"You're still only doing half days?" Cloudtail asked. Brambleheart blinked at the warrior, sleepily.
"I'm a good weight but haven't built up muscle yet," he grumbled, stretching. That was what Leafdawn told him, at least. The sun was heating up his pelt nicely. He shifted, rolling onto his back. The older warrior nudged him with his paw.
"Sleeping all day isn't gonna help you build up strength," He meowed. "Come on, Tornear wants me to gather a hunting patrol." The tabby's chest tightened.
"I'm still sore –"
"We all want to lay around in the sun," Cloudtail interrupted. "Come on, we'll have fun. I already got Squirrelflight on it."
Great. The warrior forced himself to his feet.
Sagepaw raised his head at his mentor's approach. Squirrelflight and Bounceheart were with him. The she-cat pointedly ignored Brambleheart as they started out.
They stopped after two hills. The white warrior turned to his patrol. "Remember to be aware of the plovers," he said. "Their chicks have hatched and they've started to get aggressive. If you see any TigerClan warriors," Cloudtail's claws extended. "You know what to do." Meows of acknowledgment rose and Cloudtail looked to his apprentice. Sagepaw followed after him as he headed into a down.
"Let's hunt together," Squirrelflight suggested to Bounceheart. "The marmot den isn't too far from here. I want to see if we can get one."
"Sure," Bounceheart agreed, waving his tail at Brambleheart as they headed away.
The tabby shrugged, starting toward the lake as his mouth opened. He still had yet to catch land prey. That was easier to hide without a hunting partner.
Brambleheart paused at movement out of the corner of his eye. His eyes rounded as he caught sight of a rabbit, flopped over on its side. The creature forced itself shakily to its paws, moving away from him and into the grass. The tom followed, pausing as he caught sight of it. It was on its side again.
Something was wrong with this rabbit. Killing it would be the right thing to do, regardless of whether they could eat it or not. He started carefully toward it through the long grass.
His paws felt like stones as he got within a fox length of it. He must have made a noise because the rabbit moved ahead again. Brambleheart gritted his teeth and shook his head. He needed to kill this thing.
He forced himself to take deep breaths, killing the rabbit was the best thing to do. Brambleheart forced himself forward, lowering as he got closer. It took a second but he sprang.
The prey creature struggled and excitement filled the warrior as he chattered. He took a deep breath then broke its neck.
Brambleheart stepped off of the rabbit, staring at it in amazement. He shook his head suddenly, cursing himself. How had he allowed Tigerstar to get to him in this way? This was so normal.
He was a warrior, he was a cat. Hunting was as much a part of being a cat as grooming.
He sniffed the rabbit. It seemed healthy enough but he was unsure if this would be safe to eat. Perhaps Leafdawn could take a look at it before it was put on the pile. Something touched Brambleheart's rump and the tabby jumped, whipping around.
"Hi!" Hawktalon's tail was high.
"What are you doing here?" Brambleheart hissed, glancing back to where the rest of the patrol had been. Were they aware of the enemy warrior? Why did Hawktalon think this was a good idea? He forced himself to relax as he sniffed the enemy warrior. Hawktalon had covered his scent, at least.
"I was looking for you," the TigerClan cat replied. "Bury the rabbit – I got something to show you."
"You can't just wander on here," Brambleheart began. The other tom's ears went back.
"Come on, it'll be quick." He assured, "Your patrol won't even know you're gone." The WindClan warrior hesitantly agreed, turning to bury the rabbit. It had to be important for Hawktalon to come so far onto the territory.
The toms started away, Hawktalon leading him back toward the border. The younger warrior looked absolutely delighted. Brambleheart opened his mouth, taking in the scent around them. He was not quite sure what he was expecting. Surely, Hawktalon would not lead him into danger.
They were near the brook when Hawktalon slowed in his step. He gestured toward some tall grass. "In there." Brambleheart glanced at him but stepped ahead. His heart stopped as he stepped through.
Firestar lay in the grass, one of those things which Berry had been stuck in had tightened around his neck. The tendril was attached to the ground with something silver. Firestar was looking weakly at Brambleheart. Fear scent filled the air.
The warrior's attention was pulled away as Hawktalon stepped around, stopping behind the leader. "See why I wanted you to come?"
