Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors.

Rated: T

A/N: Sorry for the delay again! I had a bit more writer's block, but I'll try to update sooner, though I'm starting school on Tuesday and I'll probably be quite busy. But I will write whenever I have time to. Also, I know the events in The Flames of Jealousy are quite different from those of Twilight. Sootfur's character is completely different from mine. However, I am not changing him now, and I will not have the deaths from Twilight in my story, so you won't have to worry about bawling all over again.

The days passed slowly. All the warriors and the only apprentice were kept busy with hunting, stocking up the fresh-kill pile, preparing for the leaf-bare ahead. Each morning when they woke, frost would cover the grass and it would crinkle underpaw as they padded along, their breath rising in clouds in the bitter cold. Leaves of gold and red covered the ground, and the spicy scent of decaying leaves filled them with dread. Cinderpelt and Leafpool had informed the Clan that the coming leaf-bare would be far longer and harsher than any they had ever before experienced, even that hard winter in the old territory. There was still prey, and it wasn't nearly as thin as it was in the old forest, but the cold seemed to pass through everything, and chill winds swept across the lake with a fury, adding to the chill of leaf-fall.

Ashfur trailed along, thinking glumly. It'll only get worse in leaf-bare. How many cats will not live to see newleaf?

Cloudtail and Whitepetal were in front of him, and Brambleclaw took the lead of the patrol. Sandstorm padded behind him, and Ashfur felt her green gaze scorching his back. Every patrol he went on, Sandstorm went too, obviously to keep watch on him. Whenever he thought of this, his insides burned with a fury that scared him. What right do Firestar and Sandstorm have, condemning me like this? he thought. I have done nothing wrong, and they would drive me from the Clan for love!

But he kept silent, and he and Sootfur made sure they stayed on different patrols. Come to think of it, Sootfur was avoiding him a lot lately, even when there was no cat watching. Why doesn't he want to talk to me? Ashfur wondered worriedly. Have I done something to offend him?

But then he remembered how Sootfur had admitted having feelings for a she-cat, and how he was so uncertain about his feelings for Ashfur. Does that mean he doesn't like toms, then?

There was a low hiss of rage from Cloudtail, and he broke out of his thoughts, bounding forward to see what it was that had roused the white warrior's anger. Sandstorm followed quickly, and they caught up with Cloudtail, Brambleclaw, and Whitepetal.

"What is it?" he asked Cloudtail.

"ShadowClan!" the white warrior hissed, flicking his tail at a heap lying at the base of a beech.

To his dismay, the gray tom saw the jumbled bones of mouse, bird, and rabbit, and the stench of ShadowClan hung over the area like a fog. "They've been stealing out prey!" Sandstorm hissed unnecessarily.

Cloudtail's blue eyes blazed with anger. Whitepetal meowed, "We'd better report to Firestar."

Her father swung round angrily, nodding, "Right. And then he'd better have a good reason if he says we shouldn't attack ShadowClan."

The five cats headed back the way they had come, their hackles raised with anger. They didn't notice the bright green eyes that watched their movements carefully before turning and hurrying off through the undergrowth.

-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-

"It was ShadowClan; no doubt about it, Firestar. Their scent was all over the area, as well as the prey." Cloudtail was standing at the head of his patrol, blue eyes blazing as he gave his report. Throughout this, Firestar was silent, gazing at his paws. To Ashfur, it seemed as if he was reluctant to fight, though he couldn't see why. Blackstar and Firestar weren't fond of each other in the slightest, so why should Firestar be hesitant to attack his Clan?

"Well, Firestar, are we going to attack ShadowClan?" Cloudtail bristled, tail lashing back and forth.

For a moment, the flame-coloured tom looked as if he were about to say no, but then he closed his eyes and nodded slightly. "Yes, we must show ShadowClan that we will not allow them to trespass in our territory and steal our prey. But I do not want any unnecessary deaths." he meowed, turning to face the whole of the Clan, who had gathered while Cloudtail was speaking. "Not over loss of prey."he looked around the assembled cats, and his gaze rested on Cloudtail. "Is that understood?"

Every cat nodded.

