Note: So, when I first wrote this story, it was long before Dawn of the Clans came out, and the next arch. Obviously, I've read both series since than, but, I'm planning on keeping this completely AU. I also noticed after reading through older chapters that a character was left out during their journey to the mountains... so, I think I'll edit that chapter and take him out, depending on whether anyone cares, or not.


CHAPTER FORTY

It felt as if they'd been traveling for days along the mountain's slopes. Birdpaw was beginning to understand the meaning of patience when she noticed how often the ThunderClan and RiverClan cats argued. Of all the cats who seemed to enjoy picking a fight, it was Oakfire and Acorntail. Birdpaw realized with a start that the two were probably clashing personalities, and Clan pride. She was more than annoyed with their bickering, and almost wished that they would both stuff a tail in their mouths for a change.

Blizzardwind was the only one with enough sense to stay out of these arguments. Birdpaw suspected she was also annoyed with them, but, Blizzardwind didn't dare speak out against them. She kept glancing at the RiverClan medicine cat warily.

"I know what you're thinking," the silvery white she-cat murmured, looking at Birdpaw warily. She froze on the spot, staring at Blizzardwind in alarm, "Why am I not taking sides?" Birdpaw only tilted her head to one side, flicking her tail as she put that to thought.

"Well, I'm guessing it's because you're a medicine cat," she mused thoughtfully. Blizzardwind merely blinked in surprise at that, "I mean... you don't just become a medicine cat because you're skilled with herbs, right?"

"Of course," Blizzardwind nodded in agreement, "I've never been fond of fighting. Minnowstar - she was just the deputy at the time I became an apprentice - saw that in me. I started out as a warrior apprentice, because we already had a medicine cat apprentice. Eventually, she was able to convince the RiverClan leader that I should become a medicine cat."

For the first time since meeting these cats, Birdpaw realized that they were putting a lot of faith in someone they didn't even know. She was more than grateful for the sacrifices they were making. More importantly, she was thankful they had trusted her story enough to make such sacrifices. She kept quiet until hearing what sounded like water crashing over stone. Birdpaw's ears flicked from side to side when she recognized the sound.

"We're here," she whispered to Blizzardwind, not missing the look of surprise flashing within her eyes. Everyone stopped at that. Birdpaw felt her body tense when she noticed they weren't alone. She glanced up, realizing that another cat was glaring down at them.

"Indeed you are," the tabby tom growled.

Dread swept through Birdpaw when she realized they were being surrounded. More Tribe cats were emerging from their hiding places, cold eyes gleaming with malice. Flamestrike's claws unsheathed as he glared back at a light gray she-cat, who was getting too close for comfort.

"You're trespassing on Tribe territory," another cat snarled, the venom in his voice enough to send shivers through Birdpaw.

They're going to take us all, she realized with a start.

"Look, you're the ones who took SkyClan as captives," Flamestrike snapped. The tabby tom's gaze fell upon Birdpaw, and she stiffened when she understood the meaning behind his piercing gaze. He knew that she was with SkyClan at the time they had scattered, and were taken.

"We took them because they were trespassing on our territory!" the tabby tom retorted, lips curling in the beginnings of a snarl, "And, you were lucky enough to escape."

More like cowardly, she thought, closing her eyes for a moment. She almost wished she could have stuck with her Clanmates when they were taken. Birdpaw knew that any apprentice would have been bold enough to stay with their Clan and protect them at all costs.

"Take them."

Faster than Birdpaw could react, the Tribe cats launched themselves at them. Her senses went on haywire as she heard caterwauls all around her. The last thing she saw before blacking out was the same tabby tom from before, glaring daggers at her.

...

"Birdpaw... Birdpaw, wake up!"

It took a few heartbeats for her senses to return to normal. Birdpaw noticed with a start that it was dark. The ground underpaw felt cold and rough. As she finally regained her vision, she found herself surrounded by familiar faces. Her heart nearly skipped a beat when she realized they were her Clanmates. A black and white shape nearly crushed her with a welcoming nuzzle, and, Birdpaw suddenly wished that this moment could last forever.

"Mother! I was so worried that they... that they hurt you," she whispered, relishing the warmth of her mother's touch.

"I know," her mother whispered as she licked her between the ears, "I've missed you, so much, Birdpaw."

For a moment, Birdpaw felt as if things were finally back to normal. That was until she spotted Flamestrike and the rest of the other Clan cats gathered around them. Her heart sank even lower when she understood the situation they were all in. Everyone looked torn and battered, as if the Tribe cats had fought them off with every ounce of willpower.

