Braveclaw awoke in the morning to dawn light flittering through the den entrance. She got up and stretched she looked over to Lionshimmer's nest to find it empty. That's odd, she thought. The dawn patrol hasn't even left yet but she's not here. She doesn't usually get up before dawn. She padded over to the empty nest and felt it with her paw. She gasped when it was cold. If Lionshimmer had been there at all last night after the meeting with Lionclaw and Brackenheart then the nest would be warm. That means she never came back, but then where is she?

Braveclaw padded over to Galaxyheart and nudged him awake. "Galaxyheart, have you seen Lionshimmer?" she asked.

"No, not since last night, why?" Galaxyheart asked.

"She's gone," Braveclaw answered. She thought for a moment before she continued. "We went out for a walk last night and I came back before her. She said she'd catch up, but when I felt her nest it was cold. If she had come back it would be warm."

Galaxyheart got up quickly. "Let's go search the territory."

Braveclaw nodded in agreement. "We might need more help. Let's get Redstripe." They woke the tom and quickly explained everything before heading out into the forest.

"We'll cover more ground if we split up. Redstripe you go right until you reach the border. Braveclaw, you go left. I'll head toward the LightningClan border. We'll all meet back here at camp when we're done," Galaxyheart ordered. Braveclaw and Redstripe nodded before dashing off in their directions. Braveclaw tasted the air for any sign of her mother but all she could detect was prey. She found nothing. Sighing she headed back, continuing to taste the air.

When she got back into camp, most of the cats were waking up. Aquaheart was handling the patrols. Braveclaw spotted Redstripe already back. "Redstripe! Did you find anything?" Braveclaw asked as she stopped in front of him.

Redstripe shook his head. "No, I looked everywhere. Any luck on your end?"

"No, nothing. Where could she have gone?" Braveclaw asked.

Soon Galaxyheart returned. "I assume you two found nothing?" he guessed.

"Nothing," Redstripe meowed.

"What about you?" Braveclaw asked.

"I might have found something. I detected her scent from last night heading in the direction of the waterfall mixed with the scent of a LightningClan cat," Galaxyheart explained, his eyes dark and his voice grim with worry.

"Who was the other cat?" Braveclaw asked. Did she run off with Lionclaw?

"The scent was Destructclaw's." Galaxyheart answered.

"That's not good. Destructclaw is trouble. He's one of the only loyal followers of Wolfstar left," Redstripe pointed out.

"Who was Wolfstar?" Braveclaw asked.

"An evil leader who doesn't follow the warrior code at all. He wanted to rule the whole forest and would do anything to get his way. Even kill a cat," Galaxyheart explained.

Braveclaw's eyes widened. "If Lionshimmer is with him, then he must have threatened her in some way. She wouldn't have gone willingly," Redstripe meowed.

"That means she's in trouble," Galaxyheart added.

Destructclaw is going to kill her! No! No! I can't let that happen! I have to get help! "Dad!" Braveclaw called as she dashed out of camp.

"Braveclaw! Come back!" Galaxyheart called after her but she didn't turn back. She just kept running, past the LightningClan border. She tasted the air and followed where the LightningClan scent was strongest, looking for their camp. She finally found it and dashed in.

"Dad!" she called as she emerged in the LightningClan camp. The LightningClan cats were all staring at her in shock and surprise. All except for Lionclaw and Brackenheart.

"Braveclaw!" Lionclaw ran up to her. "What's wrong? Did something happen in StormClan?"

"It's Lionshimmer! Destructclaw has her!" Braveclaw answered, panic in her eyes.

"What? I just saw her last night!" Lionclaw protested.

"I know, but Galaxyheart found her scent mixed with his!" Braveclaw argued. "He wants to kill her! I just know it! I'm not going to lose her! Not now!"

"Calm down! It's alright!" Lionclaw nuzzled her. "I'm here. We'll find her. I promise."

"Lionclaw?" Braveclaw and Lionclaw looked up to see the whole Clan staring at them. "What's going on?" Dragonstar asked.

