Dawn light filtered through the branches of the medicine cat's den. After two more dawns, he fit enough to walk around on his own and even return to his duties.

"Whitestorm," Darkstripe growled as he padded out of Yellowfang's den. The dark tabby was with Firepaw, Greypaw, Longtail, Sandpaw and Mousefur. "Gather up Firepaw, Greypaw and Sandpaw. Take them to-"

"No, Darkstripe," Tigerclaw meowed coolly as he stalked towards the group. "Bluestar wishes to see Whitestorm, Greypaw and Firepaw in her den." The tabby sternly glared at the two apprentices. "Now."

As Whitestorm turned to follow his aunt, he looked towards Firepaw and Greypaw and saw their anxious glances. Have they done something wrong?

"Come." Whitestorm flicked the tip of his tail. He let the apprentices through first before he squeezed through the lichen and into the leader's den.

Once inside, he sat down. Tigerclaw weaved around him, brushing against Firepaw so harshly that it knocked the ginger apprentice into his side. Whitestorm nudged the apprentice back up onto his paws with his nose and curled his tail around his paws.

"Sorry," mumbled Firepaw, hot with embarrassment.

Whitestorm shrugged. "Not your fault. Bluestar?"

The blue-grey she-cat was examining her senior warrior and two apprentices, her head up and eyes bright. Tigerclaw stood in the middle of the smooth sandstone floor. Whitestorm tried to read his expression, but his honey amber eyes were as cold and steady as always.

Bluestar began at once. "Whitestorm, Firepaw, Greypaw, I have an important mission for you."

"A mission?" Firepaw echoed. Relief and excitement made the apprentice tense against Whitestorm.

"I want you to find WindClan and bring them back to their territory," announced Bluestar.

Another mission so soon? Whitestorm's eyes twinkled with surprise and delight.

"Before you get too excited, bear in mind this could be very dangerous," Tigerclaw growled. "We don't know where WindClan has gone, so you will have to follow what is left of their scent – probably into hostile territory."

"But you've been through WindClan territory when you travelled with me to the moonstone, Firepaw, Greypaw," Bluestar pointed out. "And Whitestorm, you've travelled through it several times in the past. Their scent will be familiar, as will the Twoleg territory beyond the uplands."

"Will it just be us?" Asked Firepaw.

"Our other warriors are needed here," meowed Tigerclaw. "Leaf-bare is coming and we need to gather as much fresh kill as possible. Many prey-poor moons lie ahead."

"I can understand why you would choose the apprentices for this task," rumbled Whitestorm casually, "But why choose me as well?"

Bluestar lifted her chin. "Because you have a lot of knowledge that could aid in your travel. That, and I'd rather not send off two apprentices to face who-knows-what on their own. You'll be leading the patrol, Whitestorm."

"I will help you prepare for the journey," Tigerclaw meowed. Whitestorm was sure he could sense a shift in Firepaw's excitement. Bluestar had just as much faith in her deputy as ever. Did Firepaw doubt the warrior? Did he even trust him?

"You must leave as soon as possible," Bluestar continued. "Good luck. And I expect you to listen to Whitestorm."

All three toms nodded in acknowledgement.

"We'll find them," Greypaw promised.

Whitestorm caught the dismissing nod of Bluestar's head and rose to leave. So now I've got to watch out for WindClan, RiverClan, Shadowclan and two apprentices, he thought. This journey will not be easy. I hope they do listen to me.

Tigerclaw followed them out of Bluestar's den. "Do you remember how to get to WindClan territory?"

"Oh, yes, Tigerclaw, we were only-"

Firepaw interrupted Greypaw's eager reply. "Only a few moons ago."

Whitestorm glanced back, catching the warning glare that Firepaw sent at Greypaw. He stiffened. Tigerclaw hesitated.

Have they been hunting in WindClan land?

He caught Tigerclaw's suspicious gaze and twitched his whiskers. "We should be moving," Whitestorm mewed.

Tigerclaw nodded, his eyes narrowed. "And you can recall WindClan's scent?"

The apprentices nodded. "If they don't, I'll remind them," Whitestorm meowed.

"You will need herbs for strength and to keep your hunger away. Fetch them from Yellowfang before you leave." Tigerclaw paused. "And don't forget that Nightpelt is planning to travel to the Moonstone tonight. Keep well out of his way."

"Yes, Tigerclaw," replied Firepaw.

"He'll never know we're out there," Greypaw assured him.

"You two," Whitestorm flicked his tail, "Go ahead and ask Yellowfang for some herbs. I wish to speak with Tigerclaw alone."

He didn't miss the nervous glance that passed between the two. Do they think that I'm going to say something? The white warrior watched them bound towards the den, and then turned to the deputy.

"I want to make sure that Sandpaw's training continues while I'm away," he meowed. "Could you ask one of the other warriors to take her out training?"

"I'll do better than that," Tigerclaw grunted. "I'll ask Bluestar to take over her training while you're out searching for WindClan."

"Thank you, Tigerclaw," Whitestorm bowed his head slightly. "I'd better get going."

So what's going on between Firepaw and Tigerclaw? And what did Greypaw almost reveal before Firepaw stopped him? Whitestorm thought as he crossed the clearing towards Yellowfang's den. There was a distinctive chill in the air, despite the rising sun, but Whitestorm's thick white coat blocked the breeze out. He could feel it growing heavier slightly as the days went by.

Yellowfang's den lay at the end of a tunnel under ferns. A large split rock stood in a corner of a small shaded glade. It used to be Spottedleaf's den, but the warrior had been murdered by Clawface. Even though he missed the soft-spoken she-cat, he had never regretted letting him go.

"Yuck!" Spat Greypaw as Whitestorm pushed into the den. "Just as bad as last time!"

Yellowfang looked up as Whitestorm padded over, dropping two bundles of herbs at his feet. "Take this bundle with you – but don't eat it." She sounded annoyed, and Whitestorm could understand why. "These are your travelling herbs. These are herbs to stave out infection, cleanse wounds and soothe fragile minds. There's also a few travelling herbs in here as well, but these are for if you find WindClan. Give them to the medicine cat, Barkface. He'll know what to do."

"Thank you," Whitestorm lapped up his herbs, ignoring the bitter taste in his mouth. Yellowfang passed him the herb bundle wrapped within two dock leaves and moved around to examine his wounds.

"Put cobwebs over wounds. Horsetail treats infection – that's in there, you should recognise the scent." Yellowfang meowed. "And there's also a bit of Marigold as well."

"I appreciate your offer," Whitestorm nodded. "We must leave now. I promise I'll be careful not to open up any wounds."

"You'd better," growled Yellowfang, "Else I'm coming out and I'll-"

"There are apprentices present," Whitestorm chuckled.

"-Kick your tail from here to Fourtrees."

"Don't worry, Yellowfang," Greypaw meowed.

"We'll make sure he doesn't get hurt!" Firepaw promised.

Whitestorm turned to the two apprentices. "Now you know if I do end up getting hurt again, it won't be just me that gets kicked to Fourtrees," he pointed out.

Firepaw and Greypaw blanched.

Yellowfang let out a rusty purr. "Get going! Silly apprentices!"

"And senior warrior," Whitestorm meowed over his shoulder. As he hustled the two apprentices out, he heard a frustrated hiss and felt something thump against his rump.

The apprentices sprinted out of the glade. As they raced through the gorse tunnel, Whitestorm heard Bluestar call out, "May StarClan light your path!"

And the ferns, which were rustling in the gentle morning breeze, seemed to be whispering, "Good luck! Travel safely!"