"Alright. I'll take Cloudtail, Sootfur, Rainwhisker, Brackenfur, Sorreltail, Brambleclaw, and Dustpelt. The rest of you, stay on guard and make sure no ShadowClan cats get inside the camp. Is every cat ready?"

Brackenfur and Sorreltail broke from the group and moved to talk to Firestar. Ashfur barely noticed this, as his thoughts were too consumed with anger at Firestar. Does he think I'm disloyal to my Clan? he hissed inwardly. He lets me on patrols, yes, but not without Sandstorm watching my every move! Even in camp, Cinderpelt and Sandstorm and Firestar watch me! Why do they think it's so wrong?

Brackenfur and Sorreltail left the group and stood outside the medicine den. Leafpool went to her friend and murmured something, her amber eyes shining. Brackenfur and Sorreltail stood proudly, though they looked a little regretful at having to leave the fighting patrol. Ashfur felt his paws prickle. Of course! Sorreltail must be having Brackenfur's kits! He let out a low purr of gratitude to StarClan. ThunderClan needed more kits, as they only had one apprentice now. Then his ears pricked as Firestar yowled, "Thornclaw and Brightheart, you can join the patrol."

His tail drooped and he looked at his paws, sorrow piercing his heart. He tried to block out the sound of the fighting patrol moving through the thorn entrance, but they seemed to be crashing, filling his ears with the sound of their departure. He dug his claws into the ground, closing his eyes.

"Ashfur?"

He looked up as Squirrelflight came over to him. "What's wrong?" she asked.

"Firestar doesn't trust me."

She narrowed her eyes. "I'm sorry, Ashfur, but I...I have to agree. My father." she spat the word. "Doesn't trust toms who like other toms. If he were any other cat, I would claw his pelt to shreds!"

"Don't, Squirrelflight." he mewed wretchedly. "Not because of me. He's your father, and you should be there for him. Your fighting hurts him; he only wants to be your friend. I know you two don't always see eye to eye..."

"No, we don't." she drew herself up fiercely, green eyes glinting. "Because he always thinks he's right, just because he is the cat that StarClan chose to save the Clans back in the old forest. But he's not always right, and he's got to see that."

"Are you saying we should show him that there is nothing wrong with cats like me?" Ashfur asked his friend. "I don't think there's any way to convince him..."

She shook her head. "No, there probably isn't." she mewed, sounding defeated. Then she suddenly sat up straight, tail twitching with excitement. "Unless..."

"Unless?"

"He trusts Leafpool's deep connection with StarClan." she mewed. "As does Cinderpelt. So what if Leafpool told them that StarClan doesn't have anything against toms liking toms?"

He stared at her, eyes wide with amazement. "Yes, that might work." he meowed slowly. "But is it true? Leafpool can't lie; StarClan wouldn't want that."

"No." she said. "But when she speaks with StarClan, maybe she could ask them what they think about it? If they say they approve, then Firestar and Cinderpelt will trust her word."

"But what if StarClan do not agree?" Ashfur asked desperately. He suddenly thought back to his dreams, where Bluestar told him that SoulClan was the Clan that did not approve. But what if she had been lying, or SoulClan had forced their way into that dream as well?

"Then-" Squirrelflight broke off as Sandstorm came up. The pale ginger she-cat narrowed her eyes as she spoke to them. "Squirrelflight, Ashfur, what are you doing just standing around chatting? Go do something useful; help Birchpaw with gathering moss for the queens' bedding."

"Yes, Sandstorm." Ashfur replied, dipping his head. Squirrelflight followed suit, and they headed for the warriors' den to find Birchpaw. As her daughter left, though, Sandstorm called her back. The dark ginger she-cat flashed an annoyed look at her friend and muttered, "I'll catch up with you in a moment." before turning and going back to her mother.

Ashfur sighed as he saw Sandstorm glare at him, but he turned away, spotting Birchpaw coming out of their den. "Hey, Birchpaw!" he meowed. "Want to come with Squirrelflight and me to collect moss for the queens?"

Birchpaw nodded unenthusiastically. Ashfur was startled. This wasn't like the apprentice; he was usually the most cheerful and friendly cat in the Clan. "Is there something wrong?" he asked gently.

