MERRY XMAS, and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

So this is my CHRISTMAS gift to you. :D

Alright! Chapter 11 is up now, and I feel pretty proud of it.

Special thanks to all people who reviewed since the last chapter was updated: Jarrtail, Tinselpool, Tenacross, Kylyn, Foeseeker, Swifttail6291997, pocket97, Foxstar24, and flyingchicken.

And special thanks to Cinnamonpool and Tinselpool for editing this chapter. :D

For those of you who've never read the Warriors series or just started on it, there are some spoilers here. If you don't mind, just read ahead and there'll be a little explanation at the end to clear things up.

Comfort and Solace

Out on the open grounds of the junkyard, the cats were crowded on the top of an old monster. Of the five, there were only two that seemed to be the center of it all, speaking in animated movements.

It seemed strange to Tigger how quickly his friends became his enemies. For a short time, he actually had allies, and he would have given his tail to get back to that position. But now, there was no ally here to save him from the onslaught being brought on to him.

"Do you know what you just did?!" Ajax hissed, his hackles raised as he paced back and forth, "Now they know the secret! Now they know! We have no place to run, no place to hide! Nowhere is safe for us. How are we going to survive now? How could you be so mousebrained?"

"They would've found the tunnels sooner or later!" Tigger snarled.

"How would you know, kittypet?!"

Tigger looked down, glaring at the cold earth beneath his paws. Show no fear. Show no guilt. Don't let him get the satisfaction of winning.

"It doesn't matter, coward!" he spat, stepping forward defiantly, "You can't keep hiding in your little tunnels behind dogs and monsters forever! I'm not like you. I can't keep running away from my troubles!"

"Coward?!" Ajax's eyes narrowed, "If that's what I am, then at least I've survived free up until now. And what about you? I bet kittypets have nothing to fear or run away from. And you? You couldn't have lived without me!"

"And I wouldn't have been in this mess if I never saw you!"

"It was your decision to follow me, kittypet, not mine." Kittypet. That word was spat out of Ajax's mouth, as if it was a filthy word; something befitting for only the most disgusting, disgraceful creature. Tigger felt his rage flare up with each and every time it was mentioned, true or not.

"Stop calling me that!"

"It's not an insult if it's true, kittypet."

Tigger crouched low to the ground, though it clearly wasn't a gesture of submission. He flexed his claws, letting them slip in and out in his paws as his tail went back and forth in powerful sweeping motions.

"Do you want to fight, stray?" he growled, his teeth glinting despite the lack of light. For a second, a look of hesitation crossed his adversary's features, but to his credit, his attempt to hide it was valiant.

He stepped forward lightly, his red tail running horizontally along the ground, his skinny shoulder blades protruding, sliding up and down with each step.

"Stop!" a new voice entered the fray, "Fighting doesn't prove either of you right!"

"Shut up, you!" Ajax hissed, rounding Chess.

"Leave him out of this!" Tigger slid between them, baring his fangs. Ajax took a step back, claws at the ready before he saw the wisdom of Chess's words. Slowly, he let his fur fall flat along his spine as he stepped back, his fangs hidden behind his lips once more.

"I'd save my energy for later if I were you." At that, he stormed off, not bothering to look back at the eyes that stared after him.

"Huh! That'll show him," Tigger spat, sitting up to lick his chest nonchalantly.

"Tigger," Chess's voice wavered, "Why did you do that?" Tigger turned back to his brother, but he probably did it so suddenly that his brother flinched back.

"Because you're my brother," the dark tabby purred, "I'm supposed to protect you."

"No," the grey kittypet averted his gaze to the floor, "I mean, why did you do this to me?"

Tigger gaped at his brother. What does he mean by that?

"Why did you take me here? You almost had us killed!"

"B-but..." for once, Tigger was at a loss for words, "But..."

"You lied Tigger!" One by one, Chess's words cut through his heart, conviction sprouting from his words as his voice escalated, "You promised me that I'd like it here! But look at where we're staying! This place! Where's the food? Where's the shelter? Where are the friends? Tigger... you... you... you LIAR!" At that, the kittypet turned away, panting from his exertion.

Tigger just stared at his brother, or at least, what used to be his brother. Now he was just like Ajax. He was turning his back on him, even after he saved his life.

