Chapter 14 (G):

Onewhisker stiffened as Mudclaw glared upwards at them. The brown warrior was making no attempt to hide his hostility. His tail lashed and his eyes glared. "Well?" He demanded. "Tallstar died and you two decided not to tell me?"

"He…. He died not long ago," Onewhisker began, his expression still clouded with confusion and grief. "We didn't have a chance to tell anyone."

Graystripe cut in before Mudclaw could speak, "That's right. We came straight from Tallstar's den to announce his death."

"Mudclaw, you're our leader now," said Webfoot, nodding loyally to Mudclaw. "We will all grieve for Tallstar, but we need you to help us settle in our new home." A murmur of agreement came from his Clanmates.

Mudclaw dipped his head in acknowledgment, but when he turned back to the two deputies standing on the stump his eyes still gleamed with fury. "You should have come to find me before calling this meeting. Why should a ThunderClan cat announce WindClan's news?"

Graystripe was silently regretting having agreed to Onewhisker that he'd help announce the news. He had enough problems going on, he didn't need or want Mudclaw's hostility too. But he knew that it would be best to deal with this issue publicly, where they could answer any and all questions and there was no secrecy. Onewhisker needed all the help he could get with his new position, and WindClan certainly wouldn't believe his word alone.

With a nervous twitch of his ear, he decided to press on. "Tallstar wanted to speak with me and Onewhisker just before he died. He had something important to say."

"And what was so important, that I wasn't called for too?" Mudclaw demanded.

Graystripe tried to keep his voice steady as he announced, "Tallstar made Onewhisker his deputy."

"What?" Mudclaw screeched in disbelief.

"You mean Mudclaw isn't our leader?" Webfoot queried. He unsheathed his claws in confusion and sank them into the ground.

"Mouse dung to that!" A black WindClan she-cat drew her lips back in a snarl. "There's no cat better able to lead the Clan."

Onewhisker looked down at Mudclaw. "This is as much of a shock to me as it is to you," he meowed. "And I would like you to carry on being WindClan's deputy. I'll need your support and experience every pawstep of the way."

Mudclaw's neck fur bristled. "You don't think I believe this load of fox dung, do you?" he spat. "Every cat knows that Tallstar practically handed our Clan over to Firestar back in the forest. He's always felt more loyalty to ThunderClan than they ever deserved. And now Graystripe is telling us that Onewhisker is to be leader! Did any other cat witness this convenient change of mind?"

Graystripe looked expectantly to Brambleclaw, and the warrior stared back. With a dip of his head, Brambleclaw got to his paws and strode forward until he was standing beside Mudclaw.

"I did." It sounded as though he was forcing himself to speak. "I was there. I heard Tallstar make Onewhisker his deputy."

Mudclaw narrowed his eyes at Brambleclaw. "You were there too, were you? Another ThunderClan cat, what a surprise! What did Graystripe offer you if you backed him up? Did he promise to make you deputy of ThunderClan after he claims his nine lives?"

Brambleclaw looked at Graystripe, but Graystripe ignored him. "Of course I didn't!" he exclaimed. "I am the deputy of ThunderClan and it will stay that way until Firestar returns."

There was a low murmur of whispering that arose from the gathered cats now. Pairs of cats whispered to one another, sending surprised or doubtful looks his way. Graystripe's pelt bristled as he couldn't make out any of their words. Were they surprised with his choice to stay deputy, or doubting that he hadn't bribed Brambleclaw? Could it be both?

"You know, Graystripe," Mudclaw curled his lip in disgust. "I wouldn't have expected a warrior as great as you to weaken their Clan in such a way. You're an embarrassment to ThunderClan if you think that you can stay a deputy for much longer."

Graystripe's pelt felt hot now. The whispers had ceased but the crowd's eyes had sharpened on his pelt. A terrible silence stretched on and Mudclaw continued to glare outright.

"Not going to say anything, are you?" The warrior challenged.

Graystripe was still grasping for the right words. His brain felt like it was lagging behind even though he was desperately trying to will himself to say something. Finally, he spoke. "We have received no message from StarClan telling us that Firestar has joined their ranks. Until Cinderpelt has been told that it is my time to become leader of ThunderClan, I refuse to take Firestar's place. Besides, we don't even have a Moonstone where I could accept nine lives." He was thankful that his voice came out steady. He let it take on a slight edge as he added, "We will not speak anymore of ThunderClan's business. Our leadership should be handled privately."

"But WindClan's shouldn't be?"

