My dear readers! A lot of questions in the comment box! Sorry about the spelling errors! I am not a genius but I will try better in the future! I will not be giving anymore future plot away, but I will when I pass something that might not be easily pointed out to you! Like the whole who has crushes/in love with Fireheart! (Ravenpaw's started around the time Fireheart saved him from Tigerclaw, while Onewhisker and Deadfoots feelings started when she brought them home!) Anywho! About updates, I cannot make any promises about updates like my previous books! But I will attempt it all the same! I hope you enjoy and review...ya I totally want 20 review's now! But I will settle for 15!

Onward to the chapter! Also thanks for the reviews and your loyalty to this series! I will finish!

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"Fireheart," A voice sounded from the hazy of her sleep addled brain. "Fireheart, it's time to wake up!" Fireheart blinked her jade green eyes open, startled to find Whitestorm leaning over the side of her nest.

Half-dreaming, clouded with sleep, Fireheart pulled herself to her paws. "W-what? Where's my kits?" she meowed groggily, noting that her nest was cold besides her own body heat.

"Goldenflower is looking after them," Whitestorm replied, shrugging his shoulders. "They were getting restless and she volunteered. And Bluestar wants to see you in her den."

Fireheart shook her head to clear her mind. It was another strange dream, but this time with a different cat that she has never before seen. It was driving her mad not knowing who they were or what they were trying to show here.

Fireheart leaned back to stretch, her legs trembling beneath her. "I'll be there in just a second." Fireheart reassured. She slipped quickly out of the nursery, Speckletail and Willowpelt sleeping undisturbed nearby.

Fireheart pushed her way out into the clearing. It was already warm even though the sun had not yet risen over the treetops, and the woods looked green and inviting at the top of the ravine. As she sniffed the familiar scents of the forest, the strange dream began to fade, and she felt her sleek fur relax on her shoulders.

Her kits were playing near the edge of the clearing, Fireheart felt warm inside as she watched them for a second. Goldenflower was also there, laying down as she observed their playing. Looking up the two she-cats met each other's gaze and Fireheart nodded to her as she headed toward Bluestar's den. What could the ThunderClan leader want so early in the day? Did she have a special mission for her? Fireheart couldn't help feeling it was a sign that Bluestar was feeling more like her old self, and she called a cheerful greeting through the lichen.

"Come in!" The Clan leader sounded excited, and Fireheart's hope soared. Inside, Bluestar was pacing up and down the sandy floor. She didn't stop when Fireheart entered, and she had to press herself against the wall to keep out of her leaders way.

"Fireheart," Bluestar began without looking at her. "I need to share dreams with StarClan. I must travel to the Moonstone."

The Moonstone was a glittering rock that lay deep underground beyond WindClan territory, where the sun set.

"You want to go to Highstones?" Fireheart exclaimed, surprised.

"Do you know of another Moonstone?" retorted Bluestar impatiently. She was still pacing her paws echoing in the den.

"But it's such a long way; are you sure you're up to it?" Fireheart stammered, feeling a little ridiculous in front of her leader.

"I must speak with StarClan!" Bluestar insisted. She stopped dead and narrowed her eyes at her deputy. "And I want you to come. Whitestorm can take charge while we're gone."

Fireheart's unease was growing rapidly. "Who else is coming with us?"

"No one," answered Bluestar grimly.

Fireheart shivered. She felt bewildered by the dark intensity in Bluestar's tone; it sounded as if she thought her life depended on making this journey. "But isn't it a bit dangerous to travel by ourselves?" she ventured.

Bluestar turned an icy gaze on Fireheart. Fireheart's mouth turned dry as the leader hissed at her, "You want to bring others? Why?"

Fireheart tried to keep her voice steady. "What if we're attacked?"

"You will protect me," Bluestar rasped in a low whisper. "Won't you?"

"With my life!" Fireheart promised solemnly. No matter what she thought about Bluestar's behavior, her loyalty to her leader was unshaken.

Her words seemed to reassure Bluestar, and she sat down in front of Fireheart. "Good."

Fireheart tipped her head to one side. "But what about the threat from WindClan and ShadowClan?" she meowed hesitantly. "You mentioned it yourself yesterday."

Bluestar nodded slowly. Fireheart went on; "We'd have to travel through WindClan's territory to get to Highstones."

Bluestar leaped to her paws. "I must speak with StarClan," she spat, the fur on her shoulders bristling. "Why are you trying to dissuade me? Either you come with me or I will go alone!"

Fireheart looked back at her. She had no choice. "I'll come," she agreed.

"Good." Bluestar nodded again, her voice softening a little. "We'll need traveling herbs to keep our strength up. I'll go and see Spottedleaf about them." She swept past Fireheart and pushed her way out of the cave.

