Greypaw padded into the den at dawn. Sandpaw and Dustpaw had returned from their patrol a while ago and were asleep in their nests.
"Hi!" mewed Greypaw, sounding more cheerful than he had for days. Firepaw woke at once. "You sound better," he purred. Greypaw licked Firepaw's ear.
"Spottedleaf put some gunk on my cut and made me lie still for hours. I must've fallen asleep. By the way, I hope that chaffinch out there was for me; I was starving!"
"It was. Ravenpaw caught it yesterday. Tigerclaw sent him into ShadowClan territory-."
"Keep it down, will you?" growled Sandpaw. "Some of us are trying to sleep."
"No, say that again? Ravenpaw went where yesterday?!" Dustpaw was up now.
"To ShadowClan territory. Tigerclaw sent him to hunt."
"Knowing fully well that they're on the prowl and we're preparing for battle?!" Dustpaw snarled, hopping to his paws.
"Dustpaw, don't do anything stupid." Ravenpaw mumbled sleepily. "Bluestar knows about Tigerclaw. We need proof to show the Clan. It'll be okay soon." He meowed. Dustpaw flopped back into his nest, tensed.
"Feel free to sleep in my nest for a bit." Firepaw offered the brown apprentice. "I'm going to see Brindleface's kits."
Dustpaw nodded tiredly and they switched places. Firepaw purred with pleasure. At last, something for ThunderClan to celebrate. He looked down at Ravenpaw, who had fallen back asleep, and padded out of the den.
He and Greypaw trotted across the clearing toward the nursery. The rising sun made his pelt glow with warmth, and he stretched appreciatively, reveling in the suppleness of his spine and the strength in his legs.
"Stop showing off!" Greypaw called over his shoulder. Firepaw stopped stretching and bounded after his friend. Whitestorm was sitting outside the nursery, guarding the entrance.
"Have you two come to see the new kits?" he meowed as Firepaw and Greypaw approached. Firepaw nodded. "One at a time only, and you'll have to wait; Bluestar's with her now," Whitestorm told them.
"Well, you can go first," Firepaw insisted to Greypaw. "I'll go and see Yellowfang."
He dipped his head respectfully to Whitestorm and headed off toward Yellowfang's nest. The old cat was washing behind her ears, her eyes half-closed with concentration.
"Don't tell me you're expecting rain!" Firepaw teased. Yellowfang looked up.
"You've been listening to too many elders' tales," she meowed. "What would be the point of a cat washing its ears if they're only going to get rained on anyway?" Firepaw's whiskers twitched with amusement.
"Are you going to see Brindleface's new litter?" he asked. Yellowfang stiffened and she shook her head.
"I don't think I'd be very welcome," she insisted.
"But they know you saved—" Firepaw began. "A she-cat is very protective of her newborns." Yellowfang replied in a tone that invited no argument. "I think I'll stay away,"
"As you wish. But I'm going to see them. It must be a good sign, having new kits in the camp."
Yellowfang shrugged.
"Sometimes," she muttered darkly.
Firepaw turned and trotted back to the nursery. Clouds had covered the sun, making the air turn fresher. A fierce breeze tugged at his fur and rustled the leaves around the clearing. Bluestar was sitting outside the nursery. Behind her, Greypaw's tail was just disappearing into the narrow entrance.
"Firepaw," she greeted him. "Have you come to see ThunderClan's newest warriors?" The ThunderClan leader sounded tired and sad. Firepaw was surprised. Surely the kits would lift her spirits?
"Yes, I have," he replied.
"Well, when you've finished, come see me in my den."
"Yes, Bluestar," Firepaw mewed as she walked slowly away. He felt his fur prickle. Greypaw crawled out of the nursery entrance.
"They're really cute," he mewed. "But I'm starving now. I'm off to find some fresh-kill. I'll save some for you if I find any!" He blinked affectionately at Firepaw and bounded away. Firepaw purred a good-bye and looked up at Whitestorm, who nodded his permission for him to enter the nursery.
"How've you been lately?" He asked softly. Whitestorm had been a favorite of his, even if he hadn't gotten to know the larger white tom yet. Firepaw had always admired the quiet confidence he'd carried, the wise counsel he always had prepared.
"Leafbare comes slowly, but I get the feeling that something will be different about this one." Whitestorm spoke lowly, so he didn't disturb anyone inside the nursery.
"ThunderClan has survived many leafbare past, and and we can survive this one." Firepaw replied confidently.
Whitestorm dipped his head, yellow eyes glowing with pride.
"Indeed, with young cats like you around."
Firepaw nodded his appreciation and squeezed through the crack that was the nursery entrance. Four tiny kits huddled warmly in Brindleface's deeply lined nest.
