It was about a quarter moon after Cloudpaw's disappearance. Fireheart's apprentice had been rescued by Fireheart, Mousefur, and Ravenpaw the day before ago. Even though Fireheart scolded his apprentice, Mistyfoot knew how glad her mate was that Bluestar had let Cloudpaw stay.

The gray she-cat was asleep in the nursery, dreaming of swimming with Stonefur and Silverstream, when Fireheart's voice broke into her dream and woke her. "Fire! Wake up!"

She snapped her head up, her nostrils instantly filled with the stench of smoke. Horror filled her as Fireheart's words sank in. The forest is on fire.

She nudged Willowpelt awake. "There's a fire!" She told the queen once she was awake. Willowpelt's eyes opened fully, and she hurriedly woke her kits, urging them to their paws. Mistyfoot grabbed Sootkit in her jaws and hurried out of the den.

She saw Fireheart rush towards the apprentices' den, yowling, "Leave the camp! Head for the river!" The gray queen turned towards the leader's den, but Frostfur was already there, leading a terrified Bluestar out of the den. Satisfied, Mistyfoot followed Willowpelt and Whitestorm out of the camp, both of whom held one of their kits.

Mistyfoot ran side by side with her new Clanmates, her heart pounding with terror, her kit-filled belly swaying beneath her. Was this how it was going to end? Consumed by fire among Clanmates she barely knew? She closed her eyes, forcing herself to run faster.

They reached the ridge of the ravine before Mistyfoot heard a voice cry out, "Wait!" The Clan turned to face the speaker. It was Fireheart. He looked terrified, but calm at the same time. "Is any cat missing?" He asked urgently.

A terrified voice rose out of the crowd. "Where are Halftail and Patchpelt?" It was Cloudpaw who had spoken, his blue eyes wide with terror.

After a few moments' silence, Smallear rasped fearfully, "They're not with me."

From the front of the crowd, Whitestorm meowed through a mouthful of Sorrelkit's fur, "They must still be in camp."

Mistyfoot's heart froze. The elders would never be able to make it out of the camp without help. Before she could volunteer to go back, she heard Goldenflower wail, "Where's Bramblekit? He was behind me when I was climbing the ravine!"

Fireheart looked worried but determined. "I'll find them." He promised wearily. "It's too dangerous for you to stay here any longer. Whitestorm and Darkstripe, make sure the rest of the Clan make it to the river."

Mistyfoot set Sootkit gently down in front of Mousefur, who stood beside her. She forced her way through the crowd to stand before Fireheart. "You know there's little hope for anyone still in the camp." She said in a voice low enough for only him to hear.

Fireheart's eyes flashed with a weary determination. "I know. But I have to try."

Mistyfoot said in a louder, firmer voice, "Then I'm coming with you."

Fireheart opened his mouth to protest, his eyes wide with sudden fear, "Mistyfoot, it's too-"

A voice spoke from the middle of the crowd. "Are you crazy?" It was Frostfur, who glared firmly at Mistyfoot from her place beside Bluestar. "You're due in a matter of days! You can't go back there! Think of your kits!"

Mistyfoot started to protest, then sighed, nodding reluctantly. Fireheart looked relieved. That look soon faded to horror as a voice called out, "Then I'll come." Cinderpelt limped out of the crowd, despair in her eyes. "I'm no warrior." She pointed out. "I'd be of no use anyway if we met an enemy patrol."

Whitestorm soon talked the cripple out of it. Yellowfang volunteered herself, and Fireheart accepted hastily, ushering the medicine cat towards the camp. Whitestorm waited until they were out of sight before calling out, "Come on, we have to get to the river!" The Clan started off again, racing against the red flames that burned ever closer.

They reached Sunningrocks some time after. Whitestorm called out for the Clan to stop. "Are we all here?" He called out wearily.

The cats looked at each other, just as they had done at the ravine, looking for anyone missing. One cat cried out, "I don't see Mousefur!"

Willowpelt's terrified wail rose from the crowd. "She was carrying Sootkit!"

Before anyone could react properly, Fireheart appeared, dragging Patchpelt towards them, Bramblekit trailing after him. Mistyfoot pushed through the crowd, coming to stand at Fireheart's side. She began licking the soot off his cheeks, her heart aching as she saw the grief in his eyes.

At their paws, Patchpelt convulsed, letting out a loud burst of coughing. Cinderpelt limped to his side and laid her paw on his chest, but it was too late. His head fell to the ground, and the horrible wheezing stopped. Cinderpelt looked up at the deputy and his mate with misery in her eyes. "He's dead."

Fireheart stiffened beside Mistyfoot, his eyes going dull with grief. Cinderpelt said in a low voice, "We've lost another cat. But my grief won't help the Clan." She lifted her head and looked at him steadily. "Mousefur and Sootkit are missing." She told him grimly.

Fireheart looked horrified. "We didn't see them on our way back." He said anxiously.

Longtail stepped out of the crowd. "I'll find them." He said quietly. His fur was fluffed up and his eyes were wide with fear, but he stood firm in front of his deputy.

Fireheart hesitated, distrust flashing in his eyes, then dipped his head. "Very well. But hurry back." The tabby sprinted away, his tail fluffed up in terror.

