No! My blood ran cold and I shook my head, my claws coming out and digging into the ground to stabilize me. No! It can't be!

Mudpaw was at my side. "What happened- Oh no..."

"It's Mousefur," Bluestar choked out. "She's been killed by a warrior blow."

"No..." I whispered. "No, it can't be... Not Mousefur, no..."

"Bramblepaw-" Mudpaw tried to comfort me, but I threw my head back and let out a yowl of grief.

Mousefur had been my best friend, I had been her mentor, I taught her everything I had ever known from my own mentor. And then when I had been reborn, Mousefur had been my mentor, she had trained me! And now she was gone, a cat had killed her. For what reason did she have to be murdered!?

I dropped my head. "Bluestar!" I hissed under my breath, feeling the rage burning under my pelt, my tail lashing back and forth, my ears lay back against my head.

Bluestar stepped closer to me, her muzzle beside my ear. "You can go, take a few cats with you," she whispered so that no other cat would hear. "There will be another Thunderclan patrol when the rain stops to retrieve the kits from the camp. Be careful, Bramblepaw."

I nodded and backed away. I looked at Mudpaw and signaled for her to follow me. I brushed past Ravenpaw and the two cats followed me across to the apprentices den.

"What's the matter?" Mudpaw asked me.

"Let's go," I growled. "Bluestar gave the permission. Let's go."

"Where?" Ravenpaw asked.

"I'll explain on the way," I growled. "Just come with me, please. You have to trust me."

"Of course," Mudpaw nodded. "Let's go."

I turned and stalked in the shadows towards the gorse tunnel with my friends behind me as cats began to retreat to their dens to escape the heavy rain. At this point, I didn't care that it was raining, I didn't care about getting wet, I just wanted justice for the death of my mentor! And to get the kits back that Shadowclan stole from Thunderclan! We reached the tunnel, but a growl stopped us. "Where are you going?"

We turned to see Tigerclaw stalking over to us. "Well?" he growled.

I was about to speak, but Bluestar bounded over. "Tigerclaw, if these young apprentices are willing to run an errand-"

"An errand!?" Tigerclaw looked at her. "In this weather?!"

"One of Goldenflower's kits has a cough, I sent Bramblepaw to go find some Coltsfoot," Bluestar meowed.

"And Bramblepaw needs her friends to go with her?" Tigerclaw looked at me.

"In weather like this, she could do with the company," Bluestar nodded to me and I nodded in return. "Good luck, you three."

"Let's go," I murmured to Mudpaw and Ravenpaw and we ran out of the camp and up the ravine.

We shot through the forest, ignoring the freezing rain that made our fur cling to our bodies.

"So, where are we going?" Ravenpaw asked. "Are we really going to find Coltsfoot?"

"No," I replied. "We're going to Shadowclan territory to get those kits back."

"What!?" Mudpaw hissed. "We can't do it all on our own!"

"Bluestar will send another patrol when the rain stops," I explained. "We should use this time to scope out the territory and wait for the patrol to launch a well planned attack."

"That makes a little more sense," Ravenpaw nodded. "Okay, let's do it."

"Thank you," I nodded to them and we ran through our territory.

We reached the Thunderpath before long and the rain still poured down. Mudpaw and Ravenpaw were scared when they realized we had to cross the Thunderpath, but they did not give into fear. We waited as a monster roared past, sending a spray of filthy water in our direction. We jumped back before pelting across the big black path before another monster could arrive.

When we reached the other side, we became more cautious. "Alright," I took a deep breath. "We're on Shadowclan territory now. Keep your eyes open, your tails and ears down, and listen carefully."

Mudpaw and Ravenpaw nodded and we stalked through this new territory, and then I realized; Mudpaw and Ravenpaw have never been here before. I had, once.

The ground was wet, everywhere you stepped was wet. This marshy land was so much more different from Thunderclan territory, I didn't know how Shadowclan cats could stand it. I was surprised that they didn't all have webbed paws!

"Where are we going?" Mudpaw asked.

"We have to head straight for the camp and have a look," I answered as we stalked deeper into the heart of Shadowclan territory.

"And then wait for the patrol," Ravenpaw murmured and I nodded.

