I will do my level best to keep the characters in character. However, my specialty is writing action scenes, so I apologize in advance for any OOC-ness.
Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors or many characters featured in this story. The only things I own are the storyline and the original characters featured in this story.
CHAPTER ONE
BRAMBLEPAW
Fury pulsed through the young tomcat. Those murderous rogues had taken everything from his Clan! He sank his teeth into the scrawny black she-cat's shoulder, and tore at her neck. He wanted her dead. Maybe she herself hadn't committed those deeds, but she was part of the Clan that killed so many of them. She deserved to die.
"Enough, Bramblepaw!" Sandstorm snapped. His mentor stalked over and yanked him off. Blood dripped from a cut above her eye, but that didn't stop her from shoving the BloodClan she-cat away. "Go back to where you came from," she snarled at her.
The border patrol had run into a group of BloodClan cats who were making sure they stayed out of their former territories. Bramblepaw pulled away from Sandstorm, and gazed at the patrol. Longtail was licking the blood off of his pelt, and Mousefur, the ThunderClan deputy, was staring after the BloodClan cats angrily.
The she-cat spat at her, then fled. Sandstorm took a deep breath, calming herself. "You did very well, Bramblepaw," she praised. "You had her completely immobilized."
"You fought well," Longtail told the apprentice. He glanced toward the trees. "The ShadowClan patrol will be along shortly to relieve us."
"Why didn't you let me kill her?" Bramblepaw growled to his mentor. He lashed his tail. "BloodClan killed Firestar! Don't you want to avenge him?"
Sandstorm's eyes narrowed. "Of course I do, Bramblepaw. But I want avenge him by killing Scourge, not BloodClan."
"They all helped to kill our Clanmates," Bramblepaw grumbled. "So many of them are gone now, because of them."
"ThunderClan was lucky," Sandstorm reminded him. "Over half the cats we lost were elders, not strong warriors, Bramblepaw. I'm not saying they aren't important, but against BloodClan we need warriors more than elders. All the other Clans lost twice as many fighting cats as us. We don't have as much reason for revenge as they do."
"But we still have reason," he muttered, turning away.
Sandstorm sighed, then rested her tail on his shoulder. "I'll talk to Graystar about your warrior ceremony," she promised. "You're going to be an amazing, noble warrior, Bramblepaw. I know it."
He looked at his paws. "Not as good as Firestar," he whispered.
If Sandstorm heard him, she didn't say anything. All four cats sat there until the
ShadowClan patrol came pounding through the woods. It consisted of Tangleburr and Deerfoot, their apprentices Foxpaw and Snowpaw, respectively, and Brownwhisker.
"What happened?" Brownwhisker asked. His eyes surveyed the ThunderClan cats.
"BloodClan," Mousefur answered.
"Why do you guard the border, Mousefur?" asked Foxpaw curiously. She looked at the ThunderClan deputy. "Russetstar and Rowanberry never do."
"Because I can," she replies.
"Hush, Foxpaw," Deerfoot growled, cuffing his apprentice over the ears.
"Sorry, Deerfoot," Foxpaw chirped, not at all put off by her mentor's gruffness.
"Is BloodClan strong?" Snowpaw asked, gray head cocked curiously.
"Yeah," Brownwhisker told the young apprentice. "I hope they don't attack again."
The other ShadowClan cats nodded in agreement. "I rather hope they do," Tangleburr growled, flexing her claws. "I'd like to get them back for killing Blackfoot. He was my friend."
"We'll be going now," Longtail meowed, glancing at Mousefur for confirmation.
Mousefur dipped her head. "Graystar will want a report."
"Bye!" Foxpaw called after them. Bramblepaw waved his tail in farewell, and the ThunderClan cats nodded respectfully to the ShadowClan warriors before departing.
Ever since the Great Battle, the four Clans had lived together. They were not one Clan, instead choosing to keep their independence, but they had camps nearby each other, and took turns watching the border with BloodClan, making sure they didn't cross it.
Every Clan lost many cats. After the leaders were killed, each Clan fled to their camp, where they tried to evacuate their queens, elders, and kits. For ThunderClan, only Frostfur of the elders survived. Ashpaw, now Ashfur, was heavily wounded while helping the evacuation, and for a while they thought he wouldn't survive. He did, but not without scars to show what he had been through. Same with Frostfur. The only queen, Willowpelt, survived, but they managed to kill Sootkit. Thornclaw was also killed.