Birchpaw looked at his paws. "I'm worried about Dustpelt." he admitted. "Going off to fight ShadowClan. And...and I'm also worried about Applekit, Marshkit and Toadkit."

"Your friends on the journey?"

He nodded. "Yes. We never wanted to split up, when the Clans went to their different territories, but at least they've got each other." he twitched his tail sadly. "I've got no cat."

"You have your mother and father, and all of ThunderClan." Ashfur meowed. "You're never alone; the Clan will always be there for you."

"But what about the other Clans?" Birchpaw wailed suddenly. "Everything was great on the journey, with all the Clans together, but now we're in separate territories and we're going off to fight wars against each other! I don't understand it."

"Well..." Ashfur searched for the right words, not wanting to make the young cat even more upset. "The Clans have always been this way, back to the time of the Great Clans. I know it seems cruel, but we're much stronger when we work separate."

"Who cares about being strong?" Birchpaw hissed, green eyes flashing. "Why can't we all be friends? We were friends on the journey; why does that have to change now?"

Ashfur closed his eyes, suddenly feeling the apprentice's pain himself. "In generations to come, cats will be told stories of how we journeyed here from a different place, and how the Clans once worked together. They will find it hard to believe, as you find it hard to believe we were once separate. But Birchpaw, it really is all for the best. You'll understand someday."

Birchpaw was silent for a while, then he stood up and shook himself. "I guess it'll be longer if we just sit around doing nothing, huh? So let's go get that moss!" He raced toward the entrance of the camp, darting through the thorns and into the forest.

Ashfur let out a mrrow of laughter, turning as Squirrelflight came up. "Come on, we'd better catch up with Birchpaw before we lose him completely."

Squirrelflight seemed slightly distracted, but her whiskers twitched with amusement at Birchpaw's eagerness. "Okay, then, let's go! Bet I can beat you to the woods."

She shot off, and Ashfur raced after her, the wind ruffling his fur and feeling as if he were leaving his troubles behind, at least for awhile. He skidded to a halt and nearly crashed into Squirrelflight, who had stopped at the trees with Birchpaw. Her green eyes were glowing again and he was glad that his friend was feeling like her old self again.

It had been a long time.

-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-O-

The sun was setting, casting a pale orange light over the camp as Ashfur, Squirrelflight, and Birchpaw arrived back, laden down with moss. Squirrelflight had been almost as hyper as Birchpaw, and Ashfur's pelt had a layer of dust from all the tumbling and play-fighting they had done in the woods. All three were exhausted, but it was a good kind of exhaustion, unlike the kind that had plagued every cat on the journey through the mountains. This tiredness felt good, and their hearts were light as thistledown. Their troubles were still there, but they could wait until another time. Today was a day for good humour and fun.

Birchpaw bounced about, mewing them through a mouthful of moss. "Ah, Scwirrelfight, betchya can't catch me!"

He darted around them, Squirrelflight chasing him until she managed to pin him down with a forepaw on his back. She purred fondly at the young cat. "Come on, you little mouse, let's see you catch me!"

Birchpaw raced past Ashfur, trying to catch the older cat. Ashfur, whose hearing was very keen, had detected a faint wailing, like that of a cat in pain and shock. He turned this way and that, trying to find where it was coming from. Then he stiffened as a loud yowl split the air.

Birchpaw stopped on his second pass, eyes wide. "That's Ferncloud!" he cried. He crouched, paws working madly at the earth as he looked to Ashfur for permission to dash into the camp. Ashfur nodded bleakly and his nephew hurtled down the slope, his moss forgotten on the hillside. "Mom!" he shouted as he entered the camp.

Ashfur hurried after Birchpaw, his heart thudding. His sister sounded as if she were in emotional pain, and his paws prickled with dread. As soon as he emerged from the thorn tunnel, he froze, his heart stopping. Squirrelflight crashed through the tunnel, coming to stand beside her friend. "Ashfur, what's the m-"

She stopped talking as soon as her gaze fell upon the heap of brown tabby fur lying in the middle of the camp, Ferncloud and Birchpaw standing beside it with their noses buried in the fur, stiff with shock. The Clan was slowly emerging from their dens, eyes bright with pain. Yowls of anger and distress broke out, the loudest coming from the dark ginger she-cat.

"No! Dustpelt!"