Disclaimer: I do not own the Warriors books or their main characters. Copyright is Erin Hunter. But I do own this story.

This story in part parallels my other story (Crowfeather's return). It's about how Onestar experienced Crowfeather's decision and the events that follow (I know it sounds a bit cheesy, but not to give away too much). It's also about how Onestar's decisions have influenced him. I hope you enjoy it.

Please review!

A trek of cats was making its way through barren land. Some were almost too old to walk, some were tiny kits who couldn't yet walk and had to be carried. A black-and-white tom with a long tail led the cats over a Thunderpath. A tortoiseshell she-cat carried a small bundle of fur in her jar. She and her kit were closely followed by an orange-pelted tom. They were crossing the Thunderpath and were about to reach the other side, when a monster roared along. It missed the cats my half a tail-length. A young brown tabby tom dashed towards to she-cat and the flame-colored tom, glad that they had made it.

"You would have died for us, Fireheart. I will never forget this.", Onewhisker mewed.

"I would do it again anytime.", the flame-colored tom answered.

xxx

"Firestar, will you lead us on the journey?" A very old black-and-white tom with a long tail asked the flame-colored tom. He leaned on Onewhisker, who looked expectantly at the orange tom. Firestar had been leader of ThunderClan for many moons during which the Clans had lived in a time of peace and welfare. Now twolegs swarmed the forest and tore up the ground. All the cats were starving, many had already died.

"If that is your wish, Tallstar, I will lead WindClan along with you."

The cats of all the four Clan traveled along a snowy mountain range. Tallstar was so weak from the ordeal that Onewhisker had to help his Clan leader with every step he took. Firestar had helped them, not only WindClan, but all the Clan, on their journey to find a new home. Onewhisker hoped they would get there soon; his leader couldn't travel much further. They had stayed with the tribe cats for a few days and managed to recover a little before they had to continue their journey. Firestar had come to the brown tabby's side.

"Onewhisker, how is Tallstar doing? We could rest a little and send out hunting parties."

"Thank you, Firestar. We can manage. The faster we can get out of the cold weather the better. Not only for Tallstar."

Firestar nodded.

Onewhisker and Firestar had been friends since they were young warriors. Despite being from different Clans, they had stayed close to each other throughout the seasons. Even when Firestar became leader of ThunderClan, they had remained friends. The brown tabby considered the flame-colored tom one of his closest friends; almost as close as a Clanmate. He remembered how happy he was for his friend when Firestar's two daughters were born. Now Leafpaw and Squirrelpaw were apprentices, and Onewhisker came to like both of them. Firestar's kin was close to his heart, even though he never told anyone; not even Firestar.

xxx

The brown tabby was walking along a stream. He had been to the Moonpool with Barkface, WindClan's medicine cat. Just before Tallstar died, he made Onewhisker his deputy. Now he was Onestar, leader of WindClan. During the naming ceremony in StarClan, his warrior ancestors had made it clear to him that he could no longer be friends with Firestar. The balance between the four Clans would be destroyed if two Clans became permanent allies. This realization felt like loosing one of the nine lives he had just received. How would his life be without Firestar's friendship?

Continues soon...