset since Hawkfrost tried to kill Firestar all those moons ago. That had not been Brambleclaw's fault then, and their exile wasn't Brambleclaw's fault now "Brambleclaw, even if you had found signs that WindClan and RiverClan were to attack us, it wouldn't have solved anything. We just never had the numbers to drive off every RiverClan and WindClan invader, especially since ShadowClan decided not to help us. It isn't your fault, Brambleclaw." 

Brambleclaw didn't immediately respond, as he looked ahead "Stormfur, do you think we go to the left or the right here?" he asked, and the former Tribecat pricked his ears as he thought about it "We just need to find the river.." he thought aloud, before tasting the air "We go to the left, I think I can taste the faint smell of river water on the air" Stormfur mewed 

"An' how can ya be sure tha's the river to yer forest?" Purdy mewed, his whiskers twitched curiously, and Stormfur turned to look at the old elder "There aren't too many rivers around here, the river by the lake does not connect to the forest, and the one by the Sun Drowned Place is too far away, so the chances are, this river flows to the forest, and then down to the gorge that SkyClan lives in." Stormfur explained, and Purdy nodded in understanding 

"Then lead the way, Stormfur. You must have a nose better suited to smelling water, because I can't smell anything" Firestar admitted, and Stormfur nodded, a fllash of anxiety flooding his features. Firestar didn't think that the warrior was given many opportunities to lead, not back in RiverClan or even in the Tribe. Stormfur seemed to recover from his anxiety, and walked to the direction of the river smell "Now, Brambleclaw, you can't avoid the conversation that easily. It's not your fault, you got to understand that"

Brambleclaw's hackles raised in agitation "How could it not be? I'm the deputy, I should be seeing these threats coming and preparing for them. If any of the wounded die, that's because I didn't do a good enough job. It's bad enough we lost and have to leave our home" he hissed, and Firestar understood why Brambleclaw felt this pressure, back when he was deputy, he had to work hard to protect the clan when Brambleclaw's father, Tigerstar, was threatening the Clan. Firestar thought that he had to defend the Clan against everything, as Bluestar was not herself then. However, Brambleclaw should not have to worry about taking everything, as Firestar still had four lives left

"You can't see everything coming, Brambleclaw. No cat can, not even medicine cats. You aren't at fault, the only ones who are are Onestar and Leopardstar, not you. No cat could have fought better than you, we just got unlucky." he mewed reassuringly, although Brambleclaw still didn't look convinced, though his fur lowered again "I'm sorry, Firestar. I shouldn't be getting distracted, not when.." he briefly looked back to Leafpool, who was shouldering Squirrelflight, and he snapped is head back to look ahead to Stormfur and Purdy "..not when the Clan needs it's leader and deputy" 

Firestar felt a wave of sympathy go through him. It was easy to forget that Brambleclaw wasn't the stoic and calm deputy that he had gotten used to. Brambleclaw's father was among the worst cats who ever walked through the clans, and Firestar suspected that Brambleclaw was still apologizing for having him for a father, and he wondered if that was why he took being deputy so seriously, so he could be a better deputy than Tigerstar ever was. "You don't need to apologize for feeling distracted, we've all lost a lot. You don't have to take the burden alone, i'm here to help you, and so is your mother and Squirrelflight" 

Brambleclaw flinched when Squirrelflight's name was uttered "She needs to recover, Firestar. Hollypaw, Jaypaw, and Lionpaw are too young to lose their mother." Firestar never knew his mother, a kittypet named Nutmeg, but he knew how important it was for kits to have their mother. It was probably a miracle he turned out as well as he did without his mother."she'll make it, Brambleclaw. Leafpool and Jaypaw will make sure of it, you got to believe that." Firestar rested his tail on Brambleclaw's back, and the dark tabby nodded slightly "You're right, i'm just so worried-" Brambleclaw stopped talking as a look of guilt flashed in his eyes "Oh my StarClan, Firestar, i'm so sorry, you must be just as worried as I am"

