It always annoyed me that Fireheart spent so much time freaking out over Bramblepaw. It was one of the things that made Rising Storm grating.

The family trees in this series are a little different than in the original! I actually have them mapped out for the most part. Swiftpaw's father (and Brackenfur, Thornpaw, and Cinderpelt's) isn't mentioned!

Honestly, I don't plan on going in depth with family trees unless they matter. The original series went and decided that they matter a lot and guess what? Everyone's related to everyone now lol.

Chapter 8

Tinyclaw adjusted himself on his perch – one of the wide, flat stones that made up the jumble of tumbled rocks that was Snakerocks. From here he could see his hunting patrol below him, and keep an eye out for the adders which the Snakerocks were named for. There were many hidden crevices and caves in the stones, who knew what could be lurking here?

Swiftpaw sniffed at a fern bush below, his body low and ready to pounce at any moment. Across the stones, Brightpaw's jaws were open to catch any signs of prey-scent. Longtail was with her, ears alert for prey. Tinyclaw kept his own nose keen – Whitestorm had reported strange scents around Snakerocks, after all. Tinyclaw couldn't imagine dogs lingering here too long but he didn't want the apprentices harried.

They're doing so well, Tinyclaw thought. Brightpaw and Swiftpaw were moving like warriors – and if he were an outsider looking in, Tinyclaw would assume that they were warriors. Tinyclaw wished that they had their warrior names already, but until he could catch Tigerstar on a good day, spending time assessing their skills would have to do. How long will they be content with that, though? I know Longtail is getting impatient…

"Keep an eye out for adders," he reminded them.

"I don't scent adder," Swiftpaw meowed, looking up from the ferns. His nose was curled, as if he smelled something odd. "But there is something strange over here. Smells disgusting."

Tinyclaw shared a glance with Longtail and padded down from his perch. He came to Swiftpaw's side, looking into the ferns for himself – only to wrinkle his nose in disgust and recoil.

"Yuck!" he hissed.

"What is it?" Longtail wondered.

"Dog dung," Tinyclaw replied. "A great steaming pile of it!"

Swiftpaw grunted. "Well, it was steaming once," he admitted with a grumble. "Still fresh enough to stink, though."

"Could there really be a dog here, like Whitestorm said?" Brightpaw fretted, her tail bushing.

Tinyclaw frowned. "Let's look for any more signs," he decided. "Be careful, though."

The patrol agreed. Brightpaw turned to look amongst the rocks with Longtail, while Swiftpaw and Tinyclaw covered the dog dung with scattered dirt. Worry clawed at Tinyclaw's stomach – were dogs really living here? If so, how many? What were they supposed to do?

"Do you think it'll leave any time soon?" Swiftpaw asked.

Tinyclaw sighed. "I hope so – the last thing we need right now is a dog trampling through the forest and leaving its dirt everywhere."

"Tinyclaw!"

Tinyclaw's ears pricked. He waved his tail for Swiftpaw to follow as he headed for Brightpaw. The patched she-cat's tail was straight and bristling, her eyes wide with alarm. Longtail, next to her, looked angry. "Look at this," he growled.

Between them, in the cleft of two rocks and hidden in the tufty undergrowth, was a pile of scattered prey bones. Old meat and feathers clung to them, the bones chewed on by large jaws. Tinyclaw wrinkled his nose at the smell of dog.

"What in StarClan's name is a dog doing out this way?" Longtail hissed

"Whitestorm reported dog-scent around here but I didn't think it was living here," Tinyclaw meowed back. "And it's impossible to tell whether it's one or a whole pack! Ugh."

"I hope it leaves soon," Longtail muttered. "This is our forest – it doesn't belong to some dog."

Tinyclaw nodded in agreement. "Let's head back – I'll report this to Tigerstar."

As they turned away from Snakerocks, Longtail at their flanks to watch for the dog, Tinyclaw hoped that Tigerstar would be willing to listen.

They met Whitestorm's hunting patrol as they returned to camp. Cloudpaw, Fernpaw, and Ashpaw each carried prey in their jaws, stumbling over their catches. Whitestorm looked proud of them, but his sandy eyes turned worried as he saw Tinyclaw's expression.

"You all look like you did well," Tinyclaw offered, before Whitestorm could question him. "Go on and rest, and make sure the elders get a share of that catch."

The apprentices beamed, Cloudpaw especially. The three trotted proudly into camp – Tinyclaw signaled for Swiftpaw and Brightpaw to go with them. Longtail followed as well, grumbling about being hungry. The dog's presence had eliminated almost any prey from around Snakerocks.

"We scented dog again," Whitestorm reported, when they were alone. "And found a torn-up rabbit just reeking with it."

Tinyclaw grimaced. "We just found evidence of a dog living at Snakerocks – dung, and some old prey. Can't tell if it's one or more."

Whitestorm sighed. "They'll be a danger to us, especially with leafbare coming. Injuries, on top of sharing prey with dogs, of all things! I can't imagine."