Since, according to Sandstorm and Dustpelt, Graystripe had been appointed deputy, he became leader of ThunderClan, naming Mousefur as his deputy. Mistyfoot took on the name Mistystar and elected her mate Loudbelly to serve alongside her. Russetfur stepped up to take the mantle of leadership in ShadowClan, and a she-cat called Rowanberry was decided to serve as deputy. As for WindClan, a mottled tom known as Mudclaw became leader, while Firestar's friend Onewhisker became deputy.
They lived just out of the mountains, and the Clans' territory extended beyond WindClan's and ShadowClan's former territory. Highstones was included, and the leaders were able to gain nine lives. All in all, life continued similar as before, only this time with the threat of BloodClan hanging over them. Their leader's parting words to them haunted them all.
"You will never be safe," Scourge snarled. His tail lashed as he glared at the new Clan leaders. "BloodClan will find you, no matter where you run or hide. We will kill all of you, each and every one, no matter if it takes days or seasons. You will forever regret the day you chose to defy me."
"You can't scare us, Scourge," Russetfur retorted, head high. She met Scourge's gaze squarely. "We are the Clans, and we will take back our home."
"It's BloodClan's home now," Scourge growled. "You better watch your backs, forest fools. Someday, we'll be coming for you."
"Hey, Bramblepaw!" Bramblepaw blinked as a tail brushed the tip of his nose. He pushed it away, fighting the urge to sneeze. Sandstorm drew her tail away. "You need to pay attention," she scolded. "There might be a fox or badger around, and maybe even BloodClan warriors. If you're not alert, cats might die."
Bramblepaw flattened his ears. "Sorry," he muttered.
Sandstorm purred softly. "It's okay. Besides," she added fondly, glancing at her belly. "I haven't been the most alert lately either, not with these kits to worry about." She looked away briefly. In a whisper so soft a falling feather could be heard over it, she murmured, "I wish he was still here."
Bramblepaw gazed at his mentor's round belly. Shortly after the battle, after Graystar had assigned Bramblepaw as her apprentice, she had discovered she was expecting Firestar's kits. Then, she had been early enough in the stages of expecting that she was able to easily carry on warrior duties. Now, though, she was heavy-pawed and cumbersome. She would have to move to the nursery soon. Actually...
"Why don't you move to the nursery after Graystar names me a warrior?" Bramblepaw suggested.
Sandstorm's eyes flashed with green fire. "I can still perform my duties, Bramblepaw!"
Longtail slowed down to pad on her other side. "Remember, Sandstorm," he meowed gently. "You're not taking care of one life anymore. Those kits need you, and if you're killed because you refuse to go to the nursery, those kits will die. Those are Firestar's kits as well, and I'm sure he wouldn't want you working yourself to death, not for you or the kits."
Sandstorm faltered. Longtail pressed his advantage. "You're having trouble fighting right now, Sandstorm. Soon, you won't be able to fight at all. You can't endanger the kits' lives by charging into battle against BloodClan. It wouldn't be fair to them."
"Well, she meowed reluctantly, "alright, I guess. I'll move to the nursery. If that's what's best for the kits."
"It is," Longtail meowed. "Trust me. I'm sure Cinderpelt would say the same."
"And how many times do you actually listen to Cinderpelt's advice?" Bramblepaw put in, nudging Sandstorm.
"I listen," Sandstorm protested. "I just don't obey."
"Uh-huh."
"I'm done talking about this." Sandstorm moved on ahead, flicking her tail in their faces. Bramblepaw jerked away with an annoyed hiss.
They walked in silence through the forest, until they broke through the woods and saw the new ThunderClan camp.
Ashfur and Cloudtail were sitting outside guarding the camp. The scars that wrapped around Ashfur's body stood out on him, red against pale gray. The two warriors nodded to the patrol.
"Trouble with BloodClan?" asked Ashfur, noting their wounds.
Mousefur flicked an ear. "Nothing major."
