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 SEVEN

BRAMBLECLAW

Brambleclaw lunged for a big black she-cat. Ducking under her blow, he dove beneath her belly and heaved upwards, sending her flailing away. Taking advantage of it, he darted forward and plunged his teeth into her neck; after a moment he released her and allowed her to flee.

A half-moon had passed since the patrol had arrived back at the Clans. They had had a Gathering shortly after that, so Mistystar and Russetstar discussed it with the other Clans. While Graystar had already heard the report, Mudstar hadn't, so they explained everything. It ended with Mudstar saying that they had to defeat BloodClan, much like Brambleclaw had first thought when hearing the report.

Tonight, they had woken once more to a WindClan cat skidding into camp and yowling that they were being attacked by BloodClan. Graystar led ThunderClan to their aid, and well, here he was.

While usually he would be fighting alongside Ashfur, the tom had been one of the two chosen to stay behind and guard camp, along with Willowpelt. So instead, he fought beside Mistlewind. The dark tabby was quiet, and if Brambleclaw was honest, he would have to say that he barely knew her. He vaguely remembered her as the sister of Snowkit, the deaf kit. But at that time, his thoughts had been preoccupied by Tigerstar, then Tigerclaw, and Firestar, then Fireheart not really trusting him. And Mistlewind just kinda faded into the background naturally. She rarely spoke up, but judging on her performance at the moment, she was an expert fighter.

Brambleclaw darted towards a cat who was trying to approach her from behind, and Mistlewind leaped to intercept a cat who was charging Brambleclaw while his tail was turned. He twisted mid-air, landing right on top of the cat, balancing easily as he raked his claws down his back. He quickly jumped off before the BloodClan warrior had a chance to shake him off.

Brambleclaw had timed it perfectly, thanks to Tigerstar's training. The tom had rolled onto his back in an attempt to squish him. Instead, Brambleclaw had leaped off just in time and was now in a position to rain blows down onto the enemy's exposed belly. The cat yowled with pain as his sharp claws scored through his stomach. He thrust Brambleclaw off with powerful hind legs and raced away, leaving a trail of blood behind him.

Thanks Tigerstar, Brambleclaw thought, a little reluctantly. While he was now beginning to hold his father in a place of grudging respect and admiration, he still thought of the tabby warrior as a traitor and murderer. How could he not? Like it or not though, Tigerstar had achieved great things in his lifetime. Like bringing BloodClan to the forest, Brambleclaw thought sourly. Or killing countless cats.

Shaking his head, he dispelled any last thoughts of Tigerstar from his mind and leaped back into battle. Mistlewind had left to help a tall white WindClan tom, who was being overwhelmed by three BloodClan warriors. Brambleclaw quickly closed his jaws around a she-cat who was about to strike at Thistlefur, a small ginger ShadowClan tom. He yanked her backwards, and dug his claws into her shoulders, struggling to keep his hold. Despite being one of the skinnier cats of BloodClan, she was shockingly strong.

The she-cat reared up to shake the tabby warrior off, and Thistlefur took his chance. He lunged for her now-exposed belly and ripped into it with sharp claws. The she-cat screeched, twisting away and staggering backwards, retreating from the snarling warrior. Brambleclaw surged forward and rammed his shoulder into her side. She went sprawling, before leaping up and hissing, eyes burning. The two cats moved as one, stepping forward to slash at her muzzle. The she-cat snarled one last time before backing into the gorse. The Clan warriors shared a nod before splitting up to aid others.

Brambleclaw rushed off to join the defenders by the nursery, but a small black tom fighting Graystar and Nightwing of ShadowClan caught his attention. He almost tripped over his paws as he spun to look. His eyes widened. Scourge was here?! Glancing around swiftly, he realized suddenly that there were more BloodClan cats than there were in the first attack. They're really putting a lot into this.

He hissed as yet another BloodClan cat sprang at him. The stream felt never-ending; when one fell, another inevitably stepped up to continue the fight. He threw himself backwards when the cat, paws tipped with dog claws, ripped at the air, aiming for the scar across his chest. Brambleclaw spat at him, but before he could retaliate, the WindClan warrior Emberface collided violently with the enemy. Both went sprawling away, lost quickly in the brawl and flying fur.

He quickly shoved his way forward, where Weedfoot, Oatwhisker, and Robinpaw all fought side-by-side, backs arched and teeth bared as they squared off against their foes. Brambleclaw let out a challenging caterwaul, hurtling forward to strike from behind.

