Did you like it that Firestar appears more and more often in the story? I really miss him...okay, then again, he's my favourite character.

Well, Warriors doesn't belong to me.

R&R


Bramblestar always gazed around while he snuck through ThunderClan Territory. It had been a quarter moon since he'd visited Moonpool and he hadn't seen anything of the former leader of ThunderClan. Nonetheless he always remained alerted. A flash of ginger could always dash past him. He knew, whatever happened to Firestar, the former leader moved, even with a speed where he was just a blur, unusual silent. Glancing around once more he crouched down and snuck up to the vole he'd scented. He jumped and caught it. A smile played on his features. The fact that he was always alerted lately made him better with hunting as well.

Suddenly a twig broke and the tabby froze. He strained his ears and almost growled when the wind blew his scent into the direction he heard silent movement from. Another twig broke, this time much closer. The tabby tom unsheathed his claws and tensed. The bush behind him rustled and he spun around and lunged at whoever was behind him. A familiar voice reached his ears when he heard a yelp and he scrambled away from the tom he'd attacked immediately.

Tigerheart glared at him angrily and spat: "What was that all about?"

"My apologize", said Bramblestar and bent his head. Unseen he rolled his eyes before he explained: "My scent was blown towards you. I didn't know it was you. I thought it was a rogue or a loner."

Tigerheart growled at him but kept it with that and said: "I'm just here to get you to the island."

"The island", questioned Bramblestar confused. Tigerstar never allowed anyone there, nor was anyone except for him on it. The only time other cats were there was at the gathering. "The gathering was a few days ago."

Tigerheart shrugged and said: "What do I know. I'm the highest ranked Clan-cat under Tigerstar's warriors and I still don't know everything as well." Bramblestar wanted to laugh at his words, but held back and asked: "Can I inform the clan about it?" "You have to", answered Tigerheart." Tigerstar wants your deputy, medicine cat and your three oldest warriors there as well."

The leaders eyes widened at this, but he stood up and walked back to camp. The vole in his jaws he remembered how he'd learned to not argue with any warrior of Tigerstar and to follow. Though his fur hid it, his stomach was scarred to no end. Two times he lost lives because of the torture, then Tigerstar had been furious and shouted with the warriors he had had to torture him. Bramblestar realised one thing after the second time. No matter how much control the other tabby had, he needed the leaders or the clans wouldn't follow. At this Bramblestar had even smiled after he'd woken up.

The leader shook his head to concentrate on what was about to happen. He and Tigerheart reached the camp entrance and walked in. Ignoring the nervous gazes of his cats when they saw Tigerheart, Bramblestar called Cloudtail. The deputy appeared next to him and he ordered: "Get Sandstorm, Greystripe and Dustpelt and wait with them and Tigerheart for me and Jayfeather."

Blue eyes met amber ones in concern and Bramblestar read the question he was asking himself to. Why? Then Cloudtail nodded and stiffly walked up to the warrior den. While he watched the white tom Firestar infiltrated his mind once again. Bluestar's words echoed within his head while he walked up to Jayfeather's den. "Whatever you saw Bramblestar, the possibility that it was Firestar is very high. He is still somewhere down there." Those words repeated themselves over and over since he'd returned from the Moonpool. He wondered if he should tell Jayfeather about what he saw and what Bluestar said, but decided against it. The healer was already troubled enough.

"Jayfeather?", called Bramblestar. He received no answer.

"Jayfeather! Jay… StarClan no!"

In front of him, on the dusty ground, lay a grey tom. The healers blind eyes darted towards him and he groaned: "Bra-Bramblestar, I…I caught it…Daisy's strange ill-illness. Ge-get Hailstorm. He…"

Bramblestar didn't hear the end of the sentence. He already darted out onto the clearing. "From all the times where this could happen", growled the brown tabby. When he burst out he called: "Where is Hailstorm?"

"I'm here", called the medicine-cat apprentice and appeared out of the nursery. "Jayfeather caught Daisy's illness. It's bad", announced the leader. Hailstorm's eyes widened and the next moment he darted past his leader and into the den of his Mentor. Tigerheart growled at this and said: "Get your medicine cat here! We don't have all day!"