Inside, the camp was mostly empty. Ferncloud was resting by the nursery, a half-eaten vole at her paws, while Spiderkit and Shrewkit tumbled around the camp. Dustpelt watched his kits fondly. Cinderpelt, Frostfur, and Graystar were sharing a plump rabbit, but that was it.
Mousefur padded over to her leader and spoke quietly to him. Sandstorm nodded to Bramblepaw and followed. Longtail went to the fresh-kill pile and dragged a mouse out of it. After a moment, Bramblepaw joined him. He considered the meager options, then chose a slightly shriveled thrush. He pulled off the feathers, setting them aside for later.
Once he finished, he cleaned his whiskers and groomed his pelt. Cinderpelt had come by and treated his wounds and was now in her den. Mousefur was sunning herself. Ferncloud and her kits were inside the nursery, and Dustpelt had left the camp. Graystar and Sandstorm were talking quietly beneath the Clantree. It was a weird tree, it's trunk twisted so that it hung sideways over half the camp. Graystar made Clan announcements from there.
A hunting patrol padded in, laden with prey. It consisted of Brightheart, Sorrelpaw, Rainpaw and Brackenfur. Graystar left Sandstorm to go talk to the leader of the patrol, Brightheart.
"How's the prey running?" Bramblepaw heard him ask.
"Well enough," Brightheart replied, setting down her sparrow. "We'll have enough prey to feed ThunderClan, and we have the other Clans for support as well."
Graystar nodded, satisfied. "Good. And Sorrelpaw and Rainpaw? How did they do?"
"Very well," Brackenfur put in. "Their hunting crouches are coming along nicely."
"I'm glad to hear it." Graystar flicked their ears lightly with his tail. "Keep up the good work, you two."
"We will," Rainpaw promised.
Sorrelpaw nodded enthusiastically. "We will," she echoed.
"Good." Graystar padded away. Bramblepaw watched him curiously as he leaped up onto the Clantree and yowled out, "Let all cats old enough to catch prey gather beneath the Clantree for a Clan meeting!"
Cats emerged from their dens to settle down. Excitement fizzed through Bramblepaw's pelt as he remembered what Sandstorm had said. I'm going to become a warrior!
"We have a new warrior among us today," Graystar announced. The cats all looked at Bramblepaw. The only other apprentices were Sorrelpaw and Rainpaw, and they weren't ready to become warriors yet. "Bramblepaw, step forward please." Bramblepaw hurried to the front, standing tall and proud in front of his Clan leader. Graystar's gaze slid past him to Sandstorm. "Sandstorm. Has Bramblepaw learned the ways of the Warrior Code? Has he proven himself worthy of his warrior name?"
"He has," answered Sandstorm.
"StarClan, I ask you to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn your noble Warrior Code, and has proven his worth many times over. Bramblepaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code and to defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Bramblepaw stood straighter. "I do."
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I present to you your warrior name. Bramblepaw, from this moment forward you will be known as Brambleclaw. We honor your loyalty and courage, and welcome you to ThunderClan as a full warrior."
Brambleclaw, eyes shining, stepped forward to lick his leader's shoulder. Graystar whispered in his ear, "Well done." He stepped back and listened as his Clanmates cheered his new name.
"Brambleclaw! Brambleclaw!"
Sandstorm purred, dipping her head to the new warrior. "Well done, Brambleclaw."
"I couldn't have made it this far without you," Brambleclaw responded.
"I showed you how to be a warrior," Sandstorm told him. "You found the path yourself."
"Regardless, you taught me so much," Brambleclaw mewed, touching noses with his former mentor.
Ashfur pressed against his friend. "Well done!" he purred. "Now we're both warriors!" His eyes were alight with excitement. "We can hunt all the prey in the forest, and battle BloodClan as fiercely as the LionClan warriors in the old days!"
"LionClan fell against BloodClan," Brambleclaw reminded his friend softly.
Ashfur flicked an ear. "Bad analogy. We can fight BloodClan with all the power of the ancient Clans behind our blows!" He shot Brambleclaw a teasing look. "Better, great warrior?" His voice was full of sarcasm.
Brambleclaw dropped into a crouch, mewing playfully, "Why, you—"
"Brambleclaw!" Graystar approached from behind him, making the new warrior jump and spin around in surprise. "It will be night soon," he told him. "You're standing guard tonight, alongside Brightheart." He shot him a stern look. "No talking with her. A silent vigil all through the night."
