Chapter Three

"So, do you think you can take care of the camp? Even with all the sickness?"

Moonpaw nodded. It had been three moons ever since she had visited WindClan and met Stormpaw. She hadn't spoke to him or looked at him ever since, even at gatherings. She had gone to the moonpool at the half moon, and now she was a true medicine cat apprentice.

Except for one thing…

During her ceremony, a StarClan medicine cat named Brambleberry had spoken to her. She had told Moonpaw that she would be her guide, a cat she could always rely on.

But Brambleberry had been pushed out of the way by a dark tabby tom with glowing amber eyes.

At first Moonpaw had thought he was Bramblestar. But soon she realized he was not Bramblestar.

He was Tigerstar.

"Moonpaw?"

"Oh, sorry, Jayfeather. Yes, I'm sure I can."

The blind medicine cat nodded. "Good. You have to."

"Where are you going?"

Jayfeather sighed. "I'm going to the moonpool with Bramblestar. He wants to talk to Squirrelflight."

Moonpaw touched her nose to his flank. "I'll see you soon," she promised.

Jayfeather nodded. "May StarClan light your path."

He padded out of the den, and Moonpaw heard him talking to Bramblestar. The two toms padded out of the camp.

"Jayfeather? Jayfeather?"

Fernpaw came rushing in. "Oh, hello, Moonpaw. Is Jayfeather gone?"

"Yes," replied Moonpaw. "What's wrong?"

"It's…it's Pinepaw," replied Fernpaw. "Flamepaw…well, Flamepaw did it again."

Moonpaw nodded calmly. "Are there warriors there?" When Fernpaw nodded, she went on. "Get them to bring Pinepaw back. I'll tend to him. Right now, however, I'm going to visit Bramblestar."

Fernpaw nodded, her green eyes wide with horror. "We'll get killed, won't we?"

Moonpaw shrugged. "Who cares?" Right now all she needed was to tell someone—namely the leader—about Flamepaw.

"Oh, no, wait!" she exclaimed. "Bramblestar left the camp with Jayfeather. So Dustpelt is in charge."

"We could tell Sandstorm," suggested Fernpaw.

"No, she's in the nursery," replied Moonpaw. "We shouldn't disturb her."

It was true. Even though Sandstorm's mate, Firestar, had lost his last life nearly two seasons ago, Sandstorm was in the nursery with her second litter of kits. The father was Thornclaw.

Thornclaw! Even Jayfeather had been surprised. The golden tom had fallen for Sandstorm?

But he had, and now they had kits. Unborn, but still kits.

"…Yes, Hollyfur, I want you to join me."

Moonpaw hissed for Fernpaw to be quiet, and strained her ears. The sound was coming from behind the medicine cat's den.

"You want me to help kill cats?"

The voice was Hollyfur's, but Moonpaw couldn't tell whether the other voice was Flamepaw's or not. It sounded…higher. Like a she-cat's voice.

"Well…" meowed Hollyfur, "I…I think I will. You have a good cause."

Moonpaw turned to Fernpaw. "Fernpaw, I'll be right back."

She padded around to the back.

But the unknown cat heard her first. When she got there, all she saw was Hollyfur.

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Stormpaw's fur stood on end. What was Bramblestar doing in the WindClan camp?

"I need to speak to Ashstar," he purred.

"And I Kestrelflight," meowed Jayfeather.

Crowfeather nodded, letting them pass. Once they were gone, Stormpaw ran up to Crowfeather.

"He's my uncle," he mewed.

"Shhh!" hissed the dark gray tom. "He doesn't know."

Just then, a yowl echoed around the camp. Crowfeather's head jerked up.

"Ashstar," he muttered.

Bramblestar stepped out of the leader's fern clearing. There was blood on his claws.

"Listen to me!" he yowled. "At this moment, Blackstar has taken over RiverClan and is saying this too. We are making two Clans; BrambleClan and BlackClan. The former ThunderClan and WindClan will be BrambleClan and the former RiverClan and ShadowClan will be BlackClan. I will be leader of BrambleClan and Blackstar will be leader of BlackClan. We have killed your leader. Your medicine cat will become a joint medicine cat with Jayfeather.

"You will follow my orders," he continued, "just like you did Ashstar's. We will expand our camp to fit you, and you will live there. WindClan will be our territory. Come on, then."

"But…but…" Stormpaw protested under his breath.

And then it hit him.

ThunderClan was where Moonpaw lived. He would live with her.

"Stormpaw!"
Stormpaw hurried to catch up with Starpaw.

"So, what do you think?"

"I can't believe it," replied Stormpaw. "It's crazy. Let's see what Moonpaw thinks when we get to ThunderCl—I mean our camp."

"Yes," replied his best friend. "Let's."

When they reached the BrambleClan camp, Stormpaw and Starpaw padded over to the medicine cat's den.

"Moonpaw?"

Moonpaw emerged from the medicine cat's den. "Stormpaw! Starpaw! What…what are you doing here?"

"You'll find out soon enough," replied Starpaw.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey come beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"
Moonpaw padded out of the den, her blue eyes confused. "Why is all of WindClan here?"

