A/N: Hey sorry this chapter took so long to get out. I'm having trouble pushing through this part of the story (as are a lot of other authors I realize when reading rewrites of the series). But here it is. Again I apologize for grammer mistakes. Please feel free to point them out (pref pm) So I can fix them. And enjoy!

Cosmicjade: I'm happy that you like this Au! To be completely honest I haven't seen anything like this and I'm excited to see that a lot of people like the concept. Hopefully I don't let you down! A happy author. S.J.

Ran: Hehe. You hit it right on the nose. It was exactly what I was going for! Compassion is very scares in this Au so for a cat like Firepaw to have nothing but compassion, everyone does begrudgingly admire him for it. Even if... some cats like him for... other reasons...

Guest: I'm sorry! T.T I'll try to update quicker, but my brain conspires against me!

Firepaw panted, feeling the sting of small cuts as they quickly healed. The warriors around him stepped back a pace as a black-and-white tom weaved his way to the front. Firepaw jolted as he recognized the long-tailed cat from his recurring dream. Tallstar, leader of WindClan.

He must have been the one that shouted stop. Firepaw realized.

As Tallstar moved closer, there was something about him that set Firepaw on edge. There was a desperate hunger to Tallstar's movement, to his gaze. Hidden in there was a deep longing for something Firepaw had no clue of. He kept his posture low, trying to convey that he wasn't a threat.

The leader sniffed the air then moved closer. Firepaw could smell the stench of crow-food that clung to his coat. No doubt what they had been forced to eat rather than starving.

Now close enough to smell him, Tallstar sniffed then stiffened. The longing in his eyes was still there, but it was overshadowed by disappointment. He returned to his warriors, the desperate hunger gone from his step. "ThunderClan," Firepaw heard him murmur.

At this the warriors relaxed a bit, but remained in their defensive line. Tallstar faced him, curling his tail around his paws as he sat. "I was expecting ShadowClan," He growled. Anger now burned in his eyes. "Why are you here?"

Firepaw took a moment, to find his voice. "I-I came here to find you," He said, wincing at the small stutter. Now was not the time to sound like an apprentice! "To bring you back to your home."

Tallstar observed him for a moment before speaking. "We are not safe there anymore," He meowed. "ShadowClan deemed it fit to drive us out." The pain in the WindClan's words made Firepaw question if it was 'his gift' or something else that lurched in his chest.

"Brokenstar found it fit to drive you out," Firepaw corrected. "And he is no longer a leader or a threat."

Shock rippled through the cats at the news. Cats murmured to one another, in hushed excited tones while Tallstar observed him. Firepaw tried to not squirm under the gaze. It felt like it was digging into him, searching for something that he did not have.

As the cats continued to talk amongst themselves Firepaw gathered his courage. Whether this was incredibly clever, or stupid was about to become apparent in a moment.

"You must return as soon as possible," Firepaw added. "The Clans are beginning to hunt on the uplands, I saw a RiverClan hunting patrol while on my way here." He tried to remain honest, but keep ThunderClan's involvement hidden.

The tunnel fell silent and Firepaw could stop his tail from flicking behind him from the sudden stress. Cats bristled with anger at the thought of other Clans hunting in their territory.

"Brokenstar is no longer leader?" Tallstar spoke at last.

"No," Firepaw said, voice cracking.

The WindClan leader nodded and stood. He turned to his Clan. "I see no reason to stay here. With Brokenstar gone, perhaps ShadowClan will no longer be as bloodthirsty. I say we return at once! Are we fit for the journey?"

A black tome with a misshapen paw walked up. "All except Morningflower's kit."

"We will take turns carrying him," Tallstar answered.

Cats yowled in agreement and Firepaw felt a relief flow through him like a warm ray of sunshine. He did it! He shook himself as they began moving. Looking over the Clan he could tell that even with their determination, they were still weak and malnourished. "Tallstar I did not travel alone, two of my… friends came with me. May we travel with you?"

Tallstar's eyes flashed. He knew the question was a tactful offer of help. A small smile tugged at the leaders lips. "Of course," He replied kindly.

Once the Clan was ready they began walking, Tallstar in the lead with Firepaw besides him. Not even five steps along Tallstar spoke. "However, if you're traveling with us, I think introductions are in order." The leader flashed him a charming smile.