Willowpelt's voice came from the crowd. "Where's Yellowfang? Why isn't she with you?"

Fireheart bowed his head. "I don't know." He admitted wearily. "I lost her in the smoke while she was rescuing Halftail. I was going to go back, but the kit..." He trailed off as Cinderpelt's eyes glazed over with raw, unimaginable grief. Mistyfoot felt a pang of sympathy for the young medicine cat, and for her missing mentor.

Fireheart sniffed the air for a moment, then turned to face the Clan. "It's coming this way," He yowled over the roar of the fire. "We must keep going to the river. We'll only be safe if we cross to the other side. The fire won't reach us there."

Mistyfoot felt relief crash over her. The river. The water would soothe their singed fur and keep the fire at bay. Her new Clanmates, however, looked less than thrilled. They looked at Fireheart with terror-filled eyes, their pelts bristling with fear. As if intended to frighten them further, lightning crashed overhead. One cat let out a frightened wail. Mistyfoot was suddenly reminded of RiverClan cowering fearfully from the flooding river. They have lost all that has made them strong.

Fireheart led them down to the water's edge, the acrid stench of smoke following them, ever closer. Fireheart called out to his Clan, "It's shallow enough to wade most of the way. Much shallower than usual. There's a place in the middle where you'll have to swim, but you'll make it." The Clan looked at him with terror in their eyes. He told them urgently, "You have to trust me!"

For a few moments, nobody moved. Then Darkstripe stepped out of the crowd and rasped, "Why should we trust you, traitor? Just because your mate's more comfortable in water than the forest doesn't mean we are!"

Fireheart lashed his tail impatiently, his voice filled with urgency. "This isn't about me. You want to stay here and die, fine, but don't delay those who want to leave."

To everyone's surprise, Bluestar stepped out of the crowd, eerily calm, and stepped into the water. Mistyfoot bounded towards her, coming to walk beside her, letting her mother lean against her as they waded out together. When they reached the middle, Bluestar stumbled slightly, but Mistyfoot was there to catch her, brushing her tail comfortingly against the frail leader's flank. Together, they crossed safely to the other side. Bluestar gave her daughter a weak smile. Mistyfoot returned it, then turned back to the Clan. "It's safe to cross!" She called out to them. "Just be careful near the middle, the water's deeper there!"

Whitestorm came next, swimming strongly through the black water with Snowkit in his jaws. He climbed out of the water and set Snowkit down by Bluestar's paws. "Go help the Clan. I'll stay here with Bluestar." He urged her.

Mistyfoot didn't need to be told twice. She plunged into the river, ignoring the familiar feeling of water flowing over her pelt. She passed Sandstorm and Dustpelt as they crossed side by side. When she reached the opposite shore, she realized with relief that the few warriors ThunderClan had had already crossed over. She saw a trembling group of apprentices and padded over to them. She spoke as gently as she could through her fear. "Come on, I'll help you get to the other side."

The apprentices, two gray siblings and an orange-and-white she-cat, exchanged quick glances. Then they nodded timidly. Mistyfoot escorted the gray she-cat through the water first. She mewled in terror as her paws flailed in the middle of the river, but Mistyfoot grabbed her scruff and carried her strongly over to the other side. Then she did the same for the other two.

After that, there was only one cat in ThunderClan's territory. A black-and-white apprentice stared desperately into the trees, his eyes wide with terror. Mistyfoot nudged the apprentice urgently. "We have to go. The fire's getting closer!"

The apprentice shook his head fiercely. "I have to wait for Longtail!"

Mistyfoot was about to argue when she saw an ash-covered cat stumbling wearily towards them. It was Longtail. Swiftpaw hurried over to greet him, touching noses eagerly with the half-dead tom.

Longtail looked at Mistyfoot with miserable eyes. "Mousefur's dead." He rasped. "She sprained her paw and couldn't outrun the fire."

Mistyfoot wanted to wail in misery for all they had lost, but she held it in. "What about Sootkit?" She asked.

Longtail shook his head. "I couldn't find him." He said. His eyes held little hope for the kit's survival.

Mistyfoot heard the roar of the flames, and she knew their time had run out. "We have to go. Now." She and Swiftpaw led the exhausted warrior to the river, wading strongly beside him.

Once they reached the other shore, she saw with a pang of fear that Fireheart and Smallear were still trying to cross over. Her heart froze as she saw them get swept away by the strong current. "Fireheart!" She wailed. She was about to jump into the river after him when she saw a lithe, spotted shape run over to the shore and grab Smallear's scruff. Leopardfur!

RiverClan warriors came out of the reeds, weaving among the drenched ThunderClan cats. Mistyfoot heard a cat call her name. "Mistyfoot! Thank StarClan you're alright." She turned in time to see Stonefur rushing towards her before he rubbed muzzles with her, a purr rumbling deep in his throat. She closed her eyes, her fear subsiding. The Clan was safe.

I'm sorry for the wait, but here's the next chapter of the long-neglected A Misty Flame. Told ya I'd have it up! Anywho, most of the quotes here come from Rising Storm, the exceptions of course being Mistyfoot's lines and the part about Mousefur dying. See what drastic effects come from one little change to the story?