Alright, this is the fanfic I planned for the first Warriors AU listed on my profile. Oh yeah, and I don't own Warriors. I don't know why I need to mention that, seeing as it should be pretty obvious, but I guess rules are rules.

Fireheart stepped out of Bluestar's den, feeling the ThunderClan leader's eyes burning into his fur as he retreated. His leader had just ordered him to gather a patrol of warriors for her to lead into battle against WindClan. But as he tried to think of which warriors he wanted to take, every hair on his pelt was screaming in protest. He knew this was an unjust battle; there had been no sign that WindClan was responsible for the prey theft and every indication that dogs were. However Bluestar, in her clouded state of mind, was either unable or unwilling to see sense.

Almost instinctively, Fireheart found himself padding towards Cinderpelt's den. The gray she-cat had advised him before; surely she would be able to help him through this new problem now. When he peered inside the fern tunnel, however, he couldn't see any sign of Cinderpelt anywhere.

She must be out collecting herbs, the flame-pelted warrior thought despondently. Now, what do I do?

There had been a time when he held Bluestar's word in the highest regard, and he would never have dared question an order from her. Not just because the warrior code forbade such disobedience, but because he could always trust her to make honest, wise decisions. But ever since Tigerstar's treachery was exposed, she had slowly dissolved into madness, and her sense of judgment had become fragmented. She had lost trust in all her warriors except him and maybe Whitestorm–and that was where the real issue lay.

On the one hand, Bluestar was on her ninth life, and he didn't know what the Clan would do if she lost it because of an unnecessary battle. But on the other hand, he also knew that her distrust had made her paranoid, and the only thing preventing her from completely falling into insanity was that she still felt she could trust him. If he refused to obey her orders to attack WindClan, she would become even more convinced that her Clan had turned against her.

Well, with that logic, I suppose the choice is clear, Fireheart thought with a sigh.

"Fireheart? You look like something's troubling you."

The fire-colored tom turned around to see Whitestorm looking at him, an expression of concern in his eyes. He hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to divulge his worries to the older warrior. Whitestorm was close friends with Bluestar, and he was the only one besides Fireheart and Cinderpelt who had any idea of just how mistrusting and fearful their leader had become. At the same time, however, Whitestorm was bound by the warrior code. He doubted that he would be willing to disobey Bluestar's orders, no matter how paranoid and madness-ridden they had become.

"Fireheart?" Whitestorm prompted. "Is something the matter?"

Fireheart hesitated a bit longer before replying, "Bluestar wants me to gather a patrol of warriors for a battle against WindClan."

"Ah," the white-coated warrior mewed. "There's no need to say anything else, Fireheart. Let me guess; you're feeling conflicted about her orders?"

"Putting it lightly," Fireheart meowed wryly. He sighed, then added, "You know as well as I do that she's not been herself lately, and for that reason, I suppose it would probably be best to follow her directions. She's lost faith in everything she ever believed in; I don't need to give her more problems. But I can't see how it could be the will of StarClan that we attack an innocent Clan."

"But it could be the will of StarClan that you do all you can to keep Bluestar's mind at ease," Whitestorm pointed out.

"I–I never thought of it like that," Fireheart admitted. "But...I still..."

"Are you worried about how this will affect your friendship with WindClan?" Whitestorm asked gently. Fireheart hesitated, then nodded, ashamed. "Fireheart, you have to understand that your loyalty comes to ThunderClan first. Friendships cannot exist across borders forever. I have no doubt WindClan will always remember what you did for them, but there's a time when you need to end your friendship with them. Perhaps now is that time."

Fireheart wanted to protest, but he couldn't find the right words. Deep down, he knew that Whitestorm was right. He was a ThunderClan warrior; no matter what had transpired between him and WindClan, ThunderClan was where his loyalties lay. Perhaps it would be for the best if his friendship with the moor-dwelling cats ended. Fireheart only wished that it didn't have to conclude in such bitter fashion.

"Alright, I understand," he meowed finally. "Thanks for the advice, Whitestorm. I'm going to go gather that patrol of warriors."

Whitestorm nodded, a look of sympathy flashing in his eyes. "Good decision, Fireheart," he mewed approvingly. "If you'd like, I'll come on the patrol. I can help keep an eye on Bluestar that way. Brightpaw can come as well; it would be good experience for her."