The moment he did so, the warriors joined him in the brawl. Brambleclaw felt the breath whoosh out of him as the cat he was fighting knocked him down. He kicked his hind legs out, thrusting her away and scrambling to his paws. She staggered, and he took the opportunity to sink his teeth into her shoulder, before shoving her away hard.

Panting, Brambleclaw quickly blocked the way into the nursery. He wasn't sure how much longer he could go on fighting. Looking over the camp, his chest tightened with worry. The fight spilled out onto the territory, past where he could see, but more of the cats he could see seemed to be BloodClan, not Clan warriors.

When yet another appeared from the ranks to face him, his patience was running thin. Without preamble, when the cat leaped at him, Brambleclaw dove forward and jabbed his claws into the tendon of the cat's back legs, another Tigerstar move. He collapsed with a yowl, as Brambleclaw rolled out from under him. He tossed him away, rejoining the defenders.

As he fought off yet another cat, he could almost hear his father purring in his ears. Well done, he was saying. Brambleclaw curled his lip and shut him out. He didn't need or want Tigerstar's praise. He had gotten the Clans into this disaster. All Brambleclaw wanted was to learn how to fight better, and he had. His father could go rot in-what was it? The Place of No Stars?-for all he cared.

Brambleclaw shook his head and refocused on the battle, right as a yowl split the air.

"Retreat!"

Brambleclaw's head shot up, and he stared in horrified anger. Scourge stood victorious over two Clan cats, eyes burning with derisive triumph. One was still, while the other began to stir slightly again. Brambleclaw recognized Dawnclaw as one, Graystar as the other. Scourge snarled as Cloudtail darted forward and briefly distracted him, while a RiverClan warrior quickly dragged Graystar to safety.

"ShadowClan!" Russetstar called again. "Retreat!"

All throughout the battlefield, ShadowClan broke away, repeating the order to those outside the camp as they fled. Mistystar soon echoed the order, and with two Clans gone, Mousefur was forced to follow suit in Graystar's place.

Brambleclaw hesitated, not wanting to abandon WindClan. He could see many others doing the same, staying to fight just one more cat, desperate to help WindClan as much as they could. But then Mudstar broke away from his opponent and, eyes shining with rage, bellowed his own order.

"WindClan, retreat!" he howled, voice ringing with fury.

Onewhisker took up his leader's cry. "Retreat! Retreat!"

And with that, every Clan cat in the hollow streamed away, plunging out of the WindClan camp, leaving BloodClan behind standing victorious.

Brambleclaw shook his head negative, and Ashfur closed his mouth before he could even ask the inevitable question. The gray warrior glanced past his friend to take in the WindClan cats following behind the ThunderClan warriors, and his shoulders slumped dejectedly.

Willowpelt stepped forward to meet her leader, leaning heavily on Brackenfur and WindClan warrior Shrewtail, and struggling to keep his footing beneath him. Dustpelt strode past both guards, calling for Cinderpelt; the medicine cat quickly came out as cats streamed into the camp, joining Barkface in treating the hurt.

His wounds stung in the open air, but Brambleclaw opted to join Ashfur. He could wait; there were more pressing injuries to take care of first. Willowpelt glanced at him for confirmation, then ducked into the camp. For a long moment, both just sat there, gazing into the foliage, silent and watchful, but minds churning with agony and unease.

"How many?" Ashfur finally asked.

Brambleclaw shrugged uncertainly. "I can't say. Dawnclaw's dead. So is Whiteclaw. I know Graystar lost a life, and Rainpaw's in pretty bad shape."

Ashfur sighed heavily. "Things are getting worse. When will the killing stop?" he murmured to himself.

"When we defeat BloodClan," he answered solemnly.

His friend glanced sidelong at him. He could see the question in his eyes - They've already beaten us several times, so how can we possibly defeat them? - but Ashfur simply moved on to something else. "What's happening with WindClan?"

Again, he shrugged. "The Gathering is tomorrow night. The leaders are going to figure it out then. But tonight, they just wanted to get back to camp and get the wounded treated, let us rest. Graystar agreed to let the WindClan cats stay here tonight."

Ashfur nodded. "Speaking of the wounded..." he began.

