DISCLAIMER: I do not own the Warriors series, nor am I the three people (or so I heard) that use the pen-name Erin Hunter.

Allegiances

In addition to the cats in the Warriors series, the cats are:

ThunderClan

Fireleaf – Flame-orange warrior with piercing green eyes. Daughter of Brightheart and Cloudtail.

Hawkstorm – Black fur and amber eyes. Son of Dustpelt and Ferncloud.

Dawnfur – Tortoiseshell she-cat with blue-gray eyes. Fireleaf's sister.

WindClan

Rainpaw – Gray with blue eyes.

More will be added as the story progresses.

--

Firepaw walked through the forest. She had skirted WindClan territory, just in case, and was now heading toward home. She was already in ThunderClan territory. As she neared the camp, she went faster with increasing urgency. She heard cats stirring in camp, as if they were just finishing up their noon meal. The thought of that made Firepaw hungry, and she went faster, only to skid to a stop as a sharp voice yowled out:
"Who's there?" That's Brambleclaw's voice! Firepaw burst into the camp. The Clan looked up in surprise, then yowls of joy and astonishment were heard as everyone stood up and swarmed around her, asking questions and telling her how worried they were. Firepaw nuzzled Dawnfur and Hawkstorm, and her parents. As she was telling everyone her story, however, she realized something. Why didn't they recognize my scent?

…

"I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn." He looked down at the eager apprentice. "Firepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Firepaw said, her heart ready to burst out of her chest.
"Then by the power of StarClan I give you your warrior name. Firepaw, from this moment you shall be known as Fireleaf." Firestar rested his muzzle on Fireleaf's head, then stepped back. "StarClan honours you for your endurance and willpower. You are a warrior at last." The flame-coloured warrior held her head high.
"Fireleaf! Fireleaf!" The Clan yowled her new name as she padded over to the center of the clearing to sit out her vigil.

…

Fireleaf yawned and settled down in a nest. I'm finally a warrior. It was dawn, and there was a familiar chill in the air to remind the cats that leaf-bare was around the corner. She lay down and tried to get to sleep. Sleep didn't come. Fireleaf sighed. I wonder how Rainpaw's doing. I wonder if he's a warrior. She paused. I guess I have to stop thinking about him. After all, he is in WindClan. She realized with a shock that she thought of Rainpaw as a Clanmate, after all they'd been through together. She shook her head and fell into a dreamless sleep.

…

Fireleaf gazed up at the stars. She was exhausted, after having various patrols and catching up with the others. She had wanted to see the lake, so she walked down when her duties were over. She watched the moon's reflection shimmer on the lake. The moon's almost full. The gathering's coming up in two days. I hope I can go. A twig snapped behind her. Fireleaf whirled around to see a pair of amber eyes glinting in the moonlight.
"Hawkstorm! Hi." Fireleaf turned to face the lake again. Hawkstorm sat down beside her.
"You seem a little jumpy," he remarked, "Are you sure you're okay?"
Fireleaf nodded a little too quickly. She avoided meeting Hawkstorm's eyes, choosing instead to stare at the lake. The two cats sat side by side, the only sound being the waves of the lake lapping against the shore. Fireleaf's thoughts wandered, and eventually led to Rainpaw.
"I miss him," she remarked, then froze, realizing she had said that aloud.
Hawkstorm's eyes narrowed. "Miss who?"
Fireleaf shifted uncomfortably, her partially-injured leg throbbing. "Rainpaw."
"Why?" She could feel Hawkstorm's amber gaze burning into her, his suspicion, masked by curiosity, put into that one word.
Fireleaf shrugged, trying to make the conversation light again. "Well, we traveled together, fought together, and all…" she trailed off, unsure of what to say. Hawkstorm was looking out at the lake with an unreadable expression in his eyes. Fireleaf shot him a sidelong glance, then looked away. After what seemed like moons, he turned and said,
"You shouldn't."
"Shouldn't what?"
"Miss him. He's a WindClan cat, and your journey's behind you now. I'm just glad you're back." He leaned against her, but she pulled away, hurt in her eyes.
"I'm not ready to forget about the journey yet, Hawkstorm. And if you think about it, Rainpaw's the only reason I'm here. I'd be dead if it weren't for him."
Hawkstorm regarded her with a new look in his eyes. Fireleaf returned the gaze.
Eventually Hawkstorm stood and made for the camp. "Just think about who's important in your life," he threw over his shoulder.
Fireleaf sighed and followed.

--

Dawnfur stood and stretched. She looked around with a start when she realized the warriors' den was empty except for her. Where is everyone? Her guilt turned to suspicion when she realized that Fireleaf hadn't entered the den all night. She crept out of the den, eyes widening when she saw the sun casting its rays into the camp. I've slept the whole morning away!

The entrance to the camp rustled as Fireleaf padded in, her eyes blinking sleepily. And apparently Fireleaf hasn't slept at all. She walked over but was stopped at the sound of her name. She looked back to see her father glaring at her. Oh no.
Cloudtail bristled as he approached. "What were you thinking, sleeping till sunhigh? There are things to do, you know."
Dawnfur hung her head. "Sorry, Cloudtail."
His blue eyes flashed angrily. "'Sorry' catches no prey. Come on, we're going hunting. And try to make yourself useful." As Dawnfur followed Cloudtail out of the camp, she shot a glance at Fireleaf, who was grooming herself thoroughly by the fresh-kill pile. I'll talk to her later.

Fireleaf looked up, and their eyes met. Dawnfur narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Fireleaf looked down at her paws, clearly uneasy. As Dawnfur stared, Cloudtail yowled her name furiously, and she padded out of the bracken into the forest.