The clouds Fireheart had been worried about through the night had cleared from the sky by morning, allowing Rayushu's blaze to warm the pelts of everyone below. He wasn't looking forward to the day the sun hid itself away through the night. Fireheart took the opportunity to wash himself in the warm sunlight- it was one of the few times he could be seen without his collar which was laying beside him. He pretended not to notice the curious and intrigued stares of the cats around him as he dragged his tongue over his back, paw resting on the fabric.

He smiled seeing Iliari come tumbling by from the nursery, bright eyed and happy. Thankfully he and Brindleface were right- it was just a chill and he'd recovered as if he'd never been feverish at all. He put his collar back on and crossed the clearing to his nephew.

"Orayeyasi Cloudkit," he greeted him.

His nephew skidded to a half, purring back, "Orayeyi!"

Elderkit tilted his head curiously and clumsily echoed the greeting much to Fireheart's purred praise and amusement. He was determined not to fail his sister and had ensured that Iliari was learning all the same things any kit in the kingdom would while the clan handled him knowing clan stuff. He was relieved his nephew was still so young- he was curious about everything Fireheart taught him but never questioned why he was different- why Fireheart was teaching specifically him.

He wasn't really hiding their relationship to each other- Brindleface had told him that he was Fireheart's nephew but the ginger warrior was fairly sure that Iliari hadn't made the connection that he wasn't clanborn.

"Are you feeling better?" Fireheart asked him.

"Yup!" he said brightly. "Elderkit is playing moss ball with me!"

"That's nice of him," Fireheart purred.

He watched Iliari send the moss ball flying towards Elderkit who batted it back to him without pulling it from the air. Iliari pounced on it, rolling on his back and smacked it. It went rolling across the ground and bumped into Fireheart. He chuckled and knocked it back towards the kits and Iliari moved back, leaping up and catching it in his teeth.

"Woah," said Elderkit. "That was so cool!"

"It was a very good leap," Fireheart agreed. "You'll be snatching birds from the air."

"Like Sandpaw?" Iliari asked excitedly.

"Like Sandpaw," Fireheart agreed with a nod.

HIs nephew puffed out his chest with pride and Elderkit hit the moss ball back to Fireheart. He smacked it over and this time, Elderkit lunged for it attempting to mimic Iliari's feat. It bounced off his muzzle and he fell to the ground, rolling to his paws pouting.

"I'll show you," said Iliari and hit the moss ball back to Fireheart who sent it flying once more.

He hit it a bit too hard and it soared towards the center of the clearing, Iliari pelting after it and gave a powerful leap grasping it in his mouth. He landed on his back with a muffled squeak of surprise, moss falling from his mouth and he tumbled backward from his momentum and smacked right into a long, dark foreleg.

Panic flooded Fireheart's body and he quickly leapt to his paws and walked over as calmly as he could manage to his nephew who was getting back to his paws by Tigerclaw. The dark warrior pushed his nephew closer to Fireheart and smacked the moss ball back towards the nursery.

"Be careful," he said walking around Fireheart. "You wouldn't want to lose such a precious plaything."

Fireheart watched him leave, his fur bristled as the tabby warrior's words sank in. Fireheart narrowed his eyes, following Tigerclaw's silhouette. He could've been talking about the moss ball but he was staring right at him. Fireheart bared his teeth for a short moment- but could he have meant that Iliari was a plaything to him? That Cinderpaw was a 'precious plaything' that Fireheart had lost?

He was barely in a present enough mindset to acknowledge his nephew and Elderkit bidding him goodbye as Brindleface called them back.

He glanced up at the sky, noting the sun at its highest peak and sighed. He didn't have time to dwell on Tigerclaw's possible double meanings- his patrol would be leaving soon. He did his best to shake off his anxiety and made his way to the gorse tunnel. He shot a longing expression to the empty fresh-kill pile- he'd have to catch something on the patrol if he wanted to eat. He slipped out and walked over to Mousefur, Brightpaw and Sandpaw who were all already waiting.

"Hi," he said, raising his tail.

"Hi," Sandpaw meowed back while Mousefur and Brightpaw nodded.

He'd just sat down when Whitestorm emerged from the tunnel behind him.

"Is the dawn patrol back yet?"

Mousefur shook her head about to say 'no,' but the bushes rustled and the dawn patrol led by Willowpelt stepped into view.

"We patrolled the RiverClan border," she informed. "No sign of any hunting parties but Bluestar said her patrol will be checking again this afternoon."