Bramblestar growled loudly now, rage filling him. "We leave when I decide it's time", spat the leader angrily. "Daisy almost died from this illness. It's a wonder that Jayfeather even found a cure. I won't even his path to StarClan by dragging him onto a meeting. Neither will I take Hailstorm with me. Jayfeather is too weak to take care of himself."

Tigerheart stared at him wide-eyed, then he growled and crouched down. "Care to repeat that", threatened the ShadowClan warrior.

"Ever", spat Bramblestar back. Tigerheart was about to lung at him, when Dovewing jumped between and growled: "Bramblestar is right. We can't afford to lose our healer Tigerheart. If you want to kill him, you have to kill me first!" Tigerheart hesitated, then unsheathed his claws. Suddenly Ivypool joined her sister and said: "I won't watch you killing any cat of ThunderClan either. You have to kill me too." "Me as well", called Brightheart from the nursery. "As will I block your path", growled Greystripe. Sandstorm and Dustpelt meowed in agreement. "I won't stand back either", called Cloudtail. Cat after cat made its position clear and Tigerheart finally gave up. He growled at all of them and spat: "Then you can explain why you didn't come to the meeting." He was about to run off when Bramblestar called: "Wait!"

The tom turned back and the leader said: "I never said we wouldn't come, but we won't take Jayfeather with us, neither Hailstorm, both are needed here."

Tigerheart narrowed his eyes, then huffed and growled: "Oh do what you want."

The next moment he was gone. Bramblestar shook his head, then called: "Brackenfur, you're in charge until we come back."

The tom nodded and Bramblestar looked at his four warriors. "Let's go", said the leader, then dashed out of the camp, his warriors followed suit. Bramblestar followed Tigerheart's scent-trail while they raced through ThunderClan territory. "Bramblestar", asked Cloudtail next to him. "Yes?"

"What will we do when Tigerstar decides to kill one of us for making such trouble?" The white tom's eyes were wide in fear and Bramblestar himself shuddered, then he answered: "I'll fight him to keep him from doing so, and if it costs me my remaining lives." Though Cloudtail glanced at him worriedly, he seemed contended with the answer. They ran on in silence and soon they reached the border to WindClan. After they left the trees behind them, they got forward faster and then Sandstorm shouted: "Look, there is Tigerheart!"

Everyone looked forward and then they also spotted the tom. He raced along the shore of the lake and Bramblestar growled. He tried to get them into danger by reaching Tigerstar fast. The leader sped up and closed to his sister's son. The moment they crossed the border to RiverClan, they were only a few tail-lengths behind the other tabby and with a huff Bramblestar sped up once again, finally catching up to his nephew. Tigerheart looked at them wide-eyed and Bramblestar gasped: "Have you really thought we would dare to have Tigerstar angry at us?"

With narrowed eyes the other tabby tom ran on, Bramblestar following not too far behind. They got to the fallen log and quickly crossed it to reach the island. The scents there told Bramblestar that ThunderClan was the last Clan to arrive, not that he'd expected it differently. "I'm not going to explain anything", hissed Tigerheart. You can do it by yourself, great and powerful leader." Bramblestar rolled his eyes at the younger tom and shook his head. He followed Tigerheart out onto the clearing and promptly winced. Six cats of each Clan were there, though one was missing.

"Where is Onestar", whispered Cloudtail.

Bramblestar shrugged his shoulders and padded up to the group Tigerstar glared at the six cats when they reached him and every cat crouched down in fear, except for Bramblestar.

"Why are you late? And where is your healer?"

Bramblestar did his best not to growl and calmly explained: "Jayfeather caught a rather bad illness and we needed to leave Hailstorm behind to take care of him. I rather die by your claws than risking my medicine-cat's life by taking the only tom away who can help him. And we're late…because I had a little argument with your warrior…" He glared at Tigerheart. "…because he wanted me to force a deadly ill tom out of his den."

Tigerstar seemed to calm down with this explanation, then he ordered: "Get to your branch, your cats can join the others."

Bramblestar nodded to his warriors, who padded off to join the other three clans. Tigerstar growled at the other cats and three cats emerged from the crowd. Blackstar, Mistystar and Crowfeather. Gulping the tabby tom climbed onto the tree and took his place on the branch the closest to Tigerstar. This place was given to him, so Tigerstar could have an eye on him during gatherings. He knew ThunderClan had always and would always cause him the most trouble.