"Are we going now?" Fireheart called, slightly alarmed, she had her apprentice to take out and someone had to look after her kits.

"Yes," Bluestar replied, without stopping.

Fireheart bounded out of the den after her. "But I'm meant to take my apprentice out for the first time," she protested.

"Let someone else take her." ordered Bluestar.

"Okay." Fireheart stopped and watched the she-cat disappear into the ferns that led to medicine cats clearing. She felt a little apprehensive as she stared around the camp, she wanted to spend time with Fernpaw but now she had to settle things with her apprentice and kits.

Spotting the dawn patrol, lead by Cinderpelt beginning to leave Fireheart was struck with an idea. "Hold on!" Fireheart called out to her former apprentice, Cinderpelt along with Longtail and Mousefur came to a halt just outside the gorse tunnel, waiting on her.

"Can you take Fernpaw with you?" Fireheart asked, her eyes blinking into Cinderpelt's ice-blue eyes that lit up with surprise.

"Sure," Cinderpelt meowed, tilting her head a little in confusion.

"But why do you need us to look after your apprentice for?" Longtail questioned, he was flickering his tail impatiently, while Mousefur looked back and forth between them.

"Why's Bluestar going to see Spottedleaf? Is she okay?" Mousefur questioned, her meow showing her concern.

"She's going to get traveling herbs. Bluestar needs to share with StarClan, so we're going to the Moonstone," Fireheart explained.

"That's a long way," remarked Mousefur, slowly sitting up. "Is it wise? Bluestar's probably still weak from the rogue cats attack." Fireheart couldn't help noticing that she tactfully avoided mentioning Tigerclaw's part in the attack, if it was for Fireheart sake that she didn't mention him, then she felt a little thankful towards the small dusky-brown she-cat.

"She told me that StarClan has summoned her," Fireheart answered.

"Who else is going?" asked Longtail.

"J-just me and Bluestar." Fireheart replied with a slight stutter.

"I'll come too, if you like," Offered Mousefur.

Fireheart shook her head regretfully.

Longtail's mouth twisted into a sneer. "You think you can protect her alone, do you? You may be deputy, but you're no Tigerclaw!" he hissed.

"And it's a good thing too!" Cinderpelt hissed in Fireheart's defense. Swiping a paw to cuff Longtail around the ear's. It was surprising, seeing as Longtail was a senior warrior and had more skill then Cinderpelt. But it was also quite satisfying to see him annoyed.

"Well said, youngster," Relief washed over Fireheart as she heard Whitestorm's voice behind her. The white warrior must have heard the whole conversation, because he went on: "Fireheart and Bluestar are less likely to be noticed if they travel together like this. Quite apart from the fact that they're allowed safe passage to Highstones anyway, they're more likely to appear like a raiding party to WindClan if there's more than two of them."

Mousefur and Cinderpelt nodded, but Longtail turned his head away. Fireheart blinked gratefully at Whitestorm.

"Yellowfang!" Bluestar agitated meow sounded from the medicine cats den.

"Go to her," meowed Whitestorm quietly. Nodding his head as he began to turn away.

"Bluestar wants you to take charge of the Clan while we're gone," Fireheart told him. Before he could leave.

"In that case, I'll organize today's hunting parties." Whitestorm meowed over his shoulders.

"Yes," agreed Fireheart, trying not to show how flustered she felt. She turned to Cinderpelt. "Take Fernpaw with you, and point out the territory a bit if you could." Fireheart ordered.

Cinderpelt dipped her head as Fireheart turned and ran across the clearing to the medicine cat's den.

"I suppose you'll be wanting some traveling herbs too," remarked Yellowfang as Fireheart emerged from the tunnel. The old medicine cat was sitting calmly in the clearing while Bluestar paced restlessly around, lost in her own thoughts.

"Yes, please," answered Fireheart.

Spottedleaf padded out of the den in the split rock and made straight for Fireheart when she spied her. "Do you know why Bluestar may want to speak with StarClan so suddenly?" Spottedleaf asked quietly, her eyes flashing sympathetically in Bluestar's direction, who had stopped pacing and was staring up at the sky, warily sniffing the air.

"No, she just all of a sudden started wanting to go to Moonstone," Fireheart replied meekly, just as confused and concerned as Spottedleaf.

"It's none of our concern," Yellowfang hissed, her orange eyes flashing. "You added the chamomile to Bluestar's traveling herbs, Didn't you?" Yellowfang questioned Spottedleaf who nodded back.

"Yes, just like you suggested." Spottedleaf replied back. Fireheart glanced back and forth between the two medicine cats, her whiskers twitching in confusion.

"Chamomile's not a traveling herb," she meowed under her breath.

Yellowfang narrowed her eyes. "Bluestar needs something to soothe her heart as well as to give her physical strength." the older medicine cat rasped, a dark shadow covering her eyes.

