Disclaimer: I do not own Warriors.

Chapter Nine: RiverClan's Request

Branchpaw felt the blood roar in his ears as he processed Stormpaw's words. RiverClan cats… on our territory… Have they come to steal our land?

"Where are they?" Hazelclaw asked, getting down to business. "How far have they come into our territory? And how many of them are there?"

Stormpaw shook his head, struggling to catch his breath. "It's not like that," he meowed. The apprentice sounded serious, but not alarmed. "We found them on the border. They said they didn't mean any harm, and that they just wanted to speak with Falconstar."

Branchpaw let out a breath that he hadn't quite noticed he'd been holding. We aren't going to fight, he realized, deeply relieved by the thought. No one else in my Clan is going to get hurt today.

Hazelclaw's muscles tightened with tension. "Are they coming right now?"

"Yes," Stormpaw meowed. "They wouldn't take no for an answer. I'm not entirely sure who they were, but they seemed pretty important. Rosethorn sent me ahead to warn you that they were coming."

Hazelclaw made a sound of distress. "Falconstar isn't in any condition to see visitors right now," she meowed anxiously.

"Is he all right?" Icepaw asked.

"Well, in the sense that he's recovering, yes," the deputy answered. "But he needs rest more than anything else. And we can't afford to let RiverClan know that he's been hurt or weakened in any way."

"Maybe you could talk to them instead," Branchpaw suggested.

"But what is Hazelclaw supposed to tell them when they ask why Falconstar isn't there?" Vixenpaw pointed out. "That he isn't well? That still leaves us with the same problem."

"Hush," Hazelclaw interrupted. "I appreciate your concerns, but you are all still apprentices. This isn't your problem to solve."

The five of them exchanged worried glances.

"If you want to be helpful, one of you can go find Nightwatcher," Hazelclaw meowed, her tone suddenly brisk. "He should still be out in the forest somewhere. But I want you to take at least two other cats with you; remember, that fox is still out there. And another of you can go alert Falconstar that we're going to have visitors."

"I'll go find Nightwatcher," Vixenpaw offered. She raced off toward the warriors' den to gather some companions.

"I'll tell Falconstar," Branchpaw volunteered.

"Thank you," Hazelclaw meowed, nodding. She turned to face the entrance of the camp.

Branchpaw dashed up the slope to the Highrock. It was strange taking this path; usually only Hazelclaw and Nightwatcher went to visit Falconstar in his den, and occasionally a senior warrior like Wolftail or Tigerfang. But apprentices didn't go up here at all. As he reached the top, where the leader's den blocked the light of the setting sun and threw the cliff into shadow, Branchpaw couldn't help but feel a little like an intruder.

The apprentice buried his unease and padded forward, hesitating at the mouth of the den. Unlike the rest of the Clan's dens, which were made of plants, Falconstar's abode was formed naturally out of stone. The rock was cold beneath Branchpaw's pads as he walked slowly inside.

His eyes took a moment to adjust to the dark. When he could see again, he noticed that the cave did not continue straight on from the entrance, but curved out of view to the left. Branchpaw followed the bend in the cave, where he found a moss nest and a small pool of water. Curled in the nest was Falconstar, who was clearly asleep.

Branchpaw approached, trying to wake the leader gently. "Falconstar," he meowed in a hushed voice, crouching beside the large tomcat.

The gray tabby's ear twitched and his yellow eyes blinked open. His gaze was slightly clouded with sleep. "Tigerfang?" he murmured, sounding groggy.

Branchpaw was startled. Do I really look that much like my father? he wondered. He knew they resembled each other, but he'd never been mistaken for Tigerfang before. The apprentice wasn't sure what to think of that. "No, it's me," he said aloud. "Branchpaw."

Falconstar blinked again, his eyes clearing. "Oh," he meowed, purring amicably. "How silly of me." He got to his paws, stretching luxuriously. "My apologies. You do look quite like your father, and when I'm half asleep, I tend to get a little confused." His jaws stretched wide in a yawn. "How can I help you, Branchpaw?"