Whitestorm nodded at her, "Then we'll check the ShadowClan border,"

"Hopefully ShadowClan has the same sense as RiverClan has stays away," grumbled Darkstripe. "After last night's Gathering, they must know we're going to be looking for them."

"I hope so too," Whitestorm huffed and turned to his patrol. "Are you ready?"

When they nodded, he gave the tail signal for 'follow me' and pelted into the bushes. Fireheart suppressed his groan that they wouldn't be using any of the official trails and instead would be running straight through the middle of the forest. His deputy set a fast pace and every once in a while he stumbled trying to keep up the speed.

As he was making a mental note to focus on navigating through the center of the forest, the scent of ShadowClan filled his nose. He skidded to halt in shock- they weren't even at Snakerocks yet. How could ShadowClan be so bold?

"This scent is recent," Whitestorm growled. "I'd hoped that Nightstar would have a trace of honor. If this is not the work of a traitorous party, I'll help Bluestar lead the raid myself."

Fireheart took that as his cue and began sniffing through the bushes and bracken for more of the scent. As his teeth grazed the fronds and grass, the scent of ShadowClan began stirring a sense of familiarity. He'd encountered these warriors before but which one are they? He suddenly felt regret that he hadn't tried to get closer to any of the ShadowClan warriors at a Gathering since Littlepaw.

He pushed on hoping that the scent would maybe bring forth some memories when the scent of fresh-kill began to intermingle with the ShadowClan cats. He pushed forwards and glanced at the ground. A twinge of rage and disgust filled him as he took stock of the rabbit bones that were laying atop the grass. Clan cats buried their prey as a sign of respect for their lives given, loners buried them to hide their presence and the kingdom burned or charred them to further their sacrifice.

No group of cats ever left bones just sitting out. These bones were a message.

He picked them up and carried them back to Whitestorm where he dropped them at his paws.

The tom snarled, "Rabbit bones?! This is blatant disregard for our territory! Bluestar must be alerted at once!"

"Will she send a battle party?" Fireheart asked.

"She should," Whitestorm snarled. "And if she allows, I'll be on it."

Whitestorm threw the rabbit bones into the center of the camp, fur bristled with fury as he called for Bluestar.

"She's just left on patol," said Tigerclaw. "What's wrong?"

Whitestorm flicked his tail towards the bones in fury and allowed Tigerclaw to sniff them. The tabby warrior reared back in rage, the ShadowClan scent on the rabbit bones telling the story more efficiently than anyone in the patrol could.

"Are we allowing ShadowClan to get away with this?" Tigerclaw spat.

"No," said Whitestorm, beginning to call cats over. "This must be stopped now."

Fireheart crept around his deputy, trying to move closer to the bones as cautiously as he could. Something wasn't adding up. Even if this was an insurgent group of ShadowClan cats, why would they risk a war with ThunderClan? It had only been four moons- while ShadowClan had recovered fast, they couldn't've recovered fast enough that a collection of violative warriors had enough strength to take on the power of a united ThunderClan.

Ambitious and cold-hearted as Nightstar appeared to be, it didn't make sense for him to blatantly break the treaty with ThunderClan in a way he couldn't pin another clan. The moon of peace had expired but was ShadowClan really well enough to fight against ThunderClan?

As he continued to think on the issue, Whitestorm had gathered a large patrol consisting of Darkstripe, Runningwind, Mousefur, Willowpelt and Tigerclaw to track down a ShadowClan patrol and teach them a hard-learned lesson.

"What about me?" Sandpaw was demanding, lashing her tail as Tigerclaw shooed her off. "What about Fireheart? He's the one who found the bones in the first place!"

"Which is why he'll need to stay here to report to Bluestar," Tigerclaw dismissed her. "But this needs to stop now."

Whitestorm took off without any further word. The patrol's rage was present, seeping from their bodies and their paws thundered loudly enough on the hardened earth to be heard well after they were through the gorse tunnel.

Fireheart shivered at how lonely the camp felt with the large patrol gone. Frostfur and Halftail who'd been loitering on the edge, listening crept forward to smell the prey bones themselves.

"Who went on Bluestar's patrol?" he asked.

"Graystripe, Brackenpaw, Longtail and Volewhisker," said Frostfur.

"Thrushpelt and Goldenflower are out hunting," Halftail added. "Good thing too- I thought I'd starve."