"I'll be warning the patrols about Snakerocks – it's no use hunting there for the time being," Tinyclaw told the white warrior. "I don't want anyone caught unawares by these things."

Whitestorm nodded in understanding. "Off to see Tigerstar, then?" he guessed airily.

"… Yes," Tinyclaw admitted. "He has to know."

"Good luck," Whitestorm said, great sympathy in his eyes.

Tinyclaw frowned. "Has… Has Tigerstar seen the kits?"

Whitestorm blinked. "Once, when they were born," he said quietly. "He seemed. So happy to have them. That we had them. But now… I don't think he's seen them once. They ask about him sometimes… poor Willowpelt. The entire Clan hasn't seen Tigerstar in moons."

Tinyclaw touched his nose to the white warrior's shoulder. Tigerstar had once been an active leader, taking part in every aspect of Clan life – but now? He stayed in his den, holed up against the shadows that chased his thoughts. Knowing that even the kits he had wanted with Whitestorm barely knew him…

"I'm going to try and get the kits to visit him in his den," Whitestorm said. "Maybe that would cheer him up."

"I hope so," Tinyclaw agreed. "But… perhaps wait until after I speak with him. I get the feeling he's not going to be pleased about this."

Whitestorm nodded. "Good luck, Tinyclaw."

Tinyclaw dipped his head to Whitestorm before headed into camp. ThunderClan was awake and bustling, eating and sharing tongues in the weakening sunlight. Soon leafbare would come and the camp would be blanketed in white, driving cats to huddle up in their dens. Soon, but not yet.

For now, scattered leaves crackled under his paws as he headed for the Highrock. He passed Cinderpelt, Speckletail, and Snowkit, the three practicing pawspeak in front of the elder's den. It seemed like things were going smoothly, but Tinyclaw hadn't time to pick up any signs from them.

Soon enough he stood before the entrance to the Highrock's den, that hole hollowed out by an old stream. Would this conversation go any better than the last? Tinyclaw swallowed his misgivings. He was deputy – one way or another he had to do his duty – and padded inside.

Tigerstar was huddled up, his nest pushed to a far wall where it had once been the center. There was a rut in the sandy floor, paced countlessly by the old leader's massive paws. Moss and bracken lay scattered about. Once, the den had been tidy and neat. Once, Tigerstar had seemed well-groomed and strong. Now he lay staring at the opposite wall, his shoulders sharp against his dark tabby coat, only moving an ear when Tinyclaw approached.

"What is it?" he rasped, his voice toneless.

Tinyclaw frowned. There were no scattered herbs nearby – Tigerstar had either not gotten his medicine yet, or had taken it. Or he's hiding it. Tinyclaw banished the thought. Tigerstar had to want to get better.

"Tigerstar," Tinyclaw began, "Whitestorm reported the scent of dog near the WindClan border, and my hunting patrol found evidence of -"

"WindClan?" Tigerstar wondered. "What of them?"

"Nothing," Tinyclaw replied. "Whitestorm found a rabbit by the border, killed by a do-"

Tigerstar's lip curled. "WindClan, killing prey on our territory?" he hissed. "How dare they!"

"Wait." Tinyclaw shook his head. "What? No, Tigerstar – let me -!"

Tigerstar's eyes flashed, meeting his. "Let you what?" he snapped.

Tinyclaw breathed. "Let me finish," he pleaded. Tigerstar's jaw set. Tinyclaw swallowed, meowing, "There was prey by the WindClan border, yes, but Whitestorm said it smelled like dog – not WindClan. And at Snakerocks, we found evidence of a dog as well!"

Tigerstar huffed, shaking his head. In his toneless voice he growled, "Tinyclaw, you are naïve. WindClan wants our territory!"

"Tigerstar, nothing I'm saying even alludes to-"

But Tigerstar's eyes were glazed over, amber stones cast in suspicion and darkness. The fur along his spine bristled. "They must be working with ShadowClan," he hissed. "How else could they get near Snakerocks? ShadowClan and WindClan are conspiring to steal our territory, to destroy our Clan – and it comes as no surprise, with Bluestar at their head!"

Tinyclaw, stunned, stammered, "T-Tigerstar, WindClan doesn't like ShadowClan any more than we do, there's no reason for them to want to be allies… RiverClan is more likely to ally with ShadowClan – b-but you're missing the point! There's a dog on our territory! Possibly more than one!"

"RiverClan would not work with ShadowClan!" Tigerstar hissed, defiance entering his tone. "RiverClan is filled with good warriors, loyal and kindhearted and…" he trailed off, his eyes growing distant and soft. "Oh, Tinyclaw – you're too good to see the evil in others. Your eyes cannot see treason and treachery all around…"

Tinyclaw's stomach turned cold. What was Tigerstar saying? Where was his mind? "Tigerstar, I'm the one that revealed Blue-"

His voice wasn't strong enough. "WindClan stopped me from going to Highstones, and they attacked you when you tried to bring Cloudpaw home," Tigerstar pointed out. His striped tail lashed. "They show no respect for ThunderClan or you, the cat that helped bring them home!"