Brambleclaw flicked his tail dismissively. "It's not that bad," he said. He angled his ears toward the camp. "Others in there need treatment much more than I do. I don't want Cinderpelt wasting her supplies on me, especially not with leaf-bare approaching."

"With leaf-bare coming, you can't not be treated," Ashfur argued. "ThunderClan needs all the healthy warriors it can get. What happens if that scratch get an infection? Or that clawmark? Or that bite?" He indicated each injury as he spoke, eyeing him fiercely. "You have to get checked up, at the very least."

Brambleclaw flattened his ears. He opened his mouth to protest that it was a waste of time, but seeing Ashfur's flat glare, the words died on his tongue. "I will, soon, once they're less busy and someone can replace me as guard," he sighed in concession. Upon seeing his friend's dubious expression, he insisted, "I will! Stop giving me that look!"

Ashfur grinned for the first time, just a little. "Good. If you don't," he added, "I will hunt you down and drag you to her myself."

"I'd like to see you try," he retorted.

"Don't test me," he warned, eyes twinkling.

Brambleclaw huffed with amusement. Satisfied that the matter was settled for the time being, Ashfur sat back, and the two resumed their quiet watchfulness.

"How's Finchwing?" Tawnypelt asked quietly, slipping out from the crowd of ShadowClan cats to join her brother.

Brambleclaw glanced over at where she stood, head bowed, amongst the WindClan cats, and shook his head. "Not well," he admitted. "She took it pretty hard. Her and Emberface. The whole family, in fact."

Tawnypelt followed his gaze, ears drooping. "First Stickpaw, now Dawnclaw. How are Hoppaw and Robinpaw?"

"Hurting," Ashfur chimed in, "but they still have their father."

"One small comfort," sighed Tawnypelt.

"How's ShadowClan?" Brambleclaw asked, redirecting the topic of conversation.

Her expression fell even further. "Mourning. Snowbird died of her wounds today, and there's no saying if Brownwhisker and Thistlefur will survive."

"What about Rowanclaw?" prodded Ashfur.

Tawnypelt smiled, even as the tips of her ears heated up at the implied question behind it. "Doing well. He escaped any major injuries, fortunately."

"Good," Brambleclaw joked, trying to lighten the mood. "That means I still have a decent shot at being an uncle."

"Phew," sighed Ashfur dramatically, letting out a breath of relief.

His sister looked confused for a moment, then her jaw dropped as the meaning hit her. She spluttered ineffectually for a moment, her face burning. "I-what-no-I-I'm not having kits with him!"

"You sure?" Brambleclaw huffed with laughter. "I think I'd make a pretty good uncle, don't you?"

"Assuming one of them ever makes a move, and they stop making moony eyes at each other," a voice suddenly drawled behind them. They all jumped, spinning to face the newcomer.

"You startled me!" exclaimed Ashfur, exhaling loudly.

"Sorry." The ShadowClan warrior Rookwhisker grinned sheepishly. "I have a bad habit of walking up behind cats and suddenly inserting myself into conversations. My travelmates got used to it. ShadowClan evidently has forgotten."

"Tell me about it," Tawnypelt grumbled, glaring at him.

"I've apologized!" Rookwhisker protested.

"And I do not make moony eyes at him!" added the tortoiseshell she-cat.

Rookwhisker snorted. "Please. I've only been back half-a-moon, but it's so obvious. Of course, you and Rowanclaw are the only ones to not see it."

"What do you think the chances of him being an uncle is then?" Ashfur wondered.

"Once they get over their denial, almost certain. Unless they're one of those couples that decide they don't want kits..." mused Rookwhisker.

"I am not in denial!"

"Sure you aren't," Brambleclaw agreed.

"You're my brother, Brambleclaw; you should be helping me out here!"

"Hey," he protested, "I agreed with you."

"Sarcastically!"

"What are you talking about? I was being perfectly sincere!"

"You were not."

"I was."

"Not."

"Was."

"Not."

"Was-"

"It's like watching a pair of bickering kits," Ashfur commented dryly.

Brambleclaw swung around. "We are not kits!"

"We're full-grown warriors!" Tawnypelt added, looking insulted.

Ashfur rolled his eyes, not even bothering to respond to that. Brambleclaw huffed indignantly, and Rookwhisker laughed.

"It is," he agreed to Ashfur. Rookwhisker glanced around as more cats arrived. "RiverClan's here. Swallowtail! How goes it with you-know-who?" He bounded away, right as a gray tom came up and took his place.

