Prologue
"Fire!"
The panicked screech was drowned out by the sound of a creaking branch plummeting into the Thunderclan camp, it's bark being devoured by the hungry flames that caused its descent. Goldenstar squinted his eyes against the ash filled air, his thick pelt blazing at the closeness of the heat. "Everyone out!"
Standing near the camp's entrance, the tom peered through the flames as he awaited for his clan's safe escape. Quailblink, Bluebubble, Russetprowl… Where's Fawnleap? The tom's heart filled with dread as he noticed the absence of his mate, who was pregnant with his kits. Without a second's notice, the tom dashed into the flames, his ears deafened by the roar of burning bracken and foliage.
"Fawnleap!" He called, his voice cracking as the ash entered his lungs. Whipping his head around frantically, he noticed the small brown bundle crushed under the massive branch that had fallen before. Immediately, he raced to her side, his muscles straining to lift the giant burden that had squashed the she-cat. She gave a weak cough, filling him with temporary relief. "Goldenstar…"
"Don't speak," His mew was urgent and panicked, "You'll waste your energy." He grabbed her by the scruff, closing his eyes as he dashed back to the camp's entrance, the flames hungrily licking at him and his pelt. In what seemed like moons, the tom finally burst through the blaze, rejoining his clanmates that had escaped before.
"Is that everyone?" Mewed Palecloud, the Thunderclan deputy. The Thunderclan cats had moved to the lake, the rest of the forest ablaze. Goldenstar nodded, counting every cat once more. The apprentices were curled up together, the warriors were consoling each other and the elders, the medicine cat was checking on his mate. Knowing his clanmates were safe, the tom felt a calm wash over him, despite the circumstances.
"What do we do now?" Said a quiet voice, followed by a fit of weak coughing. Goldenstar hummed for a second, his golden eyes peering into a part of the forest that was seemingly untouched.
"We go to Shadowclan."
"She will be alright, yes?" Goldenstar asked the Shadowclan medicine cat, Cinderpaws. The small tom was helping Speckledlight tend to Fawnleap, his short stubby tail twitching in frustration. His apprentice, Gorsepaw, was out fetching water.
"Yes, yes, for the thousandth time, yes!" The tom mewed irritably, his eyebrows furrowed. Shadowclan had seen the fire from their camp, and sent a patrol to collect the Thunderclan cats and bring them in.
Goldenstar frowned at the other tom's irritation, slowly ducking out of the medicine den. He shook his pelt, the smell of flames and ash clinging to it tightly. The massive brown tom turned, immediately coming face to face with the Shadowclan leader.
"Starclan Mousestar! You sure gave me a scare." The tom mewed to the small she-cat that stood before him. She smiled at him, her pale green eyes seemingly glittering.
"My apologies," She purred, whisking her long fluffy tail, "I didn't mean to scare you. How is she?"
He frowned once more. "I'm not sure. Cinderpaws said she would be alright, but then again, he seemed really frustrated. I don't think he likes me very much."
Mousestar chuckled, smiling softly. "Yes, that medicine cat, he's quite a grouch. It's nothing personal. Besides, you both will have plenty of time to warm up to each other. Thunderclan may stay in Shadowclan's camp for as long as they wish."
Goldenstar smiled at the she-cat, a small purr rumbling in his chest. "Thank you, Mousestar. I promise that my warriors will do their part until we rebuild." Suddenly, the tom's belly began to rumble. Embarrassed, the tom looked at his paws sheepishly.
The brown she-cat began to laugh. "Hopefully you cats won't eat up all of our food. If you're hungry, feel free to enjoy some freshkill." She bounded over to the pile across the camp, grabbing a juicy rat and returning with it. Goldenstar smiled at the gesture, taking the rodent from her jaws.
"While I do appreciate the offer," He started, licking his jaws, "I couldn't possibly finish this by myself. Would you mind eating with me?" This wasn't true, as he could have easily finished the prey in a few swift bites, but the tom enjoyed the Shadowclan leader's company, and wanted her to stay longer.
"I wouldn't mind at all." The she-cat chirped, laying down next to Goldenstar and nibbling at the prey. The tom smiled, taking in the she-cat's sweet scent as he ate as well. With a quiet sigh, he leaned in closer, allowing his pelt to mingle with hers. Despite the situation, everything seemed to fade away.