Behind them Bluestar had begun to pace the clearing again. "Aren't they ready yet?" she meowed irritably.

"Yes," Spottedleaf replied, the tortishell she-cat picked up a nearby bundle and walked up to place it before Bluestar paws. "These are yours." She jerked her head toward the rock. "Yours are over there," she told Fireheart.

She was still swallowing to wash the bitter taste of the herbs from her mouth when Bluestar headed out of the clearing, nodding to Fireheart to follow her. Around them, the camp was beginning to stir. Willowpelt had just squeezed out of the nursery and was blinking in the bright sunlight, while Patchpelt was stretching his old limbs in front of the fallen oak. Both cats glanced curiously at Bluestar and Fireheart, then carried on with their morning routine.

"Hey!"

Fireheart heard a familiar voice behind her and her heart stuttered as tabby fur jumped out at her, it took a moment to realize that it was just Leafkit, looking up at her with interest. "Where are you going?" she asked, her amber eyes looking curiously up at her mother.

"I'm going to Highstone's with Bluestar," Fireheart told her quickly, as she paused for a moment at the tunnel entrance.

"Can we come with you?" Squirrelkit meowed as she scampered up with her siblings just a paw step behind.

"We can keep up!" Bramblekit added, his amber eyes boring into Fireheart, making her shiver at the reminder of Tigerclaw. All her amber eyed kits reminded her of Tigerclaw, sometimes it was hard to meet their stares.

"No, you can't come. You're too you and not yet apprentices, stay here and out of trouble until I return." Fireheart instructed her kits, each one looking upset.

"You're never here anymore!" Spottedkit's wail sounded out from the back of the kits, her eyes wide with distress. "You don't love us anymore."

"That's not true," Fireheart meowed hastily, her heart blaring in alarm at her daughter's words. But Spottedkit was already turning tail to the nursery, her dark ginger tail disappearing last as she disappeared inside.

"Don't worry mother, Spottedkit will understand." Mothkit meowed, her amber eyes blinking with grown up wisdom. "You're Clan deputy, you have a lot of responsibility."

"We know you still care," Leafkit added, gently nudging her mother with her head.

"We'll talk to her," Tawnykit added, already signaling to the other kits as they raced after Spottedkit.

"I'll look after them for you," came Goldeflower's soothing meow, making Fireheart look up at the pale ginger she-cat.

"Sometimes I wish Bluestar had chose someone else." Fireheart whispered to the former queen. Who nodded in sympathy.

"It cannot be helped, but you're kits still love you, never forget that." Goldenflower assured, heading off after the kits. While Fireheart, with heavy paws padded after Bluestar.

The ThunderClan leader had reached the top of the ravine by the time Fireheart caught up with her. She paused to sniff the air before padding into the forest. Fireheart noticed with relief how relaxed she seemed now that they were out of the camp, nosing her way through the undergrowth toward the RiverClan border.

Fireheart glanced in surprise at her leader. This wasn't the quickest route to Fourtrees and the uplands beyond, but she didn't question her. She couldn't help feeling excited at the thought that she might catch a glimpse of Graystripe across the river.

The two cats met the RiverClan border above Sunningrocks and followed the scent markers upriver. A warm breeze carried the faint heather scent of the moor down to them. Fireheart could hear the river flowing past on the other side of the ferns. She craned her neck and saw the water glimmering in the dappled light under the trees. Above her head the leaves glowed green and flashed at the edges where the sunlight pierced the thick roof of the forest. Even in the shade, Fireheart felt hot. She wished she could plunge into the water like a RiverClan cat, too cool herself down.

She mentally snorted, already she looked like a RiverClan cat, what with her sleek coat that stuck to her figure and she could even go as far as to say she had the lean appearance of a RiverClan cat. But she knows she is ThunderClan at heart, no matter what her appearance may look like.

Finally the river bent away, deeper into RiverClan territory, and Bluestar carried straight on, following the markers along the border between ThunderClan and RiverClan. Fireheart couldn't stop glancing across the scentline, searching the woods beyond for any sign of RiverClan cats, wary of being spotted by a patrol but ever hopeful of seeing her old friend.

Bluestar was leading them recklessly close to the border, even crossing it occasionally as they weaved through the undergrowth. Fireheart had no idea how RiverClan would react if they found them here. The two Clans had nearly come to conflict over Silverstream's kits, and battle was averted only when Graystripe took his kits back to their mother's Clan. Fireheart still missed her adopted kits very much and wondered how they were coping in their new home.

Suddenly Bluestar stopped and lifted her muzzle, opening her mouth to taste the air. She dropped into a crouch, and Fireheart, trusting Bluestar's warrior instincts, flattened herself too, ducking behind a patch of nettles.

"RiverClan warriors," Bluestar warned in a whisper.

