Tallstar gazed at his remaining Clanmates once the others had disappeared, "We will not give up so easily. WindClan will not be chased out so quickly again, we will fight for our territory. It is StarClan's will that we are here, this will always be WindClan's territory. We will not be pushed out again without a fight." There was a determined tone to the WindClan leader's voice, Fireheart felt some admiration for the other cat. Despite everything that had just occurred, he was determined to keep fighting for his Clan and its territory. Tallstar turned his attention to Fireheart, "What did you have in mind?"

"Do the tunnels lead elsewhere on WindClan's territory?" Fireheart asked, rising from his crouch. Surprise flashed through the WindClan leaders' eyes at the question, he nodded. Fireheart asked, "do they continue towards the gorge?"

A strange look came to the WindClan leader's eyes, as if a distant memory had just come to him. A heartbeat passed before he confirmed, "they do."

Fireheart explained his plan to the WindClan leader, as he did more warriors moved closer to the two cats. Tallstar remained silent for a few heartbeats as Fireheart finished his explanation of his plan. There was a thoughtful look on his face as he spoke, "That sounds like it could work."

Hope filled Fireheart. They were going to accept his plan? This was a step in the right direction. If WindClan accepted his help, he could try and convince them to his side. If he could get WindClan to trust and believe him, it was a good step towards all the Clans believing him.

"We're going with his idea?" It was Tornear who spoke, his tail twitching as he regarded Fireheart. There was distrust in his eyes which made Fireheart's pelt twitch uneasily, "Tallstar, we don't even use the tunnels anymore. We haven't for seasons."

They did not use the tunnels? That sure put a hitch in Fireheart's plan. However, Tallstar had seemed so sure of it. Why would he be certain if they did not use the tunnels? How could the cats have found their way through the tunnels and out here without prior knowledge? Gorsepaw clearly knew his way through the underground passageways, or at least he was following other cats' scents confidently through the tunnels. How could he or other WindClan cats have learned to navigate them if the tunnels had not been used for seasons?

Tallstar replied, "The idea sounds as if it will work." He looked around at the remaining WindClan cats, scanning them intently. "If any other cat has a better idea speak now." A few heartbeats passed with only silence, Tallstar looked back to Fireheart. "WindClan stopped using the tunnels when I was an apprentice, the only ones we use now are the ones you were just in. That was more recent, it was in case another situation like Brokenstar occurred and we would need them." His eyes grew cloudy as if old memories were resurfacing for the first time in a long time. He meowed, "I was not a tunneler but I spent time down there. I believe I can navigate those passageways well enough to guide cats where they need to go."

Tallstar turned to look at the remaining cats, "I will go. I am not going to force any cats to assist. It will be dangerous, but if you are willing to help, I thank you for your bravery."

Barkface spoke up from where he was listening a few fox lengths away from the others, "Tallstar, are you certain? You've only got –" The WindClan leader silenced the dark brown medicine cat with a dismissive flick of his tail.

"Of course, I am certain. This cannot work without me."

"I'll do it." A young white she-cat stepped forward. There was a determined look in her eyes as she walked up to Tallstar. It took Fireheart a moment to remember the WindClan warriors name – Whitetail. The black and white leader had a look of concern on his face as he watched the young warrior pad towards him.

The WindClan medicine cat spoke again, "Whitetail, I don't think this is the best idea for you right now. You've just lost your kits." He padded a few steps towards her, "doing something so dangerous won't help."

"Yes, it will!" She snapped back Barkface. She shook her head, "I am one of the fastest cats in WindClan," Her gaze shifted to the WindClan leader. "I will be able to outrun the dogs better than most other cats. I need to do this."

She stared desperately at Tallstar, "Please."

Tallstar was silent for a few heartbeats before he nodded, "You can come, Whitetail."

Another cat spoke up, "I'll come too." As he padded forward, Fireheart did not recognize him. He stopped in his pace, standing next to Whitetail. The small she-cat looked up to the gray tom as he dipped his head to the WindClan leader.

"Thank you, Smokefang." Tallstar responded, blinking at the dark gray warrior.

"I'll do it." Every set of eyes turned to look at Fireheart as he were murmurs of surprise among the WindClan warriors. Had they not expected him to offer his help? He was the cat that had come up with the plan. Fireheart padded next to the WindClan leader, tail twitching nervously. He had no idea how they would respond to his offer of help. Fireheart continued, "I think this should be enough. I stand by my plan; I think it will work. I'm not going to put any cats' lives into danger without putting myself into it, too." He dipped his head respectfully to the present WindClan warriors, "I said before that I would stand with you and I will keep my promise."

There were a few strained murmurs from the WindClan warriors. Tallstar turned to face Fireheart, blinking in gratitude to the outsider, "Thank you, Fireheart."

"What about the rest of us?" It was Morningflower who spoke. The tortoiseshell queen's tail twitched anxiously, "Are we to wait out here? What if the dogs get turned around and end up here?"