The apprentice was suddenly mindful of the fact that he had entered Falconstar's den without the leader's permission, even though Hazelclaw had sent him there. He looked at Falconstar's chin instead of meeting his eyes, to keep his self-consciousness from overwhelming him. "Hazelclaw sent me to tell you that there are RiverClan cats coming to our camp," he explained. "They say they want to speak with you."

Falconstar frowned. "Do you know what they want?"

"I'm afraid not," Branchpaw meowed, lowering his eyes respectfully.

"Then I suppose I'd better find out," the gray tabby replied. He nodded to the apprentice. "Thank you for informing me of this visit."

As the leader passed by him, Branchpaw remembered the earlier conversation he had had with his denmates. He risked a glance at Falconstar's throat. What he saw made him begin to wonder.

There was no wound there.

The leader paused at the mouth of his den. "Come with me," he meowed.

Branchpaw dipped his head and padded obediently after him.

When they emerged from the den, Hazelclaw was pacing at the base of the cliff. Some of the warriors had come out of their den to investigate, including Pineclaw, Honeyflame, Sandfoot, and Lionvoice. Flamepaw and Icepaw were standing off to one side, looking uneasy. Stormpaw was watching the deputy with a troubled expression on his face.

Falconstar made his way down the slope at a pace that probably would have made Nightwatcher yowl at him. Branchpaw had to hurry to keep up.

As they reached the bottom, Hazelclaw turned and spotted them. She frowned, but some of the tension left her shoulders. "Are you sure you're feeling up to this?" she asked Falconstar, closing the space between them. "I can speak with them on your behalf if you need me to." Her blue eyes searched his face.

"Thank you, but I can handle it," Falconstar meowed firmly.

Seeing that he was no longer needed, Branchpaw turned away and hurried across the camp to join his fellow apprentices.

Vixenpaw soon returned with Nightwatcher; Cloudfur and Graywhisker flanked them on either side. The medicine cat came to stand beside his leader and deputy just as the bushes parted at the top of the slope that led into camp.

Rosethorn emerged, followed by Ravenflight. Behind them came three RiverClan cats: a large gray tomcat with darker fur on his face, a slender tortoiseshell, and an elderly brown tabby. Bringing up the rear were Featherwing and Snowfall.

Branchpaw gasped at the sight of the gray cat. "That's Pikestar!" he exclaimed in a low voice. This visit must be really serious, he thought.

Stormpaw breathed in sharply. "I thought he seemed familiar, but I wasn't sure. I didn't really get a good look at him at the Gathering."

"The tortoiseshell is Marshpelt," Vixenpaw whispered. "He's RiverClan's deputy. Hazelclaw and I encountered him at the border once."

"The tabby must be their medicine cat, then," Stormpaw meowed, standing on his hind paws and craning his neck to get a better look.

Hazelclaw cast them a warning glance and they quieted down. Branchpaw's pulse quickened as he watched the RiverClan cats come down the slope. I wonder what they want.

Rosethorn approached Falconstar. "Pikestar would like to speak with you," she meowed formally.

Falconstar nodded, then turned to RiverClan's leader. "Greetings," he meowed, inclining his head slightly. "Welcome to our camp."

"Thank you," Pikestar replied, "both for the kind welcome and for allowing us an audience with you in the midst of your own camp. I hope that you find our meeting worthwhile."

"I hope so as well," Falconstar said. "What is it that you wish to discuss?"

"It is not a discussion I have come here for, but rather a request."

A murmur ran through the assembled ThunderClan cats.

"Very well," Falconstar meowed, lifting his chin. "What is it that you request?"

"An alliance," Pikestar replied, without preamble. Someone in the crowd gasped, and the leader raised his voice slightly to ensure that the rest of his words would be heard. "My Clan could benefit greatly from it, and so can yours."

Falconstar's expression gave none of his thoughts or emotions away, although Branchpaw figured he had to be surprised. The Clans rarely made alliances, and when they did, they weren't usually this sudden. There would normally have been some sort of communication or cooperation between the two Clans beforehand, or some obvious threat that forced them to work together. But this was out of the blue.

