By the time the patrol made it back across the Thunderpath, the sun was beginning to make its steady descent downwards. They had explored the territory a while longer before returning, finding that the stream had split into two and cut the territory into three pieces. There were some stones which could be crossed and overall it seemed to be similar to the other neck of the stream.
There had been very little prey scented, which was an issue. The patrol had been able to find a good place that could work as a camp, but with little prey, what use was it? Tallstar had been right in saying there was a reason this territory was unclaimed and that seemed to be it.
Where else could WindClan go? Fireheart had no idea of any other unclaimed land in the area that could be used until the Clan was strong enough to return home. Would they have to continue further? How would they be able to return home if they went so far to find a place to stay? Would they be able to return to their territory?
The last question had been on Fireheart's mind throughout the day, he knew it had been on Onewhisker's as well. It was less of a question of whether or not the land could sustain WindClan for the time being and more of a question if it could sustain the Clan permanently.
Fear and regret filled him at the idea, if WindClan could not get their territory back it would mean that Tigerstar had won. He would get control of all four Clan territories and Fireheart would have failed. Fireheart should have been able to do something more – anything!
Bluestar had told him this was his destiny. Fireheart was supposed to save the Clans from Tigerstar's wrath. He had been told he would get assistance, but how? WindClan wanted the Clans to be restored, the cats at the barn did as well. However, they could not take on TigerClan like this. There had to be something more. The words the former ThunderClan leader had told him all those moons ago ran through his head.
Trust the sapling beneath the twisted tree and you shall save the Clans.
Fireheart had no clue what this could possibly mean, what sapling? What tree? He had not received anything like this. He had not seen anything like this. How was Fireheart supposed to save the Clans? Why had StarClan chosen him? Why not some other cat?
The patrol moved along the same path they had taken on their way to Highstones. It was a quiet walk; all four cats present tired after the long day. When they got back, Fireheart and Onewhisker would have to present their findings to Tallstar. What would happen next was unknown, the WindClan leader could decide to leave now or they would be able to rest for the night. He could decide not to go at all and they would need to figure out where to go.
A breeze blew towards them from the moors, on it carried a scent that made Fireheart's heart stop. TigerClan.
They seemed to be not too far ahead. Why were there TigerClan cats here? Had they stopped by the abandoned Twoleg nest? What had happened to the remainder of WindClan? The farm cats? Fireheart hissed, "Into the gully!"
The patrol moved off the path, there was a slight incline and bushes which lined it. They hid behind those bushes. Fireheart jerked his head towards Bramblepaw, signaling the other cat to move closer to. When the apprentice had moved closer, the ginger warrior moved himself on top of the other cat. He couldn't shield Bramblepaw completely and he did not believe they could be seen from here, but it was better to be safe. It was better than TigerClan warriors seeing Bramblepaw.
Fireheart whispered into the apprentices' ear, "If I tell you to run, run. Do not worry about me or any other cat, they cannot see you. Make sure you're safe and then head back to the barn. Tell them whatever has happened." He had no idea what sight would greet Bramblepaw in this situation. "I'll be able to take care of it; you need to get away." The young tabby tensed beneath him; Fireheart licked the top of his head soothingly, "You're going to be fine."
Onewhisker and Gorsepaw would be fine. If they were seen, Fireheart could take care of it. They could be seen without causing any sort of reaction. The scent of TigerClan was drawing closer. Fireheart held his breath as the Clan cats came within view. The patrol consisted of Longtail, Brackenfur, Dustpelt, Tawnypaw, and Tigerstar.
Fireheart felt lightheaded as he stared at the TigerClan leader. His vision was beginning to blur and his chest grew tight. Why did he have to be here? They had to have been following his scent, why did Tigerstar have to come himself?
It had to be because of the dare. Tigerstar would want to get Fireheart himself. He should have known better, of course, he would be inviting the leader of TigerClan after him with that. It had to have infuriated him. Fireheart unsheathed his claws, flexing them as he forced himself not to dig them into the cat beneath him. His mind felt clouded and his heart raced.
Onewhisker's hiss broke through to him. "Fireheart, you are panting. You need to calm down. They're going to hear you."
He was breathing fast? Fireheart had not noticed; he forced his breathing to slow down. As he did, the twinge in his chest began to loosen. He slowly sheathed his claws; the patrol had not seen them. They were safe, for now.
Tawnypaw had her nose to the air, taking in the scent around them. Fireheart held his breath; their scent was fresh. Would they follow it to them? The young tortoiseshell meowed, "They were here not long ago. There's more of their scent coming from over there." She nodded where the patrol had just come from.
"It is." Tigerstar's rumble came, his tail twitching. "They must not be too far."
"I still wonder who that fourth cat might be." Longtail commented. Fireheart had his gaze on Tawnypaw and Tigerstar. Did either of them recognize Bramblepaw's scent? The young tom's scent had changed since they left ThunderClan. Between growing older and no longer smelling of ThunderClan, he no long smelt like the kit that they had known.