Firestar closed his eyes for a moment, for a little while, he had been able to ignore the worry that was in his heart about Squirrelflight, and part of him doesn't want to move his Clan until Squirrelfight recovers, but the Clan needs hunting territory, and he needs to be able to contact StarClan, so he had to push his fear about Squirrelflight down. Besides, Leafpool and Jaypaw were talented, if anyone could save Squirrelflight with the limited herbs, they could. "Yes, Brambleclaw, i'm more worried than even I want to admit, but I trust Leafpool and Jaypaw, I know they can save her, if there is a way to save her life." Firestar said that last part quieter, as if he didn't want to say it 

Brambleclaw opened his mouth to reply, but he didn't end up saying anything, and Firestar looked at his deputy "Don't grieve, Brambleclaw. She's not dead yet, and we have to be strong for the rest of the Clan." Brambleclaw nodded "Yes, Firestar. I'll try to stay focused." he mewed "But, i'lll try not to push myself too hard" he added quickly. 

Firestar nodded "If you need to talk to anyone, I am here for you, Brambleclaw." Brambleclaw nodded, his amber eyes betraying his gratitude "Thank you, Firestar," the dark tabby looked ahead at Stormfur and Purdy "You know, when we first met Purdy, he was a pretty poor guide through twolegplace, but he's actually been a pretty good help for Stormfur and I" he tilted his head to one side "I wonder if he's ever been out here before." Brambleclaw asked aloud 

"Maybe he has. Purdy has seen a lot and he's pretty old, I wouldn't be surprised if he has been out as far as the old forest before." Firestar mused. He had only met Purdy recently, when Brambleclaw and Squirrelfight brought him to camp one day, and explained he helped guide them to the Sun Drowned Place. It wasn't long before Purdy was convinced to stay in ThunderClan, and Firestar was glad to have him, even if he would never be a warrior, the wisdom he has and the stories he parts to the kits and apprentices are just as important as hunting and fighting "Still, he's pretty spry for an old cat" Firestar noted. 

Brambleclaw nodded "Yeah, he's always been pretty active for an old cat, even if his actual skills as a guide are inconsistent" he mewed, his whiskers twitching with amusement. Up ahead, Purdy and Stormfur stopped, and exchanged a few words before continuing forward, and after a few moments, he looked to Firestar, a thoughtful expression in his eyes "So, why did you never talk about SkyClan to anyone?" he asked 

Firestar shrugged "It wouldn't have mattered, there was never room for it by the forest, and I was distracted during the Great Journey" he explained "Talking about a missing fifth Clan just was never a good idea, at least until now. If Leafstar still leads the clan, we should have little issues getting access to the Whispering Cave, and maybe get some guidance from StarClan" 

"Maybe you should have mentioned it during the great journey, they might have helped us instead of letting us be exiled" Brambleclaw growled. Firestar nodded "Maybe, but we can't change the past, now we must look towards the future." he just hoped that they lost no cats in the process. 

Following this conversation, Firestar walked with Sandstorm and Graystripe until the moon rose high in the air, and Firestar raised his tail in the air 'ThunderClan!" he spoke with authority "We need to build a camp here, at least for the night. Don't get too comfortable, we move as soon as we can tomorrow." he wasn't really in the mood for a long meeting, and luckily, it seemed most of the Clan wasn't either "Brightheart, Jaypaw, i'd like for you two to find sone herbs nearby so that Leafpool has some more to work with" he added. 

Brightheart nodded readily, while Jaypaw grumbled something under his breath, and Firestar suspected that he didn't want to know what the argumentative young apprentice had said, as long as he brought more herbs back to the camp. As Brightheart and Jaypaw left the 'camp', Firestar padded over to Rainwhisker and Sorreltail, who were dragging some nearby dead bushes, as he approached, he heard some of their conversation 

"Do you remember our father?" Rainwhisker asked as he dragged some of the bush, causing Sorreltail to turn to Rainwhisker in surprise, a look of grief on her face before she shook her head "Why do you ask?" she asked, avoiding the question. "It's just.." Rainwhisker paused for a moment "I don't remember him at all. I know he was deputy, I know that he was a noble warrior, but I don't remember him at all, and that's not all" Rainwhisker's voice broke with shame "I'm struggling to remember Willowpelt too" 

