Chapter 12

The storm gave way to the night sky by the time ThunderClan returned to their camp. The forest dripped with cold rain, the air too cold for the ground below. Mist gathered at the base of the trees, making the Gathering party take their steps slowly.

By the time they entered camp, the mist had cleared but for the smog at the very edges of the camp. Oakheart waited in the clearing, with the warriors left behind. All eyes were on the Gathering party, full of concern and ominous worry.

"What happened?" Oakheart asked almost immediately. "The rain… was the Gathering interrupted?"

"Yes," Tinystar meowed, pushing his way to the front of the crowd. He'd walked beside Brackenfur in silence, knowing the dampness made his friend's leg sore and slowed him down.

He did not step on the Highrock – he didn't need to. His Clanmates were already gathered around him. Tinystar raised his voice and explained what had happened at the Gathering. The Clan listened in slience, eyes stretching wide.

Oakheart was bristling, fury in his eyes. "Bluestar would never share power!" he spat. "How dare she!"

Tinystar sighed through his teeth, his breath misting before his muzzle. Sometimes he wondered if Oakheart hated Bluestar more than he did – after all, they had been mates, once. Bluestar had gone too far in using him, likely never loving him at all. It had broken poor Oakheart's heart.

"Did the storm really mean StarClan stopped you from saying any more?" Ashpaw asked. "They can't have wanted that, you know?"

Tinystar frowned as his Clanmates murmured around him. He glanced at Brackenfur.

The golden-brown tom was sitting calmly amidst the chaos, his tail-tip flicking against the moist earth. "There are times when a storm is just a storm," he meowed calmly. "But I don't think that was the case here."

Tinystar frowned, his tail lowering. "What do you mean?"

"There are many ways to interperet signs," Brackenfur admitted. "I don't think it was a storm meant to stop you, Tinystar. I think StarClan meant to send a different message – that Bluestar's actions are going to bring chaos to the forest. A storm of mourning, for all that Bluestar will try to destroy."

Tinystar sighed, nodding. "I see," he meowed. "It changes little, though. We can't hope to defeat LionClan on our own – we'll need to keep a close eye on them. I have no doubt that they'll try to attack us when we don't agree to join them."

He turned to Whitestorm. "I want patrols to go to the RiverClan and ShadowClan borders. See where LionClan seems to be gathering itself. If we know where the brunt of their forces are, it will help our preparations in the long run."

Whitestorm nodded. "Agreed – this is not a foe we can fight in ignorance."

"I'll go," Cloudtail meowed, raising her tail. She glanced at her mates in turn. "Some ShadowClan fur to line our nest sounds just fine to me."

"As if your nest needs to get any bigger!" hissed Dustpelt.

Cloudtail rolled her eyes at her denmate.

Whitestorm gathered the warriors, organizing them into patrols with Oakheart stepping in to help. It wasn't long before the first patrol was sent out, Cloudtail in the lead. The rest of the Clan seemed content with all they could do for now. Still, they seemed fretful, worried for their own lives.

"Will it ever end?" Tinystar wondered to Brackenfur.

"It won't end until Bluestar is dead," Brackenfur said frankly.

Tinystar ducked beneath a swipe, air brushing between his ears. He lashed out with a paw in return, and met air as Mistypaw swept out of the way.

He regained his footing as Mistypaw assessed the situation. He saw her bunch her muscles to spring, but he was well prepared for the attack as she hesitated. Mistypaw's paws hit the sand, and Tinystar tapped his paws against her flanks.

Mistypaw let out a hiss of frustration, spinning on her paws to strike at Tinystar – but her motions were predictable and poorly planned, and Tinystar was able to duck beneath them easily. He butted his head against his apprentice's side and pushed her away.

"Enough," Tinystar decided, raising his tail to signal the end of their session.

Mistypaw halted, confused – and then she flopped onto her haunches, staring down at her paws.