The rain began to ease off and I could smell the marshy area better than before with the rain washing it away. The Thunderclan patrol would be on its way now.

Suddenly, Mudpaw stopped. "I can smell blood..."

Ravenpaw and I turned and blinked at her. I took a big sniff and found that Mudpaw was right. It was definitely blood, and kit-scent.

"They've been here," I crouched lower and we followed the scent, I found a small splash of blood on the ground, it had kit-scent all around it. I growled, if those kits were hurt, Shadowclan would pay.

I looked up and saw a burned ash tree when I detected a strong scent of Shadowclan. I signaled for Ravenpaw to keep a lookout, and then signaled with my tail for Mudpaw to go one way. Ravenpaw stalked to the back of the leafless tree without a sound while Mudpaw and I stalked around the tree, keeping our pawsteps light.

When we rounded around the tree, Mudpaw and I jumped forward and the gray cat reared up in surprise. The cat backed deeper into the hole of the tree. "I knew Thunderclan would come," it was a she-cat, with golden eyes and long gray fur that looked like she hadn't cleaned it in moons.

"Where are the kits?" I demanded and then called for Ravenpaw to join us. "We can smell their scent, and their blood."

"I don't have the kits," the she-cat meowed, her body crouched low to the ground. "I was passing here and I smelt them too, I thought they'd be here but they're not!"

"Just strolling past?" Mudpaw hissed. "What were you doing? Hunting?"

She nodded. "But whatever Brokenstar is doing I swear that I am not part of it."

"How can we trust you?" I challenged. "You obviously knew that Shadowclan have taken Thunderclan kits."

"I did not know of any of this," the she-cat growled back at me. "I don't stay at the camp!"

"What do you mean?" Mudpaw asked.

"Ever since Brokenstar had become leader, which was a few seasons ago, I know," she sighed. "He kicked out the elderly and the sick cats, we were not allowed to stay inside the safety of the camp."

"What!?" Mudpaw spat in disgust. "What kind of a leader would do that!?"

"Brokenstar," she meowed gravely. "We are allowed to live in the territory, but we have to fend for ourselves."

"How can a clan put up with that?" I growled. "Surely they wouldn't agree with that!"

"The clan can't do anything," the she-cat bowed her head. "A leader's word is law. And even if they wanted to defy him, he has elite warriors that would die for him if he told them to. In a battle, if Brokenstar was winning, his clan would fight with him, but if he was losing..."

"His clan would turn against him," Mudpaw finished. "What kind of clan loyalty is that!?"

"Shadowclan never used to be that way," the she-cat shook her head. "Not when Raggedstar was our leader. But he died a while back."

"We don't have time for this," I growled. "We have to get those kits back from the Shadowclan camp," I looked at the she-cat. "You'd better not stand in our way."

She shook her head again. "I can help, if you want."

"Why would we trust a Shadowclan cat?" Mudpaw growled. Ravenpaw was too edgy to speak, he was never one to growl.

"Because Shadowclan needs help," she growled back. "We want Brokenstar banished from the territory. His rule is destroying the whole meaning of the warrior code."

I looked at her. "Who are you?" I asked.

She bowed her head. "I am Yellowfang, I used to be the Shadowclan medicine cat. That is, until Brokenstar kicked me out and replaced me with a younger cat."

I looked at Mudpaw and Ravenpaw, then back to the gray she-cat. "How do you intent to help us?"

Mudpaw shot me a look of disbelief. "We're going to trust her!?"

"We need all the help we can get," I meowed calmly. "If Shadowclan need help, then we should help them. Either way, we're going to have to fight for those kits back, and if Yellowfang is willing to help, why pass it up?"

Mudpaw looked at me, taking in what I said. She sighed. "Alright, we'll give it a shot."

Yellowfang nodded. "I know a few cats that live outside the camp that could help us."

"Do you really think they'd help?" I asked.

Yellowfang nodded. "I'll go get them."

"We'll have to wait for the Thunderclan patrol," Mudpaw stated. "They'll be here soon."

I looked from Mudpaw and back to Yellowfang. "Meet us back here later. We'll be back when we have caught the coming patrol."

Yellowfang nodded and dashed away.