"Fine!" he raged, "Be that way then! I didn't have to come back for you anyways! I should've let you rot all by yourself! You would be nothing without me- nothing but a miserable ball of fur! It was you that let Blood Clan catch up to us! You and that fat, kittypet body of yours!"

He knew Chess wasn't going to retaliate with more insults. He was always so cheerful and slow to anger, unlike himself. They had never actually fought over anything but food before- and those were just small skirmishes and playfights. It surprised Tigger, the overwhelming hate he felt for him. Why did I even come back for him? What did I ever like about him? He's so whiny and cowardly!

"I trusted you, Tigger..." His soft, heart-broken response hurt Tigger most of all. It was like some stone was lodged in his stomach, making it sink to the ground. Slowly, Chess padded off to where Ajax was headed.

"I didn't think you'd do this... to me..."

Tigger felt his ears lower as he stared after Chess. Another shape was following after his brother, and for the first time, he realized it was Twist that was hobbling after him. He had to admit, he didn't notice her watching during his confrontation with Ajax.

She was too quiet, never saying anything. In fact, he found her quite unsettling, the way her ice blue eyes would look at him was eerie. But even so, even if she wasn't going to say anything, he wouldn't mind having her near him instead of avoiding him- just like everyone else.

Just like Chess and Ajax... especially Chess.

He felt so hurt, abandoned, so lonely.

It was just one little mistake... just one. It wasn't my fault. It was Blood Clan's fault for being evil, it was Ajax's fault for meeting me in the first place, it was Chess's fault for being so slow... it was... I'm not the one to blame... entirely. I didn't mean for it to turn this way. I just wanted...

But what did he want?

"To have your brother?" a voice taunted inside him, "If you really wanted your brother, you would've joined him in the twoleg place. Adventure? Well, you could have stayed with Ajax. Both? Surely you could've visited Chess from the Outside. Or maybe you wanted to be the one in charge? To be leader."

Tigger grimaced as he stalked off on his lonesome. All he wanted now was a place to wait out the storm.

The rain pummeled down against the clear barrier outside the broken monster, though some droplets trickled in from a crack on the top. Tigger didn't mind though, he didn't care so long as he could rest somewhere dry- somewhere away from the rest of them.

It's just not fair. I had good intentions.

He wriggled on the ripped cushion, bunching his body into a tighter curl. He closed his eyes again, letting himself delve into the sweet darkness. However, it seemed as if sleep was unwilling to come to him. No matter how long he lay there, no matter which position he took, he felt restless deep down inside.

And for that, he despaired. He was all alone, and sleep was his only pathway to solace now, but the stinging claw in his heart wouldn't go away.

But I want to talk to Hawkfrost. Or maybe Darkstripe. They would understand what I'm feeling, what I'm going through. I'm sure every warrior had to do something risky once in a while. It's just that... my actions somewhat... failed. I want to talk to them... they would understand that I was... just being brave.

But as he stared ahead, his chin resting on his paws, his tail draped over his nose, sleep wouldn't release him. He was trapped with his own thoughts, isolated and alone with nothing but that tormenting voice whispering in his head.

"I bet that Hawkfrost or Darkstripe could've escaped."

"You and I both know that Chess was never cut out for living out here. Maybe you, but never him."

"Chess and Ajax both hate you now. It doesn't matter that you love Chess. You've only practically doomed them both now."

"Maybe it's not that you can'tsee Hawkfrost. Maybe it's that they don't want to see you. You disgrace the warrior code. What kind of clan cat would want to mentor you now? And ifHawkfrost is your father, all the more shame for-"

"Stop it," he croaked to no one in particular, but it did finally quiet the voice. And slowly, the kittypet let merciful sleep wash over him, and let it carry the pain away.

It was dark again, but Tigger was used to it. It seemed that every time he came to The Place of No Stars, it was shrouded in dark, only to materialize right in front of him. He watched with less enthusiasm this time, as the shady trees extended their prickly fingers from their trunks until they touched each other. Stones appeared next, glowing dully at the pale moonlight.

"Hawkfrost?" he called to the darkness. Not a thing stirred.

