Chapter 4

Brackenpaw cocked his head a little. He had heard of this warrior, but not the whole story. So this was his father. He was now satisfied, he finally knew the true identity of his father. Now he had another mission, he wants to find out how his father died, he wants to know everything about his father.

"Thank you Clawface. I'm glad you told me his name." Brackenpaw dipped his head.

"You'll make a fine warrior." Clawface complimented, he turned away and trotted across Thunderpath.

Back at camp, Brackenpaw was searching for Bluestar. He went into her den, she was sitting there talking with Tigerclaw. A cold chill ran down his spine as he stared into Tigerclaw's eyes. He turned back towards Bluestar and gulped.

"Yes Brackenpaw?" She looked over at him, her blue eyes showed no anger, just tranquility.

"I have a question to ask." Brackenpaw said. "Thistleclaw, who was he?" he asked.

A bit stunned by the question, Bluestar looked up at Tigerclaw. She turned her head towards the young apprentice and took a deep breathe. "I guess it's time you know the truth. He was a great warrior, nice, strong and very loving. But he was also power-thirsty, he wanted more territory, he was all four clans to be under his rule, he wanted--"

Before she could finish, Tigerclaw padded out of her den. "I'm going hunting." He muttered without turning back to look as Bluestar. Then h disappeared.

"As I was saying, he was power-thirsty. He wanted to be deputy but I thought I was better suited for the role. He was furious after that. He soon convinced some of the warriors that they should take over Riverclan, they tried but it failed. During that battle Thistleclaw killed a cat, and another cat killed him. That's his story." She explained.

Brackenpaw nodded his head. "He was my father, wasn't he?"

Bluestar's eyes widened, it was obvious she didn't want Brackenpaw to know. But after a few heartbeats, she nodded her head slowly.

"Thank you Bluestar, I'm glad I know about my father." He dipped his head politely and walked away. Before he could leave the den Bluestar called him.

"I know you won't follow in his foot steps. You'll be a better warrior than him, you'll achieve more with your kind heart." She meowed.

Without responding, he walked out. He was starting to regret about finding the truth about his father.

"Maybe I should tell Cinderpaw." He mumbled to himself.

He trotted over to the medicine cat's den. He saw Yellowfang attending to an elder. Brackenpaw slowly walked over to Yellowfang.

"Excuse me, do you know where Cinderpaw is?" he asked.

"She went to go collect herbs." Yellowfang responded. "When you find her could you tell her to bring back some more cobwebs, Darkstripe has a few scratches."

Brackenpaw nodded, he dashed off to find his sister. He found her collecting seeds and berries. When she saw Brackenpaw approaching, she shouted with glee. She ran over to him, she was slower now with her injured leg but she still had the same personality.

"Brackenpaw! I finally found the place where I belong!" she mewed.

"Really?" he was surprised, she did seem more happy than usually. After her accident she was sad for awhile.

"I'm going to be a medicine cat apprentice!"

Brackenpaw stepped back. He was stunned. If she was going to become a medicine cat, she would never have kits, she would never sleep in the warriors den with him. This is when Brackenpaw realized that he was going down a different road.

They were going downs two different roads.

"That's great." He meowed. He tried to sound happy.

"Yes, isn't this great? I love it. I'm going to be the best medicine cat ever!" she bragged.

"Well, I hope you will be. I'm counting on you to tend my wounds when I get injured." He meowed. He pressed his nose against hers. He knew from now on things were not going to be the same.

Brackenpaw was alone now. He knew he had to go down the road he was destined for. He was destined to be a warrior and his sister was destined to be a medicine cat.

Then Brackenpaw remembered the original reason why he came here. He wanted to tell Cinderpaw who their father was. But she was so happy at the moment, she could probably care less about who her father was. This information might have ruined her day.

Brackenpaw decided to keep this a secret, it's better if Cinderpaw doesn't find out. The young golden-brown tom helped his sister picked herbs and carried them back.

"I wish I could tell you who our father was, but you're so happy, so kind hearted, I know if I tell you I might ruin this feeling. I'm sorry Cinderpaw, but I think it's for the best." He thought.

"Thistleclaw, my father, I'm not going to follow your paw prints, you power-thirsty fool. I'm never going to be like you. Never."

The truth has been discovered. Next chapter: Brackenpaw becomes a warrior...alone. Cinderpaw goes toMothermouth to become a Medicine cat apprentice. Will Cinderpelt's and Brackenfur's relationship drift farther apart? Find out in the next chapter!