Chapter 1 - Exile
Fireheart felt like his fur was about to fall out from stress. For all his life spent in the clans, this might be the time that he would get exiled from the clan.
Ever since he was young, it seemed like he was always the center of attention. As an apprentice, he had fed a Shadowclan cat before his own clan, had Bluestar as his mentor, helped defeat Brokenstar, and became warriors before Dustpelt and Sandstorm. Even as a warrior, the attention didn't end. He brought home Windclan with Graystripe, fed Riverclan when their camp was flooded, and even fought off Tigerclaw when he tried to kill his foster mother, Bluestar. Breaking the warrior code was Fireheart's specialty, albeit always for the greater good.
The aftermath of these events was always in Fireheart's favor, but he feared that things might not go his way this time. Dogs had been hunting near Snakerocks for the past couple of moons, and despite telling Bluestar about the dogs, she was utterly convinced that Windclan was responsible. To prevent such an unnecessary battle from happening, Fireheart had traveled to Windclan territory and told Tallstar about the situation. Such an act was essentially treason against Thunderclan, and many leaders past and present would likely argue for Fireheart's exile. However, Fireheart risked it regardless. He didn't want his clanmates to be in danger of dying in a pointless battle, especially when Tigerstar was still in the forest.
Consequently, if his plan failed and Bluestar led Thunderclan to battle, Windclan would know all about it, and Fireheart would effectively put the lives of his clan mates in extreme danger.
Fireheart gripped the dirt beneath his paws. He watched in anticipation as Bluestar and Tallstar negotiated. The four great oaks towered above him as stars sparkled in the sky.
Starclan, please be with me! Fireheart thought.
Bluestar's tail lashed ferociously as she talked with Tallstar.
"By all that you hold sacred, I swear that Windclan has not stolen prey from Thunderclan," meowed Tallstar.
"And how are we supposed to believe that?" questioned Bluestar.
"Because we too have suffered from a lack of prey. Someone or something is taking our prey as well, and we suspect either rogues or dogs. However, I can assure you that it is not Windclan."
"And are we supposed to believe the words coming out of your mouth? You can't deny that you haven't stolen from Thunderclan. Besides, you've attempted to intervene in Thunderclan affairs before when you stopped me from going to the moonstone, so how am I supposed to trust you now?" spat Bluestar.
"Mudclaw was only acting in the best interests of the clan," responded Tallstar.
"I had a right to go! I had assumed that Windclan would be more honorable when Thunderclan brought you home, but it surprises me how petty your clan can be, Tallstar."
"You still hold that debt over us? We have no obligation to be under the paw of Thunderclan for a favor long in the past."
"Then the least you could do is stop stealing prey from our territory."
A multitude of hisses and howls in defiance erupted from the Windclan cats, but Tallstar raised his tail for silence. His expression remained neutral.
"Perhaps some proof would reassure you then. Onewhisker, bring the prey," demanded Tallstar.
The Windclan cats made way for a cat with a mangled rabbit in his jaws. He padded up to Bluestar and gently laid out the evidence in front of her.
"See? It's mangled. Do you think a warrior from one of the clans would disrespect the life of prey given to us by Starclan like this? It must've been either a dog or a rogue," commented Tallstar.
"Don't speak of Starclan to me! Starclan does not care about our lives. For all they've done, they may as well have done this themselves," countered Bluestar.
Shocked mewls rippled throughout the cats present, and even Tallstar was taken aback. Fireheart quickly padded up to Bluestar to divert the conversation back on topic.
"Bluestar, please reconsider. We didn't detect Windclan's scent on those prey. It couldn't have bee-"
"Silence!" boomed Bluestar.
"But Windclan isn't responsible!" cried out Fireheart.
"You should show more respect to your leader, Fireheart," reprimanded Tallstar. He turned to address Bluestar. "Young cats always think they know everything, but maybe we should try listening to the younger ones," suggested Tallstar.
Bluestar stayed silent for a moment. The tension was palpable until Bluestar spoke up again.
"…Alright. We'll withdraw for now. However, if we see any Windclan cats trespassing on our territory, it'll be your blood that spills," threatened Bluestar.
