Sorry about not updating often, but it's been hard to write, mainly because of school and writer's block. We hope that you all enjoy this chapter. There will be more to come! Comments, suggestions, and feedback is greatly appreciated!

Chapter 41

Bramblestar's POV

Bramblestar woke earlier than all the other cats. He felt restless, impatient for everyone else to wake up. As he paced around outside, he thought about the Clan life he had left behind at the lake. Were his kits strong and ready to be warriors? Was Squirrelflight doing well without him? How was the Clan going on in general? These questions swirled around in Bramblestar's mind, and he couldn't shake them away.

I hope Tigerstar hasn't done anything yet, Bramblestar thought.

"Bramblestar?" a voice asked.

Bramblestar turned around to find Dovewing emerging from the cave. She too seemed as restless as he was, eyeing the horizon warily.

"Yes, Dovewing?" Bramblestar asked back.

"I was just thinking about something," Dovewing replied. "Why is Tigerstar so ambitious? He has tried to defeat the Clans many, many times, and every time he fails, but he continues to try to plot our downfall. Why does he do this? Why can't he just leave us in peace?"

Bramblestar was surprised by her question. He had never really given thought about why Tigerstar kept trying to take over the Clans again and again. "I guess he's just really ambitious. He was never satisfied with the power he had, and he always wanted more."

Dovewing nodded, then turned to look at the horizon. "I've always wondered what ThunderClan looked like back in the old forest. Why did the Twolegs have to ruin everything?"

"Things just happen for a reason," Bramblestar replied. "You seem very curious today."

Dovewing shrugged, "I just want to know more about ThunderClan's past."

There was a scuffle of noise as more cats exited the cave. Bramblestar saw the rest of the cats file out and stretch their aching limbs.

"Wow, how did you two get up so early? I was tempted to sleep in," Tigerheart remarked, half joking.

"We wake up early like this all the time. The prey-hunters sometimes go out at dawn, when the birds think no one can see them," Flight replied.

"When will we start moving?" Dovewing asked. "I want to get a nice headstart, so that we will cover enough ground to make some progress before dusk."

"You're thinking about dusk already?" Bramblestar teased. "The sun has just risen! But you do have a point, Dovewing."

"Let's hunt, and then we'll get moving," Mistystar said.

The cats started to disband, and Bramblestar headed off to a nearby clump of trees, accompanied by Dovewing and Lionblaze.

"I see a bird up in that tree!" Dovewing exclaimed.

"We're not even close yet," Bramblestar said. "How can you see them?"

"I don't see anything," Lionblaze agreed.

"Does this mean… can it really be? My powers must be coming back!" Dovewing said.

"This can only mean one thing: The Dark Forest and its inhabitants draws near," Bramblestar said.

"I don't feel anything yet," Lionblaze said. "We'll see if I have my powers back when we fight someone."

"All right, go off and hunt, and don't take too long," Bramblestar said.

Bramblestar headed deeper into the woods while Dovewing and Lionblaze branched off into a different part of the forest. The fresh scent of pine and oak trees mingled with each other. Bramblestar opened his jaws wide, tasting the air for prey. He caught the scent of a mouse, dropped into a hunter's crouch, and crept closer. He pounced and killed the mouse with a quick bite, thanking StarClan for the prey he had caught. He returned to camp with the mouse in his jaws. The RiverClan, WindClan, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, and Tribe cats had already gathered around to eat. Bramblestar padded over to Lionblaze and Dovewing, who had just finished eating.

"I can see and hear so much!" Dovewing exclaimed. "I see a huge Thunderpath, a forest, and a very big Twoleg den next to another really big den. There's a moor nearby, and next to that is a gorge. Across the gorge, there is a forest, and next to the forest there is a Twolegplace. Across the Thunderpath, there's a marshy area."

"The old forest!" Bramblestar exclaimed. "I wonder if it's changed much."

"You can see our old home?" Onestar asked.

"And the carrionplace?" Rowanstar asked. "It's been a long time since I've seen the old forest."

"How can you see it from here?" Rain asked as she padded towards Dovewing. "Even with my sharp eyesight, there is nothing but a speck."

"I have special abilities that let me see and hear things that are far away," Dovewing explained. "I, along with Lionblaze and Jayfeather, have these abilities to help defeat the Dark Forest from taking over the Clans."

"That's so cool, Dovewing," Tigerheart mewed. "I wish I had powers like that."

"Be careful what you wish for," Dovewing replied.

Bramblestar stood up, "If everyone has finished eating, we should start and head out towards the old forest. Dovewing, lead the way."

As everyone stood up to follow Dovewing, Bramblestar couldn't help but feel excited. He only hoped that things had not changed too much. Oh StarClan, I hope our old home is still there.