Fireheart could smell them now. She felt her hackles rising as the scent grew stronger and she heard the swish of fur disturbing the undergrowth ahead of them. She raised her head very slowly and peered through the trees, her heart thumping as she searched for a familiar gray pelt. Beside her, Bluestar's eyes were wide and her flanks barely moved as she took silent, shallow breaths. Fireheart wondered for a second if Bluestar purposely decided to come this way, as if she might want to run into some RiverClan cats. It explained why she had come this way.

Then it hit her like a fledgling dropping into her paws: her kits. Many moons ago, the ThunderClan leader had given birth to three kits that had been raised in RiverClan, one who unfortunately died. She'd entrusted them to their RiverClan father when they were barely old enough to leave their nest. Bluestar's ambition and loyalty to her Clan had made it impossible for her to raise the kits herself. Now they lived as RiverClan warriors, unaware that their real mother came from ThunderClan. But Bluestar had never forgotten them, although only Fireheart knew her secret. It must be Stonefur and Mistyfoot that Bluestar was scanning the undergrowth for.

A glimpse of tawny mottled fur in the distance made Fireheart duck down again. That wasn't Graystripe, or either of Bluestar's offspring. A vaguely familiar scent confirmed to Fireheart the identity of the warrior. It was Leopardfur, the RiverClan deputy.

Fireheart glanced at Bluestar; she still had her head up, peering through the trees. The rustling of ferns warned Fireheart that Leopardfur was getting nearer. She felt her breath quicken. What would happen if she saw the ThunderClan leader so close to the RiverClan border?

Fireheart froze as the rustling in the bushes grew louder. She heard the RiverClan deputy stop, and her silence told her she had detected something. Staring desperately at Bluestar she was about to signal to her with her tail when she dropped her head and hissed in her ear, "Come one; we'd better head deeper into our own territory."

Fireheart sighed with relief as the ThunderClan leader crept silently away. Keeping her ears flat and her belly to the ground. FIreheart followed her away from the scent markers and into the safety of ThunderClan's woods.

"That Leopardfur moves so loudly, I should think even ShadowClan heard her coming," remarked Bluestar once they were away from the border. Fireheart's whiskers quivered with surprise. She had begun to wonder if BLuestar had forgotten how fiercely the Clans defended their boundary, especially in these difficult times.

"She's a good warrior, but to easily distracted," Bluestar went on calmly. "She was more interested in the rabbit upwind than looking for enemy warriors."

Fireheart couldn't help feeling cheered by her leader's confidence. Now that she thought about it, there had been the scent of rabbit on the breeze, but she'd been too worried about Leopardfur to take any notice of it.

"This reminds me of the days I used to take you for training," purred Bluestar as she padded through the sun-dappled woods.

Fireheart ran to catch up with her. "Me too," she replied. Not mentioning that it also reminded her of those times as an apprentice she was left in Tigerclaw's care sometimes for hunting and patrolling.

"You were a fast learner. I chose well when I invited you into my Clan," Bluestar murmured. She looked back over her shoulder at Fireheart, and she saw pride in her eyes. Fireheart blinked gratefully at her.

"All the Clans have much to thank you for," Bluestar continued. "You drove Brokentail out of ShadowClan, brought WindClan home from exile, helped RiverClan when they were flooded, and saved ThunderClan from Tigerclaw." Fireheart began to feel uncertain by her praised as she went on. "No other warrior has your sense of fairness or loyalty or courage…"

Fireheart's fur pricked uneasily. "But all the ThunderClan cats respect the warrior code as I do," she pointed out. "Every one of them would sacrifice themselves to protect you and the Clan."

Bluestar stopped in her tracks and turned to look at Fireheart. "You are the only cat who dared oppose Tigerclaw," she reminded her.

"But I was the only one who knew that he killed Redtail!" Fireheart had known from her past life what had happened, and as she was given a second chance by a cat named Rock, she had used it to collect information about Tigerclaw's wrong doings once more. But over time she had grown feelings for Tigerclaw and the emotional blow that revealed nothing had changed even though Fireheart had set out to change things, Tigerclaw had still chosen the path of power and had led a band of rogue cats against his own Clan.

A fiery resentment flashed in Bluestar's eyes. "Graystripe knew too. It was only you who saved me!"

Fireheart looked away, lost for words. Her ears twitched uncomfortably. It looked as if Bluestar didn't trust any of her warriors except her and maybe Whitestorm. Fireheart realized that Tigerclaw had done more damage than any of the Clan could possibly imagine. The dark warrior had poisoned their leader's judgement and drained away all her confidence in her warriors.

"Come on!" snapped Bluestar.

Fireheart watched the gray she-cat stalk away through the forest, her shoulders stiff and her tail fluffed up. She shivered. Although the sky was still bright overhead, she felt as if a black cloud had blotted out the sun and cast an ominous shadow over their journey.