"Let's go," I meowed and turned away, Mudpaw and Ravenpaw followed me a far distance away until we found a small boggy area surrounded by ferns. It stank, but it was better than nothing. "This will disguise our scent."

"Yuck!" Mudpaw growled, taking a sniff. "My paws are wet enough. If you're saying I have to wait for the patrol in that then forget it!"

"Mudpaw!" I turned to her. "We have to hide in case a Shadowclan patrol comes on the lookout for us. This is our only option."

Mudpaw looked at me as I pushed through the ferns and into the bog, flattening my body to the ground, trying to ignore the moisture as it soaked into my pelt. Ravenpaw followed me, uncomfortably settling himself beside me, then, after a few moments pause, Mudpaw crept in beside us.

We stayed there, crouched down, for a while, waiting. Then, as I listened carefully, I heard the thumping pawsteps of a large patrol and we watched as the pelts of Thunderclan raced past us.

"Mudpaw, Ravenpaw, you go back to the burned ash tree and wait for Yellowfang, I'll catch up to the patrol," I meowed.

Mudpaw and Ravenpaw were about to race away, but Mudpaw turned back. "But what if Yellowfang went straight to the Shadowclan camp and warned them of our attack? What if she had been lying to us?"

"Then we're as good as dead," I looked at her. "But even if there's a chance that she's telling the truth, then we rescue the kits and we're heroes. We have to take this chance."

"Okay," Mudpaw nodded. "I trust you, Bramblepaw." With that, my two friends raced away to wait for Yellowfang. I dashed out of the bog and ran after the patrol, obviously they cared nothing for the noise they made, they were heading straight for the camp.

Suddenly, the patrol stopped and turned around to look at me, I skidded to a stop behind them, breathing deeply.

"Bramblepaw?" the patrol was made up of Whitestorm, Runningwind, Willowpelt, my mother, Brindleface, Longtail and Redtail. "What are you doing here?" Whitestorm asked.

"Bluestar sent me while it was still raining," I meowed.

Redtail purred. "Bluestar told me we'd find a friend out here. Now I see what she meant."

"We have a plan to save the kits," I explained quickly. "But we've decided to take the risk of trusting a Shadowclan outsider. Will you help us?"

"Of course," Redtail nodded, but I heard the disbelieved murmurs among the patrol. "Lead the way, Bramblepaw."

I nodded in return and turned around, running back towards the burned ash tree with the patrol following. Mudpaw and Ravenpaw would be anxiously waiting for us.

We reached the tree in no time, there was no sign of Yellowfang.

"Great Starclan!" Mudpaw breathed. "I thought you'd never come!"

"Is she here yet?" I asked.

"No, we've seen no sight of her," Ravenpaw replied.

"I still think she went to Brokenstar to warn him!" Mudpaw growled. "I don't trust Shadowclan."

"We have no choice," I shrugged.

We waited and waited, some of the patrol was getting edgy. I was sure Yellowfang would return, I didn't know how or why I trusted her, but I did.

We waited a little longer. "Bramblepaw," Redtail looked at me.

"She'll be here," I insisted.

"Too right, young one," I turned at the sound of a voice and we saw Yellowfang pad out from behind the tree with three other Shadowclan cats. The Thunderclan patrol was anxious, was this a trap?

I looked at one of the newcomers, I recognized the skinny black tom. His name was Nightpelt, a cat that used to be a friend a while back, sort of.

He looked at me in surprise. "Brambleclaw?"

I shook my head. "My name is Bramblepaw," I replied.

Yellowfang nodded and circled the black tom. "This is Nightpelt," she then brushed past a small tabby she-cat. "Dawncloud lots kits because of Brokenstar."

"Why?" Willowpelt asked.

"Because Brokenstar ignored the warrior code," Yellowfang replied gravely. "At three moons old, he named kits as apprentices. At six moons old he sent them out as warriors. Many of them died when he tried to take Windclan's territory."

"I do not wish for any more of my kits to die that way," Dawncloud meowed quietly. "That is not what we raise our young for. It is not Starclan's wish, I just know it."

Hearing the Shadowclan queen speak of Starclan in such a way made me trust them even more, I knew they wouldn't turn against us when we were offering to help.

Yellowfang finally circled the last cat, a skinny gray tom. "This is Ashfur, an elder."