Tigerstar gave no indication of recognizing the apprentice's scent and neither did Tawnypaw, that was a good sign. They probably were not caught. Dustpelt meowed, "He doesn't smell like a WindClan cat. Probably some stray the kittypet befriended."
None of the others recognized Bramblepaw's scent. These were all good signs, now if only the TigerClan patrol would continue on. Longtail grunted, "And he hasn't killed him yet? Surprising! I'm surprised to scent the WindClan cats still, you'd think he would have done away with them by now." Fireheart's fur bristled and he allowed the claws on one forepaw to extend. "Tallstar is a fool to have allowed him to go with some of his warriors."
Did they figure out about Tallstar's plans to move past Highstones? They must have stopped by the abandoned Twoleg nest. Where else would they have picked up on Fireheart's trail? What had happened to WindClan? To Tallstar? To his friends? Fear filled possibilities filled Fireheart's head. They needed to get back to the farm, they needed to find out what happened to WindClan and the barn cats.
"Tallstar has been a fool since the beginning." Onewhisker tensed at the TigerClan leaders' words as Gorsepaw let out a hiss. Tigerstar meowed, "Now he continues to be one. No matter, even if he is blind to what this traitor has done, we will get revenge for what he has done to both of our Clans. This filth will not be allowed to continue to wreak havoc in my forest." Fireheart felt his blood run cold at the leaders' words. Tigerstar twitched his ear, "Let's keep going. I want to cut them off before they get to the Thunderpath."
As the TigerClan patrol disappeared further down the path, Fireheart prayed that the Thunderpath would be able to cut off their trail. The ginger warrior let out a breath, moving off of Bramblepaw. Some of the fog in his mind had cleared. They could continue, they would be able to return to the Twoleg nest and be able to check on WindClan.
The patrol moved out from behind the bushes and back on to the path. Onewhisker's tail was lashing and Gorsepaw let out a growl. "We need to get back now."
Fireheart nodded, "Let's get going." He glanced at his own apprentice. The orange toms' head felt light as he stared at Bramblepaw. The striped tom was looking down the path, where the TigerClan patrol had gone.
After everything Fireheart had told him, after everything Bramblepaw had seen did the young tom still have some feelings towards his father? Did he want to go to TigerClan? This could not be real. Fireheart's mind felt clouded again and he saw red.
"Do you want to go with them?" Fireheart heard himself say. When had he started speaking? He could not feel his mouth moving. It was as if another cat was speaking, another one had to be. This couldn't be happening. Bramblepaw turned back to face the warrior, his eyes wide. Fireheart felt numb as he stared into those amber eyes. Bramblepaw looked so much like Tigerstar. Of course, the apprentice would want to go after the patrol. Fireheart's mind was racing.
How could he have ever been so foolish? That was his kin. Fireheart had forced this cat away from his home and kin and now he wanted to return, to follow in his fathers' pawsteps. It all made sense, even so, he had thought he had taught the apprentice better. This could not be happening; it was not real. But Bramblepaw looked so much like Tigerstar. His voice snarled, "If you want to join TigerClan, go right on ahead. I'm sure your father would be overjoyed to see you!" Fireheart felt his eyes narrow, "I'll come with you and we can just get it all over with."
The apprentices' ears went back, "N-No. I don't want to join TigerClan. I-I just –" Bramblepaw was cut off with a hiss. Fireheart felt his fur bristled.
"Don't lie to me!"
Bramblepaw shook his head, "I'm not lying!"
"Fireheart." Fireheart felt himself flinched, Onewhisker's voice was coming from right next to him. He felt himself jump away from the WindClan warrior, startled by his sudden presence. Preoccupied with his apprentice, he had not heard the other warrior coming over. How could he have gotten there without Fireheart noticing? It couldn't be real. As he moved away from the light brown tabby, Fireheart bumped into Bramblepaw. Bramblepaw let out a whimper.
That sound broke through the fog in Fireheart's mind. Everything changed in an instant. It was as if he had regained control as he turned his head, gazing at the younger cat. Bramblepaw was staring up at him, there was fear in his eyes. This was real. Fireheart was scaring his apprentice. Shame filled Fireheart's head; this was not what was supposed to happen. How could he be so stupid as to allow this? Onewhisker continued, "That was the first time Bramblepaw saw his father or sister since he was a kit, right?"
"That was Tawnypaw?" Bramblepaw's voice shook slightly. He mewed, "I knew Tigerstar right away, he," there was a pause. "He looks like me." The tabby glanced at Fireheart, "I thought that was Tawnypaw. I wasn't sure though. I-I haven't seen either since I was a kit."
Fireheart nodded slowly. He rasped, "That was your sister. That was Tawnypaw."
"He was just curious about them." Onewhisker's voice was soft as he meowed. Fireheart felt a flash of frustration, why did they treat him like he did not know better? Like he was weak? He did not need to be treated like this. "He didn't mean anything by it, did you, Bramblepaw?"
