I would like to apologize for Tigerstar's behavior. I asked him to write the chapter for me, and when I checked up on him about an hour later, I found that he had not only written the next chapter, but uploaded it as well.

I've learned my lessons. First lesson: Tigerstar should not be trusted around my computer. Second lesson: Tigerstar needs to take a course in typing, as well as grammar and English. Third lesson: Tigerstar needs to un-learn how to use This is the biggest lesson in my mind.

I've finished my midterms now, so hopefully it won't come to that again. Unless you actually liked his "chaptur." Then I have to say you're stranger than I am. And with that out of the way, we continue down to the next chapter...one that was not written by Tigerstar, I might add.

And one final question, and perhaps Blackstar, you can answer this, since you got me Ravenpaw's eye color. What color eyes does Sasha have? I think they're amber, aren't they? Amber or blue...Hm.

"BloodClan," Tigerstar breathed softly. Ravenpaw's ears twitched, and he turned to stare curiously at the big tabby beside him.

"BloodClan?" he echoed. "What do you want with them?They're moons away from here."

Tigerstar shook his head. He unsheathed his long claws almost pensively. Ravenpaw gazed down at the bared talons. "I don't want BloodClan," Tigerstar murmured. "I want their ideas. They used dog teeth to reinforce their claws. We could do the same with eagle beaks, only they would fit over our paws. With that kind of weaponry, we could easily rid the land of that lion-cat!"

"Tigerstar, you're either a genius, or completely mad," mewed Ravenpaw. His white-tipped tail gave a slight twitch. "But I must admit, I do like your plan. Let's tell Stoneteller!" He kneaded the ground with his paws eagerly.

"No. Stoneteller won't listen to me." Tigerstar stared thoughtfully at Ravenpaw's feet. They were larger than he last recalled, but still dwarfed by his own. "But he will listen to you. You've never protested his ways. Ravenpaw, if you told Stoneteller my plan, he might listen to you!"

Ravenpaw gave a startled jerk. "Wh—You...Tigerstar, are you really trusting me with this?" he managed to stammer. The massive tom nodded. "Then I won't let you down." Tigerstar let his amber gaze fall gently over Ravenpaw. Odd...he could only recall looking at a scattered few cats like that. Goldenflower. Bramblekit and Tawnykit. Sasha. Hawkkit and Mothkit. And now he found himself doing it to Ravenpaw. It was strange what time had done to him. Truly strange...

He watched Ravenpaw bound off in the direction of Stoneteller's den, eyes following the dark cat until his black pelt merged with the shadows, and his white tailtip was lost. He let out a sigh mingled with anxiety and excitement. If Ravenpaw could convince Stoneteller to use the eagle beaks like BloodClan had used dog fangs, Tigerstar would have his chance to avenge Cliff. And that was something he would always be ready for.

A soft nose nuzzled his side gently. He turned to see a brown kit-mother called Flight of Startled Heron. Her pale eyes were sympathetic as she rasped her tongue over his ear. "You were Cliff's friend," she observed. "Two scoops, one heart. I will miss him as well."

"I won't let that vile lion-cat go free," Tigerstar snarled. "He will pay for the damage he's done here." He turned to gaze at her. She reminded him faintly of Sasha, his rogue mate. Her fur was more brown than Sasha's honey, but it was still a charming color. "Your eyes," he meowed abruptly, "they tell me all. You've lost a mate or some kits to Sharptooth." Flight ducked her head.

"My mate," she whispered. Tigerstar let his long tail drape gently across her shoulders. He surprised himself so much, it was a wonder he didn't yank his tail away immediately. I've no room to be taking on a new mate, he scolded himself angrily. I've fathered kits in all Clans but WindClan! Flight pushed her muzzle into his dark pelt, accepting the comfort generously.

"I'm...sorry to hear," he managed finally. Flight rubbed her head against his flank, mouth open and drinking in Tigerstar's scent. The massive tom began to feel very uncomfortable. All he could think of was Sasha and how much she had appealed to him. He thought of her face over and over again. Ravenpaw saved the day with his approach.

