Chapter 11

Many, many moons earlier…

"Someday, I'm going to be leader!" Hawk mewed.

Flight cuffed him playfully over the ear. "No you aren't, mouse-brain."

"Oh yeah? Why's that?"

"Because I'M gonna be leader!"

"Alright you two. Quiet down." Blossom walked into the den. "Being a leader is very difficult. You have to make many decisions. And the results of those decisions will lead your group down a path, be it for the better or worse."

Flight looked down. "Oh. I never thought of that."

Hawk jumped on her back. She let out a squeak of surprise.

"Well, WHEN I become leader, I'm gonna rule with an iron paw! Nobody dares talk back to the mighty Hawk! Wahahaha!"

Blossom purred in amusement. "Well, the mighty Hawk needs his sleep if he wants to become a big, strong leader." She padded to the nest, and laid down. Flight and Hawk followed, snuggling up next to her. "Goodnight, kits."

"G'night mommy." Flight murmured sleepily.

Present Day

Flame ran as fast and hard as she could. The terrible scene of Blossom and Falcon's death kept replaying in her head, over and over. Ahead of her, Flight was running as well. A little while back she had set down Heather, who was now also running by Flight's side, keeping pace easily. Flame slipped on some wet leaves, landing on her stomach painfully. She groaned, and pushed herself up, shaking out her fur. A paw prodded her side.

"You alright?" Flash meowed, helping her up.

She nodded, panting. "Y-Yeah, I'm fine."

Flight looked back, and skidded to a stop. She ran back to the two. "C'mon guys, just a little further, I promise."

Flame glared at her. "You've been saying that for quite a while now. I'm tired! Where are we going?!"

Flight gazed at her sadly. "I'm sorry, I'll explain it all later, but right now we have to keep going."

"Fine. Whatever." Flame spat back, running ahead. She was irritated on how this she-cat had just butted into their lives. Her mind briefly flashed back to Wolf and Reed's terrified faces as they left camp. She closed her eyes, shutting out the image with a shudder. She felt horrible leaving them behind, but under the circumstances, she didn't see many options. She opened her eyes, and slowed down to let the others catch up.

Grass padded up. "Hey. Are you doing alright?"

She flattened her ears. "I'd be better if she told us where we were going!" With that she glared at Flight.

The grey and white she cat sighed. "It's somewhere safe."

"Oh, thank you so much for your help! I could've never figured that out on my own!" Flame meowed, sarcasm dripping in her voice. Flight flattened her ears, looking hurt. Flame snarled, and lashed her tail, stalking ahead.

Flash ran up to her. "Hey, c'mon, don't be like that."

She didn't say anything, glaring at the trees ahead.

Finally, after what seemed like a moon of walking, they came to a clearing. She could clearly tell that someone had cleared out stray bushes, and spent effort making a large den, placed at the edge of the clearing. In the center of the clearing was a wide tree-stump, which had fresh-kill on it. Flame looked around, realizing that it was supposed to be a camp. She looked back, just as Flight and the others came in through a sort of entrance.

Flight gave a weary smile. "We're here."

Flame turned back to the camp, and padded more into it. Heather padded over to the fresh-kill pile, sniffing a bird on the top. Flash and Grass went over to the den, sticking their heads in. Flame watched Flight sit down, and watch the apprentices explore. She bristled when the grey-and-white she-cat glanced over to her. She didn't like how she could just come in and take them away from Leafclan so calmly. Like it was always going to be this way. 'Why didn't I stay with my clan?!' She thought angrily, disappointed with herself. She let out a sigh, and laid down, suddenly exhausted from the trip over.

Flash noticed her as he came out of the den. He padded over to her. "Hey, if you're feeling tired, why don't you come take a rest in the den? There's already nests in it, and it looks pretty cozy!" He smiled.

Flame glanced up to him. "...Fine." She was too tired to care, and the sun was starting to set. She stood up, and padded over to the den.

Grass was already curled up and asleep by the time the two entered. Flame settled down near the entrance of the den, and Flash laid down beside her. Heather padded in as well, and curled up next to Grass. Flame eventually fell asleep. Sometime during the night, Flight had crawled in, and curled up in the center of the den.