"WindClan's business became public when Tallstar made it so." Graystripe dared to say. "He asked for me to be there when he made his decision. There had to be some sort of witness, or else no one would believe Onewhisker."

Mudclaw spun around to face his Clanmates now. "Are you going to sit here and accept this?" he demanded. "Do we let ThunderClan choose our leader for us?" Whipping around to glare at Onewhisker again, he added, "How many of our warriors do you think will follow you, you sniveling, crowfood-eating traitor?"

Before Onewhisker had time to reply, Crowfeather padded forward and stood at the edge of the tree stump. His fur was ruffled and his eyes stunned with grief, but when he spoke his voice was calm. "I will follow Onewhisker. I made the journey to the Sun-drown-place with Brambleclaw, and I know he does not lie. If he says that Tallstar made Onewhisker deputy before he went to hunt with StarClan, then I believe him."

Raising his head to meet Onewhisker's gaze, he meowed, "Onestar, I greet you as the leader of my Clan."

More voices came from WindClan. "Yes! Onestar! Onestar!"

But not every cat seemed so ready to accept Onewhisker as their leader. Some of them sounded uncertain, and others even appeared openly defiant. It was clear that Onewhisker would struggle to persuade his Clanmates as long as Mudclaw was still around.

With the attention off of him, Graystripe allowed his gaze to wander the crowd. He spotted Blackstar and Leopardstar at the edge of the crowd, exchanging a glance of amused satisfaction. They weren't disappointed to see quarrels in WindClan, that was for sure.

Onewhisker dipped his head toward Crowfeather. "Thank you. But don't call me Onestar yet," he begged. "I haven't received my name or my nine lives from StarClan." His ears flattened with embarrassment.

"And you never will!" Mudclaw snarled. "You are not our leader! Come down here and fight me if you dare. Then we'll see who'll make the better leader for WindClan."

Onewhisker crouched down, preparing to spring, but Graystripe held his tail out in warning. "Onewhisker, don't-"

"Stop!" Barkface's outraged cry came at the same time. "Sheathe your claws, Mudclaw," he told the WindClan deputy. "Clan leaders have never been chosen by fighting. And do you want to start a fight with Tallstar's spirit still watching over us? We should be sitting in vigil for him, not bickering over who will take his place. You betray him by behaving like this. He always expected the best from his senior warriors." He paused, with a long glance at Graystripe, and then added, "I believe what the ThunderClan cats tell us. This was Tallstar's choice, and you must accept it."

With a visible effort, Mudclaw flattened his neck fur and sheathed his claws. "Very well," he growled. He looked up at Onewhisker, and the hatred in his eyes was like poison. "You're brave enough standing there with your ThunderClan friends to back you up. But if you think I'll serve as your deputy, you're wrong."

Onewhisker dipped his head. "Very well. I'm sorry if that's your decision."

Mudclaw's only reply was to spit. Then he turned away to follow Barkface and some of the other WindClan warriors as they went to bring out Tallstar's body for the vigil.

As the energy began to disappear, Onewhisker relaxed again. He turned to Graystripe with an exhausted, almost defeated expression. "Thank you, Graystripe. I'm sorry that was so difficult. Mudclaw shouldn't have brought up ThunderClan's situation."

Graystripe nodded his understanding and said, "I shouldn't have been surprised. Mudclaw has the right to be angry though. He has been filling Tallstar's duties for a long time now. But you have Barkface's support now, so the rest of WindClan should see reason soon."

Onewhisker nodded, but a flicker of anxiety crept into his expression. "How will I get my name and my nine lives from StarClan? There's no Moonstone here. Do you think I should take some of my warriors and go back through the mountains to Highstones?"

Graystripe shook his head at this. "You'll only put yourself in more danger if you try that. If this really is our home that StarClan promised us, then there will be a way for us to speak with them here."

"You're right. I just hope that we find a way soon." Onewhisker sighed and looked out at his grieving Clanmates. Someone had retrieved Tallstar's body from his makeshift den and had brought it out into the open for vigil. The cats of WindClan gathered around Tallstar's body quietly, pressing against one another for support and murmuring soft prayers for their lost leader. Mudclaw was sitting a little way apart from them, staring at Onewhisker with an ominous look in his eyes.

"Let's get down from here now," Graystripe said and dropped down from the stump. Onewhisker landed beside him a heartbeat after, looking relieved to be back on the ground. He gave his chest a couple of quick licks and dipped his head to Graystripe.

