The second my black fur entered the hollow, Ashfur scrambled to his paws and bounded across the camp to meet me. His eyes were alight with worry.

He fretted, "Hollypaw, I'm sorry about earlier! I should have gone with you. I should have never chosen anything over you. I'm so sorry."

I flicked my ears at him and purred, "Stupid furball, it's okay. I know that you need to protect the clan, too." I tried to remain light-hearted. I tried to make this work. Nudging him I teased, "ThunderClan would never manage without my big, strong warrior."

I felt that prickle of unease poking at me again when his blue eyes blazed with intense emotion. I felt like I was drowning in two blue flames. I shook that off. I would have to learn to deal with Ashfur's deep way of feeling- if we were meant to be mates. He asked me, "Do you still want to hunt?"

"No, but I need to talk to you." I flicked my tail for him to follow, and led him to the desolate corner of the hollow. It was just a span of rock at least five tail lengths in each direction; then the sheer wall we were now standing beside. I asked Ashfur, "Do you really love me?"

He looked shocked. "Of course I do! How could you have to ask me that?"

I shook my head to stop his rant. I needed to know more than that. I knew he would fight to save me, but what did that mean? Any of my clanmates would.

I asked, "Would you fight for me, Ashfur?"

He jerked his chin up defiantly and growled, "Hollypaw, I would fight StarClan if you asked me to."

I beamed, unable to hide how happy that answer made me. He gauged my reaction and went a little farther. He purred gently, "I would die for you."

Hearing him say that so carelessly- as if the knowledge was as simple as the warrior code it's self- stunned me. His cheek brushed against mine. My eyes flittered to Mouseclaw. Would he do it? Would he be willing to die for me?

Ashfur followed my gaze, and a sinister snarl bubbled out of his throat when he saw me eyeballing another tom. He moved in front of me, hovering menacingly. His fierce eyes made my spine tingle.

Shooting a meaningful glance at Mouseclaw, he snarled quietly, "Hollypaw. I would kill for you."

Cold terror seeped through my muscles, down to my bones, and I felt my heart skip a beat. Looking into his wild, foggy blue eyes- I didn't have a doubt in my mind that he would.

Two days slipped by quickly, and Firestar called a clan meeting. I stood in the back with Graystripe, and Ashfur and Lionfang were just behind us. Brackenfur still wasn't well enough to walk far- but he sat outside of the entrance to the medicine cat's den and watched with proud eyes.

Firestar began, "Today I call us together to recognize the bravery and skill of two fine cats." He nodded to our group. Ashfur led Lionfang forward first. I could see the uncertainty rolling off of my brother. He was already a warrior, what was Firestar about to do?

Our leaders eyes twinkled. "Lionfang, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to serve and protect this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Lionfang purred proudly, "I almost have already." That got some chuckles out of our clan mates. Firestar's whiskers twitched in amusement before his voice rang around the hollow, "Then by the powers of Starclan I confirm your warrior name, Lionfang, and welcome you as a full warrior of Thunderclan."

My brother lifted his head in pride, though he winced. The deep gash on his throat probably hurt when it was stretched like that.

Firestar continued. "Hollypaw, please come forward." Graystripe set his tail on my flank as we paced forward. I carried myself tall with both dignity and pride. When we halted at the front of the Clan Firestar asked, "Hollypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, to serve and protect this Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

My heart blazed and I promised with more certainty then ever before, "I do."

Firestar concluded, "I, Firestar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon 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. Hollypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Hollythorn. StarClan welcomes you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."

Ashfur yowled, "Lionfang, Hollythorn! Lionfang, Hollythorn!" The rest of the Clan joined in, and our names echoed off the walls of the hollow. I felt bigger than StarClan.
We headed towards the thorn barrier, but I stopped by Brackenfur first, and he nudged me affectionately. "Congratulations, Hollythorn."

I looked at him, feeling great respect for this cat. "Thanks, Brackenfur, for everything. Though I have trained under Leafpool and Graystripe, you will always be my mentor."

He looked touched, and purred to himself. Lionfang reminded me, "Sunset is in just a few seconds. We must go sit our vigil."

During the vigil I had time to think about the promise I made. I said I would protect the Clan, even at the cost of my life. Mouseclaw was in danger. If I told anyone, then Ashfur might hurt me. But now that I was a warrior, did that matter? I had to uphold my new code. I had to keep my Clanmates safe…

As soon as the pale dawn light trickled onto us, Brambleclaw appeared. "Your vigil is over. Honeyleaf is going to help you get settled into the warriors den."

Lionfang flexed his claws, and purred, "A warrior at last!" Brambleclaw brushed muzzles with him and promised, "I'm proud of you, Lionfang." My brother dipped his dead, then disappeared through the thorn barrier.

Brambleclaw looked at me, his eyes hesitant. This was out lone, non-hostile, meeting in almost a half a moon. He blinked sincerely at me, "I'm proud of you, too, Hollythorn."

Pride. I wasn't fully proud of myself, yet. I was fostering a dark secret for a half a moon; and it was setting my friend up for danger.