Tallstar bowed his head. "Duly noted."
"Thunderclan, we're returning!"
At once, the Thunderclan patrol followed Bluestar back towards the camp. Fireheart followed in silence, but deep inside he couldn't help but feel thankful to Starclan. It was the result he had been hoping for.
The camp entrance rustled as the returning patrol poured in. Several cats still awake gathered around to inquire what happened at the meeting. Cinderpelt limped over to check for any injuries.
"It's alright, Cinderpelt," meowed Fireheart. "We didn't fight."
"That's always good news. Mousefur sent Brackenfur and some others on a patrol."
"I see. I'll lead a hunting patrol to get more prey."
"No you won't," Bluestar spoke from behind.
"Bluestar, I-"
"In my den. Now."
Fireheart looked back at Cinderpelt, who only gave him a reassuring nod, before following Bluestar into her den, terrified of the consequences to come. He braced himself as Bluestar situated herself on her bed, paws tucked in.
"Tell me, Fireheart. You planned this, didn't you?" questioned Bluestar.
Fireheart flinched at her bluntness.
"I-I'm not sure what you me—"
"Don't play dumb with me. You may think I've lost my mind, but I'm more awake now than I've ever been. Starclan betrays me, my clan is full of traitors, and you go behind my back to plan the meeting between us and Windclan with Ravenpaw, right?"
"We- but- I… I did it for the clan, Bluestar."
"You did it for a group of traitors! You betrayed your mother for a group of rats!"
"They are not rats! They're your clan members, your family. You are their trusted leader!" exclaimed Fireheart.
"They would betray me at the first sign of trouble. Overthrow me with the slightest hint of ambition, just like Tigerclaw. They all blindly follow the will of Starclan, those foolish ancestors that wish to destroy my life. I thought you would be different," rambled Bluestar.
"But I am different. Your whole clan is different! We're not a bunch of traitors, but your loyal family. We fight and protect one another to preserve our way of life and our kin. We would even die to protect you!"
"How foolish, Fireheart," meowed Bluestar, half-mumbling. "I know how you all see me. I've seen the looks. You all think I've gone crazy because I think Starclan is against us. This clan's so overzealous in their faith that they don't see the insanity of who they're worshipping. If Starclan demanded my death, the clans would obey without question. Don't you see? There's only blind obedience here. There's no loyalty. No honor. Nothing. Not in Darkstripe. Not in Longtail. Not in Tallstar, Cinderpelt, Graystripe, Sandsto-"
"That's enough!" shouted Fireheart. His fur began to rise, and Bluestar took a couple of steps back into the den, startled.
"I've had enough of you ridiculing my friends. My family. My life! They've been loyal to you since they were born into the clan, and all you've done is spit in their face! They're only trying to do what's best for the clan, despite the rising tensions with the other clans. They're trying to make the best of their lives right now, no matter what threat comes our way."
Bluestar stepped forward having gathered herself. She faced Fireheart directly, hackles raised.
"Your life? What about my life? I had to throw away everything I cared for at the behest of Starclan. I lost my kit, my sister, and my mate because Starclan wanted me to be the leader. And what do I get to be the leader of? A bunch of back-stabbing mouse-dung traitors!"
"Tigerclaw was the only traitor! No one else has aimed for your life since! We're all loyal to you, Bluestar."
"And yet, I get betrayed by the one cat I thought to have trusted the most today. My own son."
"I did what's best for the clan. I did it because I knew it wasn't Windclan, and unnecessary blood was about to be spilled!"
"You still betrayed me! Your own mother!"
"I didn't betray anybody!"
"You're a traitor, just like the rest of this clan."
"You're the traitor!" roared Fireheart. Bluestar stumbled back at the strength of Fireheart's voice.
"I've tried my absolute hardest to cover the fact that you can't even seem to think straight right now from the rest of the clan, but I'm the traitor? You don't even accomplish the basic tasks of a leader anymore. You sit in your den and mope about a bygone event. Tigerclaw is now Tigerstar of Shadowclan. He's become the biggest threat to the forest, and we need your guidance now more than ever. But what do you do? You call all of us traitors and abandon us! You're the biggest traitor here!"
