Bramby awoke to see a crowd of cats around her. They all were meowing suspiciously, but to what, Bramby did not really know. Nervously, she spoke. "Where-Where am I?" Any twoleg house was completely out of sight.
A black-and-white she-cat stepped forward, her bright green eyes locked on Bramby. "Your in Riverclan camp. Who are you?" Bramby's heart dropped to her stomach. This was Riverclan-This was Sunstripe's clan.
Bramby looked at the cat like she was crazy. "Who am I? I was hoping you could tell me. You must have dragged me in here for some reason. Why?" Bramby had nervous thoughts run through her mind. "Are-are you going to hurt me?" She took a step back, and pulled her kits over to her stomach protectively. "Or my kits?"
The black-and-white she cat looked at Bramby, then the clan, and then Firekit. Her eyes locked on Firekit. Finally, she looked back at Bramby and spoke. "I am SpottedStar, leader of Riverclan. Although…I wouldn't expect a kittypet to know about the clans." She looked at Bramby suspiciously. "Or would you?"
Bramby gulped nervously, though she didn't exactly know why. What did she do wrong? Would Starclan be angry a kittypet knew about the clans? She wasn't sure, but, nervously and carefully, she answered SpottedStar. "Hello, SpottedStar." She bowed her head politely. "I'm Bramby. And-yes, I know about the clans. I've heard-stories, at least. Why do you ask? Why have you brought me here?"
SpottedStar sat tall as she spoke. "You were out in the open right by the forest, and there was a fox…we had a large patrol so-" "Your lucky we came." A white she-cat spat.
"In that case, thank you." Bramby mewed. "I wouldn't expect you warrior cats to help a kittypet like me."
"We wouldn't." Mewed a ginger tom. "But we couldn't leave the kits helpless. They haven't yet even opened their eyes!" The tom also locked his eyes on Firekit. Suddenly, he walked up and sniffed Firekit, who sniffed back curiously, and fell into the dirt. He stood up and shook, running to his Brother and Sister.
Annoyed, Bramby spoke, as she watched everyone look at Firekit. "Why are you all looking at my kit?" She growled, standing in front of him. "I may be a kittypet, but I will claw your fur off unless you tell me what is going on!"
A gray she-cat stepped up and stood next to Spottedstar. An amused gleam flickered in her eyes, but was soon covered up with grief. "I can explain." She whispered. "Last night- Rockheart- Riverclan's deputy- died. The Warrior Code says that a new deputy must be picked before Moonrise, so SpottedStar had a Clan meeting after a short vigil with her close friend. She picked a new deputy- but he wasn't here. His name was Sunstripe, and no one had seen him all day, or last night. For moons now, we've noticed short periods where he would be gone, but never this long. Moonrise came, and I was made the new deputy. Anyway, Sunstripe had a fiery orange pelt just like your kit." He nodded to Firekit. "Not just that. The same strong paws, tall, slim body, and just, all the details, its like, his exact double. We aren't sure what were thinking about your kit- he just reminds us of Sunstripe, and we really want to know where Sunstripe is."
Bramby looked at the little replica of her mate, and felt a hot tear roll down her face. Firekit walked slowly to her and pawed at her stomach, then fell against it. She held him close. It was Sunstripe's dream to become deputy someday, so he could help lead his clan. Bramby's heart pounded. I have to tell them. They need to know the truth. The whole truth. Bramby unsheathed her claws and dug them into the ground. Might as well start off with the bad news-where Sunstripe really is.
Bramby looked at all the cats, which seemed to be waiting for Bramby to speak. "Sunstripe…." She choked a bit on her own words. "He…isn't here?" They know that! Just say it! "St-St-Star-Starclan I-is w-wa-watching him -I mean, is…wi-with him." Murmers of shock began rising from the crowd. SpottedStar took a step closer to Bramby, so they were face to face with their eyes locked. "What are you talking about?" Bramby could feel SpottedStar's warm breath against her face, and it soon turned cold. A shiver ran up her spine.
Why can't I say it? She asked herself. Because I can't believe it. Sunstripe is here-he's with me! I know it! But she didn't know it. She watched him fall, and without him, she was lost. She looked out at the Brambles, wishing he could burst through and tell Bramby that everything was fine. But it wasn't. He was gone, when Bramby needed him most. Suddenly, out of anger, sadness, hopelessness and fear, Bramby blurted out:
"Sunstripe is dead!"