Brambleheart started toward his leader but as Firestar shifted away, he turned his attention to what the tendril was attached to. It would be harder to get it off his neck right now. How had this even happened? He began to dig. Hawktalon stepped toward the tabby.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting him out?"
"No, we're gonna kill him." Brambleheart paused, looking up at the TigerClan deputy. He hoped he misunderstood.
"He is the reason you're not part of our Clan – he stole your life from you, Brambleheart." Hawktalon was saying, "You were being kept away from us – there's nothing in camp that could keep you from going out on patrol! Tigerstar kept saying to wait but you need help. He needs to pay."
Brambleheart stepped around the other warrior, standing between him and Firestar.
"You're not going to hurt him." He had not fought in so long. A voice was filling his head but he would die before allowing anything to happen to Firestar. Why was Hawktalon doing this? He had thought he had gotten a bit through to the other tom. At least, he understood Brambleheart's perspective.
"He can easily be stripped of his lives like this," Hawktalon meowed. "And you can come back with me." He blinked, "You don't need to be scared of him anymore."
"We're going to let him out," Brambleheart's voice was low. "And you're going to leave. Firestar is a forgiving cat, Hawktalon." As soon as they had spoken to Midnight, Brambleheart knew there was going to be a fight. He prayed this would not spark it. He stepped toward where the tendril connected with the ground.
Claws grabbed him, slamming Brambleheart to the ground. He was surprised as he saw hurt in Hawktalon's eyes. "I did this for you!"
"I didn't want you to." Brambleheart forced himself to dig his claws into the other warrior's sides. That voice remained but he had just killed that rabbit and Firestar was in danger.
He needed to save Firestar.
He swung his hindlegs around, kicking roughly at the other tom. Hawktalon stumbled back and Brambleheart sprang to his paws. He stood between the TigerClan warrior and Firestar, growling.
Blue eyes stared at him. Fury twisted across Hawktalon's face.
"If I can't have you, nobody can." The warrior sprang at Brambleheart.
Brambleheart grabbed Hawktalon, biting the tom's flank. Hawktalon shoved into him and the warriors rolled closer to the lake.
Hawktalon was on top. He bared his teeth and Brambleheart's heart skipped a beat as he snapped at his throat. He shoved the other cat's head away. Hawktalon was serious, then.
The WindClan warrior kicked at the other cat's belly and Hawktalon struck at his face. The warrior snarled in pain; he could feel the blood starting to drip down the back of his head. Brambleheart was beginning to panic. He was not as strong as he used to be, he needed to end this quickly. He glanced toward Firestar.
The leader was crouched now, the tendril still tight around his neck. He was looking at the brawling warriors but Brambleheart did not believe he truly saw them. Brambleheart's gaze went to the stake as the late-day sun glinted off of it.
Hawktalon made another blow. Brambleheart's paws went around his shoulders as he jerked, throwing the other cat onto his side. He sprang to his paws, racing to grab the stake. His teeth went around its top and he pulled it out of the ground, turning.
Pain-filled eyes looked at him. Brambleheart was startled as Hawktalon collapsed against him. The tabby dropped the stake, surprised as it fell with Hawktalon.
Blood stained Hawktalon's white chest. The stake stuck out of it. Hawktalon had gone for Brambleheart again. He had impaled him. The other cat fell still.
Something between relief and grief washed over him. He had not wanted to hurt Hawktalon but he would always choose Firestar. Firestar was all that mattered. Brambleheart turned back to his leader.
The scent of fear was still heavy in the air. Firestar seemed to look right through him. "Hey," He rasped, stepping toward the injured tom. "Firestar, I'm Brambleheart." The leader shifted away.
To Brambleheart's surprise, the noose tightened further around Firestar's neck. The stake was still launched into Hawktalon's chest. Firestar seemed startled by the pain and jerked back again. Brambleheart sprang onto the leader.
Claws dug into him and Firestar let out a strangled snarl as his warrior stepped on the tendril, keeping it loose. "Be still." His words were somewhere between a command and a pled. Brambleheart thought he was going to vomit as his leader obeyed. He lowered his head, beginning to work off the noose with his teeth.
He let go at movement through the grass. The warrior's fur rose as Tigerstar stepped through. Why was he here? Had he heard the commotion? The TigerClan warrior glanced at the WindClan cats before looking at Hawktalon. He snarled something to his son's body.
"Did you kill him?" Amber eyes moved to Brambleheart.
"I…did." The leader nodded.