"You started out well enough," Tinystar meowed, "but you've clearly grown more distracted. What's on your mind?"

Mistypaw dragged one of her paws through the dust. "Would it really be so bad if we joined LionClan?"

Tinystar frowned. He was more than used to talking with his apprentice about things like this – Mistypaw had a lot of conflict in her heart when it came to her mother and the things she was doing. The entire Clan was buzzing about the news from the Gathering the day before, like a cicada in greenleaf.

"It would," Tinystar told her with certainty. "ThunderClan would lose their individuality amongst the other Clans – we'd lose what makes us ThunderClan."

"But we'd all be working together," Mistypaw reasoned. "That wouldn't matter, would it?"

Tinystar's tail twitched. "That's possible, yes – but not with Bluestar as a leader."

"But you'd all be leading together!"

"No, we wouldn't," Tinystar reminded her firmly. "Bluestar would never give up power to another – you can bet your next meal that she and Leopardstar are not true equals. And do you think that Bluestar would be able to treat me and many other ThunderClan cats without bias?"

Mistypaw's shoulders sank.

"The Clans are bound together by the warrior code," Tinystar went on, "and our faith in StarClan. We come together in crisis, but it's not in the four Clans to be one. We thrive off of one another – the rivalry compels us to grow stronger in newer ways. We have our own traditions and ways of looking at the world we live in. Mixing all of that together would be chaos."

"But she is right…" Mistypaw pointed out quietly. "The forest has seen so much conflict…"

"It has," Tinystar agreed, "but it has seen even more conflict than what's going on now, I'm sure. And more conflict will ensue in the future. It's inevitable. The Clans have endured as four, not as one."

Mistypaw frowned. "I suppose…"

Tinystar touched his muzzle to the top of her head. "I'm sorry that you need to think about these things."

Mistypaw didn't reply.

Tinystar was about to suggest they continue with the training in order to keep Mistypaw's mind off of her troubling thoughts when Sandstorm appeared, pushing her pale body through the dry bracken. She looked cross, her tail whipping back and forth and her pale green eyes hard.

"Sandstorm!" Tinystar called. Mistypaw's head perked up. "What is it?"

"Have you seen Stonepaw?" Sandstorm asked, "I thought he might be here."

Tinystar shook his head, confused. "No, not today."

Sandstorm's tail lashed. "He must have gone out before dawn again," she sighed. Her gaze turned on Mistypaw. "Do you know where he went?"

Mistypaw shook her head. "I'm sorry, no."

Sandstorm sighed with frustration. "He's been so scattered lately! How am I supposed to train him when he doesn't even show up?"

Tinystar stretched, digging his claws into the earth. "We can help you look, Sandstorm – a run through the forest doesn't sound like a bad idea."

"Thanks," Sandstorm breathed, her eyes warming. "I really appreciate-"

Stonepaw crashed through the bracken just then, panting. "Sorry I'm late!" Bits of dead leaf were caught in his pelt, as if he'd gone full tilt through the forest to get here. He didn't look at Sandstorm, dipping his head in apology.

Sandstorm's eyes widened. "Where have you been?" she scolded. "We were supposed to go out at sunhigh!"

"I'm sorry!" Stonepaw repeated, bristling. "W-We can go! Right now!"

Sandstorm rolled her eyes, guiding her apprentice with her tail. "Fine! Come on, then. Sorry to bother you, Tinystar."

Tinystar's ear flicked awkwardly. Beside him, Mistypaw shifted on her paws. "It's all right," he offered to Sandstorm. "I'll see you later."

They were gone a moment later, the dried fronds of bracken falling still in their wake. Tinystar sighed, his tail stilling. Mistypaw's whiskers twitched, her expression otherwise unreadable.

"I… guess we'll get back to training," Tinystar decided.

"I guess."

The two cats repositioned themselves. Tinystar circled his apprentice, trying to put aside Stonepaw's strange behavior… and the strange scent he'd brought with him. But it nagged at him until Tinystar had to try and place it.