Fireheart blinked as a horrifying realization came over him- he was the only official warrior left in camp. He looked to Sandpaw and asked, "Can you check for Dustpaw in the apprentice's den?"

She nodded and bounded over, sticking her head inside. After he pulled out, the curious face of Thornpaw and Swiftpaw followed her as she reported, "He's sleeping in here."

Fireheart sighed in relief- even if Dustpaw had been a prick to him he'd been training as long as Fireheart had. So he had Dustpaw and Sandpaw who were basically warriors, Frostfur was leaning towards returning to her warrior duties soon and it shouldn't be long before Goldenflower returns with Thrushpelt. Even if Goldenflower was a sitter now, she was quite the guard cat before so she could handle herself.

Still, he'd prefer it if there were more official warriors in camp.

There wasn't anything he could do about it now though so he turned back to the rabbit bones, continuing his attempts to place faces to scents.

"You're smelling those a lot," remarked Brightpaw.

"This smell is familiar," Fireheart explained. "I've met these warriors before- I just don't know who it is."

Brightpaw tilted her head curiously and leaned towards the bones, sniffing herself, "These smell familiar to me too. Like a fuzzy memory."

Fireheart took in one more breath and felt a memory side into place, this scent paired with thick matted fur and the distinct aroma of crowfood and blood…

"Brokentail," he gasped, stumbling back as Thornpaw and Swiftpaw joined them.

"What? What do you mean?" said Sandpaw bristling.

"This is Brokentail's scent," he hissed, mind whirling.

"Why couldn't you tell before?" Sandpaw asked.

"...he must be going back to ShadowClan territory," Fireheart mused grimly. "Refreshing the scent of ShadowClan and since most of us have only met him once, his individual scent never stuck with us."

"Souls," whispered Sandpaw. "Someone has to stop Whitestorm! If this is Brokentail not only would the raid be useless but the camp could be in danger!"

Fireheart nodded, she was right. His tail lashed frantically as he considered possibilities. He couldn't leave- he, Sandpaw and Dustpaw were the only active duty warriors and the fewer elders fighting the better. But he also couldn't risk Whitestorm managing to find a patrol.

All of the apprentices are here though, he realized. All but Brackenpaw!

"Swiftpaw," he said, suddenly making the apprentice stand to attention. "This is an urgent mission. You must find Whitestorm's raiding party! Tell him that it's Brokentail's scent on the bones and the camp is in danger of an ambush- the fate of the clan rests on you being quick enough."

The sharp-eyed tom nodded seriously and took off, sending up a small spray of dirt as he ran.

Fireheart turned and raced instinctively towards the highrock- maybe it wasn't his place to be up there but it's the best way to get every cat's attention.

"Let all- ThunderClan come urgently, the camp is in danger!" he yowled realizing how long the formal summon would take.

The queens and elders rushed from their dens and Spottedleaf quickly appeared outside of her. They looked surprised to see Fireheart standing atop the highrock but Spottedleaf's face immediately grew serious, she backed away towards her den and gave FIreheart a firm nod. He was relieved- the medic had good instincts.

"What are you doing up there?" One-eye demanded glaring up at Fireheart.

"Brokentail is back. I'm the only official warrior in the camp. Elders and kits need to stay in the nursery- I'm asking all able queens to guard the nursery's entrance," Fireheart started ordering instantly. "Brokentail and his team of rogues could be here at any second!"

A yowl came from the gorse tunnel and Fireheart suddenly felt relieved that some aspects of clan life were so deeply ingrained into the minds and bodies of clan cats. The caterwaul announcing that a cat was entering with the intent of bloodshed sent the elders scrambling for the nursery and Frostfur and Brindleface each took up a protecting stance before the nursery's entrance.

"You're the only warrior left?" said Brokentail with a fanged grin. "This'll be easier than I'd thought!"

He strode in as if he owned the place, with several powerful looking rogues behind him. Fireheart recognized them as the loyalists from battle at the ShadowClan camp and bristled. The few he didn't must've been rogues or loners- cats who were seeking a sense of security or safety and Brokentail either strong-armed them into joining or told them that fighting would give them a home.

Fireheart watched the remaining apprentices bravely create a defensive line between the nursery and Brokentail. Fireheart bounded down from the highrock and stalked into the center of the barrier between Sandpaw and Thornpaw.

He hissed, arching his back and allowed his tail to lash furiously, "You lost the last time we fought Brokentail and you'll lose again- leave now before we're forced to make you and your rogues bald as new born birds!"