"I'm Firepaw." The ginger tom said quickly with embarrassment, missing the contemplative look Tallstar took. "My friends names are Graystripe and Longtail. They should be up top somewhere."

They emerged from the tunnel entrance and Firepaw felt the warmth of the sun on his pelt. WindClan cats blinked in the bright light. As they waited for the rest of the Clan to come up, a short-tailed brown tom padded over.

"Tallstar, you remember my vision?" His voice was heavy with worried, and Firepaw surmised that this must be their medicine cat.

"I remember Barkface," Tallstar said lofty. "Whatever StarClan's plan, we are returning home. That might have not even been meant for our Clan."

Barkface nodded and glanced towards Firepaw. His eyes widened and he looked at Tallstar. The leader gave a barely perceptible nod and Barkface hurried back over to a queen carrying a kit.

The tom with a misshapen paw walked up. "We're ready Tallstar."

Tallstar dipped his head. "Thank you. Deadfoot, this is Firepaw. Firepaw, Deadfoot, my deputy."

Deadfoot looked Firepaw over a frown tugging at his face. "Why would they send an apprentice? Are we not worth the hassle of a warrior?"

Firepaw scrambled for an answer. "...Like I've said, I'm not alone. This was a test for me." He said. A test by whom, he left out, certain that the WindClan cats would think him crazy if he revealed that he was basing it all on a dream.

As if to cement his statement, Graystripe and Longtail appeared over the edge of the hill where Firepaw first spotted WindClan. They came hurrying down, slowing as they looked over the mass of cats.

"Tallstar, these are my friends Graystripe and Longtail," Firepaw said quickly once they were close enough.

Both warriors dipped their head when they heard the title. Graystripe shot Firepaw a small look of something while Longtail remained passive.

Tallstar give an assertive nod before surveying his Clan. "Greetings… Graystripe I want you to walk with me. Firepaw, travel beside the Clan, Longtail in the back. If you see trouble tell my deputy."

Firepaw saw Longtail shoot a questioning glance his way and nodded ever so subtly towards Deadfoot.

As the leader and Deadfoot walked off Graystripe sidled up to Firepaw. "I thought you were supposed to tell me if you saw anything?" Despite his joking tone, there was a hurt tone in his voice.

"Sorry," Firepaw winced. "I got caught up in the heat of the moment."

Before Graystripe could say anything else the Clan began moving and they both hurried to their places.

The smell of rain had completely evaporated at this point and the only smell was that of warm grass and dirt. There was a small breeze now, as the sun was at it's highest point, it ruffling their fur, and made the grass hiss. Thankfully, there didn't seem to be any trouble, but there was a slight issue. Cats were already beginning to fall behind, the fast pace too much for their weakened bodies.

"Tallstar!" Deadfoot yowled. "We need to travel more slowly!"

Firepaw hurried over to see if he could help any of them. He came to Morningflower, her kit swinging from her mouth as she panted heavily. The kit was mewling with distress, which Firepaw thought was strange when being carried by its mother. Besides her the medicine cat, Barkface was trying to help Morningflower along.

"Let me carry him," Firepaw offered. "Just until you have caught your breath."

Morningflower stiffened, looking over him. Her eyes softened though when they met his. In her eyes, he must just look like an eager apprentice Firepaw thought to himself. Barkface spoke up. "Morningflower you can't keep going like this, you just kitted." She nodded and set her kit down. His crying never stopped.

"Please be careful," She murmured. "There's something wrong with his paw, we don't know what it is." Firepaw nodded and took the kit gently. Not even a second passed before Firepaw's breath caught as he suddenly felt the plunge. His right forepaw started aching and sting with holding his weight. He hissed, holding his paw up ever so slightly. The kit in his grasp went silent.

"He must like you," Morningflower murmured after a moment of quiet. Barkface next to her looked worried, but remained quiet.

Firepaw, too mute with shock at what had happened just nodded. He hesitantly set his paw down, glad to feel that the ach wasn't too bad to walk on, but it persisted, even as they started moving.

Together the three of them began walking, Morningflower remaining next to him so that her kit was in her vision the whole time. Tallstar had slowed the pace, but only a little. It was just manageable for the cats that had been falling behind.

Firepaw's mind was swirling, looking for an answer to what had just happened. He hadn't wanted to heal the kit, at least, not yet. The thought that he might not be able to control this… thing scared him. His mind jumped to the dead cat in WindClan's camp and he winced.

