Fireheart padded into camp, as quickly as his paws would carry him without running. He pushed his way through the dense cover of reeds, Silverthorn close behind. Determination brewed in his heart. Let's just hope Shadefang and Grasspelt already got the Clan on board.

He halted for a heartbeat, instantly aware of the eyes on the Clan on him.

"What happened?" Mallowtail called.

"Will ShadowClan fight?"

"What's going to happen?"

Fireheart blinked, briefly silent. He could feel the fear of his Clanmates rushing to him like a powerful tidal wave. Shadefang watched him silently, but gave a firm nod. He felt a flash of gratitude towards her once again.

"Russetstar still wants to fight," Fireheart announced. "Especially after hearing about ThunderClan." His tail lashed. "It's time for RiverClan to decide what to do."

Yellowfang crept out from the cover of the Medicine Cats' Den. Was that a gleam of pride in her eyes? She glanced sideways at the Leader Den. "Leopardstar needs to be here for this," she meowed.

Fireheart felt a sharp sense of bitterness at that. She is, he thought. But she hasn't been acting like it!

"Leopardstar!" Reedtail sharply called. "Where are you?"

More cats joined in, eyes narrowing. "Leopardstar! Leopardstar!"

There was a rustle from within the log where she slept. A hush fell over the Clan, their eyes watching for any sign of life.

Leopardstar stepped out of her den.

She looked more like a battered elder than an honored leader. Her pelt was somehow filthier than the last time Fireheart had laid eyes upon her. Scraps of moss clung to her fur like thorns. Her head was low, her gaze hollow. Her eyes slowly swept the Clan. "What's this all about?" she demanded, her sharp tone the only indication she still had any spirit left inside her.

RiverClan turned to Fireheart, and he stiffened. They're waiting for me to speak, he realized. He took a step forward, raising his chin. "Leopardstar, tomorrow is the final dawn before BloodClan returns to the forest," he meowed. "Have you decided what we're going to do?"

Leopardstar stared unblinkingly back at him. She twitched one ear. "RiverClan will stay in our camp," she rasped. "If we die, so be it."

A jolt of shock passed through Fireheart. What?! He grit his teeth, furious with her lack of urgency. Other cats hissed their displeasure at her decision. He could hardly believe that she of all cats could care so little about the fate of their Clan. She used to be so passionate. He lashed his tail. "No!"

This time, Leopardstar blinked, looking taken aback. "What?"

Fireheart scowled. "Leopardstar, you've spent the last three days in your den when the fate of the Clans is at stake. It's time to act like a leader, for StarClan's sake!" He narrowed his eyes. "The other three Clans have decided to meet BloodClan in battle at Fourtrees. I'm going, and if you won't give the order for RiverClan to go and fight, then I will!"

Cats began to sit up, life returning to their gazes. Reedtail nodded approvingly. Silverstream glared at Leopardstar. Some, Fireheart noticed, stared at him in shock—but there were many more who were standing up, tails lifted, eager for someone to take charge.

Leopardstar's jaws parted in the slightest. For a heartbeat, she seemed frozen in time. Then she looked away, closing her eyes. "So be it," she murmured. "Do what you will." She turned away and retreated back into the solitude of her den.

Fireheart watched her go, stunned by the lack of response. The old Leopardstar would have wanted to claw his whiskers out for such insolence. He swallowed as he saw his Clanmates look to him again. He lifted his head. "We're not cowards," he meowed. "We're RiverClan! We can't let the other Clans fight this battle for us."

"RiverClan!" Silverstream yowled.

"RiverClan!" the Clan was eager to take up the cry. "RiverClan! RiverClan! RiverClan!"

Fireheart felt briefly flooded with warm pride and relief. He was gripped by determination. We're going to fight, he thought. And we're going to win. We have to.

As night fell, panic set in for Fireheart.

He watched as his Clanmates set about making preparations. Silverstream had finally told a few groups to go out and hunt so the Clan could eat well before the battle. Others were running through quick drills to hone their battle moves. The camp was the complete opposite from what it had been this morning—the dull, listless camp had become alive with energy and hope.

Fireheart, however, was gripped with fear.

What have I done? He stared wide-eyed as he watched Maplepaw and Shellpaw spar. In the back of his mind, he pictured BloodClan warriors tearing out their throats. Skyheart and Brambleflower were reinforcing the nursery with brambles. He saw their kits bodies littering the river. Beechflower welcomed returning hunting patrols and helped dole out fresh-kill to hungry Clanmates. In Fireheart's imagination, he lay dead at the base of the Great Rock.

He felt sick. What if I've just gotten my Clan killed? Fireheart clenched his eyes shut. Not just RiverClan—all the Clans. Scourge seemed so assured of his victory.

"Hey."

Fireheart opened his eyes to see Silverthorn standing in front of him. Silverthorn frowned lightly, as though sensing Fireheart's growing terror. "Want to go hunting?" he asked.

Fireheart's throat was too tight to speak. He nodded quietly. Hunting will be good, he told himself. He needed to get out of camp. Rather than encouraging him, the growing hope of his Clanmates only made him feel guilty. He was the one that had forced them to fight. He would be responsible when they all died.