Brokentail snarled right back at him, "You can't kill me- I have nine lives!"

"What's nine lives to a whole clan of cats," Sandpaw spat at him.

"I'll kill you as many times as it takes for you to run away," Fireheart declared. "One ThunderClan life is worth ten of yours!"

Brokentail took that as the final insult and howled a battle cry launching himself at Fireheart. The clearing exploded into battle on the spot.

Fireheart connected with Brokentail quickly latching onto his thick coat and sank his teeth in his ear. Rogue life hadn't treated Brokentail well at all- the buff tabby was used to being fed by his warriors and warm dens tucked safely out of the snow. He could easily feel ribs beneath his thick pelt but despite this, he was still immensely powerful. He twisted and sank his teeth into Fireheart's left hindleg and Fireheart yowled in pain beginning to claw his flanks in retaliation.

Brokentail scrambled beneath him only for Fireheart to leap neatly to the side and return the favor of sinking his teeth into his leg. Brokentail whirled around but Fireheart simply tucked his tail to his belly and rolled letting Brokentail snap empty air. He turned to attack him again and was bowled over by a powerful mass. He shook his head and lunged only to yell in pain.

Scorchwind held his uninjured hindleg in his maw. Fireheart was forced to abandon his attack on Brokentail and turned, slashing him across the face. Scorchwind hissed and released his leg allowing Fireheart to twist and face him fully, bristled and glowering.

"What is your obsession with me?" Fireheart snarled.

"No proper clan allows entry to soft bellies," he sneered.

Fireheart laughed scathingly, "And no clan should house kinslayers and yet you follow one as your leader!"

"Brokenstar has killed no one that hasn't been necessary," Scorchwind snapped and lunged at him.

Fireheart ducked and snapped his tail, yanking, making the tom howl and Fireheart grunted at the powerful blow that made him stagger.

"Brokentail killed your leader so he could take over," Fireheart said. "And the rest of your clan didn't believe he deserved it!"

"Brokenstar didn't kill Raggedstar," Scorchwind denied. "That was a WindClan patrol!"

"He admitted it in front of everyone!" Fireheart taunted. "Said that he was a weak leader!"

Fireheart tensed himself to defend himself from the attack this taunt would surely trigger but surprisingly, Scorchwind didn't lunge. He didn't swipe- he just stared at Fireheart in object horror and began slowly backing away from him. That's when Fireheart remembered that Brokentail had been the last to escape- had been the last in camp.

His loyalists don't know, Fireheart realized with a jolt. His loyalists still think he was doing everything for them!

Fireheart watched dumbfounded as Scorchwind took one more step away from him and bolted for the gorse tunnel.

He shook his head, he couldn't get distracted by these revelations. He turned his head catching a gray blur sprint by him and slammed into who he recognized as Rowanfang. Fireheart grinned recognizing the blur as Graystripe and ran over to claw at Rowanfang from behind. Everytime the tom turned to face one of them, the other would attack.

Finally Rownfang had enough and tore himself from their claws, tail between his legs for the gorse tunnel.

Fireheart turned to Graystripe panting, "Is Bluestar with you?"

Graystripe shook his head, "No- I was sent back to alert Whitestorm about Brokentail's scent on prey bones and to prepare the camp for a potential attack."

Anything else they could've said is interrupted by Frostfur whose claws were tangled in a tom's fur, her teeth sunk deep in his shoulder. He screamed and wailed but Frostfur refused to let up. Hatred shown brightly in her eyes for one of the warriors who'd kidnapped her kits- who'd intended to use them as warriors too young. The spirit of Sweetsoul was in the molly's heart and by the flames was she going to make this cat pay for his actions.

Just when Fireheart thought he'd have to intervene, the tom ripped himself from her and ran, stumbling as fast as he could from the camp. Frostfur started to give chase, her aggression not yet spent but Fireheart called her back, "You've given him wounds to remember you by! Don't leave the nursery unguarded!"

Frostfur skidded to a halt as his voice registered in her head, then she ran back to the nursery standing beside Brindleface who'd sent a molly fleeing each of them hissing at anyone ash-brained enough to come near them.

He looked to see if he was needed anywhere else and noted Dustpaw grabbing one fleeing tom by the hindleg for one last vicious bite before the ShadowClanner was gone forever. Meanwhile Sandpaw had latched onto a tom and was raking his belly with her hind claws not releasing him until he squealed like a kit. She gave his retreating form a dangerous smile and Fireheart concluded they did not need his help.