Fireheart blinked at him gratefully. With Bluestar on her ninth life, she needed every bit of protection possible, and he knew he could trust Whitestorm with keeping their leader safe. That also made his task of deciding which cats to take on the battle patrol slightly easier.

"Right," he mewed out loud. "So we'll take you, Brightpaw, Sandstorm, Cloudpaw, Mousefur, Swiftpaw, Longtail, Dustpelt, and–"

He broke off, a brief moment of hesitation gripping him as he debated whether or not to include Darkstripe in the battle. The tabby warrior was a decent fighter, and his skill would undoubtedly be needed if they were going to take on WindClan. Fireheart had personal reasons for wanting Darkstripe where he could keep his eye on him too, not liking the idea of leaving the treacherous warrior at camp without him or Bluestar to keep an eye on him. At the same time, however, Darkstripe had been one of Tigerstar's biggest supporters, and Fireheart guessed that Bluestar would be about as thrilled about his presence as she would if StarClan prophecized that Tigerstar would gain the power to rain down fire upon the Clans.

"What is it now?" Whitestorm inquired.

"I'm just wondering whether to take Darkstripe or not," Fireheart meowed.

"If you take Darkstripe, that doesn't leave many warriors to guard the camp," Whitestorm reminded him.

"I know," Fireheart answered. "But I don't like the idea of leaving Darkstripe at camp without Bluestar or me around. I don't trust a single hair on his pelt."

"Just because he was friends with Tigerstar doesn't mean he's untrustworthy," the older warrior meowed.

"It's not about who he was friends with!" Fireheart protested, even though he knew very well it wasn't entirely true. "Longtail was friends with Tigerstar as well, but he at least seems like he's trying to be a loyal ThunderClan cat. But I've already seen Darkstripe seek out Tigerstar at a Gathering, Whitestorm, and he looked pretty excited the first time we found out he was ShadowClan's new leader too. I know I'd be thrilled if any of my friends became Clan leader, but this isn't just pure friendship. Tigerstar's a murderer and a traitor, and Darkstripe knows this, but he continues to seek him out as if they're friends. And if he's willing to do that when he knows Bluestar might be watching, imagine what he'll do when she's not."

"You could try setting a guard," Whitestorm suggested. "Have one of the other warriors keep an eye on Darkstripe while we're gone."

Hmm, I suppose that could work, Fireheart mused to himself. Out loud, he mewed, "Very well. But who should I ask to watch him?"

"You could ask Frostfur," Whitestorm meowed.

The white warrior's suggestion sounded like a good idea to Fireheart. Cinderpelt was Frostfur's daughter, and he knew she had been devastated when Tigerstar's trap had crippled the gray she-cat, ending any dreams she'd had of becoming a warrior. Fireheart guessed that she would be more than happy to keep an eye on the cat who had been Tigerstar's most prominent supporter when he was still a member of ThunderClan. He nodded his approval, then dipped his head in farewell before turning to leave to report to Bluestar.

Bluestar was curled up in her nest when he entered her den, but Fireheart could see that she was awake. Her blue eyes narrowed when she saw him, and he winced, remembering the hostility in her voice when she berated him for questioning her orders to attack WindClan. Apparently she still hadn't forgiven him for that, but he refused to let it trouble him.

"Yes, Fireheart? What do you want?" she meowed, half-irritable, half-suspicious.

"Just reporting, Bluestar," Fireheart mewed, dipping his head respectfully. "I've chosen the warriors for the battle. We'll be taking Whitestorm, Brightpaw, Cloudpaw, Sandstorm, Longtail, Swiftpaw, Mousefur, and Dustpelt."

"Good," Bluestar mewed, and to Fireheart's relief her expression softened a little. "Have you informed them yet?"

Fireheart shook his head. "Whitestorm knows, but the others are out on patrol. I'll let them know once they've returned," he promised, dipping his head and backing out of the den.

As he padded away from the Highrock and into the clearing, Fireheart paused for a moment to take one last glance back at his leader's den. He wanted to believe that he was making the right decision by following her orders–but somehow, he still couldn't shake the sick feeling churning in his stomach.