Almost shamefully, Flight broke away and bolted back to the nursery tunnel, her tabby pelt starting to prickle with unease. Ravenpaw watched her flee curiously. "Is her name Flight for any particular reason?" he asked dryly. Tigerstar cuffed him over the ear. "Ack! Fine, you win! Listen, Tigerstar, Stoneteller sounded really interested about your plan. He's calling all the cave-guards together to discuss it. I think he likes it!"

Tigerstar felt a surge of pride and excitement flood his body. It took all his self-control not to throw back his head and yowl his joy to the cave roof. Instead, he turned to Ravenpaw and meowed steadily as he could, "Wonderful. You did well, Ravenpaw." The black loner's tail curled up in pleasure. Tigerstar nodded, shifting his gaze over to where the waterfall thundered. In the past moon, he had grown very accustomed to its ceaseless roar. It was almost like the Thunderpath, steady and unchanging. "By the by," he mused, "did you tell Stoneteller that it was my plan, or your plan?"

"Mine, but you helped me develop it."

"Good call. You're rather bright, Ravenpaw."

Ravenpaw dipped his head to lick at the dab of white fur on his chest, grooming it in swift strokes of his pink tongue. Tigerstar purred softly. He had seen that habit before. Ravenpaw did it every time he was praised as a way to hide his shame. Some cats stuttered, some cats looked away, Ravenpaw tended to his personal hygiene. The dark warrior sighed peacefully.

"So, er, I guess we just wait now," Ravenpaw muttered. Tigerstar nodded, wrapping his tail over his paws. "StarClan grant this goes over well with the cave-hunters."

The word "StarClan" caused Tigerstar's heart to beat faster. It couldn't have been very long since he'd last heard the name of his ancestors' Clan; why would it excite him so much? He turned to Ravenpaw. "Yes, I said StarClan," growled the black cat. "I haven't forgotten them."

"Neither have I!" Tigerstar protested. Ravenpaw gave his sleek head a scornful flick.

"Yes you have," he replied tartly. "The last time you were talking with Cliff, I heard you say 'Tribe forbid!' Another time, just as you were leaving with the other prey-hunters, you muttered that if the Tribe of Endless Hunting was good, you'd bring back more caught-prey than any other cat before."

Tigerstar felt his claws slide from their sheathes. "I never said any of those things!" he spat defensively.

"Really? Would you like to check with the rest of the Tribe and see if they've heard you say 'StarClan' in the past few weeks?"

The two toms prowled around each other, each eyes the other for a weak spot to attack. Tigerstar felt betrayed. Tribe forb—He froze, cutting off the thought before it was full formed. He...no, he hadn't! He broke away from Ravenpaw and studied himself in one of the pools that lay around the cave to study his reflection.

Gone were his bold, tabby stripes, replaced by a gross, streaky gray. He sat down and started to scratch away the mud coating on his pelt. Ravenpaw padded up behind him and put a paw over Tigerstar's. "Don't," he mewed gently. "I'm sorry. I was angry and—"

"No." Tigerstar cut his old apprentice off. "It's not your fault. It's true. I've forgotten StarClan. I suppose it's because they can't reach me here...and the Tribe's ancestors can, and they walk in my dreams in StarClan's place."

"We'll sleep outside tonight," Ravenpaw told him. "Away from the waterfall and the Tribe of Endless Hunting. We'll lie down beneath Silverpelt and let StarClan join us once more." His amber eyes were kind; the cat who had been a whisker away from attacking Tigerstar was gone. "How's that?"

"I'd like that." Tigerstar pushed aside the fact that it was likely below freezing outside the cave. He wanted to get out of the semidark, humid cave and free his ears from the roar of the falls. He wanted to sleep in Silverpelt's shine and greet his warrior ancestors. He gazed back at Ravenpaw, nodding. "Thank you."

"Tigerstar!"

Stoneteller stood behind the pair, his emerald gaze even. The cave-guards stood in formation behind him. "Follow me. Ravenpaw, you as well. Both of you must join us."

Because I just know someone is going to tell me "Dawn's allegiances say Stoneteller has amber eyes!" I'll say this: Read Moonrise again. When he is first brought in, Stoneteller has green eyes. And I quote:

"Then he spotted Crag again, emerging from the far passage and padding across the cave floor toward the tight group of forest cats. He was followed by another cat, long bodied and skinny as a WindClan warrior. So much mud plastered his fur that Stormfur couldn't make out what color it was underneath, but his eyes were a deep and glowing green."