"What exactly is your reason for requesting such an alliance?" Falconstar finally asked. "And what makes you believe this would help either of our Clans?"

"WindClan has been threatening RiverClan's borders as of late," Pikestar admitted. "We are more than capable of handling this issue on our own, but the cost would be much greater if we faced the threat by ourselves than if we had ThunderClan's assistance. Furthermore, I have heard rumors that ShadowClan is encroaching on ThunderClan's land as well. It is evident that Tornstar and Doestar both believe their Clans are strong enough to conquer new territory, which means they have grown in strength since the last green-leaf season, when both RiverClan and ThunderClan were more powerful than they were. If either Clan were to become strong enough to defeat one of our Clans, they would certainly be a threat to the other. Does it not make more sense to unite to defeat them now, before they become too powerful, than to wait until they are stronger?"

Falconstar pondered this for a moment, his tail flicking back and forth. "I do not know whether it is wise to pick a fight with WindClan. Since the moorland cats do not share a border with my Clan, they are unlikely to become a threat to us. In addition, I am under the impression that WindClan is attacking RiverClan only because it knows yours is the stronger Clan, and it sees that your strength is growing as well. I believe that WindClan fears you, and is only attacking you now for the same reason you want to attack it; to ensure that you do not become too powerful to defeat."

"That may be so," Pikestar conceded, "but either way, WindClan has become a problem for my Clan. And have you forgotten that any assistance you give to RiverClan will be repaid? If you help RiverClan defeat WindClan, we will help you defeat ShadowClan."

"ShadowClan's recent trespasses may be an issue, but they are an issue we can handle," Falconstar meowed. But Branchpaw thought he saw a flicker of unease in the gray tabby's eyes.

He's thinking of his recent injury, Branchpaw suddenly realized. He knows that the fox weakened him, and that he can't lead his Clan into battle for quite some time. He's actually… worried. It seemed absurd that ThunderClan's leader, who seemed so fearless, could be afraid of anything, but Branchpaw was certain he was right.

Pikestar's tail twitched slightly. "If that still doesn't convince you, perhaps you would like to hear the final condition I propose for our alliance," he meowed.

Falconstar's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. "And what is that?"

"If ThunderClan pledges to help RiverClan in battle against WindClan, your Clan will be permitted to hunt on our territory," Pikestar meowed. "Our rivers are full of fish, which remain plentiful all year round. We have no need for land prey. Your Clan, on the other hand, suffers from food-shortage during leaf-fall and leaf-bare." The gray tom turned his head to look at ThunderClan's meager fresh-kill pile. "In fact, prey seems to be running short already, and leaf-fall has barely begun." He turned back to Falconstar, meeting his eyes. "You have much to gain from accepting my offer."

The two leaders stared each other down for a few moments. Falconstar's eyes were narrowed slightly, as though he were scrutinizing Pikestar, while the older tomcat gazed back calmly.

At last, Falconstar dipped his head in a polite gesture. "I need time to make my decision."

"Of course," RiverClan's leader agreed. "That is customary. This type of decision should not be made lightly."

"I shall send my answer to you sometime before the next Gathering," Falconstar meowed. "However, do not expect it to come soon, for as you said yourself, this is not a light choice to make."

Pikestar nodded. "Understood." He beckoned his deputy and his medicine cat toward him with a sweep of his tail. "Thank you for hearing out my request, Falconstar," he meowed, meeting the gray tabby's gaze once more. "Now we shall take our leave."

"Safe travels," Falconstar meowed. He nodded to the ThunderClan patrol. "Please escort our RiverClan guests back to the border."

"Of course," Rosethorn murmured. She and her companions scaled the rocky slope, followed by the RiverClan cats. They soon disappeared into the forest once more.

Immediately, the crowd began to murmur among themselves. Branchpaw exchanged glances with all of his friends. He was itching with curiosity to know what they thought of RiverClan's request, but he knew that discussion would have to wait until later.

