A.N.

Hey guys I'm going to be going back to the classics with this story! I read this series for the first time in elementary school and have read it hundreds of times since. And if for some reason you ignored the spoiler warning in the description here it is again. SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't read up and through the Omen of the Stars saga I repeat do NOT continue reading this. Click off now, and go do something else...are you gone?...How about now?...Gone? Good.

Now for the rest of you let's get serious for a minute about what you're about to read. If you're still here you've read through the Omen of the Stars saga (Or you don't care about spoilers) and you are undeniably well aware of the fact that Firestar (my favorite character btw) dies at the end. Well...I have issues and like to deny that fact. And before you throw flame and hate in the review section understand this: I know this series, I grew up with this series and I know it's rules, but the reason I write fanfiction isn't to comply with the canon version, it's to get my ideas out of my head and out into the world. So if you don't agree with me that's fine but please keep in mind that hate will not be acknowledged.

If you read all of that thank you, if you didn't well you may or may not like/ be prepared for what you are about to read. To wrap up don't flame I'll ignore you and disclaimer I don't own any part of the Warriors franchise. So without further ado please keep all hands, arms, legs, and feet inside the vehicle at all times and enjoy the ride!

Chapter 1

Moons had passed since the battle against the Dark Forest Warriors. The clans stilled grieved the loss of their clanmates. Thunderclan felt it's grief most strongly, during the last moments of the the battle their leader Firestar had lost his last life in the process of defeating Tigerstar for good. The dark tabby warrior's sway over the clans and his kits was gone for good but the cost of Firestar's final life caused grief throughout all the clans.

Now on the night of the third gathering since the battle the clans gathered on the island. They moved as one clan not four on this night as they had done the past two gatherings.

Mistystar, Onestar, and Blackstar all climbed into the Great Tree taking their usual positions. Brambleclaw was the last to join them. He still was unwilling to take his nine lives and name so he climbed the tree last and sat away from the other leaders. Squirrelflight, his mate, sat amongst the tree's roots with the other deputies. A yowl from Blackstar signaled the start of the gathering.

The large tom stood up "Shadowclan still grieves for our clanmates who died in the battle three moons ago, but we are growing stronger, our wounds are healing and we welcome new kits into the clan," he finished sitting back down with a nod to Mistystar.

The Riverclan leader spoke from her place with her head held high. " Riverclan is growing as well. Two of our queens are expecting and our warriors are returning to their full strength," she said motioning to Onestar with her tail.

"Windclan grieves its fallen warriors, knows that they will never be replaced, but as physical wounds fade we grow strong once more."

It was Brambleclaw's turn. He stood tall and proud. "As you all know Thunderclan suffered many losses in the battle, the most obvious being that of our leader Firestar. Thankfully all bad things pass and tonight Thunderclan welcomes two new apprentices Lilypaw and Seedpaw!"

"Lilypaw! Seedpaw!" Yowls sounded throughout the clearing as the clans cheered for the two apprentices.

Brambleclaw waited for silence before he continued. "Thunderclan will recover and overcome as it always does."

"I have a question," Blackstar said.

"Yes?"

"Why haven't you taken your nine lives and name yet?"

Brambleclaw held the Shadowclan leader's gaze for a moment before he glanced away.

"My clan needed me with them, not at Moonpool."

"But surely now you could-"

The sound of movement in the cats below interrupted Blackstar.

"There's a cat on the shore of Thunderclan territory," some cat called out to the leaders.

"Then it sounds as if this gathering is over," Mistystar stated concluding the gathering with her words.

Brambleclaw shot her a grateful look then scrambled down the down the tree. Thunderclan's cats were waiting for him.

"Let's go," he said leading them off the island.

Once on land the moved towards the shore of their territory. Brambleclaw could faintly make out the figure of a cat laying on the sand.

"Remember it may just be a lost cat we don't want to scare them out of their fur," he reminded his group.

Affirmative murmurs sounded around him. He was aware of the other cats watching them at the base of the fallen tree. Beside him Squirrelflight tensed.

He looked at her "Squirrelflight? What's wrong?"

She didn't answer him and tasted the air.

" It can't be, Starclan is it true?" She whispered.

Before Brambleclaw could question her further she broke away from him streaking towards the figure.

"Father!"