"Birdpaw, I am grateful that you made it out alive." She stiffened at the sound of Emberstar's voice. The ginger tom looked at her warmly, and Birdpaw tried not to duck her head in embarrassment, "That you came back with reinforcement tells me you've grown since we left the gorge."

"Thank you, Emberstar," she replied, trying to keep her voice from sounding shaken. She noticed with a start that the other apprentices who managed to escape and get recaptured were there, as well. They were huddled together in a group, along with the rest of the captured Clans, "But, I couldn't have done this alone without them."

"I know." Emberstar turned his gaze towards the others. Birdpaw glanced at them; she never wanted them to put their lives in danger for a Clan they didn't even know. "Listen, I am sorry for dragging you all into this. I understand it could not have been easy, finding this place."

"You're telling me," Reedriver muttered, glaring daggers at the SkyClan leader.

"Look, what happened to make the Tribe so angry?" Oakfire intervened, shooting Reedriver a warning look.

StarClan, don't let them start fighting, now! Birdpaw begged silently. The last thing they needed was another argument.

"We were only trying to find the Clans living by the lake," Emberstar explained as Birdpaw sat beside her mother. She could feel the worried gazes of Spruceleaf and Flamestrike boring through her, "When we arrived on the mountains, the Tribe ambushed us."

That was putting it mildly. Birdpaw knew that things couldn't have gotten any worse, at this point. If she had thought ahead of time, she could have prevented any of this from happening. The problem was, she realized that she couldn't do any of this on her own. She was only an apprentice, after all.

"So, the Tribe just assumed you were trespassing and took you without warning," Acorntail growled.

"I believe it is more than that." Birdpaw glanced at Dewspots in surprise as the medicine cat dipped her head to Blizzardwind in acknowledgement. Blizzardwind looked as if she had suffered the most injuries, and, Birdpaw found her heart sinking even further when she realized why. "The Tribe wouldn't just attack us unless there was a reason for it. The leader of the Tribe gave orders to attack us."

Birdpaw stiffened at that. Unease swept through her as she understood what Dewspots meant.

"So, the leader of the Tribe basically went mad and decided to attack the Clans?" Stormshadow guessed.

"Something along those lines," Emberstar nodded.

"Whatever the case, we need to put a stop to it." Birdpaw eyed Spruceleaf in surprise when she spoke up. "This... this was never meant to happen. The Tribe has always been our ally."

"Spruceleaf is right," Flamestrike put in, stepping forward as he stood before her, "Something tells me that not all of the Tribe will be willing to follow their leader's orders."

Birdpaw's eyes lit with understanding. If they could find enough cats to turn against their leader, they might have enough allies to back them up.

"Even if we were able to find enough Tribe cats to stand with us, how do we know they will be willing to fight back?" Oakfire asked warily.

"Because they don't want this anymore than we do," Birdpaw replied, earning looks of surprise from everyone. "We can do this."

Emberstar looked at Birdpaw thoughtfully when he noticed how much she had changed since she left the Clan. Birdpaw felt a small sense of pride surge through her, especially when she caught the look her mother was giving her. Something told her the Tribe would be willing to fight back against their leader, if they were given the choice.

"Very well," he sighed with a shake of his head. "Birdpaw," he flicked his tail, gesturing for her to approach him. She lifted her chin and did just that, feeling apprehensive over what he was asking of her, "They switch guards every now and than, like they're on a schedule. Older cats are asked to bring meager rations of prey for us; I'm willing to bet if you and your friends talk to them, you can figure out whether or not they're for or against their leader."

She gave a meek nod at that, knowing that a lot of what happened from here on depended on her choices.

"I'll do what I can to help," she whispered, feeling the weight of responsibility on her shoulders, already.

"Thank you, Birdpaw," Emberstar dipped his head before touching her forehead with his muzzle. "I know this task is anything but easy, but, I also know that you are capable of it, and so much more."

He's putting so much faith in me, she thought, her heart weighing down at the realization. I hope I can live up to what he wishes.

"But, she's just an apprentice!" Birdpaw stiffened at the sound of Ebonypaw's voice. The dark black she-cat just glared at her, "And barely an apprentice, at that!"

"Enough, Ebonypaw," Emberstar snapped, shooting her a piercing stare that caused her to flinch. Birdpaw noticed with a start that she too looked as if she'd been badly injured. Most of her injuries had been treated, but, there were obvious signs of scars. "Birdpaw will work with the cats she brought with her. She knows how to work with them."

Once again, Birdpaw nodded in understanding. Her gaze fell upon Spruceleaf, Flamestrike and Reedriver. All three of them seemed to understand what Emberstar meant by that. For whatever reason, StarClan had brought them together. And, Birdpaw knew that they needed to bring the five Clans together, one way or another.