They reached Fourtrees as the sun broke through the leaves at the top of the trees. Fireheart followed Bluestar down the slope into the valley, where the four great oaks stood, guarding the place where the Clans met each full moon under a single night's truce. The two cats passed the Great Rock where the leader of each Clan stood to address the Gathering, and Fireheart recalled, that once in a past life she had also stood up there among the best and worst of them. Before heading up the far side of the valley.

As the grassy hill turned steeper and rockier, Fireheart noticed that Bluestar was struggling to keep up the pace. She grunted each time she jumped onto the next rock, and Fireheart had to slow down so that he didn't pass her. At the top of the slope, Bluestar stopped and sat down, wheezing.

"Are you okay?" Fireheart asked.

"Not so young…" panted Bluestar.

Fireheart felt a pang of worry. She had assumed that Bluestar's physical injurious from the battle had healed. Where had this sudden weakness come from? It made her seem older and more vulnerable than ever. Perhaps it's just climbing in this head, she thought hopefully. After all, her pelt is thicker than mine.

While Bluestar caught her breath, Fireheart peered nervously across the stunted gorse and heather that covered the uplands. This was WindClan territory, stretching away from them under the cloudless sky. She felt even more uneasy here than on the RiverClan border. WindClan was still angry with ThunderClan because they had given sanctuary to the former ShadowClan leader, and it was Bluestar herself who had decided to take in the blinded Brokentail. What would a WindClan patrol do if they found the ThunderClan leader on their territory, with only one warrior to guard her? Fireheart wasn't sure if she could protect her leader against a whole patrol.

"We must be careful not to be spotted," she whispered.

"What did you say?" called Bluestar. The breeze was stronger up here, and even though it did nothing to ease the sun's burning heat, it carried Fireheart's words away.

"We must be careful they don't see us!" Fireheart reluctantly raised her voice.

"Why?" Bluestar demanded. "We're traveling to the Moonstone. StarClan has granted us the right to travel safely!"

Fireheart realized it would be a waste of time to argue. "I'll lead the way," she offered.

SHe knew the uplands well, better than most ThunderClan cats. She'd been here many times before, but she'd never felt as exposed and vulnerable as she did now. Quickly she led Bluestar into the sea of heather, praying that StarClan had as much belief in their right to travel here as Bluestar did, and that their warrior ancestors would protect them from any passing WindClan patrols. She also hoped that Bluestar had enough sense to keep her ears and tail low.

The sun was reaching its highest point as they neared the swathe of gorse at the heart of WindClan's territory. Fourtrees was far behind them, but there was still a long way to go before they reached the slope at the edge of the moor that ran down into Twoleg farmland. Fireheart paused. A hot breeze was blowing toward her, as stifling as the breath of a sick cat, and she knew their scent would be carried back through WindClan territory. She just hoped the perfume of the honey-rich heather would mask it. Beside her, Bluestar signaled with a flick of her tail and vanished into the gorse.

An angry yowl sounded from behind them. Fireheart spun around and backed away, wincing as the gorse pricked her haunches. Three WindClan cats faced her, their fur bristling and their ears flattened.

"Intruders. Why are you here?" hissed a mottled dark brown tabby. Fireheart recognized Mudclaw, one of the senior warriors. A gray tabby warrior called Tornear was beside him, his back arched and his claws unsheathed. Fireheart had grown to know and respect these cats when she had escorted WindClan back from their exile in Twoleg territory, but all traces of their former alliance had vanished now. She didn't recognize the smallest cat-an apprentice perhaps, but every bit as fierce-looking and wiry as his Clanmates.

The sleek fur rose along Fireheart's spine and her heart began to pound, but she tried to stay calm. "We're just traveling through-" she began.

"You are on our land," spat Mudclaw. His eyes shone angrily as he stared at Fireheart.

Where was Bluestar? Fireheart thought desperately, half wanting her support, half hoping she hadn't heard Mudclaw's yowl and was heading safely through the gorse toward Twoleg territory.

A snarl at her side told her Bluestar had returned for her. She glanced quickly to see Bluestar standing at the edge of the gorse with her head held high and her eyes blazing with fury. "We are traveling to Highstones. StarClan grants us safe passage. You have no right to stop us!"

Mudclaw didn't flinch. "You gave up your right to StarClan's protection when you took Brokentail into your Clan!" he retorted.

Fireheart could understand the WindClan cats anger. She had seen for herself the misery they had endured when they were driven out by Brokentail's Clan warriors. With a surge of pity she remember the tiny WindClan kit she'd helped to carry home-it had been the only one of its litter to survive. The former ShadowClan leader had nearly destroyed the Clan with his cruelty.

Fireheart stared into Mudclaw's fierce gaze. "Brokentail is dead," she told him.