Sorreltail dropped her part of the bush, and padded over to Rainwhisker "Rainwhisker, are you okay?" she asked her littermate, and the dark gray tom took a deep, shuddering breath in "No, I'm not. I just... we've lost so much, Sorreltail. Our father died before we could know him, killed by BloodClan. Our mother died to save Sootfur from a badger, and Sootfur died from a badger anyway, while we were setting up our camp." Rainwhisker hissed "And... and I was almost crushed by a falling branch several moons ago, and now we've been exiled. I just.. I don't know what we're fighting for anymore. Are we fighting to suffer longer? Is there anything to look forward to?" 

Firestar took a step back, as Sorreltail pressed her nose to her sibling's shoulder, he felt like this was not a conversation he needed to listen in on, but his heart broke nonetheless. Rainwhisker was a brave and loyal warrior, and Firestar remembered how determined he was to deliver the news about Sootfur's death to Sorreltail, and now, the dark gray warrior couldn't see a good future for the clan. Firestar hoped that Sorreltail could help him, because he was unsure how he could help him now. 

Shaking his head, he started walking around the camp, just watching the clan try to settle for the night. He could see Graystripe, Brook and Berrynose leaving camp to go on a hunting expedition, while Lionpaw, Whitewing, and Spiderleg were dragging more dead bushes to protect the other end of the camp. From the corner of his eyes, Firestar saw Foxpaw, Cinderpaw, and Sandstorm collecting moss for the elders and queens. Which speaking of, Firestar saw that Purdy and Longtail, the strongest of the elders, were helping settle Goldenflower and Mousefur near one part of the camp, while Daisy, Ferncloud, and Milliewere adjusting some bushes for a makeshift nursery, Birchfall and Stormfur helping to make sure Rosekit and Toadkit don't run off and get into trouble. 

Firestar was so focused on watching the clan, that he didn't notice Mousewhisker padding up to him "Hey, Firestar, are you busy?" he asked sheepishly, his ears lying flat on his head, in a nervous manner. Firestar looked down at the young warrior, and flicked his tail in a friendly way "Not too busy to not listen to your question" he replied. Mousewhisker had only gotten his warrior name a few short moons before the battle that exiled ThunderClan, and Firestar sometimes almost called him and his siblings paws by accident. 

"Right uh, we're heading to the old forest, the place you had to leave right?" he asked, nervously "Are you sure that's a good idea? I hear the clans almost lost many cats to the twolegs before you left." Firestar remembered the final days before the clans left. The forest was being destroyed around them, and cats were suffering from starvation, poisoned prey, or being ran over by monsters, if they weren't being kidnapped. It was a miracle that so many cats were rescued, and an even bigger miracle that Graystripe was even able to come back, though it took many moons. 

"We won't be staying long, probably a few days at the most before going to the gorge, I don't think you need to worry about being taken by twolegs, Mousewhisker, don't worry." Firestar mewed reassuringly, and Mousewhisker nodded, his ears perking up again and he opened his mouth to say something else, and briefly looked to Leafpool's medicine den, before looking back at him "That's great, but uh, where are we going to stay? We can't go back to the old camp, right?" the young warrior asked 

Firestar was starting to suspect that Mousewhisker had another reason for talking with him, but Firestar decided to answer him anyway "No, I think we're going to stay near a barn, we have some old friends near there. Ravenpaw and Barley helped us out during the battle with BloodClan and sheltered all four clans before the Great Journey." Firestar explained and Mousewhisker's eyes sparked with interest "Ravenpaw? I remember Goldenflower and Mousefur telling stories about Ravenpaw back when I was a kit, he was Tigerstar's apprentice, right?" 