"No!" Bramblepaw rose shakily to his paws, "Of course not!" There was a desperate look on the apprentices' face.
Fireheart stared at Bramblepaw; he knew this cat so well. He had raised Bramblepaw. Of course, he would not have gone. The orange warrior murmured, "I know you didn't." He rested his muzzle on Bramblepaw's head, laying his tail on the apprentices' back. He gave the brown tabby a lick behind the ear, "I don't know why I said that." He lowered his voice so only Bramblepaw could hear, "I don't know why I keep doing this." Fireheart had no idea what was wrong with him, he had had no control over himself. What type of cat did not have control of themselves? "I'm sorry, truly."
"I know you are; it's fine. I'm used to it. I-It's not your fault," Bramblepaw mumbled. "I shouldn't have looked back."
"No." Fireheart pulled away from the younger cat, guilt was forming a heavy feeling on his chest. "It's not okay. It never will be, do not convince yourself of that." It was almost surreal; Fireheart was talking about his own behavior. "It's okay that you looked back." He blinked at Bramblepaw, "They're your kin and you haven't seen them since you were a kit. It's only natural."
They needed to get back to the Twoleg nest, Fireheart could talk to Bramblepaw later about this. He would have to. Bramblepaw remained silent as the warrior turned to the two WindClan cats. He meowed, "I'm sorry – we need to go check on your Clan."
"Let's go." Onewhisker twitched his tail, turning away from Fireheart and Bramblepaw and heading quickly down the path. Gorsepaw followed rapidly after his mentor and Fireheart and Bramblepaw after him.
As they made it back to the abandoned Twoleg nest, Fireheart gazed around the surroundings rapidly. There were no visible cats, it was possible they were all inside but there was still the chance something had happened. He felt as though his heart had stopped as the scent of blood hit his nose. He saw Onewhisker and Gorsepaw bristle as the scent hit them as well. They sped up, running into the Twoleg nest.
As the patrol raced in, Fireheart gazed quickly around the den. Alarm filled him as he realized some cats looked injured. Barkface was tending to Tornear's leg, there was blood on the ground around him. He heard Onewhisker let out a hiss at the sight. The two WindClan cats rushed towards their Clanmates. Fireheart's gaze landed on white fur not too far into the Twoleg nest. Cloudtail.
"Fox dung." Fireheart let out a hiss as he bolted over to where the injured warrior lay, Bramblepaw following at his heels. Cloudtail looked up as the two cats came over, there were cobwebs pressed to an injury to his side and blood on his pelt. A few patches of his fur were missing as well. Other than that, there were no obvious wounds that the orange tom could see.
"Hey." Fireheart heard Graystripe's voice as the gray tom made his way over to them. The ginger warrior looked the other warrior over quickly, he let out a breath as he realized Graystripe had no signs of injury. He shifted his attention back to Cloudtail.
"What happened?"
"Some of the WindClan warriors wanted to catch some rabbits." Cloudtail grunted as he turned to face his kin, "I guess mice just weren't quite to their taste. I went with them, as did Mistyfoot. We got ambushed out by the WindClan border." Horror filled Fireheart; he tore his gaze away from the white tom searching for the blue-gray warrior. Where was Mistyfoot? He could not see her.
"Don't worry, Mistyfoot was fine." Graystripe assured him, "She went out to get more herbs for Barkface. No cat was too seriously injured."
That was good, at least. Fireheart meowed, "We ran into a TigerClan patrol on the way here." Alarm flashed in Graystripe's eyes and he glanced at Bramblepaw. An unspoken question. "Don't worry, we hid. They were following our scent and headed where we had just come."
"Was Tigerstar leading it?" Cloudtail asked. Fireheart nodded, explaining who they were. The younger tom continued, "They must have broken off from the patrol the warriors that attacked us. There were more of them than us, they beat us quick. Tigerstar demanded for your surrender. He ended up coming here and Tallstar convinced him you weren't here. I don't know how he managed." Guilt sunk in Fireheart's belly like a stone, this was his fault. If he had not said what he had or had not left, he could have saved the injured warriors from what had happened to them.
He had put WindClan in danger, they definitely had to move now. The land past Highstones would have to work, there was no other option except keep going into unknown lands. Fireheart had put the barn cats in danger, Cloudtail was hurt now because of his doings. The fear Bramblepaw had shown towards him earlier flashed through his mind. They all would be better off without him. Fireheart needed to protect them, he needed to get Tigerstar's attention elsewhere.
The TigerClan leader was trailing Fireheart. Not WindClan, not the cats at the farm. Fireheart. He needed to get that trail away from WindClan and the farm. Possibilities raced through his mind. He could get the trail to go towards Twolegplace. Lead the TigerClan cats on a chase into there. It would be on the opposite side of Clan territory from WindClan and the farm. It could work.
Fireheart needed to lead Tigerstar on a chase into Twolegplace, from there he could work out what to do next.