Eager to take his mind off the prospect, he focused on the invaluable bundle he was carrying, on making sure his steps were sure and true. Small talk sprung up between him and Morningflower, nothing serious, just trivial things that you would say at a gathering. Barkface next to them kept silent and would often look over his shoulder as if expecting to see something.

A while later they came to the Thunderpath, coming to a stop under a group of bushes.

"We'll cross the Thunderpath here, after a moment's rest." Tallstar announced above the noise of a monster that roared past. Besides him stood Graystripe and a young warrior.

Firepaw gently set the kit down, smiling as it tried to look around with closed eyes, that wouldn't open quite yet. Morningflower looked over her kit once more, making sure that the now quiet kit was truly okay before picking him up. "I've caught my breath," She said, brushing her cheek against his gratefully.

Dipping his head in response Firepaw felt a nudge. He glanced up to see Longtail standing there. Firepaw instantly prepared for a barbed comment, or some sort of quiet threat, but none came. Longtail was unnaturally subdued as he observed the Clan. With a jerk, Longtail nodded a few paces off and Firepaw hesitantly followed.

"This is so wrong," Longtail spoke up after a moment of silence.

"What is?" Firepaw asked.

Longtail nodded towards WindClan. His expression thoughtful. "Helping them… It feels so… wrong… Firepaw how is this helping ThunderClan? How can you do this without even thinking about it? Don't you think Tallstar will be thought as weak because he accepted our help?"

Firepaw was surprised by how honest Longtail sounded. So used to the rebutals and harsh statements it took a moment for him to process Longtails query. He tried to be honest when he thought about his answer. Longtail's questions instantly reminded him of one of his first experiences as a part of ThunderClan. It was of Wetpaw being attacked by a dog, and he had run to help. He hadn't hesitated then either. The fierce reprimand from Tigerclaw and Lionheart hadn't done anything if what was happening now was any indicator.

Longtail was watching him, no sign of his usual snide attitude visible.

"Because I don't care," Firepaw said honestly. "You can blame it on my kittypet beginnings, or whatever else you want to, but I don't see why it's so hard for everyone to grasp that helping each other isn't so bad. How I see it is - if the situation was reversed, we were in there situation, and them in ours, wouldn't you want someone to help you? Regardless of cat or Clan I can't imagine Bluestar would turn down that opportunity to give her Clan something they haven't had in a long time."

"And what's that?"

Firepaw cracked a small smile. "Hope."

The silence that descended between them was heavy with thought. Longtail's expression contemplative. Finally he shook his head. "You make it sound like it's obvious," He snorted, as if dismissing the idea. It was clear though that his words had made an impact.

Firepaw shrugged. "I don't expect you to just accept it, but I hope you think about it. For me it's like this pulling in my chest… I just have to follow it and everything turns out alright."

He turned as his name was called and spotted Tallstar beckoning him over. "Are we ready to go?" He asked coming over.

"We are as prepared as we will ever be," Tallstar said flashing him a smile. Another monster roared by and the leader began speaking in earnest with his deputy.

"Firepaw this is Onewhisker," Graystripe spoke up, he gestured to the young brown tabby tom next to him.

With a warm smile Firepaw dipped his head, "It's nice to meet you."

Onewhisker looked him over, curious, before a slow sheepishly grin stretched across his features. "Nice to meet you. Sorry if we were a little rough with you when you first found us. We thought you were ShadowClan."

"Don't worry about it, they're just cuts, they'll heal," Firepaw joked, knowing full well that they had already healed. Graystripe gave him a concerned glance and Firepaw grimaced. Right, there's something Graystripe would ask about later. "You're not as bad as ShadowClan was to me."

Onewhisker gave a curious purr, "I would hope not."

They fell quiet as Tallstar turned to them. "We'll cross in groups."

"Would you like us to help your elders, and those that need it?" Firepaw asked, gesturing to the three that were from ThunderClan.

Tallstar shook his head, "No, I want you each in a different group. I want to make sure everyone gets across. You'll be with Deadfoot, Graystripe I'd like you to accompany Onewhisker."

Tallstar called for Longtail, and Firepaw watched as the leader explained things to him. Onewhisker nudged him. "So what did ShadowClan do to you?"