"Brokenstar need to be stopped," he meowed. "Otherwise the clan we once knew will be destroyed forever."

"We will help you," I replied. "We have to rescue kits that Brokenstar stole from our camp. And one of his cats killed one of our warriors," my voice choked.

Redtail shot me a look of sympathy. In my other life, I had trained Mousefur to be a great warrior, and her brother, Runningwind had encouraged her as well. Mousefur and I had become great friends, and not long after she was made a warrior, I was struck down. But I was glad that I had made it to see her become a warrior, I would have given up a moon of hunting to see it.

But now Mousefur was gone, because a Shadowclan warrior killed her. And I was going to find out who.

Yellowfang nodded. "I have a plan that might work."

"Well, what is it?" Whitestorm meowed.

"We could go back to the camp," Yellowfang murmured. "The four of us, while you wait for me to give the signal. We can ask to come back to the safety of the camp, which will have Brokenstar and his elite warriors out in the open. Then you can run in and take back the kits."

"That's a very good plan," Redtail flicked his ginger tail. "We should go with that."

Yellowfang purred. "When you hear me yowl, that will be the signal."

"Let's go then," Mudpaw brightened, most likely finding trust in these cats.

The Thunderclan patrol followed the small group of Shadowclan cats towards the camp, my paws were itching for a fight, I couldn't wait to sink my claws into the warrior that killed Mousefur.

When we found the camp, Yellowfang signaled for us to hide among the mushrooms that lay near the entrance, their strong scent would disguise our own. Yellowfang, Ashfur, Nightpelt and Dawncloud walked into the camp, their ears pricked, their tails raised and their fur flat.

I waited tensely, suddenly thinking whether or not this could be a trap. I shook the thought away and waited, my paws kneading the ground, my claws digging up a mushroom.

"Be patient," Redtail looked at me.

I nodded to him and looked at Mudpaw and Ravenpaw. Never before had they launched an attack on a clan, they only fought to defend their own. "Are you two ready?" I whispered.

"Yes," Mudpaw replied quietly. Ravenpaw just looked at me and nodded shakily.

"You'll be alright," Willowpelt said to Ravenpaw. Longtail was lashing his tail back and forth. I looked over my shoulder at my mother, Brindleface, she had a look of determination in her eyes. She would want to get those kits back just like any of us, but more so because Frostfur was a close friend of hers.

Suddenly, a loud yowl rose above the still air and the Thunderclan patrol got up. We abandoned our hiding place and raced into the camp, unsure of what we would find. When I made my way in, I saw Yellowfang tussling with Brokenstar, the Shadowclan she-cat was fighting bravely against her leader, only hatred would cause a cat to betray their own clan leader.

Dawncloud was fighting bravely against Scarpelt, the Shadowclan deputy. Ashfur was wrestling with Blackfoot, the big white tom with jet black paws. Nightpelt was fighting against another cat, Clawface. Which one of Brokenstar's elite warriors killed Mousefur?

The Thunderclan patrol launched into battle, most of the Shadowclan cats were stunned to see what was going on, and some of them jumped in to fight for their clan.

I saw a scrawny apprentice leap at me, its soft kit-fur fluffed up with terror. I sheathed my claws and batted the kit away with one paw. "This battle isn't yours to fight," I said to the kit.

I turned and saw Nightpelt struggling with Clawface and I ran over to help. The brown tom held down the skinny black cat and I barreled into the battle-scarred tom, taking him by surprise. Nightpelt dashed off to help Ashfur, leaving me to fight Clawface. I shrugged, no big deal. Then, the scent washed over me; the scent that I had caught near the nursery, and the scent that I could smell lingering around Mousefur's body. The cat that stole the kits, and killed my friend, was the brown warrior standing before me; Clawface.

I snarled as he leaped at me, I dashed to the side and jumped back, knocking him to the ground and pinning him down. "You killed her!" I hissed in his ear as I scored my claws across his pelt. "You killed her!"

"You mean that brown she-cat?" Clawface asked with a grin. "Yes, that was me."

He jumped up, throwing me off, but I got back up and raced towards him, my amber eyes blazing with fury. I barreled into him head on and we became a whirlwind of teeth and claws.