"Are you there?" Still nothing. Tigger turned around, hoping to see the familiar piercing eyes of blue.

"I know you must be mad at me... everyone is..." Only his echo replied him, "everyone is... everyone is..." it said to him in a scared, mocking imitation of his own voice.

"Darkstripe?" he meowed, a half-hearted cry, but still, the world stood still and silent. The dark tabby never felt so small, even on his first day alone in the twoleg place. He let his ears droop down as his tail dragged on the leaf-littered ground.

"Somebody," he whispered as he stared at the ground between his paws, "Somebody please come for me. I'm all alone..." He felt his heart ache in his chest, a sensation that made his throat go dry. It felt as if he were swallowing down a rock- a stubborn one.

"I'm sorry," he confessed at last to the darkness, "It's my fault, isn't it? It's all my fault. I just wanted... I was being... selfish. I want- I want to make things right again. I'd do it... I would."

Suddenly, a pale trickle of light brightened up above. His eyes widening, Tigger turned his head, half-expecting to see Hawkfrost, half-expecting to wake up. But it was neither. Instead, the bleak, blank sky seemed to crack open, and a single shining star was visible.

Tigger had seen the star-speckled sky before and it had always captured his interests. All those stars out at once, decorating the night sky and shining brightly in salutations to the full moon? Now thatwas something to behold. But the stars in the twoleg place seemed so pale compared to this vigilant star. It was no speck in the sky. In fact, it was like a miniature sun, a beacon of hope, here to greet him.

At that moment, Tigger could swear that nothing had ever looked so beautiful as this sight. Yes, it was alone, but that didn't take any majesty from it. It shared the skies with nothing, and the stark, endless night sky only made it glow all the brighter.

It was as if it was shining just for him.

And then, the little kittypet felt his heart go light again and fill with a sense of purpose and courage.

Tigger cracked an eyelid open, yawning as he stretched. His tongue was dry and his fur was slightly damp from the rain, but at least he didn't feel sick on the inside. He then sat up, shaking the wet from his fur before he squeezed out of the monster's exit.

He didn't know how to explain it, but he felt a lightness in his paws with every step. He didn't feel so alone now. Instead, he felt... brave. He passed by all the wide-eyed monsters that stared at him rudely, but he didn't show shame. Instead, he kept his head high and his tail raised, a noble posture for one of a noble purpose.

But the short walk from his small little shelter to Ajax's monster seemed longer than usual, as if someone was trying to give him more time to change his mind. Every step was a chance to turn around.

But no.

He felt scared, yes, but he knew what he had to do to make things right again.

"But will things ever be completely right again?" the voice whispered, sounding gentler for a change.

Probably never. It won't be all right again, I don't think. Everyone will still remember what I did, but I have to do my best for them. That's my warrior code.

He found himself halting in front of Ajax's monster, the thing never looking more intimidating, even in death. Tigger sucked in a breath as he crawled through the entrance. It was dryer than his shelter, but it felt colder.

"Ajax?"

"Go away." Ajax was curled up on the cushion at the monster's front, ears tucked downwards as if that could drown out the rest of the world.

"It's me, Tigger."

"Get lost!" Tigger almost flinched from the tone, but stubborn as he was, he held his ground.

"Where's Chess? And Twist?"

"I told them to get lost too." Tigger felt his throat tighten.

"Why?"

"I was better off myself. I didn't have to keep watching out for every cat that came my way. I should just mind my own business. I'm thinking, so just get out."

"Thinking... about escape?"

"What else, fish-head?"

"I... I just wanted to tell you that I was... uh... I really didn't mean to... insult you that way..." he could feel the uneasiness prickle in the atmosphere. Rat dung! It really shouldn't be this difficult! He continued again, trying to retain eye contact with Ajax, who really wasn't looking at him in the first place.

"And... I really didn't mean to let Blood Clan follow. I was just thinking about my brother, and I couldn't leave him behind to Blood Clan's mercies. He's just so soft and slow and..." No, no, no! No more blaming!

"I really didn't mean everything... I just wasn't... thinking... So now... now I'm..." The words were now stuck on the tip of his tongue. He faltered a bit before he mustered enough strength to shove them out of his mouth.

"I'm sorry."