Falconstar raised his tail for silence. The gathered cats slowly subsided.

"Because this is such an important decision that will affect every cat in the Clan, I ask to hear each of your opinions on this situation," Falconstar meowed. "Wolftail?"

The senior warrior stepped forward. "I do not believe we can trust RiverClan," he said, his voice deep and serious. "They act like this alliance would be equally beneficial to both Clans, but I believe that their request is made only in their own interests. It is true they offered to help us defeat ShadowClan, but perhaps it is because they fear ShadowClan as well. Every cat in the forest knows that ShadowClan is the most powerful of the Clans, so it would make sense that RiverClan would want to take them down as much as we do. Especially since RiverClan is rapidly growing in strength as well. With ShadowClan vanquished, RiverClan would be the most powerful Clan left. It is clear that the true tension in the forest is between the cats of the river and the cats of the marshes."

"You make a good point, Wolftail," Falconstar meowed. He turned his attention to the pale warrior's brother. "Graywhisker, what do you think?"

Wolftail stepped back, and Graywhisker took a pace forward. "I agree that RiverClan makes this request primarily in their own interests," he meowed. "However, if their interests align with ours, what do we have to lose from making an alliance?"

"An equally good point," the leader acknowledged. "Tigerfang?"

"I agree with Wolftail," the mottled warrior meowed. "We cannot trust RiverClan." He turned to face Graywhisker. "You ask what we have to lose from allying ourselves with the Clan across the river? As Falconstar has previously stated, WindClan is not a threat to us. Fighting WindClan alongside RiverClan would start an unnecessary war between us and the moorland cats. That could weaken ThunderClan more than fighting ShadowClan on our own would."

Falconstar's eyes darkened. "That is exactly what I'm worried about." He turned his attention to Tigerfang's mate. "Gingerpelt?"

The orange tabby's fur brushed Tigerfang's as she stepped forward. "I am reluctant to disagree with you," she meowed, casting a glance at her mate, "but I must. As Pikestar pointed out, our prey is running low. How can we properly defend our territory against ShadowClan if we are weakened by hunger? And even more, how could we watch our kin suffer from lack of food when we know there is a way to avoid it? I believe we should accept RiverClan's proposal."

Murmurs of agreement came from the crowd. Branchpaw felt a rush of warmth for his mother, which was accompanied by a tinge of pride. However, the feeling was spoiled by a cold sensation in the pit of his stomach when he noticed Tigerfang's expression. His father was looking anywhere but at Gingerpelt, his eyes glittering with sour resentment.

Is he upset that Gingerpelt disagrees with him, or his he angry with her for making a more popular argument? Branchpaw wondered. It was hard to tell when it came to his father. The apprentice sighed inwardly. Oh, why can't I agree with Tigerfang on anything? Why do I always have to chose between making him proud and standing up for my own beliefs? Why can't I make him happy and be completely true to myself at the same time?

Branchpaw heard a shuffling noise behind him and turned to look for the source of the sound. He wasn't entirely sure, but he thought it might have been Flamepaw. His brother certainly looked uncomfortable; his eyes were fixed on the ground and he was frowning slightly. Is Flamepaw as unhappy about this as I am? he wondered. Does it upset him that he's nothing like our father? Or is it more that our parents aren't in agreement? I know he doesn't like conflict. Maybe he's worried that Tigerfang is really angry with Gingerpelt and is going to do something horrible to her. Our father is pretty frightening sometimes, but I know he wouldn't ever hurt one of his Clanmates, especially not our mother. But that can't be what Flamepaw's worried about. My brother should know as well as I do that Tigerfang would never do something like that.

Or maybe he isn't paying attention at all, Branchpaw thought. He felt a sudden stab of anger towards his littermate. He could be off in his own world again. Completely unaware of anything happening around him. Too wrapped up in his own thoughts to care what anyone else is saying. It was impossible to tell. His anger faded slightly, replaced with frustration. Why is my brother such a puzzle?

"Cloudfur?" Falconstar asked, snapping the apprentice out of his thoughts. "What do you think of this?"