"Thank you again, Graystripe." With that, Onewhisker strode across the hillside and joined his Clanmates in their vigil. He pressed his nose into Tallstar's cold fur and settled down for the rest of the night.

Graystripe stared at Onewhisker openly, feeling something heavy settle in his chest. Seeing Onewhisker's shock and grief had reminded him of his own when he had heard of Firestar's disappearance. But unlike Onewhisker's situation, he couldn't as easily accept the leadership position. Sure, Onewhisker had Mudclaw to worry about now. But Graystripe knew that Firestar was still alive. ThunderClan's rightful leader was out there somewhere, trying to return home. There was only one way that Graystripe could justly accept a new name and nine lives while Firestar still had a chance of returning home.

"Graystripe?" Brambleclaw's hesitant meow broke through his thoughts.

"Yes, Brambleclaw?" Graystripe turned his head slightly though his eyes stayed on Onewhisker.

"I'm just making sure that you're okay," Brambleclaw said.

Graystripe absentmindedly dismissed the warrior with a wave of his tail. Finally tearing his eyes away from Onewhisker, he looked to Brambleclaw, then past him to the rest of his Clanmates. Many of them were settling down for the night, but there were a couple pairs of warriors who stayed awake to whisper to one another and occasionally cast glances in his direction. A jolt went through him when he realized some of the glances weren't only that, some of those looks were glares.

"I'm fine," Graystripe said and brushed past Brambleclaw. "I'm going to get some sleep now. Wake me if anything happens."

Making his way past his whispering, glaring Clanmates, Graystripe headed for his makeshift nest. He settled in the leaves beside Sandstorm. The pale ginger warrior blinked at him sympathetically and scooted closer to rest her muzzle on his flank as they slowly drifted off to sleep.


Graystripe felt a little guilty the next morning when he awoke and realized that he hadn't sat vigil for Tallstar. He felt even more guilty when he was soon told that he had missed a meeting that Harkfrost had called from the tree stump. According to Sootfur, Hawkfrost had described his findings on the island and Mistyfoot countered him. Leopardstar remained undecided in the argument and that was it.

Graystripe didn't let himself dwell on these things for long though. The sun was rising in the sky and he knew that they had to get moving if they wanted to settle into their new home. There was nothing else for them to do on this hillside. He spent some time checking in with every one of his Clanmates, making sure that they had all eaten and were fit enough to travel. Then he joined Blackstar, Leopardstar, and Onewhisker in a meeting to discuss where Clan boundaries should lie.

When sunhigh came, he called his Clanmates together and told them, "Say your last good-byes now. We will have a meeting shortly and then Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw will lead us to our new home."

The cats dispersed at once, scattering around the hillside as they hurried to find the friends that they had made during the journey. Graystripe stared around at them all, musing silently to himself about how they almost seemed to be one big Clan. Even their scent had changed, he noticed. Without borders dividing them, the scents mingled together to create a new one.

He waited patiently near the stump as his Clanmates slowly came back to him. He watched Mousefur give Heavystep's ear a quick lick before bounding his way, and Ferncloud was separating Birchkit from the ShadowClan litter that she had mothered during the journey. The young tom was protesting loudly and the other kits were whimpering as they were taken away by their own Clanmates. Rainwhisker and Sootfur were a short distance away, saying good-bye to some friends before parting ways.

When he felt as though every cat had gathered around him again, he asked if anyone was missing. His Clanmates glanced around, eyes alert as they made sure that everyone was present.

"Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw are missing," Dustpelt said irritably, having stayed at Graystripe's side the entire time. "And Spiderpaw- oh there you are." He and Graystripe both spotted the three missing cats trotting up to join them. "Right, Graystripe, that's every cat."

He meowed his thanks to Dustpelt and turned to join Blackstar and Leopardstar. The two leaders were standing atop the stump and he settled himself in the usual position below it. He caught the eye of Onewhisker and the WindClan tom bounded over to join him on the opposite side, where Leopardstar would have normally sat.

The rest of the cats stirred restlessly, too excited at the prospect of finding their new homes to sit quietly and listen to their leaders.

"The four of us have been discussing possible boundaries and we need to tell you what we have decided." Blackstar began, "Tawnypelt reported a small Thunderpath running alongside the pine woods. ShadowClan will take that for its boundary with RiverClan. Farther around the lake, the clearing where the stream runs through the middle can be the boundary with ThunderClan."

"We don't know how far upstream the clearing goes," Tawnypelt reminded him from where she sat among her Clanmates. "We'll need to mark the boundary through the trees as well."

