"Jayfeather?!" Bramblestar yowled after the medicine cat as he rushed out of camp.

"Jayfeather, come back!" Lionblaze called.

"Jay's Wing!" the cat that looked just like Jayfeather shouted. He took a few steps after him but Bramblestar stopped him.

"Wait," Bramblestar instructed. He turned to Leafpool who was only now coming out of the medicine den. "Leafpool, go look for Jayfeather. Lionblaze, Dovewing, Squirrelflight, come to my den. You too… I didn't catch your name."

"Crane's Wing," the cat said.

"Crane's Wing," Bramblestar repeated. He beckoned the cat to his den before looking back at the clan. "Brightheart, Thornclaw, deal with this." He gestured at their clanmates who were crowding around.

Brightheart and Thornclaw looked at their confused clanmates unenthusiastically.

Bramblestar lead the other four cats to his den on the Highledge.

"Nice den," Crane's Wing said. The other cats turned on him.

"Alright, who are you?" Squirrelflight asked.

"Why does everyone keep asking that?" Crane's Wing questioned. "I've told you guys so many times! Do you all have moss in your ears or something?"

"I think she means how does Jayfeather know you?" Bramblestar told him.

"He doesn't," Crane's Wing stated. "We've never met."

Dovewing looked confused. "Then why were you looking for him?"

"Like I told Jay's Wing, my cats have passed his name for generations," Crane's Wing said. "We were informed of his return and I was sent to find him."

It certainly looks like this cat has been traveling.

"Why do you keep calling him Jay's Wing?" Bramblestar asked. "His name is Jayfeather."

Crane's Wing shook his head. "I'm pretty sure its Jay's Wing."

"Maybe he's mistaken," Dovewing suggested. "Jay's Wing kind of sounds like a combination of Jayfeather and Dovewing. Maybe he heard something about the three."

"No, I've heard the name Jay's Wing somewhere," Lionblaze told her. "I'm not sure where but I'm positive he's talking about Jayfeather."

"You said that you were informed of his return and that you were sent to find him," Bramblestar said. "Where did he return from? Who sent you? Why were you sent?"

"By the ancients, you cats ask a lot of questions," Crane's Wing sighed.

"Sorry," Bramblestar apologized. "I've just never seen Jayfeather act like that. Its incredibly out of character, clearly something you said deeply bothered him. I just want to know what's going on."

"Don't worry, I understand," Crane's Wing said. "It's just hard to explain. I don't even know everything, just that I was supposed to find him."

"Well, since you scared him off, now we have to find him," Squirrelflight sighed. She looked to Lionblaze. "Do you have any idea where he may have run off to?"

Lionblaze shrugged. "He used to spend a lot of time at the lake but he doesn't really do that anymore. He's probably just walking through the territory or something."

"Can you two look for him?" Bramblestar asked Dovewing and Lionblaze. "I know you two have already patrolled a lot today but the three of you were once pretty close."

Lionblaze and Dovewing nodded and padded out of the den.

"Can I come?" Crane's Wing asked. "I've been looking for him for so long, I really want to meet him."

Lionblaze and Dovewing looked to Bramblestar.

This is one reason I hate being clan leader. Every cat expects me to know the answers.

"It's probably best if you stay here," Squirrelflight said. Bramblestar shot her a grateful look. "We don't know what's going on with Jayfeather. We don't want him running off again."

Thank you Squirrelflight. Bramblestar nodded. "Right. Besides, the clan wouldn't be very happy with you roaming around the territory."

Dovewing and Lionblaze walked away. Crane's Wing didn't look happy but he didn't argue.

"Are we going to let him stay in the clan?" Squirrelflight asked.

"We can't send him away," Bramblestar pointed out.

"Um, if you don't mind me asking, where am I?" Crane's Wing asked. Bramblestar and Squirrelflight looked at him in surprise. "Everything's been happening really fast, no cat told me anyone's name. That grey she-cat told me this is ThunderClan territory."

Bramblestar felt a bit guilty. This cat had just showed up in a strange place and they were demanding answers from him while he was still incredibly confused. "That was Dovewing. She-"

"Dove's Wing?" Crane's Wing questioned. "Jay's Wing's sister?"

"Is everyone where your from named some kind of Bird's Wing?" Squirrelflight asked.

Crane's Wing shook his head. "No. Traditionally my cats have a name lineage. My kin are descended from the kin of Jay's Wing and Dove's Wing, we honor them by using their names."

"Okay…"

"Anyway," Bramblestar continued, not understanding what the cat was talking about, "she was right. This is ThunderClan territory. I'm Bramblestar, the clan leader. This is my deputy, Squirrelflight. That golden tom was Lionblaze, one of our best warriors."

Crane's Wing bowed. "I did not realize you were the leader. My deepest respects."

"You don't actually have to show me that kind of respect," Bramblestar said awkwardly. No cat had ever bowed to me before… its strange.

"Oh, okay," Crane's Wing stood up straight.

"How far have you traveled?" Squirrelflight changed the subject.

"Far," Crane's Wing said. He looked weary.

"You should rest," Bramblestar said sympathetically. He understood how tiring it was to travel, he'd probably traveled farther than any clan cat. He looked to Squirrelflight. "Where are there any free nests?"

"Other than the medicine den, just the apprentice's den," Squirrelflight paused a moment. She turned to Crane's Wing. "Come on, I'll tell Stormpaw to make sure none of the rest of the clan harasses you. He's new too, he could probably help you out. Just remember your only here temporarily."

"Okay, thanks," Crane's Wing said and the two walked out of Bramblestar's den.

Bramblestar stepped out and watched Squirrelflight lead him across camp and hiss at clanmates who were asking too many questions. He briefly purred in amusement before looking out at the forest with worry.

I hope they find Jayfeather.


Author's Note: Crane's Wing's strange words will make sense in time.