AN: Wow it's been a long time since my last update. I was hoping to get more than three reviews :( But at least I got these three. So thanks to Juniperleaf of BlazeClan, WildCroconaw, and XxBlazestormxX for reviewing! You all get…Whitewing plushies!

Chapter 9

More of the sickness had begun to spread throughout the Clan. Sunstorm was forced to watch as her former Clanmates and friends fought a losing battle. Her heart clenched as she tried to think of ways to help fight the sickness that claimed so many lives. Bramblestar had already warned the Clan that the sickness wouldn't fade until every cat that was sick died. Even than it was likely that it would just get worse.

The survivors of the Clan were trying to patrol the borders like they always did without showing signs of weakness. Sunstorm knew that their facade wouldn't last. She could tell already that the cats who did mange to bring up patrols were weak with hunger. Foxleap, Brackenfur, Sorreltail and Hollyleaf were giving up their fresh-kill to the cats who were sick. Sunstorm was well aware that they wouldn't survive if this kept up.

"I'm worried about Jayfeather," Leafpool murmured as she approached Sunstorm. "He went to the Moontree the other day and hasn't come back." Sunstorm saw the look of worry in her amber eyes and knew what she was thinking.

The Moontree won't claim any victims, Sunstorm thought as she swiped her tongue over her paw. Brownwhisker gave up his life so that we could communicate with StarClan.

"Jayfeather will be fine," Lionblaze reassured Sunstorm as Leafpool left them. A growing sense of unease had unfolded before Leafpool when Lionblaze approached. "He's always had a pawstep closer to StarClan."

"But this time it's different," Sunstorm pointed out. "This time the entire Clan is suffering." Her pelt ruffled as she imagined what could have caused the sickness. Bramblestar had stated that a bad piece of fresh-kill was the likely cause. This was StarClan's way of keeping ThunderClan's population under control. Even if StarClan had something to do with the sickness, she couldn't imagine why they would do it in such a cruel way. "I just wish I could do more," she added as Lionblaze flicked his tail across her shoulder. "I feel so useless."

"You aren't useless," Lionblaze snapped. His amber eyes blazed as she locked gazes with him. "Sure, you left us, but you didn't catch the sickness. I think you were meant to leave the Clan…SkyClan…needed more warriors." His eyes widened when he came up with a thought. Sunstorm tilted her head to one side when he bounded towards Bramblestar. "SkyClan!" he coughed after catching his breath. "They're the answer to our problems!" Bramblestar looked at Lionblaze as though he'd grown a second head. Sunstorm felt confused as well as more cats crept out of their dens to find out what was happening. "I think if more of our cats were to join SkyClan, the sickness wouldn't effect us so heavily."

"Would our Clanmates be willing to join a Clan they've barely known?" Bramblestar demanded. His eyes narrowed into tiny slits as cats began to murmur amongst themselves. Sunstorm spotted her mother sitting beside Hollyleaf and Sorreltail. She wondered if Cinderheart approved of what Lionblaze had suggested. "I doubt the other Clans would accept the fact that we are allowing our Clanmates to leave. Besides, they could never adjust to the life SkyClan lives." More cats murmured in agreement at his words. Lionblaze's ears flattened when he saw the logic in Bramblestar's explanation. "I'm grateful that you are trying to help, but sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut," Bramblestar added when Lionblaze stalked away.

Sunstorm shook her head in frustration as she tried to come up with a solution. What Lionblaze had suggested was a good one, but it needed to sound reasonable. These were cats who'd always lived with ThunderClan, and weren't willing to change their ways. But there were others who might be willing to try something new…. Her eyes widened when she realized what her mind was suggesting. She glanced around and noticed that the others had returned to their nests, seeing nothing unusual was happening. Without a second thought she approached Bramblestar, careful not to sound like she was trying to change ThunderClan too much.

"FlameClan needs new warriors," she murmured as he looked at her. "Flamestar would be more than willing to accept cats who were once his friends and Clanmates."