"Yes, Graystar," Brambleclaw meowed obediently. Even if there was only one new warrior, at least two cats stood guard each night. "Of course. I won't talk."
"Good." Graystar nodded in satisfaction. He started to turn away, then paused and added over his shoulder, "The Gathering is tomorrow night. After the vigil, get some rest. You're going."
Brambleclaw bounced in excitement. His first Gathering as a warrior! Ashfur nudged him, echoing his thoughts. "Your first Gathering as a warrior!" he exclaimed.
"I know!" he happily meowed, circling his friend. He paused for a moment. "You have to go, Ashfur! You can't miss me being announced as a warrior!"
Ashfur purred. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Brambleclaw." A thrill went through him again. He was a warrior!
"Brambleclaw!" Brightheart called, getting up from where she lay with Cloudtail. "No more talking. Your vigil's is starting. Take your place."
He opened his mouth to reply, then as Ashfur shot him a quick look remembered that he wasn't supposed to. He nodded instead, and padded out to guard the camp. A moment passed, and then Brightheart took her place beside him.
He moved around until he was settled down comfortably. As he gazed out at the dark forest, delight surged beneath his pelt.
Now that he was a warrior, he might finally be able to get back at BloodClan!
The moon was a glowing ball of silver fire in the sky. It's light illuminated every pawstep of the way to the Gathering place. All of his Clanmates were bathed in silver light, making them look like StarClan warriors, with frost-tipped fur and glowing eyes. Brambleclaw assumed he looked no different. Even Ashfur's hideous scars were hidden by the moonlight. His fur was completely silver, with just hints of red where the scars where.
Surely this is a sign of good days coming, Brambleclaw thought. Even a kit could see that. Looking at the sky, he saw it was completely cloudless. This Gathering was sure to be fun.
He halted as Graystar raised his tail. Fidgeting, he looked around, unable to keep still. Ashfur nudged him. "Stop fidgeting!" he hissed.
Just then, Graystar gave the signal. ThunderClan poured into the Gathering place. It was a large clearing, nothing more. It was pressed up against a steep stone cliff. They called the Gathering place the Cliffside. On this cliff were several ledges, many of them big enough to easily fit a cat or two on them. This was where the leaders and deputies sat.
The leaders took their places higher up, and the deputies settled down on those that were lower to the ground. Their places went by age. The older you were, the higher you sat, and you spoke first if you were oldest. Normally, it would be seniority, but they all become leaders and deputies at around the same time.
ThunderClan were the last ones to arrive. The fishy scents of RiverClan, windy scents of WindClan, and the tangy pine needle smell of ShadowClan was already on the clearing. Cats mingled with each other, spirits high. In the Cliffside, it was just as bright and the clearing was awash in silver light. A good sign, he repeated to himself.
Brambleclaw darted over to his sister, a ShadowClan cat. Tawnypaw used to be of ThunderClan, but when their father Tigerstar took over ShadowClan, she opted to join him because of her old Clanmates' distrust and comparative words to their father. Before the battle, Firestar had offered to let her come back to ThunderClan, but she refused and stayed with her adopted Clan.
"Tawnypaw!" he panted. "Guess what?"
Tawnypaw turned to settle sharp green eyes on him. The ShadowClan scent that clung to her pelt was less pronounced now. All of the Clans' separate scents were fainter. Probably because we live and work so close to each other now, Brambleclaw guessed.
"Tawnypaw? Who's that?" meowed his sister. For a heartbeat, confusion ran through him, until he realized what she meant. His thought was confirmed a moment later, when she told her brother, "I'm Tawnypelt now, if you don't mind."
Brambleclaw lashed his tail in excitement. "You're a warrior too!" he exclaimed. "My new name is Brambleclaw."
"Nice!" Tawnypelt purred, touching noses with him. "So how're things in ThunderClan?"
Brambleclaw shrugged. "Just fine," he meowed. "Nothing particularly new, besides for the fact that we finally convinced Sandstorm to move to the nursery. No major problems with prey or BloodClan. Prey is starting to go down, but that's normal when leaf-bare comes around."