Blackstar nodded. "We'll check that out as soon as we arrive." There was a pause in which Blackstar looked to Graystripe impatiently.

Graystripe raised his voice next, "It's been decided that ThunderClan's territory will begin at the clearing. Brambleclaw has told us that there's a stream on the other side of the woods too. There is a ridge there that should make a good boundary with WindClan."

"RiverClan's territory will begin here at the horseplace," Leopardstar spoke up. "And stretch as far as the Thunderpath at the edge of the pinewoods."

"Then WindClan territory will be from the horseplace to the stream that Graystripe mentioned," Onewhisker concluded.

"Of course, this is only an idea of what our territories might look like," Leopardstar warned them. "These borders may change as we get to know our new territory. During the next Gathering, we will discuss any changes that we feel must be made."

"And let's try to do it without fighting," Barkface called out. "Before you claw some warrior's ear off, kindly remember that we medicine cats haven't had time to build up our stores of herbs yet."

A ripple of amusement passed through the cats, and more than one warrior nodded in agreement. But Graystripe knew that it wasn't just the issue of low herbs that made them agree. After journeying together such a far distance, these cats had begun to grow close to one another. None of them wanted to face their new friends in battle anytime soon.

"We should be going now. ShadowClan, follow me." Blackstar leaped down from the stump and waved his tail for his Clanmates to gather around him.

Graystripe returned to his Clanmates too and nodded to Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw. "You two better lead," he told them.

Brambleclaw dipped his head and went to the front of the Clan. As they began to make their way through the trees, Onewhisker bounded over with his Clan behind him.

"I thought we'd travel together for a while," he said to Graystripe. "We're going in the same direction."

Graystripe meowed his agreement and soon the two Clans were setting off in the direction of the lake together. He walked along with Onewhisker on one side of him and Cinderpelt on the other. But to his disappointment, his excitement to see his new territory was soured by the presence of Mudclaw. The brown warrior was scowling at Onewhisker from a short distance away.

A little way off, RiverClan and ShadowClan were heading slantwise across the slope in the opposite direction. Momentarily, Hawkfrost broke away to bound over and share words with Brambleclaw. Graystripe couldn't hear what the two half-brothers said over the excited chattering of his Clanmates, but he could tell that they were staying formal with one another.

ThunderClan and WindClan continued on and slipped under the horseplace's fence to climb a hill and look out over the shining expanse of water. From here, Graystripe could easily see the landscape. He watched as the moorland beside them fell away to forest, which darkened to pines as it went. He could spot two groups, RiverClan and ShadowClan, making their way around the lake slowly.

They all stood there for a moment, taking in their new territories from afar. Then, without anyone making a decision, they began to head across the hillside until they came to a narrow fold in the hill. Rocks and tough grass jutted out here, with a trickle of water running along the bottom.

Onewhisker waved his tail for his cats to stop. "We'll leave you here," he said to Graystripe. "This should lead up to the ridge where Crowfeather found our camp." Dipping his head, he added, "Our thanks go with you to your new home. Without you, WindClan would never have seen these hills."

There was a suppressed hiss from Mudclaw, but Graystripe paid him no mind. He dipped his head in return to Onewhisker, "I wish you well, Onewhisker. I look forward to meeting you at the next Gathering."

The both of them bid farewell and their Clanmates echoed them. Graystripe stood with ThunderClan for a short while, watching their friends climb up the steep ravine. As WindClan left their sight, he turned and asked Brambleclaw to lead them onwards. But without the presence of WindClan, the stretch of lake seemed much more exposed.

Graystripe wasn't the only one who felt this way too, as Dustpelt soon directed the warriors to stay on the outskirts of the group while the queens, kits, and elders were safely in the center. The jokes and light-hearted comments were gone now, replaced with watchful eyes and pricked ears.

They soon came to a stream which separated them from the forest on the other side. They paused and crouched beside it. The stream was too wide to leap and the cats glanced up and down its length for stepping-stones or tree branches that might help them cross.

"We crossed this stream before," Graystripe heard Squirrelpaw mutter. "Once we're on the other side, we're really in ThunderClan territory!"

"If we decide to make this our boundary," Brambleclaw reminded her. "It's not decided yet."

The daylight was fading quickly now and shadows began to stretch before them. Soon they'd be only guided by the moon and the stars. The cats began to grow even more nervous about being in unknown territory.

"What about Longtail?" Mousefur called out. "How do you expect him to get across here?"

