I padded over to Tigerclaw as he was bathing in the sun while licking his fur. I froze in my tracks. What am I going to say? I can't just stroll on over there and accuse him of being a murderer! Before I could say anything, Bluestar's yowl sounded from the High Rock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the High Rock for a clan meeting." I sighed and padded to my place among the clan. Brackenpaw was bouncing around excitedly with Frostfur licking his fur down. Cinderpaw was purring loudly beside him and I raised an eyebrow.
"What's going on?" I asked.
"You'll see." Cinderpaw mewed. I tilted my head and looked up at Bluestar.
"Brackenpaw, step forward." Bluestar meowed. I gaped at her as I realized what was going on. I purred in happiness as Brackenpaw shook off Frostfur and padded over to Bluestar. "Brackenpaw, you were the one who warned the clan about the attack from Windclan and Shadowclan and you fought bravely in battle. It's time for you to be made a warrior." Bluestar announced. Then she looked at the sky. "I, Bluestar, leader of Thunderclan would like you to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and-"
"What's going on? Is my apprentice ceremony happening?" a squeak called. I looked at the nursery to see Cloudkit. I shook my head and tried to stifle a laugh as Brindleface hushed him in embarrassment.
"I'm sorry, Bluestar." she chuckled nervously. Bluestar smiled in amusement then turned back to Brackenpaw.
"He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I'd like you to make him a warrior in return." Bluestar meowed. Then she turned her gaze to Brackenpaw. "Brackenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?" Brackenpaw looked up at her with pride.
"I do." he mewed.
"Then by the power of Starclan, I give you your warrior name." Bluestar announced. "Brackenpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Brackenfur. Starclan honors your forethought and determination, and we like to welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan." Bluestar rested her muzzle on Brackenfur's head and Brackenfur licked her shoulder in respect. Then the clan cheered.
"Brackenfur! Brackenfur! Brackenfur!" they cheered. I purred in delight and padded over to him.
"Congratulations, Brackenfur!" I mewed. Brackenfur smiled and Cinderpaw nuzzled his shoulder.
"I'm so proud of you." she murmured. I looked at the two siblings and left them. I looked around to see Tigerclaw padding away into the forest. I narrowed my eyes and followed him. His shoulders were low and his back was arched as he crept through the forest. Maybe he's hunting? I followed him and kept to the shadows. Tigerclaw kept moving and made his way to Tall Pines. What is he doing? I followed him more closely now then bristled as cat scent filled my nose. Cats! I peered over the bushes and saw Tigerclaw walking over to a group of cats. I slithered closer to them and hid in the bushes.
"Tigerclaw!" a tom exclaimed. I narrowed my eyes. Those are the Shadowclan rogues!
"What news have you brought me?" Tigerclaw growled.
"Shadowclan is still recovering from the battle but they're planning on attacking again in the next moon." a she-cat reported. Tigerclaw hissed.
"We'll be ready for them. Brokentail is still alive but the clan is starting to get restless about him. I think Bluestar is planning to kill him or chase him out." he spat.
"But then our plan won't work!" another tom gasped. I held in a gasp of shock. I knew something was going on! We should've killed Brokentail when we had the chance!
"You don't think I know that? I'm trying to persuade her to let him live a little longer but she's considering what my daughter told her." Tigerclaw snapped. The she-cat's ears pricked.
"You mean Leopardstorm?" she asked.
"Of course I mean Leopardstorm! It's like she has a connection with Bluestar and Fireheart is getting real comfy with her too. I think she's already suspecting what's going on. After all, she is my daughter. She's not stupid." Tigerclaw growled. I struggled not to hiss and confront the cats. Then a tom's nose twitched.
"Someone's here." he warned. I realized the wind changed direction and was now blowing my scent towards them. I widened my eyes as Tigerclaw sniffed the air.
"Leopardstorm." he breathed. Then his gaze flashed to me in the bushes. I froze and dug my claws into the dirt. He caught my gaze and we stared at each other with tension. Then a cat shoved me out from my place in the bushes. I snarled as I was flung into the circle of cats and jumped to my paws with bristling fur. "What are you doing here?" Tigerclaw growled.
"I should ask you the same thing!" I hissed. "You lied to me! I thought Fireheart was just getting his tail into knots over nothing but he was telling the truth all along! You're a murderer!" Tigerclaw's gaze didn't waver and not a single hair lifted in fear.
"This isn't any of your business." he meowed.
"You're trying to betray Thunderclan. It is my business!" I snapped. The she-cat raised her hackles and curled her lip into a snarl.
"You want us to teach her lesson?" she sneered. I looked at Tigerclaw and waited for his answer. He remained silent for a moment and stared at me with glaring eyes. My heart beated fast as tension filled the air. Then my heart stopped beating when he gave the order.
"Kill her."