"Eagletail," greeted Tawnypelt. The WindClan warrior nodded back, greeting her with a wave of his tail.

"Hey," Brambleclaw said cheerfully.

"Hey Brambleclaw," Eagletail said. He looked at Tawnypelt, nervously looking down at his paws. "Tawnypelt, I, uh, I was hoping you could help me out?"

Looking startled, she replied, "Yes?"

He awkwardly scuffed the ground with a forepaw. "I... I was hoping you'd talk to Finchwing." He ducked his head, his words growing faster as he began to ramble on. "She hasn't done well today, barely ate or drank, sat in the den all day, and I know you're her friend, and I know it's only been a day since Dawnclaw died, and it's perfectly reasonable for Finchwing to act this way, but I'm still worried about her and I was hoping you would go over and talk to her because-"

"Take a breath!" interrupted Ashfur. He flicked the younger tom lightly with his tail, and Eagletail blushed.

"Sorry," he mumbled, ducking his head.

"It's fine," Brambleclaw answered easily.

"Just repeat, slowly," Tawnypelt instructed.

Eagletail inhaled deeply, then exhaled, forcing himself to relax. "I'm worried about Finchwing," he said clearly, making an effort to speak slower. "And you're her friend, so I was hoping you would go over and talk to her?"

Tawnypelt looked briefly surprised, but nodded. "Yes, of course." She flashed a slightly guilty look over her shoulder at Brambleclaw, then headed over to the where the WindClan cats were.

"I hope no one else dies," Ashfur said softly.

He nodded. "Same. We've lost too many already."

"Let the Gathering begin!"

Brambleclaw looked up at the leaders. All four were in their spots, looking calm and composed. Quite an accomplishment, considering what had gone down just the previous day. He winced at the thought of it; his wounds had been looked over, but they still stung.

"Let us remember the Fallen," Russetstar began. "From ShadowClan: Blackfoot, Boulder, Applefur, Flintfang, Darkflower, Breezepaw, and Shadekit."

"From RiverClan," continued Mistystar, "Leopardstar, Voleclaw, Dawnbright, Sedgecreek, Vixentail, Beetlenose, Frogleap, Greenflower, and Pikepaw."

"From WindClan," Mudstar said, "Tallstar, Deadfoot, Tunnelheart, Rabbitpelt, Darkpelt, Wrenflight, Sorrelnose, and Stickpaw." He nodded respectfully at Graystar, returning to his former position.

Graystar finished the list. "From ThunderClan: Firestar, Whitestorm, Thornclaw, Sootkit, Goldenflower, Speckletail, Smallear, Dappletail, and One-eye."

Russetstar looked coolly over the assembled cats before beginning again. "We have one new apprentice: Talonpaw, mentored by Rowanclaw." Brambleclaw sneaked a glance over at Tawnypelt to see her reaction, but unfortunately, she was turned away from him. After the Clans had finished congratulating the new apprentice, she continued, "ShadowClan has two new warriors as well. Foxflower and Snowclaw proved themselves in battle yesterday, and have been named warriors."

The two warriors beamed with pride as their names were boomed throughout the Cliffside. Brambleclaw yowled as enthusiastically as he could, wanting a distraction from the sorrow. The parents of the three named cats sat proudly.

"However," Russetstar continued, her tone turning somber, "I am afraid that Snowbird passed away from her wounds earlier today, and some of our warriors are seriously injured from the battle." A quiet fell over the cats. So much for the distraction. "That is all."

Mistystar dipped her head to Russetstar. "I am sorry to hear of Snowbird's death, but I wish your warriors a swift recovery. RiverClan too mourns a Clanmate: Whiteclaw."

Brambleclaw joined the others in bowing his head in respect.

"I have more joyous news, however," she went on. "Flowerwing, expecting Grassfur's kits, has moved to the nursery." She glanced down at the pleased father. "Furthermore, we have three new apprentices: Palepaw, Stonepaw, and Leopardpaw are mentored by Weedfoot, Ravenfur, and Streamcloud."

Mudstar rose heavily; Brambleclaw could see him favoring his right paw. "We lost Dawnclaw in the battle, a brave, kind warrior. All of WindClan mourns for her and hopes she finds peace in StarClan." He paused, glancing around the cats. Mudstar and Onewhisker exchanged unsure glances, but he finally began to speak again, slowly. "Despite this loss, we have welcomed a new apprentice: Darkpaw, son of Onewhisker."