Mudclaw's eyes glittered. "You killed him?" he demanded.

As Fireheart hesitated, Bluestar growled menacingly from her side. "Of course we didn't kill him. ThunderClan aren't murderers."

"No," Mudclaw spat back. "You just protect them!" The WindClan warrior arched his back aggressively. Disappointed, Fireheart felt her mind whirl as she tried to think of another way to convince WindClan.

"You will let us pass!" Bluestar hissed. Fireheart froze as she saw her leader flexing her claws and raising her hackles, ready to attack. "StarClan grants us safe passage," Bluestar repeated, stubbornly.

"Go home!" snarled Mudclaw.

Fireheart's paws tingled as she sized up their opponents. Three strong cats against her and the unfit ThunderClan leader. They would not escape a fight without serious injury, and there was no way she could risk Bluestar's losing a life-not when she knew that Bluestar was on the last of her nine lives, which were granted by StarClan to all Clan leaders.

"We should go home," Fireheart hissed at Bluestar. The ThunderClan leader swung her head around and stared at her in disbelief. "We're too far from safety and this isn't a battle we can fight," she urged her leader.

"But I must speak with StarClan!" meowed Bluestar.

"Another time," Fireheart insisted. Bluestar's eyes clouded with indecision and she added, "We'd not win this battle."

She internally sighed with relief as Bluestar retracted her claws and let the fur on her shoulders relax. The ThunderClan leader turned back to Mudclaw and meowed, "Very well, we'll go home. But we will return. You cannot cut us off from StarClan forever!"

Mudclaw flattened his back and replied, "You've made a wise decision."

Fireheart growled at Mudclaw. "Did you hear what Bluestar said?" Mudclaw narrowed his eyes threateningly, but Fireheart went on. "We will leave this time, but you will never again stop us from traveling to the Moonstone."

Mudclaw turned away. "We'll escort you back to Fourtrees."

Fireheart tensed, afraid of how Bluestar would react to the suggestion that the WindClan warrior did not trust the ThunderClan cats to leave his territory. But she simply padded forward, brushing past the WindClan cats as she headed back the way they had come.

Fireheart walked after her, followed at a distance by the WindClan cats. She was aware of them rustling through the heather behind her, and when she looked over her shoulder she caught glimpses of their lithe, brown shapes among the purple flowers. Frustration pricked at her paws with every step. She would not let WindClan block their way again.

They reached Fourtrees and began to climb back down the rocky slope, leaving the WindClan warriors at the top watching them with hostile, narrowed eyes. Bluestar was starting to look very tired. With each leap she landed heavily and grunted. Fireheart was frightened her leader would slip, but she kept her footing until the reached the grass at the bottom. Fireheart looked back up the hill to see the three WindClan cats silhouetted against the wide, glaring sky before they turned and vanished back into their own territory.

As the ThunderClan cats passed the Great Rock, Bluestar let out a long moan. "Are you alright?" Fireheart asked, stopping.

Bluestar shook her head impatiently. "StarClan does not want to share dreams with me," she muttered. "Why are they so angry with my Clan?"

"WindClan stood in our way, not StarClan," Fireheart reminded her. But she couldn't help feeling that StarClan could have brought them better luck. Smallear's words echoed through her mind: Fireheart's naming broke with Clan ritual for the first time since before I was born.

Fireheart felt her head spin with alarm. Were the warrior ancestors really angry with ThunderClan?

From the surprised murmurs that greeted their news when Fireheart and Bluestar padded back into camp. Fireheart guessed that the Clan shared her fears. Never before had a leader been turned back on a journey to the Moonstone.

Bluestar padded unsteadily to her den, her eyes fixed on the dusty ground as she crossed the clearing. Fireheart watched her with a heavy heart. Suddenly the sun felt to hot to bear beneath her coat. She headed for the shade at the edge of the clearing, and noticed Dustpelt padding toward her from the gorse tunnel, Ashpaw at his heels.

"You're back early," meowed the tabby warrior. He circled Fireheart as Ashpaw stood wide-eyed and looked up at the two warriors.

"WindClan wouldn't let us pass," Fireheart explained.

"Didn't you tell them you were going to Highstones?" asked Dustpelt, sitting down beside his apprentice.

"Of course," snapped Fireheart.

She saw Dustpelt's eyes flick toward the gorse tunnel and turned to see Darkstripe followed by Sandstorm and Cloudpaw enter the camp. Cloudpaw looked exhausted as he ran to keep up with his mentor, his white fur covered with dirt and dark dusty clumps of fur.

"What are you doing back?" Darkstripe asked, narrowing his eyes at Fireheart.

"WindClan wouldn't let them pass," Dustpelt announced. Cloudpaw and Sandstorm looked surprised, each sharing a look between the two.