Firestar nodded "And one of this clan's best allies. It will be nice to see him again, last time we spoke, I told him we lost Graystripe, but now Graystripe has come back to us" Firestar couldn't resist smiling at the thought that he, Graystripe, and Ravenpaw would all be reunited again. But as he smiled, he noticed Mousewhisker's eyes looking doen at his paws briefly before looking back at Firestar respectfully, and Firestar was starting to understand why Mousewhisker was asking so many questions

"What is this really about, Mousewhisker? This isn't really about the old forest, is it?" Firestar asked and the young warrior opene dhis mouth to object before he looked down "It's Hazeltail, Firestar. I wanted to help her on the walk here, but Leafpool forbade me, so I wanted to see how she was doing and, while Leafpool told me that she was fine, I could see that she wasn't even awake." Mousewhisker's tail dropped in worry and probably shame too, and sympathy went through Firestar. It was possible that Hazeltail would be back as a warrior now if they weren't foeced into exile 

"Mousewhisker, Leafpool and Jaypaw are doing their best to care for all the wounded, they won't let Hazeltail die if they can help it" Firestar mewed, sounding more confident than he felt, and Mousewhisker nodded "I know, believe me, I know. But I don't know what I'll do if she dies. Hazeltail, Berrynose, and I have always been close, and I... I don't know what life will be life if one of us dies. I don't want to say anything to Daisy, she has to take care of Rosekit and Toadkit, and Berrynose probably shouldn't know, he'd make a scene." 

Firestar stepped forward to the young warrior, and he could understand, to an extent, how he was feeling. He felt terrible when he thought he failed Cloudtail when he was abducted by twolegs, and Firestar was barely able to say goodbye to Princess and Smudge when the forest was destroyed, but even then, they were all still alive. Firestar had been lucky enough to not go through the grief of losing kin, and neither had Mousewhisker, and Firestar realized with a start that he and Mousewhisker both had kin that were badly wounded and he wondered if this was why he came to Firestar "I know it's not any reassurance, but Leafpool won't let Hazeltail die if she can help it, and constantly thinking about it won't help, believe me, I understand what you're going through." he mewed quietly 

Mousewhisker closed his eyes and nodded silently "You're right. I'm sorry, Firestar, it's just so hard to not think about Hazeltail and the what ifs." Firestar stared at the warrior for a few heartbeats before responding "It can be very hard to not think about it, so my suggestion is to keep yourself busy, it won't help thinking about it, but you can help the clan by helping with the defenses or hunting." Firestar advised and Mousewhisker gave a small nod "You're right. Thank you for listening to me, Firestar," his eyes looked at him with gratitude "I think i'm going to go hunt, we need as much prey as possible for the journey tomorrow" he mewed 

Before Firestar could reply, Mousewhisker ran off to where Hollypaw and Cloudtail were, and Firestar felt confident that Mousewhisker would feel better soon, and realized that the advice he gave to Mousewhisker would be beneficial for him as well. He can't help what happens to Squirrelflight, but he has to lead his clan, regardless of what happens, and with a deep breath, the clan leader walked to the entrance to the makeshift camp, where Ashfur and Brackenfur were standing "Brackenfur, you can go and sleep, I'll take your spot for tonight" he mewed 

Brackenfur looked at Firestar in surprise "Are you sure?" he asked, and Firestar nodded "Yeah, i'll be fine" he assured him, and Brackenfur exchanged a glance with Ashfur, before leaving to the makeshift warriors' den, taking his spot beside Ashfur. Firestar remembered that there was a time the clan thought Ashfur would be Squirrelfight's mate, although she had eventually chosen Brambleclaw over Ashfur. Firestar had never asked why it hadn't worked out, as he figured it wasn't his business, as long as Ashfur was a loyal warrior of ThunderClan. 

"Really wish you relieved me of guard duty, instead of Brackenfur" Ashfur grumbled, although Firestar couldn't tell if it was a joke or not "I could only relieve one of you, it's nothing personal, Ashfur" Firestar mewed simply, and Ashfur flicked his tail in acknowledgment as the two soon fell into a silent guard of the makeshift camp, hoping not to see any enemy cats or other animals ambush them.