He was keeping a mental tally of the warriors they'd fought- Brokentail had brought five cats- four of which had been chased off. Fireheart noted Thornpaw standing above a still body in the clearing, panting with exhaustion but wide eyed with horror. Fireheart felt a twinge of pity for the apprentice- his first kill.

He made a move to help him when a pained yowl rang from the medic's den.

Fireheart's blood went cold as he ran as fast as his paws could carry him to the medic's den, Cinderpaw's vulnerable body flashing through his head. He's expecting the worst- Spottedleaf dead, her body shielding Cinderpaw from a killing blow- or Cinderpaw's body mangled and Spottedleaf too injured to get away.

When he entered the nursery, heart in his throat, he rounded the corner to Spottedleaf standing over Brokentail, her left paw covered in blood while she licked red from her muzzle. His eyes were closed and bloody, his throat pooling blood. Fireheart watched the tom's breathing stutter to a stop and go limp. Fireheart was surprised when the marking on his forehead alit like Bluestar's did but this one didn't move- it flashed, igniting in pieces as his eyes glowed and he before he took another breath, the glow dying.

Instead of going for another kill, Spottedleaf sat down and began cleaning her paw unsympathetic to the wheezing tom on the floor. She tilted her head, watching him as an unearthly glint entered her eyes.

"This is his last life," she observed aloud.

Fireheart padded forward hesitantly, "Then why don't you kill him?"

"Because I already have," she explained. "I killed him once in self-defense. If I kill him again just because I can, the Souls will look badly upon me. I am a medic- I heal regardless of allegiance as I swore."

Fireheart dipped his head in acknowledgement of her words- Brokentail was defeated. Killing him would no longer be self defense- it would be a cold blooded murder.

He cautiously poked Brokentail and jumped back in alarm when the warrior released a frightened wail. He felt repulsed by the violent cat's newfound fear and weakness.

"I can't see!" he wailed. "Don't kill me!"

Fireheart looked at Spottedleaf, alarmed as the molly shook her head.

"He's never been unable to see before," she explained. "The sudden loss of his sight must have sent him into shock- I'll see to him."

Fireheart watched them cautiously for a moment then turned away. Spottedleaf had already proven that she can protect herself just fine. Besides, while recovering from being blinded, Brokentail would be entirely dependant on her so if he tried anything stupid she could just step out of reach and let him tire himself out.

Fireheart raised his tail walking straight over to Dustpaw and Thornpaw standing side by side, Dustpaw talking in a low soothing tone to Thornpaw. Fireheart smiled a little- that was the Dustpaw he knew.

He gently caught their attention, "Spottedleaf is treating Brokentail's injuries- please guard him."

The two of them nodded and walked off in the direction of the medic's den.

Fireheart took a deep sigh of relief before bristling when he heard the sound of paws pounding through the gorse tunnel. Those left in the clearing, arched their backs and hissed expecting reinforcement from ShadowClan. Instead, Bluestar came charging into camp followed by Longtail, Volewhisker and Brackenpaw.

Fireheart plopped his hindquarters down in relief upon seeing his leader as she looked about the blood-spattered clearing in horror. She walked cautiously up to the warrior Thornpaw had killed and gently prodded it. Then she looked up at Fireheart.

"Brokentail attacked?"

He nodded.

"Is he dead?"

"Spottedleaf is tending to him," said Fireheart.

"And the other rogues?"

"Chased off."

"Was anyone on our side badly hurt?" she demanded but though she directed her question to Fireheart, she looked around the clearing. As everyone shook their heads, she relaxed. "Good."

She motioned to the body, "Sandpaw, Lynxpaw- bury this cat. He doesn't deserve a warrior's burial attended to by elders but he doesn't deserve to rot above ground either."

Sandpaw and Lynxpaw dipped their heads and moved forward, dragging the large cat towards the gorse tunnel with determined expressions. After they disappeared Bluestar turned back to Fireheart, "Are the elders safe?"

"I sent them to the nursery," Fireheart reported.

As he spoke, the elders emerged from the nursery stretching and making their way back to their den. The kits were quick to follow them out, eagerly badgering the warriors about the battle. He spotted Iliari tumbling from the nursery and eagerly rushing over to Brindleface who bent and licked his forehead as his nest mates sprinted after him. He turned his head and noticed Fireheart and came bounding over.