"Brackenheart and I met Braveclaw and Lionshimmer at the border last night. Lionshimmer told me that Braveclaw was my daughter. I didn't know about her until then but that doesn't change the fact that I love her," Lionclaw explained.

"It's all true. I heard the whole thing," Brackenheart piped up.

Dragonstar looked at his son before looking back at Lionclaw and smiling. "You're feeling better now. I can see it in your eyes. That's all that matters to me."

Lionclaw dipped his head gratefully to his brother. He then looked back at Braveclaw. "I'll find Lionshimmer. I promise."

"You mean, we'll find Lionshimmer," Bronzefrost piped up. She stepped forward with Brackenheart and the whole Clan standing behind her. "Together."

"We're a Clan, and even though Lionshimmer is a StormClan cat, we can't let Destructclaw get away with this. Plus, it'll be nice to see you happy, Lionclaw," Echofeather meowed.

"Lionshimmer was my mentor and she was the best mentor I could've had. I won't stand by while she's in danger," Willowheart added.

Lionclaw smiled. "Thank you, all of you."

"We have to hurry! If we don't then we might be too late!" Braveclaw meowed frantically.

"Braveclaw!" Braveclaw turned around to see Phoenixstar with Galaxyheart, Redstripe, Snowfang and Hollypaw. Galaxyheart looked at Lionclaw. "You know?"

Lionclaw nodded. "I wouldn't have it any other way."

"We're going to look for Lionshimmer," Dragonstar meowed, stepping up beside Lionclaw. "And I assume Braveclaw is coming with us." Braveclaw nodded.

"Galaxyheart and Redstripe told us what was going on, and we're going to look too," Phoenixstar replied. "Mind if we join you?"

"Not at all. I assume she's not in your territory?" Dragonstar guessed.

Redstripe shook his head. "And we looked everywhere."

"Then we'll divide into groups and search. Lionclaw, Brackenheart and Braveclaw will be one group. Is it alright if you divide up and join my warriors?" Dragonstar asked.

"Fine by me," Phoenixstar answered.

"Then Snowfang, I want you to go with Bronzefrost and Streampelt. Redstripe, go with Stonepelt and Creamtail. Galaxyheart, you can go with Moonfire and Sharktail. Hollypaw, you're with me and Phoenixstar. The rest of you can stay and guard the camp. I wouldn't put it past Destructclaw to try something," Dragonstar ordered. The patrols then left.

Lionclaw led Braveclaw and Brackenheart to the border where they had all met last night. "We should probably start here and find Lionshimmer's scent, and then find where it meets with Destructclaw's scent. Then it'll be easier to locate them," Lionclaw explained. They began sniffing around. Braveclaw was the first to find something.

"They headed this way!" she meowed. She led the two toms toward past the waterfall out of the territory and up to the top of the waterfall. Braveclaw then spotted Destructclaw along with Putofrost and Snakefrost. Lionshimmer crouched in front of them, growling. She had cuts, missing patches of fur and bite marks on her pelt.

Lionclaw growled silently. "I never trusted those three! You two get Plutofrost and Snakefrost. Destructclaw's mine!" They all crouched, ready to pounce on Lionclaw's order. "Now!" They all leaped forward. Braveclaw leaped on top of Snakefrost and Brackenheart pinned Plutofrost to the ground while Lionclaw fought fiercely with Destructclaw. Braveclaw snarled at Snakefrost who just stared at evilly. Braveclaw flinched because his eyes looked just like a snake's but she quickly shook away her fear and swiped at him. He dodged and snapped his fangs at her. Braveclaw growled and held in a yowl of pain as his teeth met her shoulder. Braveclaw grabbed ahold of his paw and bit down hard, making him let go of her. She then tackled him and sunk her teeth into his neck, not letting go until he stopped twitching. She dropped him, staring at the dead cat. She then looked over and saw Brackenheart letting go of Plutofrost's neck, who he had pinned down.