"I'm proud of you." Shock jolted through the warrior. "You did well." Brambleheart felt sick. Tigerstar commented, "Kitty's got its claws in you." He eyed Firestar, "Get off, Bramblepaw. That belongs to me."
He did force himself free of Firestar's grip but stepped between the two leaders, back arching. Tigerstar did not look amused.
"Go sit over by your brother," he said. "You'll get yourself hurt."
"I'm not your son." Tigerstar laughed.
"You are certain proof that you and your sister belong to me," He remarked. "I don't believe Goldenflower was unfaithful." Brambleheart's ears went back.
"You are not my father."
"Then who is?" Brambleheart did not have an answer. Tigerstar continued, "Exactly. Now, step aside, you foolish kit." The warrior growled.
The leader sighed. His claws extended and he stepped forward. There was a moment of pause before Brambleheart sprang.
Claws tore into him. Teeth dug into his back as he was forced to the ground. The younger warrior raked his claws along the leader's side. A paw was placed between his shoulders holding him down. Panic grew in the warrior.
He was not strong. He was not strong. Tigerstar was right. He had only killed Hawktalon by chance. Teeth dug into his scruff and he was dragged toward the lake.
Brambleheart was frozen. He could not reach back. That paw returned between his shoulders as he was dropped at the edge. His reflection stared back at him. His skin crawled.
"Look at yourself," the leader spoke against his ear. "You are my blood. We are the same." Fury rose in the younger tom. He turned suddenly, biting Tigerstar's jaw.
The leader jerked away and Brambleheart whipped around. "I am not your son," He snarled. Tigerstar's eyes narrowed as the tabbies began to circle each other.
Tigerstar made the first move, leaping at Brambleheart. The warrior jerked away but the older tom grabbed his haunches. He screeched as he was thrust to the ground. A horrific pain ran down his leg as his shoulder made contact with a rock.
He turned, gripping the leader with one forepaw as he barreled them toward the lake. Something was wrong with his other leg; he could not move it. Searing pain shot through it as they rolled. He felt lightheaded. He needed to end this.
Brambleheart leaned into the other cat, putting all his weight on his shoulders as they got to the shallows. Teeth snapped at him and Brambleheart forced Tigerstar's head beneath the water.
Those dreams from his time in TigerClan filled his head as he kept the warrior down. Brambleheart's leg was numb and the waves splashed over his muzzle as the cat beneath him struggled. Fear filled the warrior. His leg was at an awkward angle. Was it dislocated or broken? How would he keep fighting if it came to it?
Eventually, Tigerstar's movements stilled. Brambleheart forced himself up, limping to shore. He coughed. He had no clue how many lives the leader had left but he needed to care for Firestar.
"Bram…" Firestar's voice croaked as the warrior collapsed. There was clarity in the leader's gaze.
"Let's get this off of you," Brambleheart whispered, nosing at the noose again. As he began, he realized it was not that deep. It seemed to be strangling his leader more than anything. Relief overcame the warrior. Firestar should not lose a life to this.
Firestar's head rested against his neck as he finished loosening it. The leader was breathing heavily. One of them would need to get help. Brambleheart's patrol should have noticed he was gone by now. Firestar suddenly tensed against the other cat. He turned.
Tigerstar had pulled himself to shore, coughing. Furious amber eyes glared at them. Brambleheart growled, his mind racing. Neither of them was in any state to fight. His leg was not working. The pain had gotten worse and he was unsure if he could stand up again. He was going to fail; they were going to die. Brambleheart could not protect Firestar.
Firestar rose shakily to his feet, ears pinned to his skull. Brambleheart looked at him, surprised.
"Firestar," He began. The leader touched his tail to his warrior's side, assuringly as he stepped forward.
Firestar still had the snare around his neck. The stake was still inside of Hawktalon. Brambleheart glanced at the dead warrior, reaching his working leg out to dislodge it. He turned back to the leaders, who began to circle each other. Firestar was speaking.
"– and me. They had no place in this." Tigerstar snarled something back. Firestar's fur rose. "He's my son."
Brambleheart could do nothing but watch as the TigerClan leader lunged, trying to grab the trap. His head was spinning, had he misunderstood? Had Firestar called him his son?
The leaders were snarling at each other as they grappled. Tigerstar had grabbed the noose of the tendril, jerking Firestar toward him. "Firestar!" Brambleheart exclaimed.