Fireheart crouched reflexively, ignoring Bluestar's amused laugh as Iliari slammed into him and licked his forehead.

"It sounded scary out here!" he declared. "I heard there was a dead cat. Can I go see?"

Fireheart shook his head, "No one should want to see a dead cat huili."

Bluestar shook her head fondly, "Where's Whitestorm?"

"He led a raid against ShadowClan after we found prey bones- I sent Swiftpaw to catch them."

"You sent Swiftpaw? Even though he'd be by the deer trail?"

"I couldn't afford to send anyone else," Fireheart admitted. "We have all of three warriors here- everyone else was on the raiding party or a patrol. I didn't think it'd be a good idea to leave."

As he finished his explanation, the gorse tunnel rustled and the sound of paws reached their ears. Whitestorm came racing into camp, frazzled by the rest of a panicked looking patrol. Fireheart searched the group, relief flooding him when he realized that they all looked tired but no one seemed injured.

"Did Swiftpaw reach you before you found a patrol?" inquired Bluestar.

"We didn't even cross the Deer Trail," Whitestorm reported. "We'd only just passed by Snakerocks and were preparing to cross when he caught us."

"Was that Boulderfang they were burying?" Tigerclaw asked, receiving a nod in response. "Then Swiftpaw was right."

"Is Brokentail dead too? Should we be prepared for another counter attack?" Whitestorm asked.

"No," said Bluestar. "Spottedleaf is tending to his wounds."

"What?" Mousefur said with disbelief.

"Tending to his wounds?" Tigerclaw said, whiskers twitching with agitation. "We should kill him now instead of wasting herbs on him!"

"I'll discuss it with Spottedleaf later," Bluestar said firmly.

"You can discuss it with me now," the dappled molly said, striding over.

"You didn't leave Brokentail alone did you?" Tigerclaw demanded getting in her face.

The medic narrowed her eyes in a way that told Tigerclaw to back off, making him step back in fear.

"Dustpaw and Thornpaw are guarding him," she said coolly. "They're capable cats and I've given him poppy seeds- he won't wake up again today. Or maybe even tomorrow."

Fireheart flicked his tail with mild discomfort, remembering that Spottedleaf was very capable of being lethal. More so than most warriors really- they relied on her and her healing skills. All it would take is one deadly herb…

"Besides," Spottedleaf added. "I've blinded him. He needs time to adjust- if we release him now he'll starve to death if an infection in his wounds doesn't kill him first."

"Good," said Tigerclaw huffily. "We won't have to sully our paws with his blood and we can let the forest deal with him."

"We cannot let him die," Spottedleaf retorted calmly.

"Why?" Tigerclaw challenged.

"Spottedleaf already killed him," Fireheart spoke up. "A warrior kills in self-defense, not cold blooded without reason."

"How would this be 'without reason?'" demanded Mousefur.

Fireheart flicked his ear, "Brokentail is recently blinded, in shock, heavily drugged, wounded and in a camp surrounded by enemies he's completely dependent on. Not even a stoat could spin that into an honorable or necessary kill."

"ThunderClan has always taken raid leaders as prisoners in the past," added Spottedleaf. "Just because Brokentail has abandoned his morals doesn't mean ThunderClan should too."

"...she's right," Bluestar admitted. "Brokentail is entirely dependent on us and ThunderClan should never make a habit of killing those in our debt."

"So that's it?" Tigerclaw challenged. "We're keeping this rogue in our camp?"

Fireheart flicked his tail- to an extent he agreed with the tabby warrior. His sister Ahasra had a tom named Fadez in her squad who was blind and was still a skilled guardian and assassin. Once Brokentail recovered from the shock of losing his sight, he'd adapt and adjust returning to his previous ruthless and cruel self.

Well, that's not true, Fireheart scolded himself. Brokentail could change- Brightflower became friendly overtime.

"Are his other wounds that serious?" Bluestar asked Spottedleaf, snapping him back to the present.

"I clawed him pretty bad," Fireheart admitted. "And I bit his leg."

"Then we'll keep him," Bluestar concluded. "Sweetsoul says we should show compassion to those in our care. And like it or not, he's now in our care."

Tigerclaw growled in frustration but accepted her decision with the rest of the patrol. Fireheart limped off to the nettle clump by the warrior's den for a bit, licking his wounds. He'd go see Spottedleaf when she was done with the others but though his wounds stung, he determined that they ultimately weren't all that bad. His left leg hurt the most from when Brokentail bit it so he made sure to lick it as fiercely as he could despite the pang.