"Your apologies don't make anything much better," Ajax snorted.

"Well, I've been thinking-"

"That's a change!" the stray interrupted with a stinging hiss. Tigger felt a growl rise in his throat. I just apologized, you! But he quieted it immediately. He promised himself that this meeting would be a peaceful one.

"I'll do it. I'll distract Blood Clan while you and the others get out of here. I'll be your... bait."

And high up in the deep dawn sky, there was one last star suspended in the air, watching after the world dutifully.

It is said that Star Clan watches over all the forest cats from their celestial forest in the sky. However, this is certainly not the case. They do, on some occasions, tend to watch after others as well.

A golden tabby sat by the pool of water, his tail twitching in amusement as he looked down on the dark tabby. He was so young and small, yet full of life and promise. Just the way Tigerstar had been once before... no, he didn't want to think about it anymore.

"What are you looking at?"

He turned around, greeted by a set of familiar calm blue eyes.

"Bluestar," he nodded respectfully at the blue-gray she-cat.

"Lionheart," he replied back as she sat beside him. But then her placcid expression melted away into contempt as she looked at the figure in the pool- a small dark tabby reasoning with a young red-furred tom. She got back on her paws, her lips pulled back in a half-snarl.

"What treachery is this Lionheart?" she rumbled dangerously, but the golden tabby showed no signs of fear. He'd known Bluestar since his kithood, and his old leader would never attack one of her own. Never.

"This isn't treachery," he said as he flicked his ear at the pool. The red-furred tom was now speaking back to the dark tabby, the contempt on his face being replaced by surprise and concern.

"It is to me!" she hissed, "Don't you remember what Tigerstar did to the clans? To Thunder Clan? To me?" Her eyes blazed now, both with hurt and hatred.

"Tigerstar wasn't always as ambitious as he became. He was innocent once," the tabby reasoned.

"And now you're helping him?" her eyes narrowed, "Why Lionheart? Why were you watching over him in the Place of No Stars? That's where he belonged in the first place, and that's where he should stay."

Lionheart shook his head calmly, trying to dispell the doubt in his leader's heart, though he knew his efforts were in vain. The wounds his once-best friend had left on Bluestar ran deep, and would probably never heal.

"I needed to show him some light," he explained, "He needs guidance. He can't stay under the influence of Hawkfrost so that his teachings could taint his heart. I don't want his mistakes to repeat themselves." Bluestar simply wrinkled her nose and stalked off, her tail waving back and forth in an agitated manner.

"Do as you like," she spat, "But don't expect anything to come out of your efforts. Once a traitor, always a traitor."

Well, I thought this chapter was pretty straight forward except for the very last segment. I'll explain it to you:

Star Clan is like a kitty heaven where clan cats go when they die. It doesn't matter what clan they were in when they were alive, they all end up in Star Clan. The Place of No Stars is where bad kitties go, in other words, hell (except not as bad as people hell, mind you).

Lionheart was once a friend of Tigerstar's, back before his treachery was revealed. They seemed pretty close before, and Tigerstar seemed to mourn a bit when he died (died during a Shadow Clan raid). However, part of me feels like he planned the assassination to take Lionheart's place as Thunder Clan deputy. Oh well, that's only speculation.

Bluestar was the leader of Thunder Clan before Firestar, back in the first 6 books of the series. She always trusted Tigerstar (AKA Tigerclaw) and ignored Fireheart's (protagonist) accusations of him. But then, when Tigerclaw's treacherous plans were thwarted and he was unmasked for the true villain he really was, she kind of suffered a mental breakdown, spiralling into a mix of depression and paranoia. She later died saving Fireheart from a dog attack that Tigerstar unleashed on Thunder Clan. She always struck me as the kind that would try to be fair, but sometimes become irrational. But yeah, I'd be bitter too if I were her.

Basically, Lionheart's looking after his old ex-best friend. I guess he was hurt about the betrayal, but for old time's sake, he's willing to give him one last chance, even if his old leader discourages it.

So what did you think about the chapter? Good, bad, touching? Well, you can tell me all about it in your REVIEW, so c'mon and just click that butten below and give me any comments, constructive criticism, questions, name suggestions, etc.

~Jade TeaLeaf