"You could head to the farm?" Fireheart suggested, "You could tell them I sent you and what happened, they wouldn't turn you away." WindClan had stayed there briefly when Graystripe and Fireheart retrieved them from banishment and brought them home after Brokenstar was driven out. There would be plenty of prey for the WindClan cats left and a place for them to recover. There are not even close to as many cats as there had been last time, Fireheart thought. It was not an unreasonable amount to take in until WindClan has recovered and the dogs taken care of. A pool of guilt and sorrow was forming in his stomached, how could he have allowed this to happen?

Tallstar looked to Barkface, "could Frostfoot make the journey there?" A troubled look came to the brown cats' eyes as he shook his head.

"She passed while Mudclaw and the others were leaving." That must have been the cat Barkface was tending to when he left the tunnels, Fireheart realized. He was not surprised that the warrior had passed, she had looked to be in critical condition. This warrior was another death for WindClan, one more cat for her Clanmates to mourn. It was another reminder of how Fireheart had failed to help WindClan and prevent Tigerstar's attack.

Tallstar was silent for a heartbeat before he murmured, "May she find rest in StarClan." His voice grew louder as he meowed, "Those who are capable can bury her. Once that is done head to the farm."

After a moment's hesitation, the remaining warriors moved to do as they were told. Tallstar turned to the cats that would be taking part in the run. He explained, "it has been a while since any cat has been in some of these tunnels. Follow my lead down there. Do not go into any tunnel I do not go into." He looked to Whitetail, "you will start the chase, as soon as it is safe, I want you to make your way to the farm – all of you."

The three warriors expressed their agreements, Tallstar nodded, "Smokefang you will continue after Whitetail and then Fireheart will be after you." That would mean Tallstar was last, Fireheart realized. The two WindClan warriors exchanged looks, it seemed they had as well.

Smokefang spoke, "Tallstar, you're going to be alone in the tunnels with him?" He turned his gaze to Fireheart, there was suspicion in his eyes. "Why doesn't he start and Whitetail or I go before you?" The dark warrior suggested, "that way no cat will have to deal with him alone. Or I could go last?"

They still distrusted him this much? Tallstar seemed to have forgotten any sort of suspicion he had for Fireheart, Mudclaw had left over it. How was he going to get them to trust him if they did not now? Tallstar replied, "You do not know your way down there, I am going last. This is the order we are doing."

Smokefang's ears went back, muttering a disgruntled agreement. His eyes were fixated on Fireheart as Tallstar flicked his tail, signaling the cats to follow him. The WindClan leader led the way back to the tunnel entrance, after a moment he disappeared into the darkness. A heavy feeling was forming on Fireheart's chest as he watched Whitetail enter the tunnel next. He hesitated before following the other cats into the endless darkness, Smokefang close behind him.

The light disappeared quickly as they moved through the tunnels, the fear scent from what WindClan cats had made it out clung to the soil, fainter than the last time Fireheart had been in the tunnels. It was silent as the four warriors made their way through the narrow passageway. It was unnerving, Fireheart did not understand how any cat would choose to dig underground and use these tunnels.

Eventually, a light began to leak into the tunnel from an offshoot, the scent of cat was stronger from the passageway. There was also the reek of dog as well as heavy pawsteps and barking could be heard coming from out of the tunnel. They must have been at one of the tunnels that led into camp, Fireheart realized, it was a different tunnel then the one he had followed Gorsepaw into.

In the dim light, Fireheart could make out Whitetail and Tallstar's shapes in front of him. The black and white cat turned to face the other three warriors; his yellow eyes shown faintly in the pale light. He nodded to the tunnel which the light was coming from, "Whitetail, this is where you will start. Wait long enough for us all to be in position then head towards the gorge. Be careful. May StarClan light your path and give you swift legs."

The white warrior dipped her head to Tallstar. Determination shown in her eyes as she turned towards the tunnel which would lead into WindClan's camp. As she disappeared up the tunnel, the WindClan leader led the other two warriors down a different tunnel. This one had no scent of cats; it did not seem as though it had been used for a long time. The ground was not as well defined as the tunnels they had just been in. There was more loose dirt and the passage would change occasionally in size. How ill-defined it was struck Fireheart; the tunnels could easily collapse with all of them in it. The heaviness on his chest worsened.

After some walking, passing by tunnels that shot off in different directions, Tallstar stopped in his tracks. This one had light coming down from it, he turned to face the two warriors behind him. A few other tunnels had had the same, Fireheart wondered how Tallstar was certain that these were the tunnels and entrances he had wanted the warriors to be at. If it was like Tornear had said and these particular tunnels had not been used in seasons, how was Tallstar certain they were at the right ones?

The WindClan leader signaled Smokefang to come forward, the gray tom moved past Fireheart in the narrow tunnel, their sides brushing against each other as he made his way in front of the black and white cat.

Tallstar nodded to the tunnel which led to the outside world as he meowed, "Remember what I told you. Wait here for Whitetail and then make your way down towards the gorge. Be careful, may StarClan guide your path and give you swift legs."