Braveclaw then spotted her father still fighting with Destructclaw, but he seemed to be losing. Destructclaw kept knocking him down but Lionclaw kept getting up, thought he looked tired and the deep wound in his shoulder. He also had blood trickling into his eyes from a cut above his eyes. Braveclaw and Brackenheart ran over and helped Lionshimmer up.

"Are you alright, mom?" Braveclaw asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. What about Lionclaw?" Lionshimmer questioned.

Braveclaw looked at her father and gasped when she saw his trying to stagger to his paws but fall right back down. Destructclaw advanced on him. "You really thought you could defeat me? Ha! You're a fool! Say goodbye Lionclaw!" Destructclaw crouched to leap once more but Brackenheart jumped in his way.

"No! You leave my uncle alone!" Brackenheart snarled.

"Oh! So now the fake leader's son is standing up to me," Destructclaw sneered. "You usually do whatever I tell you. Have you forgotten that you became a strong warrior because of me?"

"I didn't become a strong warrior because of you! I almost became a monster because of you, but someone opened my eyes," Brackenheart glanced at Braveclaw and she smiled at him. Oh Brackenheart.

"Fine then! You'll go along with them!" Destructclaw leaped at Brackenheart, who didn't see him.

Braveclaw leaped forward and intercepted Destructclaw and they went tumbling off the edge and into the water below. Braveclaw swam to the surface and noticed that Destructclaw wasn't coming up. She took a deep breath and dived deep into the water. She found him sinking to the bottom. She grabbed his scruff and hauled him out of the water. She set him down on the bank and he began coughing up water.

"Are you alright?" Braveclaw asked.

"You saved me. Why?" Destructclaw asked.

"Some cats can be miss leaded. Everyone deserves a second chance to redeem themselves," Braveclaw explained.

Destructclaw stared at her for a moment before the others came down.

"Braveclaw!" Brackenheart sighed with relief when he saw that she was alright. Braveclaw smiled at him.

Suddenly, pain shot through Braveclaw as she was knocked to the ground. She looked to see Destructclaw snarling at her.

"Don't try to fool me into giving up the fight! Wolfstar is the only one worth following!" He leaped at Braveclaw again but Lionshimmer suddenly tackled him to the ground.

"You leave my daughter alone!" she snarled, leaping at him again. She snapped at Destructclaw and her lurched back to dodge. Braveclaw watched in horror as Brackenheart helped her to her paws. Lionshimmer leaped on top of Destructclaw and they went tumbling into the water.

"Lionshimmer!" Lionclaw dashed forward and jumped into the water.

"Lionclaw!" Brackenheart called.

Braveclaw stared at the water in horror. No, I can't lose both of them. Not like this.

Brackenheart noticed her look and nuzzled her comfortingly. "It'll be alright," he soothed.

"I can't lose both of them," Braveclaw rasped, pressing her face into his fur.

They stood there in silence for a moment before Brackenheart broke it. "Braveclaw! Look!"

Braveclaw looked up and smiled as she saw Lionclaw and Lionshimmer come up. Lionclaw was supporting Lionshimmer. Braveclaw ran up to them and nuzzled them. "I'm so glad that you're alright! I thought I lost you guys!"

"You'll never lose us, Braveclaw. I promise," Lionclaw meowed as he and Lionshimmer nuzzled her.

"But we're still going to be apart," Lionshimmer meowed sadly.

"We don't have to be. I can rejoin StormClan," Lionclaw offered.

"No, you can't. Your Clan needs you," Lionshimmer reminded him.

"But you need me too," Lionclaw argued.

Lionshimmer thought for a moment before smiling. "You can't join StormClan, but we can join LightningClan."

"You'd do that?" Lionclaw asked. "But you said that your heart lies with them."

"That's what I thought before, but over these past few moons I've realized that my place is beside you, and I think Braveclaw would love to be with Brackenheart," Lionshimmer explained.

Lionclaw smiled and nuzzled her. "Then let's find the others and tell them." With that they all headed off back to the LightningClan camp.

Please R&R :)