Chapter 17

Firestar had been getting ready for the boarder patrol between Thunderclan and Shadowclan. It had been a few days since the gathering, he was starring into the forest, wondering if Bramblepaw had told Shadowclan of Tigerstar's acts of treachery.

He hoped Bramblepaw would try to tell them, but he knew that it'd be hard for Bramblepaw because he was nervous. He could tell that he'd fear that Tigerstar would have his head if he tried to tell the clan.

"Firestar?"

Firestar turned around to see his best friend Graystripe standing behind him. "Can I talk to you?" the gray cat asked.

"Sure" answered Firestar.

"I'm worried about my kits," said Graystripe admittingly. Shortly after becoming warriors, Graystripe had an affair with a Riverclan cat named Silverstream. She had died giving birth to their kits Stormpaw and Featherpaw. Graystripe joined Riverclan for a while, but he rejoined Thunderclan when he realized his loyalties were to Thunderclan.

"I can't get over what happened at the gathering," explained Graystripe. "Tigerstar basically has control over Riverclan now and I'm worried my kits might be in danger!"

"I'm sure they'll be alright," assured Firestar. "Tigerstar would want all the apprentices he can get to make sure the clan will get a stronger fighting force."

"But Tigerstar know I'm their father," pointed out Graystripe. "And he hates me. He'd want to take his anger on them."

Firestar understood Graystripe's point. He could remember Brokenstar the official leader of Shadowclan before Tigerstar stepped up kidnapping kits in the past.

"I don't know weather they're in danger or not," said Firestar. "But their apprentices now. They have to decide their own future. If they want to come to Thunderclan on their own, then there'll be a place for them here."

Graystripe nodded accepting his friend's explanation. He knew there wasn't anything they could do about it at the time.

"I suppose though," went on Firestar. "We could go there quietly, just the two of us and ask them if they're okay. If they are, you won't have to worry. If they're not, then we'll invite them to join Thunderclan."

That made Graystripe very happy.

"Tell Whitestorm he's in charge of the camp while we're gone" instructed Firestar.

The two toms left the camp. As they walked out into the clearing, they saw a familiar shape. But they weren't scared.

"Ravenpaw!" cried Firestar. The two cats were happy to see their old friend.

"It's good to see you," said Ravenpaw. "I wanted to come and pay my respects to Bluestar."

"Go and find Cinderpelt," said Firestar. "She'll show you were Bluestar's buried. Graystripe and I are on a mission."

"We're going over to Riverclan to check on my kits," explained Graystripe. "Tigerstar's taken over Riverclan, and I'm worried about them."

Ravenpaw was surprised, so Firestar explained about how Tigerstar had rescued his son Bramblepaw in the fire and took him to Shadowclan and how he wanted all the clans to unite under his rule and that Riverclan joined him.

"It's a disaster," cried Ravenpaw. "Is there anything I can do to help? I'll come with you."

Firestar noticed that Ravenpaw's eyes were gleaming with excitement. When the three were apprentices, Ravenpaw had been nervous all the time. Now he seemed to be a fearless cat.

"Of course," said Firestar trustingly.

The three cats bounded through the forest. As they walked, Firestar thought about the memories of when they trained together as apprentices. Although he was a leader now, he knew it was his dependence to protect his clan and even the forest.

The sun was setting by the time they got to the boarder between Thunderclan and Riverclan. Firestar took a deep breath knowing he'd be in trouble if he was caught on another clan's territory.

"Firestar?" said a soft voice.

The three cats snapped out of their thoughts in shock.

"Firestar?" the hiss came again.

The three cats looked back to see Bramblepaw running towards them.

"Oh Firestar, I'm so glad I found you" said Bramblepaw in a relieved voice, not minding that he was with two cats he had never seen before.

"Bramblepaw?" said Firestar. "What are you doing here."

"Looking for you," said Bramblepaw looking down. "I need your help."

The three toms listened with interest.

"I think you were right about my father," said Bramblepaw. "He's not a cat to trust."

Firestar, Graystripe and Ravenpaw looked at each other worriedly.

"He's questioning the Riverclan deputy's loyalty," explained Bramblepaw. Firestar's green eyes widened in shock. "Stonefur?" he asked. Bramblepaw nodded.

"Him and his sister," he confirmed. "Because there Bluestar's, a Thunderclan cat's kits. Which makes them half-clan warriors. And he's also taken two Riverclan apprentices' prisoner too, claiming they're also half-clan cats!"

Graystripe was horrified.

"What do they look like?" he asked.

"They're about my age," said Bramblepaw. "There's a she-cat with silver fur and a tom with gray fur like you."

"Featherpaw and Stormpaw," exclaimed Graystripe. "My kits!"

Bramblepaw was surprised to see that his father was right about the two Riverclan apprentices being Thunderclan descendant too, but he focused on the topic. "I'm worried he wants to kill them."

Firestar nodded understandingly.

"I wanted to tell Leopardstar to try and stop him," cried Bramblepaw. "But I couldn't tell her about father's misdeeds in front of him. So, I felt I had to ask you for help." He looked at the ginger tom with his amber eyes in a pleading look.

"And I promise my father didn't send me to lead you into a trap," he said. "I really need your help."

Firestar gave Bramblepaw an assuring look.

"I believe you," he said petting the apprentice's head. "And we will help."

The four cats walked across the stepping stones on to Riverclan territory and Bramblepaw lead them through the forest, hoping they weren't too late.

Author's note; Bramblepaw had a lot of courage to go ask Firestar for help. I'm glad he's choosing to stay good and do the right thing.