Smokefang dipped his head to Tallstar, but he did not move. Fireheart could see in the sparse light that his tail was twitching and he looked tense. Tallstar looked as confused as Fireheart felt by the dark tom's lack of movement. Smokefang turned his gaze to the ginger warrior, eyeing him as he asked, "Are you certain you want to be alone with him in the tunnels?" He offered, "He could stay here and I could take his place closer to the gorge."

Tallstar's eyes narrowed, "I am as much of a warrior as you are, I do not need protection. I will be fine. If he chooses to attack me, I can defend myself well enough. Do you think I am incapable of doing so?" Smokefang's eyes widened as he shook his head. Tallstar continued, "then it is time you got into position."

Smokefang shot one last hostile glare at Fireheart before slowly turning away and entering the tunnel that led towards the surface. Tallstar and Fireheart were alone now. The older cat signaled Fireheart to follow him down another tunnel.

Fireheart obeyed the order, following Tallstar further into the tunnel and away from the light of the passageway Smokefang had gone up to. The pressure on his chest remained as they moved through the pitch black space. After some walking into the endless darkness, Fireheart was stopped when he walked into Tallstar's haunches. Why had they stopped? Was there something that Tallstar knew was ahead but Fireheart did not?

Tallstar spoke, his voice barely above a whisper, "there were collapses in this area when I was an apprentice. It is part of the reason we stopped using them. There has also been flooding, while I do doubt that we will be dealing with any sort of issue such as flooding I think it is best to warn you before we continue. If I tell you to turn tail and run, you do it. Do you understand? No matter what, get out of here. This is a matter of life and death."

Fireheart felt the fur along his spine bristle uneasily at the Clan leader's words. Was he suggesting Fireheart leave him behind? Why had Tallstar approved the plan if there was so much danger? He responded, "I can't just leave you."

"Fireheart, you must." Tallstar insisted, "I am not your leader; however, I implore you to follow my order. Leave me if need be, I will figure things out myself. You must survive."

How could he figure things out? Tallstar would be trapped down here, there would be no way for him to get out. Tallstar had to have known this, why did he want to get Fireheart out in case of danger but not himself? If Fireheart returned and Tallstar did not, he could be blamed for the leader's death. He would be blamed, the other WindClan cats did not trust him as it was. He had been framed for the murder of one leader and if he returned without Tallstar, he would be the cat to blame. WindClan would fall apart, as well, without Tallstar. They did not know where Deadfoot was. Without the deputy, all they had was Tallstar.

The ginger cat was silent for a few heartbeats before he whispered, "I will, Tallstar." He did not think he could keep that promise.

"Thank you."

He felt the leader move away from him, continuing down the tunnel ahead of him. Fireheart quickly followed, feeling more nervous about the situation than he had prior to their conversation, the heaviness on his chest getting worse. He kept his ears pricked to any sort of noise that may arise. What would a tunnel collapse or flooding even sound like? He imagined that flooding would sound like water, but what about a collapse? How was he supposed to find his way out in the event of any of these? What would happen to the plan?

Tallstar stopped in his tracks near a tunnel that had light down it, this was it. He turned to face Fireheart, yellow eyes glowing in the dim light. The thin cat spoke, "stay inside of the tunnel until you hear the dogs and Smokefang. Once you do, head towards the gorge. There will be a small dip in the ground with a gorse bush. That is where my entrance will be."

The other cats must have known the entrance of the tunnels from above, Fireheart dipped his head in acknowledgement to Tallstar's words. He spoke the same prayer he had given the other two warriors before giving the ginger warrior a long stare. Tallstar meowed, "Fireheart, do not get caught."

"Yes, Tallstar." Why did the WindClan leader care so much if Fireheart survived? He had not said the same thing to Whitetail or Smokefang, what was the difference? Fireheart did not even belong to the same Clan.

The black and white tom twitched his ear, signaling Fireheart to go. The orange warrior dipped his head to Tallstar one last time before turning and heading up the tunnel towards the open air. He stopped about a tail length within the entrance, crouching down as to be ready to spring out and become the packs new prey item when he was needed to be.

He dug his claws into the dirt beneath him to ease his nerves. Fireheart was certainly not as fast as the WindClan cats nor did he know how fast those dogs would be. It was possible they could catch him or one of the other cats and things would not go as planned. There was also the possibility that Tallstar would not make it to his spot. The tunnels could collapse on him or the WindClan leader could get lost. What would they do then?

Soon enough, barking sounded in the distance. They would be upon him soon; Fireheart sheathed his claws and bunched his muscles, ready to leap out in front of the dogs when needed. The ground shook around him as the pounding pawsteps of the pack overcame him, the reek of dog filled his nose and mouth. Fireheart shot out of the tunnel, letting out a screech as Smokefang slid past him into the tunnel entrance. There were excited barks as he bolted towards the gorge.

"Pack, pack! Kill, kill!"

He looked over his shoulder to see the pack a few fox lengths behind him, tongues sticking out as they stared him down excitedly. The pack leader was ahead of the other dogs by about the fox length and was barking enthusiastically at the cat, when its large tan jaws opened large sharp white teeth shown. Fear shot through Fireheart at the sight.