"Where are we going, Stoneteller?" Ravenpaw asked.

"We are going to the Cave of Pointed Stones, where the Tribe of Endless Hunting speaks loudest." Stoneteller flicked his tail and started back towards the deepest recesses of the cavern. Tigerstar followed, a little put off by how he had just finished proclaiming his love and loyalty to StarClan only to find out he must listen to the Tribe of Endless Hunting again.

.-T-.-I-.-G-.-E-.-R-.

"When the Tribe of Endless Hunting calls, we come to listen," Stoneteller mewed rhythmically. Tigerstar shifted uncomfortably as Ravenpaw pressed closer to him. He pictured Flight—no, Sasha!—pressing close.

"In rock and pool, in air and light on water, through fall of prey and cry of kit, through scrape of claw and beat of blood, we hear you," the cave-guards murmured. Tigerstar shivered at the eerie, chanting tone that rang in every cat's voice.

"Tigerstar, Ravenpaw, step forwards."

Tigerstar curled his tail around Ravenpaw's to keep the young cat by his side. They were in the Cave of Pointed Stones, a place that Tigerstar never could have imagined, even as a kit. Spurs of rock hung down everywhere from the ceiling and poked up from the floor of the cave, water dribbling down their sides and into a pool. The waterfall's deafening thunder had been reduced to a low murmur, like the purr of a queen to her kits.

"Don't stray," Tigerstar murmured in his old apprentice's ear. "And stay brave." He added the last part, for Ravenpaw had started to tremble all over. Tigerstar knew how he felt. It was like being at Mothermouth...that same presence of something far beyond his grasp.

The two tomcats leapt in unison onto the rocky table where Stoneteller sat. Framed in the spooky light, he looked more fearsome than Ravenpaw remembered Tigerstar ever looking. The Tribe Healer waved his tail for them to sit down.

"Gaze into the pool," he ordered softly. Tigerstar obeyed. His amber eyes flew wide with alarm. Beside him, Ravenpaw began to bristle, his short fur prickling against Tigerstar's flank like the claws of a tick. They stared into the pool as though hypnotized.

An eagle's beak was floating in the water.

"The Tribe of Endless Hunting has shown us the way," Stoneteller murmured. "Tomorrow, the prey-hunters will bring in more hawks and eagles than ever before." His green eyes glowed faintly in the low light. "We will rid ourselves of Sharptooth once and for all."

Tigerstar wanted to thank StarClan in his mind, but he thought better. Out in the open, StarClan watched him. But here...in the Cave of Pointed Stones...the Tribe of Endless Hunting walked his mind. He sent a silent, final prayer to the Tribe's ancestors. Final, because he knew that tonight, StarClan would have a few words for him.

.-T-.-I-.-G-.-E-.-R-.

Bluestar dipped her head, acknowledging Tigerstar's bold plan. "I would expect nothing less from you," she meowed. "You're doing well, Tigerstar. Very well, indeed. I'm proud of the changes you've made."

Ravenpaw stepped up beside Tigerstar. "What I can't understand is why you didn't know about the plan, Bluestar," he mewed, confusion etched in his every word. "I mean, don't StarClan see all?"

"Tigerstar," Bluestar prompted. The dark tabby nodded.

Tigerstar still couldn't believe that Ravenpaw was walking in dreams with him. He and the black cat had fallen asleep curled close, yes, but only to keep warm. Not to share dreams. So why was Ravenpaw here, speaking with Bluestar and the rest of StarClan's ranks?

And the forest. Why was it that every time he walked this dream, he found the ruined forest? Bluestar's gaze held no answers, and no questions, either. Tigerstar felt his pelt ruffle at the sight of the fallen trees, torn earth, and frosty rocks.

"Ravenpaw, where we were, StarClan couldn't follow. We had entered the land of the Tribe of Endless Hunting." Bluestar nodded calmly, her ice-blue gaze subdued. "I...think it was because of the waterfall. The Tribe speaks through water. StarClan speak through stars." He turned his gaze back to the gray queen. "Tell us, Bluestar...are we on the right path?"

"No."

Tigerstar and Ravenpaw both stumbled backwards in shock. Bluestar continued, "No. While you were destined to find the Tribe and learn their ways...they are not the cats you must save." Tigerstar started to bristle angrily.