Fireheart was panting by the end of his rant. His fur had risen to its highest point. Bluestar watched him in silence, shock and horror enveloping her facial expression. Fireheart looked down to see that his claws had unsheathed and quickly sheathed them back.
"I… I didn't mean to… do that," reassured Fireheart unconvincingly.
Both cats stared at each other in silence. Neither moved for what seemed like an eternity. Eventually, Bluestar's expression darkened, and Fireheart immediately felt small again.
"Perhaps you're right. Maybe I have neglected my leadership duties."
Fireheart felt a chill run along his spine as Bluestar stood up and padded closer to him.
"Bluestar, I- I didn't mean to shout, I just-"
"Silence."
Bluestar's tail lashed from side to side.
"What punishment do you think you deserve, Fireheart?"
"...I don't know."
"Oh please. I know you're smarter than that. What punishment should I give to a traitor like you?"
"...exile."
"Then by the glorious powers of Starclan, I sentence you to exile," meowed Bluestar.
Fireheart felt his soul rip out of him at those words. His legs nearly failed him as he took a couple of steps back.
"Bluestar… Mom, please don't exile me," begged Fireheart.
"This is your punishment. You are no longer a member of this clan. And… you are no longer my son," meowed Bluestar.
Fireheart waited and hoped for a change in her decision, but the Bluestar's unfazed look fleeted his remaining hopes.
"I understand," meowed Fireheart. He dipped his head to her and padded out of the den.
Fireheart's tail dragged across the ground as he headed for the entrance. Most of the other cats seemed to be out on patrol, which he felt eternally grateful for. The last thing he wanted was for someone he was close with to see him like this.
However, his hopes were shattered as a familiar voice called out from behind him.
"Fireheart!"
Fireheart begrudgingly turned and saw Cinderpelt limp over to him.
"What happened with Bluestar? Is everything alright?" she asked.
"I… yeah, everything's alright," reassured Fireheart.
"Are you sure? You look almost sick. Did something happen?"
Fireheart hated to lie to Cinderpelt, but he couldn't muster up the courage to tell her what happened.
"No, everything's okay. I just need some… fresh air. I'll be fine."
Cinderpelt sighed.
"Well, alright then. Come find me in my den if you want to tell me later. Maybe I can give you some poppy seeds later tonight for easier sleep."
"Thank you, Cinderpelt."
Fireheart bowed to Cinderpelt and padded out of the camp. As he got further away from camp, he increasingly picked up his pace. All he wanted was to curl up somewhere, fall asleep, and shut himself out of the world, but he needed to get out of the territory before any patrol saw him.
I can sleep later. I need to figure out where to go first.
Fireheart pelted through the forest, carefully checking now and then for signs of patrols or hunting parties. He headed south in the opposite direction of Shadowclan territory and found the river at Sunningrocks. Sticking to the trees to avoid detection, he eventually found himself at the border, where a stretch of vast plains lay before him. The river ran between the hills to an unknown destination.
Looking behind him and the Thunderclan territory, Fireheart closed his eyes to breathe in the forest's scents. He pondered if there was perhaps still a way he could stay behind, maybe even as a rogue of Thunderclan. However, he quickly quelled those thoughts.
I've already broken the code and betrayed Bluestar once. I shouldn't do it again. Besides, once it comes out to the rest of the clan that I've been exiled, they'll be keeping a lookout for me. I can't stay.
Fireheart bid his farewell to the forest one last time before racing alongside the river.
Goodbye, Thunderclan.
In the leader's den, Bluestar stared at the old scratches on the walls. She held a blank expression, and her whole body felt numb. She looked frailer than ever before, weak enough to be pushed over by a gust of wind.
"Are you happy now, Starclan?"
Bluestar dragged herself to her bed and slumped into the moss, mulling over her thoughts.
I've truly lost everything.
A/N: This chapter may have been a little short and rushed, but I plan on expanding the chapters more as we get further from the clans since I feel like everyone already knows about the clans anyway. I added a little reference from the fanfiction: "Fireheart, Rogue of Thunderclan" by Zinico because it's a favorite of mine, but I wish the author continued it ;( Anyway, thank you for reading, and criticism is always appreciated.