"What's WindClan?" spat Starpaw bitterly. "We're BrambleClan."

"Bramble…oh no," gasped Moonpaw, realizing what was happening. Her Clan was destroyed. Destroyed…by Bramblestar, the once great leader of ThunderClan…Firestar's apprentice…Tigerstar's son.

Tigerstar's son.

And all that was left was BrambleClan.

Bramblestar stayed up late into the night, explaining BrambleClan and BlackClan over and over again. At dawn he finally bellowed, "We're going to sleep now! Be prepared for patrols soon!"

Stormpaw had slept in the large apprentice's den, curled next to Starpaw. His blue eyes had finally closed, and he had slept until sunhigh, when Dustpelt awoke him.

"It's time for the sunhigh patrol," he told the apprentice gruffly. "Your sister already did three patrols, one at dawn, and two for hunting."

Stormpaw gasped. "But that's horrible! Has she eaten?"

Dustpelt shook his head. "I know…" he whispered. "It is horrible. And I'm lucky to be deputy. I'll try to make this better for you."

Stormpaw nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

"Flamepaw and Fernpaw! Battle training!"
Stormpaw dashed outside, ready to meet his mentor, Breezeheart. But Breezeheart wasn't there. Bramblestar, Hollyfur, and Foxnose were.

"Where's Breezeheart?"

"WindClan cats are doing hunting," meowed Bramblestar coldly. "ThunderClan cats will take care of fighting."

"But what if we are attacked?" protested Stormpaw.

Bramblestar's eyes flashed. "Silence, apprentice. Don't bother speaking to me."

Fernpaw, who was Moonpaw's sister, flashed Stormpaw a sympathetic glance. Stormpaw, who had just thought of Moonpaw, caught her glance.

Her green eyes sparkled. "Can't he train with us, grandfather? Please?" she asked Bramblestar.

Bramblestar's hard expression softened. "Of course, Fernpaw. Anything for you."

Stormpaw understood why he gave her anything.

Fernpaw was the most beautiful she-cat he had ever seen. Wait…no, what about Moonpaw? No, thought Stormpaw. I hate to admit it…but Fernpaw's prettier. And Moonpaw's a medicine cat…

"Who's your mentor?" asked Bramblestar.

"Breezeheart."

"He's Crowfeather's son?" asked the leader. When Stormpaw nodded, he flicked his tail at the gray warrior, who padded over, looking nervous.

"Breezeheart," meowed Bramblestar, "you are going to train Stormpaw to fight, as well as hunt, just like the ThunderClan apprentices."

Breezeheart nodded, looking relieved.

"Thank you, Bramblestar," he purred.

"Thank you," purred Fernpaw, catching Stormpaw's eye again.

She had beautiful green eyes. Her eyes flickered in the sunlight, and they turned a color that Stormpaw didn't think possible. That's why she's named Fernpaw, he thought. Because of her eyes.

"How many moons have you been an apprentice?" he asked her.

"Three moons," she replied. "You?"

"Four."

Fernpaw nodded. "This is my brother, Flamepaw. And I think you already know my sister…Moonpaw."

"Yes," answered Stormpaw. "We met when she came to our former camp with a message from Bramblestar."

Fernpaw nodded. "Are we going to train now?" she asked Foxnose. He nodded.

"Yes," he replied. "Come on, Breezeheart, I'll show you where we train."

Breezeheart, usually the suspicious warrior, nodded happily. He beckoned to Stormpaw, who followed Fernpaw, Flamepaw, and their mentors out of camp.

Bramblestar stood at the entrance to the camp, his amber eyes gleaming murderously. He turned to Jayfeather, who had padded up to him.

"Is it time?" he asked.

Jayfeather nodded. "It must be. Fernpaw has obviously fallen for him, and Stormpaw has fallen for her."

Bramblestar stared at his son, a surprised expression on his face. "You could tell?"

"Oh, yes," replied the blind medicine cat.

Bramblestar nodded, then took a deep breath. "So, Fernpaw will become a permanent queen?"

Jayfeather nodded. "Her mate will be Stormpaw."

"But we must wait for their fight," countered Bramblestar. "And I'm not so sure about Fernpaw…she is my granddaughter, after all."

"Yes…But we have chosen her, and the choice cannot be changed."

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Moonpaw prodded the pile of juniper. Beside her, Kestrelflight was sorting herbs; thyme, marigold, and yarrow. He looked up to see the blue-eyed she-cat staring at him.

"Hello," he meowed.

"Isn't Barkface the former WindClan medicine cat?"

Kestrelflight shook his head. "He…he died. I'm basically an apprentice, but I know most of the herbs, and so I care for my…BrambleClan."

Moonpaw nodded. "I'm still pretty new. Just three moons."

"So you're nine moons?"

"Yes."

"I'm ten," responded Kestrelflight. "So that means you'll be receiving your name soon."

Moonpaw shook her head. "I doubt it. Jayfeather hasn't been training me much lately."

"Oh, don't be so negative," responded Kestrelflight. "You're a good cat, Moonpaw. Jayfeather respects you, I know that."