"Crowstar", spoke Tigerstar now. Bramblestar winced when his assumption was proved correct. "Now tell us, how did Onestar die?"

Crowstar glanced around nervously, then admitted: "I…I don't know, no one in WindClan knows. He was ill with green-cough and fighting for his last life. The morning after the gathering he got ill, the evening of this day Kestrelflight said there wouldn't be anything he could do anymore, that we would need a wonder. We all went to sleep and…the next morning Onestar was gone."

"Gone", questioned Mistystar, then ducked under Tigerstar's glare who growled: "Don't speak until I allow it, however, she has a point. What do you mean with gone?"

Crowstar gulped and answered: "Just gone. His nest was empty and it smelled like he already left it around moon-high. The strangest thing though was that neither Whitetail, nor Breezepelt or Boulderpelt, who were guarding the camp, saw him leaving the camp. But what all three of them reported was that they had seen a quick flash of ginger shortly after the clan went to sleep."

Bramblestar almost fell off of the branch, but dug his claws into the wood to stay on it.

Ginger, thought the tom. Firestar did you take Onestar to wherever you are?

"Ginger? There are many cats with ginger fur. It…" Tigerstar broke off when Crowstar looked like he wanted to speak on. "Yes?"

"Well, it wasn't just ginger fur…it was…a fire-like ginger."

The cats on the tree froze and Blackstar whispered: "But that's…"

Tigerstar narrowed his eyes and asked: "Crowstar are you playing a game with me?"

"No", answered Crowstar fast and went on: "Whitetail is here, ask her, she's one of your warriors after all."

Tigerstar still growled, but called: "Whitetail!"

The white she-cat padded up to them and Tigerstar jumped down to her. Bramblestar barely heard their conversation and strained his ears.

"…true?"

"I'm afraid yes. Crowstar isn't lying to you. The flash looked exactly like Fi-…his fur."

"You…"

"Bramblestar stop eavesdropping on him", hissed Mistyfoot in panic. Bramblestar shot her a short glare and whispered: "I saw it too." The three other leaders shot him confused glances and Bramblestar explained: "This ginger flash, quite often to be honest. Whoever it was got my clan some prey." With wide eyes the leaders stared at him and Blackstar asked: "You're trying to fool us, right?" "I would never", answered Bramblestar sharply. He glanced down to Tigerstar who had gotten into a heated discussion with his cats so Brambleclaw went on: "When there is any chance that Firestar is still alive, then I would never dare to lie about something that involves him." "No need to lung at us", hissed Crowstar.

Bramblestar winced and whispered: "My apologize…Tigerstar just took my apprentice away. During his last visit. The only cat that truly gave us hope." He sighed. "Str-Strawberrypaw was chosen", gasped Mistystar shocked. Bramblestar nodded and whispered: "I know I couldn't have done anything but…I wish I would have." The other leaders were silent now and Bramblestar gazed to the sky, to freeze.

Deep green eyes met his before they vanished in a ginger blur. Jumping up he almost fell down the tree.

"What?", asked Blackstar annoyed.

"I…I saw him. I saw him again."

"Again?", questioned Mistystar.

"Fi-Firestar, I saw his eyes. He…"

The leader broke off when he spotted ginger fur between the leaves. Following his gaze the four of them all met a pair of glowing green eyes. The next moment they vanished with a ginger flash. Bramblestar released the breath he hadn't realised he'd been holing. Staring at each other the four leaders all shared the same thought. Crowstar was the one who spoke it out loud. "No word to Tigerstar."

The others nodded, then Tigerstar climbed back upwards. He took his position and growled: "Very well Crowstar, your warriors confirm your story to be true. Then, Bramblestar I'm proud of your skills as mentor." Bramblestar winced at this. "You might not know it yet", said Tigerstar to the other leaders. "But Strawberrypaw is trained by my cats now." Mistystar gasped, Crowstar almost fell from the tree and Blackstar frowned. They are good actors, thought Bramblestar relieved, still he felt a tingle in his stomach and asked: "Why are you telling me this?" Tigerstar laughed evilly and answered: "To see you suffer…my son." Bramblestar winced once again, this time at Tigerstar's last word.

The leader laughed and then said: "I got information that ShadowClan also lost a warrior."

