Just as they return to camp they see Bluestar, Lionheart, and Redtail with their apprentice waiting for them. Tigerclaw merely gestures to the fresh-kill pile where Firepaw padded over with his jaw full of prey. He caught two mouse, a rabbit, one squirrel, and Tigerclaw carried his crow in as well.
"Now that you`re here explain what were you doing," Bluestar demanded annoyance clear in her voice. Tigerclaw dip his head respectful to hide the triumph in his eyes
"I was testing young Firepaw skills. As you can see he already a decide hunter. Once he grows into his paws and learns the territory he`ll be an apprentice the clan would be proud of. He certainly not a fresh out of the nurse's kit. Better than our current apprentices, not quite a warrior just yet."
Tigerclaw reported his finding which was surprisingly was true. He had thought that Firepaw would know nothing about hunting in a forest. He lost some prey due to not knowing the land and being slightly unsteady on his paw. When he was fully grow even his size won`t get in the way.
"That high praise coming from you Tigerclaw. But let no push him he still six moons old. Let him learn with his age mates like intended." Redtail said giving Tigerclaw a curious yet wary glance. Tigerclaw doesn`t give apprentices a second thought he knew what kind of cat Tigerclaw was. Redtail didn`t want another battle hunger cat like Tigerclaw. He needs to be careful with Firepaw if he was the prophecy cat sent by Starclan.
"We would decide this at a later moment. For now, you all will be going on a border patrol around the territory." Bluestar said
Firepaw was sent on a border patrol with Tigerclaw, Ravenpaw, Redtail, Lionheart, Dustpaw, and Graypaw. Though he likes the chance to see his new territory he hated being treated like a kit it was something he despises. Graypaw and Ravenpaw were playing around like kits were not helping. Even the more serious Dustpaw has kit-like moments as well when spoken to Redtail. Firepaw held back a snarl they should be acting like mature cats, not kit. They were heading toward Sunningrocks after seeing the rest of the territory. Now the bigger problem was this territory seems too small to him they need to increase the border.
"This is Sunningrocks. Riverclan and Thunderclan have been fighting over these rock for generations so you must always stay guard." Redtail was said
"Why? What so special about these rocks?" Firepaw asked not understanding the significance in these rocks.
" Sunningrocks use to be in the river, and only Riverclan could reach it that why they feel entitled to these rocks. Now that the river change course it makes a better hunting ground for Thunderclan." Redtail explains to Firepaw as the others apprentice seems to already know this.
"If you so worry about the prey, and territory why not sent a patrol to gain more? I hadn`t seen a single fish in the fresh-kill pile. Yet there a stem running near the Sandy hollow fill with fish. Also, when do we take over a fight over the other side of the river? Then we wouldn`t have to worry about Riverclan coming into our territory." Firepaw ranted none of this made sense to him.
"We leave the fishing to Riverclan. Who would want to eat fish anyway?" Graypaw said confused at the thought of eating a fish.
"Graypaw, you need to remember that prey and territory don`t come easy. You must see everything in the territory as a chance to survive. Every bit of prey and herbs we have are limit which is why we can`t turn down anything" Firepaw said it surprises the group at how mature Firepaw sounded. Realistically they knew he was trained as a kit, but they didn`t believe he would act like a mentor.
"You make a very good point Firepaw. However, the only cats who can swim are Riverclan. Thunderclan has no use for Riverclan territory. Besides, it would not be productive to steal other clan's main source of food from them." Redtail informs he was starting to believe that Firepaw would turn out more like Tigerclaw if something wasn`t done. At first Redtail through that Firepaw not being a former kittypet would bring good fortune to the clan. Now him not being sheltered make him just as ambition and a dangerous foe to have.
"Why should we worry about other clans when Thunderclan needs to eat. Think about it Redtail we weaken them enough they`ll beg for their river back. We`ll grant that their wish and exchange they never step paw of Sunningrocks ever again." Tigerclaw said as he started to plan a way to convince Bluestar to sent a battle patrol to Riverclan.
"Enough Tigerclaw. We won't another clan rights to prey. That is not the warrior way." Redtail state firmly
"It seems like your loyalties are elsewhere Redtail. You're the deputy of Thunderclan yet you seem more worried about Riverclan. The clan who always taking our hunting ground just so they can sleep here. It makes me think that once you become the leader you give Sunningrock over to Riverclan, and let us starve!" Tigerclaw snarl
Redtail snarl back furious at the accusation. After everything, he does help the clan to protect them. Tigerclaw will always question his loyalties for not following him. Redtail noting how all the apprentices seem to be wary yet none defended him. Even Dustpaw his own apprentice looks thoughtful as though he agrees with Tigerclaw. Lionheart hesitated as though not wanting the fighting to start, but also not willing to step in.
"Stop! Both of you I smell Riverclan. Greypaw you had no battle training yet go get reinforcement from camp." Lionheart getting ready to fight. Just as Graypaw ran off they could see Riverclan cats swimming over the shore.
"Oakheart, this Thunderclan territory leave now." Redtail snarl all his angry at Tigerclaw coming out aim toward the Riverclan deputy.
"Not after today Redtail. This would be just another Riverclan hunting ground." Oakheart snarl the larger dark reddish-brown tom made an intimidated opponent.
Redtail didn`t believe this was a fight that Thunderclan could win. They had two apprentices with barely any battle training. He didn`t know anything about Firepaw and didn`t know if he would fight for Thunderclan or not. There was eight fully train warrior vs three train Thunderclan cat. A coup of apprentice and one rouge. Not good odd.