"Mouse dung!" Squirrelpaw exclaimed crossly. "We'd better climb the hill to the place we crossed before. It was easier farther up."

"No, hang on," Brambleclaw meowed. "The water doesn't look deep. Let's see if we can wade across." He dipped one paw in the water, shivering at its icy touch, then stepped out into the current. The Clan watched aptly as he cautiously stepped forward. The water didn't reach any higher than his belly fur. "Come on!" he called as he leaped out on the opposite bank, shaking each leg in turn to get rid of the water. "It's easy!"

A couple of yowls of protest rose from his Clanmates. "If you think I'm getting wet, you've got bees in your brain!" Mousefur called across.

"We'll cross here. If we stay out here much longer we won't be able to see where we're putting our paws." Graystripe decided, weaving among his Clanmates to come and stand beside Ferncloud at the edge of the stream. She had her tail curled around Birchkit in an effort to hold him back from the water. "I can carry him across if you'd like." He offered the queen.

Ferncloud purred her thanks and Graystripe was the first to cross the stream, holding Birchkit in his jaws. The small kit had grown during the journey and he had to tip his head back to keep him from touching the water. He set the kit safely down on the other shore and waved for his Clanmates to join him.

One by one, the Clan began to cross. Cloudtail and Sandstorm followed first, wading slowly through the water with their tails washed sideways by the current. Dustpelt came next with Ferncloud, and Brackenfur and Sorreltail guided Longtail behind them. Some cats hesitated further, needing some extra encouragement but Graystripe stayed at the edge of the steam until he was sure that everyone was across.

It took Brambleclaw a short moment to remember the stone hollow was, but soon they were setting off into the forest with him in the lead once more.

The sky continued to darken and Graystripe had to pick up Birchkit again so that the young tom didn't stray from the group. He squinted through the darkness, trying to ignore the persistent feeling that Brambleclaw might have gotten them lost. A few cats began to mutter to one another, pelts bristling with anxiousness as they continued deeper yet into the unknown.

Finally Squirrelpaw exclaimed from up ahead, "Look! That gap between the trees over there, with the clump of dead bracken… I've seen that before."

"Are you sure?" Brambleclaw asked, but Squirrelpaw was already racing ahead. She stopped at a row of thorn bushes.

"This is it!" she yowled triumphantly. Spinning around, she called to the rest of the Clan, "Come on, we're here!"

Spiderpaw let out a screech of excitement. He broke away from the rest of the Clan and dashed forward, straight into the brambles.

"Come back!" Mousefur called after her apprentice. There was a moment of panic as Brambleclaw sprang forward, but Squirrelpaw slipped past him and dove into the bushes.

"No!" The ginger apprentice cried and disappeared into the thorns after Spiderpaw. Brambleclaw slid underneath the branches and the rest of the Clan was left waiting with held breath and wide eyes.

Graystripe passed Birchkit to Dustpelt and had taken his first step forward when the three of them returned. Spiderpaw emerged from the bushes, looking scared and maybe slightly embarrassed, with Squirrelpaw and Brambleclaw close behind.

"What's going on?" Ferncloud, Spiderpaw's mother, demanded as they returned to the rest of the Clan. "Is there something dangerous in those bushes? Why didn't you warn us before?"

"Er… we've found the camp," Brambleclaw began. "It's in a hollow on the other side of those brambles. It's not dangerous once you know where the edge is. Come and see. Not that way!" he growled as Whitepaw bounded curiously over to the thorns.

He and Squirrelpaw led the other cats down the slope, weaving between brambles and hazel trees until they reached the gap in the circle of stone. Brambleclaw hung back and watched as Clanmates made their way inside and stood looking around at the towering walls. Graystripe stood with them and took in their new camp.

He couldn't see much of it through the darkness, but it didn't seem too inviting. The stone walls were bare and steep, reminding him of the mountains that they had braved just days ago. And there were a lot of overgrowing brambles and thorn bushes, which threatened to snag on pelts or hurt cats' paws. Graystripe stepped away from the group a short ways and sniffed at the base of the stone wall. At least it didn't smell like any foxes or badgers had decided to make the hollow their home.

The reflective silence was broken by Mousefur. "This isn't a camp! Where are the dens? There's not enough space for a snake to sun itself here."

"Hey!" Squirrelpaw protested. "You didn't think StarClan would have it all ready for us, did you? I know there's a lot of work to do, but think how easy it will be to defend, surrounded by these cliffs."

"I think it looks great," Thornclaw offered. "We'll soon sort out proper dens, and somewhere for the nursery."