Firepaw wordlessly stretched his back, his side flashing silver with the scars adorning it. It was an array of scars fit for an old warrior. Onewhisker's eyes widened and his posture stiffened. A moment of silence fell between them and Onewhisker seemed to be trying to think of a suitable response.

"Ouch," Was what finally came out.

Nodding Firepaw tested his paw, and let out a sigh of relief when there was no pain. "I know it happened when-" Firepaw paused as Deadfoot tapped him with his tail heading towards a group of warriors and queens. He flashed Onewhisker a sheepish smile. "I'll tell you about it later." Then joined Deadfoot.

The Clan was breaking up into several groups. Tallstar the head of the first group. Firepaw could see that Barkface and Longtail were among those cats. Graystripe and Onewhisker watched both sides of the Thunderpath, waiting for a pause in the flow of monsters. The Thunderpath was a lot busier than Firepaw remembered and there was hardly a moment when there wasn't a monster passing by. At last a gap came and both cats on watch shouted.

"Clear!"

Tallstar and his group bound across safely. No sooner had there tails passed the otherside than more monsters came roaring by.

Deadfoot moved forward and the rest of the group followed, coming to a stop at the edge of the Thunderpath. A pelt brushed against his and he looked up to see Morningflower, her kit firmly in her grasp. She gave a nod, whether to reassure him or herself only StarClan would know.

"Clear!"

No sooner had those words left than they started running across.

With paws pounding against the harsh surface they moved as fast as they could across. Thankfully, their traverse across was peaceful. The came to a stop next to Tallstar's group. Morningflower was quivering next to him, a ball of wired nervousness. She set down her kit and began vigorously licking him, even though he was fine.

Deadfoot called to another warrior to watch one side while he watched the other. Graystripe and Onewhisker gathering up the elders.

"Clear!"

The final group began the trek. It immediately became obvious that their movement was a lot slower than the others. Firepaw could see the elders were running on fumes, their thin frames pushed to the absolute limit. Paws would slip and often Graystripe and Onewhisker would have to stop to help them along. A rumble grew in the ground and the cats along the side watched in alarm as a monster, bigger than the others came around the corner, bearing down on the cats still crossing.

"Hurry!" Firepaw yelled.

The warriors actions grew desperate Graystripe doing so much as to grab an elder by the scruff and flinging them towards the edge. A ball of horror was sitting in Firepaw gut as he realized that they might not make it. Onewhisker was helping another elder, his eyes fixed on the edge of Thunderpath.

The elder stumbled and went down, Onewhisker stopped to help them up, grabbing them by the scruff.

The monster's roar grew deafening and Firepaw looked around frantically, everyone was watching fearfully, but no one was moving.

He found his paws leading him forward, and then he was full on charging. Past Graystripe and the three elders with him, towards Onewhisker and the fallen elder.

A ringing grew in his ears, and time seemed to move faster than normal. Dirt turned to Thunderpath under his feet and he could see the monster growing in the corner of his vision.

He reached forward, latching onto Onewhisker's scruff, heaving backwards.

They all fell into a heap as the monster blasted past, dust and small pebbles raining down on them. Panting, Firepaw looked to see Onewhisker and the elder there with him, both alive. They both looked as relieved as Firepaw felt. He went limp for a moment letting the feeling of being alive thud in his chest like a hammer.

Getting to his paws, Firepaw coughed as the dust settled. With teary eyes he looked up and was confronted by a wall of gray fur. "Why are you always so mouse-brained!" Graystripe said, worriedly looking him over.

Firepaw weakly protested as Graystripe tried to groom some fur on his shoulder that was bent the wrong way. "I'm fine… and I was not about to watch another cat needlessly die," he meowed.

"And what would have happened if you died?!" Graystripe countered.

Firepaw tried to formulate an adequate response, but none came to mind. He let Graystripe check him over before the gray-furred warrior was satisfied that he was okay. Firepaw sat up a bit straighter as Onewhisker walked up to him. There was an unreadable look in his eyes as he touched Firepaw's noise with his own. "You would have died… to save me." He murmured. "I… thank you."

Tallstar spoke up from the side. "You would have died for us. WindClan will never forget that." Graystripe next to him looked shocked. While Longtail only indication of the situation was his namesake flicking behind him angrily.

"We must keep going," Tallstar continued. "Are journey is far from over."