Bramblestar seemed to contemplate over what she'd suggested. Her brother was more likely to accept more cats in to his Clan. They didn't even have a medicine cat at the moment. "I see that your suggestion is…wise," he meowed reluctantly. "I will hold a Clan meeting and see what they think."

. . .

The day wore on with little news about how the Clan reacted to Bramblestar's meeting. Sunstorm had lingered in the back of the crowd, unsure if she was welcome at the meeting. Now she was pacing around the clearing, hoping that someone would agree with her that joining FlameClan was a good idea.

She knew that most of the warriors were annoyed with the fact that FlameClan was made up of rogues and loners. She'd tried to remind them that rogues and loners had formed the original Clans seasons upon seasons ago. Most of the cats she spoke to had just glared at her and ignored her.

Eventually one warrior had risen to their paws and said something without glaring at either Sunstorm or Bramblestar. "I'd be willing to give it a try." Sunstorm was surprised to see Birchfall speak up. His light brown tabby fur remained ruffled as several cats hissed or spat at him. Ivypool looked utterly astonished by his sudden announcement. Whitewing rose to her paws and padded over to his side, whispering something to him that made him nod in agreement.

"I will go where ever Birchfall goes," she meowed. "He is…my life."

Birchfall looked pleased with what she had said, and Bramblestar gave her a respectful nod. Others were quickly beginning to follow Birchfall's lead. Soon Snowstorm and Foxleap were approaching him. Sunstorm fought back a sigh of relief when she realized that the decision had officially been made. Four cats would be leaving, giving room for younger cats such as Squirrelflight's kits.

"I'll go with them to visit Flamestar," Sunstorm murmured once the meeting was over. Bramblestar blinked in surprise until he understood her true intentions. She longed to see her brother again before she went back to SkyClan. This was her chance to see him and behave like a brother and sister would. Eventually Bramblestar wished them peace before joining his remaining Clanmates near the depleted fresh-kill pile.

Once the group was ready to leave Sunstorm waved her tail goodbye to Leafpool, who'd slipped into the nursery to visit her sister. Sunstorm glanced at Birchfall and Whitewing, her former mentor. She wondered if Whitewing had any regrets for choosing Birchfall as her mate. She was leaving behind her Clanmates and friends to join a Clan she barely knew.

I joined SkyClan and I hardly knew them, Sunstorm thought as she led them towards FlameClan territory. It was located between SkyClan and RiverClan, and on one side of their territory resided ShadowClan. In ways Flamestar had put himself in a bad situation. If he made enemies they could attack from any side. Her pelt bristled at the thought. FlameClan was still young and inexperienced when it came to deciding where they would live.

She shook her head and tried to push the thoughts away as they reached the border. She could already see a pair of warriors approaching the border, tails up in alarm and ears pricked forward for signs of an invasion. When Sunstorm sat down and waited, the cats stopped in confusion. One of the cats was a silver and gray tabby she-cat with pale yellow eyes. Sunstorm recognized her as Willowlight, a cat that Flamestar had once told her about. The second cat was a ginger she-cat with a white underbelly.

"What are you doing so close to the border?" the ginger she-cat demanded. "Trying to steal our prey?"

"We wish to speak with Flamestar," Sunstorm replied calmly. "Please take us to him."

"Flamestar is busy," Willowlight hissed.

Stop acting like mousebrains, Sunstorm tried to say out loud. Her teeth clenched together as she tried to keep calm.

"This is important," Whitewing murmured gently. "Please, let us see him."

The two exchanged looks until Willowlight gave in to Whitewing's gentle nature. "Very well," she muttered. "But try anything funny and you will regret it."

Sunstorm breathed a sigh of relief as she followed the two she-cats towards the camp. At least she would finally see her brother again. That much she had to look forward to.

AN: FlameClan's about to get more members! I would have added more, but the next chapter will be in Flamestar's point of view. I'm not giving too much information away in case anyone is reading this after the story is finished. So hope I get more reviews :)