Dustpaw and Thornpaw had been relieved of Brokentail guard duty by Longtail and Darkstripe. Thornpaw had been given some herbs from Spottedleaf and had instantly retreated to the apprentice's den for napping. Likely to stave off his frustration and make himself useful, Tigerclaw regathered Mousefur, Brightpaw and Willowpelt to make an official hunting patrol.

Goldenflower and Thrushpelt had returned just as they left, looking around wide eyed at the battle scarred camp. Thrushpelt dropped off two robins and Goldenflower deposited a pair of mice and a small vole before rushing over to Frostfur who was still outside the nursery asking what had happened.

Just as the weak rays of the sun cast a gentle light across the clearing, Lynxpaw and Sandpaw stalked back into calm exhausted and paws covered in dirt as they walked over to Bluestar and Whitestorm who were sitting together. Fireheart finished licking his flank and drew himself to his paws. He caught Dustpaw's attention waving his tail then beckoned him over. Dustpaw flashed him a suspicious and mildly agitated look but pulled himself up and walked over to Fireheart.

Fireheart hid his smile as he led the tom over to Bluestar and Whitestorm as Lynxpaw and Sandpaw announced that they returned from their burial duty.

"Thank you," Bluestar was saying and she flicked her tail. Lynxpaw trotted off veering for new prey on the kill pile.

Sandpaw turned to leave too but Fireheart rested his tail on her flank making her stay. She stopped and glanced up at him in confusion as he beckoned Dustpaw even closer. The tom drew himself up next to him.

"Dustpaw and Sandpaw fought like warriors," Fireheart said casually. "Dustpaw showed a sense of empathy for Thornpaw when he realized he'd made his first kill. Sandpaw sent her running like a moon old kit for his mother and stood between the elders and the attackers the entire time. The camp would've been way worse off without them."

Sandpaw's ears turned bright red as she realized what was happening and she ducked her head, staring at her paws shyly. Dustpaw for his part stared at Fireheart wide eyed as if he hadn't expected him to make the recommendation.

"It's not like you to be shy," Whitestorm teased his soon to be ex-apprentice. "Be proud of yourself."

"Fireheart was the one who alerted the camp," Sandpaw blurted out with Dustpaw nodding.

Dustpaw added, "He called the camp together and sent out Swiftpaw- if it wasn't for him, we would've been caught licking our bellies."

Now it was Fireheart's time to be embarrassed, ducking his head sheepishly

"Anyone would've done it," he said.

Fireheart was never more relieved to see Tigerclaw in his life, the return of the tabby warrior and his hunting party diverting the attention from him. Bluestar nodded to them before returning her attention to Dustpaw and Sandpaw.

"Well then it's time you both were made warriors," Bluestar purred. "It's been a long time coming- we'll do the ceremony right now and we can eat after."

Bluestar got to her paws and walked towards the Highrock. Dustpaw was practically vibrating with excitement and Sandpaw began furiously washing the dirt from her coat. Fireheart lifted his chin, beaming as his old friends were about to join him and Graystripe in the warrior's den.

"Fireheart."

He turned to look at Dustpaw who was shuffling with discomfort, he took a deep breath and looked up at him.

"I-I'm sorry for being such a mouse brain lately," he said. "Thanks for speaking up for me. Even when I haven't done anything to deserve it."

Fireheart watched him with surprise and then purred gently, "You've been training for as long as I have. You deserve to be a warrior too. Even if you haven't been nice."

Dustpaw ducked his head, sending him a shy smile as Bluestar called the clan together. The clan divided itself, knowing smiles on the faces of all the cats. On the east side of the clearing, the kits and apprentices sat with the monarchs. Fireheart joined the westside with the warriors and elders. He spotted Iliari and the other kits looking about the clearing in awe, clearing understanding that something important was happening but not entirely sure what.

Dustpaw and Sandpaw- having groomed themselves to a composed state, walked through the open center of cats and clambered up the highrock to sit on either side of Bluestar.

"I, Bluestar leader of ThunderClan, called upon the Souls above me to look down upon these two apprentices. They have both trained hard to learn your ways and I believe they are worthy of warrior names."

She turned to the two soon to be warriors.

"Sandpaw, Dustpaw- do you swear to protect and defend this clan? Even at the cost of your own lives?"

"I do," they both said determinedly.

"Then step forward and receive your warrior names."