Two toms and a she-cat, their fur was pale gray with darker flecks, just like their mother, except for one of the toms, which was a dark grey. They mewled and squirmed beside Brindleface's belly, eyes shut tight. They would not open their eyes for a quarter-moon, and they wouldn't be able to see well until they reached three moons.
"How are you feeling?" Firepaw whispered to the mother who nursed her second litter.
"A little tired," answered Brindleface. She looked down proudly at the squirming kits. "But they're all strong and healthy."
"ThunderClan is lucky to have them," Firepaw purred. "I was just talking about them to Yellowfang." Brindleface didn't answer, and Firepaw couldn't miss the look of worry that flashed in her eyes as she nudged a straying kit closer to her. Firepaw felt a tremor of anxiety in his belly. Bluestar may have accepted Yellowfang into ThunderClan, but it looked like the old cat was still not trusted by all of the Clan.
He touched his nose affectionately to Brindleface's flank, then turned and made his way out into the clearing. The Clan leader was waiting for Firepaw at the entrance to her den. Longtail sat at her side. The pale tabby warrior stared hard at Firepaw as he approached. Firepaw ignored his gaze and looked expectantly at Bluestar.
"Come inside," she meowed, "I've just finished talking to Ravenpaw." She informed him, turning to lead the way. Firepaw trotted after her. Longtail immediately stood up as if to follow them but Bluestar looked back at him over her shoulder.
"I think I'd be safe enough with my apprentice Longtail," she meowed. The cream tabby looked uncertain for a moment, then sat down again outside the entrance. Firepaw padded after her through the lichen that draped the den's entrance.
"Brindleface's kits are lovely," he purred. Bluestar looked serious.
"Lovely they may be, but they mean more mouths to feed, and the season of leaf-bare will soon be here."
Then she glanced at Firepaw, who was unable to hide his surprise at her melancholic tone.
"Oh, don't listen to me," meowed Bluestar, shaking her head impatiently. "The first cold wind always worries me. Come; make yourself comfortable." She tipped her head toward the dry, sandy floor. Firepaw dropped onto his belly and stretched his paws out in front of him. Ravenpaw Bluestar circled slowly on her mossy nest.
"I'm still aching from our training session yesterday," she admitted when she had finally settled herself and curled her tail around her paws. "You fought well, young one."
Bluestar who spoke again, staring past him at the far wall of her den.
"I can still smell the stale stench of ShadowClan in the camp." she murmured. "I hoped never to see the day when our enemy broke into the heart of ThunderClan." Firepaw nodded in silent agreement, sensing Bluestar was going to say more.
"And so many deaths." She sighed. "First Redtail, then Lionheart. I thank StarClan at least the warriors we have left are strong and loyal like them. I know you and Ravenpaw have good reason to fear Tigerclaw, but with him as our current deputy, ThunderClan can defend itself against Brokenstar. Tigerclaw is not the immediate threat, but you are right not to let his plans fester." Firepaw's heart plummeted and an icy chill cut deep into him as Bluestar went on.
"There was a time, when Tigerclaw was a young warrior, that I feared for the strength of his passion. Such energy can need careful channeling. What with you coming in about dreams and all, I can see why."
Her tone was dark, and Firepaw flinched. Perhaps he shouldn't have told her? But she shook her head and went on.
"You know Brokenstar will return. He made it clear at the Gathering that he wants hunting rights in all the territories."
"We fought him off once. We can do it again," Firepaw insisted.
"That's true," Bluestar acknowledged with a wry nod.
"StarClan will honor your courage, young Firepaw." She paused and licked a healing wound on her side.
"I think you ought to know that, in the battle with ShadowClan, I lost a life. It was not my fifth, but my seventh." Firepaw sat bolt upright, shocked. Bluestar went on.
"I have let the Clan believe it was my fifth because I don't want them to fear for my safety. But two more lives, and I will have to leave you to join StarClan."
Firepaw's mind was racing. Why was she telling him this? "Thank you for sharing this with me, Bluestar," he murmured respectfully. Bluestar nodded.
"I am tired now," she rasped. "Off you go. And Firepaw, I don't expect you to repeat this conversation to anyone."
"Of course, Bluestar," Firepaw replied as he nosed his way out through the curtain of lichen. Longtail was still sitting at the edge of Highrock, glaring down at him. Firepaw nodded to him and made his way toward his den.
He didn't know which part of his conversation with Bluestar had been more bewildering. He was stopped in his tracks by a yowl of horror coming from the nursery. Frostfur came sprinting into the clearing, her tail bristling and her eyes wide with alarm.
"My kits! Someone has taken my kits!"