"Come on," Silverthorn meowed. He flicked Fireheart with his tail. He turned away and padded to the reed barrier.

Fireheart followed after a moment, padding slowly through the reeds. The stalks brushed gently against his pelt, stirred by a cool evening breeze. The sunset was already warming the sky, turning it orange and pink. The river looked as though it had been lit on fire. He paused for a moment, breath caught in his throat. What if this is the last night I see it? His heart thumped painfully. He stared for a while, watching as dragonflies darted up and down. A frog began to croak, hidden among the rushes.

The scene was peaceful, and for a moment, it eased some of the tension buried deep in Fireheart's chest. It seemed like generations ago when he had dreamed of the river, running from Thistlestar. He felt something stir in his heart. Was that StarClan leading me here? He wondered.

Silverthorn padded to the side of the river and crouched down to take a drink. Fireheart moved to join him. He sat down in the damp sand, waiting.

Fireheart looked down into the river. His reflection stared back, weary-eyed and wary. His legs trembled, threatening to buckle. It felt as though the weight of the world was resting on his shoulders. Tomorrow is the battle, he thought. And then…

He felt as though he had been staring into the eyes of his reflection for seasons. Silverthorn's voice broke the trance. "What's wrong?" Silverthorn meowed. The tom stood a few paces back. "We're supposed to be hunting, remember?" Somehow, he sounded as though they were on a normal-as-ever patrol, like they weren't due to be slaughtered come morning.

Fireheart glanced at him and forced a smile. "I'm fine," he lied, the words like sand on his tongue.

It clearly wasn't convincing. Silverthorn snorted and shook his head. "Come on," he meowed. "I know you." He sat down beside Fireheart, brushing his tail against Fireheart's. "What's wrong?"

'I know you.' Fireheart twitched his whiskers. Their rivalry felt like it was generations behind them now. When he met Silverthorn's blue gaze, he saw only concern. We've both changed so much, he thought. I'm glad that I got to know you.

"Fireheart?" Silverthorn prompted.

"Sorry," Fireheart murmured. He pulled his gaze away and looked towards the water again, settling his sights on his reflection. He looked tired. StarClan, he felt tired. His pelt, though still a fiery ginger, seemed dull. How am I supposed to rally everyone tomorrow? I'm no leader. "I just don't know if I can do this."

"Do what?"

Fireheart shot him a strained look. "You know what I mean," he meowed. "The battle. Get RiverClan to fight… get everyone to fight. What if I was wrong?"

"Are you serious?" Silverthorn retorted. "Fireheart, you convinced RiverClan into this crazy plan. Everyone is behind you. We're not backing down to BloodClan without a fight." He shouldered Fireheart. "You did that." He shook his head.

Fireheart felt his chest tighten. "I know, but—I'm not even a Clan leader! I'm not Clanborn! How can I ask all these cats to fight and die?" The words kept spilling out in a panicked flurry like a flood. "Leopardstar only took me back because she doesn't care about anything anymore! Half the Clan still thinks I'm a weak kittypet and I'd bet most Clan cats do! Why did they even listen to me?" His claws sank into the earth, trying to hold himself steady. "My brother and sister are leading that horrible Clan. I can't fight them! I can't watch everyone die!" Fireheart glanced sharply at Silverthorn. "I can't watch my friends die." I can't watch you die.

"It's going to be fine," Silverthorn meowed, his voice strangely calm. "We'll be okay." He was looking off across the river, his gaze distant.

"How can you be so sure?" Fireheart demanded.

"I just am," Silverthorn quietly replied. He curled his tail around himself, then looked down at his paws. "I don't know, Fireheart. It's just… everything has changed so much, you know? All I used to think about was getting revenge on Sawyer. He frowned deeply. "After I found out the truth… that had to change." He paused briefly. "I have other things I care about now." Silverthorn glanced at Fireheart, emotion clouding his blue gaze. "I have something else to live for now. We all do. So we're going to be fine. Because if I don't believe that… what's the point of fighting?" Silverthorn's fur began to rise in the slightest, as though he was becoming nervous himself. "So I have to hang on to what matters to me."

Something to live for? Fireheart blinked, confused. He flattened his ears slightly. "What do you—"

"I'm in love with you," Silverthorn blurted.

Fireheart's eyes widened. Silverthorn flattened his own ears, and he looked away, seeming surprised by himself. Fireheart's jaw parted, trying to stammer out something intelligible. "I—you—" What?

Silverthorn jumped to his paws. "You don't have to say anything!" he quickly meowed. "I—I wasn't going to say anything, not until after the battle—but—I just—" His tail flicked about frantically. "I'm sorry. I'll see you back at camp." Hurriedly, Silverthorn backed away, turned on his paws, and bounded away.

"Silverthorn!" Fireheart called, but the tom did not stop. He raced away, back towards camp. Fireheart stared after him. He… his heart was pounding. I didn't know—I… He felt so confused and dizzy. How do I feel? He shook his head. I can't think about this! Not right now! There's too much to worry about! He tried to bury it down. After the battle. I'll sort out how I feel after. His heart clenched again. If we're still alive at the end of this.