Fireheart purred when Sandpaw moved forward first, Dustpaw beaming at his friend with pride.

"Sandpaw from this moment on you shall be known as Sandtail. The Souls honor your courage and spirit- may Redtail live through you and the Souls welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Fireheart thought Sandtail was about to cry but she leaned forward and licked Bluestar's shoulder. When she stepped back she was blinking hard and glancing up at the sky.

Can you see her Redtail, Fireheart wondered. Are you as proud of her as we are?

A warmth brushed his coat and Firejeart turned his head to see an equally teary eyed Graystripe beaming beside him as they turned their attention back to highrock as Dustpaw stepped forward.

"Dustpaw from this moment on you shall be known as Dustpelt. The Souls honor your tenacity and your honesty and welcome you as a warrior of ThunderClan."

When Dustpelt licked Bluestar's shoulder, Fireheart and Graystripe were the first to call their names. He raised his voice as loudly as he could, ensuring they could hear him over the rest of the clan as did Graystripe. They called until their throats were sore and ensured they were the last ones still chanting.

"Sandtail and Dustpelt will sit a silent vigil and guard the camp. However, it's been a long day- let us eat and laugh as a clan. Celebrate the cats who defended our clan against the rogues."

She looked directly at him and smiled, "Fireheart, thank you for your loyalty and service to our clan. The Souls honor your continued courage and I am proud to call you a member of ThunderClan."

Fireheart ducked his head again, his ears burning with embarrassment as Graystripe nudged him. He glanced around the clearing and saw nothing but happiness and kindness from every cat but Tigerclaw. Though he hadn't forgotten these last three moons of harassment from Dustpelt, he was willing to move forward if the new warrior was.

Fireheart approached Sandtail through the purred congratulations of the clan, "We can share a meal as warriors now. If that's okay with you of course."

Sandtail purred happily, "Sure! Choose something good for me" she meowed and bounded off excitedly to the warrior's half of camp.

Fireheart purred happily and trotted over to the fresh-kill pile, sniffling though it. He picked out an unusually plump for aruasio mouse for Sandtail- she deserved it -then he grabbed a bluetit for himself. He carried them over to the nettle bush and saw her lying with Dustpelt, Whitestorm and Mousefur. For some reason his heart sank- he'd been looking forward to it being just the two of them. He shook off his disappointment and padded over to her, setting the plump mouse at her paws.

"Thanks I- woah," Sandtail said, staring at his legs. "You might want to get that treated before you eat- it looks like a badger got you!"

"It really does," agreed Dustpelt, observing the bite. "How are you focusing right now?"

"I'm pure energy," Fireheart joked but he climbed to his paws anyway and veered towards Spottedleaf's den.

He poked his head in and glanced around. She was arranging her herbs- grabbing wilted and cracked leaves while sorting others.

"Spottedleaf?" he said, stepping in fully.

She glanced up and purred, "Hello Fireheart! I saw you fighting- you're a terror."

He ducked his head and grinned, "I was alright- Brokentail got me good though. Can you help?"

Spottedleaf came closer and sniffed at the wounds on his hindlegs, clicking her tongue when his legs trembled after she poked one of the bites.

"You should've come to be immediately- what if this had gotten infected?"

"I didn't think it was that serious," Fireheart said, flicking his tail. "They stopped bleeding pretty fast."

Spottedleaf walked back over with a mouthful of herbs and observed his wound again.

"Still, Brokentail doesn't strike me as the type of cat to use chewing bones," Spottedleaf remarked. "Who knows what's on his teeth."

Fireheart winced at the mental image and he conceded to her point. She was right- for all he knew, Brokentail ate mouthfuls of prey every day without ever picking his teeth or using chewing bones. He shuddered at the idea, the overwhelming urge to re-groom his leg coming at him in full force. Spottedleaf pushed the herbs to him.

"Do you recognize these?" she prompted.

Fireheart observed the leaves her paw was on, "Dock leaves- they're to soothe the wound. "

She pointed at the next one.

"Goldenrod to encourage my body to heal."

She set her paw on the last one and it took Fireheart a moment to recall the proper name for it, "...marigold? To prevent infection?"

"Yes, well done," she praised. "Can you apply these yourself or would you like me to do it?"

"I've got it," Fireheart purred. "You should rest. You've been keeping Cinderpaw alive and you also fought today."

Spottedleaf bid him goodbye and Fireheart turned and left, his tail swishing to rejoin and celebrate his friends.