"Sandstorm's a queen now?" Tawnypelt widened her eyes. "About time! I expected that stubborn she-cat to move into the nursery in the middle of giving birth to her kits!"
Brambleclaw's whiskers twitched. "Sandstorm cares about her unborn kits enough to move in earlier than that. They are Firestar's, after all." As always when his former mentor was brought up, a pang of grief hit him. He pushed it away and leaned closer to Tawnypelt, his voice a low whisper now. "Although, honestly, I think some of my Clanmates thought the same."
She purred. "She is the most stubborn she-cat that's ever existed," she meowed.
"That she is," he agreed. "So how are things between you and Rowanclaw? Does he know yet?"
Tawnypelt blushed. "No, and if you tell him, I swear to StarClan I'll rip your pelt off," she whispered back fiercely. She glanced around nervously. Brambleclaw followed her gaze and saw Rowanclaw's ginger pelt beside Emberface's dark gray one. The two warriors were chatting amiably, and neither even so as much glanced their way. "Did he hear that?"
"No," Brambleclaw meowed casually. "Did you want him to?"
"No!" she hissed. She whipped her tail over his mouth. "Be quiet, Brambleclaw."
He mrrowed with laughter, pushing her tail away, then loudly teased, "Why don't you want him to know? Don't you loooove him?"
"Brambleclaw, I swear, if you say another word," threatened Tawnypelt, her eyes gleaming dangerously.
"Oh, you'd never do that," Brambleclaw told her easily. "We're siblings. We could never hurt each other."
She flattened her ears. He had called her bluff. She began to speak, when:
"Let the Gathering begin!"
"Oh, thank StarClan," muttered Tawnypelt. She glared at Brambleclaw, and he responded by lightly flicking her nose with his tail. She batted it away with a huff, then turned to the leaders, proceeding to ignore him. Brambleclaw rolled his eyes.
"Let us remember the Fallen," Russetstar meowed solemnly. "From ShadowClan: Blackfoot, Boulder, Applefur, Flintfang, Darkflower, Breezepaw, and Shadekit."
Mistystar rose. "From RiverClan: Leopardstar, Voleclaw, Dawnbright, Sedgecreek, Vixentail, Beetlenose, Frogleap, Greenflower, and Pikepaw." Her voice cracked just a little on the last one; Brambleclaw remembered Pikepaw was her son.
Finished, she gracefully sat down, and Mudstar got to his paws. "From WindClan," he boomed, his voice carrying easily, "Tallstar, Deadfoot, Tunnelheart, Rabbitpelt, Darkpelt, Wrenflight, Sorrelnose, and Stickpaw." He nodded respectfully at Graystar, returning to his former position.
Graystar stood, his eyes sweeping the Clan cats. "From ThunderClan: Firestar, Whitestorm, Thornclaw, Sootkit, Goldenflower"—as always whenever they mentioned it at a Gathering or otherwise, Brambleclaw felt a small prick of grief—"Speckletail, Smallear, Dappletail, and One-eye." He sat again, looking expectantly at Russetstar.
The ShadowClan leader climbed to her paws again, announcing, "ShadowClan is well. Our border patrols have had a few skirmishes with BloodClan, but nothing major. Tallpoppy has given birth to Wetfoot's kits: Shinekit and Tigerkit." She ignored the gasps. Brambleclaw glanced at Tawnypelt.
"Tigerkit?" he echoed.
She shrugged.
"Nutwhisker has moved to the elders' den. And we have one new warrior: Tawnypelt."
"Tawnypelt! Tawnypelt!" As Brambleclaw yowled out to the night sky, he felt pride flash through him, fierce and strong. Tawnypelt raised her head proudly.
Once the cries of welcome had died down, Russetstar meowed, "That is all."
Mistystar stood up. "The prey is swimming well in RiverClan. Some foolish Twoleg kits fell into the river, but the adults pulled them out."
"They'll think twice before coming so close to the river again!" Loudbelly yowled from his place of the cliff. RiverClan's deputy and Mistystar's mate, the dark brown warrior's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. "The fish-brains!"
Brambleclaw winced. "Must have been cold for them," he muttered to Tawnypelt. She nodded in agreement.