"You misled us!" he yowled angrily.

"I said StarClan would not lead," Bluestar pointed out icily. Tigerstar felt the hot fury that had pulsed through his body freeze and melt away in the frost of her blue glare. The StarClan cat continued without any trace of her anger. "True to our word, we have followed."

"Then if we were never supposed to find the Tribe," Ravenpaw mused, "that means we don't have to fight Sharptooth, right?"

"Wrong!" snapped Tigerstar. "That beast killed Cliff! I won't let Sharptooth get away from me this time! I'll kill that vile disgrace to LionClan if it takes my last six lives!" He glared down at Ravenpaw. "Right?" he mewed mockingly.

"Wrong." Bluestar's tail flicked across her silvery-gray paws. "As badly as you may want it, Tigerstar, you are not the cat to kill Sharptooth." She got slowly to her paws and motioned for the toms to follow her. Tigerstar gave Ravenpaw a swat with his tail and followed.

Bluestar led them away from the destroyed forest clearing, and up into the realms of Silverpelt. Ravenpaw gazed around with wide, amber eyes, taking in the eventual home of all forest cats. Tigerstar knew where Bluestar was leading, and he raced ahead of her to the pool. He waited while she drew her tail across the surface of the waters.

"This is the cat who will be Sharptooth's downfall."

Tigerstar studied the image closely. He'd seen that cat before. Strong RiverClan scent drifted off the water. He tilted his head up to look for Bluestar's reaction. "Isn't that—?" he began. Bluestar nodded. "So they survived?" Another nod. "And now that one's going to...?" Nod. "And not me."

"Yes."

Tigerstar grunted and lifted his head away from the silvery glow. "Well, good luck to her," he growled. "She'll need it, from what I've seen."

"She will. But she will do it."

Tigerstar glanced back at Ravenpaw. The black tomcat gave a clueless shrug. He turned back to Bluestar. "If that's all you have to show us," he began. Bluestar nodded. "Then it was refreshing as always to see you again, Bluestar." He expected some anger from Bluestar at his dripping sarcasm. Her reaction surprised him greatly.

"And you, Tigerstar." The silver she-cat rubbed her muzzle along his. Tigerstar was reminded of Sasha. Not Flight. He almost sighed with relief. He pulled back to see that Bluestar had become that gorgeous tawny she-cat. Her eyes twinkled.

Sasha opened her mouth and uttered the same parting words she had so many moons and lives ago, when Tigerstar had been just the rogue cat Tigerclaw, escaping from his old Clan. She spoke the same words she had to ShadowClan's future leader: "I'll wait for you forever, Tigerstar."

Warmth surged through the tabby warrior's body and he pressed close to his old mate. Yes...this was how it was meant to be. Tigerstar and Sasha...She was waiting for him still, he could feel it. Sasha pulled back. "I love you, Tigerstar," she mewed, and became Bluestar once more. The silver-muzzle queen smiled.

"Now there's a cat you hardly find in nine lives, much less eight," she mused. Tigerstar nodded, still tingling from Sasha's warm pelt so close to his own. "She's grieving now, you know. At least, she will be until she awakes."

"Then...that..."

"I didn't touch you."

Tigerstar let the words sink into his mind. He swayed lightly on his paws. Ravenpaw gave a muffled purr. Bluestar padded forwards to touch noses with the black tom. "You've grown well, Ravenpaw," she murmured. Then she dipped her head in dismissal.

.-T-.-I-.-G-.-E-.-R-.

"Ooh! The look on your face, Tigerstar!"

"That's enough, Ravenpaw."

"You were so moony when you saw your little Sasha!"

"I know. Let it drop."

" 'I'll wait for you forever, Tigerstar.' "

"Ravenpaw, cut the fresh-kill."

"But you were so cute together!"

The dark tabby swiped out with a sheathed paw, knocking Ravenpaw into a stunted, leafless bush. The black cat struggled, growling angrily. Tigerstar clucked his tongue in mock sympathy. "Oh, dear," he mewed. "Did I do that? How careless of me. I can't imagine how on earth I could do something like that on accident, much less on purpose."

"All right! I get it! I'm sorry already! Now get me out of this thing!"