My claws scored across his cheek and he bit down onto my shoulder. I howled in pain before swiping another claw at him. He was to blame! He was the one who took my friend away from me! I pushed him away and jumped, pinning him down on his back, his soft belly exposed. I took that opportunity and raked my hind claws across his belly, listening as he cried out in pain. Then, I bent my neck down, opening my jaws, ready to deal the death blow. This cat didn't deserve to live after what he did to Mousefur.

But before I could bite down on his neck, I was bowled over by Mudpaw. Clawface got up and ran off. I jumped up and looked at Mudpaw, she had a deep gash on her right shoulder. "Are you okay?" I asked.

"Fine," she rose to her paws. "We have to get rid of Brokenstar, that's the only way we can win this."

I nodded and looked around for him, he was easily found amongst the writhing, wrestling cats. I spotted him still fighting Yellowfang, the poor old medicine cat was worn out, and bleeding badly from a gash on her forehead, the blood blinding her from time to time.

"I'll handle Brokenstar," I hissed.

"On your own?" Mudpaw blinked. "Are you sure?"

"I can take him. You go help Brindleface, she hasn't had the proper chance to brush up on her warrior skills after leaving the nursery, she may need help." Mudpaw looked at me. "I can handle this. Please, Mudpaw."

"Okay," Mudpaw nodded and dashed away to go help my mother.

I turned and looked straight ahead at Brokenstar, ready to deal the warriors blow to the old she-cat. I took one pawstep forward before I streaked across the clearing. I launched myself at Brokenstar and I barreled into him, throwing him away from Yellowfang. He jumped to his paws and spun around to face me. "It's you again!" he spat.

"Yes, me," I growled. "You have what belongs to us and we're not leaving until we get it back!"

"Brave words for such a puny apprentice," a laugh rumbled in his chest and I growled, unsheathing my claws again.

"I'm not just an apprentice as you may think," I hissed. "I'm much more skilled than that. And I have Starclan to thank."

"So, it's as I thought," he growled. "You've come back for a second shot."

"Yep," I crouched down. "And this time, I'm not going anywhere until you're dead!" I leaped at him and he mirrored me. We locked together, enemy against enemy. We wrestled, our claws scoring across each other. My claws slashed across his shoulder, blood oozing out quickly. His claws were aimed for my eyes, but I ducked my head and he got my forehead instead, nearly getting my ears.

I lunged for his throat, my teeth fastening themselves into his neck. He screeched with fury and pain and his claws scored across my shoulders as he tried to free himself. I jumped back and was at his side in an instant, raking my claws across his flank.

He backed away, but then I noticed the others. The rest of the Shadowclan cats were no longer fighting, Blackfoot, Scarpelt and Clawface were nowhere to be seen.

"What are you doing!?" Brokenstar growled to his clan. "Attack!"

No Shadowclan cat made a move to attack Thunderclan, instead, they stalked forward, their tails lashing, their fur bristling, their eyes furious slits.

"You have been defeated, Brokenstar," I meowed. "Not even your own clan wants you for what you've done to them."

Brokenstar growled at me and backed away. "You will regret this. I'll get my revenge. I know who you are, you're not fooling anyone!" his golden gaze was fixed on me and I glared back at him.

"Who am I going to fool?" I spat back. "I know who I am, and I know who you are."

"I will get you for this," he snarled. "Don't you forget it!" he turned and ran out of the camp, disappearing into the gathering darkness.

I will find you again, Brokenstar, I thought. You're the one who should be careful, because I'll get you, and I'll bring you down once and for all...

Nightpelt walked over to the Thunderclan patrol. "Thank you, if it wasn't for you, we would never have been free of Brokenstar."

"It was nothing," Redtail nodded. "We were glad to help."

"The kits!" I heard Mudpaw squeak and I turned to see her digging up some dirt and leaves, I heard the tiny meowing of kits and I rushed to her side, seeing them curled up in the hole, scared.

Mudpaw and I got them out, all four of them. The rest of our clanmates came over to check them. The little gray she-kit had a scratch over her ear and it was bleeding.

"Yellowfang!" I called. "Can you look at this kit? It's hurt."