Blackstar shot a burning glare at Tigerheart and Crowfrost and answered: "We indeed did. Tawnypelt died when she tried to protect Kinkfur's kits from a fox. He injured her badly and she was already dead when the kits had led the clan towards her. Her throat was slashed open." Again the ThunderClan leader almost fell from the tree. Tawnypelt, thought the leader with tears in his eyes. Why, why you sister?

Tigerstar nodded and went on: "And then I got the information that you caught a rather interesting illness Mistystar."

Mistystar growled at Icewing, one of cats from her clan which followed Tigerstar, then she answered: "I did. I don't know how long I'll survive. It's called Snail-Death. This illness will slowly kill me from the inside out. No one knows where it comes from, no one knows how you get it. It isn't contagious so it doesn't matter who I have contact with."

Bramblestar swallowed a sympathetic meow while Tigerstar could barely suppress his laughter. Then the tom called: "That was everything. I was the most interested in the circumstances of Onestar's death. Now leave before I'll have my warriors chase you away!"

Unison the leaders leaped down from the tree and called for their clan-mates. Bramblestar shared a glance with Mistystar. Both were thinking about what they'd seen earlier. "We need to talk about this", murmured the she-cat while they waited to cross the log. "When and where", asked Bramblestar hopelessly. "How about we meet at the horse place in two days after sunset? Tigerstar doesn't come there and when you tell Crowstar he might let you pass through his territory when you tell him what we figured out", offered the grey furred she-cat. Bramblestar smiled at her and nodded.

Fast they crossed the log and Bramblestar dashed forward when he reached the other side to catch up with Crowstar. He saw how the WindClan-Patrol slowly trotted back to their territory. The sun just started to set. Bramblestar caught up with them and paced his walk so he could walk side-by-side with Crowstar. He made sure none of Tigerstar's warriors listened and whispering he quickly explained what Mistystar had planned.

Crowstar's eyes became thoughtful, then he made sure no one listened and whispered back: "Could work. I'll make sure that no patrols are out around that time. I sadly really can't come with you. Though ThunderClan is greater trouble for him, Tigerstar has no warriors in your rows…"

Except for Frosttail, thought the leader. But she won't think of anything unusual with me, leaving the camp and just coming back in the middle of the night.

"…however mine will watch me. But promise me to tell me what you figured out."

"I promise it with StarClan watching over me", answered Bramblestar. Crowstar nodded, then they reached WindClan-Territory and the dark-grey leader straightened up. "May StarClan light your path", called Crowstar, then he raced off, followed by his clan.

Bramblestar twitched his tail and ran off as well. The sun had already disappeared when they had crossed half of WindClan territory. The moment they crossed their own border, Bramblestar slowed down and just walked. Cloudtail caught up and asked: "Bramblestar what are you and the other leaders planning?"

"What gives you this idea", asked Bramblestar nervously.

"First", caught Greystripe up. "You've been talking with each other on the tree. You never do that, no matter if Tigerstar is on it or not. We kept the other cats busy so they wouldn't notice."

"Second", went Sandstorm on. "You almost fell down when you jumped up on the branch."

"Third", said Dustpelt now. "You and Mistystar plotted something, as did you with Crowstar while we walked. We again kept The WindClan cats busy."

"And fourth", ended Cloudtail. "You are all nervous and alerted since Tigerstar took Strawberrypaw away. Not even Sandstorm is as bad as you."

Bramblestar looked at his warriors, then sighed and answered: "I truly wish I could tell you. But first, you'll think I'm crazy. Second, You won't believe me. And third, I don't want you in so much danger." The other four tried to argue, but Bramblestar silenced them with a quiet growl. The warriors gave up on it. For now, thought the leader.

When they reached the camp, it was around moon-high. They heard confused, scared and nervous noises. The five cats exchanged glances and raced into the camp. Bramblestar was on top and got almost run over by the other four when he froze in shock.

"Bramblestar what with StarClan", complained Dustpelt, but fell silent as well.

Barely a cat had realised that the five had arrived, they all stared at two cats in the centre on the clearing. One lay on his flank, not moving at all. The other one crouched down, trying to avoid the burning gazes of the cats. Bramblestar took his time to find his voice, then he purred and called: "Strawberrypaw!" The ginger apprentice looked up and ran up to him. She pressed her nose against his and purred deeply. "How did you get here?" "Long story", whispered the apprentice, then she suddenly winced and whispered: "But the clan needs you more now."

