Disclaimer: Warriors by Erin Hunter

Chapter 1

Darkfire didn't consider himself a jealous cat, but when he saw how easily Dewstep fit in with ThunderClan, he hurt inside. He wanted to fit in half as well. On the occasions he'd tried to be friendly, he'd just been rebuffed and ignored. When this happened, he felt a spark of anger toward his brother. Then he would feel guilt. It wasn't Dewstep's fault he could say something and get smiles instead of growls. The young tom simply knew how to make friends. He was talkative and didn't hold grudges and he was willing to learn and to listen. That made him a perfect addition to ThunderClan.

Darkfire, on the other paw, was silent. He didn't like to talk much with other cats. When he did, he did tend to speak in orders. He heard the brashness of his words, especially to older warriors, and he'd wince, which probably made him look like he was snarling. The only one he could verbally express himself clearly to was Dewstep, but lately that wasn't happening. Dewstep was usually off with the apprentices. He'd become a favorite with them because he wasn't annoyed when they asked him to help them, especially when it came to the elders.

The only elder was Longtail, who might have been retiring naturally now, but had long since become an elder because of his eyes. The poor tom was bored in the elders' den. He couldn't do much safely on his own and so had to stay there. Dewstep provided the company. Not only would he change the bedding or find ticks and fleas, he let Longtail talk to him as much as he wanted. Dewstep particularly liked listening to the stories that Longtail knew. Darkfire would find Dewstep in the elders' den on more than one occasion. He'd just be laying there, gazing at Longtail who would be deep in another story. The apprentices thought this was fun as well and they'd lay around with Dewstep. It was like a pile of fur that Darkfire could never hope to squeeze between to reach his brother.

Darkfire didn't have patience with stories even if he'd thought to stay after fulfilling his tasks. He preferred things straight to the point, not flourished with excitement that probably never really happened. So when Brackenfur had him helping the apprentices as they took care of Longtail, he didn't sit around for the story like the rest of them. That made the apprentices not like him as much. Not that Lightningpaw needed another excuse. She was still mad that Darkfire had defeated her mentor at their first meeting. Not to mention he'd effortlessly batted her away. She could hold a grudge. So could her mentor. Cloudtail still disliked Darkfire and avoided him or ignored him when they were close to each other. This tension didn't make the other Clan cats invite Darkfire to do things with them if Cloudtail had joined them first.

Darkfire realized being in ThunderClan wasn't going to work. He knew then he should have listened to Hollyleaf when she wanted her sons to go to different Clans. Darkfire made his decision one day. He left ThunderClan territory when Brackenfur asked him to hunt for the Clan. He slipped over the border and waited by the lake near ShadowClan territory. This was the last Clan to try and enter.

Darkfire didn't know how he'd be received by these cats. They had rogues aplenty within their Clan in the past, but ever since Sol poisoned their way of life, they didn't trust outsiders much. They might not trust Darkfire when he said he wanted to be a member of their Clan. It would be so hard to convince them the code had to be restored because they would be wary of what he had to say. They wouldn't want him taking over like Sol had tried. Darkfire knew he'd left the easy Clan to Dewstep.

Dewstep would be devastated when he realized Darkfire had gone. Darkfire felt a twinge of guilt when he thought about his brother. He hadn't said goodbye because he knew Dewstep would have told him not to leave and that ThunderClan would accept him, he just had to be patient. Darkfire didn't believe they would. Besides, he had to do what Hollyleaf wanted. Not that he thought this was the best course, but because he knew in the end Dewstep would want him to do what Hollyleaf ordered. Dewstep really believed their mother. He would do any thing for her. Darkfire wasn't so loyal as he knew both thought. He only did this for his brother. He wanted Dewstep to be happy and he thought this was the only way. Dewstep always wanted to please Hollyleaf and when she was happy, he was happy. For now Dewstep would be sad that Darkfire had left him alone, but eventually Dewstep would see that Darkfire had been right to leave ThunderClan. Dewstep was safe there. Darkfire would have just been a nuisance to that Clan.

Darkfire sat by the border. Where was ShadowClan? It was passed sunhigh, but he still hadn't seen a patrol. He knew ThunderClan would be looking for him now. He couldn't let them find him here.

"You smell of ThunderClan," a voice growled at him from a tree. Darkfire looked up to see a cat laying on a branch. Briefly he thought Dewstep might fit into this Clan as well. Why was his brother always so lucky?

"I came from their territory," Darkfire told the she-cat. "I was trying to become part of their Clan, but I found I didn't fit in so well there."

"I don't know how anyone could," the cat answered. "But what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to ask Blackstar if I could join his Clan."

"And you expect him to accept you? A cat from ThunderClan?"

"I can only hope," Darkfire shrugged. "If it is the will of StarClan then I will be your Clanmate."

The she-cat seemed to think about that. "Stay here. If you really want to enter ShadowClan then you will stay," she meowed, staring at him hard as if daring him to disobey.

Darkfire didn't ask where she was going. He had no doubt she was getting someone in charge. Deputy or leader. He briefly glanced back to ThunderClan territory. He wasn't sure if he was making sure no ThunderClan cat saw him, or if he wanted Dewstep to be there by his side, telling Blackstar what they wanted. He'd heard Dewstep's whole speech by now and he knew what to say and what questions a Clan leader might ask. He just had to tell the same thing to Blackstar.

He didn't have to wait long. Soon there were more cats approaching through the sparse undergrowth of ShadowClan.

"Well?" asked the white cat with black paws. He had four other cats with him. All looked tough an unimpressed by his appearance. If Darkfire offended them, he was likely to get hurt.

"My name is Darkfire and I want to join ShadowClan."

After that came the usual questions that had always been asked. Blackstar seemed unmoved as Darkfire pleaded his case. Darkfire was beginning to believe this was useless. Blackstar simply didn't care about Darkfire other than a source of information. New cats didn't always come to the lake, Darkfire had learned. Information was always important. Once Blackstar extracted what he wanted to know, he'd leave Darkfire on the lake shore.

"Stay," Blackstar ordered when Darkfire had finished and then he and his warriors walked off. Darkfire knew they would talk about him now. Talk and then refuse. He was surprised when they finally came back. Their expressions didn't change as Blackstar meowed, "You will be given a chance to prove yourself."

They turned and started walking away. Darkfire was startled and hesitated for a moment. This was the moment to choose. And he did. He hurried after. He was actually being considered for acceptance. He was surprised. He wondered why they were willing to let him enter.

The shadows of the trees closed over him. He headed into the ShadowClan territory.