Yellowfang was busy licking her own wounds, but at the sound of my call, she came bounding over and I stepped back to give her room. She inspected the kit. "I'll need some cobwebs to stop the bleeding."

"I'll get those," said a small gray and white tom who dashed away into a den and came back with a pawfull of cobwebs.

"Thank you, Runningnose," Yellowfang meowed and I looked at the tom's nose, it had a crust around it and he sniffed deeply before stifling a sneeze.

Thats their medicine cat? I thought. But he can't even cure his own cold!

Yellowfang treated the scratch on the kit's head and checked the other three kits. "The rest are fine."

"Thank you," I nodded.

Redtail looked at Nightpelt. "Brokenstar has left Shadowclan in ruins, you will need time to rebuild your clan. Thunderclan will leave you in peace for one moon."

"That is a very generous offer," Nightpelt bowed his head. "One that is much appreciated."

"And now we must go," Redtail flicked his tail. "We must return to our camp."

"Travel safely," Nightpelt meowed.

Whitestorm, Longtail, Willowpelt and Brindleface took up the four kits and we all headed home. I was glad, we had rescued Frostfur's kits and driven out Brokenstar. But that didn't mean that the evil rogue would stay off Thunderclan territory. If he stepped one paw into our territory, I would shred him to pieces.

It was a long trek home, but when we reached the ravine, Ravenpaw, Mudpaw and I exchanged excited glances and we raced ahead of the group, down the ravine and into the camp.

Frostfur was in the clearing with Speckletail and Goldenflower trying to calm her, Bluestar was sitting below the Highrock and the rest of the clan was waiting anxiously.

"We're back!" I called and the whole clan looked up just as the rest of the patrol entered the camp with the kits.

"My kits!" Frostfur exclaimed and jumped up, rushing over to us, the kits stumbled over to her and she began licking them fiercely, as if she was never going to let them out of her sight again.

Bluestar and the rest of the clan gathered around. "How did it go?" Bluestar asked.

"We helped Shadowclan drive out Brokenstar," Redtail announced. "He won't be leading Shadowclan anymore."

"It was a tough battle though," Whitestorm admitted. "Scarpelt was one tough warrior."

"I promised Shadowclan that we would leave them in peace for one moon," Redtail meowed. "Brokenstar has left their clan in chaos."

"That was a very generous offer, Redtail." She nodded and turned and trotted across to the Highrock, jumping up in a single leap. "All those cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting!" the whole clan walked over to the Highrock and took their places, Frostfur brought her kits with her, unable to let them leave her sight.

"Bramblepaw, Ravenpaw and Mudpaw, stand forward," Bluestar meowed.

I was the first to take a step, and then my two friends followed me. We sat at the front of the group.

"Brokenstar is no longer leader of Shadowclan, he is a rogue with a few of his followers," Bluestar announced. "Redtail, did these three apprentices fight well?"

Redtail nodded. "Like warriors," he replied solemnly.

"Well then, I am happy to perform this ceremony," she looked at me and I knew that the time had finally come. The Thunderclan leader looked up into the darkening sky, night was upon us. I heard her speak the words that I had heard quite a few times before, and it send excitement through my paws. "I, Bluestar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn," she jumped down from the Highrock to stand in front of us. "Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," I said clearly, I sounded like a warrior already. I meant what I said, and I would stick by my word until my last breath.

"I do," Mudpaw echoed.

"I do," Ravenpaw was a little shaky.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names," Bluestar looked at Ravenpaw first. "Ravenpaw, from this day, you will be known as Ravencry. Starclan honors your bravery and strength and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." She rested her muzzle on his head and he bent lower to lick her shoulder, then he backed away and went to sit with Fireheart and Graystripe.

Bluestar turned to Mudpaw. "Mudpaw, from this day, you will be known as Mudstorm. Starclan honors your honesty and your courage and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." Bluestar rested her muzzle on Mudstorm's head and the brown she-cat stooped lower to lick her leader's shoulder before going to join Ravencry.

Then the Thunderclan leader turned to me and her clear blue gaze rested on me. "Bramblepaw," she began. "From this day, you will be known as Brambleclaw. Starclan honors your sharp mind, your fairness and your loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." She rested her muzzle on my head, just like at my warrior ceremony in my other life, and I bent lower to lick her shoulder.