"I want to explore!" Whitepaw exclaimed, unable to hold still with all of her excitement. "Can we, Brackenfur? Please!"

Her mentor gave her a gentle nudge. "Wait until tomorrow, when it's light."

Goldenflower was standing beside Longtail with her tail laid gently across his shoulders as she quietly described to him everything she saw. "It's a huge clearing with stone walls. It's quite dark, but I think the walls are covered with ferns and moss. Can you hear that trickle of water? It sounds more like rain draining off the rock than a proper stream. The hollow is full of brambles and thorn thickets, but there's plenty of space for the Clan."

"Then StarClan have brought us to an excellent place," Longtail meowed. "I can easily imagine us building our camp here."

Graystripe felt a swell of appreciation towards Goldenflower and Longtail. The camp didn't seem that great, but the two of them still managed to be optimistic. Not all of the cats seemed to agree with their words however.

Before anyone could bring down his mood again, Graystripe said, "This was a great find, Squirrelpaw. The walls will help shelter us from the weather and anything that is trying to attack us. And there's more than enough brambles to start making dens with.

The apprentice's eyes glowed with appreciation and her tail waved happily. "I think so too! It shouldn't take us long to sort out dens and clear out the hollow."

"We'll have to do something about that, though." Dustpelt nodded his head toward the entrance. "The whole of ShadowClan could be through there in a couple of heartbeats."

Mousefur grumbled her agreement and continued on with commenting on how many fleas and ticks must be hiding in the brambles. Graystripe brushed against her side and said, "That's enough for tonight. Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw have done a great job by finding us this camp. I doubt we'll find anything better in our territory. It might not look like much now, but I'm sure you'll think differently in the morning."

He raised his head, eyes narrowing as he sorted out priorities. They all needed to rest after their journey around the lake. "We should all find somewhere to sleep. I want you all awake and ready for tomorrow. Brambleclaw, could you search the hollow and make sure that there's nothing else in the hollow with us? I want to be certain that we are safe."

"Of course," Brambleclaw agreed, though his ear twitched as though he was displeased. With Squirrelpaw volunteering to help, the two of them began to search the edges of the hollow and underneath bushes.

"What about fresh-kill?" Rainwhisker asked. "Do we have to go to sleep hungry?" One or two voices were raised in agreement.

"We'll send out patrols first thing in the morning," Graystripe promised them. "But for now we need to rest."

There was some muttering at that, but gradually it died away, and the group began to split up as cats looked for sleeping places. Brambleclaw and Squirrelpaw came back to them soon, only to be badgered with questions from their Clanmates.

"Brambleclaw, do you know if there's a sheltered place for Birchkit?" Ferncloud asked anxiously. "I'm afraid he'll come down with whitecough if he doesn't have somewhere warm to sleep."

"I don't know," Brambleclaw admitted, "but I'll help you look. There are brambles near the wall just a bit farther up."

"And what about some moss for bedding?" Mousefur broke in. "Are we expected to sleep on bare earth? Squirrelpaw said there would be a warm den waiting for me once I crossed that wretched stream."

"I can't do everything!" Brambleclaw snapped suddenly. "You'll have to do the best you can for tonight." Mousefur curled her lip and turned away with her shoulders hunched.

Brambleclaw's fur began to prickle and he looked up to see Graystripe watching him from a short distance away. Graystripe just blinked back in calm understanding. Maybe he shouldn't have asked the warrior to take a look around. He and Squirrelpaw had already done so much for the Clan. It was a shame that cats like Mousefur couldn't recognize Brambleclaw's efforts too.

"Sorry," the warrior mumbled, padding after Mousefur. "I'll come and help when I've settled Ferncloud, okay?"

"No, I'll do it." Brackenfur came over and pressed his muzzle against Mousefur's shoulder. "Don't take it out on Brambleclaw," he told her. "He's doing his best." Mousefur continued to complain but with Brackenfur at her side, the issue was soon resolved.

Graystripe turned away and looked for someone to sleep next to. Following their scent, he soon found Sandstorm, Cloudtail, and Brightheart working together to create some makeshift nests. Cloudtail was carefully shifting some bramble tendrils to let the two she-cats pad the ground underneath with some ferns and moss that they had managed to find.

Sandstorm blinked at Graystripe invitingly as he approached. He squeezed inside and helped lay out the meager bedding. In just a short moment the four of them were curling up for a night of rest. It took Graystripe a long time to fall asleep that night.

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