Firestar sniffed the air. Cloudtail is right! A spy! Firestar felt his fur tense. "Firestar, you have to understand," cried Leafpool. "Leafpool is probably a traitor. She's left with Crowfeather before." commented Ashfur. Brambleclaw protested with a yowl. "Leafpool wouldn't betray ThunderClan." Squirrelflight gave Ashfur a disapproving glance. Ashfur stopped, looking hurt. Firestar gave Ashfur a cold stare. "Leafpool or Sandstorm will talk about this with me privately. Meeting ended." Firestar leapt off the Highledge.
**SANDSTORM IS ON PATROL**

"Leafpool, I'm sorry, but we can't have a ShadowClan cat stay here." Firestar sat sympathetically with Leafpool. "Please, Firestar, hear out this poor cat. He will never be a part of ShadowClan." Leafpool gazed at the poor black cat. "Very well, Leafpool." meowed Firestar. "Tell him." Leafpool's encouraging words made the little cat's eyes gleam with determination. "I was raised by RiverClan," admitted the small cat. "As a she-kit i heard stories of you- Firestar." her position shifted, and she tried to regain her confidence. "Hawkfrost told me those stories. He was so brave and powerful. But then i saw.." the she-cat's voice trembled. "Hawkfrost put a moth's wing next to Mudfur's den. Then.. he saw me. Hawkfrost told me to follow him, because he wanted to take me to the forest. Then he told me to wait by the Twoleg nest...I was captured by the Twolegs for a long time.. what felt like moons. And I made it back to the forest." her voice thinned out. "A ShadowClan patrol found me. I ran as fast as i could and ended up here. And then.. Ashfur- i think that's the tomcat's name.. attacked me. I am no trained fighter." the she-cat meowed, "I ran. But Sandstorm followed me. She was so kind, and gave me some prey. The first i had for moons. I... followed her back... And the tomcat went back a different way." the black she-cat looked down at her pitch-black paws. "Since then, I like staying in ThunderClan.. and every cat in it is so kind." admitted the she-cat. "I would be honored to stay in ThunderClan." The she-cat's eyes gleamed with determination. "Firestar, she has a warrior spirit and such determination." Leafpool gazed at the black she-cat fondly. Firestar twitched his tail as an agreement. "I will have to talk with Sandstorm. If she is not lying, her ceremonies will be tomorrow after sunrise. I need her to regain strength. She may stay in your den, Leafpool, or the apprentices' den." Firestar walked out of Leafpool's den. When should he appoint Brambleclaw deputy? He decided to do it before the black cat's apprenticeship at dawn. He spotted Ashfur and his apprentice, Birchpaw, eating last night's fresh-kill. "Ashfur, it's about time you take Birchpaw training. Would you like to go on a border patrol? Take Brackenfur with you, if you go." meowed Firestar. Ashfur gave him a swift glance. "Yes, Firestar." Firestar slipped out of the camp. As he padded around the forest, he spotted Sandstorm. Sandstorm flicked her tail for him to come. "Explain, Sandstorm. Did you bring a spy?" Firestar waited for an answer. "I don't know, Firestar. But give her a chance. I haven't had a apprentice, and we could use more warriors." admitted Sandstorm. Firestar blinked in surprise. "Sandstorm, her apprenticeship will be at dawn tomorrow." Sandstorm blinked gratefully.

As Firestar walked to his den, he noticed pelt was sore. He felt tired even though he had slept for alot longer today then he usually did. It was sunset. Firestar yawned. Firestar's eyes tracked him to Rainwhisker. "Rainwhisker, can you get a few cats and go on a hunting patrol?" Rainwhisker nodded and slipped out of Firestar's gaze. Firestar trudged to his quiet den, and sat down on the moss. Although Firestar was tired, he couldn't help but think about Brambleclaw. Was he really making the right choice? But... Graystripe. Firestar hoped one day he'd see Graystripe again. Every cat expected Firestar to be so wise and fearless. But Firestar did not feel wise or fearless. Instead, he grieved deeply for his friend- Graystripe. He sunk into the comfortable moss.

**NEXT DAY, EARLY MORNING**
Firestar sat up in his messy moss bed. It was time to appoint Brambleclaw deputy- something he realized he should have done a long time ago. Brambleclaw aced all his requirements for deputy- loyal, hard working, good fighter, good decisions, faithful, and commanding. Though Graystripe had left his Clan, he had reasons- his kits, his mate... His heart was still in ThunderClan, and Graystripe realized what a bad decision he had made later. That's what Firestar loved about Graystripe. Graystripe left everything to save Firestar's life- he abandoned his kits, his mate, his friends in RiverClan, all to save Firestar. He had proven his loyalty- in his heart. Firestar's heart could not forget Graystripe. But right now, he knew he had to make Brambleclaw deputy. I have not forgotten you, Graystripe. I'm doing what is best for my Clan.