"What?"

"Jay-Jayfeather, he ate death-berries to end his live", answered Lionblaze who suddenly stood next to him.

"What?", exclaimed Greystripe. With that every cat noticed the leader, deputy and three oldest warriors being back and Bramblestar slowly padded up to Jayfeathers body. The healer looked like he was sleeping, but he wasn't breathing.

"What happened?", asked the leader shocked.

Slowly the crowd around him parted and Hailstorm padded forward, his eyes dull with sadness. The, now, medicine cat answered: "I did everything Jayfeather did to help Daisy. It wouldn't work. He surely carried this illness long already. Finally he sent me away to gather herbs or something, so I didn't have to watch him dying. I didn't want to, but then Brightheart's kits came. I rushed to help her. I guess Jayfeather ate the death-berries during that time."

Bramblestar shook his head at this. Jayfeather, thought the leader sadly. Why?

Suddenly a growl was heard and then a screech. Bramblestar spun around and found Frosttail, pinning Strawberrypaw down. The apprentice struggled under the older she-cats paws, but she held her down firmly.

"Frosttail", called Bramblestar shocked, but the next moment Sandstorm had tackled her away and hissed: "Keep your paws away from my daughter."

"Tigerstar is going to kill us all with her coming back", spat Frosttail.

As much as those words hurt, Bramblestar had to agree. He slowly walked up to the apprentice and asked: "Strawberrypaw why are you here? You're putting the whole clan in danger."

She looked up at him with wide eyes and answered: "I…I didn't come by myself."

"What?", exclaimed every cat. Bramblestar shook his head and said: "Follow me onto the High-ledge and tell the whole clan your story."

He walked on and Strawberrypaw followed. She climbed upwards onto the High-ledge before Bramblestar followed and sat down behind her.

"Now tell us", demanded the leader.

Strawberrypaw looked around nervously, then answered: "I was res-resting from a long training with Ma-Mapleshade when suddenly screeching was everywhere around me. I…I don't know who shoved me behind a rock, I think it was Thistelclaw, but I'm not sure. He yelled something about stopping him. I was truly scared and wondered what was going on. No matter what they ordered, I peeked out from behind the rock and saw the impossible. There was a ginger tom in the middle of those warriors, fighting them all off, one by one, like it was nothing. Suddenly he disappeared and then someone pocked my back. I spun around and stared at the tom. He…I remember he had green eyes and…"

Bramblestar winced at this. Was it really possible?

"…and he asked: Are you Strawberrypaw? I nodded. Great StarClan, I was so scared, but he just smiled and whispered: Your mentor is very worried about you, I'll get you home. I was shocked at that and asked him if he didn't know what Tigerstar would do to his clan. He laughed at that and answered: Tigerstar can't hurt a clan that doesn't exist. I'm no clan-cat…at least not anymore. I didn't really understand what he meant, but then he just picked me up and ran off. I can't believe how fast he was. He sat me down in front of the camp entrance and said: Go, your family is waiting in there. He wanted to leave. I of course asked him who he was and…well, his answer was quite confusing."

"What did he say", asked Bramblestar.

When Firestar had saved his daughter than there had to be a reason that he allowed her to seem him.

"He said: Meet Midnight at Dawn after the Mist hovered away. She'll know what the warriors in the sky want."

Bramblestar sucked in the air.

"Midnight has a new prophecy from StarClan?", called Squirrelflight form her place in front of the nursery.

"But what does, after the Mist hovered away, mean", asked Sorreltail. Bramblestar called for silence.

"We'll think about all of it. Now we have to sit vigil for Jayfeather and rest. Tomorrow at Sun-High I want Hailstorm, Sandstorm, Greystripe, Dustpelt and Cloudtail to meet me in my den. We'll discuss about this then."

Everyone agreed and gathered around the former medicine cat to give tongues with him for the last time. Bramblestar knew, though his sharp tongue, every cat couldn't think of a ThunderClan without the brave healer.

Firestar, thought Bramblestar while he stared to the moon. Whatever you are planning, be faster, please.