Hi everyone! First of all I would like to point out that I have a new poll on my profile! Go and vote now! Also, that the warrior naming contest has been closed. Our winner is ! Congrats! You will receive your own character in the sequel to this story. The clan name contest is still running! Submit your clan names! Winner receives your own character in the sequel, also. Another thing, the typical review a lot! Please! You may have noticed that chapters have not been coming quickly recently. That is because I have not been receiving any reviews! So just review! I also have a new Spyro story. Anyone who plays those games, go and read it! And review, don't forget to review. Thanks for reading!

Alone

Chapter 10

Things are about to heat up…drastically.

Wildflame woke abruptly from her dreams, as if some cat had poured icy water over her. The old forest faded from her view and she was once again laying next to her mother. She shook her head to clear her muddled, sleep fogged mind.

"Do not be afraid…" The haunting voice of Spottedleaf still echoed through her mind. Wildflame stretched and then rose quietly. Leafpool slept on under the comforting pre-dawn light.

The young warrior glided silently through the mass of sleeping cats. She felt as if her very paws were moved by Starclan. Firestar sat calmly, watching his broken clan. His eyes shone with uncertainty for the fate of his clan, and yet the calm wisdom of a leader.

Wildflame approached her leader eagerly, filled with a courage that was not her own.

"Wildflame," Firestar purred to the she-cat. "What is it?"

"Firestar, I have received a sign." Firestar perked up immediately. "I dreamed that I was in the old Thunderclan camp. Spottedleaf came to me." Some emotion clouded Firestar's eyes, but Wildflame pushed on.

"She said that Starclan would help me guide the clan to a new home." Somewhat embarrassed by he responsibility, Wildflame looked at her paws.

"Then you, Wildflame, shall help guide this clan to safety. When we move on this morning you will walk beside me and Brambleclaw. May the paws of Starclan guide you well, young one." Firestar dismissed her with a flick of his tail.

As Wildflame padded away, she remembered how tired and aged Firestar had looked. He still had six lives, but this journey had not done him good.

* * * *

The clan was on the move again. This time Wildflame walked with Firestar at the head of the clan.

This must be how it feels to be deputy! She thought excitedly. The clan shuffled forward slowly, an empty shell of a clan. Firestar led confidently, heading to Barley's barn. Immediately, concern washed over Wildflame. Was this the right way to go?

Without warning, a shimmering figure appeared next to Wildflame. A Starclan cat! Spottedleaf! Wildflame, astonished, stopped in her tracks.

"This way," a whispery voice commanded. Wildflame looked around, bewildered. No other cat seemed to notice the voice or the starry cat.

Spottedleaf stepped confidently in the direction that Firestar was leading, and silently urged Wildflame to follow. Curious, Wildflame spoke up.

"Can anyone here you…us?"

"No," Spottedleaf answered, a smile touching her features.

"Ok….so do the others see my mouth moving, but no sound coming out?"

"Why these silly questions? Are you awed by the powers of Starclan?" Spottedleaf laughed.

"No… just curious."

"Well, these are pointless questions." Spottedleaf answered, still grinning. "All you need to know is that Firestar is right. Barley's barn will be a safe haven for the clan." She paused, a dark shadow crossing her expression. "If you make it there, of course," she muttered so quietly that Wildflame wasn't sure if she was meant to hear.

"What!? Tell me what's going to happen!" Wildflame begged the shimmering form, but it faded away. Uneasy, she turned to Firestar.

"I just received a sign, I guess you could call it. Spottedleaf told me that you were going in the right direction." Only the faintest flicker of emotion passed through the leader's expression at the medicine cat's name.

"You're getting better at that." Wildflame remarked.

"At what?"

"At hiding your emotions whenever you hear the name 'Spottedleaf.'"

He sighed. "I'll tell you the story later."

"I guess I'll have to settle for that, O wise Thunderclan leader." Wildflame teased.

Firestar groaned, amusement dancing in his emerald green eyes. "Uh-huh, O brave Thunderclan warrior." His gaze glinted with affection for the former Windclan cat.

Wildflame padded away, laughter bubbling through her. But Spottedleaf's cold words still wrapped her mind in an oppressive embrace. Obviously, some danger loomed ahead for Thunderclan's journey. But what?

* * * *

Thunderclan trudged almost mindlessly along in the bleak landscape. An enormous river crashed along its stony bank. Its churning water slammed against the stiff grass. Spray hit the cats, making Wildflame's fur uncomfortably wet.

She shook out her damp fur and padded forward. She had received no sign since Spottedleaf's visit two days ago. So they were on the right track, she guessed. They were due to arrive at Barley's farm tomorrow.

"Mom?" a tiny mewl came from Sandstorm's kit, Dawnkit.

"Yes?"

"Wanna play with Mosskit and Flamekit," the gray kit whined.

"Not y--fine," Sandstorm conceded. The kits needed a chance to use some of their boundless energy. Dawnkit scampered off to find her littermates.

Sandstorm watched her kits, shaking her head in amusement. Flamekit reared up and then slammed his forepaws down on Mosskit's retreating tail.

"Hey!" She squeaked and whirled to face the flame colored kit. He growled playfully and leapt. Mosskit dodged, giggling.

Dawnkit squealed as the cold river spray soaked her fur. She ran quickly from the freezing droplets. Mosskit launched herself at Dawnkit, her paws outstretched.

But Mosskit missed, and her paws hit the slick river shoreline. She let out a screech of fear before tumbling into the icy water.

"My kit!" Sandstorm yowled in fear. She rocketed forward, but Brambleclaw reached the shoreline first. His powerful muscles worked beneath his dark tabby pelt as he launched himself into the water after the kit.

The river's uncaring waters tossed the Thunderclan deputy onto its rocky sides. Brambleclaw struggled to hit the surface. His head broke through the waves and he swam toward Sandstorm's young kit.

His powerful strokes reached the kit in time. He grasped her in his jaws and began to swim to chore. Carefully he deposited the shivering bundle of fur on dry land. His paws scrabbled to heave himself onto land, but an enormous wave broke over him and swept him back down.

Thunderclan watched in stunned horror as their deputy disappeared underwater, his paws churning for a hold on the shore.

The water continued to crash along its banks, and Brambleclaw did not resurface. Several minutes passed, but no tabby head thrust through the surface of the water.

The Thunderclan deputy had drowned.