Mistystar glanced down at her deputy, amusement glimmering in her eyes. "We have had just as few problems from BloodClan as ShadowClan has. Some of them have occasionally raided across the border, but we chased them back. They'll think twice before crossing again. We have two new apprentices, Needlepaw and Gustpaw, apprenticed to Grassfur and Heavystep, respectively."
"Needlepaw! Gustpaw! Needlepaw! Gustpaw!"
Mistystar nodded to Mudstar and sat down again. WindClan's leader rose, his solid build making him less graceful and more powerful. Even so, he was a WindClan cat, and everybody knew that no other cat was as fast as a WindClan cat. He shared a look with his deputy, Onewhisker, then spoke, his deep voice carrying clearly.
"I am pleased that ShadowClan and RiverClan are doing so well," he rumbled. "The rabbits have been running fast, but not fast enough to evade our warriors. WindClan is well-fed and strong. Ashfoot has given birth to one kit: Crowkit. Morningflower is once again expecting Shrewtail's kits."
He paused, his gaze sliding around the gathered cats. "But WindClan has been having more trouble with BloodClan than the other Clans have been. They have been attacking our patrols with overwhelming numbers, and our warriors are just able to hold them off. When leaf-bare arrives, we will be too weak to fend them all off."
"Just a few days ago, we lost a couple of tail-lengths of territory to them," Mudstar went on. "So I ask for your help, Russetstar, Graystar, Mistystar. We need to prove to them that we can band together to fight them off. Will you help?"
Graystar shared a look with Mousefur, then dipped his head. "ThunderClan will aid you."
Mistystar nodded her agreement shortly after. "As will RiverClan. We may be separate Clans now, but against BloodClan, we are united as one."
Mudstar flashed them a grateful look. "What do you say, Russetstar? Will ShadowClan help?"
Russetstar glanced at her deputy, Rowanberry, then put at her warriors. Some of them looked uncertain, but others were looking like they wanted to help WindClan.
"Help them," Tawnypelt called to her leader. "Only together do we stand a chance against BloodClan."
Still Russetstar hesitated. "I would not ask for your help if not in dire need," Mudstar pressed.
Finally, the ShadowClan leader nodded. "ShadowClan will help."
Mudstar signed in relief. "WindClan thank you."
"BloodClan will not defeat us," Graystar declared. "Not if we stand together."
The Clan cats yowled in agreement. The four leaders let them roar for a moment, before Graystar raised his tail for silence.
"ThunderClan still has a report to make," he called. Brambleclaw pricked his ears. It was almost time!
The cats grew quiet, looking up at the ThunderClan leader expectantly. Graystar looked down on them, then spoke. "ThunderClan has not had much trouble with BloodClan, but that is likely because they are focusing on WindClan right now." He shot a quick glance at Mudstar. "Prey is plentiful enough. Sandstorm has moved to the nursery," he continued, adding in a stage whisper, "Finally!" The cats mrrowed with amusement, and several of them smirked or shot a teasing look at Sandstorm. Reverting back to his usual voice, Graystar meowed, "We have one new warrior: Brambleclaw."
"Brambleclaw! Brambleclaw!"
Brambleclaw sat straight, delight and pride rushing through him from nose-to-tail-tip as he heard the Clans yowling his new name out to the night sky. For a moment, the moon seemed to shine brighter. Or maybe that was just his imagination.
The calls died away, and Tawnypelt purred at Brambleclaw. "We're both warriors now," she murmured. Yes. Yes we are.
"ThunderClan has no other news." Graystar stepped back, looking at the eldest of the leaders.
"The Gathering is over!" Russetstar yowled. The leaders and deputies jumped down to join the cats below.
Ashfur popped up on his other side. "So, how was it being announced as a warrior?" he asked.
"Great!" Brambleclaw purred. "Best moment of my life!"
"Your life must suck then," Ashfur meowed, managing to keep a straight face. "I thought that it was the worst moment ever for you."
"Wha—hey!" Brambleclaw pounced on the pale tom, baring his teeth in mock-anger. "No teasing allowed right now." They rolled around the clearing, fighting playfully. It ended with Brambleclaw on top, pinning Ashfur down on the ground.