That scent… it's from near the river, Tinystar realized, taking a deep breath. Why would he be on the other side of the territory?

His thoughts earned him a smack on the head and a smug purr from Mistypaw.

"Now who's distracted?" she mewed.

Tinystar shoved the thought away and pounced, growling, "You cheek! Take this!"

Tinystar stretched, arcing his spine. His training session with Mistypaw had gone well, though thoughts of Stonepaw's whereabouts had gotten him distracted more than once. Mistypaw's training was coming along well – she was growing out of her need to plan every move, just a little. Tinystar had a feeling that might be something that stayed with her forever.

It's not a bad thing, he told himself. She might just end up turning herself in circles when she needs to strike immediately…

He'd sent Mistypaw off hunting. He trusted her to stay away from dangerous areas, glad that she wasn't much like Cloudtail had been. Tinystar had no worries about her sneaking off to Twoleg nests or rooting around Snakerocks, which the Clan was still very wary of.

As if his thoughts had summoned her, Cloudtail appeared, padding through the undergrowth with her mates. Brightheart and Swiftfoot were padding confidently beside her, tails up. Their positioning was such that Cloudtail was covering Brightheart's blind spot, even if she didn't realize what she was doing.

"Hey! There you are!" she crowed.

"Oh?" Tinystar chirped back. "Did you want me?"

"A leader's work is never done," sighed Brightheart sympathetically.

Cloudtail's tail swished. "I was going to ask if you'd like to assess these two."

Tinystar's ears pricked.

Cloudtail beamed. "These two have gotten so much better! I want you to see how well their training is going."

Tinystar glanced at Brightheart and Swiftfoot. "Is that alright with you?" he wondered. "It'd be quick." He had to admit, he was very curious about how Cloudtail had gone about teaching them. Their disabilities would make an interesting challenge for any mentor.

Swiftfoot grinned. "I think I can take him."

"I suppose," Brightheart agreed.

Tinystar raised his tail. "Come on, then!"

To his shock, both cats charged at him – Brightheart, swift as a snake, and Swiftfoot like a protective badger. Tinystar was able to duck under Swiftfoot's first blow, but he was struck by Brightheart in the side.

Tinystar turned to try and attack Brightheart, going for her blind side – but she was dancing around his blows, always keeping him in sight. Tinystar earned a cuff over the ears for his troubles, and paws on his flanks pulled him back towards Swiftfoot.

His tail is gone, Tinystar thought. He wiggled out from beneath Swiftfoot's paws, putting on speed to dodge and weave and unbalance the tom – but Swiftfoot stayed put, his paws planted until he made his move… and what a move he made.

Quick as a flash Swiftfoot darted out with a paw, catching one of Tinystar's hind legs. The blow wasn't painful, but it was sharp enough to throw Tinystar off and send him crashing to the sandy floor on his belly.

Cloudtail sat smugly before him, her tail kinked with pride. "Not so easy, eh?" she purred.

"Not at all," breathed Tinystar, stunned.

"Well?" Swiftfoot asked. "How'd we do?"

"Can we be warriors again?" Brightheart wondered.

Tinystar got to his paws, shaking sand out of his fur. He tested his hind leg, finding that it wasn't injured. "I want to make absolute sure you two can handle yourselves… but you'll be warriors in no time at this rate!"

Cloudtail's chest puffed. "See?" she mewed, "I told you two you were doing great!"

Tinystar beamed at his niece. "You're going to be one of the best mentors in the Clan at this rate," he sighed.

"As if her pride needs any more boosting," Swiftfoot grunted. "But you're right, Tinystar – Cloudtail's taught us so much."

"Mostly how to be creative," Brightheart added. "How to use other cats' first impressions of us as a weapon of our own."

"Well, it worked," Tinystar admitted. "Your innovative ideas are going to revolutionize ThunderClan's battle training if this keeps up!"