Moonpaw shrugged. "I don't know."

"And Stormpaw wants to be your friend," continued the brown medicine cat. "I know he does. Why are you pushing him away?"

Moonpaw didn't know how to answer that question. "Uh…um…"

"Never mind," purred Kestrelflight. "I can tell you don't want to answer."

Moonpaw nodded, relieved.

"Moonpaw?"

It was Fernpaw. The golden she-cat strode into the den, her green eyes bright and her golden fur shining.

"Hi, Fernpaw," said Moonpaw.

"I went hunting with Stormpaw!" meowed Fernpaw, her eyes shining. "And we did battle training…he's a great cat, Moonpaw."

"Does he like you?" questioned Moonpaw.

Fernpaw's glowing eyes suddenly got brighter. "I think so!" she whispered.

"Great," replied Moonpaw. "You'll be a happy couple when you become warriors."

Her tone was dull. She had finally realized how she felt for Stormpaw.

She did love him.

I'm sorry, Stormpaw, she thought. Perhaps we could have had a relationship. But I am a medicine cat, and I can't change that.

"Oh, Stormpaw," she whispered. "I'm sorry I didn't return your love. I really am."

"What's that?" asked Fernpaw.

"Nothing," replied Moonpaw sadly. "Go get some fresh-kill. I'll be out in a minute."

But Kestrelflight had heard. He gazed at Moonpaw sadly, his eyes soft and sad. As Fernpaw padded out, he padded over to the silver she-cat.

"Moonpaw," he said softly. "I'm sorry. But you must live your life. Leafpool did, didn't she?"

"Uh, yes," replied Moonpaw. Of course. He doesn't know.

"And Spottedleaf before her," continued Kestrelflight.

"Yeah," answered Moonpaw. "Actually, Kestrelflight, I need to go eat something before I do a bit of battle training with Bramblestar. See, Jayfeather can't do it, since he's blind, and so Bramblestar trains me."

Kestrelflight nodded and flicked his tail. "See you later."

Moonpaw headed outside. She wasn't very hungry, but she hadn't eaten in a while, and she thought she should have something. She chose a small mouse from the pile, and sat down by Fernpaw and Flamepaw. Trying to remain innocent, she licked Flamepaw's ear in a gesture of affection.

"How was training?" she purred.

Flamepaw grinned. "Great! I'm getting better at fighting! And I can catch mice!"

"Yes," said Fernpaw. "He caught five mice, and he nearly tore my head off!"

"Smooth, Flamepaw," said Moonpaw. "You almost killed your sister!"
Flamepaw growled playfully. "Who says I didn't want to kill her?"

But Moonpaw saw a flash of anger in his eyes, and wisely dropped the subject.

"Oh, and, guess what?" continued Flamepaw. "I climbed to the very top of the Sky Oak!"

"What?" gasped Moonpaw. Turning to Fernpaw, she asked, "Is he serious?"

Fernpaw nodded. "His climbing skills are amazing! I don't get how he does it!"

"Well, I caught three mice and a squirrel," said a voice. "And I nearly killed Tornear, and I beat him across the moors."

It was Stormpaw. The dark gray tom padded over to the three siblings, and settled himself beside Fernpaw happily. Fernpaw purred and rubbed herself against him. Moonpaw turned away sadly, her blue eyes dark and hollow. She wanted to run away, back in time when Stormpaw had told her he loved her.

She would have told him she loved him, too.

"I'm going to hunt," she said, "with Snowbreeze, I think. Anyone want to come?"

Fernpaw shook her head, and Stormpaw was quick to follow. But Flamepaw nodded.

"Sure," he said.

"I'll go ask Snowbreeze," said Moonpaw.

She padded over to the warrior's den.

Snowbreeze was curled up with Breezeheart. The two cats were purring contentedly.

"Uh, Snowbreeze?" asked Moonpaw. "Want to go hunting?"

"Um, sure," said Snowbreeze, pulling away from Breezeheart. "I was just telling Breezeheart how angry I was that he shared part of my name. He's such an insolent tom!"

"Yeah, right," laughed Moonpaw. "I saw you two. You looked good together."

Snowbreeze purred. "All right, I'll admit it. You're right. He's a great cat."

"He's my—" Moonpaw was about to say "stepbrother", but she realized she couldn't tell Snowbreeze.

"Your what?" asked Snowbreeze suspiciously.

"Nothing."

Snowbreeze shrugged. "Can we go hunting?"
"Yeah," replied Moonpaw. "Flamepaw's coming with us, though." She beckoned to her brother. "Come on!"

Flamepaw's amber eyes shone as he jumped up and dashed over to the two she-cats.

"Hi," he panted. "Hi, Snowbreeze."

Snowbreeze nodded. "Hello."

The three cats raced out of the camp, their tails streaming behind them. Moonpaw felt Flamepaw brush up against her.

"Hey," he panted. "What's up with the glances at Stormpaw?"

Moonpaw felt her stomach lurch. Flamepaw had noticed? Not good.

"What are you talking about?" she asked.

"You kept sending glances at Stormpaw," replied her brother.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Moonpaw answered curtly.

And that was that.