"Alright, alright," Ashfur yelped, though he couldn't wipe the grin completely off his face. "I give, you win, no more teasing tonight."
"Do you swear on StarClan?"
"I swear on StarClan."
"You know, if you break that promise, StarClan will strike you down, right?"
"Brambleclaw!"
"Okay, okay, Ashfur," Brambleclaw meowed, getting off of the ThunderClan warrior. "Just making sure you know the consequences."
Ashfur stood up and shook out his pelt. Brambleclaw smoothed his whiskers, washing off the dust and dirt that he had picked while tussling with Ashfur. He stopped as he got to his legs, having noticed something interesting.
"Hey, Tawnypelt," he called. His sister turned toward him. He angled his ears. "I think Rowanclaw is looking for in for you."
She turned and saw that Rowanclaw was indeed coming their way, calling Tawnypelt's name out. She let out an undignified squeak, then squelched it, turning to Brambleclaw anxiously.
"How do I look, Brambleclaw?" she asked, quickly washing her whiskers and ears.
Brambleclaw's whiskers twitched. "Ridiculous, as always, Tawnypelt."
"Hey!" she protested. "I'm a warrior now. I can't look ridiculous!"
"Don't listen to him, Tawnypelt," Ashfur meowed, padding up to stand by him. He prodded him. "Brambleclaw's just teasing. You look just as pretty as ever."
Brambleclaw couldn't help putting in, "Which means you look as ridiculous as ever."
"Brambleclaw!" Tawnypelt meowed. She poked him in the nose. He took a step back, rubbing his nose. "You don't look so warrior-like yourself, you know."
"Me? Not warrior-like? Excuse me?" Brambleclaw puffed up his chest. "I'll have you know, Ridiculouspelt"—he ignored her glare—"that I am the very picture of a warrior. Ask any cat what they'd use as an example when trying to explain a true warrior, and they'll say me!"
"Oh, yeah?" Tawnypelt mewed. She glanced at Ashfur. "When trying to explain what a true warrior is, who would you use for an example?"
"No, not Ashfur," Brambleclaw cut in. "He's not allowed to answer."
"Alright, then." Tawnypelt looked around. "Hey, Finchwing!" she called to her WindClan friend. The tabby she-cat looked her way. "When trying to explain what a true warrior is, who would you use as an example?"
Finchwing glanced at the ShadowClan cat uncertainly. She picked up Brambleclaw mouthing words and gesturing to himself, and a light of mischief sprang up in her eyes. "Brambleclaw," she declared, letting out a loud mrrow of laughter as Tawnypelt's jaw dropped.
"Hah!" Brambleclaw exclaimed, nudging her. "See?"
Finchwing turned away to join her sister Dawnclaw, but her shoulders were shaking with laughter. "Oh, real funny, Finchwing," Tawnypelt called after her. "That was soooo hilarious."
"It really was," Finchwing told her, turning around again. She was more composed now. "You should've seen your face!"
"Uh huh." Tawnypelt glared at Brambleclaw.
Finchwing padded away. Just then, Rowanclaw appeared. Tawnypelt stared. "There you are Tawnypelt! ShadowClan are leaving now."
"Uh, I... uh," she stammered. "I'm, uh... I—"
"She's coming," interrupted Brambleclaw. He nudged her toward the ginger tom. "Right, Tawnypelt?"
"Uh, yeah!"
"See you next Gathering!" Ashfur called.
"See you!" echoed Brambleclaw.
Tawnypelt waved her tail in farewell. Brambleclaw turned to Ashfur. "I suppose we should find Graystar," he mewed.
Ashfur nodded, leading the way. As they left the Cliffside, there was a warm feeling in Brambleclaw's chest. Despite the news that BloodClan was targeting WindClan, he had never had so much fun since Firestar died.
"So, you think BloodClan will attack WindClan again soon?" Ashfur asked.
The warm feeling evaporated. Brambleclaw flexed his claws. "I hope so," he growled. "I'd really like to get some more payback for all the Clan cats they killed. I lost my mother because of them. They can never suffer enough for what they've done to the Clans."
Ashfur nodded. "Someday, someday, we'll reclaim our old home. Now that you're a warrior, BloodClan had better look out!"
Brambleclaw dipped his head in agreement. "They'd better."