Brambleclaw's ears shot up in surprise, and he stared at the WindClan deputy. Many more did the same, and a clamor grew. A large number of cats rose to their paws and scanned the ranks of WindClan for the two cats. Despite the startled and accusing stares, Onewhisker kept his shoulders squared, weathering them stonily.

"Enough," Russetstar growled, and ShadowClan sat down, fur ruffled guiltily.

"Sit down," agreed Graystar.

The noise lowered as cats heeded their leaders. Mudstar nodded curtly to them, then resumed.

"Flyheart has agreed to mentor him." Mudstar glanced at the warrior, sitting beside a young tom. Darkpaw, Brambleclaw presumed.

"I am pleased to announce that our queens, elders, and kits were all extracted safely." Mudstar hesitated again, reluctance and desperation flashing in his gaze. "That leads me to my next topic. As you all know, WindClan..." He paused, seeming to fight to let the words out.

"We have no territory," Onewhisker filled in for his leader. Brambleclaw thought it brave of him to speak after the news of his kit had been revealed.

Mudstar nodded. "No, not anymore. BloodClan has seized the camp and much of our land. We cannot survive for long on what little we have left."

Brambleclaw looked up at his leader; he looked thoughtful, seeming to assess something. Mudstar glanced at the other leaders. "I will give you all time to consider what actions should be taken," he said tightly. He sat, inclining his head to signify to the ThunderClan leader that it was his turn.

Graystar rose to his paws slowly, his mind still on other things. He turned his focus toward the cats below him. Pain flashed briefly in his eyes, but his voice was strong and steady when he spoke.

"I grieve for the friends and Clanmates you have lost," Graystar said solemnly to the other leaders. "I pray to StarClan that no more are taken from us, though I fear that may not be the case. One of our apprentices, Rainpaw, was seriously injured during the battle, and Cinderpelt does not know yet whether he will survive."

He turned to Mudstar. "Regarding your territory problem, ThunderClan is willing to share our territory with WindClan, but I'm afraid it is far from large enough to support both of our Clans."

"RiverClan will share as well," Mistystar spoke up. "We can work out the specifics afterwards."

The leaders turned to ShadowClan's leader, awaiting her answer. Russetstar glanced down at her deputy, and when Rowanberry nodded, she acceded, "ShadowClan will too."

There was a noticeable feeling of relief in the air as the leaders ended the Gathering. The leaders and deputies convened at the base of the cliff, talking quietly amongst themselves. The WindClan cats looked more cheerful.

"Onewhisker has a kit-who knew?" Ashfur said, gazing at the tom curiously.

"I wonder who his mother is," added Brambleclaw. He paused, frowning, then shrugged. "Come on. Let's go find Tawnypelt again."

The two of them moved through the crowd. They passed several cats of different Clans mingling together - Snowclaw and Mistlewind, Rookwhisker, Swallowtail, and Heavystep, Hoppaw and Stonepaw - but they eventually reached Tawnypelt, sitting with her pelt pressed comfortingly against Finchwing's. She didn't look up as they approached. Eagletail stood nearby, watching.

"How is she?" Ashfur asked quietly.

The tom lifted his shoulders uncertainly. "Tawnypelt seems to be helping," he responded softly, "but I don't know if it'll last. Having some place to go will be good for her peace of mind, though. Mine too."

Brambleclaw nodded. "I can understand. After the Blood Battle, it was hard, not knowing what would happen next."

"I'm glad Crowkit is only going to experience it for a couple days, at most," Eagletail said, glancing toward his family.

"All of WindClan will," Ashfur said.

"True," Eagletail admitted.

A yowl caught their attention. Brambleclaw looked back to see the leaders breaking apart.

"ThunderClan!" Graystar called. "Return to camp."

"With me, RiverClan!"

"With me, ShadowClan!"

"Gather around, WindClan!"

"Guess we better go," Eagletail sighed.

Tawnypelt rose. "Good hunting, Brambleclaw, Ashfur, Eagletail," she said.

"Good hunting," they echoed.

"See you," Brambleclaw added, touching her nose affectionately.

The ShadowClan warrior padded off. The ThunderClan cats bade Eagletail and Finchwing farewell, then left to their own Clan.