"I agree with Gingerpelt," said Cloudfur. "Fighting the other Clans is less likely to result in loss of lives than lack of food is. They may be our enemies, but all four Clans follow the warrior code. They would not purposely kill an opponent."

"That may be part of the warrior code," Lionvoice argued, "but how do we know we can trust the other Clans to follow that law?" The golden warrior's fur was bristling and his eyes were gleaming with anger as he stepped forward to contradict Cloudfur's words. "I'm sure that if push came to shove, any ShadowClan warrior would be willing to break the code if he thought it was necessary to win a battle. I don't want to have to place that much trust in the integrity of enemy warriors. Do you?"

"But many conflicts with the other Clans can be solved by diplomacy," Graywhisker reasoned, coming to stand by his mate's side. "Even if we were to go to war with our enemies, the fight would eventually end if one side surrendered. On the other hand, shortage of prey can't be ended by choice. It's just not something we can control."

"Still, we can't be sure that there really will be a prey shortage this year," Wolftail countered. "I don't think it's wise to go to war on such faulty reasoning."

"There's a prey shortage almost every year," Pineclaw pointed out, stepping toward the group of quarreling cats. "And prey is already running low. I'm not sure if we can trust the other Clans, but I'm not willing to take the risk that we'll all go hungry when there's another option." Almost as though he couldn't help it, he glanced over his shoulder at Honeyflame.

"But what if we all get badly hurt in battle and we can't heal ourselves properly because there's an herb shortage?" Tigerfang argued. "If this leaf-bare is as harsh as you think it'll be, how can Nightwatcher's herbs be expected to grow? We can get by on a little less food if we have to. Of course, we wouldn't let anyone starve. We'd just have to conserve a bit. I don't think it's worth the risk of getting injured just to help another Clan. Especially since Pikestar said himself that RiverClan is capable of handling WindClan's threats on its own."

"But Pikestar is proud," Cloudfur meowed. "It's possible that he was just saying that so we wouldn't think RiverClan was weak." Her tail twitched anxiously. "If that's the case, would you really let RiverClan fight a battle it couldn't win all alone?"

"Whose Clan would you put first, Pikestar's or your own?" Lionvoice challenged, glaring at her. "Where's your Clan loyalty?"

"Hey!" Icepaw suddenly growled, making Flamepaw and Branchpaw, who were standing on either side of her, both jump. "My mother is a loyal warrior! Leave her alone!"

"You're just an apprentice," Tigerfang hissed. "Stay out of this!"

"Enough!" called Falconstar, his voice loud and commanding. When Branchpaw turned to look at him, the leader's eyes were blazing like flames. "I have heard all of your opinions and will take them into consideration, but in the end, as your leader, this is my choice to make. You are taking this argument too far! How dare you accuse one another of being disloyal?"

Lionvoice ducked his head. "I'm sorry, Falconstar," he muttered.

"I should think so," the tabby growled. "Four of our warriors are out escorting RiverClan to the border, but I shall ask for their opinions when they return. Is there anyone who has not yet gotten a chance to speak? If there is anything you wish to add, say it now."

The Clan was completely silent.

Falconstar turned to Hazelclaw and Nightwatcher, who were standing off to one side. "Come to my den, where we will discuss this further," he murmured quietly. Then he raised his voice to address the entire Clan. "This meeting is dismissed!"

Falconstar turned and climbed the rocky path leading to his den. Exchanging a glance, Nightwatcher and Hazelclaw followed him.

The warriors who had been arguing stared each other down. Branchpaw wondered for a heartbeat if they would continue to fight. Then Lionvoice finally looked away, breaking the tension. The crowd slowly began to disperse.

Branchpaw turned to face his denmates. Their eyes were all full of so many different emotions that it was clear they were bursting to discuss the events of the day.

They would have a lot to talk about this evening.

A/N: Thanks again for reading! If you're enjoying this story, please leave a review. Feedback makes me so happy. :)

Until the next chapter! (Which will hopefully be soon.)