"But Bluestar, look at his collar, he is a kittypet! How do you know him?" Tigerkit- which Rusty had called Tigerclaw- looked at the she-cat suspiciously.
She dipped her head respectfully. "I understand your confusion Tigerclaw. But if you and our newcomer here would follow me to my den, I think everyone will understand. Firepaw, would you come as well?"
Rusty, now being called Firepaw, looked bewildered, but slowly nodded his head. The she-cat looked at Henry, who nodded his head.
"Excellent." And with that, she turned around and headed for her den, with Tigercaw right next to her. Firepaw followed them, with Henry taking up the rear.
Henry knew he shouldn't have known, but he knew the way to the she-cat's den. It felt so familiar, and yet, he was sure he had never been here before.
In the den, Henry felt right at home. He had pictured this place the exact same way, not a thing different.
The she-cat sat down, making herself comfortable, and the rest of the guests did the same thing. They all stared at each other for a while, before the cat started to talk.
"Well, we should start off with names. I am Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan. This is Tigerclaw, a senior warrior. And I assume you know Firepaw." Henry blinked in confusion.
"I think you mean Rusty. I don't know no Firepaw." Henry stared at Rusty, who was holding back a smile.
"That was my kittypet name. I am now called Firepaw." He sat up tall, looking proud by his new name. Henry didn't understand. What was wrong with the name Rusty?
"My name is Henry. I'm sorry if I worried you or your…warriors. But I need help. I think I'm going crazy."
"Please Henry, tell us from the beginning. What happened?"
So Henry told the three cats everything that had happened from the time he saw the two cats with Rusty, to the moment he knew the path to Bluestar's den. The entire time, Bluestar's eyes glowed brighter and brighter.
When he had finished his story, he, Firepaw, and Tigerclaw stared intently at Bluestar. Bluestar herself stared intently at Henry.
"Henry. Do you know who Pinestar was? Do you recognize the name?"
Henry closed his eyes tightly. He had heard the name before. He searched his mind. Pinestar. Pinestar. Pinestar.
*Flashback*
"Pine-it's Pinestar now, right? How did it go?" A tortoiseshell she-cat caught up with Henry. He didn't want to talk. He was so tired. He was on his way to his den, he wanted to sleep.
A brown tom came over with a mouse. He dropped it in front of Henry. "I caught his for you Pinestar. I knew you would be hungry." Henry was grateful. He just realized his belly growling. He accepted it.
Henry continued to walk to his den. A ginger apprentice ran up to Henry. "Pinestar, Pinestar! What happened at the Moonstone? Did you see Sweetbriar? Do you have nine lives now?"
A yellow she-cat came rushing out of her den. "Sunpaw! Don't bother Pinestar! He hasn't had any sleep! That's no way a warrior behaves!"
Sunpaw's tail drooped and he followed the she-cat away from Pinestar-no-Henry. He was Henry. Not Pinestar. Henry. Henry. Pinestar.
*End of Flashback*
"Pinestar? That traitor! He left to be a stupid prissy kittypet! I hate him! The day I find him, I'll kill him!" Tigerclaw was now pacing the den with a murderous gleam in his eyes. He was bearing his teeth and unsheathed his claws.
"Ummm…Tigerclaw. Calm down. Take deep breaths. You don't want to do that. What would it solve?"
Tigerclaw sheathed his claws. His breathing slowed, and he sat down. But he still had an angry gleam in his eyes.
Bluestar was now looking worried. She looked at Henry with concern. "Tigerclaw, can you order the sunhigh patrol? And gather some hunting parties. Please lead one."
"As you wish Bluestar." Tigerclaw bowed his head and walked out of the den. Bluestar sighed, almost with relief.
"That would have been bad. Henry, you seem smart. Do you know why?" Bluestar stared at him, seeming to urge him on.
Henry tried to think. He thought hard. Pinestar. Henry. Pinestar. Henry.
"Because I'm Pinestar."