Swiftfoot nodded, his eyes calm and sharp. "Any cat can be injured," he meowed, "it shouldn't stop them from holding onto their place in their Clan."

Tinystar's tail twitched at the determination in Swiftfoot's stare, at the confidence that lit up Brightheart's eye. Cloudtail had helped these two cats so much in bolstering their confidence in themselves.

When they're warriors again, they're like to be ThunderClan's strongest! LionClan will need to keep their eyes open…

"I'm starving!"

"You're always starving," joked Tinystar.

Graystripe rolled his eyes.

Tinystar nudged his friend apologetically. He hadn't meant to poke fun – Graystripe was a heavy eater, and the thinning of prey would affect him foremost. What prey remained in the forest after the dogs was taking to burrow, and hunting was becoming harder far quicker than Tinystar had anticipated in the days since the Gathering.

"Have you two picked up anything?" he asked, turning his head back.

Mousefur shook her head. Longtail lamented, "Not a whisker!"

The patrol was near the training hollow, trying in vain to catch the prey unawares. The crackle of frost on the leaves made stealth harder than normal, and the cold snap in the air felt like it was here to stay. Tinystar willed the snows to wait, but he knew he couldn't control the weather.

"I could catch us some fish," Graystripe pointed out.

Mousefur turned up her nose. "Eugh," she scoffed.

"That's a bad idea, Graystripe," Longtail pointed out. "River-er, sorry, LionClan has claim to the river. We'd be shredded."

Tinystar grimaced. Longtail was right – in the days since the Gathering their patrols had discovered that while a small amount of cats still lived in ShadowClan's territory across the Thunderpath, the bulk of LionClan was living in what was RiverClan's territory. It was too close for Tinystar's liking.

"I'll check by the stream," Tinystar suggested. "You go on ahead, Mousefur. I'll catch up."

Mousefur nodded, raising her tail. The patrol followed her through the frosty forest. Tinystar turned his attention – and paws – towards the stream. He made special effort to be quiet, knowing that his black pelt would already be a huge tell to potential prey.

A rustle caught his ear – a blackbird, pecking through the leaf-litter.

Tinystar crept as quietly as he could, but a snap in the treetops startled the bird, causing it to take flight. Tinystar cursed.

At least there's prey here to miss, he thought.

Tinystar straightened his back and headed for the stream, punching a hole through the thin ice sheet formed over the water before bending down to drink.

A sharp orange light startled him, causing him to leap back from the stream with a hiss of shock. He dug his claws into the hardening earth, eyes wide, as the stream was suddenly alive with flames.

Tinystar opened his mouth to cry out – Fire! Again! StarClan, help us! – but the words died in his throat as the flames rippled, changed… took shape. A massive cat's head appeared in the flickering light, opening its great jaws into a silent roar as the flames licked jagged stripes across its face.

Stripes? He thought. It's a tiger!

"Do you see now, Tinystar, what you must do?"

The voice startled Tinystar, but the scent of the cat that appeared at his side calmed him.

"Redtail?" Tinystar whispered. Redtail had never appeared like this before.

The small tom dipped his head to Tinystar. His dappled pelt was like mist, his red tail shimmering with the fire's light.

"Take heed," he meowed, "what you have seen is very important, Tinystar."

Tinystar looked through him to the fire, to the roaring tiger. Already it was beginning to fade… but Tinystar could see something in it he hadn't before. The tiger's face…

It was his face.

"I'm the Tiger," he whispered.

Redtail did not reply – but the strength of his gaze told Tinystar that he was right. The dappled tom dipped his head before disappearing, not waiting for Tinystar to protest.

Tinystar swallowed, watching the flames die and the image fade. He felt no fear, no – but he wasn't sure how to describe what he was feeling. Never had he seen anything like this.

I am the Tiger, he thought.

He looked down at his paws. One black, one white.

If there is a LionClan… there must be a TigerClan…

And I am its leader.