Tinyclaw felt hollow as he watched something spark in Tigerstar's eyes. It wasn't any part of the old Tigerstar – it was something twisted and suspicious and frightened. There was froth forming at Tigerstar's lips.

"We'll stop WindClan and ShadowClan, before they can attack!" Tigerstar raved. His claws dug into the moss. "Yes, yes!"

Tinyclaw swallowed as Tigerstar got to his paws and began to pace the den floor, muttering under his breath and seemingly ignoring Tinyclaw's presence. Tinyclaw couldn't stop Tigerstar's mood – but he had to stop Tigerstar from launching an attack right now. He spun and bounded for the exit, tail bushed. I have to find Whitestorm, or Brackenfur – someone who can calm him down!

Outside of camp the Clan was unaware of Tigerstar's ramblings. Tinyclaw's eyes darted, looking for Whitestorm or Brackenfur – but before he could spot either of them, a sharp cry split the air.

The entire camp seemed to stand still in time as another cry followed – and then a brown streak swooped through the clearing, talons bared.

Hawk!

A yowl of fear pierced the air as the hawk's talons searched for a target. It didn't find easy prey, arcing up to look again. Cats scattered to all corners of the camp, hiding in dens or beneath bushes – all but Snowkit and Cinderpelt, who was ushering him away from the danger.

Tinyclaw tensed as the hawk faund its target, swooping down again for Snowkit. Its talons connected with Snowkit's back and the young cat let out a tone-deaf wail of terror. Speckletail wailed in horror from the elder's den.

For a moment, all was still and slow – and then Cinderpelt gave a mighty leap, catching the hawk with her claws before it could gain any height. For a moment, Cinderpelt dangled from the hawks' wing, paws thrashing.

"Let go of him!" screeched Speckletail.

The tabby queen thrust herself from the elder's den and leaped, digging her claws into the hawk's other wing. The bird let out a screech of pain as its talons finally gave up its prize. Snowkit landed on the ground in a heap, his back bloodied – but his eyes were open and he quaked in shock.

"Get down!" Tinyclaw called. "Before it takes you both!"

"Cinderpelt!" cried Dustpelt, his eyes wide and terrified.

The hawk was screeching, trying to flap with the weight of two full grown cats. Finally Speckletail and Cinderpelt were able to release themselves. Speckletail stumbled in her landing but crouched protectively over her kit. Cinderpelt landed on all fours, shouting curses at the hawk as it ascended, flapping as fast as it could to get away from the cats.

"Get out of here, you crow-food eating piece of fox-dung!" Cinderpelt screeched. "You frog-breathed maggot-feathered-"

Though her kit was deaf, Speckletail covered Snowkit's ears.

Tinyclaw and the other cats slowly began to approach, the hawk just a speck in the sky now. Tinyclaw's heart thudded in his ears. It only tried to attack because we've lost a lot of our cover in the fire, he thought. But oh, StarClan… thank StarClan it didn't take anyone!

Brackenfur hobbled from the crowd and began cleaning up Snowkit's wounds. "He's in shock," he said. "The poor thing…"

"Cinderpelt! Cinderpelt, are you all right?" Dustpelt cried.

Cinderpelt closed her jaws, her stream of curses ceasing as the rest of the Clan entered her view. She seemed almost sheepish as she acknowledged Dustpelt. "I-I'm all right."

"A hawk, here?" breathed Frostfur. "Oh, our kits!"

"They're all accounted for," Oakheart assured.

"Great StarClan, a hawk!" breathed Halftail. "We haven't seen one of those try to attack the camp for seasons!"

"I… I don't know what I would have done if it'd taken you," Dustpelt fretted. He licked Cinderpelt's ears, his eyes full of fondness and worry.

Cinderpelt purred. "Dustpelt…"

"I see."

Tigerstar's voice brought silence to the gathered cats. He padded into the clearing beside Tinyclaw, looking down upon Snowkit's wounded body.

"Tigerstar!"

"It's Tigerstar!"

Tinyclaw tried not to wince at the Clan's hopeful, joyous mews at seeing their leader. Whitestorm was right – they hadn't seen him for far too long. And the look in Tigerstar's dim amber eyes only told Tinyclaw that the tabby leader would not be delivering good news.

"A brave young cat, to be sure," Tigerstar decided, his eyes fixated on Snowkit. "You have earned your apprentice name. Snowpaw."

The Clan was stunned, eyes wide. Murmuring started immediately. This was no way to name an apprentice! There was ceremony, ritual!

"W-Who… Who is his mentor?" Tinyclaw dared to ask over the concerned voices of his Clanmates.

"It doesn't matter," Tigerstar decided.

Speckletail gasped. "What?"

Tigerstar looked up from Snowpaw, eyes flat. "The hawk was a sign from StarClan – a sign that they are at war with ThunderClan, and will do anything to kill us."