I touched noses with my father, but it was more polite then friendly. I could see the hurt in his amber eyes because of my still-frosty attitude. I asked, "Is Firestar awake? I need to see him."

He narrowed his eyes curiously, but answered, "He's still asleep, but if you must, go and wake him."

I streaked into the hollow, bounding right up the Highledge. Entering Firestar's den, I hovered in the entrance and meowed, "Firestar?"

The ginger tom blinked, stretched himslef awake and lifted his head. He smiled, "Hello, Hollythorn. What do you need?"

I took a few steps closer and announced seriously, "We need to talk."

My leader blinked in confusion, but sat up and flicked his ears for me to come closer. I closed the space between us and sat before him. He asked, "What do you need to talk about?"

My heart was racing. I could practically see Ashfur's controlling blue eyes staring me down, warning me not to do this. I meowed quietly, "I think Mouseclaw is in danger."

Alarm flashed in Firestar's eyes, but he asked me calmly, "What kind of danger?"

My heart felt torn. Do I lie to Firestar, or betray Ashfur? Would telling Firestar just put Mouseclaw in more danger if Ashfur found out?

Firestar urged me firmly, "Hollythorn, you must tell me. Don't be afraid. Whatever it is, we can work it out together."

I hadn't realized that my fur was bristling, my fear-scent was detectable, and my claws were digging into the stone beneath my paws. My reaction was clearly making Firestar uneasy. I had to tell him.

My quiet voice informed him, "I think Ashfur is going to hurt him."

Firestar's clear green eyes clouded a little when he realized what I had said. He asked, confused, "What makes you think that?"

I shuffled my paws. "Well, he…" I lost my nerve and lamely answered, "I can just tell."

The ginger cat smiled reassuringly at me. "It is just jealousy, Hollythorn. I thank you for worrying about your Clanmate, but Ashfur would never hurt another ThunderClan cat. He's a noble warrior."

I felt like he had just shoved me into the water, and I can't swim. He didn't believe me! I should have told him everything. I should make him listen to me by exposing how wrong in the head the gray tom is. But I just couldn't. Ashfur protects me; it's my obligation to keep him safe, too. I just couldn't expose his darker side to our leader.

Firestar's mind was clearly made up. I muttered hollowly, "Thanks, Firestar." Turning, I left the den, and scrambled down the Highledge. In my distress, I wasn't watching my footing and tripped. I squeaked as I fell off, landing on top of another cat.

It was Mouseclaw, who hissed and sprang away. The light of battle died in his eyes when he saw it was I, not an attacker. I licked my fur in thorough embarrassment.

His whiskers twitched. "Hi, Hollythorn. I'm glad you're a warrior now!"

I felt blood rush through my ears. "Thanks, Mouseclaw."

I could see affection shining in his eyes as he moved closer to me. He meowed awkwardly, "The other day… I'm sorry. I'd never think you'd break the warrior code."

I flicked him with my tail and smiled. "It's alright. We all have mouse-brained moments sometimes."

He laughed, and I brushed my muzzle with his gingerly. I couldn't help but give a small purr. He shuffled his paws, "Hollythorn, I know you have Ashfur and everything, but… I want you to know that doesn't mean I.." He stopped himself, and I could see the heartbreak written on his face. He wanted to say 'I love you.'

He sighed and shook his head. "I'll always be here for you, Hollythorn. I'll wait as long as you need me to. I will do anything for you."

I was stunned to hear that. Ashfur told me, the day I agreed to our relationship, that he would wait for me. He told me the day he saved me from Tornear that he would do anything for me.

I asked suddenly, "Would you fight for me?"

His eyes blazed. "Of course! Just tell me who."

I noted that he was thinking a real cat. A physical enemy that had blood to be spilled, and fur to be torn. One that could die just like he did. He didn't even consider cats with nothing to lose like StarClan cats. The truly dangerous ones are ones with nothing to lose.

I gazed at him with a dark intensity, a trait I was learning from Ashfur. I challenged, "Mouseclaw, would you die for me?"

I saw a chill run down his spine. He whispered hesitantly, "I would give up my life for all of my Clanmates."

A fierce pulse of anger shot through my whole body. That answer wasn't good enough! I hissed, "Look at me, Mouseclaw." His eyes snapped up from his paws and locked with my own. I pleaded with him, "What if I alone needed help? What if it was just you or me? Would you be willing to die for me?"

He was silent, and I forced myself not to flinch at the pain that shot through my heart. I bowed my head and informed him, "We can never be mates, Mouseclaw. I'm sorry."

He didn't care about me, not enough to sacrifice himself to save me. I would probably have done it for him. I probably still would. But he wouldn't do it- and Ashfur would. That spoke silent volumes.

Mouseclaw looked regretful, as if he wished he had answered 'yes'. I wish he had, too. He pressed his nose to my ear and sighed. I licked his cheek once, and then started padding away.

Ashfur was watching us with smoldering blue eyes. My previous terror gripped me again when I saw that hateful glint in his eyes. I had to get someone to watch him, but Firestar wouldn't listen!

You need to find Brambleclaw.