I heard a wail outside of the camp. I jerked my eyes open and looked out the nursery. Cloudtail was dragging Brindleface's body into the clearing. Blood was soaking her fur and her face was glazed with pain and shock. I widened my eyes when I saw her. Oh no… My kits looked outside the nursery. "Is she dead?" Featherkit whispered. I nudged them back into the nursery.

"Hush and go to sleep. It's way past your bedtime." I scolded softly. I sat by the entrance with Willowpelt and we blocked the nursery so the kits won't look. Fernpaw whimpered as she saw her mother's body getting dragged into the clearing. Ashpaw and Thornpaw darted over to Brindleface's body and Fernpaw followed slowly. Bluestar was staring down at Brindleface's body with shock and rage.

"What happened?" she asked.

"Tigerstar has led a trail of rabbits to our camp for the dogs. Brindleface was at the entrance like this." Fireheart meowed. I closed my eyes in rage. Is that why you wanted to see my kits? So you can take them away for yourself while Thunderclan gets torn apart by dogs? A growl rumbled deep in my throat and I dug my claws into the ground. Willowpelt rested her tail on my shoulder.

"The kits are watching." she murmured warningly. I sighed and opened my eyes. Bluestar narrowed her eyes then jumped onto the High Rock.

"Cats of Thunderclan! Listen to me speak!" she yowled. The clan gathered around in the clearing. "Our lives are at stake. Everyone gather your things and go to Sunning Rocks. Mousefur and Brambleclaw, go out and get rid of those rabbits if you hear any signs of dogs, run to Sunning Rocks immediately. Fireheart, I need your help to plan how we're going to get rid of these dogs." she announced. I smiled as the old Bluestar was starting to come back.

"What about the kits?" Goldenflower called. "They're too young to travel and Sunning Rocks doesn't provide any protection."

"We'll have to climb the trees." Fireheart meowed. I widened my eyes.

"But they'll fall!" me and Willowpelt exclaimed in unison.

"We have no choice." Bluestar meowed. She caught my gaze and I saw a fiery blue flame sparking in her eyes. I looked at my kits behind me. They had their eyes wide.

"Come on, you three. Stay close to me, ok?" I mewed as I sweeped them out with my tail. Fuzz ran over to me with Whitestorm. I lifted Stormkit into my jaws while Fuzz carried Featherkit. I bent down so Swiftkit can climb onto my back. I looked over and saw Willowpelt and Whitestorm doing the same. Stormkit looked up at me with wide eyes full of fear and excitement.

"What's going on?" he asked.

"We're just going to leave camp for a while until it's safe to come back. See? It's our first adventure!" I mewed around his fur. The clan gathered around the entrance while Brambleclaw and Mousefur ran to gather the rabbits. Fuzz stood beside me with narrowed, protective eyes as he looked out of the entrance. I looked over and saw Fireheart and Bluestar talking to a group of cats. Then I heard a howl. My clan started to bush out their fur and growls rumbled in their throat. Bluestar made her way to the front of the clan.

"Let's go." she meowed. I followed the clan to Sunning Rocks as snarls and howls filled the air. Featherkit looked at her two siblings trembling in fear.

"Don't worry, you two. Think of it as a test. Bluestar is testing our bravery to see if we'll make proper apprentices and warriors. If she sees you looking scared, then she might delay the ceremony." she mewed. I felt my heart glow with pride as Stormkit and Swiftkit slightly relaxed. We finally reached Sunning Rocks and the clan was starting to climb the trees. Fuzz climbed up the tree first and placed Featherkit on the second branch. Then he came down for Swiftkit. As he took her into his jaws, I followed them up the trunk with Stormkit swinging from my jaws. The clan settled in the trees as thundering paws sounded through the forest. I bristled in fear as glimpses of dark fur flashed through the trees and bushes. The dogs were running after something in the direction of the gorge. Bluestar was peering through the bushes and watching them intently. My heart lurched when she dashed out the leaves and down to the gorge.

"Bluestar!" Whitestorm called. Then a screech sounded. My blood ran cold as my whole body froze. Silence gripped the air but it was broken by the sound of Fireheart's wails.

"Bluestar! Bluestar!" he wailed. Fear filled murmurs erupted from the clan.

"Is she alright?"

"What happened?"

"Where is she?"

One voice stood out among the others and I pricked my ears to listen.

"A dying blue flame has lived up to her name. The clan she left behind will still be the same. Grief and pain fill the air but with time, happiness and joy will replace despair."

I froze and felt tears spring to my eyes. "She's dead…" I whispered. Fuzz widened his eyes in horror as he heard me.

"She can't be!" he gasped. I closed my eyes and leaned into him as a low mourning sound escaped from my lips.

"Mama, I'm scared." Stormkit whimpered. I looked at him and licked his head.

"Everything's alright. I'm here, my little warrior." I murmured. The clan waited for a while until Graystripe ran into view.

"It's time to come back to camp... Bluestar's dead." he announced. Gasps filled the air followed by mourning yowls. "Fireheart was getting attacked by the dogs so Bluestar went to rescue him. The dogs fell into the gorge and Bluestar fell in with them. They're at camp right now."

"Is Fireheart alright?" Sandstorm asked as she climbed down the tree with the others.

"He's fine." Graystripe mewed. Then he led us to camp. Featherkit walked beside me with Stormkit while Swiftkit was carried in Fuzz's jaws. The clan was in a grieving silence as we walked into camp. I gasped as I saw Mistyfoot and Stonefur mourning for their mother. Fireheart was with them and his gaze jerked up to us.

"It's alright. They tried to help me save Bluestar…" he broke off and looked down at his paws. I looked at Bluestar's body. Oh, Bluestar… The clan gathered around Bluestar's body. Cinderpelt murmured something in Fireheart's ear and he nodded. Fuzz looked at Bluestar with sad eyes.

"We never had the chance to actually get to know each other… but you let me stay with my mate and kits… thank you…" he whispered. I sighed and looked at the sky.

"You and I were close… we had a special bond… you were there for me when I needed help and I was there for you. Have a safe trip to Starclan." I murmured. The clan murmured their goodbyes and watched as Dappletail and One-eye carried Bluestar to her grave. I sighed and walked to the nursery where my kits sat watching with wide eyes.

"Bluestar's dead?" Swiftkit asked. I nodded and licked each of their heads.

"Come on, you three. It's time for you to go to sleep." I murmured.