Chapter 4

SpiritClan's new leader was greeted by cheers and chants of his new name, welcoming purrs and shining eyes. Thornstar was overwhelmed by the sense of love streaming from his clan. He leapt up onto Spirit Ledge and looked proudly down at the expectant clan below.

"I have received my nine lives and my name-" More cheering,

"-and I am ready to name my deputy." The clan became silent and Thornstar let his gaze travel over each one, finally resting on a golden she-cat with black leopard spots and warm amber eyes.

"Leapingbreeze will be the deputy of SpiritClan!" Leapingbreeze was mobbed by ecstatic, cheering cats as she stared up at Thornstar with a dumbfounded expression on her face. Thornstar purred to himself but was interrupted by a gentle touch on his shoulder. He turned to see that Willowmist had jumped up onto Spirit Ledge after him.

"Thornstar, can I talk to you for a moment?" Willowmist looked unusually nervous. Thornstar nodded, quickly ended the meeting, and followed Willowmist off the ledge and out of camp. By the time she finally stopped in a small, flower-filled clearing, Thornstar was burning with curiosity.

"What is it?" he asked, trying to hide the eagerness from his voice and become a calm and cool leader. Willowmist shuffled her paws and looked down at the dirt then suddenly her eyes shot up to Thornstar's, soft with affection.

"I-I just wanted to say that I'm really proud of you. I know you'll be a great leader."

Thornstar's shuffled his paws a little, feeling embarrassed and a little wary of where the conversation was heading.

"A-and I need to tell you something." Willowmist took a deep breath and then said quickly, "I lo-"

"Wait!" Thornstar cut her off, his ears pricked and his sharp emerald eyes staring intently into the undergrowth. Willowmist looked a little annoyed. "What?"

Thornstar's neck fur bristled a little. "Listen." With a sigh, Willowmist turned and looked in the direction Thornstar was facing. They were by the river-border with their enemies, FlameClan, and the sound of the fast-moving river was clear in the air. Frustrated, Willowmist turned back to Thornstar.

"I don't hear anything!"

Thornstar held up a paw.

"Just listen!"

Willowmist sighed and turned back towards the river, straining her ears forward. Suddenly she froze. Faintly, she caught the spluttering sounds of a cat calling for help. Thornstar exchanged a look with her and then simultaneously they leapt forward, dashing towards the river. Skidding to a halt by the shore, Thornstar peered out into the water. He could barely spot a bobbing cream-colored head and pale green eyes, stretched wide in terror.

"Dawnblaze!" Thornstar prepared himself to launch into the river after his sister, but before he could make a move a brown and white patched streak burst out of the forest and slid skillfully into the river. The she-cat paddled strongly through the swift-moving river and grabbed Dawnblaze's scuff in her jaws. Thornstar splashed into the shallows and helped the she-cat pull his sister farther up the shore to dry land. He immediately crouched beside Dawnblaze. His sister was coughing and spluttering, her cream fur sodden and dripping. Thornstar nuzzled her affectionately.

"Are you alright?" His emerald eyes were filled with concern. Dawnblaze spit out a last mouthful of water and nodded.

"Yea, I'm ok. Just tired, and a little cold." Dawnblaze began to shiver uncontrollably, her teeth chattering as she huddled down. Thornstar lifted his chin to look at Willowmist, hovering anxiously by his side.

"Willowmist, can you take Dawnblaze back to camp please? I'll be along in a moment."

"Of course." Willowmist slipped her shoulder under Dawnblaze's and helped her up. Then, with Willowmist supporting most of the other she-cat's weight, the two cats limped away into the trees. Thornstar watched them go and then turned back to the FlameClan cat that saved Dawnblaze, steeling himself for the embarrassment of having to thank SpiritClan's worst enemy. But, to his surprise, the cat was already heading towards the river and preparing to swim back across to her territory. Good. Now I won't have to thank her, Thornstar thought. But for some reason he felt an urge to call her back. After a brief hesitation Thornstar called out,

"Wait!"