Tigerstar shook his head slowly as if he were scolding a naughty kit. "Stop thrashing like that," he meowed. "You're only getting yourself more tangled. Now, move your paw—yes, that one—move it over this way a little. There. That got it. Now move the other—yes, that's it." Ravenpaw dropped down, shaking his rumpled pelt vigorously.

"Fine. You win, Tigerstar." The black loner glanced in the direction of the Tribe's cave. "The prey-hunters should be back with the birds soon. We'd better hurry and get our pick of the beaks."

"Before we do, though," Tigerstar meowed, "there's something I'm curious about. Stoneteller acted as though this whole plan was mine. What exactly did you tell him, Ravenpaw?"

Ravenpaw grinned, flicking Tigerstar cheekily with his white tailtip. "I told him you didn't think he'd listen to you because he didn't trust you anymore, and that I was asked to deliver the plan to him."

"What did he say to that?" asked Tigerstar.

"He gave me this funny look, and said that his trust in you had never faltered and that he would have eagerly accepted such a plan from a brilliant prey-hunter like you." The black cat purred. "And I'm not making any of this up. Ask Stoneteller yourself when we get back."

"I think I will." Ravenpaw's expression didn't change; he passed Tigerstar's lie detector test. "But let's hurry back. My paws are freezing, and I'd like to get back to the warm cave soon." Ravenpaw gave Tigerstar a playful cuff.

"Fine. Tag!"

The two former ThunderClan cats raced towards the waterfall. Tigerstar felt his dream come back in one warm, energizing tide. Sasha's face, her fur, her voice, all merging into one perfect she-cat, telling him she'd wait for him. His paws felt light as air.

Aww...Tiggerstar's in luff!

Tigerstar: I most certainly am not! And what have I told you about calling me Tiggerstar?

Sasha: Oh, lighten up, Tiggerstar. (bats his ear)

Tigerstar: Oh...kay...

X3 Dawww...

.-T-.-I-.-G-.-E-.-R-.

Tigerstar wrapped his toes around the smooth edge of the eagle beak he held. The beak rose up in a gentle curve, ending in a lethal point. He grinned. Just like Scourge's claws: unnaturally sharp. His paws had been too big to fit inside the beak of a hawk. With great flourish, Rock had presented him with the beaks from two huge, golden eagles.

Beside him, Ravenpaw lifted his paws curiously. "This is definitely new," he muttered softly. "Still, if it's going to save the Tribe..."

"That's the spirit, Ravenpaw!" Tigerstar gave the black he-cat a rough nudge with his shoulder. Instead of stumbling back, Ravenpaw rolled with the blow and leapt at Tigerstar, shedding his beak-claws. The Tribe gasped, but Tigerstar knew better. The huge tabby slipped his paws free as well and caught Ravenpaw. The two rolled around together, giving fake battle cries and curses.

Stoneteller yowled, and two cave-guards broke up the playful skirmish. Tigerstar opened his mouth to protest, when a thunderous roar shook the cave. Every cat froze with fear. Sharptooth had returned!

Tigerstar flicked his tail to Ravenpaw, and both tomcats donned their beak-claws. They raced forwards. "Tribe!" Tigerstar shouted. "Now's the time we've been waiting for and preparing for! Rally to me!" He threw back his head and yowled the ThunderClan battle cry. Ravenpaw echoed his fearsome voice, and steadily, the whole Tribe joined in.

Cave-guards slid their paws into beaks both torn from fresh-kill and dug up from old catches. They raced forwards, slashing out at the lion-cat intruder. Tigerstar latched onto Sharptooth's face, just as Cliff had done the day he died. From up close, Tigerstar could see that faint scars traced the beast's muzzle and brow, trophies from battles long passed. He felt awed by the wild fire that blazed in the lion-cat's eyes, and couldn't help dipping his head in the respect of two worthy adversaries.

Sharptooth let out the roar of a breaking storm and shook its head wildly. Tigerstar sunk his beak-claws into the tawny fur that surrounded him, holding on for dear life. He felt a presence beside him, and a voice whispered in his ear, Strike true, Tigerstar!

Cliff, he thought.

Sharptooth slowed its furious lashing head and squinted angrily at Tigerstar with its deep gray eyes. The lion-cat snarled low, and Tigerstar returned the rumble, feeling the combined growls hum through the air like distant thunder. In that one, frozen moment, Sharptooth gazed deeply into Tigerstar's eyes, and dipped its head ever so slightly, acknowledging the other feline's bravery. Tigerstar was awed, and almost loosed his beak-claws.

