A/N: Thank Erin Hunter for the Warriors series by supporting the official release!

Ch. 6: Further into the Unknown

The blood oozes from the stone.

The shadow lunges out from the trees to gouge out his throat.

How could this be?

Graystripe's nose prodded him awake. "Leave me be," Fireshade rumbled hoarsely. The nightmare of the crushed cat-which he was now convinced was that of Oakheart-ensured that he'd slept miserably.

"Wake up!" Graystripe hissed.

"Why? We're not on patrol!" Fireshade moaned.

"Bluestar wants to see us in her den, now."

Fuzzy-headed, Fireshade raised to his paws and followed Graystripe out of the den. The sun was beginning to turn the sky pink, and there was frost on the trees around the camp. The Orange warrior could probably guess what this meeting was about; the camp was in quite a stir last night over the news from the Gathering. Something had to be done to ensure that WindClan returned.

They announced their arrival at Bluestar's den with quiet mews.

"Enter!" Tigerclaw's baritone answered them from behind the draped lichen and they pushed through.

Bluestar was sitting in her nest, her head up and her eyes bright. Tigerclaw stood in the middle of the smooth sand-stone floor. Fireshade tried to read his expression, but the great tabby's eyes were cold and steady.

Bluestar began at once. "Fireshade, Graystripe, I have an important mission for you."

"Are we to retrieve WindClan?" The once-kittypet guessed.

There was unknowable glimmer in the she-cat's eyes. Fireshade wonder if she was left as frustrated as he was by their encounter last night. "Very astute," Bluestar praised as she glanced to her deputy. "But I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

Firshade shrugged. "If not ThunderClan, then who?" He didn't believe they could count on RiverClan or ShadowClan to do the right thing after last night.

"Before you get too excited, bear in mind this could be very dangerous," Tigerclaw warned. "We don't know where WindClan has gone, so you will have to follow what is left of their scent-probably into hostile territory."

"But you've been through WindClan Territory, when you traveled with me to the Moonstone," Bluestar pointed out. "Their scent will be familiar, as will the Twoleg territory beyond the uplands."

"Is Ravenfeather coming with us?" Graystripe asked. It should have been obvious by the fact that the black warrior wasn't here. But the question was only natural since they'd always achieved milestones as a trio.

"We must keep enough warriors here," Tigerclaw growled as his lip started to curl. "In case our "fellow" clans get a bit too uppity."

"I barely wish to send the two of the you," Bluestar noted somberly. "Leaf-bare is coming, and we need to gather as much fresh-kill as possible. Many prey-poor moons lie ahead." Her eyes focused on the orange tom. "Let your sharp tracking skills guide you to WindClan quickly. Tigerclaw will help you prepare for the journey." Fireshade's paws prickled with anticipation. Time to erase the last mark of Brokenstar's tyranny!

"You must leave as soon as possible," Bluestar continued. "Good luck."

"We'll find them," Graystripe promised. Fireshade gave a determined nod.

Tigerclaw followed them out of Bluestar's den. At once, his eyes lost intensity as if his focus had dwindled. "Do you remember how to get WindClan territory?"

"We were there only a few moons ago," his former pupil assured.

Tigerclaw hesitated, as if he need more to ease his mind.

Rolling his eyes, the orange warrior meowed, "I'm one of the best hunters in the Clan. Bluestar even admitted that that was why she chose me."

"And you recall WindClan scent?" The deputy prodded further with still doubtful amber eyes.

The young warriors nodded.

"You will need herbs for strength and to keep your hunger away. Fetch them from Yellowfang before you leave." TigerClaw paused. "And don't forget that Nightpelt is planning to travel to the Moonstone tonight. Keep well out of his way."

"Yes, Tigerclaw," replied Fireshade coolly. In truth, that had slipped his mind. It still made his pelt prickle that after what they had done for ShadowClan, they could be so flippant.

"He'll never know we're out there," Graystripe assured him.

"As I would expect," meowed Tigerclaw meowed. As he locked eyes with his old protégé, amber eyes gave a rare glint of undisguised worry. "Don't die while you're out there and make sure you come back, successful or not," he ordered before bounding away.

"That's a nice way to wish us good luck," Graystripe complained.

"Don't be dour; he just admitted that he cares." Fireshade joked. "That's the same as nuzzling for him!" He was grateful for his senior's concern but the warrior wondered if the deputy spoke out of more than just some affection. Or were old skepticisms making their way back into the tabby's mind. Did his misgivings ever really go anywhere?

Yellowfang's den lied at the end of a tunnel under ferns. A large split rock stood in a corner of a small shaded glade. Fireshade's heart shudder as he remembered that this place was once Spottedleaf. I'm stronger than I was before…He reminded himself that the Clan was under his protection however they may see him.

Before the two warriors could call to Yellowfang, Ravenfeather came out from the center of the rock looking pleased with himself.

"Ravenfeather?" Graystripe mewed his confusion. "You got a cough or something?"

"Not at all," the black warrior purred. "Just playing with some ideas." His green eyes glinted. "What are you guys here for?"

"We're going to get WindClan back," Fireshade answered blunted.

The gray warrior of the trio puffed out his chest, "Yeah, our first warrior mission is right ahead of us!" He seemed to deflate a little. "I wish you were coming with us though…"

Ravenfeather looked unblinking. "Our paths can't always line up perfectly," he said sagely. "Sometimes we need to stray from each other. But your first mission, that's very good news!" His whiskers twitched. "I'll be there with you in spirit."

"Did you become an elder when we weren't looking?" Fireshade japed, impressed by how mature the black cat suddenly seemed. No traces seemed to remain of that skittish shape the orange tom remembered from his first day with ThunderClan.

"We'll all be old before you know it," Ravenfeather meowed with wistfulness before brushing pass them. "Good luck. And be careful out there," he called from over his shoulder as he made his exit.

"There goes a cat with some promise," came a croaking mew. Yellowfang squeezed out of the crack. "I was beginning to think all ThunderClan had to offer was bruisers." Her yellow eyes looked inquisitively at the remaining two youngsters. The feeling in the back of his head told Fireshade the medicine cat was in good spirits. "Now you two were going to fetch WindClan if my hearing is still in order?"

They both nodded proudly. Quietly, they both began to suspect what Ravenfeather had come to old she-cat for. It could be looked into further when they returned.

"Congratulations!" She rasped with a sparkle in her voice. "I'll fetch the herbs you need." She returned a few moments later carrying a small bundle of dried leave in her mouth. "Enjoy!" She purred laying them on the ground.

Fireshade partook of his herbs. As he chewed, he couldn't help acknowledging things were truly beginning for him in earnest. With a large journey ahead, and many questions and visions swirling between his ears, he felt about as lost as when he had first become an apprentice. He had destiny burning inside of him but wondered if that meant anything without any clear aim. What did it really mean to be among the Clans and live by the warrior code? Where would any of it take him? There was only one thing he could truly be sure about-

These herbs will taste terrible until the end of days…

A/N: YAAAA! Finally, I've finished reading the Super Prequels! Which should mean at least one update a week for the time being. Fireshade and Graystripe begin their journey at last!

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