"What? How dare they?" Cloudpaw meowed, his white fluffy tail lashing in anger as his lips drew back in a snarl. Sandstorm looked just as angry as her apprentice, her green eyes narrowed with bitterness and rage.

"I don't know why Fireheart let them boss her around," commented Dustpelt.

"I didn't have much choice," Fireheart growled, fighting to keep her sleek fur flat. "Would you have risked you leaders safety?"

Cinderpelt's meow sounded across the clearing. "Fireheart!" the dark gray she-cat had Fernpaw trotting at her heels, both of Fireheart apprentice and former looked surprised to see her back so early.

"We just got done with the dawn patrol, why are you back so early?" Cinderpelt's confused meow seemed to make Sandstorm and Dustpelt glance at each other and lead their apprentices away. Followed by Darkstripe, who glanced behind over his shoulder.

"WindClan wouldn't let us pass," Fireheart replied, sitting up as she watched the surprise flicker across their eyes. Fernpaw's pretty green eyes were round with surprise, while Cinderpelt's were narrowing in disbelief.

"But that's against the warrior code!" Cinderpelt spat, lips drawn back with fury.

"I know," Fireheart agreed, and seeing her former apprentice's anger decided to change the subject. "How was the patrol?"

"We didn't spot any of the rogues," Cinderpelt replied, her dark gray fur flattening where it began to bristle. "And Fernpaw was great at marking the border." she added, said apprentice seemed to glow with pride at the praise.

"Well that's good," Fireheart meowed, feeling pleased for her apprentice's good job. But ignoring the pang of the disappearance of the rogues. It was good that the rogues are gone, but what about Tigerclaw? Another part of her seemed to whisper.

"You must be hungry, why don't you go and eat?" Fireheart suggested to the two she-cats, who nodded in agreement, both seeming to like the idea of a good meal. Fireheart watched them go, feeling worn out from today's event but still feeling restless despite the heat.

"Fireheart!" a squeal seemed to sound at the other end of the clearing, Fireheart jerked her head around, a ripple of pleasure going through her as her kits tumbled out of the nursery. Seeming to be surprised at seeing their mother back so soon.

"You're back early!" Hawkkit meowed as he scrambled up to her, his blue eyes wide.

"How was your journey?" Leafkit added, looking more thoughtful as she gazed up at her mother.

"Did you see the Moonstone?" Tawnykit questioned, also coming to join the assembling kits.

"Did you talk with StarClan?" Mothkit pipped in, her amber eyes glimmering in wonder. "Spottedleaf says that when you lay down at the Moonstone you can talk with your warrior ancestors!"

"Did you run into any trouble?" Squirrelkit meowed, circling around Bramblekit who padded up with her, his amber eyes boring into his mother's flame colored pelt as he looked on curiously.

"No, I wasn't able to go to Moonstone. WindClan stopped us before we even reached it." Fireheart told them with regret.

"What!" Hawkkit meowed in outrage, his soft fur spikeing in anger.

"How dare they!" Tawnykit added, her tortoiseshell fur also spikeing in anger.

"We should go teach them a lesson!" Squirrelkit declared, her claws extending as they clawed the ground.

An army of kits attacking Windclan is something no one needs right now! Fireheart thought, shaking her head.

"WindClan knew they were doing wrong," Fireheart meowed, stroking Squirrelkit's spine with her tail. "Let me and Bluestar handle them." Fireheart raked her jade green eyes over each of her kits, only then noticing that one was missing.

"Where's Spottedkit?" Fireheart questioned, looking around the clearing but not spotting her dark ginger fur.

"She was with Swiftpaw last time I saw her," Mothkit spoke up, shuffling her paws on the ground with guilt. It looked like she was torn between telling her mother, or keeping her sister's secret.

"And where is Goldenflower?" Fireheart questioned, the pale ginger she-cat nowhere to be seen.

"Whitestorm asked her to go hunting, Speckletail is supposed to be watching us but she's asleep!" Bramblekit spoke up from where he was washing his tabby tail.

"Go back to the nursery, and stay there till I find them." Fireheart urged them towards the nursery, standing up and racing out of the camp. Even though no one has scented or seen the rogues, it doesn't mean that they are completely gone! And Spottedkit and Swiftpaw could get hurt!

When she reached the top of the ravine, she took a deep wiff of the air before starting a fast trot towards the direction of Tallpines. The strong scent of pine needles covered most of their scent, but it seemed like the two pranced all around, making their scent strong enough for Fireheart to follow. The forest was full of prey, and she stopped for only a second to catch a mouse that was practically begging to be caught.

It didn't take long afterwards before she found them near the border, just sitting under the shade of a bramble bush. Their voices low as they talked quietly back and forth with each other, their gazes fixed somewhere and both distracted that they didn't see the angry deputy behind them.