Suddenly, the lion-cat whipped its head to the side, faster than a striking adder. Tigerstar was flung away, just as Cliff had been. The dark tabby yowled an angry curse at the beast before his head slammed hard against the wall. Blackness washed over him, burning with brilliant light, like the fire that had destroyed the forest those moons ago...

.-T-.-I-.-G-.-E-.-R-.

Life given, a voice murmured in the silvery shadows that surrounded Tigerstar. The dark tom looked around to find himself in the Cave of Pointed Stones. Moonlight shone down into the pool. Tigerstar gazed down.

He saw himself, crumpled and bleeding on the cave floor, while faint-sounding voices cried out in chorus with deep, bellowing roars. Is this what happens when Stoneteller loses a life? he wondered, for Cliff had told him that the Tribe Healer had been given nine lives by the Tribe of Endless Hunting.

Life taken, another voice hissed.

Then, like the cave-guards' chanting, many voices combined in one high, eerie chant: In blood and sweat, in shadow and light, in the heat of battle and chill of sickness, in the slash of claw and rasp of dying breath, we see you.

Tigerstar looked up to see Cliff standing before him. The tom's eyes shone with the silver light of the pool's reflection. "You have left one calling," he meowed. "The Tribe of Endless Hunting see you. In life and death, in health and sickness, in brightest glory and darkest hour, we see you."

We see you, the chorus mewed.

"You have given your life that others may live," Cliff continued. "The Tribe of Endless Hunting reward you, and we grant you life." His eyes gleamed with a friendly light. "Now go, Tigerstar. Live this new life with strength and justice!"

.-T-.-I-.-G-.-E-.-R-.

Tigerstar jolted awake to see Stoneteller standing over him. "You live once more," he observed. Tigerstar staggered to his paws. "The battle rages still. Your...apprentice fights with the strength and determination of many cats."

The dark tabby followed Stoneteller's pointing tail to where Sharptooth crouched, surrounded by furious Tribe cats. Ravenpaw! Tigerstar spotted the young cat perched atop the lion-cat's shoulders. Ravenpaw's beak-claws were stained red. His face was twisted into a furious snarl as he grappled with Sharptooth. Tigerstar felt a rush of pride and raced towards the fight.

"Tigerstar!" Ravenpaw yowled joyfully. Tigerstar gave a wordless yowl of joy and rage, a sound that said, I'm happy to see you too, but there are more important matters at paw. Ravenpaw got the message and dragged his beak-claws through Sharptooth's pelt. Tigerstar leapt back at Sharptooth's face and drove his beak-claw in a solid, red line down the broad muzzle.

Sharptooth, covered from head to tail in red slashes, gave a final roar and fled. Ravenpaw was tossed from its tawny back to land with a thud beside Tigerstar. He was panting, and his amber eyes still burned fiercely with the light of battle. As the lion-cat's shape blurred into the distance, Tigerstar laid his tail on Ravenpaw's shoulders.

"You did well, Ravenpaw," he praised, and was pleased to see that Ravenpaw kept his head out of his chest.

"Thank you, Tigerstar."

"A warrior couldn't have done better," the dark tabby added meaningfully. Ravenpaw blinked up at him in disbelief. Tigerstar turned away from his former apprentice. "Stoneteller," he called. The Healer came up with all the pride and dignity of a stiff, battle-scarred elder.

"Yes, Tigerstar."

Tigerstar let his amber gaze lock with Stoneteller's green. "I wish to ask a favor of you."

"What is your request?"

"I wish to invite StarClan into your Tribe's cave. I would like my warrior ancestors to look down upon myself and Ravenpaw for something very important."

A few gasps rose up from the assembled Tribe. Tigerstar understood their shock. It was a bold thing he did, asking for unfamiliar warriors to be admitted into the sacred realm of the Tribe of Endless Hunting. He half expected Stoneteller to refuse. But there was a new respect gleaming in the Healer's eyes, and he dipped his head in assent. Tigerstar returned the nod and took a pace back from Ravenpaw.

"Ravenpaw," he began, "are you ready to receive your warrior name?"