Firestar bit at the leader's face, clawing one shoulder. Tigerstar jerked the other cat again, moving toward the water.
"Firestar!" Brambleheart tried to sit up, hissing as his leg hurt. He could not get up. He could not help Firestar. Tigerstar had hold of the noose still, there was only so much Firestar could resist.
The leaders clawed at each other. Tigerstar grabbed hold of Firestar's scruff, heaving him toward the water. Brambleheart let out another scream as they entered it.
Firestar twisted around, digging his claws into the enemy warrior. The leaders rolled and Brambleheart's heartbeat quickened. They were both partly submerged, he could not truly see them.
Firestar suddenly emerged with the stake in his mouth. He forced the TigerClan leader down. Panic filled the on-watching warrior as Firestar suddenly jerked his head up. The noose tightened around his neck, more than before.
Blood dripped from his neck and the lake turned red. Tigerstar's struggles seemed to lessen. Firestar looked at Brambleheart before he collapsed.
Brambleheart screeched, forcing himself toward the lake. What had Firestar done? Why did the snare tighten again? He saw white and froze. His breath hitched as terror engulfed him. He could not get Firestar out of here. He could not lose a life like this. What if he could not get up again? Would he drown over and over?
He let out another yowl before recoiling at some movement. A cat raced by him, heading into the water. Another two followed.
He recognized Squirrelflight, she was on the shore as the others began to drag the leaders out of the water. When did she get here? This did not seem real. The she-cat looked angry as she turned to Brambleheart.
"What did you do?" She asked.
He stared at her, dumbly.
Leafdawn looked between Firestar and Brambleheart. Brambleheart was seriously hurt and Firestar was dying.
There was nothing she could do to stop him from dying.
Firestar and Graystripe had gone out and Firestar had disappeared. When he could not find him, Graystripe had gone back to get help. Tigerstar and Hawktalon were dead. The end of the tendril had gotten wrapped around Tigerstar's neck. They had had to untangle him.
"Shouldn't we get that thing off of his neck?" Tornear asked.
"No." Leafdawn's answer was instant. That was what was keeping his blood in. "We need to get him to the Moonpool." The deputy looked at her, confused.
"Why?" Bounceheart asked. "Tallstar didn't need to be brought to the shining cave to get his next life."
"He just does – get Brambleheart back to camp," She ordered. "Firestar needs to be brought to the Moonpool." Tornear opened his mouth but Sandstorm spoke.
"Then we bring him." She stepped toward the leader, flicking her tail at Squirrelflight. "Help me pick him up." The warrior obliged.
As Firestar was situated, Leafdawn turned to Tornear. "Get Brambleheart back to camp – we'll be back as soon as possible." The deputy still looked confused but dipped his head. Leafdawn took the lead toward the back of the territory. Storm clouds were beginning to form. She prayed this would work.
"Leafdawn," Squirrelflight meowed after some time. "Why are we –"
"I'll tell you when we get there," The medicine cat interrupted. It had begun to rain.
The sun had set by the time they got to the pool. Lightning shattered the sky overhead.
Firestar was set at the edge of the Moonpool, his nose touching the water. Leafdawn could not see his side moving as she worked the noose off of him. "Squirrelflight, get cobwebs," She ordered. The she-cat took off.
"Leafdawn, why are we here?" Sandstorm asked when the younger warrior returned. She was beginning to look troubled. Leafdawn applied the cobwebs.
"Firestar did not get lives – he's, technically, still Fireheart."
"What do you mean?" Squirrelflight asked. Leafdawn shook her head, stepping back.
"As I said, he never got nine lives." She stared at their father's body. "They wouldn't let him – it has something to do with Tigerstar." Both warriors looked horrified as the medicine cat's words truly overcame them. Sandstorm looked back to her mate.
She stepped to his side and the sisters watched as she shoved her paw into his shoulder. "You idiot!" Sandstorm snarled, "You stupid, stupid furball! Why wouldn't you tell me this?" She pushed into him again.
"He didn't want anyone to know," Leafdawn's voice was quiet. "Only Barkface and I knew." Sandstorm glanced at her before crouching at their leader's side.
"You come back," Her muzzle was to his ear. "You are coming back or by StarClan, I will go up there and get you!" Grief was beginning to fill her voice, "You are not leaving. Firestar, WindClan needs you."