"What are you both doing out here?" Fireheart demanded, her fur spiked up as both apprentice and kit whipped around to face her. Spottedkit looked away guilty, but before she could explained Swiftpaw, without any regret hissed out in a low voice: "Be quiet, or you'll give us away!"

Fireheart was taken aback, stunned that this apprentice would talk back to her. Definitely Longtail's apprentice! But was distracted by a foul smell stench that came from not to far away. It smelt like crowfood and for a panicked second Fireheart thought it was the rogues. But as she slipped into a crouch to peer beside the other two young cats, she saw that this cat looked nothing like a powerful, dangerous rogue that could be apart of Brokentail or even Tigerclaw's outlaws.

It was a calico she-cat, with white, black and dark ginger splotches all over her body. Her tail was a stripped mix of ginger and black, and her eye's were pale green, clouded by weariness and fear as she stopped beside ThunderClan's scent markers to take a sniff and withdraw in confusion and anxiety.

"She's going to cross the border." Swiftpaw hissed from Fireheart's side, who glanced at the apprentice with was bristling with narrowed eyes at the she-cat who had placed a paw inside the border.

"You both stay here," Fireheart meowed quiet yet sternly to the two younger cats, her eyes flashing them a warning as she drew herself up as she began approaching the she-cat.

"What are you doing on ThunderClan territory?" Fireheart called out a challenge, although she kept her voice neutral and tried not to seem to hostile. The she-cat, who had stepped fully into ThunderClan territory, froze in place. Seemingly unable to move a muscle as Fireheart came to inspect her.

She didn't look like some ordinary rogue, she seemed skinny and tired as if she was not used to taking care of herself. But her pale green eyes changed from weariness to defense but still held the fear.

"Why are you on ThunderClan territory?" Fireheart repeated, coming to realize that this cat was a kittypet...or was.

"I don't have to explain myself to you!" The she-cat spat back, although she did shrink back a moment later.

"This is ThunderClan territory, see the border and you're trespassing." Fireheart pointed out, her eyes narrowing on this stubborn she-cat.

"That's what the smell was," the she-cat murmured, her eyes flickering with curiosity for just a moment. "I'm sorry, but I didn't know." The she-cat dipped her head, looking a bit sheepish.

"Why did you come here in the first place?" Fireheart asked. The calico she-cat's whole demore seemed to crumble as she looked down in despair.

"I-I was looking for food," She replied, her ears pinned to her head as if she was ashamed of herself.

"Food," Fireheart echoed, pity for the she-cat making Fireheart next words come out. "Wait here." Fireheart turned, ignoring Swiftpaw's demanding question as she passed by him and her kit. After unbearingly her mouse she came back to drop it in front of the rogue she-cats surprised paws.

"You can have this mouse, we have plenty of prey right now." Fireheart meowed kindly, watching the she-cat blink thankfully at her as she began to demolish the tasty plump mouse.

"Thank you," the she-cat replied, her eyes glowing in thanks as she stared at Fireheart in curiousity. "You must eat well like this all the time."

"The prey is good this season," Fireheart replied, shuffling her paws wanting the she-cat to leave now that she has eaten. "You should go now."

The calico she-cat's eyes widened in dismay for a moment, as if she didn't want to go. But she reluctantly nodded. "My name is Vixen, by the way." she meowed, starting to pad away from the border and towards Twoleg place.

"Mine is Fireheart," Fireheart called back, hoping that Vixen would find a better place in Twolegplace, a cat like Vixen didn't belong out in the wild. She was more built for kittypet life, like Princess.

Turning back around she was meet with Swiftpaw and Spottedkit emerging from underneath the bramble bush. Swiftpaw glared at Fireheart with a snort as Spottedkit looked admiringly at her mother.

"That was very-" Swiftpaw started, his tone suggesting a stinging retort but Spottedkit happily interrupted him. "Considerate of you!" she meowed, eyes shining as she scampered up to her mother, her eyes wide with admiration. "You did a very nice thing by helping that she-cat! Didn't she Swiftpaw?"

When Spottedkit turned her amber eyes on Swiftpaw, the apprentice seemed to shuffle in place. His fur prickling in discomfort as he stuttered out, "W-well, sure." He said meekly, looking to be sulking as Fireheart began leading them back to camp.

"You wanna race back?" Spottedkit asked, looking over her shoulder at the apprentice, who began perking up.

"You should have a head st-" but Spottedkit was already racing off in the direction of ThunderClan. "H-hey!" Swiftpaw gasped, tearing off after her as Fireheart walked more leisurely after them. For just a moment, taking in the warmth of the sun that came with greenleaf.

0o0o0o

Well, how do you like this update? Was it worth the wait? Who is this strange new cat that I have placed in for future purposes that only I shall know? I hope that you review and follow! And ask any question's you like! Till next time!