Disclaimer - Warriors & most characters belong to Erin Hunter. Plot and some characters belong to moi.
Desperate cries filled the air as Sandstorm and her company flew into battle. It seemed that all the warriors from both Shadowclan and Riverclan had come, and they were winning. Fur was literally flying. Everything was a blur of movement, screams and yowls of orders were coming from all over. Graystripe battled Leopardstar fiercely, while Thornclaw and Brightheart worked together to fight Blackstar.
"The nursery!" Yowled Ferncloud above the fighting warriors. As she batted away her opponent she was able to see a the dark ginger form of Shadowclan's deputy, Russetfur reaching her paw into the nursery. Ferncloud had only time to yowl once more when she was knocked away by a Riverclan warrior.
It was only by chance that Whitepaw had heard Ferncloud's desperate call. She left Shrewpaw's side, having to believe that the other apprentance would be able to take on Talonpaw alone. She crept up to where Russetfur was busily trying to grab at the kits who seemed to have retreated to the back of the den. She tried not to panic as she saw how much larger the she-cat was and flung herself as the Shadowclan deputy, burying her sharp claws in the warrior's fur.
But it wasn't good enough, Thunderclan could not keep the many warriors from combined clans at bay long. Mosspelt barreled forward past Russetfur and Whitepaw. His claws extended as she charge full into the den. Shrieks from desperate kits could be heard and soon were quieted. Countless Thunderclan warriors tried to break away from their opponents and get to the den, a shriek could be heard from the crowd as Stormfur brought out the bloodied bodies of two small kits, Larchkit and Wetkit.
Firestar's eyes were closed and his body unbelievably still. He was sitting and it looked as though he'd fallen asleep in the sitting position. Seven cats crowded around him anxiously, not sure what was happening to him. Squirrlepaw let out a relieved sigh as Firestar's eyes opened, but she was once again nervous when she saw apparent worry in his green eyes.
"We have to hurry, Thunderclan is being attacked!" Firestar said, he leapt to his paws with no regards for the others and sped away. The clan cats were quick to follow and soon the 'wild' cats even decided to join, not exactly sure what Firestar was talking about.
They sped all the way back from the way they came, eventually they had to slow down when it came to the roads and yards of two legs, but they hurried none the less. It was only when they reached the forest when Bane, Storm and Shadow stopped.
"Firestar, what is going on here?" Bane asked, looking at the tom.
"My clan is in trouble and they need by help." He hissed. "I have no time for questioning, come or go, whatever you please!" Then he was off again, his clanmates following after their leader. Bane's eyes narrowed before she looked and both Storm and Shadow.
"Come on, why not?" Shadow said, smirking as she flicked her tail. She bounded after the Thunderclan cats, both Storm and Bane following after her. Stopping once and a while to make sure they had the right scent.
When they did reach the gorse tunnel they stopped, the scent of Thunderclan was strong, so was blood. They knew this must be Firestar's home, this was the scent he'd carried with him ever since they'd first met him. Slowly they padded in, not sure what to expect.
They saw cats, all of them seemed to be bloody and bruised. Bane could pick out Firestar's tattered orange coat as he bent over the body of a cat. Two others looked with him, one dark gray, the other a light brown tabby. After a moment Firestar turned away, he caught Bane's eyes and nodded before going to the center of the clearing, cats turned their heads to look at him.
"Cats of Thunderclan," He said weakly. "we have just been brutally attacked by two clans, and I could not be prouder of this clan for defending your clan like you did." Firestar paused and took a deep breath. "Let us remember those we have lost tonight, Rainwhisker, Darkclaw, Ashfur, Shrewpaw, Larchkit, Wetkit, Barchkit, Stripekit and just now," He stopped, as though he could not say anymore. He looked over to Cinderpelt who urged him on with grief clouded eyes. "Brightheart has died."
"No!" Yowled two voices at the same time. The loudest had to be a long haired white male who'd leapt to his paws and fled over to his mate's side. Whitepaw got up after her father, eyes wide with shock, sadness, but also, anger. She cast a glance around before padding wearily over to her mother's resting place. The other cats looked around, too shocked and grief ridden to move or make a noise.
"But friends, she will be remembered by us all." Firestar said, not able to look any cat in the eye. A spark of hope flashed in his eyes before saying. "She gave her life though, for two others. Her kits, Lightkit and Spiritkit. We must not, we cannot let this defeat make us weak. Now, rest, eat and check with Cinderpelt or Leafpaw for your wounds."
Firestar turned, others were quiet for a moment before one by one they went to mourn the loss each cat that had been killed. Bane, Shadow and Storm sat far off, listening, watching in amazement. No one noticed them, no one cared. Firestar approached them and said. "Thank you, I think we can handle it."
Bane was about to say something but couldn't. She swallowed and nodded and watched Firestar pad over to a pretty pale ginger she-cat. The leaned into each other and Bane knew Firestar would be fine. She turned and nodded to Storm and Shadow. Neither of them wanted to go back home. They'd witnessed probably one of the most saddening, but beautiful things they'd ever seen in a long time. But before they left they heard Firestar call.
"Cats of Thunderclan, I have one more announcement." Cats stopped and looked at him, those who'd made it to the dens dutifully came out to look at him. Only Cloudtail could not take his eyes off his dead mate and newborn kits. "Leo Ginger, come forth. I have seen in this cat loyalty, courage and strength and her eagerness to protect a clan that was not originally hers. Leo Ginger, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Came the strong clear answer from the ginger and white she-cat.
"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your warrior name, Gingerheart. Starclan honors your loyalty and faith and we now welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." She licked his shoulder in thanks and looked around startled as a surprisingly strong welcoming yowl rose up from all around her. The ginger and white cat nodded, after so many moons, she was finally home.
That my dear reviewers in the end. Short yes, but I thought it was pretty appropriate. Especially if I think I might want to do a sequel. But it all depends on what you guys want. I'll just leave and start with a new idea or make a sequel.
Anyway, thanks for all of you that have hung in here with me as I tried to finish this fic and make it as best as I can. I promise this won't be my last.