"Thunderclan re- "Redtail started but was interrupted
"Attack Thunderclan!" Tigerclaw yowl charger forward with Firepaw on his tail. The other apprentices follow eagerly to battle. With no other choice Lionheart and Redtail charge as well.
Firepaw charges a large grey tom that reminded him of Bluestar. The tom seems surprised but meets the young tom head on. Firepaw stops in use the moment to side under the grey tom. The moves stun the tom as Firepaw use his hind-legs to kick him in the stomach claws unsheathed to throw him away. Firepaw presses the attack pounce on him bite on his ruff pining him down. He racks his hind-legs down his back then Fiepaw draw his claw on the tom as well drawing a pain fill yowl out of the tom. Then a body slams into him and knocks him off of the tom. Firepaw quickly claws the cat who threw him off. It was the Riverclan deputy who looks furious and protected.
"No Thunderclan cats will ever harm a fur on his pelt." Oakheart snarl lunching at him Oakheart only to be intercepted by Tigerclaw. Firepaw looks around to see who need his help. Ravenpaw had two warriors after him and seem to struggle. The warrior Tigerclaw was facing already swim away. Fire launch himself on a back of a larger RiverClan biting into his neck. Firepaw uses his weight to tip the tom landing on his side and clawing at the tom back. Firepaw only goes when he hears an auger cry struggling to get away. The tom ran toward the river not heisting to jump in. Firepaw then turns toward the she-cat Ravenpaw was still fighting he ponce on her. Firepaw pins her to the ground clawing at her flaw drawing blood. She yowls in struggle way as well running with blood drip down her flaw. Firepaw turns to Ravenpaw and flickers his tail to Dustpaw who was being overwhelm himself.
"Help Dustpaw. I`ll help Redtail. Go now!" Firepaw nearly growls as Ravenpaw look to protest. Ravenpaw hesitated then immediately turn to help Dustpaw.
Firepaw turns to Redtail fighting with Oakheart now he sees Tigerclaw chasing the grey tom way. Firepaw sees Oakheart and Redtail rolling toward a mount that looks shaky at best. Firepaw being near rock terrain long enough to know when fighting near one was a bad idea. He races toward the fight toms yellow for them to stop fighting. As he races forward he heard Bluestar battle call in stop
"Thunderclan attack!" Bluestar yowled
"Bluestar you need to stop their fight! "Firepaw
"Go back to camp Firepaw" Bluestar
Firepaw ignores her resuming his race toward the fighting desperate to get there. Firepaw ran as fast as he could not stopping even as he slams into both of the toms pushing them out of the way. Just in time to as the rockslide crush down just a tail length from him. Firepaw panted finally collapse to the ground to catch his breath as his ear ring a bit. Finally, he heard the desperate calls of both clan as they call for the warriors then Tigerclaw was there pushing aside Redtail. Tigerclaw nudges Firepaw muzzle with his own as Firepaw struggle to get up Tigerclaw bit into his sniff as he as carrier Firepaw out into the open. As Tigerclaw set him down and started licking his shoulder he realizes it was bleeding. It must have been caught there by a flinging claw from one of the toms.
The two clans were no longer fighting thankful too he was still dizzied to fight. Through the two clans seem to relive that they survive they still look at him and Tigerclaw strangely.
"I believe it not worth fighting another battle. Wouldn't you say Oakheart." Bluestar says with a strange look in her eye.
"Thank you young one I owe you a debt for my life. How did you know that the rocks would fall?" Oakheart asked after a heartbeat.
"I use near a mountain and learn when it was too unstable to fight near," Firepaw respond
Oakheart looked confused but nodded as he seems to realize that Firepaw scent was not one of Thunderclan but of a rouge. Oakheart gesture to his clan to retreat into the river.
Thunderclan quickly left back toward their own camp Firepaw and Tigerclaw bring up the rear as they talk
"Why did you save them? They could have died and I could be one step closer to being the leader."
"you`re only thinking one small step ahead Tigerclaw. I am thinking of the long game. Even if they were dead that won`t be guaranteed you to be deputy. When you question Redtail loyalty was part of my plan."
"Why was that import? Ever cats know I question Redtail loyalties at times. "Tigerclaw
"When I enter the forest it was mainly because I smelt a Thunderclan in my territory. They always visit the same cats when I asked them who it was they claim it was there farther. They said he was an import cat name Redtail.
"Took a mate outside our clan! Who? Where are those kits?"
"There kittypet. I could bring them here telling the clan I'm going getting the herbs I store in twolegplace. Come with me as an escort and we could bring the kits with us"
"How could you get them to come with us?" Tigerclaw asked already plan to the downfall of Redtail change of ever being a leader.
"They want to joint their farther and be wild cats. However, since he became deputy he told them they were too weak to live here. I found them, and train them as much as they want now their loyal only to me. I am sure the clan would love to know what their own deputy is up too." Firepaw said to bring up his own plan
"Well plan Firepaw. His mate and kit would raise the call for his position. With his loyalties question, even Dustpaw would want to follow his mentor. I have a better chance to take his place." Tigerclaw could already see his victory over Redtail. He couldn't wait to put Redtail in his place.
"They about apprentice age. After all, Bluestar herself said we need more apparent. Why not get two I train myself." Firepaw said with an innocent look.